MX2008005950A - Methods and apparatuses for an integrated media device - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods are described for a set top box. The set top box may include a satellite television receiver module, a broadband Internet module, a digital video recorder, a storage medium, a first output port, and an integrated user interface. The satellite television receiver module receives satellite television broadcasts and converts the broadcast for display on a television. The broadband Internet module converts content in a broadband signal for display on the television. The digital video recorder (DVR) allows a user to manipulate a digital stream of video programming from the satellite television broadcast. The integrated user interface displays on the television to allow a user to access an integrated content user experience by displaying icons thatallow the user to select content from the satellite television broadcasts, the content in the broadband signal, and content from a first computer connected to the first network.

Description

METHODS AND APPLIANCES FOR AN INTEGRATED MEDIA DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD The embodiments of the present invention pertain to the field of entertainment sources, and, more particularly, to a user experience rich in integrated content.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Consumers may receive entertainment content as well as communications from a wide variety of sources. However, consumers lack the ability to have a user experience of integrated content for all sources of information and entertainment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The set top box can include a satellite television receiver module, a broadband Internet module, a digital video recording device, a storage medium, a first output port and an interface of integrated user. The satellite television receiving module receives satellite television transmissions and converts the transmission to present it on a television. The broadband Internet module converts the content into a broadband signal to be presented on television. The digital video recording (DVR) device allows a user to manipulate a digital stream of video programming of the satellite television transmission, including the ability to pause live feed feeds. The storage medium stores files within the set-top box as digital photo files as well as television programs of the satellite television transmission. The first output port is coupled to a first network that carries digital signals from the "set top box" decoder. The user interface display devices integrated into the television allow a user to have access to an integrated content user experience by presenting icons that allow the user to select content from satellite television broadcasts, the content in the broadband signal, and content of a first computer connected to the first network. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example and are not intended to be limited to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a logic diagram of a mode of a decoder system or "set" top box "that integrates satellite television content, broadband content from the Internet, telephone services, e-commerce, and a range of entertainment services from a local home network through a" set top box "decoder and a central exit management to create a user experience of integrated content; Figure 2 illustrates a logic diagram of a "set top box" decoder mode; Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a modality of the satellite television path; Figure 4a illustrates a logic diagram of another "set top box" decoder mode; Figure 4b illustrates a block diagram of a three-way communication mode that occurs between the "set top box" decoder, a third-party network site that hosts multimedia content, and the central administration system server; Figure 5 illustrates a mode of a screenshot of the main page of the user interface; Figure 6a illustrates a mode of a screen capture of the video options page of the user interface; Figure 6b illustrates a mode of a screenshot of the My Records page 616b of the user interface; Figure 6c illustrates a mode of a screenshot of the electronic programming guide of the user interface; Figure 7 illustrates a modality of a screen capture of the registration screen of a user interface program; Figure 8 illustrates another embodiment of a screenshot of the main page of the user interface; Figure 9a illustrates a modality of a screen capture of the TV Menu screen of the user interface; Figure 9b illustrates a mode of a screen capture of the Search function for the Television Menu screen of the user interface; Figure 9c illustrates a mode of a screen capture of the electronic program guide for the TV Menu screen of the user interface; Figure 10a illustrates a mode of a screenshot of the main menu of Movies of the user interface; Figure 10b illustrates a mode of a screen capture of the My Movies page of the user interface; Figure 1a illustrates a modality of a screen capture of the main Music menu of the user interface; Figure 11b illustrates a modality of a screenshot of the music playback page of the user interface; Figure 12a illustrates a mode of a screenshot of the main menu of Photos of the user interface; and Figure 12b illustrates a form of a screenshot of the photo rolls page of the user interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a better understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain embodiments of the present invention can be practiced without those specific details. In other cases, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments of the invention presented. The following detailed description includes several modules, which will be described later. These modules can be implemented by physical computing components or hardware, as a logic or they can be incorporated into executable instructions by the machine, which can be used to make a processor for general purposes or special purposes programmed with instructions perform the operations described here. Alternatively, operations can be performed by a combination of physical computing or hardware components or programs and software or programming systems. In general, devices, systems and methods for a "set top box" decoder are described. The "set top box" decoder can include a satellite television receiver module, a broadband Internet module, a digital video recording device, a storage medium, a first output port, a second output port and a integrated user interface. The satellite television receiver module receives satellite television broadcasts and converts the broadcast to be presented on a television in formats such as a high definition format, a standard definition format, or similar format. The broadband Internet module converts content into the broadband signal to present it on television. The digital video recording (DVR) device allows a user to manipulate a digital stream of video programming of the transmission or broadcast of satellite television including the ability to pause live broadcast feeds. The storage medium stores files within the "set top box" decoder such as digital photo files, digital music files, as well as television programs of satellite television transmissions and other similar electronic files. The first output port is coupled to a first network that carries analog video signals from the "set top box" decoder. The second output port is coupled to a second network that carries digital signals from the "set top box" decoder. User interface display devices integrated into the television allow a user to have access to an integrated content user experience by presenting icons that allow the user to select the content of satellite television broadcasts, including the content of digital photo and music files digital signal in broadband, and content of a first computer connected to the second network that carries digital signals. Figure 1 illustrates a logic diagram of a "set top box" decoder system that integrates satellite television content, broadband content from the Internet, telephone services, e-commerce, and a range of entertainment services from a single source. local home network through a "set top box" decoder and a central output management system to create an integrated content user experience. The system 100 may include a central administration system 102, e-commerce providers 104, e-mail and instant messaging services 106, an Internet service provider 108, content providers, such as Video on Demand (VoD) 110 providers, 112 digital photo service providers, 114 digital music service providers, 116 Internet Protocol television providers, and other providers of similar content such as satellite television provider 118, local TV and radio antenna signals 120, one or more set-top boxes 124, an input 122 to the local network, one or more televisions 126- 132, a first network carrying analog signals 134, a second network carrying analog signals 136, one or more computing devices 138, 140, one or more customer sections 142, and one or more remote devices 144-146. The input to the network 122 such as a cable modem, DSL modem, or similar device may be internal or external to the "set top box" decoder 124. The "set top box" 124 may include several modules to receive content from those different sources of content and then convert the content to be transformed and presented appropriately on a television 126-130. The different modules can be shown as different logical groupings of functions; however, the different modules can be integrated into a common module or have functions of a single module divided into two or more discrete modules. The "set top box" decoder 124 may include a central management system interface 148. The central administration interface system 148 communicates with a remote central management system 102 via a wide area network such as Internet 150. The system Central Administration 102 may receive communications from each set top box decoder in the system, such as the first "set top box" decoder 124. The programming and software systems of the central administration system 102 manage and integrate an exchange of information. three-way billing between a content provider 110-116, the central management system 102 and a user Internet service provider of the set top box 108, such as a telephone service or cable service provider. Programming and software systems of the central administration system 102 also perform the catalog aggregation to present the set top box 124 with a common catalog presentation of content available on the basis of the content type independent of the format provided by the source which supplies the content.

The central administration system 102 receives a request from set top box 124 to view a catalog of available services and content available from a content provider selected by the set top box user 124 through the user interface on the set top box 124. The central administration system 102 initiates a verification, including source controls and billing criteria, with the user's Internet service provider that the set top box user 124 is authorized to download that content. The content provider sends the catalog of available content and services provided by that content provider to the central administration system 102. The programs and programming or software systems in the central administration system 102 convert the catalog information provided by the provider of content. contained in a common display format for the set top box user interface 124. After verification of the Internet service provider 108, the central administration system 102 transmits the catalog information provided by the content in the display format common to the set top box 124. In this way, the programs and programming or software systems of the central administration system 102 perform the catalog aggregation to make a common catalog presentation on the content user interface available on the basis of the type of content independent of the source of that kind of content. The set top box user interface 124 allows the user to select the desired content, such as a movie, song, photo album, etc., from the catalog of that service provider. The central administration system interface 148 of the set top box 124 communicates the selection of the user interface to the central administration system 102. The central administration system 102 transmits a secure receipt, such as a token, to the administration system interface. 148 of the set top box 124 to purchase that content based on the verification received from the Internet service provider 108. The central administration system interface 148 provides the secure receipt to the content provider to allow the set top box 124 download the selected content from the content provider. The interface of the central administration system 148 of the set top box 124 communicates the download of the content to the central administration system 102. The interface of the central administration system 148 of the set top box 124 also communicates the current view of the content. After the current view of the content, the central administration system 102 communicates to the user's Internet service provider that the set top box 124 must be loaded by the downloaded content. The user's Internet service provider 108, as a telephone / cable provider, integrates all charges of all content providers 110-116 into a common invoice associated with the user of that set top box 124. The actual content, such as movies, photographs, music, etc. from the Internet content provider is exchanged directly (ie online) between the Internet content provider 110-116 and the set top box 124, via the entry 122, while auxiliary communications such as List of catalogs and billing aspects are communicated in a three-way exchange between an Internet content provider, the central management system 102 and the user's Internet service provider 108. Low bandwidth communications related to areas such as catalog information, billing aspects, etc. they are exchanged between each set top box 124 in the system and the central administration system 102. The central administration system 102 acts as the centerpiece for coordinating the billing and catalog information among the content providers, the telephone service provider, etc. High bandwidth communications such as movie downloads, music, photography, etc. are exchanged between each set top box 124 in the system and the content providers. The central management system 102 also maintains the costs of service delivery and low client administration by allowing Internet service providers to diagnose or solve technical problems and provide personalized data, voice and entertainment services remotely. The set top box 124 has a broadband Internet module to convert the content into the broadband signal to present it on a 126-130 television. The set top box 124 can also send the content in the broadband signal to a first network carrying analog video signals and / or a second network carrying digital signals. The second network can include multiple computers connected to that network as well as remote node boxes. In one embodiment, a broadband signal is an xDSL signal or other similar signal having a range of frequencies above the speech band such as a range of 26 kHz to 1.5 kHz and data rates of maximum or greater than 144 kilobits per second. second with typical ranges of maximum data transmission rates of more than 1.5 Megabits per second. The set top box 124 may also include a satellite television receiver module for receiving satellite television transmissions and converting the transmission for presentation on a 126-130 television in high definition or standard definition format. The set top box 124 may also include a digital video recording (DVR) device to allow a user to manipulate a digital stream of video programming of the satellite television transmission including the ability to pause the display of a power supply. a live broadcast The set top box 124 may also include a storage medium that stores files within the set top box 124 as digital photo files, digital music files, content downloaded from the broadband content providers, as well as the television programs of the transmission of satellite television. The set top box 124 may also include a digital media server to access storage media or a client device that connects to the set top box 124 to obtain digital photo files and digital music files. The digital media server can also cooperate with a network module to obtain digital files such as digital photo files from a computing device such as a first computer connected to the digital network. The set top box 124 provides an integrated user interface presented on a 126-130 television that allows a user to access an integrated content user experience by presenting icons that allow the user to select content from satellite television broadcasts, including the content of photographs and music from the Internet, and contents of a local network including a first computer 138 and having that content appropriately transformed into the user's audio device and video display device. The set top box 124 has programs and programming or software systems to establish a secure connection for remote access. Through a computer connected to the network, such as a first 144 laptop, consumers will have the ability to remotely program their set top box to record satellite entertainment, download movies on demand, and access their collection of photos and personal music. Users can also access remote files on computers connected to their local networks. Users can also enjoy this remote access using a wireless cellular phone. The set top box system 124 allows subscribers DSL buy digital content or have access to online media services from the Internet via a set top box. The set top box system 124 also makes digital content available to multiple devices over a local network. For example, content can be provided to and accessed from a home theater, second or third TV, stereo, PC or other connected device, or from outside the home using remote access. A first output port or set top box 224 is coupled to a first network 135 that carries digital signals from the set top box. The digital signals can be received by the remote box 142 and transformed into a suitable format to be displayed on a first high definition television 126. A second output port is coupled to a second network 136 that carries analog video signals from the set top box. The analog signals are transformed into the appropriate format to be presented on a second television 129. Figure 2 illustrates a logic diagram of a set top box mode. The set top box 224 may include several modules such as a satellite television receiver module 249 such as a digital video recorder (DVR) device 288, a central management system interface 248, a broadband Internet module 226, a unit of DVD / CD-ROM 244, a storage disk 266, such as a hard disk drive, a digital media server 242, and an integrated user interface 282, an analog network output module 247, an output module digital network 246 including a wireless router, a unified messaging module 290, a Radio Frequency receiver module for remote control 292, and other similar functional modules. In this way, the set top box 224 integrates broadband content and satellite networks with services from a range of Internet and satellite content partners, which allow suppliers to provide consumers with home entertainment services as means on demand, Registration of Personal Video (PVR), music and photo management, and unified messaging. The set top box 224 has an input 222 for converting the downstream broadband signal into a useful format by the set top box 224 and for transmitting a signal upstream of the set top box 224 to the Internet. The format can be a variant of the format of the digital subscriber line (DSL) such as ADSL, VDSL, etc. In this diagram, the different previous logic blocks are shown as separate parts for clarity, but can be integrated as one or more units on a main board. As described above, the central administration system interface 248 communicates with a remote central administration system. The central management system performs a number of functions such as managing and integrating a three-way billing exchange between a content provider, the central administration system and the user's Internet service provider.

The set top box 224 can receive cable, DSL, and satellite services that include standard and premium video content, audio streams, and interactive services. The set top box 224 can transform these signals to present them on an analog television or a digital television. The satellite television receiver module 249 receives satellite television transmissions and converts the transmission to be presented on a television in a format such as a high definition format, a standard definition format or a similar format. The programs and programming or software systems in the satellite television receiver module 249 support different resolutions of high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) and signal formats. Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a modality of the satellite television path. The exemplary signal path for the satellite signal carrying or transporting television programming signals may include a multiswitch 350, one or more tuners 352, a demodulator 354, a PID filter 356, a description block 358 and an indexer 360, a local personal video recorder block of 362, a storage disk 366 a coding and decoding block 364, 358 , a storage disk 366, a remote description block 368, 358, a remote stream reproduction control block 370, a network coding block 372, a network export module 374, a decoder block 376, a block digital scaler 378, an analog scalar block 380, a user interface block 382, a local digital output port 384 and a local analog output port 386. The circuit and programming programs and systems or satellite transmission software 323 work in concert to present two or more potentially different digital program streams that contain video content on two or more televisions. The satellite system can use a digital coding scheme to transmit the digital television programming signals over the air to the receiver in the user's home. The transmission may use programs and programming or software systems, such as MPEG 2 encoded, to compress the size of the digital transmission completely. The transmission may use programs and programming systems or software to encode the digital signal to prevent unauthorized use of digital transmission as well. The satellite antenna in a user's home receives the composite, compressed and encrypted wireless digital television programming video signal. A satellite antenna feed horn radiator may include a low noise block (LNB) and a multi-switch output 350. The LNB amplifies the radio signal by bouncing off the antenna and filtering out the noise (radio signals that do not contain programming). The LNB passes the amplified signal, filtered to the set top box 324 inside the home of the spectator. The multiswitch 350 can supply a separate received composite television programming video signal to each set top box 324 in the user's home. The tuner 352 in the set top box 324, when tuned to particular channels, extracts the composite digital video signal and the sound signal from the radio waves transmitted to the satellite antenna. The tuner 352 can include one or more transponders. Each transponder produces one or more transport groups. The tuner 352 can supply two or more different transport streams as output signals. In contrast to the conventional receiver that supplies only one channel at the same time that it prevents a user from recording one or more live programs and sees another live feed, the tuner 352 can send multiple channels. In this way, a user can, for example, see two different programs on two TVs connected to the same set top box 324. In one embodiment, the tuner 352 consists of dual satellite tuners configured to receive high definition (HD) signals and standard definition (SD) and output signals of multiple discrete television channels. In one embodiment, the tuner's multiple tuner capability 352 coupled with the high definition, high capacity Digital Video Registration Device allows a user to view and record up to 3 programs simultaneously. The tuner 352 can be implemented through programs and software or programming systems, electronic circuits or a combination of both. The composite satellite television signal is transmitted in digital form and the output of the tuner 352 can maintain the digital format for presentation on televisions capable of presenting digital television transmissions. The modulator 354 cooperates with the tuner 352 to separate each transport stream. Each transport flow carries multiple program flows. Each program flow corresponds to a particular channel, a television channel. The PID filter 356 filters the digital program flow. The PID filter 356 can be tuned to filter all signals except a particular channel of the transport flow program. In this way, the PID filter 356 produces a program flow consisting of a single television channel. Each digital program flow is digital information encoded and compressed in a format such as MPEG-2. The set top box 324 does not separate or analyze syntactically an incoming digital program stream in discrete audio and video components. A single digital file contains both audio and video data. The decode program flow block 358 decodes the digital data on the basis of the decoding algorithm and correct security keys. The coding of the transmission can encode or mix digital data in such a way that they can only be decoded (converted back into useful data) the receiver has the decoding algorithm and the correct security keys. The decode program flow block 358 decodes the encoded compressed digital signal. To unlock the signal, the set top box 324 decoder may need the appropriate decoder microcircuit for that programming package. The satellite provider can communicate with an integrated microcircuit, via the satellite signal, to make the necessary adjustments to its decoding programs. The decoding program flow block 358 can also be moved upward toward the satellite signal reception path to decode each transport stream. Indexer 360 indexes each of the frames or frames of the digital video signal. The MPEG digital video stream carries both digital signals for the High Definition video and Dolby Digital audio signals. The indexer 360 can also extract from the transport flow or generate a portion in a list of services. The list of services may consist of a table that has available television channels that can be cross-referenced to an associated transducer and satellite source. The modules in the set top box 324 identify the transport stream transported by a particular television channel and can then use the service list. The received digital program flow can be decompressed during the indexing of the video frames. In one embodiment, the digital program flow is maintained in the digital MPEG format. The MPEG digital format comprises the video information flow by reusing data from a video frame above and again in the following video frame. Also, in each image, programs and programming systems or MPEG-2 software record only enough of the image without looking like something is missing. In subsequent tables, programs and programming or software systems simply register changes in the image and leave the rest of the image as it is in the previous frame. The MPEG-2 reduces the amount of data, for example, by approximately 55 to 1. MPEG-2 compression reduces the quality of the image by removing details of the image that the human eye ignores in some way. The MPEG encoder analyzes each frame and decides how to encode it. The encoder removes redundant or irrelevant data, and scans information from other frames to reduce the total file size. The output of the indexer 360 may be a non-compressed digital program stream with an index of each of the video frames. The indexer 360 may have direct access to the storage disk 366 or may have access to the storage disk via the control block of the Personal Video Registration device 362. The Digital Video Registration device includes the control block of the Registration Device. Personal Video 362, the 366 storage disk as a hard disk drive, and the playback control block of a remote stream 370. The storage disk 366 is eventually coupled to an analog network and a digital network through the network output card and a variety of connections on the back of the box . The DVR allows a user to pause a live television user or recorded television transmissions on the storage disk 366. The encoding and decoding program flow block 362 encodes the digital program flow when a broadcast program is stored. television on the storage disk 366. The stored encoded signal is decoded when it is retrieved by the local PVR 362 control block to transport it over the analog network.

The remote decoding program flow block 368 decodes the stored digital program stream when a television program is being retrieved by the remote stream reproduction control block 370 for manipulation by the remote stream reproduction control block 370 After the digital program flow is manipulated by the remote stream reproduction control block 370 the network decoding program flow block 372 then encodes the digital signal again. The network export protocol block 374 is coupled to the digital network that transports digital signals to and from the set top box 324 decoder. The network export protocol block 374 acts as an interface to give the appropriate format to the digital signal over the digital network, so that television programming can be transmitted over the local digital network. DVR operations will be described in more detail. At the analog output port 386 the set top box path 324, the decoder 376 takes the digital MPEG-2 signal and converts the digital program stream into an analog format that a standard 130 television can recognize, such as the National Committee format of Television Standards (NTSC); the Line-by-Line Alternation (PAL) format; and the Systeme Couleur Avec Memoire format (SECAM). The decoder 376 also has a digital signal output for an HDTV output. In the path of the digital output port 384, the set top box 324, the decoder 376 can receive the digital program flow and use it, in digital form, to directly drive the digital TV device coupled to the digital TV output port 384. The digital climber 378 can contain programs and programming systems or software to support HDTV formats with resolutions such as resolutions of 480p, 720p and 1080i. The 378 digital scaler can contain programs and software or programming systems to support video formats such as WM9, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Real Video Dolby® Digital 5.1. The digital scaler 378 can support both "intermixed" and "progressive" scanning systems. In an intermixed format, the screen shows an odd line in a screen scan, and then continues up with the lines in a second scan. Since there are 30 frames displayed per second, the screen shows half of the frame every sixtyth of a second. The progressive scan shows the entire image, each line on display, every sixtyth of a second. This provides a much more uniform image, but uses slightly more bandwidth. The digital scaler 378 can also display the appropriate format to any aspect ratio number (width to height) such as 4: 3, 16: 9, etc. The analog scaler 380 may contain the programs and programming systems or software to support various analogous formats. The user interface 382 can pick up a programmed programming signal from the satellite provider and present this information in a screen programming guide. The user interface 382 can verify the original blocking options. The DVR cooperates with the storage disk 366 for storing television programs, including live transmission feeds. As discussed, the DVR includes programs and programming systems or software of the personal video recording device 362, which may cooperate with a programming engine to allow a user to effect manipulation of the digital programming flow. The programs and programming systems or software of the personal video recording device 362 contain small or macro programs for 1) pausing a live TV broadcast, 2) fast forwarding through digital programming flow charts, 3) return through digital programming flow charts, 4) skip back a pre-set amount of time, as an increase of 30 seconds, in the digital programming flow, 5) skipping forward a predetermined amount of time in the digital programming flow, 6) making a slow moving presentation frame by frame both forward and backward and 7) other manipulations of digital programming flow. Programs and programming systems or PVR 362 software can provide a user with an option to pause live TV for up to two hours. The PVR 362 allocates a certain portion of the hard drive to be able to temporarily store live TV. The PVR 362 freezes frames of the current image, giving the appearance of a video tape paused. When a user presses the play button (delete pause) on the remote PVR 362, it causes the registered program to start playing. The hard disk drive is constantly recording, and generally maintains the preset amount of time as for two hours or so in succession in the buffer. This means that if a user walks to the room ten minutes in a movie, the user can rewind ten minutes and capture the start of the movie. The programming and software systems of the personal video recording device are also programmed to allow a viewer to start watching a program stored on the storage disc 366 in a room, to pause the program with the remote control, and Then resume the playback of the movie from another room. The set top box decoder can receive the radio frequency signal from one remote control in another room.

In addition, a remote set top box can send the summarized signal over the digital network to the remote stream playback control block 370. The remote stream playback control block 370 can retrieve the stored movie file from the storage disk 366 so that the film can be transported over the digital network to another device in the user's house. The remote flow reproduction control block 370 controls the speed at which the digital program flow is being sent and received through the digital network. For example, the remote stream reproduction control block 370 can compress the MPEG digital program stream for transport over the digital network by removing a video frame each pair of video frames from the digital program stream to give an appearance of a fast forward and backward operation, while maintaining the same bandwidth transmitted over the digital network as during a playback operation. For example, the remote stream reproduction control block 370 removes every fourth frame and sends the condensed video information at the same speed over the digital network to give the appearance of a faster forward or backward operation. Similarly, the remote stream playback control block 370 only sends the base video video frames by simultaneously removing, but not sending, each delta box between the base video key frames. The key tables contain all the information required to visualize the table, while the delta tables require data from key tables previously observed to be displayed. The delta boxes essentially have redundant data pixels from the keyframe removed. Alternatively, the remote stream playback control block 370 can simply send the video frames at a reduced frame rate which slows down the total number of frames sent and gives a fast forward / rewind appearance through a video stream The DVR can contain a programming engine. The programming engine has small programs or macros that cooperate with the user interface 382 to present a programming guide that allows the user to 1) record a live show while watching another live show, 2 record two live shows at a time (either satellite or air), 3) record two live shows while watching another recorded or recorded show, 4) schedule to record shows in the future, 5) view and edit all the user's current scheduled recordings, 6) manage a user library of recorded shows, 7) delete watched shows to make room for others, 8) protect the user's favorite records so that they are not deleted until the program is deactivated. The programming engine can also include a series of small programs or subscription macros, which allow a user to tell the DVR to record each case of a single program for only one station, with the option of some advanced specifications. For example, the user can always select to record or record the TV program "Frasier". In addition, the user can simply select to record the first episodes of the TV show "Frasier". All these functions are selectable through the use of a remote controller. The user interface 382 can support an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) in the programming engine. The EPG gives a user instant access to what is currently playing on hundreds of channels as well as each scheduled program until after 14 days. The EPG also allows a user to see details of a program (ie, summary, actors and audience) and search for programs by time, gender or password. With the Origin Controls feature of the Electronic Programming Guide and the Content Selection Service, a user can protect access to programs by his audience. The programming engine can decode a portion of the EPG from the downloaded satellite signal and then integrate the content of the satellite EPG signal with other EPG information, such as VoD training and transmission information to generate the EPG supported by the user interface 382 The user interface 382 may also present a DVR search tool screen that offers to help a user find the programs a user wishes to register. The DVR search tool screen searches to find programs with a question being the keywords such as the name of the program, the name of the actors, and looks for traditional keywords in the program description. The service of remote access to the network will allow the user to search lists of TV programs and program records of any place on the Internet. The storage disk 366 may be a non-volatile memory capable of recording and storing, for example, 180 hours of Standard Definition programming, up to 25 hours of HD programming or any combination of non-volatile memory. The storage disk 366 can be constituted by one or more disk units, each with at least 250 gigabytes of storage capacity. The DVR can register programs at various quality levels. The DVR can register programs at at least four different quality levels: basic, medium, high or better. A storage disk of 180 hours 366 can contain 180 hours at the basic quality level, but only at approximately 25 hours at the best level. In addition, a program stored at a basic quality level can be stored as a highly compressed MPEG-1 file. The program stored at a medium quality level can be stored as a moderately compressed MPEG-2 file. The user interface allows a user to select those options. The set top box operating system 324 may reside on the storage disk 366. The storage disk 366 may be allocated for DVR recording space, a buffer for live transmissions, and storage space for other media content. Note, the use of MPEG-2 also allows a High Definition TV receiver in current interactive television with computer multimedia applications directly. CD-ROM applications can be transformed and executed properly to HDTV viewing systems. Digital TV decodes the MPEG-2 signal and presents it as a computer monitor does, giving it high resolution and stability. The analog output port 386 is coupled to the network that transports analog video signals to and from the set top box 324. In the analog network, an analog signal carries intensity and color information for each scan line of the image. The analog TV signal can have 525 scan lines for the image, and each image can be renewed every 30th of a second (half of the scan lines are painted every sixtyth of a second in what is known as an intermixed presentation). The digital information is converted to the analog format. In one embodiment, the set top box 324 may not insert index tags in the frames of the analog video stream. It is also to be noted, that the tuner 352 may have programs and programming systems or software to support off-air local television programming in both high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) formats. The tuner out of the air receives a local analog transmission and supplies the signal to an encoder. The encoder can convert the analog signal to a digital signal in an MPEG format. The encoded signal may be stored on the storage disc 366. In addition, the tuner 352 may have programs and programming systems or software to support Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) programming in both HD and SD formats content providers on the Internet . Referring to figure 2, the set top box 224 may also contain a broadband Internet module 226. The broadband Internet module 226 converts the content into the broadband signal to present it on a television. The programs and programming or software systems of the broadband Internet module 226 can run a search program with a number of interchangeable modules to support content from different content providers. The broadband Internet module 226 also cooperates with the input 222 to form a combination of DSL modem and Internet browser. The broadband Internet module 226 contains interchangeable programs, programs and programming systems or PC software for media, to purchase, download, view and legally manipulate digital photo files. Interchangeable photo programs provide a user with the ability to upload files and order prints of photographs from an Internet content provider. The connection allows a user to email digital photo files to someone else. The connection allows a user to share all of the user's digital files with family and friends or their own personal site on the network associated with the set top box 224. The user can view the digital photo files downloaded and / or stored in the TV. A user can do all this by pressing several buttons on the user's remote control. The broadband Internet module 226 contains a connection routine for legally purchasing, downloading, and playing digital music files in a sound system potentially connected to television. The music connection is also encoded to allow a user to listen to a personalized radio stream and watch the latest music videos on demand. In this way, a user can download high quality music on an Internet radio station, such as Yahoo! Launchcast Internet Radio, via its DSL connection and listen to that music content on a stereo, entertainment system and / or interconnected domestic PCs. The digital music files can be stored on the storage disk 266. The broadband Internet module 226 includes an interchangeable module configured to execute the Video on Demand content of a content provider over the Internet. The Video on Demand connection receives pay-per-view and exclusive programming and converts the broadcast to present it on a television in the high definition format or standard definition format. The Video to Demand connection is coded to allow a user to search through thousands of television titles and movies available by genre, title, actor and keyword search. The Video to Demand connection is coded to allow a user to buy and download movies safely and legally over the DSL connection of the user's television. The Personal Video Registration device allows a user to watch pay-per-view programming with the same manipulated playback characteristics as DVR (ie, 4-speed forward and backward movement, slow movement, etc.). Alternatively, programs and programming systems or software for Video on Demand can be a multimedia application such as Windows MediaMR. The broadband Internet module 226 may include an interchangeable module configured to run Internet Protocol Television over the Internet fiber network. The broadband Internet module 226 may include an interchangeable electronic box office module configured to present the movies and display the schedules of several cinemas, view synopsis of the films, and purchase tickets for movies from the user interface displayed in the TV. The user can search through lists of current movies to show schedules and cinemas, see synopsis, and buy tickets displayed on television using several buttons on your remote control. The digital media server 242 has programs and programming systems or software encoded to provide content in the place of a user as well as a and portable / manual devices from a central access point. The digital media server 242 may have access to the storage disk 266, devices coupled to the digital network 246, contained in DVD / CD-ROM drives 226, or even consumer digital devices connecting to the set top box 224, via, example, a Universal Service Channel port, to obtain the digital files within the consumer digital device, such as digital photo files and digital music files. The network module 246 is coupled to the digital media server 242 to allow a user to select digital files from a first device activated by the search engine located in a room other than the room containing the set top box 224. The programs and systems of programming or digital media server software 242 may include a photo module programmed to automatically detect a portable camera device that is connected to the set top box 224. The photo module loads the controller of the programs and programming systems or software for the camera device and automatically download any digital photo file stored in the camera device to the storage disk 266. The programming and software systems or programs have a list of device drivers for portable digital camera devices, as well as devices portable digital music that can be updated desd e the central administration system.

Programs and software or programming systems also have a list of default device drivers for camera and music devices in case the specific device driver is not found. Similarly, the programs and programming systems or software of the digital media server 242 may include a programmed music module for automatically detecting a digital music device that is connected to the set top box 224. The music module loads the music controller. programs and programming systems or software for the camera device and automatically download any digital photo files stored in the music device to the storage disk 266. The digital media server 242 can also obtain those digital files through a medium computer-readable placed in the integrated DVD / CD-ROM drive 244. The digital media server 242 allows a user to organize and store his or her personal digital media library on the internal storage disk 266 or any computer connected to the digital network. The digital network can be a network of the type based on the ethernet or person to person. The user interface 282 allows the user to search and manage collections of music and digital photos of the user. The remote controller may allow the user to select and interact with the user interface 282 presented on television. The user interface 282 allows the user to search their music library by artist, album, title or genre or keyword search. The user interface 282 allows the user to create custom playlists of the user's favorite songs and edit them at any time. Digital music files can be encoded in an MP3 format using the programs and programming systems or software of the integrated CD drive. The user interface 282 allows the user to create volumes of named photos from favorite photos and add or remove images at any time. The user interface 282 allows the user to create virtual "rolls" of each download session. The integrated DVD / CD-ROM drive 244 allows the user to run, read and burn DVDs and CDs, so that the user can easily add new digital files to their library or take the digital files to enjoy them on the road. Programs and programming systems or PC software allow the user to listen to music and view digital photos of the user of any device enabled by the home search engine because the set top box 224 is connected to the user's local network. Programs and programming systems or Media PC software are encoded to allow the user to access and share videos, music and photos stored on any computer in the network with the set top box 224 and customer boxes. In addition, the user can listen to music in a stereo or home theater connected to the television or directly connected to the connections of the set top box 224. The photo module adds photos to a user's library by downloading them directly to a set top box 224 user, a digital user camera, compact media card or CDs. The digital media server 242 can cooperate with the network export protocol module to allow the user to access all of its digital files as digital photo files and digital music files from virtually anywhere in the home. The files can be physically stored in the internal hard disk drive 266, as well as any computer or storage device in the local network using the programs and programming systems or media PC software executed in the digital media server 242. The programs and programming systems or PC software of means allow the user to see the digital files from any device enabled as a search engine in the place through a network interface. In this way, the digital media server 242 can cooperate with the broadband Internet module 226 to provide media management products to handle a collection of the user's existing video and audio clips while providing connection to music and movie services over online demand. The set top box 224 includes several interfaces to support these different technologies. Visual audio interfaces can include HDMI, HD component video output, composite stereo video / audio (RCA) output, video or S output (4 mini DIN pins), coaxial RF (F) output, and output Optical digital audio (Toslink). Additional interfaces can include ethernet host ports (RJ-45 10/100 Base-T), Wireless (802.11b / g i-Fi) and USB (from a front and back panel). The Set top box 224 has programs and programming or software systems that support music formats such as MP3, AAC, WMA, and Real Audio. The set top box 224 has programs and programming systems or software that supports photo formats such as JPEG and PNG. The set top box 224 has software and programming programs or systems that support security and DRM such as Windows Media 9 DRM, and Conditional Access System. Referring to Figure 1, the set top box 124 can distribute media content around the home using a separate remote client box 142 in each room as the MediaPoint set top box. The remote client box 142 and the main set top box 124 exchange signals, via the remote flow control module, to allow a user to view recorded or recorded shows, order video on demand, listen to music, view photos, and still do Pause live TV in one room and resume the observation in another. The set top box 124 employs digital content protection technology for the distribution of special content to the home and moves that content around the home. The special content is protected through the entire digital distribution chain ensuring that the uncoded digital content presented on a television can not be redistributed again through the Internet. A digital signal coded from the special content is transmitted through the digital network 135. An analog signal of the special content is transmitted through the analog network 136. The analog video content distributed via coaxial cable to other rooms or rooms is not It is digital and does not require protection of digital content, which simplifies installation and reduces costs considerably. The remote client box 142 may have programs and programming systems or software for transforming and presenting the content supplied to it by the main set top box 124. The remote client box 142 may also have an integrated digital television receiver, a device of digital video recording based on the network, and a digital media client, and an analog television receiver. The remote client box 142 has programs and programming or software systems and physical computing or hardware components similar to those of the set top box 124 to support satellite or off-air television programming in both high definition (HD) formats and standard definition (SD). The remote client box 142 can also support TV by Internet protocol (IPTV) and be powered by the digital network 135. The remote client box 142 and the main set top box 124 exchange signals, via the remote flow control module , to allow a user to watch recorded shows, order video demand, listen to music, view photos, and still pause live TV in one room and summarize the observation in another. Referring to Figure 2, the set top box 224 may have a unified message module 290. The unified message module 290 is encoded to support communication applications such as email, instant messaging, voice over IP and video conferencing. The unified message module 290 brings all those messaging applications and services to a convenient view that can be accessed on a user television using a remote control. In addition, the unified message module 290 cooperates with Internet service providers and telephones over the Internet. Local telephone service customers will be able to see the caller ID that they call and call registration information on their TV screen. Through the user interface 282 cooperating with the unified message module 290, a user will experience integrated voice services through his television. The voice service display devices User Interface 282 can be operated by a menu and allow the user to view and listen to all new and stored messages through television. The caller ID ads on the screen allow the user to see who is calling. The user interface 282 provides a "do not disturb" icon to block incoming telephone calls when the user does not wish to be interrupted. The unified message module 290 can combine wired and wireless voice mail, email and faxes in a mailbox. The user interface 282 and the integrated keyboard of the remote control allow the user to compose emails, share photos with friends and family as attachments to email, instant messages using instant messaging, etc. As discussed, the set top box 224 integrates satellite TV programming, digital video recording, video on demand, and Internet content including Yahoo! ® photos, music, etc. and content interconnected to the home. The user interface 282 of the set top box 224 integrates access and administration to these different types of common user interface. The visualization devices of the integrated user interface 282 on television allow a user to have access to a user experience of integrated content by presenting icons that allow the user to select content from satellite television transmissions, including the content photo files digital and digital music in the broadband signal, and content of a first computer connected to the second network that transports the digital signals. The feature or downloaded element of the user interface 282 allows a user to securely store and manage all the digital content files of the set top box 224 of the interconnected computers to a convenient user interface 282. The user can add files of digital music, and digital photo files stored on computers through the home to the large hard drive of the set top box looking for a storage location on the computer, selecting the desired files, and adding them to the digital media library in the hard disk drive by clicking on a download icon. Similarly, those files can be transferred through the digital network to a computer hooked to the digital network. The sharing utility of the user interface 282 converts any PC in the network to a media server. The sharing utility of the user interface 282 supports the protocol for transferring video, music and photo files distributed on computers through the site. The user interface 282 can also present an Interactive TV guide, various TV features, search by show title, actor and description, select movies, view content on the Web, playlists of artists and songs, view photos, etc. A user interface 282 also includes a local screen to access all the applications discussed above. A remote access module enabled by the network 296 establishes a secure link between a device enabled as a search engine connected to the Internet and the set top box 224 via the central administration system. The programs and programming or software systems in the remote access module enabled by the network 296 are configured to create a secure connection over the network. The remote access module limited by the 296 network establishes the secure link to allow a user to access digital photo files, digital music files and program their digital video recorder (DVR) device remotely from any connected device to the Internet, as a computer connected to the Network. The remote access module enabled by the network 296 presents a user interface to a user through a network page, such as the SBC Yahoo! interface. Remote access can be established by supplying the user credentials, including the password in a remote node. The server associated with the remote node where the