US5130815A
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US
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Method and apparatus for encoding a video signal having multi-language capabilities
Assignee: MTI Associates
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Filing: 1990-07-20
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Granted: 1992-07-14
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Expires: 2010-07-20
Abstract
Abstract An audio/video system for encoding and decoding a video signal and a plurality of corresponding audio signals. The system includes an encoder means for receiving an input video signal, a first audio signal, and a plurality of second audio signals which correspond to the input video signal. The encoder means combines the input video signal and the plurality of second audio signals to produce an encoded video signal but leaves the first audio signal substantially unchanged and then outputs the first audio signal and the encoded video signal. An audio/video signal communication means is connected to the encoder. The audio/video signal communication means accepts the encoded video signal and the first audio signal and transmits them to a decoder. The decoder means separates the plurality of second audio signals from the encoded video signal leaving an unencoded video signal. The decoder then combines each of the plurality of second audio signals with a reproduction of the first audio signal so as to form a plurality of combined audio signals. The decoder then outputs the unencoded video signal and the plurality of combined audio signals. A signal delivery means which is coupled to the decoder includes a selection means which allows at least one of the plurality of the combined audio signals to be played with the unencoded video signal in a manner determined by the user.
Inventors
- 👤 Murray B. Silverman
- 👤 Mert Van Pelt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:49
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N9/00; H04N9/79; H04N9/80; H04N9/802; H04N5/91; H04N5/92; H04N5/9201; H04N7/00; H04N7/04; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/28; H04H20/53; H04H20/61; H04H20/62; H04H20/63
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
An audio-video system for encoding and decoding a video signal and a plurality of corresponding audio signals, comprising: encoder means for receiving an input video signal, a first audio signal, and a plurality of second audio signals corresponding to said input video signal, said encoder means combining said input video signal and said plurality of second audio signals by replacing selected portions of said iput video signal with said plurality of said second audio signals to produce an encoded video signal but leaving said first audio signal substantially unchanged, said encoder means outputting said first video signal and said encoded video signal; audio-video signal communication means for receiving said first audio signal and said encoded video signal from said encoder means, said communiction means outputting said first audio signal and said encoded video signal in a predetermined manner; and decoder means coupled to said signal communication means for receiving said encoded video signal and said first audio signal, said decoder means separating said plruality of second audio signals from said encoded video signal so as to form an unencoded video signal and a plurality of second audio signals, and combining each of said plurality of second audio signals with a reproduction of said first audio signal so as to form a plurality of combined audio signals, said decoder means simultaneously outputting said unencoded video signal and said plurality of combined audio signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
An audio-video system for encoding and decoding a video signal and a plurality of corresponding audio signals, comprising: encoder means for receiving an input video signal, a first audio signal, and a plurality of second audio signals corresponding to said input video signal, said encoder means combining said input video signal and said plurality of second audio signals by replacing selected portions of said iput video signal with said plurality of said second audio signals to produce an encoded video signal but leaving said first audio signal substantially unchanged, said encoder means outputting said first video signal and said encoded video signal; audio-video signal communication means for receiving said first audio signal and said encoded video signal from said encoder means, said communiction means outputting said first audio signal and said encoded video signal in a predetermined manner; and decoder means coupled to said signal communication means for receiving said encoded video signal and said first audio signal, said decoder means separating said plruality of second audio signals from said encoded video signal so as to form an unencoded video signal and a plurality of second audio signals, and combining each of said plurality of second audio signals with a reproduction of said first audio signal so as to form a plurality of combined audio signals, said decoder means simultaneously outputting said unencoded video signal and said plurality of combined audio signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a signal delivery means coupled to said decoder means, said signal delivery means including a selection means such that at least one of said plurality of said combined audio signals may be played with said unencoded video signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said video signal represents a video picture made up of a plurality of horizontal scan lines and said selected portions of said video signal correspond to a predetermined number of said scan lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said scan lines are located at a top portion of said video picture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said predetermined number of scan lines are equal to the number of said second audio signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said predetermined number is twelve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said portion of said video signal corresponding to a selected scan line exclusively stores information from one of said second audio signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said first audio signal is a high bandwidth signal, and said plurality of second audio signals are low bandwidth signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
170 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said encoder means comprises: input means for receiving said input video signal and said plurality of second audio signals; synchronization means responsive to said input video signal for sensing timing signals contained in said input video signal; audio signal linking means responsive to said plurality of second audio signals for converting said plurality of audio signals into a stream of information; data storage means operatively coupled to said audio signal linking means for storing said stream of information; timing means responsive to said synchronization means and in communication with said storage means, said timing means triggering a release of said stream of information from said storage means in discrete bursts of data responsive to said synchronization means; and video signal combining means coupled to said input means and said data storage means for combining said bursts of data into said imput video signal in a predetermined manner so as to form said encoded video signal, said combining means then outputting said encoded video signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said synchronization means comprises a phase-locked loop.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said phase-locked loop further includes a voltage controlled oscillator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said audio signal linking means comprises a time division multiplexer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The video system of claim 12 wherein said audio signal linking means further comprises an analog-to-digital converter for converting said stream of information from the analog domain to the digital domain.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said data storage means comprises a digital memory.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 13 further comprising a digital-to-analog converter coupled between said data storage means and said video signal combining means for converting said bursts of data from the digital domain to the analog domain.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said signal communication means further includes data storage means for storing said encoded video signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said audio-video signal communication means comprises a video cassette player.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said audio-video signal communication means comprises a satellite communication system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said audio-video signal communication means comprises a video disk player.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
174 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said decoder means comprises: input means for receiving said encoder video signal and said first audio signal, said encoder video signal having segments with said plurality of second audio signals encoded thereon; timing means responsive to said encoder video signal for identifying said segments of said encoded video signal containing said plurality of second audio signals; memory means coupled to said timing means and said input means for storing said segments of said encoded video signal containing said plurality of second audio signals; audio signal separating means coupled to said memory means and responsive to said timing means for separating said plurality of audio signals; audio signal combining means coupled to said audio signal separating means and said input means for receiving said separated audio signals and said first audio signal, said audio signal combining means combining a reproduction of said first audio signal with each of said plurality of second audio signals; and output means for outputting said audio signal and said plurality of combined audio signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 19 further comprising line blanking means coupled to said timing means for encoding a null signal over said storage segments of said restored video signal prior to outputting said restored video signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said audio signal separating means comprises a demultiplexer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said timing means includes a phase-locked loop.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
199 words
A device for decoding an encoded video signal having segments with a plurality of audio signals encoded thereon, said apparatus comprising: input means for receiving said encoded video signal and a music and effects audio signal; timing means responsive to said encoded video signal for identifying said segments of said video signal containing said plurality of audio signals; memory means coupled to said timing means and said input means for storing said segments of said encoded video signal containing said plurality of audio signals; audio signal separating means coupled to said memory means and responsive to said timing means for separating said plurality of audio signals from said encoded video signal so as to form an unencoded video signal; audio signal combining means coupled to said audio signal separating means and said input means for receiving said separated audio signals and said music and effects audio signal, said combining means combining said music and effects audio signal with each said plurality of audio signals; and output means for outputting said unencoded video signal and simultaneously outputting said plurality of combined audio signals such that a user may select from one or more of said plurality of combined audio signals.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
199 words
A device for decoding an encoded video signal having segments with a plurality of audio signals encoded thereon, said apparatus comprising: input means for receiving said encoded video signal and a music and effects audio signal; timing means responsive to said encoded video signal for identifying said segments of said video signal containing said plurality of audio signals; memory means coupled to said timing means and said input means for storing said segments of said encoded video signal containing said plurality of audio signals; audio signal separating means coupled to said memory means and responsive to said timing means for separating said plurality of audio signals from said encoded video signal so as to form an unencoded video signal; audio signal combining means coupled to said audio signal separating means and said input means for receiving said separated audio signals and said music and effects audio signal, said combining means combining said music and effects audio signal with each said plurality of audio signals; and output means for outputting said unencoded video signal and simultaneously outputting said plurality of combined audio signals such that a user may select from one or more of said plurality of combined audio signals.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 24 further comprising line blanking means coupled to said timing means for writing a blank signal over said storage segments of said video signal prior to outputting said unencoded video signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The audio-video system of claim 25 wherein said audio signal separating means comprises a demultiplexer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 24 wherein said timing means includes a phase-locked loop.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-14 | 1996-01-13 | 1996-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-14 | 2000-01-13 | 2000-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-14 | 2004-01-13 | 2004-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |