Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
  • H04N21/426—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof
  • H04N21/42676—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof for modulating an analogue carrier signal to encode digital information or demodulating it to decode digital information, e.g. ADSL or cable modem
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
  • H04N21/266—Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system, merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
  • H04N21/2665—Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
  • H04N21/266—Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system, merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
  • H04N21/26616—Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system, merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel for merging a unicast channel into a multicast channel, e.g. in a VOD application, when a client served by unicast channel catches up a multicast channel to save bandwidth
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
  • H04N21/426—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
  • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
  • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
  • H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
  • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
  • H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
  • H04N21/4314—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
  • H04N21/462—Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
  • H04N21/4622—Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/47—End-user applications
  • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
  • H04N21/4782—Web browsing, e.g. WebTV
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
  • H04N21/61—Network physical structure; Signal processing
  • H04N21/6106—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the downstream path of the transmission network
  • H04N21/6118—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the downstream path of the transmission network involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
  • H04N21/61—Network physical structure; Signal processing
  • H04N21/6156—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network
  • H04N21/6168—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N7/00—Television systems
  • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
  • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
  • H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
  • H04N7/17318—Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of intelligent transceivers such as bi-directional set-top boxes used by the cable television industry. More specifically, the present invention pertains creating an interactive display interface using a bi-directional transceiver. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method and system for a bi-directional transceiver for combining internet information with video information to create an interactive display interface.
• Digital broadcast systems include direct broadcast digital satellite systems, interactive World Wide Web ("Web") access systems, and digital cable systems.
• Digital broadcasting provides a number of advantages to subscribers, such as variety and flexibility of programming, useful and comprehensive support services (such as detailed electronic programming guides), and superior audio and video quality.
• the advanced electronics of digital broadcast systems provides for a greatly increased number of viewing choices. These choices include, for example, a much larger number of channels to choose from, a much larger number of pay-per-view movies, televised sporting events, music, and the like. Broadcasting often occurs 24 hours each day, on each channel, in a continuous fashion. The trend for increased viewing choices is accelerating. As the amount of available bandwidth into a user's home increases, the viewing choices available to the user proliferates.
• CA Conditional Access
• the traditional viewing assistance guides have proven to be of limited value to many users.
• the television guide In its most primitive forms, the television guide is basically printed information, page upon page, describing the content of the various broadcast channels usually available in the user's area.
• the television guide In its slightly more advanced forms, the television guide is electronically based, often transmitted along with the digital broadcast information on one channel of the cable television station, or on one channel of a satellite television network. The user scrolls through the television guide to determine what time a desired program is being broadcast. The user then makes decisions regarding whether to make time to watch the program, set a recording device to record program, or ignore the program and hopefully view it at a subsequent broadcast time, etc.
• Finding the correct information and/or the correct programming out of all of the available information and programming, and determining whether the desired information/programming is being broadcast at the desired time has proven quite problematic for most users. As described above, the number of available viewing/listening choices is proliferating. Many cable television systems are capable of carrying a hundred channels or more. Satellite television systems are often capable of providing 500 or more channels.
• a system for presenting information regarding broadcast data available to a user with a home transceiver e.g., set- top box.
• a system for generating a comprehensive interface which allows the user to efficiently analyze and sift through the various viewing/listening choices available.
• the required system should be capable of providing active assistance to the user in identifying choices of interest.
• the required system should be intelligent and be capable of taking predetermined actions based upon the user history, interests, etc.
• the required system should be intuitively obvious to use.
• the present invention provides a novel method and system that satisfies the above requirements.
• the present invention is implemented as a bi- directional cable television set-top box transceiver for seamlessly combining internet information with video information to create an interactive display interface for viewing by a user.
• the transceiver includes a single in-band tuner (as opposed to multiple tuners) for receiving an "in-band" digital broadcast signal and generating a data stream (e.g., an MPEG based data stream) therefrom.
• the in-band tuner is coupled to an audio video decoder for decoding the data stream into a resulting video signal (e.g., for display on a coupled television monitor).
• the transceiver also includes a cable modem for implementing bi-directional communication using internet protocols.
• the operation of the in-band tuner, the audio video decoder, and the cable modem is managed and coordinated by a CPU (central processing unit).
• the CPU is a component having a digital processor coupled to a memory.
• much of the display interface generation is software based, in that much of the functionality embodied by the display interface is implemented via software executing on the CPU.
• the memory stores the software and provides the execution environment for implementing the functionality of the interactive display interface generation process performed by the transceiver.
• the display interface is generated such that it includes video information from the video signal (e.g., a digital broadcast channel received via cable) and Internet information (e.g., a web page created specifically for the particular digital broadcast channel) from the cable modem.
• the video information and the Internet information are seamlessly combined into an attractive, intuitive display interface (e.g., as seen by the user on, for example, the externally coupled television).
• the transceiver recognizes user input as the user interacts with, for example, specific elements of the display interface with a remote control joystick or buttons.
• the user input is transmitted upstream using the cable modem, and the display interface is altered in accordance with the user input, if required (e.g., the user selects a new channel for viewing).
• the transceiver of the present invention provides a display interface which efficiently presents information regarding broadcast data available to a user.
• the transceiver of the present invention provides a comprehensive display interface which allows the user to efficiently analyze and sift through the various viewing/listening choices available. For example, the user is able to access an unlimited number of web pages specifically tailored to each available viewing or listening choice.
• the web pages would include information regarding programming availability, cost (if any), program specific information describing the actual content of program (e.g., synopsis, summary, rating guide, etc.), or the like. Since much of the functionality of the display interface is software based, the transceiver is capable of providing active assistance to the user in identifying choices of interest, and can recognize the user identifying choices of interest and display additional programming the user would find interesting. In so doing, the transceiver of the present invention is intelligent and capable of taking predetermined actions based upon the user history, interests, etc., and is intuitively obvious to use.
• the transceiver includes both an in-band tuner and an out-of-band tuner for receiving digital broadcast signals.
• a cable modem is also included for providing bi-directional Internet connectivity.
• Figure 1 shows an overview diagram of a transceiver in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 2 shows a diagram of the elements of a display interface in accordance with one embodiment of present invention.
• Figure 3A shows an overview diagram depicting the relationship between a transceiver and the broadcast means of a digital broadcast system operator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 3B is an illustration of the various frequencies associated with the in-band signals and out-of-band signals of the digital broadcast signal and the cable modem signal in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 shows a more detailed diagram of a transceiver in accordance with one embodiment of present invention.
• Figure 5 shows a block diagram of a transceiver in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 6 shows a more detailed block diagram of a transceiver in accordance with yet another embodiment of present invention.
• Figure 7 shows a flow chart of the steps of an interactive display generation process in accordance with one embodiment of present invention as implemented using a transceiver in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
• Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for a bi-directional transceiver that combines Internet information with video information to create an interactive display interface for viewing by a user.
• the present invention generates a comprehensive display interface which allows the user to efficiently analyze and sift through the various viewing/listening choices available.
• the display interface of the present invention is interactive and is capable of providing active assistance to the user in identifying choices of interest.
• the transceiver of present invention can recognize user input as the user identifies choices of interest and selects programming the user finds interesting.
• the transceiver of the present invention is intelligent and capable of taking predetermined actions based upon the user history, interests, etc., and is intuitively obvious to use. The present invention and its benefits are further described below.
• the present invention is described in the context of an interactive display interface generated by an intelligent transceiver (e.g., a set-top box) that can be used as part of a bi-directional digital broadcast system.
• an intelligent transceiver e.g., a set-top box
• the present invention may be utilized in other types of devices, including consumer electronic devices, where it may be necessary to generate an interactive display interface.
• Transceiver 300 includes a single in-band tuner 101, a demodulator 102, an AV (audio video) decode block 103, a cable modem 104, and a CPU 360.
• the in- band tuner 101 is coupled to receive a digital broadcast signal 370.
• the cable modem 104 is coupled to receive and transmit Internet protocol signal 371.
• Transceiver 300 is also coupled to a television 375.
• digital broadcast signal 370 and Internet protocol signal 371 are both transmitted via a coaxial cable 372.
• the A/V decode block 103 includes functionality for descrambling the incoming digital broadcast signal 370.
• transceiver 300 is used to implement a cable television set-top box.
• transceiver 300 includes a single in-band tuner 101, however, in other embodiments (e.g., transceiver 600 of Figure 6), additional tuners can be included to receive additional signals (e.g., out-of-band tuner 402 of Figure 6).
• transceiver 300 implements a bi-directional interactive display interface for viewing by a user via television 375.
• the display interface implemented by transceiver 300 is bi-directional in the sense that downstream information is received via digital broadcast signal 370 and via Internet protocol signal 371 from, for example, the cable television service provider, and information is received from the user and transmitted upstream back to, for example, the cable television service provider, via the cable modem 104.
• the display interface transmitted to and displayed on television 375 functions in part as a seamless combination of Internet information and video information that provides the user with an efficient guide that assists the user in identifying programming choices of interest and associated information.
• the in-band tuner 101 functions by tuning and receiving the digital broadcast signal 370.
• Digital broadcast signal 370 is demodulated into a scrambled data stream using the coupled demodulator 102.
• the data stream is scrambled to prevent unauthorized access and to implement a conditional access system.
• the scrambled data stream is received by AV decode block 103 where it is descrambled and decoded intc, for example, an MPEG based data stream.
• AV decode block 103 further processes the data stream signal into a display signal compatible for display on the coupled television 375.
• the transceiver 300 also includes a cable modem 104 for implementing bi-directional communication using internet protocols.
• Cable modem 104 uses well known Internet protocols for both transmitting information upstream via a coaxial cable 372 and for receiving downstream information (e.g., via Internet protocol signal 371).
• Cable modem 104 is coupled to CPU 360, thereby allowing software programs (e.g., Web browsers) hosted on CPU 360 to access and interact with Web sites on the Internet.
• the operation of the in-band tuner 101, the demodulator 102, the AV decode block 103, and the cable modem 104 is managed and coordinated by CPU 360.
• the CPU 360 is a component having a digital microprocessor 430 coupled to a memory 420.
• much of the display interface generation of the present invention is software based, in that much of the functionality embodied by the display interface is implemented via software executing on the CPU 360.
• the memory 420 stores the software and provides the execution environment for implementing the functionality of the interactive display interface generation process performed by the transceiver 300.
• any descrambling keys required for descrambling premium content can be delivered via the cable modem 104.
• the display interface is generated such that it includes video information from the video signal (e.g., a digital broadcast signal 370 received via cable 372) and Internet information (e.g., a web page created specifically for the particular digital broadcast channel) from the cable modem 104.
• the video information and the Internet information are seamlessly combined into an attractive, intuitive display interface.
• the display interface is seen by the user on the display (e.g., the TV screen) of the coupled television 375.
• FIG. 2 a diagram showing the elements of a display interface 376 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. As described above, in this embodiment, display interface 376 is seen by the user on the screen of television 375.
• display interface 376 includes five elements: electronic programming guide information 381, search engine 382, email 383, video information 384, and web page 385.
• Elements 381-385 function in part by combining information from the Internet with information from the digital broadcast signal to provide the user with a seamless, interactive, display of information regarding the content being displayed on television 375.
• the electronic programming guide information 381 provides a list of available programming identified by channel and time.
• Search engine 382 provides a search ability that allows the user to, for example, search for specific programming by subject, title, content, etc.
• Video information 384 shows the actual video of, for example, the currently selected channel being viewed by the user.
• Web page 385 shows a specific web page corresponding to, for example, the program being broadcast on the currently selected channel in the video information "window" 384.
• Email 383 shows, for example, a list of the most currently transmitted or received e-mails of the user, or an e-mail message currently being edited.
• the user interacts with display interface 376 via, for example, a cursor controlled with a remote control (not shown), or alternatively, via buttons on the remote control or remote keyboard.
• the user interacts with the display interface 376 by selecting and actuating the various elements 381-385 or portions thereof.
• the transceiver 300 recognizes the user input.
• the user input is transmitted upstream using the cable modem 104, and the display interface is altered in accordance with the user input, if required (e.g., the user selects a new channel for viewing in video information window 384, the user selects a new e-mail message in e-mail window 383, the user selects a new web page for a new program in web page window 385, etc.).
• transceiver 300 of the present invention provides a display interface 376 which efficiently presents information regarding broadcast data available to the user.
• a display interface 376 which efficiently presents information regarding broadcast data available to the user.
• transceiver 300 of the present embodiment provides a comprehensive display interface 376 which allows the user to efficiently analyze and sift through the myriad of various viewing/listening choices available. For example, the user is able to access an unlimited number of web pages (e.g., web page window 385) specifically tailored to each available viewing or listening choice.
• the web pages viewable in web page window 385 can include numerous types of specific information regarding programming availability, cost (if any), program specific information describing the actual content of program (e.g., synopsis, summary, rating guide, etc.), or the like.
• program specific information describing the actual content of program e.g., synopsis, summary, rating guide, etc.
• the most popular programs often have dozens of Internet sites related to their respective content (e.g., official web sites, fan based web sites, etc.).
• transceiver 300 can provide "active" assistance to the user.
• Transceiver 300 can be described as being “intelligent,” in that much of the functionality of transceiver 300 and of display interface 376 is software based.
• transceiver 300 is capable of providing active assistance to the user, for example, by identifying programming choices of interest, and recognizing the user's history of identifying choices of interest and displaying additional programming the user would be likely to find interesting (based on that history).
• transceiver 300 of the present invention is intelligent and capable of taking predetermined actions based upon the user's history, interests, etc.
• FIG 3A shows an overview diagram depicting the relationship of transceiver 300 to the broadcast means of the digital broadcast system operator (also referred to as a Multiple System Operator, MSO).
• digital broadcast signal 370 and Internet protocol signal 371 can be delivered to transceiver 300 using any of the various mechanisms currently in use or envisioned, such as a terrestrial line (e.g., a coaxial cable 372), a wireless transmission (e.g., a satellite broadcast or terrestrial broadcast), or the like.
• a terrestrial line e.g., a coaxial cable 372
• a wireless transmission e.g., a satellite broadcast or terrestrial broadcast
• This is depicted in Figure 3A, for example, as digital broadcast signal 370a from internet/cable 391 and digital broadcast signal 370b from satellite/terrestrial broadcast 392.
• Figure 3B is an illustration of the various frequencies associated with the in-band signals and out-of-band signals of the digital broadcast signal and the cable modem signal (e.g., the internet protocol signal) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
• the frequencies in the range of approximately 5-42 MHz are known as "upstream” signals, and the frequencies in the range of approximately 54-860 MHz are known as "downstream” signals.
• the range of frequencies from approximately 5-26 MHz are known as “out-of-band (OOB) upstream” and the range from 27-42 MHz are known as “in-band upstream,” or “cable modem upstream.”
• OOB out-of-band
• the range of frequencies from approximately 70-130 MHz are known as “out-of-band downstream” with the remainder being in-band downstream.
• transceiver 300 With regard to transceiver 300, only in-band signals (upstream and downstream) are transmitted and received. Additionally, upstream communication is primarily handled by the cable modem 104. However, in other embodiments (e.g., transceiver 600 of Figure 6) both in-band signals and out-of band signals can be used.
