CA2211527A1 - Set-top box - Google Patents
Set-top boxInfo
- Publication number
- CA2211527A1 CA2211527A1 CA002211527A CA2211527A CA2211527A1 CA 2211527 A1 CA2211527 A1 CA 2211527A1 CA 002211527 A CA002211527 A CA 002211527A CA 2211527 A CA2211527 A CA 2211527A CA 2211527 A1 CA2211527 A1 CA 2211527A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- signals
- stb
- top box
- isdn
- server
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
- H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
- H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
- H04B7/14—Relay systems
- H04B7/15—Active relay systems
- H04B7/185—Space-based or airborne stations; Stations for satellite systems
- H04B7/18523—Satellite systems for providing broadcast service to terrestrial stations, i.e. broadcast satellite service
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client
- H04N21/61—Network physical structure; Signal processing
- H04N21/6106—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the downstream path of the transmission network
- H04N21/6118—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the downstream path of the transmission network involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client
- H04N21/61—Network physical structure; Signal processing
- H04N21/6156—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network
- H04N21/6187—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q11/00—Selecting arrangements for multiplex systems
- H04Q11/04—Selecting arrangements for multiplex systems for time-division multiplexing
- H04Q11/0428—Integrated services digital network, i.e. systems for transmission of different types of digitised signals, e.g. speech, data, telecentral, television signals
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
- H04Q2213/13176—Common channel signaling, CCS7
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
- H04Q2213/13178—Control signals
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
- H04Q2213/13202—Network termination [NT]
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
- H04Q2213/13204—Protocols
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
- H04Q2213/13209—ISDN
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
- H04Q2213/13292—Time division multiplexing, TDM
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
- H04Q2213/13299—Bus
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
- H04Q2213/13332—Broadband, CATV, dynamic bandwidth allocation
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
- H04Q2213/13333—Earth satellites
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
- H04Q2213/13376—Information service, downloading of information, 0800/0900 services
Abstract
For interactive services, for example video-on-demand, a return channel must be made available to each subscriber. The video and audio signals of an interactive service are transmitted by a server (SERVER) through a cable television network (CATV) or a satellite link to the set-top-boxes (STB) of the subscribers. The return channel is part of an integrated services digital network (ISDN). The set-top-box (STB) of each subscriber has an S0 interface (S0) through which it accesses the ISDN network (ISDN). The service request signals are transmitted by the set-top-box (STB) to the server (SERVER) in a signalling channel of the ISDN network by a packet-transmission process. The set-top-box (STB) can also receive control signals from the ISDN network.
Moreover, multiplexing of several signalling channels is provided in a central exchange.
Moreover, multiplexing of several signalling channels is provided in a central exchange.
Description
CA 02211~27 ls97-08-OX
Set-Top Box The invention concerns a set-top box according to patent claim 1.
Broad-band communications systems which are able to contain a return channel are necessary to provide interactive services such as e.g. near-video-on-demand, video-on-demand or telelearning. The video and audio signals of the interactive services are transmitted by a server to several subscribers, e.g. in the forward channel of a hybrid broad-band communications network or via a satellite link. Each subscriber has a set-top box in which the video and audio signals are decompressed and decoded, among other things. To make use of the interactive services each subscriber must have the possibility of requesting the desired services from the server. This takes place via a return channel.
One possibility of implementing the return channel is known from the article "New Concept Links TV and Telephone"
from the magazine Funkschau 19/1989, pages 46 to 51. The interactive services are transmitted to several subscribers via the forward channel of a broad-band communications network. The return channel is implemented via an integrated services digital network, the so-called ISDN.
The transmission of the request signals takes place via an ISDN-telephone installation in a user information channel, the so-called B channel. This has the disadvantage ~hat while the video-on-demand service is being used, e.g. 90 minutes per video film, the user information channel is occupied and cannot be used for telephoning for example.
CA 02211~27 1997-08-08 Furthermore a low data rate, e.g. 10 kbit/s, is sufficient to transmit the request signals. In this way only a small part of the 64 kbit/s of the user information channel is being utilized.
In addition the article "Set-Top-Boxes for Digital TV"
in the magazine Funkschau 23/1995, pages 22 to 29 describes a set-top box with among other things a video decoder, an audio decoder, a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory) memory and several interfaces, among them an interface for connecting the set-top box to a telephone line.
It is the task of the invention to provide a device whereby a subscriber can transmit request signals to a server. This task is fulfilled by the principle of patent claim 1. Advantageous configurations can be found in the dependent patent claims 2 to 4.
A special advantage of the invention ls the possibility of the simultaneous use of interactive services and telephone services for subscribers who have only one user information channel available.
Another advantage of the invention is the better utilization of the signalling channel in the integrated services digital network.
The invention will be explained in the following by means of a configuration example with the help of figures 1 and 2, wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a broad-band communications system able to contain a return channel, and Figure 2 is a schematically illustrated construction of a set-top box according to the invention.
CA 02211~27 1997-08-08 The configuration example is described next by means of figure 1, which illustrates a broad-band communications system BK able to contain a return channel. Among other things, the return-channel-capable broad-band communications system BK is used to provide interactive services such as e.g. video-on-demand or home banking. The basis of the broad-band communications system BK is a cable television distribution network CATV and an integrated services digital network ISDN. Television and radio programs are fed to the cable television distribution network CATV by a television and radio station TVR and transmitted to several subscriber installations. In addition upon request from a subscriber, video and audio signals are fed by a server SERVER to the cable television distribution network CATV and transmitted to the subscriber. The transmission of the subscriber's request signals, which can also be used e.g. for forwarding and rewinding activities, freeze frames or account orders, takes place via the integrated services digital network ISDN. To that end the subscriber installation TN comprises a television set TV, a set-top box STB and an infrared remote control IR.
The television programs as well as the video signals are displayed on the screen of the television set TV.
The set-top box is used for receiving television and radio programs as well as video and audio signals which are transmitted via the cable television distribution network CATV, for receiving control signals from the integrated services digital network ISDN, for receiving infrared signals from the infrared remote control, for transmitting the received and processed television and radio programs as well as the received and processed video and audio signals to the television set, and for transmitting request signals via the integrated services digital network ISDN.
CA 02211~27 1997-08-08 The request signals are transmitted in a packet-switched mode via an interface S0 in a signalling channel of the integrated services digital network ISDN. The signalling channel represents the return channel.
A switching center of the integrated services digital network ISDN receives the request signals from several subscribers in packet data form and combines them in the multiplex mode, so that the request signals from a group of subscribers can be transmitted e.g. in a user information channel which is a dedicated connection for example, from the switching center to the server SERVER via the integrated services digital network ISDN.
The configuration example will now be explained further by means of figure 2 which illustrates a set-top box STB of a subscriber of the broad-band communications system in figure 1. The set-top box comprises a decoding unit DEK, a control unit CTRL, an interface S0 and an infrared receiver unit IR.
The decoding unit DEK is connected to the cable television distribution network CATV, the television set TV
and the control unit CTRL. It is used to filter out those of the received video and audio signals which are requested by subscribers, to process them and transmit them to the television set TV. Among other things the processing comprises the decompressing, demodulating, deprogramming and decoding. The video and/or audio signals are compressed e.g. in accordance with the inter/intra-method, modulated in accordance with the quadrature phase modulation, programmed in accordance with the MPEG-2 method and coded by means of an asymmetric coding method. The steps of the individual processing stages and the required components as well as their circuitry are known to the professional. The decoding CA 02211~27 1997-08-08 unit DEK furthermore has the interfaces and system characteristics of the Nokia DVB 9500 S (d-box) from the article "Set-Top-Boxes for Digital TV" on page 23 in Funkschau 23/1995.
The interface S0 is an interface which is defined in the integrated services digital network ISDN with two user information channels, the so-called B channels with 64 kbit/s of transmission capacity each, and with a signalling channel, the so-called D channel with 16 kbit/s of transmission capacity.
The infrared receiver unit IR is used to receive the request signals emitted by the infrared remote control, to convert the request signals into electrical signals and to route the electrical signals further to the control unit CTRL.
The control unit CTRL comprises a means M for transmitting the request signals via the interface S0 to the integrated services digital network ISDN, a converter unit U
for converting protocols, a multiplexer MIJX, a processor unit designed as a microprocessor ~P, and a memory MEMO
designed as a RAM and EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory).
The electrical request signals are fed to the microprocessor IlP. In the microprocessor ~P the identification number of the set-top box STB, which is stored in the memory MEMO, is added to the electrical request signals as well as control and test bits, e.g.
parity bits which are computed in the microprocessor ~P.
The resulting bit sequence is fed to the multiplexer MUX.
In the multiplexer MUX the bit sequences with the request signals and monitoring signals, which originate from the CA 02211~27 1997-08-08 decoding unit DEK, are transmitted to the converter unit U
in the time division multiplex mode. The monitoring signals for example contain information about which video film is currèntly being transmitted to the television set TV or whether the output of the received signal is sufficient for a predetermined picture quality. In the converter unit U a protocol conversion of the output signals of the multiplexer MUX into a packet data protocol takes place, which can be transmitted in the packet-switched mode via the signalling channel of the integrated services digital network ISDN.
The converted bit sequences and monitoring signals are routed via the means M and the interface S0 to the switching center where a multiplex formation takes place. They finally reach the server via the integrated services digital network ISDN.
The means M are used both for sending signals in the packet data protocol and for receiving signals in the packet data protocol, which are routed further to the converter unit U. To that end the means M comprises a dialing device, a D channel monitoring unit, a receiver for receiving packet data and a sender for transmitting the request signals with the added bits and the monitoring signals in the packet-switched mode via the interface S0 in a signalling channel of the integrated services digital network ISDN.
The means M receives control signals in the packet data protocol via the interface S0. The received control signals are routed to the converter unit U for the protocol conversion. After the protocol conversion they are transmitted to the decoding unit DEK via the microprocessor ~P. The control signals are used e.g. to acknowledge the request signals received by the server SERVER, to carry out the deprogramming of the requested service, to confirm the debiting of bank accounts or to indicate the current account CA 02211~27 1997-08-08 status. Transmitting the control signals in the integrated services digital network ISDN provides increased safety against interception (wire-tapping), as compared to transmitting the control signals via the cable television distribution network CATV. It furthermore reduces the transmission density in the cable television distribution network, which reduces the susceptibility to interference and thereby improves the signal quality.
In the configuration example the video and audio signals are transmitted from the server to the subscribers via a cable television distribution network. The cable television distribution network is e.g. a purely optical, purely electrical or a hybrid one. The video and audio signals could also be transmitted to the subscribers via a satellite link, which would reduce the transmission density in the cable television distribution network.
In the configuration example the control signals are transmitted from the server to the subscribers via the integrated services digital network. Instead of via the integrated services digital network, the control signals can also be transmitted in open channels of the cable television distribution network or the satellite link.
In the configuration example the set-top box and the television set are two separate devices. The set-top box can also be integrated in the television set, which e.g.
simplifies the availability of the operating voltage for the set-top box.
Set-Top Box The invention concerns a set-top box according to patent claim 1.
Broad-band communications systems which are able to contain a return channel are necessary to provide interactive services such as e.g. near-video-on-demand, video-on-demand or telelearning. The video and audio signals of the interactive services are transmitted by a server to several subscribers, e.g. in the forward channel of a hybrid broad-band communications network or via a satellite link. Each subscriber has a set-top box in which the video and audio signals are decompressed and decoded, among other things. To make use of the interactive services each subscriber must have the possibility of requesting the desired services from the server. This takes place via a return channel.
One possibility of implementing the return channel is known from the article "New Concept Links TV and Telephone"
from the magazine Funkschau 19/1989, pages 46 to 51. The interactive services are transmitted to several subscribers via the forward channel of a broad-band communications network. The return channel is implemented via an integrated services digital network, the so-called ISDN.
The transmission of the request signals takes place via an ISDN-telephone installation in a user information channel, the so-called B channel. This has the disadvantage ~hat while the video-on-demand service is being used, e.g. 90 minutes per video film, the user information channel is occupied and cannot be used for telephoning for example.
CA 02211~27 1997-08-08 Furthermore a low data rate, e.g. 10 kbit/s, is sufficient to transmit the request signals. In this way only a small part of the 64 kbit/s of the user information channel is being utilized.
In addition the article "Set-Top-Boxes for Digital TV"
in the magazine Funkschau 23/1995, pages 22 to 29 describes a set-top box with among other things a video decoder, an audio decoder, a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory) memory and several interfaces, among them an interface for connecting the set-top box to a telephone line.
It is the task of the invention to provide a device whereby a subscriber can transmit request signals to a server. This task is fulfilled by the principle of patent claim 1. Advantageous configurations can be found in the dependent patent claims 2 to 4.
A special advantage of the invention ls the possibility of the simultaneous use of interactive services and telephone services for subscribers who have only one user information channel available.
Another advantage of the invention is the better utilization of the signalling channel in the integrated services digital network.
The invention will be explained in the following by means of a configuration example with the help of figures 1 and 2, wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a broad-band communications system able to contain a return channel, and Figure 2 is a schematically illustrated construction of a set-top box according to the invention.
CA 02211~27 1997-08-08 The configuration example is described next by means of figure 1, which illustrates a broad-band communications system BK able to contain a return channel. Among other things, the return-channel-capable broad-band communications system BK is used to provide interactive services such as e.g. video-on-demand or home banking. The basis of the broad-band communications system BK is a cable television distribution network CATV and an integrated services digital network ISDN. Television and radio programs are fed to the cable television distribution network CATV by a television and radio station TVR and transmitted to several subscriber installations. In addition upon request from a subscriber, video and audio signals are fed by a server SERVER to the cable television distribution network CATV and transmitted to the subscriber. The transmission of the subscriber's request signals, which can also be used e.g. for forwarding and rewinding activities, freeze frames or account orders, takes place via the integrated services digital network ISDN. To that end the subscriber installation TN comprises a television set TV, a set-top box STB and an infrared remote control IR.
The television programs as well as the video signals are displayed on the screen of the television set TV.
The set-top box is used for receiving television and radio programs as well as video and audio signals which are transmitted via the cable television distribution network CATV, for receiving control signals from the integrated services digital network ISDN, for receiving infrared signals from the infrared remote control, for transmitting the received and processed television and radio programs as well as the received and processed video and audio signals to the television set, and for transmitting request signals via the integrated services digital network ISDN.
CA 02211~27 1997-08-08 The request signals are transmitted in a packet-switched mode via an interface S0 in a signalling channel of the integrated services digital network ISDN. The signalling channel represents the return channel.
A switching center of the integrated services digital network ISDN receives the request signals from several subscribers in packet data form and combines them in the multiplex mode, so that the request signals from a group of subscribers can be transmitted e.g. in a user information channel which is a dedicated connection for example, from the switching center to the server SERVER via the integrated services digital network ISDN.
The configuration example will now be explained further by means of figure 2 which illustrates a set-top box STB of a subscriber of the broad-band communications system in figure 1. The set-top box comprises a decoding unit DEK, a control unit CTRL, an interface S0 and an infrared receiver unit IR.
The decoding unit DEK is connected to the cable television distribution network CATV, the television set TV
and the control unit CTRL. It is used to filter out those of the received video and audio signals which are requested by subscribers, to process them and transmit them to the television set TV. Among other things the processing comprises the decompressing, demodulating, deprogramming and decoding. The video and/or audio signals are compressed e.g. in accordance with the inter/intra-method, modulated in accordance with the quadrature phase modulation, programmed in accordance with the MPEG-2 method and coded by means of an asymmetric coding method. The steps of the individual processing stages and the required components as well as their circuitry are known to the professional. The decoding CA 02211~27 1997-08-08 unit DEK furthermore has the interfaces and system characteristics of the Nokia DVB 9500 S (d-box) from the article "Set-Top-Boxes for Digital TV" on page 23 in Funkschau 23/1995.
The interface S0 is an interface which is defined in the integrated services digital network ISDN with two user information channels, the so-called B channels with 64 kbit/s of transmission capacity each, and with a signalling channel, the so-called D channel with 16 kbit/s of transmission capacity.
The infrared receiver unit IR is used to receive the request signals emitted by the infrared remote control, to convert the request signals into electrical signals and to route the electrical signals further to the control unit CTRL.
The control unit CTRL comprises a means M for transmitting the request signals via the interface S0 to the integrated services digital network ISDN, a converter unit U
for converting protocols, a multiplexer MIJX, a processor unit designed as a microprocessor ~P, and a memory MEMO
designed as a RAM and EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory).
The electrical request signals are fed to the microprocessor IlP. In the microprocessor ~P the identification number of the set-top box STB, which is stored in the memory MEMO, is added to the electrical request signals as well as control and test bits, e.g.
parity bits which are computed in the microprocessor ~P.
The resulting bit sequence is fed to the multiplexer MUX.
In the multiplexer MUX the bit sequences with the request signals and monitoring signals, which originate from the CA 02211~27 1997-08-08 decoding unit DEK, are transmitted to the converter unit U
in the time division multiplex mode. The monitoring signals for example contain information about which video film is currèntly being transmitted to the television set TV or whether the output of the received signal is sufficient for a predetermined picture quality. In the converter unit U a protocol conversion of the output signals of the multiplexer MUX into a packet data protocol takes place, which can be transmitted in the packet-switched mode via the signalling channel of the integrated services digital network ISDN.
The converted bit sequences and monitoring signals are routed via the means M and the interface S0 to the switching center where a multiplex formation takes place. They finally reach the server via the integrated services digital network ISDN.
The means M are used both for sending signals in the packet data protocol and for receiving signals in the packet data protocol, which are routed further to the converter unit U. To that end the means M comprises a dialing device, a D channel monitoring unit, a receiver for receiving packet data and a sender for transmitting the request signals with the added bits and the monitoring signals in the packet-switched mode via the interface S0 in a signalling channel of the integrated services digital network ISDN.
The means M receives control signals in the packet data protocol via the interface S0. The received control signals are routed to the converter unit U for the protocol conversion. After the protocol conversion they are transmitted to the decoding unit DEK via the microprocessor ~P. The control signals are used e.g. to acknowledge the request signals received by the server SERVER, to carry out the deprogramming of the requested service, to confirm the debiting of bank accounts or to indicate the current account CA 02211~27 1997-08-08 status. Transmitting the control signals in the integrated services digital network ISDN provides increased safety against interception (wire-tapping), as compared to transmitting the control signals via the cable television distribution network CATV. It furthermore reduces the transmission density in the cable television distribution network, which reduces the susceptibility to interference and thereby improves the signal quality.
In the configuration example the video and audio signals are transmitted from the server to the subscribers via a cable television distribution network. The cable television distribution network is e.g. a purely optical, purely electrical or a hybrid one. The video and audio signals could also be transmitted to the subscribers via a satellite link, which would reduce the transmission density in the cable television distribution network.
In the configuration example the control signals are transmitted from the server to the subscribers via the integrated services digital network. Instead of via the integrated services digital network, the control signals can also be transmitted in open channels of the cable television distribution network or the satellite link.
In the configuration example the set-top box and the television set are two separate devices. The set-top box can also be integrated in the television set, which e.g.
simplifies the availability of the operating voltage for the set-top box.
Claims (4)
1. A set-top box (STB) comprising a decoding unit (DEK) for decoding video and audio signals, a control unit (CTRL) for controlling the transmission of request signals, and an interface (S0) to an integrated services digital network (ISDN), wherein the control unit (CTRL) is connected to the decoding unit (DEK) and the interface (S0), wherein the control unit (CTRL) comprises a protocol converter (U) for converting the protocol of the request signals to a packet-data protocol, and wherein the control unit (CTRL) comprises a means (M) for transmitting the request signals via the interface (S0) in a signaling channel of the integrated services digital network (ISDN) in a packet-switched mode.
2. A set-top box (STB) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the set-top box (STB) comprises an infrared receiver unit (IR) for receiving request signals, that the control unit (CTRL) comprises a processor (µP), and that the infrared receiver unit (IR) is connected via the processor (µP) to the protocol converter (U).
3. A set-top box (STB) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (CTRL) comprises a multiplexer (MUX) which is connected ahead of the protocol converter (U) and via which monitoring signals from the decoding unit (DEK) and the request signals are transmittable in a multiplex mode.
4. A set-top box (STB) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the means (M) comprises a receiver for receiving packet data, and that the received packet data are feedable as control signals to the protocol converter (U) and then to the decoding unit (DEK).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19547604A DE19547604A1 (en) | 1995-12-20 | 1995-12-20 | Set-top box |
| DE19547604.2 | 1995-12-20 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2211527A1 true CA2211527A1 (en) | 1997-06-26 |
Family
ID=7780673
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002211527A Abandoned CA2211527A1 (en) | 1995-12-20 | 1996-12-20 | Set-top box |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0811294A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH11501184A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2211527A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE19547604A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1997023095A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19720989A1 (en) * | 1997-05-20 | 1998-11-26 | Alsthom Cge Alcatel | Server for offering a service |
| DE19929168A1 (en) * | 1999-06-25 | 2000-12-28 | Siemens Ag | Integrated set-top-box telecommunications terminal for digital television |
| FI20000624A0 (en) * | 2000-03-17 | 2000-03-17 | Prikatti Ab Oy | Improved procedure, system and business model for arranging electric betting |
| EP1202600A1 (en) * | 2000-10-31 | 2002-05-02 | Alcatel | Access system to telecommunication networks in a multiservice environment |
| AU2003237265A1 (en) * | 2002-05-29 | 2003-12-19 | Thomson Licensing S.A. | Method and apparatus for enabling transmission of a wireless return channel signal in a satellite communications system |
| US20070245019A1 (en) * | 2006-04-12 | 2007-10-18 | United Video Properties, Inc. | Interactive media content delivery using a backchannel communications network |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4829372A (en) * | 1987-08-20 | 1989-05-09 | Telaction Corporation | Presentation player |
| US5371532A (en) * | 1992-05-15 | 1994-12-06 | Bell Communications Research, Inc. | Communications architecture and method for distributing information services |
| EP0856993B1 (en) * | 1992-12-09 | 2002-07-31 | Discovery Communications, Inc. | Set top terminal for cable television delivery systems |
| AU6699994A (en) * | 1993-04-01 | 1994-10-24 | Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. | Method and system for accessing multimedia data over public switched telephone network |
| DE69317267T2 (en) * | 1993-05-19 | 1998-06-25 | Alsthom Cge Alcatel | Network for video on request |
| JPH07203420A (en) * | 1993-11-26 | 1995-08-04 | Sony Corp | Two-way broadcast system, receiver and remote controller therefor |
| US5459506A (en) * | 1993-12-28 | 1995-10-17 | At&T Corp. | Enhanced pay per view system |
| US5570295A (en) * | 1994-03-18 | 1996-10-29 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | System and method of capturing encoded data transmitted over a communications network in a video system |
-
1995
- 1995-12-20 DE DE19547604A patent/DE19547604A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1996
- 1996-12-20 CA CA002211527A patent/CA2211527A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-12-20 JP JP9522527A patent/JPH11501184A/en active Pending
- 1996-12-20 WO PCT/EP1997/000117 patent/WO1997023095A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1996-12-20 EP EP97901007A patent/EP0811294A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE19547604A1 (en) | 1997-06-26 |
| WO1997023095A1 (en) | 1997-06-26 |
| JPH11501184A (en) | 1999-01-26 |
| EP0811294A1 (en) | 1997-12-10 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20021220 |