MXPA97010026A - Uniform configuration resource localizers to disseminate directions in a televis sign - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to web pages and other Internet information resources from a single path broadcast signal as a broadcast television signal. A user selects from a scale of available information, including hypertext markup language (HTML) pages, which is carried in the broadcast stream by invoking a command that is defined according to a uniform resource locator (URL) format . The table configuration data is carried in the broadcast signal and provides a broadcast address corresponding to the URL of the user's request signal to be used in the identification of a location in the broadcast signal from which it can be broadcast. recover the desired information. The broadcast address can provide information regarding a frequency, packet identifier, satellite, repeater, cryptographic scheme, modulation scheme, data rate, error correction scheme, page number or other relevant criteria associated with the signal of dissemination, which must be known to retrieve the information requested. The system has the observation and feel of a two-path Internet connection. And it's compatible with existing transmission schemes

Description

UNIFORM CONFIGURATION RESOURCE LOCALIZERS TO DISTRIBUTE ADDRESSES IN A TELEVISION SIGNAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing information resources, such as those that are available on the Internet, through a broadcast channel. In particular, the Uniform Resource Locators (LRUs), which identify the information resources are configured to broadcast addresses, which identify where the information resources are carried in a single-path broadcast television signal, or the like. . Although the system provides communication only in one path from the information provider, it has the look and feel of a two-way Internet connection. Recently, an information network known as "Internet" has become very popular. The Internet provides a vast amount of information, which can be accessed through users via computers for business, educational purposes and entertainment. In particular, the Internet includes a great connection of interconnected documents, which are stored in computers around the world in a system known as World Wide Band (ie, the Band). The documents are organized in band spaces, where a band space includes a home page and joins other documents, which can be in the local band space or in an external band space. Such unions are known as hyperlinks. Documents can include moving images, text, graphic displays, and sound. ¿ Internet resources are typically accessed in a two-path environment through a network connection. For example, the connection to the network can be through a conventional twisted pair telephone line, which has a relatively small data carrying capacity (eg, bandwidth), or through a width path of upper band, which may comprise optical fiber and / or coaxial cable. To * recover data from a network destination (for example, an Internet site), a user sends a message to the network destination to request the transfer of information to the user's computer. The network destination * typically includes a computer server known as a "name server" (ñameserver). Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a prior art method for allowing a user to request information through a name server. A user 10 sends a request signal to the name server 20. The name server 20 then sends a request signal to a source function 30, which may be a memory that is coupled to the server. The source function 30 includes the information requested by the user, which may comprise, for example, text, graphics, audio and / or video data. In response to the request signal from the name server 20, the source function 30 provides the information requested to the user 10. As discussed below, a user can communicate with the name server and the rest of the network through a number of protocols. The source information, which is stored in the source function 30, is usually stored in a format known as "Hypertext Markup Language". This file or manuscript format allows the presentation of text, graphics and audio information, and provides links to other information pages through "hyperlinks." Hyperlinks are strips of characters in a particular format that specify the address of the desired page of information. In particular, HTML is a system for making documents to indicate how the document should be presented, and how several elements should be linked together. HTML is a form of Normalized General Brand Language (SGML), defined by the International Standards Organization (ISO), reference number ISO 8879: 1986. HTML specifies the grammar and syntax of brand tags, which are inserted into a data file to define how data will be presented when read by a computer program known as a "browser." The data file, which is typically stored on a web server, includes one or more web pages, which are accessed by users who have computers that can run on different browsers. When a page is accessed, the HTML data is downloaded to a user's computer. The computer browser processes the data to format a presentation for the page, so that the page can be viewed by the user on the computer screen. Generally, HTML tags provide text formatting, hypertext links to other pages, and links to sound and image elements. HTML tags also define input fields for interactive web pages. Hypertext is so-called because it allows a user to access different pages in different orders using hyperunions, instead of a predetermined, linear form. In addition, a particular hypertext application known as "hypermedia" includes elements other than text, such as images, video and audio. HTML can specify joins to multimedia objects. The links on a HTML hypertext page usually look like highlighted text, which is known as the anchor of the union. In addition, an image, such as an icon, can be an anchor, which is activated, for example, through user compression on the icon using a mouse or other signaling device. In addition, the images known as image maps may include a number of regions, which are themselves individual anchors. An HTML application is made available to the users in the Band by storing the HTML file in a directory that is accessed by the user. Such a server is typically a Band server, which conforms to a protocol supported by the band browser known as the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). The servers that confirm other protocols such as the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or GOPHER, can also be used but do not support interactive HTML files. HTTP describes a group of rules that servers and browsers follow when they communicate with each other. Typically, the procedure begins when a user clicks on an icon on an HTML page, which is the anchor of a hyperunion, or the user types in a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), described later. Then a connection is made to the server at the address and the port number specified by URL. Next, the browser sends a request to retrieve an object from the server, or to place data on an object on the server. The server sends a response to the browser including a status code and response data. The connection between the browser and the server is then closed. URL is the only address that identifies virtually all files and resources on the Internet. A URL has the form: method: // server: port / path / file # anchor. The "access method" of the resource is the protocol supported by the bandwidth browser, and may include, for example, HTTP, FTP, GOPHER, TELNET, NEWS, or MAILTO. The "server: port" indicates the name of the server that is providing the resource, and is alternatively known as the Internet domain name. For example, many companies will use your company name as part of the server field. The port designation is the port number on the server, but it is usually not used since a port is assumed by default. The "path" indicates the path of the directory to the resource. The file indicates the name of the resource file. The "anchor" indicates the element named in the HTML document. Not all fields are required. For example, consider the following URL: http // ww. company. com / nws / june. ht l. The access method is HTTP, the server is www.company.com, there is no specified port, the path is new, the file is june.html, and there is no anchor. Examples of FTP, GOPHER, TELNET, NEWS, and MAILTO URLs are, respectively: ftp: // ftp .uu. net / doc / literary / obi / World. Factobook; gopher: // gopher .micro .umn. edu /; telnet: // compuserve. com/; news: alt.cows.moo, - and mailto: president @ whitehouse .gov. Additional information on URL formats can be found in an Internet document known as "Request for Comment (RFC) 1738" by T. Berners-Lee et al. In this way, it can be seen that the band browsers operate in a communication environment of two paths to access information by sending a request signal defined by a URL command to a server, and receive the information back. However, in a broadcast signal such as a television broadcast signal or the like, communication is generally in a path, so that there is no communication path to carry a request signal from the user. That is, in a broadcast environment, for example, including satellite distribution systems, multiple microwaves (MMDS), terrestrial, and most cable transmissions, there is no mechanism to take user information to the server ( for example, broadcaster). However, in view of the rapidly increasing use of Band pages from other Internet resources, it could be advantageous to provide a system to allow users to access such resources through a stream of broadcast data. The system must allow a user to select from a scale of information, which is carried in the broadcast stream by invoking a command, which is defined according to the normal URL format. In addition, the system must be compatible to the extent possible with the existing transmission and receiving equipment including set-top boxes and the like, and must also be compatible with real communication protocols such as those for the transmission of television signals. The present invention provides a system having the above advantages and still others.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and method for providing information resources, such as those that are available on the Internet, through a broadcast channel are presented. In particular, a method for configuring a command having a uniform resource locator syntax (URL) to an address of a broadcast signal is presented. The request signal by the user that has an associated URL command is received. The user request signal is a signal that is generated based on an input from the user. The user input may be provided, for example, with a mouse or other signaling device, a keyboard, or an infrared remote control or the like, which is used in conjunction with a television. For example, a user may select a button which appears on the television screen to provide the user with the requested signal to view a particular page. A broadcast address, which is determined according to the URL command, indicates a location in the broadcast signal from which the requested information can be retrieved. The broadcast address may provide information regarding a frequency, packet identifier, satellite identifier and / or location, repeater, cryptographic scheme, modulation scheme, data rate, error correction schemes, page number, or other relevant criteria, which should be known to recover the information requested. The requested information is then retrieved and processed to provide a suitable video signal to be presented on a television. The requested information may be represented through a hypertext markup language (HTML), and may comprise a plurality of HTML pages, which are linked in accordance with at least one hyperlink. In addition, the broadcast address can be determined according to the URL command of the user request signal, using data from the URL configuration table, which are carried in the broadcast signal. In this way, the configuration table data is used to determine the appropriate broadcast address based on the URL command of the user request signal. In addition, updated configuration table data may be provided in the broadcast signal to present changes in the information, which are available to the user. The configuration table data can be transmitted continuously or intermittently. A corresponding apparatus is also presented.

A decoder is also presented for processing a broadcast signal, which carries programming service data, which is represented by a table and syntax configuration data URL to provide a suitable signal to be presented on a television. The decoder includes first means for retrieving the programming service data, second means for retrieving the table configuration data, and third means for recovering the data, which are represented by a URL syntax, according to the configuration data of the user. the table and a user request signal. In addition, means are provided for processing the requested data to provide a suitable signal to be displayed on a television.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of a prior art method for allowing a user to request information through a name server. FIGURE 2 is a block diagram of a television broadcast system according to the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is a block diagram of a television receiver according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION They present a method and apparatus for retrieving information from a broadcast data signal in response to a user request signal, which is defined according to a syntax of Uniform Resource Locator (URL). As mentioned, a URL typically defines three aspects: a communication protocol, a logical access path that will be used by that protocol, and the name of an object. Example object types include bitmap images, and other HTML pages, and format files of virtually any type. The following is an example of a manuscript for an HTML page: < HTMLxHEAD > < TITLE > Michael Field Home Page < / TITLE > < / HEADxBODYxP > This is a test < PxIMG SRC = "gi.gif" ALIGN = "Middle" WIDTH = "495" HEIGHT = "79" > < PxHR > < P? A HREF = "http: // giweb / hpage. Html" > LINK < / A > < / BODYx / HTML > The term "gi.gif" specifies the font attribute of an online image. That is, gi.gif is a URL of a file that contains the image that will be embedded in the page. The term "http: // giweb / hpage .html" specifies a hyperlink to another HTML information page. The term specifies the protocol that will be used to communicate with a server (for example, http :), the name of the destination server (for example, giweb), and the information page within that server that is hyperlinked (for example, hpage.html). There are several variations of the form of a URL, but all refer to a server and the information inside the server that will be accessed. FIGURE 2 is a block diagram of a television broadcast system according to the present invention. The system includes a transmitting side, generally shown at 100, a receiver side, generally shown at 150. The transmission side 100 includes a programming services function 105, which includes video and audio programming services of the television stations of network and similar. The audio / video data of programming services, which can be carried as digital data, is provided to a multiplexer ("mux") 115. The multiplexer 115 also receives the configuration table data from the table function configuration 107 and HTML page data of a broadcast band server 108. Programming service data, HTML page data, and configuration table data are multiplexed in the multiplexer 115 to provide a broadcast signal to a transmission antenna 120. The transmission signal transmits the broadcast signal to a receiving antenna 155 through a satellite 125. The signal can be carried as a packet digital transport stream, which conforms to, for example, Group 2 of Images in Motion Experts (MPEG-2), normal. The broadcast signal is provided to a cable television system head (CATV) 126, where the data can be processed for distribution to the cable system. For example, describing / cryptography and mixing / demixing operations may be presented. In addition, the insertion of local commercials and programming may occur. In addition, at the head of the cable system 160, it is possible to provide a broadcast server (not shown) in addition to, or instead of the broadcast server 108. Alternatively, the transport stream can be directly broadcast to the user via a system Direct broadcast satellite, a multiple microwave distribution system, or the like.

The cable system head 160 distributes the broadcast signal to the subscribers through representative masses 165 and 170, one beam, as shown. In the home of a subscriber 180, a decoder receives the broadcast signal, decodes it as required, and provides an audio and video signal for playback on a television 188 or similar video display apparatus. In addition, the data of the HTML page can be retrieved and processed to be presented on television according to the configuration data and a user request signal. In particular, the broadcast band server 108 receives data from the HTML page from the HTML page A 109, the HTML page B 110 and the HTML page C 112. In a schematic representation the HTML page C 112 includes a hyperlink 113 to join to the HTML page B 110, and the HTLM page B 110 includes a hyperlink 111 to join the HTML page A 109. The broadcast band server 108 processes the HTML pages by assigning packet addresses to identify locations within the broadcast signal multiplexed where the HTML pages are taken. For example, HTML page A 109 may have "http: //giweb/pageA.html," URL, while in HTML page B 110 it has "http: //giweb/pageB.html", URL, and the HTML page C 112 has "http: //giweb/pageC.html" URL.

Then, the broadcast band server 108 will assign a packet identifier (PID) "PID 1" to the HTML page A 109, "PID 2" to the HTML page B 110, and "PID 3" to the HTML page C 112 In addition, the broadcast band server 108 will assign the same PID to successive packets of a particular HTML page, and advance the data of the HTML page and the associated PIDs to the multiplexer 115. In addition, the broadcast band server 108 will provide the PID and URL information to the configuration table function 107, which will create a URL configuration table containing the configuration information that HTML, A, B and C pages are being sent in PID 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The configuration table function 107 then advances the configuration table data to the multiplexer 115 for transmission in the broadcast signal. Note that the page data can be identified in an annotation other than URL. If so, the appropriate identification data is incorporated into the configuration table and transmitted in the broadcast signal. When the transport stream conforms to MPEG or similar protocol, the data address of the HTML page may comprise one or more PIDs. However, this form of address can be increased by adding sub address information to the broadcast address to designate a smaller portion or sublayer of the broadcast signal. For example, a subaddress may include a term "table_id", which identifies a particular portion of the broadcast spectrum. By providing the table configuration data that configures a URL or other identifier of an HTML page to another form of address that identifies a location in a broadcast signal, it is possible to retrieve the HTML page corresponding to a user request signal. In addition to the PIDs, the broadcast address may include other information such as a satellite identifier, a repeater identifier, a transmission frequency, a page number, or other information required to retrieve the desired information. For example, Table 1, below, shows a configuration table according to the present invention. The first column of the table shows the HTML URL data, which are carried in a broadcast signal, and the second column shows the corresponding broadcast address.

Table 1 When programming services, data HTML and table configuration data are carried in a similar transmission, the broadcast address can include a broadcast frequency (eg, channel), to which the data of the HTML page is taken. In addition, the configuration table data need not be transmitted continuously, but can be supplied to the decoder only as new information becomes available or as the broadcast address changes. For example, new information may include new HTML pages and new hyperlinks. In this way, the table configuration data, which is stored in the decoder 184 can be updated and modified as required. In addition, the table configuration data can also be provided to the decoder 184 locally through a smart card or the like. The limitations of bandwidth in the transport signal and the memory storage capacities in the decoder 184 may limit the size of the configuration table. However, this should not be a problem since the information domain that is available to the user will be limited to an amount that the decoder can support. FIGURE 3 is a block diagram of a television receiver according to the present invention. The decoder, generally shown at 180, corresponds to the decoder of FIGURE 2. As mentioned, the decoder 180 can receive the transport current from a cable plant, satellite, or terrestrial broadcast. The transport stream is demultiplexed in a demultiplexer 205 to retrieve the table configuration data, the HTML page data and the audio / video data programming service. The programming service data is analyzed grammatically in the parser 220 and provided to a memory manager 225. The memory manager, which may include a central processing unit, controlled the decoding of the audio and video data by interacting with a video decompression processor 240, an audio decompression processor 245 and a memory 235. The memory 235, which can be a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), is used to temporarily store the video images before the decoding and presentation of the video on the television screen. The video decompression processor 240 provides a variety of processing functions, such as error detection and correction, vector decoding in motion, inverse quantization, inverse discrete cosine transformation, Huffman decoding and prediction calculations, for example. After being processed in the decompression processor 240, the video images are output to a combiner 250. Alternatively, the decoded data may be temporarily stored in the memory 235. The audio decompression processor 245 processes audio data using, for example , inverse quantization, Huffman decoding, and spectral configuration algorithms. The memory manager 225 receives commands from a user command processor 230, which in turn receives a user command through the terminal 232. The user command can be entered, for example, via a mouse or another signaling device, a keyboard, or an infrared remote control or the like, which is used in conjunction with a television or other video device. The user command processor 230 can provide a control signal to the combiner 250, and it provides an information request signal ("info.") to a table data processor 207. The memory manager 225 also receives commands from an HTML 215 processor. The table data processor 207 receives the table configuration data from the demultiplexer 205 and stores them in an associated memory 209. The information request signal received by the processor 207 may include an information URL, which a user wishes to retrieve. In accordance with the present invention, the processor 207 searches for the broadcast address, which corresponds to the desired URL. For example, referring to a previous example, assume that URL is "http: // giweb / pageA. Html", and the corresponding broadcast address is "PID 1". Then, the table data processor 207 will provide a broadcast address to the demultiplexer 205 to retrieve the HTML data packets corresponding to "PID 1". The selected HTML data packets are then sent from the demultiplexer 205 to the HTML processor 215 for further processing, which will be discussed below. Note that, while the broadcast address is shown as being provided only to a demultiplexer 205, it should be understood that the broadcast address may be provided to one or more components as required to retrieve the corresponding information. For example, the broadcast address may specify a frequency, which is provided to a demodulator (not shown) to tune to the appropriate frequency. Alternatively, when the broadcast signal is received via a direct broadcast satellite system, the broadcast address may require the realignment of a receiving plate with a different satellite to retrieve the information. In this case, the broadcast address will include commands to place the reception plate, which are provided to a servomotor or the like. In addition, the broadcast address can define criteria such as data rate, modulation scheme (for example, QAM, QPSK), error-correction scheme, and / or cryptography scheme, which is related to the information that will be retrieved , or other information of auxiliary table systems or data. The HTML processor 215, which communicates with a memory 210, receives HTML, which was selected according to the broadcast address of the demultiplexer 205 or other relevant component. The processor 215 may include a central processing unit, which implements an HTML-based code, which is analogous to a web browser. The HTML processor also receives commands from the user command processor 230. HTML presents data provided by the processor 215, then provides them to the combiner 250, where they can be optionally combined with the video data of the processor 240 to produce a graphical presentation in a television screen. A user may provide commands to the user command processor 230 in response to a variety of textual and graphic presentations, which may be presented on a television screen. For example, the screen may include buttons that define hyperlinks to the other HTML pages. The buttons can be selected by the user via a signaling device, infrared remote control or the like. The buttons may include text and / or graphics, such as icons, which inform and entertain the user. In addition, the user command processor 230 may provide a signal to the memory manager 225 to provide programming service audio and / or video together with, or in lieu of, the HTML presentation data. The invention now allows a user to access the information through a broadcast signal instead of through a two-way channel without requiring the format of the information to be changed. This advantageously avoids the complexity of converting each page of information to a new one, a non-normal format before transmission, and re-converting the information when it is received in the decoder. Generally, by retaining the original form of the information requested by the user, such as an HTML page, the same HTML page may be made available to users who have access to the information through a conventional two-way Internet connection or through a diffusion current. In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides an apparatus and method for retrieving web pages and other Internet information resources from a broadcast signal such as a broadcast television signal. The invention allows a user to select from a variety of information, including HTML information, which is carried in the broadcast stream by invoking a command that is defined according to a URL format. The table configuration data is carried in the broadcast signal and provides a broadcast address corresponding to the URL of the user request signal to identify a location in the broadcast signal from which the desired information can be retrieved . In this way, although only a one-step communication path is provided from the information provider to the user, the user's perception is that a bidirectional network that allows browsing in an Internet form, colloquially known as "sorfear". In addition, the system is compatible with existing transmission schemes. In addition, the invention is compatible with other types of hypermedia in addition to HTLM such as, for example, the hyperunion scheme used by a Macintosh hypertension ^ when accessed in a non-interactive manner. Moreover, the invention is compatible with virtually any type of programming service, including television, information services such as storage prices and weather data, and audio / video programming implemented in the software, including games and other types of programming. Although the invention has been described along with the various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. A method for configuring a command having a uniform resource locator (URL) syntax to an address of a broadcast signal, comprising the steps of: receiving a user request signal having an associated URL command; and determining a broadcast address according to the URL command; wherein the broadcast address is indicative of a location in the broadcast signal from which the information corresponding to the user request signal can be retrieved.

2. The method in accordance with the claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises the steps of: recovering the information corresponding to the user request signal; and process the information to provide a suitable video signal to be presented on a television.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that the diffusion direction is indicative of a frequency of the broadcast signal.

4. The method according to one of claims 1 or 2, further characterized in that the broadcast signal comprises a stream of digitized data in packets; and the broadcast address is indicative of a packet identifier of the data stream.

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the information corresponding to a user request signal is represented by a hypertext markup language.

6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the information corresponds to the user request signal comprising a plurality of pages that are represented by a hypertext markup language, the pages being linked in accordance with less a hyperunion.

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the broadcast address is determined in accordance with the URL command using the configuration table data that is carried in the broadcast signal.

8. The method according to claim 7, further characterized in that it comprises the step of: providing updated configuration table data in the broadcast signal to represent the changes in the information that is available to the user.

9. An apparatus for configuring a command having a uniform resource locator (URL) syntax to an address of a broadcast signal, characterized in that it comprises a user command processor for receiving a requested user signal having an associated URL command; and a table data processor for determining a broadcast address according to the URL command; wherein the broadcast address is indicative of a location in the broadcast signal from which the information corresponding to the user request signal can be retrieved.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further characterized in that it comprises: means for recovering the information corresponding to the user request signal; and a processor for processing the information to provide a suitable video signal to be presented on a television.

11. The apparatus according to any of claims 9 or 10, further characterized in that the diffusion direction is indicative of a frequency of the broadcast signal.

12. The apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 10, further characterized in that the diffusion signal comprises a stream of packaged digital data; and the broadcast address is indicative of a packet identifier of the data stream.

13. The apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 12, further characterized in that the information corresponding to the user request signal is represented by a hypertext markup language.

14. The apparatus according to one of claims 9 to 13, further characterized in that the information corresponding to the user request signal comprises a plurality of pages that are represented by a hypertext markup language, the pages being linked in accordance with at least one hyperunion

15. The apparatus according to one of claims 9 to 14, further characterized in that the broadcast address is determined in accordance with the URL command using configuration table data, which is carried in a broadcast signal.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, further characterized in that updated configuration table data is provided in the broadcast signal to represent the changes in the information that is available to the user.

17. A decoder for processing a broadcast signal, which carries programming service data, data that is represented by a uniform resource locator syntax (URL), and the table configuration data, to provide a suitable signal to be presented in a television, which includes: first means to recover programming service data; second means for recovering the table configuration data; third means for recovering data that is represented by a URL syntax according to the table configuration data, and a user request signal; and fourth means responsible for the third means for processing data that are represented by a URL syntax to provide a suitable signal to be presented on a television.

18. The decoder according to claim 17, further characterized in that the table configuration data indicates a broadcast address of the broadcast signal from which data which is represented by a URL syntax can be retrieved.

19. The decoder according to claim 18, further characterized in that the broadcast signal comprises a stream of packaged digital data; and the broadcast address is indicative of a packet identifier of a broadcast signal packet.

20. The decoder according to one of claims 17 to 19, further characterized in that the data that is represented by a URL syntax comprises hypertext markup language (HTML) data; and fourth media comprise an HTML processor.