Method and apparatus for controlling a display monitor in a PC/TV convergence system
AssigneeCompaq Computer Corporation
InventorMark P. Vaughan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
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.
Claims22
An article of manufacture for controlling a function of a peripheral device, the article of manufacture comprising:
- at least one computer readable medium;
- and
- instructions contained on the at least one computer readable medium, the instructions configured to be readable from the at least one computer readable medium by at least one processor and thereby cause the at least one processor to operate so as to:
- determine whether the peripheral device includes a peripheral controller for controlling the function of the peripheral device;
- and
- responsive to the determination that the peripheral device does not include a peripheral controller, control the function of the peripheral device with a computer controller.
A computer system for at least adjusting a function of a peripheral device, the computer system comprising:
- an instruction receiver for receiving an instruction transmitted by an instruction transmitter, the received instruction for selectively adjusting a functional parameter associated with operation of the peripheral device by signals supplied from the computer system;
- a communication link connected to the peripheral device;
- and
- a processor connected to the instruction receiver and the communication link, the processor for:
- determining whether the peripheral device is configured to be directly responsive to the instruction transmitted by the instruction transmitter for adjustment of said functional parameter;
- and
- responding to the determination that the peripheral device is not configured to be directly responsive to the instruction transmitted by the instruction transmitter, to selectively adjust said functional parameter of the peripheral device in accordance with the received instruction.
A method for selectively adjusting a plurality of functional parameters associated with operation of a peripheral device by a computer, the method comprising the steps of determining whether the peripheral device is configured to adjust each of the functional parameters;
- transmitting instructions to adjust the functional parameters;
- and
- responsive to a transmitted instruction to adjust at least one of said functional parameters and to the determination that the peripheral device is not configured to adjust said at least one functional parameter, using said transmitted instruction to operate a controller in said computer to adjust said at least one functional parameter of the peripheral device;
- and
- responsive to a transmitted instruction to adjust another functional parameter and determination that the peripheral device is configured to adjust said another functional parameter, using said transmitted instruction to operate a controller internal to the peripheral device to adjust said another functional parameter.
A computer system for at least adjusting respective functions associated with operation of a peripheral device, the computer system comprising:
- a processor operable to control supply of operating signals for communication to a peripheral device;
- said processor including a plurality of controllers each associated with an individual function affecting operation of the peripheral device by one of said operating signals said controllers operable in response to respective instructions transmitted by an instruction transmitter to selectively adjust said individual functions;
- and
- said processor connected to said peripheral device to:
- determine whether the peripheral device, when connected to said computer system, is configured to be directly responsive to the respective instructions transmitted by the instruction transmitter for selective adjustment of said individual functions;
- and
- respond to the determination that the peripheral device is not configured to be directly responsive to an instructions transmitted by the instruction transmitter for selective adjustment of at least one of said individual functions, to operate the controller associated with said at least one function to selectively adjust said at least one function in accordance with that transmitted instruction.
A computer system comprising:
- a peripheral device display monitor and a peripheral device loudspeaker;
- a processor operable to control supply of video signals to said peripheral device display monitor and of audio signals to said peripheral device loudspeaker;
- said processor including a plurality of controllers operable in response to instructions transmitted by an instruction transmitter to selectively adjust individual functions including picture-quality, picture-geometry and audio-volume modifying operation of the peripheral device display monitor by said video signals and of the peripheral device loudspeaker by said audio signals;
- and
- said processor connected to said peripheral device display monitor and said peripheral device loudspeaker to:
- to determine whether the peripheral device display monitor and the peripheral device loudspeaker are configured to be directly responsive to the instructions transmitted by the instruction transmitter for selective adjustment of said functions;
- and
- operate a said controller to selectively adjust one of said functions in accordance with the transmitted instructions in response to determination by the processor that the peripheral device operation associated with said one function is not directly responsive to instructions transmitted by the instruction transmitter.
A computer system comprising:
- a peripheral device display monitor and a peripheral device loudspeaker;
- a processor operable to control supply of video signals to said peripheral device display monitor and of audio signals to said peripheral device loudspeaker;
- controllers operable in response to instructions transmitted by an instruction transmitter to selectively adjust functions including picture-quality, picture-geometry and audio-volume modifying operation of the peripheral device display monitor by said video signals and of the peripheral device loudspeaker by said audio signals;
- and
- said processor connected to the controller to:
- determine whether the peripheral device display monitor and the peripheral device loudspeaker are configured to be directly responsive to the instructions transmitted by the instruction transmitter for selective adjustment of said functions;
- and
- operate said controller to selectively adjust at least one of said functions in accordance with the transmitted instructions in response to determination by the processor that the peripheral device operation associated with said at least one function is not directly responsive to instructions transmitted by the instruction transmitter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.