Set-top box-based TV streaming and redirecting

A method for redirecting video content includes receiving a video signal at the set-top box and decoding the video signal to produce unrendered video data. The unrendered video data is encoded and provided to the remote device via a wide area network. By encoding unrendered, rather than rendered, video data for transmission to the remote device, the need for an encoding device external to the set-top box is obviated.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to communications networks, and more particularly relates to providing video content via a communication network.

BACKGROUND

Video content is increasingly available through a variety of devices, including mobile devices. Conventionally, to obtain video content at a mobile device such as a cellular telephone the device accesses a web-based video source, such as a streaming video web site or repository of video content items. However, such web-based video sources typically do not provide the variety of content available via broadcast or multi-cast video sources, such as Internet Protocol Television. This limitation in the available video content can result in a poor experience for users of the mobile devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A method and device for redirecting video content from a set-top box to a remote device is disclosed. The method includes receiving a video signal at the set-top box and decoding the video signal to produce unrendered video data. The unrendered video data is encoded and provided to the remote device via a wide area network. By encoding unrendered, rather than rendered, video data for transmission to the remote device, the need for an encoding device external to the set-top box is obviated.

FIG. 1illustrates a particular embodiment of a communications network100having a television server102and a residential gateway106connected via an IPTV network104. The communications network100further includes a set-top box110connected to the residential gateway106, and a display monitor130connected to the set-top box110. Further, the residential gateway is connected to a wide area network115, which is further connected to remote display devices120and122.

The television server102stores television content for a service provider. The television content can include network and cable television programs, pay-per-view movies, streaming video content, or the like. The television server102multicasts the television content to customer premises via the IPTV network104.

The IPTV network104provides a physical backbone and logical communication services for communications between the television server102and various customer premises. In an embodiment, the IPTV network104is a packet-switched network that routes data packets representing television content from the television server102to one or more customer premises.

The residential gateway106is located at a customer premises, and is an access point to the premises for the IPTV network104. Accordingly, the residential gateway106receives television content from the IPTV network104and routes the content to an appropriate device at the customer premises. Further, the residential gateway106can receive requests for television content from devices at the customer premises, and provide those requests to the IPTV network104. In addition, the residential gateway can provide content, including television content, from a customer premises device to the wide area network115.

The set-top box110is a customer premise device that is configured to receive video content from the residential gateway106, decode the content, and render the decoded content for display. Further the set-top box110is configured to receive requests for video content from the residential gateway106, encode unrendered video data in response to the requests, and provide the encoded video data to the wide area network115.

The display monitor130can be a television, monitor, or other device capable of displaying rendered video content. As used herein, rendered video content refers to video information that has been formatted for transfer to a display device, such as a television monitor, through a standard video connection such as a composite, HDMI, DVI, S-video, RCA, or other video connection. Accordingly, unrendered video content refers to decoded raw video data that has not been formatted for transfer and display at a display device via a standard video connection.

The wide area network115provides a physical backbone and logical layer for communications between remote display devices120and122and the residential gateway106. In an embodiment, the wide area network115is a packet switched network including servers, routers, and other equipment to route packets based on address information included in each packet. In a particular embodiment, the wide area network115is the Internet. Further, it will be appreciated that although for purposes of discussion the IPTV network104and the wide area network115are illustrated as separate networks, the networks can share one or more elements in common, and could be the same network.

The remote display devices120and122are devices remote from the customer premises including the residential gateway106, and are each capable of displaying video content. Accordingly, the remote display devices can each be a computer, mobile telephone, personal data assistant, or the like.

In operation, the set-top box110requests video content from the television server102via the IPTV network104. In particular, a user provides the set-top box110with control information indicating a request for a particular video content item. The control information can be received via an infra-red (IR) or other signal from a remote control device, via a user interface at the set-top box, or the like. Further, the control information can be indicative of a channel change request, an order of a pay-per-view movie, selection of a particular video content item for streaming or download, or the like.

In response to receiving the control information, the set-top box110provides a request for the associated video content item to the residential gateway106, which in turn routes the request to the television server102. In response to the request, the television server102identifies the requested video content item and provides it in a series of packets to the residential gateway106. The residential gateway106provides the packets to the set-top box110. In an embodiment, the video content is provided via the packets in an encoded format that compresses the content, providing for faster transfer of the content via the IPTV network104. For example, the video content can be provided in a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) format. The set-top box110decodes the encoded content to produce unrendered video data, renders the video data, and provides the rendered video data to the display monitor130for display. The set-top box110can also store received video content for subsequent playback.

The set-top box110can also receive requests for video content from the wide area network115. In particular, a user of one of the remote display devices120and122can enter a request for video content via a user interface. In an embodiment, the user interface can provide a list of available content via an electronic programming guide, searchable database, or the like. The display devices120and122provide the request to the residential gateway106via the wide area network115. The residential gateway106routes the request to the set-top box110which, in response, identifies the video content item requested. The set-top box110then requests the identified video content item from the television server102, which provides encoded video data associated with the requested item.

The set-top box110decodes the encoded video data to produce unrendered video data associated with the requested video content item. The set-top box110re-encodes the unrendered video data for transmission via the wide area network115. In an embodiment, the set-top box110can change specified parameters of the re-encoding process, so that the re-encoded video data is different from the encoded video data originally received from the IPTV network104. For example, the set-top box110can re-encode the unrendered video data so that the video content has a different compression ratio, bit rate, or aspect ratio relative to the originally received video content. By changing these parameters, the set-top box110can provide the re-encoded video data in a format suitable for transmission and display at the requesting display device. Further, the set-top box110can be configured to identify the type of requesting remote display device (e.g. a cellular telephone), and set the compression ratio, bit rate, and other parameters of the re-encoded video data so that the re-encoded video data can be efficiently transferred to and displayed at the requesting remote display device.

The set-top box110can also provide security features for the re-encoded video data. In one embodiment, the set-top box110can require authentication data prior to re-encoding or transmitting the video data to the requesting remote display device. The authentication data can be based on identification information associated with the requesting device (e.g. a device ID number or code), on user-provided authentication information (e.g. a password or personal identification number) or the like. Further, the set-top box110can, in the re-encoding process, encrypt the video data to be provided to the requesting remote display device. The encryption can be based upon pre-arranged encryption keys, dynamically created keys, or the like. This encryption reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access to the video data during transmission.

The set-top box110transmits the re-encoded video data to the requesting remote display device via the wide area network115. The remote display device receives the video data, decodes it, and provides the data for display. The data can be displayed in a streaming fashion, or stored for subsequent display.

The set-top box110can be configured to provide individual video content items to each of the remote display devices120and122. Accordingly, the set-top box110can respond to individual requests from each of the devices, and provide individual content to each device via the wide area network115. Thus, the remote display devices120and122can request and display different video content items simultaneously. Further, the video content items displayed at each device can be individually paused, rewound, terminated, or the like.

FIG. 2illustrates a block diagram of a particular embodiment of a set-top box210, corresponding to the set-top box110ofFIG. 1. The set-top box210includes a decoder221, a remote control module223, a streaming server225, an encoder227, a renderer235, and output connectors237. The decoder221includes a connection to transmit and receive data from the IPTV network104, an input to receive control data, and an output to provide unrendered video data. The remote control module223includes an input to receive remote control signals, an input to receive internal control signals, and an output to provide control data to the decoder221.

The streaming server225includes a connection to transmit and receive data from the wide area network115, an output to provide internal control signals to the remote control module223, and an input to receive encoded video data. The encoder227includes an input to receive unrendered video data from the decoder221, and an output to provide encoded video data to the streaming server225. The renderer235includes an input to receive unrendered video data from the decoder221and an output to provide rendered video data. The output connectors237include an input to receive the rendered video data from the renderer235and an output to provide the rendered video data to the display monitor130.

The decoder221is configured to receive encoded video data from the IPTV network104(via the residential gateway106), decode the video data, and provide unrendered video data at the output. Further, the decoder221is configured to receive control data and, based on the control data, request video content items from the television server102.

The remote control module223is configured to receive remote control signals from a user interface device, such as a television remote control, and also to receive internal control signals indicative of requests for video content items from remote display devices. Based on the received control signals, the remote control module223provides control data indicative of video content item requests to the decoder221.

