Simultaneous control of live video device access by multiple applications via software locks and in accordance with window visibility of applications in a multiwindow environment
US6412031B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 10, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG09G2340/12
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for allowing several applications to share a single video overlay resource via multiplexing are disclosed. The multiplexing is accomplished from the application end through a multiplexing abstraction layer provided to the developers of end applications as an application program interface. Through the application program interface, each application may, at any time, request, release, or modify the attributes of the video overlay device such as picture quality, tuning, source, etc. The application program interface provides all basic functionality of the hardware as accessible through other means including normal operating system support and device driver services.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.