Device for Receiving and Processing TV Signals from Cables and Wireless Sources

This patent describes a device that combines signals from a cable TV line and a wireless source, processes them to create copy-protected video and audio, and sends them to a TV or other device.

What it covers

This patent details a 'Point-of-Deployment' (POD) module apparatus designed to bring content to your screen. It has a housing with a connector for a coaxial cable, which brings in a cable signal. It also has a port that can receive wireless signals from various sources like a local computer network, the internet, or even a remote control signal. Inside, a module unit takes the cable signal and the wireless signal. It processes these to create copy-protected video and audio signals. Finally, a connector on the housing sends these processed signals to a third device, like a TV, which then displays the image and plays the sound. For example, it could receive a standard cable TV feed and a wireless signal for interactive features, then combine them for a richer viewing experience.

What it doesn't cover

• —Devices that only receive signals from a coaxial cable and do not incorporate any wireless signal reception.
• —Systems that do not generate copy-protected video or audio signals.
• —Apparatuses that do not have a physical connector designed to be mechanically separable from a host device's connector.
• —Modules that do not process both a cable signal and a wireless signal to produce output.
• —Devices that solely function as a wireless router or access point without cable signal integration.

The clever bit

The innovation lies in the module's ability to act as a central hub, unifying disparate signal types (coaxial cable and various wireless networks) into a single, processed output stream for a display device, while also incorporating copy protection mechanisms.

Why it matters

This patent is significant as it describes an early integrated approach to content delivery, combining traditional cable TV signals with emerging wireless data streams. It addresses the need for flexible content reception and processing in a home entertainment environment, paving the way for more sophisticated set-top boxes and media devices.

Real-world examples

• 1.Set-top boxes for cable TV providers
• 2.Digital video recorders (DVRs)
• 3.Smart TV media processing units