System for providing DBS DSL video services to multiple display devices

• US 20070261083A1
• Filed: 07/09/2007
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ahmad Ansari, Brad Medford, David Hartman, Russell White
• Original Assignee: Ahmad Ansari, Brad Medford, David Hartman, Russell White
• Inventors: White, Russell, Hartman, David, Ansari, Ahmad, Medford, Brad
• Granted Patent: US 8,732,771 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42676 for modulating an analogue carrier signal to encode digital information or demodulating it to decode digital information, e.g. ADSL or cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 involving transmission via a satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/108 the cable being constituted by a pair of wires
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing direct broadcast satellite (DBS) and digital subscriber line (DSL) video services to multiple display devices are disclosed. Generally the disclosed system receives a plurality of DBS channels and DSL content. The system receives a first user-initiated video selection and generates a first television signal based on the first user-initiated video selection. The first television signal combines video from at least one DBS channel and video from DSL content for simultaneously displaying at least a portion of the video from at least one DBS channel and at least a portion of the video from the DSL content on a display device. The first television signal is then transmitted to a first display device. Additionally, the system receives a second user-initiated video selection, generates a second television signal based on the second user-initiated video selection, and transmits the second television signal to a second display device.

Claims

1. A method for providing direct broadcast satellite (DBS) and digital subscriber line (DSL) video services to multiple display devices, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of DBS channels and DSL content;

receiving a first user-initiated video selection;

generating a first television signal based on the first user-initiated video selection that combines video from at least one DBS channel and video from DSL content, the first television signal for simultaneously displaying at least a portion of the video from at least one DBS channel and at least a portion of the video from the DSL content on a display device;

transmitting the first television signal to a first display device;

receiving a second user-initiated video selection;

generating a second television signal based on the second user-initiated video selection; and

transmitting the second television signal to a second display device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the received DSL content to a personal computer.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing at least one of the first television signal and the second television signal.

4. The method of claim 1, where the first user-initiated video selection is received from a first remote control device and the second user-initiated video selection is received from a second remote control device.

5. A computer-readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions for providing direct broadcast satellite (DBS) and digital subscriber line (DSL) video services to multiple display devices, the set of instructions to direct a processor to perform acts of:

receiving a plurality of DBS channels and DSL content;

receiving a first user-initiated video selection;

generating a first television signal based on the first user-initiated video selection that combines video from at least one DBS channel and video from DSL content, the first television signal for simultaneously displaying at least a portion of the video from at least one DBS channel and at least a portion of the video from the DSL content on a display device;

transmitting the first television signal to a first display device;

receiving a second user-initiated video selection;

generating a second television signal based on the second user-initiated video selection; and

transmitting the second television signal to a second display device.

6. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 5, further comprising a set of instructions to direct a processor to perform acts of:

transmitting the received DSL content to a personal computer.

7. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 5, further comprising a set of instructions to direct a processor to perform acts of:

storing at least one of the first television signal and the second television signal.

8. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 5, wherein the first-initiated video selection is received from a first remote control and the second user-initiated video selection is received form a second remote control device.

9. An apparatus for providing direct broadcast satellite (DBS) and digital subscriber line (DSL) video services to multiple display devices, the apparatus operative to:

receive a plurality of DBS channels and DSL content;

receive a first user-initiated video selection;

generate a first television signal based on the first user-initiated video selection that combines video from at least one DBS channel and video from DSL content, the first television signal for simultaneously displaying at least a portion of the video from at least one DBS channel and at least a portion of the video from the DSL content on a display device;

transmit the first television signal to a first display device;

receive a second user-initiated video selection;

generate a second television signal based on the second user-initiated video selection; and

transmit the second television signal to a second display device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a first video processing module that generates that first television signal; and

a second video processing module that generates the second television signal.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a data storage device operative to store at least one of the first television signal and the second television signal.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a DBS distribution module operative to receive the plurality of DBS cannels.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a DSL module operative to receive the DSL content.