Set-top box having media gateway, server and storage units

• US 8,856,856 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2012
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Phillips, Sheldon George, Crosby, Ben
• Primary Examiner(s): Kumar, Pankaj
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOND, TARIQ A
• Application Number:
  US13/976,206
• Publication Number:
  US 20130268993A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 725/134
• US Class Current: 725/134
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/40 Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41 Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/00 Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus

Abstract

A set top box is provided that has a low profile modular configuration that enables the control unit and storage unit to function independently from each other or as a combined unit. The set top box includes a control unit, a storage unit, and a connector positioned there between. The storage unit includes a housing and a plurality of storage bays for receiving storage modules having two parallel broad sides. The connector is positioned between the control unit and the storage unit and secures the control and storage units together. The connector has a vertical peripheral cross section substantially the same as a vertical peripheral cross section of the control unit and the storage unit.

Claims

1. A electronic system, comprising:

a set top box (STB);

a storage unit having a housing and a plurality of storage bays for receiving storage modules having two parallel broad sides;

a connector securing the STB and the storage unit together and positioned there between, the connector having a vertical peripheral cross section being substantially the same as a vertical peripheral cross section of the STB and the storage unit;

an access door disposed along a first end of the storage unit; and

a locking mechanism on the access door that includes a plurality of elongated magnetic components extending from a central region of the locking mechanism and corresponding with a plurality of securing pins, wherein the elongated magnetic components push the plurality of securing pins outward from the access door into pin receiving passageways to secure the access door.

2. The electronic system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of storage bays are parallel to one another with air gaps there between when the storage modules are positioned in each of the plurality of storage bays.

3. The electronic system according to claim 2, wherein the storage unit is configured to draw air in a first unilateral direction through a vented channel positioned along the first end of the storage unit and then direct the air through the plurality of storage bays in a second unilateral direction using a venting assembly positioned along a second end of the storage unit.

4. The electronic system of claim 3, wherein the venting assembly includes a venting passageway leading from the vented channel to a fan receiving chamber for holding a blower that directs the air into storage bays.

5. The electronic system of claim 4, further comprising a perforated wall positioned between the venting assembly and the plurality of storage bays, the perforated wall having a plurality of vents corresponding to each of the plurality of storage bays.

6. The electronic system of claim 3, wherein the a locking mechanism is activated by a latch, and the plurality of securing pins extend beyond surface ends of the access door to secure the access door to the storage unit.

7. The electronic system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of elongated magnetic components and the plurality of securing pins extend along a common plane.

8. The electronic system of claim 6, wherein the elongated magnetic components turn by motion of the latch and retract the plurality of securing pins when the elongated magnetic components align parallel with the plurality of pin receiving passageways of the access door.

9. The electronic system of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of locking apertures disposed on at least two walls of the storage unit, each locking aperture being aligned with the plurality of pin receiving passageways such that the plurality of securing pins are received into the plurality of locking apertures when the elongated magnetic components are positioned to move the plurality of securing pins, thereby securing the access door with the storage unit.

10. The electronic system of claim 6, wherein the access door has a perforated surface of venting apertures.

11. A storage unit for set top box unit, the storage unit comprising:

A housing;

A connector secured to the set top box and the storage unit together and positioned there between;

a plurality of storage bays for receiving and holding storage modules having two parallel broad sides, the plurality of storage bays are positioned parallel to one another to provide air gaps there between when the storage modules are positioned in each of the plurality of storage bays;

an end cap positioned at one end of the housing for providing I/O connectivity and power transformer capability;

an access door disposed along the end of the storage unit;

a latch;

a plurality of securing pins that extend beyond surface ends of the access door and configured;

a locking mechanism activated by the latch, the locking mechanism including a plurality of elongated magnetic components extending from a central region of the locking mechanism and corresponding with the plurality of securing pins, the elongated magnetic components pushing the plurality of securing pins outward to secure the access door with the storage unit.

12. The storage unit according to claim 11, wherein the storage unit is configure to draw air in a first unilateral direction from another end of the housing through a vented channel positioned and direct through the plurality of storage bays by a venting assembly positioned between the end cap and storage bays.

13. The storage unit of claim 12, wherein the venting assembly includes a venting passageway leading from the vented channel to a fan receiving chamber containing a blower that directs the air into storage bays.

14. The storage unit of claim 13, further comprising a perforated wall positioned between the venting assembly and the plurality of storage bays, the perforated wall having a plurality of vents corresponding to each of the plurality of storage bays.

15. The storage unit of claim 11, wherein the plurality of elongated magnetic components and the plurality of securing pins extend along a common plane.

16. The storage unit of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of pin receiving passageways disposed in the access door and receiving the plurality of securing pins.

17. The storage unit of claim 16, wherein the elongated magnetic components turn by motion of the latch and retract the plurality of securing pins when the elongated magnetic components align parallel with the plurality of pin receiving passageways.

18. The storage unit of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of locking apertures disposed on at least two walls of the storage unit, each locking aperture aligned with the plurality of pin receiving passageways such that the plurality of securing pins are received into the plurality of locking apertures when the elongated magnetic components are positioned to move the plurality of securing pins, thereby securing the access door with the storage unit.

19. The storage unit of claim 18, wherein the elongated magnetic components turn by motion of the latch and push the plurality of securing pins outward from the access door when the elongated magnetic components align parallel with the plurality of pin receiving passageways.

20. The storage unit of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of locking apertures disposed on at least two walls of the storage unit, each locking aperture aligned with the plurality of pin receiving passageways such that the plurality of securing pins are received into the plurality of locking apertures when the elongated magnetic components are positioned to move the plurality of securing pins, thereby securing the access door with the storage unit.