Video adapter for supporting at least one television monitor

• US 6,429,903 B1
• Filed: 07/18/2000
• Issued: 08/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Contemporary Display LLC (IPValuation Partners, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Colorgraphic Communications Corporation
• Inventors: Young, Thomas D.
• Primary Examiner(s): HSIA, SHERRIE Y
• Application Number:
  US09/618,618
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.5445, H04/N.700, 348/552, 348/553, 348/555, 348/563, 348/569
• US Class Current: 348/552
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1431 using a single graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/02 Details of power systems and of start or stop of display operation
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/125 wherein one of the images is motion video
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/363 Graphics controllers
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/39 Control of the bit-mapped memory
• 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 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4263 involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42653 for processing graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8166 involving executable data, e.g. software arrangements for executing specific programs G06F9/44; broadcasting computer programmes in broadcast systems H04H20/91; involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/12 Picture reproducers H04N9/11 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/641 Multi-purpose receivers, e.g. for auxiliary information H04N9/642 takes precedence

Abstract

Video adapter hardware and software permitting the display of computer information and television signals across several display devices. The video adapter hardware includes at least one television programming input and a multiplexer for feeding television programming to multiple television monitors. An alternative embodiment is adapted to feed at least one computer monitor and at least one television monitors, with or without also receiving computer generated input and combining the computer generated input with television programming for display on television monitors and/or computer monitors. Such adapters are useful for supporting video walls and other applications where it is desired to leverage the lower cost of television monitors as compared to computer monitors.

Claims

1. A product for installation in a computer for receiving at least one television programming input and displaying television programming corresponding thereto on multiple television monitors, comprising:

a. at least one television programming input port for coupling at least one source of television programming to said product;

b. at least one television tuner;

c. a video multiplexer coupled to the television tuner and adapted to be coupled to a plurality of television monitors, said video multiplexer also adapted to be coupled to a bus of the computer in which the product is adapted to be installed;

said multiplexer also adapted to receive television programming and feed said programming to said television monitors, according to commands entered into said computer and sent to said multiplexer via said bus.

2. A product according to claim 1 further comprising:

d. a video encoder for converting at least some of said television programming to digital format;

e. video monitor interface circuitry adapted to receive said television programming in digital format, adapted to be coupled to the bus of the computer and adapted to feed said television programming in digital format to at least one computer monitor, according to commands entered into said computer and sent to said interface circuitry via said bus.

3. A product according to claim 2 further comprising:

f. a graphics accelerator adapted to receive signals from the computer corresponding to computer generated graphics and to receive television programming in digital format;

g. a video decoder adapted to receive signals from said graphics accelerator and based on them, prepare combined television programming corresponding to said computer generated graphics and television programming; and

h. wherein said video multiplexer is adapted to receive said combined television programming for feeding to the multiple television monitors.

4. A product for installation in a computer for receiving at least one television programming input and displaying the television input in said input on multiple television monitors, comprising:

a. at least one television programming input port for coupling at least one source of television programming to said product;

b. at least one television tuner;

c. a video multiplexer coupled to the television tuner and adapted to be coupled to a plurality of television monitors, said video multiplexer also adapted to be coupled to a bus of the computer in which the product is adapted to be installed;

said multiplexer also adapted to receive television programming and feed said programming to said television monitors, according to commands entered into said computer and sent to said multiplexer via said bus;

d. a video encoder for converting at least some of said television programming to digital format;

e. video monitor interface circuitry adapted to receive said television programming in digital format, adapted to be coupled to the bus of the computer and adapted to feed said television programming in digital format to at least one computer monitor, according to commands entered into said computer and sent to said interface circuitry via said bus;

f. a graphics accelerator adapted to receive signals from the computer corresponding to computer generated graphics and to receive television programming in digital format;

g. a video decoder adapted to receive signals from said graphics accelerator and based on them, prepare combined television programming corresponding to said computer generated graphics and television programming; and

h. wherein said video multiplexer is adapted to receive said combined television programming for feeding to the multiple television monitors.

5. A product according to claim 4 in which said interface circuitry is adapted to feed at least one computer monitor with content corresponding to computer generated graphics and television programming.

6. A product for installation in a computer for receiving at least one television programming input and displaying television programming corresponding thereto on multiple television monitors, comprising:

a. at least one television programming input port for coupling at least one source of television programming to said product;

b. a video multiplexer adapted to be coupled to a plurality of television monitors, said video multiplexer also adapted to be coupled to a bus of the computer in which the product is adapted to be installed;

said multiplexer also adapted to receive television programming and feed said programming to said television monitors, according to commands entered into said computer and sent to said multiplexer via said bus;

c. a video encoder for converting said at least some of said television programming to digital format;

d. at least one graphics accelerator adapted to receive signals from the computer corresponding to computer generated graphics and to receive television programming in digital format;

e. at least one video decoder adapted to receive signals from said graphics accelerator and based on them, prepare combined television programming corresponding to said computer generated graphics and television programming; and

f. wherein said video multiplexer is adapted to receive said combined television programming for feeding to the multiple television monitors.

7. A product according to claim 6 further comprising video monitor interface circuitry adapted to receive said television programming in digital format, adapted to be coupled to the bus of the computer and adapted to feed said television programming in digital format to at least one computer monitor, according to commands entered into said computer and sent to said interface circuitry via said bus.

8. A product according to claim 6 further comprising at least one television tuner.

9. A product according to claim 6 wherein said at least one graphics accelerator comprises four graphics accelerators for supporting four computer monitors, and in which the multiplexer is adapted to feed four television monitors.

10. A product according to claim 9 wherein said at least one video decoder comprises one video decoder for creating combined television programming.

11. A product according to claim 9 wherein said at least one video decoder comprises a plurality of video decoders, each adapted to create combined television programming.

12. A computer comprising a processor, mass memory capacity, input/out functionality, and circuitry for receiving at least one television programming input and displaying television programming corresponding thereto on multiple television monitors, said circuitry comprising:

a. at least one television programming input port for coupling at least one source of television programming to said circuitry;

b. at least one television tuner;

c. a video multiplexer coupled to the television tuner and adapted to be coupled to a plurality of television monitors, said video multiplexer coupled to a bus of the computer;

said multiplexer also adapted to receive television programming and feed said programming to said television monitors, according to commands entered into said computer and sent to said multiplexer via said bus.

13. A computer according to claim 12 further comprising:

d. a video encoder for converting at least some of said television programming to digital format;

e. video monitor interface circuitry adapted to receive said television programming in digital format, adapted to be coupled to the bus of the computer and adapted to feed said television programming in digital format to at least one computer monitor, according to commands entered into said computer and sent to said interface circuitry via said bus.

14. A computer according to claim 13 further comprising:

f. a graphics accelerator adapted to receive signals from the computer corresponding to computer generated graphics and to receive television programming in digital format;

g. a video decoder adapted to receive signals from said graphics accelerator and based on them, prepare combined television programming corresponding to said computer generated graphics and television programming; and

h. wherein said video multiplexer is adapted to receive said combined television programming for feeding to the multiple television monitors.

15. A computer comprising a processor, mass memory, input/output functionality and circuitry for receiving at least one television programming input and displaying television programming corresponding thereto on multiple television monitors, comprising:

a. at least one television programming input port for coupling at least one source of television programming to said circuitry;

b. a video multiplexer adapted to be coupled to a plurality of television monitors, said video multiplexer also adapted to be coupled to a bus of the computer;

said multiplexer also adapted to receive television programming and feed said programming to said television monitors, according to commands entered into said computer and sent to said multiplexer via said bus;

c. a video encoder for converting said at least some of said television programming to digital format;

d. a graphics accelerator adapted to receive signals from the computer corresponding to computer generated graphics and to receive television programming in digital format;

e. a video decoder adapted to receive signals from said graphics accelerator and based on them, prepare combined television programming corresponding to said computer generated graphics and television programming; and

f. wherein said video multiplexer is adapted to receive said combined television programming for feeding to the multiple television monitors.

16. A computer according to claim 15 further comprising video monitor interface circuitry adapted to receive said television programming in digital format, adapted to be coupled to the bus of the computer and adapted to feed said television programming in digital format to at least one computer monitor, according to commands entered into said computer and sent to said interface circuitry via said bus.

17. A computer comprising a processor, mass memory, input/output functionality and circuitry for receiving at least one television programming input and displaying television programming corresponding thereto on multiple television monitors, comprising:

a. at least one television programming input port for coupling at least one source of television programming to said circuitry;

b. a video multiplexer adapted to be coupled to a plurality of television monitors, said video multiplexer also adapted to be coupled to a bus of the computer;

said multiplexer also adapted to receive television programming and feed said programming to said television monitors, according to commands entered into said computer and sent to said multiplexer via said bus;

c. at least one television tuner;

d. a plurality of video encoders for converting said at least some of said television programming to digital format;

e. a plurality of graphics accelerators adapted to receive signals from the computer corresponding to computer generated graphics and to receive television programming in digital format;

f. at least one video decoder adapted to receive signals from at least one of said graphics accelerators and based on them, prepare combined television programming corresponding to said computer generated graphics and television programming from said at least one accelerator; and

g. wherein said video multiplexer is adapted to receive said combined television programming for feeding to the multiple television monitors.

18. A computer according to claim 17 further comprising a plurality of video monitor interface circuits, each adapted to receive said television programming in digital format from at least one accelerator, each adapted to be coupled to the bus of the computer and adapted to feed said television programming in digital format from said at least one accelerator to at least one computer monitor, according to commands entered into said computer and sent to said interface circuitry via said bus.

19. A computer according to claim 17 adapted to feed four television monitors.

20. A computer according to claim 18 adapted to feed four television monitors and a plurality of computer monitors.

21. A computer according to claim 17 in which said circuitry is adapted to receive a plurality of television programming inputs.