`
`What is claimed is:
`
`1.
`
`An apparatus for a television program delivery system characterized by:
`
`receiving means (272) for receiving television programs in analog
`
`or digital format, each having video and audio components, wherein the
`
`receiving means (272) includes at least one reception port;
`
`coordinating means, connected to the receiving means (272), for
`
`coordinating the receipt of the television programs;
`
`input means (262) for receiving input commands and specific
`
`information about each of the television programs;
`
`database means (268), including a central processing unit (264),
`
`connected to the input means (262), for storing and supplying information
`
`about the television programs;
`
`generation means (264), connected to the input means (262) and
`
`database means (268), for generating a program control information
`
`signal (276) based on the input from the input means (262) and the
`
`database means (268), the signal ( 276) containing specific identification
`
`about each television program in a subset of television programs received
`
`by the receiving means (272), including the date and time of display and
`
`the category into which the television program falls;
`
`combining means (270), connected to the generation means (264)
`
`and receiving means (272), for combining the
`
`subset of television
`
`programs identified in the program control information signal (276) in
`
`preparation for transmission;
`
`multiplexing means (290), including a multiplexer, connected to
`
`the combining means (270), for multiplexing the combined television
`
`programs and program control information signal (27 6) for transmission;
`and
`
`transmitting means (292, 294, 296),
`
`including a modulator,
`
`connected to the multiplexing means
`
`(290),
`
`for
`
`simultaneously
`
`transmitting the multiplexed program control information signal (276)
`
`along with the multiplexed television programs so that video displays can
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`be generated from the program control information signal and so that the
`
`downstream displays of the television programs can be selected and
`
`controlled by the viewers.
`
`2.
`
`The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized by a conversion means
`
`(284), connected to the receiving means (272), for digitizing the television
`
`programs received in analog format.
`
`3.
`
`The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the database means (268) further
`
`includes means for storing and for supplying information about the viewers.
`
`4.
`
`The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the generation means (264) includes
`
`means for designating a set of television programs whose identities will be
`
`included in the program control information signal (276) so that the subset of
`
`television programs corresponds to one or more television program line-ups.
`
`5.
`
`The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the input means (262) includes a local
`
`sensor and receptor which responds to voice, touch sensitive entries or input keys.
`
`6.
`
`. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the television programs
`
`includes a television program which is continuously and repeatedly transmitted
`
`and wherein the program control information signal (276) continuously transmits
`
`the next incremental start time.
`
`7.
`
`The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the central processing unit (264)
`
`combines and analyzes information from the database means and input entered
`
`from the input means (262) to generate the digital program control data
`
`information signal (276).
`
`8.
`
`The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is further characterized
`
`by internal video storage (267) of television programs in analog or digital format
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`and means for acquiring external feeds of television programming, both of which
`
`are accessible by and connected to the receiving means (272) whereby either
`
`internally stored programming or externally obtained programming can be
`
`converted by the converting means (284), combined by the combining means
`
`(270) and transmitted by the transmitting means (292, 294, 296) along with a
`
`related program control information signal (276).
`
`9.
`
`The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the central processor unit (264) includes
`
`processing means for controlling the content of the program control information
`
`signal combined with software operating the processing means based on
`
`commands entered into input means (262), the combined processing means and
`
`software characterized by:
`
`means (262, 264) for creating program lineups for transmission to
`
`viewers;
`
`means (264, 268), connected to the creating means (262, 264) for
`
`prioritizing programs based on a plurality of factors including popularity
`
`of the program, its weighted importance and the bandwidth available to
`
`the viewer to receive the plurality of programs;
`
`means (262), connected to the prioritizing means, for initiating
`
`allocation of different menus to different classes of viewers;
`
`means (262), connected to the menu means, for initiating
`
`bandwidth allocations so that different program content is sent to diflerent
`
`viewers; and
`
`editing means (262), connected to the menu means, to design,
`
`create and change menus listing the variable content created by the
`
`prioritizing means and the allocation means.
`
`10.
`
`The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the program control data information
`
`signal includes a category designation for each television program, each category
`
`designation selected from the group consisting of static programming, interactive
`
`services, pay for view, live sport specials, mini pays or data services.
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`11.
