Abstract: An interactive video guide system is provided in which nationally generic guide data, local guide data, and interactive video guide object code are transmitted to set-top decoder units located in customers' homes. Initially, nationally generic data or program information from a variety of sources is gathered together via modem at a central processing unit, and then manipulated, parsed and formatted into a national database compatible for use by a head end computer. This information is typically collected and updated on a daily basis. The manipulated nationally generic data is then transferred via modem to a transmitter for uplink to a selected telecommunications satellite. The satellite signal is then received by one or more local satellite CATV head end receivers which then forward a video base band signal carrying the nationally generic data to associated local head end computers.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data for video display in which a composite digital information signal is manipulated to produce an output signal including data code and object code, separately storing the data code and control data, processing the stored data in a dynamic gate array in response to the stored control data to provide a formatted signal that is transmitted to a receiver where the transmitted signal is decoded and passed to a video display in response to satisfaction of one or more predetermined conditions.