Transferring large bitmap data using analog switching
OwnerSeema Katariainventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for enhancing the performance in displaying a large bitmap image transferred from a producer device to a consumer device. When using EIA775A to transfer large bitmap images from a producer device to a consumer device performance can suffer. This is especially the case for very large images such as program guides and graphical user interfaces. Performance can be enhanced by determining if the bitmap image is larger than a predetermined threshold. If so, an audio/video control message can be sent from the producer device to the consumer device to switch from a digital connection to an analog connection. The large bitmap image can then be transferred as an analog signal rather than digital to enhance performance.
Claims36
A method of transmitting images from a producer device to a consumer device, comprising at the producer device:
- determining that a digital bitmap image is larger in size than a threshold;
- converting the digital bitmap image to an analog image;
- and
- sending the analog image to the consumer device.
A method of transmitting images from a producer device to a consumer device, comprising at the producer device:
- determining if a digital bitmap image is larger in size than a threshold and if the digital bitmap image is larger is size than the threshold:
- converting the digital bitmap image to an analog image;
- sending a control message as an audio video control (AVC) command to the consumer device to switch from a digital input to an analog input to receive the analog image;
- sending the analog image to the consumer device as an overlay on an analog television signal;
- and
- if the digital bitmap image is not larger is size than the threshold:
- sending the digital images using EIA775a protocol over an IEEE 1394 digital connection.
A method of transmitting images from a television set-top box to a digital television, comprising at the television set-top box:
- determining if a digital bitmap image is larger in size than a threshold and if the digital bitmap image is larger is size than the threshold:
- converting the digital bitmap image to an analog image;
- sending a control message as an audio video control (AVC) command to the digital television to switch from a digital input to an analog input to receive the analog image;
- sending the analog image to the digital television;
- and
- if the digital bitmap image is not larger is size than the threshold:
- sending the digital images using EIA775a protocol over an IEEE 1394 digital connection.
A producer device, comprising:
- means for receiving digital content containing a bitmap image;
- means for determining a size of the bitmap image;
- means for converting the bitmap image to an analog representation in the event the size of the bitmap image exceeds a threshold;
- a digital output circuit for sending digital information to a consumer device;
- and
- an analog output circuit for sending the analog representation to the consumer device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.