Virtual channel system for web appliance, including interactive television

A virtual channel system for a web appliance includes an interactive television having a virtual channel memory disposed therein. The virtual channel memory includes data associated with at least one consumer selectable virtual channel. The data is an updatable Web page that is displayed when its associated virtual channel is selected. The interactive television also includes a user data input memory that includes user demographic information. The user demographic data can be used to customize the virtual channels available at the ITV. More specifically, the ITV system uses the demographic data to establish the virtual channels available to a specific consumer in accordance with the demographic information that he or she has input to the ITV system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to television systems.

2. Description of the Related Art

Televisions are ubiquitous, as are Internet computers. Currently, however, consumers typically purchase and use two separate systems to enjoy television and Internet access. Namely, consumers must purchase a television to watch television, and a computer to access the Internet. One result not only is that costs are duplicated and significant space is required, but also that undertaking both activities at once, in one room, can be difficult.

Moreover, the need for two systems burdens some consumers who, while familiar with operating a television and its remote control, might not be familiar with operating an Internet computer. Nonetheless, while perhaps not requiring comprehensive Internet support, such consumers can still benefit from advantages provided by simple, straightforward, intuitive Internet interaction. For example, many consumers might only desire easy access to a weather site or traffic site for obtaining up-to-date information before proceeding to work in the morning, without having to know a great deal about how to operate a Web browser. As recognized herein, it consequently would be advantageous to provide an Internet access appliance that is easy and intuitive to use, for instance one that could be used like a television remote control.

To the extent that attempts have been made to combine television with Internet features, the above-noted consumer needs have remained unfulfilled. For instance, in the system known as “WebTV”, preselected Internet pages are loaded once into a television during manufacture and never subsequently updated, with the preselected pages being accessible through the television using a computer keyboard with its attendant complexity. Since the pages are not updated, however, many Internet-related features such as up-to-date traffic, weather, and news, are not immediately available. Instead, the consumer must access a central site using one of the preselected pages, and then be redirected to a desired Web page. In terms of currently expected speeds of Internet access, this consumes an undue amount of time. Furthermore, it requires browser or browser-like operations that must be initiated by a consumer who might only wish to turn on the television and immediately access up-to-date information using the relatively simple TV remote control without further ado.

Still further, current systems provide the same preselected Web pages to all consumers. As understood herein, it would be advantageous to tailor, for each consumer, what Web pages are provided in a television to that particular consumer. In this way, a consumer is much more likely to gain useful and enjoyable Internet access than he or she would be able to gain otherwise.

Additionally, as mentioned above, in the above-mentioned WebTV system, a keyboard is required for user input to access Web sites. For television functions, however, consumers are accustomed to using a much simpler input device, namely, a remote control. Thus, existing systems that attempt to integrate television and Internet computers do not do so seamlessly, but rather require the operation of two separate systems that happen to be housed together and that require two separate input devices. This complicates matters for the consumer, and is confusing. The object of the present invention is to address one or more of the above-noted consumer needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An interactive television includes a television tuner and a virtual channel memory inside the television. The virtual channel memory stores Web pages associated with virtual channel numbers on the interactive television. The virtual channel numbers are selectable for display using the interactive television, and the Web pages are periodically received in the virtual channel memory. Additionally, the interactive television includes a user data input memory. The user data input memory stores user demographic information that is used to establish the Web page(s) stored in the virtual channel memory.

In another aspect of the present invention, an interactive television includes a television tuner and a virtual channel memory inside the television. The virtual channel memory stores Web pages associated with virtual channel numbers on the interactive television. The virtual channel numbers are selectable for display using the interactive television. Moreover, the Web pages are periodically received in the virtual channel memory.

In a preferred embodiment, the interactive television includes a user data input memory that stores user demographic information. Preferably, the user demographic information is used to establish the Web page(s) stored in the virtual channel memory. In a preferred embodiment, the user data input memory further includes user preferences that are also used to establish the Web page(s) stored in the virtual channel memory.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, an interactive television system includes a Web server, a television signal source, and an interactive television The interactive television receives information from the Web server and the television signal source. Moreover, the interactive television includes a virtual channel memory, and the virtual channel memory includes a computer page that has an associated virtual channel. The virtual channel is selectable to display the computer page using the interactive television.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a method for providing internet content via an interactive television system includes providing an interactive television that has a virtual channel memory. The virtual channel memory includes a Web page associated with a virtual channel. The Web page is periodically updated in the virtual channel memory. A consumer is able to select the virtual channel or a television channel for display on the interactive television.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially toFIG. 1, an interactive television (ITV) system is shown, generally designated10. As show, the system10includes one or more content providers12that provide various types of content to one or more Web servers14(only one content provider12and one Web server14shown for clarity of disclosure). The Web server14accesses a content database16for storage of data therein. The content on the Web server14can be any appropriate content, including but not limited to hypertext markup language (HTML) pages, .jpeg and gif image files, .avi and .mpeg movie files, audio files, streaming video, and so on.

In one preferred embodiment, the system10also includes an ITV system server18, which can be, e.g., a Sony Corporation Web portal. The ITV system server18can be a Web server computer that accesses a customer database20. As described further below, the customer database20can store customer or consumer profiles that can be used to tailor virtual channels to a profile. Essentially, a virtual channel is downloaded content that is given a number, like conventional TV channels, e.g., a channel number at the end of the sequence of available TV channels. A virtual channel, once its channel number has been selected by the consumer using a TV remote control device, is displayed as a Web page or series of Web pages on the below-described ITV. In one implementation, the content of the virtual channels is stored in memory that is on board the ITV and that is periodically updated via the Internet, or the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a conventional TV signal. In another implementation, the virtual channel content is stored remote from the ITV, e.g., at a Web server, and is streamed real-time to the ITV via a high-speed Internet access connection.

The servers14,18of the present invention can be implemented by any appropriate computer, such as Internet server computers, personal computers, laptop computers, mainframe computers, and the like. The servers14,18access software to execute portions of the present invention.

Plural consumer ITVs22(only a single ITV22shown for clarity) access the servers14,18via the Internet24. Also, each consumer ITV22receives television signals26from a source28of television signals. The source28can be plural broadcasters, or a cable television company, or a satellite dish, and so on. A conventional hand-held television remote control unit30can be manipulated by a consumer as the consumer views a display area32of the ITV22to input various selections to the ITV22in accordance with disclosure below. It will be appreciated that the remote control unit30is not a keyboard or keypad that is associated with a computer. Rather, it is a conventional remote TV control that has numeric buttons, up/down and left/right buttons, and a power button, as well as other buttons that might be conventionally provided on a TV remote control. The functions of the remote unit30can also be undertaken by conventional TV buttons on the lTV22itself. However, keyboards, keypads, motion-sensing (gesture) devices, and voice recognition input devices can also be used.

Now referring toFIG. 2, the ITV22is shown. While the embodiment below discusses an ITV22with a single housing that supports not only the display but also the microprocessor, virtual channel memory, and in general all of the electrical components shown inFIG. 2, it is to be understood that the term “interactive television” encompasses any apparatus that has a television tuner and the below-described virtual channel capability. For instance, the term “ITV” encompasses the single-housing television shown inFIG. 2, as well as a conventional television in combination with a set-top box that functions in accordance with the present invention. In the latter example, the set-top box might include, e.g., the microprocessor and memory discussed below.

As shown inFIG. 2, the ITV22includes a housing34that holds a conventional television tuner36. The TV tuner36receives the TV signals26and outputs them to a two-position switch42, which in turn is controlled by a user interface40to output a consumer-selected TV channel (in a first position) or virtual channel (in a second position) to the display32of the ITV22. It is to be understood that the user interface40can include an infrared receiver or other receiver for sensing remote control signals from the remote control30. Also, the user interface40can include a visual portion, such as but not limited to a cursor that can be moved, by means of the remote control30, across an electronic channel guide, Web page icon, and so on that are presented on the display32, to enable a consumer to select a channel for display.

As mentioned above, not only can a consumer select a TV channel, but a virtual channel as well. In accordance with the present invention, a “virtual channel” is not a TV channel per se, but rather a Web-based channel that can be stored in a memory or other data storage44in the housing34. That is, the memory or other data storage44can be computer memory, or a hard disk drive, optical drive, solid state storage, tape drive, or any other suitable data storage medium.

A microprocessor46is also supported in the housing34to execute the logic steps set forth below, with the microprocessor46, memory44, TV tuner36, and switch42all being accessible via an internal data bus47. The microprocessor46assigns channel numbers to virtual channels or otherwise maintains a table of channel numbers versus TV channels and virtual channels. Accordingly, when, for instance, an electronic channel guide is displayed on the display32of the ITV22, the virtual channels are listed, typically at the end of the guide after the conventional TV channels, by channel number and by name.

Alternatively, the virtual channels can be stored in a location remote from the ITV22, e.g., they can be stored at the ITV system server18, for display of the channels (upon consumer selection thereof) real-time via the Internet (or other network) when data transfer rates are sufficiently high to support such real-time transfer. In any case, the ITV22includes a modem48that communicates with the Internet24. The modem48can be a cable modem, conventional twisted pair wire modem, DSL, wireless modem, or other appropriate communication device. It is to be understood that a single high data rate cable (e.g., either wire or optical fiber) can be provided to carry both Internet data and TV signals.

In any case, the modem48outputs a signal to a mixer49, which can mix the Web-based signal from the modem48with related signals from the TV tuner36. For instance, if a virtual channel of a cable newscast is selected, the Webbased content can be combined with an actual broadcast newscast from the associated news station for simultaneous display of the newscast in a window of the virtual channel. The signal from the mixer49is sent to the switch42and thence to the display32when the user selects a virtual channel. The mixer49can be established by a “Geode” chip made by National Semiconductor. As mentioned above, one or more of the microprocessor46, memory44, modem48, mixer49, and switch42can be housed in a set-top box that is electrically connected to a separate television housing which houses the tuner36and display32.

It may now be appreciated that the microprocessor46controls the functions of the ITV22in accordance with the logic below. The flow charts herein illustrate the structure of the logic modules of the present invention as embodied in computer program software. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the flow charts illustrate the structures of logic elements, such as computer program code elements or electronic logic circuits, that function according to this invention. Manifestly, the invention is practiced in its essential embodiment by a machine component that renders the logic elements in a form that instructs a digital processing apparatus (that is, a computer or microprocessor) to perform a sequence of function steps corresponding to those shown. Internal logic could be as simple as a state machine.

In other words, the present logic may be established as a computer program that is executed by a processor within, e.g., the present microprocessors/servers as a series of computer-executable instructions. In addition to residing on hard disk drives, these instructions may reside, for example, in RAM of the appropriate computer, or the instructions may be stored on magnetic tape, electronic read-only memory, or other appropriate data storage device.

Now referring toFIG. 3, the overall logic can be seen. Commencing at block50, real time TV signals26are received at the tuner36. Assuming the ITV22is energized, at block52consumer channel selections are received by means of the user interface40, and these channel selections are available to the microprocessor46. Based on the selections, the microprocessor46controls the switch42to display the selected TV channel or virtual channel at block54.

When a virtual channel is selected, the microprocessor46retrieves the associated Web page from the memory44for display of the channel. When the content of the virtual channel is stored at a Web server14that is remote from the ITV22(when, for instance, the lTV22has high speed Internet access), the microprocessor46retrieves the associated Web page directly from the particular server for display of the channel. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment the ITV22can directly access Web servers14other than the ITV system server18.

In accordance with the present invention, the virtual channels are not simply Web pages that remain static for the life of the ITV22. Instead, they are periodically updated as the underlying Web pages on the respective Web servers14are updated. Accordingly, the logic moves from block54to block56wherein a DO loop is entered at either one or both of the Web server14and ITV system server18. This DO loop can be entered periodically, or it can be entered in response to a user-induced or automatically induced command from the microprocessor46, sent via the Internet24.

At decision diamond58, it is determined, for each virtual channel, whether an update at the corresponding Web site has occurred. The determination at decision diamond58can be made by the server14/18, assuming the server knows the current content of the virtual channels of the ITV22(normally the case when the virtual channels are stored at a server remote from the ITV), or it can be made by the microprocessor46(normally the case when the virtual channels are stored in the local memory44). For instance, the server14/18can send information pertaining to the update to the microprocessor46, which can then determine whether the memory44stores the latest version of the virtual channel under test. If it does, the logic loops back to block56. In the event of an update, however, the logic moves to block60to download the entire new Web page or pages that establish the virtual channel or, more preferably to download only the changed portions thereof.

The download can be sent via the TV signal26in the VBI of the signal, or it can be sent via the Internet24(or other network) and modem48(by means of a DSL or cable modem line or wireless modem line) to the memory44. In any case, the virtual channels are periodically updated.

FIG. 4shows the logic undertaken by the microprocessor46for establishing or changing what virtual channels are available to a particular ITV22. Commencing at block62, if it is desired to prompt the consumer for input, a prompt is displayed. The prompt can be displayed in a channel being viewed by sending the prompt through the VBI of a viewed TV channel or through the Internet when viewing a virtual channel. Alternatively, user channel selections are recorded and used in developing a user profile.

Moving to block64, the consumer's response is received. The response is ordinarily input by means of the remote control unit30, although other input devices as discussed above can be used. Accordingly, a prompt might ask a consumer directly what types of virtual channels are of interest. Or, it might ask about the consumer's personal preferences on a number of topics, or about the consumer's personal demographics.

In any case, the response is stored in memory at block66. Moving to block68, the response is transmitted to one of the servers14,18(typically to the ITV system server18). The transmission is via the Internet, and it can be undertaken sometime after the consumer input is stored, e.g., during a low-usage time period. Alternatively, when the ITV22is continuously in communication with the Internet, the response can be sent immediately after it is received by the microprocessor46, without first storing it.

Then, at block70a consumer profile can be constructed by the server18based on the consumer's responses, using models known in the art to predict what types of content the consumer might desire in the virtual channels of the ITV22. At block72, the profile is used to establish and/or alter the virtual channels of the ITV22by downloading new content via the VBI or modem48.