Patent Publication Number: US-10321165-B2

Title: Set-top box with interactive portal and system and method for use of same

Description:
PRIORITY STATEMENT &amp; CROSS-REFERENCE APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No. 62/555,303, entitled “Set-Top Box with Interactive Portal and System and Method for Use of Same”, filed on Sep. 7, 2017, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al.; which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. This application is also a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/824,766, entitled “Set-Top Box with Interactive Portal and System and Method for Use of Same”, filed on Nov. 28, 2017, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/417,554 entitled “Set-Top Box with Interactive Portal and System and Method for Use of Same” and filed on Jan. 27, 2017, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,832,489 issued on Nov. 28, 2017; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/074,067 entitled “Set-Top Box with Interactive Portal and System and Method for Use of Same” and filed on Mar. 18, 2016, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,560,388 issued on Jan. 31, 2017; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/803,428 entitled “Set-Top Box with Interactive Portal and System and Method for Use of Same” and filed on Jul. 20, 2015, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,326,009 issued on Apr. 26, 2016; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/294,123 entitled “Set-top Box with Interactive Portal and System and Method for Use of Same” and filed on Jun. 2, 2014, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 9,088,828 issued on Jul. 21, 2015; which claims priority from U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/829,932 entitled “On-Screen Display” and filed on May 31, 2013 in the name of Vanessa Ogle; all of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates, in general, to set-top boxes and, in particular, to set-top boxes with interactive portals and systems and methods for use of the same that provide additional functionality to residences, as an example. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     To many individuals, a television is more than just a display screen, rather it is a doorway to the world, both real and imaginary, and a way to experience new possibilities and discoveries. To enhance the experience, consumers are desiring televisions with enhanced content in an easy-to-use platform. As a result of such consumer preferences, the quality of content and ease-of-use of televisions are frequent differentiators in determining the experience. Accordingly, there is a need for improved systems and methods for providing televisions with enhanced content in an easy-to-use platform for uses in residences and other locations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It would be advantageous to achieve a set-top box that would improve upon existing limitations in functionality. It would also be desirable to enable a computer-based electronics and software solution that would provide a television or other display with enhanced content in an easy-to-use platform in a residential environment or in another environment. To better address one or more of these concerns, a set-top box with an interactive portal and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, the set-top box includes a housing that secures a signal input, a signal output, a processor, a transceiver, and memory therein in an interconnected bus architecture. The set-top box receives a status signal via the transceiver from an amenity. The set-top box then generates an interactive portal that includes a status icon relating to the status signal and a management icon relating to commanding the amenity or initiating a service request. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a system utilizing set-top boxes with interactive portals being employed in a residential environment, according to the teachings presented herein; 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a display depicted in  FIG. 1 , under control of the set-top box, exhibiting exemplary enhanced functionality; 
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of the display depicted in  FIG. 1 , under control of the set-top box, exhibiting exemplary enhanced functionality; 
         FIG. 2C  is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of the display depicted in  FIG. 1 , under control of the set-top box, exhibiting exemplary enhanced functionality; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a home depicted as a residence wherein the system is being advantageously utilized 
         FIG. 4A  is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a set-top box depicted in  FIG. 1  in further detail; 
         FIG. 4B  is a rear elevation view of the set-top box depicted in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4C  is a front perspective view of a dongle depicted in  FIG. 1  in further detail; 
         FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of the set-top box presented in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a method utilizing set-top boxes with interactive portals according to the teachings presented herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , therein is depicted one embodiment of a system  10  utilizing a set-top box  12  with an interactive portal. The set-top box  12  may be utilized in an environment E, which may be a single family residence such as a house, duplex, or townhome. Alternatively, the environment E may be a hospitality lodging establishment or more generally, hospitality property, which may be a furnished multi-family residence, dormitory, lodging establishment, hotel, hospital, or other multi-unit environment. The set-top box  12  is located in a room R of the environment E and is communicatively disposed with various amenities associated with the environment E. The set-top boxes  12  may be located in communication with a server  14 , which may be co-located within the environment E or alternatively, as shown, located within a cloud C. 
     As illustrated, in one embodiment, within the room R, the system  10  includes the set-top box  12  and a display  16  having a screen  18 . The display  16  may be a television or any electronic visual display device, for example. The set-top box  12  includes a housing  20 . A connection, which is depicted as an HDMI connection  22 , connects the set-top box  12  at the housing  20  to the display  16 . Other connections include a power cable  24  coupling the set-top box  12  to a power source, a coaxial cable  26  coupling the set-top box  12  to an external cable source, and a category five (Cat 5) cable  28  coupling the set-top box  12  to an external source. As shown, the set-top box  12  may include a dongle  30  providing particular technology and functionality extensions thereto. That is, the set-top box  12  may be a set-top box-dongle combination in one embodiment. More generally, it should be appreciated that the cabling connected to the set-top box  12  will depend on the environment and application, and the cabling connections presented in  FIG. 1  are depicted for illustrative purposes. Further, it should be appreciated that the positioning of the set-top box  12  will vary depending on environment and application and, with certain functionality, the set-top box  12  may be placed more discretely behind the display  16 . 
     An amenity status/control suite  32  represents the status and control of various amenities, such as residential amenities, associated with the individual I in the environment E. The various amenities may include lights  34 , a thermostat, shades, and a doorbell  36 , for example. The set-top box  12  may also be communicatively disposed with these various amenities, which may also include a CD/DVD player, and a radio tuner. The set-top box  12  is communicatively disposed with these various amenities. In one embodiment, the set-top box  12  is communicatively disposed with the amenities of the amenity status/control suite  32  in order to, in part, receive status updates from the amenities and control the amenities. A service suite  38  represents a set of services associated with the individual I living or staying in the environment E. The various guest services may include maid service  40 , pool service, and food delivery service  42 , for example. The set-top box  12  is communicatively disposed with these various services to, in part, receive status updates about the various services and to make service inquiries and requests, for example. 
     In one embodiment, the individual I may issue voice commands, such as signaling S 1 , from a distance to the set-top box  12  in order to control the display  16  via the set-top box  12 , for example, or interact with the amenity status/control suite  32  or the service suite  38 . A television remote control  44  includes an array of buttons for adjusting various settings such as television channel and volume. In one embodiment, the television remote control  44  may be a consumer infrared (IR), Bluetooth or other wireless-protocol-based device configured as a small wireless handheld object that issues commands, such as signaling S 2 , from a distance to the set-top box  12  in order to control the display  16  via the set-top box  12 , for example, or interact with the amenity status/control suite  32  or the service suite  38 . A proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device  46  is illustrated as a tablet computer having a touch screen display. Although a tablet computer is depicted, the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device  46  may be a personal computer, laptop, smart phone, smart speaker, or smart watch, for example. The proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device  46  issues commands, such as signaling S 3 , from a distance to the set-top box  12  in order to control the display  16  via the set-top box  12 , for example, or interact with the amenity status/control suite  32  or the service suite  38 . 
     In one operational embodiment, in response to receiving a status update, via signaling S 4 , from the amenity status/control suite  32 , and, in particular, from lights  34 , the set-top box  12  has generated an interactive portal  50 . Alternatively, in another implementation, the individual I may press a service button on a device, such as the television remote control  44  or the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device  46 , or navigate a menu to cause the generation of the interactive portal  50 , which may be overlayed or superimposed on the program P on the display  16 , in one embodiment, or partially or fully integrated therewith. The interactive portal  50  includes interactive icons  52 , and more particularly icons  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 , and  64 . Additionally, informational presentation  66  is provided, which includes date and time. It should be appreciated that any number or configuration of interactive icons  52  may be presented, including an entire screen of interactive icons  52  or a scrolling feature allowing a defined space to provide many sheets of interactive icons  52 . By way of example and not by way of limitation, the interactive icons  52  may include status icons, control icons, and service icons relating to lighting, security alarm systems, garage doors, front doors, hot-water heaters, sump pumps, door bells, pet bowls, HVAC systems, and entry points, for example. 
     In the embodiment shown, the icon  54  provides interaction with the lighting system to control the lights in the environment E. The icon  56 , a status icon initially generated from receipt of the signal S 4  at the set-top box  12 , indicates that a light bulb needs replacement. The icon  58  is a management icon providing for a service request, and actuation of the icon  58  by way of the individual&#39;s voice command, the remote control  44 , or the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device  46 , for example, generates, by way of the set-top box  12 , a maintenance request in substantially real time. The maintenance request may be sent to household member or other individual charged with lightbulb replacement. The icon  60 , in this instance, indicates that the household is out of light bulbs and actuation of the icon  60 , which executes a product fulfillment, orders the appropriate lightbulb from a third-party service. The icon  62 , a status icon, indicates a load of laundry is now complete in the washer. The icon  64  provides a snooze function for the load of laundry and sets a reminder to appear on the display  16  at the end of the program P, for example. 
