Television program delivery system

• US 6,052,554 A
• Filed: 09/10/1996
• Issued: 04/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Discovery Communications, Inc. (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bonner, Alfred E., Hendricks, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): GRANT, CHRISTOPHER C
• Application Number:
  US08/711,742
• Time in Patent Office: 1,316 Days
• Field of Search: 348/6, 348/7, 348/12, 348/13, 348/14, 348/15, 348/16, 348/17, 348/18, 348/19, 348/10, 348/1, 348/3, 348/4, 348/5, 455/3.1, 455/4.1, 455/4.2, 455/5.1, 455/6.1, 455/6.2, 455/6.3
• US Class Current: 725/109
• 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

An expanded television program delivery system is described which allows viewers to select television and audio program choices from a series of menus. The primary components of the system include an operations center, a digital cable headend, and at least one set top terminal having a remote control. The system allows for a great number of television signals to be transmitted by using digital compression techniques. A combined signal is transmitted over satellite to a cable headend, which may modify the combined signal for changes or additions in programming or menu content. The combined or modified signal is subsequently distributed to individual set top terminals in the cable network. Menus are partially stored in a set top terminal in each subscriber'"'"'s home and may be reprogrammed by signals sent from the operations center or headend. Numerous types of menus may be used, incorporating information included within the video/data signal received by the set top terminal. A remote control unit with icon buttons allows a subscriber to select programs based upon a series of major menus, submenus, and during program menus. Various data gathering and analysis techniques are used to compile programs watched information that in turn is used in packaging programs, customizing menu selections, targeting advertisements, and maintaining account and billing information.

Claims

1. A system for delivering digital program signals from a center to subscriber locations using a satellite with a first satellite transponder, the system comprising:

a center, remotely located from the subscriber locations, wherein programs are received from external program sources, comprising a processor to package more than one digital program signal into at least one group or category using a program line up for transmitting the at least one group or category to a first satellite transponder;

a first cable headend, comprising;

a first satellite dish, wherein the digital program signals are received from the first satellite transponder; and

a distributer, connected to the first satellite dish, for sending the digital program signals comprising digital video from the first cable headend to the subscriber locations; and

a terminal, located at each subscriber location, wherein the sent digital program signals are received from the first cable headend and at least one digital program signal is processed for subscriber viewing.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the center comprises:

a receiver which receives the digital program signals.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the center is capable of converting analog signals received from an external program source into digital signals before sending the digital program signals from the center to the subscriber locations, the center further comprising:

a receiver, wherein analog signals are received from said external program sources; and

a converter, wherein the received analog signals are converted into digital program signals.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the center further comprises:

a means for packaging the digital program signals, wherein the means for packaging includes the processor.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first cable headend further comprises:

a processor, connected to the satellite dish and the distributer, wherein the received digital program signals are screened and at least one digital program signal is separated from the received package of digital program signals.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the terminal further comprises:

an input port, operably connected to the distributer, wherein the screened digital program signals are received by the terminal.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein local program signals are used at the first cable head end, the first cable head end further comprising:

a signal processor, operably connected to the first satellite dish and the distributer, wherein local program signals may be inserted into the packaged digital program signals.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein

said processor sends directions to the first cable headend, along with the digital program signals, which enable the signal processor to control the insertion of the local program signals at the first cable headend.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the terminal further comprises:

a port, wherein the screened digital program signals and the local program signals inserted by the signal processor are received.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the center further comprises:

a compressor, wherein the packaging of the digital program signals includes compressing the digital program signals prior to transmission to the first satellite transponder.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the terminal further comprises:

a decompressor, wherein the received digital program signals are decompressed for display to the subscriber.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein

said processor generates a program control information signal which is used by the terminal.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the program control information signal includes data on program titles.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the program control information signal includes data on program start times.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the program control information signal includes data on menus.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the program control information signal includes data on program line-ups for more than one channel of programming.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a second satellite transponder and a second cable headend, the first and second transponders being used to transpond a first and second of said at least one group or category of digital program signals to the cable headends,

said processor allocates the first and second groups of digital program signals for transmission to the first or second satellite transponder, and wherein each satellite transponder receives a different group of digital program signals.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the center further comprises:

a first transmitter, wherein the first of said at least one group or category of digital program signals are transmitted to the first satellite transponder, and wherein the first cable headend receives digital program signals from the first satellite transponder; and

a second transmitter, wherein the second of said at least one group or category of digital program signals are transmitted to the second satellite transponder, and the second cable headend receives digital program signals from the second satellite transponder.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein a second satellite dish receives digital program signals from the first satellite transponder.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the digital program signals are comprised of both audio and video signals, and more than one audio channel may exist for a video signal, wherein the first satellite dish at the cable headend receives the video and audio signals from the first satellite transponder, and wherein a particular video signal may have multiple audio channels associated therewith, the first cable headend further comprising:

a controller, wherein the controller selects one or more received audio channels to correspond to the particular video signal, wherein a listener receives at least one selected audio channel.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein a second satellite is used, the first cable headend further comprising:

a second satellite dish, wherein the second satellite dish receives signals from a second satellite transponder.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein a first and second group of terminals are serviced by the first cable headend, the first group of terminals receiving digital program signals from the first satellite transponder through the first satellite dish, and the second group of terminals receiving digital program signals from the second satellite transponder through the second satellite dish, and wherein at least one of the digital program signals received from the second satellite transponder is different from the digital program signals received from the first satellite transponder.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein a television is used and the terminal comprises:

a set top terminal, and wherein the set top terminal is operably connected to said television.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the terminal comprises an electronic insertable card.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the terminal further comprises:

a second processor, wherein the digital program signals are converted into analog program signals for display at the subscriber location.

26. The system of claim 1, the system further comprising:

an uplink site, operably connected to the center, wherein the packaged digital program signals are transmitted to the first satellite transponder.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein there is more than one uplink site, and at least one uplink site is located remotely from the center.

28. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first cable headend further comprises:

a network controller operably connected to said first satellite dish, whereby a two-way communication link between the terminal and the center is established.

29. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first cable headend further comprises:

a network controller operably connected to said first satellite dish, whereby a two-way communication link between the terminal and the cable headend is established.

30. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first cable headend further comprises:

a network controller operably connected to said first satellite dish, whereby a two-way communication link between the cable headend and the center is established.

31. The system according to claim 28, wherein said processor generates a program control information signal containing data on menus which is used by the terminal.

32. The system according to claim 12, wherein said digital program signals and program control information signals are compatible with C band satellite transmission technology.

33. The system according to claim 12, wherein said digital program signals and program control information signals are compatible with Ku band satellite transmission technology.

34. The system according to claim 10, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using an intraframe technique.

35. The system according to claim 10, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using an interframe technique.

36. The system according to claim 10, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using a within-carrier technique.

37. The system according to claim 10, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using a MPEG technique.

38. The system according to claim 10, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using a MPEG2 technique.

39. The system of claim 10, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using a JPEG technique.

40. The system according to claim 10, wherein the terminal further comprises a first and a second decompressor, whereby said first decompressor decompresses the received digital signals and said second decompressor decompresses received program information signals.

41. The system according to claim 1, wherein the center further comprises a multiplexer for multiplexing the digital program signals.

42. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cable headend further transmits at least one analog program signal and further wherein said analog program signal is received by the terminal and processed for subscriber viewing.

43. The system according to claim 26, wherein said packaged digital program signals are transmitted to the first satellite transponder using a time division multiplexing (TDM) scheme.

44. The system according to claim 26, wherein said packaged digital program signals are transmitted to the first satellite transponder using a single channel per carrier (SCPC) scheme.

45. The system according to claim 1, wherein said external program sources are both analog and digital.

46. A system for delivering digital program signals from a center to subscriber locations using a satellite with a first satellite transponder, the system comprising:

a center comprising a system clock, remotely located from the subscriber locations, wherein more than one digital program signal is processed for transmission to a first satellite transponder, and wherein the center acts as a master center;

a first cable headend, comprising;

a first satellite dish, wherein the digital program signals are received from the first satellite transponder; and

a distributer, connected to the first satellite dish, for sending the digital program signals from the first cable headend to the subscriber locations;

a terminal, located at each subscriber location, wherein the sent digital program signals are received from the first cable headend and at least one digital program signal is processed for subscriber viewing; and

a slave center, operably connected to the master center, wherein functions of the slave center are coordinated with the master center by said system clock to synchronize simultaneous transmissions from multiple slave operation centers.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the master center controls the functions of the slave center.

48. The system of claim 46, further comprising a plurality of slave centers, wherein the functions of at least one slave center is coordinated by the master center.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein said master center and each of said slave centers are assigned a priority level.

50. The system of claim 48, wherein said slave centers are assigned a priority level.

51. A system for delivering digital program signals from a center to subscriber locations using a satellite with a first satellite transponder, the system comprising:

a center, remotely located from the subscriber locations, wherein more than one digital program signal is processed for transmission to a first satellite transponder;

a first cable headend, comprising;

a first satellite dish, wherein the digital program signals are received from the first satellite transponder; and

a distributer, connected to the first satellite dish, for sending the digital program signals from the first cable headend to the subscriber locations;

a terminal, located at each subscriber location, wherein the sent digital program signals are received from the first cable headend and at least one digital program signal is processed for subscriber viewing; and

wherein the digital program signals are comprised of both audio and video signals, and more than one audio channel may exist for a video signal, wherein the first satellite dish at the cable headend receives the video and audio signals from the first satellite transponder; and

wherein a particular video signal may have multiple audio channels associated therewith, and wherein the first cable headend further comprises;

a controller, wherein the controller selects one or more received audio channels to correspond to the particular video signal, wherein a listener receives at least one selected audio channel; and

wherein more than one language is represented in the multiple audio channels associated with the particular video signals, and wherein the first cable headend receives information from subscriber locations, the controller at the first cable headend further comprising;

a means for selecting a particular audio channel in response to information received from the subscriber location.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the terminal further comprises:

a means for displaying menus of language options to the subscriber; and

an interface, wherein menu selections entered by the subscriber are received, and

wherein the information received at the first cable headend from the subscriber location includes the menu selection made by the subscriber in response to the menu displaying language options using the interface.

53. An apparatus for providing digital program signals to subscriber locations using one or more satellites with transponders, comprising:

a center, wherein programs are received from external program sources, comprising a processor to package more than one digital program signal into at least one group or category using a program line up, for transmitting the at least one group or category to a satellite transponder; and

a first satellite dish, wherein digital program signals are received from the satellite transponder;

a processor, operably connected to the first satellite dish, wherein the received digital program signals are processed to form a set of screened program signals;

a transmitter, operably connected to the processor, to send programs from the processor to subscriber locations wherein the screened digital program signals comprising digital video are sent to subscriber locations.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, the center comprising:

a compressor, wherein digital program signals are compressed prior to being transmitted to the satellite transponder.

55. The apparatus of claim 53,

wherein the processor generates a program control information signal,

wherein the program control information signal is transmitted to a satellite transponder and received by the processor, which processes the program control information signal.

56. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the digital program signals contain more than one digital audio/video program, the processor comprising:

means for separating individual digital audio/video programs from the received digital program signals, received from the satellite transponder by the first satellite dish.

57. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein a second satellite transponder is used, the apparatus further comprising:

a second satellite dish, operably connected to the processor, wherein the second satellite dish receives signals from the second satellite transponder.

58. The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising:

a signal processor, operably connected to the processor and the transmitter, wherein video may be locally inserted,

and wherein the transmitter sends the locally inserted video to the subscriber locations.

59. The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising:

digital set top terminals, wherein digital set top terminals are used at subscriber locations, and wherein the digital set top terminals decompress the sent digital program signals.

60. The system according to claim 53, wherein said transmitter further comprises a network controller, whereby a two-way communication link between the terminal and the center is established.

61. The system according to claim 53, wherein said transmitter further comprises a network controller, whereby a two-way communication link between the terminal and the transmitter is established.

62. The system according to claim 53, wherein said transmitter further comprises a network controller, whereby a two-way communication link between the transmitter and the center is established.

63. The system according to claim 60, wherein said processor generates a program control information signal containing data on menus which is used by the terminal.

64. The apparatus according to claim 55, wherein said digital program signals and program control information signals are compatible with C band satellite transmission technology.

65. The apparatus according to claim 55, wherein said digital program signals and program control information signals are compatible with Ku band satellite transmission technology.

66. The apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using an intraframe technique.

67. The apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using an interframe technique.

68. The apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using a within-carrier technique.

69. The system according to claim 54, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using a MPEG technique.

70. The system according to claim 54, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using a MPEG2 technique.

71. The system according to claim 54, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using a JPEG technique.

72. The system according to claim 54, wherein the terminal further comprises a first and a second decompressor, whereby said first decompressor decompresses the received digital signals and said second decompressor decompresses received program information signals.

73. The apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the center further comprises a multiplexer for multiplexing the digital program signals.

74. The apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the cable headend further transmits at least one analog program signal and further wherein said analog program signal is received by the terminal and processed for subscriber viewing.

75. The system according to claim 53, wherein said external program sources are both analog and digital.

76. A system for delivering digital program signals from a center to subscriber locations using a satellite with satellite transponders, wherein the digital program signals are sent to the subscriber locations through a satellite system, the system comprising:

a center, wherein programs are received from external program sources, remotely located from the subscriber locations, comprising a processor to package more than one digital program signal into at least one group or category using a program line up for transmitting the at least one group or category to a first satellite transponder;

a first satellite dish, located at a first subscriber location, wherein the digital program signals are received from the first satellite transponder; and

a first terminal, located at the first subscriber location, and connected to the first satellite dish, wherein the digital program signals are received and at least one digital program signal is processed for subscriber viewing.

77. The system of claim 76, wherein the digital program signals are received by the center from an external program source, and the center comprises:

a receiver which receives the digital program signals.

78. The system of claim 76, wherein the center is capable of converting analog signals received from said external program sources into digital signals before sending the digital program signals from the center to the subscriber locations, the center further comprising:

a receiver, wherein analog signals are received from said external program sources; and

a converter, wherein the received analog signals are converted into digital program signals.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein the center further comprises:

a means for packaging the digital program signals, wherein the means for packaging includes the processor.

80. The system of claim 76, wherein a data signal including program line-up data is packaged with the digital program signals.

81. The system of claim 76, wherein the center further comprises:

a compressor, wherein the digital program signals are compressed prior to transmission to the first satellite transponder.

82. The system of claim 81, wherein the first terminal further comprises:

a decompressor, wherein the received digital program signals are decompressed for display to the subscriber.

83. The system of claim 76, the system further comprising:

an uplink site, operably connected to the center, wherein the packaged digital program signals are transmitted to the first satellite transponder.

84. The system of claim 83, wherein there is more than one uplink site, and at least one uplink site is located remotely from the center.

85. The system of claim 76, wherein

said processor generates a program control information signal which is used by the first terminal.

86. The system of claim 85, wherein the first terminal further comprises:

a means for generating menu displays using the program control information signal.

87. The system of claim 85, wherein the program control information signal includes data on program titles.

88. The system of claim 87, wherein the program control information signal includes data on program start times.

89. The system of claim 85, wherein the program control information signal includes data on menus.

90. The system of claim 85, wherein the program control information signal includes data on program line-ups for more than one channel of programming.

91. The system of claim 76, wherein the system further comprises a second satellite transponder and a second terminal, the first and second transponders being used to transpond a first and second of said at least one group or category of digital program signals to the terminals,

said processor allocates the first and second groups of digital program signals for transmission to the first or second satellite transponder, and wherein each satellite transponder receives a different group of digital program signals.

92. The system of claim 91, wherein the center further comprises:

a first transmitter, wherein the first of said at least one group or category of digital program signals are transmitted to the first satellite transponder, and wherein the first terminal receives digital program signals from the first satellite transponder through the first satellite dish; and

a second transmitter, wherein the second of said at least one group or category of digital program signals are transmitted to the second satellite transponder, and the second terminal receives digital program signals from the second satellite transponder through the second satellite dish.

93. The system of claim 92, wherein the second satellite dish receives digital program signals from the first satellite transponder.

94. The system of claim 76, wherein the center acts as a master center, the system further comprising:

a slave center, operably connected to the master center, wherein functions of the slave center are coordinated with the master center.

95. The system of claim 94, wherein the master center controls the functions of the slave center.

96. The system of claim 76, wherein the first terminal comprises a set top terminal, and wherein the set top terminal is operably connected to a television.

97. The system of claim 76, wherein the first terminal comprises an electronic insertable card.

98. The system of claim 76, wherein the first terminal further comprises:

a second processor, wherein the digital program signals are converted into analog program signals for display at the subscriber location.

99. The system of claim 76, wherein the digital program signals are comprised of digital audio signals, the first terminal comprising:

a means for receiving the digital audio signals; and

a means for outputting the digital audio signals to a listener.

100. The system of claim 99, wherein the system further comprises:

a second terminal, connected to the first terminal, and located remotely from the first terminal, wherein digital audio signals are received and output to the listener.

101. The system of claim 100, wherein the second terminal outputs digital audio signals, and the first terminal concurrently outputs digital audio and video signals for subscriber viewing.

102. The system of claim 76, further comprising a remote control with a plurality of menu select buttons.

103. The system according to claim 76, wherein said center further comprises a network controller, whereby a two-way communication link between the terminal and the center is established.

104. The system according to claim 103, wherein said processor generates a program control information signal containing data on menus which is used by the terminal.

105. The system according to claim 76, wherein said digital program signals comprise digital video.

106. The system according to claim 85, wherein said digital program signals and program control information signals are compatible with C band satellite transmission technology.

107. The system according to claim 85, wherein said digital program signals and program control information signals are compatible with Ku band satellite transmission technology.

108. The system according to claim 81, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using an intraframe technique.

109. The system according to claim 81, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using an interframe technique.

110. The system according to claim 81, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using a within-carrier technique.

111. The system according to claim 81, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using a MPEG technique.

112. The system according to claim 81, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using a MPEG2 technique.

113. The system according to claim 81, wherein said digital program signals are compressed using a JPEG technique.

114. The system according to claim 81, wherein the terminal further comprises a first and a second decompressor, whereby said first decompressor decompresses the received digital signals and said second decompressor decompresses received program information signals.

115. The system according to claim 76, wherein the center further comprises a multiplexer for multiplexing the digital program signals.

116. The system according to claim 76, wherein the cable headend further transmits at least one analog program signal and further wherein said analog program signal is received by the terminal and processed for subscriber viewing.

117. The system according to claim 83, wherein said packaged digital program signals are transmitted to the first satellite transponder using a time division multiplexing (TDM) scheme.

118. The system according to claim 83, wherein said packaged digital program signals are transmitted to the first satellite transponder using a single channel per carrier (SCPC) scheme.

119. The system according to claim 94, further comprising a plurality of slave centers, wherein the function of at least one slave center is coordinated by the master center.

120. The system according to claim 119, wherein said master center and each of said slave centers are assigned a priority level.

121. The system according to claim 119, wherein said slave centers are assigned a priority level.

122. The system according to claim 76, wherein said external program sources are both analog and digital.