United States Patent [191
`Sturgis et a1.
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`4,751,669
`Jun. 14, 1988
`
`[54] VIDEOTEX FRAME PROCESSING
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Samuel P. Sturgis, Medway; William
`'1‘. Haggerty, Groton; Barbara C.
`Sangster, Wellesley Hills, all of Mass.
`
`[73]
`
`Assignee: Wang Laboratories, Inc., Lowell,
`Mass.
`
`App]. No.: 719,777
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 4, 1985
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 595,211, Mar. 30,
`1984.
`
`Int. Cl.‘ .............................................. .. G06F 1/00
`U.S. Cl. .................................................. .. 364/900
`Field of Search
`364/200 MS File, 900 MS File
`
`[211
`[221
`
`[631
`
`[51]
`[52]
`[53]
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,028,733
`6/1977
`9/1981
`4,290,062
`4,454,593
`6/1984
`5/1986
`4,587,520
`
`Ulicki ............................ .. 364/900 X
`
`. . . . .. 340/735
`Marti et al. . . . .
`.... .. 364/900
`Fleming et a1.
`Astle ................................. .. 340/712
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Williams; The Lisa Computer System, Byte; Feb. 1983,
`pp. 33-44, 46, 48 and 50.
`Primary Examiner-Raulfe B. Zache
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael H. Shanahan; Scott
`K. Peterson
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A videotex decoder apparatus which, in various as
`pects, displays a status line to indicate when connect
`charges are occurring; overlays menus over displayed
`videotex frames with portions of the displayed frames
`remaining visible; provides easily called log-on proce
`dures; retrieves remote information frames by user
`speci?ed keywords names; prints information frames in
`selectable different overall sizes; provides selectable
`different character sets for display; is table-driven; is
`structured to include a device independent decoder and
`device dependent drivers; includes a controller which
`feeds bytes to the decoder for decoding without regard
`to the protocol-dependent information content of those
`bytes; and uses an added frame header on stored frames
`to indicate the videotex protocol for decoding the
`frames.
`
`42 Claims, 17 Drawing Sheets
`
`SUESCRIBEH'S
`EQUIPMENT
`
`mu " 1PM
`
`m.
`
`PORT,
`13
`
`12
`
`SWlTCHED
`TELEPHONE
`NETWORK
`u
`18
`
`16
`
`( 24
`VIDEDTEX
`SUPPUER'S
`EQUIPMENT
`
`VIDEOTEX
`SUPPLIER'S
`EQUIPMENT
`,2 x
`20
`
`FIG, 1
`
`40
`
`r 30
`
`F
`CONTHOL o
`MODULE '2
`
`MODEM
`
`13
`
`OECODER
`MODULE
`
`DISPLAYWFII NT
`MODULE
`
`36
`
`Page 1
`
`Amazon Ex. 1021
`Amazon v. PMC
`IPR2014-01534
`
`

`
`US. Patent Jun. 14, 1988
`
`Sheet 1 0f 17
`
`4,751,669
`
`23
`
`swITcHED
`TELEPHONE
`NETWORK
`k 18
`
`16
`
`f 2‘
`vIDEoTEx
`suPPLIER's
`EQUIPMENT
`
`vIDEOTEx
`SUPPLIER'S
`EQUIPMENT
`22 K 20
`
`FIG. 1
`
`MODEM
`SUBSCRIBER'S
`EQUIPMENT C
`\
`
`K. 14
`
`PORT,
`13
`
`[-40
`
`{-30
`
`KEYBOARD —>
`p
`CONTROL 0+’. MODEM
`MODULE '1‘
`DIsK FILE —>-
`\42
`If
`( MODULE
`3
`J
`SCREEN
`DRIVER
`
`_\
`‘3
`
`I T
`
`DECODER
`MODULE
`
`DISPLAY/PRINT
`
`-\
`14
`
`FIG. 2
`
`I
`PRINTER x
`38
`
`37
`
`36
`
`CRT '
`
`Page 2
`
`

`
`Sheet 2 of 17
`
`4,751,669
`
`Log-off from Viewdata
`
`Press EXECUTE to log-off
`from Viewdata
`
`or
`
`CANCEL to return to the menu
`
`EXECUTE - Log-off
`CANCEL - Previous Menu
`
`n . - - - - - - — - . - - - - - - — - - — — - - - - . - - - . . . ~. --
`
`Store a Viewdata frame
`
`III
`
`3
`2
`3I
`I
`
`:
`'
`
`Name of Frame:
`
`_ _
`
`._ _ _ _ _ E 1 _ . _ _ _ _ _
`
`INDENT - Frame Directory
`EXECUTE - Proceed
`CANCEL - Previous Menu
`
`Store Local Frame (Page 1)
`Drive: _ Directory:/ _ 1 . _ _ _ _. . _ _ . . .,
`filename0O1
`filenameO03
`filename0O2
`filename009
`filename003
`filename0‘l O
`filename004
`filename01 1
`fi|ename005
`filenameO12
`filenameO06
`fi|enameO1 3
`filename014
`filename007
`
`NEXT
`— Next Directory Page
`CANCEL - Previous Menu
`
`..-.-.---—-_...——.—.o.—.
