Signal processing apparatus and methods

• US 7,856,649 B1
• Filed: 05/24/1995
• Issued: 12/21/2010
• 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): BATES, KEVIN T
• Application Number:
  US08/449,523
• Time in Patent Office: 5,690 Days
• Field of Search: 725/116, 725/132, 725/146, 725/152, 725/31, 725/59
• US Class Current: 725/116
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/071 containing electro-optic elements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/14 for monitoring programmes
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/28 Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/30 by a single channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/70 characterised in that receivers can be addressed
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/18 Arrangements characterised by circuits or components specially adapted for receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/13 Arrangements for device control affected by the broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/21 Billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/23 using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/27 Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/31 Arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/33 Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/37 for identifying segments of broadcast information, e.g. scenes or extracting programme ID
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/40 for identifying broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/41 for identifying broadcast space, i.e. broadcast channels, broadcast stations or broadcast areas
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/94 Telephonic networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/84
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 1/00 Secret communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/00 Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD] real-time bi-directional transmission of motion video data H04N7/14 ; broadcast or conference over packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/20 Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21 : Server components or server architectures
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21815 : comprising local storage units
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/222 : Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end provisioning of proxy services in data packet switching networks H04L67/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 : Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2351 : involving encryption of additional data arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/236 : Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Insertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rate; Assembling of a packetised elementary stream multiplexing of data packets for data networks, e.g. RTP/UDP H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23892 : involving embedding information at multiplex stream level, e.g. embedding a watermark at packet level
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2407 : Monitoring of transmitted content, e.g. distribution time, number of downloads arrangements for monitoring programmes for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25 : Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 : Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 : Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41 : Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4117 : for generating hard copies of the content, e.g. printer, electronic paper interfaces to printers G06F3/12; printing data G06K15/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4131 : home appliance, e.g. lighting, air conditioning system, metering devices home automation data switching networks exchanging configuration information on appliance services H04L12/2807
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 : external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41415 : involving a public display, viewable by several users in a public space outside their home, e.g. movie theatre, information kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 : embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 : providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 : Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 : Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4307 : Synchronising the rendering of multiple content streams or additional data on devices, e.g. synchronisation of audio on a mobile phone with the video output on the TV screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43072 : of multiple content streams on the same device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/432 : Content retrieval operation from a local storage medium, e.g. hard-disk details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 : by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/434 : Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams, extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream demultiplexing of data packets for data networks, e.g. RTP/UDP H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4353 : involving decryption of additional data arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4363 : Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4382 : Demodulation or channel decoding, e.g. QPSK demodulation analog front ends or means for connecting modulators, demodulators or transceivers to a transmission line H04L27/0002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4385 : Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream decrypting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4405 : involving video stream decryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44227 : Monitoring of local network, e.g. connection or bandwidth variations; Detecting new devices in the local network configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; monitoring connectivity in data switched networks H04L43/0811
• 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 21/45 : Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/454 : Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/458 : Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• 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 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 : End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/488 : Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4888 : for displaying teletext characters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/63 : Control signaling related to video distribution between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients or between remote clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing real-time session protocols H04L65/1101; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/633 : Control signals issued by server directed to the network components or client management of faults, events, alarms in data networks H04L41/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 : for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 : Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/818 : OS software
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8352 : involving content or source identification data, e.g. Unique Material Identifier [UMID]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 : involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/46 : for receiving on more than one standard at will deflecting circuits of multi-standard receivers H04N3/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/08 : Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band , e.g. by time division H04N7/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/084 : with signal insertion during the horizontal blanking interval only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/14 : Systems for two-way working H04N7/12, H04N7/173 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/24 : Systems for the transmission of television signals using pulse code modulation H04N21/00 takes precedence

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 receiving programming and information according to a cable television signaling scheme at a programmable receiver station, said receiver station having a frequency converter, a tuner, a tuner controller, a plurality of detectors for receiving digital data embedded in a cable transmission and for receiving digital signals, a processor or computer and a storage device, said tuner controller receiving instructions from said processor or computer to control said tuner to frequency select channels based on said cable television signaling scheme, said method comprising the step of:

receiving a series of processor instructions;

programming said programmable receiver station processor or computer to receive a cable television signaling scheme defined by said series of processor instructions, said signaling scheme defining the transmission of said programming and said information in variable formats including (i) varying locations in said cable transmission, (ii) variable timing patterns and lengths and (iii) variable encryption schemes, said variable formats identified by variable format signals;

storing said processor instructions in said receiver station storage device, said processor instructions inputting logic into said processor or computer to enable said programmable receiver station to identify said variable format signals; and

executing said processor instructions to implement said cable television signaling scheme at said receiver station and demodulate or demultiplex said programming and information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising one step from the group consisting of:

receiving a computer data channel based on said step of executing said instructions;

receiving a digital television signal based on said step of executing said instructions;

receiving information to supplement or enable programming included in a television signal based on said step of executing said instructions; and

locating or identifying a plurality of control signal types based on said step of executing said instructions.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a digital television signal based on said step of executing said instructions; and

receiving digital data included in a standard analog television signal based on said step of executing said instructions.

4. A method for receiving a multichannel television transmission at a programmable receiver station, said receiver station having a frequency converter, a tuner, a tuner controller, a detector, a processor or computer, and a storage device, said tuner controller receiving instructions from said processor or computer to control said tuner to frequency select a plurality of television channels from said multichannel television transmission, said detector for detecting digital signals, said method comprising the steps of:

programming said programmable receiver station to receive said multichannel television transmission according to a signaling scheme;

receiving a plurality of instructions, said plurality of instructions defining variable formats for said programmable receiver station to process, said variable formats including varying locations in said multichannel television transmission, variable timing patterns and lengths, and variable encryption schemes;

storing said plurality of instructions;

inputting logic into said processor or computer to enable said programmable receiver station to receive and demodulate or demultiplex said variable formats, each of said plurality of instructions for identifying at least one format for a television signal included in said multichannel television transmission; and

identifying said plurality of television channels included in said multichannel television transmission according to different ones of said stored plurality of instructions.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising one step from the group consisting of:

receiving computer data according to one or more of said plurality of instructions;

receiving a digital television signal according to one or more of said plurality of instructions;

receiving information to supplement or enable television programming according to one or more of said plurality of instructions;

locating or identifying a plurality of control signal types according to at least one of said plurality of instructions.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a digital television signal according to a first of said plurality of instructions; and

receiving at least a portion of an analog television signal based on a second of said instructions.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

locating a discrete signal based on at least one of said plurality of instructions; and

assembling a data message or some processor code based on said discrete signal.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

programming said receiver station to output television programming according to at least one signal processing scheme;

locating a plurality of discrete signals according to at least one of said plurality of instructions; and

outputting television programming by processing said located plurality of discrete signals in accordance with said signaling scheme.

9. A method for receiving and outputting television programming at a programmable receiver station, said receiver station having a television receiver, a tuner, a tuner controller, a detector, a processor or computer, and a television monitor, said tuner controller receiving instructions from said processor or computer to control said tuner to frequency select television signals, said detector for detecting digital signals, said method comprising the step of:

programming said programmable receiver station with multiple signal processing schemes to process television programming signals encoded in variable formats in

accordance with said multiple signal processing schemes, said variable formats including at least two of varying locations, varying timing lengths and varying encryption schemes;

receiving one or more instruct signals;

inputting logic into said processor or computer to enable said receiver station to receive and identify said variable formats in accordance with said one or more instruct signals;

receiving a plurality of discrete signals identified according to a particular format of said variable formats, said plurality of discrete signals delivering at least a portion of television programming;

processing said plurality of discrete signals according to one of said multiple signal processing schemes implemented by said one or more instruct signals to identify said particular format of said variable formats and demodulate or demultiplex said at least a portion of said television programming; and

outputting said at least a portion of said television programming.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising one step of the group consisting of:

assembling at least one data message or unit of processor code based on said received plurality of discrete signals;

processing computer data according to said one of said multiple signal processing schemes;

processing a digital television signal according to said one of said multiple signal processing schemes;

processing information to supplement or enable television programming according to said one of said multiple signal processing schemes;

locating or identifying a plurality of control signal types according to said one of said multiple signal processing schemes.

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

programming said programmable receiver station to generate a television signal according to a signaling scheme; and

storing a plurality of signaling standards, each signaling standard for communicating at least one television signal.

12. A method of communicating television program material to one or more receiver stations each of which includes a broadcast or cablecast television receiver, a television monitor, a control signal detector, a processor or computer operatively connected to said television monitor, said processor or said computer programmed to detect and respond to one or more instruct signals in a broadcast or cablecast transmission, logic input into said processor or said computer effective to enable receiver stations to receive and demodulate or demultiplex television program material in variable formats, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving television program material at a transmitter station and transferring said television program material to a transmitter;

receiving and said one or more instruct signals at said transmitter station, said one or more instruct signals effective at said one or more receiver stations to implement a television signaling scheme, said television signaling scheme defining the programming and information content in said variable formats including varying locations in said television program material, timing, lengths and encryption schemes;

transferring said one or more instruct signals from said transmitter station to said transmitter; and

transmitting said television program material and said one or more instruct signals from said transmitter station to said one or more receiver stations wherein said one or more instruct signals are effective to implement said television signaling scheme at said receiver station to receive and demodulate or demultiplex said television program material.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein some identification data or said one or more control signals are embedded in a television signal including said television program material.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said step oftransmitting directs said broadcast or cablecast transmission to a plurality of receiver stations at the same time and each of said plurality of receiver stations receives or responds to said one or more instruct signals concurrently.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of transmitting directs said broadcast or cablecast transmission to a plurality of receiver stations at different times and each of said plurality of receiver stations responds to said one or more instruct signals at a different time.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of receiving said television program material is at a receiver in the transmitter station, further comprising the steps of:

communicating said television program material from said receiver to a memory location; and

storing said television program material at said memory location for a period of time prior to communicating said program to said transmitter.