U.S. patent application number 10/618867 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-22 for method and apparatus for providing information in video transitions.
Invention is credited to Smith, Kim C., Sullivan, Gary E..
Application Number | 20040012718 10/618867 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24119762 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040012718 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sullivan, Gary E. ; et
al. |
January 22, 2004 |
Method and apparatus for providing information in video
transitions
Abstract
A video system displays information during transition from a
first video source to a second video source. During the transition,
an MPEG decoder decodes a transition video signal and provides the
decoded transition video signal to a video overlay which overlays
the decoded transition video signal onto a display during the
transition period. In one embodiment, the transition video may be a
commercial video or advertisement such that the advertisement is
displayed on the display during the transition. The advertisement
may be related to the content of the output of one of the video
sources. In the event the MPEG decoder is unavailable to decode the
transition video during the transition, the video system is capable
of utilizing an alternate decoder to decode the transition
video.
Inventors: |
Sullivan, Gary E.;
(Mansfield, TX) ; Smith, Kim C.; (Colleyville,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GATEWAY, INC.
ATTN: SCOTT CHARLES RICHARDSON
610 GATEWAY DRIVE
MAIL DROP Y-04
NORTH SIOUX CITY
SD
57049
US
|
Family ID: |
24119762 |
Appl. No.: |
10/618867 |
Filed: |
July 14, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10618867 |
Jul 14, 2003 |
|
|
|
09531953 |
Mar 21, 2000 |
|
|
|
6593973 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/584 ;
348/E5.097; 348/E5.099; 348/E5.108; 348/E7.071; 375/E7.023 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/50 20130101; H04N
21/4384 20130101; H04N 21/2547 20130101; H04N 21/44016 20130101;
H04N 5/4401 20130101; H04N 21/44008 20130101; H04N 21/426 20130101;
H04N 7/17318 20130101; H04N 21/812 20130101; H04N 21/23424
20130101; H04N 5/445 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/584 |
International
Class: |
H04N 009/74 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus, comprising: means for providing an output to a
display in response to an input signal received from a video
source, said output providing means including means for buffering
the input signal; means for decoding an encoded video signal into a
decoded video signal; and means, coupled to said output providing
means, for overlaying the decoded video signal decoded by said
decoding means onto the display during a transition when said
output providing means switches from a first video source to a
second video source, wherein said apparatus comprises a plurality
of encoded video signals, said apparatus being capable of selecting
a specific encoded video signal for decoding and display during the
transition based upon said encoded video signal's relevance to
either a content's subject matter displayed by the first video
source prior to the transition or a content's subject matter
selected for display via the second video source following the
transition.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said output providing means
comprising a graphics controller and said buffering means
comprising video memory.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said decoding means
comprising a decoder compliant with an MPEG standard.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said overlaying means
comprising a video overlay.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said output providing means
comprising a graphics controller, said buffering means comprising
video memory, said decoding means comprising a decoder compliant
with an MPEG standard, and said overlaying means comprising a video
overlay.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said decoding means being
capable of receiving the coded video signal via a network.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an
alternate means for decoding an encoded video signal into a decoded
video signal wherein said overlaying means overlays the decoded
video signal of said alternate decoding means during the transition
when said decoding means is unavailable during the transition.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said decoding means being
capable of decoding an encoded commercial video signal into a
decoded commercial video signal such that said overlaying means
overlays the decoded commercial video signal during the
transition.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said decoding means being
capable of decoding a video signal containing advertisement
information into a decoded commercial video signal containing
advertisement information such that said overlaying means overlays
the decoded video signal containing advertisement information
during the transition.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means
for storing an encoded signal such that the encoded signal is
available to be decoded by said decoding means upon an occurrence
of the transition.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
memory capable of storing an encoded signal such that the encoded
signal is available to be decoded by said decoding means upon an
occurrence of the transition.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
processor for executing a program of instructions that controls the
apparatus, said processor being coupled to said output providing
means via a bus.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is
capable of extending the transition to a predetermined time
duration when said output providing means switches from the first
video source to the second video source, thereby ensuring that the
decoded video signal is capable of being displayed in its
entirety.
14. An apparatus, comprising: means for providing an output to a
display in response to an input signal received from a video
source, said output providing means including means for buffering
the input signal; means for decoding an encoded video signal into a
decoded video signal; and means, coupled to said output providing
means, for overlaying the decoded video signal decoded by said
decoding means onto the display during a transition when said
output providing means switches from a first video source to a
second video source, wherein said apparatus is capable of extending
the transition to a predetermined time duration when said output
providing means switches from the first video source to the second
video source, thereby ensuring that the decoded video signal is
capable of being displayed in its entirety.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, said output providing
means comprising a graphics controller and said buffering means
comprising video memory.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, said decoding means
comprising a decoder compliant with an MPEG standard.
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, said overlaying means
comprising a video overlay.
18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, said output providing
means comprising a graphics controller, said buffering means
comprising video memory, said decoding means comprising a decoder
compliant with an MPEG standard, and said overlaying means
comprising a video overlay.
19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, said decoding means being
capable of receiving the coded video signal via a network.
20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising an
alternate means for decoding an encoded video signal into a decoded
video signal wherein said overlaying means overlays the decoded
video signal of said alternate decoding means during the transition
when said decoding means is unavailable during the transition.
21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, said decoding means being
capable of decoding an encoded commercial video signal into a
decoded commercial video signal such that said overlaying means
overlays the decoded commercial video signal during the
transition.
22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, said decoding means being
capable of decoding a video signal containing advertisement
information into a decoded commercial video signal containing
advertisement information such that said overlaying means overlays
the decoded video signal containing advertisement information
during the transition.
23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising means
for storing an encoded signal such that the encoded signal is
available to be decoded by said decoding means upon an occurrence
of the transition.
24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a
memory capable of storing an encoded signal such that the encoded
signal is available to be decoded by said decoding means upon an
occurrence of the transition.
25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a
processor for executing a program of instructions that controls the
apparatus, said processor being coupled to said output providing
means via a bus.
26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said apparatus
comprises a plurality of encoded video signals, said apparatus
being capable of selecting a specific encoded video signal for
decoding and display during the transition based upon said encoded
video signal's relevance to either a content's subject matter
displayed by the first video source prior to the transition or a
content's subject matter selected for display via the second video
source following the transition.
27. An apparatus, comprising: means for providing an output to a
display in response to an input signal received from a video
source, said output providing means including means for buffering
the input signal, said output providing means comprising a graphics
controller and said buffering means comprising video memory; means
for decoding an encoded video signal into a decoded video signal;
and means, coupled to said output providing means, for overlaying
the decoded video signal decoded by said decoding means onto the
display during a transition when said output providing means
switches from a first video source to a second video source.
28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27, said decoding means
comprising a decoder compliant with an MPEG standard.
29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27, said overlaying means
comprising a video overlay.
30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27, said decoding means
comprising a decoder compliant with an MPEG standard and said
overlaying means comprising a video overlay, wherein video data
from the video overlay is provided to the display through the
graphics controller.
31. An apparatus, comprising: means for providing an output to a
display in response to an input signal received from a video
source, said output providing means including means for buffering
the input signal; means for decoding an encoded video signal into a
decoded video signal; means, coupled to said output providing
means, for overlaying the decoded video signal decoded by said
decoding means onto the display during a transition when said
output providing means switches from a first video source to a
second video source; and a processor for executing a program of
instructions that controls the apparatus, said processor being
coupled to said output providing means via a bus.
32. A method performed by a video system for providing information
in video transitions, comprising: selecting a video for transition;
receiving the transition video; storing the transition video;
detecting an occurrence of a video transition from a first video
source to a second video source; if an occurrence of a video
transition from a first video source to a second video source is
detected, then determining if a first decoder is available; and if
the first decoder is not available, then selecting a second
decoder.
33. The method of claim 32, further comprising decoding the
transition video by the first decoder if the first decoder is
available.
34. The method of claim 33, further comprising decoding the
transition video by the second decoder if the first decoder is not
available.
35. The method of claim 34, further comprising overlaying the
transition video during the video transition from a first video
source to a second video source.
36. The method of claim 35, further comprising receiving video from
the second video source.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present invention is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/531,953, filed Mar. 21, 2000, herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of
information handling systems, and particularly to video displayed
by an information handling system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In an information handling system configured to display
video content, there is often a transition period when the
information handling system switches from one video device or
application to another video device or application. Conventional
information handling systems display video using a video graphics
card wherein video frames are stored in dedicated video memory such
as video random access memory (VRAM). For example, while switching
from one channel to another with a satellite receiver, there is a
transition time resulting from the sum of acquisition time of the
new channel by the satellite receiver and the delay time in
emptying the first channel signal out of video memory and storing
the new channel signal in video memory. Other similar transition
delays occur when switching video sources such as switching to
receive the signal from a satellite receiver to receiving a signal
from a cable television tuner, or when switching from a first video
application to a second video application such as a user interface,
a media player, an electronic program guide, etc. Many other events
likewise cause similar transition delay times. During such a
transition delay time, the display connected to the information
handling system is blank, or the last frame of the first video
source is momentarily frozen (i.e., motionless) while the new video
source is being loaded into video memory. It would be highly
desirable to provide an information handling system capable of
intentionally displaying video content during such transition
events so that the utility of the time of such transitions is
optimized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is directed to a video system that is
capable of displaying information such as full motion MPEG
compliant video during a transition from a first video source to a
second video source. In one particular embodiment, the video system
includes a graphics controller for displaying video on a display, a
decoder for decoding an encoded transition video, and a video
overlay for overlaying the decoded transition video signal on the
display during the transition. In a further embodiment, the video
system includes a processor for executing a program of instructions
that controls the video system where the processor is coupled to
the graphics controller via a bus. In the event the decoder is
unavailable to decode the encoded transition video, the video
system comprises an alternate decoder for decoding the encoded
transition video signal in an alternative embodiment. In a
particular embodiment, the transition video signal contains
commercial content or advertising, and in some embodiments the
commercial content or advertising is related to the content of the
video received from either the first video source or the second
video source.
[0005] It is to be understood that both the forgoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as
claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of
the invention and together with the general description, serve to
explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0006] The numerous advantages of the present invention may be
better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the
accompanying figures in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of a video system that is
capable of implementing the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an information handling system
operable to tangibly embody the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of an implementation of the
present invention with respect to the flow of time in accordance
with the present invention; and
[0010] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for providing
information in video transitions in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred
embodiments of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
[0012] Referring now to FIG. 1, an overall block diagram of a video
system in accordance with the present invention will be discussed.
Video system 100 may be a subsystem of an information handling
system, such as the information handling system 200 discussed below
with respect to FIG. 2, and may include one or more components
thereof, and one or more peripheral devices coupled thereto. Video
system 100 is operatively capable of coupling with at least one or
more video sources or devices, up to an Nth video device 120. Such
video sources or devices may include, for example, a cable
television receiver (CATV) 110, a satellite television receiver
(SATELLITE) 112, a digital versatile disk player (DVD) 114, a
videocassette recorder (VCR) 116, a network adapter or modem
(NETWORK) 118, or the like. Each of video devices 110-120 is
capable of coupling to a bus (BUS) 220 of video system 100. A
processor (PROCESSOR) 202 is coupled to bus 220 for controlling the
various components of video system 100 via a program of
instructions executable by processor 202. Video signals received by
video system 100 via bus 220 are provided to a graphics controller
(GRAPHICS CONTROLLER) 227 which includes video memory (VIDEO
MEMORY) 228 such as VRAM. As a video signal is received from one of
the video devices, graphics controller 227 is capable of buffering
the video signal in video memory 228 until displayed on display
(DISPLAY) 128. In addition, video system 100 includes a video
overlay (VIDEO OVERLAY) 122 that is capable of superimposing a
video or graphical image over a video signal received by graphics
controller 227 and onto display 128. For example, video overlay 122
is capable of overlaying a video signal received from a video
decoder (MPEG DECODER) 124 that is compliant with a Moving Pictures
Expert Group (MEPG) standard. Such a video may be stored in an
electronic storage device (MPEG STORAGE) 126 such as a hard disk
drive of video system 100. In overall operation of the present
invention, video overlay 122 is capable of superimposing a video
signal provide by MPEG decoder 124 onto display 128 during
transition periods occurring in a video stream received by graphics
controller 227.
[0013] In one particular embodiment, the video signal superimposed
by video overlay 122 received from MPEG decoder 124 is a full
motion video stream. The superimposed video signal is received, for
example via network 118, stored in MPEG storage 124, and available
or processed in advance by MPEG decoder 124 so that video overlay
122 is readily capable of superimposing the video signal in the
event a transition period is detected. In one particular
embodiment, MPEG decoder 124 may already be in use and therefore
unavailable in which case video overlay 122 is capable of utilizing
an alternate MPEG decoder from another video device to implement a
transition superimposition. For example, video overlay 122 may
utilize an MPEG decoder of DVD player 114.
[0014] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an information handling
system 200 in accordance with the present invention. Information
handling system 200 is capable, in one embodiment, of implementing
one or more components of video system 100 of FIG. 1. In this
embodiment, processor 202, system controller 212, cache 214, and
data-path chip 218 are each coupled to host bus 210. Processor 202
is a microprocessor such as a 486-type chip, a Pentium.RTM.,
Pentium II.RTM., Pentium III.RTM., or the like suitable
microprocessor. Cache 214 provides high-speed local-memory data (in
one embodiment, for example, 512 KB of data) for processor 202, and
is controlled by system controller 212, which loads cache 214 with
data that is expected to be used soon after the data is placed in
cache 214 (i.e., in the near future). Main memory 216 is coupled
between system controller 212 and data-path chip 218, and in one
embodiment, provides random-access memory of between 16 MB and 128
MB of data.
[0015] In one embodiment, main memory 216 is provided on SIMMs
(Single In-line Memory Modules), while in another embodiment, main
memory 216 is provided on DIMMs (Dual In-line Memory Modules), each
of which plugs into suitable sockets provided on a motherboard
holding these components and many of the other components shown in
FIG. 2. Main memory 216 includes standard DRAM (Dynamic
Random-Access Memory), EDO (Extended Data Out) DRAM, SDRAM
(Synchronous DRAM), or the like suitable memory technology. System
controller 212 controls PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus
220, a local bus for system 200 that provides a high-speed data
path between processor 202 and various peripheral devices, such as
video, disk, network, etc. Data-path chip 218 is also controlled by
system controller 212 to assist in routing data between main memory
216, host bus 210, and PCI bus 220.
[0016] In one embodiment, PCI bus 220 provides a 32-bit-wide data
path that runs at 33 MHz. In another embodiment, PCI bus 220
provides a 64-bit-wide data path that runs at 33 MHz. In yet other
embodiments, PCI bus 220 provides 32-bit-wide or 64-bit-wide data
paths that run at higher speeds. In one embodiment, PCI bus 220
provides connectivity to I/O bridge 222, graphics controller 227,
and one or more PCI connectors 221, each of which accepts a
standard PCI card (not shown). In one embodiment, I/O bridge 222
and graphics controller 227 are each integrated on the motherboard
along with system controller 212, in order to avoid a
board-to-connector-to-board signal crossing interface, thereby
providing better speed and reliability. In the embodiment shown,
graphics controller 227 is coupled to a video memory 228 that
includes memory such as DRAM, EDO DRAM, SDRAM, or VRAM (Video
Random-Access Memory), and drives VGA (Video Graphics Adapter) port
229. VGA port 229 can connect to VGA-type or SVGA (Super VGA)-type
displays or the like. Other input/output (I/O) cards having a PCI
interface can be plugged into PCI connectors 221.
[0017] In one embodiment, I/O bridge 222 is a chip that provides
connection and control to one or more independent IDE connectors
224, to Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) connector 225, to a
USB (Universal Serial Bus) port 226, and to ISA (Industry Standard
Architecture) bus 230. In this embodiment, IDE connector 224
provides connectivity for up to two or more standard IDE-type
devices such as hard disk drives, CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read-Only
Memory) drives, DVD (Digital Video Disk or Digital Versatile Disk)
drives, or TBU (Tape-Backup Unit) devices.
[0018] In one similar embodiment, two IDE connectors 224 (second
connector not shown) are provided, and each provide the EIDE
(Enhanced IDE) architecture. In the embodiment shown, SCSI
connector 225 provides connectivity for preferably up to seven or
fifteen SCSI-type devices (depending on the version of SCSI
supported by the embodiment). In one embodiment, I/O bridge 222
provides ISA bus 230 having one or more ISA connectors 231 (in one
embodiment, three connectors are provided). In one embodiment, ISA
bus 230 is coupled to I/O controller 252, which in turn provides
connections to two serial ports 254 and 255, parallel port 256, and
FDD (Floppy-Disk Drive) connector 257. In one embodiment, FDD
connector 257 is connected to FDD 258 that receives removable media
(e.g., a floppy diskette) 259 on which data and/or program code 260
is stored.
[0019] In one such embodiment, program code 260 includes code that
controls information handling system 200 to perform the method
described herein. In another such embodiment, serial port 254 is
connectable to a computer network such as the Internet, and such
network has program code 260 that controls information handling
system 200 to perform the method described herein. In one
embodiment, ISA bus 230 is connected to buffer 232, which is
connected to X bus 240, which provides connections to real-time
clock 242, keyboard/mouse controller 244 and keyboard BIOS ROM
(Basic Input/Output System Read-Only Memory) 245, and to system
BIOS ROM 246. FIG. 2 shows one exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, however other bus structures and memory arrangements are
specifically contemplated. It should be appreciated that
modification or reconfiguration of information handling system 200
of FIG. 2 by one having ordinary skill in the art would not depart
from the scope or the spirit of the present invention.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 3, a conceptual diagram of an
implementation of the present invention with respect to the flow of
time will be discussed. As shown in diagram 300 of FIG. 3, the
video signal output of graphics controller 227 is depicted with
respect to time axis 310. A first video stream 312 from a first
video source or application is provided by graphics controller 227
over a first period of time. When graphics controller 227 switches
to a second video source, the output from the second video source
is provided by graphics controller as a second video stream 314
over a second period of time. As a result of the switch from the
first video source to the second video source, a time delay period
or transition 316 occurs between video stream 312 and video stream
314. In accordance with the present invention, video overlay 122
provides a video signal output during transition 316 by overlaying
the output of MPEG decoder 124 during transition 316 onto display
128. As shown in FIG. 3, MPEG decoder 124 is itself capable of
providing any one of video streams 312 or 314 which may result in
transition 316. In the event that MPEG decoder 124 is so utilized,
video overlay 122 is capable of overlaying a video signal during
transition 316 by utilizing an alternate MPEG decoder (ALTERNATE
MPEG DECODER) 318. For example, alternate MPEG decoder 318 may be
provided by a video device such as DVD player 114. The video signal
decoded by MPEG decoder 124 or alternate MPEG decoder 318 and
provided during transition 316 as an overlay by video overlay 122
may be obtained from an available video source 320 which may be
embodied as one or more video devices or sources. For example,
video source 320 may be any one of video devices 110, 112, 114,
116, 118, or 120 of FIG. 1. In one particular embodiment, where
network 118 includes the Internet, the video signal provided as an
overlay during transition 316 may be obtained from a content source
on the Internet and decoded by MPEG decoder 124 as it is received
for immediate overlay by video overlay 122, or it may be stored in
MPEG storage 126 for immediate or later retrieval.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow diagram of a method for
providing information in a video transition in accordance with the
present invention will be discussed. It is understood that the
specific order, or hierarchy, disclosed in FIG. 4 is an example of
one approach. Based upon design selections, it is understood that
the specific order, or hierarchy, can be rearranged while remaining
within the scope of the invention. The corresponding method claims
herein present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and
is not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy
presented. During execution of method 400, video is received from a
first video source at step 410. Video to be played during a
transition event is selected at step 412. The transition video is
received from an appropriate source at step 414, and the transition
video is stored at step 416. A determination is made at step 418
whether a transition occurs. In the event no transition occurs,
video is continued to be received from the first video source at
step 410. In the event a transition occurs, a determination is made
at step 420 whether MPEG decoder 124 is available to decode a video
signal to be overlaid during transition 316. In the event MPEG
decoder 124 is not available, alternate decoder 318 is selected at
step 422 to decode the transition video. After selection at step
422, or in the event MPEG decoder 124 is available, the transition
video is decoded at step 424, and video overlay 122 overlays the
transition video at step 426 during transition 316. Video is
received from a second video source at step 428 so that it may be
displayed at the termination of transition 316.
