There is provided fiber-coaxial amplifier device (10) comprising at least one output (14) and a test point (26) associated with the at least one output (14), wherein alternative first and second electrical paths (36, 38) are connectable to the at least one output (14), the first path (36) connectable to the at least one output (14) whilst bypassing the test point, the second path (38) connectable to both the at least one output (14) and the test point (26), and a relay (30) operable to connect one of the first path or the second path to the at least one output (14). The fiber-coaxial amplifier device (10) is configured for signals complying with Extended Spectrum DOCSIS.

Example apparatus disclosed herein determine that an output media signal from a monitored media device corresponds to at least a first media signal from a first source device in communication with the monitored media device, and a second media signal from a second source device in communication with the monitored media device. Disclosed example apparatus also access motion data reported by one or more of a first accelerometer associated with a first remote control device, a second accelerometer associated with a second remote control device, a third accelerometer associated with a third remote control device, the first remote control device associated with the first source device, the second remote control device associated with the second source device, the third remote control device associated with the monitored media device. Disclosed example apparatus also identify, based on the motion data, a source of the output media signal from the monitored media device.

Example apparatus disclosed herein determine that an output media signal from a monitored media device corresponds to at least a first media signal from a first source device in communication with the monitored media device, and a second media signal from a second source device in communication with the monitored media device. Disclosed example apparatus also access motion data reported by one or more of a first accelerometer associated with a first remote control device, a second accelerometer associated with a second remote control device, a third accelerometer associated with a third remote control device, the first remote control device associated with the first source device, the second remote control device associated with the second source device, the third remote control device associated with the monitored media device. Disclosed example apparatus also identify, based on the motion data, a source of the output media signal from the monitored media device.

Embodiments disclose systems and methods for testing and determining outages of communication systems. A server can receive signal-reception-related information from set-top boxes (STBs) in a particular geographical region, where a STB: receives signals having a predefined pattern, generates a comparison of the predefined pattern to reference patterns stored on the STB, generates the signal-reception-related information based on the comparison, and sends the signal-reception-related information. The server can determine an outage status for the particular geographical region based on the signal-reception-related information. The server can generate an output based on the outage status. The output is configured to provide information related to the outage status of the particular geographical region and information for possible responses related to the outage status. The server can send the output.

Embodiments disclose systems and methods for testing and determining outages of communication systems. A server can receive signal-reception-related information from set-top boxes (STBs) in a particular geographical region, where a STB: receives signals having a predefined pattern, generates a comparison of the predefined pattern to reference patterns stored on the STB, generates the signal-reception-related information based on the comparison, and sends the signal-reception-related information. The server can determine an outage status for the particular geographical region based on the signal-reception-related information. The server can generate an output based on the outage status. The output is configured to provide information related to the outage status of the particular geographical region and information for possible responses related to the outage status. The server can send the output.

A method of encapsulating data and a single frequency network configured to perform the method are disclosed. A content stream of data packets is received, and the data packets in the content stream are formatted in accordance with a first protocol. Information identifying a container size established for the content stream is received. The data packets formatted in accordance with the first protocol are fragmented and packed to form data units formatted in accordance with a second protocol, and the data units are sized based on the container size. The data units formatted in accordance with the second protocol are encapsulated to form second protocol data packets. The second protocol data packets are provided to a transmitter that is synchronized to one or more transmitters in a single frequency network so that each transmitter in the single frequency network broadcasts a same signal that includes the second protocol data packets.

The present invention is aimed at making it possible to assess a radio wave intensity distribution widely covering areas and frequencies, and thereby making it possible to assess a distribution, widely covering areas and frequencies, of the quality of a communication function provided by a radio wave.

A radio wave intensity distribution assessment apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a radio wave station position detection unit that detects a position of a radio wave station on the basis of a geographic image having position information and of an image of the radio wave station; a radio wave station information integration unit that outputs radio wave station information based on the position of the radio wave station and radio wave station license information on the radio wave station; and a radio wave intensity distribution estimation unit that estimates and outputs a radio wave intensity distribution within a designated range on the basis of the radio wave station information and geographic information on the surroundings of the radio wave station.

Embodiments include a system and method for a real-time distributed Transport Stream (TS) analysis that utilizes many parts of an available network to concurrently monitor TSs across a geographic region. Embodiments include the selection of a profile for each combination of a TS and a collection point where the profile includes one or more sets of acceptable transmission values or ranges associated with the combination. The profile may include for example, program service information tables, service information, TS transmission parameters, and/or general TS quality index analysis rules. Embodiments include real-time concurrent monitoring and analysis of multiple TSs from collection points distributed throughout the geographic region. As services associated with the TSs at different collection points evolve, the respective profiles and rules adapt accordingly to maintain the quality of service and performance associated with respective TS and collection point combinations.

A provider equipment identification (ID) device includes a provider equipment with a plurality of output ports and an ID beacon device. The provider equipment is configured to perform a signal processing operation on an input signal and deliver an output signal to one or more of the output ports. The ID beacon device is coupled to the provider equipment. The ID beacon device is configured to output at least one pilot beacon signal which is receivable by each of the output ports to electrically excite each of the output ports such that the at least one pilot beacon signal is introduced in the output signal to generate an altered output signal capable of identifying the provider equipment.

A display controlling method for a broadcast receiving apparatus allowed to receive IP simultaneous broadcasting of a 4K broadcasting service via a communication transmission line, in which simultaneous broadcasting of the 4K broadcasting service and a 2K broadcasting service is executed by a broadcasting wave, is configured to: receive and demodulate the 4K broadcasting service, and display a broadcasting program of the 4K broadcasting service; and select and execute one display switching process of first and second display switching processes in accordance with priority order in a case where a defect occurs in reception, demodulation, or display of the 4K broadcasting service, the 2K broadcasting service being received and demodulated to display a broadcasting program of the 2K broadcasting service in the first display switching process, the IP simultaneous broadcasting being received and demodulated to display a program of the IP simultaneous broadcasting in the second display switching process.