Signal processing apparatus and methods

• US 7,805,738 B1
• Filed: 06/06/1995
• Issued: 09/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1981
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Personalized Media Communications, LLC
• Original Assignee: Personalized Media Communications, LLC
• Inventors: Cuddihy, James William, Harvey, John Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): STRANGE, AARON N
• Application Number:
  US08/466,894
• Time in Patent Office: 5,593 Days
• Field of Search: 348/12, 725 9- 11, 725/22, 725 32- 36, 725/135, 725139-141
• US Class Current: 725/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• 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 21/4622 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 21/818 OS software

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 of processing a signal in a system comprising a transmitter station and a receiver station, said method comprising the steps of:

inputting said signal to said transmitter station, a portion of said signal causing a receiver station to gather statistics on programming availability, use or usage, said signal including a first identifier;

inputting a transmission schedule associated with said signal, said schedule including a second identifier,

a time at which to transmit said signal, and

at least one of a frequency and an output network on which to transmit said signal;

automatically comparing using a processor at said transmitter station said first identifier and said second identifier;

transmitting said signal to said receiver station according to said schedule based on said step of automatically comparing and said schedule;

selecting said portion of said signal at said receiver station; and

inputting said selected portion of said signal to a processor at said receiver station, said processor at said receiver station controlling gathering statistics on programming availability, use or usage.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing said selected portion of said signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said selected portion of said signal includes said first identifier.