U.S. patent application number 11/387723 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-14 for apparatus and method to navigate interactive television using unique inputs with a remote control.
This patent application is currently assigned to Marlo Longstreet 2003 Irrevocable Trust. Invention is credited to Manuel V. Beltran, Elliot A. Gottfurcht, Grant E. Gottfurcht, J. Teague McKnight, Stephen K. Woesner.
Application Number | 20060206838 11/387723 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23747897 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060206838 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gottfurcht; Elliot A. ; et
al. |
September 14, 2006 |
Apparatus and method to navigate interactive television using
unique inputs with a remote control
Abstract
A method and system to facilitate navigation of a widearea
network. A navigation matrix is displayed on a client node. The
matrix pairs each navigation option with an input such that, for
example, pressing a single key activates that navigation option.
The key press event is forwarded to an information and services hub
across the network. The hub then returns a next appropriate matrix
layer which may be navigated in the same manner.
Inventors: |
Gottfurcht; Elliot A.;
(Pacific Palisades, CA) ; Gottfurcht; Grant E.;
(Pacific Palisades, CA) ; McKnight; J. Teague;
(Los Angeles, CA) ; Beltran; Manuel V.;
(Westminster, CA) ; Woesner; Stephen K.; (Santa
Ana, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEPTOE and JOHNSON LLP
1330 Connecticut Avenue, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
Marlo Longstreet 2003 Irrevocable
Trust
Los Angeles
CA
90048
|
Family ID: |
23747897 |
Appl. No.: |
11/387723 |
Filed: |
March 24, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11250398 |
Oct 17, 2005 |
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11387723 |
Mar 24, 2006 |
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10108147 |
Mar 25, 2002 |
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11250398 |
Oct 17, 2005 |
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09440214 |
Nov 15, 1999 |
6600497 |
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10108147 |
Mar 25, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/854 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0481 20130101;
G06F 3/14 20130101; G06F 3/0238 20130101; G06F 2203/0384 20130101;
G09G 2370/027 20130101; G06F 3/04886 20130101; G06F 3/04892
20130101; G09G 2370/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/854 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/00 20060101
G06F003/00; G06F 17/00 20060101 G06F017/00; G06F 9/00 20060101
G06F009/00 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: ranking a plurality of items; displaying,
in a client node, the plurality of ranked items presented in a
prearranged format on a user interface; and displaying one or more
selectable navigation options associated with one or more of the
ranked items.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the items are ranked according to
a user's interests.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ranked items are presented in
an order in the prearranged format according to a user's
interests.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of items refer to a
set of products.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of items refer to a
set of sellers.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of items are one of
company names, keywords, and company logos.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of items are a
plurality of advertisements.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of items are a
plurality of titles for audio, video, and audio video programs.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the ranked items are displayed on
one or more layers of a simplified navigation interface.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the screens of the simplified
navigation interface have a plurality of cells each associated with
a unique input.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the simplified navigation
interface has one or more layers that are hierarchically related
for navigation.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a user
selection of one of the navigation options corresponding to the
ranked item; retrieving an advertisement as reformatted web content
from the Internet.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the reformatted web content
consists of one of a video signal, audio video signal, audio
signal, graphics, and text.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: reformatting web
content to obtain the reformatted web content by transcoding a
hyper text markup language (HTML) page into an extensible markup
language (XML) page.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the ranked items are keywords,
further comprising: receiving a user selection of the keyword;
retrieving reformatted web content from the Internet based on the
user selection.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the display of the ranked items
is through one of television, set top box and television, personal
computer, web appliance, computer system and wireless device.
17. The method of claim 9, wherein the simplified navigation
interface displays the ranked items in one or more cells.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the cells contain the ranked
items and are formatted in one of a matrix format, one or more
rows, and a grid.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the items are ranked according
to consumer ratings.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the items are ranked according
to one or more previous user selections.
21. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a user
selection to one of the navigation options.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the user selection is made
through one of a mouse, remote control, a device for scrolling,
pointer device, and keyboard.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the user selection is made
through a voice interface device and speaker recognition
device.
24. The method of claim 21, further comprising: upon user
selection, displaying a matrix layer comprising reformatted web
content in a plurality of cells.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the content is in a format,
prior to reformatting, selected from a group of formats consisting
of standard DTD, EDI, HTML and XML.
26. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying a layer
of a simple navigation interface having a plurality of cells each
associated with a unique input; receiving a key event at a
processor displaying the simple navigation interface having a first
plurality of primary navigation options, the first key press
corresponding to a cell in the interface.
27. The method of claim 26, further comprising: displaying a next
deeper navigation layer showing the ranked items.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the ranked items are displayed
in the plurality of cells.
29. The method of claim 26, wherein the simple navigation interface
is a matrix interface.
30. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying one or
more advertisements on the user interface; receiving a user
selection of one of the advertisements; wherein the ranked items
are products or services related to the selected advertisement.
31. A machine readable medium that provides instructions, which
when executed by a machine cause the machine to perform operations
comprising: ranking a plurality of items; displaying, in a client
node, the plurality of ranked items presented in a prearranged
format on a user interface; and displaying one or more selectable
navigation options associated with one or more of the ranked
items.
32. The machine readable medium of claim 31, wherein the items are
ranked according to a user's interests.
33. The machine readable medium of claim 31, wherein the ranked
items are presented in an order in the prearranged format according
to a user's interests.
34. The machine readable medium of claim 31, wherein the plurality
of items refer to a set of products.
35. The machine readable medium of claim 31, wherein the plurality
of items refer to a set of sellers.
36. The machine readable medium of claim 31, wherein the plurality
of items wherein the plurality of items are one of company names,
keywords, and company logos.
37. The machine readable medium of claim 31, wherein the plurality
of items are a plurality of advertisements.
38. The machine readable medium of claim 31, wherein the plurality
of items are a plurality of titles for one of audio, video, and
audio video programs.
39. The machine readable medium of claim 31, wherein the ranked
items are displayed on one or more screens of a simplified
navigation interface.
40. The machine readable medium of claim 39, wherein the screens of
the simplified navigation interface have a plurality of cells each
associated with a unique input.
41. The machine readable medium of claim 39, wherein the simplified
navigation interface has one or more screens that are
hierarchically related for navigation.
42. The machine readable medium of claim 39, which provides further
instructions which when executed cause the machine to perform
operations further comprising: receiving a user selection of one of
the navigation options corresponding to the ranked item; retrieving
an advertisement as reformatted web content from the Internet.
43. The machine readable medium of claim 42, wherein the
reformatted web content consists of one of a video signal, audio
video signal, audio signal, graphics, and text.
44. The machine readable medium of claim 42, which provides further
instructions which when executed cause the machine to perform
operations further comprising: obtaining the reformatted we content
by transcoding a hyper text markup language (HTML) page into an
extensible markup language (XML) page.
45. The machine readable medium of claim 31, which provides further
instructions which when executed cause the machine to perform
operations further comprising: displaying one or more search
keywords representing the ranked items; receiving a user selection
of the keyword; retrieving information from the Internet based on
the selection of the keyword.
46. The machine readable medium of claim 31, wherein the display of
the ranked items is through one of television, personal computer,
web appliance, computer system and wireless device.
47. The machine readable medium of claim 42, wherein the simplified
navigation interface displays the reformatted web content in one or
more cells.
48. The machine readable medium of claim 47, wherein the cells
contain the reformatted web content and are formatted in one of a
matrix format, one or more rows, and a grid.
49. The machine readable medium claim 31, wherein the items are
ranked according to consumer ratings.
50. The machine readable medium of claim 31, wherein the items are
ranked according to one or more previous user selections.
51. The machine readable medium of claim 31, which provides further
instructions which when executed cause the machine to perform
operations further comprising: receiving a user selection to one of
the navigation options.
52. The machine readable medium of claim 51, wherein the user
selection is made through one of a mouse, remote control, pointer
device, and keyboard.
53. The machine readable medium of claim 51, wherein the user
selection is made through a voice interface device and speaker
recognition device.
54. The machine readable medium of claim 51, which provides further
instructions which when executed cause the machine to perform
operations further comprising: upon user selection, displaying a
matrix layer comprising reformatted web content in a plurality of
cells.
55. The machine readable medium of claim 54, wherein the content is
in a format, prior to reformatting, selected from a group of
formats consisting of standard DTD, EDI, HTML and XML.
56. The machine readable medium of claim 31, which provides further
instructions which when executed cause the machine to perform
operations further comprising: displaying a layer of a simple
navigation interface having a plurality of cells each associated
with a unique input; receiving a key event at a processor
displaying the simple navigation interface having a first plurality
of primary navigation options, the first key press corresponding to
a cell in the interface.
57. The machine readable medium of claim 56, which provides further
instructions which when executed cause the machine to perform
operations further comprising: displaying a next deeper navigation
layer showing the ranked items.
58. The machine readable medium of claim 57, wherein the ranked
items are displayed in the plurality of cells.
59. The machine readable medium of claim 56, wherein the simple
navigation interface is a matrix interface.
60. The machine readable medium of claim 31, which provides further
instructions which when executed cause the machine to perform
operations further comprising: displaying one or more
advertisements on the user interface; receive a user selection of
one of the advertisements; wherein the ranked items are products or
services related to the selected advertisement.
61. A method comprising: displaying a layer of a simple navigation
interface having a plurality of cells; displaying in each of the
cells navigation options; receiving a user selection at a processor
displaying the navigation interface having a first layer having a
plurality of first navigation options, the user selection
corresponding to one of the first navigation options; ranking a
plurality of items, the items selected at least based in part in
response to the user selection; and displaying, in a client node,
the plurality of ranked items presented in a prearranged format on
the user interface.
62. An apparatus comprising: a memory, the memory storing code that
defines at least a portion of a user interface comprising one or
more navigation layers; a processor, operably in communications
with the memory, to receive a user input to a navigation option of
a current layer of the user interface having a plurality of primary
navigation options; a network interface, that upon instructions
from the processor, retrieves across the network a next layer of
the user interface containing a plurality of ranked items; and a
display for displaying the ranked items.
63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the ranked items are one of
advertisements and keywords.
64. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the ranked items are
products or services.
65. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the ranked items are
merchants of products or services.
66. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the ranked items are
displayed as navigations options in a matrix format.
67. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the plurality of navigations
options comprise a plurality of products or services.
68. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the plurality of navigations
options comprise a plurality of advertisements.
69. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the plurality of navigation
options comprise a plurality of merchants.
70. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising: an audio input
interface for receiving user selections; and a speech recognition
interface.
71. The apparatus of claim 70, further comprising: a speech to text
unit.
73. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the network is a WAN.
74. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the network is the
Internet.
75. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising: a user input
device for permitting user selections.
76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the user input device is one
of the group consisting of a remote control that communicates with
the processor wirelessly, a keyboard, a mouse, and a pointer
device.
77. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the apparatus is one of the
group consisting of television, set top box and television,
personal computer, web appliance, personal computer and wireless
device.
78. An apparatus comprising: a means for storing, coupled to the
processing means, the storing means storing code that defines at
least a portion of a user interface comprising one or more
navigation layers; a means for processing, operably in
communications with the storing means, to receive a user input to a
navigation option of a current layer of the user interface having a
plurality of primary navigation options, a means, in communications
with the processing means, and upon instructions from the
processing means, for retrieving across the network a next layer of
the user interface containing a plurality of ranked items; and a
means for displaying the ranked items.
79. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ranked items
are presented as reformatted web content in the prearranged format
on the user interface.
Description
[0001] This is a divisional of Ser. No. 09/440,214, filed on Nov.
15, 1999, entitled AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SIMPLE WIDE-AREA
NETWORK NAVIGATION.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to electronic information services and
electronic commerce services. More specifically, the invention
relates to providing easy navigation to facilitate access to such
services.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] The advent of the Internet has made a vast amount of
information available to a significant segment of the population.
Even so, over 150 million people in the U.S. do not use the
Internet, including 80% of people over 45 and 89% of people over
55. There are currently over 800 million pages of information
spread over 3 million information servers on the Internet. The vast
majority of this information is commercial in nature, making up 83%
of the content. Of the remaining 17%, the majority is scientific or
educational. This would tend to indicate that if one does not have
access to these growing resources, then one is at a definite
disadvantage.
[0006] While user interfaces are vastly more user-friendly now than
in the days of character-based terminals, such as DOS, the current
Internet navigation systems are still too cumbersome and require
too much specialized knowledge for many people to use effectively.
There are too many protocols, too many standards, and too many
methods for performing seemingly simple tasks. Just the act of
setting up a computer with a minimal configuration is challenging
and complex, so much so that many people will not gain access to
the vast array of services available over the Internet. Technology
generally evokes fear particularly among the older generation and
the poor, who have had little or no exposure to it. The net effect
of this fear combined with cost factors has been to deny access to
this large and growing segment of the population.
[0007] At this stage, electronic information services and
electronic commerce services have reached the point of mass
momentum. Unfortunately, those that cannot access these products
and services are being disenfranchised due to technical
capabilities, age, and/or socio-economic status.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A method and system to facilitate navigation of a wide-area
network is disclosed. A navigation matrix is displayed on a client
node. The matrix pairs each navigation option with an input such
that, for example, pressing a single key activates that navigation
option. The key press event is forwarded to an information and
services hub across the network. The hub then returns a next
appropriate matrix layer which may be navigated in the same
manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system employing one
embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of the information
services hub.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of terminal hardware architecture
of one embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 4a shows one such custom keypad for the notebook form
factor.
[0013] FIG. 4b shows one example of a notebook form factor of one
embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a remote control which may be used to
interface with the set-top box embodiment of the terminal
hardware.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of operations of the navigation
system of one embodiment of the invention in a custom terminal
custom browser mode.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of operation of the information
services hub of one embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a diagram of the display of a graphical user
interface of one embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 9a shows a Main Menu matrix of one embodiment of the
invention.
[0019] FIGS. 9b and 9c are the home matrix layers for the F and J
channels, respectively.
[0020] FIG. 9d is a matrix layer corresponding to search and
information services.
[0021] FIGS. 10a-g are a series of matrix layers displayed during
an exemplary navigation using one embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 11 shows a history window overlying a navigation matrix
layer.
[0023] FIGS. 12a and b are an example of a matrix layer of one
embodiment of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 13 is an e-mail composition matrix layer for one
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] A simplified system for navigation of the Internet or other
content source allows a broader user base access to the content and
services available thereon. In one embodiment, the hardware is
designed to be low cost and immediately usable out of the box. This
is expected to further expand access to the electronic world.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system employing one
embodiment of the invention. A wide-area network (WAN) 10, such as
the Internet, couples together a plurality of communication nodes.
Some nodes, such as node 12, may be a standard prior art personal
computer (PC) executing any conventional web browser. Additionally,
there are server nodes connected to WAN 10, such as server node 16,
which may be any conventional web server. The information and
services hub (ISH) 18 is coupled to WAN 10 and provides an
interface for custom terminal device 20. It is anticipated that the
number of custom terminal devices may be arbitrarily large. Also
coupled to WAN 10 are browser nodes running a custom browser that
facilitate access to information and services provided by the ISH
18. The ISH 18 provides content in a specified format for both the
custom terminal device 20 and the custom browser node 22 (client
nodes). Some of that content is provided by content partners, such
as content partner node 14. Content partners provide content to the
information and services hub in a specified format that facilitates
its use by the client nodes 20, 22. As a practical matter, both the
custom browser node 22 and the custom terminal device 20 will act
as though there is a point-to-point link between them and the ISH
18. This apparent point-to-point link limits the knowledge a user
requires, including, for example, sheltering the user from
proprietary addressing schemes, and therefore, permits vastly
simplified navigation of content available over WAN 10.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of the information
services hub. ISH 18 has various information and services sources,
including any site 26, content partner 14, and bank 24. Bank 24 may
be any remittance processing service or other financial
institution. It also has a number of content or service sinks, such
as terminal device 20, custom browser node 22, and any browser node
12. Within ISH 18, the content server 32 provides an interface
between the content sinks and the ISH content and services. On the
back end, content server 32 is coupled to a number of backend
servers. Media server 34 is responsible for providing video and
audio streaming content from media objects database 44 to the
content server 32 for supply to various content sinks. Search
engine 42 is also coupled to content server 32, as well as index
database 52. Index database 52 can be created in any traditional
indexing manner, including spidering or categorical indexing.
Search engine 42 permits the content sinks to do traditional web
searching based on the indexing in the index database 52. A
messaging server 40 permits e-mail, chat and collaboration for a
between the content sinks and any other web node. Authentication
server 38 provides security and controls access to various content.
The authentication server 38 is coupled to a directory objects
database 48 which may hold passwords and encryption keys, and other
security-related objects.
[0028] Application server 36 is coupled to the content server 32
and the extensible markup language (XML) database 46. The
application server 36 provides applications to the content sinks
via the content server 32. The applications server 36 can provide
services from within the ISH 18 or those provided from, for
instance, content partner 14. As one example, the application
server may provide access to a locally hosted Java-based word
processor. Alternatively, it may provide access to a mapping
application provided by some third party, such as Vicinity, of Palo
Alto, Calif., or MapQuest, of Denver, Colo.
[0029] The XML transcoder 30 receives incoming data from the
various possible content sources. XML transcoder 30 parses incoming
data and insures the data is placed in the correct database and in
an appropriate format. For content partners, an ISH document-type
definition (DTD) formats their data for inclusion in the ISH 18.
Thus, when the XML transcoder 30 receives a document formatted in
the standard DTD 60, it may be a mere conduit to one of the various
databases within the ISH 18. Content partners are expected to
provide other services, including electronic data interchange
(EDI), which is a currently accepted standard for transacting
purchases between wholesalers and retailers. Some embodiments of
the ISH will accept EDI in various formats, including ASC X12, EDI
FACT, and ANSI X.12. When an EDI transmission is received by the
XML transcoder 30, it will be transcoded to XML, and the data made
available to the appropriate service or repository. Some content
partners may only support established proprietary file formats,
which are transferred using e-mail or FTP services 64. The XML
transcoder provides automated processing of files transferred in
this manner. This may include parsing of data received and mapping
of the data element into data fields of the ISH.
[0030] The XML transcoder 30 also brokers transactions with banking
and remittance processing services (RPS) 24. In some of the
embodiments, an ISH DTD 60 is provided to the bank site to
facilitate transaction processing using XML. The XML transcoder 30
is also designed to repurpose content from non-content partners,
such as any site 26 to a format suitable for navigation, using the
simplified navigation system described further below. For example,
at a minimum, an arbitrary server provides some HTML code which can
be transcoded to XML by the transcoder 30. Some specialty graphics,
like Shockwave from Macromedia, Inc., can be explicitly handled by
the transcoder or dropped as part of the transcoding.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a custom terminal hardware
architecture of one embodiment of the invention. A processor 100 is
coupled to various memory units and an I/O bus bridge 110 by a
local bus 102. Among the expected memory units are random access
memory (RAM) 106, which may be any standard RAM, including standard
dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and may be symmetric or
asymmetric. Also coupled to bus 102 is a read-only memory (ROM)
unit 108. The ROM will typically include the boot code for the
processor 100. A non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) unit 104 is also coupled
to the bus. In one embodiment of the invention, the NVRAM unit 104
will contain a user interface for simplified navigation. By using
NVRAM instead of ROM for storage of the code implementing the
interface, as the interface is updated, it can be dynamically
modified without requiring the user to open the box or contact
service personnel. For example, any time an update of the user
interface program is available, the ISH may prompt the user to
accept an upgrade. The ISH can then replace the user interface
program in the NVRAM with the updated version without further user
knowledge or inconvenience.
[0032] The I/O bus bridge 110 is coupled to the local bus 102 and
bridges to the I/O bus 112. A number of units may reside on the I/O
bus, including a graphics module 114 that couples to a display (not
shown), a universal serial bus (USB) controller that may couple the
system to any number of additional USB devices. Common USB devices
include keyboards, mice, cameras, scanners, printers, and other
peripheral components and input/output devices. Also coupled to the
I/O bus may be power management module 118, which may be coupled to
the power switch and may include conventional power conservation
protocols, ensuring the processor 100 is permitted to orderly
conclude its current operation before changing power states.
[0033] An infrared data association (IrDA) interface 120 permits
the terminal to be coupled to hand-held devices, if desired. In
some embodiments, a keyboard may be coupled by an Ir link. Storage
unit 122, which may, for example, be a flash memory unit, is used
for long-term storage of data or files. A transceiver 124 is used
to permit the processor to communicate with the hub, whether it be
a point-to-point link or across a wide-area network. The
transceiver 124 may be, but is not limited to, an ethernet
transceiver, a modem, digital subscriber line (DSL) or cable modem.
It is expected that the processor 100 will communicate through the
transceiver 124 to the ISH using transmission control
protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) or point-to-point protocol
(PPP). Encryption and compression within the terminal may be
handled by conventional hardware or software solutions.
[0034] Audio I/O interface 126 may include an internal microphone
and speaker which permits audio input and output. This is
particularly useful in the context of voice e-mail or voice over IP
communications. Additionally, some embodiments of the invention
will include speech to text (STT) capability 130 and speech
recognition (SR) capability 136. Various embodiments may implement
these capabilities as hardware or software or a combination of
both. In embodiments having SR capability, for simplicity of use,
it is desirable to use one of the multiple user SR packages
available today and expected to improve in the future, as these
packages avoid the necessity of "training" the system. This permits
recognition of content of speech and conversion to text.
