Functionally modifiable cable television converter system

A cable television converter with remotely modifiable functionality comprising:

• frequency agile data receiver means for receipt of addressable data from a cable television headend on a first channel and for receipt of firmware from said headend on a second channel;
• means for tuning said receiver means to switch to said second channel for receipt of firmware in response to instructions contained in addressable data received on said first channel;
• memory means for storing firmware received on said second channel;
• and
• processor means coupled to said memory means for accessing and executing firmware received from said headend to provide at least one converter function.

Cable television headend apparatus for downloading firmware to an addressable remotely modifiable cable television converter, comprising:

• means for transmitting addressable converter data on a first data channel of a cable television network;
• means for transmitting firmware on a second data channel of said cable television network;
• means for providing an address in said addressable converter data specific to a particular converter coupled to the network, said address enabling specific data to be received by said converter on said first data channel;
• and
• means for providing instructions in said specific data, said instructions causing said converter to switch to said second channel to receive firmware.

A method for providing a cable television converter with functions dictated by downloaded firmware, comprising the steps of:

• receiving converter control data from a remote headend location;
• capturing a designated firmware package, from a set of different firmware packages dictating various converter functions and transmitted from said remote headend location, in response to instructions contained in said converter control data;
• storing the designated firmware package in a memory provided in said converter;
• and
• executing said firmware to provide at least one converter function dictated thereby.

A remotely modifiable user terminal comprising:

• means for receiving a plurality of cyclically transmitted firmware segments together comprising a firmware package;
• means coupled to said receiving means for verifying each segment upon receipt thereof;
• means responsive to said verifying means for storing each verified segment;
• means for determining if a complete firmware package has been stored in said storing means at the completion of a firmware transmission cycle;
• means responsive to said determining means for continuing to receive, verify, and store transmitted firmware segments during a subsequent firmware transmission cycle if said determining means finds that a complete firmware package has not been stored;
• and
• means for terminating the reception of firmware segments upon a finding by said determining means that a complete firmware package has been stored.