Media server and network for coaxial cable supporting legacy set top boxes
View Patent ↗A media server located in the home has video processing and storage capability. The media server receives video programming and control data from the cable plant head-end and receives status and control data from set top boxes (STBs). The media server can also receive locally generated video programming. The media server transmits signals that implement head-end functions to set top boxes within the home, including video programming and control data. The media server receives status data from the STBs. A point of entry distribution device provides signal coupling and blocking to allow signals to propagate within the home and to the head-end but block certain signals from leaving the home to maintain isolation. The server communicates to legacy STBs and to new STBs and devices that do not use the legacy waveform. Legacy STBs can communicate with the server or with the cable head-end. New devices can communicate with the server and with each other over the in-home coaxial cable wiring. A network is formed using the in-home coaxial cable wiring.
1. A network for distributing video programming and data comprising:
first in-home coaxial wiring segment;
at least one splitter having at least a first input and at least a first and second outputs, the first input connected to the first in-home coaxial wiring segment;
a second in-home coaxial wiring segment connected to the second output;
a plurality of legacy set top boxes connected to the first in-home wiring segment, the legacy set top boxes adapted to receive video programming and control information in a legacy format;
an isolation device coupled to the first in-home coaxial wiring segment and placed at the point of entry to isolate signals to segments of the first in-home coaxial wiring segment; and
a media server located in a home connected to one in-home wiring segment, the server comprising
at least one tuner,
an inband demodulator,
an out of band demodulator,
an MPEG multiplexer, and
a QAM modulator;
wherein the media server receives video programming from at least one in-band channel, receives and demodulates control information from an out of band channel, the video programming and control information having an alternate format and wherein the media server creates an MPEG transport stream comprising at least one video program and the control information, the MPEG transport stream being created in a legacy format for transmission to the legacy set top boxes and wherein the media server transmits to non-legacy set top boxes video program and control information in the alternate format received by the media server.
2. The network of claim 1 wherein the isolation device is a frequency selective and directional power splitter that couples a predetermined frequency band and blocks a predetermined frequency band.