GB2330931A

GB2330931A - Automatically downloading internet web pages and accumulating statistical information

Info

Publication number: GB2330931A
Application number: GB9820942A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yoshizumi Mano; Chenchu Chilamakuri; Hisato Shima
Original assignee: Sony Electronics Inc
Current assignee: Sony Electronics Inc
Priority date: 1997-09-30
Filing date: 1998-09-25
Publication date: 1999-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2018-09-25
Also published as: DE19844679A1; GB9820942D0; NL1010108C2; JPH11213015A; GB2330931B; NL1010108A1

Abstract

A computer system is programmed to automatically access specified web pages periodically and download the information from the web page to the computer system which stores it. Through a user interface, a user programs the computer system by entering an internet address of the web page and an access interval. The access interval is the interval at which versions of the web page will be downloaded, e.g. daily or weekly. The user can then access the downloaded information and view the web page at a convenient time. The apparatus is also configured for automatically gathering statistics and data from a network structure and transmitting this information to a database at a server. The server automatically obtains information regarding the types of and configuration of devices coupled to the computer system.

Description

2330931 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY DO"'.N'LOADE'G AND

STOREG INTER. NET WTB PAGES AND TRA-NSFERRING CONSUMER STATISTICAL LNWORNIATION AND DATA FROM A NETWORK STRUCTURE The present invention relates to the field of acquiring and transferring information over

the iniernel or world wide web. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of using a computer sysiern to automatically receive or transfer information over the iniernet.

The 11E11 1394 standard. 'T1394 Standard For A High Performance Serial Bus." Draft 8.0\2. Jul. 7, 1995t is an international standard for implementing an inexpensive high-speed serial bus architecture which supports both asynchronous and isochronous formai data transfers. Isochronous data transfers are real-time transfers which take place such that the time intervals between significant instances have the same duration at both the transmittino and receliving applications. Each packet of data transferred isochronously is transferred in Rs own time period. An example of an ideal application for the transfer of data isochronously would be from a video recorder to a television set. The video recorder records images and sounds and saves the data in discrete chunks or packets. The video recorder then transfers each packet. representing the image and sound recorded over a limited time period, during that time period. for display by? the television set. The lEEE 1394 standard bus architecture provides multiple channels for isochronous data transfer between applications. A six bit channel number is broadcast with the data to ensure reception by the appropriate application.

This allows multiple applications to simultaneously, transmit isochronous data across the bus structure. Asynchronous transfers are traditional data transfer operations which take place as 1 i, 20 soon as possible and transfe r an amount of data from a souice to a destination.

The MEE 1394 standard provides a high-speed serial bus for interconnecting digital devices thereby providing a universal 110 connection. The lEEE 1394 standard defines a dicital interface for the applications thereby. eliminating the need for an application to convert digital data to analog data before it is transmitted across the bus. Correspondingly, a receiving application mill receive digital data from the bus, not analog data, and will therefore not be required to convert analog data to digital data. The cable required by the IEEE 1394 standard is very, thin in size compared to other bulkier cables used to connect such devices.

Devices can be added and removed from an IEEE 13)94 bus while the bus is active. If. a device is so added or removed the bus will then automaileall. reconficure itself for c transmittine data between the then existing nodes. A node is considered a logical entir\. m-ith a un que address on the bus structure. Each node provides an identi ication ROM, a standardized set of control registers and its omm address space.

The 11111E 1 ')94 cable environment is a neim.ork of nodes connected b point-to-point links, including- a pori on each nodes phvsical connection and the cable betk.een them. The physical topology for the cable environment of an IEEE 1394 serial bus is a non-cyclic net,,.-ork of rnultiple ports. mith finite branches. The primary restriction on the cable environment is that nodes must be connected together without forming any closed loops.

The IKE 1394 cables connect ports together on different nodes. Each port includes terminators. transceivers and simple logic. A node can have multiple ports at its physical connection. The cable and ports act as bus repeaters bemeen the nodes to simulate a single logical bus. The cable physical connection at each node includes one or more ports, arbitration logic. a resynchronizer and an encoder. Each of the ports provide the cable media interface into which the cable connector is connected. The arbitration logic pro,,,-ides access to the bus for the node. The resymchronizer takes received data-strobe encoded data bits and generates data bits sy.nchronized to a local clock for use by. the applications.,ithin the node.

The encoder takes either data being transmitted by. the node or data received by. the res,,.nchroruzer. which is addressed to another node, and encodes it in data-strobe format for transmission across the IEEE 1394 serial bus. Using these components, the cable phy,sical connection translates the physical point-to-point topology- of the cable environment into a virtual broadcast bus, which is expected by higher lay,ers of the system. This is accomplished bv takinp all data received on one port of the ph)rsical connection, resymchrorlizing the data to a local clock and repeating the data out of all of the other poris from the phy,sical connection.

Upon power up or a bus reset, the devices coupled to an IEEE 1394 serial bus structure perform a self identification sequence. The self-lD sequence of the lEEE 1-394 serial bus protocol includes the assignment of a rooi node m-]'thin an JEEE 1.3394 serial bus structure and the building of a topology map to determine the physical relationships of the nodes on the bus structure. This self-11) sequence determines the physical topology of the nodes on the 1111111 1394 serial bus nem-ork due to their pori connections. From each port 11 is deterniined if there is a connection and if the connection is to a child or parent node.

Durine this self-ID sequence. all of the physical connections are assigned a direction pointing tom.ards the root node. The direction is set b.,. labelinúi each connected port as either a parent port or a child port. A parent port is a port connected to a node closer to the root than the repor-ting node. A child porl is a port connected to a node further from the root than the reporting node. From these relationships. the root node can determine the ph)?sical topolog-y of the devices connected to the MEE 1394 serial bus network.

Identification information is typically embedded "ithin consumer electronic devices based on the ItEE 1212 specification. This identification information includes a unique code representing the manufacturer of the device and the ty,pe of the device; e.g. video cassette recorder (XTR). video camera, digital video disk. etc. This identification information is t-picall-,- embedded mithin a read-only memon, (ROM) inside the device. This information is obtained by. a read operation of the ROM within the device.

i An abundance of information is nom. available to users of the internet or world wide web. Sometimes the amount of available information is overwhelming to users. However, even with the wealth of information available, users of the internet ofien routinely, return to their favorlie sites and web pages.

Access to the intemet and world wide web can be slow and time consuming. especially.

during the most popular hours of the day. Access can be much faster during the off-peak.

hours,h-hen not as mariv users are accessing the s),stem. Even during the off-peak. hours it can be time consuming to access a web page or internet site to determine if it has been updated or if there is an. new information of interest to a user.

When accessine an internet site, a user instructs the computer to dial up the server of the user's intemet service provider. The computer or settop box then controls the operation of a modem to establish the connection with the intemet service provider. Once a connection has been mad,between the modem and the internet service provider. the user must then log on to the service. usualb by. entering a username and a password. When the user is lo-ced on to the service., the user can then access services and information provided b. the service provider and also information available through.,-eb paces at other addresses on the internet.

When accessino information available throueh the internet. the user connects through theliT service provider to other servers which are providing information. This information is usually provided at internet sites and web pages. Each internet site and web page has a particular address through which it can be accessed. By entering this address. the user is instructing their internet service provider to connect them to that address.

Each internet site or web page t,picall-,, has information about a certain subject. For example, an internet site provided by a newspaper mill typicaBy. have current news, stories and other information provided by the newspaper. Other sites might have news, information and stock, quotes about particular companies or ty-pes of companies. Still another site might have information related to a particular type of automobile. A user desiring to access such a site in order to discover whether there is any new information available since the last time the user accessed the site or any information of interest to the user, must perform the entire log on process and wait while the site is accessed through the service provider. For a user interested in many different subjects. this can be a very time-consuming process.

There are currently. services which will automatically conduct a search and provide a user xvith information about a particular subject which is available on the internet. Ty-plcally, to use such a service. a user will enter the specific subject matter about which they would like to obtain information. This service then automatically searches the internet for the user and obtains information about the specific subject matter. This information lvill be gathered bv the search sen.lice from many: different sites on the internet. The user is then provided with a report outlining this information and the sites from where it was gathered. What is needed is a 51%'SICM which autornaticall.,' obtains information from user specified internet sites. Whai is further needed is a s\7stem which automatically obtains information from specific internet sites during a specified time period. while a user is not using the system.

C 1 AddItionalIv. market research, demographic and other statistical information is very, useful to manufacturers of consumer products who advertise and market through the internet.

This information is used to determine trends in the marketplace and also determine how products and sen,ices can be better packaged and presented to the consumer. Gathering of this information has conventionally been done through questionnaires. telephone surveys and the like. Once this information is gathered, it is typically entered into a database manually, by data entry personnel. Accordingly, there is an element of human error associated with the gathering and entering of this bpe of data. Additionally. there is a great amount of time and effort required in the gathering and entering of such data into a statistical database.

Whai is needed is a manner in which to gather statistical information from consumers automaticallx. in a machine readable form, thereby. eliminating the necessity of manually entering data from market surveys and questionnaires.

A computer system or other internet access device is programmed to automatically, access speci ied web pages periodically and download the information ftom the web page to the computer system. Through a user interface, a user programs the computer system by, enterinQ an internet address of the web page and an access interval. The access intei-val is the inten.al at which versions of the web page Will be downloaded; e.g. hourly, daily? or weekly.

On that periodic basis the computer system or other internet access device then autornaticalIv accesses the specified web page and downloads the available information. This information is stored within a memory de-vice associated with the computer system. The user can then access the doih-nloaded information and view the web page without connecting to the internet to deieriiiine if there is an,lhino of interest to the user on the web page. If there is information of interesi and the user would like to obtain additional information. the user can then access the appropriate web page at a convenient time to obtain the additional information.

The apparatus is also configured for automatically gathering consumer statistical information and data regarding a network structure through an established connection between a computer s-.,stem or other remote access system and a server. This connection is established either over the internet or directly between the computer system and the server. Once the connection is established between the computer system and the server, the server then automatically obtains from the computer system, information regarding the ty, es of and p configuration of devices coupled to the computer system. Preferably, the computer system is coupled to a plurality, of other devices as part of an MEE 1394 serial bus network.

Accordingly. the computer System accessing the server m ill have information about the devices within the MEE 1394 serial bus network after the self-II) sequence is completed.

Once this information is automatically, gathered by the server from the computer system, the information is then automatically, stored within a database, thus eliminating the need for the information to be manually entered. From this database, trends in the purchasing and usa,-e habits of consumers can be determined without requiring manual accumulation and entry, of statistical data. The present invention will be determined below with an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which; Ficure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an lEEE 1394 serial bus network which includes a computer svStem.

Floure 2 illustrates a block dia-ram of the internal components of the computer c c sysiem.

Fioure 3 illustrates a block diagram of the internal components of the server 70.

c Fieure 4 illustrates a user interface page through which the user enters the addresses of the web pages to be awomatically accessed by, the computer 5v5tem.

An apparatus for and method of automatically downloading and storing web pages allows a user to program a computer s),stem or other intemet access device to automatically, access specified web pages periodically. and download the information from the web page to the computer system. The user can then later look at the downloaded information to determine if there is anylhing of interest to the user on the specified web pages thus saving the user the time required to actually gain access to the web page on the intemet. If there is information of interest and the user would like to obtain additional information,. the user can then access the appropriate web page at a convenient time to obtain the additional infarmation. This allows the user to review the downloaded information at their computer or other internet access device and make a decision on whether or not the new information on that web page is of interest to them without waiting throu-1-1 the delay,s associated with actual]v accessing the web page on the intemet.

Additionally', the apparatus of the present invention can be used to automatically gather statistical information when a use-. establishes a connection bet-,keen an appropriate remote Y iate remote access access device and a server. Using a computer sy stem or other appropri device. the user can establish this connection either over the intemet or b), instructing the compuier system to call the server directly,. Once the connection is established between the computer sx,stem and the server, the server then obtains information from the computer sy,stem regarding the types of devices to which it is coupled. Preferably. the computer syystem is coupled within an IEEE 1394 serial bus network. Accordingly., after the self-11) sequence. discussed above. has been completed, by the devices mdthin the IEEE 1394 serial bus network the server can obtain information about the devices within the MEE 1 ^394 serial bus network.

Because of the embedded information ",)thin each of these devices. the sen,er can also determine not onb the types of devices. but also the manufacturer of each of the devices. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, this information is only gathered by. the server after the user has connected to the server and agreed to allo-x. the server to obtain this information.

Once the information is gathered by the server, the information is then automatically, stored within a database, thus eliminating the need for a data entry, clerk to manually enter the data from a questionnaire or surve),. From this database, trends in the t, pes of consumer electronic devices being bought by, consumers can he determined. Trends in the groups of devices and specific configurations of those devices within the IEEE 1394 serial bus structures can also be determined. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention. additional data is automatically gathered by the sen,er, including usage patterns of devices. Using the present invention to aulomatically gather information directly. from a computer sYstem eliminates the need for market survey,s and questionnaires, which must be filled out manually, and then entered by. a data entry, clerk.

A block diagram of an MEE 1394 serial bus network, including a computer sy,stem 14, a video cassette recorder (VCR) 17, a video camera 19, a television 10 with associated settop box 20 and a video printer 22, is illustrated in Figure 1. The computer system 14 includes an associated display. 36 and is coupled to a teleDhone line 18. The computer system 14 is also coupled to the setiop box 20 and to the VCR 17. by the IEEE 1394 serial bus cables 12 and 13. respect) vely. The settop box 20 is coupled to the television 10 and to a telephone line 24.

A m-lreless control and input device 16 provides input and control signals to the television 10.

The setiop. box 20 is also coupled to the video printer 22 by the 1111111 1394 serial bus cable 15. The YCR 17 is also coupled to the video camera 19 by the 11111E 1 '394 serial bus cable 11. Together. the computer sy?slem 14, the VCR 17, the video camera 19, the settop box 220 and the video printer 22 form an MEE 1 '394 serial bus network.

A block diagram of the internal components of the computer system 14 is illusiraied in Figure 2. The computer system 14 includes a central processor unit (CPU) 26. a main 30. a video memorv 44. a mass storage device 32. a modem 50 and an IEEE 1394 memorv -3 interface circuit 28. all coupled together by. a conventional bidirectional sy,stem bus 34. The interface circuit 28 includes the ph,,,sical interface circuit 42 for sending and receiving communications on the MEE 1394 serial bus. The physical interface circuit 42 is coupled to the settop box 20 by the MEE 1394 serial bus cable 12 and to the VCR 17 by, the IEEE 1394 serial bus cable 1 ^1. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention. the interface circuit 28 is implemented on an IEEE 1394 interface card within the computer systern 14, However.

it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the interface circuit 28 can be implemented within the computer sy,stem 14 in any, other appropriate manner, including buildine the interface circuit onto the motherboard itself The modem 50 is coupled to the telephone line 18 for sending and receiving communications over the telephone line 18. The mass storage device 32 ma, include both fixed and removable media using any, one or more of magnetic, optical or magneto- optical storage technology, or any other available mass storage iechnology. The systern bus 34 contains an address bus for addressing any portion of the memon. 30 and 44. The system bus 34 also includes a data bus for transferring data between and among the CPU 26, the main memory, 30, the video memory 44, the mass storage device 32. the modem 50 and the interface circuit 28.

The computer system 14 is also coupled to a number of peripheral input and output 1 i is devices including the keyboard 38. the mouse 40 and the associated display 36. The keyboard 338 is coupled to the CPU 26 for allowing a user to input data and control commands into the computer system 14. A conventional mouse 40 is coupled to the keyboard J38 for manipulating graphic images on the display 36 as a cursor control device. The display '36 displays video and graphical images generated by the computer system 14.

A port of the -video memon, 44 is coupled to a video multiplex and shifter circuit 46.

-,.hich in turn is coupled to a video amplifier 48. The,.,-ldeo amplifier 48 drives the di p S 1 ay ,6. when it is be"n2 used. The video multiplex and shifier circuitry 46 and the video amplifier 48 convert pixel data stored in the video memory 44 to raster signals suitable for use by the display 36.

A block. diagram of the internal components of a server 70 is illustrated in Figure 3.

The server 70 includes a CPU, 72, a main memory 78, a mass storage device 76 and a modem 74, all coupled together by. a conventional bidirectional system bus 80. The modem 74 is coupled to the telephone line 82 for sending and receiving communications over the telephone line 82. The mass storage device 76 may include both fixed and removable media using an-,,, one or more of maggnetic, optical or magneto-optical storage technology. or any other available mass storage technology,-. The system bus 80 contains an address bus for addressing any portion of the memory. 76 and 78. The system bus 80 also includes a data bus for transferring data between and among the. CPU 72, the main memory. 78, the mass storage device 76 and the modem 74.

Upon power on or a bus reset, the devices within the MEE 1394 serial bus network.

perform a self-ID sequence to build a topology map relative to the root node. In the MEE 1394 serial bus structure illustrated in Figure 1, the computer system 14 will presumably be the root node. The topology map will reflect the relationships between the node connections within this TEEE 1394 serial bus network. This topology? map is then stored within the computer sysiem 14 and includes the embedded information provided from each device and the physical connections of each device relative to the other devices mithin the MEE 1394 serial bus network.

In Operation, a user will instruct the computer system 14 to connect to a server 70.

such as illustrated in Figure -3), for many, reasons including to register as a user of a product.

to obtain software or a software uparade anclor to obtain information. This connection can be established over the internet or directIv with the sen,er 70. In both instances. the modem 50 establishes the connection with the modem 74 over the telephone lines. In the case of a connection over the intemet. the connection is routed throueh other servers as is well known in the art.

Once the computer system is connected to the server 70, the server then dolkmloads the information from the computer systern 14 about the type of and confliguration of the devices mithin the MEE 1394 serial bus network. While connected to the computer system 14, the server 70 can also learn other information about the devices coupled within the IEEE 1394 serial bus network and how they are being used. Preferably., this information is on]). obtained by the server 70 from the computer system 14 after the user has connected to the server 70 and agreed to allov.. the server 70 to automatically obtain this information.

W7hen received by the sen,er 70, this information is then preferably. stored within the mass storage device 76 as part of a customer database. Alternatively, the information is transferred firom the server 70 to another computer system where it is added to the cuslomer database. This customer database is then used to determine trends among customers and their purchasing habits. This information mill be very valuable to a company designing products for customers. By learning about customer's purchasing and usage habits, the company can tailor their new products and marketing towards the appropriate audiences.

An apparatus for and method of automatically gathering consumer statistics and data from a network structure uses an established connection between a computer system or other remote access sysiern and a server. Preferablv. the network structure is an MEE 1394 serial bus net,.ork. The computer s-,,stern maintains information about the devices within the lEEE 394 serial bus neT-,A-ork using embedded information within each of the devices and the self ID sequence of the IEEE 1394 serial bus. Once the connection is established between the computer systern and the sen-er. the server then automatically obtains from the computer system. after receivino authorization from the user. the information regarding the ty es of and C7 - p confi2uration of devices coupled to the computer system. Once this infbrmation is automatically gathered by the sen?er. from the computer system. the information is stored m-]thin a daiabase used to monitor statistical trends. This information is automatically gathered by the server. thus eliminating the need for the information to be gathered through the use of surveys and questionnaires and for the information to be manually entered into a database.

Through the apparatus of the present invention, a user can also program an internet access device to automatically. access specified web pages and do,,,mload information from the web page. A user of the system uses the keyboard 38 and the mouse 40 to program the addresses of the web pages which are to be automatically, downloaded by, the computer system 14. A user interface through which the user programs the web page addresses is illustrated in Figure 4. The user interface 60 includes an address column 62, a nickname column 64, an inten,al column 66. an update column 68 and a viewed column 69. The user programs an entry. displayed as a row in the table. using the key.board J38 and the mouse 40 in a conventional manner. In the address column 62, the user enters the intemel address of a web page which is to be automatically downloaded. In the nickname column 64, the user assigns a ruckname to correspond to this address. In the interval column 66, the user assigns an inten.al at which the web page is to be automatically. downloaded. Aczeptable entries within the inien,al column 66 are hour, da),, number of day?s and week. In the last updated column 68. the computer s),stem 14 display's the date and time of the last version of the web page which -,. k-as dox,,mloaded corresponding to this entn.. In the viewed column 69. the computer system 14 displays either a "Yes" or "NJ value. corresponding to whether or not the last downloaded web page corresponding to this entn- m-as viewed b. the user.

The user interface example illustrated in Figure 4 includes t.,,o entries 85 and 90. The first entr 85 includes an internet address of son)-.com in the address column 62. an assigned nickname of Sonv in the nickname column 64 and an interval of every. day. in the interval column 66. The update column 68 indicates that the corresponding web page was last is updated on March 6. 1997 at 12:00 Ahl. The \Jewed column 69 indicates that the user has ,-iex,ed the last cop- of the web page which m,as downloaded. In response to this first entry 85. the computer system 14 will then access the,k,eb page at the internet address sony.com every dav and dommload the available information from that page. updating the information within the update column 68 and the viewed column 69, accordingly'.

The second entry. 90 includes an internet address of stocks.com in the address column 62. an assigned rckname of Quotes in the nickname column 64 and an interval of even, hour in the inter-val column 66. The update column 68 indicates that the corresponding web page was last updated on March 6, 1997 at 10:00 AM. The viewed column 69 indicates that the user has not viewed the last copy? of the web page which was dommloaded. In response to this second entn- 90. the computer sylstem 14 will then access the web page at the internet address stocks.com even hour and do,,),mload the available information from that page, updating the information Y,.ithin the update column 68 and the viewed column 69, accordingly. After the user has programmed at least one entry into the user interface

60, the computer system 14 (Figure 2) mill then retrieve the specified web page or pages at the specified time intervals. For example, in response to the first entn, 85 (Figure 4), the computer s-ystem 14 (Figure 2) will on a dail), interval, use the modem 50 (Figure 2), to connect to the user's intemet service pro-Mer through the telephone line 18 (Figure 2). Once connected to the iniernel service provider. the computer system 14 (Figure 2) will then auiornaticall\. enter the address sonyxom corresponding to the first entn. 85 (Figure 4). After being connected to the web page at that address by the intemet service provider, the computer s stem 14 (Figure 2) m-111 download the available information from that web page. essentially making a reproduction of the information within the web page. The available information from that web page is dohmloaded through the telephone line 18 (Figure 2) and the modem (F3gure 2) and preferably stored on the mass storage device 32 (Figure 2) within the computer s-,-stem 14 (Figure 2). Alternatively, the available information from that web page is stored in the main memory 30 (Figure 2). Preferably-, as a doAmloaded web page is updated by the computer sysiem 14 (Figure 2). only the latest version of that downloaded web paoe is sa,,ed in the mass storage device 3.2 (Figure 2). Alternativelv. each dowriloaded version of the web page can be saved until it is viewed by the user. In this altemative embodimem, after the web page is viewed by the user it will then be erased from the computer system's 14 (Figure 2) memory.

After a web page is do-,,mloaded, a copy, of the web page is in the memory; of the computer sysiem 14 (Figure 2) and available to the user. The user can access that previously doxxmloaded web page by opening the user interface 60 (Figure 4) and using the mouse 40 (Figure 2) or other input device to select the corresponding entry. If the user is interested in vieming the last downloaded web page corresponding to the first entry 85 (Figure 4), then the user opens the user interface 60 (Figure 4) and selects the first entn. 85 (Figure 4). The computer system 14 (Figure 2) uill then load the available information for that web page from the mass storage device 32 (Figure 2) into the main memory. 30 (Figure 2) and display the web page on the display 36 (Figure 2). The user can then access the available information on the downloaded web page as if they, were actually accessing the original web page. However, the user not be able to utilize any, links to other internet addresses included within the web page. because the computer system 14 (Figure 2) is not actually cormecied to the internet through the internet sen-ice provider. If there is any. information in the web page which is interesting to the user, the user can then instruct the computer system 14 (Figure 2) to connect to the internet service provider and view the actual web page. Once connected to the actual web page through their intemei sen,ice provider. the user then has the ability to automatically, jump to an). links included within the actual web page.

A user who is offiv interested in the actual information included on the do"mloaded web pape. can save a great amount of time by viewing the do-,,-nloaded web page and not ilirouch the delavs associated with accessino the original web page on the internet.

Usinúi the svstem of the present Invention, the user allo,,h.s the computer sy-siem 14 (Figure 22) to automatically- perform the time consuming task of accessing and downloading the specified web page. The user can then quickly open the downloaded web page and view it in a fraction of the time it would take to access the web pace and viem. it over the intemet. If the user then decides that they would like to connect to the actual web page, based on the downloaded information, they have still saved a lot of time by viewing the doikmloaded web page to determine if there is anylhing on the actual web page that is of interest. The user will save even more time, when all the information of interest is included on the doiknloaded web page which has been automatically; obtained by the computer system 14 (Figure 2).

1 1 While preferably. the computer system 14 (Figure 2) is used to enter the appropriate information into the user interface 60 (Figure 4) and automatically. download specified web pages from the intemet, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the combination of the settop box 20 (Figure 1), television 10 (Figure 1) and remote control input device 16 (Figure 1), or any, other appropriate internet access device, can also be used to perform the tasks associated -hith the present invention. In this manner, both the computer systern 14 (Figure 2) and the television 10 (Figure 1) with settop box 20 (Figure 1) can be used independently to automatically do,,hmload specified web pages from the internet. Alternatively. the computer system 14 (Figure 2) can be used to automatically doAnload the specified x,,.eb pages as descnibed above and the information accessed by the user through the television 10 (Figure 1). In this embodiment. the television obtains the downloaded information from the computer system 14 (Figure 2) -,ia the MEE 1394 serial bus 12 (Figure 1). This doxkmloaded information is then displayed for the user on the television 10 (F)ú!ure 1).

The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporaiing details to facilitate the understanding of principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may. be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Specifically, it be apparent to those skilled in the art that while the preferred embodiment of the present invention is used with an IEEE 1394 serial bus structure, the present invention could also be implemented on any. other appropriate bus structures.

C L A 1 M S

Claims

W'e Claim:

1 A method of automatically, accumulating statistical data comprising the steps of.

2 a. establishing a connection between a computer network and a server; 3 b. aulomaticall-v obtainin2 information about devices within the computer network 4 once the connection is established, and C- automatically. adding the information to a database.

1 2. 2 The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the computer network includes a computer sysiem through which the connection is established with the sen, er.

1 1 accumulatInú the information and storing it within the computer system.

1 2 3 4. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the step of automatically. obtaining includes transmitlin,, the information from the computer sysiern to the sen,-er once the connection is established.

1 2 The method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the computer network is an MEE 1394 serial bus net-work.

1 6.

2 The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the step of automatically. accumulating the information includes performing a self-ID sequence.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the information includes a representation of a physical layout of the devices and types and manufacturers of the devices.

8.

The method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the database is stored within the server.

1 2 9. The method as claimed in claim 4 further comprising the step of nansmitting the information from the sen..er to a database server where the information is stored within the database.

1 10.

An apparatus for automaticall. accumulating statistical data comprising:

a. a communications circuit for establishing a connection with a computer network. the computer network including one or more dexices; a controlling circuit coupled to the communications circuit for autornaticall,'. obtaininc information from the computer network when a connection is established. the information including statistical data about the one or more de,,-lces. and a memon, storace device coupled to the communications circuit and to the controllino circuit for storine the information.

t - 4 b.

C.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the information is stored as part of a statistical database.

1 12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the information is transmitted to a compuier sysiem through the communications circuit.

- is - 1 13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the computer network is an MEE 1394 serial bus network.

1 2 14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the information further includes data about the configuration and usage of the devices.

1 2 J) 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15. A server for automatically accumulating statistical data when a connection is established with a remote access computer system comprising:

a. a communications circuit for establishinp a connection with a computer network including a remote access computer system; b. a controlling circuit coupled to the commurcatIons circuit for automatically obtaininc, information from the computer network when a connection is established. the information including statistical data about devices within the computer net-work; and a memon. siora2e device coupled to the communications circuit and to the controllinc circuit for storinc the information.

c - 1 2 16.

1 '194 serial bus network.

The sen,er as claimed in claim 15 wherein the comnuter network. is an lEEE 1 2 17.

statistical database.

The server as claimed in claim 16 wherein the information is stored as part of a 1 2 18. The server as claimed in claim 16 wherein the information is transmitted to a computer system through the communications circuit.

19. The server as claimed in claim 16 wherein the information further includes data about the configuration and usage of the devices.

20. The server as claimed in claim 16 wherein the connection is established from the remote access computer system to the communications circuit.

1 2 3 4 5 21.

An apparatus configured for automatically providing statistical data comprising., 1 a. at least one electronic device. each such electronic device includes a digital memory for storing a collection of information regarding that de-,,,lce. and a nem-ork conficured for connectino each electronic device to a telephone line.

Z7 c m-herein the collection of information IS readable via the telephone line.

b.

1 1 2 1 A method of automaticalb. accessing information from internet addresses 1 - comprising the steps of..

a. b.

autornaticalIv accessin. information at a specified internet address. dox, .-nloadin.o the information from the specified internet address; and siorinú the information in order to allo", a user to access the information while not connected to the specified intemet address.

4 5 6 C.

1 2 3 23. The method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising the step of forming a connection between a system capable of accessing a remote internet server and the remote internet sen.cr.

1 2 24. The method as claimed in claim 231 wherein the steps of automatically accessing and downloading are performed periodically at predetermined intervals.

c 1 1 1 2 1 2 -5 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 1 2 1 2 3 25.

The method as claimed in claim 24 wherein the system is a computer sysiern.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25 wherein the computer system includes a memon. device for storing the information.

27. The method as claimed in claim 26 further comprising the step of erasing a previous version of the information when a more recent version of the information is obtained.

8. comprising the steps of:

b.

A method of automatically accessing information from internet addresses a formine a connection between a sylstem capable of accessing a remote intemel sen.rer and the remote internet server; automaticall,,. accessing information at a specified internet address.. and C. downloading the information from the specified intemet address to the system.

ng.

information.

30. information to a user.

The method as claimed in claim 28 further comprising the step of storing the C The method as claimed in claim 29 further comprising the step of providing the c The method as claimed in claim 29 further comprising the step of erasing a previous version of the information when a more recent version of the inforTnation is obtained.

1 2 2. 1 3 The method as claimed in claim 29 where'n the system is a computer system including a memory device for storing the information.

1 2 3 " 1 The method as claimed in claim 29 wherein the steps of forming a connection, automatically, accessing and do%kmloading are performed periodically at predetermined intervals.

3 4. An apparatus for automaticallY accessing information from internet addresses and providing the information to a user comprising:

a. a connection device configured for coupling to an internet server for forming a conneezion between the apparatus and the internet server.- and a controller coupled to the connection device for controlling the operation of the connection device to automati calb; form the connection between the apparatus and the internet server and doAmload information through the connection device from specified internet addresses.

2 3 4 6 7 - -1 8 i 1 1 r J_.

The apparatus as claimed in claim 34 wherein the connection device is a modem.

36. telephone line.

The apparatus as claimed in claim 35 wherein the connection is formed over a 1 3 7.

2 The apparatus as claimed in claim 34 further comprising a memon, device coupled to the connection device for storing the information.

- 23 The apparatus as claimed in claim 37 further comprising a display, device for displaying the information.

1 rI The apparatus as claimed in claim 38 further comp ising means for programming coupled to the controller for entering the specified internet addresses.

1 40. The apparatus as claimed in claim 39 wherein the controller and the connection device autornatl'call\- do,,h-nload the information periodically at predetermined intervals.

41. A computer system for automatically. accessing information from internet addresses and providing the information to a user comprising.

a. a modem configured for coupling to a telephone line for forming a connection bet",een the computer sy,stem and internet servers; b. a controller coupled to the modem for controlling the modem to autornafically form the connection between the computer system and the internet servers and download information from specified internet addresses, and a stora e device coupled to the modem for storin. the information.

g c 8 C.

1 42. The computer sy,stem as claimed in claim 41 further comprising a display device for display.ing the information.

c 1 4 3.

2 The computer systern as claimed in claim 42 wherein the controller and the modem automatically, download the information periodically, at predetermined intervals.

1 44. 2 hard disk drive.

The computer system as claimed in claim 43 wherein the storage device is a 24 - 45. A method of automatically accumulating information substantially as hereinbefore determined with reference to the drawings.

46. A computer system constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

1 20 1