Virtual channels in subscriber interface units

Abstract

A subscriber interface unit for use in conjunction with a television and a remote cable network headend having a plurality of available programs. The available programs include broadcast television channels and executable applications. The executable applications are intended to be received and executed at the subscriber interface unit. The subscriber interface unit maintains a virtual channel table having entries for a plurality of virtual channel numbers. An entry for a particular virtual channel number includes a designation of an available program from the headend which is to be associated with the virtual channel number. The program can be a broadcast channel or an executable application such as an electronic programming guide. The subscriber interface unit has a channel selector which maintains a current virtual channel number and which is responsive to commands by a human viewer to change the current virtual channel number. When a virtual channel is selected, the subscriber interface unit requests associated program from the remote headend and presents it on the video display device. If the selected virtual channel is associated with an executable application, the subscriber interface unit downloads and executes the application.