Videotex decoder apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for locally decoding and displaying frames of digital information received from a central supplier (20, 24), expencially from a videotex supplier, characterized by a port (13) connectable to the central supplier (20, 24) for receiving at least one of the information frames from the central supplier (20, 24), a display device (36) for locally displaying at least one of the information frames received from the central supplier (20, 24), a storage device (42) for locally storing, after it has been displayed, as a stored frame for later redisplay, at least one of the information frames received from the central supplier (20, 24), and a processor (30, 32, 34) connected to be responsive to the port (13) and the storage device (42) and comprising display means (36) for displaying, while the port (13) is connected to the central supplier (20, 24), an indication that the port (13) is connected.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that the means (36) for displaying is further arranged to display an indication of the expense entailed in the connection.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means (36) for displaying is further arranged to display the time which has elapsed during the period since the port (13) was most recently connected.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the indication of expense is displayed on the display device (36) simultaneously while an information frame is being displayed.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 6 , characterized in that the processor (30, 32, 34) further comprises means (30, 34) for enabling the user to selectively either display or not display the indication of whether the information frame being displayed is a stored frame from the storage device (42).

Claim 11

means (30, 34, 37) for delivering to the display device (36) 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 (20, 24), and displaying stored frames from the storage device (42), and means (30) responsive to the data entry device (40) for accepting and executing entered commands corresponding to the possible actions.

Claim 12

means (30, 34, 37) for delivering to the display device (36) 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 (20, 24), and displaying stored frames from the storage device (42), and means (30) responsive to the data entry device (40) for accepting and executing entered commands corresponding to the possible actions.

Claim 13

Apparatus for locally decoding and displaying frames of digital information received from a videotex supplier (20, 24), characterized by a port (13) connectable to the central supplier (20, 24) for receiving at least one of the information frames from the supplier (20, 24), a display device (36) for displaying at least one of the information frames received from the supplier (20, 24), and a processor (30, 32, 34) comprising means (34, 37) for delivering to the display device (36) at least one menu frame for visually indicating possible actions which may be taken while an information frame received from the supplier (20, 24) is being displayed on the display device (36), and means (30, 32, 34, 37) 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.

Claim 14

Apparatus for locally decoding and displaying frames of digital information received from a videotex supplier (20, 24), characterized by a port (13) connectable to the central supplier (20, 24) for receiving at least one of the information frames from the supplier (20, 24), a display device (36) for displaying at least one of the information frames received from the supplier (20, 24), and a processor (30, 32, 34) comprising means (34, 37) for delivering to the display device (36) at least one menu frame for visually indicating possible actions which may be taken while an information frame received from the supplier (20, 24) is being displayed on the display device (36), and means (30, 32, 34, 37) 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.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 10, characterized in that the processor (30, 32, 34) further comprises a data entry device (40) for enabling the entry of data into the apparatus, including commands to cause the processor (30, 32, 34) to selectively either overlay the menu over the displayed frame, or to display the menu without any underlying display of any portion of the previously displayed information frame.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the possible actions include actions to be taken with respect to the underlying information frame.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 12, characterized in that one action is the storage of the underlying displayed information frame.

Claim 18

Apparatus for obtaining access via a switched communications network (18) to a central supplier (20, 24), especially a videotex supplier, of frames of digital information for obtaining said frames to be decoded and visually displayed locally, characterized by means (13, 14, 16) for delivering to the central supplier (20, 24) via the network stored coded information required by the central supplier (20, 24) as a condition to allowing access to the central supplier (20, 24), a display device (36) for displaying the frames of digital`information, a data entry device (40) for enabling the entry of data into the apparatus, including commands, and a processor (30, 32, 34) comprising menu means (30, 34, 37) for sending to the display device (36) a menu frame identifying the central supplier (20, 24) as being accessible, and log-on means (30, 34, 37, 32) responsive to the data entry device (40) for accepting and executing an entered command to obtain access to the supplier (20, 24), by triggering the means (13) for delivering to send the coded information.

Claim 19

Apparatus for obtaining access via a switched communications network (18) to a central supplier (20, 24), especially a videotex supplier, of frames of digital information for obtaining said frames to be decoded and visually displayed locally, characterized by means (13, 14, 16) for delivering to the central supplier (20, 24) via the network stored coded information required by the central supplier (20, 24) as a condition to allowing access to the central supplier (20, 24), a display device (36) for displaying the frames of digital`information, a data entry device (40) for enabling the entry of data into the apparatus, including commands, and a processor (30, 32, 34) comprising menu means (30, 34, 37) for sending to the display device (36) a menu frame identifying the central supplier (20, 24) as being accessible, and log-on means (30, 34, 37, 32) responsive to the data entry device (40) for accepting and executing an entered command to obtain access to the supplier (20, 24), by triggering the means (13) for delivering to send the coded information.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 14, characterized in that the coded information delivered to the supplier (20, 24) includes a subscriber identifier.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 14 or 15, characterized by means (42) for holding protocol information about a protocol specified by the supplier (20, 24) and governing the information frames of the supplier (20, 24).

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 16, characterized in that each information frame comprises a collection of multiple-bit bytes and the means (42) for holding is arranged to hold protocol information which includes the number of bits in each byte.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 16, characterized in that the means (42) for holding is arranged to hold protocol information which includes a table of commands each associated with an instruction specified by the supplier (20, 24) for retrieving information frames from the supplier (20, 24), each command corresponding to a key on the data entry device (40), and in that the processor (30, 32, 34) further includes means (30) responsive to the data entry device (40) for sending to the supplier (20, 24) in response to the pressing of a key, the instruction associated with the command corresponding to the pressed key.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 14, characterized in that the means (13, 14, 16) for delivering coded information includes the information for a plurality of central suppliers (20, 24) each requiring its own coded information.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 14 or 20, characterized in that the processor (30, 32, 34) further comprises means (30) for specifying and updating, by data entered through the data entry device (40), the coded information to be delivered to the supplier (20, 24) when access to the supplier is commanded.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 21, characterized in that the menu sent by the menu means (30, 34, 37) identifies at least a plurality of the suppliers (20, 24), and the log-on means (30, 34, 37, 32) is responsive to the data entry device (40) for accepting and executing an entered command to obtain access to one of the suppliers (20, 24) by triggering the means (13) for delivering to send to that one supplier (20, 24) the coded information required by it.

Claim 29

Apparatus for retrieving and decoding selected frames of information from a central videotex supplier (20, 24) of such information frames, each information frame having an associated unique identifier assigned by the supplier (20, 24) for retrieving the frame, characterized by a display device (36) for displaying the information frames, storage means (42) for storing the identifier and a unique keyword selected by the operator and associated with the identifier, menu means (30, 34, 37) for displaying on the display device (36) a menu frame containing the keyword, data entry means (40) for entering into the apparatus a request for the retrieval of a selected information frame by moving a cursor (43) to the keyword associated with the selected information frame, and a processor (30, 32, 34) responsive to the data entry means (40) for retrieving the information frame in response to the entry of the request by transmitting the associated identifier to the supplier (20, 24).

Claim 30

Apparatus for retrieving and decoding selected frames of information from a central videotex supplier (20, 24) of such information frames, each information frame having an associated unique identifier assigned by the supplier (20, 24) for retrieving the frame, characterized by a display device (36) for displaying the information frames, storage means (42) for storing the identifier and a unique keyword selected by the operator and associated with the identifier, menu means (30, 34, 37) for displaying on the display device (36) a menu frame containing the keyword, data entry means (40) for entering into the apparatus a request for the retrieval of a selected information frame by moving a cursor (43) to the keyword associated with the selected information frame, and a processor (30, 32, 34) responsive to the data entry means (40) for retrieving the information frame in response to the entry of the request by transmitting the associated identifier to the supplier (20, 24).

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 24, characterized in that the data entry means (40) is further arranged for entering the request by typing in the keyword.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the processor (30, 32, 34) comprises means (30) for enabling specification and updating of the keywords appearing on the menu frame and the identifier associated with each keyword by commands entered through the data entry device (40).

Claim 33

Apparatus for locally storing and decoding frames of digital information received from a central videotex supplier (20, 24), characterized in that a port (13) connectable to the central supplier (20, 24) for receiving at least one of the information frames from the central videotex supplier (20, 24), a display device (36) for locally displaying at least one of the information frames received from the central videotex supplier (20, 24), a storage device (42) for locally storing, after it has been displayed, as a stored frame for later redisplay, at least one of the information frames received from the central supplier (20, 24), a data entry device (40) for enabling the entry of data into the apparatus, and a processor (30, 32, 34) comprising means (30) for accepting from the data entry device (40) a name specified by the subscriber to be associated with a particular displayed information frame, means (30) for storing the particular information frame in the Storage device (42) together with the associated name, and means (30, 32, 34, 37) for retrieving the particular information frame from the storage device (42) in response to entry through the data entry device (40) of a command corresponding to the name specified for that frame.

Claim 34

Apparatus for locally storing and decoding frames of digital information received from a central videotex supplier (20, 24), characterized in that a port (13) connectable to the central supplier (20, 24) for receiving at least one of the information frames from the central videotex supplier (20, 24), a display device (36) for locally displaying at least one of the information frames received from the central videotex supplier (20, 24), a storage device (42) for locally storing, after it has been displayed, as a stored frame for later redisplay, at least one of the information frames received from the central supplier (20, 24), a data entry device (40) for enabling the entry of data into the apparatus, and a processor (30, 32, 34) comprising means (30) for accepting from the data entry device (40) a name specified by the subscriber to be associated with a particular displayed information frame, means (30) for storing the particular information frame in the Storage device (42) together with the associated name, and means (30, 32, 34, 37) for retrieving the particular information frame from the storage device (42) in response to entry through the data entry device (40) of a command corresponding to the name specified for that frame.

Claim 35

The apparatus of claim 27, characterized in that the processor (30, 32, 34) further comprises means (30) for grouping information frames into directories, and means (30) for accepting from the date entry device (40) commands designating the directory in which a particular displayed frame is to be stored.

Claim 36

The apparatus of claim 27, characterized in that for a plurality of central videotex suppliers (20, 24) the processor (30, 32, 34) further comprises means (30) for accepting from the data entry device (40) commands for storing in a single directory frames received from different suppliers (20, 24).

Claim 37

The apparatus of claim 28, characterized in that the processor (30, 32, 34) further comprises means (37) for displaying on the display device (36) a menu listing by name the information frames stored in a given directory, and means (30) for accepting from the data entry device (40) a command corresponding to the name of an information frame included in the menu for retrieval from the directory.

Claim 38

The apparatus of claim 30, characterized in that the command is entered by steps which include moving a cursor (43) to the name of the information frame on the menu.

Claim 39

The apparatus of claim 30, characterized in that the command is entered by steps which include typing the name of the information frame on the data entry device (40).

Claim 40

Apparatus for decoding and printing frames of digital information received from a central videotex supplier (20, 24), characterized by a port (13) connectable to the central supplier (20, 24) for receiving at least one of the information frames from the central supplier (20, 24), a printing device (38) for locally printing at least one of the information frames received from the central supplier (20, 24) and, a processor (30, 32, 34) comprising means (34) for delivering to the printer (38) digital information corresponding to an information frame to be printed, and means (34) for configuring the digital information to cause the printed information frame to be of a selectable overall size.

Claim 41

Apparatus for decoding and printing frames of digital information received from a central videotex supplier (20, 24), characterized by a port (13) connectable to the central supplier (20, 24) for receiving at least one of the information frames from the central supplier (20, 24), a printing device (38) for locally printing at least one of the information frames received from the central supplier (20, 24) and, a processor (30, 32, 34) comprising means (34) for delivering to the printer (38) digital information corresponding to an information frame to be printed, and means (34) for configuring the digital information to cause the printed information frame to be of a selectable overall size.

Claim 42

The apparatus of claim 33, characterized in that it comprises a data entry device (40) for enabling the entry of data into the apparatus, and in that the processor (30, 32, 34) further comprises means (30) for accepting from the data entry device (40) commands corresponding to the different selectable overall sizes.

Claim 43

Apparatus for processing and decoding frames of information received from a central videotex supplier (20, 24), different information frames comprising characters intended to be displayed by means of different characters sets, characterized by a port (13) connectable to the videotex supplier (20, 24) for receiving the information frames, a display device (36) for displaying the received information frames, a storage device (42) for storing character font information corresponding to the different characters sets, a data entry device (40) for entering data into the apparatus, and a processor (30, 32, 34) comprising means (30) for accepting from the data entry device (40) commands each corresponding the display of information frames according to one of the different character sets, and means (30, 32) for executing a command by reference to the stored font information corresponding to the character set specified by that command.

Claim 44

Apparatus for processing and decoding frames of information received from a central videotex supplier (20, 24), different information frames comprising characters intended to be displayed by means of different characters sets, characterized by a port (13) connectable to the videotex supplier (20, 24) for receiving the information frames, a display device (36) for displaying the received information frames, a storage device (42) for storing character font information corresponding to the different characters sets, a data entry device (40) for entering data into the apparatus, and a processor (30, 32, 34) comprising means (30) for accepting from the data entry device (40) commands each corresponding the display of information frames according to one of the different character sets, and means (30, 32) for executing a command by reference to the stored font information corresponding to the character set specified by that command.

Claim 45

The apparatus of claim 35, characterized in that the character sets include an English character set and a German character set.

Claim 46

Apparatus for locally decoding a stream of bytes representing a frame of information received from a videotex supplier (20, 24), characterized by means (30) for receiving each byte in turn for decoding, means (42) for storing a table of entries each indicating what action is to be performed with respect to each byte based on the identity of the byte and on the current state of the decoder, and means (32) for decoding each byte by finding the entry in the table corresponding to the action to be performed and thereafter performing that action.

Claim 47

Apparatus for locally decoding a stream of bytes representing a frame of information received from a videotex supplier (20, 24), characterized by means (30) for receiving each byte in turn for decoding, means (42) for storing a table of entries each indicating what action is to be performed with respect to each byte based on the identity of the byte and on the current state of the decoder, and means (32) for decoding each byte by finding the entry in the table corresponding to the action to be performed and thereafter performing that action.

Claim 48

The apparatus of claim 37, characterized by means (30) for updating the current state of the decoder, after each byte is decoded, in accordance with the current state and the identity of the decoded byte.

Claim 49

Apparatus for locally processing and decoding frames of information received from central videotex suppliers-(20, 24), different frames being encoded in accordance with different protocols, characterized by means (42) for locally storing the information frames, means (36) for locally displaying the frames, means (32) for decoding the locally stored frames before they are displayed, and means (30) for tagging each stored frame with a header indicating the protocol used for encoding the frame, the means (32) for decoding being arranged to decode each frame in accordance with the protocol indicated by the header of the frame.

Claim 50

Apparatus for locally processing and decoding frames of information received from central videotex suppliers-(20, 24), different frames being encoded in accordance with different protocols, characterized by means (42) for locally storing the information frames, means (36) for locally displaying the frames, means (32) for decoding the locally stored frames before they are displayed, and means (30) for tagging each stored frame with a header indicating the protocol used for encoding the frame, the means (32) for decoding being arranged to decode each frame in accordance with the protocol indicated by the header of the frame.