Method and apparatus for processing ATVEF data to control the display of text and images
First Claim
1. A method of processing television content metadata in a communications system, the system including a set-top box (STB) and an auxiliary display device, the auxiliary display device including (i) a memory which stores a predefined image, (ii) a display, (iii) a processor, and (iv) a metadata processing application, the method comprising:
- (a) the STB extracting television content metadata from a transport stream received by the STB, the extracted metadata defining at least one of text and images;
(b) transmitting the extracted metadata from the STB to the auxiliary display device;
(c) processing the extracted metadata in the auxiliary display device using the metadata processing application running on the processor of the auxiliary display device; and
(d) adjacently displaying on the display of the auxiliary display device (i) the predefined image stored in the memory of the auxiliary display device, and (ii) the at least one of text and images defined by the extracted metadata.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An auxiliary display device is used in conjunction with a cable television (CATV) system to process television content metadata extracted from a transport stream received by a set-top box (STB) and sent to the auxiliary display device. Text and/or images defined by the metadata are presented on a display of the auxiliary display device adjacent to a predefined image (e.g., an advertisement, supplemental data) retrieved from a memory of the auxiliary display device. The predefined image is presented in an area of the display of the auxiliary display device that is designated by the metadata as being reserved for displaying a broadcast television channel video image. The predefined image can be changed on a periodic basis, or in response to the auxiliary display device receiving new metadata from the STB.
123 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of processing television content metadata in a communications system, the system including a set-top box (STB) and an auxiliary display device, the auxiliary display device including (i) a memory which stores a predefined image, (ii) a display, (iii) a processor, and (iv) a metadata processing application, the method comprising:
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(a) the STB extracting television content metadata from a transport stream received by the STB, the extracted metadata defining at least one of text and images;
(b) transmitting the extracted metadata from the STB to the auxiliary display device;
(c) processing the extracted metadata in the auxiliary display device using the metadata processing application running on the processor of the auxiliary display device; and
(d) adjacently displaying on the display of the auxiliary display device (i) the predefined image stored in the memory of the auxiliary display device, and (ii) the at least one of text and images defined by the extracted metadata. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A communications system for processing television content metadata, the system comprising:
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(a) a set-top box (STB) which extracts television content metadata from a transport stream received by the STB, the extracted metadata defining at least one of text and images; and
(b) an auxiliary display device in communication with the STB, and which receives the extracted metadata from the STB, the auxiliary display device including;
(i) a memory which stores a predefined image;
(ii) a processor;
(iii) a metadata processing application running on the processor, and which processes the extracted metadata; and
(iv) a display which displays the predefined image adjacent to the at least one of text and images defined by the extracted metadata. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An auxiliary display device for processing television content metadata, the auxiliary display device receiving television content metadata extracted from a transport stream, the extracted metadata defining at least one of text and images, the auxiliary display device comprising:
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(a) a memory which stores a predefined image;
(b) a processor;
(c) a metadata processing application running on the processor, and which processes the extracted metadata; and
(d) a display which displays the predefined image adjacent to the at least one of text and images defined by the extracted metadata. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification