CA2010686C - User programmable switching arrangement - Google Patents
User programmable switching arrangementInfo
- Publication number
- CA2010686C CA2010686C CA002010686A CA2010686A CA2010686C CA 2010686 C CA2010686 C CA 2010686C CA 002010686 A CA002010686 A CA 002010686A CA 2010686 A CA2010686 A CA 2010686A CA 2010686 C CA2010686 C CA 2010686C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- signal
- receiving
- input
- control
- video
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/222—Studio circuitry; Studio devices; Studio equipment
- H04N5/262—Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects
- H04N5/268—Signal distribution or switching
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
- H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
- H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
- H04N21/4221—Dedicated function buttons, e.g. for the control of an EPG, subtitles, aspect ratio, picture-in-picture or teletext
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/482—End-user interface for program selection
Abstract
A switching system for a television receiver allows a user to specify which of several input connectors is assigned to which of several signal sources. Thereafter, upon selection of a particular signal source, the system automatically selects the input connector associated with the selected signal source.
Description
-1- RCA 85,408 ~01IC1686 USER P~OGRAMMABLE SWI~IG ~A~C;~ENT
FlF.T.r~ OF ~ n~v~ [QN
This invention relates to the ~leld of signal ~wit~hing arrangemen~s in audio-video sys~s~.ls.
BACI~OFll~ N
The term "television receiver" as used herein inclu~s ~elevision ~eceiv~,s having a display de~lrice (co~nmQnly k~own as television se~s), and television ~ecei~c.,~ without a display deYice9 such as vidcoc~sse~te recorde~s (' C~'s~.
The term "television receiver" as usedl herein a~so includes teleYision ~nonito~lreceivers having an RF tlmer and baseband signal input circui~ry.
Modern television receivers allow selection of e~te~l b~e~n~ audio and video signals from audlio and video sources such as VCR's and video~icc players, as w~ll as selec~on of broadcast television programs tuned and dçlnod~ ted by a built-in tuner and inte,.~.c~i~te frequellGy (IF) circuitry.
The external audio and video signals arç coupled to individual input terminals (jacks) of a cor~nec~ioll panel usua~ly located Otl the rear portion of the t~levision ll,C~ e~. These il~pUt t~ ls, and the output t~ln~ als of tho i~ternal tu~erlIF c~eui~, are coupled to the signal ~loccssing circuit~ of the televisio~ rc~e;~ ia a sig~al swi~h ass~ bly. Such a switch assembly is desirably ei~ellol~ically co~olled to select ~he proper aud;o and video SigDalS.
A tele~isk>rl ,~e~iver having multiple elec~onically selectable ~n~ y baseband signal illputs is kzlown from the RCA CTC-140 manufactured by Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. ~ rolis~ T~ n~ This television ~e~ e~ employs digital s~ chhlg logic to a-utom~t;c~lly provide proper audio and Yideo whc~l each of the video source selections is m~de (i.e., tuner, AUXl or AIJX 2).
An S-VIDEO signal source, such aS all S-VHS VCR or an S-VHS C~m~order, provides wideband lllrnin~nce and 3 5 chrominance signals on separate termina~s o~ a~ S-VII:~EO
conDector. E~oderr~ VCR's may produce output signals on any or all of the folloYing: a b~eb~lsd video Oll~ connector, an S-VIDEO
out connector, or an RF out cotlnector. In addi~ion, the RF out -2- RCA ~5,408 20~Lat686 signal may be mod~ te~ to channel 3, or channel 4. This arrangement provides a flexible system allowing connec~ion of signals to a wide variety of television receivers. Unfortunately, this fl~ihility is also a source of confusioD to a user who may have forgot~en exac~ly how the units were conneeted together, and who would therefore have difficulty in selecting the proper input to which a VCR signal is actually applied.
U.S. Patent 4,821,122 (Teskey) issued in 11 Aplil 1989 discloses a system in which in response to the recep~ion of a "VCR ON" remote con~ol cQ~ qnll~ a televisioll receiver, to which the VCR is connected, autom~tir~lly selects the AUX1 b~seb~ld video input as the signal source. If no signa~ is found a~ the AUX1 input, then she television receiver switches to the tuner, and tunes channel 3, and the~ channel 4 in succession, sea;ehil~g for input signals from the VCR. Thus, a user may select the VCR for viewing withou~ knowing how the VCR was actually connected to the ~elevision receiver. However~ suppose that a user has a baseband video signal source, other than the desired VCR, connected to AUXl. In this case, the autorn~tic signal seeking fu~ction will no~ locate the VCR but will find an active sig~al at ~he AUXl input, and thus will be "fooled" into selecting the signal at the AUXl input.
SU~IAR~Y OF T~F. l~V~.l~ION
A ~wil~hh~g systcm allows a user to speci~y which of several input co1:~c~ol~ or channels is ~csigred ~o which of several signal sources9 and store the colmector or channel aSsignm~nt data in memory. Thereafter, upo~ selection of a particul~ signal source, the system ~lltom~tically sel~cts the inpu~ corlnector or channel associated with the selected signal source in response to the s~ored data.
B~; DJ~SCRIPI70N O~ llE~ DRAW~
FIGURE 1 shows, in block diagram form, a system sui~able for use with the invention.
FIGURE 2 illus~rates a remote control handunit suitable for use wi~h the invention.
FlF.T.r~ OF ~ n~v~ [QN
This invention relates to the ~leld of signal ~wit~hing arrangemen~s in audio-video sys~s~.ls.
BACI~OFll~ N
The term "television receiver" as used herein inclu~s ~elevision ~eceiv~,s having a display de~lrice (co~nmQnly k~own as television se~s), and television ~ecei~c.,~ without a display deYice9 such as vidcoc~sse~te recorde~s (' C~'s~.
The term "television receiver" as usedl herein a~so includes teleYision ~nonito~lreceivers having an RF tlmer and baseband signal input circui~ry.
Modern television receivers allow selection of e~te~l b~e~n~ audio and video signals from audlio and video sources such as VCR's and video~icc players, as w~ll as selec~on of broadcast television programs tuned and dçlnod~ ted by a built-in tuner and inte,.~.c~i~te frequellGy (IF) circuitry.
The external audio and video signals arç coupled to individual input terminals (jacks) of a cor~nec~ioll panel usua~ly located Otl the rear portion of the t~levision ll,C~ e~. These il~pUt t~ ls, and the output t~ln~ als of tho i~ternal tu~erlIF c~eui~, are coupled to the signal ~loccssing circuit~ of the televisio~ rc~e;~ ia a sig~al swi~h ass~ bly. Such a switch assembly is desirably ei~ellol~ically co~olled to select ~he proper aud;o and video SigDalS.
A tele~isk>rl ,~e~iver having multiple elec~onically selectable ~n~ y baseband signal illputs is kzlown from the RCA CTC-140 manufactured by Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. ~ rolis~ T~ n~ This television ~e~ e~ employs digital s~ chhlg logic to a-utom~t;c~lly provide proper audio and Yideo whc~l each of the video source selections is m~de (i.e., tuner, AUXl or AIJX 2).
An S-VIDEO signal source, such aS all S-VHS VCR or an S-VHS C~m~order, provides wideband lllrnin~nce and 3 5 chrominance signals on separate termina~s o~ a~ S-VII:~EO
conDector. E~oderr~ VCR's may produce output signals on any or all of the folloYing: a b~eb~lsd video Oll~ connector, an S-VIDEO
out connector, or an RF out cotlnector. In addi~ion, the RF out -2- RCA ~5,408 20~Lat686 signal may be mod~ te~ to channel 3, or channel 4. This arrangement provides a flexible system allowing connec~ion of signals to a wide variety of television receivers. Unfortunately, this fl~ihility is also a source of confusioD to a user who may have forgot~en exac~ly how the units were conneeted together, and who would therefore have difficulty in selecting the proper input to which a VCR signal is actually applied.
U.S. Patent 4,821,122 (Teskey) issued in 11 Aplil 1989 discloses a system in which in response to the recep~ion of a "VCR ON" remote con~ol cQ~ qnll~ a televisioll receiver, to which the VCR is connected, autom~tir~lly selects the AUX1 b~seb~ld video input as the signal source. If no signa~ is found a~ the AUX1 input, then she television receiver switches to the tuner, and tunes channel 3, and the~ channel 4 in succession, sea;ehil~g for input signals from the VCR. Thus, a user may select the VCR for viewing withou~ knowing how the VCR was actually connected to the ~elevision receiver. However~ suppose that a user has a baseband video signal source, other than the desired VCR, connected to AUXl. In this case, the autorn~tic signal seeking fu~ction will no~ locate the VCR but will find an active sig~al at ~he AUXl input, and thus will be "fooled" into selecting the signal at the AUXl input.
SU~IAR~Y OF T~F. l~V~.l~ION
A ~wil~hh~g systcm allows a user to speci~y which of several input co1:~c~ol~ or channels is ~csigred ~o which of several signal sources9 and store the colmector or channel aSsignm~nt data in memory. Thereafter, upo~ selection of a particul~ signal source, the system ~lltom~tically sel~cts the inpu~ corlnector or channel associated with the selected signal source in response to the s~ored data.
B~; DJ~SCRIPI70N O~ llE~ DRAW~
FIGURE 1 shows, in block diagram form, a system sui~able for use with the invention.
FIGURE 2 illus~rates a remote control handunit suitable for use wi~h the invention.
-3- RCA 85,408 Z0~D6~36 ~ IGIlRES 3a - 3c are illus~ations of television receiver display screens displaying a me~u messages.
FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 are flowch~l~ of a piOg~ used by the controller of FIGURE 1, ~o implemen~ an emboflim~nt of 5 the in~ention.
I:~ETAIL13D D~SClRlPllON OF TH~ E~MBODIM~NT
Referring to FIGURE 1, a television receiver includes an antenna switch unit 100 which receives radio ~equency (RF) signals at RF inputs A and B and applies a sele ted one of them 10 to a tuner assembly 102. Tuner assembly 102 sslects and ~mrlifies a particular RF signal under con2rol of a tuner controller 1049 which provides bandswitching signals and tuning voltage signals VT to tuner assembly 102, a~d an antelma ~wilching control signal to a control input C OI ~tenn~ switch 15 unit 100.
Tuner assembly 102 converts the received RF signal to an interme~ te frequency (IF) signal and provides an IF
output signal to IF amplifieT and detector 108. I~ amrli~1eF and detector 10B comprises a video IF amplifier and detector por~ion 20 108a9 and a sound IF amplifier and det~lo- portion 108b. IF
ampli~ler an/d detector 108 ampli~les the 1~ signal applied to its input tenninal ~nd detects the video in~orma~on contained therein. This detected video in~ don is applied as one input to a video signal m~ ipl~er switch unie 109. Detector 108 also 25 detects sound in~o~ on wh;ch is applied ~o a sound switching and p~o~cssi.~g cha~rlel comprising audio switch 160, audio switch 170, audio processing unit 180 and speake~ 190 and l9j. .
Tuner controller 104 generatgs th~ before-meat;oned 30 tuning voltage signals and bandswitching sig~als in response ~o con~ol signal3 applied from a system con~ol microcolnplltel (~lC) 110. Microcomputer 110 receives user-ini~i~ted comm~nds ~rom an infrared (IR) receh~er 116 and from a keyboard 118.
Micloco,l,p.~ler 11() includes program memo~y (ROM~ (not 3 5 shown~ and stores channel-~lated data in a random access memory (RAM) 120. RAM 120 may be of either ~he vola~le or non-vola~ile type. One skill~d in the art will recognize that if volatile memory is lltili7ied tha~ it may be desirable to use a -4- RCA 8~,408 2~L0 suitable form of standby power to ~.~se. ve its contents when the rece.Ycr is turned off. Remo~e con~ol signals are tr~n~mitte~l via infrar~d light (IR) although oeher media are - possible.
S IR recei~el 116 receives ~R signals ~ra~ncmi~te~ by, for example, a remoee con~ol h~ndlmit such as the one shown in FIGURE 2 and designated 200. Referring to FIGURE 2, remote control ha~duni~ 200 ;ncludes keys 202 for entering the di~its 0-9, for entering "channel-up" and "ch~nnel-down" commands asld 10 a key 204 for turning the receiver "on" and a key 205 for turning the receiver -o~," Remote control h~r~ nit 200 also includes a key 206 (labelled VCRl) a key 208 (la~elled VCR2), a~d a key 210 (labelled CABLE), the operation of which will be des~ibed below. Remote control han-~l.mit 200 includes therein 15 elc~ ic cilcuilly (not shown~ for er~cotli~-g a signal to be transmitted by an IR diode in accordance with the particular keys pressed. Similar control function comm~nd entIies may be made via keyboard 118 located at the receiver itself.
The baseband video sigrlal (lV) is coupled to one 20 input of a four input video switch 109. Vidgo switch 109 has th~ee other inputs l~be~ AIJXl~ AUX2, alld AIJX3, for receiving bas~b~ld video signals from external sollrces. }~ach of the inputs of video switch 109 is selec~lJle in ~e~o~se to binary signals gen~,~a~,d by con~oller 110 and applied to control inp~ts Cl and 25 C0 via cQn ll~ct~l~ 131 and 132, lwp~Lively. For ~mrle~ if C1 and C~ are both caused to be at a low signal level (i.e. binary 00), then the TV inpu~ is selected. If Cl is low and C0 high (binaIy 01), then AUXl is selected. If Cl is high and C0 low (binary 10), ~hen AUX2 is selected. If both Cl and C0 are high (binary 11), 3 0 AUX3 is selecte~ Selection of the co~ ponding audio signals is ensuIed because control terminals Cl and C0 of audio switch 160 are colmec~ed in parallel with control ~erh~inals C1 and C0 of video switeh 109.
The selected video SigDal iS applied to a comb filter 3 5 unit 130 which separates luminance (Y~ signals and chrominance (C) signals for application to a video processor unit 160 for ultimate display on a display screen The above-described circui~y is essentially known from the RCA CTC-140 television -5- RCA 85,408 leCeiVe;l manufactured by Thomsvn C: ollsumer Elccll;o,~lcs, Inc., 86 Tn~lian~polis, Indiana.
A video signal switch unit 140 is coupled bel-.een comb ~llter 130 and ~ideo processor 1~0. Video switch u~it 140 S selects input signals frorn comb filter unit 130 whenever a low level signal is applied to con~ol input C, and selec~s e~e~l S-VIDEO signals whenever a high level signal is a]pplied to con~ol input C. The l~min~nce signal Y &om the S VID:EO co~ or is also coupled to a detec~or unit 145 which produces a high level 10 binary control signal S-VIDEO DETECT at its outpu~ whenever the r~qnce signal Y is active. The S-VIDE(3 DETE~T signal is applied ~o one input of AND gate 147. The other input of AND
gate 147 is cou~le~ to conc~oller 110 for feCeivilg an S-VID~O
SEIECT signal. Iî both S-VI~EO DET~CT and S-VIDEO SEIE~
1 S signals are present, AND gate 147 produces a high level con~ol signal and applies it to the con~rol tenninal C of video switch 140, causing the selection of the S-VIDEO ~igll~ls Selectio~ of t:he corresponding audio signals is ensured because control te~ al C of audio switch- 170 is cQ~nectçd in parallel with con~ol 2û ie...in~l C of video signal s~tch 140. A high level signal on control terminal C ~ audio switch 170 caus~s thc S~lG~;O~ OI the audio signals p~oduced by the S-VIDE~O sigllal source. The output signals developed by audio switch 170 a~e applied to audio pi~cessor 180 for ultimate reproduction by speakers 190 and 25 19~.
The selected signals ~rom video switch 140 are applied to video signal proc~ssor 150, along with On Screen Display ~OSD) signals which may be prnduced by OSD unit 124.
The sub3ect inYention will bs ~xr~ ed with 30 ~L~re~cc to the display screens of ~IGURES 3a - 3c, and with .,~enc~ ~o the flowcharts of FIGURES 4, 5 and 6.
A menu displ~y screen, l~nown from7 for e~mrl~. the above-melltioned RCA CTC-140 television receiver, is shown in PIGURE 3a. The display screen of FIGURE 3a is ge.le~ated in 3 5 response to the pressing of the MENU SETUP key 212 of keyboard 200 of FIGURE 2. Six functions are shown, each of which is seleeted by en~ering its respective line nlmlber via the keyboard of the remote con~ol unit. In app~ us according to -6- RCA 85,408 20~L~6 the subject invention, the menu display screen of FIGURE 3a is motli~d to form the menu display screen of FIGURE 3b. In this case the function MESSAaE STYLE, which con~olled selectable - type fon~s for on-screen text message, is dele~ed. A new S ~lnctiQn~ VCR/CABL~ 5ET UP, is inserted in the place ~onne~ly ~CL~P;Ç~I by MESSAGE STYLE.
Selection of VCRICABLE SETUP by pressing key S
causes the generadon and display of the display screen of FIGU~3 3c. The display screen of FIGURE 3c ;neludes a list of 10 devices whi h may be conneete~ as signal sources to the television ~ece;~ . The individual devices of tho list (i.e., VCRl, VCR2, and CABLE) have coll~;spondingly labelled keys (i.e~ 206, 20$ and 210, ~esl)ecLively) on remote con~ol keyboard 200.
Pressing a partieular one of these keys causes the remote control 15 unit to genc~ate and ~ansmit an "ON" comm~nr:l for that deviee.
In the display sereen of FIGURE 3c, the culTent device line (i.e., V(:R1, VCR2, CABLE, S-VIDBC)) is d~sirably highlighted in some fashion to draw the user's attention to it.
O~le example of this highlighting may be to flash the line at some 2 0 predete~ ihed rate. Preferably, the highlighting is ~ccomplished by displaying ~he culrent line in a color .li~r~l~.t from the l~.A~;..ing lines. The las~ line "PUSH + TO ADVANCE~" is preferably displayed in a third color.
Pressing key 215 (labelled ANT) of keyboard 200 25 causes ~he ~ntenn~ indicator to change s~ate be~ el1 A and B for each keypress. The XX symbols of FI(3URE 3c in~ir~t~. the speei~lc c~nnel at which the device output signal is to be found. For ex~mrle, VCRl may be de~ined as being co~ ected to antenna input A, alld producing a signal at the ch~nel 04 RF frequency.
30 In that case, the numerals 04 would replace the symbol XX.
HoweYer, it is also possible to couple the b~seb2n~ video out signal from VCRl ~o any one of inputs AUX1, AUX2, or AUX3.
Channel numbers 91, 92, and 93 coll~,s~o~d to selec~ons of AUXl, AUX2, and AUX3, respectively. If b~ce~n-~ video is 35 selected for any device in the list, then the ~n~enn~ sta~us in~iC~tor (A o~ B) for that device is blanked, ~ecause no an~enna selection is needed when baseband video is chosen.
FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 are flowch~l~ of a piOg~ used by the controller of FIGURE 1, ~o implemen~ an emboflim~nt of 5 the in~ention.
I:~ETAIL13D D~SClRlPllON OF TH~ E~MBODIM~NT
Referring to FIGURE 1, a television receiver includes an antenna switch unit 100 which receives radio ~equency (RF) signals at RF inputs A and B and applies a sele ted one of them 10 to a tuner assembly 102. Tuner assembly 102 sslects and ~mrlifies a particular RF signal under con2rol of a tuner controller 1049 which provides bandswitching signals and tuning voltage signals VT to tuner assembly 102, a~d an antelma ~wilching control signal to a control input C OI ~tenn~ switch 15 unit 100.
Tuner assembly 102 converts the received RF signal to an interme~ te frequency (IF) signal and provides an IF
output signal to IF amplifieT and detector 108. I~ amrli~1eF and detector 10B comprises a video IF amplifier and detector por~ion 20 108a9 and a sound IF amplifier and det~lo- portion 108b. IF
ampli~ler an/d detector 108 ampli~les the 1~ signal applied to its input tenninal ~nd detects the video in~orma~on contained therein. This detected video in~ don is applied as one input to a video signal m~ ipl~er switch unie 109. Detector 108 also 25 detects sound in~o~ on wh;ch is applied ~o a sound switching and p~o~cssi.~g cha~rlel comprising audio switch 160, audio switch 170, audio processing unit 180 and speake~ 190 and l9j. .
Tuner controller 104 generatgs th~ before-meat;oned 30 tuning voltage signals and bandswitching sig~als in response ~o con~ol signal3 applied from a system con~ol microcolnplltel (~lC) 110. Microcomputer 110 receives user-ini~i~ted comm~nds ~rom an infrared (IR) receh~er 116 and from a keyboard 118.
Micloco,l,p.~ler 11() includes program memo~y (ROM~ (not 3 5 shown~ and stores channel-~lated data in a random access memory (RAM) 120. RAM 120 may be of either ~he vola~le or non-vola~ile type. One skill~d in the art will recognize that if volatile memory is lltili7ied tha~ it may be desirable to use a -4- RCA 8~,408 2~L0 suitable form of standby power to ~.~se. ve its contents when the rece.Ycr is turned off. Remo~e con~ol signals are tr~n~mitte~l via infrar~d light (IR) although oeher media are - possible.
S IR recei~el 116 receives ~R signals ~ra~ncmi~te~ by, for example, a remoee con~ol h~ndlmit such as the one shown in FIGURE 2 and designated 200. Referring to FIGURE 2, remote control ha~duni~ 200 ;ncludes keys 202 for entering the di~its 0-9, for entering "channel-up" and "ch~nnel-down" commands asld 10 a key 204 for turning the receiver "on" and a key 205 for turning the receiver -o~," Remote control h~r~ nit 200 also includes a key 206 (labelled VCRl) a key 208 (la~elled VCR2), a~d a key 210 (labelled CABLE), the operation of which will be des~ibed below. Remote control han-~l.mit 200 includes therein 15 elc~ ic cilcuilly (not shown~ for er~cotli~-g a signal to be transmitted by an IR diode in accordance with the particular keys pressed. Similar control function comm~nd entIies may be made via keyboard 118 located at the receiver itself.
The baseband video sigrlal (lV) is coupled to one 20 input of a four input video switch 109. Vidgo switch 109 has th~ee other inputs l~be~ AIJXl~ AUX2, alld AIJX3, for receiving bas~b~ld video signals from external sollrces. }~ach of the inputs of video switch 109 is selec~lJle in ~e~o~se to binary signals gen~,~a~,d by con~oller 110 and applied to control inp~ts Cl and 25 C0 via cQn ll~ct~l~ 131 and 132, lwp~Lively. For ~mrle~ if C1 and C~ are both caused to be at a low signal level (i.e. binary 00), then the TV inpu~ is selected. If Cl is low and C0 high (binaIy 01), then AUXl is selected. If Cl is high and C0 low (binary 10), ~hen AUX2 is selected. If both Cl and C0 are high (binary 11), 3 0 AUX3 is selecte~ Selection of the co~ ponding audio signals is ensuIed because control terminals Cl and C0 of audio switch 160 are colmec~ed in parallel with control ~erh~inals C1 and C0 of video switeh 109.
The selected video SigDal iS applied to a comb filter 3 5 unit 130 which separates luminance (Y~ signals and chrominance (C) signals for application to a video processor unit 160 for ultimate display on a display screen The above-described circui~y is essentially known from the RCA CTC-140 television -5- RCA 85,408 leCeiVe;l manufactured by Thomsvn C: ollsumer Elccll;o,~lcs, Inc., 86 Tn~lian~polis, Indiana.
A video signal switch unit 140 is coupled bel-.een comb ~llter 130 and ~ideo processor 1~0. Video switch u~it 140 S selects input signals frorn comb filter unit 130 whenever a low level signal is applied to con~ol input C, and selec~s e~e~l S-VIDEO signals whenever a high level signal is a]pplied to con~ol input C. The l~min~nce signal Y &om the S VID:EO co~ or is also coupled to a detec~or unit 145 which produces a high level 10 binary control signal S-VIDEO DETECT at its outpu~ whenever the r~qnce signal Y is active. The S-VIDE(3 DETE~T signal is applied ~o one input of AND gate 147. The other input of AND
gate 147 is cou~le~ to conc~oller 110 for feCeivilg an S-VID~O
SEIECT signal. Iî both S-VI~EO DET~CT and S-VIDEO SEIE~
1 S signals are present, AND gate 147 produces a high level con~ol signal and applies it to the con~rol tenninal C of video switch 140, causing the selection of the S-VIDEO ~igll~ls Selectio~ of t:he corresponding audio signals is ensured because control te~ al C of audio switch- 170 is cQ~nectçd in parallel with con~ol 2û ie...in~l C of video signal s~tch 140. A high level signal on control terminal C ~ audio switch 170 caus~s thc S~lG~;O~ OI the audio signals p~oduced by the S-VIDE~O sigllal source. The output signals developed by audio switch 170 a~e applied to audio pi~cessor 180 for ultimate reproduction by speakers 190 and 25 19~.
The selected signals ~rom video switch 140 are applied to video signal proc~ssor 150, along with On Screen Display ~OSD) signals which may be prnduced by OSD unit 124.
The sub3ect inYention will bs ~xr~ ed with 30 ~L~re~cc to the display screens of ~IGURES 3a - 3c, and with .,~enc~ ~o the flowcharts of FIGURES 4, 5 and 6.
A menu displ~y screen, l~nown from7 for e~mrl~. the above-melltioned RCA CTC-140 television receiver, is shown in PIGURE 3a. The display screen of FIGURE 3a is ge.le~ated in 3 5 response to the pressing of the MENU SETUP key 212 of keyboard 200 of FIGURE 2. Six functions are shown, each of which is seleeted by en~ering its respective line nlmlber via the keyboard of the remote con~ol unit. In app~ us according to -6- RCA 85,408 20~L~6 the subject invention, the menu display screen of FIGURE 3a is motli~d to form the menu display screen of FIGURE 3b. In this case the function MESSAaE STYLE, which con~olled selectable - type fon~s for on-screen text message, is dele~ed. A new S ~lnctiQn~ VCR/CABL~ 5ET UP, is inserted in the place ~onne~ly ~CL~P;Ç~I by MESSAGE STYLE.
Selection of VCRICABLE SETUP by pressing key S
causes the generadon and display of the display screen of FIGU~3 3c. The display screen of FIGURE 3c ;neludes a list of 10 devices whi h may be conneete~ as signal sources to the television ~ece;~ . The individual devices of tho list (i.e., VCRl, VCR2, and CABLE) have coll~;spondingly labelled keys (i.e~ 206, 20$ and 210, ~esl)ecLively) on remote con~ol keyboard 200.
Pressing a partieular one of these keys causes the remote control 15 unit to genc~ate and ~ansmit an "ON" comm~nr:l for that deviee.
In the display sereen of FIGURE 3c, the culTent device line (i.e., V(:R1, VCR2, CABLE, S-VIDBC)) is d~sirably highlighted in some fashion to draw the user's attention to it.
O~le example of this highlighting may be to flash the line at some 2 0 predete~ ihed rate. Preferably, the highlighting is ~ccomplished by displaying ~he culrent line in a color .li~r~l~.t from the l~.A~;..ing lines. The las~ line "PUSH + TO ADVANCE~" is preferably displayed in a third color.
Pressing key 215 (labelled ANT) of keyboard 200 25 causes ~he ~ntenn~ indicator to change s~ate be~ el1 A and B for each keypress. The XX symbols of FI(3URE 3c in~ir~t~. the speei~lc c~nnel at which the device output signal is to be found. For ex~mrle, VCRl may be de~ined as being co~ ected to antenna input A, alld producing a signal at the ch~nel 04 RF frequency.
30 In that case, the numerals 04 would replace the symbol XX.
HoweYer, it is also possible to couple the b~seb2n~ video out signal from VCRl ~o any one of inputs AUX1, AUX2, or AUX3.
Channel numbers 91, 92, and 93 coll~,s~o~d to selec~ons of AUXl, AUX2, and AUX3, respectively. If b~ce~n-~ video is 35 selected for any device in the list, then the ~n~enn~ sta~us in~iC~tor (A o~ B) for that device is blanked, ~ecause no an~enna selection is needed when baseband video is chosen.
- 7 - RCA 85,408 2~ 686 In order to move down to the next line of the display OI ~IGURE 3c, the + key 214 is pressed. lh;s causes the next line to be highlighted, and enables the reception of clata related to the next device in ~e list. Any one of the inputs (AUXl, AUX2 S or AUX3) may be specified as an S-~IDEO (wideb~ min~nce) device. This is ~cco~nrlished by setting the ~e~nnel number" CH
elltry for S-VIDEO to the input number of the input having an S~
VIDEO device conl-rcle~l thereto. For example, if VCR1 is aD S-VIDEO device7 and VCR1 ch~nnel number en~y C]H is 91, VCRl is 10 specifi~d to be an S-VIDEO device by setting thle charmel number CH on the S-VIDEO line ~o channel number 91. Accordingly, when VCR1 is selected by pressing VCRl Icey 206 of l~eyl~o~'~
200, the ci~ of FI(}URE 1 will aulG...~ ~lly enable the S-VIDEO input. Preferably, when channel m~mbers 91, 92 or 93 a~e entered, the digit "9" will be replaced by ~he letter "V" for display ~i.e., V~, V2 or V3, respectively) to in~ic~te ~heir status as baseband video inputs. These selections are stored in non-volatile memory to preserve them in the event that the television receiver loses power.
The flo~ch~l of FIGUREi 4 illusliaa~s the poreion of th~ con~rol program for con~oller 110 which h~n~les ~h~
entenng of data for thc screen display of FIGURE 3c. I~e routine is entered from other key code h~n~ling porlions Of tlhe program a~ s~ep 400. At step 405 a decision is made as to whether the keycode co~ )onds to the enter VCR SETUP cboice from the sc~een display of FIGURE 3b (or even from o~er areas of the ~o~,l~n, if so provided). If so, the YES path is ~en to step 410 which d~t.,.-nih,~s if the VCR SET UP sc~eell (Figure 3c3 is displayed. If it is already displayed, ~hen the routine is exited at 3 ~ Step 495. If not, then the YCR SETUP screen is writ~en to OSD
memory, the eop line (line 0) of the display is highlighted, a line coun~ is set ~o zero, a digit count is set to 0 (step 415), and the roudne is exited. The line count keeps track of which display line is beirlg addressed by the user. The digit count is used in entering the most si~nipie~flt :lnd the least sign;fic~n~ digits of the ~h~nnP~l Dumb~. If the NO path is ta~en from step 405, then ~he received keycode is checked to see if it is ~he an~enna (ANT) keycode ~step 420). If it is the ANT keycode, theD a check is -8- RCA 85,408 made to see if the ch~nnel number for the current line is an channel m~mber (step 421). If so, the ~n~enn~ display for the cu~rent line is toggled (i.e., switched from A to B, or B to A) (step 422), and ~he new channel and ~nsenn~ data for the current line is stored in memory (step 424). If the channel nnmher for the cuIrent line is not an RF channel number, then the routine is exited. If the received keycode is not ANT, then the NO path is taken from step 420 to step 428. If the keycode is a numenc keycode (step 428), then the number coll~sponding to th~
10 k~code is stored according to the digit count. Tlha2 is, if the digit count is 0, then the 1~,C6ivG~d number is stored i~ the mos~
significant posidon of the channel number field of the cu~ent line OI the display screen of FIGURE 3c (step 430~. The digit count is increm~nte~l (step 432), an~ checked for 15 sverflow (step 434). If the digit count is not greater ehan 1, then the rou~ine is exited. If it is greater than 1 (oYerflow), then it is set to 0 (step 436). If cu~ent line count is equal to 3 (the S-VIDEO lino~ (step 438), then a check is made to see if the cha~nel number just entered is 91 through 93 (step 440). If so, then the 20 chan~el number is st~red (step 440). It is also stored when the No pat}l is taken ~rom decision diamond 438. If~ however, the rlew ch~nnel nunnber is not in the range from 91 through 93, then it is ~>pafe..~ly an error, because th~ S-VIDEO input must col1e~ d ~o a bsec~ selectioF~l and not to an RF selectiorl.
2 5 Th~ fo.~" cha~nel ~ bo.~ not in the range from 91-93 are discdl.led and the old channel number for that loca~on is re-displayed (step 444). If the NO path is ~ken from decision r~ 428, then the received keycode is che~ l to see if it cols~s~lds to the "+" keycode (step 446). If not, the c~mm~nfl 3 0 is ignored ~step 448) ~nd thç routine i5 exited at step 485 (which may in fact be the same e~cit location as step 495). If the "+" key is received, the~ the line count is increrr~n~ed (step 450) and checked for overflow (step 452). If the line count is greater than 3, then overflow has ~c~led, and the line count is rese~ to zero 3 5 (step 454). If the line count has not overflowed, or if program execution passed through step 454, then the apylo~iate line of the display screen of FIGURE 3c is highlighted according to ~he line count (s~ep 456~, and the rou~ine exi~ed. Resetting the line -9- RCA 85,408 L0~86 count at ~tep 454 allows the program to "wrap arou~d" by "a~lvancilJg" ~rom line 3 directly to lirle 0.
'rhe flowchart of FIGURE 5 illustrates how the proper - input te~minal, antenna selection, and eharmel number are S ~ccessed whel~ a pa~icular devic~ is selecte~ by a user. The routine of ~;IGURE S is entered at step ~00 ~rom other portions of the control pro~ram of con~roller 110. At step SC\5 the received keycode is checke~l to see if it is the "VCRl ONn keycode (sent for example by ~e remote contfol unit when VCR1 key X06 of 10 k~ylJoar~l 200 is pressed). If it is, then the VCR1 area of memory is read to re~icve the antenna and channel number-da~
p~eviously stored in that location (step ~10). A deter,...~ ion is thon made as to whether the channel number is valid (step S1~).
If not, then the rou~ne is exited at step 595. If ;t is a valid ch~nn9l number, then tho channel is tuned. In blocl6 520 the term channel refers to both RF channels (which require an antenna selection) and the "channels" 91-93 co-lc~pondirlg to baseband video inputs V1-V3, respectively which do not require an antenna selec~ion.
2 0 Flowchart elements 525-540, and 545-560 have functions which co~respond to elements 50~-520 and which need not be desc~ibed again in detail.
A portion of the audio/video input switching routines is shown in detail in ~IGURE 6. This roudne is ente~ed at step 600, and a detelll,ination is made at step 605 as to whether the signal input swi~chzs of PI(3URE 1 are curren~ly set a~ a value equal to the S-VIDEO ch~nnel value from the S-VIDEO area of y. For e~m~, if the VCR desi~n~te~ as VCRl is an S-VHS device, and is cQnT~cted to the AUX1 (i.e., channel 91) input t~ QalS then the S-VID~EO input would also be set to "channel"
91. When ch~nn~l 91 is selecte~ either by pressing VCRl key 206 or by entenrlg the ch~nnel number 91 via the digit keys 202, then the S-VHS video signal will be selected instead of the composite video signal at the AUX1 video input connector. If the YES path is taken from step 605, then the S-VIDEO inpu~
circui~y is enabled (step 610). However, if the NO path is taken, then the S-~II)EO circui~y is not enabled (or is disabled if previously enabled) (step 620). The enabling of the S-VIDEO
-10- RCA 85,408 e~uiLl~ is ~eGQmrlished by genera~ g the S-VIDEO SELECT
signal lefc~led to abvve. The rou~ine is exited at step 695.
Thus, a sys~em is provided which enables a user to freely choose which of several input te~nin~l~ is to be ~soei~ted 5 with which of several signal sourc~s, wi~hout beillg forced to assigrl particular devices to s~ci~le input ~e~ als. The disclosed system also provides ease of use in thalt the television r~ceivel automatisally selects ~he prope~ inpllt configuration when a signal source de~/ice is 1 0 selected.
While ~he inven~ion was described with re~rence to a video switGhing embo~ in a television recei~er, it is herein recognized that i~ is also applicable to an audio only swi~ehiL~g system, or to a combina~ion of audio and video 1 5 switehing.
elltry for S-VIDEO to the input number of the input having an S~
VIDEO device conl-rcle~l thereto. For example, if VCR1 is aD S-VIDEO device7 and VCR1 ch~nnel number en~y C]H is 91, VCRl is 10 specifi~d to be an S-VIDEO device by setting thle charmel number CH on the S-VIDEO line ~o channel number 91. Accordingly, when VCR1 is selected by pressing VCRl Icey 206 of l~eyl~o~'~
200, the ci~ of FI(}URE 1 will aulG...~ ~lly enable the S-VIDEO input. Preferably, when channel m~mbers 91, 92 or 93 a~e entered, the digit "9" will be replaced by ~he letter "V" for display ~i.e., V~, V2 or V3, respectively) to in~ic~te ~heir status as baseband video inputs. These selections are stored in non-volatile memory to preserve them in the event that the television receiver loses power.
The flo~ch~l of FIGUREi 4 illusliaa~s the poreion of th~ con~rol program for con~oller 110 which h~n~les ~h~
entenng of data for thc screen display of FIGURE 3c. I~e routine is entered from other key code h~n~ling porlions Of tlhe program a~ s~ep 400. At step 405 a decision is made as to whether the keycode co~ )onds to the enter VCR SETUP cboice from the sc~een display of FIGURE 3b (or even from o~er areas of the ~o~,l~n, if so provided). If so, the YES path is ~en to step 410 which d~t.,.-nih,~s if the VCR SET UP sc~eell (Figure 3c3 is displayed. If it is already displayed, ~hen the routine is exited at 3 ~ Step 495. If not, then the YCR SETUP screen is writ~en to OSD
memory, the eop line (line 0) of the display is highlighted, a line coun~ is set ~o zero, a digit count is set to 0 (step 415), and the roudne is exited. The line count keeps track of which display line is beirlg addressed by the user. The digit count is used in entering the most si~nipie~flt :lnd the least sign;fic~n~ digits of the ~h~nnP~l Dumb~. If the NO path is ta~en from step 405, then ~he received keycode is checked to see if it is ~he an~enna (ANT) keycode ~step 420). If it is the ANT keycode, theD a check is -8- RCA 85,408 made to see if the ch~nnel number for the current line is an channel m~mber (step 421). If so, the ~n~enn~ display for the cu~rent line is toggled (i.e., switched from A to B, or B to A) (step 422), and ~he new channel and ~nsenn~ data for the current line is stored in memory (step 424). If the channel nnmher for the cuIrent line is not an RF channel number, then the routine is exited. If the received keycode is not ANT, then the NO path is taken from step 420 to step 428. If the keycode is a numenc keycode (step 428), then the number coll~sponding to th~
10 k~code is stored according to the digit count. Tlha2 is, if the digit count is 0, then the 1~,C6ivG~d number is stored i~ the mos~
significant posidon of the channel number field of the cu~ent line OI the display screen of FIGURE 3c (step 430~. The digit count is increm~nte~l (step 432), an~ checked for 15 sverflow (step 434). If the digit count is not greater ehan 1, then the rou~ine is exited. If it is greater than 1 (oYerflow), then it is set to 0 (step 436). If cu~ent line count is equal to 3 (the S-VIDEO lino~ (step 438), then a check is made to see if the cha~nel number just entered is 91 through 93 (step 440). If so, then the 20 chan~el number is st~red (step 440). It is also stored when the No pat}l is taken ~rom decision diamond 438. If~ however, the rlew ch~nnel nunnber is not in the range from 91 through 93, then it is ~>pafe..~ly an error, because th~ S-VIDEO input must col1e~ d ~o a bsec~ selectioF~l and not to an RF selectiorl.
2 5 Th~ fo.~" cha~nel ~ bo.~ not in the range from 91-93 are discdl.led and the old channel number for that loca~on is re-displayed (step 444). If the NO path is ~ken from decision r~ 428, then the received keycode is che~ l to see if it cols~s~lds to the "+" keycode (step 446). If not, the c~mm~nfl 3 0 is ignored ~step 448) ~nd thç routine i5 exited at step 485 (which may in fact be the same e~cit location as step 495). If the "+" key is received, the~ the line count is increrr~n~ed (step 450) and checked for overflow (step 452). If the line count is greater than 3, then overflow has ~c~led, and the line count is rese~ to zero 3 5 (step 454). If the line count has not overflowed, or if program execution passed through step 454, then the apylo~iate line of the display screen of FIGURE 3c is highlighted according to ~he line count (s~ep 456~, and the rou~ine exi~ed. Resetting the line -9- RCA 85,408 L0~86 count at ~tep 454 allows the program to "wrap arou~d" by "a~lvancilJg" ~rom line 3 directly to lirle 0.
'rhe flowchart of FIGURE 5 illustrates how the proper - input te~minal, antenna selection, and eharmel number are S ~ccessed whel~ a pa~icular devic~ is selecte~ by a user. The routine of ~;IGURE S is entered at step ~00 ~rom other portions of the control pro~ram of con~roller 110. At step SC\5 the received keycode is checke~l to see if it is the "VCRl ONn keycode (sent for example by ~e remote contfol unit when VCR1 key X06 of 10 k~ylJoar~l 200 is pressed). If it is, then the VCR1 area of memory is read to re~icve the antenna and channel number-da~
p~eviously stored in that location (step ~10). A deter,...~ ion is thon made as to whether the channel number is valid (step S1~).
If not, then the rou~ne is exited at step 595. If ;t is a valid ch~nn9l number, then tho channel is tuned. In blocl6 520 the term channel refers to both RF channels (which require an antenna selection) and the "channels" 91-93 co-lc~pondirlg to baseband video inputs V1-V3, respectively which do not require an antenna selec~ion.
2 0 Flowchart elements 525-540, and 545-560 have functions which co~respond to elements 50~-520 and which need not be desc~ibed again in detail.
A portion of the audio/video input switching routines is shown in detail in ~IGURE 6. This roudne is ente~ed at step 600, and a detelll,ination is made at step 605 as to whether the signal input swi~chzs of PI(3URE 1 are curren~ly set a~ a value equal to the S-VIDEO ch~nnel value from the S-VIDEO area of y. For e~m~, if the VCR desi~n~te~ as VCRl is an S-VHS device, and is cQnT~cted to the AUX1 (i.e., channel 91) input t~ QalS then the S-VID~EO input would also be set to "channel"
91. When ch~nn~l 91 is selecte~ either by pressing VCRl key 206 or by entenrlg the ch~nnel number 91 via the digit keys 202, then the S-VHS video signal will be selected instead of the composite video signal at the AUX1 video input connector. If the YES path is taken from step 605, then the S-VIDEO inpu~
circui~y is enabled (step 610). However, if the NO path is taken, then the S-~II)EO circui~y is not enabled (or is disabled if previously enabled) (step 620). The enabling of the S-VIDEO
-10- RCA 85,408 e~uiLl~ is ~eGQmrlished by genera~ g the S-VIDEO SELECT
signal lefc~led to abvve. The rou~ine is exited at step 695.
Thus, a sys~em is provided which enables a user to freely choose which of several input te~nin~l~ is to be ~soei~ted 5 with which of several signal sourc~s, wi~hout beillg forced to assigrl particular devices to s~ci~le input ~e~ als. The disclosed system also provides ease of use in thalt the television r~ceivel automatisally selects ~he prope~ inpllt configuration when a signal source de~/ice is 1 0 selected.
While ~he inven~ion was described with re~rence to a video switGhing embo~ in a television recei~er, it is herein recognized that i~ is also applicable to an audio only swi~ehiL~g system, or to a combina~ion of audio and video 1 5 switehing.
Claims (5)
1. A signal switching arrangement for a television receiver, comprising:
a first input terminal for receiving a first signal;
a second input terminal for receiving a second signal;
means for entering data representative of the association of one of a plurality of external signal sources with one of said input terminals in response to activation by a user memory means for storing said data;
switch means having a first input coupled to said first input terminal for receiving said first signal, a second input coupled to said second input terminal for receiving said second signal, a control terminal for receiving a switching control signal, and an output for developing a signal selected from said first and second signals in response to said control signal; and control means coupled to said switch means and having an input for receiving control signals related to a first one of said external signal sources and to a second one of said external signal sources, and an output for developing said switching control signal in response to the detection of said control signals related to one of said external signal sources, and in response to said user-entered data associating said one of said external signal sources with one of said input terminals.
a first input terminal for receiving a first signal;
a second input terminal for receiving a second signal;
means for entering data representative of the association of one of a plurality of external signal sources with one of said input terminals in response to activation by a user memory means for storing said data;
switch means having a first input coupled to said first input terminal for receiving said first signal, a second input coupled to said second input terminal for receiving said second signal, a control terminal for receiving a switching control signal, and an output for developing a signal selected from said first and second signals in response to said control signal; and control means coupled to said switch means and having an input for receiving control signals related to a first one of said external signal sources and to a second one of said external signal sources, and an output for developing said switching control signal in response to the detection of said control signals related to one of said external signal sources, and in response to said user-entered data associating said one of said external signal sources with one of said input terminals.
20 The signal switching arrangement of Claim 1 wherein one of said external signal sources may be coupled to said signal switching arrangement via an S-video input terminal.
3. The signal switching arrangement of Claim 1 wherein said control means is a microprocessor.
4. The signal switching arrangement of Claim 1 wherein one of said control signals related to a first one of said external signal sources is a VCR-ON command.
5. The signal switching arrangement of Claim 1 wherein:
said first input terminal is an RF input terminal for receiving a plurality of RF signals;
said second input terminal is a baseband input terminal for receiving a first baseband signal; and further comprising tuner-demodulator means coupled to said first input terminal for receiving said plurality of RF signals, selecting one of said RF signals and converting said RF signal to an IF signal at an output in response to a tuner control signal, said control means for generating said tuner control signal in response to said tuner control data entered by said user; and IF amplifier and detector means coupled to said tuner-demodulator means for receiving said IF signal and producing at a detector output a second baseband signal;
said switch means having a first input coupled to said baseband input terminal for receiving said first baseband signal, a second input coupled to said detector output for receiving said second baseband signal, a control terminal for receiving said switching control signal, and an output for developing a signal selected from said first and second baseband signals in response to said control signal.
said first input terminal is an RF input terminal for receiving a plurality of RF signals;
said second input terminal is a baseband input terminal for receiving a first baseband signal; and further comprising tuner-demodulator means coupled to said first input terminal for receiving said plurality of RF signals, selecting one of said RF signals and converting said RF signal to an IF signal at an output in response to a tuner control signal, said control means for generating said tuner control signal in response to said tuner control data entered by said user; and IF amplifier and detector means coupled to said tuner-demodulator means for receiving said IF signal and producing at a detector output a second baseband signal;
said switch means having a first input coupled to said baseband input terminal for receiving said first baseband signal, a second input coupled to said detector output for receiving said second baseband signal, a control terminal for receiving said switching control signal, and an output for developing a signal selected from said first and second baseband signals in response to said control signal.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/340,980 US4996597A (en) | 1989-04-20 | 1989-04-20 | User programmable switching arrangement |
| US340,980 | 1989-04-20 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2010686A1 CA2010686A1 (en) | 1990-10-20 |
| CA2010686C true CA2010686C (en) | 1999-06-01 |
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ID=23335751
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002010686A Expired - Lifetime CA2010686C (en) | 1989-04-20 | 1990-02-22 | User programmable switching arrangement |
Country Status (7)
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|---|---|
| US (1) | US4996597A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0393664B1 (en) |
| JP (2) | JP2741278B2 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR0152660B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2010686C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69031767T2 (en) |
| SG (1) | SG108205A1 (en) |
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-
1989
- 1989-04-20 US US07/340,980 patent/US4996597A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1990
- 1990-02-22 CA CA002010686A patent/CA2010686C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-04-17 KR KR1019900005323A patent/KR0152660B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1990-04-19 JP JP2105109A patent/JP2741278B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-04-19 DE DE69031767T patent/DE69031767T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-04-19 EP EP90107428A patent/EP0393664B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-04-19 SG SG9601906A patent/SG108205A1/en unknown
-
1992
- 1992-09-04 JP JP4262936A patent/JP2891273B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4996597A (en) | 1991-02-26 |
| JP2891273B2 (en) | 1999-05-17 |
| KR0152660B1 (en) | 1998-10-15 |
| SG108205A1 (en) | 2005-01-28 |
| DE69031767T2 (en) | 1998-06-25 |
| JP2741278B2 (en) | 1998-04-15 |
| EP0393664B1 (en) | 1997-12-03 |
| EP0393664A2 (en) | 1990-10-24 |
| JPH05219454A (en) | 1993-08-27 |
| JPH02295384A (en) | 1990-12-06 |
| DE69031767D1 (en) | 1998-01-15 |
| EP0393664A3 (en) | 1991-01-23 |
| CA2010686A1 (en) | 1990-10-20 |
| KR900017381A (en) | 1990-11-16 |
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Effective date: 20100222 |