Apparatus and methods for network access using a set top box and television

• US 6,381,748 B1
• Filed: 05/02/1997
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Communications Inc.
• Original Assignee: GTE Main Street Incorporated
• Inventors: Lin, Eric, Wan, Howard S. K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, John W.
• Application Number:
  US08/853,035
• Time in Patent Office: 1,824 Days
• Field of Search: 725/74, 725/78, 725/82, 725/105, 725/109, 725/138, 725/85, 725/110, 725/111, 725/112, 725/113, 725/114, 725/115, 725/116, 725/117, 725/118, 725/131, 725/135, 725/139, 709/217-219
• US Class Current: 725/109
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9577 Optimising the visualization of content, e.g. distillation of HTML documents
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2355 involving reformatting operations of additional data, e.g. HTML pages optimising the visualization of content for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/9577; tracking of instant messages H04L51/234; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application

Abstract

An Internet gateway video server transmits selection information to a set top box connected to a television. The set top box displays the selection information on the television. A user views the selection information, and inputs user selection requests to the set top box. The Internet gateway video server receives user the requests for information and retrieves the information. The server then converts the network information from a network format to a television format. The conversion includes scanning the network information for selection elements, and adding selection elements for transmission in the television format. The converted network information is then transmitted to the set top box for display on the television. The user may then make further selections based on the displayed network information.

Claims

1. Apparatus for retrieving and retransmitting data processing network information in response to a user selection request, comprising:

means for transmitting first selection information to be displayed on a television;

means for receiving a user selection request based on the transmitted first selection information;

means for retrieving data processing network information, in a network format, corresponding to the user selection request;

means for transforming the data processing network information from the network format having a first interactive element to a television format having a second interactive element; and

means for transmitting the data processing network information in the television format to the television.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for transforming includes:

means for scanning the retrieved data processing network information to identify second selection information as the first interactive element; and

transforming the data processing network information by creating television information having third selection information corresponding to the second interactive element.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first selection information comprises a menu, and wherein the means for receiving a user selection request includes means for receiving a signal corresponding to a selection from the menu.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising means for customizing the menu.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for receiving a user selection request includes:

means for translating the user selection request into the network location.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for receiving a user selection request includes:

means for receiving signals from a set top box connected to the television.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for receiving a user selection request includes:

means for receiving signals from a distribution system.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for retrieving network information includes:

an interface to the Internet.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for retrieving network information includes:

means for managing multiple user sessions.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for retrieving network information includes:

means for logging user session activity.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for retrieving network information includes:

means for caching network information.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for transmitting includes:

means for transmitting the television information over a television distribution system.

13. A method of retrieving and retransmitting data processing network information in response to a user selection request, comprising:

transmitting first selection information to be displayed on a television;

receiving a user selection request based on the transmitted first selection information;

retrieving data processing network information, in a network format, corresponding to the user selection request;

transforming the data processing network information from the network format having a first interactive element to a television format having a second interactive element; and

transmitting the data processing network information in the television format to the television.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of transforming includes the substeps of:

scanning the retrieved data processing network information to identify second selection information as the first interactive element; and

transforming the data processing network information by creating television information having third selection information corresponding to the second interactive element.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first selection information includes a menu, and wherein the receiving a user selection request includes the substep of:

receiving a signal corresponding to a selection from the menu.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

means for customizing the menu.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the receiving a user selection request includes the substep of:

translating the user selection request into the network location.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the receiving a user selection request includes the substep of:

receiving signals from a set top box connected to the television.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the receiving a user selection request includes the substep of:

receiving signals from a distribution system.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the retrieving network information includes the substep of:

interfacing to the Internet.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the retrieving network information includes the substep of:

managing multiple user sessions.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the retrieving network information includes the step of:

logging user session activity.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein the retrieving network information includes the substep of:

caching the network information.

24. The method of claim 13, wherein the transmitting includes the substep of:

transmitting the television information over a distribution system.

25. A system for retrieving data processing network information in response to a user selection request, and retransmitting the data processing network information to a set top box, comprising:

a set top box connected to a television for transmitting television information to the television and for transmitting user selection requests; and

means for retrieving data processing network information, comprising;

means for transmitting first selection information to the set top box for display on the television;

means for receiving a user selection request based on the transmitted first selection information;

means for retrieving data processing network information, in a network format having a first interactive element, corresponding to the user selection request;

means for transforming the data processing network information from the network format to a television format having a second interactive element; and

means for transmitting the data processing network information in the television format to the set top box for display on the television.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for transforming includes:

means for scanning the retrieved data processing network information to identify second selection information as the first interactive element; and

transforming the data processing network information by creating television information having third selection information corresponding to the second interactive element.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first selection information comprises a menu, and wherein the means for receiving a user selection request includes means for receiving a signal corresponding to a selection from the menu.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising means for customizing the menu.

29. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for receiving a user selection request includes:

means for translating the user selection request into the network location.

30. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for receiving a user selection request includes:

means for receiving signals from a set top box connected to the television.

31. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for receiving a user selection request includes:

means for receiving signals from a distribution system.

32. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for retrieving network information includes:

an interface to the Internet.

33. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for retrieving network information includes:

means for managing multiple user sessions.

34. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for retrieving network information includes:

means for logging user session activity.

35. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for retrieving network information includes:

means for caching network information.

36. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for transmitting includes:

means for transmitting the television information over a television distribution system.