The encoder227encodes the unrendered video data and provides the encoded data to the streaming server225. The set-top box110can set various parameters for the encoding process in order to change the encryption, aspect ratio, and other features of the encoded video data. These parameters can be pre-determined or user-programmable.

The streaming server225formats the encoded video data received from the encoder227for transmission via the wide area network115. The streaming server225can provide additional transmission functions, including buffering, flow control, and other functions, to ensure appropriate transmission of the encoded video data to a requesting remote display device.

The renderer235renders the unrendered video data235into an appropriate format for display via the display monitor130. It will be appreciated that although for purposes of discussion the renderer235and the encoder227are illustrated as connected to a common output of the decoder221, in other embodiments individual unrendered video data could be provided to each module for independent operation. Accordingly, a first unrendered video content item could be provided to the renderer235for rendering while a second unrendered video content item is simultaneously provided to the encoder227for encoding. This allows video content items to be independently displayed at the display monitor130and via the remote display devices120and122.

The output connectors237provide a physical connection layer for the rendered video data provided by the renderer235to be communicated to the display monitor130. The output connectors237can include multiple connectors, and can include S-video, A/V (RCA), DVI, HDMI, composite, or other video connectors.

In operation, the remote control module223can receive requests for a video content item from a user interface device and, in response, can provide control data to the decoder221indicative of the content item. The decoder221requests the video content item from the television server102via the IPTV network104. The decoder221receives encoded video data representative of the requested item, and decodes the data to produce unrendered video data. The render235renders the unrendered video data and provides rendered video data to the display monitor130via the output connectors237.

In addition, the streaming server225can receive requests from a remote display device via the wide area network115a request for a video content item. In response, the streaming server225provides internal control signals to the remote control module223, which in turn provides control data to the decoder221indicative of the requested video content item. The decoder221sends the request to the television server102, and receives encoded data representative of the requested item. The decoder221decodes the data to produce unrendered video data, and the encoder227re-encodes the unrendered video data for transmission to the requesting remote display device. The streaming server225receives the re-encoded video data and transmits it to the requesting device via the wide area network115.

FIG. 3illustrates a flow diagram of a particular embodiment of a method of providing video content from a set-top box to a remote display device. At block302, a video signal is received at a set-top box. The video signal can be a broadcast signal, a multicast signal, and the like. In addition, the video signal can be received from any television content source, including a broadcast, cable, satellite or IPTV content source. At block304, the set-top box decodes the video signal to produce unrendered video data.

At block306, the unrendered video data is re-encoded at the set-top box for transmission via a wide area network. In an embodiment, the set-top box can also render the unrendered video data for display at a local display monitor. At block308, the re-encoded video data is communicated to a remote display device via the wide area network.

FIG. 4illustrates a flow diagram of a particular embodiment of a method of providing video content from a set-top box to remote and local display devices. At block402, a plurality of video streams is received at a set-top box. At block404, a first of the plurality of video streams is decoded to produce first unrendered video data. At block406, a second of the plurality of video streams is decoded to produce second unrendered video data.

At block408, the first unrendered video data is re-encoded, and at block410the re-encoded video data is provided to a remote device via a wide area network. At block412, the second unrendered video data is rendered, and the rendered video data is displayed at a local display device.

FIG. 5is flow diagram of a particular embodiment of a method of displaying video data at a mobile device. The mobile device can be a mobile phone, personal data assistant, laptop computer, or the like. At block502, the mobile device sends a request for video content to a set-top box via a wide area network. At block504, the mobile device sends authentication information to the set-top box. The authentication information can be send with the request for video content, or via a separate transmission event. The authentication information can be based on user-specified information, such as a password, or on predetermined information, such as device identification information.

At block506, encoded video data associated with the requested video content is received at the mobile device. The received video data represents the result of an encoding process at the set-top box on unrendered video data. At block508, the mobile device decodes the encoded video data and, at block510decrypts the decoded video data. In an embodiment, decryption can take place prior to decoding of the data. In another embodiment, decryption and decoding can be incorporated into a single process. At block512, the decoded and decrypted video data is displayed at the mobile device.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosed subject matter. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosed subject matter is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.