Integrated receiver/decoder

Abstract: A multiple-room communication system is adapted to provide digital television programming (e.g. DBS) to a plurality of rooms in a single family dwelling and may be further adapted to provide digital television programming to a plurality of dwelling units in a multiple dwelling unit such as an apartment. A central unit includes a plurality of integrated receiver decoder modules that receive e.g. satellite signals from a satellite antenna and filter and supply the signals to a distribution system that is coupled to a plurality of display devices that are located in various rooms throughout the single family home. A plurality of hand-held remote controllers, each being associated with one of the integrated receiver decoder modules, are used to communicate with and control the associated integrated receiver decoder module to cause it to supply a desired signal to a desired display device. Each of the remote controllers are adapted to ensure exclusive communication with the associated integrated receiver decoder module and to prevent interference with the operation of the other integrated receiver decoder modules. A single power supply is used to power the co-located integrated receiver decoder modules, and a single modem is used to report billing information to the satellite provider.

Abstract: An integrated receiver decoder (IRD) (37), commonly called a set-top box (37), has a global positioning system (GPS) receiver (44). The GPS receiver (44) checks to see if the IRD is as an authorized location and allows descrambling (46) of video signals only if the location is authorized. A central access control system (48), remote from the customers/viewers, has a high quality GPS receiver and sends some GPS data in the transmission medium used to send video signals to the customers. The set-top box (37), referred to as a customer access control, establishes different geographic restrictions on different of various video signals. Location-specific signals require that the set-top box be at a single fixed location for descrambling. Region-specific signals are accessible only if the set-top box (37) is in a geographic region authorized for reception, there being several such regions.

Abstract: An integrated receiver decoder (IRD), commonly called a set-top box (737), has a global positioning system (GPS) receiver (742). The GPS receiver (742) checks to see if the IRD is at an authorized location and allows descrambling (746) of video signals only if the location is authorized. A central access control system (10), remote from the customers/viewers, has a high quality GPS receiver (16) and sends some GPS data in the transmission medium (34) used to send video signals to the customers. The set-top box (737), referred to as a customer access control, establishes different geographic restrictions on different of various video or data signals. Location-specific signals require that the set-top box (737) be at a single fixed location for descrambling. Geographic filtering of data signals is provided. Region-specific signals are accessible only if the set-top box (737) is in a geographic region authorized for reception, there being several such regions.

Abstract: A system and method for downloading update data to a targeted peripheral device connected to a broadcast receiver such as an integrated receiver decoder (IRD). The update data is received via a broadcast transmission. The system features one or more peripheral devices interconnected to the IRD. The IRD receives a broadcast digital bit stream and processes contents of its header information if it is targeted for the IRD. Next, the IRD determines whether the digital bit stream includes update data to be downloaded and which peripheral device is targeted to receive the update data. Thereafter, the IRD causes the update data to be loaded into the targeted peripheral device.