Page 1 of 24
`
`LG EXHIBIT 1018
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`

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`a
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`67
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`P
`
`Page 2 of 24
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`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 1, 1997
`
`Sheet 2 of 8
`
`/0116,5
`
`678,
`
`8
`
`8
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`Page 3 of 24
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`Page 3 of 24
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 1,1997
`
`. Sheet3of8
`
`5,616,876
`
`Page 4 of 24
`
`Page 4 of 24
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 1, 1997
`
`Sheet 4 of 8
`
`5,616,876
`
`P400
`
`5,02
`
`415
`
`FIG. 4
`
`§9§
`
`
`
` 540
`545
`550
`530
`
`
`
`
`
`
`II SONG TITLE
`I ARTIST
`
`3
`
`I
`
`
`
`sons — ARTIST
`some — ARTIST
`E
`some — ARTIST
`STYLEEQ
`SONG—ART|ST
`
`
`
` SONG - ARTIST
`SONG - ARTIST
`I-‘I0
`"
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`605
`
`Page 5 of 24
`
`Page 5 of 24
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 1, 1997
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
`
`5,616,876
`
`P 700
`
` 1105
`
`Page 6 of 24
`
`Page 6 of 24
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 1, 1997
`
`Sheet 6 of 8
`
`5,616,876
`
`900
`
`g
`
`SELECT
`‘SEED’ SONG
`
`ACTIVATE THE
`‘MORE’ BUTTON
`
`SET STYLE
`SLIDER
`
`905
`
`910
`
`915
`
`920
`
`925
`
`935
`
`
`
`
`ACTIVATE THE
`‘MORE STYLE‘
`BUTTON
`
`REVIEW LIST OF
`PROPOSED SONGS
`
`930
`
`CHANGE
`
`CRITOERIA
`
`REJECT
`PROPOSED
`SONGS
`
`ADD SONGS
`7° P‘-’“’”ST
`
`FIG. 9 9
`
`Page 7 of 24
`
`Page 7 of 24
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 1,1997
`
`Sheet 7 of 3
`
`5,616,876
`
`1000
`
`\4
`
`ID/SORT STYLES
`
`ASSOCIATED WITH
`SEED SONG
`
`1005
`
`1010
`
`1075
`
`1020
`
`1025
`
`PRESENT
`TOP 10 SONGS
`TO LISTENER
`
`
`SONGS
`YES
`ACCE9PTED
`
`1035
`
`ADD SONGS
`TO PLAYLIST
`
`SLIDER
`
`
`
`CHANGED
`
`
`FIG. 10
`
`Page 8 of 24
`
`DETERMINE
`POSITION OF
`STYLE SLIDER
`
`ID SONGS WITH
`SIMILAR STYLE
`AND WEIGHT
`
`RANDOM SORT
`LIST OF SONGS
`
`
`
`Page 8 of 24
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 1, 1997
`
`Sheet 8 of 3
`
`5,616,876
`
`1300 1205
`
`
`SELECT
`PLAYLIST
`
`ACTIVATE
`STYLE EQ
`
`1210
`
`PLAY SELECTED
`PLAYLIST
`
`1305
`
`IDENTIFY
`PREDOMINANT
`STYLES
`
`’3’°
`
`
`
`REVIEW FADER
`CA'|'EG()R|ES 3
`sE'rnNGs
`
`
`
`7275
`
`ASSIGN STYLES
`T0 FADERS
`
`1315
`
`7320
`
`REFLECT % OF
`SONGS WI STYLE
`
`
`
`
` SET FADERS TO
`
`
`
`
`ADJUST FADER
`SETT|NG(S)
`
`
`
`
`
`1230
`
`1330
`
`1335
`
`HIDE STYLE EQ
`PANEL
`
`.
`
`ADJUST W 0"
`PLAYED SONGS TO
`REFLECT FADERS
`
`4
`PLAY ALL sones
`N ORDER
`
`FIG. 12
`
`Page 9 of 24
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`Page 9 of 24
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`

`
`5,616,876
`
`2
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR SELECTING
`MUSIC ON THE BASIS OF SUBJECTIVE
`CONTENT
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`jective nature of such a decision, there is no simple way for
`a subscriber to identify additional music that is similar to a
`song he or she likes. This is a significant disadvantage in an
`environment where a large assortment of music is readily
`available.
`
`When a listener browses published playlists, the playlists
`are typically described by a short title, such as Jazz, Clas-
`sical, Top 40, Progressive Rock, etc. When a subscriber
`listens to such a playlist, there is no simple way for the
`subscriber to get a clearer idea of the specific types of music
`that are included in the playlist. Similarly, there is no simple
`way for a subscriber to alter the mix of the songs that are
`played back from the playlist.
`In summary,
`there is no simple, effective way for a
`subscriber to identify and select music he or she is likely to
`enjoy on the basis of the music’s subjective content and its
`similarity to a song the subscriber is familiar with. Further-
`more, there is no way for a user to quickly assess the mix of
`music included in a playlist and to alter the mix of music
`played from the playlist.
`Therefore, there is a need in the art for a system that
`allows a subscriber to pick a song he or she likes and to then
`identify additional songs that
`include similar subjective
`content. Likewise, there is a need in the art for a system that
`allows a user to perceive the content of a playlist and alter
`the mix of songs played from the playlist.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention satisfies the above described needs
`by providing systems and methods for selecting and playing
`music based on its subjective content.
`Generally described,
`the present invention provides a
`method for selecting programming information items in an
`interactive media distribution system that includes a server,
`a distribution network, an output device and an input device.
`The method includes storing on the server a plurality of
`programming information items and editorial data associ-
`ated with the programming information items. An initial
`programming information items is played in response to a
`first input signal. In response to a second input signal, a list
`of proposed new programming information items is created
`on the basis of the editorial data associated with the initial
`
`programming information item and the plurality of program-
`ming information items. The list of proposed new program-
`ming information items is presented on the output device.
`The proposed new programming information items are then
`added to a playlist in response to a third input signal.
`The present invention also provides a method for classi-
`fying and selecting programming information items having
`subjective content. A plurality of programming information
`items and editorial data associated with the programming
`information items are stored. The editorial data includes a
`
`plurality of categories and weightings associating each pro-
`gramming information item with the categories. An initial
`programming information item is selected in response to a
`first
`input signal. The setting of a matching closeness
`indicator is detemrined in response to a second input signal.
`The method determines matching categories for the initial
`programming entry. The matching categories include the
`categories whose weightings correspond to the position of
`the matching closeness indicator. The method determines
`matching programming information items based on the
`initial programming information item. The matching items
`include the matching categories with weightings corre-
`sponding to the setting of the matching closeness indicator.
`The matching items are presented to the user.
`
`The present invention relates to systems and methods for
`selecting and playing audio selections, and more particularly
`relates to methods for selecting and playing audio selections
`on the basis of their subjective content.
`’
`
`10
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The expansion and improvement of cable television sys-
`tems (sometimes referred to as community antenna televi-
`sion or CATV systems) have made it possible for cable
`companies to provide a variety of programming services to
`subscribers. These services typically include a multitude of
`television channels that are viewed on the subscriber’s
`television. Some cable companies also provide music chan-
`nels that are connected to a subscriber’s stereo system
`through a subscriber terminal.
`Although CATV systems were originally designed to
`distribute television signals in the “downstream” direction
`only (i.e., from a central “headend” location to multiple
`subscriber locations, which is also known as the “forward”
`path),
`the advent of pay-per-view services and of other
`interactive television applications has fueled the develop-
`ment of bidirectional or “two-way” cable systems. These
`two-way cable systems also provide for the transmission of
`signals from the subscriber locations back to the headend via
`an “upstream” direction or a “reverse” path.
`By upgrading conventional CATV systems to increase
`their bandwidth, cable service providers can use the addi-
`tional channels gained by this wider bandwidth network to
`provide many new subscriber services. The ever-expanding
`deployment of fiber optic technology supports the imple-
`mentation of an “interactive networ ” that allows a sub-
`
`scriber to obtain desirable services or programming at a time
`and date specified by the subscriber. Indeed, it is feasible that
`this interactive network will have sufficient bandwidth to
`supply hundreds of channels of programming information,
`thereby leading to an explosion of program options available
`to subscribers. Potential subscriber services supported by
`this interactive network include Movies on Demand (MOD)
`or Video on Demand (VOD), interactive music channels,
`interactive computing, shopping, entertainment, and other
`related services.
`
`An interactive network makes it possible for subscribers
`to have immediate access to vast selections of music. For
`example, record companies may provide catalogs of their
`music for subscribers to listen to via an interactive network.
`Similarly, various publishers may compile playlists of vari-
`ous styles of music (e.g., Jazz, Classical, Top 40, etc.) that
`will be available to subscribers via an interactive network.
`
`When music catalogs are available via an interactive
`network, a subscriber must have a way to select the music
`he or she would like to listen to. The computers that form a
`part of an interactive network facilitate selection by song
`title, artist, or album name. As in a record store, music may
`also be classified and searched by style (e.g., Jazz, Classical,
`Top 40, etc.). Thus, in an interactive network, it will be very
`simple for a subscriber to select a specific song.
`However, unless a subscriber is familiar with a particular
`artist or song title, there is no simple way to identify other
`music that the subscriber may enjoy. Because of the sub-
`
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`Page 10 of 24
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`Page 10 of 24
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`

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`3
`
`5,616,876
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`The present invention also provides a system for classi-
`fying and selecting programming information having sub-
`jective content. The system includes a data storage device
`containing a plurality of programming information items
`and editorial data associated with the programming infor-
`mation items, an output device for providing information to
`a user, an input device for receiving input from the user, and
`a computer associated with the data storage device. The
`computer is configured to play an initial programming
`information item in response to a first input signal. The
`computer creates a list of proposed new programming
`information items on the basis of the editorial data associ-
`
`5
`
`10
`
`ated with the programming information items in response to
`a second input signal. The list of proposed new program-
`ming information items is presented on the output device.
`Finally, the proposed new programming information items
`are added to a playlist in response to a third input signal.
`In another aspect, the present invention provides a method
`for indicating the mix of programming information included
`in a playlist and adjusting the mix of programming infor-
`mation played from the playlist. The method includes load-
`ing a playlist including a plurality of programming infor-
`mation items and loading editorial data associated with the
`programming information items. A predetermined number
`of indicators are displayed on the output device. Each of the
`indicators is associated with a category from the editorial
`data. The indicators are positioned to indicate the portion of
`the plurality of programming information items correspond-
`ing to each of the categories. At least one of the indicators
`is adjusted in response to an input signal from an input
`device.
`In response to the adjustment of one or more
`indicators,
`the method selects programming information
`items from the playlist such that the portions of the selected
`programming information items associated with each of the
`categories corresponds to the adjusted positions of the
`indicators.
`
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`a system for classifying and selecting information having
`subjective content.
`
`'
`
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`method for the context based selection of subjective mate-
`rial.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`method for adding items having subjective content to a
`group of items having similar subjective content.
`It is another object of the present invention to predict,
`based on a listener’s current choice of music, the choices
`from an audio content database that are most like the current
`choice.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to identify
`other music that is similar to the music a listener is listening
`to.
`
`20
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`25
`
`30
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`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`It is another object of the present invention to identify
`more music that is like a current musical selection.
`
`55
`
`It is another object of the present invention to identify
`other movies that are similar to a movie a viewer is watch-
`ing.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to display the
`types of music are in a playlist.
`It is another object of the present invention to allow a user
`to alter the mix of music that is selected and played from a
`playlist.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to select
`various types of programming on the basis of its subjective
`content.
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Page 11 of 24
`
`4
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates an interactive network system.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a set top terminal, which forms a part of
`the interactive network system of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred remote control unit for use
`with the set top terminal of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4 is illustrates the features of the initial screen
`display in the preferred audio on demand system.
`FIG. 5 illustrates the features of the playlist screen display
`in the preferred audio on demand system.
`FIG. 6 illustrates a list of songs provided in response to
`the find button on the playlist screen display of FIG. 5.
`FIG. 7 illustrates the “more like” panel provided in
`response to the “more” button on the playlist screen display
`of FIG. 5.
`
`FIG. 8 illustrates a list of songs provided by the “more
`like” function.
`
`FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps taken by a
`subscriber when using the “more like” function.
`FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating the “more like”
`function as implemented in a program module running on
`the preferred interactive network.
`FIG. 11 illustrates the features of the “style equalizer”
`screen display.
`
`FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps taken by
`a subscriber when using the “style equalizer” function.
`FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating the “style equalizer”
`function as implemented in a program module running on
`the preferred interactive network.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`The preferred embodiment of the present invention is
`directed to systems and methods for selecting music on the
`basis of its subjective content, and is implemented in an
`interactive network system that can deliver a variety of
`services, including entertainment, information, and transac-
`tion services, to consumers via an interactive broadband
`network. The preferred system, which is referred to as the
`audio on demand system, allows a subscriber to listen to
`songs provided by the system. The subscriber may select
`songs on the basis of title, artist and album. The subscriber
`may also select playlists, which are predetermined collec-
`tions of songs The audio on demand system provides a
`“more like” function that identifies more music that is like
`the subscriber’s current selection. In addition, the system
`includes a “style equalizer” that allows a subscriber to see
`the predominant styles of music included in a playlist, and
`to adjust the mix of music played from the playlist.
`Although the preferred embodiment will be generally
`described in the context of an interactive television system
`for delivering broadcast television programs, music, and
`related information, those skilled in the art will recognize
`that the present invention also can be used to support the
`delivery of other forms of programming information, includ-
`ing radio, broadcast print, audio, games, computer software,
`including program modules such as application programs
`and operating systems, and other combinations of audio,
`video and/or computer software. Accordingly,
`it will be
`understood that the terms “programming information” and
`“programming information items” generally include infor-
`mation transmitted electronically to entertain, instruct, edu-
`
`Page 11 of 24
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`

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`5
`
`6
`
`5,616,876
`
`cate, or inform the recipient, as well as program modules for
`supporting these services.
`Turning first to the nomenclature of the specification, the
`detailed description which follows is represented largely in
`terms of processes and symbolic representations of opera-
`tions by conventional computer components, including a
`central processing unit (CPU), memory storage devices for
`the CPU, and connected pixel-oriented display devices.
`These operations include the manipulation of data bits by the
`CPU and the maintenance of these bits within data structures
`resident in one or more of the memory storage devices. Such
`data structures impose a physical organization upon the
`collection of,data bits stored within computer memory and
`represent specific electrical or magnetic elements. These
`symbolic representations are the means used by those skilled
`in the art of computer programming and computer construc-
`tion to most effectively convey teachings and discoveries to
`others skilled in the art.
`
`For the purposes of this discussion, a process is generally
`conceived to be a sequence of computer-executed steps
`leading to a desired result. These steps generally require
`physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually,
`though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of
`electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of being
`stored,
`transferred, combined, compared, or otherwise
`manipulated. It is conventional for those skilled in the art to
`refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols,
`characters,
`terms, numbers, records,
`files or the like. It
`should be kept in mind, however, that these and similar
`terms should be associated with appropriate physical quan-
`tities for computer operations, and that these terms are
`merely conventional labels applied to physical quantities
`that exist within and during operation of the computer.
`It should also be understood that manipulations within the
`computer are often referred to in terms such as adding,
`comparing, moving, etc. which are often associated with
`manual operations performed by a human operator. It must
`be understood that no involvement of a human operator is
`necessary or even desirable in the present invention. The
`operations described herein are machine operations per-
`formed in conjunction with a human operator or user that
`interacts with the computer. The machines used for perform-
`ing the operation of the present invention include general
`purpose digital computers or other similar computing
`devices.
`
`In addition, it should be understood that the programs,
`processes, methods, etc. described herein are not related or
`limited to any particular computer or apparatus. Rather,
`various types of general purpose machines may be used with
`programs constructed in accordance with the teachings
`described herein. Similarly, it may prove advantageous to
`construct specialized apparatus to perform the method steps
`described herein by way of dedicated computer systems with
`hard-wired logic or programs stored in nonvolatile memory,
`such as read only memory.
`in which like numerals
`Referring now the drawings,
`represent like elements throughout the several figures, the
`present invention and the preferred operating environments
`will be described.
`
`THE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
`
`A typical CATV system for the delivery of television
`programming to subscribers comprises three main elements:
`a headend, a distribution system, and subscriber drops.
`The “headend” is a signal reception and processing center
`that collects, organizes and distributes signals. The headend
`
`receives satellite-delivered video and audio programming,
`over-the-air broadcast television station signals, and net-
`work feeds delivered by terrestrial microwave and other
`communication systems. In addition, headends may inject
`local broadcast programming into the package of signals
`sent to subscribers, such as commercials and live programs
`created in a television studio.
`
`5
`
`The “distribution system” carries the signals from the
`headend to a number of distribution points in a community
`and,
`in turn, distributes the these signals to individual
`neighborhoods for delivery to subscribers. A modern distri-
`bution system typically comprises a combination of coaxial
`cable and optical fibers with trunk amplifiers periodically
`spaced to compensate for attenuation of the signals along the
`line.
`
`“Subscriber drops” are taps in the distribution system that
`feed individual
`lines into subscribers’ television sets or
`subscriber set-top terminals, often referred to as “subscriber
`premises equipment” or “customer premises equipment”
`(“CPE”).
`Referring to FIG. 1, an interactive network system 10
`includes a headend system 12 for delivering programming
`information to and receiving instructions from a consumer
`system 14 via a “two-way” distribution network 16. The
`headend system 12 is the control center for collecting,
`organizing, and distributing the signals for all interactive
`network operations and the source for all programming
`information. The distribution network 16 transports signals
`carrying programming information and instructions between
`the headend system 12 and the consumer system 14. The
`distribution network 16 can include a world-wide public
`asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) compatible network
`with links to the Internet, third party service providers, and
`other wired and wireless communications networks. The
`consumer system 14 includes the equipment required for a
`consumer to receive programming information directly at
`his or her oflice or residence and to tra.nsrnit requests and
`instructions to the headend system 12.
`The headend system 12 can include a set of headend
`servers 20,
`including a continuous media server (CMS)
`system 22 and one or more administrative servers 24, to
`support various network functions, and a control network 26
`linking these headend servers. The headend servers 20 can
`execute program modules, including service and application
`program software, to support the transmission of program-
`ming information and the reception of requests for such
`programming information.
`It will be appreciated that the headend servers 20 are not
`necessarily located in one physical location, but can be
`linked by wired and/or wireless communications paths sup-
`plied by the control network. The control network 26 can be
`a local area network, a wide area network, or a combination
`of both types of networks. For the preferred embodiment,
`the control network 26 is implemented as an ATM-based
`network for routing digital data between the headend servers
`20 and the distribution network 16.
`
`The CMS system 22 is a server-based file storage and
`delivery system that can manage on-demand access to stored
`digitized data, such as audio and video. On-demand access
`of digitized data is a particularly desirable characteristic of
`the CMS system 22 because it allows the interactive network
`to support
`the on-demand delivery of various types of
`programming, such as music, movies, etc. The preferred
`CMS system 22 can supply digital data streams at a constant
`rate to numerous consumers of the consumer system 14.
`The CMS system 22 includes one or more storage servers
`28, which operate to retrieve and to transmit the digitized
`
`20
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`data as required by clients of the CMS system, i.e., the
`equipment of the consumer system 14. The digitized data,
`which typically comprises programming information,
`is
`maintained on one or more memory storage devices 30
`connected to the storage servers 28. Each memory storage
`device 30 can be implemented as a SCSI hard disk drive, an
`optical storage system, or any other similar mass storage
`media. By spreading the data management operations across
`a group of storage servers and memory storage devices, user
`load can be balanced with the limited disk, network, and
`input/output (I/O) resources of the headend system. This
`also supports fault tolerance by replicating digitized data
`within the CMS system 22 to survive the failure of a storage
`server or a memory storage device.
`To support the tasks of updating or revising programming
`information stored on a memory storage device 30 of the
`CMS system 22, a computer workstation 32 and a remote
`. server 34 can be connected to the control network 26 via a
`communications link 36. This communications link allows a
`program distributor or supplier, which typically operates at
`a location remote from the CMS system 22,
`to transmit
`programming information for storage by one or more of the
`memory storage devices 30 and eventual distribution to
`consumers via the headend system 12. The communications
`link 36 can be implemented by either a wireless or wired
`communications system. For example, the communications
`link 36 can be constructed as a microwave link or as a
`conventional telephone link.
`The administrative servers 24 of the headend system 12
`can support a variety of services and applications associated
`with the interactive network system 10, including network
`security, monitoring, object storage, financial transactions,
`data management, and other administrative functions. The
`administrative servers 24 also handle the interactive service
`requests or instructions transmitted via the consumer system
`14 by consumers. For an application involving a large base
`of consumers, an administrative server 24 is preferably
`dedicated to a particular service or function. For example,
`one or more servers can handle all consumer authorization
`requirements, whereas other servers can handle network
`management services, and so forth. These administrative
`servers preferably support the Simple Network Management
`Protocol (SNMP) to enable end-to-end network adn1inistra-
`tion and monitoring.
`The headend system 12 also can support the distribution
`of programming information and other services via an
`analog distribution system 38 that is coupled to the distri-
`bution network 16. This distribution of analog formatted
`signals can be handled by a separate headend system asso-
`ciated with a community antenna television (CATV) system.
`The headend of the CATV system typically supports satel-
`lite-delivered video and audio programs, over-the-air broad-
`cast television station signals, and broadcast network signal
`feeds delivered by microwave and other communications
`systems.
`
`The distribution network 16 is a two-way communica-
`tions network that connects the headend system 12 to
`various community distribution points of the consumer
`system 14 and, in turn, to individual neighborhood nodes for
`delivery to consumers of services supplied by the interactive
`network system 10. The distribution network 16 comprises
`one or more downstream charmels supporting transmissions
`from the headend system to the consumer system and one or
`more upstream channels for carrying transmissions from the
`consumer system to the headend system. This bidirectional
`communications network supports delivery of programming
`information via the headend system 12 to each consumer
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`and the delivery of requests for programming information by
`a consumer to the headend system 12. The distribution
`network 16 can be implemented by a" microwave distribution
`system, a telephone system, coaxial cables, optical fibers, or
`any combination of these delivery systems. However, the
`preferred distribution network is implemented by a combi-
`nation of hybrid optical
`fiber/coaxial cable (HFC) and
`optical fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC).
`Those persons skillediin the art will appreciate that the
`programming information delivered over the distribution
`network 16 typically includes both video and audio signals.
`Programming information can be delivered in digital format,
`analog format, or a combination of both analog and digital
`formats. For the preferred embodiment, music-related pro-
`gramming is delivered as a stream of digital audio and video
`signals in a compressed digital data stream, which may
`include conventional MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 compressed
`video streams. Likewise, requests or instructions issued by
`consumers via the consumer system 14 are preferably for-
`matted as digital signals.
`The CMS system 22 and the administrative servers 24 are
`connected to the distribution network 16 via an ATM switch-
`ing system 40. The ATM switching system 40 supports
`network switching requirements for delivery by the headend
`system 12 of digital data streams carrying multimedia con-
`tent and the handling of interactive service requests from
`consumers.
`
`Because the interactive network 10 is a two-way com-
`munications system, the ATM switching system 40 prefer-
`ably connects to the distribution network 16 via modulationl
`demodulation devices. The downstream channels of the
`distribution network 16 can be connected to the ATM
`switching system 40 via digital modulators 42, whereas the
`reverse channels of the distribution network 16 are con-
`nected to reverse channel receivers 44.
`
`Each consumer within a neighborhood node of the con-
`sumer system 14 is connected to the distribution network 16
`via a subscriber drop cable 46, which is typically part of a
`local cable network administered by a multiple service
`operator (MSO). The drop cable 46 is typically a coaxial
`cable or optical fiber connected to a set-top terminal 48 or
`set-top box located at the consumer’s location. This com-
`bination of the drop cable 46 and the set-top terminal 48
`operates as a “tap” into the distribution network 16, and
`allows the consumer to (1) receive program modules and
`programming information distributed by the headend system
`12 and to (2) transmit requests or instructions to the headend
`system 12. For example, the set-top terminal 48 can accept
`and convert signals carrying programming information to a
`format compatible for presentation by an output device 50,
`such as a television or a computer system. This output device
`50, which can connected to the set-top terminal via a
`conductive path 52 such as coaxial cable, preferably
`includes a receiver and a display or monitor for receiving
`and displaying programs and program-related information.
`Those skilled in the art will understand that the output device
`50 can be implemented as a combination of separate com-
`ponents, such as a receiver and a monitor, or as a single
`component, such as a conventional television or a general
`purpose computer system.
`
`Selected operating functions of the set-top terminal 48 can
`be controlled by an input device 54 capable of supplying
`input data to the set-top terminal 48. The input device 54 can
`be used to transmit command signals to the set-top terminal
`48 and to input character-based data, such as text, for
`processing by the set-top terminal 48. For example, the input
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`device 54 can be used to control the position of a display
`object presented by the output device or to enter text for
`conducting a service-related transaction supported by the
`interactive network 10. The input device 54 can be imple-
`mented as one or more devices for inputting data, including
`a hand held control, a keyboard, a mouse device, a game
`control, a joystick, a pen or stylus, a trackball, or a track pad.
`For the preferred embodiment, the input device 54 is
`implemented as a hand held remote control unit capable of
`transmitting infrared signals carrying commands for con-
`trolling the operation of the set-top terminal 48. The remote
`control unit can include a directional keypad having distinct
`keys for allowing the user to control direction (up, down,
`left,
`right) and relative changes in volume or channel
`(increase or decrease), as well as absolute changes to chan-
`nel value via a numeric key pad. The remote control unit and
`its functions are more fully described in conjunction with
`FIG. 3.
`
`FIG. 2 illustrates the basic components of the set-top
`terminal 48. The primary compon