A method and apparatus for decoding signals received from a network and distributing the decoded signals to multiple users. A bulk decoder coupled to a network decodes data received from the network and transmits the decoded data to an interconnect for distribution to a plurality of users. The number and type of bulk decoders may be adjusted in accordance with system load.
1. A network system, comprising:
a server coupled to a network;
a bulk decoder coupled to the network and a data network interconnect, the bulk decoder configured to receive a signal from the network, the bulk decoder being controlled by the server, the bulk decoder including,
a processor, the processor capable of receiving the signal from the network, the processor further capable of converting the signal into a single protocol format signal when the signal includes intermixed data types; and
at least one device coupled to the network data interconnect, the device configured to accept a decoded signal from the bulk decoder, the decoded signal being transmitted from the bulk decoder via the network data interconnect.
2. The network system of claim 1 , wherein the bulk decoder further includes:
at least one decoder for decoding the signal from the network.
3. The network system of claim 2 , further comprising:
a demultiplexer coupled between the network and the processor and the at least one decoder for demultiplexing the signal; and
a multiplexer coupled to the processor and the at least one decoder for multiplexing the decoded signal.
4. The network system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of bulk decoders coupled to the network.
5. A method for sharing decoding resources in a network system, the method comprising:
transmitting a signal to a network, wherein the signal comprises intermixed data signals;
decoding the signal using a bulk decoder coupled to the network and a network data interconnect, the bulk decoder being capable of decoding the signal into single data type signals having single protocol format signals, wherein decoding the signal includes:
demultiplexing the signal to obtain individual data signals,
decoding the individual data signals, and
multiplexing the decoded individual data signals to obtain a decoded signal;
transmitting the decoded individual data signals to the network data interconnect; and
controlling the bulk decoder using a server coupled to the network.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising transmitting the multiplexed decoded individual data signals to corresponding output devices coupled to the network data interconnect.
7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising representing the decoded individual data signals by one protocol.
8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising adjusting the number of bulk decoders coupled to the network in accordance with a system load.