System using a computer as television set server

SYSTEM USING A COMPUTER AS SERVER FOR TELEVISION

The present invention relates to a system for using a computer as a server for televisions.

It relates generally to the field of reception of a television information of all kinds, and in particular programs or data using the coding in "packets" consisting of a set of information routed in blocks in a network, that it is of hertzian, cable or satellite.

The reception of coded or digital services programs on a TV requires a decoder is usually in the form of a housing for the interpretation and presentation of data.

Current receiving systems (digital decoders for satellite digital streams, terrestrial or cable) are limited in interactivity and functionality as they usually have only limited resources, including little or no memory. By cons, a computer provides opportunities constantly improved: game software, editing, Internet browsing, printing, etc.

New decoders systems with more resources are beginning to appear on the market, however, despite a price equivalent to that of a computer, their resources are currently much lower than those of the latter.

In business, it is possible to work with a remote desktop application on a server provided without access to a computer through a terminal called "thin client". This is a housing with a minimum of components: a processor, limited RAM, optionally a low-capacity storage memory and a network interface. This terminal is devoid of ancillary components such as hard drive, multimedia equipment and drive floppy disks or CD-ROMs, but is equipped with ports for parallel type or USB terminals for connecting a monitor with a keyboard or printer.

From its modest equipment, a "thin client" is less expensive than a conventional computer both on the investment and in terms of maintenance.

A common digital box connected to a TV can be compared to a "thin client", but to date, there is no way to control a computer from a decoder.

The device of the present invention aims to remedy this situation. It is to use the resources of a computer for set-top systems / common televisions capable of receiving large amounts of information without being able to store or use them for multiple applications.

The computer is seen as a resource server, all decoders / TVs in your home is seen as a set of "thin clients" dialogue with the server that provides their resources.

It consists of a module by connecting to a digital decoder type bonds and having a micro electronic component featuring advanced filtering and an interface for controlling the computer resources from the decoder through a specific software embedded therein.

The description which follows will be better understood with reference to the accompanying figure which is a schematic view of an installation according to the invention, and relates to a non-limiting example of one of possible embodiments. Dashed line representation indicates that the module can be integrated or external to the decoder.

This installation includes a digital decoder connected to a TV 1 2 3 a computer and a module 4 acting as the interface between the decoder and the computer. Module 4, which includes a micro electronic component 5 providing links features, is connected to the digital decoder preferably 1 through 6 interface type "PCMCIA" (system used mainly in laptops for adding memory or a modem) or, alternatively, integrated into the decoder. The module is also connected to the computer 3 by a suitable digital link 7 ( "1394", "USB" Module "DVB-CI" or "PC" with output to the computer, wireless liason).

The digital receiver 1 is provided with a receiver 8 connected to the network 9 diffuser data, a microprocessor 10, and an electronic assembly 11 comprising in particular the management module 12 of the decoder 13 and a software implemented specific to the application.

The operation of the system can be depicted by the following scenario:

- The decoder 1 is in data reception mode, the received data being routed to the computer 3 via the digital link 7, the data is stored on the hard drive of the computer.

- An application on the decoder set 1/3 TV can switch from a conventional reception mode terminal emulation mode allowing access to previously stored data, but also to a set of features offered by the computer 3 ( eg computer modem and software used to compose, send and check e-mail from the TV 2, or a menu decoder 1 to be connected to Internet sites or launch various games previously downloaded broadband on the computer, etc.).

The more or less advanced STB remote control 1 or 2 of the TV to control access to these Functi nnalités thanks to specific software 13.

Two main operating modes are possible:

- The decoder 1 has a particular operating system capable of running-specific system software: tailored applications are downloaded broadband on the computer via the decoder. These applications are then available by the decoder user can download from the computer 3.

- The computer enables the decoder to access all resources and may at the request of the decoder execute any application. Only the "image" of the execution is transmitted to the decoder. Remote user commands are entered on the decoder using a remote control and then routed to the computer which interprets them as commands for the software that runs to the decoder.

For this protocol is defined for: - firstly to allow the decoder to interpret the "images" (or

"Mirror") sent by the computer "server" during the execution of a task

- Secondly to interpret commands and user choice so that he has the impression that the task is running on the decoder 1.

Application examples: a / Multimedia Teletext: Periodically, all television programs and their descriptions are transmitted high speed and stored on the computer 3. Unlike the conventional teletext or new type applications Guide program (TPS, CanalSat ..), this "TV multimedia diary" contains more text, programs broadcast images, film clips, animations and possibly advertising. The computer's storage capacity allows to store multiple "Newspapers" different, it behaves like a "kiosk" server. The user can then consult its richer way programs from its TV 2. b / The "digital jukebox": From an implementation of the decoder

1, the user can decide to download digital music (as a set of files, or by routing to the computer 3 audio channel of a TV channel ...). Application software installed in the computer allows you to replay the recorded songs and send them to the decoder. This application can provide a rich interface thanks to the resources of the computer.

The positioning of the various constituent elements provides the object of the invention a maximum of useful effects which had not been, to date, been obtained by similar devices.