Signal processing apparatus and methods

• US 7,823,175 B1
• Filed: 06/06/1995
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• 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): NGUYEN, MINH DIEU T
• Application Number:
  US08/470,051
• Time in Patent Office: 5,621 Days
• Field of Search: 380/210, 380/211, 380/212, 725 27- 29, 725/31, 709245-247, 370/270
• US Class Current: 725/38
• 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 for controlling display of video information on a remote display from a cable head end by downloading an executable program from a source over a cable network to a remote control processor, said remote control processor having a storage device, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving said downloaded executable program over said cable network at said remote control processor;

storing said downloaded executable program at said remote control processor in said storage device;

receiving control signals at said remote control processor from said cable head end; and

applying said received control signals to said downloaded executable program in said storage device, said applied control signals causing said downloaded executable program at said remote control processor to be executed in accordance with instructions within said applied control signals, wherein the execution of said downloaded executable program under said instructions of said applied control signals controls the manner by which said video information is displayed on said remote display.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said messages from said cable head end to said downloaded executable program comprises a command.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said messages from said cable head end to said downloaded executable program comprises an instruct-to-overlay signal.

4. A method of controlling a plurality of receiver stations with each said receiver station adapted to detect the presence of one or more control signals and programmed to process a downloadable executable program, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving at a transmitter station said downloadable executable program which is effective at a receiver station, when stored and executed, to operate a computer under broadcast or cablecast network control, said downloadable executable program controlling at each of said plurality of receiver stations a target processor to control the display of video;

transferring said downloadable processor instruction to a transmitter;

receiving said control signals at said transmitter station, wherein said control signals operate when applied to said downloadable executable program stored at said plurality of receiver stations to cause said downloadable executable program to be executed in accordance with instructions within said applied control signals; and

transferring said control signals to said transmitter, and transmitting an information transmission comprising said downloadable processor instructions and said control signals to said plurality of receiver stations.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said downloadable executable program and said control signals are embedded in a television signal.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said video is displayed at a receiver station and said downloadable executable program programs said target processor of said receiver station to output a first portion of said video, said method further comprising the step of transmitting a second portion of said video to said receiver station.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein a period of time separates transmission of a first and a second of at least two of said control signals.

8. A method of controlling a plurality of receiver stations each of which includes a television receiver, a signal detector, a processor to process data, each said plurality of receiver stations is adapted to detect at least one control signal and programmed to process downloadable processor instructions, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving at a transmitter station downloadable processor instructions which are effective when stored at a receiver station of said plurality of receiver stations to control generation of content of a television program;

transferring said downloadable processor instructions to a transmitter;

receiving said at least one control signal at said transmitter station, wherein said at least one control signal operates when applied to said downloadable processor instructions stored at said receiver station of said plurality of receiver stations to cause said downloadable processor instructions to be executed in accordance with instructions within said applied at least one control signal; and

transferring said at least one control signal to said transmitter, and transmitting at least one information transmission comprising said downloadable processor instructions and said at least one control signal to said receiver station of said plurality of receiver stations.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

embedding at least one of (i) said downloadable processor instructions and (ii) identification data with respect to said downloadable processor instructions in a signal that includes a portion of said television program; and

transmitting said signal that includes a portion of said television program.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said television program is displayed at said receiver station of said plurality of receiver stations and said downloadable processor instructions program said processor at said receiver station of said plurality of receiver stations to output a video portion of said television program.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of transmitting said television program.