METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ESTABLISHING A PACKET-BASEDCONNECTION WITH A DIAL UP MODEM

摘要

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for establishing a packet-based connection between a video display equipment (such as a set-top box) having an analog modem and a remote computer is disclosed. The translation apparatus receives a connection initiation request from the video display apparatus an d responsive to the connection initiation request establishes a modem connection with the video display apparatus. The translation apparatus further receives communication data from the video display apparatus via the modem connection and transmits the communication data to the remote computing apparatus via a packet-based network. The translation apparatus can also receive communication data from the remote computer and relay the same to the video display apparatus. The connection can be established upon powering up of the video display apparatus, upon loading of an Interactive TV applicatio n or upon other pre-determined event. The connection can be maintained "always-on" or substantially "always-on".