Centralized digital video recording and playback system accessible to multiple reproduction and control units via a home area network
First Claim
1. A method of digital video program reproduction within defined premises, said method comprising:
- receiving a plurality of electronic audio-visual programs;
storing said programs in a centralized memory;
providing a first program reproduction device and a second reproduction device adapted to reproduce programs for viewers/users;
networking said centralized memory and said first and second program reproduction devices together;
selecting a program as a selected program;
distributing the ability to control reproduction of said selected program among the first and second reproduction devices so that, at the selection of a viewer, said reproduction of said selected program is seamless between said reproduction devices such that the first reproduction device may live-pause the reproduction of the selected program and the second reproduction device may resume reproduction of the selected program;
designating as part of a hierarchy, a control ranking to each of said first and second reproduction devices; and
during control conflicts, allowing the reproduction device attempting to control playback having the highest control ranking, to control the reproduction of said selected program.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A centralized Digital Video Recording (DVR) and reproduction system links several reproduction and control units (such as television receivers, etc.) and a centralized server via a home area network. This allows programming to be distributed throughout the premises, and novelly allows live-pause recording and playback to be effected from more than one reproduction and control unit in a seamless manner. For example, during a live-pause episode, a viewer can pause a program from one control and reproduction unit, and resume viewing the program from the same pause point at another control and reproduction unit on the premises. The present invention also allows a viewer to view multiple programs from the server on the same monitor using a multiple picture-in-picture display.
40 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of digital video program reproduction within defined premises, said method comprising:
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receiving a plurality of electronic audio-visual programs; storing said programs in a centralized memory; providing a first program reproduction device and a second reproduction device adapted to reproduce programs for viewers/users; networking said centralized memory and said first and second program reproduction devices together; selecting a program as a selected program; distributing the ability to control reproduction of said selected program among the first and second reproduction devices so that, at the selection of a viewer, said reproduction of said selected program is seamless between said reproduction devices such that the first reproduction device may live-pause the reproduction of the selected program and the second reproduction device may resume reproduction of the selected program; designating as part of a hierarchy, a control ranking to each of said first and second reproduction devices; and during control conflicts, allowing the reproduction device attempting to control playback having the highest control ranking, to control the reproduction of said selected program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for digital video program reproduction within defined premises, said system comprising:
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a program receiver adapted to receive a plurality of electronic audio-visual programs; a central memory adapted to store said programs; a first program reproduction device and a second program reproduction device each adapted to reproduce programs for viewers/users; and a network adapted to network said central memory and said first and second program reproduction devices;
wherein the ability to control live-pause reproduction of a selected program among the first and second reproduction devices is distributed so that, at the selection of a viewer, said live-pause reproduction of said selected program is seamless between said first and second reproduction devices,wherein each of said first and second reproduction devices are designated to have, as part of a hierarchy, a control ranking, and during control conflicts, the reproduction device attempting to control playback having the highest control ranking, controls the reproduction of said selected program. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification