05896556 is referenced by 109 patents and cites 11 patents.
An apparatus of the present invention is adapted to provide a telephone line connection over a coax cable distribution system. In a home having a plurality of set-top television boxes which each require a connection to a telephone line, the present invention allows a single telephone line connection to be provided to the plurality of set-top boxes via the coax cable distribution system. The invention uses a first interface device connected to a telephone line to modulate telephone signals and transmit them over the coax cable distribution system. The device also includes a demodulator to demodulate signals received over the coax cable distribution system to be sent over the telephone line. The invention includes a second interface device at each set-top box which also includes a modulator and demodulator to transmit and receive telephone signals over the coax cable distribution system.
