Patent ID: 8204131

Claim:
A video program selection method for use with a multi-program video receiver, said receiver continuously receiving a compressed bit-stream that includes a plurality of groups of inter-coded pictures, each group of inter-coded pictures being associated with a video program and including at least one intra-coded image and being associated with audio data, said method comprising: a. identifying the location of each intra-coded image in the compressed bit-stream, b. parsing the compressed bit-stream into multiple video program data streams, c. storing at least one most recent group of pictures and identifying at least two intra-coded images having a clock reference, within the most recent group of pictures for each of the video program data streams and storing the associated audio data for each group of pictures, d. upon selection of a video program, decoding the new video program data stream beginning with the oldest intra-coded image in (c), to display the video program data stream for the new video program and to play the associated audio, such that there is always a complete recent group of pictures and an intra-coded image available to be displayed instantly for each video program, and such that, upon the selection of a video program, there is a complete image displayed, followed immediately by full-motion video.