Digital Video Recorder Having a Pause Feature Displaying the First Frame of a Program

• US 20080104655A1
• Filed: 10/31/2006
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hayward, Colin D.
• Application Number:
  US11/554,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20080104655A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/132
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8153 comprising still images, e.g. texture, background image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/783 Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for rendering a frame or image of a selected video program. The method begins by receiving a single user command specifying an operational mode of a video rendering device that displays and pauses a first frame or image of the program. A control signal is generated in response to the received user command. The first frame or image of the program is displayed and paused in response to the control signal.

Claims

1. A user interface for a video rendering device, comprising:

a plurality of user-actuatable inputs each having at least one prescribed function defining an operational mode of the video rendering device;

a processor, responsive to the plurality of user-actuatable inputs, for generating control signals that configure the video rendering device to operate in the operational modes defined by the respective user-actuable inputs; and

wherein a given one of said plurality of user-actuatable inputs has a prescribed function defining an operational mode of the video rendering device that displays and pauses a first frame or image of a program to be rendered by the video rendering device.

2. The user interface of claim 1 wherein the given user-actuatable input has a plurality of prescribed functions, a first of which pauses a currently displayed frame or image of a program as it is being rendered and a second which displays and pauses a first frame or image of the program when it is not being rendered.

3. The user interface of claim 1 further comprising a wireless transmitter for transmitting the control signals generated by the processor in a wireless manner to the video rendering device.

4. The user interface of claim 1 wherein the user-actuatable inputs are buttons located on a keypad.

5. The user interface of claim 1 wherein the user-actuatable inputs are displayed on a display device associated with the video rendering device.

6. The user interface of claim 1 wherein the video rendering device comprises a set-top terminal.

7. The user interface of claim 1 wherein the video rendering device comprises a DVR.

8. A method for rendering a frame or image of a selected video program to be rendered by a video rendering device, comprising:

receiving a single user command specifying an operational mode of a video rendering device that displays and pauses a first frame or image of the program; and

generating a control signal in response to the received user command; and

displaying and pausing the first frame or image of the program in response to the control signal.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising transmitting the control signal from a remote control unit via which the single user command is received to the video rendering device.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the control signal is a wireless control signal.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the single user command is provided by a user-actuatable input has a plurality of prescribed functions, a first of which pauses a currently displayed frame or image of a program as it is being rendered and a second which displays and pauses a first frame or image of the program when it is not being rendered.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the user command is received in response to a user selection presented on a display device.

13. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon one or more software programs which, when executed, implement the method of claim 8.

14. An apparatus for rendering a video program, comprising:

a computer-readable storage medium; and

a processor responsive to the computer-readable storage medium and to a software program, the software program, when loaded into the processor, operative to;

receive a single user command specifying an operational mode of a video rendering device that displays and pauses a first frame or image of a selected video program; and

generate a control signal in response to the received user command; and

display and pause the first frame or image of the program in response to the control signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the process is further operative to transmit the control signal from a remote control unit via which the single user command is received to the video rendering device.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the control signal is a wireless control signal.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a user-actuatable input for providing the single user command, wherein the user-actuatable input has a plurality of prescribed functions, a first of which pauses a currently displayed frame or image of a program as it is being rendered and a second which displays and pauses a first frame or image of the program when it is not being rendered.