Split personal computer system

Abstract

A cable television interface box for interconnecting a television display unit to a cable television connection. The cable television interface box includes a television accessory unit in communication with the television display unit and the cable television connection. The television accessory unit interfaces with a remote portion of a split personal computer system and outputs input data signals to the remote portion for performing input portions of personal computer tasks, and receives video signals from the remote portion indicative of video and output portions of personal computer tasks.

1 . A cable television interface box for interconnecting a television display unit to a cable television connection, the cable television interface box comprising:
 a television accessory unit in communication with the television display unit and the cable television connection, the television accessory unit comprising a local portion of a split personal computer system interfacing with a remote portion of a split personal computer system capable of storing and executing one or more application software packages, such that the local portion outputs input data signals to the remote portion for performing input portions of personal computer tasks by the one or more application software packages, and receives video signals from the remote portion indicative of video and output portions of personal computer tasks from the one or more application software packages, in order to provide the local portion of the split personal computer system with complete personal computer system capabilities.   
     
     
         2 . The cable television interface box of  claim 1 , further comprising a portable housing containing the television accessory unit. 
     
     
         3 . The cable television interface box of  claim 2 , wherein the local portion of the split personal computer system runs an operating system that can send and receive Internet messages and wherein the television accessory unit further comprises:
 an interface in communication with the local computer; and   a signal separator interface means in communication with the local computer and the interface for receiving at least two types of signals from the Internet and for selectively transmitting the signals to one of the local computer and the interface based on an identifier in the signals.