WO2000056025A1

WO2000056025A1 - Improved event notification for internet access device

Info

Publication number: WO2000056025A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/006847
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc Willebeek-Lemair; Jon H. Werner; Dennis J. Cox
Original assignee: Netpliance, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-03-15
Filing date: 2000-03-15
Publication date: 2000-09-21
Also published as: AU3398600A

Abstract

An Internet access device (IPAD) is an Internet appliance that provides a personalized user interface and reduces the delay and complexity of Internet interactions. The IPAD stores an operating system, browser, and user profile information. The IPAD and others like it are in communication with one or more servers of a portal service provider. The server(s) collect and deliver Internet content to the IPAD, using various techniques to personalize the content to the user. The server(s) also communicate notification of various events to the IPAD via a paging network. Examples of events appropriate for this type of notification are updates to content or to software, new email, or the presence of a chat caller.

Description

IMPROVED EVENT NOTIFICATION FOR INTERNET ACCESS DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to the field of computer networks, and more particularly to a method and system for notification of an internet activity. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Internet appliances are devices that provide Internet content, applications, and other services without the need for an extensive system of computer resources. They are characterized by limited processor and memory hardware, and by an operating system specifically designed for Internet access. Their application software includes a Web browser, but is otherwise generally implemented as software downloaded from a service provider and stored in a cache memory, such as RAM, rather than a main memory, such as a hard drive .

An example of an Internet appliance is the "i- opener" device, manufactured by Netpliance, Inc. It is also referred to as an "Internet personal access device" (IPAD) , in that it is designed to provide a graphical user interface for Internet services such as information retrieval, e-mail, and shopping. One feature of this IPAD is automatic updates, such that it automatically updates its own software, as well as user-selected content, using downloading via the Internet. Internet appliances are not limited to IPADs, and their main function need not be a user interface for all information from anywhere on the Internet. Another example of an Internet appliance is an audio player, which receives audio datastreams from the Internet and plays them for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention is a method of providing notification to a processor-based Internet appliance. A notification message originates with a portal service provider for the appliance, which is not necessarily always on-line with the appliance. The service provider designates one or more notification server, which may be the same server as that which provider other portal services. The notification server communicates the notification message to a source paging server, using a paging network. The paging network transports the notification message to a destination paging server. The notification is then communicated, via a radio frequency link of the paging network, to a paging modem of the Internet appliance. Finally, the notification message is internally communicated within the device to a processor of the Internet appliance so that the appliance can respond to the notification.

An example of an event for which such notification messages are appropriate is when the notification message represents notification of new Internet content to be delivered to the personal access device via the Internet. Another example is when the Internet appliance stores program software and the notification message represents notification of an update to the software. A third example is when the Internet appliance provides e-mail services and the notification message represents notification of an e-mail message. A fourth example is when the Internet appliance provides chat session services and the notification message represents a chat caller.

One advantage of the paging notification method is that it provides a perceived persistence to the connection of the Internet appliance to the Internet. Internet content resulting from automatic updates, as well as from specific user requests, is available as needed, without the need for the user to dial a connection. When the Internet connection is by telephone, updates are delivered immediately, using the telephone connection only as needed. Thus, although the user need not have a dedicated telephone line for the IPAD, the effect is as though a dedicated line were being used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 depicts a block diagram of the integrated internet access provided by the present invention.

FIGURE 2 depicts an internet access device, keyboard and pointing device. FIGURE 3 depicts a block diagram of hardware components and a graphical user interface of the internet access device.

FIGURE 3A depicts an exemplary graphical user interface of a channel guide . FIGURE 3B depicts an exemplary graphical user interface of a CNN Web page.

FIGURE 4 depicts a World Wide Web page presentation for updating an address book associated with an internet access device.

FIGURE 5 depicts a flow diagram for initiating a chat session.

FIGURE 6 depicts a block diagram of software modules of the internet access device, connection service and portal site.

FIGURE 7 depicts a functional block diagram of the connection service and portal site software modules.

FIGURE 8 depicts a representative screen display of a book-style scroll-free page incorporating teachings of the present invention.

FIGURE 9 depicts a flow diagram for presenting information to the user on a scroll -free page format in accordance with teachings of the present invention.

FIGURE 10 depicts a flow diagram for preloading internet information in accordance with teachings of the present invention.

FIGURE 11 illustrates Internet event notification, using the paging modem of FIGURE 3 and a paging network. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in FIGURES 1-10, like numeral being used to refer to like and corresponding parts of the various drawings .

The Internet offers tremendous promise both as a means for distributing information and a means for supporting communication over long distances. The single greatest barrier that most users face to using the Internet is the complexity of establishing an internet interface and finding appropriate or desired information from the Internet. Referring now to FIGURE 1, the block diagram depicts conceptual steps for simplifying a user's internet access with a dedicated internet access device 10, a connection server 12, a conceptual information lens 14, and a conceptual content funnel 16. Content funnel 16 and lens 14 operate in conjunction with server 12 to select and collect information content from the Internet and other sources, and to focus the information for presentation in a uniform and simplified format to a user at access device 10.

Each step depicted in FIGURE 1 reduces complexity for providing information content from the Internet to a user. A user simply powers up access device 10 and couples access device 10 to a communications medium to establish an internet interface with connection service 12. Content funnel 16 and lens 14 then provide content in formats that are compatible with access device 10 and of a nature of interest to a preconfigured personal profile of a user associated with access device 10. Access device 10 can then display rich media internet content with high resolution and excellent color rendition. Access device 10 provides reduced complexity and enhanced reliability due to its focused design on a specific task of interfacing with compatible information from connection service 12.

To reduce the complexity of internet usage for computer novices, access device 10 is designed to operate in a manner similar to that of conventional household appliances. For instance, access device 10 will quickly and easily perform its dedicated function of accessing the Internet and rendering a Web page when a user hits a button, similar to how a television will tune a television channel when turned on.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 an internet access device 10, a keyboard 18, and a pointing device 20 are depicted. Internet access device 10 includes a computer display 22 oriented in portrait mode, as opposed to the landscape mode typically used in conventional personal computers.

In one embodiment, display 22 is an SVGA video display of 800 x 600 x 16 bit resolution, and may be a conventional cathode ray tube or flat panel display including a touch panel interface. The portrait orientation appeals to novice users who are used to reading books and newspapers. A power button 42 allows a user to power-up access device 10 and initiate an internet interface with the push of a single button. An e-mail light 46 illuminates to indicate that an e-mail awaits the user of access device 10, and, in one embodiment, incorporates a button to allow one touch access by the user to the e- mail . Thus, once a user has plugged access device 10 into power and a telephone line, access device 10 will operate for the user in a manner similar to other household appliances. The user simply turns it on and it works .

Access device 10 includes a conventional speaker system 24 and microphone 26 for outputting and accepting audio signals, a power cord 28 for providing electrical power to the access device 10, and a telephone cord 30 for interfacing access device 10 with a user site telephone line. A USB port 48 enables the interfacing of standard peripherals to access device 10, and an Ethernet port 50 enables interfacing of a cable modem or local area network with access device 10. A magnetic card reader/writer 44 accepts magnetic cards having data for transfer to programmable read only memory (PROM) located within access device 10. Software and data files within access device 10 may be updated by inserting a magnetic card with updated information or by interfacing with the Internet to download appropriate files to the PROM.

Keyboard 18 and pointing device 20 may interface with access device 10 through an input output transmitter/receiver 32 that communicates with access device 10 through conventional means such as radio frequency or infrared transmission. Keyboard 18 includes a card swipe 34 designed to read data from magnetic cards such as credit cards. The magnetic card swipe simplifies the input of credit card information for E-commerce activities and other data particular to a given user. Pointing device 20 is similar to the mouse used with conventional personal computers, but includes various means for inputting data to access device 10, such as a scroll wheel 36, arrow pointer 38 and a number pad 40. Scroll wheel 36 enables a user to remotely scroll through data presented on display 22 by rotating a wheel . Arrow pointer 38 allows a user to remotely move the cursor around display 22, and number pad 40 allows a user to input channels for display.

Internet access device 10 is designed to provide a new user with an "out-of-box" experience similar to the experience of receiving, unpacking, setting up and using a conventional household appliance. To initiate operation of access device 10, a new user simply plugs in power cord 28 and modem interface cord 30 and presses power button 42.

Access device 10 uses preloaded user profile information to establish an internet connection for the user automatically when the access device 10 is interfaced with a communications medium and power is applied. For instance, a user may provide user profile information when ordering an access device by phone or over the Internet, and the profile information can then be automatically sent to and loaded into an access device before shipment to the user. Alternatively, user profile information may be stored in a magnetic card provided with access device 10 to the user, and then loaded on access device 10 through card reader/writer 44. Preloaded user profile information may include identification information for access device, and the user's name, address, phone number, age, gender, credit card information, interest key words, access frequency, access times, most recent downloaded information, etc. Further, once certain user profile information has been loaded, additional information may be determined and loaded, such as access information for the user, including the primary, a secondary and a toll-free number for the access device to dial, e-mail information such as an e-mail server, and chat information. Alternatively, the user profile information may include generic instructions, including identification information for the access device, the generic instructions for contacting a generic portal site so that upon initial contact, the generic portal site may automatically configure the access device with user profile information specific to the user associated with the access device. The simplified hardware and software architecture of access device 10, as described in greater detail herein, allows a rapid boot sequence of less than three seconds and defaults to an internet connection through a preloaded dialer without user intervention. Similar to a household appliance, access device 10 performs a singular dedicated function, connecting to the Internet, and reduces complexity associated with that function by automating necessary steps. A novice to the Internet simply plugs in and turns on access device 10 like an appliance to begin surfing the World Wide Web. If changes become necessary, software may be automatically downloaded from the Internet and loaded in the PROM of access device 10 such that the changes are made in a manner invisible to the user.

To track updates to the PROM of access device 10, a user configuration profile may be maintained for each portal site or each access device on its associated portal site. For instance, the user configuration profile may be stored in co-location with the user profile information. To download changes to a given access device 10, changes are enacted as modifications to the user configuration profile associated with the access device. When the access device next interfaces with its associated portal site, the modified parameters of the user configuration profile triggers the update to occur. For instance, a user configuration profile may indicate that updated versions of software modules resident on an access device are available. A software table of modules associated with the portal site may indicate the expected list of modules for a given access device. A comparison between the software table of modules and the modules loaded on the access device, for instance by comparing module names and version numbers or dates, enables the downloading of modified modules from the portal site to the access device. The software table of modules may include pointers, such as a URL, to automatically direct the access device to download from an appropriate location. One important advantage of the user configuration profile is that it provides a simplified means for flexible dynamic load balancing, fault tolerance and planned reconfigurations. For instance, the user configuration profile may include connectivity addresses and dial-up information for each access device. Initially, the dial-up information may direct the access device to contact a server through a toll-free 800 telephone number. By modifying a user configuration profile, changes to connectivity for the associated access device, such as changes to the dial-up number, may be effectuated. Thus, on initial connection, the user configuration file may alter the dial-up instructions loaded on an access device so that on its next connection the access device contacts a new server dial-up number.

Similarly, dial-up numbers may be modified in response to load conditions, such as the number of dial-up attempts to one or more servers so that loads are balanced between servers, in response to failures of a server so that dial-ups are redirected from a failed server to a working server, and to enact planned reconfigurations such as moving users to a new mail server or moving service from one connection server to another.

Internet access device 10 operates in two modes: an off-line mode and an on-line mode. In the on-line mode, access device 10 dialed into a service network through a portal site. In the off-line mode, the access device is disconnected from the network but continues to operate by rendering content stored as local information in RAM cache memory. The distinction between the on-line and off-line modes of operation may be transparent to the user. Off-line operation is enhanced and kept current by periodically having access device 10 connect to a portal site to update local information stored in the cache memory of access device 10, to retrieve incoming mail, and to send outgoing mail. If, for instance, a user renders information stored in cache memory shortly after the information is downloaded to access device 10, the user will effectively view current information without having to wait for access device 10 to connect to a portal site and download the information.

An effective cache update policy, both in the online and off-line modes, is an important component to reducing latency for the user of an access device 10. Updates to the cache of an access device 10 by downloading information to the access device 10 from a portal site take into account the convenience of the user and the load on the portal site. For instance, updates may be timed to reduce interference with the user's telephone. Similarly, updates may be timed to balance congestion at the portal site and to maximize bandwidth usage. To meet these goals, an initial cache update schedule may have periodic updates, such as once a day, that occur within a set period of a time interval, such as one to three o'clock in the morning, with the time of each access device's update selected as a uniformly distributed random variable within the time interval to avoid having too many devices connecting to a given portal at the same time and overloading the network. The update schedule may be stored as part of user profile information for each access device, or may be stored as part of the user configuration profile on one or more portal sites associated with each access device.

To further enhance the effectiveness of cache updates, an adaptive cache update engine can modify the cache update schedule of access devices that interface with a given portal site based upon the activity of each access device and network conditions associated with the portal site. For instance, an activity log associated with each access device may be stored on each access device or the portal site associated with the access device. The activity log for a given access device may track user activity associated with the access device through a number of factors, such as key strokes, e-mail activity or browsing activity. The adaptive cache update engine analyzes the activity log to determine when to update the cache of an access device as well as to determine how best to update the access device base upon a prediction of the user's future activities. For instance, if a user reads mail more frequently than the user performs other activities, then the cache update schedule may update mail more frequently than it performs other activities. As one example, for one user of an access device, a cache update schedule may update mail twice daily, once in the morning and once at night, may update stock market information shortly after the stock market closes, and may update sports news shortly before the user goes to bed. This preloading system may also be adaptive .

FIGURE 10 depicts a flow diagram for preloading internet information in accordance with teachings of the present invention. At step 340, an active list of sources to be preloaded is established. This list may contain information about the source (e.g., CNN's home page) as well as information about the preloading schedule (e.g., once a day, twice a day, at specific times, etc.) . When, at step 342, a source is about to be accessed, a preloading system may ask whether the active list should be replaced with a modified list. If the active list should not be replaced, the sources on the active list may be accessed at step 346. If, however, the list should be replaced, the active list may be replaced at step 344 by accessing a modified list maintained at step 364. When the active list is replaced at steps 344 and 364, the sources accessed at step 346 are those appearing on the modified list. This list replacement allows for adaptation within this embodiment of a preloading system incorporating teachings of the present invention.

At step 348, internet information contained in the accessed sources may be downloaded from the sources . The sources may be, for example, web pages or electronic mail repositories. Once downloaded, the internet information may be stored at an internet access device or in other embodiments a server associated with the internet access device. Before storing the internet information, a preloading system may determine at step 350 whether the internet information should replace earlier stored information or not. If not, the information may be preloaded at step 354. If so, at step 352, replacement internet information may be saved atop existing information. This replacing step may be accomplished in a number of ways (e.g., updating only the changed portions of the saved file or deleting the saved file and saving the new file in its place) . At step 356, the internet information sits preloaded in memory.

At step 358, a user views a menu of sources. This menu may be a channel guide or merely a list of sources. The menu may include only preloaded sources or, in another embodiment, include both preloaded and non- preloaded sources. When preloaded and non-preloaded sources are included, the menu may provide an indication of which sources are preloaded (e.g., the preloaded sources may be displayed on the menu in a different color) . The menu may also include source to which a user does not have access (e.g., premium sources), and the menu may also provide a way for the user to recognize these sources.

In one embodiment, the menu may employ a color scheme that identifies preloaded, non-preloaded and no- access sources. The color scheme or some other employed scheme for identifying different types of sources, may also be used to indicate when a preloaded source has become out dated. For example, if preloaded sources are depicted in black text on a menu, when the preloaded source becomes outdated it may change colors to so indicate .

At step 360, the user selects a source form the menu. In one embodiment, this selection causes, at step 362, the selected source to be added to a modified list maintained at step 364. When the user makes a selection, a preloading system may determine, at step 366, whether or not the selected source was preloaded. If it was, the internet information contained in the source may be retrieved at step 368 from the preloaded memory and rendered to the user at step 370. The retrieval from preloaded memory will likely occur very quickly. If instead the selected source was not preloaded, the source may be accessed at step 372 and downloaded at step 374. Once downloaded, the internet information continued in the source may be rendered to the user at step 370. This process will likely take longer than retrieving internet information from the preloaded memory.

In another embodiment, a cache update engine can significantly reduce latency in the on-line mode of operation by predicting the future information requests of the user of an access device and downloading the predicted information for storage in the cache of the user's access device. For instance, the cache update engine may comprise a neural network program that uses the activity log to predict future information requests, and instructs the downloading of the predicted future information requests. For instance, if a user typically reads the CNN home page to review headlines and then goes to CNNfn page to read the business news, then the cache update engine may identify this pattern and update the cache with the CNN--n page when the update engine detects that the user has requested the CNN home page. In this example, the cache update engine could be associated with the user's access device, the portal site associated with the access device, or with the CNN server.^' Reduced latency and greater user satisfaction result when the user is able to render the CNNfn information without having to wait for the information to be transferred to the user's access device.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, a block diagram of access device 10 is depicted along with a graphical user interface presented by device 10 on flat panel display 22. Access device 10 is run with a simple computing architecture having a motherboard 52 that supports a processor 54, memory cache 56, pager circuit 57 and programmable read only memory ("PROM") 58.

Processor 54 may be an IBM compatible processor such as are available through Intel and Advanced Micro

Devices, or similar type of processor that is capable of running a browser. Processor 54 may be an older and less expensive version of a conventional processor to reduce the cost of access device 10 as long as processor 54 can expeditiously handle advanced browser functions such as video chat .

PROM 58 stores an embedded operating system, including device drivers, and an embedded browser as well as user profile information to support operation of access device 10. When a user orders or purchases an access device 10, PROM 58 is preloaded with user profile information such as the user's name, address, phone number, credit card information, telephone number, and dialing information for initiating internet access with access device 10 for the purchasing user. Further, PROM 58 supports invisible updates to the operating system, browser, device drivers and other software. If an update is needed, access device 10 automatically contacts a predetermined portal through the Internet to obtain the update and load the update into PROM 58 in a manner that is invisible to the user. Updates may be automatically initiated during times of low usage, such as late evenings, or may occur during a user's connection to the Internet without an indication to the user.

Cache 56 is a conventional memory such as DRAM or SDRAM having adequate storage for maintaining the operating system and browser plus user profile information during operation of access device 10. When a user turns power off to access device 10, cache 56 maintains data with a trickle voltage received from power unit 60 to reduce the time needed to initiate operation of access device 10 at the next power up. In particular, the trickle voltage minimizes unit power-up delays by maintaining the embedded operating system and browser in active memory. A user need not be aware of the trickle voltage, but can eliminate the trickle voltage by unplugging access device 10. Pager circuitry 57 is conventional circuitry for accepting pager communications, including message information. Conventional pager systems are commonly used by individuals to receive simple messages transmitted by radio frequencies from, for instance, a pager tower or satellite. When access device 10 is offline, meaning that it does not have an active interface established with the Internet, pager circuitry 57 may receive a page indicating that an internet activity associated with access device 10 awaits the establishment of an on-line active interface. Pager circuitry 57 interfaces with processor 54 to provide notice of received pager messages, allowing processor 54 to provide real-time notice of the internet activity to the user, to identify the type of internet activity by the type of message received by the pager, and to initiate an internet interface for responding to the internet activity. For instance, when a portal site detects an internet activity associated with a user, such as a chat request for the user, an e-mail addressed to the user or the origination of new content on the Internet that is of interest to the user, the portal site instructs that a page be sent to pager circuitry 57. Using the example of a chat request, pager circuitry 57 may then display a message on display 22 or provide an audible notice with speaker 24 to alert the user of the chat request. If the user responds to the notice, processor 54 may automatically initiated an internet interface and chat session with the requesting party. If the user fails to respond to the notice of the chat request, processor 54 may then initiate an internet interface to respond to the chat request, perhaps indicating that the user is unavailable and seeking to take a message from the requester of the chat session.

