Method and apparatus for command and control of television receiver for video conferencing applications

Abstract

An alignment command is transmitted from a video conference application to a television receiver using an existing command path within the television receiver. The television receiver is then configured in accordance with the alignment command. Transmitting the alignment command may include formatting the command according to a protocol compatible with the existing command path within the television receiver. For example, a signal protocol compatible with a television remote control may be used. Further, the alignment command may be received at an input jack associated with the existing command path within said television receiver. Configuring the television receiver may be accomplished by decoding the alignment command to obtain an alignment parameter for the television receiver. This may include accessing a table (e.g., a look-up table stored in a memory) to obtain the alignment parameter. The alignment parameter may then be used to produce a display alignment command for the television receiver. The television may include means for receiving the alignment command from the video conference application and means for configuring the television according to the alignment command. The receiving means may include a command input path adapted to receive the alignment command. The television's means for configuring generally includes a programmable controller configured to provide a display alignment command to configure the television according to the alignment command.