Apparatus and method for network access using a set top box and television

IS 2 340 976 T3

DESCRIPTION

Device and method for network access using a decoder and a television.

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to network access, and in particular to apparatus and methods for accessing a network using television as a display device.

Background of the invention

Today, a typical home computer is made up of hardware and software. Hardware includes a processor, hard drive, modem, monitor, RAM, keyboard, and mouse. The software includes an operating system and application programs. For most users, the processor power of a home computer is more than enough to meet their needs. Home computers are used in a variety of ways. Many users use word processing and spreadsheet programs, while others perform tasks that require more significant processing power, such as graphics processing. More and more users use their computers to access the Internet, and in particular the World Wide Web (WWW).

Users connect to the Internet and the WWW using a modem. The modem is typically a 28.8 bps modem, and each computer is equipped with a web browser. The user runs the web browser, which provides a graphical interface for obtaining web pages. Once the web browser is up and running, the user requests the web browser to obtain a particular web page. Most web browsers allow the user to maintain an “interest list” of “hyperlinks” (ie web page addresses) to favorite web sites. The interest list is typically implemented as a drop-down menu containing addresses of Web sites previously saved by the user.

The user provides an address to the web browser using either the interest list or by typing the address by hand. The address identifies a web page location. The web browser then connects to the network (if it is not already connected), and fetches the web page at the address.

Once the web page is obtained, it is presented to the user. The user can request more web pages by selecting a hyperlink on the page obtained, or by entering another web page address. The user selects hyperlinks by manipulating a data input device, typically a mouse. The mouse is the main input device for the Web browser, and some of the mouse selections can be supplemented by simple text operations and the use of the "Enter" key.

For many people, the cost of a home computer or similar hardware (for example, units that include both a television and home computer components) is prohibitive, or poorly suited to their needs. Even for those who have computers, however, Internet access can often be extremely slow. Users are typically limited by modem speeds that make Internet access slow. Faster access could be provided over IT or ISDN lines, but the cost of the lines as such is normally prohibitive for most users.

Therefore, although there are many people interested in the WWW, they cannot justify the purchase of a computer for this purpose alone. Other people who can justify the cost cannot justify the cost of connecting to a high speed line.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for accessing a network, such as the WWW, using a low cost television set and decoder. It should be understood that although the following argument raises the invention in terms of the Internet, it is also contemplated that the principles described in this document could also be applied to other networks, such as intranets.

The objects and advantages of the invention will be defined in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and achieved by means of the elements and combinations indicated particularly in the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows the general architecture of the server according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a portion of memory in the server.

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Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a session table stored in a server, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is an example of a menu that can be used in a preferred embodiment.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the overall processing carried out by a server in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

Figure 7 is a flow chart showing the processing carried out to transform a web page into information suitable for display on a television.

Figure 8 shows a typical web page display screen on a television.

Figure 9 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the invention used in a multiple video source environment.

Description of the preferred embodiments

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the invention. Televisions 114 are connected to set-top boxes 112 that send video signals to television set 114. Set-top boxes 112 are also connected to an Internet gateway video server 110 via a television distribution system, and receive data packets from the Internet gateway video server 110 for display on television 114. Each decoder 112 is individually accessible by an address and sends information to the server 110, which identifies the particular source decoder 112.

In a preferred embodiment, the server 110 is located at the source end of a television signal, such as a cable system. For example, server 110 may be located at the head end of a television distribution system. Alternatively, the server 110 may be located at some other location on the television distribution line. For example, server 110 may be located in an apartment building or hotel between an incoming television distribution line and set-top boxes 112. This provides "local" access to the Internet. Furthermore, the server 110 may perform functions in addition to providing access to the Internet. For example, server 110 may be dedicated to providing set-top boxes 112 access to the Internet. Alternatively, server 110 may also receive a regular television distribution signal for transmission to set-top boxes 112 and provide signals related to the Internet or other programming, depending on the channel selection made by the user.

Set-top box 112 also receives and responds to signals from a user interface 116. The signals can be communicated to Internet gateway video server 110. In a preferred embodiment, user interface 116 comprises an infrared remote control interface for receiving signals from a remote control device (not shown). User interface 116 may comprise any known user interface capable of providing selection signals to decoder 112.

Internet gateway video server 110 receives signals from set-top box 112 and responds to signals (1) by interacting with the Internet, or (2) by sending video signals for processing by set-top box 112, for display on television. 114. Server 110 is connected to a high speed communication line, such as an IT or ISDN line. The server 110 transmits to the television 114 information generated locally by the server 110 or information received from the Internet. Server 110 also performs maintenance functions, such as time recording, in response to information received from the network and signals received from set-top box 112.

Set-top box 112 can process information received from server 110 or send it directly to television 114. A user views the information displayed on television 114 and, using user interface 116, enters selection information based on what is displayed. Some or all of the user selection signals may be transmitted by the set-top box to the Internet gateway video server 110. The signals sent from set-top box 112 to server 110 include an identification of set-top box 112 and the user's selection. Other information may also be provided depending on the particular implementation of decoder 112 and server 110.

In response to the user selection signals, the server 110 prepares information locally and transmits the information to the set-top box 112, or accesses the network by the information requested in the user selection signals. Decoder 112 may process some or all of the user selection signals. For example, decoder 112 may alter the display and send notification of this change to server 110.

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Decoder 112 can be implemented in accordance with principles similar to those set forth in US Patent No. 4,780,758 issued to Lin et al. Set-top box 112 may be implemented with system-specific data packet storage that continuously updates the television. A simple decoder 112 can perform little or no processing at all, simply acting as a sample and hold device for the server 110.

Figure 2 shows the general architecture of the server 110 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Session manager 214 manages the global information flow within server 110. This includes receiving user selection signals from decoder 112, translations of user request signals, web page requests, web page translations and transmission of television information to set-top boxes 112. In general, the session manager 214 keeps track of requests from the user, requests to the web browser, menu display, and web page display. The session manager 214 receives information from the cable and transmits information to the cable.

In response to user selection signals, session manager 214 responds directly to user selection signals, or requests a translation of user selection signals by a user selection interpreter 210. Interpreter 210 translates user selection signals into web page addresses. Web page addresses are sent to administrator 214.

In response to the translation, the session manager 214 requests the web browser 222 to obtain a web page from the network via a network interface 226. Once the web page has been received, it is sent to the session manager 214, which requests the translation of the web page by the web page translator 218. After the translation, the results are transferred to the administrator 214. Manager 214 then passes at least part of the translated Web page to set-top box 112 associated with the user request.

Session manager 214 keeps track of multiple users requesting information via set-top boxes 112. User requests are logged and tracked, and display information for each set-top box 112 is managed in response to user requests. This may require caching of the particular information to be displayed to optimize response time to user requests. In summary, the session manager 214 and the Web browser 222 together form a multi-user Web browser capable of simultaneously managing multiple user sessions on multiple set-top boxes 112.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a memory portion 310 of session manager 214. Server 110 implements a single or multi-user browser system that manages menus, hyperlinks, and Web pages for each user of the system. Therefore, each user has a dedicated memory area 314, which contains information on pre-selected hyperlinks 318, menu preferences 322 and a cache or buffer area 326 to store information that flows between the network, the video server with Internet access door 110 and decoder 112 or television 114. For example, cache memory 326 may contain several of the most recently displayed pages on television 114, as well as the pages most likely to be displayed in the near future. In one embodiment, a user session table 330 is also stored in the dedicated memory area. User session table 330 keeps track of each interaction with a particular decoder 112.

The system can be implemented having a single centralized cache for all users. In this way, the cache can contain the pages frequently used by all users. Every time a request is made for a web page, the cache is checked before the web page is retrieved. In this embodiment, it is preferable to have a timeout mechanism for the cache to delete old web pages, which may become obsolete. Similarly, a single user session table 330 could be used for all users, as will be discussed in more detail below, with respect to Figure

4.

In another preferred embodiment, the hyperlinks are not stored for later use. Every time a user logs in, they are presented with the same predefined menu. The predefined menu can be unique to that user, or the same menu can be presented to all users. This embodiment is simpler because the hyperlinks are not stored for later use. Still another preferred embodiment has a combination of predefined menus, identical each time they are presented to the user, and user-defined menus that a particular user can create and alter according to that user's own preferences.

Menu preferences 332 include user selectable options regarding the content of a main menu (see Figure 5) and certain characteristics of how Web pages should be displayed. For example, in addition to pre-selected favorite Web sites, a user can request that menus be dynamically created based on the time of day, as well as with respect to the user's profile. This allows menus to be tailored to the particular moment and content needs of the user.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing some of the information stored by the session manager 214 on the server 110. In particular, Figure 4 shows a session table 410 maintained by the server 110 that stores information for each user, for each active session in progress. Each user input 414 contains information regarding information originating from a user and information sent to a user during each

ES 2 340 976 T3 session. In this way, the server 110 knows exactly the status of each user during a particular session. This information can be discarded when the session ends. Alternatively, the information can be used by server 110 to develop user profile information for later use.

Figure 5 is a display screen 510 showing a menu used in a preferred embodiment. Display screen 510 is generated locally by server 110. The menu may provide a display of previously selected user hyperlinks 512. The menu may also include system administration options, represented by a menu manager selection 514. In another embodiment, the display screen 510 contains the same options, or a mixture of the same options and user-defined options, each time the user is presented. For example, the menu may offer a number of predefined services that a user subscribes to. Alternatively, the options can be predefined by a service provider according to various subscription plans.

A user enters one of the displayed selection numbers on an infrared remote control, which transmits the selection signals to set-top box 112. As described above, set-top box 112 and server 110 respond accordingly, based on the selection signals. of the user. The main menu shown in Figure 5 may also include other user selectable options related to the general operation of the Internet gateway video server 110 and set-top box 112.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the general processing carried out by the server 110. First, the user is presented with a menu (step 610). Then, a user selection is received from the menu (step 614). The user's selection will be a Web page request requesting access to the Web (step 618), or a selection that requires information to be generated locally by the Internet gateway video server 110 and sent to the appropriate decoder 112 (step 622). Locally generated information may include, for example, menus and administrative information related to a user's service.

If the user selects a WWW page, the user's Web page selection is translated to an Internet address (step 626). Server 110 obtains the Web page associated with the translated Internet address (step 630). The web page is then processed to transform the web-based format into signals suitable for display on television 114 (step 634). The processed Web page is then transmitted to television 114 via set-top box 112 and displayed to the user (step 638).

Alternatively, the web-based information could be delivered directly to set-top box 112 for conversion to television signals at set-top box 112. This would ease the load on server 110, but requires much more processing power at set-top box 112.

Figure 7 is a flow chart showing the processing carried out to transform a Web page into an information table that is used to develop appropriate signals for viewing on a television set 114 (Figure 6, step 634). First, the Web page is scanned to determine the hyperlinks on the page (step 710). For example, in the WWW environment, which typically uses the HTML Language (Hypertext Label Language), the Web page is scanned for labels indicating references to hyperlinks.

If a hyperlink is detected, information such as a number, letter, or symbol is inserted into the HTML page next to the hyperlink, thereby assigning numbers or other symbols to the hyperlinks (step 714). When the HTML page is later converted into RGB color model computer graphics, and consequently into NTSC format, the inserted information will also be translated into visual symbols corresponding to the hyperlink. For example, when the first hyperlink is detected, a "1" could be inserted in the HTML document next to the first hyperlink. When the second hyperlink is detected, a "2" is inserted into the HTML document. Therefore, the original content of the HTML document is augmented with additional visual symbols corresponding to each hyperlink.

The information developed from the scanning of the Web page is also used to form a table that contains the correspondence between the inserted information and the associated hyperlinks. The table is used to translate the requests received from the user into hyperlink information.

The HTML document is then converted into RGB color model computer graphics, and consequently translated into the NTSC format, as is known in the art. This process may include translating graphic information into a format suitable for viewing on television. For example, fonts and font sizes can be translated.

Then, the web page is logically divided into a first display page according to the size of the television display screen (step 718). From this translated information and the division into a logical display page, an appropriate video presentation for television 114 is created (step 722). Finally, the translated Web page is displayed (step 726). Since an entire web page may not be viewable on a single television screen, the user may scroll or advance the web page by requesting the server 110 for additional portions of the scrolled or advanced page.

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The information that defines the correspondence between the hyperlinks of the obtained Web page and the selected information that is displayed, is later used to translate the user's selection information back into a hyperlink or network location. The session manager ensures that the appropriate data structures for creating user selections and translating them back into hyperlinks are available to the system processes that use those data structures.

Figure 8 shows an example of a Web page display screen on a television according to a preferred embodiment. In the example, Screen 810 shows a Company XYZ Web page. Hyperlinks 814 and 818 appear similar to the format and location of the original Web page from which it was generated. Note, however, that the television display screen has numbers corresponding to each hyperlink, as indicated by the numbers "1" and "2". The user can enter those numbers into the infrared remote control as selection signals, which are sent to set-top box 112 and / or server 110.

In this way, user input works by selecting information in a manner similar to selecting a hyperlink as is typically used in computer generated web pages. Note also the options bar 822, which presents the user with the navigation options. The navigation options allow the user to move to other areas of the currently displayed web page (indicated by “A” and “B”), add the current web page as a new hyperlink selection to the main menu shown in Figure 5 (indicated by “C”), and return to the main menu (indicated by “D”). The menu presented to the user can change dynamically according to the current state of the session. For example, if the session is taking place at a particular time, the menu may change to present different selections for the particular time. This information may be maintained in the preferences area of ​​the user menu, or on the server 110, depending on the nature of the changes.

Similarly, Figure 8 can take other forms. For example, instead of using numbers and letters for user-selectable options, iconic symbols and other eligible visual symbols can be used.

In response to a user selecting one of the hyperlinks using a device such as a remote control, a signal is sent by user interface 116 to decoder 112, which processes the signal, sends the signal to server 110, or both responds. to the signal as it transmits it. In response to a user selection of a particular hyperlink, the server 110 establishes a connection to the network to obtain the selected Web page. In response to a user selecting one of the options from the options bar 822, in a similar manner, a signal is sent to the server 110 via the decoder 112. In this instance, however, the information is generated locally by the server. video gateway 110, for viewing on TV 114. Alternatively, set-top box 112 may process the response to menu options bar 822.

Figure 9 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the invention used in a server headend. Figure 9 shows a network headend system with coaxial cable 900 for providing various types of user-selectable video programming over a coaxial channel. A preferred embodiment of the invention using the principles described above is implemented first by a system controller 910, a Pentium PC 942, a VGA to TV adapter 948, a time base corrector 952, a packet addressing device data path 934 and the two-way communication data path 914 between the system controller 910 and the coaxial cable 956. The system controller 910 can be implemented using a PC 486. System controller 910 communicates over coaxial cable 956 using two-way communication data path 914.

The system controller 910 also communicates with various elements of the system via communication and control lines 918. The control and communication lines 918 can be implemented, for example, using an RS-232 type interface. System controller 910 controls interactive laser disc players 922, movie library 926, JPEG data packet storage and VBI controller, and Web browser 942. The JPEG data packet storage and Vertical Erase Interval (VBI) driver 930 and Web browser 942 put information on the coaxial cable via the packet data addressing device (VBI) 934. In this embodiment, the Web browser 942 performs the functions of session manager 214 and Web browser 226 of Figure 2. Interactive laser disc players 922, movie library 926, and data packet addressing device 934 each send signals through a respective RF modulator over coaxial cable 956 via a passive signal splitter / combiner 964.

The Web browser 942 sends signals to the VGA to TV adapter 948, which, in turn, sends signals to the time base corrector 952 for transmission to the data packet routing device 934. The VGA to TV adapter 948 converts the computer output data on NTSC scan lines. The adapter can be implemented using, for example, a Magnicorder device^®. The time base corrector 952 can be implemented using, for example, a Hotronics time base corrector^®, or a similar device.

Similarly, the JPEG data packet storage and VBI controller 930 sends signals to the time base corrector 938, which, in turn, sends signals to the data packet addressing device 934. The packet addressing device data controller 934 also receives control signals from the JPEG data packet storage and VBI controller 930. Finally, the data packet addressing device 934 receives signals from other packet data-based servers, such as video games, indicated by

ES 2 340 976 T3 general with 956. In summary, the data packet addressing device transmits signals from multiple video sources, indicated generally by 960.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a user sends select signals to a decoder 112, which, in turn, are transmitted over the coaxial cable 956 via the two-way communication data path 914, to the controller. from system 910. Controller 910 takes user selection signals and processes them to control the various video sources of information. With respect to the preferred embodiment, the system controller 910 sends the selection signals to the Web browser 942, which initiates fetching the Web page via the ISDN 944 modem.

Although Figure 9 shows the invention when used in coordination with multiple other video sources, the headend 900 could simply comprise a multi-user Web browser that responds to users' requests for WWW information.

Conclution

The present invention thus allows multiple users to access the Internet, or other networks, via a high speed channel using only a set-top box 112 and a television set. It provides users with a variety of benefits. For example, users no longer need to have a personal computer at home to access the Internet. The invention also allows users to access the WWW from their televisions. The only costs associated with such an architecture are those of the decoder 112 and the remote control. Homes with cable TVs themselves require similar devices. The present invention also avoids the need to interact with menus and the WWW using a mouse connected to a device. Users can view the WWW with the help of a remote control.