Transferring information between an internet module and TV controller of a web TV

• US 7,028,330 B1
• Filed: 04/18/2000
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Zenith Electronics Corporation (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Gaughan, Kevin J., Zato, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, HAI V
• Application Number:
  US09/551,110
• Time in Patent Office: 2,184 Days
• Field of Search: 725/37, 725/109, 725/105, 725/110, 725/112, 725/131, 725/139, 725/132, 725/140, 725/152, 725/51, 725/151, 345/717, 345/327, 345/328, 348/565, 348/552, 348/553, 348/739, 348/578, 348/10, 348/12, 348/13, 348/6, 348/7, 348/466, 455/6.2, 455/6.3, 455/5.1, 717168-178, 715716-719
• US Class Current: 725/110
• 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 21/4622 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 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen

Abstract

A web television includes a display, a tuner, an internet module, and a PIP module. The tuner is arranged to select television video for display on the display and to select television audio for display by a speaker of the web television. The internet module is arranged to supply internet video for display on the display and to supply internet audio for display by the speaker of the web television, and the internet video and audio are derived from internet communications between the web television and internet content providers. The PIP module is arranged to provide a PIP area within a main area of the display. The internet video and the television video may be swapped between the PIP area and the main area of the display, and the speaker of the web television may be swapped between the internet audio and the television audio.

Claims

1. A web television comprising:

a display;

a tuner, wherein the tuner is arranged to select television video for display on the display;

an internet module, wherein the internet module is arranged to supply internet video for display on the display, wherein the internet video is derived from internet communications between the web television and internet content providers, and wherein the internet module is programmed to execute a first software code; and

a television controller being coupled locally to the internet module, being separate from the internet module, and being computer based, wherein the television controller is arranged to control the tuner, wherein the television controller is arranged to communicate with the internet module using a message format, wherein the television controller is programmed to execute a second software code, and wherein the television controller is arranged to process a message between the television controller and the internet module indicating identification of one of the first and second software codes.

2. The web television of claim 1, wherein the identification comprises a version number of the one of the first and second software code.

3. The web television of claim 1, wherein the identification comprises a revision number of the one of the first and second software code.

4. The web television of claim 3, wherein the identification comprises a version number of the one of the first and second software code.

5. The web television of claim 1, wherein the identification identifies the first software code, and wherein the television controller is arranged to receive the identification from the internet module.

6. The web television of claim 5, wherein the identification comprises a version number of the first software code.

7. The web television of claim 5, wherein the identification comprises a revision number of the first software code.

8. The web television of claim 7, wherein the identification comprises a version number of the first software code.

9. The web television of claim 1, wherein the television controller is further arranged to send a signal to the internet module, wherein the signal indicates that the television controller is going to send the message to the internet module, wherein the internet module is arranged to respond to the signal by acknowledging receipt of the signal, and wherein the television controller is arranged to send the message to the Internet module in response to the acknowledgment.

10. The web television of claim 1, wherein the internet module is arranged to transmit a request to the television controller, wherein the request comprises a request for the identification, and wherein the identification identifies the second software code.

11. The web television of claim 1, wherein the television controller comprises a microprocessor.

12. The web television of claim 1, wherein the television controller controls a raster controller.

13. A web television comprising:

a display;

a television controller;

a tuner, wherein the tuner is arranged to select television video for display on the display under control of the television controller; and

,

an internet module, wherein the internet module is arranged to couple the television controller to the internet, wherein the internet module is arranged to supply internet video for display on the display, wherein the internet video is derived from internet communications between the web television and internet content providers, wherein the television controller and the internet module are arranged to communicate messages with one another, and wherein one of the messages contains software identification information.

14. The web television of claim 13, wherein the software identification information includes a software version number.

15. The web television of claim 13, wherein the software identification information includes a software revision number.

16. The web television of claim 15, wherein the software identification information includes a software version number.

17. A web television comprising:

a display;

a tuner, wherein the tuner is arranged to select television video for display on the display;

an internet module, wherein the internet module is arranged to supply internet video for display on the display, wherein the internet video is derived from internet communications between the web television and internet content providers, and wherein the internet module is programmed to execute a first software code; and

a television controller being separate from the internet module and being computer based, wherein the television controller is arranged to communicate with the internet module using a message format, wherein the television controller is programmed to execute a second software code, wherein the television controller is arranged to process a message between the television controller and the internet module indicating identification of one of the first and second software codes, wherein the identification identifies the second software code, and wherein the television controller is arranged to transmit the identification to the internet module.

18. The web television of claim 17, wherein the identification comprises a version number of the second software code.

19. The web television of claim 17, wherein the identification comprises a revision number of the second software code.

20. The web television of claim 19, wherein the identification comprises a version number of the second software code.

21. The web television of claim 20, wherein the internet module is arranged to use the version number and the revision number of the second software code to determine which of a set of features associated with the internet module are compatible with the second software executed by the television controller.

22. The web television of claim 21, wherein the internet module is further arranged to initialize the features that are compatible with the second software.