Multi-processor DVR

• US 6,922,845 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2001
• Issued: 07/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DIRECTV, LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: DIRECTV, LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Davis, Robert, Yap, Adrian, Ficco, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): BOCCIO, VINCENT F
• Application Number:
  US09/761,202
• Publication Number:
  US 20010052130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,651 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N00.7/16, 725/140, 725/37, 725/139, 725/40, 725/141, 725/31, 725/142, 725/109, 725/110, 386/68, 386/70, 386/46, 386/94, 386111-112, 386/83, 718/100
• US Class Current: 725/141
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/20 Disc-shaped record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/455 said record carriers being in one device and being used as primary and secondary/backup media, e.g. HDD-DVD combo device, or as source and target media, e.g. PC and portable player
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6505 storing speech in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• 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 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4345 Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• 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 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 21/454 Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/488 : Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/4448 : for frame-grabbing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 : Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 : between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 : on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/783 : Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 : on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 : using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17345 : Control of the passage of the selected programme

Abstract

A set top box (STB) includes multiple processors that handle either real time or non-real time functions within the STB. One of the processors may perform substantially all of the real time operations, such as control of a data pipeline to the STB, conditional access, and control of a program guide stored within the DVR. The other processor may control substantially all non-real time functions that are executed within the STB, such as graphics user interface and browser functions. The STB may be embodied as a digital video recorder (DVR). The additional processor(s) provide for increased overall system bandwidth, improved system security and greater system stability for an STB and/or DVR configured with these multiple processors, as compared to a conventional STB having a single micro-controller or processor.

Claims

1. A multi-processor digital set top box (STB), comprising:

a first processor configured to execute software instructions and to perform essentially all real time functions within the STB, wherein the real time functions include controlling audiovisual data packets input to the STB, controlling conditional access within said audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data input to the STB; and

a second processor configured to execute software instructions and to perform essentially all non-real time functions within the STB, wherein the non-real time functions include controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions to enable a user to send command data to the STB and to manipulate data on a screen of a display that is operatively connected to the STB.

2. The STB according to claim 1, further comprising:

a memory operatively connected to a bus for temporarily storing received audiovisual data packets of a broadcast, wherein each of said first and second processors are also operatively connected to said bus;

a recording device for digitally recording said audiovisual data packets, and for transmitting said digitally recorded data packets to said memory; and

a decoder for decoding said audiovisual data packets for display on a display device.

3. The STB according to claim 2, wherein the recording device includes at least one mass storage device.

4. The STB according to claim 3, wherein said mass storage device is at least one of a hard disc drive, magnetic storage device or optical storage medium.

5. The STB according to claim 2, wherein said first processor is a transport processor operatively connected to said bus and to an input port for receiving said audiovisual data packets from said input port.

6. The STB according to claim 5, wherein said second processor is a host processor operatively connected to said bus and said memory for performing graphical-user interface (GUI) and browser functions;

the STB further comprising;

an interface for receiving said audiovisual data packets from said transport processor, and for transferring said received audiovisual data packets simultaneously to said memory via said bus, and to said decoder,

said memory further including a buffer space for temporarily storing the audiovisual data packets received from said interface,

said host processor directing said memory to transfer said audiovisual data packets to be digitally recorded by said recording device, and

said interface adapted to receive said digitally recorded data packets from said recording device via said memory and said bus.

7. The STB according to claim 6, said interface being further adapted to transfer said digitally recorded data packets to said decoder.

8. The STB according to claim 1, wherein the first processor perform real-time functions while the second processor performs non-real time functions associated with commands received from a user.

9. The STB according to claim 8, wherein said user commands are transmitted to said second processor via a remote control device.

10. The STB according to claim 1, wherein the STB is embodied as a digital video recorder (DVR).

11. A digital video recording (DVR) device, comprising:

a transport processor configured to execute software instructions and to perform essentially all real time functions within the DVR, including controlling audiovisual data packets input to the DVR, controlling conditional access within said audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data input to the DVR; and

a host processor configured to execute software instructions and to perform essentially all non-real time functions within the DVR, including controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions to enable a user to send command data to the DVR and to manipulate data on a screen of a display that is operatively connected to the DVR;

wherein the transport processor performs said real time functions while the host processor performs non-real time functions associated with commands that are received from a user.

12. The DVR according to claim 11, further comprising:

a memory operatively connected to a bus for temporarily storing audiovisual data packets of a broadcast that are received from an input port, wherein each of said transport and host processors are also operatively connected to said bus;

a recording device for digitally recording said audiovisual data packets, and for transmitting said digitally recorded data packets to said memory; and

a decoder for decoding said audiovisual data packets for display on a display device.

13. The DVR according to claim 12, wherein the recording device includes at least one mass storage device.

14. The DVR according to claim 13, wherein said mass storage device is at least one of a hard disc drive, magnetic storage device or optical storage medium.

15. The DVR according to claim 12, further comprising:

an interface for receiving audiovisual data packets that are sent from said input port to said transport processor, and for transferring said received audiovisual data packets simultaneously to said memory via said bus, and to said decoder,

said memory further including a buffer space for temporarily storing the audiovisual data packets received from said interface,

said host processor directing said memory to transfer said audiovisual data packets to be digitally recorded by said recording device, and

said interface adapted to receive said digitally recorded data packets from said recording device via said memory and said bus.

16. The DVR according to claim 11, wherein said user commands are transmitted to said host processor via a remote control device.

17. The DVR according to claim 11, wherein the DVR is operatively connected to at least one of a direct broadcast satellite system, digital video broadcast system, cable-TV system and off-air broadcast system.

18. A processing method for a digital set top box (STB), comprising:

performing essentially all real time functions in a first processing unit within the STB, wherein the first processing unit is configured to execute software instructions and wherein the real time functions include controlling audiovisual data packets input to the STB, controlling conditional access within said audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data input to the STB; and

performing essentially all non-real time functions in a second processing unit within the STB, wherein the second processing unit is configured to execute software instructions and wherein the non-real time functions include controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions to enable a user to send command data to the STB and to manipulate data on a screen of a display that is operatively connected to the STB.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

temporarily storing received audiovisual data packets of a broadcast that are subject to at least said first processing, wherein each of said first and second processings are performed by communicating with designated components of the STB via a data bus;

digitally recording said received audiovisual data packets that have been subject to said at least first processing and temporarily stored;

retrieving said digitally recorded audiovisual data packets based on at least said second processing; and

decoding said retrieved audiovisual data packets for display.

20. A processing method for a digital video recorder (DVR), comprising:

a first processing performed by a first processing unit under software control that includes controlling audiovisual data packets that are received by the DVR, controlling conditional access within said received audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data input to the DVR; and

a second processing performed by a second processing unit under software control that includes controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions, thereby enabling a user to send command data to the DVR and to manipulate data on a screen of a display that is operatively connected to the DVR.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

temporarily storing received audiovisual data packets of a broadcast that are subject to at least said first processing, wherein each of said first and second processings are performed by communicating with designated components of the STB via a data bus;

digitally recording said received audiovisual data packets;

retrieving said digitally recorded audiovisual data packets based on at least said second processing; and

decoding said retrieved audiovisual data packets for display on said screen.

22. A system, comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a content signal, wherein the content signal is digitally encoded and converted to a frequency signal before transmission;

and a set top box (STB) for converting the received frequency signal back into the content signal and for processing the content signal, the STB including;

a first processor configured to execute software instructions and to perform essentially all real time functions associated with the received content signal within the STB, wherein the real time functions include controlling audiovisual data packets input to the STB, controlling conditional access within said audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data input to the STB; and

a second processor configured to execute software instructions and to perform essentially all non-real time functions associated with the received content signal within the STB, wherein the non-real time functions include controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions to enable a user to send command data to the STB and to manipulate data on a screen of a display that is operatively connected to the STB.

