Cable terminal unit using bit set for selectively enabling a plurality of hardware functions with some functions having a plurality of selectively enabled hardware functions
First Claim
1. A terminal unit for use within a digital cable system having a head end control unit, the terminal unit comprising:
- (a) processor means and at least one selectively enabled hardware function, wherein the at least one selectively enabled hardware function comprises a plurality of selectively enabled hardware functions, wherein each selectively enabled hardware function of the plurality of selectively enabled hardware functions can be uniquely enabled or disabled;
(b) memory means for storing a bit set representative of the enabled or disabled status of each selectively enabled hardware function of the plurality of selectively enabled hardware functions;
(c) means for setting the bit set to unable or disable each selectively enabled hardware function of the plurality of selectively enabled hardware functions in accordance with a control signal received by the terminal unit from the head end control unit; and
(d) means for enabling or disabling each selectively enabled hardware function in accordance with the bit set.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A terminal unit for use within a digital cable system having a head end control unit and a cable and related method for upgrading hardware functions. According to a preferred embodiment, the terminal unit is provided and comprises a processor and an optional hardware function, wherein the hardware function is enabled or disabled. The terminal unit further comprises a memory for storing a bit set representative of the enabled or disabled status of the optional hardware function. The bit set is set to enable or disable the optional hardware function in accordance with a control signal received by the terminal unit from the head end control unit. The terminal unit also enables or disables the optional hardware function in accordance with the bit set. The terminal unit and the head end control unit are connected to the cable, and the control signal is broadcasted with the head end control unit via the cable to the terminal unit.
-
Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A terminal unit for use within a digital cable system having a head end control unit, the terminal unit comprising:
-
(a) processor means and at least one selectively enabled hardware function, wherein the at least one selectively enabled hardware function comprises a plurality of selectively enabled hardware functions, wherein each selectively enabled hardware function of the plurality of selectively enabled hardware functions can be uniquely enabled or disabled; (b) memory means for storing a bit set representative of the enabled or disabled status of each selectively enabled hardware function of the plurality of selectively enabled hardware functions; (c) means for setting the bit set to unable or disable each selectively enabled hardware function of the plurality of selectively enabled hardware functions in accordance with a control signal received by the terminal unit from the head end control unit; and (d) means for enabling or disabling each selectively enabled hardware function in accordance with the bit set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method for upgrading hardware functions, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a terminal unit for use within a digital cable system having a head end control unit, the terminal unit comprising; (1) processor means and at least one selectively enabled hardware function, wherein the at least one selectively enabled hardware function comprises a plurality of selectively enabled hardware functions wherein each selectively enabled hardware function of the plurality of selectively enabled hardware functions can be uniquely enabled or disabled; (2) memory means for storing a bit set representative of the enabled or disabled status of each selectively enabled hardware function of the plurality of selectively enabled hardware functions; (3) means for setting the bit set to enable or disable each selectively enabled hardware function of the plurality of selectively enabled hardware functions in accordance with a control signal received by the terminal unit from the head end control unit; and (4) means for enabling or disabling each selectively enabled hardware function in accordance with the bit set; (b) connecting the terminal unit and the head end control unit to the cable; and (c) broadcasting the control signal with the head end control unit via the cable to the terminal unit. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
21. A terminal unit for use within a digital cable system having a head end control unit, the terminal unit comprising:
-
(a) a processor; (b) at least one selectively enabled hardware component, wherein the at least one selectively enabled hardware component comprises a plurality of selectively enabled hardware components, wherein each selectively enabled hardware component of the plurality of selectively enabled hardware components can be uniquely enabled or disabled; and (c) a memory that stores a bit set representative of whether each hardware component of the plurality of selectively enabled hardware components is enabled or disabled or disabled;
wherein;the processor sets the bit set is to enable or disable each hardware component in accordance with a control signal received from the head end control unit; and the processor enables or disables each hardware function in accordance with the bit set. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. A terminal unit for use within a digital cable system having a head end control unit, the terminal unit comprising:
-
(a) processor means and at least one selectively enabled hardware function of a plurality of selectively enabled hardware functions, the plurality of selectively enabled hardware functions comprising a dedicated pixel processor, a math co-processor, a second general processor, a RAM chip, and a 3D graphics rendering processor; (b) memory means for storing a bit set representative of the enabled or disabled status of each selectively enabled hardware function; (c) means for setting the bit set to enable or disable each selectively enabled hardware function in accordance with a control signal received by the terminal unit from the head end control unit; and (d) means for enabling or disabling each selectively enabled hardware function in accordance with the bit set; wherein a user of the terminal unit may select an optional cable service offered on the digital cable system, the terminal unit further comprising means for setting the bit set to enable or disable each selectively enabled hardware function in accordance with a second control signal generated by the optional cable service.
-
-
27. A method for upgrading hardware functions, comprising the steps of:
-
(a) providing a terminal unit for use within a digital cable system having a head end control unit, the terminal unit comprising; (1) processor means and at least one selectively enabled hardware function of a plurality of selectively enabled hardware functions, the plurality of selectively enabled hardware functions comprising a dedicated pixel processor, a math co-processor, a second general processor, a RAM chip, and a 3D graphics rendering processor; (2) memory means for storing a bit set representative of the enabled or disabled status of each selectively enabled hardware function; (3) means for setting the bit set to enable or disable each selectively enabled hardware function in accordance with a control signal received by the terminal unit from the head end control unit; and (4) means for enabling or disabling each selectively enabled hardware function in accordance with the bit set; (b) connecting the terminal unit and the head end control unit to the cable; and (c) broadcasting the control signal with the head end control unit via the cable to the terminal unit; wherein a user of the terminal unit may select an optical cable service offered on the digital cable system, the terminal unit further comprising means for setting the bit set to enable or disable each selectively enabled hardware function in accordance with a second control signal generated by the optical cable service.
-
Specification