Scanning algorithm for embedded network devices

• US 8,677,441 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2012
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Entropic Communications, LLC (FIG LLC (d/b/a Fortress Investment Group LLC))
• Original Assignee: Entropic Communications Incorporated (Maxlinear Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lee, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Pendleton, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alcon, Fernando
• Application Number:
  US13/403,144
• Publication Number:
  US 20130222700A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 725/127
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42607 for processing the incoming bitstream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control

Abstract

A system and method is provided for selective filtering of transmissions based on information received from a tuner. An embedded diplexer in a consumer electronic device allows the device to be used in a variety of different signal environments. For example, a television with an embedded switching filter coupled to the television tuner is operable in environments where television signals are transmitted on frequencies up to 1 GHz and in environments where MoCA signals are transmitted on 1 GHz frequencies.

Claims

1. A method for filtering signals in a transmission medium having network signals coexisting with broadcast signals, comprising:

(a) a filter control module controlling a filter coupled to a tuner, the filter switchably attenuating network and broadcast signals above a first frequency or network and broadcast signals above a second frequency greater than the first frequency;

(b) the filter control module receiving an indication that the tuner will tune to a broadcast signal channel between the first frequency and the second frequency; and

(c) the filter control module controlling the filter to switch to attenuating signals above the second frequency in response to receiving the indication;

wherein the transmission medium is coaxial cable;

the first frequency is an upper frequency bound for a first cable television broadcast system and the second frequency is an upper frequency bound for a second cable television broadcast system; and

the frequency range between the first frequency and the second frequency overlaps with at least one MoCA channel.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(a) the filter control module receiving an indication that the tuner will tune to a broadcast signal channel below the first frequency; and

(b) the filter control module controlling the filter to switch the filter to attenuate signals above the first frequency.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(a) the filter control module receiving an indication of whether the tuner detected a broadcast signal between the first frequency and the second frequency; and

(b) if the tuner did not detect a signal between the first frequency and the second frequency, the filter control module controlling the filter to switch to attenuate signals below the first frequency.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the steps (a)-(b) are performed during a set-up procedure, and the method further comprising the filter continuing to remain in a last switched state during normal operation.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the filter control module is coupled to a second filter, the second filter configured to switchably pass one of a plurality of frequency bands for network communications.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the filter control module is further coupled to a network node configured to communicate on one of the plurality of frequency bands.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the filter control module, filter, and tuner are embedded in a consumer electronic device.

8. A system for filtering signals in a transmission medium having network signals coexisting with broadcast signals, comprising:

(a) a filter control module coupled to a tuner; and

(b) a filter coupled to and controlled by the filter control module, the filter switchably attenuating network and broadcast signals above a first frequency or signals above a second frequency greater than the first frequency;

wherein,

(c) the filter control module is configured to receive an indication that the tuner will tune to a broadcast signal channel between the first frequency and the second frequency; and

(d) the filter control module is configured to control the filter to switch to attenuating signals above the second frequency in response to receiving the indication;

wherein the transmission medium is coaxial cable;

the first frequency is an upper frequency bound for a first cable television broadcast system and the second frequency is an upper frequency bound for a second cable television broadcast system; and

the frequency range between the first frequency and the second frequency overlaps with at least one MoCA channel.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the filter control module is further configured to:

(a) receive an indication that the tuner will tune to a broadcast signal channel below the first frequency; and

(b) control the filter to switch the filter to attenuate signals above the first frequency range.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the filter control module is further configured to:

(a) receive an indication of whether the tuner detected a broadcast signal between the first frequency and the second frequency; and

(b) if the tuner did not detect a signal between the first frequency and the second frequency, control the filter to switch the filter to attenuate signals below the first frequency.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the steps (e)-(f) are configured to be performed during a set-up procedure, and wherein the filter is configured to remain in a last switched state during normal operation.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the filter control module is coupled to a second filter, the second filter configured to switchably pass one of a plurality of frequency bands for network communications.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the filter control module is further coupled to a network node configured to communicate on one of the plurality of frequency bands.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the filter control module, filter, and tuner are embedded in a consumer electronic device.

15. A consumer electronic device, comprising:

(a) a tuner configured to tune to broadcast signal channels received over a transmission medium;

(b) a filter control module coupled to the tuner; and

(c) a filter coupled to and controlled by the filter control module, the filter switchably attenuating network and broadcast signals above a first frequency or signals above a second frequency greater than the first frequency;

wherein,

(d) the filter control module is configured to receive an indication that the tuner will tune to a broadcast signal channel between the first frequency and the second frequency; and

(e) the filter control module is configured to control the filter to switch to attenuating signals above the second frequency in response to receiving the indication;

wherein the transmission medium is coaxial cable;

the first frequency is an upper frequency bound for a first cable television broadcast system and the second frequency is an upper frequency bound for a second cable television broadcast system; and

the frequency range between the first frequency and the second frequency overlaps with at least one MoCA channel.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the filter control module is further configured to:

(a) receive an indication that the tuner will tune to a broadcast signal channel below the first frequency; and

(b) control the filter to switch the filter to attenuate signals above the first frequency.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the filter control module is further configured to:

(a) receive an indication of whether the tuner detected a signal outside the first frequency range but within the second frequency range; and

(b) if the tuner did not detect a signal outside the first frequency range but within the second frequency range, control the filter to switch the filter to attenuate signals outside the first frequency range.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the steps (f)-(g) are configured to be performed during a set-up procedure, and wherein the filter is configured to remain in a last switched state during normal operation.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the filter control module is coupled to a second filter, the second filter configured to switchably pass one of a plurality of frequency bands for network communications.

20. The device of claim 19, further comprising network node coupled to the filter control module and configured to communicate on one of the plurality of frequency bands.