Method, system, and apparatus to provide media content from broadcast media sources to media devices

• US 10,462,522 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2013
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Syndefense
• Original Assignee: Syndefense
• Inventors: Dua, Robin
• Primary Examiner(s): Hussain, Tauqir
• Assistant Examiner(s): Grijalva Lobos, Boris D
• Application Number:
  US13/947,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20130305291A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,290 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/106 across networks, e.g. mapping telephone numbers to data network addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1106 Call signalling protocols; H.323 and related
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42206 characterized by hardware details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42221 Transmission circuitry, e.g. infrared [IR] or radio frequency [RF]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/431 Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43635 : HDMI
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 : involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44004 : involving video buffer management, e.g. video decoder buffer or video display buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440218 : by transcoding between formats or standards, e.g. from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 conversion of standards in analogue television systems H04N7/01
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4415 : using biometric characteristics of the user, e.g. by voice recognition or fingerprint scanning cryptography using biological data H04L9/3231; authentication in networks using biometric H04L63/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/462 : Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 : End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6187 : involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3233 : of authentication information, e.g. digital signature, watermark
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 : Transmission or handling of upstream communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication

Abstract

A media storage and access system and methodology including a set-top box which receives and processes a plurality of signal sources and makes programming available locally through connected devices or via a data network such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet. The system also integrates a multimedia storage system that allows programming content to be digitally stored. The system utilizes an integrated digital storage system and operating software to allow users to view a broadcast program (e.g., television, radio, etc.) with the option of instantly reviewing previous segments within the program. In addition, the system allows the user to store selected media programming while the user is simultaneously watching or reviewing another program. The system also allows stored media assets to be accessed locally via a media device connected to the unit or remotely via the Internet.

Claims

1. A method of providing broadcast media content receivable by a media controller from one or more broadcast media sources to one or more media devices, and transmitting media content between the one or more media devices and the media controller, the method comprising:

initiating a connection to the media controller from the one or more media devices;

exchanging media processing capabilities between the media controller and the one or more media devices after establishing the connection, the media processing capabilities defining formats of media content capable of being processed by the media controller and the one or more media devices;

generating a list of the broadcast media sources having broadcast media content at the media controller for each of the one or more media devices in which media processing capabilities have been received, each list being generated according to the respective media processing capabilities of the one or more media devices;

providing the generated list of broadcast media sources from the media controller to each of the one or more media devices;

receiving, at the media controller, a selection of one of the broadcast media sources provided on the list of broadcast media sources from each of the one or more media devices in which a list is generated;

providing a list of broadcast media content receivable from the selected broadcast media source from the media controller to each of the one or more media devices in which a selection of one of the broadcast media sources is received;

receiving, at the media controller, a selection of broadcast media content from among the list of broadcast media content via the one or more media devices in which a list is provided; and

transmitting the selected broadcast media content from the media controller to each of the one or more media devices in which a selection of broadcast media content is received.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the broadcast media content of the broadcast media sources via an antenna of the media controller.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the receiving the broadcast media content of the broadcast media sources via the antenna comprises:

receiving over-the-air broadcast signals with the antenna.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the receiving the over-the-air broadcast signals includes receiving at least one of broadcast television signals and broadcast radio signals.

5. The method of claim 3, where the receiving the over-the-air broadcast signals includes receiving signals having different frequencies.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

demodulating the over-the-air broadcast signals received by the antenna with the media controller; and

generating the broadcast media content to be provided to the one or more media devices from the demodulated the over-the-air broadcast signals with the media controller.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

converting a first format of a demodulated over-the-air broadcast signal to a second format so as to generate the broadcast media content.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first format is an MPEG-2 format and the second format is an MPEG-4 format.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first format is an analog radio signal format, and the second format is at least one of Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), aacPlus v1, and aacPlus v2.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

