US5790201A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Television and computer capability integration
Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC
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Filing: 1996-08-08
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Granted: 1998-08-04
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Expires: 2016-08-08
Abstract
Abstract A television and computer integration system is provided that includes a coupler module electrically coupled to a remote keyboard and integral mouse. Coupler module is also electrically coupled to both a personal computer and to a conventional television. The personal computer has a conventional user interface which includes a keyboard, monitor and mouse. The coupler module enables the combination of the remote keyboard and mouse, and television to serve as a secondary user interface for the personal computer which may be operated in parallel with the primary user interface. A user may thus access and take advantage of substantially all of the capabilities of the personal computer (including computer games and Internet access) from the user's television, in the comfort of the user's living room or television room. The present invention thus advantageously provides efficient and inexpensive integration of television capabilities with personal computing, including Internet access.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey David Antos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:12
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/14; G06F3/1423; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0227; H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/4104; H04N21/4113; H04N21/422; H04N21/47; H04N21/478; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An interconnect device adapted to link a television with a personal computer having a CPU and a user interface including a monitor and a keyboard, to integrate capabilities of the television and the personal computer, said interconnect device comprising: at least one video input means for receiving a video output signal from the CPU; first video output means for coupling the video output signal to the television for display on the television; a first keyboard input means for receiving an output signal from an other keyboard; and at least one keyboard output means for coupling the output signal from the other keyboard to the CPU; wherein the other keyboard and the television serve as a remote user interface to the personal computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
An interconnect device adapted to link a television with a personal computer having a CPU and a user interface including a monitor and a keyboard, to integrate capabilities of the television and the personal computer, said interconnect device comprising: at least one video input means for receiving a video output signal from the CPU; first video output means for coupling the video output signal to the television for display on the television; a first keyboard input means for receiving an output signal from an other keyboard; and at least one keyboard output means for coupling the output signal from the other keyboard to the CPU; wherein the other keyboard and the television serve as a remote user interface to the personal computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The interconnect device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a converter connected between the CPU and the television, said converter being adapted to convert the video output signal to a form capable of being displayed by the television.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The interconnect device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said converter further comprises a digital to analog converter adapted to convert the video output signal from digital to analog.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The interconnect device as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a transmitter connected between said converter and the television, wherein said interconnect device is wirelessly coupled to the television.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The interconnect device as set forth in claim 4, further comprising the other keyboard, a signal transmitter and a signal receiver connected between the CPU and said other keyboard, wherein said other keyboard is wirelessly coupled to the CPU.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The interconnect device as set forth in claim 5, where in said signal transmitter is disposed proximate said other keyboard and said signal receiver is disposed proximate the CPU.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The interconnect device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a mouse and a first mouse input means for receiving an output signal from said mouse and a mouse output means for coupling the output signal from said mouse to the CPU.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The interconnect device as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a joystick and a joystick input means for receiving an output signal from said joystick and a joystick output means for coupling the output signal from said joystick to the CPU.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The interconnect device as set forth in claim 8, wherein said mouse and said joystick are disposed integrally with said other keyboard.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The interconnect device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a second video output means for coupling the video output signal to the monitor, wherein the video output signal is adapted for display on the monitor and the television.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
The interconnect device as set forth in claim 10, further comprising a second keyboard input means for receiving an output signal from the keyboard and coupling the output signal from the keyboard to said at least one keyboard output means, wherein said at least one keyboard output means couples both the output signal from the keyboard and the output signal from the other keyboard to the CPU.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
103 words
The interconnect device as set forth in claim 11, further comprising: a mouse and a first mouse input means for receiving an output signal from said mouse and at least one mouse output means for coupling the output signal from said mouse to the CPU; a second mouse input means for receiving an output signal from an other mouse and coupling the output signal from the other mouse to said at least one mouse output means, wherein said at least one mouse output means couples both the output signal from said mouse and the output signal from the other mouse to the CPU.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of integrating capabilities of a television and a personal computer having a CPU and a user interface including a monitor and a keyboard, the method comprising the steps of: providing an other keyboard adapted for use proximate the television; coupling a video output signal from the CPU with the television for display thereof on the television; and coupling an output signal from the other keyboard to the CPU, wherein the other keyboard and the television serve as an other user interface of the personal computer.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of integrating capabilities of a television and a personal computer having a CPU and a user interface including a monitor and a keyboard, the method comprising the steps of: providing an other keyboard adapted for use proximate the television; coupling a video output signal from the CPU with the television for display thereof on the television; and coupling an output signal from the other keyboard to the CPU, wherein the other keyboard and the television serve as an other user interface of the personal computer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said step of coupling a video output signal from the CPU with the television further comprises the step of converting the video output signal to a form capable of being displayed by the television.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein said step of converting the video output signal further comprises the step of converting the video output signal from digital to analog.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein said step of coupling a video output signal from the CPU with the television further comprises the step of wirelessly transmitting the video output signal from the CPU to the television.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein said step of coupling an output signal from the other keyboard to the CPU further comprises the step of wirelessly transmitting the output signal from the other keyboard using a signal transmitter disposed proximate the other keyboard and receiving the output signal from the other keyboard with a signal receiver disposed proximate the CPU.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as set forth in claim 13, further comprising the steps of: providing a mouse adapted for operation in combination with the other keyboard; receiving a mouse output signal from the mouse; and coupling the mouse output signal from the mouse to the CPU.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the steps of: providing a joystick adapted for operation in combination with the other keyboard; receiving a joystick output signal from the joystick; and coupling the joystick output signal from the joystick to the CPU.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein the mouse and the joystick are disposed integrally with the other keyboard.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as set forth in claim 13, further comprising the step of coupling the video output signal to the monitor, wherein the video output signal is adapted for display on the monitor and the television.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as set forth in claim 21, further comprising the step of coupling an output signal from the keyboard to the CPU, wherein both the output signal from the keyboard and the output signal from the other keyboard are coupled to the CPU.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method as set forth in claim 22, further comprising the steps of: providing a mouse and a first mouse input means for receiving an output signal from the mouse and at least one mouse output means for coupling the output signal from the mouse to the CPU; receiving an output signal from an other mouse and coupling an output signal from the other mouse to the CPU, wherein both the output signal from the mouse and the output signal from the other mouse are coupled to the CPU.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
236 words
An interconnect device adapted to link a television with a personal computer having a CPU and a user interface including a monitor, keyboard and a mouse, to integrate capabilities of the television and the personal computer, the interconnect device comprising: an other keyboard; at least one video input means for receiving a video output signal from the CPU; first video output means for coupling the video output signal to the television for display on the television; second video output means for coupling the video output signal to the monitor; a first keyboard input means for receiving an output signal from said other keyboard; at least one keyboard output means for coupling the output signal from said other keyboard to the CPU; a second keyboard input means for receiving an output signal from the keyboard and coupling the output signal from the keyboard to said at least one keyboard output means; an other mouse; a first mouse input means for receiving an output signal from said other mouse; and at least one mouse output means for coupling the output signal from said other mouse to the CPU; and a second mouse input means for receiving an output signal from the mouse and coupling the output signal from the mouse to said at least one mouse output means; wherein said other keyboard, said other mouse and the television serve as a remote user interface for the personal computer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
236 words
An interconnect device adapted to link a television with a personal computer having a CPU and a user interface including a monitor, keyboard and a mouse, to integrate capabilities of the television and the personal computer, the interconnect device comprising: an other keyboard; at least one video input means for receiving a video output signal from the CPU; first video output means for coupling the video output signal to the television for display on the television; second video output means for coupling the video output signal to the monitor; a first keyboard input means for receiving an output signal from said other keyboard; at least one keyboard output means for coupling the output signal from said other keyboard to the CPU; a second keyboard input means for receiving an output signal from the keyboard and coupling the output signal from the keyboard to said at least one keyboard output means; an other mouse; a first mouse input means for receiving an output signal from said other mouse; and at least one mouse output means for coupling the output signal from said other mouse to the CPU; and a second mouse input means for receiving an output signal from the mouse and coupling the output signal from the mouse to said at least one mouse output means; wherein said other keyboard, said other mouse and the television serve as a remote user interface for the personal computer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-03 | 2002-02-02 | 2002-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-03 | 2006-02-02 | 2006-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-03 | 2010-02-02 | 2010-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |