WO2011109073A1

WO2011109073A1 - Near-field high-bandwidth dtv transmission system

Info

Publication number: WO2011109073A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/000364
Authority: WO
Original assignee: Radioshack Corporation
Priority date: 2010-03-05
Filing date: 2011-02-28
Publication date: 2011-09-09

Abstract

A system for selective digital television ("DTV") signal reception and redistribution through a local area media to one or more television (TV) terminals utilizing a rebroadcast hub and at least one TV terminal interface. The rebroadcast hub includes plural DTV receivers, where each one has an antenna input and a signal output for a baseband DTV data stream, and each one is responsive to a channel signal at a control interface to selectively tune individual DTV broadcast signals. The hub has a distribution controller that is coupled to the signal outputs and the control interfaces of the plural DTV receivers, and that operates to couple channel signals to the control interfaces, and that has a multiplexer for generating a multiplexed datastream of control data, including channel signals, and the plural baseband DTV data streams.

Description

[1 ] Title .

NEAR-FIELD HIGH-BANDWIDTH DTV TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

Technical Field

[4] The present invention relates to local television signal distribution. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wireless multiple-tuner near-field high definition television signal distribution system.

[5] Background Art

[6] The modern residence typically has several television sets. In order to receive program content, each television receiver requires a signal source, which is typically a television antenna for receiving over-the-air ("OTA") commercial television broadcasts. Of course, CATV systems are known as well as certain specialized broadcast services including satellite and regional multiple channel radio distribution services. More recently, television services are being delivered by wire-line telephone companies utilizing broadband fiber optic technology. These latter services, that are not OTA services, are typically offered under contract and subject to periodic usage fees, which is incremental according to the number of connected television sets. Thus, the OTA service has cost advantages to end users, particularly were several television sets are operated at a single locale.

[7] It is well known that television reception quality and reliability is enhanced using a roof-top antenna having reasonable gain with a main beam directed toward the regional broadcast station transmitters. The received signal comprising plural broadcast stations can then be routed to the television receiver using a feed line, such as a coaxial cable. In the case where there are plural television receivers, an RF splitter can be employed to divide the received signal, with individual feed lines routed to the plural television receivers. Each television receiver can then selectively tune one station from amongst the plural station signals present on the feed line. The routing of feed lines within a residence, or other structure, is problematic. It is a project of considerable difficulty to route feed lines in an attic, through walls and floors, and in a manner that is cosmetically acceptable. So much so that many users employ set-top antennas on several of their plural television receivers to avoid the aggravation and cost to routing plural feed lines.

[8] In the recent era of NTSC analog broadcast television, the use of set-top antennas was marginally acceptable because of the nature of analog broadcast, where a gradually deteriorating received signal strength correlated to a gradually deteriorating picture quality. However, in the current era of ATSC digital television broadcasting, the gradual correlation no longer exists. As signal level deteriorates, there comes a threshold where the pictures and audio reception immediately ceases. And, this occurs at a relatively high signal level. For this reason, set-top antennas no longer provide the same level of performance as they did in the NTSC era. This forces users of plural television receivers to install more complex feed line system to route the requisite signals to the plural television receivers. Even this approach has certain limitations. Where a signal is carried long distance on a feed line and divided using a splitter, the fraction of the available signal strength to each receiver is proportionally reduced, and this leads to the need of broadband RF amplifiers to raise the strength of the received signals. Since these signals comprise plural broadcast stations the operate at frequencies spread across the VHP and UHF television bands, the performance requirement of such broadband splitters and amplifiers are quite high. All of these factors lead to degraded signal to noise ratios. Installation issues are exacerbated as well since any attenuation of the signals can result in reduced reception performance and even total loss of signals. Thus, it can be appreciated that there is a need in the art from a system and method to distribute television signals to plural television receivers within a given locale without the need to install complex feed lines systems, and which provides good signal quality to each of the plural television receivers.

[9] Disclosure of the Invention 1 10] The need in the art is addressed by the systems and methods of the present invention. The present invention teaches a system for selective digital television ("DTV") signal reception and redistribution through a local area media to one or more television ("TV") terminals utilizing a rebroadcast hub and at least one TV terminal interface. The rebroadcast hub includes plural DTV receivers, where each one has an antenna input and a signal output for a baseband DTV data stream, and each one is responsive to a channel signal at a control interface to selectively tune individual DTV broadcast signals. The hub has a distribution controller that is coupled to the signal outputs and the control interfaces of the plural DTV receivers, and that operates to couple channel signals to the control interfaces, and that has a multiplexer for generating a multiplexed data stream of control data, including channel signals, and the plural baseband DTV data streams. The hub also has a formatter for conversion of the multiplexed data stream into a formatted data stream that is compliant with a communications protocol. The hub also includes a first modem with a first network interface for connection to the local area media, and that operates to modulate and demodulate the formatted data stream in accordance with a network protocol. The TV terminal interfaces are the other part of the system. Each one has a second modem with a second network interface, also for connection to the local area media, and that operates to modulate and demodulate the formatted data stream in accordance with the network protocol. The TV terminal interface includes a TV terminal controller that has a control port, and that is coupled to the second modem to communicate the formatted data stream therewith. The TV terminal interface also includes a reformatter for conversation of the formatted data stream into to the multiplexed data stream, and a demultiplexer coupled to selectively demultiplex at least one of the plural baseband DTV data steams and the control data from the multiplexed data stream. It also includes a TV modulator coupled to receive the demultiplexed one of the plural baseband DTV signals, and that converts it to a TV terminal compliant signal that is coupled to a TV signal output. The TV terminal interface also includes a control driver that is coupled to the control port and that is adapted to receive control signals for selective control of the system. 1 1 1 1 In a specific embodiment of the foregoing system, the control data, the control signals, and the channel signals are communicated end to end between the TV terminal controller and the distribution controller, and the channel signals are input to the control port of the TV terminal controller. In a refinement to this embodiment, the distribution controller and the TV terminal controller exchange security data within the control data. In a further refinement, the security data includes a unit identity for the at least a first TV terminal interface. In another refinement, the control data includes parental control limit parameters input through the control port.

1 121 In a specific embodiment of the foregoing system, the control signals are input to the control port with a wireless remote control . In a refinement to this

embodiment, the wireless remote control is an infrared remote control. In another specific embodiment, the multiplexed data stream includes plural IPTV complaint data streams combined with bi-directional control data. In another specific embodiment, the communication protocol is an Ethernet protocol.

[13] In a specific embodiment of the foregoing system, the network protocol is the HomePlug AV protocol, and the first modem and the second modem are HomePlug AV compliant modems, and also, the first network interface and the second network interface are AC power plugs.

[14] In a specific embodiment of the foregoing system, the demultiplexer operates to demultiplex at least two of the plural baseband DTV signals, and the TV terminal controller simultaneously outputs the two DTV signals to the TV modulator as a split- screen signal. In another specific embodiment, the TV compliant signal includes TV audio and TV video, and is selected from an HDTV signal, an ATSC signal, a PAL signal, a DTV signal, a DVB-T signal, and an NTSC signal.

1 15] In a specific embodiment of the foregoing system , wherein the local area media is a wireless RF media, the first modem and the second modems are wireless modems, and the first network interface and the second network interface are antennas. In a refinement to this embodiment, the network protocol is selected from the WiMax protocol, a UWB radio protocol, a 60 GHz wireless protocol, a wireless IPTV protocol, a WiFi protocol, and a wideband proprietary radio protocol. In another specific embodiment, the TV signal output is compliant with a physical interface standard selected from HDMI, S-Video, RGB component, composite video, CBVS, and a modulated RF carrier interface. In another specific embodiment, the plural DTV receivers are HDTV compliant DTV receivers that employ 1920xl080i 30 Hz video according to ISO/IEC 13818-2 (MPEG 2, main profile), audio according to ATSC AC52 (Dolby AC-3).

1 16] In a specific embodiment, the foregoing system further includes a common DTV antenna coupled to the antenna inputs of the plural DTV receivers. In another specific embodiment, the distribution controller includes a signal processor adapted to convert the plural baseband DTV data streams into IPTV compliant data streams.

[17] The present invention teaches a method for selectively receiving and redistributing digital television ("DTV") signals through a local area media to at least a first television ("TV") terminal using a rebroadcast hub and at least a first TV terminal interface. The method includes steps performed in either of the hub and the terminal interface. The rebroadcast hub, performs the steps of receiving plural individual DTV broadcast signals by selectively tuning plural DTV receivers, each responding to a channel signal at its control interface, and each outputting a baseband DTV data stream. Also, generating a multiplexed data stream of channel signals and control data by multiplexing the plural baseband DTV data streams together with control data, including channel signals. Then, formatting the multiplexed data stream into a formatted data stream compliant with a communications protocol. Finally, in a first modem, modulating and demodulating the formatted data stream in accordance with a network protocol and coupling it to a network interface for connecting to the local area media. The steps performed in the at least a first TV terminal interface include the following. In a second modem, communicating through a second network interface for coupling to the local area media, and modulating and demodulating between the formatted data stream in accordance with the network protocol. Then, reformatting the formatted data stream to the multiplexed data stream, and selectively demultiplexing at least one of the plural baseband DTV data streams and the control data from the multiplexed data stream. Next, converting one of the plural baseband DTV data streams to a TV terminal compliant signal, and coupling to a TV signal output. In addition, the TV terminal interface receives control signals, including channels signals, through a control port of a control driver, and multiplexes the control signals into the multiplexed data steam.

1 18 J In a specific embodiment, the foregoing method further includes the step of communicating the control data, including the channel signals, end to end between the control port and the plural DTV receivers. In a refinement to this embodiment, the method further includes the step of exchanging security data within the control data between the rebroadcast hub and the at least a first TV terminal interface. In another refinement, the method further comprises the step of including a unit identity within the security data.

119] In a specific embodiment, the foregoing method includes the step of including parental control parameters within the control data. In another specific embodiment, the foregoing method includes the further step of inputting control data to the control port using a wireless remote control. In another embodiment, the communication protocol is an Ethernet protocol.

[20] In a specific embodiment of the foregoing method, the network protocol is the HomePlug AV protocol, and the first modem and the second modem are HomePlug AV compliant modems, and the method include the further step of coupling the first network interface and the second network interface to the local area network using AC power plugs.

[21 ] In another specific embodiment, the method includes the further steps of demultiplexing at least two of the plural baseband DTV signals, and simultaneously converting the at least two of the plural baseband DTV data streams to a TV terminal compliant signal for reproduction as a split-screen signal. [22] In another specific embodiment of the foregoing method, wherein the local area media is a wireless radio frequency ("RF') media, the method further provides that the first modem and the second modems are wireless modems, and the first network interface and the second network interface are antennas. In refinements to this embodiment, the network protocol is selected from the WiMax protocol, a UWB radio protocol, a 60 GHz wireless protocol, a wireless IPTV protocol, a WiFi protocol, and a wideband proprietary radio protocol.

[23] In a specific embodiment, the foregoing method further includes the step of coupling a common DTV antenna to the plural DTV receivers. In another specific embodiment, the foregoing method further includes the step of converting the plural baseband DTV data streams into IPTV compliant data streams.

