On-Screen Television Input Management

Abstract

A television system that provides an on screen display menu system that allows a user to select from available input source using a graphical user interface. The television system also automatically adapts to the type on input signal selected for display. The television system and on screen display menu also support interaction between the television system and attached devices to unify the control of such devices including attached personal computers through the remote control of the television system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 identifying, at a processor of a television, each of a plurality of input signals from a plurality of input sources coupled to a plurality of input ports of the television;   generating an on screen menu on a display of the television, the on screen menu including a plurality of selectable options associated with the plurality of input sources, each selectable option associated with a display of content received from a corresponding input source of the plurality of input sources or a description of the corresponding input source, wherein the content comprises video content;   receiving a user selection of a particular selectable option of the plurality of selectable options, the particular selectable option associated with a particular input source of the plurality of input sources; and   displaying the content associated with the particular input source on the display of the television in response to the user selection.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying a particular input signal from the particular input source comprises automatically identifying the particular input source coupled to a particular input port of the plurality of input ports. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the particular input port comprises a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) input port. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising initiating an output of audio via speakers of the television, the audio corresponding to the content. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving an additional input signal via a wireless interface. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a first input source of the plurality of input sources comprises a cable box. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the on screen menu includes a help option that is selectable to enable display of additional resources. 
     
     
         8 . A television comprising:
 a plurality of input ports configured to receive a plurality of input signals from a plurality of input sources;   a processor configured to generate an on screen menu, the on screen menu including a plurality of selectable options associated with the plurality of input sources, each selectable option associated with a display of content received from a corresponding input source or a description of the corresponding input source, wherein the content comprises video content;   an input interface configured to receive a user selection of a particular selectable option of the plurality of selectable options, the particular selectable option corresponding to a particular input source of the plurality of input sources; and   a display configured to display the on screen menu and to display the content associated with the particular input source in response to the user selection.   
     
     
         9 . The television of  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of input signals is received via a separate input source. 
     
     
         10 . The television of  claim 8 , wherein a first input port of the plurality of input ports comprises a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) input port. 
     
     
         11 . The television of  claim 8 , wherein a first input source of the plurality of input sources comprises a cable box. 
     
     
         12 . The television of  claim 8 , further comprising one or more speakers configured to output audio corresponding to the content. 
     
     
         13 . The television of  claim 8 , wherein the on screen menu includes a help option that is selectable to enable display of additional resources. 
     
     
         14 . The television of  claim 8 , wherein the input interface is configured to receive the user selection from a remote control device. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus comprising:
 means for receiving a plurality of input signals from a plurality of input sources;   means for generating an on screen menu, the on screen menu including a plurality of selectable options associated with the plurality of input sources, each selectable option associated with a display of content received from a corresponding input source of the plurality of input sources or a description of the corresponding input source, wherein the content comprises video content;   means for receiving a user selection of a particular selectable option of the plurality of selectable options, the particular selectable option associated with a particular input source of the plurality of input sources; and   means for displaying the content associated with the particular input source in response to the user selection.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of input signals is received via a separate input source. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein first means for receiving of the plurality of means for receiving comprises a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) input port. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein second means for receiving of the plurality of means for receiving comprises a digital visual interface (DVI) input port. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein a first input source of the plurality of input sources comprises a cable box. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the on screen menu includes a help option that is selectable to enable display of additional resources.