`
`The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transmitting means (292, 294, 296)
`
`includes means for transmitting the signal to a plurality of selectable satellite
`
`transponders and wherein the apparatus is further characterized by means for
`
`grouping television programs into separate groups for transmission over selected
`
`transponders.
`
`12,
`
`The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transmitting means (292, 294, 296)
`
`includes means for transmitting the signal to a plurality of selectable satellites and
`
`the apparatus is fiirther characterized by means for grouping television programs
`
`into separate groups for transmission to different geographical regions.
`
`13.
`
`The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the database means (268)
`
`includes a plurality of databases and wherein the apparatus is
`
`further
`
`characterized by processing means for accessing the databases and processing the
`
`infomiation therein to provide the requisite program control information signal,
`
`the databases including information conceming each scheduled Program, records
`
`representing the source from which each television program was obtained,
`
`optional display services available, available previews of television programs,
`
`program categories for each television program to be transmitted and price
`
`categories for each television program to be transmitted.
`
`14.
`
`The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the database means (268)
`
`includes a plurality of databases, each database composed of multiple related sets
`
`of data, and wherein the apparatus is further characterized by processing means
`
`for accessing the databases and processing the information therein and
`
`management means for determining how to operate the apparatus so that it
`
`provides the requisite control information signal, the databases including:
`
`means for storing information about each destination to which the
`
`apparatus transmits;
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`means for storing information about rights in or ownership in each
`
`program source;
`
`means for storing information about price, promotion and
`
`packaging of each program broadcast;
`
`means for storing information about the storage location of each
`
`internally stored program; and
`
`means for storing information about marketing and customer.
`
`The apparatus of claim 1 modified in that:
`
`the apparatus is further characterized by an internal collection
`
`means, connected to the receiving means (272), for gathering television
`
`programs from internal sources and feeding the television programs from
`
`internal sources to the reception port;
`
`the generation means (264) and the input means (262) are part of
`
`a packaging means for creating program control information and for
`
`packaging television programs using the program control information, the
`
`packaging means including:
`
`the central processing unit (264);
`
`the input means (262) which includes an interface,
`
`connected to the central processing unit (264), to enable the
`
`program packager to enter program line—up information, wherein
`
`the interface is operably connected to the central processing unit
`
`(264);
`
`a storage means, connected to the central processing unit
`
`(264), for storing the entered program line—up information;
`
`logic means (264), connected to the central processing
`
`unit (264), for arranging the stored program line-up information
`
`and for creating program control information; and
`
`means (264), connected to the logic means (264), for
`
`generating a program control information signal (276) from the
`
`program control information;
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`the combining means (270) combines the set of television
`
`programs identified in the program control information signal (276) with
`
`the program control information signal(276) to create a combined signal,
`
`wherein the combining means includes a delivery control processor (270);
`
`the multiplexing means (290) multiplexes the combined signal;
`
`and
`
`signal.
`
`the transmission means (292, 294, 296), transmits the combined
`
`The apparatus of claim 15, wherein
`
`the packaging means includes means for generating menu
`
`configurations (324); and
`
`the packaging means generates the program control information
`
`using the menu configurations.
`
`The apparatus of claim 15 further characterized by:
`
`means (264)
`
`for
`
`receiving unique cable franchise control
`
`information from cable franchises;
`
`means (269, 328), connected to the receiving means (264), for
`
`storing the unique cable franchise control information, the storing means
`
`includes the cable franchise configuration database (328); and
`
`wherein the generating means (264), connected to the storing
`
`means (328) comprises means for including the unique cable franchise
`
`control information signal in the generated program control information
`
`signal.
`
`18.
`
`A method for delivering televisions programs in a television program
`
`delivery system characterized by the steps of:
`
`(a)
`
`receiving (272) a plurality of television programs in analog or
`
`digital format, each having video and audio components;
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`(b)
`
`supplying (262)
`
`information about
`
`the received television
`
`programs, including information on the identities of the received television
`
`programs;
`
`(c)
`
`storing (268) information supplied about the received television
`
`programs for use in the steps of delivering the received television programs;
`
`(d)
`
`creating (400, 316, 318, 342) a plurality of program line—ups that
`
`identify received television programs using the stored information about the
`
`received television programs;
`
`(e)
`
`generating (326, 442) a program control information signal (276)
`
`using one or more of the created program line-ups;
`
`(f)
`
`preparing (332, 334) the program control information signal (276)
`
`and a plurality of the television programs identified in the program control
`
`information signal for transmission; and
`
`(g)
`
`transmitting (292, 294, 296)
`
`the prepared program control
`
`information signal (276) and the prepared television programs for redistribution
`
`to subscriber locations, whereby,
`
`the prepared and transmitted television
`
`programs may be viewed by a subscriber.
`
`19.
`
`The method of claim 18 wherein the preparing step includes a method of
`
`transmitting a plurality of programs to a cable headend (208), each of the
`
`plurality of programs corresponding to one of a plurality of genre categories, the
`
`transmitting including the steps of:
`
`prioritizing (400) each of the programs by assigning to each of the
`
`programs one of a plurality of priority levels, the plurality of priority
`
`levels including a high priority level and progressively lower priority
`
`levels;
`
`forming (400) a plurality of signals, each of the signals including
`
`programs corresponding to a single priority level;
`
`appending (320) a header to each of the signals, wherein the
`
`header identifies the priority level for a corresponding signal, thereby
`
`enabling recognition by the cable headend; and
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`transmitting (292, 294, 296) each of the headers and the
`
`corresponding signals to the cable headend (208).
`
`20.
`
`The method of claim 18, wherein the preparing step includes a method of
`
`transmitting programs to a plurality of transponders, the method including the
`
`steps of:
`
`prioritizing (400) each of the programs by assigning to each of the
`
`programs one of a plurality of priority levels, the plurality of priority
`
`levels including a high priority level and progressively lower priority
`
`levels;
`
`forming (400) a plurality of signals, each of the signals including
`
`programs corresponding to a single priority level; and
`
`transmitting (292, 294, 296) the plurality of
`
`signals to the
`
`plurality of transponders so that none of the transponders receives more
`
`than one of the signals.
`
`21.
`
`The method of claim 20 further including the step of dynamically
`
`changing bandwidth allocation for at least one of the plurality of categories.
`
`22.
`
`The method of claim 18 wherein the preparing step includes a method of
`
`transmitting a plurality of programs in a first amount of bandwidth for reception
`
`by a first cable headend (208), and in a second amount of bandwidth which is less
`
`than the first amount of bandwidth for a second cable headend (208), the method
`
`including the steps of:
`
`prioritizing (400) each of the programs by assigning to each of the
`
`programs one of a plurality of priority levels, the plurality of priority
`
`levels including a high priority level and progressively lower priority
`
`levels;
`
`dividing (320) the first amount of bandwidth so that each program
`
`category receives a portion of the first amount of bandwidth;
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`forming (320) a first allocation of bandwidth by allocating the
`
`first amount of bandwidth to high priority programs in each category;
`
`continuing the forming (400) a first allocation step with the
`
`progressively lower priority levels until at least one of the following
`conditions occurs:
`
`all programs are allocated;
`
`all of the first amount of bandwidth is allocated;
`
`dividing the second amount of bandwidth so that each program
`
`category receives a portion of the second amount of bandwidth;
`
`forming (3 20) a second allocation of bandwidth by allocating the
`
`second amount of bandwidth to high priority programs in each category;
`
`continuing the forming a second allocation step with the
`
`progressively lower priority levels until at least one of the following
`
`conditions occurs:
`
`all programs are allocated;
`
`all of the second amount of bandwidth is allocated;
`
`transmitting the first allocation of bandwidth to the first cable
`
`headend (208); and
`
`transmitting the second allocation of bandwidth to the second
`
`cable headend (208).
`
`23.
`
`The method of claim 18 wherein the step of generating a program control
`
`information signal
`
`(276)
`
`for use by viewers using menus of available
`
`programming based on program line-up information includes the steps of:
`
`obtaining and storing (400) program line-up information for each
`
`program, the program line-up information comprising, program name,
`
`program start time, program duration, program category and program
`
`price;
`
`arranging (432) the program line-up information for all programs
`
`in a menu configuration;
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`creating (430) program control information using the program
`
`line-up information;
`
`generating (442) a digital program control information data signal
`
`using the program control information; and
`
`continuously transmitting (292, 294, 296) the digital program
`
`control information data signal simultaneously with the programs.
`
`24.
