Patent US5926207A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5926207A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Channel server functionality
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1997-03-31
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Granted: 1999-07-20
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Expires: 2017-03-31
Abstract
Abstract The present invention discloses a system for dynamically defining individual channel behavior from a variety of tuner sources within an integrated PC/TV apparatus. The system includes a channel server database including a master channel list of all channels provided by various tuner sources within a PC/TV apparatus. Each channel within the database list includes various parameters and data associated therewith defining the behavior of the channel independently of other channels within a listing. A number of channels server functionalities enable a user to dynamically access and alter the channel parameters and data to tailor channel behavior to a user's personal preferences.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark P. Vaughan
- 👤 William H. Ellis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:09
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/426; H04N21/414; H04N21/4143; H04N21/43; H04N21/433; H04N21/4332; H04N21/45; H04N21/4508; H04N21/4532; H04N21/462; H04N21/4622; H04N21/47; H04N21/475; H04N21/4755; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/163; H04N21/443
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A computer system comprising: a display for receiving and displaying images; a computer, coupled to the display for executing programs and for generating images to be displayed on said display; a television module for providing television functionalities to the display; a database containing a listing of substantially all channels receivable by the television module, wherein each channel of the listing has associated therewith selectively programmable data defining independent behavior for the channel such that each channel may behave independently of other channels; means for the selectively programming the data relating to the channels receivable by the television module.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A computer system comprising: a display for receiving and displaying images; a computer, coupled to the display for executing programs and for generating images to be displayed on said display; a television module for providing television functionalities to the display; a database containing a listing of substantially all channels receivable by the television module, wherein each channel of the listing has associated therewith selectively programmable data defining independent behavior for the channel such that each channel may behave independently of other channels; means for the selectively programming the data relating to the channels receivable by the television module.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system of claim 1, wherein the selectively programmable data comprises a master channel list of all channels available to the television module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer system of claim 2, wherein the master channel list comprises channels available from each of a plurality of source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 2, wherein the selectively programmable data is associated in user designated groupings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 1, wherein the means for selectively programming further comprises means for modifying the channels within the database.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system of claim 1, wherein the means for selectively programming further comprises means for associating a user selectable identifier with the channels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer system of claim 1, wherein the means for selectively programming further comprises means for notifying a user of a change in the channel list.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer system of claim 1, wherein the means for selectively programming further comprises means for scanning a tuner source to build a list of channels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer system of claim 4, wherein said user designated groups are sublists, and further comprising means for filtering said master channel list and said sublists.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer system of claim 6, wherein the means for selectively programming further comprises means for associating external system selectable data with the channels, and wherein said user selections always take precedence over external systems selections.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
88 words
A system for dynamically defining individual broadcast channel behavior associated with integrated personal computer and television functionalities, comprising: a database associated with the integrated personal computer and television functionalities containing a listing of substantially all broadcast channels receivable by the television functionalities, wherein each broadcast channel has selectively programmable data uniquely defining independent behavior for each of the broadcast channels such that each channel may behave independently of other broadcast channels; and means responsive to inputs from the personal computer functionalities for selectively programming the selectively programmable data.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
88 words
A system for dynamically defining individual broadcast channel behavior associated with integrated personal computer and television functionalities, comprising: a database associated with the integrated personal computer and television functionalities containing a listing of substantially all broadcast channels receivable by the television functionalities, wherein each broadcast channel has selectively programmable data uniquely defining independent behavior for each of the broadcast channels such that each channel may behave independently of other broadcast channels; and means responsive to inputs from the personal computer functionalities for selectively programming the selectively programmable data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 11, wherein the selectively programmable data is associated in user designated groupings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 11, wherein the means for selectively programming further comprises means for modifying the broadcast channels within the database.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer system of claim 11, wherein the means for selectively programming further comprises means for notifying a user of a change in the channel list.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer system of claim 11, wherein the means for selectively programming further comprises means for scanning a broadcast source to build a list of broadcast channels.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system of claim 11, wherein the selectively programmable data comprises a master channel list of all channels available to the television module.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer system of claim 16, wherein the master channel list comprises channels available from each of a plurality of sources.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
92 words
A system associated with an integrated personal computer and a convergence functionality module, comprising: a database associated with the integrated personal computer and the convergence functionality module for containing selectively programmable identifiers associated with signal sources providing data to the integrated personal computer and convergence functionality; and means responsive to inputs from the personal computer for selectively programming each of the selectively programmable identifiers for the signal sources independently of each other, wherein the selectively programmable identifiers may be established independently of each other in response to the means for selectively programming.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
92 words
A system associated with an integrated personal computer and a convergence functionality module, comprising: a database associated with the integrated personal computer and the convergence functionality module for containing selectively programmable identifiers associated with signal sources providing data to the integrated personal computer and convergence functionality; and means responsive to inputs from the personal computer for selectively programming each of the selectively programmable identifiers for the signal sources independently of each other, wherein the selectively programmable identifiers may be established independently of each other in response to the means for selectively programming.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 18, wherein the means for selectively programming further comprises means for modifying broadcast channels within the database.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 18, wherein the selectively programmable identifiers may be established independently of each other in response to the means for selectively programming.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 18, wherein the means for selectively programming comprises: a data system functionality responsive to inputs from the personal computer for selectively programming each of the selectively programmable identifiers independently of each other.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for dynamically defining individual broadcast channel behavior associated with integrated personal computer and television functionalities, comprising: a data listing associated with the integrated personal computer and television functionalities containing a listing of substantially all broadcast channels receivable by the television functionalities, wherein each broadcast channel of the listing has associated therewith selectively programmable data uniquely defining independent behavior for each of the broadcast channels such that each broadcast channel may behave independently of the other broadcast channels; and channel service functionalities responsive to input from the personal computer functionalities for selectively programming the selectively programmable data to enable alteration of the behavior of the broadcast channels.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for dynamically defining individual broadcast channel behavior associated with integrated personal computer and television functionalities, comprising: a data listing associated with the integrated personal computer and television functionalities containing a listing of substantially all broadcast channels receivable by the television functionalities, wherein each broadcast channel of the listing has associated therewith selectively programmable data uniquely defining independent behavior for each of the broadcast channels such that each broadcast channel may behave independently of the other broadcast channels; and channel service functionalities responsive to input from the personal computer functionalities for selectively programming the selectively programmable data to enable alteration of the behavior of the broadcast channels.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for dynamically defining individual broadcast channel behavior associated with integrated personal computer and television functionalities, comprising: establishing a data listing of the broadcast channels receivable by the television functionalities, wherein the data listing includes selectively programmable data associated with each of the broadcast channels defining independent behavior for each of the broadcast channels; selectively programming the selectively programmable data to uniquely define independent behavior for each of the broadcast channels; and operating each of the broadcast channels according to the independent behavior defined by the selectively programmable data for the broadcast channel within the data listing.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for dynamically defining individual broadcast channel behavior associated with integrated personal computer and television functionalities, comprising: establishing a data listing of the broadcast channels receivable by the television functionalities, wherein the data listing includes selectively programmable data associated with each of the broadcast channels defining independent behavior for each of the broadcast channels; selectively programming the selectively programmable data to uniquely define independent behavior for each of the broadcast channels; and operating each of the broadcast channels according to the independent behavior defined by the selectively programmable data for the broadcast channel within the data listing.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the step of establishing comprises the step of associating the broadcast channels in user designated groupings.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the step of establishing comprises the step of associating the broadcast channels according to broadcast sources.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the step of selectively programming further comprises the step of modifying the broadcast channels within the data listing.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the step of selectively programming further comprises scanning a broadcast service to build a list of broadcast channels.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for dynamically defining identifiers associated with integrated personal computer and a convergence functionality module, comprising: establishing a data listing of selectively programmable data for programmable identifiers associated with signal sources providing data to the integrated personal and convergence functionality identifiers; selectively programming programmable data for the programmable identifiers to uniquely define independent behavior for each identifier; and operating the integrated personal computer and convergence functionality module according to the established behavior defined by the programmable data for the programmable identifiers.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for dynamically defining identifiers associated with integrated personal computer and a convergence functionality module, comprising: establishing a data listing of selectively programmable data for programmable identifiers associated with signal sources providing data to the integrated personal and convergence functionality identifiers; selectively programming programmable data for the programmable identifiers to uniquely define independent behavior for each identifier; and operating the integrated personal computer and convergence functionality module according to the established behavior defined by the programmable data for the programmable identifiers.
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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) | 2002-07-19 | 2003-01-18 | 2003-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-19 | 2007-01-18 | 2007-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-19 | 2011-01-18 | 2011-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |