MX2007008251A

MX2007008251A - A method and system for allocating receiving resources in a gateway server.

Info

Publication number: MX2007008251A
Application number: MX2007008251A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Barry Jay Weber; Gary Robert Gutknecht; Andrew Kent Flickner
Original assignee: Thomson Licensing
Priority date: 2005-01-05
Filing date: 2005-09-30
Publication date: 2007-08-22
Also published as: WO2006137894A3; KR20070097477A; KR101193098B1; WO2006137894A2; BRPI0519579A2; EP1834480A2; JP2008530830A; JP4919969B2; CN101095349A; CN101095349B

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for allocating resources in an efficient manner in a gateway service device. The apparatus includes of a gateway server or head end unit (14a, b) connected to a plurality of end user terminals (22a-22n). The gateway server (14a, b) contains a controller (70) for managing the allocation of receiving resources used for providing services to the end user terminals (22a-22n). The method includes receiving a service request (304), comparing the request to services already in use (308) and, if a match is found, providing an updated data stream (314) containing new information regarding the service to the end user terminals (22a-22n).

Description

U N METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ASSIGNING RECEPTION RESOURCES IN A PASSWORD SERVER Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to allowing a gateway server containing a plurality of receiving resources to allocate these resources dynamically to clients based on a resource conservation method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention, which are described and / or claimed below. It is believed that this description will be useful in providing the reader with background information to provide a better understanding of the different aspects of the present invention. In accordance with this, it should be understood that the description should be read under this vision, and not as admissions of the prior art. As many people know, satellite television systems such as DirecTV have become very popular in recent years. In fact, since the introduction of DirecTV in 1 994, more than 12 million American households have become satellite TV subscribers. Most of these subscribers live in houses where it is relatively easy to install and connect a satellite disk. For example, the satellite disk can be installed on the roof of a house.

However, many subscribers live temporarily in multi-residence units (MDU) such as hotels or high-rise apartment buildings. Unfortunately, there are several challenges involved in providing satellite TV services to individual residence units within an MDU. Providing and connecting a satellite disk per residence can be impractical and / or extremely expensive. For example, in a high building with a thousand apartments, it may be impractical to mount a thousand satellite disks on the roof of the building. Some conventional systems avoid these problems by converting the digital satellite television signal into an analog signal that can be transmitted through a single coaxial cable to a plurality of residences. However, these systems offer limited channels, have a reduced quality compared to all digital systems, and can not provide the satellite TV experience to which users are accustomed. The distribution of services, such as digital signals directly to individual residences in an MDU can offer the ability to provide a similar experience to users, but it also has some complications. For example, the distribution of satellite signals from a disk requires special equipment and cabling for distribution, which is often not found in MDU installations. The cost to modernize the installation can be important. Also, it is possible to create a system with which each residence unit receives services that use the dedicated resources to receive signals where these resources are located remotely. For example, the main tuning functions can be located in a central control room and a single signal or service sent to each residence unit. This connection can be made with the use of Ethernet or with coaxial cable that can be distributed through the building. Typically, for systems to distribute video content, each end user must have their own dedicated tuning and decoding circuit. This can be expensive and inefficient, particularly for large MDU facilities. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a system that can limit the number of circuits used as reception resources that may reside in a central location. In addition, in order to help maximize operational operation and provide the lowest cost, a solution is desirable to handle the tuning resources that allow to use less number of tuning resources in the system.

Brief Description of the Invention The described modalities relate to a method and apparatus for allocating reception resources. The apparatus includes a main end or a gateway server unit that receives a plurality of signals and outputs a series of data streams that are provided to a plurality of STBs located within a facility such as an MDU. The apparatus also includes a group of reception resources within the main end unit together with a receiver to receive the request signals and a controller to process the signals of request and manage the use of reception resources. The method also includes a process for allocating the reception resources used by the main end unit to provide the services requested by the STBs. The method also includes receiving the request signal for a service from an STB, comparing this service request with the services already provided and establishing a shared use of one of the reception resources that already provide the requested service when the match between the two is found. the service recently requested and the service currently provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary satellite television on an IP system of conformity with one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is another embodiment of exemplary satellite television over an IP system illustrated in Figure 1 of the present invention. Figure 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary satellite catwalk of the present invention; and Figure 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for allocating reception resource such as tuners in a satellite gateway of the present invention.

The features and advantages of the present invention may be apparent from the following description, provided by way of example.

Detailed Description of the Invention One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these modalities, not all features of a current implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of such current implementation, as well as in any engineering or design project, many specific implementation decisions can be made to achieve the specific objectives of the developer, such as compatibility with the restrictions related to the system. and with the business, which may vary from one implementation to another. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that such a development effort can be complex and time consuming, however, it will be a routine that is related to the design, manufacturing so that those skilled in the art can have benefits of this description. With initial reference to Figure 1, a block diagram of an exemplary satellite television on an I P system is illustrated in accordance with a modality and is usually indicated with the reference number 1 0. As illustrated, system 10 may include one or more satellite disks 12a to 12m, a main end unit or gateway server, such as a satellite gateway 14, a network 20 of IP distribution, and one or more transcoders (STB) 22a to 22n, which serve as end-user devices. Those skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that the embodiment of the system 10 illustrated in Figure 1 is only a potential embodiment of the system 10. As such, in alternative embodiments, the illustrated components of the system 10 can be re-arranged. or omit and additional components can be added to system 10. For example, with minor modifications, the system 10 can be configured to distribute non-satellite video or audio services. Satellite disks 1 2a-12m can be configured to receive video, audio or other data related to television, which are transmitted from satellites that orbit the Earth. As will be described later, in a modality of satellite 12a-12m disks are configured to receive DirecTV programming on a KU band from 0.7 to 1.75 GHz. However, in alternative modes, the satellite disks 12a-12m can be configured to receive other types of direct transmission satellites ("DBS") or a television reception only signal ("TVRO"), such as network signals of Disk, ExpressVu signals, StarChoice signals and their like. In other non-satellite based systems, satellite disks 12a-12m can be omitted from system 1 0. In one embodiment, a low noise block converter ("LNC") within the satellite disks 12a-1 2m receives the incoming signal from the satellite that orbits the Earth and converts these incoming signals into a frequency in the L-band between 950 and 2150 Megahertz ("MHz"). How I know will later describe in detail with respect to Figure 2, each of the satellite disks 12a-1 2m can be configured to receive one or more incoming satellite TV signals at a particular frequency (referred to as a transponder) and with a particular polarization and converts these satellite signals into L-band signals, or transport streams, where each L-band signal or transport stream can itself represent a transport stream for a program, often referred to as a group of streams of Single Program Transport (SPTS), or may represent multiple transport streams multiplexed together, referred to as multiple program transport currents (MPTS). Each program stream, in turn, can represent an audio and / or video signal. In addition, each of the SPTS can include an identifier form, such as a Program Identifier (PI D), which can be used to differentiate the different streams included in MPTS and can also be used with SPTS. The satellite disks 1 2a-12m can be configured to transmit the L-band signals to a main end unit or gateway server, such as the satellite gateway 14. In non-satellite, alternative modes, the main end unit may be a cable television receiver, a high-definition television receiver or another video distribution system. The satellite gateway 14 comprises a satellite synchronization, demodulation and demultiplexing module 16 and an Internet protocol (IP) envelope module 18. The module 16 may comprise a plurality of reception resources which may include tuners, demodulators and demultiplexers for converting the modulated and multiplexed L-band signals transmitted from the satellites 1 2a-1 2m into a plurality of data streams (SPTS), each of which carries a service (e.g., channel video) of television, audio of television channel, guides of program and others). In one embodiment, the module 16 is configured to receive particular L-band signals from a larger group of L-band signals that are received by the satellite disks 12a-12m. The module 16 then processes these signals to produce a new single program transport stream for all services received by the module 16. However, in an alternative mode, the module 16 can produce transport streams for all or any one of a single subgroup of services received by satellite disks 12a-12m. Although the reception resources described herein include circuits, such as synchronizers, demodulators and demultiplexers that perform the tuning, demodulation and demultiplexing functions, these reception resources can also perform functions that separate or process the incoming signals by other means that include digital, or may involve processing signals received in different time slots or in separate input wiring. Any of these functions can be performed by the module 16. The satellite synchronization, demodulation and demultiplexing module 16 can transmit the SPTS to the IP envelope module 18. In one embodiment, the envelope module I P re-packages the data within the SPTS into a plurality of appropriate IP packets for the transmission over the IP distribution network 20. For example, the wrap module I 8 I P can convert the DirecTV protocol packets within the SPTS into IP packets. In addition, the IP envelope module 18 can be configured to receive requests from the server from the STBs 22a-22n and to multi-broadcast (ie, transmit one or more of the STBs 22a-22n over an IP address) the IP SPTS to the STB 22a-22n that requested the particular service. In an alternative embodiment, the IP wrap module 1 8 can also be configured to multi-broadcast the IP SPTS for unsolicited services by one of the STBs 22a-22n. For example, a particular reception resource generates an output of five SPTS, of which only one SPTS is requested. However, an additional SPTS is multi-broadcast IP for a reason related to a requirement to offer this particular service. It should be noted that modules 16 and 1 8 are only an exemplary embodiment of satellite gateway 14. In alternative embodiments, such as those described with respect to Figures 2 and 3, the functions of modules 1 6 and 1 8 can be redistributed or consolidated among a variety of appropriate components or modules. The IP distribution network 20 may include one or more routers, switches, modems, dividers or bridges. For example, in one embodiment, the satellite gateway 14 can be coupled with a master distribution structure ("MDF") that couples with an intermediate distribution structure ("I DF") that couples with a coaxial to the Ethernet bridge, It is coupled with a router that couples with one or more STB 22a-22n. In another embodiment, the IP distribution network 20 may be an MDF that is coupled with a Digital Subscriber Online Access Multiplexer ("DSLAM"), which is coupled with a DSL modem that couples with a router. In another embodiment, the IP distribution network may include a wireless network, such as an 802.1 1 or WiMax network. In this type of mode, the STBs 22a-22n may include a wireless receiver configured to receive the multi-broadcast IP packets. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the modalities described above are only exemplary. As such in the alternative embodiments, a large number of appropriate forms of the IP distribution networks can be employed in the system 1 0. The IP distribution network 20 can be coupled with one or more STBs 22a-22n. The STBs 22a-22n can be any type of video, audio and / or other data receiver with the ability to receive I P packets, such as SPTS I P, over the IP distribution network 20. It should be appreciated that the term STB, as used herein, can encompass not only devices that sit on televisions. Rather, the STBs 22a-22n can be any device or apparatus that operates as an end-user device in a residence, either internal or external to the television, screen or computer, which can be configured to function as described herein, including , without limitation to video components, computers, cordless phones, or other forms of video recorders. In one embodiment, the STBs 22a-22n may be a DirecTV receiver configured to receive services, such as video and / or audio, through an Ethernet port (among other inputs). In alternative modes, the STB 22a-22n can be designed and / or configured to receive a multi-diffusion transmission over coaxial cable, twisted pairs, copper wires or through the air by a wireless standard, such as the IEEE 802.1 1 standard. As described above, the system 10 can receive video, audio and / or other data transmitted by satellites in space and process / convert this data for distribution over the distribution network I P. Referring now to Figure 2, shows another modality of exemplary satellite television on the 1 0 IP system. Each of the satellite disks 12a-1 2c can be configured to receive signals from one or more satellites in orbit. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that satellites and signals that are transmitted from satellites are often referred to as orbital slots where the satellites reside. For example, the satellite disk 1 2a is configured to receive signals from a DirecTV satellite arranged in an orbital slot of 1 01 degrees. In the same way, the satellite disk 12b receives signals from a satellite set at 1 19 degrees, and the satellite disk 1 2c receives signals from a satellite arranged in the orbital slot of 1 1 0 degrees. It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the satellite disks 12a-12c can receive signals from a plurality of other satellites arranged in a variety of orbital slots, such as in the 95 degree orbital slot. In addition, the satellite disks 12a-1 2c can also be configured to receive polarized satellite signals. For example, the satellite disk 12a is configured to receive signals that are polarized to the left (illustrated in the Figure as "101 L") and polarized to the right (illustrated as "101 R").

As described above with respect to Figure 1, the satellite disks 1 2a-12c can receive satellite signals in the KU band to convert these signals into L-band signals that are transmitted to the satellite gateway 14. However, in some embodiments, the L-band signals produced by the satellite disks 1 2a-12c can be mixed into fewer signals or split into more signals before reaching the satellite gateway 14. For example, as illustrated in Figure 2, the L-band signals from the satellite disks 1 2b and 1 2c can be mixed with a switch 24 in a single L-band signal containing the transport currents from the satellite at 1 1 0 degrees and the left polarized currents of the satellite at 1 19 degrees. The system 10 may also include a plurality of dividers 1: 2, 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d to divide the L-band signals transmitted from the satellite disks 12a-12c into two L-band signals, each of which includes half of the services of the pre-divided transport stream. In alternative embodiments, the dividers 1: 2, 26a-26b may be omitted or integrated into satellite gateways 14a and 14b. The newly divided L-band signals can be transmitted from the dividers 26a-26d 1: 2, to the satellite gateways 14a, 14b. The embodiment of the system 10 illustrated in Figure 2 includes two of the satellite gateways 1 4a and 14b. However, in alternative modes, the system 10 may include any appropriate number of satellite gateways 14. For example, in one embodiment, the system may include three satellite gateways 14. Satellite gateways 1 4a and 14b can also sub-divide the L-band signals and then tune, with the use of the reception resources, the one or more services in the L-band signal to produce one or more SPTS that can be repacked within the IP packets and multi-broadcast over the IP distribution network 20. In addition, one or more satellite gateways 14a, 1 4b can also be coupled with a public switched telephone network ("PSTN") 28. Because the satellite gateways 14a, b are coupled with the PSTN 28, the STBs 22a, 22n may have the ability to communicate with a satellite service provider through the IP distribution network 20 and the satellite gateways 1 4a, b. This advantageous functionality can eliminate the need to have each individual STB 22a-22n directly coupled with the PSTN 28.

The IP distribution network 20 can also be coupled with an Internet service provider ("ISP"). In one embodiment, the IP distribution network 20 may be employed to provide Internet services, such as high-speed data access, to STBs 22a-22n and / or any other appropriate device (not shown) that is coupled with the IP distribution network 20. As described above, the satellite gateways 14a, b can be configured to receive the plurality of L-band signals, to produce a plurality of SPTS, and to multi-broadcast the requested SPTS on an I-P distribution network 20. Now to Figure 3, a block diagram of an exemplary satellite gateway 14 is shown. As illustrated, the satellite gateway 14a, b includes a power source 40, two front ends 41 a, and 41 b, and a rear end 52. The power source 40 can be any of a number of AC or DC power sources of industrial standard that can be configured to allow the front ends 41 a, b and the rear end 52 to perform the functions described above. The satellite gateway 14a, b can also include two front ends 41 a, b. In one embodiment, each of the front ends 41 a, b can be configured to receive two L-band signal inputs from the 1: 2 splitters 26a-26d that were described above with respect to Figure 2. For example, the forward end 41 a can receive two L-band signals from the 1: 2 splitter 26a and the forward end 41 b can receive two L-band signals from the 1: 2 splitter 26b. In one embodiment, each of the L-band inputs within the 41 a, b front end includes eight or fewer services. The front ends 41 a, b can also sub-divide the L-band inputs with the use of the L-band dividers 1: 4 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d. Once subdivided, the L-band signals can pass to four banks 44a, 44b, 44c and 44d of the double tuner links. Each of the double tuner links within the banks 44a-44d can be configured to tune the two services within the L-band signals received by the individual double tuner link to produce the SPTS. Each of the double tuner links can then transmit the SPTS to one of the low-voltage differential signaling activators 48a, 48b, 48c and 48d ("LVDS"). The LVDS actuators 48a-48d can be configured to amplify the transport signals for transmission to the rear end 52. In alternative modalities, the different forms of differential activators and / or Amplifiers can be used in place of activators 48a-48d LVDS. Other embodiments employ the serialization of all transport signals together to be routed to the rear end 52. As illustrated, the forward ends 41 a, b may also include microprocessors 46a and 46b. In one embodiment, microprocessors 46a, b can control and / or retransmit commands for banks 44a-44d of dual tuner links and band dividers L 1: 4 42a-42d. The microprocessors 46a, b may comprise ST1 0 microprocessors manufactured by ST Microelectronics. In other modalities, a different processor may be used or the control may be derived from processors at the rear 52 end. The microprocessors 46a, b can be coupled with the receiver modules 50a, 50b LVDS and transmitters. The LVDS receiver / transmitter modules 50a, b also facilitate communications between the microprocessors 46a, b and the components at the rear end 52, as will be described later. Referring again to the rear end 52, the rear end 52 includes the receivers 54a, 54b, 54c and 54d LVDS which are configured to receive the transport current signals, such as the SPTS or an MPTS, transmitted by the activators 48a-48d. LVDS. The rear end 52 includes the LVDS receiver / transmitter modules 56a and 56b which are configured to communicate with the LVDS 50a, b receiver / transmitter modules. As illustrated, receivers 54a-54d LVDS and receivers / transmitters 56a, b LVDS are configured to communicate with transport controllers or processors 58a and 58b. In a In this embodiment, the transport processors 58a, b are configured to receive the SPTS produced by the dual tuner links at the forward 41 a, b ends. For example, transport processors 58a, b can be configured to produce 16 SPTS. In general, transport processors 58a, b may have the ability to produce N SPTS, where N is a number up to the number of individual program streams available at the input of transport processors 58a, b. The transport processors 58a, b can also be configured to repackage the SPTS into IP packets that can be multi-broadcast over the IP distribution network 20. For example, the transport processors 58a, b can re-pack the DirecTV protocol packets into OP protocol packets and then multi-broadcast these I P packets in an I P address to one or more STB 22a-22n. The transport processors 58a, b can also be coupled with a busbar 62, such as a 32-bit, 66-bit peripheral component interconnect ("PCI") busbar. Through the busbar 62, the processors 58a, b can communicate with another controller or with the network processor 70, an Ethernet interface 84 and / or with an expansion slot 66. The network processor 70 can be configured to receive service requests from the STBs 22a-22n and to direct the transport processors 58a, b to multi-broadcast the requested services. In addition, the network processor 70 can also handle the operations and distribution of these services upon receipt of requests from STBs 22a-22n, maintain a list of currently deployed services, and match or allocate receipt resources to provide these services to the STB 22a-22n. In one embodiment, the network processor is an IXP425 network processor produced by Intel. Although not illustrated, the network processor 70 may also be configured to transmit status data from a front panel of the satellite gateway 14a, b or to support debugging or monitoring of the satellite gateway 14a, b through the debug ports. As illustrated, the transport processors 58a, b can also be coupled with the Ethernet interface 68 through the busbar 62. In one embodiment the Ethernet interface 68 is a gigabit Ethernet interface that provides a copper wire interface or fiber optic to the IP distribution network 20. In other modalities, other interfaces such as those used in digital home network applications can be used. In addition, the busbar 62 can be coupled with the expansion slot, such as a PCI expansion slot to allow upgrade or expansion of the satellite gateway 14a, b. The transport processors 58a, b may also be coupled with a host busbar 64. In one embodiment, the host busbar 64 is a 16-bit data bus that connects the transport processors 58a, b to a modem 72, which can be configured to communicate over the PSTN 28, as described above. In alternative embodiments, the modem 72 may also be coupled with the busbar 62. The network processor 70 may also contain a memory for storing the information with respect to various aspects of the operation of the gateway 14a, b. The memory can reside inside the processor 70 network or it may be located externally, although it is not displayed. The memory can be used to store status information, as well as tuning information for the reception resources. In addition, the memory can be used to store information about the services that each receiving resource can provide and also to maintain a list of services currently offered to the STBs 22a-22n. Those skilled in the art will be able to recognize that the 58th processors, b of transport, network processor 70 and microprocessors 46a, b can be included in a large controller or processing unit with the ability to perform any of the control functions necessary for the operation of gateways 14a, b. Some of the control functions may also be distributed to other blocks and not affect the main operation within the gateways 14a, b. The transport processors 58a, b can also handle the processing of the transport streams from the receiving resources. In one embodiment, the transport processors 58a, b can take each of the SPTS provided from a given reception resource and produce a multi-diffusion stream I P containing all the SPTS together. In another embodiment, the processor can also take the SPTS requested by the STBs 22a-22n and produce a separate IP multi-broadcast stream for each of the SPTS. It is also possible to use a combination of both measures. Altogether, the network processor 70 can also maintain a list of all the services provided for each of the resources currently in use, since whether the services are currently requested or not. In addition, the transport processors 58a, b may also contain a memory for providing the information element, such as a list of services and reception resources. As described above, the satellite gateways 14 can multi-broadcast services to the STBs 22a-22n over the distribution network I P. When the IP packets forming a service reach an STB 22a-22n, an integrated circuit (" IC ") Ethernet within the STBs 22a-22n can decode the IP packet to allow the STB 22a-22n to play the service (a television channel, for example). These Ethernet ICs, however, may only have the ability to support a particular number of asynchronous data streams. The multi-diffusion of video, audio and other services described above is an example of an asynchronous stream. As described above, the Ethernet ICs within the STBs 22a-22n can only be designated to process a certain number of asynchronous streams at any time. Accordingly, asynchronous currents in excess of the capacity of the Ethernet ICs can be discarded or lost. For example, when the Ethernet ICs within one of the STB 22a-22n have the ability to handle four asynchronous streams at any time, a fifth asynchronous stream can be dropped. When this fifth current is incriminated is a multi-diffusion that carries a video service, it can interrupt the deployment of the STB of the video service. For this reason, minimizing the number of asynchronous currents within the system 10 is very convenient. Referring now to Figure 4, a method 300 for allocating reception resources from a gateway device for a service of the STBs is shown. The network processor 70, while performing other functions in association with the operation of the gateway 14, waits, in step 302, for a request initiated by one or more of the STBs 22a-22n. In step 304, a service request has been received in the network processor 70 and in step 306, the service request is processed by the network processor 70. The output of the processing in step 306 is a group of information which may include the parameters necessary to tune to a correct channel to provide the service to the STBs 22a-22n. In step 308, a first comparison is made to determine if the parameters currently requested coincide with the parameters already assigned and in use for the continuous service. These parameters may include, for example, the tuning information to receive the service from the satellite system through a reception facility. This comparison may involve either comparing the services currently offered to the STB or comparing a list of all the services that are available on the basis of which the L-band transport signals are tuned by the reception resources. When the comparison results in a match, which produces a positive response, then, in step 314, the current request of the STBs 22a-22n are added to the list of services provided by the selected channel. In step 31 6, the network processor 70 provides a message to be sent back to the requesting STB 22a-22n that the request for service was successful. In one embodiment, the network processor 70 provides a message with the use of the capabilities in the Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) used with the multi-broadcast I P data. The processor 70 modifies the data stream with a notification message for the STB 22a-22n, that the STB 22a-22n must begin to accept the packets associated with a particular multicast stream I P, which contains the requested service. The use of RTSP and the multi-diffusion IP represents a single possible method for the notification and modification of the data stream that the server provides to the STB 22a-22n. In another modality, after the network processor 70 determines that a match exists with respect to a specific parameter for the service, such as the necessary reception resource, the network processor 70 can also compare whether the requested service that is received by the Reception resource also matches the service currently provided. When it does, then the network processor 70 may proceed with a notification through some means such as the aforementioned RTSP. When the service does not match the network processor 70 it may need to start a new service, by creating a new data stream for an IP multi-broadcast through the transport processors 58a, b and notify the requesting STB 22a-22n that this service is now available by the previously mentioned method. In step 308, when the comparison does not result in a match, then, in step 31 0, the processor 70 determines whether a tuner is available to accommodate the service request.

When a tuner is available, then the network processor 70 in step 31 2, provides the control signals for this available tuner and in step 314 updates the service list with the new service and the new tuner. Then, in step 316, the network processor 70 provides a message back to the STBs 22a-22n. Returning again to step 310, when all tuners or reception resources at the front ends 41 a, b are currently assigned with existing service requests, then in step 318, the network processor 70 provides a message to the STBs 22a-22n, which indicates that the service request has failed because all resources are occupied. Then, in step 320, the network processor 70 enters a standby mode until the new service request is received. Although this embodiment describes in detail a particular arrangement for using a method for allocating reception resources with an Ethernet interface or the like, other interfaces can be used and benefit from a similar handling method. For example, in a system that uses a coaxial cable interface, resources and services can be managed to minimize the cost associated with expensive transmission equipment due to high unnecessary operational bandwidth. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such a system for dynamically allocating reception resources such as tuners is advantageous for use in a main end unit or a gateway server. While the invention is susceptible to several modifications and alternative forms, the specific embodiments have been shown as examples in the drawings and are described in detail here. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular forms described. Rather, the invention encompasses all modifications, equivalents and alternatives that fall within the scope and spirit of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 . A method (300) for allocating reception resources in a network, characterized in that it comprises: receiving a request for a reception resource (304, 306); comparing the requested reception resource with a plurality of reception resources currently used (308); and establishing a shared use of one of the reception resources currently used when the reception resource currently used coincides with the requested reception resource (314). The method (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises the step of: assigning an unused reception resource when the requested reception resource does not match one of the reception resources currently used (310, 312 ). The method (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reception resource comprises: a receiver for receiving a particular signal from a group of signals. 4. The method (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of receiving a request for a reception resource (304, 306) also comprises: receiving a request for a service, wherein the service is to be provided as a service data stream. The method (300) according to claim 4, characterized in that the step of establishing a shared use (314) it also includes: modifying the data stream to include an indicator of multiple applicants. The method (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that the request for a reception resource (304, 306) is included in a service request. The method (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes the step of processing a service request (306) to determine the request for a reception resource. The method (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of comparing the requested reception resource (308) comprises comparing a parameter to tune the requested reception resource with a parameter to tune the currently used reception resource. . The method (300) according to claim 8, characterized in that the parameter is a frequency. The method (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of comparing the requested reception resource (308) comprises comparing a parameter to tune the requested reception resource with a parameter to tune each of the resources of reception currently used. eleven . The method (300) according to claim 10, characterized in that the parameter is a frequency. The method (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of comparing the reception resource (308) The request also includes comparing a parameter of a service associated with the requested received resource with a parameter of a service currently provided. The method (300) according to claim 12, characterized in that the parameter is a program identifier. The method (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of comparing the requested reception resource (308) also comprises comparing a parameter of a service associated with a requested reception resource with a parameter of each of a group of services currently provided. The method (300) according to claim 14, characterized in that the parameter is a program identifier. The method (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reception resource comprises a tuner. 7. An apparatus (14a, b) characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of first devices (41 a, b) for receiving a plurality of first signals and processing the first signals for generating second signals; a plurality of second devices (58a, b) connected in communication with the plurality of first devices (41 a, b), the plurality of second devices (58 a, b) have the ability to process the second signals to generate at least one third signal; an interface (68) connected in communication with the plurality of second devices (58a, b), wherein the interface (68) has the capacity passing the at least one third signal from the plurality of second devices (58a, b) and having the ability to receive a service request and pass the service request to the plurality of second devices (58a, b); and a controller (70) connected in communication with the plurality of first devices (41 a, b), the plurality of second devices (58 a, b) and the interface (68), so that the controller (70) handles the assignment of the plurality of first devices (41 a, b) based on receiving the service request from the interface (68). The apparatus (14a, b) according to claim 1 7, characterized in that the plurality of first devices (41 a, b) for receiving the plurality of first signals are receivers to receive particular signals from a group of signals. 19. The plurality of reception resources according to claim 1 8, characterized in that the receivers are tuners. 20. The apparatus (14a, b) according to claim 1 7, characterized in that the first signals are band signals L. 21. The apparatus (14a, b) according to claim 1 7, characterized in that the second signals are transport currents. 22. The apparatus (14a, b) according to claim 1, characterized in that the interface (68) is a device for transmitting a data stream with the use of an Internet protocol. 23. The apparatus (14a, b) according to claim 1 7, characterized in that the interface (68) is connected in communication with a plurality of end user devices. 24. The apparatus (14a, b) according to claim 23, characterized in that the end-user devices are transcoders. 25. The apparatus (14a, b) according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller (70) handles the assignment of the plurality of first devices (41 a, b) based on receiving the service request upon receipt of a service request including a request for one of the plurality of first devices (41 a, b), comparing the request of one of the plurality of first devices with the plurality of first devices (41 a, b) currently used and establishing a shared use of one of the plurality of first devices (41 a, b) when one of the plurality of first devices (41 a, b) currently used matches the request for one of the plurality of first devices (41 a, b) . 26. The controller (70) according to claim 25, characterized in that the controller (70) compares the request of one of the plurality of first devices (41 a, b) when comparing a tuning parameter of the request with a parameter for tuning one of the plurality of first devices (41 a, b) currently used. The controller (70) according to claim 25, characterized in that the controller (70) compares the request for one of the plurality of first devices (41 a, b) when comparing a parameter to tune the request to a parameter for tune each one of the plurality of first devices (41 a, b) currently used. 28. The controller (70) according to claim 25, characterized in that the controller (70) compares the service request by comparing a parameter of the service request with a parameter of one of the plurality of second signals currently passed from the plurality of first devices (41 a, b). The controller (70) according to claim 25, characterized in that the controller (70) compares the service request by comparing a parameter of the service request with a parameter of each of the plurality of second signals currently passed from the plurality of first devices (41 a, b). 30. The apparatus (14a, b) according to claim 1 7, characterized in that the controller (70) handles the assignment of a plurality of first devices (41 a, b) based on receiving the service request when determining a request for one of the plurality of first devices (41 a, b) from the service request compares the request for one of the plurality of first devices with the plurality of first devices (41 a, b) currently used, and establishing a shared use of one of the plurality of first devices (41 a, b) when one of the plurality of first devices (41 a, b) currently used coincides with the request for one of the plurality of first devices (41 a, b). 31 A gateway apparatus (14) characterized in that it comprises: means for receiving a request for a reception resource; means for comparing said requested reception resource with a plurality of reception resources currently used; and a means to establish a shared use of resources reception currently used when the reception resource currently used matches the requested reception resource.