     As shown, the individual I views the interactive portal  50 , including the icon  56 . The individual I utilizes the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device  46  to send an interactive instruction in the form of a command to the set-top box to actuate icon  58  to order maintenance of the lightbulb by, in one implementation, adding the lightbulb replacement to a “honey-do” list or causing the set-top box  12  to send a text message, using signaling S 5  to the person responsible for lightbulb replacement. The individual I also sends an interactive instruction in the form of a command to snooze the clean laundry in the washing machine until the program P is concluded. Signaling S 5  is an example of the communication and signaling between the set-top box  12  and the amenity/control suite  32  in order to, for example, receive status updates from various amenities and control the various amenities. The control may relate to changing the status or state of an amenity or adjusting a parameter such as light or temperature. 
     The icons, including the status icons and the management icons, may be words, graphical representations or a combination of words and graphical representations, for example. In one implementation, the icons and information presentations may be language independent. In this manner, the set-top box  12  is providing various environmental support without the need for additional technology. Further, complex systems that require additional training are not needed as the systems and methods presented herein are intuitive. 
     In the embodiments presented in  FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C , the icons may represent status icons and management icons, for example. The status icons provide a description of the state of the amenity. The management icon may be a command request that operates the amenity or a service request that solicits a third-party (e.g., non-set-top box) order selected from the group consisting of repair, maintenance, and product fulfillment. By way of example and not by way of limitation, with reference to  FIG. 2A , the display  16  includes the screen which is showing the program P 2 . The interactive portal  50  includes an icon  74  providing the temperature, an icon  76  indicating the dishwasher has 10 minutes remaining in a cleaning cycle, an icon  78  indicating mail has arrived, an icon  80  indicating the refrigerator is out of beverages, an icon  82  indicating the dog bowl is out of water, and an icon  84  representing an alarm. With reference to  FIG. 2B , the interactive portal  50  includes an icon  94  showing the temperature, icons  96 ,  98  to increase or decrease the temperature, an icon  100  to launch a service request for the Internet, an icon  102  to change channels to a news program, and an icon  104  to change channels to a drama. Continuing with the range of examples of icons  50 , with reference to  FIG. 2C , icon  114  shows a refrigerator and indicates the refrigerator is not cooling and may require maintenance. An icon  116  provides contact information for a refrigerator service company and permits an individual I to contact the refrigerator service company to repair the refrigerator. An icon  118  provides access to a streaming service. An icon  120  displays a lightbulb and permits the lights in the room to be brightened. An icon  122  displays a lightbulb also and permits the lights in the room to be dimmed. An icon  124  provides information about the weather. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the environment E is depicted as a single family residence and more particularly, home H utilizing one embodiment of the systems presented herein. The home H includes a first floor  152 , a second floor  154 , a basement  156 , and a yard  158 . A living room  160 , an entryway  162 , and a kitchen  164  are located on the first floor  152 . In the living room  160 , the display  16  receives programming through the set-top box  12  which may provide cable programming or satellite programming, for example. 
     Sensors are associated with various household amenities throughout the first floor  152 , second floor  154 , basement  156 , and yard  158  of the home H. The sensors may also be partially or fully integrated into the amenities. In one embodiment, each sensor or amenity is operable to transmit a wireless signal in response to an event occurrence associated with the respective household amenity. As will be discussed further below, the event may be the ringing of a doorbell, the detection of water, or the detection of a low battery, for example. Further, in one embodiment, each sensor is operable to transmit a wireless signal in response to a status request or periodically. The set-top box  12  receives the wireless signals from the sensors and generates the aforementioned interactive portal  50 . Such messaging provides a television viewer with the ability to monitor the status of home H and determine home awareness while engaged in watching television programming. 
     By way of example, the entryway  162  includes a front door  166  having a doorbell associated therewith. A sensor connected to the doorbell senses when the doorbell is rung and sends a corresponding wireless signal to the set-top box, which incorporates an icon representative of “DOORBELL” into the interactive portal. The television viewer or viewers see the icon and are aware of the ringing doorbell while watching the television in the living room  160 . This is particularly useful in instances where the television viewers have the television volume excessively high or the doorbell amplifier and speaker is sufficiently removed from the living room  160 . 
     By way of further example, the kitchen  164  includes a number of household amenities such as a refrigerator  168  that is equipped with a sensor that detects the status of the refrigerator door, i.e., open or closed. When the refrigerator door is open for more than 30 seconds, for example, a wireless signal is transmitted from the sensor to the set-top box  12 . The set-top box  12  includes an icon in the interactive portal meaning “REFRIGERATOR DOOR AJAR”. A smoke detector  170  is another household amenity that is located in the kitchen  164 . A sensor associated with the smoke detector  170  monitors the battery and sends an appropriate wireless signal to the set-top box  12  when the battery becomes low. Additionally, the sensor associated with the smoke detector  170  transmits a wireless signal when the smoke detector detects smoke. A smart speaker  48  is located on a counter top in the kitchen  164  to communicate with the set-top box  12  as previously discussed. 
     The second floor  154  of the house H includes a study  172 , a hallway  174 , and a bedroom  176 . As illustrated, a computer  178  is located in the study  172 . A sensor associated with the computer  178  sends a wireless signal to the set-top box  12  in response to receiving an e-mail. A telephone  180  is sitting on a stand in hallway  174 . A sensor associated with the telephone  180  monitors for an incoming call and broadcasts a wireless signal in response thereto. The bedroom  176  includes an entry point or window  182  having a sensor associated with a security system. The sensor broadcasts a wireless signal in response to the detection of broken glass or the opening of the window  182 , for example. 
     Similarly, the basement  156  includes a number of household amenities having sensors associated therewith that send wireless signals to the set-top box  12 . A water shut-off box  184 , a hot water heater  186 , a washer and dryer  188 , a meat freezer  190 , and a sump pump  192  each have a sensor that detects the occurrence of an event. The sensor associated with the water shut-off box  184  may detect the condition of the water valve; namely open or closed. The sensor associated with the washer and dryer  188  alerts the television viewer when a load has finished washing or drying. The sensor associated with the meat freezer  190  detects an ajar door and the sensor associated with the sump pump  192  broadcasts a wireless signal upon detecting the presence of water. 
     The amenities found in yard  158  may also include sensors. A mailbox  194  may include a sensor that detects the opening and closing of the mailbox door in order to provide an indication that mail has arrived. Additionally, a pet bowl  196  may include a sensor that detects the emptying of the food in the bowl. The household amenities described herein encompass simple mailboxes to complex security systems. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the home H utilizing the systems presented herein permits members of the household to monitor any technology that the household is inclined to implement. In particular, the sensors may monitor household amenities relating to the environment, family comfort, utilities, appliances, and security. By way of further example, the sensors may monitor the turning ON or OFF of particular lights, power usage, the opening and closing of a garage door, the turning ON and OFF of an iron, the freezing of a pipe, the presence of water leaks, the presence of gas or carbon monoxide (CO), temperature and humidity, the efficiency of an HVAC system, and the presence of smoke or fire. Additionally, the system for home awareness may provide schedule reminders, medical alerts, and the like. 
     It should be understood that although only one display, a television, is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the systems and methods presented herein may be utilized in a multiple television or multiple display environment wherein a monitoring unit associated with each display receives all or a portion of the wireless signals from the sensors and provides the appropriate text messages. In one implementation, the computer  178  located in the study  172  has a monitoring unit connected therewith so that a user of the computer  178  is provided with home awareness. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B ,  FIG. 4C  and  FIG. 5 , as used herein, set-top boxes, back boxes and set-top/back boxes may be discussed as set-top boxes. By way of example, the set-top box  12  may be a set-top unit that is an information appliance device that generally contains set-top box functionality including having a television-tuner input and displays output through a connection to a display or television set and an external source of signal, turning by way of tuning the source signal into content in a form that can then be displayed on the television screen or other display device. Such set-top boxes are used in cable television, satellite television, and over-the-air television systems, for example. 
     The set-top box  12  includes the housing  20  having a cover  220  having a rear wall  222 , front wall  224 , top wall  226 , bottom base  228 , and two sidewalls  230 ,  232 . It should be appreciated that front wall, rear wall, and side wall are relative terms used for descriptive purposes and the orientation and the nomenclature of the walls may vary depending on application. The front wall includes various ports, ports  234 ,  236 ,  238 ,  240 ,  242 ,  244 ,  246 ,  248 , and  250  that provide interfaces for various interfaces, including inputs and outputs. In one implementation, as illustrated, the ports  234  through  250  include inputs  252  and outputs  254  and, more particularly, an RF input  256 , a RJ-45 input  258 , universal serial bus (USB) input/outputs  260 , an Ethernet category 5 (Cat 5) coupling  262 , an internal reset  264 , an RS232 control  266 , an audio out  268 , an audio in  270 , and a debug/maintenance port  272 . The front wall  224  also includes various inputs  252  and outputs  254 . More particularly, ports  280 ,  282 ,  284 , and  286  include a 5V dc power connection  290 , USB inputs/outputs  292 , an RJ-45 coupling  294 , an HDMI port  296 , and a microphone  298 . It should be appreciated that the configuration of ports may vary with the set-top box depending on application and context. As previously alluded to, the housing  20  may include a housing-dongle combination including, with respect to the dongle  30 , a unit  300  having a cable  302  with a set-top box connector  304  for selectively coupling with the set-top box  12 . 
