Patent ID: 8649385
Filing Date: 2014-02-11
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A communications system for use with a content distribution network and a home network, comprising: a first set top box including a local tuner; an input device located in a defined physical space with the first set top box including the local tuner; a remote tuner located in a second set top box located in a different physical space from said first set top box including said local tuner; a control module, located in said first set top box, for controlling use of said local tuner and remote tuner in response to user input received from said input device, said first and second set top boxes being coupled together by the home network; a storage unit, in said first set top box, for storing tuner and program management information including information indicating: a first communications channel to which the local tuner is tuned, a second communications channel to which the remote tuner is tuned, program identifiers of programs corresponding to said first and second communications channel, routing information corresponding to at least one of said program identifiers; and a packet filter for passing packets corresponding to one or more selected programs and for filtering out packets which do not correspond to selected programs.