Control system and user interface for network of input devices
First Claim
1. A network system comprisinga central control unit (CCU),a primary video display and audio output device (PDD) coupled to the CCU,a plurality of input audio-video devices coupled to the CCU, wherein the plurality of input audio-video devices include one or more analog audio-video devices and one or more digital audio-video devices,a means for generating a non-device specific graphical user interface (GUI) from the CCU of the network system and displaying the GUI on the PDD, wherein the GUI includes an input device selection menu and a device transport menu, and wherein the input device selection menu includes an icon corresponding to each of the one or more analog audio-video devices and the one or more digital audio-video devices,a means for receiving CCU specific user input commands corresponding to selection and operation of a plurality of input audio-video devices and network system functions at the CCU,a means for translating within the CCU the CCU specific user input commands received by the CCU to device specific output messages to operate the plurality of input audio-video devices, anda means for transmitting the output messages from the CCU to the plurality of input audio-video devices, wherein the output messages are transmitted to the one or more analog audio-video devices by directing an IR signal incorporating the output message from the CCU to the analog audio-video device, wherein the output messages are transmitted to the one or more digital audio-video devices over a bidirectional bus, and wherein the one or more analog audio-video devices being incapable of receiving or sending messages over a bidirectional bus.
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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.
46 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A network system comprising
a central control unit (CCU), a primary video display and audio output device (PDD) coupled to the CCU, a plurality of input audio-video devices coupled to the CCU, wherein the plurality of input audio-video devices include one or more analog audio-video devices and one or more digital audio-video devices, a means for generating a non-device specific graphical user interface (GUI) from the CCU of the network system and displaying the GUI on the PDD, wherein the GUI includes an input device selection menu and a device transport menu, and wherein the input device selection menu includes an icon corresponding to each of the one or more analog audio-video devices and the one or more digital audio-video devices, a means for receiving CCU specific user input commands corresponding to selection and operation of a plurality of input audio-video devices and network system functions at the CCU, a means for translating within the CCU the CCU specific user input commands received by the CCU to device specific output messages to operate the plurality of input audio-video devices, and a means for transmitting the output messages from the CCU to the plurality of input audio-video devices, wherein the output messages are transmitted to the one or more analog audio-video devices by directing an IR signal incorporating the output message from the CCU to the analog audio-video device, wherein the output messages are transmitted to the one or more digital audio-video devices over a bidirectional bus, and wherein the one or more analog audio-video devices being incapable of receiving or sending messages over a bidirectional bus.
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8. A network system comprising
a central control unit (CCU), a primary video display and audio output device (PDD) coupled to the CCU, a plurality of input audio-video devices coupled to the CCU, wherein the plurality of input audio-video devices include one or more analog and one or more digital devices, a means for receiving user input commands at the CCU of the network system, wherein the input commands are CCU specific commands, and a means for translating within the CCU the user input commands received by the CCU to device specific output messages to drive the plurality of input audio-video devices via messages communicated from the CCU to the one or more digital audio-video devices over a bidirectional bus and via messages communicated from the CCU to the one or more analog audio-video devices via IR signals, wherein one or more analog audio-video devices being incapable of receiving or sending messages over a bidirectional bus.
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14. A network system comprising
a central control unit (CCU), a primary video display and audio output device coupled to the CCU, a plurality of input audio-video devices coupled to the CCU, wherein the plurality of input audio-video devices include one or more analog and one or more digital devices, a means for visually indicating on the primary video display and audit output device current system state by the display of graphical indicators including a current source device indicator, a current video sink device indicator and a current audio sink device indicator on the primary video display screen coupled to the CCU, a means for receiving CCU specific user input commands at the CCU, and a means for translating within the CCU the user input commands to device specific output messages to drive the plurality of input audio-video devices via messages communicated from the CCU to the one or more digital audio-video devices over a bidirectional bus and via messages communicated from the CCU to the one or more analog audio-video devices via IR signals, wherein one or more analog audio-video devices being incapable of receiving or sending messages over a bidirectional bus.
Specification