(12)
`
`United States Patent
`Martin
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,236,209 B2
`*Jun. 26, 2007
`
`US007236209B2
`
`4,660,073 A * 4/1987 Baumeister ................. 34.8/554
`5,255,097 A * 10/1993 Spiero et al. ..
`... 348/706
`6,559,893 B1* 5/2003 Martin ................
`... 348/554
`6,774,953 B2 * 8/2004 Champion et al. .......... 348/651
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner—Michael H. Lee
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—LaRiviere, Grubman &
`Payne, LLP
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`To permit the use of a single remote control device in an AV
`system that can supply incompatible video signals, a switch
`box (18) receives composite and S-video signals from an AV
`receiver, transforming these signals into the component
`video domain, and also receives component video signals
`from, e.g., a DVD player (14), with the output of the switch
`box being displayed on a television (16), and also receives
`a signal from a DVI source (101). The synchronization
`portion of the component video signal from the DVD player
`is sent to one of the input ports (14) of the AV receiver as a
`trigger signal for comparison thereof with the synchroniza
`tion signal in the switch box (18). When a user selects the AV
`receiver input port into which the trigger signal is input, the
`sense signal at the switch box (18) is identical to the
`synchronization signal of the component video, and the
`switch box (18) consequently sends the component video to
`the television (16). Otherwise, one of the video signals from
`the AV receiver (14) is sent to the television (16). If a DVI
`display (114) is present, analog signals fare converted and
`scaled to produce a DVI signal suitable for display (114).
`
`15 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`16
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`AUTOMATIC SELECTION OF VIDEO
`INTERFACE
`
`(75) Inventor: Demian T. Martin, San Leandro, CA
`(US)
`(73) Assignee: Monster Cable Products, Inc.,
`Brisbane, CA (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 551 days.
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/389,018
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 14, 2003
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`|US 2003/0147013 A1
`Aug. 7, 2003
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H04N 3/27
`(2006.01)
`H04N 5/268
`34.8/554; 348/706
`(52) U.S. Cl
`º, , ;"º º s
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................ 348/706,
`-
`. -
`348705. 554 558
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`|U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,460,918 A * 7/1984 Flasza ........................ 34.8/554
`
`Component
`
`Component
`Video
`
`
`
`S Video
`
`Composite
`Video
`
`To
`Trigger
`Port
`24
`
`Trigger
`
`Controller
`
`44
`
`Switch Box
`
`HTC EXHIBIT 1014
`
`Page 1 of 10
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 26, 2007
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`Sheet 1 of 4
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 26, 2007
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`US 7,236,209 B2
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`Jun. 26, 2007
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 26, 2007
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`Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 7,236,209 B2
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`101
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`Page 5 of 10
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`

`US 7,236,209 B2
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`AUTOMATIC SELECTION OF VIDEO
`INTERFACE
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C.
`120 to U.S. application Ser. No. 09/201,374 filed January
`Nov. 30, 1998.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`10
`
`The present invention relates generally to video receivers,
`and more particularly to methods and systems for selecting
`between incompatible video formats in a way that is trans
`parent to the user.
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
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`To produce a color video image, the image from the
`camera is broken down into its component primary colors,
`namely, red, green, and blue, and then combined and trans
`mitted to a receiver which essentially reverses the operation
`of the camera to render the image sought to be displayed. To
`reduce the amount of information that must be transmitted
`and thereby advantageously conserve transmission band
`width, older video formats use transmission schemes,
`including so-called “composite” video and “S-video”, in
`which only one line (in the case of composite video) or two
`lines (in the case of S-video) are used to carry the color video
`signal to the receiver. Digital video has now arrived on the
`scene and has been declared the standard for High Definition
`Television (HDTV). The standard is the Digital Video Inter
`face Standard (DVI). DVI signals are basically incompatible
`with analog systems of any type and must be decoded and
`subjected to conversion. Many large plasma displays are
`adapted for DVI input.
`Unfortunately, however, while the first two of the above
`mentioned formats conserve bandwidth, they do so at the
`expense of image resolution. Accordingly, a relatively new
`format, referred to herein as “component video”, has been
`introduced. In component video, the three primary color
`images are transmitted along respective lines, thereby
`increasing the resolution and, hence, quality of the video
`image that is output by the receiver. Many digital video disk
`(DVD) players that provide relatively large bandwidth and,
`thus, that facilitate the use of component video, accordingly
`employ the component video format.
`To accommodate all three of the above-mentioned for
`mats, many modern televisions can accept composite video
`50
`inputs, S-video inputs, and component video inputs. HDTV
`sets and players have recently added a DVI input to the
`above mix. To select among the inputs, however, a user must
`manipulate the local or remote control of the television itself
`to cause a menu of selections to appear on screen, and then
`the user must select which input is desired to be presented.
`This can be comparatively cumbersome.
`Moreover, many television sets receive their input from
`an audio video (AV) receiver such as, e.g., the AV receiver
`associated with a video cassette recorder (VCR). Because
`many if not most AV receivers are configured only for the
`composite video and S-video formats and not for component
`video, however, the component video input to the television
`cannot be received through the AV receiver. Instead, it must
`be received as an input that is separate from the AV receiver.
`As one consequence, multiple remote control sets (e.g., one
`for the AV receiver and one for the television) are required.
`
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`2
`As users have discovered, the requirement to use multiple
`remote control units is annoyingly cumbersome and confus
`ing, and multiplies the likelihood that a remote control unit
`will be lost or misplaced.
`Fortunately, the present invention recognizes that is pos
`sible to provide a means for controlling the presentation of
`incompatible video formats in a way that is transparent to the
`user, using AV receivers that are not otherwise configured
`for the component video format. Accordingly, it is an object
`of the present invention to provide a system and apparatus
`for controlling the presentation of incompatible video for
`mats in a way that is transparent to the user. Another object
`of the present invention is to provide a system and apparatus
`for enabling a user to switch between video channels having
`incompatible formats using only a single remote control
`unit. Still another object of the present invention is to
`provide an AV selection system and apparatus that is easy to
`use and cost-effective to manufacture.
`The device is further operative for selecting a Digital
`Video Interface (DVI) signal when received.
`Other features of the present invention are disclosed or
`apparent in the section entitled: “MODES FOR CARRY
`ING OUT THE INVENTION.”
`
`DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
`
`A video selection system is disclosed for selectively
`outputting signals to an audio video (AV) output device that
`includes a video display. The system includes a switch box
`configured for receiving at least one S-video signal and/or at
`least one composite video signal, and at least one component
`video signal, with the component video signal including a
`synchronization signal and at least one DVI signal. In
`accordance with the present invention, the switch box selec
`tively outputs, to the AV output device, either the component
`video signal or one of the S-video and composite video
`signals and at least one DVI signal, based on the synchro
`nization signal.
`In a preferred embodiment the AV receiver provides a
`sense signal to the switch box, and the sense signal is
`compared to the synchronization signal to determine which
`video signal to present on the AV output device. The switch
`box is disclosed in combination with the AV receiver, which
`is configured for receiving the S-video input and/or the
`composite video input and sending these inputs to the switch
`box.
`To establish the sense signal, the switch box sends the
`synchronization signal from the component video source to
`a first input port of the AV receiver to establish a trigger
`signal. When the first input port of the AV receiver is
`selected, the trigger signal establishes the sense signal that
`is input to the switch box.
`Additionally, the switch box includes a video decoder for
`receiving one of the S-video signal and/or composite video
`signal to output a video signal that has been transformed to
`the component domain. A switch is electrically connected to
`the video decoder for receiving the transformed video signal
`therefrom, and the switch also receives the component video
`signal. When the sense signal from the AV receiver matches
`the synchronization signal from the component video
`source, the switch outputs the component video source
`signal; otherwise, the switch outputs the AV receiver video
`signal. In either case, the switch operates in the component
`domain.
`
`Page 6 of 10
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`

`

`US 7,236,209 B2
`
`3
`To execute the above-described operation, a controller is
`in the switch box, in communication with the switch, for
`controlling the switch to establish the switch output. As
`disclosed in detail below, the controller includes a compara-
`tor for comparing the sense signal to the synchronization
`signal. Also, the controller includes a valid video determiner
`for causing the S-video signal or composite video signal to
`be sent to the AV output device when the S-video signal or
`composite video signalis valid and the sense signal does not
`match the synchronization signal.
`Desirably, a remote control device is associated with the
`AVreceiver. The remote control device is operable to select
`the first input port of the AV receiverto thereby cause the AV
`output device to present an image generated by the compo-
`nent video signal.
`In another aspect, a method is disclosed for causing a
`video output device to present an image from a component
`video source or from a combined S-video and composite
`video source. The method includeselectrically connecting
`the component video source and the combined S-video and
`composite video source to the video output device. Also, the
`methodincludes establishing an input port of the combined
`S-video and composite video source to be a trigger port. A
`synchronization signal is derived from the component video
`source and sent to the trigger port. Then, an inputport of the
`combined S-video and composite video source, other than
`the trigger port, can be selected by the user to thereby cause
`the output device to present an image from the combined
`S-video and composite video source. Or, the trigger port of
`the combined S-video and composite video source can be
`selected by the user to thereby cause the output device to
`present an image from the component video source.
`In still another aspect, a video selection device includes
`first video input ports including at least one of: one or more
`composite video input ports, and one or more S-video input
`ports. The device of the present invention also includes at
`least one component video input port. Furthermore,
`the
`device includes a video decoder that is electrically con-
`nected to at least one of thefirst video input ports, such that
`the decoder processes a video input into the component
`domain.
`
`Aswitch is electrically connected to the video decoder for
`receiving the output from the decoder, and the switch is also
`electrically connected to the component video input port. As
`disclosed in detail below, a controller is electrically con-
`nected to one or more of the video input ports and to the
`switch, and the switch selectively outputs a signal from one
`of: a first video input port, and the component video input
`port, in response to the controller.
`The device further includes circuitry for determining
`when a DVIsignalis present at the appropriate input. When
`such a signalis present, the circuit switches from an analog
`video modeinto a digital video mode. Thecircuitry further
`encodes and scales analog video into DVI protocol for
`presentation on a DVI display. The circuitry further includes
`means for generation of virtual synchronization signals.
`Finally, the device is further operative to scale and overlays
`on source video display information from the receiver to the
`DVI video stream.
`
`Thedetails of the present invention, both asto its structure
`and operation, can best be understood in reference to the
`accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals
`refer to like parts.
`
`4
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGS.
`
`For a fuller understanding of the present invention, ref-
`erence is made to the accompanying drawings in the fol-
`lowing detailed description of the Best Mode of Carrying
`Out the Invention. In the drawings:
`FIG.1 is an electrical block diagram of the video signal
`receiving and integrating system according to the present
`invention;
`FIG.2 is a block diagram of the switch box of FIG. 1; and
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the controller of FIG. 2.
`FIG.4 is a block diagram of a second embodimentof the
`invention.
`
`MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
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`The present invention allows integration and display of
`different video formats, and specifically composite, S-video,
`DVIsignals, and component video signals, in a way that is
`transparentto the user. Amongother advantages, the present
`invention facilitates the use of a single remote control device
`to select one of a plurality of incompatible video signals
`from more than one video source.
`Referring initially to FIG. 1, the present system is shown,
`generally designated 10,
`including an audio video (AV)
`receiver 12, a component video source 14 such as a digital
`video disk (DVD) player, an AV output device 16 such as a
`conventional
`television set or high density television
`(HDTV)set, and a switch box 18. Also, the system 10 can
`include a remote control device 20 that is associated with the
`AV receiver 12 for controlling the AV receiver 12 in accor-
`dance with well-understood principles.
`As intended by the present invention, the AV receiver 12
`can be a conventional AV receiver capable of supplying both
`composite video signals and S-video signals to the AV
`output device 16. Also, the component video source 14 can
`be a conventional component video source capable of sup-
`plying componentvideo signals to the AV output device 16.
`Asdescribed in detail below, however, owing to the use of
`the novel switch box 18, a user is not required to manipulate
`the controls of the AV output device 16 to select between the
`AV receiver 12 and component video source 14. Rather, as
`set forth below a user can control which system 10 signal is
`displayed on the AV output device 16 simply by manipu-
`lating one and only one remote control device, namely, the
`remote control device 20 that is associated with the AV
`receiver 12.
`As shown in FIG. 1, the AV receiver 12 includes a video
`input element 21 having plural composite video inputports,
`represented by lines 22, for receiving respective composite
`video inputs thereon. Per the present invention, one of the
`composite input ports establishes a trigger signal input port
`24 for purposes to be shortly disclosed. Composite video
`signals are supplied to the composite video input ports 22
`from respective conventional composite video sources as
`indicated in FIG. 1. These composite video sources can be
`conventional television channels. Also, the AV receiver 12
`includes at least one S-video input port 26 for receiving
`signals from a conventional S-video source, e.g., certain
`video cameras. It is to be understood that if desired, the
`trigger signal input can alternatively be established by an
`S-video input port 26.
`In accordance with principles knowninthe art, the signals
`from the video input element 21 are sent to an overlay
`generator 28. In response to user manipulations of a control
`interface 30 or in response to user manipulations of the
`
`Page 7 of 10
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`Page 7 of 10
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`US 7,236,209 B2
`
`5
`remote control device 20, the overlay generator 28 super-
`imposes graphics on the video signal for display therewith
`on the AV output device 16. These graphics represent the
`selected channel, volume, and other data.
`From the overlay generator 28, the video signal is sent to
`a conventional output driver 32. As is knownin the art, the
`output driver 32 establishes a video buffer. The signal that
`originated at a user-selected one of the input ports 22, 24 is
`sent from the output driver 32 to a composite port “CP”of
`the switch box 18 via a composite video line “C”. Moreover,
`the S-video signal that originated from the S-video input
`port 26 is sent from the output driver 32 to an S-video port
`“SP” of the switch box 18 via an S-video line “S”.
`
`On the other hand, the component video signal from the
`component video source 14 is sent via three lines labeled
`“component” directly to a component video port of the
`switch box 18 without passing through the AV receiver 12,
`because the component video format is incompatible with
`the particular AV receiver 12 shownin FIG. 1. Additionally,
`a trigger signal is sent from the switch box 18 to the trigger
`signal input port 24 of the AV receiver 12 along a line
`labeled “trigger’’, for novel purposes to be shortly disclosed.
`Completing the description of FIG. 1, the AV receiver 12
`conventionally includes an audio processor including an
`audio selector 34 for selecting the audio signal correspond-
`ing to the video input selected from the video input element
`21, audio controls 36 for establishing a desired volume, and
`an audio amplifier 38. It is to be understood that an audio
`signal from the componentvideo source 14 can be sentto the
`audio selector 34.
`
`From the above discussion, it will readily be appreciated
`that the AV receiver 12 undertakes no format conversion of
`the video signals. More particularly, the AV receiver 12 does
`not convert the one- or two-line video signals into the
`three-signal component domain.Instead, the AV receiver 12
`enables selection of the desired input from the plurality of
`video input ports 22, 24, 26, and then outputs the signal to
`the switch box 18 in the format supplied to the AV receiver
`12, based on the user’s selection. Accordingly, it is to be
`understood that the output of the AV receiver 12 to the
`switch box 18 is in the same video format as the corre-
`sponding input, i.e., either composite video, S-video, or the
`trigger signal from the trigger signal input port 24 described
`more fully below.
`Referring now to FIGS. 2 and3, the details of the switch
`box 18 can be understood. As shown best in FIG. 2, the
`signal on the componentline is sent to a switch 40 in the
`switch box 18. The component video signal from the com-
`ponent video source 14 includes a synchronization signal,
`and the synchronization signal is sent via a “synch” line 42
`to a controller 44.
`
`FIG.2 showsthat the S-video signal on the line “S”is sent
`to first and second adders 46, 48 for processing the S-video
`signal in accordance with well understood principles. The
`output of the first adder 46 is sent to the controller 44 via a
`first S-video strip line 50 as shown, and the output of the
`second adder 48 is sent to a video decoder 52 and to the
`controller 44 via a second S-video strip line 53. The video
`decoder 52 is a conventional decoder which transforms
`S-video and composite video into the component domain,
`also referred to as the “RGB” domainafterthe three primary
`colors, red, green, and blue, which combine to form a color
`image. With this in mind, the video decoder 52 also receives
`the signal on the composite video line “C” as shown, for
`transformation of composite video signals thereon into the
`component domain.
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`As wasthe case with the S-video signal, the signal on the
`composite video line “C” is sent to the controller 44, but via
`a composite strip line 54. In turn, the controller 44 sends a
`trigger signal to the trigger signal input port 24 (FIG.1) via
`the trigger line “trigger”. Additionally,
`the controller 44
`sends a control signal to the switch 40 via a control line 56.
`If desired, this control signal is also sent to a video mixer 58
`via a line 60. The video mixer 58 overlays control graphics
`onto the video image displayed on the AV output device 16
`in accordance with well-knownprinciples.
`Importantly, FIG. 2 shows that the output of the video
`decoder 52 is sent to the switch 40 and video mixer 58. Thus,
`the switch 40 receives both the componentvideosignal from
`the componentvideo source 14 (FIG. 1), and, from the video
`decoder 52, the component domain versions of the signals
`that originated at the composite video input ports 22 and
`S-video input port 26 of the AV receiver 12. In accordance
`with the present invention, the switch 40 responds to the
`control signal from the controller 44 to selectively pass on
`to the AV output device 16 either the signal from the
`component video source 14 or from the AV receiver 12.
`In either case, the skilled artisan will readily appreciate
`that the switch 40 functions to select an output signal from
`two input signals, both of which are in the component
`domain. Accordingly, it may now be understood that the AV
`output device 16 need not be manipulated or controlled by
`the user in selecting between component video format and
`non-component video format. Instead, the AV output device
`can be permanently configured for the component format,
`with switching between the video signals from the AV
`receiver 12 and component video source 14 being effected
`transparently to the user inside the switch box 18,
`in
`response to the control signal from the controller 44.
`FIG. 3 showsthe means by which the controller 44 effects
`the above-described operation. The signal on the “C” line
`from the AV receiver establishes a sense signal
`that
`is
`received by a comparator 62 via the compositestrip line 54.
`Also, the comparator 62 receives the synchronization signal
`from the component video source 14 that is present on the
`“synch”line 42. As shown in FIG.3, it is the synchroniza-
`tion signal that is sent back to the AV receiver 12 on the
`“trigger” line. Stated differently, the synchronization signal
`establishes the trigger signal that is inputto the trigger signal
`input port 24 of the AV receiver 12.
`The comparator compares the sense signal to the compo-
`nent synchronization signal. If the user has selected the
`trigger signal input port 24 of the AV receiver 12 by, e.g.,
`appropriately manipulating the remote control device 20, the
`sense signal will be the trigger signal. Consequently, the
`sense signal will match or otherwise be correlated to the
`synchronization signal, which, it will be recalled, is sent to
`the AV receiver 12 as the trigger signal. Under these cir-
`cumstances, the comparator 62 outputs a control signal that
`causes the switch 40 (FIG. 2) to select the signal from the
`component video source 14 to be passed on to the AV output
`device 16. Otherwise (i.e., when the sense signal is not
`correlated to the synchronization signal), the comparator 62
`outputs a control signal that causes the switch 40 (FIG. 2) to
`select the signal from the video decoder 52 (i.e., a video
`signal that originated from the AV receiver 12) to be passed
`on to the AV output device 16. Thus, by selecting the
`appropriate input port of the AV receiver 12, the user can
`cause either a video signal from the AV receiver 12, or the
`signal from the componentvideo source 14, to be presented
`on the AV output device 16.
`Completing the present description, a valid video deter-
`miner 64 receives the selected one of the signals on the
`
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`US 7,236,209 B2
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`composite strip line 54 and the first S-video strip line 50. It
`is to be understood that the valid video determiner 64 can
`alternatively receive the signal on the second S-video strip
`line 53 (FIG. 2). In accordance with present principles, when
`the valid video determiner 64 determines that the signal
`input thereto is valid, it passes this signal on for display
`when the switch 40 is configured to pass a signal from the
`AV receiver 12. In one embodiment, the valid video deter
`miner 64 undertakes its test by determining whether the
`video signal input to it is characterized by conventional
`video signal properties such as frequency, frame refresh rate,
`pixel changes, and so on.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the
`invention. Identical numbers are used for components
`already described in the above discussion. This embodiment
`includes the circuitry necessary to process and switch DVI
`signals and appropriately present analog video signals to a
`DVI interface. In this embodiment a HDTV receiver 101 is
`connected to a DVI receiver 102. A HDTV player 103 may
`be also used or substituted as a source of a DVI signal. The
`input of a DVI receiver 104 is connected to DVI player 103.
`The outputs of DVI receiver 102 and 104 are connected to
`the Digital/Video Processor 106.
`Digital/Video Processor 106 contains circuitry to perform
`several functions. The circuitry may either be dedicated
`hardwired circuits or preferably software and a micropro
`cessor programmed to perform the following functions. The
`first function is to switch between DVI and analog video. If
`an analog signal is received at input 107 and a control signal
`at input 108, Digital/Video Processor 104 switches into the
`analog mode. In the analog mode Digital/Video Processor
`104 performs an analog to digital conversion and encodes
`the analog signal into DVI format. The signal is further
`scaled to produce a signal suitable for the higher resolution
`of a DVI display. Digital/Video Processor 104 further pro
`duces a virtual synchronization signal at output 109 for
`activation of sync trigger 24. Digital/Video Processor 104
`finally scales and overlays video display information from
`receivers 102 and 104 onto the video stream output 111.
`Video stream out 111 is connected to a DVI transmitter 112
`which boosts and configures the signal to be appropriate for
`a DVI display 114 which can be a high resolution plasma
`display having HDTV format.
`The present invention has been particularly shown and
`described with respect to certain preferred embodiments and
`features thereof. However, it should be readily apparent to
`those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and
`modifications ain form and detail may be made without
`departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as set
`forth in the appended claims, in which reference to an
`element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and
`only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or
`more”. The inventions illustratively disclosed herein may be
`practiced without any element which is not specifically
`disclosed herein.
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`8
`prove highly marketable to consumers in various venues,
`particularly those seeking the technical functionality and
`features provided in the invention.
`
`SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
`
`Although the description above contains much specificity,
`it should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
`invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of
`the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus
`the scope of this invention should be determined by the
`appended claims and their legal equivalents. Further, it is
`appreciated that the scope of the present invention encom
`passes other embodiments which may become obvious to
`those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present
`invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than
`the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the
`singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless
`explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more”. All structural
`and functional equivalents to the elements of the above
`described preferred embodiment that are know to those of
`ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by
`reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present
`claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method
`to address each and every problem sought to be solved by
`the present invention for it to be encompassed by the present
`claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method
`step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to
`the public regardless of whether the element, component, or
`method step is explicitly recited in the claim. No claim
`element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35
`U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly
`recited using the phrase “means for’’.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A video selection system for selectively outputting
`signals to an audio video (AV) output device, comprising:
`a switch box configured for receiving one or more of at
`least one S-video signal, and at least one composite
`video signal and at least one DVI signal; the switch box
`also being configured for receiving at least one com
`ponent video signal, the component video signal
`including a synchronization signal, the switch box
`selectively outputting to the AV output device either the
`component video signal or one of the S-video signal or
`composite video signal, based on the synchronization
`signal, further comprising a sense signal input to the
`switch box, the sense signal being compared to the
`synchronization signal to determine whether to present
`the component video signal on the AV output device.
`2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sense
`signal input to the switch box, the sense signal being
`compared to the synchronization signal to determine
`whether to present the component video signal on the AV
`output device.
`3. The system of claim 2, further comprising an AV
`receiver configured for receiving at least one of: at least one
`S-video input, and at least one composite video input; the
`synchronization signal being sent to a first input port of the
`AV receiver to establish a trigger signal, such that when the
`first input port of the AV receiver is selected, the sense signal
`is the trigger signal.
`4. The system of claim 2, further comprising a comparator
`to compare the sense signal to the synchronization signal.
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`INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
`
`The present invention addresses the shortcomings of the
`current art by providing a system and method for automatic
`switching and display of video signals. The system and
`method provide the functionality to intercept and modify the
`nature and content of such signals automatically and adapt
`the signals to differing video displays. The system and
`method are particularly suited to environments having mul
`tiple types of video interfaces and protocols. In light of the
`foregoing, it is contemplated that the present invention will
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`US 7,236,209 B2
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`5. The system of claim 4, wherein the switch box com
`prises:
`a video decoder for receiving one of the S-video signal
`and composite video signal to output a transformed
`video signal in the component domain;
`a switch electrically co