Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WO 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05 pCT/US00/33455
A METHOD AND SYSTEM ~'OR A BI-DIRECTIONAL TRANSCEIVER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of intelligent transceivers
such as bi-directional set-top boxes used by the cable television industry.
More specifically, the present invention pertains creating an interactive
display interface using a bi-directional transceiver. In one aspect, the
present
invention relates to a method and system for a bi-directional transceiver for
combining Internet information with video information to create an
interactive display interface.
BACKGROUND ART
Digital broadcast systems include direct broadcast digital satellite
systems, interactive World Wide Web ("Web") access systems, and digital
cable systems. Digital broadcasting provides a number of advantages to
subscribers, such as variety and flexibility of programming, useful and
comprehensive support services (such as detailed electronic programming
guides), and superior audio and video quality. The advanced electronics of
digital broadcast systems provides for a greatly increased number of viewing
choices. These choices include, for example, a much larger number of
channels to choose from, a much larger number of pay-per-view movies,
televised sporting events, music, and the like. Broadcasting often occurs 24
hours each day, on each channel, in a continuous fashion. The trend for
increased viewing
1
W~ 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05
PCT/US00/33455
choices is accelerating. As the amount of available bandwidth into a user's
home increases, the viewing choices available to the user proliferates.
There is a problem, however, in that the viewer has limited information
to assist in and organizing and utilizing the available AV choices and taking
advantage of their features. Many users have a limited amount time in order
to view their desired programming. For example, in a typical broadcasting
implementation, much of the premium content being broadcast is not available
"in the clear," or free of charge. For example, a premium sporting event
(e.g., a
boxing match) is broadcast using conditional access functionality to ensure
payment for the premium sporting event is received. The Conditional Access
(CA) function of a digital broadcast system allows selective access to
valuable
copyrighted programming. Such programming includes, for example, pay-per
view movies, premium sporting events, etc. Hence, users need to carefully
choose their desired programming in Light of, for example, their budget
requirements, viewing preferences, available programming, and the like.
Traditional viewing assistance guides have proven to be of limited value
to many users. One example is the traditional print based "television guide."
In its most primitive forms, the television guide is basically printed
information, page upon page, describing the content of the various broadcast
channels usually available in the user's area. In its slightly more advanced
forms, the television guide is electronically based, often transmitted along
with
the digital broadcast information on one channel of the cable television
station,
or on one channel of a satellite television network. The user scrolls through
the
television guide to determine what time a desired program is being broadcast.
The user then makes decisions regarding whether to make time to watch the
2
WO 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05 PCT/US00/33455
program, set a recording device to record program, or ignore the program and
hopefully view it at a subsequent broadcast time, etc.
Finding the correct information and/or the correct programming out of
all of the available information and programming, and determining whether the
desired information/programming is being broadcast at the desired time has
proven quite problematic for most users. As described above, the number of
available viewing/listening choices is proliferating. Many cable television
systems are capable of carrying a hundred channels or more. Satellite
television systems are often capable of providing 500 or more channels.
To take best advantage of the available viewing/listening choices, a
more modern method of presenting information regarding the broadcast data
and presenting information regarding the viewing/listening choices available
to
the user is required. A simple printed television guide is not sufficient.
Simply
browsing through pages of a printed guide, hunting for some program of
interest, is not an efficient or smart use of the capabilities of a modern
home
AV system. Even the more advanced electronically based television guides are
not sufficiently helpful. As is often the case, with such prior art electronic
programming guides, instead of browsing through printed pages of information
hunting for program of interest, a user is forced to browse through electronic
pages (often fuzzy images displayed on a television screen) hunting for
information.
3
W~ 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05 PCT/US00/33455
SUMMARY
Accordingly, what is required is a system for presenting information
regarding broadcast data available to a user with a home transceiver (e.g.,
set-
top box). What is required is a system for generating a comprehensive
interface which allows the user to efficiently analyze and sift through the
various viewing/listening choices available. The required system should be
capable of providing active assistance to the user in identifying choices of
interest. What is required is a system which can recognize user input as the
user identifies choices of interest and selects programming the user finds
interesting. The required system should be intelligent and be capable of
taking
predetermined actions based upon the user history, interests, etc. The
required
system should be intuitively obvious to use.
The present invention provides a novel method and system that
satisfies the above requirements. These and other advantages of the present
invention not specifically mentioned above will become clear within
discussions
of the present invention presented herein.
In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a bi-
directional cable television set-top box transceiver for seamlessly combining
Internet information with video information to create an interactive display
interface for viewing by a user. In this embodiment, the transceiver includes
a
single in-band tuner (as opposed to multiple tuners) for receiving an "in-
band"
digital broadcast signal and generating a data stream (e.g., an MPEG based
data stream) therefrom. The in-band tuner is coupled to an audio video decoder
for decoding the data stream into a resulting video signal (e.g., for display
on a
4
WO 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05
PCT/US00/33455
coupled television monitor). Tlie tr;~nsceiver also includes a cable modem for
implementing bi-directional communication using Internet protocols.
The operation of the in-band tuner, the audio video decoder, and the
cable modem is managed and coordinated by a CPU (central processing unit).
The CPU is a component having a digital processor coupled to a memory. In
this embodiment, much of the display interface generation is software based,
in
that much of the functionality embodied by the display interface is
implemented via software executing on the CPU. The memory stores the
software and provides the execution environment for implementing the
functionality of the interactive display interface generation process
performed
by the transceiver.
The display interface is generated such that it includes video information
from the video signal (e.g., a digital broadcast channel received via cable)
and
Internet information (e.g., a web page created specifically for the particular
digital broadcast channel) from the cable modem. The video information and
the Internet information are seamlessly combined into an attractive, intuitive
display interface (e.g., as seen by the user on, for example, the externally
coupled television). As the user interacts with the display interface, the
transceiver recognizes user input as the user interacts with, for example,
specific elements of the display interface with a remote control joystick or
buttons. The user input is transmitted upstream using the cable modem, and
the display interface is altered in accordance with the user input, if
required
(e.g., the user selects a new channel for viewing). Additionally, any
descrambling keys required for descrambling premium content (e.g., premium
sporting events, etc.) can be delivered via the cable modem.
5
WO 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05
PCT/US00/33455
In this manner, the transceiver of the present invention provides a
display interface which efficiently presents information regarding broadcast
data available to a user. By combining information from the Internet with an
actual video signal in a single display, the transceiver of the present
invention
provides a comprehensive display interface which allows the user to
efficiently
analyze and sift through the various viewing/listening choices available. For
example, the user is able to access an unlimited number of web pages
specifically tailored to each available viewing or listening choice.
The web pages would include information regarding programming
availability, cost (if any), program specific information describing the
actual
content of program (e.g., synopsis, summary, rating guide, etc.), or the like.
Since much of the functionality of the display interface is software based,
the
transceiver is capable of providing active assistance to the user in
identifying
choices of interest, and can recognize the user identifying choices of
interest
and display additional programming the user would find interesting. In so
doing,
the transceiver of the present invention is intelligent and capable of taking
predetermined actions based upon the user history, interests, etc., and is
intuitively obvious to use.
In an alternative embodiment, the transceiver includes both an in-band
tuner and an out-of band tuner for receiving digital broadcast signals. A
cable
modem is also included for providing bi-directional Internet connectivity.
6
W~ 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05
PCT/US00/33455
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not by way of
limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like
reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
Figure 1 shows an overview diagram of a transceiver in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a diagram of the elements of a display interface in
accordance with one embodiment of present invention.
Figure 3A shows an overview diagram depicting the relationship
between a transceiver and the broadcast means of a digital broadcast system
operator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3B is an illustration of the various frequencies associated with
the in-band signals and out-of band signals of the digital broadcast signal
and
the cable modem signal in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
Figure 4 shows a more detailed diagram of a transceiver in accordance
with one embodiment of present invention.
Figure 5 shows a block diagram of a transceiver in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention.
7
WO 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05
PCT/US00/33455
Figure 6 shows a more detailed block diagram of a transceiver in
accordance with yet another embodiment of present invention.
Figure ? shows a flow chart of the steps of an interactive display
generation process in accordance with one embodiment of present invention as
implemented using a transceiver in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
8
WO 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05 PCT/[JSO~/33455
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the
invention, a method and system for a bi-directional transceiver for combining
Internet information with video information to create an interactive display
interface, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred
embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the
invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to
cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included
within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough
understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of
ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without
these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures,
components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to
unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and
system for a bi-directional transceiver that combines Internet information
with video information to create an interactive display interface for viewing
by
a user. The present invention generates a comprehensive display interface
which allows the user to efficiently analyze and sift through the various
viewing/listening choices available. The display interface of the present
invention is interactive and is capable of providing active assistance to the
user in identifying choices of interest. Through the display interface, the
9
W~ 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05 PCT/US00/33455
transceiver of present invention can recognize user input as the user
identifies
choices of interest and selects programming the user finds interesting. In
addition, the transceiver of the present invention is intelligent and capable
of
taking predetermined actions based upon the user history, interests, etc., and
is intuitively obvious to use. The present invention and its benefits are
further
described below.
Notation and Nomenclature
Some portions of the detailed descriptions which follow are presented in
terms of procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolic
representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These
descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the
data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to
others skilled in the art. A procedure, computer executed step, logic block,
process, etc., is here, and generally, conceived to be a self consistent
sequence
of steps or instructions leading to a desired result. The steps are those
requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not
necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals
capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise
manipulated in a computer system. It has proven convenient at times,
principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits,
values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.
It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms
are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely
convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated
otherwise as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that
WO 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-os-05 PCT~S00/33455
throughout the present invention, discussions utilizing terms such as
"processing" or "computing" or "transmitting" or "encrypting" or "determining"
or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or
similar
electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data
represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's
registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical
quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such
information storage, transmission or display devices.
The Transceiver of the Present Invention
The present invention is described in the context of an interactive
display interface generated by an intelligent transceiver (e.g., a set-top
box)
that can be used as part of a bi-directional digital broadcast system.
However,
it is appreciated that the present invention may be utilized in other types of
devices, including consumer electronic devices, where it may be necessary to
generate an interactive display interface.
Referring now to Figure 1, an overview diagram of a transceiver 300 in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown.
Transceiver 300 includes a single in-band tuner 101, a demodulator 102, an AV
(audio video) decode block 103, a cable modem 104, and a CPU 360. The in-
band tuner 101 is coupled to receive a digital broadcast signal 370. The cable
modem 104 is coupled to receive and transmit Internet protocol signal 371.
Transceiver 300 is also coupled to a television 375. In this embodiment,
digital
broadcast signal 370 and Internet protocol signal 371 are both transmitted via
a coaxial cable 372. Additionally, in this embodiment, the A/V decode block
103
includes functionality for descrambling the incoming digital broadcast signal
11
W~ 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05 pCT/US00/33455
370. In this embodiment, transceiver 300 is used to implement a cable
television set-top box.
It should be appreciated that in the present embodiment, transceiver
300 includes a single in-band tuner 101, however, in other embodiments (e.g.,
transceiver 600 of Figure 6), additional tuners can be included to receive
additional signals (e.g., out-of band tuner 402 of Figure 6).
In accordance with present embodiment, transceiver 300 implements a
bi-directional interactive display interface for viewing by a user via
television
3?5. The display interface implemented by transceiver 300 is bi-directional in
the sense that downstream information is received via digital broadcast signal
370 and via Internet protocol signal 371 from, for example, the cable
television
service provider, and information is received from the user and transmitted
upstream back to, for example, the cable television service provider, via the
cable modem 104.
Referring still to Figure 1, the display interface transmitted to and
displayed on television 375 functions in part as a seamless combination of
Internet information and video information that provides the user with an
efficient guide that assists the user in identifying programming choices of
interest and associated information. In this embodiment, the in-band tuner
101 functions by tuning and receiving the digital broadcast signal 370.
Digital
broadcast signal 370 is demodulated into a scrambled data stream using the
coupled demodulator 102. The data stream is scrambled to prevent
unauthorized access and to implement a conditional access system. The
scrambled data stream is received by AV decode block 103 where it is
12
WO 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05 PCT/US00/33455
descrambled and decoded into, fc~r example, an MPEG based data stream. In
this embodiment, AV decode block 103 further processes the data stream
signal into a display signal compatible for display on the coupled television
375.
The transceiver 300 also includes a cable modem 104 for implementing
bi-directional communication using Internet protocols. Cable modem 104 uses
well known Internet protocols for both transmitting information upstream via
a coaxial cable 372 and for receiving downstream information (e.g., via
Internet
protocol signal 371). Cable modem 104 is coupled to CPU 360, thereby
allowing software programs (e.g., Web browsers) hosted on CPU 360 to access
and interact with Web sites on the Internet.
The operation of the in-band tuner 101, the demodulator 102, the AV
decode block 103, and the cable modem 104 is managed and coordinated by
CPU 360. The CPU 360 is a component having a digital microprocessor 430
coupled to a memory 420. In this embodiment, much of the display interface
generation of the present invention is software based, in that much of the
functionality embodied by the display interface is implemented via software
executing on the CPU 360. For example, the memory 420 stores the software
and provides the execution environment for implementing the functionality of
the interactive display interface generation process performed by the
transceiver 300. Additionally, any descrambling keys required for
descrambling premium content (e.g., premium sporting events, etc.) can be
delivered via the cable modem 104.
Referring still to Figure 1, the display interface is generated such that it
includes video information from the video signal (e.g., a digital broadcast
signal
13
W~ 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05 PCT/US00/33455
370 received via cable 372) and Internet information (e.g., a web page created
specifically for the particular digital broadcast channel) from the cable
modem
104. The video information and the Internet information are seamlessly
combined into an attractive, intuitive display interface. The display
interface
is seen by the user on the display (e.g., the TV screen) of the coupled
television
375.
Referring now to Figure 2, a diagram showing the elements of a display
interface 376 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is
shown. As described above, in this embodiment, display interface 376 is seen
by the user on the screen of television 375.
In the present embodiment, display interface 376 includes five elements:
electronic programming guide information 381, search engine 382, email 383,
video information 384, and web page 385. Elements 381-385 function in part
by combining information from the Internet with information from the digital
broadcast signal to provide the user with a seamless, interactive, display of
information regarding the content being displayed on television 375.
For example, the electronic programming guide information 381 provides
a list of available programming identified by channel and time. Search engine
382, provides a search ability that allows the user to, for example, search
for
specific programming by subject, title, content, etc. Video information 384
shows the actual video of, for example, the currently selected channel being
viewed by the user. Web page 385 shows a specific web page corresponding to,
for example, the program being broadcast on the currently selected channel in
the video information "window" 384. Email 383 shows, for example, a list of
14
V~~ 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05 pCT/US00/33455
the most currently transmitted or received e-mails of the user, or an e-mail
message currently being edited.
Refernng still to Figure 2, in the present embodiment, the user interacts
with display interface 376 via, for example, a cursor controlled with a remote
control (not shown), or alternatively, via buttons on the remote control or
remote keyboard. The user interacts with the display interface 376 by
selecting and actuating the various elements 381-385 or portions thereof As
the user interacts with the display interface 376, the transceiver 300
recognizes the user input. The user input is transmitted upstream using the
cable modem 104, and the display interface is altered in accordance with the
user input, if required (e.g., the user selects a new channel for viewing in
video
information window 384, the user selects a new e-mail message in e-mail
window 383, the user selects a new web page for a new program in web page
window 385, etc.).
In this manner, transceiver 300 of the present invention provides a
display interface 376 which efficiently presents information regarding
broadcast data available to the user. By combining information from the
Internet (e.g., elements 381-383 and element 385) with an actual video signal
(e.g., video information window 384) in a single display, transceiver 300 of
the
present embodiment provides a comprehensive display interface 376 which
allows the user to efficiently analyze and sift through the myriad of various
viewing/listening choices available. For example, the user is able to access
an
unlimited number of web pages (e.g., web page window 385) specifically
tailored
to each available viewing or listening choice.
CA 02393946 2002-06-05
WO 01/50740 PCT/US00/33455
In addition, as a method of enhancing the information from the
electronic programming guide window 381, the web pages viewable in web page
window 385 can include numerous types of specific information regarding
programming availability, cost (if any), program specific information
describing
the actual content of program (e.g., synopsis, summary, rating guide, etc.),
or
the like. For example, due to the nature of the Internet, the most popular
programs often have dozens of Internet sites related to their respective
content (e.g., official web sites, fan based web sites, etc.).
As another added benefit over conventional electronic programming
guide information, the display interface of transceiver 300 can provide
"active"
assistance to the user. Transceiver 300 can be described as being
°'intelligent,"
in that much of the functionality of transceiver 300 and of display interface
376 is software based. As such, transceiver 300 is capable of providing active
assistance to the user, for example, by identifying programming choices of
interest, and recognizing the user's history of identifying choices of
interest and
displaying additional programming the user would be likely to find interesting
(based on that history). In so doing, transceiver 300 of the present invention
is
intelligent and capable of taking predetermined actions based upon the user's
history, interests, etc.
Figure 3A shows an overview diagram depicting the relationship of
transceiver 300 to the broadcast means of the digital broadcast system
operator (also referred to as a Multiple System Operator, MSO). As depicted in
Figure 3A, digital broadcast signal 370 and Internet protocol signal 371 can
be
delivered to transceiver 300 using any of the various mechanisms currently in
use or envisioned, such as a terrestrial line (e.g., a coaxial cable 372), a
wireless
16
WO 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05 PCT/US00/33455
transmission (e.g., a satellite '~roac'~cast or terrestrial broadcast), or the
like.
This is depicted in Figure 3A, for example, as digital broadcast signal 370a
from
internet/cable 391 and digital broadcast signal 370b from
satellite/terrestrial
broadcast 392.
Figure 3B is an illustration of the various frequencies associated with
the in-band signals and out-of band signals of the digital broadcast signal
and
the cable modem signal (e.g., the Internet protocol signal) in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the frequencies
in the range of approximately 5-42 MHz are known as "upstream" signals, and
the frequencies in the range of approximately 54-860 MHz are known as
"downstream" signals. Within the upstream range, the range of frequencies
from approximately 5-26 MHz are known as "out-of band (00B) upstream"
and the range from 27-42 MHz are known as "in-band upstream," or "cable
modem upstream." Within the downstream range, the range of frequencies
from approximately 70-130 MHz are known as "out-of band downstream" with
the remainder being in-band downstream.
With regard to transceiver 300, only in-band signals (upstream and
downstream) are transmitted and received. Additionally, upstream
communication is primarily handled by the cable modem 104. However, in
other embodiments (e.g., transceiver 600 of Figure 6) both in-band signals and
out-of band signals can be used.
Figure 4 shows a more detailed diagram of a transceiver 400 (e.g., a set-
top box) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the
present embodiment, transceiver 400 includes a front-end block 310 coupled to
17
WD 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05 pCT/US00/33455
bus 305, interface card 330 coupled to front-end block 310 and bus 305,
audio/video (A/~ decode block 340 coupled to interface card 330 and bus 305,
graphics block 350 coupled to A/V decode block 340 and bus 305, and central
processing unit 360 coupled to bus 305. Interface card 330, also referred to
as
a point of deployment (POD), is adapted to receive smart card 325.
Transceiver 400 is substantially similar to transceiver 300 of Figure 1,
however transceiver 400 of Figure 4 depicts the internal components in greater
detail. Transceiver 400 receives digital broadcast signal 370 and Internet
protocol signal 371 via a separate front end block 310 and is transmitted to
interface card 330 for descrambling and subsequent transmission to A/V
decode block 340.
Referring still to Figure 4, in the present embodiment, front-end block
310 contains one or more tuners for receiving digital broadcast signal 370.
For
example, in one embodiment, front-end block 310 contains a single "in-band"
tuner for receiving in-band digital broadcast signals and a cable modem (e.g.,
cable modem 104) for receiving Internet protocol signals, or alternatively a
telephone type device (e.g., digital subscriber line) similarly allowing
connection
to be made to the World Wide Web so that Internet information or even
broadcast signals can be received via the Internet. In another embodiment,
front-end block 310 contains a tuner for receiving a wireless transmission
(e.g.,
a satellite broadcast) and another tuner for receiving a cable transmission.
Smart card 325 stores information (e.g., information from the cable
head-end) needed by a cable system operator or digital broadcast system
operator (e.g., a Multiple System Operator, MSO) in order to bill a subscriber
18
WO 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05 PCT/US00/33455
for services used by the subscriber (for example, the viewing of a pay-per-
view
movie or event). Typically, smart card 325 also includes a key that is used to
descramble digital broadcast signal 370 (if the signal is scrambled). In the
present embodiment, smart card 325 is inserted into interface card 330;
however, it is appreciated that in other embodiments smart card 325 may be
coupled in a different manner to intelligent transceiver 300 (for example, it
may be inserted into either front-end block 310 or A/V decode block 340).
Using the key from smart card 325, interface card 330 descrambles digital
broadcast signal 370.
Because digital broadcast signal 370 is often scrambled to protect
valuable copyrighted information included in the signal, the resulting data
stream is encrypted in order to prevent its unauthorized use and duplication.
In the present embodiment, interface card 330 contains an encryption unit
(not shown) that encrypts digital broadcast signal 370. In one embodiment,
the encryption unit uses a well-known DES ECB (Data Encryption Standard
Electronic Code Book) encryption routine and a key length of 56 bits.
However, it is appreciated that other well-known and commercially available
encryption routines and different key lengths may be used in accordance with
the present invention.
In the present embodiment, A/V decode block 340 is an integrated
circuit device comprising a functional block and a encryption unit 345
integrated therein. Encryption unit 345 is integral with A/V decode block 340
(that is, as a single integrated circuit, or "chip") and coupled to front-end
block
310 via interface card 330. In this embodiment, the link between interface
card 330 and A/V decode block 340 (specifically, encryption unit 345) is
19
WO 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-os-05 pCT/US00/33455
separate from bus 305; that is, there is a direct connection between interface
card 330 and encryption unit 345 that bypasses bus 305. Encryption unit 345
decrypts an encrypted signal (e.g., digital broadcast signal 370) received by
A/V
decode block 340. The output of encryption unit 345 is a decrypted digital
signal that is "in the clear." The signal in the clear is transmitted within
A/V
decode block 340 for decoding. To preserve security, the clear signal is
encrypted by encryption unit 345 prior to transmission outside of A/V decode
block 340.
In this manner, transceiver 400 provides a secure interface between
interface card 330 and encryption unit 345 and also between encryption unit
345 and A/V decode block 340, and thus between front-end block 310 and A/V
decode block 340. As such, transceiver 400 can prevent pirating of a
descrambled and decrypted digital signal.
A/V decode block 340 receives encrypted digital broadcast signal 370
from interface card 330, decrypts the signal using encryption unit 345, and
decodes the video content and the audio content of digital broadcast signal
370.
In the present embodiment, an MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) video
decoder and an AC3 (Digital Dolby) audio decoder are used; however, it is
appreciated that other video or audio decoders can be used in accordance with
the present invention. In addition, in one embodiment, A/V decode block 340 is
capable of handling video and audio analog signals.
Figure 5 is a block diagram of a transceiver 500 in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, point of
deployment (POD) 320 is separate from interface card 330, and smart card
CA 02393946 2002-06-05
WO 01/50740 PCT/US00/33455
325 is plugged into POD 320 ir..st~~ad of interface card 330. In this
embodiment,
however, smart card 325 contains a key for descrambling digital broadcast
signal 370, and this key is used by POD 320 to descramble digital broadcast
signal 370. POD 320 also encrypts digital broadcast signal 370 using an
encryption engine (not shown). Although POD 320 is separate from interface
card 330 in this embodiment, interface card 330 can still exist in transceiver
500.
Figure 6 is a block diagram of a transceiver 600 (e.g., a bi-directional set-
top box) showing additional details of the embodiments illustrated by Figure 4
and Figure 5. Table 1 is a list of the various elements and acronyms contained
in Figure 6.
Table 1
Elements and Acronyms of Transceiver Embodied in Figure 6
AVDAC Audio Video Di 'tal-to-Analo Converter
BTSC Broadcast Television Systems Committee
D-Cache Data Cache
DAVIC Di 'tal Audio/Video Interface Connector
DOCSIS Data Over Cable Service Interface S ecification
DSM Di lexer, Sputter and Modulator
DSP Di 'tal Si al Processor
DVD Di 'tal Video Disk
FAT Forward A lication Tuner
FPU Floatin Point Unit
21
WO 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-os-05 PCT/US00/33455
I/F Interface
IDCT Inverse Discrete Cosine Transform
Inst. Instruction Cache
Cache
Int. Cont.Interrupt Controller
MAC Media Access Control
MC Motion Compensation
MCNS Multi 1e Cable Network System
MIDI Musical Instrument Di ~tal Interface
MP@ML Main Profile at Main Level
OOB Out-of band
PCI Peri heral Com onent Interconnect
PCM Phase Control Modulation
PLL Phase Lock Loop
QPSK Quadrature Phase Shift Keyin
QPSKQA QPSK Quadrature Amplitude Modulation
M
RTC Real Time Clock
SLIC Serial Line Internet Connection
UART Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter
VBI Vertical Blanking Interval
VIF/SIF Video Intermediate Fre uency/Sound Intermediate
Fre uency
With reference to Figure 6, in the present embodiment, front-end block
310 receives a scrambled digital broadcast signal (e.g., digital broadcast
signal
370 of Figure 1) from a digital broadcaster via in-band tuner 401, OOB tuner
22
CA 02393946 2002-06-05
WO 01/50740 PCT/US00/33455
402 and/or MCNS FAT tuner 403. Front-end block 310 also receives an
Internet protocol signal (e.g., Internet protocol signal 371 of Figure 1) via
MCNS FAT tuner 403. The signals are received via DSM 610. Smart card
325 includes a keyto descramble the digital broadcast signal. It is
appreciated
that Figure 4 shows some elements from the embodiments illustrated by
Figures 1, 4, and 5. In the case of the embodiment illustrated by Figure 4,
smart card 325 is inserted into interface card 330, and interface card 330
descrambles and encrypts the digital broadcast signal. In the case of the
embodiment illustrated by Figure 5, smart card 325 is plugged into POD 320.
In this latter embodiment, the descrambling and encrypting functions are
performed in POD 320, and so these functions are bypassed in interface card
330.
MCNS FAT tuner 403 is used implement the cable modem functionality
of front-end block 310. MCNS FAT tuner 403 functions in substantially the
same manner as cable modem 104 of Figure 1.
Continuing with reference to Figure 6, the encrypted digital signal is
delivered to A/V decode block 340 via interface card 330. In the present
embodiment, decryption engine 345 is integrated into demultiplexer ("demux")
410, which is itself integrated into A/V decode block 340. Decryption engine
345 contains an decryption engine for decrypting digital broadcast signal 370.
Decryption engine 345 is integral with A/V decode block 340 and is coupled to
front-end block 310 via interface card 330. Decryption engine 345 decrypts an
encrypted signal (e.g., digital broadcast signal 370) received by A/V decode
block 340 via interface card 330. The in-the-clear signal is immediately
transmitted within the integrated circuit of A/V decode block 340 for
decoding.
23
CA 02393946 2002-06-05
WO 01/50740 PCT/US00/33455
The in-the-clear signal is not transmitted outside the physical block
comprising
A/V decode block 340 and decryption engine 345. In the present embodiment,
decryption engine 345 provides the interface between A/V decode block 340
and interface card 330. It is appreciated that in other embodiments integrated
circuit 345 may be integrated into A/V decode block 340 in some different
manner (that is, in a location other than demux 410) while still providing the
interface with interface card 330.
Continuing with reference to Figure 6, in the present embodiment, A/V
decode block 340 includes an MPEG decoder (e.g., graphics block 411) and an
audio decoder (e.g., AC-3 block 412) to decode the video and audio content of
digital broadcast signal 370. Graphics block 350 processes the audio and video
information received from A/V decode block 340. Central processing unit 360
contains a microprocessor (e.g., CPU core 430) and memory (e.g., instruction
cache 420) for processing information and instructions used by intelligent
transceiver 400.
Referring now to Figure 7, a flow chart of the steps of a process 700 in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Process
700 depicts the basic operating steps of interactive display interface
generation process as implemented in a set-top box transceiver in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention (e.g., transceiver 300 of Figure
1
or transceiver 600 of Figure 6).
Process 700 begins in step 701, where a digital broadcast signal is
received by transceiver 300. As described above, the digital broadcast signal
is
transmitted from an MSO. The digital broadcast signal (e.g., digital broadcast
24
WO 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05 pCT/US00/33455
signal 370 of Figure 1) conveys auc',io video content for display/consumption
by
a user on, for example, a coupled television (e.g., television 375 of Figure
1).
In step 702, the digital broadcast signal is descrambled using
descrambling circuits. As described above, the digital broadcast signal is
transmitted from the MSO in a scrambled form to prevent unauthorized
reception by "pirating" users. An authorized user can descramble the digital
broadcast signal using a key provided by the MSO. Depending upon the
particular transceiver embodiment, the descrambling functionality can be
included in an A/V decode block (e.g., transceiver 300 of Figure 1), or a
separate
interface card (e.g., interface card 330 of Figure 4).
In step 703, an Internet protocol signal (e.g., Internet protocol signal
371 of Figure 1) is received by a cable modem (e.g., cable modem 104 of Figure
1 or MCNS FAT tuner 403 of Figure 6) included in the transceiver. As
described above, the Internet protocol signal is used to convey a variety of
Internet based information. Such information includes, for example, e-mail,
electronic programming guide information (e.g., name of the program,
showtime, channel its on, etc.), Web sites, and the like.
Referring still to process 700 of Figure 7, in step 704, the transceiver
generates a display interface. As described above, the video information from
the digital broadcast signal and the Internet information from the Internet
protocol signal are combined into a single comprehensive display interface. In
one embodiment, the generating functionality is implemented via software
executing on a CPU block (e.g., CPU 360 of Figure 6) included in the
transceiver. The particular configuration of the display interface varies in
WO 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-os-05 pCT/US00/33455
accordance with the requirements of the user. For example, where the user is
interested in watching a particular video program, Internet information
related
to the video program (e.g., program synopsis, program ratings, etc.) is
combined into the interactive display (e.g., display interface 376 of Figure
2).
In step 705, the generated display interface is coupled to a graphics
block (e.g., graphics block 350 to Figure 6) included in the transceiver. The
graphics block processes the display interface data received from the AV
decode block and the CPU to generate a resulting video signal and audio signal
compatible with the coupled display device (e.g., television 375).
In step 706, the video signal and the audio signal generated in step 705
are coupled to the display device for viewing by the user. In so doing, the
display interface generated by the transceiver is "rendered" for viewing by
the
user.
In step 707, the transceiver recognizes any user input via the
interactive display interface. As described above, user input is recognized
via,
for example, the user interacting with the display interface by manipulating a
cursor controlled with a remote control, or alternatively, for example, via
buttons on the remote control or remote keyboard.
In step 708, as the user interacts with the display interface by selecting
and actuating the various elements or portions thereof, the resulting user
input
is transmitted upstream using the cable modem.
26
W~ 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05 pCT/US00/33455
In step 709, depending upon the particular input, the display interface is
altered accordingly. Such input can be, for example, the user selecting a new
channel for viewing in a video information window of the display interface
(e.g.,
video information window 384 of Figure 2), the user selecting a new e-mail
message (e.g., in e-mail window 383), the user selecting a new web page for a
new program (e.g., in web page window 385) and the like. For example, the user
can select an embedded "hyperlink" in the web page to obtain more detailed
information regarding the content in the video information window (e.g., to
obtain a biography of one of the program's stars, to obtain statistics on a
player in a sporting event, etc.).
Thus, the present invention provides a method and system for a bi-
directional transceiver that combines Internet information with video
information to create an interactive display interface for viewing by a user.
The present invention generates a comprehensive display interface which
allows the user to efficiently analyze and sift through the various
viewing/listening choices available. The display interface of the present
invention is interactive and is capable of providing active assistance to the
user in identifying choices of interest. Through the display interface, the
transceiver of present invention can recognize user input as the user
identifies
choices of interest and selects programming the user finds interesting. In
addition, the transceiver of the present invention is intelligent and capable
of
taking predetermined actions based upon the user history, interests, etc., and
is intuitively obvious to use.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present
invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description.
27
V~~ 01/50740 CA 02393946 2002-06-05 pCT/US00/33455
They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise
forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible
in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in
order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical
application. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the
Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
28
