Television system

• US 20030011712A1
• Filed: 03/14/2002
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pace Micro Technology Ltd. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pace Micro Technology Ltd. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Matey, Jesus
• Application Number:
  US10/099,899
• Publication Number:
  US 20030011712A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/565
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42638 involving a hybrid front-end, e.g. analog and digital tuners
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control

Abstract

A television system is provided including a broadcast data receiver (BDR) for receiving broadcast data from a remote location via cable, satellite or terrestrial means and processing the data. The processed data includes video data for display on a display screen (2) connected to or forming part of the BDR. A plurality of different video display formats are provided for user selection on the display screen and upon selection of a particular video display format a preview of the resulting video display is displayed in a window (6) on the display screen (2).

Claims

1. A television system including a broadcast data receiver (BDR) for receiving broadcast data from a remote location via cable, satellite or terrestrial means and processing said data, said processed data including video data for display on a display screen (2) connected to or forming part of said BDR and characterised in that a plurality of different video display formats are provided for user selection on the display screen (2) and wherein upon selection of a particular video display format a preview of the resulting video display is displayed in a window (6) on the display screen.

2. A television system according to claim 1 characterised in that the window (6) in which the preview is shown is displayed over a part of a video display currently being broadcast on a user selected channel.

3. A television system according to claim 1 characterised in that the video content (7) on the display screen (2) behind the preview window (6) remains unchanged following selection of a particular video display format in the preview window (6).

4. A television system according to claim 2 characterised in that the dimensions of the preview window (6) are adjustable by the user.

5. A television system according to claim 1 characterised in that each video display format alters the size and/or shape of the resulting video display in the preview window (6).

6. A television system according to claim 1 characterised in that the preview of the selected display comprises the selected format as applied to any or any combination of the video data currently being broadcast on a user-selected channel, a broadcaster selected channel, a default video clip, a user selected video clip or a blank screen.

7. A television system according to claim 1 characterised in that the plurality of different video display formats are provided in a drop down menu (8).

8. A television system according to claim 7 characterised in that the drop down menu (8) is provided in a viewing preference screen for selection therefrom.

9. A television system according to claim 1 characterised in that the different video display formats include any or any combination of a normal (4:

3) display, a widescreen (16;

9) display, picture handling display, pass through display, centre cut-out display or letterbox display.

10. A television system according to claim 1 characterised in that the format of the video display on the display screen (2) returns to a default video display format each time the television system is switched off and subsequently switched on again.

11. A television system according to claim 1 characterised in that the format of the video display on the display screen (2) returns to a default video display format after a pre-determined period of time.

12. A television system according to claim 1 characterised in that the format of the video display selected by the user is maintained on all video displays until a different video display format is selected.

13. A television system according to claim 1 characterised in that in addition to the different video display formats, the user can select the video display to be in a RGB or composite video display format.

14. A broadcast data receiver (BDR) for receiving broadcast data from a remote location via cable, satellite or terrestrial means and processing said data, said processed data including video data for display on a display screen (2) connected to or forming part of said BDR and characterised in that a plurality of different video display formats are provided for user selection on the display screen (2) and wherein upon selection of a particular video display format a preview of the resulting video display is displayed in a window (6) on the display screen (2).

15. An electronic programme guide (EPG) for display on a display screen (2) of a television system, said EPG displaying data relating to one or more channels and/or programmes for broadcasting at that time or in the future, said EPG having a menu (8) including a number of user-selectable preferences and characterised in that the user-selectable preferences include a plurality of different video display formats for user selection on the display screen (2) and wherein upon selection of a particular video display format a preview of the resulting video display is displayed in a window (6) on the display screen of the EPG.