Patent · US Active

Methods and apparatus for providing a channel history

US8769579B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
8References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 9, 2006
Grant dateJul 1, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 22, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04H2201/60
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus such as a mobile television signal receiver includes a channel history feature. Methods for adding channels to the channel history, tuning channels from the channel history, and generally maintaining the channel history are provided. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for adding a channel to channel history includes a step of adding a selected channel to the channel history if the channel meets a criterion. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for tuning channels includes steps of receiving a useable program signal from a first channel, testing for presence of a useable program from a second channel without interrupting the receiving step, and if the useable program signal from the second channel is detected, tuning the second channel. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for maintaining a channel history includes a step of maintaining a retrieved channel in the channel history if the useable program signal is present, and updating the channel history by replacing the retrieved channel with another channel if the useable program signal is not present.

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