Patent · US Active

Set-top box to request a head end to command one of a plurality of other set-top boxes to transmit an available video program

US8799977B1 · kind B1 · utility

124Cited by
9References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 21, 2010
Grant dateAug 5, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 6, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N21/632
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed is a set-top box connectable to a display device and a video distribution network that includes a head end, the set-top box and a plurality of other set-top boxes that can store video programs. The set-top box includes a terminal controller responsive to user input and a video sharing program. The terminal controller responsive to the video sharing program displays a menu of available video programs identifying video programs stored at the plurality of other set-top boxes. Furthermore, the terminal controller responsive to user input and the video sharing program selects an available video program from the menu in response to user input, and requests the head end to command one of the plurality of other set-top boxes storing the selected available video program to transmit the selected available video program to the set-top box.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.