Patent ID: 7941821
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A television (TV) comprising a display screen, a circuit coupled to the screen, a control system operating on the circuit and adapted to translate user input TV specific commands to device specific messages to drive a first set of AV input devices via IR signals and drive a second set of input devices via signals communicated over a bidirectional bus when such devices are coupled to the circuit and wherein the first set of AV input devices being incapable of communicating over the bidirectional bus; wherein the control system is adapted to generate a user interface displayable on the display screen, the user interface including a device selection menu corresponding to a plurality of internal AV input devices and external AV input devices when such devices are coupled to the television, and wherein the control system is adapted to direct an audio and/or video signal from a first source device of a plurality of input AV devices to the television via device specific output messages transmitted from the control system to the plurality of input AV devices and, in response to a user input TV specific command, switch to directing a signal from a second source device of the plurality of input AV devices to the television, wherein the first and second source devices include one device selected from the first set of input AV devices and one selected from the second set of input AV devices.