Trusted transactional set-top box
First Claim
1. A set top box comprising:
- a processor for controlling the set top box;
a video decoder coupled to the processor, the video decoder providing a decoded video signal;
a graphics interface coupled to the video decoder to output the decoded video signal to at least one display;
a network interface to access a computer network;
a user interface enabling user interaction with the processor, initiating a transaction and committing the transaction to a remote server coupled to the computer network, anda non-volatile cache memory coupled to the processor, the non-volatile cache memory including;
a Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM);
a context data save engine configured to store a context of the committed transaction to the NVRAM after the committed transaction is sent to the remote server but before an acknowledgement of the committed transaction is received from the remote server;
a printer coupled to the processor, the processor controlling the printer to print a confirmed acknowledgment ticket when a confirmation of the committed transaction is received from the remote server within a predetermined period of time, the processor controlling the printer to print a provisional acknowledgment ticket when the confirmation of the committed transaction is not received from the remote server within the predetermined period of time, at least the provisional acknowledgment ticket including machine readable information that uniquely identifies the committed transaction, anda reader configured to read at least the machine readable information printed on the provisional acknowledgment ticket, the processor being further configured to control the printer to print the confirmed acknowledgment ticket corresponding to the uniquely identified committed transaction if the acknowledgment was received from the remote server since the provisional acknowledgment ticket was printed.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A set top box (STB) includes a trusted transactional cache and associated transactional protocol and enables e-commerce transactions to be securely committed to a remote server extremely quickly and with little network overhead. The invention does away with the user concern of whether the transaction was successful. The STB operates equally well on robust private networks as on unpredictable Internet or wireless networks, and avoids upsetting users who would otherwise have to wait in front of a display screen for confirmation of completion of the transaction after a temporary communication failure with the central site. The method may advantageously be used to provide cost-effective micro-payments solutions. The STB may include a dual headed display capability in which data and video maybe be directed to separate displays. The STB may feature an embedded ticket printer, as well as an embedded barcode scanner. This enables non computer literate users to more conveniently track transactions committed via the STB, or to take advantage of promotional coupons. The STB features an embedded hardware true Random Number Generator to produce maximum entropy encryption keys, therefore providing maximum secure and fool-proof means to protect private data using government authorized encryption schemes.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A set top box comprising:
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a processor for controlling the set top box; a video decoder coupled to the processor, the video decoder providing a decoded video signal; a graphics interface coupled to the video decoder to output the decoded video signal to at least one display; a network interface to access a computer network; a user interface enabling user interaction with the processor, initiating a transaction and committing the transaction to a remote server coupled to the computer network, and a non-volatile cache memory coupled to the processor, the non-volatile cache memory including; a Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM); a context data save engine configured to store a context of the committed transaction to the NVRAM after the committed transaction is sent to the remote server but before an acknowledgement of the committed transaction is received from the remote server; a printer coupled to the processor, the processor controlling the printer to print a confirmed acknowledgment ticket when a confirmation of the committed transaction is received from the remote server within a predetermined period of time, the processor controlling the printer to print a provisional acknowledgment ticket when the confirmation of the committed transaction is not received from the remote server within the predetermined period of time, at least the provisional acknowledgment ticket including machine readable information that uniquely identifies the committed transaction, and a reader configured to read at least the machine readable information printed on the provisional acknowledgment ticket, the processor being further configured to control the printer to print the confirmed acknowledgment ticket corresponding to the uniquely identified committed transaction if the acknowledgment was received from the remote server since the provisional acknowledgment ticket was printed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of carrying out an online transaction between a set top box and a remote server, each of the set top box and the remote server being coupled to a network, the method comprising the steps of:
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initiating a transaction at the set top box; storing a copy of the transaction in a non-volatile memory within the set top box; sending the transaction to the remote server under a control of the set top box; printing a confirmed acknowledgment ticket of the transaction when a confirmed acknowledgment of the transaction is received from the remote server within a predetermined period of time; printing a provisional acknowledgment ticket that includes machine readable information that uniquely identifies the transaction from the copy of the transaction stored in the non-volatile memory when the confirmed acknowledgment is not received within the predetermined period of time; reading the printed machine-readable information upon presentation of the provisional acknowledgment ticket to the set top box, and printing the confirmed acknowledgment ticket corresponding to the uniquely identified transaction if the confirmed acknowledgment was received from the remote server since the provisional acknowledgment ticket was printed. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification