Digital audio system with video output program guide

• US 5,784,095 A
• Filed: 03/21/1996
• Issued: 07/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stein, Robert C., Kamieniecki, John, Maraska, John F., Robbins, Clyde, Palmer, Douglas W., Nasuti, Tony
• Primary Examiner(s): Grant, Christopher C.
• Application Number:
  US08/620,019
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 348/6, 348/9, 348/10, 348/7, 348/12, 348/13, 348/906, 455/3.1, 455/6.1, 455/6.2, 455/6.3, 455/5.1, 455/4.2, 455/185.1, 455/186.1, 455/3.2
• US Class Current: 725/49
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/34 using an out-of-band subcarrier signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/79 using downlink of the CATV systems, e.g. audio broadcast via CATV network
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/27 specially adapted for broadcast systems covered by groups H04H20/53 - H04H20/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/72 using electronic programme guides [EPG] focusing on identifying broadcast space time H04H60/39 ; menu type display of EPG in television receivers H04N21/47
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/602 for digital sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309

Abstract

The improved settop terminal of the present invention utilizes a subscriber'"'"'s television as the preferred graphical interface to simultaneously provide channel in-band and out-of-band program information to a subscriber. A subscriber may tune, view and select from among a plurality of digital audio channels and analog video channels. In-band and out-of-band information is integrated into a multi-page program guide displayed on a subscriber'"'"'s television. This integration permits subscribers to visually scan and view information about currently playing selections available on other channels without having to switch to them. While listening to a music selection, the subscriber may navigate through the program guide. Program information such as the title of a song, artist and record label are also displayed.

Claims

1. In a CATV network, a method for providing an audio programming guide displaying both in-band and out-of-band information comprising:

transmitting out-of-band information over a control data channel, said out-of-band information related to programming being carried on a plurality of broadcast channels;

transmitting in-band information over a plurality of broadcast channels on which at least an audio broadcast is being transmitted, with respect to each channel said in-band information transmitted including information related to the audio broadcast carried on the channel;

receiving said out-of-band information utilizing a data receiver;

receiving said in-band information of a specific broadcast channel utilizing a frequency agile tuner by tuning to said specific broadcast channel;

integrating said in-band and out-of-band information into an audio programming guide; and

using said audio programming guide to simultaneously display out-of-band programming information with the specific audio broadcast information related to the transmitted broadcast.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting out-of-band information includes transmitting an audio programming guide screen format and general programming information.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting in-band information on each channel includes transmitting information corresponding to the current program on said channel.

4. An audio programming guide system for a CATV network, for displaying both in-band and out-of-band information comprising:

a headend for transmitting out-of-band information over a control data channel, said out-of-band information related to programming being carried on a plurality of broadcast channels;

said headend transmitting in-band information over a plurality of broadcast channels on which at least an audio broadcast is being transmitted, for each channel said in-band information related to the audio broadcast on that channel;

a settop terminal for receiving said out-of-band information using a data receiver;

said settop terminal receiving said in-band information of a specific broadcast channel utilizing a frequency agile tuner by tuning to said specific broadcast channel; and

said settop terminal integrating said in-band and out-of-band information into an audio programming guide capable of simultaneously displaying out-of-band programming information with the specific audio broadcast information related to the transmitted broadcast.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said headend transmits out-of-band information which includes an audio programming guide screen format and general information.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein said headend transmits in-band information for said plurality of broadcast channels where the information for each channel corresponds to the currently playing program on said channel.

7. A CATV settop terminal comprising:

an audio programming guide for displaying both in-band program information and out-of-band program schedule information on a television monitor receiver to allow user selection of broadcast audio programs from said out-of-band program schedule information while displaying said in-band information transmitted with and pertaining to the audio broadcast program;

a data processor having a first input for receiving said out-of-band program schedule information and a second input for receiving the in-band program information;

a user selection input device operatively associated with said data processor for selecting audio broadcast programs from said out-of-band program schedule information;

said data processor configured to integrate said out-of-band program schedule information and said in-band program information into a video display signal and to select audio program broadcasts from said audio programming guide based on user inputs;

a storage device coupled to said data processor;

said storage device coupled to receive said out-of-band program schedule information and said in-band information for audio program broadcasts selected by said data processor; and

a first tuner coupled to said data processor to receive control signals from said data processor at a time when a user selects an audio broadcast program or upon a user preselected pre-programmed time, said tuner supplies audio program broadcast signals for the selected program to a television monitor receiver.

8. The CATV settop terminal according to claim 7 further including a cable input for receiving a CATV signal associated with said tuner having outputs coupled with said data processor inputs.

9. The CATV settop terminal according to claim 7 further including a video display signal generator coupled to said data processor for generating an on-screen video display from said out-of-band program schedule information and said in-band program information.

10. The CATV settop terminal according to claim 7 wherein said first input includes a data demodulator for supplying said out-of-band schedule information to said data processor.

11. The CATV settop terminal according to claim 7 wherein said second input includes a cable data gobbler for supplying said in-band information to said data processor, wherein said data cable gobbler demodulates and separates said in-band information from the audio program.

12. The CATV settop terminal according to claim 10 wherein said out-of-band schedule information is broadcast in a specific cable program broadcast and said first tuner is coupled to supply said out-of-band schedule information of said specific cable program broadcast to said data demodulator.

13. The CATV settop terminal according to claim 11 wherein said in-band program information and audio program is broadcast in a specific cable program broadcast and said data processor receives said in-band program information and audio program.

14. The CATV settop terminal according to claim 7 wherein said data processor is further configured to supply an actuating signal to a recorder at the time of an audio broadcast program selected by said data processor and to supply the broadcast signal for the selected audio program to said recorder.

15. The CATV settop terminal according to claim 7 further including an on-screen video display signal generator coupled to receive signals from said data processor for generating a video display signal from said out-of-band schedule information and said in-band program information for display on said television monitor receiver;

and

said first tuner coupled to receive video display signals from said on-screen video display signal generator, audio program signals from said cable data gobbler, and control signals from said data processor for selecting between said audio program broadcast signals.

16. The CATV settop terminal according to claim 15 wherein said data processor is further configured to provide signals to said on-screen video generator for presenting a plurality of user selection menus and categories on said television monitor receiver;

and

said user selection input device includes a plurality of navigation keys or rotary knobs for making selections from said menus for choosing programs from said schedule information.

17. The CATV settop terminal according to claim 7 wherein said first tuner is coupled as part of said first input for receiving said schedule information for the selected broadcast programs.

18. The CATV settop terminal according to claim 7 further comprising a second tuner;

said second tuner coupled to an exclusive-or type switch having two inputs and one output;

one input of said exclusive-or switch is coupled to the output of said first tuner and the other input of said exclusive-or type switch is coupled to said second tuner;

said exclusive-or switch output is coupled to said cable data gobbler; and

said data processor controls which exclusive-or switch input is chosen depending upon the user selected broadcast programming.

19. A CATV settop terminal for controlling a television monitor receiver and audio system to allow user selection of CATV audio broadcast programs from program schedule information assembled from in-band and out-of-band sources which comprises:

a data processor having a first input for the out-of-band schedule information and a second input for the in-band information associated with a user selected audio broadcast program also containing information pertaining to audio program broadcasts on a plurality of audio program channels;

a user selection input device operatively associated with said data processor for selecting an audio broadcast program from the out-of-band schedule information coupled to said data processor;

said data processor configured to integrate the out-of-band schedule information and in-band audio information into one display signal and to select audio program broadcasts from the schedule information based on the user selections;

a storage device coupled to receive the out-of band schedule information from said data processor;

a video display generator coupled to receive signals from said data processor for generating a video display signal from said schedule information and the user selections on the television monitor receiver;

a first tuner for coupling to the television monitor receiver;

said first tuner being coupled to receive control signals from said data processor at a time of a selected broadcast whereupon said first tuner supplies broadcast signals for the selected program to the television monitor receiver and audio system; and

said first tuner coupled to said data processor to receive control signals from said data processor at a time when a user selects an audio broadcast program or upon the user preselected pre-programmed time for causing said tuner to supply audio program broadcast signals for the selected program to the television monitor receiver and audio system.

20. The CATV settop terminal according to claim 19 wherein said video display signal generator provides a plurality of user selection menus on the television monitor receiver, said user selection input device includes a plurality of navigation keys for making selections from said menus for choosing programs from said schedule information, and said data processor being configured to allow combinations of said menu selections for choosing programs from said schedule information.

21. The CATV settop terminal according to claim 19 wherein said data processor is further configured to supply an actuating signal to a program recorder at the time of a broadcast program preselected by the user and to supply the broadcast signal for said selected program to said program recorder.

22. The CATV settop terminal according to claim 19 wherein said data processor is further configured to present a preselected portion of the schedule information for the user selection.

23. The CATV settop terminal according to claim 19 wherein said first tuner is a frequency agile receiver configured to receive the audio broadcast schedule information independently from a plurality of broadcast programs, and said first input includes a data demodulator coupled to said data processor providing the schedule information.

24. The CATV settop terminal according to claim 19 further comprising a second tuner;

said second tuner coupled to an exclusive-or type switch having two inputs and one output;

one input of said exclusive-or switch is coupled to the output of said receiver and the other input of said exclusive-or type switch is coupled to said second tuner;

said exclusive-or switch output is coupled to said second input of said data processor; and

said data processor controls which exclusive-or switch input is chosen in dependence upon the user selected broadcast programming.

25. In a CATV network, a method for providing an audio programming guide displaying both in-band and out-of-band information comprising:

transmitting out-of-band information over at least one channel, said out-of-band information related to programming being carried on a plurality of broadcast channels;

transmitting in-band information over a plurality of broadcast channels on which at least an audio broadcast is being transmitted, with respect to each channel said in-band information transmitted including information related to the audio broadcast carried on the channel;

receiving said out-of-band information utilizing a data receiver;

receiving said in-band information of a specific broadcast channel utilizing a frequency agile tuner by tuning to said specific broadcast channel;

integrating said in-band and out-of-band information into an audio programming guide; and

using said audio programming guide to simultaneously display out-of-band programming information with the specific audio broadcast information related to the transmitted broadcast.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said out-of-band information is transmitted on a control data channel and received on a dedicated data receiver.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein said out-of-band information is transmitted on a plurality of digital audio channels and said out-of-band information is received by tuning to any of said digital audio channels on which the out-of-band information is transmitted.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein said out-of-band information comprises program schedule information and real time program content information wherein said out-of-band program schedule information is transmitted on a control data channel and real time program content information is on a plurality of digital audio channels.