Access device 10 includes additional hardware components for supporting an internet interface. For instance a V.90 modem 62 provides dial up connections for access device 10, and an Ethernet card 64 with an RJ-45 jack supports cable modem interfaces. Access device 10 includes a universal serial bus port 48 and card 66 to support peripheral hook-up, such as a printer. A transmit/receive unit 68 supports communication with keyboard 18 and device pointer 20. In alternative embodiments, keyboard 18 and pointer 20 may be integrated physically within access device 10 and hard wired to access device 10.

The graphical user interface depicted on flat panel display 22 illustrates how a user may interact with access device 10 to receive e-mail. A channel box 70 indicates that the graphical user interface is depicting channel 1, which shows the user his e-mail. Other channels available for the user include channel 2 for news, channel 3 for finance, channel 4 for weather and channel 5 for search. To select a channel, the user inputs the channel into pointing device 20 either as a channel number in number pad 40, by pointing with arrow pointer 38, or by scrolling with scroll wheel 36. Transmitter receiver 32 sends a signal to transmit receive module 68 that, together with processor 54, retrieves the desired information for display on flat panel display 22. In this way, access device 10 emulates the operation of a television appliance. Each channel may include several subchannels. For instance, when a user selects news channel 2, a graphical user interface may present the user with options for obtaining news, such as channels 21-29, with each channel providing a different news source or news topic. Figure 3A depicts an exemplary channel guide which a user may reference to locate relevant information. FIGURE 3B depicts an exemplary display of a CNN Web page which may be display if the user selects a news channel number for CNN.

The e-mail channel depicted in FIGURE 3 shows that the user can retrieve new e-mails or old e-mails saved on a server in communication with the user's access device. When a user has new e-mail, processor 54 sends a signal to illuminate mail light 46. Thus, when access device 10 is informed through the Internet that the user has new mail, mail light 46 illuminates to indicate to the user that the user should check his e-mail channel. In one embodiment, access device 10 performs scheduled pulls from a predetermined server, during which access device 10 checks for e-mail and updates. In another embodiment, access device 10 accepts incoming data updates, such as by accepting a telephone call, to indicate that an e-mail or other information awaits the user. For instance, a server providing service to access device 10 can dial the modem 62 to establish an internet connection and inform access device 10 of a waiting e-mail, resulting in processor 54 illuminating mail light 46.

As part of the preconfiguration of access device 10, a user-specific address book that contains address information for e-mail or chat may be pre-loaded into

PROM with friends and family of the user associated with the access device. The address information may be entered and altered through a Web page accessible over the Internet. For instance, referring to FIGURE 4, a web page is depicted that allows a user and those approved by the user to initiate and alter address book information. Alterations to a user's address book are made through an address book server, such as an LDAP server, for secure storage on a portal site. In one embodiment, the user may screen changes made to the user's address book for acceptance or rejection by the user before the changes become effective.

In one alternative embodiment, access device 10 can also receive inputs indicating that the user of access device 10 is wanted for chat sessions or voice chat sessions, even if the user is not currently logged onto the Internet. One current drawback to conventional chat applications is that a user must be on-line in order to detect that another user is interested in having a chat session. To establish a chat when one or more requested members of the chat session are not on-line, the present invention sends messages by a pager, as described above, or alternatively sends messages through the telephone system as a notification to a requested member, and allows that member to decide whether or not to enter the chat session.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, at step 302, a user at an access device X requests a chat session with a user at an access device Y. At step 304, a portal site interfaced with access device X determines if access device Y is interfaced with the Internet. If access device y is interfaced, then at step 306, a chat session is connected between access devices X and Y. If access device Y is not interfaced with the Internet, then notice is sent to access device Y or its user through one of a number of available techniques.

At step 310, access device X disconnects from the portal site and, at step 312, initiates a call to the telephone number associated with access device Y. Access device Y detects the incoming call as a chat request, for instance by identifying the number of the originating call with caller ID, and informs the user of the chat request through, for instance, an audible sound or a message on the display of access device Y. The user of access device Y will know to check for chat message alerts when the user receives a single telephone ring, and can view the display as a chat message log to identify chat requests received over a predetermined period of time. In this manner, long-distance fees may be avoided. At step 314, access device X reconnects to its portal site to await notice as to whether or not access device Y has interfaced with the Internet at step 316. If access device Y does interface with the Internet, then at step 306 the chat session may be connected. If access device Y does not interface with the Internet, for instance after a predetermined lapse of time, then at step 318 access device X will indicate failure of the chat request to its user.

Alternatively, if at step 304 the portal site determines that access device Y is not interfaced with the Internet, then the portal site may initiate notice to the user of access device Y of the chat request. The portal site may contact access device Y through a dial-up modem, or may send a request through the Internet to another portal site that places a local telephone call or sends a pager message to access device Y. Access device

Y may issue notice to its user of the chat request as was described above. Alternatively, the telephone may be allowed to ring until the user answers so that the portal site may provide the user with an audible message of the chat request. For instance, the portal site may use voice creation and recognition software to inform the user of access device Y that, "User of access device X has requested a chat session." The user of access device

Y may then join the chat session at step 306.

In one embodiment, internet access device 10 uses different caller ID information to distinguish between a plurality of phone call types, such as a voice call, a fax, a chat request, incoming mail, or new content on a specified channel of interest to the user of access device 10. An incoming call identification module ("CIM") 93 loaded on access device 10 detects the origination of the call and compares the origination against a known list of potential originations to map the call to a source application. For instance, a portal site associated with a given access device will use a "chat" originating number when contacting the access device for a chat session, and an "e-mail" originating number when contacting the access device for new e-mail notification. A call alert module ("CAM") 95 matches the application to a corresponding alert mechanism. For instance, chat and e-mail alerts may provide a unique ring sound/tone, blinking light, or a voice that states "you have chat" or "you have e-mail." A call response module ("CRM") 97 will then match an application with an appropriate response to identification provided by the CIM. For instance, the CRM may provide a busy tone, initiate an e-mail download, initiate a chat session, provide a custom voice message for voice calls, or contact a server for content update.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, a block diagram depicts software modules of access device 10 and server 100. Access device 10 supports software storage in either flash PROM 58 or local cache 56. Access device 10 has device drivers 80 for operating hardware devices including a keyboard device driver 82, a communications link driver 84, a magnetic card swipe driver 86, a remote control driver 88, and a file system driver 90. Other device drivers may be included as appropriate for operating devices loaded in access device 10. An embedded operating system module 92 cooperates with device drivers 80 to ensure proper operation of access device 10. Operating system module 92 can be conventional operating systems embedded in PROM 58 such as, the Linux operating system, WINDOWS, the disk operating system (DOS) or other basic operating systems. An embedded web browser module 94 and a real audio module 96 run on top of the operating system to support internet interaction and playing of real audio files. Embedded web browser module 94 supports a web browser for interfacing with the Internet, including interfaces with HTML, CSS, SSL, Java Script and other internet protocols. Real audio layer 96 cooperates with embedded web browser 94 to enable audio functions including streaming audio. Web browser 94 generally interfaces through channels provided by server 100, but may also use a web bypass 98 to support direct access to the World Wide Web.

To update a software module, such as adding a plug- in to embedded browser module 94, file information may be transferred through web browser 94 and written into flash PROM 58 with operating system module 92. This enables software such as browser software, operating systems software or device driver software, to be updated periodically without input or intervention by the user of access device 10.

Server 100 interfaces with access device 10 through the embedded web browser module 94, and performs the functions of connecting access device 10 to the Internet, collection and selection of information from the World Wide Web, and focusing of the information on the World Wide Web for the user of access device 10. A file system 102 of server 100 includes a conventional cache 104 to store real-time data, and files for storing cookies information 106, user profiles information 108, and user application data information 110. An LDAP module 112 interacts with cookies information 106 and user profiles information 108 to perform access management functions of allowing predetermined access devices to interact with server 100 and identifying information specific to each user. A POP/SMTP module 114 enables e-mail functions in conjunction with browser 94 of access device 10.

The communication of channel information from server 100 to access device 10 is performed with HTTP Proxy module 116. HTTP Proxy module 116 retrieves information from the World Wide Web 124 and reformats the information for presentation at access device 10 through web browser 94. The information is reformatted by format convert module 122, media convert module 120 and style mapping module 118. In addition, HTTP Proxy 116 may present applications to access device 10 using web applications module 124. For instance, applications may include address books for users to store e-mail and other address information, calendars and other helpful applications. Referring now to FIGURE 7, a functional block diagram provides greater detail of the operation of server 100 to transfer data to access device 10. A presentation engine 130 communicates data to access device 10 through a virtual tuner 132. Presentation engine 130 also provides e-mail data directly to access device 10 through an e-mail interface 134. Virtual tuner 132 accepts channel request information from access device 10 and provides single topic channel information to access device 10 for display to a user. Virtual tuner 132 also supports direct World Wide Web interface for access device 10 through Web bypass 98.

In addition to transfer of requested channel information, virtual tuner 132 provides next-channel functionality to reduce the time needed to update new information sent to access device 10. More specifically, virtual tuner 132 predicts the next possible requests by access device 10 and sends the next channel information to access device 10 for storage in cache 56. If, in fact, a user requests the predicted next channel information, then the time needed to render the information is reduced since the information does not have to be downloaded from server 100 to access device 10. Presentation engine 130 cooperates with a user database 136 and style sheet database 138 to prepare information for transfer to access device 10. User database 136 provides LDAP functionality by storing user profile information, access management information and cookie management information on a user-by-user basis.

User database 136 communicates active user information to an on-line user list 140 to support chat activities. Style sheets database 138 stores format information for topical channels and for specific users. For instance, news may have a style sheet similar to a newspaper format, and may be provided in enlarged fonts for specific users having poor eyesight. By comparison, weather information may be provided in a television format with active radar screen images and graphical icons to demonstrate forecasts.

Presentation engine 130 obtains information from an advertising engine 142, an e-mail engine 144 and a content selection and collection engine 146. Advertising engine 142 provides information from advertisers for presentation to users based on a number of factors including the channel requested by the user and the user's demographics. For instance, presentation engine

130 may insert advertising directed towards specific age groups based upon age information obtained from user database 136 for a specific user. E-mail engine 144 provides e-mail communication support to users through the e-mail channel as previously described.

Content selection and collection engine 146 accepts information from the World Wide Web and stores the information in topical groups such as Topic A 148. In one embodiment, content selection and collection engine

146 accepts XML data from predetermined sources, such as web sites that provide news or financial information, and provides the XML information from topical storage to presentation engine 130 for translation into HTML web pages according to style sheets stored in style sheet database 138. For example, predetermined sources of information may agree to periodically update content selection and collection engine 146 with new information that updates the topical databases. Alternatively, content selection and collection engine 146 may actively search predetermined sites on the World Wide Web to locate desired information. In this manner, server 100 acts as a lens that focuses vast quantities of information most likely to be of interest to particular users and thus reduce the complexity of locating such information. When a user locates information of interest, an internet access device could allow for presenting the information in accordance with a desired display format. FIGURE 8 depicts a representative screen display of a book-style scroll-free page incorporating teachings of the present invention. A display device, for example display 22, may present internet information, representatively depicted at 166 and 168, on display 22 ' s useable viewing area 152. The format could include a book-style depiction 150, the book-style depiction 150 including two offset stacks of pages. In the depicted format of FIGURE 8, a left hand stack includes most recently read page 156 and earlier read page 162. The right hand stack includes next to be read pages 154, 158 and 160. In the depicted embodiment, only a portion of pages 158, 160 and 162 can be seen. These portions indicate the presence of those pages. In another embodiment, the display might present only one offset stack including a presently displayed page and portions of additional pages as these additional pages become available for viewing.

One method of preparing a scroll -free page like those depicted in FIGURE 8 is shown in FIGURE 9. FIGURE 9 depicts a flow diagram for presenting information to the user on a scroll -free page format in accordance with teachings of the present invention. At step 320, internet information is received, which could happen for example at an internet access device or at a server associated with an internet access device. Step 322, represents tracking the quantity of information being received. This tracking could, for example, involve counting lines of text being received. It could also involve measuring the volume of data received. When a specified amount of data has been received, it can be sliced into page packets. Step 324 represents this slicing step. Determining the specified amount could involve accessing display data defining a desired display format for presenting the internet information on an associated display device. Slicing step 324 could be content neutral (i.e., when a predefined amount of information has been received, that predefined amount of information is sliced from the incoming information) . In another embodiment, the slicing step could consider the information being received and make slicing decisions based both on quantity of information and content of information being received. By considering content, the slicing step could help ensure that incoming data that needs to be viewed as a single block (e.g., data representing a photograph) will be viewed as a single block.

The embodiment depicted in FIGURE 9 determines at step 328 whether a scroll -free page is currently displayed on the display device. If not, the page packet is presented to the user on the display at step 330. If at step 328, it is determined that a scroll free page is displayed on the display device, the page packet may be stored for later viewing. In the FIGURE 9 embodiment, when the page packet is to be stored, an offset page may be displayed to the user, at step 322, to alert the user that another page will be ready for viewing when the user finishes with the currently displayed page. When, at step 334, the user signals that the stored page should be presented for viewing, the embodiment of FIGURE 9 presents the page to the user in the defined scroll -free page format. Steps 320, 322 and 324 may take place at either the internet access device or a server associated with the internet access device.

General Event Notification

After server 100 schedules an update, there are several approaches to delivering the update to access device 10. In one approach, access device 10 performs scheduled pulls from server 100, during which access device 10 connects to server 100 and checks for updates. In another approach, access device 10 accepts incoming data updates, such as by accepting a telephone call, to receive the data. A third approach, discussed above, involves the use of paging notification.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, paging modem 57 can be used to provide access device 10 with notification without the need for access device 10 to accept a telephone call. Paging modem 57 receives a notification message, which it communicates to processor 54.

FIGURE 11 illustrates a method of providing notification to access device 10. The portal server 100 initiates the need for an update. Portal server 100 may be the same as the server 100 that provides other portal services, or may be a server designated to perform notification tasks. In any event, portal server 100 stores, or has access to, whatever data, software programming or user content, is to be downloaded to access device 10.

Server 100 sends a notification message to a paging server 900 local to server 100. Paging server 900 may be any one of the servers associated with conventional paging services. Known paging technology may be used to communicate the notification message, via a paging network, to a destination paging server 950 that is local to the access device 10. Typically, local paging servers 900 and 950 communicate via radio waves. The long distance links may be achieved with various communications media, including the Internet. In fact, the bulk of the transport of the notification message may be via a packet-based network of paging servers that communicate with each other via the Internet, with only the local link being by wireless paging. Examples of today's paging service providers (also called paging carriers) are Paging Network Inc., AirTouch Paging, and AT&T Wireless Services Inc. Thus, paging modem 57 is a radio frequency modem. It can be incorporated into access device 10 in one of a number of different ways. One approach is to place the paging modem 57 on the system motherboard with processor 54, and memory 56 and 58. Another is to connect the paging modem to the USB port 66.

A third alternative is to incorporate the paging modem 57 into the keyboard 18 of access device 10. Messages are communicated to processor 54 via the keyboard link. This communication from the keyboard 18 to the processor 54 may be by means of escape sequences, which delineate the stop and start of the notification message and prevents the message from being interpreted by processor 54 as key strokes.

The local paging server 950 then communicates the notification message to processor 57. Access device 10 then responds by establishing an Internet connection with portal server 100 so that the data can be downloaded to it. A paging translator process 970 can reside in access device 10 to determine the type of page and the appropriate response.

Event notification can be extended to any Internet activity, but is especially useful for notification of content updates. In response to notification, the access device 10 may retrieve and cache updates in a manner that is transparent to the user and requires no waiting by the user.

Referring again to FIGURES 1 and 6, using web browser 94 in communication with server 100, the user can retrieve new e-mails or old e-mails saved on server 100. When access device 10 is informed through the Internet that the user has new mail, mail light 46 indicates that the user should check the e-mail channel . There are several approaches to providing device 10 with email notification. Like updates, email notification can be the result of polling the server or calls from the server. Additionally, the above-described paging method can be used.

Another event of which access device 10 can be notified by paging is "chat ringing", where the user of device 10 is notified that another person is seeking to chat via the Internet. Examples of other events include new content on a channel of interest, change in stock price, and a delivery on its way. Paging can be used for notification of a multitude of different types of events. In combination with pre- caching, it provides both programming and Internet content that are continuously and immediately updated as changes occur at the source .

Other Embodiments

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of providing notification to a processor-based Internet appliance, comprising the steps of: designating a notification server; communicating a notification message from the notification server to a source paging service, using a paging network; transporting the notification message via the paging network, to a destination paging server; and communicating the notification message to a paging modem of the Internet appliance, using a radio frequency link of the paging network; and communicating the notification message from the paging modem to a processor of the Internet appliance.

2. The method of Claim 1, wherein the Internet appliance provides e-mail services and the notification message represents notification of an e-mail message.

3. The method of Claim 1, wherein the Internet appliance stores program software and the notification message represents notification of an update to the software .

4. The method of Claim 1, wherein the Internet appliance is a personal access device and the notification message represents notification of new Internet content to be delivered to the personal access device via the Internet .

5. The method of Claim 1, wherein the Internet appliance provides chat session services and the notification message represents a chat caller.

6. A method of automatically updating an Internet appliance, comprising the steps of: storing update data at an update server; delivering an update notification message to a paging server; transporting the notification message via a paging network; receiving the notification message at a paging modem of the Internet appliance, using a radio frequency link of the paging network; establishing an Internet connection from the

Internet appliance to the update server, in response to the notification message; and downloading the update data to the Internet appliance via the Internet connection.

7. The method of Claim 6, wherein the Internet appliance stores program software and the notification message represents notification of an update to the software.

8. The method of Claim 1, wherein the Internet appliance is a personal access device and the notification message represents notification of new Internet content to be delivered to the personal access device via the Internet .

9. An Internet personal access device in communication with at least one portal service provider server of the Internet, and with at least one paging server of a paging network, comprising: a display for displaying Internet content; a processor for executing web browser and operating system programming software; a program memory for storing the programming software; a cache memory for storing Internet content downloaded from the Internet to the personal access device; a communications interface for establishing a connection to the Internet; and a paging modem for receiving notification messages from a notification server of the portal service provider, via radio frequency link of the paging network.

10. The device of Claim 9, wherein the communications interface is a dial-up modem.

11. The device of Claim 9, wherein the Internet appliance provides e-mail services and the notification message represents notification of an e-mail message.

12. The device of Claim 9, wherein the Internet appliance stores program software and the notification message represents notification of an update to the software .

13. The method of Claim 9, wherein the Internet appliance is a personal access device and the notification message represents notification of new Internet content to be delivered to the personal access device via the Internet .

14. The device of Claim 9, wherein the Internet appliance provides chat session services and the notification message represents a chat caller.

15. The device of Claim 9, wherein the access device has a keyboard, and the paging modem is located in the keyboard .

16. The method of Claim 15, wherein the paging message is transmitted to the processor via the keyboard interface .

17. The method of Claim 15, wherein the notification message is transmitted to the processor using keyboard escape codes.