Patent ID: 8595770
Filing Date: 2013-11-26
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: communicating a plurality of external channel signals and external program guide data, corresponding to the plurality of external channel signals, from an outdoor unit to a switch module; generating a local channel signal at a local headend; communicating the local channel signal and local program guide data, corresponding to the local channel signal, from the local headend to the switch module, wherein the switch module is separate from the local headend; at the switch module, combining the local program guide data and the external program guide data to form combined program guide data; communicating the combined program guide data from the switch module to one of a plurality of user receiving devices; at the one of the plurality of user receiving devices and based on a program guide, selecting a channel signal from the plurality of external channel signals and the local channel signal, wherein the program guide includes the combined program guide data; generating a selection signal indicating the selected channel signal at the one of the plurality of user receiving devices; communicating the selection signal to the switch module from the one of the plurality of user receiving devices; switching the switch module in response to the selection signal; and communicating the selected channel signal to the one of the plurality of user receiving devices.