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Description  |
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TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to interactive network systems and, more specifically, to an interactive network system for displaying a list containing multiple items on a display screen.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cable television systems, sometimes referred to as community-antenna television (CATV) systems, are broadband communications networks of coaxial cable and optical fiber that distribute video, audio, and data signals to the homes or businesses of
subscribers. In a typical CATV system, a single advantageously located antenna array feeding a cable network supplies each individual subscriber with a usable television signal.
CATV networks have experienced enormous growth and expansion in the United States, particularly in urban areas. It is estimated that CATV networks currently pass near and are accessible to approximately 90% of the population in the United
States, with approximately 60-65% of all households actually being connected to such communications networks. While cable systems originally had very simple architectures and provided a limited number of different television signals, the increase in the
number of television broadcasters, owners, and services over the last several decades has resulted in much more complex modem cable distribution systems.
A typical CATV system for the delivery of television programming to subscribers comprises three main elements: a headend, a distribution system, and subscriber drops.
The "headend" is a signal reception and processing center that collects, organizes and distributes signals. The headend receives satellite-delivered video and audio programming, over-the-air broadcast television station signals, and network
feeds delivered by terrestrial microwave and other communication systems. In addition, headends may inject local broadcast programming into the package of signals sent to subscribers, such as commercials and live programs created in a television studio.
The "distribution system" carries the signals from the headend to a number of distribution points in a community and, in turn, distributes the these signals to individual neighborhoods for delivery to subscribers. A modem distribution system
typically comprises a combination of coaxial cable and optical fibers with trunk amplifiers periodically spaced to compensate for attenuation of the signals along the line.
"Subscriber drops" are taps in the distribution system that feed individual 75 .OMEGA. coaxial cable lines into subscribers' television sets or subscriber set-top terminals, often referred to as "subscriber premises equipment" or "customer
premises equipment" ("CPE").
CATV distribution systems were originally designed to distribute television signals in the "downstream" direction only, i.e., from a central headend location to multiple subscriber locations, also referred to as the "forward" path. For
downstream transmissions, typical CATV systems provide a series of video channels, each 6 MHz in bandwidth, which are frequency division multiplexed across the forward band, in the 50 MHz to 550 MHz region of the frequency spectrum. As optical fiber
more deeply penetrates the service areas with hybrid optical fiber/coaxial cable (HFC) configurations, the bandwidth of the coaxial cable portion is expected to increase to over 1 GHz, thereby increasing the number of available channels for potential
services.
The advent of pay-per-view services and other interactive television applications has fueled the development of bidirectional or "two-way" cable systems that also provide for the transmission of signals from the subscriber locations back to the
headend via an "upstream" direction or a "reverse" path. By upgrading CATV systems employing relatively limited bandwidth coaxial cable with broadband distribution networks having HFC configurations, multiple service operators (MSOs) can use the
additional channels gained by this wider bandwidth network to provide many new subscriber services. This ever-expanding deployment of fiber optic technology supports the implementation of an "interactive network" to allow a subscriber to obtain
desirable service of programming at a time and date specified by the subscriber. Indeed, it is feasible that this interactive network will have sufficient bandwidth to supply hundreds of channels of programming information, thereby leading to an
explosion of program options available to subscribers. Potential subscriber services supported by this interactive network include Movies on Demand (MOD) or Video on Demand (VOD), interactive computing, shopping, entertainment, and other related
services.
The delivery of a variety of interactive services via a broadband network distribution system raises the critical issue of defining an efficient mechanism for presenting both operation and program-related information to an audience of possible
consumers representing diverse technological backgrounds and interests. From an ergonomic perspective, this "user interface" for such an interactive network should appeal to a "typical" viewer of standard broadcast television programs and should be easy
for this mythical person to understand and use. Because computer users reflect only a portion of the overall audience for interactive services, it is desirable that the features of this user interface be based upon the assumption that the typical viewer
is not familiar with user interface customs that are otherwise acceptable and understood by the computer-literate community. In addition, the functions of the user interface should be controllable with a control device familiar with this typical
television viewer, such as a handheld remote control. This user interface also should be readily readable from an acceptable viewing distance that typically separates the viewer from a television screen.
The typical television viewer is accustomed to viewing sophisticated graphics for broadcast programs that are produced with complex and expensive production equipment. It is desirable for the user interface of an interactive network to support
similar graphical features, including visual objects having a 3-dimensional appearance, image transition effects such as wipes, dissolves, and rambles, and a variety of colors and fonts. This user interface also preferably supports active animation of
displayed objects to entertain the viewer and to focus the viewer's attention upon a particular object for controlling a feature of the user interface. The user interface also should be sufficiently flexible in appearance to allow a service provider to
design and implement objects having a unique appearance for different applications, thereby permitting a user to distinguish these applications.
From a technical perspective, the delivery of video signals for presentation by a conventional television screen is limited by the display screen variations in the numerous models of televisions and the limitations inherent in the National
Television Systems Committee (NTSC) standards for formatting video signals. The NTSC has established title and video safety standards to define a space along the television screen for readable text and images. The area of the television screen that is
considered to support the most reliable presentation of images, which is known as the "safe title" zone, is approximately the center 80% of the horizontal and vertical space of a television screen. Likewise, the area of the television screen that is
considered to support the most reliable presentation of moving images, which is known as the "safe action" zone, is approximately the center 90% of the horizontal and vertical space of a television screen.
Because these NTSC standards suggest that the video performance of even modem television monitors suffers from horizontal and vertical drift problems, the user interface for an interactive network should support the video safety standards to
ensure that objects intended for display are actually presented to the viewer. However, it will appreciated that this implementation also effectively reduces "usable screen space" or display resolution for the user interface. This is dramatically
different from the computer environment, where the entire screen of a computer monitor can predictably be used to present static and dynamic objects to a user.
The design of the user interface for an interactive network also must consider the well known phenomenon of "flicker" arising from the scanning of vertical and horizontal scan lines in a television screen. It would be desirable for the objects
of a user interface for the interactive network to be drawn with lines having a pixel width of more than one pixel to reduce flicker and to support a more readable presentation of the displayed objects.
In summary, for an interactive network environment, there is a need for a user interface having simplified user interface controls that are optimized for the television environment in both appearance and behavior. The user interface should be
entertaining and have the look of a television program. The controls of the user interface are preferably operable with a handheld control device, such as a remote control. The user interface should support NTSC video safety standards to ensure that
objects intended for display are actually presented to the viewer in a manner that is easily readable on a variety of conventional television sets. The present invention addresses these issues by providing a user interface designed for use in the
environment of an interactive network.
The many subscriber services supported by interactive networks give the user the ability to choose desired programming or viewing options. The range of possible options associated with each service is typically displayed to the user on the
television screen in some form of list such that the user can visually observe the available choices. The user then selects the desired choice via a remote control unit or other similar device.
The various alterative choices associated with a subscriber service are usually displayed to the user on the television display screen in the form of a list. The list is typically contained with a box or other control object with distinct
boundaries or borders. Lists can, and usually do, contain more items than can be shown on the display screen at any one time. Thus, the user must scroll through the list, i.e., cause new items in the list to be displayed on the display screen while
causing old items previously displayed to be removed from the display. Scrolling is usually accomplished by providing arrows, buttons, or other visible indicators on the screen that the user may manipulate via a remote control or other device to cause
the list to be shifted within the control object on the display screen.
The items displayed in the list are typically shown in their entirety. Thus, the first and last items displayed in the control object, i.e., those items displayed at the border of the control object, are completely displayed. This manner of
display of list items creates a recognition problem for the user in that the display of border items in their entirety does not provide the user with any visual indication that additional items are contained, but are not yet displayed, in the list. One
method of providing the user with such an indication is to display an arrow or other visual indicator, such as a scroll bar, that communicates to the user that other items are contained in the list but are not shown on the display screen. However, this
method does not allow the user to recognize instinctively that the list extends beyond the items displayed, i.e., the display of the item itself does not provide a visual indication to the user that additional list items exist beyond those displayed.
