Signal processing apparatus and methods

• US 8,843,988 B1
• Filed: 05/15/1995
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• 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): Huynh, An Son P
• Application Number:
  US08/440,837
• Time in Patent Office: 7,071 Days
• Field of Search: 455/12.1, 380/9, 380/10, 380/13, 380/16, 380/17, 380/19, 380/20, 380/48, 380/49, 348/1, 348/3, 348/6, 348/9, 348/13, 348/476, 379/96, 375/346, 375/350, 725 32- 36, 725109-110, 725135-136
• US Class Current: 725/135
• 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 at least one addressable receiver station computer at a receiver station, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting an information transmission to a plurality of receiver stations, each receiver station of said plurality of receiver stations being located within an individual residence and comprising a receiver and a plurality of addressable devices including an addressable receiver station computer, said information transmission comprising general information and a control signal addressed to said at least one of said plurality of addressable devices at at least one of said plurality of receiver stations, each of said addressable devices is identified by a distinct address that is different from the addresses of other addressable devices of said plurality of addressable devices;

transmitting specific information addressed to said at least one of said plurality of addressable devices from a remote source to said at least one of said plurality of addressable devices at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations, said specific information including instructions and data;

receiving and storing at least a portion of said specific information from said remote source on said addressable receiver station computer at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations; and

performing the following steps at said at least one of said plurality of said receiver stations;

(a) receiving said information transmission, said received information transmission including said general information and said control signal;

(b) displaying, in response to receiving said information transmission, at least a first portion of said received general information;

(c) detecting said received control signal;

(d) determining if said detected control signal is addressed to said at least one of said plurality of addressable devices;

(e) said addressable receiver station computer at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations automatically executing processor instructions on the basis of said control signal to select at least one of a plurality of functions to be performed, said plurality of functions including the functions of

     1) causing the addressable receiver station to contacting a remote unit,

     2) causing a decrypter at said addressable receiver station to decrypt a transmission,

     3) regulating operation of environmental control apparatus at said addressable receiver station,

     4) causing said addressable receiver station to receive an audio or video signal related to said general information, and

     5) causing said addressable receiver station to receive information related to said general information if requested by a user at said addressable receiver station; and

(f) said addressable receiver station computer at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations performing said at least one of said plurality of functions based on said detected control signal; and

said performing said at least one of said plurality of functions comprises displaying on a display device a television programming presentation including a locally generated image presented at a predetermined time in said television programming presentation with at least a second portion of said general information, wherein said locally generated image comprises user specific content, and each of said locally generated image and said at least a second portion of said general information includes content related to said television programming presentation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said information transmission includes information of a plurality of channels and said at least one of said plurality of functions includes controlling a tuner.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said instructions are transmitted in said information transmission.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein a second of said plurality of functions includes controlling a decryptor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said information transmission includes a television signal and said at least one of said plurality of functions includes outputting television programming.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a second of said plurality of functions includes selecting said television programming.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said general information is displayed in a video image.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one of said plurality of functions includes generating a first content of said video image.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said second of said plurality of functions includes generating a second content of said video image.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of determining comprises performing a comparison.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said receiver station identifies said general information by at least one of title and content based on said comparison.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said receiver station is programmed to extract at least one of said data, said instructions, and said control signal from said information transmission.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said addressable receiver station computer instructs a signal processor to perform said comparison.

14. A method for controlling a plurality of auxiliary devices from one of a single broadcast input and a single cablecast input at a mass medium programming receiver station, said mass medium programming receiver station contained within a building facility and having a receiver section, a detector, a processor, a controller, and a plurality of outputs for controlling said plurality of auxiliary devices located internally or externally from said receiver station and within said building facility, each auxiliary device of said plurality of auxiliary devices including a processor, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a signal at said receiver section, said signal including mass medium programming that includes audio, processor instructions and a distinct address of at least one of said plurality of auxiliary devices, said processor instructions having a destination to one of said plurality of auxiliary devices that is identified by said distinct address, wherein each of said plurality of auxiliary devices is identified by a distinct address that is different from the addresses of other auxiliary devices of said plurality of auxiliary devices, said plurality of auxiliary devices are located internally or externally from the receiver station;

decoding, at said detector, said received signal to extract said control instructions;

automatically routing, with said processor, said processor instructions based on said distinct address to one of said plurality of auxiliary devices;

executing said routed instructions at said one of said plurality of auxiliary devices to automatically process, store and communicate said mass medium programming to a presentation device; and

displaying on a television screen, based on said routed instructions, a mass medium programming presentation including a locally generated image presented at a predetermined time in said mass medium programming presentation with general information of said mass medium programming, wherein said locally generated image comprises user specific content, and each of said locally generated image and said general information includes content related to said mass medium programming presentation.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said mass medium programming includes television.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said mass medium programming includes radio.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said mass medium programming includes text.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said mass medium programming includes multimedia.

