Signal processing apparatus and methods

• US 8,584,162 B1
• Filed: 05/23/1995
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• 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:
  US08/449,901
• Time in Patent Office: 6,748 Days
• Field of Search: 348/466, 348/467, 348/468, 348/478, 725/135, 725/38, 380/234, 380/242, 380/210
• 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 programming to at least one subscriber in a network, said network including at least one programming origination station, an intermediate transmission station and at least one subscriber station, said intermediate transmission station capable of receiving programming from one of said at least one programming origination station and retransmitting said received programming to said at least one subscriber station, said at least one subscriber station capable of receiving programming from said intermediate transmission station and outputting information at an output device based on said received programming, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving at least one unit of programming at said intermediate transmission station;

each of said at least one unit of programming including a plurality of retransmission control signals, each of said plurality of retransmission control signals in said each of said at least one unit of programming designating at least one of a point and a portion of its corresponding said each of said at least one unit of programming in which said each of said plurality of retransmission control signals is included;

receiving at least one signal for comparison, wherein said at least one signal for comparison designates said at least one unit of programming;

passing said retransmission control signals and said at least one signal for comparison to an automatic control unit at said intermediate transmitter station;

storing said at least one unit of programming based on comparisons performed by said automatic control unit in accordance with said at least one signal for comparison and said plurality of retransmission control signals;

locating, at said intermediate transmission stations, at least one of a point and a portion of said at least one unit of programming in accordance with at least one of said plurality of retransmission control signals included in said at least one unit of programming; and

retransmitting said at least one unit of programming from said intermediate transmission station to said at least one subscriber station in accordance with said plurality of retransmission control signals.

2. A method of communicating at least one unit of programming in a communications network, said communications network including at least one origination station and a plurality of intermediate transmission stations, each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations having a receiver, at least one selective transmission device operatively connected to said receiver for transferring programming to a transmitter, an automatic control unit operatively connected to said selective transmission device, a detector operatively connected to said automatic control unit for detecting at least one signal, and said automatic control unit being programmed to perform in a station specific fashion, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting from said at least one origination station said at least one unit of programming, each of said at least one unit of programming including a plurality of retransmission control signals, each of said plurality of retransmission control signals in said each of said at least one unit of programming designating at least one of a point and a portion of its corresponding said each of said at least one unit of programming in which said each of said plurality of retransmission control signals is included;

transmitting at least one signal for comparison from said at least one origination station, wherein said at least one signal for comparison designates said at least one unit of programming;

said plurality of intermediate transmission stations each receiving said at least one unit of programming;

detecting said plurality of retransmission control signals at each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations;

receiving said at least one signal for comparison at each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations, each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations passing said retransmission control signals and said at least one signal for comparison to said automatic control unit, each said plurality of intermediate transmission stations storing said at least one unit of programming based on comparisons performed by said automatic control unit in accordance with said at least one signal for comparison and said plurality of retransmission control signals;

locating, at least one of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations, at least one of a point and a portion of said at least one unit of programming in accordance with at least one of said plurality of retransmission control signals included in said at least one unit of programming;

retransmitting said at least one unit of programming from each of said plurality of intermediate transmitter stations in accordance with said plurality of retransmission control signals; and

said plurality of intermediate transmission stations retransmitting said at least one unit of programming independently and at different times in accordance with said programmed automatic control unit at said each of said plurality of intermediate transmitter stations.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein each said plurality of intermediate transmission stations includes a plurality of selective transmission devices and said automatic control unit is programmed with information including at least one of operating speeds of said plurality of selective transmission devices, connections of said plurality of selective transmission devices, and capacities of said plurality of selective transmission devices, said method further comprising the step of

transmitting from said at least one origination station an instruct signal which is effective to cause at least one of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations to perform at least one of

(1) storing different units of said at least one unit of programming at different selective transmission devices of said plurality of selective transmission devices and

(2) storing at least two units of said at least one unit of programming in a specific order.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein each said automatic control unit is programmed to control a storage device, said method further comprising the step of

instructing different intermediate transmission stations of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations to store and retransmit different units of said at least one unit of programming.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said automatic control unit is programmed to control a switch, said method further comprising the step of

instructing different intermediate transmission stations of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations to cause said switch to communicate a specific unit of said at least one unit of programming at one or more different times and or on different channels.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations retransmits programming on a plurality of channels, said method further comprising the step of

instructing different intermediate transmission stations of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations to transmit a specific unit of said at least one unit of programming on different channels.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein said at least one signal for comparison and said retransmission control signals comprise at least one schedule, said method further comprising the step of

programming at least one of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations to select said at least one unit of programming in accordance with said at least one schedule.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein a portion of said plurality of retransmission control signals instruct said plurality of intermediate transmission stations to retransmit programming immediately, said method further comprising the step of

selecting said at least one unit of programming to store and retransmit based on said at least one signal for comparison.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein said automatic control unit is programmed to organize a portion of said at least one unit of programming in a specific order, said method further comprising the step of

causing different intermediate transmission stations of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations to organize said portion of said at least one unit of programming in different orders.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein said automatic control unit is programmed to insert at least one of a data and control instruction in said at least one unit of programming, said method further comprising the step of

causing different intermediate transmission stations of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations to insert at least one of

(i) different data of said at least one of a data and control instruction and

(ii) a different control instruction of said at least one of a data and control instruction in said at least one unit of programming.

11. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of documenting the transmission of a specific unit of said at least one unit of programming at specific intermediate transmission station of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations.

12. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of transmitting at least one data from said plurality of intermediate transmission stations to a remote data collection station.

13. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of transmitting said at least one signal for comparison and said plurality of retransmission control signals from a first of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations.

14. The method of claim 2, wherein said at least one unit of programming is at least one program unit.

38. The method of claim 14, wherein said at least one program unit is at least one program.

39. The method of claim 14, wherein said at least one program unit is at least one complete commercial.

15. A method of communicating at least one unit of programming in a communications network, said communications network including a first origination station, a second origination station and a plurality of intermediate transmission stations, each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations having a receiver, a selective transmission device operatively connected to said receiver for transferring programming to a transmitter, an automatic control unit operatively connected to said selective transmission device, a detector operatively connected to said automatic control unit for detecting at least one signal, and said automatic control unit being programmed to perform in a station specific fashion, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting, from said first origination station, at least one unit of programming, each of said at least one unit of programming including a plurality of retransmission control signals, each of said plurality of retransmission control signals in each of said at least one unit of programming designating at least one of a point and a portion of its corresponding said each of said at least one unit of programming in which said each of said plurality of retransmission control signals is included; and

inputting a control signal from said second origination station, said inputted control signal designating said at least one unit of programming;

wherein each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations receives said at least one unit of programming, detects said plurality of retransmission control signals, receives said inputted control signal, passes said plurality of retransmission control signals and said inputted control signals to its said automatic control unit, stores said at least one unit of programming based on said plurality of retransmission control signals;

locates at least one of a point and a portion of said at least one unit of programming in accordance with at least one of said plurality of retransmission control signals included in said at least one unit of programming, and retransmits said at least one unit of programming in accordance with said plurality of retransmission control signals in said at least one unit of programming, said plurality of intermediate transmission stations retransmitting said at least one unit of programming independently and at different times based on said plurality of retransmission control signals-and said inputted control signal.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of embedding said plurality of retransmission control signals in a programming signal containing said at least one unit of programming before performing said step of transmitting.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of said plurality of retransmission control signals is embedded in said programming signal in advance of a programming portion of said at least one unit of programming.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said at least one of said plurality of retransmission control signals contains an identifier.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said identifier identifies subject matter contained in said programming portion of said at least one unit of programming.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein said plurality of retransmission control signals designates the location of the beginning and the end of a portion of programming contained in said at least one unit of programming.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein said control signal comprises a programming transmission schedule which instructs a first of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations to retransmit of said at least one unit of programming at a first time and instructs a second of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations to retransmit said at least one unit of programming at a second time.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein said control signal is input to said plurality of intermediate transmission stations by telephone and said second origination station comprises a telephone transmission station.

23. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of transmitting, from said first origination station, a second unit of programming.

40. The method of claim 15, wherein said at least one unit of programming is at least one program unit.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said at least one program unit is at least one program.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein said at least one program unit is at least one complete commercial.

24. A method of communicating at least one programming unit that includes audio programming in a communications network, said communications network including at least one origination station and a plurality of intermediate transmission stations, each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations having a receiver, at least one selective transmission device operatively connected to said receiver for transferring programming to a transmitter, an automatic control unit operatively connected to said selective transmission device, a detector operatively connected to said automatic control unit for detecting at least one signal, and said automatic control unit being programmed to perform in a station specific fashion, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting from said at least one origination stations said at least one programming unit that includes audio programming, each of said at least one programming unit that includes audio programming including a plurality of retransmission control signals, each of said plurality of retransmission control signals in said each of said at least one unit of programming designating at least one of a point and a portion of its corresponding said each of said at least one unit of programming in which said each of said plurality of retransmission control signals is included;

transmitting at least one signal for comparison from said at least one origination station, wherein said at least one signal for comparison designates said at least one programming unit that includes audio programming;

said plurality of intermediate transmission stations each receiving said at least one programming unit that includes audio programming;

detecting said plurality of retransmission control signals at each of said plurality of intermediate transmitter stations;

receiving said at least one signal for comparison at each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations, each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations passing said retransmission control signals and said at least one signal for comparison to said automatic control unit, each said plurality of intermediate transmission stations storing said at least one programming unit that includes audio programming based on comparisons performed by said automatic control unit in accordance with said at least one signal for comparison and said plurality of retransmission control signals;

locating, at least one of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations, at least one of a point and a portion of said at least one unit of programming in accordance with at least one of said plurality of retransmission control signals included in said at least one unit of programming;

retransmitting said designated at least one programming unit that includes audio programming from each of said plurality of intermediate transmitter stations in accordance with said plurality of retransmission control signals; and

said plurality of intermediate transmission stations retransmitting said at least one programming unit that includes audio programming independently and at different times in accordance with said programmed automatic control unit at said each of said plurality of intermediate transmitter stations.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said audio programming is included in television programming and said at least one programming unit that includes audio programming includes said television programming.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting from said at least one origination stations a second programming unit that includes audio programming; and

causing said plurality of intermediate transmission stations to retransmit said second programming unit that includes audio programming independently and at different times in accordance with said programmed automatic control unit at said each of said plurality of intermediate transmitter stations.

27. A method of communicating at least one entire programming unit that includes computer programming in a communications network, said communications network including at least one origination station and a plurality of intermediate transmission stations, each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations having a receiver, at least one selective transmission device operatively connected to said receiver for transferring programming to a transmitter, an automatic control unit operatively connected to said selective transmission device, a detector operatively connected to said automatic control unit for detecting at least one signal, and said automatic control unit being programmed to perform in a station specific fashion, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting from said at least one origination station a portion of said at least one programming unit that includes computer programming, said portion of said at least one programming unit that includes computer programming including a plurality of retransmission control signals;

transmitting at least one signal for comparison from said at least one origination station, wherein said at least one signal for comparison designates said portion of said at least one programming unit that includes computer programming;

said plurality of intermediate transmission stations each receiving said portion of said at least one programming unit that includes computer programming;

detecting said plurality of retransmission control signals at each of said plurality of intermediate transmitter stations;

receiving said at least one signal for comparison at each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations, each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations passing said retransmission control signals and said at least one signal for comparison to said automatic control unit, each said plurality of intermediate transmission stations storing said portion of at least one programming unit that includes computer programming based on comparisons performed by said automatic control unit in accordance with said plurality of retransmission control signals; and

transmitting said entire at least one programming unit that includes computer programming from each of said plurality of intermediate transmitter stations in accordance with said plurality of retransmission control signals, said portion of said at least one programming unit that includes computer programming retransmitted in said entire at least one programming unit that includes computer programming;

said plurality of intermediate transmission stations retransmitting said entire at least one programming unit that includes computer programming independently and at different times in accordance with said programmed automatic control unit at said each of said plurality of intermediate transmitter stations.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said computer programming comprises downloadable executable code, further comprising the step of transmitting from each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations at least one control signal which executes said downloadable executable code.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said at least one control signal is included in said programming unit that includes computer programming.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said at least one of video programming and audio programming is included in said entire programming unit that includes computer programming.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein audio programming is included in said entire at least one programming unit that includes computer programming.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said audio programming is included in television programming and said entire at least one programming unit that includes computer programming includes said television programming.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said computer programming operates at a user station, when executed, to process user data and present a combined medium presentation that includes at least some of said television programming.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting from said at least one origination stations a second programming unit that includes audio programming; and

causing said plurality of intermediate transmission stations to retransmit said second programming unit that includes audio programming independently and at different times in accordance with said programmed automatic control unit at said each of said plurality of intermediate transmitter stations.

35. The method of claim 27, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting from said at least one origination stations a second programming unit that includes at least one of video programming and audio programming; and

causing said plurality of intermediate transmission stations to retransmit said second programming unit that includes at least one of video programming and audio programming independently and at different times in accordance with said programmed automatic control unit at said each of said plurality of intermediate transmitter stations.

36. A method of communicating at least first one unit of programming in a communications network, said communications network including at least one origination station and a plurality of intermediate transmission stations, each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations having a receiver, at least one selective transmission device operatively connected to said receiver for transferring programming to a transmitter, an automatic control unit operatively connected to said selective transmission device, a detector operatively connected to said automatic control unit for detecting at least one signal, and said automatic control unit being programmed to perform in a station specific fashion, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting from said at least one origination stations said at least one first unit of programming, said at least one first unit of programming including a plurality of first unit retransmission control signals and at least one second unit of programming, said at least one second unit of programming including at least one second unit retransmission control signal;

transmitting at least one signal for comparison from said at least one origination station, wherein said at least one signal for comparison designates said at least one first unit of programming;

said plurality of intermediate transmission stations each receiving said at least one first unit of programming and said at least one second unit of programming;

detecting said plurality of first unit retransmission control signals at each of said plurality of intermediate transmitter stations and said at least one second unit retransmission control signal at least one of said plurality of intermediate stations;

receiving said at least one signal for comparison at each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations, each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations passing said plurality of first unit retransmission control signals and said at least one signal for comparison to said automatic control unit, each said plurality of intermediate transmission stations storing said at least one first unit of programming based on comparisons performed by said automatic control unit in accordance with said plurality of first unit retransmission control signals;

modifying said at least one first unit of programming at said at least one of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations based on said at least one second unit of programming and said at least one second unit retransmission control signal;

retransmitting at least a portion of said designated at least one first unit of programming from each of said plurality of intermediate transmitter stations in accordance with said plurality of first unit retransmission control signals, said at least one of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations retransmitting said modified at least one first unit of programming; and

said plurality of intermediate transmission stations retransmitting said at least a portion of said at least one first unit of programming independently and at different times in accordance with said programmed automatic control unit at said each of said plurality of intermediate transmitter stations.

37. A method of communicating at least one first unit of programming in a communications network, said communications network including at least one origination station and a plurality of intermediate transmission stations and at least one subscriber station, each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations having a receiver, at least one selective transmission device operatively connected to said receiver for transferring programming to a transmitter, an automatic control unit operatively connected to said selective transmission device, a detector operatively connected to said automatic control unit for detecting at least one signal, and said automatic control unit being programmed to perform in a station specific fashion, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting from said at least one origination stations said at least one first unit of programming, said at least one first unit of programming including a plurality of first unit retransmission control signals and at least one second unit of programming, said at least one second unit of programming including at least one second unit retransmission control signal;

transmitting at least one signal for comparison from said at least one origination station, wherein said at least one signal for comparison designates said at least one first unit of programming;

said plurality of intermediate transmission stations each receiving said at least one first unit of programming and said at least one second unit of programming;

detecting said plurality of first unit retransmission control signals at each of said plurality of intermediate transmitter stations;

receiving said at least one signal for comparison at each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations, each of said plurality of intermediate transmission stations passing said plurality of first unit retransmission control signals and said at least one signal for comparison to said automatic control unit, each said plurality of intermediate transmission stations storing said at least one first unit of programming and said at least one second unit of programming based on comparisons performed by said automatic control unit in accordance with said plurality of first unit retransmission control signals;

retransmitting said designated at least one first unit of programming and said at least one second unit of programming from each of said plurality of intermediate transmitter stations in accordance with said plurality of first unit retransmission control signals; and

outputting at least a portion of said at least one first unit of programming with a least a portion of said at least one second unit of programming at said at least one subscriber station based on said at least one second unit retransmission control signal;

said plurality of intermediate transmission stations retransmitting said at least one unit of programming independently and at different times in accordance with said programmed automatic control unit at said each of said plurality of intermediate transmitter stations.