Dynamically programmable digital entertainment terminal using downloaded software to control broadband data operations

A method of providing an interactive communication service comprising:

• establishing a communication link between a selected one of at least two available information service providers supplying software and digitized audio and video information and a digital entertainment terminal, said communication link providing downstream transport of broadband, digital information to the digital entertainment terminal;
• receiving the corresponding software executable by a control processor of the digital entertainment terminal from the one information service provider via the communication link;
• storing the software in a memory within the digital entertainment terminal;
• receiving digitized audio and video information over the communication link;
• and
• supplying the software from the memory to the control processor for execution, to control interactions of a user of the digital entertainment terminal with a service offered by the one information service provider and to produce an audio/video output responsive to the received digitized audio and video information.

A digital entertainment terminal comprising:

• a network interface module for coupling the terminal to a communication network for receiving a digital broadband channel and providing two-way control signaling communication between the terminal and the network;
• a control processor controlling operations of the terminal and sending and receiving control signals over the two-way control signaling channel through the network interface module;
• means for receiving inputs from a user and providing corresponding signals to the control processor;
• system memory for storing software executable by the control processor, the system memory comprising non-volatile memory storing an operating system for the control processor and random access memory storing application software executable by the control processor, at least a portion of the application software having been received over the communication network;
• and
• an audio/video processor responsive to compressed, digital audio and video information received over the digital broadband channel through the network interface module and controlled by the control processor during execution of said software, the audio/video processor comprising:
• (a) an audio/video decoder for decompressing the compressed, digital information received over the broadband channel to produce a decompressed video signal and a decompressed audio signal;
• (b) a graphics overlay controller, controlled by the control processor during execution of said software, for generating graphic display information;
• and
• (c) means for combining the graphic display information with the decompressed video signal, to produce a signal for driving a video display device.

A communication method comprising:

• establishing a communication link between a digital entertainment terminal and one of a plurality of available information service providers carrying broadband digital information to the digital entertainment terminal;
• determining if the one information service provider is authorized to download operating system software;
• if the one service provider is authorized, receiving operating system software executable by a control processor of the digital entertainment terminal from the one information service provider via the communication link and storing the operating system software in a memory within the digital entertainment terminal;
• receiving digitized audio and video information over the communication link;
• and
• supplying the operating system software from the memory to the control processor for execution to control operations of the digital entertainment terminal.

A communication method comprising:

• establishing a communication link between a digital entertainment terminal and one of a plurality of available information service providers carrying broadband, digital information to the digital entertainment terminal;
• determining if operating system software previously stored in a memory within the digital entertainment is compatible with a service offered by the one information service provider;
• if the previously stored operating system software is compatible, supplying the previously stored operating system software from the memory to a control processor for execution;
• if the previously stored operating system software is not compatible:
• (1) determining if the one information service provider is authorized to download operating system software,
• (2) if the one information service provider is authorized, receiving new operating system software executable by the control processor from the one information service provider via the communication link,
• (3) writing the new operating system software in the memory over the previously stored operating system software, and
• (4) supplying the new operating system software from the memory to the control processor for execution;
• receiving digitized audio and video information over the communication link;
• and
• providing the user a service responsive to the received digitized audio and video information and controlled by the executed operating system software.

An information distribution system comprising:

• a communication network selectively providing control signaling links and broadband communications channels;
• a plurality of information service provider systems connected to the network, each provider system being capable of receiving control signal inputs via a control signaling link through the communication network and transmitting broadband digital information via a broadband communication channel through the communication network;
• and
• a plurality of digital entertainment terminals, one terminal comprising:
• a network interface module for coupling the one terminal to the communication network for receiving a digital broadband channel from one of the provider systems and transmitting control signals to the one provider system;
• a control processor controlling basic operations of the one terminal in response to execution of operating system software and generating the control signals for transmission to the one provider system;
• means for receiving inputs from a user and providing corresponding signals to the control processor;
• program memory for storing application software executable by the control processor, wherein the control processor causes predetermined data received over the digital broadband channel to be stored as said application software in the program memory;
• and
• an audio/video processor responsive to compressed, digital information received over the digital broadband channel to produce a signal for driving an audio/video display device,
• wherein the control processor executes the application software in the memory to control subsequent operations of the one terminal, including at least some operations of the audio/video processor and at least some responses to the inputs from the user in accord with a service offered by the one provider system.