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WO2002047383A1 - Decodeur convivial interactif - Google Patents

Decodeur convivial interactif Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002047383A1
WO2002047383A1 PCT/US2001/024068 US0124068W WO0247383A1 WO 2002047383 A1 WO2002047383 A1 WO 2002047383A1 US 0124068 W US0124068 W US 0124068W WO 0247383 A1 WO0247383 A1 WO 0247383A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
video
companion device
digital media
media stream
video signal
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/024068
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ted Tsuchida
James Billmaier
Original Assignee
Digeo, Inc.
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 Digeo, Inc. filed Critical Digeo, Inc.
Priority to AU2001279115A priority Critical patent/AU2001279115A1/en
Publication of WO2002047383A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002047383A1/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
    • H04N21/43—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
    • H04N21/442—Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed, the storage space available from the internal hard disk
    • H04N21/44213—Monitoring of end-user related data
    • H04N21/44222—Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity
    • H04N21/44224—Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
    • 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
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/414—Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
    • H04N21/4147—PVR [Personal Video Recorder]
    • 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]
    • H04N21/42203—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] sound input device, e.g. microphone
    • 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]
    • H04N21/4223—Cameras
    • 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
    • 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
    • H04N21/47—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
    • H04N21/47202—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 requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
    • 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
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/4782—Web browsing, e.g. WebTV
    • 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
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/4786—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application e-mailing
    • 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
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/4788—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application communicating with other users, e.g. chatting
    • 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]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/83—Generation or processing of protective or descriptive data associated with content; Content structuring
    • H04N21/84—Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/76—Television signal recording
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/14—Systems for two-way working
    • H04N7/15—Conference systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N9/00—Details of colour television systems
    • H04N9/79—Processing of colour television signals in connection with recording
    • H04N9/80—Transformation of the television signal for recording, e.g. modulation, frequency changing; Inverse transformation for playback
    • H04N9/804—Transformation of the television signal for recording, e.g. modulation, frequency changing; Inverse transformation for playback involving pulse code modulation of the colour picture signal components
    • H04N9/8042—Transformation of the television signal for recording, e.g. modulation, frequency changing; Inverse transformation for playback involving pulse code modulation of the colour picture signal components involving data reduction

Definitions

  • the Field of the Invention relates generally to the field of interactive television systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to an interactive companion set top box (STB) that may be used in combination with a conventional STB to provide Internet access and other enhanced features, such as Video-on-Demand (VoD), Personal Video Recording (PVR), an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), and videoconferencing.
  • STB interactive companion set top box
  • VoD Video-on-Demand
  • PVR Personal Video Recording
  • EPG Electronic Programming Guide
  • videoconferencing videoconferencing
  • a set top box In the context of a cable television (CATV) network, a set top box (STB) is a device that selectively receives and decodes television signals for display on an external display device, such as an attached television set.
  • an STB includes a video tuner for receiving television signals on a selected frequency (e.g., channel).
  • the signals are encoded to limit access to legitimate subscribers using a technique called conditional access (CA).
  • CA conditional access
  • an STB also typically includes CA hardware for decoding/decrypting the signals when the subscriber is authorized to receive them.
  • Digital compression increases channel capacity over existing cable infrastructures and improves video and audio quality.
  • the most common digital compression format is MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group), variants of which include MPEG-1 , MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MPEG-7, and the like.
  • MPEG Motion Picture Experts Group
  • STBs a new generation of "digital" STBs has been developed for receiving digitally-compressed signals. Examples of such digital STBs include the Motorola DCT 2000 s STB and the Scientific Atlantic Explorer 3000 s STB.
  • the Motorola DCT ® series STB is believed to be the world's most widely deployed digital STB, with more than 5 million units in consumer homes.
  • a STB requires a cable modem, such as a DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) modem.
  • DOCSIS Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification
  • MSOs Cable system operators
  • Earlier-generation STBs also do not incorporate certain enhanced features, such as personal video recording (PVR).
  • PVR systems include TiVo ® and ReplayTV ® .
  • MSOs would also like to provide such capabilities without having to replace the installed base of earlier-generation digital STBs.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a standard set top box (STB);
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a standard STB interfaced with a first embodiment of an interactive companion STB;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a companion STB including a sensor for detecting a channel change;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a companion STB including an integrated microphone, speaker, and video camera;
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a companion STB in which a microphone, speaker, and video camera are integrated with a remote control device for the companion STB.
  • the present invention is directed to an interactive "companion" STB that may be used in conjunction with a standard STB, such as the Motorola DCT 2000 s , to provide Internet access and other enhanced features, such as VoD, PVR, and the like.
  • a standard STB such as the Motorola DCT 2000 s
  • the companion STB is a "piggyback" device that interfaces with a standard STB.
  • the companion STB relies upon the video tuner of the standard STB for tuning to a selected channel.
  • the companion STB need not include a video tuner of its own.
  • the companion STB relies, in one embodiment, on the conditional access (CA) features of the conventional STB for authorized reception of certain channels, such as premium (e.g., HBO ® ) and pay-per view (PPV) channels.
  • CA conditional access
  • the companion STB need not include CA hardware.
  • the companion STB includes a cable modem, such as a DOCSIS modem, for providing access to a communication network, such as the Internet.
  • the companion STB may include a DSL (digital subscriber line) or other type of modem.
  • the companion STB includes middleware and various client modules to facilitate Web browsing, e-mail, and the like.
  • the companion STB may also provide personal video recording (PVR) functionality, such as scheduled recording of television programs, automatic recording of television programs based on specified and observed user preferences, pausing (buffering) "live” video and the like.
  • PVR personal video recording
  • the companion STB includes a storage device, such as a hard disk drive, as well as encoding/decoding hardware and software, including electronic programming guide (EPG) software.
  • EPG electronic programming guide
  • the companion STB may include a microphone and/or digital video camera for facilitating two-way communication (e.g., teleconferencing or videoconferencing) with similarly equipped users.
  • the microphone and/or digital video camera may be integrated with the companion STB, itself, or with a remote control device for the companion STB.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a standard STB 102 that may interface with a companion STB of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates basic components of a standard STB 102 and is not intended to be an exhaustive description thereof. Various details known to those skilled in the art have been omitted for purposes of clarity.
  • the standard STB 102 typically includes an RF input 104, such as CATV "F" connector, for coupling the standard STB 102 to a head-end or other distribution node of a CATV network (not shown).
  • the RF input 104 is i in electrical communication with a standard video tuner 106, which selectively receives a signal ranging in frequency, for example, from 50 to 860 Mhz.
  • the signal includes a modulated/multiplexed digital media stream, such as an MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) stream.
  • the digital media stream may include a number of discrete audio/video "channels," which may be selected by a user by means of remote control device (not shown).
  • the video tuner 106 is coupled, in one implementation, to a demodulator/demultiplexer 108, which demodulates the signal and selects a particular audio/video channel for decoding by a decoder 110.
  • the decoder 110 may be embodied as a standard MPEG-2 decoder, which is well known in the art.
  • the decoder 110 is typically a special-purpose hardware unit that is able to provide relatively high frame rates when compared to software decoding by a general-purpose microprocessor.
  • the decoder 110 may also be configured to perform conditional access (CA) functions, such as limiting access to premium and pay-per-view (PPV) channels to subscribers who have paid for such services.
  • CA conditional access
  • PSV pay-per-view
  • the decoder 110 may be configured to decrypt an encrypted digital media stream.
  • a separate decryption hardware unit may be used.
  • CA techniques are well known in the CATV art and will not be discussed in detail here.
  • the standard STB 102 includes an audio/video (A ⁇ /) controller 112 that is in electrical communication with the decoder 110 to receive the decoded television signal.
  • the A ⁇ controller 112 provides audio/video output suitable for reception by a television set or a recording device, such as a VCR.
  • the A/V controller 112 includes graphics hardware for performing bit-block transfers (bit-blits) and the like.
  • the A/V controller 112 may be configured to display a graphical user interface (GUI) including menus, icons, selectable controls, and the like.
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • the GUI may be displayed separately or simultaneously with the television signal.
  • the A/V controller 112 may be coupled an RF output 114, such as a CATV "F" connector.
  • the A V controller 112 includes a remodulator for generating a modulated television signal on a particular channel, typically channel 3 or 4.
  • the A/V controller 112 may be coupled to a composite (RCA-type) video output 116, as well as left and right (stereo) audio outputs 118, 120.
  • RCA-type composite
  • left and right audio outputs 118, 120.
  • other types of outputs may be provided, such as S-Video, SPDIF, etc.
  • the standard STB 102 includes a channel indicator 122 for indicating the CATV channel being currently received by the video tuner 106.
  • the channel indicator 122 may be embodied, for instance, as three, seven- segment LED or LCD arrays for displaying channel numbers ranging from 0 to 999.
  • the standard STB 102 also typically includes an IR (infrared) receiver 124 for receiving commands from a remote control device (not shown). Such commands may be used to instruct the standard STB 102 to change channels, order pay-per-view (PPV) programming, and the like. Of course, other wireless technologies may be used, such as RF (radio frequency) or the like.
  • the standard STB 102 also includes a central processing unit (CPU) 126, such as a microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), or the like.
  • the CPU 126 executes software programs stored in a memory 128 to perform various tasks, such as displaying a GUI, processing commands received from a remote control device, and the like.
  • the CPU 126 controls the operation of the standard STB 102, including the various components and functions thereof.
  • the standard STB 102 may further include a bus 130 to facilitate communication between the CPU 126 and various other components of the standard STB 102.
  • a first embodiment of a companion STB 202 is shown in electrical communication with a standard STB 102, such as a Motorola DCT 2000 ® .
  • a composite video output 116 of the standard STB 102 is coupled to a composite video input 204 of the companion STB 202.
  • left and right audio outputs 118, 120 of the standard STB 102 are coupled to left and right audio inputs 206, 208 of the companion STB 202.
  • Such couplings may be easily performed by a end-user by means of conventional cabling.
  • the companion STB 202 may include other types of inputs, such as an S-Video input 207 or an SPDIF input 209, for coupling the companion STB 202 to the standard STB 102.
  • the companion STB 202 is also in communication with the standard STB 102 via a remote control simulator 210, such as an I R Blaster 1 " 1 , available from Sunbelt Industries Technologies Group, Inc.
  • An IR Blaster'" 1 includes an infrared (IR) transmitter that simulates a remote control device by generating IR commands for reception an IR receiver 124 of the standard STB 102.
  • the remote control simulator 210 may be attached via a wire to the companion STB 202, allowing it to be placed in close proximity to the IR receiver 124.
  • a wireless remote control simulator 210 may be used.
  • the remote control simulator 210 receives electrical signals from the companion STB 202 and generates corresponding IR commands for reception by the IR receiver 124.
  • the companion STB 202 may instruct the standard STB 102 to change channels, order pay-per-view (PPV) programming, or to perform any other function that may be accessed by a remote control device for the standard STB 102.
  • PSV pay-per-view
  • the remote control simulator 210 may also include an IR receiver configured to receive IR signals from the remote control device in order to "learn" which IR signals correspond to various commands. Mappings between IR signals and commands may be stored in a memory of the companion STB 202 or of the remote control simulator 210, itself. Of course, a basic set of commands may be pre-programmed for the particular type of standard STB 102 in operation.
  • a remote control simulator 210 provides the companion STB 202 with effective control over the standard STB 102, without requiring expensive upgrades or retrofits.
  • One advantage of the present invention is that an end-user may easily interface the companion STB 202 with the standard STB 102 without the assistance of a CATV technician or the need to modify the standard STB 102 in any manner.
  • the companion STB 202 includes an NTSC decoder/ADC 209, coupled to the inputs 204, 206, 208, which decodes a composite television signal received from the standard STB 102 and converts the same into a digital signal using techniques well known in the art. Outside of the United States, a PAL or SECAM decoder may be provided.
  • the digital signal may be sent to an A/V controller 212, similar to the AN controller 112 of the standard STB 102, for generating an output signal for an external display or recording device, such as a TV or VCR.
  • the A ⁇ controller 212 is coupled to an RF output 214 and/or a composite video output 216 and left/right audio outputs 218, 220, although other outputs may be provided, such as an S-Video output 217 and an SPDIF output 219.
  • the companion STB 202 may also include an encoder 222, such as an MPEG-2 encoder, for converting the digital signal into an digital media stream.
  • an encoder 222 such as an MPEG-2 encoder
  • MPEG-2 encoder for converting the digital signal into an digital media stream.
  • Various single-chip MPEG-2 encoding solutions are available from manufacturers such as Fujitsu, IBM, VisionTech, and the like.
  • other video compression standards exist, such as JPEG, JPEG-LS, H.261 , and H.263.
  • the invention should not be construed as being limited only to MPEG.
  • the digital media stream may be sent via a bus 224 to a storage interface 226, where it may be stored in a storage device 228, such as a hard disk drive.
  • the storage device 228 may be used to provide personal video recording (PVR) functionality, such as scheduled recording of television programs, automatic recording of television programs based on specified and observed user preferences, pausing (buffering) live video, and the like.
  • a stored digital media stream may be retrieved from the storage device 228 by the storage interface 226 and sent via the bus 224 to a decoder 230, such as an MPEG-2 decoder.
  • the decoder 230 then decodes the digital media stream into a digital signal of a format compatible with the A/V controller 212.
  • Various single-chip MPEG-2 decoding solutions are available from VisionTech, C-Cube, and other manufacturers.
  • the companion STB 202 includes a cable modem 232 to provide access to a communication network, such as the Internet.
  • a communication network such as the Internet.
  • WWW World Wide Web
  • VoD Video-on-Demand
  • the cable modem 232 may be in communication with a head-end or other distribution node of the CATV network via an RF input 234.
  • the cable modem 232 may conform to various standards, such as DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface
  • a DSL (digital subscriber line) modem may be provided.
  • the CATV network is preferably in communication with the Internet, VoD servers, and other content sources.
  • the cable modem 232 demodulates an analog signal received from the
  • the companion STB 202 further includes a CPU 236 that is in electrical communication with the other components of the companion STB 202 via the bus 224.
  • the CPU 236 may be embodied in various forms, such as microcontroller, a microprocessor (e.g., an Intel ® x86 processor), a digital signal processor (DSP) or other device known in the art.
  • the CPU 236 performs logical and arithmetic functions under control of software stored in a memory 238.
  • the software is loaded into the memory 238 from the storage device 228 prior to execution.
  • the CPU 236 manages network protocols, such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), to allow communication via the Internet.
  • IP packets received via the cable modem 232 may include digital media streams, such as MPEG streams.
  • Such digital media streams may be stored within the storage device 228 or sent via the bus 224 to the decoder 230 for output by the A/V controller 212.
  • the memory 238 stores a number of software modules.
  • the memory 238 may include an operating system (OS) 240, such as Linux ® or Windows CE ® , which manages and provides system resources to the other software modules described herein.
  • the OS 240 preferably includes code for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) to facilitate interaction with a user.
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • the memory 238 may include various combinations of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM). For example, certain software modules may be loaded from the storage device 228 into RAM, while other software modules are pre-loaded into a flash programmable ROM.
  • RAM random access memory
  • ROM read-only memory
  • the memory 238 may include middleware 242, such as Liberate ® , to facilitate seamless interaction between the software modules described below.
  • the Liberate ® platform combines Internet content standards such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language), JavaScript, and Java with digital television standards, including DVB and ATSC. Additionally, Liberate ® integrates TV-based applications such as Electronic Program Guides (EPGs) and Video-on-Demand (VoD).
  • the memory 238 further includes a Web module 244, such as a Web browser, for providing access to the World Wide Web (WWW) component of the Internet.
  • WWW World Wide Web
  • Various Web modules 244 may be used, examples of which include Microsoft Internet Explorer ® , Netscape Navigator ® , and the like. Web browsers rely on HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) and other standard protocols to retrieve and display content hosted on Internet- based servers.
  • HTTP HyperText Transfer Protocol
  • the memory 238 may include an e-mail module 246, such as Microsoft Outlook ® or Eudora ® .
  • the e-mail module 246 allows a user of the companion STB 202 to send and receive e-mail messages using standard e-mail protocols, such as SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), I MAP (Internet Message Access Protocol), and POP (Post Office Protocol).
  • SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
  • I MAP Internet Message Access Protocol
  • POP Post Office Protocol
  • the memory 238 includes an EPG (electronic programming guide) module 248.
  • An EPG is a listing of television programs available via CATV network for a period of time and is typically arranged in a grid configuration with axes corresponding to channels and time slots. Programming information for the EPG may be retrieved by the EPG module 248 from the CATV network or the Internet using the cable modem 232. Techniques for generating an EPG are well known in the art, an example of which is shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,532,754, for "Background Television Schedule System," which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the companion STB 202 includes a storage device 228 for storing digital media streams.
  • the memory 238 includes a personal video recording (PVR) module 250 for providing PVR functionality, such as scheduled recording of television programs (e.g., digital media streams), automatic recording of television programs based on specified and observed user preferences, and pausing (buffering) live video.
  • the PVR module 250 is also responsible for retrieving a user-selected digital media stream from the storage device 225 for decoding and presentation to the user.
  • PVR PVR systems
  • the PVR module 250 is seamlessly integrated with the EPG module 248, such that a user may select a television program from the EPG for scheduled recording by the PVR module 250.
  • the memory 238 may include a Video-on- Demand (VoD) module 252 for receiving VoD programming.
  • VoD is an umbrella term for a wide set of technologies with a common goal of enabling individuals to select videos from a central server for viewing on a television or computer screen.
  • VoD can be used for entertainment (ordering movies transmitted digitally), education (viewing training videos), and videoconferencing (enhancing presentations with video clips).
  • Digital video streams may be compressed using standard protocols, such as MPEG-2, and broadcast using various infrastructures, such as a broadband CATV network, a satellite (DSS) network, or the like.
  • the companion STB 202 also includes an IR receiver 254 for receiving IR command signals from a remote control device (shown in FIG. 5).
  • a remote control device shown in FIG. 5
  • only a single remote control device is needed for both the companion STB 202 and the standard STB 102, since the remote control simulator 210 of the companion STB 202 sends any necessary IR commands to the IR receiver 124 of the standard STB 102.
  • other wireless receivers may be used, such as radio frequency (RF) receivers.
  • the companion STB 202 may further include a channel indicator 256, similar to the channel indicator 124 of the standard STB 102, to indicate the currently selected channel.
  • an alternative embodiment of the companion STB 202 is depicted as including an external sensor 302 for reading or detecting a change in the channel indicator 124 of the standard STB 102.
  • an IR command may not be successfully transmitted to the standard STB 102.
  • the companion STB 202 incorrectly assumes, for example, that the standard STB 102 has changed channels, the STB 202 could record the wrong programming.
  • the sensor 302 provides a feedback mechanism to indicate to the companion STB 202 which channel is being displayed by the standard STB 102, or at least whether a channel change has occurred.
  • the companion STB 202 may retransmit an IR command to the standard STB 102 the original command was not successfully received.
  • the sensor 302 is placed by an end-user over the channel indicator 124 of the standard STB 102.
  • the sensor 302 preferably includes an array of photo-sensitive elements, allowing it to read the channel displayed by the channel indicator 124.
  • the sensor 302 may be configured to determine merely whether the channel has been changed. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by detecting a change in luminosity over the entire channel indicator 124 or one or more segments thereof.
  • the companion STB 202 may be configured to detect a channel change (or the current channel) based upon information encoded within the vertical blanking interval (VBl) of the television signal received from the standard STB 102. In still other embodiments, the companion STB 202 may be configured to detect a channel change from information encoded within a digital media stream.
  • VBl vertical blanking interval
  • FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the companion STB 202 in which a microphone 402, speaker 404, and optional video camera 406 are included for facilitating teleconferencing and/or videoconferencing.
  • the microphone 402 may capture an audio signal and transmit the same via the cable modem 232 to a similarly-equipped user at a different location.
  • the companion STB 202 may receive an audio signal from another user and reproduce the signal on a television and/or the speaker 404.
  • the camera 406 may be embodied as a color or monochromatic digital video camera, which includes a progressive scan charged coupled device (CCD) array to deliver digital video of up to, or greater than, 320 x 240 pixels in 24-bit color, with 30 frames per second (NTSC) or 25 frames per second (PAL). Furthermore, the camera 406 may include an optical or digital zoom, as well as automatic white balance and automatic exposure features to adjust for lighting and scene content.
  • CCD progressive scan charged coupled device
  • NTSC frames per second
  • PAL 25 frames per second
  • the camera 406 may include an optical or digital zoom, as well as automatic white balance and automatic exposure features to adjust for lighting and scene content.
  • the camera 406 may also be used to capture still pictures. Such still pictures may be stored in JPEG, TIFF, GIF, or other standard image formats. The resolution of the camera 406 when used to capture still pictures may be greater than the resolution of captured video. Still pictures may be stored in the storage device 228 or sent via the cable modem 232 to users equipped to view the same.
  • video and audio signals captured by the camera 406 and microphone 402, respectively, are digitized by an ADC 408 and converted into a digital media stream by the encoder 222 before being sent via the cable modem 232 or stored within the storage device 228.
  • digital media streams received by the cable modem 232 may be decoded by the decoder 230 before storage in the storage device 228 or processing and output by the A/V controller 212.
  • the memory 238 may include a video/teleconferencing module 410.
  • a number of video/teleconferencing systems are known in the art, such as Microsoft Netmeeting ® , CUseeMe ® , and the like.
  • the video/teleconferencing module 410 may rely on various standard protocols, such as VoIP (Voice over IP) and MPEG to send and receive digital media streams via the cable modem 232.
  • VoIP Voice over IP
  • MPEG MPEG
  • audio and video signals captured by the companion STB 202 may be encoded by the video/teleconferencing module 410 using the MPEG format before being sent as digital media streams via the cable modem 232.
  • digital media streams received via the cable modem 232 may be decoded by the video/teleconferencing module 410 for presentation to a user.
  • the video/teleconferencing module 410 may utilize the hardware encoder 222 and decoder 230 in certain implementations.
  • the microphone 402, speaker 404, and optionally, the video camera 406, may be integrated with a remote control device 502 for the companion STB 202.
  • the remote control device 502 may include a radio frequency (RF) transceiver 504 for transmitting a captured audio/video signal to a similar RF transceiver 504 within the companion STB 202.
  • RF radio frequency
  • other wireless transmission techniques may be used, such as IR, VHF, UHF, and the like.
  • the RF transceiver 504 preferably modulates the video and/or audio information with a carrier frequency to enable transmission thereof to the companion STB 202 using techniques well known in the art.
  • the RF transceiver 504 may operate according to the IEEE 802.11a or 802.11 b Wireless Networking standards, the "Bluetooth" standard, or according to other standard or proprietary wireless techniques.
  • the RF transceiver 504 may include analog-to-digital (ADC) and digital-toanalog (DAC) converters, as well as other standard components, such as antennas, amplifiers, and the like.
  • ADC analog-to-digital
  • DAC digital-toanalog
  • the RF transceiver 504 of the remote control 502 may be configured to receive information from the RF transceiver 504 of the companion STB 202. For example, an audio signal may be received from the companion STB 202 and reproduced via the speaker 404. Thus, teleconferencing using the remote control device 502 is enabled.
  • the remote control device 502 may further include an IR transmitter 508 for transmitting IR commands to the IR receiver 254 of the companion STB 202 in order to control the operation of the same.
  • an IR transmitter 508 for transmitting IR commands to the IR receiver 254 of the companion STB 202 in order to control the operation of the same.
  • the remote control device 502 may use other wireless technologies without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
  • the RF transceiver 504 of the companion STB 202 is coupled to the bus 224, providing access to the encoder 222.
  • a captured video/audio signal is encoded via the encoder 222 before being transmitted by the cable modem 232 or stored in the storage device 228.
  • the companion STB 202 may further include a smart card interface 510 to allow read/write operations with an integrated circuit (IC) card, sometimes referred to as a "smart" card.
  • IC integrated circuit
  • Smart cards are capable of storing and executing instruction code and have greater memory capacity than conventional magnetic strip cards. Smart cards are currently becoming popular in e-commerce transactions, since they can be used to store cryptographic keys, digital "cash," and the like. Smart cards are also being used to store pictures, audio clips, and software updates.
  • the inclusion of a smart card interface 510 in the companion STB 202 enhances a standard STB 102 with a number of features, without replacement or retrofitting.
  • the companion STB 202 may be further embodied with additional interface devices and/or ports (not shown).
  • the companion STB 202 may be embodied with one or more USB (universal serial bus) ports 512, serial and/or parallel communication ports 514 for interfacing with peripheral devices, such as scanners, printers, facsimile machines, cradles for personal digital assistants (PDAs) and so forth.
  • USB universal serial bus
  • the companion STB 202 includes a network port 516, such as an RJ45 connector, with such standard network interface circuitry (not shown) for coupling the companion STB 202 to an Ethernet or other communication network.
  • the companion STB 202 may be further embodied with a telephone port 518, such as an RJ11 connector, with such standard telephony circuitry (not shown) for coupling the companion STB 202 to a telephone network.
  • the present invention offers numerous advantages not available in the conventional approaches.
  • the companion STB 202 enhances a standard STB 102 with a number of features, such as Internet access, e-mail, EPG, PVR, VoD, video/teleconferencing, and smart card access, without requiring replacement or retrofitting of the standard STB 102 or even servicing by a CATV professional.
  • Interfacing the companion STB 202 with the standard STB may be easily performed by an end-user. Accordingly, the useful life of the standard STB 102 is extended, resulting in a significant cost savings to MSOs.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Social Psychology (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif convivial (STB 202) qui confère des fonctions améliorées à un décodeur standard (STB 102), notamment l'accès Internet, vidéo à la demande (VOD), courrier électronique, guide de programmation électronique (EPG), enregistrement vidéo personnel (PVR), vidéo/téléconférence, et analogues, sans modification ou remplacement du décodeur standard STB (STB 102). Ce dispositif compagnon peut comprendre, par exemple, un modem câble (232), un dispositif de stockage (228), un codeur (222), un décodeur (230), un simulateur de télécommande, un capteur de changement de canaux, et divers modules de logiciels, notamment un navigateur Web (244), un client de courrier électronique (246), un client EPG (248), un module PVR (250), un module VOD (252), et enfin, un module de vidéo/téléconférence (410).
PCT/US2001/024068 2000-12-07 2001-08-01 Decodeur convivial interactif WO2002047383A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001279115A AU2001279115A1 (en) 2000-12-07 2001-08-01 Interactive companion set top box

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

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US25401100P 2000-12-07 2000-12-07
US60/254,011 2000-12-07
US81595301A 2001-03-23 2001-03-23
US09/815,953 2001-03-23

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WO2004040906A3 (fr) * 2002-10-15 2004-07-08 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Systeme d'enregistrement de radiodiffusion, appareil d'enregistrement, appareil de radiodiffusion et programme d'enregistrement permettant d'economiser l'espace de mise en memoire d'un support d'enregistrement utilise pour enregistrer des contenus
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EP1478172A1 (fr) * 2003-05-13 2004-11-17 Broadcom Corporation Décodeur câblé monopuce
US8732788B2 (en) 2004-05-21 2014-05-20 Broadcom Corporation Integrated set-top box
US8578434B2 (en) 2004-05-21 2013-11-05 Broadcom Corporation Integrated cable modem
US9560420B2 (en) 2004-05-21 2017-01-31 Broadcom Corporation Integrated cable modem
US8239914B2 (en) 2004-07-22 2012-08-07 Broadcom Corporation Highly integrated single chip set-top box
WO2007095355A3 (fr) * 2006-02-14 2009-06-04 Intel Corp adaptateur de communication numérique
US8392947B2 (en) 2006-06-30 2013-03-05 At&T Intellectual Property I, Lp System and method for home audio and video communication
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AU2008281625B2 (en) * 2007-07-30 2012-09-20 Sony United Kingdom Limited Transport stream module for digital television receiver
EP2026558A1 (fr) * 2007-07-30 2009-02-18 Sony United Kingdom Limited Module de flux de transport pour un récepteur de television numérique
KR101013649B1 (ko) 2008-12-02 2011-02-10 주식회사 씨제이헬로비전 케이블 방송통신 서비스 방법, 케이블 방송통신용 하이브리드 셋톱박스 및 미들웨어가 기록된 기록매체
WO2016071501A1 (fr) * 2014-11-06 2016-05-12 Nagravision S.A. Réception de contenu multimédia et gestion de commutation
CN114501078A (zh) * 2022-01-28 2022-05-13 广东博华超高清创新中心有限公司 一种基于web应用的节目编排实现方法及系统
CN114501078B (zh) * 2022-01-28 2023-11-24 广东博华超高清创新中心有限公司 一种基于web应用的节目编排实现方法及系统

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