The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 17, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 18, 1997
Scott A Stinebruner, Florence, KY (US);
EchoStar Engineering Corp., Littleton, CO (US);
Abstract
A video system utilizes a 'virtual tuner' that integrates signals from multiple video sources to provide a plurality of 'virtual channels', each of which has both a video source and a channel associated with it. When a virtual channel is selected, the correct video source is selected and tuned to the correct channel automatically. The virtual tuner may be embodied in a television or in a separate electronic component coupled thereto, such as a direct broadcast satellite receiver. Alternatively, the video system may be embodied in a universal remote control which is capable of outputting multiple signals to multiple devices in response to a key depression, using either one or two signal transmitters. Channel information may also be downloaded or obtained from a database, for example, to customize an electronic component to receive local broadcast channels.