WO1999035834A1 - Audio mode selection during time controlled programming - Google Patents

Audio mode selection during time controlled programming Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999035834A1
WO1999035834A1 PCT/US1999/000413 US9900413W WO9935834A1 WO 1999035834 A1 WO1999035834 A1 WO 1999035834A1 US 9900413 W US9900413 W US 9900413W WO 9935834 A1 WO9935834 A1 WO 9935834A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
receiver
time
user
entry
television
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/000413
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Henry S. Landgraf
Mark S. Kempisty
Original Assignee
General Instrument Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Instrument Corporation filed Critical General Instrument Corporation
Priority to AU21084/99A priority Critical patent/AU2108499A/en
Publication of WO1999035834A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999035834A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/76—Television signal recording
    • H04N5/78—Television signal recording using magnetic recording
    • H04N5/782—Television signal recording using magnetic recording on tape
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/414—Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
    • H04N21/4147—PVR [Personal Video Recorder]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/433—Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations
    • H04N21/4334—Recording operations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
    • H04N21/47214—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/8106—Monomedia components thereof involving special audio data, e.g. different tracks for different languages
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/485—End-user interface for client configuration
    • H04N21/4856—End-user interface for client configuration for language selection, e.g. for the menu or subtitles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for selecting audio modes for television programming.
  • the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus providing selectable audio modes during time controlled programming of television signal receivers and video recording devices, such as cable television receivers, with user selectable channel tuning and audio program selection.
  • VCR personal video cassette recorders
  • SAP Second Audio Program
  • a programmable television signal receiver of the present invention comprises a tuner/demodulator for setting a channel to receive a user-selected television program, an audio decoder for setting a user-selected audio mode, and a programmable controller including at least one time-controlled programming entry to tune a selected channel at a selected time, wherein said time controlled programming entry includes a selectable date, start time, channel, and audio mode. Stop time may be an optional feature to end recording of a transmission.
  • the controller controls the television signal receiver to activate and de-activate at the specified date and start/stop time.
  • the controller further controls the tuner/demodulator and the audio decoder to tune to the specified channel with the specified audio mode according to the time-controlled programming entry.
  • the following is a process describing how information is entered into the programmable controller: a) selecting a TCP entry slot in the programmable controller; b) inputting a date, a start time, and an end time (optional) of the desired television program; c) setting a recurrence indicator for recording only once, every day, weekly, weekdays, weekends, etc.; d) inputting a selected television channel; e) inputting a selected audio mode; and f) repeating steps (a)-(f) for setting multiple TCP entries.
  • the controller uses the input information in the TCP entries by: a) checking a current date and time; b) comparing the current date and time with the selected date and time in the entry; and c) if the current date and time matches the selected date and time in the entry: i) controlling the tuner/demodulator to tune to the specified channel; and ii) controlling the audio decoder to select the specified audio mode.
  • the programmable television signal receiver of the present invention provides the convenience of recording a particular television program in a desired audio mode without having the viewer required to be present during the recording to invoke the desired audio mode.
  • Figure 1 is a overview block diagram of a programmable television signal receiver of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a TCP entry of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a flow diagram describing the steps of programming a television signal receiver of the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a flow diagram describing the steps for executing a TCP entry of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a programmable television signal receiver of the present invention.
  • Programmable television signal receiver 20 includes a programmable controller 22, a tuner/demodulator 24, an audio decoder 26, and an output section 28.
  • the television signal receiver 20 may be a cable/satellite television receiver, a VCR, or any programmable television broadcast receiver.
  • the television signal receiver 20 is connected via an input port 30 to a cable television provider 32, a satellite dish 34, a conventional television antenna 36, any other suitable television signal source.
  • the programmable controller 20 has stored therein a plurality of TCP entries 38. These entries, which may also be referred to as slots, are broadly speaking, dedicated storage locations. As shown in Figure 2, each TCP entry 38 has, but not limited to, five programmable fields: date 50, start time 52, recurrence indicator 56, channel 58, and audio mode 60. Stop time 54 is optional depending on whether the particular console is to include a deactivation time. Each of the programmable fields 50-60 are programmed by a user using an input device such as a dedicated keypad 40 or by a remote controller 42. Other suitable input devices, such as a computer or voice recognition module, may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • GUI graphic display interface
  • FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram describing how a TCP entry (TCP1) is programmed into the programmable controller 22.
  • TCP1 TCP entry slot
  • the user might select the TCP function and a slot or storage location may be automatically chosen by the controller.
  • a date at which the entry TCP1 is to execute is entered by the user.
  • a time at which the television signal receiver 20 is to activate is entered. As an option, the time to deactivate television signal receiver 20 may be entered at this point in the programming procedure.
  • a recurrence indicator is selected.
  • recurrence indicator may be selected from among the following recording choices: only once, everyday, weekly, weekdays, and weekends.
  • other recurrence indicators may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • Each of the setting are self explanatory. "Only once” refers to TCP entries that are to be executed only once on the day and time specified. "Every day” refers to TCP entries that are to be executed every day at the time specified. “Weekly” refers to TCP entries that are to be executed every seven days at the time and day of the week specified. “Weekdays” refers to TCP entries that are to be executed every day of the week except week ends at the time specified.
  • “Weekends” refers to TCP entries that are to be executed only on weekends at the time specified.
  • a channel number for the device to tune at the above date and time is entered.
  • an audio program that controller 22 and audio decoder 26 is to select when it tunes to above entered channel at the above date and time is entered.
  • all the above entered information is stored into programmable controller 22 as TCP entry 1. Users may program additional entries with different information. It will, of course, be understood that exemplary steps 64-72 may occur in any order.
  • the programmable controller 22 obtains the current date and time information from an internal processor clock (not shown) as in step 80. The controller 22 then compares the date and start time of each of the TCP entries 38 with the current date and time information (step 82). When a match has been found, the controller 22 selects a specified channel in the matching TCP entry by sending a command signal 45 to tuner/demodulator 24 (step 84). The tuner/demodulator 24 then tunes to the specified channel and splits the television signal on the input port 30 into a video signal 46 and an audio signal 47.
  • the controller 22 sends a command signal 49 to an audio decoder 26 to select the audio mode specified in the TCP entry (step 86).
  • the audio decoder 26 selects either a track 100 or a track 102 on which the specified audio program in the TCP entry is present and sends the selected audio program to an output section 22.
  • an output section 28 sends a video signal 46 and either of the audio signals 100 or 102 to a VCR via an output port 44.
  • the output section 28 sends the video signal 46 and either of the audio signals 100 or 102 to a recording section (not shown).
  • the controller 22 checks the execute status of the TCP entry indicated by the recurrence indicator (step 90,92). If the indicator is set as "only once", the TCP entry is deleted (step 94). If the indicator is set as a recurring TCP entry, the entry is maintained, updated for next execution time, and the process starts over again.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
  • Circuits Of Receivers In General (AREA)

Abstract

A programmable television signal receiver allows a user to program a time-controlled programming entry slot for recording a television selection on a specified channel at a specified time in a specified audio mode.

Description

AUDIO MODE SELECTION DURING TIME CONTROLLED
PROGRAMMING
FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for selecting audio modes for television programming. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus providing selectable audio modes during time controlled programming of television signal receivers and video recording devices, such as cable television receivers, with user selectable channel tuning and audio program selection.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Because of an ever increasing pace of everyday life, consumers of televised programming have long been plagued with a dilemma of missing their favorite television programs due to other engagements scheduled during the same time as the broadcast. Technological advancements have provided a way of not missing a television program with the advent of personal video cassette recorders ("VCR"). Busy television consumers now enjoy the convenience of recording their favorite television programs to watch at their own convenience. Typically, a user programs a VCR, or a cable/satellite receiver in conjunction with the VCR, with a date, start time, stop time, and a program channel. The VCR, or a receiver in conjunction with a VCR, then records the selected television program at the specified date and time.
In order to further meet consumers' needs, regular television network stations as well as cable/satellite television providers have recently begun to transmit television programs with selectable multiple audio tracks. This multiple audio programming, frequently referred to as Second Audio Program ("SAP"), allows a user to view a television program with one of two or more sound tracks. Typically in an SAP transmission, dual audio programs are transmitted on each channel of a stereo transmission. Then, an audio decoder inside a receiver selects one audio channel and broadcasts the contents with the in-coming video. SAP transmissions are presently being used to broadcast television programs in multiple languages. By selecting a particular audio mode, a viewer can watch a television program in one of two languages. Presently, an SAP feature can only be manually invoked during the actual broadcasting of a SAP television program. A viewer cannot program a cable/satellite receiver or a VCR to record a television program in a selected audio mode. Specifically, the viewer must be present during the recording of a broadcast to select the desired audio mode. Consequently, there is a need to be able to program the selection of a desired audio mode, such as a language, during programmed recording of a television broadcast.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus providing a programmed audio mode selection during time controlled programming ("TCP"). A programmable television signal receiver of the present invention comprises a tuner/demodulator for setting a channel to receive a user-selected television program, an audio decoder for setting a user-selected audio mode, and a programmable controller including at least one time-controlled programming entry to tune a selected channel at a selected time, wherein said time controlled programming entry includes a selectable date, start time, channel, and audio mode. Stop time may be an optional feature to end recording of a transmission. The controller controls the television signal receiver to activate and de-activate at the specified date and start/stop time. The controller further controls the tuner/demodulator and the audio decoder to tune to the specified channel with the specified audio mode according to the time-controlled programming entry. The following is a process describing how information is entered into the programmable controller: a) selecting a TCP entry slot in the programmable controller; b) inputting a date, a start time, and an end time (optional) of the desired television program; c) setting a recurrence indicator for recording only once, every day, weekly, weekdays, weekends, etc.; d) inputting a selected television channel; e) inputting a selected audio mode; and f) repeating steps (a)-(f) for setting multiple TCP entries.
Once the controller is programmed by the above method, the controller uses the input information in the TCP entries by: a) checking a current date and time; b) comparing the current date and time with the selected date and time in the entry; and c) if the current date and time matches the selected date and time in the entry: i) controlling the tuner/demodulator to tune to the specified channel; and ii) controlling the audio decoder to select the specified audio mode. The advantage of the present invention over the prior art is readily apparent.
The programmable television signal receiver of the present invention provides the convenience of recording a particular television program in a desired audio mode without having the viewer required to be present during the recording to invoke the desired audio mode.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The features and inventive aspects of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description, claims, and drawings, of which the following is a brief description: Figure 1 is a overview block diagram of a programmable television signal receiver of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a detailed view of a TCP entry of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a flow diagram describing the steps of programming a television signal receiver of the present invention. Figure 4 is a flow diagram describing the steps for executing a TCP entry of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a programmable television signal receiver of the present invention. Programmable television signal receiver 20 includes a programmable controller 22, a tuner/demodulator 24, an audio decoder 26, and an output section 28. The television signal receiver 20 may be a cable/satellite television receiver, a VCR, or any programmable television broadcast receiver. The television signal receiver 20 is connected via an input port 30 to a cable television provider 32, a satellite dish 34, a conventional television antenna 36, any other suitable television signal source.
The programmable controller 20 has stored therein a plurality of TCP entries 38. These entries, which may also be referred to as slots, are broadly speaking, dedicated storage locations. As shown in Figure 2, each TCP entry 38 has, but not limited to, five programmable fields: date 50, start time 52, recurrence indicator 56, channel 58, and audio mode 60. Stop time 54 is optional depending on whether the particular console is to include a deactivation time. Each of the programmable fields 50-60 are programmed by a user using an input device such as a dedicated keypad 40 or by a remote controller 42. Other suitable input devices, such as a computer or voice recognition module, may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. A graphic display interface ("GUI") which is easy for the user to interact with in customary fashion is especially preferred, but other approaches such as voice or text question/answer formats may be used which may be especially appropriate for users with various disabilities. The following is a process for programming the programmable controller 22 with the TCP entries 38.
Figure 3 shows a flow diagram describing how a TCP entry (TCP1) is programmed into the programmable controller 22. In step 62, a TCP entry slot (TCP1) is selected for programming. Alternatively, the user might select the TCP function and a slot or storage location may be automatically chosen by the controller. In step 64, a date at which the entry TCP1 is to execute is entered by the user. In step 66, a time at which the television signal receiver 20 is to activate is entered. As an option, the time to deactivate television signal receiver 20 may be entered at this point in the programming procedure. In step 68, a recurrence indicator is selected. As an example for illustration purposes only, recurrence indicator may be selected from among the following recording choices: only once, everyday, weekly, weekdays, and weekends. However, other recurrence indicators may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Each of the setting are self explanatory. "Only once" refers to TCP entries that are to be executed only once on the day and time specified. "Every day" refers to TCP entries that are to be executed every day at the time specified. "Weekly" refers to TCP entries that are to be executed every seven days at the time and day of the week specified. "Weekdays" refers to TCP entries that are to be executed every day of the week except week ends at the time specified. "Weekends" refers to TCP entries that are to be executed only on weekends at the time specified. In step 70, a channel number for the device to tune at the above date and time is entered. In step 72, an audio program that controller 22 and audio decoder 26 is to select when it tunes to above entered channel at the above date and time is entered. In step 74, all the above entered information is stored into programmable controller 22 as TCP entry 1. Users may program additional entries with different information. It will, of course, be understood that exemplary steps 64-72 may occur in any order.
The overall operation of the present invention is described in detail with reference to Figure 3. Once all of the TCP entries are stored, the programmable controller 22 obtains the current date and time information from an internal processor clock (not shown) as in step 80. The controller 22 then compares the date and start time of each of the TCP entries 38 with the current date and time information (step 82). When a match has been found, the controller 22 selects a specified channel in the matching TCP entry by sending a command signal 45 to tuner/demodulator 24 (step 84). The tuner/demodulator 24 then tunes to the specified channel and splits the television signal on the input port 30 into a video signal 46 and an audio signal 47. The controller 22 sends a command signal 49 to an audio decoder 26 to select the audio mode specified in the TCP entry (step 86). The audio decoder 26 then selects either a track 100 or a track 102 on which the specified audio program in the TCP entry is present and sends the selected audio program to an output section 22. In the case where the television signal receiver 20 is a cable/satellite television receiver, an output section 28 sends a video signal 46 and either of the audio signals 100 or 102 to a VCR via an output port 44. In the case where the television signal receiver 20 is a VCR, the output section 28 sends the video signal 46 and either of the audio signals 100 or 102 to a recording section (not shown). Once the selected television program is recorded (step 88), the controller 22 checks the execute status of the TCP entry indicated by the recurrence indicator (step 90,92). If the indicator is set as "only once", the TCP entry is deleted (step 94). If the indicator is set as a recurring TCP entry, the entry is maintained, updated for next execution time, and the process starts over again. Having fully described the preferred embodiments of the invention, variations and modifications may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the following claims should be studied to learn the true scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A programmable television signal receiver comprising: means for receiving a user-selected television program; means for setting a user-selected audio mode for said user-selected television program; and programmable means for controlling said television signal receiver according to at least one time-controlled programming entry stored therein, said time-controlled programming entry including a plurality of user-selectable parameters including said audio mode.
2. The receiver of claim 1 , wherein said user-selectable parameters further include at least one of a date, a start time, a stop time, and a program channel.
3. The receiver of claim 1, wherein said audio mode is a selection from multiple audio tracks.
4. The receiver of claim 1 , further including means for entering said date, start/stop time, said program channel, and said audio mode into said time-controlled programming entry.
5. The receiver of claim 4, wherein said means for entering is a keypad on said television signal receiver.
6. The receiver of claim 4, wherein said means for entering is a remote controller.
7. The receiver of claim 1, wherein said receiver is a cable/satellite television receiver.
8. The receiver of claim 1, wherein said receiver is a video recorder.
9. A method of programming a programmable television signal receiver having a tuner/demodulator for receiving a user-selected television program, an audio decoder for setting a user-selected audio mode for said user-selected television program, and a programmable controller having stored therein at least one time-controlled programming entry wherein said time controlled programming entry includes a plurality of user-selectable parameters, said method comprising the steps of: a) selecting a time-controlled programmable entry slot in said programmable controller; b) inputting a date and a start time of said television program into said entry slot; c) setting a recurrence indicator in said entry slot; d) inputting a selected television channel into said entry slot; and e) inputting a selected audio mode into said entry slot.
10. The programming method of claim 9, wherein step (b) further includes the step of entering a stop time.
11. The programming method of claim 9, further including the step of: f) repeating steps (a)-(e) for setting multiple time-controlled programming entries.
12. The programming method of claim 9, wherein said recurrence indicator is set as only once, every day, weekly, weekdays, or weekends.
13. The programming method of claim 9, wherein said audio mode is a selection from multiple audio tracks.
14. The receiver of claim 9, wherein said receiver is a cable/satellite television receiver.
15. The receiver of claim 9, wherein said receiver is a video recorder.
16. A method of controlling a programmable television signal receiver with a programmable controller, said television signal receiver having a tuner/demodulator for receiving a user-selected television program, an audio decoder for setting a user- selected audio mode of said user-selected television program, and said programmable controller having stored therein at least one time-controlled programming entry wherein said time controlled programming entry includes a plurality of user-selectable parameters including a selectable audio mode, said method comprising: a) checking a current date and time; b) comparing said current date and time with a selected date and time of said entry; and c) if said current date and time matches said selected date and time: i) controlling said tuner/demodulator to tune to said program; and ii) controlling said audio decoder to select said audio mode.
17. The receiver of claim 16, wherein said audio mode is a selection from multiple audio tracks.
18. The receiver of claim 16, wherein said receiver is a cable/satellite television receiver.
19. The receiver of claim 16, wherein said receiver is a video recorder.
PCT/US1999/000413 1998-01-09 1999-01-08 Audio mode selection during time controlled programming WO1999035834A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU21084/99A AU2108499A (en) 1998-01-09 1999-01-08 Audio mode selection during time controlled programming

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US491298A 1998-01-09 1998-01-09
US09/004,912 1998-01-09

Publications (1)

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AU2108499A (en) 1999-07-26

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