[0035] For purposes of reduced cost, it may be desirable to use a
particularly simple speech recognition package, recognizing only,
for example, numbers and letters. A suitable speech recognition
package will permit a user to navigate the WAN as subsequently
described using voice commands and composed e-mails in a hands-free
manner. Such an embodiment has the additional advantage that it
enables Internet access to the physically challenged. In some
embodiments, SR 136 is present, but STT 130 is not. This may permit
the processor to respond to voice commands but would not permit
composition of e-mail, for example.
[0036] In one embodiment of the invention, the terminal has a
notebook form factor with an integrated LCD display. In an
alternative embodiment, the form factor is a set-top box, which
relies on an external display, such as a television or external
monitor. While in either case, a standard QWERTY keyboard could be
used, it is believed that a custom keypad will facilitate ease of
navigation.
[0037] FIG. 4a shows one such custom keypad for the notebook form
factor. It is envisioned that this keypad may be placed adjacent to
a standard QWERTY keyboard similar to the placement of the
specialized functions, calculator digits and arrow keys of a
standard extended keyboard. Alternatively, this keypad may be
placed in the middle of a standard QWERTY keyboard separating the
right- and left-hand portions of the keyboard. In a third
embodiment, no QWERTY keyboard is provided and this is the sole
input keypad of a device. Other arrangements are within the scope
and contemplation of the invention. FIG. 4b shows one example of a
notebook form factor of one embodiment of the invention.
[0038] FIG. 5 shows a remote control that may be used to interface
with the set-top box embodiment of the terminal hardware. Common to
these keypads are keys for digits 0-9, keys for letters A-C, and
branded keys F and J. The remote control may use conventional
infrared signaling. Also provided are special function keys for
history and bookmarks, forward and back up; and down arrow keys,
and an enter key. The settop box form factor may also have a USB or
infrared keyboard as an additional input device.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of operations of the navigation
system of one embodiment of the invention in a custom terminal
custom browser mode. Upon power-up at functional block 602, a
navigation matrix layer is rendered from the NVRAM. At functional
block 604, a node establishes communication with the ISH. At
decision block 606, the node waits for a keypress. If at decision
block 606, a determination is made that a key has been pressed, a
determination is made at decision block 607 whether the keypress
corresponds to a composition cell. A composition cell is deemed to
be a cell in the navigation matrix which permits a user to enter
additional data. For example, a search cell or e.g., a purchase
order form or an e-mail may have one or more composition cells. If
the cell is a composition cell, the system enters composition mode
at functional block 632. In composition mode, the digits of the
keypad represent the digits themselves, rather than navigation
options. The cursor will also appear in the composition field of
the composition cell. At decision block 634, a determination is
made if the enter key has been pressed. The enter key is defined in
one embodiment of the invention to signify the end of a
composition. Thus, if the enter key has not been pressed, the
system remains in composition mode. However, if at decision block
634, the enter key has been pressed, the system returns to
navigation mode at functional block 636. It is also within the
scope and contemplation to define other keys to instigate return to
the navigation mode.
[0040] If a keypress is received and not found to correspond to a
composition cell at decision block 607, a determination is made at
decision block 608 whether the matrix layer corresponding to the
keypress exists within the cache. In this connection, it is
determined whether a representation of that matrix layer, even if
in the cache, is stale and therefore needs to be freshly
downloaded. If the data is stale or not present in the cache at
all, the keypress event is sent to the ISH. In one embodiment, the
entire navigation path, including the keypress event, is sent with
each keypress. When the navigation path is sent with each keypress
event, the ISH is able to identify the requested matrix layer
rapidly on the fly.
[0041] Subsequently, at functional block 612, the client node
receives the updated matrix layer corresponding to the keypress
event. That matrix layer is loaded to the memory at functional
block 614 and the cache is time-stamped at functional block 616. At
functional block 618, new ads may be received from the ISH.
Notably, the receipt of the ads is asynchronous with the matrix
layer receipt and may occur at any time without being prompted by a
keypress event. At functional block 620, the incoming matrix layer
is rendered to a temporary buffer by using a double-buffering
technique. The actual rendering is transparent to the user. At
functional block 622, the status bar for the load is updated to
indicate the percent complete of the matrix layer rendering. At
functional block 624, a determination is made if the rendering is
complete. If it is not, the buffer continues to render and the
status bar continues to update. By regularly updating the status
bar, the user is not left wondering if the device is working. This
is expected to limit the frustration experienced by many new users
during the wait while matrix layers are rendered. If the rendering
is complete, the temporary buffer is swapped with the frame buffer
and the new matrix layer is displayed at functional block 626. Then
at functional block 628, the history of the navigation path is
updated to reflect the new matrix layer. The system then returns to
await a next keypress to indicate further navigation. By
iteratively pressing appropriate keys, a user may navigate to any
desired depth up to a maximum depth along any navigation path and
obtain content relevant to the path navigated. If instead, the
matrix layer was validly in the cache at decision block 608, the
matrix layer is rendered from the cache at functional block 630 and
the system awaits the next keypress.
[0042] "Maximum depth" as used herein applies on a cell by cell
basis for primary navigation options. A maximum depth is reached
for a cell in a navigation path when pressing a corresponding key
will not take a user to a deeper matrix layer in the matrix. While
content, as distinguished from the matrix layer and their cell
headings, will be displayed once a maximum depth is reached, it is
within the scope and contemplation of the invention to display some
content in cells of an intermediate matrix layer, i.e. one that is
not at the maximum depth.
[0043] "Primary navigation options" as used herein are those
navigation options that necessarily change between successive
matrix layers, changing from general to more specific with
increases in depth in the matrix.
[0044] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of operation of the information
services hub of one embodiment of the invention. A determination is
made if the keypress event has been received at decision block 702.
If the keypress event has been received, a determination is made if
the matrix has reached maximum depth at decision block 704. If the
matrix has not reached the maximum depth, a matrix layer
corresponding to the keypress is sent at functional block 706. Such
matrix layers may or may not include content in cells with
navigation choices. If the matrix has reached maximum depth for
that navigation path, a content layer corresponding to the keypress
event is sent to the client node at functional block 708. A content
layer may or may not include matrix cells in addition to the
content. New ads are sent to the client node at functional block
710. The system then awaits the next keypress event from a client
node.
[0045] FIG. 8 is a diagram of the display of a graphical user
interface of one embodiment of the invention. The screen is divided
into a plurality of cells. In this embodiment, there are fifteen
cells that represent navigation options and one messaging cell for
displaying messages from the hub, the progress or status bar, and a
title block. The cells can further be subdivided between the digit
keys 1-9 keys which, in this embodiment, represent the primary set
of navigation options and the keys designated by letters A-C which
represent secondary navigation options and F, 0, and J keys that
each cause generation of a particular matrix layer, regardless of
where in the matrix those 3 cells are selected. Typically, the F
and J cells represent channels within the ISH. The ABC cells will
typically hold advertising, and selecting one of those cells will
generate a matrix layer with primary navigation cells directed to
that advertiser or the product line being advertised. While the
interface is designed to be fully accessible with minimal key
strokes from a key pad, it is also within the scope and
contemplation of the invention to permit selection with a mouse or
other pointer device. Additionally, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the
arrow keys may be used to scroll through the navigation options
with the enter key activating the navigation option corresponding
to the selected cell.
[0046] FIG. 9a shows a Main Menu matrix of one embodiment of the
invention. In this embodiment, F corresponds to a channel devoted
to WAN content searching and e-commerce, and J corresponds to a
channel corresponding to content locally hosted by the ISH and
locally supplied subscriber services. In one embodiment, pressing F
or J on the keyboard any time in navigation mode will generate the
corresponding home page matrix layer. FIGS. 9b and 9c are the home
matrix layers for the F and J channels, respectively. The highlight
in the corresponding cell indicates to a user which channel they
are navigating. FIG. 9d is a matrix layer corresponding to search
and information services. In one embodiment, the matrix layer may
be reached by selecting cell zero from the Main Menu and most other
matrix layers.
[0047] FIGS. 10a-g are a series of matrix layers displayed during
an exemplary navigation using one embodiment of the invention.
Beginning from the home page of the F channel on which the primary
navigation cells each display a broad category as shown in FIG. 9b,
by pressing 9 on the keypad when the matrix layer of 9b is
displayed, the system will render the Shopping and Products matrix
layer and amend the title bar to show the matrix layer of FIG. 10a.
A selection of 5 on the 10a matrix layer yields an Electronics
matrix layer shown in FIG. 10b.
[0048] Selecting 1 on the keypad when the matrix layer of 10b is
displayed yields the Audio matrix layer of FIG. 10c. By selecting
an 8 on the keypad when 10c is displayed, the system displays a
Receivers matrix layer of FIG. 10d, which breaks down receivers
into price categories and also provides the option of navigating,
in this embodiment, into Consumer Reports industry reports related
to receivers. Notably, in FIG. 10d, the number of primary
navigation options is reduced to 4. Thus, it is not necessary that
all layers of the matrix have the same number of cells, nor is it
required that all cells have the same size. A user can select
Stereo Only by pressing 1 on the keypad, which yields a stereo only
matrix layer shown in FIG. 10e.
[0049] In one embodiment of the invention, the products are ordered
based on, some ranking system, such as Consumer Reports. Thus, for
example, in FIG. 10e, Technics received the highest ranking of
receivers in the selected category from Consumer Reports. It is
expected that for any particular product class, potential
purchasers are likely to only be interested in the top several
products within that class, not for example, the 15.sup.th best
receiver in the $150-$290 range. However, it is within the scope
and contemplation of the invention to permit a "more" option which
allows a user to get a set of the next most highly ranked products
and possibly unranked products as well. It is expected that
supplying product options in a user-friendly ranked order will
encourage users to be more willing to conduct e-commerce.
[0050] By selecting a 1 on the keypad when matrix layer 10e is
displayed, a user reaches the matrix layer of FIG. 10f, as well as
reaching the maximum depth for that navigation path. Thus, pressing
1 on the keypad in response to matrix layer 10f does not move the
user deeper into the multi-dimensional matrix, and content is
displayed in cell 1 indicating the model, price, picture, and
possibly other information about the Technics product. Cell 1 is
also larger than the other cells.
[0051] Other navigation options are provided in additional matrix
cells surrounding cell 1 and its content. The additional cells
represent navigation paths that have not reached their maximum
depth. For example, by pressing a 3, one would get to a features of
the Technics product content layer. Such screen would display
features of the Technics system. The various navigation paths
typically have a maximum depth at which content is displayed.
However, reaching the maximum depth of a particular navigation path
does not indicate that another navigation path may not have yet a
deeper matrix layer. For example, while the maximum depth of the
navigation path corresponded to cell 1 has been reach in FIG. 10f,
selecting a 9 on the keypad will move a user to a Technics purchase
matrix layer, shown in FIG. 10g. By selecting digits on the keypad,
a user can move between fields to fill out a purchase form which,
as discussed above, is one example of a matrix layer including
composition cells. In some embodiments, the form can be filled in
using keyboard input. In other embodiments, the speech to text
capabilities of the terminal will permit the user to fill out the
electronic purchase form orally.
[0052] FIG. 11 shows a history window overlying a navigation
matrix. The history window would appear if the history button on
the keypad were actuated. By using the up/down arrow key on the
keypad, the user may then select a prior matrix to jump to directly
without moving backwards or forwards iteratively.
[0053] FIGS. 12a and b are an example matrix after a selection of 0
from the main menu screen, which allows one to conduct a search
through cell 1. On this figure, advertisements for Jaguar appear in
the ABC cells. In one embodiment of the invention, the ABC
designation appears initially (as shown in FIG. 12a)when the screen
is first refreshed and then fades away to reveal solely the
advertisement in each of those cells (as shown in FIG. 12b). In
this example, pressing an A on the keypad would take the user to a
matrix reflecting company information about Jaguar. Pressing B
would take the user to a matrix for the virtual showroom, and C
would take the user to a purchase screen for the advertised
item.
[0054] In some cases, the advertising cells are merged as a single
cell showing a single advertisement and permitting navigation to
only a single matrix layer therefrom. In one embodiment, the
background can be an advertisement. This is also shown in FIGS. 12a
and b. Significantly, the advertisement can be targeted by
modifying the ad responsive to the apparent navigation path of the
user. This leaves the potential of showing the user an
advertisement for a product or service more likely to be of
interest. For example, when a user selects Electronics in the
example of FIGS. 10a-g, the next screen may have as background an
advertisement, e.g. for Circuit City.
[0055] FIG. 13 shows the e-mail creation screen for one embodiment
of the invention. This would be reached by pressing 3 on the keypad
when the matrix layer of FIG. 9d is displayed. Again, all e-mail
functions other than actually entering the text and the address can
be performed using the simple interface with numerical digits and
the letters ABC corresponding to inbox, the outbox, and the sent
features of standard e-mail, respectively.
[0056] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been
described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will,
however, be evident that various modifications and changes can be
made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of
the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The
specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an
illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Therefore, the scope
of the invention should be limited only by the appended claims.
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