Method for selecting an input media source

• US 20080186078A1
• Filed: 02/06/2007
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saturn Licensing LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Shintani, Peter, Kono, Eiji
• Granted Patent: US 8,760,582 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 327/365
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/002 Switching arrangements with several input- or output terminals code converters H03M5/00, H03M7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/436 Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44231 Monitoring of peripheral device or external card, e.g. to detect processing problems in a handheld device or the failure of an external recording device configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network H04L12/2823; monitoring the status of connected device in data switched networks H04L43/0817
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

System and method for changing a current input terminal of a user device. In one embodiment of the invention, a method includes receiving an input terminal change request, requesting that a current input terminal be changed from a first input terminal to a second input terminal. The method may further include determining if an external device is connected to the second input terminal. In one embodiment of the invention, the second input terminal includes a connection detection switch. The method may also include switching to the second input terminal when the connection detection switch indicates an external device connection and skipping the second input terminal when the connection detection switch indicates no external device connected according to one embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for changing a current input terminal of a user electronic device comprising:

receiving an input terminal change request, requesting that the current input terminal be changed from a first input terminal to a second input terminal;

determining if an external device is connected to the second input terminal, wherein the second input terminal includes a connection detection switch;

switching to the second input terminal when said connection detection switch indicates an external device connection; and

skipping the second input terminal when said connection detection switch indicates no external device connected.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining comprises detecting a switched state of the connection detection switch.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said connection detection switch is a mechanical switch integrated with said input terminal.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the connection detection switch is activated by a dedicated pin of the external device connection.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said switch state is closed when an input cable is properly inserted into the input terminal and open when the input terminal is not connected to an external device connection.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining further comprises detecting a proper connection of an external device cable.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a user is alerted when an improper connection is detected.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said input terminals correspond to one or more of composite terminals, component video terminals, audio terminals, HDMI terminals, fiber optic terminal and electronic device input terminals.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein an input source is displayed following selection of a device connection.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if an external device is connected to the second input terminal further comprises generating a dynamic reference table of active external device connections.

18. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said input terminals correspond to one or more of composite terminals, component video terminals, audio terminals, HDMI terminals, fiber optic terminals and electronic device input terminals.

11. A user electronic device with a plurality of external device connections comprising:

an input interface having a plurality of input terminals for connection to external devices, wherein one or more of said input terminals further comprises a connection detection switch;

selection means coupled to the plurality of input terminals; and

a processor coupled to said selection means, the processor configured to;

receive an input terminal change request, requesting that a current input terminal be changed from a first input terminal to a second input terminal,

determine if an external device is connected to the second input terminal,

switching to the second input terminal when said connection detection switch indicates an external device connection, and

skip the second input terminal when said connection detection switch indicates no external device connected.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said processor is further configured to detect a switched state of the connection detection switch.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said connection detection switch is a mechanical switch integrated with said input terminal.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said connection detection switch is activated by a dedicated pin of the external device connection.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said switch state of an input terminal is closed when an input cable is properly inserted into the input terminal and open when the input terminal is not connected to an external device connection.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to detect a proper connection of an input device cable.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the processor is configured to alert a user when an improper connection is detected.

19. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a display coupled to the processor, wherein the display is configured to display an input source following selection of a device connection.

20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to generate a dynamic reference table of active external device connections.