1. An interactive set-top box comprising:
a memory;
a graphics processor, coupled to the memory, that includes a memory controller comprising:
a first arbiter that is operative to receive a plurality of competing memory transaction requests of a plurality of memory transaction request types;
a first memory buffer coupled to the first arbiter that is further operative to control storage of the plurality of competing memory transaction requests in the first memory buffer based at least on a first priority scheme;
a second arbiter coupled to the first memory buffer, that is operative to select between the plurality of competing memory transaction requests stored in the first memory buffer based at least on a second priority scheme; and
a second memory buffer coupled to the second arbiter to enable the second arbiter to store at least one of the selected competing memory transaction requests in the second memory buffer; and
a central processing unit (CPU), coupled to the graphics processor, to share access to the memory with the graphics processor by accessing the memory through the graphics processor.
2. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein the graphics processor further comprises a video processor.
3. The set-top box of claim 1 further comprising:
a Motion Picture Expert Group (MPEG) decoder coupled to the graphics processor;
a National Television System Committee (NTSC) decoder coupled to the graphics processor;
a NTSC encoder coupled to the graphics processor; and
a modem coupled to the CPU, wherein the modem enabled the CPU to access the internet.
4. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein the graphics processor further comprises:
a host interface, coupled to the CPU and the memory controller, to receive requests from the CPU to access the memory;
an audio processor coupled to the memory controller;
a video capture and scaling unit coupled to the memory controller;
a graphics acceleration unit coupled to the memory controller; and
a video display controller coupled to the memory controller.
5. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein the graphics processor further includes a video display controller that comprises:
a time base unit; and
a comparator coupled to the time base unit and the memory.
6. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein the graphics processor further includes a comparator that compares a first set of synchronization signals received from a time base unit and a second set of synchronization signals received from the memory.
7. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein the graphics processor further includes a comparator that determines whether there is a phase offset between a first set of synchronization signals received from a time base unit and a second set of synchronization signals received from the memory.
8. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein the graphics processor further includes a video display controller that drops a first line of the first video field that is retrieved from the memory and transmitted to a display device if a phase offset is detected, and wherein the video display controller drops a last line of the second video field that is retrieved from the memory and transmitted to the display device if a phase offset is not detected.
9. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein the graphics processor further includes a host interface that comprises:
a cache coupled to the CPU and the memory controller;
a read buffer coupled to the CPU and the memory controller; and
a write buffer coupled to the CPU and the memory controller.
10. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein the memory controller further comprises:
a third arbiter coupled to the second memory buffer; and
a history and timing unit coupled to the second memory buffer and the third arbiter.
11. A graphics processor comprising:
a memory controller, coupled to a memory, to control access to the memory;
a host interface, coupled to the memory controller and a central processing unit (CPU), to receive requests from the CPU to access the memory;
a first arbiter that is operative to receive a plurality of competing memory transaction requests of a plurality of memory transaction request types;
a first memory buffer coupled to the first arbiter that is further operative to control storage of the plurality of competing memory transaction requests in the first memory buffer based at least on a first priority scheme;
a second arbiter coupled to the first memory buffer, that is operative to select between the plurality of competing memory transaction requests stored in the first memory buffer based at least on a second priority scheme; and
a second memory buffer coupled to the second arbiter to enable the second arbiter to store at least one of the selected competing memory transaction requests in the second memory buffer.
12. The graphics processor of claim 11, wherein the video display controller comprises:
a time base unit; and
a comparator coupled to the time base unit and the memory.
13. The graphics processor of claim 11, further comprising:
a third arbiter coupled to the second memory buffer; and
a history and timing unit coupled to the second memory buffer and the third arbiter.
14. The graphics processor of claim 11, wherein the first memory buffer stores for each type of memory transaction request at most one of the plurality of competing memory transaction requests.
15. The graphics processor of claim 11, wherein the second priority scheme enables at least one subset of the plurality of memory transaction request types to be elevated to a higher priority for access to the memory.
16. The graphics processor of claim 11, wherein the second priority scheme enables at least one subset of the plurality of memory transaction request types to be elevated to a higher priority for access to the memory if at least one corresponding competing memory transaction request asserts the higher priority for access to the memory.
17. A method for coordinating memory access in a set-top box, comprising:
providing a plurality of competing memory transaction requests of a plurality of memory transaction request types to a first arbiter;
employing the first arbiter to control storage of the plurality of competing memory transaction requests in a first buffer based at least on a first priority scheme to enable the first buffer to store for each type of memory transaction request at most one of the plurality of competing memory transaction requests;
employing a second arbiter to select at least one of the competing memory transaction requests stored in the first buffer based at least on a second priority scheme; and
employing the second arbiter to enable at least one subset of the plurality of the memory transaction request types to be elevated to a higher priority for access to a memory if at least one corresponding competing memory transaction request asserts the higher priority for access to the memory, based at least on the second priority scheme.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first priority scheme is a fixed priority scheme.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:
employing a third arbiter to select at least one of the competing memory transaction requests selected by the second arbiter based at least on a third priority scheme, the third arbiter employing at least two memory banks that are alternately enabled based on at least one of a bank history or a timing interval.
20. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium that stores instructions to enable actions for coordinating memory access in a set-top box, comprising:
providing a plurality of competing memory transaction requests of a plurality of memory transaction request types to a first arbiter;
employing the first arbiter to control storage of the plurality of competing memory transaction requests in a first buffer based at least on a first priority scheme to enable the first buffer to store for each type of memory transaction request at most one of the plurality of competing memory transaction requests;
employing a second arbiter to select at least one of the competing memory transaction requests stored in the first buffer based at least on a second priority scheme; and
employing the second arbiter to enable at least one subset of the plurality of the memory transaction request types to be elevated to a higher priority for access to a memory if at least one corresponding competing memory transaction request asserts the higher priority for access to the memory, based at least on the second priority scheme.
21. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein the first priority scheme is a fixed priority scheme for ranking priorities among the plurality of memory transaction request types.
22. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 20, the actions further comprising:
employing a third arbiter to select at least one of the competing memory transaction requests selected by the second arbiter based at least on a third priority scheme, the third arbiter employing at least two memory banks that are alternately enabled based on at least one of a bank history or a timing interval.
23. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein employing the second arbiter to select at least one of the competing memory transaction requests further includes employing the second arbiter to store in a second buffer a highest priority one of the competing memory transaction requests stored in the first buffer.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A vertical cellular blind for an architectural opening, comprising:
a headrail having first and second tracks therein at different elevations;
a panel of cellular material suspended from carriages moveable in one of said tracks;
a vertical rail at an end of said panel, said vertical rail being connected to said panel and being movable along the other of said tracks; and
a cord extending through said fabric panel and into said vertical rail and having a segment extending out of said vertical rail and secured in said headrail.
2. The vertical cellular blind of claim 1, including a second vertical rail at an opposite end of said panel from said first mentioned vertical rail; said second vertical rail being connected to an opposite edge of said panel from said first mentioned vertical rail, said second vertical rail being movable along said other of said tracks.
3. The vertical cellular blind of claim 1, including a second cord extending through said fabric panel in spaced relation to said first mentioned cord, said second cord extending into said vertical rail and having a segment extending out of said vertical rail and secured in said headrail.
4. The vertical cellular blind of claim 1, said one of said tracks being at a lower elevation in said headrail than said other of said tracks.
5. The vertical cellular blind of claim 1, said vertical rail being suspended from a moveable bracket in said headrail, said bracket having an elongated horizontal headrail component and a generally vertical component connected to said vertical rail, said horizontal headrail component extending from said vertical component above a top edge of said panel, and at least one said carriage slidable under said horizontal headrail component
6. The vertical cellular blind of claim 1, said vertical rail having a locking mechanism for selectively engaging and disengaging said cord and restricting and unrestricting relative movement between said vertical rail and said cord.
7. A fabric panel carriage for a vertical cellular blind having a headrail and a cellular fabric panel, said fabric panel carriage comprising:
a stem connected to said panel;
a trolley suspended from said headrail;
wheels on said trolley received in and moveable along a track in said headrail; and
a releasable connection between said stem and said trolley, said releasable connection accommodating and maintaining relative rotation between said stem and said trolley.
8. The fabric panel carriage of claim 7, said stem having arms on opposite sides of said panel.
9. The fabric panel carriage of claim 8, said arms having adhesive secured to said panel.
10. The fabric panel carriage of claim 8, said arms being connected to each other through a hole in the fabric panel.
11. The fabric panel carriage of claim 7, said releasable connection being a snap-fit connection between said stem and said trolley.
12. A vertical cellular blind for an architectural opening, comprising:
a headrail;
a panel of cellular material suspended from carriages moveable in said headrail;
a vertical rail at an end of said panel, said vertical rail being connected to said panel and being movable along said headrail;
a first cord extending through said fabric panel at a first distance from said headrail, said first cord extending from said panel into said vertical rail and having a segment extending out of said vertical rail and secured in said headrail; and
a second cord extending through said fabric panel at a second distance from said headrail different from said first distance, said second cord extending from said panel into said vertical rail and having a segment extending out of said vertical rail and secured in said headrail.
13. The vertical cellular blind of claim 12, including a locking mechanism in said vertical rail for selectively engaging and disengaging at least one of said cords to restrict and unrestrict relative movement between said vertical rail and said at least one.
14. The vertical cellular blind of claim 12, including a second vertical rail at an end of said panel opposite said first mentioned vertical rail, said second vertical rail being connected to said panel and being movable along said headrail; and said first and second cords extending into said second vertical rail.
15. The vertical cellular blind of claim 14, including a locking mechanism in each said vertical rail for selectively engaging and disengaging at least one of said cords to restrict and unrestrict relative movement between said vertical rail and said at least one cord.
16. A locking handle for a vertical cellular blind having a headrail, a panel of cellular material suspended from said headrail, a vertical rail at an end of said panel, said vertical rail and at least a portion of said panel being translatable along said headrail, a cord secured in said head rail and extending through said panel and into said vertical rail, said locking handle comprising:
a lock body secured in said vertical rail;
a trigger component pivotally connected to said lock body;
a first opening defined in said lock body;
a second opening defined in said trigger component;
said first and second openings receiving the cord therein;
means biasing said lock body and said trigger component relative to one another to define a restricted registered alignment between said openings for pinching the cord between said lock body and said trigger component; and
said trigger means being selectively movable relative to said lock body to increase the aligned registration of said first and second openings to enable relative sliding movement between said locking handle and the cord.
17. The locking handle of claim 16, said lock body including a rail having said first opening therein; said trigger component having a rail adjacent said rail of said lock body, said rail of said trigger component having said second opening therein.
18. The locking handle of claim 16, said lock body including a base and first and second rails disposed on opposite edges of said base, and said trigger component including first and second rails disposed between said rails of said lock body.
19. The locking handle of claim 16, said lock body having spaced rails each having a slot therein, and said trigger component having first and second rails between said rails of said lock body, said rails of said trigger component having slots therein adjacent said slots of said rails of said lock body.
20. The locking handle of claim 16, including a spring disposed between said lock body and said trigger component.
21. A cord guide for a vertical cellular blind having a headrail, a panel of cellular material suspended from said headrail, a vertical rail at an end of said panel, said vertical rail and at least a portion of said panel being translatable along said headrail, and a cord secured in said head rail and extending through said panel and into said vertical rail, said cord guide comprising:
a guide body secured in said vertical rail;
a curved guide surface on said body receiving and redirecting said cord between substantially horizontal and vertical paths; and
said guide surface extending from a periphery of said vertical rail to a substantially inward position in said vertical rail.
22. The cord guide of claim 21, said guide surface being an inner surface of a channel having closed sides and open ends.