Abstract: A method of displaying menus on a screen of a television using a set-top terminal connected to the television is described. The method receives a video signal including video of a plurality of programs transmitted from a source remote from the television and the set-top terminal, generates a submenu that includes a plurality of selectable program listings, each program listing corresponding to one of the plurality of programs, displays the submenu on the screen during broadcast of the plurality of programs, displays the video of one of the plurality of programs on the screen in response to a user selection of the corresponding program listing, generates an overlay menu that includes selectable options, and displays the overlay menu together with the displayed video of the program on the screen.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method provide optimum packaging of programs for delivery over a television program delivery system. The apparatus includes a central processor unit (CPU) that is used to select program categories and identify external and internal programs. For packaging. The CPU includes advanced features to weight programs according to established criteria including previous buying history, programs watched data, and viewer demographics. The CPU formats a menu having a program lineup and assigns transponder space. Other advanced features include the use of multiple operations centers to support the packaging, delivery of the packaged programs to cable television headends, insertion of local avails, and direct transmission of program packages to individual television terminals.

Abstract: An electronic book having various features for manipulating text or other information. The subscriber may highlight, cut and paste, copy and paste, and annotate information within an electronic book. A multiple page view feature permits the subscriber to simultaneously view any plurality of pages of an electronic book, and a multiple screen feature permits the subscriber to view one or more pages on a viewer having multiple screens. A picture-in-picture feature permits the subscriber to simultaneously view a page of an electronic book along with other content, such as a television program or information from another electronic book. The picture-in-picture feature may display an electronic book page as a main image wrapped around an inset image.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method provide optimum packaging of programs for delivery over a television program delivery system. The apparatus includes a central processor unit (CPU) that is used to select program categories and identify external and internal programs. For packaging. The CPU includes advanced features to weight programs according to established criteria including previous buying history, programs watched data, and viewer demographics. The CPU formats a menu having a program lineup and assigns transponder space. Other advanced features include the use of multiple operations centers to support the packaging, delivery of the packaged programs to cable television headends, insertion of local avails, and direct transmission of program packages to individual television terminals.

Abstract: An electronic book having various features for manipulating text or other information. The subscriber may highlight, cut and paste, copy and paste, and annotate information within an electronic book. A multiple page view feature permits the subscriber to simultaneously view any plurality of pages of an electronic book, and a multiple screen feature permits the subscriber to view one or more pages on a viewer having multiple screens. A picture-in-picture feature permits the subscriber to simultaneously view a page of an electronic book along with other content, such as a television program or information from another electronic book. The picture-in-picture feature may display an electronic book page as a main image wrapped around an inset image.

Abstract: A processor in a television program delivery system receives programs watched information from terminals in a television delivery system. The processor arranges the programs watched information in a database or programs watched matrix so that the frequency of programs watched may be determined. The programs watched matrix may consist of time slots and program categories. The processor determines a program count for programs or program categories. The program count may then be used to send programming to the terminals. The terminals may provide the programs watched information in response to a cyclic polling message generated by the processor or by using a random access routine. The programs watched information may be provided over a cable or a telephone line.

Abstract: A viewer for displaying an electronic book and providing for electronic commerce. In conjunction with viewing an electronic book, a user can view information about products and services, view an on-line electronic catalog, and receive samples of products available for purchase. By entering a purchase request, the user can purchase products or services. In the case of a digital product, the user can download the purchased product directly into the viewer. The viewer also records statistics concerning purchase and information requests in order to recommend related products or services, or for directing particular types of advertisements to the user.

Abstract: A novel advanced set top terminal having electronic mail capable of digital decompression, menu generation, interactivity, and other advanced functional capabilities for use in a television program delivery system (200) is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for upgrading existing set top terminals (220) to provide electronic mail capability and advanced functional capabilities. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems (200) providing (i) menu driven program selection through the addition of an upgrade module (300) or menu generation card and (ii) advanced functional capabilities using a set of hardware upgrades (e.g., 130) and/or an expansion card. Specifically, the invention is an upgradeable system that supports electronic mail through the use of internal software, hardware upgrades, an upgrade module and/or expansion cards. The upgraded hardware generally includes a microprocessor, various input/output ports (e.g., 308), processing circuitry (e.g.

Abstract: A viewer for displaying an electronic book and providing for electronic commerce. In conjunction with viewing an electronic book, a user can view information about products and services, view an on-line electronic catalog, and receive samples of products available for purchase. By entering a purchase request, the user can purchase products or services. In the case of a digital product, the user can download the purchased product directly into the viewer. The viewer also records statistics concerning purchase and information requests in order to recommend related products or services, or for directing particular types of advertisements to the user.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for delivering television programming, including advertisements, to subscribers using a tiered video system. Advertisements or other video programs are associated with a plurality of channels, one or more of which may be used for programs. The user selects a program on a first channel for display on a television. The method switches the television from the first channel to a second channel having a video program, such as an advertisement. For example, the system displays programming from the first channel and displays an advertisement from a second channel during a commercial break in the program. After displaying the advertisement, the method switches the television channel back to the program channel. The channel switching is transparent to the user, and the advertisement may be a targeted selected from a group of advertisements to most closely associate with a profile of the subscriber stored in memory.