Additionally, the variation in the size of the safe title and safe action zones of television screens creates problems for lists displaying items in their entirety. First, the display of list items at or near the border of the display screen in
their entirety cannot be guaranteed due to the variation is safe zones. Thus, certain items in the list may not be properly displayed. Second, the display of any visual indicator near the border of the control object on the screen to alert the viewer
of additional list items cannot be guaranteed. Thus, the user may be left without any means of instinctively recognizing that additional list items exist beyond those displayed on the screen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system for displaying a list of items in a control object on a television display screen in association with an interactive network system. At least three items are displayed in the control object, which extends
between the borders of the screen. The first and last items of the list are only partially displayed so that the user can instinctively recognize that additional list items exist beyond those displayed. The list is displayed in a control object that
spans the entire display screen and can be oriented horizontally, vertically, or in a two-dimensional grid arrangement.
The user can scroll through items in the list by manipulating a directional control on a remote control unit. The user can manipulate the directional control on the remote control to put a focus frame on an item completely displayed in the
control object. The user can then use the directional control on the remote control to shift the list items displayed in the control object such that new items are displayed and old items are removed from the display.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for displaying a list of items in a control object on a display screen.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system for displaying a list of items in a control object that is guaranteed to be only partially displayed.
It is a further object of the present invention to only partially display the first and last items in the control object.
It is a still further object of the present invention to display a list of items in a control object such that provides the user with an instinctive indication that additional items exist beyond those displayed in the control object.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification, when taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the operating environment for an interactive network system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the basic components of a set-top terminal.
FIG. 3 shows the face of a remote control unit for communicating with the set-top terminal.
FIG. 4 is a diagram of the "safe title" and "safe action" zones of a television display screen.
FIG. 5 is a list as shown on the display screen in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6A shows a list as interpreted by the user in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 6B shows the interpretation of the list in FIG. 6A after it has been scrolled one item.
FIGS. 7A-C illustrates the display screen during scrolling of the list.
FIG. 8 shows a list employing a dynamic focus frame in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a list shown on the display screen in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a list shown on the display screen in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a grid shown on the display screen in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the steps required to display and operate the partial scrolling list in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning next to the figures, the preferred embodiment will now be described in detail. The present invention is directed to a system for displaying a list of available options on a display screen in connection with a subscriber service of an
interactive network system. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect to subscriber services displayed to a user on a television display screen, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present
invention may be utilized in connection with other forms of communications media and other output display devices.
In general, the present invention provides a system for displaying a list of multiple items containing information or alternative choices associated with a subscriber service of an interactive network system. At least one item in the list is
displayed in its entirety. The items at the border of the list are only partially displayed to give the user an indication that the list extends beyond the borders of the list. Additional list items can be displayed by scrolling the list by
manipulating a directional control on a remote control unit that operates in conjunction with a set-top terminal of the interactive system. An item in the list, or another control object on the display screen, is highlighted in a manner to give the user
a visible indication that the list can be scrolled, or shifted, within the display to display new items in the list and remove previously displayed items.
Turning first to the nomenclature of the specification, the detailed description which follows is represented largely in terms of processes and symbolic representations of operations by conventional computer components, including a central
processing unit (CPU) associated with a general purpose computer system, memory storage devices for the CPU, and connected pixel-oriented display devices. These operations include the manipulation of data bits by the CPU and the maintenance of these
bits within data structures resident in one or more of the memory storage devices. Such data structures impose a physical organization upon the collection of data bits stored within computer memory and represent specific electrical or magnetic elements. These symbolic representations are the means used by those skilled in the art of computer programming and computer construction to most effectively convey teachings and discoveries to others skilled in the art.
For the purposes of this discussion, a process is generally conceived to be a sequence of computer-executed steps leading to a desired result. These steps generally require physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not
necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, or otherwise manipulated. It is conventional for those skilled in the art to refer to these signals as
bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, records, files or the like. It should be kept in mind, however, that these and similar terms should be associated with appropriate physical quantities for computer operations, and that these
terms are merely conventional labels applied to physical quantities that exist within and during operation of the computer.
It should also be understood that manipulations within the computer are often referred to in terms such as adding, comparing, moving, etc. which are often associated with manual operations performed by a human operator. It must be understood
that no involvement of a human operator is necessary or even desirable in the present invention. The operations described herein are machine operations performed in conjunction with a human operator or user that interacts with the computer. The
machines used for performing the operation of the present invention, as will be understood, include general purpose digital computers or other similar computing devices.
