Systems and methods for operating a peripheral record/playback device in a networked multimedia system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for providing a shared device in a networked multimedia system, the system comprising:
- a primary set top terminal (STT) for receiving a plurality of downstream presentations and reverse command signals, and for providing selected presentation signals; and
a plurality of remote STTs coupled to the primary STT via a splitter/isolator module (SIM), wherein the splitter/isolator module (SIM) comprises a splitter configured to facilitate communication with the remote STTs and the primary STT, the SIM being configured to receive the downstream presentations from a communications network and provide the downstream signals to the primary STT, the SIM being further configured to provide at least one selected presentation signal from the primary STT to at least one of the remote STTs in response to receiving a request by the at least one of the remote STTs,wherein the primary STT is further configured to instruct a peripheral device to provide a media presentation for communications to at least one of the remote STTs,wherein the splitter/isolation module (SIM) is further configured to receive, directly from at least one of the plurality of remote STTs, at least one upstream signal, the splitter/isolation module (SIM) being further configured to send the at least one upstream signal received directly from the at least one of the plurality of remote STTs directly to the communications network.
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Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed of a network including a primary device, a plurality of remote devices, and a shared peripheral device. The network allows the remote devices to operate the peripheral device, such as a DVD player, VCR, or camcorder, via the primary device and the network. The peripheral device is typically connected to the primary device and shared among all devices. The network also includes a splitter/isolation module (SIM) that routes the signals between the primary device and the plurality of remote devices.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for providing a shared device in a networked multimedia system, the system comprising:
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a primary set top terminal (STT) for receiving a plurality of downstream presentations and reverse command signals, and for providing selected presentation signals; and a plurality of remote STTs coupled to the primary STT via a splitter/isolator module (SIM), wherein the splitter/isolator module (SIM) comprises a splitter configured to facilitate communication with the remote STTs and the primary STT, the SIM being configured to receive the downstream presentations from a communications network and provide the downstream signals to the primary STT, the SIM being further configured to provide at least one selected presentation signal from the primary STT to at least one of the remote STTs in response to receiving a request by the at least one of the remote STTs, wherein the primary STT is further configured to instruct a peripheral device to provide a media presentation for communications to at least one of the remote STTs, wherein the splitter/isolation module (SIM) is further configured to receive, directly from at least one of the plurality of remote STTs, at least one upstream signal, the splitter/isolation module (SIM) being further configured to send the at least one upstream signal received directly from the at least one of the plurality of remote STTs directly to the communications network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method in a primary STT for communicating signals in a networked multimedia system comprising the steps of:
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receiving at a primary STT a command signal from a remote STT via a splitter/isolation modulate (SIM), the command signal being indicative of a user request for providing at least one media presentation signal from a peripheral device to the remote STT; instructing the peripheral device to transmit the requested at least one media presentation signal; communicating the at least one media presentation signal to the remote STT via the SIM; and displaying the requested at least one media presentation signal on a display coupled to the remote STT, wherein the SIM is configured to receive, directly from the primary STT and the remote STT, at least one upstream signal, the SIM being further configured to send the at least one upstream signal directly to the communications network. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification