Method and apparatus for interference mitigation in a wireless home gateway interface

Abstract

The invention relates to a wireless home gateway apparatus and methods of wirelessly delivering audio and/or video programs between a home gateway and a client device and to interference mitigation techniques on such system. Specifically, the invention relates to transmitting an audio video program on a first channel, receiving a control signal from a remote control indicating interference on said first channel, changing the transmission channel to a second channel, and transmitting data indicating said second channel to said remote control.

1 . A method comprising the steps of:
 receiving a first data corresponding to a first channel from a server wherein said server transmits a television program over said first channel;   transmitting said first data to a television signal processor wherein said television signal processor tunes said first channel in response to receiving said first data;   receiving a user input;   transmitting a control signal to said server wherein said server transmits said television program over a second channel in response to receiving said control signal;   receiving a second data corresponding to a second channel from said server; and   transmitting said second data to said television signal processor wherein said television signal processor tunes said second channel in response to receiving said second data.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said transmitting a control signal step is performed in response to interference detection on the first channel between said server and said television signal processor. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said first channel is a first white space frequency and the second channel is a second white space frequency. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said server transmits a second television program over said first channel in response to transmitting a second control signal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said transmitting a control signal step is made in response to receiving a third data from said television receiver indicating an interference level exceeding a threshold. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said transmitting a control signal step is made in response to a user pushing a button on a remote control. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said server transmits the same television program on said first channel and on said second channel. 
     
     
         8 . A remote control apparatus comprising;
 an antenna for receiving a first data corresponding to a first channel and a second data corresponding to a second channel, wherein said first data and said second data are transmitted from a server wherein said server transmits a television program over one of said first channel and said second channel, said antenna further operative to transmit a first control signal to said server wherein said server switches between said first channel and said second channel in response to receiving said control signal;   a transmitter for transmitting a second control signal to a television signal processor in response to receiving said second data, wherein said television signal processor tunes said second channel in response to said second control signal.   
     
     
         9 . The remote control apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a source of a user input wherein said first control signal is transmitted in response to said user input. 
     
     
         10 . The remote control apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said first channel is a first white space frequency and the second channel is a second white space frequency. 
     
     
         11 . The remote control apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said server transmits a second television program over said first channel in response to said transmitter transmitting a third control signal. 
     
     
         12 . The remote control apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said first control signal is transmitted in response to receiving a fourth control signal from said television signal processor indicating an interference level exceeding a threshold. 
     
     
         13 . The remote control apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a button wherein said transmitting a first control signal is made in response to a user pushing said button. 
     
     
         14 . The remote control apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said server transmits the same television program on said first channel and on said second channel. 
     
     
         15 . A home gateway interface comprising:
 a signal source for receiving a program data;   an antenna for receiving a control signal;   a processor for modulating said program data to a first white space channel frequency and for modulating said program data to a second white space channel frequency in response to said control signal; and   a transmitter for transmitting said program data on said first white space channel frequency and for transmitting said program data on said second white space channel frequency in response to said control signal.   
     
     
         16 . The home gateway interface of  claim 15  wherein said control signal is sent in response to an indication of interference on said first white space channel frequency. 
     
     
         17 . The home gateway interface of  claim 15  wherein said control signal is sent in response to a button press on a remote control in response to a user determining interference on said first white space channel frequency. 
     
     
         18 . The home gateway interface of  claim 17  wherein said processor transmits a control data to said remote control indicating a frequency of said second white space channel frequency. 
     
     
         19 . The home gateway interface of  claim 15  wherein said control signal is sent in response to a receiver detecting interference on said first white space channel frequency. 
     
     
         20 . The home gateway interface of  claim 19  wherein said processor transmits a control data to said receiver indicating a frequency of said second white space channel frequency.