CA2236586A1 - Integrated network browser chip, network browser system, and method for network data communication - Google Patents
Integrated network browser chip, network browser system, and method for network data communication Download PDFInfo
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- CA2236586A1 CA2236586A1 CA002236586A CA2236586A CA2236586A1 CA 2236586 A1 CA2236586 A1 CA 2236586A1 CA 002236586 A CA002236586 A CA 002236586A CA 2236586 A CA2236586 A CA 2236586A CA 2236586 A1 CA2236586 A1 CA 2236586A1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F15/00—Digital computers in general; Data processing equipment in general
- G06F15/76—Architectures of general purpose stored program computers
- G06F15/78—Architectures of general purpose stored program computers comprising a single central processing unit
- G06F15/7839—Architectures of general purpose stored program computers comprising a single central processing unit with memory
- G06F15/7842—Architectures of general purpose stored program computers comprising a single central processing unit with memory on one IC chip (single chip microcontrollers)
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L9/00—Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols
- H04L9/40—Network security protocols
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Abstract
An integrated network browser controller chip (218), network device (202), and network system (204) is disclosed for data transmission and reception over a network. The network browser chip includes a microprocessor (212) for operating a network browser program to connect the network browser chip to the Internet, an on-chip memory for storing the network browser (216) and the operating system program, a communications interface (210) for connecting the network browser chip to the Internet, and a user interface (234) for transferring user instructions to the network browser chip and for transferring data from the network to the user. A network browser device is further disclosed which utilizes a single integrated network browser controller chip (218) for connecting the device to the network (204). A nonnetworking electronic device is further disclosed which is modified with the integrated network browser controller chip (212) to enable data transmission and reception over the network.
Description
CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 Integ~ated Network Browser Chip, Network Browser System, and Method for Network Dat~ Communication BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to integrated circuit chips, network devices and systems, and more particularly to a single integrated browser controller chip, a network browser device, a network browser system and method for digital data communication over a network, such as the Internet.
1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to integrated circuit chips, network devices and systems, and more particularly to a single integrated browser controller chip, a network browser device, a network browser system and method for digital data communication over a network, such as the Internet.
2. Desc,iL.lion of the Related Art Certain known conventional integrated circuits, network systems and methods are utilized to communicate data between personal computers (PCs) through public switched telephone networks ~PSTNs~. Networks, such as the Internet or World Wide Web, provide a conduit for data to pass between various users, while PCs with modems utilizing inte~ratl3d circuits and network softwareprovide the i,.~errace to receive and transmit data across the network.
A typical imple "entation of a network system is shown in Figure 1 in which PCs 100, 102 are shown with a standard modem card and utilize conventional integrated circuits and network software to connect through network104, such as the Internet or World Wide Web network. Although this implementation is satisfactory for general purpose PC communication across network 104, such communication does not utilize nor require many of the computer resources of 8 general purpose PC, such as a math coprocessor and compiler. Thus, there is a need ' or more integrated network communication chipsand devices utilizing integrated network communication chips operable within network browsing systems.
CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 2-- _ SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In sccordance with the present invention, a network browser corl,oller chip for data Iransmission and reception over a network integrates network communication and browser tachnolo~y on a single chip. The sin~le, inteS~rated, network browser controller chip of the pteseo~ invention implements logic and memory circuits for conventionally connecLin~ to the I~Ltsll~e~ network. The inte~rated network browser chip includes a communications interface for connectin~ to a network, such as the Internet, a rnicroprocessor for operating anetwork program to log onto and browse the Internet network, a memory for storin~ the network pro~- a~ ~, and a user interface for Lransfe- . ing user instructions to the network browser chip and for transre--i-)~ data from the network to the user.
Alternative embodiments of the present invention include the implementation of the network browser chip with on-chip decompression circuitry for operatin~ on data received in compressed form, on-chip memory circuitry for storing system and network software, and peripheral bus controller interface circuitry for cc"~l-a11 ~~ the flow of data and instructions between the networkbrowse device snd external devices.
In accordance with the prese, .L invention, a network browser device utilizes the network browser chip for conventionally connecting to the Internet network.
Allelllali~e embodiments of the present invention include the impiemenlt.Lion of the network browser chip within conventional non-network, human interface electronic devices to enable conventional connecting to the l- -le- - -et network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figuru 1 is a block dia~ram of a conventional PC to PC communication system via the l,-lt,-l-et network.
Fi~ure 2A is a block dia~ram of a network browser device with a sin~31e inteçlrated network chip to PC communication system via the l.~Len.e~ network according to the prG-~enl invention.
CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 --3-- _ .
Figure 2B is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the single integrated network chip including a decompression circuit according to tl e preser.
invention.
Figure 2C is a block diagrsm of an slternative embodiment of the single inlegtaLed network chip incl~ ÇI an on-chip memory circuit accordi"g to the present invention.
Figure 2D is a block diagram of an slLen.dLi~e embodiment of the single integrated network chip including a bus controller interfsce according to the .resenl invention.
FiS;1ure 3A is a block diagram of a network browser system utilizing the i,lLa~.dted network browser controller chip sccording to the presenl invention.
Figure 3B is a block diagrsm of an alternative embodiment of the network Lfo~ser system utilizing the single integrsted network browser co,-lrcl'er chip including on-chip boot memory circuitry according to the present invention.
Figure 3C is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the network browser system utilizing the single integrated network browser controller chip including decompression circuitry sccordi.,g to the po3senL invention.
Figure 3D is a block diagram of sn ~IL~."~Li~e embodiment of the network browser system utilizing the single integrated network browser controller chip including a peripheral bus controller inLerface according to the prese,.L invention.
Figure 4A is a block diagram of a television system utilizing the single ;nLeçl(ated network browser conl-oller chip according to the prasenL invention.
Fi~ure 4B is a block diagram of an alLern~Li~e embodiment of a television system utilizing the single integrated network browser controller chip accordingto the present invention.
Figure 4C is a block diagram of a telephone system lJtilizing the single integrated network browser controller chip according to the present invention.
Fi~qure 4D is a block dia~qram of a cellular telephone system utilizing the single integrated network browser controller chip accord ;~9 to the present invention.
Fiqure 5 is a flowchart of a user session utilizing a network device with a single inte~rated network browser controller chip according to the present invention.
~ETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERREP EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to Fi~ure 2A, there is shown a network browser device 200 including a single, inteç~rated network controller chip 202, according to the plesen~ invention, for transmitt;ng and receiving data across a data network 204, such as the In~e."et and World Wide Web, where chip is defined as an integrated circuit on a single suL.~,a~e or a multi-chip rnodule (MCM) on an integrated rigid structure. Accordil,~ to the p~ese,-L invention, a network system 205 connects network browser device 200 to multiple data bases, workstations and/or personal computers ~PCs) 206 through data network 204. It may be appreciated that PC
206 msy be a PC or anull-er network browser device capable of receiving and/or trans...illing information across data network 204.
Network browser device 200 conne~s to data network 204 through serial port 208, such as a conventional RS232 port. Network browser chip 202 is implemented with semiconductor material, such as silicon or gallium arsen-~e, using complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology, housed in a conventionsl pin packaçle, such as a 208 pin quad package, and, is i..s; "2d CA 02236~86 l998-0~-04 5-- _ .
within network browser device 200 on a conventional motherbosrd which connects to serial port 208.
~ Network controller chip 202 includes a communication interface 21 0 which connects conventional communication circuitry operatin~q conventional communication software to digital processsr circuitry 21 2 oper"ling conventional network software through internal system bus 214.
Communication interface 210 connects to serial port 208, which in turn, connects with conventional communication equipment, such as a telephone or ISDN line, or cable linked to a communication server, and provides an access route for network browser device 200 to network 204. Network browser device 200 thereby communicates bi-directionally with other machines connected to network 204, such as a PC with a modem card and network software, a computer database, or another network browser device.
Communication inLe.race 210 may use conventional Electronic Industry 1 5 Association/Telecommunication Industry Association ~EIAt~IA) Class 2 compatible data communication circuitry (DCE) for connecting to network 204 through coaxial or twisted pair wiring. The communication interface 210 may utilize conventional prulocols, such as ISDN, phone modem, ATM or Ethernet.
Communication interface 210 may include an ISDN interface to connect with primary or basic rate interfaces. The ISDN interface uses serial communications blocks, such as HDLC controllers, with an optional analog physical medium device.
Communication interface 210 may include a telephone modem interface to connecL network browser device 200 to network 204 through conventional phone lines. The telephone modem interface includes conventional V.32 or V.34 modem circuitry having digital signal processor (DSP) circuitry, such as TMS320 series DSP circuitry manufactured by Texas Instruments Corporation or Oak DSP
circuitry manufactured by LSI Logic Corporation, and Read-Only-Memory (ROM) circuitry, operating on conventional modem software stored by the ROM.
Communication interface 210 may additionally or alternatively include a cable l,.ode.-- i,-lerface. The cable modem circuitry includes conventional quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) or carrier amplitude phase (CAP) demodulation circuitry for downstrearn communication, and Reed-Solomon forward error correction circuitry, burst QPSK rnodulator circuitry, or phone modem circuitry for back channel communication. The cable modem interface may additionally include an as~- ~chronous l-ansrer mode ~ATM) segmentation and reassembly ~SAR) le.--.i,-alion circuitry with either a dedicated hardware SAR or software runnin~ on digital processor 212, such as the ATMizerD architecture designed and manufsctured by LSI Lo~ic.
Communication interface 210 mayadditionally include synchronous optical network/synchronous digital hierarchy (Sonet/SDH) or di~ital audio visual i~-lere~l conunittee (DAVIC3 transmission conver~ence circuitry, such as manufactured by LSI Loçlic, for cable modem or other broad band communication mediums; DAVIC
media access controller (MAC) circuitry, such as manufactured by LSI Logic, for cable modem or other broad band communication mediums; Viterbi decode circuitry, such as manufactured by LSI Lo~ic, for decoding data streams; and, 1~ VSAT cellular circuitry,such as manufactured by LSI Lo~ic, utilizin~ a general systems mobile (GSM), code division multiple sccess (CDMA) e.ç~. IS-95, or, timeDMA or American National Standards Institute (ANSI) e.g. IS-54 or IS-136 standard implementation for wireless communication.
As an example embodiment, communication interface 210 QAM/CAP
demodulation circuitry may receive dats from network 204 while communication interface 210 burst QPSK modulator circuitry simuitaneously sends data and/or instructions onto network 204.
In another embodiment, an off-chip convent;onal radio frequency (RF) transceiver connects through an analo~-to-digital ~A/D) and digital-to-analog converter to communication interface 210 which decodes radio transmissions from a network 204 source, such as a satellite, through a QPSK demodulator and Viterbi decoder or decodes radio l(a,~s.,~;ssions from a network 204 source, such as a cellular l-anscGiver, through a VSAT cellular decoder.
Digital processor circuitry 212, shown in Fiçlure 2A, controls the browser operation and comprises conventional l.. ic(oprocessor circuitry, such as a 486 microproce.s~sor manufactured by Intel, a MIPS rnicroprocessor manufactured by MIPS or IDT, a SPARC microprocessor rnanufactured by Sun Microsystems, a CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 7-- _ PowerPC microprocessor manufactured by Motorola or IBM, or a 68000 series ,.,icroprocessor manufactured by Motorola. Digital processor circuitry 212 - operates conventional system softwsre, such as Java manufactured by SunMicrosystems or commercially available compact operating system software manufactured for UNIX- or Apple-based systems, snd operd~s conventional network software, such as NetCruiser manufactured by Ne~con " NetScape manufactured by Netscape, or network software manufactured by Microsoft.
Digital processor circuitry 212 controls the network communication by receiving a timing signal from an oscillator (not shown), and sencling and receiving control instructions to and from cache memory circuitry 216, such as a conventional eight kilo-byte (8K) static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic RAM (DRAM), or off-chip memory 218, such as a conventional four mega-byte SRAM, DRAM, synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Rambus DRAM
(RDRAM), or virtual RAM (VRAM) connected to processor circuitry 212 through conventional memory cor,L,oller circuitry 220 and bus 214.
In the prefe, ted embodiment a network server, such as Netcom, Netscape or Mi~roso~L, provides a source of software applications which may be swapped in and out of on-chip or off-chip memory, such as memory 216 or 218, during network operation of network chip 202, thus reducing the amount of memory required for network operation. Basic software, such as operating system, browser, and that software needed for real-time operations, are preferably stored by on-chip memory, such as memory 216, or off-chip memory, such as memory 218. Processor 212 sets up automatic synchronous word, baud rate detection, and network inrc,."~alion exchange for all s~andard network protocols which preterdl)ly are ernbedded or stored in cache memory 216.
Network chip 202, shown in Figure 2A, includes display/audio interface circuitry 222, such as conventional monitor or flat panel VGA, XVGA or similar display and video/audio digital-to-analog converter circuitry, connecting external display and audio devices, such as 8 conventional monitor or flat panel 224 and sFeal~sr 226, through conventional display and audio ports 228, 230. Data received from data network 204 may thereby be received and converted to readai '8 input format through communication interface 210, passed through bus 214 to display/audio inLtlr~dce 222, converted to display or audio compatible format by display/audio interface 222, and displayed on monitor 224 and/or reproduced with sound by spe~ber 226.
For monitors, display/audio interface 222, shown in Figure 2A, includes a graphics intcrface. The ç~raphics interface includes bitblit interface circuitry for X-terminal display, VGA or XVGA interface circuitry for two dimensional graphics, or three dimension~l ~raphics i-~lt,.race circuitry which has rendering interface circuitry and graphics transformation circuitry.
For interfacing with PCs, ~he display/audio interface 222 includes red, green, and blue video DAC circuitry.
Display/audio interface circuitry 222 may alternatively or additionally include conventional television NTSC ~U.S. standard) or PAL (European standard) encoder/decoder circuitry connectable to a conventional television usable asa display device 224 and three-dimensional ~3D) renderin~/transrG....dLion engine circuitry.
Network chip 202 includes conventional serial port interface 232, shown in Figure 2A, connecting user input devices, such as conventional keyboard 234 snd rnouse 236,and includes conventional parallel port 233, shown in Figure 2A, connecting to a peripheral device, such as printer 235.
Alle, . ~ ely or ad~itionallyr serial port interface circuitry 232 may include audio/video analo~-to-digital converter and interpreting circuitry connecting toconventional ,-.icrG~ one or camera devices (not shown) usable as input devices.In an alL~r..dlive embodiment, infrared, optical, or sonic l-dl1scsiv~3r devices may be symbiotically utilized for commu. .~ between the user and browser device 200, where serial port interface circuitry 232 includes conventional infrared, optical, or sonic circuitry. It may further be appreciated that it rnay be more efficient to combine serial port circuitry 232 and display/audio interface circuitry 222.
Network browser device 200 includes a conventional power supply (not shown) which connects to a standard wall piug outlet providing standard U.S.
all~ ling current or European direct current voltage supply. AlLer, ldLively and/or CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 _g_ ..
additionally, network browser device 200 includes a conventional battery supply (not shown) which powers the internal browser device 200 circuitry.
Referring to Figure 2B, an allt,r.~ali~e embodiment of network chip 202 includes decompression interface 238 which receives data from bus 214 coni:r ~ compressed picture,video, and/or voice information, ~iecompresses the c:o.,.presssd information, and l-al)sters the decompressed picture, video, andlor voice data to display interface circuitry 222 through bus 214. In alternate or composite embodiments, decompression interface 238 includss a joint picture expert group (JPEG) decompressor, such as the L64702 decompressor manufactured by LSI Logic, to decompress information compressed using the JPEG standard format; a motion picture expert group (MPEG) I or ll decompressor,such as the L6402 decompr~ssor manufactured by LSI Logic, to decompress information compressed using the MPEG I or ll ~andard format; a DigiCipher decompressor, such as a DigiCipher decompressor manufactured by Motorola, to decompress information compressed using the DigiCipher standard format; a Dolby AC3 decompressor, such as a Dolby AC3 decompressor manufactured by Zoran, to decompress information compressed using the Dotby AC3 standard format; and/or a Musicam decompressor, such as the L6402 decompressor manufactured by LSI Logic, to decompress information compressed using the Musicam standard format. It may be appreciated that decompression interface 238 may be implemented in hardware or in software. In the case of a softwsre implemenlaLion, decompression interface 238 is stored in memory 218 when unused and when used is accessed and run by microprocessor 212 to decompress data. It may further be appreciated that other conventional compression formats may be utilized and corresponding decompressors implemented on decompression interface 238.
Ref6,.ing to Figure 2C, an all~r..ali.~e embodiment of network chip 202 includes on-chip system memory 240 connecting to processor circuitry 212 through bus 214, thus replacing off-chip memory 218 and memory controller ' 30 circuitry 220. On-chip system memory 240 may be implemented with a conventional 4M SRAM or DRAM configuration and utilized for storing a software implementation of decompression interface 238 or a network browser program, such as Netscape.
Referring to Fi~ure 2D, an alternative embodiment of network chip 202 includes a peripheral bus co,~ ller interface 242 providin~ connection to additional processo.s and/or add-on cards. In alLer-,ali.~e or composite embodime,-Ls, periphe-al bus controller interface 242 includes a standard peripheral component interface (PCI) manufactured by Intel connectin~ to PCI
compatible peripheral devices; an SBUS (Sun work~LaLion bus) interface manufactured by Sun Microsystems connecting to SBUS compatible periphsral devices; an EISA interface connecting to EISA compatible peripheral devices;
and/or a Video Electronic SLanda(cJs Association (VESA) interface connecting to VESA compatible peripheral devices. It may further be appreciated that other periphsral interfaces may be available and/or developed for implelTIentation with compatible peripheral devices and that these other peripheral interfaces may be utiiized and implemented on pe.ipher~l bus co.. L,oli~r interface 242.
~hrou~h peripheral bus controller interface 242, shown in Figure 2D, the operating system of browser device 200 maybe upgraded, for i-~:,Lance, to the level of a F~C by connection to another printed circuit board or device with a data processor, memory, and software, thereby anablinç; a user of browser device 200 to run PC ~I-plic~tions, such 8S conventional spreadsheels or word processors.
AlL~r,.aLi~ely or additionally, a printer, such as is conventionally available, could be connected to browser device 200 through peripheral bus controller interface to obtain hard copies of data downloaded from data network 204 and/or from the PC ~r P~[ ~ ~ lions.
By integratin~ diç~ital processor 212, communications interface 210, and display interface 222, network controller chip 202 provides a reduced form factor enabling i,-L.agraLion into vinv~;nç~ stations, such as the conventional telcvision set, flat panel display, or computer monitor, telephone, keyboard, mouse, and similarhuman interface mechanisms or systems. For instance, network controller chip 202 may be integrated into a home electronic system or an enlu. ~ Iment system, such as a stereo, compsct disc (CD) or DVD player, video cassette recorder CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 -1 t-(VCR), video game, or other home electronic product, or an automobile, airplane,bus, or truck.
Rere.-ing to Figures 3A-3D, electronic device 300 installed with network browser chip 202 may be connected to network 302 ~Figure 3A), such as the InLer--et, through communication inlerrace 210 (Figure 2A), and thereby is enabled to communicate bi-directionally with other machines 304 connected to network 302, such as another PC with a modem card and network software, a computer database, or another electronic device installed with network browser chip 300.
Network browser chip 202 may be installed on a pre-existing motherboard within a selected electronic device or by insertion of a conventional add-on board.
Referring to Figure 3B, an alLer..aLi~e embodiment of electronic device 300 is shown with network chip 202 including on-chip system boot memory 340. on-chip system boot memory 340 connects to processor circuitry 212 (Figure 2A) through bus 214, thus replacing off-chip memory 218 and memory controller circuitry 220. On-chip system boot memory 340 may be implemented with a conventional 4M SRAM or DRAM configuration and utilized for storing deco...pression, network browser software, such as NetCruiser or NetScape, or browser operdlin~ system software, such as Java manufactured by Sun Microsystems.
Referring to Fi~ure 3C, an alternative embodiment of electronic device 300 is shown with network chip 202 incluc" ~9 decompression interface 338.
Decompression inLerrace 338 receives data from bus 214 (Figure 2A) containing compressed picture, video, and/or voics information, decompresses the compressed information, and transfers the decompressed picture, video, and/or voice data to display interfsce circuitry 222 through bus 214. In alternate or composite err he' nenLs, decompressio,- interface 338 includes a joint picture expert ~roup (JPEG) decompressor, such as the L64702 decompressor circuitry - manufactured by LSI Logic to decompress information compressed using the JPEG
standard format; a motion picture expert ç~roup ~MPEG) I or ll decompressor, such ~ 30 as the L6402 decompressor circuitry manufactured by LSI Logic to decompress information compressed using the MPEG I or ll standard format, a DigiCipher deco...pressor, such as a DigiCipher decompressor manufactured by Motorola to CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 wo 97no281 PCT/US96/19125 decompress information compressed usin~ the DigiCipher standard format; a Dolby AC3 decompressor, such as a Dolby AC3 decompressor manufactured by Zoran to dscompress information compressed using the Dolby AC3 standard format; and/or a Musicam decomp~ essor, such as the L6402 decompressor manufsctured by LSI Logic to decompress information co,~.pressed using the Musicam ~L~ndard format. It may be appreciated that decon.pf~ssion interface 338 may be i.,l. l~mented in hardware or in software. In the case of a software implementation, decompression interface 338 may be stored in memory 218 ~or memory 340 shown in Figure 3B) or stored on the network server when unused and when used is flccessed and run by microprocessor 212 to decompress data.
It may furthsr be appreciated that other conventional compression formats may be utilized and corresponding decornpressors implemented on decompression interface 338.
Refsrring further to Figurs 3D, an alternative embodiment of network chip 202 includes a l~eri,ui-eral bus con~cll~r interface 342 providing connection toadditional processors, graphics devices, sound synthesizers, compression devicssand/or further add-on cards. In al~ur.,a~;ve or composite ernbodiments, peripheral bus controller interfsce 342 includes a standard periphsral component interface (PCI) manufsctured by Intel connecting to PCI compatible peripheral devices; an SBUS ~Sun WOI ka~a~iOn bus) i. ~le~ r~ce manufactured by Sun Microsystems connecting to SB~JS compatible peripheral devices; an EISA interface connecting to EISA compatible pe-ipheral devices; and/or a Video Electronic Standards Associalion (VESA) interface connecting to VESA compatible peripheral devices.
It may further be appreci&led that other peripheral interfaces may be available and/or dovelcped for implementation with compatible peripheral devices and that these other peripheral interfaces may bs utilized and implemented on peripheral bus conl-o!lsr interface 342.Through peripheral bus controller interface 342, the 25 operating system of electronic device 300 may be upgraded, for instance, to the level of a PC by connection to another printed circuit board or device with a data processor, memory, and software, thereby enabling a user of electronic device 300 to run PC a~' c lio-ls, such as conventional spreadsheets or word processors. Alternatively or additionally, a printer, such as is conventionally CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 -t3-available, could be connected to electronic device 300 through peripheral bus controller interface to obtain hard copies of data downloaded from dats network 302 and/or from the PC a~Fl c~iQns.
Ele~;L~ on;c device 300 may oper~la from a conventional power supply, such as a s~andard wall plug outlet providing standard U.S. all~r.-ali--g current or Eu~opean direct current voltage supply, and/or, from a conver~ nal rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery supply.
Re~e.,in~ to Figure 4A, an example implementation of electronic device 300 is shown implemented in television system 400. Television 402 includes an electronic interface, such as a conventional television printed circuit board (PCB).
Network chip 202 iS connected to the PCB,either directly or by introducing an adapter card, and may be accesse:l through conventional television software through msnu 404 shown displayed on television screen 406, such as is conventionslly available. Cable source 408 connects to television 402 and provides a communication link between television 402 and data network 302 when accessed by network chip 202. Options may be selected on menu 404 either by control buttons directly on television 402 or through remote control device 410, such as a conventional tslevision or multi-device remote control device utilizinçl infrared transceivers 412 or similar remote cornmunication equipment. In an all~ aLive embodiment, network chip 202 may be installed on PCB within remote device 410. Alternatively, network chip 202 may be installed on a PCB of VCR 414.
Referrinç~ to Figure 4B, an example implementation of electronic device 300 is shown implemented in television 10 system 420. CD player 422 connects to television and includes an electronic interface, such as a conventional television printed circuit board ~PCB). Network chip 202 is connected to the PCB, either directly or by introducing an adapter card, and may be accessed through conventional CD software or conventional television software through menu 404 shown displayed on television screen 406. Cable source 408 connects to ~ 30 television 402 and provides a communication link between CD player 422 and data network 302 when accessed by network chip 202. Options may be selected on menu 404 either by control buttons directly on CD player 422 or through WO 97~0281 PCT~S96/19125 -14- _ remote control device 424, such as a conventional CD or multi-device remote control device utilizinS~ infrared In,. .scsivers 41 2 or similar remote communication equipment. In an aller--alive embodiment, network chip 202 may be installed on PCB within remote device 424.
It msy further be apprec;9ted that in an aller--alive embodiment a radio receiver (not shown) could replace CD player 422. In such an embodiment, the radio rsceiver utilizas either cabte source 408 or radio waves to provide a cornmunication link with data network 302 Rerer.i-.g to Figure 4C, sn example implementation of electronic device 300 is shown implemented in telephone system 440. Telephone 442 includes sn electronic interface, such as a conventional telephone printed circuit board ~PCB).
Network chip 202 is connected to the PCB, either directly or by introducing an adapter card, and may be accessed through conventional telephone software throuç~h a menu displayed on screen 444 usins keypad 446 as a user inLe. f~ce device. Telephone line 448 a communication link between telephone 442 and data network 302 when ?ccessed by network chip 202. Options msy be selected on menu 404 either by control buttons directly on telephone 442 or through conventional remote handset 450.
In an allerllali~e embodiment, network chip 202 may be installed on a PCB
within remote handset 450. In such an embodiment, remote handset 450 may utilize display 444 or have a ~~ .idenl display on the handset.
In a further embodiment, telephone 442 iS replaced by a telephone/
facsimile or a facsimile device. In such case, operation of network chip 202 iS
initiated in the same manner as with a conventional telephone discussed above.
Referring to Figure 4D, an example implementation of electronic device 300 is shown impl~.l.e~ed in cellular telephone system 460. Cellular telephone 462 includes an electronic interface, such as a conventional cellular telephone printed circuit board ~PCB). Network chip 202 is connectcd to the PCB, either directly or by introducing an adapter card, and may be accessed through conventional cellular telephone so~L~ a~e throu~h a menu displayed on screen 464using keypad 466 as a user interface device. Cellular telephone transceiver 468 CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 -1 5- _.
provides a communication link between cellular telephone 462, telephone server 470 and data network 302 when accessed by network chip 202.
- In an alLer"aLi~e embodiment, network chip 202 may be installed on a PCB
within a beeper (not shown~ incl~ a display and keypad, rather than a cellular telephone. The beeper includes either a radio transceiver or cellular circuitry which may be used to esta~'~s'l a connection to data network 302.
Referrins;l to Figure 5, flowchart 500 is shown describin~ a user network session utilizing electronic device 300. The user initiates a network session bycausing the electronic device to initialize the browser system software 502, as by powerin~q up electronic device 300. The initialization sequence causes digital processor 212 to access the browser system software from memory, for instance memory 218 (Figure 2A) or 240 (Figure 2C).
The browser system software causes the oleclronic device 300 to prompt a user to instruct the electronic device 300 on the type of displsy/audio and user equipment attached to electronic device 300. The user selects the display/audio and user equipment 504 from a menu including a listing of compatible monitors, PCs, televisions, speakers, mice or other pointing devices, keyboards, or remotedevices, such as a television, VCR, or CD infrared remote control unit; or, the user types the name of the display/audio and user equipment. Alternatively, the user may be prompted to specify the display/audio and user equipment protocol; or, the type of display/audio and user equipment and corresponding protocol may be pre-specified within the browser system software.
Upon receivinç1 the display/audio and user equipment information, digital processor 212 instructs display/audio inLerrace 222 and serial port interface 232 on the type of display/audio and user equipment protocol to utilize in order to interpret communication between the user and electronic device 300.
Next, the browser system software causes the electronic device 300 to prompt a user to instruct the electronic device 300 on the type of network communication equipment attached to electronic device 300. The user selects the network communication equipment 506 from a menu including a listin~q of compa~ibl~ telephone modems, cable modems, satellite, ISDN, ATM, or Ethernet;
or, ths user types the name of the communication equipment. All~,.,ati~ely, the _ _ CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 user may be pro,.."led to specify the communication equipn ent protocol; or, thetype of communication equipment and corresponding prc,Locol may be pre-specified within the browser system software.
Upon receiving the communication equipment information, di~ital processor 2 12 instructs communication intsrface 222 on the type of communication equipment protocol to utilize in order to interpret communication between elec;l, o~Fc d~3vice 300 and dsta network 302. Depending upon the communicstion equipment utilized, the user may again be prompted to make further selections defininq the protocol. For instance, the user may comrn~nicate by modem transmissions over a network, such as the Internet, using various modes of operation in the same manner as conventional PCs. Using WinFsx PR0~ in conjunction with the presenl'invention, a user initially sets up a modem initialize string in the software by choosing frorn a set of oper~ling modes, which includes conventional as~lnchronous or compatible modes.
Next, the browser systern software initializes network software 508 by causing digital processor 212 to access a memory storing the network software, such as memory 21 6, 21 8, or 240, and to operate the network software.
Alternat;vely, electronic device 300 may prompt the user to select the type of network software to be initialized, whereupon the user may sirnply select the network software, such as Netcom or Netscape, for operation on the network electronic device 300.
After iniliali~alion of the network software, the usar is prompted by electronic device 300 to log onto the network 510 by inputting the user name andpassword. Upon receiving the user identification information, digital processor 21 2 then causes communication interface 210 to request a link with data network302. If a valid user name and password has been utilized, then a communication link is esta'li~bed between the user and data network 302 through electronic device 300.
Tl~erearler, the user selects an option 512, e.g. frorn a menu including mail, news çlroup, World-Wide-Web (WWW), Gopher, Telnet (remote computer log-on), FTP (file transfers), Fin~er (listing network users), and IRC(conversation link). The network software then prompts the user to select a sub-topic 514, e.q.
CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 read or send mail, download articles from or upload articles to a news ~roup, co----e-,l to a database using WWW browser software, search for information ~ utilizin~ Gopher browser software, co----ecl to a remote computer utilizing Telnet software, l.an~rer software files usin~ ~P software, or converse with Inle...el users using IRC software. Upon making a selection, a request is sent through theuser devices, such as keyboard 234 and mouse 236, to communication interface 210. Communication inlerrace 210 translates and sends the request onto data network 204, interprets any received data and sends the interpreted network datato display/audio interface 222. Display/audio interface 222 translates the i~.Le~r~led response and delivers the translated data onto the applicablo display/audio device, such as display unit 224 or speaker 226. Each of the above-related steps within electronic device 300 occur seamlessly for the user as in the same manner with conventional networked PC transmissions.
Upon display on display unit 22~, the user may read the selected network L-al)s.. is~ion, or if the l.an~.. iss;on is audio data, then the user may listen to the selected network transmission over speaker 226. Thereafter, the user may choose another selection 516 or end the network session 518.
In short, electronic device 300 appears to respond just as conventional PCs utilizing conventional modems. The present invention provides an intelligent system that converts data into and from network protocols on each end of a network ~.~ns..-issiol- of digital data.
It should be further appreciated that various components described above, such as communication interface, display inle. race, memory controller, serial port inlerrace 232, decompression, and pe-iphe~al component interface, have been referred to as circuitry; however, each of the respective components may be synthesized with a combination of circuitry and software, or entirely with software, and are generally a combination of circuitry and software.
A typical imple "entation of a network system is shown in Figure 1 in which PCs 100, 102 are shown with a standard modem card and utilize conventional integrated circuits and network software to connect through network104, such as the Internet or World Wide Web network. Although this implementation is satisfactory for general purpose PC communication across network 104, such communication does not utilize nor require many of the computer resources of 8 general purpose PC, such as a math coprocessor and compiler. Thus, there is a need ' or more integrated network communication chipsand devices utilizing integrated network communication chips operable within network browsing systems.
CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 2-- _ SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In sccordance with the present invention, a network browser corl,oller chip for data Iransmission and reception over a network integrates network communication and browser tachnolo~y on a single chip. The sin~le, inteS~rated, network browser controller chip of the pteseo~ invention implements logic and memory circuits for conventionally connecLin~ to the I~Ltsll~e~ network. The inte~rated network browser chip includes a communications interface for connectin~ to a network, such as the Internet, a rnicroprocessor for operating anetwork program to log onto and browse the Internet network, a memory for storin~ the network pro~- a~ ~, and a user interface for Lransfe- . ing user instructions to the network browser chip and for transre--i-)~ data from the network to the user.
Alternative embodiments of the present invention include the implementation of the network browser chip with on-chip decompression circuitry for operatin~ on data received in compressed form, on-chip memory circuitry for storing system and network software, and peripheral bus controller interface circuitry for cc"~l-a11 ~~ the flow of data and instructions between the networkbrowse device snd external devices.
In accordance with the prese, .L invention, a network browser device utilizes the network browser chip for conventionally connecting to the Internet network.
Allelllali~e embodiments of the present invention include the impiemenlt.Lion of the network browser chip within conventional non-network, human interface electronic devices to enable conventional connecting to the l- -le- - -et network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figuru 1 is a block dia~ram of a conventional PC to PC communication system via the l,-lt,-l-et network.
Fi~ure 2A is a block dia~ram of a network browser device with a sin~31e inteçlrated network chip to PC communication system via the l.~Len.e~ network according to the prG-~enl invention.
CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 --3-- _ .
Figure 2B is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the single integrated network chip including a decompression circuit according to tl e preser.
invention.
Figure 2C is a block diagrsm of an slternative embodiment of the single inlegtaLed network chip incl~ ÇI an on-chip memory circuit accordi"g to the present invention.
Figure 2D is a block diagram of an slLen.dLi~e embodiment of the single integrated network chip including a bus controller interfsce according to the .resenl invention.
FiS;1ure 3A is a block diagram of a network browser system utilizing the i,lLa~.dted network browser controller chip sccording to the presenl invention.
Figure 3B is a block diagrsm of an alternative embodiment of the network Lfo~ser system utilizing the single integrsted network browser co,-lrcl'er chip including on-chip boot memory circuitry according to the present invention.
Figure 3C is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the network browser system utilizing the single integrated network browser controller chip including decompression circuitry sccordi.,g to the po3senL invention.
Figure 3D is a block diagram of sn ~IL~."~Li~e embodiment of the network browser system utilizing the single integrated network browser controller chip including a peripheral bus controller inLerface according to the prese,.L invention.
Figure 4A is a block diagram of a television system utilizing the single ;nLeçl(ated network browser conl-oller chip according to the prasenL invention.
Fi~ure 4B is a block diagram of an alLern~Li~e embodiment of a television system utilizing the single integrated network browser controller chip accordingto the present invention.
Figure 4C is a block diagram of a telephone system lJtilizing the single integrated network browser controller chip according to the present invention.
Fi~qure 4D is a block dia~qram of a cellular telephone system utilizing the single integrated network browser controller chip accord ;~9 to the present invention.
Fiqure 5 is a flowchart of a user session utilizing a network device with a single inte~rated network browser controller chip according to the present invention.
~ETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERREP EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to Fi~ure 2A, there is shown a network browser device 200 including a single, inteç~rated network controller chip 202, according to the plesen~ invention, for transmitt;ng and receiving data across a data network 204, such as the In~e."et and World Wide Web, where chip is defined as an integrated circuit on a single suL.~,a~e or a multi-chip rnodule (MCM) on an integrated rigid structure. Accordil,~ to the p~ese,-L invention, a network system 205 connects network browser device 200 to multiple data bases, workstations and/or personal computers ~PCs) 206 through data network 204. It may be appreciated that PC
206 msy be a PC or anull-er network browser device capable of receiving and/or trans...illing information across data network 204.
Network browser device 200 conne~s to data network 204 through serial port 208, such as a conventional RS232 port. Network browser chip 202 is implemented with semiconductor material, such as silicon or gallium arsen-~e, using complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology, housed in a conventionsl pin packaçle, such as a 208 pin quad package, and, is i..s; "2d CA 02236~86 l998-0~-04 5-- _ .
within network browser device 200 on a conventional motherbosrd which connects to serial port 208.
~ Network controller chip 202 includes a communication interface 21 0 which connects conventional communication circuitry operatin~q conventional communication software to digital processsr circuitry 21 2 oper"ling conventional network software through internal system bus 214.
Communication interface 210 connects to serial port 208, which in turn, connects with conventional communication equipment, such as a telephone or ISDN line, or cable linked to a communication server, and provides an access route for network browser device 200 to network 204. Network browser device 200 thereby communicates bi-directionally with other machines connected to network 204, such as a PC with a modem card and network software, a computer database, or another network browser device.
Communication inLe.race 210 may use conventional Electronic Industry 1 5 Association/Telecommunication Industry Association ~EIAt~IA) Class 2 compatible data communication circuitry (DCE) for connecting to network 204 through coaxial or twisted pair wiring. The communication interface 210 may utilize conventional prulocols, such as ISDN, phone modem, ATM or Ethernet.
Communication interface 210 may include an ISDN interface to connect with primary or basic rate interfaces. The ISDN interface uses serial communications blocks, such as HDLC controllers, with an optional analog physical medium device.
Communication interface 210 may include a telephone modem interface to connecL network browser device 200 to network 204 through conventional phone lines. The telephone modem interface includes conventional V.32 or V.34 modem circuitry having digital signal processor (DSP) circuitry, such as TMS320 series DSP circuitry manufactured by Texas Instruments Corporation or Oak DSP
circuitry manufactured by LSI Logic Corporation, and Read-Only-Memory (ROM) circuitry, operating on conventional modem software stored by the ROM.
Communication interface 210 may additionally or alternatively include a cable l,.ode.-- i,-lerface. The cable modem circuitry includes conventional quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) or carrier amplitude phase (CAP) demodulation circuitry for downstrearn communication, and Reed-Solomon forward error correction circuitry, burst QPSK rnodulator circuitry, or phone modem circuitry for back channel communication. The cable modem interface may additionally include an as~- ~chronous l-ansrer mode ~ATM) segmentation and reassembly ~SAR) le.--.i,-alion circuitry with either a dedicated hardware SAR or software runnin~ on digital processor 212, such as the ATMizerD architecture designed and manufsctured by LSI Lo~ic.
Communication interface 210 mayadditionally include synchronous optical network/synchronous digital hierarchy (Sonet/SDH) or di~ital audio visual i~-lere~l conunittee (DAVIC3 transmission conver~ence circuitry, such as manufactured by LSI Loçlic, for cable modem or other broad band communication mediums; DAVIC
media access controller (MAC) circuitry, such as manufactured by LSI Logic, for cable modem or other broad band communication mediums; Viterbi decode circuitry, such as manufactured by LSI Lo~ic, for decoding data streams; and, 1~ VSAT cellular circuitry,such as manufactured by LSI Lo~ic, utilizin~ a general systems mobile (GSM), code division multiple sccess (CDMA) e.ç~. IS-95, or, timeDMA or American National Standards Institute (ANSI) e.g. IS-54 or IS-136 standard implementation for wireless communication.
As an example embodiment, communication interface 210 QAM/CAP
demodulation circuitry may receive dats from network 204 while communication interface 210 burst QPSK modulator circuitry simuitaneously sends data and/or instructions onto network 204.
In another embodiment, an off-chip convent;onal radio frequency (RF) transceiver connects through an analo~-to-digital ~A/D) and digital-to-analog converter to communication interface 210 which decodes radio transmissions from a network 204 source, such as a satellite, through a QPSK demodulator and Viterbi decoder or decodes radio l(a,~s.,~;ssions from a network 204 source, such as a cellular l-anscGiver, through a VSAT cellular decoder.
Digital processor circuitry 212, shown in Fiçlure 2A, controls the browser operation and comprises conventional l.. ic(oprocessor circuitry, such as a 486 microproce.s~sor manufactured by Intel, a MIPS rnicroprocessor manufactured by MIPS or IDT, a SPARC microprocessor rnanufactured by Sun Microsystems, a CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 7-- _ PowerPC microprocessor manufactured by Motorola or IBM, or a 68000 series ,.,icroprocessor manufactured by Motorola. Digital processor circuitry 212 - operates conventional system softwsre, such as Java manufactured by SunMicrosystems or commercially available compact operating system software manufactured for UNIX- or Apple-based systems, snd operd~s conventional network software, such as NetCruiser manufactured by Ne~con " NetScape manufactured by Netscape, or network software manufactured by Microsoft.
Digital processor circuitry 212 controls the network communication by receiving a timing signal from an oscillator (not shown), and sencling and receiving control instructions to and from cache memory circuitry 216, such as a conventional eight kilo-byte (8K) static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic RAM (DRAM), or off-chip memory 218, such as a conventional four mega-byte SRAM, DRAM, synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Rambus DRAM
(RDRAM), or virtual RAM (VRAM) connected to processor circuitry 212 through conventional memory cor,L,oller circuitry 220 and bus 214.
In the prefe, ted embodiment a network server, such as Netcom, Netscape or Mi~roso~L, provides a source of software applications which may be swapped in and out of on-chip or off-chip memory, such as memory 216 or 218, during network operation of network chip 202, thus reducing the amount of memory required for network operation. Basic software, such as operating system, browser, and that software needed for real-time operations, are preferably stored by on-chip memory, such as memory 216, or off-chip memory, such as memory 218. Processor 212 sets up automatic synchronous word, baud rate detection, and network inrc,."~alion exchange for all s~andard network protocols which preterdl)ly are ernbedded or stored in cache memory 216.
Network chip 202, shown in Figure 2A, includes display/audio interface circuitry 222, such as conventional monitor or flat panel VGA, XVGA or similar display and video/audio digital-to-analog converter circuitry, connecting external display and audio devices, such as 8 conventional monitor or flat panel 224 and sFeal~sr 226, through conventional display and audio ports 228, 230. Data received from data network 204 may thereby be received and converted to readai '8 input format through communication interface 210, passed through bus 214 to display/audio inLtlr~dce 222, converted to display or audio compatible format by display/audio interface 222, and displayed on monitor 224 and/or reproduced with sound by spe~ber 226.
For monitors, display/audio interface 222, shown in Figure 2A, includes a graphics intcrface. The ç~raphics interface includes bitblit interface circuitry for X-terminal display, VGA or XVGA interface circuitry for two dimensional graphics, or three dimension~l ~raphics i-~lt,.race circuitry which has rendering interface circuitry and graphics transformation circuitry.
For interfacing with PCs, ~he display/audio interface 222 includes red, green, and blue video DAC circuitry.
Display/audio interface circuitry 222 may alternatively or additionally include conventional television NTSC ~U.S. standard) or PAL (European standard) encoder/decoder circuitry connectable to a conventional television usable asa display device 224 and three-dimensional ~3D) renderin~/transrG....dLion engine circuitry.
Network chip 202 includes conventional serial port interface 232, shown in Figure 2A, connecting user input devices, such as conventional keyboard 234 snd rnouse 236,and includes conventional parallel port 233, shown in Figure 2A, connecting to a peripheral device, such as printer 235.
Alle, . ~ ely or ad~itionallyr serial port interface circuitry 232 may include audio/video analo~-to-digital converter and interpreting circuitry connecting toconventional ,-.icrG~ one or camera devices (not shown) usable as input devices.In an alL~r..dlive embodiment, infrared, optical, or sonic l-dl1scsiv~3r devices may be symbiotically utilized for commu. .~ between the user and browser device 200, where serial port interface circuitry 232 includes conventional infrared, optical, or sonic circuitry. It may further be appreciated that it rnay be more efficient to combine serial port circuitry 232 and display/audio interface circuitry 222.
Network browser device 200 includes a conventional power supply (not shown) which connects to a standard wall piug outlet providing standard U.S.
all~ ling current or European direct current voltage supply. AlLer, ldLively and/or CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 _g_ ..
additionally, network browser device 200 includes a conventional battery supply (not shown) which powers the internal browser device 200 circuitry.
Referring to Figure 2B, an allt,r.~ali~e embodiment of network chip 202 includes decompression interface 238 which receives data from bus 214 coni:r ~ compressed picture,video, and/or voice information, ~iecompresses the c:o.,.presssd information, and l-al)sters the decompressed picture, video, andlor voice data to display interface circuitry 222 through bus 214. In alternate or composite embodiments, decompression interface 238 includss a joint picture expert group (JPEG) decompressor, such as the L64702 decompressor manufactured by LSI Logic, to decompress information compressed using the JPEG standard format; a motion picture expert group (MPEG) I or ll decompressor,such as the L6402 decompr~ssor manufactured by LSI Logic, to decompress information compressed using the MPEG I or ll ~andard format; a DigiCipher decompressor, such as a DigiCipher decompressor manufactured by Motorola, to decompress information compressed using the DigiCipher standard format; a Dolby AC3 decompressor, such as a Dolby AC3 decompressor manufactured by Zoran, to decompress information compressed using the Dotby AC3 standard format; and/or a Musicam decompressor, such as the L6402 decompressor manufactured by LSI Logic, to decompress information compressed using the Musicam standard format. It may be appreciated that decompression interface 238 may be implemented in hardware or in software. In the case of a softwsre implemenlaLion, decompression interface 238 is stored in memory 218 when unused and when used is accessed and run by microprocessor 212 to decompress data. It may further be appreciated that other conventional compression formats may be utilized and corresponding decompressors implemented on decompression interface 238.
Ref6,.ing to Figure 2C, an all~r..ali.~e embodiment of network chip 202 includes on-chip system memory 240 connecting to processor circuitry 212 through bus 214, thus replacing off-chip memory 218 and memory controller ' 30 circuitry 220. On-chip system memory 240 may be implemented with a conventional 4M SRAM or DRAM configuration and utilized for storing a software implementation of decompression interface 238 or a network browser program, such as Netscape.
Referring to Fi~ure 2D, an alternative embodiment of network chip 202 includes a peripheral bus co,~ ller interface 242 providin~ connection to additional processo.s and/or add-on cards. In alLer-,ali.~e or composite embodime,-Ls, periphe-al bus controller interface 242 includes a standard peripheral component interface (PCI) manufactured by Intel connectin~ to PCI
compatible peripheral devices; an SBUS (Sun work~LaLion bus) interface manufactured by Sun Microsystems connecting to SBUS compatible periphsral devices; an EISA interface connecting to EISA compatible peripheral devices;
and/or a Video Electronic SLanda(cJs Association (VESA) interface connecting to VESA compatible peripheral devices. It may further be appreciated that other periphsral interfaces may be available and/or developed for implelTIentation with compatible peripheral devices and that these other peripheral interfaces may be utiiized and implemented on pe.ipher~l bus co.. L,oli~r interface 242.
~hrou~h peripheral bus controller interface 242, shown in Figure 2D, the operating system of browser device 200 maybe upgraded, for i-~:,Lance, to the level of a F~C by connection to another printed circuit board or device with a data processor, memory, and software, thereby anablinç; a user of browser device 200 to run PC ~I-plic~tions, such 8S conventional spreadsheels or word processors.
AlL~r,.aLi~ely or additionally, a printer, such as is conventionally available, could be connected to browser device 200 through peripheral bus controller interface to obtain hard copies of data downloaded from data network 204 and/or from the PC ~r P~[ ~ ~ lions.
By integratin~ diç~ital processor 212, communications interface 210, and display interface 222, network controller chip 202 provides a reduced form factor enabling i,-L.agraLion into vinv~;nç~ stations, such as the conventional telcvision set, flat panel display, or computer monitor, telephone, keyboard, mouse, and similarhuman interface mechanisms or systems. For instance, network controller chip 202 may be integrated into a home electronic system or an enlu. ~ Iment system, such as a stereo, compsct disc (CD) or DVD player, video cassette recorder CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 -1 t-(VCR), video game, or other home electronic product, or an automobile, airplane,bus, or truck.
Rere.-ing to Figures 3A-3D, electronic device 300 installed with network browser chip 202 may be connected to network 302 ~Figure 3A), such as the InLer--et, through communication inlerrace 210 (Figure 2A), and thereby is enabled to communicate bi-directionally with other machines 304 connected to network 302, such as another PC with a modem card and network software, a computer database, or another electronic device installed with network browser chip 300.
Network browser chip 202 may be installed on a pre-existing motherboard within a selected electronic device or by insertion of a conventional add-on board.
Referring to Figure 3B, an alLer..aLi~e embodiment of electronic device 300 is shown with network chip 202 including on-chip system boot memory 340. on-chip system boot memory 340 connects to processor circuitry 212 (Figure 2A) through bus 214, thus replacing off-chip memory 218 and memory controller circuitry 220. On-chip system boot memory 340 may be implemented with a conventional 4M SRAM or DRAM configuration and utilized for storing deco...pression, network browser software, such as NetCruiser or NetScape, or browser operdlin~ system software, such as Java manufactured by Sun Microsystems.
Referring to Fi~ure 3C, an alternative embodiment of electronic device 300 is shown with network chip 202 incluc" ~9 decompression interface 338.
Decompression inLerrace 338 receives data from bus 214 (Figure 2A) containing compressed picture, video, and/or voics information, decompresses the compressed information, and transfers the decompressed picture, video, and/or voice data to display interfsce circuitry 222 through bus 214. In alternate or composite err he' nenLs, decompressio,- interface 338 includes a joint picture expert ~roup (JPEG) decompressor, such as the L64702 decompressor circuitry - manufactured by LSI Logic to decompress information compressed using the JPEG
standard format; a motion picture expert ç~roup ~MPEG) I or ll decompressor, such ~ 30 as the L6402 decompressor circuitry manufactured by LSI Logic to decompress information compressed using the MPEG I or ll standard format, a DigiCipher deco...pressor, such as a DigiCipher decompressor manufactured by Motorola to CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 wo 97no281 PCT/US96/19125 decompress information compressed usin~ the DigiCipher standard format; a Dolby AC3 decompressor, such as a Dolby AC3 decompressor manufactured by Zoran to dscompress information compressed using the Dolby AC3 standard format; and/or a Musicam decomp~ essor, such as the L6402 decompressor manufsctured by LSI Logic to decompress information co,~.pressed using the Musicam ~L~ndard format. It may be appreciated that decon.pf~ssion interface 338 may be i.,l. l~mented in hardware or in software. In the case of a software implementation, decompression interface 338 may be stored in memory 218 ~or memory 340 shown in Figure 3B) or stored on the network server when unused and when used is flccessed and run by microprocessor 212 to decompress data.
It may furthsr be appreciated that other conventional compression formats may be utilized and corresponding decornpressors implemented on decompression interface 338.
Refsrring further to Figurs 3D, an alternative embodiment of network chip 202 includes a l~eri,ui-eral bus con~cll~r interface 342 providing connection toadditional processors, graphics devices, sound synthesizers, compression devicssand/or further add-on cards. In al~ur.,a~;ve or composite ernbodiments, peripheral bus controller interfsce 342 includes a standard periphsral component interface (PCI) manufsctured by Intel connecting to PCI compatible peripheral devices; an SBUS ~Sun WOI ka~a~iOn bus) i. ~le~ r~ce manufactured by Sun Microsystems connecting to SB~JS compatible peripheral devices; an EISA interface connecting to EISA compatible pe-ipheral devices; and/or a Video Electronic Standards Associalion (VESA) interface connecting to VESA compatible peripheral devices.
It may further be appreci&led that other peripheral interfaces may be available and/or dovelcped for implementation with compatible peripheral devices and that these other peripheral interfaces may bs utilized and implemented on peripheral bus conl-o!lsr interface 342.Through peripheral bus controller interface 342, the 25 operating system of electronic device 300 may be upgraded, for instance, to the level of a PC by connection to another printed circuit board or device with a data processor, memory, and software, thereby enabling a user of electronic device 300 to run PC a~' c lio-ls, such as conventional spreadsheets or word processors. Alternatively or additionally, a printer, such as is conventionally CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 -t3-available, could be connected to electronic device 300 through peripheral bus controller interface to obtain hard copies of data downloaded from dats network 302 and/or from the PC a~Fl c~iQns.
Ele~;L~ on;c device 300 may oper~la from a conventional power supply, such as a s~andard wall plug outlet providing standard U.S. all~r.-ali--g current or Eu~opean direct current voltage supply, and/or, from a conver~ nal rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery supply.
Re~e.,in~ to Figure 4A, an example implementation of electronic device 300 is shown implemented in television system 400. Television 402 includes an electronic interface, such as a conventional television printed circuit board (PCB).
Network chip 202 iS connected to the PCB,either directly or by introducing an adapter card, and may be accesse:l through conventional television software through msnu 404 shown displayed on television screen 406, such as is conventionslly available. Cable source 408 connects to television 402 and provides a communication link between television 402 and data network 302 when accessed by network chip 202. Options may be selected on menu 404 either by control buttons directly on television 402 or through remote control device 410, such as a conventional tslevision or multi-device remote control device utilizinçl infrared transceivers 412 or similar remote cornmunication equipment. In an all~ aLive embodiment, network chip 202 may be installed on PCB within remote device 410. Alternatively, network chip 202 may be installed on a PCB of VCR 414.
Referrinç~ to Figure 4B, an example implementation of electronic device 300 is shown implemented in television 10 system 420. CD player 422 connects to television and includes an electronic interface, such as a conventional television printed circuit board ~PCB). Network chip 202 is connected to the PCB, either directly or by introducing an adapter card, and may be accessed through conventional CD software or conventional television software through menu 404 shown displayed on television screen 406. Cable source 408 connects to ~ 30 television 402 and provides a communication link between CD player 422 and data network 302 when accessed by network chip 202. Options may be selected on menu 404 either by control buttons directly on CD player 422 or through WO 97~0281 PCT~S96/19125 -14- _ remote control device 424, such as a conventional CD or multi-device remote control device utilizinS~ infrared In,. .scsivers 41 2 or similar remote communication equipment. In an aller--alive embodiment, network chip 202 may be installed on PCB within remote device 424.
It msy further be apprec;9ted that in an aller--alive embodiment a radio receiver (not shown) could replace CD player 422. In such an embodiment, the radio rsceiver utilizas either cabte source 408 or radio waves to provide a cornmunication link with data network 302 Rerer.i-.g to Figure 4C, sn example implementation of electronic device 300 is shown implemented in telephone system 440. Telephone 442 includes sn electronic interface, such as a conventional telephone printed circuit board ~PCB).
Network chip 202 is connected to the PCB, either directly or by introducing an adapter card, and may be accessed through conventional telephone software throuç~h a menu displayed on screen 444 usins keypad 446 as a user inLe. f~ce device. Telephone line 448 a communication link between telephone 442 and data network 302 when ?ccessed by network chip 202. Options msy be selected on menu 404 either by control buttons directly on telephone 442 or through conventional remote handset 450.
In an allerllali~e embodiment, network chip 202 may be installed on a PCB
within remote handset 450. In such an embodiment, remote handset 450 may utilize display 444 or have a ~~ .idenl display on the handset.
In a further embodiment, telephone 442 iS replaced by a telephone/
facsimile or a facsimile device. In such case, operation of network chip 202 iS
initiated in the same manner as with a conventional telephone discussed above.
Referring to Figure 4D, an example implementation of electronic device 300 is shown impl~.l.e~ed in cellular telephone system 460. Cellular telephone 462 includes an electronic interface, such as a conventional cellular telephone printed circuit board ~PCB). Network chip 202 is connectcd to the PCB, either directly or by introducing an adapter card, and may be accessed through conventional cellular telephone so~L~ a~e throu~h a menu displayed on screen 464using keypad 466 as a user interface device. Cellular telephone transceiver 468 CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 -1 5- _.
provides a communication link between cellular telephone 462, telephone server 470 and data network 302 when accessed by network chip 202.
- In an alLer"aLi~e embodiment, network chip 202 may be installed on a PCB
within a beeper (not shown~ incl~ a display and keypad, rather than a cellular telephone. The beeper includes either a radio transceiver or cellular circuitry which may be used to esta~'~s'l a connection to data network 302.
Referrins;l to Figure 5, flowchart 500 is shown describin~ a user network session utilizing electronic device 300. The user initiates a network session bycausing the electronic device to initialize the browser system software 502, as by powerin~q up electronic device 300. The initialization sequence causes digital processor 212 to access the browser system software from memory, for instance memory 218 (Figure 2A) or 240 (Figure 2C).
The browser system software causes the oleclronic device 300 to prompt a user to instruct the electronic device 300 on the type of displsy/audio and user equipment attached to electronic device 300. The user selects the display/audio and user equipment 504 from a menu including a listing of compatible monitors, PCs, televisions, speakers, mice or other pointing devices, keyboards, or remotedevices, such as a television, VCR, or CD infrared remote control unit; or, the user types the name of the display/audio and user equipment. Alternatively, the user may be prompted to specify the display/audio and user equipment protocol; or, the type of display/audio and user equipment and corresponding protocol may be pre-specified within the browser system software.
Upon receivinç1 the display/audio and user equipment information, digital processor 212 instructs display/audio inLerrace 222 and serial port interface 232 on the type of display/audio and user equipment protocol to utilize in order to interpret communication between the user and electronic device 300.
Next, the browser system software causes the electronic device 300 to prompt a user to instruct the electronic device 300 on the type of network communication equipment attached to electronic device 300. The user selects the network communication equipment 506 from a menu including a listin~q of compa~ibl~ telephone modems, cable modems, satellite, ISDN, ATM, or Ethernet;
or, ths user types the name of the communication equipment. All~,.,ati~ely, the _ _ CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 user may be pro,.."led to specify the communication equipn ent protocol; or, thetype of communication equipment and corresponding prc,Locol may be pre-specified within the browser system software.
Upon receiving the communication equipment information, di~ital processor 2 12 instructs communication intsrface 222 on the type of communication equipment protocol to utilize in order to interpret communication between elec;l, o~Fc d~3vice 300 and dsta network 302. Depending upon the communicstion equipment utilized, the user may again be prompted to make further selections defininq the protocol. For instance, the user may comrn~nicate by modem transmissions over a network, such as the Internet, using various modes of operation in the same manner as conventional PCs. Using WinFsx PR0~ in conjunction with the presenl'invention, a user initially sets up a modem initialize string in the software by choosing frorn a set of oper~ling modes, which includes conventional as~lnchronous or compatible modes.
Next, the browser systern software initializes network software 508 by causing digital processor 212 to access a memory storing the network software, such as memory 21 6, 21 8, or 240, and to operate the network software.
Alternat;vely, electronic device 300 may prompt the user to select the type of network software to be initialized, whereupon the user may sirnply select the network software, such as Netcom or Netscape, for operation on the network electronic device 300.
After iniliali~alion of the network software, the usar is prompted by electronic device 300 to log onto the network 510 by inputting the user name andpassword. Upon receiving the user identification information, digital processor 21 2 then causes communication interface 210 to request a link with data network302. If a valid user name and password has been utilized, then a communication link is esta'li~bed between the user and data network 302 through electronic device 300.
Tl~erearler, the user selects an option 512, e.g. frorn a menu including mail, news çlroup, World-Wide-Web (WWW), Gopher, Telnet (remote computer log-on), FTP (file transfers), Fin~er (listing network users), and IRC(conversation link). The network software then prompts the user to select a sub-topic 514, e.q.
CA 02236~86 1998-0~-04 read or send mail, download articles from or upload articles to a news ~roup, co----e-,l to a database using WWW browser software, search for information ~ utilizin~ Gopher browser software, co----ecl to a remote computer utilizing Telnet software, l.an~rer software files usin~ ~P software, or converse with Inle...el users using IRC software. Upon making a selection, a request is sent through theuser devices, such as keyboard 234 and mouse 236, to communication interface 210. Communication inlerrace 210 translates and sends the request onto data network 204, interprets any received data and sends the interpreted network datato display/audio interface 222. Display/audio interface 222 translates the i~.Le~r~led response and delivers the translated data onto the applicablo display/audio device, such as display unit 224 or speaker 226. Each of the above-related steps within electronic device 300 occur seamlessly for the user as in the same manner with conventional networked PC transmissions.
Upon display on display unit 22~, the user may read the selected network L-al)s.. is~ion, or if the l.an~.. iss;on is audio data, then the user may listen to the selected network transmission over speaker 226. Thereafter, the user may choose another selection 516 or end the network session 518.
In short, electronic device 300 appears to respond just as conventional PCs utilizing conventional modems. The present invention provides an intelligent system that converts data into and from network protocols on each end of a network ~.~ns..-issiol- of digital data.
It should be further appreciated that various components described above, such as communication interface, display inle. race, memory controller, serial port inlerrace 232, decompression, and pe-iphe~al component interface, have been referred to as circuitry; however, each of the respective components may be synthesized with a combination of circuitry and software, or entirely with software, and are generally a combination of circuitry and software.
Claims (25)
1. An integrated network browser controller chip, comprising:
a digital processor for controlling browser operation;
a communication interface for connection within a network;
a user interlace; and a bus interconnecting the digital processor, communication interface, and user interface whereby said digital processor, communication interface, and user interface can directly operably interact.
a digital processor for controlling browser operation;
a communication interface for connection within a network;
a user interlace; and a bus interconnecting the digital processor, communication interface, and user interface whereby said digital processor, communication interface, and user interface can directly operably interact.
2. The network browser chip according to Claim 1, comprising a memory controller coupled to the bus.
3. The network browser chip according to Claim 2, comprising a memory controlled by the memory controller.
4. The network browser chip according to Claim 1, comprising a cache memory coupled to the digital processor.
5. The network browser chip according to Claim 1, comprising a system memory.
6. An integrated network browser controller chip for transmission and reception of data, including:
a digital processor for controlling browser operation;
a communication interface for connecting the network browser chip to a network; and a user interface providing a communication channel between the user and the network browser chip, and a bus providing direct interaction capability between said digital processor, communication interface, and user interface.
a digital processor for controlling browser operation;
a communication interface for connecting the network browser chip to a network; and a user interface providing a communication channel between the user and the network browser chip, and a bus providing direct interaction capability between said digital processor, communication interface, and user interface.
7. The network browser chip according to Claim 6, wherein the communication interface translates data and instructions transferred between the network and the network browser chip.
8. The network browser chip according to Claim 6, wherein the user interface translates data and instructions transferred between the user and the network browser chip.
9. The network browser chip according to Claim 6, comprising an internal system bus connecting the digital processor, communication interface, and user interface, and providing a conduit for transferring data and instructions.
10. The network browser chip according to Claim 6, comprising a cache memory connecting to the digital processor and storing instructions and data for operation by the digital processor.
11. [CANCELLED]
12. [CANCELLED]
13. An integrated network browser device, including:
a single integrated network controller chip having a plurality of devices which can directly interact integrated thereon, said devices comprising:
a communication interface connecting the network controller with the network; and a user interface connecting to the network controller chip and providing access to a user for transferring data and instructions between the user, the browser device, and the network.
a single integrated network controller chip having a plurality of devices which can directly interact integrated thereon, said devices comprising:
a communication interface connecting the network controller with the network; and a user interface connecting to the network controller chip and providing access to a user for transferring data and instructions between the user, the browser device, and the network.
14. The network browser device according to Claim 13, wherein the network controller chip accesses and operates software from a network server for transferring data and instructions between the user and the network.
15. The network browser device according to Claim 13, comprising a system memory connected to the controller chip for storing system software operable by the network controller chip.
16. The network browser device according to Claim 15, wherein the system memory comprises an on-chip memory.
17. The network browser device according to Claim 13 wherein the network controller chip comprises:
a digital processor for controlling browser operation.
a digital processor for controlling browser operation.
