Abstract: A method and system for displaying updated, targeted, and/or alternately formatted advertisements to a consumer. The invention may use targeted ads in conjunction with consumer profile information to reach interested consumers. The invention may further detect stale advertisements and replace them with updated advertisements having timely information. The updated advertisements are displayed in place of the stale commercials. The invention may also display alternately formatted advertisements in place of speeded-up advertisements during a fast-forward operation on a personal video recorder. Reward-based content may also be provided, wherein the content is viewable only after one or more advertisements are viewed at normal playback speed. All of these functions are operable with a personal video recorder.

Abstract: A set top terminal for receiving information transmitted from a service provider, for receiving control information transmitted by a service provider, and for transmitting control information from the set top terminal to the service provider to interactively control the services that are being received. The set top terminal receives display images via an information channel carrying both conventional analog cable television signals and digital television signals. Additionally, set top terminal control signals are sent from the service provider via a command channel and the set top terminal sends control signals to the service provider via a back channel.

Abstract: Deghosting apparatus for eliminating multipath signal components in a received transmitted television signal incorporates a training signal which is a finite duration sequence of repetitions of a 2.sup.n -1 psuedorandom sequence. The 2.sup.n -1 pseudorandom sequences are mapped into 2.sup.r sample intervals at either the transmitter or the receiver to facilitate fast Fourier transform processing. Power spectra of the received and mapped training signal and a stored version of the training signal are deconvolved with the deconvolution coefficients produced in logarithmic form. The logarithms are inverse Fourier transformed to produce delay coefficients related to the time of occurrence of the multipath signals, which coefficients are utilized to program variable delay circuitry in an adaptive filter to cancel the multipath components.

Abstract: A stereo sound and light track system includes one or more sound fixtures and one or more light fixtures, each fixture being independently mounted for movement on a track to any mounted position thereon. A bus bar assembly including audio bus bar conductors and power bus bar conductors are mounted on the track which is grounded. Connectors are provided on the fixtures to make electromechanical contact with the appropriate bus bar conductors and ground. Stereo sound can be transmitted by the sound fixtures and light can be emitted from the light fixtures in any of their respective mounted positions.