U.S. patent application number 09/850220 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-23 for computer convergence device controller for managing disparate video sources.
Invention is credited to Brase, Thomas J., Ellis, William H., Johnson, Drew S., Vaughan, Mark P..
Application Number | 20010015770 09/850220 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25267169 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010015770 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vaughan, Mark P. ; et
al. |
August 23, 2001 |
Computer convergence device controller for managing disparate video
sources
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: |
Vaughan, Mark P.; (Spring,
TX) ; Brase, Thomas J.; (Houston, TX) ;
Johnson, Drew S.; (Houston, TX) ; Ellis, William
H.; (The Woodlands, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AKIN, GUMP, STRAUSS, HAUER & FELD
711 LOUISIANA STREET
SUITE 1900 SOUTH
HOUSTON
TX
77002
US
|
Family ID: |
25267169 |
Appl. No.: |
09/850220 |
Filed: |
May 7, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09850220 |
May 7, 2001 |
|
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08834543 |
Mar 31, 1997 |
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6229575 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/564 ;
348/441; 348/553; 348/E5.108; 348/E5.112 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/426 20130101;
H04N 5/4401 20130101; H04N 21/4143 20130101; H04N 21/485 20130101;
H04N 21/435 20130101; H04N 21/4135 20130101; H04N 21/4316 20130101;
H04N 5/45 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/564 ;
348/553; 348/441 |
International
Class: |
H04N 007/01; H04N
011/20; H04N 005/44 |
Claims
1. A method, in a computer convergence system having a first input
for receiving a first signal, a second input for receiving a second
input, and two destination surfaces mapped by an interface, for
arbitrating a user's request to access an input and a first one of
the two destination surfaces, said method comprising the steps of:
Determining if the interface is available; if the determination is
made that the interface is not available, preventing the user's
request to access the first one of the two destination surfaces;
else accessing an input; accessing the first one of the two
destination surfaces; making the accessed input unavailable for
additional user requests; and making the interface unavailable for
additional user requests.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps
of making the unavailable input available and making the interface
available subsequent to the completion of the user's access to the
first one of the two destination surfaces.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 08/834,543, filed Mar. 31, 1997, which is
incorporated herein in its entirety.
STATEMENTS REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR
DEVELOPMENT
[0002] None
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] None
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to computer convergence
devices, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a
personal computer/television (PC/TV) convergence device controller
for managing the selection, arbitration, and utilization of
multiple disparate video signals received from multiple video
sources.
[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0007] A computer convergence device is a fully functional computer
integrated or converged with another consumer electronic device.
One such convergence device is a personal computer/television
(PC/TV) convergence device, which integrates personal computer with
television functionality, providing television viewing (via
broadcast, cable Digital Satellite, video cassette recorder (VCR),
electronic game device, or other video source) and personal
computing functionality. The convergence of personal computer and
television functionalities, among other things, permits combined
access to television viewing and program information, computer
related functionality, and Internet Access.
[0008] A PC/TV convergence device may comprise a fully function
computer including fax/modems, CD-ROM players, and media storage
such as hard drives and floppy drives. The convergence with
television functionalities may include utilizing multiple video
inputs to receive a variety of video signals such as from cable
systems, VCR, and electronic game machines. The computer is
interfaced with a display monitor, often a big screen monitor, with
either the interlaced video signal being converted to a scan video
graphics adapter (VGA) signal or the computer's scan VGA signal
being converted to an National Television Standards Committee
(NTSC) interfaced signal. Because PC/TV convergence device is
controlled by the computer's operating system, the PC/TV
convergence device can, among other things, simultaneously display
PC applications and TV programs on a single monitor. The
convergence of personal computer and television functionalities
into a single device also permits the utilization of the
communications bandwidth, mass storage and graphics of the computer
to deliver, store and display small computer applications during a
traditional television viewing environment.
[0009] In spite of many recent advances in this area, several
problems remain. One major problem encountered is the need to
effectively and efficiently control the complexity of the various
video applications available for the possible video sources. For
example, some of the available video sources include composite
video sources, RF video sources, S-Video and digital versatile disk
(DVD), with many of these having various video configurations and
differing control characteristics.
[0010] Another problem encountered is the need to be able to
arbitrate among the various selectable video sources. For example,
if data is being downloaded from one video source, it may be
desirable to prevent the interruption of that download to prevent
data corruption.
[0011] Accordingly, based upon the foregoing, it should be
appreciated that there is a need for a computer convergence control
system that is capable of effectively and efficiently controlling
the selection and application of disparate video signals from
various video sources, including being able to arbitrate between
the selection and application of the various video sources.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention overcomes the above identified
problems as well as other shortcomings and deficiencies of existing
technologies by providing a computer convergence system including 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 and arbitrates the mapping of the
indications of the second video signal to either a second video
viewing surface or a data acquisition destination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] A more complete understanding of the present invention may
be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and
appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
Drawings wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a computer
convergence system in accordance with the principles and teachings
of the present invention.;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating, in more detail, an
embodiment of the computer convergence system as similarly
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a block flow diagram illustrating a preferred
embodiment of an arbitration method in accordance with the
principles and teachings of the present invention, and
[0017] FIG. 4 is a block flow diagram illustrating a preferred
embodiment of a second arbitration method in accordance with the
principles and teachings of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] With reference now to the figures wherein like or similar
elements are designated with identical reference numerals, there
are depicted block diagrams illustrating the present invention. The
purpose of these block diagrams is to illustrate the features of
the invention and the basic principles of operation of an
embodiment thereof.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram
illustrating a computer convergence system 10. Computer convergence
system 10 includes a computer 12, a convergence functionality
module 14, a display monitor 16 and a remote input 18.
[0020] Computer 12 may preferably be a personal computer, and
although not shown, includes a processor, memory, data retrieval
and storage media and communication data ports. Display monitor 16
is operable to display video images corresponding to video signals
received from computer 12 and may further include an audio output
system for playing audio signals also received from computer
12.
[0021] Computer 12 is coupled to convergence functionality module
14 that is operable to receive or generate data signals, such as
video, audio, and graphic information. For example convergence
functionality module 14 may comprise a receiver, decoder or tuner
capable of receiving television signals in the form of the National
Television Standards Committee (NTSC) or Phase Alternate Line (PAL)
forms, from any medium such as from a cable system or from a
digital satellite system. Convergence functionality module 14 may
also include or consist of various other types of consumer
electronic units. For example, convergence functionality module 14
could also include or consist of video gaming units and other
direct audio/video sources such as video cassette recorders (RCRs),
and video disk player/recorders, including digital versatile disk
(DVD) player/recorders.
[0022] Computer convergence system 10 may preferably be operated by
a user using wireless remote input 18 operating, or example, via
radio waves, infra-red waves or acoustic waves. Although good
results have been achieved using wireless keyboards and remote
controls for remote input 18, it is contemplated that any input
device, wireless or hardwired, could be used to operate computer
convergence system 10.
[0023] Still referring to FIG. 1, computer convergence system 10 is
configurable to be connected to and communicate with the network
20. It is contemplated that network 20 could be any type of
network, including a Local Area Network, a Wide Area Network and
the Internet.
[0024] In general operation, computer convergence system 10 can be
operated in various modes. For example, computer convergence system
10 can be operated in a personal computer mode and a television
mode. When is television mode, personal computer 12 processes the
audio and video information received or generated by convergence
functionality module 14, and outputs the corresponding information
on display monitor 16. At least two viewing displays are possible
on display monitor 16 when computer convergence system 10 is being
operated in television mode, a main display and a secondary
display. In a preferred embodiment, the display image of the main
display fills the entire screen, with only a portion of the screen
dedicated to the viewing of the secondary display, such as with a
picture-in picture (PIP) configuration.
[0025] When computer convergence system 10 is being operated in
computer mode, computer, 12 is utilized to perform computer
functions, including executing and running software and interfacing
with network 20, with the output of computer 12 being displayed on
display monitor 16.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a more detailed
block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of computer convergence
system 10. As depicted in this exemplary embodiment, convergence
functionality module 14 includes multiple video inputs 22, 24, 26,
28, 30 and 32 capable of receiving a variety of video signals from
multiple video sources. For example, inputs 22-32 could be
configured as follows: input 22 to receive digital signals such as
DVD/DSS video signals; inputs 24 and 26 to receive RF video signals
such as from a cable television system; inputs 28 and 30 to receive
composite video signals such as from a VCR; and input 32 an S-Video
signal such as from a laser disk player. Although convergence
functionality module 14 is illustrated in this exemplary embodiment
to include the inputs to receive the video signals from various
video sources, it is contemplated that convergence functionality
module 14 could also include the actual video source such as video
players, recorders, tuners, and decoders.
[0027] Still referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a more
detailed block diagram of the video controls utilized by computer
12. The video controls are used to process and select the video
signals received from convergence functionality module 14. As
depicted, the video controls of computer 12 include a video center
control service (VCCS) 34, hardware abstraction interface (CTVHW)
36, various multiplexers and analog-to-digital converters 38, two
digital video interfaces 40 and 42, a primary video viewing surface
44, a secondary video viewing surface 46, a data acquisition
destination 48, video port manager (VPM) 50 and a vertical blanking
interval (VBI) capture driver 52.
[0028] VCCS 34 is the central service that provides control for
video applications received from convergence functionality module
14. All messages and commands that query or manipulate video
applications are preferably processed and/or routed by VCCS 34.
Thus the functionality of the VCCS 34 includes: creating and owning
the video display windows, processing all video control functions
and transport controls (for example, channel up/down); handling
bookkeeping of video control settings; managing the switching of
the current video source; managing the external sources;
initializing and configuring new external devices; and arbitrating
application use.
[0029] VCCS 34 utilizes CTVHW 36 to control the selection of the
video sources with multiplexers 38, and also utilizes CTVHW 36 to
control the configuration and modifications of the video source
video signals as well and controls the changing of the channels.
The analog-to digital converters 38 are used to convert analog
video signal to digital signals. VPM 50, also controlled by VDDS
34, controls the mapping of the video signal received from digital
video interface 40 to the primary video viewing surface 44, and
similarly controls the mapping of the video signal received from
digital video interface 42 to the secondary video viewing surface
46.
[0030] Still referring to FIG. 2, VCCS 34 further controls VBI
capture driver 52. VBI capture driver 52 controls the mapping of
the video signal received from digital video interface 42 to data
acquisition destination 48, where, for example, the VBI information
will be downloaded. VBI includes various types of data, for
example, program listing time and content, and subscriber control
codes.
[0031] As described hereinabove, in this embodiment display monitor
16 can display the video image information received from primary
video viewing surface 44 on the main display, and can display the
video image information received form secondary video viewing
surface 46 on the secondary display, such as a PIP. When a single
first video input is selected images indicative of the video signal
will be displayed on main display of display monitor 16. If a
second video source is selected to be displayed simultaneously with
the images of the first video source, the images corresponding to
the second video source will be displayed on the secondary display,
such as in a PIP format. It is contemplated that other display
formats for simultaneously displaying the main display and the
secondary display could also be utilized.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a more detailed description
of the operation of the present invention will now be given. As
described hereinabove, in one exemplary embodiment, computer
convergence system 10 is operable in two modes, a computer mode and
a television mode. Upon initialization of computer convergence
system 10 in television mode, VCCS 34, via VMP 50, will request
access to digital video interface 40 and select the primary video
viewing surface 44, and via MUX 38, will select an RF video source
(i.e. a television tuner) such as input 24. As can be appreciated,
the user has the option to change the selection of the video source
for digital video interface 40.
[0033] If access to the secondary video viewing surface 46, such as
a PIP, is requested, VCCS 34 will check on the availability of
digital video interface 42 and will check to see if one of the
tuners (RFI or RF2) is being utilized by primary video viewing
surface 44. If the determination is made that digital video
interface 42 is available, and that one of the tuners is being
utilized by primary video viewing surface 44, VCCS, via VPM 50,
will select secondary video viewing surface 46, and via CTVHW
controlling multiplexer 38, will select the available turner.
Digital video interface 42 and the turner selected for secondary
video viewing surface 46 will then be locked-out to additional user
requests, until the user either selects a different video source or
turns off the PIP.
[0034] If the determination is made that primary video viewing
surface 44 is not utilizing one of the television tuners, VCCS 34,
via CTVHW 36 controlling multiplexer 38, will select the last
chosen video source for secondary video viewing surface 46. Digital
video interface 42 will then be locked-out to additional user
requests, until the user turns off the PIP.
[0035] Similarly, if access to the data acquisition destination 48,
such as a VBI download, is requested, VCCS 34 will check on the
availability of digital video interface 42. If the determination is
made that digital video interface 42 is available, VCCS, via VBI
capture driver 52, will select data acquisition destination 48, and
via CTVHW controlling multiplexer 38, will select the available
turner. Digital video interface 42 and the tuner selected for
secondary video viewing surface 46 will then be locked-out to
additional user requests, until data acquisition is complete or
until the user turns cancels the request for data acquisition
destination 48.
[0036] As can be appreciated with this exemplary embodiment, as
user is able to potentially select the same video source to be
displayed both the main and secondary displays of display monitor
16 from signals received from the primary video viewing surface 44
and the secondary video viewing surface 46. However, it is
contemplated, that VCCS 43 could also control the selections of the
video sources such as to prevent duplication of the video sources
at the primary video viewing surface 44 and secondary video viewing
surface 46.
[0037] To prevent problems arising when a user requests the
performance of a function utilizing digital interface 42 when it is
unavailable, VCCS 34 will also performs the arbitration among any
selected conflicting requests for the concurrent selection of the
digital video interface 42.
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there are illustrated flow
diagrams of two preferred arbitration methods performed by VCCS 34.
In particular, FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of the arbitration
performed when a user requests access to secondary video viewing
surface 46 and for a PIP. As depicted by blocks 52 and 54, VCCS 34
will check the availability of digital video interface 42. If it is
determined that digital video interface 42 is not available, the
`No` path is followed and as indicated by block 58, the PIP request
is not performed and the PIP is locked out. An example of when
digital video interface 42 may be unavailable, would be when a user
is utilizing digital video interface 42 for data acquisition
destination 48.
[0039] If it is determined that digital video interface 42 is
available, the yes path is followed to block 56. As depicted by
block 56, the available turner, is then selected. Then as indicated
by block 60, the tuner and the digital video interface 42 are
locked out to prevent additional user requests. Then, as indicated
by block 62, the PIP image is displayed on secondary surface 50.
This will continue until the user turns off the secondary surface
50 or chooses another video source, other than RF2, as indicated by
decision block 64. If the PIP viewing with RF2, is complete, the
`Yes` path is followed to block 66, where the tuner and digital
video interface 42 are then made available for additional user
requests.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a flow diagram
of the arbitration performed when a user requests access to data
acquisition destination 48 such as for a VBI download. As depicted
by blocks 70 and 72, VCCS 34 will check the availability of digital
video interface 42. If it is determined that digital video
interface 42 is not available, the `No` path is followed and as
indicated by block 76, access to data acquisition destination 48 is
not grated and VBI is locked out. An example of when digital video
interface 42 may be unavailable, would be when a user is utilizing
digital video interface 42 for secondary video viewing surface 46,
such as a PIP display.
[0041] If it is determined that digital video interface 42 is
available, the yes path is followed to block 74. As depicted by
block 74, the available turner, is then selected. Then as indicated
by block 78, the tuner and the digital video interface 42 are
locked out to prevent additional user requests. Then, as indicated
by block 80, the VBI information is downloaded for the video
signal. As depicted by decision block 82, the downloading will
continue until all of the information has been obtained or until
the user cancels the function. When VBI downloading has been
completed, the `Yes` path is followed to block 84, where the tuner
and digital video interface 42 are then made available for
additional user requests.
[0042] Based upon the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the
computer convergence system 10 provided in accordance with the
principles of the present invention 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 controller for controlling the mapping of the
indications of the first video signal to a primary video viewing
surface, and further controls the mapping of the indications of
these second video signal to either the second video viewing
surface or the data acquisition destination.
[0043] Although a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the
present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings
and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be
understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment
disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications
and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the
invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.
[0044] The foregoing disclosure and description of the preferred
embodiment are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various
changes in the components, circuit elements, circuit
configurations, and signal connections, as well as in the details
of the illustrated circuitry and construction and method of
operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention.
* * * * *