Patent Publication Number: US-8994816-B2

Title: O/S application based multiple device access windowing display

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     This patent application is a CONTINUATION of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/774,482, filed May 5, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,990,414, which is a CONTINUATION of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/874,680, filed Jun. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,724,279, which claims benefit from and priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/504,872, filed Sep. 22, 2003. The contents of each of the above-identified applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This patent application is related to U.S patent application Ser. No. 10/885,404, and titled “MULTIPLE DEVICE ACCESS WINDOWING DISPLAY”. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     [Not Applicable] 
    
    
     SEQUENCE LISTING 
     [Not Applicable] 
     MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE 
     [Not Applicable] 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In a dynamic network environment, video resources and their associated users may generally freely enter and leave the network. In various scenarios, demand for video output display services may exceed the supply for such services. 
     For example, a user of a handheld computing device may enter a room and desire to utilize a video display resource to view email information. Another user may, for example, desire to utilize the video display resource to display motion picture video information from a DVD player. Still another user may, for example, desire to utilize the video display resource to view a presentation that the user is developing on a laptop computing system. In general, a plurality of users in such a dynamic network environment may desire to view respective information (e.g., textual information, graphical information, static pictorial information, and motion picture information). In various scenarios, for example, the plurality of users may have to compete for limited video output resources. 
     Further, various devices capable of sourcing video information may operate according to a wide array of communication protocols and utilize various communication media. Accordingly, various video output resources may be capable of communicating with various video source devices and incapable of communicating with various other source devices. 
     Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Various aspects of the present invention provide a system and method for providing access to a video display for multiple devices. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise receiving a first video data signal through a first data communication interface and a second video data signal through a second data communication interface. The first and second video data signals may correspond to respective first and second video images. The first and second video data signals may, for example, comprise any of a variety of video data signal characteristics (e.g., media, protocol, encoding, modulation, data rate, etc.). 
     A processor module of the display system (or respective sub-modules thereof) may process the first and second video data signals to form respective first and second display windows in a composite display. The first display window may correspond to the first video image, and the second display window may correspond to the second video image. For example, the processor module may determine respective video data from the first and second video data signals. The processor module may, for example, transform the video data corresponding to the first video image into video information of the first display window. The processor module may, for example, transform the video data corresponding to the second video image into video information of the second display window. Video information of the first and second windows may also, for example, comprise graphics information. 
     The processor module may, for example, generate a video display signal comprising information of the first display window and information of the second display window. For example, the processor module may combine information of the first display window and information of the second display window into information of a composite display image. Such information may be converted into a video display signal. 
     The video display signal may then, for example, be communicated to an output display driver. The output display driver may then, for example, drive one or more display devices to present the first and second display windows on the display device(s). Though generally described using two-window examples, various aspects of the present invention are generally extendible to n-window scenarios. 
     Various aspects of the present invention also may provide for automatic or manual control of various features of the first and second windows. For example, a window control module may interface with a user or a system component to determine various features of the first and second display windows. 
     These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of illustrative aspects thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an exemplary system comprising a multiple device access windowing display, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing an exemplary system comprising a multiple device access windowing display, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for providing a multiple device access windowing display, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for providing a multiple device access windowing display, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an exemplary system  100  comprising an exemplary multiple device access windowing display, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary system  100  may comprise an exemplary display system  110 , first video source  150 , second video source  160  and third video source  170 . 
     The exemplary display system  110  may, for example, comprise a first data communication interface  120 , second data communication interface  125  and third data communication interface  130 . The display system  110  may; for example, comprise a processor module  140  and an output display driver  115 . The exemplary display system  110  may also, for example, comprise one or more video display devices  180 . Note however, that the various components of the exemplary display system  110  need not be grouped as a single physical entity or in any particular physical arrangement. 
     The first data communication interface  120  may, for example, be communicatively coupled to the first video source  150 . The first video source  150  may, for example, comprise an internal video source coupled to a data communication interface. The data communication interface of the first video source  150  may, for example, communicate a first video data signal to the first data communication interface  120  of the display system  110 . The first video data signal may correspond to a first video image (static or dynamic). 
     For example and without limitation, the data communication interface of the first video source  150  may comprise general data communication circuitry. Such data communication circuitry may, for example and without limitation, share various characteristics with data communication circuitry found on any of a large variety of data communication cards and network interface cards. Additional exemplary characteristics regarding the first video source  150  will be provided in the following discussion of the exemplary system  200  of  FIG. 2 . 
     The first video data signal may, for example, comprise characteristics of any of a large number of standard and proprietary data communication signal types. Such characteristics may, for example, comprise media characteristics (e.g., wired, wireless RF, tethered optical, non-tethered optical, etc.). Such characteristics may also, for example, comprise protocol characteristics (e.g., Ethernet, token ring, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Ultra Wideband, etc.). Such characteristics may further, for example, comprise modulation characteristics (e.g., QPSK, QAM, nQAM, etc.). Such characteristics may, for example, comprise encoding characteristics (e.g., MPEG, JPEG, WMV, etc.). Such characteristics may, for example, also comprise encryption characteristics (e.g., public key, private key, symmetric, asymmetric, frequency hopping, etc.). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by particular characteristics of a video data signal. 
     Various characteristics of the first video data signal communicated between the first video source  150  and the first data communication interface  120  may depend on aspects of the display system  110 . For example, upon establishment of a communication link between the first video source  150  and the first data communication interface  120 , the first video source  150  may handshake with the first data communication interface  120  to determine various characteristics of the communication link. Such characteristics may, for example, comprise data rate, modulation type, error detection/correction strategy, encoding type, secure communication measures, etc. Alternatively, for example, in an exemplary scenario where the first video source  150  is only capable of one type of video data communication, various characteristics of the video data signal communicated between the first video source  150  and the first data communication interface  120  may be fixed. 
     The exemplary display system  110  may comprise a second data communication interface  125 . The second data communication interface  125  may, for example, comprise any of the exemplary characteristics discussed previously with regard to the first data communication interface  120 . It should be emphasized, however, that the second data communication interface  125  need not be identical to the first data communication interface  120 . For example and without limitation, the first data communication interface  120  may comprise an IEEE 802.11 wireless interface, while the second data communication interface  125  may comprise a wired Ethernet interface. 
     Similarly, the second video source  160  may, for example, comprise any of the exemplary characteristics discussed previously with regard to the first video source  150  discussed previously. Also, the communication link between the second data communication interface  125  and the second video source  160  may, for example, comprise any of the exemplary characteristics discussed previously with regard to the communication link between the first data communication interface  120  and the first video source  150 . Note, however, that the second video source  160  and communication link between the second video source  160  and the second data communication interface  125  need not exhibit the same characteristics as the first video source  150  and communication link between the first video source  150  and the first data communication interface  120 . 
     The exemplary display system  110  may comprise a third data communication interface  130 . The third data communication interface  130  may, for example, comprise any of the exemplary characteristics discussed previously with regard to the first data communication interface  120 . It should be emphasized, however, that the third data communication interface  130  need not be identical to the first data communication interface  120 . For example and without limitation, the first data communication interface  120  may comprise an IEEE 802.15 wireless interface, while the third data communication interface  130  may comprise a wired T1 interface. 
     Similarly, the third video source  170  may, for example, comprise any of the exemplary characteristics discussed previously with regard to the first video source  150  discussed previously. Also, the communication link between the third data communication interface  130  and the third video source  170  may, for example, comprise any of the exemplary characteristics discussed previously with regard to the communication link between the first data communication interface  120  and the first video source  150  discussed previously. Note, however, that the third video source  170  and communication link between the third video source  170  and the third data communication interface  130  need not exhibit the same characteristics as the first video source  150  and communication link between the first video source  150  and the first data communication interface  120 . 
     The display system  110  may comprise a processor module  140  that generates a video display signal comprising information of a various display windows. For example and without limitation, the processor module  140  may receive first video data from the first data communication interface  120  that is representative of a first video image. Also for example, the processor module  140  may receive second video data from the second data communication interface  125  that is representative of a second video image. 
     Additionally, for example, the processor module  140  may receive further video data from one or more other video sources (e.g., third video data from the third data communication interface  130 , originating from the third video source  170 ). The following discussion will generally discuss a two-window video display scenario. However, it should be understood that various two-window aspects discussed herein are readily extendible to three-window and n-window video display scenarios. 
     Note that the following discussion will generally utilize the phrase “video image” to mean static or dynamic video image. That is, a “video image” may comprise a moving picture, static image, frame of a moving picture, paused moving picture, scrolling document view, etc. 
     The processor module  140  may generate information of a first display window that corresponds to the first video image. For example, the processor module  140  may comprise a first sub-module (e.g., a first window generating sub-module) that generates such information. The processor module  140  may, for example, transform first video data of the first video image to reflect an image of particular spatial dimensions (e.g., by sub-sampling or interpolating). For example, the processor module  140  may fit first video data of the first video image to the spatial dimensions of the first display window, thereby generating first window data. 
     The processor module  140  may generate information of a second display window that corresponds to the second video image. For example, the processor module  140  may comprise a second sub-module (e.g., a second window generating sub-module) that generates such information. The processor module  140  may, for example, transform second video data of the second video image to reflect an image of particular spatial dimensions (e.g., by sub-sampling or interpolating). For example, the processor module  140  may fit second video data of the second video image to the spatial dimensions of the second display window, thereby generating second window data. 
     Additionally, for example, the processor module  140  may similarly generate information of a third display window that corresponds to a third video image and/or an nth display window that corresponds to an nth video image. 
     The dimensions and placement of the first and second (or n) display windows may, for example, be generated automatically (e.g., according to default window characteristic settings) or may be controlled by a user via a window control interface. Aspects of an exemplary window control interface will be discussed later in the discussion of the exemplary system  200  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The processor module  140  may generate a video display signal comprising information of the first display window and information of the second display window (and additional windows if necessary). For example, the processor module  140  may comprise a third sub-module to perform, such signal generation. Such signal generation may, for example, comprise combining, mixing or overlaying data related to the first and second display windows. The video display signal may generally, for example, correspond to a video display image comprising information of at least a portion of the first display window (and/or related graphics) and at least a portion of the second display window (and/or related graphics). 
     The processor module  140  may generally generate a video display signal comprising information related to the first display window and information related to the second display window. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular signal or information processing (e.g., signal/information transforming, combining or generating). 
     The display system  110  may, for example, comprise a graphics generator communicatively coupled to the processor module  140 . For example, in an exemplary scenario where the second display window is represented by an icon, the video display signal generated by the processor module  140  may comprise graphical information of the icon instead of, or in addition to, information of the second display window. Also, in an exemplary scenario where the processor module  140  receives information related to a third video (or nth video), the video display signal may comprise information of a third display window (or nth display window). 
     The processor module  140  may communicate the generated video display signal to the output display driver  115 . The output display driver  115  may, for example, comprise any of a variety of display driving circuitry. For example, the output display driver  115  may comprise component video display driving circuitry or composite video display driving circuitry. The output display driver  115  may, for example, comprise one or more display buffers and associated signal processing circuitry. The output display driver  115  may, for example, comprise circuitry characteristic of computer graphics card circuitry, or DVD player display driving circuitry. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular display driving circuitry. 
     As mentioned previously, the exemplary display system  110  may comprise one or more video display devices  180 . Note, however, that the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by the existence of one or more video display devices  180  or by whether the video display device(s)  180  and other components of the exemplary system  110  are enclosed in the same physical housing. The output display driver  115  may, for example, communicate display driving signals corresponding to the video display signal generated by the processor module  140  to the video display device(s)  180  using any of a variety of media and protocols. Such media may, for example and without limitation, comprise wired, wireless RF, tethered optical, and non-tethered optical communication media. Exemplary protocols and signal types may comprise various composite and component video signals (e.g., a R-G-B signal, a Y-U-V or Y R-Y B-Y signal, a Y-I-Q signal, a Y-C or S-Video signal, a Y-Cr-Cb signal, a Y-Cd1-Cd2 signal, etc.). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of a particular display driver signal or media type. 
     The video display device(s)  180  may then generate a video display image corresponding to the video display signal generated by the processor module  140 . Such a video display image may, for example, comprise a plurality of windows (e.g., a first window corresponding to the first video image and a second window corresponding to the second video image). 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing an exemplary system  200  comprising an exemplary multiple device access windowing display, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary system  200  illustrates various aspects of the present invention not illustrated in the exemplary system  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , and also provides further examples of various aspects illustrated in the exemplary system  100  shown in  FIG. 1  and discussed previously. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular systems or components illustrated in the exemplary system  200  and discussed below. 
     The exemplary system  200  may comprise an exemplary display system  210 , first video source  250 , second video source  260  and third video source  270 . The exemplary system  200  may also comprise a video display device  280  (or multiple video display devices). Note that the video display device  280  and exemplary display system  210  may, for example, be separate or may be combined into a single unit, as illustrated by box  279 . 
     The exemplary display system  210  may, for example, comprise a first data communication interface  211 , second data communication interface  212  and third data communication interface  213 . The display system  210  may, for example, comprise a processor module  240  and an output display driver  246 . The processor module  240 , output display driver  246  and various aspects of the data communication interfaces  211 - 213  may, for example, be separate or integrated into a single module. Note however, that the various components of the exemplary display system  210  need not be grouped as a single physical entity or in any particular physical arrangement. 
     The first data communication interface  211  may, for example, be communicatively coupled to the first video source  250 . The first video source  250  may, for example, comprise an internal video source coupled to a data communication interface  259 . The internal video source may, for example, comprise a central processing unit (“CPU”)  258  operating according to hardware and software or firmware instructions. For example, the first video source  250  may comprise a variety of hardware components (including memory) and operating instructions, including an operating system (“O/S”)  252 , one or more applications  253 , a graphics application program interface (“API”)  254 , and graphics driver  255 . For example and without limitation, the CPU  258  may execute the application(s)  253 , which in turn invokes various graphics API  254  routines, which in turn drive functionality in the graphics driver  255 . The graphics driver  255  may then communicate video information with the data communication interface  259  of the first video source  250 . 
     The data communication interface  259  of the first video source  250  may, for example, communicate a first video data signal to the first data communication interface  211  of the display system  210 . The first video data signal may correspond to a first video image (static or dynamic). The data communication interface  259  of the first video source  250  may, for example, comprise general data communication circuitry. Such data communication circuitry may, for example and without limitation, share various characteristics with data communication circuitry found on any of a large variety of data communication cards and network interface cards. 
     The first video data signal may, for example, comprise characteristics of any of a large number of standard and proprietary data communication signal types. Such characteristics may, for example, comprise media characteristics (e.g., wired, wireless RF, tethered optical, non-tethered optical, etc.). Such characteristics may also, for example, comprise protocol characteristics (e.g., Ethernet, token ring, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Ultra Wideband, etc.). Such characteristics may further, for example, comprise modulation characteristics (e.g., QPSK, QAM, nQAM, etc.). Such characteristics may, for example, comprise encoding characteristics (e.g., MPEG, JPEG, WMV, etc.). Such characteristics may, for example, also comprise encryption characteristics (e.g., public key, private key, symmetric, asymmetric, frequency hopping, etc.). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by particular characteristics of a video data signal. 
     Various characteristics of the first video data signal communicated between the first video source  250  and the first data communication interface  211  may depend on aspects of the display system  210 . For example, upon establishment of a communication link between the first video source  250  and the first data communication interface  211 , the first video source  250  may handshake with the first data communication interface  211  to determine various characteristics of the communication link. Such characteristics may, for example, comprise data rate, modulation type, error detection/correction strategy, encoding type, secure communication measures, etc. Alternatively, for example, in an exemplary scenario where the first video source  250  is only capable of one type of video data communication, various characteristics of the video data signal communicated between the first video source  250  and the first data communication interface  211  may be fixed. 
     The exemplary display system  210  may comprise a second data communication interface  212 . The second data communication interface  212  may, for example, comprise any of the exemplary characteristics discussed previously with regard to the first data communication interface  211 . It should be emphasized, however, that the second data communication interface  212  need not be identical to the first data communication interface  211 . For example and without limitation, the first data communication interface  211  may comprise an interface based on the wireless IEEE 802.11 standard, while the second data communication interface  212  may comprise an interface based on a wired Ethernet standard. Similarly, the second video source  260  may, for example, comprise any of the exemplary characteristics discussed previously with regard to the first video source  250 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the second data communication interface  212  may, for example, be communicatively coupled to the second video source  260 . The second video source  260  may, for example, comprise an internal video source coupled to a data communication interface  269 . The internal video source of the second video source  260  may, for example, comprise a processor  268  operating according to hardware and software or firmware instructions. For example and without limitation, the processor  268  may execute instructions to generate video information. The processor  268  may, for example, execute a display processing application  263 , which in turn may interface with the data communication interface  269  to generate a second video data signal. 
     The communication link between the second data communication interface  212  and the data communication interface  269  of the second video source  260  may, for example, comprise any of the exemplary characteristics discussed previously with regard to the communication link between the first data communication interface  211  and the first video source  250 . Note, however, that the second video source  260  and communication link between the second video source  260  and the second data communication interface  212  need not exhibit the same characteristics as the first video source  250  and communication link between the first video source  250  and the first data communication interface  211 . 
     The exemplary display system  210  may comprise a third data communication interface  213 . The third data communication interface  213  may, for example, comprise any of the exemplary characteristics discussed previously with regard to the first and second data communication interfaces  211 - 212 . It should be emphasized, however, that the third data communication interface  213  need not be identical to either of the first or second data communication interfaces  211 - 212 . For example and without limitation, the first data communication interface  211  may comprise an interface based on IEEE 802.15, the second data communication interface  212  may comprise an interface based on T1, and the third data communication interface  213  may comprise an interface based on Ethernet. Similarly, the third video source  270  may, for example, comprise any of the exemplary characteristics discussed previously with regard to the first and second video sources  250 ,  260  discussed previously. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the third data communication interface  213  may, for example, be communicatively coupled to the third video source  270 . The third video source  270  may, for example, comprise an internal video source coupled to a data communication interface  279 . The internal video source of the third video source  270  may, for example, comprise a CPU  278  operating according to an embedded application  274  and embedded boot code instructions  272 . For example and without limitation, the CPU  278  may execute the embedded boot code instructions  272  and application instructions  274 , which in turn may generate video information and drive the data communication interface  279  to generate a third video data signal. 
     The communication link between the third data communication interface  213  and the third video source  270  may, for example, comprise any of the exemplary characteristics discussed previously with regard to the communication links between the first data communication interface  211  and the first video source  250  and between the second data communication interface  212  and the second video source  260 . Note, however, that the third video source  270  and communication link between the third video source  270  and the third data communication interface  213  need not exhibit the same characteristics as the first video source  250 , second video source  260  and respective communication links with the first data communication interface  211  and the second data communication interface  212 . 
     As mentioned previously, the communication interface between the first data communication interface  211  of the display system  210  and the data communication interface  259  of the first video source  250  may comprise a wireless communication link (e.g., an RF or non-tethered optical communication link). The second  212  and third  213  data communication interfaces may also comprise such a link. The exemplary display system  210 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , comprises a wireless processing module  215  communicatively coupled to the first data communication interface  211 . The wireless processing module  215  may, for example, perform wireless communication link processing in the event that a communication link with the first data communication interface  211  is based on wireless technology. 
     The exemplary display system  210  may also, for example, comprise respective decoding modules  221 - 222  corresponding to some or all of the data communication interfaces  211 - 212 . For example, the decoding modules  221 - 222  may provide general data detecting, decoding and processing functionality associated with respective video data signals received by the respective data communication interfaces  211 - 212 . Note, however, that the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by the existence of, or characteristics of, particular signal decoding functionality or apparatus. 
     The display system  210  may comprise a processor module  240  that generates a video display signal comprising information received from a plurality of data communication interfaces. For example and without limitation, the processor module  240  may receive first video data from the first data communication interface  211  (and/or associated signal processing modules) that is representative of a first video image from the first video source  250 . Also for example, the processor module  240  may receive second video data from the second data communication interface  212  (and/or associated signal processing modules) that is representative of a second video image from the second video source  260 . Additionally, for example, the processor module  240  may receive third video data from the third data communication interface  213  (and/or associated signal processing modules) that is representative of a third video image from the third video source  270 . 
     Additionally, for example, the processor module  240  may receive further video data from one or more other video sources (e.g., an nth video data signal from an nth data communication interface, originating from an nth video source). The following discussion will generally discuss a three-window video display scenario. However, it should be understood that various three-window aspects discussed herein are readily extendible to n-window video display scenarios. 
     The processor module  240  may generate information of a first display window that corresponds to the first video image from the first video source  250 . For example, the processor module  240  may comprise a first sub-module (e.g., a first window generating sub-module) that generates such information. For example, the processor module  240  may transform first video data of the first video image to reflect an image of particular spatial dimensions (e.g., by sub-sampling or interpolating). For example, the processor module  240  may fit first video data of the first video image to the spatial dimensions of the first display window. 
     The processor module  240  may generate information of a second display window that corresponds to the second video image from the second video source  260 . For example, the processor module  240  may comprise a second sub-module (e.g., a second window generating sub-module) that generates such information. For example, the processor module  240  may transform second video data of the second video image to reflect an image of particular spatial dimensions (e.g., by sub-sampling or interpolating). For example, the processor module  240  may fit second video data of the second video image to the spatial dimensions of the second display window. 
     The processor module  240  may generate information of a third display window that corresponds to the third video image from the third video source  270 . For example, the processor module  240  may comprise a third sub-module (e.g., a third window generating sub-module) that generates such information. For example, the processor module  240  may transform third video data of the third video image to reflect an image of particular spatial dimensions (e.g., by sub-sampling or interpolating). For example, the processor module  240  may fit third video data of the third video image to the spatial dimensions of the third display window. Additionally, for example, the processor module  240  may similarly generate infatuation of an nth display window that corresponds to an nth video image. 
     The dimensions of the first, second and third (or nth) display windows may, for example, be generated automatically (e.g., according to default window dimension settings) or may be controlled by a user via a window control interface. The exemplary display system  210  may comprise a control module  230  (e.g., a window control module) that receives window control information. The window control module  230  may provide such window control information to the processor module  240  or other module of the exemplary system  210 . Such window control information may, for example, comprise information of window spatial characteristics. Such spatial characteristics may, for example, comprise window dimension information and window placement information. The window control information may also, for example, comprise information related to maximizing and minimizing windows, window layering, and reducing windows to icons and vice versa. 
     The exemplary system  200  illustrates a remote control device  232  that is communicatively coupled to the window control module  230 . A user may, for example, utilize such a remote control device  232 , or alternatively a control feature coupled to a component of the display system  210  or a video source device  250 ,  260 ,  270  to communicate window control information to the display system  210 . In an exemplary scenario, a user may enter a window sizing command with the remote control device  232 , which the window control module  230  receives and processes. The window control module  230  may then communicate information of the exemplary window sizing command to the processor module  240 . 
     In general, the window control module  230  may receive a window control signal and determine spatial and other characteristics of a window based on such a window control signal. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of a particular window control processing method, a window control signal interface, or a particular apparatus utilized by a user or system to generate and communicate a window control signal. For example and without limitation, the window control module  230  may be configured to receive window control signals from any of the data communication interfaces  211 - 213 . In an exemplary scenario, the window control module  230  may receive window control information from the first video source  250  through the first data communication interface  211 . 
     The processor module  240  may generate a video display signal comprising information of the first display window, information of the second display window and information of the third display window (and additional windows if necessary). For example, the processor module  240  may comprise a fourth sub-module to perform such signal generation. Such signal generation may, for example, comprise combining or mixing data related to the first, second and third display windows. The video display signal may generally, for example, correspond to a video display image comprising information of at least a portion of the first display window (and/or related graphics), at least a portion of the second display window (and/or related graphics), and at least a portion of the third display window (and/or related graphics). 
     The exemplary processor module  240  illustrated in  FIG. 2  comprises a CPU  241  and a memory module  242 . The memory module  242  may, for example, store processing instructions related to an operating system  243 , one or more applications  244  and communication drivers  245  for communicating with the various data communication interfaces  211 - 213  and related components. The CPU  241  may, for example, execute application  244  and/or operating system  243  instructions to generate the video display signal output from the processor module  240 . 
     For example and without limitation, the memory module  242  (e.g., comprising the O/S  243 , application(s)  244 , or communication drivers  245 ) may comprise processing instructions for generalized communication of video data or customized communication of video data. By way of example, the memory module  242  may comprise processing instructions customized for communicating video information between the processor module  240  and a particular application  274  that the CPU  278  of the third video source  270  is executing to generate the third video image. For example, the processor module  240  and a video source may have such compatible applications. Also by way of example, the memory module  242  may comprise processing instructions customized for communicating video information between the processor module  240  and the graphics driver  255  of the first video source  250 . Further by way of example, the memory module  242  may comprise processing instructions generalized for communicating data between the processor module  240  and any generic device communicatively coupled thereto. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular generalized or customized instructions that the processor module  240  may execute. 
     The processor module  240  may generally generate a video display signal comprising information related to the first, second and third display windows. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular signal or information processing (e.g., signal/information transforming, combining or generating). 
     The video system  210  may, for example, comprise a graphics generator  233  communicatively coupled to the processor module  240 . For example, in an exemplary scenario where the second window is represented by an icon, the graphics generator  233  may communicate icon graphic information to the processor module  240 . The processor module  240  may then, for example, incorporate such icon graphic information into the video display signal output from the processor module  240 . 
     Also for example, the graphics generator  233  may also generate other graphical components related to the windows, including but not limited to window framing graphics, window control graphics, and cursor graphics. The graphics generator  233  may communicate such graphical information to the processor module  240 , which may then incorporate such graphical information into the video display signal output from the processor module  240 . In general, the graphics generator  233  may generate graphical information corresponding to a variety of video graphics that the processor module  240  may incorporate into (or overlay on) the video display signal output from the processor module  240 . Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular graphics or particular apparatus or methods for generating and utilizing such graphics. 
     The processor module  240  may communicate the generated video display signal to the output display driver  246 . The output display driver  246  may, for example, comprise any of a variety of display driving circuitry. For example, the output display driver  246  may comprise component video driving circuitry or composite video driving circuitry. The output display driver  246  may, for example, comprise one or more display buffers and associated video signal processing circuitry. The output display driver  246  may, for example, comprise circuitry characteristic of computer graphics card circuitry or DVD player display driver circuitry. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular display driving circuitry. 
     As mentioned previously, the exemplary video system  210  may comprise one or more video display devices  280 . Note, however, that the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by the existence of one or more video display devices  280  or by whether the video display device(s)  280  and other components of the exemplary system  210  are enclosed in the same physical housing. The video display device(s)  280  may comprise a variety of video display characteristics. For example and without limitation, the video display device(s)  280  may comprise multiple screens or a single screen, an LCD display, a plasma display or a CRT. 
     The output display driver  246  may, for example, communicate one or more display driver signals corresponding to the video display signal generated by the processor module  240  to the video display device(s)  280  using any of a variety of media and protocols, such as, for example, those discussed previously with regard to the output display driver  115  of the system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of a particular interface between the output display driver  246  and a video display. 
     The video display device(s)  280  may receive the display driver signal from the output display driver  246  and generate a video image corresponding to the video display signal generated by the processor module  240 . Such a video image may, for example, comprise a video display image comprising a plurality of display windows (e.g., a first display window corresponding to the first video image from the first video source  250 , a second display window corresponding to the second video image from the second video source  260 , and a third display window corresponding to the third video image from the third video source  270 ). 
     The exemplary display device  280  illustrated in  FIG. 2  comprises its own display driver  282  and display driver interface  281  circuitry. In the exemplary system  200 , the display system  210  comprises an output display driver interface  247 , through which the output display driver  246  communicates an output display driver signal to the display  280 . The exemplary display  280  comprises a display driver interface  281  through which the display  280  receives the output display driver signal from the output display driver  246  of the display system  210 . The exemplary display  280  comprises a display driver  282 , including a controller  283  and other support circuitry, which drives the screen  285  to present a visual image to a user. 
     Note that the illustrated configuration for the display device  280  is exemplary, and accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of the exemplary display device  280 , nor by characteristics of the communication pathway between the processor module  240  and the display device  280 . 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating a method  300  for providing a multiple device access windowing display, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The method  300  begins at step  310 . Various events and conditions may cause the method  300  to begin. For example, a user of a video display system or a video source system may request that the video display system display a video image from the video source system. Alternatively, for example, the video display system may be configured to automatically display a video image from a video image source under particular triggering circumstances. Generally, the method  300  may be initiated for a variety of reasons. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular initiating events or conditions. 
     The method  300 , at step  320 , may comprise receiving a first video data signal from a first video source device, where the first video data signal corresponds to a first video image (static or dynamic). For example and without limitation, the first video data signal may originate from a first video source device comprising a TV receiver, laser disk player, laptop computer, computer graphics card, video game, personal digital assistant, telephone, etc. 
