Signal processing apparatus and methods

• US 7,966,640 B1
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1987
• 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): Ortiz Criado, Jorge L
• Application Number:
  US08/487,410
• Time in Patent Office: 5,858 Days
• Field of Search: 348/1, 348/2, 348/3, 348/4, 348/5, 348/5.5, 348/6, 348/7, 348/8, 348/9, 348/10, 348/11, 348/12, 348/13, 348/423, 348/461, 348/462, 348/463, 348/465, 348/467, 348/473, 348/474, 348/476, 348477-479, 348/553, 375/222, 375/223, 455/2, 455/3, 455/1, 455/3.2, 455/41, 455/4.2, 455/5.1, 455/6.1, 455/6.2, 455/6.3, 455/7
• US Class Current: 725/139
• 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 of controlling the display of combined image at a receiver station, said image including the combination of a first image portion and a locally generated image portion, said receiver station including a receiver, an image output device, at least one memory operatively connected to at least one of said receiver and said image output device, and a control signal detector operatively connected to said at least one memory, said method comprising the steps of:

storing in said at least one memory, information which is for communicating at least a portion of said combined image;

receiving one of a broadcast and a cablecast information transmission, said one of a broadcast and a cablecast information transmission including said first image portion and a first control signal;

determining the absence in said at least one memory of complete locally generated image data based on said step of receiving said first control signal, said complete locally generated image data identifying completion of said locally generated image portion, said complete locally generated image data and said locally generated image portion generated by processing data generated locally and stored at said receiver station prior to receiving said first control signal at said receiver station; and

clearing at least a portion of said at least one memory based on said step of determining the absence of said complete locally generated image data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one memory is operatively connected to said image output device, said method further comprising the steps of:

selecting from said one of a broadcast and a cablecast information transmission a first digital signal which is effective to communicate at least one of video image information and audio information;

processing a second digital signal to select control information; and

placing at least one of video image data and audio output data at said at least one memory based on said control information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one memory includes random access memory.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of communicating said at least a portion of an image to said image output device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a first processor is operatively connected to at least one of said at least one memory and said control signal detector, said method further comprising the steps of:

passing to said first processor at least a portion of said one of a broadcast and a cablecast information transmission which is effective to communicate at least one of a video image and audio output; and

preventing said image output device from displaying an incomplete image.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said receiver station receives a second control signal, said method further comprising the step of processing said second control signal which operates to clear said at least one memory.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of detecting data at least one of embedded in said first control signal and received with said first control signal which are operative to identify at least a portion of a specific image.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of skipping to information received in a television signal based on said step of determining the absence of said complete locally generated image data.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein said image output device is a television monitor, said method further comprising the step of at least one of generating and communicating to said television monitor a complete television image following said step of clearing at least a portion of said at least one memory.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said complete television image is a video overlay.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said video overlay is combined with a television image received in said television signal.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of receiving and storing at least one instruction which operates to generate at least a portion of an image.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said at least one instruction includes a program instruction set, said method further comprising the steps of:

receiving a second control signal; and

executing said program instruction set in response to said second control signal.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one memory includes random access memory, said method further comprising the step of storing at said at least one memory data which specify at least one of a complete image and a subsequent image to be communicated.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of processing at least one instruction which operates to identify a complete image.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said at least one memory includes a register memory of a processor, said method further comprising the steps of storing, at said register memory, an identifier based on said at least one instruction which operates to identify a complete image;

and comparing a portion of said first control signal to said identifier stored at said register memory.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of processing a digital signal received in said one of a broadcast and a cablecast information transmission which is effective to communicate at least a portion of an image.

20. The method of claim 6, wherein said receiver station receives a third control signal, said method further comprising the step of processing said third control signal which operates to commence outputting of said at least one memory.

12. A method of controlling the display of combined image at a receiver station, said image including the combination of a first image portion and a locally generated image portion, said receiver station including a receiver, an image output device, a memory operatively connected to at least one of said receiver and said image output device, and a control signal detector operatively connected to said memory, comprising the steps of:

originating an information transmission at a transmitter station, said information transmission including said first image portion of said combined image;

originating a control signal; and

transmitting said information transmission and said control signal, wherein said control signal effects said receiver station (i) to determine an absence of locally generated complete image data based on detection of said control signal, said locally generated complete image data identifying completion of said locally generated image portion of said combined image, and (ii) to clear at least a portion of said memory based on said step of determining the absence of locally generated complete image data, said memory including information which is for communicating at least a portion of said combined image, said locally generated complete image data and said locally generated image portion generated by processing data generated locally, said data generated locally is stored at said receiver station prior to transmitting said control signal.

13. A method of controlling the display of combined image at a receiver station, said image including the combination of a first image portion and a locally generated image portion, said receiver station including a receiver for receiving a transmission from a transmitter station, an image output device, a memory operatively connected to at least one of said receiver and said image output device, and a control signal detector operatively connected to said memory, comprising the steps of:

(1) originating an information transmission to be transmitted, said information transmission including said first image portion of said combined image;

(2) originating an instruct signal;

wherein said instruct signal effects said transmitter station to generate a first control signal, wherein said first control signal effects said receiver station to clear at least a portion of said memory based on a determination of the absence of locally generated complete image data identifying completion of said locally generated image portion of said combined image, said memory including information which is for communicating at least a portion of said combined image; and

(3) transmitting said information transmission and said instruct signal;

wherein said locally generated complete image data and said locally generated image portion are generated by processing data generated locally, said data generated locally is stored at said receiver station prior to transmitting said control signal.

21. A method of controlling the display of television programming at a receiver station, said television programming including a combination of a first image portion and a locally generated image portion, wherein said receiver station includes a monitor for displaying said television programming, a receiver operatively connected to said monitor, and a processor operatively connected to at least one of said monitor and said receiver, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving an information transmission including said first image portion;

passing at least a portion of said information transmission to said processor;

determining the absence of complete locally generated television image data indicating completion of generation of said locally generated image portion by processing information at least one of included in and received with said at least a portion of said information transmission, said complete locally generated television image data and said locally generated image portion generated by processing data generated locally and stored at said receiver station prior to receiving said information transmission;

advancing to subsequent information received in said information transmission; and

preventing said monitor from displaying said television programming including a combination of said first image portion and said locally generated image portion based on said step of determining by preventing the combination of said first image portion with said locally generated image portion when said complete locally generated television image data does not indicate that said locally generated image portion is complete, wherein said method controls the display of said television programming at said receiver station.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said receiver station further includes a digital detector operatively connected to said processor, said method further comprising the step of:

detecting at least one datum in said information transmission designating a specific television image.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said detected at least one datum designates said television programming, said method further comprising the step of:

detecting said subsequent information in said information transmission following said detected at least one datum.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said step of advancing to subsequent information further comprises the step of:

skipping to information received in said information transmission following said at least one datum.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein a memory is operatively connected to said monitor and data of a television image are placed at a specific memory location at said memory, said method further comprising the one step of the group consisting of:

clearing said memory following said step of determining the absence of complete locally generated television image data; and

placing, at said memory location, data of a television image based on said step of advancing to subsequent information.

26. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of:

communicating said complete locally generated television image portion to said monitor based on said step of advancing to subsequent information.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said complete locally generated television image portion is a video overlay.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said video overlay is combined with a television image received in said television signal.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein said receiver station includes a memory, said method further comprising the steps of:

processing a control signal which operates to cause said processor to cease outputting information stored in said memory; and

storing said complete locally generated television image portion in said memory after said step of processing.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein said information transmission comprises a multichannel signal.

31. A method of controlling the display of television programming at a receiver station, said television programming including a combination of a first image portion and a locally generated image portion, wherein said receiver station includes a monitor for displaying television programming, a receiver operatively connected to said monitor, and a processor operatively connected to at least one of said monitor and said receiver, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting from a transmitter station an information transmission including said first image portion;

generating at least one first control signal; and

transmitting said at least one first control signal, wherein said at least one first control signal;

(a) effects said receiver station to determine the absence of complete locally generated television image data indicating completion of said locally generated image portion by processing information at least one of included in and received with said at least one first control signal, said complete locally generated television image data and said locally generated image portion generated by processing data generated locally, said data generated locally is stored at said receiver station prior to transmitting said at least one first control signal; and

(b) effect said receiver station to prevent said monitor from displaying said television programming including the combination of said first image portion and said locally generated image portion upon determination of the absence of said complete locally generated television image data by preventing said combination of said first image portion with said locally generated image portion when said complete locally generated television image data does not indicate that said locally generated image portion is complete, wherein said method controls the display of said television programming at said receiver station.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said transmitter station stores only part of said at least one first control signal at a memory and said step of generating includes generating a balance of said at least one first control signal.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said transmitter station receives a transmitter control signal, said method further comprising the step of:

communicating at least one of said only part of said at least one first control signal and said balance of said at least one first control signal to a transmitter based on said transmitter control signal.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein a portion of said at least one first control signal is transmitted outside a television signal including said first image portion.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein said information transmission includes a plurality of television channel signals.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein said receiver station includes a memory, said method further comprising the step of:

including in said at least one first control signal at least one datum which designates said locally generated image portion.

37. The method of claim 36, said method further comprising the step of transmitting a portion of said television programming.

38. The method of claim 31, said method further comprising the step of:

transmitting only part of said television programming.

39. A method of controlling the display of television programming at a receiver station, said television programming including a combination of a first image portion of a television image and a locally generated television image portion, wherein said receiver station includes a monitor for displaying television programming, a receiver operatively connected to said monitor, a processor operatively connected to said monitor and said receiver, and a memory, said method comprising the steps of:

originating an information transmission including said first image portion of a television image to be transmitted;

originating at least one instruct signal;

wherein said at least one instruct signal effects a transmitter station to originate at least one control signal, wherein said at least one control signal is effective at said receiver station to determine the absence of complete locally generated television image data at said memory, said complete locally generated television image data indicating completion of generation of said locally generated television image portion and to prevent said monitor from displaying television image based on the determination by preventing the combination of said first image portion of a television image and said locally generated television image portion when said complete locally generated television image data does not indicate that said locally generated image portion is complete; and

transmitting said information transmission and said at least one instruct signal, wherein said method controls the display of said television programming at said receiver station and said locally generated television image and said complete locally generated television image data are generated by processing data generated locally, said data generated locally is stored at said receiver station prior to transmitting said at least one control signal.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of:

inputting at least one instruction which causes said transmitter station to communicate at least one of (i) said information transmission, (ii) said at least one instruct signal, and (iii) said at least one control signal.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein said information transmission includes at least a portion of said television programming, said method further comprising the step of:

transmitting at least one identifier which enables identification of at least a portion of said television programming.

42. The method of claim 41, said method further comprising the step of:

including in said at least one control signal at least one second identifier.

43. The method of claim 41, said method further comprising the step of:

including in said at least one control signal at least one datum which enables said transmitter station to transfer said at least a portion of said television programming at different times.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein said transmitter station outputs television programming at different times, said method further comprising the step of:

communicating a plurality of output control signals to control at least a time for outputting said television programming.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said at least one control signal causes said transmitter station to store at least one of at least a portion of said television programming and said at least one instruct signal.

46. The method of claim 45, said method further comprising the step of:

transmitting said at least a portion of said television programming.