Method and apparatus for transmitting wireless signals over media

[0001] This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/525,488, filed Mar. 15, 2000, which was a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/488,275, filed Jan. 20, 2000, which was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/026,036 (now abandoned), filed Oct. 12, 1999, which was a continuing prosecution application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/026,036, filed on Feb. 19, 1998, which claimed priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/038,276, filed on Feb. 19, 1997. Each of U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 09/488,275, 09/026,036, and 60/038,276 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the distribution of video, data, telephony and other telecommunications services from a single point to multiple devices within a residence.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Advances in the field of telecommunications allow large amounts of digital information to be delivered to a residence. Digital telecommunications networks (access systems), such as Hybrid-Fiber-Coax (HFC), Fiber-to-the-Curb (FTTC), and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), can provide both traditional telecommunications services such as Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) as well as advanced services such as Switched Digital Video (SDV) and high-speed data access. Devices inside the residence, will be connected to the network by twisted wire pairs which provide telephone services today, or by coaxial cable similar to that used by cable operators to provide cable TV services. Because of this range of services, it is likely that digital networks will be widely deployed. In a widespread deployment of digital networks, millions of homes will connect to the digital network.

[0004] Because the majority of new video services will be digital, and because existing televisions (TVs) are analog, there is a requirement for a device which converts the digital signals supplied by the network to analog signals compatible with existing TVs. Presently available TV set-tops can perform this function, but are expensive. Moreover, many homes have more than one TV, and would therefore require multiple TV set-tops to receive and convert the digital signals at each location within the home. Furthermore, there is a need for an interface subsystem for each device connected to the digital network. For example, a Premises Interface Device (PID) to extract time division multiplexed information and generate a telephone signal, and an Ethernet Bridge or Router (EBR) to generate a signal compatible with a computer.

[0005] For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a centralized unit in the residence which can provide: a central connectivity point to the digital network; digital to analog conversion; and supporting communications with multiple locations within the home (e.g., telephone, computer, TV). A centrally located in-home device is usually referred to as a residential gateway (RG).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for receiving signals from a telecommunications network, decoding the signals, and transmitting the decoded signals to a plurality of devices. In a preferred embodiment, the telecommunications network is a digital network and the signals include video signals, and may possibly include telephone signals, computer signals, and signals for other devices. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of devices includes multiple televisions (TVs) and may possibly include telephones, computers and other devices. The apparatus is commonly known as residential gateway (RG).

[0007] In one embodiment, a method of distributing video signals from a RG within a residential environment having a plurality of TVs locatable in at least two separate locations is disclosed. The method includes receiving at least one channel select command from one of a plurality of remote control devices associated with a respective one of the plurality of TVs. At least a first one of the plurality of remote control devices is a wireless remote control device that transmits the channel select command as a wireless signal. A video signal from a telecommunications network is received in response to the at least one channel select command. At least one series of video packets corresponding to the at least one channel select command is constructed from the video signal. The at least one series of video packets is transmitted over a video packet bus to a plurality of video decoders. The at least one series of video packets is decoded to produce at least one TV signal. The decoding is performed by at least one of the plurality of video decoders.

[0008] In one embodiment, a method of distributing video signals from a RG within a residential environment having a plurality of TVs locatable in at least two separate locations is disclosed. The method includes receiving at least one channel select command from one of a plurality of remote control devices associated with a respective one of the plurality of TVs. At least a first one of the plurality of remote control devices is a optical remote control device that transmits the channel select command directly to the RG as a optical signal. A video signal from a telecommunications network is received in response to the at least one channel select command. At least one series of video packets corresponding to the at least one channel select command is constructed from the video signal. The at least one series of video packets is transmitted over a video packet bus to a plurality of video decoders. The at least one series of video packets is decoded to produce at least one TV signal. The decoding is performed by at least one of the plurality of video decoders.

[0009] In one embodiment, a RG for distributing video signals to a plurality of TVs locatable within at least two separate locations in a residential environment is disclosed. The RG includes a plurality of remote control devices associated with a respective one of the plurality of TVs for transmitting channel select commands. At least a first one of the plurality of remote control devices is a wireless remote control device that transmits the channel select command as a wireless signal. A network interface module receives signals including video signals from a telecommunications network. The received video signals correspond to the channel select commands. A means for constructing at least one series of video packets from the received video signals is provided. A plurality of video processors decode the at least one series of video packets to produce at least one TV signal. A video packet bus transports the at least one series of video packets to the plurality of video processors.

[0010] In one embodiment, a RG for distributing video signals to a plurality of TVs locatable within at least two separate locations in a residential environment is disclosed. The RG includes a plurality of remote control devices associated with a respective one of the plurality of TVs for transmitting channel select commands. At least a first one of the plurality of remote control devices is a optical remote control device that transmits the channel select command directly to the RG as a optical signal. A network interface module receives signals including video signals from a telecommunications network. The received video signals correspond to the channel select commands. A means for constructing at least one series of video packets from the received video signals is provided. A plurality of video processors decode the at least one series of video packets to produce at least one TV signal. A video packet bus transports the at least one series of video packets to the plurality of video processors.

[0011] In one embodiment, a method for receiving and decoding signals from a telecommunications network at a RG, and transmitting decoded signals from the RG to a plurality of devices including multiple TVs is disclosed. The method includes connecting the RG to the telecommunications network and to each of the plurality of devices so that all communications between the devices and the telecommunications network must pass through the RG. A first one of the multiple TVs can be directly coupled to and located in close proximity to the RG. A TV channel is selected for at least one of the multiple TVs by programming an associated remote control device to transmit a channel select command. Each of the multiple TVs have an associated remote control device and the remote control device associated with the first TV transmits the channel select command to a receiver within the RG. The at least one channel select command is transmitted to the telecommunications network. A video signal is received from the telecommunications network corresponding to the at least one channel select command. The video signal is converted into at least one series of video packets. The at least one series of video packets is decoded into at least one TV signal. The decoding performed by at least one of a plurality of video decoders. The at least one TV signal is then transmitted to the appropriate TV.

[0012] In one embodiment, a RG for receiving and decoding signals from a telecommunications network and transmitting decoded signals to a plurality of devices including multiple TVs is disclosed. The RG includes a network interface module for receiving the signals, including video signals, from the telecommunications network. A means for converting the video signal into at least one series of video packets is provided. A plurality of video decoders decodes the at least one series of video packets into at least one TV signal corresponding to at least one channel select command, and transmits the at least one TV signal to the corresponding TV. A receiver receives the channel select commands from a first remote control device associated with a first one of the multiple TVs that can be directly coupled to and in close proximity to the RG.

[0013] In one embodiment, a method for receiving and decoding signals from a telecommunications network at a RG, and transmitting the decoded signals from the RG to a plurality of devices including multiple TVs is disclosed. The method includes connecting the RG to the telecommunications network and to each of the plurality of devices that will communicate with the telecommunications network through the RG. A TV channel to view for at least one of the multiple TVs is selected by programming an associated remote control device to transmit a channel select command. At least one of the remote control devices transmits the channel select command directly to a receiver within the RG. The at least one channel select command is transmitted to the telecommunications network. A video signal is received from the telecommunications network corresponding to the at least one channel select command. The video signal is decoded into at least one TV signal. The decoding is performed by at least one of a plurality of video decoders. The at least one TV signal is transmitted to the appropriate TV.

[0014] In one embodiment, a RG for receiving and decoding signals from a telecommunications network and transmitting the decoded signals to a plurality of devices including multiple TVs is disclosed. The RG includes: a network interface module for receiving the signals, including video signals, from the telecommunications network; a plurality of video decoders for decoding the video signals into at least one TV signal corresponding to at least one channel select command, and transmitting the at least one TV signal to the corresponding TV; and a receiver for directly receiving channel select commands from at least one remote control device associated with one of the multiple TVs.

[0015] In one embodiment, a method for receiving and decoding signals from a telecommunications network at a RG, and transmitting the decoded signals from the RG to a plurality of devices including multiple TVs is disclosed. The method includes: connecting the RG to the telecommunications network and to at least one TV that is remotely located from the RG; selecting a TV channel to view for the at least one TV by programming an associated wireless remote control device, wherein the wireless remote control device transmits a channel select command as a wireless signal to a remote antennae package connected to the TV, the remote antennae package receives the wireless signal and transmits the wireless signal over cable to a remote antennae module which demodulates the wireless signal and extracts the portion corresponding to the channel select command; transmitting the channel select command to the telecommunications network; receiving a video signal from the telecommunications network corresponding to the channel select command; decoding the video signal into a TV signal, the decoding performed by one of multiple video decoders associated with the multiple TVs; and transmitting the TV signal to the at least one TV.

[0016] In one embodiment, a RG for receiving and decoding signals from a telecommunications network and transmitting the decoded signals to a plurality of devices including multiple TVs is disclosed. The RG includes: a network interface module for transmitting upstream signals, including channel select commands, to the telecommunications network and receiving downstream signals, including video signals, from the telecommunications network; a plurality of video decoders for decoding the video signals into at least one TV signal corresponding to at least one channel select command, and transmitting the at least one TV signal to the corresponding TV; and a remote control device for processing the channel select commands. At least one of the channel select commands is extracted from a wireless signal which was transmitted from a wireless remote control device to a remote antennae package connected to the associated TV. The remote antennae package transmits the wireless signal over cable to a remote antennae module which demodulates the wireless signal and extracts the portion corresponding to the channel select command.

[0017] These and other features and objects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which should be read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0019] In the drawings:

[0020]FIG. 1 illustrates a hybrid-fiber-coax (HFC) access system;

[0021]FIG. 2 illustrates a fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC) access system;

[0022]FIG. 3 illustrates an FTTC access system including a residential gateway (RG), according to one embodiment;

[0023]FIG. 4 illustrates a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) access system including an RG, according to one embodiment;

[0024]FIG. 5 illustrates an RG architecture, according to one embodiment;

[0025]FIG. 6 illustrates the use of the RG with the residence, according to one embodiment;

[0026]FIG. 7 illustrates the use of the RG with the residence, according to one embodiment;

[0027]FIG. 8 illustrates an RG architecture, according to one embodiment;

[0028]FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic of the RG configuration of FIG. 7;

[0029]FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic of the Remote Antennae Package (RAP), according to one embodiment; and

[0030]FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic of the Remote Antennae Module (RAM), according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0032] With reference to the drawings, in general, and FIGS. 1 through 11 in particular, the method and apparatus of the present invention are disclosed.

[0033]FIG. 1 illustrates a Hybrid-Fiber-Coax (HFC) digital network in which various devices within a residence <b>190</b> are connected to a Video Network (VN) <b>408</b> or a data and voice network (DVN) <b>404</b>. The devices in the residence <b>190</b> can include a Premises Interface Device (PID) <b>196</b> connected to a telephone <b>194</b>, a television (TV) set top-counter <b>198</b> connected to a TV <b>199</b>, an Ethernet Bridge or Router (EBR) <b>191</b> connected to a computer <b>193</b>, or other devices.

[0034] The HFC network illustrated in FIG. 1 works by connecting a cable headend (HE) <b>400</b> to the DVN <b>404</b> and the VN <b>408</b>. The physical interface to the DVN <b>404</b> may be copper wire pairs carrying either DS-1 or DS-3 signals. The physical interface to the VN <b>408</b> may be via a wide area network (WAN).

[0035] The Cable HE <b>400</b> is connected to a plurality of optical to electrical (O/E) nodes <b>410</b> (only one illustrated) with fiber optic cables <b>160</b>. The O/E nodes <b>410</b> are located within the communities serviced by the HFC network. Each O/E node <b>410</b> provides service for up to 500 residences within the given community. Since such a large number of users are being serviced by one O/E node <b>410</b>, amplifiers <b>420</b> are required. The O/E node <b>410</b> connects to the residence <b>190</b> via coaxial cable <b>170</b>. The coaxial cable <b>170</b> is received by a splitter <b>177</b> within the residence <b>190</b> so that internal coaxial wiring <b>171</b> can route the data being transmitted to the various devices. Each device connected to the internal coaxial wiring <b>171</b> will require an interface sub-system which can convert the current format of the signal being transmitted over the internal coaxial wiring <b>171</b> to the service interface required by the devices (i.e., telephone, TV, computer, or other devices). In a preferred embodiment, the PID <b>196</b> extracts time division multiplexed information carried on the internal coaxial wiring and generates a telephone signal compatible with the telephone <b>194</b>. Similarly, the TV set-top <b>198</b> converts digital video signals to analog signals compatible with the TV <b>199</b>. Likewise, the EBR <b>191</b> generates a signal compatible with the computer <b>193</b>.

[0036]FIG. 2 illustrates a Fiber-to-the-Curb (FTTC) network in which various devices in the residence <b>190</b> are connected to a Public Switched Telecommunications Network (PSTN) <b>100</b> or an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network <b>110</b>. The devices in the residence <b>190</b> can include telephones <b>194</b> (with or without a PID <b>196</b>), TV <b>199</b> with a TV set-top <b>198</b>, and computer <b>193</b> with a EBR <b>191</b>.

[0037] The FTTC network illustrated in FIG. 2 works by connecting a Host Digital Terminal (HDT) <b>130</b> to the PSTN <b>100</b> and the ATM network <b>110</b>. A PSTN-HDT interface <b>103</b> is specified by standards bodies, and in the U.S. is specified by Bellcore specifications TR-TSY-000008, TR-NWT-000057 or GR-NWT-000303, which are incorporated herein by reference. The HDT <b>130</b> can also receive special service signals from private or non-switched public networks. The physical interface to the PSTN <b>100</b> may be twisted wire pairs carrying DS-1 signals, or optical fibers carrying Optical Carrier (OC)-3 optical signals.

[0038] An ATM network-HDT interface <b>113</b> can be realized using an OC-3 or OC-12<i>c </i>optical interface carrying ATM cells. In a preferred embodiment, the HDT <b>130</b> has three OC-12<i>c </i>broadcast ports, which receive signals carrying ATM cells, and one OC-12<i>c </i>interactive port which receives and transmits signals.

[0039] An element management system (EMS) <b>150</b> is connected to the HDT <b>130</b> and forms part of an Element Management Layer (EML) which is used to provision services and equipment on the FTTC network, in the central office where the HDT <b>130</b> is located, in the field, or in the residences <b>190</b>. The EMS <b>150</b> is software based and can be run on a personal computer in which case it will support one HDT <b>130</b> and the associated digital network equipment connected to it, or can be run on a workstation to support multiple HDTs <b>130</b> and the associated digital network equipment.

[0040] Optical Network Units (ONUs) <b>140</b> are located in the serving area and are connected to the HDT <b>130</b> via optical fiber <b>160</b>. Digital signals, having a format which is similar to the Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) format, are transmitted to and from each ONU <b>140</b> over the optical fiber <b>160</b> at a rate of at least 155 Mb/s, and preferably 622 Mb/s. In a preferred embodiment, the optical fiber <b>160</b> is a single-mode fiber and a dual wavelength transmission scheme is used to communicate between the ONU <b>140</b> and the HDT <b>130</b>. In an alternate embodiment, a single wavelength scheme is used in which low reflectivity components are used to permit transmission and reception on one fiber.

[0041] A Telephony Interface Unit (TIU) <b>145</b> in the ONU <b>140</b> generates an analog Plain Old Telephone signal (POTs) which is transported to the residence <b>190</b> via a twisted wire pair, drop line cable <b>180</b>. At the residence <b>190</b> a Network Interface Device (NID) <b>183</b> provides for high-voltage protection and serves as the interface and demarcation point between the twisted wire pair, drop line cable <b>180</b> and the twisted wire pairs <b>181</b> internal to the residence <b>190</b>. In a preferred embodiment, the TIU <b>145</b> generates POTs signals for six residences <b>190</b>, each having a separate twisted wire pair, drop line cable <b>180</b> connected to the ONU <b>140</b>.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, a Broadband Interface Unit (BIU) <b>152</b> is located in the ONU <b>140</b> and generates broadband signals which contain video, data and voice information. The BIU <b>152</b> modulates data onto a RF carrier and transmits the data to the residence <b>190</b> over media <b>170</b>, such as a coaxial, drop line cable or a twisted wire pair, drop line cable. The media <b>170</b> connects to the residence <b>190</b> at a splitter <b>177</b>. The data then travels from the splitter <b>177</b> to the devices within the residence <b>190</b> over coaxial wiring <b>171</b> internal to the residence <b>190</b>.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, <b>64</b> ONUs <b>140</b> are served by each HDT <b>130</b> and each ONU <b>140</b> serves 8 residences <b>190</b>. In an alternate embodiment, each ONU <b>140</b> serves 16 residences <b>190</b>.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, each device connected to the internal coaxial wiring <b>171</b> will require an interface sub-system which can convert the current format of the signal being transmitted over the internal coaxial wiring <b>171</b> to the service interface required by the devices (i.e., telephone <b>194</b>, TV <b>199</b>, computer, or other devices). In a preferred embodiment, the PID <b>196</b> extracts time division multiplexed information carried on the internal coaxial wiring <b>171</b> and generates a telephone signal compatible with the telephone <b>194</b>. Similarly, the TV set-top <b>198</b> converts digital video signals to analog signals compatible with the TV <b>199</b>. Likewise, the EBR <b>191</b> generates a signal compatible with the computer.

