Television – Image signal processing circuitry specific to television – Switching
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-16
2002-10-29
Harvey, David E. (Department: 2714)
Television
Image signal processing circuitry specific to television
Switching
Reexamination Certificate
active
06473135
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of home entertainment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a signal selector for a television set that allows the television to receive and display audio and audiovisual signals from a number of different sources such as a video cassette recorder, digital video disk player, cable television system, compact disk player, etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the current field of home entertainment, the use of the basic television sets has expanded far beyond the reception of broadcast television programming. Television sets are now used to receive and display audiovisual or audio signals from a number of sources. For example, a video cassette recorder (“VCR”) uses a magnetic head to read an audiovisual signal recorded on a magnetic tape. This signal can be provided to the television set and displayed to allow the user to watch the recorded programming. Digital video disk (“DVD”) players perform the same function except that the programming is recorded on an optical disc and read optically by the DVD player.
Additionally, a television set may be connected to a cable television system to which the user has subscribed. Typically, a coaxial cable is connected between a wall outlet and the television set, or a set-top box connected to the television set. The cable network delivers an audiovisual signal to the television set that may carry dozens or even hundreds of channels of television programming that can be tuned and watched by the user.
Similarly, the television set may be connected to a satellite dish, either fixed or moveable, that receives a digital or analog signal via satellite. The audiovisual signal provided by the satellite dish, like the cable television signal, includes dozens or even hundreds of channels of television programming that can be tuned and watched by the user.
Additionally, the television may also receive an audiovisual signal using a conventional antenna, either mounted on the user's roof, or provided at the user's television set, e.g., a rabbit-ears antenna. The conventional antenna can provide an audiovisual signal to the television set that is received by over-the-air broadcast from local commercial television stations.
In an emerging application, a television set may also be used to surf the internet or receive e-mail. Access to the internet may be provided over the cable television system through a set-top box. Alternatively, the television set could receive audiovisual signals from the internet by being connected through a computer or dedicated electronic device to the internet via a modem and conventional public phone line.
A modern entertainment center may include a television set that receives an input signal from any or all of these sources. Consequently, current sophisticated television sets are being designed with a number of input ports or jacks to which various signal sources can be connected.
Where the television set has multiple ports for receiving audiovisual signals from a variety of signal sources, a button on the television set, or on the set's remote control unit, typically allows the user to cycle through connection to the available signal input ports in order to select which of the input signals will be used and displayed by the television set. For example, the default may be to use whatever input signal is provided through a first connector. This connector may be designated “TV” and would typically be connected to a cable television system or a conventional antenna for receiving basic commercial television programming. Whenever the television set is turned on, the set begins displaying the audiovisual signal provided through the first “TV” connector.
The television set in this example, having other connectors for receiving audiovisual signals from other sources, may have, for example, a second connector designated as “Video
1
” to which a VCR is connected, a third connector designated as “Video
2
” to which a DVD player is connected, and a fourth connector designated as “Video
3
” to which a tuner for a satellite dish is connected.
If the user wishes to use a signal coming from a source other than the first default connector, “TV,” the user presses the signal selector button on the television or remote control unit. Conventionally, this will switch the signal being received and used by the television set to that of the second connector, “Video
1
.” Pressing the button again selects the signal from the third connector, “Video
2
,” and so on.
If the user has just turned on the television set, but wishes to access the satellite dish connected to the “Video
3
” connector, the user must press the selection button three times to move through “Video
1
” and “Video
2
” to “Video
3
.” This is true even if, for example, no VCR or DVD player are connected to the “Video
1
” and “Video
2
” connectors respectively as described above. This can be frustrating to the user.
Additionally, the user must remember which signal source, i.e. VCR, DVD player, satellite dish, etc., is connected to which connector, i.e. “Video
1
,” “Video
2
,” “Video
3
,” etc. Again, this can be frustrating to the user.
Consequently, there is a need in the art for a means and method of managing the various input signal sources to a television set to more readily and rapidly allow the user to identify and select the desired and active input signal source.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to meet the above-described needs and others. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a means and method of managing the various input signal sources to a television set to more readily and rapidly allow the user to identify and select a desired, active input signal source.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows or may be learned by those skilled in the art through reading these materials or practicing the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be achieved through the means recited in the attached claims.
To achieve these stated and other objects, the present invention may be described as a system for managing a plurality of signal inputs to a television set. In a preferred embodiment, the system of the invention includes a plurality of audio and video signal inputs; a central processing unit; and an active signal detection unit that periodically monitors the signal inputs and signals the central processing unit to indicate which of the signal inputs is receiving an active signal. The active signal detection unit preferably includes a switch for connecting any of the signal inputs to the signal detection unit. The switch continuously cycles to sequentially connect each of the signal inputs in turn to the signal detection unit. Preferably, the signal detection unit includes a video signal detector and an audio signal detector.
The system may also include a primary tuner; and a selector switch controlled by the central processing unit for selectively connecting either the tuner or one of the signal inputs to a cathode ray tube of the television set. The selector switch is controlled by the central processing unit in response to a control signal from a user interface. To increase the ease with which a user can locate a desired input signal, the central processing unit controls the selector switch to automatically skip connections to signal inputs which are inactive when the user interface signals the central processing unit to change the connection state of the selector switch. After skipping the inactive signal inputs, the central processing unit may control the selector switch to connect to signal inputs which are inactive in response to continued actuation of the user interface device signaling a change of input signal source. This is done in anticipation of a signal being provided at the inactive input selected.
When the active signal detection unit detects a newly-active signal from one of the signal inputs, the central process
Harvey David E.
Kananen, Esq. Ronald P.
Rader & Fishman & Grauer, PLLC
Sony Corporation
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