WO2014209293A1

WO2014209293A1 - Apparatus and method for controlling tuners in client devices

Info

Publication number: WO2014209293A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/047769
Authority: WO
Inventors: Barry Weber
Original assignee: Thomson Licensing
Priority date: 2013-06-26
Filing date: 2013-06-26
Publication date: 2014-12-31

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling tuners over a network are provided. One embodiment includes receiving (510) an indication of an availability of a tuner in a client device from among a plurality of client devices accessible over a network and each one of the plurality of client devices having a respective tuner, accessing (520) the client device over the network to receive content in a program stream from a broadcast source, receiving the content over the network, and storing (530) the content. Another embodiment includes providing (610) an indication of an availability of a tuner accessible over a network, permitting (620) access to control the tuner over the network, and transmitting (630) content from a broadcast channel over the network.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING TUNERS IN CLIENT DEVICES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present principles relate generally to tuners and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for controlling tuners in client devices.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally media servers enable whole home personal video recorder (PVR) features (e.g., recording, pause, trick modes) for all receivers in a household. One traditional design used for configuring a home network places all the home's tuners at a single set top box (STB), using a single hard disk drive (HDD). In order to support six simultaneous live clients or users for reception from a single content provider or source (e.g., satellite signal reception) in a network, a minimum of six tuners are needed. Typically a seventh tuner is added to support recording an additional program stream. However, in a system that may include more than content provider or source (e.g., a mixed satellite/terrestrial network) seven tuners for each content provider or source may be needed (e.g., seven satellite tuners and seven terrestrial tuners) in order to guarantee coverage for any scenario.

A design or product including up to two sets of a plurality of tuners, as described above, in a single mechanical package is not yet cost effective. Further, in most cases the product is deployed in scenarios where there are fewer live clients than what has been provisioned for a worse-case scenario. Additionally, placing a plurality of tuners in one package may also be thermally restrictive. Therefore there is a need for an alternative architecture including control mechanisms for providing multiple sets of tuners for use in a home network.

SUMMARY

These and other drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art are addressed by the present principles, which are directed to controlling tuners in client devices.

According to an aspect of the present principles, there is provided a method and apparatus that include receiving an indication of an availability of a tuner in a client device from among a plurality of client devices accessible over a network and each one of the plurality of client devices having a respective tuner, accessing the client device over the network to receive content in a program stream from a broadcast source, receiving the content over the network, and storing the content.

According to another aspect of the present principles, there is provided a method and apparatus that include providing an indication of an availability of a tuner accessible over a network, permitting access to control the tuner over the network, and transmitting (630) content from a broadcast channel over the network.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present principles will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present principles may be better understood in accordance with the following exemplary figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system 100 for delivering content to a home or end user, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles;

FIG.2 shows an exemplary core of a set top box/digital video recorder 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary processing system 300 to which the present principles may be applied, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary system 400 for controlling tuners in a client device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary method 500 for controlling tuners in a client device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles; and

FIG. 6 shows another exemplary method 600 for controlling tuners in a client device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present principles are directed to controlling tuners in client devices.

In an embodiment, the present principles are directed to enabling other devices, on a media network, that have a tuner that previously was not shareable. However, it is to be appreciated that the present principles can also involve allowing "discrete tuners" to be added to and shared in the media network (e.g., subject to the same or different network management rules already in place). The present principles enable operators to have full trick mode capability on live broadcast content for media systems with multiple types of tuners without having to overload a media server. In an embodiment, the trick modes may be selectively disabled if there is too much network bandwidth being consumed in the media system.

Thus, the present principles solve at least the aforementioned cost and overheating problems of the prior art arrangement of tuners by advantageously distributing the tuners such that the cost is carried by the client devices. Each media system will always have the correct amount of tuners.

Moreover, in an embodiment, the present principles allow prevention of tuner duplication. For example, in an embodiment without a central controller (e.g., a digital video recorder (DVR)), two different clients or users may consume two tuners to watch the same program. In accordance with an embodiment of the present principles, the second client or user would utilize the tuner that is already in use (e.g., by the first client or user).

Further, in an embodiment, the present principles may utilize a television to provide an available tuner for the purposes of the present principles. For example, today's digital televisions are very flexible, often designed to receive internet content across an Internet Protocol (IP) connection. Also, many televisions now have terrestrial tuners. With the correct level of standardization or cooperation between an operator and a television manufacturer, in an embodiment it would be possible to utilize a television's tuner in accordance with the teachings of the present principles.

In an embodiment, a multi-room digital video recorder (DVR) may access the unused tuner in another set top box (STB), the set top box could decode the program stream and send the program stream (e.g., via an Internet Protocol (IP) network and/or so forth) to the multi-room DVR. The multi-room DVR may store this data in a conventional manner.

In an embodiment, the present principles include a media server that controls tuners in a client device. For example, the client device receives the broadcast at the request of the media server. The client device may convert the broadcast to an IP format and transmits the broadcast back to the server. The server may store the broadcast.

In an embodiment, the present principles split up or separate the tuner portion and the PVR portion in a set-top box and make them work in a distributed mode to achieve a media system with improved scalability. However, it is to be appreciated that in other embodiments, the personal video recorder (PVR) and the tuners do not need to be completely separated. For example, the PVR can include one or more of the tuners, but does not need to include all of the tuners. Moreover, while a DVR and PVR are mentioned in the preceding examples, other devices can also be used in accordance with the teachings of the present principles, as readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

While one of ordinary skill in the art will readily contemplate various applications to which the present principles can be applied, the following description will focus on embodiments of the present principles applied to a set-top box or media server type device. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily contemplate other devices and applications to which the present principles can be applied and that are within the scope of the present disclosure, given the teachings of the present principles provided herein. For example, the present principles can be incorporated into any device capable of receiving satellite, cable, and/or terrestrial broadcast signals and further has multimedia playback capability. Accordingly, the present principles can be incorporated into a set-top box with digital video recorder (DVR) capabilities, a stand-alone DVR, a home media server, a receiver, a computer media station, a tablet device, a home network gateway, a multi-media player, a home networking appliance, and so forth. It is to be appreciated that the preceding listing of devices is merely illustrative and not exhaustive.

Initially, a system for delivering various types of content to a user will be described.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system 100 for delivering content to a home or end user, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles. The content originates from a content source 102, such as a movie studio or production house. The content may be supplied in at least one of two forms. One form may be a broadcast form of content. The broadcast content is provided to the broadcast affiliate manager 104, which is typically a national broadcast service, such as the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), National Broadcasting Company (NBC), Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), etc. The broadcast affiliate manager may collect and store the content, and may schedule delivery of the content over a deliver network, shown as delivery network 1 (106). Delivery network 1 (106) may include satellite link transmission from a national center to one or more regional or local centers. Delivery network 1 (106) may also include local content delivery using local delivery systems such as over the air broadcast, satellite broadcast, or cable broadcast. The locally delivered content is provided to a user's set top box/digital video recorder (DVR) 108 in a user's home, where the content will form part of the results of subsequent searches by the user.

A second form of content is referred to as special content. Special content may include content that may have been delivered as premium viewing, pay-per- view, or other content otherwise not provided to the broadcast affiliate manager. In many cases, the special content may be content requested by the user. The special content may be delivered to a content manager 1 10. The content manager 1 10 may be a service provider, such as an Internet website, affiliated, for instance, with a content provider, broadcast service, or delivery network service. The content manager 1 10 may also incorporate Internet content into the delivery system, or explicitly into the search only such that content may be searched that has not yet been delivered to the user's set top box/digital video recorder 108. The content manager 1 10 may deliver the content to the user's set top box/digital video recorder 108 over a separate delivery network, delivery network 2 (1 12). Delivery network 2 (1 12) may include high-speed broadband Internet type communications systems. It is important to note that the content from the broadcast affiliate manager 104 may also be delivered using all or parts of delivery network 2 (1 12) and content from the content manager 1 10 may be delivered using all or parts of Delivery network 1 (106). In addition, the user may also obtain content directly from the Internet via delivery network 2 (1 12) without necessarily having the content managed by the content manager 1 10.

The set top box/digital video recorder 108 may receive different types of content from one or both of delivery network 1 and delivery network 2. The set top box/digital video recorder 108 processes the content, and provides a separation of the content based on user preferences and commands. The set top box/digital video recorder may also include a storage device, such as a hard drive or optical disk drive, for recording and playing back audio and video content. Further details of the operation of the set top box/digital video recorder 108 and features associated with playing back stored content will be described below in relation to FIG. 2. The processed content is provided to a display device 1 14. The display device 1 14 may be a conventional 2-D type display or may alternatively be an advanced 3-D display. It should be appreciated that other devices having display capabilities such as wireless phones, PDAs, computers, gaming platforms, remote controls, multi-media players, or the like, may employ the teachings of the present disclosure and are considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

It is important to note that more than one set-top box/digital video recorder 108 may be included at a location (e.g., a home or business). Further, one or more of a set-top box/digital video recorder 108 may serve as a gateway or head-end device to other devices in the location. Operation as a gateway or head-end device includes receiving and redistributing the content (e.g., audio and video content and/or program guide information) to the other devices. These devices may include, but are not limited to set-top boxes, thin client devices, display devices, computers, tablets, and the like.

FIG.2 shows an exemplary core of a set top box/digital video recorder 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles. The device 200 shown may also be incorporated into other systems including the display device 1 14 itself. In either case, several components necessary for complete operation of the system are not shown in the interest of conciseness, as they are well known to those skilled in the art.

In the device 200 shown in FIG. 2, the content is received in an input signal receiver 202. The input signal receiver 202 may be one of several known receiver circuits used for receiving, demodulation, and decoding signals provided over one of the several possible networks including over the air, cable, satellite, Ethernet, fiber and phone line networks. The desired input signal may be selected and retrieved in the input signal receiver 202 based on user input provided through a control interface (not shown). It is to be appreciated that the input signal receiver 202 may in certain embodiments be a transceiver for two way communication to and from the set top box/digital video recorder 108. In certain embodiments, the transceiver will output information, e.g., a search request to delivery network 2 (1 12) to search for Internet content.

The decoded output signal from the input signal receiver 202 is provided to an input stream processor 204. The input stream processor 204 performs the final signal selection and processing, and includes separation of video content from audio content for the content stream. The audio content is provided to an audio processor 206 for conversion from the received format, such as compressed digital signal, to an analog waveform signal. The analog waveform signal is provided to an audio interface 208 and further to the display device 1 14 or an audio amplifier (not shown). Alternatively, the audio interface 208 may provide a digital signal to an audio output device or display device using an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable or alternate audio interface such as via a SPDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format). The audio processor 206 also performs any necessary conversion for the storage of the audio signals.

The video output from the input stream processor 204 is provided to a video processor 210. The video signal may be one of several formats. The video processor 210 provides, as necessary a conversion of the video content, based on the input signal format. The video processor 210 also performs any necessary conversion for the storage of the video signals.

A storage device 212 stores audio and video content received at the input. The storage device 212 allows later retrieval and playback of the content under the control of a controller 214 and also based on commands, e.g., navigation

instructions such as fast-forward (FF) and rewind (Rew), received from a user interface 216. The storage device 212 may be a hard disk drive, one or more large capacity integrated electronic memories, such as static random access memory, or dynamic random access memory, or may be an interchangeable optical disk storage system such as a compact disk drive or digital video disk drive.

The converted video signal, from the video processor 210, either originating from the input or from the storage device 212, is provided to the display interface 218. The display interface 218 further provides the display signal to a display device of the type described above. The display interface 218 may be an analog signal interface such as red-green-blue (RGB) or may be a digital interface such as high definition multimedia interface (HDMI). It is to be appreciated that the display interface 218 will generate the various screens for presenting the search results in a three dimensional array as will be described in more detail below.

The controller 214 is interconnected via a bus to several of the components of the device 200, including the input stream processor 202, audio processor 206, video processor 210, storage device 212, and a user interface 216. The controller 214 manages the conversion process for converting the input stream signal into a signal for storage on the storage device or for display. The controller 214 also manages the retrieval and playback of stored content. Furthermore, the controller 214 performs searching of content, either stored or to be delivered via the delivery networks described above. The controller 214 is further coupled to control memory 220 (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory, including random access memory, static RAM, dynamic RAM, read only memory, programmable ROM, flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.) for storing information and instruction code for controller 214. Further, the implementation of the memory may include several possible embodiments, such as a single memory device or, alternatively, more than one memory circuit connected together to form a shared or common memory. Still further, the memory may be included with other circuitry, such as portions of bus communications circuitry, in a larger circuit.

To operate effectively, the user interface 216 of the present disclosure employs an input device. In one embodiment, the input device is a remote controller, with a form of motion detection, such as a gyroscope or accelerometer, which allows the user to move a cursor freely about a screen or display. In another embodiment, the input device is a controller in the form of a touch pad or touch screen remote that takes movements on the user's finger and translates this to the position of a cursor on the screen, or alternatively be used to provide a virtual keyboard. In other embodiments, the controller may include a full keyboard for typing search entries and also may include an accelerometer/gyroscope to track the user's movement to allow selection of elements to act as keys for a search. Other types of input devices such as conventional remotes, wireless devices such as phones and PDAs, motion capture devices or the like are also considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary processing system 300 to which the present principles may be applied, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles. The processing system 300 includes at least one processor (CPU) 302 operatively coupled to other components via a system bus 304. A memory cache 306, read only memory (ROM) 308, a random access memory (RAM) 310, a display adapter 360, an input/output (I/O) adapter 320, a user interface adapter 350, and a network adapter 340, are operatively coupled to the system bus 304.

A display device 362 is operatively coupled to system bus 304 by display adapter 360. Similarly, a speaker 332 is operatively coupled to system bus 304 by sound adaptor 330. A first storage device 322 and second storage device 324 (e.g., a magnetic or optical disk storage device) are operatively coupled to system bus 304 by I/O adapter 320.

A first user input device 352 (e.g., a mouse) and a second user input device 354 (e.g., a keyboard) are operatively coupled to system bus 304 by user interface adapter 350. A third user input interface 356 (e.g., an infra-red (IR) receiver) is also operatively coupled to system bus 304 through user interface adaptor 350. The first user input device 352, second user input device 354, and third user input device 356 are used to input and output information to and from system 300.

A transceiver 342 is operatively coupled to system bus 304 by network adapter 342.

Of course, the processing system 300 may also include other elements (not shown), as readily contemplated by one of skill in the art, as well as omit certain elements. For example, various other input devices and/or output devices can be included in processing system 300, depending upon the particular implementation of the same, as readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, various types of wireless and/or wired input and/or output devices can be used.

Moreover, additional processors, controllers, memories, and so forth, in various configurations can also be utilized as readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. These and other variations of the processing system 300 are readily contemplated by one of ordinary skill in the art given the teachings of the present principles provided herein.

It is to be appreciated that set-top box 200 described above with respect to FIG. 2 is a set-top box 200 for implementing respective embodiments of the present principles. Part or all of processing system 300 may be implemented in one or more of the elements of set-top box 200 (or other device).

Moreover, it is to be appreciated that system 400 described below with respect to FIG. 4 is a system for implementing respective embodiments of the present principles. Part or all of processing system 300 may be implemented in one or more of the elements of system 400. FIG. 4 shows an exemplary system 400 for controlling tuners in a client device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles. In particular, FIG. 4 shows a three room media system. The system 400 includes a satellite dish 410, a terrestrial antenna 41 1 , a media server 420, a client 430A, and a client 430B. In an embodiment, the elements of system 400 are interconnected using a local area network (LAN). Of course, other connection configurations (e.g., other types of networks, and so forth) can also be used, while maintaining the spirit of the present principles.

Each of the client devices 430A and 430B has at least a terrestrial tuner 431 . The terrestrial tuner 431 is for local viewing. The client devices can be, for example, but are not limited to, a set top box, a personal video recorder, a digital video recorder, and so forth. It is to be appreciated that in an embodiment the client device can be any device having a tuner and capable of advertising the tuner's availability, tune, and convert tuned content to Internet Protocol format.

The media server 420 includes a terrestrial tuner 421 for recording and another terrestrial tuner 422 for local viewing. The media server 420 further includes a tuner controller 423 for accessing and controlling a respective tuner in the client devices 430A and 430B. The media server 420 also include a local storage buffer 424 (e.g., a local storage pause buffer) for storing media content. The media server 420 additionally includes a bandwidth manager 425 for managing a bandwidth of the LAN.

In one operational configuration in which the home network can support the network traffic bandwidth, the client devices 430A and 430B may handle some of the transport stream processing and route the media content through the media server 420 in order to take advantage of its local storage buffer 424. In such an operational configuration, one client device (e.g., client device 430A) may tune a channel and provide a program content stream from the tuned channel to a second client device (e.g., client device 430B) through the media server (e.g., media server 420).

However, in some media systems, the local area network traffic bandwidth may not be large enough to support the media content traffic in both directions.

Accordingly, this traffic will need to be monitored and managed (e.g., pause/time shift is turned off for one of the clients 430A and 430B if the LAN runs out of bandwidth).

In operation, the media server 420 may tune channels using tuner 421 and 422. Further, media server may receive an indication of an availability of a tuner in a client device (e.g., client device 430A or client device 430B) accessible over the network. The media server 420 may include a network interface, such as shown in FIG. 3 Media server 420 may access the client device over the network to receive content in a program stream from a broadcast source. The content from the client device is then received by the media server 420 over the network, using the network interface. The media server may store the content and/or transmit the content to the same or a different client device.

The client device (e.g., client device 430A or client device 430B) may provide an indication of an availability of its tuner that is accessible by the media server 420 over the network. The client device may include a network interface similar to that shown in FIG. 3. The client device may permit access to control the tuner over the network. The client may further tune a channel to receive content from a broadcast channel and transmit the content from the broadcast channel over the network to the media server 420.

It is to be appreciated that while a satellite dish 410 and a terrestrial antenna 41 1 are shown in FIG. 4 as sources of media content, other types of content and corresponding hardware for obtaining the same can be used in accordance with the teachings of the present principles, while maintaining the spirit of the present principles.

Moreover, it is to be appreciated that while two client devices 430A and 430B are shown in FIG. 4, any number of client devices can be used in accordance with the teachings of the present principles, while maintaining the spirit of the present principles.

These and other variations of FIG. 4 are readily contemplated by one of ordinary skill in the art, given the teachings of the present principles provided herein.

Various methods in accordance with the present principles will now be described. In particular, FIG. 5 is primarily directed toward a media server or similar device. FIG. 6 is primarily directed toward one or more client devices or similar devices. Additionally, it is to be appreciated that processing system 300 may perform at least part of the methods described herein including, for example, at least part of method 500 of FIG. 5 and/or at least part of method 600 of FIG. 6. Similarly, part or all of system 400 may be used to perform at least part of method 500 and/or at least part of method 600. Also, part or all of set-top box 200 may be used to perform at least part of method 500 and/or at least part of method 600.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary method 500 for controlling tuners in a client device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles. The method 500 may be performed by a media server (e.g., such as media server 420) and involves one or more client devices (e.g., such as client devices 430A and 430B). The media server and the client devices are interconnected (e.g., by a local area network). Further, all or a portion of method 500 may be performed in a set top box (e.g., set top box/digital video recorder 108 shown in FIG. 1 or device 200 shown in FIG. 2).

At step 510, an indication is received regarding an availability of a tuner in a client device from among a plurality of client devices accessible by the media server and each having a respective tuner.

At step 520, the client device is accessed to receive content in a program stream from a broadcast at a request of the media server over a network.

Additionally, at step 520, control for the tuner in the client device may be turned over to the media server. As a result, the media server accesses the content by controlling the tuner in the client device to tune to a broadcast channel. Further, in order to transfer the program content (from the broadcast) the received broadcast signal may be converted to an Internet Protocol format. Moreover, at step 520, the converted broadcast signal may be transmitted back to the media server over the network. The broadcast may include, for example, a selected transport stream from among multiple transport streams.

At step 530, the converted broadcast is received by the media server and stored in the media server, after it is transmitted over the network, at step 520.

At step 540, the converted broadcast after it is transmitted to the media server, at step 520, or after it is stored, at step 530, is further transmitted to the client device or another client device for playback.

At step 550, in conjunction with the transmission, at step 540, the home network is monitored regarding the amount of consumed bandwidth during operation of the local area network. Also, at step 550, an indication may be provided to disable one or more trick mode functions for one or more of the plurality of client devices when the amount of consumed bandwidth is greater than a threshold amount.

It is to be appreciated that the converted broadcast stored in step 530 may be for future use, or may be essentially retransmitted with only transient storage of the converted broadcast. Further, the tuners in the client device may be capable of receiving a variety of video broadcast formats, including, but not limited to terrestrial, cable, or satellite broadcast formats. Moreover, it is also to be appreciated that the broadcast may be encrypted/secured depending upon the implementation.

Additionally, it is further to be appreciated that authentication of one or more of the involved devices can be performed depending upon the implementation. Given the teachings of the present principles provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will contemplate these and various other implementations of the present principles, while maintaining the spirit of the present principles.

FIG. 6 shows another exemplary method 600 for controlling tuners in a client device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles. The method 600 may be performed by one or more of multiple client devices (e.g., such as any of client devices 430A and 430B) and involves a media server (e.g., such as media server 420). The multiple client devices are accessible by the media server and each of the multiple client devices has a respective tuner. The media server and the client devices are interconnected, e.g., by a local area network. Further, all or a portion of method 600 may be performed in a set top box (e.g., set top box/digital video recorder 108 shown in FIG. 1 or device 200 shown in FIG. 2).

At step 610, an indication is provided regarding an availability of a tuner in one or more client devices.

At step 620, access of the tuner in the one or more client devices is permitted by the media server over the network to receive content from a broadcast channel based on a request of the media server. Additionally, at step 620, control of the tuner in the one or more client devices may be transferred to the media server. The one or more client devices, after receiving the broadcast program content, may tune the broadcast channel and convert the content in the broadcast channel to an Internet Protocol format. The client device then transmits the converted broadcast content back to the media server. The broadcast content may include, for example, a selected transport stream from among multiple transport streams.

At step 630, the converted broadcast program, after being transferred or transmitted to the media server, may be received from the media server for playback at one or more of different client devices over the network.

In an embodiment, the present principles are implemented with respect to a media server and multiple client devices. Of course, the present principles are not limited to solely the preceding implementation and, thus, given the teachings of the present principles provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will contemplate this and various other implementations of the present principles, while maintaining the spirit of the present principles.

Traditionally, some client devices may not have any broadcast tuners, only the ability to receive Internet Protocol (IP) content across broadband. In an embodiment, the client devices are populated with a broadcast tuner, in addition to the broadband IP connection. Further, the tuners present in the client devices may be capable of receiving a variety of video broadcast formats, including, but not limited to terrestrial, cable, or satellite broadcast formats.

In an embodiment, one part of the present principles involves the use of tuner advertising within the client device to notify the media server that a tuner of the client device is available. As part of this embodiment, the client actually makes available the tuner, the demodulator and part of its demultiplexer.

In an embodiment, another part of the present principles involves a media server controlling the tuner, demodulator, and demutiplexor to have desired settings. For example, in an embodiment, the tuner, demodulator, and demultiplexer are controlled such that the client device receives a broadcast (e.g., a transport stream) at the request of the media server, and converts the broadcast to an IP format.

Next, the transport stream is routed using IP from the client device to the media server, where it makes use of the storage and transport technology needed to support PVR operations.

From the media server, the transport stream is extracted from storage and sent back to the client for playback.

Another part of the present principles involves the ability of the system to use terrestrial tuners for recording even when the terrestrial tuners are not in use for live playback. In a traditional media center, there is a limit on the number of transport stream inputs. In many cases, there could be a choice between a satellite tuner and a terrestrial tuner (a switch is needed somewhere in the system). In this case, both the terrestrial tuner and the satellite tuner can be routed to the recording hardware since content is provided from the terrestrial tuners using Internet Protocol. This enables the program streams to bypass the hardware transport inputs and/or the internal transport processing. Another limitation of the prior art addressed by the present principles is the actual hardware transport inputs, which could be a chip limitation. The present principles provide more inputs due to the Internet Protocol path. Yet another limitation of the prior art addressed by the present principles is transport processing inside of the chip. In an embodiment of the present principles, the transport processing on the client devices can be used to avoid the limitation. Advantageously, these and other limitations of the prior art are addressed and overcome by the present principles.

The present description illustrates the present principles. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the present principles and are included within its scope.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for educational purposes to aid the reader in understanding the present principles and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions.

Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and

embodiments of the present principles, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof.

Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure.

Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the block diagrams presented herein represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitry embodying the present principles. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudocode, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable media and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate software. When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared. Moreover, explicit use of the term "processor" or "controller" should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor ("DSP") hardware, read-only memory ("ROM") for storing software, random access memory ("RAM"), and non-volatile storage.

Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included.

Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the implementer as more specifically understood from the context.

Herein, the phrase "coupled" is defined to mean directly connected to or indirectly connected with through one or more intermediate components. Such intermediate components may include both hardware and software based

components.

In the claims hereof, any element expressed as a means for performing a specified function is intended to encompass any way of performing that function including, for example, a) a combination of circuit elements that performs that function or b) software in any form, including, therefore, firmware, microcode or the like, combined with appropriate circuitry for executing that software to perform the function. The present principles as defined by such claims reside in the fact that the functionalities provided by the various recited means are combined and brought together in the manner which the claims call for. It is thus regarded that any means that can provide those functionalities are equivalent to those shown herein.

Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" of the present principles, as well as other variations thereof, means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, and so forth described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present principles. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment", as well any other variations, appearing in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

It is to be appreciated that the use of any of the following 7", "and/or", and "at least one of, for example, in the cases of "A B", "A and/or B" and "at least one of A and B", is intended to encompass the selection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of the second listed option (B) only, or the selection of both options (A and B). As a further example, in the cases of "A, B, and/or C" and "at least one of A, B, and C", such phrasing is intended to encompass the selection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of the second listed option (B) only, or the selection of the third listed option (C) only, or the selection of the first and the second listed options (A and B) only, or the selection of the first and third listed options (A and C) only, or the selection of the second and third listed options (B and C) only, or the selection of all three options (A and B and C). This may be extended, as readily apparent by one of ordinary skill in this and related arts, for as many items listed.

It is to be understood that the teachings of the present principles may be implemented in various forms of hardware, software, firmware, special purpose processors, or combinations thereof.

Most preferably, the teachings of the present principles are implemented as a combination of hardware and software. Moreover, the software may be

implemented as an application program tangibly embodied on a program storage unit. The application program may be uploaded to, and executed by, a machine comprising any suitable architecture. Preferably, the machine is implemented on a computer platform having hardware such as one or more central processing units ("CPU"), a random access memory ("RAM"), and input/output ("I/O") interfaces. The computer platform may also include an operating system and microinstruction code. The various processes and functions described herein may be either part of the microinstruction code or part of the application program, or any combination thereof, which may be executed by a CPU. In addition, various other peripheral units may be connected to the computer platform such as an additional data storage unit and a printing unit.

It is to be further understood that, because some of the constituent system components and methods depicted in the accompanying drawings are preferably implemented in software, the actual connections between the system components or the process function blocks may differ depending upon the manner in which the present principles are programmed. Given the teachings herein, one of ordinary skill in the pertinent art will be able to contemplate these and similar implementations or configurations of the present principles.

Although the illustrative embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present principles is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the pertinent art without departing from the scope of the present principles. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present principles as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: What is claimed is:

1 . A method, comprising:

receiving (510) an indication of an availability of a tuner in a client device from among a plurality of client devices accessible over a network and each one of the plurality of client devices having a respective tuner;

accessing (520) the client device over the network to receive content in a program stream from a broadcast source;

receiving the content over the network; and

storing (530) the content.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the client device is at least one of a personal video recorder and a digital video recorder.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of accessing (520) the client device further includes controlling a tuner in the client device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the tuner in the client device is a broadcast tuner capable of receiving at one of a satellite broadcast signal, a terrestrial broadcast signal, and a cable broadcast signal.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of accessing (520) the client device further includes converting the content from the broadcast source to an Internet protocol format.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of accessing (520) the client device further includes transmitting the converted broadcast content over the network.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the content from the broadcast source comprises a selected transport stream from among a plurality of available transport streams.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting (540) the received content to the client device or another client device over the network for playback.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring (550) an amount of consumed bandwidth of the network and providing an indication to disable one or more trick mode functions for one or more of the plurality of client devices when the amount of consumed bandwidth is greater than a threshold amount.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising making the stored content received over the network available for playback by any of the plurality of client devices.

1 1 . An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving an indication of an availability of a tuner in a client device from among a plurality of client devices accessible over a network and each one of the plurality of client devices having a respective tuner;

means for accessing the client device over the network to receive content in a program stream from a broadcast source;

means for receiving the content over the network; and

means for storing the content.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 1 , wherein the client device is at least one of a personal video recorder and a digital video recorder.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 1 , wherein the means for accessing the client device further includes means for controlling a tuner in the client device.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the tuner in the client device is a broadcast tuner capable of receiving at one of a satellite broadcast signal, a terrestrial broadcast signal, and a cable broadcast signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the client device further includes means for converting the content from the broadcast source to an Internet protocol format.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the client device further includes means for transmitting the converted broadcast content over the network.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 1 , wherein the content from the broadcast source comprises a selected transport stream from among a plurality of available transport streams.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 1 , further comprising means for transmitting the received content to the client device or another client device over the network for playback.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 1 , further comprising means for monitoring an amount of consumed bandwidth of the network and providing an indication to disable one or more trick mode functions for one or more of the plurality of client devices when the amount of consumed bandwidth is greater than a threshold amount.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 1 , further comprising means for making the stored content received over the network available for playback by any of the plurality of client devices.

21 . A method (600), comprising:

providing (610) an indication of an availability of a tuner accessible over a network;

permitting (620) access to control the tuner over the network; and transmitting (630) content from a broadcast channel over the network.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the content from the broadcast source comprises a selected transport stream from among a plurality of available transport streams.

23. An apparatus, comprising:

means for providing an indication of an availability of a tuner accessible over a network;

means for permitting access to control the tuner over the network; and means for transmitting content from a broadcast channel over the network.