The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 10, 2009
Filed:
Sep. 20, 2005
John Alan Gervais, Carmel, IN (US);
Terry Wayne Lockridge, Dayton, OH (US);
John Alan Gervais, Carmel, IN (US);
Terry Wayne Lockridge, Dayton, OH (US);
Thomson Licensing, Boulogne-Billancourt, FR;
Abstract
A system and method for distributing satellite television program signals utilizes IP and Ethernet multicast addresses to define and allow the acquisition and/or distribution of a particular satellite television program signal. The satellite program identification data or parameters for the particular satellite program signal are encoded by an IP multicast address assigned to the particular satellite television program signal from a block of IP multicast addresses, preferably by a mini head end. The assigned IP multicast address is mapped to an Ethernet IP address for distribution to an Ethernet compatible component such as a satellite signal receiver or set top box. In this manner, any and all satellite program signals may be provided to one or more satellite signal receivers through IP multicasting.