Device, system, and method for managing television tuners

• US 8,839,314 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kortum, Philip Ted, Sullivan, Marc Andrew, Brandt, Jeffrey Lewis
• Primary Examiner(s): Ingvoldstad, Bennett
• Application Number:
  US13/835,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20130205351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• US Class Current: 725/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4263 involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/436 Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
• 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 21/4363 Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44231 Monitoring of peripheral device or external card, e.g. to detect processing problems in a handheld device or the failure of an external recording device configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network H04L12/2823; monitoring the status of connected device in data switched networks H04L43/0817
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/63 Generation or supply of power specially adapted for television receivers

Abstract

A method at a first set top box includes transmitting to a second set top box a request to use a television tuner associated with the second set top box. The method further includes receiving a return recording option from the second set top box. The method also includes generating an indication of a rejection of the request from the second set top box based on the received return recording option. The indication includes a graphical message specifying the rejection of the request.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

at a first set top box;

transmitting to a second set top box a request to use a television tuner associated with the second set top box;

receiving a return recording option from the second set top box;

in response to receiving the return recording option;

generating an indication of a rejection, wherein the indication includes a graphical message specifying the rejection was caused by the return recording option from the second set top box; and

displaying the indication at a first display device associated with the first set top box, wherein the indication presents a cancel recording option and a watch recording option;

receiving an option selection, wherein the option selection indicates the cancel recording option or the watch recording option;

in response to the option selection indicating the cancel recording option, canceling the request; and

in response to the option selection indicating the watch recording option, changing a channel associated with a second television tuner associated with the first set top box to a second channel associated with the request.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, at the first set top box, a second request to use a first television tuner prior to transmitting the request.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining that a recording is scheduled for a second television tuner associated with the first set top box prior to transmitting the request.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising determining that a second television associated with the second set top box is not in a standby mode prior to transmitting the request, wherein the determination that the second television is not in the standby mode is based on a signal from a power detection module associated with the second television.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the return recording option and a watch recording option are presented at a second television associated with the second set top box.

6. An apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to perform operations including;

transmitting, from a first set top box to a second set top box, a request to use a television tuner associated with the second set top box;

receiving a return recording option from the second set top box;

generating an indication of a rejection in response to receiving the return recording option, wherein the indication includes a graphical message specifying the rejection was caused by the return recording option from the second set top box;

displaying the indication at a first display device associated with the first set top box, wherein the indication presents a cancel recording option and a watch recording option;

receiving an option selection, wherein the option selection indicates the cancel recording option or the watch recording option;

in response to the option selection indicating the cancel recording option, canceling the request; and

in response to the option selection indicating the watch recording option, changing a channel associated with a second television tuner associated with the first set top box to a second channel associated with the request.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a first television interface coupled to the first set top box, wherein the first television interface is configured to send the indication to a first television for display.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a power detection module coupled to the first set top box, wherein the power detection module is configured to determine whether a first television associated with the first set top box is in a standby mode.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the standby mode is a low power mode in which the first television is not fully operational.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first television receives no power in the standby mode.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a first television tuner coupled to the processor.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the operations further include determining that a recording is scheduled for the first television tuner prior to transmitting the request to use the television tuner associated with the second set top box.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the operations further include canceling the scheduled recording in response to receiving the return recording option from the second set top box.

14. A computer readable storage device comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

transmitting a request to use a television tuner associated with a remote set top box;

receiving a return recording option from the remote set top box;

in response to receiving the return recording option;

generating an indication of a rejection, wherein the indication includes a graphical message specifying the rejection was caused by the return recording option from the second set top box; and

displaying the indication at a first display device associated with the first set top box, wherein the indication presents a cancel recording option and a watch recording option;

receiving an option selection, wherein the option selection indicates the cancel recording option or the watch recording option;

in response to the option selection indicating the cancel recording option, canceling the request; and

in response to the option selection indicating the watch recording option, changing a channel associated with a second television tuner associated with the first set top box to a second channel associated with the request.

15. The computer readable storage device of claim 14, wherein the processor is integrated into a first set top box.

16. The computer readable storage device of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise determining that a recording is scheduled for a second television tuner associated with a first set top box prior to transmitting the request to use the television tuner associated with the remote set top box.

17. The computer readable storage device of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise determining that a remote television associated with the remote set top box is not in a standby mode prior to transmitting the request to use the television tuner associated with the remote set top box.