Signal processing apparatus and methods

• US 8,555,310 B1
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• 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:
  US08/487,556
• Time in Patent Office: 6,698 Days
• Field of Search: 348/734, 348/211, 348/6, 348/565, 348/3, 340/539, 340/825.31, 340/825.22, 340/825.69, 340/825.33, 340/825.34, 380/7, 380/10, 380/13, 380/17, 380/19, 380/20, 380210-212, 380/218, 725 27- 38, 725/49, 725135-142, 725/145, 725 45- 47, 709245-247, 370/270
• US Class Current: 725/38
• 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 delivering specific programming at at least one of a plurality of receiver stations in a communications network, comprising the steps of:

generating control instructions in said communications network;

receiving a control signal at a transmitter station in said communications network, said control signal operative to communicate said control instructions;

transmitting said control instructions to said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations in said communications network in response to said control signal, said control instructions including information regarding a plurality of units of programming and effective at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations in said communications network to control a computer at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations to generate a receiver specific value by performing a benefit determination which processes

     1) receiver specific information that is calculated by said computer and

     2) said information regarding at least one of said plurality of units of programming, said receiver specific information derived from specific criteria stored at said receiver station, said specific criteria defining relevant characteristics of a user of said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations, select at least one of said plurality of units of programming based on said receiver specific value, and cause said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming to be communicated based on

     1) said receiver specific value and

     2) identification or location information of said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming;

communicating at least one additional unit of programming to a transmitter at said transmitter station; and

transmitting said at least one additional unit of programming from said transmitter station to said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations in said communications network for delivery as a presentation with said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming.

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

originating an instruct signal at said transmitter station in said communications network; and

generating some portion of at least one of a computer program and a data module in response to said instruct signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said presentation includes at least two instances of combined medium programming, said method further comprising the steps of:

transmitting a portion of each of said two instances of combined medium programming.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving operating instructions at said transmitter station in said communications network, said operating instructions effective to control a processor at said transmitter station in said communications network, wherein said control instructions are processed by said processor under control of said operating instructions.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said control instructions are effective to control said computer to cause said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming to be communicated to an output device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said control instructions are effective to control said computer to cause said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming to be communicated to a storage device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said benefit determination ranks the units of programming of said plurality of units of programming by utility to the user of said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said control instructions are effective to control said computer to select at least two of said plurality units of programming and said selected at least two of said plurality of units of programming are ordered based on said determined ranks.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said control instruction are effective to control said computer to select a subset of said plurality of units of programming.

10. A method of delivering a receiver specific programming at at least one of a plurality of receiver stations in a communications network, comprising the steps of:

storing a control signal and selected data at a transmitter station in said communications network; and

transmitting a transmission including said stored control signal and said stored selected data, said control signal effective at said at least one of a plurality of receiver stations in said communications network to control a computer to generate a receiver specific value by performing a benefit determination which processes

     1) receiver specific information that is calculated by said computer and

     2) said selected data, said receiver specific information derived from specific criteria stored at said receiver station, said specific criteria defining relevant characteristics of a user of said at least one of a plurality of receiver stations, select at least one unit of programming based on said receiver specific value, and output said selected specific programming based on

     1) said receiver specific value and

     2) identification or location information of said selected at least one unit of programming;

communicating programming including said selected at least one unit of programming to a transmitter at said transmitter station; and

transmitting said programming from said transmitter station to said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations in said communications network.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of transmitting operating instructions to said computer, said operating instructions effective to control said computer, wherein said control signal is processed by said computer under control of said operating instructions.

12. A method for controlling the transmission of a control signal from an intermediate transmitter station to a receiver station in a communications network, comprising the steps of:

receiving, at said intermediate transmitter station in said communications network, information regarding a first control signal;

receiving a second control signal operative to cause a first computer at said intermediate transmitter station in said communications network to select data and to communicate said first control signal to a memory of said computer based on said data; and

transmitting, to said receiver station in said communications network, said selected first control signal, said selected first control signal operative at said receiver station in said communications network to control a second computer at said receiver station to generate a receiver specific value by performing a benefit determination which processes

     1) receiver specific information that is calculated by said second computer and

     2) information regarding at least one unit of programming, said receiver specific information derived from specific criteria stored at a memory associated with said second computer, said specific criteria defining relevant characteristics of a user of said receiver station, select some of said at least one unit of based on said receiver specific value, and cause said selected some of said at least one unit of programming to be communicated to an output device based on

     1) said receiver specific control and

     2) identification or location information of said some of said at least one unit of programming;

communicating said at least one unit of programming to a transmitter at said intermediate transmitter station; and

transmitting said at least one unit of programming from said intermediate transmitter station to said receiver station in said communications network.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said first control signal is generated at said intermediate transmitter station in said communications network before said second control signal is received.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of transmitting said first selected control signal is based on a third control signal.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of storing said selected first control signal at a storage device included within said intermediate transmitter station in said communications network.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of transmitting said selected first control signal is performed at a specific time according to a third control signal.

17. A method of delivering a receiver specific program at a receiver station having a computer and an output device, comprising perform the following steps of:

receiving, at said receiver station, a broadcast or cablecast information transmission comprising control instructions which include information regarding a plurality of units of programming;

detecting said control instructions in said broadcast or cablecast information transmission and passing said detected control instructions to said computer at said receiver station;

receiving said plurality of units of programming at said receiver station;

controlling said computer at said receiver station based on said detected and passed control instructions, said step of controlling comprising controlling said computer to;

generate a receiver specific value by performing a benefit determination which processes

     1) receiver specific information that is calculated by said computer at said receiver station and

     2) said information regarding said plurality of units of programming, said receiver specific information derived from specific criteria stored at said receiver station, said specific criteria defining relevant characteristics of a user of said receiver station;

select at least one of said plurality of units of programming based on said receiver specific computer generated value; and

cause said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming to be communicated based on

     1) said receiver specific value and

     2) identification or location information of said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming;

receiving in said cablecast or broadcast transmission at least one additional unit of programming at said receiver station; and

delivering through said output device a receiver station specific presentation of two or more units of programming, said two or more units of programming including said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming and said at least one additional unit of programming.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said step of controlling said computer includes causing said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming to be communicated to an output device.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said step of controlling said computer includes causing said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming to be communicated to a storage device.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein said benefit determination ranks the units of programming of said plurality of units of programming by utility to the user of said receiver station.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said step of controlling said computer includes causing said computer to select at least two of said plurality units of programming and said selected at least two of said plurality of units of programming are ordered based on said determined ranks.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein said step of controlling said computer includes selecting a subset of said plurality of units of programming.

23. A receiver station apparatus for delivering a presentation of two or more units of programming comprising:

a program input receiver that receives a broadcast or cablecast information transmission comprising control instructions and at least one additional unit of programming, said control instructions including information regarding a plurality of units of programming;

a detector operatively connected to said program input receiver that detects said control instructions in said broadcast or cablecast information transmission;

a computer operatively connected to, said detector and said output device for performing the following operations based upon said detected and passed control instructions;

generating a receiver specific value by performing a benefit determination which processes

     1) receiver specific information that is calculated by said computer and

     2) said information regarding said plurality of units of programming, said receiver specific information derived from specific criteria stored at said receiver station apparatus, said specific criteria defining relavant characteristics of a user of said receiver station apparatus;

selecting at least one of said plurality of units of programming based on said receiver specific computer generated value; and

causing said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming to be communicated based on

     1) said receiver specific value and

     2) identification or location information of said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming;

an output device operatively connected to said computer that delivers a receiver station specific presentation of two or more units of programming, said two or more units of programming including said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming and said at least one additional unit of programming.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said computer performs the operation of causing said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming to be communicated to an output device.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said computer performs the operation of causing said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming to be communicated to a storage device.

26. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said benefit determination ranks the units of programming of said plurality of units of programming by utility to the user of said receiver station apparatus.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said computer performs the operation of selecting at least two of said plurality units of programming and said selected at least two of said plurality of units of programming are ordered based on said determined ranks.

28. The method of claim 23 wherein said computer performs the operation of selecting a subset of said plurality of units of programming.