18. The network browser device according to Claim 13 wherein the communication interface is incorporated within the network controller chip.
19. The network browser device according to Claim 13 wherein the user interface is incorporated within the network controller chip.
20. An integrated network browser device for transmission and reception of data, including:
a single integrated network controller chip for controlling communication with a network;
a system memory connected to the controller chip for storing system software operable by the said network controller chip;
a communication port connecting the network controller chip with the network medium for transferring data and instructions between the browser device and the network; and a user interface port connecting to the network controller chip and providing access to a user for transferring data and instructions between the user, the browser device, and the network;
the network controller chip including:
an internal system bus connecting the communication port to the user interface port for channeling data and instructions through the network controller chip; a communication interface connecting the communication port to the internal system bus for translating data and instructions transferring between the network and network controller chip;
a digital processor connecting to the internal system bus for controlling operation of the network browser device;
a cache memory connecting to the digital processor and storing instructions and data for operation by the digital processor; and a user interface connecting the user interface port to the internal system bus for translating instructions and data between the user and the network browser device.
a single integrated network controller chip for controlling communication with a network;
a system memory connected to the controller chip for storing system software operable by the said network controller chip;
a communication port connecting the network controller chip with the network medium for transferring data and instructions between the browser device and the network; and a user interface port connecting to the network controller chip and providing access to a user for transferring data and instructions between the user, the browser device, and the network;
the network controller chip including:
an internal system bus connecting the communication port to the user interface port for channeling data and instructions through the network controller chip; a communication interface connecting the communication port to the internal system bus for translating data and instructions transferring between the network and network controller chip;
a digital processor connecting to the internal system bus for controlling operation of the network browser device;
a cache memory connecting to the digital processor and storing instructions and data for operation by the digital processor; and a user interface connecting the user interface port to the internal system bus for translating instructions and data between the user and the network browser device.
21. An electronic interface device, comprising:
an electronic device for performing a non-networking task, the electronic device including an electronic interface;
and a single integrated network controller chip connecting to the electronic interface for controlling communication with a network;
the network controller chip including:
a digital processor for controlling browser operation;
a communication interface for connecting the network browser chip to a network and for translating data and instructions transferred between the network and network browser chip;
a user interface for translating instructions and data between a user and the network browser chip; and an internal system bus connecting the digital processor, communication interface, and user interface, and providing a conduit for transferring data and instructions amongst the digital processor, communication interface, and user interface on the network browser chip.
an electronic device for performing a non-networking task, the electronic device including an electronic interface;
and a single integrated network controller chip connecting to the electronic interface for controlling communication with a network;
the network controller chip including:
a digital processor for controlling browser operation;
a communication interface for connecting the network browser chip to a network and for translating data and instructions transferred between the network and network browser chip;
a user interface for translating instructions and data between a user and the network browser chip; and an internal system bus connecting the digital processor, communication interface, and user interface, and providing a conduit for transferring data and instructions amongst the digital processor, communication interface, and user interface on the network browser chip.
22. The electronic human interface device according to Claim 21, wherein the electronic device for performing a non-networking task comprises a video cassette recorder.
23. A network system For communication of data over a work through a single chip integrated network browser device, including:
a network;
at least two devices connected to the network; and one of the said devices comprising a network browser device having a single integrated network controller chip;
the network controller chip including:
an internal system bus connecting the communication port to the user interface port for channeling data and instructions through the network controller chip; a communication interface connecting the communication port to the internal system bus for translating data and instructions transferring between the network and network controller chip;
a digital processor connecting to the internal system bus for controlling operation of the network browser device;
a cache memory connecting to the digital processor and storing instructions and data for operation by the digital processor; and a user interface connecting the user interface port to the internal system bus for translating instructions and data between the user and the network browser device.
a network;
at least two devices connected to the network; and one of the said devices comprising a network browser device having a single integrated network controller chip;
the network controller chip including:
an internal system bus connecting the communication port to the user interface port for channeling data and instructions through the network controller chip; a communication interface connecting the communication port to the internal system bus for translating data and instructions transferring between the network and network controller chip;
a digital processor connecting to the internal system bus for controlling operation of the network browser device;
a cache memory connecting to the digital processor and storing instructions and data for operation by the digital processor; and a user interface connecting the user interface port to the internal system bus for translating instructions and data between the user and the network browser device.
24. A network system for communication of data over a network, including:
a network;
at least two devices connected to the network; and.
one of the said devices comprising an electronic human interface device, the electronic human interface device including:
an electronic device for performing a non-networking task, the electronic device including an electronic interface;
and, a single integrated network controller chip connecting to the electronic interface for controlling communication with the network;
the network controller chip including:
a digital processor for controlling browser operation;
a communication interface for connecting the network controller chip to the network and for translating data and instructions transferred between the network and network controller chip;
a user interface for translating instructions and data between the user and the network controller chip; and an internal system bus connecting the digital processor, communication interface, and user interface, and, providing a conduit for transferring data and instructions through the network controller chip.
a network;
at least two devices connected to the network; and.
one of the said devices comprising an electronic human interface device, the electronic human interface device including:
an electronic device for performing a non-networking task, the electronic device including an electronic interface;
and, a single integrated network controller chip connecting to the electronic interface for controlling communication with the network;
the network controller chip including:
a digital processor for controlling browser operation;
a communication interface for connecting the network controller chip to the network and for translating data and instructions transferred between the network and network controller chip;
a user interface for translating instructions and data between the user and the network controller chip; and an internal system bus connecting the digital processor, communication interface, and user interface, and, providing a conduit for transferring data and instructions through the network controller chip.
25. A method for creating a single integrated network controller chip connecting to an electronic interface for controlling communication with a network, comprising:
providing a substrate;
fabricating a digital processor for controlling operation of a network browser on said substrate;
providing a communication interface for connecting the network controller chip to the network and for translating data and instructions transferred between the network and network controller chip on said substrate;
creating a user interface on said substrate for translating instructions and data between a user and the network browser chip; and fabricating an internal system bus on said substrate connecting the digital processor, communication interface, and user interface, said internal system bus providing functional interaction capability between said digital processor, communication interface, and user interface.
providing a substrate;
fabricating a digital processor for controlling operation of a network browser on said substrate;
providing a communication interface for connecting the network controller chip to the network and for translating data and instructions transferred between the network and network controller chip on said substrate;
creating a user interface on said substrate for translating instructions and data between a user and the network browser chip; and fabricating an internal system bus on said substrate connecting the digital processor, communication interface, and user interface, said internal system bus providing functional interaction capability between said digital processor, communication interface, and user interface.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US56583295A | 1995-12-01 | 1995-12-01 | |
| US08/565,832 | 1995-12-01 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2236586A1 true CA2236586A1 (en) | 1997-06-05 |
Family
ID=24260288
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002236586A Abandoned CA2236586A1 (en) | 1995-12-01 | 1996-11-27 | Integrated network browser chip, network browser system, and method for network data communication |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0896703A4 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2002516636A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU1143297A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2236586A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1997020281A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MY126363A (en) | 1996-10-25 | 2006-09-29 | Gemalto Sa | Using a high level programming language with a microcontroller |
| US20060193278A1 (en) | 1997-10-15 | 2006-08-31 | Wolfgang Theimer | Mobile telephone for Internet applications |
| US6314492B1 (en) | 1998-05-27 | 2001-11-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method for server control of client cache |
| FR2793576B1 (en) * | 1999-05-11 | 2001-11-16 | Gemplus Card Int | RADIOTELEPHONE TERMINAL WITH A CHIP CARD WITH A BROWSER |
| US9668011B2 (en) * | 2001-02-05 | 2017-05-30 | Avago Technologies General Ip (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. | Single chip set-top box system |
| US7082526B2 (en) | 2003-03-14 | 2006-07-25 | Elegent Technologies, Inc. | Mechanism for intuitively invoking one or more auxiliary programs during a computer booting process |
| US7827558B2 (en) | 2004-06-30 | 2010-11-02 | Devicevm, Inc. | Mechanism for enabling a program to be executed while the execution of an operating system is suspended |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5495422A (en) * | 1993-10-12 | 1996-02-27 | Wang Laboratories, Inc. | Method for combining a plurality of independently operating circuits within a single package |
| JP3367675B2 (en) * | 1993-12-16 | 2003-01-14 | オープン マーケット インコーポレイテッド | Open network sales system and method for real-time approval of transaction transactions |
| US5546547A (en) * | 1994-01-28 | 1996-08-13 | Apple Computer, Inc. | Memory bus arbiter for a computer system having a dsp co-processor |
| US5572643A (en) * | 1995-10-19 | 1996-11-05 | Judson; David H. | Web browser with dynamic display of information objects during linking |
-
1996
- 1996-11-27 JP JP52071897A patent/JP2002516636A/en not_active Ceased
- 1996-11-27 EP EP96942838A patent/EP0896703A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1996-11-27 WO PCT/US1996/019125 patent/WO1997020281A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1996-11-27 CA CA002236586A patent/CA2236586A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-11-27 AU AU11432/97A patent/AU1143297A/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0896703A4 (en) | 2007-07-04 |
| AU1143297A (en) | 1997-06-19 |
| WO1997020281A1 (en) | 1997-06-05 |
| JP2002516636A (en) | 2002-06-04 |
| EP0896703A1 (en) | 1999-02-17 |
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