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United States Patent5990927
Hendricks , ; et al.November 23, 1999
Title
Advanced set top terminal for cable television delivery systems
Abstract
A novel advanced set top terminal capable of digital decompression, menu generation, interactivity and other advanced functional capabilities for use in a television program delivery system is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for upgrading existing set top terminals to provide menu generation capability and advanced functional capabilities. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems with hundreds of channels of programming, providing (i) menu driven program selection through the addition of an upgrade module or menu generation card and (ii) advanced functional capabilities using a set of hardware upgrades and/or an expansion card. Specifically, the invention is an upgradeable system that supports advanced set top functionality through the use of internal software, hardware upgrades, an upgrade module and/or expansion cards. The upgraded hardware generally includes a microprocessor, various input/output ports, processing circuitry and memory. The invention results in an upgraded set top terminal that supports: menu generation; picture-on-picture displays; program catalogue services; interactive services; telephone caller identification; digital audio reception; VCR control; HDTV reception; and backyard satellite system interoperability, among other features and capabilities.
Inventors:Hendricks; John S. (Potomac, MD), Bonner; Alfred E.  (Bethesda, MD), Wunderlich; Richard E.  (Alpharetta, GA), Berkobin; Eric C.  (Woodstock, GA)
Assignee:Discovery Communications, Inc. (Bethesda, MD)
Appl. No.:160194
Filed:December 2, 1993
Current U.S. Class:725/132 725/31 725/37 725/46 725/60 725/109 
Field of Search:348/10,11,6,7,12,13,578,584,589,906 455/5.1,6.1,4.2,6.2,6.3
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Primary Examiner: Grant; Chris
Attorney, Agent or Firm:Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Parent Case Text


RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/991,074 filed Dec. 9, 1992 entitled TELEVISION PROGRAM PACKAGING AND DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH MENU DRIVEN SUBSCRIBER ACCESS. The following other continuation-in-part applications, also based on the above-referenced patent application, are incorporated herein by reference:

Ser. No. 08/160,281, entitled REPROGRAMMABLE TERMINAL FOR SUGGESTING PROGRAMS OFFERED ON A TELEVISION PROGRAM DELIVERY SYSTEM, filed on Dec. 2, 1993;

Ser. No. 08/160,280, entitled NETWORK CONTROLLER FOR CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEMS, filed on Dec. 2, 1993;

Ser. No. 08/160,282, entitled AN OPERATIONS CENTER FOR A TELEVISION PROGRAM PACKAGING AND DELIVERY SYSTEM, filed on Dec. 2, 1993;

Ser No. 08/160,193, entitled SET TOP TERMINAL FOR CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEMS, filed on Dec. 2, 1993;

Ser. No. 08/160,283, entitled DIGITAL CABLE HEADEND FOR CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEM, filed on Dec. 2, 1993.
Claims

What is claimed is:
1. An upgrade module for enhancing the functionality of a decompression box for use in a cable television program delivery system, the enhanced functionality using a control information stream that provides the decompression box with menu generation capability, the decompression box initially having the capability to produce decompressed video, the upgrade module comprising:
an interface means for providing an electronic connection to the decompression box so that the control information stream may be received from the decompression box;
a means, connected to the interface means, for demultiplexing the control information stream into graphics and text;
a means, connected to the demultiplexing means, for combining the text and graphics to produce a menu generation signal; and
a means, connected to the combining means and interface means, for transferring the menu generation signal to the interface means for output to the decompression box, whereby the menu generation signal is processed for display.

2. The upgrade module of claim 1 further comprising a graphics decompressor, connected to the demultiplexing means, for decompressing the graphics to produce decompressed graphics that may be used to generate menus.

3. The upgrade module of claim 1 for further providing the decompression box with a program catalogue that provides the subscriber with program schedules and descriptions, the decompression box providing the upgrade module with video signals, wherein the interface means comprises a means for receiving the video signals from the decompression box and wherein the combining means comprises:
a means for interpreting the text and graphics;
a means, connected to the interpreting means, for integrating the interpreted text and the interpreted graphics to produce the menu generation signal, whereby the menu generation signal carries data required for display of the program catalogue; and
a means for sending the menu generation signal to the transfer means, whereby the menu generation signal is output to the decompression box for display of the program catalogue.

4. The upgrade module of claim 1 for further enabling the decompression box to use promotional menus that provide the subscriber with promotional videos, text and graphics showing future events available for menu driven program selection, the decompression box providing the upgrade module with video signals, wherein the interface means comprises a means for receiving video signals from the decompression box, and wherein the combining means comprises:
a means for interpreting the text and graphics;
a means, connected to the interpreting means, for integrating the received video signals, the interpreted text and the interpreted graphics to produce the menu generation signal, whereby the menu generation signal carries data required for display of the promotional menus; and
a means for sending the menu generation signal to the transfer means, whereby the menu generation signal is output to the decompression box for display of the promotional menus and the promotional videos, and text and graphics.

5. The upgrade module of claim 1, wherein the menu generation capability makes use of graphics and text stored locally within the upgrade module, and wherein the upgrade module further comprises a memory means for storing the graphics and text for use with the menu generation signal, so that the menus can be generated.

6. The upgrade module of claim 1, wherein the interface means comprises at least one cable connector adapted for use with an upgrade port on the decompression box.

7. The upgrade module of claim 1, wherein the decompression box has an expansion card slot, and wherein the interface means comprises at least one card connector for use with the expansion card slot.

8. The upgrade module of claim 1 for further providing the decompression box with a telephone caller identification message, the decompression box having a port adapted to receive telephone signals from a telephone line, wherein the upgrade module further comprises:
a connection means for providing an electronic connection to the decompression box for receiving the telephone signals;
a means, connected to the connection means, for processing the received telephone signals to produce text messages and graphics icons; and
a means, connected to the processing means, for sending the text messages and graphics icons to the combining means to produce the menu generation signal, whereby the text messages and graphics icons are used to form the menu generation signal that is transferred to the decompression box for display of the caller identification message.

9. The upgrade module of claim 1 for further providing the decompression box with video cassette recorder control capability that uses recording menus presenting selection options to a subscriber and video cassette recorder control signals sent to the decompression box, the video cassette recorder control signals corresponding to the selection options chosen by the subscriber, the upgrade module further comprising:
a means for generating the recording menus;
a means for interpreting the selection options chosen by the subscriber and received from the decompression box through the interface means;
a means for generating the video cassette recorder control signals based on the interpreted selection options chosen by the subscriber; and
a means for transmitting the video cassette recorder control signals to the decompression box for instructing the video cassette recorder in recording of programs.

10. An upgradeable set top converter for use in a cable television program delivery system, the set top converter having video decompression capability and adapted to accept a menu generation card, the set top converter upgradeable for enhanced functionality that provides the set top converter with menu generation capability using a control information stream received from a remote location, the upgradeable set top converter comprising:
a means for receiving the control information stream from the remote location; and
an expansion card interface means, connected to the receiving means, for accepting the menu generation card, whereby the menu generation card is external to the set top converter and upgrades the set top converter for menu generation capability.

11. The upgradeable set top converter of claim 10 wherein the expansion card interface means comprises means for transferring the control information stream from the set top converter to the menu generation card, and wherein the menu generation card creates a menu generation signal using the control information stream.

12. An upgraded set top converter for use in a cable television program delivery system, the set top converter upgraded for enhanced functionality that provides the set top converter with menu generation capability using a control information stream received from a remote location, the upgraded set top converter comprising:
an expansion card interface means for providing an electronic connection; and
a menu generation card, electronically connected to the expansion card interface means, comprising a means for processing the control information stream to produce a menu generation signal, whereby the menu generation signal is output through the expansion card interface means to be processed for display.

13. The upgraded set top converter of claim 12, wherein the menu generation card further comprises means for demultiplexing the control information stream into more than one signal component including graphics and text; and means for combining the the demultiplexed text and graphics to produce the menu generation signal.

14. The upgraded set top converter of claim 13 with the enhanced functionality further providing the set top converter with a program catalogue that provides the subscriber with program schedules and descriptions corresponding to video signals, wherein the interface means comprises a means for receiving the video signals, and wherein the combining means comprises:
a means for interpreting the demultiplexed text and graphics;
a means, connected to the interpreting means, for integrating the interpreted text and the interpreted graphics to produce the menu generation signal, whereby the menu generation signal carries data required for display of the program catalogue; and
whereby the menu generation signal is output through the expansion card interface means to the set top converter for display of the program catalogue.

