Signal processing apparatus and methods
First Claim
1. A transmitter station apparatus for processing signals and communicating mass medium program materials to present at each of a plurality of receiver stations a presentation of (1) one of a broadcast and a cablecast program and (2) a receiver specific computer processed datum related to the content of said program, with each of said plurality of receiver stations having an output device for receiving and delivering said program and other information, each of said plurality of receiver stations also having a computer with a specific memory location, said computer operatively connected to said output device for storing and outputting information to said output device, said computer controlling, prior to communication of an information transmission comprising said program and at least one control signal, the storage of receiver specific information distinct to the receiver station, said transmitter station apparatus comprising:
- one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter for communicating to said plurality of receiver stations said information transmission;
a program input receiver operatively connected to said transmitter for communicating said program to said transmitter;
at least one of a first memory and a first recorder operatively connected to said transmitter for storing and communicating said at least one control signal which at each of said plurality of receiver stations operates to perform at least one of;
(1) generating with said computer said receiver specific datum by processing said receiver specific information in accordance with said at least one control signal; and
(2) selecting said receiver specific datum with said computer from a plurality of receiver specific data by processing said receiver specific information in accordance with said at least one control signal, said plurality of receiver specific data being prestored at said plurality of receiver stations;
selecting said specific memory location with said computer for placement of said receiver specific datum by processing said receiver specific information in accordance with said at least one control signal; and
an input device operatively connected to said at least one of said first memory and said first recorder for causing said at least one of said first memory and said first recorder to communicate said control signal at a specific time to said transmitter, thereby to communicate said program and said control signal to said plurality of receiver stations and cause each of said plurality of receiver stations to deliver said program at said output device, process said receiver specific information, place said receiver specific datum at said memory location, and deliver said presentation of said one of a broadcast and a cablecast program and said receiver specific datum at said output device.
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Accused Products
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.
1149 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A transmitter station apparatus for processing signals and communicating mass medium program materials to present at each of a plurality of receiver stations a presentation of (1) one of a broadcast and a cablecast program and (2) a receiver specific computer processed datum related to the content of said program, with each of said plurality of receiver stations having an output device for receiving and delivering said program and other information, each of said plurality of receiver stations also having a computer with a specific memory location, said computer operatively connected to said output device for storing and outputting information to said output device, said computer controlling, prior to communication of an information transmission comprising said program and at least one control signal, the storage of receiver specific information distinct to the receiver station, said transmitter station apparatus comprising:
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one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter for communicating to said plurality of receiver stations said information transmission; a program input receiver operatively connected to said transmitter for communicating said program to said transmitter; at least one of a first memory and a first recorder operatively connected to said transmitter for storing and communicating said at least one control signal which at each of said plurality of receiver stations operates to perform at least one of; (1) generating with said computer said receiver specific datum by processing said receiver specific information in accordance with said at least one control signal; and (2) selecting said receiver specific datum with said computer from a plurality of receiver specific data by processing said receiver specific information in accordance with said at least one control signal, said plurality of receiver specific data being prestored at said plurality of receiver stations; selecting said specific memory location with said computer for placement of said receiver specific datum by processing said receiver specific information in accordance with said at least one control signal; and an input device operatively connected to said at least one of said first memory and said first recorder for causing said at least one of said first memory and said first recorder to communicate said control signal at a specific time to said transmitter, thereby to communicate said program and said control signal to said plurality of receiver stations and cause each of said plurality of receiver stations to deliver said program at said output device, process said receiver specific information, place said receiver specific datum at said memory location, and deliver said presentation of said one of a broadcast and a cablecast program and said receiver specific datum at said output device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A method of communicating mass medium program material to a plurality of receiver stations each of which includes at least one of a broadcast and a cablecast program receiver, an output device, a control signal detector, a computer with a specific memory location capable of communicating to said output device, and with each said receiver station adapted to detect the presence of at least one control signal, to generate a receiver specific datum related to content of a transmitted program in response to a detected specific control signal, and to deliver at said output device a presentation of said a transmitted program and said receiver specific datum, said computer controlling, prior to transmission of an information transmission including said program and said at least one control signal, the storage of receiver specific information distinct to the receiver station, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a program to be transmitted and delivering said program to a transmitter; receiving and storing said at least one control signal which at each said receiver station operates to perform at least one of; (a) generating with said computer said receiver specific datum by processing said receiver specific information in accordance with said at least one control signal; and (b) selecting said receiver specific datum with said computer from a plurality of receiver specific data by processing said receiver specific information in accordance with said at least one control signal, said plurality of receiver specific data being prestored at said plurality of receiver stations; selecting said specific memory location with said computer for placement of the receiver specific datum by processing said receiver specific information in accordance with said at least one control signal; and causing said stored at least one control signal to be communicated to said transmitter at a specific time, thereby to transmit said information transmission.
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46. A method of communicating mass medium program material to a plurality of receiver stations each of which includes at least one of a broadcast and a cablecast program receiver, an output device, a control signal detector, a computer with a specific memory location capable of communicating to said output device, and with each said receiver station adapted to detect the presence of at least one control signal, to generate a receiver specific datum related to content of a received program in response to a detected specific control signal, and to deliver at said output device a presentation of said a received program and said receiver specific datum, said computer, prior to transmission of an information transmission including a mass medium program and a first control signal, controlling the storage of receiver specific information distinct to the receiver station, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving said mass medium program to be transmitted, said mass medium program including at least audio; receiving said first control signal which at each said receiver station operates to perform at least one of; (a) generating with said computer said receiver specific datum by processing said receiver specific information in accordance with said first control signal; and (b) selecting said receiver specific datum with said computer from a plurality of receiver specific data by processing said receiver specific information in accordance with said first control signal, said plurality of receiver specific data being prestored at said plurality of receiver stations; selecting said specific memory location with said computer for placement of said receiver specific datum by processing said receiver specific information in accordance with said first control signal; and receiving a second control signal which operates at a transmitter station to communicate at least one of said mass medium program and said first control signal to a transmitter; and transmitting an information transmission including said mass medium program and said first control signal. - View Dependent Claims (47)
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Specification