US6229575B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer convergence device controller for managing disparate video sources
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1997-03-31
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Granted: 2001-05-08
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Expires: 2017-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A computer convergence system includes a convergence functionality module, a computer, and a display device. The convergence functionality module includes a first input for receiving a first video signal and a second input for receiving a second video signal. The computer is coupled to the convergence functionality module and receives therefrom indications of the first video signal received at the first input port and indications of said second video signal received at the second input port. The computer includes a controller for controlling the mapping of the indications of the first video signal to the primary video viewing surface, and further controls the mapping of the indications of the second video signal to either the second video viewing surface or the data acquisition destination.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark P. Vaughan
- 👤 Thomas J. Brase
- 👤 Drew S. Johnson
- 👤 William H. Ellis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:15
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/445; H04N5/45; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/414; H04N21/4143; H04N21/43; H04N21/431; H04N21/4312; H04N21/4316; H04N21/435; H04N21/47; H04N21/485; H04N21/4104; H04N21/4135; H04N21/426
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
367 words
A computer convergence device having a plurality of destination elements, said computer convergence device comprising: a first input for receiving a first signal; a second input for receiving a second signal; a computer coupled to said first input for receiving indications of said first signal received at said first input, and said computer further coupled to said second input for receiving indications of said second signal received at said second input, the computer comprising: a controller for controlling mapping of the indications of said first signal received at said first input to a first one of the plurality of destination elements, and said controller further for controlling selective and exclusive mapping of the indications of said second signal received at said second input to a second one of the plurality of destination elements, in response to a first user input, and to a third one of the plurality of destination elements, in response to a second user input, the controller comprising: a multiplexer coupled to said first input and said second input, said multiplexer operable to connect to said first input for receiving said first signal, and said multiplexer further operable to connect to said second input for receiving said second signal; an analog-to-digital converter coupled to said multiplexer; a first digital video interface coupled to said analog-to-digital converter and to the first one of the plurality of destination elements; a second digital video interface coupled to said analog-to-digital converter, to the second one of the plurality of destination elements, and to the third one of the plurality of destination elements; an arbitrator for arbitrating the selective and exclusive mapping of the indications of said second signal received at said second input to the second one of the plurality of destination elements and the third one of the plurality of destination elements; and a display device coupled to the first one of the plurality of destination elements, and coupled to the second one of the plurality of destination elements, said display device operable to simultaneously display an image representative of said first signal on a first portion of said display device and an image representative of said second signal on a second portion of said display device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
367 words
A computer convergence device having a plurality of destination elements, said computer convergence device comprising: a first input for receiving a first signal; a second input for receiving a second signal; a computer coupled to said first input for receiving indications of said first signal received at said first input, and said computer further coupled to said second input for receiving indications of said second signal received at said second input, the computer comprising: a controller for controlling mapping of the indications of said first signal received at said first input to a first one of the plurality of destination elements, and said controller further for controlling selective and exclusive mapping of the indications of said second signal received at said second input to a second one of the plurality of destination elements, in response to a first user input, and to a third one of the plurality of destination elements, in response to a second user input, the controller comprising: a multiplexer coupled to said first input and said second input, said multiplexer operable to connect to said first input for receiving said first signal, and said multiplexer further operable to connect to said second input for receiving said second signal; an analog-to-digital converter coupled to said multiplexer; a first digital video interface coupled to said analog-to-digital converter and to the first one of the plurality of destination elements; a second digital video interface coupled to said analog-to-digital converter, to the second one of the plurality of destination elements, and to the third one of the plurality of destination elements; an arbitrator for arbitrating the selective and exclusive mapping of the indications of said second signal received at said second input to the second one of the plurality of destination elements and the third one of the plurality of destination elements; and a display device coupled to the first one of the plurality of destination elements, and coupled to the second one of the plurality of destination elements, said display device operable to simultaneously display an image representative of said first signal on a first portion of said display device and an image representative of said second signal on a second portion of said display device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
295 words
A computer system having a plurality of destination elements, said computer system comprising: a convergence functionality module including a first input for receiving a first signal and a second input for receiving a second signal, the second signal comprising: encoded vertical blank interval (VBI) information; a computer coupled to said convergence functionality module, said computer for receiving indications of said first signal received at said first input and further for receiving indications of said second signal received at said second input, the computer comprising: a controller for controlling mapping of the indications of said first signal received at said first input to a first display element, and said controller further for controlling selective and exclusive mapping of the indications of said second signal received at said second input to a second display element, in response to a first user input, and to a data acquisition element, in response to a second user input, the controller comprising: a multiplexer coupled to said first input and said second input, said multiplexer operable to connect to said first input for receiving said first signal, and said multiplexer further operable to connect to said second input for receiving said second signal; an analog-to-digital converter coupled to said multiplexer; a first digital video interface coupled to said analog-to-digital converter and to the first display element, and said controller further includes a second digital video interface coupled to said analog-to-digital converter, to the second display element, and to the data acquisition element; and an arbitrator for arbitrating the selective and exclusive mapping of the indications of said second signal received at said second input to the second display element and the data acquisition element; and a VBI capture driver coupled to said second digital video interface and the data acquisition element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
295 words
A computer system having a plurality of destination elements, said computer system comprising: a convergence functionality module including a first input for receiving a first signal and a second input for receiving a second signal, the second signal comprising: encoded vertical blank interval (VBI) information; a computer coupled to said convergence functionality module, said computer for receiving indications of said first signal received at said first input and further for receiving indications of said second signal received at said second input, the computer comprising: a controller for controlling mapping of the indications of said first signal received at said first input to a first display element, and said controller further for controlling selective and exclusive mapping of the indications of said second signal received at said second input to a second display element, in response to a first user input, and to a data acquisition element, in response to a second user input, the controller comprising: a multiplexer coupled to said first input and said second input, said multiplexer operable to connect to said first input for receiving said first signal, and said multiplexer further operable to connect to said second input for receiving said second signal; an analog-to-digital converter coupled to said multiplexer; a first digital video interface coupled to said analog-to-digital converter and to the first display element, and said controller further includes a second digital video interface coupled to said analog-to-digital converter, to the second display element, and to the data acquisition element; and an arbitrator for arbitrating the selective and exclusive mapping of the indications of said second signal received at said second input to the second display element and the data acquisition element; and a VBI capture driver coupled to said second digital video interface and the data acquisition element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system as recited in claim 2 , wherein said convergence functionality module includes a video gaming unit coupled to said first input.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system as recited in claim 2 , wherein said convergence functionality module includes a television tuner coupled to said first input.
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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) | 2004-05-07 | 2004-11-06 | 2005-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-07 | 2008-11-06 | 2009-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-07 | 2012-11-06 | 2013-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |