Video selection and distribution system

• US 4,947,244 A
• Filed: 05/03/1989
• Issued: 08/07/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1989
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: LodgeNet Interactive Corporation
• Original Assignee: On Command Video Corporation (On Command Corporation)
• Inventors: Gile, Jeffrey R., Snyder, Robert, Peden, Larry L., Fenwick, Robert B., McMains, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ng, Jin F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F.
• Application Number:
  US07/346,778
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 358/86, 455/4, 455/5, 380/5, 380/10
• US Class Current: 725/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/268 Signal distribution or switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17345 Control of the passage of the selected programme

Abstract

A video distribution system transmits selected video programs to a number of independently controlled video monitors. The video monitors are arranged in groups, each group being coupled to a distinct transmission medium. A program selector associated with each video monitor generates video connection requests which specify a video source to be connected to that video monitor. A two stage video switch apparatus couples specified video sources to specified video monitors. The first stage routes specified video signals from the video sources to the second stage, which is a frequency multiplexer. The frequency multiplexer then transmits the specified video signals for each group of video monitors in distinct frequency bands on one of the transmission mediums. Each video monitor within each group of monitors has a tuner that is tuned to receive the video signal in a distinct one of the frequency bands. In effect, the transmission medium for each group of video monitors has a separate transmission channel for each of the monitors in the group. Finally, the system has a controller which receives the video connection requests, and controls the video switch apparatus so that it couples specified video sources to specified video monitors.

Claims

1. A video distribution system for transmitting selected video programs to a number of independently controlled video monitors, comprising:

a multiplicity of video monitors arranged in a plurality of groups, each said group of video monitors being coupled to a distinct transmission medium;

a multiplicity of video sources of video signals;

video switch means responsive to setup signals for coupling specified ones of said video sources to specified ones of said video monitors;

said video switch means including frequency multiplexer means coupled to said transmission mediums for transmitting video signals from said specified video sources to the video monitors in each said group in distinct frequency bands on one of said transmission mediums;

program selection means associated with each said video monitor for generating video connection requests, each said video connection request specifying a video source to be connected to a specified video monitor; and

each video monitor within each of said groups including tuning means for receiving and displaying the video signal in a distinct one of said frequency bands on the transmission medium coupled to said video monitor; and

control means, coupled to said video switch means and said program selection means, for receiving said video connection requests, responding to each said video connection request by generating and transmitting corresponding setup signals to said video switch means, and for preventing any of a predefined set of said video sources from being simultaneously connected to two video monitors;

wherein said video switch means couples specified video sources to specified video monitors by transmitting the video signals from said specified video sources on the transmission mediums and frequency bands corresponding to said specified video monitors;

said control means including status means for storing information denoting which of said video sources, if any, is coupled to each of said video monitors and for denoting which of said video sources are not coupled to any of said video monitors;

said control means further including menu generating means coupled to said status means for generating a menu display image representing a set of currently available video sources which are not coupled to any of said video monitors;

said video switch means including means coupled to said menu generating means for transmitting said menu display image to said video monitors in a predefined frequency band on each of said transmission mediums; and

each said program selection means including means for generating video connection requests which specify a video source selected from said currently available video sources represented by said menu display image;

whereby said program selection means cannot generate a video connection request specifying a video source that is already coupled to another one of said video monitors.

2. A video distribution system for transmitting selected video programs to a number of independently controlled video monitors, comprising:

a multiplicity of video monitors;

a multiplicity of video sources of video signals;

video crossbar switch means for simultaneously coupling each video monitor to a specified one of said video sources, said video crossbar switch means responsive to set up signals for connecting specified ones of said video sources to specified ones of said video monitors;

program selection means associated with each said video monitor for generating video connection requests, each said video connection request specifying a video source to be connected to a specified video monitor; and

control means, coupled to said video crossbar switch means and said program selection means, for receiving said video connection requests, responding to each said video connection request by generating and transmitting corresponding setup signals to said video crossbar switch means, and for preventing any of a predefined set of said video sources from being simultaneously connected to two video monitors;

wherein

said control means includes status means for storing information denoting which of said video sources, if any, is coupled to each of said video monitors and for denoting which of said video sources are not coupled to any of said video monitors;

said control means further including menu generating means coupled to said status means for generating a menu display image representing a set of currently available video sources which are not coupled to any of said video monitors;

said video switch crossbar means including means coupled to said menu generating means for transmitting said menu display image to said video monitors; and

said program selection means associated with each said video monitor includes means for generating video connection requests which specify a video source selected from said currently available video sources represented by said menu display image;

whereby said program selection means cannot select a video source that is already coupled to another one of said video monitors.

3. A video distribution system for transmitting selected video programs to a number of independently controlled video monitors, comprising:

a multiplicity of video monitors;

a multiplicity of video sources of video signals;

video crossbar switch means for simultaneously coupling each video monitor to a specified one of said video sources, said video crossbar switch means responsive to setup signals for connecting specified ones of said video sources to specified ones of said video monitors;

program selection means associated with each said video monitor for generating video connection requests, each said video connection request specifying a video source to be connected to a specified video monitor; and

control means, coupled to said video crossbar switch means and said program selection means, for receiving said video connection requests, responding to each said video connection request by generating and transmitting corresponding setup signals to said video crossbar switch means, and for preventing any of a predefined set of said video sources from being simultaneously connected to two video monitors;

wherein said video monitors are arranged in a plurality of groups, each said group of video monitors being coupled to a distinct transmission medium;

said video crossbar switch means including a plurality of frequency multiplexing means, each coupled to one of said transmission mediums;

each frequency multiplexing means having means for transmitting the video signals from a multiplicity of said video sources in distinct frequency bands on one of said transmission mediums;

each video monitor within each of said groups including tuning means for receiving and displaying the video signal in a distinct one of said frequency bands on the transmission medium coupled to said group of video monitors;

said control means including status means for storing information denoting which of said video sources, if any, is coupled to each of said video monitors and for denoting which of said video sources are not coupled to any of said video monitors;

said control means further including menu generating means coupled to said status means for generating a menu display image representing a set of currently available video sources which are not coupled to any of said video monitors;

said video switch crossbar means including means coupled to said menu generating means for transmitting said menu display image to said video monitors in a predefined frequency band on each of said transmission mediums; and

each said program selection means including means for generating video connection requests which specify a video source selected from said currently available video sources represented by said menu display image;

whereby said program selection means cannot generate a video connection request specifying a video source that is already coupled to another one of said video monitors.

4. The video distribution system of claim 3,

wherein said video sources include a set of continuous broadcast video signals and also a plurality of limited duration video sources each of which provide a video program having a predefined duration;

said control means further including means coupled to said status means for denoting in said status means the time that each said limited duration video source is coupled to a video monitor and a projected play-completion time, and means for disconnecting each said limited duration video source from the video monitor to which it has been coupled at said projected play-completion time.

5. A video distribution system for transmitting selected video programs to a number of independently controlled video monitors, comprising:

a multiplicity of video monitors;

a multiplicity of video sources of video signals;

video crossbar switch means for simultaneously coupling each video monitor to a specified one of said video sources, said video crossbar switch means responsive to setup signals for connecting specified ones of said video sources to specified ones of said video monitors;

program selection means associated with each said video monitor for generating video connection requests, each said video connection request specifying a video source to be connected to a specified video monitor; and

control means, coupled to said video crossbar switch means and said program selection means, for receiving said video connection requests, responding to each said video connection request by generating and transmitting corresponding setup signals to said video crossbar switch means, and for preventing any of a predefined set of said video sources from being simultaneously connected to two video monitors;

wherein a multiplicity of said video monitors are coupled to a common transmission medium;

said video crossbar switch means including frequency multiplexing means for transmitting the video signals from each of a multiplicity of video sources in distinct frequency bands on said common transmission medium;

each of said multiplicity of video monitors including tuning means for receiving and displaying the video signal in a distinct one of said frequency bands on said common transmission medium;

said control means and video crossbar switch means coacting to couple a specified video source to a specified video monitor by transmitting the video signals from said specified video source on a frequency band corresponding to said specified video monitor;

said control means including status means for storing information denoting which of said video sources, if any, is coupled to each of said video monitors and for denoting which of said video sources are not coupled to any of said video monitors;

said control means further including menu generating means coupled to said status means for generating a menu display image representing a set of currently available video sources which are not coupled to any of said video monitors;

said video switch crossbar means including means coupled to said menu generating means for transmitting said menu display image to said video monitors in a predefined frequency band on said transmission medium; and

each said program selection means including means for generating video connection requests which specify a video source selected from said currently available video sources represented by said menu display image;

whereby said program selection means cannot generate a video connection request specifying a video source that is already coupled to another one of said video monitors.

6. The video distribution system of claim 5,

wherein said video sources include a set of continuous broadcast video signals and also a plurality of limited duration video sources each of which provide a video program having a predefined duration;

said control means further including means coupled to said status means for denoting in said status means the time that each said limited duration video source is coupled to a video monitor and a projected play-completion time, and means for disconnecting each said limited duration video source from the video monitor to which it has been coupled at said projected play-completion time.

7. A method of transmitting selected video programs to a number of independently controlled video monitors, a plurality of distinct groups of said video monitors each being coupled to a distinct transmission medium;

said method comprising the steps of;

providing a multiplicity of video sources of video signals;

locally generating, at the site of said video monitors, video connection requests, each said request specifying a video source to be connected to a specified one of said video monitors;

preventing the generation of video connection requests for any of a predefined set of said video sources which are already connected to one of said video monitors;

centrally receiving said video connection requests;

coupling the video source to the video monitor specified in each said request;

said coupling step including the step of frequency multiplexing the video signals from a multiplicity of said video sources, and transmitting video signals from said specified video sources to the video monitors in each said group in distinct frequency bands on one of said transmission mediums;

receiving at each said video monitor within each of said groups a distinct one of said frequency bands on the transmission medium coupled to said group of video monitors;

storing information denoting which of said video sources, if any, is coupled to each of said video monitors and denoting which of said video sources are not coupled to any of said video monitors;

generating a menu display image representing a set of currently available video sources which are not coupled to any of said video monitors; and

transmitting said menu display image to said video monitors in a predefined frequency band on each of said transmission mediums;

wherein said locally generating step generates video connection requests which specify a video source selected from said currently available video sources represented by said menu display image;

whereby said locally generating step cannot generate a video connection request specifying a video source that is already coupled to another one of said video monitors.