US6678007B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Alternate display content controller
Assignee: Ostendo Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 2001-09-21
•
Granted: 2004-01-13
•
Expires: 2021-09-21
Abstract
Abstract An alternate display content controller provides a technique for controlling a video display separately from and in addition to the content displayed on the operating system monitor. Where the display is a computer monitor, the alternate display content controller interacts with the computer utility operating system and hardware drivers to control allocation of display space and create and control one or more parallel graphical user interfaces adjacent the operating system desktop. An alternate display content controller may be incorporated in either hardware or software. As software, an alternate display content controller may be an application running on the computer operating system, or may include an operating system kernel of varying complexity ranging from dependent on the utility operating system for hardware system services to a parallel system independent of the utility operating system and capable of supporting dedicated applications. The alternate display content controller may also include content and operating software delivered over the internet or any other LAN. The alternate display content controller may also be included in a television decoder/settop box to permit two or more parallel graphical user interfaces to be displayed simultaneously.
Inventors
- 👤 D David Nason
- 👤 Thomas C O'Rourke
- 👤 Scott Campbell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:36
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/14; G09G1/00; G09G1/06; G09G1/14; G09G1/16; G09G1/165; G09G3/00; G09G3/20; G09G3/34; G09G3/36; G09G3/3611; G09G2310/00; G09G2310/06; G09G2310/061; G09G2360/00; G09G2360/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method in a settop box environment for controlling access to a video display system, the video display system having a video display and video display hardware that is controlled by a video device driver, the video display system having a display interface that enables applications to send output to the video display hardware through the video device driver, comprising: communicating with the video device driver, without communicating through the display interface, to create an area of the video display that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the display interface; and sending output to the created area, such that output displayed in the created area is not obscured by output from the display interface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method in a settop box environment for controlling access to a video display system, the video display system having a video display and video display hardware that is controlled by a video device driver, the video display system having a display interface that enables applications to send output to the video display hardware through the video device driver, comprising: communicating with the video device driver, without communicating through the display interface, to create an area of the video display that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the display interface; and sending output to the created area, such that output displayed in the created area is not obscured by output from the display interface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the communicating to create the area is performed by access controller code that executes in the settop box.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the access controller code is a virtual device driver.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the access controller code is a device driver that encapsulates the video device driver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the access controller code is a device driver that replaces the video device driver.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the access controller code is separate code that resides outside of the video device driver.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the access controller code modifies data sent between the display interface and the video device driver so that the video display is shared between output from the display interface and output from the access controller code.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the access controller code intercepts a function call to the video device driver.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the access controller code intercepts output sent to the video display hardware.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the communicating to create the area is performed by intercepting a function call to the video device driver.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the intercepted function call is from the display interface, and further comprising, upon intercepting the function call, modifying the data sent to the video display driver.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the modified data cause output sent through the display interface to be directed to a smaller area of the video display system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the intercepted function call is from the display interface, and further comprising, upon intercepting the function call, modifying the data sent between the display interface and the video device driver so that the video display is shared between output displayed through the display interface and output displayed to the created area.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the communicating to create the area is performed by modifying data that corresponds to size parameters of the video display.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein Direct X is used to communicate with the video device driver to create the area.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the communication with the video device driver, without communicating through the display interface, is performed by bypassing the display interface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
A settop box video display system having a display interface, comprising: video display with video display hardware; video device driver for controlling the video display; and display controller code that communicates with the video device driver while bypassing the display interface to create an area of the video display that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the display interface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
A settop box video display system having a display interface, comprising: video display with video display hardware; video device driver for controlling the video display; and display controller code that communicates with the video device driver while bypassing the display interface to create an area of the video display that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the display interface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The display system of claim 17 , further comprising code that sends output to the created area, such that the output displayed in the created area is not obscured by output from the display interface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The display system of claim 17 wherein the display controller code is a device driver.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The display system of claim 19 wherein the display controller code device driver is a virtual device driver.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The display system of claim 17 wherein the display controller code encapsulates the video device driver.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The display system of claim 17 wherein the display controller code replaces the video device driver.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
The display system of claim 17 wherein the display controller code modifies data sent between the display interface and the video device driver so that the video display is shared between output from the display interface and output from the display controller code.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The display system of claim 17 wherein the display controller code intercepts a function call to the video device driver.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The display system of claim 17 wherein the display controller code intercepts output sent to the video display hardware.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The display system of claim 17 wherein the display controller code communicates with the video device driver to create the area by intercepting a function call to the video device driver.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The display system of claim 26 wherein the intercepted function call is from the display interface, and the display controller code, upon intercepting the function call, modifies data sent to the display interface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The display system of claim 27 wherein the modified data cause output sent through the display interface to be directed to a smaller area of the video display system.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
54 words
The display system of claim 17 wherein the intercepted function call is from the display interface, and further comprising code that modifies data sent between the display interface and the video device driver so that the video display is shared between output displayed through the display interface and output displayed to the created area.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The display system of claim 17 wherein the display controller code communicates with the video device driver by modifying data that corresponds to size parameters of the video display.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The display system of claim 17 wherein the display controller code uses DirectX to communicate with the video device driver to create the area.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
136 words
A computer-readable memory medium containing instructions for controlling a computer processor to control access to a video display of a settop box video display system, the video display system having a video device driver and video display hardware that controls the video display, the video display system having a display interface that enables applications to send output to the video display hardware through the video device driver, the instructions controlling access to the video display by: communicating with the video device driver, without communicating through the display interface, to create an area of the video display that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the display interface; and sending output to the created area, such that output displayed in the created area is not obscured by output from the display interface.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
136 words
A computer-readable memory medium containing instructions for controlling a computer processor to control access to a video display of a settop box video display system, the video display system having a video device driver and video display hardware that controls the video display, the video display system having a display interface that enables applications to send output to the video display hardware through the video device driver, the instructions controlling access to the video display by: communicating with the video device driver, without communicating through the display interface, to create an area of the video display that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the display interface; and sending output to the created area, such that output displayed in the created area is not obscured by output from the display interface.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 32 wherein the communicating to create the area is performed by access controller code.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 33 wherein access controller code is a virtual device driver.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 33 wherein the access controller code is a device driver that encapsulates the video device driver.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 33 wherein the access controller code is a device driver that replaces the video device driver.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 33 wherein the access controller code modifies data between the display interface and the video device driver so that the video display is shared between output from the display interface and output from the access controller code.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 33 wherein the access controller code intercepts a function call to the video device driver.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 33 wherein the access controller code intercepts output sent to the video display hardware.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 32 wherein the communicating to create the area is performed by intercepting a function call to the video device driver.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 40 wherein the intercepted function call is from the display interface, and further comprising, upon intercepting the function call, modifying the data sent to the video display driver.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 41 wherein the modified data cause output sent through the display interface to be directed to a smaller area of the video display system.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
60 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 40 wherein the intercepted function call is from the display interface, and further comprising, upon intercepting the function call, modifying the data between the display interface and the video device driver so that the video display is shared between programs that output through the display interface and programs that output to the created area.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 32 wherein the communicating to create the area is performed by modifying data that corresponds to size parameters of the video display.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 32 wherein the communication with the video device driver, without communicating through the display interface, is performed by bypassing the display interface.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 32 wherein Direct X is used to communicate with the video device driver to create the area.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for displaying output on a settop box video display system in conjunction with a user interface that occupies at least a portion of a first display area, the first display area being accessible through a graphics display interface, the video display system having a total displayable area of which the first display area is a part, comprising: adjusting the video display system to include a second display area that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the graphics display interface; apportioning the total displayable area between the first display area and the second display area; and writing output to the second display area in accordance with the apportionment of the total displayable area so that the data is displayed on the video display system in conjunction with and not obscured by the user interface.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for displaying output on a settop box video display system in conjunction with a user interface that occupies at least a portion of a first display area, the first display area being accessible through a graphics display interface, the video display system having a total displayable area of which the first display area is a part, comprising: adjusting the video display system to include a second display area that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the graphics display interface; apportioning the total displayable area between the first display area and the second display area; and writing output to the second display area in accordance with the apportionment of the total displayable area so that the data is displayed on the video display system in conjunction with and not obscured by the user interface.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 47 wherein allocating the total displayable area increases the size of the first display area.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 47 wherein allocating the total displayable area decreases the size of the first display area.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 47 wherein allocating the total displayable area leaves the size of the first display area unchanged.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 47 , the video display system having an associated video display driver, wherein the adjusting the video display system further comprises hooking a request to access the video device driver.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
127 words
A method in a settop box environment for controlling access to different portions of a video display system, the video display system having an associated video device driver, the environment having a display interface that communicates with the video display system through the associated video device driver using a first virtual device driver, comprising: instantiating a second virtual device driver to communicate with the video device driver, wherein the second virtual device driver is not the first virtual device driver; intercepting communication between the first virtual device driver and the associated video device driver to prevent access by the display interface to a portion of the video display system; and processing requests to access the portion of the video display system through the second virtual device driver.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
127 words
A method in a settop box environment for controlling access to different portions of a video display system, the video display system having an associated video device driver, the environment having a display interface that communicates with the video display system through the associated video device driver using a first virtual device driver, comprising: instantiating a second virtual device driver to communicate with the video device driver, wherein the second virtual device driver is not the first virtual device driver; intercepting communication between the first virtual device driver and the associated video device driver to prevent access by the display interface to a portion of the video display system; and processing requests to access the portion of the video display system through the second virtual device driver.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
135 words
A display controller in a settop box system that controls access to different portions of a video display system, the video display system having an associated video device driver, the system having a display interface that communicates through a first virtual device driver to the video display system through the associated video device driver, comprising: second virtual device driver, that is not the first virtual device driver and that is communicably connected to the video device driver in a manner that is structured to prevent access by the display interface to a reserved portion of the video display system by intercepting communication between the first virtual device driver and the associated video device driver and to process requests to access the reserved portion of the video display system to display output to the reserved portion.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
135 words
A display controller in a settop box system that controls access to different portions of a video display system, the video display system having an associated video device driver, the system having a display interface that communicates through a first virtual device driver to the video display system through the associated video device driver, comprising: second virtual device driver, that is not the first virtual device driver and that is communicably connected to the video device driver in a manner that is structured to prevent access by the display interface to a reserved portion of the video display system by intercepting communication between the first virtual device driver and the associated video device driver and to process requests to access the reserved portion of the video display system to display output to the reserved portion.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computer-readable memory medium containing instructions for controlling a computer processor in a settop box system to control access to different portions of a video display system, the video display system having an associated video device driver, the system having a display interface that communicates with the video display system through the associated video device driver using a first virtual device driver, by: instantiating a second virtual device driver to communicate with the video device driver, wherein the second virtual device driver is not the first virtual device driver; intercepting communication between the first virtual device driver and the associated video device driver to prevent access by the display interface to a designated portion of the video display system; and processing requests to access the designated portion of the video display system through the second virtual device driver.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computer-readable memory medium containing instructions for controlling a computer processor in a settop box system to control access to different portions of a video display system, the video display system having an associated video device driver, the system having a display interface that communicates with the video display system through the associated video device driver using a first virtual device driver, by: instantiating a second virtual device driver to communicate with the video device driver, wherein the second virtual device driver is not the first virtual device driver; intercepting communication between the first virtual device driver and the associated video device driver to prevent access by the display interface to a designated portion of the video display system; and processing requests to access the designated portion of the video display system through the second virtual device driver.
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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) | 2007-01-12 | 2007-07-14 | 2008-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-01-12 | 2011-07-14 | 2012-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-01-12 | 2015-07-14 | 2016-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |