×

Connection interface for personal electronic devices with a television

  • US 8,370,879 B2
  • Filed: 02/22/2007
  • Issued: 02/05/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An entertainment system comprising:

  • a headend;

    a television;

    a remote control for transmitting remote control signals to the television;

    a distribution system for distributing media content from the headend to the television; and

    a network including;

    a connection interface including a plurality of inputs for receiving outputs of personal electronic devices, a plurality of selection buttons, detection circuitry for detecting active signals at the plurality of inputs, and a plurality of outputs for delivering signals received at the plurality of outputs to inputs of the television; and

    an interface terminal that communicates over a first digital bus with the connection interface to monitor status, that communicates with the headend over the distribution system, and that communicates with the television over a second digital bus to receive information relating to status of the television and remote control data based on remote control signals received by the television and to send information to the television to control operation of the television, the information sent to the television including commands to the television to cause the television to select signals from the connection interface based upon status of the selection buttons and detection of active signals by the detection circuitry, and commands to the television to control tuning of the television to media content from the headend.

View all claims
  • 9 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×