MXPA96005654A - Digital audio system with program guide desalida vi - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for providing, in a CATV network, an audio programming guide that displays information both in band and out of band comprising: transmitting an out-of-band information on a control data channel, the out-of-band information related to the programming being carried out on a plurality of transmission channels, transmit information in band on a plurality of transmission channels on which at least one audio transmission is being transmitted, with respect to each information channel Intransmitted bandwidth including in-band information transmitted including information related to the transmission of audio carried over the channel, receiving out-of-band information using a data receiver, receiving such information within band of a transmission channel specific that uses a frequency synth tuner to the specific transmission channel, integrate the in- and out-of-band information into an audio programming guide, and use the audio programming guide to simultaneously display the out-of-band programming information with the specific audio transmission information related to the transmitted transmission

Description

DIGITAL AUDIO SYSTEM WITH VIDEO OUTPUT PROGRAM GUIDE It is a continuation in part of the application for serial number 08 / 502,517, filed on July 14, 1995, and that also claims the priority of the United States provisional application serial number 60 / 001,395, filed on July 24, 1995.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to cable television communication systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a digital cable television audio system that uses a television as the subscriber interface to allow the tuning of audio and video channels by integrating information in and out of band.

Description of Related Art Cable television (CATV) operators have recently begun to offer their subscribers an increasing provision of services from which they can choose. Among those services are the digital audio music channels that provide compact disc quality music in addition to the audio channels on the CATV system. The CATV operator can also provide information related to the current year selection, which includes the title, composer, artist and recording label. In these systems, the subscriber can select from a plurality of audio channels to listen to commercial-free music and observe information corresponding to the selection. An example of the typical system of the prior art is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,282,028 (Johnson et al.). This system includes a manual remote control unit with a display of alphanumeric information that controls a digital music tuner. The digital music tuner is separately provided in addition to an adjustment terminal. The information related to the current musical selection is displayed on a liquid crystal LCD screen located on the remote control unit. Alternatively, the information can be displayed on an LCD located on the front panel of the adjustment terminal or to a cathode ray tube. Since the Johnson system requires a separate graphical interface to display the information to a subscriber, the cost of the system is increased. Additionally, systems similar to the Johnson system provide only information related to the current selection for which the channel was tuned. There is a need for an audio / video system that allows a subscriber to easily reference, identify and select from a variety of music channels while listening to a selection of current music.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An enhanced tuning terminal is provided, which processes both CATV and analog digital audio channels. The tuning terminal of the present invention uses a subscriber television as the preferred graphical interface to simultaneously provide the program information in and out of band of the channel to the subscriber. A subscriber can tune, view and select from a plurality of digital audio channels and analog video channels. In-band and out-of-band information is integrated into a multi-page program guide displayed on the subscriber's television. This integration allows subscribers to visually explore and view information about selections that are currently being made available over other channels without having to switch to them. While listening to a selection of music the subscriber can scroll through the program guide. Program information such as a song title, artist and recording label are also displayed. Accordingly, it is the object of the invention to provide a system for integrating information from in-band and out-band programs using a program guide displayed by a television as a graphic interface with the subscriber. Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a simplified view of a CATV transmission infrastructure; Figure 2 is a graph of upstream and downstream transmission; Figure 3 is a menu page describing a program guide and typical CDC is generated; Figure 4 is a block diagram of a digital architecture used by the present invention; Figure 5 is an expanded block diagram of the header format; Figure 6 is an expanded block diagram of the audio group format, - Figure 7 is an expanded block diagram of the audio data stream in the normal resolution format; Figure 8 is an expanded block diagram of the audio data stream in the low resolution format; Figure 9 is an expanded block diagram view of the audio data stream in the low resolution speech format; Figure 10 is the program information within graphic band; Figure 11 is the Listening Music screen menu of the present invention; Figure 12 is the Audio Channel Control screen menu of the present invention; Figure 13 is page one of the menu of Audio Control Configuration of the present invention; Figure 14 is page two of the Audio Control Configuration menu of the present invention; Figure 15 page one of the Help screen menu of the present invention; Figure 16 is page two of the Help screen menu of the present invention; Figure 17 is page three of the Help screen menu of the present invention; Figure 18 is an example of the screen menu of Fastening of Favorite Channels of the present invention; Figure 19 is the Fixation Origin control page screen of the present invention; Figure 20 is an example of the screen for Listening to Favorite Channels of the present invention; Figure 21 is the Selection Screen previously heard of the present invention; Figure 22 is the Channel Search screen menu of the present invention; Figure 23 is the sub-menu screen under the Rock music category; Figure 24 the Search menu screen of a Channel A of the present invention that integrates the channel information in and out of band; Figure 25 is the Current Playback screen of the present invention; Figure 26 is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the adjustment terminal system of the present invention; Figure 27 is a detailed block diagram of the adjustment terminal with the digital audio module; Figure 28 is a flow chart of the selection process of digital / video audio programming; Figure 29 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment; Figure 30 is a detailed block diagram of the digital audio module; Figure 31 is a detailed block diagram of another alternative embodiment; Figure 32 is a flow diagram of the maximum leeturai capacity deployment method; and Figure 33 is a flow diagram of the maximum information display method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREPARED MODALITY The preferred embodiment is described with reference to the drawing figures wherein the number of similar references represent similar elements therethrough. A CATV communication network 10 that modalizes the present invention is shown in Figure 1. The communication network 10 generally comprises one or more top junctions 14 communicating with a plurality of backs 16, each of which in turn communicates with a plurality of adjustment terminals 112. The adjustment terminal 112 receives the transmissions from the rear 16 through the CATV network 22. The network 22 may comprise a standard coaxial network, a hybrid coaxial fiber network or a network of "wireless cable" comprising microwave antennas and receivers. The adjustment terminals 112 are the user interface between a subscriber, the subscriber's television (which may include a stereo system) and the communication network 10. The top link 14 is remotely located from the rear 16 and communicates with the rear 16 via satellite link 20. Superior junction 14 generally originates all in-band video and audio programming for specific channels that includes live or archival broadcasts or interactive service content, (for example, movies, electronic encyclopedias, electronic catalogs, transfer applications, movies, etc.). The information on a given channel may comprise analog video and audio, digital audio, digital data or a combination thereof. The in-band programming information is transmitted to an upper link 14 from a plurality of separate source sources combined in the upper link 14 before being advanced to the rear parts 16.

Alternatively, a plurality of top links 14 can be provided independently in the in-band programming information for each rear part 16 which will receive and coordinate the transmissions from the top links 14. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top link 14 originates that the in-band channels have analog video and associated audio programming and in-band channels that have digital audio programming. The digital audio data and song identification information are also multiplexed with the audio programming information to form an emission stream. The emission stream is encrypted and transmitted via satellite 20 to the backs 16. The in-band data comprises data that is received when a specific channel is selected and is received in conjunction with the audio / video program signals. Each back part 16 receives and decrypts the emission stream from the satellite 20. The bandwidth of the infrastructure of; transmission typically extends up to 1 GHz. In order to provide a bi-directional communication flow over the cable transmission network 22 between the rear portion 16 and the adjustment terminals 112, the transmission frequency spectrum 21 is divided into two paths as shown in Figure 2. .

A downstream signal path originating at the rear 16 typically employs a downstream bandwidth 28 of frequencies above 50 MHz. An upstream path originating at the tuning terminals 112 comprises a bandwidth upstream 26 of the frequencies from 5 to 50 MHz. The downstream bandwidth 28 is further divided into 6 MHz broadcast channels 32 which are used to transmit analog video broadcasts and their associated analog audio programs. The digital audio channels 33 are also provided for transmitting digital audio information along with the digital data. The digital audio channels 33 are typically 350 JHz wide and are separated by at least 600 kHz. Accordingly, the digital audio channels 33 can be placed within the unused bandwidth locations which are very narrow for the broadcast channels 32. An apparatus and method for the transmission of digital audio information is described in the United States Nos. 5,038,402 and 5,293,633 (Robbins et al.), which are incorporated herein by reference as set forth in full. In the present invention, the portion of a 6 MHz channel that is allocated for analog audio communication can be replaced by a corresponding digital audio program, digital data or both. In this way, analog and digital communications transmissions can be multiplexed frequency division (FDM) on separate channels, or the same channel, and transported on the same network 22. The back 16 is the source of the retransmission point of all out-of-band information sent to the adjustment terminals 112, for example the video programming paths, I read subscriber registration information and control data from the adjustment terminal. Since the out-of-band information 46 originates with the CATV operator, the information displayed to the subscriber such as the programming guide is practicable by the CATV operator. Therefore, channel themes and channel names can be rearranged, reformatted into different topics or displayed in a different language depending on the subscriber's population. The out-of-band control and program data are advanced to the adjustment terminals 112 on a specific channel known as the control data channel 34 (CDC). After the back 16 receives the video with the audio and / or digital audio programming from the top link 14, the programs selectively placed on 6 MHz channels as designated by the CATV operator transmitted to the adjustment terminals 112 on the CATV transmission network 22. In addition to advancing the programming received from the upper link 14, the rear part 16 can also originate local audio channels in analogue or video band. The adjustment terminal 112 receives the in-band information on the broadcast channels 32 and the out-of-band information on CDC 34. The tuning terminal 112 receives the broadcast transmissions, decrypts the program, if it is encrypted on the back 16 , and process the information to receive from the subscriber. The adjustment terminal 112 also demodulates and demultiplexes the digital data stream, converts a portion of the digital current to analog and the current contains digital audio and performs other data manipulation as necessary. In operation, a subscriber selects the tuning terminal 112 to the desired broadcast channels 32 in order to view and / or listen to a particular program. The adjustment terminal 112 includes an RF selector for this function. The program content information received on the broadcast channels 32 is in-band information. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the light frequency wideband RF selectors typically include a separate FM "branch" or receiver, which is for receiving the narrowband CDC 34. Most of the adjustment terminals 112 they are preset for a specific CDC 34 by the manufacturer. The CDC 34 is used to control the adjustment terminal 112 through the commands that initialize and configure the adjustment terminal 112. The adjustment terminal 112 incorporates a microprocessor that executes a program loaded within the EEPROM (as a fixed program) for the different levels of services. The CDC 34 can be used to transfer new fixed-program versions of the adjustment terminal 112 from the back 16 when the requirements of the system 10 change or new features are desired. CDC 34 will put into service the adjustment terminal 112 and all its options. In the preferred embodiment, the control data is sent at a rate of 13980 bits per second. The adjustment terminal 112 stores and generates displays of in-band song information pertaining to the current song, as well as previously listened songs. The information can include the title of the song, the artist, the recording label, etc. Graphic images that are associated with a particular song such as album covers, still images, video, etc., can be stored and displayed along with a song. The adjustment terminal 112 is designed to store and retrieve a number of song information registers. The information that accompanies the audio program is derived from a data stream within a special channel band that originates at the top junction 14. A subscriber can also view the out-of-band information in the form of a program guide of video 40, as shown in Figure 3, or a registration menu by tuning to the channel for the program guide designated by the CATV operator. This information is typically transferred by the CATV operator on the back 16 within the memory within the adjustment terminal 112 by means of CDC 34. Since the CDC 34 is a narrower band channel typically of 300 KHz width the Transferring a typical seven-day video program guide takes approximately 40 minutes. The format of the digital data stream is composed of an information packet that is transmitted every 750μs. As shown in Figure 4, the unit consists of a header and ten groups of data. Referring to Figure 5, the header consists of a current in operation, an in-band composition stream, a brand stream, and a compound song identification stream. The operating data stream is used for the synchronization of the DCR module with the digital data stream. The in-band composition stream is also used for synchronization. The trademark data stream transmits the information pertaining to the current channel to which the terminal is selected, such as coding data and authorization codes. The mark stream information is used for the authorization status and contains data that is used to decrypt the audio data stream described below. In the preferred embodiment, the mark stream information is sent at a rate of 1,330 bits per second. The in-band song identification stream is used to provide information about the current song being played, such as the channel name, artist, title, recording company, etc. In the preferred embodiment, song identification also sent at a rate of 1,330 bits per second. The format of each data group is shown in Figure 6, and consists of an audio data stream, a control current and an emission stream. The in-band audio stream carries the digital audio information eventually heard on the subscriber's stereo and is a coded, encrypted DolbyR data stream that can be in one of three different formats depending on the audio mode that is being sent. The in-band control current contains the same information present in the CDC. The adjustment terminal can be configured to obtain the CDC information from any source. As shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9, the three modes are: 1) normal (high) stereo resolution comprising a stereo pair, 2) low stereo resolution comprising two pairs of stereo, and 3) monaural voice which comprises four monaural channels. The three audio modes allow the option of using a channel to broadcast either 1, 2, or 4 audio programs, based on the audio requirements of the programming (fidelity). Normal stereo provides the highest audio quality using the full bandwidth that the cable channel can carry. Since the bandwidth of human speech is much smaller than music, the monaural voice mode provides the lowest audio quality although it takes a quarter of the capacity of the audio channel quadrupling in this way the available channel. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the format of the data stream can be modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Referring to Figure 10, still or video images reconstructed from the in-band song identification stream are viewed by the subscriber when the subscriber selects the particular audio broadcast channel 32. Referring to Figure 11, the "listen to music" menu screen is displayed. The fixed menu screen allows the subscriber to scroll through all the functions and operations of the adjustment terminal 112 as well as to select the desired channels by means of the remote control. The fixed menu pages are generated by the fixed program stored in EEPROM. The typical set menus are the "channel control to listen" page as shown in Figure 12, "audio configuration control" pages as shown in Figures 13 and 14 and "help" pages as shown in Figures 15, 16, and 17. The menu pages that incorporate the out-of-band information received from CDC 34 are shown in Figures 18, 19 and 20. The pages of "fixing favorite channels", "control setting" source "and" listen to favorite channels "incorporate all channel identifiers and descriptions that originate from CDC 34. Figure 21 shows a" previously listened "file screen. The subscriber's last five music selections are stored in memory and can be accessed via the menus. As shown in Figure 21, a notification in band 47 is also present. Audio programming guide 44 of the present invention is shown in Figures 22 and 23. Although audio programming guide 44 integrates out-of-band information 46 from CDC 34 and in-band program information 48 from channels 32 selected broadcast, the presentation is transparent to the subscriber, providing an interactive guide to select an audio program. Referring to Figure 24, the audio programming screen 44 is coupled to the selected in-band audio broadcast channels 32 displaying the current band information 48 on a portion of the screen 44. The subscriber is capable of " "sliding" the guide audibly and visually when selected from a plurality of available audio channels. For example, referring to Figure 24, the audio programming screen 44 lists the available audio channels Al through A9. Since it is highlighted, channel A7, "Modern Rock" has been selected. All the program information with respect to the audio channel titles A1-A9 is out-of-band information 46. However, since A7"Modern Rock" has been selected the information within band 48 related to that channel is also shown . Therefore, the currently playing song titled "What's the Frequency, Kermeth?" by R.E.M. it is displayed on the screen 44 and reproduced for the subscriber. As shown in Figure 25, the "currently playing" page displays more information such as R.E.M. 's, "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" available in the Monster compact disc version. If channel A3 is selected, "Hip Hop", the information within band 48 related to the song that is currently playing will be displayed on screen 44 and that song will be played back to the subscriber. In this arrangement, a subscriber can simultaneously observe both the information in and out of band of the channel 46, 48. The identification information of the in-band song (ID) 48 for the selected channel is updated continuously as the subscriber analyzes the list of audio channels. Therefore, the subscriber is provided with constant feedback regarding the available options. In-band song ID information 48 typically accumulates in the memory and is periodically updated and / or overwritten. The subscriber can also scan through the available channels as long as he hears the current selection and observes the song ID information within band 46 belonging to the selected channel. This information is available from the information present in the in-band song ID stream bit. In an alternative embodiment, the in-band information with respect to the selection that is currently playing on each available audio channel is displayed on a preselected channel. This information is continuously transmitted to the adjustment terminal 112 by means of the emission bitstream belonging to the selected channel. In this way, a subscriber can see a list of available audio channels and simultaneously observe the selection that is currently playing on each channel. The preferred embodiment of the adjustment terminal 112 of the present invention is shown in Figure 26. The selectable setting terminal 112 simultaneously receives analog video with analog audio and digital audio program signals, as described above and provides switching. no unions between formats. This is achieved by integrating an analog audio and video tuning terminal with a digital audio module. Refer to Figure 26, a typical CATV subscriber installation 110 includes an adjustment terminal 112, a television monitor receiver 114 and a stereo system 116. The adjustment terminal 112 is controlled using the scroll keys 136 located on the front of the unit or an infrared (IR) emitter placed on the front of the adjustment terminal and controlled by an end device (such as a VCR), or remote control 129. The adjustment terminal 112 is coupled to the communication network 22 by means of a voltage drop in a coaxial cable line 118 brought to a subscriber's house terminating in a CATV RF 128 input. setting terminal 112 includes a lightweight broadband selector of frequency 120 that is selectively selected up to specific CATV channels. The audio and video output from the selector 120 is advanced on an intermediate frequency (IF) carrier to a separate IF 122 and a demodulator. The output 122 of the IF separator is accessed to a digital audio module 124 and a signal processing circuit 126. A serial communication interface to the selector 120 establishes a junction between the selector 120 and the adjustment terminal processing circuit. 126. Processor 126 inspects all functions associated with conventional CATV tuning terminals that include processing of analog audio-video (A / V) signals, OSD video generation capabilities, signal mixing detection, signal separation , authorization of the subscriber interface subscriber by means of the IR remote control 129 and the receiver 131. The baseband A / V signals are emitted by the processor 126 to the television monitor receiver 114 by means of an RF output 130 , a coaxial line 135 and an input 133. Although the receiver 114 is shown as a television monitor receiver 114, the receiver 114 may comprise a video cartridge player 115 or any type of available cable device which accepts an RF input signal and provides a BTSC decoded stereo baseband audio output. In the case where an external BTSC decoder is not available, an optional decoder can be installed inside the adjustment terminal 114. As shown in Figure 27, the optional BTSC decoder 145 couples the audio outputs from the analog receiver 182 to an input of an audio selector switch 174. The broadband A / V signals are separated and processed by the television monitor receiver 114 and the signal processing circuit 132. The analog video output is provided afterwards. to a monitor 144. The stereo analog audio output decoded by a BTSC decoder 134 is amplified and reproduced by a pair of loudspeakers 146L, 146R. Accordingly, a subscriber will be able to watch a selected analog video program and listen to the associated analog audio program. A detailed discussion of the television signal processing circuit 132 and the BTSC decoder 134, which are well known to those skilled in the art, is beyond the scope of the description. In the preferred embodiment, the BTSC decoder 134 also outputs a stereo analog audio signal to the outputs 148L, 148R, through an armed cable 152 to the audio inputs 150L, 150R of the tuning terminal 112. A digital narrowband 170 within the digital audio module 124 receives the IF signal from the selector 120 and the digital audio information within the signal is processed to provide a CD-quality audio output. As will be described in detail herein, the digital audio module 124 provides three audio outputs: 1) an attenuating baseband stereo output to the stereo system 116; 2) an attenuating monaural sum of the baseband stereo output for the RF modulation and the output to the television monitor 114. and 3) an attenuating stereo digital output that uses the Sony digital audio-philips industrial standard (S / PDIF) 141. The adjustment terminal 12 is shown in greater detail in Figure 27. The selector 120, coupled with the CATV 128 input selects for the carrier frequency of the channel selected by the subscriber. The selector 120 removes the carrier frequency and amplifies the resulting A / V signal. The gain is controlled by means of an automatic gain control (AGC) 180 so that the output of the selector 120 remains essentially constant despite variations in the resistance of the CATV signal.

The received A / V signal is output from the selector 120 on an IF carrier to an IF separator 122, which slides the signal for separate digital and analog processing by the digital audio module 124 and the analog signal processing circuit 126, respectively. With respect to the analog processing of the A / V signal, the signal is processed in a conventional manner which will be briefly described. The signal is received by an analog receiver 182 that removes the IF carrier. The analog receiver 182 monitors the input signal and controls AGC 180 to ensure that the output of the signal from the selector 120 is within allowable limits. The microprocessor 184, with the associated memory 186, detects whether the signals are mixed, determines whether the subscriber is authorized to receive the requested service and decrypts the received signals. A combination detection module determines whether the technique used to mix the A / V signal is a technique supported by the decryption module. An authorization module determines if the subscriber is authorized to receive the mixed services that have been selected. The authorization information, such as a program identifier or service code identifier, is detected on the specific channel that is being monitored by the microprocessor 184. This information is compared to an authorization code stored within the processor memory 126 to determine if the subscriber is an authorized user. Alternatively, the authorization information may be provided over CDC 34. If a subscriber is authorized, the decryption module deciphers the A / V signal. The resulting baseband A / V signal is modulated and emitted on a second carrier frequency, typically corresponding to the VHF channel 3 or 4, for the RF input into the television monitor receiver 114. The emission channels of the processing circuit of television signal 32 include a selector that is selected selectively for the output of the RF carrier from the adjustment terminal 112. In the preferred embodiment, the channel selection, the volume control and other subscriber commands are clocked to the terminal of setting 112 by means of a remote controller IR 129 and IR receiver 131 or by means of the scroll keys 136. If a new channel is selected, the microprocessor 184 selects selector 120 for the new RF frequency. The confirmation of the subscriber commands and the service option mepus are output to the television monitor receiver 114 for display on the screen. The LED display on the screen 140 provides limited indication of the mode and channel selection. With respect to the digital processing of the A / V signal, the signal output from the IF separator 122 is received by a narrowband digital data receiver 170 that removes the IF carrier. The digital receiver 170 monitors the input signals to ensure that the A / V signal output from the L20 selector is within allowable limits. Since the digital data receiver 170 and the analog receiver 182 operate on different frequencies and bandwidths, each receiver 182, 170 has its own circuit that controls the AGC 180. An AGC switch 158 (not shown) connects to the circuit adjustment of the analog receiver 182 or the digital receiver setting circuit 170 to the AGC control input of the selector 120. Accordingly, the system microprocessor 184 and digital audio microprocessor 192, monitor the input RF signal and activate the switch AGC 158 to present the correct adjustment circuit by means of line 160 of the AGC 180 based on the type of signal (ie, analog or digital) that is being received. The digital audio module 124 further comprises a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 1752 coupled to the digital audio processor 192. As is well known in the art, the digital audio processor 192 demodulates and processes the digital IF signal from the digital receiver 170 to produce a stream of data containing digital audio data and additional digital data. As shown in greater detail in Figure 30, the digital signals are converted by the DAC 172 to analog to provide an input for the audio selector switch 174. A second input for the audio selector switch 174, as described before, it is provided from the external BTSC decoder 134. A third input for the audio selector switch 174 is from the analog receiver 182. The selector switch 174 normally outputs the audis signal from the external BTSC decoder 134. However, When a channel containing the digital audio is selected, the processor of the eisterr.a 184 communicates CCG with the digital processor 192 in order to change the state of the selector switch 174. Accordingly, the audio output from the DAC 172 is presented to the audio switch output 174. A direct digital audio output 141 is available for stereo systems that have a S / PDIF compatible input. you. The digital audio module 124 also provides a monaural summation of the stereo output through an adder 154 and the output 200. Since the analog receiver 182 provides the audic in the form of a mno-no signal signal c a BTSC-coded signal, the monaural signal is switched by means of the broadband switch 156 with the digital monaural output to the signal processing circuit 126 of the setting terminal 112. If a digital audio program is available, the digital audio microprocessor 192 activates the band switch wide 156 to present the digital monaural signal to the signal processing circuit 126. The monaural audio is output with the video program to the television monitor receiver 114 via the RF input port 133. If the audio outputs 175L , 175R are not connected to the stereo system 116, a digital monaural program can be heard using a television monitor receiver 114. The adjustment terminal 112 has also been designed with?The r.a automated test capability utilizes the industrial standard RS-232 serial communication ports 142 and the proprietary communication port 143 as connections for the test system. The automated test system allows pulses and exerts the terminal through all the different operating modes while simultaneously monitoring all inputs and outputs. This reduces the test time of all audio and video parameters and ensures that all operating specifications are within tolerance.

As described above, the audio output of the adjustment terminal 112 can be derived from either CATV digital audio or CATV analog audio. In order for the operation to appear unbound for the subscriber, switching from one audio source to another must be controlled to ensure that the source levels (ie the volume) are tightly coupled, otherwise an abrupt transition could occur. A drastic difference in volume between two sources could disturb a subscriber who listens to the audio program and potentially overloads and damages the stereo system 116. Referring to Figure 27, the programming executed by the microprocessor 184 ensures that the audio source remains transparent to the subscriber by equalizing the relative source levels of the digital and analog outputs 206, 208. The digital audio source level 206 is maintained consistent with the video analog audio source level 208 by tracking and adjusting the attenuation of both sources before the input to the audio amplifiers 210, 212. Any changes to the level of the analog source 208 will affect the level of the digital source 206. As a result, as the subscriber switches between the audio sources and digital video 206, 208, font levels will remain consistent.

Since the digital audio source 206 has a wider dynamic range than the analog audio source 208, the volume level of the digital source 206 can be increased beyond the maximum level of the analog audio source 208. This allows The full digital audio dynamic scale is used. The digital audio source level 206 will be maintained until the analog audio mode is reacted, at which time, the audio source level 206 will be reset to the analog audio source level 208. The output selector characteristic of The audio of the present invention allows transparent selection of the digital audio source 206 or the BTSC 208 decoded stereo audio source. This feature supports two intended uses. ? r. priper place-, in the case where the subscriber has access to an external BTSC decoder 134, such as the television monitor receiver 114, the outputs of the BTSC decoder 134 can be directed to the stereo system 116. This allows the subscriber to hear the output of the stereo system 116 from any selected video programming. If the video programming includes digital audio, after processing, the in-band stereo digital audio source 206 is selected for presentation to the baseband stereo outputs 175L, 175R of the adjustment terminal 112 as shown in Table 1. If the selected video program does not include a digital audio program, the BTSC 208 decoded stereo audio source is selected. In each case, the baseband stereo outputs 175L, 175R are always presented by the adjustment terminal 112 to the stereo system 116. The second use of the audio selector feature is a second audio source, such as a CD player, to be accessed. This is useful when the digital audio module 124 has offset from the compact disc player in the stereo system 116 or if the optional BTSC decoder 116 is installed and the external audio inputs 150L, 150R are not used. When the adjustment terminal 112 is not in use, the audio output selector switch 124 omits the external input position. The selection of the digital audio source 206 or the decoded source BTSC 208 is made transparently by the adjustment terminal 112 and does not require the intervention of the subscriber. The RF audio output 130 to the television monitor receiver 114 will result in a monaural sum of the digital audio stereo signals or the encoded audio? TSC standard when the digital audio programming will not be available.

As shown in Figure 28, the preferred embodiment of the present inventsupports three different modes of operat 1) standard video mode 220; 2) standard audio digital audio mode 222; and 3) secure digital audio audio mode 224. After the televismonitor receiver 114, the stereo system 116 and the adjustment terminal 112 have been turned on, (steps 250, 252, 254), the subscriber selects the desired channel (step 256). For the standard video mode 220, the subscriber selects a video channel in dor.de not available in the digital audio programming (step 258). An A / V RF signal will be emitted to the televismonitor receiver 114 (step 260) and a BTSC decoded audio signal will be reproduced by the loudspeakers of the televis146L, 146R (step 262). The subscriber can also listen to the audio program through the stereo system 116. Er. in this mode, the audio selectswitch 174 within the adjustment terminal 112 emitted by the decoded audio source BTSC 108 for the stereo system 116 (step 264). The subscriber adjusts after the audio level in the televismonitor receiver 114, the stereo system 116, or via the remote control 125 to the desired levels (step 266). In the digital audio odc segure 224, the subscriber selects a video channel (step 256), where an associated digital audio program is available (step 258), the secure digital audio mode 224 replaces the standard analog audio associated with a video channel with digital audio In additto providing much greater security, the secure digital audio mode 224 also provides CD quality sound.In this mode, the audio selector switch 174 will switch to the digital source 206 (step 268) and will output the stereo signals from the digital source 206 to the stereo system 116 (step 272.) The tuning terminal 112 will output the monaural modulated RF digital video and audio signal to the televismonitor receiver 114 for subscriber observat(step 270) The subscriber will then adjust the audio in the televismonitor receiver 114, the stereo systems 116 or by means of the remote control 129 to the desired levels (e.g. cap 274) In the standard digital audio mode 222, the adjustment terminal 112 should be selected for a music channel (step 256). The audio selector switch 174 will switch to the digital source 206 (step 276) and output the stereo signals from the digital source 206 to the stereo system 216 (step 280). The adjustment terminal 112 will output the RF video signal to the televismonitor receiver 114 for subscriber observat(step 278). The subscriber will then adjust the audio on the stereo 116, or by means of the remote control 129 to the desired level (step 282).

Table 1 summarizes the available modes, the physical equipment and the audio sources that are present in the televisaudio output 130 (RF audio) and the baseband audio output ports (L / R Output) 175L, 175R, and how both the volume and the decrease in sound are controlled.

TABLE 1 In an alternate mode, shown er. Figure, the digital audio module 124 is equipped with its own broadband RF selector 202. This allows the simultaneous selectof an analog video channel using the video selector 120 and a digital audio selector 202. In this case, the digital microprocessor 192 can control either the RF selector 120 on the setting terminal 112, or its own selector 202. The applicatthat is currently playing determines which processor will become the main one and which one the secondary one. When a music applicatis in use, the video microprocessor 184 becomes the sub-server of the digital audio processor 192. The broadband RF selector 202 can be used to either receive audio broadcast simulatchannels. digital, such as HBOR, CinemaxR, or ShowtimeR, during a video broadcast c to receive digital audio programming at the same time that a BTSC video program is walking is being received using the main selector 120. When a video channel is received that is an emission simulation event, the system microprocessor 184 and the digital or audio microprocessor 192 recognize the emission and connect the digital audio selector 202 seamlessly to the broadcast simulation audio channel by adjusting the video level gain and audio as previously declined. This operation is totally transparent to the subscriber. The audio program that normally accompanies the video program is presented to the television monitor receiver 114 while the digital channel is broadcasted to the stereo system 116. This mode also allows the subscriber to eliminate the sound of the normal audio associated with a channel of video and, for example, listen to digital audio mode programming while watching a sporting event. When the video programming is observed and the digital audio mode programming is heard concurrently, the RF audio output baria the television monitor receiver 14 will transport the audio associated with the video programming. In addition, a subscriber is also allowed to see and hear normal video programming while another subscriber listens to the digital audio mode either in another room or using headphones in the same room. In the alternative mode, the subscriber may be required to control two selectors using the same adjustment or remote terminal controls. The adjustment terminal 112 provides the individual selector controls (volume, volume removal, channel up / down selection), by means of the remote control 129 or the scroll keys 136 by selecting the appropriate selector before making the adjustments. . The adjustment terminal 112 also allows a user to program the tuning terminal to automatically record an audio channel, at a specific time, on a video tape. Accordingly, both an audio program and the associated video song identification information can be recorded on the videotape. This feature is enabled by the programmable time control function 184 of the system microprocessor which changes the setting terminal 112 to a prearranged channel and initiates a programmed sequence of 115 VCR instructions, such as "power" and "record" during the period programmed, then "stop" and "energy". { switched off } . The stages of the VCR time control program are accessed within the system memory 156 by means of on-screen display. This feature is communicated to the VCR 115 by means of an IR emitter output 137 and an optical transmitter 138 which broadcasts the encoded transmission to the VCR 115. An IR-based VCR data base, known to those skilled in the art, is contained in the fixed program EEPROM. Figure 31 is a block diagram of another alternative embodiment of the present invention used in combination with a television monitor receiver 114. This embodiment comprises three main components: 1) a scalabie adjustment terminal 301, 2; a vDCR / 303 digital exchange cable radio module, and 3) a connection user processor (UP) module 305.

Referring to Figure 31, a voltage drop in a bi-directional CATV coaxial cable 118 is brought into the home of the subscriber and separated by a directional separator 307. The separator 307 has a signal input and two outputs. One output is coupled to the RF input 313 of the adjusting terminal 112. The other output of the directing separator! 307 is coupled to the DCR module 303 of the emission control RF input 315. The adjustment terminal 112 of the system selector : 317 receives the CATV transference from the RF input 313. The system selector 317 comprises a light-frequency wideband selector, a variable attenuator, a demodulator, a broadband signal processor and an RF frequency modulator. The system selector 317 also contains the L5 motherboard AGC 513 and decoder BTSC 321. The operation interface of suscriptcr 323 consists of an energy button, a menu button, a radio button, an access button and four screen scroll keys 325. scroll keys _C 325 consist of ascending, descending cursor, to the left and to the right. Using the feedback in the form of four LED displays 327 segment 16 or by means of a display on screen. The intercept keys 323 and the processor 329 Camelbac tm 2.0. The system's microprocessor 329 has 1 kilobyte of static RAM, 32 kilobytes of ROM and 16 kilobytes of switched ROM as associated coefficient memory. An IR detector 331 is coupled to the microprocessor of the system 329 to receive the IR encoded commands from the remote control 333 having all the primary functions of television, VCR and tuning terminal or any other IR emitter that transmits the appropriate code. To support the characteristics of the base adjustment terminal 112 the operating system, the memory in the form of 32 kilobytes of static RAM (SRAM) 335, 128 kilobytes of font ROM 337 and 256 kilobytes of DRAM 339 are required. The memory units share a common parallel data link that transfers the data between the adjustment terminal 112 of the system processor 329 and the microprocessors located in the connection DCR modules 303 and UPM 305. The system microprocessor 329 interprets all the commands either from the interface keys 323, the scroll keys 325, the remote command 333, or an IR emitter and responds accordingly. The microprocessor of the system 329 also receives the channel mapping information and adjustment terminal control from the head end of system 16 using the CDC 34 from the FM receiver bypass of the selector 341. This separate control channel updates the fixed system program stored in ROM 337 with new versions whenever user subscriptions change or for security. Additionally, the program schedule information is periodically transferred from the head end 16 to the individual subscribers. The system's microprocessor 329 generates all OSD graphics and text. The OSD video generation is connected on line 343 of system selector 317 for RF modulation and addition with the cable channel selected by the subscriber. The system microprocessor 329 also supports an A / B switching function on line 345 with the motherboard selector of system 317 allowing the subscriber to use the available cable feature on the television monitor receiver 114 or VCR if equipped , or use the adjustment terminal 112 to provide signal processing. To provide a virtual channel feature, an in-band decoder (IBD) 347 monitors the baseband channels selected by the CDC and removes a variety of information contained within the vertical blanking interval (VBI). Along with the collateral program information, those data may include authorization messages, category information and special services. The IBD 347 demodulates and assembles the byte of the data into usable words. The data is placed on an intermediate communication transfer bar 349 that transfers the data to the microprocessor of the system 329. Upon receipt of a command by the microprocessor of the system 329, the selector of the system 317 selects to the selected CATV channel, removes the carrier frequency and demodulates the signal. The signal is then output to the television monitor receiver 114 either through an RF F-connector 351 or through a base RCA band output connector 353. System selector 317 also includes a BTSC 321 decoder. The stereo signals from the decoded BTSC 321 are output to a stereo system of the 116script via RCA 355L and 355R output connectors or a stereo mini-plug. When the DCR module is installed on the system motherboard, the output of the BTSC 321 decoder is accessed to the DCR module. The system selector 317 provides a video AGC output on line 357 and a feedback loop to adjust the video AGC on line 359. The TJPM 305 has a dedicated Motorola 68306 microprocessor 361, a customer specific application integrated circuit. (ASIC) 363, and the coefficient memory that supports the ASIC 363 functions in the form of 8 kilobytes of SRAM 365, 256 kilobytes of DRAM 367, 256 kilobytes of EEPROM 369 and 256 kilobytes of ROM 371. The ASIC 363 communicates with the system selector 317 through a parallel communication link bar 373 that transfers data between ASIC 363 and IBD 347. The UPM 361 microprocessor uses the 256 kilobytes of ROM 371, and the 256 kilobytes of EEPROM 369 to store the data. applications written in assembly language C, C ++, etc., that have been previously loaded into the adjustment terminal 112 or that have been transferred from the adjustment terminal 112 by means of CDC 34. The function of the U PM 305 is to increase the graphics displayed on the screen generated by the motherboard microprocessor of the 329 system. Additionally, the UPM 305 supports interactive programming guides, programming guides of a third party, near video on request (NVOD), VCR control to Through an external infrared emitter, virtual channels and a multicolored system of displacement based on icons and logos transferred through the CATV supplier. The UPM 305 is required to support]: the DCR 303 module. The main components of the DCR 303 module are an emission simulation selector 375 that receives the pre-selected digital cable simulation programming by a high pass filter 309 from the directional separator 307 through the emission simulation RF input 315, a cable data device (CDG) 377 and a DolbyR AC-1 decoder with volume control 379. The digital data stream is demodulated and disassembled into discrete components of the digital transmission architecture by the CDG 193. The DolbyR AC-1 decoder and the volume control 379 adjust and decode DolbyR-encoded digital stereo signals before outputting the stereo signals to a subscriber stereo system 116. A diverter switch audio 381 allows the BTSC audio outputs from the system motherboard selector 317 on lines 383L and 383R or outputs 303 of the DCR module on the lines 385L and 385R to be selected in a predetermined manner by the CDC 329 system microprocessor and the microprocessor 361 that depend on which programming the subscriber is watching. The emission simulation CATV channels enter the DCR module 303 through an external F connector 315 coupled to the high pass filter 309. The RF signal is driven by a preamplifier 311 for accounting for the passive filter attenuation 309. The DCR emission simulator selector 375 selects a preset canail determined by the UPM 361 microprocessor. The UPM 361 and ASIC 363 microprocessor communicate with the system motherboard microprocessor 329 on the bus bar. transfer M 373. The motherboard selector 317 can receive all the cable broadcast channels while the emission simulation selector receives only channels having digital information. The control data transferred by the CDC indicates to the 361 microprocessor motherboard which channels are video with digital audio, video with digital audio that replaces analog audio, video with broadcast simulation transmission and digital radio. When a DCR 303 module having an emissions simulation selector 375 is installed, a jumper that normally couples the IF output of the system motherboard selector 317 to a 41.25 MHz passband surface acoustic wave filter (SAW) ) 391 is removed by allowing the emission simulator selector 375 to exit to pass the SAW filter 391. If a DCR module does not have an emission simulation selector that is installed 375, the bridge 389 remains in place. The output of the emission simulator selector DCR 375 passes to the SAW filter 391. The filter 391 attenuates the artifacts of the adjacent channel from the digitally modulated data transmission. If IF is accessed to a lower converter 393 that converts the signal to a lower frequency. The output of the lower converter 393 is filtered by a band pass filter 395 and fed into the amplifier / limiter 397 which removes any foreign video amplitude modulation and an AGC circuit 399. The output from the circuit 399 is fed to the selector simulation of emission DCR 375 and an input of the switch of two positions AGC 401. The other input to the switch AGC 401 is from the selector of motherboard of the system 317 and the output AGC 319. The output of the switch AGC 401 is passed to the input gain setting of the system motherboard selector 317. The gain of the system motherboard selector 317 is controlled from its own AGC 319 unless the subscriber changes to a DCR channel or if the in-band audio program is digital . The purpose of the AGC switch 401 is to ensure that a uniform audio level is maintained as long as the switching between the system selector 317 or the image simulation selector 375. The AGC is a feedback loop used to avoid overloading the IF stages from the strong input signal. The system microprocessor 329 or the UPM 361 microprocessor controls the AGC switch. Both microprocessors have an AGC selection control line that are accessed within a control bridge that selects the AGC 401 switch input. The output from the regulation amplifier 397 is accessed within the CDG 3 7. The CDG 377 demodulates the channel DCR in a serial bit stream. The serial bit stream is then output from the CDG 377 to the UPM ASIC 363 where the bit stream is assembled byte in several components of the aforementioned unit formats. Subsequently, the control data is passed over the UPM microprocessor 361, considering that the recovered audio data is returned to the CDG 377. The CDG 377 retrieves the data pertaining to the song identification and the broadcast data bit streams and the byte assemblies of information in usable words. The complete song identification and broadcast words are output to the UPM 361 microprocessor for combination with the OSD for broadcast to the television monitor receiver 114. The OSD helps the applicable information depending on whether the song or the Release information is required. The audio-only bit stream is fed to a Dolby ^ 379 AC-1 decoder for additional signal processing. A digital volume control and a Delta-Sigma 1-bit digital-to-analog converter inside the AC-1 379 performs the digital-to-analog conversion of the stereo program. The AC-1 405 also provides an S / PDIF digital output for use with the subscriber's stereo. The analog stereo signals are output to the audio deflection switch 381 and an addition amplifier that produces a monaural signal. The monaural program is modulated with the RF video output 407 to be reproduced by the television monitor receiver 114. If the subscriber does not have a stereo 116 connected to the tuning terminal 112, the monaural program will be played. The audio bypass switch 381 also operates in a two-position configuration that switches between the outputs of the BTSC decoder 321 from the motherboard selector of the system 317 or the digital outputs from the AC-1 379. In a similar manner for the AGC selection, the decision to issue either source that is executed by the system microprocessor 329 and the UPM 361 microprocessor. The decision is based on whether the received audio program is from a digital source. The UPM 305 also provides a serial I / O capability using an IEEE RS-232 409 output. A computer accessory that uses a compatible connector and protocol can accept the information transferred by the cable head end 16 directed towards a specific subscriber and either broadcast or store the external data of the UPM 305. The UPM 305 also supports the remote control of a subscriber VCR (not shown) through an infrared emitter 411 output. The UPM ASIC 363 generates the program selection guide / adjustment time control channel 112 in conjunction with the channel map *. OSD and provides a one-touch VCR programming 369. The setting terminal 112 activates the VCR according to the time control program and switches to the desired channel. An infrared emitter placed in front of a subscriber VCR activates the VCR using the IR code sequence of the manufacturer VCR from a selection of pre-programmed codes stored in the UPM 305 of the fixed program 369. In an alternative mode, the bits comprising the Digital audio data stream as shown in Figure 6 are replaced with digital data. The digital data may comprise information such as musical artist, video or image bibliographies that replace the streaming bit stream. The information may also include information transferred or logical programs for use on personal computers. To allow high-speed direct communication from the cable data device to the UPM ASIC, a DMA interface (direct memory access) is used to transfer the data bytes. A typical DMA is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described here. Therefore, the additional DRAM is required to maintain the movement of data. The digital data is accessed later depending on the purpose or use of the subscriber. The display and presentation of the song information is configurable. Referring to Figure 25, the song identification information (ID) consists of 5 fields, song ID consists of 5 fields: 1) song title; 2) artist; 3) CD title; 4) record label; and 5) notification. A song ID display consists of 16 lines, the top line is the temporary song ID (previous vs. current), the next two lines are channel specific, the next 11 lines are used to format the song ID information on a screen, with the remaining two lines being fixed text (help information). There are three methods for formatting the song information on the screen: 1) maximize the reading capacity on a page; 2) maximize the information displayed on a page; and 3) allow multiple pages of information. Referring to Figure 32, the reading capacity is maximized by inserting a blank line between each displayed field, at the expense of the data abbreviation. In order to allow a blank line between the fields, up to 2 fields can use two lines (all other fields will be abbreviated to 1 line). The fields are assigned with priority so that the higher priority fields will have the first opportunity to use 2 lines. Referring to Figure 33, the data content is maximized by eliminating the blank lines between the fields, unless there are extra spare lines. Pre-processing is required to decide whether or not the blank lines are available after the data formatting has been completed. The data is limited to 3 lines (data must not exceed this limit); Since only 11 lines are available, it is possible that some fields are forced to be abbreviated or omitted. The fields are assigned priority so that the highest priority fields will have the first opportunity to use 3 lines. As a result, lower priority fields may be forced to be abbreviated. The lowest priority field may be forced to disappear altogether. The third song ID formatting option is to allow multiple screens. Multiple song ID screens allow each field to take as many lines as required. If the screen is full, the user is allowed to access subsequent information pages. With reference to text manipulation, word wrap and abbreviation techniques are used. For the word wrap technique, the words are placed on a line until there are no more full words. The end of a word is defined as in any of the following wrapper characters: 1) space; 2. 3) /; 4) .; 5) -; 6) \; 7) &; 8;; and 9):.

Other wrapper characters can be added to the word wrap technique. For the abbreviation technique, if a complete line of text does not fit over the last available screen line, the text line will be truncated in character 29 and 3 ellipses will be added (...) to indicate the abbreviation. Using the methods described above, the song ID information can be formatted as desired to maximize the content (display as much information as possible, while keeping it readable) or maximize reading capacity (display the information in a very readable format, which may involve the abbreviation of the content). The design of the song information protocol is such that the song ID information can be displayed by any number of setting terminals 112 (analog or digital, integrated or separate) that can use completely different methods to display the information to the subscriber. The protocol uses a series of escape sequences to identify sections of information and to identify formatting information as well. The adjustment terminal 112 (or display device) may choose to use the information to display the song information.

The protocol supports devices that fall into two broad categories: 1) devices that require formatting information to be included with the data, although they generally do not need to identify the purpose of any given piece of information; 2) devices that do not require information formatting although they need to identify each piece of information to allow the device to determine the appropriate deployment format. To achieve this support, the protocol subdivides each field of song information (song title, singer artist, CD name, record label, channel name, news) into the three logical sections: 1) a format prefix of countryside; 2) a body of field data; 3) a field identification suffix. The field prefix specifies the device-dependent display setting, such as a clear display, cursor placement, and deployment data type. The field data body contains the current information that must be displayed. The field suffix identifies the field by the canonical type. A device that requires formatting deployment simply ignores any suffix. A device which requires field identification ignores the field prefix. Some devices may be able to use a combination of both types of information. To accommodate a mixture of devices in a single CATV system, the protocol requires that the escape sequence used throughout the protocol be unique and that all devices simply ignore any escape data that is not relevant to their own operation. Although the invention has been described in part with detailed reference to certain specific embodiments, such details are intended to be instructive rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations in the structure and mode of operation can be reeilitated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the teachings herein.

Claims (28)

1. In a CATV network, a method for providing an audio programming guide display of both in-band and out-of-band information characterized in that it comprises: transmitting an out-of-band information on a control data channel, such out-of-band information related to the programming that is being carried out on a plurality of broadcast channels; transmit information in band over a plurality of transmission channels over which at least one audio transmission is being transmitted, with respect to each channel such information within the transmitted band including the information related to the transmission of audio that is carried over the channel; receive out-of-band information that uses a data receiver; receiving such in-band information from a specific transmission channel that uses a light frequency selector by selecting a specific transmission channel; integrate inside and out-of-band information within an aidio programming guide; and using the programming guide to simultaneously display the out-of-band programming information with the specific audio transmission information related to the transmitted transmission.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of transmitting information out of band includes the transmission of an audio programming guide screen format and the general programming information.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of transmitting the information in band on each channel includes »transmitting the information corresponding to the current program, on said channel.

4. An audio programming guide system for a CATV network, for displaying information both in and out of band characterized in that it comprises: a head end for transmitting out-of-band information on a control data channel, such out-of-band information related to the programming carrying on a plurality of transmission channels; such head end transmitting the in-band information on a plurality of transmission channels on which at least one audio transmission is being transmitted, for each channel such in-band information related to the transmission of audio on that channel; an adjustment terminal for receiving out-of-band information using a data receiver; such an adjustment terminal that receives the in-band information of a specific transmission channel using a light frequency selector by selecting the specific transmission channel; and the adjustment terminal that integrates the in- and out-of-band information into an audio programming guide capable of simultaneously displaying the out-of-band programming information with the specific audio transmission information related to the transmitted transmission.

5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that the head end transmits the out-of-band information including an audio programming guide screen format and the general information.

6. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that the head end transmits the in-band information for such plurality of transmission channels wherein the information for each channel corresponds to the program currently playing on that channel.

7. A CATV tuning terminal characterized in that it comprises: an audio programming guide for displaying the program information both in and out of band on a television monitor receiver to allow user selection of transmission audio programs from such information of out-of-band program schedule as it displays the in-band information transmitted with and belonging to the audio broadcast program; a data processor having a first input to receive such out-of-band program schedule information and a second input to receive the in-band audio program information; a user selection access device operatively associated with the data processor to select the audio transmission programs from the out-of-band program schedule information, - such a data processor configured to integrate the program schedule information outside of band and program schedule information within the bander within a video display signal and to select the audio program transmissions from the audio programming guide based on the user's accesses; a storage device coupled to the data processor; the storage device coupled to receive the out-of-band program schedule information and in-band information for the audio program transmissions selected by the data processor; and a first selector coupled to the data processor for receiving control signals from the data processor at a time when the user selects an audio transmission program or on a pre-programmed time pre-selected by the user in which such a selector supplies the signals of audio program transmission for the selected program to a television monitor receiver.

8. The CATV adjusting terminal according to claim 7, further characterized in that it includes a cable input to receive a CATV signal associated with the selector having outputs coupled with the inputs of the data processor.

9. The CATV adjustment terminal according to claim 7, further characterized in that it includes a video display signal generator coupled to the data processor to generate an on-screen video display from the out-of-band program schedule information and the transmission of in-band audio program.

10. The CATV adjustment terminal according to claim 7, characterized in that the first input includes a data demodulator for supplying the out-of-band schedule information to the data processor.

11. The CATV adjustment terminal according to claim 7, characterized in that the second input includes a cable data device for supplying information in-band to the data processor, wherein the data cable device demodulates and separates the information in band from the audio program.

12. The CATV adjustment terminal according to claim 10, characterized in that the out-of-band time information is transmitted in a specific cable program transmission and the first selector is coupled to supply the out-of-band time information of the transmission of specific cable program to the data modulator.

13. The CATV tuning terminal according to claim 11, characterized in that the in-band programming information and the audio program are transmitted in a specific cable program transmission and the receiver receives the in-band programming information and the broadcast program. Audio.

14. The CATV tuning terminal according to claim 7, characterized in that the data processor is further configured to supply a drive signal to a recorder at the time of an audio transmission program selected by the data processor and to supply the transmission signal for the audio program selected for such recorder.

15. The CATV adjustment terminal according to claim 7, further characterized in that it includes an on-screen video display signal generator coupled to receive signals from the data processor to generate a video display signal from the time information outside of band and in-band program information to display on the television mon- itor receiver; and a video switch coupled to receive the video display signals from the on-screen video display signal generator, the audio program signals from the cable data device and the control signals from the data processor to the selection between the display of video on the screen.

16. The CATV tuning terminal according to claim 15, characterized in that the data processor is further configured to provide on-screen video generator signals to display a plurality of user selection menus and categories on the television monitor receiver; and the user selection access device includes a plurality of scroll keys or rotary knobs to perform the selections of the merrús to choose the programs of the schedule information.

17. The CATV adjustment terminal according to claim 7, characterized in that the first selector is coupled as a part of the first input to receive the schedule information of the selected transmission programs.

18. The CATV adjustment terminal according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a second selector; the second selector coupled to an exclusive type switch having two inputs and one output; one output of the exclusive switch is coupled to the output of the first selector and the other input of the switch of the exclusive type is coupled to the second selector; the exclusive switch output is coupled to the cable data device; and the data processor controls which exclusive switch input is selected depending on the transmission schedule selected by the user.

13. A CATV tuning terminal for controlling a television monitor receiver and the audio system to allow user selection of the CATV audio transmission programs from the assembled program schedule information from the in and out-of-band sources characterized by comprises: a data processor having a first input for the out-of-band time information and a second input for the in-band information associated with an audio transmission program selected by the user that also contains the information pertaining to the audio program transmissions on a plurality of audio program channels; a user selection input access device operatively associated with the data processor for selecting an audio transmission program from the out-of-band time information coupled to the data processor, - the data processor configured to integrate the information from out-of-band program schedule and in-band audio program information within a display signal and to select audio program transmissions from time information based on user selections; ur. storage device stored to receive the out-of-band schedule information of the data processor; a video display generator coupled to receive signals from the data processor to generate a video display signal from the time information and user selections on the television monitor receiver; a first selector for coupling the monitor receiver to C * T 5io¿; the first selector which is coupled to receive control signals from the data processor at a time of a selected transmission considering that the first selector supplies the transmission signals for the selected program to the television monitor receiver and the audio system; and the first selector coupled to the data processor to receive control signals from the data processor at the time a user selects an audio transmission program or when the pre-programmed time preset by the user to cause the selector to supply the audio program transmission signals for the selected program to the television monitor receiver and the audio system. . £. w. ..

CATV adjustment terminal according to claim 19, characterized in that the video display signal generator provides a plurality of user selection menus on the television monitor receiver, the user selection input device includes a plurality of scroll keys to make selections from the menus to choose programs from the time information, and the data processor that is configured to allow combinations of the menu selections to choose programs from the time information.

21. The CATV tuning terminal according to claim 19, characterized in that the data processor is further configured to supply the drive signal towards a program recorder at the moment of a transmission program pre-selected by the user and the delivery of the transmission signal for the selected program to the program recorder.

22. The CATV tuning terminal according to claim 19, characterized in that the data processor is further configured to present a presected portion of the schedule information for user selection.

23. The CATV tuning terminal according to claim 19, characterized in that the first selector is a light frequency receiver configured to receive the audio transmission schedule information independently of a plurality of transmission programs and the first input includes a radio demodulator. data coupled to the data processor that provides the schedule information.

24. The CATV adjustment terminal according to claim 19, further characterized in that it comprises a second selector; the second selector coupled to a switch of exclusive type having two inputs and one output; one exclusive switch input is coupled to the receiver output and the other exclusive type switch input is coupled to the second selector; the output of the exclusive switch is coupled to the second input of the data processor; and the data processor controls which exclusive switch input is selected in dependence on the transmission schedule selected for the user.

25. Er. uta r CATV a method to provide a procrasar guide. t of aud o that displays the mformac or. in and out of band characterized in that it comprises: transmitting the out-of-band information on at least one channel, the out-of-band information related to the programming being carried by a plurality of transmission channels; transmit the information in band over a plurality of transmission channels over which at least one transitis oT. of auaio is being broadcast, ect with respect to each channel tai information within band transmitted including the information related to the transmission of audio transported on the channel; receive out-of-band information that uses a data receiver; receive in-band information from a specific transmission channel that uses a light frequency selector by selecting the specific transmission channel; integrate information in and out of band in an audio programming guide; and using the audio programming guide to simultaneously display the out-of-band programming information with the specific audio transmission information related to the transmitted transmission.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the out-of-band information is transmitted on a control data channel and received on a dedicated data receiver.

27. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the out-of-band information is transmitted over a plurality of digital audio channels and the out-of-band information is received by the selection towards any of the digital audio channels on which the information Out of band is transmitted.

28. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the out-of-band information comprises program schedule information and the information contained in the real-time program wherein the out-of-band program schedule information is transmitted on a data channel. control and real-time program content information is on a plurality of digital audio channels.