`
`Already exists
`
`Press EXECUTE to Overwrite
`the existing frame
`OI’
`
`CANCEL to return to the Menu
`. . . - - - . - . ¢ - . - - - - - - - . - . — - - - . . ¢ . . . . - --
`
`Page 3
`
`Jun. 14, 1988
`U.S. Patent
`- - . o . - - - - . - - . - - - - - - - - - - - - . o - - c - - - . .-
`
`;
`g
`
`I
`I
`
`_ Display local frame
`S
`/2! Store frame
`2
`I 43 _ Print frame
`I
`_. Log-on to remote viewdata
`E
`_ Perform system functions
`E
`EXECUTE
`- Proceed
`SPACE BAR - Move Cursor
`3
`I
`p
`CANCEL
`- Remove Menu
`|
`
`E
`:
`:
`:
`;
`E
`3
`I
`I
`I
`
`Select a Log-on Proceedure
`_ Prestel
`
`_ BTX
`
`_ NPLPS
`
`_ Other
`
`- Proceed
`EXECUTE
`SPACE BAR - Move Cursor
`CANCEL
`~ Remove Menu
`
`. - n . . - . . o - o o — — . - . - - — . - - - - . . . - - - — o - - - u
`
`Log-on to Viewdata
`
`Please manually dial Viewdata -
`
`Telephone Numbers:
`
`u
`
`IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
`
`Select Function - Connected l\-/l-o.de
`
`-
`
`._ Display local frame
`_ Store frame
`_ Print frame
`_. Log-off remote viewdata
`._ Perform system functions
`
`- Proceed
`EXECUTE
`SPACE BAR ~ Move Cursor
`CANCEL
`- Remove Menu
`
`,--_-_-----------—---q
`
`Page 3
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 14, 1988
`
`Sheet 3 of 17
`
`4,751,669
`
`’-_-----------_--_-_
`
`Display Local Frame (Page 1)
`
`Drive: _ Directory: / I _ . . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
`
`filename008
`?lenameOOS
`?lename01 0
`filename01 1
`filenameOl 2
`filenameOl 3
`filename014
`
`filename001
`filenameOOZ
`filename003
`filename004
`filenameOOS
`filename006
`NEXT
`- Next Directory Page
`CANCEL - Previous Menu
`
`Print Frame
`
`_ Small Format Print
`
`__ Large Format Print
`
`EXECUTE - Proceed
`SPACE BAR - Move Cursor
`CANCEL
`- Remove Menu
`
`I
`I
`I
`i
`i
`l
`l
`i
`
`5 l
`
`I
`I
`l
`I
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`I
`
`Delete a Log-on Procedure
`
`__ Prestel
`_ BTX
`_ NPLPS
`_ Other
`
`EXECUTE - Proceed
`SPACE BAR - Move Cursor
`CANCEL
`- Previous Menu
`
`Delete a Log-on Procedure
`
`Procedure: _ . _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ e . _ _ _
`
`Press EXECUTE to Delete
`the Procedure
`
`or
`
`CANCEL to return to the Menu
`
`u a n o n o - n o a - a a o - - u o n - _ n n . Q u n p Q Q a a n p -
`
`- ~ u o n - p Q a p n - - o n a n a I - u - n - - n n - Q n - a a a a u -.
`
`Select a System Function
`
`Define a Log-on Procedure
`
`__ Modify Log-on parameters
`
`_ Modify storage parameters
`
`_ Delete stored frame
`
`__ Select character set
`
`EXECUTE
`- Proceed
`SPACE BAR - Move Cursor
`CANCEL
`— Remove Menu
`
`_ Prestel
`_ BTX
`_ NPLPS
`_. Other
`
`_ _________ -e
`
`EXECUTE - Proceed
`SPACE BAR ~ Move Cursor
`CANCEL
`~ Previous Menu
`
`n ~ - n o n - - . v c n n p ¢ n u n n - - - a o - n p u - - - . - - a-‘
`
`Define a Log-on Procedure
`
`Select a Function:
`
`_ Modify/Create Procedure
`
`_ Delete Procedure
`
`EXECUTE - Proceed
`SPACE BAR - Move Cursor
`CANCEL
`- Previous Menu
`
`I
`I
`
`Define a Log—on Procedure
`5 Serial Communications Port:
`g
`_ Port 1
`_ Port 4
`1
`_ Port 2
`E
`_ Port 3
`i Transmit/Receive Rate:
`:
`_ Equal Speed __ Split Speed
`E
`EXECUTE - Proceed
`:
`SPACE BAR - Move Cursor
`i
`CANCEL
`- Previous Menu
`
`I
`
`I
`
`i
`:
`:
`g
`
`5
`
`i
`5
`:
`
`I
`I
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`:
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`i
`a
`:
`i
`:
`1
`
`l . . Q - - - - - - - . q - Q - _ - - - . Q - _ . - - - Q q . Q - - - --I
`
`Page 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 14,1988
`
`Sheet 4 of 17
`
`4,751,669
`
`g"""13°e'n'.Ié'a'[Kg'.3'n’?=}oE2BL'rB°°°
`E
`E
`Error Substitute Action:
`E
`E
`._ Enable _ Pass _ Deiete
`3
`3
`Error Substitute Character Code:
`§
`5
`D ‘:1
`u
`:
`1
`E
`_ Ha”
`;
`_‘’Fu"
`I
`-
`_
`'
`3
`Next Field
`E
`RETURN
`.
`- Proceed
`.
`EXECUTE
`:
`:
`SPACE BAR - Move Cursor
`3
`5
`CANCEL
`— Previous Menu
`"""""""""""""" "1=':c'.'éL
`
`E
`|
`5
`§
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`5
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`5
`
`_ _ _
`_ . _ _
`_ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
`Define a Log-on Procedure
`character set
`_ English
`_ German
`
`E
`I
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`;
`5
`S
`1
`_
`5
`§’.§§‘é‘éT§An - §£§3§°é’u.so.
`3
`CANCEL
`- Previous Menu
`"""" '
`'
`FIG. 31/
`
`E"""6;}{r:;;‘1B2J:;;1‘;,:_;;;E]"r;““"E
`3
`i
`:
`3
`Identification number:
`5
`;
`__________________ --
`5
`3
`Password (Optional):
`I
`I
`E
`5
`RETl‘,'R‘,;,rrrr t’ ;:,’d“
`re
`ex
`~
`5
`5
`EXECUTE
`- Proceed
`. - — - . — - ¢ - . - . . - - . — . . . . . . _ — . - . — . . - - _ - m
`E
`CANCEL
`- Previous Menu
`E
`
`-o--------------------co
`
`Define a Log-on Procedure
`
`Teiephone Numbers:
`
`RETURN
`EXECUTE
`CANCEL
`
`— Next Field
`— Proceed
`- Previous Menu
`
`__________
`_ _____________________
`3
`E
`D°fi"e a L°9'°" Procedure
`3
`:
`Receive Data Rate:
`E
`E _ 50
`_ 150
`- 1800 _ 4800
`" 3% ‘ 333
`‘ 3333 ‘ £33 3
`—
`-
`“
`‘
`1
`§_134.5 _ 1200 _ 3500 _ 19200 E
`'
`EXECUTE
`- Proceed
`'
`E
`SPACE BAR - Move Cursor
`E
`,
`CANCEL
`P
`.
`M
`.
`g _______________ __'___'f)’{‘j‘_‘-°_‘___",')‘j____:
`FIG. 3q
`r """"""""""""""""""""" "I
`
`I E
`
`:
`Define a Log-on Procedure
`3
`g
`Transmit Data Rate:
`E
`I
`§
`§ : 32
`: 333
`: 3333 : 3333
`3
`: _ 110
`_ 500
`_ 2400 _ 9600
`E- 134.5 -1200 _3s00 _ 19200 E
`EXECUTE
`- Proceed
`:
`SPACE BAR - Move Cursor
`:
`:
`i.-..-?:“.':*.°.E.E..-.-. 1’::*."i*2*.=§.".".*=.':':-...E
`FIG. 3r
`t____ ______________________________ __.
`:I
`:
`Define a Log-on Procedure
`§
`Transmit/Receive Data Rate:
`E
`‘-50
`_150
`_180O -4800 :
`5 _ 75
`_ 300
`_ 2000 _ 7200
`:
`§_110
`-600 _240o _960O 5
`E- 134.5 _ 1200 _ 3500 _ 19200 5
`I
`_
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`5
`§’.§§°o‘éT§An- §n'33§°é’m......
`5
`.
`5....-95'f’E§':....'.?f§’I’I‘3'3§.'Y'.‘i'1‘3...-§
`FIG. 35
`
`I :
`
`Define a Log-on Procedure
`Number of data bits:
`_ 5
`_ 6
`__ 7
`
`_ 8
`
`Stop bit length:
`__ 1
`_ 1.5
`
`,
`
`_ 2
`
`Parity:
`._ None ._ Even _ Odd _ Ignore
`RETURN
`- Next Field
`EXECUTE
`- Proceed
`SPACE BAR - Move Cursor
`CANCEL
`- Previous Menu
`
`Page 5
`
`Page 5
`
`

`
`US. Patent Jun. 14, 1988
`
`Sheet 5 of 17
`
`4,751,669
`
`I __________________________________ __
`:
`Define a Log-on Procedure
`:
`
`I
`
`E Logoff Code:
`I
`
`. _ _ . _ _ . _ . . _ _ _
`
`: Backup Frame Code: _ _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . . _
`I
`|
`
`l Repea‘ Flame °°d° ------------ --
`
`.
`
`2
`I
`
`i
`
`I
`
`i
`
`: Home Frame Code: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
`1
`'
`I
`:
`:
`
`:
`I
`'
`EXECUTE - Proceed
`I
`:
`SPACE BAR - Move Cursor
`2
`CANCEL
`- Previous Menu
`FIG 3y
`
`I . - - a - - - I a - - p - q - . p Q q n - . - - - - - - - p n Q - - n.
`
`:
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`
`Modify Storage Parameters
`
`'
`
`~
`
`Drive‘ —
`
`Directory: / . _ . . _ _ . _ . _ - -
`
`EXECUTE - Proceed
`
`:
`:
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`I
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`E
`
`i
`
`l
`
`E
`
`CANCEL
`
`- Previous Menu {
`:
`I
`I
`""""""""" "‘ """""""" "
`HG‘ 3“
`i .................................. "I
`3
`Delete Local Frame (Page 1)
`E
`
`:
`
`Drive: _ Directory: / _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , _ _ _ _
`
`I ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ‘ ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' "i
`
`Define a Log-on Procedure
`:
`.
`'
`I
`De?ne User Keywords 1 8
`:
`i Name:
`Code:
`i
`............................ - _
`
`_
`
`:
`
`g
`
`_ . _ _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _
`
`_ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , _ _
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`_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _
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`filenameOOZ
`?lename003
`filename004
`
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`filename0010 :
`filename001 1
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`filenarne0012 5
`
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`
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`
`NEXT - Next Directory Page
`
`CANCEL - Previous Menu
`
`a
`
`1
`
`I . . a - a . . - - - . a - a a a - a a - - - - - a - - - Q - - e - - - -l
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`_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , _ , _ _ _
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`CANCEL
`- Previous Menu
`
`:
`:
`:
`:
`:
`:
`:
`l
`
`
`' """""""""""""" "'F‘la'ég‘ '
`
`. ---------------------------------- --.
`2
`Save Frame was Successful
`:
`1
`Delete Frame was Successful
`;
`: Change Directory was Successful {
`
`
`{ :
`Modify Log-on was Successful Delete Log-on was Successful
`E
`
`I .................................. .-.
`5
`Define a Log-on Procedure
`5
`
`2 Change Char. Set was Successful 5
`FIG 3%
`
`._ Display on Log-on Menu
`
`E
`a
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`i
`1 _ Do Not Display on Log-on Menu I
`a
`i
`:
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`:
`:
`:
`:
`i
`:
`i .................................. -.l
`FIG. 3aa
`
`EXECUTE - Proceed
`SPACE BAR - Move Cursor
`CANCEL
`- Previous Menu
`
`g
`,
`I
`I
`
`:
`
`i
`l
`|
`:
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`:
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`
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`
`De?ne a Log_on Procedure
`
`Procedure: _ e _ _ . . _ e _ _ _ . _ _ _ _
`
`Press EXECUTE to Store
`
`the procedure
`
`or
`
`':
`I
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`5
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`"""""""""""""" 'iiéi'ési;
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`The file could not be found
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`The disk drive is not ready
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`The disk is full
`5
`:
`A disk write error occurred
`:
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`A disk read error occurred
`:
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`An unknown disk error occurred
`:
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`The disk directory is fui!
`:
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`The disk directory is missing
`I
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`A Primer Failure Occurred
`E
`5
`Serial I/O hardware is missing
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`Not enough memory IS available
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`
`Page 6
`
`

`
`4,751,669
`II
`
`IIIIIII II
`
`Modify Storage Parameters
`
`t
`‘
`Dnec my
`Does not exist
`
`_ _ - - _ _ _ , . L L , _ -
`
`:
`
`II
`:I
`
`IIIIIIII
`
`Press EXECUTE to create
`a new directory
`or
`
`CANCEL to return
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 14,1933
`
`Sheet 6 of 17
`
`File: . _ _ _ _ _ _ . . _ _ . . . _ _ _ _ - _
`.
`.
`.
`.
`as missing or defective
`
`Press CANCEL to return to
`the Menu
`
`""" """"'""""°'"'i=iéT'§§;
`
`Modify Storage Parameters
`
`Directory: __________ _ -
`
`Could NOT be created
`
`Press CANCEL to return
`
`EXECUTE - Proceed
`CANCEL
`- Previous Menu
`
`FIG 3hh
`
`FIG 31;
`
`:"'KC Fr? Fa"Z:':-I-':g""""""" '" """ "5's'u:'-1'£1'é Zia" 'i
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`
`
`______ ‘_
`
`Store a Viewdata Frame
`
`Name of frame:
`
`_ _ _ _ _ L _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ L _ _ _ ,
`
`- Frame Directory
`INDENT
`EXECUTE - Proceed
`CANCEL
`- Previous Menu
`
`E 9 r ndex
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`3
`1 ................................................... __:
`FIG. 3kk
`
`3:13
`
`Page 7
`
`Page 7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Jun. 14,1988
`
`Sheet 7 of 17
`
`4,751,669
`
`Q u a - - o a y - - a a p p Q u Q Q u n n n Q p p q - - n u . n p Q - - n n Q a n n p Q a Q Q n - .
`
`Connected Main Menu HELP
`
`The following functions are available:
`
`HELP
`PAGE
`CENTER
`
`DECTAB
`FORMAT
`
`- Displays this "Help"
`- Set Modem/No-Modem Mode
`- Display/Remove Status
`Line
`- Display User Functions
`- Display/Remove Menu
`Background
`- Backup a Remote Frame
`PREV
`- Redisplay Remote Frame
`ARROWS
`- Goto Remote Home Frame
`(blank key)
`- Reveal Frame
`GO TO
`- Accept Selection
`EXECUTE
`- Remove Menu
`CANCEL
`SHIFT CANCEL - Show Main Menu
`
`.---------------‘-___-------_-.
`
`_----------------------------------
`
`Press CANCEL to return to Viewdata
`
`n Q - n p u Q - - u - . p . - - Q - - n . u o - - - - p p q u a n . n Q Q Q - - n n - . n Q u Q u a.
`
`. . - Q q p Q - n Q p p n Q a a u g Q p Q - - u Q a p n o e a n - n - n - n I
`
`u u - o p Q Q q I - p n o . - . - Q - n n o n o - - - - p p p . - o n o - ‘a
`
`n - - - u a - ~ p I u q _ Q - n a n o u n n a n p u - u I p p p u q - .
`
`Page 8
`
`

`
`US. Patent Jun. 14, 1988
`
`Sheet 8 0f 17
`
`4,751,669
`
`REPAINT SCREEN
`
`100
`
`DECODE A I
`CHARACTER
`
`CLEAR SCREEN;
`lNlTlALIZE
`STATE TROUBLE
`
`‘r102
`GET
`NEXT
`BYTE *
`
`<__ FRAME
`TABLE x
`104
`
`DETERMINE
`ACTION AND < STATE
`/ cI-IAR TABLE
`TABLE \
`10s
`PRINTER w
`106
`t
`108
`L4___ITRANsLATIoN
`DETERMINE
`TABLE \
`AND
`PERFORM <____ CURRENT “2
`DISPLAY
`STATE
`CHANGES
`/
`+— “#223? q
`114
`118
`
`¢
`
`DETERMINE ‘_ TRANsITIoN
`AND
`TABLE \
`I
`PERFORM
`120
`STATE 4_ STATE
`f" CHANGES
`TABLE
`_\
`122
`106
`
`FIG. 6
`
`DISPLAY/PRINT
`f MODULE
`34
`
`UPDATE
`STATE
`
`Page 9
`
`

`
`US. Patent Jun. 14, 1988
`BEGIN
`
`20o
`
`Sheet 9 of 17
`
`4,751,669
`
`TRUE
`
`F'N'§HED
`'
`
`END
`VIDEOTEX
`sEssIoN
`
`214
`
`T0
`FIG.
`7'3
`
`216
`
`YES
`
`234
`YES \
`RETRIEVE
`FRAME *
`
`CANCEL
`KEY
`.7
`
`No
`
`DISPLA
`LOCAL
`FRAME
`2
`
`N0
`
`FALSE
`
`202
`
`SHOW
`DISPLAY
`‘7
`
`FALSE 5 206
`
`MENU DISPLAY AND
`PROCCESSING LOOP
`
`207
`
`OVERLAY FALSE
`
`218
`
`(235
`STORE YES STORE
`FRQME
`FRAME
`
`TRUE
`211\
`
`ERAsE ENTIRE
`DIsPLAY BUFFER
`
`220
`
`ERAsE OVERLAY
`PORTION OF BUFFER
`
`2
`
`222
`
`224
`
`210
`f
`DISPLAY
`CONNECTED
`MODE MAIN
`MENU
`
`212 \
`DISPLAY
`UNCONNECTED
`MODE MAIN
`MENU
`
`No
`
`PRINT
`FRAME
`?
`
`NO
`
`LOG-0N
`SELECTED
`2
`
`NO
`
`LOG-OFF
`SELECTED
`?
`No
`
`TO BEGIN 238
`4
`YES PRINT
`FRAME
`
`—240
`
`YES
`
`LOG-ON ———>—
`
`242
`f
`LOG-OFF
`
`YES
`
`232
`
`‘,
`SET snow
`DISPLAY TRUE
`
`TO FIG. 7c
`
`TO BEGIN
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`Page 10
`
`

`
`US. Patent Jun. 14, 1988
`
`Sheet 10 of 17
`
`4,751,669
`
`FROM FIG. 7A
`
`CHARACTER
`PROCESSING LOOP
`
`284
`
`KEYBOARD
`CHARACTER
`
`282 \
`DECODE AND
`DISPLAY
`
`286
`
`YES
`
`/ 291
`
`NO
`
`DISPLAY r
`HELP
`,
`
`YES
`
`'
`
`‘
`
`SHIFT
`CANCEL
`
`290
`
`292
`
`294
`
`298
`
`302
`
`NO
`
`USER
`
`‘
`
`'
`
`KEYWORD ,
`
`/ 304
`PROCESS “_1
`
`A
`
`‘7
`TO BEGIN
`FIG. 7A
`
`HS. 78
`
`Page 11
`
`

`
`US. Patent Jun. 14, 1988
`
`Sheet 11 of 17
`
`4,751,669
`
`FROM FIG. 7A
`
`226
`
`No
`
`SYSTEM
`FUNCTION
`SELECTED
`-’
`
`YES
`
`22a
`
`No
`
`246
`
`YES
`
`SET SHOW
`DISPLAY TRUE
`
`231
`
`NO
`
`230
`
`NO
`
`24a
`
`248
`
`YES
`
`I Y [244
`DISPLAY
`SYSTEM
`FUNCTIONS
`MENU
`
`YES DELETE
`STORED ‘—>
`FRAME
`
`EFFECT _,
`SOLUTION
`
`DIRECTORY
`
`TO
`BEGIN
`
`Page 12
`
`

`
`US. Patent Jun. 14,1988
`
`Sheet 12 of 17
`
`4,751,669
`
`350
`
`352
`
`STATUS LINE
`ROUTINE
`
`DISPLAY
`STATUS LINE
`TRUE?
`
`CONNECTED
`
`[356
`
`DISPLAY
`CLOCK
`
`UNCONNECTED
`
`358
`
`REMOTE
`
`DISPLAY
`"REMOTE"
`
`RESET DISPLAY
`STATUS LINE
`
`T0 BEGINNING
`
`FIG. 70
`
`Page 13
`
`

`
`US. Patent Jun. 14, 1988
`
`Sheet 13 of 17
`
`4,751,669
`
`80
`
`8b
`
`8C
`
`FIG. 8b -
`
`y
`
`I/ 408
`
`DECODER ATTRIBUTE MANAGER
`
`_
`
`DISPLAY CHARACTER
`
`L'“
`
`l
`
`PROCESSANEw Row
`
`PROCESS ALPHANUMERIC COLOR
`ATTRIBUTE
`426
`If" PROCESS FLASH ATTRIBUTE
`
`PROCESS STEADY ATTRIBUTE
`
`PROCE$ HEIGHT ATTRIBUTE
`
`—
`
`_
`
`"-1
`
`-‘
`
`406
`/
`
`PROCESS MOSAIC COLOR ATTRIBUTE
`PROCESS BLACK BACKGROUND
`ATTRIBUTE
`L PROCESS NEw BACKGROUNDA‘ITRIBUTE
`
`DECODER CONTROLLER
`
`E INITIALIzE DECODER
`--_ ACT ON EACH INPUT CHARACTER “’ 420
`
`E CAUSE DISPLAY OF CONTENTS
`OF DISPLAY BUFFERASAFRANI
`[ CAUSE DISPLAY OFA NEw
`LOCALLY RETRIEvED FRAME
`PRINT THE CONTENTS OF
`DISPLAY BUFFER AS AFRAME
`
`TERMINATE DECODER
`
`'
`
`4,4
`I
`DECODER FUNCTION/STATE
`TRANSITION TABLE
`
`___ LOOK UP CHARACTER IN
`422/ INDEx ARRAY
`
`USE INDEx TO POINT TO
`424 FUNCTIONIN PROPER Row
`OFTRANSITION'TABLE UNDER "
`g$k¥gN OF PRESENT
`
`UPDATE STATE IN
`ACCORDANCE WITH TABLE
`
`DECODER STATE PROCESSOR
`
`DISPLAY ALPHANUMERIC OR MOSAIC
`CHARACTER
`
`DISPLAY A SPACE CHARACTER
`OUT OF SEQUENCE
`ACTIvE POSITION CONTROL
`(UP; DOwN, BACK, FORWARD,
`HOME, BECIN LINE)
`
`CALL CONTROL MODULE TO SEND
`ID BACK TO SUPPLIER
`
`INITIALIZE PROGRAM BLOCK
`
`TURN CURSOR ON/OFF
`
`CLEAR SCREEN AND REINITTALIZE
`
`FIG. 80
`
`i
`
`-1
`
`I
`
`,
`
`4,0
`/
`
`I
`I
`CONTROL ,
`MODULE
`5
`I
`
`Page 14
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 14, 1988
`
`Sheet 14 of 17
`
`4,751,669
`
`FIG. 80
`
`EM}. DECODER UTILITIES PROCEDURE
`
`I INITIALIZE FOR START OF NEW ROW
`
`HANDLE SINGLE HEIGHT VS.
`DOUBLE HEIGHT DISPLAY
`
`CURSOR CONTROL AND
`I BUMPCURSOR TO NEXT POSITION
`
`
`
`‘I ‘I MIWI’I ‘I IITIIIII
`
`DISPLAY CHARACTER ACCORDING
`TO ATTRIBUTES
`SAVE OR RETRIEVE DECODER
`STATE VARIABLES
`
`FIG. 8c——>
`
`404
`/
`DEVICE INDEPENDENT DISPLAY DRI V ER
`
`L‘ SPECIFY BACKGROUND COLOR
`
`SPECIFY CURRENT FONT
`
`INITIATE FLASHING MODE
`
`"“ TERMINATE FLASHING MODE
`
`SPECIFY CURRENT COLOR
`
`I LI I I
`
`DELIVERCHARACT ER FOR SCREEN DISPLAY
`
`DELIVER CHARACTER FOR PRINTING
`
`POSITION CURSOR AT SPECIFIC LOCATION
`
`SPECIFY CLEAR SCREEN OR PRINTER
`
`SET CURSOR ON/OFF
`
`INITIALIZE DISPLAY DRIVER
`
`INITIATE/TERMINATE VDI HANDLER
`
`SET DISPLAY LANGUAGE
`
`FROM CONTROL MANAGER
`
`FIG. 8b
`
`Page 15
`
`

`
`US. Patent Jun. 14, 1988
`
`Sheet 15 of 17
`
`4,751,669
`
`‘-<\——- FIG. 8b
`1
`
`DEVICE DEPEN DENT LOW RESOLUTION SCREEN DRIVER _/4OO
`
`CAUSE FLASHING OF CHARACTERS
`
`_
`
`430
`
`TERMINATE FLASHING OF CHARACTERS
`
`SET CURRENT FONT
`
`SET CURRENT COLOR
`
`SET CURRENT BACKGROUND COLOR
`
`SEND CHARACTER TO VDI HANDLER FOR DISPLAY
`
`INITIALIZE LOW RESOLUTION DRIVER
`TO VIDEOTEX PALETTE
`
`"" SET LANGUAGE
`
`oevncs DEPENDENDENT PRINTER DRIVER
`
`/'“ 402
`
`'
`
`SET CURRENT COLOR
`
`SET CURRENT BACKGROUND COLOR
`
`GET CHARACTER BIT IMAGE
`
`E HANDLE SINGLE AND DOUBLE HEIGHT
`LOAD HALF-TONE CHARACTER INTO PRINTER
`
`SEND BUFFERED CHARACTER ROW TO PRINTER
`
`FORM FEED
`
`INITIALIZE PRINTER FOR NEW FRAME
`
`TERMINATE FRAME PRINT
`
`SET LANGUAGE
`
`FIG. 8c
`
`Page 16
`
`

`
`T LS. Patent Jun. 14, 1988
`
`Sheet 16 0f 17
`
`4,751,669
`
`CHARACTER
`@
`A
`8
`C
`D
`
`TRANSITION
`TABLE
`ROW NUMBER
`IS
`I9
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`I3
`
`DISPLAY
`CHARACTER,O
`
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`SPACE, O
`
`I9
`
`ALPHA FONT
`AND
`DISPLAY
`CHARACTER,O COLOR
`ATTRIBUTE,O
`
`DISPLAY
`SPACE, O
`
`Page 17
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 14, 1988
`
`Sheet 17 of 17
`
`4,751,669
`
`Sum
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`
`
`

`
`1
`
`VIDEOTEX FRAME PROCESSING
`
`This application is a continuation in part of US. pa
`tent application, Ser. No. 595,211, ?led Mar. 30, 1984,
`titled Enhanced Videotex Decoder Apparatus.
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to videotex systems.
`In typical videotex systems, textual and qraphic infor
`mation from a variety of sources (such as newspapers,
`retailers, or banks) is made available by a videotex sup
`plier to a large number of subscribers via interactive
`two-way communication over the switched telephone
`network.
`The videotex supplier electronically stores the infor
`mation supplied by the different sources in the form of
`hundreds of thousands of pages (frames) each represent
`ing a collection (arranged, for example, in rows and
`columns) of alphanumeric and graphic characters to be
`displayed on a cathode ray tube (CRT) at the subscrib
`er’s location. Each frame is sent to the subscriber as a
`stream of encoded bytes. Some of the bytes identify the
`particular characters to be displayed. Other bytes are
`essentially instructions about the attributes of the dis
`played frame, for example, the size of a particular char
`acter or the background color for a particular line of
`characters. The characters and attribute information are
`translated into the encoded bytes in accordance with a
`set of rules (protocol) applied by each supplier.
`In addition to a CRT, each subscriber has a decoder
`for converting the received encoded bytes back to the
`displayable alphanumeric or graphic characters and
`attribute instructions, and a keyboard with which the
`subscriber can tell the videotex supplier what frames to
`send to the subscriber, and can respond to questions
`posed in particular frames.
`~
`Different videotex protocols have been developed in
`different countries, for example Prestel in the United
`Kingdom, Telidon in Canada, and NAPLPS in the
`United States. A description of the Prestel system is set
`forth in Hudson, “Prestel: The Basis of an Evolving
`Videotex System", (BYTE, July, 1983, p. 61), and in
`"Prestel Terminal Speci?cation" updated through
`8/ 1/83, available from Prestel Headquarters, Prestel
`45
`435, Telephone House, Temple Avenue, London EC4Y
`OHL, England, both incorporated herein by reference.
`Some videotex decoders allow the subscriber to
`switch between viewing frames being supplied over the
`telephone line and frames which have been stored lo
`cally. Frames explaining to the subscriber how to pro
`ceed may also be displayed.
`
`4,751,669
`2
`In preferred embodiments, the means for displaying is
`further arranged to display an indication of the expense
`entailed in the connection, in particular, the time which
`has elapsed during the period since the port was most
`recently connected; the indication of expense is dis
`played on the display device simultaneously while an
`information frame is being displayed; the processor also
`includes means for enabling the user to selectively ei
`ther display or not display the indication that the port is
`connected; the means for displaying is further arranged
`to display an indication of whether the information
`frame being displayed is a stored frame from the storage
`device; the processor further includes means for en
`abling the user to selectively either display or not dis
`play the indication of whether the information frame
`being displayed is a stored frame from the storage de
`vice; the means for displaying is further arranged to
`display, while the port is unconnected to the central
`supplier, an indication that the port is unconnected; and
`the apparatus includes a data entry device for enabling
`the entry of data into the apparatus, the data including
`commands representing actions to be taken with respect
`to the information frames, and the processor includes
`means for delivering to the display device at least one
`menu frame for visually indicating possible actions
`which may be taken with respect to the information
`frames, including the actions of switching back and
`forth between displaying the information frames as they
`are received from the supplier, and displaying stored
`frames from the storage device, and the processor also
`includes means responsive to the data entry device for
`accepting and executing entered commands corre
`sponding to the possible actions.
`Displaying the status line (i.e., the indications that the
`port is connected, and whether or not the displayed
`frame is from the local storage device) reminds the user
`of subscriber fees and telephone tolls being incurred
`while connected to the videotex supplier.
`In another aspect, the invention features apparatus
`for locally displaying frames of digital information re
`ceived from a videotex supplier, including a port con
`nectable to the central supplier for receiving at least one
`of the information frames from the supplier, a display
`device for displaying at least one of the information
`frames received from the supplier, and a processor com
`prising means for delivering to the display device at
`least one menu frame for visually indicating possible
`actions which may be taken while an information frame
`received from the supplier is being displayed on the
`display device, and means for visually overlaying the
`menu frame over the displayed information frame so
`that at least a portion of the displayed information frame
`is displayed simultaneously with the menu frame.
`In preferred embodiments, the processor includes a
`data entry device for enabling the entry of data into the
`apparatus, including commands to cause the processor
`to selectively either overlay the menu over the dis
`played frame, or to display the menu without any un
`derlying display of any portion of the previously dis
`played information frame; the possible actions include
`actions to be taken with respect to the underlying infor
`mation frame; and one action is the storage of the under
`lying displayed information frame.
`The overlay enables the user to observe at least part
`of the current frame while acting on a particular menu.
`In another aspect, the invention features apparatus
`for obtaining access via a switched communications
`network to a central supplier of frames of digital infor
`
`25
`
`30
`
`40
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In general, the invention features, in one aspect, appa
`ratus for locally displaying frames of digital information
`received from a central supplier, including a port con
`nectable to the central supplier for receiving at least one
`of the information frames from the central supplier, a
`display device for locally displaying at least one of the
`information frames received from the central supplier, a
`storage device for locally storing, after it has been dis
`played, as a stored frame for later redisplay, at least one
`of the information frames received from the central
`supplier, and a processor connected to be responsive to
`the port and the storage device and comprising means
`for displaying, while the port is connected to the central
`supplier, an indication that the port is connected.
`
`65
`
`Page 19
`
`

`
`4,751,669
`4
`3
`to the entry of the request by transmitting the associated
`mation for obtaining frames to be visually displayed
`identi?er to the supplier.
`locally, comprising means for delivering to the central
`In preferred embodiments, the data entry means is
`supplier via the network stored coded information re
`further arranged for entering the request by typing in
`quired by the central supplier as a condition to allowing
`the keyword; and the processor comprises means for
`access to the central supplier, a display device for dis
`enabling speci?cations and updating of the keywords
`playing the frames of digital information, a data entry
`device for enabling the entry of data into the apparatus,
`appearing on the menu frame and the identi?er associ
`ated with each keyword by commands entered through
`including commands, and a processor comprising menu
`the data entry device.
`means for sending to the display device a menu frame
`identifying the central supplier as being accessible, and
`The user can easily and quickly retrieve particular
`log-on means responsive to the data entry device for
`frames, eg. a weather forecast, from the videotex sup
`plier using an easy to remember keyword.
`accepting and executing an entered command to obtain
`In another aspect, the invention features apparatus
`access to the supplier, by triggering the means for deliv
`for locally storing frames of digital information re
`ering to send the coded information.
`ceived from a central videotex supplier, including a port
`In preferred embodiments, the coded information
`connectable to the central supplier for receiving at least
`delivered to the supplier includes a subscriber identi?er;
`one of the information frames from the central supplier,
`means for holding protocol information about a proto
`col speci?ed by the supplier and governing the informa
`a display device for locally displaying at least one of the
`tion frames of the supplier; each information frame
`information frames received from the central supplier, a
`storage device for locally storing, after it has been dis
`comprises a collection of multiple-bit bytes and the
`means for holding is arranged to hold protocol informa
`played, as a stored frame for later redisplay, at least one
`of the information frames received from the central
`tion which includes the number of bits in each byte; the
`supplier, a data entry device for enabling the entry of
`means for holding is arranged to hold protocol informa
`data into the apparatus, and a processor comprising
`tion which includes a table of commands each associ
`ated with an instruction speci?ed by the supplier for
`means for accepting from the data entry device a name
`retrieving information frames from the supplier, each
`speci?ed by the subscriber to be associated with a par
`ticular displayed information frame, means for storing
`command corresponding to a key on the data entry
`the particular ihformation frame in the storage device
`device, and the processor further includes means re
`sponsive to the data entry device for sending to the
`together with the associated name, and means for re
`trieving the particular information frame from the stor
`supplier in response to the pressing of a key, the instruc
`age device in response to entry through the data entry
`tion associated with the command corresponding to the
`pressed key; the speci?ed instructions include instruc
`device of a command corresponding to the name speci
`?ed for that frame.
`tions to retrieve the prior information frame, to repeat
`the presently retrieved information frame, to log off,
`In preferred embodiments, the process