Multi-channel television system with viewer-selectable video and audio
US5894320A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 29, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 13, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 29, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/8541
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A television viewer can select among a choice of available camera angles and audio feeds when viewing a sporting event such as a football game without changing the television channel. Audio, video and control data is transmitted in a packetized data stream with control data providing a pre-assigned channel designation (e.g., channel 10 for network X). A set-top terminal receives and processes the data stream according to user-provided commands. The terminal includes software which can be downloaded via the data stream or installed locally. The control data in the data stream is used to provide an on-screen graphical display on the television that allows the user to select the audio and video which correspond to certain areas of the football stadium, for example. Optionally, the viewer may select alternative story lines in a movie or similar program. A default setting provides primary audio and video signals. Alternative audio and video signals are selected by the user and mapped to the channel designator of the primary signal so that the different camera angles and audio feeds may be seen and heard. The viewer is therefore given the opportunity to customize the programming to enhan…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.