초록 ▼

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 provi

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.

대표청구항 ▼

[ 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 decompres

[ 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; anda 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.