Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.p.

Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.p.

Mark P Vaughan

Derrill L Sturgeon

Drew S Johnson

William H Ellis

Thomas J Brase

Kevin J Brusky

Christopher A Howard

John W Frederick

Brian V Belmont

The present invention discloses a system for dynamically defining individual channel behavior from a variety of tuner sources within an integrated PC/TV apparatus. The system includes a channel server database including a master channel list of all channels provided by various tuner sources within a PC/TV apparatus. Each channel within the database list includes various parameters and data associated therewith defining the behavior of the channel independently of other channels within a listing. A number of channels server functionalities enable a user to dynamically access and alter the channel parameters and data to tailor channel behavior to a user's personal preferences.

Channel server functionality

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 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 computer convergence device, operable in a at least two modes, such as a computer mode and a video mode and when in the video mode the computer convergence device is operable in at least two states. The computer convergence device includes a universal graphic user interface for providing information corresponding to the operating states. The universal graphic user interface receives inputs from a user which can be used to control various characteristics of each operating state, and can be used to change the operating state of the computer convergence device. The computer convergence device further includes a controller for interfacing between the universal graphic user interface and the processes of the operating states.

Universal user interface for a system utilizing multiple processes

Apparatus, and an associated method, selects parameters determinative of video display characteristics of video displays displayable upon a video monitor. The parameters, such as brightness and contrast parameters, are stored at the video display monitor. The video display monitor is connected to a computer system unit. During booting operations, the video display parameters are retrieved by the computer system unit and selectably used to determine the video display characteristics of video displays displayable upon the video display monitor.

Apparatus and associated method for selecting video display parameter of a computer-system, video display monitor

A computer system comprising a display monitor including an audio function and a computer coupled to the display monitor including a computer controller for controlling the audio function in the monitor. The computer is operable in a computer mode, a television mode, and a combination computer/television mode for displaying computer and television information on the monitor. The system determines whether the monitor includes a controller for controlling its audio function. Based upon this determination, the system controls the audio function with the audio controller in the monitor if the monitor includes such a controller or, alternatively, with the computer controller if the monitor does not have such a controller.

Method and apparatus for controlling a display monitor in a PC/TV convergence system

An electronic convergence device system, such as a PC/TV adapted to operate in a computer mode and a TV mode. When switching and/or operating in TV mode the top-most windows from the computer mode applications are inhibited from interfering with the TV mode experience.

Method and apparatus to prevent top-most windows from interfering with

Method and apparatus for controlling a display monitor in a PC/TV

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

The present invention includes an event detector for detecting selected events occurring in a computer system which are programmed to automatically move a cursor image from a viewing area of a video display to an overscanned area of a video display. The invention further includes a cursor controller for generating the cursor image and controlling movement of the cursor image on the video display. The cursor controller automatically places the cursor image in the overscanned area of a video display when the event detector detects the occurrence of a selected event. Alternatively, the event detector can include a timer for delaying the notification of detection to the cursor controller of the selected event.

Automatic cursor parking to hide a mouse pointer

A system for overriding access security in a computing device including a local security device and an input device. Access security is overridden when a medium containing override passcode information is inserted into an input device and the local security device reads and verifies the override passcode information. Alternatively, a second, remotely located security device reads and verifies the override passcode information, and if valid, authorizes the local security device to override access security.

Method and apparatus for overriding access security to a PC when a

A computer system has a computer display with two methods of navigation: discrete and continuous. In discrete navigation, a cursor is moved discretely using a set of arrow keys while in the continuous navigation, a pointer or other screen object has analog movement to any position on the screen using a trackball or other device. When the discrete navigational method is used to highlight a menu item in a menu on a computer display, the computer system masks the display of the pointer until re-activation of the pointer in the second navigational method. In addition, the computer system recalculates the location of the pointer to a position in the center of the highlighted menu item.

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Spring, TX, United States of America

Mark P Vaughan