Signal processing apparatus and methods

• US 7,734,251 B1
• Filed: 06/06/1995
• Issued: 06/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1981
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Personalized Media Communications, LLC
• Original Assignee: Personalized Media Communications, LLC
• Inventors: Harvey, John Christopher, Cuddihy, James William
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPPAS, PETER
• Application Number:
  US08/470,571
• Time in Patent Office: 5,481 Days
• Field of Search: 348 6- 13, 348/468, 455 31- 63
• US Class Current: 455/39
• 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 programming 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 for receiving and processing remotely originated and user specific data for use with a video apparatus, said video apparatus having a video output device for displaying a video presentation comprising a locally generated image and an image received from a remote video source, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving said user specific data at said video apparatus, said user specific data being specific to a user of said video apparatus;

contacting a remote data source after said step of receiving said user specific data;

receiving from said remote data source based on said step of contacting said remotely originated data to serve as a basis for displaying said video presentation;

executing processor instructions to process said remotely originated data and said user specific data at said video apparatus in order to generate said locally generated image;

storing a first television program in order to present at least one of said locally generated image and said image received from said remote video source at a particular time or place, said locally generated image including at least some information content that does not include any information from said remote video source and said remote data source; and

simultaneously displaying said locally generated image and said image received from said remote video source at said video output device, wherein said at least some information content of said locally generated image is displayed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said video output device displays said locally generated image based on said step of storing.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said video apparatus includes a computer which stores said remotely originated and said user specific data.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said video apparatus includes a computer which generates said locally generated image in response to at least one instruct signal, said method further comprising the step of inputting said first television program to said computer.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of programming said computer to respond to said at least one instruct signal.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said first television program is received from said remote video source.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said video apparatus includes a local device which inputs selected information to said computer, said method further comprising the step of inputting said at least one instruct signal from said local device to said computer.

8. A method of controlling a video presentation at least one receiver station of a plurality of receiver stations, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting a signal from an origination transmitter to a remote intermediate transmitter station, said signal including video and discrete signals for providing an instruct signal at said at least one receiver station, said instruct signal being operative at said at least one receiver station to instruct said at least one receiver station to at least one of generate and output a locally generated portion of said video presentation based on data specific to a user of said receiver station for display coordinated with said video, said data specific to a user being stored at said at least one receiver station prior to organizing information included in said discrete signals to provide said instruct signal, said locally generated portion including at least some information content that does not include any information from any of said signals, said at least some information content being subsequently displayed; and

transmitting at least one control signal from said origination transmitter to said remote intermediate transmitter station before a specific time, wherein said at least one control signal is effective at said remote intermediate transmitter station to control communication of said video and said instruct signal to said at least one receiver station.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said at least one control signal comprises information which, at said remote intermediate transmitter station, identifies a portion of an information transmission that includes said video, said method further comprising the step of:

transmitting from said origination transmitter a second control signal which, at said remote intermediate transmitter station, facilitates the communication of said portion of said information transmission to said at least one receiver station.

10. A method of controlling a video presentation at least one receiver station of a plurality of receiver stations, wherein at least one organized signal comprises information content of separate ones of a plurality of discrete signals and said at least one organized signal is operative to instruct a processor at said at least one receiver station to deliver a locally generated image for display in conjunction with video, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving said video at a transmitter station;

delivering said video to a transmitter;

receiving a first discrete signal and a second discrete signal of said plurality of discrete signals at said transmitter station, wherein said first discrete signal includes information for organizing with information included in said second of said plurality of discrete signals to provide said at least one organized signal, and wherein said at least one organized signal instructs said at least one receiver station to one of generate and output said locally generated image for display coordinated with said video, said locally generated image being based on user specific data, said user specific data being stored at said at least one receiver station prior to said organizing to provide said at least one organized signal, said user specific data being based on information supplied by a user of said at least one receiver station;

transferring said first discrete signal and said second discrete signal to said transmitter;

and

transmitting said video, said first discrete signal and second discrete signal to said at least one receiver station.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of (i) identification data and (ii) said first discrete signal and said second discrete signal is transmitted to said transmitter embedded in a signal including said video.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said video is encrypted.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a first control discrete signal and a second control discrete at said transmitter station;

organizing information included in said first control discrete signal with information included in said second control discrete signal at said transmitter station to provide a control signal, wherein said step of transmitting is based on said control signal.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one organized signal instructs said at least one receiver station to generate said locally generated image.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one organized signal instructs said at least one receiver station to output said locally generated image.

16. The method of 15, further comprising the steps of:

receiving an additional signal that is effective to enable said at least one receiver station to respond to said organized signal;

transferring said additional signal to said transmitter; and

transmitting said additional signal to said at least one receiver station.

17. A method for receiving and processing remotely originated and user specific data for use with a video apparatus, said video apparatus having an audio receiver and a video output device for displaying a video presentation comprising a locally generated image and an image received from a remote video source, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving said user specific data at said video apparatus, said user specific data being specific to a user of said video apparatus;

contacting a remote data source after said step of receiving said user specific data;

receiving from said remote data source based on said step of contacting said remotely originated data to serve as a basis for displaying said video presentation;

executing processor instructions to process said remotely originated data and said user specific data at said video apparatus in order to generate said locally generated image, said locally generated image including at least some information content that does not include any information from said remote video source and said remote data source;

receiving, at said audio receiver, audio which describes information displayed in said video presentation;

simultaneously displaying said locally generated image and said image received from said remote video source at said video output device, wherein said at least some information content of said locally generated image is displayed; and

outputting said audio at said video apparatus before ceasing to display said locally generated video image.

18. A method of outputting a video presentation at a receiver station, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving at least one information transmission at said receiver station, said at least one information transmission including a first discrete signal and a second discrete signal;

detecting said first discrete signal and said second discrete signal in said at least one information transmission;

passing said detected at least one first discrete signal and said second discrete signal to at least one processor;

organizing information included in said at least one first discrete signal with information included in said second discrete signal to provide an organized signal at said receiver station;

generating an image in response to said organized signal by processing at least one user specific subscriber datum, said at least one user specific subscriber datum being stored at said receiver station prior to said step of organizing and based on information supplied by a user of said receiver station, said generated image including at least some information content that does not include any information from said discrete signals; and

outputting said video presentation to said user, said video presentation comprising, firstly, a video image and, secondly, a coordinated display using said generated image and said video image, wherein said at least some information content of said generated image is displayed.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein a receiver specific control signal is generated based on a third discrete signal, said method further including the step of:

selecting said video presentation in response to said generated receiver specific control signal.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of controlling at least one of a receiver, a switch, a decryptor, a storage device, and a computer based on said receiver specific control signal.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said third discrete signal includes only partial information of an identifier.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

receiving said at least one user specific subscriber datum; and

passing said at least one user specific subscriber datum to a storage device.

23. The method of claim 18, further including the step of:

contacting a remote station to obtain said at least one user specific subscriber datum.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein a receiver specific control signal is processed based on a third discrete signal, said method further including the step of outputting said video image in response to said receiver specific control signal.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein a receiver specific control signal is processed based on a third discrete signal, wherein said coordinated display is output based on said receiver specific control signal.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein said video image is received in one of a television and a multichannel information transmission.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said one of a television and a multichannel information transmission comprises an analog television signal.

28. The method of claim 18, wherein said receiver station includes a video monitor which outputs said video presentation, wherein said video presentation comprises a series of computer generated video display outputs, and wherein by processing said at least one user specific subscriber datum said at least one processor delivers said generated image at said video monitor in one of said series of computer generated display outputs, said method further comprising the step of receiving said at least one user specific subscriber datum from a remote data source.

29. A method of outputting a video presentation at a receiver station, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving at least one information transmission at said receiver station, said at least one information transmission including a first discrete signal and a second discrete signal;

detecting said first discrete signal and said second discrete signal in said at least one information transmission;

passing said detected at least one first discrete signal and said second discrete signal to at least one processor;

organizing information included in said at least one first discrete signal with information included in said second discrete signal to provide an organized signal at said receiver station;

generating an image by processing at least one user specific subscriber datum, said at least one user specific subscriber datum being stored at said receiver station prior to said step of organizing and based on information supplied by a user of said receiver station, said generated image including at least some information content that does not include any information from said discrete signals; and

outputting said video presentation to said user based on said organized signal, said video presentation comprising, firstly, a video image and, secondly, a coordinated display using said generated image and said video image, wherein said at least some information content of said generated image is displayed.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein a receiver specific control signal is generated based on a third discrete signal, said method further including the step of:

selecting said video presentation in response to said generated receiver specific control signal.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of controlling at least one of a receiver, a switch, a decryptor, a storage device, and a computer based on said receiver specific control signal.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein said third discrete signal includes only partial information of an identifier.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising the steps of:

receiving said at least one user specific subscriber datum; and

passing said at least one user specific subscriber datum to a storage device.

34. The method of claim 29, further including the step of:

contacting a remote station to obtain said at least one user specific subscriber datum.

35. The method of claim 29, wherein a receiver specific control signal is processed based on a third discrete signal, said method further including the step of outputting said video image in response to said receiver specific control signal.

36. The method of claim 29, wherein a receiver specific control signal is processed based on a third discrete signal, wherein said step of generating is based on said receiver specific control signal.

37. The method of claim 29, wherein said video image is received in one of a television and a multichannel information transmission.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said one of a television and a multichannel information transmission comprises an analog television signal.

39. The method of claim 29, wherein said receiver station includes a video monitor which outputs said video presentation, wherein said video presentation comprises a series of computer generated video display outputs, and wherein by processing said at least one user specific subscriber datum said at least one processor delivers said generated image at said video monitor in one of said series of computer generated display outputs, said method further comprising the step of receiving said at least one user specific subscriber datum from a remote data source.