Patent ID: 6453471
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method of providing preview information to assist in selecting video programming, said method comprising:displaying schedule information on a display screen including source and identification information about one of a plurality of available shows; receiving user input to select a particular show from said plurality of shows; receiving user input to initiate a preview operation; receiving a broadcast signal for a particular channel, the broadcast signal having multiple bit streams of television programing and including a preview bit stream after the user input to initiate a preview operation is received, the preview bit stream being in the form of an endless loop of preview packets in which the preview packets are rotated and transmitted cyclically, such that each preview packets is rebroadcasted after a short delay and the preview packets represent video previews of available shows; processing a received preview packet representing a video preview of the particular show to form a video signal; and displaying the video preview of the particular show on the screen responsive to the video signal; wherein the preview bit stream has a reduced bandwidth to occupy a small portion of the broadcast signal for the particular channel.