[24] Brief Description of the Drawings

[25] Figure 1 is a system diagram of a near field wireless installation according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[26] Figure 2 is a system diagram of a power line system installation according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[27] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of television distribution system according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[28] Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of a HomePlug AV based television distribution system according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[29] Figure 5 is a functional block diagram of a near-field wireless television distribution system according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. [30] Figure 6 is a functional block diagram of a multi-tuner hub according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[31 ] Figure 7 is a functional block diagram of a TV terminal interface according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[32] Figure 8 is a process flow diagram according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[33] Best Mode for Carrying Out Invention

and

Industrial Applicability

[34] Illustrative embodiments and exemplary applications will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to disclose the advantageous teachings of the present invention.

[35] While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope hereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.

[36] In considering the detailed embodiments of the present invention, it will be observed that the present invention resides primarily in combinations of steps to accomplish various methods and components to form various apparatus.

Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the disclosures contained herein. [37] In this disclosure, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[38] The present invention addresses the aforementioned issues in the prior art by teaching multiple embodiments of systems and methods for distributing multiple channels of DTV broadcast signals to multiple TV sets within a given local, in what is referred to as the "near-field", without the need to route high bandwidth feed lines, splitters, RF amplifiers and other traditional apparatus for DTV signal distribution. These embodiments employ local area communication media that already previously in the local environment, and therefore do not require additional installation services. In particular, these media includes the natural RF environment and the building electrical power distribution wiring. RF telecommunications are accomplished in the unlicensed power and frequency bands made available through the regulatory processes. Thus, the system and methods of the present invention only require a distribution hub for receipt and distribution of plural DTV channels, and a TV terminal interface co-located with each TV set used to selectively receive DTV signals and for the ultimate presentation of the DTV programming. The acronym "DTV" refers to the generic class of TV modulation and transmission systems that encode the video, color, audio, and related signals as digital information. Contrast this with analog television, such as the legacy United States NTSC vestigial sideband and FM audio television standard. In the US, a new digital standard has been promulgated and implement under the ATSC system. [39] The ATSC DTV system employs regional commercial broadcast transmitters and many ATSC digital television receivers operated by end users. A typical ATSC receiver functions by generating audio and video signals that are recovered from over- the-air ("OTA") DTV broadcasts. ATSC receivers provide the functions of selective tuning, demodulation, transport stream demultiplexing, decompression, error correction, analog-to-digital conversion, AV synchronization and media reformatting to fit the specific type of TV screen optimally. Selective tuning is essentially channel selection by tuning the receiver RF front end to the desired RF broadcast carrier. Demodulation recovers the information in the received RF carrier to the baseband. In the ATSC system, multiple digital signals are combined and then transmitted from one broadcast source. The ATSC receiver first receives the combined MPEG transport stream and then decodes it to recover the raw DTV data stream. Since ATSC data streams are compressed, the data packets must be decompressed by the ATSC receiver. An error correction process is also undertaken to correct as many transmission and reception errors as possible. Ultimately, the receiver outputs a baseband DTV data stream of the^' received program content. In addition, the ATSC receiver provides audio to video synchronization and image formatting to the target display format.

[40] Reference is directed to Figure 1 , which is a system diagram of a near-field wireless installation according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In this illustrative embodiment, the local area media for distribution of the DTV signals is a radio frequency ("RF") based system of the present invention, which is installed within a residence 2. The rebroadcast hub 12 is located in the attic 4 of the residence 2. Of course, the hub 12 could be located anywhere within the RF near- field of the residence 2. The attic 4 is convenient since the antenna 6 placed above the roof will require a relatively short feed line 8 to the hub 12. In this embodiment, an RF splitter 10 is used to route the received DTV broadcast signals to the plural DTV receivers located within the hub 12. The rebroadcast hub 12 includes plural DTV receivers, control circuitry and a transceiver for communicating^with plural TV terminal interfaces located throughout the residence 2. A typical framed home provides a good RF environment for low-power unlicensed RF communications within the near-field defined by the extent of the building interior and immediately adjacent exterior. The user of the system may desire to receive and view DTV signal content using TV sets located throughout the residence 2.

[41] In the illustrative embodiment of Figure 1 , the user places a first TV set 22 in an upper room 14 of the residence 2. The TV set 22 selectively receives TV signals from a corresponding TV terminal interface 20, which is in RF communications with the rebroadcast hub 12. A wireless remote control 24 provides a user interface for channel selection and other users controls of the system. The user places a second TV set 28 in a lower room 16 of the residence 2. The TV set 28 selectively receives TV signals from a corresponding TV terminal interface 26, which is in RF

communications with the rebroadcast hub 12. A wireless remote control 30 provides a user interface for channel selection and other users controls of the system. The user additionally places a third TV set 32 in another lower room 18 of the residence 2. The TV set 32 selectively receives TV signals from a corresponding TV terminal interface 31 , which is in RF communications with the rebroadcast hub 12. A wireless remote control 36 provides a user interface for channel selection and other users controls of the system. All three of the TV terminal interfaces 20, 26, and 31 are essentially the same. The user of each interface can selectively access the rebroadcast hub 12 to select one of the plural DTV receivers as the source for its DTV signal, and also remotely tune the selected receiver to a preferred channel. In addition, various other user functions and controls can be manipulated using the corresponding wireless remote control 24, 30, 36.

[42] Reference is directed to Figure 2, which is a system diagram of a power system installation according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In this illustrative embodiment, the local area media for distribution of the DTV signals is the building 40 AC power wiring. A rebroadcast hub 50 is located within the attic 42 of the residence 40. The hub 50 is coupled to a roof-top TV antenna 44 using a coaxial RF feed line 46 and RF splitter, as are known to those skilled in the art. The plural DTV receivers in the hub 50 are thusly provided with the available regional DTV broadcast signals. The hub 50 includes control circuits and an AC power line modem that modulates and demodulates plural broadband digital data streams on the AC power wiring in the residence 40. The interface is accomplished using a conventional AC power plug and receptacle 52, as are well known. In the illustrative embodiment, the AC modem and interface follow the HomePlug AV promulgated standard from data transmission of AC power lines. This system will be more fully discussed hereinafter. The plural DTV data streams and certain control data coupled to the AC power wiring in the residence, the user is free to access this information anywhere within the residence 40 where this is an AC power receptacle.

[43] With plural DTV data streams and control data modulated onto the AC power wiring by the rebroadcast hub 50 in the residence 40 of Figure 2, the end user is free to locate TV sets and corresponding TV terminal interfaces throughout the residence. In this illustrative embodiment, the user has three TV sets 62, 72, 80 located in three corresponding rooms 54, 56, 58, respectively. Each of the TV sets 62, 72, 80 has a corresponding TV terminal interface 60, 70, 78 with a wireless remote control 64, 74, 82, respectively. Each of the TV terminal interfaces 60, 70, 78 includes a HomePlug AV modem coupled to the building AC wiring with an AC plug and receptacle 68, 76, 84, respectively. Also, each TV terminal interface includes control circuitry enabling each to demodulate, demultiplex and format DTV signals in a manner that can couple directly to each TV set 62, 72, 80. The wireless remote controls 64, 74, 82 are infrared remotes in the illustrative embodiment, and enable the user to select one, or more, of the received signals from the plural DTV receivers in the rebroadcast hub 50 and to selectively tune a selected receiver. These selections are accomplished using the aforementioned control data, and, the control data is used to support other functional features, which will be more fully described hereinafter.

[44] Reference is directed to Figure 3, which is a functional block diagram of a television distribution system according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The illustrative embodiment of Figure 3 is a generalized embodiment configured around a "local area network" 96, which represents the host local area media that replaces the traditional RF coaxial cabling and distribution system described hereinbefore. While the use of RF and modulated building AC power wiring are discussed in more detail herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other existing infrastructure could be employed, such as alarm system wiring, surveillance system wiring, other communications networks, optical infrastructure and so forth. The illustrative embodiment of Figure 3 includes a rebroadcast hub 87 and several TV terminal interfaces, each consisting of a network interface, a TV terminal controller that is coupled to a TV set, and a wireless remote control. For example, network interface 98 is coupled to TV terminal controller 100 with its wireless remote 104 constitute a single TV terminal interface for TV set 102. The rebroadcast hub 87 receives over-the-air ("OTA") DTV broadcast signals through an external antenna 86, which provides a broadband signal including all the available regional DTV broadcasts. These signals are coupled to plural DTV receivers 88, 90 in the rebroadcast hub 87. While two DTV receivers 88, 90 are illustrated in Figure 3, it is understood that the number of receivers employed is a design choice, and could include three, four, or more. System cost and local area network bandwidth are two limiting factors in selecting the total number of DTV receivers. Each DTV receiver 88, 90 includes a signal output that provides the baseband DTV data stream of the received program content for that receiver, and a control input, which provides various control functions for that receiver. The control input accepts the channel selection signal from the system, and also accepts various input commands including initial set-up, channel scan, video controls, operating modes, volume, mute, parental controls, audio controls and other DTV receiver controls as are known to those skilled in the art.

[45] The signal outputs and control interfaces of the plural DTV receivers 88, 90 are coupled to a distribution controller 92 that provides a number of functions. These include, among other functions, multiplexing the baseband DTV data streams with control data and formatting them to a communications protocol suitable for the selected network interface 94, selectively routing control commands to and from the network interface to the plural DTV receiver interfaces, operational and functional memory, security and access controls, various processing, and other operational functions. The interface between the distribution controller 92 and the network interface 94 follows a predetermined communication protocol, the choice of which depends on several factors. In some applications, the network interface may require a predetermined protocol and physical interface, such as an Ethernet interface.

Bandwidth is an important consideration, particularly where there are a relatively large number of DTV receivers employed. In other applications, it may depend upon the video steam formatting, such as an Internet protocol television ("IPTV") formatted stream or and Advanced Television Standard Committee ("ATSC") formatted stream. In addition to the illustrative embodiments discussed herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate the design trade-offs and limitations in selecting this communications interface. The network interface 94 selection depends upon the nature of the local area media employed, which is illustrated here as a local area network. In the case of a modulated power line interface, the network interface would be selected as being complaint with the host local are media, including an AC plug interface to the network 96. In the case of a radio frequency network, then a transceiver and suitable antenna would ne employed as the network interface 94, which would communicate through the local area ether and in compliance with promulgated regulatory standards and the protocol of the hosting technology. For example, a WiFi based RF environment would operate in compliance with IEEE 802.1 1 et seq. standards and FCC Part 15 transmitter limitations.

[46] As mentioned above, the three TV terminals interfaces illustrated in Figure 3 each consist of a network interface 98, 106, 1 14 and a TV terminal controller 100, 108, 1 16 with its corresponding wireless remote 104, 1 12, 120. Each TV terminal controller 100, 108, 1 16 can be connected to a TV set 102, 1 10, 1 18, respectively. While three TV terminal interfaces are illustrated in Figure 3, it is understood that any number may be employed from one to any reasonable large number. As discussed with respect to the rebroadcast hub 87, the network interfaces 98, 106, 1 14 are selected according to the type of local area network 96 and the communications protocol interface with the respective TV terminal controllers 100, 108, 1 16. The TV terminal controllers 1 10, 108, 1 16 each provide a number of control functions. These include demultiplexing the multiplexed data stream of plural baseband DTV data streams and selectively processing the channel stream selected by the user, and further to insert and extract control data as required. The selected data stream is then reformatted to a single baseband DTV data stream, and further converted to a TV signal format required by the connected TV set. While the rebroadcast hub and distribution processes of the present invention involve digital televisions signals, the present invention contemplates connection to current format DTV sets as well as legacy and specialty formats, as well as basic analog and digital video formats for various types of video displays. Accordingly, the TV terminal controllers 100, 108, 1 16 can be adapted to provide a range of signaling formats and protocols to the connected TV sets. In Figure 3, TV set 102 is a generic digital TV, TV set 1 10 is legacy NTSC TV designed for vestigial sideband analog video and FM audio. Thus, the TV terminal controller generates such a signal and modulates it onto a six megahertz TV channel. Or, a baseband analog signal may be provided, such as analog video and stereo audio, or an S-video or component video connector set. TV set 1 18 is a current technology ATSC compliant DTV, which typically interfaces with an HDMI specific interface. The TV terminal controller 1 16 is therefore adapted to provide such a signal. Those skilled in the art are knowledgeable of the various US and foreign television set and video terminal interface standards, and the TV terminal controllers of the present invention can readily be adapted to accommodate any of them through use of the reformatter function of the TV terminal interface or the present invention. This it can be appreciated that the present invention not only accommodates current technology TV sets and video monitors, but also legacy and international products.

[47] Reference is directed to Figure 4, which is a functional block diagram of a HomePlug AV based television distribution system according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The use of alternating current power distribution wiring is ubiquitous in building structures throughout the US and most of the world. This is commonly referred to as AC wiring or power line wiring, etc. The existence of this infrastructure has been advantageously utilized for information communications though use of various analog and digital modulation schemes. So much so, that a de facto standard has emerged for communications within power line wiring systems. This system for power line communications is called the HomePlug® system, which name is a trademark of HomePlug Power Alliance, Inc. In 2005, HomePlug released a revised specification called HomePlug AV, which was designed for transmitting HDTV and VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) around the home. Further details and specifications are available at www.homeplug.org.

HomePlug AV has a theoretical maximum data rate of 189 Mbit/s, which can support four simultaneous HDTV video streams, plus control data. HomePlug AV utilizes adaptive modulation on up to 1 155 OFDM sub-carriers, turbo convolution codes for error correction, two-level MAC framing with ARQ, and other techniques.

HomePlug AV can achieve near the theoretical maximum bandwidth across a given transmission path. According to the HomePlug AV specification, HomePlug AV devices may interoperate with prior version HomePlug 1.0 devices, which are usable with the present invention provided that the realized data rate can support at lease two simultaneous video channels. Thus, the illustrative embodiment of Figure 4 employs HomePlug AV specification apparatus.

[48] The rebroadcast hub 123 in Figure 4 includes plural DTV receiver 124, 126, which access OTA DTV broadcasts through a common broadband antenna 122. The baseband DTV data streams, and control interfaces, from the DTV receivers are coupled to distribution controller 128, which is an ATSC/IPTV formatter and controller in the illustrative embodiment. In the United States, the ATSC television standard has been fully implemented, and this illustrative embodiment address that market environment. The DTV receivers 124 and 126 are also ATSC compliant receivers. With regard to the use of IPTV data formatting of the multiplexed and formatted multiple channel data stream, this is a design choice. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various digital signaling protocols and standards could be employed, as well as a custom designed protocol optimized for the local network media utilized for communications. In this illustrative embodiment, the HomePlug AV modem 130 is a commercial of-the-shelf power line modem with an Ethernet port and an AC power plug as the network interface. The Ethernet interface is widely utilize in Internet protocol communications systems and so the IPTV (Internet protocol television) format is a logical, and effective choice. It should be noted the IPTV is different from Internet television, which is an end-to-end service for delivering television programming through the Internet. By contrast, Internet protocol television ("IPTV") is a system protocol through which digital television service is delivered using the architecture and networking methods of the Internet protocol suite over a packet-switched network infrastructure, e.g., Internet and broadband Internet networks. In the illustrative embodiment of Figure 4, the network is established by the HomePlug AV environment and the interfaces described herein.

[49] The ATSC to IPTV formatter and distribution controller 128 connects to a HomePlug AV modem 130 with an Ethernet interface and employing Internet protocol communications. This interface carries the multiplexed baseband DTV data streams and bi-directional control data. The HomePlug AV modem 130 connects to the building AC power line wiring using a conventional AC wall plug and receptacle. In the illustrative embodiment, the HomePlug AV modem is an Asoka PlugLink HD AV Ethernet adapter available through Asoka USA Corporation in Santa Clara, CA. Similarly, the HomePlug AV modems 134, 142, 150 at the respective TV terminal controllers 136, 144, 152, are Asoka PlugLink adapters as well. Each of the TV terminal interfaces includes an IPTV to DTV reformatter and TV controller 136, 144, 152. These provide the inverse network function as the rebroadcast hub controller 128. Each of these devices provides the demultiplexing and reformatting functions described above, with respect to the generic system description. Respective infrared remote controllers 140, 148, 156 are provided for input of receiver and channel selection, as well as other control functions. Each of the TV terminal interface controllers is adapted for its respective TV set. Controller 136 includes an HDMI interface to a DTV TV set 138. Controller 144 provides an NTSC composite video interface to a legacy TV set 146. Controller 152 provides an HDMI interface to an ATSC TV receiver, through one of its direct HDMI inputs.

