Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for switching program streams using a fixed speed program stream buffer coupled to a decoder

US8571111B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
1References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 20, 2006
Grant dateOct 29, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 30, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N21/4384
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Various embodiments for switching programs streams using a fixed speed program stream buffer coupled to a decoder are described. Various embodiments for switching programs streams using a fixed speed program stream buffer coupled to a decoder are described. In one or more embodiments, the fixed speed program stream buffer may be arranged to receive multiple program streams, such as video program streams, and to buffer historical frames comprising at least one anchor frame. Upon detecting a channel switch point, the most recent historical anchor frame prior to the channel switch point may be provided to the decoder. After receiving the anchor frame, the decoder may be arranged to start the next frame after the anchor frame instantly. Once the most recent historical anchor frame is played in to the decoder, the decoder may pick off the next frame after the anchor frame at a normal cadence. A program stream may be run in a delayed state by the decoder from an alternate channel buffer activated in response to a channel change. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

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