Control system and user interface for home theater network
First Claim
1. A television (TV) comprisinga display screen,a circuit coupled to the screen,a control system operating on the circuit and adapted to translate user input TV specific commands to device specific messages to drive a first set of AV input devices via IR signals and drive a second set of input devices via signals communicated over a bidirectional bus when such devices are coupled to the circuit and wherein the first set of AV input devices being incapable of communicating over the bidirectional bus;
- wherein the control system is adapted to generate a user interface displayable on the display screen, the user interface including a device selection menu corresponding to a plurality of internal AV input devices and external AV input devices when such devices are coupled to the television, andwherein the control system is adapted to direct an audio and/or video signal from a first source device of a plurality of input AV devices to the television via device specific output messages transmitted from the control system to the plurality of input AV devices and, in response to a user input TV specific command, switch to directing a signal from a second source device of the plurality of input AV devices to the television, wherein the first and second source devices include one device selected from the first set of input AV devices and one selected from the second set of input AV devices.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a command center or hub of a network system includes a context and connection permutation sensitive control system that enables centralized and seamless integrated control of all types of input devices. The control system preferably includes a versatile icon based graphical user interface that provides a uniform, on-screen centralized control system for the network system. The user interface, which includes a visual recognition system, enables the user to transparently control multiple input devices over a variety of protocols while operating on a single control layer of an input command device. In an alternative embodiment, the control system also enables gated signal pass-through control while avoiding signal jamming.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A television (TV) comprising
a display screen, a circuit coupled to the screen, a control system operating on the circuit and adapted to translate user input TV specific commands to device specific messages to drive a first set of AV input devices via IR signals and drive a second set of input devices via signals communicated over a bidirectional bus when such devices are coupled to the circuit and wherein the first set of AV input devices being incapable of communicating over the bidirectional bus; -
wherein the control system is adapted to generate a user interface displayable on the display screen, the user interface including a device selection menu corresponding to a plurality of internal AV input devices and external AV input devices when such devices are coupled to the television, and wherein the control system is adapted to direct an audio and/or video signal from a first source device of a plurality of input AV devices to the television via device specific output messages transmitted from the control system to the plurality of input AV devices and, in response to a user input TV specific command, switch to directing a signal from a second source device of the plurality of input AV devices to the television, wherein the first and second source devices include one device selected from the first set of input AV devices and one selected from the second set of input AV devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification