Modular home/office multi-media distribution system

• US 20030099259A1
• Filed: 11/28/2001
• Published: 05/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Boudhaouia, Jamai, Perini, Patrick L., Sweets, Tony
• Granted Patent: US 6,888,850 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/485
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/283 Processing of data at an internetworking point of a home automation network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/14 Multichannel or multilink protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/102 Circuits therefor, e.g. noise reducers, equalisers, amplifiers H04N7/108 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

A Modular Residential Multi-Media Distribution System provides a single centralized interface for all external Wide Area Networks (WANs) which are received into the home/office environment. The MRMDS allows extensive modular flexibility in re-provisioning new services via changing or adding removable interfaces. Each WAN is individually connected to a distributor in the MRMDS. The MRMDS distributor interfaces the external WANs to a multiple of home/office Home Network Interfaces for distribution to a multiple of communication devices.

Claims

1. A multi-media distribution system comprising:

a distributor having a plurality of locations;

an external interface receivable within one of said plurality of locations, said external interface operable to receive content from a Wide Area Network; and

a home network interface receivable within one of said plurality of locations, said home network interface in communication with said external interface to distribute the content to at least one communication device.

2. The multi-media distribution system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said external interface and said home network interface are a removable card.

3. The multi-media distribution system as recited in claim 1, wherein said home network interface includes a feed through circuit.

4. The multi-media distribution system as recited in claim 1, wherein said home network interface includes a divider.

5. The multi-media distribution system as recited in claim 1, wherein said home network interface includes a Local Area Network Hub.

6. The multi-media distribution system as recited in claim 1, wherein said Wide Area Network includes a Digital Subscription Line which provides analog voice content and digital packet data content.

7. The multi-media distribution system as recited in claim 1, wherein said Wide Area Network includes a cable service which provides digital voice content and analog television content.

8. The multi-media distribution system as recited in claim 1, wherein said Wide Area Network includes a Direct Broadcasting Service which provides digital television content.

9. The multi-media distribution system as recited in claim 1, furthering including:

a digital/analog-analog/digital converter in communication with said external interface; and

a central processing unit in communication with said digital/analog-analog/digital converter; and

a peripheral bus in communication with said central processing unit to communicate said content to said home network interface.

10. The multi-media distribution system as recited in claim 9, wherein said peripheral bus communicates between a plurality of home network interfaces.

11. A multi-media distribution system comprising:

a distributor having a plurality of locations;

a Digital Subscriber Line external interface receivable within one of said plurality of locations, said Digital Subscriber Line external interface operable to receive analog voice content and digital packet data content from a first Wide Area Network;

a cable service external interface receivable within one of said plurality of locations, said cable service external interface operable to receive digital voice content and analog television content from a second Wide Area Network;

a first home network interface including a divider circuit receivable within one of said plurality of locations, said first home network interface in communication with said Digital Subscriber Line external interface to distribute the analog voice content to at least one communication device;

a second home network interface including a Local Area Network Hub receivable within one of said plurality of locations, said second home network interface in communication with said Digital Subscriber Line external interface to distribute the analog television content to at least one communication device;

a third home network interface including a Local Area Network Hub receivable within one of said plurality of locations, said third home network interface in communication with said cable service external interface to distribute the digital voice content to at least one communication device; and

a fourth home network interface including a divider circuit receivable within one of said plurality of locations, said third home network interface in communication with said cable service external interface to distribute the analog television content to at least one communication device.

12. The multi-media distribution system as recited in claim 11, furthering including:

a Direct Broadcasting Service external interface receivable within one of said plurality of locations, said Direct Broadcasting Service external interface operable to receive digital television content from a third Wide Area Network;

a fifth home network interface including a feed through circuit receivable within one of said plurality of locations, said fifth home network interface in communication with said Direct Broadcasting Service external interface to distribute the digital television content to at least one communication device;

The multi-media distribution system as recited in claim 11, furthering including;

a digital/analog-analog/digital converter in communication with said external interface; and

a central processing unit in communication with said digital/analog-analog/digital converter; and

a peripheral bus in communication with said central processing unit to communicate said content to said home network interface.

13. The multi-media distribution system as recited in claim 13, wherein said peripheral bus communicates between a plurality of home network interfaces.

14. A method of distributing multi-media content within a home/office environment comprising the steps of:

(1) receiving content from a plurality of Wide Area Networks through a single distribution point;

(2) directing the content from the single distribution point to a plurality of Home Network Interfaces; and

(3) accessing the content on a plurality of communication devices in communication with each of the Home Network Interfaces.

15. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein said step (1) further comprises removably locating a removable interface within said single distribution point for each of the plurality of Wide Area Networks.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein said step (2) further comprises distributing the content over a peripheral bus.