Audio and video docking and control system

• US 5,621,458 A
• Filed: 10/21/1994
• Issued: 04/15/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics Incorporated (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics Incorporated (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Stevens, John H., Mann, Timothy C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burgess, Glenton B.
• Application Number:
  US08/326,881
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207, 348/222, 348/233, 348/232, 348/563, 348/569, 348/730, 348/5, 348/7, 348/213, 340/309.15, 368/41-43, 368/10, 358/335, 320/1, 320/11, 320/2, 320/14
• US Class Current: 348/231.5
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/006 with video camera or receiver
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/121 the apparatus comprising a single recording/reproducing device
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/122 Arrangements for providing electrical connections, e.g. connectors, cables, switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/1607 Supply circuits converters H02M; filters therefor H02M1/14; voltage stabilisers G05F1/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/20 for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7755 the recorder being connected to, or coupled with, the antenna of the television receiver

Abstract

A docking and control apparatus for portable electronic entertainment devices comprises a power supply for generating a battery eliminating current. A plurality of calendars are stored in memory and are user selectable. An algorithm combines the selection to form a custom calendar. The algorithm also combines user specific event dates, names and control functions to produce a consolidated calendar. The control functions may include choices of message displayed upon event occurrence, and devices and functions to be triggered at event occurrence. The time of activation within the event day may be specified. The user may generate a specific message which may be stored for recall. The algorithm anticipates event occurrence and generates appropriate advisory messages. A microprocessor maintains a real time clock calendar and executes a calendar algorithm. Upon the occurrence of a consolidated calendar event date, and if specified at a time within the event day, the microprocessor generates a control signal specific to the control function stored with the event. The control signal may generate a message from a plurality stored in memory, or may recall a user generated message. The control signal may initiate operation of a device coupled to the docking apparatus. The microprocessor control functions may be manually initiated. The microprocessor also produces a status message display. Message data read from memory is formatted to generate a video signal for video monitor display. The video signal is also coupled to an RF modulator for TV receiver display.

Claims

1. A docking apparatus for an electronic entertainment device, said apparatus comprising:

a video display;

memory blocks for storing calendar data, calendar dated event data, display message data and a control algorithm;

a microprocessor for executing said algorithm and accessing said memory blocks, and responsive to an occurrence of said calendar dated event, generating a display message signal; and

,

a video signal formatter for generating a first video display signal responsive to said display message signal and including a controllable selector for selectively coupling one of said first video display signal and a second video signal from an entertainment device, when docked, to said video display.

2. The docking apparatus of claim 1, wherein said calendar dated event additionally contains control instructions.

3. The docking apparatus of claim 2, wherein said control instructions are executed by said microprocessor upon said occurrence of said calendar dated event.

4. The docking apparatus of claim 2, wherein said control instructions include a specific time for execution of said control instructions upon said occurrence of said calendar dated event.

5. The docking apparatus of claim 3, wherein said control instructions generate a control signal for activating said electronic entertainment device when docked in said apparatus.

6. The docking apparatus of claim 5, wherein said electronic entertainment device, when docked, generates said second video signal responsive to said control instructions.

7. The docking apparatus of claim 1, wherein said video signal formatter additionally couples a video signal for recording by said electronic entertainment device when docked in said apparatus.

8. The docking apparatus of claim 7, wherein said calendar dated event control instructions additionally select an operating mode for said electronic entertainment device when docked.

9. The docking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power supply adapted for connection to said electronic entertainment device when docked and generating a current for powering thereof.

10. A calendar controlled display apparatus comprising:

a video display;

a video formatting circuit having an output coupled to said video display;

memory blocks for storing a first data set indicative of at least one preprogrammed calendar event and a second data set indicative of at least one user specific calendar event; and

,

means for executing an algorithm for combining said first and second data sets to form a custom calendar, and upon an occurrence of an event from said custom calendar, activating an alerting indicator and generating an event display message for video formatting by said video formatting circuit.

11. The calendar controlled apparatus of claim 10, wherein said algorithm, executed by said means, anticipates an occurrence of one of said preprogrammed calendar and said user specific calendar events, said means generating a control signal a predetermined time in advance of said occurrence.

12. The calendar controlled apparatus of claim 11, wherein said second control signal generates a second display message from a plurality stored in said memory block.

13. The calendar controlled apparatus of claim 11, wherein responsive to said second control signal said indicator is cycled between on and off states.

14. A calendar controlled display apparatus comprising:

a video display;

a video formatting circuit having an output coupled to said video display;

memory blocks for storing a first data set indicative of a specific calendar event, a second data set indicative of user specific calendar event data and a plurality of display messages;

means for executing an algorithm for combining said first and second data sets to form a custom calendar, and at an occurrence of an event from said custom calendar, said means generating a first control signal coupled to activate an event display message from said plurality of display messages for coupling to said video display; and

,

said algorithm anticipating an occurrence of an event from said custom calendar, and said means generating a second control signal a predetermined time in advance of said custom calendar event, said second control signal activating a second display message from said plurality of display messages.