Web television having a two-way communication bus interconnecting a television controller and an internet module

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present invention is related to the inventions disclosed in application U.S. Ser. No. ______ (7009) which was filed on ______, in application U.S. Ser. No. ______ (7010) which was filed on ______, and in application U.S. Ser. No. ______ (7012) which was filed on ______.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to video and audio functions in a web television.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The internet has become an integral part in the way in which content is delivered to end users. For example, newspapers, magazines, and television and cable networks have web sites that are increasingly being used to deliver content. Content is delivered by on-line content providers which include, for example, web sites and on-line service providers such as AOL™.

[0004] Content is accessed by end users via on-line access devices. The on-line access device most often used currently is the personal computer. However, non-personal-computer on-line access devices are being, and have been, developed that enable end users to connect to the internet. For example, one type of non-personal-computer on-line access device is a web television.

[0005] A web television generally includes many of the components of a conventional television, such as a television controller, a video processor, an audio processor, and the like. However, unlike a conventional television, a web television also includes an internet module, which permits the web television to be used as an on-line access device, and an input device, which permits the user to interface with the internet module and the web television in order to communicate over the internet by way of the web television. Accordingly, a web television may be used in a manner similar to a personal computer in order to gain access to online content providers.

[0006] The television controller of a web television currently responds to inputs from the end user in order to control the web television in either a normal television mode or an internet mode. During the television mode, the television controller responds to instructions from the end user, usually by way of a remote control, in order to select and present television signals by way of the television's display and speakers. During the internet mode, the television controller transmits messages to the internet module permitting the internet module to be used in order to communicate over the internet.

[0007] However, the television controllers of existing web televisions do not receive messages from their corresponding internet modules. Accordingly, the television controllers cannot determine the status of their corresponding internet modules, the software version numbers and revision numbers of the software being executed by their corresponding internet module, and other characteristics of the internet module which would be useful to the television controller. Also, current web televisions do not have integrated PIP functions (i.e., PIP functions that are internal to the web television and that do not require a set top internet box) which permit internet video from the internet module to be displayed in the PIP and which permit internet video from the internet module in the PIP to be swapped with television video from the television tuner of the web television. Moreover, current web televisions do not permit internet audio from the internet module to be swapped with television audio from the television tuner of the web television from a single integrated control source such as a television controller.

[0008] The present invention solves one or more of the above noted problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a web television comprises a display, a tuner, an internet module, a PIP module, and switching means. The tuner is arranged to select television video for display on the display. The internet module is arranged to supply internet video for display on the display, and the internet video is derived from internet communications between the web television and internet content providers. The PIP module is arranged to provide a PIP area in the display. The switching means switches the PIP area between the internet video and the television video.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a web television comprises a display, a tuner, an internet module, and switching means. The tuner is arranged to select television audio for display by a speaker of the web television. The internet module is arranged to supply internet audio for display by the speaker of the web television, and the internet audio is derived from internet communications between the web television and internet content providers. The switching means switches the speaker of the web television between the internet audio and the television audio.

[0011] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a web television comprises a monitor, a tuner, an internet module, and a switch. The tuner is arranged to select television video for display on the display. The internet module is arranged to supply internet video for display on the display, and the internet video is derived from internet communications between the web television and internet content providers. The switch is arranged to switch the display between the internet video and the television video.

[0012] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a web television comprises a display, a tuner, an internet module, a PIP module, and swapping means. The tuner is arranged to select television video for display on the display and to select television audio for display by a speaker of the web television. The internet module is arranged to supply internet video for display on the display and to supply internet audio for display by the speaker of the web television, and the internet video and internet audio are derived from internet communications between the web television and internet content providers. The PIP module is arranged to provide a PIP area within a main area in the display. The swapping means swaps the internet video and the television video between the PIP area and the main area in the display and swaps the internet audio and the television audio between the speaker of the web television.

[0013] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a web television comprises a display, a tuner, a PIP module, and an integrated television/internet controller. The tuner is arranged to select television video for display on the display and to select television audio for display by a speaker of the web television. The PIP module is arranged to provide a PIP area within a main area of the display. The integrated television/internet controller is arranged to supply internet video for display on the display and to supply internet audio for display by the speaker of the web television, wherein the internet video and-internet audio are derived from internet communications between the web television and internet content providers. The integrated television/internet controller is also arranged to swap the internet video and the television video between the PIP area and the main area of the display and to swap the internet audio and the television audio between the speaker of the web television.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from a detailed consideration of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

[0015]FIG. 1 illustrates a web television arranged in accordance with the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 illustrates a communication system having an internet module and a television controller for controlling the web television of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 3 illustrates a message format of a status command message written by the television controller to the internet module of FIG. 2;

[0018]FIG. 4 illustrates a message format of a data page command message written by the television controller to the internet module of FIG. 2;

[0019]FIG. 5 illustrates a message format of a trakball position command message written by the television controller to the internet module of FIG. 2;

[0020]FIG. 6 illustrates a message format of a keyboard page command message written by the television controller to the internet module of FIG. 2;

[0021]FIG. 7 illustrates a message format of a controller version command message written by the television controller to the internet module of FIG. 2;

[0022]FIG. 8 illustrates a message format of a status response message read by the television controller from the internet module of FIG. 2;

[0023]FIG. 9 illustrates a message format of an internet module response message read by the television controller from the internet module of FIG. 2;

[0024] FIGS. <b>10</b>-<b>13</b> illustrate a program which is executed by the television controller in writing messages to, and reading messages from, the internet module of FIG. 1; and,

[0025]FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a communication system having an integrated television/internet controller for controlling the web television of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] A web television <b>10</b> is illustrated in FIG. 1 and includes a display <b>12</b> (such as a CRT) housed in a cabinet <b>14</b>. The cabinet <b>14</b> also houses various switches <b>16</b> as well as an infrared sensor <b>18</b> that responds to an infrared remote control device <b>20</b>. Alternatively, the remote control device <b>20</b> may be hardwired to the web television <b>10</b>, or the remote control device <b>20</b> may transmit wireless signals of a kind other than infrared. The remote control device <b>20</b> may be a trakball type remote control, a conventional remote control, a keyboard type remote control, or the like.

[0027] A communication medium <b>22</b> is connected to the web television <b>10</b> permitting the web television <b>10</b> to communicate with on-line content providers such as by way of the internet. The communication medium <b>22</b> may be a phone line, a cable, an integrated services digital network, a digital subscriber line (which may include an asymmetrical digital subscriber line, a rate adapted digital subscriber line, or the like), a satellite link, or any other type of medium which supports communication between the web television <b>10</b> and on-line content providers.

[0028] A television control system <b>30</b> for controlling the operations of the web television <b>10</b> is illustrated in FIG. 2. The television control system <b>30</b> includes a television controller <b>32</b>, an internet module <b>34</b>, an audio/video switch <b>36</b>, a PIP module <b>38</b>, a video processor <b>40</b>, an audio processor <b>42</b>, a raster control <b>44</b>, a communication bus <b>46</b>, and a tuner <b>48</b>. The internet module <b>34</b> may be any of the suitable commercially available devices that permit communication between a television and on-line content providers. The internet module <b>34</b> has an Ethernet port EN and a phone line port PL for connecting the internet module <b>34</b> to the communication medium <b>22</b> so that the internet module <b>34</b> may transmit and receive information to and from remote on-line devices. The internet module <b>34</b> also has a port PRT for connecting the internet module <b>34</b> to a printer so that internet communications may be printed.

[0029] The television controller <b>32</b> may be a microprocessor with corresponding memory and communication circuits for supporting communications over the communication bus <b>46</b> between the television controller <b>32</b>, the internet module <b>34</b>, the audio/video switch <b>36</b>, the PIP module <b>38</b>, the video processor <b>40</b>, the audio processor <b>42</b>, the raster control <b>44</b>, and the tuner <b>48</b>. The communication circuit of the television controller <b>32</b> includes a transmitter and a receiver. The communication bus <b>46</b> may be an IIC communication bus having serial control, data, and address lines.

[0030] The audio/video switch <b>36</b> is controlled by the television controller <b>32</b> in order to supply internet communications, which are supported by the internet module <b>34</b>, and/or television signals, which are tuned by the tuner <b>48</b>, to the PIP module <b>38</b>, to the video processor <b>40</b>, and to the audio processor <b>42</b>. The PIP module <b>38</b>, the video processor <b>40</b>, the audio processor <b>42</b>, and the raster control <b>44</b> are controlled by the television controller <b>32</b> in order to appropriately supply the internet communications and television signals to the display <b>12</b> and the speakers of the web television <b>10</b>.

[0031] Accordingly, the television controller <b>32</b>, in response to appropriate signals from the remote control device <b>20</b>, may control the audio/video switch <b>36</b>, the PIP module <b>38</b>, the video processor <b>40</b>, the audio processor <b>42</b>, and the raster control <b>44</b> so that (i) internet video is displayed on the display <b>12</b> and audio supported by the internet module <b>34</b> is provided to the speakers of the web television <b>10</b>, (ii) television video is displayed on the display <b>12</b> and audio selected by the tuner <b>48</b> is provided to the speakers of the web television <b>10</b>, (iii) internet video supported by the internet module <b>34</b> is displayed on the display <b>12</b> and television audio selected by the tuner <b>48</b> is provided to the speakers of the web television <b>10</b>, (iv) internet audio supported by the internet module <b>34</b> is provided to the speakers and television video selected by the tuner <b>48</b> is displayed on the display <b>12</b> of the web television <b>10</b>, (v) internet video supported by the internet module <b>34</b> is displayed in a PIP area in the display <b>12</b>, television video selected by the tuner <b>48</b> is displayed in the main area in the display <b>12</b>, and either internet audio or television audio is provided to the speakers of the web television <b>10</b>, and/or (vi) television video selected by the tuner <b>48</b> is displayed in a PIP area of the display <b>12</b>, internet video supported by the internet module <b>34</b> is displayed in the main area of the display <b>12</b>, and either internet audio or television audio is provided to the speakers of the web television <b>10</b>. The television controller <b>32</b>, in response to appropriate signals from the remote control device <b>20</b>, may also control the audio/video switch <b>36</b>, the PIP module <b>38</b>, the video processor <b>40</b>, the audio processor <b>42</b>, and the raster control <b>44</b> to swap internet video and television video between the PIP area and the main area, and to swap the speaker of the web television <b>10</b> between internet audio and television audio.

[0032] Alternatively, a swapping function may be initiated by the internet module <b>34</b>. For example, when the web television <b>10</b> is in internet mode so that an internet screen is displayed on the display <b>12</b>, a button on the internet screen may be selected by the user through use of the remote control device <b>20</b> causing the internet module <b>34</b> to send a request for a PIP swap to the television controller <b>32</b>. In response, the television controller <b>32</b> suitably controls the audio/video switch <b>36</b>, the PIP module <b>38</b>, the video processor <b>40</b>, the audio processor <b>42</b>, and the raster control <b>44</b> to swap internet video and television video between the PIP area and the main area, and/or to swap the speaker of the web television <b>10</b> between internet audio and television audio. As another example, when the web television <b>10</b> is in internet mode, the internet module <b>34</b> may determine that the reception of an internet communication is taking too long and, until reception is complete, is appropriating the main television unnecessarily. Accordingly, the internet module <b>34</b> may send a request for a PIP swap to the television controller <b>32</b> causing the television controller <b>32</b> to swap internet video to the PIP area and television video to the main area, and/or to swap the speaker of the web television <b>10</b> from internet audio to television audio, so that the user need not be bothered with the internet communication until its reception is complete.

[0033] The communication bus <b>46</b> supports two-way communication between the internet module <b>34</b> and the television controller <b>32</b>. Examples of messages which may be used during such communication are shown in FIGS. <b>3</b>-<b>9</b> as messages <b>60</b>, <b>70</b>, <b>80</b>, <b>90</b>, <b>100</b>, <b>110</b>, and <b>120</b>. During communication between the television controller <b>32</b> and the internet module <b>34</b>, the television controller <b>32</b> operates as a master station by controlling communication between the television controller <b>32</b> and the internet module <b>34</b> over the communication bus <b>46</b>.

[0034] Accordingly, as shown by each of the messages <b>60</b>, <b>70</b>, <b>80</b>, <b>90</b>, <b>100</b>, <b>110</b>, and <b>120</b>, the television controller <b>32</b> initiates each communication between itself and the internet module <b>34</b> by transmitting a start signal, which may be a bit or bit sequence and which designates the start of the messages <b>60</b>, <b>70</b>, <b>80</b>, <b>90</b>, <b>100</b>, <b>110</b>, and <b>120</b>, followed by an appropriate slave address. The slave address (i) specifies the address of a module (such as the internet module <b>34</b>), and (ii) designates whether the television controller <b>32</b> is writing to the communication bus <b>46</b> (i.e., transmitting) or reading from the communication bus <b>46</b> (i.e., receiving).

[0035] As shown by each of the messages <b>60</b>, <b>70</b>, <b>80</b>, <b>90</b>, and <b>100</b> of FIGS. <b>3</b>-<b>7</b>, a write slave address having a particular value, such as $44, is transmitted by the television controller <b>32</b> when the television controller <b>32</b> writes a message to the communication bus <b>46</b> and the message is intended for the internet module <b>34</b>. As shown by each of the messages <b>110</b> and <b>120</b> of FIGS. 8 and 9, a read slave address having a particular value, such as $45, is transmitted by the television controller <b>32</b> when the television controller <b>32</b> determines to read information on the communication bus <b>46</b> from the internet module <b>34</b>. After the television controller <b>32</b> transmits the start signal followed by the slave address, the television controller <b>32</b> waits for an acknowledgement (ACK) from the internet module <b>34</b>.

[0036] The message <b>60</b> illustrated in FIG. 3 is transmitted to the internet module <b>34</b> whenever the television controller <b>32</b> has status information to transmit, such as in the event that (i) a change occurs which affects a mode bit in the message <b>60</b> (these mode bits are described below), (ii) the television controller <b>32</b> receives a request from the internet module <b>34</b>, in which case the message <b>60</b> is transmitted by the television controller <b>32</b> as an acknowledgement of the request, (iii) the internet module <b>34</b> fails to respond to a poll from the television controller <b>32</b> for a predetermined amount of time, (iv) the television controller <b>32</b> receives a command from the user which switches the television controller <b>32</b> in or out of internet mode, or the like.

[0037] Upon receipt of an acknowledgement (ACK) from the internet module <b>34</b>, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits a status command byte (which may have a value of $00, for example) to indicate that the message <b>60</b> is a status message containing certain status information. This status information indicates to the internet module <b>34</b> the status of certain modes of the web television <b>10</b>. The television controller <b>32</b> then waits to receive from the internet module <b>34</b> an acknowledgement of the command byte. Upon receiving this acknowledgement, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits a mode byte.

[0038] The mode byte, for example, may be eight bits in length and may be used for a variety of purposes. The mode byte may have (i) a first bit which indicates whether the web television <b>10</b> is off or on, (ii) a second bit which indicates a television receiver configuration or model, (iii) a third bit which indicates whether the main area of the display <b>12</b> is to contain internet video received by the internet module <b>34</b> or television video of a television signal selected by the tuner <b>48</b>, (iv) a fourth bit which indicates whether the speakers of the web television <b>10</b> are supplied with internet audio received by the internet module <b>34</b> or television audio of a television signal selected by the tuner <b>48</b>, (v) a fifth bit which indicates whether the PIP module <b>38</b> is on or off, (vi) a sixth bit which indicates whether a screen saver mode is on or off, and (vii) two bits for the like purposes.

[0039] The information contained in these mode bits may indicate the results of commands from the end user by way of the television controller <b>32</b> or from the internet module <b>34</b>. For example, if the end user desires to place internet video in the main area of the display <b>12</b> and to place television video in the PIP area of the display <b>12</b>, the end user will do so by use of the remote control device <b>20</b> which causes the television controller <b>32</b> to send commands in order to control the audio/video switch <b>36</b>, the PIP module <b>38</b>, the video processor <b>40</b>, the audio processor <b>42</b>, the raster control <b>44</b>, and/or the tuner <b>48</b>, as appropriate. The results of these control actions affect the mode bits, causing the television controller <b>32</b> to send the message <b>60</b> to the internet module <b>34</b>. As another example, the internet module <b>34</b> may transmit a request to the television controller <b>32</b> that internet video be placed in the main area of the display <b>12</b> and that television video be placed in the PIP area of the display <b>12</b>. Such a request may result from a selection by the end user of an appropriate button in an internet screen supplied to the display <b>12</b> by the internet module <b>34</b>. As a result of the request, the television controller <b>32</b> sends commands to control the audio/video switch <b>36</b>, the PIP module <b>38</b>, the video processor <b>40</b>, the audio processor <b>42</b>, the raster control <b>44</b>, and/or the tuner <b>48</b>, as appropriate. This action also affects the mode bits, causing the television controller <b>32</b> to send the-message <b>60</b> to the internet module <b>34</b> as an acknowledgement of the request transmitted by the internet module <b>34</b> to the television controller <b>32</b>.

[0040] Following transmission of the mode byte, the television controller <b>32</b> waits for an acknowledgement from the internet module <b>34</b>. Upon receipt of the acknowledgement, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits a request byte which, for example, may be used to request the internet module <b>34</b> (i) to transmit back its version ID (which may be useful for diagnostic purposes), (ii) to reset the internet module <b>34</b> (such as when the web television <b>10</b> is turned off by the end user, when the internet module <b>34</b> fails to acknowledge the communication bus <b>46</b> for more than a predefined limit of time, or when the internet module <b>34</b> otherwise requires reset), or the like. A request that the internet module <b>34</b> reset itself causes the internet module <b>34</b> to transmit back a status message indicating compliance.

[0041] After transmittal of the request byte, the television controller <b>32</b> waits for an acknowledgement. Upon receipt of the acknowledgement, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits a stop signal (such as a bit or bit sequence) designating the end of the message <b>60</b>.

[0042] The messages <b>70</b>, <b>80</b>, and <b>90</b> are illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, and <b>6</b>. The messages <b>70</b>, <b>80</b>, and <b>90</b> are similar to the message <b>60</b> of FIG. 3 in that the messages <b>70</b>, <b>80</b>, and <b>90</b> are initiated with a start signal followed by the write slave address indicating that information is to be transmitted by the television controller <b>32</b> to the internet module <b>34</b>. Upon receipt of an acknowledgement from the internet module <b>34</b>, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits a remote control command byte (which may have a value of $01, for example) to indicate that the messages <b>70</b>, <b>80</b>, and <b>90</b> contain remote control information which has been transmitted by the remote control device <b>20</b> to the television controller <b>32</b> and which may be useful to the internet module <b>34</b>. After acknowledgement of this remote control command byte, the-television controller <b>32</b> next transmits a remote control page byte which indicates that certain remote control page information follows.

[0043] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the remote control page byte of the message <b>70</b> is a data page byte (containing a value of $09, for example) to indicate that the message <b>70</b> includes a data byte. After transmitting the remote control data page byte, the television controller <b>32</b> waits for an acknowledgement. Upon receipt of the acknowledgement, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits the data byte. The data byte may be used to transmit trakball push (click) data in the case where the remote control device <b>20</b> has a trakball and the trakball has been pushed, enter key push (click) data in the case where the remote control device <b>20</b> has an enter key and the enter key has been pushed, and the like. After transmittal of the data byte, the television controller <b>32</b> waits for an acknowledgement from the internet module <b>34</b>. Upon receipt of the acknowledgement, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits a stop signal designating the end of the message <b>70</b>.

[0044] The message <b>80</b>, which is shown in FIG. 5, is transmitted by the television controller <b>32</b> in order to convey displacement information to the internet module <b>34</b>. For example, the displacement information transmitted in the message <b>80</b> may include the x and y position of a cursor or highlighting or the like, as selected by movement of a trakball on a trakball type remote control. As another example, the displacement information transmitted in the message <b>80</b> may include the x and y position of a cursor or highlighting or the like, as selected by arrow keys on either a conventional remote control, a keyboard remote control, or a trakball remote control.

[0045] The message <b>80</b> includes the start signal, the write slave address, the remote control command byte, and the remote control page byte described above. However, unlike the remote control page byte of the message <b>70</b>, the remote control page byte of the message <b>80</b> is an X-Y position page byte (containing a value of $14, for example) to indicate that displacement information is contained in the message <b>80</b>. Accordingly, as indicated in FIG. 5, upon receipt of an acknowledgement following transmission of the remote control page byte, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits X and Y position bytes. The X position byte designates a current X position of a cursor, highlighting, or the like, as selected by a trakball, by arrow keys, or the like. The Y position byte similarly designates a current Y position of a cursor, highlighting, or the like, as selected by a trakball, by arrow keys, or the like. Upon receipt of an acknowledgement after transmission of each of the X and Y position bytes, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits a stop signal designating the end of the message <b>80</b>.

[0046] The message <b>90</b>, which is shown in FIG. 6, is transmitted by the television controller <b>32</b> in order to convey alpha and/or numeric character data or the like to the internet module <b>34</b>. For example, when the web television <b>10</b> is in internet mode and the remote control device <b>20</b> transmits characters (such as alpha and/or numeric characters) to the web television <b>10</b>, the television controller <b>32</b> responds by transmitting the characters to the internet module <b>34</b> by way of the message <b>90</b>. The message <b>90</b> includes the start signal, the write slave address, the remote control command byte, and the remote control page byte described above. However, unlike the remote control page bytes of the messages <b>70</b> and <b>80</b>, the remote control page byte of the message <b>90</b> is a keyboard page byte (containing a value of $15, for example) to indicate that character data is contained in the message <b>90</b>. Accordingly, as indicated in FIG. 6, upon receipt of an acknowledgement following transmission of the remote control page byte, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits the last keystroke followed by the current keystroke. Following suitable acknowledgements, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits a stop signal designating the end of the message <b>90</b>.

[0047] The television controller <b>32</b> transmits a message <b>100</b> as illustrated in FIG. 7 in order to convey to the internet module <b>34</b> the revision and version numbers of the television controller <b>32</b>. The message <b>100</b> includes the start signal and the write slave address described above. Following acknowledgement of the write slave address byte by the internet module <b>34</b>, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits a version command byte in the message <b>100</b>, The version command byte of the message <b>100</b> (containing a value of $04, for example) indicates that the message <b>100</b> contains the revision and version numbers of the television controller <b>32</b>. The revision and version numbers of the television controller <b>32</b> may be useful to the internet module <b>34</b> in determining which of its features are compatible with the software executed by the television controller <b>32</b> and, therefore, should be initialized.

