Information platform
First Claim
1. An apparatus for enhancing set-top box functionality, comprising:
- an interpreted language application environment that comprises TV control, subscriber input control, a core user interface, and a framework for enabling new applications to be developed for, and loaded onto, said set-top box without updating firmware on said set-top box;
wherein all content and applications used to enhance said set-top box functionality are written to said application environment rather than to a specific set-top platform; and
wherein said application environment is implemented using resources available on a specific set-top box to which it is ported; and
one or more applications which reside on top of said application environment and which add functionality to said set-top box.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inventive client/server system provides a platform for cable system operators to deliver a full range of sophisticated new products to cable television subscribers. Preferably a middleware solution, the information platform provides a flexible, versatile, and adaptable Internet-centric platform that network operators can use to deploy interactive television applications. The information platform mediates the communication between an abundance of Web-based content and the television set. Content and applications are written entirely in industry standard HTML and Java. Traditional television programming is integrated with Web content using TV-specific extensions to HTML and Java. Applications can be loaded from the network, from carousels, or from file systems, such as flash memory or EEPROM. The information platform consists of client-side middleware integrated with a native electronic program guide application. It includes a master application that defines service functionality, TV ticker, a suite of games, and a microbrowser for broadcast managed content. The presently preferred embodiment of the information platform supports broadcast-only applications, i.e. applications not requiring a return path) and also provides limited support for two-way applications such as store and forward and imprint server for gathering subscriber interactions and statistics.
244 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for enhancing set-top box functionality, comprising:
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an interpreted language application environment that comprises TV control, subscriber input control, a core user interface, and a framework for enabling new applications to be developed for, and loaded onto, said set-top box without updating firmware on said set-top box;
wherein all content and applications used to enhance said set-top box functionality are written to said application environment rather than to a specific set-top platform; and
wherein said application environment is implemented using resources available on a specific set-top box to which it is ported; and
one or more applications which reside on top of said application environment and which add functionality to said set-top box. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for enhancing set-top box functionality, comprising the steps of:
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downloading one or more Java applets from an external source to a Interpreted language application environment that comprises TV control, subscriber input control, a core user interface, and a framework for enabling new applications to be developed for, and loaded onto, said set-top box without updating firmware on said set-top box;
wherein all content and applications used to enhance said set-top box functionality are written to said application environment rather than to a specific set-top platform; and
wherein said application environment is implemented using resources available on a specific set-top box to which it is ported; and
providing one or more applications which reside on top of said application environment and which add functionality to said set-top box. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus for enhancing set-top box functionality, comprising:
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a middleware environment;
wherein content and applications are written to said middleware environment rather than to a specific set-top platform;
wherein said middleware environment is implemented using resources available on a specific set-top environment to which it is ported; and
a framework for enabling new applications to be loaded to said set-top box without updating said firmware on said set-top box; and
a TV producer module which contains any of the following components;
a class file parser which disassembles a class file and outputs a summary of its contents;
a static API checker, which compares APIs in a compiled Java application to a list of middleware environment APIs;
a static byte code verifier which checks for valid middleware environment bytecode in a compiled application;
a JAR optimizer which optimizes access to a jar file;
a vector quantization utility which converts PC bitmap images to a lightweight VQ (vector quantize) file format; and
a layout tool which enables content developers to preview content in said middleware environment without access to a head-end server system, cable network, or a set-top device.
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Specification