23. The system of claim 22,

wherein the content signal is embodied as a plurality of audiovisual data packets,

wherein the real time functions performed by the first processor include controlling audiovisual data packets that are received by the STB from the system, controlling conditional access within said received audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data input to the STB from the system;

and

wherein the non-real time functions performed by the second processor include controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions that enable a user of the system to send command data to the STB.

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

a memory operatively connected to a bus within the STB for temporarily storing said received audiovisual data packets, wherein each of said first and second processors are also operatively connected to said bus;

a recording device for digitally recording said audiovisual data packets, and for transmitting said digitally recorded data packets to said memory; and

a decoder for decoding said audiovisual data packets for display on a display device.

25. A satellite-based distribution system, comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a content signal, wherein the content signal is digitally encoded and converted to a frequency signal before transmission to a satellite; and

a digital video recorder (DVR) for converting the frequency signal received from the satellite back into the content signal and for processing the content signal, the DVR including;

a first processor configured to execute software instructions and to perform essentially all real time functions associated with the received content signal within the DVR, wherein the real time functions include controlling audiovisual data packets input to the DVR, controlling conditional access within said audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data input to the DVR; and

a second processor configured to execute software instructions and to perform essentially all non-real time functions associated with the received content signal within the DVR, wherein the non-real time functions include controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions to enable a user to send command data to the DVR and to manipulate data on a screen of a display that is operatively connected to the DVR.

26. The system of claim 25,

wherein the content signal is embodied as a plurality of audiovisual data packets,

wherein the real time functions performed by the first processor include controlling audiovisual data packets that are received by the DVR from the system, controlling conditional access within said received audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data input to the DVR from the system;

and

wherein the non-real time functions performed by the second processor include controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions that enable a user of the system to send command data to the DVR.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the DVR further comprises:

a memory operatively connected to a bus within the DVR for temporarily storing said received audiovisual data packets, wherein each of said first and second processors are also operatively connected to said bus;

a recording device for digitally recording said audiovisual data packets, and for transmitting said digitally recorded data packets to said memory; and

a decoder for decoding said audiovisual data packets for display on a display device operatively connected to the DVR.

28. A method of processing data, comprising:

transmitting a content signal received from a signal source, wherein the content signal is digitally encoded and converted to a frequency signal before transmission;

converting the received frequency signal back into the content signal; and

processing the received content signal within a set top box (STB), said processing including;

performing essentially all real time functions associated with the received content signal in a first processing unit within the STB, wherein the first processing unit is configured to execute software instructions and wherein the real time functions include controlling audiovisual data packets input to the STB, controlling conditional access within said audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data input to the STB; and

performing essentially all non-real time functions associated with the received content signal in a second processing unit within the STB, wherein the second processing unit is configured to execute software instructions and wherein the non-real time functions include controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions to enable a user to send command data to the STB and to manipulate data on a screen of a display that is operatively connected to the STB.

29. The method of claim 28, the received content signal is embodied as a plurality of audiovisual data packets, the method further comprising:

temporarily storing said received audiovisual data packets that are subject to at least said first processing, wherein each of said first and second processings are performed by communicating with designated components of the STB via a data bus;

digitally recording said received audiovisual data packets that have been subject to said at least first processing and temporarily stored;

retrieving said digitally recorded audiovisual data packets based on at least said second processing; and

decoding said retrieved audiovisual data packets for display.

30. A processing method within a satellite-based distribution system, comprising:

transmitting a content signal received from a signal source, wherein the content signal is digitally encoded and converted to a frequency signal before transmission to the satellite; and

converting the frequency signal received from the satellite back into the content signal and processing the content signal within a digital video recorder (DVR), said processing including;

performing essentially all real time functions associated with the received content signal in a first processing unit within the DVR, wherein the first processing unit is configured to execute software instructions and wherein the real time functions include controlling audiovisual data packets input to the DVR, controlling conditional access within said audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data input to the DVR; and

performing essentially all non-real time functions associated with the received content signal in a second processing unit within the DVR, wherein the second processing unit is configured to execute software instructions and wherein the non-real time functions include controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions to enable a user to send command data to the DVR and to manipulate data on a screen of a display that is operatively connected to the DVR.

31. The method of claim 30,

wherein the content signal is embodied as a plurality of audiovisual data packets,

wherein the real time functions performed by said first processing include controlling audiovisual data packets that are received by the DVR from the system, controlling conditional access within said received audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data input to the DVR from the system;

and

wherein the non-real time functions performed by said second processing include controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions that enable a user of the system to send command data to the DVR.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

temporarily storing said received audiovisual data packets that are subject to at least said first processing, wherein each of said first and second processings are performed by communicating with designated components of the DVR via a data bus;

digitally recording said received audiovisual data packets that have been subject to said at least first processing and temporarily stored;

retrieving said digitally recorded audiovisual data packets based on at least said second processing; and

decoding said retrieved audiovisual data packets for display.

33. A transmission system, comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a content signal, wherein the content signal is digitally encoded and converted to a frequency signal before transmission, converted back into the content signal upon reception and processed by performing in a first processing unit executing software instructions essentially all real time functions associated with the content signal, separate from essentially all non-real time functions performed in a second processing unit executing software instructions associated with the content signal, wherein the real time functions include controlling audiovisual data packets, controlling conditional access within said audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data, and wherein the non-real time functions include controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions to enable a user to send command data to manipulate data on a screen of a display.

34. The transmission system of claim 33,

wherein the content signal is embodied as a plurality of audiovisual data packets,

wherein the real time functions include controlling audiovisual data packets that are received, controlling conditional access within said received audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data;

and

wherein the non-real time functions include controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions.

35. A satellite-based transmission system, comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a content signal, wherein the content signal is digitally encoded and converted to a frequency signal before transmission, converted back into the content signal upon reception and processed by performing in a first processing unit executing software instructions essentially all real time functions performed in a second processing unit executing software instructions associated with the content signal, separate from essentially all non-real time functions associated with the content signal, wherein the real time functions include controlling audiovisual data packets, controlling conditional access within said audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data, and wherein the non-real time functions include controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions to enable a user to send command data to manipulate data on a screen of a display.

36. The satellite-based transmission system of claim 35,

wherein the content signal is embodied as a plurality of audiovisual data packets wherein the real time functions include controlling audiovisual data packets that are received, controlling conditional access within said received audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data;

and

wherein the non-real time functions include controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions.

37. A method of processing data, comprising:

transmitting a content signal, wherein the content signal is digitally encoded and converted to a frequency signal before transmission, converted back into the content signal upon reception and processed by performing in a first processing unit executing software instructions essentially all real time functions associated with the content signal, separate from essentially all non-real time functions performed in a second processing unit executing software instructions associated with the content signal, wherein the real time functions include controlling audiovisual data packets, controlling conditional access within said audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data, and wherein the non-real time functions include controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions to enable a user to send command data to manipulate data on a screen of a display.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein said real time functions include controlling audiovisual data packets, controlling conditional access within said audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data.

39. The method according to claim 37, wherein said non-real time functions include controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions, thereby enabling a user to enter command data and to manipulate data on a screen of a display.

40. A processing method within a satellite-based distribution system, comprising:

transmitting a content signal, wherein the content signal is digitally encoded and converted to a frequency signal before transmission, converted back into the content signal upon reception and processed by performing in a first processing unit executing software instructions essentially all real time functions performed in a second processing unit executing software instructions associated with the content signal, separate from essentially all non-real time functions associated with the content signal, wherein the real time functions include controlling audiovisual data packets, controlling conditional access within said audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data, and wherein the non-real time functions include controlling graphical user interface (GUI) and browser functions to enable a user to send command data to manipulate data on a screen of a display.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said real time functions include controlling audiovisual data packets, controlling conditional access within said audiovisual data packets, and controlling program guide data.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising decoding said retrieved audiovisual data packets for display.