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 usage 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 maximizing the use of the wireless spectrum by selecting a frequency range within a portion of the wireless spectrum and selecting a delivery methodology for simultaneously delivering, receiving and/or broadcasting a digital television signal and an interactive broadband signal, with the greatest availability at the time of transmission, within the given geographic area to which the signal is delivered, received and/or broadcast by a system including at least one transmitter/receiver, the method comprising at least one of the following:
 a. selecting a licensed portion of the selected frequency range;
 selecting an unlicensed portion of the selected frequency range; 
 broadcasting the digital television signal within the licensed portion of the selected frequency range; and 
 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; 
   b. selecting a licensed portion of the selected frequency range:
 dividing the selected licensed portion of selected frequency range into first and second different frequency sections; 
 broadcasting the digital television signal within the first frequency section of the licensed portion of the selected frequency range; and 
 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; 
   c. converting the digital television broadcast signal to an Internet protocol television signal;
 creating an integrated signal by time integrating the Internet protocol television signal and the interactive broadband service signal; and 
 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. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one transmitter/receiver comprises a receiving device and further comprising the step of providing the receiving device with interference detection technology capable of canceling out the digital television signal. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  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. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one transmitter/receiver includes a receiving device 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. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  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.