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Signal processing apparatus and methods

  • US 7,870,581 B1
  • Filed: 06/07/1995
  • Issued: 01/11/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1981
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of delivering user specific programming at a receiver station, said receiver station including a receiver, a detector, a computer, and one or more output devices including a television monitor, said method comprising:

  • a step for processing a timing signal and storing viewer interest identification data specifying a plurality of different viewer interests;

    a first step for controlling, said computer based on the result of a comparison of said viewer interest identification data to other data, said first step for controlling occurring at a first time based on said timing signal and comprising;

    a step for inputting into said computer further data designating said plurality of different viewer interests;

    a step for making a comparison between said viewer interest identification data and said other data including received data based on said timing signal;

    a step for selecting a portion of said received data based on said comparison; and

    a step for storing said selected portion at one or more storage locations accessible by said computer at said receiver station;

    a second step for controlling said computer based on the result of said comparison, said second step for controlling occurring at a second time based on said timing signal and comprising;

    a step for selecting one or more computer programming instructions;

    a step for generating, in accordance with said selected one or more computer programming instructions, mass medium programming presentation information content in respect to said viewer interest identification data; and

    a step for preparing to communicate said generated mass medium programming presentation information content upon a received instruction;

    a third step for controlling said computer at a third time based on said received instruction, said third step for controlling comprising;

    a step for selecting a portion of said mass medium programming presentation information content;

    a step for selecting said one or more output devices; and

    a step for communicating said selected portion of said mass medium programming presentation information content to said selected one or more output devices;

    a step for presenting to a subscriber at a controlled time a mass medium programming presentation including said generated mass medium programming presentation information content, with said mass medium programming presentation explaining the significance of said generated mass medium programming information content and with said mass medium programming presentation including said generated mass medium programming presentation information content being outputted to said subscriber either as a combined or sequential presentation at said selected one or more output devices or as parallel presentations at a plurality of said one or more output devices;

    a step for controlling said television monitor to output video or audio contained in said generated mass medium programming presentation based on said timing signal;

    a step for controlling a recorder to record or play video or audio contained in the mass medium programming presentation based on said timing signal; and

    a step for controlling a processor to control switching of communication by said computer between said receiver, said recorder, said television monitor and said one or more storage locations at an appropriate time on the basis of received instructions.

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