Multipurpose computerized television

• US 5,192,999 A
• Filed: 04/25/1991
• Issued: 03/09/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CompuAdd Corporation (Zeos International Ltd)
• Inventors: Engberg, Daniel K., Graczyk, Ronald B., Glick, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Application Number:
  US07/691,377
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 358/903, 358/85, 358/183
• US Class Current: 348/552
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/00 Three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/125 wherein one of the images is motion video
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/205 with control bus for exchanging commands between units
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/908 Multimedia

Abstract

A multipurpose computerized television system generates a plurality of video images in association with a personal computer. A television circuit associates with the personal computer and is within the personal computer chassis for receiving a plurality of television signals and directing the signals to the monitor for the monitor to display. An audio multimedia circuit associates with the personal computer and the television circuit and is also located within the chassis for receiving and processing audio data from the television circuit. The audio multimedia circuit also communicates the audio multimedia data to the personal computer. Control circuitry associated with the television circuit and the personal computer within the chassis controls the operation of the television circuit through the personal computer. The control circuitry comprises a remote control circuit for remotely and independently controlling the television circuit and the personal computer.

Claims

1. A multipurpose computerized television for generating a plurality of video images in association with a personal computer, comprising:

a computer, said computer comprising a computer chassis and a monitor;

a television circuit associated with said computer and within said chassis for receiving a plurality of television signals including broadcast television signals and directing said signals to said monitor for said monitor to display, said monitor operable to display said television signals on any portion of said monitor; and

control circuitry associated with said television circuit and said computer within said chassis for controlling the operation of said television circuit through said computer.

2. The television of claim 1, wherein said television circuit further comprises circuitry in association with said personal computer for generating a plurality of video windows having independent operation on said monitor.

3. The television of claim 2, wherein said television circuit further comprises circuitry for independent x-y scaling of video images appearing on said monitor to variably control the size of said video windows.

4. The television of claim 1, wherein said television circuit comprises circuitry for generating a graphical user interface at said monitor for control of said television circuit and said control circuitry.

5. The television of claim 1, wherein said television circuit further comprises circuitry for receiving video cassette recorder video and audio signals.

6. The television of claim 1, wherein said television circuit further comprises circuitry for video image zooming to increase or decrease size of selected segments of said video images of said monitor.

7. The television of claim 1, wherein said television circuit further comprises circuitry for video image interlacing for controllably interlacing video images on said screen.

8. The television of claim 1, wherein said monitor comprises a video graphics array monitor and said television circuit further comprises circuitry for association said television circuit with video graphics array monitor circuitry.

9. A multipurpose computerized television for generating a plurality of video images in association with a personal computer, comprising:

a computer, said computer comprising a computer chassis and a monitor;

a television circuit associated with said computer and within said chassis for receiving a plurality of television signals and directing said signals to said monitor for said monitor to display;

control circuitry associated with said television circuit and said computer within said chassis for controlling the operation of said television circuit through said computer; and

an audio multimedia circuit associated with said personal computer and said television circuit and within said chassis for receiving and processing audio data from said television circuit and communicating said audio multimedia data to said personal computer,

said audio multimedia circuit comprising an analog mixing circuit for mixing a plurality of analog audio signals, and an analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog converter in association with said analog mixing circuit for generating a plurality of analog output signals and directing said analog output signals to said analog mixing circuit, said analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog converter further associated with said analog mixing circuit for receiving a plurality of analog audio signals to generate a plurality of digital output signals.

10. The television of claim 9, further comprising digital sound mixing circuitry and digital synthesizing sound circuitry for directing digital signals into said analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog converter and from said analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog circuit to said analog mixing circuit.

11. The television of claim 9, wherein said audio multimedia circuit further comprises a compact disk read only memory device in association with said analog mixing circuit for transmitting to said analog mixing circuit a plurality of prerecorded audio signals.

12. The television of claim 9, wherein said audio multimedia circuit further comprises a speaker circuit for directing analog signals to a speaker, said speaker circuit comprising selectable input circuitry for controllably selecting between analog microphone and analog mixer output to digital recorder.

13. The television of claim 9, wherein said audio multimedia circuit further comprises a SCSI interface for interfacing a plurality of external devices with said audio multimedia circuit.

14. The television of claim 9, wherein said audio multimedia circuit further comprises a musical instrument device interface for interfacing a plurality of musical devices with said analog mixing circuit.

15. The television of claim 9, wherein said audio multimedia circuit further comprises a sound generator for interfacing said analog mixing circuitry and generating a plurality of predetermined types of sounds.

16. The television of claim 9, wherein said audio multimedia circuit further comprises a serial line level output for generating a plurality of stereo signals to an external stereo signal connection.

17. A multipurpose computerized television for generating a plurality of video images in association with a personal computer, comprising:

a computer, said computer comprising a computer chassis and a monitor;

a television circuit associated with said computer and within said chassis for receiving a plurality of television signals and directing said signals to said another for said monitor to display;

control circuitry associated with said television circuit and said computer within said chassis for controlling the operation of said television circuit through said computer; and

remote control circuitry for remotely and independently controlling said television circuit and said personal computer.

18. The television of claim 17, wherein said remote control circuitry further comprises a remote control hand held device and a remote control photodetector within said personal computer chassis.

19. A multipurpose computerized television for generating a plurality of video images in association with a personal computer, comprising:

a personal computer, said personal computer comprising a personal computer chassis and a monitor;

a television circuit associated with said personal computer and within said chassis for receiving a plurality of television signals and directing said signals to said monitor for said monitor to display, said monitor comprising a video graphics array monitor and said television circuit further comprises circuitry for associating said television circuit with video graphics array monitor circuitry;

an audio multimedia circuit associated with said personal computer and said television circuit and within said chassis for receiving and processing audio data from said television circuit and communicating said audio multimedia data to said personal computer, said audio multimedia circuit comprising an analog mixing circuit for mixing a plurality of analog audio signals, and an analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog converter in association with said analog mixing circuit for generating a plurality of analog output signals and directing said analog output signals to said analog mixing circuit, said analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog converter further associated with said analog mixing circuit for receiving a plurality of analog audio signals to generate a plurality of digital output signals; and

control circuitry associated with said television circuit and said personal computer within said chassis for controlling the operation of said television circuit through said personal computer, said control circuitry comprising a remote control circuit for remotely and independently controlling said television circuit and said personal computer.

20. A method for generating a plurality of video television images in association with a personal computer for improved control and manipulation of television signals, comprising the steps of:

associating in a single personal computer chassis a personal computer with a television circuit and a control circuit, said personal computer comprising a personal computer chassis and a monitor;

receiving a plurality of television signals including broadcast television signals;

directing said signals to said monitor for said monitor to display;

displaying said signals on any portion of said monitor; and

controlling the operation of said television circuit through said personal computer.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of generating a plurality of video windows having independent operation on said monitor.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of generating a graphical user interface at said monitor for control of said television circuit and said control circuitry.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of performing independent x-y scaling of video images appearing on said monitor.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of receiving video cassette recorder video and audio signals.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of performing video image interlacing.

26. A method for generating a plurality of video television images in association with a personal computer for improved control and manipulation of television signals, comprising the steps of:

associating in a single personal computer chassis a personal computer with a television circuit and a control circuit, said personal computer comprising a personal computer chassis and a monitor;

receiving a plurality of television signals and directing said signals to said monitor for said monitor to display;

controlling the operation of said television circuit through said personal computer;

receiving and processing audio data from said television circuit and communicating said audio multimedia data to said personal computer; and

mixing a plurality of analog audio signals using an analog mixing circuit, and generating a plurality of analog output signals and directing said analog output signals to said analog mixing circuit using an analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog converter in association with said analog mixing circuit, and further associating said analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog converter with said analog mixing circuit for receiving a plurality of analog audio signals to generate a plurality of digital output signals.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps of directing digital signals into said analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog converter and from said analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog circuit to said analog mixing circuit.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of transmitting to said analog mixing circuit a plurality of prerecorded audio signals using a compact disk read only memory device in association with said analog mixing circuit.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of directing analog signals to a speaker, said speaker circuit comprising selectable input circuitry for controllably selecting between analog microphone and analog mixer output to digital recorder.

30. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of interfacing a plurality of external devices with said audio multimedia circuit using a SCSI interface.

31. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of interfacing a plurality of musical devices with said analog mixing circuit.

32. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of interfacing said analog mixing circuit with a sound generator and generating a plurality of predetermined types of sounds.

33. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of generating a plurality of stereo signals to an external stereo system connection.

34. A method for generating a plurality of video television images in association with a personal computer for improved control and manipulation of television signals, comprising the steps of:

associating in a single personal computer chassis a personal computer with a television circuit and a control circuit, said personal computer comprising a personal computer chassis and a monitor;

receiving a plurality of television signals and directing said signals to said monitor for said monitor to display;

controlling the operation of said television circuit through said personal computer; and

remotely and independently controlling said television circuit and said personal computer.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of operating said remote control circuitry with a remote control hand held device and a remote control photodetector within said personal computer chassis.

36. A multipurpose computerized television for generating a plurality of video images in association with a personal computer, comprising:

a computer, said computer comprising a computer chassis and a monitor;

a television circuit associated with said computer and within said chassis for receiving a plurality of television signals and directing said signals to said monitor for said monitor to display, said television circuit includes circuitry for digitally recording video images from said television circuit to said personal computer;

control circuitry associated with said television circuit and said computer within said chassis for controlling the operation of said television circuit through said computer.

37. A multipurpose computerized television for generating a plurality of video images in association with a personal computer, comprising:

a computer, said computer comprising a computer chassis and a monitor;

a television circuit associated with said computer and within said chassis for receiving a plurality of television signals and directing said signals to said monitor for said monitor to display, said television circuit includes circuitry for communicating between said television circuit and an interactive video laser disk system;

control circuitry associated with said television circuit and said computer within said chassis for controlling the operation of said television circuit through said computer.

38. A method for generating a plurality of video television images in association with a personal computer for improved control and manipulation of television signals, comprising the steps of:

associating in a single personal computer chassis a personal computer with a television circuit and a control circuit, said personal computer comprising a personal computer chassis and a monitor;

receiving a plurality of television signals and directing said signals to said monitor for said monitor to display;

controlling the operation of said television circuit through said personal computer; and

digitally recording video images from said television circuit in said personal computer.

39. A method for generating a plurality of video television images in association with a personal computer for improved control and manipulation of television signals, comprising the steps of:

associating in a single personal computer chassis in a personal computer with a television circuit and a control circuit, said personal computer comprising a personal computer chassis and a monitor;

receiving a plurality of television signals and directing said signals to said monitor for said monitor to display;

controlling the operation of said television circuit through said personal computer; and

communicating between said television circuit and an interactive video laser disk system.

40. A method for generating a plurality of video television images in association with a personal computer for improved control and manipulation of television signals, comprising the steps of:

associating in a single personal computer chassis a personal computer with a television circuit and a control circuit, said personal computer comprising a personal computer chassis and a monitor;

receiving a plurality of television signals and directing said signals to said monitor for said monitor to display;

controlling the operation of said television circuit through said personal computer; and

performing on said monitor video image zooming of said television signals.