[0045] In the system illustrated in FIG. 2, the NID <b>183</b> is located external to the residence <b>190</b>, at what is known in the industry as the network demarcation point. For the delivery of telephony services the NID <b>183</b> is a passive device whose principal functions are lightning protection and the ability to troubleshoot the network by allowing connection of a telephone <b>194</b> to the twisted wire pair, drop line cable <b>180</b> to determine if wiring problems exist on the internal twisted wire pairs <b>181</b>.

[0046]FIG. 3 illustrates a residential gateway (RG) <b>200</b> located within the residence <b>190</b>. In the embodiment illustrated, the digital network is an FTTC network and the media <b>170</b> is a coaxial, drop line cable for connecting to and communicating with the RG <b>200</b>. The RG <b>200</b> generates signals compatible with the devices in the residence <b>190</b>, thus reducing the number of interface sub-systems required in the residence <b>190</b> to interface between the FTTC network and the devices (i.e., telephone <b>194</b>, TV <b>199</b>, and the computer <b>193</b>). The devices are connected either directly or indirectly to the RG <b>200</b> instead of to an interface sub-system. For example, the computer <b>193</b> and the telephone <b>194</b> may be directly connected to the RG <b>200</b> via internal twisted wire pairs <b>181</b>. As one skilled in the art would know, multiple computers <b>193</b> or telephones <b>194</b> could be connected to the RG <b>200</b> by using a splitter external to the RG <b>200</b>, or by having additional Ethernet ports for the computers <b>193</b> or telephone jacks for the telephones <b>194</b> in the housing of the RG <b>200</b>.

[0047] The TV <b>199</b> may be connected directly to the RG <b>200</b> via video cables <b>205</b>. In a preferred embodiment, the video cables <b>205</b> used <b>25</b> for the direct RG-TV connection <b>205</b> are a four-conductor cable carrying S-video signals. As one skilled in the art would know, additional TVs <b>199</b> could be directly connected to the RG <b>200</b> by using a splitter or additional S-video connectors in the housing of the RG <b>200</b>. The preferred embodiment would be to have additional S-video connectors so that the quality of the video signals would be maintained. Moreover, the TVs <b>199</b> directly connected to the RG <b>200</b> would have to be within close proximity to the RG <b>200</b> as S-video signals can only maintain their quality for a limited distance.

[0048] Additional devices <b>192</b>, such as additional TVs <b>199</b>, which are remotely located from the RG <b>200</b> (hereinafter referred to as remotely located TVs <b>199</b>) may be connected to the RG <b>200</b>. One embodiment connects the additional devices <b>192</b> to the RG <b>200</b> via media <b>210</b>, such as internal coaxial cable wiring, and the splitter <b>177</b>. That is, one port, such as a coaxial connector, on the RG <b>200</b> can connect multiple additional devices <b>192</b> to the RG <b>200</b>. This type of connection is known as a point-to-multipoint connection. Alternatively, each additional device <b>192</b> could be directly connected to the RG <b>200</b> using the single media <b>210</b>, the splitter <b>177</b> is not used. This type of connection is known as a point-to-point connection and would require the RG <b>200</b> to have multiple ports, such as coaxial connectors.

[0049] It would be obvious to one skilled in the art that any of the devices (TVs <b>199</b>, telephones <b>194</b>, computers <b>193</b>, etc.) could be connected to the RG <b>200</b> with any type of cable that can transmit signals compatible with the particular device. Moreover, the RG <b>200</b> can include any type of ports that can receive signals compatible with a particular device.

[0050]FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment, in which the digital network is a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) network. In this embodiment, the DSL network replaces the ONU <b>140</b> with a Universal Service Access Multiplexer (USAM) <b>340</b>. The USAM <b>340</b> is located in the serving area, and is connected to the HDT <b>130</b> via optical fiber <b>160</b>. A twisted wire pair, drop line cable <b>180</b> to provide communications to and from the RG <b>200</b>.

[0051] The USAM <b>340</b> includes a xDSL modem <b>350</b> which provides for the transmission of high-speed digital data to and from the residence <b>190</b>, over the twisted wire pair, drop line cable <b>180</b>. When used herein, the term xDSL refers to any one of the twisted wire pair digital subscriber loop transmission techniques including High Speed Digital Subscriber Loop, Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Loop, Very high speed Digital Subscriber Loop, Rate Adaptive Digital Subscriber Loop, or other similar twisted wire pair transmission techniques. Such transmission techniques are known to those skilled in the art. The xDSL modem <b>350</b> contains the circuitry and software to generate a signal which can be transmitted over the twisted wire pair, drop line cable <b>180</b>, and which can receive high speed digital signals transmitted from the RG <b>200</b> or other devices connected to the subscriber network.

