WO1994014284B1 - Reprogrammable terminal for suggesting programs offered on a television program delivery system - Google Patents

Abstract

A novel reprogrammable set top terminal (220) for a television program delivery system (200) which suggests programs for viewing is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for reprogramming set top terminals (220), and selecting and displaying programs to suggest to subscribers for viewing. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems (200) with hundreds of channels of programming, a menu driven program selection system, and a program control information signal which carries data and identifies the available program choices. Specifically, the invention relates to remote reprogramming of terminal memory and the gathering and analysis of data for selecting programs to suggest to a subscriber. The invention is a terminal which includes a means for receiving incoming signals, a processor (602), memory, and a means to generate menu screens for display on a TV or monitor. Various data gathering and analysis techniques are used to customize selection of programs for display on a menu.

Claims

94AMENDED CLAIMS[received by the International Bureau on 1 August 1994 (01.08.94); original claims 1-32 amended; new claims 33-56 added (25 pages)]

1. A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing program description data, and subscriber specific data indicative of a subscribers programming preferences, the set top terminal comprising: a means for gathering the subscriber specific data indicative of subscriber preferences to be used in selecting programs; a means, connected to the gathering means, for storing the subscriber specific data; means for receiving the program control information comprising program description data; program selection means, operably connected to the storing means and the receiving means, for selecting one or more programs using the subscriber specific data and program control information whereby the selected programs correspond to the subscribers programming preferences; and means, operably connected to the program selection means, for displaying for suggestion the selected programs to the subscriber.

2. The set top terminal of claim 1 wherein the means for gathering subscriber specific data comprises a means for obtaining the subscriber specific data indicative of subscriber preferences from a remote location.

3. The set top terminal of claim 1 wherein the set top terminal receives menu details from the television program delivery system 95

and wherein the means for gathering subscriber specific data comprises: a memory means for storing received menu details; a means for generating menu screens by integrating the program control information with the stored menu details; a means, connected to the generating means, for displaying menu screens to elicit subscriber responses; and a subscriber interface means for entering subscriber responses to displayed menu screens.

4. The set top terminal of claim 1 wherein the program selection means comprises: a means for matching the subscriber specific data to a program described by the program control information; and wherein the set top terminal further comprises a means for tuning to the matched program.

5. The set top terminal of claim 1 wherein the set top terminal receives program signals, the set top terminal further comprising a means for generating a signal identifying a selected program's location on the received program signal.

6. The set top terminal of claim 3 wherein the stored menu details a cursor overlay and the means for generating menu screens comprises a means for generating the cursor overlay, and wherein the subscriber interface means comprises a means for moving the generated cursor overlay on the displayed menu screens.

7. A method used by a set top terminal for a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers for display 96

on a television using program control information and subscriber specific data indicative of a subscribers programming preferences, the method comprising: gathering subscriber specific data indicative of subscriber preferences to be used in selecting programs; storing the gathered subscriber specific data; receiving program control information to be used in selecting programs; selecting one or more programs using the stored subscriber specific data and received program control information wherein the selected programs correspond to subscriber preferences; and suggesting the selected programs to the subscriber.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the set top terminal generates menus based on menu details received over the program television delivery system further comprising the following steps: storing the received menu details; generating menu screens using the stored menu details by integrating the received program control information with the stored menu details; displaying menu screens whereby the menu screens identify the selected programs; and receiving subscriber responses to the menu screens.

9. A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing menu screen details and program description data, and subscribers programming preferences, by searching program abstracts stored in a database for 97

programs which correlate to key words mapped from one or more subscriber responses to search criteria containing a plurality of selectable entries on one or more menu screens, comprising: a means for receiving the program control information; a means for storing the program abstracts in a database; a memory means, connected to the receiving means, for storing the menu screen details; means, connected to the memory means for storing menu screen details, for generating menu screens using the stored menu screen details, wherein the menu screens are generated by integrating the program control information with the stored menu screen details, and wherein the menu screens list search criteria comprising the plurality of selectable entries; a means for displaying the generated menu screens; a subscriber interface means for entering subscriber responses to the plurality of selectable entries on the menu screens; a means, connected to the subscriber interface means, for mapping the subscriber responses into the key words; a means, connected to the mapping means, for searching the program abstract database for programs consisting of one or more of the key words; a program selection means, operably connected to the receiving means and searching means, for selecting one or more programs, wherein programs are selected using the search of the searching means; and 98

means, connected to the program selection means, for displaying for suggestion the selected programs to the subscriber.

10. The set top terminal of claim 9 wherein program abstracts are included in the received program control information, and wherein the set top terminal further comprises a means, connected to the receiving means, for reprogramming the means for storing the program abstracts to include the received program abstracts.

11. The set top terminal of claim 9 wherein the subscriber interface means comprises a means for interpreting the subscriber responses and a means for storing the subscriber responses.

12. The set top terminal of claim 9 wherein the generated menu screens comprise main menus and submenus and the means for generating menu screens comprises a means for generating submenus whereby selectable entries are listed in the submenus and each submenu corresponds to a search criterion in a main menu.

13. The set top terminal of claim 9 wherein the program selection means comprises: means for obtaining preferred program indicators from a remote location; means for assigning a weight number to programs using the preferred program indicators; and means for analyzing the assigned weight numbers. 99

14. The set top terminal of claim 13 wherein the means for analyzing the assigned weight numbers further comprises a means for prioritizing programs.

15. The set top terminal of claim 9 wherein the stored menu screen details include a cursor overlay and the means for generating menu screens comprises a means for generating the cursor overlay, and wherein the subscriber interface means comprises a means for moving the generated cursor overlay on the displayed menu screens.

16. A method used by a set top terminal for a television program delivery system for suggesting programming to subscribers using program control information containing menu screen details by searching program abstracts for programs which correlate to key words mapped from one or more subscriber responses to search criteria containing a plurality of selectable entries on one or more menu screens displayed on a television, comprising the steps of: receiving the program control information; storing the program abstracts in a database; storing the menu sσeen details; generating the menu screens wherein the menu screens are generated by integrating the program control information with the stored menu screen details, and wherein the generated menu screens list the search criteria containing the plurality of selectable entries; displaying the menu screens; gathering subscriber responses to the plurality of selectable entries on the menu screens; mapping the subscriber responses into the key words; 100

searching the stored program abstracts for abstracts comprising one or more of the key words; selecting one or more of the programs, whereby the programs are selected using the search of the stored program abstracts; and suggesting the selected programs.

17. A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information comprising mood menu details, and subscriber specific data indicative of a subscribers programming preferences determined from subscriber responses to a set of mood questions presented on mood menu screens, the set top terminal comprising: a means for receiving the program control information; a memory means, connected to the receiving means, for storing the received mood menu details; a means, connected to the receiving means and memory means, for generating the mood menu screens by integrating the received program control information with the stored mood menu details; a means for displaying one or more of the generated mood menu screens; a subscriber interface means for entering subscriber specific data to the displayed mood menu screens; a program selection means, operably connected to the subscriber interface means and the receiving means, for selecting one or more programs using the subscriber specific data and the program control information whereby the 101

selected programs correspond to subscriber programming preferences; and a means, operably connected to the program selection means, for displaying the selected programs to the subscriber.

18. The set top terminal of claim 17 wherein the program selection means comprises: means for obtaining preferred program indicators from a remote location; and means for assigning a weight number to programs using the preferred program indicators.

19. A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing demographic codes created at a remote location and assigned to each television program and demographic data created at a remote location describing subscribers using the set top terminal, comprising: a means for receiving the program control information comprising the demographic codes and demographic data; a memory means, operably connected to the receiving means, for storing the received demographic data; a program selection means, operably connected to the memory means and the receiving means, for selecting one or more programs using the received program control information comprising the demographic data and demographic codes; and a means, operably connected to the program selection means, for displaying for suggestion the selected program. 102

20. A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs through the use of program control information and program watched data indicative of a subscribers most watched programs, the set top terminal comprising: a means for receiving the program control information; a means for gathering the program watched data; a memory means for storing the gathered program watched data; a program selection means, operably connected to the memory means and the receiving means, for selecting a program using the stored program watched data and the received program control information; a means, operably connected to the program selection means, for displaying the selected program.

21. A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information and channel watched data indicative of a subscribers favorite channels, the set top terminal comprising: a means for gathering the channel watched data; a means for receiving the program control information; a memory means for storing the gathered channel watched data; a processing means, operably connected to the memory means and the receiving means, for determining suggested favorite channels, comprising: a channel selection means for selecting a plurality of channels using the stored channel watched data; and means to generate a signal identifying the selected channels; and a means, operably connected to the processing means, for displaying a representation of the selected channels.

22. A system for delivering menu selectable programs to a subscriber in a digital format and for suggesting certain of those delivered programs for viewing by the subscriber on a television, using program control information wherein the programs are combined and compressed with the program control information, comprising: a means for converting programs to a digital format; a means for generating program control information; means, connected to the converting means and the generating means, for packaging the digital format programs using the program control information; means for combining and compressing the packaged programs and program control information into a composite signal; means for transmitting the composite signal; a set top terminal connected to the television comprising: a means for receiving the composite signal; a means for creating personal profile information; 104

a means, connected to the creating means, for storing the personal profile information; a means, connected to the receiving means, for generating menus using the program control information; a means for gathering viewer mood information using the generated menus; a means, connected to the gathering means and storing means, for selecting at least one program for suggestion to the viewer, comprising: a means for integrating the stored personal profile information and gathered viewer mood information into selection criteria; a means for comparing the selection criteria and the received program control information; and a means for matching the selection criteria with one or more received programs; and a means for displaying the suggested program for suggestion to the viewer.

23. A reprogrammable set top terminal for a television delivery system which stores information, operates using programming, and is capable of being remotely reprogrammed wherein the stored information may be upgraded using changes contained in a reprogramming signal, the reprogrammable set top terminal comprising: a means for receiving the reprogramming signal from a remote location wherein the reprogramming signal 105

comprises a command informing the set top terminal that reprogramming is to commence followed by changes; a means, connected to the receiving means, for interpreting the changes in the reprogramming signal; a first means, connected to the interpreting means, for storing the interpreted changes; a second means for storing information; a means, operably connected to the receiving means and first and second storing means, for processing the received reprogramming signal whereby the processing means instructs the transfer of the stored interpreted changes from the first storing means to the second storing means, and instructs the set top terminal to reset so that the set top terminal operates using the interpreted changes.

24. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 23 wherein the first means for storing comprises random access memory and wherein the second means for storing comprises FLASH read /write memory.

25. The reprogrammable set top terminal in claim 23 wherein the processing means comprises reprogramming instructions, and whereby the reprogramming instructions direct the reprogramming of the set top terminal.

26. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 25 wherein the processing means further comprises erasable programmable read only memory, whereby the reprogramming instructions are stored in the erasable programmable read only memory so that the 106

reprogramming instructions will continue to execute after a system failure.

27. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 25 wherein the processing means further comprises FLASH read/write memory, whereby the reprogramming instructions are stored in the FLASH read /write memory.

28. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 23 further comprising a third means for storing an operational program, whereby the set top terminal continues to function during the processing of the reprogrammable signal using the stored operational program.

29. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 28 wherein the third storage means comprises a FLASH read/write memory.

30. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 23 wherein the means for receiving a reprogramming signal further comprises means for receiving graphics instructions and wherein changes include graphics instructions.

31. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 23 wherein the means for receiving a reprogramming signal further comprises means for receiving graphics data and wherein changes include graphics data.

32. A method for updating reprogrammable set top terminal volatile and nonvolatile memory locations for use in a television 107

delivery system capable of being remotely reprogrammed with a reprogramming signal comprising the following steps: receiving a command from a remote location, the command informing the set top terminal that reprogramming is to commence; receiving a reprogramming signal comprising one or more frames comprising a control portion and a data portion, the signal designating the memory locations to be updated in the control portion of the signal frame and providing the program changes in the data portion of the signal frame; reading the program changes from the received reprogramming signal; storing the read program changes in volatile memory; instructing the transfer of the stored program changes from the volatile memory to specified memory locations in nonvolatile memory; and resetting the set top terminal so that the set top terminal operates using the program changes.

33. A reprogrammable set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers, wherein the set top terminal uses a program control information signal containing information concerning programs to be delivered, a reprogramming signal for reprogramming of the set top terminal, and subscriber specific data indicative of subscriber programming preferences, comprising: a means for receiving the reprogrammable signal and the program control information signal;

AMEUDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 108

a means, connected to the means for receiving, for extracting reprogramming data from the received reprogrammable signal; a first memory means, connected to the means for extracting, for storing the reprogramming data; a second memory means for storing subscriber data; a means, connected to the first memory means and the second memory means, for transferring the stored reprogramming data from the first memory means to the second memory means; a selecting means, connected to the second memory means and the receiving means, for selecting one or more programs for suggestion based on the received program control information signal and the subscriber data; and a means, connected to the selecting means, for displaying program information concerning the one or more selected programs for suggestion to the subscriber.

34. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 33, wherein the set top terminal operates through the use of executable instructions and wherein the second memory means comprises means for storing the executable instructions.

35. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 33, wherein the second memory means comprises a plurality of memory modules, and wherein the transferring means comprises: means for forwarding the stored reprogramming data to individual memory modules of the second memory means. 109

36. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 33, further comprising a means, connected to the second memory means, for gathering subscriber data to be stored in the second memory means.

37. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 33, wherein the program control information signal contains program abstract data, the receiving means receives the program abstract data, and wherein the set top terminal further comprises: a third memory means, connected to the receiving means, for storing the received program abstract data; wherein the selecting means comprises: a means for mapping the subscriber data into key words; and a means for searching the stored program abstract data for the mapped key words, wherein the programs are selected for suggestion using the search.

38. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 33, wherein the program control information signal contains favorite channel data and wherein the receiving means comprises means for obtaining the favorite channel data; and the selecting means further comprises means for suggesting one or more programs based on the stored favorite channel data and the stored subscriber data.

39. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 33, wherein the program control information signal contains most watched channel data and wherein 110

the receiving means further comprises means for obtaining the most watched channel data; and wherein the selecting means further comprises means for suggesting one or more programs based on the most watched channel data and the stored subscriber data.

40. The reprogrammable set top terminal of claim 33, wherein the program control information signal contains personal profile data and wherein the receiving means comprises means for obtaining the personal profile data; and wherein the selecting means further comprises means for suggesting one or more programs based on the stored personal profile data and the stored subscriber data.

41. A method of reprogramming a set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers, wherein the set top terminal uses a program control information signal containing information concerning the programs to be delivered, a reprogramming signal for reprogramming of the set top terminal, and subscriber specific data indicative of subscriber programming preferences, comprising the steps of: gathering subscriber specific data; receiving the reprogrammable signal and the program control information signal; extracting reprogramming data from the received reprogrammable signal; storing the reprogramming data in a first memory; storing the subscriber specific data in a second memory; 111

transferring the stored reprogramming data from the first memory to the second memory; selecting one or more programs based on the received program control information signal and the subscriber specific data; displaying program information concerning the one or more selected programs for suggestion to the subscriber.

42. A terminal for program suggestion, using user preference data concerning user preferences and program control information concerning available programs, comprising: a means for gathering the user preference data; a means, connected to the gathering means, for storing the gathered user preference data; a means for accessing the program control information; a means, connected to the storing means and accessing means, for selecting one or more programs using the user preference data and the program control information, whereby the_^selected programs correspond to the gathered user preference data a means, connected to the selecting means, for suggesting the selected programs to the user.

43. The terminal of claim 42, wherein the terminal further comprises a kiosk, whereby the kiosk comprises means for displaying the selected programs for suggestion to the user.

44. The terminal of claim 42, wherein the terminal is used for video rental and to suggest programs stored on video tape, and wherein the program control information comprises information concerning programs stored on video tape and wherein the means for suggesting comprises a means for indicating a video tape. 112

45. A network controller, adapted for remotely controlling a plurality of set top terminals in a television program delivery system, for suggesting programs to subscribers by making program suggestions using subscriber specific data indicative of a subscribers programming preferences received from a set top terminal and from program control information received from a remotely located source containing program description data, wherein the suggested programs are transmitted to the set top terminal, the network controller comprising: a means for receiving the program control information comprising program description data; a means for gathering the subscriber specific data indicative of subscriber preferences from a set top terminal; a means, connected to the gathering means, for storing the subscriber specific data; a means, operably connected to the receiving means and the storing means, for suggesting one or more programs using the stored subscriber specific data and the received program control information, whereby the suggested programs correspond to the subscribers programming preferences; and a means, connected to the suggesting means, for transmitting the suggested programs to the set top terminal for presentation to the subscriber.

46. The network controller of claim 45 wherein key words are used in searching program abstracts to assist in suggesting programs, and wherein the network controller further comprises a means for storing program abstracts; and wherein the means for suggesting 113

comprises a means for searching the stored program abstracts for one or more programs consisting of one or more of the key words.

47. A program suggestion system for suggesting programs to subscribers of a television program delivery system by using program control information comprising program description data and by searching program abstracts stored in a database at a network controller, the suggested programs resulting from a search of the program abstracts for key words sent to the network controller from a set top terminal, wherein the key words are mapped from one or more subscriber responses to a plurality of selectable entries at the set top terminal, the system comprising: a set top terminal comprising: a means for receiving programs; a means for presenting the plurality of selectable entries to the subscriber; a subscriber interface means for entering subscriber responses to the plurality of selectable entries; and a means, connected to the subscriber interface means, for mapping the subscriber responses into the key words; and a network controller, networked to the set top terminal, comprising: a means for receiving the program control information; a means for storing the program abstracts in a data base; a means for gathering the key words; a program selection means, operably connected to the receiving means, gathering means and storing means, for 114

selecting one or more programs for suggestion to the subscriber, comprising: a means for searching the program abstract data base for program abstracts consisting of one or more key words; and a means for distributing the selected programs to the set top terminal.

48. A network controller for suggesting programs to subscribers of a television program delivery system by using program control information comprising program description data and by searching program abstracts for key words that are mapped from one or more subscriber responses received from a set top terminal, comprising: a means for receiving the program control information; a means for storing the program abstracts in a data base; a means for gathering subscriber responses to a plurality of selectable entries from the set top terminal; a means, connected to the gathering means, for mapping the subscriber responses into the key words; a means, operably connected to the receiving means, storing means, gathering means and mapping means, for suggesting one or more programs, comprising: a means, connected to the storing and mapping means, for searching the program abstract data base for one or more key words; and a means for distributing the suggested programs to the set top terminal. 115

49. A set top terminal used by subscribers of a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers using program control information containing program description data, and subscribers programming preferences, by searching program abstracts for programs which correlate to key words mapped from one or more subscriber responses to a plurality of selectable entries presented on display, comprising: a means for receiving the program control information; a means for storing the program abstracts in a database; a means for presenting the plurality of selectable entries to the subscriber using the display; a subscriber interface means for entering subscriber responses to the plurality of selectable entries; a means, connected to the subscriber interface means, for mapping the subscriber responses into the key words; a means, connected to the mapping means and storing means, for searching the program abstract database for programs consisting of one or more of the key words; a program selection means, operably connected to the receiving means and searching means, for selecting one or more programs, wherein programs are selected using the search of the searching means; and means, connected to the program selection means, for suggesting the selected programs to the subscriber using the display.

50. The set top terminal of claim 49 wherein program abstracts are included in the received program control information, and wherein the set top terminal further comprises a means, connected 116

to the receiving means, for reprogramming the means for storing the program abstracts to include the received program abstracts.

51. The set top terminal of clam 49 wherein the program control information further contains menu screen details and the selectable entries are displayed on one or more menu screens by the presenting means, the set top terminal further comprising: a memory means, connected to the receiving means, for storing the menu screen details; and a means, connected to the memory means and the presenting means, for generating menu screens using the stored menu screen details, wherein the menu screens are generated by integrating the program control information with the stored menu screen details, and wherein the generated menu screens list search criteria comprising the plurality of selectable entries.

52. The set top terminal of claim 51 wherein the generated menu screens comprise main menus and submenus and the means for generating menu screens comprises a means for generating submenus whereby selectable entries are listed in the submenus and each submenu corresponds to a search criterion in a main menu.

53. The set top terminal of claim 51 wherein the stored menu screen details include a cursor overlay and the means for generating menu screens comprises a means for generating the cursor overlay, and wherein the subscriber interface means comprises a means for moving the generated cursor overlay on the displayed menu screens. 117

54. A method used in a television program delivery system for suggesting programs to subscribers for display on a television using program control information and subscriber specific data indicative of a subscribers programming preferences, the method comprising: gathering subscriber specific data indicative of subscriber preferences to be used in selecting programs; storing the gathered subscriber specific data; receiving program control information to be used in selecting programs; selecting one or more programs using the stored subscriber specific data and received program control information wherein the selected programs correspond to subscriber preferences; and suggesting the selected programs to the subscriber.

55. A method used in a television program delivery system for suggesting programming to subscribers using program control information containing menu screen details by searching program abstracts for programs which correlate to key words mapped from one or more subscriber responses to search criteria containing a plurality of selectable entries on one or more menu screens displayed on a television, comprising the steps of: receiving the program control information; storing the program abstracts in a database; storing the menu screen details; generating the menu screens wherein the menu screens are generated by integrating the received program control information with the stored menu screen details, and wherein the generated menu screens list the search criteria containing the plurality of selectable entries; 118

displaying the menu screens; gathering subscriber responses to the plurality of selectable entries on the menu screens; mapping the gathered subscriber responses into the key words; searching the stored program abstracts for abstracts comprising one or more of the key words; selecting one or more of the programs, whereby the programs are selected using the search of the stored program abstracts; and suggesting the selected programs.

56. A method used in a television program delivery system for suggesting programming to subscribers using program control information and by searching program abstracts for programs which correlate to key words mapped from one or more subscriber responses to a plurality of presented selectable entries, comprising the steps of. receiving the program control information; storing the program abstracts in a database; presenting the plurality of selectable entries; gathering subscriber responses to the plurality of selectable entries; mapping the gathered subscriber responses into the key words; searching the stored program abstracts for abstracts comprising one or more of the key words; selecting one or more of the programs, whereby the programs are selected using the search of the stored program abstracts; and suggesting the selected programs. 119

STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19(1)

Claims 1-32 have been amended to improve their clarity. Claims 33-56 have been added in view of the references cited in the International Search Report.

International Pub. No. WO 91/00670 (the "Hallenbeck reference") discloses an on-line method and apparatus for receiving and storing television program schedule information from a broadcast signal. Specifically, Hallenbeck discloses a system that preserves memory space by discarding unnecessary television program schedule information before storage. Applicant's invention, on the other hand, assists the subscriber in selecting programs for viewing by suggesting programs or channels to the subscriber. The Hallenbeck reference contains mvsuggestion of any method or apparatus directed to selecting programs or to such elements as "a program selection means" or a "means . . . for displaying" suggestions to the subscriber as claimed in 1, 7, 9, 16, 17, and 19-22 and newly added claims 42-56. In summary, the Hallenbeck reference is directed at preserving memory in a television system, rather than providing program viewing suggestions as claimed by applicant.

Claims 9 and 16 further include a claim element for searching a "program abstract database." This claim element is not suggested by the Hallenbeck reference or any other cited reference.

International Pub. No. WO 92/17027 (the "McMullan" reference) discloses an apparatus for collecting TV viewing statistics including channels being viewed and television status data. The McMullan reference teaches using the collected TV viewing statistics for billing purposes, not for suggesting programs or channels as in amended claims 1, 7, 9, 16, 17, 19-22. Since the publication does not teach suggesting 120

programs, it cannot teach suggesting programs using "demographic," "program," or "channel data," as claimed respectively by claims 19, 20, and 21.

In addition, claim 17 includes a means for storing "mood menu details" and a means for generating "mood menu screens." Claim 22 includes a means for gathering "viewer mood information." The collecting and storing of viewer mood data is not taught or suggested by any of the cited references.

Claims 23 and 32 are directed at the reprogramming of the set top terminal. None of the cited references teach or suggest this feature.

New claims 33-43 are directed to a terminal which includes both program suggestion and reprogrammability. None of the cited references either individually or in combination teach the grouping of program suggestion and reprogramming.

Each of claims 1-56 contains elements not taught or suggested by any reference cited in the International Search Report. Thus, claims 1-56 meet the novelty and inventive step criteria of PCT Articles 33(2) and 33(3).