Patent · US Expired

Video decoding and channel acquisition system

US6985188B1 · kind B1 · utility

97Cited by
14References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 30, 1999
Grant dateJan 10, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 30, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N21/4755
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A digital video decoding system receives packetized video data representing programs conveyed on a plurality of video channels. The system includes a plurality of buffers for storing encoded video data representing images of video programs conveyed on a corresponding plurality of video channels. An individual buffer, corresponding to an individual video channel, stores sufficient encoded video data to prevent an underflow condition following switching to decode a program conveyed on the individual video channel. A processor initiates switching to decode a program conveyed on a selected one of the plurality of video channels in response to a user channel selection input. A decoder decodes encoded video data received from one of the plurality of buffers corresponding to the program conveyed on the selected video channel as determined by switching initiated by the processor. The decoder also predicts a next channel to be selected by a user based on, (a) predetermined user channel and program preference criteria, (b) predetermined user channel navigation patterns, or (c) user data entry device sensory data.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.