[0048] As indicated above, when the television controller <b>32</b> is ready to read information which it previously requested from the internet module <b>34</b>, or when the television controller <b>32</b> is ready to poll the internet module <b>34</b>, it transmits a read slave address over the communication bus <b>46</b>. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, this read slave address may have a value of $45, for example. The internet module <b>34</b> will then return the previously requested information and/or its status in a message format such as that shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0049] The message <b>110</b> shown in FIG. 8 includes a start signal, as described above, and a read slave address, both of which are transmitted by the television controller <b>32</b>. Generally, a read slave address, which does not follow a previous request by the television controller <b>32</b> for specific information from the internet module <b>34</b> (such as version and revision numbers), indicates that the television controller <b>32</b> is polling the internet module <b>34</b>. Following transmission of the start signal and the read slave address, the television controller <b>32</b> waits for an acknowledgement from the internet module <b>34</b> and an additional byte which, for example, may have a status indicating byte as shown in FIG. 8 or a version indicating byte as shown in FIG. 9.

[0050] In the message <b>110</b>, a status indicating byte (containing a value of $00, for example) indicates that mode and status information bytes follow. The mode byte in the message <b>110</b> may be used to indicate certain information such as (i) whether the internet module <b>34</b> is active and has been initialized, (ii) whether the internet module <b>34</b> is connected to a phone line or whether the internet module is off-line, (iii) whether the internet module <b>34</b> is connected to the Ethernet, and (iv) other possible information such as whether the internet module <b>34</b> is executing Web Browser, Email, User Setup, or other applications. Following receipt of the status indicating and mode bytes, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits corresponding acknowledgements and then waits for a status byte.

[0051] The status byte received by the television controller <b>32</b> may indicate whether internet audio or television audio is being supplied to the speaker of the web television <b>10</b>, whether a Screen Saver mode of the internet module <b>34</b> is on or off, and the like. Following receipt of the status byte, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits an acknowledgement and waits for a request byte.

[0052] The request byte from the internet module <b>34</b> may request the television controller <b>32</b> to perform one or more of the following functions: (i) transmit its version ID; (ii) execute a PIP swap function; (iii) execute a PIP off function; (iv) execute a PIP on function; (v) switch the video output of the internet module <b>34</b> into the main area of the display <b>12</b>; (vi) switch the video output of the tuner <b>48</b> into the main area of the display <b>12</b>; and the like.

[0053] Many of these requests result when the user, by use of the remote control device <b>20</b> for example, clicks on an appropriate button of an internet screen which the internet module <b>34</b> causes to appear on the display <b>12</b> of the web television <b>10</b>. The click information is transmitted by the television controller <b>32</b> in the messages <b>70</b>, <b>80</b>, and <b>90</b>, as appropriate, and the selected buttons are then transmitted by the internet module <b>34</b> to the television controller <b>32</b> as requests so that the television controller <b>32</b> can take appropriate action with respect to the audio/video switch <b>36</b>, the PIP module <b>38</b>, the video processor <b>40</b>, the audio processor <b>42</b>, and the raster control <b>44</b>. Additionally, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits the message <b>100</b> to the internet module <b>34</b> in response to function (i) above, and the television controller <b>32</b> transmits the message <b>60</b> to the internet module <b>34</b> in response to functions (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), and the like.

[0054] Following receipt of the request byte, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits an acknowledgement and waits for a checksum byte. All messages which are sent from the internet module <b>34</b> to the television controller <b>32</b> over the communication bus <b>46</b> may use a checksum at the end of the message for detection of transmission errors. This checksum may be the two's complement of the sum of all bytes transmitted in the message, not including the device address. In this way, the sum of all bytes following the device address will be zero. If this checksum is not zero, the message will not be processed by the television controller <b>32</b> and the television controller <b>32</b> will require a retransmission of the message from the internet module <b>34</b>. Following receipt of the checksum byte, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits a HIGH line level followed by a stop signal.

[0055] The message <b>120</b> as illustrated in FIG. 9 is transmitted so that the internet module <b>34</b> may respond to the message <b>60</b> having its request byte set to request version and revision numbers from the internet module <b>34</b>. The message <b>120</b> includes the start signal and the read slave address of the message <b>110</b>. Following transmission of the start signal and the read slave address, the television controller <b>32</b> waits for an acknowledgement followed by a byte having a value indicating that version identification information from the internet module <b>34</b> follows. For example, this byte may have a value of $03. Following receipt of this version identification indicating byte, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits, to the internet module <b>34</b>, an acknowledgement that it has received the version identification indicating byte.

[0056] Upon receipt of this acknowledgement, the internet module <b>34</b> transmits a software revision number byte. Following receipt of the software revision number byte, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits an acknowledgement and then waits for a software version byte.

[0057] Upon receipt of this acknowledgement, the internet module <b>34</b> transmits the software version number byte. Following receipt of the software version number byte, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits an acknowledgement and then waits for a checksum byte.

[0058] Following receipt of the checksum byte, the television controller <b>32</b> transmits a HIGH line level and a stop signal.

[0059] FIGS. <b>10</b>-<b>13</b> illustrate an example of a program <b>200</b> which may be executed by the television controller <b>32</b> in order to facilitate the transmission and reception of the messages <b>60</b>-<b>120</b> over the communication bus <b>46</b>. The program <b>200</b>, for the most part, is an event-initiated program. In general terms, the events are either user-selected events (for example, events selected by the user through use of the remote control device <b>20</b>) or polling events. In the case of user-selected events, a block <b>202</b> determines whether the event is an user instruction to turn on the web television <b>10</b>. If so, a block <b>204</b> transmits messages to the tuner <b>48</b>, the audio/video switch <b>36</b>, the video processor <b>40</b>, and the audio processor <b>42</b> to begin displaying video and audio on the web television <b>10</b>. The block <b>204</b> also transmits, to the internet module <b>34</b>, the message <b>60</b> with the first bit of the message <b>60</b> set to indicate that the web television <b>10</b> is on.

[0060] A block <b>206</b> determines whether the event is an user instruction to turn off the web television <b>10</b>. If so, a block <b>208</b> transmits messages to the audio/video switch <b>36</b>, the video processor <b>40</b>, the audio processor <b>42</b>, and the tuner <b>48</b> to turn off the web television <b>10</b>. The block <b>208</b> also transmits, to the internet module <b>34</b>, the message <b>60</b> with the first bit of the message <b>60</b> set to indicate that the web television <b>10</b> is off.

[0061] A block <b>210</b> determines whether the event is an user instruction or an internet module <b>34</b> request to turn on the PIP area. If so, a block <b>212</b> transmits a message to the PIP module <b>38</b> in order to initiate PIP operation. The block <b>212</b> also transmits, to the internet module <b>34</b>, the message <b>60</b> with the fifth bit of the message <b>60</b> set to indicate that PIP operation has been initiated.

[0062] A block <b>214</b> determines whether the event is an user instruction or an internet module <b>34</b> request to turn off the PIP area. If so, a block <b>216</b> transmits a message to the PIP module <b>38</b> in order to conclude PIP operation. The block <b>216</b> also transmits, to the internet module <b>34</b>, the message <b>60</b> with the fifth bit of the message <b>60</b> set to indicate that PIP operation has been concluded.

[0063] A block <b>218</b> determines whether the event is an user instruction or an internet module <b>34</b> request to perform a PIP swap. If so, a block <b>220</b> transmits a message to the audio/video switch <b>36</b> in order to swap video between the PIP display and the main area of the display <b>12</b>. The block <b>220</b> also transmits, to the internet module <b>34</b>, the message <b>60</b> with the third bit of the message <b>60</b> set to indicate that internet video or television video, as appropriate, is in the main area of the display <b>12</b>. If internet video is in the PIP area and television video is in the main area before the swap so that internet video is in the main area and television video is in the PIP area after the swap, the internet video after the swap may be wrapped around the PIP area so that none of the internet communication being displayed is covered over by the PIP area. This wrapping may be implemented by the internet module <b>34</b> itself, or the television controller <b>32</b> may implement wrapping by suitable control of the video processor <b>40</b> and the raster control <b>44</b>. This wrapping capability provides a distinct advantage over set top box type web televisions.

[0064] A block <b>222</b> determines whether the event is an user instruction or an internet module <b>34</b> request to place internet video from the internet module <b>34</b> in the main area of the display <b>12</b>. If so, a block <b>224</b> transmits a message to the audio/video switch <b>36</b> in order to place internet video from the internet module <b>34</b> in the main area of the display <b>12</b>. The block <b>224</b> also transmits, to the internet module <b>34</b>, the message <b>60</b> with the third bit of the message <b>60</b> set to indicate that internet video from the internet module <b>34</b> should be in the main area of the display <b>12</b>.

[0065] A block <b>226</b> determines whether the event is an user instruction or an internet module <b>34</b> request to place television video from the tuner <b>48</b> in the main area of the display <b>12</b>. If so, a block <b>228</b> transmits a message to the audio/video switch <b>36</b> in order to place television video from the tuner <b>48</b> in the main area of the display <b>12</b>. The block <b>228</b> also transmits, to the internet module <b>34</b>, the message <b>60</b> with the third bit of the message <b>60</b> set to indicate that television video from the tuner <b>48</b> should be in the main area of the display <b>12</b>.

[0066] A block <b>230</b> determines whether the event is an user instruction to connect television audio from the tuner <b>48</b> to the speakers of the web television <b>10</b>. If so, a block <b>232</b> transmits a message to the audio/video switch <b>36</b> in order to connect television audio from the tuner <b>48</b> to the speakers of the web television <b>10</b>. The block <b>232</b> also transmits, to the internet module <b>34</b>, the message <b>60</b> with the fourth bit of the message <b>60</b> set to indicate that television audio from the tuner <b>48</b> is connected to the speakers of the web television <b>10</b>.

[0067] A block <b>234</b> determines whether the event is an user instruction to connect internet audio from the internet module <b>34</b> to the speakers of the web television <b>10</b>. If so, a block <b>236</b> transmits a message to the audio/video switch <b>36</b> in order to connect internet audio from the internet module <b>34</b> to the speakers of the web television <b>10</b>. The block <b>236</b> also transmits, to the internet module <b>34</b>, the message <b>60</b> with the fourth bit of the message <b>60</b> set to indicate that internet audio from the internet module <b>34</b> is connected to the speakers of the web television <b>10</b>.

[0068] A block <b>238</b> determines whether the event is a click of a trakball of a trakball remote control device <b>20</b>, of an enter key of a keyboard or other remote control device <b>20</b>, or the like. If so, a block <b>240</b> sends the message <b>70</b> to the internet module <b>34</b> to indicate the click. A block <b>242</b> determines whether the event is a change in cursor position as selected by use of a trakball of a trakball remote control device <b>20</b>. by arrow keys of a keyboard or other remote control device <b>20</b>, or the like. If so, a block <b>244</b> transmits the message <b>80</b> in order to transmit the displacement information to the internet module <b>34</b>. A block <b>246</b> determines whether the event is a key stroke of a keyboard remote control device <b>20</b>. If so, a block <b>248</b> transmits the message <b>90</b> in order to transmit the last keystroke and the current keystroke to the internet module <b>34</b>.

[0069] A block <b>250</b> determines whether the event is a request from the internet module <b>34</b> for the version of the software executed by the television controller <b>32</b>. If so, a block <b>252</b> transmits, to the internet module <b>34</b>, the message <b>100</b> containing the revision and version numbers of the software executed by the television controller <b>32</b>.

[0070] Polling is a timed event. When a timed event occurs, or if the television controller <b>32</b> otherwise determines to read information from the internet module <b>34</b>, a block <b>300</b> initiates the transmission of an appropriate message such as the message <b>110</b> or the message <b>120</b>. A block <b>302</b> awaits the receipt of the bytes subsequent to the read slave address byte of the message <b>110</b> or the message <b>120</b>. As each byte subsequent to the read slave address byte of the message <b>110</b> or the message <b>120</b> is received by the television controller <b>32</b>, a block <b>304</b> appropriately processes the received data and transmits acknowledgements.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 14, the functions of the television controller <b>32</b> and of the internet module <b>34</b> may be integrated within the same processing block, such as a television/internet controller <b>400</b>. The television/internet controller <b>400</b> communicates with on-line content providers and provides internet communications to an audio/video switch <b>402</b>. The audio/video switch <b>402</b> also receives television signals as selected by a tuner <b>404</b>. As in the case of the audio/video switch <b>36</b>, the audio/video switch <b>402</b> provides internet and/or television video to a PIP module <b>406</b> and to a video processor <b>408</b>, and provides internet and/or television audio to an audio processor <b>410</b>. The television/internet controller <b>400</b> suitably controls the audio/video switch <b>402</b>, the PIP module <b>406</b>, the video processor <b>408</b>, the audio processor <b>410</b>, and a raster control <b>44</b> in the same fashion as is described in connection with FIG. <b>2</b>. The television/internet controller <b>400</b> may be microprocessor based and programmed to incorporate all of the functions described above in connection with the television controller <b>32</b> and the internet module <b>34</b>.

[0072] Certain modifications of the present invention have been discussed above. Other modifications will occur to those practicing in the art of the present invention. For example, each portion of the messages <b>60</b>, <b>70</b>, <b>80</b>, <b>90</b>, <b>100</b>, <b>110</b>, and <b>120</b> is described above as a single byte. Instead, each portion of the messages <b>60</b>, <b>70</b>, <b>80</b>, <b>90</b>, <b>100</b>, <b>110</b>, and <b>120</b> may be comprised of several bytes or one or more other data units.

[0073] Accordingly, the description of the present invention is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the exclusive use of all modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims is reserved.