United States Patent (19)
`Hendricks et al.
`
`54 ADVANCED SET TOPTERMINAL FOR
`CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEMS
`
`75 Inventors: John S. Hendricks, Potomac; Alfred
`E. Bonner, Bethesda, both of Md.,
`Richard E. Wunderlich, Alpharetta;
`Eric C. Berkobin, Woodstock, both of
`Ga.
`
`73 Assignee: Discovery Communications, Inc.,
`Bethesda, Md.
`
`21 Appl. No.: 08/160,194
`22 Filed:
`Dec. 2, 1993
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`63 Continuation-in-part of application No. 07/991,074, Dec. 9,
`1992.
`(51) Int. Cl." ....................................................... H04N 7/16
`52 U.S. C. ...
`348/6; 348/10; 455/6.2;
`455/6.3
`58 Field of Search .................................... 348/10, 11, 6,
`348/7, 12, 13, 578, 584, 589,906; 455/5.1,
`6.1, 4.2, 6.2, 6.3; HO4N 7/16, 7/173
`
`56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`D. 301,037 5/1989 Matsuda.
`D. 314,383 2/1991 Hafner.
`D. 325,581 4/1992 Schwartz.
`(List continued on next page.)
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`2044574 12/1992 Canada.
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`103438 3/1984 European Pat. Off..
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`
`USOO5990927A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`5,990,927
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Hong Kong Enterprise advertisement: Two Innovative New
`Consumer Products From SVI; Nov. 1988, p. 379.
`Great Presentations advertisement: Remote, Remote, 1987;
`p. 32H.
`Consumer Dist. advertisement: Xpand Your TV's Channel
`Capability; Fall/Winter 1992; p. 215.
`Henrie van den Boom: An Interactive Videotex System for
`Two-Way CATV Networks; AEU, Band 40; 1986; pp.
`397-401.
`Daniel M. Moloney: Digital Compression in Todays Addres
`sable Environment; 1993 NCTA Technical Papers; Jun. 6,
`1993; pp. 308-316.
`(List continued on next page.)
`Primary Examiner-Chris Grant
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm Dorsey & Whitney LLP
`57
`ABSTRACT
`A novel advanced Set top terminal capable of digital
`decompression, menu generation, interactivity and other
`advanced functional capabilities for use in a television
`program delivery System is described. The invention relates
`to methods and apparatus for upgrading existing Set top
`terminals to provide menu generation capability and
`advanced functional capabilities. The invention is particu
`larly useful in television program delivery Systems with
`hundreds of channels of programming, providing (i) menu
`driven program Selection through the addition of an upgrade
`module or menu generation card and (ii) advanced func
`tional capabilities using a set of hardware upgrades and/or
`an expansion card. Specifically, the invention is an upgrade
`able System that Supports advanced set top functionality
`through the use of internal Software, hardware upgrades, an
`upgrade module and/or expansion cards. The upgraded
`hardware generally includes a microprocessor, Various
`input/output ports, processing circuitry and memory. The
`invention results in an upgraded Set top terminal that Sup
`ports: menu generation; picture-on-picture displays, pro
`gram catalogue Services, interactive Services, telephone
`caller identification; digital audio reception, VCR control;
`HDTV reception; and backyard satellite system
`interoperability, among other features and capabilities.
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`35 Claims, 32 Drawing Sheets
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`

`5,990,927
`Page 2
`
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`D. 329,238 9/1992 Grasso et al..
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`
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`
`5,343,239 8/1994 Lappington et al. .
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`
`4,712,130 12/1987 G. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 34.8/566 SE 1. E. al
`4724,491 2/1988 L
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`
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`
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`
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`
`5,416.508 5/1995 Sakuma et al..
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`2 -
`. 12
`f
`el
`5,446,919 8/1995 Wilkins.
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`SE E. E. et al. i.
`5,481.296
`1/1996 Craquin et al..
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`2- Y- a-2
`f
`emiliara.
`5,561,709 10/1996 Remillard.
`3: SE tion et al. .
`2Y- - -2
`f
`OaeS
`
`2 - a---
`
`Omas et al. .
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`243312 10/1987 European Pat. Off..
`355697 2/1990 European Pat. Off..
`402809 12/1990 European Pat. Off..
`420123 4/1991 European Pat. Off..
`424648 5/1991 European Pat. Off..
`506435 9/1992 European Pat. Off..
`61-06O150 3/1986 Japan
`1-20454 1/1989 Japan
`1130683 5/1989 Japan.
`1142918 5/1989 Japan.
`3114375 5/1991 Japan.
`52501.06 9/1993 Japan.
`2168227 6/1986 United Kingdom.
`8601962 3/1986 WIPO.
`8909528 10/1989 WIPO.
`91OO670 1/1991 WIPO.
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`9211713 7/1992 WIPO.
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`7/1992 WIPO.
`92.17027 10/1992 WIPO.
`9221206 11/1992 WIPO.
`9322877 11/1993 WIPO.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Caitlin Bestler: Flexible Data Structures and Interface Ritu
`als
`Rapid Development of OSD Applications; 93 NCTA
`Tech. Papers; Jun. 6, 1993 pp. 223-236.
`A.D. Gelman, et al.: A Store-And-Forward Architecture For
`Video-On-Demand Service; ICC 91 Conf.; Jun. 1991; pp.
`842–846.
`Olshansky et al., Subscriber Distribution Networks Using
`Compressed Digital Video, Journal of Lightwave Technol
`ogy, Nov. 1992, pp. 1760–1765.
`
`-
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 32
`
`5,990,927
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 23, 1999
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 of 32
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`5,990,927
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`Nov. 23, 1999
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 9 of 32
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`5,990,927
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`11
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 10 0f 32
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`5,990,927
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`12
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 11 of 32
`
`5,990,927
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 12 of 32
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`5,990,927
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`Nov. 23, 1999
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`5,990,927
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Nov. 23, 1999
`N0V.23, 1999
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`Sheet 15 0f 32
`Sheet 15 0f 32
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`5,990,927
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 23, 1999
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 18 of 32
`
`5,990,927
`
`
`
`O2
`
`XPRESS
`(R) TV GUIDELIBERTY SERVICE
`PRESS GOON ANY TEM FOR SHOW SCHEDULES
`
`NEXT 7 DAYS
`NETWORK SCHEDULES
`NEXT 6 HOURS
`TODAY'S SCHEDULES
`TV GUIDE PICKS ALL NETWORKS NEXT 7 DAYS
`NOTE PRESS GUIDE RECORD BUTTON ON ANY SHOW
`LISTED ANP WE WILL AUTOMATICALLY SET YOUR WCR
`TO TAPE
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`YOU HAVENTSUBSCRIBED TO TV GUIDEXPRESS YET
`YOUR CHOICE
`PRESS
`HERE TO ORDER FOR JUST 2.95/MO,
`PRESS GOHERE TO RETURN TO CABLE TV,
`
`20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 19 of 32
`
`5,990,927
`
`
`
`Fig. 16a
`
`22O
`
`CURRENT TIME:
`9:45 PM
`
`BROADCAST TV
`MENU
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`WELCOME
`
`CATEGORIES OF
`PROGRAM MENUS
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`PRESS GO FOR ANY CATEGORY
`
`O
`
`FAVORITE CHANNELS
`POPULAR SHOWS
`
`OF TEN WATCHED CHANNELS
`CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
`
`MURDERMMYSTERY PROGRAMS
`
`DOCUMENTARIES
`
`NEWS AND INFORMATION
`
`OTHER
`
`PRESS GO HERE TO RETURN TO HOME MENU
`OOOOOOOOOO OO IOO DOD
`F
`
`12
`
`21
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 20 0f 32
`
`5,990,927
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`MOOD QUESTION MENUS
`
`
`
`LENGTH OF PROGRAM DESIRED
`
`30 minutes Or less
`
`3O to 60 minutes
`
`Fig. 16b
`
`LONG
`
`60 minutes or more
`
`Fig. 16c
`
`TYPE OF PROGRAM DESIRED
`
`SERIOUS
`
`THOUGHTFUL
`
`LIGHT
`
`DO YOU WISHAN ACTIVE OR
`PASSIVE PROGRAM?
`
`1 114
`
`1
`
`6
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`1 118
`
`22
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`

`

`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 21 of 32
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`5,990,927
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 23, 1999
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`Sheet 22 of 32
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`5,990,927
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 23 of 32
`
`5,990,927
`
`
`
`Fig. 18
`
`THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1994
`(2)
`INTERACTIVE SERVICES
`LEVEL B
`
`THIS LEVEL OF INTERACTIVITY ALLOWS
`YOU TO ACCESSA WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES
`INCLUDING:
`
`ENCYCLOPEDIA
`PRODGY
`ATLAS
`AMERICAON LINE
`SHOPPNG CENTER
`X PRESS
`AIRLINE RESERVATIONS ASSOCATED PRESS
`HOTEL RESERVATIONS
`U.S. YELLOWPAGES
`
`TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE SERVICES AN INTER
`ACTIVE MODEMIS REQUIRED. THIS IS AVAILABLE
`FROM YOUR CABLE SYSTEM. FOR INSTALLATION AND
`SE, INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR CABLE SYSTEM
`
`YOUR CHOICE
`
`PRESSGO) HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
`PRESSGOHERE TO RETURN TO CABLE TV
`
`is
`
`25
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 24 of 32
`
`5,990,927
`
`Fig. 19a
`
`
`
`34
`
`PRESS
`HERE FOR THE INTERACTIVITY WITH THIS SHOW
`or coicePRESS GOHERE TO RESUME SHOW WITHOUT INTERACTIVITY
`V/PRESS GOHERE FOR INTERACTIVE MENU
`
`130-1
`
`26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 25 of 32
`
`5,990,927
`
`Fig. 19b
`
`
`
`NTERACTIVE PROGRAMMING VENTURESTM
`
`PRESS GO) ON ANY INTERACTIVE MENU 1VSA
`
`34
`
`33
`
`36
`
`PRESSGOON YOUR ANSWER
`QUESTION | OF 48
`WHAT IS THE MINIMUM WIND SPEED
`MORE THAN4O MPH
`REOURED FOR A STORM TO BE
`MORE THAN 65 MPH
`CLASSIFIED AS A HURRICANEP
`MORE THAN 74 MPH
`MORE THAN
`
`YOUR CHOICE
`W / PRESS GOHERE TO RESUME SHOW WITHOUT
`INTERACTIVITY
`PRESS GOHERE TO RETURN TO CABLE TV
`
`is
`
`27
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 26 of 32
`
`5,990,927
`
`Fig. 20a
`
`
`
`42
`
`THURSDAY OCTOBER 26 1994
`
`NTERACTIVE SERVICES
`PRESS GOON ANYTITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION
`PRODGY
`SHOPPING CENTER
`AMERICA ON LINE
`GAMES
`X PRESS
`ATLAS
`AIRLINE RESERVATIONS
`ASSOCATED PRESS
`HOTEL RESERVATIONS
`U.S. YELLOWPAGES
`ENCYCLOPEDIA
`CABLE FAXMAIL
`YOUR CHOICE
`RV7 PRESS GOHERE TO RETURN TO CABLE TV
`
`so
`
`28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 27 of 32
`
`5,990,927
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`Nov. 23, 1999
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`Sheet 29 of 32
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`Nov. 23, 1999
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 31 of 32
`
`5,990,927
`
`Fig. 22
`
`
`
`THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1994
`G
`I'll GUIDE RECORD HAS BEEN ACTIVATED FOR
`9:OOPM, GREAT FIGHTS OF THE 198O'S
`ON: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1994
`FROM: 9:OOPMET TO: 93O PM ET
`CHANNEL: 29 NETWORK. HBO
`
`MAKE SURE YOUR VCR IS TURNED
`ON AND ATAPE IS LOADED
`WELL HANDLE THE REST
`
`PRESS GOHERE FOR GUIDE RECORD MENUS
`PRESSGOHERE TO RETURN TO SCHEDULE
`PRESSGOHERE TO RETURN TO CABLE TV
`
`is
`
`33
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 32 of 32
`
`5,990,927
`
`Fig. 23
`
`
`
`72
`
`WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1996
`HF HDTV
`O HIGH DEFINITION TELEVISION
`ASE A CURRENT SUBSCRIBERTO ALL HDTV SERVICES,
`
`PRESS (GO) ON THE HDTVCHANNELYOU WANT TOVIEW
`DISCOVERY'S WINDOW ON THE WORLD WW
`HBO IN HIGH DEFINITION
`SHOWTIME IN HIGH DEFINITION
`HIT MOVIES FROMYOUR CHOICE TVTM
`OTHER HDTV SELECTIONS
`YOUR CHOICE
`V/ PRESS GOHERE TO RETURN TO CABLE TV
`
`34
`
`

`

`1
`ADVANCED SET TOP TERMINAL FOR
`CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEMS
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`This application is a continuation-in-part of application
`Ser. No. 07/991,074 filed Dec. 9, 1992 entitled TELEVI
`SION PROGRAM PACKAGING AND DELIVERY SYS
`TEM WITH MENU DRIVEN SUBSCRIBER ACCESS.
`The following other continuation-in-part applications, also
`based on the above-referenced patent application, are incor
`porated herein by reference:
`Ser. No. 08/160,281, entitled REPROGRAMMABLE
`TERMINAL FOR SUGGESTING PROGRAMS
`OFFERED ONATELEVISION PROGRAM DELIV
`15
`ERY SYSTEM, filed on Dec. 2, 1993;
`Ser. No. 08/160,280, entitled NETWORK CONTROL
`LER FOR CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY
`SYSTEMS, filed on Dec. 2, 1993;
`Ser. No. 08/160,282, entitled AN OPERATIONS CEN
`TER FORATELEVISION PROGRAMPACKAGING
`AND DELIVERY SYSTEM, filed on Dec. 2, 1993;
`Ser No. 08/160,193, entitled SET TOP TERMINAL FOR
`CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEMS, filed
`25
`on Dec. 2, 1993;
`Ser. No. 08/160,283, entitled DIGITAL CABLE HEAD
`END FOR CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY
`SYSTEM, filed on Dec. 2, 1993.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`The invention relates to television entertainment Systems
`for providing television programming to consumer homes.
`More particularly, the invention relates to a set top terminal
`for use with a program delivery System with menu Selection
`of programs.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Advances in television entertainment have been primarily
`driven by breakthroughs in technology. In 1939, advances
`on Vladimir Zworykin's picture tube provided the stimulus
`for NBC to begin its first regular broadcasts. In 1975,
`advances in Satellite technology provided consumers with
`increased programming to homes.
`Many of these technology breakthroughs have produced
`inconvenient Systems for consumers. One example is the
`ubiquitous three remote control home, having a separate and
`unique remote control for the TV, cable box and VCR. More
`recently, technology has provided cable users in certain parts
`of the country with 100 channels of programming. This
`increased program capacity is beyond the ability of many
`consumers to use effectively. No method of managing the
`program choices has been provided to consumers.
`Consumers are demanding that future advances in televi
`Sion entertainment, particularly programs and program
`choices, be presented to the consumer in a user friendly
`manner. Consumer preferences, instead of technological
`breakthroughs, will drive the television entertainment mar
`ket for at least the next 20 years. AS computer vendors have
`experienced a Switch from marketing new technology in
`computer hardware to marketing better uSeability, interfaces
`and Service, the television entertainment industry will also
`experience a Switch from new technology driving the market
`to consumer uSeability driving the market.
`Consumers want products incorporating new technology
`that are useful, and will no longer purchase new technology
`
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`5,990,927
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`for the Sake of novelty or Status. Technological advances in
`Sophisticated hardware are beginning to Surpass the capa
`bility of the average consumer to use the new technology.
`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 be
`Successful, the products must Satisfy consumer demands. TV
`consumers wish to go from limited viewing choices to a
`variety of choices, from no control of programming to
`complete control. Consumers wish to advance from cum
`berSome and inconvenient television to easy and convenient
`television and keep costs down. Consumers do not wish to
`pay for one hundred channels when due to lack of program
`ming information, they seldom, if ever, watch programming
`on many of these channels.
`The concepts of interactive television, high definition
`television and 300 channel cable systems in consumer
`homes will not sell if they 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.
`Consumers are already being bombarded with program
`ming options, numerous “free” cable channels, Subscription
`cable channels and pay-per-view choices. Any further
`increase in TV entertainment choices, without a user
`friendly presentation and approach, will likely bewilder
`Viewers with a mind-numbing array of choices.
`The TV industry has traditionally marketed and sold its
`programs to consumers in bulk, Such as continuous feed
`broadcast and long-term Subscriptions to movie channels.
`The TV industry is unable to Sell its programming in large
`quantities on a unit per unit basis, Such as the ordering of one
`program. Consumers prefer a unit Sales approach because it
`keeps costs down and allows the consumer to be more
`Selective in their viewing.
`In addition, Viewership fragmentation, which has already
`begun, will increase. Programming not presented in a user
`friendly manner will suffer with a decrease in viewership
`and revenue. AS programming presentation becomes more
`user friendly, users Seek additional features and functional
`capabilities.
`What is needed is a system 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 for Subscribers to acceSS television pro
`grams.
`What is needed is a set top converter with enhanced
`functionality.
`What is needed is a Set top converter that provides users
`with advanced features and capabilities.
`What is needed is a method that allows efficient access to
`hundreds of television programming options.
`What is needed is technology that upgrades the function
`ality of existing Set top converters.
`What is needed is hardware that provides an upgrade
`capability allowing the use of existing Set top converter
`technology in advanced program delivery Systems.
`What is needed is a set top converter that provides an
`upstream communications capability between the Set top
`converter and cable headend.
`What is needed is a set top converter that provides a
`capability of generating menus for display.
`
`35
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`

`3
`What is needed is a set top converter that provides a
`Simple way to Select a program from a menu.
`What is needed is a set top converter that allows users to
`Subscribe on-Screen to Specialty channels.
`What is needed is a set top converter that monitors
`Subscriber viewing choices for Statistical purposes.
`What is needed is a set top converter that provides
`Sophisticated on-screen television menus which can incor
`porate Still Video and moving video.
`What is needed is a set top converter that provides a
`capability of Scaling and redirecting Video for menus. The
`present invention is addressed to fulfill these needs.
`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`The present invention is a Set top converter box or
`terminal for a television program delivery System. More
`Specifically, the present invention is an advanced Set top
`converterbox that acts as a terminal in the viewer home. The
`Set top terminal is a key component of a digital cable
`television delivery System. The Set top terminal is an
`upgradeable System that provides for the decompression of
`digital program Signals. The preferred Set top terminal
`provides both a menu generation capability as well as a
`number of advanced features and functional capabilities.
`The Set top terminal of the present invention may be
`achieved through a Set of hardware upgrades to any of the
`following embodiments: (1) an existing set top converter
`upgraded with a circuit card (which has a microprocessor
`electronically connected to the set top converter); (2) an
`industry Standard decompression converter upgradeable by
`either an upgrade module or a menu generation card, and (3)
`a set top converter box capable of both decompression and
`menu generation. The hardware upgrades provide additional
`advanced features and functional capabilities to any of these
`embodiments.
`A number of advanced features and functional capabilities
`are Supported by the preferred Set top terminal. This set top
`terminal provides Subscribers with a picture-on-picture
`capability without requiring a Special television to Support
`the capability. The Set top terminal also Supports a TV guide
`service, which provides subscribers with information on all
`programming available at its particular Subscriber location.
`The set top terminal further includes the capability of
`querying viewers to establish, among other things, favorite
`channel lists, personal profile data and mood information.
`The set top terminal allows the Subscriber to view promo
`tional menus on future programming events.
`The Set top terminal Supports additional capabilities using
`its hardware upgrades that allow Subscribers to use other
`interactive Services, for example, to engage in on-line ques
`tion and answer Sessions, to order and confirm airline
`tickets, and to access a variety of other data Services. The Set
`top terminal makes use of a digital tuner as a hardware
`upgrade to provide Subscribers with a digital audio capabil
`ity.
`The preferred Set top terminal may be used to control
`Video tape machines, thereby Simplifying the recording of
`programs. The Set top terminal can, in conjunction with the
`program delivery System, easily Support high definition
`television (HDTV). For subscribers living in remote
`locations, the Set top terminal accommodates backyard Sat
`ellite Systems. In addition to all the features that the Set top
`terminal Supports with its current internal programming and
`upgradeability, additional features may be added or existing
`features increased through remote reprogramming of the Set
`top terminal 220.
`
`15
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`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
`O-SCCC CUIS.
`It is an object of this invention to efficiently access
`hundreds of television programming options.
`It is an object of this invention to upgrade the function
`ality of existing Set top converters.
`It is an object of this invention to provide an upgrade
`capability allowing the use of existing Set top converter
`technology in an advanced program delivery System.
`It is an object of is invention to provide an upstream
`communications capability between the Set top 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 allow users to subscribe
`on-Screen to Specialty channels.
`It is an object of this invention to monitor subscriber
`Viewing choices for Statistical purposes.
`It is an object of this invention to provide Sophisticated
`on-Screen television menus which can incorporate Still video
`and moving Video.
`These and other objects and advantages of the invention
`will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon review
`of the following description, the attached drawings and
`appended claims.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a diagram of the primary components of the
`television delivery System.
`FIG. 2 is an overview of the television delivery system
`operations.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic of the operation of the primary
`components of the System.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the hardware components of
`the Set top terminal.
`FIG. 5a is a perspective front view of a set top terminal.
`FIG. 5b is a perspective rear view of a set top terminal.
`FIG. 6 is a Schematic of a Turbo card upgrade for a Set top
`terminal.
`FIG. 7a is a drawing of a frame format for program
`control information signal.
`FIG. 7b is a drawing of a frame format for a polling
`response from the Set top terminal.
`FIG. 8 is a drawing of the basic menus used in the present
`invention, including the ten major menus represented by
`icons.
`FIG. 9a is a schematic of a basic decompression box with
`upgrade module and associated connections.
`FIG.9b is a schematic of an alternative embodiment of a
`Simple decompression box with upgrade module and asso
`ciated connections.
`FIG. 10 is a more detailed block diagram of the compo
`nents of a simple decompression box with upgrade module.
`FIG. 11 is a schematic of the set top terminals upstream
`data transmission hardware.
`FIG. 12a is a Schematic showing the components of the
`Level A, B, and C hardware upgrades.
`FIG. 12b is a schematic showing the components of the
`Level D hardware upgrade.
`
`36
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`

`

`S
`FIG.13a is a schematic showing the two parts of a remote
`control unit.
`FIG. 13b is a drawing of the preferred remote control unit.
`FIG. 14 is a diagram of the components of a set top
`terminal having a picture-on-picture capability.
`FIG. 15 is a drawing of a menu related to program
`catalogue Services.
`FIGS. 16a through 16d are drawings of viewer querying
`and mood question menus.
`FIGS. 17a and 17b are drawings of the set top terminal
`hardware components that accommodate transparent chan
`nel Switching.
`FIG. 18 is a drawing of an interactive television promo
`tional menu for a Set top terminal hardware upgrade.
`FIGS. 19a and 19b are drawings of Submenus for inter
`active television Services using hardware upgrade Level A.
`FIGS. 20a through 20d are drawings of interactive ser
`vices using hardware upgrade Level B which are related to
`on-Screen airline reservations.
`FIG. 2