VIRTUAL LAN PRINTING OVER INTERACTIVE CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM

摘要

In an interactive television information system having a processor at a headend in communication with subscriber televisions through an information service distribution network, at least one printer is coupled to an interface controller connected to a data communication link. Each subscriber television is in communication access with a home interface controller. A selection input in a home interface controller permits a subscriber to request printing wherein a print command is generated in the home interface controller and sent to the processor at the headend. Information for printing is provided from the headend and transmitted over the data communication link to the interface controller coupled to a printer. The print command may include designation of which printer on the information service distribution network the printing information is to be sent to.