19. A method of controlling at least one addressable apparatus at a plurality of receiver stations, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting an information transmission to said plurality of receiver stations, each receiver station of said plurality of receiver stations located within a building facility and including a computer and a plurality of addressable apparatus connected to said computer, each of said plurality of addressable apparatus identified by a distinct address that is different from the addresses of other apparatus of said plurality of addressable apparatus, the information transmission comprising (1) general information, (2) a signal addressed to said at least one addressable apparatus and (3) processor instructions;

receiving from a remote source and storing on said computer at least a portion of specific information addressed to said at least one addressable apparatus;

performing the following steps at one of said plurality of receiver stations;

(a) receiving the information transmission, the received information transmission including the general information and the signal;

(b) displaying, in response to receiving said information transmission, the general information;

(c) detecting the received signal;

(d) identifying said at least one addressable apparatus which is addressed by said detected signal and routing said processor instructions based on the signal addressed to said at least one addressable apparatus for processing; and

(e) executing said processor instructions to automatically control said at least one addressable apparatus based on said detected signal and said at least a portion of specific information addressed to said at least one addressable apparatus; and

displaying on a display device a television programming presentation including a locally generated image presented at a predetermined time in said television programming presentation with at least a portion of said general information, wherein said locally generated image comprises user specific content, and each of said locally generated image and said at least a portion of said general information includes content related to said television programming presentation,

wherein said computer performs at least one of said steps performed at said receiver station by processing said at least a portion of specific information.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said signal is further addressed to said computer at at least one of said plurality of receiver stations, said step (d) further comprising a step of determining whether said signal is addressed to said computer at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations, said step (e) comprising a step of said computer controlling said at least one addressable apparatus based on said signal if said signal is addressed to said computer at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said step of receiving comprises the step of receiving the information transmission at a plurality of said receiver stations, the received information transmission including (1) general information intended for all receiver stations of said plurality of said receiver stations, and (2) the signal, said signal addressed to at least one of said receiver station computers and at least one of said addressable apparatus, the addressable apparatus at each said receiver station being either the same or different from the addressable apparatus at one or more of said plurality of receiver stations.

22. A method of controlling one or more addressable computers, said method comprising the steps of;

transmitting an information transmission to a plurality of receiver stations, each receiver station of said plurality of receiver stations located within a user'"'"'s residence or workplace facility comprising a receiver and a plurality of addressable devices including one or more addressable computers, the information transmission comprising (1) general information and (2) a signal including processor instructions addressed to at least one of said plurality of addressable devices;

storing at least a portion of specific information received from a remote source at each of said plurality of receiver stations; and

performing the following steps at one of said plurality of receiver stations;

(a) receiving the information transmission, the received information transmission including the general information and the signal addressed to said at least one of said plurality of addressable devices, said each of said one or more addressable devices identified by a distinct address that is different from the addresses of other devices of said one or more addressable devices;

(b) displaying at least a portion of the received general information;

(c) detecting the received signal addressed to said at least one of said plurality of addressable devices;

(d) processing said detected signal to determine whether said detected signal is addressed to the at least one of said plurality of addressable devices;

(e) executing said processor instructions at said one or more addressable computers to select at least one of a plurality of functions to be performed based on said signal if said signal is addressed to at least one of said plurality of addressable devices at said receiver station, said plurality of functions including the functions of

     1) causing said at least one of said addressable devices to contacting a remote unit,

     2) causing a decrypter associated with said at least one of said addressable device to decrypt a transmission,

     3) regulating operation of environmental control apparatus associated with said at least one addressable device,

     4) causing said at least one addressable device to receive an audio or video signal related to said general information, and

     5) causing said at least one addressable receiver station to receive information related to said general information if requested by a user; and

(f) said one or more addressable devices performing said selected at least one of said plurality of functions based on execution of said processor instructions; and

said performing said selected at least one of said plurality of functions comprises displaying on a display device a television programming presentation including a locally generated image presented at a predetermined time in said television programming presentation with at least a portion of said general information, wherein said locally generated image comprises user specific content, and each of said locally generated image and said at least a portion of said general information includes content related to said television programming presentation.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said step of transmitting comprises at least one of the following steps:

transmitting an information transmission via satellite to said plurality of receiver stations, each of said plurality of receiver stations comprising a receiver and a computer, the information transmission comprising (1) general information intended for all receiver stations of said plurality of receiver stations and (2) signals addressed to said one or more addressable computers; and

transmitting a multichannel information transmission to said plurality of receiver stations, each of said plurality of receiver stations comprising a receiver and a computer, the information transmission comprising (1) general information intended for all the receiver stations of said plurality of receiver stations and (2) signals addressed to said one or more addressable computers.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein each of said plurality of receiver stations further comprises an output device, said step of outputting comprises the step of outputting said received general information at the output device.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein each of said plurality of receiver stations comprises an apparatus operatively connected to said one or more addressable computers, and said step (f) comprises the step of said one or more addressable computers controlling the apparatus based on said detected signal if said detected signal is addressed to said one or more addressable computers.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said each of said plurality of receiver stations comprises a plurality of controllable apparatus operatively connected to said one or more addressable computers, said detected signal being further addressed to one of said plurality of controllable apparatus, said step (e) comprises the step of identifying one of said plurality of controllable apparatus addressed by said signal and said step (f) comprises the step of said computer controlling the identified apparatus addressed by said detected signal based on said detected signal if said detected signal is addressed to said one or more addressable computers.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein at least one of said plurality of controllable apparatus includes two or more apparatus from the group consisting of:

(a) a television;

(b) a bi-directional communication device;

(c) a tuner;

(d) a switch;

(e) a controllable motion mechanism;

(f) a temperature control device;

(g) a signal modification device;

(h) a memory;

(i) a recorder/player; and

(j) a microprocessor peripheral of said computer.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein said detected signal comprises local environment information, said step (f) comprises the step of the one or more addressable computers controlling said apparatus based on said local environment information if said local environment information is addressed to said one or more addressable computers.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein said apparatus comprises a tuner, said step (f) comprises the step of said one or more addressable computers tuning the tuner to a specific frequency in response to said detected signal if said detected signal is addressed to said one or more addressable computers.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein said step (f) further comprises the step of the one or more addressable computers turning on the tuner in response to said detected signal if said detected signal is addressed to said one or more addressable computers.

31. A receiver station apparatus comprising:

a computer;

a receiver for receiving an information transmission from a remote television programming source, said information transmission comprising (1) general information and (2) a signal, said signal being addressed to said computer;

a second receiver operatively connected to said computer for receiving a transmission of data addressed to said receiver station from a remote source, said data including software;

an output device operatively connected to said receiver and said computer for outputting to a user, in response to receiving said information transmission, the general information in accordance to the signal and said software;

a detector operatively connected to said receiver and said computer for detecting the signal, wherein said computer determines whether the detected signal is addressed to said computer, said computer comprising a memory for storing the detected signal if said signal is addressed to said computer; and

a plurality of receiver station equipment operatively connected to said computer and controllable by said computer, where if said signal is addressed to said computer, said computer executes a portion of said software, selecting one of said plurality of receiver station equipment based on said signal and controlling said selected one of said plurality of receiver station equipment based on said signal and said executed portion of said software addressed to said receiver station, wherein controlling said selected one of said plurality of receiver station equipment comprises causing display on a display device of a television programming presentation including a locally generated image presented at a predetermined time in said television programming presentation with at least a portion of said general information, wherein said locally generated image comprises user specific content, and each of said locally generated image and said at least a portion of said general information includes content related to said television programming presentation.

32. The receiver station apparatus of claim 31 wherein said plurality of receiver station equipment comprises two or more from the group consisting of:

(a) a television;

(b) a bi-directional communication device;

(c) a tuner;

(d) a switch;

(e) a controllable motion mechanism;

(f) a temperature control device;

(g) a signal modification device;

(h) a memory;

(i) a recorder/player; and

(j) a microprocessor peripheral of said computer.

33. The receiver station apparatus of claim 31 wherein said information transmission comprises (1) general information intended for a plurality of receiver station apparatus, (2) an information signal addressed to the computer of said receiver station apparatus and (3) a control signal addressed to the computer of said receiver station apparatus;

said detector detecting said information signal and said control signal;

said computer determining whether said information signal and said control signal are addressed to said computer, and storing at least a portion of said information signal in said computer memory if said information signal is addressed to said computer, and said computer controlling said selected one of said plurality of receiver station equipment based on said control signal if said control signal is addressed to said computer.

34. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising a third receiver operatively connected to said computer for receiving a transmission of data including software from a remote source, said computer storing said received software in the computer memory to program or reprogram said computer.

35. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said receiver station apparatus further comprises a plurality of devices external to said computer, said information transmission comprising (1) general video information and (2) a control signal;

said computer programmed to determine whether the detected signal is addressed to said computer and to determine which receiver station equipment are to be controlled in response to said control signal; and

said computer programmed to control said plurality of devices external to said computer based on said signal if said signal is addressed to said computer.

36. A method of changing a control signal decoding scheme of a receiver station, said receiver station contained within a building facility and having a processor programmed to respond to at least one of a plurality of control signals using a first programmable control signal decoding scheme, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a transmission comprising of an information transmission and television programming from a remote source, said information transmission including said at least one of said plurality of control signals;

detecting the presence of said at least one of said plurality of control signals in said information transmission, said at least one of said plurality of control signals processed to instruct said processor to change the first programmable control signal decoding scheme into a second programmable control signal decoding scheme;

changing said first programmable control signal decoding scheme into said second programmable control signal decoding scheme in response to said at least one of said plurality of control signals received in said step of receiving an information transmission;

executing said second programmable control signal decoding scheme in said processor;

automatically transferring said television programming to an output device based on a control signal decoded with said second programmable control signal decoding scheme; and

displaying on a display device a television programming presentation including a locally generated image presented at a predetermined time in said television programming presentation with at least a portion of said television programming, wherein said locally generated image comprises user specific content, and each of said locally generated image and said at least a portion of said television programming includes content related to said television programming presentation.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein at least one of said first and said second programmable control signal decoding schemes designates a non-visible portion of a television signal for encoded data.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein at least one of said first and said second programmable control signal decoding schemes designates a data channel in the time domain.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein at least one of said first and said second programmable control signal decoding schemes designates a channel in the frequency domain.

40. The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of:

receiving said information transmission from a telephone network to change said first programmable control signal decoding scheme.

41. The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of receiving said information transmission from a broadcast or cablecast source to change said first programmable control signal decoding scheme.

42. The method of claim 36, wherein at least one of said first and said second programmable control signal decoding scheme designates a non-audible portion of a television signal for encoded data.

43. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of locating at least a second of said plurality of control signals based on at least one of said step of changing and said step of executing.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising the step of responding to said at least a second of said plurality of control signals.

45. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of identifying at least a second of said plurality of control signals based on at least one of said step of changing and said step of executing.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising the step of responding to said at least a second of said plurality of control signals.

47. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of decrypting a transmission based on at least one of said step of changing and said step of executing.

48. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of communicating information based on at least one of said step of changing and said step of executing.

49. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of disabling a portion of said receiver station based on an absence of a portion of said plurality of control signals.

50. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of reporting an absence of a portion of said plurality of control signals.

51. A method of changing control of a receiver station, said receiver station having (i) a first manner by which said receiver station identifies a plurality of control signals and (ii) at least one device being programmed to respond to said a plurality of control signals in a specific fashion, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a transmission comprising of an information transmission and television programming from a remote source, said information transmission including a control signal of said plurality of control signals;

detecting the presence of an instruct-to-alter signal in said transmission that designates said control signal;

passing said instruct-to-alter signal to said at least one device;

programming said at least one device being programmed by processing said instruct-to-alter-signal to alter said first manner into a second manner by which said receiver station identifies said control signal, and modifying said control signal into a changed control signal;

causing, in response to said step of programming, said receiver station to identify said control signal or said changed control signal based on said first manner or second manner; and

performing in response to said changed control signal a function of displaying on a display device a television programming presentation including a locally generated image presented at a predetermined time in said television programming presentation with a remotely generated image, wherein said locally generated image comprises user specific content, and each of said locally generated image and said remotely generated image includes content related to said television programming presentation.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein said second manner by which said receiver station identifies said control signal comprises locating said control signal.

53. A method of processing signals at one of (i) a broadcast programming receiver station and (ii) a cablecast programming receiver station contained with a user'"'"'s residence to control said broadcast programming receiver station or said cablecast programming receiver station to perform a function in a station specific fashion, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, at said broadcast programming receiver station or said cablecast programming receiver station, one of (i) a broadcast information transmission and (ii) a cablecast information transmission, said one of (i) a broadcast information transmission and (ii) a cablecast information transmission comprising television programming and at least one control signal including processor instructions;

detecting a specific control signal of said at least one control signal in said one of said (i) a broadcast information transmission and (ii) a cablecast information transmission;

passing said specific control signal to a first apparatus of said receiver station, said first apparatus including a processor controlled in response to said specific control signal; and

controlling a second apparatus of said receiver station in accordance with sad at least one instruction passed to said first apparatus, said step of controlling comprising the steps of;

(1) generating, by executing said processor instructions at said processor of said first apparatus, station specific data; and

(2) transferring said station specific data to said second apparatus;

said controlling said second apparatus using said station specific data to automatically perform a function comprising displaying on a display device a television programming presentation including a locally generated image presented at a predetermined time in said television programming presentation with at least a portion of said television programming, wherein said locally generated image comprises user specific content, and each of said locally generated image and said at least a portion of said television programming includes content related to said television programming presentation.

54. A method of communicating television program material to at least one receiver station contained within an individual residence that includes a television receiver, a television monitor, a control signal detector, and a processor operatively connected to said television monitor, said processor programmed to detect and respond to at least one instruction in one of a broadcast transmission and a cablecast transmission, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a television program at a transmitter station, said television program including audio;

delivering said television program to a transmitter for transmitting in at least one of a broadcast information transmission and a cablecast information transmission according to a predetermined time and a predetermined channel stored at said transmitter station;

receiving said at least one instruction at said transmitter station, wherein said at least one instruction is executed by said processor to select one of a plurality of controllable devices at said at least one receiver station, to control passage of a control signal to said one of said plurality of controllable devices and to cause said one of said plurality of controllable devices to respond to said control signal by performing a function comprising causing display on said television monitor of a television programming presentation including a locally generated image presented at a predetermined time in said television programming presentation with at least a portion of said television program, wherein said locally generated image comprises user specific content, and each of said locally generated image and said at least a portion of said television program includes content related to said television programming presentation;

transferring said at least one instruction from said transmitter station to said transmitter for transmitting in at said least one of a broadcast information transmission and a cablecast information transmission; and

transmitting, with said transmitter, said at least one of a broadcast information transmission and a cablecast information transmission, including said television program and said at least one instruction, from said transmitter station to said at least one receiver station.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising the steps of receiving said television program at a receiver in the transmitter station, communicating said television program from said receiver to a memory location, and storing said television program at said memory location for a period of time prior to said step of delivering said television program to said transmitter.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein a switch communicates signals selectively from a receiver and at least one of a memory and a recorder to said transmitter, said method further comprising at least one of the steps of:

detecting a signal which is effective at the transmitter station to instruct communication;

determining a specific program input source from which to communicate a signal to said transmitter;

controlling said switch to communicate a signal to said transmitter in response to a signal which is effective at the transmitter station to instruct communication;

controlling said switch to communicate a signal from a selected program input receiver; and

controlling said switch to communicate a program to said at least one of said memory and said recorder.

57. The method of claim 54 wherein a controller controls a switch to communicate to said transmitter at least one of said television program and said at least one instruct signal, further comprising at least one of the steps of:

detecting a signal which is effective at the transmitter station to instruct transmission;

inputting to said controller a signal which is effective to control said switch;

controlling said switch to communicate said at least one of said television program and said at least one instruct signal according to a transmission schedule;

controlling said switch to communicate said television program from at least one of a plurality of program input receivers; and

controlling said switch to communicate said at least one of said television program and said at least one instruct signal to a selected transmitter of a plurality of transmitters.

58. A method of processing a plurality of signals at a receiver station within an building facility, said receiver station having a receiver for receiving a broadcast or cablecast transmission, a detector apparatus, a processor for passing said plurality of signals, and a plurality of apparatus including at least one computer for responding to said plurality of signals, said method comprising the steps of:

programming said receiver station to (1) perform at least one of locating and identifying at least one of said plurality of signals having a varying pattern of at least one of composition, timing, and location, (2) determine at least one addressed apparatus of said plurality of apparatus based on at least a distinct address of the at least one addressed apparatus included in said at least one of said plurality of signals, each of said plurality of apparatus is identified by a distinct address that is different from the addresses of other apparatus of said plurality of apparatus; and

(3) control said at least one addressed apparatus in response to instructions in said at least one of said plurality of signals and said distinct address;

receiving an information transmission including said plurality of signals from a remote television programming source;

detecting said plurality of signals in said information transmission;

controlling said receiver station, based on said programming, to select said at least one of said plurality of signals and said at least one addressed apparatus;

passing said at least one of said plurality of detected signals to said at least one addressed apparatus at a predetermined time on a predetermined channel;

automatically controlling said at least one addressed apparatus, based on instructions in said at least one of said plurality of detected signals passed to said at least one addressed apparatus and based on said distinct address, to cause said plurality of apparatus to perform a plurality of different functions, said plurality of different functions including the functions of

