System and method for efficiently tuning to channels of a variety of different broadcast types
US7194753B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/482
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A tuning system is described that is capable of receiving a number of different broadcast types such as analog or digital satellite, cable, Internet, and terrestrial airwave broadcasts. The tuning system stores service records, each service recording containing information required to tune to a particular channel. These service records are categorized within service spaces by tuner type, content, or in any other desired manner. A viewer selects (actively or by default) the service space in which the viewer desires to channel surf. The viewer then selects the desired channel within that service space. In response to this selection, the tuning system uses the information within the selected service record to identify the correct tuner, and to cause that tuner to tune to the selected channel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.