Multi-tuner multi-buffer digital home communication terminal

Abstract

A method for receiving media content of multiple display channels at a digital home communication terminal (DHCT), comprising receiving first media content corresponding to a first display channel at a first tuner of the DHCT, receiving second media content corresponding to a second display channel at a second tuner of the DHCT, and presenting to a user of the DHCT a plurality of options to receive third media content using one of the first and second tuners at a time overlapping at least in part with a time in which the first and second media content are received.

1 . A method for receiving media content of multiple display channels at a digital home communication terminal (DHCT), comprising:
 receiving first media content corresponding to a first display channel at a first tuner of the DHCT;   receiving second media content corresponding to a second display channel at a second tuner of the DHCT; and   presenting to a user of the DHCT a plurality of options to receive third media content using one of the first and second tuners at a time overlapping at least in part with a time in which the first and second media content are received.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the first and second media content comprises receiving the first media content at a first carrier frequency and receiving the second media content at a second carrier frequency. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the first and second media content comprises receiving the first media content corresponding to a first packet identifier (PID) and receiving the second media content corresponding to a second PID. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the first and second media content comprises receiving one or more signals carrying the first and second media content. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more signals comprises an analog transmission signal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more signals comprises a digital transmission signal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising buffering the first media content into a first buffer space and buffering the second media content into a second buffer space. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first buffer space and the second buffer space reside in separate storage devices. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first buffer space and the second buffer space reside in a single storage device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the single storage device comprises a hard disk drive. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein presenting comprises displaying a graphical user interface that provides the user an option which, when selected, effectuates the reception of the third content using either the first or second tuner. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein presenting comprises displaying a graphical user interface that provides the user an option which, when selected, effectuates which of the first media content or second media content to delete to receive the third content. 
     
     
         13 . A digital home communication terminal (DHCT), comprising:
 a first tuner configured to receive first media content corresponding to a first display channel;   a second tuner configured to receive second media content corresponding to a second display channel;   a memory with logic; and   a processor configured with the logic to enable a user of the DHCT to effectuate reception by the DHCT of third media content using one of the first and second tuners at a time overlapping at least in part with a time in which the first and second media content are received.   
     
     
         14 . The DHCT of  claim 13 , wherein the first tuner is configured to receive the first media content at a first carrier frequency, and wherein the second tuner is configured to receive the second media content at a second carrier frequency. 
     
     
         15 . The DHCT of  claim 13 , wherein the first tuner is configured to receive the first media content corresponding to a first packet identifier (PID), and wherein the second tuner is configured to receive the second media content corresponding to a second PID. 
     
     
         16 . The DHCT of  claim 13 , further comprising first and second buffers corresponding to the first and second tuners, respectively, the first buffer configured to receive the first media content, the second buffer configured to receive the second media content. 
     
     
         17 . The DHCT of  claim 16 , wherein the first buffer and the second buffer reside in one of separate storage devices and a single storage device. 
     
     
         18 . The DHCT of  claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to provide a video output signal comprising information corresponding to a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface configured to provide the user an option which, when selected, effectuates the reception of the third content using either the first or second tuner. 
     
     
         19 . The DHCT of  claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to provide a video output signal comprising information corresponding to a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface configured to provide the user an option which, when selected, effectuates which of the first media content or second media content to delete to receive the third content. 
     
     
         20 . A system, comprising:
 a digital home communication terminal (DHCT) residing in a subscriber television system (STS), the DHCT comprising:
 a first tuner configured to receive first media content corresponding to a first display channel; 
 a second tuner configured to receive second media content corresponding to a second display channel; 
 a memory with logic; and 
 a processor configured with the logic to provide a graphical user interface (GUI) that enables a user of the DHCT to effectuate reception by the DHCT of third media content using one of the first and second tuners at a time overlapping at least in part with a time in which the first and second media content are received; and 
   a television configured to present the GUI, the GUI configured to provide the user an option which, when selected, effectuates which of the first media content or second media content to delete to receive the third content.