     The first video data signal may, for example, comprise characteristics of any of a large number of standard and proprietary data communication signal types. Such characteristics may, for example, comprise media characteristics (e.g., wired, wireless RF, tethered optical, non-tethered optical, etc.). Such characteristics may also, for example, comprise protocol characteristics (e.g., Ethernet, token ring, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Ultra Wideband, etc.). Various protocol characteristics may, for example, comprise characteristics of various general-purpose communication protocols. Such characteristics may further, for example, comprise modulation characteristics (e.g., QPSK, QAM, nQAM, etc.). Such characteristics may, for example, comprise encoding characteristics (e.g., MPEG, JPEG, WMV, etc.). Such characteristics may, for example, also comprise encryption characteristics (e.g., public key, private key, symmetric, asymmetric, frequency hopping, etc.). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by particular characteristics of a video data signal. 
     Various characteristics of the first video data signal received from the first video source device may depend on aspects of the receiving display system. For example, upon establishment of a communication link between the first video source device and the display system, the first video source device may handshake with the display system to determine various characteristics of the communication link. Such characteristics may, for example, comprise data rate, modulation type, error detection/correction strategy, encoding type, secure communication measures, etc. Alternatively, for example, in an exemplary scenario where the first video source device is only capable of one type of video data communication, various characteristics of the video data signal received by the display system from the first video source device may be fixed. 
     The method  300 , at step  330 , may comprise receiving a second video data signal from a second video source device. Step  330  may, for example, comprise various aspects of step  320  discussed previously. It should be emphasized, however, that the second video data signal need not be identical in type to the first video data signal received at step  320 . For example and without limitation, the first video data signal may comprise video data encoded using MPEG encoding and QAM modulation, and the second video data signal may comprise encrypted video frame data communicated according to the IEEE 802.11 standard. 
     Additionally, the communication link over which the second video data signal may be received may, for example, comprise any of the exemplary characteristics discussed previously with regard to the communication link over which the first video data signal may be received. Note, however, that the communication link over which the second video data signal is received at step  330  need not exhibit the same characteristics as the communication link over which the first video data signal is received at step  320 . Nor do respective sources of the second video data signal and the first video data signal necessarily exhibit the same characteristics. 
     Though not illustrated in the exemplary method  300 , the method  300  may comprise receiving a third (or nth) video data signal. The method  300  generally illustrates the receipt and processing of two video data signals for the sake of clarity. However, various aspects of the present invention are readily extendible to receiving and processing one, two, three or more video data signals. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of receiving and processing a particular number of video data signals. 
     The method  300 , at step  340 , may comprise processing the first video data signal to generate video information of a first display window corresponding to the first video image. As mentioned previously, the first video data signal corresponds to a first video image, and generally, the first video data signal may comprise video data describing the first video image. 
     Step  340  may, for example, comprise detecting first video data in the first video data signal (received at step  320 ) and transforming such first video data to fit the first video image to spatial characteristics of the first display window. Step  340  may, for example, comprise decoding video data that has been encoded by the video source device (e.g., according to a video encoding standard, such as MPEG). Step  340  may also, for example, comprise decrypting video data that has been encrypted by the video source device. 
     For example, step  340  may comprise performing spatial transformation processing of the first video data. Such spatial transformation processing may comprise, for example, image data sub-sampling or interpolating. Such spatial transformation processing may comprise, for example, image translation processing and/or processing image data using general or custom transformation matrix processing. 
     In general, step  340  may comprise processing the first video data signal to generate video information of the first display window corresponding to the first video image. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular video signal or video data transformation processes. 
     The method  300 , at step  350 , may comprise processing the second video data signal to generate video information of a second display window corresponding to the second video image. As mentioned previously, the second video data signal corresponds to a second video image, and generally, the second video data signal may comprise video data describing the second video image. Step  350  may, for example, comprise various aspects of step  340  discussed previously. Note, however, that step  350  may comprise performing processing different than step  340 . For example, the second video data signal may comprise a different type of video data signal than the first video data signal. 
     Step  350  may, for example, comprise detecting second video data in the second video data signal (received at step  330 ) and transforming such second video data to fit the second video image to spatial characteristics of the second display window. For example, step  350  may comprise performing spatial transformation processing of the second video data. Such spatial transformation processing may comprise, for example, image data sub-sampling or interpolating. Such spatial transformation processing may comprise, for example, image translation processing and/or processing image information using general or custom transformation matrix processing. 
     In general, step  350  may comprise processing the second video data signal to generate video information of the second display window corresponding to the second video image. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular video signal or video data transformation processes. 
     The dimensions of the first and second (or n) display windows in steps  340  and  350  may, for example, be generated automatically (e.g., according to default window dimension settings) or may be manually controlled by a user via a window control interface. Such a window control interface may, for example, receive a window control signal from a dedicated control device or from a video source device. Various aspects of the control of various window characteristics will be discussed later in the discussion of the method  400  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     The method  300 , at step  360 , may comprise generating an output display driver signal comprising at least a portion of the video information of the first display window and at least a portion of the video information of the second display window. For example, step  360  may comprise combining at least a portion of the first display window information generated at step  340  with at least a portion of the second display window information generated at step  350  into information of a display image comprising at least a portion of the first video image in the first display window and at least a portion of the second video image in the second display window. Such an output display driver signal may, for example, share various characteristics with the output display driver signals output from the output display drivers  115 ,  246  shown in  FIGS. 1-2  and discussed previously. 
     Step  360  may, for example, comprise combining or mixing data related to the first and second display windows. Step  360  may, for example, comprise storing display image information in a video buffer. Step  360  may generally comprise generating an output display driver signal comprising at least a portion of the video information of the first display window and at least a portion of the video information of the second display window. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular data combining or multiplexing techniques that may be utilized to combine window images (information and/or signals) into a composite display image comprising aspects of the various window images. 
     Step  360  may, for example, further comprise incorporating graphics information into the output display driver signal. Such graphics information may, for example, comprise various graphics information related to the first and second display windows. Such graphics information may, for example, comprise window border information, cursor information, scroll bar information, menu information, icon information, etc. For example, in an exemplary scenario, the first and second display windows may be associated with respective icons, and step  360  may comprise incorporating information of the respective icons in addition to (or in place of) information of the first and second display windows in the output display driver signal. Step  360  may, for example, comprise incorporating graphics information, textual information, and other information into the output display driver signal. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular information (graphics or otherwise) additional to window video information that may be incorporated into the output display driver signal. 
