Network manager for cable television system headends

• US 6,201,536 B1
• Filed: 12/02/1994
• Issued: 03/13/2001
• 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: Hendricks, John S., Wunderlich, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): GRANT, CHRISTOPHER C
• Application Number:
  US08/352,205
• Time in Patent Office: 2,293 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.716, H04/N.7173, 348/7, 348/12, 348/13, 348/1, 348/6, 348/8, 348/9, 348/906, 455/4.2, 455/5.1, 455/6.1, 455/2, 345/327
• US Class Current: 715/716
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/06 among broadcast stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/78 CATV [Community Antenna Television] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/70 characterised in that receivers can be addressed
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/14 Arrangements for conditional access to broadcast information or to broadcast-related services
• 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 21/235 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 21/2393 involving handling client requests scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• 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 21/42204 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 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• 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 21/4344 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 21/44222 : 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 21/47 : 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 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• 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 21/4758 : for providing answers, e.g. voting
• 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 21/4826 : using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64307 : ATM
• 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 21/8586 : 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 5/45 : 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 network manager for use with a cable television system headend capable of monitoring and managing headend components and set top terminals in a television delivery system is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus that manage and coordinate the reception of various programming and control signals at a headend. The invention manages and coordinates the storage of such signals for intelligent selection and distribution to set top terminals. The invention makes use of a receiver or set of receivers, a work station, a program control information processing component, a network management CPU, databases, control software and an instruction memory. The invention uses these components to manage and monitor certain headend components, such as signal reception equipment, an authorization component, a file server, MPEG decoders, a digital buffer with frame repeat and channel modulators. The invention is particularly useful in processing and responding to upstream information and subscriber communications received from set top terminals. In so doing, the invention accommodates various system services, including (1) near video on demand (NVOD), (2) virtual video on demand (VVOD), (3) video on demand (VOD), (4) interactive program services, (5) program suggestion features, (6) advertisement targeting, (7) generation of standard and custom menus, and (8) data spooling and text overlaying.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in a television system, which receives communications containing requests from subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal that receives data from the television system, the apparatus comprising:

identifying means for identifying one of a plurality of menu requests made by an individual subscriber seeking data through the menu request, wherein the menu request requests a menu with television programming options;

processing means, connected to the identifying means, for determining the data to reply to the menu request;

locating means, connected to the processing means, for locating the reply data to be used in replying to the menu request; and

sending means, connected to the locating means, for sending the located data to the individual subscriber that made the menu request, wherein the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the identifying means comprises:

a receiver for receiving the menu request;

means for interpreting the received menu request, and

means for providing the menu request to the processing means, wherein the menu request is processed to determine the reply data that corresponds to the menu request.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the located data is in the form of digital data streams, and wherein the sending means comprises:

a digital decoder for converting the digital data streams into analog signals; and

a channel modulator for modulating the analog signals into RF analog signals for distribution to set top terminals.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sending means further comprises:

an RF combiner for combining RF analog signals for distribution to the set top terminals.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the located data is in the form of digital data streams, and wherein the sending means comprises:

a digital modulator for modulating the digital signals into RF signals for distribution to set top terminals.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sending means further comprises:

spooling means for spooling the located data for distribution to the set top terminals.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus uses computer program instructions, and the apparatus further comprises an instruction memory for storing computer program instructions, and wherein the processing means comprises a processor for executing the stored computer program instructions.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the locating means locates the reply data based on prompts received from the processing means, and wherein the processing means further comprises a means for generating the prompts based on the executed stored computer instructions so that the generated prompts guide the locating means in intelligently locating the reply data.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of menu requests are standard menu requests.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of menu requests are custom menu requests.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the identifying means also identifies program requests made by an individual subscriber.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the program requests include a VVOD program request.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the program requests include a NVOD program request.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the program requests include an interactive program request.

15. An apparatus for use in a television system, which stores data and receives communications containing requests from subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal that receives reply data from the television system, the apparatus comprising:

identifying means for identifying one of a plurality of types of program or menu requests made by an individual subscriber seeking data through a subscriber request,

wherein each one of the plurality of types of identifiable subscriber requests is received;

wherein the subscriber requests include program requests for virtual video on demand “

VVOD”

programs so that the subscribers requesting the same VVOD program in a specified time period receive the same channel of programming;

wherein the apparatus uses computer program instructions;

an instruction memory for storing computer program instructions;

processing means, connected to the identifying means and instruction memory, for determining the data to reply to the identified subscriber request, wherein the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request is located;

wherein the processing means comprises a processor for executing the stored computer program instructions;

an authorization means, connected to the processing means, for authorizing the individual subscriber to receive a channel;

wherein the processing means processes VVOD program requests, the processing means further comprising;

memory means, connected to the processing means, for storing a timer, wherein the processing means sets the timer to the specified time period and decrements the timer by executing the stored computer instructions that direct the setting and decrementing; and

interface means, connected to the processing means, for prompting the authorization means to authorize reception of the same channel to subscribers having the same VVOD program request received within a specified time period;

locating means, connected to the processing means, for locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified subscriber request; and

sending means, connected to the locating means, for sending the located data to the individual subscriber that initiated the subscriber request, wherein the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the program requests for the same VVOD program are grouped before the specified time period expires so that all subscribers requesting the same VVOD program within the specified time period can be sent data that instructs their set top terminals to switch to a channel displaying a preview until the requested program is ready for display, and wherein the processing means comprises:

means for determining whether the timer has expired;

means for compiling all program requests requesting the same VVOD program before the specified time period has expired;

wherein the reply data is data representing the VVOD program; and

wherein the interface means prompts the authorization means to authorize the same channel which carries the requested VVOD program to each of the subscribers represented by the compiled program requests.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the program requests correspond to the data to be located for a program signal, the program signal including an amount of preview time embedded in the program signal, wherein all subscribers requesting the same VVOD program within the specified time period can be sent data that instructs their set top terminals to switch to a channel displaying the program signal with an embedded preview until the requested program is ready for display, and wherein the processing means further comprises:

means for ascertaining the amount of embedded preview time in the program signal so that the stored timer can be set equal to the amount of embedded preview time;

means for determining whether the timer has expired; and

wherein the interface means prompts the authorization means to authorize the channel carrying the program signal with the embedded preview time.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the means for processing comprises:

means for searching for whether the program requested by the program request is currently showing, wherein the searching is only conducted if the timer has expired;

wherein the reply data is determined to be a join program in progress menu; and

wherein the sending means sends the join program in progress menu located by the locating means.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a plurality of programming signals are stored as data in digitally compressed format for selection and distribution to subscribers, the apparatus further comprising:

means for receiving the plurality of programming signals; and

wherein the locating means comprises a storing means for storing the plurality of programming signals as data in digitally compressed format.

20. An apparatus for use in a television system which receives communications containing requests from subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal that receives data from the television system, the apparatus comprising:

identifying means for identifying one of a plurality of menu requests made by an individual subscriber;

processing means, connected to the identifying means, for determining the data to reply to the menu request;

locating means, connected to the processing means, for locating the reply data to be used in replying to the menu request, wherein the locating means is capable of intelligently locating a specific data frame of reply data, and wherein the locating means comprises;

means for receiving the generated prompts generated by the generating means;

means for interpreting the generated prompts, wherein the interpreted generated prompts include information on the specific data frame to be intelligently located; and

data frame pointing means for locating the specific data frame based on the information in the interpreted generated prompts;

sending means, connected to the locating means, for sending the located data to the individual subscriber that made the menu request, wherein the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing;

wherein the apparatus uses computer program instructions, and the apparatus further comprises an instruction memory for storing computer program instructions, and wherein the processing means comprises a processor for executing the stored computer program instructions.

21. An apparatus for use in a television system, which stores data and receives communications containing requests from subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal that receives reply data from the television system, the apparatus comprising:

identifying means for identifying one of a plurality of types of program or menu requests made by an individual subscriber seeking data through a subscriber request,

wherein each one of the plurality of types of identifiable subscriber requests is received;

wherein the subscriber requests include program requests for near video on demand “

NVOD”

programs, the program requests corresponding to a NVOD program that is displayed on multiple channels having staggered start times, wherein all program requests that are received before the next available staggered start time are assigned to one of the multiple channels will display the NVOD program with the next available staggered start time;

processing means, connected to the identifying means, for determining the data to reply to the identified subscriber request, wherein the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request is located;

locating means, connected to the processing means, for locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified subscriber request; and

sending means, connected to the locating means, for sending the located data to the individual subscriber that initiated the subscriber request, wherein the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing;

wherein the processing means comprises;

means for determining the channel with the next available staggered start time for the NVOD program that is displayed on the multiple channels;

means for compiling all of the program requests requesting the same NVOD program before the next available staggered start time; and

interface means for providing the determined channel and the compiled program requests to the locating means.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processing means further comprises:

an authorization component for authorizing the individual subscriber to receive a channel; and

a second interface means for providing the determined channel to the authorization component so that the authorization component can enable the determined channel for display to the individual subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal requesting the same NVOD program.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising:

a storage device, wherein the storage device stores a plurality of data in digitally compressed format for selection and distribution to subscribers in the cable television system; and

wherein the locating means locates the reply data in the storage device.

24. An apparatus for use in a television system, which stores data and receives communications containing requests from subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal that receives reply data from the television system, the apparatus comprising:

identifying means for identifying one of a plurality of types of menu requests made by an individual subscriber seeking data through a subscriber request,

wherein each one of the plurality of types of identifiable subscriber requests is received, wherein the subscriber requests include subscriber answers to questions posed during display of an interactive program;

processing means, connected to the identifying means, for determining the data to reply to the identified subscriber request, wherein the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request is located;

locating means, connected to the processing means, for locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified subscriber request; and

sending means, connected to the locating means, for sending the located data to the individual subscriber that made the subscriber request wherein the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing;

wherein the processing means uses a look-up table to determine an interactive response to the subscriber answers that should be sent to the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal initiating the program request, wherein the look-up table stores all interactive responses to all possible subscriber answers, and wherein the processing means comprises;

means for interpreting any of the subscriber answers in at least one of the program requests;

means for determining the interactive response to any of the subscriber answers based on the look-up table; and

interface means for providing the determined interactive response to the locating means so that the reply data corresponding to the determined interactive response can be located for distribution to the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal initiating the program request.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising:

a storage device, wherein the storage device stores a plurality of data in digitally compressed format for selection and distribution to subscribers in the cable television system; and

wherein the locating means locates the reply data in the storage device.

26. An apparatus for use in a television system, which stores data and receives communications containing requests from subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal capable of receiving reply data from the television system, the apparatus comprising:

identifying means for identifying one of a plurality of types of requests for data which can be made by an individual subscriber seeking data through a subscriber request;

wherein each one of the plurality of types of identifiable subscriber requests may be received;

processing means, connected to the identifying means, for determining the data to reply to the identified subscriber request, wherein the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request can be located;

locating means, connected to the processing means, for locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified subscriber request, wherein the processing means is capable of instructing the locating means in the intelligent selection of advertisements to be targeted to set top terminals; and

sending means, connected to the locating means, for sending the located data to the individual subscriber that initiated the subscriber request, wherein the sending means is instructed by the processing means on the insertion of the advertisements in program signals sent to the set top terminals, and the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing; and

wherein the processing means comprises;

means, connected to the locating means, for intelligently selecting at least one of the advertisements to be targeted to the set top terminals, wherein the selected advertisements can be located by the locating means; and

means for instructing the sending means on the insertion of the selected advertisements in the program signals.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein programs watched data is maintained for one or more set top terminals so that the most frequently watched program category can be determined for a given time slot for a set top terminal, and wherein the intelligent selection means comprises:

means for accessing the programs watched data for one of the set top terminals to be targeted with the selected advertisement, wherein the programs watched data is maintained in a program watched matrix having rows of time slots and columns of program categories;

means for determining the most frequently watched program category during one of the time slots to produce the determined program category;

interface means for providing the determined program category to the locating means so that the determined program category can be used in locating the selected advertisement that corresponds to the determined program category, wherein the selected advertisement is distributed to the set top terminal for which the programs watched data was accessed.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein advertisements are stored for intelligent selection based on program category, and wherein the locating means comprises:

means for storing the advertisements for intelligent selection based on program category;

means for interpreting the determined program category;

means for pointing to one of the stored advertisements that corresponds to the determined program category so that the selected advertisement is located; and

means for providing the located advertisement to the sending means for distribution to the set top terminal for which the programs watched data was accessed.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein programs watched data is maintained for more than one set top terminal so that the most frequently watched program category can be determined for a given time slot for a group of set top terminals, and wherein the intelligent selection means comprises:

means for accessing the programs watched data for a group of set top terminals to be targeted with the selected advertisement, wherein the programs watched data is maintained in a program watched matrix having rows of time slots and columns of program categories;

means for determining the most frequently watched program category during one of the time slots to produce the determined program category;

interface means for providing the determined program category to the locating means so that the determined program category can be used in locating the selected advertisement that corresponds to the determined program category, wherein the selected advertisement is distributed to the group of set top terminals which programs watched data was accessed.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein advertisements are stored for intelligent selection based on program category, and wherein the locating means comprises:

means for storing the advertisements for intelligent selection based on program category;

means for interpreting the determined program category;

means for pointing to one of the stored advertisements that corresponds to the determined program category so that the selected advertisement is located; and

means for providing the located advertisement to the sending means for distribution to the group of set top terminals for which the programs watched data was accessed.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the accessing means is capable of accessing demographics data that is maintained by set top terminals, and wherein the determining means comprises:

means for weighing the demographics data for a set top terminal wherein the weights may be used in producing the determined program category.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the accessing means is capable of accessing demographics data that is maintained for more than one set top terminal, and wherein the determining means comprises:

a means for weighing the demographics data for a group of the set top terminals wherein the weights may be used in producing the determined program category.

33. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein programs watched data is used to target advertisements, further comprising:

means for storing programs watched data for one or more subscribers; and

the means for intelligently selecting further comprises;

means for using the stored programs watched data to select the advertisements to be located.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 further comprising:

means for updating the stored programs watched data with the received subscriber requests.

35. An apparatus for use in a television system, which receives communications containing requests from subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal that receives data from the television system, the apparatus comprising:

identifying means for identifying one of a plurality of menu requests made by an individual subscriber, wherein the identifying means comprises;

a receiver for receiving the menu request;

means for interpreting the received menu request, wherein the received menu request is interpreted to identify whether the menu request corresponds to a standard menu or a custom menu; and

means for providing the menu request to the processing means, wherein the menu request can be processed to determine the reply data that is responsive to the menu request;

processing means, connected to the identifying means, for determining the data to reply to the menu request;

locating means, connected to the processing means, for locating the reply data to be used in replying to the menu request; and

sending means, connected to the locating means, for sending the located data to the individual subscriber that made the menu request, wherein the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing.

36. An apparatus for use in a television system, which stores data and receives communications containing requests from subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal capable of receiving reply data from the television system, the apparatus comprising:

identifying means for identifying one of a plurality of types of subscriber requests which can be made by an individual subscriber seeking data through a subscriber request,

wherein each one of the plurality of types of identifiable subscriber requests may be received;

wherein the subscriber request may include a menu request, and wherein the identifying means comprises;

a receiver for receiving the subscriber request;

means for interpreting the received subscriber request,

wherein the received request is interpreted to produce one of the menu requests; and

means for providing the menu request to a processing means, wherein the menu request can be processed to determine the reply data that is responsive to the subscriber request;

the processing means, connected to the identifying means, for determining the data to reply to the identified subscriber request, wherein the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request can be located;

locating means, connected to the processing means, for locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified subscriber request; and

sending means, connected to the locating means, for sending the located data to the individual subscriber that initiated the subscriber request, wherein the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing

wherein the menu request produced by the interpreting means is a request for a standard menu that is stored, and wherein the processing means comprises;

means for determining the stored standard menu that is responsive to the menu request; and

interface means for prompting the locating means to locate the stored standard menu so that the stored standard menu can be distributed to the set top terminal initiating the request.

37. An apparatus for use in a television system, which stores data and receives communications containing requests from subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal capable of receiving reply data from the television system, the apparatus comprising:

identifying means for identifying one of a plurality of types of subscriber requests which can be made by an individual subscriber seeking data through a subscriber request, wherein the subscriber request may include a menu request,

wherein each one of the plurality of types of identifiable subscriber requests may be received, and wherein the identifying means comprises;

a receiver for receiving the subscriber request;

means for interpreting the received subscriber request,

wherein the received subscriber request is interpreted to produce a one of the menu requests; and

means for providing the menu request to a processing means, wherein the menu request can be processed to determine the reply data that is responsive to the subscriber request;

the processing means, connected to the identifying means, for determining the data to reply to the identified subscriber request, wherein the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request can be located wherein the menu requests produced by the interpreting means include requests for custom menus that can be made using pre-built background portions that are stored and using customized remaining portions that are generated in real time and wherein the processing means comprises;

means for creating the customized remaining portions of the custom menus in real time; and

means for interleaving the customized remaining portions with the stored pre-built portions of any of the custom menus so that the custom menu responsive to the menu request can be formed and distributed to the set top terminal initiating the request;

locating means, connected to the processing means, for locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified subscriber request; and

sending means, connected to the locating means, for sending the located data to the individual subscriber that initiated the subscriber request, wherein the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processing means further comprises means for pre-building background portions of the custom menus that correspond to the menu requests, the pre-building means comprising:

means for generating a separate MPEG data stream for a background portion of a custom menu; and

means for storing the generated MPEG data streams, wherein each of the generated MPEG data streams is stored in a separate address location that may be accessed by the interleaving means.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the creating means comprises a look-up table holding stored MPEG data, whereby the customized remaining portions may be created by repeatedly accessing parts of the stored MPEG data until the customized remaining portions are created.

40. An apparatus for use in a television system, which receives communications containing requests from subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal that receives data from the television system and that includes a program suggestion feature that responsively suggests a program list to an individual subscriber, the apparatus comprising:

identifying means for identifying one of a plurality of menu requests made by the individual subscriber;

processing means, connected to the identifying means, for determining the data to reply to the menu request;

locating means, connected to the processing means, for locating the reply data to be used in replying to the menu request;

sending means, connected to the locating means, for sending the located data to the individual subscriber that made the menu request, wherein the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing; and

wherein the processing means comprises;

means, connected to the locating means, for responsively suggesting the program list to the individual subscriber, wherein the reply data corresponding to the program list is located by locating means; and

means for prompting the locating means to locate the reply data for distribution to the individual subscriber.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the responsively suggesting means comprises:

means for analyzing a series of subscriber requests from the individual subscriber.

42. An apparatus for use in a television system, which stores data and receives communications containing requests from subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal capable of receiving reply data from the television system, the apparatus comprising:

identifying means for identifying one of a plurality of types of program or menu requests which can be made by an individual subscriber seeking data through a subscriber request,

wherein each one of the plurality of types of identifiable subscriber requests may be received;

processing means, connected to the identifying means, for determining the data to reply to the identified subscriber request, wherein the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request can be located;

locating means, connected to the processing means, for locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified subscriber request; and

sending means, connected to the locating means, for sending the located data to the individual subscriber that initiated the subscriber request, wherein the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing;

wherein the apparatus includes a program suggestion feature that can intelligently suggest a program list to an individual subscriber, and wherein the processing means comprises;

means, connected to the locating means, for intelligently suggesting the program list to the individual subscriber, wherein the reply data corresponding to the program list can be located by locating means; and

means for prompting the locating means to locate the reply data for distribution to the individual subscriber.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein programs watched data is maintained for each of the individual subscribers in the cable television system, and wherein the intelligently suggesting means comprises:

means for analyzing the programs watched data that corresponds to the individual subscriber that is to be distributed the reply data.

44. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein demographics data is maintained for each of the individual subscribers in the cable television system, and wherein the intelligently suggesting means comprises:

means for analyzing the demographics data that corresponds to the individual subscriber that is to be distributed the reply data.

45. An apparatus for use in a television system, which receives communications containing requests from subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal that receives data from the television system and that includes a program suggestion feature that can responsively suggest an actor list to an individual subscriber, the apparatus comprising:

identifying means for identifying one of a plurality of menu requests made by the individual subscriber;

processing means, connected to the identifying means, for determining the data to reply to the menu request;

locating means, connected to the processing means, for locating the reply data to be used in replying to the menu request;

sending means, connected to the locating means, for sending the located data to the individual subscriber that made the menu request, wherein the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing; and

wherein the processing means comprises;

means, connected to the locating means, for responsively suggesting the actor list to the individual subscriber, wherein the reply data corresponding to the actor list can be located by the locating means; and

means for prompting the locating means to locate the reply data for distribution to the individual subscriber.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the responsively suggesting means comprises:

means for analyzing a series of subscriber requests.

47. An apparatus for use in a television system, which receives communications containing requests from subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal that receives data from the television system and that includes a program suggestion feature that can intelligently suggest an actor list to an individual subscriber, the apparatus comprising:

identifying means for identifying one of a plurality of menu requests made by the individual subscriber;

processing means, connected to the identifying means, for determining the data to reply to the menu request;

locating means, connected to the processing means, for locating the reply data to be used in replying to the menu request;

sending means, connected to the locating means, for sending the located data to the individual subscriber that made the menu request, wherein the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing; and

wherein the processing means comprises;

means, connected to the locating means, for intelligently suggesting the actor list to the individual subscriber, wherein the reply data corresponding to the actor list can be located by the locating means; and

means for prompting the locating means to locate the reply data for distribution to the individual subscriber.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein programs watched data is maintained for individual subscribers, and wherein the intelligently suggesting means comprises:

means for analyzing the programs watched data that corresponds to the individual subscriber that is to be distributed the reply data.

49. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein demographics data is maintained for individual subscribers, and wherein the intelligently suggesting means comprises:

means for analyzing the demographics data that corresponds to the individual subscriber that is to be distributed the reply data.

50. An apparatus for use in a television system, which receives communications containing requests from subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal that receives data from the television system, the apparatus comprising:

identifying means for identifying one of a plurality of menu requests made by an individual subscriber;

processing means, connected to the identifying means, for determining the data to reply to the menu request;

locating means, connected to the processing means, for locating the reply data to be used in replying to the menu request;

sending means, connected to the locating means, for sending the located data to the individual subscriber that made the menu request, wherein the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing; and

wherein the located data is in the form of digital data streams, and wherein the sending means comprises;

a digital decoder for converting the digital data streams into analog signals, wherein the digital decoder comprises an MPEG decoder and a buffer with frame repeat; and

a channel modulator for modulating the analog signals into RF analog signals for distribution to set top terminals.

51. An apparatus for use in a television system, which receives communications containing requests from subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal that receives data from the television system, the apparatus comprising:

identifying means for identifying one of a plurality of menu requests made by an individual subscriber;

processing means, connected to the identifying means, for determining the data to reply to the menu request;

locating means, connected to the processing means, for locating the reply data to be used in replying to the menu request,

wherein the locating means locates menu data for distribution to individual subscribers;

sending means, connected to the locating means, for sending the located data to the individual subscriber that made the menu request, wherein the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing and wherein the sending means comprises means for generating menus and overlaying text on generated menus using the located menu data; and

wherein menu data is stored.

52. A method for use in a television system, which receives communications containing requests from individual subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal that receives data from the television system, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying one of a plurality of menu requests made by an individual subscriber seeking data through the menu request, wherein the menu request requests a menu with television programming options;

determining reply data responsive to the identified menu request;

locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified menu request; and

sending the located data to the individual subscriber that made the menu request, wherein the individual subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the method further comprises the step of storing computer program instructions, and wherein the determining step comprises the step of executing the stored computer program instructions.

54. A method for use in a television system, which stores data and receives communications containing requests from individual subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal capable of receiving communications from the television system, wherein the subscriber requests include program requests for virtual video on demand (VVOD) programming, wherein more than one subscriber is sent the same transmitted program signal for simultaneous reception, and wherein a timer is used to determine within specified time periods those program requests that are assigned to the same transmitted program, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying one of a plurality of types of requests for data which can be made by an individual subscriber seeking data through a subscriber request received in the subscriber communications, wherein each one of the plurality of types of identifiable subscriber requests may be received;

determining the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request comprising the steps of;

determining whether the timer has expired;

resetting the timer equal to the specified time period in which the program requests may be assigned, wherein the timer is reset after the previous time period has expired;

decrementing the timer over time, wherein the timer is decremented until the specified time period has expired; and

prompting a first authorization code to be sent to a subscriber, wherein the authorization codes enable program delivery so that the subscribers receive authorization codes that enable reception of the same transmitted program signal;

wherein the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request can be located;

locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified subscriber request; and

sending the located data to the individual subscriber that initiated the subscriber request, wherein the subscriber set top terminal receives the sent data for processing.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the first authorization code authorizes preview programming to subscribers requesting VVOD programming, and wherein the program that is the subject of the subscribers'"'"' VVOD program requests is enabled for delivery and display to multiple subscribers at or near the same time, the processing step further comprising the steps of:

compiling VVOD program requests requesting a subject program during the specified time period, wherein the VVOD program requests for the subject program are compiled until the timer expires; and

prompting a second authorization code to be sent to all of the subscribers of the compiled VVOD program requests when the timer expires, wherein all of the subscribers of the compiled VVOD program requests receive authorization codes for reception of the subject program of the program request at or near the same time.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein previews are embedded in the program signals carrying the subject programs requested in the program requests for virtual video on demand, the processing step further comprising:

searching for whether the program requested by the program request is currently showing, wherein the searching is only conducted if the timer has expired;

prompting the locating step to locate data for a join program in progress menu, wherein the sending step sends the join program in progress menu located by the locating step; and

wherein the step of prompting a first authorization code authorizes reception of the program signal carrying the subject program and embedded previews.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the locating step is capable of intelligently selecting a specific data frame, and wherein the locating step comprises the steps of:

receiving the prompts generated by the generating step;

interpreting the prompts, wherein the interpreted prompts include information on the specific data frame to be intelligently selected; and

data frame pointing to the specific data frame, wherein the specific data frame is located based on the information in the interpreted prompts.

58. A method for use in a television system, which stores data and receives communications containing requests from individual subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal capable of receiving communications from the television system, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying one of a plurality of types of program or menu requests for data which can be made by an individual subscriber seeking data through a subscriber request received in the subscriber communications, wherein each one of the plurality of types of identifiable subscriber requests may be received, wherein the subscriber requests include program requests for near video on demand programs, the program requests corresponding to a NVOD program that is displayed on multiple channels having staggered start times, wherein all requests that are received before the next available staggered start time are assigned to a channel that will display the NVOD program with the next available staggered start time;

storing computer program instructions;

determining the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request, wherein the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request can be located, wherein the determining step comprises the step of executing the stored computer program instructions;

locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified subscriber request; and

sending the located data to the individual subscriber that initiated the subscriber request, wherein the subscriber set top terminal receives the sent data for processing;

wherein the determining step comprises the steps of;

finding the channel with the next available staggered start time for the NVOD program that is displayed on the multiple channels;

compiling all of the program requests requesting the same NVOD program before the next available staggered start time; and

providing the found channel and the compiled program requests to the locating step.

59. A method for use in a television system, which stores data and receives communications containing requests from individual subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal capable of receiving communications from the television system, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying one of a plurality of types of program or menu requests which can be made by an individual subscriber seeking data through a subscriber request received in the subscriber communications, wherein each one of the plurality of types of identifiable subscriber requests may be received, wherein the subscriber requests include subscriber answers to questions posed during display of an interactive program;

determining the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request, wherein the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request can be located, wherein the determining step interprets the subscriber answers in one of the subscriber requests;

locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified subscriber request; and

sending the located data to the individual subscriber that initiated the subscriber request, wherein the subscriber set top terminal receives the sent data for processing;

wherein the determining step determines based on a look-up table the interactive response to the subscriber answers that should be sent to the set top terminal initiating the program request, wherein the look-up table stores all interactive responses to all possible subscriber answers, and wherein the determining step comprises the steps of;

interpreting the subscriber answers in one of the subscriber requests;

determining the interactive response to the subscriber answers based on the look-up table; and

providing the determined interactive response to the locating step so that the data corresponding to the determined interactive response can be located for distribution to the set top terminal initiating the subscriber request.

60. The method for use in a television system, which stores data and receives communications containing requests from individual subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal capable of receiving communications from the television system, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying one of a plurality of types of requests for data which can be made by an individual subscriber seeking data through a subscriber request received in the subscriber communications, wherein each one of the plurality of types of identifiable subscriber requests may be received;

determining the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request, wherein the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request can be located;

locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified subscriber request, wherein the determining step is capable of instructing the locating step in the intelligent selection of advertisements to be targeted to set top terminals; and

sending the located data to the individual subscriber that initiated the subscriber request, wherein the sending step is instructed on the insertion of the advertisements in reply data which contains program signals sent to the set top terminals, and the subscriber set top terminal receives the sent data for processing; and

wherein the determining step comprises the steps of;

intelligently selecting one of the advertisements to be targeted to the set top terminals, wherein the selected advertisement can be located by the locating step; and

instructing the sending step on the insertion of the selected advertisements in the program signals.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein programs watched data is maintained for one or more set top terminals so that the most frequently watched program category can be determined for a given time slot for an individual set top terminal, and wherein the intelligent selection step comprises the steps of:

accessing the programs watched data for one of the set top terminals to be targeted with the selected advertisement, wherein the programs watched data is maintained in a program watched matrix having rows of time slots and columns of program categories;

determining the most frequently watched program category during one of the time slots to produce the determined program category;

providing the determined program category to the locating step so that the determined program category can be used in locating the selected advertisement that corresponds to the determined program category for distribution to the set top terminal corresponding to the set top terminal for which the programs watched data was accessed.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein advertisements are stored for selection based on program category, and wherein the locating step comprises the steps:

storing the advertisements for selection based on program category;

interpreting the determined program category;

pointing to one of the stored advertisements that corresponds to the determined program category so that the selected advertisement is located; and

providing the selected advertisement to the sending step for distribution to the set top terminal for which the programs watched data was accessed.

63. The method of claim 60, wherein programs watched data is maintained for at least one set top terminal so that the most frequently watched program category can be determined for a given time slot for a group of set top terminals, and wherein the intelligent selection step comprises the steps of:

accessing the programs watched data for a group of set top terminals to be targeted with the selected advertisement, wherein the programs watched data is maintained in a program watched matrix having rows of time slots and columns of program categories;

determining the most frequently watched program category during one of the time slots to produce the determined program category;

providing the determined program category to the locating means so that the determined program category can be used in locating the selected advertisement that corresponds to the determined program category for distribution to the group of set top terminals which programs watched data was accessed.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein advertisements are stored for selection based on program category, and wherein the locating step comprises the steps of:

means for storing the advertisements for selection based on program category;

means for interpreting the determined program category;

means for pointing to one of the stored advertisements that corresponds to the determined program category so that the selected advertisement is located; and

means for providing the selected advertisement to the sending means for distribution to the group of set top terminals for which the programs watched data was accessed.

65. The method of claim 61, wherein the accessing step is capable of accessing demographics data that is maintained for individual set top terminals at individual subscriber locations, and wherein the determining step comprises the step of:

weighing the demographics data for the individual subscribers wherein the weights may be used in the determining step.

66. The method of claim 63, wherein the accessing step is capable of accessing demographics data that is maintained for individual set top terminals at individual subscriber locations, and wherein the determining step comprises the step of:

weighing the demographics data for a group of the individual subscribers.

67. The method of claim 60 wherein programs watched data is used to target advertisements, further comprising the step of:

storing programs watched data for one or more subscribers; and

the step of intelligently selecting further comprises the step of;

using the stored programs watched data to select the advertisements to be located.

68. The method of claim 67 further comprising the step of:

updating the stored programs watched data with the received subscriber requests.

69. A method for use in a television system, which receives communications containing requests from individual subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal that receives data from the television system, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying one of a plurality of menu requests made by an individual subscriber, wherein the identifying step comprises the steps of;

receiving the menu request;

interpreting the received menu request, wherein the received menu request is interpreted to identify whether the menu request is for a standard menu or custom menu; and

providing the menu request to the determining step, wherein the menu request can be processed to determine the data that is responsive to the menu request;

determining reply data responsive to the identified menu request;

locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified menu request; and

sending the located data to the individual subscriber that made the menu request, wherein the individual subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing.

70. A method for use in a television system, which stores data and receives communications containing requests from individual subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal capable of receiving communications from the television system, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying one of a plurality of types of subscriber requests which can be made by an individual subscriber seeking data through a subscriber request received in the subscriber communications, wherein each one of the plurality of types of identifiable subscriber requests may be received, wherein the subscriber request may include a menu request, and wherein the identifying step comprises the steps of;

receiving the subscriber request;

interpreting the received subscriber request, wherein the received subscriber request is interpreted to produce the menu request; and

providing the menu request to the determining step, wherein the menu request can be processed to determine the data that is responsive to the subscriber request;

determining the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request, wherein the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request can be located;

locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified subscriber request; and

sending the located data to the individual subscriber that initiated the subscriber request, wherein the individual subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing;

wherein the menu requests produced by the interpreting step is a request for a standard menu that is stored, and wherein the determining step comprises the steps of;

finding the stored standard menu that corresponds to the menu request; and

prompting the locating step to locate the found standard menu so that the found standard menu can be distributed to the set top terminal initiating the request.

71. A method for use in a television system, which stores data and receives communications containing requests from individual subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal capable of receiving communications from the television system, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying one of a plurality of types of subscriber requests which can be made by an individual subscriber seeking data through a subscriber request received in the subscriber communications, wherein each one of the plurality of types of identifiable subscriber requests may be received, wherein the subscriber request may include a menu request, and wherein the identifying step comprises the steps of;

receiving the subscriber request;

interpreting the received subscriber request, wherein the received subscriber request is interpreted to produce the menu request; and

providing the menu request to the determining step, wherein the menu request can be processed to determine the data that is responsive to the subscriber request;

determining the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request, wherein the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request can be located, wherein the menu request produced by the interpreting step is a request for a custom menu that can be made using pre-built background portions that are stored and customized remaining portions that are generated in real time, and wherein the determining step comprises the steps of;

pre-building background portions of the custom menu that correspond to the menu request;

creating the customized remaining portions in real time; and

interleaving the customized remaining portions with the stored pre-built portions of the custom menu so that the custom menu can be formed and distributed to the set top terminal initiating the request;

locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified subscriber request; and

sending the located data to the individual subscriber that initiated the subscriber request, wherein the individual subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the pre-building step comprises the steps of:

generating a separate MPEG data stream for each of the background portions of the custom menu; and

storing the generated MPEG data streams, wherein each of the generated MPEG data streams is stored in a separate address location that may be accessed during the interleaving steps.

73. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the creating means comprises the step of looking up stored MPEG data from a look-up table from which the customized remaining portions may be created by repeatedly locating parts of the stored MPEG data until the customized remaining portions are created.

74. A method for use in a television system, which stores data and receives communications containing requests from individual subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal capable of receiving communications from the television system, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying one of a plurality of types of program or menu requests made by an individual subscriber seeking data through a subscriber request received in the subscriber communications, wherein each one of the plurality of types of identifiable subscriber requests is received;

determining the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request, wherein the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request is located,

locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified subscriber request, wherein the reply data corresponding to the list is located during the locating step; and

sending the located data to the individual subscriber that initiated the subscriber request, wherein the subscriber set top terminal receives the sent data for processing;

wherein the method accommodates a program suggestion feature that can responsively suggest a list of programs or actors to an individual subscriber, and wherein the determining step comprises the steps of;

responsively suggesting the list to the individual subscriber, wherein the reply data corresponding to the list can be located during the locating step; and

prompting the locating step to locate the reply data for distribution to the individual subscriber.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the suggesting step comprises:

analyzing a series of subscriber requests.

76. A method for use in a television system, which stores data and receives communications containing requests from individual subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal capable of receiving communications from the television system, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying one of a plurality of types of program or menu requests made by an individual subscriber seeking data through a subscriber request received in the subscriber communications, wherein each one of the plurality of types of identifiable subscriber requests is received;

determining the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request, wherein the reply data responsive to the identified subscriber request is located,

locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified subscriber request, wherein the reply data corresponding to the list is located by the locating step; and

sending the located data to the individual subscriber that initiated the subscriber request, wherein the subscriber set top terminal receives the sent data for processing;

wherein the method accommodates a program suggestion feature than can intelligently suggest a list of programs or actors to an individual subscriber, and wherein the determining step comprises the steps of;

intelligently suggesting a program list to the individual subscriber, wherein the reply data corresponding to the list can be located by the locating step; and

prompting the locating step to locate the reply data for distribution the individual subscriber.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein programs watched data is maintained for individual subscribers, and wherein the suggesting step comprises the step of:

analyzing the programs watched data that corresponds to an individual subscriber.

78. The method of claim 76, wherein demographics data is maintained for individual subscribers, and wherein the suggesting step comprises the step of:

analyzing the demographics data that corresponds to an individual subscriber.

79. An apparatus for use in a television system, which receives communications containing requests from subscribers using the television system, each subscriber having a terminal that receives data from the television system, the apparatus comprising:

a receiver, wherein menu requests are received from subscribers seeking data through the menu request, wherein the menu request requests a menu with television programming options;

a central processing unit, connected to the receiver, wherein one of a plurality of menu requests made by an individual subscriber are identified and the data to reply to the request is determined;

a processor, connected to the central processing unit, wherein the reply data to be used in replying to the menu request is located;

a modulator, wherein the located data is modulated for distribution to the individual subscriber that made the menu request.

80. The apparatus of claim 79 wherein the distribution is through the airways and the modulator modulates the located data before the data is sent to the subscriber over the airway.

81. An apparatus for use in a television system, which receives communications containing requests from subscribers using the television system, each subscriber having a terminal that receives data from the television system and wherein the television system contains one or more operations centers capable of transmitting program control information which contains information about television programs, the apparatus comprising:

a receiver, wherein menu requests are received from subscribers;

a central processing unit, connected to the receiver, wherein one of a plurality of menu requests made by an individual subscriber are identified and the data to reply to the request is determined;

a processor, connected to the central processing unit, wherein the reply data to be used in replying to the menu request is located;

a modulator, wherein the located data is modulated for distribution to the individual subscriber that made the menu request;

signal processing equipment to receive the program control information from an operations center; and

a database to store the program control information.

82. An apparatus for use in a television system, which receives communications containing requests from subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal that receives data from the television system, the apparatus comprising:

identifying means, located at a cable headend, for identifying one of a plurality of menu requests made by an individual subscriber seeking data through the menu request, wherein the menu request requests a menu with television programming options;

processing means, located at the cable headend and connected to the identifying means, for determining the data to reply to the menu request;

locating means, located at the cable headend and connected to the processing means, for locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified menu request; and

sending means, located at the cable headend and connected to the locating means, for sending the located data to the individual subscriber that made the menu request, wherein the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing.

83. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein a plurality of programming signals are stored as data in digitally compressed format for selection and distribution to subscribers, the apparatus further comprising:

means for receiving the plurality of programming signals; and

wherein the locating means comprises a storing means for storing the plurality of programming signals as data in digitally compressed format.

84. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the located data is in the form of digital data streams, and wherein the sending means comprises:

a digital decoder for converting the digital data streams into analog signals; and

a channel modulator for modulating the analog signals into RF analog signals for distribution to set top terminals.

85. An apparatus for use in a television system, which receives communications containing requests from subscribers in the television system, each subscriber having a set top terminal that receives data from the television system, the apparatus comprising:

identifying means, located at a cable headend, for identifying one of a plurality of menu requests made by an individual subscriber seeking data, wherein the identifying means comprises;

a receiver for receiving the menu request;

means for interpreting the received menu request, wherein the received menu request is interpreted to identifying whether the menu request corresponds to a standard menu or a custom menu; and

means for providing the menu request to the processing means, wherein the menu request is processed to determine the reply data that corresponds to the subscriber request;

processing means, located at the cable headend and connected to the identifying means, for determining the data to reply to the menu request;

locating means, located at the cable headend and connected to the processing means, for locating the reply data to be used in replying to the identified menu request; and

sending means, located at the cable headend and connected to the locating means, for sending the located data to the individual subscriber that made the menu request, wherein the subscriber'"'"'s set top terminal receives the sent data for processing.