Signal selector and combiner for broadband content distribution
DCFirst Claim
Patent Images
1. A signal distribution system for distributing a plurality of video programs from a satellite outdoor unit (ODU) over a digital network comprising:
- a signal selector that receives broadband LNB signals comprising a plurality of transponder channels, the signal selector is responsive to transponder information transmitted over the digital network, and selects at least one transponder channel from the broadband LNB signal based on the transponder select information;
at least one transport stream demultiplexer coupled to the signal selector to extract a specific video program from the transponder channel;
a data combiner coupled to the transport stream demultiplexers to combine video programs and produce a multiplexed signal;
wherein the multiplexed signal is formatted for transmission on the digital network and the digital network connects to the ODU.
8 Assignments
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Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
In a satellite receiving system, program channels are selected from one or more broadband signals and combined with other selected channels and transmitted from a first unit, for example an outdoor unit, to a second unit, for example a gateway, server, or set-top box, using a single cable. Channels can be selected by digitizing the broadband signal then digitally filtering to isolate the desired channels. The outputs of several LNBs can be selected and combined into one signal. Multiple set-top boxes can receive independent signals over a single cable from the outdoor unit.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A signal distribution system for distributing a plurality of video programs from a satellite outdoor unit (ODU) over a digital network comprising:
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a signal selector that receives broadband LNB signals comprising a plurality of transponder channels, the signal selector is responsive to transponder information transmitted over the digital network, and selects at least one transponder channel from the broadband LNB signal based on the transponder select information; at least one transport stream demultiplexer coupled to the signal selector to extract a specific video program from the transponder channel; a data combiner coupled to the transport stream demultiplexers to combine video programs and produce a multiplexed signal; wherein the multiplexed signal is formatted for transmission on the digital network and the digital network connects to the ODU. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A signal distribution system for distributing a plurality of low noise amplifier and block converter (LNB) output signals from a satellite outdoor unit (ODU) comprising:
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a gateway in communication with the ODU and at least one set top box (STB); a signal selector that receives a plurality of broadband LNB signals comprising a plurality of transponder signals, the signal selector is responsive to transponder select information transmitted by the gateway and selects a plurality of transponder signals from at least one broadband LNB signal based on the transponder select information; a frequency translator coupled to the signal selector that is capable of shifting the selected transponder signals to new carrier frequencies to produce RF signals; and a signal combiner coupled to at least one frequency translator capable of combining at least two RF signals to produce a composite signal; wherein the modulation of the composite signal is the same as the modulation of the broadband LNB signals and wherein the composite signal is transmitted to the gateway and the gateway receives the composite signal, decodes specific programs, and distributes the programs over a digital local area network (LAN) to STBs. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A signal distribution system for distributing a plurality of transponder channels to new and legacy set top boxes (STBs) comprising:
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a signal selector that receives broadband LNB signals comprising a plurality of transponder channels, the signal selector is responsive to transponder select information transmitted from at least one STB, and selects at least one transponder channel from the broadband LNB signal based on the transponder select information and outputs a composite signal comprising selected transponder channels; and a multiport switch that receives a plurality of broadband LNB signals, selects a broadband LNB signal responsive to an LNB select signal from an STB, and outputs the selected LNB signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification