DETECTOR FOR ILLICIT CONNECTIONS OF TELEVISION SIGNALS

Patent Title:  DETECTOR FOR ILLICIT CONNECTIONS OF TELEVISION SIGNALS

Description

A wireless tool that can generate signal to Cable Television (CATV) distribution lines to detect or check if there are illegal cable connections.

​Innovative Features and Benefits:

Many complaints about bad or poor CATV signals are frequently received by most CATV stations. Only few people are aware of the cause of the problem.

The Republic Act 10515, also known as the “Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Tapping Act of 2013”, stipulates that it is unlawful to intercept or receive, or assist in intercepting or receiving, any signal offered over a CATV system or a cable internet system by tapping, making or causing to be made, any connection to an existing CATV System/Network or Cable Internet System/Network without the authority of the concerned CATV Service Provider or Cable Internet Provider. This illegal activity is impermissible, and offenders caught with the unlawful act are given designated punishment.

However, many offenders are still uncaught even if the law is already in place. Illegal tapping of CATV signal in the main distribution line is the most common method used by CATV thefts since it is the most vulnerable part of the CATV system. They perform illegal tapping by just connecting a coaxial cable from the main line directly to the television.

Tracing illicit connections become very difficult for authorized technicians, especially when the cable connections are hidden. There are also many methods used by CATV thefts to prevent these connections from being discovered. Most technicians are tired and stressed out, spending a week or more to trace illegal connections, since they perform it manually.

Business Potential:

Illegal connections on CATV lines are rampant in the Philippines, especially in highly urbanized areas. One of the drawbacks of these illegal connections is revenue loss to cable companies. The approximate amount of annual revenue loss is about 7 billion pesos or even more. This condition can lead to closure of some cable television companies.

Analog transmission of CATV is still available at present time. CATV companies that are not into digital transmission will fully benefit of this invention. Although it would be impossible for violators to penetrate the digital signal, this device can detect illegal tapping of both analog and digital transmissions. Furthermore, CATV users can also benefit from this invention since they can use this to immediately check their CATV lines when they experience doubling of image or “ghosting” on their TV screen which generally happens due to illicit tapping.

 

If you are interested to know more about this technology and its owners, please feel free to contact Engr. Aldrex Aviso at aldrex.aviso@ipophil.gov.ph