Television system distributing a dynamically varying number of concurrent video presentations over a single television channel

• US 5,949,476 A
• Filed: 10/20/1993
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TVWorks LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cableshare, Inc. (Source Media LLC)
• Inventors: Pocock, Michael, Coumans, Peter, Lodberg, Allan
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey, David E.
• Application Number:
  US08/138,108
• Time in Patent Office: 2,148 Days
• Field of Search: 348/24, 348/461, 348/6, 348/385, 348/7, 348/8, 348/9, 348/10, 348/12, 348/13
• US Class Current: 348/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23418 involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics television picture signal circuitry for scene change detection H04N5/147; filtering for image enhancement G06T5/00; methods or arrangements for recognising scenes G06V20/00; arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of video in broadcast systems H04H60/59
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2343 involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements video transcoding H04N19/40; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2365 Multiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2385 Channel allocation H04N21/266 takes precedence; Bandwidth allocation H04N21/24 takes precedence ; allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users in time-division multiplex systems H04J3/1682; admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896; negotiating bandwidth in wireless networks H04W28/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25866 Management of end-user data customer care in data networks H04L41/5077
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25883 being end-user demographical data, e.g. age, family status or address arrangements for identifying locations of users in broadcast systems H04H60/52
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; 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 21/26208 the scheduling operation being performed under constraints
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4347 Demultiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0806 the signals being two or more video signals H04N7/0803, H04N7/081 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

A method and system for providing, in a television system, the combination, transmission, and reception of multiple video presentations over a single channel of a television distribution system. Presentations may be concurrently broadcast for viewing by many users, as well as interactively requested for display by many (potentially a thousand or more) individual users. A presentation consists of a sequence of images which reproduce a full motion, reduced motion, or a still image video presentation for the user when displayed. The signal is transmitted in a standard television format, and consists of a sequence of video images from the various presentations being transmitted. A user terminal receiving the transmitted signal is selectably operable to display one of the multiple transmitted presentations with accompanying audio. The terminal identifies the video images of the selected presentation, stores and displays the images on an associated television receiver. The number of concurrent presentations, and the degree of motion in the presentations are dynamically variable. Interactive instructions between a user at the terminal end and the presentation system are transmitted by an associated telephone line or other communications link.

Claims

1. A television system comprising:

a television distribution network for transmitting multiple video presentations over at least one channel to a plurality of remotely located terminals each having at least one television receiver associated therewith;

a centrally located presentation system for assembling video presentations to be transmitted by said television distribution network, said presentation system comprising;

(1) at least one video presentation source, producing video image sequences corresponding to respective video presentations said video image sequences each having a plurality of images;

(2) a multiplexer which receives at least one of said video image sequences and combines it with other images to produce a transmission image sequence having a number of images, said transmission image sequence comprising a plurality of interleaved images from different video image sources, wherein said multiplexer comprises a switch controlled by a controller, said switch comprising;

(a) a plurality of input ports, each receiving a video image sequence;

(b) an output port producing a video image sequence;

(c) switching means which selectively switches between said input ports on individual video image boundaries, in order to interleave said plurality of images of said video image sequence received at said input ports to produce said transmission image sequence on said output port; and

(d) selection means to determine the image switching sequence between input ports according to determination strategies which dynamically vary between two or more of the following;

(1) assign equally to each port;

(2) assign in proportion to specified degree of motion required on output;

(3) assign in proportion to degree of motion present in a video image sequence;

(4) use preemption of assigned image capacity by higher priority still-frame requests;

(5) assign based on a time schedule;

or

(6) assign based on operator specifications;

said controller further comprising control means to control said switch, and selection means to determine an image switching sequence

(3) means for labelling at least some of said images with respective addresses which identify remotely located terminals;

(4) signal encoding means to encode said transmission image sequence into a television signal complying with the television signal format of said television distribution network; and

(5) transmitting means for transmitting said television signal over said television distribution network;

said plurality of remotely located terminals each comprising;

(1) receiving means for receiving said television signal from said television distribution network,

(2) decoding means to decode said television signal into said transmission image sequence,

(3) identification means for determining whether a received image in said transmission image sequence is labelled with an address which identifies the terminal;

(4) selection means responsive to user input for alternatively selecting video images which are labelled with an address that identifies the terminal or a video image sequence from said video presentation source, and

(5) capture means to store video images selected by said selection means and display means to continuously retransmit said selected images to said associated television receiver at the standard television rate of the receiver so that the selected images are presented for continual display while non-selected images are inhibited from being displayed at the receiver.

2. An interactive television system, comprising:

a television distribution network for transmitting multiple video presentations having accompanying audio over at least one channel to a plurality of remotely located terminals each having at least one television receiver associated therewith;

a centrally located presentation system for producing video presentations to be transmitted by said television distribution network, said presentation system comprising;

(1) a plurality of broadcast video presentation sources, each producing a video image sequence corresponding to a broadcast video presentation, said video image sequence having a plurality of broadcast images;

(2) an interactive video presentation source which produces interactive video images corresponding to an interactive video presentation to be transmitted by said television distribution network;

(3) a multiplexer which receives said interactive video images and said broadcast images and combines them to produce a transmission image sequence having a number of images, said transmission image sequence comprising a plurality of interleaved images of said broadcast video images and interactive video images;

(4) signal encoding means to encode said transmission image sequence into a television signal complying with the television signal format of said television distribution network; and

(5) transmitting means for transmitting said television signal over said television distribution network and transmitting said accompanying audio over a telephone link;

said plurality of remotely located terminals each further comprising;

(1) receiving means for receiving said television signal from said distribution network,

(2) decoding means to decode said television signal into said transmission image sequence,

(3) identification means for examining said received transmission image sequence and identifying whether each image pertains to one of said interactive video presentations or said broadcast video presentations,

(4) selection means for selection of video images associated with an interactive video presentation or a broadcast video presentation to be displayed, and

(5) capture means to store selected video images and display means to continuously retransmit said images to said associated television receiver at the standard television rate of the receiver.

3. An interactive television system according to claim 2, wherein said means for sending interactive instructions is a via a telephone network as DTMF tones.

4. An interactive television system according to claim 2, wherein said means for sending interactive instructions is a via a data communications link.

5. An interactive television system according to claim 4, wherein said data communications link is via a telephone line.

6. An interactive television system according to claim 4, wherein said data communications link is via a 2-way CATV system.

7. An interactive television system according to claim 4, wherein said data communications link is via a wireless broadcast link.

8. An interactive television system according to claim 2, wherein said multiplexer comprises a switch controlled by a controller, said switch comprising:

(1) a first input port for receiving an interactive video image sequence;

(2) a second input port for receiving a motion video image sequence;

(3) an output port producing a video image sequence;

(4) switching means which selectively switches between said interactive input port and said broadcast input port on individual video image boundaries, in order to interleave said plurality of images of said interactive and broadcast video images provided at said input ports to produce said transmission image sequence on said output port;

said controller further comprising control means to control said switch, and

selection means to determine an image switching sequence.

9. An interactive television system according to claim 2, further comprising a trigger means for controlling said switching means to switch from said second input port to said first input port in response to detecting a first predetermined condition.

10. A television system according to claim 2, where the audio is transmitted along with video in the television signal.

11. A television system according to claim 2, where the audio is transmitted in analog form over a telephone link.

12. A television system according to claim 2, where the audio is transmitted in digital form over a telephone link.

13. A television system according to claim 12, where the telephone link is wireless.

14. A method for broadcasting multiple interactive video presentations and multiple broadcast video presentations on a single channel of a television distribution network from an interactive television system to a plurality of terminals having television receivers associated therewith, and for providing only one of said interactive video presentations or said broadcast video presentations at a time to individual television receivers, comprising the steps of:

providing interactive video images and broadcast video images, each of said interactive video images having an associated identification labelled therein;

combining said interactive video images and said broadcast images to produce a transmission image sequence having a number of images including a plurality of said broadcast video images and a plurality of said interactive video images interleaved therein;

encoding said transmission image sequence into a television signal;

transmitting said television signal on said television distribution network to said terminals;

receiving said television signal by at least one of said terminals;

decoding said television signal into an image sequence;

identifying whether each image of said image sequence is associated with one of said interactive video image presentation or said broadcast image presentation in accordance with said labelled identification;

switching said one terminal between an interactive mode of operation and a broadcast mode of operation;

selecting one of said interactive video presentation or said broadcast video presentation for display on a television receiver associated with at least one of said terminals, in accordance with the mode of operation of said one terminal;

storing each image of said selected presentation and displaying said selected presentation on the television receiver associated with at least one of said terminals;

inhibiting the storage of non-selected video images of said image sequence and continuously displaying a previously received video image to the television receiver at the standard television rate; and

sending interactive instructions of an operator to said interactive television system in response to said interactive instructions being sent to the terminal by the operator.

15. A television system, comprising:

a television distribution network for transmitting multiple video presentations over at least one channel to a plurality of remotely located terminals each having at least one television receiver associated therewith;

a centrally located presentation system for assembling video presentations to be transmitted by said television distribution network, said presentation system comprising;

(1) at least one video presentation source, producing video image sequences corresponding to respective video presentations, said video image sequences each having a plurality of images which are labelled with an identification that distinguishes the images of different video presentations from one another;

(2) a multiplexer which receives at least one of said video image sequences and combines it with other images to produce a transmission image sequence having a number of images, said transmission image sequence comprising a plurality of interleaved images from different video image sources;

(3) means for adding commands to at least some of the images contained in a transmission image sequence which identify selected video presentations,

(4) signal encoding means to encode said transmission image sequence into a television signal complying with the television signal format of said television distribution network; and

(5) transmitting means for transmitting said television signal over said television distribution network;

said plurality of remotely located terminals each comprising;

(1) receiving means for receiving said television signal from said television distribution network,

(2) decoding means to decode said television signal into said transmission image sequence,

(3) means responsive to a command in a received transmission image sequence for determining whether the identification label for a received image in said transmission image sequence is associated with a selected video presentation identified by said command,

(4) selection means for selecting video images associated with the selected video presentation identified by said command, and

(5) capture means to store video images selected by said selection means and display means to continuously retransmit stored images to said associated television receiver at the standard television rate of the receiver.

16. An interactive television system, comprising:

a television distribution network for transmitting multiple video presentations over at least one channel to a plurality of remotely located terminals each having at least one television receiver associated therewith;

a centrally located presentation system for producing video presentations to be transmitted by said television distribution network, said presentation system comprising;

(1) a plurality of broadcast video presentation sources, each producing a video image sequence corresponding to a broadcast video presentation, said video image sequence having a plurality of images;

(2) an interactive video presentation source which produces interactive video images corresponding to an interactive video presentation to be transmitted by said television distribution network;

(3) a multiplexer which receives said interactive video images and said broadcast images and combines them to produce a transmission image sequence having a number of images, said transmission image sequence comprising a plurality of interleaved images of said broadcast video images and interactive video images, wherein said multiplexer comprises a switch comprising;

a first input port for receiving an interactive video image sequence;

a second input port for receiving a motion video image sequence;

an output port producing a video image sequence;

switching means which selectively switches between said interactive input port and said broadcast input port on individual video image boundaries, in order to interleave said plurality of images of said interactive and broadcast video images provided at said input ports to produce said transmission image sequence on said output port;

a video motion detector controlling said switching means to switch from said second input port to said first input port in response to detecting a first predetermined condition; and

selection means to determine an image switching sequence;

(4) signal encoding means to encode said transmission image sequence into a television signal complying with the television signal format of said television distribution network; and

(5) transmitting means for transmitting said television signal over said television distribution network;

said plurality of remotely located terminals each further comprising;

(1) receiving means for receiving said television signal from said distribution network,

(2) decoding means to decode said television signal into said transmission image sequence,

(3) identification means for examining said received transmission image sequence and identifying whether each image pertains to one of said interactive video presentations or said broadcast video presentations,

(4) selection means for selection of video images associated with an interactive video presentation or a broadcast video presentation to be displayed, and

(5) capture means to store selected video images and display means to continuously retransmit said images to said associated television receiver at the standard television rate of the receiver.

17. An interactive television system, comprising:

a television distribution network for transmitting multiple video presentations over at least one channel to a plurality of remotely located terminals each having at least one television receiver associated therewith;

a centrally located presentation system for producing video presentations to be transmitted by said television distribution network, said presentation system comprising;

(1) a plurality of broadcast video presentation sources, each producing a video image sequence corresponding to a broadcast video presentation, said video image sequence having a plurality of images;

(2) an interactive video presentation source which produces interactive video images corresponding to an interactive video presentation to be transmitted by said television distribution network;

(3) a multiplexer which receives said interactive video images and said broadcast images and combines them to produce a transmission image sequence having a number of images, said transmission image sequence comprising a plurality of interleaved images of said broadcast video images and interactive video images wherein said multiplexer comprises a switch comprising;

a first input port for receiving an interactive video image sequence;

a second input port for receiving a motion video image sequence;

an output port producing a video image sequence;

switching means which selectively switches between said interactive input port and said broadcast input port on individual video image boundaries, in order to interleave said plurality of images of said interactive and broadcast video images provided at said input ports to produce said transmission image sequence on said output port;

trigger means for controlling said switching means to switch from said second input port to said first input port in response to a lack of motion in said broadcast video presentation, and

selection means to determine an image switching sequence;

(4) signal encoding means to encode said transmission image sequence into a television signal complying with the television signal format of said television distribution network; and

(5) transmitting means for transmitting said television signal over said television distribution network;

said plurality of remotely located terminals each further comprising;

(1) receiving means for receiving said television signal from said distribution network,

(2) decoding means to decode said television signal into said transmission image sequence,

(3) identification means for examining said received transmission image sequence and identifying whether each image pertains to one of said interactive video presentations or said broadcast video presentations,

(4) selection means for selection of video images associated with an interactive video presentation or a broadcast video presentation to be displayed, and

(5) capture means to store selected video images and display means to continuously retransmit said images to said associated television receiver at the standard television rate of the receiver.

18. An interactive television system, comprising:

a television distribution network for transmitting multiple video presentations over at least one channel to a plurality of remotely located terminals each having at least one television receiver associated therewith;

a centrally located presentation system for producing video presentations to be transmitted by said television distribution network, said presentation system comprising;

(1) a plurality of broadcast video presentation sources, each producing a video image sequence corresponding to a broadcast video presentation, said video image sequence having a plurality of broadcast images;

(2) an interactive video presentation source which produces interactive video images corresponding to an interactive video presentation to be transmitted by said television distribution network;

(3) a multiplexer which receives said interactive video images and said broadcast images and combines them to produce a transmission image sequence having a number of images, said transmission image sequence comprising a plurality of interleaved images of said broadcast video images and interactive video images, said multiplexer comprising a switch controlled by a controller, said switch including;

(a) a first input port for receiving an interactive video image sequence;

(b) a second input port for receiving a motion video image sequence;

(c) an output port producing a video image sequence;

(d) switching means which selectively switches between said interactive input port and said broadcast input port on individual video image boundaries, in order to interleave said plurality of images of said interactive and broadcast video images provided at said input ports to produce said transmission image sequence on said output port; and

(e) a video motion detector for controlling said switching means to switch from said second input port to said first input port in response to detecting a first predetermined condition;

(4) signal encoding means to encode said transmission image sequence into a television signal complying with the television signal format of said television distribution network; and

(5) transmitting means for transmitting said television signal over said television distribution network;

said plurality of remotely located terminals each further comprising;

(1) receiving means for receiving said television signal from said distribution network,

(2) decoding means to decode said television signal into said transmission image sequence,

(3) identification means for examining said received transmission image sequence and identifying whether each image pertains to one of said interactive video presentations or said broadcast video presentations,

(4) selection means for selection of video images associated with an interactive video presentation or a broadcast video presentation to be displayed, and

(5) capture means to store selected video images and display means to continuously retransmit said images to said associated television receiver at the standard television rate of the receiver.

19. An interactive television system, comprising:

a television distribution network for transmitting multiple video presentations over at least one channel to a plurality of remotely located terminals each having at least one television receiver associated therewith;

a centrally located presentation system for producing video presentations to be transmitted by said television distribution network, said presentation system comprising;

(1) a plurality of broadcast video presentation sources, each producing a video image sequence corresponding to a broadcast video presentation, said video image sequence having a plurality of broadcast images;

(2) an interactive video presentation source which produces interactive video images corresponding to an interactive video presentation to be transmitted by said television distribution network;

(3) a multiplexer which receives said interactive video images and said broadcast images and combines them to produce a transmission image sequence having a number of images, said transmission image sequence comprising a plurality of interleaved images of said broadcast video images and interactive video images, said multiplexer comprising a switch controlled by a controller, said switch including;

(a) a first input port for receiving an interactive video image sequence;

(b) a second input port for receiving a motion video image sequence;

(c) an output port producing a video image sequence;

(d) switching means which selectively switches between said interactive input port and said broadcast input port on individual video image boundaries, in order to interleave said plurality of images of said interactive and broadcast video images provided at said input ports to produce said transmission image sequence on said output port; and

(e) a trigger means for controlling said switching means to switch from said second input port to said first input port in response to detecting a lack of motion in said broadcast video presentation;

(4) signal encoding means to encode said transmission image sequence into a television signal complying with the television signal format of said television distribution network; and

(5) transmitting means for transmitting said television signal over said television distribution network;

said plurality of remotely located terminals each further comprising;

(1) receiving means for receiving said television signal from said distribution network,

(2) decoding means to decode said television signal into said transmission image sequence,

(3) identification means for examining said received transmission image sequence and identifying whether each image pertains to one of said interactive video presentations or said broadcast video presentations,

(4) selection means for selection of video images associated with an interactive video presentation or a broadcast video presentation to be displayed, and

(5) capture means to store selected video images and display means to continuously retransmit said images to said associated television receiver at the standard television rate of the receiver.