Patent Publication Number: US-11653060-B2

Title: Set-top box for changing channels and system and method for use of same

Description:
PRIORITY STATEMENT &amp; CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/752,131 entitled “Set-Top Box for Changing Channels and System and Method for Use of Same” filed on Jan. 24, 2020, in the names of Raymond S. Horton, et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 10,863,237, issued on Dec. 8, 2020; which is a continuation of Ser. No. 15/281,681 entitled “Set-Top Box for Changing Channels and System and Method for Use of Same” filed on Sep. 30, 2016, in the names of Raymond S. Horton et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 10,547,904, issued on Jan. 28, 2020; which claims priority from U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/371,486 entitled “Set-Top Box for Changing Channels and System and Method for Use of Same” filed on Aug. 5, 2016, in the names of Raymond S. Horton et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/281,681 entitled “Set-Top Box for Changing Channels and System and Method for Use of Same” filed on Sep. 30, 2016, in the names of Raymond S. Horton et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 10,547,904, issued on Jan. 28, 2020, is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/811,585 entitled “Set-Top Box for Changing Channels and System and Method for Use of Same” filed on Jul. 28, 2015, in the names of Raymond S. Horton et al.; which claims priority from U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/029,781 entitled “Set-Top Box for Changing Channels and System and Method for Use of Same” filed on Jul. 28, 2014, in the name of Vanessa Ogle; all of which are hereby incorporated, in entirety, by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates, in general, to set-top boxes and, in particular, to set-top boxes for changing channels and systems and methods for use of the same that address the total duration of time from a channel change button being pressed to the new channel being displayed. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the background will be described in relation to televisions in the hospitality lodging industry, as an example. “Zap time” is the total duration of time from a television viewer pressing the channel change button, to the picture of the new channel being displayed with full resolution, along with corresponding audio. Zap time delays exist in all television systems, due to network factors, acquisition factors and buffering/decoding, for example. Zap time is greater in digital televisions, however, which are very common in hotels and other hospitality lodging establishments. As a result of limitations in existing technology, zap time is a frequent complaint and source of aggravation by guests staying in hospitality lodging establishments. Accordingly, there is a need for improved systems and methods for mitigating zap time delays. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It would be advantageous to reduce zap time in hospitality lodging establishments as well as any television viewing environment. It would also be desirable to enable a computer-based solution that would mitigate tuning-related factors, such as buffering and decryption delays. To better address one or more of these concerns, a set-top box for changing channels and systems and methods for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the set-top box includes a network interface controller that is configured to receive a source internet protocol television signal, which includes at least first and second channels, from an external source and at least partially prepare the source internet protocol signal in order to forward the tuned signal to a television. Within the set-top box, memory is accessible to the processor such that processor-executable instructions, when executed, cause the processor to save in a buffer the at least partially prepared second channel beginning at a recent periodic, sequential signal access point. In response to receiving a channel change instruction when the set-top box is forwarding the at least partially prepared first channel signal, the set-top box causes the television tuner to forward the at least partially prepared signal based on the second channel stored in the buffer beginning at the recent periodic, sequential signal access point. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which: 
         FIG.  1    is schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a system for changing channels on a television according to the teachings presented herein; 
         FIG.  2 A  is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a set-top box depicted in  FIG.  1    in further detail; 
         FIG.  2 B  is a rear elevation view of the set-top box depicted in  FIG.  2 A ; 
         FIG.  3    is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of the set-top box presented in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B ; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of a channel change operation, prior to the channel change; 
         FIG.  4 B  is a functional block diagram depicting the channel change operation presented in  FIG.  4 A , at the channel change; 
         FIG.  5    is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of the signal processing and storage allocation accompanying the change operation presented in  FIG.  4 A  and  FIG.  4 B ; and 
         FIG.  6    is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a method for changing channels according to the teachings presented herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring initially to  FIG.  1   , therein is depicted one embodiment of system for changing channels, which is schematically illustrated and designated  10 . As shown, the system  10  includes a set-top box  12  and a display illustrated as television  14  having a screen  16 . A connection, which is depicted as an HDMI connection  20 , connects the set-top box  12  to the television  14 . Other connections include a power cable  22  coupling the set-top box  12  to a power source, a coaxial cable  24  coupling the set-top box  12  to external cable source, and a category five (Cat 5) cable  26  coupling the set-top box  12  to an external source that is a source internet protocol television signal including multiple channels. It should be appreciated that the cabling connected to the set-top box will depend on the environment and application and the cabling connections presented in  FIG.  1    are depicted for illustrative purposes. Further, it should be appreciated that the positioning of the set-top box  12  will vary depending on environment and application and, with certain functionality, the set-top box  12  may be placed more discretely behind the television  14 . 
     A television remote control  30  includes an array of buttons  32  for adjusting various settings such as television channel and volume. Among the array of buttons  32 , the television remote control  30  is depicted as including channel change buttons  34 , up channel change button  36 , and a down channel change button  38 . In one embodiment, the television remote control  30  may be a consumer infrared (IR) or other protocol, such as Bluetooth device configured as a small wireless handheld object that issues commands from a distance to the set-top box  12  in order to control the television  14  via the set-top box  12 , for example. 
     In one implementation, as illustrated, channel  403 , as indicated by C 2 , is broadcasting a program, as indicated by P 1 , and this program P 1  is on the screen  16  of the television  14 . A user presses the up channel change button  36  on the television remote control  30  and a signal S, which includes instructions for the channel C 2  to be changed one channel upward, is transmitted from the television remote control  30  to the set-top box  12 . As shown in  FIG.  1   , the channel is changed from channel  403  to channel  404 , as indicated by C 3 , with program P 2 . The channel change occurs in substantially real time with zap time being mitigated, as will be discussed in further detail hereinbelow. In one embodiment, the set-top box provides two-way communications with an internet protocol network to buffer and decode video streaming media received on the internet protocol television signal so that zap time is mitigated. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2 A ,  FIG.  2 B , and  FIG.  3   , as used herein, set-top boxes, back boxes and set-top/back boxes may be discussed set-top back boxes. By way of example, the set-top box  12  may be a set-top unit that is an information appliance device that generally contains set-top box functionality including having a television input via a two-way communication at a network interface controller with an internet protocol network and displays output through a connection to a display or television set and an external source of signal, turning by way of signal preparation the source signal into content in a form that can then be displayed on the television screen or other display device. Such set-top boxes are used in cable television, satellite television, and over-the-air television systems, for example. 
     The set-top box  12  includes a housing  50  having a rear wall  52 , front wall  54 , top wall  56 , bottom base  58 , and two sidewalls  60 ,  62 . It should be appreciated that front wall, rear wall, and side wall are relative terms used for descriptive purposes and the orientation and the nomenclature of the walls may vary depending on application. The front wall includes various ports, ports  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 , and  80  that provide interfaces for various interfaces, including inputs and outputs. In one implementation, as illustrated, the ports  64  through  80  include inputs  82  and outputs  84  and, more particularly, an RF input  86 , a RJ-45 input  88 , universal serial bus (USB) input/outputs  90 , an Ethernet category 5 (Cat 5) coupling  92 , an internal reset  94 , an RS232 control  96 , an audio out  98 , an audio in  100 , and a debug/maintenance port  102 . The front wall  54  also includes various inputs  82  and outputs  84 . More particularly, ports  110 ,  112 ,  114 , and  116  include a 5V dc power connection  120 , USB inputs/outputs  122 , an RJ-45 coupling  124 , and an HDMI port  126 . It should be appreciated that the configuration of ports may vary with the set-top box depending on application and context. 
     Within the housing  50 , a processor  130 , memory  132 , storage  134 , the inputs  82 , and the outputs  84  are interconnected by a bus architecture  136  within a mounting architecture. The processor  130  may process instructions for execution within the computing device, including instructions stored in the memory  132  or in storage  134 . The memory  132  stores information within the computing device. In one implementation, the memory  132  is a volatile memory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory  132  is a non-volatile memory unit or units. Storage  134  provides capacity that is capable of providing mass storage for the set-top box  12 . Various inputs  82  and outputs  84  provide connections to and from the computing device, wherein the inputs  82  are the signals or data received by the set-top box  12 , and the outputs  84  are the signals or data sent from the set-top box  12 . 
     A network interface controller  138  and a television output  139  are also secured in the housing  50  in order to receive content from a source in the hospitality property and forward the content, including external content such video on demand, live programming content, and pre-buffered content, to the television located within the hotel room. More specifically, the network interface controller  138  receives a source internet protocol television signal from an external source. The source signal includes multiple channels and each of the multiple channels has periodic, sequential signal access points that permit tuning initiation. The network interface controller  138  is configured to receive and tune multiple channels from the source internet protocol television signal. As shown, the network interface controller  138  includes network traffic processing  140 , interrupts/interfaces  142  and receiving transmission/queues  144 . The network controller interface  138  implements the electronic circuitry required to communicate using a specific physical layer and data link layer standard. This provides a base for a full network protocol stack with network traffic processing capabilities, allowing communication with computers or servers on a local area network or large-scale network communications through routable protocols, such as Internet Protocol (IP). The network interface controller may enable communication, either by using cables or wirelessly. 
     A content buffer  146  associated with a decryption device  148  and a decoder  150  is also included in order to provide at least a partially prepared channel. The contact buffer  146  stores the signal and may be independent storage or associated with or form a portion of the memory  132  or storage  134 . In one embodiment, the content buffer  146  may be a first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer, having one per tuner, in the memory. The content buffer  146  may hold at least one access point for the incurring signal streams when the buffer is assigned to the correct viewing channel, the processor may quickly jump to the access point in the buffer and start the content decryption and decoding process. The decryption device  148  then decrypts the demodulated signal before decoding at the decoder  150 . It should be appreciated that although a particular architecture of network interface controller  138 , decryption device and decoder is depicted, other architectures are within the teachings presented herein. 
     A transceiver  152  is associated with the set-top box  12  and communicatively disposed with the bus  136 . As shown the transceiver may be internal, external, or a combination thereof to the housing. Further, the transceiver  152  may be a transmitter/receiver, receiver, or an antenna for example. Communication between various amenities in the hotel room and the set-top box  12  may be enabled by a variety of wireless methodologies employed by the transceiver  152 , including 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), Bluetooth low energy and Bluetooth, for example. Also, infrared (IR) may be utilized. 
     The memory  132  and storage  134  are accessible to the processor  130  and include processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor  130  to execute a series of operations. In one embodiment, the processor-executable instructions dynamically assign each of the receiving queues (e.g., receiving queue- 1  through receiving queue-n) to one of channels. An associated content buffer  146  (e.g., content buffer- 1  through content-buffer-n) may likewise also be assigned to one of the channels. The processor-executable instructions provide two-way communications with the internet protocol network communicating with the network interface controller  138  and decode the video streaming media received on the internet protocol television signal. The processor-executable instructions buffer in the content buffer  146  the at least partially prepared second channel signal and track in the content buffer  146  the at least partially prepared second channel signal beginning at a recent periodic, sequential signal access point. In response to receiving a channel change instruction, the buffer is accessed to the at least partially prepared second channel signal beginning at the recent periodic, sequential signal access point. The processor-executable instructions then transform the partially prepared second channel signal to a fully prepared second channel signal and forward, via the television output, the fully prepared second channel signal. Transforming or processing the at least partially prepared channel to be a fully tuned channel may involve use of the decryption device  148  and the decoder  150 , for example. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , wherein one embodiment of a channel change operation is depicted in additional detail. As shown, in  FIG.  4 A , channel assignments  154  are made for each receiving queue  144  associated with the network interface controller  138 , including NIC-RQ 1  ( 144 - 1 ), NIC-RQ 2  ( 144 - 2 ), NIC-RQ 3  ( 144 - 3 ), through NIC-RQn ( 144 - n ). More specifically, the receiving queues  144 - 1  through  144 - n  are assigned channels  402 ,  403 ,  404 , and  520 , respectively. It should be appreciated that the number of channels m may be much greater than the number of receiving queues n, such that m&gt;&gt;n. Further, each receiving queue  144  is assigned a buffer portion  146 - 1 ,  146 - 2 ,  146 - 3 , through  146 - n , of content buffer  146 . As each tuner receives a channel of the source signal, the channel is at least partially tuned and stored at the respective buffer portion. By way of example, receiving queue- 1  is tuned to channel  402  and partially prepares this channel and stores the at least partially prepared channel in buffer portion  1 . 
     As depicted, the television  14  is presently configured for viewing channel  403 . At  FIG.  4 B , the channel is changed from “ 403 ” to “ 404 ” and, accordingly, the at least partially prepared channel at the buffer portion associated with tuner  3 , which is assigned to channel  404  is accessed. The signal is then at least partially prepared or fully prepared and provided to the television  14 . By having the channel already partially prepared, the zap time or delay associated with changing channels is minimized. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5   , wherein one embodiment of the signal processing and storage allocation accompanying the change operation presented in  FIG.  4 A  and  FIG.  4 B  is further illustrated. A signal  160 , which corresponds to channel  404 , is receivable by the set-top box and, as shown, begins at time t 0  and continues to time t n . As illustrated, receiving queue  3  receives signal  160  beginning at time t 4  upon the television tuning capability being turned ON at the set-top box or television, for example. Periodic, sequential signal access points are positioned within the signal  160  at various times, including t 2 , t 8 , t 14 , t 20 , t 26 , t 32 , and continuing with the spacing of 6 second increments between sequential signal access points. As alluded, each of the periodic, sequential signal access points provides a location at which processing and preparation of the signal may begin. Processing and preparation may include receiving, buffering, decryption, and decoding, for example. 
     With respect to the signal  160 , beginning at time t 8  with the sequential signal access point thereat, the set-top box buffers in the buffer portion  3  the at least partially tuned channel  160  as signal portion  162  in the buffer portion  3 . As shown, in one embodiment, the buffering of the signals occurs in a first-in-first-out (FIFO) manner. As previously discussed, buffer portion  3  continues to keep signal portions, including tacking and identification thereof, beginning at periodic, sequential signal access points until the channel  404  is selected for viewing. By way of example, buffer portion  3  stores a signal portion  164  beginning at time t 14  and continuing until time t 19 . Further, signal portion  166  is stored in buffer portion  3  beginning with the sequential signal access point at time t 20  and preliminary preparation performed on the signal portion  166 . 
     The set-top box tracks in the storage and buffering the at least partially prepared channel  160  beginning at a recent periodic, sequential signal access point, such as periodic sequential signal access points t 8 , t 14 , and t 20 , with the periodic sequential signal access point t 20  being the recent periodic sequential signal access point upon the set-top box receiving a signal to tune-in to the channel represented by the signal  160  at time t 24 . At time t 24 , the set-top box in response to receiving a channel change instruction, accesses from the buffer portion  3  the at least partially tuned channel  160  beginning at the recent periodic, sequential signal access point at time t 20 . Thereafter, the set-top box transforms the partially tuned channel  160  to a fully tuned channel signal and forwards, via the television output, the fully tuned channel signal to the television. 
     That is, in the illustrated embodiment, at time t 24  the set-top box is tuned-in to channel  404 . Thereafter, the set-top box accesses the signal portion  166  stored in buffer portion  3  that the set-top box was tracking. At the time t 24 , the set-top box retrieves the partially prepared signal at time t 20  in the buffer portion  3  and completes the tuning. The set-top box then forwards the fully prepared signal beginning at time t 20  to the display or television. The set-top box continues to receive and perform a preliminary signal preparation on the signal  160 , with storage and buffering of signal portion  166 . Further, the set-top box continues to retrieve, perform a secondary signal preparation on the signal portion, and forward the fully prepared signal through time t 42 , which corresponds to time t 38  in the signal portion  166 . At time t 42 , channel  404  is tuned-out, due to a channel change or other event, as indicated by line  176 . 
     As shown, at time t 43 , the buffer portion is assigned to channel  406  and signal  168  is received. Within the signal  168 , signal access points are at times t 43 , t 47 , t 53 , t 59  and so on. Accordingly, signal portions  170 ,  172 , and  174  are sequentially stored, buffered, and preliminary prepared at signal portion  3  in preparation for channel  406  being accessed for viewing by the set-top box. It should be appreciated that although only a single buffer portion is depicted in  FIG.  5   , multiple buffer portions are within the teachings presented herein and the assignment of channels to the buffer portions may be based various schemes, including storing and pre-preparing the channel corresponding to the “channel-up” button, the “channel-down” button, a channel two “channel-up” button executions away, or a frequently viewed channel, by way of example. 
       FIG.  6    illustrates one embodiment of a method for changing channels according to the teachings presented herein. At block  200 , channel assignments are made to buffer portions of the set-top box. Continuing the description of the methodology with respect to a single channel assignment made to a buffer portion of the set-top box, at block  202 , the set-top box receives a signal that is assigned for storage and buffer per block  200 . At this step, some preparation or processing may occur as well. At decision block  204 , if the portion of the signal received is not a signal access point, then at block  206 , the signal is discarded and the methodology returns to block  202 . On the other hand, if the portion of the signal received includes a signal access point, then the methodology advances to block  208  where initial signal preparation, including primary preparation of the signal may occur. In one implementation, the primary preparation may include a portion of receiving, demodulation, decryption, and decoding. Following the primary preparation, the portion of the signal is buffered in the storage at block  210 . 
     At decision block  212 , if the channel is not selected for viewing on the television or display associated with the set-top box, then the methodology advances to decision block  214 , where if the storage portion is assigned a new channel, the method returns to block  200 . Otherwise, if the storage has not been reassigned a channel, the methodology advances to block  216  where additional signal is received and, if the signal is a signal access point, as shown at decision block  218 , then at block  220 , the previously stored signal portion associated with the previously most recent signal access point is subject to an overwrite prior to the methodology returning to block  208  to conduct a primary tuning on the signal access point prior to storage. 
     Returning to decision block  218 , if the signal portion received is not a signal access point, then the methodology returns to blocks  208  and  210  to execute primary preparation on the signal portion and store the newly received signal portion with previously received the signal portion or portions associated with the recent signal access point. 
     Returning to decision block  212 , if the channel is selected for display on the television associated with the set-top box, then the methodology advances to two processes conducted in parallel. First, at block  224 , the signal is retrieved from buffering so that signal preparation may be completed, including secondary preparation occurring at block  226  following by forwarding of the signal to the television or display at block  228 . In one implementation, the secondary preparation may include the portion of receiving, demodulation, decryption, and decoding not performed during the primary tuning. By retrieving utilizing a partially prepared signal to complete tuning, delays associated with zap time are mitigated. In one embodiment, receiving queues and content buffers not used by the viewing channels are fully prepared and receiving demodulated video and audio streamed. The processor continuously tracks the location of each access point in each buffer. In this implementation, decryption does not occur until the content buffer is assigned as the viewing channel. 
     In parallel to the operations in blocks  224 ,  226 , and  228 , at blocks  230 ,  232 , and  234 , a signal is received, primary signal preparation occurs, and the signal is buffered. Following the operations in blocks  224 - 228  and blocks  230 - 234 , the methodology advances to decision block  236 , where if the channel remains selected, the methodology returns to blocks  224 - 228  and blocks  230 - 234 . Otherwise, the methodology returns to the channel assignment at block  200 . 
     The order of execution or performance of the methods and data flows illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, elements of the methods and data flows may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methods may include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular element before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are all possible sequences of execution. 
     While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.