Highly integrated computer controlled digital head end
First Claim
1. A two-way broadband system, comprising:
- a digital headend configured to process a plurality of digital video, a plurality of digital data, a plurality of voice information, and a plurality of upstream communications, said digital headend including, at least one smart network interface module configured to buffer said plurality of digital video, said plurality of digital data, said plurality of voice information and said plurality of upstream communications, a shared bus operatively coupled to said at least one smart network interface module, said shared bus configured to transport said digital video, said plurality of digital data, said plurality of voice information, and said plurality of upstream communications, a downstream module operatively coupled to said shared bus, said downstream module configured to transmit said plurality of digital video, said plurality of digital data and said plurality of voice information, an upstream module operatively coupled with said shared bus, said upstream configured to receive said plurality of upstream communications;
a cable distribution network in communications with said digital headend, said cable distribution network configured to communicate a plurality of digital video, a plurality of digital data, a plurality of voice information, and a plurality of upstream communications; and
a set-top box configured to receive said plurality of video, said plurality of data, said plurality of voice information, said set-top box configured to generate said plurality of upstream communications.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a highly integrated computer controlled digital headend configured to process a plurality of digital video, a plurality of digital data, a plurality of voice information, and a plurality of upstream communications. The digital headend includes at least one smart network interface module operatively coupled to a shared bus, a downstream module and an upstream module. Preferably, the smart network interface module is configured to receive, transfer and buffer the plurality of digital video, the plurality of digital data, the plurality of voice information and the plurality of upstream communications. The shared bus is operatively coupled to the at least one smart network interface module. The shared bus is configured to transport the digital video, the plurality of digital data, the plurality of voice information, and the plurality of upstream communications. The downstream module is operatively coupled to the shared bus. The downstream module is configured to transmit the plurality of digital video, the plurality of digital data and the plurality of voice information. It shall be appreciated by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the smart network interface module may be a discrete module operatively coupled to the shared bus or the smart network interface module may be resident on the downstream module, or any combination thereof. The upstream module is operatively coupled to the shared bus and is configured to receive the plurality of upstream communications.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1. A two-way broadband system, comprising:
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a digital headend configured to process a plurality of digital video, a plurality of digital data, a plurality of voice information, and a plurality of upstream communications, said digital headend including, at least one smart network interface module configured to buffer said plurality of digital video, said plurality of digital data, said plurality of voice information and said plurality of upstream communications, a shared bus operatively coupled to said at least one smart network interface module, said shared bus configured to transport said digital video, said plurality of digital data, said plurality of voice information, and said plurality of upstream communications, a downstream module operatively coupled to said shared bus, said downstream module configured to transmit said plurality of digital video, said plurality of digital data and said plurality of voice information, an upstream module operatively coupled with said shared bus, said upstream configured to receive said plurality of upstream communications;
a cable distribution network in communications with said digital headend, said cable distribution network configured to communicate a plurality of digital video, a plurality of digital data, a plurality of voice information, and a plurality of upstream communications; and
a set-top box configured to receive said plurality of video, said plurality of data, said plurality of voice information, said set-top box configured to generate said plurality of upstream communications. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. The two-way broadband system of
claim 12 wherein said at least one smart network interface module is configured to buffer a plurality of digital data control data associated with said plurality of digital data.
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13. The two-way broadband system of
claim 13 wherein said at least one smart network interface module is configured to buffer a plurality of voice information control data associated with said plurality of voice information.
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14. The two-way broadband system of
claim 14 wherein said at least one smart network interface module is configured to buffer a plurality of upstream communications control data associated with said plurality of upstream communications.
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15. A two-way broadband system, comprising:
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a digital headend configured to process a plurality of digital video, a plurality of digital data, and a plurality of upstream communications, said digital headend including, at least one smart network interface module configured to buffer said plurality of video, said plurality of digital data, and said plurality of upstream communications, a shared bus operatively coupled to said smart network interface module, said shared bus configured to transport said digital video, said plurality of digital data, and said plurality of upstream communications, a downstream module operatively coupled to said shared bus, said downstream module configured to transmit said plurality of digital video and said plurality of digital data, an upstream module operatively coupled with said shared bus, said upstream configured to receive said plurality of upstream communications;
a cable distribution network in communications with said digital headend, said cable distribution network configured to communicate a plurality of digital video, a plurality of digital data, and a plurality of upstream communications; and
a set-top box configured to receive said plurality of video, said plurality of data, said plurality of voice information, said set-top box configured to generate said plurality of upstream communications. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A digital headend configured to receive a plurality of digital video, a plurality of data signals, a plurality of voice information, and a plurality of upstream communications, said digital headend comprising:
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a smart network interface module housed within said digital headend, said smart network interface module configured to buffer said plurality of video, said plurality of data, said plurality of voice information and said plurality of upstream communications;
a shared bus operatively coupled to said smart network interface module, said shared bus configured to transport said digital video, said plurality of digital data, said plurality of voice information, and said plurality of upstream communications;
a downstream module operatively coupled to said shared bus, said downstream module configured to communicate said plurality of digital video, said plurality of digital data and said plurality of voice information; and
an upstream module operatively coupled to said shared bus, said upstream module configured to receive said plurality of upstream communications and communicate said upstream communications to said shared bus. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A digital headend configured to receive a plurality of digital video, a plurality of data signals, and a plurality of upstream communications, said digital headend comprising:
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a smart network interface module housed within said digital headend, said smart network interface module configured to buffer said plurality of video, said plurality of data, and said plurality of upstream communications;
a shared bus operatively coupled to said smart network interface module, said shared bus configured to transport said digital video, said plurality of digital data, and said plurality of upstream communications;
a downstream module operatively coupled to said shared bus, said downstream module configured to communicate said plurality of digital video and said plurality of digital data; and
an upstream module operatively coupled to said shared bus, said upstream module configured to receive said plurality of upstream communications and communicate said upstream communications to said shared bus. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification