Abstract: A targeted integrated image is created for delivery to a user. Content of potential interest to the user is determined based on at least one user preference. This determination may be made prior to or during the user's request for an image, such as video content, or while the user is receiving an image, such as a menu or programming guide. An image representing the content of potential interest to the user, such as a barker is selected and combined with another image of interest to the user to form a targeted integrated image for delivery to the user. The user preference may include information representing content viewing habits or content ordering habits of the user. The user preferences may be associated with the identity of the user.

Abstract: A Download Control Message instructs a set-top terminal in a cable television system to located and immediately begin downloading a code or other data object available over the cable system. The Download Control Message specifies, for example, the size, name, version and location (URL or transport stream and PID) of the object to be acquired by the set-top terminal. The terminal accordingly can begin immediate acquisition of the object. An address or other characteristic associated with the Download Control Message allows the system operator to target the Message to a particular set-top terminal or group of terminals.

Abstract: A software interface (26) is provided to enable television settop middleware (14) and operating system (OS) software (16) to control and interact with core settop system software (20) in a subscriber television terminal to facilitate the provision of desirable digital television services, including authentication and authorization.

Abstract: A software interface (26) is provided to enable television settop middleware (14) and operating system (OS) software (16) to control and interact with core settop system software (20) in a subscriber television terminal to facilitate the provision of desirable digital television services, including service acquisition (e.g., acquisition of a pay-per-view movie), system information management, settop configuration and control, return path for polling, download capability, and non-volatile memory management.

Abstract: A personal versatile recorder can be connected to, or integrated in, a cable television set-top terminal. The personal versatile recorder includes a central processing unit and a hard drive for mass data storage. Preferably, the personal versatile recorder has a tuner or tuners for receiving one or more transport streams from the cable system as well as analog or digital audiovisual programming. The data transport stream may encompass internet multimedia web content and associated applications to he utilized by the personal versatile recorder, Under instructions of the viewer or the agent application the central processing unit controls and facilitates various functions such as encoding, transcoding, decoding, caching, storing, playback and retrieval of any type of data or data file on the hard drive including compressed audiovisual programming content, streamed multimedia cached content, picture files, video files, audio files, HTML files, etc. for a variety of applications as described.

Abstract: A Download Control Message instructs a set-top terminal in a cable television system to located and immediately begin downloading a code or other data object available over the cable system. The Download Control Message specifies, for example, the size, name, version and location (URL or transport stream and PID) of the object to be acquired by the set-top terminal. The terminal accordingly can begin immediate acquisition of the object. An address or other characteristic associated with the Download Control Message allows the system operator to target the Message to a particular set-top terminal or group of terminals.

Abstract: A Download Control Message instructs a set-top terminal in a cable television system to located and immediately begin downloading a code or other data object available over the cable system. The Download Control Message specifies, for example, the size, name, version and location (URL or transport stream and PID) of the object to be acquired by the set-top terminal. The terminal accordingly can begin immediate acquisition of the object. An address or other characteristic associated with the Download Control Message allows the system operator to target the Message to a particular set-top terminal or group of terminals.

Abstract: A targeted integrated image is created for delivery to a user. Content of potential interest to the user is determined based on at least one user preference. This determination may be made prior to or during the user's request for an image, such as video content, or while the user is receiving an image, such as a menu or programming guide. An image representing the content of potential interest to the user, such as a barker is selected and combined with another image of interest to the user to form a targeted integrated image for delivery to the user. The user preference may include information representing content viewing habits or content ordering habits of the user. The user preferences may be associated with the identity of the user.

Abstract: A technique is used for determining a video format for a video output signal generated by a television receiver. The technique includes acquiring a preferred output format that is one of a plurality of video formats and determining an aspect ratio of a selected television signal having one of a plurality of television signal formats. The video output signal is generated using one of the plurality of video formats having a 4:3 aspect ratio when the selected television signal has a television signal format having a 4:3 aspect ratio and the preferred output format is other than one that has only a 4:3 aspect ratio. A related technique additionally acquires an optional override output format for television signals having an aspect ratio of 4:3 that is used to determine when to use the stated the stated video format to generate the video output signal.

Abstract: A dynamic closed-loop circulating analog memory, preferably embodied with monolithic charge coupled devices and employing a minimum number of serial data transfers, additive refresh signal processing, and dark current subtraction for limiting crosstalk degradation of the circulated signals.