Method and apparatus for upgrading features and functions of a set top box in the field

• US 6,154,633 A
• Filed: 12/31/1997
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.), ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Pola, Vijay K., Landgraf, Henry S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, John W.
• Application Number:
  US09/001,631
• Time in Patent Office: 1,063 Days
• Field of Search: 348/6, 348/10, 348/11, 455/3.1, 455/4.1, 455/6.1, 455/6.2, 455/6.3
• US Class Current: 725/151
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4183 providing its own processing capabilities, e.g. external module for video decoding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

A method and apparatus allow the function circuitry of a set top box to be readily upgraded or replaced in the field. Replacement or upgraded function circuitry is provided in a self-contained module. The set top box is provided with a port through which the module can be electrically connected to the set top box. Insertion of the module either bypasses existing function circuitry or is the only function circuitry available to the set top box.

Claims

1. An upgradeable set top box comprising:

an input terminal for receiving an audiovisual signal;

an output terminal; and

a port having a connector for receiving a function circuit module therein and connecting a function circuit of said module between said input terminal and said output terminal,

wherein said function circuit receives said audiovisual signal from said input terminal, processes said audiovisual signal and outputs a processed audiovisual signal; and

further wherein internal function circuitry of said set-top terminal is deactivated or bypassed when said function circuit module is present in said port.

2. A set top box as claimed in claim 1, wherein said processed audiovisual signal is a decoded audiovisual signal.

3. A set top box as claimed in claim 1, wherein said processed audiovisual signal is an enhanced audiovisual signal.

4. An upgradeable set top box comprising:

an input terminal for receiving an audiovisual signal;

an output terminal; and

a port having a connector for receiving a function circuit module therein and connecting a function circuit of said module between said input terminal and said output terminal; and

a connection sensor for detecting whether a function circuit module is present in said port;

wherein said function circuit receives said audiovisual signal from said input terminal and outputs a processed audiovisual signal.

5. A set top box as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a power controller for selectively providing power to a function circuit module present in said port as determined by said connection sensor.

6. A set top box as claimed in claim 5, wherein said power controller ceases to provide power to a standard function circuit disposed in said set top box when a function circuit module is present in said port as determined by said connection sensor.

7. An upgradeable set top box comprising:

an input terminal for receiving an audiovisual signal;

an output terminal; and

a port having a connector for receiving a function circuit module therein and connecting a function circuit of said module between said input terminal and said output terminal;

wherein said function circuit receives said audiovisual signal from said input terminal and outputs a processed audiovisual signal; and

wherein said function circuit module is a self-contained function circuit module comprising said function circuit for receiving an audiovisual signal and a connector for connecting said function circuit to said port of said set top box, said connector having connections for providing power and said audiovisual signal to said function circuit, and for outputting a processed audiovisual signal from said function circuit when said module is connected to said set top box, wherein internal function circuitry of said set-top terminal is deactivated when said function circuit module is present in said port.

8. A method of upgrading or replacing a function circuit of a set top box comprising connecting a self-contained module having a function circuit therein to a first port of said set top box so that said function circuit receives an input audiovisual signal through said first port and outputs a processed audiovisual signal through a second port, further comprising bypassing a standard function circuit disposed in said set top box after said connecting is performed.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising decoding said input audiovisual signal with said function circuit to generate said processed audiovisual signal.

10. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising enhancing said input audiovisual signal with said function circuit to generate said processed audiovisual signal.

11. A method of upgrading or replacing a function circuit of a set top box comprising connecting a self-contained module having a function circuit therein to a first port of said set top box so that said function circuit receives an input audiovisual signal through said first port and outputs a processed audiovisual signal through a second port, wherein said first port and said second port are the same and said bypassing comprises cutting power to said standard function circuit.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising detecting connection of said module in said port and initiating said bypassing is response to said detecting.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising actuating a switch in performing said connecting to initiate said bypassing.