초록 ▼

A method and apparatus are provided for enabling multiple users to concurrently access a PC-based server in a home local area network using conventional TVs as display devices. A client system includes a TV, conventional input devices, such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a set top box for interfacin

A method and apparatus are provided for enabling multiple users to concurrently access a PC-based server in a home local area network using conventional TVs as display devices. A client system includes a TV, conventional input devices, such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a set top box for interfacing the TV to the network. The server maintains a system work area and multiple processes corresponding to user applications. The system work area is partitioned in the server into multiple independent, simultaneously active desktops, one desktop for each of the client systems. Individual processes are mapped to the appropriate desktop. Multiple frame buffers are maintained in the server, such that a different frame buffer is assigned to each client system. Each desktop is rendered within the server and stored in the corresponding frame buffer. The contents of each frame buffer are transmitted over a transmission medium to the set top box of the corresponding client system. Desktop display data is provided by the set top box to the corresponding TV for display to a user.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.]a connection to receive a plurality of television channels from outside the network;a plurality of tuners, a different tuner assigned to each of the viewing systems;a plurality of modulators; andcontrol circuitry configured to receive a request for one of the plurality of t

[What is claimed is:] [1.]a connection to receive a plurality of television channels from outside the network;a plurality of tuners, a different tuner assigned to each of the viewing systems;a plurality of modulators; andcontrol circuitry configured to receive a request for one of the plurality of television channels, the request associated with one of the viewing systems, and to respond to the request by causing the tuner assigned to said one of the viewing systems to demodulate the requested television channel and by causing one of the modulators to remodulate the demodulated television channel onto one of a plurality of network RF channels, the control circuitry includinga first mapping unit to assign one of the television channels to one of the tuners and one of the modulators, anda second mapping unit to map an output of said one of the modulators to said one of the network RF channels.