Terminal for suggesting programs offered on a television program delivery system

A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing program description data, and subscriber specific data indicative of a subscriber's programming preferences, wherein the set top terminal receives menu details from the television program delivery system, the set top terminal comprising:

• a means for gathering the subscriber specific data indicative of subscriber preferences to be used in selecting programs, wherein the means for gathering subscriber specific data comprises:
• a first means for storing received menu details;
• a means for generating menu screens by integrating the program control information with the stored menu details;
• a display, connected to the generating means, wherein menu screens to elicit subscriber responses are displayed;
• and
• a subscriber interface means for entering subscriber responses to displayed menu screens;
• a second means, connected to the gathering means, for storing the subscriber specific data;
• a means for receiving the program control information comprising program description data;
• a program selection means, operably connected to the second storing means and the receiving means, for selecting one or more programs using the subscriber specific data and program control information whereby the selected programs correspond to the subscriber's programming preferences;
• and
• wherein the display is used to suggest the selected programs to the subscriber.

A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing program description data, and subscriber specific data indicative of a subscriber's programming preferences, the set top terminal comprising:

• a means for gathering the subscriber specific data indicative of subscriber preferences to be used in selecting programs;
• a means, connected to the gathering means, for storing the subscriber specific data;
• a means for receiving the program control information comprising program description data;
• a program selection means, operably connected to the storing means and the receiving means, for selecting one or more programs using the subscriber specific data and program control information whereby the selected programs correspond to the subscriber's programming preferences, wherein the program selection means comprises:
• a means for matching the subscriber specific data to a program described by the program control information;
• and
• wherein the set top terminal further comprises a means for tuning to the matched program;
• and
• a means, operably connected to the program selection means, for displaying for suggestion the selected programs to the subscriber.

A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing program description data, and subscriber specific data indicative of a subscriber's programming preferences, wherein the set top terminal receives program signals, the set top terminal comprising:

• a means for gathering the subscriber specific data indicative of subscriber preferences to be used in selecting programs;
• a means, connected to the gathering means, for storing the subscriber specific data;
• a means for receiving the program control information comprising program description data;
• a program selection means, operably connected to the storing means and the receiving means, for selecting one or more programs using the subscriber specific data and program control information whereby the selected programs correspond to the subscriber's programming preferences;
• a means, operably connected to the program selection means, for displaying for suggestion the selected programs to the subscriber;
• and
• a means for generating a signal identifying a selected program's location on the received program signal.

A method used by a set top terminal for a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers for display on a television using program control information and subscriber specific data, the method comprising:

• gathering subscriber specific data to be used in selecting programs;
• storing the gathered subscriber specific data;
• receiving program control information to be used in selecting programs;
• selecting one or more programs using a subscriber's programming preferences and the received program control information, wherein the subscriber programming preferences are generated from the subscriber specific data;
• and
• suggesting the selected programs to the subscriber.

A method used by a set top terminal for a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers for display on a television using program control information and subscriber specific data indicative of a subscriber's programming preferences, wherein the set top terminal generates menus based on menu details received over the program television delivery system, the method comprising the following steps:

• storing the received menu details;
• gathering subscriber specific data indicative of subscriber preferences to be used in selecting programs;
• storing the gathered subscriber specific data;
• receiving program control information to be used in selecting programs;
• selecting one or more programs using the stored subscriber specific data and received program control information wherein the selected programs correspond to the subscriber's programming preferences;
• generating menu screens using the stored menu details by integrating the received program control information and the stored menu details;
• displaying menu screens whereby the menu screens identify the selected programs and suggest the selected programs to the subscriber;
• and
• receiving subscriber responses to the menu screens.

A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing menu screen details and program description data, and a subscriber's programming preferences, by searching program abstracts stored in a database for programs which correlate to key words mapped from one or more subscriber responses to search criteria containing a plurality of selectable entries on one or more menu screens, comprising:

• a means for receiving the program control information;
• a means for storing the program abstracts in a database;
• a memory means, connected to the receiving means, for storing the menu screen details;
• means, connected to the memory means for storing menu screen details, for generating menu screens using the stored menu screen details, wherein the menu screens are generated by integrating the program control information with the stored menu screen details, and wherein the menu screens list search criteria comprising the plurality of selectable entries;
• a display wherein the generated menu screens are displayed;
• a subscriber interface means for entering subscriber responses to the plurality of selectable entries on the menu screens;
• a means, connected to the subscriber interface means, for mapping the subscriber responses into the key words;
• a means, connected to the mapping means, for searching the program abstract database for programs consisting of one or more of the key words;
• a program selection means, operably connected to the receiving means and searching means, for selecting one or more programs, wherein programs are selected using the search of the searching means;
• and
• wherein the display is used to suggest the selected programs to the subscriber.

A method used by a set top terminal for a television program delivery system for suggesting programming to subscribers using program control information containing menu screen details by searching program abstracts for programs which correlate to key words mapped from one or more subscriber responses to search criteria containing a plurality of selectable entries on one or more menu screens displayed on a television, comprising the steps of:

• receiving the program control information;
• storing the program abstracts in a database;
• storing menu screen details;
• generating the menu screens wherein the menu screens are generated by integrating the program control information with the stored menu screen details, and wherein the generated menu screens list the search criteria containing the plurality of selectable entries;
• displaying the menu screens;
• gathering subscriber responses to the plurality of selectable entries on the menu screens;
• mapping the subscriber responses into the key words;
• searching the stored program abstracts for abstracts comprising one or more of the key words;
• selecting one or more of the programs, whereby the programs are selected using the search of the stored program abstracts;
• and
• suggesting the selected programs.

A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing mood menu details, and subscriber specific data indicative of a subscriber's programming preferences determined from subscriber responses to a set of mood questions presented on mood menu screens, the set top terminal comprising:

• a means for receiving the program control information containing mood menu details;
• a memory means, connected to the receiving means, for storing the received mood menu details;
• a means, connected to the receiving means and memory means, for generating the mood menu screens by integrating the received program control information with the stored mood menu details;
• a means for displaying one or more of the generated mood menu screens;
• a subscriber interface means for entering subscriber specific data in response to the displayed mood menu screens;
• a program selection means, operably connected to the subscriber interface means and the receiving means, for selecting one or more programs using the subscriber specific data and the program control information whereby the selected programs correspond to the subscriber's programming preferences;
• and
• a means, operably connected to the program selection means, for suggesting the selected programs to the subscriber.

A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing demographic codes created at a remote location and assigned to each television program and demographic data created at a remote location describing subscribers using the set top terminal, comprising:

• a means for receiving the program control information comprising the demographic codes and demographic data;
• a memory means, operably connected to the receiving means, for storing the received demographic data;
• a program selection means, operably connected to the memory means and the receiving means, for selecting one or more programs using the received program control information containing the demographic data and demographic codes;
• and
• a means, operably connected to the program selection means, for displaying for suggestion the selected program.

A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs through the use of program control information and program watched data indicative of a subscriber's most watched programs, the set top terminal comprising:

• a means for receiving program control information;
• a means for gathering the program watched data;
• a memory means for storing the gathered program watched data;
• a program selection means, operably connected to the memory means and the receiving means, for selecting a program using the stored program watched data and the received program control information;
• a means, operably connected to the program selection means, for displaying the selected program.

A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information and channel watched data indicative of a subscriber's favorite channels, the set top terminal comprising:

• a means for gathering the channel watched data;
• a means for receiving the program control information;
• a memory means for storing the gathered channel watched data;
• a processing means, operably connected to the memory means and the receiving means, for determining suggested favorite channels, comprising:
• a channel selection means for selecting a plurality of channels using the stored channel watched data;
• and
• means to generate a signal identifying the selected channels;
• and
• a means, operably connected to the processing means, for displaying a representation of the selected channels.

A television program delivery and presentation system for delivering menu selectable programs to a subscriber in a digital format and for suggesting certain of those delivered programs for viewing by the subscriber on a television, using program control information wherein the programs are combined and compressed with the program control information, comprising:

• a means for converting programs to a digital format;
• a means for generating program control information;
• means, connected to the converting means and the generating means, for packaging the digital format programs using the program control information;
• means for combining and compressing the packaged programs and program control information into a composite signal;
• means for transmitting the composite signal;
• a set top terminal connected to the television comprising:
• a means for receiving the composite signal;
• a means for creating personal profile information;
• a means, connected to the creating means, for storing the personal profile information;
• a means, connected to the receiving means, for generating menus using the program control information;
• a means for gathering viewer mood information using the generated menus;
• a means, connected to the gathering means and storing means, for selecting at least one program for suggestion to the viewer, comprising:
• a means for integrating the stored personal profile information and gathered viewer mood information into selection criteria;
• a means for comparing the selection criteria and the received program control information;
• and
• a means for matching the selection criteria with one or more received programs;
• and
• a means for displaying the suggested program for suggestion to the viewer.

A terminal for program suggestion using user preference data concerning user preferences and program control information concerning available programs, comprising:

• a means for gathering the user preference data;
• a means, connected to the gathering means, for storing the gathered user preference data;
• a means for accessing the program control information;
• a means, connected to the storing means and accessing means, for selecting one or more programs using a subscriber's programming preferences and the program control information, comprising:
• a processor, wherein the subscriber programming preferences are generated from the user preference data;
• and
• a means, connected to the selecting means, for suggesting the selected programs to the user.

A terminal for program suggestion using user preference data concerning user preferences and program control information concerning available programs, comprising:

• a means for gathering the user preference data;
• a means, connected to the gathering means, for storing the gathered user preference data;
• a means for accessing the program control information;
• a means, connected to the storing means and accessing means, for selecting one or more programs using the user preference data and the program control information, whereby the selected programs correspond to the gathered user preference data;
• and
• a kiosk, wherein the kiosk comprises means, connected to the selecting means, for displaying the selected programs for suggestion to the user.

A terminal for program suggestion using user preference data concerning user preferences and program control information concerning available programs, wherein the terminal is used for video rental and to suggest programs stored on video tape, and wherein the program control information comprises information concerning programs stored on video tape, comprising:

• a means for gathering the user preference data;
• a means, connected to the gathering means, for storing the gathered user preference data;
• a means for accessing the program control information;
• a means, connected to the storing means and accessing means, for selecting one or more programs using the user preference data and the program control information, whereby the selected programs correspond to the gathered user preference data;
• and
• a means, connected to the selecting means, for suggesting the selected programs to the user, wherein the means for suggesting comprises a means for indicating a video tape.

A network controller, adapted for remotely controlling a plurality of set top terminals in a television program delivery system, for suggesting programs to subscribers by making program suggestions using subscriber specific data and program control information received from a remotely located source containing program description data, wherein the suggested programs are transmitted to the set top terminal, the network controller comprising:

• a means for receiving the program control information containing program description data;
• a means for gathering the subscriber specific data from a set top terminal;
• a means, connected to the gathering means, for storing the subscriber specific data;
• a means, operably connected to the receiving means and the storing means, for suggesting one or more programs using a subscriber's programming preferences and the received program control information, comprising:
• a processor, wherein the subscriber programming preferences are generated from the subscriber specific data;
• and
• a means, connected to the suggesting means, for transmitting the suggested programs to the set top terminal for presentation to the subscriber.

A network controller, adapted for remotely controlling a plurality of set top terminals in a television program delivery system, for suggesting programs to subscribers by making program suggestions using subscriber specific data indicative of a subscriber's programming preferences received from a set top terminal, program control information received from a remotely located source containing program description data, and program abstracts with key words, wherein the suggested programs are transmitted to the set top terminal, the network controller comprising:

• a means for receiving the program control information containing program description data;
• a means for gathering the subscriber specific data indicative of subscriber preferences from a set top terminal;
• a means, connected to the gathering means, for storing the subscriber specific data;
• a memory means for storing program abstracts;
• a means, operably connected to the receiving means and the storing means, for suggesting one or more programs using the stored subscriber specific data and the received program control information, whereby the suggested programs correspond to the subscriber's programming preferences, wherein key words are used in searching the stored program abstracts to assist in suggesting programs, and wherein the means for suggesting comprises:
• a means for searching the stored program abstracts for one or more programs consisting of one or more of the key words;
• and
• a means, connected to the suggesting means, for transmitting the suggested programs to the set top terminal for presentation to the subscriber.

A program suggestion system for suggesting programs to subscribers of a television program delivery system by using program control information containing program description data and by searching program abstracts stored in a database at a network controller, the suggested programs resulting from a search of the program abstracts for key words sent to the network controller from a set top terminal, wherein the key words are mapped from one or more subscriber responses to a plurality of selectable entries at the set top terminal, the system comprising:

• a set top terminal comprising:
• a means for receiving programs;
• a means for presenting the plurality of selectable entries to the subscriber;
• a subscriber interface means for entering subscriber responses to the plurality of selectable entries;
• and
• a means, connected to the subscriber interface means, for mapping the subscriber responses into the key words;
• and
• a network controller, networked to the set top terminal, comprising:
• a means for receiving the program control information;
• a means for storing the program abstracts in a data base;
• a means for gathering the key words;
• a program selection means, operably connected to the receiving means, gathering means and storing means, for selecting one or more programs for suggestion to the subscriber, comprising:
• a means for searching the program abstract data base for program abstracts consisting of one or more key words;
• and
• a means for distributing the selected programs to the set top terminal.

A network controller for suggesting programs to subscribers of a television program delivery system by using program control information containing program description data and by searching program abstracts for key words that are mapped from one or more subscriber responses received from a set top terminal, comprising:

• a means for receiving the program control information;
• a means for storing the program abstracts in a data base;
• a means for gathering subscriber responses to a plurality of selectable entries from the set top terminal;
• a means, connected to the gathering means, for mapping the subscriber responses into the key words;
• a means, operably connected to the receiving means, storing means, gathering means and mapping means, for suggesting one or more programs, comprising:
• a means, connected to the storing and mapping means, for searching the program abstract data base for one or more key words;
• and
• a means for distributing the suggested programs to the set top terminal.

A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing program description data, by searching program abstracts for programs which correlate to key words mapped from one or more subscriber responses to a plurality of selectable entries presented on a display, comprising:

• a means for receiving the program control information;
• a means for storing the program abstracts in a database;
• a means for presenting the plurality of selectable entries to the subscriber using the display;
• a subscriber interface means for entering subscriber responses to the plurality of selectable entries;
• a means, connected to the subscriber interface means, for mapping the subscriber responses into the key words;
• a means, connected to the mapping means and storing means, for searching the program abstract database for programs consisting of one or more of the key words;
• a program selection means, operably connected to the receiving means and searching means, for selecting one or more programs, wherein programs are selected using the search of the searching means;
• and
• means, connected to the program selection means, for suggesting the selected programs to the subscriber using the display.

A method used in a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers for display on a television using program control information and subscriber specific data, the method comprising:

• gathering subscriber specific data to be used in selecting programs;
• storing the gathered subscriber specific data;
• receiving program control information to be used in selecting programs;
• selecting one or more programs using a subscriber's programming preferences and the received program control information, wherein the subscriber programming preferences are generated from the subscriber specific data;
• and suggesting the selected programs to the subscriber.

A method used in a television program delivery system for suggesting programming to subscribers using program control information containing menu screen details by searching program abstracts for programs which correlate to key words mapped from one or more subscriber responses to search criteria containing a plurality of selectable entries on one or more menu screens displayed on a television, comprising the steps of:

• receiving the program control information;
• storing the program abstracts in a database;
• storing the menu screen details;
• generating the menu screens wherein the menu screens are generated by integrating the received program control information with the stored menu screen details, and wherein the generated menu screens list the search criteria containing the plurality of selectable entries;
• displaying the menu screens;
• gathering subscriber responses to the plurality of selectable entries on the menu screens;
• mapping the gathered subscriber responses into the key words;
• searching the stored program abstracts for abstracts comprising one or more of the key words;
• selecting one or more of the programs, whereby the programs are selected using the search of the stored program abstracts;
• and
• suggesting the selected programs.

A method used in a television program delivery system for suggesting programming to subscribers using program control information and by searching program abstracts for programs which correlate to key words mapped from one or more subscriber responses to a plurality of presented selectable entries, comprising the steps of:

• receiving the program control information;
• storing the program abstracts in a database;
• presenting the plurality of selectable entries;
• gathering subscriber responses to the plurality of selectable entries;
• mapping the gathered subscriber responses into the key words;
• searching the stored program abstracts for abstracts comprising one or more of the key words;
• selecting one or more of the programs, whereby the programs are selected using the search of the stored program abstracts;
• and
• suggesting the selected programs.

A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing scheduled program description data, the set top terminal comprising:

• a means for creating personal profile information;
• a means, connected to the creating means, for storing the personal profile information;
• means for receiving the program control information comprising the scheduled program description data;
• a means, connected to the storing means and receiving means, for selecting at least one program for suggestion to the viewer, comprising:
• a means for transforming the personal profile information into preferred program indicators, wherein a preferred program indicator comprises a program category with each program category having a weighted value;
• a means for matching the preferred program indicators with the scheduled program description data, wherein each scheduled program is assigned a weighted value based on at least one associated program category;
• a means for prioritizing the scheduled programs from highest weighted value programs to lowest weighted value programs;
• a means for indicating one or more programs meeting a predetermined weight related threshold, wherein all other programs are excluded from program suggestion;
• and
• means, operably connected to the program selection means, for displaying for suggestion the selected programs to the subscriber.

A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing scheduled program description data, and subscriber specific data, the set top terminal comprising:

• a means for gathering the subscriber specific data, wherein the subscriber specific data comprises subscriber mood data;
• a means for creating personal profile information;
• a means, connected to the gathering means and the creating means, for storing the subscriber mood data and the personal profile information;
• means for receiving the program control information comprising scheduled program description data;
• a means, connected to the storing means and receiving means, for selecting at least one program for suggestion to the viewer, comprising:
• a means for integrating the personal profile information and subscriber mood data into preferred program indicators, wherein a preferred program indicator comprises a program category with each program category having a weighted value;
• a means for comparing the preferred program indicators with the scheduled program description data in the received program control information, wherein each scheduled program is assigned a weighted value according to at least one associated program category;
• a means for prioritizing the scheduled programs from highest weighted program values to lowest weighted program values;
• a means for indicating one or more programs meeting a predetermined weight threshold, wherein all other programs are excluded from program suggestion;
• and
• means, operably connected to the program selection means, for displaying for suggestion the selected programs to the subscriber.

A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing scheduled program description data, the set top terminal comprising:

• a means for gathering program watched data;
• a means, connected to the gathering means, for storing the program watched data;
• means for receiving the program control information comprising the scheduled program description data;
• a means, connected to the storing means and receiving means, for selecting at least one program for suggestion to the viewer, comprising:
• a means for transforming the program watched data into preferred program indicators, wherein a program indicator comprises a program category with each program category having a weighted value;
• a means for comparing the preferred program indicators with the scheduled program description data, wherein each scheduled program is assigned a weighted value based on at least one associated program category;
• a means for prioritizing the scheduled programs from highest weighted value programs to lowest weighted value programs;
• a means for indicating one or more programs meeting a predetermined weight threshold, wherein all other programs are excluded from program suggestion;
• and
• means, operably connected to the program selection means, for displaying for suggestion the selected programs to the subscriber.

An apparatus for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing program description data, and subscriber specific data, the apparatus comprising:

• a means for gathering the subscriber specific data to be used in selecting programs;
• a means, connected to the gathering means, for storing the subscriber specific data;
• a means for receiving the program control information;
• and
• a program selection means, operably connected to the storing means and the receiving means, for selecting one or more programs using a subscriber's programming preferences and the program control information, comprising:
• a processor, wherein the subscriber programming preferences are generated from the subscriber specific data.

A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing program description data, and subscriber specific data, the set top terminal comprising:

• a means for gathering the subscriber specific data to be used in selecting programs;
• a means, connected to the gathering means, for storing the subscriber specific data;
• means for receiving the program control information containing the program description data;
• program selection means, operably connected to the storing means and the receiving means, for selecting one or more programs using a subscriber's programming preferences and the program control information, comprising:
• a processor, wherein the subscriber programming preferences are generated from the subscriber specific data;
• wherein the program selection means resides within a network controller;
• and
• means, operably connected to the program selection means, for suggesting the selected programs to the subscriber.

A method for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing program description data, and subscriber specific data, the method comprising:

• gathering the subscriber specific data to be used in selecting programs;
• storing the subscriber specific data;
• receiving the program control information;
• and
• selecting one or more programs using a subscriber's programming preferences and the program control information, wherein the subscriber's programming preferences are generated from the subscriber specific data.

An apparatus used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing program description data, and subscriber specific data, the apparatus comprising:

• a remote control, wherein the subscriber specific data is obtained to be used in selecting programs;
• a memory, operably connected to the remote control, wherein the subscriber specific data is stored;
• a demodulator, wherein the program control information containing the program description data is received;
• a central processing unit, operably connected to the memory and the demodulator, wherein programs are selected using a subscriber's programming preferences and the program control information, and wherein the subscriber programming preferences are generated from the subscriber specific data;
• and
• a display, operably connected to the processor, wherein the selected programs are suggested to the subscriber on the display.

An apparatus used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs through the use of program control information and program watched data indicative of a subscriber's most watched programs, the apparatus comprising:

• a demodulator, wherein the program control information is received;
• a remote control interface, wherein the program watched data is gathered;
• a memory, wherein the gathered program watched data is stored;
• a processor, operably connected to the memory and the demodulator, wherein a program is selected using the stored program watched data and the received program control information;
• a display, operably connected to the processor, for displaying the selected program.

An apparatus used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing program description data, by searching program abstracts for programs which correlate to key words mapped from one or more subscriber responses to a plurality of selectable entries presented on a display, the apparatus comprising:

• a demodulator, wherein the program control information is demodulated;
• a memory, connected to the demodulator, wherein the program abstracts are stored;
• a combiner, wherein the plurality of selectable entries are presented to the subscriber using the display;
• a subscriber interface, wherein subscriber responses to the plurality of selectable entries are entered;
• logic circuitry, connected to the subscriber interface, wherein the subscriber responses are mapped into the key words;
• a processor, operably connected to the logic circuitry and the memory, wherein the stored program abstracts are searched for programs consisting of one or more of the key words, and wherein one or more programs are selected using the search;
• and
• wherein the selected programs are suggested to the subscriber using the display.