Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-06
2001-07-10
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2173)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000, C345S215000, C345S215000, C709S201000, C709S203000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06259443
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to the field of client-server computer networking. More particularly, the present invention relates to techniques for allowing multiple users to access a server in a home environment using conventional television sets as display devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many countries, the number of households which own a personal computer (PC) is increasing rapidly. For many reasons, the use of PCs has been limited in many homes to playing games and word processing. The reasons may include limitations of the PC in processing power, storage capacity, and bandwidth. Further, many people are uncomfortable using complex technology and avoid using computers altogether. In addition, PCs tend to be physically suited for a desk and not for a family room or bedroom. PC electronics tend to be designed to interface with office systems and not with home communication systems, and there is generally no convenient mechanism for purchasing, loading, storing and organizing traditional entertainment content using a home PC. It is desirable, therefore, to allow conventional PCs to be used in a home environment for more applications than in the past, more easily, and by a greater number of people.
Because the home is commonly a place to relax and enjoy oneself, televisions (TVs) and stereo systems tend to be focal points at home, since these devices are entertainment oriented. Even most technophobes are comfortable operating a TV or stereo system. Consequently, by allowing televisions, stereos, and other consumer devices to be more seamlessly connected with conventional PCs, the PC can become a more integral part of activities in the home. Technologies have been developed which enable a TV to be used as a display device for a personal computer. However, these technologies are not designed to allow multiple users at multiple TVs to use a PC independently of each other. Other technologies have been developed to allow people to access the Internet using a conventional TV as a display device. However, such technologies do not leverage the tremendous technology base that already exists in software and hardware for PC platforms.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a technology which allows the processing power of a conventional PC to be integrated seamlessly with a TV as a display device in the home environment. It is further desirable to allow multiple home users to independently use a PC operating as a server using TVs as display devices. It is further desirable to have such a technology which can make use of communications infrastructure already in the home.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is a method of enabling multiple users to simultaneously use a processing system maintaining a work area. A number of subsets of the work area are defined. An association is then created between each subset and a different user, such that each subset represents a work area for the corresponding user.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of allowing a local processing system to be used from multiple remote systems, in which a number of simultaneously active work areas are maintained within the local processing system. Each of the work areas is associated with a different one of the remote systems. Each of the work areas is rendered within the local processing system and then provided to the corresponding remote system for display.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a circuit board for use in a server system that includes a processing unit and is connected to multiple client systems. The circuit board includes a number of frame buffers, each of which is for maintaining display data for a different one of the client systems in a local area network. The circuit board further includes a number of video controllers that are accessible to the processing unit when the circuit board is connected in the server system. Each of the video controllers is for controlling one of the frame buffers.
Other features of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description which follows.
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Bayerl Raymond J.
Blakely , Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP
Nguyen Thomas T.
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