US5565929A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Audio-visual control apparatus for determining a connection of appliances and controlling functions of appliances
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1995-06-22
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Granted: 1996-10-15
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Expires: 2015-06-22
Abstract
Abstract An audio-visual control apparatus displays in a picture-in-picture window on a CRT an image corresponding to video signals outputted from one of a plurality of VTRs, making it possible to easily confirm the connection of appliances controlled by a control section, namely appliances connected to a TV set.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeo Tanaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:28
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/436; H04N21/43615; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/06; H04B1/16; H04B1/20; H04B1/205; H04N21/41; H04N21/4104; H04N21/4135; H04N21/431; H04N21/4312; H04N21/4316; H04N21/47; H04N21/488; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/445; H04N5/45
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
An audio-visual control apparatus for controlling a plurality of audio-visual appliances comprising: input means for inputting a command to control a function of one of said plurality of audio-visual appliances; processing means connected to said input means for receiving said command and for outputting a control signal corresponding to said command; control means connected to said processing means and to said plurality of audio-visual appliances for sending said control signal to a corresponding one of said plurality of audio-visual appliances; selection means connected to said processing means and to said plurality of audio-visual appliances for selecting one of a plurality of output signals of said plurality of audio-visual appliances in accordance with said control signal and outputting said selected output signal; a picture-in-picture circuit connected to said selection means; CRT display means connected to said selection means and to said picture-in-picture circuit for displaying a video component of said selected output in a picture-in-picture section of a screen of said CRT display means; and message means connected to said processing means and to said CRT display means for outputting names of audio-visual appliances connected to said selection means for display in a message display section of said CRT display means, wherein said picture-in-picture display section is blank when an audio-visual appliance corresponding to said selected output signal is not connected to said selection means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
An audio-visual control apparatus for controlling a plurality of audio-visual appliances comprising: input means for inputting a command to control a function of one of said plurality of audio-visual appliances; processing means connected to said input means for receiving said command and for outputting a control signal corresponding to said command; control means connected to said processing means and to said plurality of audio-visual appliances for sending said control signal to a corresponding one of said plurality of audio-visual appliances; selection means connected to said processing means and to said plurality of audio-visual appliances for selecting one of a plurality of output signals of said plurality of audio-visual appliances in accordance with said control signal and outputting said selected output signal; a picture-in-picture circuit connected to said selection means; CRT display means connected to said selection means and to said picture-in-picture circuit for displaying a video component of said selected output in a picture-in-picture section of a screen of said CRT display means; and message means connected to said processing means and to said CRT display means for outputting names of audio-visual appliances connected to said selection means for display in a message display section of said CRT display means, wherein said picture-in-picture display section is blank when an audio-visual appliance corresponding to said selected output signal is not connected to said selection means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
An audio-visual control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising volume means connected to said control means and to said selection means; and a speaker unit connected to said volume means for outputting an audio component of said selected signal, wherein said control means outputs a volume control signal to said volume means for controlling a volume of said speaker unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
160 words
An audio-visual control apparatus for controlling a plurality of audio-visual appliances comprising: selection switch means connected to said plurality of audio-visual appliances for selectively supplying a video signal for display from one of said plurality of audio-visual appliances; memory means for storing functions of each of said plurality of audio-visual appliances; entering means for entering a command to control one of said functions of said plurality of audio-visual appliances; control means connected to said selection switch means, to said entering means, and to said memory means to selectively apply said command to a corresponding function of said selected audio-visual appliance and to control said selection switch means to supply the video signal for display; a display section connected to said control means for displaying a message related to said selected audio-visual appliance; and CRT display means for displaying a video signal output from said selected audio-visual appliance that is connected to said CRT display means by said selection switch means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
160 words
An audio-visual control apparatus for controlling a plurality of audio-visual appliances comprising: selection switch means connected to said plurality of audio-visual appliances for selectively supplying a video signal for display from one of said plurality of audio-visual appliances; memory means for storing functions of each of said plurality of audio-visual appliances; entering means for entering a command to control one of said functions of said plurality of audio-visual appliances; control means connected to said selection switch means, to said entering means, and to said memory means to selectively apply said command to a corresponding function of said selected audio-visual appliance and to control said selection switch means to supply the video signal for display; a display section connected to said control means for displaying a message related to said selected audio-visual appliance; and CRT display means for displaying a video signal output from said selected audio-visual appliance that is connected to said CRT display means by said selection switch means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
An audio-visual control apparatus for controlling a plurality of audio-visual appliances comprising: selecting means for selecting for operation one of said plurality of audio-visual appliances; control means responsive to said selecting means being connected to each of said plurality of audio-visual appliances of a same category for controlling functions thereof and for repeatedly sending a presence check command to said selected one of said plurality of audio-visual appliances; and means installed in each of said plurality of audio-visual appliances for responding to said presence check command transmitted from said control means by producing one of a display or a sound to a user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
An audio-visual control apparatus for controlling a plurality of audio-visual appliances comprising: selecting means for selecting for operation one of said plurality of audio-visual appliances; control means responsive to said selecting means being connected to each of said plurality of audio-visual appliances of a same category for controlling functions thereof and for repeatedly sending a presence check command to said selected one of said plurality of audio-visual appliances; and means installed in each of said plurality of audio-visual appliances for responding to said presence check command transmitted from said control means by producing one of a display or a sound to a user.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-15 | 2000-04-15 | 2000-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | 2004-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-15 | 2008-04-15 | 2008-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |