External Storage Device Menu Display via Host Video Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of portable external storage devices face challenges in viewing content items or menus without access to a microcomputer, as these devices often lack display screens or have limited display capabilities, making it difficult to browse or select content items on devices like televisions or digital projectors.
Innovation Solution
A host video display device that receives a video signal from an external storage device via a device port, allowing it to mix and display the signal with existing video streams, enabling users to view content item listings or menus on a larger screen without interrupting the current video playback, and a multi-mode external storage device that detects host types to provide file system, menu, or content presentation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If portable external storage devices lack display screens or have limited display capabilities, then device simplicity and portability are improved, but the ability to view content items or menus directly on the device deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a television or display device as an intermediary between the portable external storage device and the user's viewing experience. The storage device couples with the television via a device port, allowing the television to display content items, menus, or video signals from the storage device, thereby enabling viewing capability without adding a screen to the portable device itself.
2Ease of operation
If users couple external storage device to microcomputer to view content, then content viewing capability is improved, but requirement for additional equipment and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the television or display device serve multiple functions: it acts as both a video display device for watching content and a host device for receiving and displaying content from the portable external storage device. This eliminates the need for a separate microcomputer, as the television performs both roles.
3Weight of moving object
If external storage device has no screen or limited display, then device portability and simplicity are improved, but user interface complexity for browsing content deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The television acts as an intermediary display device that receives video signals from the portable external storage device through a device port. This allows the storage device to maintain its portable, screen-less design while still providing content browsing and viewing capabilities through the television's display.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to display devices, external storage devices and methods of operating the same. In some embodiments, a display device that detects a coupling with an external media device is provided. Before device coupling, the display device displays a video signal from a first source. In response to the detected coupling, the display device may mix or superimpose a video signal received from the external storage device with the video signal from the first source. In some embodiments, a multi-mode external storage device that provides a file download mode, a video menu mode, and a content display mode is disclosed. The external storage device is operative to couple with different types of hosts via a multi-use device port. In response to a detected coupling with a host display device, the external storage device adopts the menu mode, which allows a user to select a given content item for display and/or playback.