Broadcast transition channel

Abstract

A distribution system and reception apparatus, and methods thereof, are provided for broadcasting and receiving a plurality of first services from a plurality of different broadcast providers, which broadcast a plurality of second services over a plurality of different broadcast channels, on a transition broadcast channel that is different from the plurality of different broadcast channels. The system includes at least one receiver and a transmitter. The at least one receiver is configured to receive the plurality of first services from the plurality of different broadcast providers. The transmitter is configured to broadcast the plurality of first services over the transition broadcast channel.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A distribution system, comprising:
 at least one receiver configured to receive a next generation service from a service provider; and   a transmitter configured to transmit the next generation service received from the service provider over a first predetermined frequency range, which is different from a second predetermined frequency range used to transmit a service of the service provider to be replaced by the next generation service.   
     
     
         3 . The distribution system according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the transmitter is configured to transmit the next generation service using a first transmission scheme that is different from a second transmission scheme used to transmit the service of the service provider to be replaced by the next generation service.   
     
     
         4 . The distribution system according to  claim 2 , wherein the first predetermined frequency range and the second predetermined frequency range occupy different portions of a same wireless spectrum. 
     
     
         5 . The distribution system according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 signal generating circuitry configured to generate an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM)-based signal including the next generation service received from the service provider, wherein   the transmitter is configured to transmit the OFDM-based signal.   
     
     
         6 . The distribution system according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the next generation service and the service of the service provider to be replaced by the next generation service include television programs, and   the transmitter is configured to transmit at least one television program that is the same as a television program included in the service of the service provider.   
     
     
         7 . The distribution system according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the resolution of the television program transmitted by the transmitter is greater than the resolution of the television program included in the service of the service provider.   
     
     
         8 . The distribution system according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the service provider is one of a plurality of different service providers, and   the first predetermined frequency range is a predetermined television channel that is specified by a contractual agreement between the plurality of different service providers or by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a transition broadcast channel to be shared between the plurality of different service providers.   
     
     
         9 . The distribution system according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the service provider is one of a plurality of different digital television broadcast providers that broadcast digital television content over a plurality of different broadcast channels using an 8-level vestigial sideband modulation (8-VSB) modulation method, and   the transmitter is configured to broadcast a plurality of next generation services, including the next generation service of the service provider, over the first predetermined frequency range using a modulation method different from the 8-VSB modulation method.   
     
     
         10 . A method for transitioning to one or more next generation services, the method comprising:
 receiving, by circuitry of a transmission apparatus, the next generation service from a service provider; and   transmitting the next generation service received from the service provider over a first predetermined frequency range, which is different from a second predetermined frequency range used to transmit a service of the service provider to be replaced by the next generation service.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of transmitting comprises:
 transmitting the next generation service using a first transmission scheme that is different from a second transmission scheme used to transmit the service to be replaced by the next generation service.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the first predetermined frequency and the second predetermined frequency occupy different portions of a same wireless spectrum. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 signal generating circuitry configured to generate an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM)-based signal including the next generation service received from the service provider, wherein   the transmitter is configured to transmit the OFDM-based signal.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the next generation service and the service of the service provider to be replaced by the next generation service include television programs, and   the transmitter is configured to transmit at least one television program that is the same as a television program included in the service of the service provider.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein
 the resolution of the television program transmitted by the transmitter is greater than the resolution of the television program included in the service of the service provider.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the service provider is one of a plurality of different service providers, and   the first predetermined frequency range is a predetermined television channel that is specified by a contractual agreement between the plurality of different service providers or by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a transition broadcast channel to be shared between the plurality of different service providers.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the service provider is one of a plurality of different digital television broadcast providers that broadcast digital television content over a plurality of different broadcast channels using an 8-level vestigial sideband modulation (8-VSB) modulation method, and   the transmitter is configured to broadcast the plurality of next generation services, including the next generation service of the service provider, over the predetermined frequency range using a modulation method different from the 8-VSB modulation method.   
     
     
         18 . A method of a service provider for transitioning to a next generation service, the method comprising:
 transmitting, by circuitry of a first transmission apparatus, the next generation service of the service provider on a first predetermined frequency range; and   transmitting, by circuitry of a second transmission apparatus, a service to be replaced by the next generation service over a second predetermined frequency range that is different from the first predetermined frequency range.