WO2008065413A1

WO2008065413A1 - Set top box

Info

Publication number: WO2008065413A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/004594
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Donovan; Edmund Silvester
Original assignee: Simply Global Tv Limited
Priority date: 2006-12-02
Filing date: 2007-11-30
Publication date: 2008-06-05
Also published as: GB0624129D0; GB0907907D0; EP2135445A1; GB2456268A

Abstract

A set top box (1) has an electronic program guide and includes means for connecting to the Internet (7) for receiving programs and/or data.

Description

SET TOP BOX

This invention relates to a set top box for a television system.

According to the present invention there is provided a set top box having an electronic program guide and including means for connecting to the Internet for receiving programs and/or data.

Programs and/or data may be received by way of a predetermined website.

The set top box may be adapted to receive freeview and/or free satellite channels.

The set top box may additionally or alternatively be adapted to receive pay-per- view channels. The pay-per-view channels may be available on payment of a subscription at predetermined intervals.

The set top box may additionally or alternatively be adapted to receive programs from video-on-demand channels. The video-on-demand channels may be provided by way of the Internet. Video-on-demand channels may be accessed from a further electronic program guide following input by a user of a personal identification (PIN) number. Video-on-demand programs may only be accessed provided a user makes payment in advance, such as by having an account containing sufficient credit to cover the cost of a selected program. If a personal identification number is entered, but no activity is detected for a predetermined time the set top box may return to the first-mentioned electronic program guide. Once a video-on-demand program has finished the set top box may return to the first-mentioned electronic program guide.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a set top box according to the present invention forming part of a television system.

The present invention combines a number of different video technologies based around a set top box 1 , including a television 3, a remote control 5 and a broadband Internet connection 7.

The set top box 1 incorporates both a conventional satellite/terrestrial television receiver connected to an aerial and/or a satellite dish 9 and a modem for connecting to the broadband Internet connection 7. In this way the television receiver can receive free satellite or freeview television and radio channels or pay-per-view (premium) channels, while the modem can receive channels such as pay-per-view (premium) channels and video-on-demand programs. Selection of the desired source and program is by way of a customisable electronic program guide embedded into the set top box 1 and operable by way of the remote control 5. Customisation of the electronic program guide is effected by way of the broadband Internet connection 7 to a predetermined website 13 using a personal computer 11 or other suitable interface to the website.

The predetermined website 13 provides a means for registration of a new set top box 1 and administration of an account, but additionally provides a means for attracting new users, allowing potential users to purchase a set top box and to determine the nature of the programs that will be available to them. In more detail, the home page is designed as a central box with a number of satellite boxes around the central box. When one of the satellite boxes is clicked, further information opens in the central box. For example there is a box for new or prospective users to sign up to services. Sign up is effected in a number of stages with accompanying text to assist the user through the process. As part of the signing up procedure, the user selects his own identification (ID), password and personal identification (PIN) number. The user is also required to provide a valid email address, confirmation that the address is valid being ensured by the system sending an email to the address provided and requiring a reply to complete the sighing up process.

The predetermined website 13 also provides a means allowing a user to log in by providing his user name and password. This allows the user to progress to his account page, for example to add credit to the account. In the event the user should have forgotten his password, he can request that it should be sent to the registered email address. Other details of the account provided on initially signing up can also be updated at this stage.

The predetermined website 13 also provides a list of channels, including freeview, premium and adult channels and permits subscriptions to premium channels to be updated, for example by adding new channels and/or removing channels no longer required. Each channel, including freeview channels, may be selected or removed by way of a tick box adjacent to the channel name. The channels may be ticked by default and removing the tick, or subsequently adding a tick, may be used to remove or add the particular channel to the list of channels for that particular user.

Channels may be displayed to the user in a number of different ways. For example, they may be ordered automatically or the user may choose the order of display using up and down buttons.

The predetermined website 13 also provides a shopping cart where products (such as a set top box), subscriptions to premium channels and credits can be purchased.

When a user receives a new set top box 1 , he connects the box to the television 3 and to the broadband Internet connection 7 either by cable network or by providing a suitable wireless network. When the system is turned on, the set top box initiates the following set up procedure: The set top box 1 connects to the network and a router of the network issues an IP address and gateway by way of the DHCP.

The set top box then connects to the Internet 7 and establishes communication with the predetermined website 13.

The set top box 1 displays a welcome page on the television 3 by way of an electronic program guide.

The website 13 then sends various database queries to the set top box

1 , information for the electronic program guide, and checks the version number of the firmware stored in the set top box. If the firmware is found to be out of date, the set top box is upgraded to the latest version.

The set top box 1 then sends its serial number to the website database.

If the serial number is not identified as being registered to the particular user, the serial number and address of the predetermined website are displayed on the television 3 and the user is prompted to enter the details into the website database by way of a personal computer 11 or the like to link that particular set top box with that particular user. The user is prompted to restart the initialisation procedure once the details have been registered.

Once the set top box has been identified as being registered, the television channels and other options available to the user can be displayed on the television 3 using the electronic program guide. These may include, for example:

Freeview channels which can be selected by the user from a list and which may be received by way of the aerial 9 or by way of the broadband Internet connection 7. Pay-per-view (premium) channels which require a subscription, such as a daily, weekly or monthly subscription, which can be requested and paid for by way of the predetermined website 13.

Adult or like channels which require viewing credits, that is payment in advance, with viewing of the chosen channel not being possible unless there is sufficient credit in the user's account. A PIN number is required for browsing and viewing adult or like programs.

If there is no existing list of channels, the set top box 1 initiates a search for available channels. Otherwise a list of available channels is displayed by the electronic program guide.

As noted above, the predetermine website 13 includes a database which stores information about users and the channels available. One or more administrators have the right to interact with the database and can, for example, add new channels, perform maintenance tasks on existing channels, remove channels and view the account status of users. An administrator requires a user name and a password to perform such tasks.

The providers of the various channels have the right to monitor data relating to the use of the channel or channels provided by that particular provider, this being effected by way of a channel owner username.

As noted above, a channel can come from a number of sources. A channel is assigned a category, such as sports or entertainment, and has a number of programs which are scheduled at certain times within a stream. These details are all stored as part of the database. Selected details are made available to users by way of the predetermined website and/or the electronic program guide. The electronic program guide (EPG) is the interface presented to users by way of their television 3. The electronic program guide can be customised by the user and is available whenever required (on demand) by the user. Available channels can be selected by the user by way of the website 13: new channels can be added on-line and become available immediately. Credits can be purchased and added to an account on-line to view premium and adult channels. The use of an electronic program guide in this manner allows the appearance ("skin") of the guide to be readily changed and the particular appearance associated with any user is stored as part of the database.

The electronic program guide presents information to the user in a number of different ways. As will be explained in more detail, the electronic program guide presents freeview and premium channels under predetermined categories, such as Entertainment, Sport, Overseas, Premium and Kids. It also presents channels as an A-Z list. A channel, once selected using up and down controls, is listed in a time view, giving details of the program schedule including the channel name, current program and start time, referred to as a Planner, and showing the user what it showing at a particular time on a particular day. Future programs can be navigated using right and left buttons. The Planner optionally allows the user to use a built-in personal video recorder to record a selected program. The personal video recorder may optionally be available by way of the predetermined website to allow remote programming of the personal video recorder. However, the personal video recorder may not be available for premium or adult channels.

The electronic program guide additionally allows a user to view his personal details, including the credit status of the account.

Depending on the geographical location of the predetermined website (for example outside the United Kingdom) and the user, because the electronic program guide is served as web pages to the set top box 1 advertising material may be shown on the electronic program guide and may earn revenue for the service provider.

The remote control 5 has, in addition to conventional number buttons (0 to 9), left, right, up and down arrows, four colour buttons (red, green, yellow and blue) and a number of function buttons, such as Setup, Info, Back and Guide.

The function of the red and green buttons depends on the selected page of the electronic program guide. The yellow button provides a help function for the current page, while the blue button brings up the current program for the chosen channel and allows access to future programs for that channel.

The Setup button provides access to the settings for the set top box 1. For example, it displays the number of available credits, the current version of the electronic program guide and of the firmware, allows updating of the firmware, allows selection from a range of video modes and of audio modes, together with the amount of hard disk space available (where provided). The set top box can also be set to scan for and save available channels, including new channels, and then to re-boot.

The Info button brings up an information bar while viewing a particular channel. The Back button returns the user to the previous page, and the Guide button provides access to a list of categories (such as Entertainment, Sport, Overseas, Premium, Kids and A to Z) of channels dependent on the channels selected by the user. The up and down buttons are used to navigate to a desired category and OK to select the chosen category. Alternatively, the user can navigate directly to a chosen freeview or premium channel by entering the channel number, the number being displayed on the screen. If only one or two digits are pressed then the numbers displayed timeout after a predetermined time. When in the category display, the red button gives access to a program planner, the green button provides access to news, the yellow button provides a help function for current page, the function of the blue button depends on the selected page. While a channel is being viewed, the remote control 5 can be used to bring up an on-screen display showing the program that is being shown. By using up arrow and down arrow keys, the user can browse the current program on other channels and by using the right and left arrows the user can browse future programs on the channel being browsed. If no button is being pressed the onscreen display fades out. While viewing a particular channel, the user can press the Info button which displays additional information about the current program. The additional information fades out after 5 seconds.

The remote control 5 can be used with the planner of the electronic program guide by which the red button can be used to record a particular freeview or premium channel, while the blue button can be used to set a reminder.

Adult and like programs, and details of these programs, are accessed from the electronic program guide by clicking on a PIN services box and entering a PIN number and are in the form of video-on-demand programs which may be available from the predetermined website 13 or alternatively may be available by redirection to other websites. Each program is available on payment of a predetermined number of credits from the user's account. In the event the PIN number is entered incorrectly a predetermined number of times, access is denied until the user has logged in correctly and entered a new PIN number.

As with freeview and premium channels, adult program channels can be selected with an up or down arrow and an OK button. Before the program is played the user is prompted to press the OK button once again to confirm the selection. In the event of no activity for a predetermined time, for example a few minutes, the electronic program guide will log out of the PIN services and return to the normal guide. It will then be necessary to enter the PIN number once more to gain access to PIN services. Once the selected program has finished the electronic program guide logs out of PIN services and returns to the normal guide. When in PIN services, the green button of the remote control 5 provides access to a different (e.g., adult) news page, and the yellow button provides access to a specific help page. The guide button returns the user to the normal guide. Three further buttons are provided for video-on-demand programs. A Pause button pauses the program, an FF button moves the program fast forward, and a RW button rewinds the program.

Claims

1. A set top box having an electronic program guide and including means for connecting to the Internet (7) for receiving programs and/or data.

2. A set top box as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that means is provided whereby programs and/or data can be received by way of a predetermined website (13).

3. A set top box as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that means is provided to receive freeview.

4. A set top box as claimed in claim 1 , 2 or 3, characterised in that means is provided to receive free satellite channels.

5. A set top box as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that means is provided to receive pay-per-view channels.

6. A set top box as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the pay-per-view channels are available on payment of a subscription at predetermined intervals.

7. A set top box as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that means is provided to receive programs from video-on-demand channels.

8. A set top box as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the video-on- demand channels are provided by way of the Internet (7).

9. A set top box as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterised in that video-on- demand channels are accessed from a further electronic program guide following input by a user of a personal identification (PIN) number.

10. A set top box as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that video-on-demand programs can only be accessed provided a user makes payment in advance.

11. - A set top box as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that video-on- demand programs can only be accessed by having an account containing sufficient credit to cover the cost of a selected program.

12. A set top box as claimed in claim 9 or any claim dependent thereon, characterised in that, when a personal identification number is entered, but no activity is detected for a predetermined time, the set top box returns to the first- mentioned electronic program guide.

13. A set top box as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, characterised in that once a video-on-demand program has finished the set top box (1 ) returns to the first-mentioned electronic program guide.