System and method for a programmable multimedia controller

Abstract

A programmable multimedia controller, including audio and video switches, controls audio video, telephony, data, security, motor-operated, relay-operated, and / or other types of devices. Modules of the controller receive and output audio and video in a number of analog and digital formats, allowing the system to be interconnected to a wide range of devices. Small form factor general purpose personal computers may be operatively connected to provide processing power for the system, and to execute application programs. Further, a personal DVD player, or another device capable of displaying data and generating an audio output in response to user selection, may be used to control the programmable multimedia controller as part of embedded control technique. Additionally, a video overlay feature which allows video images, still frames, graphics, and / or text to be overlaid at any desired location of a display screen, is provided in some embodiments.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to device interoperability and control, and more particularly to a programmable multimedia controller. Background technique [0002] Recently, the complexity of consumer electronic devices has increased dramatically as the cost of electronic hardware has dropped and new media have been introduced. While such advances provide users with new capabilities at ever-decreasing costs, they also create additional issues in terms of interconnectivity, interoperability, and control. [0003] For example, a user could once "wire" a home stereo system with a minimal number of connections. This connection is usually an analog cable or simple wire. The stereo system lacks the ability to interoperate with other devices, and its controls are rudimentary, limited to analog dials and buttons on the front of the unit. Audio components now support multichannel surround sound and a variety of analog and video interconnect formats...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Many existing solutions have proven cost-prohibitive, inflexible, and difficult to configure, requiring software engineers or other specialized programmers to make even small configuration changes to the system

[0007] As a result, many home and business users do not take full advantage of the capabilities of their electronic devices, which are only minimally interconnected and controlled in only rudimentary ways

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