Methods and apparatus for upgrading set top box devices without the loss of stored content

摘要

Methods and apparatus for smoothly and efficiently upgrading set top boxes, e.g., personal video recorders, which have customer selected content stored thereon are described. The described methods allow content stored on a set top box to be uploaded to a network storage device, e.g., automatically at a predetermined time prior to a scheduled upgrade, or in some cases, via manual control of the set top box to be upgraded. After stored content is uploaded to the network storage device, the set top box is replaced with a new set top box. The new set top box can be preloaded with the previously uploaded content or a content download can be triggered, e.g., by activating a hidden application and by supplying information identifying the set top box being replaced as part of the upgrade process.

主权项

1. A method of performing a set top box upgrade for a customer, the method comprising:
storing information indicating when a first set top box located at a customer premise is scheduled to be upgraded; prior to the scheduled upgrade, automatically initiating an upload of stored video content from the set top box to be upgraded to a network storage device; receiving a signal used to initiate a download of stored content, uploaded from said first set top box to be upgraded, to said second set top box, said signal being received from a location different from the customer premise where said first set top box to be upgraded is located; and downloading the uploaded stored video content from the network storage device to a second set top box, said second set top box being a replacement for said first set top box to be upgraded, said downloading being performed prior to installation of the second set top box at said customer premise and replacement of said first set top box, said second set top box being located at said location when said downloading is performed.