Smart-channel: learning-capable television channel changing apparatus, system and method

• Main Authors: MACRAE DOUGLAS B, HANCOCK KENNETH S
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 22.03.2005
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY; ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION; SELECTING RESONANT CIRCUITS; TUNING RESONANT CIRCUITS

System and method for learning the optimal channel change instruction recognition speed for an entertainment system. A memory stores information relating to: time increments between channel change signals; pulse width of each individual digit of a channel instruction; and the duration of time between each digit pulse signal. Based on the information stored in memory, a microprocessor constructs and sends channel change commands at a particular speed, progressively increasing the speed. When the speed at which channel change commands are sent exceeds the capability of the television receiver to recognize the channel change command, the microprocessor reduces the speed, as a function of the information stored in memory, until the television receiver can recognize the channel change command. The microprocessor stores in memory the fastest speed at which the television receiver can recognize the channel change command. Thereafter, the microprocessor uses the optimal speed to deliver channel change commands.