Reprogrammable terminal for suggesting programs offered on a television program delivery system

• US 6,408,437 B1
• Filed: 08/05/1997
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Discovery Communications, Inc. (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bonner, Alfred E., Hendricks, John S., Wunderlich, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): GRANT, CHRISTOPHER C
• Application Number:
  US08/906,469
• Time in Patent Office: 1,778 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.716, H04/N.7173, 725/132, 725/134, 725/140, 725/152, 725/131, 725/139, 725/142, 725/151, 725/9, 725/14, 725/16, 725/32, 725/35, 725/34, 725/36, 725/45, 725/46
• US Class Current: 725/132
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/735 Filtering based on additional data, e.g. user or group profiles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/78 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/02 Arrangements for relaying broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/42 Arrangements for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/91 broadcasting computer programmes
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/04 Studio equipment; Interconnection of studios
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/23 using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/25 Arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/31 Arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/64 for providing detail information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/73 using meta-information
• 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 21/42204 : 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 21/4662 : characterized by learning algorithms
• 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 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 : for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44504 : Circuit details of the additional information generator, e.g. details of the character or graphics signal generator, overlay mixing circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 : Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/602 : for digital sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 : the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0882 : for the transmission of character code signals, e.g. for teletext circuits for the digital non-picture data signal H04N7/035
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0884 : for the transmission of additional display-information, e.g. menu for programme or channel selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0887 : for the transmission of programme or channel identifying signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/10 : Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/102 : Circuits therefor, e.g. noise reducers, equalisers, amplifiers H04N7/108 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 : Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 : in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals

Abstract

A novel reprogrammable set top terminal for a television program delivery system which suggests programs for viewing is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for reprogramming set top terminals, and selecting and displaying programs to suggest to subscribers for viewing. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems with hundreds of channels of programming, a menu driven program selection system, and a program control information signal which carries data and identifies the available program choices. Specifically, the invention relates to remote reprogramming of terminal memory and the gathering and analysis of data for selecting programs to suggest to a subscriber. The invention is a terminal which includes a means for receiving incoming signals, a processor, memory, and a means to generate menu screens for display on a TV or monitor. Various data gathering and analysis techniques are used to customize selection of programs for display on a menu.

Claims

1. A reprogrammable set top terminal for a television delivery system capable of being remotely reprogrammed wherein stored information may be upgraded using changes contained in a reprogramming signal, the reprogrammable set top terminal comprising:

a means for receiving the reprogramming signal from a remote location wherein the reprogramming signal comprises a command informing the set top terminal that reprogramming is to commence followed by changes;

a means, connected to the receiving means, for interpreting the changes in the reprogramming signal;

a first means, connected to the interpreting means, for storing the interpreted changes;

a second means for storing information;

a means, operably connected to the receiving means and first and second storing means, for processing the received reprogramming signal whereby the processing means instructs the transfer of the stored interpreted changes from the first storing means to the second storing means, so that the set top terminal operates using the interpreted changes.

2. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 1 wherein the first means for storing comprises random access memory and wherein the second means for storing comprises FLASH read/write memory.

3. The reprogrammable set top terminal in claim 1 wherein the processing means comprises reprogramming instructions, and whereby the reprogramming instructions direct the reprogramming of the set top terminal.

4. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 3 wherein the processing means further comprises erasable programmable read only memory, whereby the reprogramming instructions are stored in the erasable programmable read only memory so that the reprogramming instructions will execute after a system failure.

5. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 3 wherein the processing means further comprises FLASH read/write memory, whereby the reprogramming instructions are stored in the FLASH read/write memory.

6. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 1 further comprising a third means for storing an operational program, whereby the set top terminal continues to function during the processing of the reprogramming signal using the stored operational program.

7. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 6 wherein the third storage means comprises a FLASH read/write memory.

8. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 1 wherein the means for receiving a reprogramming signal further comprises means for receiving graphics instructions and wherein the changes include graphics instructions.

9. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 1 wherein the means for receiving a reprogramming signal further comprises means for receiving graphics data and wherein the changes include graphics data.

10. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 1, wherein the stored information includes a current program version n and a past program version n−

1, and wherein the interpreted changes provide a new program n+1, the means for processing further comprising;

means for overwriting the past program version n−

1 with the new program n+1, without overwriting the current program version n; and

means for resetting the set top terminal so that the set top terminal operates using the new program n+1 rather than the current program version n.

11. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 1, wherein the means for receiving a reprogramming signal also receives menu changes, and wherein the changes include menu changes.

12. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 11, wherein the menu changes include graphics data.

13. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 1, wherein the processing means comprises means for selecting a television program to suggest to a subscriber.

14. A method for updating a set top terminal having volatile and nonvolatile memory containing memory locations for use in a television delivery system, the method comprising the following steps:

receiving a command from a remote location, the command informing the set top terminal that reprogramming is to commence;

receiving a reprogramming signal having one or more frames comprising a control portion and a data portion, the reprogramming signal designating the memory locations to be updated in the control portion and providing program changes in the data portion;

reading the program changes from the received reprogramming signal;

storing the read program changes in volatile memory;

instructing the transfer of the stored program changes from the volatile memory to designated memory locations in nonvolatile memory, whereby the stored program changes are transferred; and

resetting the set top terminal so that the set top terminal operates using the transferred program changes.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of suggesting a television program to a subscriber.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of running an operation program during the step of instructing, thereby allowing the set top terminal to function as normal during the instructing step.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the set top terminal uses stored menus, the data portion includes new menu information, and wherein the step of instructing includes the step of updating a stored menu with a new menu based on the new menu information.

17. The method of clam 14, wherein an old program n−

1 is stored in a memory, and a current program n is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and wherein the step of instructing further comprises the step of;

overwriting the program changes to specified memory locations in the nonvolatile memory to overwrite the old program n−

1 without overwriting the current program n.

19. A set top terminal for suggesting programs to subscribers, wherein the set top terminal uses a program control information signal containing information concerning programs, a reprogramming signal, and subscriber data indicative of subscriber programming preferences, comprising:

one or more receivers wherein the reprogramming signal and the program control information signal are received;

a means, connected to the one or more receivers, for extracting reprogramming data from the received reprogramming signal;

a first memory, connected to the extracting means, for storing the reprogramming data;

a means, connected to the first memory and a second memory, for transferring the stored reprogramming data from the first memory to the second memory;

a selecting means, connected to the second memory and the receivers, for selecting one or more programs for suggestion based on the received program control information signal and the subscriber data; and

a means, connected to the selecting means, for displaying information concerning the one or more selected programs for suggestion to the subscriber.

20. The set top terminal of claim 19, wherein the set top terminal operates through the use of executable instructions and wherein the second memory stores the executable instructions.

21. The set top terminal of claim 19, wherein the second memory comprises a individual memory modules, and wherein the transferring means comprises:

means for forwarding the stored reprogramming data to individual memory modules of the second memory.

22. The set top terminal of claim 19, further comprising a means, connected to the second memory, for gathering subscriber data.

23. The set top terminal of claim 19, wherein the received program control information signal contains program abstract data and wherein the set top terminal further comprises:

a third memory, connected to the receivers, for storing the received program abstract data;

wherein the selecting means comprises;

a means for mapping the subscriber data into key words; and

a means for searching the stored program abstract data for the mapped key words, wherein the programs are selected for suggestion using the search.

24. The set top terminal of claim 19, wherein the received program control information signal contains favorite channel data and wherein

the selecting means comprises means for suggesting one or more programs based on the favorite channel data and the subscriber data.

25. The set top terminal of claim 19, wherein most watched channel data is used, and wherein

the selecting means comprises means for suggesting one or more programs using the most watched channel data and the subscriber data.

26. The set top terminal of claim 19, wherein personal profile data is used and wherein

the selecting means comprises means for suggesting one or more programs based on the personal profile data and the subscriber data.

27. The set top terminal of claim 19 wherein the program control information signal includes the reprogramming signal, so that the reprogramming signal is contained within the program control information signal.

28. The set top terminal of claim 19 wherein the subscriber data is stored in the first memory or the second memory.

29. A method of reprogramming a set top terminal for suggesting programs to subscribers, wherein the set top terminal uses a program control information signal containing information concerning programs and reprogramming data, comprising the steps of:

receiving the program control information signal;

extracting reprogramming data from the received program control information signal;

storing the reprogramming data in a first memory;

storing subscriber specific data in a second memory;

transferring the stored reprogramming data from the first memory to the second memory or a third memory;

selecting one or more programs based on the received program control information signal and the stored subscriber specific data;

displaying program information concerning the one or more selected programs for suggestion to the subscriber.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of gathering the subscriber specific data to be stored in the second memory.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the received program control information signal contains program abstract data, and further comprising the step of storing the received program abstract data in the first, second, or a third memory, and wherein the step of selecting further comprises the steps of:

mapping the subscriber data into key words; and

searching the stored program abstract data for the mapped key words, wherein the programs are selected for suggestion based on the search.

32. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of storing favorite channel data in the first, second, or a third memory, and wherein the step of selecting uses the stored favorite channel data and the stored subscriber specific data.

33. The method of claim 29, comprising the step of storing most watched channel data in the first, second, or a third memory, and wherein the step of selecting uses the stored most watched channel data and the stored subscriber specific data.

34. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of storing personal profile data in the first, second, or a third memory, and wherein the step of selecting uses the stored personal profile data and the stored subscriber specific data.

35. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of running an operation program during the step of transferring, so that the set top terminal functions during the transferring step.

36. The method of claim 29, wherein the set top terminal uses menus, and wherein the reprogramming data is menu data to reprogram menus, the step of selecting further comprising the step of generating a menu.

37. The method of claim 29, wherein the step of transferring further comprises the steps of:

moving the reprogramming data from the first memory to the second memory without overwriting the subscriber specific data stored in the second memory; and

instructing the set top terminal to use the reprogramming data stored in the second memory instead of the subscriber specific data stored in the second memory, thereby updating the subscriber specific data without overwriting previous subscriber specific data.

38. A reprogrammable set top terminal for suggesting programs to subscribers, wherein the set top terminal uses a program control information signal containing information concerning programs, reprogramming data, and previously obtained data, comprising:

a receiver, adapted to receive the reprogramming data and the program control information signal;

a first memory means for storing the received reprogramming data;

a means, connected to the first memory, for instructing the set top terminal to utilize the received reprogramming data instead of the previously obtained data, thereby updating the previously obtained data to produce updated data;

a means for selecting one or more programs for suggestion based on the received program control information signal and the updated data; and

a means, connected to the selecting means, for displaying program information concerning the one or more selected programs.

39. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 38, wherein the first memory means is a nonvolatile storage device.

40. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 38, wherein the previously obtained data is previously obtained subscriber specific data, further comprising:

a second memory means for storing the previously obtained subscriber specific data;

a storage means, made up of a plurality of memory modules, comprising;

the first memory means; and

the second memory means;

wherein the instructing means comprises;

means for forwarding the stored reprogramming data to individual memory modules of the storage means.

41. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 38, further comprising:

a means for gathering subscriber specific data;

a second memory means for storing the gathered subscriber specific data;

wherein the instructing means overwrites the second memory with the reprogramming data.

42. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 38, wherein the program control information signal contains program abstract data, the receiver receives the program abstract data, and wherein the set top terminal further comprises:

a second memory means, connected to the receiver, for storing the received program abstract data;

wherein the selecting means comprises;

a means for mapping the subscriber data into key words; and

a means for searching the stored program abstract data for the mapped key words, wherein the programs are selected for suggestion based on the search.

43. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 38, using favorite channel data, and wherein the set top terminal further comprises a second memory means for storing the favorite channel data, and wherein the selecting means further comprises means for suggesting one or more programs based on the stored favorite channel data and the updated subscriber specific data.

44. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 43, wherein the receiver is connected to the second memory means and obtains the favorite channel data from the program control information signal.

45. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 43, wherein the set top terminal further comprises a means, connected to the second memory means, for inputting the favorite channel data.

46. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 38, using most watched channel data, and wherein the set top terminal further comprises a second memory means for storing the most watched channel data, and wherein the selecting means further comprises means for suggesting one or more programs based on the stored most watched channel data and the updated data.

47. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 46, wherein the receiver is connected to the second memory means and obtains the most watched channel data from the program control information signal.

48. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 46, wherein the set top terminal further comprises a means, connected to the second memory, for processing subscriber selections to determine the favorite channel data.

49. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 38, using personal profile data, and wherein the set top terminal further comprises a second memory means for storing the personal profile data, and wherein the selecting means further comprises means for suggesting one or more programs based on the stored personal profile data and the updated data.

50. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 49, wherein the receiver is connected to the second memory means and obtains the personal profile data from the program control information signal.

51. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 49, wherein the set top terminal further comprises a means, connected to the second memory means, for processing subscriber selections to determine the personal profile data.

52. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 49, wherein the set top terminal further comprises a means, connected to the second memory, for inputting the personal profile data.

53. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 38, wherein the set top uses menus, and wherein the reprogramming data is menu data to update the menus.

54. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 53, wherein the menus contain graphics, and wherein the menu data comprises graphical data to update the menu graphics.

55. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 53, wherein the menus contain graphics and text, and wherein the menu data comprises graphical data and textual data to update the menu graphics and text.