JP4919969B2 - Reception resource allocation method and system in gateway server - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to having a gateway server including a plurality of reception resources dynamically allocate these resources to a client based on a resource storage method.

  The purpose of this section is to introduce the reader to various aspects of the technology related to the various aspects of the invention described and claimed below. This description may help provide the reader with background information that facilitates understanding of various aspects of the present invention. Thus, it should be understood that these descriptions should be read in light of the above, and are not admitted as prior art (admissions of prior art).

  As is well known, satellite television systems such as DirecTV have become very popular in the last few years. In fact, since DirecTV started in 1994, 12 million households in the United States have subscribed to satellite TV. Most subscribers live in single-family homes and it is relatively easy to install and wire a satellite dish. For example, a satellite broadcast receiving antenna can be installed on the roof of a house.

  However, a large number of potential subscribers live or provisionally live in apartments (MDUs) such as hotels and high-rise apartments. Unfortunately, there are other challenges in providing satellite television services to individual units within an MDU. It is not practical to provide one satellite receiving antenna for each dwelling unit, and it is very expensive. For example, in a high-rise apartment with 1000 units, it is not practical to install 1000 satellite receiving antennas on the roof of a building. Conventional systems convert digital satellite television signals to analog signals to avoid these problems. The analog signal can be transmitted to a plurality of dwelling units via a single coaxial cable. However, these systems limit the number of channels that can be provided, reduce the quality compared to a fully digital system, and allow satellite TV experiences that are always experienced by users in single-family homes. I can't.

  Direct delivery of services such as satellite signals to MDU's individual units can provide the same experience as a detached house, but can be problematic. For example, in order to distribute satellite signals from antennas, special distributors and wiring are required, and these are often not present in MDU facilities. The cost of refurbishing the facility is enormous.

  It is also possible to create a system in which each dwelling unit receives a service using a dedicated signal receiving resource located at a remote location. For example, the main tuning function can be arranged in the central control room, and a different signal (unique signal) or service can be transmitted to each dwelling unit. This connection can be made using Ethernet or coaxial cable stretched throughout the building. In general, for systems that distribute video content, each end user must have its own dedicated tuning and decoding circuit. This is costly and inefficient, especially for large MDU facilities.

  Therefore, it is desirable to develop a system that can limit the number of circuits used as centrally placed receive resources. Furthermore, in order to maximize operational performance and minimize costs, a solution that manages tuning resources that uses the minimum number of tuning resources in the system is desirable.

  The disclosed embodiment relates to a method and apparatus for allocating reception resources. The apparatus includes a headend or gateway server unit that receives a plurality of signals and outputs a series of data streams. The series of data streams is supplied to a plurality of STBs arranged in a facility such as an MDU. The apparatus further includes a set of receive resources in the headend unit, a receiver that receives the request signal, and a controller that processes the request signal and manages the use of the receive resource. The method includes a process of allocating receiving resources used by the headend unit and providing a service requested by the STB. The method further includes receiving a service request signal from the STB, comparing the service request with a service already provided, and the newly requested service and the currently provided service matched. And establishing a joint use of one of the received resources already providing the requested service.

  The advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description with reference to the drawings.

  The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example.

  One or more embodiments of the invention are described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of actual embodiments are described herein. Needless to say, in the development of such an actual embodiment, as with any technology development and design project, a number of implementation specific decisions are made to ensure that the developer is in line with system and business relationship constraints. We must achieve our purpose. These constraints vary from embodiment to embodiment. Further, it goes without saying that such development efforts are complex and time consuming, but will nevertheless be routines for designing, manufacturing and producing for those skilled in the art who are in the benefit of this disclosure.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram illustrating an example of satellite television over IP according to one embodiment is shown, and is broadly indicated by reference numeral 10. As shown, the system 10 includes one or more satellite receiving antennas 12a-12m, a headend unit such as a satellite gateway 14, or gateway server, an IP distribution network 20, one or more set top boxes (STBs) 22a to 22a. 22n included. These set-top boxes function as end user devices. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the system embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is just one embodiment of the system 10. As such, in alternative embodiments, the components of the illustrated system 10 may be rearranged or omitted. Further, another component may be added to the system 10. For example, with minor modifications, the system 10 may be configured to deliver non-satellite video and audio services.

  The satellite receiving antennas 12a to 12m may be configured to receive video, audio, and other television-related data transmitted from satellites around the earth. As will be described in detail below, in one embodiment, satellite receiving antennas 12a-12m are configured to receive Ku-band direcTV programming from 10.7 to 12.75 gigahertz (GHz). Has been. However, in another embodiment, the satellite receiving antennas 12a to 12m may receive other types of direct broadcast satellites, dish network signals, express view (expressVu) signals, star choice (StarChoice) signals. For example, a television reception only (TVRO) signal may be received. In other systems that are not satellite based, the satellite receiving antennas 12a-12m may not be present in the system 10.

  In one embodiment, a low noise block converter (LNC) in satellite receiving antennas 12a-12m receives an incoming signal from a satellite orbiting the earth, and the incoming signal is between 950 and 2150 megahertz (MHz). Are converted to frequencies in the L band. As will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2, each of the satellite receiving antennas 12a-12m receives one or more incoming signals polarized on one frequency (called a transponder), and The satellite signal is configured to be converted into an L-band signal or a transport stream. Each L-band signal or transport stream itself represents a multiplexed transport stream of a program (often referred to as one of a set of single program transport streams (SPTS)) or multiplexed A plurality of transport streams (often referred to as a multiple program transport stream (MPTS)). Each program stream may in turn represent an audio signal and / or a video signal. Each SPTS may include an identifier (a form of identifier) that can be used to distinguish different streams included in the MPTS, such as a program identifier (PID) that can also be used in the SPTS.

  The satellite receiving antennas 12a to 12m can be configured to transmit an L-band signal to a head end unit or a gateway server (for example, the satellite gateway 14). Alternatively, in a non-satellite embodiment, the headend unit may be a cable television receiver, a high definition television receiver, or a video distribution system.

  The satellite gateway 14 includes a satellite tuning / demodulation / demultiplexing module 16 and an internet protocol (IP) wrapper module 18. The module 16 includes a plurality of reception resources, and the reception resources include a tuner, a demodulator, and a demultiplexer, and the modulated and multiplexed L-band signals transmitted from the satellites 12a to 12m are converted into a plurality of data. Convert to stream (SPTS). Each data stream carries a service (eg, television channel video, television channel audio, program guide, etc.). In one embodiment, module 16 is configured to receive specific L-band signals from a large group of L-band signals received by satellite receiving antennas 12a-12m. Module 16 processes these signals to create a new single program transport stream for all services received by module 16. However, in another embodiment, module 16 can create a transport stream for all or only a portion of the services received by satellite receiving antennas 12a-12m.

  The reception resources described here include circuits such as a tuner, a demodulator, and a demultiplexer, and these circuits perform functions such as tuning, demodulation, and demultiplexing. However, these reception resources are digital means. The function of separating or processing the incoming signal may be performed by other means including: processing signals received in different time slots or different input cables may be processed. These functions may be implemented by module 16.

  The satellite tuning / demodulation / demultiplexing module 16 may transmit the SPTS to the IP wrapper module 18. In one embodiment, the IP wrapper module 18 repackages the data in the SPTS into a plurality of IP packets suitable for transmission over the IP distribution network 20. For example, the IP wrapper module 18 can convert a DIRECT TV protocol packet in the SPTS into an IP packet. In addition, the IP wrapper module 18 receives server requests from the STBs 22a to 22n, and multicasts the IP SPTS to the STBs 22a to 22n that requested the service (that is, broadcasts to one or more STBs 22a to 22n via the IP address).

