US6357045B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for generating a time-multiplexed channel surfing signal at television head-end sites
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1997-03-31
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Granted: 2002-03-12
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Expires: 2017-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus that generates a time-multiplexed channel surfing signal at television head-end sites. The system includes circuitry that receives channel feeds which are analog signals or digitally encoded signals. The channel feeds are segmented and segments from each feed are combined to produce a combined channel feed which is transmitted with the channel feeds.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick W. Devaney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:54
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/25; H04N21/262; H04N21/26208; H04N21/21; H04N21/222; H04N21/2221; H04N21/23; H04N21/235; H04N21/236; H04N21/23608; H04N21/2365; H04N21/266; H04N21/2665; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/431; H04N21/4312; H04N21/4316; H04N21/434; H04N21/4347; H04N21/435; H04N21/438; H04N21/4383; H04N21/4384; H04N21/47; H04N21/482; H04N7/00; H04N7/24; H04N7/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
Apparatus comprising: means for receiving at least a first channel feed and a second channel feed; selecting means for selecting full resolution first multi-frame segments of the first channel feed and full resolution second multi-frame segments of the second channel feed; combining means for repetitively splicing the first full resolution multi-frame segments with the full resolution multi-frame second segments to produce a single television program signal containing a time-division multiplexed combined channel feed that provides each of the first and second full resolution multi-frame segments for display at a respectively different time; and transmitting means for transmitting the first channel feed, the second channel feed, and the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus comprising: means for receiving at least a first channel feed and a second channel feed; selecting means for selecting full resolution first multi-frame segments of the first channel feed and full resolution second multi-frame segments of the second channel feed; combining means for repetitively splicing the first full resolution multi-frame segments with the full resolution multi-frame second segments to produce a single television program signal containing a time-division multiplexed combined channel feed that provides each of the first and second full resolution multi-frame segments for display at a respectively different time; and transmitting means for transmitting the first channel feed, the second channel feed, and the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the selecting means, the combining means, and the transmitting means are located at a head-end of a transmission system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the transmitting means transmits the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed as a digital signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the transmitting means transmits the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed as an analog signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the transmitting means transmits the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed via a computer network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first channel feed is an analog signal and the second channel feed is a compressed digitally encoded signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising encoding means for compressing and digitally encoding the first channel feed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for adding program data to the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed, the program data describing the selected channel feeds.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for adding channel data to the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed, the channel data including instructions for controlling a receiver.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a receiver which receives the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus comprising: means for receiving an analog channel feed and a full resolution first compressed digital channel feed; encoding means for digitally encoding and compressing the analog channel feed to produce a full resolution second compressed digital channel feed; combining means for splicing portions of the full resolution first compressed digital channel feed and portions of the full resolution second compressed digital channel feed to produce a single television program signal containing a combined channel feed that provides each of the first and second full resolution multi-frame segments for display at a respectively different time; and transmitting means for transmitting the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed, the first compressed digital channel feed, and the second compressed digital channel feed as respective single channel signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus comprising: means for receiving an analog channel feed and a full resolution first compressed digital channel feed; encoding means for digitally encoding and compressing the analog channel feed to produce a full resolution second compressed digital channel feed; combining means for splicing portions of the full resolution first compressed digital channel feed and portions of the full resolution second compressed digital channel feed to produce a single television program signal containing a combined channel feed that provides each of the first and second full resolution multi-frame segments for display at a respectively different time; and transmitting means for transmitting the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed, the first compressed digital channel feed, and the second compressed digital channel feed as respective single channel signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the encoding means, the combining means, and the transmitting means are located at a head-end of a transmission system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the transmitting means transmits the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed as a digital signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the transmitting means transmits the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed via a computer network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising means for adding program data to the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed describing the selected channel feeds.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising means for adding channel data to the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed, the channel data including instructions for controlling a receiver.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising receiving means for receiving the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
96 words
The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the transmitting means includes means for adding channel data to the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed, the channel data including instructions for controlling the receiver; the apparatus further comprising: means for displaying the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed, the first digital signal, and the second digital signal; and means for switching from the display of the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed to the first digital signal or the second digital signal in response to the channel data.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
91 words
A method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving at least two channel feeds; (b) splicing a full-resolution multi-frame segment from the first channel feed with a full-resolution multi-frame segment from the second channel feed to produce a single television program signal containing a time-division multiplexed combined channel feed that provides each of the first and second full resolution multi-frame segments for display at a respectively different time; (c) repeating step (b); and (d) transmitting the at least two channel feeds and the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
91 words
A method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving at least two channel feeds; (b) splicing a full-resolution multi-frame segment from the first channel feed with a full-resolution multi-frame segment from the second channel feed to produce a single television program signal containing a time-division multiplexed combined channel feed that provides each of the first and second full resolution multi-frame segments for display at a respectively different time; (c) repeating step (b); and (d) transmitting the at least two channel feeds and the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 19 wherein step (d) further includes the step of transmitting the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed as a digital signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 19 wherein step (d) further includes the step of transmitting the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed as an analog signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 19 wherein step (d) further includes the step of transmitting the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed via a computer network.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 19 wherein step (c) further comprises the step of continuously repeating step (b).
Claim 27
Independent Claim
115 words
A method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving an analog channel feed and a full resolution first digital channel feed; (b) digitally encoding and compressing the analog channel feed to produce a full resolution second digital channel feed; (c) splicing portions of the full resolution first digital channel feed and portions of the full resolution second digital channel feed to produce a single television program signal containing a combined channel feed that provides each of the first and second full resolution digital channel feeds for display at a respectively different time; and (d) transmitting the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed, the first digital channel feed, and the second digital channel feed.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
115 words
A method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving an analog channel feed and a full resolution first digital channel feed; (b) digitally encoding and compressing the analog channel feed to produce a full resolution second digital channel feed; (c) splicing portions of the full resolution first digital channel feed and portions of the full resolution second digital channel feed to produce a single television program signal containing a combined channel feed that provides each of the first and second full resolution digital channel feeds for display at a respectively different time; and (d) transmitting the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed, the first digital channel feed, and the second digital channel feed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 24 further comprising the step of (e) adding program data to the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed describing the first and second digital channel feeds.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 24 further comprising the step of (e) adding channel data to the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed, the channel data including instructions for controlling a receiver.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 24 further comprising the step of (e) receiving the single television program signal containing the combined channel feed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-03-11 | 2005-09-10 | 2006-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-03-11 | 2009-09-10 | 2010-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-03-11 | 2013-09-10 | 2014-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |