Wireless device for displaying integrated computer and television user interfaces

• US 6,553,567 B1
• Filed: 07/28/1998
• Issued: 04/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Baker, John Martin, Wugofski, Theodore David
• Primary Examiner(s): Faile, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): LONSBERRY, HUNTER B
• Application Number:
  US09/123,702
• Time in Patent Office: 1,729 Days
• Field of Search: 725/78-85, 725/89, 725/134, 725/142, 348/552, 455/3.01
• US Class Current: 725/81
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/006 Details of the interface to the display terminal specific for a display terminal using a CRT G09G1/167; using a flat panel G09G3/2096; circuits for interfacing with colour displays G09G5/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 the inserted signal being digital

Abstract

A two-way wireless local transmission system integrates computer and television user interfaces. A television set-top device includes a separate transmitter and receiver. The transmitter converts an audio and video signal into a modulated signal within the 902-928 MHz frequency band and transmits the modulated signal to a receiver associated with a computer peripheral device. The receiver downconverts the modulated signal and processes the signal within the computer. The computer processed signal is then sent by a transmitter in the computer peripheral device to the receiver in the set-top device, which provides the signal to a television receiver which displays images in response to the received signals.

Claims

1. A wireless connection between a television receiver and a computer, the wireless connection comprising:

a first transmitter proximate to the television receiver, wherein the first transmitter intercepts a television signal directed to the television receiver and broadcasts the television signal over a first channel;

a first receiver coupled to the computer, wherein the first receiver receives the television signal from the first transmitter and downconverts the television signal for use by the computer;

a video processor in communication with the computer, wherein the video processor converts the television signal into digital video data;

a video encoder which receives the digital video data from the video processor and converts the digital video data into analog video;

a second transmitter coupled to the computer, wherein the second transmitter receives the analog video from the video encoder and broadcasts the analog video over a second channel; and

a second receiver coupled to the television receiver, wherein the second receiver receives and downconverts the analog video for use by the television receiver.

2. The wireless connection of claim 1, wherein the video processor further comprises:

a television tuner which receives the television signal and creates an analog composite video signal;

a video decoder which receives the analog composite video signal from the television tuner, wherein the video decoder separates the analog composite video signal into vertical blanking interval data and a digital video signal;

application software running in the computer which receives the vertical blanking interval data from the video decoder, wherein the application software manipulates the vertical blanking interval data; and

a video controller which receives the digital video signal from the video decoder and which also receives the manipulated vertical blanking interval data from the computer, wherein the video controller combines the digital video signal and the manipulated vertical blanking interval data to create the digital video data.

3. The wireless connection of claim 1, wherein the first transmitter and the first receiver operate within the 902-928 MHz frequency band.

4. The wireless connection of claim 1, wherein the second transmitter and the second receiver operate within the 902-928 MHz frequency band.

5. A wireless connection between a television and a computer, the wireless connection comprising:

a first peripheral device coupled to the television, wherein the first peripheral device receives and transmits television signals;

a second peripheral device coupled to the computer, wherein the second peripheral device receives a television signal for use by the computer; and

a video controller in communication with the computer, wherein the video controller modifies the television signal, and wherein the second peripheral device transmits the modified television signal to the first peripheral device for use by the television.

6. The wireless connection of claim 5, wherein the first peripheral device comprises a receiver and a transmitter.

7. The wireless connection of claim 5, wherein the second peripheral device comprises a receiver and a transmitter.

8. A method of managing signals at a video device using a computer, the method comprising the acts of:

receiving a television signal at the video device;

upconverting the television signal;

transmitting the upconverted signal from the video device to the computer;

receiving modified upconverted video at the video device from the computer; and

downconverting said modified upconverted video.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the television signal and the modified upconverted video are received by a receiver coupled to the video device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the receiver is incorporated in a box located proximate the video device.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the upconverted signals are transmitted by a transmitter coupled to the video device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the transmitter is incorporated in a box located proximate the video device.

13. A method of managing a video signal with a computer, the method comprising the acts of:

receiving an upconverted video signal at the computer from a video device;

downconverting the upconverted video signal;

processing the downconverted video signal by the computer to produce digital video data;

converting the digital video data into modified video;

upconverting the modified video; and

transmitting the upconverted modified video from the computer to the video device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the processing step further comprises the acts of:

tuning the downconverted signal to provide an analog composite video signal;

separating the modified video into vertical blanking interval data and a digital video signal;

manipulating the vertical blanking interval data within the computer to create digital data; and

combining the digital data with the digital video signal to create the digital video data.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the upconverted video signal is received by a receiver coupled to the computer.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the receiver is incorporated in a box located proximate the computer.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the upconverted modified video is transmitted by a transmitter coupled to the computer.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the transmitter is incorporated in a box located proximate the computer.