IP Library Granted Patent US 10,237,601
Granted Patent B2
US 10,237,601 · App. 14/826,735 · Granted Mar 19, 2019

Distribution system, reception apparatus, and methods for transitioning to new services

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,237,601
App. No.
14/826,735
Granted
Mar 19, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A distribution system and reception apparatus, and methods thereof, are provided for broadcasting and receiving a plurality of non-backwards-compatible services. The broadcasting method includes receiving, by a first service provider, a plurality of first services, which include a first service from each of the first and second service providers. The first service provider generates a first broadcast multiplex, including the plurality of first services, and broadcasts the first broadcast multiplex on a first broadcast channel allocated to the first service provider. A second service provider receives a plurality of second services, which include a second service from each of the first and second service providers. The second service provider generates a second broadcast multiplex, including the plurality of second services, and broadcasts the second broadcast multiplex on a second broadcast channel allocated to the second service provider.

Claims (46)

1. A method for broadcasting a non-backwards-compatible service, the method comprising:

causing, by first circuitry of a service provider, first content data of the non-backwards-compatible service to be transmitted over a single wireless transition broadcast channel in a first broadcast signal, the first broadcast signal transmitted over the single wireless transition broadcast channel including non-backward compatible services of a plurality of different service providers, the single wireless transition broadcast channel being allocated as a transition channel to be shared by the plurality of different service providers;

generating, by the first circuitry, a second broadcast signal including second content data of a service to be replaced by the non-backwards-compatible service; and

transmitting, by the first circuitry, the second broadcast signal on a single wireless broadcast channel allocated to the service provider when the first broadcast signal is transmitted on the single wireless transition broadcast channel,

wherein the single wireless transition broadcast channel is different from the single wireless broadcast channel,

wherein the non-backwards-compatible service is a digital television service, and

wherein the single wireless transition broadcast channel is adjacent to a wireless channel that is allocated for transmission of another type of service.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, by second circuitry of a transition broadcast provider, the first content data of the non-backwards-compatible service from the service provider and third content data of a non-backwards-compatible service from another service provider;

generating, by the second circuitry, the first broadcast signal that includes the first and third content data of the non-backwards-compatible services from the service provider and the other service provider; and

transmitting, by the second circuitry, the first broadcast signal on the single wireless transition broadcast channel.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the single wireless transition broadcast channel is a terrestrial broadcast channel designated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the single wireless transition broadcast channel is designated from a repack of television broadcast channels.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the other type of service is a Mobile Network Operator Service.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless channel is channel 32 or 52.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein,

the service has a lower video resolution than the non-backwards-compatible service.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein

the service is encoded using a first coding and the non-backwards-compatible service is encoded using a second coding, the first coding being different from the second coding.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein

the service and the non-backwards-compatible service include television programs, and

the step of transmitting includes transmitting at least one television program that is the same as a television program being broadcast by a transition broadcast provider.

10. A distribution system, comprising:

a service provider, including first circuitry configured to

cause first content data of a non-backwards-compatible service to be transmitted over a single wireless transition broadcast channel in a first broadcast signal, the first broadcast signal transmitted over the single wireless transition broadcast channel including non-backward compatible services of a plurality of different service providers, the single wireless transition broadcast channel being allocated as a transition channel to be shared by the plurality of different service providers;

generate a second broadcast signal including second content data of a service to be replaced by the non-backwards-compatible service; and

transmit the second broadcast signal on a single wireless broadcast channel allocated to the service provider when the first broadcast signal is transmitted on the single wireless transition broadcast channel,

wherein the single wireless transition broadcast channel is different from the single wireless broadcast channel,

wherein the non-backwards-compatible service is a digital television service, and

wherein the single wireless transition broadcast channel is adjacent to a wireless channel that is allocated for transmission of another type of service.

11. The distribution system according to claim 10 , further comprising:

a transition broadcast provider, including second circuitry configured to

receive the first content data of the non-backwards-compatible service from the service provider and third content data of a non-backwards-compatible service from another service provider;

generate the first broadcast signal that includes the first and third content data of the non-backwards-compatible services from the service provider and the other service provider; and

transmit the first broadcast signal on the single wireless transition broadcast channel.

12. The distribution system according to claim 10 , wherein the single wireless transition broadcast channel is a terrestrial broadcast channel designated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

13. The distribution system according to claim 12 , wherein the single wireless transition broadcast channel is designated from a repack of television broadcast channels.

14. The distribution system according to claim 10 , wherein the other type of service is a Mobile Network Operator Service.

15. The distribution system according to claim 10 , wherein the wireless channel is channel 32 or 52.

16. The distribution system according to claim 10 , wherein

the service has a lower video resolution than the non-backwards-compatible service.

17. The method according to claim 10 , wherein

the service is encoded using a first coding and the non-backwards-compatible service is encoded using a second coding, the first coding being different from the second coding.

18. The distribution system according to claim 10 , wherein

the service and the non-backwards-compatible service include television programs, and

the first circuitry is configured to transmit at least one television program that is the same as a television program being broadcast by a transition broadcast provider.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 10, 2017
From: SONY CORPORATION
To: SATURN LICENSING LLC
Reel/Frame 044171/0491 →