tuning to the selected broadcast media content via a tuner of the media controller so as to receive the selected broadcast media content from the one or more broadcasting sources.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing the selected broadcast media content in a storage device of the media controller before transmitting the selected broadcast media content from the media controller to the one or more media devices.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the storing comprises buffering a plurality of broadcast media content from the one or more broadcast media sources.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an instruction with the media controller from the one or more media devices to store the selected broadcast media content in a storage device for later viewing.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

transmitting the stored media content from the media controller to the one or more media devices according to a received user instruction.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving at least one command with the media controller including play, pause, fast forward, and rewind from the one or more media devices to control the playback of the stored media content.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing multimedia time warping with the media controller so as to allow a user of the one or more media devices to perform at least one of reverse, fast forward, play, pause, index, fast/slow reverse play, and fast/slow play live television that is received by the media controller via a broadcast media source.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving, with the media controller, at least one command to control the multimedia time warping, view a program guide, and receiving program selections from the one or more media devices.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein a first selected broadcast media content is selected by a first media device of the one or more media devices and is transmitted from the media controller to the first media device, and a second selected broadcast media content is selected by a second media device of the one or more media devices and is transmitted from the media controller to the second media device.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the selections of broadcast media content from the list of broadcast media sources is according to the available broadcast media sources receivable by the media controller.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting comprises:

transmitting the selected broadcast media content from the media controller to the one or more media devices via a communications network, where the media controller and the one or more media devices are communicatively coupled to the communications network.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting media content being viewed on the one of more media devices to the media controller after exchanging media processing capabilities, the media content being transmitted in accordance with the media processing capabilities of the media controller.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the media content is automatically transmitted to the media controller after exchanging media processing capabilities.

23. A system to provide broadcast media content and transmit media content between a media controller and media devices, comprising:

a media controller to receive broadcast media content from one or more broadcast media sources, to generate a list of the broadcast media sources having broadcast media content according to media processing capabilities of each of one or more media devices, to provide the respective generated list to each of the one or more media devices, and in response to receiving a selection of one of the broadcast media sources provided on each list of broadcast media sources from the one or more media devices, to provide a respective list of broadcast media content receivable from the selected broadcast media source; and

one or more media devices to initiate a connection to the media controller, to exchange the media processing capabilities with the media controller after establishing the connection, to receive a selection at the one or more media devices of one of the broadcast media sources provided on the list of broadcast media sources, and to receive a selection at the one or more media devices of broadcast media content from the list of broadcast media content;

wherein the selected broadcast media content is transmitted from the media controller to the one or more media devices, and

wherein the media processing capabilities define formats of media content capable of being processed by the media controller and the one or more media devices.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the media controller further comprises:

an antenna to receive the broadcast media content of the broadcast media sources.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the antenna receives the broadcast media content of the broadcast media sources via over-the-air broadcast signals.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the antenna receives at least one of broadcast television signals and broadcast radio signals.

27. The system of claim 25, where the antenna receives the over-the-air broadcast signals that have different frequencies.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein the media controller further comprises:

a demodulator to demodulate the over-the-air broadcast signals received by the antenna; and

one or more processors to generate the broadcast media content to be provided to the one or more media devices from the demodulated the over-the-air broadcast signals with the media controller.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the media controller further comprises:

a transcoder to convert a first format of a demodulated over-the-air broadcast signal to a second format.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the transcoder converts the first format, which is an MPEG-2 format, to the second format, which is an MPEG-4 format.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein the transcoder converts first format, which is an analog radio signal format, to the second format, which is at least one of Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), aacPlus v1, and aacPlus v2.

32. The system of claim 23, wherein the media controller further comprises:

a tuner to tune the selected broadcast media content so as to receive the selected broadcast media content from the one or more broadcasting sources.

33. The system of claim 23, wherein the media controller further comprises:

a storage device to store the selected broadcast media content before the selected broadcast media content is transmitted from the media controller to the one or more media devices.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the storage device buffers a plurality of broadcast media content from the one or more broadcast media sources.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the storage device stores the selected broadcast media content for later viewing according to an instruction received by the media controller from the one or more media devices.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the media controller further comprises:

a transmitter to transmit the stored media content from the storage device of the media controller to the one or more media devices according to a received user instruction.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein the media controller further comprises:

at least one processor to control the playback of the stored media content when the media controller receives at least one command with the media controller receives a command of at least one play, pause, fast forward, and rewind from the one or more media devices.

38. The system of claim 23, wherein the media controller provides multimedia time warping so as to allow a user of the one or more media devices to perform at least one of reverse, fast forward, play, pause, index, fast/slow reverse play, and fast/slow play live television that is received by the media controller via a broadcast media source.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the media controller receives at least one command to control the multimedia time warping, viewing a program guide, and receiving program selections from the one or more media devices.

40. The system of claim 23, wherein a first selected broadcast media content is selected by a first media device of the one or more media devices and is transmitted from the media controller to the first media device, and a second selected broadcast media content is selected by a second media device of the one or more media devices and is transmitted from the media controller to the second media device.

41. The system of claim 23, wherein the selections of broadcast media content from the list of broadcast media sources is according to the available broadcast media sources receivable by the media controller.

42. The system of claim 23, wherein the media controller further comprises:

a transmitter to transmit the selected broadcast media content from the media controller to the one or more media devices via a communications network, where the media controller and the one or more media devices are communicatively coupled to the communications network.

43. The system of claim 23, wherein the one or more media devices include a wireless media player, a cellular phone, a notebook computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a digital video recorder, and a television.

44. The system of claim 23, wherein the one or more media devices transmits media content being viewed thereon to the media controller after exchanging media processing capabilities, the media content being transmitted in accordance with the media processing capabilities of the media controller.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the media content is automatically transmitted to the media controller after exchanging media processing capabilities.

46. A computing device, comprising:

one or more processors to control the operations of the computing device and to generate a list of broadcast media sources having broadcast media content according to media processing capabilities of one or more media devices;

an antenna to receive broadcast media content from at least one broadcast media source;

a storage device to store at least a portion of the received broadcast media content; and

a network interface to communicatively couple the computing device to a communications network, to connect the computing device to one or more media devices coupled to the communications network, to exchange the media processing capabilities between the computing device and the one or more media devices after connecting to the one or more media devices, to provide the generated list of broadcast media sources to each of the one or more media devices in which media processing capabilities are exchanged, to provide a list of broadcast media content receivable from a selected broadcast media source in response to receiving a selection from the one or more media devices of one of the broadcast media sources provided on the respective list of broadcast media sources, to stream selected broadcast media content to the one or more media devices in response to receiving a selection from the one or more media devices of broadcast media content provided on the respective list of broadcast media content, and to receive control commands from the one or more media devices,

wherein the media processing capabilities define formats of media content capable of being processed by the computing device and the one or more media devices.

47. The computing device of claim 46, further comprising:

a demodulator to demodulate the broadcast media content received by the antenna; and

the one or more processors to generate the stream of the received broadcast media content to be provided to the one or more media devices from the demodulated broadcast media content.

48. The computing device of claim 47, further comprising:

a transcoder to convert a first format of a demodulated broadcast media content to a second format.

49. The computing device of claim 46, wherein the network interface transmits the stored broadcast media content from the storage device to the one or more media devices according to a received user instruction.

50. The computing device of claim 49, wherein the one or more processors control the playback of the stored broadcast media content when at least one command to play, pause, fast forward, and rewind is received by the network interface.

51. The computing device of claim 46, wherein the one or more processors provide multimedia time warping so as to perform at least one of reverse, fast forward, play, pause, index, fast/slow reverse play, and fast/slow play live television according to a command that is received via the network interface.

52. The computing device of claim 51, wherein the network interface receives at least one command to control the multimedia time warping, viewing a program guide, and receiving program selections.

53. The computing device of claim 46, further comprising:

receiving media content being viewed on the one of more media devices after exchanging media processing capabilities, the media content being received in accordance with the media processing capabilities provided by the media controller.