Patent US5444491A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5444491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Television system with multiple transmission formats
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
•
Filing: 1994-12-06
•
Granted: 1995-08-22
•
Expires: 2014-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A television receiver for receiving and decoding a transmitted television signal, wherein the television signal comprises a succession of encoded image frames encoded in transmission formats selected from a set of transmission formats, the set comprising at least two transmission formats that differ from each other in at least two non-program-content characteristics; wherein the receiver comprises: display means for displaying the television signal; means for receiving format identification information transmitted with the encoded image frames identifying the transmission format of the received frames; means for decoding the identification information to determine the transmission format of the encoded image frames being received; and means for using the identification information to decode the encoded image frames for any of the transmission formats.
Inventors
- 👤 Jae S. Lim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:44
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/015; H04N7/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 101
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A television receiver for receiving and decoding a transmitted television signal, wherein the television signal comprises a succession of encoded image frames encoded in a plurality of different transmission formats selected from a set of transmission formats, the set comprising at least two transmission formats that differ from each other in at least two non-program-content characteristics; wherein the receiver comprises: means for receiving format identification information transmitted with the encoded image frames identifying the transmission format of the received frames; means for decoding the identification information to determine the transmission format of the encoded image frames being received, wherein the identification information and transmission formats can change during receipt of the television signal; and means for using the identification information to decode the encoded image frames for at least some of the transmission formats.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A television receiver for receiving and decoding a transmitted television signal, wherein the television signal comprises a succession of encoded image frames encoded in a plurality of different transmission formats selected from a set of transmission formats, the set comprising at least two transmission formats that differ from each other in at least two non-program-content characteristics; wherein the receiver comprises: means for receiving format identification information transmitted with the encoded image frames identifying the transmission format of the received frames; means for decoding the identification information to determine the transmission format of the encoded image frames being received, wherein the identification information and transmission formats can change during receipt of the television signal; and means for using the identification information to decode the encoded image frames for at least some of the transmission formats.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The receiver of claim 1 wherein the non-program-content characteristics by which the transmission formats differ include spatial resolution and frame rate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The receiver of claim 2 wherein the transmission formats comprise at least three of the following four formats: a low-spatial-resolution, low-frame-rate transmission format, a low-spatial-resolution, high-frame-rate transmission format, a high-spatial-resolution, low-frame-rate transmission format, and a high-spatial-resolution, high-frame-rate transmission format.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The receiver of claim 2 wherein the transmission formats comprise at least: a low-spatial-resolution, high-frame-rate transmission format, and a high-spatial-resolution, low-frame-rate transmission format.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The receiver of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4 further comprising format transformation means for using the decoded identification information to transform the format of the received image frames to a display format.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The receiver of claim 5 wherein the display format is different from at least some of the transmission formats.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The receiver of claim 6 wherein the spatial resolution ratio between the low-spatial-resolution transmission formats and the high-spatial-resolution formats is a ratio of integers, wherein the integers range from one to ten in value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The receiver of claim 7 wherein the ratio of integers is selected from the group consisting of 3:2 and 2:1.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The receiver of claim 6 wherein each of the transmission formats are progressively scanned, and wherein the low-spatial-resolution format has approximately 720 lines of pixels, and the high-spatial-resolution format has approximately 1080 lines of pixels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The receiver of claim 3 wherein the low-frame-rate transmission format has a frame rate of 24 frames per second, and the high-frame-rate transmission format has a frame rate of 30 frames per second.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The receiver of claim 3 wherein the set of transmission formats comprises each of the four formats plus a fifth format: a low-spatial-resolution, higher-frame-rate format that has a higher frame rate than that of the low-spatial-resolution, high-frame-rate format.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The receiver of claim 11 wherein the higher frame rate is 60 frames per second.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The receiver of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, or 12 wherein each of the transmission formats are progressively scanned formats.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
The receiver of claim 3 wherein the spatial resolution ratio between the low-spatial-resolution transmission formats and the high-spatial-resolution formats is a ratio of integers, wherein the set of transmission formats comprises each of the four transmission formats plus a fifth transmission format: a low-spatial-resolution, higher-frame-rate format that has a higher frame rate than that of the low-spatial-resolution, high-frame-rate format, and wherein each of the transmission formats are progressively scanned formats.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The receiver of claim 14 wherein the low-spatial-resolution format has approximately 720 lines of pixels, and the high-spatial-resolution format has approximately 1080 lines of pixels.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The receiver of claim 14 wherein the low-frame-rate transmission format has a frame rate of 24 frames per second, the high-frame-rate transmission format has a frame rate of 30 frames per second, and the higher-frame-rate transmission format has a frame rate of 60 frames per second.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The receiver of claim 6 wherein the display format uses interlaced scanning.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The receiver of claim 14 further comprising format transformation means for using the decoded identification information to transform the format of the received image frames to a display format and wherein the display format uses interlaced scanning.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The receiver of claim 6 wherein the display format uses progressive scanning.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The receiver of claim 14 further comprising format transformation means for using the decoded identification information to transform the format of the received image frames to a display format and wherein the display format uses progressive scanning.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The receiver of claim 5 wherein the receiver comprises means for selectively transforming the received image frames from the transmission format to a second display format.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The receiver of claim 5 wherein the format transformation means comprises means for spatial interpolation for processing received image frames with a transmission format having a spatial resolution lower than the spatial resolution of the display format.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The receiver of claim 5 wherein the format transformation means comprises means for temporal interpolation for processing received image frames with a transmission format having a frame rate lower than the frame rate of the display format.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
The receiver of claim 5 wherein the format transformation means comprises means for spatial subsampling for processing received image frames with a transmission format having a spatial resolution greater than the spatial resolution of the display format.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The receiver of claim 5 wherein the format transformation means comprises means for temporal subsampling for processing received image frames with a transmission format having a frame rate greater than the frame rate of the display format.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
159 words
A television system for receiving a production television signal having one of a plurality of production formats, processing the production television signal to produce a succession of encoded image frames having a transmission format selected from a set of transmission formats, the set comprising at least two transmission formats that differ from each other in at least two non-program-content characteristics; wherein the television system comprises: means for receiving production format identification information identifying the production format of the production television signal; format transformation means for using the production format identification information to transform the television signal from the production format to one of the transmission formats; means for processing the television signal to produce the succession of encoded image frames in the transmission format; and means for encoding and transmitting transmission format identification information with the encoded image frames to identify the transmission format, wherein the identification information and transmission formats can change during transmission of the television signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
159 words
A television system for receiving a production television signal having one of a plurality of production formats, processing the production television signal to produce a succession of encoded image frames having a transmission format selected from a set of transmission formats, the set comprising at least two transmission formats that differ from each other in at least two non-program-content characteristics; wherein the television system comprises: means for receiving production format identification information identifying the production format of the production television signal; format transformation means for using the production format identification information to transform the television signal from the production format to one of the transmission formats; means for processing the television signal to produce the succession of encoded image frames in the transmission format; and means for encoding and transmitting transmission format identification information with the encoded image frames to identify the transmission format, wherein the identification information and transmission formats can change during transmission of the television signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 26 wherein the non-program-content characteristics by which the transmission formats differ include spatial resolution and frame rate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 27 wherein the transmission formats comprise at least three of the following four formats: a low-spatial-resolution, low-frame-rate transmission format, a low-spatial-resolution, high-frame-rate transmission format, a high-spatial-resolution, low-frame-rate transmission format, and a high-spatial-resolution, high-frame-rate transmission format.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The receiver of claim 27 wherein the transmission formats comprise at least: a low-spatial-resolution, high-frame-rate transmission format, and a high-spatial-resolution, low-frame-rate transmission format.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 26, 27, 28, or 29 wherein the production formats include interlaced scanning formats, the transmission formats include progressive scanning formats, and the format transformation means includes means for transforming the interlaced production formats to progressive formats.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the production formats include at least two formats having different frame rates and the format transformation means retains at least a portion of that difference in frame rate, so that the resulting transmission formats retain at least a portion of that difference in frame rate.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 31 wherein the production formats include at least two formats having different spatial resolutions and the format transformation means retains at least a portion of that difference in spatial resolution, so that the resulting transmission formats retain at least a portion of that difference in spatial resolution.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
92 words
The system of claim 26, 27, 28, or 29 further comprising a television receiver for receiving the transmitted television signal, the receiver comprising means for receiving the transmission format identification information transmitted with the encoded image frames identifying the transmission format of the received frames; means for decoding the transmission format identification information to determine the transmission format of the encoded image frames being received; and format transformation means for using the decoded identification information to transform the format of the encoded image frames from the transmission format to the display format.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The subject matter of claim 4 or 29, wherein a different low frame rate is used for the two transmission formats having a low frame rate.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The subject matter of claim 34, wherein a different high frame rate is used for the two transmission formats having a high frame rate.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of receiving and decoding a transmitted television signal, wherein the television signal comprises a succession of encoded image frames encoded in a plurality of different transmission formats selected from a set of transmission formats, the set comprising at least two transmission formats that differ from each other in at least two non-program-content characteristics, the method comprising the steps of: receiving format identification information transmitted with the encoded image frames identifying the transmission format of the received frames; decoding the identification information to determine the transmission format of the encoded image frames being received, wherein the identification information and transmission formats can change during receipt of the television signal; and using the identification information to decode the encoded image frames for at least some of the transmission formats.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of receiving and decoding a transmitted television signal, wherein the television signal comprises a succession of encoded image frames encoded in a plurality of different transmission formats selected from a set of transmission formats, the set comprising at least two transmission formats that differ from each other in at least two non-program-content characteristics, the method comprising the steps of: receiving format identification information transmitted with the encoded image frames identifying the transmission format of the received frames; decoding the identification information to determine the transmission format of the encoded image frames being received, wherein the identification information and transmission formats can change during receipt of the television signal; and using the identification information to decode the encoded image frames for at least some of the transmission formats.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the non-program-content characteristics by which the transmission formats differ include spatial resolution and frame rate.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the transmission formats comprise at least three of the following four formats: a low-spatial-resolution, low-frame-rate transmission format, a low-spatial-resolution, high-frame-rate transmission format, a high-spatial-resolution, low-frame-rate transmission format, and a high-spatial-resolution, high-frame-rate transmission format.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the transmission formats comprise at least: a low-spatial-resolution, high-frame-rate transmission format, and a high-spatial-resolution, low-frame-rate transmission format.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of using the decoded identification information to transform the format of the received image frames to a display format.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the display format is different from at least some of the transmission formats.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the spatial resolution ratio between the low-spatial-resolution transmission formats and the high-spatial-resolution formats is a ratio of integers, wherein the integers range from one to ten in value.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 42 wherein the ratio of integers is selected from the group consisting of 3:2 and 2:1.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 41 wherein each of the transmission formats are progressively scanned, and wherein the low-spatial-resolution format has approximately 720 lines of pixels, and the high-spatial-resolution format has approximately 1080 lines of pixels.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the low-frame-rate transmission format has a frame rate of 24 frames per second, and the high-frame-rate transmission format has a frame rate of 30 frames per second.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the set of transmission formats comprises each of the four formats plus a fifth format: a low-spatial-resolution, higher-frame-rate format that has a higher frame rate than that of the low-spatial-resolution, high-frame-rate format.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 46 wherein the higher frame rate is 60 frames per second.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 36 wherein each of the transmission formats are progressively scanned formats.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the spatial resolution ratio between the low-spatial-resolution transmission formats and the high-spatial-resolution formats is a ratio of integers, wherein the set of transmission formats comprises each of the four transmission formats plus a fifth transmission format: a low-spatial-resolution, higher-frame-rate format that has a higher frame rate than that of the low-spatial-resolution, high-frame-rate format, and wherein each of the transmission formats are progressively scanned formats.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 49 wherein the low-spatial-resolution format has approximately 720 lines of pixels, and the high-spatial-resolution format has approximately 1080 lines of pixels.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 49 wherein the low-frame-rate transmission format has a frame rate of 24 frames per second, the high-frame-rate transmission format has a frame rate of 30 frames per second, and the higher-frame-rate transmission format has a frame rate of 60 frames per second.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the display format uses interlaced scanning.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 49 further comprising the step of using the decoded identification information to transform the format of the received image frames to a display format and wherein the display format uses interlaced scanning.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the display format uses progressive scanning.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 49 further comprising the Step Of using the decoded identification information to transform the format of the received image frames to a display format and wherein the display format uses progressive scanning.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of selectively transforming the received image frames from the transmission format to a second display format.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the format transformation includes the step of spatial interpolation for processing received image frames with a transmission format having a spatial resolution lower than the spatial resolution of the display format.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the format transformation includes the step of temporal interpolation for processing received image frames with a transmission format having a frame rate lower than the frame rate of the display format.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the format transformation includes the step of spatial subsampling for processing received image frames with a transmission format having a spatial resolution greater than the spatial resolution of the display format.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
37 words
The receiver of claim 40 wherein the format transformation includes the step of temporal subsampling for processing received image frames with a transmission format having a frame rate greater than the frame rate of the display format.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for receiving a production television signal having one of a plurality of production formats, processing the production television signal to produce a succession of encoded image frames having a transmission format selected from a set of transmission formats, the set comprising at least two transmission formats that differ from each other in at least two non-program-content characteristics, the method comprising the steps of: receiving production format identification information identifying the production format of the production television signal; using the production format identification information to transform the television signal from the production format to one of the transmission formats; processing the television signal to produce the succession of encoded image frames in the transmission format; and encoding and transmitting transmission format identification information with the encoded image frames to identify the transmission format, wherein the identification information and transmission formats can change during transmission of the television signal.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for receiving a production television signal having one of a plurality of production formats, processing the production television signal to produce a succession of encoded image frames having a transmission format selected from a set of transmission formats, the set comprising at least two transmission formats that differ from each other in at least two non-program-content characteristics, the method comprising the steps of: receiving production format identification information identifying the production format of the production television signal; using the production format identification information to transform the television signal from the production format to one of the transmission formats; processing the television signal to produce the succession of encoded image frames in the transmission format; and encoding and transmitting transmission format identification information with the encoded image frames to identify the transmission format, wherein the identification information and transmission formats can change during transmission of the television signal.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 61 wherein the non-program-content characteristics by which the transmission formats differ include spatial resolution and frame rate.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 62 wherein the transmission formats comprise at least three of the following four formats: a low-spatial-resolution, low-frame-rate transmission format, a low-spatial-resolution, high-frame-rate transmission format, a high-spatial-resolution, low-frame-rate transmission format, and a high-spatial-resolution, high-frame-rate transmission format.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 62 wherein the transmission formats comprise at least: a low-spatial-resolution, high-frame-rate transmission format, and a high-spatial-resolution, low-frame-rate transmission format.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 61 wherein the production formats include interlaced scanning formats, the transmission formats include progressive scanning formats, and the format transformation step includes the step of transforming the interlaced production formats to progressive formats.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 65 wherein the production formats include at least two formats having different frame rates and the format transformation step retains at least a portion of that difference in frame rate, so that the resulting transmission formats retain at least a portion of that difference in frame rate.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 66 wherein the production formats include at least two formats having different spatial resolutions and the format transformation step retains at least a portion of that difference in spatial resolution, so that the resulting transmission formats retain at least a portion of that difference in spatial resolution.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 39 wherein a different low frame rate is used for the two transmission formats having a low frame rate.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 64 wherein a different low frame rate is used for the two transmission formats having a low frame rate.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 68 wherein a different high frame rate is used for the two transmission formats having a high frame rate.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
134 words
A television receiver for receiving and decoding a transmitted television signal, wherein the television signal comprises a succession of encoded image frames encoded in a plurality of different transmission formats selected from a set of transmission formats, the set comprising at least two transmission formats that differ from each other in at least one non-program-content characteristic; wherein the receiver comprises: means for receiving format identification information transmitted with the encoded image frames identifying the transmission format of the received frames; means for decoding the identification information to determine the transmission format of the encoded image frames being received, wherein the identification information and transmission format can change during receipt of the television signal; and means for using the identification information to decode the encoded image frames for at least some of the transmission formats.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
134 words
A television receiver for receiving and decoding a transmitted television signal, wherein the television signal comprises a succession of encoded image frames encoded in a plurality of different transmission formats selected from a set of transmission formats, the set comprising at least two transmission formats that differ from each other in at least one non-program-content characteristic; wherein the receiver comprises: means for receiving format identification information transmitted with the encoded image frames identifying the transmission format of the received frames; means for decoding the identification information to determine the transmission format of the encoded image frames being received, wherein the identification information and transmission format can change during receipt of the television signal; and means for using the identification information to decode the encoded image frames for at least some of the transmission formats.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
18 words
The receiver of claim 71 wherein the non-program-content characteristics by which the transmission formats differ include spatial resolution.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
18 words
The receiver of claim 71 wherein the non-program-content characteristics by which the transmission formats differ include frame rate.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
21 words
The receiver of claim 71 wherein the non-program-content characteristics by which the transmission formats differ include scanning format (interlaced or progressive).
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
33 words
The receiver of claim 71, 72, 73, or 74 further comprising format transformation means for using the decoded identification information to transform the format of the received image frames to a display format.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
19 words
The receiver of claim 75 wherein the display format is different from at least some of the transmission formats.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
150 words
A television system for receiving a production television signal having one of a plurality of production formats, processing the production television signal to produce a succession of encoded image frames having a transmission format selected from a set of transmission formats, that differ from each other in at least one non-program-content characteristic; wherein the television system comprises: means for receiving production format identification information identifying the production format of the production signal; format transformation means for using the production format identification information to transform the television signal from the production format to one of the transmission formats; means for processing the television signal to produce the succession of encoded image frames in the transmission format; and means for encoding and transmitting transmission format identification information with the encoded image frames to identify the transmission format, wherein the identification information and transmission format can change during transmission of the television signal.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
150 words
A television system for receiving a production television signal having one of a plurality of production formats, processing the production television signal to produce a succession of encoded image frames having a transmission format selected from a set of transmission formats, that differ from each other in at least one non-program-content characteristic; wherein the television system comprises: means for receiving production format identification information identifying the production format of the production signal; format transformation means for using the production format identification information to transform the television signal from the production format to one of the transmission formats; means for processing the television signal to produce the succession of encoded image frames in the transmission format; and means for encoding and transmitting transmission format identification information with the encoded image frames to identify the transmission format, wherein the identification information and transmission format can change during transmission of the television signal.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 77 wherein the non-program-content characteristics by which the transmission formats differ include spatial resolution.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 77 wherein the non-program-content characteristics by which the transmission formats differ include frame rate.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 77 wherein the non-program-content characteristics by which the transmission formats differ include scanning format (interlaced or progressive).
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 77, 78, 79, or 80 further comprising format transformation means for using the decoded identification information to transform the format of the received image frames to a display format.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 81 wherein the display format is different from at least some of the transmission formats.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
112 words
The system of claim 77, 78, 79, or 80 further comprising a television receiver for receiving the transmitted television signal, the receiver comprising display means for displaying the television signal with a display format different from at least some of the transmission formats; means for receiving the transmission format identification information transmitted with the encoded image frames identifying the transmission format of the received frames; means for decoding the transmission format identification information to determine the transmission format of the encoded image frames being received; and format transformation means for using the decoded identification information to transform the format of the received image frames from the transmission format to the display format.
Claim 90
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of receiving and decoding a transmitted television signal, wherein the television signal comprises a succession of encoded frames encoded in a plurality of different transmission formats selected from a set of transmission formats, the set comprising at least two transmission formats that differ from each other in at least one non-program-content characteristic, the method comprising the steps of: receiving format identification information transmitted with the encoded image frames identifying the transmission format of the received frames; decoding the identification information to determine the transmission format of the encoded image frames being received, wherein the identification information and transmission formats can change during receipt of the television signal; and using the identification information to decode the encoded image frames for at least some of the transmission formats.
Claim 91
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of receiving and decoding a transmitted television signal, wherein the television signal comprises a succession of encoded frames encoded in a plurality of different transmission formats selected from a set of transmission formats, the set comprising at least two transmission formats that differ from each other in at least one non-program-content characteristic, the method comprising the steps of: receiving format identification information transmitted with the encoded image frames identifying the transmission format of the received frames; decoding the identification information to determine the transmission format of the encoded image frames being received, wherein the identification information and transmission formats can change during receipt of the television signal; and using the identification information to decode the encoded image frames for at least some of the transmission formats.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 84 wherein the non-program-content characteristics by which the transmission formats differ include spatial resolution.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 84 wherein the non-program-content characteristics by which the transmission formats differ include frame rate.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 84 wherein the non-program-content characteristics by which the transmission formats differ include scanning format (interlaced or progressive).
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 84, 85, 86, or 87 further comprising the step of using the decoded identification information to transform the format of the encoded image frames to a display format.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 88 wherein the display format is different from at least some of the transmission formats.
Claim 97
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for receiving a production television signal having one of a plurality of production formats, processing the production television signal to produce a succession of encoded image frames having a transmission format selected from a set of transmission formats, the set comprising at least two transmission formats that differ from each other in at least one non-program-content characteristic, the method comprising the steps of: receiving production format identification information identifying the production format of the production television signal; using the production format identification information to transform the television signal from the production format to one of the transmission formats; processing the television signal to produce the succession of encoded image frames in the transmission format; and encoding and transmitting transmission format identification information with the encoded image frames to identify the transmission format, wherein the identification information and transmission formats can change during transmission of the television signal.
Claim 98
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for receiving a production television signal having one of a plurality of production formats, processing the production television signal to produce a succession of encoded image frames having a transmission format selected from a set of transmission formats, the set comprising at least two transmission formats that differ from each other in at least one non-program-content characteristic, the method comprising the steps of: receiving production format identification information identifying the production format of the production television signal; using the production format identification information to transform the television signal from the production format to one of the transmission formats; processing the television signal to produce the succession of encoded image frames in the transmission format; and encoding and transmitting transmission format identification information with the encoded image frames to identify the transmission format, wherein the identification information and transmission formats can change during transmission of the television signal.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 90 wherein the non-program-content characteristics by which the transmission formats differ include spatial resolution.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 90 wherein the non-program-content characteristics by which the transmission formats differ include frame rate.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 90 wherein the non-program-content characteristics by which the transmission formats differ include scanning format (interlaced or progressive).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-08-21 | 1999-02-20 | 1999-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-21 | 2003-02-20 | 2003-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-21 | 2007-02-20 | 2007-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |