as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication|co) Pub. No.: US 2009/0201420 A1
`(43) Pub. Date: Aug. 13, 2009
`
`Brownetal.
`
`US 20090201420A1
`
`(54) ON SCREEN TELEVISION INPUT
`MANAGEMENT
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Alan G. Brown, Manhattan Beach,
`CA (US); Stephen Brown,
`‘Thousand Oaks, CA (US); Leo
`Chen, Ontario, CA (US); Chris
`Kurpinski, Bekley, MI (US):
`Damien Stolarz, Canoga Park, CA
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`BLAKELY SOKOLOFF TAYLOR & ZAFMAN
`LLP
`1279 OAKMEAD PARKWAY
`SUNNYVALE, CA 94085-4040 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/347,801
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 31, 2008
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/018,261, filed on Dec.
`31, 2007.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl
`(2006.01)
`HOAN7/00
`(2006.01)
`HOAN5/445
`(52) US. CL wo 348/552; 348/563; 348/K05.099;
`348/E07.091
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Atelevision systemthat provides an on screen display menu
`system that allows a user to select [rom available input source
`using a graphical user interface. The television system also
`automatically adapts to the type on input signal selected for
`display. The television system and on screen display menu
`also support interaction between the television system and
`attached devices to unify the control of such devices includ-
`ing attached personal computers through the remote control
`of the television system.
`
`105
`
`SS
`
`111A
`
`AUDIO AMPLIFIER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`101
`Aem
`9000
`5 ©)eaco
`oa
`o0a0
`
`REMOTE
`CONTROL
`
`
`
`
`
`DVD PLAYER
`OR OTHER AN DEVICES
`
`COMPUTER
`
`Roku EX1004
`Patent No. 10,334,311
`
`U.S.
`
`Roku EX1004
`U.S. Patent No. 10,334,311
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 13, 2009 Sheet 1 of 14
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Aug. 13,2009 Sheet 2 of 14
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`US 2009/0201420 Al
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`3
`108
`
`INFRARED,
`BLUETOOTH,
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`\
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`((
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`b=
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`PROPRIETARY CONNECTOR,RS232,
`USB, ETHERNET, 802.11, UWB, ETC.
`
`RCA, HDMI, DVI, S-VIDEO, DIGITAL COAX,
`
`RF COAX, TUSLINK, PROPRIETARY
`
`CONNECTORETC.
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`105
`
`RCA, HDMI, DIGITAL COAX
`TOSLINK, ETC.
`111A
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`laona(ey
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`AUDIO AMPLIFIER
`
`EXTERNAL STORAGE DEVICE
`
`RCA, HDMI, DVI, S-VIDEO, DIGITAL COAX,
`RF COAX, TUSLINK,ETC.
`111D
`
`
`
`219
`
`107 ~
`
`
`
`DVD PLAYER
`OR OTHER AV DEVICES
`
`EXTERNAL STORAGE DEVICE
`
`1
`
`ETHERNET802.11 / BLUETOOTH / ETC.
`
`
`ETHERNET/ 802.11
`| BLUETOOTH / MODEM
`/ETC.
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`CABLE MODEM
`/ NETWORK ROUTER
`
`
`
`313.
`
`INTERNET
`FIG. 2
`
`—
`MCOMPUTER
`
`=
`REMOTECOMPUTERS
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 13,2009 Sheet 3 of 14
`
`US 2009/0201420 Al
`
`301
`
`303
`
`305
`
`SETTINGS
`
`DVD
`
`TV
`
`307
`
`309
`
`PC GAME
`
`GAMES
`
`INTERNET
`
`FIG. 3
`
`311
`
`DEMAND
`
`
`VIDEO ON
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 13,2009 Sheet 4 of 14
`
`US 2009/0201420 Al
`
`Remote
`
`On/ Off
`
`system on off
`
`Volume
`
`Channel
`
`403
`
`Back
`
`all devices volume
`control
`selected device channel up or down
`
`retum to last selection
`
`present On Screen Display
`
`~
`
`increase volume or channel number
`
`decrease volume or channel number
`
`display Electronic Program Guide
`
`tum volumeoff or on
`(show in screen comer)
`
`Channel
`
`Back
`
`FIG. 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 13,2009 Sheet 5 of 14
`
`US 2009/0201420 Al
`
`
`
`
` RECEIVE OSD MENU
`
`
`SELECTION
`901
`
`
`
`GENERATE OSD WITH
`AVAILABLE OR
`DEFAULT NAVIGATION
`OPTIONS
`903
`
`TELEVISION INPUT|CONFIRMED Option SELECTED
`MODE
`OR CONFIRMED?
`
`
`
` SWITCH
`207,
`
`
`
`RETURN TO
`
`DISPLAY VIDEO/IMAGE
`FULL DISPLAY OF
`
`
`FROM SELECTION THROUGH
`
`SELECTED INPUT
`
`
`911.
`MENU
`SOURCE
`
`909
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 13,2009 Sheet 6 of 14
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`US 2009/0201420 Al
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Aug. 13,2009 Sheet 7 of 14
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Aug. 13, 2009 Sheet 8 of 14
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Aug. 13,2009 Sheet 9 of 14
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`FIG.6D
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Aug. 13, 2009 Sheet 10 of 14
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`TV Control Box
`
`PC command
`
`Watching non-PC
`based content
`
`TV command received
`
`Transition
`screen
`finished
`
`Send
`command
`to PC
`
`TV mode
`74 requested
`
`Watching PC
`content
`
`Transition between
`PC content and TV
`content
`
`Aug. 13, 2009 Sheet 12 of 14 US 2009/0201420 Al
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`PC command received
`
`TV commandreceived
`
`Send
`command
`to PC
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 13,2009 Sheet 13 of 14
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`US 2009/0201420 Al
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`TV Software started,
`no TV conected
`
`TV Software started,
`TV connected
`
`TV connected as
`
`Intate
`
`connected
`
`communication
`handshaking
`
`Software stopped, resume normal PC operations TV software running on PC
`
`Remote control command
`receivedfrom TV or PC keyboard
`
`Handshaking
`complete
`
`Communication fost
`
`TV successfully
`connected
`
`TV adjustment needed
`
`FIG. 7B
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 13, 2009 Sheet 14 of 14
`
`US 2009/0201420 Al
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`US 2009/0201420 Al
`
`Aug. 13, 2009
`
`ON SCREEN TELEVISION INPUT
`MANAGEMENT
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This patent application claims the priority of U.S.
`Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/018,261, filed on
`Jan. 31, 2007 and entitled “ON-SCREEN TELEVISION
`INPUT MANAGEMENT,”the entire content of which is
`hereby expressly incorporated by reference.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a
`user interface for and managementof input signals provided
`by a television system. Specifically, the embodiments of the
`present invention include an on screen display (OSD) system
`for managing and navigating television system functionality
`and input source selection.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0003] Television systems provide a set of connectors to
`receive multiple input sources. An input source can be a video
`cassette recorder (VCR) device, a digital versatile disk
`(DVD)device, a cable orsatellite receiver or an audio ampli-
`fier. Connector types for receiving these input sources include
`composite connectors, S-Video connectors, component con-
`nectors, coaxial connectors, HDMI connectors and audio
`RCA connectors. Any of these connectors can be directly
`connected to an input source or connected indirectly to the
`television system through a switch. A switch allows multiple
`input sources to share a single connector on a television by
`multiplexing the input sources to a single connector.
`[0004] A user of a television system can select an input
`source for display using a button on a remote control for the
`television system. A separate input button may be provided
`for each input source or a single button may be provided to
`cycle through the signals received from each connector.Ifa
`switch is utilized, then the input source attached to the switch
`must be manually selected at the switch in addition to the
`input selection throughthe television system. The television
`system displays a namefor each of the input sources as they
`are selected or cycled through. The namesare fixed in relation
`to the connector and typically identify the connector type
`(i.e., S-Video, component or HDMI). In some cases other
`labels are utilized, such as Video 1, DVD orYbYyYr,that are
`intended to identify a signal source or type. However, these
`labels are fixed to the connector and designations such as
`DVD may actually be for connectors attached to another
`device such as a cable box and not to a DVD device. As a
`
`result, input source selection is difficult to understand and
`utilize. Many users unintentionally change input sources and
`require assistance to change the input sources to the desired
`input source.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`invention is illustrated by way of
`[0005] The present
`example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the
`accompanying drawings in which like references indicate
`similar elements. It should be noted that different references
`to “an” or “one” embodimentin this disclosure are not nec-
`essarily to the same embodiment, and such references meanat
`least one.
`
`FIG. 1 is a diagram of one embodimentofa televi-
`[0006]
`sion system for managing input sources entirely within the
`television monitor housing.
`[0007]
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of one embodimentofthe tele-
`vision system within a network ofrelated devices.
`[0008]
`FIG. 3 is a diagram of one embodiment of an on
`screen display menu.
`[0009]
`FIG. 41s a diagram of one embodimentof a remote
`control for use with the on screen display system.
`[0010]
`FIG. 5isa flowchart of one embodimentofa process
`for presenting an on screen display system.
`[0011]
`FIG. 6A is a diagram of one embodimentof an on
`screen menu for input selection.
`[0012]
`FIG. 6B is a diagram of one embodimentof an on
`screen menu for input selection where an input source has
`beeninitially selected.
`[0013]
`FIG. 6C is a diagram of one embodimentof an on
`screen menufor input selection where an input source selec-
`tion has been confirmed.
`
`FIG. 6D is a diagram of one embodimentof an on
`[0014]
`screen menu for input selection where an option to change
`input source selection has been presented.
`[0015]
`FIG. 6E is a diagram of one embodiment of an on
`screen menu for input selection where a personal computer
`input source selection has been selected.
`[0016]
`FIG. 6F is a diagram of one embodimentof an on
`screen menufor input selection where a slideshow option has
`been selected.
`
`FIG. 7A is a flowchart of one embodiment of a
`[0017]
`process for managing interaction with a personal computer
`through the television system.
`[0018]
`FIG. 7B is a flowchart of one embodimentof a
`process for managing interaction with a personal computer
`through the television system.
`[0019]
`FIG. 8 is a diagram of one embodimentof the com-
`ponents of the television system.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`In the following description, numerousdetails are
`[0020]
`set forth. It will be apparent, however,to one skilledin theart,
`that the present invention may be practiced without these
`specific details. In someinstances, well-knownstructures and
`devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in
`detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
`[0021]
`Some portions of the detailed descriptions that fol-
`low are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic rep-
`resentations of operations on data bits within a device
`memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations
`are the meansused by thoseskilled in the data processing arts
`to most effectively convey the substance of their work to
`others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally,
`conceivedto be a self-consistent sequenceof steps leading to
`a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical
`manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not
`necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or
`magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, com-
`bined, compared and otherwise manipulated. It has proven
`convenient at
`times, principally for reasons of common
`usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, sym-
`bols, characters, terms, numbersorthe like.
`[0022]
`It should be born in mind, however, that all of these
`and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate
`physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied
`to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as
`
`

`

`US 2009/0201420 Al
`
`Aug. 13, 2009
`
`apparentfrom the following discussion, it is appreciated that
`29 66
`throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such
`29 66.
`as “processing,” “computing,”
`“calculating,” “determining,”
`29 66
`“selecting,” “displaying,” “searching,” “receiving,”
`“updat-
`ing,” “modifying,”
`“assigning,” “requesting,” “notifying,” or
`the like, refer to the actions and processes of a television
`system, or similar electronic device having processing cir-
`cuitry and components that manipulate and transform data
`represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the sys-
`tem’s registers and memories into other data similarly repre-
`sented as physical quantities within the television system
`memories, registers or other such information storage, trans-
`mission or display devices.
`[0023] The present inventionalsorelates to an apparatus for
`performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be
`specially constructed for the required purposes or it may
`comprise a general purpose device selectively activated or
`reconfigured by a program stored in the device. Such a pro-
`gram maybestored in a computer readable storage medium,
`such as, but not limited to, any type of disk including floppy
`disks, optical disks, CD-ROMsand magnetic-optical disks,
`read-only memories (ROMs),
`random access memories
`(RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards or
`any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions,
`each of which may be coupled to a computer system bus.
`[0024] Thealgorithms anddisplays presented herein can be
`implemented as a particular electronic device, component,
`computer or other apparatus. However, various general pur-
`pose systems may also be used with the programsin accor-
`dance with the teachings herein or it may prove convenient to
`construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required
`method steps. The required structure for a variety of these
`systemswill appear from the description below.In addition,
`the present invention is not described with reference to any
`particular programming language. It will be appreciated that
`a variety of programming languages may be used to imple-
`mentthe teachings of the invention as described herein.
`[0025] A machine or computer readable medium includes
`any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by
`a computer or similar machine. For example, a computer
`readable medium includes read only memory (“ROM”), ran-
`dom access memory (“RAM”), magnetic disk storage media;
`optical storage media, flash memory devicesor other type of
`machine-accessible storage media.
`[0026]
`FIG. 1 is a diagram of one embodimentofa televi-
`sion system 103 that manages input sources. The figure
`depicts an example configuration with possible input sources
`that are each connected to a television system 103. The
`example television system 103 includes the television moni-
`tor and remote control 101 and is connected to a number of
`other devices including an audio amplifier 105, personal com-
`puter 107 and DVD player 109. Oneskilled in the art would
`understand that any numberof additional devices could also
`be connectedto the television system 103 or television moni-
`tor.
`
`[0027] The television monitor can be any type of display
`device including a liquid crystal display (LCD) device,
`plasma display device, light emitting diode (LED) display
`device, organic light emitting diode (OLED)display device,
`a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projection system including a
`light or laser projection system or similar display technology.
`The television monitor can includethe display device, back-
`
`light and control boards for driving the display device. The
`television monitor can also include speakers and similar com-
`ponents.
`[0028] The television system 103 can be designed to
`accommodate any number of connections 111A-D. Thetele-
`vision system 103 can also be configured to support any type
`of connections including coaxial, S-Video, component, ana-
`log audio, digital audio, (e.g., optical (TOSLINK)), HDMI,
`DVI, RGB, composite, universal serial bus (USB), RS-232
`and similar connection types and signal communication
`mediums. An input source can be connectedto the television
`system 103 through any of the connection types that it sup-
`ports or through multiple connections types. The television
`system 103 can also be configured to communicate with any
`input source through wireless communication protocols such
`as Bluetooth, 802.11b/g/n,
`infrared (IR), radio frequency
`(RF)or similar wireless technologies and mediums. Specific
`examples are discussed herein with particular connectors,
`communication protocols or communication mediums. How-
`ever, one skilled in the art would understand that other con-
`nector types or combination of communications mediums
`and protocols could be utilized in analogous systems consis-
`tent with the principles, methods and system described
`herein.
`
`[0029] The television system 103 can also include process-
`ing capabilities to manage attached devices. This functional-
`ity may be implementedin firmware, hardware, software or
`similarly implemented. The television system 103 can
`include a lookuptable to store configuration information for
`devices that may be attached to the television system. An
`identifier for each device can be received at power on for the
`deviceor at the time of connection. The identifier can be used
`with the look up table to retrieve the configuration informa-
`tion. The configuration information can tell the television
`system 103, which remote control commands correspond
`with each attached device. Thetelevision system 103 can also
`inform the user through the on screen display ifa device in not
`supported or obtain an update or new firmware over an
`attached networkif possible.
`[0030] The audio and video outputof the television system
`can be driven by input sources or generated by the processor
`and software of the television system 103 itself. The televi-
`sion system 103 can also intermix the input sources with its
`own generated content. For example, the television system
`103 can generate user interface menus (e.g., the on screen
`display (OSD) menu) to be displayed through the television
`monitor. The television system can utilize any number of
`input sources within the user interface (e.g., the OSD) to
`display the input sourcesto the user to assist in the decision
`making process of the user. For example, the television sys-
`tem 103 can embed each incomingvideo signal into amenuof
`the OSDto allow the user to select the input source that the
`user would like to see. The system 103 can also capturestill
`images from the incoming video signal of the input sources.
`These still images can then be displayed for input source
`selection purposes.
`[0031] The input sources generate video and audio signals
`in different manners. Some input sources such as cable or
`satellite receivers are providing a signal from a remote source.
`These receivers may decode, decrypt, tune or similarly man-
`age the remote input source. These input sources may be
`separately controlled from the television system 103. For
`example, the cableor satellite receiver can select a channel to
`output. Thus, once such an input source is selected through
`
`

`

`US 2009/0201420 Al
`
`Aug. 13, 2009
`
`the television system 103, the input source is further con-
`trolled through its own remote control oruser interface.
`[0032] A personal computer 107 can offer an input source.
`The personal computer 107 provides a video or audio signal
`driven by its software applications and operating system. The
`personal computer system input 111C can be selected
`through the television system 103. The television system 103
`may allow for some controlor interaction with the computer
`107 through a control channel with the computer 111B. The
`control or interaction may allow the computer 107 to adjust
`the settings of the television system 103 and/or monitor. The
`personal computer 107 may have a software application or
`similar software componentthat allows it to communicate
`with the television system 103. The software application can
`provide a user interface at the personal computer andis able
`to communicate with the television system 103 through a
`shared protocol. In one embodiment, the input sources can
`also be sent to the personal computer 107. Other devices can
`provide this functionality or provide analogous functionality
`by executing analogous software. Other devices that provide
`this functionality can include console devices (e.g., gaming
`consoles), handheld devices, music devices or similar
`devices.
`
`[0033] Othertypes ofinput sources that can be connected to
`the television system 103 can include an audio amplifier 105
`that receives an audio signal or manages the audio signal from
`the television system 103, a DVD player 109 or similar play-
`back device, a gaming console, consumerelectronic devices
`such as cameras and similar devices. Audio amplifiers 105
`and similar devices such as upconverters can receive audio or
`video signals output by the television system 103 and output
`that signal to a sound system,return the modified signal to the
`system 103 or similarly manage the audio or video signals.
`[0034] Other devices such as the playback devices and
`gaming consoles, primarily supply an input video and audio
`signal to the television system 103 that can be selected for
`display. Some of these devices can be combined with one
`another or with the system 103. For example, a personal
`computer 107, DVD player 109 or gaming console may be
`combined with the television system 103 to share the same
`housing. Such combination television systems 103 may have
`components that share a printed circuit board and communi-
`cate their signals directly across such a board withoutthe use
`of external connectors. Any type of communication medium
`or protocol can be used across a printed circuit board or
`similar medium (e.g., 12C).
`[0035] The functionality of a television system 103 can be
`controlled by a user through aremote control 101. The remote
`control 101 allows a user to control the functionality of the
`television system 103 such as adjusting channels, volume and
`similar settings. The remote control 101 also allows the user
`to control the features of the television system 103 including
`the use of a menu system that is displayed through the tele-
`vision monitor. The remote control 101 provides this com-
`bined control of the features of both devices. The remote
`control 101 can also be configured to control other devices in
`the system either directly or through the television system
`103. The remote control 101 can output a signal of a type and
`format that is understood by other devices to directly control
`the devices. The remote control 101 can indirectly control
`other devices by issuing signals and commandsthat are
`received by the television system 103 and relayed or trans-
`lated by the television system 103 to the respective devices.
`Thetelevision system 103 may be connected with a command
`
`channel using any communication medium with the other
`devices to provide these commandsto the other devices.
`[0036]
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of one embodimentof the man-
`agement system within a network of related devices. The
`television system 103 can also be part of a larger system or
`network. The network maybe primarily expanded through a
`connected personal computer 109 or similar devices(e.g., a
`console device). The expanded network of indirectly con-
`nected devices expands the resources and input sources that
`are available to the television system 103.
`[0037] Additional resources can be connected throughnet-
`works such as local area networks (LANs), wide area net-
`works (WANs), such as the Internet 213, or through similar
`types of networks. Additional devices that can then commu-
`nicate directly or indirectly with the television system 103 can
`include remote computers 215, 217 (e.g., websites), storage
`devices 219, network communication devices 221 and similar
`devices.
`
`[0038] The television system can receive additional input
`sources over the expanded network and updates to the firm-
`ware or software of the television system. This may be done
`directly through the OSDor through the software application
`provided by an attached personal computer.
`[0039]
`FIG. 3 is a diagram of one embodiment of an on
`screen display menu. The example display is a simplified
`illustration of the menuthat the television system can gener-
`ate and display to a user through the television monitor and
`maybe referred to herein as the “on screen display system.”
`Anylay out, numberof navigation options, or control scheme
`can be providedthat allows a user to identify an input source
`by a common nameordescription instead of through a con-
`nection type. The userinterface can also provide navigation
`options that grant access to content that is generated or man-
`aged by the television system such as settings 301, video on
`demand (VOD) 311 and similar content.
`[0040]
`Someuserinterface options offer access to or con-
`trol over other input sources For example, selection of a “PC
`Games”307or “Internet” 309 option may both invoke appli-
`cations on an attached computer. However, the options like
`the “PC Games” 307 option may generate a further menu of
`available gameshosted by an attached computer. Selection of
`one of those gameswill activate the appropriate program and
`switch the input to the computer. Similarly, selection of the
`“Internet” 309 can invoke a web browser on the attached
`
`computer and switch the input source to the computer.
`[0041]
`In one embodiment, the on screen display system
`displays the navigation options as simple icons that label each
`of the available input sources. The icons can be generated
`based on the availability of a signal on a particular connector,
`identification of the device that is connected by automatic
`signal sensing, communication with the attached device or
`through a similar system. The icons can also be graphical
`icons that represent the devices, input sources or content of
`the input sources, such as a DVDdisc that represents a DVD
`player or an image from the movie on the DVD.Thetype and
`layout ofthe icons can be configuredby the user or automati-
`cally selected. The icons can be stored within any component
`of the television system. Also, additional icons can be loaded
`into the system. The additional icons can be downloaded over
`a network such as the Internet or uploaded from an external
`storage device such as a consumer storage device through
`connections such as USBor similar connection. The icons
`can be configured or generated through a program running on
`a connected computing device.
`
`

`

`US 2009/0201420 Al
`
`Aug. 13, 2009
`
`Inone embodiment, the icons can include or may be
`[0042]
`replaced by video from the respective input sourceora still
`grab from the input source. An imageor video may be dis-
`played for each input source. A user can cycle or move
`between the available navigation options using the remote
`control. Highlighting or similarly indicating an input source
`can initiate the update ofthe video or image being displayed.
`The video or image can also be enlarged whenselected.
`Confirminga selection switches the input source and causesit
`to be displayed full screenor to the normal operationssettings
`such as letterboxing, stretching, and similar settings.
`[0043]
`In one embodiment, the on screen display system
`displays the navigation optionsas text labels or as text labels
`combined with icons. Thetextlabels can be configured by the
`user (e.g., input through a peripheral device such as a key-
`board or selected through a software keyboard interface) or
`automatically selected (e.g., utilizing default labels or infor-
`mation obtained from an associated device). The text labels
`can be downloaded over a network such as the Internet or
`
`uploaded from an external storage device such as a consumer
`storage device. The text labels can also be configured by a
`program running on a connected computing device.
`[0044] The onscreen display system is designed to provide
`a uniform presentation and user interface for interacting with
`the television system. The on screen display system also can
`integrate the user interface for other attached devices such as
`an attached personal computer. The television system pro-
`vides the on screen display menusfor any attached device that
`supports the feature allowing a user to control those devices
`through the remote control and on screen display menus. For
`example, the user may manipulate settings and select pro-
`gramsthrough the on screen display menusfor the programs
`executing on the attached personal computer.
`[0045]
`Somephysical input ports such as HDMI combine
`audio and video into a single cable while many other input
`ports such as component, S-Video, composite, analog RCA,
`VGA, DVI-A, DVI-D, TosLink, SPDIF, and coaxial digital
`provide audio and video as separate cables. Many othertele-
`vision systems havefixed pairings between audio and video
`input ports. The on screen display system allows the user of
`the television system to configure arbitrary pairings between
`audio and video inputs, allowing any video inputto be paired
`with the appropriate audio input (so that the sound matches
`the video). This allowsusers to easily hook up their devices to
`any available input ports of the television system and use the
`on screen display system to select or match the audio input
`with the desired video input.
`[0046] Once a navigation option or set of navigation
`options representing a pair of audio and video inputs has been
`selected by the user, the video corresponding to that input
`selection will be shown on the screen, and the audio corre-
`sponding to that input selection will be played through the
`television speakers or other audio output such as headphone
`jacks, or passed through the TV system to external devices
`such as an audio amplifier as appropriate.
`[0047]
`FIG. 4 is a diagram of one embodimentof a remote
`control for use with the on screen display system. The remote
`control can offer an array of buttons and similar input mecha-
`nisms to interact with the on screen display interface as well
`as other aspects of the television system. The buttons and
`input mechanismscan include buttons or switches for chan-
`nel selection 401(e.g., up or downorspecific channel number
`inputs), volume 403, power 405, electronic program guide
`
`407, mute 409, back 411, on screen display 413, navigation
`pad 415 and similar input mechanisms.
`[0048] The remote control may provide a navigation pad
`415 in the form of any type of buttons, directional pad or
`similar input mechanism to allow the userto select, highlight,
`or similarly indicate an input source or similar navigation
`options and confirm its selection. The navigation pad 415 will
`typically be used to move a cursor, tab, pointer, highlight or
`similar selection mechanism.
`
`Input mechanismsfor other features such as the on
`[0049]
`screen display, power, electronic program guide and mute act
`as toggles for the relevant features. The on screen display
`(OSD)button 413 causes the on screen display menu to be
`displayed when an input source is being viewedorreturns to
`the input source when the on screen display menu is being
`viewed. The electronic program guide (EPG) button 407
`causes the electronic program guide, which is a listing of
`program times and channels, to be displayed when an input
`source is being viewedor returnsto the input source whenthe
`electronic program guide is being viewed. A mute button 409
`toggles the volume on and offfor the television. A back button
`411 toggles between the last channelselection or navigation
`selection and the current selection.
`
`[0050] Any feature ofthe television system can be assigned
`to a button or similar input mechanism of the remote control.
`The remote control can be designed to limit the numberof
`total buttons so as to minimize the confusion caused to some
`
`users by a large number of specialized buttons. Instead, the
`focus of the remote control is to provide basic functionality
`(e.g., channel and volume adjustment) andto activate the on
`screen display menuforall other functionality.
`[0051] Other devices may beutilized in place of or in con-
`junction with the remote control. Other devices may include
`keyboards, mice, motion sensitive devices
`(e.g.,
`the
`Wiimote® by Nintendo) and similar peripheralinput devices.
`The television system can be configured to interact with any
`type of input device.
`[0052]
`FIG. 5isa flowchart of one embodimentofa process
`for presenting an on screen display input system. The on
`screen display menuis presented in responseto an input from
`auser (block 501). The input can be from an onscreen display
`button or similar input mechanism of a remote control for the
`television system, from a button or similar input mechanism
`attachedto the television system or monitor or from another
`attached device such as the personal computeror a peripheral
`attached to such a device. The television system responds by
`genera