Realtime broadcast stream and control data conversion system and method
First Claim
1. A system for processing a broadcast stream, carrying video channels and an electronic program guide (EPG) information, and for distributing same over a local area network to a plurality N of subscriber terminals (STs), the system comprising:
- (a) a plurality of N broadcast tuners, each broadcast tuner being configured for tuning in a respective one of the video channels of the broadcast stream;
(b) an EPG tuner for extracting the EPG information from the broadcast stream; and
(c) a multichannel proxy module, comprising;
(i) a live conversion system for buffering and processing said tuned-in video channels, comprising;
(i-1) a media buffer, operatively coupled to the N broadcast tuners and configured to buffer respective media payloads for the tuned-in video channels, the media buffer being indexed for each tuned-in video channel;
(i-2) a realtime processing module for providing normal play and trick play functions for each respective video channel, including processing the respective media payloads, the realtime processing module comprising a plurality of N realtime processing function units;
(i-3) an output buffer configured to accumulate a predetermined number of media packets contained in the media payloads for transmission to the respective STs in a form of network packets;
wherein the media buffer and the output buffer are partitioned into respective N sections assigned to a respective one of the N realtime processing function units;
(ii) an EPG conversion sub-system for converting the EPG information into a format suitable for transmission over the local area network; and
(iii) a streaming control sub-system for transmitting each buffered and processed video channel to a corresponding ST and for controlling the normal play and trick play functions of said buffered and processed video channel by the ST.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system that delivers live broadcast media to consumer devices, including a system for enabling devices without native capabilities such as internal bulk storage and stream processing, to have command and control of live broadcast streams, has been provided. This is achieved through intercepting and converting the normal service provider channel mapping data to a new channel map which points to a software system that delivers command and control of live broadcast media, and implementation of a software system which can receive a channel change protocol, establish a command and control session with the device, convert the channel map protocol to the original format, tune in, receive, convert and process the live stream so that it can be delivered to the requesting device and in turn be controlled by user interaction with that device or the software system. A corresponding method is also provided.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for processing a broadcast stream, carrying video channels and an electronic program guide (EPG) information, and for distributing same over a local area network to a plurality N of subscriber terminals (STs), the system comprising:
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(a) a plurality of N broadcast tuners, each broadcast tuner being configured for tuning in a respective one of the video channels of the broadcast stream; (b) an EPG tuner for extracting the EPG information from the broadcast stream; and (c) a multichannel proxy module, comprising; (i) a live conversion system for buffering and processing said tuned-in video channels, comprising; (i-1) a media buffer, operatively coupled to the N broadcast tuners and configured to buffer respective media payloads for the tuned-in video channels, the media buffer being indexed for each tuned-in video channel; (i-2) a realtime processing module for providing normal play and trick play functions for each respective video channel, including processing the respective media payloads, the realtime processing module comprising a plurality of N realtime processing function units; (i-3) an output buffer configured to accumulate a predetermined number of media packets contained in the media payloads for transmission to the respective STs in a form of network packets; wherein the media buffer and the output buffer are partitioned into respective N sections assigned to a respective one of the N realtime processing function units; (ii) an EPG conversion sub-system for converting the EPG information into a format suitable for transmission over the local area network; and (iii) a streaming control sub-system for transmitting each buffered and processed video channel to a corresponding ST and for controlling the normal play and trick play functions of said buffered and processed video channel by the ST. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for processing a broadcast stream carrying video channels and an electronic program guide (EPG) information, and for distributing same over a local area network to a plurality N of subscriber terminals (STs), the method comprising:
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(a) under control of the STs, tuning a plurality of N corresponding broadcast tuners into the video channels of the broadcast stream; (b) extracting the EPG information from the broadcast stream; (c) buffering and processing said tuned-in video channels, comprising; (i) forming a media buffer, operatively coupled to the N broadcast tuners and configured to buffer respective media payloads for the tuned-in video channels; (ii) indexing the media buffer for each tuned-in video channel; (iii) providing normal play and trick play functions for each respective video channel, including processing the media payloads; (iv) forming an output buffer configured to accumulate a predetermined number of media packets contained in the media payloads for transmission to the respective STs in a form of network packets; and (v) forming a plurality of N realtime processing function units, partitioning the media buffer and the output buffer into respective N sections, and assigning each partitioned section to a respective one of the N realtime processing function units; (d) converting the EPG information into a format suitable for transmission over the local area network to the STs for controlling the normal play and trick play functions by the STs; and (e) transmitting the buffered and processed video channels to corresponding STs. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, having computer readable instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor, causing the processor to:
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process a broadcast stream carrying video channels and an electronic program guide (EPG) information, and to distribute same over a local area network to a plurality N of subscriber terminals (STs), comprising; (a) under control of the STs, tuning a plurality of N corresponding broadcast tuners into the video channels of the broadcast stream; (b) extracting the EPG information from the broadcast stream; (c) buffering and processing said tuned-in video channels, comprising; (i) forming a media buffer, operatively coupled to the N broadcast tuners and configured to buffer respective media payloads for the tuned-in video channels; (ii) indexing the media buffer for each tuned-in video channel; (iii) providing normal play and trick play functions for each respective video channel, including processing the media payloads; (iv) forming an output buffer configured to accumulate a predetermined number of media packets contained in the media payloads for transmission to the respective STs in a form of network packets; and (v) forming a plurality of N realtime processing function units, partitioning the media buffer and the output buffer into respective N sections, and assigning each partitioned section to a respective one of the N realtime processing function units; (d) converting the EPG information into a format suitable for transmission over the local area network to the STs for controlling the normal play and trick play functions by the STs; and (e) transmitting the buffered and processed video channels to corresponding STs. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification