Signal processing apparatus and methods

• US 8,566,868 B1
• Filed: 06/02/1995
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• 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): Blair, April Y
• Application Number:
  US08/460,793
• Time in Patent Office: 6,717 Days
• Field of Search: 348 1- 3, 348 6- 13, 348/468, 348/722, 348/906, 348/731, 348/24, 455 1- 63, 725/27, 725/28, 725/29, 725/31, 725/34, 725/35, 725/36, 725/37, 725/38, 380/210, 380/211, 380/212, 380/218, 709/245, 709/246, 709/247, 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 controlling a remote station based on one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmission, said method including the steps of:

storing information about a user of said remote station in memory at said remote station;

transmitting a computer program in said one of a broadcast and cablecast transmission to said remote station;

detecting said computer program at said remote station;

executing said computer program at said remote station to process said information about said user of said remote station and cause said remote station to generate programming content based on said information about said user of said remote station and output programming including said programming content.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said programming includes an offer to said user of said remote station to purchase a good advertised in said programming by providing input to said remote station.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said offer is personalized.

4. A method of controlling a remote station based on one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmission, said method comprising the steps of:

storing information about a user of said remote station in memory at said remote station;

transmitting a computer program in said one of a broadcast and cablecast transmission to said remote station;

detecting said computer program at said remote station; and

executing said computer program at a processor at said remote station which causes said remote station to select a first plurality of programming units for storage at a memory device at said remote station from a second plurality of programming units transmitted in said one of a broadcast or cablecast transmission by processing said information about said user of said remote station, wherein said first plurality of programming units is less than said second plurality of programming units and wherein said first plurality of programming units are later output from the memory device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein each of said first plurality of programming units comprises a commercial or a form of advertising.

6. A method of controlling a remote station based on an information transmission, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a first instruction module from a first remote station;

passing said first instruction module to a computer;

causing said computer to compute a variable value in response to said first instruction module;

generating, based on said computed variable value, a second instruction module comprising executable code, said generated second instruction module to be transferred to a memory at a second remote station and executed upon command;

embedding said generated second instruction module into an information transmission to be transmitted; and

transmitting said information transmission to said second remote station in a transmission.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of programming said computer to generate said generated second instruction.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of placing said computed variable value into higher language code.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein at least some of said generated second instruction module is generated by compiling higher language code.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of linking at least some of said generated second instruction module.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein said generated second instruction module is transmitted with a data module, said method further comprising the steps of:

selecting some generally applicable video, audio, cost data, or text; and

placing said selected video, audio, cost data, or text in said data module.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein said generated second instruction module enables said remote station to receive or present to a subscriber at least a portion of mass medium programming.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein said first instruction module designates video, audio, a cost, or text, said method further comprising the step of transmitting said designated video, audio, cost, or text.

14. A remote station, comprising:

a receiver for receiving a first instruction module from a first remote station;

a processor coupled to said receiver;

input buffer for passing said first instruction module to said processor, wherein said processor computes a variable value in response to said first instruction module and generates, based on said computed variable value, a second instruction module comprising executable code, said generated second instruction module to be transferred to a memory at a second remote station and executed upon command;

a signal generator for embedding said generated second instruction module into an information transmission to be transmitted; and

a transmitter for transmitting said second information transmission to said second remote station in a transmission.

15. A method of controlling a remote station based on a transmission, comprising the steps of:

originating an instruct signal at an origination station;

transmitting said instruct signal to a first remote station, which is effective to cause said first remote station to generate a first instruction set;

transmitting said first instruction set to a second remote station, wherein said first instruction set is effective to cause said second remote station to compute a variable value and generate, based on said computed variable value, a second instruction set; and

transmitting said second instruction set to a third remote station in a transmission for execution by said third remote station.

16. A method of controlling a remote station, comprising the steps of:

originating a control program, said control program effective to cause said remote station to (1) compute a variable value in response to said control program, (2) generate, based on said variable value, an instruction module comprising executable code, said instruction module to be transferred to a memory at a subscriber station and executed upon command, and (3) transmit said generated instruction module in a broadcast or cablecast transmission; and

transmitting said control program to said remote station in an information transmission which includes video.

17. A method of providing programming at a receiver station, comprising:

receiving, at said receiver station, a computer program transmitted from a transmitter station under the control of the transmitter station;

loading said computer program into memory of a processor at said receiver station to program operation of said processor; and

executing with said processor at said receiver station, under the control of the transmitter station, said computer program, by processing data, to output advertising at said receiver station.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said receiver station comprises a television receiver station, and said transmitter station comprises a television transmitter station.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said advertising comprises personalized advertising.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said advertising includes an offer to a user of said receiver station to purchase a good advertised in said advertising by providing input to said receiver station.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said offer is personalized.

22. A method of controlling a receiver station, comprising:

receiving, at said receiver station, a computer program transmitted from a transmitter station under the control of the transmitter station;

loading said computer program into memory of a processor at said receiver station to program operation of said processor; and

executing with said processor at said receiver station, under the control of the transmitter station, said computer program, by processing data, to communicate an order for a product or service from said receiver station to a remote station.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said order is generated at said receiver station.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said order comprises a shopping list.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of executing a second computer program to generate said order at said receiver station.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of receiving, at said receiver station, said second computer program transmitted from said transmitter station.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein said transmitter station and said remote station comprise different remote stations.

28. A method of regulating a receiver station environment, comprising:

receiving, at said receiver station, a computer program transmitted from a transmitter station under the control of the transmitter station;

loading said computer program into memory of a processor at said receiver station to program operation of said processor; and

executing with said processor at said receiver station, under the control of the transmitter station, said computer program to regulate said receiver station environment.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said receiver station environment comprises a home or office where said receiver station is located.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein said receiver station comprises a television receiver station.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein said computer program is effective to regulate a thermostat of an air conditioner or furnace.

32. A method of providing programming at a television receiver station, comprising:

storing information about a user of said television receiver station at a memory of said television receiver station;

receiving, at said television receiver station, a first plurality of programming units transmitted from a television transmitter station;

receiving, at said television receiver station, a computer program transmitted from said television transmitter station;

storing said computer program in memory at said television receiver station;

executing said computer program using a processor at said receiver station, which causes said television receiver station to select a second plurality of said first plurality of programming units for later output at said television receiver station based on said stored information about said user, said second plurality of units being less than said first plurality;

storing said second plurality of programming units at said television receiver station, and outputting said second plurality of programming units at said television receiver station after a period of delay from storing said second plurality of programming units.

33. A method of providing programming at a receiver station, comprising:

receiving, at said receiver station, a computer program transmitted in a communications channel with mass media programming from a transmitter station, said computer program includes operating system instructions;

outputting said mass media programming;

downloading said computer program into memory of a processor at said receiver station to program operation of said processor; and

executing said computer program using said processor at said receiver station, which enables said receiver station, in operation, to output advertising.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said receiver station comprises a television receiver station, and said transmitter station comprises a television transmitter station.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein said advertising comprises personalized advertising.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein said advertising includes an offer to a user of said receiver station to purchase a good advertised in said advertising by providing input to said receiver station.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said offer is personalized.

38. A method of controlling a receiver station, comprising:

receiving, at said receiver station, a computer program transmitted in a communications channel with mass media programming from a transmitter station;

outputting said mass media programming;

downloading said computer program into memory of a processor at said receiver station to program operation of said processor; and

executing said computer program using said processor at said receiver station, which enables said receiver station, in operation, to communicate an order for a product or service to a remote station.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said order is generated at said receiver station.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein said order comprises a shopping list.

41. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of executing a second computer program to generate said order at said receiver station.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of receiving, at said receiver station, said second computer program transmitted from said transmitter station.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein said transmitter station and said remote station comprise different remote stations.

44. A method of regulating a receiver station environment, comprising:

receiving, at said receiver station, a computer program transmitted in a communications channel with mass media programming from a transmitter station;

outputting said mass media programming;

downloading said computer program into memory of a processor at said receiver station to program operation of said processor; and

executing said computer program which enables said receiver station, in operation, to regulate said receiver station environment.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said receiver station environment comprises a home or office where said receiver station is located.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein said receiver station comprises a television receiver station.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein said computer program is effective to regulate a thermostat of an air conditioner or furnace.