초록 ▼

A system and method are provided for providing a full service cable television system. The cable system incorporates a digital and analog transmission architecture capable of delivering a high number of high quality television programs, advanced cable services, and online services to a subscriber's

A system and method are provided for providing a full service cable television system. The cable system incorporates a digital and analog transmission architecture capable of delivering a high number of high quality television programs, advanced cable services, and online services to a subscriber's home. The cable system comprises a cable headend, at least one fiber transport, at least one distribution hub, at least one hybrid fiber coax plant, and a plurality of set-top terminals. Programs and services are transmitted to the set-top terminals in both digital and analog formats to maintain downward compatibility with existing systems. The set-top terminal incorporates a central processing unit, a unified memory architecture, a memory management unit, communications circuitry, I/O control circuitry, and audio and video output circuitry. Through these components the set-top terminal provides advanced cable services such as a comprehensive channel navigator, an interactive program guide, Impulse Pay-Per-View activation, Near-Video-On-Demand and Video-On-Demand programming, and advanced configuration controls. The set-top terminal also provides online services such as World Wide Web browsing, Internet E-Mail, and Home Shopping.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An interactive program guide for displaying information regarding television programs on an interactive program guide display, each of said television programs having a theme and being identified by a name, said interactive program guide comprising:a default theme selecti

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An interactive program guide for displaying information regarding television programs on an interactive program guide display, each of said television programs having a theme and being identified by a name, said interactive program guide comprising:a default theme selection control to select one of a plurality of themes as a default selected theme based upon one of said television programs being displayed prior to activation of said interactive program guide display;a theme list which is at least partially displayed on said interactive program guide display and which comprises said plurality of themes, wherein said one of said plurality of themes is indicated as said default selected theme; anda program list which is at least partially displayed on said interactive program guide display and which comprises said name of each of said television programs having said theme which matches said default selected theme.