초록 ▼

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 th

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.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A video system, comprising:(a) first and second tuners, each tuner coupled to a video source and being tunable to one of a plurality of channels from the video source in response to a tuning signal, and each tuner outputting a video signal;(b) a source selector receiving

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A video system, comprising:(a) first and second tuners, each tuner coupled to a video source and being tunable to one of a plurality of channels from the video source in response to a tuning signal, and each tuner outputting a video signal;(b) a source selector receiving the video signals from the first and second tuners and outputting one of the video signals in response to a select signal;(c) a memory storing an array of virtual channels, each virtual channel having a channel indicator related to a desired channel and a source indicator related to a desired tuner; and(d) a controller, coupled to the tuners, the source selector and the memory, the controller selecting one of the plurality of virtual channels by outputting a select signal, related to the source indicator of the selected virtual channel, to the source selector, and outputting a tuning signal, related to the channel indicator of the selected virtual channel, to the selected tuner.