Internet video receiver
First Claim
1. An Internet Video Receiver (IVR) apparatus disposed on a one (Client) side of a communication boundary, said apparatus comprising:
- a) a TV media interface configured to interface with a digital [GMS1]connection common to a plurality of local digital devices disposed on the Client side of said boundary, said local digital devices comprising;
i) a digital television display;
ii) a DVD player;
iii) an intermediate device that has a separate digital port adapted to connect to a separate digital device;
b) A digital network interface adapted to retrieve multiple items of digital media content from any of a plurality of independent sources, said independent sources comprising;
i) independent Server side sources, said independent Server side sources disposed on the opposite (Server) side of said communication boundary, said independent Server side sources comprising;
(i) one or more digital networks, comprising;
1. the Internet;
2. one or more WANs;
3. one or more LANs;
4. one or more computers each having a digital connection compatible with [GMS2]said network interface[GMS3];
ii) independent Client side sources, wherein said independent Client sides sources comprise;
(1) local sources stored in an memory disposed within said IVR;
(2) local sources stored on local area networks disposed on said client side of said boundary;
c) a digital media merging means for merging at least two of selected ones of said retrieved digital media content items into a merged digital output item and delivering said merged digital output item through said TV media interface;
.d) A Virtual File System (VFS) means for accessing, retrieving and storing said retrieved multiple digital content items in a VFS format, wherein said VFS is compatible with said independent Server side sources, and further, wherein said VFS is compatible with said TV media interface;
e) A Function Control[GMS4] means for controlling IVR functions, said IVR functions comprising;
(1) Selection of said digital media content items to be retrieved from said independent Server side sources,(2) Selection of said digital media content items to be merged by said digital media merging means;
(3) Selection of said merged digital output to be delivered;
(4) Selection of recipients to receive said delivery of said merged digital output;
f) Whereby two independent types of digital media content from at least two of said independent sources can be independently retrieved, jointly merged and delivered to a connected TV through said TV media interface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An Internet Video Receiver (IVR) is an appliance for delivering content from the Internet for viewing on a television screen or other device. The major contribution that we have made is to shift the position where advertising is merged with content in the delivery of television services. Previously, content was delivered by a single service provider through a closed medium to many clients. The content and advertising was preselected by the service provider at the server side and delivered to the television on the client side with limited customization for individual viewers. With an IVR, the user can choose content from many independent suppliers from the Internet which is merged with independently supplied advertising in the IVR at the client side. Merging content with advertising in the IVR at the client side provides a new method for delivering a customized television service that can be tailored to individual viewers. Statistical information about content that has been viewed using the IVR is collected at the client side and is sent to destinations on the server side independently of the content and/or advertising suppliers. All information crossing the client/server boundary between the IVR on the client side and independent services on the server side in either direction are transactions for which a fee can be charged.
39 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An Internet Video Receiver (IVR) apparatus disposed on a one (Client) side of a communication boundary, said apparatus comprising:
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a) a TV media interface configured to interface with a digital [GMS1] connection common to a plurality of local digital devices disposed on the Client side of said boundary, said local digital devices comprising;i) a digital television display; ii) a DVD player; iii) an intermediate device that has a separate digital port adapted to connect to a separate digital device; b) A digital network interface adapted to retrieve multiple items of digital media content from any of a plurality of independent sources, said independent sources comprising; i) independent Server side sources, said independent Server side sources disposed on the opposite (Server) side of said communication boundary, said independent Server side sources comprising; (i) one or more digital networks, comprising; 1. the Internet; 2. one or more WANs; 3. one or more LANs; 4. one or more computers each having a digital connection compatible with [GMS2] said network interface[GMS3] ;ii) independent Client side sources, wherein said independent Client sides sources comprise; (1) local sources stored in an memory disposed within said IVR; (2) local sources stored on local area networks disposed on said client side of said boundary; c) a digital media merging means for merging at least two of selected ones of said retrieved digital media content items into a merged digital output item and delivering said merged digital output item through said TV media interface;
.d) A Virtual File System (VFS) means for accessing, retrieving and storing said retrieved multiple digital content items in a VFS format, wherein said VFS is compatible with said independent Server side sources, and further, wherein said VFS is compatible with said TV media interface; e) A Function Control [GMS4] means for controlling IVR functions, said IVR functions comprising;(1) Selection of said digital media content items to be retrieved from said independent Server side sources, (2) Selection of said digital media content items to be merged by said digital media merging means; (3) Selection of said merged digital output to be delivered; (4) Selection of recipients to receive said delivery of said merged digital output; f) Whereby two independent types of digital media content from at least two of said independent sources can be independently retrieved, jointly merged and delivered to a connected TV through said TV media interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An Internet Video Receiver (IVR) apparatus disposed on a one (Client) side of a communication boundary, said apparatus comprising:
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a) a TV media interface configured to interface with an analog input connector common to a plurality of local analog devices disposed on the Client side of said boundary, said local analog devices comprising; i) a analog input television display; ii) other analog input media devices; b) A digital network interface adapted to retrieve multiple items of digital media content from any of a plurality of independent sources, said independent sources comprising; i) independent Server side sources, said independent Server side sources disposed on the opposite (Server) side of said communication boundary, said independent Server side sources comprising; (a) one or more digital networks, comprising; (i) the Internet; (ii) one or more WANs; (iii) one or more LANs; (iv) one or more computers each having a digital connection compatible with said network interface; [GMS12] ii) independent Client side sources, wherein said independent Client sides sources comprise; (1) local sources stored in an memory disposed within said IVR; (2) local sources stored on local area networks disposed on said client side of said boundary; c) a Codec for compression/decompression of received digital media adapted to convert said received digital media into a compressed/decompressed media format compatible with said local analog device interface; d) a digital media merging means for merging at least two of selected ones of said retrieved digital media content items into a merged digital media item and delivering said merged digital output item as said received digital media to said Codec; e) A Virtual File System (VFS) means for accessing, retrieving and storing said retrieved multiple digital content items in a VFS format, wherein said VFS is compatible with said independent Server side sources, and further, wherein said VFS is compatible with said TV media interface; f) A Function Control [GMS13] means for controlling IVR functions, said IVR functions comprising;(1) Selection of said digital media content items to be retrieved from said independent Server side sources, (2) Selection of said digital media content items to be merged by said digital media merging means; (3) Selection of said merged digital output to be delivered; (4) Selection of recipients to receive said delivery of said merged digital output; g) Whereby two independent types of digital media content from at least two of said independent sources can be independently retrieved, jointly merged and simultaneously delivered to a connected analog input TV through said TV media interface. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification