Method and apparatus for providing control of background video

A method for providing control of background video, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) detecting selection of a video control icon, wherein the video control icon relates to live video that is being presented as a background on a display wherein the live video is received from at least one of the following:
• a DVD player, live television broadcast, a recording device, a satellite television broadcast and a cable television broadcast;
• (b) when the video control icon has been selected, providing a control panel while the live video remains in the background and an application that was in focus remains in focus;
• and
• (c) adjusting at least one attribute of the live video based on an input received via the control panel.

A video graphics processor comprising:

• a processing unit;
• and
• memory that stores programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to (a) provide a video control icon that is visible on the display, wherein the video control icon relates to live video that is being presented as a background on a display;
• (b) detect selection of the video control icon;
• (c) provide a control panel while the live video remains in the background and an application that was in focus remains in focus when the video control icon has been selected, wherein the control panel includes at least one of the following:
• a volume adjust icon, a mute icon, a pause icon, a rewind icon, and a fast-forward icon.

A video graphics processor comprising:

• a processing unit;
• and
• memory that stores programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to (a) detect selection of a video control icon, wherein the video control icon relates to live video that is being presented as a background on a display;
• (b) provide a control panel while the live video remain the background and an application that was in focus remains in focus when the video control icon has been selected;
• and (c) adjust at least one attribute of the live video based on an input received via the control panel, wherein the at least one attribute included:
• volume, mute, pause, rewind, and fast-forward.

A digital storage device that stores programming instructions that, when read by a processing unit, causes the processing unit to provide control of background video, the digital storage device comprises:

• first storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to provide a video control icon that is visible on the display, wherein the video control icon relates to live video that is being presented as a background on a display;
• second storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the programming unit to detect selection of the video control icon;
• and
• third storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to provide a control panel while the live video remains in the background and an application that was in focus remains in focus when the video control icon has been selected.

A digital storage device that stores programming instructions tat, when read by a processing unit, causes the processing unit to provide control of background video, the digital storage device comprises:

• first storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to detect selection of a video control icon, wherein the video control icon relates to live video that is being presented as a background on a display;
• second storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to provide a control panel while the live video remains in the background and an application that was in focus remains in focus when the video control icon has been selected;
• and
• second storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to adjust at least one attribute of the live video based on an input received via the control panel.