Method and apparatus for audio-visual cues improving perceived acquisition time
AssigneeHughes Electronics Corporation
InventorsJohn P. Godwin, Robert H. Plummer
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for perceptibly masking acquisition time in a digital broadcast system transmitting programs on multiple channels is incorporated in a receiver for the information signal transmission system. The apparatus and the method generate a reduced time response, independent of the acquisition time for complete video images, and provide an output for portraying a masking display from the receiver before the acquisition time has expired. A generator and the output display are easily employed with known video transmission systems by suing a microcontroller switch to select channels and retrieve audio or visual cues in response to an output response less than that necessary for communicating the entire program image.
Claims4
A method for perceptibly masking acquisition time after selection of an alternative signal source for reception in an information signal transmission system with a receiver having a source selector, the method comprising:
- generating a reduced time response independent of the acquisition time for complete television signals;
- portraying a masking visual and/or aural display at said receiver before said acquisition time has expired;
- and
- transmitting a simple trigger signal at smaller intervals than said acquisition time period.
A receiver for multiple channel signals of an information signal transmission system, the receiver having a channel selector and means for processing the selected channel signal in a discrete acquisition time, the receiver comprising a cueing mechanism for reducing average total perceived acquisition time including:
- a generator of a perceptible response within a period less than, and independent of, said discrete acquisition time wherein said generator comprises a trigger enabled periodically within a time interval substantially smaller than said acquisition period;
- and
- a displayer for masking said acquisition time by portraying a perceptible response before said acquisition time expires.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.