Non-computer interface to a database and digital library
First Claim
1. An apparatus providing an interface for browsing a storage unit, comprising:
- a control unit for generating and transmitting a selection signal; and
an interface unit for connection to the storage unit,wherein the interface unit receives a signal from the storage unit indicating a plurality of selection items and presents the selection items, whereupon the control unit generates the selection signal to select one of the plurality of presented selection items, and the interface unit receives the selection signal and transmits a signal for controlling the storage unit to access an area of the storage unit indicated by the selection signal.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A non-computer interface to a storage system includes a set top box (STB) or interface unit connected to a storage system for storing information to be accessed by a user. The storage system can be a database, such as a relational database having a plurality of tables, or a digital library system, for storing information to be accessed by the user. Also stored in the storage system are navigation information or rules for controlling a user'"'"'s navigation of the database. A user interacts with the storage system through the STB, sending navigation commands to the storage system via the STB. The navigation commands available to a user are generated by combining the navigation rules with the user'"'"'s access privileges. The user can send navigation commands via a remote controller which sends cursor control commands to the STB. Alternatively, the user can send navigation commands via a virtual reality interface.
17 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus providing an interface for browsing a storage unit, comprising:
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a control unit for generating and transmitting a selection signal; and an interface unit for connection to the storage unit, wherein the interface unit receives a signal from the storage unit indicating a plurality of selection items and presents the selection items, whereupon the control unit generates the selection signal to select one of the plurality of presented selection items, and the interface unit receives the selection signal and transmits a signal for controlling the storage unit to access an area of the storage unit indicated by the selection signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An arrangement for browsing stored information, comprising:
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a storage unit containing the stored information and navigation information for navigating the storage unit; an interface unit connected to the storage unit, for submitting navigation commands to the storage unit and receiving information from the storage unit in response the navigation commands; a remote controller having navigation controls, wherein the remote controller is wirelessly coupled to the interface unit and transmits a first navigation signal to the interface unit in response to selection of one or more of the navigation controls, and in response to receiving the first navigation signal the interface unit submits a first navigation command to the storage unit causing the storage unit to output the navigation information for further navigation of the storage unit. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of controlling a storage unit, comprising:
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accessing a first portion of the storage unit; presenting first navigation information from the first portion of the storage unit; sending a navigation command to the storage unit relating to the presented first navigation information to access a second portion of the storage unit; receiving second navigation information from the storage unit, wherein the first and second navigation information are based on the first and second accessed portions of the storage unit, respectively, and an access privilege, wherein said first navigation information is used to navigate through at least said first portion of the storage unit. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A computer program product for browsing information in a storage unit, the computer program product including a computer-readable medium, comprising:
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first computer-readable code for presenting first navigation information from an accessed first portion of the storage unit; second computer-readable code for sending a navigation command to the storage unit based on the displayed first navigation information to access a second portion of the storage unit; and third computer-readable code for receiving second navigation information from the storage unit, wherein the first and second navigation information are based on the first and second accessed portions of the storage unit, respectively, and an access privilege, wherein said first navigation information is used to navigate through at least said first portion of the storage unit. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification