US 11,240,552 B2 · Multi-stream placeshifting

Abstract

Disclosure is directed to managing more than one placeshifting transmission at a target device. The target device may be configured to receive a first video from a first placeshifting source and a second video from a second placeshifting source. The target device may additionally be configured to simultaneously output the first and second video on an output device, using various display screen configurations such as picture-in-picture, split screen, windows, and so. The first and second placeshifting sources may be content receivers having integrated placeshifting functions or may be content receivers provided in association with stand-alone placeshifting devices. A dual-tuner content receiver may also provide both the first and second placeshifting sources to the target device.

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Claims18

Dependent claims

A placeshifting method for a target device, the method comprising:

receiving multiple input streams at a single placeshifting client hosted by the target device in communication with a transcoder coupled to a dual-tuner of a television receiver, wherein the dual-tuner is configured to receive two separate channels of content from a service provider of the multiple input streams comprising a first input stream and a second input stream wherein the first input stream includes a first television program received at the dual-tuner for the target device and wherein the first input stream is sent across a packet-switched network to the target device, wherein the transcoder is operable to convert data representing the first television program to a format appropriate for transmission across the packet-switched network;
in response to a request for the second input stream while the first input stream is received from the dual-tuner of the television receiver, receiving, by the dual-tuner of the television receiver, a second channel separate from the first channel comprising a second television program,
wherein the transcoder coupled to the dual-tuner is operable to convert data representing the second television program to the format appropriate for transmission across the packet-switched network, and is coupled remotely to the single placeshifting client via the packet-switched network;
communicating to the target device, by a placeshifting server coupled to the transcoder and the dual-tuner, shifting of the first and second television programs that are outputted from the transcoder for transmittal over the first and second input streams via the packet-switch network, and for receipt by the single placeshifting client;
and
in response to receipt of the first and second input streams by the single placeshifting client, outputting a video signal, by the single placeshifting client, for display of content of the first and second television programs on the target device, wherein the content from the video signal is extracted simultaneously from the first input stream for the first television program and the second input stream for the second television program.

3 more elements

A target device in a placeshifting system, the target device comprising:

a network connection configured to communicate over a packet-switched network;
a processor connected to the network connection and configured to send and receive transactions across the packet-switched network through the network connection;
a first process configured to execute on the processor, the first process configured to process a first input stream received across the packet-switched network from a first placeshifting source, wherein the first placeshifting source comprises a transcoder configured with a dual-tuner of a television receiver;
a second process configured to simultaneously execute with the first process on the processor, the second process configured to process a second input stream received across the packet-switched network from a second placeshifting source that is different from the first placeshifting source;
wherein the second placeshifting source comprises the transcoder configured with the dual-tuner of the television receiver, and wherein the second process comprises connecting to the second placeshifting source in response to a request for the second input stream, while receiving the first input stream from a first channel for a first television program, to simultaneously receive a second channel for a second television program by the dual-tuner of the television receiver;
wherein the transcoder configured with the dual-tuner of the television is operable to convert data representing the first and second television programs to a format appropriate for transmission across the packet-switched network;
a placeshifting server coupled to the transcoder and the dual-tuner of the television, to communicate to the target device to shift the first and second television programs that are outputted from the transcoder for transmission over the first and second input streams via the packet-switch network for receipt at a single placeshifting client;
and
wherein the single placeshifting client is configured to output a video signal for display of content of the first and second television programs on the target device, wherein the content from the video signal is extracted simultaneously from the first input stream for the first television program, and the second input stream for the second television program.

6 more elements

A placeshifting system for a target device, comprising:

a first placeshifting source configured to output a first video stream across a packet switched network wherein the first placeshifting source comprises a transcoder coupled to a dual-tuner of a television receiver;
a second placeshifting source configured to output a second video stream across the packet switched network wherein the second placeshifting source comprises the transcoder coupled to the dual-tuner of the television receiver;
the target device in communication with the first and second placeshifting sources across the packet switched network, the target device configured to receive simultaneously the first video stream of the first placeshifting source and the second video stream of the second placeshifting source;
in response to a request for the second video stream while the first video stream is being received by the dual-tuner of the television receiver on a first channel for the first placeshifting source, connecting the dual-tuner of the television receiver to receive the second video stream for the second placeshifting source on a second channel separate from the first channel, wherein the first channel contains a first television program while the second channel contains a second television program;
a placeshifting server coupled to first and second placeshifting sources, to communicate to the target device to shift the first and second television programs that are outputted from the transcoder for transmission over the first and second video streams via the packet-switch network for receipt at a single placeshifting client;
and
wherein the single placeshifting client is configured to output a video signal for display of content of the first and second television programs on the target device, wherein the content from the video signal is extracted simultaneously from the first video stream for the first television program, and the second video stream for the second television program.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description4,489 words

Summary589 words

#This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/950,792, filed Nov. 19, 2010 which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,788,046 B2, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

#Embodiments discussed herein are directed to managing more than one placeshifting transmission at a target device.

