Method and apparatus for cross-connection of video signals

• US 6,408,436 B1
• Filed: 03/18/1999
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Next Level Communications
• Inventors: de Haas, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Faile, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Hai V.
• Application Number:
  US09/272,067
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 725/78, 725/81-86, 725/91, 725/97, 725/114, 725/117, 725/119-120, 725/138, 725/144, 370/397-404
• US Class Current: 725/86
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5616 Terminal equipment, e.g. codecs, synch.
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5642 Multicast/broadcast/point-multipoint, e.g. VOD
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2365 Multiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/434 Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams, extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream demultiplexing of data packets for data networks, e.g. RTP/UDP H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4347 Demultiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6338 directed to network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6405 Multicasting data broadcast and multicast in packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/641 Multi-purpose receivers, e.g. for auxiliary information H04N9/642 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections

Abstract

A switched telecommunication access system for providing video data to gateway devices. The switched telecommunication access system includes a switched multicasting station for transmitting video data in response to receiving a video data request signal; and a plurality of gateway devices coupled to the switched multicasting station, the gateway devices sending video data request signals to the switched multicasting station and receiving video data from the switched multicasting station, at least one gateway device of the plurality of gateway devices including a controller for sending a video data request signal to the switched multicasting station and for routing video data received from the switched multicasting station in response to the video data request signal; and a plurality of video decoders coupled to the controller for decoding the video data received from the switched multicasting station; where one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent from the switched multicasting station to one gateway device of the plurality of gateway devices even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to the one gateway device.

Claims

1. A switched telecommunication access system comprising:

a switched multicasting station for transmitting video data in response to receiving a video data request signal; and

a plurality of gateway devices coupled to the switched multicasting station, said gateway devices sending video data request signals to said switched multicasting station and receiving video data from said switched multicasting station, at least one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices comprising;

a controller for sending a video data request signal to said switched multicasting station and for routing video data received from said switched multicasting station in response to the video data request signal; and

a plurality of video decoders coupled to said controller for decoding the video data received from said switched multicasting station;

wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent from said switched multicasting station to one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one gateway device, further wherein the one stream of video data representing the video program on the particular channel is used to display the video program on the more than one display device coupled to said one gateway device requesting the video program, the more than one display device requesting the video program, further wherein for the particular channel, the one stream of video data includes one copy, rather than multiple copies, of the video program on the particular channel.

2. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 1, wherein said switched multicasting station transmits video data to said gateway devices in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), further wherein only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) is used to identify video data on a particular channel sent from said switched multicasting station to one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices even when the video data on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one gateway device.

3. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 2, wherein said controller comprises a gateway application specific integrated circuit (gateway ASIC), said gateway ASIC comprising a plurality of buffers.

4. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 3, wherein said controller further comprises a processor coupled to said gateway ASIC.

5. The switched telecommunications access system of claim 4, wherein said gateway ASIC further comprises a plurality of selectors, each selector of said plurality of selectors is coupled to each buffer of said plurality of buffers, each selector of said plurality of selectors is coupled to one corresponding video decoder of said plurality of video decoders and in response to a control signal from said processor selects data received from one of said plurality of buffers for transmission to said one corresponding video decoder.

6. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 5, wherein said plurality of video decoders comprises a plurality of Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) decoders.

7. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 6, wherein said plurality of selectors comprises a plurality of multiplexers, said gateway ASIC further comprises a plurality of MPEG transport generators, each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators is coupled to one corresponding buffer of said plurality of buffers and receives data from said one corresponding buffer, each MPEG transport generator is coupled to each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers in response to a control signal from said processor selects data received from one MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators for transmission to one corresponding MPEG decoder of said plurality of MPEG decoders.

8. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 7, wherein said switched multicasting station comprises a broadband digital terminal.

9. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of optical network units coupled to said broadband digital terminal and said plurality of gateway devices.

10. A switched telecommunication access system comprising:

a switched multicasting station for transmitting video data in response to receiving a video data request signal; and

a plurality of gateway devices coupled to the switched multicasting station, said gateway devices sending video data request signals to said switched multicasting station and receiving video data from said switched multicasting station, at least one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices comprising;

a plurality of video decoders for decoding video data received from said switched multicasting station; and

a controller for sending a video data request signal to said switched multicasting station and for routing video data received from said switched multicasting station in response to the video data request signal, said controller comprising;

a plurality of selectors, each selector of said plurality of selectors receives a plurality of video data streams and in response to a control signal from said controller selects one video data stream of the plurality of video data streams for transmission to one of said plurality of video decoders, wherein each of said plurality of selectors is coupled to one corresponding video decoder of said plurality of video decoders; and

a plurality of buffers, each selector of said plurality of selectors is coupled to each buffer of said plurality of buffers for receiving the plurality of video data streams from said plurality of buffers, wherein each incoming video data stream is assigned to a first available buffer of said plurality of buffers such that video data in the incoming video data stream is stored in the first available buffer.

11. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 10, wherein said controller comprises a gateway application specific integrated circuit (gateway ASIC), said gateway ASIC comprising said plurality of selectors and said plurality of buffers.

12. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 11, wherein said controller further comprises a processor coupled to said gateway ASIC, each selector of said plurality of selectors is coupled to one corresponding video decoder of said plurality of video decoders and in response to a control signal from said processor selects a video data stream received from one of said plurality of buffers for transmission to said one corresponding video decoder.

13. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 12, wherein said plurality of video decoders comprises a plurality of Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) decoders.

14. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 13, wherein said plurality of selectors comprises a plurality of multiplexers, said gateway ASIC further comprises a plurality of MPEG transport generators, each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators is coupled to one corresponding buffer of said plurality of buffers and receives a video data stream from said one corresponding buffer, each MPEG transport generator is coupled to each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers in response to a control signal from said processor selects a video data stream received from one MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators for transmission to one corresponding MPEG decoder of said plurality of MPEG decoders.

15. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 14, wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent from said switched multicasting station to one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one gateway device.

16. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 15, wherein said switched multicasting station transmits video data to said gateway devices in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), further wherein only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) is used to identify video data on a particular channel sent from said switched multicasting station to one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices even when the video data on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one gateway device.

17. A switched telecommunication access system comprising:

a switched multicasting station for transmitting video data in response to receiving a video data request signal; and

a plurality of gateway devices coupled to the switched multicasting station, said gateway devices sending video data request signals to said switched multicasting station and receiving video data from said switched multicasting station, at least one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices comprising;

a plurality of video decoders for decoding video data received from said switched multicasting station; and

a controller for sending a video data request signal to said switched multicasting station and for routing video data received from said switched multicasting station in response to the video data request signal, said controller comprising;

a plurality of buffers; and

a plurality of transport generators, wherein each buffer of said plurality of buffers is coupled to one corresponding transport generator of said plurality of transport generators, and each said buffer receives video data representing a video program requested for display on a display device corresponding to said one corresponding transport generator, stores the video data, and sends the video data to said one corresponding transport generator, further wherein each transport generator of said plurality of transport generators is coupled to one corresponding video decoder of said plurality of video decoders, each said transport generator receives video data from a corresponding buffer and forwards the video data to said one corresponding video decoder.

18. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 17, wherein said plurality of video decoders comprises a plurality of Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) decoders, said transport generators comprise a plurality of MPEG transport generators, each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators is coupled to one corresponding buffer of said plurality of buffers and receives video data from said one corresponding buffer, each MPEG transport generator is coupled to one corresponding MPEG decoder of said plurality of MPEG decoders and sends video data to said one corresponding MPEG decoder.

19. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 18, wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent from said switched multicasting station to one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one gateway device.

20. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 19, wherein said switched multicasting station transmits video data to said gateway devices in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), further wherein only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) is used to identify video data on a particular channel sent from said switched multicasting station to one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices even when the video data on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one gateway device.

21. A gateway device comprising:

a controller for sending a video data request signal and routing video data received in response to the video data request signal; and

a plurality of video decoders coupled to said controller for decoding the video data received in response to the video data request signal;

wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent to the gateway device even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to the gateway device, further wherein the one stream of video data representing the video program on the particular channel is used to display the video program on the more than one display device coupled to said one gateway device requesting the video program, the more than one display device requesting the video program, further wherein for the particular channel, the one stream of video data includes one copy, rather than multiple copies, of the video program on the particular channel.

22. The gateway device of claim 21, wherein the gateway device receives video data in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), further wherein only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) is used to identify video data on the particular channel sent to the gateway device even when the video data on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to the gateway device.

23. The gateway device of claim 22, wherein said controller comprises a gateway application specific integrated circuit (gateway ASIC), said gateway ASIC comprising a plurality of buffers.

24. The gateway device of claim 23, wherein said controller further comprises a processor coupled to said gateway ASIC.

25. The gateway device of claim 24, wherein said gateway ASIC further comprises a plurality of selectors, each selector of said plurality of selectors is coupled to each buffer of said plurality of buffers, each selector of said plurality of selectors is coupled to one corresponding video decoder of said plurality of video decoders and in response to a control signal from said processor selects data received from one of said plurality of buffers for transmission to said one corresponding video decoder.

26. The gateway device of claim 25, wherein said plurality of video decoders comprises a plurality of Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) decoders.

27. The gateway device of claim 26, wherein said plurality of selectors comprises a plurality of multiplexers, said gateway ASIC further comprises a plurality of MPEG transport generators, each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators is coupled to one corresponding buffer of said plurality of buffers and receives data from said one corresponding buffer, each MPEG transport generator is coupled to each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers in response to a control signal from said processor selects data received from one MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators for transmission to one corresponding MPEG decoder of said plurality of MPEG decoders.

28. A gateway device comprising:

a plurality of video decoders for decoding video data; and

a controller for sending a video data request signal and for routing video data received in response to the video data request signal, said controller comprising;

a plurality of video a plurality of selectors, each selector of said plurality of selectors receives a plurality of video data streams and in response to a control signal from said controller selects one video data stream of the plurality of video data streams for transmission to one of said plurality of video decoders, wherein each of said plurality of selectors is coupled to one corresponding video decoder of said plurality of video decoders; and

a plurality of buffers, each selector of said plurality of selectors is coupled to each buffer of said plurality of buffers for receiving the plurality of video data streams from said plurality of buffers, wherein each incoming video data stream is assigned to a first available buffer of said plurality of buffers such that video data in the incoming video data stream is stored in the first available buffer.

29. The gateway device of claim 28, wherein said controller comprises a gateway application specific integrated circuit (gateway ASIC), said gateway ASIC comprising said plurality of selectors and said plurality of buffers.

30. The gateway device of claim 29, wherein said controller further comprises a processor coupled to said gateway ASIC, each selector of said plurality of selectors is coupled to one corresponding video decoder of said plurality of video decoders and in response to a control signal from said processor selects a video data stream received from one of said plurality of buffers for transmission to said one corresponding video decoder.

31. The gateway device of claim 30, wherein said plurality of video decoders comprises a plurality of Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) decoders.

32. The gateway device of claim 31, wherein said plurality of selectors comprises a plurality of multiplexers, said gateway ASIC further comprises a plurality of MPEG transport generators, each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators is coupled to one corresponding buffer of said plurality of buffers and receives a video data stream from said one corresponding buffer, each MPEG transport generator is coupled to each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers in response to a control signal from said processor selects a video data stream received from one MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators for transmission to one corresponding MPEG decoder of said plurality of MPEG decoders.

33. The gateway device of claim 32, wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent to the gateway device even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to the gateway device.

34. The gateway device of claim 33, wherein video data is transmitted to the gateway device in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), further wherein only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) is used to identify video data on a particular channel sent to the gateway device even when the video data on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to the gateway device.

35. A gateway device comprising:

a plurality of video decoders for decoding video data; and

a controller for sending a video data request signal and for routing video data received in response to the video data request signal, said controller comprising;

a plurality of buffers; and

a plurality of transport generators, wherein each buffer of said plurality of buffers is coupled to one corresponding transport generator of said plurality of transport generators, and each said buffer receives video data representing a video program requested for display on a display device corresponding to said one corresponding transport generator, stores the video data, and sends the video data to said one corresponding transport generator, further wherein each transport generator of said plurality of transport generators is coupled to one corresponding video decoder of said plurality of video decoders, each said transport generator receives video data from a corresponding buffer and forwards the video data to said one corresponding video decoder.

36. The gateway device of claim 35, wherein said plurality of video decoders comprises a plurality of Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) decoders, said transport generators comprise a plurality of MPEG transport generators, each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators is coupled to one corresponding buffer of said plurality of buffers and receives video data from said one corresponding buffer, each MPEG transport generator is coupled to one corresponding MPEG decoder of said plurality of MPEG decoders and sends video data to said one corresponding MPEG decoder.

37. The gateway device of claim 36, wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent to the gateway device even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to the gateway device.

38. The gateway device of claim 37, wherein video data is transmitted to the gateway device in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), further wherein only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) is used to identify video data on a particular channel sent to the gateway device even when the video data on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to the gateway device.

39. A switched telecommunication access system comprising:

means for transmitting video data in response to receiving a video data request signal; and

a plurality of means for receiving video data coupled to said means for transmitting, wherein said plurality of means for receiving send video data request signals to said means for transmitting and receive video data from said means for transmitting, at least one means for receiving of said plurality of means for receiving comprising;

means for controlling operation of said at least one means for receiving, wherein said means for controlling sends a video data request signal to said means for transmitting and routes video data received from said means for transmitting in response to the video data request signal; and

a plurality of means for decoding video data received from said means for transmitting, said plurality of means for decoding coupled to said means for controlling;

wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent from said means for transmitting to one means for receiving of said plurality of means for receiving even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one means for receiving, further wherein the one stream of video data representing the video program on the particular channel is used to display the video program on the more than one display device coupled to said one means for receiving requesting the video program, the more than one display device requesting the video program, further wherein for the particular channel, the one stream of video data includes one copy, rather than multiple copies, of the video program on the particular channel.

40. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 39, wherein said means for transmitting transmits video data to said plurality of means for receiving in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), further wherein only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) is used to identify video data on the particular channel sent from said means for transmitting to said one means for receiving even when the video data on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one means for receiving.

41. The switched telecommunications access system of claim 40, wherein said means for controlling comprises a plurality of means for storing video data.

42. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 41, wherein said means for controlling further comprises means for processing video data coupled to said means for storing.

43. The switched telecommunications access system of claim 42, wherein said means for controlling further comprises a plurality of means for selecting video data from a plurality of video data inputs, each means for selecting of said plurality of means for selecting is coupled to each means for storing of said plurality of means for storing, each means for selecting of said plurality of means for selecting in response to a control signal from said means for processing selects video data received from one of said plurality of means for storing for transmission to one means for decoding of said plurality of means for decoding.

44. A switched telecommunication access system comprising:

means for transmitting video data in response to receiving a video data request signal; and

a plurality of means for receiving video data coupled to said means for transmitting, wherein said plurality of means for receiving send video data request signals to said means for transmitting and receive video data from said means for transmitting, at least one means for receiving of said plurality of means for receiving comprising;

a plurality of means for decoding video data for decoding video data received from said means for transmitting; and

means for controlling operation of said at least one means for receiving, said means for controlling coupled to said plurality of means for decoding video data, wherein said means for controlling sends a video data request signal to said means for transmitting and routes video data received from said means for transmitting in response to the video data request signal, said means for controlling comprising;

a plurality of means for selecting, wherein each means for selecting of said plurality of means for selecting receives a plurality of video data streams and in response to a control signal from said means for controlling selects one video data stream of the plurality of video data streams for transmission to one means for decoding of said plurality of means for decoding, wherein each of said plurality of means for selecting is coupled to one corresponding means for decoding of said plurality of means for decoding;

a plurality of means for storing video data; and

means for processing video data coupled to said plurality of means for storing;

wherein each means for selecting of said plurality of means for selecting is coupled to each means for storing of said plurality of means for storing, each means for selecting of said plurality of means for selecting in response to a control signal from said means for processing selects video data received from one of said plurality of means for storing for transmission to one of said plurality of means for decoding, wherein each incoming video data stream is assigned to a first available means for storing of said plurality of means for storing such that video data in the incoming video data stream is stored in the first available means for storing.

45. The switched telecommunications access system of claim 44, wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent from said means for transmitting to one means for receiving of said plurality of means for receiving even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one means for receiving.

46. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 45, wherein said means for transmitting transmits video data to said plurality of means for receiving in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), further wherein only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) is used to identify video data on the particular channel sent from said means for transmitting to said one means for receiving even when the video data on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one means for receiving.

47. A switched telecommunication access system comprising:

means for transmitting video data in response to receiving a video data request signal; and

a plurality of means for receiving video data coupled to said means for transmitting, wherein said plurality of means for receiving send video data request signals to said means for transmitting and receive video data from said means for transmitting, at least one means for receiving of said plurality of means for receiving comprising;

a plurality of means for decoding video data for decoding video data received from said means for transmitting; and

means for controlling operation of said at least one means for receiving, said means for controlling coupled to said plurality of means for decoding video data, wherein said means for controlling sends a video data request signal to said means for transmitting and routes video data received from said means for transmitting in response to the video data request signal, said means for controlling comprising;

a plurality of means for storing video data; and

a plurality of transport generators, wherein each means for storing of said plurality of means for storing is coupled to one corresponding transport generator of said plurality of transport generators, and each said means for storing receives video data representing a video program requested for display on a display device corresponding to said one corresponding transport generator, stores the video data, and sends the video data to said one corresponding transport generator, further wherein each transport generator of said plurality of transport generators is coupled to one corresponding means for decoding of said plurality of means for decoding, each said transport generator receives video data from a corresponding means for storing and forwards the vide data to said one corresponding means for decoding.

48. The switched telecommunications access system of claim 47, wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent from said means for transmitting to one means for receiving of said plurality of means for receiving even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one means for receiving.

49. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 48, wherein said means for transmitting transmits video data to said plurality of means for receiving in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), further wherein only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) is used to identify video data on the particular channel sent from said means for transmitting to said one means for receiving even when the video data on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one means for receiving.

77. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 47, wherein said plurality of means for decoding video data comprises a plurality of Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) decoders, said means for controlling further comprises a plurality of MPEG transport generators, each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators is coupled to one corresponding means for storing video data of said plurality of means for storing video data and receives video data from said one corresponding means for storing video data, each MPEG transport generator is coupled to one corresponding MPEG decoder of said plurality of MPEG decoders and sends video data to said one corresponding MPEG decoder.

50. A gateway device comprising:

means for controlling operation of said gateway device, wherein said means for controlling sends a video data request signal and routes video data received in response to the video data request signal; and

a plurality of means for decoding video data coupled to said means for controlling, wherein said means for decoding decodes the video data received in response to the video data request signal;

wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent to the gateway device even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to the gateway device, further wherein the one stream of video data representing the video program on the particular channel is used to display the video program on the more than one display device coupled to said one gateway device requesting the video program, the more than one display device requesting the video program, further wherein for the particular channel, the one stream of video data includes one copy, rather than multiple copies, of the video program on the particular channel.

51. The gateway device of claim 50, wherein the gateway device receives video data in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), further wherein only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) is used to identify video data on the particular channel sent to the gateway device even when the video data on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to the gateway device.

52. The gateway device of claim 51, wherein said means for controlling comprises a plurality of means for storing video data.

53. The gateway device of claim 52, wherein said means for controlling further comprises means for processing video data coupled to said means for storing.

54. The gateway device of claim 53, wherein said means for controlling further comprises a plurality of means for selecting video data from a plurality of video data inputs, each means for selecting of said plurality of means for selecting is coupled to each means for storing of said plurality of means for storing, each means for selecting of said plurality of means for selecting in response to a control signal from said means for processing selects video data received from one of said plurality of means for storing for transmission to one of said plurality of means for decoding.

55. A gateway device comprising:

a plurality of means for decoding video data; and

means for controlling operation of the gateway device, said means for controlling coupled to said plurality of means for decoding video data, wherein said means for controlling sends a video data request signal and routes video data received in response to the video data request signal, said means for controlling comprising;

a plurality of means for selecting, wherein each means for selecting of said plurality of means for selecting receives a plurality of video data streams and in response to a control signal from said means for controlling selects one video data stream of the plurality of video data streams for transmission to one means for decoding of said plurality of means for decoding, wherein each of said plurality of means for selecting is coupled to one corresponding means for decoding of said plurality of means for decoding;

a plurality of means for storing video data; and

means for processing video data coupled to said means for storing;

wherein each means for selecting of said plurality of means for selecting is coupled to each means for storing of said plurality of means for storing, each means for selecting of said plurality of means for selecting in response to a control signal from said means for processing selects video data received from one of said plurality of means for storing for transmission to one of said plurality of means for decoding, wherein each incoming video data stream is assigned to a first available means for storing of said plurality of means for storing such that video data in the incoming video data stream is stored in the first available means for storing.

56. The gateway device of claim 55, wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent to the gateway device even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one means for receiving.

57. The gateway device of claim 56, wherein the gateway device receives video data in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), further wherein only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) is used to identify video data on the particular channel sent to the gateway device even when the video data on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to the gateway device.

58. A gateway device comprising:

a plurality of means for decoding video data; and

means for controlling operation of the gateway device, said means for controlling coupled to said plurality of means for decoding video data, wherein said means for controlling sends a video data request signal and routes video data received in response to the video data request signal, said means for controlling comprising;

a plurality of means for storing video data; and

a plurality of transport generators, wherein each means for storing of said plurality of means for storing is coupled to one corresponding transport generator of said plurality of transport generators, and each said means for storing receives video data representing a video program requested for display on a display device corresponding to said one corresponding transport generator, stores the video data, and sends the video data to said one corresponding transport generator, further wherein each transport generator of said plurality of transport generators is coupled to one corresponding means for decoding of said plurality of means for decoding, each said transport generator receives video data from a corresponding means for storing and forwards the video data to said one corresponding means for decoding.

59. The gateway device of claim 58, wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent to the gateway device even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to the gateway device.

60. The gateway device of claim 59, wherein the gateway device receives video data in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), further wherein only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) is used to identify video data on the particular channel sent to the gateway device even when the video data on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to the gateway device.

78. The gateway device of claim 58, wherein said plurality of means for decoding video data comprises a plurality of Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) decoders, said means for controlling further comprises a plurality of MPEG transport generators, each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators is coupled to one corresponding means for storing video data of said plurality of means for storing video data and receives video data from said one corresponding means for storing video data, each MPEG transport generator is coupled to one corresponding MPEG decoder of said plurality of MPEG decoders and sends video data to said one corresponding MPEG decoder.

61. A method of operating a switched video telecommunication access system having a switched multicasting station and a plurality of gateway devices, where a gateway device may be coupled to a plurality of display devices, said method comprising:

receiving a first request for video data from a gateway device, wherein the video data is video data on a first channel, and further wherein the first request is for displaying a video program represented by the video data on the first channel on a first display device coupled to the gateway device;

receiving a second request for the video data from the gateway device, wherein the second request is for displaying the video program represented by the video data on the first channel on a second display device coupled to the gateway device; and

sending one stream of video data representing the video data on the first channel from the switched multicasting station to the gateway device for displaying the video program represented by the video data on the first and second display devices, wherein the one stream of video data is used to display the video program on the first and second display devices, wherein the one stream of video data includes one copy, rather than multiple copies, of the video data on the first channel.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the video data on the first channel is sent to the gateway device in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and is identified by only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI).

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising:

storing the video data in a first video buffer available for storing the video data;

reformatting the video data into video data serial packets;

sending the video data serial packets to a plurality of selectors;

selecting the video data serial packets for transmission to a first video decoder coupled to the first display device;

selecting the video data serial packets for transmission to a second video decoder coupled to the second display device;

decoding the video data serial packets at the first video decoder to generate decoded video data;

decoding the video data serial packets at the second video decoder to generate decoded video data;

sending the decoded video data from the first video decoder to the first display device; and

sending the decoded video data from the second video decoder to the second display device.

64. The method of claim 61, further comprising:

storing the video data in a first buffer;

storing the video data in a second buffer;

first reformatting the video data from the first buffer into first video data serial packets;

second reformatting the video data from the second buffer into second video data serial packets;

sending the first video data serial packets to a first video decoder coupled to the first display device;

sending the second video data serial packets to a second video decoder coupled to the second display device;

decoding the first video data serial packets at the first video decoder to generate first decoded video data;

decoding the second video data serial packets at the second video decoder to generate second decoded video data;

sending the first decoded video data from the first video decoder to the first display device; and

sending the second decoded video data from the second video decoder to the second display device.

65. A method of operating a switched video telecommunication access system having a switched multicasting station and a plurality of gateway devices, where a gateway device may be coupled to a plurality of display devices, said method comprising:

receiving a first request for video data from a gateway device, wherein the video data is video data on a first channel;

receiving a second request for the video data from the gateway device;

sending the video data on the first channel from the switched multicasting station to the gateway device in response to at least one of the first request and the second request;

storing the video data in a first video buffer available for storing the video data;

reformatting the video data into video data serial packets;

sending the video data serial packets to a plurality of selectors;

selecting at a first selector of the plurality of selectors the video data serial packets for transmission to a first video decoder coupled to a first display device; and

selecting at a second selector of the plurality of selectors the video data serial packets for transmission to a second video decoder coupled to a second display device.

66. The method of claim 65, further comprising:

decoding the video data serial packets at the first video decoder to generate decoded video data;

decoding the video data serial packets at the second video decoder to generate decoded video data;

sending the decoded video data from the first video decoder to the first display device; and

sending the decoded video data from the second video decoder to the second display device.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein said sending the video data on the first channel from the switched multicasting station to the gateway device comprises sending one stream of video data representing the video data on the first channel from the switched multicasting station to the gateway device.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the video data on the first channel is sent to the gateway device in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and is identified by only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI).

69. A method of multicasting video data to a plurality of display devices coupled to a gateway device, said method comprising:

sending a first request for video data, wherein the first request is for displaying a video program represented by the video data on a first channel on a first display device coupled to the gateway device;

sending a second request for the video data, wherein the second request is for displaying the video program represented by the video data on the first channel on a second display device coupled to the gateway device; and

receiving one stream of video data representing the video data on the first channel for displaying the video program represented by the video data on the first and second display devices, wherein the one stream of video data is used to display the video program on the first and second display devices, further wherein the one stream of video data includes one copy, rather than multiple copies, of the video data on the first channel.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the video data on the first channel is received by the gateway device in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and is identified by only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI).

71. The method of claim 70, further comprising:

storing the video data in a first video buffer available for storing the video data;

reformatting the video data into video data serial packets;

sending the video data serial packets to a plurality of selectors;

selecting the video data serial packets for transmission to a first video decoder coupled to the first display device;

selecting the video data serial packets for transmission to a second video decoder coupled to the second display device;

decoding the video data serial packets at the first video decoder to generate decoded video data;

decoding the video data serial packets at the second video decoder to generate decoded video data;

sending the decoded video data from the first video decoder to the first display device; and

sending the decoded video data from the second video decoder to the second display device.

72. The method of claim 69, further comprising:

storing the video data in a first buffer;

storing the video data in a second buffer;

first reformatting the video data from the first buffer into first video data serial packets;

second reformatting the video data from the second buffer into second video data serial packets;

sending the first video data serial packets to a first video decoder coupled to the first display device;

sending the second video data serial packets to a second video decoder coupled to the second display device;

decoding the first video data serial packets at the first video decoder to generate first decoded video data;

decoding the second video data serial packets at the second video decoder to generate second decoded video data;

sending the first decoded video data from the first video decoder to the first display device; and

sending the second decoded video data from the second video decoder to the second display device.

73. A method of multicasting video data to a plurality of display devices coupled to a gateway device, said method comprising:

sending a first request for video data, wherein the video data is video data on a first channel;

sending a second request for the video data;

receiving the video data on the first channel in response to at least one of the first request and the second request;

storing the video data in a first video buffer available for storing the video data;

reformatting the video data into video data serial packets;

sending the video data serial packets to a plurality of selectors;

selecting at a first selector of the plurality of selectors the video data serial packets for transmission to a first video decoder coupled to a first display device; and

selecting at a second selector of the plurality of selectors the video data serial packets for transmission to a second video decoder coupled to a second display device.

74. The method of claim 73, further comprising:

decoding the video data serial packets at the first video decoder to generate decoded video data;

decoding the video data serial packets at the second video decoder to generate decoded video data;

sending the decoded video data from the first video decoder to the first display device; and

sending the decoded video data from the second video decoder to the second display device.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein said receiving comprises receiving one stream of video data representing the video data on the first channel.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the video data on the first channel is received by the gateway device in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and is identified by only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI).

79. A switched telecommunication access system comprising:

a switched multicasting station, wherein said switched multicasting station transmits video data in response to receiving a video data request signal; and

a plurality of gateway devices coupled to the switched multicasting station, wherein said gateway devices send video data request signals to said switched multicasting station and receive video data from said switched multicasting station, at least one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices comprising;

a plurality of Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) decoders; and

a controller coupled to said plurality of MPEG decoders, said controller comprising;

a processor; and

a gateway application specific integrated circuit (gateway ASIC) coupled to said processor, said gateway ASIC comprising;

a plurality of buffers;

a plurality of MPEG transport generators, each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators is coupled to one corresponding buffer of said plurality of buffers and receives data from said one corresponding buffer; and

a plurality of multiplexers, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers is coupled to each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers is coupled to one corresponding MPEG decoder of said plurality of MPEG decoders and in response to a control signal from said processor selects data received from one MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators for transmission to said one corresponding MPEG decoder;

wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent from said switched multicasting station to one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one gateway device.

80. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 79, wherein said switched multicasting station transmits video data to said gateway devices in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), further wherein only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) is used to identify video data on a particular channel sent from said switched multicasting station to one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices even when the video data on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one gateway device.

81. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 79, wherein said switched multicasting station comprises a broadband digital terminal.

82. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 81 further comprising a plurality of optical network units coupled to said broadband digital terminal and said plurality of gateway devices.

83. A switched telecommunication access system comprising:

a switched multicasting station, wherein said switched multicasting station transmits video data in response to receiving a video data request signal; and

a plurality of gateway devices coupled to the switched multicasting station, wherein said gateway devices send video data request signals to said switched multicasting station and receive video data from said switched multicasting station, at least one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices comprising;

a plurality of Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) decoders; and

a controller coupled to said plurality of MPEG decoders, said controller comprising;

a processor; and

a gateway application specific integrated circuit (gateway ASIC) coupled to said processor, said gateway ASIC comprising;

a plurality of buffers;

a plurality of MPEG transport generators, each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators is coupled to one corresponding buffer of said plurality of buffers and receives a video data stream from said one corresponding buffer; and

a plurality of multiplexers, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers is coupled to each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators and receives a plurality of video data streams from said plurality of MPEG transport generators, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers is coupled to one corresponding MPEG decoder of said plurality of MPEG decoders and in response to a control signal from said processor selects one video data stream of the plurality of video data streams for transmission to said one corresponding MPEG decoder.

84. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 83, wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent from said switched multicasting station to one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one gateway device.

85. The switched telecommunication access system of claim 84, wherein said switched multicasting station transmits video data to said gateway devices in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), further wherein only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) is used to identify video data on a particular channel sent from said switched multicasting station to one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices even when the video data on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one gateway device.

87. The gateway device of claim 85, wherein the gateway device receives video data in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), further wherein only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) is used to identify video data on the particular channel sent to the gateway device even when the video data on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to the gateway device.

86. A gateway device comprising:

a plurality of Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) decoders; and

a controller coupled to said plurality of MPEG decoders, wherein said controller sends a video data request signal and routes video data received in response to the video data request signal, said controller comprising;

a processor; and

a gateway application specific integrated circuit (gateway ASIC) coupled to said processor, said gateway ASIC comprising;

a plurality of buffers;

a plurality of MPEG transport generators, each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators is coupled to one corresponding buffer of said plurality of buffers and receives data from said one corresponding buffer; and

a plurality of multiplexers, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers is coupled to each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers is coupled to one corresponding MPEG decoder of said plurality of MPEG decoders and in response to a control signal from said processor selects data received from one of said plurality of MPEG transport generators for transmission to said one corresponding MPEG decoder;

wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent to the gateway device even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to the gateway device.

88. A gateway device comprising:

a plurality of Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) decoders; and

a controller coupled to said plurality of MPEG decoders, wherein said controller sends a video data request signal and routes video data received in response to the video data request signal, said controller comprising;

a processor; and

a gateway application specific integrated circuit (gateway ASIC) coupled to said processor, said gateway ASIC comprising;

a plurality of buffers;

a plurality of MPEG transport generators, each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators is coupled to one corresponding buffer of said plurality of buffers and receives a video data stream from said one corresponding buffer; and

a plurality of multiplexers, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers is coupled to each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators and receives a plurality of video data streams from said plurality of buffers, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers is coupled to one corresponding MPEG decoder of said plurality of MPEG decoders and in response to a control signal from said processor selects one video data stream from the plurality of video data streams for transmission to said one corresponding MPEG decoder.

89. The gateway device of claim 88, wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent to the gateway device even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to the gateway device.

90. The gateway device of claim 89, wherein video data is transmitted to the gateway device in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), further wherein only one Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) and one Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) is used to identify video data on a particular channel sent to the gateway device even when the video data on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to the gateway device.