Multi-channel television system with viewer-selectable video and audio

• US 5,894,320 A
• Filed: 05/29/1996
• Issued: 04/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Vancelette, Paul D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jastrzab, Jeffrey R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DIN, LUANNE PAN
• Application Number:
  US08/654,901
• Time in Patent Office: 1,049 Days
• Field of Search: 348/6, 348/7, 348/9, 348/10, 348/12, 348/13, 348/556, 348/563, 348/385, 348/386-432, 455/3.1, 455/4.1, 455/4.2, 455/5.1, 455/6.1, 455/6.2
• US Class Current: 725/138
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21805 enabling multiple viewpoints, e.g. using a plurality of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23614 Multiplexing of additional data and video streams arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information H04H20/28
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2365 Multiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• 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 21/4348 Demultiplexing of additional data and 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 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8541 involving branching, e.g. to different story endings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/162 Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/1675 Providing digital key or authorisation information for generation or regeneration of the scrambling sequence pseudo-random number generators in general G06F7/58

Abstract

A television viewer can select among a choice of available camera angles and audio feeds when viewing a sporting event such as a football game without changing the television channel. Audio, video and control data is transmitted in a packetized data stream with control data providing a pre-assigned channel designation (e.g., channel 10 for network X). A set-top terminal receives and processes the data stream according to user-provided commands. The terminal includes software which can be downloaded via the data stream or installed locally. The control data in the data stream is used to provide an on-screen graphical display on the television that allows the user to select the audio and video which correspond to certain areas of the football stadium, for example. Optionally, the viewer may select alternative story lines in a movie or similar program. A default setting provides primary audio and video signals. Alternative audio and video signals are selected by the user and mapped to the channel designator of the primary signal so that the different camera angles and audio feeds may be seen and heard. The viewer is therefore given the opportunity to customize the programming to enhance the entertainment or educational value.

Claims

1. A method for communicating a packetized data stream including video data corresponding to a primary signal and at least first and second alternative video signals which are associated with said primary signal, said primary signal being associated with a first channel designator, comprising the steps of:

providing control data in said packetized data stream which associates said primary signal and said first and second alternative video signals;

transmitting said packetized data stream to a terminal;

reproducing said primary signal on an output device which is associated with said terminal during a first time period under said first channel designator;

at an end of said first time period, using said control data to provide an on-screen display on said output device to assist a user in selecting one of said first and second alternative video signals for reproduction on said output device during a second time period which follows said first time period; and

mapping the selected alternative video signal to said first channel designator to allow the selected alternative video signal to be displayed on said output device under said first channel designator.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said selected alternative video signal is said first alternative video signal, at least third and fourth alternative video signals are associated with said first alternative video signal, and said control data associates said first alternative video signal with said third and fourth alternative video signals, comprising the further steps of:

reproducing said first alternative video signal on said output device during said second time period in response to said user command;

at an end of said second time period, using said control data to provide an on-screen display on said output device to assist the user in selecting one of said third and fourth alternative video signals for display on said output device during a third time period which follows said second time period; and

mapping the selected third or fourth alternative video signal to said first channel designator to allow the selected third or fourth alternative video signal to be reproduced on said output device under said first channel designator.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said primary signal comprises a first part of a story line, and said first and second alternative video signals comprise alternative second parts of said story line.

4. A method for processing a packetized data stream which is transmitted to a terminal, said packetized data stream including video data corresponding to a primary signal and at least first and second alternative video signals which are associated with said primary signal, said primary signal being associated with a first channel designator, comprising the steps of:

recovering control data at said terminal from said packetized data stream, said control data associating said primary signal and said first and second alternative video signals;

reproducing said primary signal on an output device which is associated with said terminal during a first time period under said first channel designator;

at an end of said first time period, using said control data to provide an on-screen display on said output device to assist a user in selecting one of said first and second alternative video signals for reproduction on said output device during a second time period which follows said first time period; and

mapping the selected alternative video signal to said first channel designator to allow the selected alternative video signal to be reproduced on said output device under said first channel designator.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said selected alternative video signal is said first alternative video signal, and at least third and fourth alternative video signals are associated with said first alternative video signal, and said control data associates said first alternative video signal with said third and fourth alternative video signals, comprising the further steps of:

reproducing said first alternative video signal on said output device during said second time period in response to said user command;

at an end of said second time period, using said control data to provide an on-screen display on said output device to assist the user in selecting one of said third and fourth alternative video signals for reproduction on said output device during a third time period which follows said second time period; and

mapping the selected third or fourth alternative video signal to said first channel designator to allow the selected third or fourth alternative video signal to be reproduced on said output device under said first channel designator.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein:

said primary signal comprises a first part of a story line, and said first and second alternative video signals comprise alternative second parts of said story line.

7. A terminal for processing a packetized data stream which is transmitted thereto, said packetized data stream including video data corresponding to a primary signal and at least first and second alternative video signals which are associated with said primary signal, said primary signal being associated with a first channel designator, comprising:

means for recovering control data at said terminal from said packetized data stream, said control data associating said primary signal and said first and second alternative video signals;

means for reproducing said primary signal on an output device which is associated with said terminal during a first time period under said first channel designator;

means for using said control data to provide an on-screen display on said output device at an end of said first time period to assist a user in selecting one of said first and second alternative video signals for reproduction on said output device during a second time period which follows said first time period; and

means for mapping the selected alternative video signal to said first channel designator to allow the selected alternative video signal to be reproduced on said output device under said first channel designator.

8. The terminal of claim 7, wherein said selected alternative video signal is said first alternative video signal, and at least third and fourth alternative video signals are associated with said first alternative video signal, and said control data associates said first alternative video signal with said third and fourth alternative video signals, further comprising:

means for reproducing said first alternative video signal on said output device during said second time period in response to said user command;

means for using said control data to provide an on-screen display on said output device at an end of said second time period to assist the user in selecting one of said third and fourth alternative video signals for reproduction on said output device during a third time period which follows said second time period; and

means for mapping the selected third or fourth alternative video signal to said first channel designator to allow the selected third or fourth alternative video signal to be reproduced on said output device under said first channel designator.

9. The terminal of claim 7, wherein:

said primary signal comprises a first part of a story line, and said first and second alternative video signals comprise alternative second parts of said story line.

10. A method for transmitting a primary signal and at least one associated local program signal to a terminal, wherein said primary signal provides a video and audio account relating to an event at a remote location, and said at least one local program signal provides at least one of a video and an audio account relating to said event, comprising the steps of:

transmitting said primary signal from said remote location to a headend of a local television network in a digital packetized data stream;

providing said local program signal at said headend;

providing control data at said headend for associating said primary signal with said local program signal; and

transmitting said control data and said primary and local program signals in said packetized data stream via said local television network to said terminal;

wherein said control data is adapted to be used by said terminal to provide an on-screen display to allow a user to select a video and audio account relating to said event from at least one of said primary signal and said local programming signal for reproduction on an output device associated with said terminal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein:

said control data is adapted to be used by said terminal to provide an on-screen display to allow a user to select said video account of said primary signal and said audio account of said local program signal for reproduction on said output device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein:

said control data is adapted to be used by said terminal to provide an on-screen display to allow a user to select said audio account of said primary signal and said video account of said local program signal for reproduction on said output device.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein:

said control data is adapted to be used by said terminal to provide an on-screen display to allow a user to select said video and audio accounts of said primary signal for reproduction on said output device.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein:

said control data is adapted to be used by said terminal to provide an on-screen display to allow a user to select said video and audio accounts of said local program signal for reproduction on said output device.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein:

said primary signal has an associated channel designator; and

said control data is used by said terminal in mapping said local program signal to said channel designator to allow said terminal to recover either of said primary signal and said local program signal for reproduction on said output device under said channel designator.

16. The method of claim 10, comprising the further steps of:

providing an alternative signal which provides an alternative video and/or audio account relating to said event; and

transmitting said alternative signal from said remote location to said headend in said digital packetized data stream;

wherein said control data provided at said headend associates said alternative signal with said primary signal; and

said control data is adapted to be used by said terminal to provide an on-screen display to allow a user to select a video and/or audio account relating to said event from said alternative signal for reproduction on said output device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein:

said primary signal has an associated channel designator; and

said control data is used by said terminal in mapping said local program signal and said alternative signal to said channel designator to allow said terminal to recover either of said alternative signal and said local program signal for reproduction on said output device under said channel designator.

18. A method for communicating a packetized data stream including data corresponding to a primary signal which provides a first video viewpoint of an event, and at least a first alternative signal which provides an alternative video viewpoint of said event, said primary signal being associated with a particular channel designator, comprising the steps of:

providing a control message in said packetized data stream which designates locations of said first and alternative video viewpoints;

transmitting said packetized data stream to a terminal;

using said control message to provide an on-screen display on an output device associated with said terminal to inform a viewer of said locations to allow the viewer to select a particular one of said first and alternative video viewpoints; and

mapping the selected video viewpoint to said particular channel designator to allow the selected video viewpoint to be reproduced on said output device under said particular channel designator.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:

said primary data signal comprises first audio data relating to said event, and said alternative signal comprises alternative audio data relating to said event;

said control message provides descriptive information regarding said first and alternative audio data;

said on-screen display informs the viewer of said descriptive information to allow the viewer to select one of said first and alternative audio data; and

the selected audio data is mapped to said particular channel designator to allow the selected audio data to be reproduced on said output device under said particular channel designator.

20. An apparatus for communicating a packetized data stream including data corresponding to a primary signal which provides a first video viewpoint of an event, and at least a first alternative signal which provides an alternative video viewpoint of said event, said primary signal being associated with a particular channel designator, comprising:

means for providing a control message in said packetized data stream which designates locations of said first and alternative video viewpoints;

means for transmitting said packetized data stream to a terminal;

means for using said control message to provide an on-screen display on an output device associated with said terminal to inform a viewer of said locations to allow the viewer to select a particular one of said first and alternative video viewpoints; and

means for mapping the selected video viewpoint to said particular channel designator to allow the selected video viewpoint to be reproduced on said output device under said particular channel designator.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein:

said primary data signal comprises first audio data relating to said event, and said alternative signal comprises alternative audio data relating to said event;

said control message provides descriptive information regarding said first and alternative audio data;

said on-screen display informs the viewer of said descriptive information to allow the viewer to select one of said first and alternative audio data; and

the selected audio data is mapped to said particular channel designator to allow the selected audio data to be reproduced on said output device under said particular channel designator.

22. A method for processing a packetized data stream at a terminal, said packetized data stream including data corresponding to a primary signal which provides a first video viewpoint of an event, and at least a first alternative signal which provides an alternative video viewpoint of said event, said primary signal being associated with a particular channel designator, comprising the steps of:

recovering a control message from said packetized data stream which designates locations of said first and alternative video viewpoints;

using said control message to provide an on-screen display on an output device associated with said terminal to inform a viewer of said locations to allow the viewer to select a particular one of said first and alternative video viewpoints; and

mapping the selected video viewpoint to said particular channel designator to allow the selected video viewpoint to be reproduced on said output device under said particular channel designator.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein:

said primary data signal comprises first audio data relating to said event, and said alternative signal comprises alternative audio data relating to said event;

said control message provides descriptive information regarding said first and alternative audio data;

said on-screen display informs the viewer of said descriptive information to allow the viewer to select one of said first and alternative audio data; and

the selected audio data is mapped to said particular channel designator to allow the selected audio data to be reproduced on said output device under said particular channel designator.

24. A terminal for processing a packetized data stream which is transmitted thereto, said packetized data stream including data corresponding to a primary signal which provides a first video viewpoint of an event, and at least a first alternative signal which provides an alternative video viewpoint of said event, said primary signal being associated with a particular channel designator, comprising:

means for recovering a control message from said packetized data stream which designates locations of said first and alternative video viewpoints;

means for using said control message to provide an on-screen display on an output device associated with said terminal to inform a viewer of said locations to allow the viewer to select a particular one of said first and alternative video viewpoints; and

means for mapping the selected video viewpoint to said particular channel designator to allow the selected video viewpoint to be reproduced on said output device under said particular channel designator.

25. The terminal of claim 24, wherein:

said primary data signal comprises first audio data relating to said event, and said alternative signal comprises alternative audio data relating to said event;

said control message provides descriptive information regarding said first and alternative audio data;

said on-screen display informs the viewer of said descriptive information to allow the viewer to select one of said first and alternative audio data; and

the selected audio data is mapped to said particular channel designator to allow the selected audio data to be reproduced on said output device under said particular channel designator.