Method and apparatus for changing the mode of a display apparatus

A computer system comprising:

• a host computer system including:
• a processor;
• a memory coupled to said processor;
• a video controller coupled to said processor and said memory;
• and
• a display apparatus coupled to a video controller of the host computer system, the display apparatus comprising circuitry allowing an interlaced mode of operation and a noninterlaced mode of operation, the display apparatus comprising:
• a screen, said screen operable to display visually detectable output from the host computer system when operating in the noninterlaced mode of operation and operable to display a television compatible signal when operating in the interlaced mode of operation;
• a communication channel between said host computer system and said display apparatus, the communication channel for transmitting commands from said host computer system to said display apparatus;
• and
• a microprocessor for receiving commands from said host computer system, said microprocessor comprising control logic for switching said display apparatus between said interlaced and noninterlaced modes of operation in response to said commands and enabling an overlay window.

A method of operating a computer system to control a display apparatus, the display apparatus coupled to a video controller of the computer system, said computer system and said display apparatus further coupled via a communication channel, the display apparatus comprising circuitry providing a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, said first mode of operation being one of an interlaced mode of operation and a noninterlaced mode of operation and the second mode of operation being the other, said method comprising the steps of:

• operating the display in said first display mode;
• receiving user input to change the display mode from said first mode of operation to said second mode of operation;
• sending a mode change command to the display apparatus in response to said user input;
• transitioning the display apparatus from said first mode of operation to said second mode of operation;
• and
• controlling at least one television function of the display apparatus from the host computer system by a command received from said host computer system when said display device is in said interlaced mode of operation and enabling an overlay window,
• wherein the television function includes at least one of changing a channel, volume adjustment, picture adjustment, selecting a video source, brightness, contrast, vertical and horizontal sizing and positioning, on/off (rest/resume), refresh rate, resolution and color temperatures.

A computer system comprising:

• a host computer system including:
• a processor;
• a memory coupled to said processor;
• a video controller coupled to said processor and said memory;
• and
• a display apparatus coupled to a video controller of the host computer system, the display apparatus comprising:
• a screen, said screen operable to display visually detectable output from the host computer system when operating in the noninterlaced mode of operation and operable to display a television compatible signal when operating in the interlaced mode of operation;
• a communication channel between said host computer system and said display apparatus, the communication channel for transmitting commands from said host computer system to said display apparatus;
• and
• a microprocessor for receiving commands from said host computer system, said microprocessor comprising control logic for controlling a television feature of the display apparatus from the host computer system when said screen is operating in said interlaced format and enabling an overlay window,
• wherein the television feature includes at least one of changing a channel, volume adjustment, picture adjustment, selecting a video source, brightness, contrast, vertical and horizontal sizing and positioning, on/off (rest/resume), refresh rate, resolution and color temperatures.