Apparatus and method for integrating a plurality of video sources
US6133910A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 18, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 17, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 18, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/482
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A video system utilizes a "virtual tuner" that integrates signals from multiple video sources to provide a plurality of "virtual channels", each of which has both a video source and a channel associated with it. When a virtual channel is selected, the correct video source is selected and tuned to the correct channel automatically. The virtual tuner may be embodied in a television or in a separate electronic component coupled thereto, such as a direct broadcast satellite receiver. Alternatively, the video system may be embodied in a universal remote control which is capable of outputting multiple signals to multiple devices in response to a key depression, using either one or two signal transmitters. Channel information may also be downloaded or obtained from a database, for example, to customize an electronic component to receive local broadcast channels.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.