[0052] Traditional analog telephone signals are combined with the digital signals for transmission to the residence <b>190</b>. A NID/filter <b>360</b> replaces the NID <b>183</b> of FIGS. 2 and 3, and is used to separate the analog telephone signals from the digital signals. The majority of xDSL transmission techniques leave the analog voice portion of the spectrum (from approximately 400 Hz to 4,000 Hz) undisturbed. The analog telephone signal, once separated from any digital data signals in the spectrum, is sent to the telephone <b>194</b> over the internal twisted wire pairs <b>181</b>. The digital signals that are separated at the NID/filter <b>360</b> are <b>20</b> sent from a separate port on the NID/filter <b>360</b> to the RG <b>200</b>. The RG <b>200</b> serves as the interface to the other devices (TVs <b>199</b>, computers <b>193</b>, and additional telephones <b>194</b>) in the residence <b>190</b>. The connection of the devices within the residence <b>190</b> to the RG <b>200</b> is the same as described above with respect to FIG. 3.

[0053] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 is a central office configuration, which includes a USAM Central Office Terminal (COT) <b>324</b> connected to the HDT <b>130</b>. A USAM COT-HDT connection <b>325</b>, is a twisted wire pair which transmits a STS3c signal in a preferred embodiment. A PSTN-USAM COT interface <b>303</b> is one of <b>30</b> the Bellcore specified interfaces including TR-TSY-000008, TR-NWT-000057 or TR-NWT-000303, which are all incorporated herein by reference. The USAM COT <b>324</b> has the same mechanical configuration as the USAM <b>340</b> in terms of power supplies and common control cards, but has line cards which support twisted wire pair interfaces to the PSTN <b>100</b> (including DS-1 interfaces) and cards which support STS3c transmission over the twisted wire pair of the USAM COT-HDT connection <b>325</b>.

[0054] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, also includes a Channel Bank (CB) <b>322</b> in the central office. The CB <b>322</b> is used to connect special networks <b>310</b>, comprised of signals from special private or public networks, to the DSL network via a special networks-CB interface <b>313</b>. In a preferred embodiment, a 10 CB-USAM COT connection <b>320</b> includes DS1 signals over twisted wire pairs.

[0055] The RG <b>200</b> can be located anywhere within the residence <b>190</b> (i.e., in any of the living spaces, in the basement, in the garage, in a wiring closet, in the attic), or external to the residence (i.e., on an external wall). For external locations, the RG <b>200</b> will require a hardened enclosure and components which work over a larger temperature range than those used for the RG <b>200</b> located internal to the residence <b>190</b>. Techniques for developing hardened enclosures and selecting temperature tolerant components are known to those skilled in the art.

[0056]FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the RG <b>200</b>. The RG <b>200</b> includes a network connection <b>460</b> for connecting to the digital network. The network connection <b>460</b> will vary depending on the digital network that the RG is connecting to. That is, the network connection <b>460</b> will depend on whether the digital network for the area the residence <b>190</b> is located within is an FTTC network, a DSL network, or other type of digital network. For example, if the drop line from the digital network to the RG <b>200</b> is a coaxial cable (i.e., the FTTC network of FIG. 3) the network connection <b>460</b> should be a coaxial cable connector. If the drop line from the digital network to the RG <b>200</b> is twisted wire pair cable (i.e., the DSL network of FIG. 4) the network connection <b>460</b> should be a connector capable of receiving twisted wire pairs, such as a telephone jack. As one skilled in the art would know, the network connection <b>460</b> could be various different types of connectors as long as the connector is capable of receiving the signals being transmitted over the drop line from the digital network.

[0057] The network connection <b>460</b> is connected to a Network Interface Module (NIM) <b>410</b>. The NIM <b>410</b> receives all data from and transmits all data to the digital network and thus contains the appropriate modem technology. As with the network connection <b>460</b>, the type of NIM <b>410</b> utilized depends on the type of digital network that the RG <b>200</b> is connected to. In a preferred embodiment, different types of NIMs <b>410</b> are utilized for digital networks having coaxial drop line cables (i.e., the FTTC network of FIG. 3) than for digital networks having twisted wire pair drop line cables (i.e., the DSL network of FIG. 4).

[0058] Regardless of the type of NIM <b>410</b> utilized, the NIM <b>410</b> interfaces to a mother board <b>414</b> which provides the basic functionality of the RG <b>200</b>. The mother board <b>414</b> may contain a microprocessor <b>434</b>, memory <b>436</b>, a power supply <b>440</b>, a main MPEG processor <b>430</b>, an Ethernet processor <b>438</b>, and a Remote Control (RC) processor <b>442</b>. As one skilled in the art would recognize, the mother board <b>414</b> could contain additional components, or some of the components illustrated as being part of the mother board <b>414</b> could removed from or located elsewhere within the RG <b>200</b>, without departing from the scope of the current invention.

[0059] The RG <b>200</b> receives power from a power source, which in a preferred embodiment is an AC outlet, via a plug <b>476</b>, which in a preferred embodiment is an AC plug. The power supply <b>440</b> converts the voltage from the AC outlet, for example <b>120</b> volts AC in a typical residence <b>190</b>, to the voltages necessary for each of the components of the RG <b>200</b> to operate. The power supply <b>440</b> is illustrated as being an element of the mother board <b>414</b>, but as one skilled in the art would know, the power supply <b>440</b> could be a separate component within the RG <b>200</b>.

[0060] The microprocessor <b>434</b> controls the operation of the RG <b>200</b>. For example, the microprocessor <b>434</b> may control the transfer of data between each of the elements of the RG <b>200</b>. The memory <b>436</b> may store operating programs required by the microprocessor <b>434</b>, data received from the digital network or any of the devices in the residence <b>190</b> connected to the RG <b>200</b>, or other data or programs required by the RG <b>200</b>.

[0061] The Ethernet processor <b>438</b> converts ATM cells received by the NIM <b>410</b> into the appropriate form for transmission to the devices, such as the computers <b>193</b>. The computers <b>193</b> are connected to the RG <b>200</b> via an Ethernet connector <b>478</b> located in the housing of the RG <b>200</b>. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the RG <b>200</b> has only one Ethernet connector <b>478</b>. This would seem to infer that only one computer could be connected to the RG <b>200</b>. However, as one skilled in the art would know, a splitter could be used to connect additional computers <b>193</b> to the RG <b>200</b>. Furthermore, an alternative embodiment could include additional Ethernet connectors <b>478</b> located in the housing of the RG <b>200</b> so that additional computers <b>193</b> could be connected to the RG <b>200</b>.

[0062] Within the main MPEG processor <b>430</b> there is a Video Segmentation and Re-assembly (VSAR) module <b>432</b> which constructs Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) packets from an ATM stream received from the NIM <b>410</b>. In addition to constructing the MPEG packets, the VSAR module <b>432</b> can reduce jitter in the MPEG packets which arises from transmission of those packets over the ATM network <b>110</b>, as well as constructing a useable MPEG stream in spite of lost ATM cells which contain partial MPEG packets. It would be obvious to one skilled in the art that the VSAR module <b>432</b> does not have to be part of the main MPEG processor <b>430</b>. For example, the VSAR module <b>432</b> could be its own module on the mother board <b>414</b>, could be its own subassembly, or could be part of another processor, such as the NIM <b>410</b>.

[0063] While the VSAR module <b>432</b> has been described as constructing MPEG packets from received ATM streams, this is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, this is simply the current preferred embodiment. That is, digital data is currently transmitted over the digital network in ATM streams and digital video data is currently compressed according to an MPEG standard (currently the MPEG-2 standard). It is within the scope of the current invention to receive digital data from a digital network in any format and for the video data to be compressed in any format. That is, one skilled in the art could modify the VSAR module <b>432</b> to handle new transmission or compression formats without departing from the scope of the current invention.

[0064] The main MPEG processor <b>430</b> can also decompress the MPEG packets, which are constructed by the VSAR module <b>432</b>, to generate video signal(s) compatible with present TVs <b>199</b>. In one embodiment, the main MPEG processor <b>430</b> generates video signal(s) having an S-video format. The S-video signal(s) can be transmitted over an S-video connector <b>474</b> to a TV <b>199</b> having an S-video port via an S-video cable <b>205</b>. As one skilled in the art knows, S-video signals are a higher quality video signal because the chrominance and luminance information are separated. The TV <b>199</b> receiving the S-video signals should be located in close proximity to the RG <b>200</b> to ensure the quality of the S-video signal. As illustrated, there is only one TV <b>199</b> connected to the RG <b>200</b> with the S-video cable <b>205</b> and only one S-video connector <b>474</b>. However, this is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as it would be possible to have multiple TVs <b>199</b> (assuming they are located in close proximity to the RG <b>200</b>) receive S-video signals from the RG <b>200</b> by splitting the signal transmitted from the single S-video connector <b>474</b> or by providing multiple S-video connectors in the housing of the RG <b>200</b>.

[0065] In one embodiment, the main MPEG processor <b>430</b> may decompress multiple MPEG packets corresponding to multiple TV channel selections to generate video signal(s) compatible with the current TV format, which in the U.S. is currently the National TV System Committee (NTSC) format. The invention however is not limited to the NTSC format. It is well within the scope of the current invention for the TV signals to be generated in accordance with the current standard for the time, whether it be the NTSC format or a new format. For example, the main MPEG processor <b>430</b> may decompress three video streams simultaneously to generate three video signals associated with three TV channel selections. The TV signals may be transmitted to the TVs <b>199</b> by either combining and modulating each TV signal over one media or by modulating each TV signal over a separate media.

[0066] The RC processor <b>442</b> is capable of processing RC signals received by the RG <b>200</b>. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the RC processor <b>442</b> receives optical signals, such as infrared (IR) signals, from an optical receiver <b>472</b>, such as an IR receiver, and wireless signals, such as UHF signals, from a wireless receiver <b>470</b>, such as a UHF receiver. One skilled in the art would recognize that the RC processor <b>442</b> could be designed to handle any type of channel select signals that were received from a variety of different RC devices. Moreover, one skilled in the art would recognize that the RC processor <b>442</b> is not limited to the illustrated configuration of being a module located on the mother board <b>414</b>. For example, the RC processor <b>442</b> could be located on another board or could be incorporated as part of another module.

[0067] The embodiment of the RG <b>200</b> illustrated in FIG. 5, further includes the optical receiver <b>472</b>. The optical receiver <b>472</b> receives channel select commands for the TV <b>199</b> that is directly connected to the RG <b>200</b>, preferably via the S-video port <b>474</b>. As stated earlier, this TV <b>199</b> will be in close proximity to the RG. In a preferred embodiment, the RG <b>200</b> would be located in a stereo cabinet with the TV <b>199</b> or on top of the TV <b>199</b>, much like a VCR. As with a VCR, the TV <b>199</b> would be set to a particular channel, for example channel <b>3</b> or <b>4</b> just like a VCR, and the control of the channel selection for the TV <b>199</b> would then be controlled by the optical RC sending channel select commands to the RG <b>200</b> directly. While the illustrated embodiment is the preferred embodiment, the current invention is not limited to using an optical RC to control the TV <b>199</b> directly connected to the RG <b>200</b>. For example, the RC could be a wireless RC or a hard wired RC device.

[0068] The RG <b>200</b> illustrated in FIG. 5, further includes the wireless receiver <b>470</b> for receiving channel select signals from the remotely located TVs <b>199</b> that are connected to the RG <b>200</b> and are located in separate rooms or even separate floors of the residence <b>190</b>. As with the TV <b>199</b> directly connected to the and located in close proximity to the RG <b>200</b>, the remotely located TVs <b>199</b> would be set to a particular channel, for example channel <b>3</b> or <b>4</b> just like a VCR, and the control of the channel selection for the remotely located TVs <b>199</b> would then be controlled by a wireless RC associated with each TV <b>199</b>. The wireless RC transmits the channel select commands to the RG <b>200</b> directly.

[0069] The RG <b>200</b> also includes a set of buses <b>429</b> used to route information within the RG <b>200</b>. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the set of buses <b>429</b> includes a Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) bus <b>420</b>, a control bus <b>422</b>, a MPEG bus <b>424</b>, and an ATM bus <b>428</b>.

[0070] The RG <b>200</b> may also include a number of optional modules which can be inserted into the RG <b>200</b>. The optional modules include MPEG modules <b>450</b>, a Digital Audio Visual Council (DAVIC) module <b>452</b>, and a telephony module <b>454</b>. All of the optional modules are connected to the control bus <b>422</b> in addition to being connected to at least one other bus which provides those modules with the appropriate types of data for the services supported by the module.

[0071] The MPEG modules <b>450</b> provide for decompression of MPEG packets which are constructed by the VSAR processor <b>432</b>. The MPEG modules are associated with remotely located TVs <b>199</b>. As with the output of the main MPEG processor <b>430</b>, the output of the MPEG modules <b>450</b> is a signal having a format compatible with present TVs <b>199</b>. The MPEG modules <b>450</b> can modulate the decompressed analog format video signal onto an available channel for transmission to the remotely located TVs <b>199</b> in the residence <b>190</b>. In a preferred embodiment, the MPEG modules <b>450</b> are insertable cards. Thus, the cards could be added after an initial installation to handle additional TVs <b>199</b>. For example, in one embodiment the main MPEG processor <b>430</b> may be capable of generating three TV signals so that the RG <b>200</b> can accommodate three TVs <b>199</b> without the need for any MPEG modules <b>450</b>. If a fourth TV <b>199</b> was added, or one of the TVs <b>199</b> had picture-in-picture, a MPEG module <b>450</b> would be required to generate a fourth TV signal.

[0072] The DAVIC module <b>452</b> is for communicating with devices that have a signal format that is compatible with a signal format received from the digital network. That is, the DAVIC module transmits ATM signals to and receives ATM signal from these devices. Thus, the DAVIC module <b>452</b> allows the RG <b>200</b> to act as a pass through for these devices. These devices may include the interface sub-systems illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. This is beneficial because the RG <b>200</b> can be used in conjunction with previously purchased interface sub-systems if required or desired.

[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the MPEG modules <b>450</b> and the DAVIC module <b>452</b> are connected to a combiner <b>418</b> which combines the RF signals from those modules. It should be noted that this embodiment has only one RF connector <b>466</b> so that the combiner <b>418</b> is necessary to combine all the TV signals and ATM signals so they can be transmitted over a single media <b>210</b> connected to the RF connector <b>466</b>. If multiple RF connectors <b>466</b> were provided, it is possible that the combiner <b>418</b> would not be required or could be externally located. However, the combiner <b>418</b> can also add other RF signals, such as off-air broadcast TV signals or Community Antenna TV (CATV) signals supplied by a cable TV company. Signals from the antenna or cable system are coupled to the RF pass-through <b>464</b>, which in a preferred embodiment is an F-connector. A low pass filter <b>482</b> is used in the combiner <b>418</b> to insure that the frequencies used by MPEG modules <b>450</b> are available. The output of the combiner <b>418</b> is connected to the RF connector <b>466</b>, which in a preferred embodiment is an F-connector.

[0074] An optional CATV module <b>480</b> can be inserted into the RG <b>200</b> to allow for mapping of off-air or cable video channels from their original frequencies to new frequencies for in-home distribution. The RC processor <b>442</b> can control the channel selection and mapping via the control bus <b>422</b> which is connected to the CATV module <b>480</b>. Either a hand-held optical RC or a wireless RC can be used to change the channel mapping of the CATV module <b>480</b>.

[0075] The RG <b>200</b> includes a front panel interface <b>462</b>, which provides for connectivity between the front panel controls (buttons) and the microprocessor <b>434</b>. Through the front panel controls, the user can make channel changes as well as changing the configuration of the channels transmitted on the in-home coaxial network.

[0076] The RG <b>200</b> also includes a telephony module <b>454</b>, which transmits and receives information from the TDM bus <b>420</b> and produces an analog telephone signal which is compatible with telephones <b>194</b>. The interface for the telephones <b>194</b> is a telephone jack <b>468</b>, which in a preferred embodiment is an RJ-11 jack.

[0077]FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of how the RG <b>200</b> could be configured within the residence <b>190</b>. As illustrated, the remotely located TVs <b>199</b> use a wireless RC <b>500</b> to transmit channel select commands to the RG <b>200</b>. In particular, TVs <b>1</b> and <b>2</b> are located on a second floor while the RG <b>200</b> and TV3, which is directly connected to the RG <b>200</b> via the S-video connector <b>474</b>, are located on a first floor of the residence <b>190</b>. Wireless RCs <b>1</b> and <b>2</b> are associated with TVs <b>1</b> and <b>2</b> and transmit channel select commands for the associated TVs to the RG <b>200</b> as wireless signals. The wireless channel select commands are received by the RG <b>200</b> via the wireless receiver <b>470</b>. The channel select commands for TV <b>3</b> are transmitted using an optical RC <b>510</b>. The optical channel select command is received by the optical receiver <b>472</b> within the RG <b>200</b>.

[0078] This embodiment illustrates TVs <b>1</b> and <b>2</b> being connected to the RG <b>200</b> via a splitter. This is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, as previously discussed it is within the scope of this invention to have multiple coaxial connectors within the housing of the RG <b>200</b> so that each remotely located TV <b>199</b> can be directly connected to the RG <b>200</b>. As one skilled in the art would know, there is a limit to how many ports can be added to the housing so there is a limit to how many separate remotely located TVs <b>199</b> can be connected directly to the RG <b>200</b>. Thus, it possible to have some of the remotely located TVs <b>199</b> connected directly to a port in the RG <b>200</b> and others that are connected to a port via the splitter <b>177</b>.

[0079] One drawback to the embodiment that utilizes wireless RCs <b>500</b> and the wireless receiver <b>470</b> within the RG <b>200</b> (as illustrated in FIG. 7), is that the further the wireless signals have to be transmitted and the more obstacles, such as walls, that the signals have to navigate around, the weaker the signal at the wireless receiver <b>470</b>, and the more likely that the channel select command is lost or distorted. Moreover, the average consumer will more than likely point the wireless RC <b>500</b> at the TV <b>199</b>, which is more than likely away from the RG <b>200</b> and the wireless receiver <b>470</b>.

[0080] An alternative embodiment, for transmitting channel select commands from the remotely located TVs <b>199</b> to the RG <b>200</b> is illustrated in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, a Remote Antennae Package (RAP) <b>900</b> is connected to each remotely located TV <b>199</b>. <b>10</b> The RAP <b>900</b> is a passive device for receiving and transmitting the wireless signals. The RAP <b>900</b> includes an antenna <b>910</b>, such as a ¼ wave dipole antenna, located in close proximity to the TV <b>199</b>, and preferably mounted to the TV <b>199</b>. A wireless RC <b>500</b> is used to select a channel. The wireless RC <b>500</b> transmits a channel select command at one of the common wireless frequencies known to those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the wireless signal is transmitted at a frequency of approximately 433 MHz. The FCC regulations for wireless RCs imposes a maximum transmit power of 80.5 dbu V/m at a distance of 3 meters. One such wireless RC <b>500</b> that can be used along with the current invention is the RCK-431N manufactured by DAE-Ryung. The antenna <b>910</b> receives the channel select command and the RAP <b>900</b> transmits the wireless signal over the media <b>210</b> (i.e., coaxial cable) or the media <b>210</b> and the splitter <b>177</b>.

[0081] A Remote Antenna Module (RAM) <b>920</b> which is located near, and preferably connected to the RG <b>200</b>, receives the wireless signal. The RAM <b>920</b> demodulates the wireless signal and extracts the channel select command therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, the channel select command is extracted as an approximately 1 KHz audio signal. The RAM <b>920</b> then transmits the channel select command to the RG <b>200</b> for processing. The RAM <b>920</b> may be connected to the RG <b>200</b> with, for example audio wire better known as “speaker wire”. In an alternative embodiment, the RAM <b>920</b> may be directly mounted on the RG <b>200</b>. In another alternative embodiment, the RAM <b>920</b> may be an integral part of the RG <b>200</b>.

[0082]FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the RG <b>200</b> that includes a port <b>750</b> for receiving channel select commands from the RAM <b>920</b>. The channel select commands are provided directly to the RC processor <b>442</b>. In this embodiment, a wireless antennae is not required to receive the wireless signals. Moreover, this embodiment includes multiple ports <b>630</b>, such as TV connectors. Thus, the combiner <b>418</b> of FIG. 5 is not required. Rather, this embodiment illustrates TV modules <b>654</b> for modulating the appropriate video channel over the appropriate port <b>630</b>.

[0083]FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic diagram of an RG system utilizing the RAP <b>900</b> and the RAM <b>920</b> for communications between the RG <b>200</b> and the remotely located TVs <b>199</b>. As illustrated, the RAM <b>920</b> is connected to the RG <b>200</b> with both speaker wire <b>990</b> and coaxial cable <b>210</b>. The RAM <b>920</b> is further connected to a splitter <b>177</b> that in turn connects to two RAPS <b>900</b>. The RAPS <b>900</b> are connected to the remotely located TVs <b>199</b>. Channel select commands are received by the antennae <b>910</b> as wireless signals and the RAP <b>900</b> transmits the wireless signals over coaxial cable <b>210</b> to the RAM <b>920</b>. The RAM <b>920</b> extracts the channel select commands and transmits them to the RG <b>200</b> over the speaker wire <b>990</b>. TV signals are transmitted from the RG <b>200</b> to the TVs <b>199</b>. As illustrated, the RAM <b>920</b> is connected to the RG <b>200</b> and thus receives the TV signals. However, the RAM <b>920</b> simply forwards the TV signals. The splitter <b>177</b> splits the TV signals so as to provide the TV signals to the two TVs <b>199</b>. The TV signals simply pass through the RAP <b>900</b> in this direction.

[0084]FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of the RAP <b>900</b>. In addition to the antenna <b>910</b>, the RAP includes a combination of inductors and capacitors. FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of RAM <b>920</b> that includes a combination of inductors and capacitors. FIGS. 10 and 11 depict values associated with each of the components, however, this is only an example and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this invention. Rather, as one skilled in the art would know, different components, configurations of components, and/or values of components could be used to accomplish the same or a similar purpose and would thus be well within the scope of the current invention.

[0085] Although this invention has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made which clearly fall within the scope of the invention. The invention is intended to be protected broadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.