Abstract: A hotel room entertainment system enables video games to be played in each room of a hotel without providing a video game generator in each room. The entertainment system includes at a head end system portion in which the video game audio and video signals are generated and a plurality of guest terminals. Game interrogations are provided to each guest terminal in an active game-playing mode, each game interrogation having a plurality of response positions for guest terminal responses to the interrogation. The game interrogations are interleaved with a series of system interrogations generated at the head end system, enabling the entertainment system to provide video game signals along with other entertainment and services to the guest terminals using a single distribution system.

Abstract: An audio/video distribution system for a multiple dwelling unit such as an apartment building provides programming which is selectable by a subscriber through the interactive use of on-screen menus. Programming and services are supplied from a headend over a distribution network to individual apartments. The distribution network includes an interdiction field unit associated with each of a group of apartments. The interdiction field unit normally interdicts those channels capable of carrying video on demand movies, interactive video games, and interactive services. When a subscriber wishes to order a movie, video game, or other service through interactive on-screen menus provided from the headend to the apartment, the headend instructs the interdiction field unit associated with the subscriber's apartment to de-interdict a channel. Selections made through a remote control to a subscriber terminal in the apartment are supplied to the headend over the distribution system.

Abstract: A hotel room entertainment system enables video games to be played in each room of a hotel without providing a video game generator in each room. The entertainment system includes at a head end system portion in which the video game audio and video signals are generated and a plurality of guest terminals. Game interrogations are provided to each guest terminal in an active game-playing mode, each game interrogation having a plurality of response positions for guest terminal responses to the interrogation. The game interrogations are interleaved with a series of system interrogations generated at the head end system, enabling the entertainment system to provide video game signals along with other entertainment and services to the guest terminals using a single distribution system.

Abstract: A hotel room entertainment system enables video games to be played in each room of a hotel without providing a video game generator in each room. The entertainment system includes at a head end system portion in which the video game audio and video signals are generated and a plurality of guest terminals. Game interrogations are provided to each guest terminal in an active game-playing mode, each game interrogation having a plurality of response positions for guest terminal responses to the interrogation. The game interrogations are interleaved with a series of system interrogations generated at the head end system, enabling the entertainment system to provide video game signals along with other entertainment and services to the guest terminals using a single distribution system.

Abstract: A low battery detection system for detecting the battery voltage level in a remote control unit of a hotel entertainment system comprises a detection circuit imbedded within the remote control unit. Information regarding the battery voltage status is transmitted to a guest television terminal along with the infrared signal which turns the television on or off. A central computer polls each guest television terminal associated with an individual guest room to determine whether the battery in the remote control unit needs to be replaced. A system for generating a list of remote control units identified by guest room, which needs fresh batteries is also provided. In this manner, hotel personnel can detect and replace batteries in remote control units which are prone to impending battery failure without guest complaints. Further, the parameters which determine whether a battery needs to be replaced can be altered by the user of the system.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic room address tag which associates an address with a remote location in a video distribution system. The video distribution system includes a central distribution point, a plurality of remote locations having at least one video control terminal located at each remote location, and a communication link for carrying signals between the central distribution point and the video control terminals at each remote location. The electronic room address tag is connected to the communication link and located at each remote location separate from the video terminal. The address is stored in the video control terminal and is accessible from the central distribution point through the communication link for tracking guest video selection and video control terminal use.