15. The upgraded set top converter of claim 13 for further enabling the set top converter to use promotional menus that provide the subscriber with promotional video signals, text and graphics showing future events available for menu driven program selection, wherein the expansion card interface means comprises a means for receiving the promotional video signals, and wherein the combining means comprises:
a means for interpreting the demultiplexed text and graphics;
a means, connected to the interpreting means, for integrating promotional video signals, the interpreted text and the interpreted graphics to produce the menu generation signal, whereby the menu generation signal carries data required for display of the promotional menus; and
whereby the menu generation signal is output to the set top converter for display of one of the promotional menus.

16. The upgraded set top converter of claim 13, wherein the demultiplexed graphics are compressed and wherein the menu generation card further comprises means for decompressing the demultiplexed graphics.

17. The upgraded set top converter of claim 12 for further providing the set top converter with a telephone caller identification message, the set top converter having a port adapted to receive telephone signals from a telephone line, wherein the expansion card interface means further comprises:
a connection means for providing the electronic connection to the set top converter, whereby the telephone signals are received from the set top converter; and
wherein the menu generation card further comprises:
a means for processing the telephone signals to produce text messages and graphics icons; and
a means for sending the text messages and graphics icons to the combining means to produce the menu generation signal, whereby the text messages and graphics icons are used to form the menu generation signal that is transferred to the set top converter for display of the caller identification message.

18. The upgraded set top converter of claim 12 for further providing the set top converter with video cassette recorder control capability that uses recording menus presenting selection options to a subscriber and video cassette recorder control signals sent to the set top converter, the video cassette recorder control signals corresponding to the selection options chosen by the subscriber, wherein the menu generation card further comprises:
a means for generating the recording menus;
a means for interpreting the selection options chosen by the subscriber and received from the set top converter through the expansion card interface means;
a means for generating the video cassette recorder control signals based on the interpreted selection options chosen by the subscriber; and
a means, connected to the generating means, for transmitting the video cassette recorder control signals to the set top converter for instructing the video cassette recorder in recording of programs.

19. An advanced set top terminal with digital decompression and menu generation capabilities for use with a television program delivery system having digitally compressed program signals and a control information stream carrying menu content information, each set top terminal stores menu content information used to generate menu displays, the advanced set top terminal comprising:
a means for storing the menu content information;
a means for receiving the digitally compressed program signals and the control information stream;
a first signal processing means, connected to the receiving means and storing means, for processing the control information stream to produce processed control information, whereby the processed control information is used to update the stored menu content information to produce updated menu content information;
a means, connected to the storing means, for generating the menu displays using the updated menu content information, whereby the menu displays produce subscriber options for selection of other menus and television programs;
a means, electronically connected to the generating means, for selecting the other menus and the television programs;
a means, electronically connected to the selecting means, for tuning to one of the digitally compressed television programs signals to produce a tuned television program signal; and
a second signal processing means, connected to the tuning means, for processing the tuned television program signal to produce a video signal and audio signal for television display and listening.

20. The advanced set top terminal of claim 19, wherein the second signal processing means comprises:
a means for demodulating the tuned television program signal to produce a demodulated program signal;
a means, connected to the demodulating means, for demultiplexing the demodulated program signal to produce video signal components and audio signal components;
a video decompressing means, connected to the demultiplexing means, for decompressing the video signal components to produce decompressed video signal components;
an audio decompressing means, connected to the demultiplexing means, for decompressing the audio signal components to produce decompressed audio signal components;
a means, connected to the video decompressing means, for combining the decompressed video signal components with the stored menu content information for television display of the video signal; and
a means, connected to the audio decompressing means, for producing the audio signal from the decompressed audio signal components.

21. The advanced set top terminal of claim 20 that has a picture-on-picture capability using multiple tuners, wherein the tuning means comprises more than one tuner so that the multiple tuners can produce multiple television program signals which will be overlayed over one another.

22. The advanced set top terminal of claim 19 having a program catalogue service that provides the subscriber with program schedules and descriptions, the program schedules and descriptions created from text and graphics, the text and graphics derived from the control information stream, wherein the advanced set top terminal further comprises:
a means, connected to the storing means, for interpreting the text and graphics;
a means for integrating the interpreted text and the interpreted graphics to produce a menu generation signal, whereby the menu generation signal carries data required for display of the program catalogue; and
a means for outputting the menu generation signal for display.

23. The advanced set top terminal of claim 20 having a promotional menu display capability that provides subscribers with promotional videos, text and graphics showing future events available for menu driven program selection, wherein text and graphics are derived from the control information stream, and wherein the advanced set top terminal further comprises:
a means, connected to the storing means, for interpreting the text and graphics;
a means for integrating the interpreted text, the interpreted graphics and the decompressed video to produce a menu generation signal, whereby the menu generation signal carries data required for display of the promotional videos; and
a means for outputting the menu generation signal for display.

24. The advanced set top terminal of claim 19 capable of operating with interactive services conducted from a cable headend or other remote location, the interactive services requiring entry of interactive subscriber inputs and use of interactive programming instructions, wherein the selection means comprises:
a subscriber interface means for entry of the interactive subscriber inputs;
a means for storing the interactive programming instructions;
a means, connected to the storing means, for accessing the stored interactive programming instructions;
a microprocessing means, connected to the accessing means for executing the stored interactive programming instructions to produce interactive signals; and
an upstream data transmission means, connected to the microprocessor means, for transmitting the produced interactive signals to the cable headend.

25. The advanced set top terminal of claim 19 having a caller identification function capable of displaying a caller identification message using a menu generation signal, wherein the advanced set top terminal further comprises:
a means for receiving telephone signals;
a means, connected to the receiving means, for processing the telephone signals to produce text messages and graphics icons using the menu content information;
a means, connected to the processing means, for combining the text messages and graphics icons to produce the menu generation signal carrying the caller identification message for television display; and
a means, connected to the combining means, for preparing the menu generation signal for television display.

26. The advanced set top terminal of claim 19 capable of processing high definition television signals, wherein the second signal processing means comprises:
a means for interpreting the high definition television signals; and
a means for preparing the interpreted high definition television signals for television display.

27. The advanced set top terminal of claim 19 capable of receiving the control information stream through a satellite system, the means for receiving the digitally compressed program signals and the control information stream is comprised of the satellite system, wherein the satellite system is electronically connected to the first signal processing means.

28. A method for enhancing the functionality of a decompression box for use in a television program delivery system, the enhanced functionality using a control information stream that provides the decompression box with menu generation capability, the decompression box initially having the capability to produce decompressed video, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an electronic connection to the decompression box so that the control information stream containing graphics, text and menu generation information may be received from the decompression box;
demultiplexing the received control information stream into graphics, text, and menu generation information;
combining portions of the text and graphics information, to produce a menu generation signal, wherein the menu generation information is used in the combining step; and
transferring the produced menu generation signal to the decompression box, whereby the transferred menu generation signal is processed for display.

29. A method for upgrading a set top converter for use in a television program delivery system, the set top converter having video decompression capability and an expansion card slot adapted to receive a menu generation card, the set top converter upgradeable for enhanced functionality that provides the set top converter with menu generation capability using a control information stream received from a remote location, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an electronic connection to the set top converter for receiving the control information stream;
demultiplexing the control information stream into graphics and text, whereby the control information stream is received from the set top converter;
decompressing the graphics to produce decompressed graphics that may be used to generate menus; and
connecting the menu generation card to the set top converter; and
using the menu generation card to combine the text and decompressed graphics to produce a menu generation signal, whereby the menu generation signal is output to the set top converter to be processed for display.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein a satellite system is used at a subscriber location, and wherein the step of providing an electronic connection to the set top converter further comprises the steps of:
receiving the control information stream from the remote location using the satellite system; and
providing the control information stream from the satellite system to the set top converter, wherein the satellite system is electronically connected to the set top converter.

31. A method for enhancing the functionality of a cable-ready television for use in a cable television program delivery system, the cable-ready television having an electronic interface that accommodates the enhanced functionality using a control information stream, the enhanced functionality providing the cable-ready television with menu generation capability, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving the control information stream from the cable-ready television through the electronic interface;
demultiplexing the control information stream into graphics, text and menu generation information that includes information on program packaging and menu content;
combining the graphics, text and menu generation information to produce a menu generation signal; and
transferring the menu generation signal to the cable-ready television through the electronic interface, whereby the menu generation signal is processed for display.

32. An apparatus for enhancing the functionality of a set top converter for use in a television program delivery system, wherein the apparatus uses a control information stream received from a remote location to provide the set top converter with menu generation capability, the set top converter having the capability to produce decompressed video, comprising:
an interface means for providing an electronic connection to the set top converter so that the control information stream may be received by the apparatus from the set top converter;
a means, connected to the interface means, for demultiplexing the control information stream into graphics and text; and
a means, connected to the demultiplexing means, for combining the text and graphics to produce a menu generation signal,
whereby the menu generation signal is processed by the set top converter for display.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, capable of receiving the control information stream through a satellite system, the apparatus further comprising:
a satellite system, wherein the satellite system receives the control information stream from the remote location and sends the control information stream to the set top converter, and wherein the satellite system is electronically connected to the set top converter.

34. An upgrade module for enhancing the functionality of a decompression box for use in a television program delivery system, the enhanced functionality using a control information stream that provides the decompression box with menu generation capability, the decompression box initially having the capability to decompress video, the upgrade module comprising:
an electronic connection to the decompression box, whereby the control information stream may be received from the decompression box;
a demultiplexer, wherein the control information stream is demultiplexed into graphics and text;
a combiner, electronically connected to the demultiplexer, wherein the combiner uses the demultiplexed graphics and text to produce a menu generation signal; and
a microprocessor, electronically connected to the combiner, wherein the microprocessor causes the menu generation signal to be transferred to the decompression box to be processed for display.

35. An upgraded set top converter for use in a television program delivery system, the set top converter upgraded for enhanced functionality that provides the set top converter with menu generation capability using a control information stream received from a remote location, the upgraded set top converter comprising:
an expansion card interface, wherein the control information stream is received from the remote location and wherein the expansion card interface can accept a card; and
a menu generation card, electronically connected to the expansion card interface, and comprising:
a combiner, whereby a menu generation signal is produced by the combiner and output through the expansion card interface to be processed for display of a menu.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to television entertainment systems for providing television programming to consumer homes. More particularly, the invention relates to a set top terminal for use with a program delivery system with menu selection of programs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Advances in television entertainment have been primarily driven by breakthroughs in technology. In 1939, advances on Vladmir Zworykin's picture tube provided the stimulus for NBC to begin its first regular broadcasts. In 1975, advances in satellite technology provided consumers with increased programming to homes.

Many of these technology breakthroughs have produced inconvenient systems for consumers. One example is the ubiquitous three remote control home, having a separate and unique remote control for the TV, cable box and VCR. More recently, technology has provided cable users in certain parts of the country with 100 channels of programming. This increased program capacity is beyond the ability of many consumers to use effectively. No method of managing the program choices has been provided to consumers.

Consumers are demanding that future advances in television entertainment, particularly programs and program choices, be presented to the consumer in a user friendly manner. Consumer preferences, instead of technological breakthroughs, will drive the television entertainment market for at least the next 20 years. As computer vendors have experienced a switch from marketing new technology in computer hardware to marketing better useability, interfaces and service, the television entertainment industry will also experience a switch from new technology driving the market to consumer useability driving the market.

Consumers want products incorporating new technology that are useful, and will no longer purchase new technology for the sake of novelty or status. Technological advances in sophisticated hardware are beginning to surpass the capability of the average consumer to use the new technology. Careful engineering must be done to make entertainment products incorporating new technology useful and desired by consumers.

In order for new television entertainment products to be successful, the products must satisfy consumer demands. TV consumers wish to go from limited viewing choices to a variety of choices, from no control of programming to complete control. Consumers wish to advance from cumbersome and inconvenient television to easy and convenient television and keep costs down. Consumers do not wish to pay for one hundred channels when due to lack of programming information, they seldom, if ever, watch programming on many of these channels.

The concepts of interactive television, high definition television and 300 channel cable systems in consumer homes will not sell if they are not packaged, delivered and presented in a useable fashion to consumers. The problem is that TV programming is not being delivered and presented to consumers in a user friendly manner.

Consumers are already being bombarded with programming options, numerous "free" cable channels, subscription cable channels and pay-per-view choices. Any further increase in TV entertainment choices, without a user friendly presentation and approach, will likely bewilder viewers with a mind-numbing array of choices.

The TV industry has traditionally marketed and sold its programs to consumers in bulk, such as continuous feed broadcast and long-term subscriptions to movie channels. The TV industry is unable to sell its programming in large quantities on a unit per unit basis, such as the ordering of one program. Consumers prefer a unit sales approach because it keeps costs down and allows the consumer to be more selective in their viewing.

In addition, viewership fragmentation, which has already begun, will increase. Programming not presented in a user friendly manner will suffer with a decrease in viewership and revenue. As programming presentation becomes more user friendly, users seek additional features and functional capabilities.

What is needed is a system which can deliver and present television programming through a user friendly interface which allows the consumer to easily select from among the many program choices.

What is needed is a set top converter that provides a user friendly interface for subscribers to access television programs.

What is needed is a set top converter with enhanced functionality.

What is needed is a set top converter that provides users with advanced features and capabilities.

What is needed is a method that allows efficient access to hundreds of television programming options.

What is needed is technology that upgrades the functionality of existing set top converters.

What is needed is hardware that provides an upgrade capability allowing the use of existing set top converter technology in advanced program delivery systems.

What is needed is a set top converter that provides an upstream communications capability between the set top converter and cable headend.

What is needed is a set top converter that provides a capability of generating menus for display.

What is needed is a set top converter that provides a simple way to select a program from a menu.

What is needed is a set top converter that allows users to subscribe on-screen to specialty channels.

What is needed is a set top converter that monitors subscriber viewing choices for statistical purposes.

What is needed is a set top converter that provides sophisticated on-screen television menus which can incorporate still video and moving video.

What is needed is a set top converter that provides a capability of scaling and redirecting video for menus. The present invention is addressed to fulfill these needs.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is a set top converter box or terminal for a television program delivery system. More specifically, the present invention is an advanced set top converter box that acts as a terminal in the viewer home. The set top terminal is a key component of a digital cable television delivery system. The set top terminal is an upgradeable system that provides for the decompression of digital program signals. The preferred set top terminal provides both a menu generation capability as well as a number of advanced features and functional capabilities.

The set top terminal of the present invention may be achieved through a set of hardware upgrades to any of the following embodiments: (1) an existing set top converter upgraded with a circuit card (which has a microprocessor electronically connected to the set top converter); (2) an industry standard decompression converter upgradeable by either an upgrade module or a menu generation card, and (3) a set top converter box capable of both decompression and menu generation. The hardware upgrades provide additional advanced features and functional capabilities to any of these embodiments.

A number of advanced features and functional capabilities are supported by the preferred set top terminal. This set top terminal provides subscribers with a picture-on-picture capability without requiring a special television to support the capability. The set top terminal also supports a TV guide service, which provides subscribers with information on all programming available at its particular subscriber location. The set top terminal further includes the capability of querying viewers to establish, among other things, favorite channel lists, personal profile data and mood information. The set top terminal allows the subscriber to view promotional menus on future programming events.

The set top terminal supports additional capabilities using its hardware upgrades that allow subscribers to use other interactive services, for example, to engage in on-line question and answer sessions, to order and confirm airline tickets, and to access a variety of other data services. The set top terminal makes use of a digital tuner as a hardware upgrade to provide subscribers with a digital audio capability.

The preferred set top terminal may be used to control video tape machines, thereby simplifying the recording of programs. The set top terminal can, in conjunction with the program delivery system, easily support high definition television (HDTV). For subscribers living in remote locations, the set top terminal accommodates backyard satellite systems. In addition to all the features that the set top terminal supports with its current internal programming and upgradeability, additional features may be added or existing features increased through remote reprogramming of the set top terminal 220.

It is an object of the invention to provide a user friendly interface for subscribers to access television programs.

It is an object of the invention to allow users to easily navigate through hundreds of programming choices using on-screen menus.

It is an object of this invention to efficiently access hundreds of television programming options.

It is an object of this invention to upgrade the functionality of existing set top converters.

It is an object of this invention to provide an upgrade capability allowing the use of existing set top converter technology in an advanced program delivery system.

It is an object of is invention to provide an upstream communications capability between the set top converter and cable headend.

It is an object of this invention to provide a set top terminal capable of generating menus for display.

It is an object of this invention to allow users to subscribe on-screen to specialty channels.

It is an object of this invention to monitor subscriber viewing choices for statistical purposes.

It is an object of this invention to provide sophisticated on-screen television menus which can incorporate still video and moving video.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon review of the following description, the attached drawings and appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the primary components of the television delivery system.

FIG. 2 is an overview of the television delivery system operations.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of the operation of the primary components of the system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the hardware components of the set top terminal.

FIG. 5a is a perspective front view of a set top terminal.

FIG. 5b is a perspective rear view of a set top terminal.

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a Turbo card upgrade for a set top terminal.

FIG. 7a is a drawing of a frame format for program control information signal.

FIG. 7b is a drawing of a frame format for a polling response from the set top terminal.

FIG. 8 is a drawing of the basic menus used in the present invention, including the ten major menus represented by icons.

FIG. 9a is a schematic of a basic decompression box with upgrade module and associated connections.

FIG. 9b is a schematic of an alternative embodiment of a simple decompression box with upgrade module and associated connections.

FIG. 10 is a more detailed block diagram of the components of a simple decompression box with upgrade module.

FIG. 11 is a schematic of the set top terminal's upstream data transmission hardware.

FIG. 12a is a schematic showing the components of the Level A, B, and C hardware upgrades.

FIG. 12b is a schematic showing the components of the Level D hardware upgrade.

FIG. 13a is a schematic showing the two parts of a remote control unit.

FIG. 13b is a drawing of the preferred remote control unit.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of the components of a set top terminal having a picture-on-picture capability.

FIG. 15 is a drawing of a menu related to program catalogue services.

FIGS. 16a through 16d are drawings of viewer querying and mood question menus.

FIGS. 17a and 17b are drawings of the set top terminal hardware components that accommodate transparent channel switching.

FIG. 18 is a drawing of an interactive television promotional menu for a set top terminal hardware upgrade.

FIGS. 19a and 19b are drawings of submenus for interactive television services using hardware upgrade Level A.

FIGS. 20a through 20d are drawings of interactive services using hardware upgrade Level B which are related to on-screen airline reservations.

FIG. 21 is a drawing of a menu for digital audio services.

FIG. 22 is a drawing of a menu related to program guide services.

FIG. 23 is a drawing of a menu related to high definition television (HDTV) programming.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A. Television Program Delivery System Description

1. Introduction

FIG. 1 shows the present invention as part of an expanded cable television program delivery system 200 that dramatically increases programming capacity using compressed transmission of television program signals. Developments in digital bandwidth compression technology now allow much greater throughput of television program signals over existing or slightly modified transmission media. The program delivery system 200 shown provides subscribers with a user friendly interface to operate and exploit a six-fold or more increase in current program delivery capability.

Subscribers are able to access an expanded television program package and view selected programs through a menu-driven access scheme that allows each subscriber to select individual programs by sequencing a series of menus. The menus are sequenced by the subscriber using simple alpha-numeric and iconic character access or moving a cursor or highlight bar on the TV screen to access desired programs by simply pressing a single button, rather than recalling from memory and pressing the actual two or more digit numeric number assigned to a selection. Thus, with the press of a single button, the subscriber can advance from one menu to the next. In this fashion, the subscriber can sequence the menus and select a program from any given menu. The programs are grouped by category so that similar program offerings are found on the same menu.

2. Major System Components

In its most basic form, the system uses a program delivery system 200 in conjunction with a conventional concatenated cable television system 210. The program delivery system 200 generally includes (i) at least one operations center 202, where program packaging and control information are created and then assembled in the form of digital data, (ii) a digital compression system, where the digital data is compressed, combined/multiplexed, encoded, and mapped into digital signals for satellite transmission to the cable headend 208, and (iii) a set of in-home decompressors. The program delivery system 200 transports the digital signals to the cable headend 208 where the signals are transmitted through a concatenated cable television system
220. Within the cable headend 208, the received signals may be decoded, demultiplexed, managed by a local central distribution and switching mechanism, combined and then transmitted to the set top terminal 220 located in each subscriber's home over the cable system 210. Although concatenated cable systems 210 are the most prevalent transmission media to the home, telephone lines, cellular networks, fiberoptics, Personal Communication Networks and similar technology for transmitting to the home can be used interchangeably with this program delivery system 200.

The delivery system 200 has a reception region 207 with an in-home decompression capability. This capability is performed by a decompressor housed within a set top terminal 220 in each subscriber's home. The decompressor remains transparent from the subscriber's point of view and allows any of the compressed signals to be demultiplexed and individually extracted from the composite data stream and then individually decompressed upon selection by the subscriber. The decompressed video signals are converted into analog signals for television display. Such analog signals include NTSC formatted signals for use by a standard television. Control signals are likewise extracted and decompressed and then either executed immediately or placed in local storage such as a RAM. Multiple sets of decompression hardware may be used to decompress video and control signals. The set top terminal 220 may then overlay or combine different signals to form the desired display on the subscriber's television. Graphics on video or picture-on-picture are examples of such a display.

Although a single digital compression standard (e.g., MPEG) may be used for both the program delivery system 200 and the concatenated cable system 210, the compression technique used may differ between the two systems. When the compression standards differ between the two media, the signals received by the cable headend 208 must be decompressed before transmission from the headend 208 to the set top terminals 220. Subsequently, the cable headend 208 must recompress and transmit the signals to the set top terminal 220, which would then decompress the signals using a specific decompression algorithm.

The video signals and program control signals received by the set top terminal 220 correspond to specific television programs and menu selections that each subscriber may access through a subscriber interface. The subscriber interface is a device with buttons located on the set top terminal 220 or on a portable remote control 900. In the preferred system embodiment, the subscriber interface is a combined alpha-character, numeric and iconic remote control device 900, which provides direct or menu-driven program access. The preferred subscriber interface also contains cursor movement and go buttons as well as alpha, numeric and iconic buttons. This subscriber interface and menu arrangement enables the subscriber to sequence through menus by choosing from among several menu options that are displayed on the television screen. In addition, a user may bypass several menu screens and immediately choose a program by selecting the appropriate alpha-character, numeric or iconic combinations on the subscriber interface. In the preferred embodiment, the set top terminal 220 generates the menus that are displayed on the television by creating arrays of particular menu templates, and the set top terminal 220 displays a specific menu or submenu option for each available video signal.

3. Operations Center and Digital Compression System

The operations center 202 performs two primary services, packaging television programs and generating the program control information signal. At the operations center 202, television programs are received from external program sources in both analog and digital form. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the operations center receiving signals from various external sources 222. Examples of the external program sources are sporting events, children's programs, specialty channels, news or any other program source that can provide audio or visual signals. Once the programs are received from the external program sources, the operations center 202 digitizes (and preferably compresses) any program signals received in analog form. The operations center 202 may also maintain an internal storage of programs. The internally stored programs may be in analog or digital form and stored on permanent or volatile memory sources, including magnetic tape or RAM. Subsequent to receiving programming, the operations center 202 packages the programs into the groups and categories which provide the optimal marketing of the programs to subscribers. For example, the operations center 202 may package the same programs into different categories and menus for weekday, prime-time viewing and Saturday afternoon viewing. Also, the operations center 202 packages the television programs in a manner that enables both the various menus to easily represent the programs and the subscribers to easily access the programs through the menus.

The packaging of the digital signals is typically performed at the operations center 202 by computer assisted packaging equipment (CAP). The CAP system normally includes at least one computer monitor, keyboard, mouse, and standard video editing equipment. A programmer packages the signals by entering certain information into the CAP. This information includes the date, time slot, and program category of the various programs. The programmer and the CAP utilize demographic data and ratings in performing the packaging tasks. After the programmer selects the various programs from a pool of available programs and inputs the requisite information, the programmer, with assistance from the CAP, can select the price and allocate transponder space for the various programs. After the process is complete, the CAP displays draft menus or program schedules that correspond to the entries of the programmer. The CAP may also graphically display allocation of transponder space. The programmer may edit the menus and transponder allocation several times until satisfied with the programming schedule. During the editing, the programmer may direct the exact location of any program name on a menu with simple commands to the CAP.

The packaging process also accounts for any groupings by satellite transponder which are necessary. The operations center 202 may send different groups of programs to different cable headends 208 and/or set top terminals 220. One way the operations center 202 may accomplish this task is to send different program packages to each transponder. Each transponder, or set of transponders, then relays a specific program package to specific cable headends 208 and/or set top terminals 220. The allocation of transponder space is an important task performed by the operations center 202.

The operations center 202 may also "insert" directions for filling local available program time in the packaged signal to enable local cable and television companies to fill the program time with local advertising and/or local programming. Consequently, the local cable headends 208 are not constrained to show only programs transmitted from the operations center 202. New set top converters will incorporate both digital and analog channels. Therefore, the cable headend 208 may combine analog signals with the digital signals prior to transmitting the program signals to the set top terminals 220.

After the CAP packages the programs, it creates a program control information signal to be delivered with the program package to the cable headend 208 and/or set top terminal 220. The program control information signal contains a description of the contents of the program package, commands to be sent to the cable headend 208 and/or set top terminal 220, and other information relevant to the signal transmission.

In addition to packaging the signal, the operations center 202 employs digital compression techniques to increase existing satellite transponder capacity by at least a 4:1 ratio, resulting in a four-fold increase in program delivery capability. A number of digital compression algorithms currently exist which can achieve the resultant increase in capacity and improved signal quality desired for the system. The algorithms generally use one or more of three basic digital compression techniques: (1) within-frame (intraframe) compression, (2) frame-to-frame (interframe) compression, and (3) within carrier compression. Specifically, in the preferred embodiment, the MPEG 2 compression method is used. After digital compression, the signals are combined (multiplexed) and encoded. The combined signal is subsequently transmitted to various uplink sites 204.

There may be a single uplink site 204 or multiple uplink sites (represented by 204', shown in phantom in FIG. 1) for each operation center 202. The uplink sites 204 may either be located in the same geographical place or may be located remotely from the operations center 202. Once the composite signal is transmitted to the uplink sites 204, the signal may be multiplexed with other signals, modulated, upconverted and amplified for transmission over satellite. Multiple cable headends 208 may receive such transmissions.

In addition to multiple uplinks, the delivery system 200 may also contain multiple operations centers. The preferred method for using multiple operations centers is to designate one of the operations centers as a master operations center and to designate the remaining operations centers as slave operations centers. In this configuration, the master operations center coordinates various functions among the slave operations centers such as synchronization of simultaneous transmissions and distributes the operations workload efficiently.

4. Cable Headend

After the operations center 202 has compressed and encoded the program signals and transmitted the signals to the satellite, the cable headend 208 receives and further processes the signals before they are relayed to each set top terminal 220. Each cable headend site is generally equipped with multiple satellite receiver dishes. Each dish is capable of handling multiple transponder signals from a single satellite and sometimes from multiple satellites.

As an intermediary between the set top terminals 220 and the operations center 202 (or other remote site), the cable headend 208 performs two primary functions. First, the cable headend 208 acts as a distribution center, or signal processor, by relaying the program signal to the set top terminal 220 in each subscriber's home. In addition, the cable headend 208 acts as a network controller 214 by receiving information from each set top terminal 220 and passing such information on to an information gathering site such as the operations center 202.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment where the cable headend 208 and the subscriber's home are linked by certain communications media 216. In this particular embodiment, analog signals, digitally compressed signals, other digital signals and up-stream/interactivity signals are sent and received over the media 216. The cable headend 208 provides such signaling capabilities in its dual roles as a signal processor 209 and network controller 214.

As a signal processor 209, the cable headend 208 prepares the program signals that are received by the cable headend 208 for transmission to each set top terminal 220. In the preferred system, the signal processor 209 re-routes or demultiplexes and recombines the signals and digital information received from the operations center 202 and allocates different portions of the signal to different frequency ranges. Cable headends 208 which offer different subscribers different program offerings may allocate the program signals from the operations center 202 in various manners to accommodate different viewers. The signal processor 209 may also incorporate local programming and/or local advertisements into the program signal and forward the revised signal to the set top terminals 220. To accommodate this local programming availability, the signal processor 209 must combine the local signal in digital or analog form with the operations center program signals. If the local cable system uses a compression standard that is different than the one used by the operations center 202, the signal processor 209 must also decompress and recompress incoming signals so they may be properly formatted for transmission to the set top terminals 220. This process becomes less important as standards develop (i.e., MPEG 2). In addition, the signal processor 209 performs any necessary signal decryption and/or encryption.

As a network controller 214, the cable headend 208 performs the system control functions for the system. The primary function of the network controller 214 is to manage the configuration of the set top terminals 220 and process signals received from the set top terminals 220. In the preferred embodiment, the network controller 214 monitors, among other things, automatic poll-back responses from the set top terminals 220 remotely located at each subscribers' home. The polling and automatic report-back cycle occurs frequently enough to allow the network controller 224 to maintain accurate account and billing information as well as monitor authorized channel access. In the simplest embodiment, information to be sent to the network controller 224 will be stored in RAM within each subscriber's set top terminal 220 and will be retrieved only upon polling by the network controller 214. Retrieval may, for example, occur on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. The network controller 214
allows the system to maintain complete information on all programs watched using a particular set top terminal 220.

The network controller 214 is also able to respond to the immediate needs of a set top terminal 220 by modifying a program control information signal received from the operations center 202. Therefore, the network controller 214 enables the delivery system to adapt to the specific requirements of individual set top terminals 220 when the requirements cannot be provided to the operations center 202 in advance. In other words, the network controller 224 is able to perform "on the fly programing" changes. With this capability, the network controller 214 can handle sophisticated local programming needs such as, for example, interactive television services, split screen video, and selection of different foreign languages for the same video. In addition, the network controller 214 controls and monitors all compressors and decompressors in the system.

The delivery system 200 and digital compression of the preferred embodiment provides a one-way path from the operations center 202 to the cable headend 208. Status and billing information is sent from the set top terminal 220 to the network controller 214 at the cable headend 208 and not directly to the operations center 202. Thus, program monitoring and selection control will take place only at the cable headend 208 by the local cable company and its decentralized network controllers 214
(i.e., decentralized relative to the operations center 202, which is central to the program delivery system 200). The local cable company will in turn be in communication with the operations center 202 or a regional control center (not shown) which accumulates return data from the set top terminal 220 for statistics or billing purposes. In alternative system embodiments, the operations center 202 and the statistical and billing sites are collocated. Further, telephone lines with modems are used to transfer information from the set top terminal 220 to the statistical and billing sites.

5. Set Top Terminal

The set top terminal 220 is the portion of the delivery system 200 that resides in the home of a subscriber. The set top terminal 220 is usually located above or below the subscriber's television, but it may be placed anywhere in or near the subscriber's home as long as it is within the range of the subscriber's remote control device 900. In some aspects, the set top terminal 220 may resemble converter boxes already used by many cable systems. For instance, each set top terminal 220 may include a variety of error detection, decryption, and coding techniques such as anti-taping encoding. However, it will become apparent from the discussion below that the set top terminal 220 is able to perform many functions that an ordinary converter box cannot perform.

The set top terminal 220 has a plurality of input and output ports to enable it to communicate with other local and remote devices. The set top terminal 220 has an input port that receives information from the cable headend 208. In addition, the unit has at least two output ports which provide communications from the set top terminal 220 to a television and a VCR. Certain menu selections may cause the set top terminal 220 to send control signals directly to the VCR to automatically program or operate the VCR. Also, the set top terminal 220 contains a phone jack which can be used for maintenance, trouble shooting, reprogramming and additional customer features. The set top terminal 220 may also contain stereo/audio output terminals and a satellite dish input port.

Functionally, the set top terminal 220 is the last component in the delivery system chain. The set top terminal 220 receives compressed program and control signals from the cable headend 208 (or, in some cases, directly from the operations center 202). After the set top terminal 220 receives the individually compressed program and control signals, the signals are demultiplexed, decompressed, converted to analog signals (if necessary) and either placed in local storage (from which the menu template may be created), executed immediately, or sent directly to the television screen.

After processing certain signals received from the cable headend 208, the set top terminal 220 is able to store menu templates for creating menus that are displayed on a subscriber's television by using an array of menu templates. Before a menu can be constructed, menu templates must be created and sent to the set top terminal 220 for storage. A microprocessor uses the control signals received from the operations center 202 or cable headend 208 to generate the menu templates for storage. Each menu template may be stored in volatile memory in the set top terminal 220. When the set top terminal receives template information it demultiplexes the program control signals received from the cable headend 208 into four primary parts: video, graphics, program logic and text. Each menu template represents a different portion of a whole menu, such as a menu background, television logo, cursor highlight overlay, or other miscellaneous components needed to build a menu. The menu templates may be deleted or altered using control signals received from the operations center 202 or cable headend 208.

Once the menu templates have been stored in memory, the set top terminal 220 can generate the appropriate menus. In the preferred embodiment, the basic menu format information is stored in memory located within the set top terminal 220 so that the microprocessor may locally access the information from the set top terminal instead of from an incoming signal. The microprocessor next generates the appropriate menus from the menu templates and the other menu information stored in memory. The set top terminal 220 then displays specific menus on the subscriber's television screen that correspond to the inputs the subscriber selects.

If the subscriber selects a specific program from a menu, the set top terminal 220 determines on which channel the program is being shown, demultiplexes and extracts the single channel transmitted from the cable headend 208. The set top terminal
220 then decompresses the channel and, if necessary, converts the program signal to an analog NTSC signal to enable the subscriber to view the selected program. The set top terminal 220 can be equipped to decompress more than one program signal, but this would unnecessarily add to the cost of the unit since a subscriber will generally only view one program at a time. However, two or three decompressors may be desirable to provide picture-on-picture capability, control signal decompression, enhanced channel switching or like features.

In addition to menu information, the set top terminal 220 may also store text transmitted from the cable headend 208 or the operations center 202. The text may inform the subscriber about upcoming events, billing and account status, new subscriptions, or other relevant information. The text will be stored in an appropriate memory location depending on the frequency and the duration of the use of the textual message.

Also, optional upgrades are available to enhance the performance of a subscriber's set top terminal 220. These upgrades may consist of a cartridge or computer card (not shown) that is inserted into an expansion slot in the set top terminal 220
or may consist of a feature offered by the cable headend 208 or operations center 202 to which the user may subscribe. Available upgrades may include on line data base services, interactive multi-media services, access to digital radio channels, and other services.

In the simplest embodiment, available converter boxes such as those manufactured by General Instruments or Scientific Atlanta, may be modified and upgraded to perform the functions of a set top terminal 220. The preferred upgrade is a circuit card with a microprocessor which is electronically connected to or inserted into the converter box.

6. Remote Control Device

The primary conduit for communication between the subscriber and the set top terminal 220 is through the subscriber interface, preferably a remote control device 200. Through this interface, the subscriber may select desired programming through the system's menu-driven scheme or by directly accessing a specific channel by entering the actual channel number. Using the interface, the subscriber can navigate through a series of informative program selection menus. By using menu-driven, iconic or alpha-character access, the subscriber can access desired programs by simply pressing a single button rather than recalling from memory and pressing the actual channel number to make a selection. The subscriber can access regular broadcast and basic cable television stations by using either the numeric keys on the remote control 900 (pressing the corresponding channel number), or one of the menu icon selection options.

In addition to enabling the subscriber to easily interact with the cable system 200, the physical characteristics of the subscriber interface 900 should also add to the user friendliness of the system. The remote control 900 should easily fit in the palm of the user's hand. The buttons of the preferred remote control 900 contain pictorial symbols that are easily identifiable by the subscriber. Also, buttons that perform similar functions may be color coordinated and consist of distinguishing textures to increase the user friendliness of the system.

7. Menu-Driven Program Selection

The menu-driven scheme provides the subscriber with one-step access to all major menus, ranging from hit movies to sport specials to specialty programs. From any of the major menus, the subscriber can in turn access submenus and minor menus by cursor or alpha-character access.

There are two different types of menus utilized by the preferred embodiment, the Program Selection menus and the During Program menus. The first series of menus, Program Selection menus, consists of an Introductory, a Home, Major menus, and Submenus. The second series of menus, During Program menus, consists of two primary types, Hidden menus and the Program Overlay menus. immediately after the subscriber turns on the set top terminal 220, the Introductory menu welcomes the subscriber to the system. The Introductory menu may display important announcements from the local cable franchise, advertisements from the cable provider, or other types of messages. In addition, the Introductory menu can inform the subscriber if the cable headend
208 has sent a personal message to the subscriber's particular set top terminal 220.

After the Introductory menu has been displayed the subscriber may advance to the next level of menus, namely the Home menu. In the preferred embodiment, after a certain period of time, the cable system will advance the subscriber by default to the Home menu. From the Home menu, the subscriber is able to access all of the programming options. The subscriber may either select a program directly by entering the appropriate channel number from the remote control 900, or the subscriber may sequence through incremental levels of menu options starting from the Home menu. The Home menu lists categories that correspond to the first level of menus called Major menus.

If the subscriber chooses to sequence through subsequent menus, the subscriber will be forwarded to the Major menu that corresponds to the chosen category from the Home menu. The Major menus further refine a subscriber's search and help guide the subscriber to the selection of his choice.

From the Major menus, the subscriber may access several submenus. From each submenu, the subscriber may access other submenus until the subscriber finds a desired television program. Similar to the Major menu, each successive level of Submenus further refines the subscriber's search. The system also enables the subscriber to skip certain menus or submenus and directly access a specific menu or television program by entering the appropriate commands on the remote control 900.

The During program menus (including Hidden Menus and Program Overlay Menus) are displayed by the set top terminal 220 only after the subscriber has selected a television program. In order to avoid disturbing the subscriber, the set top terminal
220 does not display the Hidden Menus until the subscriber selects the appropriate option to display a Hidden Menu. The Hidden Menus contain options that are relevant to the program selected by the viewer. For example, a Hidden Menu may contain options that enable a subscriber to enter an interactive mode or escape from the selected program.

Program Overlay Menus are similar to Hidden Menus because they occur during a program and are related to the program being viewed. However, the Program Overlay Menus are displayed concurrently with the program selected by the subscriber. Most Program Overlay Menus are small enough on the screen to allow the subscriber to continue viewing the selected program comfortably.

B. Detailed Set Top Terminal Description

The set top terminal 220 receives and manipulates signals from the cable headend 208. The set top terminal 220 is equipped with local computer memory and the capability of interpreting the digitally compressed signal to produce menus for the subscriber. The remote control 900 communicates the subscriber's selections to the set top terminal 220. The subscriber's selections are generally based upon menus or other prompts displayed on the television screen,

It is preferred that the signal reaches the subscriber's home in a compressed format and is decompressed prior to viewing. Included in the delivered program signal is information that enables equipment at the subscriber's home to display menus for choosing particular programs. Depending on the particular embodiment, the television program signal may arrive at the subscriber's home through one or more connections such as coaxial cables, fiber cables, twisted pairs, cellular telephone connections, or personal communications network (PCN) hookups.

The program control information signal is generated by the operations center 202 and provides the network controller 214 with data on the scheduling and description of programs. In an alternate configuration, this data is sent directly to the set top terminal 220 for display to the subscriber. In the preferred embodiment, the program control information signal is stored and modified by the network controller 214 and sent to the set top terminal 220 in the form of a set top terminal control information stream (STTCIS). The set top terminal 220 integrates either the program control information signal or the STTCIS with data stored in the memory of the set top terminal 220 to generate on-screen menus that assist the subscriber in choosing programs for display.

The types of information that can be sent using the program control signal include: number of program categories, names of program categories, what channels are assigned to a specific category (such as specialty channels), names of channels, names of programs on each channel, program start times, length of programs, description of programs, menu assignment for each program, pricing, whether there is a sample video clip for advertisement for the program, and any other program, menu or product information.

With a minimal amount of information being communicated to the set top terminal 220 on a regular basis, the set top terminal 220 is able to determine the proper menu location for each program and the proper time and channel to activate for the subscriber after a menu selection. The program control information signal and STTCIS can be formatted in a variety of ways and the on-screen menus can be produced using many different methods. For instance, if the program control information signal carries no menu format information, the menu format for creating the menus can be fixed in ROM at the set top terminal 220. In the preferred embodiment, the menu format information is stored at the set top terminal 220 in a temporary memory device such as a RAM or EPROM. New menu format information is sent via the program control information signal or the STTCIS to the set top terminals 200 whenever a change to a menu format is desired.

In the simplest embodiment, the menu formats remain fixed and only the text changes. In this way the program control information signal can be limited to primarily text and a text generator can be employed in the set top terminal 220. Another simple embodiment uses a separate channel full-time (large bandwidth) just for the menu information.

Live video signals may be used in windows of certain menus. These video signals can be transmitted using the program control information signal or STTCIS, or can be taken off channels being transmitted simultaneously with the menu display. Video for menus, promos or demos may be sent to the set top terminal 220 in several formats, including (1) on a dedicated channel, (2) on a regular program channel and scaled to size, or (3) along with the program control information signal. However, in the preferred embodiment, a large number of short promos or demo video is sent using a split screen technique on a dedicated channel. A multiple window technique may be used with the menus to display a description of a program and one or more video frames that assist the subscriber in selecting the program.

FIG. 4 shows the basic hardware components of the set top terminal 220. The set top terminal 220 has a tuner 603, digital demodulator 606, decryptor 600, and demultiplexers 609, 616 as well as audio equipment 612 and a remote control interface
626 for receiving and processing signals from the remote control unit 900. An optional modem 627 allows communication between a microprocessor 602 and the cable headend 208. An NTSC encoder 625 provides a standard NTSC video output.

The microprocessor 602 is capable of executing program instructions stored in memory. These instructions allow a user to access various menus by making selections on the remote control 900.

The manner in which the video is decompressed and the menus are generated from the program control information signal or STTCIS varies depending on the specific embodiment of the invention. Video decompressors 618 and 622 may be used if the video is compressed. The program control information signal may be demultiplexed into its component parts, and a video decompressor 618, graphic decompressor, text generator and video combiner 624 may be used to assist in creating the menus.

In addition to the menu format information that is stored in graphics memory, the set top terminal 220 also stores data, tracking those programs that have been selected for viewing. By gathering this data, the set top terminal 220 can maintain an accurate record of all programs accessed/watched by storing the data in EEPROM or RAM. Subsequently, this data can be transmitted to the cable headend 208, where it can be used in carrying out network control and monitoring functions. Such data transmissions between the set top terminal 220 and cable headend 208 can be accomplished, for example, through upstream transmission over the cable network or over telephone lines through the use of telephone modems. Where upstream transmission over the cable network is used, the set top terminals 220 can complete data transmissions on a scheduled (e.g., using a polling response or status report to respond to polling requests sent from the cable headend 208) or as-needed (e.g., using a random access technique) basis.

FIG. 5a shows the front panel of the set top terminal 220, which includes an infrared sensor 630 and a series of LED displays 640. The LED displays 640 may indicate with an icon or a letter (e.g. A-K) the major menu currently selected by the set top terminal 220 or the channels selected directly by a user, or menu channel selections (e.g., from 1 to 50). Further displays may include current channel, time, volume level, sleep time, parental lock (security), account balance, use of a hardware upgrade, second channel being recorded by VCR, use of the Level D music hardware upgrade in a separate room, and any other displays useful to a subscriber to indicate the current status of the set top terminal 220. The LEDs 640 may also provide an indication of the digital audio channel currently tuned.

The set top terminal 220 includes a flapped opening 635 on its front that allows the insertion of a magnetic cartridge (or similar portable storage device, including optical disk, ROM, EPROM, etc. not shown). This cartridge opening 635 allows the set top terminal 220 to be upgraded or reprogrammed locally with the use of a magnetic tape cartridge.

On the top or cover of the set top terminal 220 are located pushbutton controls 645. Any function that can be performed on the remote 900 may also be performed at the set top terminal 220 using the duplicative pushbutton controls 645.

FIG. 5b shows the back of the set top terminal 220, which includes a pair of output terminals 650, pair of input terminals 652, pair of stereo/audio output terminals 654, satellite dish input port 656, telephone jack 658 and an RS-422 port 660. In addition, an upgrade port 662 and a cover plate 664 are held in place by a series of sheet metal screws. One of the output terminals 650 is for a television and the other is for a VCR. The set top terminal 220 is equipped to handle incoming signals on one or two cables using the input terminals 652. The phone jack 658 and an RS-232 or RS-422 port 660 are provided for maintenance, trouble shooting, reprogramming and additional customer features. In alternate embodiments, the telephone jack 658 may be used as the primary mode of communication between the cable headend 208 and the set top terminal 220. This connection is possible through the local telephone, cellular telephone or a personal communications network (PCN).

The basic programming of each set top terminal 220 is located on ROM within the set top terminal 220. Random access memory, the magnetic cartridge capability, and the expansion card slot 635 each allow upgrades and changes to be easily made to the set top terminal 220.

In the preferred embodiment, the set top terminal 220 includes a hardware upgrade port 662, in addition to expansion card slots. The hardware upgrade port 662 accommodates a four-wire (or more) connection for: (1) error corrected, decrypted data output of the set top terminal 220, (2) a control interface, (3) decompressed video output, and (4) a video input port. In the preferred embodiment, multiple wires are used to perform each of the four functions. The four sets of wires are combined in a single cable with a single multipin connector.

In the preferred embodiment, multipin connections may be used for the multiwire cable. The multipin connection 662 may range from DB9 to DB25. A variety of small computer systems interface (SCSI) ports may also be provided. Alternatively, four or more ports may be provided instead of the single port depicted.

Another port 662 is used to attach the various hardware upgrades described below to a set top terminal 220. The preferred embodiment has a number of hardware upgrades available for use with a set top terminal 220, including: (1) a Level A interactive unit, (2) a Level B interactive unit, (3) a Level C interactive unit with compact disc capability, (4) a Level D digital radio tuner for separate room use, and (5) a Level E information download unit. Each of these upgrades may be connected to the set top terminal 220 unit through the upgrade port 662 described earlier. The same four wires in a single cable described earlier may be used.

Existing set top converter boxes such as those made by Scientific Atlanta or General Instruments are presently unequipped to handle the menu selection system of the present invention. Thus, hardware modifications are necessary in order to use the menu selection system with existing set top converter technology.

A Turbo Card addition to a set top converter is depicted in FIG. 6. The Turbo Card 700 shown provides the additional functionality needed to utilize the menu system with existing set top converter technology. The primary functions the Turbo Card 700 adds to the set top converter are the interpreting of program control information signs, generating of menus, sequencing of menus, and, ultimately, the ability of the viewer to select a channel through the menu system without entering any channel identifying information. The turbo card also provides a method for a remote location, such as the cable headend 208, to receive information on programs watched and control the operation of the set top converter and Turbo Card 700. The programs watched information and control commands may be passed from the cable headend 208 to the Turbo Card 700 using telephone lines.

The primary components of the Turbo Card 700 are a PC chip CPU 702, a VGA graphic controller 704, a video combiner 706, logic circuitry 708, NTSC encoder 710, a receiver 712, demodulator 714, and a dialer 716. The Turbo Card 700 operates by receiving the program control information signal from the cable headend 208 through the coaxial cable. The logic circuitry 708 of the Turbo Card 700 receives data, infrared commands, and synchronization signals from the set top converter. Menu selections made by the viewer on the remote control 900 are received by the set top converter's IR equipment and passed through to the Turbo Card 700. The Turbo Card 700 interprets the IR signal and determines the program (or menu) the viewer has selected. The Turbo Card 700 modifies the IR command to send the program selection information to the set top converter 221. The modified IR command contains the channel information needed by the set top converter. Using the phone line and dialer 716, the Turbo Card 700 is able to transmit program access information to the cable headend 208.

In the preferred embodiment, program access information, that is what programs the viewer watched, is stored at each set top terminal 220 until it is polled by the network controller 214 using a polling request message format as shown in FIG. 7a. This frame format 920 consists of six fields, namely: (1) a leading flag 922 at the beginning of the message, (2) an address field 924, (3) a subscriber region designation 926, (4) a set top terminal identifier 928 that includes a polling command/response (or P/F) bit 930, (5) an information field 932, and (6) a trailing flag 934 at the end of the message. FIG. 7b shows a response frame format 920' (similar to the frame format 920 end, therefore, commonly numbered with the frame depicted in FIG. 7a, but with the prime indicator added for clarity) for information communicated by the set top terminal 220 to the network controller 214 in response to the polling request of FIG. 7a.

The eight-bit flag sequence 922 that appears at the beginning and end of a frame is used to establish and maintain synchronization. Such a sequence typically consists of a "01111110" bit-stream. The address field 924 designates a 4-bit address for a given set top terminal 220. The subscriber region designation 926 is a 4-bit field that indicates the geographical region in which the subscriber's set top terminal 220 is housed. The set top terminal identifier 928 is a 16-bit field that uniquely identifies each set top terminal 220 with a 15-bit designation followed by an appended P/F bit 930. Although field size is provided by this example, a variety of sizes can be used with the present invention.

The P/F bit 930 is used to command a polling response from the set top terminal 220 addressed, as described below. The response frame format 920' also provides a variable-length information field 932' for other data transmissions, such as information on system updates. The frame format 920' ends with an 8-bit flag (or trailing sag) 934' that is identical in format to the leading flag 922', as set forth above. Other frame formats (e.g., MPEG) will be apparent to one skilled in the art and can be easily adapted for use with the system.

As summarized above, images or programs may be selected for display by sequencing through a series of menus. FIG. 8 is an example of one possible structure for a series of menus. Generally, the sequence of menus is structured with an introductory menu, a home menu, various major menus and a multitude of submenus. The submenus can include promo menus and during program menus. For example, at the home menu portion of the sequence of menus and corresponding software routines, a subscriber may select one of the major menus and start a sequence of menu displays. Alternatively, a subscriber may go directly to a major menu by depressing a menu select button on remote control 900.

At any time during the menu sequence, the subscriber may depress a major menu button to move into another series of menus. In this way, a subscriber may move from major menu to major menu.

The various software subroutines executed by the microprocessor 602 allow a subscriber to sequence the menus, navigating through the various menus of the present invention. A subscriber may sequence back through menus or return to the home menu with a single touch of the home menu button on remote 900.

An introductory menu screen 1000 automatically appears upon power-up and initialization of the set top terminal 220. From this introductory menu screen 1000, the set top terminal software will normally advance the subscriber to the home menu screen 1010. The home menu 1010 is the basic menu that the subscriber will return to in order to make the first level of viewing decisions. When the set top terminal software is displaying the home menu 1010, the subscriber is able to access any television programming option. The software allows programming options to be entered through cursor movement on the screen and directly by button selection on the remote control 900.

In the normal progression through the menu screens, the software will forward the subscriber to a major menu screen 1020 in response to the subscriber's remote control 900 selection or highlighted cursor selection from the home menu screen 1010. The selections displayed on the home menu 1010 are for large categories of programming options.

Following the major menu 1020, the subscriber may navigate through one or more submenu screens 1050 from which the subscriber may choose one particular program for viewing. For most programming selections, the user will proceed from the home menu 1020 to a major menu 1020 and then to one or more submenus 1050. However, for certain programming options or functions of the set top terminal 220, the user may skip one or more menus in the sequence.

The During Program Menus 1200 are submenus enabled by the set top terminal software only after the subscriber has selected a television program. These menus provide the subscriber with additional functionality and/or additional information while viewing a selected program. The During Program Menus 1200 sequence can be further subdivided into at least two types of menus, Hidden Menus 1380 and Program Overlay Menus 1390.

To avoid disturbing a subscriber during viewing of a program, the Hidden Menus 1380 are not shown to the subscriber but instead "reside" at the set top terminal 220 microprocessor 602. The microprocessor 602 awaits a button entry either from the remote control 900 or set top terminal 220 buttons before executing or displaying any Hidden Menu 1380 options. The set top terminal software provides the subscriber with additional functions such as entering an interactive mode or escaping from a selected program through use of Hidden Menus 1380.

Program Overlay Menus 1390 are similar to Hidden Menus 1380. However, the Program Overlay Menus 1390 are overlayed onto portions of the displayed video and not hidden. The software for the Program Overlay Menus 1390 allows the subscriber to continue to watch the selected television program with audio but places graphical information on a portion of the television screen. Most Program Overlay Menus 1390 are graphically generated to cover small portions of video. Some Overlays 1390 which are by their nature more important than the program being viewed will overlay onto greater portions of the video. Examples of types of overlay menus 1390 include Notification Menus 1392 and Confirmation Menus 1394. In the preferred embodiment, the software for the Program Overlay Menus 1390 controls the reduction or scales down the (entire) programs video and redirects the video to a portion of the screen.

Submenus provide the cost of viewing the program and the program's length in hours and minutes. From the submenus, the subscriber is given at least three options: (1) to purchase a program, (2) to return to the previous menu, and (3) to press "go" and return to regular TV. The subscriber may also be given other options such as previewing the program.

Using an on-screen menu approach to program selection, there is nearly an unlimited number of menus that can be shown to the subscriber. The memory capability of the set top terminal 220 and the quantity of information that is sent using the program control information signal are the only limits on the number of menus and amount of information that can be displayed to the subscriber. The approach of using a series of menus in a simple tree sequence as both easy for the subscriber to use and simply implemented by the set top terminal 220 and remote control device 900 with cursor movement. A user interface software programmer will find many obvious variations from the preferred embodiment described.

The set top terminal 220 generates and creates menus using, in part, information stored in its graphics memory. A background graphics file 800 will store menu backgrounds and a logo graphics file will store any necessary logos. A menu display and cursor graphics file will store menu display blocks and cursor highlight overlays as well as any other miscellaneous files needed to build the menus. Using this method of storing menus, the menus can be changed by reprogramming the graphics memory of the set top terminal 220 through instructions from either the network controller 214 or operations center 202.

The microprocessor 602 performs the steps required to create a menu using stored information. The microprocessor 602 fetches a background file, logo file, menu display and cursor file in most instances. The microprocessor 602 fetches text from long-term, intermediate-term, or short-term storage depending on where the text is stored. Using a video combiner (or like device), the stored information is combined with video and the entire image is sent to the television screen for display.

In the preferred embodiment, a graphics controller is used to assist the set top terminal 220 in generating menus. Menu generation by the set top terminal 220 begins with the building of a major menu screen, which includes background graphics for that major menu. The background graphics may include an upper sash across the top of the screen and a lower sash across the bottom of the screen. The background graphics may be generated from the background graphics file 800 in the memory files of the graphics memory (preferably EEPROM). In addition, logo graphics may be generated. Such graphics typically include an icon window, a cable company logo, a channel company logo, and two "go" buttons.

Preferably, the text for each major menu is generated separately by a text generator in the set top terminal 220. Those portions of the text that generally remain the same for a period of weeks or months may be stored in EEPROM or other local storage. Text which changes on a regular basis, such as the movie titles (or other program selections), is transmitted to the set top terminal 220 by either the operations center 202 or the network controller 214 of the cable headend 208. In this manner, the cable headend 208 may change the program selections available on any major menu 1020 by modifying the program control information signal sent by the operations center 202 and transmitting any changes using the STTCIS.

Day, date and time information are added to each major menu. This information is sent from the operations center 202, the cable headend 208 (signal processor 209 or network controller 224), the uplink site, or generated by the set top terminal
220 internally.

The creation and display of program description submenus is performed by the set top terminal 220 in a manner similar to that described above. Each submenu may be created in parts and combined before being sent to the television screen. Preferably, background graphics and upper and lower sashes are used. Likewise, a video window and half-strip window can be generated from information in storage on the EEPROM.

In addition to graphics and text, some submenus include windows that show video. Such video may be still or moving pictures. Still pictures may be stored in a compressed format (such as JPEG) at the set top terminal 220. Video stills may be transmitted by the operations center 202 through the program control information signal from time to time.

Moving video picture is obtained directly from a current video feed as described above. Depending on video window size, this may require manipulation of the video signal, including scaling down the size of the video and redirecting the video to the portion of the menu screen which is within the video window of the menu. Alternatively, the video may be obtained from a split screen channel. Such a method involves the use of split screen video techniques to send multiple video clips