Networked subscriber television distribution

• US 7,861,272 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2001
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta LLC (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Russ, Samuel H., Robinson, Jonathan A., Gaul, Michael A., Lett, David B.
• Primary Examiner(s): HUYNH, AN SON PHI
• Application Number:
  US10/008,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20020059642A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,332 Days
• Field of Search: 725/58, 725/74, 725/78, 725/80, 725/131, 725/133, 725/139, 725/141, 725/151, 725/153
• US Class Current: 725/74
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1106 Call signalling protocols; H.323 and related
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/613 for the control of the source by the destination control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components specially adapted for selective content distribution H04N21/637
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4113 PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/434 Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams, extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream demultiplexing of data packets for data networks, e.g. RTP/UDP H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440254 by altering signal-to-noise parameters, e.g. requantization
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications

Abstract

A master device interactively distributes a television signal to a remote device for remote display with low latency between a user input and a television signal change.

Claims

1. A master set top terminal (STT), comprising:

a first tuner tuning a television signal from a received multiplexed signal, to a first tuned television signal, wherein the multiplexed signal is received from a headend service provider;

a second tuner tuning the television signal from the received multiplexed signal, into second tuned television signal;

a video encoder supporting a plurality of encoding formats and coupled to the first tuner and receiving the first tuned television signal and digitally encoding the first tuned television signal having one of the encoding formats into an encoded signal having another one of the encoding formats, and further operating in accordance with a parameter describing quality of the encoded signal, and further automatically changing the parameter upon the master STT becoming ready to compress the television signal from the multiplexed signal received from the headend service provider, such that the quality of the encoded signal is improved while achieving a low latency, wherein the parameter change is responsive to a change in capability of the video encoder to encode at the improved quality;

a transmitter coupled to the video encoder and transmitting the encoded signal to a remote STT to be displayed on a first viewing device;

a receiver receiving a control signal from the remote STT corresponding to a user input;

a controller coupled to the receiver for accepting the control signal from the receiver and for instructing the first tuner to tune to another tuned television signal and for instructing the video encoder to encode the another tuned television signal into a changed encoded television signal in response thereto, such that the transmitter transmits the changed encoded television signal to the remote STT for display on the first viewing device; and

a Radio Frequency (RF) driver coupled to the second tuner, the RF driver for facilitating transmission of the second tuned television signal independently to a second viewing device, the second viewing device being different than the first viewing device.

2. The master STT as defined in claim 1, wherein the changed encoded television signal is displayed at the first viewing device within two seconds from the remote STT receiving the user input.

3. The master STT as defined in claim 2, wherein the changed encoded television signal is displayed at the first viewing device within a half second from the remote STT receiving the user input.

4. The master STT as defined in claim 3, wherein the transmitter and receiver operate according to a wireline standard selected from the group consisting of HomePlug and HomePNA.

5. The master STT as defined in claim 2, wherein the transmitter and receiver operate according to a wireless standard selected from the group consisting of IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g. Bluetooth 2.0, HomeRF 2.0, HiperLAN/2, and Ultra-Wideband standards.

6. The master STT as defined in claim 5, wherein the video encoder uses a form of digital compression.

7. The master STT as defined in claim 6, wherein the video encoder is selected from the group consisting of Microsoft NetMeeting, Windows Media Player, and Real Player.

8. The master STT as defined in claim 6, wherein the low latency between the reception of the control signal and the transmission of the changed television signal is achieved by immediately encoding and transmitting a lower quality video signal.

9. The master STT as defined in claim 8, wherein a higher quality video signal is transmitted after a period during which the lower quality video signal is transmitted.

10. The master STT as defined in claim 9, wherein the period of lower quality video transmission allows the higher quality video signal to be encoded for transmission.

11. The master STT as defined in claim 9, wherein the encoding format is at least one of H.263, H.323, H.324, MPEG-1, low bit-rate MPEG-2, MPEG-2 or MPEG-4.

12. The master STT as defined in claim 11, wherein the encoding format is low bit-rate MPEG-2 and at least one of H.323, H.324, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 or MPEG-4.

13. The master STT as defined in claim 11, wherein the encoding format is H.263 and at least one of H.323, H.324, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 or MPEG-4.

14. The master STT as defined in claim 11, wherein the transmitted signal includes an encoding parameter enabling the remote STT to decode the transmitted signal using multiple decoding algorithms according to the encoding parameters.

15. The master STT as defined in claim 1, wherein the received multiplexed signal further comprises a program information component, and the master STT further comprises a program guide generator, receiving the program information from the received multiplexed signal and generating a program guide therefrom that can be transmitted by the transmitter upon a user request for the program guide at the remote STT.

16. The master STT as defined in claim 1, wherein the master SIT further comprises an internet connection, and the transmitter is capable of transmitting content derived from the internet connection to the remote STT.

17. The master STT of claim 1, wherein the change in capability of the video encoder to encode at the improved quality relates to buffering of the first tuned television signal.

18. The master STT of claim 1, wherein the capability of the video encoder to encode at the improved quality relates to a rate of encoding.

19. A method implemented in a master set-top terminal (STT), the method comprising:

tuning, at a first tuner, a television signal from a received multiplexed signal, into a first tuned television signal;

tuning, at a second tuner, the television signal from the received multiplexed signal, into a second tuned television signal;

receiving the first tuned television signal at a video encoder supporting a plurality of encoding formats;

digitally encoding the first tuned television signal having one of the plurality of encoding formats into an encoded signal having another one of the plurality of encoding formats, in accordance with a parameter describing quality of the encoded signal;

automatically changing the parameter upon the master STT becoming ready to compress the television signal from the multiplexed signal received from the headend service provider to improve the quality of the encoded signal while achieving a low latency, responsive to a change in capability to encode at the improved quality;

transmitting the encoded signal to a remote STT to be displayed on a first viewing device;

receiving a control signal corresponding to a user input at the remote STT;

responsive to the received control signal, instructing the first tuner to tune to another tuned television signal such that an encoding of the another tuned television signal is transmitted to the remote STT for display on the first viewing device; and

facilitating transmission of the second tuned television signal independently to a second viewing device, the second viewing device being different than the first viewing device.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

transmitting a decode parameter indicative of the changed parameter.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the decode parameter is conveyed in a packet header.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the decode parameter is conveyed in an out-of-band data packet.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

transmitting a predetermined bit pattern before the transmitting the decode parameter.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

transmitting the encoded signal simultaneously with the first tuned television signal having one of the plurality of encoding formats.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the one of the encoding formats and the another one of the plurality of encoding formats differ in bit rate.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein the one of the plurality of encoding formats and the another one of the encoding formats conform to a common standard but differ in bit rate.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein the encoding operates in accordance with a parameter describing quality of the encoded signal, the method further comprising:

changing the parameter after a time period such that the quality of the encoded signal is improved.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein the encoding operates in accordance with a parameter describing quality of the encoded signal, the method further comprising:

maintaining the parameter over time such that the quality of the encoded signal is maintained.

29. The method of claim 19, wherein the television signal is an analog modulated signal.

30. The method of claim 19, wherein the television signal is a digitally modulated signal.

31. The method of claim 19, wherein the transmitting and the receiving operate according to a wireline standard selected from the group consisting of HomePlug and HomePNA.

32. The method of claim 19, wherein the transmitting and the receiving operate according to a wireless standard selected from the group consisting of IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0, HomeRF 2.0, HiperLAN/2, and Ultra-Wideband standards.

33. The method of claim 19, wherein the plurality of encoding formats includes at least one of H.263, H.323, H.324, MPEG-1, low bit-rate MPEG-2, MPEG-2 or MPEG-4.

34. The method of claim 19, wherein the plurality of encoding formats includes low bit-rate MPEG-2 and at least one of H.323, H.324, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 or MPEG-4.

35. The method of claim 19, wherein the plurality of encoding formats includes H.263 and at least one of H.323, H.324;

, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 or MPEG-4.

36. The method of claim 19, wherein the change in capability to encode at the improved quality relates to buffering of the first tuned television signal.

37. The method of claim 19, wherein the capability to encode at the improved quality relates to a rate of encoding.

38. A computer readable medium comprising a memory device encoded with computer executable instructions being executed by a processor in a master set-top terminal (STT) which will cause the master STT to:

tune, at a first tuner, a television signal from a received multiplexed signal, into a first tuned television signal, wherein the received multiplexed signal is received from a headend service provider;

tune, at a second tuner, the television signal from the received multiplexed signal, into a second tuned television signal;

receive the first tuned television signal at a video encoder supporting a plurality of encoding formats;

digitally encode the first tuned television signal having one of the plurality of encoding formats into an encoded signal having another one of the plurality of encoding formats, in accordance with a parameter describing quality of the encoded signal;

automatically change the parameter upon the master STT becoming ready to compress the television signal from the received multiplexed signal received from the headend service provider, such that the quality of the encoded signal is improved while achieving a low latency, responsive to a change in capability to encode at the improved quality;

transmit the encoded signal to a remote STT to he displayed on a first viewing device;

receive a control signal corresponding to a user input at the remote STT;

responsive to the received control signal, instruct the first tuner to tune to another tuned television signal such that an encoding of the another tuned television signal is transmitted to the remote STT for display on the first viewing device; and

facilitate transmission of the second tuned television signal independently to a second viewing device, the second viewing device being different that the first viewing device.

39. The computer readable medium of claim 38, the computer readable medium further encoded with executable instructions operable to:

transmit a decode parameter indicative of the changed parameter.

40. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the decode parameter is conveyed in a packet header.

41. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the decode parameter is conveyed in an out-of-band data packet.

42. The computer readable medium of claim 38, the computer readable medium further encoded with executable instructions operable to:

transmit a predetermined bit pattern before the transmitting the decode parameter.

43. The computer readable medium of claim 38, the computer readable medium further encoded with executable instructions operable to:

transmit the encoded signal simultaneously with the first tuned television signal having one of the plurality of encoding formats.

44. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the one of the plurality of encoding formats and the another one of the encoding formats differ in bit rate.

45. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the one of the plurality of encoding formats and the another one of the encoding formats conform to a common standard but differ in bit rate.

46. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the encoding operates in accordance with a parameter describing quality of the encoded signal, the computer readable medium further encoded with executable instructions operable to:

changing the parameter after a time period such that the quality of the encoded signal is improved.

47. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the encoding operates in accordance with a parameter describing quality of the encoded signal, the computer readable medium further encoded with executable instructions operable to:

maintaining the parameter over time such that the quality of the encoded signal is maintained.

48. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the television signal is an analog modulated signal.

49. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the television signal is a digitally modulated signal.

50. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the transmitting and the receiving operate according to a wireline standard selected from the group consisting of HomePlug and HomePNA.

51. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the transmitting and the receiving operate according to a wireless standard selected from the group consisting of IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g. Bluetooth 2.0, HomeRF 2.0, HiperLAN/2, and Ultra-Wideband standards.

52. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the plurality of encoding formats includes at least one of H.263, H.323, H.324, MPEG-1, low bit-rate MPEG-2, MPEG-2 or MPEG-4.

53. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the plurality of encoding formats includes low bit-rate MPEG-2 and at least one of H.323, H.324, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 or MPEG-4.

54. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the plurality of encoding formats includes H.263 and at least one of H.323, H324, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 or MPEG-4.

55. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the change in capability to encode at the improved quality relates to buffering of the first tuned television signal.

56. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the capability to encode at the improved quality relates to a rate of encoding.