Receiving and bridging broadband access signals for wired and wireless redistribution

• US 20060059523A1
• Filed: 09/10/2004
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bennett, James, Karaoguz, Jeyhan
• Application Number:
  US10/937,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20060059523A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/90 specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/20 Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite

Abstract

A method for processing and redistributing multiple signals is disclosed. The method includes the steps of receiving an input data signal, wherein at least a portion of the input data signal contains data received from a broadband access antenna, analyzing the input data signal, bridging at least a portion of the input data signal into a different protocol for redistribution and providing the bridged portion to one of a wired networking mode and a wireless networking mode to be redistributed.

Claims

1. A method for processing and redistributing multiple signals, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an input data signal, wherein at least a portion of the input data signal contains data received from a broadband access antenna;

analyzing the input data signal;

bridging at least a portion of the input data signal into a different protocol for redistribution; and

providing the bridged portion to one of a wired networking mode and a wireless networking mode to be redistributed.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing an additional portion of the received data signal to a data output device.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the step of receiving an input data signal comprises receiving a data signal that contains data received from a satellite antenna and wherein the step of providing an additional portion of the received data signal comprises providing data received from the satellite antenna to the data output device.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the step of providing data received from the satellite antenna to the data output device comprises providing data received from the satellite antenna to a television receiver.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the step of providing the bridged portion comprises providing supplemental data to a television receiver to supplement data received from the satellite antenna.

6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of downconverting a received satellite signal to provide the portion of the input data signal that contains data received from a broadband access antenna.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the downconverting, receiving, analyzing, bridging and providing steps are all performed in a downconversion module proximate to the broadband access antenna.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing the bridged portion comprises providing the bridged portion to a wired Ethernet networking mode for redistribution.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing the bridged portion comprises providing the bridged portion to a short-range radio technology networking mode for redistribution.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing the bridged portion comprises providing the bridged portion to a wireless local area networking mode with for redistribution.

11. A module for processing and redistributing multiple signals, comprising:

receiving means for receiving an input data signal, wherein at least a portion of the input data signal contains data received from a broadband access antenna;

analyzing means for analyzing the input data signal;

bridging means for bridging at least a portion of the input data signal into a different protocol for redistribution; and

providing means for providing the bridged portion to one of a wired networking mode and a wireless networking mode to be redistributed.

12. A module according to claim 11, further comprising second providing mean for providing an additional portion of the received data signal to a data output device.

13. A module according to claim 12, wherein the receiving means comprises second receiving means for receiving a data signal that contains data received from a satellite antenna and wherein the second providing means comprises third providing means for providing data received from the satellite antenna to the data output device.

14. A module according to claim 13, wherein the third providing means comprises fourth providing means for providing data received from the satellite antenna to a television receiver.

15. A module according to claim 13, wherein the providing means comprises supplemental providing means for providing supplemental data to a television receiver to supplement data received from the satellite antenna.

16. A module according to claim 11, further comprising downconverting means for downconverting a received satellite signal to provide the portion of the input data signal that contains data received from a broadband access antenna.

17. A module according to claim 16, wherein the downconverting means, receiving means, analyzing means, bridging means and providing means are all configured in a downconversion module proximate to the broadband access antenna.

18. A module according to claim 11, wherein the providing means comprises distribution means for distributing the bridged portion to one of a wired Ethernet networking mode, a short-range radio technology networking mode and a wireless local area networking mode.

19. A module according to claim 11, further comprising a PC card receiving means for receiving a PC card.

20. A module according to claim 11, wherein the receiving means, analyzing means, bridging means and providing means are all configured in a television set top box.

21. A set top box, comprising:

an input port, configured to receive data from a broadband access antenna;

a processing module, configured to analyze the data;

at least one adaptor module, configured to bridge at least a portion of the data into a different protocol for redistribution; and

an output port, configured to provide the bridged portion to one of a wired networking mode and a wireless networking mode to be redistributed.

22. A set top box according to claim 21, further comprising a second adaptor configured to provide an additional portion of the received data signal to a data output device.

23. A set top box according to claim 22, wherein the set top box comprises a satellite receiver.

24. A set top box according to claim 23, wherein the data output device comprises a television receiver.

25. A set top box according to claim 23, wherein the output port is configured to supply supplemental data to a television receiver to supplement data received from a satellite antenna.

26. A set top box according to claim 21, wherein the set top box comprises a cable set top box.

27. A set top box according to claim 21, wherein the at least one adaptor module comprises a bridging module to bridge the portion of the data to one of a wired Ethernet networking mode, a short-range radio technology networking mode and a wireless local area networking mode.

28. A set top box according to claim 21, further comprising a PC card slot for receiving a PC card.