• transceiver 400 includes a front-end block 310 coupled to bus 305, interface card 330 coupled to front-end block 310 and bus 305, audio/video (A/V) decode block 340 coupled to interface card 330 and bus 305, graphics block 350 coupled to A/V decode block 340 and bus 305, and central processing unit 360 coupled to bus 305.
• Interface card 330 also referred to as a point of deployment (POD) is adapted to receive smart card 325.
• POD point of deployment
• Transceiver 400 is substantially similar to transceiver 300 of Figure 1, however transceiver 400 of Figure 4 depicts the internal components in greater detail. Transceiver 400 receives digital broadcast signal 370 and Internet protocol signal 371 via a separate front end block 310 and is transmitted to interface card 330 for descrambling and subsequent transmission to A V decode block 340.
• front-end block 310 contains one or more tuners for receiving digital broadcast signal 370.
• front-end block 310 contains a single "in-band" tuner for receiving in-band digital broadcast signals and a cable modem (e.g., cable modem 104) for receiving Internet protocol signals, or alternatively a telephone type device (e.g., digital subscriber line) similarly allowing connection to be made to the World Wide Web so that Internet information or even broadcast signals can be received via the Internet.
• front-end block 310 contains a tuner for receiving a wireless transmission (e.g., a satellite broadcast) and another tuner for receiving a cable transmission.
• Smart card 325 stores information (e.g., information from the cable head-end) needed by a cable system operator or digital broadcast system operator (e.g., a Multiple System Operator, MSO) in order to bill a subscriber for services used by the subscriber (for example, the viewing of a pay-per-view movie or event).
• a cable system operator or digital broadcast system operator e.g., a Multiple System Operator, MSO
• smart card 325 also includes a key that is used to descramble digital broadcast signal 370 (if the signal is scrambled).
• smart card 325 is inserted into interface card 330; however, it is appreciated that in other embodiments smart card 325 may be coupled in a different manner to intelligent transceiver 300 (for example, it may be inserted into either front-end block 310 or A/V decode block 340).
• interface card 330 descrambles digital broadcast signal 370.
• interface card 330 contains an encryption unit (not shown) that encrypts digital broadcast signal 370.
• the encryption unit uses a well-known DES ECB (Data Encryption Standard Electronic Code Book) encryption routine and a key length of 56 bits.
• DES ECB Data Encryption Standard Electronic Code Book
• A/V decode block 340 is an integrated circuit device comprising a functional block and a encryption unit 345 integrated therein.
• Encryption unit 345 is integral with A/V decode block 340 (that is, as a single integrated circuit, or "chip") and coupled to front-end block 310 via interface card 330.
• the link between interface card 330 and A/V decode block 340 (specifically, encryption unit 345) is separate from bus 305; that is, there is a direct connection between interface card 330 and encryption unit 345 that bypasses bus 305.
• Encryption unit 345 decrypts an encrypted signal (e.g., digital broadcast signal 370) received by A/V decode block 340.
• the output of encryption unit 345 is a decrypted digital signal that is "in the clear.”
• the signal in the clear is transmitted within A/V decode block 340 for decoding.
• the clear signal is encrypted by encryption unit 345 prior to transmission outside of A V decode block 340.
• transceiver 400 provides a secure interface between interface card 330 and encryption unit 345 and also between encryption unit 345 and A/V decode block 340, and thus between front-end block 310 and A/V decode block 340. As such, transceiver 400 can prevent pirating of a descrambled and decrypted digital signal.
• A/V decode block 340 receives encrypted digital broadcast signal 370 from interface card 330, decrypts the signal using encryption unit 345, and decodes the video content and the audio content of digital broadcast signal 370.
• an MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) video decoder and an AC3 (Digital Dolby) audio decoder are used; however, it is appreciated that other video or audio decoders can be used in accordance with the present invention.
• A/V decode block 340 is capable of handling video and audio analog signals.
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a transceiver 500 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
• point of deployment (POD) 320 is separate from interface card 330, and smart card 325 is plugged into POD 320 ir stoad of interface card 330.
• smart card 325 contains a key for descrambling digital broadcast signal 370, and this key is used by POD 320 to descramble digital broadcast signal 370.
• POD 320 also encrypts digital broadcast signal 370 using an encryption engine (not shown).
• POD 320 is separate from interface card 330 in this embodiment, interface card 330 can still exist in transceiver 500.
• Figure 6 is a block diagram of a transceiver 600 (e.g., a bi-directional set- top box) showing additional details of the embodiments illustrated by Figure 4 and Figure 5.
• Table 1 is a list of the various elements and acronyms contained in Figure 6.
• front-end block 310 receives a scrambled digital broadcast signal (e.g., digital broadcast signal 370 of Figure 1) from a digital broadcaster via in-band tuner 401, OOB tuner 402 and/or MCNS FAT tuner 403.
• Front-end block 310 also receives an Internet protocol signal (e.g., Internet protocol signal 371 of Figure 1) via MCNS FAT tuner 403.
• the signals are received via DSM 610.
• Smart card 325 includes a key to descramble the digital broadcast signal. It is appreciated that Figure 4 shows some elements from the embodiments illustrated by Figures 1, 4, and 5.
• smart card 325 is inserted into interface card 330, and interface card 330 descrambles and encrypts the digital broadcast signal.
• smart card 325 is plugged into POD 320.
• the descrambling and encrypting functions are performed in POD 320, and so these functions are bypassed in interface card 330.
• MCNS FAT tuner 403 is used implement the cable modem functionality of front-end block 310. MCNS FAT tuner 403 functions in substantially the same manner as cable modem 104 of Figure 1.
• the encrypted digital signal is delivered to A/V decode block 340 via interface card 330.
• decryption engine 345 is integrated into demultiplexer ("demux") 410, which is itself integrated into A/V decode block 340.
• Decryption engine 345 contains an decryption engine for decrypting digital broadcast signal 370.
• Decryption engine 345 is integral with A/V decode block 340 and is coupled to front-end block 310 via interface card 330.
• Decryption engine 345 decrypts an encrypted signal (e.g., digital broadcast signal 370) received by A/V decode block 340 via interface card 330.
• the in-the-clear signal is immediately transmitted within the integrated circuit of A/V decode block 340 for decoding.
• the in-the-clear signal is not transmitted outside the physical block comprising A V decode block 340 and decryption engine 345.
• decryption engine 345 provides the interface between A/V decode block 340 and interface card 330. It is appreciated that in other embodiments integrated circuit 345 may be integrated into A/V decode block 340 in some different manner (that is, in a location other than demux 410) while still providing the interface with interface card 330.
• A/V decode block 340 includes an MPEG decoder (e.g., graphics block 411) and an audio decoder (e.g., AC-3 block 412) to decode the video and audio content of digital broadcast signal 370.
• Graphics block 350 processes the audio and video information received from A/V decode block 340.
• Central processing unit 360 contains a microprocessor (e.g., CPU core 430) and memory (e.g., instruction cache 420) for processing information and instructions used by intelligent transceiver 400.
• Process 700 depicts the basic operating steps of interactive display interface generation process as implemented in a set-top box transceiver in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention (e.g., transceiver 300 of Figure 1 or transceiver 600 of Figure 6).
• Process 700 begins in step 701, where a digital broadcast signal is received by transceiver 300.
• the digital broadcast signal is transmitted from an MSO.
• the digital broadcast signal (e.g., digital broadcast signal 370 of Figure 1) conveys audio video content for display/consumption by a user on, for example, a coupled television (e.g., television 375 of Figure 1).
• the digital broadcast signal is descrambled using descrambling circuits.
• the digital broadcast signal is transmitted from the MSO in a scrambled form to prevent unauthorized reception by "pirating" users.
• An authorized user can descramble the digital broadcast signal using a key provided by the MSO.
• the descrambling functionality can be included in an A/V decode block (e.g., transceiver 300 of Figure 1), or a separate interface card (e.g., interface card 330 of Figure 4).
• an Internet protocol signal (e.g., Internet protocol signal 371 of Figure 1) is received by a cable modem (e.g., cable modem 104 of Figure 1 or MCNS FAT tuner 403 of Figure 6) included in the transceiver.
• the Internet protocol signal is used to convey a variety of Internet based information. Such information includes, for example, e-mail, electronic programming guide information (e.g., name of the program, showtime, channel its on, etc.), Web sites, and the like.
• the transceiver generates a display interface.
• the video information from the digital broadcast signal and the Internet information from the Internet protocol signal are combined into a single comprehensive display interface.
• the generating functionality is implemented via software executing on a CPU block (e.g., CPU 360 of Figure 6) included in the transceiver.
• the particular configuration of the display interface varies in accordance with the requirements of the user. For example, where the user is interested in watching a particular video program, Internet information related to the video program (e.g., program synopsis, program ratings, etc.) is combined into the interactive display (e.g., display interface 376 of Figure 2).
• the generated display interface is coupled to a graphics block (e.g., graphics block 350 to Figure 6) included in the transceiver.
• the graphics block processes the display interface data received from the AV decode block and the CPU to generate a resulting video signal and audio signal compatible with the coupled display device (e.g., television 375).
• step 706 the video signal and the audio signal generated in step 705 are coupled to the display device for viewing by the user.
• the display interface generated by the transceiver is "rendered” for viewing by the user.
• the transceiver recognizes any user input via the interactive display interface.
• user input is recognized via, for example, the user interacting with the display interface by manipulating a cursor controlled with a remote control, or alternatively, for example, via buttons on the remote control or remote keyboard.
• step 708 as the user interacts with the display interface by selecting and actuating the various elements or portions thereof, the resulting user input is transmitted upstream using the cable modem.
• step 709 depending upon the particular input, the display interface is altered accordingly.
• Such input can be, for example, the user selecting a new channel for viewing in a video information window of the display interface (e.g., video information window 384 of Figure 2), the user selecting a new e-mail message (e.g., in e-mail window 383), the user selecting a new web page for a new program (e.g., in web page window 385) and the like.
• the user can select an embedded "hyperlink" in the web page to obtain more detailed information regarding the content in the video information window (e.g., to obtain a biography of one of the program's stars, to obtain statistics on a player in a sporting event, etc.).
• an embedded "hyperlink" in the web page e.g., to obtain a biography of one of the program's stars, to obtain statistics on a player in a sporting event, etc.
• the present invention provides a method and system for a bidirectional transceiver that combines Internet information with video information to create an interactive display interface for viewing by a user.
• the present invention generates a comprehensive display interface which allows the user to efficiently analyze and sift through the various viewing/listening choices available.
• the display interface of the present invention is interactive and is capable of providing active assistance to the user in identifying choices of interest.
• the transceiver of present invention can recognize user input as the user identifies choices of interest and selects programming the user finds interesting.
• the transceiver of the present invention is intelligent and capable of taking predetermined actions based upon the user history, interests, etc., and is intuitively obvious to use.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

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• 2000
  • 2000-12-07 CA CA002393946A patent/CA2393946A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2000-12-07 EP EP00984135A patent/EP1250806A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2000-12-07 KR KR1020027008537A patent/KR20020086880A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2000-12-07 WO PCT/US2000/033455 patent/WO2001050740A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2000-12-07 JP JP2001550994A patent/JP2003519973A/ja active Pending
  • 2000-12-07 AU AU20807/01A patent/AU2080701A/en not_active Abandoned
• 2008
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