Patent ID: 7032184

Claim:
A video display control apparatus having hotkeys for a user to invoke and control a function of a video display apparatus, said function represented by a menu item from an on-screen display (OSD) menu, said video display control apparatus comprising: a button unit comprising a hotkey button adapted for generating a key signal corresponding to a menu item of an OSD menu; a memory unit coupled to the button unit, and adapted for storing information concerning OSD menu items; an OSD unit for outputting an OSD character display signal to a video processing unit in response to said key signal, whereby actuation by a user of said hotkey button causes a screen display of one or more OSD characters; and a control unit for receiving said key signal from said button unit, for reading information concerning an OSD menu item stored in the memory unit when said key signal is received, and for thereupon sending a control signal to the video display apparatus to control a function thereof.