Card for a set top terminal

• US 6,181,335 B1
• Filed: 09/21/1998
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Discovery Communications, Inc. (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bonner, Alfred E., Hendricks, John S., Berkobin, Eric C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh, Ba
• Application Number:
  US09/157,574
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 345/328, 348/10, 348/13, 348/14, 348/460, 348/463, 348/465, 348/470, 717/11, 455/558, 455/406, 455/407, 455/575, 455/602, 711/5, 711/100, 711/101, 711/102, 711/103, 711/104, 711/105, 711/115, 711/202, 386/46, 386/117, 386/124
• US Class Current: 715/723
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/78 CATV [Community Antenna Television] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/95 characterised by a specific format, e.g. an encoded audio stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/23 using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/72 using electronic programme guides [EPG] focusing on identifying broadcast space time H04H60/39 ; menu type display of EPG in television receivers H04N21/47
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/94 Telephonic networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/84
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/96 CATV systems for accessing the Internet H04H60/86
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23608 Remultiplexing multiplex streams, e.g. involving modifying time stamps or remapping the packet identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2362 Generation or processing of Service Information [SI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2381 Adapting the multiplex stream to a specific network, e.g. an Internet Protocol [IP] network transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2389 Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream encrypting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/258 Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data arrangements for services using the result on the distributing side of broadcast systems H04H60/66; profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4181 for conditional access
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4344 : Remultiplexing of multiplex streams, e.g. by modifying time stamps or remapping the packet identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4345 : Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 : Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4385 : Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream decrypting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 : Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 : OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/454 : Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 : End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 : for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4786 : e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 : communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64307 : ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6547 : comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8166 : involving executable data, e.g. software arrangements for executing specific programs G06F9/44; broadcasting computer programmes in broadcast systems H04H20/91; involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 : for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 : Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/602 : for digital sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 : the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0884 : for the transmission of additional display-information, e.g. menu for programme or channel selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0887 : for the transmission of programme or channel identifying signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/10 : Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/102 : Circuits therefor, e.g. noise reducers, equalisers, amplifiers H04N7/108 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 : Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 : in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals

Abstract

An apparatus for upgrading a viewer interface for a television program delivery system (200) is described. The invention relates to methods and devices for viewer pathways to television programs and services. Specifically, the apparatus involves hardware and software used in conjunction with the interface and a television at the viewer home to create a user friendly menu based approach to accessing programs and services. The apparatus is particularly useful in a program delivery system (200) with hundreds of programs and a data signal carrying program information. The disclosure describes menu generation and menu selection of television programs.

Claims

1. A card for increasing the functionality of a set top converter for use with a program delivery system providing program control information, wherein the card generates menus using the program control information and menu generation instructions, the card comprising:

instruction memory means for storing menu generation instructions;

menu memory means for storing the program control information;

a processor, connected to the instruction memory, for executing the menu generation instructions stored in the instruction memory means;

means, connected to the processor and menu memory, for generating menus using the stored program control information and executed menu generation instructions; and

means, connected to the menu generation means, for communicating the generated menus to the set top converter.

2. The card of claim 1, wherein the generated menus contain menu graphics, and wherein the means for generating menus comprises a graphics controller for generating the menu graphics.

3. The card of claim 1, wherein the card receives video from the set top converter and the generated menus contain the video, the card further comprising:

a means for receiving the video and transmitting the video to the means for generating menus; and

wherein the means for generating menus comprises a video combiner for combining the generated menu with the transmitted video.

4. The card of claim 1 wherein the processor comprises a PC chip for executing the menu generation instructions.

5. The card of claim 1 wherein the menus are generated with three separate video signals each having a different color, the card further comprising:

converter means, connected to the means for generating menus, for converting the three separate video signals into a single video signal to be communicated to the set top converter.

6. The card of claim 1 adapted for data communication with the program delivery system wherein the card further comprises a means for completing the communication with the program delivery system.

7. The card of claim 6, wherein the communication with the program delivery system occurs by telephone, and the means for completing the data communication comprises a means for dialing.

8. The card of claim 6, wherein the communication with the program delivery system occurs by cable, and the means for completing the data communication comprises a means for communicating by cable.

9. The card of claim 8, wherein the cable is a coaxial cable and the means for communicating by cable comprises a means for transmitting a data signal on a coaxial cable.

10. The card of claim 1 further comprising:

a radio frequency receiver means for receiving the program control information for storage.

11. The card of claim 1, wherein the program control information signal is received in compressed format, the card further comprising a decompressor for decompressing the program control information.

12. The card of claim 1, wherein the set top converter sends commands to the card, the card further comprising:

logic means, connected to the processor, for sending the commands to the processor, the logic means comprises;

means for receiving commands from the set top converter; and

means, connected to the receiving means, for executing the commands.

13. The card of claim 12, wherein the logic means further comprises means for communicating the commands to the set top converter.

14. The card of claim 13, wherein the commands from the set top converter are infrared commands which originate from a remote control, and wherein the logic means further comprises means for modifying such that the logic means receives, modifies, and communicates the modified infrared commands to the set top converter.

15. An apparatus for increasing the functionality of a set top converter for use with a program delivery system, comprising:

a circuit card, electronically connected to the set top converter, wherein information and data is passed between the circuit card and the set top converter, comprising;

a means for generating menus, wherein the menus identify programs and channels;

a means for sequencing through menus; and

a means for selecting a program or channel through the generated menus in response to a user command.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the circuit card further comprises a means for interpreting a program control information signal, wherein the program control information signal is used by the generating means to generate menus.

17. An apparatus for increasing the functionality of a set top converter for use with a program delivery system, comprising:

a circuit card, electronically connected to the set top converter, wherein information and data is passed between the set top converter and the circuit card, comprising;

a CPU that controls the circuit card and the set top converter;

a graphic controller that generates graphics; and

a video combiner that combines the graphics generated by the graphic controller with video from the set top converter.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the circuit card is connected to the set top converter with a ribbon cable.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the circuit card is connected to the set top converter using a plug-in slot.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the circuit card is built into the set top converter.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the information passed between the circuit card and the set top converter includes infrared commands.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the infrared commands are passed through the set top converter to the circuit card.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the infrared commands are interpreted and modified by the circuit card and returned to the set top converter.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the infrared commands are interpreted to determine the program selected and the modified infrared commands contain channel information needed for the set top converter to tune to the correct channel.

25. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the generated graphics are passed to the set top converter.

26. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the video from the set top converter is manipulated by the circuit card and returned to the set top converter.

27. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the combined graphics and video are sent to the set top converter.

28. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the circuit card increases the functionality of the set top converter by providing the ability for a viewer to select a channel through a menu.

29. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the circuit card further comprises an external connection.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the external connection includes a telephone connection for communicating with a remote location.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the external connection includes a coaxial cable input for communicating with a remote location.

32. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the CPU comprises a memory that stores data and information.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the stored data and information includes a program control information signal.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the memory is an EPROM.

35. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the CPU performs database management and data logging functions.

36. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the CPU processes signals received and generated by the circuit card.

37. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the CPU communicates data upstream to a network controller.

38. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the CPU communicates data upstream to an operation center.

39. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the CPU is a PC chip CPU.

40. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the graphics generated by the graphic controller are menu screen graphics.

41. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the graphic controller is a VGA graphic controller.

42. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the graphic controller further comprises a memory.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the memory is a dynamic memory.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the memory is a VRAM.

45. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the graphic controller receives a dot clock from the video combiner.

46. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the video from the set top converter includes a sync signal and the graphic controller is injection-locked with the sync signal.

47. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the video combiner synchronizes the graphics controller to the video, thereby allowing graphics generated by the graphics controller to be displayed alone or with the video.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the video has sync information and the video combiner synchronizes the graphic controller by stripping the sync information from the video and using the sync information to generate a dot clock used by the graphics controller.

49. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the video has a video clock and the graphics controller has a dot clock, and the video combiner synchronizes the graphic controller by phase locking the dot clock to the video clock.

50. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the video is a NTSC video.

51. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the graphics are menu graphics, and the combined video and graphics are in RGB format.

52. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising logic circuitry, wherein the logic circuitry receives information passed from the set top converter.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the information received by the logic circuitry includes infrared commands.

54. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the information received by the logic circuitry includes synchronization information.

55. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the set top converter has a key pad and a remote control and the logic circuitry scans the keypad for keystroke entry and receives infrared commands from the remote control.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the keystroke entry or the infrared commands cause the logic circuitry to generate a signal that is sent to the CPU for processing.

57. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising an encoder that receives signals from the graphics controller and converts the received signals into signals usable by a television.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the encoder accommodates the overlay of graphics and video.

59. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the encoder receives an analog RGB signal from the graphic controller.

60. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the encoder receives a NTSC video signal.

61. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the encoder sends output in NTSC signal format, thereby allowing the graphics to be displayed on a television in conjunction with a NTSC video.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the encoder determines whether to send output in NTSC signal format on a pixel-by-pixel basis, thereby allowing the graphics to be displayed on the television in conjunction with the NTSC video on a pixel-by-pixel basis.

63. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the encoder is an NTSC encoder that converts RGB and sync signals into an NTSC format signal.

64. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a receiver which receives signals.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the receiver is a RF receiver.

66. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the received signals include a program control information signal.

67. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a demodulator that demodulates received signals.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the demodulator is a quadrature phase shift keyed demodulator.

69. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the demodulator demodulates signals at a frequency of 108 MHZ.

70. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the demodulator receives a program control information signal and demodulates the program control information signal.

71. The apparatus of claim 67, further comprising a serial receiver that further processes the demodulated signal.

72. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the serial receiver is a synchronous dataline control (SDLC) serial receiver that processes the demodulated signal into SDLC format.

73. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the serial receiver is a HDLC serial receiver that processes the demodulated signal into HDLC format.

74. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the serial receiver presents the processed signal to the CPU for storage.

75. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the demodulated signal is a program control information signal and the serial receiver further processes the program control information signal before presenting the processed program control information signal to the CPU.

76. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a dialer to initiate telephone transmissions.

77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the dialer is a DTMF dialer that uses DTMF tones to make the phone connection.

78. The apparatus of claim 77, wherein the DTMF tones are used to communicate data to a remote location.

79. The apparatus of claim 78, wherein the data is communicated upstream to a network controller.

80. The apparatus of claim 78, wherein the data is communicated upstream to an operations center.

81. The apparatus of claim 78, wherein the data is communicated upstream to a cable headend.

82. The apparatus of claim 78, wherein the data includes purchase, logging, and viewing information.

83. An apparatus for increasing the functionality of a set top converter for use with a program delivery system, comprising:

a circuit card, electronically connected to a set top converter, wherein information is passed between the set top converter and the circuit card, comprising;

a CPU that controls the circuit card and the set top converter;

a graphic controller that generates graphics;

a video combiner that combines the graphics generated by the graphic controller with video from the set top converter;

logic circuitry, wherein the logic circuitry receives information passed from the set top converter;

an encoder that converts signals into television usable signals;

a receiver which receives signals;

a demodulator that demodulates the received signals;

a serial receiver that further processes the demodulated signal;

a telephone connection for communicating with a cable headend; and

a dialer to initiate telephone transmissions over the telephone connection.