METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING USER CONTROL OF VIDEO VIEWS

• US 20080178232A1
• Filed: 01/18/2007
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Data Services Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Velusamy, Umashankar
• Application Number:
  US11/624,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20080178232A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/88
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21805 enabling multiple viewpoints, e.g. using a plurality of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2627 for providing spin image effect, 3D stop motion effect or temporal freeze effect 2D image animation in general G06T13/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/268 Signal distribution or switching

Abstract

An approach is provided for video view selection. Multiple video feeds, corresponding to different views of a common event, are received. A control signal specifying the desired view of the event is received. Full or a portion of the video feed(s) corresponding to the user'"'"'s desired view of the event is forwarded to the display.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a plurality of video feeds corresponding to different views of a common event;

receiving a control signal specifying selection of one of the views by a user; and

forwarding the video feed corresponding to the one selected view to a display.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving another control signal; and

dynamically changing the video feed to another one of the video feeds in response to the other control signal.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the control signal is output from a control device that includes a joystick controller for selecting the video feed.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the video feed is forwarded to a set-top box configured to output to the display.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the video feed is forwarded to the set-top box over an optical transmission network.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the video feeds are received over a plurality of carriers having different frequencies.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the video feeds are received over a composite signal.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the display maintains a full screen of the video feed during view selection by the user.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the control signal further specifies a zoom level, the method further comprising:

digitally zooming in on the video feed according to the specified zoom level.

10. A computer-readable storage medium configured to store instructions to execute the method of claim 1.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a video view processor configured to receive a control signal specifying selection by a user of a view among a plurality of views, wherein the views are associated with a common event and correspond to a plurality of video feeds, and the video feed corresponding to the one selected view is forwarded to a display.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the video view processor is further configured to receive another control signal, and to dynamically change the video feed to another one of the video feeds in response to the other control signal.

13. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control signal is output from a control device that includes a joystick controller for selecting the video feed.

14. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the video feed is forwarded to a set-top box configured to output to the display.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the video feed is forwarded to the set-top box over an optical transmission network.

16. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the video feeds are received over a plurality of carriers having different frequencies.

17. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the video feeds are received over a composite signal.

18. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the display maintains a full screen of the video feed during view selection by the user.

19. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the apparatus is a set-top box.

20. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control signal further specifies a zoom level, the video view processor being further configured to digitally zoom in on the video feed according to the specified zoom level.

21. A method comprising:

receiving an input signal from a user specifying a view among a plurality views of an event;

generating a control signal in response to the input signal; and

forwarding the control signal to a set-top box, wherein the set-top box is configured to output a video feed corresponding to the specified view to a display.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the input signal further specifies a zoom level of the view.

23. A computer-readable storage medium configured to store instructions to execute the method of claim 21.

24. An apparatus comprising:

an input interface configured to be controlled by a user and to output an input signal specifying a view among a plurality views of an event;

view selection logic configured to generate a control signal in response to the input signal; and

radio circuitry configured to forward the control signal is to a set-top box, wherein the set-top box is configured to output a video feed corresponding to the specified view to a display.

25. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the input signal further specifies a zoom level of the view.