#Placeshifting technology is generally available today that allows a user to view content on a target device that would otherwise only be available on a receiver. Through placeshifting technology that is integrated into the receiver or is implement in a stand-alone device, a receiver is able shift content across a network to be viewed on a target device that is located remotely from the receiver. The shifted content may include programs or other content that is received at the receiver from a service provider, such as a satellite or cable television provider. The receiver may also shift recorded programs across the network to be viewed at the target device.

Brief description of the drawings8 figures

#FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a sample system, components and implementations discussed herein;

#FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a content receiver that may serve as the first or second placeshifting source illustrated in FIG. 1;

#FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of another content receiver that may serve as the first or second placeshifting source illustrated in FIG. 1;

Detailed description3,744 words

#FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a general operating environment showing components and features of embodiments discussed herein. Generally, embodiments discussed herein are directed to receiving and displaying content from multiple placeshifting sources at a target device. In FIG. 1, a target device 148 is configured to receive content across a network 144 from a first placeshifting source 102 and from a second placeshifting source 106. As used herein, “placeshifting” refers to an action of a placeshifting source 102, 106 that transfers content which would otherwise be viewed locally at the placeshifting source 102, 106 across the network 144 to be viewed at the target device 148. Example placeshifting sources are described in connection with FIGS. 2A-2C. Following the description of the example placeshifting sources, the operation of the target device 148 is described.

#FIG. 2A is an illustration of a content receiver 208 that may serve as either the first placeshifting source 102 or the second placeshifting source 106. The receiver 208 depicted in FIG. 2A may be configured to communicate with or receive signals from a service provider 204 that broadcast, transmits, or otherwise delivers a content service to a receiver 208. The receiver 208 can include a set-top box (STB), a digital video recorder (DVR), a cable receiver, a general purpose computing device, and so on. The receiver 208 may also include a cable modem that receives streaming video and/or audio. Generally, a “receiver” may be any device capable of receiving video and/or audio content included in a broadcast or other content service transmission from a service provider 204.

#The receiver 208 and/or the target device 148 may be associated with an individual, business or other entity, user or subscriber that receives a content service transmission from the service provider 204. Generally the terms “user” and/or “subscriber” refer to an individual or company who receives a content service transmission. This may include those who have purchased a subscription to the content service transmission. Alternatively or additionally, the terms “user” and/or “subscriber” may refer to individuals who have been given access to the content service transmission through promotional offers and/or other non-fee-based agreements.

Facts

Application

15/722,990Filed 2 Oct 2017 · continuation

Published

US 2018/0027280 A125 Jan 2018

Granted

1 Feb 2022

Term ends

27 Jun 2031

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 220 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification6 codes

H04N 21/4312
Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering: involving specific graphical features,…
H04N 21/440218
Involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display: by transcoding between formats or…
H04N 21/4622
Content or additional data management e.g. creating a master electronic programme guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end or…:…
H04N 21/6125
Specially adapted to the downstream path of the transmission network: involving transmission via Internet

Family

PCT/IN2011/000275Parent of this continuation · filed 26 Apr 2011

US 2018/0027280 A1Pre-grant publication · published 25 Jan 2018

Application12/950,792Parent of this continuation

US 9,788,046 B2Parent of this continuation

US 2012/0131625 A1Published application

US 11,240,552 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Timeline

2 Oct 2017Application filedUS 15/722,990
2 Oct 2017Assigned to Sling Media Pvt Ltdassignment of assignor's interest
25 Jan 2018PublishedUS 2018/0027280 A1
1 Feb 2022GrantedUS 11,240,552 B2
1 Sep 2022Assigned to Dish Network Technologies India Private Limitedchange of name
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
27 Jun 2031Term endsEstimated, includes 220 days of adjustment

Multi-stream placeshifting

Life of this patent

Multi-stream placeshifting

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims18

Description4,489 words

Drawings

Classification6 codes

Life of this patent

Description4,489 words