Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-23
2001-02-06
Flynn, Nathan (Department: 2711)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C348S014160, C348S014160, C455S003010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06184878
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to information distribution systems generally and, more particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for interactively accessing information from the world wide web suitable for use in an interactive information distribution system, illustratively a cable television system or a video-on-demand system.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
The Internet is a global set of interconnected computer networks communicating via a protocol known as the Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The World Wide Web (WWW) is a fully distributed system for sharing information that is based upon the Internet. Information shared via the WWW is typically in the form of HyperText Markup Language (HTML) “pages” or documents. HTML pages, which are associated with particular WWW logical addresses, are communicated between WWW-compliant systems using the so-called HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP). HTML pages may include information structures known as “hypertext” or “hypertext links.” Hypertext, within the context of the WWW, is typically a graphic or textual portion of a page which includes an address parameter contextually related to another HTML page. By accessing a hypertext link, a user of the WWW retrieves the HTML page associated with that hypertext link.
Most user interfaces to the WWW are graphical in nature and, therefore, require a considerable degree of computational power. For example, WWW “browsers” from companies such as Microsoft® and Netscape® require relatively powerful personal computers running sophisticated operating systems. These personal computer systems are relatively expensive, hard to maintain and intimidating to consumers unfamiliar with computer interfaces.
Video on demand (VOD) systems have been developed that employ massive computing power for the interactive delivery of video information to subscribers using, e.g., cable television networks. A typical VOD system includes a high bandwidth forward channel for delivery of video and/or audio programming in a standard analog format (e.g., NTSC, PAL, SECAM) or a standard digital format (e.g., MPEG, MPEG2). A low bandwidth back channel allows a subscriber to interact with the video server to control video delivery options, such as video selection or other programming options. Newly developed VOD systems, such as DIVA Systems Corporation's On-Set interactive digital video service, provide subscribers with an easy to use on-screen user interface and, due to a high speed back channel, a low-latency interactive experience. However, such systems are designed to deliver interactive video and have not heretofore been used to distribute WWW information.
Therefore, a method and apparatus for interactively accessing information from the WWW suitable for use in an interactive information distribution system, illustratively a cable television system or a video on demand system, is seen to be desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a method and apparatus for interactively accessing information from the WWW suitable for use in an interactive information distribution system, illustratively a cable television system or a video on demand system.
Specifically, a video server receives, via a back channel, a request from a subscriber for an information page having an associated Internet protocol address. A computer associated with the video server provides access to the WWW via, e.g., a high-speed communication link. The computer retrieves the requested information page from an information source associated with the Internet protocol address, converts the retrieved information page into an MPEG-like information frame, and provides the MPEG-like information frame to the requesting subscriber via a forward information channel. In the case of a standard (i.e., non-MPEG-like) video on demand system, the information page and any associated menu structure is combined in a standard manner and coupled to the subscriber as, illustratively, an encrypted or unencrypted analog video signal.
In a video on demand system having a limited capacity user interface, an associated hypertext menu structure is provided to the subscriber along with the requested page. The computer generates the menu by parsing the retrieved information page to identify hypertext information structures. Identified hypertext information structures are mapped into a menu structure. The menu, and any optional navigation (i.e., browser) commands, are included within the MPEG-like information frame(s) provided to the subscriber.
In a video on demand system storing and disseminating information according to various storage and access optimization techniques, the MPEG-like information frame may be subjected to the appropriate techniques and stored in an appropriate format. In this case, the MPEG-like information frame is processed and stored in a video on demand mass storage medium prior to transmission via the forward information channel.
The computer is capable of identifying dynamic information structures within the retrieved information page, such as applets or moving images. Applets are executed by the computer such that the subscriber may dynamically interact with the applet and view the results as if the applet were running on a subscriber's set top terminal. Moving images, such as moving icons, graphics, advertising banners, audiovisual “clips” and the like are also provided to the user as part of an MPEG-like information stream carried by the forward information channel.
The computer includes caching and pre-fetch operations. In a cache mode of operation, the computer stores commonly-retrieved HTML pages, and pages waiting to be sent to a subscriber, in a high capacity memory unit as HTML source code or as video information. In a pre-fetch mode of operation, the computer retrieves the pages associated with the hypertext information structures identified during a parsing operation.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5884056 (1999-03-01), Steele
patent: 5961603 (1999-10-01), Kunkel et al.
Alonso Rafael
Pearson John C.
Burke William J.
Flynn Nathan
Sarnoff Corporation
Srivastava Vivek
LandOfFree
Interactive world wide web access using a set top terminal... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Interactive world wide web access using a set top terminal..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Interactive world wide web access using a set top terminal... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2610849