Louis E Heuck

US Patent:

20050152366, Jul 14, 2005

Filed:

Jan 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/755475

Inventors:

Louis Heuck - Hilton Head Island SC, US

International Classification:

H04L012/28

US Classification:

370390000, 370432000, 370464000, 370352000

Abstract:

Methods and systems consistent with the present invention deliver digital TV service over multiple types of networks. A head end facility receives TV signals and encodes each signal into a respective channel stream. The head end facility then assigns each of the channel streams to a virtual broadcast domain. The head end facility selects a plurality of the channel streams and combines them into an associated stream. The head end facility then transmits the associated stream to one or more local hubs. The local hub receives the associated stream and parses the channel streams from the associated stream. When the subscriber selects a digital TV channel or program for viewing, the local hub then extends the virtual broadcast domain to the subscriber's facility. The subscriber's facility receives the channel stream and then decodes it into a signal that can be displayed by a device.