Patent ID: 7640571

Claim:
A set-top terminal for connecting a subscriber to a cable network said terminal comprising: a processor; and a memory unit, wherein the processor monitors an out-of-band control channel of the cable network for information indicating that a download of data or programming is available and indicating a specified in-band channel for receiving the download of data or programming offered to said set-top terminal over said cable network wherein said processor only accepts said download on said specified in-band channel and records said download in said memory unit when one or more predetermined criteria are satisfied, and wherein said criteria when satisfied indicates that acceptance of said download will cause a minimum of interference with said subscriber's use of said set-top terminal; and wherein each download of programming contains two versions of a programming object, a first programming object for storage in and execution from a first memory section of said memory unit and a second programming object for storage in and execution from a second memory section, of said memory unit wherein said processor downloads one of said two versions of programming in accordance with whether said first or second memory sections is vacant.