MXPA00011882A - Method and apparatus for providing audio clips to enhance the user interface of a set-top terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

An enhanced user interface for a set-top terminal allows audio recordings or sound clips to be played in response to system events occuring within the set-top terminal. The set-top terminal includes a memory unit in which digital audio recordings are stored and a processor for retrieving the recordings and audibilizing the recordings in response to system events such as powering up the set-top terminal, requesting a menu display, or making a selection from the menu.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AUDIO G-RABATIONS FOR - IMPROVING - THE USER INTERFACE OF A RECEIVER TERMINAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of cable television and satellite television. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing audio sounds and recordings to improve the user interface of a receiver terminal that is part of a cable or satellite television system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cable and satellite television systems are increasingly popular in modern society and provide viewers with a broad set of channels and programming available for education and entertainment. The drawbacks of these television systems are the cost and the need for additional equipment. For example, many cable and satellite television systems require a receiver terminal connected to the television of the viewer. A receiver terminal is a small box of electronic equipment that is used in combination with a television viewer to control and implement a cable or satellite television system. The receiver terminal typically receives a broadcast television signal from of a cable or satellite television system and provides the signal to the television. The receiver terminal It may include circuits for decoding payment channels in the system and generally makes it possible to receive system signals. A receiver terminal can be controlled through a small keyboard in the terminal itself or through a remote control unit. Some viewers may be frustrated due to the proliferation of electronic equipment connected to their television sets including these receiver terminals. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a device to make the user interface with the receiver terminal more user-friendly and attractive to viewers. 15 COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to satisfy the needs described above as well as other needs. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for making the interface of The user with the receiver terminal is more friendly and attractive to the viewers. Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be presented in the following description or they may be provided to the experts in the material through the reading of these materials or of the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention can be achieved through the device mentioned in the appended claims. To achieve the objects of the present invention, the invention can be applied in the form of a receiver terminal with an improved user interface that includes a memory unit in which at least one audio recording is stored; and a processor connected to the memory unit. The receiver terminal may further include a horn in which an audio recording is reproduced by the processor. The processor has access to the memory unit and plays an audio recording stored therein in response to a system event such as receiving a user input. Particularly the receiver terminal may include a user input device to provide user input to the processor. The processor then reproduces an audio recording from the memory unit in response to user input from the user input device. The user input device may be a keyboard at the receiver terminal or a photodetector at the receiver terminal for receiving an optical signal from a remote control unit. Preferably, the present invention includes a terminal connected to the processor through which the processor receives a signal The signal can provide audio data recorded by the processor in the memory unit. Likewise, a terminal can be provided to connect the processor to a television. The present invention also encompasses a method for increasing a user interface with a receiver terminal. Briefly, the method of the present invention includes the ability to audibly present an audio recording in response to a system event occurring within the receiver terminal. However, the specific steps of the present invention may include: storing at least one audio recording in a memory unit; accessing the memory unit with a processor to retrieve an audio record for playback in response to the system event; and the receipt of a user input from a user input device, the system event is initiated by the user input. To store new audio recordings, the method of the present invention may include: the reception of a signal through a terminal connected to the processor, the signal providing audio data; and the recording of the audio data in the memory unit with the processor. To increase the flexibility of the user interface, the method of the present invention may also include the user input reception that relates to a particular audio recording in the memory unit with a particular system event such that the processor has access to the particular audio recording for playback in response to the particular system event. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The attached drawing illustrates the present invention and is part of the specification. Along with the following description, the drawing demonstrates and explains the principles of the present invention. The figure is a block diagram of a receiver terminal in accordance with the principles of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Using the drawings, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained below. As shown in the figure, the present invention can be applied in the form of a 100-layer receiver terminal of audibly presenting audio recordings as part of a user interface. The exemplary receiver terminal 100 illustrated in the figure includes a processor 101 and a memory unit 102. The memory unit 102 stores digital audio recordings which can be accessed through the processor 101 for use in the computer interface. user.

The user can communicate with the receiver terminal 101 in several ways. As shown in the figure, the receiver terminal 101 may include a window 105 behind which a photodetector 106 such as a photodiode is placed. The photodetector 106 can then receive an optical signal through the window 105 from a remote control unit (not shown). This optical signal can provide user input to the receiver terminal 100. Alternatively and equivalently, a remote control unit can transmit a radio frequency signal which is received by an antenna at the receiver terminal. As another alternative, the receiver terminal 101 may include a keypad 103 which is located in the receiver terminal 101. A user may employ the keypad 103 to enter input into the receiver terminal. Once the user has communicated with the receiver terminal 101 through any of the means described above, or through other means to provide user input, the input is received by the processor 101. The processor 101 responds to the user input in accordance with its programming. For example, the user input may give instructions to the processor 101 to change the channel shown on the television (not shown) to which the receiver terminal 100 is connected. The The connection between the television and the receiver terminal 100 is provided through the terminal 108. In addition, the processor 101 receives input from a cable or satellite television system through the terminal 107. Eat part of your response to the user input, the processor 101 also recovers a digital audio recording from the memory unit 102 and audibly reproduces said recording. For example, receiver terminal 100 may include a horn 104 in which digital audio recording can be reproduced. Alternatively, the processor 101 may employ the connection 108 with the television to play an audio recording of the memory 102 in the television horn (not illustrated). Different audio recordings can be associated with particular types of user input. For example, when the user first turns on the receiver terminal 100, the processor 101 can play a "greetings" recording. The greeting could be a recorded verbal greeting, a particular noise or any other recording. More particularly, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the processor 101 can operate a program that acts as a "sound server". The server will keep a list of the prerecorded audio recordings available in the memory unit 102 that can be associated with system events. For example, if the terminal of the receiver uses a menu system to visualize options to the user, a specific sound can be • reproduced when the user instructs the receiver terminal 100 to display the menu. Preferably, the processor 101 and the memory unit 102 will be designed to reproduce at least the two most common formats for digital sound recordings, Gl sounds and Microsoft Wave (.WAV). The Gl sound format is typically used ^^ for simple sounds such as light noises and short sounds while the Wave format allows the reproduction of complete sounds from numerous sources. The processor 101 can be programmed to automatically search the following data for reproduction from the memory unit 102 thereby offering a "current function" that allows the playback of longer audio recordings. Each audio recording in the memory unit 102 can have a length of up to 64K. In addition, processor 101 can offer anti-alias filtering, volume control and sampling rates multiples for Wave sound data. In addition, the user can be allowed, through several described user input devices and their equivalents, to select the audio recording that must be related to particular system events and to program the processor 102 to play this audio recording in response to the specified system event. • The digital audio recordings can be supplied to the processor 101 and the memory unit 102 in several ways. Some recordings may be placed in the memory unit 102 as recordings by default. In addition, the terminal 107 through which the processor 101 connects to a service provider system can provide audio recordings. For example, the processor 101 and the • 10 receiver terminal 100 can support a browse service on the World Wide Web. Accordingly, audio recordings can be downloaded from the Web and stored in the memory unit 102. Alternatively, the receiver terminal 100 may have other ports that allow a user connect the processor 101 for example with CD player and obtain sound recordings from a compact disc. The above description has been presented only for the purpose of illustration and to describe the invention. Not meant to be does not limit or limit the invention to a precise disclosed form. Many modifications and variations are possible taking into account the teachings mentioned above. The preferred embodiment was selected and described in order to better explain the principles of the invention and its practical application. The above description has the purpose of allowing other experts in the art to better employ the invention in various modalities and with various modifications suitable for the particular use contemplated. The scope of the present invention is defined in the following claims.

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS 1. A receiver terminal with an improved user interface, comprising: a memory unit in which at least one audio recording is stored; and a processor connected to said memory unit; n wherein said processor has access to said memory unit and plays an audio recording stored therein in response to a system event.
2. 2. A receiver terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a user input device for providing user input to said processor, wherein said processor plays an audio recording from said memory unit in response to said user input from said user input device.
3. 3. A receiver terminal according to claim 2, wherein said user input device is a keyboard.
4. 4. A receiver terminal according to claim 2, wherein said user input device is a photodetector for receiving an optical signal.
5. 5. A receiver terminal in accordance with the claim 1, further comprising a horn in which said processor plays an audio recording.
6. 6. A receiver terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a terminal connected to said processor through which a signal is received, said signal providing audio data recorded by said processor in said memory unit.
7. 7. A receiver terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a terminal for connecting said processor to a television.
8. 8. A method for improving a user interface with a receiver terminal, comprising the audible production of an audio recording in response to a system event occurring within said receiver terminal.
9. 9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising: storing at least one audio recording in a memory unit; and having access to said memory unit with a processor to recover an audio recording for playback in response to said system event.
10. 10. A method according to claim 8, which further comprises receiving a user input from a user input device, where said system event is initiated by said user input. A method according to claim 8, wherein said audible presentation is achieved through a speaker provided in said receiver terminal. A method according to claim 8, further comprising receiving a signal through a terminal connected to said processor, said signal providing audio data; and recording said audio data in said memory unit with said processor. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the reception, with said processor, of a user input that relates a particular audio recording in said memory unit to a particular system event such that said processor has access to said particular audio recording for playback in, response to said particular system event.