Provide two different types of service in a menu
First Claim
1. An apparatus for displaying information on a television, comprising:
- a circuit that receives wireless television communication signals, the wireless television communication signals including sensory data and programming data related to the sensory data;
a circuit that receives computer network communication signals; and
a circuit that processes the received wireless television communication signals and the received computer network communication signals such that the received wireless television communication signals and the received computer network communication signals can be displayed on the television;
wherein;
said circuit that receives wireless television communication signals comprises, at least two television receivers, including a Digital Satellite System (DSS) receiver configured to receive digital television signals broadcast from a satellite and a terrestrial television tuner configured to receive terrestrially broadcast television signals, a selection device for selecting at least two of the signals received by the television receivers, a first video processor coupled to the selection device and configured to receive a first of the at least two selected signals, and, based on a user input selection command, perform one of decimating the first video signal and allowing the first video signal to pass unaltered, and a second video processor coupled to the selection device and configured to receive a second of the at least two selected signals, and, based on a user input selection command, perform one of decimating the second video signal and allowing the second video signal to pass unaltered;
said computer network communication signals are Internet signals;
said circuit that receives computer network communication signals comprises a web graphics engine that processes the Internet signals into a form that can be displayed on a television; and
said circuit that processes the received wireless television communication signals and the received computer network communication signals comprises a blending device that integrates the received signals into a form that can be displayed on the television.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated DSS/WebTV receiver is communicatively connected to an Internet service provider, a DSS service provider, and (optionally) a local broadcast station to provide a display of DSS programs, Internet web sites, and local broadcast channels in a seamless fashion. The DSS/WebTV receiver generates a graphical user interface (GUI), displayed on a television screen, for facilitating a user'"'"'s navigation through the DSS, Internet, and local broadcast data. The GUI includes user-selectable icons for filtering and/or selecting the received data, a scrolling ticker region for displaying information about upcoming DSS events and providing access to related Internet web sites, and a decimated video region for displaying, in reduced form, DSS programs that are currently being broadcast.
274 Citations
85 Claims
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1. An apparatus for displaying information on a television, comprising:
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a circuit that receives wireless television communication signals, the wireless television communication signals including sensory data and programming data related to the sensory data;
a circuit that receives computer network communication signals; and
a circuit that processes the received wireless television communication signals and the received computer network communication signals such that the received wireless television communication signals and the received computer network communication signals can be displayed on the television;
wherein;
said circuit that receives wireless television communication signals comprises, at least two television receivers, including a Digital Satellite System (DSS) receiver configured to receive digital television signals broadcast from a satellite and a terrestrial television tuner configured to receive terrestrially broadcast television signals, a selection device for selecting at least two of the signals received by the television receivers, a first video processor coupled to the selection device and configured to receive a first of the at least two selected signals, and, based on a user input selection command, perform one of decimating the first video signal and allowing the first video signal to pass unaltered, and a second video processor coupled to the selection device and configured to receive a second of the at least two selected signals, and, based on a user input selection command, perform one of decimating the second video signal and allowing the second video signal to pass unaltered;
said computer network communication signals are Internet signals;
said circuit that receives computer network communication signals comprises a web graphics engine that processes the Internet signals into a form that can be displayed on a television; and
said circuit that processes the received wireless television communication signals and the received computer network communication signals comprises a blending device that integrates the received signals into a form that can be displayed on the television. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85)
a circuit that displays the processed wireless television signals and the processed computer network communication signals on the television.
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3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:
a circuit that displays a graphic user interface on the television, the graphic user interface including a plurality of icons.
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4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
a circuit that activates the display of the processed wireless television communication signals in response to a user'"'"'s selection of an icon displayed in the graphic user interface.
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5. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
a circuit that activates the display of the processed computer communication signals in response to a user'"'"'s selection of an icon displayed in the graphic user interface.
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6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the graphic user interface includes a decimated video region generated from the sensory data in the processed wireless television communication signals.
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7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the decimated video region includes a display of text generated from The programming data in the processed wireless television communication signals.
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8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the displayed text includes a channel name, a channel number, and a program name.
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9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the graphic user interface includes a ticker region that displays information that is generated from at least one of the processed wireless television communication signals and the processed computer network communication signals.
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10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the displayed information is in at least one of the following categories:
- sports scores, stock quotes, upcoming programs, upcoming events, and news events.
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11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:
a circuit that activates the display of additional information related to the information displayed in the ticker region in response to the user'"'"'s selection of the ticker region.
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12. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:
a circuit that activates the display of a web page related to the information displayed in the ticker region in response to the user'"'"'s selection of the ticker region.
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13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the web page is generated from the processed wireless television communication signals.
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14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the web page is generated from the processed computer network communication signals.
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15. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
a circuit for displaying a plurality of filtering options on the television in response to a user'"'"'s selection of an icon in the graphic user interface, each filtering option representing a way in which the programming data in the processed television communication signals is displayed on the television.
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16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a filtering option is filtering the programming data by channel numbers associated with the programming data.
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17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a filtering option is filtering the programming data by channel names associated with the programming data.
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18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a filtering option is filtering the programming data by a date associated with the programming data.
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19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a filtering option is filtering the programming data by a category associated with the programming data.
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20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the category is movies.
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21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the category is sports.
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22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the category is specials.
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23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the category is attractions.
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24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the category is drama.
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25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the category is education.
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26. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a filtering option is filtering the programming data by a user-customized list of channels associated with the programming data.
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27. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a filtering option is filtering the programming date by a user-customized list of purchased programs.
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28. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a filtering option is filtering the programming data by a user-customized list of programs selected for recording.
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29. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
a circuit for displaying an electronic message in response to a user'"'"'s selection of an icon in the graphic user interface.
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30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the electronic message is generated from the processed wireless television communication signal.
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31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the electronic message is generated from the processed computer network communication signal.
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32. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising;
a circuit for displaying an electronic instructional manual in response to a user'"'"'s selection of an icon in the graphic user interface, the electronic instructional manual facilitating the user'"'"'s operation of the apparatus.
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33. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
a circuit for displaying a settings guide in response to a user'"'"'s selection of an icon in the graphic user interface, the settings guide facilitating the user'"'"'s ability to adjust operating parameters of the apparatus.
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34. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising;
a remote controller for facilitating a user'"'"'s selection of an icon.
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35. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless television communication signals are received from a wireless communication channel that is communicatively connected to at least one satellite.
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36. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer network communication signals are received from a computer network communication channel that is communicatively connected to the Internet.
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37. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
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said apparatus is configured to perform a method for displaying information on the television, comprising the steps of, receiving wireless television communication signals, the wireless television communication signals including sensory data and programming data related to the sensory data, receiving computer network communication signals, and processing the received wireless television communication signals and the received computer network communication signals such that the received signals can be displayed on the television.
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38. The method of claim 37, further comprising The step of:
displaying the processed wireless television communication signals and the processed computer network communication signals on the television.
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39. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of:
displaying a graphic user interface on the television, the graphic user interface including a plurality of icons.
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40. The method of claim 39, further comprising The step of:
activating the display of the processed wireless television communication signals in response to a user'"'"'s selection of an icon displayed in the graphic user interface.
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41. The method of claim 39, further comprising the stop of;
activating the display of the processed computer communication signals in response to a user'"'"'s selection of an icon displayed in the graphic user interface.
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42. The method of claim 39, further comprising the steps of:
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generating a decimated video from the sensory data in the processed wireless television communication signals; and
displaying the decimated video in the graphic user interface.
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43. The method of claim 42, further comprising the steps of:
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generating text from the programming data in the processed wireless television communication signals; and
displaying the text in the decimated video.
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44. The method of claim 43, wherein the step of generating the text includes the step of generating a channel name, a channel number, and a program name.
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45. The method of claim 39, further comprising the steps of:
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displaying a ticker region in the graphical user interface;
deriving information to be displayed in the ticker region from at least one of the processed wireless television communication signals and the processed computer network communication signals; and
displaying the derived information in the ticker region.
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46. The method of claim 45, wherein the derived information is in at least one of the following categories:
- sports scores, stock quotes, upcoming programs, upcoming events, and news events.
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47. The method of claim 45, further comprising the step of;
activating the display of additional information related to the derived information displayed in the ticker region in response to the user'"'"'s selection of the ticker region.
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48. The method of claim 45, further comprising The step of:
activating the display of a web page related to the derived information displayed in the ticker region in response to the user'"'"'s selection of the ticker region.
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49. The method of claim 48, further comprising the step of:
generating the web page from the processed wireless television communication signals.
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50. The method of claim 48, further comprising the step of:
generating the web page from the processed computer network communication signals.
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51. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of;
displaying a plurality of filtering options on the television in response to a user'"'"'s selection of an icon in the graphic user interface, each filtering option representing a way in which the programming data in the processed television communication signals is displayed on the television.
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52. The method of claim 51, wherein a filtering option is filtering the programming data by channel numbers associated with the programming data.
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53. The method of claim 51, wherein a filtering option is filtering the programming data by channel names associated with the programming data.
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54. The method of claim 51, wherein a filtering option is filtering the programming data by a date associated with the programming data.
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55. The method of claim 51, wherein a filtering option is filtering the programming data by a category associated with the programming data.
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56. The method of claim 55, wherein the category is movies.
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57. The method of claim 55, wherein the category is sports.
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58. The method of claim 55, wherein the category is specials.
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59. The method of claim 55, wherein the category is attractions.
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60. The method of claim 55, wherein the category is drama.
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61. The method of claim 55, wherein the category is education.
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62. The method of claim 51, wherein a filtering option is filtering the programming data by a user-customized list of channels associated with the programming data.
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63. The method of claim 51, wherein a filtering option is filtering the programming data by a user-customized list of purchased programs.
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64. The method of claim 51, wherein a filtering option is filtering The programming data by a user-customized list of programs selected for recording.
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65. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of:
displaying an electronic message in response to a user'"'"'s selection of an icon in the graphic user interface.
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66. The method of claim 65, further comprising the step of:
receiving the electronic message from the processed wireless television communication signals.
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67. The method of claim 65, further comprising the step of:
receiving the electronic message from the processed computer network communication signals.
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68. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of:
displaying an electronic instructional manual in response to a user'"'"'s selection of an icon in the graphic user interface, the electronic instructional manual facilitating the user'"'"'s operation of the apparatus.
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69. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of:
displaying a settings guide in response to a user'"'"'s selection of an icon in the graphic user interface, the settings guide facilitating the user'"'"'s ability to adjust operating parameters of the apparatus.
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70. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of:
receiving the wireless television communication signals from a wireless communication channel that is communicatively connected to at least one satellite.
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71. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of:
receiving the computer network communication signals from a computer network communication channel that is communicatively connected to the Internet.
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72. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of:
providing a remote controller for facilitating a user'"'"'s selection of an icon.
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73. The apparatus of claim 1 for displaying information on a television, further comprising:
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a digital satellite processing element that receives digital communication signals from at least one satellite, the digital satellite processing element converting the received digital communication signals into a form that can be displayed on the television; and
an Internet processing element that receives computer network communication signals from the Internet and converts the received computer network communication signals into a form that can be displayed on the television, the Internet processing element receiving the converted digital communication signals from the digital satellite processing element and displaying the converted digital communication signals and the converted computer network communication signals on the television.
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74. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the digital satellite processing element displays a graphic user interface on the television, the graphic user interface including a plurality of icons.
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75. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein the digital satellite processing element activates the display of the converted digital communication signals in response to a user'"'"'s selection of an icon displayed in the graphic user interface.
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76. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein the Internet processing element activates the display of the converted computer communication signals in response to a user'"'"'s selection of an icon displayed in the graphic user interface.
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77. The apparatus of claim 74, further comprising:
a remote controller for facilitating a user'"'"'s selection of an icon.
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78. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
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a memory device configured to store programs and data utilized in operating said apparatus; and
a processing unit configured to execute said programs;
wherein;
said programs include a startup GUI that includes a decimated video region and a set of preselected icons representing various functionality of said apparatus; and
said decimated video region displays decimated video from one of said first video processor and said second vide processor.
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79. The apparatus according to claim 78, wherein:
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said pre-selected icons include guide, webTV, favorites, mail, settings, and how to; and
said programs include, a guide program, invoked by selection of said guide icon, configured to generate a menu having options for an electronic program guide, a station index, a category, an alphabetical listing, and others;
a webTV program, marked by selection of said webTV icon, configured to generate a webTV home page providing the user with access to the Internet;
a mail program, invoiced by selection of said mail icon, configured to generate an electronic mail list that includes public mail received from the user'"'"'s DSS provider and personal mail that is provided by the user'"'"'s Internet service provider;
a favorites program, invoked by selection of said favorites icon, configured to generate a favorite channel screen that includes a list of favorite channels that allows a user to select any one of the listed channels and edit the listed channels;
a settings program, invoked by selection of said settings icon, configured to generate a settings screen that includes system configuration options, including at least one of antenna alignment and color adjustment, audio options, and a locks &
limits options that allow a user to select at least one of spending limits and rating limits imposed on programming purchases and viewing; and
a how to program, invoked by selection of said how to icon, configured to generate a global help manual 582 that provides the user with information regarding how the user can utilize various features of said apparatus.
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80. The apparatus according to claim 78, wherein:
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said apparatus includes a recording device coupled to said processing unit;
said pre-selected icons include a planner icon; and
said programs include, a TV planner program, invoked by user selection of said planner icon, configured to generate a TV Planner screen that includes at least one of a calendar, recording list, and reminder list, that indicate programs that have been purchased and/or selected for recording by the recording device.
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81. The apparatus according to claim 80, wherein:
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said TV planner program is further configured to generate, a purchase icon adjacent to purchased programs and a record icon adjacent to programs to be recorded, a visual presentation of cost, date, and time of the purchased program, if the user selects the purchase icon, and a visual presentation of title, date, and time of the program to be recorded, if the user selects the record icon.
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82. The apparatus according to claim 78, wherein:
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said apparatus further comprises a smart card reader coupled to said processing unit and configured to provide a decryption key to the processing unit; and
said programs include a decryption program that decrypts at least one of said television signals based on the decryption key.
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83. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:
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a memory device configured to store programs and data utilized in operating said apparatus;
a processing unit configured to execute said programs; and
a smart card reader coupled to said processing unit and configured to provide a decryption key to the processing unit;
wherein said programs include a decryption program that decrypts at least one of said television signals based on the decryption key.
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84. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
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said circuit that receives wireless television communication signals is an AV7100 type chip; and
said circuit that processes the received wireless television communication signals and the received computer network communication signals is a QED type central processing unit (CPU) operably connected to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
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85. The apparatus according to claim 84, further comprising:
a buffer unit for buffering the wireless television communication signals and any peripheral related signals received by the AV7100 type chip before being processed by the CPU and ASIC.
Specification