Gaming system emulating a set top box

Abstract

A gaming system is disclosed. The gaming system includes a gaming console, which comprises a processor and a storage medium, and is in connection with a network, a monitor and a sound system, the method. First instruction data are received from an external storage medium read by the gaming console. These instruction data and include one of set-top instruction data for receiving and decoding digital broadcast data and set-top applications when executed on the gaming console, and communication data for use in retrieving via the network the set-top instruction data for receiving and decoding digital broadcast data and set-top applications when executed on the gaming console. The set-top instruction data are executed on the gaming console, and encoded digital broadcast data is received via the network. The received, encoded digital broadcast data are decoded and displayed on the monitor and on the sound system. The gaming system is therefore functioning as a set-top box.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A gaming console for use as a gaming client, the gaming console connected to a broadband access network and comprising: 
 at least a volatile storage medium for having stored therein client instruction data relating to a gaming client and game instruction data relating to a current game in execution;    at least an external storage medium reading circuit for sensing data from an external storage medium and for storing the received data in the at least a volatile storage medium;    at least a processor in communication with the at least a volatile storage medium, the processor for retrieving game instruction data therefrom for executing a game on the gaming console, and for retrieving client instruction data therefrom for executing a gaming client function on the gaming console; and    a transceiver for establishing a connection between the gaming console and the broadband access network, the connection for being controlled by the at least a processor in execution of the client instruction data;    wherein when set-top client instruction data and set-top application instruction data are stored in the at least a storage medium and are executed on the at least a processor, the gaming console emulates a set-top box for use in displaying video information extracted from digital television signals.    
     
     
         2 . A gaming console according to  claim 1 , wherein the gaming console comprises an external local storage medium, and wherein the client instruction data and game instruction data are loaded from the external local storage medium into the at least a storage medium.  
     
     
         3 . A gaming console according to  claim 2 , wherein the external local storage medium is a compact disc.  
     
     
         4 . A gaming console according to  claim 2 , wherein the external local storage medium is a removable read-only memory cartridge.  
     
     
         5 . A method for emulating a set-top box on a gaming console, the gaming console comprising at least a processor and at least a storage medium, and being in connection with at least a network, a monitor and a sound system, the method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving first instruction data from an external storage medium read by the gaming console and including one of set-top instruction data for receiving and decoding digital broadcast data when executed on the gaming console and communication data for use in retrieving via the network the set-top instruction data for receiving and decoding digital broadcast data when executed on the gaming console;    executing the set-top instruction data on the gaming console;    receiving encoded digital broadcast data via the network;    decoding the received, encoded digital broadcast data; and    displaying the decoded digital broadcast data on the monitor and on the sound system.    
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the set-top instruction data are received from a network in connection with the gaming console.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the set-top instruction data are received from an external storage medium in connection with the gaming console.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a conditional access module; and    verifying access authorization for encoded digital broadcast data with the conditional access module.    
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein access authorization is verified using authorization data provided from a smart card, the smart card in connection with the gaming console through an interface.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the encoded digital broadcast data are scrambled, encoded digital broadcast data.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the scrambled, encoded digital broadcast data is descrambled by the conditional access module before being decoded.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the gaming console is in communication with a monitor, and wherein the gaming console is emulating a set-top box for receiving and displaying on the monitor services other than gaming services.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the monitor is a monitor included in an analog transmission television set.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the gaming console is in communication with at least another network  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least another network is a community antenna television network.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least another network is a telephone line network.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least another network is a wireless network.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the services relate to digital television broadcast.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the services relate to Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol access.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the services relate to interactive television applications.