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US6047121A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for controlling a display monitor in a PC/TV convergence system

Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1997-03-31
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Granted: 2000-04-04
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Expires: 2017-03-31
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Abstract

Abstract A computer system comprising a display monitor including an audio function and a computer coupled to the display monitor including a computer controller for controlling the audio function in the monitor. The computer is operable in a computer mode, a television mode, and a combination computer/television mode for displaying computer and television information on the monitor. The system determines whether the monitor includes a controller for controlling its audio function. Based upon this determination, the system controls the audio function with the audio controller in the monitor if the monitor includes such a controller or, alternatively, with the computer controller if the monitor does not have such a controller.

Inventors

  • 👤 Mark P. Vaughan

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 13:58
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/426; G; G09; G09G; G09G1/00; G09G1/06; G09G1/14; G09G1/16; G09G1/165; G09G1/167; H04N21/414; H04N21/4143; H04N21/43; H04N21/443; H04N21/47; H04N21/485

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim 86 words
A method for controlling a peripheral device comprising the steps of: providing a peripheral device including at least one function; providing a computer operably associated with the peripheral device including a computer controller for controlling said function; determining whether said peripheral device includes a peripheral controller for controlling said function; and controlling said function of said peripheral device with said peripheral controller if said peripheral device includes said peripheral controller or, alternatively, with said computer controller if said peripheral device does not include said peripheral controller.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 86 words
A method for controlling a peripheral device comprising the steps of: providing a peripheral device including at least one function; providing a computer operably associated with the peripheral device including a computer controller for controlling said function; determining whether said peripheral device includes a peripheral controller for controlling said function; and controlling said function of said peripheral device with said peripheral controller if said peripheral device includes said peripheral controller or, alternatively, with said computer controller if said peripheral device does not include said peripheral controller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method, as recited in claim 1, wherein said peripheral device is a display for displaying information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method, as recited in claim 2, wherein one of said at least one function of said display is an audio function.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method, as recited in claim 3, wherein said peripheral controller and said computer controller are audio controllers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method, as recited in claim 2, wherein one of said at least one function of said display is a display-geometry function.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method, as recited in claim 5, wherein said peripheral controller and said computer controller are display-geometry controllers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method, as recited in claim 2, wherein one of said at least one function of said display is a display-quality function.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method, as recited in claim 7, wherein said peripheral controller and said computer controller are display-quality controllers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 84 words
A computer system comprising: a peripheral device including at least one function; a computer operably associated with said peripheral device including a computer controller for controlling said function; sensing means for determining whether said peripheral device includes a peripheral controller for controlling said function; and control means responsive to said sensing means for controlling said function with said peripheral controller if said peripheral device includes said peripheral controller or, alternatively, with said computer controller if said peripheral device does not include said peripheral controller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 84 words
A computer system comprising: a peripheral device including at least one function; a computer operably associated with said peripheral device including a computer controller for controlling said function; sensing means for determining whether said peripheral device includes a peripheral controller for controlling said function; and control means responsive to said sensing means for controlling said function with said peripheral controller if said peripheral device includes said peripheral controller or, alternatively, with said computer controller if said peripheral device does not include said peripheral controller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 18 words
The computer system, as recited in claim 9, wherein said peripheral device is a display for displaying information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 23 words
The computer system, as recited in claim 10, wherein one of said at least one function of said display is an audio function.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 19 words
The computer system, as recited in claim 11, wherein said peripheral controller and said computer controller are audio controllers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 23 words
The computer system, as recited in claim 10, wherein one of said at least one function of said display is a display-geometry function.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 19 words
The computer system, as recited in claim 13, wherein said peripheral controller and said computer controller are display-geometry controllers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 23 words
The computer system, as recited in claim 10, wherein one of said at least one function of said display is a display-quality function.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 19 words
The computer system, as recited in claim 15, wherein said peripheral controller and said computer controller are display-quality controllers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 119 words
A computer system comprising: a peripheral device including at least one function; a computer operably associated with said peripheral device including a computer controller for controlling said function, said computer operable in a computer mode for receiving and transmitting computer information, a television mode for receiving and transmitting television information, and a combination computer/television mode for receiving and transmitting computer and television information; sensing means for determining whether said peripheral device includes a peripheral controller for controlling said function; and control means responsive to said sensing means for controlling said function with said peripheral controller if said peripheral device includes said peripheral controller or, alternatively, with said computer controller if said peripheral device does not include said peripheral controller.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 119 words
A computer system comprising: a peripheral device including at least one function; a computer operably associated with said peripheral device including a computer controller for controlling said function, said computer operable in a computer mode for receiving and transmitting computer information, a television mode for receiving and transmitting television information, and a combination computer/television mode for receiving and transmitting computer and television information; sensing means for determining whether said peripheral device includes a peripheral controller for controlling said function; and control means responsive to said sensing means for controlling said function with said peripheral controller if said peripheral device includes said peripheral controller or, alternatively, with said computer controller if said peripheral device does not include said peripheral controller.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 47 words
The computer system, as recited in claim 17, wherein said peripheral device is a display operably associated with said computer for displaying in said computer mode said computer information, in said television mode said television information, and in said computer/television mode said computer and said television information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 23 words
The computer system, as recited in claim 18, wherein one of said at least one function of said display is an audio function.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 23 words
The computer system, as recited in claim 18, wherein one of said at least one function of said display is a display-geometry function.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 23 words
The computer system, as recited in claim 18, wherein one of said at least one function of said display is a display-quality function.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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US4658247A Cited
US4775928A Cited
US4954819A Cited
US5291275A Cited
US5451981A Cited
US5488393A Cited
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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) 2003-04-04 2003-10-04 2004-04-04 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-04-04 2007-10-04 2008-04-04 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-04-04 2011-10-04 2012-04-04 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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