Converters for signal distribution systems, methods for providing interactive features to subscribers of interactive signal distribution systems, and cable television distribution systems for providing multiple distribution channels to subscribers

摘要

In a multi-channel cable television distribution system, one or more channels transmit an interactive television (ITV) signal in the form of packetized digital information to the cave system headend. Used to transmit from the cable system headend to the subscriber. Each subscriber's converter is connected between the cable system and the subscriber's television receiver. Such a converter includes a receiver for an ITV channel.;As control packets of the ITV signal are addressed to the individual converters, the converter may receive one or more channels. The converter decodes and decompresses the packetized digital information in these enabled channels and transmits it to the subscriber's television receiver via one of the channels used for the ITV signal from the headend. Generate a signal to replace the packetized digital information. The remaining channels of the cable system are provided to an unaltered television receiver. Thus, all cable-ready features of the subscriber television receiver can be used. In another embodiment of the present invention, the video signal generated by the converter is generated from one or more sources. Examples of such sources are additional receivers and local text or symbol generators adapted to receive conventional television signals from cable systems.