Television receiver using received channel guide information and a secondary video signal processor for displaying secondary channel information

• US 5,557,338 A
• Filed: 04/05/1995
• Issued: 09/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics Incorporated (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics Incorporated (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Forler, Joseph W., Maze, Kenneth W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Metjahic, Safet
• Assistant Examiner(s): Burgess, Glenton B.
• Application Number:
  US08/419,649
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 348/468, 348/565, 348/563, 348/564, 348/569, 348/906, 348/731
• US Class Current: 725/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4884 for displaying subtitles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control

Abstract

A television receiver system having secondary picture display capability (such as PIP or POP) includes two tuners and signal processing arrangements, and circuitry for receiving a transmitted channel guide. In response to a "BROWSE" command, the receiver maintains the currently-tuned first channel as the source for the main picture, displays text related to a television show on a second channel, activates the secondary picture display circuitry, and tunes the second tuner to the second channel. In this way, the viewer can simultaneously get the benefit of both a text description of the television show on the second channel and view a secondary image of the television show on the second channel, without tuning away from the first channel supplying the main picture.

Claims

1. A television receiver, comprising:

a first tuner and signal processing arrangement for receiving and processing television signals;

a second tuner and signal processing arrangement for receiving and processing television signals;

user-operable data input circuitry adapted to receive user-entered data or commands;

a controller responsive to said user-entered data or commands for generating control signals;

memory circuitry for storing data relating to television shows on a plurality of channels, and storing tuning information for said plurality of channels;

a decoder for receiving and decoding said data relating to television shows on said plurality of channels, said decoder having an output coupled to said controller;

an on-screen display circuit for generating on-screen display signals; and

a secondary image processor for generating signals which when displayed on a display screen cause the display of a secondary image;

said controller, in response to the entering of a BROWSE command by a user maintains a currently-tuned channel on said first tuner for providing a main image, tunes a second channel on said second tuner for providing said secondary image, causes said secondary image processor to display said secondary image and causes said on-screen display circuit to display text relating to a television show currently-running on said second channel.

2. The television receiver of claim 1 wherein, said controller causes a display of a menu-selectable option which when selected by a user causes said secondary image processor to display said secondary image in response to said BROWSE command.

3. The television receiver of claim 1 wherein, in response to said BROWSE command entered by a user, said secondary image is displayed in an area of a display screen not occupied by said text relating to said television show currently-running on said second channel.

4. A television receiver, comprising:

a first tuner and signal processing arrangement for receiving and processing television signals;

a second tuner and signal processing arrangement for receiving and processing television signals;

user-operable data input circuitry adapted to receive user-entered data or commands;

a controller responsive to said user-entered data or commands for generating control signals;

memory circuitry for storing data relating to television shows on a plurality of channels, and storing tuning information for said plurality of channels;

a decoder for receiving and decoding said data relating to television shows on said plurality of channels;

an on-screen display circuit for generating on-screen display signals; and

a secondary image processor for generating signals which when displayed on a display screen cause the display of a secondary image;

said controller, in response to the entering of a BROWSE command by a user maintains a currently tuned channel on said first tuner for providing a main image, causes said on-screen display circuit to display text relating to a television show currently-running on a second channel, and operates in a first mode when said secondary image is not active at the time said BROWSE command is received, or in a second mode in which said secondary image is active at the time said BROWSE command is received;

said controller, in said first operating mode, causes said second tuner to tune said second channel for providing said secondary image and causes said secondary image processor to display said secondary image, and in said second operating mode does not cause said second tuner to tune another channel.

5. The television receiver of claim 4 wherein, said controller causes a display of a menu-selectable option which when selected by a user causes said first operating mode to be enabled.

6. The television receiver of claim 4 wherein, in said first operating mode, in response to said BROWSE command entered by a user, said secondary image is displayed in an area of said display screen not occupied by said text relating to said television show currently-running on said second channel, and a message is displayed indicating that said secondary image and said text are related.

7. The television receiver of claim 4 wherein, in said second operating mode, in response to said BROWSE command entered by a user, said secondary image is displayed in an area of said display screen not occupied by said text relating to said television show currently-running on said second channel, and a message is displayed indicating that said secondary image and said text are not related.

8. A television receiver, comprising:

a first tuner and signal processing arrangement for receiving and processing television signals;

a second tuner and signal processing arrangement for receiving and processing television signals;

user-operable data input circuitry adapted to receive user-entered data or commands;

a controller responsive to said user-entered data or commands for generating control signals;

memory circuitry for storing data relating to television shows on a plurality of channels, and storing tuning information for said plurality of channels;

a decoder for receiving and decoding said data relating to television shows on said plurality of channels, said decoder having an output coupled to said controller;

an on-screen display circuit for generating on-screen display signals; and

a secondary image processor for generating signals which when displayed on a display screen cause the display of a secondary image;

said controller, in response to the entering of a BROWSE command by a user maintains a currently-tuned channel on said first tuner for providing a main image, tunes a second channel on said second tuner for providing said secondary image, causes said secondary image processor to display said secondary image and causes said on-screen display circuit to display text relating to a television show currently-running on said second channel;

said controller in response to an ENTER command, by said user, causes said first tuner to tune to said second channel, removes said text from said display screen, and causes said secondary image processor to stop displaying said secondary image.

9. A television receiver, comprising:

a first tuner and signal processing arrangement for receiving and processing television signals;

a second tuner and signal processing arrangement for receiving and processing television signals;

a switch having a first input for receiving signals from said first tuner, a second input for receiving signals from a second tuner, and an output for developing a signal selected from said first input or said second input in response to a switch control signal;

user-operable data input circuitry adapted to receive user-entered data or commands;

a controller responsive to said user-entered data or commands for generating control signals;

memory circuitry for storing data relating to television shows on a plurality of channels, and storing tuning information for said plurality of channels;

a decoder for receiving and decoding said data relating to television shows on said plurality of channels, said decoder having an output coupled to said controller;

an on-screen display circuit for generating on-screen display signals; and

a secondary image processor for generating signals which when displayed on a display screen cause the display of a secondary image;

said controller, in response to the entering of a BROWSE command by a user maintains a currently-tuned channel on said first tuner for providing a main image, tunes a second channel on said second tuner for providing said secondary image, causes said secondary image processor to display said secondary image and causes said on-screen display circuit to display text relating to a television show currently-running on said second channel

said controller in response to an ENTER command, by a user, generates said switch control signal causing said second tuner to provide signals for said main image, removes said text from said display screen, and causes said secondary image processor to stop displaying said secondary image.