Systems, methods and apparatuses for minimizing subscriber-perceived digital video channel tuning delay
AssigneeScientific-Atlanta, Inc.
InventorPeter Chan
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Abstract
A digital STB having multiple decoders is capable of decoding multiple digital video streams simultaneously to minimize the time a subscriber waits before a new channel is tuned and displayed. The STB incorporates a channel look-ahead capability in which one or more digital tuners tune to and decode a next video channel based upon information taken from a subscriber's usage history and information obtained from average subscriber behavior. STB software performs a channel prediction to setup spare tuning and decoding resources to tune to and decode a potential channel the subscriber might select next. The STB can therefore anticipate the subscriber's request and provide a faster response time for channel tuning.
Claims21
A digital set-top box for minimizing subscriber-perceived digital video channel tuning delay, comprising:
- a first decoder;
- a second decoder;
- and
- a look-ahead tuning logic in communication with said first decoder and said second decoder, wherein said look-ahead tuning logic instructs said second decoder to decode a television channel predicted by said look-ahead tuning logic.
A method executed in digital set-top box having at least two decoders, comprising:
- receiving a request from a subscriber to view a first television channel;
- decoding said first television channel using a first decoder;
- predicting a next television channel to be requested by said subscriber;
- and
- decoding said predicted next television channel using a second decoder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.