Channel Selection Device Sub-Screen Video Grid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Electronic Program Guides (EPGs) in digital broadcasting face bandwidth limitations and require additional channels for configuration information, leading to slower channel transitions and difficulty in identifying programs due to text-based interfaces, which can frustrate viewers accustomed to quick channel selection.
Innovation Solution
A channel selection device generates a channel searching view on a sub-screen of a TV, using video configuration and searching view configuration information to edit and display multiple videos, allowing viewers to select channels efficiently without changing the main screen, with features like clipping, scaling, and transiting videos based on viewer input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional EPGs are used to provide channel information, then viewers can see program information, but bandwidth is consumed and channel transition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent displays program information in a spatial arrangement on the screen rather than through sequential channel switching. Multiple video thumbnails are arranged in a grid layout, allowing viewers to see multiple channels simultaneously in one view, transforming the temporal channel-switching process into a spatial information display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates visual copies of multiple channel video feeds as thumbnails displayed simultaneously on the screen. Instead of switching between actual channels, the system presents copied visual representations of multiple channels, allowing viewers to browse program information across channels without actual channel transition delays.
2Loss of information
If text-based EPG interfaces are used, then program information is provided, but viewers have difficulty identifying programs at a glance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual characteristics including color coding and graphical elements to differentiate programs and channels. Video thumbnails provide visual content previews with distinct colors and images, making it easier for viewers to quickly identify and distinguish between different programs compared to text-only interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional text listing to two-dimensional visual display with video thumbnails arranged in a grid. This spatial arrangement with visual content allows viewers to scan and identify programs more quickly by viewing multiple channels simultaneously rather than reading through text descriptions sequentially.
3Loss of information
If each channel is assigned a separate EPG view, then comprehensive program information is available, but device complexity and bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple channel views into a single integrated display screen showing thumbnails from multiple channels simultaneously. Instead of requiring separate EPG transmission systems for each channel, the system combines visual representations of multiple channels in one unified interface, reducing equipment complexity and bandwidth requirements while maintaining comprehensive program information access.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a channel selection device receiving a multi-channel video including plural videos and video configuration information on each video from a head end. The channel selection device includes a first screen display unit editing the multi-channel video based on the video configuration information and searching view configuration information to generate a channel searching view and displaying the channel searching view on a sub-screen of a television; and a second screen display unit displaying on a main screen of the television a video selected by a viewer out of the videos included in the channel searching view.