US6028643A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple-screen video adapter with television tuner
Assignee: Contemporary Display LLC
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Filing: 1997-09-03
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Granted: 2000-02-22
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Expires: 2017-09-03
Abstract
Abstract Video adapter hardware and software permitting the display of computer information and television signals across several display devices. The video adapter hardware includes two graphics user interface accelerators, two television tuners, one or more video decoders, and one or more video multiplexers. Each accelerator is coupled to a memory unit for access to graphics data. One television tuner accepts input from an outside television source, such as a cable television company or a video cassette recorder. In addition, the video multiplexers accept input from other external video sources. Video data is output from the graphics accelerators to multiple screens. Video adapter software displays a tool window allowing the user to select first input for the first display device and a second input for the second display device. The software displays the results of the two inputs on the respective display devices. If the inputs are identical, however, the information may be displayed across both display devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas A. Jordan
- 👤 Bruce L. Biskey
- 👤 Ezra Mintz
- 👤 Thomas D. Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:05
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/14; G06F3/1423; G06F3/1431; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/40; G06F13/4063; G06F13/4068; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/36; G09G5/363; H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/4104; H04N21/4113; H04N21/4122; H04N21/4135; H04N21/414; H04N21/4143; H04N21/426; H04N21/42653; H04N21/43; H04N21/431; H04N21/443; H04N21/47; H04N21/485; H04N21/42607; H04N21/4263; H04N21/60; H04N21/61; H04N21/6106; H04N21/6118; H04N9/00; H04N9/64; H04N9/641
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A video adapter for use in a computer having an internal bus, the video adapter comprising: a first graphic accelerator; a second graphic accelerator; at least one video decoder coupled to at least one of the first and second graphic accelerators; a first television tuner receiving a first television signal a second television tuner receiving a second television signal; circuitry for coupling the first and second television tuners to the at least one video decoder; and a plurality of video monitor outputs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A video adapter for use in a computer having an internal bus, the video adapter comprising: a first graphic accelerator; a second graphic accelerator; at least one video decoder coupled to at least one of the first and second graphic accelerators; a first television tuner receiving a first television signal a second television tuner receiving a second television signal; circuitry for coupling the first and second television tuners to the at least one video decoder; and a plurality of video monitor outputs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The video adapter, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of CVBS outputs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The video adapter, as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a bus interface communicating with the internal bus; a bus bridge coupled to the first and second graphic accelerators and coupled to the bus interface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The video adapter, as recited in claim 1, wherein the coupling circuitry further comprises a video multiplexer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The video adapter, as recited in claim 4, further comprising a second video multiplexer having an external input and coupled to the at least one video decoder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The video adapter, as recited in claim 5, wherein the external video multiplexer input is an S-Video input.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The video adapter, as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a first memory unit coupled to the first accelerator; and a second memory unit coupled to the second accelerator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The video adapter, as recited in claim 7, further comprising a main memory unit coupled to the first and second accelerators.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The video adapter, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a sound processor coupled to at least one of the first and second television tuners.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The video adapter, as recited in claim 1, wherein the first television signal is an external signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The video adapter, as recited in claim 10, wherein the external signal is provided by video-producing equipment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
121 words
A computer system, comprising: a central processing unit; a video adapter communicating with the central processing unit; a first video source providing a first video signal to the video adapter; a second video source providing a second video signal to the video adapter; a first graphic accelerator; a second graphic accelerator; a bus interface communicating with an internal bus of said computer system; a bus bridge coupled to the first and second graphic accelerators and coupled to the bus interface; a first display device coupled to the video adapter, the first display device displaying results of the first graphic accelerator; and a second display device coupled to the video adapter, the second display device displaying results of the second graphic accelerator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
121 words
A computer system, comprising: a central processing unit; a video adapter communicating with the central processing unit; a first video source providing a first video signal to the video adapter; a second video source providing a second video signal to the video adapter; a first graphic accelerator; a second graphic accelerator; a bus interface communicating with an internal bus of said computer system; a bus bridge coupled to the first and second graphic accelerators and coupled to the bus interface; a first display device coupled to the video adapter, the first display device displaying results of the first graphic accelerator; and a second display device coupled to the video adapter, the second display device displaying results of the second graphic accelerator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system, as recited in claim 12, wherein the first video signal is a television signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer system, as recited in claim 12, wherein if the first video signal is identical to the second video signal, the results of the first video signal are displayed on the first and second display devices.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer system, as recited in claim 14, wherein the results of the first video signal are displayed as a single window across the first and second display devices.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for displaying information on multiple display devices, comprising the steps, performed by a computer, of: providing a computer containing an adapter which supplies signals to a plurality of monitors, the adapter containing a plurality of video tuners; displaying a tool window interface coupled to control the adapter, wherein a first display device output window having a group of selectable inputs including at least one video input, and a second display device output window having a group of selectable inputs having at least one video input, are displayed; inputting an indication that a user wishes to select a first input for the first display device output window; inputting an indication that a user wishes to select a second input for the second display device output window; causing the adapter to display, on the first display device, signals according to the first display device input indication; and causing the adapter to display, on the second display device, signals according to the second display device input indication.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for displaying information on multiple display devices, comprising the steps, performed by a computer, of: providing a computer containing an adapter which supplies signals to a plurality of monitors, the adapter containing a plurality of video tuners; displaying a tool window interface coupled to control the adapter, wherein a first display device output window having a group of selectable inputs including at least one video input, and a second display device output window having a group of selectable inputs having at least one video input, are displayed; inputting an indication that a user wishes to select a first input for the first display device output window; inputting an indication that a user wishes to select a second input for the second display device output window; causing the adapter to display, on the first display device, signals according to the first display device input indication; and causing the adapter to display, on the second display device, signals according to the second display device input indication.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method for displaying information on multiple display devices, as recited in claim 16, wherein if the first input is identical to the second input, the adapter displays, on the first display device and the second display device, signals according to the first display device input indication.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for displaying information on multiple display devices, as recited in claim 17, wherein the first group of selectable inputs includes an external television input.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for displaying information on multiple display devices, as recited in claim 17, wherein the second group of selectable inputs includes an external television input.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method for displaying information on multiple display devices, as recited in claim 16, further comprising the steps of: displaying a video window within the tool window, the video window including a plurality of selectable video characteristics; inputting an indication that the user wishes to select a particular video characteristic for an active window; and adjusting the selected video characteristic for the active window.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for displaying information on multiple display devices, as recited in claim 20, wherein the plurality of selectable video characteristics includes a color characteristic, a tint characteristic, a brightness characteristic, and a contrast characteristic.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method for displaying information on multiple display devices, as recited in claim 16, further comprising the steps of: displaying an audio window within the tool window, the audio window including a plurality of selectable audio characteristics; inputting an indication that the user wishes to select a particular audio characteristic for an active window; and adjusting the selected audio characteristic for the active window.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method for displaying information on multiple display devices, as recited in claim 16, wherein the plurality of selectable audio characteristics includes a bass characteristic and a treble characteristic.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method for displaying information on multiple display devices, as recited in claim 16, further comprising the steps of: displaying an input window within the tool window, the input window including a plurality of selectable internal video inputs and a plurality of selectable external video inputs; inputting an indication that the user wishes to select a particular internal video input; and inputting an indication that the user wishes to select a particular external video input.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method for displaying information on multiple display devices, as recited in claim 24, wherein the plurality of selectable external video inputs includes a plurality of S-Video inputs.
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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) | 2003-02-21 | 2003-08-23 | 2004-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-21 | 2007-08-23 | 2008-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-21 | 2011-08-23 | 2012-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |