Signal processing appparatus and methods

• US 5,335,277 A
• Filed: 05/03/1993
• Issued: 08/02/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Personalized Mass Media Corporation
• Original Assignee: Personalized Mass Media Corporation
• Inventors: Harvey, John C., Cuddihy, James W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cain, David C.
• Application Number:
  US08/056,501
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 380/20, 380/10, 380/9, 380/49
• US Class Current: 380/242
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/071 containing electro-optic elements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/14 for monitoring programmes
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/28 Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/30 by a single channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/70 characterised in that receivers can be addressed
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/18 Arrangements characterised by circuits or components specially adapted for receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/13 Arrangements for device control affected by the broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/21 Billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/23 using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/27 Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/31 Arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/33 Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/37 for identifying segments of broadcast information, e.g. scenes or extracting programme ID
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/40 for identifying broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/41 for identifying broadcast space, i.e. broadcast channels, broadcast stations or broadcast areas
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/94 Telephonic networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/84
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 1/00 Secret communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/00 Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD] real-time bi-directional transmission of motion video data H04N7/14 ; broadcast or conference over packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/20 Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21 : Server components or server architectures
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21815 : comprising local storage units
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/222 : Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end provisioning of proxy services in data packet switching networks H04L67/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 : Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2351 : involving encryption of additional data arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/236 : Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Insertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rate; Assembling of a packetised elementary stream multiplexing of data packets for data networks, e.g. RTP/UDP H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23892 : involving embedding information at multiplex stream level, e.g. embedding a watermark at packet level
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2407 : Monitoring of transmitted content, e.g. distribution time, number of downloads arrangements for monitoring programmes for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25 : Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 : Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 : Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41 : Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4117 : for generating hard copies of the content, e.g. printer, electronic paper interfaces to printers G06F3/12; printing data G06K15/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4131 : home appliance, e.g. lighting, air conditioning system, metering devices home automation data switching networks exchanging configuration information on appliance services H04L12/2807
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 : external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41415 : involving a public display, viewable by several users in a public space outside their home, e.g. movie theatre, information kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 : embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 : providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 : Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 : Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4307 : Synchronising the rendering of multiple content streams or additional data on devices, e.g. synchronisation of audio on a mobile phone with the video output on the TV screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43072 : of multiple content streams on the same device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/432 : Content retrieval operation from a local storage medium, e.g. hard-disk details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 : by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/434 : Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams, extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream demultiplexing of data packets for data networks, e.g. RTP/UDP H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4353 : involving decryption of additional data arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4363 : Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4382 : Demodulation or channel decoding, e.g. QPSK demodulation analog front ends or means for connecting modulators, demodulators or transceivers to a transmission line H04L27/0002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4385 : Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream decrypting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4405 : involving video stream decryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44227 : Monitoring of local network, e.g. connection or bandwidth variations; Detecting new devices in the local network configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; monitoring connectivity in data switched networks H04L43/0811
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4432 : Powering on the client, e.g. bootstrap loading using setup parameters being stored locally or received from the server resetting in general G06F1/14; program loading or initiating in general G06F9/445; bootstrapping in general G06F9/4401; secure boots of computer platforms G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/45 : Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/454 : Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/458 : Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 : End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/488 : Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4888 : for displaying teletext characters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/63 : Control signaling related to video distribution between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients or between remote clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing real-time session protocols H04L65/1101; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/633 : Control signals issued by server directed to the network components or client management of faults, events, alarms in data networks H04L41/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 : for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 : Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/818 : OS software
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8352 : involving content or source identification data, e.g. Unique Material Identifier [UMID]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 : involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/46 : for receiving on more than one standard at will deflecting circuits of multi-standard receivers H04N3/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/08 : Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band , e.g. by time division H04N7/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/084 : with signal insertion during the horizontal blanking interval only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/14 : Systems for two-way working H04N7/12, H04N7/173 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/24 : Systems for the transmission of television signals using pulse code modulation H04N21/00 takes precedence

Abstract

A unified system of programing communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming.

Claims

1. A method of processing control signals and controlling equipment at a remote site based on broadcast transmissions including:

(a) the step of receiving at said remote site a broadcast carrier transmission;

(b) the step of demodulating said broadcast carrier transmission to detect an information transmission therein;

(c) the step of detecting and identifying at said remote site control signals associated with said information transmission;

(d) the step of passing at least a portion of said control signals to a computer control means at said remote site;

(e) the step of said computer control means determining based on instructions included in said control signals whether receiver means at said remote site is operating; and

(f) the step of directing, based on the result of said determination step, said information transmission and a selected portion of said control signals to (1) said receiver means and associated computer equipment or (2) a recorder means activated by said computer control means.

2. A method of processing control signals and controlling equipment at a remote site based on a broadcast transmission, including:

(a) the step of receiving at a remote site a broadcast carrier transmission;

(b) the step of demodulating said broadcast carrier transmission to detect an information transmission therein;

(c) the step of detecting and identifying at said remote site control signals associated with said information transmission;

(d) the step of passing at least a portion of control signals to a computer control means at said remote site;

(e) the step of comparing a selected position of said control signals with a code imputed into said computer control means on the basis of information contained in said information transmission; and

(f) the step of activating a printing means when the comparison step provides a match between the inputted code and the selected portion of the control signals.

3. A method of processing control signals and controlling equipment at a remote site based on a broadcast transmission, including:

(a) a step of receiving at said remote site a broadcast carrier transmission;

(b) the step of demodulating said broadcast carrier transmission to detect an encrypted information transmission therein;

(c) the step of detecting and identifying at said remote site control signals associated with said encrypted information transmission;

(d) the step of passing at least a portion of said control signals to a computer control means at said remote site;

(e) the step of said computer means identifying the remote site receiver, determining an identification code for said remote site receiver and comparing said identification code for said remote site receiver to a list of authorized information recipients;

(f) the step of said computer means directing a selected portion of said control signals to a decryptor means based on a favorable result of said identification step; and

(g) the step of decrypting said information transmission.

4. A data receiver system comprising:

a switch operatively connected to a first input of a broadcast transmission and a second input of a cablecast transmission for selecting either said first input or said second input and transferring the selected transmission to a digital detector;

a controller operatively connected to said switch for causing said switch to select either said first input or said second input; and

a digital detector operatively connected to said switch for detecting digital data in said selected transmission and for relaying said data to a data processor.

5. A television receiver system comprising:

a line receiver for receiving a video signal of an analog television transmission and selecting portions of one or more lines of said video signal containing embedded signals;

a first digital detector operatively connected to said line receiver for receiving the selected portions of video lines containing the video embedded signals and detecting the presence of a first predetermined signal in said selected lines of video;

a filter for receiving an audio signal of said analog television transmission and selecting portions of the audio signal containing embedded signals;

a second digital detector operatively connected to said filter for receiving the selected portions of the audio signal containing the audio embedded signals and detecting the presence of a second predetermined signal in said selected portions of said audio signal;

a storage device operatively connected to said first and said second digital detectors for receiving and storing information contained in at least one of said first and second predetermined signals, and passing said information to a processor; and

a controller operatively connected to said detectors, said line receiver and said filter for controlling the selected portions of said video and audio signals passed from said line receiver and filter, respectively, to said detectors based on either a location or a timing pattern of the selected portions;

said controller programmed with;

(1) information as to changing locations or changing timing patterns of said predetermined signals; and

(2) information as to composition of said predetermined signals.

6. A system for identifying a predetermined signal in a television program transmission in which a plurality of signal types are transmitted said signal being transmitted in a varying location or a varying timing pattern, said television program transmission being separately defined from standard analog video and audio television, said system comprising:

a digital detector for receiving said transmission and detecting said predetermined signal in said transmission based on either a specific location or a specific time; and

a controller operatively connected to said detector for causing said detector to detect said predetermined signal based on either a specific location or time, said controller being programmed with either the varying locations or the varying timing pattern of said signal.

7. A system for locating or identifying a specific signal in a television program transmission that contains digital information and for assembling information contained in said specific signal, said transmission being separately defined from standard analog video and audio television, said system comprising:

a digital detector for receiving at least some information of said transmission and detecting said specific signal at a specific location or time;

a storage device operatively connected to said digital detector for receiving detected digital information of said specific signal and assembling at least some of said digital information into either information or instruction message units; and

a controller operatively connected to said detector and said storage device for causing said detector to locate, detect or output said signal and for controlling a technique used by said storage device to assemble message units, said controller being programmed with information of the composition of said signal or with either the varying location or the varying timing pattern of said signal.

8. A television receiver system comprising:

a filter for receiving one of either video or audio of an analog television transmission and selecting portions of said analog transmission that contain digital signals;

a first digital detector operatively connected to said filter for receiving said selected portions of said analog transmission and detecting a first digital signal;

a second digital detector for receiving information of a selected television program transmission that is separately defined from standard analog television, said second digital detector detecting a second digital signal in said separately defined television program transmission;

a storage device operatively connected to said first and said second digital detectors for receiving detected digital information and assembling said detected information into message units; and

a controller operatively connected to said first detector, said second detector and said storage device, said controller controlling the operation of said first detector and said second detector and controlling the manner by which said storage device assembles message units.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said controller is programmed with information of a standard practice in effect on at least one transmission or frequency that contains digital information.

10. A television receiver system comprising:

a receiver for receiving a selected portion of a television program transmission that is not a standard television signal;

a digital detector operatively connected to said receiver for receiving said selected portion and detecting a digital signal;

a storage device operatively connected to said digital detector for receiving detected digital information and assembling said detected information into message units;

a controller operatively connected to said receiver, said detector and said storage device, said controller controlling said receiver to pass selected information to said detector, said detector to pass detected information to said storage device, and said storage device to assemble detected information into message units.

11. A television receiver system comprising:

a first processor for receiving information of a selected television program transmission and detecting a specific signal in said transmission based upon a location or timing pattern of said specific signal in said transmission, said first processor being programmed with information of a varying location or timing pattern;

a second processor operatively connected to said first processor for receiving and processing information of said specific signal, and for identifying when and where to pass said information based upon said information, and passing said information.

12. A reprogrammable system comprising:

a digital detector for receiving information of a transmission and detecting digital signals in said transmission, said digital signals including new operating instructions;

a processor operatively connected to said digital detector for receiving and processing information of some of said digital signals, said processor identifying those of said operating instructions addressed to said processor, said processor instructing said detector to detect and pass specified signals;

a memory device operatively connected to said processor for holding operating instructions addressed to said processor, said operating instructions controlling the operation of said processor; and

said processor loading said operating instructions that are addressed to said processor into said memory device to thereby reprogram said processor, said operating instructions including instructions to cause said processor to cause said detector to detect different signals.

13. A signal processing system comprising:

a digital detector for detecting digital signals;

a processor operatively connected to said digital detector for receiving and processing information of a signal detected by said detector, processing the received detected signals to identify how and where to pass said information;

a plurality of apparatus operatively connected to said processor, said processor transferring said detected signals to said apparatus that are addressed by said signals or to be controlled by said signals;

a memory device operatively connected to said processor for holding operating instructions that control said processor; and

a controller operatively connected to said detector and said memory device for controlling the detector in its detection of signals.

14. A television receiver station comprising:

a plurality of receiver/distributors with at least one receiving a television programming transmission, each transmission including the television programming and programming identification signals identifying the programming;

an output device for displaying television programming or transmitting television programming to a remote subscriber station;

a storage device for receiving and storing television programming;

means for selectively receiving television programming from either one of said receiver/distributors or said storage device and selectively transferring the received television programming to either said storage device or to said output device;

a processor operatively connected to at least one of said plurality of receiver/distributors for receiving the programming and the programming identification information; and

a controller operatively connected to said processor for receiving specific unit programming identification information, identifying a specific unit of television programming received at a specific receiver/distributor by comparing of received identification information to previously received scheduled program identification information, and passing programming to either said output device or to said storage device based upon said scheduled information.

15. A method for identifying and selecting television programming in a system that is adapted to direct selected television programming to a television programming output or storage, said system including a processor for receiving and processing at least part of the television programming transmission, a means for transferring said programming selectively from a television programming receiver to a television programming output device or storage device, and a controller for receiving information from said processor and for controlling said means for transferring on the basis of at least some of said information, said method comprising the steps of:

inputting to said controller identification information of at least one specified television program unit;

inputting at least part of a television programming transmission to said processor;

detecting, locating or identifying in said part identification data that identified a specific television program unit in said transmission; and

inputting information of said data to said controller, determining based on said program unit information that said specific unit is a specific unit and thereby to enable said controller to select at least a portion of said specific television program unit and cause said means for transferring to transfer information of said selected portion to said television programming output device or storage device.

16. A system for locating an embedded instruct-to-decrypt signal out of a plurality of signals embedded in the video of an analog television transmission and enabling a decryptor a decrypt a portion of the television transmission, said system comprising:

a line receiver for receiving a video signal of an analog television transmission and selecting portions of one or more lines of said video that contain embedded signals, said line receiver capable of changing the specific portions of said video lines that are selected;

a digital detector operatively connected to said line receiver for receiving said selected portions of video lines that contain the embedded signals, detecting the instruct-to-decrypt signal in said selected portions;

a decryptor operatively connected to said digital detector for receiving information on the instruct-to-decrypt signal from said detector and decrypting a portion of said transmission in response to receiving said information; and

a controller operatively connected to said line receiver for causing said line receiver to change the specific portions of video selected by said line receiver on the basis of a varying location or timing pattern of the signals in the transmission, said controller having access to information on the varying location or timing pattern of the signals in the transmission.

17. A system for controlling a decryptor, said system comprising:

a digital detector for receiving at least a portion of a television program transmission, said program transmission comprising a program and a plurality of signals embedded in said transmission, said detector detecting said signals;

a decryptor operatively connected to said detector for receiving and decrypting said detected signals; and

a controller operatively connected to said decryptor for causing said decryptor to alter its decryption pattern or technique.

18. A signal processing system comprising:

a storage device for receiving signals detected in a program transmission and inputting said signals selectively to a decryptor;

a decryptor operatively connected to said storage device for receiving, decrypting, and passing signals to a processor; and

a controller operatively connected to said storage device and said decryptor for causing said storage device to identify and pass a specific signal to said decryptor and causing said decryptor to decrypt said specific signal.

19. A television subscriber station comprising:

a plurality of decryptors, each decryptor capable of decrypting a selected one of a plurality of portions of a television program transmission; and

a processor operatively connected to some of said decryptors for identifying and passing to a selected decryptor an instruct-to-decrypt signal that instructs the selected decryptor to decrypt some of the video portion of said transmission, said instruct-to-decrypt signal comprising a code necessary for the decryption of said program transmission.

20. A television subscriber station comprising:

a decryptor for receiving and decrypting part of the video portion of an encrypted television program transmission in response to receiving an instruct-to-decrypt signal;

a digital detector operatively connected to said decryptor for receiving information of a separately defined television program transmission, detecting the location or presence of an instruct-to-decrypt signal in said transmission, and outputting digital information of said signal to said decryptor; and

a controller operatively connected to said detector for controlling the technique by which said detector locates, detects and outputs signals, said controller being programmed with information as to either signal composition or signal timing.

21. A television subscriber station comprising:

a tuner for receiving and tuning to a selected one of a plurality of television program transmissions;

a first processor operatively connected to said tuner for locating a selected portion of a selected analog television transmission, detecting digital information in said portion, determining the presence of a first instruct-to-decrypt signal;

a second processor operatively connected to said tuner for locating a selected portion of a selected separately defined television program transmission, detecting digital information in said separate portion, determining the presence of a second instruct-to-decrypt signal;

a third processor operatively connected to said tuner, said first processor, and said second processor for controlling the manner by which a selected one of said first and second processors locates, detects or passes signals, said third processor being programmed with information as to either the composition or timing of a signal and with information of the standard broadcast or cablecast practices in effect on a selected transmission or frequency; and

a decryptor operatively connected to said first processor and said second processor for receiving, decrypting, and outputting information of said selected television program transmission in response to receiving information of said instruct-to-decrypt signals from said first and second processors.

22. A television subscriber station comprising:

a receiver for receiving a plurality of television program transmissions;

a tuner for tuning said receiver to a selected one of the plurality of television program transmissions and of informing a processor of the selected transmission to which said receiver is tuned;

a decryptor operatively connected to said receiver for receiving, decrypting, and outputting some of said selected television program transmission; and

a processor operatively connected to said tuner and said decryptor, for receiving information transmitted in a selected program transmission, locating or identifying information of an instruct-to-decrypt signal associated with said selected transmission, and identifying and transferring to said decryptor a signal needed for decryption, said processor being programmed with or preinformed of the technique for identifying information of said signal needed for decryption.

23. A television subscriber station comprising:

a receiver for receiving an encrypted television programming transmission;

a decryptor operatively connected to said detector for decrypting the video portion of said encrypted television programming transmission in response to an instruct-to-decrypt signal;

a controller operatively connected to said detector for controlling the manner by which said station locates said signal; and

a memory device operatively connected to said controller for holding information of said instruct-to-decrypt signal.

24. A method for causing decryption of television or computer programming at a station that includes a decryptor for receiving and decrypting at least part of an encrypted programming transmission in response to information of an instruct-to-decrypt signal;

a digital detector for detecting data of a plurality of signal types in a mass medium programming transmission and transferring said data to a processor; and

a processor operatively connected to said decryptor and said detector for locating or identifying an instruct-to-decrypt signal in said data and transferring information of said signal to said decryptor, with instruct-to-decrypt signals being of a signal type and being transmitted in said transmission in varying locations or in a varying pattern of timing, said method comprising the steps of;

programming said processor with information of a procedure for identifying an instruct-to-decrypt signal in a plurality of signal types or for locating instruct-to-decrypt signals that are transmitted in varying locations or in a varying pattern of timing;

transmitting instruct-to-decrypt signals to said station in varying locations or a varying pattern of timing in a mass medium programming transmission that contains a plurality of signal types;

receiving said programming transmission and transferring at least a portion of said transmission to said detector;

detecting data of said plurality of signal types and transferring said data to said processor; and

processing said data to locate or identify an instruct-to-decrypt signal, and identifying or locating at least one instruct-to-decrypt signal, thereby to enable said station to decrypt at least a part of an encrypted programming transmission in response to information of said signal.

25. A method for causing decryption of television or computer programming at a station that includes a decryptor for receiving and decrypting at least part of an encrypted programming transmission in response to information of an instruct-to-decrypt signal;

a digital detector for detecting data of a plurality of signal types in a mass medium programming transmission and transferring said data to a processor; and

a processor operatively connected to said decryptor and said detector for locating or identifying an instruct-to-decrypt signal in said data and transferring information of said signal to said decryptor, with instruct-to-decrypt signals being of a signal type and being transmitted in said transmission in varying locations or in a varying pattern of timing and with said processor being programmed with information of a procedure for identifying an instruct-to-decrypt signal in a plurality of signal types or for locating instruct-to-decrypt signals that are transmitted in varying locations or in a varying pattern of timing, said method comprising the step of;

transmitting instruct-to-decrypt signals to said station in varying locations or a varying pattern of timing in a mass medium programming transmission that contains a plurality of signal types, thereby to enable a subscriber station to receive said programming transmission and transfer at least a portion of said transmission to said detector, detect data of said plurality of signal types and transfer said data to said processor, process said data to locate or identify an instruct-to-decrypt signal, identify or locate at least one instruct-to-decrypt signal, and decrypt at least a part of an encrypted programming transmission in response to information of said signal.

26. A method for causing decryption of television or computer programming at a station that includes a decryptor for receiving and decrypting at least part of an encrypted programming transmission in response to information of an instruct-to-decrypt signal;

a digital detector for detecting data of a plurality of signal types in a mass medium programming transmission and transferring said data to a processor; and

a processor operatively connected to said decryptor and said detector for locating or identifying an instruct-to-decrypt signal in said data and transferring information of said signal to said decryptor, with instruct-to-decrypt signals being of a signal type and being transmitted in said transmission in varying locations or in a varying pattern of timing, with instruct-to-decrypt signals being transmitted to said station in varying locations or a varying pattern of timing in a mass medium programming transmission that contains a plurality of signal types, and with said station receiving said programming transmission, combining at least a portion of said transmission to said detector, detecting data of said plurality of signal types, and transferring said data to said processor, said method comprising the step of;

programming said processor with information of a procedure for identifying an instruct-to-decrypt signal in a plurality of signal types or for locating instruct-to-decrypt signals that are transmitted in varying locations or in a varying pattern of timing, thereby to enable said station to process said data to locate or identify an instruct-to-decrypt signal, to enable said station to identify or locate at least one instruct-to-decrypt signal, and to enable said station to decrypt at least a part of an encrypted programming transmission in response to information of said signal.

27. A subscriber station comprising:

a plurality of detectors, each operatively connected to a specific one of a programming receiver device, a display device, a storage device, a processing device or a transmission device for detecting information that identifies specific programming to be received, displayed, stored, processed or transmitted by said specific devices;

means for transferring said information from one of said detectors to a processor; and

a processor connected to said means for transferring for receiving said information and assembling or storing records that contain statistics on programming availability, use or usage at said station.

28. A television subscriber or computer user station comprising:

a plurality of decoders, each operatively connected to a specific programming receiver, display, storage, processing, transmission, or output device for locating or identifying identifier information that identifies specific programming received, displayed, stored, processed, transmitted, or outputted by said specific device;

means for transferring said information from one of said decoder to a processor; and

a controller operatively connected to some of said plurality of decoders for instructing a selected one of said decoders how to locate said identifier information.

29. A computer system comprising:

a detector operatively connected to a mass medium receiver for detecting information in a selected broadcast or cablecast transmission, said information including computer control instructions;

a transmission device operatively connected to said detector for transmitting control instructions to a computer and a storage; and

a processor operatively connected to said transmission device for inputting said detected information selectively to said computer or said storage.

30. A mass medium subscriber station comprising:

a mass medium receiver for receiving a selected broadcast or cablecast transmission;

a detector operatively connected to said mass medium receiver for detecting information in said selected broadcast or cablecast transmission, said information including subscriber station environment control signals;

a processor for receiving information detected by said detector identifying said environment controller signals, and outputting said signals to a specific control.

a plurality of controlled apparatus; and

a plurality of controllers each operatively connected to said processor and one of said controlled apparatus, each of said controllers receiving selected ones of said control signals from said processor and controlling one of said controlled apparatus on the basis of said received control signals.

31. A method for selectively controlling apparatus at a subscriber station that includes a receiver for receiving a point to multipoint programming transmission, a detector for detecting control instructions in said transmission, a first processor operatively connected to said detector for selectively assembling information of said control instructions, a means for transferring control instructions to a plurality of controllers, and a second processor operatively connected to said means for transferring for inputting control instructions selectively to a specific one of said plurality of controllers, with each controller operatively connected to a specific one of a plurality of devices comprising a tuner, a decryptor, a transfer, a computer, a processor, a storage device, an output device, each controller controlling at least one of said devices, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting in a point to multipoint transmission a control instruction that is addressed to a specific one of said plurality of controllers;

receiving said transmission at said station and transferring information of said transmission to said detector;

detecting data of said control instruction in said information and transferring said data to said first processor;

assembling local message information of said control instruction by selectively discarding some of said data, adding information to said data, or changing said data;

transferring said message information to said transmission; and

processing said message information at said second processor and inputting said information to a selected one of said plurality of controllers, thereby to enable said controller to control its associated tuner, decryptor, transfer device, computer, processor, storage or output device in accordance with said control instruction.

32. A data receiver system comprising:

a first receiver for receiving identification signals that identify specific information content in a plurality of concurrent broadcast or cablecast data transmissions;

a storage device for storing hold-and-compare signals;

a means operatively connected to said first receiver and said storage for receiving said identification signals and said hold-and-compare signals, comparing said identification signals to said hold-and-compare signals, and conveying the information identified by said comparison to a controller;

a second receiver operatively connected to a data processor or a data output for receiving selected data transmissions and directing said data transmissions to said data processor or output;

a tuner operatively connected to said second receiver for causing said second receiver to receive said selected data transmissions; and

a controller operatively connected to said means for comparing and said tuner for selecting a specific data transmission on the basis of information conveyed by said means for comparing and instructing said tuner to cause said second receiver to receive said selected data transmissions.

33. A data receiver system comprising:

a first receiver for receiving identification signals that identify specific information content of a specific one or ones of a plurality of concurrent broadcast or cablecast data transmissions;

a second receiver operatively connected to a data processor or a data output for receiving a selected one of said plurality of data transmission and directing said one of said data processor or output;

a tuner operatively connected to said second receiver for causing said second receiver to receive said selected data transmission; and

a processor operatively connected to said first receiver and said tuner for storing hold-and-compare signals, receiving said identification signals, comparing said identification signals to hold-and-compare signals, and instructing said tuner to cause said second receiver to receive said selected data transmission.

34. A television receiver system comprising:

a first receiver for receiving identification signals that identifying specific information content of a specific one of a plurality of concurrent broadcast or cablecast television program transmissions;

a second receiver operatively connected to a television data processor for receiving a selected one of said plurality of television program transmission and directing said one to said data processor;

a tuner operatively connected to said second receiver for causing said second receiver to receive said selected television program transmission; and

a processor operatively connected to said first receiver and said tuner for storing hold-and-compare signals, locating or identifying said identification signals, comparing said identification signals to hold-and-compare signals, and instructing said tuner to cause said second receiver to receive said selected transmission.

35. A television subscriber station comprising:

a converter for receiving a multichannel television transmission;

a tuner operatively connected to said converter for selecting a specific television channel;

a television receiver or display device for displaying programming of a channel specified by said tuner; and

a controller operatively connected to said tuner for storing information of a selected television program unit and causing said tuner to select a television transmission containing programming of said selected television unit at a specific time.

36. The system of claim 35 also including:

a second controller operatively connected to said television receiver or display device for actuating or tuning said receiver or display device to receive or display the television programming of said selected transmission.

37. The system of claim 35 also including:

a video recorder connected to said converter; and

a second controller operatively connected to said video recorder for causing said recorder to record television programming of said selected transmission.

38. A method for receiving selected television or radio programming in a system that includes a receiver for receiving a television or radio transmission or frequency, a means for transferring television or radio programming from said receiver to a television or radio programming output or storage, a processor capable of receiving and processing at least part of a programming transmission, and a controller capable of receiving information from said processor and of controlling said tuner on the basis of at least some of said information, said method comprising the steps of:

inputting to said controller identification information of at least one specified television or radio program unit;

inputting at least part of a programming transmission to said processor;

detecting in said part identification data that identifies a specific television or radio program unit;

inputting information of said identification data to said controller together with information that identifies a specific transmission or frequency; and

enabling said controller to select at least a portion of said specific television or radio program nit and cause said tuner to tune said receiver to receive information of said selected portion.

39. A television subscriber station comprising:

a processor operatively connected to said subscriber station for collecting statistical information on programming availability, use and usage at said station;

a means for receiving a multichannel television transmission and transferring information of a selected channel to a television display device or a video recorder;

a tuner operatively connected to said means for transferring for selecting a specific television channel; and

a controller operatively connected to said processor and said tuner for obtaining from said processor information associated with said statistical data and for causing said means for receiving to receive a selected channel on the basis of said information.

40. A television subscriber station comprising:

a storage device for receiving and storing at least some data associated with a television program presentation;

a television receiver for receiving programming associated with said program presentation;

a television display device operatively connected to said television receiver and said storage device for displaying said television program presentation;

a decoder operatively connected to a mass medium receiver for detecting and transferring to said storage device at least one datum that identifies specific programming content;

a controller operatively connected to said storage device and said display device for causing said storage device to transmit at least some programming content associated with said datum at a specific time in response to an instruct-to-coordinate signal; and

an input operatively connected to said controller for inputting an instruct-to-coordinate signal.

41. A system for processing a television program transmission in which a plurality of types of signals including identification signals or instruct-to-decrypt signals are transmitted, said types being transmitted in different patterns and at least one of said types being transmitted in varying locations or in a varying pattern of timing in said program transmission, said system comprising:

a processor for identifying and transferring to a computer an instruct-to-generate signal that causes said computer to generate a portion of the video information content of a television program to be displayed at a television display device.

42. A system for processing a television program transmission in which a plurality of types of signal information are transmitted in different patterns, with said types of signal information including at least a unit identification information signal that identifies a unit of information associated with a television program, with said signal types being transmitted in varying locations or in a varying pattern of timing in said program transmission, said system capable of processing television programming separately defined from standard analog television, said system comprising:

a processor for locating or identifying and transferring to a computer an instruct-to-generate-and-transmit signal that causes said computer to generate and transmit to a television display a portion of the video information content of a television program.

43. A signal processing system comprising:

a mass medium receiver for receiving a selected broadcast or cablecast transmission;

a decoder operatively connected to said mass medium receiver for locating or identifying information in said selected broadcast or cablecast transmission, said information including computer control instructions, said decoder also identifying information that identifies specific programming received by said receiver;

a processor operatively connected to said decoder for identifying and transferring to a computer an instruct-to-generate-and-transmit signal that causes said computer to generate and transmit to a television display a portion of the video information content of a television program;

a computer operatively connected to said processor and for receiving said instruct-to-generate-and-transmit signal from said processor, said instruct-to-generate-and-transmit signal causing said computer to generate and transmit the portion of the video information content; and

a television display device operatively connected to said computer for receiving and displaying said portion of the video information content.

44. A television receiver system comprising:

a television receiver for receiving a selected broadcast or cablecast television transmission and transferring television programming in said transmission to a television display;

an input device for inputting information of the reaction of a viewer to specific television program content;

a digital detector operatively connected to a mass medium receiver for detecting digital information in a mass medium transmission and transferring some of said detected information to a processor; and

a processor operatively connected to said detector and said input device for generating and outputting information of a video overlay that is related to said television programming or said reaction information; and

a television display device operatively connected to said processor for receiving and displaying said video overlay.

45. A system for coordinating a multimedia or multiple media presentation comprising:

a first mass medium receiver for receiving a broadcast or cablecast transmission;

a detector operatively connected to said first mass medium receiver for detecting information in a selected broadcast or cablecast transmission, said information including actuation or tuning control instructions;

a transmission operatively connected to said detector for transmitting control instruction to said tuner;

a second mass medium receiver for a transmission; and

a tuner operatively connected to a second mass medium receiver or to apparatus operatively connected to said second receiver for tuning said receiver or said apparatus.

46. A mass medium receiver system comprising:

a mass medium receiver for receiving a selected broadcast or cablecast mass medium transmission and transferring programming in said transmission to a mass medium programming output device;

an input device for inputting information of the reaction of a viewer to specific mass medium program content;

a digital detector operatively connected to said mass medium receiver for detecting digital information in a mass medium transmission and transferring said detected information to a decryptor;

a decryptor for decrypting detected digital information; and

a controller for controlling said decryptor regarding its manner of decryption, said controller controlling said decryptor in response to information inputted by said input device.

47. A multimedia or multiple media subscriber station comprising:

a television receiver for receiving a selected television transmission and transferring television programming in said transmission to a television display;

an input device for inputting information of the reaction of a viewer to specific television programming;

a mass medium receiver connected to said television display;

a tuner operatively connected to said mass medium receiver for causing said receiver to receive a selected transmission of programming that supplements said specific television programming; and

a controller operatively connected to said input device and said tuner for controlling said tuner in response to information inputted by said input device.

48. A multimedia or multiple media subscriber station comprising:

a television receiver for receiving a selected television transmission and transferring television programming in said transmission to a specific portion of a television display;

an input device for inputting information of the reaction of a viewer to specific television programming;

a digital detector operatively connected to a mass medium receiver for detecting digital information in a mass medium transmission and combining some of said detected information to a controller;

a plurality of output devices, for outputting programming or information related to but distinct from said television programming; and

a controller operatively connected to said input device, said detector and a selected output device for causing said output device to output specific selected programming or information related to but distinct from said television programming, said controller causing said output device to output said selected programming or information in response to information inputted by said input device and information detected by said digital detector.

49. A multimedia or multiple media subscriber station comprising:

a television receiver for receiving a selected television transmission and transferring television programming in said transmission to a television display;

an input device for inputting information of the reaction of a viewer of specific television programming;

a means for receiving programming from a plurality of receiver, storage, computer, processor, and/or decryptor devices and operatively connected to and capable of outputting or directing said programming selectively to a plurality of storage, computer, processor, decryptor, and/or output devices; and

a controller operatively connected to said receiving means for controlling the receiving, outputting, or directing of said receiving means in response to information inputted by said input device.

50. A multimedia or multiple media subscriber station comprising:

a television receiver for receiving a selected television transmission and transferring television programming in said transmission to a television display;

an input device for inputting information of the reaction of a viewer to specific television programming;

a mass medium receiver;

a digital detector operatively connected to said mass medium receiver for detecting digital information in a mass medium transmission and combining at least some of said detected information to a controller; and

a controller operatively connected to a tuner, a decryptor, a means for transferring, a computer, a processor or an output device for controlling said tuner, decryptor, means for transferring, computer, processor or output device in response to information inputted by said input device and information detected by said detector.

51. A multimedia or multiple media subscriber station comprising:

a television receiver for receiving a selected television transmission and transferring television programming in said transmission to a television display;

an input device for inputting information of the reaction of a viewer to specific television programming;

a digital detector operatively connected to a means for detecting digital information in a specific transmission and transferring at least some of said detected information to a storage device; and

a storage device connected to said detector for receiving data on programming availability, use or usage from said detector, said storage collecting information that identifies specific programming received, processed, or outputted at said station or information inputted at said input device.

52. A method for promoting and delivering programming or data at a television subscriber station that includes a television receiver for a television program transmission, a television display for displaying program content associated with said transmission, an input device for inputting information of the reaction of a viewer to specific television programming, a digital detector operatively connected to a mass medium receiver for detecting digital information in a mass medium transmission and combining at least some of said detected information to a controller, the controller operatively connected to one of a plurality of devices including a tuner, a decryptor, a transfer, a computer, a processor, a storage device or output device for controlling said devices in response to information inputted by said input device and information detected by said detector, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting in a television transmission program content that promotes the acquisition or purchase of specific programming or data by a viewer;

receiving said transmission and displaying said program content at said television display;

inputting reaction information of an order by a viewer for said specific programming or data;

transmitting in a mass medium transmission a control instruction that instructs said controller to communicate a specific instruction or instructions to at least one controlled apparatus if reaction information of an order exists at said station;

detecting the presence of said control instruction at said station and transferring said instruction to said controller; and

causing said controller, in response to said instruction and said reaction information of an order, to communicate a specific instruction or instructions to one of said tuner, decryptor, transfer, computer, processor, storage or output, thereby to enable said station to delivery said specific programming or data.

54. The method of claim 52 or 53 wherein said station also has a data storage device, said method comprising the additional step of:

storing information in said storage device of said reaction information of an order for transmission to a remote station that collects data for billing purposes.

53. In a method for promoting and delivering programming or data at a television subscriber station that includes a television receiver for receiving a television program transmission, a television display for displaying program content associated with said transmission, an input for inputting information of the reaction of a viewer to specific television programming, a digital detector operatively connected to a mass medium receiver for detecting digital information in a mass medium transmission and combining at least some of said detected information to a controller, the controller operatively connected to at least one of a plurality of devices including a tuner, decryptor, computer, processor, storage device or output device for controlling said devices in response to information inputted by said input device and information detected by said detector, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting in a television transmission program content that promotes the acquisition or purchase of specific programming or data by a viewer; and

transmitting in a mass medium transmission a control instruction that instructs said controller to communicate a specific instruction or instructions to at least one controlled apparatus if reaction information of an order exists at said station, thereby to enable said station to receive said television transmission and display said program content at said television display;

input reaction information of an order by a viewer for said specific programming or data;

detect the presence of said control instruction at said station and transfer said instruction to said control;

cause said controller, in response to said instruction and said reaction information of an order, to communicate a specific instruction or instructions to one of said tuner, decryptor, computer, processor, storage device or output device; and

delivery said specific programming or data.

55. A mass medium transmission receiver station comprising:

an input device for inputting information of the reaction of a viewer to specific mass medium program content;

a first controller operatively connected to said input device for controlling a decryptor regarding its timing or manner of decrypting, said controller controlling said decryptor in response to information inputted by said input device;

a memory device operatively connected to said first controller for holding operating instructions that control said first controller; and

a second controller operatively connected to said memory device for controlling the receiving, detecting, or locating of control instructions and the inputting of said control instructions into said memory.

56. A computer station comprising:

a storage device for storing encrypted data;

a computer operatively connected to said storage device for controlling said storage device, locating a selected portion of said data, and transferring said selected portion to a decryptor or a processor;

a decryptor operatively connected to said storage device or said computer for decrypting encrypted data; and

a process for locating or identifying selected information associated with said selected portion and causing said decryptor to decrypt said selected portion on the basis of said selected information.