Tuner control apparatus having tune-by-label capability

• US 4,959,720 A
• Filed: 04/06/1989
• Issued: 09/25/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RCA Licensing Corporation
• Original Assignee: RCA Licensing Corporation
• Inventors: Duffield, David J., Beyers, Billy W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Application Number:
  US07/334,068
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 358/22, 358/191.1, 358/194.1, 340/825.03, 340/825.29, 455/151, 455/186, 455/603
• US Class Current: 725/57
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 1/0008 using a central processing unit, e.g. a microprocessor digital tuning in general H03J5/0245
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 1/0016 Indicating arrangements digital indication of tuning in general H03J1/048

Abstract

A tuning system is provided which allows a user to enter text labels associated with respective channels or television programs to be tuned so that, thereafter, a channel or program to be tuned may be selected by the user by entering its label. Scheduling of television programs by label is also provided by storing time-related data as well as channel-related data and associating these data for each television program with a user-entered label.

Claims

1. A signal selection system, comprising:

an RF input terminal for receiving a plurality of RF signals;

tuning means coupled to said RF input terminal for selecting a particular RF signal from said plurality of RF signals in response to a tuner control signal;

means, coupled to said tuning means, for detecting said RF signal to produce a detected baseband video signal;

a baseband input terminal for receiving a second baseband video signal;

selection means having first and second input terminals for receiving said detected baseband video signal and said second baseband signal, respectively, said selection means selecting one of said baseband video signals at said first and second input terminals in response to a selection signal;

memory means for storing label data representative of labels comprising at least one alphabetical character, and tuning data associated with respective ones of said RF signals for tuning said RF signals, wherein one of said labels is associated with said baseband input terminal for selecting said baseband signal;

data entry means for generating said label data and said tuning data under user control; and

control means coupled to said data entry means and said memory means for storing said label data and said tuning data in said memory means during a programming mode, said control means also being coupled to said selection means, said control means retrieving said data from said memory means and generating said selection control signal for selecting one of said baseband video signals in response to label data input by a user.

2. The signal selection system of claim 1 wherein said control means is a microcomputer.

3. The signal selection system of claim 2 further comprising on-screen display means for generating signals suitable for displaying said labels.

4. The signal selection system of claim 3 wherein said labels are displayed on a display screen of a television receiver.

5. A signal selection system, comprising:

selection means having first and second input terminals for receiving first and second signals, respectively, said selection means selecting a particular signal from said first and second signals in response to a selection signal, wherein one of said first and second terminals is a baseband input terminal for receiving a baseband video signal;

memory means for storing label data representative of labels comprising at least one alphabetical character, wherein one of said labels is associated with said baseband input terminal for selecting said baseband signal;

data entry means for generating said label data under user control; and

control means coupled to said data entry means and said memory means for evaluating said label data and for storing said label data is said memory means during a programming mode, said control means also being coupled to said selection means, said control means retrieving said data from said memory means and generating said selection control signal for selecting one of said first and second signals in response to label data input by a user.

6. The signal selection system of claim 5 wherein said control means is a microcomputer.

7. The signal selection system of claim 6 further comprising on-screen display means for generating signals suitable for displaying said labels.

8. The signal selection system of claim 7 wherein said labels are displayed on a display screen of a television receiver.