HK1141375B

HK1141375B - A method for providing video service to user in a tv stb

Info

Publication number: HK1141375B
Application number: HK10107640.7A
Authority: HK
Inventors: 吉汉‧卡若古
Original assignee: 美国博通公司
Priority date: 2008-09-08
Filing date: 2010-08-10
Publication date: 2012-10-05

Description

Method for providing video service to user in television set-top box

Cross reference to related applications or incorporated references

This patent application, which is incorporated by reference herein as though filed on 8.9.2008 and filed under 61/095,022, claims priority and benefit.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to television systems and video processing, and more particularly to a television system and method for providing computer network video.

Background

Current television set-top boxes (e.g., cable television receivers, satellite television receivers, etc.) and the like do not have the capability to handle a wide range of potential video information sources (e.g., computer network video sources).

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a television system and method for providing computer network video, which aims at the above-mentioned defect that the existing television system does not have video processing function.

Aspects of the present invention provide a television system and method for providing computer network video substantially as shown in and/or described in at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

According to one aspect, a method in a television set-top box (STB) for providing video services to a user includes:

receiving a user input indicating that at least one of a user video sharing service and/or a video provided by the user video sharing service is selected; and

in response to at least one of the user inputs, performing the following:

communicatively connecting the STB with a personal video sharing service;

communicating with a personal video sharing service to receive video from the personal video sharing service;

processing the received video for display to a user;

configuring video signal processing of an STB by:

selecting a video decoder from a plurality of selectable decoders for decoding video information received from the personal video sharing service; and

forwarding video information received from the personal video sharing service to the selected decoder;

the method further comprises the following steps:

providing a graphical user interface for a user to select a personal video sharing service; and

receiving user input through a graphical user interface, the user input indicating a selection of a user video sharing service;

the graphical user interface includes a nested menu structure comprising:

a first nested menu layer in which a user selects different types of video content, the first type corresponding to a personal video sharing service and having at least a second type corresponding to a type of video provision service different from the personal video sharing service; and

a second nested menu layer, at least one menu of which comprises a plurality of menu selections, each of the plurality of menu selections corresponding to a respective different personal video sharing service;

further comprising a third tier associated with individual personal video sharing services on the second nested menu tier, the third tier comprising functionality customized to the particular individual video sharing services specifically involved;

the customization of the graphical user interface is enacted by interacting with a particular personal video sharing service, including exchanging information about available video content, categories of video content, secure access information, secure communication details, and/or protocols, and also transforming between network-based U/I features and U/I features appropriate for the graphical user interface.

These and other advantages, aspects, and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an associated drawing, will be better understood from the following description and drawings.

Drawings

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples, in which:

FIG. 1 is a non-limiting schematic diagram of a television system for providing computer network video in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic flow chart of a method for providing computer network video in a television system in accordance with various aspects of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a graphical user interface according to various aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a graphical user interface according to various aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a remote control device for a television system in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a non-limiting schematic diagram of a television system for providing computer network video in accordance with various aspects of the invention.

Detailed Description

Computers access websites through the internet, and some websites with video sharing capabilities are becoming more popular. For the discussion that follows, Personal Video Sharing Service (PVSS) generally refers to a network system that provides some mechanism to assist in personal video content sharing. For example, the PVSS may be used to receive video files from providers (e.g., individual users), publish the video files (e.g., to the public or a group of subscribed users), provide downloads and/or data streams of the published video files to requestors, and the like. These PVSSs are currently accessed using personal computers to communicate with servers over the internet. These PVSSs may also be referred to as Video Exchange Portal Sites (VEPs). Examples of such PVSS and/or VEP include YouTube^TM、CNN Exchange^TMCom (or irport^TM)、the AOL^TMCom, video web site, Eefoof^TMCom (or vume^TM)、Panjea.com^TM、Revver^TM、Blip.TV^TM、Dabble.com^TMAnd the like.

The following discussion will often be used with the phrase "television system". The phrase generally refers to any kind of television system or subsystem. By way of example, and not limitation, "television system" may refer to a television receiving component (such as a set-top box (STB), e.g., a cable television receiver, a satellite television receiver, etc.), a Personal Video Recorder (PVR), a game console, and so forth. As another example, the phrase may refer to a fully integrated television system, such as one that includes an integrated television display, audio output system, and/or one or more receiving components. As another example, the phrase may refer to a television receiving component or circuitry of an integrated television system.

Also, for clarity of illustration, the television system presented herein may include any kind of functional module. These modules may include, for example, various combinations of hardware and/or software. Thus, aspects of the invention should not be limited by any particular hardware and/or software implementation unless explicitly required.

Furthermore, the boundaries depicted between modules may represent explicit boundaries between hardware and/or software components, but are not necessarily explicitly defined. As a non-limiting example, the illustrated modules may share hardware and/or software components. For example, multiple illustrated modules may be implemented by software instructions executed by a single shared processor, some of which may be common to each of the modules. Thus, aspects of the invention should not be limited by any boundaries between modules unless expressly required.

Fig. 1 is a non-limiting schematic diagram of a television system 100 for providing computer network video in accordance with various aspects of the invention. For example, an exemplary television system 100 may include a television receiver 101, a video display 145, and a speaker system 165.

For example, the television receiver 101 may be exemplified as a set-top box (such as a cable television receiver, a satellite television receiver, or the like), a personal video recorder, a game machine, or the like. The receiver 101 may be integrated with the video display 145 and/or speaker system 165 or may be a separate unit with its own housing. Note that the so-called television receiver 101 may also include various transmitter circuits for communicating information, for example, with an audio and/or video information source device.

The television receiver 101 may include one or more physical interface (PHY interface) modules 110, and a communication front-end module 115. These modules can establish, maintain, and use any variety of communication links between the television receiver 101 and any of various different kinds of video source devices (e.g., associated with one or more PVSSs) over any of various types of communication networks. For example, and without limitation, the PHY interface module 110 and/or the communication front-end module 115 may provide related communication services corresponding to different protocol layers associated with any of various communication protocols, such as closed circuit television protocols, satellite television protocols, and computer network protocols.

For example, but not by way of limitation, the computer network protocol may include the TCP/IP protocol. The PHY interface module 110 and/or the communication front-end module 115 may be used to communicate across any kind of computer network (e.g., the internet, a metropolitan area network, a wide area network, a local area network, and/or a personal area network). For example, and without limitation, PHY interface module 110 and/or communication front-end module 115 may communicate in accordance with any of ITU h.323, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), real-time transport protocol (RTP), Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP)/media gateway controller (MEGACO), and/or the like.

PHY interface module 110 may communicate over any kind of communication medium using any kind of wired, optical, and/or wireless protocol (e.g., Bluetooth, IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, CDMA/CDMA2000/WCDMA, TDMA/PDC, etc.).

The television receiver 101 may include one or more signal processing modules 120. The signal processing module 120 may include, for example, one or more television signal processing modules 122 for general television signal processing (e.g., associated with processing television signals received from a standard television network, such as a cable television, satellite television, conventional free-to-air television network, etc.).

The signal processing module 120 may also include, for example, one or more PVSS processing modules 124 that perform signal processing in association with one or more PVSSs. For example, and without limitation, the signal processing may correspond to various video and/or audio communication and/or compression standards (e.g., MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, JPEG, TIFF, 3-D, 2-D, MDDI, MPE, AAC, QCELP, AMR, CMX, VoIP, etc.). For example, a particular PVSS may be associated with one or more such audio and/or video standards.

The signal processing module 120 may include, but is not limited to, one or more modules for decoding/decompressing audio and/or video corresponding to a particular standard typically associated with standard television signals, and corresponding to a particular standard typically associated with computer network video sources (e.g., MPEG-4, h.264, and the like). For example, the modules may be standard specific or configurable (e.g., programmable) to decode/decompress video information corresponding to multiple standards.

The signal processing module 120 may include, but is not limited to, one or more modules for filtering audio and/or video signals and/or information corresponding to particular standards typically associated with standard television signals, and to particular standards typically associated with computer network video sources (e.g., MPEG-4, h.264, and the like). For example, the modules may be standard specific or configurable (e.g., programmable) to filter audio and/or video signals and/or information corresponding to multiple standards.

The signal processing module 120 may include, but is not limited to, one or more modules for buffering audio and/or video signals corresponding to particular standards typically associated with standard television signals, and corresponding to particular standards typically associated with computer network video sources (e.g., MPEG-4, h.264, and the like). For example, the modules may be specific to a particular standard or configurable (e.g., programmable) to buffer audio and/or video information corresponding to multiple standards

A particular PVSS may be associated with any kind of PVSS feature. For example, and without limitation, a PVSS may be associated with one or more computer network addresses (e.g., IP addresses, LAN addresses, etc.). As another example, the PVSS may be associated with respective secure access and/or secure communication processes, specific user interface processes, and/or the like.

The television receiver 101 may include one or more display processing modules 130 for managing the display of one or more videos. As a non-limiting example, the display processing module 130 may be used to fit a particular PVSS video to the display 145 or a portion of the display 145. As another example, display processing module 130 may be configured to provide multiple videos simultaneously for simultaneous display on display 145 (e.g., multiple PVSS videos, or PVSS videos and standard television videos).

The television receiver 101 may also include one or more audio processing modules 150 for managing the playback of audio associated with one or more videos. As a non-limiting example, the audio processing module 150 may be used to play out stereo and/or surround sound associated with one or more videos. For example, the audio processing module 150 may be configured to provide a first set of audio signals to one or more speakers and a second set of audio signals to wired and/or wireless headphones.

The television receiver 101 may include, for example, one or more display interface modules 135 for interfacing with (e.g., providing video drive signals 140 to) one or more display devices 145. For example, the video interface module 135 may be used to provide any variety of mixed and/or composite video signals to one or more display devices 145.

Television receiver 101 may additionally include, for example, one or more audio interface modules 135 for interfacing with (e.g., providing audio drive signals 160 to) one or more broadcast devices 165 (e.g., speakers, headphones, etc.). For example, the audio interface module 155 may be used to provide any variety of stereo and/or surround sound signals to one or more audio output devices 165.

The television receiver 101 may also be, for example, one or more user interface modules 170. The user interface module 170 is used to provide a user interface to a user of the television system 100 (or television receiver 101). The user interface may include any kind of feature. For example, the user interface module 170 may be used to provide a graphical user interface to a user. For example, user interface module 170 may interact with display processing module 130 to output graphical user interface images to display 145. User interface module 170 may establish one or more communication links 175 with one or more user input devices (e.g., a television remote control, a cursor control device, a mouse device, a trackball device, a light pen, etc.) to obtain information from the user regarding the requested action. For example, in one case, the user interface module 170 may interact with the display processing module 130 to generate graphical user interface images on the display 145 and receive signals indicative of user interaction with the GUI images via the communication link 175 via a remote control device (e.g., a television remote control, a universal remote control, etc.).

The television receiver 101 may include, for example, one or more TV/VEP control modules 180. The TV/VEP control module 180 may, for example, generally manage the overall operation of the receiver 101. The overall operation may include (but is not limited to): manage user interface activities, manage communication activities between the receiver 101 and any PVSS/VEPs, manage video and/or audio signal processing activities, manage device configuration activities, manage video and/or audio output activities, and the like.

The TV/VEP control module 180, like any of the modules discussed herein, may be implemented in hardware and/or software. For example, the TV/VEP control module 180 shown in FIG. 1 is implemented using a processor 184 executing software instructions stored in a memory 182.

Various embodiments of the functions performed by the modules discussed above will be described with reference to fig. 2-5.

Fig. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 200 for providing computer network video in a television system (e.g., television system 100 of fig. 1 and/or television system 600 of fig. 6) in accordance with various aspects of the invention.

The example method 200 may begin execution at step 205. The example method 200 may begin execution in response to any kind of reason or condition. For example, and without limitation, the example method 200 may begin execution in response to a reset or power-on state, a user input, a user or system command, displaying a user interface (e.g., a GUI) to a user, continuing execution of a flow by another method, detecting an operational state of a television system, receiving a signal from a television system, and so forth. The scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by any particular starting reasons and/or conditions, unless expressly required.

Step 210 of example method 200 may include displaying a user interface to a user through which the user may specify video content for viewing. For example, step 210 may include providing a graphical user interface to the user to specify the PVSS.

The graphical user interface may include any kind of feature, one non-limiting example being shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a graphical user interface structure 300 in accordance with various aspects of the present invention

The GUI structure 300 includes a video content selection matrix that displays at least selections corresponding to standard television channel programming and PVSS. For example, the first portion shown in the GUI structure 300 includes a graphical row associated with a standard television channel (or program) and a graphical column associated with a time of day (or time window). The GUI structure 300 also includes a second portion including a plurality of graphical rows associated with the respective PVSSs. These graphical rows may or may not be associated with a time of day (or time window) or any particular time parameter. This association with the time of day may depend on, for example, whether the PVSS has a particular video program associated with the time of day.

Another non-limiting GUI embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a graphical user interface structure 400 in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

GUI structure 400 includes a nested menu structure. For example, the GUI structure 400 includes a first nested menu layer 410 in which a user can select different types of video content (e.g., a first type of video content versus PVSS content, a second type of video content different from PVSS content, e.g., standard television content). The GUI structure 400 may further include a second nested menu layer, at least one menu 430 of which includes a plurality of menu selections corresponding to respective PVSSs. Another menu 420 of the second nested menu layer may include a plurality of menu selections corresponding to video sources other than PVSS (e.g., standard television programming, movie channels, pay-per-view programming, etc.).

Although not shown in fig. 3 and 4, the GUI presented at step 210 may provide a user interface mechanism by which a user may select a desired video program (e.g., a particular video file and/or data stream) from a selected PVSS. For example, the mechanism may display a rectangular list of these video programs. As another example, the GUI structure (400 as shown in fig. 4) may include a third tier associated with selecting PVSSs on the menu 430 of the second menu tier. The menu layer may include features of all PVSS standard (or universally agreed) configurations, or may include functionality customized to each particular PVSS specifically (or exclusively) involved. For example, selecting a PVSS at the PVSS menu 430 may bring up a third menu level display that indicates a particular category of video information according to the particular video classification system of the selected PVSS. The categories may then be associated, for example, with a menu of their respective specific video files.

In another embodiment, the method 200 may include providing a user interface through which a user may specify characteristics of the GUI. For example, the method 200 may include interacting with a user to decide which PVSSs to list in a GUI, or which submenus or menu structures to use for a particular PVSS or group of PVSSs. The method 200 may include, for example, interacting with a user to determine which PVSSs to display in a GUI, various labels, icons, or other graphical features associated with the PVSS, various communication network (e.g., computer network) addresses associated with the PVSS, and so forth. The label, icon, or other characteristic feature may be used in the GUI to distinguish between different PVSSs or types of PVSS. As another example, the method 200 may include interacting with a user to specify GUI features that distinguish PVSS from non-PVSS video sources (e.g., standard television sources, movie sources, pay-per-view sources, etc.).

In another embodiment, the customization of the GUI may be enacted by interacting with a particular PVSS. For example, a system implementing the method 200 may include automated (without direct interaction with the user) communication with one or more PVSSs to determine GUI characteristics (e.g., matrix and/or menu structure). For example, a user may specify initial characteristics (e.g., network address) of a particular PVSS, which the system may then utilize to establish a communication link with the particular PVSS to exchange information regarding available video content, categories of video content, secure access information, secure communication details, protocols, and so forth. For example, the method 200 may also include transforming between network-based U/I characteristics (e.g., hot links) and GUI-adapted U/I characteristics. These transformed properties may then be incorporated into the GUI.

In yet another embodiment, the GUI provided at step 210 may include graphical images other than those directly related to one or more PVSSs. For example, the PVSS may provide graphical images associated with the PVSS usage, basic information, advertising information, etc., and step 210 may include displaying the graphical images in the GUI, filtering the graphical images, and/or replacing all or part of the graphical images. In one non-limiting embodiment, step 210 may include deleting graphical information from PVSS not directly related to available video content and inserting graphics generated by a television system performing method 200. For example, step 210 may include generating information and/or advertising graphics associated with the television system (or its provider) rather than with one or more PVSSs or television stations.

With reference to the example system 100 discussed above, various aspects of step 210 may be performed at least to some extent by the user interface module 170 and the display interface module 135, and possibly under the direction of the TV/VEP control module 180. Further, the previously discussed communication aspects may be performed, for example, by the PHY interface module 110 and the front-end communication module 115.

In general, step 210 may include displaying a user interface to a user through which the user may select video content for viewing (e.g., from at least one or more PVSSs). Thus, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of the particular embodiments described above, unless expressly required.

The example method 200 may include, at step 220, receiving a user input indicating that a Personal Video Sharing Service (PVSS) is selected. For example, where step 210 includes providing a GUI to the user, step 220 may include receiving user input indicating that the PVSS is selected, at least to some extent, via the GUI. Likewise, step 220 may include receiving user input (e.g., via a GUI) indicating that a particular available video was selected from a PVSS (e.g., a previously selected PVSS or group of PVSSs).

For example, step 220 may include receiving such user input from a remote control device or from a user input component on a receiver chassis or television system chassis performing the example method 200. For example, step 220 may include receiving a signal containing characteristics unique to a user specifying a request to view video content from a PVSS, characteristics unique to a user specifying a request to view video content from a particular PVSS, and/or characteristics unique to a user specifying a request to view particular video content from a particular PVSS. The signal may be associated with, for example, a GUI menu selection, a button and/or remote control pressed on the housing, a selection on a wireless communication device communicatively connected to the television system performing the method 200, or the like.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a television system remote control 500 in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The example remote control device 500 may, for example, include specific features 510 (e.g., buttons) that are unique (e.g., permanent and/or temporary, such as by programming) to the user specification of the video from one or more PVSSs. In some non-limiting cases, a user may press button 510 of remote control 500 and remote control 500 transmits a signal to the television system, where the signal includes an indication of a characteristic (e.g., conventional waveform characteristics and/or data) indicative of the user's specification of PVSS video content. The television system may, for example, subsequently analyze the characteristics of the signal to determine that the user has specified viewing of PVSS video content, and respond accordingly (e.g., by displaying a user interface to the user that includes components configured to assist the user in specifying particular video content from one or more PVSSs).

With reference to the example system 100 discussed above, various aspects of step 220 may be performed at least to some extent by the user interface module 170 and the display interface module 135, and possibly under the direction of the TV/VEP control module 180. Further, the previously discussed communication aspects may be performed, for example, by the PHY interface module 110, the front-end communication module 115, and/or the user interface module 170.

In general, step 220 may include receiving user input indicating that a Personal Video Sharing Service (PVSS) and/or a particular video thereof is selected. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of the particular embodiments described above, unless expressly required.

As discussed previously, the user may specify to receive video content from the PVSS using a user interface device (e.g., a remote control). Likewise, the user may specify to receive video from other sources. As a non-limiting example, as shown in fig. 5, remote control 500 may include one or more components (e.g., one or more buttons) dedicated to selecting non-PVSS content (e.g., TV button 520, movie button, etc.). The example method 200 may include determining whether the user has selected PVSS video content (e.g., from a Video Exchange Portal (VEP)) or selected video from another source, such as a standard television source, in step 230. Step 230 may then include flow control directing execution of the example method 200 accordingly.

If, for example, step 230 determines that the user has specified PVSS operations, then step 230 may direct the execution flow to step 250. Alternatively, if step 230 determines that the user has specified standard television operation, then step 230 may direct the execution flow to step 240. Although only two options are shown in the example method 200, and for clarity of illustration, only two options are shown, the embodiment method 200 can be extended to more than two options without any doubt.

Referring to the example system 100 discussed above, various aspects of step 230 may be performed at least to some extent by the TV/VEP control module 180

The example method 200 may include, in step 250 (e.g., in response to the user input received in step 220), communicatively connecting a television system (e.g., a set-top box, PVR, etc.) executing the method 200 with the selected PVSS (or PVSS associated with the selected PVSS video). For example, in some cases where the PVSS is associated with a particular computer network (e.g., the internet), step 250 may include communicatively connecting the PVSS via the computer network.

Step 250 may include communicatively coupling the television system performing method 200 to the PVSS using any of a variety of communication media and/or communication protocols, non-limiting examples of which have been given above.

Referring to the example system 100 discussed above, various aspects of step 250 may be performed by any kind of module of the example television system 100. For example, and without limitation, the TV/VEP controller 180 may direct one or more communication front end modules 115 and/or one or more PHY interface modules 110 to establish one or more communication links 105 with the PVSS.

In general, step 250 may include communicatively coupling the television system to one or more PVSSs. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of the particular embodiments described above, unless expressly required.

The example method 200 may include configuring video processing of the television system to process video information received from PVSSs (such as the PVSS specified in step 220 and/or PVSSs associated with the video content specified in step 220) in step 252. Such configuration may include performing any kind of video processing configuration activity.

For example, and without limitation, in some cases, step 252 may include selecting a particular video decoding type from a plurality of selectable video decoding types for decoding (e.g., decompressing, error checking/correction decoding, etc.) video information received from the PVSS (e.g., a particular video selected from the PVSS or all videos from the selected PVSS). For example, in a particular television system performing the method 200, video information from the PVSS may be decoded in a different manner than video information from non-PVSS sources.

In such a case, step 252 may also include determining how the video information received from the PVSS should be forwarded in the television system performing the example method 200. For example, in a particular television system performing the example method 200, video information from the PVSS may be forwarded by the television system in a different manner than video information from non-PVSS sources.

For example, in some cases, step 252 may include selecting a video decoder from a plurality of selectable decoders for decoding (e.g., decompressing, error checking/correction decoding) video information received from a PVSS (e.g., a particular video selected from the PVSS or all videos from the selected PVSS). In such a case, step 252 may also include forwarding video information received from the PVSS to and/or from the selected decoder. For example, in a particular television system performing method 200, video information from a PVSS (or a particular type of video information from a PVSS) may be decoded using a different decoder than video information from a non-PVSS source.

For example, in another case, step 252 may include configuring a configurable (e.g., programmable) decoder for decoding video information received from the PVSS (e.g., a particular video selected from the PVSS or all videos from the selected PVSS). In such a case, step 252 may also include forwarding video information received from the PVSS to and/or from a configured decoder. For example, in a particular television system performing method 200, video information from a PVSS (or a particular type of video information from a PVSS) may be decoded using a different decoder configuration than video information from a non-PVSS source.

For another example, in some cases, step 252 may include selecting a video filter from a plurality of selectable filters for filtering (e.g., noise filtering, interpolation filtering, etc.) video information received from the PVSS (e.g., a particular video selected from the PVSS or all videos from the selected PVSS). In such a case, step 252 may also include forwarding video information received from the PVSS to and/or from the selected filter. For example, in a particular television system performing method 200, video information from the PVSS (or a particular type of video information from the PVSS) may be filtered using a different filter than video information from non-PVSS sources.

For example, in another case, step 252 can include configuring a configurable (e.g., programmable) filter for filtering video information received from the PVSS (e.g., a particular video selected from the PVSS or all videos from the selected PVSS). In such a case, step 252 may also include forwarding video information received from the PVSS to and/or from the configured filter. For example, in a particular television system performing method 200, video information from a PVSS (or a particular type of video information from a PVSS) may be filtered using a different filter configuration than video information from a non-PVSS source.

In another embodiment, step 252 may include configuring one or more of the display processing module 130 and/or the audio processing module 150 to perform appropriate display and/or audio output processing associated with the video information received from the PVSS (e.g., a particular video selected from the PVSS or all videos from the selected PVSS). For example, PVSS video content may be displayed on a display using a different method than other types of video content (e.g., with different framing characteristics, different blending characteristics, different spatial and/or temporal resolutions, different color groupings, etc.).

Referring to the example system 100 discussed above, various aspects of step 252 may be performed by any kind of module of the example television system 100. For example, and without limitation, the TV/VEP controller 180 may be used to direct one or more signal processing modules 120 (e.g., one or more PVSS signal processing modules 124) to perform the decoding and/or decoder configurations discussed above. As another example, TV/VEP controller 180 may be used to direct various modules of television system 100 (e.g., communication front end module 115, PHY interface module 110, and signal processing module 120) to perform the forwarding discussed above. As another example, the TV/VEP controller 180 may be used to direct and/or configure the display interface module 135 and/or the audio interface module 155 for desired display and/or audio output processing.

In general, step 252 may include configuring video processing of the television system to process video information received from the PVSS. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of the particular embodiments described above, unless expressly required.

The example method 200 may include receiving video from the PVSS (e.g., receiving video from the selected PVSS, receiving selected video from the PVSS, and/or receiving selected video from the selected PVSS) in step 254. Step 254 may include receiving such video from the PVSS in various ways. For example, and without limitation, step 254 may include receiving (e.g., downloading) the requested video file from the PVSS over a communications network (e.g., over a computer network, such as the internet). As another example, step 254 may include receiving the requested video content in a streaming media format from the PVSS.

Referring to the example system 100 discussed above, various aspects of step 254 may be performed by any kind of module of the example television system 100. For example, and without limitation, the communication front-end module 115 and the PHY interface module 110 may be used to receive video from the PVSS over one or more communication links 105.

In general, step 254 may include receiving video from the PVSS. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of the particular embodiments described above, unless expressly required.

The example method 200 may include processing the video received in step 254 in step 256 (e.g., processing the video received from the PVSS in accordance with the processing configuration determined in step 252).

Referring to the example system 100 discussed above, various aspects of step 256 may be performed by any kind of module of the example television system 100. For example, and without limitation, the signal processing module 120 (e.g., PVSS processing module 124) may be used to process video received from a PVSS. Also for example, in many cases, various standard television processing modules may be utilized depending on the processing needs associated with a particular type of received video.

In general, step 256 may include receiving video from the PVSS. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of the particular embodiments described above, unless expressly required.

The example method 200 may include, at step 258, generating video and/or audio output signals (e.g., display drive signals and/or audio output signals) for the video processed at step 256. For example, the display drive signal may be a mixed and/or composite video signal, an HDMI signal, or the like. Also for example, the audio output signal may be an analog and/or digital audio output signal sent to an audio system and/or directly to a speaker.

With reference to the example system 100 discussed above, various aspects of step 258 may be performed by any kind of module of the example television system 100. For example, and without limitation, the display processing module 130 and/or the display interface module 135 may be used to generate video output signals. As another example, audio processing module 150 and/or audio interface module 155 may be used to generate audio output signals.

In general, step 258 may include generating video and/or audio output signals for the video processed in step 256. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of the particular embodiments described above, unless expressly required.

The example method 200 may include continued operation in step 259. This continued operation may include, for example, returning to any of the preceding steps for a loop operation, continuing execution of the flow in accordance with additional processing steps, and so forth.

As discussed previously, if step 230 determines that the user has specified standard television operation, step 230 may direct the execution flow to step 240.

The example method 200 may include, in step 240 (e.g., in response to the user input received in step 220), communicatively connecting a television system (e.g., a set-top box, PVR, etc.) executing the method 200 with the selected television source. For example, where the television source is associated with a particular television network (e.g., a cable and/or satellite television network), step 250 may include communicatively coupling the television source via the cable and/or satellite television network. It is noted that in many cases, the communication link to the television source may be through a computer network, such as the internet. In various instances, step 240 may include many of the features discussed above with respect to step 250.

Step 240 may include communicatively coupling the television system performing method 200 to a television source using any of the various communication media and/or communication protocols previously discussed.

Referring to the example system 100 discussed above, various aspects of step 240 may be performed by any kind of module of the example television system 100. For example, without limitation, TV/VEP controller 180 may direct one or more communication front-end modules 115 and/or one or more PHY interface modules 110 to establish one or more communication links 105 with a television source.

In general, step 240 may include communicatively coupling a television system with one or more television sources. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of the particular embodiments described above, unless expressly required.

The example method 200 may include configuring video processing of a television system to process video information received from a television source (e.g., a cable television source, a satellite television source, a standard free television RF source, etc.) at step 242. The configuration may include performing any kind of video processing configuration activity.

For example, and without limitation, in some cases, step 242 may include selecting a specified video decoding type (e.g., decompression, error checking/correction decoding, etc.) from a plurality of selectable video decoding types for decoding video information received from a television source (e.g., a particular video selected from the television source or all videos from the selected television source). For example, in a particular television system performing the method 200, video information from a television source may be decoded in a manner different from video information from a PVSS source or other television sources.

In such a case, step 242 may also include determining how video information received from a television source should be transmitted along a prescribed line in a television system executing exemplary method 200. For example, in a particular television system performing the example method 200, video information from a television source may be transmitted along a prescribed line through the television system, as opposed to video information from a PVSS source or another television source.

For example, in some cases, step 242 may include selecting a video decoder from a plurality of selectable decoders for decoding (e.g., decompressing, error checking/correction decoding) video information received from a television source (e.g., a particular video selected from the television source or all videos from the selected television source). In such a case, step 242 may also include forwarding video information received from the television source to and/or from the selected decoder. For example, in a particular television system performing method 200, video information from a television source (or a particular type of video information from a television source) may be decoded using a different decoder than video information from a PVSS source or another television source.

For example, in another case, step 242 may include configuring a configurable (e.g., programmable) decoder for decoding video information received from a television source (e.g., a particular video selected from the television source or all videos from the selected television source). In such a case, step 242 may also include forwarding video information received from the television source to and/or from the configured decoder. For example, in a particular television system performing method 200, video information from a television source (or a particular type of video information from a television source) may be decoded using a different decoder configuration than video information from a PVSS source or another television source. Note that the configurable decoder may be, for example, the same as the configurable decoder configured in step 252.

For another example, in some cases, step 242 may include selecting a video filter from a plurality of selectable filters for filtering (e.g., noise filtering, interpolation filtering, etc.) video information received from a television source (e.g., a particular video selected from the television source or all videos from the selected television source). In such a case, step 242 may also include forwarding video information received from the television source to and/or from the selected filter. For example, in a particular television system performing method 200, video information from a television source (or a particular type of video information from a television source) may be filtered using a different filter than video information from a PVSS source or another television source.

For example, in another case, step 242 may include configuring a configurable (e.g., programmable) filter for filtering video information received from a television source (e.g., a particular video selected from the television source or all videos from the selected television source). In such a case, step 242 may also include forwarding video information received from the television source to and/or from the configured filter. For example, in a particular television system performing method 200, video information from a television source (or a particular type of video information from a television source) may be filtered using a different filter configuration than video information from a PVSS source or another television source. Note that the configurable filter may be, for example, the same as the configurable filter configured in step 252.

In another embodiment, step 242 may include configuring one or more of display processing module 130 and/or audio processing module 150 for appropriate display and/or audio output processing associated with video information received from a television source (e.g., a particular video selected from the television source or all videos from the selected television source). For example, television source video content may be displayed on a display in a different manner than other types of video content (e.g., with different framing characteristics, different blending characteristics, different spatial and/or temporal resolutions, different color groupings, etc.).

With reference to the example system 100 discussed above, various aspects of step 242 may be performed by any kind of module of the example television system 100. For example, and without limitation, the TV/VEP controller 180 may be used to direct one or more signal processing modules 120 (e.g., one or more television signal processing modules 122) to perform the decoding and/or decoder configurations discussed above. As another example, TV/VEP controller 180 may be used to direct various modules of television system 100 (e.g., communication front end module 115, PHY interface module 110, and signal processing module 120) to forward in the manner discussed above. As another example, the TV/VEP controller 180 may be used to direct and/or configure the display interface module 135 and/or the audio interface module 155 for desired display and/or audio output processing.

In general, step 242 may include configuring video processing of the television system to process video information received from the television source. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of the particular embodiments described above, unless expressly required.

The example method 200 may include receiving video from a television source (e.g., receiving video from a selected television source, receiving selected video from a television source, and/or receiving selected video from a selected television source) in step 244. Step 244 may include receiving such video from a television source in various ways. For example, and without limitation, step 244 may include receiving the requested video file (e.g., via a standard television signal) from a television source via a communication network (e.g., via a cable television network, a satellite television network, a standard free RF television network, etc.).

Referring to the example system 100 discussed above, various aspects of step 244 may be performed by any kind of module of the example television system 100. For example, and without limitation, the communication front-end module 115 and the PHY interface module 110 may be used to receive video from a television source over one or more communication links 105.

Generally, step 244 may include receiving video from a television source. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of the particular embodiments described above, unless expressly required.

Example method 200 may include, in step 246, processing the video received in step 244 (e.g., processing the video received from the television source according to the processing configuration determined in step 242).

With reference to the example system 100 discussed above, various aspects of step 246 may be performed by any kind of module of the example television system 100. For example, and without limitation, signal processing module 120 (e.g., television source processing module 122) may be used to process video received from a television source.

In general, step 246 may include receiving video from a television source. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of the particular embodiments described above, unless expressly required.

The example method 200 may include, in step 248, generating video and/or audio output signals (e.g., display drive signals and/or audio output signals) for the video processed in step 246. For example, the display drive signal may be a mixed and/or composite video signal, an HDMI signal, or the like. Also for example, the audio output signal may be an analog and/or digital audio output signal sent to an audio system and/or directly to a speaker.

Referring to the example system 100 discussed above, various aspects of step 248 may be performed by any kind of module of the example television system 100. For example, and without limitation, the display processing module 130 and/or the display interface module 135 may be used to generate video output signals. As another example, audio processing module 150 and/or audio interface module 155 may be used to generate audio output signals.

In general, step 248 may include generating video and/or audio output signals for the video processed in step 246. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of the particular embodiments described above, unless expressly required.

The example method 200 may include continued operation in step 249. This continued operation may include, for example, returning to any of the preceding steps for a loop operation, continuing execution of the flow in accordance with additional processing steps, and so forth.

Fig. 6 is a non-limiting schematic diagram of a television system 600 for providing computer network video in accordance with various aspects of the invention. The various modules of the television system 600 may, for example, be used to perform any of the functions discussed previously (as with the example method 200). Also, the various modules of the television system 600 may, for example, share features with corresponding modules in the example television system 100 shown in fig. 1.

For example, the PHY interface module 110 and the communication front-end module 115 of the television system 100 shown in fig. 1 may share any or all features of the television system 600 with the wireless front-end module 610, the wired/cable front-end module 611, and the communication interface module 615. Similarly, signal processing module 120 or television system 100 shown in fig. 1 may share any or all of the features with signal processing module 620. Also, the user interface module 170 of the television system 100 shown in FIG. 1 may share any or all of the features with the user interface module 670, and the display interface module 135 and the audio interface module 155 may share any or all of the features with the video I/O module and the audio I/O module shown in FIG. 6. Further, the TV/VEP controller 180 may share any or all of the features with the processor 684 and/or memory 682 of the television system 600 shown in FIG. 6.

In summary, aspects of the present invention provide a television system and method for providing computer network video.

The present invention has been described in terms of several aspects and embodiments, and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims