Methods and apparatus for presenting a still-image feedback response to user command for remote audio/video content viewing

1. A method for presenting feedback to a user when a command is received, the method comprising:

receiving, at a content retransmitter, a command for navigating audio/video content selections for retransmission to a user device, wherein the content retransmitter comprises a component communicatively coupled to a set-top box and the user device, wherein the content retransmitter is configured to provide commands to the set-top box, receive a video stream from the set-top box, and transmit the video stream to the user device;

transmitting the received command to the set-top box for execution, wherein execution of the command by the set-top box produces a result, wherein the received command comprises at least one of a first selection of a selected set of recorded programming, a second selection of a set of currently streaming content, or a third selection of a selected menu;

gradually receiving the result at the content retransmitter, creating a period of latency when the result is only partially available for retransmission, wherein the result comprises the video stream, and wherein gradually receiving the result further comprises gradually filling a video buffer of the content retransmitter with the result produced by the set-top box;

during the period of latency, retrieving a still-image frame associated with execution of the command, wherein retrieving the still-image frame comprises retrieving at least one of a first frame from the selected set of recorded programming in the video buffer, a second frame from the set of currently streaming content in the video buffer, or a third frame comprising the screen-capture of a selected menu in the video buffer; and

transmitting the still-image frame to the user device for presentation until the result is completely available for retransmission.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, at the content retransmitter, a set of audio/video content from the set-top box;

transmitting the set of audio/video content to the user device for presentation; and

discontinuing transmission of the set of audio/video content when the command has been received.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving step further comprises:

receiving, at the content retransmitter, an instruction to change a first channel configured to supply a first set of audio/video content to a second channel configured to supply a second set of audio/video content, for retransmission to the user device;

wherein the command comprises the instruction; and

wherein the still-image frame comprises a screen-capture from the second set of audio/video content.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving step further comprises:

receiving, at the content retransmitter, an instruction to replace a first set of audio/video content with a second set of audio/video content, for retransmission to the user device;

wherein the command comprises the instruction; and

wherein the still-image frame comprises a screen-capture from the second set of audio/video content.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving step further comprises:

receiving, at the content retransmitter, an instruction to access a selection menu for use via the user device;

wherein the command comprises the instruction; and

wherein the still-image frame comprises a screen-capture of the selection menu.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving step further comprises:

receiving, at the content retransmitter, an instruction to access a recorded set of audio/video content for retransmission to the user device;

wherein the command comprises the instruction; and

wherein the still-image frame comprises a screen-capture from the recorded set of audio/video content.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving step further comprises:

receiving, at the content retransmitter, an instruction to scroll within an accessed menu viewable via the user device;

wherein the command comprises the instruction; and

wherein the still-image frame comprises a screen-capture of the scrolling action.

8. A system for presenting feedback to a user when a command is received, the system comprising:

an audio/video content viewing device, configured to:

receive audio/video content from a content retransmitter;

present the audio/video content for viewing;

receive user commands to navigate menu selections; and

transmit the received user commands to the content retransmitter;

the content retransmitter, communicatively coupled to a set-top box and the audio/video content viewing device, wherein the content retransmitter is configured to provide commands to the set-top box, receive audio/video content from the set-top box, and transmit the audio/video content to the audio/video content viewing device, wherein the content retransmitter is further configured to:

receive a first user command, via the audio/video content viewing device, to navigate a viewing selection for the audio/video content;

transmit the first user command to a set-top box to request the audio/video content from the set-top box, wherein the received command comprises at least one of a first selection of a selected set of recorded programming, a second selection of a set of currently streaming content, or a third selection of a selected menu;

gradually receive the audio/video content, creating a period of latency when the audio/video content has been partially received, wherein gradually receiving the result further comprises gradually filling a video buffer of the content retransmitter with the result produced by the set-top box;

during the period of latency, retrieve a still-image frame associated with execution of the command, wherein retrieving the still-image frame comprises retrieving at least one of a first frame from the selected set of recorded programming in the video buffer, a second frame from the set of currently streaming content in the video buffer, or a third frame comprising the screen-capture of a selected menu in the video buffer; and

transmit the still-image frame to the audio/video content viewing device.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the audio/video content viewing device is further configured to:

receive user input comprising user selections of viewing content and menu functions associated with the audio/video content, wherein the user input comprises at least the first user command;

transmit the received user input to the content retransmitter;

receive the still-image frame associated with execution of the command; and

replace the presented audio/video content with presentation of the still-image frame.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the content retransmitter comprises a buffer for continuous transmission of the audio/video content;

wherein the content retransmitter is further configured to:

fill the buffer with the audio/video content during transmission of the audio/video content to the audio/video content viewing device; and

when the user command has been received,

empty the buffer; and

refill the buffer with a second set of audio/video content associated with the received user command.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the audio/video content viewing device is further configured to:

present the still-image frame during refilling of the buffer; and

once the buffer is refilled, replace the still-image frame with presentation of the second set of audio/video content.

12. The system of claim 8 , further comprising:

a set-top box, configured to:

receive audio/video content from a content source;

receive and execute one or more commands, from the content retransmitter, to navigate audio/video content selections;

gradually provide the audio/video content to the content retransmitter, in response to receiving the one or more commands; and

provide the still-image frame to the content retransmitter during the period of latency.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the set-top box and the content retransmitter are implemented as one integrated hardware device.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the set-top box is implemented as a first hardware device, and wherein the content retransmitter is implemented as a second hardware device.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the set-top box, the content retransmitter, and the audio/video content viewing device are implemented as one integrated hardware device.

16. A system for presenting feedback to a user when a command is received, the system comprising:

system memory;

a user interface, configured to receive user input to navigate audio/video content menu selections, and to present audio/video content and still-image feedback via a display element;

a transceiver, configured to transmit one or more still-images to the user interface for presentation; and

at least one processor communicatively coupled to the system memory, the user interface, and the transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to:

interpret the received user input to determine a menu command associated with the user input

transmit the menu command to a video services receiver for execution, wherein execution of the command by the video services receiver produces a result, and wherein the received command comprises at least one of a first selection of a selected set of recorded programming, a second selection of a set of currently streaming content, or a third selection of a selected menu;

gradually receive the audio/video content from a video services receiver, in response to the transmitted menu command, wherein the gradual receiving of the audio/video content creates a period of latency, wherein gradually receiving the result further comprises gradually filling a video buffer of the content retransmitter with the result produced by the video services receiver;

during the period of latency, retrieve still-image feedback associated with the menu command, wherein retrieving the still-image frame comprises retrieving at least one of a first frame from the selected set of recorded programming in the video buffer, a second frame from the set of currently streaming content in the video buffer, or a third frame comprising the screen-capture of a selected menu in the video buffer; and

initiate transmission of the still-image feedback to the user interface, by the transceiver, for presentation until the audio/video content is available for transmission to the user interface.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the menu command comprises an instruction to access a selection menu for a plurality of sets of audio/video content; and

wherein the still-image feedback comprises a screen-capture of the selection menu.

18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the menu command comprises an instruction to receive a second set of audio/video content; and

wherein the still-image feedback comprises a screen-capture from the second set of audio/video content.

19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the menu command comprises an instruction to access a recorded set of audio/video content; and

wherein the still-image feedback comprises a screen-capture from the recorded set of audio/video content.