The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 04, 2009
Filed:
Sep. 22, 1998
John S. Hendricks, Potomac, MD (US);
Alfred E. Bonner, Bethesda, MD (US);
Richard E. Wunderlich, Alpharetta, GA (US);
Eric C. Berkobin, Woodstock, GA (US);
John S. Hendricks, Potomac, MD (US);
Alfred E. Bonner, Bethesda, MD (US);
Richard E. Wunderlich, Alpharetta, GA (US);
Eric C. Berkobin, Woodstock, GA (US);
Cox Communications, Inc., Atlanta, GA (US);
Abstract
A novel advanced set top terminal having electronic mail capable of digital decompression, menu generation, interactivity, and other advanced functional capabilities for use in a television program delivery system () is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for upgrading existing set top terminals () to provide electronic mail capability and advanced functional capabilities. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems () providing (i) menu driven program selection through the addition of an upgrade module () or menu generation card and (ii) advanced functional capabilities using a set of hardware upgrades (e.g.,) and/or an expansion card. Specifically, the invention is an upgradeable system that supports electronic mail through the use of internal software, hardware upgrades, an upgrade module and/or expansion cards. The upgraded hardware generally includes a microprocessor, various input/output ports (e.g.,), processing circuitry (e.g.,) and memory (e.g.,). The invention results in an upgraded set top terminal having electronic mail that supports: menu generation; interactive services; message services; and on-line databases, among other features and capabilities.