Method and apparatus for setting up video input information

• US 20070083888A1
• Filed: 10/28/2003
• Published: 04/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Liebhold, Valerie
• Application Number:
  US10/576,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20070083888A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/37
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4432 Powering on the client, e.g. bootstrap loading using setup parameters being stored locally or received from the server resetting in general G06F1/14; program loading or initiating in general G06F9/445; bootstrapping in general G06F9/4401; secure boots of computer platforms G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/488 Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/104 Switchers or splitters

Abstract

A television set includes a processor, memory, a number of video inputs and corresponding cable detectors for detecting the presence of a device coupled to a video input. The processor executes a set-up program stored in the memory. In particular, when the processor detects the presence of a device coupled to a particular video input, via one of the cable detectors, the processor, in response thereto, prompts a user to select one of a number of device labels to associate with the detected device.

Claims

1. A method for use in a video input switching device for configuring devices coupled thereto, the method comprising:

detecting a device coupled to a video input of the video input switching device; and

prompting a user to select a label for the detected device, wherein the label associates the detected device with the video input.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting step includes the step of detecting a cable coupled to the video input.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting step includes the step of detecting a signal received through the video input.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the detecting a signal step includes the step of prompting the user to turn on the device if no signal is initially detected.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the video input switching device is a television set.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the prompting step includes the step of playing an audio cue to the user.

7. A method for use in a video input switching device for configuring devices coupled thereto, the method comprising:

detecting a device coupled to a video input of the video input switching device;

responsive to the detected device, displaying a picture for prompting a user to select a label for use in associating the detected device with the video input; and

receiving a response from the user to select the label that associates the detected device with the video input.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the detecting step includes the step of detecting a cable coupled to the video input.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the detecting step includes the step of detecting a signal received through the video input.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the detecting a signal step includes the step of prompting the user to turn on the device if no signal is initially detected.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the video input switching device is a television set.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the displaying a picture step includes the step of displaying an image derived from a video signal received from the detected device such that the picture is overlaid over the image.

13. A method for use in a video input switching device, the video input switching device including a number of video inputs, the method comprising:

prompting a user to turn on each one of a number of peripheral devices coupled to the video input switching device; and

selecting, in turn, each one of the number of video inputs and prompting the user to select a label from a list of labels for associating the selected video input with a particular type of peripheral device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the prompting step is only performed if a signal is first detected on the selected video input.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the video input switching device is a television set.

16. A method for use in a video input switching device, the method comprising:

storing in memory a table comprising a plurality of entries, where at least one entry associates a label with a video input of the video input switching device, wherein the label identifies a device connected to the video input;

detecting a disconnect from the video input switching device of a device entered in the table; and

prompting a user to confirm deletion from the table of the disconnected device and the label associated therewith.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the video input switching device is a television set.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the prompting step includes the step of playing an audio cue to the user.

19. A home entertainment system comprising:

a peripheral device; and

a video input switching device having at-least-one video input and coupled to the peripheral device through the at-least-one video input, wherein the video input switching device automatically prompts a user to select a label for the peripheral device upon detection of the peripheral device through the at-least-one video input.

20. The home entertainment system of claim 19, wherein the video input switching device detects the peripheral device by detecting a cable connected to the at-least-one video input.

21. The home entertainment system of claim 19, wherein the video input switching device detects the peripheral device by detecting a signal received through the at-least-one video input.

22. A video input switching device comprising:

a processor;

a memory for storing a list of labels, at least some of the labels representing a possible peripheral device that may be coupled to the video input switching device;

a display; and

a number of video inputs;

wherein the processor automatically displays the list of labels and prompts the user to select from the displayed list when the processor detects that a peripheral device has been connected thereto through at least one of the number of video inputs.

23. The video input switching device of claim 22, wherein the processor, memory, display and the number of video inputs are a part of a television set.

24. The video input switching device of claim 22, further including at least one cable detector and wherein the processor detects that a peripheral device has been connected thereto when the cable detector detects a cable being connected to the respective video input.

25. The video input switching device of claim 22, further including at least one cable detector and wherein the processor detects that a peripheral device has been connected thereto when the cable detector detects a signal is being received from the respective video input.