CA2445176C - Set top terminal for cable television delivery systems - Google Patents
Set top terminal for cable television delivery systems Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2445176C CA2445176C CA002445176A CA2445176A CA2445176C CA 2445176 C CA2445176 C CA 2445176C CA 002445176 A CA002445176 A CA 002445176A CA 2445176 A CA2445176 A CA 2445176A CA 2445176 C CA2445176 C CA 2445176C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- menu
- program
- subscriber
- video
- set top
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
- H04N21/4786—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application e-mailing
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
- H04H20/02—Arrangements for relaying broadcast information
- H04H20/06—Arrangements for relaying broadcast information among broadcast stations
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
- H04H20/10—Arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or the distribution
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
- H04H20/42—Arrangements for resource management
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
- H04H20/65—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems for broadcast
- H04H20/76—Wired systems
- H04H20/77—Wired systems using carrier waves
- H04H20/78—CATV [Community Antenna Television] systems
- H04H20/79—CATV [Community Antenna Television] systems using downlink of the CATV systems, e.g. audio broadcast via CATV network
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
- H04H20/86—Arrangements characterised by the broadcast information itself
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
- H04H60/02—Arrangements for generating broadcast information; Arrangements for generating broadcast-related information with a direct linking to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time; Arrangements for simultaneous generation of broadcast information and broadcast-related information
- H04H60/04—Studio equipment; Interconnection of studios
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
- H04H60/09—Arrangements for device control with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time; Arrangements for control of broadcast-related services
- H04H60/13—Arrangements for device control affected by the broadcast information
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
- H04H60/35—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users
- H04H60/38—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space
- H04H60/39—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space for identifying broadcast space-time
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
- H04H60/35—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users
- H04H60/47—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for recognising genres
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
- H04H60/68—Systems specially adapted for using specific information, e.g. geographical or meteorological information
- H04H60/72—Systems specially adapted for using specific information, e.g. geographical or meteorological information using electronic programme guides [EPG]
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/21—Server components or server architectures
- H04N21/218—Source of audio or video content, e.g. local disk arrays
- H04N21/2181—Source of audio or video content, e.g. local disk arrays comprising remotely distributed storage units, e.g. when movies are replicated over a plurality of video servers
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- H—ELECTRICITY
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- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
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- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/21—Server components or server architectures
- H04N21/218—Source of audio or video content, e.g. local disk arrays
- H04N21/21815—Source of audio or video content, e.g. local disk arrays comprising local storage units
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
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- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/21—Server components or server architectures
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- H04N21/2187—Live feed
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- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/21—Server components or server architectures
- H04N21/222—Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end
- H04N21/2221—Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end being a cable television head-end
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
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- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
- H04N21/235—Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
- H04N21/236—Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Insertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rate; Assembling of a packetised elementary stream
- H04N21/23608—Remultiplexing multiplex streams, e.g. involving modifying time stamps or remapping the packet identifiers
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
- H04N21/236—Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Insertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rate; Assembling of a packetised elementary stream
- H04N21/2362—Generation or processing of Service Information [SI]
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
- H04N21/238—Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network, e.g. adapting the transmission rate of a video stream to network bandwidth; Processing of multiplex streams
- H04N21/2381—Adapting the multiplex stream to a specific network, e.g. an Internet Protocol [IP] network
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
- H04N21/238—Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network, e.g. adapting the transmission rate of a video stream to network bandwidth; Processing of multiplex streams
- H04N21/2389—Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream encrypting
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
- H04N21/251—Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
- H04N21/252—Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
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- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
- H04N21/254—Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server
- H04N21/2543—Billing, e.g. for subscription services
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
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- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
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- H04N21/258—Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
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- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
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- H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
- H04N21/258—Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
- H04N21/25866—Management of end-user data
- H04N21/25891—Management of end-user data being end-user preferences
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- H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
- H04N21/262—Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists
- H04N21/26208—Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists the scheduling operation being performed under constraints
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- H04N21/266—Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system, merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
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- H04N21/418—External card to be used in combination with the client device, e.g. for conditional access
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- H04H60/09—Arrangements for device control with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time; Arrangements for control of broadcast-related services
- H04H60/14—Arrangements for conditional access to broadcast information or to broadcast-related services
- H04H60/21—Billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information
- H04H60/22—Billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information per use
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
- H04H60/09—Arrangements for device control with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time; Arrangements for control of broadcast-related services
- H04H60/14—Arrangements for conditional access to broadcast information or to broadcast-related services
- H04H60/23—Arrangements for conditional access to broadcast information or to broadcast-related services using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
- H04H60/61—Arrangements for services using the result of monitoring, identification or recognition covered by groups H04H60/29-H04H60/54
- H04H60/66—Arrangements for services using the result of monitoring, identification or recognition covered by groups H04H60/29-H04H60/54 for using the result on distributors' side
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
- H04H60/68—Systems specially adapted for using specific information, e.g. geographical or meteorological information
- H04H60/73—Systems specially adapted for using specific information, e.g. geographical or meteorological information using meta-information
- H04H60/74—Systems specially adapted for using specific information, e.g. geographical or meteorological information using meta-information using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
- H04H60/76—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet
- H04H60/81—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet characterised by the transmission system itself
- H04H60/93—Wired transmission systems
- H04H60/94—Telephonic networks
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
- H04H60/76—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet
- H04H60/81—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet characterised by the transmission system itself
- H04H60/93—Wired transmission systems
- H04H60/96—CATV systems
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
- H04H60/76—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet
- H04H60/81—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet characterised by the transmission system itself
- H04H60/93—Wired transmission systems
- H04H60/96—CATV systems
- H04H60/97—CATV systems using uplink of the CATV systems
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/57—Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
- H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
- H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/426—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
- H04N5/445—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards for displaying additional information
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
- H04N5/445—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards for displaying additional information
- H04N5/45—Picture in picture, e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
Abstract
A viewer interface for a television program delivery system is described. The innovation relates to methods and devices for viewer pathways to television programs. Specifically, the interface involves hardware and software used in conjunction with a television at the viewer home to create a user friendly menu based approach to television program access. The device is particularly useful in a program delivery system with hundreds of programs and a data signal carrying program information. The disclosure describes menu generation and menu selection of television programs.
Description
SET TOP TERMINAL FOR CABLE TELEVISION
DELIVERY SYSTEMS
This application is a divisional of Canadian application serial number 2,151,460 the Canadian National Phase of International patent application PCT/I1S93111618 filed 2 December 1993 (U2.12.93).
'TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to television entertainment systems for providing television programming to consumer homes. More particularly, the invention relates t~ a set top ternvnal for use with a program delivery system with menu selection of programs.
WO 94ritZ8~ PC'~'r4593riiBi8 ~~
DELIVERY SYSTEMS
This application is a divisional of Canadian application serial number 2,151,460 the Canadian National Phase of International patent application PCT/I1S93111618 filed 2 December 1993 (U2.12.93).
'TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to television entertainment systems for providing television programming to consumer homes. More particularly, the invention relates t~ a set top ternvnal for use with a program delivery system with menu selection of programs.
WO 94ritZ8~ PC'~'r4593riiBi8 ~~
2 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 Ptl3C to begin its first regular broadcasts. In I9?5, advances in satellite technology provided consumers with increased prograrnn~ing to homes.
Many of these technology breakthroughs have produced inconvenient systems for consumers. one example is the IO . ubiquitous three remote control home, having a separate and unique remote control foa the TV, cable box and VCR. More recently. technology has provided cable users in certain parts of the country vrith 100 channels of programming. This increased program capacity is beyond the ability of many I5 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, partlcularfy programs and program choices. be presented to the consumer in a user friendly 20 manner. Consumer preferences, instead o! technological breakthroughs. will drive the television entertainment nsarket for at least the next 20 years. As computer vendors have experienced a switch from marketing nevi technology in computer hardarare to marketing better useability. interfaces 25 and service, the television entertziriment industry will also experience a switch froaa new technology driving the ~rket to consumer useability driving the market.
Consumers want products incorpozaung new technology that are useful. and will no longer purchase new 30 technology far the sake of novelty or status. Teehnolo~cal advances in sophisticated laardv~are are beginning to surpass the capability of the average consurnrr to use the new W°0 9driiL&_ ~1'rL:S93r~1sta
advances on Vladmir Zworykin's picture tube provided the stimulus for Ptl3C to begin its first regular broadcasts. In I9?5, advances in satellite technology provided consumers with increased prograrnn~ing to homes.
Many of these technology breakthroughs have produced inconvenient systems for consumers. one example is the IO . ubiquitous three remote control home, having a separate and unique remote control foa the TV, cable box and VCR. More recently. technology has provided cable users in certain parts of the country vrith 100 channels of programming. This increased program capacity is beyond the ability of many I5 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, partlcularfy programs and program choices. be presented to the consumer in a user friendly 20 manner. Consumer preferences, instead o! technological breakthroughs. will drive the television entertainment nsarket for at least the next 20 years. As computer vendors have experienced a switch from marketing nevi technology in computer hardarare to marketing better useability. interfaces 25 and service, the television entertziriment industry will also experience a switch froaa new technology driving the ~rket to consumer useability driving the market.
Consumers want products incorpozaung new technology that are useful. and will no longer purchase new 30 technology far the sake of novelty or status. Teehnolo~cal advances in sophisticated laardv~are are beginning to surpass the capability of the average consurnrr to use the new W°0 9driiL&_ ~1'rL:S93r~1sta
3 teehnology. 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 5 be successful. the products must satisfy consumer demands.
TV consumers vvtsh to go from liPaited viewing choices to a variety of choices. from no control of prograanming to complete control. Consumers wish to advance from cumbersome and inconvenient television to easy and 10 convenient television and keep costs down. Consumers do not wash 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 interaetive television, high definition 15 television and 300 channel cable systems in consumer homes will not sell if thr~r 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.
20 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' enteztai:ament choices, without a user friendly presentation and approach. will likely bewflder 2 5 viewers with a aund-numbing array of choices.
The TV industry has uaditlonally marketed and sold its programs to consumers in bulk, such as continuous feed broadcast and 1~ng-term subscriptions to movie ehaauiels.
The TV industry has been unable to aril its programming In 30 large quantities on a per unit basis, such as the ordering of one program. Consumers prefer a unit :ales approach PCT~'L;S?311618
In order for new television entertainment products to 5 be successful. the products must satisfy consumer demands.
TV consumers vvtsh to go from liPaited viewing choices to a variety of choices. from no control of prograanming to complete control. Consumers wish to advance from cumbersome and inconvenient television to easy and 10 convenient television and keep costs down. Consumers do not wash 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 interaetive television, high definition 15 television and 300 channel cable systems in consumer homes will not sell if thr~r 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.
20 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' enteztai:ament choices, without a user friendly presentation and approach. will likely bewflder 2 5 viewers with a aund-numbing array of choices.
The TV industry has uaditlonally marketed and sold its programs to consumers in bulk, such as continuous feed broadcast and 1~ng-term subscriptions to movie ehaauiels.
The TV industry has been unable to aril its programming In 30 large quantities on a per unit basis, such as the ordering of one program. Consumers prefer a unit :ales approach PCT~'L;S?311618
4 because it keeps costs down and allows the consumer to be snore selective in their viewing.
In additian, viewership fragmentation. whieh has already begun. will increase. Programming not presented in a user friendly warmer will suffer with a decrease in viewership and revenue.
What is needed is a systesa 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 far subscribers to access television programs.
What is needed is a set top converter that allows users to easily navigate through hundreds of progrg choiees using on-screen anenus.
Whai is needed is a set top converter that allow subscribers to select a program from among hundreds of choices without a television vlearlng guide.
What is needed is a method that al3ows efficient access to hundreds of tele'nsian programming aptions.
What is needed is hardware that provides an upgrade capability alloaring the use of esisting set top converter technology in advanced program delivery systems.
What is needed is technology that upgrades the funetionality of existing set top converters.
What is needed is a set top converter that provides an upstream communlcatians capability between the set top converter and cable headend.
What is needed is a set top converter that provides a capability of generating menus far display.
W~ 9bil~i:b: ~'r~'LS93~11b18 i~'hat is needed is a set top converter that provides a simple way to select a program from a menu.
that is needed is a set top comrercer that provides pay per-view type program access in the carne system as specialty channel and broadcast television access.
What is needed is a set top converter that allows users to subscribe on-screen to specialt~r channels.
What is needed is a set top converter that monitors subscriber vievvtng choices for statist9cal purg~oses.
What is needed is a set top converter that provides on-screen billing information to subscribers.
VV'hat is needed is a set top converter that provides sophisticated on~scretn television menus which can incorporate still video or moving video.
at is needed is a set _ top converter that provides a capability of scaling and redirecting video for menus.
What is needed is a set top converter that provides a capability of using a program signal vrith a split screen video for menus. The present invention is addressed to fulfill these needs.
~.~ ~~ Tto The present invention is a set top converter box or terminal for a television program delivery asysteaa. More specifically, the present invention is an advanced set top 2 S converter box that sets as a terminal in the viewer home.
The set top terminal is a lsey coaaponent of a digital cable television delivery system. The set top terminal provides for menu generation and menu selection of television programraain g.
The set top terminal is the portion of the program delivery system that resides in the home of a subscriber. The set top terminal has input and output ports that enable it to wo Farms: ~r~ts9ana~ia communicate with other local and remote devices. In the preferred embodiment, the set top terminal has an input port that is capable of receiving information from a cable headend.
In addition, the unit has at least two output ports which
In additian, viewership fragmentation. whieh has already begun. will increase. Programming not presented in a user friendly warmer will suffer with a decrease in viewership and revenue.
What is needed is a systesa 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 far subscribers to access television programs.
What is needed is a set top converter that allows users to easily navigate through hundreds of progrg choiees using on-screen anenus.
Whai is needed is a set top converter that allow subscribers to select a program from among hundreds of choices without a television vlearlng guide.
What is needed is a method that al3ows efficient access to hundreds of tele'nsian programming aptions.
What is needed is hardware that provides an upgrade capability alloaring the use of esisting set top converter technology in advanced program delivery systems.
What is needed is technology that upgrades the funetionality of existing set top converters.
What is needed is a set top converter that provides an upstream communlcatians capability between the set top converter and cable headend.
What is needed is a set top converter that provides a capability of generating menus far display.
W~ 9bil~i:b: ~'r~'LS93~11b18 i~'hat is needed is a set top converter that provides a simple way to select a program from a menu.
that is needed is a set top comrercer that provides pay per-view type program access in the carne system as specialty channel and broadcast television access.
What is needed is a set top converter that allows users to subscribe on-screen to specialt~r channels.
What is needed is a set top converter that monitors subscriber vievvtng choices for statist9cal purg~oses.
What is needed is a set top converter that provides on-screen billing information to subscribers.
VV'hat is needed is a set top converter that provides sophisticated on~scretn television menus which can incorporate still video or moving video.
at is needed is a set _ top converter that provides a capability of scaling and redirecting video for menus.
What is needed is a set top converter that provides a capability of using a program signal vrith a split screen video for menus. The present invention is addressed to fulfill these needs.
~.~ ~~ Tto The present invention is a set top converter box or terminal for a television program delivery asysteaa. More specifically, the present invention is an advanced set top 2 S converter box that sets as a terminal in the viewer home.
The set top terminal is a lsey coaaponent of a digital cable television delivery system. The set top terminal provides for menu generation and menu selection of television programraain g.
The set top terminal is the portion of the program delivery system that resides in the home of a subscriber. The set top terminal has input and output ports that enable it to wo Farms: ~r~ts9ana~ia communicate with other local and remote devices. In the preferred embodiment, the set top terminal has an input port that is capable of receiving information from a cable headend.
In addition, the unit has at least two output ports which
5 provide communicauons from the set top terminal to a television. VCIa or ether electronic component in tht viearcr home. e~lllso. the set top terminal contains a phase hack which can be used for maintenance, trouble shooting.
reprogramming and additional customer features. The set ' 10 top terminal rn ay contain sterto/audio output terminals and a satellite dish input port.
F'unctlonally. the set top terminal is the last component in the delivery system chain. In thr preferred embodiment.
the set top terminal receives compressed program and 15 control signals from the cable headend (or, in some cases.
directly from the operauons center). After the set top terminal receives the individually compressed program and control signals. the signals are demultiplaced, decompressed.
converted to analog signals (!f necessary) and either placed in 20 local storage (from which the -menu template may be created). executed lmtaediately. ar sent directly to the television screen.
after processing certain signals received from the cable headend, the set top terminal is able to store an array of 25 menu tempIate3 for creating memos that are displayed on a subscriber's television. Menu templates are created and sent to the set top terminal far storage. A microprocessor uses the control signals received frog' the operatsons center ar cable headend to generate the menu templates for storage.
3D Each aaenu template is stored in volatile memory in the set top terinlnal. When the set top terminal receives template inforynailon it may demultiplex the program control signals w~ ~ejaus: a~ws~3~nsaa received from the cable headend int~ three primary parts:
video, graphics and text. each menu template represents a different portion of a whole menu. such as a menu background. television logo, cursar highlight overlay, or other S aniscellaneous companents needed to build a menu. The menu templates may be dtleted or altered using control signals received from the operations center or cable headend.
once the menu templates have been stored in memory.
the set top terminal can generate the appropriate menus. In I Q the preferred embodiment, the basic menu format infarmation is stored in meaaory located within the set top terminal so that the microprocessor may locally access the information from the set Lop terminal instead of from an incoming signal. The microprocessor next generates the 1 S appropriate menus from the menu templates and the ocher menu information stortd in memory. The xet tap terminal then displays specific menus an the subscriber s television screen that correspond to the inputs the subscriber xlects.
If the subscriber selects a specific program from a menu, the 20 set top terminal determines on which channel the program is being shown. demultiplexes and extracts the single channel uansmitted from the cable headcnd.
In additian to menu ir:farmation. the get top terminal may also stare teact transmitted frnm the cable headend or 25 the operations eenier. ?he tent tnay inform the Eubscraber about upeoming events. billing and account status. new subscriptions. or other relevant infarmation. The tc~et will be stored in an appraprsate memory location depending on the frequency and Lt~e duration of the use of the textual message.
30 The get top terminal can also support on-line data base services. interactive mufti-media services. access t~ digital radio channels, grad other services.
In the simplest embodiment, available converter boxes such as those manufactured by general Instruments or Scientif c Atlanta, may be modified and upgraded to perform the functions of a set top terminal. The preferred upgrade is a circuit card with a microprocessor which is electronically connected to the converter box.
Accordingly, in one of its aspects, the present invention provides a card for increasing the functionality of a set top converter for use with a program delivery system providing program control information, wherein the card generates menus using the program control information and menu generation instructions, the card comprising instruction memory means for storing menu generation instructions; menu memory means for storing the program control information; a processor, connected to the instruction memory, for executing the menu generation instructions stored in the instruction memory means; means, connected to the processor and menu memory, for generating menus using the stored program control information and ezecuted menu generation instructions; and means, connected to the menu generation means, for communicating the generated menus to the set top converter.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for generating a menu with video for use with a set top terminal in a program delivery system with menu selection of programs from a plurality of individual menus, using a program signal with split screen video channel, comprising the steps of: choosing a split screen video channel from the program signal; decompressing the split screen channel of the program signal; selecting the desired portion of 8a video on the split screen channel; creating a mask of all the portions of the split screen channel which are not selected; overlaying the mask on the split screen video channel; overlaying menu graphic information on the masking; overlaying text information on the graphics and marking; and displaying the overlays as a menu.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for generating a menu with video for use with a set top terminal in a program delivery system with menu selection of programs from a plurality of individual menus, using a program signal with split screen video channel, comprising: means for choosing a split screen video channel from the program signal; decompressing the split screen channel of the program signal; selecting the desired portion of video on the split screen channel;
creating a mask of all the portions of the split screen channel which are not selected; means for overlaying the mask o~n the split screen video channel; means for overlaying menu graphic information on the masking;
means for overlaying text information on the graphics and masking; and means for displaying the overlays as a menu.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a method of delivering television programs for viewing comprising the steps of: (a) sending a program more than once, wherein start times are staggered; (b) receiving a request for said program from a subscriber; (c) processing said received request; (d) locating one sent program with an available start time; and (e) authorizing viewing of said located sent program.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a set top terminal with executable instructions for use wrath a program delivery system with menu selection of programs from a plurality of menus, using a combined signal including compressed video and program control information signal with program identities, the menus including an introductory menu, a home menu, major menus, and submenus, comprising: means for receiving the combined. signal including the compressed video and the program control Information signal far processing; a demultiplexer means for demultiplexing the received signal 8b into compressed video and into the program control information signal;
an instruction memory which stores executable instructions; means, operably connected to the demultiplexer and instruction memory, for generating menus including an introductory menu, a home menu, at least one major menu, and at least one submenu using the program identities of the program control information signal wherein the submenus include program identities, and wherein the generating means builds the menus;
means, connected to the generating means, for sequencing between menus, including sequencing between the introductory menu, home menu, major menus, and submenus using the executable instructions;
means for selecting a program identity from a submenu; and a video decompressor means coupled to the demultiplexer for decompressing the compressed video wherein the decompressed video corresponds to the program identity selected from the submenu.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus with executable instructions for use with a program delivery system with menu selection of programs from a plurality of menus, using a program control information signal containing program identities, a cursor movement button and a go button, the apparatus comprising: means for receiving the program control information signal; an instruction memory for storing executable instructions; means, connected to the instruction memory and receiving means, for generating menus including an introductory menu, a home menu, at least one major menu, and at least one submenu containing program identities, using the stored executable instructions and the program identities contained in the program control information signal, wherein the generating means creates a movable cursor overlay for overlaying the program identities on the submenu, and wherein the generating means builds the menus; means, connected to the generating means, for selecting a program comprising: a user interface means including a cursor movement button and a go button; means, electronically connected to the user interface means, for sequencing between menus, including sequencing between the home menu, major gC
menu, and submenu; and means for selecting a. program from a submenu by moving the cursor overlay with the cursor movement button to overlay a program identity and depressing the go button.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a method of sequencing menus on a television screen for selecting television programs in a program delivery system with set top terminal menu generation, where the set top terminal receives packaged television programs including program control information, the menus generated by the set top terminal including an introductory menu, a home menu, a major menu, a subrnenu, and an overlay menu, comprising the steps of:
determining if a packaged program signal is being received by the set top terminal; generating and displaying an introductory menu; awaiting subscriber key entry; determining whether to decompress a packaged video signal or display a menu, generating and displaying the menus including at least one home menu, major menu, submenu for a subcategory, program list submenu, program description submenu, or confirmation submenu to confirm the packaged program selected, wherein the generated menus are built; decompressing the selected packaged program video; decompressing the selected packaged program audio; generating the overlay menu; combining the decompressed video and the overlay menu in a combiner; displaying the combined video and the overlay menu.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for overlaying a menu over video for display of an overlay menu on a television, wherein the method is used with a set top terminal with menu generation and program control information, comprising the steps of:
acquiring a video signal for display of video; generating an overlay menu signal to display the overlay menu using the program control signal, wherein the overlay menu comprises programming options, including access to additional video for viewing; combining the video signal and the overlay menu signal; displaying the combined video and overlay menu;
8d and wherein the step of generating an overlay menu includes the step of generating a graphic for inclusion into the overlay menu signal.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a method for overlaying a menu over video for display on a television screen, comprising the steps of: acquiring a video signal for display of video;
generating an overlay menu signal to display an overlay menu; scaling the video so that the video fills a first portion of a screen; combining the video signal and the overlay menu signal, wherein the video and overlay menu are combined; and displaying the combined video and overlay menu, wherein the overlay menu fills a second portion of the screen.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a system for graphically accessing television programming, comprising: a graphical display for displaying programming options on a screen, including a video window for displaying motion video; and a remote control unit for selecting the programming options through cursor movement and button selection.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a method for displaying an overlay menu with a program on a television, comprising the steps of: displaying the program on the television; and producing an overlay menu so that the displayed program and the overlay menu are displayed simultaneously, wherein the overlay menu comprises programming options, including access to additional programming for viewing.
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 allow subscribers to select a program from among hundreds of choices without a television viewing guide.
It is an objection of this invention to efficiently access hundreds of television programming options.
8e It is an object of this invention to provide are upgrade capability allowing the use of existing set top converter technology in an advanced program delivery system.
It is an object of this invention to upgrade the functionality of existing set top converters.
It is an object of this invention t~~ provide an upstream communications capability between the set tap 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 provide a way to select a program from a menu with the push of one button.
It is an object of this invention to provide pay-per-view type program access in the same system as specialty channel and broadcast television access.
e~~~ ~us~a° 1~,1s9~;iasia It !s an object of this invention to allow users to subseribe on-screen to specialty channels.
It is an object of this invention to monftos subscriber viewing choices for statssucal purposes.
It is an object of .this invention to provide on-scrten billing information to subscribers.
It is an object of this invention to provide sophisticated on-sereen television menus which case incorporate gt~l1 video or moving video.
1 D It is an object of thfs invention to provide a set tog terminal eapable of scaling and redirecting video for menus.
It !s an object of this invention to provide a set top terminal capable of using a program signal 'with a split screen video for menus.
°These ana other objects and advantages of the invention will become obvious to thox skilled in the tit upon revie;v of the follovrlng description. the attaehed drawings and appended ~xtms. .
v.
wo ~ma~ i~r.t5~~.a6ta IO
Figure 5b is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the internals of a set top ter~ntnal.
Figure fig is a perspective front view of a set top terminal.
Figure 6b is a perspective rear view of a set top tee.
Figure 7 is a schematic of the basic components of the 'ilubo Card.
Figure 8 shows the basic structure of the program 1 ~ menu system of the present invention.
Figure 9a is a drawing of the basic menus used in the present invention. including the ten ma'or menus represented by icons.
Figure 9b is a drawing of additianal :genus used in a I 5 preferred embodiment iin additson to Figure 9aD.
Figure I~ is a drawing of a flow chart shoroving the steps required for the microprocessor to sequence pro menus.
Figures lla, lib and IIc depiet an alternative approach to the sequencing of menus.
20 Figures lag~12h depict the program flaw of a Turbo card upgrade for an easisttng set top convtrter box.
Figure 13 depicts as introductory mean.
Figure I4 depicts a home menu display screen.
Figure 15 depicts an alternative home menu screen.
Z5 Figure I6 depicts a ma'or menu for the hit movies category.
Figure I7 depicts a hit movie description arer~u.
Figures 18 depicgs s hit movie ronflrmation submenu.
Figures 19 depicts a hit movie nati8cation submenu.
30 Figure ~4a is a drawing of a hit movie escape during progra~a menu.
wo s~rl~a: rws93~nsia Figure 20b is a drawing of a hit movie during program hidden menu.
Figure 20c is a drawing of a hit movie re-entry menu.
Figure 21 is a wing of a movie library mayor menu.
Figures 22a-22e depict a ical menu sequence of the present invention.
Figures 23 and 24 depict a specialty ehannel major menu and a related submenu.
Figure 25 is a drawing of a magazine channel major 1 tJ menu.
Figure 2f is a drawing of a doeumentazy/news subcategory mtnu.
Figure 2~'a is a drawing of storage for on~srseen menu templates stored in graphics memory of the set top terminal.
Figure 27b is a drawing showing the hierarchical storage of text for the set top t Figure 27c is a drawing of a flow chart showing the steps required for the microprocessor to retrieve, combtnr and display a menu.
Figures 23a~g and 29a-g show how menus are generated by the xt top terminal.
Figure 30 depicts a spIit~screen technique for use with the present invention.
DET~~~D DEQG~~01~1 D~ Tip ~RE'1~1~'a'~"~
f~BSt~i~Lt A Tel~viaion l~raara_tn D~lv~,y Svstern Desr~rio ion 1.
Figure 1 shows the present invention as part of an expanded cable television program delivery systeaa~ 200 that dramatically increases programming capacity using compressed transmission of telev~_lon program signals.
w~ s~tus: rl,PS93n,s'a Developments in digital bandwidth compression teehnology now allow much greater throughput of television program signals over existing or slightly modified transmission media.
The program delivery system 200 shown provides subsrxibtrs with a user friendly interface to operate aaad exploit a six-fold or more increase in current program delivery capability.
Subscribers are able to access an expanded television program package and vie~r 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 ieonic 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 fram memory acrd 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 ong menu to the ne~ct. In this fashion, the subscriber can sequence the menus and select a program from any Given menu. "fhe programs are grouped by category so that similar program offerings are found on the same menu.
2. aier vst~m Ce~m~i Irr its most basic form, the system uses a program delivery system ~~~ in con)uncilon with a conventional Z 5 concatenated cable television system 210. 'The program delivery system 2~0 generally includes ti) at least one operations center X02, where prow packaging and control information are created and tlzemm assembled in the form of digtta~l data. (ity a digital compression system. where the 3~ digital data is compressed. combined~multiplexed. encoded.
and mapped into digital signals for satellite transmission to the cable headend X08, and (iii) a set of in-home i H: 0 9dl 1,I~E- I'C'T t~ 59311161 ~
decompressors. The program delivery system 200 transports the digita.i signals to the cable headend 208 where the signals are transmitted through a concatenated cable television system 210. i~Vfthin the cable headend 208. the received signals rnay be decoded. demultipleaced, managed by a local central distribution and switching mechanism. co~abined and then transmitted to the set top terminal 220 located in eaeh 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 netwarks, fiberoptics. Personal Cemmunicatton Networks and similar technolagy for transmitting to the home can be used interchangeably with this program delivery systesa 200.
The delivery system 200 has a reception region 207 with an in~home decompressian capability. This capability is performed by a decompressor housed within a set top ternlinal 220 in each subscriber's home. The decompressor remains uansparent front the subscriber's point of view and allows any of the caanpressed signals to be demultiplexed and individually e~ctracted from the camposite data stream and then individually decompressed upon selection by the aubscribtr, The decompressed video signals are canverted into analog signals for television display. Such analog signals inelude NTSC formatted signals for use by a standard television. Control signals are liltevvise extracted and decompressed and then either executed immediately or placed in loeal storage such as a . ~Iuitiple sets of decompression hardware may be used to decompress video and conuol signals. The set tap 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 exarrrples of such a display.
WO 9411425: P~TItiS93lllbts a~
Although a single digital compression standard (e.g..
MPEG, may be used for both the program delivery system 200 and the concatenated eable system 210, the compression technique used may differ between the two systems. When 8 the compression standards differ between the two aaedta, the signais 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 u°ansmit the signals to the set top terminal 220, rwhich 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 subsrsiber Interface is a device with buttons located on the set top terminal 220 or on ~ a portable remote control . In the preferred system embodiment, the subscriber interface is a combined alpha-character. numeric and iconic reazote control device 1300, which provides direct or menu-driven program access. T'hc preferred subscriber interface also contains cursor movement and go buttons as well as sipha.
numeric and iconic buttons. This subscriber interface and menu arrangement enables the subscriber to sequence through menus by choosing from among srveral menu options that are displayed on Lhe teltvision screen. In addition. a user may bypass several menu screens and immediately choose a program by selecting the appropriate alpha-character, nuaseric or iconic combinations on the subscriber interface. In the preferred embodiment. tire stt top terminal 22o generates the menus that are displayed on the television by ereating sways of particular iaenu templates. and the set W~ 91t1~t2S: PCT'IUS93I116If top terminal 220 displays a specific menu or submenu option for each available video signal.
3. Ooerat~ ions C~,nttf and D ,g tai ~omp~~essfon 1'he operations center 202 performs two primary services, packaging television programs and generating the program control information signal. At the operations center 202. television prograaas are received from external program 10 sources tai both analog and digital form. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the operations center receiving signals from various external sources ~2i2. F,acamptcs of the external program saurces are sporting events, children's programs.
specialty channels. news or any other prograaz source that 15 can provide audio or visual signals. Once the programs are reeeived from the external program sources, the operations center 202 digitizes (and preferably compresses3 any program signals received in analog forza. 'The operations center 202 may also maintain an internal storage of prod.
The internally stored programs may be in analog or digital form and stored on permanent or volatile alemory sources.
including magnetic tape or RAHI. 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 Mme programs into different categories and menus for weekday.
prime-time viewing and Saturday aRernoon viewing. ,~Iso. the operations center 202 packages Lhe television pro s in a manner that enables both the various aaenus to easily represent the programs and tht subscribers to easily access the prograans through the menus.
w't3 91I1~: PC"ti9;S93~i161E
The packaging of the digital signals is typically performed at the operations center 202 by computer assisted packaging equipment iCAF'l. The CAP system noriaally includes at least one computer anonitor. keyboard. aaouse.
and standard video editing equipment. A programmer packages the signals by entering certain information into the CAP. This inforzaation includes the date, time slot, and program category of the various programs. The programmer .
and the CAP utilize demographic data and ratings in IO 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 t3~e C~1P, can select the price and allocate transponder space for the various programs. After the I5 process is complete. the CAP displays draft atenus or program schedules that correspond to the entries of the programmer. The CAP may also graphically display allocation of transpondez space. 'Ihe programmer may edit the menus and transponder allocation several lilacs until satisfied with 20 the prograiaming schedule. I3ut°ing the editing, the programmer may direct the exact location of any program name on a menu ~rith s>,niple commands to the CAF'.
The packaging process also accounts for any groupings by satellite transponder which are necessary. The operations 2 5 center 202 may send different groups of progranns to different cable headends 208 and/or set top terminals 220.
One way the operations center 202 easy accomplish this task is to scald different program packages to each transponder.
>rach transponder. or set of transponders, then zeiays a 30 specific program paclca;ge to specific cable headends 208 and/or set top termina3s 220. The allocation of transponder 'H~°O 911142EI lL;S93r1161E
space is an important task performed by the operations center 202.
The operations center 202 may also 'insert' directions for filling local available program ume in the packaged signal 5 to enable local cable and television companies to fill the program time with local advertising and/or local programming. Consequently. the Iocal cable headends 208 are not constrained to Shaw only programs transmitted from the operations center 202. Nes~r set top converters will 10 incorporate both digital and analog channels. Therefore, the cable headend 208 may. cambine analog signals with the digital signals prior to transmitting the program signals to the set top terminals 220.
After the CA,p packages the programs, it creates a 15 program control information signal to be delivered with the program package to the cable headend 208 and/or set top terminal 220. The program eontrol Information signal contains a description of the contents of the program package. commands to be sent to the cable headend 208 20 andlor set top termina3 220, and other information reIevas~t to the signal transiaission.
In addition to packaging the signet, the operations center 202 employs digital compression techniques to increase existing satellite transponder capacity by at least a 25 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 f~r the system.
The algorithms generally use one or more of three basic 30 digital compression techniques: tl) vaithin-frame tintraframel compression, L2l trame~to-frame (interframeD compression.
and i3) arithin Barrier compression. Specifically. in the 1~'O 94I14ZS= PC'fitlS93llldla preferred embodiment, the I~PEG 2 compression method is used. After digital compression, the signals are combined (multiplexed) and encoded. The combined signal is subsequently transiaitted to various uplink sites 204.
?here may be a single uplfnk site 214 or multiple uplink sites (represented by 204', shown in phantom in Figure 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 Lhe uplink sites 204, the signal may be multiplexed with other signals.
modulated, upconvertcd and amplified for transmission over satellite. lViultiple cable headends 20~ may receive such transmissions.
In addition to multiple uplinks, the delivery system 200 may also contain multiple operations centers. ?he 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 elliciently.
2 5 4. ,~a~ls"~ ~3.s~.sjsnsi 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 wo gums: i~°rrus~3n~s~a 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 5 cable headend 208 performs taro 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 10 receiving ~nfor~nauor~ from each set top terminal 220 and passing such information on to information gathering site such as the operations center 202.
Figure 3 shops an embodiment where the cable headend 208 and the subscriber's hoaae sore linked by eertaitz 15 communications media 218. In this particular erabodiraent.
analog signals, digitally compressed signals. other digital signals and up-stream/interactivity signals are sent and received over the a:edia 21fi. Tha cable beadend 208 provides such signaling capabilities in its dual roles as a signal 20 processor 209 and net~cvork controller 2I~.
~s 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 25 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 30 program signals from the operations center 202 in various manners to accommodate different viewers. ~"he signal processor 209 may also incorporate local programming 6Y0 lln~ PCTNS'93illfl3 and/or local advertisements into the program signal and foravard the revised signal to the set top terminals 220. To accommodate this local progr g availability, the signal processor 249 must combine !he local signal in digital ~r 5 analog form with the operations center program signals. If _ the local cable system uses a compressian 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 i Q transmission to the set top terminals 220. This process becomes less important as standards develop ~i.e.. MPEG 21.
In addition, the signal processar 209 perforans y necessary signal decryption and/or encryption.
As a network controller 214, the cable headend 208 15 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 2Z0 and process signals received from the set top terminals 220. In Lhe preferred embodiment, the network controller 214 20 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 214 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 214 rwsll be stored In RAM within each subscriber's set top terminal 2Z0 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 C
w~ a2a: ~c°rros~3m6~a coanple~e inforgnatlon on all programs waiclned using s particular sei iop terminal 220.
iY0 l4J112a: l'CTNS93Il1d18 also contain stereolaudio output terminals and a satellite dish . input port.
Functionally. the set top terminal 220 is the last component in the delivery system chain. T'he sct 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 deaiuliiplexed.
decompressed. converted to analog signals (if necessary) and either placed in local storage Efrom which the menu template rnay 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 anenu templates for storage. F,ach menu template may be stored in volatile memory in the set top terminal 220. ~Vhtn the set top terminal receives template inforaaation it demuliiplexes the program control signals received from the eable headend 208 into four primary parts: video, graphics.
program logic and teact. Bach 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 teazplates may be deleted or altered using control CA 02445176 2003-10-28 - ._ wo xui~ i~rnrs~3nmis signals received fram the operatians center 202 or cable headend 208. ' Once the menu templates have been stored in memory.
the set top i 220 can generate the appropriate 8xerrus.
In the preferred embodiment. the basic menu format , information is stored in memary located vpfthln the set top terminal 220 so that the micropracessor 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 d Lhe other menu information stored in taaemory. 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 tap terminal 220 determents on which channel the program is being shaven. demultiplexes and extracts the single channel transmitted from the cable headend 208. The set top terminal 220 then deeompresses the c el 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 prograan signal, but this would unnecessarily add to the cost of the unit since a subscriber vrill genezahy only vte°w one program at a time. However, two or three decompressors may be desirable to prowid,e picture-on-picture capability, cantrol signal decompression. enhanced channel switching or like features.
In addition to menu information, the set top terminal 220 may also store tent taansra~itted from the cable lleadend 208 or the operations center 202. ?he text may inform the subscriber about upe~ming events, billing and account status.
w~ ~uius: rvs~3rnsta new subscriptions. or other relerrant er~for9nauor~. The text will be stored in an appropriate raaemory location depending on the frequency and the dura~lon of the use of tht textual wo s~na~ n~3nm'a minor menus by oursor or ~pha-ch star accessd There are two ~if,~fer~r~t typts o~ ratraus a ed by the wo sorm pcrn~ss3~'isn 2?
advertisements from the cable provider, or other types of messages. In addition, the lniroductory menu can inform the subscriber if the cable headend 20S has sent a personal message to the subscriber's particular set top terminal 220.
!~3'ter the Introductory menu has been displayed the subscriber iaay advance to the next level of menus. naiaely the lio~ne 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 Lhe remote control 9~0, or the subscriber may sequence through incremental levels of menu options starting from the ~iouie menu. The Home menu lists categories that correspond to the gust level of menus called Mayor 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 2o the 1~iome menu. The Mayor menus further refine a subscriber°s search and help guide the subscriber to the selection of his ehaiee.
From, the Mayor 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 Mayor mtnu, each successive level of Submenus further refines the subscriber's search. 'Ihe system also enables the subscriber to skip certain menus or submenus and directly access a specific 3o menu or television program by entering the appropriate commands on the remote control 1~0.
W~ 9<d142S: /tJS~3dllili option to display a Hidden Menu. 'ihe Hidden M:encts contain options that are relevant to the program selected by the viewer. For example, a Hidden A~enu may contain options that enable a subscriber to enter interactive mode or telephone connections, satellite or pexsonal ccmrnun9cauons 30 network (PCN).
Figure 3 shows the set top terminal 220 recelving the signals from the cable haeadend 208 and manipulating them w~ ~utta: PC°rrUS93riisia for the subscriber. The set top terminal 220 is equipped with local computer memo:y and the capability of interpreting the digitally compressed signal to produee menus for the subscriber. The remote control 900 5 communicates the subscriber's selections to the set top terminal 220. The subscriber's selections are generally based upon r~acnus or other prompts displayed on the television screen.
2. I?rg~ram Contr~
1 ~ ~"he program control inforrnatlon 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 eonfiguration, this data is sent directly to the set top terminal 220 for display to the 15 subscriber. In the preferred embodiment, the program control information signal is stored and modified by the network controller 21~ and sent to the set top terminal 220 in the form of a set top terminal control information stream iSTTCIS). The set top terminal 220 integrates either the 20 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 the programs for display.
Throughout this descriptian the term 'program. control 25 information' is being used to indicate control information coming from the cable headend 205 to the set top terminal 220, whether it is sent directly from the operations center 202, processed by the network controller 21 ~ and then forwarded to the set top box (STTCIS), or transmitted over 30 telephone Iinea.
a types of information that can be sent using the program control signal include: number of program ~~nl~is categories. naaaes of program categories, the channels assigned to a specific category isuch as specialty clsaanels~.
namrs of channels, names of programs on each channel.
program start times, length of programs, description of prograars, menu assignment for each program, prieing.
whether there is a sample video clip for ad~ertlse~aent for the program, and any other program, menu or produet information.
In this simple ertabcdiment, the program eontrol I O information. including these menu codes. is sent continuously from the operations center 202 to the nettvork controller 214. and ultimately to the set top terminal 220. l:'or example.
four hours worth of programming inf~rmatian c:an be sent via the program control information signal continuously as shown I 5 in Table A.
wo suius= - t~nos93mgga TAB A
ZZ PyI
a~ame a~o ism'Ie n e~ nesa on eels '3 $4 erassnstos ~ x rime ime oot a S edal 1~9o r~
Mme I ~d~n a Daai oa '~Yldeo lm sons ~ I
0 o t a . ~f3""
2 0 Game Table A shows the baste pro g information that may be sent by the set top t ~ 220. The program descriptions shown are coded abbreviations. For example. C
for comedy. N for news. S for sports. A for cartoons, and TX
for tent. If there is a textual description for a program, such as a movie, the description may be given foilo~ring that prograan's coded description or may be communicated following the four hours' worth of pro g information.
As is shown in the coded listing, program descriptions for programs greater than a half hour in length need not be repeated (each half hour,. The video description code informs the set top terminal 22C! of whether there is still or five video available to advertise the pmg~am.
wo Xmas ~t-rtuss3msia For example. a sporting program may be assigned a code of 835-O10I94-1600-3.25-Michigan St. vs. ~DSC. ~e letter H would assign the program to category H. sports. The second alpha-nuaierlc character number 3 would sssign the program to the third onenu of the sports category. Zhe third character of the code, number 5, assigns the pro to the fifth program slot on the third menu. 'The next six characters, O110I194, represent the date. ?he following four characters. 1600 represent the start time which is followed by the length of tht program and the program name. This entry represents a sports- show, a college foatball game.
which wiv be aired at 4:00P2vi on New Years day 1394.
In the 12:30 Channel 1 entry of ?able ~. twa menu codes are shown. By allowing two menu codes. progxarns that array fit under two different category descriptions away be shown in both menus to the subscriber. With this amount of Information being communicated to the set top terminal 220 on a regular basis, the terminal is able to determine the proper menu location for each program and the proper time and channel to activate for the subscriber after his menu selection.
Table H shows an example Events Table that may be downloaded to a set top terminal 220 using an Event Data file which contains information about events and pridng.
shown in Table >3. the three columns of the Events ?able identify the field number, the field itself and the type of information downloaded in the Event Data file. The first column contains the Geld numbers 1 through 11. 'The middle column contains the corresponding field parameters.
including the event type, event ID. global channel ID, price.
start time. end time. start date, end date. P~ icon, name and description. The third column contains corresponding field WO'94114?,~: PCTlt1S931I1613 type information. Field type information typically consists of an unsigned integer; hours. minutes and seconds: ~rronths.
day and ;year: and l~SCII character identifier.
~ie~c~~i ~~~r i 1 Event Unsigned Type Int I = YCPV
2 $ PayPtt ~liew 3 Rt . TV
I0 Z Event 1D Unsi ed Int 3 Global Charui 1D Unsi ed int 4 Price tin Cents? Unsi ned lnt 5 Start Time HH:M M:SS
fi End Time H13:MM:SS
I5 ? Date MM/DD/YY
8 End Date Ivrilvi/DD/YY
9 P-icon ASCIIZ
10 Name ASCI1Z
lI Descri lion ASCIIZ
Talsie C
shows an example .'vent Data file.
In particular.
Table C
shows two data streams corresponding to taro event types.
The first data stream identifies an event in the Srst field.
The second field designates the event ID, which is in 25 this example.
The third field includes the global channel iD
somber two.
The fourth field indicates the cost of cents far Ibis event.
The fifth and sixth fields indicate the respective start and end times of 3:00 AM
to 3:00 PM.
respectively.
The seventh and eighth fields :how the 30 corresponding start and end dates, designated as j25/93 and 8/2'~jJ3, respectively.
Field nine indicates the P-loon set to a graphics file.
Finally.
fields ten and eleven indicate the name and description of the event selected, mhich in this case is dame StreeiT~
and ~~.
The second data 35 stream in the Event Data example shovm irr Table C
includes analogous information for for ",~T~, which !s designated in 5eld one as a pay-per-view tvent.
W0 ~~ ~C'1'ItTSl3IlIils The program control information signal (and S'I'hClS) 1 ~ can be formatted in a variety of ways and the on-screen menus can bt produced in many different wrys. For instance.
if the program contral informauon signal carries no menu format informauon, the menu format for creating the menus can be fixed in ROM ai the set top terminal. 'Ibis method 1 ~ allows the program control information signal to carry less information but has the Ieasi flexibility since the menu formats can not be changed without physically swapping the ROM.
In order to limit the amount of bandaridth needed to 20 transmit the program control information signal. various compression techniques employed for non-video may be used such as block coding. contour coding, blob encoding, and run-length encoding. Further, the program control inforrnauon signal may contain data divided ;into text and 3~ graphics. or video, text and graphics and then recombined at the set top terminal 2~ using a text generatar, graphics decompressor, and video decompressor as neceacsary.
Preferably the menu driven program selection system.
allows the subscriber to choose a program by touring through 30 a series of menus utilizing the remote control 900 for cursor movement. The final chaiee in the series of menus will identify one particular channel and one time for activauan of that channel. With a channel and activation time, the set top terminal 220 can display the selected program on the 33 television for the viewer. To achieve this goal, a simple WO l4llttE~: 1'CTIt»3111f18 Program accrss information identifying tech program watched by the viewer is stored at each set top terminal 220 until the terminal 220 is polled by thr network eontrolltr 214 for information retrieval. °This infosmat3on tssn be accomplished by using a polling request message format 920 as shown in Figure 4a. "Ibis fraare forflaat 920 consists of s!x fields, namely: (1) a leading flag 922 at thr be,giztraing of the message, f2) an address find 924. t3) a subscriber region designation 92fi. (4) a set top terminal identifier 923 that includes a polling command/response (or PlF) bit 930. t5) an information field 932, and (6) a trailing flag 934 at the end of the message.
The eight-bit slag sequence 922 that appears at the beginning and end of a frame is used to establish and 13 matntatn synchronization. Such a sequence typically consists of a °O1I11110' bit-stream. The address field 924 designates a 4-bit address for a givers set top trrminal 220.
The subscriber region designation 928 is a 4-bit field that indicates the geographical region in which the subscriber's set tap terminal is housed. The set top trrminal ideatifier 928 is a I6-bit field that uniquely identifies tech set top terminal with a 15-bit designation followed by an appended P/F bit 930. Although field size is providrd by this example. a variety of sizes can be usr_d with the present invention.
?he P/F bit 930 is used to command a polling response from the set top terminal 220 addressed. as described below.
The frame format 920 also provides a variable-length information field 932 for other data transmissions, such as information on system updates. The flame format 920 ends with an 8-bit flag for trailing #lag 934) that is identical in format to the leading flag 922, as set for23~ above. ether WO !1lI4Z8: PC'ftTJS931II6i$
3' frame formats will be apparent to ane skilled in the art and earl be easily adapted for use with the sysurn.
i~slng any such polling request message format. the networ3~ controller 214 interrogates each set top terminal 220. °1°he sei top terminals 220 are identified by a unique address and set top terminal identifier. It !s preferred that the set top terminal 220 transanits information and messages to the network controller 2I4 only when given permission by the netwvork controller 214.
Where. for example. specialty programs have been accessed since the previous poll. the set top ttrminal 220 !s given permission to transmit a~ polllr~g response 920 tn the iorm of a status report that W eludes any such access information. these status reports generally include information Thai allows the network controller 214 to tr ck a subscriber s program access history.
Figure 4b shows an example of frame format 920' for the status reports received from the set tap tera~irtals 220 during the polling cyele. This frame format is identical to the polling request message format 920 and is similarly numbered.
The information Seld 932 remains variable in length so that the status of an indeterminate number of programs. e.g..
programs 1-N indicated generally at 929, accessed caa be included in the iraaae. after a polling response 920' by a given set top terminal 220. the control message lenrgth Increases in proportion to the numbar of programs act:esse~d.
During transmisstoa, the h/F bit g30 !s used to carry out the polling function. In parucutar. the P/F bit 930 is set to a '1' position to coarmand a polling response from the set top terminal 220 whose address !s Identified in the fr:me.
Tlae response will include the number of prograazs accessed wo ~na=a: »rrvss~nms 3s and their corresponding event identification numbers as shown at 929 in Figure 4b. In cases where the set top terminal 220 has not accessed any programs since the previous polling cycle, the set top tsrmtnal 220 respond: -S with the P!F bit 93~ set to ~1' and the programs access block denoting zero programs accessed.
In between polling cycles, the program control information continues to supply the set top tertainals with menu information. In the simplest embodiment, the menus remain fixed and only the text changes. Thus, the program cantrol information signs! , can be limited to primarily text and a text generator can be employed in the set top terminal 220. This simple embodiment keeps the cost of the set top terminal 220 low and limits the bandwidth necessary for the I5 program control information. Another simple exabodiment uses a separate channel full-time tlarge bandwidth)'ust far the menu information.
4. ndin tional Vidrc~
As wlll be described later, live video signals may be used in windows of eertain aaenus. These video signals can be transmitted using the program control information signal or can be taken off channels being transmitted simultaneously with the menu display. It the video signal is taken off a channel, less information needs to be transmitted using t&e 2 S program control information signal. i~Vhile using this technique requires that separate decompression hardware be used for the program control information and the ehanntl earrying the video. this embodiment allows for the greatest flexibility in the system and is preferred. .~ separate decomgressor also assists in assuring that the switch from menus to television programming is smooth and without any significant time delay.
' wo ~nnar rrr~ss3nm~a '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 ehannel and scaled to size. and (3) along with tile program control information signal. ~owev~er. in the preferred embodiment, a number of short promos or demo video are sent using a split sereen technique on a dedicated channel as described later.
5. ; ~et °1'op T'e Figure Sa shows a basic block of the hardware components of a digital compression set top terminal 220.
The set top terminal 220 has a decryptor 600. tuner 603.
digital demodulator 606. and demultlpltxcra 609. 616 as well as audio equipment 612. 614. ~l,so shown in 5a is a remote control interface 626 for receiving and processing 1 ~ signals frown a remote control unit . modem 627 is provided for allowing communication between a microprocessor 602 and the cable headend 206 abut not shown in Figure 3a). An NTSC encoder 625 provides an Nl'SC 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. ~lae various program instructions for accessing menus and perforaaing other functions are described below.
The manner In Which the video is decompressed and the menus are generated from the program control signsl varies depending on the specific embodiment of the invention. gIowever, at a minimum, ont video decompressor 618 capable of decompressing one video signal will be used.
Basic menu format infoarmation may be stored in a graphics memory 628 comprising RAM. non-volatile FOAM. EPROM.
WO 9dlldls: PfTTlUS9311161~
compressed. Hovrever, other methods of compressing graphics known by those skilled in the art may be used with the present invention.
The generated menus and video are combined !n the video combiner 515 and output to an anti-taping encoder 619. .A.ny method of anti-taping encoding known by those skilled in the art may be uscd with the present invention.
Figures Sa and 6b show frant and back views respectively for the preferred embodiment of the set top terminal 220. The front panel of the set top terminal 220 includes an infrared sensor 63~ and a series of LEIS displays 640. ~'hese LED displays 6.40 may indicate with an icon or a letter (e.g., A-K) the mayor menu currently selected by the set top terminal 220 or the channels selected directly by a user.
yr mcnu channel selections (e.g.. from 1 to 5~). This vfsual display will remain lit while the subscriber is watching (or listening to) programming within a major menu.
LEDs 640 are preferably provided to indicate a decompression error, a processing error, or other error.
2 0 Text messages may be displayed on LEDs. During the normal functioning of the set top terminal 220. the 1.ED display fi40 can be customized by the user to display the time. the program channel. VCR activation or other pertinent information. Further displays away include current channel. tiaae, voluiae level. sleep tlrne. parental lock isecurity), account balance. use of a hardware upgrade.
second channel being recorded by VCR use of the L~.wel D
music hardware upgrade in a separate room, and any other displays useful to a subscriber to indicate the current status of 3 ~ the set top terminal 220.
The LEI9s 640 may also provide an Indication of the dfgital audio channel currently tuned. kith this display 6V0 9~11~47~,? PCTlUS93llI6li feature, subscribers may use the digital audit feature without activating the teic~risian screed. The signal source and output selected (e.g., a subscriber's separate audio system, a 'VCR
etc.) away be displayed. Although LEDs are preferred, the set 5 top terminal 220 slay also use a CkT, hCDs, or other display technology.
The set top terminal 220 includes a Mapped opening 635 on its front that allows the insertion of a magnetic cartridge (or similar portable storage de~rice, including 10 optical disk. ROM. EPROM, etc.. not shownl. This opening 635 allows the set top ,terminal 220 to be upgraded or reprogrammed locally with the use of the applicable magneue or optical storage device.
On the top or cover of the set top teraainal 220 are 15 pushbutton controls 645. Preferably three pushbutton controls 645 duplicate the two-part alpha-iconic rtmote control 900. Any function that can be performed on the remote 900 lxsay also be perfor$ued at the set top terminal 220 using the duplicative pushbutton controls 645.
20 Figure 6b shows the back of the set top terminal 220 which includes the input/output ports of the terminal 220.
The input/output ports include a pair of output terminals 650. a pair of input terasvnals 652. a pair off sterea/audio output terminals 654. a satellite dish Input port 65fi, a 25 telephone jack 658 and an RS422 port 66~. One of the output tennirrals 650 is for a television and the other is for a VCR. The set top terminal 22~ is equipped to handle incoming signals on one or two cables using the input terminal 652. The phone jack 65fi and RS~232 or R.S-422 30 port 660 are provided for maintenance, trauble shouting.
reprograaaming and additional customer features. In alternate embodiments, the telephone jack 658 may be used WO 94/14~Z8: $~TIUS93111615 Level ~ digital radio tuner for separate room use, and (5) hovel E information download unit. Each of these upgrades can be connected to the set top terminal 220 unit through the upgrade port 682.
The memory in the set top terminal is used to store the graphical and textual components of menus. Specifically.
background. logo. menu display. and cursor graphical files are stored, as well as long term, intermediate, and short term text.
Z 0 l.adsting 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 eonvertez technology.
reprogramming and additional customer features. The set ' 10 top terminal rn ay contain sterto/audio output terminals and a satellite dish input port.
F'unctlonally. the set top terminal is the last component in the delivery system chain. In thr preferred embodiment.
the set top terminal receives compressed program and 15 control signals from the cable headend (or, in some cases.
directly from the operauons center). After the set top terminal receives the individually compressed program and control signals. the signals are demultiplaced, decompressed.
converted to analog signals (!f necessary) and either placed in 20 local storage (from which the -menu template may be created). executed lmtaediately. ar sent directly to the television screen.
after processing certain signals received from the cable headend, the set top terminal is able to store an array of 25 menu tempIate3 for creating memos that are displayed on a subscriber's television. Menu templates are created and sent to the set top terminal far storage. A microprocessor uses the control signals received frog' the operatsons center ar cable headend to generate the menu templates for storage.
3D Each aaenu template is stored in volatile memory in the set top terinlnal. When the set top terminal receives template inforynailon it may demultiplex the program control signals w~ ~ejaus: a~ws~3~nsaa received from the cable headend int~ three primary parts:
video, graphics and text. each menu template represents a different portion of a whole menu. such as a menu background. television logo, cursar highlight overlay, or other S aniscellaneous companents needed to build a menu. The menu templates may be dtleted or altered using control signals received from the operations center or cable headend.
once the menu templates have been stored in memory.
the set top terminal can generate the appropriate menus. In I Q the preferred embodiment, the basic menu format infarmation is stored in meaaory located within the set top terminal so that the microprocessor may locally access the information from the set Lop terminal instead of from an incoming signal. The microprocessor next generates the 1 S appropriate menus from the menu templates and the ocher menu information stortd in memory. The xet tap terminal then displays specific menus an the subscriber s television screen that correspond to the inputs the subscriber xlects.
If the subscriber selects a specific program from a menu, the 20 set top terminal determines on which channel the program is being shown. demultiplexes and extracts the single channel uansmitted from the cable headcnd.
In additian to menu ir:farmation. the get top terminal may also stare teact transmitted frnm the cable headend or 25 the operations eenier. ?he tent tnay inform the Eubscraber about upeoming events. billing and account status. new subscriptions. or other relevant infarmation. The tc~et will be stored in an appraprsate memory location depending on the frequency and Lt~e duration of the use of the textual message.
30 The get top terminal can also support on-line data base services. interactive mufti-media services. access t~ digital radio channels, grad other services.
In the simplest embodiment, available converter boxes such as those manufactured by general Instruments or Scientif c Atlanta, may be modified and upgraded to perform the functions of a set top terminal. The preferred upgrade is a circuit card with a microprocessor which is electronically connected to the converter box.
Accordingly, in one of its aspects, the present invention provides a card for increasing the functionality of a set top converter for use with a program delivery system providing program control information, wherein the card generates menus using the program control information and menu generation instructions, the card comprising instruction memory means for storing menu generation instructions; menu memory means for storing the program control information; a processor, connected to the instruction memory, for executing the menu generation instructions stored in the instruction memory means; means, connected to the processor and menu memory, for generating menus using the stored program control information and ezecuted menu generation instructions; and means, connected to the menu generation means, for communicating the generated menus to the set top converter.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for generating a menu with video for use with a set top terminal in a program delivery system with menu selection of programs from a plurality of individual menus, using a program signal with split screen video channel, comprising the steps of: choosing a split screen video channel from the program signal; decompressing the split screen channel of the program signal; selecting the desired portion of 8a video on the split screen channel; creating a mask of all the portions of the split screen channel which are not selected; overlaying the mask on the split screen video channel; overlaying menu graphic information on the masking; overlaying text information on the graphics and marking; and displaying the overlays as a menu.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for generating a menu with video for use with a set top terminal in a program delivery system with menu selection of programs from a plurality of individual menus, using a program signal with split screen video channel, comprising: means for choosing a split screen video channel from the program signal; decompressing the split screen channel of the program signal; selecting the desired portion of video on the split screen channel;
creating a mask of all the portions of the split screen channel which are not selected; means for overlaying the mask o~n the split screen video channel; means for overlaying menu graphic information on the masking;
means for overlaying text information on the graphics and masking; and means for displaying the overlays as a menu.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a method of delivering television programs for viewing comprising the steps of: (a) sending a program more than once, wherein start times are staggered; (b) receiving a request for said program from a subscriber; (c) processing said received request; (d) locating one sent program with an available start time; and (e) authorizing viewing of said located sent program.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a set top terminal with executable instructions for use wrath a program delivery system with menu selection of programs from a plurality of menus, using a combined signal including compressed video and program control information signal with program identities, the menus including an introductory menu, a home menu, major menus, and submenus, comprising: means for receiving the combined. signal including the compressed video and the program control Information signal far processing; a demultiplexer means for demultiplexing the received signal 8b into compressed video and into the program control information signal;
an instruction memory which stores executable instructions; means, operably connected to the demultiplexer and instruction memory, for generating menus including an introductory menu, a home menu, at least one major menu, and at least one submenu using the program identities of the program control information signal wherein the submenus include program identities, and wherein the generating means builds the menus;
means, connected to the generating means, for sequencing between menus, including sequencing between the introductory menu, home menu, major menus, and submenus using the executable instructions;
means for selecting a program identity from a submenu; and a video decompressor means coupled to the demultiplexer for decompressing the compressed video wherein the decompressed video corresponds to the program identity selected from the submenu.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus with executable instructions for use with a program delivery system with menu selection of programs from a plurality of menus, using a program control information signal containing program identities, a cursor movement button and a go button, the apparatus comprising: means for receiving the program control information signal; an instruction memory for storing executable instructions; means, connected to the instruction memory and receiving means, for generating menus including an introductory menu, a home menu, at least one major menu, and at least one submenu containing program identities, using the stored executable instructions and the program identities contained in the program control information signal, wherein the generating means creates a movable cursor overlay for overlaying the program identities on the submenu, and wherein the generating means builds the menus; means, connected to the generating means, for selecting a program comprising: a user interface means including a cursor movement button and a go button; means, electronically connected to the user interface means, for sequencing between menus, including sequencing between the home menu, major gC
menu, and submenu; and means for selecting a. program from a submenu by moving the cursor overlay with the cursor movement button to overlay a program identity and depressing the go button.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a method of sequencing menus on a television screen for selecting television programs in a program delivery system with set top terminal menu generation, where the set top terminal receives packaged television programs including program control information, the menus generated by the set top terminal including an introductory menu, a home menu, a major menu, a subrnenu, and an overlay menu, comprising the steps of:
determining if a packaged program signal is being received by the set top terminal; generating and displaying an introductory menu; awaiting subscriber key entry; determining whether to decompress a packaged video signal or display a menu, generating and displaying the menus including at least one home menu, major menu, submenu for a subcategory, program list submenu, program description submenu, or confirmation submenu to confirm the packaged program selected, wherein the generated menus are built; decompressing the selected packaged program video; decompressing the selected packaged program audio; generating the overlay menu; combining the decompressed video and the overlay menu in a combiner; displaying the combined video and the overlay menu.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for overlaying a menu over video for display of an overlay menu on a television, wherein the method is used with a set top terminal with menu generation and program control information, comprising the steps of:
acquiring a video signal for display of video; generating an overlay menu signal to display the overlay menu using the program control signal, wherein the overlay menu comprises programming options, including access to additional video for viewing; combining the video signal and the overlay menu signal; displaying the combined video and overlay menu;
8d and wherein the step of generating an overlay menu includes the step of generating a graphic for inclusion into the overlay menu signal.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a method for overlaying a menu over video for display on a television screen, comprising the steps of: acquiring a video signal for display of video;
generating an overlay menu signal to display an overlay menu; scaling the video so that the video fills a first portion of a screen; combining the video signal and the overlay menu signal, wherein the video and overlay menu are combined; and displaying the combined video and overlay menu, wherein the overlay menu fills a second portion of the screen.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a system for graphically accessing television programming, comprising: a graphical display for displaying programming options on a screen, including a video window for displaying motion video; and a remote control unit for selecting the programming options through cursor movement and button selection.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a method for displaying an overlay menu with a program on a television, comprising the steps of: displaying the program on the television; and producing an overlay menu so that the displayed program and the overlay menu are displayed simultaneously, wherein the overlay menu comprises programming options, including access to additional programming for viewing.
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 allow subscribers to select a program from among hundreds of choices without a television viewing guide.
It is an objection of this invention to efficiently access hundreds of television programming options.
8e It is an object of this invention to provide are upgrade capability allowing the use of existing set top converter technology in an advanced program delivery system.
It is an object of this invention to upgrade the functionality of existing set top converters.
It is an object of this invention t~~ provide an upstream communications capability between the set tap 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 provide a way to select a program from a menu with the push of one button.
It is an object of this invention to provide pay-per-view type program access in the same system as specialty channel and broadcast television access.
e~~~ ~us~a° 1~,1s9~;iasia It !s an object of this invention to allow users to subseribe on-screen to specialty channels.
It is an object of this invention to monftos subscriber viewing choices for statssucal purposes.
It is an object of .this invention to provide on-scrten billing information to subscribers.
It is an object of this invention to provide sophisticated on-sereen television menus which case incorporate gt~l1 video or moving video.
1 D It is an object of thfs invention to provide a set tog terminal eapable of scaling and redirecting video for menus.
It !s an object of this invention to provide a set top terminal capable of using a program signal 'with a split screen video for menus.
°These ana other objects and advantages of the invention will become obvious to thox skilled in the tit upon revie;v of the follovrlng description. the attaehed drawings and appended ~xtms. .
v.
wo ~ma~ i~r.t5~~.a6ta IO
Figure 5b is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the internals of a set top ter~ntnal.
Figure fig is a perspective front view of a set top terminal.
Figure 6b is a perspective rear view of a set top tee.
Figure 7 is a schematic of the basic components of the 'ilubo Card.
Figure 8 shows the basic structure of the program 1 ~ menu system of the present invention.
Figure 9a is a drawing of the basic menus used in the present invention. including the ten ma'or menus represented by icons.
Figure 9b is a drawing of additianal :genus used in a I 5 preferred embodiment iin additson to Figure 9aD.
Figure I~ is a drawing of a flow chart shoroving the steps required for the microprocessor to sequence pro menus.
Figures lla, lib and IIc depiet an alternative approach to the sequencing of menus.
20 Figures lag~12h depict the program flaw of a Turbo card upgrade for an easisttng set top convtrter box.
Figure 13 depicts as introductory mean.
Figure I4 depicts a home menu display screen.
Figure 15 depicts an alternative home menu screen.
Z5 Figure I6 depicts a ma'or menu for the hit movies category.
Figure I7 depicts a hit movie description arer~u.
Figures 18 depicgs s hit movie ronflrmation submenu.
Figures 19 depicts a hit movie nati8cation submenu.
30 Figure ~4a is a drawing of a hit movie escape during progra~a menu.
wo s~rl~a: rws93~nsia Figure 20b is a drawing of a hit movie during program hidden menu.
Figure 20c is a drawing of a hit movie re-entry menu.
Figure 21 is a wing of a movie library mayor menu.
Figures 22a-22e depict a ical menu sequence of the present invention.
Figures 23 and 24 depict a specialty ehannel major menu and a related submenu.
Figure 25 is a drawing of a magazine channel major 1 tJ menu.
Figure 2f is a drawing of a doeumentazy/news subcategory mtnu.
Figure 2~'a is a drawing of storage for on~srseen menu templates stored in graphics memory of the set top terminal.
Figure 27b is a drawing showing the hierarchical storage of text for the set top t Figure 27c is a drawing of a flow chart showing the steps required for the microprocessor to retrieve, combtnr and display a menu.
Figures 23a~g and 29a-g show how menus are generated by the xt top terminal.
Figure 30 depicts a spIit~screen technique for use with the present invention.
DET~~~D DEQG~~01~1 D~ Tip ~RE'1~1~'a'~"~
f~BSt~i~Lt A Tel~viaion l~raara_tn D~lv~,y Svstern Desr~rio ion 1.
Figure 1 shows the present invention as part of an expanded cable television program delivery systeaa~ 200 that dramatically increases programming capacity using compressed transmission of telev~_lon program signals.
w~ s~tus: rl,PS93n,s'a Developments in digital bandwidth compression teehnology now allow much greater throughput of television program signals over existing or slightly modified transmission media.
The program delivery system 200 shown provides subsrxibtrs with a user friendly interface to operate aaad exploit a six-fold or more increase in current program delivery capability.
Subscribers are able to access an expanded television program package and vie~r 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 ieonic 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 fram memory acrd 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 ong menu to the ne~ct. In this fashion, the subscriber can sequence the menus and select a program from any Given menu. "fhe programs are grouped by category so that similar program offerings are found on the same menu.
2. aier vst~m Ce~m~i Irr its most basic form, the system uses a program delivery system ~~~ in con)uncilon with a conventional Z 5 concatenated cable television system 210. 'The program delivery system 2~0 generally includes ti) at least one operations center X02, where prow packaging and control information are created and tlzemm assembled in the form of digtta~l data. (ity a digital compression system. where the 3~ digital data is compressed. combined~multiplexed. encoded.
and mapped into digital signals for satellite transmission to the cable headend X08, and (iii) a set of in-home i H: 0 9dl 1,I~E- I'C'T t~ 59311161 ~
decompressors. The program delivery system 200 transports the digita.i signals to the cable headend 208 where the signals are transmitted through a concatenated cable television system 210. i~Vfthin the cable headend 208. the received signals rnay be decoded. demultipleaced, managed by a local central distribution and switching mechanism. co~abined and then transmitted to the set top terminal 220 located in eaeh 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 netwarks, fiberoptics. Personal Cemmunicatton Networks and similar technolagy for transmitting to the home can be used interchangeably with this program delivery systesa 200.
The delivery system 200 has a reception region 207 with an in~home decompressian capability. This capability is performed by a decompressor housed within a set top ternlinal 220 in each subscriber's home. The decompressor remains uansparent front the subscriber's point of view and allows any of the caanpressed signals to be demultiplexed and individually e~ctracted from the camposite data stream and then individually decompressed upon selection by the aubscribtr, The decompressed video signals are canverted into analog signals for television display. Such analog signals inelude NTSC formatted signals for use by a standard television. Control signals are liltevvise extracted and decompressed and then either executed immediately or placed in loeal storage such as a . ~Iuitiple sets of decompression hardware may be used to decompress video and conuol signals. The set tap 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 exarrrples of such a display.
WO 9411425: P~TItiS93lllbts a~
Although a single digital compression standard (e.g..
MPEG, may be used for both the program delivery system 200 and the concatenated eable system 210, the compression technique used may differ between the two systems. When 8 the compression standards differ between the two aaedta, the signais 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 u°ansmit the signals to the set top terminal 220, rwhich 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 subsrsiber Interface is a device with buttons located on the set top terminal 220 or on ~ a portable remote control . In the preferred system embodiment, the subscriber interface is a combined alpha-character. numeric and iconic reazote control device 1300, which provides direct or menu-driven program access. T'hc preferred subscriber interface also contains cursor movement and go buttons as well as sipha.
numeric and iconic buttons. This subscriber interface and menu arrangement enables the subscriber to sequence through menus by choosing from among srveral menu options that are displayed on Lhe teltvision screen. In addition. a user may bypass several menu screens and immediately choose a program by selecting the appropriate alpha-character, nuaseric or iconic combinations on the subscriber interface. In the preferred embodiment. tire stt top terminal 22o generates the menus that are displayed on the television by ereating sways of particular iaenu templates. and the set W~ 91t1~t2S: PCT'IUS93I116If top terminal 220 displays a specific menu or submenu option for each available video signal.
3. Ooerat~ ions C~,nttf and D ,g tai ~omp~~essfon 1'he operations center 202 performs two primary services, packaging television programs and generating the program control information signal. At the operations center 202. television prograaas are received from external program 10 sources tai both analog and digital form. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the operations center receiving signals from various external sources ~2i2. F,acamptcs of the external program saurces are sporting events, children's programs.
specialty channels. news or any other prograaz source that 15 can provide audio or visual signals. Once the programs are reeeived from the external program sources, the operations center 202 digitizes (and preferably compresses3 any program signals received in analog forza. 'The operations center 202 may also maintain an internal storage of prod.
The internally stored programs may be in analog or digital form and stored on permanent or volatile alemory sources.
including magnetic tape or RAHI. 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 Mme programs into different categories and menus for weekday.
prime-time viewing and Saturday aRernoon viewing. ,~Iso. the operations center 202 packages Lhe television pro s in a manner that enables both the various aaenus to easily represent the programs and tht subscribers to easily access the prograans through the menus.
w't3 91I1~: PC"ti9;S93~i161E
The packaging of the digital signals is typically performed at the operations center 202 by computer assisted packaging equipment iCAF'l. The CAP system noriaally includes at least one computer anonitor. keyboard. aaouse.
and standard video editing equipment. A programmer packages the signals by entering certain information into the CAP. This inforzaation includes the date, time slot, and program category of the various programs. The programmer .
and the CAP utilize demographic data and ratings in IO 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 t3~e C~1P, can select the price and allocate transponder space for the various programs. After the I5 process is complete. the CAP displays draft atenus or program schedules that correspond to the entries of the programmer. The CAP may also graphically display allocation of transpondez space. 'Ihe programmer may edit the menus and transponder allocation several lilacs until satisfied with 20 the prograiaming schedule. I3ut°ing the editing, the programmer may direct the exact location of any program name on a menu ~rith s>,niple commands to the CAF'.
The packaging process also accounts for any groupings by satellite transponder which are necessary. The operations 2 5 center 202 may send different groups of progranns to different cable headends 208 and/or set top terminals 220.
One way the operations center 202 easy accomplish this task is to scald different program packages to each transponder.
>rach transponder. or set of transponders, then zeiays a 30 specific program paclca;ge to specific cable headends 208 and/or set top termina3s 220. The allocation of transponder 'H~°O 911142EI lL;S93r1161E
space is an important task performed by the operations center 202.
The operations center 202 may also 'insert' directions for filling local available program ume in the packaged signal 5 to enable local cable and television companies to fill the program time with local advertising and/or local programming. Consequently. the Iocal cable headends 208 are not constrained to Shaw only programs transmitted from the operations center 202. Nes~r set top converters will 10 incorporate both digital and analog channels. Therefore, the cable headend 208 may. cambine analog signals with the digital signals prior to transmitting the program signals to the set top terminals 220.
After the CA,p packages the programs, it creates a 15 program control information signal to be delivered with the program package to the cable headend 208 and/or set top terminal 220. The program eontrol Information signal contains a description of the contents of the program package. commands to be sent to the cable headend 208 20 andlor set top termina3 220, and other information reIevas~t to the signal transiaission.
In addition to packaging the signet, the operations center 202 employs digital compression techniques to increase existing satellite transponder capacity by at least a 25 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 f~r the system.
The algorithms generally use one or more of three basic 30 digital compression techniques: tl) vaithin-frame tintraframel compression, L2l trame~to-frame (interframeD compression.
and i3) arithin Barrier compression. Specifically. in the 1~'O 94I14ZS= PC'fitlS93llldla preferred embodiment, the I~PEG 2 compression method is used. After digital compression, the signals are combined (multiplexed) and encoded. The combined signal is subsequently transiaitted to various uplink sites 204.
?here may be a single uplfnk site 214 or multiple uplink sites (represented by 204', shown in phantom in Figure 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 Lhe uplink sites 204, the signal may be multiplexed with other signals.
modulated, upconvertcd and amplified for transmission over satellite. lViultiple cable headends 20~ may receive such transmissions.
In addition to multiple uplinks, the delivery system 200 may also contain multiple operations centers. ?he 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 elliciently.
2 5 4. ,~a~ls"~ ~3.s~.sjsnsi 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 wo gums: i~°rrus~3n~s~a 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 5 cable headend 208 performs taro 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 10 receiving ~nfor~nauor~ from each set top terminal 220 and passing such information on to information gathering site such as the operations center 202.
Figure 3 shops an embodiment where the cable headend 208 and the subscriber's hoaae sore linked by eertaitz 15 communications media 218. In this particular erabodiraent.
analog signals, digitally compressed signals. other digital signals and up-stream/interactivity signals are sent and received over the a:edia 21fi. Tha cable beadend 208 provides such signaling capabilities in its dual roles as a signal 20 processor 209 and net~cvork controller 2I~.
~s 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 25 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 30 program signals from the operations center 202 in various manners to accommodate different viewers. ~"he signal processor 209 may also incorporate local programming 6Y0 lln~ PCTNS'93illfl3 and/or local advertisements into the program signal and foravard the revised signal to the set top terminals 220. To accommodate this local progr g availability, the signal processor 249 must combine !he local signal in digital ~r 5 analog form with the operations center program signals. If _ the local cable system uses a compressian 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 i Q transmission to the set top terminals 220. This process becomes less important as standards develop ~i.e.. MPEG 21.
In addition, the signal processar 209 perforans y necessary signal decryption and/or encryption.
As a network controller 214, the cable headend 208 15 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 2Z0 and process signals received from the set top terminals 220. In Lhe preferred embodiment, the network controller 214 20 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 214 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 214 rwsll be stored In RAM within each subscriber's set top terminal 2Z0 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 C
w~ a2a: ~c°rros~3m6~a coanple~e inforgnatlon on all programs waiclned using s particular sei iop terminal 220.
iY0 l4J112a: l'CTNS93Il1d18 also contain stereolaudio output terminals and a satellite dish . input port.
Functionally. the set top terminal 220 is the last component in the delivery system chain. T'he sct 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 deaiuliiplexed.
decompressed. converted to analog signals (if necessary) and either placed in local storage Efrom which the menu template rnay 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 anenu templates for storage. F,ach menu template may be stored in volatile memory in the set top terminal 220. ~Vhtn the set top terminal receives template inforaaation it demuliiplexes the program control signals received from the eable headend 208 into four primary parts: video, graphics.
program logic and teact. Bach 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 teazplates may be deleted or altered using control CA 02445176 2003-10-28 - ._ wo xui~ i~rnrs~3nmis signals received fram the operatians center 202 or cable headend 208. ' Once the menu templates have been stored in memory.
the set top i 220 can generate the appropriate 8xerrus.
In the preferred embodiment. the basic menu format , information is stored in memary located vpfthln the set top terminal 220 so that the micropracessor 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 d Lhe other menu information stored in taaemory. 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 tap terminal 220 determents on which channel the program is being shaven. demultiplexes and extracts the single channel transmitted from the cable headend 208. The set top terminal 220 then deeompresses the c el 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 prograan signal, but this would unnecessarily add to the cost of the unit since a subscriber vrill genezahy only vte°w one program at a time. However, two or three decompressors may be desirable to prowid,e picture-on-picture capability, cantrol signal decompression. enhanced channel switching or like features.
In addition to menu information, the set top terminal 220 may also store tent taansra~itted from the cable lleadend 208 or the operations center 202. ?he text may inform the subscriber about upe~ming events, billing and account status.
w~ ~uius: rvs~3rnsta new subscriptions. or other relerrant er~for9nauor~. The text will be stored in an appropriate raaemory location depending on the frequency and the dura~lon of the use of tht textual wo s~na~ n~3nm'a minor menus by oursor or ~pha-ch star accessd There are two ~if,~fer~r~t typts o~ ratraus a ed by the wo sorm pcrn~ss3~'isn 2?
advertisements from the cable provider, or other types of messages. In addition, the lniroductory menu can inform the subscriber if the cable headend 20S has sent a personal message to the subscriber's particular set top terminal 220.
!~3'ter the Introductory menu has been displayed the subscriber iaay advance to the next level of menus. naiaely the lio~ne 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 Lhe remote control 9~0, or the subscriber may sequence through incremental levels of menu options starting from the ~iouie menu. The Home menu lists categories that correspond to the gust level of menus called Mayor 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 2o the 1~iome menu. The Mayor menus further refine a subscriber°s search and help guide the subscriber to the selection of his ehaiee.
From, the Mayor 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 Mayor mtnu, each successive level of Submenus further refines the subscriber's search. 'Ihe system also enables the subscriber to skip certain menus or submenus and directly access a specific 3o menu or television program by entering the appropriate commands on the remote control 1~0.
W~ 9<d142S: /tJS~3dllili option to display a Hidden Menu. 'ihe Hidden M:encts contain options that are relevant to the program selected by the viewer. For example, a Hidden A~enu may contain options that enable a subscriber to enter interactive mode or telephone connections, satellite or pexsonal ccmrnun9cauons 30 network (PCN).
Figure 3 shows the set top terminal 220 recelving the signals from the cable haeadend 208 and manipulating them w~ ~utta: PC°rrUS93riisia for the subscriber. The set top terminal 220 is equipped with local computer memo:y and the capability of interpreting the digitally compressed signal to produee menus for the subscriber. The remote control 900 5 communicates the subscriber's selections to the set top terminal 220. The subscriber's selections are generally based upon r~acnus or other prompts displayed on the television screen.
2. I?rg~ram Contr~
1 ~ ~"he program control inforrnatlon 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 eonfiguration, this data is sent directly to the set top terminal 220 for display to the 15 subscriber. In the preferred embodiment, the program control information signal is stored and modified by the network controller 21~ and sent to the set top terminal 220 in the form of a set top terminal control information stream iSTTCIS). The set top terminal 220 integrates either the 20 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 the programs for display.
Throughout this descriptian the term 'program. control 25 information' is being used to indicate control information coming from the cable headend 205 to the set top terminal 220, whether it is sent directly from the operations center 202, processed by the network controller 21 ~ and then forwarded to the set top box (STTCIS), or transmitted over 30 telephone Iinea.
a types of information that can be sent using the program control signal include: number of program ~~nl~is categories. naaaes of program categories, the channels assigned to a specific category isuch as specialty clsaanels~.
namrs of channels, names of programs on each channel.
program start times, length of programs, description of prograars, menu assignment for each program, prieing.
whether there is a sample video clip for ad~ertlse~aent for the program, and any other program, menu or produet information.
In this simple ertabcdiment, the program eontrol I O information. including these menu codes. is sent continuously from the operations center 202 to the nettvork controller 214. and ultimately to the set top terminal 220. l:'or example.
four hours worth of programming inf~rmatian c:an be sent via the program control information signal continuously as shown I 5 in Table A.
wo suius= - t~nos93mgga TAB A
ZZ PyI
a~ame a~o ism'Ie n e~ nesa on eels '3 $4 erassnstos ~ x rime ime oot a S edal 1~9o r~
Mme I ~d~n a Daai oa '~Yldeo lm sons ~ I
0 o t a . ~f3""
2 0 Game Table A shows the baste pro g information that may be sent by the set top t ~ 220. The program descriptions shown are coded abbreviations. For example. C
for comedy. N for news. S for sports. A for cartoons, and TX
for tent. If there is a textual description for a program, such as a movie, the description may be given foilo~ring that prograan's coded description or may be communicated following the four hours' worth of pro g information.
As is shown in the coded listing, program descriptions for programs greater than a half hour in length need not be repeated (each half hour,. The video description code informs the set top terminal 22C! of whether there is still or five video available to advertise the pmg~am.
wo Xmas ~t-rtuss3msia For example. a sporting program may be assigned a code of 835-O10I94-1600-3.25-Michigan St. vs. ~DSC. ~e letter H would assign the program to category H. sports. The second alpha-nuaierlc character number 3 would sssign the program to the third onenu of the sports category. Zhe third character of the code, number 5, assigns the pro to the fifth program slot on the third menu. 'The next six characters, O110I194, represent the date. ?he following four characters. 1600 represent the start time which is followed by the length of tht program and the program name. This entry represents a sports- show, a college foatball game.
which wiv be aired at 4:00P2vi on New Years day 1394.
In the 12:30 Channel 1 entry of ?able ~. twa menu codes are shown. By allowing two menu codes. progxarns that array fit under two different category descriptions away be shown in both menus to the subscriber. With this amount of Information being communicated to the set top terminal 220 on a regular basis, the terminal is able to determine the proper menu location for each program and the proper time and channel to activate for the subscriber after his menu selection.
Table H shows an example Events Table that may be downloaded to a set top terminal 220 using an Event Data file which contains information about events and pridng.
shown in Table >3. the three columns of the Events ?able identify the field number, the field itself and the type of information downloaded in the Event Data file. The first column contains the Geld numbers 1 through 11. 'The middle column contains the corresponding field parameters.
including the event type, event ID. global channel ID, price.
start time. end time. start date, end date. P~ icon, name and description. The third column contains corresponding field WO'94114?,~: PCTlt1S931I1613 type information. Field type information typically consists of an unsigned integer; hours. minutes and seconds: ~rronths.
day and ;year: and l~SCII character identifier.
~ie~c~~i ~~~r i 1 Event Unsigned Type Int I = YCPV
2 $ PayPtt ~liew 3 Rt . TV
I0 Z Event 1D Unsi ed Int 3 Global Charui 1D Unsi ed int 4 Price tin Cents? Unsi ned lnt 5 Start Time HH:M M:SS
fi End Time H13:MM:SS
I5 ? Date MM/DD/YY
8 End Date Ivrilvi/DD/YY
9 P-icon ASCIIZ
10 Name ASCI1Z
lI Descri lion ASCIIZ
Talsie C
shows an example .'vent Data file.
In particular.
Table C
shows two data streams corresponding to taro event types.
The first data stream identifies an event in the Srst field.
The second field designates the event ID, which is in 25 this example.
The third field includes the global channel iD
somber two.
The fourth field indicates the cost of cents far Ibis event.
The fifth and sixth fields indicate the respective start and end times of 3:00 AM
to 3:00 PM.
respectively.
The seventh and eighth fields :how the 30 corresponding start and end dates, designated as j25/93 and 8/2'~jJ3, respectively.
Field nine indicates the P-loon set to a graphics file.
Finally.
fields ten and eleven indicate the name and description of the event selected, mhich in this case is dame StreeiT~
and ~~.
The second data 35 stream in the Event Data example shovm irr Table C
includes analogous information for for ",~T~, which !s designated in 5eld one as a pay-per-view tvent.
W0 ~~ ~C'1'ItTSl3IlIils The program control information signal (and S'I'hClS) 1 ~ can be formatted in a variety of ways and the on-screen menus can bt produced in many different wrys. For instance.
if the program contral informauon signal carries no menu format informauon, the menu format for creating the menus can be fixed in ROM ai the set top terminal. 'Ibis method 1 ~ allows the program control information signal to carry less information but has the Ieasi flexibility since the menu formats can not be changed without physically swapping the ROM.
In order to limit the amount of bandaridth needed to 20 transmit the program control information signal. various compression techniques employed for non-video may be used such as block coding. contour coding, blob encoding, and run-length encoding. Further, the program control inforrnauon signal may contain data divided ;into text and 3~ graphics. or video, text and graphics and then recombined at the set top terminal 2~ using a text generatar, graphics decompressor, and video decompressor as neceacsary.
Preferably the menu driven program selection system.
allows the subscriber to choose a program by touring through 30 a series of menus utilizing the remote control 900 for cursor movement. The final chaiee in the series of menus will identify one particular channel and one time for activauan of that channel. With a channel and activation time, the set top terminal 220 can display the selected program on the 33 television for the viewer. To achieve this goal, a simple WO l4llttE~: 1'CTIt»3111f18 Program accrss information identifying tech program watched by the viewer is stored at each set top terminal 220 until the terminal 220 is polled by thr network eontrolltr 214 for information retrieval. °This infosmat3on tssn be accomplished by using a polling request message format 920 as shown in Figure 4a. "Ibis fraare forflaat 920 consists of s!x fields, namely: (1) a leading flag 922 at thr be,giztraing of the message, f2) an address find 924. t3) a subscriber region designation 92fi. (4) a set top terminal identifier 923 that includes a polling command/response (or PlF) bit 930. t5) an information field 932, and (6) a trailing flag 934 at the end of the message.
The eight-bit slag sequence 922 that appears at the beginning and end of a frame is used to establish and 13 matntatn synchronization. Such a sequence typically consists of a °O1I11110' bit-stream. The address field 924 designates a 4-bit address for a givers set top trrminal 220.
The subscriber region designation 928 is a 4-bit field that indicates the geographical region in which the subscriber's set tap terminal is housed. The set top trrminal ideatifier 928 is a I6-bit field that uniquely identifies tech set top terminal with a 15-bit designation followed by an appended P/F bit 930. Although field size is providrd by this example. a variety of sizes can be usr_d with the present invention.
?he P/F bit 930 is used to command a polling response from the set top terminal 220 addressed. as described below.
The frame format 920 also provides a variable-length information field 932 for other data transmissions, such as information on system updates. The flame format 920 ends with an 8-bit flag for trailing #lag 934) that is identical in format to the leading flag 922, as set for23~ above. ether WO !1lI4Z8: PC'ftTJS931II6i$
3' frame formats will be apparent to ane skilled in the art and earl be easily adapted for use with the sysurn.
i~slng any such polling request message format. the networ3~ controller 214 interrogates each set top terminal 220. °1°he sei top terminals 220 are identified by a unique address and set top terminal identifier. It !s preferred that the set top terminal 220 transanits information and messages to the network controller 2I4 only when given permission by the netwvork controller 214.
Where. for example. specialty programs have been accessed since the previous poll. the set top ttrminal 220 !s given permission to transmit a~ polllr~g response 920 tn the iorm of a status report that W eludes any such access information. these status reports generally include information Thai allows the network controller 214 to tr ck a subscriber s program access history.
Figure 4b shows an example of frame format 920' for the status reports received from the set tap tera~irtals 220 during the polling cyele. This frame format is identical to the polling request message format 920 and is similarly numbered.
The information Seld 932 remains variable in length so that the status of an indeterminate number of programs. e.g..
programs 1-N indicated generally at 929, accessed caa be included in the iraaae. after a polling response 920' by a given set top terminal 220. the control message lenrgth Increases in proportion to the numbar of programs act:esse~d.
During transmisstoa, the h/F bit g30 !s used to carry out the polling function. In parucutar. the P/F bit 930 is set to a '1' position to coarmand a polling response from the set top terminal 220 whose address !s Identified in the fr:me.
Tlae response will include the number of prograazs accessed wo ~na=a: »rrvss~nms 3s and their corresponding event identification numbers as shown at 929 in Figure 4b. In cases where the set top terminal 220 has not accessed any programs since the previous polling cycle, the set top tsrmtnal 220 respond: -S with the P!F bit 93~ set to ~1' and the programs access block denoting zero programs accessed.
In between polling cycles, the program control information continues to supply the set top tertainals with menu information. In the simplest embodiment, the menus remain fixed and only the text changes. Thus, the program cantrol information signs! , can be limited to primarily text and a text generator can be employed in the set top terminal 220. This simple embodiment keeps the cost of the set top terminal 220 low and limits the bandwidth necessary for the I5 program control information. Another simple exabodiment uses a separate channel full-time tlarge bandwidth)'ust far the menu information.
4. ndin tional Vidrc~
As wlll be described later, live video signals may be used in windows of eertain aaenus. These video signals can be transmitted using the program control information signal or can be taken off channels being transmitted simultaneously with the menu display. It the video signal is taken off a channel, less information needs to be transmitted using t&e 2 S program control information signal. i~Vhile using this technique requires that separate decompression hardware be used for the program control information and the ehanntl earrying the video. this embodiment allows for the greatest flexibility in the system and is preferred. .~ separate decomgressor also assists in assuring that the switch from menus to television programming is smooth and without any significant time delay.
' wo ~nnar rrr~ss3nm~a '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 ehannel and scaled to size. and (3) along with tile program control information signal. ~owev~er. in the preferred embodiment, a number of short promos or demo video are sent using a split sereen technique on a dedicated channel as described later.
5. ; ~et °1'op T'e Figure Sa shows a basic block of the hardware components of a digital compression set top terminal 220.
The set top terminal 220 has a decryptor 600. tuner 603.
digital demodulator 606. and demultlpltxcra 609. 616 as well as audio equipment 612. 614. ~l,so shown in 5a is a remote control interface 626 for receiving and processing 1 ~ signals frown a remote control unit . modem 627 is provided for allowing communication between a microprocessor 602 and the cable headend 206 abut not shown in Figure 3a). An NTSC encoder 625 provides an Nl'SC 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. ~lae various program instructions for accessing menus and perforaaing other functions are described below.
The manner In Which the video is decompressed and the menus are generated from the program control signsl varies depending on the specific embodiment of the invention. gIowever, at a minimum, ont video decompressor 618 capable of decompressing one video signal will be used.
Basic menu format infoarmation may be stored in a graphics memory 628 comprising RAM. non-volatile FOAM. EPROM.
WO 9dlldls: PfTTlUS9311161~
compressed. Hovrever, other methods of compressing graphics known by those skilled in the art may be used with the present invention.
The generated menus and video are combined !n the video combiner 515 and output to an anti-taping encoder 619. .A.ny method of anti-taping encoding known by those skilled in the art may be uscd with the present invention.
Figures Sa and 6b show frant and back views respectively for the preferred embodiment of the set top terminal 220. The front panel of the set top terminal 220 includes an infrared sensor 63~ and a series of LEIS displays 640. ~'hese LED displays 6.40 may indicate with an icon or a letter (e.g., A-K) the mayor menu currently selected by the set top terminal 220 or the channels selected directly by a user.
yr mcnu channel selections (e.g.. from 1 to 5~). This vfsual display will remain lit while the subscriber is watching (or listening to) programming within a major menu.
LEDs 640 are preferably provided to indicate a decompression error, a processing error, or other error.
2 0 Text messages may be displayed on LEDs. During the normal functioning of the set top terminal 220. the 1.ED display fi40 can be customized by the user to display the time. the program channel. VCR activation or other pertinent information. Further displays away include current channel. tiaae, voluiae level. sleep tlrne. parental lock isecurity), account balance. use of a hardware upgrade.
second channel being recorded by VCR use of the L~.wel D
music hardware upgrade in a separate room, and any other displays useful to a subscriber to indicate the current status of 3 ~ the set top terminal 220.
The LEI9s 640 may also provide an Indication of the dfgital audio channel currently tuned. kith this display 6V0 9~11~47~,? PCTlUS93llI6li feature, subscribers may use the digital audit feature without activating the teic~risian screed. The signal source and output selected (e.g., a subscriber's separate audio system, a 'VCR
etc.) away be displayed. Although LEDs are preferred, the set 5 top terminal 220 slay also use a CkT, hCDs, or other display technology.
The set top terminal 220 includes a Mapped opening 635 on its front that allows the insertion of a magnetic cartridge (or similar portable storage de~rice, including 10 optical disk. ROM. EPROM, etc.. not shownl. This opening 635 allows the set top ,terminal 220 to be upgraded or reprogrammed locally with the use of the applicable magneue or optical storage device.
On the top or cover of the set top teraainal 220 are 15 pushbutton controls 645. Preferably three pushbutton controls 645 duplicate the two-part alpha-iconic rtmote control 900. Any function that can be performed on the remote 900 lxsay also be perfor$ued at the set top terminal 220 using the duplicative pushbutton controls 645.
20 Figure 6b shows the back of the set top terminal 220 which includes the input/output ports of the terminal 220.
The input/output ports include a pair of output terminals 650. a pair of input terasvnals 652. a pair off sterea/audio output terminals 654. a satellite dish Input port 65fi, a 25 telephone jack 658 and an RS422 port 66~. One of the output tennirrals 650 is for a television and the other is for a VCR. The set top terminal 22~ is equipped to handle incoming signals on one or two cables using the input terminal 652. The phone jack 65fi and RS~232 or R.S-422 30 port 660 are provided for maintenance, trauble shouting.
reprograaaming and additional customer features. In alternate embodiments, the telephone jack 658 may be used WO 94/14~Z8: $~TIUS93111615 Level ~ digital radio tuner for separate room use, and (5) hovel E information download unit. Each of these upgrades can be connected to the set top terminal 220 unit through the upgrade port 682.
The memory in the set top terminal is used to store the graphical and textual components of menus. Specifically.
background. logo. menu display. and cursor graphical files are stored, as well as long term, intermediate, and short term text.
Z 0 l.adsting 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 eonvertez technology.
6. ;~~ Turbo Card Figure ? shows a Turbo Card addition to the set top converter. The Turbo Card 700 upgrade provides the additional functionality needed to utilize the menu system of the present invention with existing set top converter technology. The primary functions the T<arbo Card ?00 adds to the set top converter are interpreting of program control information signals. generating of menus. sequendng through menus. and. ultimately, the ability of the viewer to select a 28 channel through the menu system without entering sny channel identifying information. The Turbo Card ?00 also provides a method for a remote location. such as the cable headend 208, to receive information om programs watched and control the operation of the aei top converter box 221 3 ~ and Turbo Card ?ti0. ~'he programs watched information and control commands may be passed fiom the cable headend 208 to the Turbo Card ?00 using telephone lines ?18.
W~ 98114x&- PCT'i1JS9311161E
'The Turbo C ?utilises the capabilit~r of the stt top conv~~ter X21 as mush as possible to avoid duplie~tion of r~'rNS~3n isia components. F'or example. the Turbo Card 700 uses the set top converter's tuner thus avoiding the cost of an additional tuner.
The PC Chip CPU 702 is used for controlling the components of the T~xrbo Card 700. The PC chip 702 is also used to perform database management, billing and data logging functions. An example of a PC Chip CPU ?02 which can be used is the IC PC/Chip F'8680E, manufactured by Chips & Technologies Corporation. located at 3050 ~nker Road.
San Jase. CA 95134. (408) 434-0600. The PC chip CPU X02 is a single chip implementation of an IBM PC 5~I° equivalent architecture. All peripherals may be interfaced to the PC
chip CPU 702 through an industry standard architecture (ISA) bus. ?he memory on the card may be an EPROM or i 5 other similar device. Typically a ~-megabyte EPROM
containing BIOS programs is used in this embodiment. 'llwo BIOS programs, the PC chip BIOS and the VGA controller BIOS, are the primary contents of the EPROM. Ttais EPROM
also contains the equivalent of a C: hard drive. This hard drive is similar to those found on a PC which provides the means to °boot° the DOS Opera~ng System. The card also includes a 1 megabyte DRAM, which may be expanded to 4 megabytes. Most of this memory is used as a RAM drive after the 'l1u'bo Card X00 boots up.
A video combiner 706 is used to combine RGB video created by the Graphics Controller ?04 with video from the set top converter 221. An example of a video combiner ?06 which can be used in the present invention is an IG GENLOCK
Signal Processor GSP500. manufactured by Integrated Circuit Systems. Inc., located at 2626 lean Buren Avenue. P.O. Box 968. valley Forge. PA 194820 (215D 666-1900.
--.
WO 94114ZS= PC'I'li?S93l116I8 an HDLG serial receiver ?22. This receiver 712 demodulates any data transmissions at a fixed frequency of 108 MHz.
Typically. the earl receives and demodulates 108 MHz FSK
carrier signals. having a data rate of 56 kilobits. In the 5 preferred embodiment. a 1.5 megabyte ~PSK encoded signal is used.
Once such signals are received, the contents of the signals are stored fn the card°s databases. Each signal°s content is commonly structured in Synchronous Data Line 10 Control (SDLCl format. Other formats, such as HDhC, may also be used. The HDLC/SDLC recriver ?22 processes the demodulated signal from the 108 I~Hz FSK or ~PSK receiver demodulator 7I4, which provides a clock and data synchronously into the HDLC/SIaLC receiver during such 15 processing. The HDhC/SDLC receiver ?22 presents the data stream (or packets) to the PC chip CPCJ 702 for storage. The stored data packets form the basis for the data base files and other information. which have been downloaded from the cable headend 208 to the Turbo Card ?00.
20 The VGA controller ?04 is used to generate new graphics. An example of a VGA graphic controller ?04 which can be used with the present invention is a VGA ConttoDer ET4000-144 manufactured by Ts~ng-Labs. The VGA graphic controller ?04 is an industry standard VGA controller chip 25 and makes use of an additional 812 kbiLs of dynamic memory ie.g.. a VRAM). from which one complete drawing page of 256 color pixels 1640 x 480 resolution) may be formed. The VGA controller ?04 receives its dot clock from the GSP r00 eombiner ?06. The GSP S00 combiner ?06 receives a synr -30 signal from any incoming NN'155C video signals provided by the set top converter 221. Typically. the GSP 500 coaabiner ?06 strips sync information from each Nl'SC video signal and uses Wp ø41g42S~ ~C.'TltJS93J1I61E
~49 In the preferred embodimentm the logic block is enhanced to make use of the sic signal extracted from the wo Farm pcr~s~3n'sia so the screen alone or in conjunction with N'I'SC video on a pixel-by-pixel basis.
The Turbo Card's Iogic is customized to interface the PC chip CPtI 702 to either the General instruments CFT
2000 or the Scientific Atlanta 8fi00 converter. The logic includes the ability to scan the keypads (not shovm) that are present in the set top converters 221 for keystroke entry and also the ability to receive infrared comanands from the set top converter's remote control. .Any keystroke entries and commands generate a signal that is sent to the PC chip CPU
702 for processing by the application software. Likewise, the Turbo Card 700 has the ability to simulate a serial infrared comrr~ar~d and scud it to other set top converter components.
This allows the PC chip CPU ?02. along with its softurare, to control the set top converter 221.
Menu selections made by the viev~~er on the remote control 900 are received by the IR equipment of the converter 221 and passed through to the Turbo Card ?00.
The Turbo Card software interprets the IR signal and determines the program (or menu) the viewer has selected.
The program selection information is sent by the Turbo Card software to the set top converter 221 by modifying the IR
command. The modified IR command contains the channel information needed by the set trap converter 221.
2 5 a.
Figure 8 shows the basic organization of the program menu system. Although the terns 'menus' has been used above, the menus could also be seen as defining zones or categories of programming. The first series of menus.
Introductory menu 1~00. Nome aaenu 1010, ?Jlajor Menus 1020. and Submenus 1050 execute subscriber program seIectiora inputs. The During progra~a aaenus 1300 provide a wo sinus: ~'r~r~3l~i~ya subscriber with additional features or options after a program has been selected and shown. 'there are two primary types of During program menus 1200. Hidden Menus and Program Overlay Menus. The menu sequence and each menu structure has been particularly program designed using the 'eye-off the-remote' design concept de.g.. the cursor movement and "go" buttons X70, 975). Since the subscriber never needs to take his eye off the television screen. the cable operator is likely to have the subscriber's complete attention.
°Fhe introductory menu screen 1000 automatically appears upon power-up and initialization of the set top tern~ina,l 220. The introductory menu screen 1000 provides important announcements or messages. In addition, the menu 1000 can be used to inform the subscriber that a personal or group message is available for viewing. The subscriber array then access the personal or group message with an appropriate key entry while viewing the introductory anenu 1000. Since the intraductory menu 1000 must be viewed by each subscriber. it also provides an opportunity for the cable provider to run advea~tisements.
Following the Introductory menu screen 1000 the subscriber ~rilI normally be advanced to the home menu screen 1010. Tht home menu 1010 is the basic menu from which the subscriber will snake the first level of viewing decisions tend to which the subscriber may later return).
From the home menu 1010. the subscriber is able to access a all television programming options. Some programming options may be accessed through cursor moveasent on the screen, others directly by a button selection on the remote control 900. or both. on-screen selection and remote control 900 direct access.
wo 9araazs: ~crrvs~3nasas in the normal progression through the menu screens.
the subscriber rovill be forwarded to a majar menu screen 1020 that correlates to his direct remote control 900 selection or selection from the home menu screen 1010.
The selections on the home menu 1010 are for large categories of progr g options and therefore the major menu 1020 allows the subscriber to further refine a search for a desirable television program.
Following the major menu 1020 the subscriber v~rill navigate through orie or mare submenu screens 1050 from which the subscriber will chaose one particular program for viewing. For most prograiraming selections the user will proceed frorr~ the home menu 1010 to a major menu 1020 and then to one or more submenus 1050. However, for I ~ certain programming options or functions of the aet top terminal 220 the user may ship one or more menus in the sequenee. For example. in the preferred embodiment the subscriber may directly access a anajor menu 1020 by pressing a single icon button. In an altemattve embodiment.
the introductory menu 1000 1 provide the user with the capability of directly aceessing information on the subscriber°s cable television account without proceeding through a series of menus.
The series of menus shown in Figure 8 is the standard formatr a variety of altunatsve sequences are possible. An introductory screen upon poaaer up that contains important messages. followed by a baxae menu IOiO with major programming categories is the basis upon which many alternative embodiments of the menu driven selection 3 0 process can be built skipping a sequence or level of the aaenu stricture is possible and perhaps desired in certain instances. 1n simple wo ~mazs= ~c'r~s9am~~a s4 sub-categories or provide the subscriber wish access to further information on a particular program.
For example, the major anenu for children's programming 1024 provides a list of subcategories 1052 from 5 which the subscriber selects. Upon selection of a subcategory. a subraenu represented generally at block 1050, listing program choices within that sub-category is shown to the subscriber. upon selection of a particular programming choice within the ffrst submenu 1050. the subscriber may be 10 provided with a second subrnenu 1054 describing the program that the subscriber has selected. From this menu.
the subscriber may confirrrz his program choice and receive a confirmation submenu 1056 from the set iop terminal 220 software.
15 'Fo avoid disturbing a subscriber during viewing of a program. hidden menus 1380 are used. The Hidden Menus 138a are not shown to the subscriber but instead "reside" at the set top terminal 220 microprocessor. The Hidden Menus 1380 do not affect the stleeted program audio. The 20 microprocessor awaits a button entry before executing or displaying any Hidden Menu options. The Hidden Menus 1380 provide the subscriber with additional functions such as entering an interactive mode or escaping fa°om a selected progra,m~
25 Program Overlay Menus 1390 (similar to Hidden Menus 1380) are used during a prograsa. However, tbt Fro Overlay Menus 1390 are overlayed onto portions of the television screen and not hidden. The Program Overlay Menus 1390 allow the subscriber to continue to watch the .
30 selected television program with audio but place additional information on portions of the television screen. Most overlays cover small portions of the screen allowing the n w~ ~»~ts: ~r~us~3m6ia simple fret sequence is both easy for the subscriber to use and simply irraplea~ented by the set top teraninal 220 and remote control device 9t~0 with cursor movement. A user interface software programmer will find aaany obvious 5 variations from the preferred embodiment shown.
8.
Figure 1 ~ is a chart showing a preferred embodiment of progra~aa routines for sequencing menus. t3pon powtrup of the set top terminal 2203. a start up routine 89~ is performed.
1 ~ Any error checking is thereafter performed 891, and an introductory menu subroutine 892 is performed. This subroutine displays the introductory menu and the microprocessor 6~2 thereafter awaits for an input 893.
At the home anenu portion 89? of the sequence of 1 ~ routines, a subscriber a~ay select one of the major menus, thus starting the sequence of displays represented by routine block 898. Alternatively, a subscriber may go directly to a major menu by depressing a menu select button on the remote 9~0 and the microprocessor will go Lo the selected 2 0 menus subroutine 896.
Once a subscriber has selected a major menu, the appropriate subroutines are executed by the microprocessor tshown in block 8981. After each display. the agirroprocessor fi02 awaits far a selection by the subscriber tshown as block 25 899).
After displaying the major menu 1020 and receiving a selection by the user, a particular submenu 1050 for a . .
aubcategory is displayed. Again. tht anicroproceasor 602 waits for an input from the subscriber. Following the input. a 3~ routine to display a progress listing subnaenu is ocecsated.
After receiving another selection, tl~e microprocessor 602 performs the next routine for displaying a program WO 9RJ142~ P~C'I°tBJS93111618 ~7 description submenu. 'hereafter, if a particular selection requires a confirmation menu. Lhat subroutine is executed and the appropriate menu displayed. The selected video is then decompressed and displayed on the television screen. If there are any display overlay menus or hidden menus. the proper subroutine is exeeuted by the microprocessor 602 and these menus are displayed.
'With continued reference to Figure 10, at any time during the selection of menus in major menu block 898, the subscriber may also depress another major menu button to move into a second column of routines trepresented by major menu 2, major menu 3, etc. columns). Thus, a subscriber may move from major menu to major menu. Additionally, a subscriber nay depress a home menu button on remote 900 to return to the horns menu 89y at any brae.
The various subroutines executed by the microprocessor 802 alloy a subscriber to navigate through the various menus of the present invention. A subscriber may sequence back through menus or return to the home menu 897 vsrith one-touch of the horns menu button on the remote control 900. Ail of these functions help to add to the system°s user friendliness.
._ w~ ~nua: ~rrers~3ni~m ~9 At any time during this process. the subscriber zzaay exit l I22 back to the network submenu 1114.
In additian to selecting specific networks from a . par2lcular major Hnenu. the subscriber also has the option of choosing a PPY program 1112. Should the subscriber select a PPV program category from the major menu, a list of PPV
program titles will be displayed as a submenu 1122. From this submenu 1122 the subscriber can select a specific PPV
program title 1124. The menu sequencing logic v~rill vary depending arz which is selected (as shown at block 1126).
Figure l lb diagrams the menu sequence logic for a PPV
program selection. As shown in Figure llb, once a PPV
program title has been selected fat bloek 1126) the menu system determines whether the title has been previously purchased 1128. If the event has not been previously purchased. a payment screen 1130 will be displayed. A
description of the event will be provided to the subscriber along with the next start daze, the cost of the event and the amount of free viewer tae for previewing. The subscriber 2~ has the option of purchasing the event. If the subscriber chooses not to purchase the events the PPV program title list will be redisplayed.
~nce a PF~I pro has been purchased or a previously paid program has bean selected, a 'thank you banner" 1192 artll be displayed. This banner 11,32 provides the name of the progr selected and the amount of preview a left before the program is actually logged as a paid event. 'Ibis 'thank you banner 1132 has a timer associated with it which . automatically removes the banner after a set period of time te.g.. 30 seconds). Alternatively, the subscriber can immediately remove the banner 1132 by pressing any key.
Once the rthank you banner° 1132 is removed, the system WO 9llld?,S: PCTIUS93Ill6la checks whether interstitial material is playing at the time of the PFD event selection (as at block 1134). If a program is in progress, the system will remove any 'time to event banner"
and the set top terminal 220 will be tuned to the pro~am's 5 channel (View Program 1145). In addition. the system determines mhether there is a Iink to a barker channel 1136 (or event field itean) when the interstitial material is present.
If a barker channel link sedate for the event, the set top terminal vuill be tuned to the barker channel (block 1138).
I 0 Subsequently, a banner vrill be displayed which indicates the program°s name and time remaining until it starts. At the start time of the program, the set top terminal 220 will be tuned to that program's channel 1145. If, on the other hand, no barker channel link has been specified, the set top 15 terminal 220 will be tuned to the program's channel 1140 and display the interstitial with time to next show banner i 140.
During this process, the subscriber has the option of exiting I 142 the program at any time by pressing the cancel 20 key. During the program. the system will constantly check for the end of the program i 144. Whtre the program remains in progress, the sit top terminal 220 will remain tuned to the program's channel 1145 and all banners wilt be removed. The system will continue to viev~ the program.
25 looping through the interstitial and barker channel link loops, until the program is ended or exited. ~nce the program ends or the subscriber exits the prograan, eat remarks and a final 'thank you banner' will be displayed 1146.
30 Figure llc diagrams the alternate sequence for the selection of a PFD program, beginning at decision block 1126. Once s PP'V program title has been selected. Lhe menu wo ~anus~ ~rrvs~3msia system determines whether the program has been previously purchased 1150. as in the PPS selection process dcseribed above. The system again displays a "thank you banner 1152 upon purchase 1151 or previous payment and determines 5 whether interstitial a~aterfal is presently being viewed 1154.
if intersutiai material (e.g., promotionals) is present on the program channel. a banner showing the next show time is generated and placed on the television screen 1160. When the program is in progress. the system removes any "time to 10 event banner" 1156 and the set top terminal 220 will be tuned to the appropriate program channel. mother banner will be displayed which indicates the prograan's name and time remaining to start and the program is viewed 1158.
'The system software will stay in a loop unto access to 15 the program ends 1162 or when the subscriber exits the prograrn 1164. Again. the system constantly checks for the end of the program or the end of access. 'The subscriber also has the option of exiting the program at any time by pressing the cancel key. Upon end of access or eadting of the program 20 exit remarks and a final 'thank you banner' 1166 will be displayed.
9. ~bo Card Software Figure 12a provides a detailed overview of the Turbo Card software ilow 1600. which imolement$ a menu 25 sequence ~wtth the program flow depicted as single.
solid continuous lines and routine calls depicted as single dashed lines). As shown in Figure 12a. the 'Turbo Card software makes use of seven software routines. 'These routines include: ( 1 ) enter cable '~ mode 1602. (2) menu 30 system 1604, (3) electronic pro de 1606. (4) preview 1608, t5) YCTV 1610, t6) utility loop 1612, and (?') file I~' I
W~ ~~1~= P'~'TNS93I11618 manager I614. Figures 12b through 12g diagram each of these software routines in further detail.
Figure 12b details the initialization and normal operating anode of the Turbo Card software IfOa. The figure shows the flow of the software before the subscriber selects any functions or menu options. 'Ihe first block 1616 of the figure indicates the start of the progress, which is subsequently followed by the portion of the routine Lhat unmaps the remote control 9a0 hand-held keys 1618. This unmapping step disables any previously entertd keystrokes on the remote control 90~. '~"he software thin Inters the cable '~'V mode 162f~ followed by the keystroke Ioap 161?.
The key input subroutine 1622 in the keystroke loop 1617 spins until a keystroke is entered tas shown at block 1622).
Following an entered keystroke, the keystroke loop checks whether a menu keystroke has been entered (decision block 1624). If a menu keystroke has been entered, the keystroke loop 16 i T is exited. The system tunes to a barker channel 1626, remaps the hand-held keys 2~ to the new selection )at 1628) and loads the old iaenu as the current menu Eat 163~). Subsequently. the ills manager software described below is initiated through software flow entry point C, Figure 12c.
If an alpha,'nuzneric or digit key is entered instead of a menu key, the keystroke loop 161? continues with a digit key entry sequence 1625. This sequence sends the key selected to the set top 1634, which effectively places the routine in .
the key input spin 1622 again. Where only the first digit has been entered (as at block 1636. a digit timer will be initiated -block 1638) and the routine returns to the key input spin 1622. If, howavtr, both digits have been catered the digit timer is cleared 1647 and the diet tiaaer wll1 experience a wo sanus: pcrrus93rtisia key has been entered by the subscriber. if no other key has been entered, the routine returns to the key input spin 1652.
If, on the other hand, a keystroke has been entered. the current menu will be saved as an old menu ibloek 1668 and the routine will compute a new current menu type 16?~.
~'he rouge 1604 sequentially determines whether this current menu is either an electronic program guide type 1 fiT2, preview type 16y4 or event type menu xreen 1676. If the electronic program guide type has been selected. the IO routine initiates the draw electronic prograu~ guide (~FGi screen routine shown ira Figure 12d. If the preview type menu has been selected. the routine initiates the preview screen routine Shawn in Figure i2e. If the event type menu screen has been selected, the buy st~eext software shown in Figure 8f is initiated. If none of these menu type screens have been selected the routine 160 returns to the draw current menu subroutine 1650.
Figure lad diagrams the eiecuonic program guide software flow 1606. 'Rhe routine 1604 begins with the draw electronic program guide screen subroutine 1680. ?he routine 1606 txecutes the key input spin Ifi82 waiting for a subscriber keystroke entry. Once a keystroke is entered, the routine 1606 enters a keystroke Ioop 1683, which has a flow sixniiar to the keystroke laop 1651 described above.
2 5 Unlike the keystroke loop 16S 1 described above.
however, this loop also checks whether the volume down key has been selected 1696. If the volume down key has been selected, the cursor is moved io the left on the screen 1698 and the routine re-craters the key input spin 1682. then.
however, the volume up key has been entered 1700 the routine moves the cursor to the rt~t ors the screen 1702 and returns to the key input spin 1682. If the cursor up, down.
1~'0 1~411~.'. NS~311161$
b~
left, or right kcys ha~c not bcen selected. the systcnn software detcrxnines whcthcr another keystroke instcad has been entered 1?~~4. cre another keystroke has. in fact, been cntcred. the software assemblcs the channel nuxaber 1?06 5 and checks whether the channel n~txaber selected is a valid entry 1?~~.
Upon selcction of a key. the routine next cntcrs a digit key cntry scquence 1?1 f. which has a flow s to the /r,, ~~ ~1~ pCTNS93Jllblg routine initially scans a buy table for authorization 1750 and then determines whether or not the event selected by the subscribes has been already purchased 1?52. If the event has been already purchased, a 'join the event screen' 1?54 will S be displayed by the routine and the routine will enter the key input loop 1956.
once a key has beers entered 1758, the routine determines whether or not the event corresponding to the key is available 17fi0. If the event is unavailable, the routine returns to the general menu drawing routine shown 1650 in Figure 12c, entering that routine I fi50 at the circle designated by the letter '~3° in that routine. Where, however.
the event is available, the software looks up the channel number 1?fit and sends that specific channel number to the set top terminal 22fl. as represented at block 16?4. The routine subsequently enters the normal operating ~aode routine shown in Figure 12b, be g between block 1616 and 1618.
Where the event chosen, on the other hand, has not already been purchased. as at bleek 1752. the routine generates a buy screen for display I?66. T'he routine subsequently enters a keystroke entry loop I?69, which is similar to the keystroke loops 1651. I683 and 1?31.
described . °Ihis loop 1?69 is exited upon entry of an alphadnumeric or digit key as at block 1?82. The routine 1610 subsequently determines whether a menu type has been selected 1784.
Where a menu type has been selected, the routine enters the general menu drawing routine 1650 shown in Figure 12c through softwart flow entry paint 'fi'. 'Nhere a menu type has not been selected 1?8~, however, the rout#ne deterrnirres whether an event has been purchased 1?. 1f an W~ 94I132~~ PC.'~'ILJS9311161a Dnce the cable headend 208 has been called, the routine 1612 determines whether the transfer has been successful 1820. If the transfer is unsuccessful, the file manager routine 1612 is called tat block 1818), otherwise.
the log is erased and events marked are reported back to the cable headend 208 tas spawn at block 1822). Upon completion of this process. the routine calls the Isle manager routine 1614 described beiowr, and determines whether a new database is asrailabIe 1824.
If a new data base is avalIabla the routine enters the normal operating mode Ediagramed in Figure I2b beginning at 1616,, otherwvfse, the routine 16I2 determines whether a key has been entered 1826. either through infrared command or through key pad entry. If a key has been entered, the routine reads the key 1828 before exiting this routine 1CI2. If no key has been entered, the routine 1612 is exited.
Figure 12h diagrams the software routine for the file manager 1814. This software is transparent to the subscriber, runs in background. and awakes use of files dawnloaded froaa the headend 2~8. These files typically consist of polling requests that command the set top 220 to report purchase lnforraation to the hesdend 208.
During the download process, the routine 1614 determines whether the DMA receive i$ complete 1830. If the DN1A receive fs incomplete, the routine 1614 is exited, otherv~se, the routine ehecks for packet errors 1832. 1f an error in the SDL~C packet is detected. the routine 1814 is also exited. "here no error has been detected the routine 1614 assembles each packet in the file 1 Subsequently, the routine 1614 determines whether the file is complete 1836. If the 81e is incomplete the wo ~anus~ ws~amsia ~reat~s a new iEst of database yes (a~airq represented at block 1 ~4~~.
The routine I ~ I4 subse~~aentl~ determines whether all files have been rccefved I~46. If ail Hles have been received.
I5 a new database is made available 1~~ and the routine lfil~
is ted. If, on the other h da all files have n~t been wo 9anass= ~'rNSS'niata ?I
selection by the subscriber. Various levels of subscription prograrsiming znay be used. including a 'Basic' cable package and a -Baste Plus' package. Each of the choices of subscription programming preferably is assigned a different color. This increases the user friendIfrress of the present invention.
Typically. the left half of the screen is used to list the channel number and network abbreviation of the most popularly watched networks as shown at 1190. The right haU
of the screen offers access to a variety of major rraenus 1020 listed by category names as shown at 1020.
A number of major menus 1020 may be utilized in conjunction with the home menu. By pressing the alpha-numeric or iron key of the remote 900 comsponding to the category of programs the subseriber desires, the appropriate major rx~enu 1020 is accessed. In addition, the subscriber may employ an on-screen cursor to select any option shown in the menu.
Figure 14 also shows how additional major menus 1020 can be displayed on the home menu screen 1010. When there is no longer room available for additional major menu 1020 choices on the home screen. the subscriber nay access a second screen of the hayae menu 1010. For example, in Figure 14, if' additional major ~mmenus 1020 "J-Z' 1131 existed, the a~ubsoriber would access those menus by highlighting and selecting the J-Z menu option (or press the J-Z key on the remote 900). After selecting J-Z~ the second or extended home menu screen 1010 would apgear oa a subscriber°s television. "Ibis menu would then list options J-Z separately by name. 'Theoretically. the home menu 1010 may have many extended home aaenu screens. I~3owever. any w~ gnus= ~'rr~s9arnsr:
more than a few extended home menu screens would confuse the average subscriber.
T°he home menu 1010 may be modified to include additional features at the bottom of the television screen. For example, one option 1192 would allow a subscriber to access progFam selections that are available on broadcast television.
Clearly. numerous variatians are avai3able for the home menu 1010. ' Figure 15 shows an alternate embodiment II93 of the IO home menu 1010 (or the menu which would normally follow the introductory menu '1000) which can sianply be the standard cable channel line-up. Offering the standard cable line-up on a separate menu may make selection easier for viewers with small television screens.
Figures lfi is an exaiaple of a mayor menu 1020 for the movies categories depicted as I042 and 1048 in Figures 9a and 9b. respectively. The hit movies category 1048 fs a list of recently released movies which have been found to be popular among movie Boers. "This movie list is changed once or twice a week to keep in line with new movie releases. again. multi-window and customized window techniques for example option instructions ~ 1394 are utilized to awake the menu as user friendly as possible.
In the preferred embodiment of the hit movies menu 1048, the hit movies menu icon II98, along wvit& the hit movies category letter A. are displayed. The current date and time are displayed at the top of the s 1197 over a menu background. T'en movie selections. with their ratings 1199.
are displayed in the enter of the screen 1198, each in a box which may be highlighted when selected. In the lower part of the screen 1194, a logo window 1200 is available as well as other option choices. Movie Library and Return to Cable ~.
pc~rNS93msia correspondingly. 'Therefore, the premium subscription service (ala carte service) would have a dark red color.
eontrast~ng with the light pink color of the basic subscription service.
In Figure i 7, the pnovie description submenu 1058 for the movie titled T'e~~ f~ nato,~Four is shown, signifying that the subscriber may choose this prograyn option from the hit movie major menu 1042. Figures 17~19 show submenus which would follow the selection of na or Four from the hit movie ma,or menu lOSB. In Figure 17, the sash 1197 across the tog of the scrten remains constant from major menu 1020 to program description submenu 1058. For the comrort of the subscriber, the left upper window in an alternative embodiment can remain the saaae and show the current time. The upper right-hand corner contains a message stating the next start time for the movie selected.
In order to allow subseribers to view hit movies at their convenience, multiple start tiaaes for the same movie are provided. In order to provide the rr~uIt3ple start tame service, the same movie must be spawn on multiple channels at staggered start times. For example, if T~ ermin_,~,ar Fnur is a two-hour length anavie it can be shown continuously on eight different channels, with each showing delayed 8ftten aainutes after the previous showing. ?his allows the subscriber to begin viewing the movie within a fifteen minute time interval.
5lnce the subscriber is not required to find the channel which has the correct start time, the subscriber is unaware that the movie is being shown on eight different channels. In fact, with the use of the submenus, a subscriber is able to 3~ nearly effortlessly choose the correct channel and correct activation tine for viewing the desired movie. 'The channel selection is invisible to the subscriber.
..
WO 941142$° F°~T'NS93111698 T
'The set top terminal 220 is able to automatically determine which channel will next begin to show the selected movie using any number of techniques. For example, the set top terminal 22~ has an internal clack representing the current time. The set top terminal 22C? could compare the current time with the start times for the movie on the various channels. Alternatively. a signal could bt sent with Lhe mavie on all channels. This signal will set, or restt, a counter to indicate that a particular channel will next begin 1 ~ the anovie. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other methods to determine the next available start time and channel for the selected movie are available.
The Figure I ~ movie description submenu 1058 retains the title in a window 124 generally at the top center of the 18 screen. A multiple window technique is used in the middle of this menu to display a description of the movie and one or more video frames 1208 that assist the subscriber in selecting the movie. 'The video window 12~8 provided by the menu may include a still picture, a shore but repetitive video 20 cut. or a portion of the movie that is currently shaving on any one of the channels cawing the movie at the bane of the submenu's display.
Just below the vidto window 12~8, the submenu provides the cost of viewing the movie and the movie length 25 in hours and minutes 1212. An additional strip window 1214 is provided, below the video and description down i2~8.
1212, inforiaing the subscriber of the movie's release date.
' Moving towards the bottonx of the menu, the subscriber is given at least four aptsons: E 1 ) the ability to order the movie 3~ 121fi. E2) preview ghe movie, E~) to re to the hit movie menu 1218. snd E4) to press °o' and return to regular 'I~~
122~, WO 9d/id2s3 PC'TlUS93r1161E
Figure 18 shows the next submenu 1060 in the hit movie menu sequence stemming from the seleetion of Serm"~,nator Four. This particular submenu Y060 shows confirmation 1224 of the subscriber's hit movie order of 5 Trr_m_in~tor FQUr. The menu display retains the sash across both the iop and bottom of the screen. ~1n alternate form of the menu 1060 maintains the current time 4n tht left upper window. the title in the top center window, and the next movie start time in the upper right-band window.
1 fl In the center of the submenu screen I060 is a video window 1228 which may be used for still or moving video, t~s indicated at 1230, the submenu provides the subscriber with two on-screen options, return to regular TV or ,loin the movie ?~,~,i, n tQ~] our already in progress. In an alternative 15 embodiment of this submenu 1060. the user is given the ability to return directly to the home menu screen ~OIO.
'then the movie's start time is approaching, the set tog terminal 220 will autamatieally bring the viewer to the correct channel carrying the movie '1°crmin,r Four.
20 However. Figure 19 depicts a notification submenu 1061 informing the user that a program selection is about to begin (e.g.. oounting down until start tame). Using this submenu 1061, the set top terminal 220 the subscriber prior to switching froia the channel being viewed to a prior selected 25 program channel. °This notification submenu 1061 is provided to the subscriber approximately one or more minutes before the set top t 220 changes the vies~ing channel.
The notification submenu I06I also allows the 30 subscriber to cancel the movie order. In Figure 19. the subscriber is notified in the cer>ixr of the scorn, generally at 1234, that the subscriber may be canceled within the first five minutes. Alternatively, the subscriber may press escape to cannel his order without charge. "Fhe notification submenu 1061 then informs the subscriber of the start time generally at the upper right portion 1236 of the screen.
~n alternative noti$cation submenu tnot shown' would use a simple three-window menu. A strip window at the top of the screen would notify a subscriber of the movie selected and the amount of time before the movie will begin. ~! center window would display a scene from the movie, and at the bottom of the sereen. the submenu would carry another strip menu ravhich informs the user how to escape from the program selection without charge.
using a notification submenu allows a subscriber to view other programs prior to the movie start tune. Th,e subscriber is amply notified of the start time of the program and is effortlessly moved to the correct channel to view the selected program. ?'his notification-t,~pe submenu represented in Figure 19 may be used to move a subscriber froara the current channel to any preselected channel for viewing a program 2 0 which has been ordered at an a tier time. In the preferred embodiment. the amount of time provided by the notification submenu 1061 and similar submcnus may be customized by the subscriber to a preferred Iengih. If a subscriber cancels or escapes. the set top terminal 220 will return to the 2 5 channel eurrentty being viewed.
~ shown in Figure 20a. in the preferred embodiment.
~ the subscriber is given a During Prograas Menu 1300.
specifically, an escape overlay menu 1392 to inform the subscriber when the five minutes of :aovie escape time has 30. expired. Dnee the time has expired. the subscriber will be bllled for the movie selection.
~VQ 941I~'NS931116IE
?~
Figure 20b shows another overlay menu 1240 (part of the group of During Program Ivienus 1300) warning that the subscriber is escaping a program after being charged for the order of that program. 'The g overlay menu 124~ of Figure 20b follows in sequence and is prompted by a hidden menu 1393 (shown in Figure 9a) which constantly monitors for subscriber input during vieanng of the program. Zhe hit movie hidden anenu (not shown) specifically waits for certain key entries by the subscriber. In particular, the hit movie 1.0 hidden anenu awaits for a key stroke such as escape, cancel or an icon selection. If the 'escape button is depressed during the viewing of a hit movie the overlay menus of Figure 20a and Figure 20b will be shown. A strip menu 1242 in the Iower sash 1244 of Figure 20b allows the subscriber to 1 S resume full screen viewing of the hit movie.
Figure 20b is a representative aca,mple of overlay menus 1390. Typically, such menus 1390 have a dark Iower background sash 1244 and a light colored informational sash 1246. The upper portion 1248 of the screen continues to 20 display the video of the program selected.
Figure 20c depicts a representative reentry to ordered selection submenu 1250 for the hit movie category. The reentry to ordered selection submenus 1250 appear whenever a subscriber selects a programming option 2 S (program. rvrnt, or subscription chasuieI), that the subscriber has already ordered. 'Ibis menu has a program title window 1252 with a text title entry and a description of the order ' that has already been placed for the prograura (or channeu. 1n the preferred embodiment. the submenus 1250 which allow ' 30 reentry to ordered selection provide the subscriber with the added option of joining the program within any fifteen minute interval. This sptcial feature of the preferred embodsxaent 6V~ 94JIAZ~ lLJS93lI16ti thirty minutes of ~errr~tnator 4 ma~° reenter the rz~ovie at the 1 ~ thirty-one to fori-~-live minute Interval. The nine hloo~cs 124 of fifteen minutes of the anenu display are representative of the choices available for a two-~ur hit movie. ~ther WO 9d1142s: P(."r'ltJS93t1161~
a moved onto a particular submenu for that movie library subcategory. ~aeh submenu (not shown) would list movie titles whose contents fall within the particular subcategory.
'With reference to Figure 2Ib. following a selection of a movie title. the subscriber is displayed a movie description submenu 1053. In order to maintain a similar pattern throughout the :genus, such movie description submenus 1058 are designed similarly to Figure 18 (which depict movie description subra~enus for the hat movie menu 1042) and racy include other information such as title numbers, Using the submenu 1053 the subscriber may order the movie described 1260, return to the movie library major menu 1282. or return to regular °TV I264.
~°°hr series of Figures 22a-22d depict a typical menu sequence including a major menu 1043 (Figure 22a), a subcategory submenu 1052 (Figure 22b). a program descrfpuon submenu 1054 (Figure 22c), and a confirmation submenu 1056 4Figure 22d). is simple progression of menus is represented generally and repeats itself through the 2 0 menu tree of Figures 9a and 9b.
In the preferred embodimea~ta Figures 22a-22d are a series of menus which are cattgorized in the Documentary and News riiajor category. Figure 22a, the Documentary and News major xaenu 1043 shows. at central region l2ffi.
twelve different subcategories of services available to the subscriber. After selecting a su tegory fr~a~ this major menu 1043. the set top terminal 220 moves the subscriber to a submenu describing programs that are available in the selected subcategory. For example. Figure 22b is a submenu 1052 for subrategory Discove:y eIT~" choice 1265. and shows siac programming choices 120 available for this subcategory~ In an alternate embodiment, this submenu can wo s~raas: ~rr~s~3na~aa sX
display any number of program choic.~es. By choosing one of the programming choices on this Discovery Channel~~ choice submenu 1152, the subscriber araay obtain more information about the particular program. In Figure 22b. the subscriber has highlighted and selected the program War Btrcis 12'74 for further description.
Figure 22c is a prograr~u description submenu 1054 which describes an available program. War Birds. Figure 22c uses thr_ upper right-hand come window 1276 to inform the 1 ~ subscriber of the next stare tiaxe available for the particular prograrra yVar Birds. In paeltaging the special selection of prograzzas. the programmer at his option may Shaw an identical prograra~ on several ch els in order to permit the subscriber greater flexibility in start t3raes. Figure 22c shows the use of a strip menu I2~8 across the lower half of the screen displaying a message and the price of the program.
Similar to other submenus, the subscriber may order the program. return to Lhe mayor menu 1043, or return to regular '.N simply by selecting the choices an the lower part 12?8 of his screen. Figure 22c depicts the subscriber ordering the program War Birds.
Figure 22d is a confismahon submenu 1~5fi generally similar to conf)rmation subme~us in other ma'or mean categories. It confirias the subacsiber°s order of the progxaao War Bir x. °This confirmation submcnu retains the video window 12~fi from the prier subu9enus and also displays the program running time. An alternative submenu may show a strip window snot shown) an the lower part of the screen displaying an °8a0' number and advertising the Disccnreay~°
catalog. Similar rnvf~ndows nnay be ustd throughout submenus to aastst sn advertising for particular programs, channels. or groups o.f programs. A3any variations of the confirmation iV0 9d11a2S- ~C'rIUS93111618 submcnu 1056 are possible, including allowing the user to join the selected program already in progress or return to regular TV. In addition, by depressing the escape button, the subscriber may cancel his order of far Birds from this 5 screen.
~°igure 22e is an example of an overlay menu 1392 presented when a subscriber is exiting from a program selection in which he may rejoin at a later time. This txiting ordered program overlay menu (as shown at 1392 in Figure IO 9a ) is appropriate whenever a subscriber may return to a prograan or channel without additional charges. Since many of the program seiectiorzs are authorized for viewing on a two-day , weekly. or monthly basis. the eating ordered program overiay 1392 is useful in a number of situations.
15 T~ris overlay menu 1392 follows a afmilar format as other overlay menus 1390 having a darker colored lower sash and lighter colored second sash with text information. The sashes are overiayed on the program video currently being watched by the subscriber.
20 Additionally, an exiling ordered program overlay menu 1392 racy be provided for one-tune viewing program selections to which a viewer eannot return. ?here exiting ordered program overlay menus 8392 would thank the viewer for ordering the particular program or channel and entice the 25 viewer to order a similar prograia froaa the sane net~avork.
For example. an exiting program y menu 1392 for a live sports event such as boxing. would thank the viewer and remind him that the network carries regularly scheduled bwdng events on a weekly basis.
30 Figures 23 and 24 relate ~to the ordering of specialty channels through the menu driven system. Figure 23 is a major menu 1x44 that lists fifteen specialty channels 1280 wo ~raus~ PCTlUS931118I8 that are available for subscription and vie~ring. In this partjculax mayor menu 1044, the lower half of the screen 1282, which is utilized to provide the various programming choices, is divided into three vertical sections allowing room for fifteen choiees. This major menu category 1044 is different from the others in that individual programs are not ordered hut instead channels are subscribed to on a monthly or yearly basis. To use this submenu. a subscriber need only select and press °'go" on the channel of his choice.
After the subscriber selects a channel. as shown in Figure 22c. a channel description subanenu 1054 replaces the mayor menu on the subscriber's television screen. 'This description submenu 1054 has '~lndov~s that are similar to other description submenus u:>ed throughout the menu driven system. In the description subiaenus 1054, the upper right-hand corner is used to display the subscription cost far tdze channel and the upper left-hand corner is used to display the me~.lxc~d in which the subscription price v~rill be billed to the subscriber. In this specific scenario, the current time has little bearing on the subscriber°s decision to order the displayed channel and therefore !s not shown on the television screen.
Another submenu 1056, sia~lar to confirmation menus discussed earlier, confirms the subscaiber's order and thanks the subscriber for ordering the spedaJty channel. if the subscriber is already paying for the selected channel, instead of confirming the orders the subscriber is provided with the divided menu 1056 of Figure 22d, infor~lng the subscriber of a current subscription to the Sder'ce F'lction channel. In the screen of lrigure 22d, the subscxR is allowed to ,yoin the channel ire progress. After an ample period of time for the subscriber to read the screen submenu, the submeau Z 056 is t wo gariatsr ~rrms93nma s~
removed from the television screen and the subscriber has a complete view of the programming in progress.
Figure 25 shows a major menu for magazine channels 1030. 'This major menu falls under the letter F. Major Menu.
5 and has an icon 1288 showiaag three magazines. The magazine channel major menu has a menu display block 1290 with 15 options, three columns. each with five selection options. Magazine channels are specialty channels targeted to a particular audience. In the preferred embodiment. each 10 of the magazine channels has a monthly subscription. Figure 25 show:> the science 8ciiori magazine highlighted.
Upon selection of the science fiction magazine, a channel description submenu similar to a program description menu shown in Figure 28) is displayed" This 15 type of submenu has a network logo in the upper left hand part of the screen generated from the logo graphics file 820.
The name of the channel is prominently displayed across the top. In the preferred embodiment, the text for a channel or network mane is stored in long-term text storage. The text 20 description of the channel on tl~e right part of the screen may also be stored in long-term text storage. A video v~indow and a video description window ix provided.
If the subscriber orders a sdence~iiction channel, the subscriber will receive a confirmation menu 1056 somtwhat 25 similar to the menu shown in Figure 22d. This is a representative confirmation menu for subscribing to any network channel. l~ lower sash of appro~dmately equal width to an upper sash of the background menu is displayed in a color prefer.rably different than that of the upper sash. gV'ithin 30 the confirmation sash. a network logo Grad a standard text.
description thanking the subscriber arlll be placed do the screen. At any time during this menu screen, the subscriber w0 ~uiais- i~rnrs93rmia s5 may caneel his subscription to the channel by pressing cancel on his remote 9(30.
in the preferred embodiment of the confirmation submenu, the area of the screen 'below the two sashes is filled with video from the channel being subscribed instead of text.
A reentry to an ordered subscription away be accomplished through another submenu 1055. Typically, a light colored second sash may be provided at the top of the screen with the network logo and text informing the 3 0 subscriber that he has already ordered this particular channel. The reentry submenus 1055 generally allow a subscriber to immediately Join programming in pracess. The current program on the channel chosen is shown in most of the remaining portion of the screen. Typically, a special title I5 sash is included as an overlay in the lower portion of the screen. This sash identifies the current program being shown on the channel with a text description. T°he set top terminal X20 may derive this text description from either the STTCiS, the YI3I. or other digital signals.
2 ~ Referring to Figure ~6, another similar series of menus may be displayed in selecting the documentary nc~ws program from the CBS library, called ~Qy. Although this is a regularly seheduled weekly pmgram, it may be viewed by subscribers to the present invention at nonscheduled times.
25 A maJor menu 1025 for documentary and news progra~as, as shown in Figure 22a. is initially displayed.
Figure 26 shows a subcategory submenu 1050 for Documentary and mews displaying five options. 'this subcategory ~aenu 1050 shows specific programs which are 30 available. The cursor highlight overla~r is at the top of the screen in its default position. F~rooa this cursor positioa, the subscriber may order the program w~ items- ' i~rvs93rnata Another program description submenu 1292 displays the network logo, program tale, program description, video windour, video description window, and the next progrmn start tame. In the preferred embodiment, the next program start liana is displayed beneath the current time. The program title and program description text may be stored in the intermediary teaet storage. In the preferred embodiment, the video description window would display running time and price of program. if the subscriber orders tht program from the progr~axn description menu, he is sequenced to a confirmation menu 1056 ~whieh, as usual, thanks the subscriber for ordering the program. In alternate embodiments, the confirmation teact is a standard text being generated from long-term text storage. Confirmation submenus may be designed to show the user aaore video and less menu graphics and text.
11. Creatian of Menus a. Msn~rr~
In the preferred embodiment. the basic building blocks or templates of the on-screen menu displays will be stored in graphics memory consisting of nonvolatile RAM. ROM.
EPROM. or preferably, EEPROM, shawn as 620 in Figure 2Ta.
With the information from this graphics metaory 620, the microprocessor 602, graphics decampressor 622, text generator Cif necessary. and video corabiner 624 will bufld a menu screen. 'The memory files of the graphics memory as EEPROM 620 are preferably categorised into three ' categories. background graphics 800, logo graphics 820, and menu and display graphics 850. ' The background graphics file 800 stores menu backgrounds such aa: universal main aa~enu backgrounds 8a4.
universal submenu backgrounds 803, promo backgrounds 812 v7 using this method of storing mmzeaus, the asenus can 'be changed by reprogramming the graphics memory 620 of the 1 ~ set t~p termina.~ 220. Picture ~3les are sent using the PROGR.ANdS OFFERED ON A '~ ~TTISI~N PROGRAM
2 5 DELIVERY SY~1'Ell~i, filed December 2, 1993, by the same assignee.
c W0 9411428: PC1'tUS93t1161t 8~
graphics file 850 further contain arithin subflle individual memory blocks (for example. studio logo file 836 has memory block SL1 86~; menu display blocks 854 has memory menu display block I~1 86I).
Figure 2'~b shows the hierarchical storage off text transmitted from the cable headend 208 as STI'SSCIS.
Although text may be continuously transmitted with the video signals to set top terminals 220, tent may also be transmitted intermittently. In such a case. the text is stored in the set top terrlainal 220. Preferably. the text is transmitted and stored in a compressed fornnat using known techniques.
Additionally. the text is preferably stored in graphic memory 820 within set top terminal 220. .
Depending upon the use of the text, it will be stored in 3 5 one of three portions of memory. inforiaation sent arith the text will either direct the text to a particular portion of memory. or include Information as to the priority of tent.
The microprocessor 602 may them direct the text to the appropriate memory location for stmrage.
If the text is to be used frequently and over a long period of time. a long term storage 875 will be used. If the text will be used for a shorter period of rime tfor ex~caple, a month), the text be directed to an Intermediate storage area 8'7?. If the text is to be used almost immediately, or for a short period of time (for e~campPe, within a few days) the text is directed to a ahosi terra storage area ~~9. 'fhe microprocessor 602 locates the appropriate text required for a particular menu (see generally Table 1) and retrieves it from the appropriate portion of memory 82~. 'The tent is output frown the graphics memory 620 to the text generator 623. ?ext generated from the tent generator fi23 is thereafter directed to text/graphics video combiner 62~.
YYO 941142& : P~TIIJS93d1I613 Figure 27c shows the steps performed by the microprc~eessar X02 for creating a menu based upon a series of overlay screens. 'Bhese instructions are stored lis memory within the set top terminal 220 in a screens data file. ''Ihe S screens data file instructs the microprocessor on the location of each graphics ale on the screen. An example screens data file Is shown in Table 1. ~ shtawn irt 'Table 1, the sexeens data file specifies aaenu data positioxiing in ttrras of, for example. x and y pixel positiorJS, height and width, color codes and fonts. Aitemativeiy, instructions or routines iaay be transmitted from the operat~oa~s eet~ter 202 to be stored in memory within the individual set top terminals 220.
FABLE ~
- he o ovv~r9g ata a mash menu .
tees are or ~creaa Type '~empiace _.~eserrpuon ~~e-_ ~N _ _m~u- -~a~a i~ieau 2 0 - ust ~c t , o or or ~ut - -ST'R POS 'Lest 165 ~~ ,_~, __~~ 14.
STRING 'MAIN 1~ENU
_ Jt7itPiy X X li~ilt WQi examp e.pca Ju X o oa~ o or ont I TEM F05 -Leis -1zv O -1oG '15 ~5 FtoTll,iRlS.tiFT
-it7u -Z - '110'0'30.
-u , o or sc . _ .o or oat a o0 1 t.M
A "
dyp g,~d~ d'C'fNS93I116d8 Initially. as shown at block 878. the microprocessor 602 instnacts the tuner 603 to select a channel. Z'he channel 5 is decorcapressed, and error corrected and decrypttd, if necessary. If the vldea is to be reduced in size, so as to be placed within a video window 15b6 (described herein later), or is a split screen video window which must be enlarged, the video is scaled to the appropriate size. Additionally. the video 10 may be required to be redirected to a portion of the television screen. This is done by creating a series of offsets for each pixel location of the video.
graphics must also be used to ixeate a menu in most instances. As is shown in block 882. the microprocessor 602 15 must fetch a background file. fetch a logo $le and fetch a menu display and cursor (file i~r~ most instances). l;:ach of these files must be decompressed 883. Following decompression, the Ells is combined 888.
SiynilarIy. the microprocessor 602 fetches text (as 20 shown in biotic 884). Depending upon the memory location of the text. the microprocessor S02 will fetch the text froaa long-term. intermediate-term. or short-term storage. 8?5.
871. 8?fl. respectively. as descubed above. tAlternatively.
text may be stored in the screens data alt.) Hased upon this 25 memory retrieval. the text is generated and combined 886.
At the combine step 886. the videa (if ~rny) is combined with as many screens of decompressed graphics as necessary.
along with any tent. The image or portions of tech image are stored until all overlays are received. 'hereafter, the entire 30 image is sent. under the direction of another routine. to be displayed on the tele~rision screen (as represented by display block 888).
wo 9arius= Pc~rr~s93n~sxa - b. menu Gra h~,g Figures 28a through 28g and Figures 29a through 29g.
demonstrate how menus are generated by the set top - terminal 22~. Figures 28a through 28g display the building of a majar menu screen for the categary hit movies. Figure 28a shows the background graphics for the hit movie major menu.
The background graphics 1500 comprise an upper sash 1502 across the top of the screen and a lower sash 1504 across the bottom of the scrcez~. The baekground graphics are generated from the background graphics file 800 in the memory ides of the graphics memory (preferably EEFROM) 620. In particular. the hit movie major menu background graphics are located in, the universal raaira menu backgrounds subfile 804 of the background graphics $Ie 800. This universal major menu background graphic 1500 is consistently used in nearly all the major menus. Figure 28b shows the logo graphics for the hit movie major menu. The logo graphics 1508 for this major menu consist of a~u icon window l ;i 10 , a cable company lago 1512 in the lower Ieft-hand portion of the screen. a channel company logo 1514 in the upper right-hand part of the screen and two "go" buttons 1516. 'The icon graphics 1510 are consistently shown in each of the major menus. The cable company logo 1512 is consistently shovrn in the lovaer left-hand part of the screen in nearly every major menu. These logo graphics 1508 are created from the logo graphics file 820 in the EEP'ROM 620.
In particular, the cable company logo 1512 in the lower left-hand corner of the screen is located in The Your Choice TY
logos 824 part of the logo graphicst file. 'Ihe network logo 1514 fn the upper right-hand corner of the screen is generated from the nttwork logo 51e 828 of the logo graphices WO 9d1i42&: PCTIUS93Ill~ti file 820. The °go° buttons 1516 are generated from the graphic elements tile 840 of the logo graphics file 820.
Figure 28c shows theaddition of znenu~displays 1520 to °
the hit movie major menu. In particular. Figure 28c shoars $
ten blocl~ main menu display 1520 and a strip menu Y522 in the lower part of the screen. 'The ten display blocks 1520 of Figure 2.8c are generated from the menu display block°s subflle 854 of the menu display and cursor graphics file 850 tshown in Figure 2~a). The strip menu 1522 located on the lower part of the screen is also generated froaa the menu display block's subflle 854.
Figure 28d shows the addition of a cursor highlight overlay k526 to the hit movie major menu. The cursor highlight overiay 1526 is generated from the cursor highlight 1 S overlay's submenu 858 of the menu display and cursor graphics file 850 shown in Figurt 27a. In the preferred embodiment, the cursor highlight overiay 1526 is shown by default try be in the upper Left-hand aaenu display block of each major menu. This cursor higbligbt overiay 152fi can be moved on the screen by the subscriber.
Figure 28e shows the text 1530 generated for the hit movies major menu. In the preferred embodiment. the text 1530 is generated separately by a text generator in the set top terminal unit 220. ~ 'The text "fill MOVIES from' 1531 consistentiy appears on taeh hit movies° major menu. 'I~is te.~ct may be stored in long term storage.. Other text such as that which appears at the lower renter part of the screen 'PRESS I3ERE 'ftJ REZ'1JRIV TtI CAEtLE "PV' 1532 also appears many times throughout the menu sequence. Text which chaanges on a regular basis, au~h as the movie titles for other program selections). will be transmitted to the set top terminal 220. In this manner, the cable headend 20~ may wo 9~ana~2ss- P~TtUS93r11618 change the program selections a~rai3able on any major menu 1020 by modifying the program control Information signal sent by the operations center 202 and transmitting the change via the STTCIS.
In alternative embodiments, portions of the text, partjcularly those portions which remain constant. may be incorporated into the screens data file or the graphics files and stored in either the background graphics file 800 or the logo graphics file 820.
1 ~ Figure 28f shows the addition of day 1534, date 1536 and time 1538 information 1540 to the hit movies major menu. ?his information may be obtained in a variety of ways.
The day, date. and time information 1540 may be sent from the operations censer 202, the cable headend (signal proeessor or network controller 2I4), the upiink site 204, or generated by the set top terminal unit 220 internally. Each manner of generating the day, date. and time information 1540 has advantages and disadvantages which may change given the particular embodiment and posts. In a preferred embodiment. the day, date. and tune 1540 are generated at a central location such . as the operations center and are adjusted for regional changes in time at the cable headend 208.
Figure 28g shoals the results oL~ the information in Figures 28a to 28f being integrated in the video coaabiner 824 and then displayed on the t~devision screen 222. The subscriber in viewing the hit movie major menu 1040 is unaware of the fact that the menus comprises several distinct parts.
Figures 29a through 29g sham the creation and display of a program description submenu for a hit movie. Sim~ar to the major menu, the aubmenu is created in parts and WO 9411= ~°C'TNS931I161E
combined before being sent to the television srseen. Figure 29a shows ttie background graphics 1550 for the program description subgnenu. In the preferred embodiment, the upper sash 1552 and iawer sash 1554 of the bacleground graphics 1550 are stored together in one location on the EEPR9M 620. The video ~arindow 1556 and half strip window 1558 are also co-located in storage on the I:EPROhI
620. The half-strip window 1558 beneath the video window serves 1556 as a aneans for describing the videos shaven in the video window 1556. Both sets of graphic information 1550. the sashes 1552. 1554 said video window 1556 artth description 1558. are located in the universal subazenu backgrounds subf3le 808 of the background graphics file 800.
Both set, of backgrounds appear in many menus and are used many tunes during a sequence of menus.
Figure 29b shows the additional logo graphics information 1508 needed to create the program description submenu. In the preferred embodiment. the °go° logo 151fi can be stored once in zneznory 620 and directed to the correct portion of the screen ii~a which it is needed for a particular menu. Similar to Figure 28b, the inforxaation needed to create the "your choice' logo 1512 and 'go°
buttons 1516 is stored in the logo graphics file 820.
Figure 29c shows the addition of anenu display information 1520 for the program description submenu.
Similar to Figure 28c, the information needed for Figure 29c menu display blocks is stored iaz the ~aenu display blocks' subfile 854 of the oaenu display and cursor graphics 850. In this particular subrnenu, there are three menu display blocks ~i 0 of rectangular shape.
Figure 29d shows the addition of cursor lai~light overlay graphics 1526 for the program description graphics.
WO 9dt14,2s: PC'I"llJS93I~161$
?his information is obtained from the cursor highlight overlay ' submenu, one of the overlay graphics. For most asa)or menus 1020 and submenus 1050. only one cursor highlight overlay " 1526 will appear on the screen at a given time. ll~ore cursor 5 highlight overlays 1525 will appear on a screen when the subscriber is presented with more than one question. ?he number of cursor highlight overlays 1526 will generally correspond with the number of questions being presented to the subscriber on the menu. ?he cursor highlight overlay 10 1526 is generally assigned a default position on sash menu screen and is moved by .the subscriber using the remote control 9th~.
Figure 2~e shows the text generation 1534 necessary for the program description submenu for a hit movie. As in 15 Figure 26e. some of the tent for the program desc~~iption submenu is consistently on each program description submenu< such as °PRESS FiER~ ?O RE'TCJRN °TO C:AHLE
'I~T.' ?his textual fnformation may be stored locally and processed through the text generator 521 before being sent 20 to the video combiner 624.
o. j,~Qfprromc~tiona9 ~liden Figure 2~f shows the addition of video 1560 to the video window 1656. In ors alternative embodiment, the video shown in the program description aubmenu is a still picture.
2 5 ?he still picture may be stored in a compressed format isuch as .JPEG) at the set top terminal 220. ?hose video stills 1560 ' that are used on program description aubmenus as well as other menus, may be transmitted by the operations center 202 through the program control information signal from 3 0 time to time.
In the preferred embodiment, the video windo°av 1556 shows a agoving video picture. For the hit moults category.
wo ~anus~ ~'TIUS93f11618 the moving video picture may be obtained directly from a current feed of the described movie. For example, the movie video shown may be taken directly off of a chanxsel which is currently showing the movie T~natnator. °I'he set top terminal 220 would decompress the channel with the movie ~r~rmin~tor and then manipulate the video signal to place it in the video ~yindow 1556. Tlxis manipulation of the video signal includes sca3lng down the size of the video screen and redirecting tide video to a portion of the menu screen which is within the video window of the menu. Another anethod of getting the moving video f~'erm_i~tor video chip) to the video window portion of the submenu, is to obtain the video from a split screen channel described later.
Figure 29g shows the final product resulting from the combining of Figures 29a through 29f. The video combiner 624 integrates each of these portions of information into a single menu screen 1055.
The video combiner 624 which displays the menus on the television screen obtains information primaafly from three locations, the graphics generator 622. the text generator 621, and the video decompressor 616 (with other video manipulation equipment, if necessary). The graphics generator 622 primarily obtains information from the graphic memory unit 620 but racy receive information in the STTCIS.
The text generator 621 primarily receives its information from a separate memory for text. However, in certain embodiments the text information may be stored ira the graphics memory 620 or may be taken directly off the STTCIS. The video signal which is sent to the video 3tI combiner 62~ may come directly from one or :sore video decompressors or ancillary video manipulation equipment.
VltO 9d11421~ ~'1US93lllbla One of the methods for video clips or promotional video to be sent to the set top terminal 2~0 is through the use of split screen video techniques. Using a split screen technique, any number of different video clips nay be sent (e.g.. 2. 4. 6, or 6 video clips) on a single channel. Figure 30 shows the throughput of a single channel using a split screen video technique to divide the channel into four parts. In this manner, four different video clips raay be simultaneously sent on a single channel. Program drscription submenus can acquire one of the video c3lps shown on the split channel at any given time. Generally., this requires the set top terminal 220 to decompress the entire channel, acquire one-fourth of the video in!'ormation, scale the video (if necessary), and redirect the video (if necessary). Using this split screen technique 1fi02. numerous video clips may be sent over a limited number of channels. For example. forty eight different video clips may be sent simultaneously on a single channel using split screen video techniques. In this embodiment, the video signal away rated to be scaled upwardly to enlarge the picture for viewing in a video window or on a full screen. Fted3rectfng by pixel offset may be used to place the video in the video window.
'The terminal uses known scaling and positioning techniques similar to those currently used in consumer electxonics to produce picture-in-picture. Additional circuitry may be required in the set top terminal 22~ to perform adequate scaling and atpositioning.
In an alternative embodiment, which avoids the need for redirecting video into the portion of the screen which houses the video window 1556, masking and menu graphics are used to cover the portions of the channel video that are not needed. 'T'his maslstng technique allows the split screen w~ 9an~us= ~°ms93msu video to remain in the same portion of the screen that it. is transmitted by the operations center. The masking then is ad,~usted to cover the undesired portions of the screen.
These masks would be stored in the background graphics file 800 similarly to other background tiles for menus. -The advantage of the system is the cost savings in not needing to redirect video. T'hc disadvantage of the system is that the video window on a description submenu, for txample. would not remain fn the same location from menu to menu. This inconsistency in video window location detracts from the aesthetieally pleasing aspects of the menu layouts.
If the masking technique is used in conjunction with the split screen video shown in Figure 30, eaeh submenu has approximately one-quarter screen of video and three-quarter screen of graphic and text information. For example, a submenu or promo menu for a basketball game would mask all but the upper right-hand comer of the screen. Following masking. other background graphics 1550. Iogo graphics 1508, menu display 1820. cursor graphics 1526, and text information 1530 would be overlayed over the three-quarter mask as described earlier. In a similar manner. a submenu or promo anenu for a hockey game would also have a three-quarter mask. This three-quartel° mask would mask alI but the Dower right-hand corner of the screen. sin, the remaining menu graphics. logos and textual information .
would overlay the three-quarter mask. As can be appreciated from this pie, four different e-quarter masks are ' stored in the background graphics 61e 800 for use in the four possible video window positions.
The split screen video technique may also be used for promoting television programming. Since a great number of short video clips easy be sent continuously, full or partial t subscriber would simply graze from promotional video to promotional video until ding (and ordering) the desired teltvision prograt~.
W~ 98114x&- PCT'i1JS9311161E
'The Turbo C ?utilises the capabilit~r of the stt top conv~~ter X21 as mush as possible to avoid duplie~tion of r~'rNS~3n isia components. F'or example. the Turbo Card 700 uses the set top converter's tuner thus avoiding the cost of an additional tuner.
The PC Chip CPU 702 is used for controlling the components of the T~xrbo Card 700. The PC chip 702 is also used to perform database management, billing and data logging functions. An example of a PC Chip CPU ?02 which can be used is the IC PC/Chip F'8680E, manufactured by Chips & Technologies Corporation. located at 3050 ~nker Road.
San Jase. CA 95134. (408) 434-0600. The PC chip CPU X02 is a single chip implementation of an IBM PC 5~I° equivalent architecture. All peripherals may be interfaced to the PC
chip CPU 702 through an industry standard architecture (ISA) bus. ?he memory on the card may be an EPROM or i 5 other similar device. Typically a ~-megabyte EPROM
containing BIOS programs is used in this embodiment. 'llwo BIOS programs, the PC chip BIOS and the VGA controller BIOS, are the primary contents of the EPROM. Ttais EPROM
also contains the equivalent of a C: hard drive. This hard drive is similar to those found on a PC which provides the means to °boot° the DOS Opera~ng System. The card also includes a 1 megabyte DRAM, which may be expanded to 4 megabytes. Most of this memory is used as a RAM drive after the 'l1u'bo Card X00 boots up.
A video combiner 706 is used to combine RGB video created by the Graphics Controller ?04 with video from the set top converter 221. An example of a video combiner ?06 which can be used in the present invention is an IG GENLOCK
Signal Processor GSP500. manufactured by Integrated Circuit Systems. Inc., located at 2626 lean Buren Avenue. P.O. Box 968. valley Forge. PA 194820 (215D 666-1900.
--.
WO 94114ZS= PC'I'li?S93l116I8 an HDLG serial receiver ?22. This receiver 712 demodulates any data transmissions at a fixed frequency of 108 MHz.
Typically. the earl receives and demodulates 108 MHz FSK
carrier signals. having a data rate of 56 kilobits. In the 5 preferred embodiment. a 1.5 megabyte ~PSK encoded signal is used.
Once such signals are received, the contents of the signals are stored fn the card°s databases. Each signal°s content is commonly structured in Synchronous Data Line 10 Control (SDLCl format. Other formats, such as HDhC, may also be used. The HDLC/SDLC recriver ?22 processes the demodulated signal from the 108 I~Hz FSK or ~PSK receiver demodulator 7I4, which provides a clock and data synchronously into the HDLC/SIaLC receiver during such 15 processing. The HDhC/SDLC receiver ?22 presents the data stream (or packets) to the PC chip CPCJ 702 for storage. The stored data packets form the basis for the data base files and other information. which have been downloaded from the cable headend 208 to the Turbo Card ?00.
20 The VGA controller ?04 is used to generate new graphics. An example of a VGA graphic controller ?04 which can be used with the present invention is a VGA ConttoDer ET4000-144 manufactured by Ts~ng-Labs. The VGA graphic controller ?04 is an industry standard VGA controller chip 25 and makes use of an additional 812 kbiLs of dynamic memory ie.g.. a VRAM). from which one complete drawing page of 256 color pixels 1640 x 480 resolution) may be formed. The VGA controller ?04 receives its dot clock from the GSP r00 eombiner ?06. The GSP S00 combiner ?06 receives a synr -30 signal from any incoming NN'155C video signals provided by the set top converter 221. Typically. the GSP 500 coaabiner ?06 strips sync information from each Nl'SC video signal and uses Wp ø41g42S~ ~C.'TltJS93J1I61E
~49 In the preferred embodimentm the logic block is enhanced to make use of the sic signal extracted from the wo Farm pcr~s~3n'sia so the screen alone or in conjunction with N'I'SC video on a pixel-by-pixel basis.
The Turbo Card's Iogic is customized to interface the PC chip CPtI 702 to either the General instruments CFT
2000 or the Scientific Atlanta 8fi00 converter. The logic includes the ability to scan the keypads (not shovm) that are present in the set top converters 221 for keystroke entry and also the ability to receive infrared comanands from the set top converter's remote control. .Any keystroke entries and commands generate a signal that is sent to the PC chip CPU
702 for processing by the application software. Likewise, the Turbo Card 700 has the ability to simulate a serial infrared comrr~ar~d and scud it to other set top converter components.
This allows the PC chip CPU ?02. along with its softurare, to control the set top converter 221.
Menu selections made by the viev~~er on the remote control 900 are received by the IR equipment of the converter 221 and passed through to the Turbo Card ?00.
The Turbo Card software interprets the IR signal and determines the program (or menu) the viewer has selected.
The program selection information is sent by the Turbo Card software to the set top converter 221 by modifying the IR
command. The modified IR command contains the channel information needed by the set trap converter 221.
2 5 a.
Figure 8 shows the basic organization of the program menu system. Although the terns 'menus' has been used above, the menus could also be seen as defining zones or categories of programming. The first series of menus.
Introductory menu 1~00. Nome aaenu 1010, ?Jlajor Menus 1020. and Submenus 1050 execute subscriber program seIectiora inputs. The During progra~a aaenus 1300 provide a wo sinus: ~'r~r~3l~i~ya subscriber with additional features or options after a program has been selected and shown. 'there are two primary types of During program menus 1200. Hidden Menus and Program Overlay Menus. The menu sequence and each menu structure has been particularly program designed using the 'eye-off the-remote' design concept de.g.. the cursor movement and "go" buttons X70, 975). Since the subscriber never needs to take his eye off the television screen. the cable operator is likely to have the subscriber's complete attention.
°Fhe introductory menu screen 1000 automatically appears upon power-up and initialization of the set top tern~ina,l 220. The introductory menu screen 1000 provides important announcements or messages. In addition, the menu 1000 can be used to inform the subscriber that a personal or group message is available for viewing. The subscriber array then access the personal or group message with an appropriate key entry while viewing the introductory anenu 1000. Since the intraductory menu 1000 must be viewed by each subscriber. it also provides an opportunity for the cable provider to run advea~tisements.
Following the Introductory menu screen 1000 the subscriber ~rilI normally be advanced to the home menu screen 1010. Tht home menu 1010 is the basic menu from which the subscriber will snake the first level of viewing decisions tend to which the subscriber may later return).
From the home menu 1010. the subscriber is able to access a all television programming options. Some programming options may be accessed through cursor moveasent on the screen, others directly by a button selection on the remote control 900. or both. on-screen selection and remote control 900 direct access.
wo 9araazs: ~crrvs~3nasas in the normal progression through the menu screens.
the subscriber rovill be forwarded to a majar menu screen 1020 that correlates to his direct remote control 900 selection or selection from the home menu screen 1010.
The selections on the home menu 1010 are for large categories of progr g options and therefore the major menu 1020 allows the subscriber to further refine a search for a desirable television program.
Following the major menu 1020 the subscriber v~rill navigate through orie or mare submenu screens 1050 from which the subscriber will chaose one particular program for viewing. For most prograiraming selections the user will proceed frorr~ the home menu 1010 to a major menu 1020 and then to one or more submenus 1050. However, for I ~ certain programming options or functions of the aet top terminal 220 the user may ship one or more menus in the sequenee. For example. in the preferred embodiment the subscriber may directly access a anajor menu 1020 by pressing a single icon button. In an altemattve embodiment.
the introductory menu 1000 1 provide the user with the capability of directly aceessing information on the subscriber°s cable television account without proceeding through a series of menus.
The series of menus shown in Figure 8 is the standard formatr a variety of altunatsve sequences are possible. An introductory screen upon poaaer up that contains important messages. followed by a baxae menu IOiO with major programming categories is the basis upon which many alternative embodiments of the menu driven selection 3 0 process can be built skipping a sequence or level of the aaenu stricture is possible and perhaps desired in certain instances. 1n simple wo ~mazs= ~c'r~s9am~~a s4 sub-categories or provide the subscriber wish access to further information on a particular program.
For example, the major anenu for children's programming 1024 provides a list of subcategories 1052 from 5 which the subscriber selects. Upon selection of a subcategory. a subraenu represented generally at block 1050, listing program choices within that sub-category is shown to the subscriber. upon selection of a particular programming choice within the ffrst submenu 1050. the subscriber may be 10 provided with a second subrnenu 1054 describing the program that the subscriber has selected. From this menu.
the subscriber may confirrrz his program choice and receive a confirmation submenu 1056 from the set iop terminal 220 software.
15 'Fo avoid disturbing a subscriber during viewing of a program. hidden menus 1380 are used. The Hidden Menus 138a are not shown to the subscriber but instead "reside" at the set top terminal 220 microprocessor. The Hidden Menus 1380 do not affect the stleeted program audio. The 20 microprocessor awaits a button entry before executing or displaying any Hidden Menu options. The Hidden Menus 1380 provide the subscriber with additional functions such as entering an interactive mode or escaping fa°om a selected progra,m~
25 Program Overlay Menus 1390 (similar to Hidden Menus 1380) are used during a prograsa. However, tbt Fro Overlay Menus 1390 are overlayed onto portions of the television screen and not hidden. The Program Overlay Menus 1390 allow the subscriber to continue to watch the .
30 selected television program with audio but place additional information on portions of the television screen. Most overlays cover small portions of the screen allowing the n w~ ~»~ts: ~r~us~3m6ia simple fret sequence is both easy for the subscriber to use and simply irraplea~ented by the set top teraninal 220 and remote control device 9t~0 with cursor movement. A user interface software programmer will find aaany obvious 5 variations from the preferred embodiment shown.
8.
Figure 1 ~ is a chart showing a preferred embodiment of progra~aa routines for sequencing menus. t3pon powtrup of the set top terminal 2203. a start up routine 89~ is performed.
1 ~ Any error checking is thereafter performed 891, and an introductory menu subroutine 892 is performed. This subroutine displays the introductory menu and the microprocessor 6~2 thereafter awaits for an input 893.
At the home anenu portion 89? of the sequence of 1 ~ routines, a subscriber a~ay select one of the major menus, thus starting the sequence of displays represented by routine block 898. Alternatively, a subscriber may go directly to a major menu by depressing a menu select button on the remote 9~0 and the microprocessor will go Lo the selected 2 0 menus subroutine 896.
Once a subscriber has selected a major menu, the appropriate subroutines are executed by the microprocessor tshown in block 8981. After each display. the agirroprocessor fi02 awaits far a selection by the subscriber tshown as block 25 899).
After displaying the major menu 1020 and receiving a selection by the user, a particular submenu 1050 for a . .
aubcategory is displayed. Again. tht anicroproceasor 602 waits for an input from the subscriber. Following the input. a 3~ routine to display a progress listing subnaenu is ocecsated.
After receiving another selection, tl~e microprocessor 602 performs the next routine for displaying a program WO 9RJ142~ P~C'I°tBJS93111618 ~7 description submenu. 'hereafter, if a particular selection requires a confirmation menu. Lhat subroutine is executed and the appropriate menu displayed. The selected video is then decompressed and displayed on the television screen. If there are any display overlay menus or hidden menus. the proper subroutine is exeeuted by the microprocessor 602 and these menus are displayed.
'With continued reference to Figure 10, at any time during the selection of menus in major menu block 898, the subscriber may also depress another major menu button to move into a second column of routines trepresented by major menu 2, major menu 3, etc. columns). Thus, a subscriber may move from major menu to major menu. Additionally, a subscriber nay depress a home menu button on remote 900 to return to the horns menu 89y at any brae.
The various subroutines executed by the microprocessor 802 alloy a subscriber to navigate through the various menus of the present invention. A subscriber may sequence back through menus or return to the home menu 897 vsrith one-touch of the horns menu button on the remote control 900. Ail of these functions help to add to the system°s user friendliness.
._ w~ ~nua: ~rrers~3ni~m ~9 At any time during this process. the subscriber zzaay exit l I22 back to the network submenu 1114.
In additian to selecting specific networks from a . par2lcular major Hnenu. the subscriber also has the option of choosing a PPY program 1112. Should the subscriber select a PPV program category from the major menu, a list of PPV
program titles will be displayed as a submenu 1122. From this submenu 1122 the subscriber can select a specific PPV
program title 1124. The menu sequencing logic v~rill vary depending arz which is selected (as shown at block 1126).
Figure l lb diagrams the menu sequence logic for a PPV
program selection. As shown in Figure llb, once a PPV
program title has been selected fat bloek 1126) the menu system determines whether the title has been previously purchased 1128. If the event has not been previously purchased. a payment screen 1130 will be displayed. A
description of the event will be provided to the subscriber along with the next start daze, the cost of the event and the amount of free viewer tae for previewing. The subscriber 2~ has the option of purchasing the event. If the subscriber chooses not to purchase the events the PPV program title list will be redisplayed.
~nce a PF~I pro has been purchased or a previously paid program has bean selected, a 'thank you banner" 1192 artll be displayed. This banner 11,32 provides the name of the progr selected and the amount of preview a left before the program is actually logged as a paid event. 'Ibis 'thank you banner 1132 has a timer associated with it which . automatically removes the banner after a set period of time te.g.. 30 seconds). Alternatively, the subscriber can immediately remove the banner 1132 by pressing any key.
Once the rthank you banner° 1132 is removed, the system WO 9llld?,S: PCTIUS93Ill6la checks whether interstitial material is playing at the time of the PFD event selection (as at block 1134). If a program is in progress, the system will remove any 'time to event banner"
and the set top terminal 220 will be tuned to the pro~am's 5 channel (View Program 1145). In addition. the system determines mhether there is a Iink to a barker channel 1136 (or event field itean) when the interstitial material is present.
If a barker channel link sedate for the event, the set top terminal vuill be tuned to the barker channel (block 1138).
I 0 Subsequently, a banner vrill be displayed which indicates the program°s name and time remaining until it starts. At the start time of the program, the set top terminal 220 will be tuned to that program's channel 1145. If, on the other hand, no barker channel link has been specified, the set top 15 terminal 220 will be tuned to the program's channel 1140 and display the interstitial with time to next show banner i 140.
During this process, the subscriber has the option of exiting I 142 the program at any time by pressing the cancel 20 key. During the program. the system will constantly check for the end of the program i 144. Whtre the program remains in progress, the sit top terminal 220 will remain tuned to the program's channel 1145 and all banners wilt be removed. The system will continue to viev~ the program.
25 looping through the interstitial and barker channel link loops, until the program is ended or exited. ~nce the program ends or the subscriber exits the prograan, eat remarks and a final 'thank you banner' will be displayed 1146.
30 Figure llc diagrams the alternate sequence for the selection of a PFD program, beginning at decision block 1126. Once s PP'V program title has been selected. Lhe menu wo ~anus~ ~rrvs~3msia system determines whether the program has been previously purchased 1150. as in the PPS selection process dcseribed above. The system again displays a "thank you banner 1152 upon purchase 1151 or previous payment and determines 5 whether interstitial a~aterfal is presently being viewed 1154.
if intersutiai material (e.g., promotionals) is present on the program channel. a banner showing the next show time is generated and placed on the television screen 1160. When the program is in progress. the system removes any "time to 10 event banner" 1156 and the set top terminal 220 will be tuned to the appropriate program channel. mother banner will be displayed which indicates the prograan's name and time remaining to start and the program is viewed 1158.
'The system software will stay in a loop unto access to 15 the program ends 1162 or when the subscriber exits the prograrn 1164. Again. the system constantly checks for the end of the program or the end of access. 'The subscriber also has the option of exiting the program at any time by pressing the cancel key. Upon end of access or eadting of the program 20 exit remarks and a final 'thank you banner' 1166 will be displayed.
9. ~bo Card Software Figure 12a provides a detailed overview of the Turbo Card software ilow 1600. which imolement$ a menu 25 sequence ~wtth the program flow depicted as single.
solid continuous lines and routine calls depicted as single dashed lines). As shown in Figure 12a. the 'Turbo Card software makes use of seven software routines. 'These routines include: ( 1 ) enter cable '~ mode 1602. (2) menu 30 system 1604, (3) electronic pro de 1606. (4) preview 1608, t5) YCTV 1610, t6) utility loop 1612, and (?') file I~' I
W~ ~~1~= P'~'TNS93I11618 manager I614. Figures 12b through 12g diagram each of these software routines in further detail.
Figure 12b details the initialization and normal operating anode of the Turbo Card software IfOa. The figure shows the flow of the software before the subscriber selects any functions or menu options. 'Ihe first block 1616 of the figure indicates the start of the progress, which is subsequently followed by the portion of the routine Lhat unmaps the remote control 9a0 hand-held keys 1618. This unmapping step disables any previously entertd keystrokes on the remote control 90~. '~"he software thin Inters the cable '~'V mode 162f~ followed by the keystroke Ioap 161?.
The key input subroutine 1622 in the keystroke loop 1617 spins until a keystroke is entered tas shown at block 1622).
Following an entered keystroke, the keystroke loop checks whether a menu keystroke has been entered (decision block 1624). If a menu keystroke has been entered, the keystroke loop 16 i T is exited. The system tunes to a barker channel 1626, remaps the hand-held keys 2~ to the new selection )at 1628) and loads the old iaenu as the current menu Eat 163~). Subsequently. the ills manager software described below is initiated through software flow entry point C, Figure 12c.
If an alpha,'nuzneric or digit key is entered instead of a menu key, the keystroke loop 161? continues with a digit key entry sequence 1625. This sequence sends the key selected to the set top 1634, which effectively places the routine in .
the key input spin 1622 again. Where only the first digit has been entered (as at block 1636. a digit timer will be initiated -block 1638) and the routine returns to the key input spin 1622. If, howavtr, both digits have been catered the digit timer is cleared 1647 and the diet tiaaer wll1 experience a wo sanus: pcrrus93rtisia key has been entered by the subscriber. if no other key has been entered, the routine returns to the key input spin 1652.
If, on the other hand, a keystroke has been entered. the current menu will be saved as an old menu ibloek 1668 and the routine will compute a new current menu type 16?~.
~'he rouge 1604 sequentially determines whether this current menu is either an electronic program guide type 1 fiT2, preview type 16y4 or event type menu xreen 1676. If the electronic program guide type has been selected. the IO routine initiates the draw electronic prograu~ guide (~FGi screen routine shown ira Figure 12d. If the preview type menu has been selected. the routine initiates the preview screen routine Shawn in Figure i2e. If the event type menu screen has been selected, the buy st~eext software shown in Figure 8f is initiated. If none of these menu type screens have been selected the routine 160 returns to the draw current menu subroutine 1650.
Figure lad diagrams the eiecuonic program guide software flow 1606. 'Rhe routine 1604 begins with the draw electronic program guide screen subroutine 1680. ?he routine 1606 txecutes the key input spin Ifi82 waiting for a subscriber keystroke entry. Once a keystroke is entered, the routine 1606 enters a keystroke Ioop 1683, which has a flow sixniiar to the keystroke laop 1651 described above.
2 5 Unlike the keystroke loop 16S 1 described above.
however, this loop also checks whether the volume down key has been selected 1696. If the volume down key has been selected, the cursor is moved io the left on the screen 1698 and the routine re-craters the key input spin 1682. then.
however, the volume up key has been entered 1700 the routine moves the cursor to the rt~t ors the screen 1702 and returns to the key input spin 1682. If the cursor up, down.
1~'0 1~411~.'. NS~311161$
b~
left, or right kcys ha~c not bcen selected. the systcnn software detcrxnines whcthcr another keystroke instcad has been entered 1?~~4. cre another keystroke has. in fact, been cntcred. the software assemblcs the channel nuxaber 1?06 5 and checks whether the channel n~txaber selected is a valid entry 1?~~.
Upon selcction of a key. the routine next cntcrs a digit key cntry scquence 1?1 f. which has a flow s to the /r,, ~~ ~1~ pCTNS93Jllblg routine initially scans a buy table for authorization 1750 and then determines whether or not the event selected by the subscribes has been already purchased 1?52. If the event has been already purchased, a 'join the event screen' 1?54 will S be displayed by the routine and the routine will enter the key input loop 1956.
once a key has beers entered 1758, the routine determines whether or not the event corresponding to the key is available 17fi0. If the event is unavailable, the routine returns to the general menu drawing routine shown 1650 in Figure 12c, entering that routine I fi50 at the circle designated by the letter '~3° in that routine. Where, however.
the event is available, the software looks up the channel number 1?fit and sends that specific channel number to the set top terminal 22fl. as represented at block 16?4. The routine subsequently enters the normal operating ~aode routine shown in Figure 12b, be g between block 1616 and 1618.
Where the event chosen, on the other hand, has not already been purchased. as at bleek 1752. the routine generates a buy screen for display I?66. T'he routine subsequently enters a keystroke entry loop I?69, which is similar to the keystroke loops 1651. I683 and 1?31.
described . °Ihis loop 1?69 is exited upon entry of an alphadnumeric or digit key as at block 1?82. The routine 1610 subsequently determines whether a menu type has been selected 1784.
Where a menu type has been selected, the routine enters the general menu drawing routine 1650 shown in Figure 12c through softwart flow entry paint 'fi'. 'Nhere a menu type has not been selected 1?8~, however, the rout#ne deterrnirres whether an event has been purchased 1?. 1f an W~ 94I132~~ PC.'~'ILJS9311161a Dnce the cable headend 208 has been called, the routine 1612 determines whether the transfer has been successful 1820. If the transfer is unsuccessful, the file manager routine 1612 is called tat block 1818), otherwise.
the log is erased and events marked are reported back to the cable headend 208 tas spawn at block 1822). Upon completion of this process. the routine calls the Isle manager routine 1614 described beiowr, and determines whether a new database is asrailabIe 1824.
If a new data base is avalIabla the routine enters the normal operating mode Ediagramed in Figure I2b beginning at 1616,, otherwvfse, the routine 16I2 determines whether a key has been entered 1826. either through infrared command or through key pad entry. If a key has been entered, the routine reads the key 1828 before exiting this routine 1CI2. If no key has been entered, the routine 1612 is exited.
Figure 12h diagrams the software routine for the file manager 1814. This software is transparent to the subscriber, runs in background. and awakes use of files dawnloaded froaa the headend 2~8. These files typically consist of polling requests that command the set top 220 to report purchase lnforraation to the hesdend 208.
During the download process, the routine 1614 determines whether the DMA receive i$ complete 1830. If the DN1A receive fs incomplete, the routine 1614 is exited, otherv~se, the routine ehecks for packet errors 1832. 1f an error in the SDL~C packet is detected. the routine 1814 is also exited. "here no error has been detected the routine 1614 assembles each packet in the file 1 Subsequently, the routine 1614 determines whether the file is complete 1836. If the 81e is incomplete the wo ~anus~ ws~amsia ~reat~s a new iEst of database yes (a~airq represented at block 1 ~4~~.
The routine I ~ I4 subse~~aentl~ determines whether all files have been rccefved I~46. If ail Hles have been received.
I5 a new database is made available 1~~ and the routine lfil~
is ted. If, on the other h da all files have n~t been wo 9anass= ~'rNSS'niata ?I
selection by the subscriber. Various levels of subscription prograrsiming znay be used. including a 'Basic' cable package and a -Baste Plus' package. Each of the choices of subscription programming preferably is assigned a different color. This increases the user friendIfrress of the present invention.
Typically. the left half of the screen is used to list the channel number and network abbreviation of the most popularly watched networks as shown at 1190. The right haU
of the screen offers access to a variety of major rraenus 1020 listed by category names as shown at 1020.
A number of major menus 1020 may be utilized in conjunction with the home menu. By pressing the alpha-numeric or iron key of the remote 900 comsponding to the category of programs the subseriber desires, the appropriate major rx~enu 1020 is accessed. In addition, the subscriber may employ an on-screen cursor to select any option shown in the menu.
Figure 14 also shows how additional major menus 1020 can be displayed on the home menu screen 1010. When there is no longer room available for additional major menu 1020 choices on the home screen. the subscriber nay access a second screen of the hayae menu 1010. For example, in Figure 14, if' additional major ~mmenus 1020 "J-Z' 1131 existed, the a~ubsoriber would access those menus by highlighting and selecting the J-Z menu option (or press the J-Z key on the remote 900). After selecting J-Z~ the second or extended home menu screen 1010 would apgear oa a subscriber°s television. "Ibis menu would then list options J-Z separately by name. 'Theoretically. the home menu 1010 may have many extended home aaenu screens. I~3owever. any w~ gnus= ~'rr~s9arnsr:
more than a few extended home menu screens would confuse the average subscriber.
T°he home menu 1010 may be modified to include additional features at the bottom of the television screen. For example, one option 1192 would allow a subscriber to access progFam selections that are available on broadcast television.
Clearly. numerous variatians are avai3able for the home menu 1010. ' Figure 15 shows an alternate embodiment II93 of the IO home menu 1010 (or the menu which would normally follow the introductory menu '1000) which can sianply be the standard cable channel line-up. Offering the standard cable line-up on a separate menu may make selection easier for viewers with small television screens.
Figures lfi is an exaiaple of a mayor menu 1020 for the movies categories depicted as I042 and 1048 in Figures 9a and 9b. respectively. The hit movies category 1048 fs a list of recently released movies which have been found to be popular among movie Boers. "This movie list is changed once or twice a week to keep in line with new movie releases. again. multi-window and customized window techniques for example option instructions ~ 1394 are utilized to awake the menu as user friendly as possible.
In the preferred embodiment of the hit movies menu 1048, the hit movies menu icon II98, along wvit& the hit movies category letter A. are displayed. The current date and time are displayed at the top of the s 1197 over a menu background. T'en movie selections. with their ratings 1199.
are displayed in the enter of the screen 1198, each in a box which may be highlighted when selected. In the lower part of the screen 1194, a logo window 1200 is available as well as other option choices. Movie Library and Return to Cable ~.
pc~rNS93msia correspondingly. 'Therefore, the premium subscription service (ala carte service) would have a dark red color.
eontrast~ng with the light pink color of the basic subscription service.
In Figure i 7, the pnovie description submenu 1058 for the movie titled T'e~~ f~ nato,~Four is shown, signifying that the subscriber may choose this prograyn option from the hit movie major menu 1042. Figures 17~19 show submenus which would follow the selection of na or Four from the hit movie ma,or menu lOSB. In Figure 17, the sash 1197 across the tog of the scrten remains constant from major menu 1020 to program description submenu 1058. For the comrort of the subscriber, the left upper window in an alternative embodiment can remain the saaae and show the current time. The upper right-hand corner contains a message stating the next start time for the movie selected.
In order to allow subseribers to view hit movies at their convenience, multiple start tiaaes for the same movie are provided. In order to provide the rr~uIt3ple start tame service, the same movie must be spawn on multiple channels at staggered start times. For example, if T~ ermin_,~,ar Fnur is a two-hour length anavie it can be shown continuously on eight different channels, with each showing delayed 8ftten aainutes after the previous showing. ?his allows the subscriber to begin viewing the movie within a fifteen minute time interval.
5lnce the subscriber is not required to find the channel which has the correct start time, the subscriber is unaware that the movie is being shown on eight different channels. In fact, with the use of the submenus, a subscriber is able to 3~ nearly effortlessly choose the correct channel and correct activation tine for viewing the desired movie. 'The channel selection is invisible to the subscriber.
..
WO 941142$° F°~T'NS93111698 T
'The set top terminal 220 is able to automatically determine which channel will next begin to show the selected movie using any number of techniques. For example, the set top terminal 22~ has an internal clack representing the current time. The set top terminal 22C? could compare the current time with the start times for the movie on the various channels. Alternatively. a signal could bt sent with Lhe mavie on all channels. This signal will set, or restt, a counter to indicate that a particular channel will next begin 1 ~ the anovie. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other methods to determine the next available start time and channel for the selected movie are available.
The Figure I ~ movie description submenu 1058 retains the title in a window 124 generally at the top center of the 18 screen. A multiple window technique is used in the middle of this menu to display a description of the movie and one or more video frames 1208 that assist the subscriber in selecting the movie. 'The video window 12~8 provided by the menu may include a still picture, a shore but repetitive video 20 cut. or a portion of the movie that is currently shaving on any one of the channels cawing the movie at the bane of the submenu's display.
Just below the vidto window 12~8, the submenu provides the cost of viewing the movie and the movie length 25 in hours and minutes 1212. An additional strip window 1214 is provided, below the video and description down i2~8.
1212, inforiaing the subscriber of the movie's release date.
' Moving towards the bottonx of the menu, the subscriber is given at least four aptsons: E 1 ) the ability to order the movie 3~ 121fi. E2) preview ghe movie, E~) to re to the hit movie menu 1218. snd E4) to press °o' and return to regular 'I~~
122~, WO 9d/id2s3 PC'TlUS93r1161E
Figure 18 shows the next submenu 1060 in the hit movie menu sequence stemming from the seleetion of Serm"~,nator Four. This particular submenu Y060 shows confirmation 1224 of the subscriber's hit movie order of 5 Trr_m_in~tor FQUr. The menu display retains the sash across both the iop and bottom of the screen. ~1n alternate form of the menu 1060 maintains the current time 4n tht left upper window. the title in the top center window, and the next movie start time in the upper right-band window.
1 fl In the center of the submenu screen I060 is a video window 1228 which may be used for still or moving video, t~s indicated at 1230, the submenu provides the subscriber with two on-screen options, return to regular TV or ,loin the movie ?~,~,i, n tQ~] our already in progress. In an alternative 15 embodiment of this submenu 1060. the user is given the ability to return directly to the home menu screen ~OIO.
'then the movie's start time is approaching, the set tog terminal 220 will autamatieally bring the viewer to the correct channel carrying the movie '1°crmin,r Four.
20 However. Figure 19 depicts a notification submenu 1061 informing the user that a program selection is about to begin (e.g.. oounting down until start tame). Using this submenu 1061, the set top terminal 220 the subscriber prior to switching froia the channel being viewed to a prior selected 25 program channel. °This notification submenu 1061 is provided to the subscriber approximately one or more minutes before the set top t 220 changes the vies~ing channel.
The notification submenu I06I also allows the 30 subscriber to cancel the movie order. In Figure 19. the subscriber is notified in the cer>ixr of the scorn, generally at 1234, that the subscriber may be canceled within the first five minutes. Alternatively, the subscriber may press escape to cannel his order without charge. "Fhe notification submenu 1061 then informs the subscriber of the start time generally at the upper right portion 1236 of the screen.
~n alternative noti$cation submenu tnot shown' would use a simple three-window menu. A strip window at the top of the screen would notify a subscriber of the movie selected and the amount of time before the movie will begin. ~! center window would display a scene from the movie, and at the bottom of the sereen. the submenu would carry another strip menu ravhich informs the user how to escape from the program selection without charge.
using a notification submenu allows a subscriber to view other programs prior to the movie start tune. Th,e subscriber is amply notified of the start time of the program and is effortlessly moved to the correct channel to view the selected program. ?'his notification-t,~pe submenu represented in Figure 19 may be used to move a subscriber froara the current channel to any preselected channel for viewing a program 2 0 which has been ordered at an a tier time. In the preferred embodiment. the amount of time provided by the notification submenu 1061 and similar submcnus may be customized by the subscriber to a preferred Iengih. If a subscriber cancels or escapes. the set top terminal 220 will return to the 2 5 channel eurrentty being viewed.
~ shown in Figure 20a. in the preferred embodiment.
~ the subscriber is given a During Prograas Menu 1300.
specifically, an escape overlay menu 1392 to inform the subscriber when the five minutes of :aovie escape time has 30. expired. Dnee the time has expired. the subscriber will be bllled for the movie selection.
~VQ 941I~'NS931116IE
?~
Figure 20b shows another overlay menu 1240 (part of the group of During Program Ivienus 1300) warning that the subscriber is escaping a program after being charged for the order of that program. 'The g overlay menu 124~ of Figure 20b follows in sequence and is prompted by a hidden menu 1393 (shown in Figure 9a) which constantly monitors for subscriber input during vieanng of the program. Zhe hit movie hidden anenu (not shown) specifically waits for certain key entries by the subscriber. In particular, the hit movie 1.0 hidden anenu awaits for a key stroke such as escape, cancel or an icon selection. If the 'escape button is depressed during the viewing of a hit movie the overlay menus of Figure 20a and Figure 20b will be shown. A strip menu 1242 in the Iower sash 1244 of Figure 20b allows the subscriber to 1 S resume full screen viewing of the hit movie.
Figure 20b is a representative aca,mple of overlay menus 1390. Typically, such menus 1390 have a dark Iower background sash 1244 and a light colored informational sash 1246. The upper portion 1248 of the screen continues to 20 display the video of the program selected.
Figure 20c depicts a representative reentry to ordered selection submenu 1250 for the hit movie category. The reentry to ordered selection submenus 1250 appear whenever a subscriber selects a programming option 2 S (program. rvrnt, or subscription chasuieI), that the subscriber has already ordered. 'Ibis menu has a program title window 1252 with a text title entry and a description of the order ' that has already been placed for the prograura (or channeu. 1n the preferred embodiment. the submenus 1250 which allow ' 30 reentry to ordered selection provide the subscriber with the added option of joining the program within any fifteen minute interval. This sptcial feature of the preferred embodsxaent 6V~ 94JIAZ~ lLJS93lI16ti thirty minutes of ~errr~tnator 4 ma~° reenter the rz~ovie at the 1 ~ thirty-one to fori-~-live minute Interval. The nine hloo~cs 124 of fifteen minutes of the anenu display are representative of the choices available for a two-~ur hit movie. ~ther WO 9d1142s: P(."r'ltJS93t1161~
a moved onto a particular submenu for that movie library subcategory. ~aeh submenu (not shown) would list movie titles whose contents fall within the particular subcategory.
'With reference to Figure 2Ib. following a selection of a movie title. the subscriber is displayed a movie description submenu 1053. In order to maintain a similar pattern throughout the :genus, such movie description submenus 1058 are designed similarly to Figure 18 (which depict movie description subra~enus for the hat movie menu 1042) and racy include other information such as title numbers, Using the submenu 1053 the subscriber may order the movie described 1260, return to the movie library major menu 1282. or return to regular °TV I264.
~°°hr series of Figures 22a-22d depict a typical menu sequence including a major menu 1043 (Figure 22a), a subcategory submenu 1052 (Figure 22b). a program descrfpuon submenu 1054 (Figure 22c), and a confirmation submenu 1056 4Figure 22d). is simple progression of menus is represented generally and repeats itself through the 2 0 menu tree of Figures 9a and 9b.
In the preferred embodimea~ta Figures 22a-22d are a series of menus which are cattgorized in the Documentary and News riiajor category. Figure 22a, the Documentary and News major xaenu 1043 shows. at central region l2ffi.
twelve different subcategories of services available to the subscriber. After selecting a su tegory fr~a~ this major menu 1043. the set top terminal 220 moves the subscriber to a submenu describing programs that are available in the selected subcategory. For example. Figure 22b is a submenu 1052 for subrategory Discove:y eIT~" choice 1265. and shows siac programming choices 120 available for this subcategory~ In an alternate embodiment, this submenu can wo s~raas: ~rr~s~3na~aa sX
display any number of program choic.~es. By choosing one of the programming choices on this Discovery Channel~~ choice submenu 1152, the subscriber araay obtain more information about the particular program. In Figure 22b. the subscriber has highlighted and selected the program War Btrcis 12'74 for further description.
Figure 22c is a prograr~u description submenu 1054 which describes an available program. War Birds. Figure 22c uses thr_ upper right-hand come window 1276 to inform the 1 ~ subscriber of the next stare tiaxe available for the particular prograrra yVar Birds. In paeltaging the special selection of prograzzas. the programmer at his option may Shaw an identical prograra~ on several ch els in order to permit the subscriber greater flexibility in start t3raes. Figure 22c shows the use of a strip menu I2~8 across the lower half of the screen displaying a message and the price of the program.
Similar to other submenus, the subscriber may order the program. return to Lhe mayor menu 1043, or return to regular '.N simply by selecting the choices an the lower part 12?8 of his screen. Figure 22c depicts the subscriber ordering the program War Birds.
Figure 22d is a confismahon submenu 1~5fi generally similar to conf)rmation subme~us in other ma'or mean categories. It confirias the subacsiber°s order of the progxaao War Bir x. °This confirmation submcnu retains the video window 12~fi from the prier subu9enus and also displays the program running time. An alternative submenu may show a strip window snot shown) an the lower part of the screen displaying an °8a0' number and advertising the Disccnreay~°
catalog. Similar rnvf~ndows nnay be ustd throughout submenus to aastst sn advertising for particular programs, channels. or groups o.f programs. A3any variations of the confirmation iV0 9d11a2S- ~C'rIUS93111618 submcnu 1056 are possible, including allowing the user to join the selected program already in progress or return to regular TV. In addition, by depressing the escape button, the subscriber may cancel his order of far Birds from this 5 screen.
~°igure 22e is an example of an overlay menu 1392 presented when a subscriber is exiting from a program selection in which he may rejoin at a later time. This txiting ordered program overlay menu (as shown at 1392 in Figure IO 9a ) is appropriate whenever a subscriber may return to a prograan or channel without additional charges. Since many of the program seiectiorzs are authorized for viewing on a two-day , weekly. or monthly basis. the eating ordered program overiay 1392 is useful in a number of situations.
15 T~ris overlay menu 1392 follows a afmilar format as other overlay menus 1390 having a darker colored lower sash and lighter colored second sash with text information. The sashes are overiayed on the program video currently being watched by the subscriber.
20 Additionally, an exiling ordered program overlay menu 1392 racy be provided for one-tune viewing program selections to which a viewer eannot return. ?here exiting ordered program overlay menus 8392 would thank the viewer for ordering the particular program or channel and entice the 25 viewer to order a similar prograia froaa the sane net~avork.
For example. an exiting program y menu 1392 for a live sports event such as boxing. would thank the viewer and remind him that the network carries regularly scheduled bwdng events on a weekly basis.
30 Figures 23 and 24 relate ~to the ordering of specialty channels through the menu driven system. Figure 23 is a major menu 1x44 that lists fifteen specialty channels 1280 wo ~raus~ PCTlUS931118I8 that are available for subscription and vie~ring. In this partjculax mayor menu 1044, the lower half of the screen 1282, which is utilized to provide the various programming choices, is divided into three vertical sections allowing room for fifteen choiees. This major menu category 1044 is different from the others in that individual programs are not ordered hut instead channels are subscribed to on a monthly or yearly basis. To use this submenu. a subscriber need only select and press °'go" on the channel of his choice.
After the subscriber selects a channel. as shown in Figure 22c. a channel description subanenu 1054 replaces the mayor menu on the subscriber's television screen. 'This description submenu 1054 has '~lndov~s that are similar to other description submenus u:>ed throughout the menu driven system. In the description subiaenus 1054, the upper right-hand corner is used to display the subscription cost far tdze channel and the upper left-hand corner is used to display the me~.lxc~d in which the subscription price v~rill be billed to the subscriber. In this specific scenario, the current time has little bearing on the subscriber°s decision to order the displayed channel and therefore !s not shown on the television screen.
Another submenu 1056, sia~lar to confirmation menus discussed earlier, confirms the subscaiber's order and thanks the subscriber for ordering the spedaJty channel. if the subscriber is already paying for the selected channel, instead of confirming the orders the subscriber is provided with the divided menu 1056 of Figure 22d, infor~lng the subscriber of a current subscription to the Sder'ce F'lction channel. In the screen of lrigure 22d, the subscxR is allowed to ,yoin the channel ire progress. After an ample period of time for the subscriber to read the screen submenu, the submeau Z 056 is t wo gariatsr ~rrms93nma s~
removed from the television screen and the subscriber has a complete view of the programming in progress.
Figure 25 shows a major menu for magazine channels 1030. 'This major menu falls under the letter F. Major Menu.
5 and has an icon 1288 showiaag three magazines. The magazine channel major menu has a menu display block 1290 with 15 options, three columns. each with five selection options. Magazine channels are specialty channels targeted to a particular audience. In the preferred embodiment. each 10 of the magazine channels has a monthly subscription. Figure 25 show:> the science 8ciiori magazine highlighted.
Upon selection of the science fiction magazine, a channel description submenu similar to a program description menu shown in Figure 28) is displayed" This 15 type of submenu has a network logo in the upper left hand part of the screen generated from the logo graphics file 820.
The name of the channel is prominently displayed across the top. In the preferred embodiment, the text for a channel or network mane is stored in long-term text storage. The text 20 description of the channel on tl~e right part of the screen may also be stored in long-term text storage. A video v~indow and a video description window ix provided.
If the subscriber orders a sdence~iiction channel, the subscriber will receive a confirmation menu 1056 somtwhat 25 similar to the menu shown in Figure 22d. This is a representative confirmation menu for subscribing to any network channel. l~ lower sash of appro~dmately equal width to an upper sash of the background menu is displayed in a color prefer.rably different than that of the upper sash. gV'ithin 30 the confirmation sash. a network logo Grad a standard text.
description thanking the subscriber arlll be placed do the screen. At any time during this menu screen, the subscriber w0 ~uiais- i~rnrs93rmia s5 may caneel his subscription to the channel by pressing cancel on his remote 9(30.
in the preferred embodiment of the confirmation submenu, the area of the screen 'below the two sashes is filled with video from the channel being subscribed instead of text.
A reentry to an ordered subscription away be accomplished through another submenu 1055. Typically, a light colored second sash may be provided at the top of the screen with the network logo and text informing the 3 0 subscriber that he has already ordered this particular channel. The reentry submenus 1055 generally allow a subscriber to immediately Join programming in pracess. The current program on the channel chosen is shown in most of the remaining portion of the screen. Typically, a special title I5 sash is included as an overlay in the lower portion of the screen. This sash identifies the current program being shown on the channel with a text description. T°he set top terminal X20 may derive this text description from either the STTCiS, the YI3I. or other digital signals.
2 ~ Referring to Figure ~6, another similar series of menus may be displayed in selecting the documentary nc~ws program from the CBS library, called ~Qy. Although this is a regularly seheduled weekly pmgram, it may be viewed by subscribers to the present invention at nonscheduled times.
25 A maJor menu 1025 for documentary and news progra~as, as shown in Figure 22a. is initially displayed.
Figure 26 shows a subcategory submenu 1050 for Documentary and mews displaying five options. 'this subcategory ~aenu 1050 shows specific programs which are 30 available. The cursor highlight overla~r is at the top of the screen in its default position. F~rooa this cursor positioa, the subscriber may order the program w~ items- ' i~rvs93rnata Another program description submenu 1292 displays the network logo, program tale, program description, video windour, video description window, and the next progrmn start tame. In the preferred embodiment, the next program start liana is displayed beneath the current time. The program title and program description text may be stored in the intermediary teaet storage. In the preferred embodiment, the video description window would display running time and price of program. if the subscriber orders tht program from the progr~axn description menu, he is sequenced to a confirmation menu 1056 ~whieh, as usual, thanks the subscriber for ordering the program. In alternate embodiments, the confirmation teact is a standard text being generated from long-term text storage. Confirmation submenus may be designed to show the user aaore video and less menu graphics and text.
11. Creatian of Menus a. Msn~rr~
In the preferred embodiment. the basic building blocks or templates of the on-screen menu displays will be stored in graphics memory consisting of nonvolatile RAM. ROM.
EPROM. or preferably, EEPROM, shawn as 620 in Figure 2Ta.
With the information from this graphics metaory 620, the microprocessor 602, graphics decampressor 622, text generator Cif necessary. and video corabiner 624 will bufld a menu screen. 'The memory files of the graphics memory as EEPROM 620 are preferably categorised into three ' categories. background graphics 800, logo graphics 820, and menu and display graphics 850. ' The background graphics file 800 stores menu backgrounds such aa: universal main aa~enu backgrounds 8a4.
universal submenu backgrounds 803, promo backgrounds 812 v7 using this method of storing mmzeaus, the asenus can 'be changed by reprogramming the graphics memory 620 of the 1 ~ set t~p termina.~ 220. Picture ~3les are sent using the PROGR.ANdS OFFERED ON A '~ ~TTISI~N PROGRAM
2 5 DELIVERY SY~1'Ell~i, filed December 2, 1993, by the same assignee.
c W0 9411428: PC1'tUS93t1161t 8~
graphics file 850 further contain arithin subflle individual memory blocks (for example. studio logo file 836 has memory block SL1 86~; menu display blocks 854 has memory menu display block I~1 86I).
Figure 2'~b shows the hierarchical storage off text transmitted from the cable headend 208 as STI'SSCIS.
Although text may be continuously transmitted with the video signals to set top terminals 220, tent may also be transmitted intermittently. In such a case. the text is stored in the set top terrlainal 220. Preferably. the text is transmitted and stored in a compressed fornnat using known techniques.
Additionally. the text is preferably stored in graphic memory 820 within set top terminal 220. .
Depending upon the use of the text, it will be stored in 3 5 one of three portions of memory. inforiaation sent arith the text will either direct the text to a particular portion of memory. or include Information as to the priority of tent.
The microprocessor 602 may them direct the text to the appropriate memory location for stmrage.
If the text is to be used frequently and over a long period of time. a long term storage 875 will be used. If the text will be used for a shorter period of rime tfor ex~caple, a month), the text be directed to an Intermediate storage area 8'7?. If the text is to be used almost immediately, or for a short period of time (for e~campPe, within a few days) the text is directed to a ahosi terra storage area ~~9. 'fhe microprocessor 602 locates the appropriate text required for a particular menu (see generally Table 1) and retrieves it from the appropriate portion of memory 82~. 'The tent is output frown the graphics memory 620 to the text generator 623. ?ext generated from the tent generator fi23 is thereafter directed to text/graphics video combiner 62~.
YYO 941142& : P~TIIJS93d1I613 Figure 27c shows the steps performed by the microprc~eessar X02 for creating a menu based upon a series of overlay screens. 'Bhese instructions are stored lis memory within the set top terminal 220 in a screens data file. ''Ihe S screens data file instructs the microprocessor on the location of each graphics ale on the screen. An example screens data file Is shown in Table 1. ~ shtawn irt 'Table 1, the sexeens data file specifies aaenu data positioxiing in ttrras of, for example. x and y pixel positiorJS, height and width, color codes and fonts. Aitemativeiy, instructions or routines iaay be transmitted from the operat~oa~s eet~ter 202 to be stored in memory within the individual set top terminals 220.
FABLE ~
- he o ovv~r9g ata a mash menu .
tees are or ~creaa Type '~empiace _.~eserrpuon ~~e-_ ~N _ _m~u- -~a~a i~ieau 2 0 - ust ~c t , o or or ~ut - -ST'R POS 'Lest 165 ~~ ,_~, __~~ 14.
STRING 'MAIN 1~ENU
_ Jt7itPiy X X li~ilt WQi examp e.pca Ju X o oa~ o or ont I TEM F05 -Leis -1zv O -1oG '15 ~5 FtoTll,iRlS.tiFT
-it7u -Z - '110'0'30.
-u , o or sc . _ .o or oat a o0 1 t.M
A "
dyp g,~d~ d'C'fNS93I116d8 Initially. as shown at block 878. the microprocessor 602 instnacts the tuner 603 to select a channel. Z'he channel 5 is decorcapressed, and error corrected and decrypttd, if necessary. If the vldea is to be reduced in size, so as to be placed within a video window 15b6 (described herein later), or is a split screen video window which must be enlarged, the video is scaled to the appropriate size. Additionally. the video 10 may be required to be redirected to a portion of the television screen. This is done by creating a series of offsets for each pixel location of the video.
graphics must also be used to ixeate a menu in most instances. As is shown in block 882. the microprocessor 602 15 must fetch a background file. fetch a logo $le and fetch a menu display and cursor (file i~r~ most instances). l;:ach of these files must be decompressed 883. Following decompression, the Ells is combined 888.
SiynilarIy. the microprocessor 602 fetches text (as 20 shown in biotic 884). Depending upon the memory location of the text. the microprocessor S02 will fetch the text froaa long-term. intermediate-term. or short-term storage. 8?5.
871. 8?fl. respectively. as descubed above. tAlternatively.
text may be stored in the screens data alt.) Hased upon this 25 memory retrieval. the text is generated and combined 886.
At the combine step 886. the videa (if ~rny) is combined with as many screens of decompressed graphics as necessary.
along with any tent. The image or portions of tech image are stored until all overlays are received. 'hereafter, the entire 30 image is sent. under the direction of another routine. to be displayed on the tele~rision screen (as represented by display block 888).
wo 9arius= Pc~rr~s93n~sxa - b. menu Gra h~,g Figures 28a through 28g and Figures 29a through 29g.
demonstrate how menus are generated by the set top - terminal 22~. Figures 28a through 28g display the building of a majar menu screen for the categary hit movies. Figure 28a shows the background graphics for the hit movie major menu.
The background graphics 1500 comprise an upper sash 1502 across the top of the screen and a lower sash 1504 across the bottom of the scrcez~. The baekground graphics are generated from the background graphics file 800 in the memory ides of the graphics memory (preferably EEFROM) 620. In particular. the hit movie major menu background graphics are located in, the universal raaira menu backgrounds subfile 804 of the background graphics $Ie 800. This universal major menu background graphic 1500 is consistently used in nearly all the major menus. Figure 28b shows the logo graphics for the hit movie major menu. The logo graphics 1508 for this major menu consist of a~u icon window l ;i 10 , a cable company lago 1512 in the lower Ieft-hand portion of the screen. a channel company logo 1514 in the upper right-hand part of the screen and two "go" buttons 1516. 'The icon graphics 1510 are consistently shown in each of the major menus. The cable company logo 1512 is consistently shovrn in the lovaer left-hand part of the screen in nearly every major menu. These logo graphics 1508 are created from the logo graphics file 820 in the EEP'ROM 620.
In particular, the cable company logo 1512 in the lower left-hand corner of the screen is located in The Your Choice TY
logos 824 part of the logo graphicst file. 'Ihe network logo 1514 fn the upper right-hand corner of the screen is generated from the nttwork logo 51e 828 of the logo graphices WO 9d1i42&: PCTIUS93Ill~ti file 820. The °go° buttons 1516 are generated from the graphic elements tile 840 of the logo graphics file 820.
Figure 28c shows theaddition of znenu~displays 1520 to °
the hit movie major menu. In particular. Figure 28c shoars $
ten blocl~ main menu display 1520 and a strip menu Y522 in the lower part of the screen. 'The ten display blocks 1520 of Figure 2.8c are generated from the menu display block°s subflle 854 of the menu display and cursor graphics file 850 tshown in Figure 2~a). The strip menu 1522 located on the lower part of the screen is also generated froaa the menu display block's subflle 854.
Figure 28d shows the addition of a cursor highlight overlay k526 to the hit movie major menu. The cursor highlight overiay 1526 is generated from the cursor highlight 1 S overlay's submenu 858 of the menu display and cursor graphics file 850 shown in Figurt 27a. In the preferred embodiment, the cursor highlight overiay 1526 is shown by default try be in the upper Left-hand aaenu display block of each major menu. This cursor higbligbt overiay 152fi can be moved on the screen by the subscriber.
Figure 28e shows the text 1530 generated for the hit movies major menu. In the preferred embodiment. the text 1530 is generated separately by a text generator in the set top terminal unit 220. ~ 'The text "fill MOVIES from' 1531 consistentiy appears on taeh hit movies° major menu. 'I~is te.~ct may be stored in long term storage.. Other text such as that which appears at the lower renter part of the screen 'PRESS I3ERE 'ftJ REZ'1JRIV TtI CAEtLE "PV' 1532 also appears many times throughout the menu sequence. Text which chaanges on a regular basis, au~h as the movie titles for other program selections). will be transmitted to the set top terminal 220. In this manner, the cable headend 20~ may wo 9~ana~2ss- P~TtUS93r11618 change the program selections a~rai3able on any major menu 1020 by modifying the program control Information signal sent by the operations center 202 and transmitting the change via the STTCIS.
In alternative embodiments, portions of the text, partjcularly those portions which remain constant. may be incorporated into the screens data file or the graphics files and stored in either the background graphics file 800 or the logo graphics file 820.
1 ~ Figure 28f shows the addition of day 1534, date 1536 and time 1538 information 1540 to the hit movies major menu. ?his information may be obtained in a variety of ways.
The day, date. and time information 1540 may be sent from the operations censer 202, the cable headend (signal proeessor or network controller 2I4), the upiink site 204, or generated by the set top terminal unit 220 internally. Each manner of generating the day, date. and time information 1540 has advantages and disadvantages which may change given the particular embodiment and posts. In a preferred embodiment. the day, date. and tune 1540 are generated at a central location such . as the operations center and are adjusted for regional changes in time at the cable headend 208.
Figure 28g shoals the results oL~ the information in Figures 28a to 28f being integrated in the video coaabiner 824 and then displayed on the t~devision screen 222. The subscriber in viewing the hit movie major menu 1040 is unaware of the fact that the menus comprises several distinct parts.
Figures 29a through 29g sham the creation and display of a program description submenu for a hit movie. Sim~ar to the major menu, the aubmenu is created in parts and WO 9411= ~°C'TNS931I161E
combined before being sent to the television srseen. Figure 29a shows ttie background graphics 1550 for the program description subgnenu. In the preferred embodiment, the upper sash 1552 and iawer sash 1554 of the bacleground graphics 1550 are stored together in one location on the EEPR9M 620. The video ~arindow 1556 and half strip window 1558 are also co-located in storage on the I:EPROhI
620. The half-strip window 1558 beneath the video window serves 1556 as a aneans for describing the videos shaven in the video window 1556. Both sets of graphic information 1550. the sashes 1552. 1554 said video window 1556 artth description 1558. are located in the universal subazenu backgrounds subf3le 808 of the background graphics file 800.
Both set, of backgrounds appear in many menus and are used many tunes during a sequence of menus.
Figure 29b shows the additional logo graphics information 1508 needed to create the program description submenu. In the preferred embodiment. the °go° logo 151fi can be stored once in zneznory 620 and directed to the correct portion of the screen ii~a which it is needed for a particular menu. Similar to Figure 28b, the inforxaation needed to create the "your choice' logo 1512 and 'go°
buttons 1516 is stored in the logo graphics file 820.
Figure 29c shows the addition of anenu display information 1520 for the program description submenu.
Similar to Figure 28c, the information needed for Figure 29c menu display blocks is stored iaz the ~aenu display blocks' subfile 854 of the oaenu display and cursor graphics 850. In this particular subrnenu, there are three menu display blocks ~i 0 of rectangular shape.
Figure 29d shows the addition of cursor lai~light overlay graphics 1526 for the program description graphics.
WO 9dt14,2s: PC'I"llJS93I~161$
?his information is obtained from the cursor highlight overlay ' submenu, one of the overlay graphics. For most asa)or menus 1020 and submenus 1050. only one cursor highlight overlay " 1526 will appear on the screen at a given time. ll~ore cursor 5 highlight overlays 1525 will appear on a screen when the subscriber is presented with more than one question. ?he number of cursor highlight overlays 1526 will generally correspond with the number of questions being presented to the subscriber on the menu. ?he cursor highlight overlay 10 1526 is generally assigned a default position on sash menu screen and is moved by .the subscriber using the remote control 9th~.
Figure 2~e shows the text generation 1534 necessary for the program description submenu for a hit movie. As in 15 Figure 26e. some of the tent for the program desc~~iption submenu is consistently on each program description submenu< such as °PRESS FiER~ ?O RE'TCJRN °TO C:AHLE
'I~T.' ?his textual fnformation may be stored locally and processed through the text generator 521 before being sent 20 to the video combiner 624.
o. j,~Qfprromc~tiona9 ~liden Figure 2~f shows the addition of video 1560 to the video window 1656. In ors alternative embodiment, the video shown in the program description aubmenu is a still picture.
2 5 ?he still picture may be stored in a compressed format isuch as .JPEG) at the set top terminal 220. ?hose video stills 1560 ' that are used on program description aubmenus as well as other menus, may be transmitted by the operations center 202 through the program control information signal from 3 0 time to time.
In the preferred embodiment, the video windo°av 1556 shows a agoving video picture. For the hit moults category.
wo ~anus~ ~'TIUS93f11618 the moving video picture may be obtained directly from a current feed of the described movie. For example, the movie video shown may be taken directly off of a chanxsel which is currently showing the movie T~natnator. °I'he set top terminal 220 would decompress the channel with the movie ~r~rmin~tor and then manipulate the video signal to place it in the video ~yindow 1556. Tlxis manipulation of the video signal includes sca3lng down the size of the video screen and redirecting tide video to a portion of the menu screen which is within the video window of the menu. Another anethod of getting the moving video f~'erm_i~tor video chip) to the video window portion of the submenu, is to obtain the video from a split screen channel described later.
Figure 29g shows the final product resulting from the combining of Figures 29a through 29f. The video combiner 624 integrates each of these portions of information into a single menu screen 1055.
The video combiner 624 which displays the menus on the television screen obtains information primaafly from three locations, the graphics generator 622. the text generator 621, and the video decompressor 616 (with other video manipulation equipment, if necessary). The graphics generator 622 primarily obtains information from the graphic memory unit 620 but racy receive information in the STTCIS.
The text generator 621 primarily receives its information from a separate memory for text. However, in certain embodiments the text information may be stored ira the graphics memory 620 or may be taken directly off the STTCIS. The video signal which is sent to the video 3tI combiner 62~ may come directly from one or :sore video decompressors or ancillary video manipulation equipment.
VltO 9d11421~ ~'1US93lllbla One of the methods for video clips or promotional video to be sent to the set top terminal 2~0 is through the use of split screen video techniques. Using a split screen technique, any number of different video clips nay be sent (e.g.. 2. 4. 6, or 6 video clips) on a single channel. Figure 30 shows the throughput of a single channel using a split screen video technique to divide the channel into four parts. In this manner, four different video clips raay be simultaneously sent on a single channel. Program drscription submenus can acquire one of the video c3lps shown on the split channel at any given time. Generally., this requires the set top terminal 220 to decompress the entire channel, acquire one-fourth of the video in!'ormation, scale the video (if necessary), and redirect the video (if necessary). Using this split screen technique 1fi02. numerous video clips may be sent over a limited number of channels. For example. forty eight different video clips may be sent simultaneously on a single channel using split screen video techniques. In this embodiment, the video signal away rated to be scaled upwardly to enlarge the picture for viewing in a video window or on a full screen. Fted3rectfng by pixel offset may be used to place the video in the video window.
'The terminal uses known scaling and positioning techniques similar to those currently used in consumer electxonics to produce picture-in-picture. Additional circuitry may be required in the set top terminal 22~ to perform adequate scaling and atpositioning.
In an alternative embodiment, which avoids the need for redirecting video into the portion of the screen which houses the video window 1556, masking and menu graphics are used to cover the portions of the channel video that are not needed. 'T'his maslstng technique allows the split screen w~ 9an~us= ~°ms93msu video to remain in the same portion of the screen that it. is transmitted by the operations center. The masking then is ad,~usted to cover the undesired portions of the screen.
These masks would be stored in the background graphics file 800 similarly to other background tiles for menus. -The advantage of the system is the cost savings in not needing to redirect video. T'hc disadvantage of the system is that the video window on a description submenu, for txample. would not remain fn the same location from menu to menu. This inconsistency in video window location detracts from the aesthetieally pleasing aspects of the menu layouts.
If the masking technique is used in conjunction with the split screen video shown in Figure 30, eaeh submenu has approximately one-quarter screen of video and three-quarter screen of graphic and text information. For example, a submenu or promo menu for a basketball game would mask all but the upper right-hand comer of the screen. Following masking. other background graphics 1550. Iogo graphics 1508, menu display 1820. cursor graphics 1526, and text information 1530 would be overlayed over the three-quarter mask as described earlier. In a similar manner. a submenu or promo anenu for a hockey game would also have a three-quarter mask. This three-quartel° mask would mask alI but the Dower right-hand corner of the screen. sin, the remaining menu graphics. logos and textual information .
would overlay the three-quarter mask. As can be appreciated from this pie, four different e-quarter masks are ' stored in the background graphics 61e 800 for use in the four possible video window positions.
The split screen video technique may also be used for promoting television programming. Since a great number of short video clips easy be sent continuously, full or partial t subscriber would simply graze from promotional video to promotional video until ding (and ordering) the desired teltvision prograt~.
Claims (4)
1. A method for generating a menu with video for use with a set top terminal in a program delivery system with menu selection of programs from a plurality of individual menus, using a program signal with split screen video channel, comprising the steps of:
choosing a split screen video channel from the program signal;
decompressing the split screen channel of the program signal;
selecting the desired portion of video on the split screen channel;
creating a mask of all the portions of the split screen channel which are not selected;
overlaying the mask on the split screen video channel;
overlaying menu graphic information on the masking;
overlaying text information on the graphics and masking; and displaying the overlays as a menu.
choosing a split screen video channel from the program signal;
decompressing the split screen channel of the program signal;
selecting the desired portion of video on the split screen channel;
creating a mask of all the portions of the split screen channel which are not selected;
overlaying the mask on the split screen video channel;
overlaying menu graphic information on the masking;
overlaying text information on the graphics and masking; and displaying the overlays as a menu.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of combining graphics with the video, mask and text before display.
3. Apparatus for generating a menu with video for use with a set top terminal in a program delivery system with menu selection of programs from a plurality of individual menus, using a program signal with split screen video channel, comprising:
means for choosing a split screen video channel from the program signal;
decompressing the split screen channel of the program signal;
selecting the desired portion of video on the split screen channel;
creating a mask of all the portions of the split screen channel which are not selected;
means for overlaying the mask on the split screen video channel;
means for overlaying menu graphic information on the masking;
means for overlaying text information on the graphics and masking;
and means for displaying the overlays as a menu,
means for choosing a split screen video channel from the program signal;
decompressing the split screen channel of the program signal;
selecting the desired portion of video on the split screen channel;
creating a mask of all the portions of the split screen channel which are not selected;
means for overlaying the mask on the split screen video channel;
means for overlaying menu graphic information on the masking;
means for overlaying text information on the graphics and masking;
and means for displaying the overlays as a menu,
4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising means for combining graphics with the video, mask, and text before displaying.
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CA002151460A CA2151460C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Set top terminal for cable television delivery systems |
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CA002151460A Division CA2151460C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Set top terminal for cable television delivery systems |
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CA002445176A Expired - Lifetime CA2445176C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Set top terminal for cable television delivery systems |
CA002461105A Expired - Fee Related CA2461105C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Advanced set top terminal for cable television delivery systems |
CA002345161A Abandoned CA2345161A1 (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Advanced set top terminal for cable television delivery systems |
CA002151457A Expired - Lifetime CA2151457C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Digital cable headend for cable television delivery system |
CA002445201A Expired - Lifetime CA2445201C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Set top terminal for cable television delivery systems |
CA002151462A Expired - Lifetime CA2151462C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Television program delivery system |
CA002151458A Expired - Lifetime CA2151458C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | An operation center for a television program packaging and delivery system |
CA002151460A Expired - Lifetime CA2151460C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Set top terminal for cable television delivery systems |
CA002445187A Expired - Lifetime CA2445187C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Set top terminal for cable television delivery systems |
CA002151456A Expired - Fee Related CA2151456C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Reprogrammable terminal for suggesting programs offered on a television program delivery system |
CA002445287A Expired - Lifetime CA2445287C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | An operation center for a television program packaging and delivery system |
CA002271555A Expired - Fee Related CA2271555C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Remote control for cable television delivery system |
CA002444170A Expired - Fee Related CA2444170C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Reprogrammable terminal for suggesting programs offered on a television program delivery system |
CA002151461A Expired - Fee Related CA2151461C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Advanced set top terminal for cable television delivery system |
CA002151459A Expired - Lifetime CA2151459C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Network controller for cable television delivery systems |
CA002410389A Expired - Fee Related CA2410389C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Advanced set top terminal for cable television delivery systems |
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CA002345161A Abandoned CA2345161A1 (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Advanced set top terminal for cable television delivery systems |
CA002151457A Expired - Lifetime CA2151457C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Digital cable headend for cable television delivery system |
CA002445201A Expired - Lifetime CA2445201C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Set top terminal for cable television delivery systems |
CA002151462A Expired - Lifetime CA2151462C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Television program delivery system |
CA002151458A Expired - Lifetime CA2151458C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | An operation center for a television program packaging and delivery system |
CA002151460A Expired - Lifetime CA2151460C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Set top terminal for cable television delivery systems |
CA002445187A Expired - Lifetime CA2445187C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Set top terminal for cable television delivery systems |
CA002151456A Expired - Fee Related CA2151456C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Reprogrammable terminal for suggesting programs offered on a television program delivery system |
CA002445287A Expired - Lifetime CA2445287C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | An operation center for a television program packaging and delivery system |
CA002271555A Expired - Fee Related CA2271555C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Remote control for cable television delivery system |
CA002444170A Expired - Fee Related CA2444170C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Reprogrammable terminal for suggesting programs offered on a television program delivery system |
CA002151461A Expired - Fee Related CA2151461C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Advanced set top terminal for cable television delivery system |
CA002151459A Expired - Lifetime CA2151459C (en) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-12-02 | Network controller for cable television delivery systems |
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- 1993-12-02 EP EP94903361A patent/EP0673580B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-12-02 DE DE69333644T patent/DE69333644T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-12-02 KR KR1019980709990A patent/KR100348115B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-02 RU RU95114370/09A patent/RU2119726C1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-02 CA CA002410389A patent/CA2410389C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-12-02 US US08/160,194 patent/US5990927A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-12-02 DE DE69327966T patent/DE69327966T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-12-02 AU AU57363/94A patent/AU5736394A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-12-02 EP EP94903360A patent/EP0673579B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-12-02 AT AT94904814T patent/ATE176841T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-02 KR KR1019980709982A patent/KR100329135B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-02 AT AT98121389T patent/ATE281041T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-02 CA CA002553120A patent/CA2553120C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-12-02 AT AT94903407T patent/ATE190180T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-02 RU RU95117158/09A patent/RU2112325C1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-02 ES ES98105647T patent/ES2180088T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-12-02 DE DE69332962T patent/DE69332962T3/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-12-02 NZ NZ259148A patent/NZ259148A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-02 AU AU57331/94A patent/AU691479B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1993-12-02 EP EP94903359A patent/EP0673578B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-12-02 EP EP99107757A patent/EP0935393B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-12-02 AT AT99100566T patent/ATE484151T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-02 CA CA002271552A patent/CA2271552C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-12-02 EP EP98121389A patent/EP0909095B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-12-02 CA CA002447895A patent/CA2447895C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-12-02 BR BR9307624A patent/BR9307624A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-02 DE DE69333756T patent/DE69333756T3/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-12-02 DE DE69328441T patent/DE69328441T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-12-02 EP EP99110233A patent/EP0946060B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-12-02 BR BR9307621A patent/BR9307621A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-02 AT AT94903362T patent/ATE192005T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-02 AT AT99110233T patent/ATE352170T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-02 KR KR1019950702349A patent/KR100289175B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-02 AT AT99100570T patent/ATE278294T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-02 DE DE69332895T patent/DE69332895T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-12-02 DE DE69333999T patent/DE69333999T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-12-02 AT AT98100155T patent/ATE214534T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-07 IL IL12022593A patent/IL120225A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-07 IL IL107909A patent/IL107909A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-07 IL IL12066693A patent/IL120666A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-07 TW TW086200657U patent/TW361771U/en unknown
- 1993-12-07 CO CO93421683A patent/CO4180487A1/en unknown
- 1993-12-07 IL IL12839093A patent/IL128390A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-07 IL IL10791293A patent/IL107912A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-07 TW TW082110341A patent/TW310519B/zh active
- 1993-12-07 CO CO93421688A patent/CO4480075A1/en unknown
- 1993-12-07 TW TW082110360A patent/TW447219B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-07 IL IL12042393A patent/IL120423A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-07 IL IL119479A patent/IL119479A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-07 IL IL107910A patent/IL107910A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-07 IL IL107911A patent/IL107911A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-07 CO CO93421687A patent/CO4480071A1/en unknown
- 1993-12-07 IL IL12030093A patent/IL120300A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-07 CO CO93421685A patent/CO4180486A1/en unknown
- 1993-12-07 IL IL10790893A patent/IL107908A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-07 TW TW082110342A patent/TW290780B/zh active
- 1993-12-07 TW TW082110348A patent/TW269093B/zh active
- 1993-12-07 TW TW086201052U patent/TW370331U/en unknown
- 1993-12-07 IL IL107913A patent/IL107913A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-12-07 CO CO93421686A patent/CO4180488A1/en unknown
- 1993-12-09 CN CNB001000888A patent/CN1181681C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-12-09 CN CN93120182A patent/CN1118197C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-12-09 MY MYPI93002654A patent/MY128725A/en unknown
- 1993-12-09 CN CNB001002058A patent/CN1181682C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-12-09 MY MYPI93002652A patent/MY110026A/en unknown
- 1993-12-09 CN CNB931201853A patent/CN1137581C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-12-09 MY MYPI93002650A patent/MY109974A/en unknown
- 1993-12-09 CN CNB931201845A patent/CN1137579C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-12-09 CN CNB00100087XA patent/CN1181680C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-12-09 CN CNA200510114107XA patent/CN1805540A/en active Pending
- 1993-12-09 CN CNB00100204XA patent/CN1184812C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-12-09 CN CNB001054090A patent/CN1181683C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-12-09 MY MYPI93002653A patent/MY111406A/en unknown
- 1993-12-09 CN CNB931201861A patent/CN1137582C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-12-09 CN CNB931201764A patent/CN1137578C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-12-09 MY MYPI93002651A patent/MY110138A/en unknown
- 1993-12-09 CN CN93120183A patent/CN1121788C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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1996
- 1996-09-10 US US08/711,742 patent/US6052554A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-10-23 IL IL11947996A patent/IL119479A0/en unknown
-
1997
- 1997-02-14 IL IL12022597A patent/IL120225A0/en unknown
- 1997-02-14 IL IL12760297A patent/IL127602A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1997-02-14 IL IL12760197A patent/IL127601A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1997-02-24 IL IL12030097A patent/IL120300A0/en unknown
- 1997-03-11 IL IL12042397A patent/IL120423A0/en unknown
- 1997-04-14 IL IL12066697A patent/IL120666A0/en unknown
- 1997-09-12 US US08/928,630 patent/US6515680B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-11-07 AU AU44407/97A patent/AU715683B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1997-11-21 AU AU45325/97A patent/AU712157B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1997-12-16 CN CN97121877A patent/CN1112808C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1998
- 1998-04-06 AU AU60667/98A patent/AU716184B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1998-04-06 AU AU60668/98A patent/AU716182B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1998-09-22 US US09/158,549 patent/US7571457B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-09-30 US US09/162,768 patent/US7017178B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-12-15 HK HK00100557A patent/HK1021681A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-15 HK HK98113374A patent/HK1012482A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-15 HK HK00100539A patent/HK1023880A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-15 HK HK00100556A patent/HK1023887A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-15 HK HK04109602A patent/HK1066956A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-15 HK HK02108239.2A patent/HK1048575A1/en unknown
- 1998-12-15 HK HK00100555A patent/HK1021680A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-15 HK HK98113373A patent/HK1012481A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-15 HK HK00100554A patent/HK1021679A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-15 HK HK00100451A patent/HK1021604A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-15 HK HK98113375A patent/HK1012483A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-15 HK HK98113372A patent/HK1012480A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-15 HK HK98113376A patent/HK1012484A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-16 IL IL12760298A patent/IL127602A0/en unknown
- 1998-12-16 IL IL12760198A patent/IL127601A0/en unknown
-
1999
- 1999-02-05 IL IL12839099A patent/IL128390A0/en unknown
- 1999-02-18 US US09/252,485 patent/US7260829B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-09-15 US US09/396,429 patent/US8347345B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-09-15 US US09/396,428 patent/US8276183B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2000
- 2000-01-05 CN CNB001002031A patent/CN1179563C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-01-05 CN CN00100206A patent/CN1276685A/en active Pending
- 2000-02-21 CN CNB001027182A patent/CN100369482C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-02-21 CN CNB001027190A patent/CN1189033C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-02-21 CN CNB00102714XA patent/CN1192617C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-06-07 CN CNB00108013XA patent/CN100417217C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-06-07 CN CN001080121A patent/CN1217286C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-06-07 CN CN00108008A patent/CN1275866A/en active Pending
- 2000-11-28 US US09/722,744 patent/US6557173B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-11-28 US US09/722,742 patent/US7716349B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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2001
- 2001-09-28 US US09/964,891 patent/US7836481B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-09-28 US US09/964,890 patent/US7363645B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-10-01 US US09/966,759 patent/US7487523B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-10-01 US US09/966,594 patent/US7770196B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-10-01 US US09/966,757 patent/US8060905B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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2004
- 2004-09-08 JP JP2004261145A patent/JP3980579B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2004-09-08 JP JP2004261624A patent/JP3958311B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-09-09 JP JP2004262097A patent/JP3958313B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2004-09-09 JP JP2004261913A patent/JP3958312B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2004-09-09 JP JP2004262266A patent/JP3980580B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2005
- 2005-02-11 US US11/056,618 patent/US20050157217A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2008
- 2008-06-02 US US12/131,551 patent/US20080235725A1/en not_active Abandoned
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