Audio program reception terminal for television delivery system

• US 7,017,178 B1
• Filed: 09/30/1998
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sedna Patent Services LLC
• Inventors: Bonner, Alfred E., Hendricks, John S., Berkobin, Eric C., Wunderlich, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grant, Chris
• Assistant Examiner(s): Koenig, Andrew Y.
• Application Number:
  US09/162,768
• Time in Patent Office: 2,729 Days
• Field of Search: 725/65, 725/100, 725/130, 725151-153, 725/13, 725131-134, 725139-142, 700/94, 348/734, 455/186.1, 455/158.5
• US Class Current: 725/152
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/02 Arrangements for relaying broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/06 among broadcast stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/10 Arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or the distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/42 Arrangements for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/78 CATV [Community Antenna Television] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/79 using downlink of the CATV systems, e.g. audio broadcast via CATV network
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/86 Arrangements characterised by the broadcast information itself
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/95 characterised by a specific format, e.g. an encoded audio stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/70 characterised in that receivers can be addressed
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/04 Studio equipment; Interconnection of studios
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/13 Arrangements for device control affected by the broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/22 per use
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/23 using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/39 for identifying broadcast space-time use of Electronic Programme Guides H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/47 for recognising genres
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/66 for using the result on distributors' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/72 using electronic programme guides [EPG] focusing on identifying broadcast space time H04H60/39 ; menu type display of EPG in television receivers H04N21/47
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/94 Telephonic networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/84
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/96 CATV systems for accessing the Internet H04H60/86
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/97 : using uplink of the CATV systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 : Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2181 : comprising remotely distributed storage units, e.g. when movies are replicated over a plurality of video servers distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS], H04L67/1097
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21815 : comprising local storage units
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 : Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2221 : being a cable television head-end CATV in broadcast systems H04H20/78
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 : Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23608 : Remultiplexing multiplex streams, e.g. involving modifying time stamps or remapping the packet identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2362 : Generation or processing of Service Information [SI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2381 : Adapting the multiplex stream to a specific network, e.g. an Internet Protocol [IP] network transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2389 : Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream encrypting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 : Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 : Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/258 : Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data arrangements for services using the result on the distributing side of broadcast systems H04H60/66; profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 : being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26208 : the scheduling operation being performed under constraints
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26283 : for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 : Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4181 : for conditional access
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 : providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 : User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42206 : characterized by hardware details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 : Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42653 : for processing graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 : involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 : for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 : for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 : Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4344 : Remultiplexing of multiplex streams, e.g. by modifying time stamps or remapping the packet identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4345 : Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 : Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4385 : Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream decrypting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44204 : Monitoring of content usage, e.g. the number of times a movie has been viewed, copied or the amount which has been watched monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; protecting generic digital content where the protection is independent of the precise nature of the content G06F21/10; arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services in broadcast systems H04H60/31
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 : Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 : OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/454 : Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4668 : for recommending content, e.g. movies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 : End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47211 : for requesting pay-per-view content payment schemes payment architectures or payment protocols G06Q20/00, G07F
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 : for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4786 : e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 : communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 : using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64307 : ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 : for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6547 : comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8146 : involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8166 : involving executable data, e.g. software arrangements for executing specific programs G06F9/44; broadcasting computer programmes in broadcast systems H04H20/91; involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 : End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 : for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44504 : Circuit details of the additional information generator, e.g. details of the character or graphics signal generator, overlay mixing circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 : Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/602 : for digital sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 : the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0882 : for the transmission of character code signals, e.g. for teletext circuits for the digital non-picture data signal H04N7/035
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0884 : for the transmission of additional display-information, e.g. menu for programme or channel selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0887 : for the transmission of programme or channel identifying signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/10 : Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/102 : Circuits therefor, e.g. noise reducers, equalisers, amplifiers H04N7/108 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 : Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 : in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals

Abstract

The invention relates to apparatus and methods for upgrading a set top terminal for use with a cable television program delivery system. A hardware upgrade or expansion card is connected to a set top terminal to enhance the functionality of the set top terminal and to allow the set top terminal to receive digital audio programs. The hardware upgrade includes audio signal processing circuitry such as a tuner, demodulator, demultiplexor, decryptor, and decompressor. A microprocessor in the hardware upgrade enables the upgrade to accept subscriber inputs so as to select a particular digital audio program for listening. Subscriber inputs may be generated from a remote control and a menu system of the set top terminal.

Claims

1. A hardware upgrade operably connected to a set top terminal the hardware upgrade comprising:

an interface to the set top terminal through which a subscriber selection and digital audio signals that represent audio programs are received from the set top terminal, wherein the set top terminal comprises a first tuner coupled to a receiver that receives television program signals and the digital audio signals from a television program delivery system;

audio processing circuitry, connected to the interface, that processes the digital audio signals, wherein the audio processing circuitry comprises a second tuner that tunes to a selected audio program in the received digital audio signals based on the received subscriber selection; and

an output, connected to the processing circuitry, that outputs a selected audio signal that represents the selected audio program based on the subscriber selection.

2. The hardware upgrade of claim 1 wherein the audio signals are digital audio signals and the audio processing circuitry comprises a demodulator.

3. The hardware upgrade of claim 1 wherein the audio signals are digital audio signals and the audio processing circuitry comprises digital audio processing circuitry.

4. The hardware upgrade of claim 3 wherein the digital audio processing circuitry comprises a demultiplexor to select the selected audio signal.

5. The hardware upgrade of claim 3 wherein the digital audio signals are encrypted and the digital audio processing circuitry comprises a decryptor.

6. The hardware upgrade of claim 3 wherein the digital audio signals are compressed and the digital audio processing circuitry comprises a decompressor.

7. The hardware upgrade of claim 1 wherein the output is one or more connectors to one or more speakers.

8. The hardware upgrade of claim 1 wherein the output is one or more connectors to a stereo.

9. The hardware upgrade of claim 1 further comprising a microprocessor connected to the interface and processing circuitry, the microprocessor accepting the subscriber selections and controlling the audio processing circuitry.

10. The hardware upgrade of claim 1 further comprising a remote control unit, the remote control unit comprising inputs for entering the subscriber selections.

11. The hardware upgrade of claim 10 wherein the remote control unit comprises a display.

12. The hardware upgrade of claim 11 wherein the display comprises a channel identifier display that displays a channel identifier corresponding to a subscriber selection.

13. The hardware upgrade of claim 11 wherein the display comprises an LED device.

14. The hardware upgrade of claim 11 wherein the display comprises an LCD device.

15. The hardware upgrade of claim 1 further comprising a menu generator, whereby the subscriber selections comprise menu selections from one or more menus generated by the menu generator.

16. The hardware upgrade of claim 1 further comprising a channel identifier display that displays a channel identifier corresponding to a subscriber selection.

17. The hardware upgrade of claim 1 wherein the selected audio signals is a stereo signal comprising left and right components.

18. A set top terminal comprising:

a first tuner coupled to a receiver adapted to receive television program signals and digital audio signals from a television program delivery system, wherein the digital audio signals represent audio programs;

a subscriber interface adapted to receive subscriber inputs including a subscriber audio program selection; and

a first hardware upgrade operably connected to the set top terminal, comprising;

an interface to the set top terminal through which the digital audio signals and the subscriber audio program selection are received from the set top terminal;

an audio processing circuitry, connected to the interface, that processes the digital audio signals, wherein the audio processing circuitry comprises a second tuner that tunes to a selected audio program in the received digital audio signals based on the received subscriber audio program selection; and

an output, connected to the audio processing circuitry, that outputs a selected audio signal that represents the selected audio program based on the subscriber audio program selection.

19. The terminal of claim 18 wherein the terminal is capable of receiving audio/visual programs in addition to the audio programs, an audio/visual program being represented by an audio signal accompanied by a corresponding video signal, and an audio program being represented by only an audio signal.

20. The terminal of claim 18 further comprising a remote control unit, the remote control unit comprising inputs for entering the subscriber selections.

21. The terminal of claim 20 wherein the remote control unit comprises a display.

22. The terminal of claim 21 wherein the display comprises a channel identifier display that displays a channel identifier corresponding to a subscriber selection.

23. The terminal of claim 21 wherein the display comprises an LED device.

24. The terminal of claim 21 wherein the display comprises an LCD device.

25. The terminal of claim 18 further comprising a menu generator, whereby the subscriber selections comprise menu selections from one or more menus generated by the menu generator.

26. The terminal of claim 18 wherein the terminal has an expansion card slot, and the interface comprises at least one card connector adapted for use with the expansion card slot.

27. The terminal of claim 18 further comprising a display that indicates when the first hardware upgrade is in use.

28. The terminal of claim 18 wherein the first hardware upgrade is remotely located from the terminal.

29. The terminal of claim 18 further comprising a channel identifier display that displays a channel identifier corresponding to a subscriber selection.

30. The terminal of claim 18 wherein the receiver is further adapted to receive one or more data signals containing information about the audio programs.

31. The terminal of claim 18 further comprising:

one or more additional hardware upgrades connected to the terminal.

32. The terminal of claim 31 wherein the first hardware upgrade and the one or more additional hardware upgrades are capable of operating simultaneously.

33. The terminal of claim 31 wherein at least one of the one or more additional hardware upgrades is an audio program reception hardware upgrade.

34. The terminal of claim 31 wherein at least one of the one or more additional hardware upgrades is an interactive hardware upgrade that receives interactive subscriber input and produces interactive output.

35. A system for delivery and reception of audio programs, the system comprising:

a television program delivery system adapted to deliver television program signals and digital audio signals, wherein the digital audio signals represent the audio programs; and

a set top terminal operably connected to the television program delivery system, the set top terminal comprising;

a first tuner coupled to a receiver adapted to receive the television program signals and the digital audio signals from the television program delivery system;

a subscriber interface adapted to receive subscriber inputs including a subscriber audio program selection; and

a hardware upgrade operably connected to the set top terminal, comprising;

an interface to the set top terminal through which the digital audio signals and the subscriber audio program selection are received from the set top terminal;

an audio processing circuitry, connected to the interface, that processes the digital audio signals, wherein the audio processing circuitry comprises a second tuner that tunes to a selected audio program in the received digital audio signals based on the received subscriber audio program selection; and

an output, connected to the audio processing circuitry, that outputs a selected audio signal that represents the selected audio program based on the subscriber audio program selection.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein the television program delivery system is a cable television program delivery system.

37. The system of claim 35 wherein the cable television program delivery system further comprises an operations center, the operations center transmitting one or more of the programs to the terminal.

38. The system of claim 35 wherein the cable television program delivery system further comprises one or more headends, a particular one of the one or more headends transmitting one or more of the programs to the terminal.

39. The system of claim 35 wherein the television program delivery system comprises one or more fiber optic connections to the terminal.

40. The system of claim 35 wherein the television program delivery system comprises one or more telephone line connections to the terminal.

41. An apparatus capable of receiving audio/visual programs and audio programs, an audio/visual program being represented by an audio signal accompanied by a corresponding video signal, and an audio program being represented by a digital audio signal only, the apparatus comprising:

a first tuner coupled to a receiver adapted to receive the audio/visual programs and the audio programs from a television program delivery system;

a subscriber interface adapted to receive subscriber inputs including a subscriber audio program selection; and

a hardware upgrade operably connected to a set top terminal, comprising;

an interface to the set top terminal through which the digital audio signals and the subscriber audio program selection are received from the set top terminal;

an audio processing circuitry, connected to the receiver, that processes the digital audio signals representing the audio programs, wherein the audio processing circuitry comprises a second tuner that tunes to a selected audio program based on the received subscriber audio program selection; and

an output, connected to the audio processing circuitry, that outputs a selected audio signal that represents the selected audio program based on the subscriber audio program selection.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the audio processing circuitry comprises a demodulator.

43. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the audio processing circuitry comprises a demultiplexor to select the selected audio signal.

44. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the digital audio signals are encrypted and the audio processing circuitry comprises a decryptor.

45. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the digital audio signals are compressed and the audio processing circuitry comprises a decompressor.

46. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the output is one or more connectors to one or more speakers.

47. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the output is one or more connectors to a stereo.

48. The apparatus of claim 41 further comprising a microprocessor connected to the subscriber interface and processing circuitry.

49. The apparatus of claim 41 further comprising a remote control unit, the remote control unit comprising inputs for entering the subscriber selections.

50. The apparatus of claim 49 wherein the remote control unit comprises a display.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the display comprises a channel identifier display that displays a channel identifier corresponding to a subscriber selection.

52. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the display comprises an LED device.

53. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the display comprises an LCD device.

54. The apparatus of claim 41 further comprising a menu generator, whereby the subscriber selections comprise menu selections from one or more menus generated by the menu generator.

55. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the receiver is further adapted to receive one or more data signals that contain information about the audio programs.

56. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the selected audio signal is a stereo signal comprising left and right components.

57. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the apparatus is a set top terminal.

58. The apparatus of claim 41 further comprising:

a display.

59. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the display comprises a channel identifier display that displays a channel identifier corresponding to a subscriber selection.

60. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the display comprises an LED device.

61. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the display comprises an LCD device.

62. An apparatus capable of receiving audio/visual programs and audio programs, an audio/visual program being represented by an audio signal accompanied by a corresponding video signal, and an audio program being represented by a digital audio signal only, the apparatus comprising:

means for tuning to and receiving the audio/visual programs and the audio programs from a television program delivery system;

means for receiving subscriber inputs including a subscriber audio program selection;

means, connected to the means for receiving the audio/visual programs and the audio programs, for processing the digital audio signals representing the audio programs, wherein the means for processing comprises a second means for tuning to a selected audio program; and

means, connected to the means for processing, for outputting a selected audio signal that represents the selected audio program based on the subscriber audio program selection.

63. The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the means for processing comprises means for demodulating.

64. The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the means for processing comprises means for demultiplexing the audio signals to select the selected audio signal.

65. The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the digital audio signals are encrypted and the means for processing comprises means for decrypting.

66. The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the digital audio signals are compressed and the means for processing comprises means for decompressing.

67. The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the means for outputting a selected audio signal comprises means for connecting to one or more speakers.

68. The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the means for outputting a selected audio signal comprises means for connecting to a stereo.

69. The apparatus of claim 62 further comprising means, connected to the means for processing, for controlling the means for processing.

70. The apparatus of claim 62 further comprising means for remotely controlling the apparatus, the means for remotely controlling comprising means for entering the subscriber selections.

71. The apparatus of claim 70 wherein the means for remotely controlling comprises means for displaying.

72. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein the means for displaying comprises means for displaying a channel identifier corresponding to a subscriber selection.

73. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein the means for displaying comprises an LED device.

74. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein the means for displaying comprises an LCD device.

75. The apparatus of claim 62 further comprising means for generating menus, whereby the subscriber selections comprise menu selections from one or more menus generated by the means for generating menus.

76. The apparatus of claim 62 further comprising means for receiving a data signal that identifies the audio programs.

77. The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the selected audio signal is a stereo signal comprising left and right components.

78. The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the apparatus is a set top terminal.

79. The apparatus of claim 62 further comprising:

means for displaying.

80. The apparatus of claim 79 wherein the means for displaying comprises means for displaying a channel identifier corresponding to a subscriber selection.

81. The apparatus of claim 79 wherein the means for displaying comprises an LED device.

82. The apparatus of claim 79 wherein the means for displaying comprises an LCD device.

83. A cable television set top terminal comprising:

a first tuner coupled to a receiver that receives television program signals and digital audio signals from a television program delivery system;

a first hardware upgrade connected to the set top terminal, wherein the first hardware upgrade is capable of receiving the digital audio signals and subscriber audio program selections from the set top terminal, wherein the first hardware upgrade further comprises;

audio processing circuitry, wherein the audio processing circuitry comprises a second tuner that tunes to a selected digital audio signal; and

one or more additional hardware upgrades connected to the set top terminal.

84. The cable television set top terminal of claim 83 wherein the first hardware upgrade and the one or more additional hardware upgrades are capable of operating simultaneously.

85. The cable television set top terminal of claim 83 wherein at least one of the first hardware upgrade or the one or more additional hardware upgrades is an audio program reception hardware upgrade.

86. The cable television set top terminal of claim 83 wherein at least one of the first hardware upgrade or the one or more additional hardware upgrades is an interactive hardware upgrade that receives interactive subscriber input and produces interactive output.

87. A system for delivery and reception of audio programs, the system comprising:

a television program delivery system adapted to deliver television program signals, including HDTV audio visual signals, and digital audio signals, wherein the digital audio signals represent the audio programs; and

a set top terminal operably connected to the television program delivery system, the set top terminal comprising;

a first tuner coupled to a receiver adapted to receive the television program signals and the digital audio signals from the television program delivery system;

a subscriber interlace adapted to receive subscriber inputs including a subscriber audio program selection; and

a hardware upgrade operably connected to the set top terminal, comprising;

an interface to the set top terminal through which the digital audio signals and the subscriber audio program selection are received from the set top terminal;

an audio processing circuitry, connected to the interface, that processes the digital audio signals, wherein the audio processing circuitry comprises a second tuner that tunes to a selected audio program in the received digital audio signals based on the received subscriber audio program selection; and

an output, connected to the audio processing circuitry, that outputs a selected audio signal that represents the selected audio program based on the subscriber audio program selection.

88. The system of claim 87 wherein the television program delivery system is a cable television program delivery system.

89. The system of claim 87 wherein the cable television program delivery system further comprises an operations center, the operations center transmitting one or more of the programs to the terminal.

90. The system of claim 87 wherein the cable television program delivery system further comprises one or more headends, a particular one of the one or more headends transmitting one or more of the programs to the terminal.

91. The system of claim 87 wherein the television program delivery system comprises one or more fiber optic connections to the terminal.

92. The system of claim 87 wherein the television program delivery system comprises one or more telephone line connections to the terminal.

93. An apparatus capable of receiving audio/visual programs, including HDTV programs, and audio programs, an audio/visual program being represented by an audio signal accompanied by a corresponding video signal, and an audio program being represented by a digital audio signal only, the apparatus comprising:

a first tuner coupled to a receiver adapted to receive the audio/visual programs and the audio programs from a television program delivery system;

a subscriber interface adapted to receive subscriber inputs including a subscriber audio program selection; and

a hardware upgrade operably connected to the apparatus, comprising;

an interface to the apparatus through which the digital audio signals and the subscriber audio program selection are received from the apparatus;

an audio processing circuitry, connected to the receiver, that processes the digital audio signals representing the audio programs, wherein the audio processing circuitry comprises a second tuner that tunes to a selected audio program based on the received subscriber audio program selection; and

an output, connected to the audio processing circuitry, that outputs a selected audio signal that represents the selected audio program based on the subscriber audio program selection.

94. The apparatus of claim 93 wherein the audio processing circuitry comprises a demodulator.

95. The apparatus of claim 93 wherein the audio processing circuitry comprises a demultiplexor to select the selected audio signal.

96. The apparatus of claim 93 wherein the digital audio signals are encrypted and the audio processing circuitry comprises a decryptor.

97. The apparatus of claim 93 wherein the digital audio signals are compressed and the audio processing circuitry comprises a decompressor.

98. The apparatus of claim 93 wherein the output is one or more connectors to one or more speakers.

99. The apparatus of claim 93 wherein the output is one or more connectors to a stereo.

100. The apparatus of claim 93 further comprising a microprocessor connected to the subscriber interface and processing circuitry.

101. The apparatus of claim 93 further comprising a remote control unit, the remote control unit comprising inputs for entering the subscriber selections.

102. The apparatus of claim 93 further comprising a display.

103. The apparatus of claim 102 wherein the display comprises a channel identifier display that displays a channel identifier corresponding to a subscriber selection.

104. The apparatus of claim 102 wherein the display comprises an LED device.

105. The apparatus of claim 102 wherein the display comprises an LCD device.

106. The apparatus of claim 93 further comprising a menu generator, whereby the subscriber selections comprise menu selections from one or more menus generated by the menu generator.

107. The apparatus of claim 93 wherein the receiver is further adapted to receive one or more data signals that contain information about the audio programs.

108. The apparatus of claim 93 wherein the selected audio signal is a stereo signal comprising left and right components.

109. The apparatus of claim 93 wherein the apparatus is a set top terminal.

110. A hardware upgrade for a set top terminal comprising a first tuner coupled to a receiver for receiving a digital audio signal, the hardware upgrade remotely located from the set top terminal, the hardware upgrade comprising:

an interface to the set top terminal through which a subscriber selection and digital audio signals that represent audio programs are received from the set top terminal, wherein the digital audio signals are received from a television program delivery system, wherein the television program delivery system is capable of simultaneously transmitting video signals that are unrelated to the digital audio signals;

audio processing circuitry, connected to the interface, that processes the digital audio signals, wherein the processing circuitry comprises a second tuner capable of selecting an audio program and allows access to the digital audio signals while the unrelated video signals are viewed on a television; and

an output, connected to the processing circuitry, that outputs a selected audio signal based on the subscriber selection.

111. The hardware upgrade of claim 110 further comprising a remote control unit, the remote control unit comprising inputs for entering the subscriber selection.