Patent ID: 7900230
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An intelligent switching network for delivering satellite signals to a plurality of Integrated Receiver Decoders (IRDs), comprising: a plurality of inputs, designed to receive a plurality of satellite signals, wherein the satellite signals are directed to the inputs based on an originating satellite for each of the satellite signals; a multiswitch, having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, wherein at least some of the inputs are coupled to the plurality of inputs and receive the satellite signals; a controller, coupled to the multiswitch, wherein the controller authorizes an identification (ID) of each IRD in the plurality of IRDs that are coupled to the controller; and an interface, coupling the plurality of IRDs to the outputs of the multiswitch through the interface on a single cable, wherein the controller monitors the ID of the plurality of IRDs through the single cable, the interface controls the flow of signals from the plurality of IRDs to the multiswitch and controls the flow of satellite signals to the plurality of IRDs based on commands from the IRDs to the interface through the single cable, and the interface delivers the signals to the plurality of IRDs on separate private channels in a respective fashion on the single cable.