Digital Video Display Configurator for Simultaneous Multi-Channel Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital video broadcast systems require complex channel numbering systems and multiple tuners for navigating multiple minor channels, leading to increased processing overhead, power consumption, and cost, while existing analog systems are limited in providing simultaneous multiple channel viewing.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that includes a demodulator, decoders, and a display configurator to receive and format digital video signals, allowing for the simultaneous display of multiple minor channels from a major channel, using a combination of hardware and software to configure and display active video from multiple channels on a single screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tuners are used to display multiple channels simultaneously, then the ability to view multiple channels at once is improved, but device complexity, power consumption, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display output into multiple picture windows, allowing a single tuner to display multiple channels simultaneously by dividing the display screen into separate viewing areas. This eliminates the need for multiple tuners while maintaining the ability to view multiple channels at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-channel display to a multi-dimensional display by creating multiple picture windows on the display screen. This allows the system to present multiple channels in different spatial dimensions on the same screen, effectively adding channel capacity without adding hardware tuners.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex multi-part channel numbering system is used for digital channels, then multiple minor channels can be accessed, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring learning new numbering systems and additional inputs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates visual copies or representations of multiple channels as picture windows on the display screen. Users can see thumbnails or previews of multiple channels simultaneously, making channel selection more intuitive and reducing the need to learn complex numbering systems, as the channels are visually represented rather than requiring numerical navigation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If still-picture thumbnails are used to display multiple channels, then channel overview is provided, but productivity decreases due to extensive processing required to cycle through channels continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-loads multiple channel pictures into the display buffer before user interaction is needed. By having multiple channel images ready in advance and maintaining them in the display memory, the system can provide immediate visual access to multiple channels without continuously cycling through them, reducing processing requirements during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for display of a digital video signal includes a demodulator capable of receiving a major channel of the digital video signal. The major channel of the digital video signal includes one or more minor channels, wherein the minor channels are specific and separate channels of broadcast information. The method and apparatus for display of a digital video signal further includes decoders coupled to the demodulator, wherein the decoders receive the minor channels disposed within the major channel. The decoders thereupon generate minor channel video signals, wherein the minor channel video signal includes the video information for each associated channel. The method and apparatus further includes receiving the incoming video signals and format the video signals for simultaneous display of active video from multiple channels. A display configurator provides the minor channel video signals to an output display, to actively display the minor channels.