Smart-channel: learning-capable television channel changing apparatus, system and method
US6411343B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/485
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for learning the optimal channel change instruction recognition speed for the components of a particular entertainment system. A memory provides storage for information relating to: time increments between channel change signals; pulse width of each individual digit of a channel instruction; and the duration of time between each digit pulse signal. As a function of the information stored in memory, a microprocessor constructs and sends channel change commands at a particular speed, progressively increasing the speed. A means is provided for monitoring the television receiver and for detecting whether the channel change command resulted in the change of the programming channel received by the television receiver. When the speed at which channel change commands are sent exceeds the capability of the television receiver to recognize the channel change command, the microprocessor reduces the speed, as a function of the information stored in memory, until the television receiver can recognize the channel change command. The microprocessor stores in memory the fastest speed at which the television receiver can recognize the channel change comma…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.