[50] Reference is directed to Figure 5, which is a functional block diagram of a near field wireless television distribution system according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The illustrative embodiment in Figure 5 is a wireless transceiver based system, utilizing the natural RF ether, referred to herein as the "Wireless Protocol Environment^" 168, as the local area media, and RF transceivers form the interface to this "network". The rebroadcast hub 159 is rather similar to those discussed hereinbefore, having plural DTV receivers 160, 162 fed from a common antenna 158, and coupled to an ATSC to IPTV formatter and distribution controller 164 by their respective signal outputs and control interfaces. Where the rebroadcast hub 159 differs in this illustrative embodiment, is in the use of a wireless controller transceiver 166 as the modem to interface with the wireless protocol environment 168. There is a wireless transceiver in the rebroadcast hub as well as in each TV terminal interface, identified in Figure 5 as elements 172, 178, 186. In the rebroadcast hub 159, the wireless transceiver 166 provides an Ethernet interface to the distribution controller 164, employing the Internet protocol communications suites, although as mentioned above, other interface protocols could readily be employed, as well as various other physical interfaces as are known to those skilled in the art. The principle limiting factors in selecting radio modems are coverage range and data throughput rates. Since this invention is primarily directed to mass produced products distributed widely to consumers, the use of unlicensed radio spectrum and relatively low transmitter power is highly desirable. In the US, these are the FCC Part 15 spectrum allocations, as are known to those skilled in the art. The near-field concept comprises the dimensional extent of the residence of a typical end user or small business, taking into account the interfering effects of the building, radio frequency noise, and competing RP products typically used by consumers. A useable range of about a hundred feet is generally adequate for the vast majority of users. With respect to bandwidth and data rates, the present invention contemplates at least two DTV channels, and should readily accommodate expansion to three or four, and perhaps more in expansive systems. An uncompressed ATSC 1080i data stream requires about 38 megabits/second. This number is somewhat flexible given that aggressive compression and error correction can substantially reduce it, and also, limiting display resolution to lesser resolutions reduces the required data as well. Such data rate reduction techniques are known to those skilled in the art.

[51 ] In the case of a two DTV channel system, an RP modem data rate of 75-80 bits/second will typically suffice, whereas a data rate approaching 200 Mbits/sec would adequately support a fully configured system with multiple DTV receivers. Thus, it can be appreciated that there are many possible radio systems and protocols that could be applied to the teachings of the present invention. The inventors hereof direct the reader's attention to the WiMax standard, certain Ultra Wide Band

("UWB") systems, 60 GHz allocations, Wireless HD, and others known to those skilled in the art, as candidates for use as the RF modem in illustrative embodiments like that in Figure 5. WiMax is the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave access technology originally intended for use in last-mile telephony applications. The WiMax system supports multiple modes and has gradually improved its performance from supporting a data rate of about 10 Mbits/sec (DSL level performance) to top data rates of about 144 Mbits/sec at the time of this writing. Performance is based on transceiver range and frequency, but in a near field application such as the present invention, and operating in the 2 GHz frequency band, top data rates can be expected. Also, WiMax system readily integrates into Internet protocol networks, and have been used for this reason by telecommunications providers for a number of years. UWB is an emerging radio technology that can be used at very low energy levels for short- range and high-bandwidth applications. As such, UWB does not present significant interference issues with other local narrowband systems. Generally, UWB systems employ more than 500 MHz of bandwidth. Data rates can exceed one gigabit/second, and are thus generously adequate from the illustrative embodiments of the present invention. The US FCC has authorized unlicensed use of UWB systems in the 3-10 GHz bands. The 60 GHz systems are also referred to as WiGig, which is an organization promoting the adoption of certain system configurations. 60

GHz/WiGig systems are Internet protocol complaint and have generous data bandwidth capabilities. Wireless HD and 60 GHz are competitive systems. Wireless HD is an industry led effort to define the next generation wireless digital networks. The Wireless HD specification is based on a 7 GHz band located around 60 GHz. It encompasses theoretical data rates as high as 25 Gbits/sec.

[52] Continuing the discussion in regards to Figure 5, each of the wireless controller transceivers 170, 178, 186 provides an Ethernet interface of IP suite communications coupling IPTV compliant formatted data streams to the respective IPTV/ATSC reformatter and TV terminal controller 172, 180, 188, respectively. The TV terminal controller provides the reformatting, demultiplexing, and control data integration functions in essentially the small manner as described with respect to the prior embodiments. Each TV terminal controller 172, 180, 188 provides a TV signal output that corresponds to the type of connected TV set. In the illustration, TV set 174 is a generic DTV, which receives a DTV compliant data stream. TV set 182 is a legacy NTSC analog TV, so it receives an analog TV signal with video and sound, or it may receive component video and stereo audio, and etc. TV set 190 is an ATSC compliant HDTV, which is coupled with an HDMI interfaced ATSC television signal. Additionally, each of the TV terminal controllers 172, 180, 190 receives control data commands from a corresponding infrared wireless remote control 176, 184, 192.

[53] Reference is directed to Figure 6, which is a functional block diagram of a multi-tuner rebroadcast hub according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The illustrative embodiment depicted in Figure 6 is based on an ATSC implementation for the US market, and uses IPTV formatted video and control signaling. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the other DTV formats and encoding scheme could also be employed within this functional structure. This illustrative embodiment also depicts two DTV receivers 194, 196, however any reasonable number of receiver could be employed, depending on system configuration and end user requirement. Each of the receivers is an ATSC compliant receiver 194, 196 that receive an antenna input signal comprising all of the regional over the air broadcast stations. The receivers 194, 196 are selectively tuned through receipt of a channel signal at their respective control interface from a controller 200. The controller 200 can be any suitable digital processor, as are known to those skilled in the art. Each of the receivers 194, 196 outputs a baseband DTV data stream for the tuned station, which are coupled to a digital multiplexer 198. Bi-directional control data is also coupled between the controller 200 and the multiplexer 198. The control data is multiplexed together with the baseband DTV data streams to generate a multiplexed data steam, which is IPTV complaint in this illustrative embodiment, and that this coupled to a network formatter 202. Note that the communications link from the multiplexer into the local area network 206 and back is bi-directional, and that the control data can readily be communicated end-to-end in either direction with the TV terminal interfaces. This arrangement enables bi-directional control within the system, and enables the TV terminal interfaces to fully access and control the DTV receivers 194, 196 remotely.

[54] The network formatter 202 in Figure 6 receives the IPTV formatted data stream from the multiplexer 198. The formatter 202 formats the multiplexed data stream into a formatted data stream to accommodate the interface requirements of the network transceiver 204, which is referred to as the network data protocol defining both a signaling and physical interface. This function is useful since various types of the local area networks 206 will employ various types of network transceivers 204. Since it may be beneficial to employ off the shelf network transceivers or modems, it becomes useful to adapt the formatted data stream to their respective input interfaces and network data protocols. In this illustrative embodiment, the network data protocol of the network transceiver is the Ethernet interface and Internet protocol suite. The network transceiver 204 modulates the formatted data stream according to the network protocol. The network protocol depends of the type of network. As discussed above, this may be a modulated power line protocol, a wireless protocol, or some other commutations protocol.

[55] Reference is directed to Figure 7, which is a functional block diagram of a TV terminal interface according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The illustrative embodiment of Figure 7 corresponds to the illustrative embodiment of Figure 6. The TV terminal interface of Figure 6 is coupled to the local area network 206 using a network transceiver 210. The network transceiver 210 modulates and demodulates the formatted data stream according to the network protocol. As mentioned above, the network protocol depends of the type of local are network 206. The network transceiver 210 couples the formatted data stream, according to the network data protocol, with the network reformatter 212. In this illustrative embodiment, the network data protocol is an Ethernet interface employing the Internet protocol suites. The network reformatter 2, formats this data stream back into a multiplexed data stream of IPTV TV signals and control data. The controller 214 provides the various memory, operation, and control functions for the terminal, and also provides the processing functions to convert the multiplexed data steam into an ATSC 216 compliant stream, in this particular illustrative embodiment. In addition, the controller 214 interfaces with the remote control infrared interface 226 for receiving user inputs, in the form of control data, from the infrared remote control unit 228. Generally, this is a portion of the control data 218 communicated through the system. The controller 214 also generates control data to a menu driver 222, which enables the TV terminal interface to display menu option to the user on the DTV TV set 224. Upon seeing the menu options, the user makes selections using the IR remote 228. The video demultiplexer receives the multiplexed stream of baseband DTV 216 signals from the controller 214. Control data input to the video

demultiplexer 220 controls which individual baseband DTV data stream, or streams, are presented to the DTV TV set 224. In this illustrative embodiment, the interface to the TV set is an HDMI interface, since the TV set is a DTV set.

[56] Reference is directed to Figure 8, which is a process flow diagram according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. This illustrative embodiment presents a subset of the functionality enabled under the teachings of the present invention. It will be appreciated that all of the control features enabled in a current technology ATSC TV receiver can be processed by the rebroadcast hub and the TV terminal interfaces of the present invention. The wireless remote control of the present invention can mimic the appearance and functionality of the ATSC TV receiver remote, and can even be programmed to operate both systems. Since the present invention contemplates plural DTV receivers in the rebroadcast hub, the TV terminal coupled to the TV terminal interface of the present invention has access to a greater quantity of TV signals and control data, which is advantageously applied. Side-by-side display, or picture-in-picture of the plural baseband TV data streams can be simultaneously presented, and the audio portions can be selectively reproduced as well.

[57] Continuing now in Figure 8, the process begins at start-up in step 230. Step 232 is a test of the present start-up is an initial activation. If so, flow proceeds to step 234. Step 234 is a system scan of the rebroadcast hub and plural TV terminal interfaces for unit identities and security coding and assignment. Various security approaches know to those skilled in the art can be applied. At step 236, the system sends control data to the plural DTV receivers to initiate a band-scan for all available regional DTV broadcast stations, which are stored for later tuner selection. At step 238. the system provides user access for input of user customizable functionality, such as date, time, format, channel editing, and other functions well now to those skilled in the art. The initial activation routine then returns to step 232. At step 240, after start-up, the "Set-Top" TV terminal interfaces check into the rebroadcast hub and the security access protocol is performed, etc. At step 242, the TV terminal interface loads the last selected DTV receiver data stream and display current channel status. At step 244 the system list of TV receivers and currently tuned channels is presented as a screen overlay to inform the user of current system status. At step 246, the TV terminal interface returns to standard receive mode for the last selected station. Step 248 is a test to determine if the user has accessed the menu function using the wireless remote controller. If so, the process continues to step 250, where a menu of options is displayed. The list of menus option routines in this illustrative includes DTV Receiver Select 252, Chanel tuning Select 254, Parental Controls 256, Picture-in-Picture 258, Split Screen Mode 260, and various other controls 262.

Completion of the subroutines returns the system to the receiver mode at step 246.

[58] Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof.

[59] It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A system for selective digital television ("DTV") signal reception and redistribution through a local area media to at least a first television ("TV") terminal, comprising:

a rebroadcast hub, which comprises;

plural DTV receivers , each having an antenna input and a signal output for a baseband DTV data stream, and each responsive to a channel signal at a control interface to selectively tune individual DTV broadcast signals;

a distribution controller coupled to said signal outputs and said control interfaces of said plural DTV receivers, and operable to couple channel signals to said control interfaces, and having a multiplexer for generating a multiplexed data stream of control data, including channel signals, and the plural baseband DTV data streams, and a formatter for conversion of said multiplexed data stream into a formatted data stream compliant with a communications protocol; and

a first modem with a first network interface for connection to the local area

media, operable to modulate and demodulate said formatted data stream in accordance with a network protocol; and wherein

at least a first TV terminal interface, which comprises;

a second modem with a second network interface for connection to the local area media, operable to modulate and demodulate said formatted data stream in accordance with said network protocol;

a TV terminal controller having a control port, and coupled to said second modem to communicate said formatted data stream, and having a reformatter for conversation of said formatted data stream into to said multiplexed data stream, and a demultiplexer coupled to selectively demultiplex at least one of said plural baseband DTV data steams and said control data from said multiplexed data stream, and a TV modulator coupled to receive said demultiplexed one of said plural baseband DTV signals, for conversion to a TV terminal compliant signal coupled to a TV signal output, and having a control driver coupled to said control port adapted to receive control signals for selective control of the system.

2. The system of claim 1 , and wherein;

said control data, said control signals, and said channel signals are communicated end to end between said TV terminal controller and said distribution controller, and wherein said channel signals are input to said control port of said TV terminal controller.

3. The system of claim 2, and wherein;

said distribution controller and said TV terminal controller exchange security data within said control data.

4. The system of claim 3, and wherein;

said security data includes a unit identity for said at least a first TV terminal interface.

5. The system of claim 2, and wherein;

said control data includes parental control limit parameters input through said control port.

6. The system of claim 1 , and wherein;

said control signals are input to said control port with a wireless remote control.

7. The system of claim 6, and wherein;

said wireless remote control is selected from an infrared remote control and an RF remote control.

8. The system of claim 1 , and wherein;

said multiplexed data stream includes plural IPTV complaint data streams combined with bi-directional control data.

9. The system of claim 1 , and wherein said communication protocol is an Ethernet protocol.

10. The system of claim 1 , and wherein;

said network protocol is the HomePlug AV protocol, and wherein

said first modem and said second modem are HomePlug AV compliant modems, and wherein

said first network interface and said second network interface are AC power plugs.

1 1. The system of claim 1 , and wherein;

said demultiplexer is operable to demultiplex at least two of said plural baseband DTV signals, and wherein

said TV terminal controller is operable to simultaneously output said at least two DTV signals to said TV modulator as a split-screen signal.

12. The system of claim 1 , and wherein:

said TV compliant signal include TV audio and TV video, and is selected from an HDTV signal, an ATSC signal, a PAL signal, a DTV signal, a DVB-T signal, and an NTSC signal.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the local area media is a wireless RF media, and wherein;

said first modem and said second modems are wireless modems, and wherein said first network interface and said second network interface are antennas.

14. The system of claim 13, and wherein;

said network protocol is selected from the WiMax protocol, a UWB radio protocol, a 60 GHz wireless protocol, a wireless IPTV protocol, a WiFi protocol, and a wideband proprietary radio protocol.

15. The system of claim 1, and wherein: said TV signal output is compliant with a physical interface standard selected from HDMI, S-Video, RGB component, composite video, CBVS, and a modulated RF carrier interface.

16. The system of claim 1 , and wherein;

said plural DTV receivers are HDTV compliant DTV receivers that employ 1920x1080i 30 Hz video according to ISO/IEC 13818-2 (MPEG 2, main profile), audio according to ATSC AC52 (Dolby AC-3).

17. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a common DTV antenna coupled to said antenna inputs of said plural DTV receivers.

18. The system of claim 1 , and wherein:

said distribution controller includes a signal processor adapted to convert said plural baseband DTV data streams into IPTV compliant data streams.

19. A method for selectively receiving and redistributing digital television ("DTV") signals through a local area media to at least a first television ("TV") terminal using a rebroadcast hub and at least a first TV terminal interface, the method comprising the steps of:

in the rebroadcast hub, performing the steps of;

receiving plural individual DTV broadcast signals by selectively tuning plural

DTV receivers, each responding to a channel signal at its control interface, and each outputting a baseband DTV data stream;

generating a multiplexed data stream of channel signals and control data by

multiplexing the plural baseband DTV data streams together with control data, including channel signals;

formatting said multiplexed data stream into a formatted data stream compliant with a communications protocol; in a first modem, modulating and demodulating said formatted data stream in accordance with a network protocol and coupling to a network interface for connecting to the local area media, and

in the at least a first TV terminal interface, performing the steps of;

in a second modem, communicating through a second network interface for

coupling to the local area media, and modulating and demodulating between said formatted data stream in accordance with said network protocol;

reformatting said formatted data stream to said multiplexed data stream;

selectively demultiplexing at least one of said plural baseband DTV data streams and said control data from said multiplexed data stream;

converting said at least one of said plural baseband DTV data streams to a TV terminal compliant signal, and coupling to a TV signal output, and

receiving control signals, including channels signals, by a control port of a control driver, and multiplexing said control signals into said multiplexed data steam.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

communicating the control data, including the channel signals, end to end between the control port and the plural DTV receivers.

21 . The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of:

exchanging security data within the control data between the rebroadcast hub and the at least a first TV terminal interface.

22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising the step of:

including a unit identity within the security data.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of:

including parental control parameters within the control data.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

inputting control data to the control port using a wireless remote control.

25. The method of claim 19, and wherein the communication protocol is an Ethernet protocol.

26. The method of claim 19, and wherein the network protocol is the HomePlug AV protocol, and wherein the first modem and the second modem are HomePlug AV compliant modems, and further comprising the step of:

coupling the first network interface and the second network interface to the local area network using AC power plugs.

27. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

demultiplexing at least two of the plural baseband DTV signals, and

simultaneously converting the at least two of the plural baseband DTV data streams to a TV terminal compliant signal for reproduction as a split-screen signal.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein the local area media is a wireless RF media, and wherein;

the first modem and the second modems are wireless modems, and wherein the first network interface and the second network interface are antennas.

29. The method of claim 28, and wherein;

the network protocol is selected from the WiMax protocol, a UWB radio protocol, a 60 GHz wireless protocol, a wireless IPTV protocol, a WiFi protocol, and a wideband proprietary radio protocol.

30. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

coupling a common DTV antenna to the plural DTV receivers.

31. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

converting the plural baseband DTV data streams into IPTV compliant data streams.