US6686936B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Alternate display content controller
Assignee: Ostendo Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1999-03-05
•
Granted: 2004-02-03
•
Expires: 2019-03-05
Abstract
Abstract An alternate display content controller provides a technique for controlling a video display separately from and in addition to the content displayed on the operating system monitor. Where the display is a computer monitor, the alternate display content controller interacts with the computer utility operating system and hardware drivers to control allocation of display space and create and control one or more parallel graphical user interfaces adjacent the operating system desktop. An alternate display content controller may be incorporated in either hardware or software. As software, an alternate display content controller may be an application running on the computer operating system, or may include an operating system kernel of varying complexity ranging from dependent on the utility operating system for hardware system services to a parallel system independent of the utility operating system and capable of supporting dedicated applications. The alternate display content controller may also include content and operating software delivered over the internet or any other LAN. The alternate display content controller may also be included in a television decoder/settop box to permit two or more parallel graphical user interfaces to be displayed simultaneously.
Inventors
- 👤 D David Nason
- 👤 Thomas C O'Rourke
- 👤 Scott Campbell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:35
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/14; G09G1/00; G09G1/06; G09G1/14; G09G1/16; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961; Y10S715/965; Y10S715/966; Y10S715/968
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A method in a computer system for enabling unobscured display of output on a video display system, the computer system having an operating system display interface that enables an operating system user interface to display data on a first display area of the video display system under control of the operating system, the output for unobscured display generated from a network associated with the computer system, comprising: adjusting the display parameters of the video display system to create a second display area not under control of the operating system, the second display area being capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the operating system display interface; and writing the output generated from the network to the second display area so that the output generated from the network is displayed in conjunction with the operating system user interface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A method in a computer system for enabling unobscured display of output on a video display system, the computer system having an operating system display interface that enables an operating system user interface to display data on a first display area of the video display system under control of the operating system, the output for unobscured display generated from a network associated with the computer system, comprising: adjusting the display parameters of the video display system to create a second display area not under control of the operating system, the second display area being capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the operating system display interface; and writing the output generated from the network to the second display area so that the output generated from the network is displayed in conjunction with the operating system user interface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein an online connection to the network is reestablished automatically when the displayed output generated from the network is accessed in a manner that indicates that the displayed output is to be updated from the network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the displayed output is a web page from the Internet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the displayed output includes an input field associated with a search engine, and further comprising: receiving a network search request that has been entered into the input field; sending the received search request to the search engine; receiving search results from the search engine; and displaying the search results on the second display area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the displayed output includes an input field, and further comprising: receiving an address of additional network data entered into the input field, wherein the data is any type of output; sending the received address over the network to retrieve the additional data; receiving the additional data; and displaying the received additional data on the second display area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the network generated output is displayed in both the first display area and the second display area, thereby prohibiting a portion of the network generated output from being overwritten by the operating system user interface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the adjusting the display parameters of the video display system operates by changing the resolution of the video display system and reducing the size of the first display area available to the operating system user interface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
133 words
A network portal in a computer system for enabling unobscured display of output generated from a network on a video display system, the computer system having an operating system display interface that enables an operating system user interface to display itself on a first display area of the video display system, comprising: display area adjuster that adjusts the display parameters of the video display system to create a second display area that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the operating system display interface and which cannot be controlled by the operating system; and display transfer facility that writes the output generated from the network to the second display area so that the output generated from the network is displayed in conjunction with the operating system user interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
133 words
A network portal in a computer system for enabling unobscured display of output generated from a network on a video display system, the computer system having an operating system display interface that enables an operating system user interface to display itself on a first display area of the video display system, comprising: display area adjuster that adjusts the display parameters of the video display system to create a second display area that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the operating system display interface and which cannot be controlled by the operating system; and display transfer facility that writes the output generated from the network to the second display area so that the output generated from the network is displayed in conjunction with the operating system user interface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 8 wherein an online connection to the network is reestablished automatically when the displayed output generated from the network is accessed in a manner that indicates that the displayed output is to be updated from the network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the displayed output is a web page from the Internet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the displayed output includes an input field associated with a search engine, the system further comprising: network search facility that receives a network search request that has been entered into the input field; sends the received search request to the search engine; receives search results from the search engine; and displays he search results on the second display area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the displayed output includes an input field, the system further comprising: network browse facility that receives an address of additional network data that has been entered into the input field, wherein the data comprises any type of output; sends the received address over the network to retrieve the additional network data; receives the additional data; and displays the received data on the second display area.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the display transfer facility writes the network generated output to both the first display area and the second display area, thereby prohibiting a portion of the network generated output from being overwritten by the operating system user interface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the display area adjuster creates the second display area by changing the resolution of the video display system and by reducing the size of first display area available to the operating system user interface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
141 words
A computer-readable memory medium containing instructions for controlling a computer processor of a computer system to display unobscured output of a video display system, the computer system having an operating system display interface that enables an operating system user interface to display itself on a first display area of the video display system, the output for unobscured display generate from a network associated with the computer system, by: adjusting the display parameters of the video display system to create a second display area that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the operating system display interface and which cannot be controlled by the operating system; and writing the output generated from the network to the second display area so that the output generated from the network is displayed in conjunction with the operating system user interface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
141 words
A computer-readable memory medium containing instructions for controlling a computer processor of a computer system to display unobscured output of a video display system, the computer system having an operating system display interface that enables an operating system user interface to display itself on a first display area of the video display system, the output for unobscured display generate from a network associated with the computer system, by: adjusting the display parameters of the video display system to create a second display area that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the operating system display interface and which cannot be controlled by the operating system; and writing the output generated from the network to the second display area so that the output generated from the network is displayed in conjunction with the operating system user interface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 15 wherein an online connection to the network is reestablished automatically when the displayed output generated from the network is accessed in a manner that indicates that the displayed output is to be updated from the network.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 15 wherein the displayed output is a web page from the Internet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
62 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 15 wherein the displayed output includes an input field associated with a search engine, and further comprising: receiving a network search request that has been entered into the input field; sending the received search request to the search engine; receiving search results from the search engine; and displaying the search results on the second display area.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
65 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 15 wherein the displayed output includes an input field, and further comprising: receiving an address of additional network data entered into the input field, wherein the data is any type of output; sending the received address over the network to retrieve the additional data; receiving the additional data; and displaying the received additional data on the second display area.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 15 wherein the network generated output is displayed in both the first display area and the second display area, thereby prohibiting a portion of the network generated output from being overwritten by the operating system user interface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 15 wherein the adjusting the display parameters of the video display system operates by changing the resolution of the video display system and reducing the size of the first display area available to the operating system user interface.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
129 words
A method in a computer system for displaying designated output on a video display system, the computer system having an operating system display interface that enables an operating system user interface to display itself on a first display area of the video display system, comprising: adjusting the display parameters of the video display system in a manner transparent to the operating system to create a second display area that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the operating system display interface; and writing the designated output to the second display area so that the designated output is displayed in conjunction with the operating system user interface, wherein the method is performed by one of a service of the operating system and an application program.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
129 words
A method in a computer system for displaying designated output on a video display system, the computer system having an operating system display interface that enables an operating system user interface to display itself on a first display area of the video display system, comprising: adjusting the display parameters of the video display system in a manner transparent to the operating system to create a second display area that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the operating system display interface; and writing the designated output to the second display area so that the designated output is displayed in conjunction with the operating system user interface, wherein the method is performed by one of a service of the operating system and an application program.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 22 wherein, when the method is performed as a service of the operating system, the displayed output appears to be displayed as part of the operating system initialization of the video display system.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 22 wherein, when the method is performed by launching an application program, the displayed output appears to be displayed on the second display area when the application program is launched.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the adjusting of the display parameters is performed by function calls to device driver software that communicates with the video display system.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22 further comprising reducing the size of the first display area.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 22 wherein a portion of the output displayed in the second display area appears to continuously overwrite the user interface displayed in the first display area while the output is displayed in the second display area.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the adjusting the display parameters operates by changing the resolution of the video display system and reducing the size of the first display area available to the operating system user interface.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
126 words
A display controller in a computer system having an operating system display interface that enables an operating system user interface to display itself on a first display area of a video display system, comprising: display adjustment facility that adjusts the display parameters of the video display system in a manner transparent to the operating system to create a second display area that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the operating system display interface; and display transfer mechanism that writes designated output to the second display area so that the designated output is displayed in conjunction with the operating system user interface wherein the display controller is invoked as one of a service of the operating system and an application program.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
126 words
A display controller in a computer system having an operating system display interface that enables an operating system user interface to display itself on a first display area of a video display system, comprising: display adjustment facility that adjusts the display parameters of the video display system in a manner transparent to the operating system to create a second display area that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the operating system display interface; and display transfer mechanism that writes designated output to the second display area so that the designated output is displayed in conjunction with the operating system user interface wherein the display controller is invoked as one of a service of the operating system and an application program.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
42 words
The display controller of claim 29 wherein, when the display controller is invoked as a service of the operating system, the display transfer mechanism appears to display the designated output as part of the operating system initialization of the video display system.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
The display controller of claim 29 wherein, when the display controller is invoked by launching an application program, the display transfer mechanism appears to display the designated output on the second display area when the application program is launched.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
The display controller of claim 29 wherein the display adjustment facility adjusts the parameters of the video display system by performing function calls to device driver software that communicates with the video display system.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The display controller of claim 29 wherein the display adjustment facility reduces the size of the first display area.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
45 words
The display controller of claim 29 , wherein a portion of the output displayed in the second display area appears to continuously overwrite the user interface displayed in the first display area, while the display transfer mechanism displays the output in the second display area.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
40 words
The display controller of claim 29 wherein the display adjustment facility adjusts the display parameters by changing the resolution of the video display system and reducing the size of the first display area available to the operating system user interface.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computer-readable memory medium containing instructions for controlling a computer processor in a computer system to display designated output on a video display system, the computer system having an operating system display interface that enables an operating system user Interface to display itself on a first display area of the video display system, by: adjusting the display parameters of the video display system in a manner transparent to the operating system to create a second display area that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the operating system display interface; and writing the designated output to the second display area so that the designated output is displayed in conjunction with the operating system user interface; wherein the instructions are performed by one of a service of the operating system and an application program.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computer-readable memory medium containing instructions for controlling a computer processor in a computer system to display designated output on a video display system, the computer system having an operating system display interface that enables an operating system user Interface to display itself on a first display area of the video display system, by: adjusting the display parameters of the video display system in a manner transparent to the operating system to create a second display area that is capable of displaying output that is not obscured by output from the operating system display interface; and writing the designated output to the second display area so that the designated output is displayed in conjunction with the operating system user interface; wherein the instructions are performed by one of a service of the operating system and an application program.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 36 wherein, when the instructions are performed as a service of the operating system, the displayed output appears to be displayed as part of the operating system initialization of the video display system.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 36 wherein, when the instructions are performed by launching an application program, the displayed output appears to be displayed on the second display area when the application program is launched.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 36 wherein the adjusting of the display parameters is performed by function calls to device driver software that communicates with the video display system.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 36 , further comprising reducing the size of the first display area.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 36 wherein a portion of the output displayed in the second display area appears to continuously overwrite the user interface displayed in the first display area while the output is displayed in the second display area.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer-readable memory medium of claim 36 wherein the adjusting the display parameters operates by changing the resolution of the video display system and reducing the size of the first display area available to the operating system user interface.
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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) | 2007-02-02 | 2007-08-04 | 2008-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-02-02 | 2011-08-04 | 2012-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-02-02 | 2015-08-04 | 2016-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |