Device for Receiving and Processing TV Signals from Cables and Wireless Sources
This patent describes a device that combines signals from a cable TV line and a wireless source, processes them to create copy-protected video and audio, and sends them to a TV or other device.
Original patent title: “Extended connectivity point-of-deployment apparatus and concomitant method thereof”
This patent describes a device that combines signals from a cable TV line and a wireless source, processes them to create copy-protected video and audio, and sends them to a TV or other device. Granted to Individual in 2014 with 55 claims and 170 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent details a 'Point-of-Deployment' (POD) module apparatus designed to bring content to your screen. It has a housing with a connector for a coaxial cable, which brings in a cable signal. It also has a port that can receive wireless signals from various sources like a local computer network, the internet, or even a remote control signal. Inside, a module unit takes the cable signal and the wireless signal. It processes these to create copy-protected video and audio signals. Finally, a connector on the housing sends these processed signals to a third device, like a TV, which then displays the image and plays the sound. For example, it could receive a standard cable TV feed and a wireless signal for interactive features, then combine them for a richer viewing experience.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Devices that only receive signals from a coaxial cable and do not incorporate any wireless signal reception.
- Systems that do not generate copy-protected video or audio signals.
- Apparatuses that do not have a physical connector designed to be mechanically separable from a host device's connector.
- Modules that do not process both a cable signal and a wireless signal to produce output.
- Devices that solely function as a wireless router or access point without cable signal integration.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in the module's ability to act as a central hub, unifying disparate signal types (coaxial cable and various wireless networks) into a single, processed output stream for a display device, while also incorporating copy protection mechanisms.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Set-top boxes for cable TV providers
Digital video recorders (DVRs)
Smart TV media processing units
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent is significant as it describes an early integrated approach to content delivery, combining traditional cable TV signals with emerging wireless data streams. It addresses the need for flexible content reception and processing in a home entertainment environment, paving the way for more sophisticated set-top boxes and media devices.
Filed
March 21, 2007
Granted
November 11, 2014
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies involved in set-top box manufacturing and cable service provision, such as Comcast, Charter Communications, and device manufacturers like Arris and Technicolor, would have been interested in this technology for their integrated media solutions.
Market impact
This patent likely influenced the design of integrated set-top boxes that combine cable reception with internet connectivity for on-demand services and interactive features. It represents a step towards the convergence of broadcast and broadband media delivery.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent details a 'Point-of-Deployment' (POD) module apparatus designed to bring content to your screen. It has a housing with a connector for a coaxial cable, which brings in a cable signal. It also has a port that can receive wireless signals from various sources like a local computer network, the internet, or even a remote control signal. Inside, a module unit takes the cable signal and the wireless signal. It processes these to create copy-protected video and audio signals. Finally, a connector on the housing sends these processed signals to a third device, like a TV, which then displays the image and plays the sound. For example, it could receive a standard cable TV feed and a wireless signal for interactive features, then combine them for a richer viewing experience.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in the module's ability to act as a central hub, unifying disparate signal types (coaxial cable and various wireless networks) into a single, processed output stream for a display device, while also incorporating copy protection mechanisms.
What it does not cover
- Devices that only receive signals from a coaxial cable and do not incorporate any wireless signal reception.
- Systems that do not generate copy-protected video or audio signals.
- Apparatuses that do not have a physical connector designed to be mechanically separable from a host device's connector.
- Modules that do not process both a cable signal and a wireless signal to produce output.
- Devices that solely function as a wireless router or access point without cable signal integration.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Strong
Citation count
40/40
Highly cited
Claim breadth
20/20
Very broad protection
Recency
5/20
Granted 10–20 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$115K – $369K
Midpoint $230K · expired or expiring · industry ×1.6
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
55 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Dua, R. (2014). Device for Receiving and Processing TV Signals from Cables and Wireless Sources (U.S. Patent No. 8,887,212). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8887212/netflix-content-delivery-network-open-connect
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Device for Receiving and Processing TV Signals from Cables and Wireless Sources cover?
This patent describes a device that combines signals from a cable TV line and a wireless source, processes them to create copy-protected video and audio, and sends them to a TV or other device.
Who owns patent US 8887212?
Individual owns this patent, granted in 2014.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on November 11, 2034, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 8887212 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 170 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent is significant as it describes an early integrated approach to content delivery, combining traditional cable TV signals with emerging wireless data streams. It addresses the need for flexible content reception and processing in a home entertainment environment, paving the way for more sophisticated set-top boxes and media devices.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Devices that only receive signals from a coaxial cable and do not incorporate any wireless signal reception.
Same assignee
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