Methods and systems for providing information to a television using a personal computer

• US 6,208,384 B1
• Filed: 07/11/1996
• Issued: 03/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Douglas G. Brown
• Original Assignee: Douglas G. Brown
• Inventors: Schultheiss, Christopher J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor R.
• Application Number:
  US08/678,772
• Time in Patent Office: 1,720 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.700, H04/N.710, 348/552, 348/554, 348/734, 348/6, 348/7, 348/10, 348/12, 348/13, 348/723, 348/906, 359/142-146, 359/148, 340/825.69, 340/825.71, 455/6.1, 455/6.2, 455/6.3, 455/151.2, 455/151.4, 455/557, 455/352, 455/66, 455/180.1, 455/188.1, 455/186.1, 386/69, 345/327, 364/146, 364/188, 364/189, 364/190, 395/326
• US Class Current: 348/552
• 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 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4221 Dedicated function buttons, e.g. for the control of an EPG, subtitles, aspect ratio, picture-in-picture or teletext
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• 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 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/16 Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/641 Multi-purpose receivers, e.g. for auxiliary information H04N9/642 takes precedence

Abstract

A personal computer is used to download and process auxiliary services which are intended for a television. Accordingly, information is provided to a television using a personal computer, so that the personal computer'"'"'s processing power and memory may be used rather than stand-alone devices or a television memory. An external network interface is provided in the computer, as well as a low power television transmitter or transceiver. A unified television/personal computer remote control provides personal computer commands to the personal computer via radio frequency signals. Television commands may be provided to the television directly using infrared signals or indirectly through the personal computer using radio frequency signals. When television commands are provided using radio frequency signals, an infrared converter is provided for the television, to convert the radio frequency signals to infrared signals.

Claims

1. A personal computer system comprising

a personal computer comprising:

a housing containing therein a processor and memory;

a display responsive to the processor;

an external network interface in the housing, which obtains external information from an external network and stores the external information in the memory;

a low power television transmitter in the housing, which is responsive to the processor, to transmit information which is stored in the memory;

a television remote control sensor, which is responsive to television remote control signals, to control the processor and manipulate information in the memory; and

a television interface unit, the television interface unit comprising;

a radio frequency receiver which receives signals from the personal computer and which also receives television remote control commands from the personal computer; and

a converter which is responsive to the radio frequency receiver, and which converts the received television remote control commands into infrared television remote control commands.

2. A personal computer according to claim 1 wherein the external network interface comprises at least one of a cable television interface, a satellite television interface and an internet interface.

3. A personal computer according to claim 1 wherein the low power television transmitter comprises a low power radio frequency television transmitter which transmits signals to the television under control of the processor.

4. A personal computer according to claim 1 wherein the television remote control sensor is an infrared television remote control sensor.

5. A personal computer system according to claim 1 in combination with a radio frequency remote control, which transmits personal computer commands and television remote control signals to the personal computer in response to user inputs.

6. A personal computer according to claim 1 wherein the television transmitter is also responsive to the processor, to transmit information directly from the external network interface.

7. A method of interfacing a personal computer with a television, comprising the steps of:

obtaining at the personal computer, external information from an external network;

storing the external information in personal computer memory;

wirelessly receiving radio frequency television remote control signals at the personal computer;

wirelessly transmitting radio frequency signals representing information from the personal computer and television remote control signals which were received at the personal computer;

receiving at a remote unit, the transmitted radio frequency signals representing information from the personal computer and the television remote control signals which were received at the personal computer;

applying the received information from the personal computer to the television; and

converting the television remote control signals to infrared television remote control signals.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the obtaining step comprises the step of obtaining external information from at least one of a cable television network, a satellite television network and the internet.

9. A method according to claim 7 wherein the step of wirelessly transmitting comprises the step of wirelessly transmitting television video signals to the television.

10. A wireless remote control comprising:

a housing;

a user interface in the housing, which accepts user input commands;

a radio frequency transmitter in the housing, which transmits radio frequency remote control signals in response to user input commands at the user interface; and

an infrared transmitter in the housing, which transmits infrared remote control signals in response to user input commands at the user interface;

wherein the user interface includes a plurality of keys, the radio frequency transmitter being responsive to activation of at least one of the keys, and the infrared transmitter being responsive to activation of at least one of the keys;

wherein the radio frequency transmitter and the infrared transmitter are both responsive to activation of at least one of the keys; and

wherein the user interface includes a trackball, and wherein the radio frequency transmitter is responsive to activation of the trackball.

11. A system for remotely controlling a television comprising:

a personal computer interface, adapted for use with a personal computer, and including a radio frequency transceiver which receives television remote control signals and transmits television remote control signals, and which transmits signals which are generated in a personal computer;

a television interface, adapted for use with a television, and including a radio frequency receiver which receives television remote control signals and signals from the personal computer interface, which applies the received signals to a television for display, and which converts the received television remote control signals into infrared television remote control signals; and

a wireless remote control, including a user interface which accepts user input commands to remotely control a television, and a radio frequency transmitter which transmits radio frequency remote control signals to a personal computer to remotely control a television in response to user input commands at the user interface.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein the personal computer interface also relays received television remote control signals to the personal computer, and receives television remote control signals from the personal computer.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein the personal computer interface also receives personal computer commands from the radio frequency transceiver, and relays the personal computer commands to a personal computer.

14. A system according to claim 11 wherein the personal computer interface is contained on a card which connects to a personal computer motherboard in a personal computer housing.

15. A system according to claim 11 wherein the television interface further comprises a radio frequency switch which switches the video input to a television, between the received signals and an external video source.

16. A system according to claim 11 wherein the wireless remote control user interface also accepts user input commands to remotely control a personal computer, and wherein the radio frequency transmitter also transmits radio frequency personal computer control signals to a personal computer to remotely control a personal computer in response to user input commands at the user interface.

17. A method for remotely controlling a television comprising the steps of:

accepting user input commands to remotely control a television, from a wireless remote control;

transmitting radio frequency remote control signals from the wireless remote control to a personal computer;

receiving the radio frequency remote control signals at the personal computer;

transmitting television remote control signals and television video signals from the personal computer to a television;

applying the received television video signals to the television for display; and

converting the received television remote control signals into infrared television remote control signals to control the television.

18. A method according to claim 17 further comprising the step of:

transmitting personal computer commands from the wireless remote control to the personal computer.

19. A method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of:

switching the video input to the television, between the received television video signals and an external video source.

20. A personal computer interface for remotely controlling a television comprising:

a radio frequency transceiver which receives television remote control signals and transmits television remote control signals, and which transmits signals which are generated in a personal computer; and

an external network interface which obtains external information from an external network, and stores the external information in the personal computer;

wherein the radio frequency transceiver and the external network interface are contained on a card which connects to a personal computer motherboard in a personal computer housing.

21. A method for remotely controlling a television comprising the steps of:

accepting user input commands to remotely control a television, from a wireless remote control;

transmitting radio frequency remote control signals from the wireless remote control to a personal computer;

receiving the radio frequency remote control signals at the personal computer;

transmitting television remote control signals and other signals from the personal computer to a television;

applying the received other signals to the television for display; and

converting the received television remote control signals into infrared television remote control signals to control the television.

22. A method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of:

transmitting personal computer commands from the wireless remote control to the personal computer.

23. A method according to claim 22 further comprising the step of:

switching the video input to the television, between the received signals and an external video source.

24. A personal computer interface for remotely controlling a television comprising:

a radio frequency transceiver which receives television remote control signals and transmits television remote control signals, and which transmits television video signals which are generated in a personal computer; and

an external network interface which obtains external information from an external network, and stores the external information in the personal computer;

wherein the radio frequency transceiver and the external network interface are contained on a card which connects to a personal computer motherboard in a personal computer housing.