US6441861B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer convergence device controller for managing disparate video sources
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
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Filing: 2001-05-07
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Granted: 2002-08-27
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Expires: 2021-05-07
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
2026-10-31 00:45
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: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of arbitrating access to a viewing surface responsive to a user request, the viewing surface mapped by an interface in a computer convergence system having a plurality of disparate inputs, each of the plurality of disparate inputs for receiving a corresponding signal, the method comprising the steps of: determining if the interface is available; if the interface is unavailable, refusing the user request; and if the interface is available, accessing the viewing surface, comprising the steps of: selecting a selected input from the plurality of disparate inputs; displaying the corresponding signal of the selected input on the viewing surface mapped by the interface; making the selected input unavailable for additional user requests; and making the interface unavailable for additional user requests.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of arbitrating access to a viewing surface responsive to a user request, the viewing surface mapped by an interface in a computer convergence system having a plurality of disparate inputs, each of the plurality of disparate inputs for receiving a corresponding signal, the method comprising the steps of: determining if the interface is available; if the interface is unavailable, refusing the user request; and if the interface is available, accessing the viewing surface, comprising the steps of: selecting a selected input from the plurality of disparate inputs; displaying the corresponding signal of the selected input on the viewing surface mapped by the interface; making the selected input unavailable for additional user requests; and making the interface unavailable for additional user requests.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 , the step of accessing the viewing surface further comprising the steps of: making the interface available for additional user requests responsive to a user action; and making the selected input available for additional user requests responsive to the user action.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of arbitrating access to a data acquisition destination responsive to a user request, the data acquisition destination mapped by an interface in a computer convergence system having a plurality of disparate inputs, the method comprising the steps of: determining if the interface is available; if the interface is unavailable, refusing the user request; and if the interface is available, accessing the data acquisition destination, comprising the steps of: selecting a selected input from the plurality of disparate inputs; performing a data transfer between the selected input and the data acquisition destination mapped by the interface; making the. interface unavailable for additional user requests; and making the selected input unavailable for additional user requests.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of arbitrating access to a data acquisition destination responsive to a user request, the data acquisition destination mapped by an interface in a computer convergence system having a plurality of disparate inputs, the method comprising the steps of: determining if the interface is available; if the interface is unavailable, refusing the user request; and if the interface is available, accessing the data acquisition destination, comprising the steps of: selecting a selected input from the plurality of disparate inputs; performing a data transfer between the selected input and the data acquisition destination mapped by the interface; making the. interface unavailable for additional user requests; and making the selected input unavailable for additional user requests.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 3 , the step of accessing the interface further comprising: making the interface available for additional user requests responsive to a termination event; and making the selected input available for additional user requests responsive to the termination event.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 , the termination event comprising: completion of the data transfer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3 , the termination event comprising: a user cancellation request.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
114 words
An arbitrator for controlling access to a viewing surface mapped by an interface in a computer convergence system having a plurality of disparate inputs, each of the plurality of disparate inputs for receiving a corresponding signal, comprising: means for receiving a user request to access the viewing surface; means for determining if the interface is available; means for refusing the user request if the interface is unavailable; and means for granting the user request if the interface is available, comprising: means for selecting a selected input from one of the plurality of disparate inputs; means for accessing the viewing surface; means for making the interface unavailable; and means for making the selected input unavailable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
114 words
An arbitrator for controlling access to a viewing surface mapped by an interface in a computer convergence system having a plurality of disparate inputs, each of the plurality of disparate inputs for receiving a corresponding signal, comprising: means for receiving a user request to access the viewing surface; means for determining if the interface is available; means for refusing the user request if the interface is unavailable; and means for granting the user request if the interface is available, comprising: means for selecting a selected input from one of the plurality of disparate inputs; means for accessing the viewing surface; means for making the interface unavailable; and means for making the selected input unavailable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The arbitrator of claim 7 , the means for accessing the destination comprising: means for displaying the corresponding signal of the selected input on the viewing surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The arbitrator of claim 7 , the means for granting the user request further comprising: means for making the interface available responsive to a termination event; and means for making the selected input available responsive to the termination event.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The arbitrator of claim 9 , the termination event comprising: a user action.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
117 words
An arbitrator for controlling access to a data acquisition destination mapped by an interface in a computer convergence system having a plurality of disparate inputs, each of the plurality of disparate inputs for receiving a corresponding signal, comprising: means for receiving a user request to access the data acquisition destination; means for determining if the interface is available; means for refusing the user request if the interface is unavailable; and means for granting the user request if the interface is available, comprising: means for selecting a selected input from one of the plurality of disparate inputs; means for accessing the data acquisition destination; means for making the interface unavailable; and means for making the selected input unavailable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
117 words
An arbitrator for controlling access to a data acquisition destination mapped by an interface in a computer convergence system having a plurality of disparate inputs, each of the plurality of disparate inputs for receiving a corresponding signal, comprising: means for receiving a user request to access the data acquisition destination; means for determining if the interface is available; means for refusing the user request if the interface is unavailable; and means for granting the user request if the interface is available, comprising: means for selecting a selected input from one of the plurality of disparate inputs; means for accessing the data acquisition destination; means for making the interface unavailable; and means for making the selected input unavailable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The arbitrator of claim 11 , the means for accessing the data acquisition destination comprising: means for performing a data transfer of data in the corresponding signal of the selected input between the selected input and the data acquisition destination.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The arbitrator of claim 11 , the means for granting the user request further comprising: means for making the interface available responsive to a termination event; and means for making the selected input available responsive to the termination event.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The arbitrator of claim 13 , the termination event comprising: a user cancellation action.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The arbitrator of claim 10 , the termination event comprising: completion of the data transfer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
110 words
An arbitrator for controlling access to a viewing surface mapped by an interface in a computer convergence system having a plurality of disparate inputs, each of the plurality of disparate inputs for receiving a corresponding signal, logic within the arbitrator, when executed, performing the steps of: receiving a user request to access the viewing surface; determining if the interface is available; refusing the user request if the interface is unavailable; and granting the user request if the interface is available, comprising the steps of: selecting a selected input from one of the plurality of disparate inputs; accessing the viewing surface; making the interface unavailable; and making the selected input unavailable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
110 words
An arbitrator for controlling access to a viewing surface mapped by an interface in a computer convergence system having a plurality of disparate inputs, each of the plurality of disparate inputs for receiving a corresponding signal, logic within the arbitrator, when executed, performing the steps of: receiving a user request to access the viewing surface; determining if the interface is available; refusing the user request if the interface is unavailable; and granting the user request if the interface is available, comprising the steps of: selecting a selected input from one of the plurality of disparate inputs; accessing the viewing surface; making the interface unavailable; and making the selected input unavailable.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The arbitrator of claim 16 , the step of accessing the viewing surface comprising: displaying the corresponding signal of the selected input on the viewing surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The arbitrator of claim 16 , the step of granting the user request further comprising the steps of: making the interface available responsive to a termination event; and making the selected input available responsive to the termination event.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The arbitrator of claim 18 , the termination event comprising: a user action.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
113 words
An arbitrator for controlling access to a data acquisition destination mapped by an interface in a computer convergence system having a plurality of disparate inputs, each of the plurality of disparate inputs for receiving a corresponding signal, logic within the arbitrator, when executed, performing the steps of: receiving a user request to access the data acquisition destination; determining if the interface is available; refusing the user request if the interface is unavailable; and granting the user request if the interface is available, comprising the steps of: selecting a selected input from one of the plurality of disparate inputs; accessing the data acquisition destination; making the interface unavailable; and making the selected input unavailable.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
113 words
An arbitrator for controlling access to a data acquisition destination mapped by an interface in a computer convergence system having a plurality of disparate inputs, each of the plurality of disparate inputs for receiving a corresponding signal, logic within the arbitrator, when executed, performing the steps of: receiving a user request to access the data acquisition destination; determining if the interface is available; refusing the user request if the interface is unavailable; and granting the user request if the interface is available, comprising the steps of: selecting a selected input from one of the plurality of disparate inputs; accessing the data acquisition destination; making the interface unavailable; and making the selected input unavailable.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The arbitrator of claim 20 , the step of accessing the data acquisition destination comprising: performing a data transfer of data in the corresponding signal of the selected input between the selected input and the data acquisition destination.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
The arbitrator of claim 20 , the step of granting the user request further comprising the steps of: making the interface available responsive to a termination event; and making the selected input available responsive to the termination event.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The arbitrator of claim 22 the termination event comprising: a user cancellation action.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The arbitrator of claim 22 , the termination event comprising: completion of the data transfer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
135 words
A computer convergence system having a plurality of inputs, each of the plurality of inputs having a corresponding signal, and a viewing surface mapped by an interface, the computer convergence system comprising: a processor; and an arbitrator coupled to the processor and the plurality of inputs and the interface, the arbitrator adapted to receive a user request to connect a selected input of the plurality of inputs to the viewing surface, logic within the arbitrator, when executed, performing the steps of: receiving the user request; determining if the interface is available; refusing the user request if the interface is unavailable; and granting the user request if the interface is available, comprising the steps of: connecting the selected input to the viewing surface via the interface; making the interface unavailable; and making the selected input unavailable.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
135 words
A computer convergence system having a plurality of inputs, each of the plurality of inputs having a corresponding signal, and a viewing surface mapped by an interface, the computer convergence system comprising: a processor; and an arbitrator coupled to the processor and the plurality of inputs and the interface, the arbitrator adapted to receive a user request to connect a selected input of the plurality of inputs to the viewing surface, logic within the arbitrator, when executed, performing the steps of: receiving the user request; determining if the interface is available; refusing the user request if the interface is unavailable; and granting the user request if the interface is available, comprising the steps of: connecting the selected input to the viewing surface via the interface; making the interface unavailable; and making the selected input unavailable.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer convergence system of claim 25 , the step of connecting the selected input to the viewing surface comprising: displaying the corresponding signal of the selected input on the viewing surface.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer convergence system of claim 25 , the step of granting the user request further comprising: making the interface available responsive to a termination event; and making the selected input available responsive to the termination event.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer convergence system of claim 27 , the termination event comprising: a user action.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computer convergence system having a plurality of inputs, each of the plurality of inputs having a corresponding signal, and a data acquisition destination mapped by an interface, the computer convergence system comprising: a processor; and an arbitrator coupled to the processor and the plurality of inputs and the interface, the arbitrator adapted to receive a user request to connect a selected input of the plurality. of inputs to the data acquisition destination, logic within the arbitrator, when executed, performing the steps of: receiving the user request; determining if the interface is available; refusing the user request if the interface is unavailable; and granting the user request if the interface is available, comprising the steps of: connecting the selected input to the data acquisition destination via the interface; making the interface unavailable; and making the selected input unavailable.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computer convergence system having a plurality of inputs, each of the plurality of inputs having a corresponding signal, and a data acquisition destination mapped by an interface, the computer convergence system comprising: a processor; and an arbitrator coupled to the processor and the plurality of inputs and the interface, the arbitrator adapted to receive a user request to connect a selected input of the plurality. of inputs to the data acquisition destination, logic within the arbitrator, when executed, performing the steps of: receiving the user request; determining if the interface is available; refusing the user request if the interface is unavailable; and granting the user request if the interface is available, comprising the steps of: connecting the selected input to the data acquisition destination via the interface; making the interface unavailable; and making the selected input unavailable.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer convergence system of claim 29 , the step of connecting the selected input to the destination comprising: a logic block for performing a data transfer of data in the corresponding signal of the selected input between the selected input and the data acquisition destination.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer convergence system of claim 29 , the logic block for granting the user request further comprising: a logic block for making the interface available responsive to a termination event; and a logic block for making the selected input available responsive to the termination event.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer convergence system of claim 31 , the termination event comprising: a user cancellation action.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer convergence system of claim 31 , the termination event comprising: completion of the data transfer.
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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) | 2005-08-26 | 2006-02-25 | 2006-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-26 | 2010-02-25 | 2010-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-26 | 2014-02-25 | 2014-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |