Integrated multimedia signal processing system using centralized processing of signals

• US 8,806,548 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2006
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mondo Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mondo Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Chung, Chul
• Primary Examiner(s): Bruckart, Benjamin R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Malangone, Carmine
• Application Number:
  US11/384,441
• Publication Number:
  US 20060158558A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,066 Days
• Field of Search: 348/441, 348/569, 725/8, 725/46, 725/100, 725/132, 725/152, 386/296
• US Class Current: 725/100
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/0407 Resolution change, inclusive of the use of different resolutions for different screen areas
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/0435 Change or adaptation of the frame rate of the video stream
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/005 Adapting incoming signals to the display format of the display terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2368 Multiplexing of audio and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42202 environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/431 Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4341 Demultiplexing of audio and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4398 involving reformatting operations of audio signals details of audio signal transcoding G10L19/173
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44008 involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in the video stream arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of video in broadcast systems H04H60/59
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4402 involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display details of conversion of video standards at pixel level H04N7/01; video transcoding H04N19/40; adapting incoming signals to the display format of the display terminal G09G5/005; media handling at the source in data packet switching networks H04L65/764
• 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 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/14 Picture signal circuitry for video frequency region cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors, or control thereof H04N23/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/57 Control of contrast or brightness
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/64 Circuits for processing colour signals H04N9/77 takes precedence; camera processing pipelines for processing colour signals H04N23/84

Abstract

Integrated processing of multimedia signals can eliminate unnecessary signal processors and converters without losing the functionality of typical home entertainment system components. The integrated system includes a main player that captures and processes signals digitally, a dummy display, and a dummy speaker. The dummy display may only have a display panel and a panel driver. The dummy speaker may only have a driving unit and no crossover logic. The main player may have a PC architecture and process all signals digitally for outputting signals tailored for the display device and the individual driving units of the dummy speaker. The integrated system may generate parameters for optimizing display of a video source. These parameters can be shared among users over a network connection.

Claims

1. A method for utilizing optimal viewing characteristics of a video source content, the method comprising:

storing a video source content on a first user'"'"'s storage device;

detecting characteristics and properties of a display device of a particular system;

analyzing the stored video source content while the video source content is not being used to display a video image;

generating a parameter for optimizing display of the video source content based on the analysis of the video source content and the detected characteristics and properties of the display device of the particular system;

storing the parameter for optimizing display of the video source content on the first user'"'"'s storage device and in a central database accessible by users;

querying the central database for the parameter for optimizing display of the video source content;

acquiring the parameter for optimizing display of the video source content over a network connection;

generating a video display signal to display the video source content on the display device of the particular system, the video display signal being generated and adjusted utilizing the acquired parameter for optimizing display of the video source content; and

providing a usage right protection module with the video source content and the parameter for optimizing display of the video source content,

wherein the usage right protection module allows utilization of the video source content and the parameter for optimizing display of the video source content, wherein the parameter for optimizing display of the video source content provides an optimum value for frame rate and at least one of the properties of brightness, contrast, color warmth, display resolution, and display scene motion,

wherein the optimum value for the at least one of the properties is different from a second value for the at least one of the properties, the second value being utilized for non optimal playback, and

wherein the usage right protection module is configured to limit the use of the video source content and the parameter for optimizing display of the video content to the particular system, and limit the number of times the video source content can be used, limit the time the video source content is available for use, or embed a code in the video source content that is unique to the particular system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

querying the central database for the video source content; and

acquiring the video source content over the network connection.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage right protection module limits utilization of the video source content to only a single user.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

acquiring the parameter for optimizing display of the video source content from the first user'"'"'s storage device over the network connection.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

querying the first user'"'"'s storage device for the parameter for optimizing display of the video source content over the network connection by a second user,

wherein the second user acquires the stored parameter for optimizing display of the video source content.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

querying the first user'"'"'s storage device for the parameter for optimizing display of the video source content over the network connection by a central database,

wherein the central database acquires the stored parameter for optimizing display of the video source content.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

archiving the acquired parameter for optimizing display of the video source content in the central database.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

querying the central database for the parameter for optimizing display of the video source content;

fetching the parameter for optimizing display of the video source content in response to the query;

delivering the parameter for optimizing display of the video source content to a second user over the network connection; and

adjusting the video display signal based on the delivered parameter for optimizing display of the video source content.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of archiving comprises organizing optimal viewing characteristics into categories according to types of video source content, wherein the categories include at least one of media format;

media genre, or the parameter for optimizing display.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the categories are set according to a user input.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage right protection module is configured to limit the number of times greater than one the video source content can be used.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage right protection module is configured to limit the time the video source content is available for use.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage right protection module is configured to embed a code in the video source content that is unique to the particular system.