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Signal processing apparatus and methods

  • US 7,817,208 B1
  • Filed: 06/07/1995
  • Issued: 10/19/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1981
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling the display of television programming at a receiver station, said receiver station comprising a television monitor for displaying said television programming and a processor for communicating a television image to said television monitor, said method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) receiving one of a broadcast and cablecast transmission, said one of a broadcast and cablecast transmission including a plurality of embedded signals, said plurality of embedded signals comprising a television program identifier that identifies said television programming, and an instruction;

    (b) detecting said television program identifier in said one of a broadcast and cablecast transmission;

    (c) storing said television program identifier in memory at said receiver station;

    (d) detecting said instruction in said one of a broadcast and cablecast transmission;

    (e) comparing information included in said instruction to said stored television program identifier to determine if said television image should he output with said television programming, wherein said television image is locally generated by said receiver station based on information specific to a user of said receiver station and wherein said television programming makes apparent a meaning of said television image; and

    (f) outputting said television image to said television monitor for display with said television programming when a determination is made based on said comparing step that said television image should be output with said television programming.

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