Abstract: A pop-up option palette for controlling electronic equipment such as a set top box. The pop-up option palette of the present invention is implemented as an overlay window enabled by HTML. The pop-up option palette appears anywhere on the system at the touch of a particular key on the remote control and disappears at the touch of the same key in the preferred embodiment. The pop-up option palette provides shortcut methods for jumping to other areas of the system, eliminating the need for actual toolbars or menus. When the pop-up key is activated, a window providing a palette of options appears overlaying the browser's main window. The content of the window can be determined based on the page being displayed so that appropriate information relevant to the page being displayed appears within the pop-up option palette window. Thus, the options available on the pop-up option palette are context sensitive. Additionally, help available through the help button is also context sensitive.

Abstract: An apparatus, article of manufacture, and method for displaying data on a computer network. One embodiment of the method, for example, comprises displaying via a browser a first document from the computer network; requesting a second document for display; receiving data for the second document for display; determining that the second document cannot yet be displayed; and storing the data for the second document.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a digital device is provided. A user interface is provided with controls the user can select. These controls correspond to controls found on the digital device. When a user selects one of the selectable controls, a control command is sent through a translation process where the control command is translated from a first protocol to a second protocol. The translated command is then sent to the digital device, which executes the control command.