System using multiple display screens for multiple video streams

• US 20050213946A1
• Filed: 03/24/2004
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Callahan Cellular LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: MX Entertainment, Inc.
• Inventors: Braun, Jeff
• Granted Patent: US 8,165,448 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/230
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/9201 involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the video signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/9205 the additional signal being at least another television signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/12 Picture reproducers H04N9/11 takes precedence

Abstract

Multiple video streams, or other image information, from a DVD or other single source are selectively directed among two or more display screens. The video streams can be directed automatically, manually or by a combination of automatic and manual techniques. This allows the streams to be viewed simultaneously on different display screens to, e.g., increase the viewing area, provide selectable enhancement and control of video viewing, or for other purposes.

Claims

1. A method for displaying first and second video stream information from a video player, the method comprising

detecting the first video stream and associated first stream identification;

detecting the second video stream and associated second stream identification;

detecting a first display device and associated first display device identification;

detecting a second display device and associated second display device identification; and

directing the video streams to the display devices by using the identifications.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of directing the video streams includes automatic direction of the streams to the display devices.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of directing the video streams includes manual direction of the streams to the display devices.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of directing the video streams includes substeps of

obtaining a signal from a user input device;

and

using the obtained signal to direct a video stream to a display device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a display device includes a display screen.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a video stream is obtained from a DVD.

7. The methof of claim 1, wherein a video stream is obtained from a broadcast.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the broadcast includes information from a satellite transmission.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the broadcast includes information from a cable transmission.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the broadcast includes information from a radio-frequency transmission.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the broadcast includes information from the Internet.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein auxiliary stream information is associated with a given video stream, the method further comprising

using the auxiliary stream information to identify a preferred position of the given video stream.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein auxiliary display device information is associated with a given display device, the method further comprising

using the auxiliary display device information to identify a position of the given display device with respect to a viewer'"'"'s viewpoint.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising

determining that the preferred position corresponds with the position of the given display device;

and

directing the given video stream to be displayed on the given display device.

15. An apparatus for displaying first and second video stream information from video player, the method comprising

a first detector for detecting the first video stream and associated first stream identification;

a second detector for detecting the second video stream and associated second stream identification;

a third detector for detecting a first display device and associated first display device identification;

a fourth detector for detecting a second display device and associated second display device identification; and

a director for directing the video streams to the display devices by using the identifications.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the director further comprises

a signal for automatic direction of the streams to the display devices.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a remote control operated by a human user outputs a signal, the director further comprising

a signal input for receiving the signal and for use in directing the streams to the display devices in response to the signal.

18. A stream director for directing two or more image streams from a single image stream source to two or more display devices, the method comprising

a first input for a first video stream and associated first stream identification;

a second input for a second video stream and associated second stream identification;

a first output for a first display device and associated first display device identification;

a second output for a second display device and associated second display device identification; and

means for directing the video streams to the display devices by using the identifications.