Media interface device
AssigneeAT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
InventorsTodd Andrew Fryer, Nicholas Nicas, Douglas Medina
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus includes a plurality of packetizers, a buffer, and an interface. The plurality of packetizers includes a first packetizer and a second packetizer. Each of the plurality of packetizers is configured to receive media content from a corresponding media source. The buffer is coupled to the plurality of packetizers and is configured to concurrently receive first content from the first packetizers and second content from the second packetizers. The interface is configured to provide the first content from the buffer to a display device and to provide the second content from the buffer to the display device responsive to a media selection request received from the display device.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of packetizers comprising a first packetizer, a second packetizer, and a third packetizer, wherein each of the plurality of packetizers is configured to receive media content from a corresponding media source;
- a buffer configured to concurrently receive first content from the first packetizer and second content from the second packetizer;
- and
- an interface coupled to the buffer and configured to:
- receive a first packet of the first content from the buffer;
- generate a header and a first data frame, wherein the first data frame includes the first packet and the header;
- provide the first data frame to a display device;
- provide the second content from the buffer to the display device responsive to a media selection request received from the display device;
- receive third content from the third packetizer, wherein the third content bypasses the buffer;
- and
- provide the third content to the display device.
A method comprising:
- concurrently receiving, at a buffer of a media interface device, first content from a first packetizer, second content from a second packetizer, and third content from a third packetizer;
- transmitting a first packet of the first content from the buffer to an interface;
- initiating generation of a header and a first data frame at the interface, wherein the first data frame includes the first packet and the header;
- sending the first data frame from the interface to a display device;
- loading the second content into the buffer of the media interface device concurrently with sending the first content from the buffer to the display device;
- receiving, at the media interface device, a media selection request from the display device, the media selection request identifying the second content;
- sending the second content from the buffer to the display device responsive to the media selection request;
- receiving, at the interface, third content from the third packetizer, wherein the third content bypasses the buffer;
- and
- providing the third content to the display device.
A computer readable storage device comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform operations including:
- concurrently receiving first content from a first packetizer, second content from a second packetizer, and third content from a third packetizer;
- initiating transmission of a first packet of the first content from a buffer to an interface;
- generating, at the interface, a header and a first data frame, wherein the first data frame includes the first packet and the header;
- initiating transmission of the first data frame from the interface to a display device;
- loading the second content concurrently with sending the first content from the buffer to the display device;
- receiving, a media selection request from the display device, the media selection request identifying the second content;
- sending the second content to the display device responsive to the media selection request;
- receiving, at the interface, third content from the third packetizer, wherein the third content bypasses the buffer;
- and
- providing the third content to the display device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.