Systems, methods and apparatuses for minimizing subscriber-perceived digital video channel tuning delay
First Claim
1. A digital set-top box for minimizing subscriber-perceived digital video channel tuning delay, comprising:
- a first decoder;
a second decoder;
a look-ahead tuning logic in communication with said first decoder and said second decoder, wherein said look-ahead tuning logic instructs said second decoder to decode a television channel predicted by said look-ahead tuning logic; and
a prediction evaluator, wherein said prediction evaluator is configured to determine if said television channel predicted by said look-ahead tuning logic matches a subsequent subscriber requested television channel, wherein the prediction evaluator is further configured to adjust said look-ahead tuning logic to effect more accurate channel predictions in the future, based on the accuracy of past channel predictions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A digital STB having multiple decoders is capable of decoding multiple digital video streams simultaneously to minimize the time a subscriber waits before a new channel is tuned and displayed. The STB incorporates a channel look-ahead capability in which one or more digital tuners tune to and decode a next video channel based upon information taken from a subscriber'"'"'s usage history and information obtained from average subscriber behavior. STB software performs a channel prediction to setup spare tuning and decoding resources to tune to and decode a potential channel the subscriber might select next. The STB can therefore anticipate the subscriber'"'"'s request and provide a faster response time for channel tuning.
135 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A digital set-top box for minimizing subscriber-perceived digital video channel tuning delay, comprising:
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a first decoder;
a second decoder;
a look-ahead tuning logic in communication with said first decoder and said second decoder, wherein said look-ahead tuning logic instructs said second decoder to decode a television channel predicted by said look-ahead tuning logic; and
a prediction evaluator, wherein said prediction evaluator is configured to determine if said television channel predicted by said look-ahead tuning logic matches a subsequent subscriber requested television channel, wherein the prediction evaluator is further configured to adjust said look-ahead tuning logic to effect more accurate channel predictions in the future, based on the accuracy of past channel predictions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method executed in digital set-top box having at least two decoders, comprising:
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receiving a request from a subscriber to view a first television channel;
decoding said first television channel using a first decoder;
predicting a next television channel to be requested by said subscriber;
decoding said predicted next television channel using a second decoder;
determining if said predicted next television channel matches a subsequent subscriber requested television channel; and
automatically adjusting future channel predictions based on the accuracy of past channel predictions. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method executed in digital set-top box having at least two decoders, comprising:
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receiving a request from a subscriber to view a first television channel;
decoding said first television channel using a first decoder;
predicting a next television channel to be requested by said subscriber, wherein predicting a next television channel comprises compiling a list of candidate television channels, wherein said next television channel is chosen from said list of candidate television channels;
decoding said predicted next television channel using a second decoder; and
organizing said list of candidate television channels based upon weights generated by evaluating the accuracy of past predictions of television channels to be selected by said subscriber. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification