Apparatus and method for distributing audio and video content using existing network wiring
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- an originating node within a local cable network to transmit multimedia signals;
a reflector device to interface between an external television network and said local cable network, said reflector device to receive said multimedia signals from said originating node and to retransmit said multimedia signals back into said local cable network; and
a plurality of receiving nodes communicatively coupled to said reflector device within said local cable network to receive said multimedia signals retransmitted by said reflector device and to render said retransmitted multimedia signals;
wherein said plurality of receiving nodes are configured to transmit received signal strength indication (“
RSSI”
) values indicating respective strengths of said retransmitted multimedia signals received at said receiving nodes; and
wherein, in response to said RSSI values, said reflector device adjusts an amount by which it respectively amplifies said multimedia signals received from said originating node prior to retransmitting said multimedia signals to said receiving nodes, wherein said amount of amplification provided by said reflector device is based on a selection of one or more intended receiving nodes from among said plurality of receiving nodes.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus, system and method are described which allows multimedia signals received from one or more content providers (e.g., cable television providers, Internet content providers, . . . etc) to be received, processed and retransmitted by an originating node to one or more receiving nodes over a local cable network (e.g., the coaxial cable network within a user'"'"'s home). One impediment to communication between nodes within the local cable network is the fact that most cable splitters are designed to attenuate signals between the split legs of the splitter. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, a reflector device coupled upstream of the root splitter in a local cable network (or in place of the root splitter) is configured to reflect signals transmitted from the originating node back up into the network to the receiving nodes. Signal attenuation is minimized because the signals propagate from the splitter inputs to the splitter legs (rather than between the splitter legs).
34 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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an originating node within a local cable network to transmit multimedia signals; a reflector device to interface between an external television network and said local cable network, said reflector device to receive said multimedia signals from said originating node and to retransmit said multimedia signals back into said local cable network; and a plurality of receiving nodes communicatively coupled to said reflector device within said local cable network to receive said multimedia signals retransmitted by said reflector device and to render said retransmitted multimedia signals; wherein said plurality of receiving nodes are configured to transmit received signal strength indication (“
RSSI”
) values indicating respective strengths of said retransmitted multimedia signals received at said receiving nodes; andwherein, in response to said RSSI values, said reflector device adjusts an amount by which it respectively amplifies said multimedia signals received from said originating node prior to retransmitting said multimedia signals to said receiving nodes, wherein said amount of amplification provided by said reflector device is based on a selection of one or more intended receiving nodes from among said plurality of receiving nodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification