System and method for digital personal video stream manager

• US 8,539,533 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2003
• Issued: 09/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Unify Inc. (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Enterprise Communications, Inc. (Atos SE)
• Inventors: Caspi, Rami, Beyda, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TAYLOR, JOSHUA D
• Application Number:
  US10/383,894
• Publication Number:
  US 20040174896A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,847 Days
• Field of Search: 725/39, 725/74, 725/88, 725/93, 725/109, 725/110, 725131-133, 725/139, 725/140, 725/142, 725151-153, 725/78, 725/80, 725/82, 725/85
• US Class Current: 725/78
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2834 Switching of information between an external network and a home network access arrangements H04L12/2856
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2836 Protocol conversion between an external network and a home network controlling appliance services of a home automation network from a device located outside the home and the home network H04L12/2818; protocol conversion H04L69/08; adaptation of digital video signals for transport over a specific home network H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/40 using video transcoding, i.e. partial or full decoding of a coded input stream followed by re-encoding of the decoded output stream

Abstract

A digital personal video stream manager (102) includes a control processor (202), a media interface (204), and one or more control interfaces. The media interface (204) can receive broadband audio and video and convert it into digital file format for transmission on a LAN, such as an IEEE 802.11 based wireless LAN, to a personal computer (110). The media interface (204) can likewise receive digital media files from the personal computer (110) via the wireless interface, and convert them to a format for playback by the audio system (118) or television (116). Further, the digital personal video stream manager (102) can receive controls from remote users to supervise media recording. The control interfaces allow control of the digital personal video stream manager, such as via infrared remote controls.

Claims

1. A telecommunications device, comprising:

a control processor in a media subsystem controllable by a Digital Personal Video Stream Manager (DPVSM) controller module in a network subsystem;

one or more control interfaces in said media subsystem operably coupled to said control processor; and

a multimedia interface operably coupled to said one or more control interfaces and having a broadband media interface receiving streamed media from a set-top box and receiving data packets from said DPVSM controller module through a local area network interface, the multimedia interface providing a single interface between said network subsystem and said media subsystem through a local area network such that devices in said media subsystem communicate with said network subsystem only through said multimedia interface, and wherein said network subsystem computer passes at least one control command in local area network data packets to said control processor; and

wherein said multimedia interface is adapted to receive data packets including media files over said local area network interface, said control processor converting said received media files to media streams for streaming on said broadband media interface to said media subsystem and wherein said multimedia interface is adapted to receive broadband media over said broadband media interface and convert said broadband media to media files for transmission as data packets over said local area network to said network subsystem such that content can be played back in an appropriate format on a network subsystem computer; and

wherein the DPVSM controller module receives at least one message, the at least one message having header information;

wherein the DPVSM controller module determines whether the at least one received message is a control message that has at least one control parameter based on the header information;

upon determining that the at least one received message is a control message;

the DPVSM controller module reads the at least one control parameter of the control message, the at least one control parameter comprising at least one of a time parameter, a date parameter, a duration parameter, a channel parameter, and a password parameter,

the DPVSM controller module translates the at least one control parameter into the at least one control command, the at least one control command comprising a format that is readable by the control processor,

the DPVSM controller module sends the at least one control command to the control processor, and

the control processor supervises said media subsystem responsive to the at least one control command sent by the DPVSM controller module.

2. The telecommunications device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the DPVSM controller module receives the at least one message that is determined to be the control message from a communication device that is remote from the DPVSM controller module.

3. The telecommunications device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said broadband media interface is a broadband interface for said set-top box receiving media streamed from a broadband network.

4. The telecommunications device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said one or more control interfaces include an interface for controlling operation of one or more broadband media devices.

5. The telecommunications device in accordance with claim 4, wherein said control processor receives commands for controlling said one or more broadband media devices in data packets sent via said local network interface from said DPVSM controller module in said network subsystem computer via said local network interface computer.

6. The telecommunications device in accordance with claim 5, wherein a broadband media interface interfaces said control processor to said set-top box and said control processor is adapted to control display of media content displayed on a first device coupled to said local area network interface and streamed to a second device coupled to said broadband media interface.

7. A telecommunications system, comprising:

a local area network with data packets passing over said local area network between network endpoints;

a media subsystem coupled to one local area network endpoint and receiving streaming broadband media over a broadband media network, said media subsystem including;

a set-top box connected to said broadband media network and receiving media streamed over said broadband media network;

a television for viewing locally streamed media; and

a digital personal video stream manger (DPVSM) operably coupled to said television, said broadband media network and said local area network, said DPVSM adapted to convert streamed media from said broadband media network to media files and convert media files received from said local area network to media streams viewable on said television; and

a network subsystem coupled to another local area network endpoint and including a computer separately coupled to the Internet, said computer having a DPVSM controller and memory for storing said media files; and

wherein said DPVSM controller controls said DPVSM transferring said media files in data packets over said local area network and controls said DPVSM locally streaming media from said media files on said television; and

wherein said DPVSM provides a single interface between said network subsystem and said media subsystem, wherein devices in said media subsystem communicate with said network subsystem only through said single interface, and wherein the DPVSM controller of the network subsystem computer passes at least one control command as local area network data packets to a DPVSM control processor of the DPVSM; and

wherein the DPVSM controller receives at least one message, the at least one message having header information; and

wherein the DPVSM controller determines whether the at least one message is a control message that has at least one control parameter based on the header information; and

wherein upon determining that the at least one message is a control message, the DPVSM controller reads the at least one control parameter of the control message, the at least one control parameter comprising at least one of a time parameter, a date parameter, a duration parameter, a channel parameter, and a password parameter; and

wherein the DPVSM controller translates the at least one control parameter into the at least one control command, the at least one control command comprising a format that is readable by the DPVSM control processor; and

wherein the DPVSM controller sends the at least one translated control parameter as the at least one control command to the DPVSM control processor; and

the DPVSM control processor supervises said media subsystem responsive to the at least one control command.

8. The telecommunications system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the DPVSM controller receives the at least one message that is determined to be the control message from a communication device that is remote from the network subsystem computer.

9. The telecommunications system in accordance with claim 7, wherein said network subsystem computer is configured to download one or more media files from the Internet, said DPVSM controller forwarding said one or more media files over said local area network to said DPVSM, said DPVSM locally streaming media from said one or more media files for viewing on said television.

10. The telecommunications system in accordance with claim 7, wherein said local area network is a wireless local area network.

11. The telecommunications system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the media subsystem further comprises a video recording device, wherein said DPVSM controller controls said video recording device through said DPVSM over said local area network, and wherein said DPVSM controller determines from the Internet one or more program schedules and controls said DPVSM in supervising a recording of a streamed program on said one or more program schedules.

12. The telecommunications system in accordance with claim 11, wherein said recording comprises recording said streamed program using said video recording device.

13. The telecommunications system in accordance with claim 11, wherein said recording comprises receiving said streamed program at said DPVSM, converting said streamed program to one or more media files and transmitting data packets including said one or more converted media files over said local area network to said network subsystem computer.

14. A telecommunications method, comprising:

receiving one or more broadband media streams streaming from a set-top box in a media subsystem, said media subsystem further including a digital personal video stream manager (DPVSM) connected to a local area network (LAN) and a television;

digitizing said one or more broadband media streams as one or more media files via said DPVSM under control of a DPVSM controller in a personal computer networked over said LAN with said DPVSM;

transmitting data packets including said one or more media files over said LAN to a network subsystem, said network subsystem selectively storing received said media files, and being separately connected to the Internet and including said DPVSM controller and said personal computer, wherein said personal computer returns at least one control command in data packets over said LAN to said DPVSM; and

controlling playback of said one or more media files on said personal computer or as locally streamed media on said television via said DPVSM, said DPVSM providing a single interface between said personal computer and the television wherein devices in said media subsystem communicate with said network subsystem only through a multimedia interface; and

the DPVSM controller receiving at least one message, the at least one message having header information; and

the DPVSM controller determining whether the at least one message is a control message that has at least one control parameter based on the header information; and

upon the DPVSM controller determining that the at least one message is a control message, the DPVSM controller reading the at least one control parameter of the control message, the at least one control parameter comprising at least one of a time parameter, a date parameter, a duration parameter, a channel parameter, and a password parameter; and

the DPVSM controller translating the at least one control parameter into the at least one control command, the at least one control command comprising a format that is readable by the DPVSM; and

the DPVSM controller sending the at least one translated control parameter as the at least one control command to the DPVSM; and

the DPVSM operating said media subsystem responsive to the at least one control command.

15. The telecommunications method in accordance with claim 14, further comprising the DPVSM controller receiving the at least one message that is determined to be the control message from a communication device that is remote from the personal computer.

16. The telecommunications method in accordance with claim 14, further comprising receiving one or more Internet media files at said personal computer via the Internet connection and playing back said one or more Internet media files at said personal computer or as locally streamed media on said television, and downloading over said Internet connection a program schedule for setting a video recording device to record said one or more broadband media streams.

17. The telecommunications method in accordance with claim 14, wherein said controlling playback comprises employing an infrared remote and a television based user interface to control said playback.

18. The telecommunications method in accordance with claim 14, wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting said data packets via a wireless local area network.

19. The telecommunications method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the set-top box being connected to a broadband network and receiving said one or more broadband media streams from the a broadband network.

20. A home-based multimedia telecommunications system, comprising:

a broadband media connection to a set-top box in a media subsystem, said broadband media connection for receiving streaming broadband media for playing at a television in said media subsystem; and

a digital personal video stream manger (DPVSM) in said media subsystem connected to a local area network (LAN) and adapted to receive and digitize said streaming broadband media from said broadband media connection as one or more media files and to transmit data packets including said one or more media files over said LAN to a personal computer in a network subsystem separately connected to the Internet, wherein said personal computer returns at least one control command in data packets over said LAN to said DPVSM; and

wherein said DPVSM is adapted to interface a playback of said one or more media files on said personal computer and to locally stream media from said one or more media files on said television while under control of said control commands from a DPVSM controller, the DPVSM providing a single interface over said LAN between said network subsystem and said media subsystem such that devices in said media subsystem communicate with said network subsystem only through said DPVSM; and

wherein the personal computer receives at least one message, the at least one message having header information; and

wherein the personal computer determines whether the at least one message is a control message that has at least one control parameter based on the header information; and

wherein upon determining that the at least one message is a control message, the personal computer reads the at least one control parameter of the control message, the at least one control parameter comprising at least one of a time parameter, a date parameter, a duration parameter, a channel parameter, and a password parameter; and

wherein the personal computer translates the at least one control parameter into the at least one control command, the at least one control command comprising a format that is readable by the DPVSM; and

wherein the personal computer sends the at least one translated control parameter as the at least one control command to the DPVSM; and

the DPVSM operates said media subsystem responsive to the at least one control command.

21. The home-based multimedia telecommunications system in accordance with claim 20, wherein the personal computer receives the at least one message that is determined to be the control message from a communication device that is remote from the personal computer.

22. The home-based multimedia telecommunications system in accordance with claim 20, wherein said personal computer is adapted to download over said Internet connection a program schedule for setting a video recording device via said SPASM to record said streaming broadband media.

23. The home-based multimedia telecommunications system in accordance with claim 20, wherein said DPVSM includes an infrared interface for controlling said playback.

24. The home-based multimedia telecommunications system in accordance with claim 20, wherein said DPVSM and said personal computer each include a local area network interface for transmitting said data packets including said one or more media files via said local area network.

25. The home-based multimedia telecommunications system in accordance with claim 24, wherein said local area network is a wireless local area network and said broadband media connection comprises said set-top box and said SPASM receiving the streaming broadband media streamed over a broadband network from said set-top box.