Methods and apparatus for upgrading set top box devices without the loss of stored content
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.
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.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: storing information identifying the first set top box to be upgraded on said network storage device in addition to video content uploaded from first said set top box.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising receiving a signal used to initiate a download of stored content to the second set top box from said second set top box, said signal including information identifying the first set top box to be upgraded.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said information identifying the first set top box to be upgraded is a MAC address.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein said signal used to initiate a download of stored content is communicated over a cable network from said second set top box.
6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising, prior to said signal used to initiate a download of stored content being received: activating, prior to delivery of said second set top box to the customer premise at which said first set top box to be replaced is located, a hidden application on said second set top box; and entering into said second set top box said information identifying the first set top box to be upgraded.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said hidden application is an installer application on said first set top box to be upgraded.
8. The method of claim 2 , further comprising: generating a label corresponding to the second set top box including information identifying the customer premise at which the first set top box to be upgraded is located.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising: initiating delivery of said second set top box to the customer premise at which the first set top box to be upgraded is located after said second set top box is loaded with video content from said first set top box to be replaced.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising: printing a return shipping label to be used in shipping the first set top box to be upgraded; and including the printed return label with the second set top box when it is shipped to the customer premise at which the first set top box to be upgraded is located.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein initiating delivery of the second set top box includes scheduling delivery of the second set top box with a delivery service, said scheduling occurring after said second set top box is loaded with video content from said first set top box to be replaced.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein initiating delivery of the second set top box includes scheduling an installer to deliver and install the second set top box.
13. A system for use in upgrading a set top box, the system comprising:
a memory including information indicating when a first set top box located at a customer premise is scheduled to be upgraded;
a control device configured to automatically initiate an upload of stored video content from the set top box to be upgraded to a network storage device prior to the scheduled upgrade;
an interface for 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, prior to downloading the uploaded stored video content; and
a processor configured to control downloading of the uploaded stored video content from the network storage device to a second set top box prior to replacement of said first set top box, said second set top box being a replacement for said first set top box to be upgraded, said download module being configured to download the uploaded stored video content prior to installation of the second set top box at said customer premise and replacement of said first set top box.
14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising said network storage device, said network storage device including:
a storage device including information identifying the first set top box to be upgraded and video content uploaded from said first set top box.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein said processor is included in an administrator system, said administrator system including a network interface for receiving, via a communications network, said signal used to initiate a download of stored content to the second set top box.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein said signal used to initiate a download of stored content is communicated over a cable network from said second set top box.
17. A method of performing a set top box upgrade for a customer using a communications network, the method comprising:
receiving from a first set top box to be upgraded, a signal used to initiate network storage of video content stored on said first set top box;
storing video content uploaded from the first set top box to be upgraded on a network storage device;
receiving from a second set top box, a signal used to initiate a download of stored content uploaded from said first set top box to be upgraded, receiving said signal used to initiate a download of stored content to the second set top box includes receiving, from said second set top box, information identifying the first set top box to be upgraded; and
downloading the uploaded stored video content from the network storage device to said second set top box prior to installation of the second set top box and replacement of said first set top box, said second set top box being a replacement for said first set top box to be upgraded.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising: storing information identifying the first set top box to be upgraded on said network storage device in addition to video content uploaded from said first set top box.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein said information identifying the first set top box to be upgraded is a MAC address.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein said signal used to initiate a download of stored content is communicated over a cable network from said second set top box.
21. The method of claim 18 , further comprising, prior to said signal used to initiate a download of stored content being received: activating a hidden application on said second set top box; and entering into said second set top box said information identifying the first set top box to be upgraded.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein said hidden application is an installer application on said first set top box to be upgraded.
23. A system for use in upgrading a set top box, the system comprising:
a network storage device;
a receiver configured to receive signals from set top boxes including a first signal used to initiate storage, on a network storage device, of video content stored on a first set top box to be upgraded, and a second signal used to initiate a download of content stored on said network storage device, said receiver including a network interface for receiving said signals from said set top boxes over a cable network;
a processor configured to identify the first set top box to be upgraded from information included in the second signal; and
wherein said network storage device is configured to:
store, in response to receipt of said first signal by said receiver, video content uploaded from the first set top box to be upgraded; and
control downloading of the uploaded stored video content from the network storage device to the second set top box, prior to installation of the second set top box and replacement of said first set top box to be upgraded in response to said second signal.
24. The system of claim 23 , wherein said network storage device includes information identifying the first set top box to be upgraded and video content uploaded from said first set top box.
25. The system of claim 24 , wherein said information identifying the first set top box to be upgraded is a MAC address.
26. The system of claim 23 , wherein said signal used to initiate a download of stored content is communicated over the cable network from said second set top box.