Video decoding and channel acquisition system
First Claim
1. A digital video decoding system for receiving packetized video data representing programs conveyed on a plurality of video channels, comprising:
- a plurality of buffers for storing encoded video data representing images of video programs conveyed on a corresponding plurality of video channels wherein an individual buffer, corresponding to an individual video channel, stores sufficient encoded video data to prevent an underflow condition following switching to decode a program conveyed on said individual video channel;
a processor for initiating switching to decode a program conveyed on a selected one of said plurality of video channels in response to a user channel selection input; and
,a decoder for decoding encoded video data received from one of said plurality of buffers corresponding to said program conveyed on said selected video channel as determined by switching initiated by said processor, wherein,in response to said processor initiated switching, said decoder employs at least one splicing constraint in switching to decode said program conveyed on said user selected channel, wherein said at least one splicing constraint is performed in response to at least one of;
a frame of said program, a sequence of frames of said program, a picture of said program, and a group of pictures of said program.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A digital video decoding system receives packetized video data representing programs conveyed on a plurality of video channels. The system includes a plurality of buffers for storing encoded video data representing images of video programs conveyed on a corresponding plurality of video channels. An individual buffer, corresponding to an individual video channel, stores sufficient encoded video data to prevent an underflow condition following switching to decode a program conveyed on the individual video channel. A processor initiates switching to decode a program conveyed on a selected one of the plurality of video channels in response to a user channel selection input. A decoder decodes encoded video data received from one of the plurality of buffers corresponding to the program conveyed on the selected video channel as determined by switching initiated by the processor. The decoder also predicts a next channel to be selected by a user based on, (a) predetermined user channel and program preference criteria, (b) predetermined user channel navigation patterns, or (c) user data entry device sensory data.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A digital video decoding system for receiving packetized video data representing programs conveyed on a plurality of video channels, comprising:
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a plurality of buffers for storing encoded video data representing images of video programs conveyed on a corresponding plurality of video channels wherein an individual buffer, corresponding to an individual video channel, stores sufficient encoded video data to prevent an underflow condition following switching to decode a program conveyed on said individual video channel; a processor for initiating switching to decode a program conveyed on a selected one of said plurality of video channels in response to a user channel selection input; and
,a decoder for decoding encoded video data received from one of said plurality of buffers corresponding to said program conveyed on said selected video channel as determined by switching initiated by said processor, wherein, in response to said processor initiated switching, said decoder employs at least one splicing constraint in switching to decode said program conveyed on said user selected channel, wherein said at least one splicing constraint is performed in response to at least one of;
a frame of said program, a sequence of frames of said program, a picture of said program, and a group of pictures of said program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A digital video decoding system for receiving packetized video data representing programs conveyed on a plurality of video channels, comprising:
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a plurality of buffers for storing encoded video data representing images of video programs conveyed on a corresponding plurality of video channels; a predictive processor for predicting a next video channel to be selected by a user and for directing received encoded video data representing a program conveyed on said next video channel to one of said plurality of buffers; a processor for initiating switching to decode a program conveyed on said next video channel in response to a user channel selection input; and a decoder for decoding encoded video data received from one of said plurality of buffers corresponding to said program conveyed on said next video channel as determined by switching initiated by said processor. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A method for sequentially displaying a plurality of video programs each respectively conveyed on a corresponding one of a plurality of video channels, said method comprising:
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simultaneously storing encoded video data representing images of said plurality of video programs using at least one memory device, wherein sufficient encoded video data is stored for each of said plurality of video programs to prevent an underflow condition following play-out thereof from said at least one memory device; detecting a user input; initiating switching to decode a selected one of said plurality of video programs in response to said user input; and
,decoding said stored encoded video data corresponding to said selected one of said plurality of video programs, wherein said step of initiating switching comprises employing at least one splicing constraint in switching to decode said selected one of said plurality of video programs, wherein said at least one splicing constraint is performed in response to at least one of;
a frame of said selected program, a sequence of frames of said selected program, a picture of said selected program, and a group of pictures of said selected program. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method for sequentially displaying a plurality of video programs each respectively conveyed on a corresponding one of a plurality of video channels, said method comprising:
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simultaneously storing encoded video data representing images of said plurality of video programs using at least one memory device, wherein sufficient encoded video data is stored for each of said plurality of video programs to prevent an underflow condition following play-out thereof from said at least one memory device; detecting a user input; initiating switching to decode a selected one of said plurality of video program in response to said user input; and
,decoding said stored encoded video data corresponding to said selected one of said plurality of video programs, further comprising predicting a next video channel to be selected by a user, wherein said step of simultaneously storing encoded video data representing images of said plurality of video programs comprises storing encoded video data representing images corresponding to a video program conveyed on said predicted next video channel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification