Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-11
2001-05-08
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2773)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000, C345S215000, C707S793000, C707S793000, C709S217000, C709S219000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06229532
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a system for accessing the Internet, and particularly to a method and apparatus for building a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) menu in an Internet television system.
2. Discussion of the Background Art
Internet television systems are rapidly producing an alternative way of accessing the Internet. Television viewers, demanding entertainment and informational resources beyond cable broadcasting and video cassettes, are discovering that the Internet satisfies this need. Internet televisions systems offer technology that takes advantage of packet-switched information in the form of web pages available from wide-area networks in HTML or MPEG formats.
Internet television appeals to many consumers because it is less expensive and requires less technical sophistication than standard methods of accessing the Internet through a personal computer. Integration of Internet access resources with a television receiver also is more convenient than relying on a personal computer. Many potential users of the Internet who do not possess personal computers, or who are intimidated by the perceived technical skill involved in operating a personal computer, but who desire to use various Internet services (e.g., e-mail), are otherwise eliminated from this market. Moreover, from the standpoint of market suppliers, any increase in market share translates into further demand for innovative content and hardware devices. Commercial advertisers obtain another medium to impress their product on the public consciousness.
An Internet television system does not require complicated PC hardware and software such as a separate browser, a separate monitor, and a computer keyboard, to access the Internet. Typically, all of the accessing functions are performed within a set top box placed on top of the television. This set top box is connected directly to the television, and a remote control device typically controls the set top box with signals transmitting in the infrared or radio frequency bands. Memory within the set top box is typically less than required for a personal computer, and the operating system for the processor in the set top box is greatly simplified. The user does not have to purchase a separate video monitor, thereby reducing parts and consequent expense of the Internet access system.
One issue that arises is how to best control functions of a set top box to enter URLs. A URL is an address for accessing a site on a network or the Internet. While it is possible to utilize a keyboard, this increases the expense and complexity of the system because a protocol must be established for transmitting control information from a keyboard to an infrared sensor or radio receiver. Another possibility is to include a mouse, joystick, or track ball on a remote control to enter control information. The user manipulates the mouse or track ball over particular words, letters or icons on the television screen, and enters them with a button on the remote. However, it is difficult to accurately control a cursor position on a television display screen by indexing a mouse or track ball.
Thus, it is desirable to simplify access to the Internet using only a standard remote control device to select URLs, and to provide a simplified way of building URL menus in a set top box where great technical sophistication is not required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for building a menu of URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) to access Internet web sites. In the preferred embodiment, the URLs are stored in non-volatile memory of a set top box after accessing them from a remote server. A URL is divided into a plurality of fields, e.g. three. These fields are stored in separate databases within a server, and may be entered independently by the user into a separate URL menu selection within the set top box. The first field, called the “preamble,” includes a general address designation such as “www”. The last field, called the “postamble,” includes a general address type such as “.com”. The middle field contains a specific Internet site location such as “.Sony”. Each of these three fields is individually accessed from the server and separately stored by the user with a plurality of buttons on a remote control. These buttons may include a URL button, a select button, and four arrow key buttons. After a plurality of each of the URL fields are stored in the set top box, they are displayed in a respective list box either in the set top box, or on the television screen. Once these discrete fields are stored into the set top box, they are herein referred to as “menu items.” Selectable combinations of URL fields designated by the user then automatically access a desired web site.
A number of additional methods of obtaining URLs are further disclosed in addition to the technique of building user preferences, as discussed above. URLs may be obtained by keying on information in vertical blanking intervals of a television signal, such as close-captioning data, located between video frames. Another method involves keying on text fields in a current document to select a word or term that is then utilized as part of a URL for a web page. Finally, user input generates a history of previously accessed URLs. These embodiments also involve storing the captured URLs either in a non-volatile memory in the set top box or into databases on the server.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5774664 (1998-06-01), Hidary et al.
patent: 5790793 (1998-08-01), Higley
patent: 5818935 (1998-10-01), Maa
patent: 5907322 (1999-05-01), Kelly et al.
patent: 5918237 (1999-06-01), Montalbano
patent: 5929849 (1999-07-01), Kikinis
patent: 5977969 (1999-11-01), DiAngelo
Bayerl Raymond J.
Koerner Gregory J.
Simon & Koerner LLP
Sony Corporation
Thai Cuong T.
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