Method and system for predicting use of an external device and removing the external device from a low power mode

1. A method comprising:

directly connecting an external television tuner to a television signal receiving unit having an internal television tuner;

entering a low power mode at the external television tuner;

generating a prediction signal in response to inputs to the television signal receiving unit; and

removing one of the external television tuner and internal television tuner from low power mode in response to the prediction signal.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein generating a prediction signal comprises generating a prediction signal from a remote control input.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein generating a prediction signal comprises generating a prediction signal from a usage pattern.

4. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein generating a prediction signal comprises generating a prediction signal from a scheduled recording time.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein directly connecting the external television tuner to a receiving unit comprises coupling the external television tuner to a satellite television signal receiving device.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the external television tuner comprises a first television tuner and a second television tuner and wherein removing one of the external television tuner and the internal television tuner from low power mode in response to the prediction signal comprises removing a lowest power device of the first television tuner or the second television tuner from low power mode in response to the prediction signal.

7. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein removing one of the external television tuner or internal television tuner from low power mode in response to the prediction signal comprises removing a lowest power device of the external television tuner or the internal television tuner from low power mode in response to the prediction signal.

8. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein coupling an external television tuner to a receiving unit comprises coupling the external television tuner having a first external television tuner and a second external television tuner to the receiving unit having a first television receiving tuner and a second television receiving tuner and wherein removing one of the external television tuner or internal television tuner from low power mode in response to the prediction signal comprises removing a lowest power device of the first external television tuner, the second external television tuner, the first receiving television tuner or the second receiving television tuner from low power mode in response to the prediction signal.

9. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein directly connecting an external television tuner to a receiving unit comprises coupling the external television tuner to the receiving unit through a universal serial bus connector.

10. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein directly connecting an external television tuner to a receiving unit comprises coupling the external television tuner to the receiving unit through a wireless connector.

11. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein directly connecting an external television tuner to a television signal receiving unit comprises coupling the external television tuner to the television signal receiving unit through a wired connector.

12. A system comprising:

A television signal receiving unit having an internal television tuner; and

an external television tuner directly connected to the television signal receiving unit, said external television tuner in a low power mode;

said television signal receiving unit comprising a controller generating a prediction signal in response to an input to the television signal receiving unit and commanding one of the external television tuner and internal television tuner from low power mode in response to the prediction signal.

13. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the input comprises a remote control input.

14. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the input comprises a usage pattern.

15. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the input comprises a scheduled recording time.

16. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the receiving unit comprises a satellite television receiving device.

17. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the external television tuner comprises a first television tuner and a second television tuner and wherein the controller controls the external television tuner from low power mode by removing a lowest power device of the first television tuner or the second television tuner from low power mode in response to the prediction signal.

18. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the external television tuner comprises a first external television tuner and a second external television tuner and the television signal receiving unit comprises a first television receiving tuner and a second television receiving tuner and wherein the television signal receiving unit controls the first external television tuner, second external television tuner, a first receiving television tuner and a second receiving television tuner from low power mode by removing a lowest power device comprising one of the first external television tuner, second external television tuner, a first receiving television tuner and a second receiving television tuner from low power mode in response to the prediction signal.

19. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the television signal receiving unit is in communication with the external television tuner through a universal serial bus.

20. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the television signal receiving unit is in communication with the external television tuner through a wired connection.

21. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the television signal receiving unit is in communication with the external television tuner through a wireless connection.