WO2004080068A1 - Appareil de television multimedia - Google Patents

Appareil de television multimedia Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004080068A1
WO2004080068A1 PCT/IT2003/000121 IT0300121W WO2004080068A1 WO 2004080068 A1 WO2004080068 A1 WO 2004080068A1 IT 0300121 W IT0300121 W IT 0300121W WO 2004080068 A1 WO2004080068 A1 WO 2004080068A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
multimedia
television
television apparatus
function
functions
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IT2003/000121
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Pierpaolo Reno'
Giuseppe Ciotta
Dante Plicato
Original Assignee
Regia S.R.L
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Regia S.R.L filed Critical Regia S.R.L
Priority to PCT/IT2003/000121 priority Critical patent/WO2004080068A1/fr
Priority to AU2003217459A priority patent/AU2003217459A1/en
Publication of WO2004080068A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004080068A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/462—Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
    • H04N21/4622—Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/418—External card to be used in combination with the client device, e.g. for conditional access
    • H04N21/4183—External card to be used in combination with the client device, e.g. for conditional access providing its own processing capabilities, e.g. external module for video decoding
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
    • H04N21/42212—Specific keyboard arrangements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/426—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof
    • H04N21/42646—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof for reading from or writing on a non-volatile solid state storage medium, e.g. DVD, CD-ROM
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/426—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof
    • H04N21/42653—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof for processing graphics
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/426—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof
    • H04N21/42661—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof for reading from or writing on a magnetic storage medium, e.g. hard disk drive
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/426—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof
    • H04N21/42676—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof for modulating an analogue carrier signal to encode digital information or demodulating it to decode digital information, e.g. ADSL or cable modem
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
    • H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
    • H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
    • H04N21/4316—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
    • H04N21/47214—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
    • H04N21/47217—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/482—End-user interface for program selection
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/485—End-user interface for client configuration
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/432—Content retrieval operation from a local storage medium, e.g. hard-disk
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/433—Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations
    • H04N21/4334—Recording operations

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a multimedia television apparatus according to the preamble to Claim 1.
  • the present invention relates to a multimedia television apparatus for the control and use of multimedia functions.
  • on-line EPG electronic programme guide
  • the user has to go to the personal computer, start it up, connect it to the network, access the interactive information service, and request the desired information.
  • a system which is more effective and advantageous for the receipt of information should combine the real-time information-distribution characteristics of an interactive information service with the low cost and easy use of an already-existing radio-broadcasting infrastructure.
  • Multimedia television apparatuses which can provide the user with a variety of multimedia functions in addition to the conventional television function are known.
  • An example of these multimedia functions may be the playing of a DVD and/or of a music CD, the recording of television programmes on video cassette and/or optical substrates, listening to stereophonic programmes with high-quality audio reproduction systems, etc.
  • connection sockets which enable the television set to be put into communication with various devices which may be, for example, a DVD optical reader, a CD optical reader, a video recorder, a DVD and/or CD writer, a video games console, or even a personal computer.
  • the user also generally has a remote control for operating and controlling most of the functions provided by the device .
  • the remote control not only enables the device to be switched on/off, but also enables its operation to be controlled.
  • the user has a series " of options such as, for example, language change, audio setting, fast forward, etc .
  • Modern devices make available to the user a text or pictogram menu which can be displayed on the television screen and by means. of which the above-mentioned options can be controlled.
  • each device can be activated and controlled by its own remote control or other similar means, the user will have a number of remote controls generally equal to the number of devices connected, with obvious consequences with regard to the control of the devices . Furthermore, since each device is generally interfaced with the television set by means of its own menu, there will be different menus, each for the control of the device associated therewith.
  • television sets of the type including one or more of the devices listed above have been proposed .
  • two devices, the DVD reader and/or the video cassette player are incorporated in the television set, reducing the number of connections and remote controls.
  • control of the potential multimedia functions of the multimedia apparatus by the user cannot therefore be defined as truly "multimedia” control, but rather as the individual control of a plurality of devices.
  • the technical problem underlying the present invention is that of providing a multimedia television apparatus having structural and functional characteristics such as to satisfy the above-mentioned need, at the same time overcoming the disadvantages of the television sets described above with reference to the prior art .
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the multimedia television apparatus of Figure 1
  • FIG 3 shows a representation of the graphics interface of the multimedia television apparatus of Figure 1
  • Figure 4 shows a schematic circuit of a multimedia function of the multimedia television apparatus of Figure 1
  • Figure 5 shows another schematic circuit of a multimedia function of the multimedia television apparatus of Figure 1
  • Figure 6 shows a representation of the graphics interface of a function of the multimedia television apparatus of Figure 1
  • Figure 7 shows an operative diagram of a particular data- transmission topology of the multimedia television apparatus of Figure 1.
  • a multimedia television apparatus according to the invention is generally indicated 1.
  • television apparatus used with reference to the present invention relates to apparatus having as its main function that of enabling a user to view television programmes .
  • multimedia television apparatus used with reference to the present invention relates to a television apparatus which has a plurality of additional functions in addition to the above-mentioned main function.
  • additional functions may be, for example, the reading/writing of an optical substrate and/or a magnetic substrate, access to an external analog/digital network, the reading/writing of a mass substrate such as, for example, a hard disc, etc.
  • the multimedia television apparatus 1 comprises a plurality "n" of electronic devices D x ...D n .
  • the term "electronic devices” used with reference to the present invention relates to devices which can perform a multimedia function.
  • they may be electronic devices which can perform the multimedia functions of a CD- reader, of a reader of files in MP3 or OGG format, of a DVD reader, of an interface complying with the PCMCIA standard, that is, an interface which permits connection to communications cards of the RS-232, RS-485, or RS-422 types, transmitted-wave communication cards, or so-called “wireless" network cards complying, for example, with the "Bluetooth" standard, a modem so as to permit analog, digital, GSM, or GPRS connection, a hard disc, or a combination of hard discs in accordance with the various "raid” formats, a magnetic/optical-disc reader, a DVD/CD-ROM writer, a set of analog/digital audio loudspeakers, a video with a specific amplifier which can drive several audio channels simultaneously, a non-volatile electronic memory unit, a card for the acquisition of
  • the television apparatus 1 is suitable for the control and use of a plurality "m" of multimedia functions F ⁇ ...F m .
  • multimedia functions used with reference to the present invention relates to the functions which are made available to the user by the combination of one or more of the electronic devices of the type mentioned above.
  • the present invention also relates to other electronic devices which can make available to the user one, or a series or combination of multimedia functions that are not otherwise provided by a conventional television set.
  • the multimedia apparatus 1 comprises ( Figure 1) , as does a conventional television set, a television chassis 2, a television screen 3 , and control means 4.
  • the apparatus 1 is supplied with energy by a supply unit 5 connected to a conventional electrical mains supply, and is provided with a video input 6 for the insertion of a standard coaxial cable for receiving a video signal, for
  • the television chassis 2 is of known type and is not described in further detail .
  • the television screen 3 may be a cathode-ray tube, a high- resolution screen, a flat screen or, preferably, an active- matrix liquid-crystal screen.
  • the control means 4 may be an infra-red (IR) or radio- frequency (RF) remote control, a screen sensitive to the pressure exerted by a user's finger or hand, of the type commonly known as a "touch-screen", or similar means suitable for controlling an electronic device, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, optical pens, or a combination of one or more of the above-mentioned control means 4.
  • the control means may be of the non-remote type, for example, a touch-screen, for example, in the peripheral region of the television chassis 2, or' in another embodiment, directly on the television screen 3.
  • the supply unit 5 supplies energy to the television apparatus 1 and is connected to a normal electrical-supply mains, that is, 110/220 volts, 50-60 Hz.
  • the supply unit 5 can advantageously also supply energy to the electronic devices D j .
  • This embodiment of the invention will be described in further detail with reference to a preferred embodiment of the multimedia television apparatus 1 of the present invention.
  • the video input 6 may be connected to a television aerial, to a dish aerial, or to a cable network so as to enable the multimedia television apparatus 1 to perform its primary television function.
  • the multimedia television apparatus 1 of the present invention further comprises a graphics interface 7 and a hardware interface 8.
  • the graphics interface 7 can be displayed on the television screen 3 or also simultaneously on a screen outside the chassis 2.
  • the graphics interface 7 is advantageously displayed on the television screen 3 so as to facilitate control of the multimedia functions Fi.
  • Each multimedia function Fi is displayed by the association of a visual element Ei such as an icon or window with the function Fi so that the user can easily recognize the function Fi associated therewith.
  • the television screen 3 is configured with an interactive EPG 7a for displaying the data of a television-programme listing including the programmes of all of the available frequency channels for a predetermined period of time, for example, a day or a week.
  • These programme listings typically include, for each programme, the title, a programme description, the day of the week, the starting time on the day, the programme length, and the channel on which the programme is transmitted, etc., so that the programme is available to be received.
  • the period of time may be, for example, one or two days, or a week or more.
  • the news information stored in a news database of the EPG memory includes, in non-limiting manner, news categories, news headlines, the articles relating to the news headlines, graphical images connected with the articles, and connections with television programmes, with Internet web sites, and with all local information of the guide, connected with each article .
  • the television screen 3 interacts with the television apparatus 1 and with the EPG 7a by means of one of the above-mentioned control devices 4, for example, by means of an IR remote control .
  • the element Ei is represented by an icon or by a graphical representation selected so as to facilitate its association with the multimedia function Fi.
  • the icon will represent an optical disc.
  • an informative label I briefly describing the multimedia function Fi may be provided for display beside the icon.
  • the labels "DVD” or "CD” may be associated with two icons so as to identify the type of multimedia function precisely.
  • the graphics interface 7 may also have a cursor 9 of a type known in information technology applications so as to facilitate recognition of the function Fi to be selected by the user at any particular time.
  • the cursor 9 may be an arrow or another graphics symbol suitable for this purpose .
  • the graphics interface 7 may also give additional information such as, for example, the date, the time and other information which will be described in further detail below.
  • communication used with reference to the present invention relates not only to communication of any type in which there is a mono-directional or bi-directional signal flow, but also to an electrical communication the purpose of which is to supply current/voltage to an electronic device.
  • the mono-directional or bi-directional signal may be electrical, analog or digital electronic, electromagnetic, optical, etc.
  • the hardware interface 8 may use one method for communication with one electronic device and another method for communication with another electronic device .
  • the hardware interface 8 may be, for example, in both electrical and signal communication with a predetermined device Dj .
  • the hardware interface 8 supplies energy to the device Dj by electrical communication, whereas the hardware interface 8 transmits and/or receives signals from the electronic device Dj by signal communication.
  • an electronic device D j is advantageously supplied with energy directly by the hardware interface 8 and does not therefore need a dedicated energy- supply section.
  • an electronic device Dj has to be supplied with energy separately
  • the communication between the hardware interface 8 and the electronic device Dj will preferably be purely signal communication.
  • a DVD reader situated inside the television chassis 2 may be supplied with energy directly by the hardware interface 8.
  • signal communication may take place in conventional manner by means of an electrical cable or, preferably, by wireless communication, for example, by means of infra-red rays or radio waves .
  • the hardware interface 8 is disposed inside the chassis 2 of the multimedia television apparatus 1, as are most of the electronic devices D j .
  • the electronic devices Dj that are inside the television chassis 2 are in both electrical and signal communication with the hardware interface 8, and the hardware interface 8 is arranged to supply the electrical energy for the devices Dj .
  • the electronic devices D j that are located outside the television chassis 2 and, in particular, in positions such that they cannot easily be connected electrically to the hardware interface 8, are in purely signal communication with the hardware interface 8.
  • the hardware interface 8 associates at least one multimedia function Fi with at least one electronic device D j .
  • at least one multimedia function of the multimedia functions Fi is displayed by the graphics interface 7, preferably on the television screen 3.
  • Each multimedia function Fi can be selected by the ' user by means of the control means 4.
  • the multimedia function Fi After the multimedia function Fi has been selected by the user by means of the control means 4, it is associated with at least one electronic device Dj by the hardware interface 8.
  • control means 4 are of the remote type and take the form of an infra-red ray remote control 4a and of a wireless keyboard 4b.
  • the remote control 4a may be a radio-wave control.
  • the infra-red remote control 4a is advantageously provided with cursor controls 4c which facilitate the control of the graphics interface 7.
  • control means 4 may be of the non-remote type, for example, a touch screen located in the television chassis 2.
  • control means 4 are preferably in signal communication with the hardware interface 8.
  • the hardware interface 8 may be provided with a unit 18 which detects the signal 19 coming from the control means 4 and processes it in order to identify the position of the cursor 9 on the television screen 3. This enables the function Fi selected by the user and displayed on the television screen 3 by the graphics interface 7 to be identified.
  • the facility is therefore provided for the secondary function F ik called up to be displayed by the graphics interface 7 as a sub-function of the main function Fi.
  • multimedia functions Fi exclude the normal functions of the switching on/off of the device/s associated therewith by means of the hardware interface 8, that is, switching on/off is a function belonging to each device Dj .
  • the description given below relates the assumption that all of the devices D j that are in electrical communication with the hardware interface 8 and are switched off when the multimedia television apparatus 1 is switched on, are switched on at that moment. With regard to switching-off, a "standby state" may be provided for those devices Dj that require such a state.
  • the electronic devices D j are :
  • TFT-LCD active-matrix liquid-crystal screen
  • D 2 DVD/CD reader/writer
  • the primary multimedia functions Fi are:
  • the secondary multimedia functions Fi k are:
  • the devices Di...D 8 are considered to be in electrical and signal communication with the hardware interface 8.
  • the supply unit 5 of the television apparatus 1 supplies electrical energy to the hardware interface 8 which then distributes the energy to the devices Di...D 8 that are in electrical communication therewith.
  • the hardware interface 8 associates the switching on/off function F 6 with the nonvolatile electronic memory unit device D 8 .
  • the non-volatile memory unit D 8 is a data-storage unit and can be used for various purposes .
  • the non-volatile memory unit D 8 is a memory of the type commonly known as a compact flash memory card or, briefly, a flash memory, in which the operating system of the multimedia television apparatus 1 is advantageously stored.
  • the operating system is encrypted to permit confidentiality and to prevent copying of the system.
  • the operating system held in the flash memory D 8 arranges for the initialization or start-up of the devices Dj that are in communication with the hardware interface 8 and arranges for the display of the graphics interface 7.
  • Switching-on may take place by the pressing of a suitable button disposed on the chassis 2 or by means of the remote control 4a.
  • a flash memory for switching on the multimedia television apparatus 1 is extremely advantageous since it enables it to be switched on quickly. In fact, in comparison with hard-disc access times, the reading of a flash memory is considerably faster so that the waiting times that are typical of the loading of the operating system, for example in a personal computer, are eliminated.
  • the multimedia television apparatus 1 is ready to accept commands from the user via the control means
  • the multimedia television apparatus 1 of the present invention also has a smart card reader, not shown in the drawings, for access to particular satellite and/or terrestrial channels and/or to payment channels.
  • the hardware interface 8 associates the TV viewing function Fa. with the active-matrix liquid-crystal (TFT-LCD) screen device D x and with the audio/video acquisition card device D 7 .
  • the multimedia television apparatus 1 can thus be used for viewing television programmes.
  • the TFT-LCD screen Di may be the television screen 3 but may also be a screen located outside the chassis 2.
  • communication between the hardware interface 8 and the external television screen will be purely signal communication, for example, electromagnetic-signal communication (commonly referred to as "wireless" communication) and the television screen will have an independent energy supply.
  • one solution does not exclude the other.
  • the user may also have the facility to control the devices D x ...D 8 , that is, to control the multimedia functions Fa . ..F 6 , from a room other from that in which the multimedia television apparatus 1 is located, subject to the provision of further control means suitable for this purpose.
  • This further embodiment is implemented by supplying a replica of the graphics interface 7 to the external television screen, thus enabling all of the multimedia functions Fi of the multimedia television apparatus 1 of the present invention to be utilized.
  • the video signal 11 from a terrestrial aerial ( Figure 4) , from a dish aerial, or from a cable network, is selected by a tuner which sends it to a VSB (vestigial sideband) demodulator, that it, it is input to the audio/video acquisition card D 7 from which an input signal 12 for the hardware interface 8 emerges.
  • the signal 12 is then processed by the image-processing unit 13 which produces a signal 14 for input to the TFT-LCD screen D x for displaying.
  • the signal 12 coming from the audio/video acquisition card D 7 is manipulated by a software program stored, for example, in the mass memory 15, and sent back to the audio-video acquisition card D 7 which produces the signal 14 for input to the screen D x .
  • the mass memory 15 may be, for example, a RAM memory in which the program is stored temporarily.
  • the program may be stored on the hard disc D 5 .
  • the hardware interface 8 also associates the TV viewing function F a. with the audio processing card device D 5 which provides, in known manner, for the reproduction of a very high-quality sound on the basis of the signal 12 coming from the audio-video acquisition card D 7 .
  • the audio processing card D s may be located inside the chassis 2 or may be an external device with a separate energy supply.
  • the device D 5 may be a "home theatre" listening system which is in signal, preferably electromagnetic-signal communication with the hardware interface 8 and comprises an audio amplifier and a plurality of acoustic loudspeakers.
  • the device D 5 may be an audio card which is in electrical and signal, preferably electrical-signal communication with the hardware interface 8.
  • the audio card having the signal 12 as an input, would produce an output audio signal towards, for example, a pair of acoustic loudspeakers 17 mounted in the chassis 2.
  • the TV viewing function F x displayed by the graphics interface 7, for example, on the screen Di, can be selected by the user by means of the control means 4, in particular, by means of the remote control 4a, more particularly by means of the cursor controls 4c.
  • the cursor controls 4c consist of four arrow buttons which indicate the four directions of movement (up/down right/left) .
  • the cursor controls 4c enable the cursor 9, which is represented by an arrow, to be moved in vertical/horizontal directions between the icons Ei associated with the functions Fi displayed on the screen Da. by the graphics interface 7.
  • the icon E x represents a television and is provided at its side with the informative label "TV" I x .
  • the function F x is selected when the cursor 9 is disposed beside the icon E x and the user presses a predetermined push-button on the remote control 4a.
  • the use of each individual function F by a user is advantageously facilitated by the graphics interface 7 which enables the user to "navigate" between a series of menus by means of the remote control 4a.
  • the “navigation” follows the conventional up/down right/left system and is thus simple and user-friendly.
  • the hardware interface 8 detects, by means of the detection and processing unit 18, the signal 19 coming from the control means 4, in particular from the remote control 4a and from the cursor controls 4c.
  • the signal 19 is processed in order to identify the function Fi selected by the user and displayed on the screen D x by the graphics interface 7.
  • the secondary stop and play and recording functions Fu and F1 2 can be called up from the TV viewing function F x .
  • the user can thus retrieve from the archive of the multimedia apparatus 1, that is, from the hard disc D 6 , a television programme which he has missed.
  • This function is useful if the user interrupts the viewing of a programme, a film, or any other event, for example, by changing channel or for external reasons .
  • the user selects the function F u which is associated with the hard-disc device D 6 by the hardware interface 8, and the programme, the film, or any other event which the user was watching when the function Fu was selected, is recorded on the hard-disc device D 6 .
  • the user can thus subsequently access the digital archive of the multimedia television apparatus 1, that is, the hard- disc device D 6 , with a facility for deferred viewing of the programme previously interrupted.
  • stop and play function F X1 An example of the use of the stop and play function F X1 is described below with reference to a user who is watching a programme on channel A and wishes to change channels in order to watch a programme on channel B.
  • the function F X1 enables the user not to miss the event transmitted on channel A.
  • the programme transmitted on channel A is recorded on the hard disc D ⁇ , starting from the moment at which the "stop and play” button is pressed, and the user can thus change channels and watch a programme on channel B. Naturally, the user can change channels again, to watch channel C, channel D, or even channel A.
  • the user can set a series of options such as, for example, the maximum recording period, and the number of programmes which can be recorded simultaneously.
  • the hardware interface 8 associates the recording function F 12 with the hard-disc device D 6 or with the DVD/CD reader/writer device D 2 .
  • the user can thus re-record the programme which he is currently watching and subsequently retrieve it from the archive of the multimedia apparatus, that is, from the hard disc D 6 or from the written DVD/CD.
  • the recording advantageously permits storage on the hard disc D 6 in the formats conventionally used, such as, for example DivX and the like.
  • the hardware interface 8 associates the function F 2 for access to television- programme listings with the modem device D 3 or with the LAN card device D 4 . It is thus possible to use the multimedia television apparatus 1 to display a television-programme listing on the screen D a so that the programme to watch can be selected can easily and directly by the user. If the function F 2 is selected on the graphics interface 7, the connection to the Internet is activated by means of the modem D 3 or the LAN card D 4 . Alternatively, the user may be asked for a signal to approve connection to the Internet.
  • a program stored, for example, in the mass memory 15 or in the flash memory card D 8 enables a connection to be established with an external server in which an archive of data is present.
  • the archive of data contains information relating to the latest available version of the television-programme listing. This information is made available to the user and displayed by the graphics interface 7, that is, on the screen D x .
  • the TV viewing function F x is then called up in order to view the selected programme .
  • the hardware interface 8 associates the function F 2 for access to television-programme listings with the audio/video acquisition card D .
  • the information relating to the latest available version of the television-programme listing is supplied by the television network itself and is contained in the signal 11 input to the audio/video acquisition card D 7 .
  • this information will be present in a frequency band other than that of the audio/video signal and a decoder will be required to extract this information.
  • the information to which the user can have access by means of the television-programme listing function F 2 is data such as the television channel, the programme title, the programme-start time, the programme-finish time, and the type of programme (sports, entertainment, film) .
  • the hardware interface 8 associates the preview function F i of a selected channel with the TFT-LCD screen device Dj..
  • a preview of the selected channel is thus displayed on the screen Da. in a portion 20 of the screen Di ( Figure 6) to help the user to select the programme to watch.
  • the hardware interface 8 associates the function F 22 for the programming of recording by "time interval” and the function F 23 for the programming of recording by "programme selection from a guide" with the hard-disc device D 6 and with the audio/video acquisition card device D 9 .
  • the user can thus programme the recording of a programme, for example, by means of a convenient button located on the remote control 4.
  • the function F 22 enables the start time and the finish time of the recording of a television programme to be set .
  • the audio/video acquisition card D 9 picks up the signal 11 coming from the aerial and passes the signal 12 to a program stored, for example, in the mass memory 15 or in the flash memory card D 8 , which controls the signal and saves it on the hard-disc device D 6 - Everything which a preselected television channel transmits from the preselected start time to the preselected finish time is thus recorded.
  • the expected start/finish time of a programme does not coincide with the time at which the programme actually starts/finishes. The programme may therefore be recorded only partially, naturally to the user's dissatisfaction.
  • the function F 2 3 enables the programme to be selected directly from the television- programme listing.
  • the television channel which transmits the programme, or the data archive to which the television apparatus 1 has access by means of the mode D 3 supplies continuously updated information on the actual start/finish timetable of the programme to be recorded.
  • the recording can thus commence at the precise moment at which the preselected programme starts and end at the precise moment at which the programme ends.
  • the user can thus set a series of search parameters which identify a number of programmes so as to set the recording of these programmes . If the user wishes to record all of the films in which an actor A takes part, this search criterion will be saved, for example, in the mass memory 15.
  • the hardware interface 8 associates the CD/DVD reading/writing function F 3 with the CD/DVD reader/writer device D 2 . It is thus possible to. use the multimedia television apparatus 1 in order to view, on the screen D x , a film or the like stored on a DVD or CD optical substrate and/or to record a programme on a DVD/CD. Naturally, the multimedia television apparatus 1 can also control the normal functions of a DVD or CD reader. For example, the selection of a scene or a passage, fast forward, etc.
  • the function F 3 may be associated with two different icon- type visual elements E 3 displayed on the screen D x by the graphics inter ace 7 so as to differentiate . the reading/writing of a CD from that of a DVD.
  • the multimedia television apparatus 1 provides the facility automatically to re-record the contents of the DVD, that is, the entire film of parts thereof, or of the CD, or some passages, in DiVX, Avi, Mpeg, digital format, etc. in an internal or even external digital archive (recording function F 32 ) .
  • the facility to convert a CD/DVD to an alternative format to the source format, for example, . from VOB to DiVX, or from MP3 format to WAV format is also provided.
  • the hardware interface 8 may associate the function F 3 directly with the device D 6 .
  • the hardware interface 8 also associates the function F 3X for importing audio/video data from the Internet with the modem device D 3 . It is thus possible to retrieve from the Internet the information relating to the artist, the title of the CD, the titles of the passages from the CD and, for a DVD, the director of the film, the plot of the film, actors, and additional information so that the user can easily select the desired information on the graphics interface 7 by means of the remote control 4.
  • the hardware interface 8 associates the Internet connection function F 4 with the modem device D 3 . It is thus possible to use the multimedia television apparatus 1 of the present invention for connection to the Internet .
  • the modem device D 3 may be replaced by another equivalent device which can perform the Internet connection function F .
  • the Internet connection may take place by a wireless method, or by means of a GPRS, UMTS or satellite system.
  • a telephone card or a satellite aerial will be required, according to the system used.
  • the Internet connection can advantageously be displayed on the screen D x by means of a dedicated browser which, for example, may implement a limited, number of functions in comparison with commercial browsers .
  • the Internet connection may be displayed on the screen D x by means of one of the browsers that are commonly available commercially, for example, Explorer, Netscape, or Opera.
  • the browsers will preferably be stored on the hard disc D 6 and controlled, with regard to their functional capabilities, by the operating system stored in the flash memory card.
  • the hardware interface 8 may also associate the Internet connection function F 4 with the LAN network card. It is thus possible to use the multimedia television apparatus 1 of the present invention for connection to an Ethernet network.
  • the multimedia television apparatus 1 of the present invention may be used as an element of an Intranet network so as to be in communication with a server or with a personal computer.
  • the use of the Internet connection function F 4 is advantageously facilitated by the use of the keyboard 4b.
  • the hardware interface 8 associates the archive access function F 5 with the hard-disc device D 6 . It is thus possible to use the multimedia television apparatus 1 of the present invention as a data archive. For example, it is possible to import data from a video camera or from a digital camera, connectible to the multimedia television apparatus 1 by means of the card D 9 , and to store the data on the hard disc D e and/or or display it later on the TFT-LCD screen D x .
  • the hardware interface 8 also associates the function F 5 with the audio/video acquisition card D 7 and/or D 9 .
  • Word processing programs, spreadsheet programs etc. can advantageously be stored on the device D 6 and their functional capabilities controlled by the operating system stored on the flash memory card D 8 by means of the keyboard 4b.
  • the Internet connection function F 4 may be activated at the same time.
  • the Internal connection function F 4 or the word processing display may be activated at the same time .
  • the TV viewing function F x or the DVD/CD reading/writing function F 3 may be activated at the same time .
  • the facility is provided to activate the TV viewing function F x and the DVD/CD reading/writing function F 3 when the Internet connection function F 4 is already active.
  • the function F 3 may be associated with an external television screen that is in signal communication with the multimedia television apparatus 1, whilst the function F x may be associated with the screen D x and vice versa.
  • some functions Fi may be displayed by the graphics interface 7 in different areas of the TFT-LCD screen D x , in accordance with a picture in picture (PIP) operating layout.
  • PIP picture in picture
  • the Internet connection function F 4 , and the TV viewing function F x may be displayed on the television screen D x simultaneously by the multimedia television apparatus 1 of the present invention.
  • multimedia functions described with particular reference to the multimedia television apparatus 1 may advantageously be used in a multimedia digital video recorder.
  • This video recorder enables, for example, the television- programme listings function F 2 , and consequently the secondary functions associated therewith, to be controlled and used by means of a touch-screen.
  • Ease of use does not preclude the presence of advanced functions such as stop and play or audio/video import from external sources .
  • the digital video recorder provides for the following advanced functional capabilities: • programming of recordings by means of the television- programme listings function
  • the programming of the recordings takes place by a wholly visual mechanism by the touch-screen selection of the displayed name of the programme to be recorded in the mass archive.
  • the programme listing is received via the Internet; the apparatus is connected, automatically or upon request, to a server containing data from which it is possible to retrieve, in addition to the weekly programme listings of the major broadcasters, also thematic listings, such as, for example, sports listings, by means of which it is possible to view all of the sports events of the week.
  • Digital video recording enables a large number of films to be archived in the mass memory of the apparatus with better quality than a conventional VHS .
  • Digital video recording also eliminates the problems that are typical of magnetic tapes, such as degradation and rewinding times .
  • the apparatus interfaces with the most widespread satellite transmission standards, enabling the digital signal to be displayed and recorded directly without loss of quality.
  • the apparatus incorporates a DVD reader which enables the quality of the audio/video componentry to be used to best advantage, with optical digital outputs for connection to the user's Hi-fi system.
  • the apparatus incorporates the functional capacities of an audio CD-reader and offers the facility to play compressed audio formats such as MP3 or OGG.
  • the multimedia television apparatus satisfies the above-mentioned need and at the same time overcomes the disadvantages referred to with reference to the prior art in the introductory part of the present description.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Computer Graphics (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un appareil de télévision multimédia (1) destiné à la commande et à l'utilisation d'une pluralité de fonctions multimédia (Fi). Cet appareil comprend une pluralité de dispositifs électroniques (Dj) et une unité de commande (4) permettant de commander au moins un dispositif de cette pluralité de dispositifs électroniques (Dj). Ledit appareil se caractérise en ce qu'il comprend également une interface graphique (7) destinée à l'affichage d'au moins une fonction multimédia de la pluralité de fonctions multimédia (Fi), ainsi qu'une interface matérielle (8) en communication avec la pluralité de dispositifs électroniques (Dj). L'interface matérielle (8) associe ladite fonction multimédia de la pluralité de fonctions multimédia (FI) affichées au moyen de l'interface graphique (7) à au moins un dispositif de la pluralité de dispositifs électroniques (Dj), chaque fonction multimédia de la pluralité de fonctions multimédia (Fi) pouvant être sélectionnée par l'utilisateur au moyen de l'unité de commande (4).
PCT/IT2003/000121 2003-03-04 2003-03-04 Appareil de television multimedia WO2004080068A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IT2003/000121 WO2004080068A1 (fr) 2003-03-04 2003-03-04 Appareil de television multimedia
AU2003217459A AU2003217459A1 (en) 2003-03-04 2003-03-04 Multimedia television apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IT2003/000121 WO2004080068A1 (fr) 2003-03-04 2003-03-04 Appareil de television multimedia

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WO2004080068A1 true WO2004080068A1 (fr) 2004-09-16

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WO (1) WO2004080068A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1689183A2 (fr) * 2005-02-02 2006-08-09 Xcrypt, Inc. Procédé de communication entre un terminal et une carte à puce et module d' interface correspondant

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DE20008098U1 (de) * 1999-07-16 2000-08-17 GlobalPatent consulting GmbH, 13503 Berlin Flexibles und portables Multimediasystem, bestehend aus einem transportablen Farbmonitor und verschiedenen steckbaren Modulgruppen
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JPH09102923A (ja) * 1995-10-05 1997-04-15 Sony Corp 電子機器、表示方法、および信号復号方法
US20010038392A1 (en) * 1997-06-25 2001-11-08 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Browser based command and control home network
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US20010007455A1 (en) * 1999-12-27 2001-07-12 Jea-Yong Yoo Method of menu-driven control of an external connected device in an audio/video apparatus

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1689183A2 (fr) * 2005-02-02 2006-08-09 Xcrypt, Inc. Procédé de communication entre un terminal et une carte à puce et module d' interface correspondant
EP1689183A3 (fr) * 2005-02-02 2008-12-03 Xcrypt, Inc. Procédé de communication entre un terminal et une carte à puce et module d' interface correspondant

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