Importance

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Abstract

A communications device is disclosed for use between a CATV distribution line and a plurality of CATV subscribed premises for monitoring the utilization of each subscriber of a plurality of subscribers of TV channels distributed over the CATV distribution line. The devise comprises a subscriber status monitor associated with each subscriber premises of the plurality of subscribers for connection to the distribution line and delivering one or more of the TV channels to the associated subscriber. Each monitor includes filters responsive to a subscriber generated activation signal to block out or pass the TV channels and prevent the activation signal from propagating into the distribution line, a status indicator electrically connected to the filters for producing an output signal indicating whether the TV channels are blocked out or delivered to the subscriber premises, and an addressable asynchronous receiver transmitter responsive to a unique electrically encoded address signal received over a communications bus separate from the distribution line for transmitting over the communications bus the output signal of the status indicator of each of the subscriber status monitors.

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First Claim