US6166728A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Display system with programmable display parameters
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1993-06-07
•
Granted: 2000-12-26
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Expires: 2013-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A display system for providing programmable on-screen displays for a subscriber terminal, includes a control processor and a display processor which generates such displays from stored display information and display attributes. The control processor executes display routines to configure the display processor and to load the display data into a display memory. The display routines, display attributes and display data are programmable and can be varied for optimal use of the display processor. In one implementation, such information can be modified by changing the programming in non-volatile memory of the subscriber terminal, either by switching ROM or Flash EPROM ICs or by a plug in module. Another implementation includes downloading the information with other executable code and data in the read/write portions of the non-volatile memory. A third implementation provides specialized display transactions for the information which, in a preferred embodiment, envisions a high level screen definition language whose commands can be compiled into the formats of the display routines, display attributes and display data.
Inventors
- 👤 R. Thomas Haman
- 👤 Robert O. Banker
- 👤 Chamnan Ith
- 👤 Kinney C. Bacon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:09
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/60; H04N21/65; H04N21/654; H04N21/6547; G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/418; H04N21/4184; H04N21/43; H04N21/443; H04N21/4432; H04N21/4435; H04N21/47; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/8166; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/445; H04N5/44504; H04N7/00; H04N7/025; H04N7/03; H04N7/06; H04N7/08; H04N7/087; H04N7/088; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/163; H04N7/165; H04N7/167; H04N7/1675; H04N21/488; H04N21/4884; H04N5/45
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 90
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
A display system for generating a first video signal, said display system being a subsystem of a subscriber terminal of a cable television system, said display system comprising: a data extractor for receiving an input command transmitted by a remote transmitter, said remote transmitter being a subsystem of a headend of the cable television system and said input command including a header portion, a command portion and a display data portion, wherein said header portion indicates whether said input command is global in nature and therefore should be received by all subscribers or is addressed in nature and therefore should be received by particular subscribers, and said command portion defines an operation that said display system will perform using said display data portion; a dynamic, non-volatile memory; a control processor, said control processor including first program means for modifying at least one of symbol data and graphics data stored in said dynamic, non-volatile memory according to said input command; a control processor for converting at least one of said symbol data and graphics data to pixel data, said control processor further including second program means for configuring said digital processor; and a video processor, responsive to said digital processor, for converting said pixel data to an analog pixel signal and for generating said first video signal by multiplexing between said analog pixel signal and a second video signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
A display system for generating a first video signal, said display system being a subsystem of a subscriber terminal of a cable television system, said display system comprising: a data extractor for receiving an input command transmitted by a remote transmitter, said remote transmitter being a subsystem of a headend of the cable television system and said input command including a header portion, a command portion and a display data portion, wherein said header portion indicates whether said input command is global in nature and therefore should be received by all subscribers or is addressed in nature and therefore should be received by particular subscribers, and said command portion defines an operation that said display system will perform using said display data portion; a dynamic, non-volatile memory; a control processor, said control processor including first program means for modifying at least one of symbol data and graphics data stored in said dynamic, non-volatile memory according to said input command; a control processor for converting at least one of said symbol data and graphics data to pixel data, said control processor further including second program means for configuring said digital processor; and a video processor, responsive to said digital processor, for converting said pixel data to an analog pixel signal and for generating said first video signal by multiplexing between said analog pixel signal and a second video signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The display system according to claim 1, said video processor multiplexing between said analog pixel signal and said second video signal on a screen by screen basis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The display system according to claim 1, said video processor multiplexing between said analog pixel signal and said second video signal on a pixel by pixel basis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The display system according to claim 1 wherein operation of said first program means of said control processor is controlled by a first program.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The display system according to claim 1, said symbol data including a plurality of character sets, each of said character sets defining a plurality of characters, wherein each of said characters is defined by an m by n array of pixels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The display system according to claim 5, one of said character sets being an English character set.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The display system according to claim 5, one of said character sets being a Chinese character set.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The display system according to claim 5, one of said character sets being an Arabic character set.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The display system according to claim 5, one of said character sets being a Japanese character set.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The display system according to claim 1, said remote transmitter transmitting said input command using in-band signaling techniques.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The display system according to claim 1, said remote transmitter transmitting said input command using out-of-band signaling techniques.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The display system according to claim 1, said input command being derived from a display screen building language that compresses multiple instructions into a single command.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The display system according to claim 1, said command portion of said input command being for loading a color data value into a color palette register, wherein a color palette register number and said color data value is specified in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The display system according to claim 1, said command portion of said input command being for modifying a line attribute register, wherein a line number is specified in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The display system according to claim 1, said command portion of said input command being for loading a border screen register with a color data value, wherein said color data value is specified in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
The display system according to claim 1, said command portion of said input command being for filling a screen of pixels of an associated television receiver with a particular symbol, wherein an address of said particular symbol is specified in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The display system according to claim 1, said command portion of said input command being for making a screen of symbol data share a common attribute, wherein said common attribute is specified in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
54 words
The display system according to claim 1, said command portion of said input command being for filling a screen of pixels of an associated television receiver with a particular symbol having an attribute, wherein an address of said particular symbol and said attribute is specified in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
The display system according to claim 1, said command portion of said input command being for displaying n symbols on an associated television receiver starting at a particular row and column of a screen of pixels, wherein said row, said column, number n, and an address for each of said n symbols are specified in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
62 words
The display system according to claim 1, said command portion of said input command being for displaying n symbols sharing a common attribute on an associated television receiver starting at a particular row and column of a screen of pixels, wherein said row, said column, number n, and said common attribute are specified in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
64 words
The display system according to claim 1, said command portion of said input command being for displaying a particular symbol on an associated television receiver n times starting at a particular row and column of a screen of pixels, wherein said row, said column, an address of said particular symbol, and number n are specified in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
70 words
The display system according to claim 1, said command portion of said input command being for displaying n symbols sharing a common attribute on an associated television receiver starting at a particular row and column of a screen of pixels, wherein said row, said column, number n, said common attribute, and an address for each of said n symbols are specified in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
76 words
The display system according to claim 1, said command portion of said input command being for displaying n symbols, each having a particular attribute, on an associated television receiver starting at a particular row and column of a screen of pixels, wherein said row, said column, number n, an address for each of said n symbols, and said attribute of each of said n symbols are specified in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
68 words
The display system according to claim 1, said command portion of said input command being for displaying a display parameter having n symbols on an associated television receiver starting at a particular row and column of a screen of pixels, wherein said row, said column, a display parameter number corresponding to said display parameter, and number n are specified in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
56 words
The display system according to claim 1, said command portion of said input command setting a first portion of a volatile memory to a first value and setting a second portion of said dynamic, non-volatile memory to a second value, wherein said first and second values are specified in said display portion of said input command.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
56 words
The display system according to claim 1, said command portion of said input command making said control processor wait for one of a specific input command and a timeout period before transmitting data from a first memory to a second memory, wherein said timeout period is specified in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
53 words
The display system according to claim 1, said command portion of said input command being for displaying a blinking cursor on an associated television receiver at a particular row and column of a screen of pixels, wherein said row and said column is specified in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The display system according to claim 1, said command portion causing no operation to occur.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The display system according to claim 1, said dynamic, non-volatile memory being a FLASH EPROM.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
157 words
A display system comprising: a data extractor for extracting remotely generated data from an input signal and for determining whether said extracted data comprises display control information, said input signal being generated by a subscription television system that provides the remotely generated data as communication transactions from a headend to said display system, said communication transactions including a first transaction including command and parameter data, said data extractor including means for receiving the remotely generated data at the display system in one or more communication transactions; a dynamic, non-volatile memory; a control processor performing at least one of storing and replacing said display control information in the dynamic, non-volatile memory, the control processor processing said command and parameter data into display control information wherein said display control information comprises display information and display attributes; and a display controller, responsive to said control processor, for generating a video display signal based on contents of the dynamic, non-volatile memory.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
157 words
A display system comprising: a data extractor for extracting remotely generated data from an input signal and for determining whether said extracted data comprises display control information, said input signal being generated by a subscription television system that provides the remotely generated data as communication transactions from a headend to said display system, said communication transactions including a first transaction including command and parameter data, said data extractor including means for receiving the remotely generated data at the display system in one or more communication transactions; a dynamic, non-volatile memory; a control processor performing at least one of storing and replacing said display control information in the dynamic, non-volatile memory, the control processor processing said command and parameter data into display control information wherein said display control information comprises display information and display attributes; and a display controller, responsive to said control processor, for generating a video display signal based on contents of the dynamic, non-volatile memory.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
A display system as set forth in claim 30, wherein said control processor further includes means to configure said display controller with said display control information.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
A display system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said command defines an on-screen display with a selected symbol.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
A display system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said command defines symbols of an on-screen display with an attribute.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
A display system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said command defines an on-screen display with a selected symbol having a selected attribute.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
A display system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said command causes said display controller to write n symbols on an on-screen display.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
A display system as set forth in claim 35 wherein said command constitutes a command to give each of said n symbols the same attribute.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
A display system as set forth in claim 35, wherein said command constitutes a command to give each of said n symbols a different attribute.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
A display system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said command defines n symbols with an attribute.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
A display system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said command causes said display controller to write a selected symbol n times on an on-screen display.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The display system as set forth in claim 30, said display control information including information controlling at least one of menu screens, barker screens, and graphic screens.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for remotely programming a display system for generating a first video signal, said display system including a display controller, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a remotely generated input command, said input command being derived from a display screen building language that compresses multiple instructions into a single command; modifying at least one of symbol data and graphics data according to said input command, said at least one of symbol data and graphics data constituting first display information; configuring the display controller of said display system based on said modified first display information; converting said modified first display data to pixel data in said display controller; converting said pixel data to an analog pixel signal; and generating said first video signal, said step of generating including multiplexing between said analog pixel signal and a second video signal.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for remotely programming a display system for generating a first video signal, said display system including a display controller, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a remotely generated input command, said input command being derived from a display screen building language that compresses multiple instructions into a single command; modifying at least one of symbol data and graphics data according to said input command, said at least one of symbol data and graphics data constituting first display information; configuring the display controller of said display system based on said modified first display information; converting said modified first display data to pixel data in said display controller; converting said pixel data to an analog pixel signal; and generating said first video signal, said step of generating including multiplexing between said analog pixel signal and a second video signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 41, wherein said step of multiplexing between said analog pixel signal and said second video signal includes multiplexing on a screen by screen basis.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 41, wherein said step of multiplexing between said analog pixel signal and said second video signal is performed on a pixel by pixel basis.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 41, wherein: said display system is a subsystem of a subscriber terminal of a cable television system; said cable television system includes a headend having a remote transmitter; and said step of receiving a remotely generated input command includes receiving the input command from the remote transmitter.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 44, wherein said step of receiving the input command includes receiving said input command using in-band signaling techniques.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 44, wherein said step of receiving the input command includes receiving said input command using out-of-band signaling techniques.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 44, wherein said step of receiving a remotely generated input command includes receiving an input command that includes a header portion, a command portion, and a display data portion, wherein said header portion indicates whether said input command is global in nature and therefore should be received by all subscribers or is addressed in nature and therefore should be received by particular subscribers, and said command portion defines an operation that said display system will perform using said display data portion.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 47, wherein: said command portion of said input command includes a command for loading a color data value into a color palette register; and said step of receiving an input command includes receiving a color palette register number and said color data value in said display data portion of said input command, said color palette register number corresponding to the color palette register to be loaded.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 47, wherein: said command portion of said input command includes a command for modifying a line attribute register; and said step of receiving an input command includes receiving a line number in said display data portion of said input command, said line number corresponding to the line attribute register to be modified.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 47, wherein: said command portion of said input command includes a command for loading a border screen register with a color data value; and said step of receiving an input command includes receiving said color data value in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 47, wherein: said command portion of said input command includes a command for filling a screen of pixels of an associated television receiver with a particular symbol; and said step of receiving an input command includes receiving an address of said particular symbol in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 47, wherein: said command portion of said input command includes a command for making a screen of symbol data share a common attribute; and said step of receiving an input command includes receiving said common attribute in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 47, wherein: said command portion of said input command includes a command for filling a screen of pixels of an associated television receiver with a particular symbol having an attribute; and said step of receiving an input command includes receiving an address of said particular symbol and said attribute in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 47, wherein: said command portion of said input command includes a command for displaying N symbols on an associated television receiver starting at a particular row and column of a screen of pixels; and said step of receiving an input command includes receiving said row, said column, a number N, and an address for each of said N symbols in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 47, wherein: said command portion of said input command includes a command for displaying N symbols sharing a common attribute on an associated television receiver starting at a particular row and column of a screen of pixels; and said step of receiving an input command includes receiving said row, said column, a number N, and said common attribute in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 47, wherein: said command portion of said input command includes a command for displaying a particular symbol on an associated television receiver N times starting at a particular row and column of a screen of pixels; and said step of receiving an input command includes receiving said row, said column, an address of said particular symbol, and a number N in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 47, wherein: said command portion of said input command includes a command for displaying N symbols sharing a common attribute on an associated television receiver starting at a particular row and column of a screen of pixels; and said step of receiving an input command includes receiving said row, said column, a number N, said common attribute, and an address for each of said N symbols in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 47, wherein: said command portion of said input command includes a command for displaying N symbols, each having a particular attribute, on an associated television receiver starting at a particular row and column of a screen of pixels; and said step of receiving an input command includes receiving said row, said column, a number N, an address for each of said N symbols, and said attribute of each of said N symbols in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 47, wherein: said command portion of said input command includes a command for displaying a display parameter having N symbols on an associated television receiver starting at a particular row and column of a screen of pixels; and said step of receiving an input command includes receiving said row, said column, a display parameter number corresponding to said display parameter, and a number N in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 47, wherein: said command portion of said input command includes a command for setting a first portion of a volatile memory to a first value and for setting a second portion of said dynamic, non-volatile memory to a second value; and said step of receiving an input command includes receiving said first and second values in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 47, wherein: said command portion of said input command includes a command for making said control processor wait for one of a specific input command and a timeout period before transmitting data from a first memory to a second memory; and said step of receiving an input command includes receiving said timeout period in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 47, wherein: said command portion of said input command for displaying a blinking cursor on an associated television receiver at a particular row and column of a screen of pixels; and said step of receiving an input command includes receiving said row and said column in said display data portion of said input command.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method for remotely programming a display system according to claim 47, wherein said command portion of said input command includes a command for causing no operation to occur.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
310 words
A method for remotely programming a display system of a subscriber terminal for generating a first video signal said display system including a non-volatile memory to store first display information which controls said display system said first display information including at least one of display data and display attributes, said display system further including first memory means for storing a display routine and second memory means for storing an expansion routine, said non-volatile memory constituting third memory means for storing said first display information, said display system further including fourth memory means for storing said second display information, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a remotely generated input command in said subscriber terminal; modifying said first display information according to said input command so that said display system functions according to said input command, said input command constituting second display information; generating said first video signal based on said first display information; storing said second display information in said fourth memory means; checking said fourth memory means to determine whether said second display information has been stored therein; when it has been determined that the second display information has been stored in said fourth memory means, determining whether said first display information needs a change based on said second display information, said step of determining whether said first information needs a change including reading said first display information and determining whether said second display information constitutes a command to set said first display information to information different than said first display information as stored in said third memory means; and when it has been determined that said first display information needs change, performing said expansion routine, said step of performing said expansion routine including accessing said second display information and replacing at least some of said first display information with said second display information in said third memory means.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
310 words
A method for remotely programming a display system of a subscriber terminal for generating a first video signal said display system including a non-volatile memory to store first display information which controls said display system said first display information including at least one of display data and display attributes, said display system further including first memory means for storing a display routine and second memory means for storing an expansion routine, said non-volatile memory constituting third memory means for storing said first display information, said display system further including fourth memory means for storing said second display information, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a remotely generated input command in said subscriber terminal; modifying said first display information according to said input command so that said display system functions according to said input command, said input command constituting second display information; generating said first video signal based on said first display information; storing said second display information in said fourth memory means; checking said fourth memory means to determine whether said second display information has been stored therein; when it has been determined that the second display information has been stored in said fourth memory means, determining whether said first display information needs a change based on said second display information, said step of determining whether said first information needs a change including reading said first display information and determining whether said second display information constitutes a command to set said first display information to information different than said first display information as stored in said third memory means; and when it has been determined that said first display information needs change, performing said expansion routine, said step of performing said expansion routine including accessing said second display information and replacing at least some of said first display information with said second display information in said third memory means.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method for remotely reprogramming a display system according to claim 54, further comprising a step of automatically initiating said display routine after performing said expansion routine.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for remotely reprogramming a display system according to claim 54, wherein said step of receiving includes receiving said second display information in compressed form.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method for remotely reprogramming a display system according to claim 54, wherein said step of generating said first video signal includes steps of: processing said first display information into pixel data; converting the pixel data into an analog pixel signal; and generating said first video signal based on the analog pixel signal.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method for remotely reprogramming a display system according to claim 67, wherein said step of generating said first video signal includes multiplexing said analog pixel signal with a second video signal.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method for remotely reprogramming a display system according to claim 64, wherein: said display system includes a display controller; and said step of generating said first video signal includes configuring said display controller with said display attributes.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method for remotely reprogramming a display system according to claim 64, further comprising steps of: performing said display routine, said step of performing said display routine includes accessing said first display information from said third memory; and returning to a normal operating routine after performing said display routine.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for remotely reprogramming a display system according to claim 64, wherein said step of checking includes monitoring a software flag whose state corresponds to the receipt of said second display information in said fourth memory.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method for remotely reprogramming a display system according to claim 64, wherein: said first display information includes color registers with associated values as well as other information; and said step of performing said expansion routine retains said associated values of said color registers of said first display information while replacing at least some of said other information with said second display information.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method for remotely reprogramming a display system according to claim 64, wherein: said first display information includes symbol set definitions as well as other information; and said step of performing said expansion routine retains said symbol set definitions of said first display information while replacing at least some of said other information with said second display information.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method for remotely reprogramming a display system according to claim 64, wherein said step of replacing said at least some of said first display information includes replacing at least one of screen parameter register values and information locating said displayable screens in said third memory, said screen parameter register values includes values indicating portions of displayable screens.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
278 words
A display system for generating a first video signal comprising: remote command receiving means for receiving an input command transmitted by a remote transmitter; a non-volatile memory including first memory means and wherein said at least one of symbol data and graphics data constitutes first display information; control processing means, said control processing means including first program means for modifying at least one of symbol data and graphics data stored in said non-volatile memory according to said input command; digital processing means for converting at least one of said symbol data and graphics data to pixel data, said control processing means further including second program means for configuring said digital processing means; video processing means, responsive to said digital processing means, for converting said pixel data to an analog pixel signal and for generating said first video signal by multiplexing between said analog pixel signal and a second video signal; an output terminal connectable to a display; second memory means for storing said input command as second display information; third memory means for storing a display routine, said second program means being responsive to said display routine to configure said digital processing means, with at least some of said first display information, to generate a displayable image for output on said output terminal; and fourth memory means for storing an expansion routine, said first program means being responsive to said expansion routine to determine whether to replace at least some of said first display information with at least part of said second display information when said second memory means has received said second display information and for replacing at least some of said first display information when required.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
278 words
A display system for generating a first video signal comprising: remote command receiving means for receiving an input command transmitted by a remote transmitter; a non-volatile memory including first memory means and wherein said at least one of symbol data and graphics data constitutes first display information; control processing means, said control processing means including first program means for modifying at least one of symbol data and graphics data stored in said non-volatile memory according to said input command; digital processing means for converting at least one of said symbol data and graphics data to pixel data, said control processing means further including second program means for configuring said digital processing means; video processing means, responsive to said digital processing means, for converting said pixel data to an analog pixel signal and for generating said first video signal by multiplexing between said analog pixel signal and a second video signal; an output terminal connectable to a display; second memory means for storing said input command as second display information; third memory means for storing a display routine, said second program means being responsive to said display routine to configure said digital processing means, with at least some of said first display information, to generate a displayable image for output on said output terminal; and fourth memory means for storing an expansion routine, said first program means being responsive to said expansion routine to determine whether to replace at least some of said first display information with at least part of said second display information when said second memory means has received said second display information and for replacing at least some of said first display information when required.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
20 words
The display system according to claim 75, said display processor automatically initiating said display routine after executing said expansion routine.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
20 words
The display system according to claim 75, said second display information being received by said display system in compressed form.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
15 words
The display system according to claim 75, said second memory including a dynamic, non-volatile memory.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
25 words
The display system according to claim 78, said dynamic, non-volatile memory including at least one of a flash EPROM and a battery backed up RAM.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
27 words
The display system according to claim 75, said control processor performing a normal operating routine when not performing one of said display routine and said expansion routine.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
46 words
The display system according to claim 75, said control processor determining whether said second memory has received said second display information by checking whether a software flag has been set, said software flag corresponding to the receipt of said second display information in said second memory.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
53 words
The display system according to claim 75, said first display information including color registers with associated values as well as other information, said first program means retaining said associated values of said color registers of said first display information while replacing at least some of said other information with said second display information.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
48 words
The display system according to claim 75, said first display information including symbol set definitions as well as other information, said first program means retaining said symbol set definitions of said first display information while replacing at least some of said other information with said second display information.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
40 words
The display system according to claim 75, said first display information which is replaced by said second display information includes at least one of screen parameter register values, which include positions of displayable screens, and information locating said displayable screens.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
51 words
A display system as set forth in claim 30, wherein: said display controller includes a digital processor and an analog processor; said digital processor processes the display control information into pixel data; and the analog processor converts the pixel data into an analog pixel signal and generates said video display signal.
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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) | 2003-12-26 | 2004-06-26 | 2004-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-26 | 2008-06-26 | 2008-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-26 | 2012-06-26 | 2012-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |