Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.p.

Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.p.

Drew S Johnson

Randall L Hess

Christopher D Voltz

Mark P Vaughan

Thomas J Brase

Derrill L Sturgeon

Norman P Brown

David M Burckhartt

Mark D Moore

William H Ellis

Kevin J Brusky

Christopher A Howard

Montgomery C McGraw

Brian V Belmont

John C Barker

Patrick R Cooper

Ralph K Williamson

Elizabeth A Richard

Donald K Zickefoose

Mark P Vaughn

A home entertainment appliance includes a computer system and a television system. A video monitor or television monitor of the home entertainment system shows a sequence of video frames generated in the appliance based upon at least one received sequence of interlaced video fields each containing a number of scan lines. A video system of the appliance receives a first field, temporarily stores the first field in an input buffer, and then in a loop, while video fields are being received, performs various other steps. The other steps include receiving a next field, compensating the field in the input buffer, deinterlacing the received field with the compensated field in the input buffer, temporarily storing the received field, merging the received field and the compensated field into a video frame of the second sequence, and providing the video frame of the second sequence to a subsequent device. Compensating, when performed, may be accomplished by shifting the position of one of the fields downward with respect to the field as it is received, or may be accomplished by delaying the field until the next field is received.

Method and apparatus for display of interlaced images on non-interlaced display

A home entertainment appliance includes a computer system and a television system. A video monitor or television monitor of the home entertainment system shows a sequence of video frames generated in the appliance based upon at least one received sequence of interlaced video fields each containing a number of scan lines. A video system of the appliance receives a first field, temporarily stores the first field in an input buffer, and then in a loop, while video fields are being received, performs various other steps. The other steps include receiving a next field, compensating the field in the input buffer, deinterlacing the received field with the compensated field in the input buffer, temporarily storing the received field, merging the received field and the compensated field into a video frame of the second sequence, and providing the video frame of the second sequence to a subsequent device, compensating, when performed, may be accomplished by shifting the position of one of the fields downward with respect to the field as it is received, or may be accomplished by delaying the field until the next field is received.

A computer convergence system includes a convergence functionality module, a computer, and a display device. The convergence functionality module includes a first input for receiving a first video signal and a second input for receiving a second video signal. The computer is coupled to the convergence functionality module and receives therefrom indications of the first video signal received at the first input port and indications of said second video signal received at the second input port. The computer includes a controller for controlling the mapping of the indications of the first video signal to the primary video viewing surface, and further controls the mapping of the indications of the second video signal to either the second video viewing surface or the data acquisition destination.

Computer convergence device controller for managing disparate video sources

A system operable with a Digital Versatile/Video Disc source, provided with a scheme for preferably automatically pausing the playback of a DVD title when a user indicates that another activity is to be engaged. By automatically pausing the title playback, computational load on a processor subsystem associated with the system is minimized while graceful management of the additional video sources is effected. When the user switches to experiencing the DVD source as the primary source, the playback of the title is preferably automatically resumed.

Viewing management for video sources

A method and device for enhancing the sharpness of a video image. The luminance signal portion of a television signal is boosted in its upper frequency range, e.g., between about 2.0 MHz and about 4.25 MHz. This enhancement of the luminance signal accentuates the transitions between the high brightness levels and low brightness levels of the luminance signal. The resulting video image appears much sharper because this quicker transition reduces the amount of signal carrying intermediate brightness information.

Video sharpness control device and method

A computer system provides a communication link to a display monitor so as to control the display of not only computer signals but of other signals such as television signals. By providing this link the additional power of the computer can be used to provide a storage of preferred settings for the television/display monitor depending upon signal sources, time of day or the like. This provides a more versatile display. Further data contained within a received data stream such as from a web page or the like may inherently control functions of the television display.

Computer system design for distance viewing of information and media and extensions to display data channel for control panel interface

A electronic convergence device system comprising a computer for generating indications of a first mode of operation and for generating indications of a second mode of operation, and an output device coupled to the computer to receive the indications of the first and second modes of operation, which output device is provided for at least alternately outputting the indications of the first and second modes of operation, based on a user/viewer selection.

Device with converged functionality

A display system having a computer, a video source, a graphics refresher and a display monitor, the display system comprising a first buffer for receiving a first portion of video data from the video source; a second buffer for receiving a second portion of video data from the video source; and a third buffer for receiving a third portion of video data from the video source, wherein the graphics refresher generates signals for selectively displaying one of the portions of the video data on the display monitor.

Method and apparatus for presenting video on a display monitor associated with a computer

Method and apparatus for display of interlaced images on non-interlaced

A computer convergence device, operable in a computer mode and, for example, a television mode, includes a computer, a display monitor for displaying images in both the computer mode and the television mode, and multiple video inputs for receiving various types of video signals, each being selectable during operation in television mode. A controller device is coupled to the computer for independently controlling and storing user selected video geometry settings for both the computer mode and the television mode, and further for independently controlling and storing user selected video quality settings for the computer mode, and each of the various video inputs.

Computer convergence device controller for managing various display

A DVD assembly, and an associated method, for a convergent device, such as a television converged into a computer. The DVD assembly is integrated into the convergent device to facilitate ease of user control over operation of the DVD assembly. Common control interfaces which include the 'look and feel' of the control interfaces otherwise used by the convergent device simplify operational control over operation of the DVD assembly.

DVD assembly, and associated apparatus, for a convergent device

A computer application stored on a storage medium (e.g., a portable storage medium such as a compact disk) is automatically launched. Initialization information expressed in accordance with a predefined syntax is stored on the storage medium. Also stored in the computer is 'launching' information sufficient, together with the initialization information, to enable the computer to launch the application. The application is automatically launched, without user intervention, by reading the initialization information and using it in connection with the launching information stored in the computer.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Drew S Johnson