`
`The method of claim 18 wherein the step of generating a program control
`
`information signal includes generating a program control information signal for
`
`transmission to viewers of a simultaneously transmitted plurality of television
`
`programs so that variable video displays of current and fiiture programming can
`
`be generated and so that the downstream displays of the television programs can
`
`be selected and controlled by the viewers, the method including:
`
`receiving (400) as input data entry, program names, start times
`
`(412), program duration and program category (302, 304, 306, 308, 310,
`
`312) and price (414);
`
`combining (402) the input data with stored marketing data (420,
`
`422) including the frequency with which programs are watched by
`
`viewers and the demographics of viewers;
`
`weighing (424) the data according to algorithms which assign a
`
`weight of importance to each type of data;
`
`generating (430, 432) from the data a program line-up, and
`
`program position on menu formats;
`
`displaying (43 4) the resulting draft menu for editing;
`
`editing (436, 400) the menu; and
`
`processing (438) the edited menu to generate (442) the program
`
`control information signal for transmission to viewers.
`
`25.
`
`The method of claim 24 wherein digital program control information
`
`signal is transmitted to cable franchises and wherein the method further includes:
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`means (404) for receiving specific information relating to each
`
`cable franchise that receives the signal; and
`
`means (404) for creating a customized signal (428) for each cable
`
`franchise.
`
`26.
`
`The method of claim 24 wherein the program control information signal
`
`also contains information for identifying virtual channels for interactive services
`
`(304) and data services (312) available to viewers using service information
`
`(503), the method further including the steps of:
`
`collecting service information (503) on the data services (312) available;
`
`inventorying the interactive services (304) to be made available to the
`
`viewer;
`
`assigning a virtual channel for the data services (312) and the interactive
`
`services (304);
`
`determining method of upstream transmissions for interactive services
`
`(304); and
`
`creating a menu for interactive services (304) and data services (312) for
`
`later processing.
`
`27.
`
`The method of claim 18 wherein the step of creating a program line-up
`
`includes a method to assist a program packager to create a transmissible data
`
`information signal which organizes stored information on television programs
`
`available for viewing into program line—ups and generates (442) a program
`
`control information signal (276) from the program line-ups to enable selection of
`
`television programs for viewing by viewers, the method including the steps of:
`
`receiving (400) information on television programs available for viewing;
`
`organizing (430) the information on television programs available for
`
`viewing into program line~up information using stored computer instructions
`
`including a set of computer instructions for utilizing the stored data to optimize
`
`the selection of television programs to be watched by each viewer;
`
`editing (436) the program line—up information;
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`generating (442) the program control information signal (276) using the
`
`program line-up information; and
`
`transmitting (292, 294, 296) the program control information signal (276)
`
`as a digital data signal so that the television programs from which a viewer can
`
`choose will be displayed for selection by a viewer.
`
`28.
`
`The method of claim 27 further including the steps of gathering of
`
`program watched information from viewers, and wherein the organizing step
`
`further includes:
`
`targeting (402) a television program; and
`
`managing (402) the yield of the programs watched information for the
`
`targeted program so that the targeted program yields higher programs watched
`
`information.
`
`29.
`
`The method of claim 27 wherein at least one of the television programs
`
`is a program service including a time limited series of programming offered for
`
`a defined time each day for a limited number of calendar days and wherein the
`
`program control information signal (276) includes information providing an
`
`identification and description of the service, the starting and stopping dates and
`
`the times each day that the service can be viewed by the viewers.
`
`30.
`
`The method of claim 18 wherein the step of creating a program line-up
`
`includes a method to create program services containing at least one program and
`
`an interstitial audio/video for transmission, the method, including the following
`
`steps:
`
`obtaining (461) one or more programs and interstitial audio/video;
`
`creating (460) events including:
`
`combining (462) one or more programs with one or more
`
`interstitial audio/video so that an event is longer than the one or more
`
`combined programs; and
`
`creating (464) an event identification for recalling the event;
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`generating program services including:
`
`integrating one or more events using the event identification so
`
`that there are no disruptions to the programs or interstitial audio/video;
`
`determining (318) calendar days that the program service will be
`
`transmitted;
`
`defining (400) time of day that the program service will be
`
`transmitted; and
`
`transmitting (292, 294, 296) the program service containing the integrated
`
`events on the determined calendar days at the defined time.
`
`31.
`
`The method of claim 30 wherein program services are paid for by
`
`viewers, the method further including the steps of:
`
`creating a mini-pay consisting of one or more program services; and
`
`assigning a price to the mini-pay.
`
`32.
`
`The method of claim 18 characterized in that the step of creating a
`
`program line-up includes a method for creating near video on demand service
`
`using programs wherein the near video on demand service is transmitted from a
`
`central location for distribution to subscribers, including:
`
`designating (400) a program to be available to subscribers more than once
`
`during a day;
`
`evaluating (400) the length of the designated program;
`
`creating (400) program start times using the evaluated length of the
`
`program;
`
`organizing (430) a program line-up with the designated program and the
`
`program start times so that the program appears in the program line-up more than
`
`once and wherein more than one designated programs is in the program line-up;
`
`and
`
`wherein the step of generating (442) a program control information signal
`
`(276) uses the organized program line-ups.
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`33.
`
`The method of claim 32 wherein programs may be demanded within
`
`fifteen minutes, the step of creating program start times includes:
`
`dividing the evaluated program length into multiple fifteen minutes
`
`segments and one last segment; and
`
`identifying interstitial audio/video to be added to the last segment.
`
`34.
`
`The method of claim 32 wherein a monitor is used, the method further
`
`characterized by:
`
`graphically (438) reorganizing the program line up using a monitor before
`
`generating the program control information signal.
`
`35.
`
`The method of claim 18 characterized in that the step of creating a
`
`program line-up includes a method for creating near Video on demand service
`
`using programs wherein the near video on demand service is transmitted from a
`
`central location for distribution to subscribers, including:
`
`designating (400) a program to be available to subscribers more than
`
`evaluating (400) the length of the designated program;
`
`creating (400) program start times using the evaluated length of the
`
`program;
`
`organizing (430) a program line—up using the program start times (412)
`
`so that the program appears in the program line—up more than once;
`
`generating (434) a program control
`
`information signal using the
`
`organized program line-up; and
`
`transmitting (292, 294, 296) the program control information signal (276)
`
`and the designated program to subscribers, wherein the designated program is
`
`transmitted to subscribers at the designated programs start times (412).
`
`3 6.
`
`The method of claim 18 fiirther including method for compiling and using
`
`program watched data (420) containing information on programs wherein
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`program watched data is received from one or more remote locations, the method
`
`further characterized by the steps of:
`
`receiving (402) program watchcd data;
`
`designating (402) a program for analysis;
`
`compiling (402) the received program watched data (420) for the
`
`designated program; and
`
`using the compiled program watched data (420) in the formation of a
`
`program line-up including:
`
`determining (430) whether the compiled data is favorable for
`
`placing the designated program in a particular time slot; and
`
`allotting (430) a time slot for the designated program in the
`
`program line up.
`
`37.
`
`The method of claim 35 wherein menus having menu space are filled
`
`using the program watched data, further characterized by the step of:
`
`allocating menu space for the designated program using the program line-
`
`up.
`
`38.
`
`The method of claim 18 wherein the packaging step includes a method for
`
`allocating a given amount of bandwidth for a plurality of television programs
`
`from the programs received by the receiving means (272), each of the programs
`
`corresponding to one of a plurality of genre categories, the allocation method
`
`including the steps of:
`
`prioritizing (400) each of the programs by assigning to each of tl1e
`
`programs one of a plurality of priority levels, the plurality of priority
`
`levels including a high priority level and progressively lower priority
`
`levels, whereby programs having a higher priority level will be accepted
`
`by systems having a limited bandwidth;
`
`dividing the given amount of bandwidth so that each program
`
`category receives a portion of the given amount of bandwidth;
`
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`allocating (320) the given amount of bandwidth to high priority
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`programs in each category; and
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`continuing the allocating step with the progressively lower
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`priority levels until at least one o l" the following conditions occurs:
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`all programs are allocated,
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`all of the given amount of bandwidth is allocated.
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`39.
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`An operations center for use by a program packager to provide a
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`television program. delivery system, said operations center comprising:
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`a reception port for receiving television programs;
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`external collection means for gathering television programs from
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`external sources and feeding television progrzuns from external sources to
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`said reception port;
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`internal collection means, connected to said reception port, for
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`gathering television programs from internal sources and feeding said
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`television programs from internal sources to said reception port;
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`a converter for converting any of said television programs that are
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`in non-digital format to digital format;
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`packaging means for creating program control information and for
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`packaging said digital
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`ilorinat television programs using said program
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`control information, said packaging means comprising:
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`a central processing unit:
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`an interface, connected to the central processing unit,
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`to
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`enable a program packager to enter program line-up information,
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`wherein said interface is operahly connected to said central
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`processing unit;
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`storage means. connected to the central processing unit, for
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`storing said entered program line-up information;
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`logic means. connected to the central processing unit, for
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`arranging said stored program line-up information and for creating
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`the program control information; and
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`means, connected to the logic means,
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`for generating a
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`digital program c:ontro]
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`information signal
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`from the program
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`control information;
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`combining means for creating a combined signal, said
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`combined signal comprising the packaged digital format programs
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`and the digital program control information signal; and
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`transmission means, operably connected to said packaging
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`means, for transmitting said combined signal.
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`40.
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`The operations center of claim 39, wherein
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`said packaging means comprises means for generating menu
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`configurations; and
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`Said packaging means generates said program control information
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`using said menu configurations.
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`41.
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`The operations center of claim 39. said operations center further
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`comprising:
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`means for receiving unique cable franchise control
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`information
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`from cable franchises;
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`means, connected. to the receiving means. for storing said unique
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`cable franchise control information; and
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`wherein said generating means is connected to the storing means
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`and comprises means for including said unique cable franchise control
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`information in said generated digital program control information signal.
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`42.
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`A method for remotely generating a program control information
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`signal for use by viewers using menus ofavailable programming based on
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`program line-up information, said method comprising the steps of:
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`obtaining and storing program line-up information for programs,
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`the program line-up information comprising, program name, program start
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`time, program duration, program category and program price;
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`arranging said program line-up information for said programs in a
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`menu configuration;
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`creating program control information using said program 1ine—up
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`information;
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`generating a digital program control information data signal using
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`said program control information; and
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`continuously transmitting said digital program control information
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`data signal siniultaneously with said programs.
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`43.
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`A method of generating a digital program control data information
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`signal for transmission to viewers receiving :1 simultaneously transmitted
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`plurality of television programs so that variable video displays of current
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`and future programming can be generated and so that the downstream
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`displays of the television programs can be selected and controlled by the
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`viewers, the method uses. stored marketing data. algorithms, and menus,
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`the method comprising:
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`receiving input data.
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`including program names.
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`start
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`times,
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`program duration or program category and price;
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`combining the
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`input data with the
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`stored marketing data
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`comprising the frequency with which programs are watched by viewers
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`and the demographics of viewers:
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`weighing the combined data according to algorithms which assign
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`a weight of importance to each type of data;
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`generating from the weighted data a program linc—up and program
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`positions on menu formats resulting in a draft menu;
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`displaying the resulting draft menu for editing;
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`editing the draft menu; and
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`processing the edited menu to generate the digital program control
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`data information signal for transmission to viewers
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`44.
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`The method of claim 43 wherein the digital program control data
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`information signal
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`is transmitted to cable franchises a11d wherein the
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`method further comprises:
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`receiving specific itiforrnation relating to each cable Franchise that
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`receives the signal: and
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`creating a customized signal for each cable franchise.
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`45.
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`The method of claim 43 wherein the digital program control data
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`information signal also contains
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`information for
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`identifying virtual
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`channels for interactive services and data services available to viewers
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`using service information. the method further comprising:
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`collecting service informatioii on the data services available;
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`invemorying the interactive services to be made available to the
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`viewer:
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`assigning a virtual channel for the data services and the interactive
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`services;
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`determining method of upstream transmissions For
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`interactive
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`services; and
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`creating a menu for interactive services and data services for later
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`processing.
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`46.
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`A method to assist a program packager to create a transmissible
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`data information signal which organizes stored ini'ormation on television
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`programs available for vit:v\'ing into program line-ups and generates .1
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`program control information signal from the program line-ups to enable
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`selection of television programs for viewing by viewers,
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`the method
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`comprising:
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`receiving information. on television programs
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`available
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`for
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`viewing;
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`organizing the information on television programs available for
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`Viewing into program line—up
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`information
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`using stored computer
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`instructions including a :-set of