US5896183A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
TV or radio broadcast transmission line amplifier with switch bypass controlled at the receiver side
Assignee: NTL TECHNOLOGIES Inc
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Filing: 1997-03-25
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Granted: 1999-04-20
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Expires: 2017-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A wireless receiving subsystem operatively connectable to a broadcast receiver unit having a frequency tuner has an antenna with a feed point, an amplifier located essentially at the feed point, and a transmission line extending from the feed point of the antenna and the amplifier to a signal input of the broadcast receiver unit. The transmission line having a pair of conductors, for example, coaxial conductors. A manually operated switch is disposed in the transmission line for applying a DC voltage across the conductors, while a relay switch is operatively connected to the transmission line for changing a connection state of the amplifier to the transmission line in response to the voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 Neil Terk
- 👤 George Skahill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:28
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H01; H01Q; H01Q9/00; H01Q9/04; H01Q9/16; H01Q9/26; H01Q23/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A wireless receiving subsystem operatively connectable to a broadcast receiver unit having a frequency tuner, comprising: an antenna having a feed point; an amplifier located essentially at said feed point; a transmission line extending from said feed point of said antenna and said amplifier to a signal input of the broadcast receiver unit, said transmission line having a pair of conductors; a first switch disposed in said transmission line for applying a DC voltage across said conductors; and a second switch operatively connected to said transmission line for connecting said amplifier between said feed point and said signal input and alternately disconnecting said amplifier from said feed point and said signal input, depending on an activation state of said first switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A wireless receiving subsystem operatively connectable to a broadcast receiver unit having a frequency tuner, comprising: an antenna having a feed point; an amplifier located essentially at said feed point; a transmission line extending from said feed point of said antenna and said amplifier to a signal input of the broadcast receiver unit, said transmission line having a pair of conductors; a first switch disposed in said transmission line for applying a DC voltage across said conductors; and a second switch operatively connected to said transmission line for connecting said amplifier between said feed point and said signal input and alternately disconnecting said amplifier from said feed point and said signal input, depending on an activation state of said first switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The wireless receiving subsystem defined in claim 1 wherein said second switch is a double-throw switch arranged to alternately connect said feed point to said signal input (a) directly, bypassing said amplifier, and (b) indirectly via said amplifier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The wireless receiving subsystem defined in claim 2 wherein said second switch is arranged so as to connect said amplifier to said feed point and said signal input upon the applying of said voltage across said conductors by said first switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The wireless receiving subsystem defined in claim 1 wherein said first switch is located essentially at said broadcast receiver unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The wireless receiving subsystem defined in claim 1 wherein said transmission line is a coaxial cable, said conductors comprising inner and outer conductors of said cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The wireless receiving subsystem defined in claim 1 wherein said second switch is an electromagnetic relay.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The wireless receiving subsystem defined in claim 1 wherein said second switch is located between said amplifier and said feed point.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The wireless receiving subsystem defined in claim 1 wherein said second switch is located between said amplifier and said first switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The wireless receiving subsystem defined in claim 1 wherein said second switch is one of a pair of second switches operatively connected to said transmission line on opposite sides of said amplifier, said second switches acting in concert to change a connection state of said amplifier to said transmission line in response to said voltage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The wireless receiving subsystem defined in claim 1 wherein said broadcast receiver unit is taken from the group including a television and a radio.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A wireless receiving subsystem defined in claim 1, wherein said antenna includes a pair of opposite end segments folded back to overlap a central segment.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
116 words
A method utilizable with a wireless receiving subsystem including antenna having a feed point, an amplifier located essentially at said feed point, a transmission line extending from said feed point of said antenna and said amplifier to a signal input of a broadcast receiver unit having a frequency tuner, said transmission line having a pair of conductors, said method comprising: operating one switch to connect said feed point to said signal input via said amplifier; operating another switch to change a DC potential difference between said conductors; in response to the change in DC potential difference between said conductors, operating said one switch to connect said feed point directly to said signal input, bypassing said amplifier.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
116 words
A method utilizable with a wireless receiving subsystem including antenna having a feed point, an amplifier located essentially at said feed point, a transmission line extending from said feed point of said antenna and said amplifier to a signal input of a broadcast receiver unit having a frequency tuner, said transmission line having a pair of conductors, said method comprising: operating one switch to connect said feed point to said signal input via said amplifier; operating another switch to change a DC potential difference between said conductors; in response to the change in DC potential difference between said conductors, operating said one switch to connect said feed point directly to said signal input, bypassing said amplifier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method defined in claim 12 wherein the operating of said one switch is automatic so that said one switch has an operational state depending on the DC potential difference between said conductors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method defined in claim 12 wherein said another switch is located essentially at said broadcast receiver unit, the operating of said another switch being performed manually.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
110 words
A method utilizable with a wireless receiving subsystem including antenna having a feed point, an amplifier located essentially at said feed point, a transmission line extending from said feed point of said antenna and said amplifier to a signal input of a broadcast receiver unit having a frequency tuner, said method comprising: operating a switch to connect said feed point to said signal input via said amplifier; applying a signal to said transmission at a point located essentially at said broadcast receiver unit; and in response to the signal applied to said transmission line, operating said switch to connect said feed point directly to said signal input, bypassing said amplifier.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
110 words
A method utilizable with a wireless receiving subsystem including antenna having a feed point, an amplifier located essentially at said feed point, a transmission line extending from said feed point of said antenna and said amplifier to a signal input of a broadcast receiver unit having a frequency tuner, said method comprising: operating a switch to connect said feed point to said signal input via said amplifier; applying a signal to said transmission at a point located essentially at said broadcast receiver unit; and in response to the signal applied to said transmission line, operating said switch to connect said feed point directly to said signal input, bypassing said amplifier.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method defined in claim 15 wherein the operating of said switch is automatic so that said switch has an operational state depending on the signal applied to said transmission line.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-04-19 | 2002-10-19 | 2003-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-19 | 2006-10-19 | 2007-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-19 | 2010-10-19 | 2011-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |