METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOCAL DISTRIBUTION OF MULTIPLE MULTIMEDIA CHANNELS FROM MULTIMEDIA SERVICE PROVIDER

摘要

A set top box (STB) for local distribution of multiple multimedia channels from a multimedia service provider is provided. The STB includes a receiver, a multimedia signal processor, an audio signal processor, and a wireless transmitter. The user can access a plurality of multimedia channels carrying a multimedia signal with audio and video content. The receiver selects first and second multimedia channels for local distribution based on channel selection criteria. The STB distributes the first multimedia channel via a multimedia output path to a multimedia device. The STB distributes the second multimedia channel via an audio output path to an audio device. The wireless transmitter may include an FM transmitter. A media distribution unit for local distribution of multiple multimedia channels from a multimedia service provider and a method associated therewith are also provided.

主权项

1. A set top box (STB) for local distribution of multiple multimedia channels from a multimedia service provider, the STB comprising:
a receiver configured for access to a plurality of multimedia channels offered by a multimedia service provider from a customer premises via an access network, each multimedia channel carrying a multimedia signal with audio and video content, wherein the receiver is configured to select first and second multimedia channels from the plurality of multimedia channels for local distribution at the customer premises based on channel selection criteria, wherein the STB is configured to distribute the first multimedia channel via one or more multimedia output path and the second multimedia channel via one or more audio output path based on output selection criteria; a multimedia signal processor configured to receive first and second multimedia signals corresponding to the first and second multimedia channels from the receiver, to demodulate modulated portions of each of the first and second multimedia signals, to decode encoded portions of each of the first and second multimedia signals, and to separate the audio and video content of each of the first and second multimedia signals to form corresponding first and second audio signals and first and second video signals; an audio signal processor configured to receive the first and second audio signals from the multimedia signal processor and to condition each of the first and second audio signals to form corresponding first and second conditioned audio signals; and a wireless transmitter configured to receive the second conditioned audio signal based on the output selection criteria, to perform at least one of modulating and encoding of the second conditioned audio signal to form a corresponding second audio transmission signal, and to wirelessly transmit the second audio transmission signal via at least one select output path of the one or more audio output path based on the output selection criteria.