System using a computer as television set server

• US 20030033604A1
• Filed: 08/28/2002
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jean-Yves Leroux, Laurent Jabiol
• Original Assignee: Jean-Yves Leroux, Laurent Jabiol
• Inventors: Leroux, Jean-Yves, Jabiol, Laurent
• Application Number:
  US10/148,175
• Publication Number:
  US 20030033604A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/40 Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805

Abstract

The invention concerns a system for using a computer as server for television sets. It consists of a module (4) connected to the decoder (1) of the television set (2) and to the computer (3) by digital links, and comprising a micro-electronic component (5) provided with enhanced filtering units and an interface for controlling the computer resources from a decoder by means of a specific software integrated therein. The invention concerns reception on a television set of data of all types, and in particular programs or data using coding by packets consisting of a set of data routed in blocks in a network, whether of the wireless type, by cable or satellite.

Claims

1. System allowing the use of a computer as a server for television sets, adapted in particular to record and manipulate programs or data using coding by packets constituted of a set of data routed in blocks in a network, whether of the wireless type, by cable or satellite,

characterized by the combination of a module (4), integrated into or connected to the digital decoder (1) associated with the television set (2) and to the computer (3) by digital links (6, 7), and comprising a micro-electronic component (5) provided with enhanced filtering units and an interface for controlling the resources of said computer from said digital decoder due to a specific software (13) integrated therein.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the module (4) is integrated into the digital decoder (1).

3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the module (4) is connected to the digital decoder (1) due to an interface (6) of the PCMIA type.

4. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module (4) is connected to the computer (3) by a high speed digital link (7) of the USB, 1394 type, or the like.

5. System according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the digital link (7) connecting the module (4) and the computer (3) is a wireless connection.

6. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module (4) and the specific software (13) integrated into the digital decoder (1) are arranged so that the assembly formed of the digital decoder and the computer (3) have access to the functions offered by said computer.

7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the module (4) and the specific software (13) are arranged so as to allow controlling access to the functions of the computer (3) by means of the remote control of the digital decoder (1) or of the television set (2).

8. System according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the module (4) and the specific software (13) are arranged so as to allow transmitting the data received by said decoder to the computer (3) by the digital link (7), and to store said data on the hard drive of said computer.

9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the module (4) and the specific software (13) are arranged so as to be able to go from a conventional reception mode to a terminal emulation mode allowing access to data previously stored in the computer (3).

10. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the digital decoder (1) has a special operating system capable of running software specific to this system and of downloading adapted applications to the computer (3) at high speed via said decoder.

11. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computer (3) is equipped to allow the digital decoder (1) to access all of its resources, and to execute any application upon its request with only the “

image”

of the execution being sent to said decoder.