     Within the housing  20 , a processor  310 , memory  312 , storage  314 , the inputs  252 , and the outputs  254  are interconnected by a bus architecture  166  within a mounting architecture. It should be understood that the processor  310 , memory  312 , storage  314 , the inputs  252 , and the outputs  254  may be entirely contained within the housing  20  or the housing-dongle combination. The processor  310  may process instructions for execution within the computing device, including instructions stored in the memory  312  or in storage  314 . The memory  312  stores information within the computing device. In one implementation, the memory  312  is a volatile memory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory  312  is a non-volatile memory unit or units. Storage  314  provides capacity that is capable of providing mass storage for the set-top box  12 . The various inputs  252  and outputs  254  provide connections to and from the computing device, wherein the inputs  252  are the signals or data received by the set-top box  12 , and the outputs  254  are the signals or data sent from the set-top box  12 . 
     A content signal input  318  and a television output  320  are also secured in the housing  20  in order to receive content from a source in the hospitality lodging establishment and forward the content, including external content such as cable and satellite and pay-per-view (PPV) programming, to the television located within the hotel room. A transceiver  322  is associated with the set-top box and communicatively disposed with the bus architecture  316 . As shown the transceiver  322  may be internal, external, or a combination thereof to the housing  20 . Further, the transceiver  322  may be a transmitter/receiver, receiver, or an antenna for example. Communication between various amenities in the environment E and the set-top box  12  may be enabled by a variety of wireless methodologies employed by the transceiver  322 , including 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), Bluetooth low energy and Bluetooth, for example. Also, infrared (IR) may be utilized. 
     The memory  312  and storage  314  are accessible to the processor  310  and include processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor  310  to execute a series of operations. A configuration profile is associated with the storage  314  and the memory  312 . The memory and processor-executable instructions enable the set-top box  12  to control multiple proximate amenities related to a user&#39;s stay in a lodging establishment in a multi-room environment, including the particular amenity to be controlled. Further, a database having multiple annotated service profiles may be stored in the storage  314  or the memory  312 . Each of the annotated service profiles corresponds to the multiple proximate amenities and includes information relative to the service requests. 
     The processor-executable instructions cause the processor  310  to send via the television output  320  to the display  16 , instructions for the interactive portal  50  and interactive icons  52  that are shown on the display  16 . More particularly, the processor-executable instructions cause the processor  310  to receive a status signal via the transceiver  322  from an amenity. Then, the processor-executable instructions cause the processor  310  to access the configuration profile and determine a status icon relative to the status signal. As previously discussed, the status icon provides a description of the state of the amenity. Based on the processor-executable instructions, the processor  310  is caused to access the configuration profile and determine a management icon relative to the status signal. The management icon may include a service request which solicits an order, which in one implementation, the order may be a third-party order such as repair, maintenance, or product fulfillment. The processor-executable instructions then cause the processor  310  to generate an interactive portal  50  including the status icon and the management icon. The processor  310  then forwards the interactive portal  50  to the display  16  via the signal output and waits to receive an interactive instruction relative to the management icon. Upon receipt of the interactive instruction, the set-top box  12  executes. 
     During operation, the processor  310  may be caused to evaluate the spoken sequence of words S 1  by the individual I to assign a meaning to the spoken sequence of words S 1  and then generate the interactive instruction. With respect to a service request, the processor  310 , following receipt of the interactive instruction, may send the set-top box a service request to the appropriate entity, or control an amenity with a command. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , one embodiment of a method utilizing set-top boxes with interactive portals is depicted. At block  340 , the methodology is initiated. At blocks  342  and  344  respectively, a notification signal is received at the set-top box and the meaning of the notification signal is determined. The notification signal may relate to a status of an amenity and a description of the state of the amenity as, in one embodiment, the set-top box is communicatively disposed with the amenity in order to, for example, receive status updates and send commands to control the amenity. At decision block  346 , if control options are applicable to the signal received, then at block  348  control options are determined prior to advancing to decision block  350 . On the other hand, if control options are not applicable, then the methodology advances to decision block  350 . At decision block  350 , the set-top box evaluates if service options are applicable. If service options are applicable, then the methodology advances to block  352  where the service options are determined before the methodology advances to block  354 . If service options are not applicable, then the methodology advances to block  354 . At block  354 , an interactive portal is generated and then sent to the display at block  356 . At block  358  the set-top box waits for a response and as shown by decision block  360 , once a response is received by the set-top box as shown by decision blocks  362  and  364 , the command signal is processed and executed. 
     The order of execution or performance of the methods and data flows illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, elements of the methods and data flows may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methods may include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular element before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are all possible sequences of execution. 
     While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.