Multi-processor DVR
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A multi-processor digital set top box (STB), comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A digital video recording (DVR) device, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A processing method for a digital set top box (STB), comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A processing method for a digital video recorder (DVR), comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A system, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A satellite-based distribution system, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A method of processing data, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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30. A processing method within a satellite-based distribution system, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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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. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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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. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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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. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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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. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42)
Specification