Computer module device and method for television use

• US 6,311,268 B1
• Filed: 11/06/1998
• Issued: 10/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acqis LLC (Acqis Technology, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Acqis Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Chu, William W. Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoleil, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZIEMER, RITA A
• Application Number:
  US09/187,326
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 713/1, 710/100, 345/326, 345/327, 345/333, 345/302, 345/156, 345/418
• US Class Current: 713/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/18 Packaging or power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4108 characterised by an identification number or address, e.g. local network address protecting specific internal or external computer components using identification number G06F21/73; network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4113 PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• 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 21/44231 Monitoring of peripheral device or external card, e.g. to detect processing problems in a handheld device or the failure of an external recording device configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network H04L12/2823; monitoring the status of connected device in data switched networks H04L43/0817
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4432 Powering on the client, e.g. bootstrap loading using setup parameters being stored locally or received from the server resetting in general G06F1/14; program loading or initiating in general G06F9/445; bootstrapping in general G06F9/4401; secure boots of computer platforms G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/641 Multi-purpose receivers, e.g. for auxiliary information H04N9/642 takes precedence

Abstract

A computer module removably coupled to a console for outputting video data, includes a host interface controller coupled to receive a console configuration signal from the console, a graphics accelerator, a television signal encoder coupled to the graphics accelerator for receiving video data and for outputting television signals, and a central processing unit coupled to the host interface controller, to the graphics accelerator, and to the television signal encoder, for processing the console configuration signal and for enabling the television signal encoder to output the television signals to the console.

Claims

1. A computer system utilizing a television as a display, the computer system comprising:

a peripheral console in electrical communication with the television, the peripheral console including a power supply and a housing defining a computer module bay; and

a computer module detachable from the computer module bay of the peripheral console, the computer module including,

a central processing unit (CPU) of the computer system,

a television signal encoder,

a graphics controller,

a power bus, and

a hard disk drive,

such that power is supplied to the CPU to allow the CPU to direct the television signal encoder to transmit a television signal to the television only when the computer module is attached to the peripheral console through the computer module bay, the computer module bay providing mechanical alignment for connection between the computer module and the peripheral console.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the peripheral console is configured to transmit a configuration signal to the computer module, the configuration signal indicating that the peripheral console is in electrical communication with the television.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a color monitor in electrical communication with the peripheral console, the graphics controller configured to output analog RGB signals to the peripheral console.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the central processing unit is configured to enable or disable an output of the television signals from the television signal encoder based upon a control information.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the peripheral console further comprises a wireless receiver configured to receive the control information from a remote transmitter.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the wireless receiver is configured to communicate the control information to the central processing unit.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer module further comprises a control program operable to switch a video output of the computer module between one of an analog RGB signal and a television signal.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the television signals comprise NTSC video signals.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the television signals comprise High Definition TV signals.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the peripheral console is in electrical communication with a communication network.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the communication network comprises a telephone connection.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the communication network comprises a local area network.

13. A computer module for use in a computer system utilizing a television as a display, the computer module configured to attach to a computer bay module of a peripheral console, the computer module comprising:

a central processing unit (CPU);

a television signal encoder;

a graphics controller;

a power bus; and

a hard disk drive,

such that power is supplied to the CPU to allow the CPU to direct transmission of a television signal to the television, only when the power bus is in electrical communication with a power supply of the peripheral console, the peripheral console configured to convey the television signal from the computer module to the television, and the computer bay module configured to receive the computer module.

14. A set-top peripheral console in electrical communication with a television, the peripheral console comprising:

a power supply,

a wireless input receiver, and

a computer module bay for receiving a detachable computer module and providing mechanical alignment between the peripheral console and the computer module, the peripheral console in electrical communication with the computer module containing a CPU and a hard disk drive, the CPU receiving power only when the computer module is attached to the peripheral console through the computer module bay.

15. A method for configuring video output of a computer system comprising a peripheral console and a removable computer module having a central processing unit, a hard disk drive, and a television signal encoder, the method comprising:

inserting the removable computer module into a computer module bay of a set-top peripheral console such that the computer module bay provides mechanical alignment between the computer module and the computer module bay;

supplying power to the central processing unit only when the computer module is inserted into the computer module bay of the peripheral console;

determining the presence of one of a television and a color monitor as a display device connected to the peripheral console; and

communicating a signal to the computer module to output one of a television signal and an analog RGB video signal to the display device.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising transmitting a configuration signal to the computer module, the configuration signal indicating that the peripheral console is in electrical communication with a television.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the central processing unit enables or disables an output of the television signals from the television signal encoder based upon a control information.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the control information is communicated from a remote transmitter to a wireless receiver of the peripheral controller.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the wireless receiver communicates the control information to the central processing unit.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the computer module further comprises a control program operable to switch a video output of the computer module between analog RGB and television signals.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the control program is operable in response to a signal received from a communication network.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the signal is received through a telephone connection.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the signal is received through a local area network.

24. The method of claim 15 wherein the television signal comprises an NTSC video signal.

25. The method of claim 15 wherein the television signal comprises a High Definition TV signal.