System and method for controlling playback time for stored transport stream data in a multi-channel broadcast multimedia system

Abstract

A system is provided for controlling playback time for stored transport stream data content in a multi-channel broadcast multimedia system having a plurality of system components. The system includes a pause packet processor having a memory for storing said stored transport stream data, and at least one receiver is connected to the pause packet processor for receiving the stored data. At least one of the pause packet processor and the receiver includes a command module configured for enabling an oscillator frequency change in the system components for altering the playback time for the stored data at the receiver.

1 . A system for controlling playback time for stored transport stream data content, the system comprising:
 a packet processor having a memory for storing transport stream data; and   wherein the packet processor includes a command control configured for altering a clock reference to alter the playback time for the stored data.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the packet processor includes a main control for processing audio and video data content received from a packet processor, the main control comprising the command control. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one receiver includes a set top box controller, said set top box controller including the command control. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the playback time is altered to speed up playback of the data content to reduce the total playback time. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the playback time is altered to slow down playback of the data content to increase the total playback time. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each system component includes a normal playback oscillator and an altered playback oscillator. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the altered system frequency is accomplished by an oscillator frequency change that comprises switching between the normal playback oscillator and the altered playback oscillator. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the command control alters system component frequencies by their controllable oscillators. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein each system component having a controlled oscillator is downstream of the memory of the packet processor. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the frequency change comprises directly sending a desired frequency value or a desired change in frequency to each controlled oscillator. 
     
     
         11 . A method for controlling playback time for stored transport stream data content in a multimedia system, the method comprising the steps of:
 storing said transport stream data content;   controlling a clock reference to alter a playback time of the stored data content; and   transmitting the stored data content at an altered playback time.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of storing comprises storing the data content in a memory of a pause packet processor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the playback time is altered to speed up playback of the data content to reduce the total playback time. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the playback time is altered to slow down playback of the data content to increase the total playback time. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of controlling comprises causing an oscillator frequency change in the system components. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of providing a normal playback oscillator and an altered playback oscillator is connected to each system component. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the oscillator frequency change comprises switching between the normal playback oscillator and the altered playback oscillator. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of providing a controlled oscillator is connected to each system component. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein each system component having a controlled oscillator is downstream of the memory of the pause packet processor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of controlling comprises directly sending at least one of a desired frequency value or a desired change in frequency to each controlled oscillator. 
     
     
         21 . A system for controlling playback time for stored transport stream data content, the system comprising:
 at least one receiver for receiving the data;   wherein the receiver includes a command control configured for enabling a system frequency for altering the playback time for the data at the receiver.