Data transmission from a set-top box

Abstract

A method for transmitting data between two devices, such as a set-top box and a mobile device. The user of the mobile device may view the transmitted data as it is received by the mobile device. The data may be transmitted via UMTS. Additionally, the user may be allowed to view data because the user has a subscription to access the data through the set-top box. Furthermore, the set-top box may send a notification to the user to query whether the set-top box should transmit the data to the mobile device. In the case that the user responds and requests the data to be transmitted to the mobile device, the set-top box may transmit the requested data to the mobile device.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for transmitting video content from a television receiver to a mobile device, comprising:
 receiving at the television receiver from the mobile device a request for particular video content;   transcoding by the television receiver the particular video content from a first encoding scheme to a second encoding scheme different than the first encoding scheme; and   transmitting the transcoded particular video content from the television receiver to the mobile device.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 receiving at the television receiver the particular video content encoded at a first bit rate; and   modifying encoding of the particular video content so that the particular video content is encoded at a second bit rate less than the first bit rate.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 receiving at the television receiver from a content provider the particular video content encoded at a first bit rate; and   streaming from the television receiver to the mobile device the particular video content encoded at a second bit rate different than the first bit rate.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 receiving at the television receiver from a content provider the particular video content encoded at a first bit rate;   storing at the television receiver the particular video content; and   transmitting from the television receiver to the mobile device the particular video content encoded at a second bit rate different than the first bit rate.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein transcoding comprises compressing the particular video content according to a particular compression scheme. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein transcoding comprises modifying resolution of the particular video content. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein transcoding comprises downconverting the particular video content for transmission to the mobile device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 receiving at the television receiver from the mobile device a request for programming information;   transmitting from the television receiver to the mobile device requested programming information;   determining whether a reply from the mobile device is a request for additional information including the particular video content; and   transmitting the transcoded particular video content from the television receiver to the mobile device when the reply from the mobile device is a request for additional information including the particular video content.   
     
     
         10 . A method of transferring video content to a mobile device, comprising:
 receiving from the mobile device a request for programming information;   transmitting to the mobile device requested programming information;   determining whether a reply received from the mobile device is a request for particular video programming; and   transmitting to the mobile device the particular video programming encoded in a particular encoding scheme different than an encoding scheme used for initial transmission of the particular video programming, when the reply received from the mobile device is a request for the particular video programming.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 receiving a request from the mobile device for electronic programming guide information; and   transmitting to the mobile device particular electronic programming guide information.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 receiving a request from the mobile device for information including a list of programs that are received at a particular time; and   transmitting from the receiver to the mobile device the list of programs that are received at the particular time.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 receiving a request from the mobile device for information including a list of times that a specific program is broadcast; and   transmitting to the mobile device the list of times that the specific program is broadcast.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 receiving a request from the mobile device for information including at least one of a time that a particular program is to be received by the receiver and an associated station identifier; and   transmitting to the mobile device information the at least one of the time that the particular program is to be received by the receiver and the associated station identifier.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising determining that the reply received from the mobile device includes an indication to terminate transmission of further information to the mobile device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising determining that the reply received from the mobile device includes an indication for a television receiver to record a particular program. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising determining that the reply received from the mobile device includes an operating instruction for a television receiver, the operating instruction selected from a power on instruction for the television receiver and a power down instruction for the television receiver. 
     
     
         18 . A method of transferring video programming, comprising:
 receiving a television program at a television receiver from a content source, wherein the television program as received is encoded according to a first encoding scheme;   processing data at the television receiver using a smart card to authorize reception of the television program by the television receiver;   associating the television program with a subscriber identity module identifier of the mobile device; and   transmitting the television program from the television receiver to the mobile device, wherein the television program is encoded according to a second encoding scheme different than the first encoding scheme, and the mobile device utilizes the subscriber identity module identifier to authorize presentation of the television program on the mobile device.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 receiving at the television receiver from the content source the television program encoded at a first bit rate; and   streaming from the television receiver to the mobile device the television program encoded at a second bit rate different than the first bit rate.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 receiving at the television receiver from the content source the television program encoded at a first bit rate;   storing at the television receiver the television program; and   transmitting from the television receiver to the mobile device the television program encoded at a second bit rate different than the first bit rate.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising transcoding by the television receiver the television program from the first encoding scheme to the second encoding scheme.