Advanced set top terminal for cable television delivery systems

• US 5,990,927 A
• Filed: 12/02/1993
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Discovery Communications, Inc. (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bonner, Alfred E., Hendricks, John S., Berkobin, Eric C., Wunderlich, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): GRANT, CHRISTOPHER C
• Application Number:
  US08/160,194
• Time in Patent Office: 2,182 Days
• Field of Search: 348/10, 348/11, 348/6, 348/7, 348/12, 348/13, 348/578, 348/584, 348/589, 348/906, 455/5.1, 455/6.1, 455/4.2, 455/6.2, 455/6.3
• US Class Current: 725/132
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/02 Arrangements for relaying broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/06 among broadcast stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/10 Arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or the distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/42 Arrangements for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/78 CATV [Community Antenna Television] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/79 using downlink of the CATV systems, e.g. audio broadcast via CATV network
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/86 Arrangements characterised by the broadcast information itself
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/95 characterised by a specific format, e.g. an encoded audio stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/70 characterised in that receivers can be addressed
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/04 Studio equipment; Interconnection of studios
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/13 Arrangements for device control affected by the broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/22 per use
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/23 using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/39 for identifying broadcast space-time use of Electronic Programme Guides H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/47 for recognising genres
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/66 for using the result on distributors' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/72 using electronic programme guides [EPG] focusing on identifying broadcast space time H04H60/39 ; menu type display of EPG in television receivers H04N21/47
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/94 Telephonic networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/84
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/96 CATV systems for accessing the Internet H04H60/86
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/97 : using uplink of the CATV systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 : Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2181 : comprising remotely distributed storage units, e.g. when movies are replicated over a plurality of video servers distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS], H04L67/1097
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21815 : comprising local storage units
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 : Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2221 : being a cable television head-end CATV in broadcast systems H04H20/78
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 : Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23608 : Remultiplexing multiplex streams, e.g. involving modifying time stamps or remapping the packet identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2362 : Generation or processing of Service Information [SI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2381 : Adapting the multiplex stream to a specific network, e.g. an Internet Protocol [IP] network transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2389 : Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream encrypting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 : Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 : Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/258 : Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data arrangements for services using the result on the distributing side of broadcast systems H04H60/66; profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 : being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26208 : the scheduling operation being performed under constraints
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26283 : for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 : Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4181 : for conditional access
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 : providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 : User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42206 : characterized by hardware details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 : Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42653 : for processing graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 : involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 : for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 : for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 : Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4344 : Remultiplexing of multiplex streams, e.g. by modifying time stamps or remapping the packet identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4345 : Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 : Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4385 : Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream decrypting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44204 : Monitoring of content usage, e.g. the number of times a movie has been viewed, copied or the amount which has been watched monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; protecting generic digital content where the protection is independent of the precise nature of the content G06F21/10; arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services in broadcast systems H04H60/31
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 : Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 : OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/454 : Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4668 : for recommending content, e.g. movies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 : End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47211 : for requesting pay-per-view content payment schemes payment architectures or payment protocols G06Q20/00, G07F
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 : for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4786 : e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 : communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 : using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64307 : ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 : for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6547 : comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8146 : involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8166 : involving executable data, e.g. software arrangements for executing specific programs G06F9/44; broadcasting computer programmes in broadcast systems H04H20/91; involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 : End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 : for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44504 : Circuit details of the additional information generator, e.g. details of the character or graphics signal generator, overlay mixing circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 : Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/602 : for digital sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 : the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0882 : for the transmission of character code signals, e.g. for teletext circuits for the digital non-picture data signal H04N7/035
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0884 : for the transmission of additional display-information, e.g. menu for programme or channel selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0887 : for the transmission of programme or channel identifying signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/10 : Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/102 : Circuits therefor, e.g. noise reducers, equalisers, amplifiers H04N7/108 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 : Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 : in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals

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 particularly 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 functional capabilities using a set of hardware upgrades and/or an expansion card. Specifically, the invention is an upgradeable 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 supports: menu generation; picture-on-picture displays; program catalogue services; interactive services; telephone caller identification; digital audio reception; VCR control; HDTV reception; and backyard satellite system interoperability, among other features and capabilities.

Claims

1. An upgrade module for enhancing the functionality of a decompression box for use in a cable television program delivery system, the enhanced functionality using a control information stream that provides the decompression box with menu generation capability, the decompression box initially having the capability to produce decompressed video, the upgrade module comprising:

an interface means for providing an electronic connection to the decompression box so that the control information stream may be received from the decompression box;

a means, connected to the interface means, for demultiplexing the control information stream into graphics and text;

a means, connected to the demultiplexing means, for combining the text and graphics to produce a menu generation signal; and

a means, connected to the combining means and interface means, for transferring the menu generation signal to the interface means for output to the decompression box, whereby the menu generation signal is processed for display.

2. The upgrade module of claim 1 further comprising a graphics decompressor, connected to the demultiplexing means, for decompressing the graphics to produce decompressed graphics that may be used to generate menus.

3. The upgrade module of claim 1 for further providing the decompression box with a program catalogue that provides the subscriber with program schedules and descriptions, the decompression box providing the upgrade module with video signals, wherein the interface means comprises a means for receiving the video signals from the decompression box and wherein the combining means comprises:

a means for interpreting the text and graphics;

a means, connected to the interpreting means, for integrating the interpreted text and the interpreted graphics to produce the menu generation signal, whereby the menu generation signal carries data required for display of the program catalogue; and

a means for sending the menu generation signal to the transfer means, whereby the menu generation signal is output to the decompression box for display of the program catalogue.

4. The upgrade module of claim 1 for further enabling the decompression box to use promotional menus that provide the subscriber with promotional videos, text and graphics showing future events available for menu driven program selection, the decompression box providing the upgrade module with video signals, wherein the interface means comprises a means for receiving video signals from the decompression box, and wherein the combining means comprises:

a means for interpreting the text and graphics;

a means, connected to the interpreting means, for integrating the received video signals, the interpreted text and the interpreted graphics to produce the menu generation signal, whereby the menu generation signal carries data required for display of the promotional menus; and

a means for sending the menu generation signal to the transfer means, whereby the menu generation signal is output to the decompression box for display of the promotional menus and the promotional videos, and text and graphics.

5. The upgrade module of claim 1, wherein the menu generation capability makes use of graphics and text stored locally within the upgrade module, and wherein the upgrade module further comprises a memory means for storing the graphics and text for use with the menu generation signal, so that the menus can be generated.

6. The upgrade module of claim 1, wherein the interface means comprises at least one cable connector adapted for use with an upgrade port on the decompression box.

7. The upgrade module of claim 1, wherein the decompression box has an expansion card slot, and wherein the interface means comprises at least one card connector for use with the expansion card slot.

8. The upgrade module of claim 1 for further providing the decompression box with a telephone caller identification message, the decompression box having a port adapted to receive telephone signals from a telephone line, wherein the upgrade module further comprises:

a connection means for providing an electronic connection to the decompression box for receiving the telephone signals;

a means, connected to the connection means, for processing the received telephone signals to produce text messages and graphics icons; and

a means, connected to the processing means, for sending the text messages and graphics icons to the combining means to produce the menu generation signal, whereby the text messages and graphics icons are used to form the menu generation signal that is transferred to the decompression box for display of the caller identification message.

9. The upgrade module of claim 1 for further providing the decompression box with video cassette recorder control capability that uses recording menus presenting selection options to a subscriber and video cassette recorder control signals sent to the decompression box, the video cassette recorder control signals corresponding to the selection options chosen by the subscriber, the upgrade module further comprising:

a means for generating the recording menus;

a means for interpreting the selection options chosen by the subscriber and received from the decompression box through the interface means;

a means for generating the video cassette recorder control signals based on the interpreted selection options chosen by the subscriber; and

a means for transmitting the video cassette recorder control signals to the decompression box for instructing the video cassette recorder in recording of programs.

10. An upgradeable set top converter for use in a cable television program delivery system, the set top converter having video decompression capability and adapted to accept a menu generation card, the set top converter upgradeable for enhanced functionality that provides the set top converter with menu generation capability using a control information stream received from a remote location, the upgradeable set top converter comprising:

a means for receiving the control information stream from the remote location; and

an expansion card interface means, connected to the receiving means, for accepting the menu generation card, whereby the menu generation card is external to the set top converter and upgrades the set top converter for menu generation capability.

11. The upgradeable set top converter of claim 10 wherein the expansion card interface means comprises means for transferring the control information stream from the set top converter to the menu generation card, and wherein the menu generation card creates a menu generation signal using the control information stream.

12. An upgraded set top converter for use in a cable television program delivery system, the set top converter upgraded for enhanced functionality that provides the set top converter with menu generation capability using a control information stream received from a remote location, the upgraded set top converter comprising:

an expansion card interface means for providing an electronic connection; and

a menu generation card, electronically connected to the expansion card interface means, comprising a means for processing the control information stream to produce a menu generation signal, whereby the menu generation signal is output through the expansion card interface means to be processed for display.

13. The upgraded set top converter of claim 12, wherein the menu generation card further comprises means for demultiplexing the control information stream into more than one signal component including graphics and text;

and means for combining the the demultiplexed text and graphics to produce the menu generation signal.

14. The upgraded set top converter of claim 13 with the enhanced functionality further providing the set top converter with a program catalogue that provides the subscriber with program schedules and descriptions corresponding to video signals, wherein the interface means comprises a means for receiving the video signals, and wherein the combining means comprises:

a means for interpreting the demultiplexed text and graphics;

a means, connected to the interpreting means, for integrating the interpreted text and the interpreted graphics to produce the menu generation signal, whereby the menu generation signal carries data required for display of the program catalogue; and

whereby the menu generation signal is output through the expansion card interface means to the set top converter for display of the program catalogue.

15. The upgraded set top converter of claim 13 for further enabling the set top converter to use promotional menus that provide the subscriber with promotional video signals, text and graphics showing future events available for menu driven program selection, wherein the expansion card interface means comprises a means for receiving the promotional video signals, and wherein the combining means comprises:

a means for interpreting the demultiplexed text and graphics;

a means, connected to the interpreting means, for integrating promotional video signals, the interpreted text and the interpreted graphics to produce the menu generation signal, whereby the menu generation signal carries data required for display of the promotional menus; and

whereby the menu generation signal is output to the set top converter for display of one of the promotional menus.

16. The upgraded set top converter of claim 13, wherein the demultiplexed graphics are compressed and wherein the menu generation card further comprises means for decompressing the demultiplexed graphics.

17. The upgraded set top converter of claim 12 for further providing the set top converter with a telephone caller identification message, the set top converter having a port adapted to receive telephone signals from a telephone line, wherein the expansion card interface means further comprises:

a connection means for providing the electronic connection to the set top converter, whereby the telephone signals are received from the set top converter; and

wherein the menu generation card further comprises;

a means for processing the telephone signals to produce text messages and graphics icons; and

a means for sending the text messages and graphics icons to the combining means to produce the menu generation signal, whereby the text messages and graphics icons are used to form the menu generation signal that is transferred to the set top converter for display of the caller identification message.

18. The upgraded set top converter of claim 12 for further providing the set top converter with video cassette recorder control capability that uses recording menus presenting selection options to a subscriber and video cassette recorder control signals sent to the set top converter, the video cassette recorder control signals corresponding to the selection options chosen by the subscriber, wherein the menu generation card further comprises:

a means for generating the recording menus;

a means for interpreting the selection options chosen by the subscriber and received from the set top converter through the expansion card interface means;

a means for generating the video cassette recorder control signals based on the interpreted selection options chosen by the subscriber; and

a means, connected to the generating means, for transmitting the video cassette recorder control signals to the set top converter for instructing the video cassette recorder in recording of programs.

19. An advanced set top terminal with digital decompression and menu generation capabilities for use with a television program delivery system having digitally compressed program signals and a control information stream carrying menu content information, each set top terminal stores menu content information used to generate menu displays, the advanced set top terminal comprising:

a means for storing the menu content information;

a means for receiving the digitally compressed program signals and the control information stream;

a first signal processing means, connected to the receiving means and storing means, for processing the control information stream to produce processed control information, whereby the processed control information is used to update the stored menu content information to produce updated menu content information;

a means, connected to the storing means, for generating the menu displays using the updated menu content information, whereby the menu displays produce subscriber options for selection of other menus and television programs;

a means, electronically connected to the generating means, for selecting the other menus and the television programs;

a means, electronically connected to the selecting means, for tuning to one of the digitally compressed television programs signals to produce a tuned television program signal; and

a second signal processing means, connected to the tuning means, for processing the tuned television program signal to produce a video signal and audio signal for television display and listening.

20. The advanced set top terminal of claim 19, wherein the second signal processing means comprises:

a means for demodulating the tuned television program signal to produce a demodulated program signal;

a means, connected to the demodulating means, for demultiplexing the demodulated program signal to produce video signal components and audio signal components;

a video decompressing means, connected to the demultiplexing means, for decompressing the video signal components to produce decompressed video signal components;

an audio decompressing means, connected to the demultiplexing means, for decompressing the audio signal components to produce decompressed audio signal components;

a means, connected to the video decompressing means, for combining the decompressed video signal components with the stored menu content information for television display of the video signal; and

a means, connected to the audio decompressing means, for producing the audio signal from the decompressed audio signal components.

21. The advanced set top terminal of claim 20 that has a picture-on-picture capability using multiple tuners, wherein the tuning means comprises more than one tuner so that the multiple tuners can produce multiple television program signals which will be overlayed over one another.

22. The advanced set top terminal of claim 19 having a program catalogue service that provides the subscriber with program schedules and descriptions, the program schedules and descriptions created from text and graphics, the text and graphics derived from the control information stream, wherein the advanced set top terminal further comprises:

a means, connected to the storing means, for interpreting the text and graphics;

a means for integrating the interpreted text and the interpreted graphics to produce a menu generation signal, whereby the menu generation signal carries data required for display of the program catalogue; and

a means for outputting the menu generation signal for display.

23. The advanced set top terminal of claim 20 having a promotional menu display capability that provides subscribers with promotional videos, text and graphics showing future events available for menu driven program selection, wherein text and graphics are derived from the control information stream, and wherein the advanced set top terminal further comprises:

a means, connected to the storing means, for interpreting the text and graphics;

a means for integrating the interpreted text, the interpreted graphics and the decompressed video to produce a menu generation signal, whereby the menu generation signal carries data required for display of the promotional videos; and

a means for outputting the menu generation signal for display.

24. The advanced set top terminal of claim 19 capable of operating with interactive services conducted from a cable headend or other remote location, the interactive services requiring entry of interactive subscriber inputs and use of interactive programming instructions, wherein the selection means comprises:

a subscriber interface means for entry of the interactive subscriber inputs;

a means for storing the interactive programming instructions;

a means, connected to the storing means, for accessing the stored interactive programming instructions;

a microprocessing means, connected to the accessing means for executing the stored interactive programming instructions to produce interactive signals; and

an upstream data transmission means, connected to the microprocessor means, for transmitting the produced interactive signals to the cable headend.

25. The advanced set top terminal of claim 19 having a caller identification function capable of displaying a caller identification message using a menu generation signal, wherein the advanced set top terminal further comprises:

a means for receiving telephone signals;

a means, connected to the receiving means, for processing the telephone signals to produce text messages and graphics icons using the menu content information;

a means, connected to the processing means, for combining the text messages and graphics icons to produce the menu generation signal carrying the caller identification message for television display; and

a means, connected to the combining means, for preparing the menu generation signal for television display.

26. The advanced set top terminal of claim 19 capable of processing high definition television signals, wherein the second signal processing means comprises:

a means for interpreting the high definition television signals; and

a means for preparing the interpreted high definition television signals for television display.

27. The advanced set top terminal of claim 19 capable of receiving the control information stream through a satellite system, the means for receiving the digitally compressed program signals and the control information stream is comprised of the satellite system, wherein the satellite system is electronically connected to the first signal processing means.

28. A method for enhancing the functionality of a decompression box for use in a television program delivery system, the enhanced functionality using a control information stream that provides the decompression box with menu generation capability, the decompression box initially having the capability to produce decompressed video, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an electronic connection to the decompression box so that the control information stream containing graphics, text and menu generation information may be received from the decompression box;

demultiplexing the received control information stream into graphics, text, and menu generation information;

combining portions of the text and graphics information, to produce a menu generation signal, wherein the menu generation information is used in the combining step; and

transferring the produced menu generation signal to the decompression box, whereby the transferred menu generation signal is processed for display.

29. A method for upgrading a set top converter for use in a television program delivery system, the set top converter having video decompression capability and an expansion card slot adapted to receive a menu generation card, the set top converter upgradeable for enhanced functionality that provides the set top converter with menu generation capability using a control information stream received from a remote location, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an electronic connection to the set top converter for receiving the control information stream;

demultiplexing the control information stream into graphics and text, whereby the control information stream is received from the set top converter;

decompressing the graphics to produce decompressed graphics that may be used to generate menus; and

connecting the menu generation card to the set top converter; and

using the menu generation card to combine the text and decompressed graphics to produce a menu generation signal, whereby the menu generation signal is output to the set top converter to be processed for display.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein a satellite system is used at a subscriber location, and wherein the step of providing an electronic connection to the set top converter further comprises the steps of:

receiving the control information stream from the remote location using the satellite system; and

providing the control information stream from the satellite system to the set top converter, wherein the satellite system is electronically connected to the set top converter.

31. A method for enhancing the functionality of a cable-ready television for use in a cable television program delivery system, the cable-ready television having an electronic interface that accommodates the enhanced functionality using a control information stream, the enhanced functionality providing the cable-ready television with menu generation capability, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving the control information stream from the cable-ready television through the electronic interface;

demultiplexing the control information stream into graphics, text and menu generation information that includes information on program packaging and menu content;

combining the graphics, text and menu generation information to produce a menu generation signal; and

transferring the menu generation signal to the cable-ready television through the electronic interface, whereby the menu generation signal is processed for display.

32. An apparatus for enhancing the functionality of a set top converter for use in a television program delivery system, wherein the apparatus uses a control information stream received from a remote location to provide the set top converter with menu generation capability, the set top converter having the capability to produce decompressed video, comprising:

an interface means for providing an electronic connection to the set top converter so that the control information stream may be received by the apparatus from the set top converter;

a means, connected to the interface means, for demultiplexing the control information stream into graphics and text; and

a means, connected to the demultiplexing means, for combining the text and graphics to produce a menu generation signal,

whereby the menu generation signal is processed by the set top converter for display.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, capable of receiving the control information stream through a satellite system, the apparatus further comprising:

a satellite system, wherein the satellite system receives the control information stream from the remote location and sends the control information stream to the set top converter, and wherein the satellite system is electronically connected to the set top converter.

34. An upgrade module for enhancing the functionality of a decompression box for use in a television program delivery system, the enhanced functionality using a control information stream that provides the decompression box with menu generation capability, the decompression box initially having the capability to decompress video, the upgrade module comprising:

an electronic connection to the decompression box, whereby the control information stream may be received from the decompression box;

a demultiplexer, wherein the control information stream is demultiplexed into graphics and text;

a combiner, electronically connected to the demultiplexer, wherein the combiner uses the demultiplexed graphics and text to produce a menu generation signal; and

a microprocessor, electronically connected to the combiner, wherein the microprocessor causes the menu generation signal to be transferred to the decompression box to be processed for display.

35. An upgraded set top converter for use in a television program delivery system, the set top converter upgraded for enhanced functionality that provides the set top converter with menu generation capability using a control information stream received from a remote location, the upgraded set top converter comprising:

an expansion card interface, wherein the control information stream is received from the remote location and wherein the expansion card interface can accept a card; and

a menu generation card, electronically connected to the expansion card interface, and comprising;

a combiner, whereby a menu generation signal is produced by the combiner and output through the expansion card interface to be processed for display of a menu.