Television terminal data storage

A set top terminal for use with a television program delivery system with menu selection of programs, the set top terminal having a microprocessor and microprocessor instructions for prompting generation of menus, the set top terminal comprising:

• a receiver adapted to receive programs;
• and
• a first hardware upgrade comprising:
• an interface to the set top terminal for communicating data and video signals between the set top terminal and the first hardware upgrade;
• a disc storage device connected to the interface providing local storage capacity;
• and
• a microprocessor capable of communicating with the microprocessor of the set top terminal through the interface.

A system comprising:

• a television program delivery system adapted to deliver television program signals;
• and
• a set top terminal having a microprocessor and microprocessor instructions for prompting generation of menus and comprising:
• a receiver adapted to receive the television program signals;
• and
• a hardware upgrade comprising:
• an interface to the set top terminal for communicating data and video signals between the set top terminal and the hardware upgrade;
• a disc storage device connected to the interface providing local storage capacity;
• and
• a microprocessor capable of communicating with the microprocessor of the set top terminal through the interface.

A television terminal having a microprocessor and microprocessor instructions for prompting generation of menus, the television terminal comprising:

• a television program receiver;
• a hardware upgrade comprising:
• an interface to the television terminal for communicating data and video signals between the television terminal and the hardware upgrade;
• a disc storage device providing local storage capacity;
• and
• a microprocessor capable of communicating with the microprocessor of the television terminal through the interface;
• and
• an output connected to the receiver and the storage device, wherein the output accepts television program signals from the receiver and data signals from the storage device.

A method for delivering television programs through a television program delivery system with menu selection of programs, comprising:

• receiving a television program from one or more headends;
• communicating data and video signals through an interface within a set top terminal, the set top terminal having a microprocessor and microprocessor instructions for prompting generation of menus;
• accessing data using a disc storage device and a microprocessor located on a hardware upgrade, wherein the disc storage device provides local storage capacity, and wherein the upgrade microprocessor is capable of communicating with the microprocessor of the set top terminal through the interface;
• displaying the television program and/or information based on the accessed data.