Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.

Bell Atlantic Corporation

Eugene L Lew

Daniel O'Callaghan

Bruce W Kostreski

Henry G Hudson, Jr

Dynamic programming of a digital entertainment terminal (DET) facilitates operation of the terminal to offer a variety of functionally different broadband services. The terminal can be reprogrammed, as-needed, for each different service offered by one or more information service providers. The terminal includes a network interface module which couples the terminal to a specific type of communication network for receiving a digital broadband channel and providing two-way control signaling communication between the terminal and the network. The terminal also includes a control processor with a program memory. The control processor receives user inputs and controls operations of the terminal and sending and receiving of control signals over the two-way control signaling channel. The program memory stores data received over the digital broadband channel as software executable by the control processor. The audio/video processor converts compressed, digital information received over the broadband channel into signals for driving an audio/video display device, such as a standard television set. The control processor executes the software received and stored in the memory to control subsequent operations of the terminal, including at least some operations of the audio/video processor and at least some responses to user inputs.

Dynamically programmable digital entertainment terminal using downloaded

In a video distribution system, methods and apparatus for rapid channel selection are implemented to reduce the channel-to-channel latencies which might otherwise occur in modern video decoding systems, such as MPEG-2.

Method and apparatus for rapid channel selection

In a video distribution system, methods and apparatus for rapid channel selection are implemented to reduce the channel-to-channel latencies which might otherwise occur in modern video decoding systems, such as MPEG-2. In addition, methods and apparatus are implemented for providing fast forward, fast reverse and channel pause functionality when utilizing staggered start times for a particular program source.

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Olney, MD, United States of America

Eugene L Lew