Integrated remote controlled computer and television system

• US 5,850,340 A
• Filed: 04/05/1996
• Issued: 12/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: X10 Wireless Technology Incorporated (X10)
• Original Assignee: Matthew York
• Inventors: York, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Elmore, Reba I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Marc, McDieunel, Marc, McDieunel
• Application Number:
  US08/628,464
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 364/188, 364/138, 364/132, 395/200, 395/183.06, 395/183.19, 348/512, 348/552, 348/565, 386/83
• US Class Current: 700/83
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4113 PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42221 Transmission circuitry, e.g. infrared [IR] or radio frequency [RF]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• 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 21/43632 involving a wired protocol, e.g. IEEE 1394 high-speed IEEE 1394 serial bus H04L12/40052
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/38 Transmitter circuitry for the transmission of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/641 Multi-purpose receivers, e.g. for auxiliary information H04N9/642 takes precedence

Abstract

A system which includes a remote keyboard and a remote pointer to control a personal computer (PC). The PC generates a PC monitor display and sounds, and a device projects that same display image and plays the same sounds on a remotely located television. A remote keyboard and remote pointer may be in one room with the television, while the PC is in another room. Another system permits the PC to not merely generate and project its PC monitor display on the TV but, also, to control the TV'"'"'s functions, including program selection, viewing, recording, and scheduling.

Claims

1. A system for linking a locally located computer having a local user interface and a remotely located television remotely located from the computer, comprising:

a remote user interface device including an RF transmitter transmitting an RF remote user interface signal from a location remote to the computer;

a remote module remotely located from the computer and locally located to the television, said remote module being connected to the television;

a controller controlling said local/remote user interface sharing circuit to toggle inputs from either said RF remote user interface receiving device or said local user interface device to the computer in response to an input from said remote user interface device or said local user interface device;

said controller controlling said local/remote user interface sharing circuit to permit said local user interface device or said RF remote user interface device to control the computer,

said remote module including an RF audio/display signal receiving device receiving the RF second format audio/display signal from said RF video/audio transmitter and sending a second format video/audio signal to the television via a hardwired connection.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first format is a VGA format.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second format is an NTSC format.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a remote pointing device including an RF transmitter transmitting an RF remote pointing signal.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a remote game controlling device including an RF transmitter transmitting an RF remote game controlling signal.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of remote user interfaces each of which transmits an RF user interface signal;

said local/remote user interface sharing circuit having input connections with each of said remote user interfaces.

7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a sharing mode wherein both said local and said remote user interface devices share control of the computer via said local/remote user interface sharing circuit.

8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a privacy mode wherein said controller permits only said local user interface device to control the computer and said RF video/audio transmitter does not transmit the RF audio display second format signal to the television.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said remote user interface device utilizes existing alternating current wires, telephone wires or coaxial cables to transmit the remote user interface signal.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, said computer module including a privacy mode triggered with either said local user interface device or said remote user interface device and which causes said computer module not to send the audio/display signal to the remote module or not to send the audio/display signal to a local monitor, respectively.

11. A system for permitting variable control of a locally located computer, comprising:

a local user interface device locally located to the computer;

a remote user interface device including an RF transmitter transmitting an RF remote user interface signal from a location remote to the computer;

an RF remote user interface receiving device receiving the RF remote user interface signal from said remote user interface device, said RF remote user interface receiving device locally located to the computer;

a local/remote user interface sharing circuit having inputs connected to said RF remote user interface receiving device and said local user interface device and having an output connected to the computer;

said local/remote user interface sharing circuit toggling inputs to and thereby provide control over the computer between a local user via said local user interface device and a remote user via said remote user interface device, and

a controller controlling said local/remote user interface sharing circuit to toggle inputs from said RF remote user interface receiving device or said local user interface device and supply the toggled input to the computer in response to an input from said remote user interface device or said local user interface device,

said controller controlling said local/remote user interface sharing circuit to permit said local user interface device or said RF remote user interface device to control the computer.

12. The system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a remote pointing device including an RF transmitter transmitting an RF remote pointing signal.

13. The system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a remote game controlling device including an RF transmitter transmitting an RF remote game controlling signal.

14. The system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a plurality of remote user interfaces each of which transmits an RF user interface signal;

said local/remote user interface sharing circuit having input connections with each of said remote user interfaces.

15. The system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a sharing mode wherein both said local and said remote user interface devices share control of the computer via said local/remote user interface sharing circuit.

16. The system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a privacy mode wherein said controller permits only said local user interface device or said remote user interface device to control the computer.

17. The system according to claim 11, wherein said remote user interface device utilizes existing alternating current wires, telephone wires or coaxial cable to transmit the remote user interface signal.