Patent ID: 9009773
Filing Date: 2015-04-14
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A set-top terminal (STT), comprising: a modem, coupled to a first communication medium, the modem configured to receive user requested data from at least one of a plurality of online services via the first communication medium, wherein the first communication medium is a two-way communication medium; a memory that stores programming instructions; a first processor to execute the programming instructions in the memory; a tuner, coupled to a cable headend via a two-way second communication medium and coupled to the first processor, for tuning to a particular frequency for receiving program signals from the cable headend via the second two-way communication medium, in response to instructions from said first processor, the program signals including programming data and menu data, the menu data providing being used by the first processor to generate alterable menu options for selecting one of the plurality of online services to establish communication with via the modem and the first two-way communication medium, for selling users subscriptions to services, and for allowing a user to view promotional menus on future programming events; a display generation module coupled to the first processor that provides a representation of text and graphical information of the menu data received via the second two-way communication medium, wherein the representation is a promotional menu, which is generated when a numeric television channel is requested that does not exist, a virtual channel being created for presenting the promotional menu; a control input interface, coupled only and directly to the first processor, that converts user inputs to provide control signals to the first processor, the control signals directing the first processor to selectively execute routines for tuning to the particular frequency, for accessing the on-line services over the first two-way communication medium from the menu option defined by the data contained in the program signal received from the cable headend over the second two-way communication medium, and for displaying the received user requested data on the display module; an upgrade device having: an upgrade interface, coupled directly only to the first processor and the upgrade device, for providing communication between the first processor and the second processor to implement the additional upgrade functionality.