Multi-channel television system with viewer-selectable video and audio

A method for processing a packetized data stream which is transmitted to a terminal, said packetized data stream including video data corresponding to a primary signal and at least first and second alternative video signals which are associated with said primary signal, said primary signal being associated with a first channel designator, comprising the steps of:

• recovering control data at said terminal from said packetized data stream, said control data associating said primary signal and said first and second alternative video signals;
• reproducing said primary signal on an output device which is associated with said terminal during a first time period under said first channel designator;
• at an end of said first time period, using said control data to provide an on-screen display on said output device to assist a user in selecting one of said first and second alternative video signals for reproduction on said output device during a second time period which follows said first time period;
• and
• mapping the selected alternative video signal to said first channel designator to allow the selected alternative video signal to be reproduced on said output device under said first channel designator.

A terminal for processing a packetized data stream which is transmitted thereto, said packetized data stream including video data corresponding to a primary signal and at least first and second alternative video signals which are associated with said primary signal, said primary signal being associated with a first channel designator, comprising:

• means for recovering control data at said terminal from said packetized data stream, said control data associating said primary signal and said first and second alternative video signals;
• means for reproducing said primary signal on an output device which is associated with said terminal during a first time period under said first channel designator;
• means for using said control data to provide an on-screen display on said output device at an end of said first time period to assist a user in selecting one of said first and second alternative video signals for reproduction on said output device during a second time period which follows said first time period;
• and
• means for mapping the selected alternative video signal to said first channel designator to allow the selected alternative video signal to be reproduced on said output device under said first channel designator.

A method for transmitting a primary signal and at least one associated local program signal to a terminal, wherein said primary signal provides a video and audio account relating to an event at a remote location, and said at least one local program signal provides at least one of a video and an audio account relating to said event, comprising the steps of:

• transmitting said primary signal from said remote location to a headend of a local television network in a digital packetized data stream;
• providing said local program signal at said headend;
• providing control data at said headend for associating said primary signal with said local program signal;
• and
• transmitting said control data and said primary and local program signals in said packetized data stream via said local television network to said terminal;
• wherein said control data is adapted to be used by said terminal to provide an on-screen display to allow a user to select a video and audio account relating to said event from at least one of said primary signal and said local programming signal for reproduction on an output device associated with said terminal.

A method for communicating a packetized data stream including data corresponding to a primary signal which provides a first video viewpoint of an event, and at least a first alternative signal which provides an alternative video viewpoint of said event, said primary signal being associated with a particular channel designator, comprising the steps of:

• providing a control message in said packetized data stream which designates locations of said first and alternative video viewpoints;
• transmitting said packetized data stream to a terminal;
• using said control message to provide an on-screen display on an output device associated with said terminal to inform a viewer of said locations to allow the viewer to select a particular one of said first and alternative video viewpoints;
• and
• mapping the selected video viewpoint to said particular channel designator to allow the selected video viewpoint to be reproduced on said output device under said particular channel designator.

An apparatus for communicating a packetized data stream including data corresponding to a primary signal which provides a first video viewpoint of an event, and at least a first alternative signal which provides an alternative video viewpoint of said event, said primary signal being associated with a particular channel designator, comprising:

• means for providing a control message in said packetized data stream which designates locations of said first and alternative video viewpoints;
• means for transmitting said packetized data stream to a terminal;
• means for using said control message to provide an on-screen display on an output device associated with said terminal to inform a viewer of said locations to allow the viewer to select a particular one of said first and alternative video viewpoints;
• and
• means for mapping the selected video viewpoint to said particular channel designator to allow the selected video viewpoint to be reproduced on said output device under said particular channel designator.

A method for processing a packetized data stream at a terminal, said packetized data stream including data corresponding to a primary signal which provides a first video viewpoint of an event, and at least a first alternative signal which provides an alternative video viewpoint of said event, said primary signal being associated with a particular channel designator, comprising the steps of:

• recovering a control message from said packetized data stream which designates locations of said first and alternative video viewpoints;
• using said control message to provide an on-screen display on an output device associated with said terminal to inform a viewer of said locations to allow the viewer to select a particular one of said first and alternative video viewpoints;
• and
• mapping the selected video viewpoint to said particular channel designator to allow the selected video viewpoint to be reproduced on said output device under said particular channel designator.

A terminal for processing a packetized data stream which is transmitted thereto, said packetized data stream including data corresponding to a primary signal which provides a first video viewpoint of an event, and at least a first alternative signal which provides an alternative video viewpoint of said event, said primary signal being associated with a particular channel designator, comprising:

• means for recovering a control message from said packetized data stream which designates locations of said first and alternative video viewpoints;
• means for using said control message to provide an on-screen display on an output device associated with said terminal to inform a viewer of said locations to allow the viewer to select a particular one of said first and alternative video viewpoints;
• and
• means for mapping the selected video viewpoint to said particular channel designator to allow the selected video viewpoint to be reproduced on said output device under said particular channel designator.