US 6,889,384 B1Granted

Simplified interactive user interface for multi-video channel navigation

AssigneeThe DIRECTV Group, Inc.

InventorSteven Soloff

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A system and method that provides satellite television users with a simple interface in which to choose from a variety of video images representing a different camera angle at a given event. The invention comprises a plurality of cameras positioned at a certain event, such as a sporting event. The video images from the cameras are broadcast to one or more satellites, which downlink the images to a central broadcast center. At the central broadcast center, information relating to the event is bundled with the video images and re-broadcast to a second set of satellites. The information and video images are then downlinked to multiple users situated within the satellite's footprint, to be viewed on their televisions. The user interface includes a remote control device, and a transparent bar, a navigational key display, and a textual description of the current camera angle being viewed all superimposed upon the television screen, thereby allowing the user, via the remote control device, to simply select from a camera angle, navigate to other camera angles, and receive a stream of information about the viewed event.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A DSS terrestrial-satellite communications network for viewing multiple camera angles, said network comprising:

a user interface for said camera angles, wherein said camera angles display a single satellite television broadcast event transmitted over multiple video channels, each video channel providing a different camera angle display at a given venue;
a plurality of cameras situated at the venue for capturing multiple video images of said single event, each said video, image representing a different said camera angle display from the event;
an uplink transmitter transmitting said multiple video images from said event on a plurality of the video channels;
a first set of one or more communication satellites for receiving said multiple video images and transmitting said images as broadcast signals;
a broadcast center for receiving said transmit broadcast signals;
a second act of one or more satellites for receiving said broadcast signals from said broadcast center, said second set of satellites to transmit said broadcast signals to user receiving means situated within said satellites coverage area;
a set top box connected to said receiving means;
a viewing device connected to said set top box, said viewing device including a video transparent bar display superimposed upon a screen to provide the user with directional navigation instructions, a display of navigation keys and a textual description of the current camera angle being viewed including application-defined enumerated values, said viewing device further including a dynamic on screen schematic representation of the event, wherein the on screen schematic representation indicates where each camera is located at the venue;
and
video image selection means for providing a user with a means of continuously selecting from said multiple video images of said event.

7 more elements

A method of providing a user with multiple camera views comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of cameras at a venue for capturing multiple video images of single, multiple video channel satellite-broadcast event, each said video image representing a different camera angle display from the event;
transmitting said multiple video images from said event on a plurality of video channels;
providing a first set of one or more communication satellites for receiving said multiple video images and transmitting said images as broadcast signals to a broadcast center;
providing a second set of one or more satellites for receiving said broadcast signals from said broadcast center, said second set of satellites to transmit said broadcast signals to user receiving means situated within said satellites coverage area;
providing a viewing device connected to said receiving means, said viewing device further including on-screen viewing indicia to facilitate navigation between said camera angle displays;
utilizing said on-screen video indicia to coordinate selection of one of the multiple camera views, said on-screen indicia comprising a transparent bar, a navigational key display to provide the user with directional navigation instructions, and a textual description of the current camera angle being viewed including application-defined enumerated values said viewing device further including a dynamic on screen schematic representation of the event, wherein on screen schematic representation indicates where each camera is located at the venue, all superimposed upon said viewing device;
and
providing video image selection means for allowing a user to select an image from said multiple video images of said event.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/709,835Filed 8 Nov 2000
Granted: 3 May 2005
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

H04N 21/488
End-user applications: data services, e.g. news ticker
H04N 5/445
Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards: for displaying additional information
H04N 7/163
Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing: by receiver means only
H04N 21/21805
Source of audio or video content , e.g. local disk arrays: enabling multiple viewpoints, e.g. using a plurality of cameras