     Step  360  may be implemented in any of a variety of ways. For example, step  360  may be implemented utilizing a processor executing software instructions. For example, a processor (or CPU) may execute software instructions for generalized processing of video data or customized processing of video data. For example, step  360  may be implemented utilizing a processor executing an application that is compatible with a corresponding application being executed in a video source device. In general, step  360  may be implemented utilizing hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of a particular implementation of step  360 . 
     The method  300 , at step  370 , may comprise performing further processing. For example, step  370  may comprise providing the output display driver signal generated at step  360  to one or more display devices. Step  370  may, for example, further comprise repeating various steps of the method  300  until a user directs processing to change or halt. 
       FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method  400  for providing a multiple device access windowing display, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary method  400  illustrates various aspects of the present invention not illustrated in the exemplary method  300  shown in  FIG. 3 , and also provides further examples of various aspects illustrated in the exemplary method  300  shown in  FIG. 3  and discussed previously. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of various method steps illustrated in the exemplary method  400  and discussed below. 
     The method  400  begins at step  410 . Various events and conditions may cause the method  400  to begin. For example, a user of a video display system or a video source system may request that the video display system display a video image from the video source system. Alternatively, for example, the video display system may be configured to automatically display a video image from a video image source under particular triggering circumstances. Generally, the method  400  may be initiated for any of a variety of reasons. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular initiating events and conditions. 
     The method  400 , at step  415 , may comprise receiving a first video data signal from a first video source device, where the first video data signal corresponds to a first video image (static or dynamic). For example and without limitation, the first video data signal may originate from a first video source device comprising a TV receiver, laser disk player, laptop computer, computer graphics card, video game, personal digital assistant, paging device, etc. 
     Step  415  may, for example, share various aspects with step  320  of the method  300  illustrated in  FIG. 3  and discussed previously. However, step  415  should by no means be limited to performing the same functionality as step  320 . 
     The first video data signal may, for example, comprise characteristics of any of a large number of standard and proprietary data communication signal types. Such characteristics may, for example, comprise media characteristics (e.g., wired, wireless RF, tethered optical, non-tethered optical, etc.). Such characteristics may also, for example, comprise protocol characteristics (e.g., Ethernet, token ring, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, UltraWideband, etc.). Various protocol characteristics may, for example, comprise characteristics of various general-purpose communication protocols. Such characteristics may further, for example, comprise modulation characteristics (e.g., QPSK, QAM, nQAM, etc.). Such characteristics may, for example, comprise encoding characteristics (e.g., MPEG, JPEG, WMV, etc.). Such characteristics may, for example, also comprise encryption characteristics (e.g., public key, private key, symmetric, asymmetric, frequency hopping, etc.). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by particular characteristics of a video data signal. 
     Various characteristics of the first video data signal received from the first video source device may depend on aspects of the receiving display system. For example, upon establishment of a communication link between the first video source device and the display system, the first video source device may handshake with the display system to determine various characteristics of the communication link. Such characteristics may, for example, comprise data rate, modulation type, error detection/correction strategy, encoding type, secure communication measures, etc. Alternatively, for example, in an exemplary scenario where the first video source is only capable of one type of video data communication, various characteristics of the video data signal received by the display system from the first video source may be fixed. 
     The method  400 , at step  430 , may comprise receiving a second video data signal from a second video source device. Step  430  may, for example, share various aspects with step  415  discussed previously and with step  330  of the method  300  illustrated in  FIG. 3  and discussed previously. It should be emphasized, however, that the second video data signal need not be identical in type to the first video data signal received at step  415 . For example and without limitation, the first video data signal may comprise video data encrypted and communicated over an IEEE 802.11 interface, while the second video data signal may comprise video data encoded and communicated according to the MPEG-4 standard over an optical system. 
     Additionally, the communication link over which the second video data signal may be received may, for example, comprise any of the exemplary characteristics discussed previously with regard to the communication link over which the first video data signal may be received. Note, however, that the communication link over which the second video data signal is received at step  430  need not exhibit the same characteristics as the communication link over which the first video data signal is received at step  415 . Nor do respective sources of the second video data signal and the first video data signal necessarily exhibit the same characteristics. 
     Though not illustrated in the exemplary method  400 , the method  400  may comprise receiving a third (or nth) video data signal. The method  400  generally illustrates the receipt and processing of two video data signals for the sake of clarity, however, various aspects of the present invention are readily extendible to receiving and processing one, two, three or more video data signals. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of receiving and processing a particular number of video data signals. 
     The method  400 , at step  420 , may comprise processing the first video data signal to generate (or determine) video information (or data) of the first video image. As mentioned previously, the first video data signal corresponds to a first video image, and generally, the first video data signal may comprise first video data describing the first video image. 
     Step  420  may, for example, comprise decoding video data that has been encoded by the first video source device (e.g., according to a video encoding standard, such as MPEG). Step  420  may also, for example, comprise decrypting video data that has been encrypted by the first video source device. Step  420  may generally comprise determining (or obtaining) video information (or data) in the first video data signal corresponding to the first video image. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular data (or information) detection techniques or processing. 
     The method, at step  425 , may comprise processing the first video data determined at step  420  to generate video information of a first display window. For example, step  425  may comprise transforming the first video data to fit spatial characteristics of the first display window. For example, step  425  may comprise performing spatial transformation processing of the first video data. Such spatial transformation processing may comprise, for example, image data sub-sampling or interpolating. Such spatial transformation processing may comprise, for example, image translation processing and/or processing image information using general or custom transformation matrix processing. 
     In general, step  425  may comprise processing the first video data to generate video information of a first display window corresponding to the first video image. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular video signal or video data transformation processes. 
     Steps  420  and  425  may, for example share various aspects with step  340  of the method  300  illustrated in  FIG. 3  and discussed previously. However, steps  420  and  425  should by no means be limited to performing the same functionality as step  340 . 
     The method  400 , at step  435 , may comprise processing the second video display signal to generate (or determine) video information (or data) of the second video image. Step  435  may, for example, share various aspects with step  420  discussed previously. However, step  435  should by no means be limited to performing the same functionality as step  420 . 
     As mentioned previously, the second video data signal corresponds to a second video image, and generally, the second video data signal may comprise second video data describing the second video image. Step  435  may, for example, comprise detecting digital video information (or data) in the second video data signal. Step  435  may, for example, comprise decoding video data that has been encoded by the second video source device (e.g., according to a video encoding standard, such as MPEG). Step  435  may also, for example, comprise decrypting video data that has been encoded by the second video source device. 
     Step  435  may generally comprise determining (or obtaining) video information (or data) in the second video data signal corresponding to the second video image. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular data (or information) detection techniques or processing. 
     The method, at step  440 , may comprise processing the second video data determined at step  435  to generate video information of a second display window. Step  440  may, for example, share various aspects with step  425  discussed previously. However, step  440  should by no means be limited to performing the same functionality as step  425 . 
     For example, step  440  may comprise transforming the second video data to fit spatial characteristics of the second display window. For example, step  440  may comprise performing spatial transformation processing of the second video data. Such spatial transformation processing may comprise, for example, image data sub-sampling or interpolating. Such spatial transformation processing may comprise, for example, image translation processing and/or processing image information using general or custom transformation matrix processing. 
     In general, step  440  may comprise processing the second video data to generate video information of a second display window corresponding to the second video image. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular video signal or video data transformation processes. 
     Steps  435  and  440  may, for example share various aspects with step  350  of the method  300  illustrated in  FIG. 3  and discussed previously. However, steps  435  and  440  should by no means be limited to performing the same functionality as step  350 . 
     The method, at step  450 , may comprise receiving a window control signal. Such a window control signal may, for example, be internally generated by the display system (e.g., by default or in response to various conditions) or may be externally generated (e.g., by a user using a window control device or by a video source device). In an exemplary scenario, the first time a display system generates a display window corresponding to a video image, the corresponding display window may have default characteristics. Then a user may, for example, command the display system to modify the display window characteristics using a control device. 
     A window control signal may, for example, comprise information controlling various aspects of one or more display windows. For example, a window control signal may comprise information of window type, window size, window placement, window maximization/minimization status, window tiling, window priority, etc. Steps  425  and  440  may, for example, utilize information in a window control signal to determine various aspects of the first and second display windows. Step  460 , discussed below, may also utilize information provided in such a window control signal. 
     In general, step  450  may comprise receiving a window control signal. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of a particular window control signal or source thereof. 
     The method  400 , at step  460 , may comprise combining information for the first and second display windows (or n display windows) into information of a composite video display image, where the video display image comprises information of at least a portion of the first display window (and/or related graphics) and information of at least a portion of the second display window (and/or related graphics). For example, step  460  may comprise combining (or mixing or overlaying) at least a portion of the first display window information generated at step  425  with at least a portion of the second display window information generated at step  440  into information of a video display image comprising at least a portion of the first display window and at least a portion of the second display window. Step  460  may, for example, comprise placing such display image information in a video buffer. 
     Step  460  may, for example, generally comprise combining information of the first and second display windows into information of a composite video display image. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular processing or combining techniques that may be utilized to combine window images (information and/or signals) into a composite video display image comprising aspects of the various window images. 
     Step  460  may, for example, further comprise incorporating graphics information into the video display image information. Such graphics information may, for example, comprise various graphics information related to the first and second display windows. Such graphics information may, for example, comprise window border information, cursor information, scroll bar information, menu information, icon information, etc. For example, in an exemplary scenario, the first and second display windows may be associated with respective icons, and step  460  may comprise incorporating information of the respective icons in addition to (or in place of) information of the first and second display windows in the video display image information. Step  460  may, for example, comprise incorporating graphics information, textual information, and other information into the video display image information. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular data combining or multiplexing techniques that may be utilized to combine window images (information and/or signals) into a composite display image comprising aspects of the various window images. 
     The method  400 , at step  470 , may comprise generating an output display driver signal representative of the video display image information formed at step  460 . Such an output display driver signal may, for example, share various characteristics with the output display driver signals output from the output display drivers  115 ,  246  shown in  FIGS. 1-2  and discussed previously. Such an output display driver signal may, for example, comprise a display driver signal in accordance with any of a variety of standard or proprietary protocols. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of a particular display driver signal type. 
     Steps  460  and  470  may, for example, share various aspects with step  360  of the method  300  illustrated in  FIG. 3  and discussed previously. However, steps  460  and  470  should by no means be limited to performing the same functionality as step  360 . 
     The method  400 , at step  480 , may comprise driving one or more output displays with the output display driver signal generated at step  470 . Such an output display may, for example, comprise a standard video display. Such an output display may, for example, comprise a single screen or multi-screen display. Such an output display may, for example, share various aspects of the display devices  180 ,  280  discussed previously with regard to the exemplary systems  100 ,  200  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2  and discussed previously. Such an output display may comprise any of a large number of display characteristics, and accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of a particular display or way of displaying video information. 
     The method  400 , at step  490 , may comprise performing further processing. For example, step  490  may comprise repeating various steps of the method  400  until a user directs processing to change or halt. Step  490  may, for example, comprise modifying aspects of an output display image in response to various changing conditions and circumstances. 
     The method steps discussed previously for the methods  300 ,  400  illustrated in  FIGS. 3-4  may be implemented in any of a variety of ways. For example, various steps may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Further, various steps may be implemented by hardware or software modules in various stages of integration. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of a particular implementation of any of the method steps discussed herein. 
     In summary, aspects of the present invention provide a system and method for providing access to a video display for multiple devices. While the invention has been described with reference to certain aspects and embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to any particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.