Method and apparatus for predictive tuning in digital content receivers

1. A method for receiving broadcast digital content, the method comprising the steps of:

processing a primary content stream, the processing step including:

receiving the primary content stream; and

decoding and decompressing the received primary content stream into a primary presentation stream;

processing at least two alternate content streams, the processing step including:

receiving the at least two alternate content streams according to a corresponding number of pre-indications of a next channel selections and at least one time-selected usage profile; and

decoding and decompressing the received alternate content streams into alternate presentation streams;

presenting the primary presentation stream on a presentation device;

receiving a channel selection command; and

presenting one of the alternate presentation streams on the presentation device when the channel selection command is equal to a predicted next channel,

wherein the step of processing a primary content stream and the step of processing an alternate content stream are concurrently performed, and

wherein the step of receiving an alternate content stream comprises:

receiving a channel selection command;

selecting, for each of the alternate content streams, from among multiple different stochastic predication models, a stochastic prediction model according to the channel selection command, and the time-selected usage profile; and

using the selected stochastic prediction model to identify a collection of next most probable channels as a collection of alternate content streams according to a partial channel selection and the time-selected usage profile.

2. A method for receiving broadcast digital content comprising the steps of:

processing a primary content stream, the processing step including:

receiving the primary content stream; and

decoding and decompressing the received primary content stream into a primary presentation stream;

processing at least two alternate content streams, the processing step including:

receiving the at least two alternate content streams according to a corresponding number of pre-indications of a next channel selection and at least one time-selected usage profile; and

decoding and decompressing the received alternate content streams into alternate presentation steams;

presenting the primary presentation stream on a presentation device;

receiving a channel selection command; and

presenting one of the alternate presentation stream on the presentation device when the channel selection command is equal to a predicted next channel wherein the step of processing a primary content stream and the step of processing an alternate content stream are concurrently performed, and

wherein the step of receiving an alternate content stream comprises:

receiving a channel selection command;

selecting, for each of the alternate content streams, from among multiple different stochastic predication models, a stochastic prediction model for a time slot according to the channel selection command; and

receiving a collection of next most probable channels as a collection of alternate content streams according to the selected stochastic prediction model for a particular time slot refined by a partial channel selection.

3. A content receiver system comprising:

a primary receiver for receiving a primary content stream;

a primary decoder that decodes and decompresses the received primary content stream into a primary presentation stream;

a prediction unit that generates at least two next channel prediction according to a channel pre-selection indication and a time-selected usage profile;

at least two alternate channel receivers each receiving an alternate content stream according to one of at least two next channel prediction;

at least two alternate decoders that each decode and decompress the received alternate content stream into an alternate presentation stream; and

a content stream selection unit that:

selects the primary presentation stream; receives a channel selection command or a partial channel selection; and

selects the at least two alternate presentation streams when the channel selection command is equal to a next channel prediction,

wherein the primary decoder and the alternate decoders decode and decompress the received primary content stream and the received alternate content streams concurrently, and

wherein said prediction unit comprises a stochastic prediction engine that:

selects, from among multiple different stochastic prediction models, a stochastic prediction model according to the channel selection command and the time-selected usage profile; and

generates a predicted collection of next channels using the selected prediction model as refined by the partial channel selection.

4. A content receiver system comprising: a primary receiver for receiving a primary content stream;

a primary decoder that decodes and decompresses the received primary content stream into a primary presentation stream;

a prediction unit that generates at least two next channel predictions according to a channel pre-selection indication and a time-selected usage profile;

at least two alternate channel receivers each receiving an alternate content stream according to one of at least two next channel predictions;

at least two alternate decoders that each decode and decompress the received alternate content stream into an alternate presentation stream; and

a content stream selection unit that:

selects the primary presentation stream; receives a channel selection command or a partial channel selection; and

selects one of the at least two alternate presentation streams when the channel selection command is equal to a next channel prediction wherein

the primary decoder and the alternate decoders decode and decompress the received primary content stream and the received alternate content streams concurrently, and the prediction unit comprises: a clock that generates a time-slot indicator; and a stochastic prediction engine that: generates a plurality of different stochastic prediction models for a plurality of time slots according to a partial channel selection command; selects, from among the plurality of different stochastic predication models, a stochastic prediction model according to the time-slot indicator and said partial channel section command; and generates a predicted collection of next channels as a collection of alternate content streams according to the selected stochastic prediction model and according to the time-slot indicator and the partial channel selection command.

5. A set top box comprising:

a primary receiver that selects a primary modulated carrier;

a primary signal path that generates a primary presentation stream according to the primary modulated carrier, the primary signal path including a primary decoder for decoding and decompressing the selected primary modulated carrier;

at least two alternate receivers that selects at least two alternate modulated carriers;

at least two alternate signal paths that generates at least two alternate presentation streams according to the alternate modulated carriers, each alternate signal path including an alternate decoder for decoding and decompressing the selected alternate modulated carrier;

a selection unit that selects a presentation stream for presentation on a presentation device;

a processor that is programmed to:

command the primary receiver to receive a primary channel;

predict a next selected channel according to a preselection indication and at least one time-selected usage profile;

command the alternate receiver to receive an alternate channel; receive a channel selection command;

command the selection unit to select the alternate presentation stream when the channel selection command is consistent with the predicted next selected channel,

wherein: the primary decoder and the alternate decoders decode and decompress the selected primary modulated carrier and the selected alternate modulated carrier concurrently, and

wherein the processor predicts a next selected channel by:

selecting, from among multiple different stochastic models, a stochastic model according to the channel selection command and the time-selected usage profile; receiving a partial channel selection; and

selecting a collection of next most probable channels as a collection of alternate content streams according to the selected stochastic model.

6. A set top box comprising:

a primary receiver that selects a primary modulated carrier;

a primary signal path that generates a primary presentation stream according to the primary modulated carrier, the primary signal path including a primary decoder for decoding and decompressing the selected primary modulated carrier;

at least two alternate receivers that selects at least two alternate modulated carriers;

at least two alternate signal paths that generate at least two alternate presentation streams according to the alternate modulated carriers, the alternate signal paths including at least two alternate decoders for decoding and decompressing the selected alternate modulated carriers;

a selection unit that selects a presentation stream for presentation on a presentation device;

a processor that is programmed to:

command the primary receiver to receive a primary channel;

predict a next selected channel according to at least two preselection indications and at least one time-selected usage profile;

command the alternate receivers to receive at least two alternate channels;

receive a channel selection command;

command the selection unit to select one of the at least two alternate presentation streams when the channel selection command is consistent with the predicted next selected channel,

wherein the primary decoder and the alternate decoders decode and decompress the selected primary modulated carrier and the selected alternate modulated carriers concurrently, and

wherein the processor predicts a next selected channel by:

for each alternate receiver, developing a plurality of different stochastic models for a plurality of time slots;

receiving a time slot indicator;

receiving a partial channel selection;

selecting, from among the plurality of different stochastic models, a stochastic model according to the time-slot indicator and the partial channel selection; and

selecting the most probable channel consistent with the partial channel selection according to the selected stochastic model selected and according to the time slot indicator.