Patent ID: 9521463
Filing Date: 2016-12-13
CPC Classification: H04L,H04N

Claim Text:
1. A method of controlling a system that includes a network having a plurality of set top boxes (STBs), each of the plurality of STBs comprising at least two tuners, at least two demodulators, at least two decoders, a network interface, and data storage comprising: receiving a first television signal at a first set top box (STB) through a first tuner, a first demodulator, and a first decoder; forming a recording request for content at the first STB of the plurality of (STBs); determining the first STB includes unavailable resources, wherein the unavailable resource is at least one of tuning availability, data stream processing availability or data storage availability, in response to receiving the first television signal and determining that the first STB includes unavailable resources, communicating the recording request for the first STB from the network interface of the first STB through the network to the second STB; receiving the recording request at the network interface of the second STB, the second STB of the plurality of STBs having a second tuner, second demodulator and second decoder that are available; determining the second STB includes unavailable storage, and in response to receiving the recording request and determining that the second STB includes unavailable storage, communicating the recording request to the third STB: receiving the recording request at the network interface of a third STB of the plurality of STBs having a storage device that is available; receiving a second television signal at the second STB through the second tuner, second demodulator and second decoder, said second television signal corresponding to the content; receiving a third television signal at the third STB through the second tuner, second demodulator and second decoder; streaming the content through the network interface of the second STB to the network interface of the third STB; and storing the content in the storage device associated with the third STB.