Recording additional channels of a shared multi-channel transmitter

摘要

A method for recording multiple pieces of content with a single tuner. A content delivery network can include multiple channels organized into bands with several channels per band. These bands can be transmitted on an up-link such as to a satellite. The bands can be relayed to receivers at the end user locations. The end user receivers can tune to one, two, or some other fraction of the total number of transmitted bands. When a user selects a program to view and/or record, a tuner of the receiver tunes to the band that includes the channel that includes the program. The method prompts the user regarding the other channels that form the set of channels on that band, and solicits input for recording one or more concurrent programs of the band, which can all be recorded on the single receiving tuner.

主权项

1. A method for storing satellite-transmitted television channels, the method comprising:
receiving, by a content receiver, a transponder frequency band that includes a group of television channels transmitted via a satellite, wherein the group of television channels are received during a same time period from the satellite by the content receiver; tuning, by a single tuner of the content receiver, to the transponder frequency band that includes the group of television channels, wherein
each television channel of the group of television channels received on the transponder frequency band are each scrambled using a same control word when received by the content receiver; obtaining, by a demultiplexer of the content receiver, an entitlement control message; providing, by the demultiplexer to a smart card of the content receiver, the entitlement control message; decrypting, by the smart card of the content receiver, the entitlement control message to obtain the same control word used for descrambling of the group of television channels; descrambling, by a descrambler of the content receiver, using the same control word, at least the two or more television channels of the group of television channels prior to storing the two or more television channels using the non-transitory storage medium, wherein the descrambler is distinct from the smart card; and storing, by the content receiver, using a non-transitory storage medium, recordings of two or more television channels of the group of television channels received on the transponder frequency band tuned to by the single tuner of the content receiver.