Method and apparatus for delivering programming code objects to set-top terminals and the like

1. At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising stored instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of a client device communicatively coupled to a distribution network and to a local network, causes the one or more processors to perform steps comprising:

in the client device, causing pre-positioning of a programming object on a storage medium by sending a request signal from the client device to the distribution network, the request signal for requesting that the programming object be pre-positioned on the storage medium rather than be sent over the distribution network to the client device, wherein the storage medium is accessible by the client device without use of the distribution network, and wherein the local network is configured such that the storage medium is accessible via the distribution network for pre-positioning;

receiving a downloading signal via the distribution network, the downloading signal for notifying at least one client device that at least one programming object is to be downloaded thereto, the downloading signal including an identification of the programming object to be downloaded;

in response to receipt of the downloading signal:

determining that the programming object has previously been, in advance of receiving the downloading signal for the client device to download the programming object, pre-positioned on the storage medium; and

causing the client device to receive the programming object from the storage medium on which the object has been pre-positioned rather than causing the client device to receive the programming object over the distribution network; and

determining whether the programming object identified in the downloading signal has in fact been received from the storage medium, and if not, causing the client device to receive the programming object over the distribution network; and

activating the object at a time after its receipt by the client device.

2. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the at least one client device comprises at least one class of set top terminals.

3. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the object is pre-positioned on the storage medium by the distribution network.

4. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein at least a plurality of programming objects are to be downloaded, at least one of the programming objects being a data object that identifies at least one additional programming object that is to be subsequently downloaded.

5. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 4 wherein the data object includes a url identifying a location at which the additional programming object is available.

6. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the identification of the object to be downloaded is selected from the group consisting of an object name and an object version.

7. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the identification of the object to be downloaded includes an identification of a source from which the object is to be downloaded to the storage medium.

8. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the identification of the object to be downloaded includes an identification of a transmission stream in which the object is to be downloaded to the storage medium.

9. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the object is received directly from the storage medium over a connector selected from the group consisting of a personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) interface, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, an IEEE 1394 FireWire interface, a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) interface, an Advance Technology Attachment (ATA) interface, a serial ATA interface, an Integrated Device Electronic (IDE) interface, an Enhanced Integrated Device Electronic (EIDE) interface, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) interface, a PCI Express interface, and a serial or parallel interface.

10. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the downloading signal triggers a search to locate the object on the storage medium.

11. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the downloading signal triggers the activation of the object.

12. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein at least a plurality of programming objects are to be downloaded and a first of the programming objects is unavailable on the storage medium and further comprising downloading the first programming object over the distribution network.

13. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein activation of the object includes execution of a software platform, operating system or application.

14. A set top terminal which is communicatively coupled to a distribution communication network, comprising:

an RF front-end for receiving programming content over the distribution communication network;

a processor operatively associated with the RF front-end;

a storage device operatively associated with the processor;

an interface for establishing communication with an external device associated with the set top terminal; and

wherein, in response to a first signal received from the distribution network over the RF front-end, the first signal including an identification of at least one programming object to be downloaded to the set top terminal, the processor determines that the programming object is located on the external device and receives the programming object from the external device through the interface,

wherein the programming object has been, in advance of receiving the first signal for the set top terminal to download the programming object, pre-positioned on the external device, the pre-positioning comprising:

sending a second signal from the set top terminal back to the distribution network, the second signal for requesting that the programming object be pre-positioned on a storage medium of the external device rather than be sent over the distribution network to the set top terminal, wherein the external device is accessible by the set top terminal without use of the distribution network, and wherein the external device is configured such that the storage medium is accessible via the distribution network for pre-positioning;

wherein the processor determines whether the programming object identified in the downloading signal has in fact been received from the external device, and if not, causes the client device to receive the programming object over the distribution network; and

wherein the processor activates the object at a time after its receipt by the set top terminal.

15. The set top terminal of claim 14 further comprising executable code located on the storage device for facilitating operations performed by the processor and wherein the programming object includes an update to the executable code.

16. The set top terminal of claim 14 wherein the programming object is an application object.

17. The set top terminal of claim 14 wherein the programming object is compliant with the OpenCable Application Platform (OCAP).