Systems, methods and computer readable media for instant multi-channel video content browsing in digital video distribution systems

• US 8,341,672 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2010
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vidyo Incorporated (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: Delta Vidyo, Inc.
• Inventors: Civanlar, Mehmet Reha, Shapiro, Ofer, Shalom, Tal
• Primary Examiner(s): Kumar, Pankaj
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, RUEBEN M
• Application Number:
  US12/765,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20100275229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 725/112, 725/113, 725/43, 348/564, 348/565
• US Class Current: 725/43
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/162 User input
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/31 in the temporal domain
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/33 in the spatial domain
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/40 using video transcoding, i.e. partial or full decoding of a coded input stream followed by re-encoding of the decoded output stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/61 in combination with predictive coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234327 by decomposing into layers, e.g. base layer and one or more enhancement layers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234363 by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for clients with a lower screen resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234381 by altering the temporal resolution, e.g. decreasing the frame rate by frame skipping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/431 Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4384 involving operations to reduce the access time, e.g. fast-tuning for reducing channel switching latency
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440227 by decomposing into layers, e.g. base layer and one or more enhancement layers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4621 Controlling the complexity of the content stream or additional data, e.g. lowering the resolution or bit-rate of the video stream for a mobile client with a small screen arrangements for using the results of monitoring on user's side in broadcast systems H04H60/65; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8549 Creating video summaries, e.g. movie trailer retrieval in video databases by using presentations in form of a video summary G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/783 : Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 : on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 : involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 : involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal

Abstract

Disclosed are a method, apparatus, system, and computer readable media containing instructions for preparing and displaying a plurality of audio-visual signals in a digital video distribution system (e.g., IPTV), which enables fast channel switching between channels. The system includes a server which sends a plurality of audio-visual signals coded in a base layer and enhancement layer format to an endpoint. The endpoint receives and decodes the base layer of a first channel, at least one second base layer of a second channel, and at least one enhancement layer of the first channel, and displays them on a video display.

Claims

1. A method for processing a plurality of channels in a digital video distribution endpoint, comprising:

a. receiving at least one picture each of a plurality of channels, wherein the channels are coded in a layered bitstream format, including

a base layer of a first channel,

a base layer of at least one second channel, and

a predetermined number of enhancement layers, if any, of the first channel;

b. decoding the at least one picture of the base layer and the enhancement layers, if any, of the first channel;

c. displaying the decoded base layer and the enhancement layer, if any, of the first channel in a main window;

d. decoding the at least one picture of the base layer of at least one second channel in a mini browsing window (MBW);

e. displaying the at least one picture of the decoded base layer of the second channel in an enhancement layer;

f. receiving a user input requesting to switch from viewing the first channel in a main window to viewing a second channel in the main window;

g. displaying at least the base layer of the first channel in an MBW;

h. zooming, and displaying in a main window resolution, at least one decoded picture of the base layer of the second layer, at least until a first picture of an enhancement layer of the second layer has been decoded;

i. requesting at least one of an enhancement layers of the second channel be received and decoded;

j. receiving and decoding at least one picture of the at least one enhancement layer of the second channel; and

k. displaying at least one picture of the at leas one enhancement layer of the second channel in the main window.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one second channel is selected as an adjacent channel in a natural order to the first channel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one second channel is selected as an adjacent channel in a user defined order to the first channel.

4. Non-transitory computer readable media comprising a set of instructions to direct a processor to perform the steps recited in one or more of method claims 1, 2, and 3.