Systems, methods, and apparatus for simultaneous viewing of differing video program sources

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention relates to a system and method for selecting the sources of at least two shows capable of being received and displayed by an entertainment system. The user selects for viewing, a first show associated with a first channel from a first source. The first show is then displayed. The user also selects for viewing, a second show associated with a second channel from any one of the first and a second sources. The second show is then displayed. A second aspect of the present invention relates to a system and method for selecting the sources of at least two shows capable of being received and displayed by an entertainment system. The user selects for viewing, a first show associated with a first channel from a first source. The first show is displayed on a first portion of a display screen. The user also selects for viewing, a second show associated with a second channel from any one of the first and a second sources. The second show is simultaneously displayed on a second portion of the display screen.

1 - 37 . (canceled)  
   
   
       38 . A method for a display monitor, the method comprising: 
 receiving a plurality of digital audio-video programs having differing source formats;    multiplexing the plurality of digital audio-video programs of the differing source formats into a single digital data stream for the display monitor to display; and    simultaneously displaying on the display monitor one or more of the plurality of digital audio-video programs of the differing source formats.    
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising: 
 multiplexing program information into the single digital data stream, the program information corresponding to the plurality of digital audio-video programs of the differing source formats; and    simultaneously displaying the program information on the display monitor as an overlay over the simultaneous display of the one or more plurality of digital audio-video programs of the differing source formats.    
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising: 
 prior to the multiplexing,    selecting a first digital audio-video program of a first source format of the plurality of digital audio-video programs for display on the display monitor;    selecting a second digital audio-video program of a second source format of the plurality of digital audio-video programs for display on the display monitor, the second source format differing from the first source format.    
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein 
 the first digital audio-video program of the first source format is displayed in a first portion of the display monitor; and    the second digital audio-video program of the second source format is displayed in a second portion of the display monitor differing from the first portion.    
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising: 
 recording one of the plurality of digital audio-video programs without recording another one of the plurality of digital audio-video programs.    
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 42  further comprising: 
 prior to the recording,    converting the one of the plurality of digital audio-video programs into an analog signal for recording by an analog video recorder.    
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising: 
 simultaneously recording the plurality of digital audio-video programs.    
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising: 
 prior to the simultaneous displaying, 
 converting the single digital data stream into an analog signal for display on the display monitor.  
   
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising: 
 prior to the multiplexing,    receiving one or more analog audio-video programs having differing source formats;    multiplexing the plurality of digital audio-video programs of the differing source formats and the one or more analog audio-video programs having differing source formats into the single digital data stream for the display monitor to display; and    simultaneously displaying on the display monitor one or more of the plurality of digital audio-video programs of the differing source formats and one or more of the analog audio-video programs having differing source formats.    
   
   
       47 . A method comprising: 
 receiving a plurality of digital signals each originating from a different source and having a different format;    multiplexing the plurality of digital signals into a single digital data stream for display; and    simultaneously outputting one or more of the plurality of digital signals.    
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the plurality of digital signals are a plurality of audio-video programs that are displayed on a display monitor.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising: 
 multiplexing program information into the single digital data stream, the program information corresponding to the plurality of digital audio-video programs; and    simultaneously displaying the program information on the display monitor as an overlay over the simultaneous display of the one or more plurality of digital audio-video programs.    
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising: 
 prior to the multiplexing,    selecting a first digital audio-video program of a first source format of the plurality of digital audio-video programs for display on the display monitor;    selecting a second digital audio-video program of a second source format of the plurality of digital audio-video programs for display on the display monitor, the second source format differing from the first source format.    
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein 
 the first digital audio-video program of the first source format is displayed in a first portion of the display monitor; and    the second digital audio-video program of the second source format is displayed in a second portion of the display monitor differing from the first portion.    
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising: 
 recording one of the plurality of digital audio-video programs without recording another one of the plurality of digital audio-video programs.    
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 52  further comprising: 
 prior to the recording,    converting the one of the plurality of digital audio-video programs into an analog signal for recording by an analog video recorder.    
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising: 
 simultaneously recording the plurality of digital audio-video programs.    
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising: 
 prior to the simultaneous displaying, 
 converting the single digital data stream into an analog signal for display on the display monitor.  
   
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising: 
 prior to the multiplexing,    receiving one or more analog audio-video programs having differing source formats;    multiplexing the plurality of digital audio-video programs of the differing source formats and the one or more analog audio-video programs having differing source formats into the single digital data stream for the display monitor to display; and    simultaneously displaying on the display monitor one or more of the plurality of digital audio-video programs of the differing source formats and one or more of the analog audio-video programs having differing source formats.    
   
   
       57 . A broadcast receiver comprising: 
 a processor to control an arrangement of a plurality of digital audio-video programs of differing formats into a single digital data stream for display; and    a traffic controller to control simultaneous output of the plurality of digital audio-video programs.    
   
   
       58 . The broadcast receiver of  claim 57 , wherein: 
 the processor is a central processing unit; and    the traffic controller to control a display of the plurality of digital audio-video programs simultaneously.    
   
   
       59 . The broadcast receiver of  claim 57 , wherein 
 the processor is a central processing unit; and    the traffic controller to control a display of at least one of the plurality of digital audio-video programs and a recordation of at least one of the plurality of digital audio-video programs.