Integrated video processing system having multiple video sources and implementing picture-in-picture with on-screen display graphics

• US 6,519,283 B1
• Filed: 06/09/1999
• Issued: 02/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MediaTek, Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Cheney, Dennis P., Lee, William R., Richardson, Leland D., Curley, Lawrence D., Svec, Ronald S.
• Primary Examiner(s): BRITTON, HOWARD W
• Application Number:
  US09/328,756
• Time in Patent Office: 1,343 Days
• Field of Search: H04/V.5445, 348/568, 375/240.01, 375/240.05, 375/240.2, 725/139
• US Class Current: 375/240.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/159 Prediction type, e.g. intra-frame, inter-frame or bidirectional frame prediction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/423 characterised by memory arrangements H04N19/433 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/428 Recompression, e.g. by spatial or temporal decimation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/44 Decoders specially adapted therefor, e.g. video decoders which are asymmetric with respect to the encoder
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/59 involving spatial sub-sampling or interpolation, e.g. alteration of picture size or resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/61 in combination with predictive coding

Abstract

An integrated digital video system is configured to implement picture-in-picture merging of video signals from two or more video sources, as well as selective overlaying of on-screen display graphics onto the resultant merged signal. The picture-in-picture signal is produced for display by a television system otherwise lacking picture-in-picture capability. The digital video system can be implemented, for example, as an integrated decode system within a digital video set-top box or a digital video disc player. In one implementation, a decompressed digital video signal is downscaled and merged with an uncompressed video signal to produce the multi-screen display. The uncompressed video signal can comprise either analog or digital video. OSD graphics can be combined within the integrated system with the resultant multi-screen display or only with a received uncompressed analog video signal.

Claims

1. A method for forming a multi-screen display for a non-picture-in-picture television system, said method comprising:

receiving, from a first input source, and decoding a compressed digital video signal to produce a decompressed digital video signal;

receiving, from a second input source, an uncompressed video signal; and

merging the decompressed digital video signal and uncompressed video signal to produce a single multi-screen display signal for said television system, thereby providing said non-picture-in-picture television system with the capability to display multiple pictures simultaneously.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising downscaling said decompressed digital video signal prior to merging thereof with said uncompressed video signal, said downscaled decompressed digital video signal comprising at least one screen of said multi-screen display.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said uncompressed video signal comprises an uncompressed analog video signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said merging comprises switching between said decompressed digital video signal and said uncompressed analog video signal to create at least some video frames for display by said television system, said switching creating said multi-screen display.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising blending on-screen display (OSD) graphics with at least one of said decompressed digital video signal, said uncompressed video signal, and said multi-screen display comprising said decompressed digital video signal and said uncompressed video signal.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising implementing said method within at least one of a digital video set-top box (STB) or a digital video disc player.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said compressed digital video signal is received from a first video source, and said uncompressed video signal is received from a second video source.

8. A method for processing an analog video signal comprising:

digitizing the analog video signal for input to a digital video processing system;

blending within the digital video processing system the digitized video signal with on-screen display (OSD) graphics; and

implementing said method within at least one of a digital video set-top box (STB) or a digital video disc player, and formatting said blended digitized video signal and OSD graphics for display by an analog television system.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said digitizing is performed within a digital multi-standard decoder, and wherein said digital video processing system comprises an integrated digital video decode system.

10. A system for forming a multi-screen display for a non-picture-in-picture television system, said system comprising:

a video decoder for decoding a compressed digital video signal from a first video source and producing therefrom a decompressed digital video signal;

an input for receiving into said video decoder an uncompressed video signal from a second video source; and

said video decoder being adapted to merge said decompressed digital video signal and said uncompressed video signal to produce a multi-screen display signal for said television system, thereby providing said non-picture-in-picture television system with the capability to display multiple pictures simultaneously.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said video decoder is further adapted to downscale said decompressed digital video signal prior to merging thereof with said uncompressed video signal, said downscaled decompressed digital signal comprising at least one screen of said multi-screen display.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said uncompressed video signal comprises an uncompressed analog video signal, and wherein said system further comprises a digital multi-standard decoder for digitizing said uncompressed analog video signal prior to input thereof to said video decoder.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said video decoder is further adapted to switch between said decompressed digital video signal and said uncompressed analog video signal to create at least some video frames for display by said television system in picture-in-picture format.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein said video decoder is further adapted to blend on-screen display (OSD) graphics with said multi-screen display signal prior to presentation to said television system.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein said system comprises one of a digital video set-top box (STB) or a digital video disc (DVD) player.

16. A system for forming a multi-screen display for a non-picture-in-picture television system, said system comprising:

means for receiving, from a first input source, and decoding a compressed digital video signal to produce a decompressed digital video signal;

means for receiving, from a second input source, an uncompressed video signal; and

means for merging the decompressed digital video signal and uncompressed video signal to produce a single multi-screen display signal for said television system, thereby providing said non-picture-in-picture television system with the capability to display multiple pictures simultaneously.

17. A system for processing an analog video signal comprising:

a digital video processing system;

a digital multi-standard decoder for digitizing the analog video signal for input to said digital video processing system;

said digital video processing system being adapted to blend the digitized video signal with on-screen display (OSD) graphics for output as a blended video signal; and

wherein said system comprises at least one of a digital video set-top box (STB) or a digital video disc (DVD) player, and said digital video processing system is adapted to format said blended digitized video signal and OSD graphics for display by an analog television system.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said digital video processing system comprises a video decoder, said video decoder being adapted to perform said blending of said digitized video signal with said OSD graphics.

19. A system for processing an analog video signal comprising:

means for digitizing the analog video signal for input to a digital video processing system;

means for blending within the digital video processing system the digitized video signal with on-screen display (OSD) graphics; and

means for implementing said system within at least one of a digital video set-top box (STB) or a digital video disc player, and means for formatting said blended digitized video signal and OSD graphics for display by an analog television system.

20. An article of manufacture comprising:

a computer program product comprising computer usable medium having computer readable program code means therein for forming a multi-screen display for a non-picture-in-picture television system, said computer readable program code means in said computer program product comprising;

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to effect decoding a compressed digital video signal, received from a first input source, to produce a decompressed digital video signal;

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to effect receiving, from a second input source, an uncompressed video signal; and

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to effect merging the decompressed digital video signal and uncompressed video signal to produce a multi-screen display signal for said television system, thereby providing said non-picture-in-picture television system with the capability to display multiple pictures simultaneously.

21. An article of manufacture comprising:

a computer program product comprising computer usable medium having computer readable program code means therein for processing an analog video signal, said computer readable program code means in said computer program product comprising;

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to effect digitizing the analog video signal;

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to effect blending the digitized video signal with on-screen display (OSD) graphics for presentation to a television system; and

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to effect formatting said blended digitized video signal and OSD graphics for display by an analog television system, wherein said computer program product is for at least one of a digital video set-top box (STB) or a digital video disc player.