Signal processing apparatus and methods
First Claim
1. A method for delivering programming for use with an interactive mass medium program output apparatus comprising the steps of:
- storing a subscriber'"'"'s own information at said interactive mass medium program output apparatus;
outputting mass medium video programming after said step of storing, wherein said mass medium video programming is received from over a network, said interactive mass medium output apparatus having an input device to receive input from said subscriber;
prompting said subscriber during said mass medium video programming for first input;
receiving first input from said subscriber at said input device in response to said prompting said subscriber, said input indicating that said subscriber wants delivery of first user specific programming referred to in said mass medium programming;
receiving a first signal from said network based on the first input;
generating said first user specific programming at said interactive mass medium program output apparatus based on said stored subscriber'"'"'s own information and said first signal, wherein said user specific programming is related to said mass medium video programming; and
outputting said first user specific programming.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
947 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for delivering programming for use with an interactive mass medium program output apparatus comprising the steps of:
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storing a subscriber'"'"'s own information at said interactive mass medium program output apparatus; outputting mass medium video programming after said step of storing, wherein said mass medium video programming is received from over a network, said interactive mass medium output apparatus having an input device to receive input from said subscriber; prompting said subscriber during said mass medium video programming for first input; receiving first input from said subscriber at said input device in response to said prompting said subscriber, said input indicating that said subscriber wants delivery of first user specific programming referred to in said mass medium programming; receiving a first signal from said network based on the first input; generating said first user specific programming at said interactive mass medium program output apparatus based on said stored subscriber'"'"'s own information and said first signal, wherein said user specific programming is related to said mass medium video programming; and outputting said first user specific programming. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21)
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15. A method for combined medium programming delivery for use with an interactive combined medium programming output apparatus comprising the steps of:
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storing a subscriber'"'"'s own information at said interactive combined medium programming output apparatus; outputting said first combined medium programming after said step of storing, said first combined medium programming comprising said video of general interest and first subscriber specific information, said video of general interest received from over a network, said first subscriber specific information generated at said interactive combined medium programming output apparatus based on said subscribers own information;
said interactive combined medium programming output apparatus having an input device to receive input from said subscriber;receiving input from said subscriber at said input device in response to said first combined medium programming; receiving a signal from over said network at said interactive combined medium programming output apparatus; generating, in response to said signal, second subscriber specific information based on said stored subscriber'"'"'s own information and said input; and outputting a second combined medium programming at said interactive combined medium programming output apparatus supplementing said first combined medium programming, said second combined medium programming including said second subscriber specific information. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification