System and method for playing audiovisual content - Patent Application 20070122997

Abstract

The audiovisual content playback system has a main display area (S1) and multiple sub-display areas (S2, ..., S n ) and the video signal is divided into display areas (S1, ..., S n ) to the corresponding display area (S1, ..., S n ) includes electronic playback means configured to display images based on the video signal, and electronic playback control means configured to simultaneously and synchronously display the same television broadcast in the main display area (S1) and at least one sub-display area (S2).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of devices for the transmission and display of audiovisual content, and in particular to a system and method for playing audiovisual content, in particular television programs. Summary of the Invention

[0002] Multi-screen systems are known for displaying audiovisual content.

[0003] For example, EP2448257A2 discloses an apparatus for simultaneously displaying multiple television programs, some of which are transmitted in real time and with a delay so that a user can obtain a program from another point in time (an earlier point in time) relative to the point in time when the program is being broadcast in real time.

[0004] Nevertheless, users may have other needs, such as the need to record a particular channel (among the various channels transmitted to the monitor of a multi-screen device) and be able to display (and immediately recall) that particular channel even when one or more different programs broadcast on other channels are being displayed consecutively on the main screen.

[0005] To meet this demand, the system according to the present invention provides that when multiple display areas are provided and audiovisual content (in particular multiple television programs) is broadcast on each of the multiple display areas, at least two of such content are displayed synchronously, at least temporarily, between the two screens.

[0006] In this way, a user who wants to change channels can easily switch between different television programs when they want to view the previous program (while still being able to recover the screen on the primary screen), and can quickly recall the previously selected channel because it is always displayed on the secondary screen. This allows a user to easily find and recall the pre-selected channel and continue viewing the content of that channel when other monitors are transmitting different content.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects and advantages are achieved by a system and method for the reproduction of audiovisual content having the features defined in the accompanying claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] The functional and structural features of some preferred embodiments of the systems and methods according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a playback system in a first operating configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which two visual contents are synchronously broadcast in two different display areas. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system in a subsequent operating configuration in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, in which once new content has been selected for playback by the primary display area, both the new content and the old content continue to be played by their respective auxiliary display areas. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the system of FIG. 1 in a subsequent operating configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which when new content has already been selected for playback by the primary display area, the new content is removed from the auxiliary display area (resulting in other content being reallocated and each of the other content being shifted to an auxiliary display area immediately preceding the original auxiliary display area), while the old content continues to be played in each auxiliary display area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Before describing several embodiments of the present invention in detail, it should be made clear that the present invention is not limited in its application, including the design details and arrangement of parts set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present invention may actually be implemented or constructed in different ways, contemplated as other embodiments. It should also be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0011] By way of example, with reference to the figure, an audiovisual content playback system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of display areas S1, . . . , S n a plurality of display regions S1, ..., S n is a main display area S1 and a plurality of sub-display areas S2, S n Includes:

[0012] Also included is electronic reproduction means for receiving a signal containing television information and displaying it on the display areas (S1, . . . , S n ), processing the video signals provided to the display areas (S1, ..., S n ) are configured to display images based on the video signals. Electronic playback control means are also included, which controls the electronic playback means so that the video signals associated with the corresponding television broadcasts are displayed on each of the display areas (S1, ..., S n )

[0013] The electronic playback control means is configured to control the electronic playback means so that the image displayed in the main display area (S1) and the image displayed in at least one sub-display area (S2) are the same, and so that the same television broadcast is displayed simultaneously and synchronously in the main display area (S1) and the sub-display area (S2).

[0014] In the illustrated example, in a first operating configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention, two visual contents (related to the same broadcast or the same television program Pl) are synchronously played in two different display areas, thereby displaying the same television channel by the two different display areas. In a subsequent operating configuration, new content P2 may be selected for playback by the main display area S1. Both the new content P2 and the old content Pl are then played by the auxiliary display areas S3 and S2, respectively. Alternatively, the new content P2 selected for playback by the main display area S1 is removed from the corresponding display area S3. As a result, in the content reallocation, each of the contents is shifted to an auxiliary display area immediately preceding the original auxiliary display area, while the old content Pl continues to be played by the auxiliary display area S2.

[0015] The electronic playback control means may display the video signals associated with the corresponding television broadcasts in each of the display areas (S1, ..., S n ), respectively. For example, the electronic playback control means may be configured or programmed to automatically assign the same content of the primary display area S1 to a secondary display area, preferably the first secondary display area S2, upon system startup and / or after a particular content has been displayed in the primary display area S1 for a particular time. Alternatively, or in combination, the electronic playback control means may be configured or programmed to allow a user to assign a particular content from the primary display area S1 to the secondary display area S2 and / or from the secondary display area S2 to the primary display area S1. According to one embodiment, the electronic playback control means is ... allow a user to assign a particular content from the secondary display area S1 to the secondary display area S2, ..., S nIn response to a signal indicating the selection of the sub-display areas S2, . . . , S n in the main display area S1. This can be obtained, for example, by arranging the electronic playback control means to be controlled by signals from a remote electronic control device such as a remote controller, thereby allowing a user to select between the various display areas.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the secondary display areas S2, ..., S n The display area of ​​each of these is smaller than the display area of ​​the main display area S1.

[0017] Preferably, a primary display area S1 and a plurality of secondary display areas S2, ..., S n are displayed on the same physical screen, i.e., the system has multiple display regions S1, ..., S n It contains a single screen on which

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for displaying audiovisual content provides a system according to any one of the embodiments described and illustrated above, displaying a first television program P1 in a primary display area S1, synchronously displaying the same television program P1 in a first secondary display area S2, and displaying different television programs P2, ..., P7 in the remaining secondary viewing areas S3, ..., S4. n That is, the method involves displaying a first image or video content in the primary display area S1, synchronously displaying the same first image or video content in the primary sub-display area S2, and synchronously displaying different images or video content in the remaining secondary display areas S3, ..., S n Display in.

[0019] According to one embodiment, after the corresponding content has been transferred to the primary display area, the auxiliary display area may remain synchronized with the same content, or may take over the content of another auxiliary display area (e.g., adjacent content), or may be deactivated and / or not display further content.

[0020] According to one embodiment, after the subsequent steps, the user selects the secondary display areas S3, ..., S n In response to a signal indicating the selection of the sub-display areas S3, . . . , S n This is followed by a step of displaying the television program displayed by the first sub-display area S2 in the first sub-display area S1 while continuing to display the first television program in the first sub-display area S2.

[0021] The system and method according to the present invention is particularly suited to operate with conventional playback devices intended for use by domestic users.

[0022] Various aspects and embodiments of the system and method for playing audiovisual content according to the present invention have been described. It should be understood that each embodiment may be combined with any other embodiment. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but may be modified within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Main display area (S １ ) and multiple sub-display areas (S ２ , ..., S ｎ ) including a plurality of display areas (S １ , ..., S ｎ )and, A signal containing television information is received, and the display area (S １ , ..., S ｎ ) to process the video signal provided to the display area (S １ , ..., S ｎ ) configured to display images based on the video signal; The electronic reproduction means is controlled so that a video signal relating to a corresponding television broadcast is transmitted to each of the display areas (S １ , ..., S ｎ electronic regeneration control means configured to assign Including, The electronic playback control means controls the electronic playback means and displays the main display area (S １ ) and at least one sub-display area (S ２ ) and the image displayed in the main display area (S １ ) and the sub-display area (S ２ ) are configured to display the same television broadcast simultaneously and synchronously, Audiovisual content playback system.

2. The sub-display area (S ２ , ..., S ｎ ) each display area is the main display area (S １ ) display area, The system of claim 1 .

3. The electronic playback control means may display video signals relating to corresponding television broadcasts in each of the display areas (S １ , ..., S ｎ ) respectively, 3. The system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the electronic playback control means is configured to be controlled by a signal from a remote electronic control device; The system of claim 3.

5. The electronic playback control means controls the sub-display area (S ２ , ..., S ｎ In response to a signal indicating the selection of the sub-display area (S １ ) to display the content in the main display area (S ２ , ..., S ｎ ), 5. The system according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The main display area (S １ ) and the plurality of sub-display areas (S ２ , ..., S ｎ ) are displayed on the same physical screen, The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. (a) configuring a system according to any one of claims 1 to 6; The first television program is displayed in the main display area (S １ ) and the same television program is displayed synchronously in the first sub-display area (S ２ ) and a different TV program is displayed in the remaining secondary viewing area (S ３ , ..., S ｎ and step (b) displaying the Including, A playback method for audiovisual content.

8. After step (b), The sub-display area (S ３ , ..., S ｎ In response to a signal indicating the selection of the sub-display area (S ３ , ..., S ｎ ) to display the content in the main display area (S １ ), and the first television program is displayed in the first sub-display area (S ２ ) further comprising: The method of claim 7.

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