Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1997-09-30
2001-04-17
Huynh, Ba (Department: 2173)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C348S552000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219041
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to computer convergence devices, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a universal graphics user interface for managing a users interface with multiple processes such that the user interaction is controlled from a single point.
2. Description of Related Art
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 a 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 a personal computer and television functionality, among other things, permits combined access to television viewing and program information, computer related functionality, and Internet access.
A PC/TV convergence device may comprise a fully function computer including fax/modems, DVD/CD-ROM players, and media storage such as hard drives and floppy drives. The convergence with television functionality includes utilizing multiple video inputs to receive a variety of video signals such as from cable systems, DVDs, VCRs, 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 the 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.
As the functionality of computer systems continues to increase so does the spectrum of computer consumers and users. As can be appreciated, there is great demand by many of the consumers to make computer systems as user friendly as possible, i.e., as easy and intuitive to use as possible. One of the problems encountered with an integrated computer system, such as a PC/TV convergence devices, is that it is often necessary for multiple processes to handle user interaction, although each of the processes do not own the user interface component to which messages will be sent. Because each process that requires user interaction will present it's own user interface component, it is not very user friendly to the user.
Accordingly, based upon the foregoing, it should be appreciated that there is a need for a computer convergence system with a user friendly user interface that can control user interaction from a single point.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the above identified problems as well as other shortcomings and deficiencies of existing technologies by providing a computer convergence device utilizing a controller that manages communication between a universal graphics user interface and the user interfaces of multiple processes.
The present invention further provides a computer convergence device, operable in a at least two modes, such as a computer mode and a video mode and when in the video mode the computer convergence device is operable in at least two states. The computer convergence device, when operating in the video mode, includes a universal graphic user interface for providing information corresponding to the various operating states. The universal graphic user interface receives inputs from a user which can be used to control various characteristics of each operating state, and can be used to change the operating state of the computer convergence device. The computer convergence device further includes a controller for managing communication between the universal graphic user interface and the processes of the operating states such that user interaction can be controlled from a single point and that processes can be free of the added complexity of creating and managing user interface components.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5420647 (1995-05-01), Levine
patent: 5432561 (1995-07-01), Strubbe
patent: 5539451 (1996-07-01), Carey et al.
patent: 5655214 (1997-08-01), Mullett
patent: 5675390 (1997-10-01), Schindler et al.
patent: 5787259 (1998-07-01), Haroun et al.
patent: 5905497 (1999-05-01), Vaughan et al.
patent: 5926207 (1999-07-01), Vaughan et al.
Nilsson, Frank; “DVD—the storage medium for the future?”; Accessed Sep. 8, 1997; pp. 1-9.
DVD Frequently Asked Questions (with answers!); Accessed Jun. 18, 1997; http://www.videodiscovery.com/vdyweb/dvd/vdfaq.html.
Parker, Dana J.; “DVD: The Update”;CD-ROM Professional, Aug., 1996; Accessed Sep. 8, 1997; pp. 1-10.
“Digital Video Disc: The Coming Revolution in Consumer Electronics”;C-Cube Microsystems; Accessed Jun. 23, 1997; http://www.c-cube.com/technology/dvd.html.
“Toshiba SD3006 DVD Digital Video Disc Player”; Consumer Direct Warehouse; Accessed Jun. 18, 1997; http://www.consumer-direct.com/detail.com/detail.cfm?VPARTNO=SD3006&WEIGHT=9.0&Q=230.0.
Howard Christopher A.
Sturgeon Derrill L.
Vaughan Mark P.
Compaq Computer Corporation
Huynh Ba
Sharp Comfort & Merrett P.C.
LandOfFree
Universal user interface for a system utilizing multiple... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Universal user interface for a system utilizing multiple..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Universal user interface for a system utilizing multiple... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2506398