[0022] In one particular embodiment of the present invention, a
method of doing business is capable of being implemented by video
system 100 using method 400. For example, the video overlaid during
transition 316 may be sold as advertising so that the overlaid
video may contain commercial content. A message or logo of the
advertiser is then displayed during transition 316. In one
embodiment, the video selected, including commercial video content,
is capable of being based upon the content of the video signals
received from a video source and displayed by graphics controller
227. For example, video system 100 is capable of detecting the
station program content being received via cable television
receiver 110. This may be accomplished by detecting the station
selected or entered by a user and comparing the selected station to
an electronic program guide database that indicates the content of
the signal received on the selected station and the time of the
broadcast. For example, a user may be watching a golf tournament on
a particular station of cable television receiver 110. When the
golf tournament is detected, video system 100 selects a golf
transition video at step 412, and receives the golf transition
video at step 414, for example, from an information handling system
of a golf club manufacturer coupled to the Internet via network
118. The golf transition video, which in this case may be an
advertisement, is stored at step 416 until a transition occurs. At
the occurrence of a transition, the golf transition video is
overlaid during the transition. In a particular embodiment, video
system 100 tracks the number of times that the golf transition
video is displayed and reports back overlay history information and
billing information to the golf club manufacture, for example, via
network 118 to an information handling system of the
manufacturer.
[0023] While it is understood that a preferred embodiment of the
present invention places a video transition into a system's
normally generated transition period, for purposes of defining a
method of doing business, the system of the present invention may
be designed to generate and provide a predetermined transition
period when switching from one video source or channel to another
video source or channel, in order to ensure a complete presentation
of a video transition.
[0024] Although the invention has been described with a certain
degree of particularity, it should be recognized that elements
thereof may be altered by persons skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. One of the
embodiments of the invention can be implemented as sets of
instructions resident in the main memory 216 of one or more
computer information handling systems configured generally as
described in FIG. 2. Until required by the computer system, the set
of instructions may be stored in another computer readable memory
such as information storage medium 259 of FIG. 2. Examples include
a hard disk drive, a removable memory such as an optical disk for
utilization in a CD-ROM drive, a floppy disk for utilization in a
floppy disk drive, a floppy/optical disk for utilization in a
floppy/optical drive, or a personal computer memory card for
utilization in a personal computer card slot. Further, the set of
instructions can be stored in the memory of another computer and
transmitted over a local area network or a wide area network, such
as the Internet, when desired by the user. Additionally, the
instructions may be transmitted over a network in the form of an
applet (a program executed from within another application) or a
servlet (an applet executed by a server) that is interpreted or
compiled after transmission to the computer system rather than
prior to transmission. One skilled in the art would appreciate that
the physical storage of the sets of instructions, applets or
servlets physically changes the medium upon which it is stored
electrically, magnetically, chemically, physically, optically or
holographically so that the medium carries computer readable
information.
[0025] It is believed that the method and apparatus for providing
information in video transitions of the present invention and many
of its attendant advantages will be understood by the forgoing
description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be
made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components
thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages,
the form herein before described being merely an explanatory
embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to
encompass and include such changes.
* * * * *