Apparatus and method for distributing audio and video content using existing network wiring
US7533403B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 12, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 11, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/43615
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus, system and method are described which allows multimedia signals received from one or more content providers (e.g., cable television providers, Internet content providers, . . . etc) to be received, processed and retransmitted by an originating node to one or more receiving nodes over a local cable network (e.g., the coaxial cable network within a user's home). One impediment to communication between nodes within the local cable network is the fact that most cable splitters are designed to attenuate signals between the split legs of the splitter. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, a reflector device coupled upstream of the root splitter in a local cable network (or in place of the root splitter) is configured to reflect signals transmitted from the originating node back up into the network to the receiving nodes. Signal attenuation is minimized because the signals propagate from the splitter inputs to the splitter legs (rather than between the splitter legs).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.