Character display apparatus for an intelligence television

Abstract

A character display apparatus for an intelligence television is provided. The apparatus enables the television to simultaneously display a television broadcast signal and a communication signal corresponding to communications service information supplied via a value added communication network. For example, the apparatus may contain an information processing system, a signal switching device, display driver, and a microcomputer. The information processing system receives the communication service information from the value added communication network and outputs a corresponding screen information signal and a switching control signal. The signal switching device selects and switches between the screen information signal and the television broadcast signal based on the switching control signal. Then, the switching device outputs a corresponding selected signal. The display driver inputs the selected signal, superimposes an on screen display signal onto the selected signal to produce a superimposed signal, and outputs the superimposed signal to a display. The microcomputer outputs an actuating signal to instruct the information processing system to receive the communication service information from the value added communication network and outputs the on screen display signal to the display driver.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A character display apparatus for an intelligence television which is capable of simultaneously displaying a television broadcast signal and a communication signal corresponding to communication service information supplied via a value added communication network, said apparatus comprising: 
       an information processing system which receives said communication service information from said value added communication network and outputs a corresponding screen information signal;  
       signal switching means for selecting and switching between said screen information signal and said television broadcast signal and for outputting a corresponding selected signal; and  
       a display driver which inputs said selected signal and outputs said selected signal to a display.  
     
     
       2. A character display apparatus for an intelligence television according to  claim 1 , wherein said display driver superimposes an on screen display signal onto said selected signal output from said signal switching means to produce a superimposed signal and wherein said display driver outputs said superimposed signal to said display. 
     
     
       3. A character display apparatus for an intelligence television according to  claim 1 , wherein said information processing system generates a switching control signal and wherein said signal switching means selects and switches between said screen information signal and said television broadcast signal in accordance with said switching control signal. 
     
     
       4. A character display apparatus for an intelligence television according to  claim 3 , wherein said information processing system generates said switching control signal based on a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal of said television broadcast signal. 
     
     
       5. A character display apparatus for an intelligence television according to  claim 2 , further comprising: 
       a microcomputer which outputs an actuating signal to instruct said information processing system to receive said communication service information from said value added communication network and which outputs said on screen display signal to said display driver.  
     
     
       6. A character display apparatus for an intelligence television according to  claim 5 , wherein said microcomputer outputs said actuating signal in response to a command input by a user. 
     
     
       7. A character display apparatus for an intelligence television according to  claim 4 , further comprising: 
       a microcomputer which outputs an actuating signal to instruct said information processing system to receive said communication service information from said value added communication network.  
     
     
       8. A character display apparatus for an intelligence television according to  claim 1 , wherein said information processing system comprises: 
       a FIFO memory which stores and outputs said communication service information according to a reference clock signal; and  
       display position setting means for inputting said communication service information from said FIFO memory and outputting said screen information signal.  
     
     
       9. A character display apparatus for an intelligence television according to  claim 8 , wherein said display position setting means determines a display position at which said communication service information is to be displayed on said display and outputs a corresponding switching control signal, and 
       wherein said signal switching means selects and switches between said screen information signal and said television broadcast signal in accordance with said switching control signal.  
     
     
       10. A character display apparatus for an intelligence television according to  claim 9 , wherein said information processing system generates said switching control signal based on a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal of said television broadcast signal. 
     
     
       11. A character display apparatus for an intelligence television which is capable of simultaneously displaying a television broadcast signal and a communication signal corresponding to communication service information supplied via a value added communication network, said apparatus comprising: 
       an information processing system which receives said communication service information from said value added communication network and outputs a corresponding screen information signal and a switching control signal;  
       signal switching means for selecting and switching between said screen information signal and said television broadcast signal based on said switching control signal and for outputting a corresponding selected signal;  
       a display driver which inputs said selected signal, superimposes an on screen display signal onto said selected signal to produce a superimposed signal, and outputs said superimposed signal to a display; and  
       a microcomputer which outputs an actuating signal to instruct said information processing system to receive said communication service information from said value added communication network and which outputs said on screen display signal to said display driver.  
     
     
       12. An information data display apparatus for driving a video display device capable of selectively or simultaneously displaying visual images corresponding to a television broadcast signal or information data supplied via a network, said apparatus comprising: 
       
         an information processing system receiving said information data from said network and providing a screen information signal corresponding to said information data;  
       
       
         a signal switch providing a corresponding selected signal by selectively switching between said screen information signal and said television broadcast signal; and  
       
       
         a display driver providing said corresponding selected signal to drive the video display device in response to reception of said corresponding selected signal. 
       