In addition, it should be understood that the programs, processes, methods, etc. described herein are not related or limited to any particular computer or apparatus. Rather, various types of general purpose machines may be used with programs
constructed in accordance with the teachings described herein. Similarly, it may prove advantageous to construct specialized apparatus to perform the method steps described herein by way of dedicated computer systems with hard-wired logic or programs
stored in nonvolatile memory, such as read only memory.
Furthermore, it should be understood that there is a distinction between the methods, steps, or operations completed by a computer, and the method of computation itself. The present invention does not involve a method of computation. Instead,
the present invention relates to methods, processes, steps, or operations for a computer and the processing of electrical or other physical signals to generate desired physical signals and to display results and interactions.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a user interface for an interactive network system that can deliver a variety of services, including entertainment, information, and transaction services, to consumers via an
interactive broadband network. This user interface, which is typically presented via an output device, such as a display or monitor, can include one or more control items or images representing various control functions associated with the operation of
the interactive network. For example, the user interface can include control items representing functions for controlling a display of available program options. The present invention provides a system for both "highlighting" the currently selected
control item and for supplying the user with an indication of other control items that are available for selection by the user. The innovative solution provided by this system addresses the requirements of limited display "real estate" for displaying
such control images, as well as the dynamic nature of programming information presented by the interactive network.
Although the preferred embodiment will be generally described as an interactive television system for delivering broadcast television programs and related information, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention also can be
used to support the delivery of other forms of programming information, including radio, broadcast print, audio, games, computer software, including program modules such as application programs and operating systems, and other combinations of audio,
video and/or computer software. Accordingly, it will be understood that programming information generally includes information transmitted electronically to entertain, instruct, educate, or inform the recipient, as well as program modules for supporting
these services.
Likewise, those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the present invention can be extended to communicating control information within the general purpose computing environment. Specifically, the present invention supports user
interfaces for displaying control information with general purpose computer systems, including desktop computers, portable computers, and handheld computers, including personal digital administrators.
Turning now to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several figures, FIG. 1 illustrates the operating environment for an interactive network system. Referring to FIG. 1, the interactive network system 10
includes a headend system 12 for delivering programming information to and receiving instructions from a consumer system 14 via a "two-way" distribution network 16. The headend system 12 is the control center for collecting, organizing, and distributing
the signals for all interactive network operations and the source for all programming information. The distribution network 16 transports signals carrying programming information and instructions between the headend system 12 and the consumer system 14. The distribution network 16 can include a worldwide public asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) compatible network with links to the Internet, third party service providers, and other wired and wireless communications networks. The consumer system 14
includes the equipment required for a consumer to receive programming information directly at his or her office or residence and to transmit requests and instructions to the headend system 12.
The headend system 12 can include a set of headend servers 20, including a continuous media server (CMS) system 22 and one or more administrative servers 24, to support various network functions, and a control network 26 linking these headend
servers. The headend servers 20 can execute program modules, including service and application program software, to support the transmission of programming information and the reception of requests for such programming information.
It will be appreciated that the headend servers 20 are not necessarily located in one physical location, but can be linked by wired and/or wireless communications paths supplied by the control network. The control network 26 can be a local area
network, a wide area network, or a combination of both types of networks. For the preferred embodiment, the control network 26 is implemented as an ATM-based network for routing digital data between the headend servers 20 and the distribution network
16.
The CMS system 22 is a server-based file storage and delivery system that can manage on-demand access to stored digitized data. On-demand access of digitized data is a particularly desirable characteristic of the CMS system 22 if the interactive
network supports the delivery of Video on Demand (VOD) or Movies on Demand (MOD) services. The preferred CMS system 22 can supply digital data streams at a constant rate to numerous consumers of the consumer system 14.
The CMS system 22 includes one or more storage servers 28, which operate to retrieve and to transmit the digitized data as required by clients of the CMS system, i.e., the equipment of the consumer system 14. The digitized data, which typically
comprises programming information, is maintained on one or more memory storage devices 30 connected to the storage servers 28. Each memory storage device 30 can be implemented as a SCSI hard disk drive, an optical storage system, or any other similar
mass storage media. By spreading the data management operations across a group of storage servers and memory storage devices, user load can be balanced with the limited disk, network, and input/output (I/O) resources of the headend system. This also
supports fault tolerance by replicating digitized data within the CMS system 22 to survive the failure of a storage server or a memory storage device.
To support the tasks of updating or revising programming information stored on a memory storage device 30 of the CMS system 22, a computer workstation 32 and a remote server 34 can be connected to the control network 26 via a communications link
36. This communications link allows a program distributor or supplier, which typically operates at a location remote from the CMS system 22, to transmit programming information for storage by one or more of the memory storage devices 30 and eventual
distribution to consumers via the headend system 12. The communications link 36 can be implemented by either a wireless or wired communications system. For example, the communications link 36 can be constructed as a microwave link or as a conventional
telephone link.
The administrative servers 24 of the headend system 12 can support a variety of services and applications associated with the interactive network system 10, including network security, monitoring, object storage, financial transactions, data
management, and other administrative functions. The administrative servers 24 also handle the interactive service requests or instructions transmitted via the consumer system 14 by consumers. For an application involving a large base of consumers, an
administrative server 24 is preferably dedicated to a particular service or function. For example, one or more servers can handle all consumer authorization requirements, whereas other servers can handle network management services, and so forth. These
administrative servers preferably support the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to enable end-to-end network administration and monitoring.
The headend system 12 also can support the distribution of programming information and other services via an analog distribution system 38 that is coupled to the distribution network 16. This distribution of analog formatted signals can be
handled by a separate headend system associated with a community antenna television (CATV) system. The headend of the CATV system typically supports satellite-delivered video and audio programs, over-the-air broadcast television station signals, and
broadcast network signal feeds delivered by microwave and other communications systems.
The distribution network 16 is a two-way communications network that connects the headend system 12 to various community distribution points of the consumer system 14 and, in turn, to individual neighborhood nodes for delivery to consumers of
services supplied by the interactive network system 10. The distribution network 16 comprises one or more downstream channels supporting transmissions from the headend system to the consumer system and one or more upstream channels for carrying
transmissions from the consumer system to the headend system. This bidirectional communications network supports delivery of programming information via the headend system 12 to each consumer and the delivery of requests for programming information by a
consumer to the headend system 12. The distribution network 16 can be implemented by a microwave distribution system, a telephone system, coaxial cables, optical fibers, or any combination of these delivery systems. However, the preferred distribution
network is implemented by a combination of hybrid optical fiber/coaxial cable (HFC) and optical fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC).
Those persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the programming information delivered over the distribution network 16 typically comprises both video and audio signals. Programming information can be delivered in digital format, analog
format, or a combination of both analog and digital formats. For the preferred embodiment, television-related programming is delivered as a stream of digital video and/or audio signals in a compressed digital data stream, including conventional MPEG-1
and MPEG-2 compressed video streams. Likewise, requests or instructions issued by consumers via the consumer system 14 are preferably formatted as digital signals.
The CMS system 22 and the administrative servers 24 are connected to the distribution network 16 via an ATM switching system 40. The ATM switching system 40 supports network switching requirements for delivery by the headend system 12 of digital
data streams carrying multimedia content and the handling of interactive service requests from consumers.
Because the interactive network 10 is a two-way communications system, the ATM switching system 40 preferably connects to the distribution network 16 via modulation/demodulation devices. The downstream channels of the distribution network 16 can
be connected to the ATM switching system 40 via digital modulators 42, whereas the reverse channels of the distribution network 16 are connected to reverse channel receivers 44.
Each consumer within a neighborhood node of the consumer system 14 is connected to the distribution network 16 via a subscriber drop cable 46, which is typically part of a local cable network administered by a multiple service operator (MSO).
The drop cable 46 is typically a coaxial cable or optical fiber connected to a set-top terminal 48 or set-top box located at the consumer's location. This combination of the drop cable 46 and the set-top terminal 48 operates as a "tap" into the
distribution network 16, and allows the consumer to (1) receive program modules and programming information distributed by the headend system 12 and to (2) transmit requests or instructions to the headend system 12. For example, the set-top terminal 48
can accept and convert signals carrying programming information to a format compatible for presentation by an output device 50, such as a television or a computer system. This output device 50, which can be connected to the set-top terminal via a
conductive path 52 such as coaxial cable, preferably includes a receiver and a display or monitor for receiving and displaying programs and program-related information. Those skilled in the art will understand that the output device 50 can be
implemented as a combination of separate components, such as a receiver and a monitor, or as a single component, such as a conventional television or a general purpose computer system.
