Streaming Digital Video between Video Devices Using a Cable Television System
First Claim
1. A method of streaming digital video between a first video device and a second video device, the first video device being connected to a public data network, wherein the second video device is connected to a cable television system having a cable network and a cable headend, the cable headend also being connected to the public data network, the second video device being controlled by a video device controller, the method comprising:
- establishing a first bidirectional data channel from the first video device to the cable headend;
establishing a second bidirectional data channel over the cable network from the second video device to the cable headend, thereby permitting bidirectional data communication between the first video device and the second video device through the cable headend;
receiving a first data stream that includes the digital video at the cable headend from the first video device using the first data channel;
forming a second data stream that includes a second video that is based on the received digital video; and
transmitting the second data stream from the cable headend to the second video device using the second data channel, wherein the data stream is controlled by sending commands from the video device controller to the first video device over the first and second data channels.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are presented that permit an individual to share digital video between video devices using a cable television system. A first video device streams digital video to a cable headend, which transcodes it and stitches it with other video content, such as a menuing system. The headend then transmits the digital video to a second video device, such as a set top box, for display. The data stream may be controlled using a standard set top box remote control, and the system may be used without purchasing additional hardware or software, or configuring a wireless local area network.
119 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of streaming digital video between a first video device and a second video device, the first video device being connected to a public data network, wherein the second video device is connected to a cable television system having a cable network and a cable headend, the cable headend also being connected to the public data network, the second video device being controlled by a video device controller, the method comprising:
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establishing a first bidirectional data channel from the first video device to the cable headend; establishing a second bidirectional data channel over the cable network from the second video device to the cable headend, thereby permitting bidirectional data communication between the first video device and the second video device through the cable headend; receiving a first data stream that includes the digital video at the cable headend from the first video device using the first data channel; forming a second data stream that includes a second video that is based on the received digital video; and transmitting the second data stream from the cable headend to the second video device using the second data channel, wherein the data stream is controlled by sending commands from the video device controller to the first video device over the first and second data channels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A tangible, non-transitory, data storage medium in which is stored computer program code for streaming digital video between a first video device and a second video device, the first video device being connected to a public data network, wherein the second video device is connected to a cable television system having a cable network and a cable headend, the cable headend also being connected to the public data network, the second video device being controlled by a video device controller, the storage medium comprising:
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program code for establishing a first bidirectional data channel from the first video device to the cable headend; program code for establishing a second bidirectional data channel over the cable network from the second video device to the cable headend, thereby permitting bidirectional data communication between the first video device and the second video device through the cable headend; program code for receiving a first data stream that includes the digital video at the cable headend from the first video device using the first data channel; program code for forming a second data stream that includes a second video that is based on the received digital video; and program code for transmitting the second data stream from the cable headend to the second video device using the second data channel, wherein the data stream is controlled by sending commands from the video device controller to the first video device over the first and second data channels.
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Specification