Television – Image signal processing circuitry specific to television – Special effects
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-26
2002-01-15
Hsia, Sherrie (Department: 2614)
Television
Image signal processing circuitry specific to television
Special effects
C348S563000, C348S569000, C348S600000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06339453
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a television system having a graphics user interface. More specifically, the present invention relates to a television system having a graphics user interface which can be replaced and upgraded easily.
2. Description of the Related Art
The architecture of a conventional television system is depicted in
FIG. 5. A
television, generally designated by the reference numeral
10
, includes a tuner
12
for receiving a video signal “V”. An audio/video demodulator
14
demodulates an audio portion “a” from signal “V”. The video signal “V” proceeds through a video and color signal demodulator
16
and a backend processor
18
, to be displayed on a display unit
20
. The audio portion “a” proceeds via an audio decoder
22
and audio amplifier
24
to a speaker unit
26
.
The backend processor
18
processes the following functions: video switching, picture-in-picture (PIP) display, and graphics overlay. Graphics overlay includes mixing a graphics signal “G” with the pixels of the video signal “V” to create a combined graphics and video signal, which can also be displayed on the display unit
20
. Graphics overlay is performed by a graphics overlay unit
18
′, integral with backend processor
18
. Video switching and PIP are optional features that are not required in all televisions, and will not be further discussed.
In the conventional television system, a graphics signal “G” is generated in a micro-processor unit (MPU)
28
, in accordance with a television control signal “C” generated by a controller
30
, e.g., a remote control. The MPU
28
includes an on-screen display (OSD) application for controlling the graphics signal “G” in accordance with control signal “C”, including generation of graphics feedback on the display unit
20
for all TV control signals (e.g., display of channel, display of volume level, and so on). The OSD application is stored in a read only memory (ROM)
32
.
The conventional television system described above has several shortcomings. The OSD application cannot be replaced without replacing ROM
32
. In addition, if the television operator desires a more complex OSD application, e.g., one with higher quality graphics, it might also be necessary to replace the graphics overlay unit
18
′ because the size of the ROM and the function of the graphics overlay unit are selected at the time of television assembly to meet the selected graphics requirements, and the selected complexity of the OSD application. Replacement of either component is time consuming and expensive.
A new graphics user interface architecture is desirable in order to replace or upgrade the OSD application cheaply and easily.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a television system having an improved graphics user interface architecture, that corrects one or more problems of the related art.
In accordance with the purpose of the invention, a television system comprises a television, including (a) a television control unit capable of generating a television control signal; (b) means for receiving a video signal; (c) a media controller for generating a graphics signal; and (d) a display unit for displaying either the video signal or the combined video signal and graphics signal. A media module, external to the television and connectable via an interface with the media controller, performs a graphical on-screen display application in accordance with the television control signal.
Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5959687 (1999-09-01), Dinwiddie
patent: 5969770 (1999-10-01), Horton
patent: 6035037 (2000-03-01), Chaney
Chen Lei
Chimoto Hiroyuki
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
Hsia Sherrie
LandOfFree
Television system having replaceable graphics user interface... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Television system having replaceable graphics user interface..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Television system having replaceable graphics user interface... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2825926