System for providing DBS and DSL video services to multiple television sets

• US 7,260,825 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2002
• Issued: 08/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
• Original Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
• Inventors: White, Russell William, Hartman, David Bruce, Ansari, Ahmad, Medford, Brad Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, NGOC K
• Application Number:
  US10/191,743
• Publication Number:
  US 20040006769A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,870 Days
• Field of Search: 725/74, 725/80, 725/83, 725/111, 725/114, 725/116, 725/146, 725/63, 725/82, 725/68, 725/71, 725/78, 348/734, 348/552
• 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

Each of a plurality of remote control devices receives user-initiated video selections of any of direct broadcast satellite (DBS) channels, digital subscriber line (DSL) video content, and combinations of DBS channels and DSL video content. Based on the selections, each of a plurality of video processing modules is responsive to a corresponding one of the remote control devices to request any of a DBS channel, DSL video content, and a combination of a DBS channel and DSL video content, and to generate a television signal based thereon. A DBS distribution module simultaneously receives and distributes all DBS channels requested by the video processing modules. A DSL modem receives any DSL video content requested by the video processing modules. A networking module distributes the DSL video content to those of the video processing modules requesting same.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a video processing module operable to receive a user-initiated video selection and generate a television signal based on the user-initiated video selection, wherein the user-initiated video selection comprises a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) channel, digital subscriber line (DSL) content, or both video from at least one DBS channel and video from DSL content;

a DBS distribution module electrically coupled with the video processing module, the DBS distribution module operable to receive a plurality of DBS channels, receive a request from the video processing module for at least one requested DBS channel of the plurality of DBS channels, and distribute the at least one requested DBS channel to the video processing module in response to the request from the video processing module;

a DSL modem electrically coupled with the video processing module, the DSL modem operable to receive DSL content via a DSL network, receive a request from the video processing module for requested DSL content, and distribute the requested DSL content to the video processing module in response to the request from the video processing module; and

a second video processing module operable to receive a second user-initiated video selection and generate a second television signal based on the second user-initiated video selection;

wherein the DBS distribution module is further electrically coupled with the second video processing module and the DBS distribution module is further operable to receive a request from the second video processing module for at least one requested DBS channel of the plurality of DBS channels and distribute the at least one requested DBS channel to the second video processing module in response to the request from the second video processing module;

wherein the DSL modem is further electrically coupled with the second video processing module and the DSL modem is further operable to receive a request from the second video processing module for requested DSL content and distribute the requested DSL content to the second video processing module in response to the request from the second video processing module; and

wherein the video processing module is operative to generate a video signal combining video from at least one DBS channel and video from DSL content, the video 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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a remote control device operable to send the user-initiated video selection to the video processing module.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a personal computer electrically coupled with the DSL modem to receive DSL content.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a data storage device electrically coupled with the DBS distribution module and the DSL modem to receive and store at least one DBS channel and DSL content for subsequent playback.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a first remote control device operable to send the user-initiated video selection to the video processing module; and

a second remote control device operable to send the second user-initiated video selection to the second video processing module.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising

at least two computer-card receiving slots electrically coupled with the DBS distribution module and the DSL modem;

wherein the video processing module is a computer card operable to be received by a first computer-card receiving slot; and

wherein the second video processing module is a computer card operable to be received by a second computer-card receiving slot.