System for simultaneous delivery of digital television and interactive broadband service

Abstract

Delivery of digital television and interactive broadband service are provided in a manner that maximizes the useage of the digital broadcast spectrum. A digital television signal is transmitted to a given broadcast area in a relatively small part of one or more licensed portions of the digital broadcast spectrum. Interactive broadband service is delivered within at least a portion of the same broadcast area covered by the broadcast digital television signal, in the remainder of an unused part of the same licensed portion of the digital broadcast spectrum as is occupied by the digital television signal, or within an unlicensed (unused) portion of the digital broadcast spectrum. The broadcasting of the digital television and delivery the interactive broadband service occur simultaneously. In one embodiment, digital television and broadband service are delivered by the same equipment within the same bandwidth.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for the simultaneous delivery of video, voice and data over a system using wireless spectrum including at least one transmitter/receiver, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) forming a signal comprising video, voice and data;   (b) selecting a portion of the wireless spectrum to deliver, receive and/or broadcast the signal;   (c) delivering, receiving and/or broadcasting the signal by means of the at least one transmitter/receiver, to a given geographic area, using the selected portion of the wireless spectrum; and   (d) maximizing use of the wireless spectrum by transmitting wireless network management signals to user devices within the given geographic area at a wireless frequency outside of the portion of the wireless spectrum within which the signal is delivered, received and/or broadcast.   
     
     
         2 . A method for maximizing use of the digital broadcast spectrum by the simultaneous broadcast of digital television and delivery of interactive broadcast service at different frequencies within the digital broadcast spectrum, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) selecting a frequency range of the digital broadcast spectrum;   (b) selecting a licensed portion of the selected frequency range;   (c) selecting an unlicensed portion of the selected frequency range;   (d) broadcasting the digital television signal within the licensed portion of the selected frequency range; and   (e) simultaneously delivering the interactive broadband service signal within the unlicensed portion of the selected frequency range at the same time as broadcasting the digital television signal within the licensed portion of the selected frequency range.   
     
     
         3 . A method for maximizing use of the digital broadcast spectrum by the simultaneous broadcast of digital television and delivery of interactive broadcast service at different frequencies within the same licensed portion of the digital broadcast spectrum, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) selecting a frequency range of the digital broadcast spectrum;   (b) selecting a licensed portion of the selected frequency range;   (c) dividing the selected licensed portion of selected frequency range into first and second different frequency sections;   (d) broadcasting the digital television signal within the first frequency section of the licensed portion of the selected frequency range; and   (e) simultaneously delivering the interactive broadband service signal within the second frequency section of the licensed portion of the selected frequency range at the same time.   
     
     
         4 . A method for maximizing use of the digital broadcast spectrum by the simultaneous broadcast of digital television and delivery of interactive broadcast service to the same broadcast area within the same frequency portion of the digital broadcast spectrum using the same wireless signal distribution equipment, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) generating a digital television broadcast signal;   (b) converting the digital television broadcast signal to an Internet protocol television signal;   (c) providing an interactive broadband service signal;   (d) selecting a frequency range;   (e) creating an integrated signal by time integrating the Internet protocol television signal and the interactive broadband service signal; and   (f) distributing the integrated signal to the same broadcast area within the selected frequency portion of the frequency range using the same wireless signal distribution equipment.   
     
     
         5 . Apparatus for maximizing use of the digital broadcast spectrum by the simultaneous broadcast of digital television and delivery of interactive broadcast service at different frequencies within the same licensed portion of the digital broadcast spectrum, comprising: means for creating a digital television signal; means for providing an interactive broadband service signal; and means for simultaneously broadcasting the digital television signal within a first frequency section of the licensed portion of the digital broadcast spectrum and for delivering the interactive broadband service within the second frequency section of the same licensed portion of the digital broadcast spectrum at the same time. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus for maximizing use of the digital broadcast spectrum by the simultaneous broadcast of digital television and delivery of interactive broadcast service at different frequencies within the digital broadcast spectrum, comprising: means for creating a digital television signal; means for providing interactive broadband service; and means for simultaneously broadcasting the digital television signal within a licensed portion of the digital broadcast spectrum and delivering the interactive broadband service within an unlicensed portion of the digital broadcast spectrum at the same time. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus for maximizing use of the digital broadcast spectrum by the simultaneous broadcast of digital television and delivery of interactive broadcast service to the same broadcast area within the same frequency portion of the digital broadcast spectrum using the same wireless signal distribution equipment comprising: means for generating a digital television broadcast signal; means for converting the digital television broadcast signal to an Internet protocol television signal; means for providing an interactive broadband service signal; means for creating a distribution signal including the Internet protocol television signal and the interactive broadband service signal; and means distributing the distribution signal to the same broadcast area using the same wireless signal distribution equipment. 
     
     
         8 . A method for delivery of digital television and interactive broadband service to a receiving device using the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum, the method comprising the steps of: broadcasting or delivering a digital television signal to a given broadcast area within a portion of the digital broadcast spectrum and delivering interactive broadband service within at least a portion of the same broadcast area covered by the broadcast digital television signal within the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum occupied by the digital television signal, wherein the step of broadcasting a digital television signal and the step of delivering interactive broadband service occur simultaneously, and further comprising the step of providing the receiving device with interference detection technology capable of canceling out the digital television signal. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step of delivering interactive broadband service comprises providing the interactive broadband service using a technology selected from the following: WiMax, 3G, EV-DO or HSPDA, and/or using multiple sources being positioned at spaced locations within the broadcast area covered by the digital television signal. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the receiving device is capable of receiving interactive broadband service and is located within at least a portion of the broadcast area covered by the digital television signal. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the receiving device is capable of communications with the source of the interactive broadcast service within a at least a portion of the area covered by the digital television signal, including sending return signals to the source of the interactive broadband service, and further comprising the step of reflecting the return signals from the receiving device to the source of the interactive broadband service by means of a plurality of signal reflectors positioned at spaced locations within the area to which the interactive broadband service is delivered by the source. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of using network management signals transmitted at a frequency outside of the portion of the digital broadcast spectrum within which the digital television signal is broadcast and the interactive broadband service is delivered. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of providing one or more fixed or mobile receiving devices within the area covered by the broadcast television signal for communication with the source of the interactive broadband service. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the digital television signal is broadcasted in a first frequency band and the broadband service is delivered in a second frequency band. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the first frequency band is located within one or more licensed portions of the digital broadcast spectrum and the second frequency band is located within an unlicensed portion of the digital broadcast spectrum. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step of broadcasting a digital television signal comprises the step of converting the digital television signal into an Internet protocol television signal and the step of broadcasting the Internet protocol television signal using the same equipment as is used to deliver the interactive broadband service. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of using the Internet to provide the Internet protocol television signal to the equipment used to deliver the interactive broadband signal service. 
     
     
         18 . A method for delivery of digital television and interactive broadband service to a receiving device using the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum, the method comprising the steps of: broadcasting or delivering a digital television signal to a given broadcast area within a portion of the digital broadcast spectrum and delivering interactive broadband service within at least a portion of the same broadcast area covered by the broadcast digital television signal within the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum occupied by the digital television signal, wherein the step of broadcasting a digital television signal and the step of delivering interactive broadband service occur simultaneously, wherein the step of broadcasting a digital television signal comprises the step of converting the digital television signal into an Internet protocol television signal and broadcasting the Internet protocol television signal using the same equipment as is used to deliver the interactive broadband service. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of using the Internet to provide the Internet protocol television signal to the equipment used to deliver the interactive broadband signal service. 
     
     
         20 . Apparatus for delivery of digital television and interactive broadband service using the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum, the apparatus comprising: means for transmitting a digital television signal to a broadcast area within a portion of the digital broadcast spectrum, means for delivering interactive broadband service within at least a portion of said broadcast area within said portion of the digital broadcast spectrum, wherein said interactive broadband service delivery means comprises said digital television signal transmitting means or functions simultaneously with said digital television signal transmitting means, and an interference detective technology device capable of receiving the interactive broadband service within a portion of the broadcast area, said receiving device comprising means for canceling the broadcast digital television signal. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein said interactive broadband service delivery means comprises at least one transmitter/receiver preferably using a technology selected from the following: WiMax ( 62 ), 3G, EV-DO or HSPDA, and/or multiple interactive broadband service delivery means positioned at spaced locations within said broadcast area. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said device is capable of receiving the interactive broadband service within a portion of said broadcast area. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said device is capable of communication with said interactive broadband service delivery means within a portion of said broadcast area by sending a return signal to said interactive broadband service delivery means and further comprising means for reflecting said return signal from said communication device back to said interactive broadband service delivery means. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein said return signal reflecting means comprises a plurality of signal reflectors positioned at spaced locations within the area to which the interactive broadcast service is delivered. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said device comprises one or more fixed or mobile devices within said broadcast area for communication with said interactive broadband service delivery means. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising means for transmitting a digital television signal in a first frequency band and the means for delivering interactive broadband service in a second frequency band. 
     
     
         27 . A method of maximizing digital broadcast spectrum usage by delivering uni-directional digital television signals and bi-directional interactive broadband service using the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum including a first frequency band licensed for broadcasting digital television signals and a second frequency band, the method comprising the steps of: broadcasting the digital television signal to devices located within a given broadcast area using the first frequency band within a portion of the digital broadcast spectrum and delivering interactive broadband service to devices within at least a portion of the same broadcast area covered by the broadcast digital television signal using the second frequency band within the digital broadcast spectrum occupied by the digital television signal, wherein the step of broadcasting a digital television signal and the step of delivering interactive broadband service occur simultaneously, within the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum, the second frequency band occupying a previously unused part of the first frequency band, the second frequency band being situated outside of the first frequency band or the digital television signal being converted into an Internet protocol signal, time integrated into the interactive broadband signal, and delivered using the second frequency band. 
     
     
         28 . A method for the simultaneous delivery of video, voice and data over a system using wireless spectrum including at least one transmitter/receiver, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) forming a signal comprising video, voice and data;   (b) selecting a portion of the wireless spectrum to deliver, receive and/or broadcast the signal;   (c) delivering, receiving and/or broadcasting the signal by means of the at least one transmitter/receiver, to a given geographic area, using the selected portion of the wireless spectrum; and.   (d) maximizing the use of the wireless spectrum by selecting the wireless frequency and delivery methodology for the signal with the greatest availability at the time of transmission within the given geographic area within which the signal is delivered, received and/or broadcast.   
     
     
         29 . Apparatus for the simultaneous delivery of video, voice and data over a system using wireless spectrum including at least one transmitter/receiver comprising: means for forming a signal comprising video, voice and data; means for selecting a portion of the wireless spectrum to deliver, receive and/or broadcast the signal; means delivering, receiving and/or broadcasting the signal by means of the at least one transmitter/receiver, to a given geographic area, using the selected portion of the wireless spectrum; and means for selecting the wireless frequency and delivery methodology for the signal with the greatest availability at the time of transmission within the given geographic area within which the signal is delivered, received and/or broadcast in order to maximize the use of the wireless spectrum.