Abstract: A television with multiple display windows and placement dependent cursor and function control is configured to receive and simultaneously display video and graphics input from multiple devices, including but not limited to personal computers, video cassette recorders, settop boxes, video cameras and video disk players, as well as display video input signals from cable, antenna and satellite sources. The size of each display window is adjustable to encompass a predetermined amount of the display screen of the television. Multiple input windows driven by multiple devices can be viewed simultaneously. One or more cursor control and input devices are used to control the operation of the television and of the devices driving the display windows. The cursor control and input devices control the position of the cursor on the television screen.

Abstract: A media storage device includes an embedded filter for manipulating universal clock based streams of data as they are written to or read from the media storage device. The media storage device will also manipulate streams of data which are not being written to or read from the media storage device. Preferably the embedded filter within the media storage device is an isochronous data pipe which will receive programmed instructions from an external controller and manipulate streams of data according to the programmed instructions in real time, coordinated with the universal clock. Alternatively, the isochronous data pipe includes fixed firmware for performing the appropriate manipulations. The media storage device is also preferably coupled to an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus structure.

Abstract: A computer system is provided for recording, processing, and distributing video information. The computer system includes a bus for driving compressed digital video and audio information and compressed digital information associated therewith. The computer system also includes at least one digital video camcorder, a processor, a memory, and a user interface. The computer system preferably further includes a mass storage device including a database. The database stores video information and digital information associated with the video information. The computer system also includes a deck for recording and playing information received from the DVCR and from the mass storage device.

Abstract: A media manager provides data flow management and other services for client applications on devices coupled together within a network. Preferably, these devices are coupled together within an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network. A device control module is generated for each available device for providing an abstraction for all of the capabilities and requirements of the device including the appropriate control protocol, physical connections and connection capabilities for the device. The media manager also manages the flow and format of data transfers between the devices on the network. Through an interface, a user accesses the media manager and enters functions which are to be completed using the devices coupled together on the network. If the appropriate devices are available, the media manager controls and manages the completion of the requested task.

Abstract: A media manager provides data flow management and other services for client applications on devices coupled together within a network. Preferably, these devices are coupled together within an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network. A device control module is generated for each available device for providing an abstraction for all of the capabilities and requirements of the device including the appropriate control protocol, physical connections and connection capabilities for the device. The media manager also manages the flow and format of data transfers between the devices on the network. Through an interface, a user accesses the media manager and enters functions which are to be completed using the devices coupled together on the network. If the appropriate devices are available, the media manager controls and manages the completion of the requested task.

Abstract: A system and method for multi-level context switching in an electronic network comprises a control state machine configured to implement a data priority scheme, a return address generator configured to hold and release return addresses for interrupted instruction modules in accordance with the data priority scheme and context information from the electronic network, and a processor configured to process data from the electronic network in accordance with the data priority scheme and the context information. Receive registers stores data received from the electronic network. The control state machine includes a switch address generator and a program counter select. The switch address generator outputs a switch address, which is an address for a first instruction for a selected-context instruction module. The return address generator holds and releases the return addresses, which are addresses of next consecutive instructions, when an instruction module is interrupted for a context switch.

Abstract: A computer system is provided for recording, processing, and distributing video information. The computer system includes a bus for driving compressed digital video and audio information and compressed digital information associated therewith. The computer system also includes at least one digital video camcorder, a processor, a memory, and a user interface. The computer system preferably further includes a mass storage device including a database. The database stores video information and digital information associated with the video information. The computer system also includes a deck for recording and playing information received from the DVCR and from the mass storage device.