Device with converged functionality

• US 6,259,440 B1
• Filed: 05/03/1999
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Belmont, Brian V., Brusky, Kevin J., Johnson, Drew S., Vaughan, Mark P., Brase, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): SAX, STEVEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US09/303,827
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 345/326-358, 345/115
• US Class Current: 715/721
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4431 characterized by the use of Application Program Interface [API] libraries
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications

Abstract

A electronic convergence device system comprising a computer for generating indications of a first mode of operation and for generating indications of a second mode of operation, and an output device coupled to the computer to receive the indications of the first and second modes of operation, which output device is provided for at least alternately outputting the indications of the first and second modes of operation, based on a user/viewer selection.

Claims

1. An electronic convergence device comprising:

an apparatus operable in a personal computer mode of operation and in a TV mode of operation;

a display device coupled to said apparatus operable to receive and display output of said personal computer mode of operation and to receive and display output of said TV mode of operation, said output device for at least alternatively outputting said output of said personal computer mode of operation and said output of said TV mode of operation wherein output of said TV mode of operation can be displayed in a format resembling that of a conventional TV receiver full screen display;

said convergence device selectively operable and controllable by at least one user input device in said personal computer mode of operation and in said TV mode of operation; and

said convergence device further operable under control of operating system software for execution of user selectable computer programs and to provide a graphical user interface for selection of functions in said PC mode of operation.

2. The electronic convergence device as recited in claim 1, wherein said TV mode also includes a video viewing functionality.

3. The electronic convergence device as recited in claim 1, wherein said TV mode of operation includes television signal receiver and viewing functionality.

4. The electronic convergence device as recited in claim 1, wherein said personal computer mode includes a video source viewing functionality.

5. A system operable to provide personal computer mode functions and operable to provide TV mode functions, said system comprising:

a convergence functionality device for generating TV mode function signals;

a personal computer coupled to said convergence functionality device to receive and manage said TV mode function signals, said personal computer operable under control of an operating system for execution of user selectable computer programs and for generating personal computer mode function signals; and

a display device coupled to said personal computer to receive said personal computer mode function signals and said TV mode function signals, said display device operable to at least alternatively display said computer mode function signals and said TV mode function signals, said display device operable in an overscan mode to generate a full screen display of said TV mode function signals resembling a conventional TV receiver display;

said operating system software operable to produce a graphical user menu-select display by said display device of user options for selecting said personal computer mode function;

and said convergence functionality device being selectively operable under control of a user input device.

6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said convergence functionality device includes a video apparatus for generating video signals.

7. The system as recited in claim 5, including a television tuner operable to provide at least some of said TV mode function signals.

8. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the TV mode of operations enables a TV mode picture-in-picture display within said full screen display of TV mode function signals.

9. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the PC mode of operation enables display of TV source signals in a PC window by said display device, and further including a user input device operable to switch from said display in a PC window to said TV mode of operation display of said TV source signals.