Abstract: A processor in a television program delivery system receives programs watched information from terminals in a television delivery system. The processor arranges the programs watched information in a database or programs watched matrix so that the frequency of programs watched may be determined. The programs watched matrix may consist of time slots and program categories. The processor determines a program count for programs or program categories. The program count may then be used to send programming to the terminals. The terminals may provide the programs watched information in response to a cyclic polling message generated by the processor or by using a random access routine. The programs watched information may be provided over a cable or a telephone line.

Abstract: A method and a system for selecting and ordering broadcast programs uses an electronic program guide that may be broadcast to subscribers or posted on an Internet web site. The system allows national broadcasters to provide one or more channels of pay-per-view or subscription programming and to establish a mechanism for billing subscribers who access the programs. Subscribers may access the Internet and send a program request to a web site. An authorization is then forwarded to a billing center and to a local broadcaster. The billing center debits the subscriber's account, or prepares a bill. The local broadcaster sends the authorization to the subscriber. The authorization includes a program code and a terminal identifier that permit the subscriber's television or set top terminal to decrypt and display the program.

Abstract: An electronic program guide for use with a television delivery system is disclosed having a plurality of program menus that list information about available television programs. The program information includes, for example, program names and start times. A user navigates the program menus using a user interface, such as an infrared remote control. The user interface controls a cursor that indicates selection of a menu item, such as a program. The selected program is then displayed on the screen. Advertisements are displayed as part of the program guide. The advertisements may include targeted advertisements based on data gathered from the subscriber and stored in a subscriber profile. The data profile may include data gathered directly from the subscriber as well as data gathered based on the subscriber's viewing habits. The electronic programming guide is controlled by a set top terminal co-located with a television set, for example, in a subscriber's home.

Abstract: An electronic book selection and delivery system distributes text to subscribers. The system includes the ability to use electronic links as well as a system for creating electronic links between specific electronic books and other electronic files. The links may be used or accessed by a menu system or by operation of a cursor and a select button. The other electronic files could be portions of a specific electronic book, such as a Table of Contents. The other electronic files could also exist external to a specific electronic book. For example, definitions provided in an electronic English-language dictionary could be linked to terms contained in an electronic book. The electronic links may be created by the book publisher or may be subscriber-defined. The links may use standard programming language such as hypertext markup language (HTML). The links may be established through use of a relational database.

Abstract: The invention, an electronic book selection and delivery system, is a new way to distribute books and other textual information to bookstores, libraries and consumers. The primary components of the system are a subsystem for placing text in a video signal format and a subsystem for receiving and selecting text that is placed in the video signal format. The system configuration for consumer use contains additional components and optional features that enhance the system, namely: (1) an operation center, (2) a video distribution system, (3) a home subsystem, including reception, selection, viewing, transacting and transmission capabilities, and (4) a billing and collection system. The operation center and/or video distribution points perform the functions of manipulation of text data, security and coding of text, cataloging of books, messaging center, and uplink functions.

Abstract: An electronic book selection and delivery system distributes text to subscribers. The system includes the ability to use electronic links as well as a system for creating electronic links between specific electronic books and other electronic files. The links may be used or accessed by a menu system or by operation of a cursor and a select button. The other electronic files could be portions of a specific electronic book, such as a Table of Contents. The other electronic files could also exist external to a specific electronic book. For example, definitions provided in an electronic English-language dictionary could be linked to terms contained in an electronic book. The electronic links may be created by the book publisher or may be subscriber-defined. The links may use standard programming language such as hypertext markup language (HTML). The links may be established through use of a relational database.

Abstract: An interactive electronic program guide is disclosed for use with a television delivery system. The guide is generated by a set top terminal that receives a television signal from an operations center and extracts from the signal individual programs for display on a television screen associated with the terminal. The guide is used to select programs and interactive features for display on the screen. The guide includes a plurality of interconnected menus having display information. The guide also includes a cursor controlled by the user input device for sequencing through the menus and selecting a menu item. The menus include an introductory menu displayed when the guide is started, a main menu that allows access to program submenus and interactive submenus, and during program menus. The during program menus include both overlay menus that are displayed during a program and hidden menus that are not displayed.

Abstract: A novel network manager for use with a cable television system headend capable of monitoring and managing headend components and set top terminals in a television delivery system. The invention relates to methods and apparatus that manage and coordinate the reception of requested video on demand programs.

Abstract: The invention, an electronic book selection and delivery system, is a new way to distribute books and other textual information to bookstores, libraries and consumers. The primary components of the system are a subsystem for placing text in a video signal format and a subsystem for receiving and selecting text that is placed in the video signal format. The system configuration for consumer use contains additional components and optional features that enhance the system, namely: (1) an operation center, (2) a video distribution system, (3) a home subsystem, including reception, selection, viewing, transacting and transmission capabilities, and (4) a billing and collection system. The operation center and/or video distribution points perform the functions of manipulation of text data, security and coding of text, cataloging of books, messaging center, and uplink functions.

Abstract: The invention, an electronic book selection and delivery system, is a new way to distribute books and other textual information to bookstores, libraries and consumers. The primary components of the system are a subsystem for placing text in a video signal format and a subsystem for receiving and selecting text that is placed in the video signal format. The system configuration for consumer use contains additional components and optional features that enhance the system, namely: (1) an operation center, (2) a video distribution system, (3) a home subsystem, including reception, selection, viewing, transacting and transmission capabilities, and (4) a billing and collection system. The operation center and/or video distribution points perform the functions of manipulation of text data, security and coding of text, cataloging of books, messaging center, and uplink functions.