Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-21
2001-01-30
Huynh, Ba (Department: 2773)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C348S014160, C348S014160, C711S115000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181335
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to television entertainment systems for providing television programming to consumer homes. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus and method for a increasing the functionality set top terminal for use with a program delivery system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Consumers are demanding that future advances in television entertainment, particularly programs and program choices, be presented to the consumer in a user friendly manner. Consumer preferences, instead of technological breakthroughs, will drive the television entertainment market for at least the next 20 years. As computer vendors have experienced a switch from marketing new technology in computer hardware to marketing better useability, interfaces and service, the television entertainment industry will also experience a switch from new technology driving the market to consumer useability driving the market.
Consumers want products incorporating new technology that are useful, and will no longer purchase new technology for the sake of novelty or status. Technological advances in sophisticated hardware are beginning to surpass the capability of the average consumer to use the new technology. Careful engineering must be done to make entertainment products incorporating new technology useful and desired by consumers.
In order for new television entertainment products to be successful, the products must satisfy consumer demands. TV consumers wish to go from limited viewing choices to a variety of choices, from no control of programming to complete control. Consumers wish to advance from cumbersome and inconvenient television to easy and convenient television and keep costs down. Consumers do not wish to pay for one hundred channels when due to lack of programming information, they seldom, if ever, watch programming on many of these channels.
The concepts of interactive television, high definition television and 300 channel cable systems in consumer homes will not sell if they are not packaged, delivered and presented in a useable fashion to consumers. The problem is that TV programming is not being delivered and presented to consumers in a user friendly manner.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus and method for increasing the functionality of a set top converter for use with a program delivery system. The invention is capable of upgrading existing set top converter technology to utilize a menu system. This is a particularly useful invention for selecting a channel through the menu system.
The apparatus may be a circuit card with a processor which is electronically connected to the set top converter. So connected, the card adds functions to the set top converter. Among the functions added are the generating of menus, the sequencing through menus, and the ability of a viewer to select a channel through the menu system without entering any channel identifying information. The card also can add the interpreting of program control information signals.
The card has a processor that controls the operation of the card. The processor uses the program control information signal and runs the components of the card. The processor, along with its software, through the electronic connection to the set top connecter, also controls the set top connecter.
The card can also provide a method for a remote location to receive information and control the operation of the set top connecter. The information received can include information on programs watched. The remote location can be a cable headend, which receives the information and sends control commands through phone lines or coaxial cables.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon review of the following description, the attached drawings and appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 36207 (1999-05-01), Zimmermann et al.
patent: D. 301037 (1989-05-01), Matsuda
patent: D. 314383 (1991-02-01), Hafner
patent: D. 325581 (1992-04-01), Schwartz
patent: D. 329238 (1992-09-01), Grasso et al.
patent: D. 331760 (1992-12-01), Renk, Jr.
patent: 3891792 (1975-06-01), Kimura
patent: 3978470 (1976-08-01), McGuire
patent: 4197590 (1980-04-01), Sukonick et al.
patent: 4361848 (1982-11-01), Poignet et al.
patent: 4381522 (1983-04-01), Lambert
patent: 4398216 (1983-08-01), Field et al.
patent: 4484217 (1984-11-01), Block et al.
patent: 4488179 (1984-12-01), Kruger et al.
patent: 4528589 (1985-07-01), Block et al.
patent: 4605964 (1986-08-01), Chard
patent: 4621282 (1986-11-01), Ahern
patent: 4633462 (1986-12-01), Stifle et al.
patent: 4639225 (1987-01-01), Washizuka
patent: 4688218 (1987-08-01), Blineau et al.
patent: 4688246 (1987-08-01), Eilers et al.
patent: 4695880 (1987-09-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 4697209 (1987-09-01), Kiewit et al.
patent: 4706121 (1987-11-01), Young
patent: 4712105 (1987-12-01), Kohler
patent: 4724491 (1988-02-01), Lambert
patent: 4792972 (1988-12-01), Cook, Jr.
patent: 4805014 (1989-02-01), Sahara et al.
patent: 4816901 (1989-03-01), Music et al.
patent: 4829372 (1989-05-01), McCalley et al.
patent: 4829558 (1989-05-01), Welsh
patent: 4829569 (1989-05-01), Seth-Smith et al.
patent: 4860379 (1989-08-01), Schoeneberger et al.
patent: 4876736 (1989-10-01), Kiewit
patent: 4885803 (1989-12-01), Hermann et al.
patent: 4920432 (1990-04-01), Eggers et al.
patent: 4928168 (1990-05-01), Iwashita
patent: 4947429 (1990-08-01), Bestler et al.
patent: 4949187 (1990-08-01), Cohen
patent: 4959840 (1990-09-01), Darbee et al.
patent: 4961109 (1990-10-01), Tanaka
patent: 4975951 (1990-12-01), Bennett
patent: 4977455 (1990-12-01), Young
patent: 4995078 (1991-02-01), Monslow et al.
patent: 4996597 (1991-02-01), Duffield
patent: 5001554 (1991-03-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 5015829 (1991-05-01), Eilert et al.
patent: 5020129 (1991-05-01), Martin et al.
patent: 5027400 (1991-06-01), Baji et al.
patent: 5036394 (1991-07-01), Morii et al.
patent: 5036537 (1991-07-01), Jeffers et al.
patent: 5038402 (1991-08-01), Robbins
patent: 5046093 (1991-09-01), Wachob
patent: 5047867 (1991-09-01), Strubbe et al.
patent: 5049990 (1991-09-01), Kondo et al.
patent: 5056138 (1991-10-01), Tyson, Sr.
patent: 5057917 (1991-10-01), Shalkauser et al.
patent: 5073930 (1991-12-01), Green et al.
patent: 5075771 (1991-12-01), Hashimoto
patent: 5077607 (1991-12-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 5078019 (1992-01-01), Aoki
patent: 5091782 (1992-02-01), Krause et al.
patent: 5093718 (1992-03-01), Hoarty et al.
patent: 5103314 (1992-04-01), Keenan
patent: 5105268 (1992-04-01), Yamanouchi et al.
patent: 5130792 (1992-07-01), Tindell et al.
patent: 5132789 (1992-07-01), Ammon et al.
patent: 5133079 (1992-07-01), Ballantyne et al.
patent: 5144663 (1992-09-01), Kudelski et al.
patent: 5150118 (1992-09-01), Finkle et al.
patent: 5151782 (1992-09-01), Ferraro
patent: 5151789 (1992-09-01), Young
patent: 5152011 (1992-09-01), Schwob
patent: 5155591 (1992-10-01), Wachob
patent: 5166886 (1992-11-01), Molnar et al.
patent: 5172413 (1992-12-01), Bradley et al.
patent: 5182639 (1993-01-01), Jutamulia et al.
patent: 5202817 (1993-04-01), Koenck et al.
patent: 5206722 (1993-04-01), Kwan
patent: 5206954 (1993-04-01), Inoue et al.
patent: 5216515 (1993-06-01), Steele et al.
patent: 5221962 (1993-06-01), Backus et al.
patent: 5223924 (1993-06-01), Strubble
patent: 5225334 (1993-07-01), Tanno et al.
patent: 5235419 (1993-08-01), Krause
patent: 5237311 (1993-08-01), Mailey et al.
patent: 5247347 (1993-09-01), Litteral et al.
patent: 5253066 (1993-10-01), Vogel
patent: 5253275 (1993-10-01), Yurt et al.
patent: 5260778 (1993-11-01), Kauffman et al.
patent: 5283639 (1994-02-01), Esch et al.
patent: 5289271 (1994-02-01), Watson
patent: 5293540 (1994-03-01), Trani et al.
patent: 5293633 (1994-03-01), Robbins
patent: 5323240 (1994-06-01), Amano et al.
patent: 5327554 (1994-07-01), Palazzi, III et al.
patent: 5339239 (1994-08-01), Manabe et al.
patent: 5339315 (1994-08-01), Maeda et al.
patent: 5341166 (1994-08-01), Garr et al.
patent: 5341474 (1994-08-01), Gelman et al.
patent: 5343239 (1994-08-01), Lappington et al.
pa
Berkobin Eric C.
Bonner Alfred E.
Hendricks John S.
Discovery Communications, Inc.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Huynh Ba
LandOfFree
Card for a set top terminal does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Card for a set top terminal, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Card for a set top terminal will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2542941