System and method for displaying audiovisual contents

Abstract

An audiovisual content playback system comprises a main display area (S1) and a plurality of secondary display areas (S2,.. Sn), electronic playback means, configured to provide a video signal to such display areas (S1,. Sn) in such a way that the latter display images based on said video signals, and electronic playback control means, configured to control the electronic playback means in such a way that on the main display area (S1) and on at least one secondary display area (S2) the same television broadcast is simultaneously and synchronously displayed.

Description

[0001] System and method for displaying audiovisual contents

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention lies, in general, in the field of apparatuses for transmitting and displaying audiovisual content: in particular, the invention relates to a system and a method for the playback of audiovisual content, in particular of television programs.

[0004] Summary of the invention

[0005] Multi-screen systems are known for displaying audiovisual contents.

[0006] For example, document EP 2448257 A2 discloses an apparatus for simultaneously displaying a plurality of television programs, wherein some thereof are transmitted both in real time and delayed, to allow a user to retrieve a program from a different (previous) point in relation to that wherein such a program is when broadcasted in real time.

[0007] A different requirement may nevertheless arise for the user, i.e., to record a certain channel (amongst the various channels transmitted on the monitors of the multi-screen apparatus), making it visible (and immediately called up) also when one or more different programs, broadcast on other channels, are displayed in succession on the main screen.

[0008] In order to satisfy this need, a system according to the present invention provides for, given a plurality of display areas wherein respective audiovisual content is broadcast (in particular television programs), at least two amongst such contents being displayed therebetween in a synchronous manner on two screens, at least temporarily.

[0009] In this way a user desiring to change channel, whilst still wanting to display the previous program (with the possibility of restoring vision on the main screen), may easily switch between different television programs, immediately calling up the previously chosen channel, since it is always visible on a secondary screen. This makes it possible to easily locate and recall the pre-selected channel, continuing to watch the contents thereof also whilst the other monitors transmit different content.

[0010] The aforesaid and other objects and advantages are achieved, according to one aspect of the invention, by a system and a method for the playback of audiovisual content having the features defined in the appended claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0011] Brief description of the drawings

[0012] The functional and structural features of some preferred embodiments of a system and a method according to the invention will now be described. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0013] - Figure 1 is a schematic view of a playback system, in a first operational configuration wherein two visual contents are broadcasted in a synchronous manner on two distinct display areas, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] - Figure 2 is a schematic view of the system in Figure 1, in a subsequent operational configuration wherein new content has been selected for playback at the main display area, whilst both the new and the old content remain being played back on respective auxiliary display areas, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0015] - Figure 3 is a schematic view of the system in Figure 1, in a subsequent operational configuration wherein new content has been selected for playback at the main display area, being removed from the respective auxiliary display area (resulting in the reallocation of the other contents, each being shifted to the immediately preceding auxiliary display areas), whilst the old content is still being reproduced on respective auxiliary display areas, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Detailed description

[0017] Before explaining in detail a plurality of embodiments of the invention, it should be clarified that the invention is not limited in the application thereof to the design details and configuration of the components presented in the following description or shown in the drawings. The invention may assume other embodiments and be implemented or constructed in practice in different ways. It should also be understood that the phraseology and terminology have a descriptive purpose and should not be construed as limiting.

[0018] Referring illustratively to the figures, an audiovisual content playback system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of display areas Si, ..., Sn, which include a main display area Si and a plurality of secondary display areas S2, Sn.

[0019] Also present are electronic playback means, configured to receive signals carrying television information, and process video signals to be provided to said display areas Si, ..., Sn in such a way that the latter display images based on said video signals together with electronic playback control means, configured to control the electronic playback means in such a way that each display area Si, ..., Snis assigned respective video signals relating to corresponding television broadcasts.

[0020] The electronic playback control means are configured to control the electronic playback means in such a way that the images displayed on the main display area Si and on at least one secondary display area S2 are the same, so that on said main and secondary display areas (Si, S2) the same television broadcast is simultaneously and synchronously displayed.

[0021] In the example shown, in a first operational configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention, two visual contents (relating to the same broadcast or television program Pl) are reproduced in a synchronous manner on two distinct display areas which therefore display the same television channel. In a subsequent operational configuration, new content P2 may be selected for reproduction within the main display area Si, whilst both the new and the old content Pl, P2 are still being played back on respective auxiliary display areas S3, S2. Alternatively, the new content P2, selected for reproduction within the main display area Si is removed from the respective display area S3, with the consequent reattribution of the content, each being shifted to the immediately preceding auxiliary display areas, whilst the old content Pl is still being played back on an auxiliary display area S2.

[0022] The electronic playback control means are configured to assign to each display area Si, Sn respective video signals relating to corresponding television broadcasts according to a predetermined order and / or upon input by a user. For example, the electronic playback control means may be configured or programmed to automatically attribute to a secondary display area, preferably a first secondary display area S2, the same content of the main display area Si at system startup and / or after a certain amount of time wherein certain content remains displayed in the main display area Si. Alternatively, or in combination, the electronic playback control means may be configured or programmed in such a way as to allow the user to assign certain content from the main display area Si to a secondary display area S2 and / or vice versa. According to one embodiment, the electronic playback control means are configured to cause the content displayed in a secondary display area S2, ..., Snto be displayed in the main display area Si in response to a signal indicative of the selection of said secondary display area S2, ..., Snby a user. This may be obtained, for example, by configuring the electronic playback control means in such a way as to be controlled by signals from a remote electronic control device, such as a remote control, wherewith the user may select the various display areas.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the secondary display areas S2, ..., Sneach have a smaller display area than the main display area Si.

[0024] Preferably, the main display area Si and the plurality of secondary display areas S2, ..., Snpersist on the same physical screen, i.e., the system comprises a single screen whereupon the plurality of display areas Si, ..., Snis displayed.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, one method for displaying audiovisual contents comprises the step of providing a system according to any of the aforementioned described and illustrated embodiments, and displaying within the main display area Si a first television program Pl, displaying the same television program Pl in a synchronous manner within a first secondary display area S2, whilst different television programs P2, ..., P7 are displayed in the remaining secondary display areas S3, ..., Sn. In other words, the method provides for displaying, at the main display area Si, a first image or video content, displaying the same first image or video content synchronously in a first secondary display area S2, whilst different images or video contents are displayed in the remaining secondary display areas S3, ..., Sn

[0026] According to one embodiment, the auxiliary areas, once the respective content has been transferred to the main display areas, may remain synchronized to the same content, or the content of another auxiliary display area may take over (the adjacent content for example), or they may be disactivated and / or prevented from displaying further content.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the latter step is followed by the step of displaying within the main display area Si, the television program displayed in a secondary display areas S3, ..., Sn in response to a signal indicating the selection of such secondary display areas S3, ..., Sn by a user, whilst the first secondary display area S2 continues to display the first television program.

[0028] A system and method according to the invention are particularly suitable for operating on traditional playback apparatus intended for use by domestic users.

[0029] Various aspects and embodiments of a system and method for the playback of audiovisual content according to the invention have been described. It is understood that each embodiment may be combined with any other embodiment. Moreover, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but may be varied within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Audiovisual content playback system, comprising:- a plurality of display areas (Si, ..., Sn), which include a main display area (Si) and a plurality of secondary display areas (S2, ..., Sn);- electronic playback means, configured to receive signals carrying television information, and process video signals to be provided to said display areas (Si, ..., Sn) in such a way that the latter display images based on said video signals; and- electronic playback control means, configured to control the electronic playback means in such a way that each display area (Si, ..., Sn) is assigned respective video signals relating to corresponding television broadcasts; characterized in that said electronic playback control means are configured to control the electronic playback means in such a way that the images displayed on the main display area (Si) and on at least one secondary display area (S2) are the same, so that on said main and secondary display areas (Si, S2) the same television broadcast is simultaneously and synchronously displayed.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the secondary display areas (S2, ..., Sn) each have a smaller display area than the main display area (Si).

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic playback control means are configured to assign to each display area (Si , ..., Sn) respective video signals relating to corresponding television broadcasts according to a predetermined order and / or upon input by a user.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the electronic playback control means are configured to be controlled by signals from a remote electronic control device.

5. A system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the electronic playback control means are configured to cause the content displayed in a secondary display area (Si) to be displayed in the main display area (S2, ..., Sn) in response to a signal indicative of the selection of said secondary display area (S2, ..., Sn) by a user.

6. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the main display area (Si) and the plurality of secondary display areas (S2, ..., Sn) are on the same physical screen.

7. A playback method for audio-visual contents, comprising the steps of:(a) setting up a system according to any of the preceding claims; and b) displaying a first television program in the main display area (Si) and displaying the same first television program synchronously in a first secondary display area (S2), while different television programs are displayed in the remaining secondary viewing areas (S3, ..., Sn).

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein step (b) is followed by the step of displaying in the main display area (Si) the television program displayed in a secondary display area (S3, ..., Sn) in response to a signal indicative of the selection of said secondary display area (S3, ..., Sn) by a user, while the first secondary display area (S2) continues to display the first television program.

Images