Signal processing apparatus and methods

• US 7,849,480 B1
• Filed: 05/26/1995
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• 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): Le, Brian Q
• Application Number:
  US08/452,395
• Time in Patent Office: 5,674 Days
• Field of Search: 725 27- 38, 725/49, 725135-142, 725/145, 380210-212, 380/218, 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 of processing signals at a receiver station in a network, said receiver station having a computer and an output device to deliver at said output device at least one of a combined and sequential presentation of a program and a user specific output, with said computer having a storage device for storing user data and said output device outputting mass medium programming and other information, with said network delivering at least one control signal and programming to said receiver station and billing a user for use of said at least one control signal and said programming, said method comprising:

a step for transmitting from a remote station to said receiver station operating instructions associated with at least one of a command and said at least one control signal, said operating instructions being effective to program said receiver station to respond in a predetermined fashion to at least one of said command and said at least one control signal;

a step for inputting said command at an input device;

a step for inputting said at least one control signal received from at least one transmitter station at said receiver station;

a step for storing user data of interest;

a step for receiving from said at least one transmitter station an information transmission containing said mass medium programming;

a step for transferring said mass medium programming contained in said information transmission to said output device;

a step for detecting in said information transmission said at least one control signal which is operative to control a receiver station apparatus;

a step for storing at least one of a code and a datum to serve as evidence of

(i) a passing of said at least one control signal to said computer and

(ii) the functioning of said computer in response to said at least one control signal;

a step for comparing information designated by said command to information designated by said at least one control signal;

a step for processing said programming and communicating said programming to a computer peripheral device in accordance with said operating instructions based on said step for comparing;

a step for outputting said programming at said computer peripheral device;

a step for controlling with said computer based on said detected at least one control signal, said step for controlling comprising;

a step for selecting at least a portion of said stored user data of interest,

a step for communicating said selected at least said portion of said stored user data of interest to said output device,

a step for ceasing to communicate said selected at least said portion to said output device subsequent to said step for communicating, and

a step for outputting at said output device a combined or sequential output of said received mass medium programming and said selected at least said portion of said stored user data of interest in the period of time between said step for communicating said selected at least said portion of said stored user data of interest to said output device and said step for ceasing to communicate said selected at least said portion of said stored user data of interest to said output device;

a step for programming said receiver station to process said user data of interest and to respond to said at least one control signal;

a step for storing a locally input command that one of designates and specifies a television program to be one of displayed and recorded;

a step for controlling said computer to process a viewer reaction to one of a unit of programming and an image displayed at said output device, said step of controlling comprising;

a step for assembling a record that includes additional data besides said viewer reaction;

a step for controlling one of a processor and a computer in said network to process a viewer reaction to one of a unit of programming and an image displayed at a television monitor, said step of controlling comprising;

(1) a step for detecting a datum that identifies one of a unit of programming and an image displayed at said television monitor, and

(2) a step for transmitting said datum to a remote data collection site;

a step for controlling one of a processor and a computer in said network to process a viewer reaction to a one of a unit of programming and an image displayed at a television monitor, said step of controlling comprising;

(1) a step for storing a datum that identifies one of a unit of programming and an image displayed at said television monitor, and

(2) a step for passing data of (i) the availability, (ii) use and (iii) usage of programming and said data to one of a processor and computer that controls one of the selection and communication of program materials at a receiver station;

a step for controlling one of a processor and a computer in said network to process a viewer reaction to one of a unit of programming and an image displayed at a television monitor, said step of controlling comprising;

(1) a step for controlling a receiver to receive and a storage location to communicate a unit of programming associated with said unit of programming or image or in response to said viewer reaction, and

(2) a step for outputting said unit of programming at an output device of said receiver station;

a step for selecting data that specifies ways to instruct receiver end equipment what specific programming to select to play or record other than that immediately and for designating how and where to file, refile, or dispose said data; and

a step for communicating, to said remote data collection site, said record including at least one datum evidencing use of at least one of said command, said at least one control signal, and said programming to enable said remote data collection site to bill a subscriber for the use of said at least one control signal or said programming.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step for communicating includes communicating said record using a telephone interface.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said record include information designating a time.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said record includes information designating a source of received data.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising a step for storing said record.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said step for selecting data includes designating data to be discarded.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said designated data to be discarded includes duplicate data.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said step for processing said programming includes decrypting said programming.

9. The method of claim 1 further including a step for controlling a receiver to receive a transmission including said programming based on said step for comparing.