     1) causing said receiver station to contacting a remote unit,

     2) causing a decrypter at said receiver station to decrypt a transmission,

     3) regulating operation of environmental control apparatus at said receiver station,

     4) causing said receiver station to receive an audio or video signal related to general information in said information transmission, and

     5) causing said receiver station to receive information related to general information in said information transmission if requested by a user at said receiver station, said controlling including executing said instructions to automatically control a first apparatus of said plurality of apparatus to perform a first function and control a second apparatus of said plurality of apparatus to perform a second function, said second function comprises displaying on a display device a television programming presentation including a locally generated image presented at a predetermined time in said television programming presentation with a remotely generate image in said information transmission, wherein said locally generated image comprises user specific content, and each of said locally generated image and said remotely generated image includes content related to said television programming presentation.

59. The method of claim 58 wherein said detected plurality of signals are passed to said processor, said method further including the step of:

passing to said at least one computer at least two of;

(1) at least one of said plurality of signals that governs operation of said at least one addressed apparatus, wherein said at least one addressed apparatus includes at least one of;

(a) a furnace;

(b) an air conditioner; and

(c) an electro-mechanical device;

(2) at least one of said plurality of signals which is an instruct-to-generate signal that causes said at least one computer to process stored information and generate output information content;

(3) at least one of said plurality of signals which is an instruct-to-transmit signal that causes said at least one computer to output at least one of stored information and generated information;

(4) at least one of said plurality of signals which is an instruct-to-coordinate signal that causes said at least one computer to coordinate presentation of stored information with received programming;

(5) at least one of said plurality of signals which is an instruct-to-overlay signal that causes said at least one computer to cause a television monitor to display selected information overlaid on a television program image.

60. The method of claim 58 wherein said at least one of said plurality of signals causes different ones of said plurality of apparatus to perform different functions.

61. The method of claim 58 wherein at least one of said plurality of apparatus is programmed to respond to said at least one of said plurality of signals in at least two different ways.

62. A method of processing signals at a receiver station in an individual building facility, said signals embedded in a plurality of broadcast and/or cablecast information transmissions with at least a first addressed signal and a second addressed signal of said signals embedded in each information transmission of said plurality of information transmissions, said receiver station having at least one receiver for receiving said plurality of broadcast or cablecast information transmissions, a detector apparatus, and a computer, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving said plurality of broadcast and/or cablecast information transmissions;

detecting said first addressed signal and said second addressed signals in said plurality of broadcast and/or cablecast information transmissions;

controlling said receiver station by executing instructions at said computer and in accordance with information previously received and stored at said receiver station, said information including time and channel data associated with at least a portion of said detected signals, said step of controlling comprising;

(1) selecting a detected signal of interest of said detected first addressed signal and said second addressed signal;

(2) identifying at least one of a source and a transmission channel associated with said selected detected signal of interest; and

(3) passing to a controlled apparatus, in accordance with said time and said channel, at least one datum of said identified at least one of said source and said transmission channel; and

performing on the basis of said at least one datum at least one of;

(1) controlling a plurality of apparatus to perform different functions of a plurality of functions in response to said detected first addressed signal; and

(2) controlling a selected apparatus to perform at least two different functions of a plurality of functions in response to said detected second addressed signal;

wherein each of said plurality apparatus is identified by a distinct address that is different from the addresses of other apparatus of said plurality of apparatus, wherein said plurality of functions includes the functions of

     1) causing said receiver station to contacting a remote unit,

     2) causing a decrypter at said receiver station to decrypt a transmission,

     3) regulating operation of environmental control apparatus at said receiver station,

     4) causing said receiver station to receive an audio or video signal related to general information received in said plurality of broadcast and/or cablecast information transmissions, and

     5) causing said receiver station to receive information related to general information received in said plurality of broadcast and/or cablecast information transmissions if requested by a user at said receiver station; and

performing said at least two different functions comprising causing display on a display device of a television programming presentation including a locally generated image presented at a predetermined time in said television programming presentation with a remotely generated image, wherein said locally generated image comprises user specific content, and each of said locally generated image and said remotely generated image includes content related to said television programming presentation.

63. The method of claim 62, said method further comprising the step of:

buffering each of said detected signals.