Remote alternating current (ac) power control system for cable network maintenance
AssigneeCharter Communications Operating, LLC
InventorsKevin Kwasny, Diana Linton, Justin Stiles
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Over a coaxial cable network, remotely instruct a first network element that provides AC power to a second network element over the coaxial cable network, to turn off downstream AC power to the second network element. The second network element is not collocated with the first network element. Perform at least one function related to the second network element while the AC power is turned off. Following completion of the at least one function related to the second network element, remotely instruct the first network element, over the coaxial cable network, to turn on the downstream AC power.
Claims30
A method comprising:
- over a coaxial cable network, remotely instructing a first network element that provides AC power to a second network element over the coaxial cable network, to turn off downstream AC power to the second network element, wherein the second network element is not collocated with the first network element;
- performing at least one function related to the second network element while the AC power is turned off;
- and
- following completion of the at least one function related to the second network element, remotely instructing the first network element, over the coaxial cable network, to turn on the downstream AC power.
An active network element, comprising:
- a coaxial input configured to input RF and AC from upstream coaxial cable;
- a coaxial output configured to output RF and AC to downstream coaxial cable;
- an AC bus coupling the coaxial input and the coaxial output;
- an AC switch configured to interrupt AC through the AC bus;
- an amplifier interface coupled to the AC switch and configured to receive, over at least one of the coaxial input and the coaxial output, instructions to control the AC switch;
- and
- a power supply configured to obtain AC power from the upstream coaxial cable and provide DC power to the AC switch.
A system comprising:
- a memory;
- and
- at least one processor, coupled to the memory, and operative to:
- receive first instructions for a first network element that provides AC power to a second network element over a coaxial cable network, to turn off downstream AC power to the second network element, wherein the second network element is not collocated with the first network element;
- responsive to receiving the first instructions, instruct the first network element, over the coaxial cable network, to turn off the downstream AC power;
- following completion of at least one function related to the second network element, receive second instructions for the first network element to turn the downstream AC power to the second network element back on;
- and
- responsive to receiving the second instructions, instruct the first network element, over the coaxial cable network, to turn the downstream AC power back on.
A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions which when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform the method of:
- receiving first instructions for a first network element that provides AC power to a second network element over a coaxial cable network, to turn off downstream AC power to the second network element, wherein the second network element is not collocated with the first network element;
- responsive to receiving the first instructions, instructing the first network element, over the coaxial cable network, to turn off the downstream AC power;
- following completion of at least one function related to the second network element, receiving second instructions for the first network element to turn the downstream AC power to the second network element back on;
- and
- responsive to receiving the second instructions, instructing the first network element, over the coaxial cable network, to turn the downstream AC power back on.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.