  In another embodiment, the IP wrapper module 18 may be configured to multicast IP SPTS for services not requested by the STBs 22a-22n. For example, the reception resource outputs five SPTSs, but only one of the SPTSs is actually required. However, for reasons related to the requirement to provide this service, another SPTS is multicast IP. It should be noted that modules 16 and 18 are merely examples of satellite gateway 14. In another embodiment, the functionality of modules 16 and 18 may be redistributed or aggregated between various suitable components or modules, as described below with reference to FIGS.

  The IP distribution network 20 includes one or more routers, switches, modems, splitters, or bridges. For example, in one embodiment, the satellite gateway 14 is coupled to a main distribution board (MDF), the main distribution board is coupled to an intermediate distribution board (IDF), the intermediate distribution board is coupled to a coaxial / Ethernet bridge, and The coax-Ethernet bridge is coupled to a router, which is coupled to one or more STBs 22a-22n. In another embodiment, the IP distribution network 20 is a main distribution board coupled to a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), which is coupled to a DSL modem and has its DSL. The modem is coupled to the router. In yet another embodiment, the IP distribution network includes a wireless network such as an 802.11 or WiMax network. In such an embodiment, the STBs 22a-22n include a wireless receiver configured to receive multicast IP packets. It goes without saying to those skilled in the art that the above embodiments are merely examples. As such, in another embodiment, a number of suitable IP distribution network configurations can be used in the system 10.

  The IP distribution network 20 may be coupled to one or more STBs 22a-22n. The STBs 22a to 22n are video receivers, audio receivers and / or other suitable data receivers that can receive IP packets such as IP SPTS via the IP distribution network 20. Needless to say, the term STB may include devices other than those installed on the television here. Rather, the STBs 22a-22n may be any device that operates as a residential end-user device, and may be either inside or outside a television, display, or computer, and configured to function as described herein. obtain. Including but not limited to video components, computers, wireless telephones, and other video recorders. In one embodiment, the STBs 22a-22n may be directory TV receivers configured to receive services such as video and / or audio via an Ethernet port (in the input port). In another embodiment, the STBs 22a-22n are designed and / or configured to receive multicast transmissions via coaxial cable, twisted pair wire, copper wire, or aerial (via a wireless standard such as the IEEE 802.11 standard). Or configured.

  As described above, the system 10 receives video, audio, and / or other data transmitted by space satellites and processes / converts this data for distribution over the IP distribution network 20. Referring now to FIG. 2, another embodiment of satellite television via the IP system 10 is shown. Each satellite receiving antenna 12a-12m is configured to receive signals from one or more satellites orbiting. It goes without saying to those skilled in the art that a satellite and the signals transmitted from that satellite are often referred to by the orbit slot in which the satellite is located. For example, the satellite receiving antenna 12a is configured to receive a signal from a directory TV arranged in a 101-degree orbit slot. Similarly, the satellite receiving antenna 12b receives a signal from a satellite arranged at 119 degrees, and the satellite receiving antenna 12c receives a signal from a satellite arranged at an orbit slot of 110 degrees. Of course, in another embodiment, satellite receiving antennas 12a-12c may receive signals from other satellites located in various orbit slots, such as 95 degree orbit slots. The satellite receiving antennas 12a to 12c may be configured to receive polarized satellite signals. For example, the satellite receiving antenna 12a may be configured to receive signals of left polarization (101L in the figure) and right polarization (101R in the figure).

  As described with reference to FIG. 1, the satellite receiving antennas 12 a to 12 c receive satellite signals in the KU band, convert them into L band signals, and transmit them to the satellite gateway 14. However, in some embodiments, before reaching the satellite gateway 14, the L-band signals produced by the satellite receiving antennas 12a-12c may be combined into fewer signals or divided into more signals. . For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the L-band signal from the satellite receiving antennas 12b and 12c is simply transmitted by the switch 24 including the transport stream from both the 110 degree satellite and the left polarization stream from the 119 degree satellite. A single L-band signal may be combined.

  The system 10 also includes a plurality of 1: 2 splitters 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d that divide the L-band signal transmitted from the satellite receiving antennas 12a-12c into two L-band signals. Each of the two L-band signals includes half of the service of the transport stream before being split. In other embodiments, the 1: 2 splitters 26a-26b may be omitted or incorporated into the satellite gateways 14a and 14b.

  The newly split L-band signal is transmitted from the 1: 2 splitters 26a-26d to the satellite gateways 14a and 14b. The embodiment of the system 10 shown in FIG. 2 includes two satellite gateways 14a and 14b. However, in other embodiments, the system 10 may include any number of satellite gateways 14 if preferred. For example, in one embodiment, the system may include three satellite gateways 14.

  Satellite gateways 14a and 14b further divide the L-band signal and tune to one or more services of the L-band signal using received resources to create one or more SPTSs. The SPTS is repackaged into IP packets and multicast via the IP distribution network 20. One or more satellite gateways 14a and 14b may also be coupled to a public switched telephone network (PSTN). Since satellite gateways 14a and 14b are coupled to PSTN 28, STBs 22a-22n can communicate with satellite service providers via IP distribution network 20 and satellite gateways 14a and 14b. This feature advantageously eliminates the need to directly couple each individual STB 22a-22n to the PSTN 28.

  The IP distribution network 20 may be coupled to an Internet service provider (ISP) 30. In one embodiment, IP distribution network 20 is used to transfer Internet services such as high-speed data access to STBs 22a-22n and / or other suitable devices (not shown) (coupled to the IP distribution network). provide.

  As described above, the satellite gateways 14 a and 14 b are configured to receive a plurality of L-band signals, can create a plurality of SPTSs, and can multicast the requested SPTSs via the IP distribution network 20. With reference to FIG. 3, a block diagram of an example of a satellite gateway 14 is shown. As shown, the satellite gateways 14a and 14b include a power supply 40, two front ends 41a and 41b, and a back end 52. The power supply 40 is one of several industry standard AC or DC power supplies and can be configured to cause the front end 41a, b and back end 52 to perform the following functions.

  The satellite gateway 14a, b also includes two front ends 41a, b. In one embodiment, each of the front ends 41a, b is configured to receive two L-band signal inputs from the 1: 2 splitters 26a-26d. The 1: 2 splitters 26a-26d have been described with reference to FIG. For example, the front end 41a receives two L-band signals from the 1: 2 splitter 26a, and the front end 41b receives two L-band signals from the 1: 2 splitter 26b. In one embodiment, each of the L-band inputs to the front ends 41a, b includes no more than eight services.

  The front ends 41a, b subdivide the L band input using 1: 4L band splitters 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d. When subdivided, the L-band signal is passed through the four banks 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d of the dual tuner link. Each of the dual tuner links in banks 44a-44d is configured to tune to two services in the L-band signal received by the dual tuner link to create an SPTS. Each dual tuner link sends its SPTS to one of the low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) drivers 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d. The LVDS drivers 48a-48d are configured to amplify the transport signal for transmission to the backend 52. In other embodiments, other drivers and / or amplifiers may be used in place of the LVDS drivers 48a-48d. In other embodiments, all transport signals are serialized together for routing to the backend 52.

  As shown, the front ends 41a, b also include microprocessors 46a, 46b. In one embodiment, the microprocessors 46a, b control dual tuner link banks 44a-44d and 1: 4L band splitters 42a-42d and / or relay commands. Microprocessors 46a, b may be ST10 microprocessors manufactured by ST Microelectronics. In other embodiments, another processor may be used and may be controlled by a processor in the backend 52. Microprocessors 46a, b are coupled to LVDS receiver and transmitter modules 50a and 50b. The LVDS receiver / transmitter modules 50a, b facilitate communication between the microprocessors 46a, b and the components of the backend 52, as described below.

  Next, for back end 52, back end 52 includes LVDS receivers 54a, 54b, 54c, and 54d. These receivers are configured to receive transport stream signals such as SPTS or MPTS transmitted by the LVDS drivers 48a-48d. The back end 52 also includes LVDS receiver / transmitter modules 56a and 56b. These modules are configured to communicate with the LVDS receiver / transmitter modules 50a and 50b.