remote device 144 connects to establish a tunnel of programs and programming systems or secure software to pass this information between the remote mode and the central administration system server 102. The server of the central administration 102 establishes a tunnel of programs and software or secure software systems between itself and the remote access module 296. The remote access module 296 verifies the credentials supplied by the user on the remote device 144 in the remote node. The remote access module 296 communicates whether the tunnel will be established with authority to access the applications in the set top box to the remote node via the server of the central administration system 102. In this way, applications within the set top box can be integrated by themselves with programs and programming systems or software from a third party external to the box via the verification of access credentials and creating a secure tunnel between the two applications. The remote access module enabled by the network 296 extends securely to a local user network anywhere on the Internet, allowing a user to enjoy, for example, their digital music files from the office, the home a friend or any device enabled by broadband. In the remote access module enabled by the network 296 can support remote access through a cordless telephone. The remote access module enabled by the network 296 cooperates with the user interface 282 to request the user's network password and the URL created by the set top box user 224. The user does not need to remember IP address numbers, for example. what the user created the set top box URL 224. The central administration system automatically manages the set top box URL 224 using a dynamic domain name system (DDNS). The central administration system 102 performs the translation of the network address between the real IP address numbers and the URL created by the user by the set top box 224. The remote access module enabled by the network 296 ensures that the access from the set top box 224 via the external network is authenticated and encrypted between the remote network finder and the Set top box 224. The remote finder connection to the input 222 can be secured using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology. Once connected, visitors can be directed to a special Remote Access Network page that presents links to public archives available. To access private resources, the visitor must enter a predefined password. The remote control has a full keyboard. The Radio Frequency remote control can be used in rooms or rooms external to the room or room containing the base set-top device to communicate with the base set top device. Not only can Ul and special content be sent to other rooms or rooms, but to a DVD that plays on the Set top box 224 device that can be sent remotely. Figure 4a illustrates another modality of a set top box configured to play two or more independent media data streams such as two different music streams, two different broadband content streams, two different video data streams, including broadcast programs. television and movies, etc. The media applications described below can operate and operate in a manner similar to their corresponding prior descriptions. The differences in the implementation of this modality will be discussed later. The remote access module 496a can receive and send all broadband signals via the broadband jack connector 495. The satellite module will receive all satellite signals via the satellite antenna signal paths and then send those signals. signals to the broadband satellite interface 423. The network application 474 can receive and send network communications with other devices connected to Local Area Networks (LAN) via the LAN connections. Each media application, such as a broadcast television application 423, a movie application 426a, a music application 426b, a photo application 426c, etc., may be coded to be fully functional and operational by itself. Media applications can share a common library of 492 routines that contain small programs or utility macros that applications can call. For example, the music application 426b and the photo application 426c may call the same utility routine in the system library 492 to establish a connection between that request and the content provided by a remote server. Total, multi-media applications 426a-426c may be operating in a rugged manner in the software and programming systems or software of the set top box operating system 424. As discussed, each media application 426a-426c manipulates a single data type of consumer media such as music, movies, broadcast television, etc. Each media application 426a-426c has a complete set of files that have to be installed including generally executable files, configuration files, and auxiliary data files. Each media application 426a-426c may select content to be manipulated from at least four separate, different sources of content. Some examples of independent sources of content may be 1) content stored locally on the storage disc 466, 2) content read via the write / read driver of DVD / CD-ROM 444a, 3) contents of a portable device such as a camera digital or music player that is connected via a USB port 498 of the set top box 424, 4) content stored in a computing device connected to the LAN, 5) content stored in a computing device connected to a wide area network and supplied over the Internet, and 6) content provided via a satellite transmission.

The data content stored in a computing device connected to the LAN is sent and retrieved by media applications 426a-426c cooperating with the network application 474. The 474 network application also sends and retrieves data content via LAN connectors. 497 to the digital network over the analog network. Additionally, the content stored in a computing device connected to a wide area network can be sent and retrieved by cooperative media applications 426a-426c with the remote access application 496a and the input. The content provided via a satellite transmission may be made available to the media applications 426a-426c via the transmission satellite interface 425. For example, the movie module 426a may cooperate with the transmission satellite interface 425 to present a presented movie from the DVD / CD ROM 444a read and write drive or retrieved over the Internet via the remote access application 496a. A single set top box 424 can send two or more separate media data streams such as two different music streams, two different broadband content streams, two different video data streams, including television programs and movies, etc. A single set top box 424 can produce two or more independent media data flows by various methods such as starting each application program twice or by coding the application programs so that they are capable of executing multi-linked instructions. The video player of the digital video recording (DVR) device 488 allows the user to manipulate incoming program data streams from the broadcast television application 423 and the 426a movie application. In one embodiment, the set top box 424 can use a digital image to install the programs and programming or software systems executed in the set top box. A digital image is usually a file in a compressed file format that contains an exact replica of the applications, the operating system, and configuration parameters of the computerized device of the source, fully operational at the time when the digital image was created. In this way, each subscriber set top box can download a new digital image of the satellite transmission based on certain criteria that are detected. The criteria can be, for example, if the digital image corresponding to the ID associated with this set top box has a version number subsequent to the time of the version number to the digital image that is currently being implemented by this set top box. Each different group of set top boxes can download their own corresponding digital image. If the digital image transmitted by the satellite is a newer version of the currently installed digital image, then the program code in the set top box 424 can download and store the compressed digital image in the flash memory. The program code in the set top box 424 can then decompress the image and restart using the new digital image. Figure 4b illustrates a block diagram of a three-way communications mode that occurs between the set top box, a third-party network site that hosts the multimedia content, and the server of a central administration system. Initially, the searcher portion of the remote access module 496b is connected to the site's own page in a third party's network 407. The third party's web site 407 then retrieves routing information and identification about the set top box 424b of the initial request of the remote access module 496b. The site on the network 407 first communicates with the central management system server 402b to obtain validation that the set top box 424b can purchase the service from that site on the 407 network and an address instruction from the universal resource locator (URL) to the URL of the specific set top box that initiates the request. For example, the network site 407 can send an Application Program Interface request consisting of an HTTP GET instruction to the central administration system server 402b. The central management system server 402b can validate the signature using its shared secret. The central administration system server 402b returns the URL instruction pointing to the remote access module 496b of the set top box 424b with a URL containing a signature that will be recognized by the set top box 424b. Next, the site server in the network requests the set top box 424b to use the redirected URL. The website can send a catalog of media content available for download / purchase. The set top box 424b validates the signature and returns the result of the call of the Application Program interface. The 407 web site formats and includes the result on a network page. The remote access module 496b sends to the site on the network 706 a list of catalog selections of the media content available for download / purchase. The site in the network sends the selected list of contents to the server of the central administration system 402b for the validation that agrees to download this content and for the authorization to download this content. The central administration system server 402b sends the sample authorization to the set top box 424b. The central administration system server 402b also sends to the site on the network 407 a redirection to the URL of the set top box 424b. The central administration system server 402b then registers any billing information against the set top box account. The remote access module 496b sends the sample to the site on the network 407. The site on the network 706 downloads the content to the set top box 424b. The remote access module 496b then communicates a confirmation that the set top box 424b received the selected content from the central administration system server 402b. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the remote access module 496b may have a number of application program interfaces that may be the primary means of remote interaction with the set top box 424b. Those interfaces programmed in the set top box 424b of the remote access module 496b allow the search and administration of remote, network-based media. As discussed above, the interfaces in the remote access module 496b may contain code programmed to be integrated with a site in the network of a third party, such as a movie seller, to retrieve or send content to / from that site in the network 407 to allow the site on the network to send video directly to the set top box 424b. The interfaces allow the remote access module 496b to support loading and unloading digital photos, loading and unloading digital music, downloading movies, searching and manipulating TV programming, as well as other searches for similar media. The remote access module 496b may have a number of exemplary interfaces to facilitate transactions between the set top box 424b and the site in the network of a third party. For example, a data feed catalog interface is already programmed in the remote access module 496b to allow users to obtain information about the content of downloadable media such as movie catalogs and song catalogs. An authorization interface programmed in the remote access module 496b allows users to download a sample after the central administration system communicates the authorization to the network site of a third party 407. The authorization interface provides a way to authorize a satisfactory request to download authorized licenses. A license recovery interface is programmed into the remote access module 496b to allow users to retrieve the license file of the movie and / or selected songs. A download routing interface is programmed into remote access module 496b to allow users to retrieve the media content file, via download or live online. The transmission TV module 423b of the set top box 424b then cooperates with the remote access module 496b to properly present the contents of a television or play that content through a sound system connected to the set top box 424b. The remote access module 496b is integrated with third-party network sites via 1) scheduled interfaces and 2) a client-specific security mechanism, such as a shared secret, potentially based on the ID associated with that set top box 424b. In this way, the establishment of a secure connection between the devices depends on a shared secret. There is a shared secret between the site on the network and the server of the central administration system 402b. There is another shared secret between the central administration system server 402b and each set top box. This shared secret is individual to each set top box. The verification of the shared secret has a specific time for a life expiration time associated with the message that establishes the security connection. An alternative exemplary implementation may be that the searcher portion of the remote access module 496b connected to the appropriate page to the site in the network 407. However, the web site server then returns an instant page or page activated by JavaScript. contains indicators to invoke functions on the remote access module 496b. Instant Program or JavaScript invokes an API by first calling the server of the site on the network to obtain a signed URL. The site server on the 407 network signs the request. Instant Program or JavaScript invokes the API by calling the central administration system server 402b. The server of the central administration system 402b validates the signature via the shared secret, reshapes the URL and the signature. The HTTP engine follows an instruction from the URL redirection address to the set top box URL 424b. The set top box 424b returns an API result in XML format to the web site. Figure 5 illustrates a modality of a screen capture of the main page of the user interface. The home page 502 allows a user to select several options that activate the code for the module and / or corresponding media applications in the set top box. The user can select from a View 504 program icon, a 506 Registration icon, a Download 508 icon, a Browse 510 icon, a Search 512 icon, and other icons. The Download 508 icon allows the user to download an interconnected device or a local unit. The Browse 512 icon allows a user to browse content stored on an interconnected device, content stored on the local hard drive, or content stored on the Internet. The user interface also contains programmed code to continue the deployment of a video stream that is being played, such as a satellite television program or movie stored on the hard disk, in an image window 514 while the user navigates and progresses to through selections in the user interface. The main navigation choices for a user to navigate through the graphical user interface can be aligned in a horizontal orientation. Menu choices allow a user to see something now, record something to view later, or download something to view later. Note, that the user interface may have many pages configured to be exemplary but is not limited to the exemplary configured pages as described here. Figure 6a illustrates a modality of a screen capture of the video options page of the user interface. Activating the View a program now 504 icon allows the user to access the View a program screen 604. The View a program screen 604 allows a user to select the video content to watch. The video content can be selected from the activation of the My Registry icon 616. Figure 6b illustrates a screen capture mode of the My Register page 616b of the user interface. The activation of the icon of My Registry 616 allows the user to recover the content of video stored in the hard disk of the set top box. As well, the screen presents the title of the video content as well as additional metadata about the items listed in the active menu. Activating the Live TV icon 618 allows the user to retrieve video content from a satellite video stream. The activation of the Programming Guide icon 620 allows the user to retrieve an electronic programming guide 620c (see Figure 6c). Figure 6c illustrates a mode of a screenshot of the electronic programming guide of the user interface. Figure 7 illustrates a modality of a screenshot of the Register a user interface program screen. Activation of the Registration icon 506 allows the user to access the Register a program screen 706. The user can register a program from the programming guide 722, program / view programmed registers 724, register a complete series at a time 726, and manually start the registration at that time 728. The user can also activate a search query of the programming guide on content to be registered via the search icon 730 of this screen. Figure 8 illustrates another mode of a screenshot of the main page of the user interface. The user can access the satellite content via a Television 740 icon on the main page 738. The user can access Video on Demand movies or movies on the local DVD player via the Movies icon 742. The user can access the content of music stored on an interconnected device, or a local hard drive, on the local CD-ROM / DVD player, or on the Internet icon via the Music 744 icon. The user can access photos and photo albums stored in an interconnected device, the local hard drive, in the local port connectable to a Digital Camera, or the Internet icon via the Photos 746 icon. The user can have access to messaging services such as email, instant messages, text messages, and voicemail messages over the phone via activation of the 748 Messages icon. The user interface also contains code programmed for continue the presentation of the video stream, such as a TV or movie program, in an image window 814 while the user navigates and progresses through selections in the user interface. Figure 9a illustrates a modality of a screen capture of the Television Menu screen of the user interface. The TV Menu 940 screen allows a user to watch a program of the satellite video stream, access the digital video recording device to watch recorded or recorded shows, look up the electronic program guide, schedule records, etc. Figure 9b illustrates a screen capture mode of the Search function 950 for the Television Menu screen 940 of the user interface. A user can enter keywords to consult all the programs in the programming guide that match those key terms. The user can refine the search by fields, such as title or category of the program. Figure 9c illustrates a modality of a screen access of the electronic program guide 952 for the Television Menu screen of the user interface. Figure 10a illustrates a mode of a screen capture of the main menu of Movies of the user interface. The user can see a selection of downloaded movies via the My Movies icon 1054 as shown in Figure 10b. The user can search for a selection of newly launched Movies on Demand via the New Releases icon 1056. The user can search for a selection of Movies on Demand by genre via the Genre icon 1058. The user can also search the entire catalog of Movies to Demand available via the icon of Movie Catalog 1060. FIG. 1a illustrates a modality of a screenshot of the main Music menu of the user interface. The user can select songs by different categories and different sources according to what is indicated on the main menu screen of Music 1142. The user can select songs stored on the hard disk from a list of reproductions 1164 as illustrated in Figure 11b. The user can also select many songs to listen organized by categories, etc. activating the appropriate icon. Figure 12a illustrates a screen capture mode of the main Photos menu of the user interface. The user can view digital photographs, import digital photographs, place photographs as screen savers, etc., with the icons of the main menu of Photos 1244 of the user interface. The user can select photographs, potentially organized by albums, to view them from a list on the 1268 photo rolls page as illustrated in Figure 12b. The user is allowed to manipulate those photographs via buttons such as import, view, send, edit, etc., which are on this page of photo rolls 1268. In the above specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments of the same. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes may be made to it without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and the drawings are, accordingly, to be considered in an illustrative sense rather than in a restrictive sense. For example, the central administration system 102 also facilitates purchases between e-commerce providers 104 and the set top box 224. Also, a readable medium can be provided by a machine having one or more instructions stored therein, instructions which they can be used to program a computer system or other electronic device to perform the operations described. A machine-readable medium can include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form (e.g., programs and programming systems or software or processing application) readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, magnetic storage media (eg, a floppy disk), optical storage medium (eg, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, etc.), Magneto-optical storage medium, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM), flash memory, electrical, optical, acoustic, or other signal signals propagated (for example, carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.) or other types of media suitable for storing electronic instructions.

Although some specific embodiments of the invention have been shown, the invention should not be limited to those embodiments. It should be understood that the invention is not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by the scope of the appended claims. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (29)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property. 1. A set top box, characterized in that it comprises: a satellite television receiver module for receiving satellite television transmissions and converting the transmission for presentation on a television; a broadband Internet module to convert content into a broadband signal to be presented on television; a digital video recording (DVR) device to allow the user to manipulate a digital flow of video programming of the satellite television transmission, including the ability to pause the display of live transmission feeds; a storage medium for storing digital photo files, as well as television programs for satellite television transmission within a set top box or set top box; a first output port to be coupled to a first network that transports digital signals from the set top box decoder; and a user interface integrated and deployed on television to allow a user access to a user experience of integrated content by presenting icons that allow the user to select content from satellite television transmissions, content in the broadband signal, and content of a first computer connected to the first network that transports digital signals.
2. 2. The decoder or set top box according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: a central administration system interface for communicating with a remote central administration system, where the central administration system manages and integrates a billing exchange between a content provider, the central administration system and a user service provider.
3. 3. The decoder or set top box according to claim 1, characterized in that the interface of the central administration system provides a sample of the voucher to the content provider to allow the set top box to download selected content from the content provider.
4. 4. The set top box according to claim 1, characterized in that the central administration system performs the catalog aggregation to present a common catalog presentation in the user interface of the content available on the basis of the content type, regardless of the source of the content.
5. 5. The decoder or set top box according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: a network module that is executed in a set top box and that contains encoded code to access the first computer to obtain the files of digital photography as well as digital music files.
6. 6. The decoder or set top box according to claim 1, characterized in that the integrated user interface contains encoded code to access the storage medium to obtain digital photo files as well as digital music files, where the user interface The integrated program contains encrypted code programmed to allow a user to search and manage the digital photo files and the digital music files of the set top box. The decoder or set top box according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: a network module containing a code encoded or programmed to allow a user to select a first digital music file to listen to / from a device enabled in the network located in a room or room different from the room or room that contains the set top box. The decoder or set top box according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises: a second output port for coupling to a second network that transports analog video signals from the set top box. 9. The decoder or set top box according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises: a photo application containing programmed or coded code to automatically detect a digital camera device that is connected to the set top box, where the photo application loads a program controller and programming systems or software for the digital camera device and automatically download any digital photo files stored in a digital camera device to the storage medium. The decoder or set top box according to claim 1, characterized in that the DVR includes a personal video recording module to allow a user to further manipulate the digital flow of video programming by performing any of the following operations selected from the group consisting of 1) fast forward through frames of the digital flow of video programming 2) backspace through digital flow frames, 3) jump back a pre-set amount of time in the digital stream and 4) leap forward a pre-set amount of time in the digital flow. The decoder or set top box according to claim 2, characterized in that it also comprises: a remote access module enabled in the network to establish a secure link between a device enabled by the search engine connected to the Internet and the set top box via the central administration system. 12. The decoder or set top box according to claim 1, characterized in that the module of Broadband Internet includes a module configured to execute Video on Demand content from a content provider on the Internet and present Video on Demand on television. 13. The decoder or set top box according to claim 1, characterized in that the integrated user interface contains code encoded or programmed to present digital photo files stored in the first computer to present them on television. 14. The set top box according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: a remote flow reproduction control block associated with the DVR in the set top box; a remote unit to receive the digital video stream of the set top box and which is coupled to the first network, where the remote flow reproduction control block compresses the digital video stream to transport it over the first network that transports digital signals sending a subset of video frames of the total number of video frames that constitute the digital video stream during a fast forward or rewind operation. The decoder or set top box according to claim 1, characterized in that the integrated user interface contains encoded code programmed to present e-mail messages and instant messages on television that overlap the text associated with the e-mail message or instant message about a current program that is being shown on television. 16. The decoder or set top box according to claim 1, characterized in that the integrated user interface contains encoded code programmed to present the caller ID information and call register information that is superimposed on the text associated with the caller information. Caller ID or call log information about a current program that is being shown on television. 17. The decoder or set top box according to claim 1, characterized in that the integrated user interface contains encoded code programmed to transmit a message from a telephone voice mail through the television. 18. The decoder or set top box according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises: a second output port to be coupled to the first network that transports audio signals from the set top box. 19. The decoder or set top box according to claim 2, characterized in that it also comprises: a remote access module enabled by the network containing encrypted code programmed to be integrated with a site in the network of a third party to recover the multimedia content of that site on the network via application program interfaces and a security mechanism that uses a shared secret between the set top box and the site on a third party's network, where the remote access module activated by the network cooperates with the television receiver module to properly present that content on television. 20. A system, characterized in that it comprises: a set top box that includes a satellite television receiver module for receiving satellite television transmissions and converting the transmission to present to a television; a broadband Internet module to convert content into a broadband signal to be presented on television; a digital video recording (DVR) device to allow the user to manipulate a digital flow of video programming of the satellite television transmission, including the ability to pause the display of live transmission feeds; a storage medium for storing digital multimedia files, as well as television programs for satellite television transmission within a set top box or set top box; a central management system interface to communicate with a remote central administration system, where the central administration system manages and integrates a billing exchange between a content provider, the central administration system and a service provider; and a user interface integrated and deployed on television to allow a user access to a user experience of integrated content by presenting icons that allow the user to select content from satellite television transmissions, and the multimedia content of the band signal wide The system according to claim 20, characterized in that the central administration system transmits a sample of the interface voucher of the central administration system, and the interface of the central administration system transmits the voucher sample to the content provider to allow that the set top box downloads the content selected from the content provider. The system according to claim 20, characterized in that it further comprises: a remote flow reproduction control block associated with the DVR in the set top box; and a remote unit to receive the digital video stream of the set top box, where the remote flow reproduction control block compresses the digital video stream to transport it over a local area network that transports digital signals by sending a subset of frames of video of the total number of video frames that constitute the digital video stream during a fast forward or rewind operation. 23. The system according to claim 20, characterized in that the set top box also includes: a first output port coupled to a first network that transports analog video signals from the set top box; and a second output port to be coupled to a second network that transports digital signals from the set top box. 24. A set top box to produce two or more independent multimedia data streams, characterized in that it comprises: a transmission television application for supplying a first stream of program data content to a first television coupled to the set top box , and for supplying a second stream of program data content to a second television coupled to the set top box, where the content of the first program data stream is independent of the content in the second program data stream and the first stream of program data. program data and the second program data stream are supplied at the same time; a network application for sending and retrieving multimedia data for the transmission television application from a first external computing device to the set top box; and a digital video recording (DVR) device for allowing a user to manipulate the first program data stream and the second program data stream of the broadcast television application. The decoder or set top box according to claim 24, characterized in that it further comprises: a remote access application cooperating with an xDSL entry, where the remote access application contains code encoded or programmed to send and retrieve over a network of Area Broad programming information for the digital video recording device of a second computing device connected to the Wide Area Network of which the set top box is a part. 26. The decoder or set top box according to claim 24, characterized in that the computing device is a cellular telephone, a portable computer, or another wireless portable computing device. 27. The decoder or set top box according to claim 25, characterized in that it further comprises: a transmission satellite interface for recovering the first content program data stream of a satellite transmission. 28. The decoder or set top box according to claim 25, characterized in that it further comprises: a movie application that contains encoded or programmed code to allow a user to select a first digital movie file to view it from a second television located in a room or room different from the room or room that contains the set top box. 29. The decoder or set top box according to claim 24, characterized in that it also comprises: an application of films to execute resident in programs or programming systems or software of a set top box operating system and for a first movie file digital to the first television and at the same time the broadcast television application supplies the second content program data stream to the second television.