Hybrid home-entertainment system
First Claim
1. Database interface apparatus for supplying data from a personal computer to a remote video screen, said personal computer having a computer video screen, said remote video screen being connected by a cable to a subscriber video service, said apparatus comprising:
- means for combining a subscription carrier frequency modulated by a video signal provided by the subscriber cable service cable, with a local carrier frequency modulated by a video signal provided by the personal computer;
means for providing said combined carrier frequencies to the cable connected to the remote video screen;
means for supplying data from the computer to the cable as video signals modulating said local carrier frequency;
means for receiving broadcast RF signals transmitted by an RF remote-control device; and
means for controlling said data supplied by the personal computer in response to said RF signals to modulate said local carrier frequency.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Home entertainment center interface apparatus providing remote database access and access coordination is disclosed. The interface can, alternatively, be installed directly on the PCI bus in the computer. The interface provides remote access to the database in response to signals from an RF remote control transmitter. The transmitter can be added as a plug-compatible unit to upgrade an existing video control device. A supplemental chat window is generated by a further plug-compatible upgrade unit in response to address and command signals modulating a dedicated carrier frequency on the cable.
482 Citations
15 Claims
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1. Database interface apparatus for supplying data from a personal computer to a remote video screen, said personal computer having a computer video screen, said remote video screen being connected by a cable to a subscriber video service, said apparatus comprising:
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means for combining a subscription carrier frequency modulated by a video signal provided by the subscriber cable service cable, with a local carrier frequency modulated by a video signal provided by the personal computer; means for providing said combined carrier frequencies to the cable connected to the remote video screen; means for supplying data from the computer to the cable as video signals modulating said local carrier frequency; means for receiving broadcast RF signals transmitted by an RF remote-control device; and means for controlling said data supplied by the personal computer in response to said RF signals to modulate said local carrier frequency. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. Database interface apparatus for connecting a personal computer to a remote video screen, said computer having a computer video screen, said remote video screen being connected by cable to a subscriber cable video service, said apparatus comprising:
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an RF broadcast receiver; a controller connected to said receiver and to said computer, said controller being responsive to said personal computer and to said receiver to select a local carrier frequency for supplying video signals from said computer to said remote video screen through said cable; a multi-channel modulator adapted to supply a signal from the computer to the remote video screen on said local carrier frequency selected by said controller; and an RF mixer adapted to combine a subscription carrier frequency modulated by a video signal from the cable video subscriber service with said local carrier frequency modulated by a video signal from said personal computer.
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5. A method of providing remote access to a household database stored on a personal computer at a remote video screen, said personal computer having a computer video screen, said remote video screen connected by a cable to a subscriber video service, said method comprising the steps of:
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mixing a subscription carrier frequency modulated by a video signal from the subscriber cable service with a local carrier frequency modulated by a video signal from the personal computer; providing said combined video-modulated carrier signal to the remote video screen through the cable; determining the frequency of the video-modulated carrier signal supplied by the personal computer; supplying data signals from the computer to the cable on said carrier frequency; and receiving RF signals from an RF remote-control device, said RF signals controlling data received as a video-modulated carrier signal by the remote video screen from the personal computer through the cable on said carrier frequency. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A method of providing remote access to a household database stored on a personal computer to a remote video screen connected by cable to a subscriber video service, said method comprising the steps of:
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combining a subscription carrier frequency modulated by a video signal provided by the subscriber cable video service, with a local carrier signal modulated by a video signal provided by the personal computer; providing said combined carrier signals to the cable connected to the remote video screen; selecting a carrier frequency to be modulated by a video signal supplied by the personal computer; supplying data from the computer to the cable as the video signal modulating said carrier frequency; receiving broadcast RF signals from an RF remote-control device; and controlling the data supplied by the personal computer in response to said RF signals.
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9. A method of providing remote access to a household database stored on a personal computer for a user viewing a remote video screen, said remote video screen connected by a cable to a subscriber video service, said method comprising the steps of:
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connecting an interface circuit between the remote video screen and the subscriber video service, said interface circuit including means for combining a subscription carrier frequency modulated by a video signal provided by the subscriber cable service cable, with a local carrier frequency modulated by a video signal provided by the personal computer, means for providing said combined carrier frequencies to the cable connected to the remote video screen, means for supplying data from the computer to the cable as video signals modulating said local carrier frequency, means for receiving broadcast RF signals, and means for controlling said data supplied by the personal computer in response to said broadcast RF signals to modulate said local carrier frequency; and supplying a control input device for the user viewing the remote video screen, said device having an RF broadcast transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A hybrid home entertainment system for supplying data from a personal computer to a remote video screen, said personal computer having a computer video screen, said remote video screen being connected by a cable to a subscriber video service, said apparatus comprising:
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means for combining a subscription carrier frequency modulated by a video signal provided by the subscriber cable service cable, with a local carrier frequency modulated by a video signal provided by the personal computer; means for providing said combined carrier frequencies to the cable connected to the remote video screen; means for supplying data from the computer to the cable as video signals modulating said local carrier frequency; means for receiving broadcast RF signals transmitted by an RF remote-control device; means for controlling said data supplied by the personal computer in response to said RF signals to modulate said local carrier frequency; and means for supplying said RF signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification