Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and system for presenting color television signals. Television signal chrominance values for foreground elements are adjusted in response to television signal chrominance values for background elements, so as to minimize display artifacts while preserving the relative color contrast between foreground and background. (1) The invention modifies I and Q values of the foreground color to reduce the difference of the foreground I and Q with respect to the background I and Q. (2) The invention modifies Y, I and Q values of the foreground color to avoid colors known to display poorly for selected output devices. (3) The invention modifies Y values of the foreground color to maintain intended visual contrast between foreground and background colors. (4) The invention modifies Y, I and Q values of the foreground color to decrease cross-luminance separation artifacts at the border between foreground and background colors.

Abstract: User and network computer client device (NC) registration with an internet service provider (ISP) occurs in two phases: the first phase with the relationship server and the second phase with the ISP. In the first phase, the NC sends the relationship server a unique identifier of the NC manufacturer, such as the manufacturer identification number. In the preferred embodiment, the NC also transmits an enterprise identification number from a smart card uniquely specifying the ISP to which the user wishes to connect. The relationship server queries a relationship database using the manufacturer and enterprise identification numbers. In the preferred embodiment, the relationship server determines whether the specified manufacturer has authorized connection to the specified ISP; if no authorization exists in the relationship server database, then the relationship server disconnects from the NC.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and system for secure down-loading, recovery, and upgrading of data. A client device receives information from a server device using a reliable software modules stored in permanent memory in the client device. The reliable software modules perform software and data integrity tests, and locate and retrieve data for recovery or upgrade of the client device. The client device confirms the trustworthiness of the received information device by comparing digital signatures or digests for the information it receives with known digital certificates in the reliable software module.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and system for secure downloading, recovery, and upgrading of data. A client device receives information from a server device using a reliable software modules stored in permanent memory in the client device. The reliable software modules perform software and data integrity tests, and locate and retrieve data for recovery or upgrade of the client device. The client device confirms the trustworthiness of the received information device by comparing digital signatures or digests for the information it receives with known digital certificates in the reliable software module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing background and foreground display images. Graphics memory for images which are rendered in software is referenced by a processor using an MMU (memory mapping unit) having MMU tables. The graphics memory includes a portion for on-screen display, and a portion which can be written into but which is not displayed. When a background image is overlaid by a foreground image, the portion of the background image overlaid is copied to a save-away area, and the MMU tables are altered so that software rendering of the background image automatically occurs in the save-away area. However, the foreground image is written directly into the on-screen display area by rendering hardware. This allows the software-rendered image to be kept up to date, and allows data for the software-rendered image not to be lost during the time the background image is covered up.

Abstract: Displaying a hypermedia document such as an HTML web page on a television display without using horizontal scroll bars, while preserving the look and feel of the web page as originally contemplated by the web page designer. When possible, each web page is reduced to fit within a specified threshold such as the horizontal margins of the display. Any vertical portion of the web page overlapping the vertical margin is accessed through a vertical scroll bar or similar technique. In a first pass, web page reduction includes rendering the web page without any scaling or changes to the web page and recording web page content statistics to obtain a global indicator as to the horizontal size of the entire web page. Content statistics recorded in each cell includes the following cell content characteristics: the width of the largest non-breaking line of elements; the width of the largest element within a non-breaking line; and the width of the largest embeds or non-breaking horizontal sequence of embeds within a cell.

Abstract: User and network computer client device (NC) registration with an internet service provider (ISP) occurs in two phases: the first phase with the relationship server and the second phase with the ISP. In the first phase, the NC sends the relationship server a unique identifier of the NC manufacturer, such as the manufacturer identification number. In the preferred embodiment, the NC also transmits an enterprise identification number from a smart card uniquely specifying the ISP to which the user wishes to connect. The relationship server queries a relationship database using the manufacturer and enterprise identification numbers. In the preferred embodiment, the relationship server determines whether the specified manufacturer has authorized connection to the specified ISP; if no authorization exists in the relationship server database, then the relationship server disconnects from the NC.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing an electronic programming guide that allows a television viewer to access and interact with television scheduling information. The electronic programming guide provides the viewer with a grid which lists channels, titles and show times. To help the viewer locate information about shows the viewer is interested in, the guide can filter the data prior to display. Only the data that meets certain filter criteria will be displayed. The filter criteria are set by the viewer. The filter criteria can be changed by manipulating a variable selection element such as a slider.

Abstract: A network computer client device (NC) maintains a root internet service provider (ISP) certificate which includes the ISP's public key and which is digitally signed by a root authority using the root authority's private key. The NC also maintains a root public key. When an ISP desires to write onto the smart card inserted into an NC, it sends ISP account information to be written including a digital signature portion created with the ISP's private key to the NC. The NC performs a cryptographic verification of the ISP account information using the ISP's public key found in the root ISP certificate. If this verification is successful, the NC writes the ISP account information to the smart card. If this verification fails, the ISP account information is not written to the smart card.

Abstract: All network computer client device (NC) manufacturers' authorizations to connect to specific internet service providers (ISPs) are maintained in a central database associated with a relationship server. The relationship server issues digital certificates which associate various ISPs to their respective public keys. Each ISP is assigned a unique enterprise identification number by the relationship server. To authorize a specific ISP, the manufacturer begins with the relationship server's ISP certificate. The manufacturer computes and appends its own digital signature for the relationship server's ISP certificate, thereby creating an ISP usage certificate valid for its NCs which it sends back to the relationship server. Upon first powering on, each NC dials the relationship server and transmits its manufacturer identification number. The relationship server uses the manufacturer identification number to find the ISP usage certificates corresponding to the NC manufacturer.

Abstract: User specific internet service provider (ISP) account information is stored on the user's smart card, but the ISP specific connection information is stored within a network computer client device (NC). When the NC is first powered on and used, it calls the relationship server to receive connection information corresponding to the ISP that is either specified on the first user's smart card or is otherwise chosen by the first user. This connection information is preferably stored in non-volatile memory within the NC, so that even if the NC is powered down, it maintains the ability to connect to the ISP designated by its previous user. Each ISP is designated by a unique enterprise identification number assigned by the relationship server. When a subsequent user inserts his smart card into an NC, the NC compares the enterprise identification number on the smart card to the enterprise identification number within the NC.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing an electronic programming guide that allows a television viewer to access and interact with television viewing information. The electronic programming guide provides the viewer with a grid which lists channels, titles and show times. One format for presenting the grid shows an entire week of programming. Each row contains a show that is to be broadcast one or more times during the week. The first column lists the name of the show and the second column indicates the length of the show. The next seven columns represent the days of the week. For each time that a show is to be broadcast, the show time and channel are displayed in the appropriate column. The grid can be sorted many ways including by title, category, actors or search terms.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for receiving incoming information from multiple information sources, both interactive and passive, and for engagingly presenting that information to a recipient on a presentation interface. The system includes a "background" element, which interacts with interactive information sources and receives from passive information sources, and determines whether information from those sources is likely to be interesting to the recipient, possibly using one information source to determine priority for another. The system also includes a "foreground" element, which presents information to the recipient when active, but not when inactive.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for providing quick access to menu and selection items of a user interface using an input device having a limited capability. For example, a standard television remote control does not have a pointing device or a button for each letter of the alphabet. One button is used to activate on-screen pop-up symbols that map selection items to keys on the remote. If a user does not select one of the selection items within a predetermined amount of time, the on-screen pop-up symbols disappear. The on-screen symbols can also be used to allow a user to select menus and submenus.