Selected operating functions of the set-top terminal 48 can be controlled by an input device 54 capable of supplying input data to the set-top terminal 48. The input device 54 can be used to transmit command signals to the set-top terminal 48
and to input character-based data, such as text, for processing by the set-top terminal 48. For example, the input device 54 can be used to control the position of a display object presented by the output device or to enter text for conducting a
service-related transaction supported by the interactive network 10. The input device 54 can be implemented as one or more devices for inputting data, including a handheld control, a keyboard, a mouse device, a game control, a joystick, a pen or stylus,
a trackball, or a track pad.
For the preferred embodiment, the input device 54 is implemented as a handheld remote control capable of transmitting infrared signals carrying commands for controlling the operation of the set-top terminal 48. The remote control can include a
directional keypad having distinct keys, or a joystick, for allowing the user to control direction (up, down, left, right) and relative changes in volume or channel (increase or decrease), as well as absolute changes to channel value via a numeric key
pad. The remote control and its functions are more fully described with respect to FIG. 3.
FIG. 2 illustrates the basic components of the set-top terminal 48. Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the primary components for the set-top terminal 48 include a network receiver 56, a network transmitter 58, a remote control receiver 60, a central
processing unit (CPU) 62, and memory 64. These components are connected by a system bus 70, which can carry control, address, and data signals. The network receiver 56 conducts tuning operations for receiving a selected channel of the interactive
network 10 and decoding operations for decoding compressed digitized data supplied via the interactive network 10. For example, the set-top terminal 48 can include MPEG decoding capability for converting the compressed digitized data into standard
National Television Standard Committee (NTSC) video signals for reception by a conventional television. The network transmitter 58 transmits requests for programming information and related instructions for processing by the headend system 12. The
network receiver 56 and the network transmitter 58 can be connected to the distribution network 16 via the drop cable 46. The remote control receiver 60, which is preferably implemented as an infrared receiving device, can decode signals carrying the
commands issued by the input device 50, such as a remote control 80.
The CPU 62, which is connected to the network receiver and transmitter 56 and 58, as well as to the remote control receiver 60, controls the operations of the set-top terminal 48 and supports the rendering of graphical images of the user
interface. The CPU 62 is typically implemented by at least one microprocessor, such as the model 80486 or the "PENTIUM" microprocessor, manufactured by Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif. The CPU 62 communicates, by means of control, address, and
data signals, with the remaining components of the set-top terminal 48 through the system bus 70. The CPU 62 operates in conjunction with the operating system 66 to retrieve, process, store, and display data. It will be appreciated that the processing
functions of the CPU 62 may be divided among two or more microprocessors to support the presentation of a graphics-intensive user interface. For example, a microprocessor may be dedicated to control operations associated with the bidirectional
communications with the headend system 12, whereas another microprocessor may be dedicated to the generation of graphics.
The memory 64, which is connected to the CPU 62, is useful for storing one or more program modules and data associated with set-top terminal operations. Program modules stored in the memory 64 can include an operating system 66 and one or more
application programs 68. The memory 64 can be implemented as a combination of dynamic memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and static memory, such as read only memory (ROM).
The operating system 66 comprises a set of computer programs that control the internal functions of the set-top terminal and support the execution of other program modules, including application programs 68. The preferred operating system 66
supports a graphics-based presentation of program-related information, including control items that visually represent control functions of the operating system and other program modules. A control item is any visual image that can be manipulated by the
user to perform an operation. The operating system 66 can receive and interpret input data supplied by the input device 54, as received by the remote control receiver 60. As will be described in more detail below with respect to FIG. 3, a user can
"select" and "launch" control items by the use of the input device 54 in a manner similar to the computer arts.
For the preferred set-top terminal 48, the memory includes a ROM containing at least a portion of program module representing "boot code" 72 for initializing the operations of the set-to | | |
