US5675390A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Home entertainment system combining complex processor capability with a high quality display
Assignee: Gateway Inc
•
Filing: 1995-07-17
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Granted: 1997-10-07
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Expires: 2015-07-17
Abstract
Abstract An entertainment system has a personal computer as the heart of the system with a large screen VGA quality monitor as the display of choice. The system has digital satellite broadcast reception, decompression and display capability with multiple radio frequency remote control devices which transmit self identifying signals and have power adjustment capabilities. These capabilities are used to provide context sensitive groups of keys which may be defined to affect only selected applications running in a windowing environment. In addition, the remote control devices combine television and VCR controls with standard personal computer keyboard controls. A keyboard remote also integrates a touchpad which is food contamination resistant and may also be used for user verification. Included in the system is the ability to recognize verbal communications in video signals and maintain a database of such text which is searchable to help identify desired programming in real time.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey Schindler
- 👤 Theodore W. Waitt
- 👤 Randall Farwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:15
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H60/00; H04H60/02; H04H60/04; G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/14; G06F3/1423; G06F3/16; G06T; G06T3/00; G06T3/40; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/236; H04N21/2368; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/4104; H04N21/4122; H04N21/4135; H04N21/426; H04N21/43; H04N21/434; H04N21/4341; H04N21/436; H04N21/43615; H04N21/439; H04N21/443; H04N21/45; H04N21/462; H04N21/4622; H04N21/47; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/8166; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/60; G09; G09G; G09G2340/00; G09G2340/02; G09G2340/12; H04H60/27; H04H60/35; H04H60/37; H04H60/56; H04H60/58; H04H60/68; H04H60/73; H04N21/478
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
An entertainment system, comprising: a personal computer having a bus; a receiver coupled to the bus for receiving a compressed digital video signal from a source external to the system; a tuner coupled to the bus for separating out discrete channels of video signal; a decompressor coupled to the bus for receiving at least one channel of the compressed digital video signal from the tuner and decompressing the signal into a decompressed digital video signal; and a video driver coupled to the bus for receiving the decompressed digital video signal and converting the decompressed video signal into VGA analog signals; and a large screen data quality monitor for receiving the VGA analog signals and displaying the video images therein on a screen capable of a resolution of at least 640 by 480 pixels, wherein at no time are such video images displayed on the monitor converted to NTSC which would result in loss of video image quality.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
An entertainment system, comprising: a personal computer having a bus; a receiver coupled to the bus for receiving a compressed digital video signal from a source external to the system; a tuner coupled to the bus for separating out discrete channels of video signal; a decompressor coupled to the bus for receiving at least one channel of the compressed digital video signal from the tuner and decompressing the signal into a decompressed digital video signal; and a video driver coupled to the bus for receiving the decompressed digital video signal and converting the decompressed video signal into VGA analog signals; and a large screen data quality monitor for receiving the VGA analog signals and displaying the video images therein on a screen capable of a resolution of at least 640 by 480 pixels, wherein at no time are such video images displayed on the monitor converted to NTSC which would result in loss of video image quality.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
172 words
An entertainment system, comprising: a personal computer having a processor, a main memory, a secondary storage device, and a bus for connecting the processor, the main memory and the secondary storage device and for receiving signals from multiple circuits; a tuner for receiving a compressed digital video broadcast signal and tuning the signal into discrete channels of digital video; a decompressor coupled to the tuner and to the bus for receiving at least one channel of compressed digital video signal and decompressing the signal into a decompressed digital video signal; a monitor driver coupled to the bus for receiving the decompressed digital video signal and converting the decompressed video signal into standard VGA analog signals; and a large screen data quality monitor for receiving the VGA analog signals and displaying the video images therein on a screen capable of a resolution of at least 640 by 480 pixels, wherein at no time are such video images displayed on the monitor converted to NTSC which would result in loss of video image quality.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
172 words
An entertainment system, comprising: a personal computer having a processor, a main memory, a secondary storage device, and a bus for connecting the processor, the main memory and the secondary storage device and for receiving signals from multiple circuits; a tuner for receiving a compressed digital video broadcast signal and tuning the signal into discrete channels of digital video; a decompressor coupled to the tuner and to the bus for receiving at least one channel of compressed digital video signal and decompressing the signal into a decompressed digital video signal; a monitor driver coupled to the bus for receiving the decompressed digital video signal and converting the decompressed video signal into standard VGA analog signals; and a large screen data quality monitor for receiving the VGA analog signals and displaying the video images therein on a screen capable of a resolution of at least 640 by 480 pixels, wherein at no time are such video images displayed on the monitor converted to NTSC which would result in loss of video image quality.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the bus is a personal computer standard PCI bus, allowing video data to be processed by all the devices attached to the PCI bus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the main memory is coupled to the bus, and provides memory storage for: a fifo memory buffer of fixed size, and a buffer controller for controlling the buffer to store compressed digital video signals, and to provide the buffered compressed digital video signals to a decompressor in response to the system controller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the compressed digital video broadcast signal is compressed in accordance with MPEG standards, and the decompressor comprises an MPEG decompression circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the MPEG compression is MPEG-1 compliant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the MPEG compression is MPEG-2 compliant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the monitor has a diagonal viewing size of at least 27 inches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the monitor has a diagonal viewing size of at least 31 inches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the monitor is non-interlaced, providing a stable image of text characters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 2 and further comprising a audio processing card coupled to the bus for receiving audio data encoded in the digital video signal and providing an output suitable for driving speakers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the audio processing card further comprises an input for accepting signals from a microphone.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the audio processing card further comprises an input for accepting signals from audio CD players.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the audio processing card further comprises an FM synthesis circuit for synthesizing sound.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the audio processing card farther comprises a wavetable synthesis circuit for synthesizing sound.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the audio processing card farther comprises: an FM synthesis circuit for synthesizing sound a wavetable synthesis circuit for synthesizing sound; and a mixer, coupled to the FM synthesis circuit and to the wavetable synthesis circuit for mixing the sounds created by both and providing them to at least one of a line out or the bus.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 2, and further comprising: an NTSC tuner for timing regular commercial broadcast television signals to provide a second video feed to the monitor driver.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 2, wherein all the elements therein except the monitor are contained within a personal computer chassis, and the monitor does not contain a tuner.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 2, wherein all the elements therein are contained in a monitor chassis.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 2, wherein the digital video signal is displayed on the monitor without cropping.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 2, wherein the digital video broadcast signal is broadcast by satellite and received by an antenna coupled to the tuner.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 2, wherein the digital video broadcast signal is transmitted by digital cable coupled directly to the tuner.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 2, wherein the digital video broadcast signal is transmitted by terrestrial antennas and received by an antenna coupled to the tuner.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
164 words
An entertainment system, comprising: a system controller for receiving user input to control selected portions of the entertainment system; a receiver, including an antenna, for receiving a compressed digital video signal broadcast from a satellite; a tuner, coupled to the receiver and the controller for selecting at least one channel of said compressed digital video signal in response to the controller; a decompressor, coupled to the tuner for receiving a channel of the compressed digital video signal and decompressing the compressed digital video signal into a decompressed digital video signal; a converter, coupled to the decompressor for receiving the decompressed digital video signal and converting the decompressed video signal into standard VGA analog signals; a large screen data quality monitor coupled to the converter receives the VGA analog signals and displays the video images therein on a screen capable of a resolution of at least 640 by 480 pixels wherein at no time are the video images displayed on the monitor converted to NTSC.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
164 words
An entertainment system, comprising: a system controller for receiving user input to control selected portions of the entertainment system; a receiver, including an antenna, for receiving a compressed digital video signal broadcast from a satellite; a tuner, coupled to the receiver and the controller for selecting at least one channel of said compressed digital video signal in response to the controller; a decompressor, coupled to the tuner for receiving a channel of the compressed digital video signal and decompressing the compressed digital video signal into a decompressed digital video signal; a converter, coupled to the decompressor for receiving the decompressed digital video signal and converting the decompressed video signal into standard VGA analog signals; a large screen data quality monitor coupled to the converter receives the VGA analog signals and displays the video images therein on a screen capable of a resolution of at least 640 by 480 pixels wherein at no time are the video images displayed on the monitor converted to NTSC.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
59 words
The entertainment system of claim 24 and further comprising: a fifo memory buffer of fixed size, coupled to the tuner and decompressor, and a buffer controller for storing compressed digital video signals in said buffer, wherein said buffer controller causes the buffer to provide the buffered compressed digital video signals to the decompressor in response to the system controller.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 24 wherein the compressed digital video broadcast signal is compressed in accordance with MPEG standards, and the decompressor comprises an MPEG decompression circuit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 25 wherein the MPEG compression is MPEG-1 compliant.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 25 wherein the MPEG compression is MPEG-2 compliant.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 24 wherein the monitor has a diagonal viewing size of at least 27 inches.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 24 wherein the monitor has a diagonal viewing size of at least 31 inches.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 24 wherein the monitor is non-interlaced, providing a stable image of text characters.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 24 and further comprising an audio processing circuit coupled to the converter for receiving decompressed audio data encoded in the digital video signal and providing an output suitable for driving speakers.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the audio processing circuit further comprises an input for accepting signals from a microphone.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the audio processing circuit further comprises an input for accepting signals from audio CD players.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the audio processing circuit further comprises an FM synthesis circuit for synthesizing sound.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the audio processing circuit further comprises a wavetable synthesis circuit for synthesizing sound.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the audio processing circuit further comprises: an FM synthesis circuit for synthesizing sound a wavetable synthesis circuit for synthesizing sound; and a mixer, coupled to the FM synthesis circuit and to the wavetable synthesis circuit for mixing the sounds created by both and providing them to a line out.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 24, and further comprising: an NTSC tuner for tuning regular commercial broadcast television signals to provide a second video feed to the monitor driver.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 24, wherein all the elements therein except the monitor are contained within a personal computer chassis, and the monitor does not contain a tuner.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 24, wherein all the elements therein are contained in a monitor chassis.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 24, wherein the digital video signal is displayed on the monitor without cropping.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
132 words
An entertainment system, comprising: an antenna for receiving compressed digital video signals broadcast from one or more satellites orbiting the earth in geosynchronous orbit; a personal computer having a first circuit for receiving a compressed digital video signal broadcast from at least one satellite; a second circuit for decompressing the compressed digital video signal into a decompressed digital video signal; and a third circuit for converting the decompressed video signal into standard VGA analog signals; and a large screen data quality television for receiving the VGA analog signals and displaying the video images therein on a screen capable of a resolution of at least 640 by 480 pixels, wherein at no time are the video images displayed on the television converted to NTSC which would result in loss of video image quality.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
132 words
An entertainment system, comprising: an antenna for receiving compressed digital video signals broadcast from one or more satellites orbiting the earth in geosynchronous orbit; a personal computer having a first circuit for receiving a compressed digital video signal broadcast from at least one satellite; a second circuit for decompressing the compressed digital video signal into a decompressed digital video signal; and a third circuit for converting the decompressed video signal into standard VGA analog signals; and a large screen data quality television for receiving the VGA analog signals and displaying the video images therein on a screen capable of a resolution of at least 640 by 480 pixels, wherein at no time are the video images displayed on the television converted to NTSC which would result in loss of video image quality.
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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) | 2000-10-06 | 2001-04-07 | 2001-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-06 | 2005-04-07 | 2005-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-06 | 2009-04-07 | 2009-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |