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A remote control 106 is provided, in one configuration, for convenient remote operation of the STB 102 and the television 104. The remote control 106 may use infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF), or other wireless technologies to transmit control signals to the STB 102 and the television 104. Other remote control devices are also contemplated, such as a wired or wireless mouse (not shown). |
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Additionally, a keyboard 108 (either wireless or wired) is provided, in one embodiment, to allow the customer to rapidly enter text information into the STB 102. Such text information may be used for e-mail or instant messaging, e.g. text-based chat. In various embodiments, the keyboard 108 may use infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF), or other wireless technologies to transmit keystrokes to the STB 102. |
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In one embodiment, each STB 102 is coupled to the network 101 via a head-end 110 or other distribution center. In the context of a cable network, a head-end 110 is generally a centrally-located facility where television programs are received from a local cable TV (CATV) satellite downlink or other source and packaged together for transmission to customer homes. In one configuration, a head-end 110 also functions as a Central Office (CO) in the telephone industry, routing video streams and other data to and from the various STBs 102 serviced thereby. Head-ends 110 may be coupled directly to one another or through the network 101. In some cases, head-ends 110 may be connected via a separate network, one particular example of which is the Internet 112. |
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The network 101 is preferably coupled to one or more television programming sources 114, which provide television programming for distribution to the STBs 102. In one configuration, television programs are distributed in an encoded format, such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group). Various MPEG standards are known, such as MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MPEG-7, and the like. Thus, the term “MPEG,” as used herein, contemplates all MPEG standards. Moreover, other video encoding/compression standards exist other than MPEG, such as JPEG, JPEG-LS, H.261, and H.263. Accordingly, the invention should not be construed as being limited only to MPEG. |
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The network 101 is also preferably coupled to the Internet 112 to provide access thereto by the STBs 102. The Internet 112 is a “network of networks” and is well known to those skilled in the art. Communication over the Internet 112 is accomplished using standard protocols, such as TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/Internet protocol) and the like. |
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In one embodiment, the Internet 112 is coupled to one or more content sources 116. A content source 116 provides access to various forms of content, such as web pages, streaming media, databases, commercial transactions, and the like. For example, a content source 116 may include a commercial e-commerce site, such as Amazon.com®. The content sources 116 may be accessed, for example, using a web browser integrated with an STB 102. Of course, content sources 116 may also be coupled directly to the network 101. |
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The system 100 is preferably capable of providing a variety of interactive options to a user. In one embodiment, an interactive option is a feature of the system 100 that allows a user to interact with a content source 116 while watching programming received from a programming source 114, accessing another content source 116, or the like. |
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For example, one interactive option may allow a user to participate in an opinion poll while watching a presidential debate. Another interactive option may allow a user to purchase an item being currently advertised or displayed. Still another interactive option may allow a user to check his or her e-mail in response to a notification that a new e-mail message has arrived. Yet another interactive option may allow a user to establish a two-way communication channel with a technical support person or a sales representative. The possible interactive options available using the system 100 are endless. |
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Interactive options may be implemented using various techniques, protocols, and standards. For example, one technique, established by the Advanced Television Enhancement Forum (ATVEF), relies on embedding “triggers” into a television broadcast. Triggers allow content developers, broadcasters, or cable operators to insert real-time prompts and user-selectable links into the video stream. Among other information, a trigger may contain a network address, such as a Universal Resource Locator (URL), that defines the location of content for the interactive option. |
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Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an interactive television system 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. As depicted, the system 200 may include an STB 102, a television 104 (or other display device), a remote control 106, and, in certain configurations, a keyboard 108. |
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The remote control 106 is provided for convenient remote operation of the STB 102 and the television 104. In one configuration, the remote control 106 includes a wireless transmitter 202 for transmitting signals to the STB 102 and the television 104. Likewise, the remote control 106 includes a wireless receiver 204 for receiving signals from the STB 102. |
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In one embodiment, the wireless transmitters 202 and receivers 204 are configured to use radio frequency (RF) signals. In other embodiments, infrared (IR) or other frequencies along the electromagnetic spectrum may be used. Operational details regarding the wireless transmitters 202 and receivers 204 are generally well known to those of skill in the art. |
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The remote control 106 preferably includes a number of buttons or other similar controls. For instance, the remote control 106 may include various standard buttons, such as a power button 206, an up arrow button 208, a down arrow button 210, a left arrow button 212, a right arrow button 214, a “Select” button 216, an “OK” button 218, channel adjustment buttons 220, volume adjustment buttons 222, alphanumeric buttons 224, and the like. |
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Additionally, the remote control 106, in one configuration, may includes a number of buttons specifically-designated for activating various interactive options. These buttons may include, for example, a “Help” button 226, an information button 228, a “Buy” button 230, an e-mail button 232, as well as other buttons 234, 236, 238, 240 designated to activate specific interactive options. |
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In one embodiment, the remote control 106 includes a microphone 242 for capturing an audio signal. The captured audio signal is preferably transmitted to the STB 102 via the wireless transmitter 202. In addition, the remote control 106 may include a speaker 244 for generating audible output from an audio signal received from the STB 102 via the wireless receiver 204. |
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The various components of the remote control 106 may be positioned in different locations for functionality and ergonomics. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the speaker 244 may be positioned near the “top” of the remote control 106 (when viewed from the perspective of FIG. 2) and the microphone 242 may be positioned at the “bottom” of the remote control 106. Thus, in one embodiment, a user may conveniently position the speaker 244 near the userʼs ear and the microphone 242 near the userʼs mouth in order to operate the remote control 106 in the manner of a telephone. In alternative embodiments, as described below, the speaker 244, the microphone 242, and/or the video camera 246 may be disposed within the STB 102, the keyboard 108, the television 104, and/or other suitable locations. |
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Alternatively, or in addition, a hands-free headset 248 may be coupled to the remote control 106 or keyboard 108. The headset 248 may be coupled using a standard headset jack 250. The headset 248 may include a microphone 242 and/or speaker 244. Such a headset 248 may be used to reduce audio interference from the television 104 (improving audio quality) and to provide the convenience of hands-free operation. |
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In certain embodiments, the remote control 106 includes a video camera 246, such as a CCD (charge-coupled device) digital video camera. The video camera 246 allows a user to capture and send video signals to the STB 102. For example, the video camera 246 may capture images of a customerʼs screen to aid a support technician in resolving the customerʼs problem. In one implementation, the video camera 246 is in electrical communication with the wireless transmitter 202 for sending the captured video signal to the STB 102. Various techniques for encoding and transmitting video signals may be used that are well known to those skilled in the art. |
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The optional keyboard 108 facilitates rapid composition of text messages. The keyboard 108 includes a plurality of standard alphanumeric keys 252 arranged in a suitable format, such as “QUERTY” or “DVORAC”. In one configuration, the keyboard 108 includes a wireless transmitter 202, similar or identical to the wireless transmitter 202 of the remote control 106. The wireless transmitter 202 transmits keystroke data from the keyboard 108 to the STB 102. Additionally, the keyboard 108 may include one or more of the buttons illustrated on the remote control 106. |
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In one implementation, the buttons and audio/video components of the remote control 106 are in electrical communication with the wireless transmitter 202 and/or the wireless receiver 204 for communicating with the corresponding wireless receiver 204 and/or wireless transmitter 202 within the STB 102. Such communication may be according to the IEEE 802.11a or 802.11b Wireless Networking standards, the “Bluetooth” standard, or according to other standard or proprietary wireless techniques. The wireless transmitter 202 and wireless receiver 204 may include various additional components not specifically illustrated but well known in the art. |
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