METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TARGETED OR UNIVERSAL UPGRADES OF PROGRAMMING IN A POPULATION OF ADVANCED SET-TOP BOXES IN A CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM

摘要

This method and system allow for the controlled upgrading of programming in a set-top terminal of a cable television system. An upgrade order is transmitted over the cable plant from the system operator to the population of set-top terminals. The upgrade order may be universal or targeted. If targeted, the upgrade order will only be implemented by a single set-top terminal or a group of terminals specified by a single or multi-cast address included with the upgrade order. If the upgrade order is for a complete upgrade, the set-top terminal will terminate, and may delete, all executing codes. This allows the terminal's boot code to automatically begin execution and acquire new upgraded programming for the terminal broadcast over the cable system. If the upgrade is partial, only specified objects are replaced.