Patent · US Active

Multi-channel audio enhancement for television

US9560304B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
30References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 23, 2011
Grant dateJan 31, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 23, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N21/84
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A comprehensive mechanism is provided for broadcasting and accessing multiple audio sources in connection with the viewing of a television program. Audio is collected through the use of standard audio capture techniques. Next, the audio is distributed by either of in-band via broadcast or out-of-band techniques. In-band audio is preferably provided via an MPEG stream associated with the current television program. Out-of-band (OOB) audio can be broadcast as well, although it is preferable to select which channel is distributed upstream first, rather than broadcast all channels downstream and consume bandwidth for unselected audio. The viewer operates a set top box to select the appropriate audio channel(s) for reproduction.

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