  As shown, LVDS receivers 54a-54d and LVDS receiver / transmitters 56a, b are configured to communicate with controllers or transport processors 58a, 58b. In one embodiment, the transport processors 58a, b are configured to receive SPTS created by the dual tuner link of the front ends 41a, b. For example, the transport processors 58a, b may be configured to create 16 SPTSs. In general, transport processors 58a, b can create N SPTSs. Here, N is a number equal to or less than the number of individual program streams available at the input to the transport processors 58a, b. The transport processors 58a, b may be configured to re-packetize the SPTS into IP packets that can be multicast via the IP distribution network 20. For example, the transport processors 58a, b repackage the DIRECTTV protocol packet into an IP protocol packet and multicast the IP packet to one or more STBs 22a-22n.

  Transport processors 58a, b are coupled to bus 62. The bus 62 is, for example, a 32-bit, 66 MHz PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. Via bus 62, transport processors 58 a, b can communicate with other controllers, network processor 70, Ethernet interface 84, and / or expansion slot 66. The network processor 70 is configured to receive requests for services from the STBs 22a-22n and to instruct the transport processors 58a, b to multicast the requested services. The network processor 70 also manages the operation and distribution of these services. The management receives requests from the STBs 22a-22n, maintains a list of currently used services, and stores these services in the STB 22a. This is done by matching or allocating received resources to provide to -22n. In one embodiment, the network processor is an Intel XPX425 network processor. Although not shown, the network processor 70 is configured to send status data to the front panel of the satellite gateways 14a, b or to support debugging or monitoring of the satellite gateways 14a, b via a debug port. Yes.

  As shown, transport processors 58a, b are coupled to Ethernet interface 68 via bus 62. In one embodiment, the Ethernet interface 68 is a Gigabit Ethernet interface. This Gigabit Ethernet interface provides either a copper or fiber optic interface to the IP distribution network. In other embodiments, other interfaces such as those used in digital home network applications may be used. Bus 62 may also be coupled to an expansion slot, such as a PCI expansion slot, to allow upgrade or expansion of satellite gateways 14a, b.

  Transport processors 58a, b may be coupled to host bus 64. In one embodiment, host bus 64 is a 16-bit data bus that connects transport processors 58a, b to modem 72. As described above, the modem 72 is configured to communicate via the PSTN 28. In another embodiment, modem 72 is also coupled to bus 62.

  The network processor 70 also includes a memory that stores information regarding various aspects of the operation of the gateways 14a, b. Although not shown, the memory may be inside or outside the network processor 70. The memory may be used to store status information and tuning information for received resources. The memory can also be used to store information about services that can be provided by each reception resource, and to maintain a list of services currently provided to the STBs 22a-22n.

  It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that transport processors 58a, b, network processor 70, and microprocessors 46a, b are included in a larger controller or processing unit capable of performing the control functions necessary for the operation of gateways 14a, b. May be. Some or all of the control functions may be distributed in other blocks and do not affect the main operations in the gateways 14a, 14b.

  The transport processors 58a and 58b may manage the processing of the transport stream from the reception resource. In one embodiment, the transport processor 58a, b may receive an SPTS supplied from a given receiving resource and create an IP multicast stream that includes all SPTS together. In another embodiment, the processor takes only the SPTS requested by the STBs 22a-22n and creates a separate IP multicast stream for each SPTS. It is also possible to use a combination of both approaches. The network processor 70 also maintains a list of all services provided for each currently used resource, whether that service is actually currently requested or not. The transport processors 58a, b may also include a memory that provides storage of information such as a list of services and received resources.

  As described above, the satellite gateways 14a and 14b multicast services to the STBs 22a to 22n via the IP distribution network 20. When the IP packet constituting the service reaches one of the STBs 22a-22n, the Ethernet integrated circuit (IC) in the STB 22a-22n decodes the IP packet and causes the STB 22a-22n to execute the service (eg, a television set). John Channel). However, an Ethernet IC may only be able to support a certain number of asynchronous data streams. The above-described multicast of video, audio, and other services is an example of an asynchronous stream.

  As described above, the Ethernet ICs in the STBs 22a-22n may be designed to process only a certain number of asynchronous streams at any given time. Therefore, an asynchronous stream exceeding the capacity of the Ethernet IC may be discarded or lost. For example, if the Ethernet IC in one of the STBs 22a-22n has the capacity to process four asynchronous streams at any point in time, the fifth asynchronous stream may be dropped. If this fifth asynchronous stream is a multicast carrying a video stream, the STB display of that video service may be interrupted. For this reason, it is desirable to minimize the number of asynchronous streams in the system 10.

  Referring to FIG. 4, a method 300 for allocating gateway device resources and servicing an STB is shown. The network processor 70 waits for requests issued by one or more STBs 22a-22n in step 302 while performing other tasks associated with the operation of the gateway 14. In step 304, the service request is received by the network processor 70, and in step 306 the service request is processed by the network processor 70. The result of the processing in step 306 is a set of information including parameters that need to be tuned to the correct channel in order to serve the STBs 22a-22n. In step 308, a first comparison is made to determine if the currently requested parameters match those already assigned and used in the ongoing service. These parameters include, for example, tuning information for receiving services from the satellite system via the reception resource. This comparison may include a comparison of services currently provided to the STB or a list of all services available based on the L-band transport signal that the receiving resource is currently tuned to. If the comparison results in a match and the answer is yes, step 314 adds the current request of STBs 22a-22n to the list of services provided by the selected channel. In step 316, the network processor 70 creates a message and sends it back to the requesting STB 22a-22n where the service request was successful.

  In one embodiment, the network processor 70 utilizes the Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) functionality used with multicast IP data to provide messages. The processor 70 modifies the data stream with a notification message to the STBs 22a-22n. The notification message indicates that the STBs 22a-22n begin to receive packets associated with the multicast IP stream that includes the requested service. The use of RTSP and multicast IP is an example of a method for notifying and modifying the data stream provided by the server to the STBs 22a-22n. In other embodiments, once the network processor 70 determines that a match has been made with respect to the parameters of the service, such as the required receive resource, the network processor 70 may also include the requested service being received by the receive resource. Compare with the services currently provided. If they match, the network processor 70 notifies by means such as the RTSP described above. If the services do not match, the network processor 70 needs to start a new service. The start is performed by generating a new IP multicast data stream via the transport processors 58a, b and notifying the STBs 22a-22n that have requested that this service is available in the manner described above. .

  If at step 308 the results of the comparison do not match, at step 310 the processor 70 determines if a tuner that accommodates the service request is available. If a tuner is available, the network processor 70 sends a control signal to the available tuner at step 312 and updates the service list to add new services and new tuners at step 314. Next, in step 316, the network processor 70 sends a message back to the STBs 22a-22n.

  Returning to step 310, when the tuner or receive resource in the front end 41a, b is assigned to an existing service request, in step 318, the network processor 70 sends to the STB 22a-22n because all resources are in use. Send a message indicating that the service request was not accepted. Thereafter, in step 320, the network processor 70 enters a standby mode until a new service request is received.

  In this embodiment, the configuration using the method of allocating reception resources by Ethernet or a similar interface has been described in detail. However, a similar management method can be enjoyed using another interface. For example, in a system that utilizes a coaxial cable interface, resources and services can be managed to minimize the cost of expensive transmission equipment due to unnecessarily high operating bandwidth. It goes without saying to those skilled in the art that such a system for dynamically allocating reception resources such as tuners is advantageous for use in headend units and gateway servers.

  While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific forms disclosed. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the satellite television over IP system of this invention. FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the satellite television over IP shown in FIG. 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the satellite gateway of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the allocation method of receiving resources, such as a tuner in the satellite gateway of this invention.

Claims (26)

A method for allocating reception resources in a gateway operating in an apartment house network,
Receiving a request for service from a set top of the multi-dwelling network ;
Determining a receiving resource of the requested service based on the service request;
And comparing the list of the plurality of received resource that is currently using the received resources with the determined,
Updating a list of the plurality of currently used receiving resources in response to the comparison;
When one received resource of the plurality of received resource the currently used matches the received resource with the determined method and a step of modifying the data stream associated with the one received resource. Further, when the received resource to the determined does not match any of the plurality of received resource the currently used, including the step of allocating the receiving resources that are not used, the method according to claim 1.   The method of claim 1, wherein the receive resource comprises a receiver that receives a signal from a group of signals. The modifying a data stream associated with one of the currently used plurality of receiving resources further comprises modifying the data stream to include a plurality of requester indications. 3. The method according to 3 . Requests for reception resources included in the request for the service, the method according to claim 1. Step comprises the step of comparing a parameter for tuning the received resource parameters to tune the received resources with the determined the currently used method of claim 1 comparing the received resources with the determined. The method of claim 6 , wherein the parameter is frequency. Step comprises the step of comparing a parameter for tuning the respective receiving resource parameters to tune the received resources with the determined being the currently used method of claim 1 comparing the received resources with the determined. The method of claim 8 , wherein the parameter is frequency. Stage before further including the step of comparing a parameter of service Ki受 are the parameters of the services related to signal resource is currently provided, a method according to claim 1 for comparing the received resources with the determined. The method of claim 10 , wherein the parameter is a program identifier. The step of comparing the received resources with the determined further comprises the step of comparing the respective parameters of the set of services provided the parameters of the service associated with the received resource with the determined current A method according to claim 1 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the parameter is a program identifier.   The method of claim 1, wherein the received resource comprises a tuner. A plurality of receiving devices for receiving a plurality of first signals and outputting a plurality of second signals capable of generating a data stream;
An interface coupled to the plurality of receiving devices, the interface capable of passing the data stream to a plurality of user devices and receiving a request for service from the plurality of user devices;
A controller coupled to the plurality of receiving devices and interfaces for determining a reception resource for the requested service based on the service request, and a list of the request for the received service and a plurality of reception resources currently used In response to the comparison, the list of the plurality of currently used reception resources is updated to manage allocation of the plurality of reception devices, and one of the plurality of currently used reception resources. And a controller for modifying a data stream associated with the one received resource when the received resource matches the determined received resource based on a request for service received from the interface. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of receiving devices that receive the plurality of first signals are receivers that receive signals from a group of signals. The plurality of receive resources of claim 16 , wherein the receiver is a tuner. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the first signal is an L-band signal. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the second signal is a transport stream. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the interface is a device that transmits a data stream using an Internet protocol. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the interface is communicatively connected to a plurality of end user devices. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the end user device is a set top box. The controller compares the request tuning parameters with the tuning parameters of each of the currently used receiving devices to obtain a list of received requests for the service and the currently used receiving resources. Compare bets controller of claim 15. The controller compares the request for the service with the request for the received service by comparing the parameter of the request for the service with a parameter of one signal of the plurality of second signals currently passing through the plurality of receiving devices. The controller of claim 15 that compares a list of a plurality of currently used received resources . The controller compares the request for service with the request for the received service and the plurality of current by comparing the parameter of the request for the service with a parameter of each of the plurality of second signals currently passing through the plurality of receiving devices. The controller of claim 15 , wherein the controller compares with a list of receiving resources that are used . A gateway device that operates in an apartment housing network,
Means for receiving a request for service from a set top of the multi-dwelling network ;
Means for determining a receiving resource of the requested service based on the service request;
Means for comparing a list of a plurality of received resource that is currently using the received resources with the determined,
Means for updating a list of the plurality of currently used receiving resources in response to the comparison;
When one received resource of the plurality of received resource the currently used matches the received resource that the determined gateway device and means for correcting the data stream associated with the one received resource.

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