User terminal for channel-based Internet network
First Claim
1. A user terminal of a channel-based network, the user terminal comprising:
- a memory circuit that is configured to store a channel table, the channel table including a plurality of channel numbers, each channel number having an associated Internet address and an associated Internet site name;
an input device for entering a selected channel number; and
means for reading the Internet address associated with the selected channel number from the memory circuit, and for connecting the user terminal to a selected Internet site that is addressed by the Internet address associated with the selected channel number such that communications between the user terminal and the selected Internet site are transmitted only via the Internet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A channel-based network user terminal including a set-top box, a display, and input devices. A non-volatile memory stores a semi-permanent copy of a channel table downloaded from a server via the Internet. The channel table includes a list of channel numbers, associated Internet site names, and associated Internet addresses. A volatile memory stores a temporary copy of the channel table during user sessions. The channel numbers and associated Internet site names are read from the volatile memory and displayed as a menu. A user selects an Internet site name from the menu, and enters the channel number associated with the selected Internet site name using a numeric keypad provided on a remote control input device. The user terminal then accesses the selected Internet site by reading the Internet address associated with the entered channel number from the volatile memory, and transmitting the Internet address onto the Internet.
43 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A user terminal of a channel-based network, the user terminal comprising:
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a memory circuit that is configured to store a channel table, the channel table including a plurality of channel numbers, each channel number having an associated Internet address and an associated Internet site name;
an input device for entering a selected channel number; and
means for reading the Internet address associated with the selected channel number from the memory circuit, and for connecting the user terminal to a selected Internet site that is addressed by the Internet address associated with the selected channel number such that communications between the user terminal and the selected Internet site are transmitted only via the Internet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A user terminal of a channel-based network that is connected to the Internet, the user terminal comprising:
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a non-volatile memory circuit for storing a first channel table, the first channel table including a plurality of channel numbers, each channel number having an associated Internet address and an associated Internet site name;
a volatile memory circuit;
an input device;
a control unit for receiving a selected channel number entered by a user through the input device; and
means for selectively copying the first channel table from the non-volatile memory circuit to the volatile memory circuit, for reading the Internet address associated with the selected channel number from the volatile memory circuit, and for transmitting the associated Internet address via the communication circuitry directly onto the Internet, thereby connecting the user terminal to a selected Internet site that is addressed by the associated Internet address such that communications between the user terminal and the selected Internet site are transmitted directly over the Internet. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A user terminal of a channel-based network that is connected to the Internet, the channel-based network including a system server and an Internet site having Internet address, the user terminal comprising:
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means for downloading a channel table from the system server via the Internet, the channel table including a plurality of channel numbers associated Internet addresses and associated Internet site names, wherein a first channel number is associated with the Internet address of the Internet site and an Internet name that is descriptive of the Internet site; and
means for transmitting the Internet address from the downloaded channel table directly onto the Internet when the first channel number is entered by the user, thereby connecting the user terminal to the Internet site such that communications between the user terminal and the selected Internet site are transmitted directly over the Internet. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A method for operating a user terminal in a channel-based network, the user terminal including a non-volatile memory circuit and a volatile memory circuit, the non-volatile memory circuit being configured to store a user channel table, the user channel table including a plurality of channel numbers, associated Internet addresses and associated Internet site names, wherein the method comprises:
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detecting the presence of a user;
determining whether the user is a resident user or a guest user;
downloading the user channel table into the non-volatile memory from a system server via the Internet; and
copying a user channel table from the non-volatile memory to the volatile memory only when the user is determined to be a resident user. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. A method for operating a user terminal in a channel-based network including a system server, the system server including a channel table database storing a master channel table, the user terminal including a non-volatile memory circuit storing a user channel table, wherein each of the master channel table and the user channel table include a plurality of channel numbers, associated Internet addresses and associated Internet site names, wherein the method comprises:
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determining whether the master channel table is different from the user channel table;
downloading the master channel table from the system server when the master channel table is different from the user channel table;
storing the master channel table in the non-volatile memory such that the master channel table replaces the user channel table. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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Specification