Switch for automatic selection of television signal sources for delivery of television guide data
US5640484A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/488
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are provided for a television guide. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a device for comparing a current time with at least one stored time period for extracting television guide data to determine if the current time is within the stored time period, a device for switching a signal output from a first television signal source to a second television signal source, if television guide data is not contained in the signal output from the first television signal source when the current time is within the stored time period, a device for extracting the television guide data from the signal output when the current time is within the stored time period, and a memory for storing the extracted television guide data. In another embodiment the apparatus includes a device for controlling a tuner to tune to a plurality of channels in the first television signal source, when the current time is within the stored time period, a device for controlling a tuner to tune to a plurality of channels in the second television signal source, when the current time is within the stored time period, and a device for locking the tuner on a channel containing television guide data in …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.