Method and apparatus for distribution of media content via multiple access technologies
AssigneeAT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
InventorsRobert Margolies, Rittwik Jana
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a cost-efficient wireless framework for delivering TV services (e.g., live TV services). The wireless framework can include a mix of wireless access technologies (e.g. Satellite, WiFi and/or LTE overlay links). TV content (e.g., live TV content) can be injected into the network at a few locations (e.g., residential locations) using satellite antennas (e.g., satellite dishes). The content can then be further distributed to other homes using a house-to-house WiFi network and/or via an overlay LTE network. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- providing to a first satellite receiver system, at a first location of a plurality of locations, a satellite signal including media content, wherein the first satellite receiver system is configured to be in operative communication with a first wireless transceiver at the first location;
- providing by the first satellite receiver system to the first wireless transceiver, based upon the satellite signal, a first media content bearing signal, wherein the first media content bearing signal comprises the media content;
- selecting, as a target wireless transceiver, one of a second wireless transceiver at a second location of the plurality of locations and a third wireless transceiver at a third location of the plurality of locations;
- and
- providing by the first wireless transceiver to the target wireless transceiver that is configured to be in operative communication with the first wireless transceiver, based upon the first media content bearing signal, a second media content bearing signal, wherein the second media content bearing signal comprises the media content and wherein the second media content bearing signal is communicated wirelessly from the first wireless transceiver to the target wireless transceiver,
- wherein the selecting is based upon:
- a first available bandwidth of the second wireless transceiver to forward the media content to a fourth wireless transceiver located at one of the plurality of locations;
- and
- a second available bandwidth of the third wireless transceiver to forward the media content to the fourth wireless transceiver.
A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a system including a processor, perform operations comprising:
- engaging in a first communication session, between a first wireless transceiver at a first location of a plurality of locations and a first satellite receiver system at the first location, wherein the first satellite receiver system is configured to receive a satellite signal including media content, wherein the first communication session comprises providing by the first satellite receiver system to the first wireless transceiver, based upon the satellite signal, a first signal comprising the media content;
- selecting, as a target wireless transceiver, one of a second wireless transceiver at a second location of the plurality of locations and a third wireless transceiver at a third location of the plurality of locations;
- and
- engaging in a second communication session, between the target wireless transceiver and the first wireless transceiver, wherein the second communication session comprises wirelessly communicating by the first wireless transceiver to the target wireless transceiver, based upon the first signal, a second signal, wherein the second signal comprises the media content,
- wherein the selecting is based upon:
- a first available bandwidth of the second wireless transceiver to forward the media content to a fourth wireless transceiver located at one of the plurality of locations;
- and
- a second available bandwidth of the third wireless transceiver to forward the media content to the fourth wireless transceiver.
An apparatus comprising:
- a processing system including a processor;
- and
- a memory storing executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, perform operations comprising:
- enabling receipt by a satellite receiver system, at a first location of a plurality of locations, of a satellite signal including media content;
- directing a first wireless transceiver at the first location to engage in communication with the satellite receiver system, wherein the satellite receiver system is configured to receive a satellite signal including media content, wherein the communication between the first wireless transceiver and the satellite receiver system comprises providing by the satellite receiver system to the first wireless transceiver, based upon the satellite signal, a first signal comprising the media content;
- monitoring a network including the first wireless transceiver, a second wireless transceiver, and a third wireless transceiver, wherein the monitoring comprises receiving status information from one of the first wireless transceiver, the second wireless transceiver the third wireless transceiver, or any combination thereof;
- selecting one of the second wireless transceiver and the third wireless transceiver as a target wireless transceiver based upon the status information, wherein the second wireless transceiver is at a second location of the plurality of locations and wherein the third wireless transceiver is at a third location of the plurality of locations;
- and
- directing the first wireless transceiver to engage in communication with the target wireless transceiver, wherein the first wireless transceiver transmits to the target wireless transceiver, based upon the first signal, a second signal that comprises the media content,
- wherein the status information comprises a first available bandwidth capacity of the second wireless transceiver and a second available bandwidth capacity of the third wireless transceiver.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.