     
     
       13. The information data display apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprised of said display driver generating a superimposed signal by superimposing an on screen display signal onto said corresponding selected signal, and providing said superimposed signal to drive the display device. 
     
     
       14. The information data display apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a microcomputer generating an actuating signal to instruct said information processing system to receive said information data from said network and applying said on screen display signal to said display driver. 
     
     
       15. The information data display apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprised of said microcomputer generating said actuating signal in response to a command input by a user. 
     
     
       16. The information data display apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprised of: 
       
         said information processing system generating a switching control signal; and  
       
       
         said signal switch selective switching between said screen information signal and said television broadcast signal in accordance with said switching control signal. 
       
     
     
       17. The information data display apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprised of said information processing system generating said switching control signal based on a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal carried by said television broadcast signal. 
     
     
       18. The information data display apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a microcomputer generating an actuating signal to instruct said information processing system to receive said information data from said network. 
     
     
       19. The information data display apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprised of said information processing system comprising: 
       
         a memory writing and reading said information data in accordance with a reference clock signal; and  
       
       
         a position setting stage receiving said information data from said memory and outputting said screen information signal. 
       
     
     
       20. The information data display apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprised of: 
       
         said display position setting stage generating a switching control signal indicative of a location for presentation of said information data among said visual images presented on said video display device; and  
       
       
         said signal switch selectively switching between said information data and said television broadcast signal in accordance with said switching control signal. 
       
     
     
       21. The information data display apparatus of  claim 20 , further comprised of said information processing system generating said switching control signal based on horizontal synchronization signals and vertical synchronization signals carried by said television broadcast signal. 
     
     
       22. An information data display apparatus for driving a video display device capable of selectively or simultaneously displaying visual images corresponding to a television broadcast signal or information data supplied via a network, said apparatus comprising: 
       
         an information processing system receiving information data from said network and providing a screen information signal corresponding to said information data, and a switching control signal;  
       
       
         a signal switch providing a corresponding selected signal by selectively switching between said screen information signal and said television broadcast signal in dependence upon said switching control signal;  
       
       
         a display driver driving the video display device with a superimposed signal generated by superimposing an on screen display signal onto said corresponding selected signal; and  
       
       
         a microcomputer generating an actuating signal to instruct said information processing system to receive said information data from said network and applying said on screen display signal to said display driver. 
       
     
     
       23. The information data display apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprised of a memory writing and reading said information data in accordance with a reference clock signal derived from a vertical blanking interval of said television broadcast signal when an information key is activated by a user. 
     
     
       24. The information data display apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprised of said information processing system receiving said information data via a communication service operatively coupled to said apparatus. 
     
     
       25. The information data display apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprised of: 
       
         said information processing system receiving said information data via another television broadcast signal;  
       
       
         a display position setting stage generating said switching control signal as indicative of a location for presentation of said information data among said visual images; and  
       
       
         said signal switch selectively switching between said information data and said television broadcast signal in accordance with said switching control signal. 
       
     
     
       26. The information data display apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprised of said information processing system receiving said information data via another television broadcast signal. 
     
     
       27. The information data display apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprised of said signal switch receiving said television broadcast signal via a communication service operatively coupled to said apparatus. 
     
     
       28. An information data display apparatus, comprising: 
       
         an information processing system receiving information data from a network and providing a screen information signal corresponding to said information data;  
       
       
         a signal switch providing a selected signal by selectively switching between said screen information signal and a broadcast signal;  
       
       
         a video display device driven to selectively and simultaneously display visual images corresponding to said selected signal; and  
       
       
         a display driver providing said selected signal to drive the video display device in response to reception of said selected signal from said signal switch. 
       
     
     
       29. The information data display apparatus of  claim 28 , further comprised of said display driver superimposing an on screen display signal onto said selected signal, and driving said display device to visually display on- screen images corresponding to said on screen display signal superimposed upon said visual images corresponding to said selected signal.   
     
     
       30. The information data display apparatus of  claim 29 , further comprising a microcomputer generating an actuating signal to instruct said information processing system to receive said information data from said network and applying said on screen display signal to said display driver. 
     
     
       31. The information data display apparatus of  claim 30 , further comprised of said microcomputer generating said actuating signal in response to a command input by a user. 
     
     
       32. The information data display apparatus of  claim 28 , further comprised of: 
       
         said information processing system generating a switching control signal; and  
       
       
         said signal switch selective switching between said screen information signal and said television broadcast signal in accordance with said switching control signal. 
       
     
     
       33. The information data display apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprised of said information processing system generating said switching control signal based on a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal carried by said television broadcast signal. 
     
     
       34. The information data display apparatus of  claim 33 , further comprising: 
       
         a microcomputer generating an actuating signal; and  
       
       
         said information processing system responding to said actuating signal by receiving said information data from said network. 
       
     
     
       35. The information data display apparatus of  claim 28 , further comprised of: 
       
         a display position setting stage generating a switching control signal indicative of a location for presentation of said information data among said visual images presented on said visual display; and  
       
       
         said signal switch selectively switching between said information data and said television broadcast signal in accordance with said switching control signal. 
       
     
     
       36. The information data display apparatus of  claim 35 , further comprised of said information processing system generating said switching control signal based on horizontal synchronization signals and vertical synchronization signals carried by said television broadcast signal. 
     
     
       37. An information data display process, comprising: 
       
         receiving first information data from a first communication service;  
       
       
         generating a screen information signal corresponding to said information data;  
       
       
         providing a selected signal by selectively switching between said screen information signal and second information data received from a second communication service; and  
       
       
         driving a video display device to selectively and simultaneously display visual images corresponding to said selected signal, in response to reception of said selected signal. 
       
     
     
       38. The information data display process of  claim 37 , further comprising: 
       
         receiving said first information data from a network; and  
       
       
         receiving said second information data from a broadcast signal. 
       
     
     
       39. The information data display process of  claim 37 , further comprised of: 
       
         superimposing an on screen display signal onto said selected signal; and  
       
         driving said display device to visually display on - screen images corresponding to said on screen display signal superimposed upon said visual images.   
     
     
       40. The information data display process of  claim 37 , further comprised of generating a switching control signal to regulate said selectively switching based on a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal carried by said second information data. 
     
     
       41. An information data display apparatus, comprising: 
       
         an information processing system receiving information data from a network, and providing a screen information signal corresponding to said information data and a switching control signal;  
       
       
         a signal switch providing a corresponding selected signal by selectively switching between said screen information signal and a television broadcast signal in dependence upon said switching control signal;  
       
       
         a display driver selectively generating a visual display to individually and simultaneously display visual images corresponding to said television broadcast signal and said information data by driving a video display device with a superimposed signal generated by superimposing an on screen display signal onto said corresponding selected signal. 
       
     
     
       42. The information data display apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising a microcomputer generating an actuating signal to instruct said information processing system to receive said information data from said network and applying said on screen display signal to said display driver. 
     
     
       43. The information data display apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprised of a memory storing said information data in correspondence with a reference clock signal derived from said television broadcast signal when an information key is activated by a user. 
     
     
       44. The information data display apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprised of said information processing system receiving said information data via a communication service operatively coupled to said apparatus. 
     
     
       45. The information data display apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprised of: 
       
         said information processing system receiving said information data via a different broadcast signal;  
       
       
         a display position setting stage generating said switching control signal as indicative of a location for presentation of said information data among said visual images; and  
       
       
         said signal switch selectively switching between said information data and said television broadcast signal in accordance with said switching control signal. 
       
     
     
       46. The information data display apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprised of said information processing system receiving said information data via a different broadcast signal. 
     
     
       47. The information data display apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprised of said signal switch receiving said television broadcast signal via a communication service operatively coupled to said apparatus. 
     
     
       48. The information data display apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprised of: 
       
         said information processing system receiving said information data via a different broadcast signal; and  
       
       
         said signal switch receiving said television broadcast signal via a communication service operatively coupled to said apparatus. 
       
     
     
       49. The information data display apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprised of: 
       
         a display position setting stage generating said switching control signal as indicative of a location for presentation of said information data among said visual images presented on said visual display; and  
       
       
         said signal switch selectively switching between said information data and said television broadcast signal in accordance with said switching control signal. 
       
     
     
       50. An information data display apparatus, said apparatus comprising: 
       
         an information processing system receiving information data via a network and providing a screen information signal corresponding to said information data;  
       
       
         a signal switch providing a corresponding selected signal by selectively switching between said screen information signal and a television broadcast signal; and  
       
       
         a display driver providing said corresponding selected signal to drive a video display device in response to reception of said corresponding selected signal by driving the video display device to selectively and simultaneously display visual images corresponding to said television broadcast signal and information data supplied via said network. 
       
     
     
       51. The information data display apparatus of  claim 50 , further comprised of a microcomputer generating an actuating signal to instruct said information processing system to receive said information data from said network and applying an on screen display signal to said display driver. 
     
     
       52. The information data display apparatus of  claim 50 , further comprised of: 
       
         a memory writing and reading said information data in accordance with a reference clock signal; and  
       
       
         a position setting stage receiving said information data from said memory and outputting said screen information signal.