Signal processing apparatus and methods

• US 9,043,859 B1
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 05/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1981
• 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 PHI
• Application Number:
  US08/483,054
• Time in Patent Office: 7,293 Days
• Field of Search: 455/2, 455/3.1, 455/3.2, 455/4.2, 455/5.1, 455/6.1, 455/6.2, 455/6.3, 348/1, 348/2, 348/3, 348/4, 348/6, 348/8, 348/12, 348/13, 370/485, 370/486, 370/487, 725/32, 725 34- 36, 725 46- 47, 725/91, 725/93, 725/109, 725/110, 725/112, 725/114, 725/116, 725/136
• 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 processing signals at a storage facility to enable automatic control of a presentation at a user station, said user station located within a facility and said user station being located remote from said storage facility, said user station for outputting said presentation to a user, said storage facility being a separate facility and not collocated with said user station, said storage facility for storing a television signal and having (1) a first input device for inputting a television signal containing television programming, (2) a second input device for inputting at least a first instruct signal, (3) a controller for selecting a time and a location, (4) a first communication device operatively connected to said first input device for communicating said television signal containing said television programming, (5) a second communication device operatively connected to said second input device for communicating said at least a first instruct signal, and (6) a storage device operatively connected to said first communication device and said second communication device for storing said television signal containing said television programming and said at least a first instruct signal, said user station having (A) a receiver for receiving said television signal containing said television programming, (B) a detector for detecting said at least a first instruct signal, (C) a computer operatively connected to said detector for storing user data and generating a personalized portion of said presentation automatically by processing said stored user data in response to said at least a first instruct signal, and (D) at least one output device operatively connected to said receiver and said computer for receiving (a) said television signal containing said television programming and (b) said personalized portion of said presentation and for presenting said presentation, said method comprising the steps of:

inputting, from said first input device to said first communication device, said television signal containing said television programming, said television programming to be presented in a course of said presentation;

communicating said television signal containing said television programming from said first communication device to said storage device;

receiving and inputting, from said second input device to said second communication device, said at least a first instruct signal, said at least a first instruct signal being operative at said user station to instruct said computer at said user station to control said presentation automatically by causing said computer to generate said personalized portion of said presentation by processing said user data and communicate to said at least one output device at said user station said personalized portion of said presentation, said personalized portion of said presentation information to complete an incomplete portion of said television programming;

selecting, at said controller;

(1) said time, said time comprising a time at which to communicate said at least a first instruct signal to said storage device; and

(2) said location, said location comprising a location to which to communicate said at least a first instruct signal for storage at said storage device;

automatically communicating said at least a first instruct signal from said second communication device to said storage device at said selected time and to said selected location based on said step of selecting; and

automatically storing said television signal containing said television programming and said at least a first instruct signal at said storage device concurrently,

whereby said user station is enabled to control automatically said presentation whenever said storage device automatically outputs and communicates to said user station said television signal containing said television programming and said at least a first instruct signal, said at least one output device presenting said presentation comprising said television programming and said personalized portion of said presentation containing user specific information based on said stored user data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein (a) a content of said television programming refers to said user specific information of a user of said user station, (b) said incomplete portion of said television programming does not contain said user specific information of said user, and said at least a first instruct signal instructs said computer at said user station to complete said presentation automatically by outputting said user specific information of said user to said at least one output device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said incomplete portion of said television programming comprises an interval of time that lasts for longer than an instant of time and said at least a first instruct signal instructs said computer at said user station to complete said presentation by outputting said user specific information of said user to said at least one output device in said interval of time.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said steps of selecting,

automatically communicating and automatically storing enable said user station to cease outputting said user specific information of said user to said at least one output device at least by a time following said interval of time.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein (a) said content of said television programming comprises audio that expresses a significance of said specific information of said user.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said television programming contains a first image, said at least a first instruct signal instructs said computer at said user station to complete said presentation automatically by outputting said user specific information of said user to said at least one output device in a second image, and said at least one output device displays both of said first image and said second image simultaneously.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a viewer at said user station is enabled to compare visible information contained in said television programming with said user specific specification information of said user.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein whenever said storage device is caused to output and communicate said television signal containing said television programming to said receiver at said user station, said receiver communicates said television programming to said at least one output device, and said at least one output device outputs said incomplete portion of said television programming in a specific time in a course of outputting said television programming at said at least one output device, said method further comprising the step of storing said at least a first instruct signal at a memory location in said storage device which outputs said at least a first instruct signal and communicates said at least a first instruct signal to said detector at said user station at an output time that is sufficiently before said specific time to enable said computer to generate said personalized portion of said presentation and output said personalized portion of said presentation to said at least one output device before the end of said specific time.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said memory location contains a portion of said television signal whose output to said user station and said detector commences at said output time, said method further comprising the steps of causing said second communication device to commence communicating said at least a first instruct signal to said memory location at said storage device at a specific time before said output time.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said memory location stores a portion of said television signal whose output commences at said output time, said method further comprising the step of embedding said at least a first instruct signal in said portion of said television signal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the content of said portion of said television signal is not outputted from said at least one output device visibly or audibly.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said computer at said user station is preprogrammed to respond to a series of instructions, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in said at least a first instruct signal before completing communication of said at least a first instruct signal to said storage device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said series of instructions instruct said computer to generate said personalized portion of said presentation by processing said user data, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in a portion of said at least a first instruct signal that is outputted from said memory location before the end of said specific time.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said selected time is a specific time during said step of communicating of said television signal to said storage device, and said specific time is sufficiently in advance of the time when said incomplete portion of said television programming is communicated in said course of said television programming 1) to cause said at least a first instruct signal to be outputted from said storage device and said detector to detect said at least a first instruct signal and 2) enable said computer to respond to said at least a first instruct signal and communicate said generated personalized portion of said presentation before the end of the time when said incomplete portion of said television programming is outputted from said output device at said user station, whenever said television signal is outputted from said storage device and communicated to said user station.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said selected location is a portion of said television signal which is neither outputted visibly nor audibly from said output device at said user station whenever said television signal is communicated from said storage device to said user station.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said television signal is communicated via an embedding device in the course of said step of communicating said television signal from said first communication device to said storage device, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating said at least a first instruct signal from said second communication device to said embedding device at said selected time; and

embedding said at least a first instruct signal in said television signal in said selected location.

17. A method of generating and storing signals at a signal processing device to enable automatic control of a presentation at a user station, said user station being within a facility located remotely from said signal processing device, said signal processing device having (1) a first signal generating device for generating a programming signal that includes video, (2) a second signal generating device for generating one or more instructions, (3) a first communication device operatively connected to said first signal generating device for communicating said programming signal that includes said video, (4) a second communication device operatively connected to said second signal generating device for communicating said one or more instructions, (5) an embedding device operatively connected to said first and said second communication devices for embedding said one or more instructions in said programming signal that includes said video, (6) a storage device with at least one storage location for storing said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions embedded in said programming signal, (7) a selective transfer device operatively connected to said embedding device for transferring said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions embedded in said programming signal to said at least one storage location at said storage device, and (8) a controller for controlling said selective transfer device, said user station having (A) a receiver for receiving said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions embedded in said programming signal, (B) a detector operatively connected to said receiver for detecting said one or more instructions, (C) a computer operatively connected to said detector for storing user data and generating a personalized portion of said presentation automatically by processing said stored user data in response to said one or more instructions, and (D) at least one output device operatively connected to said receiver and said computer for receiving (a) said programming signal that includes said video and (b) said personalized portion of said presentation and for presenting said presentation, said method comprising the steps of:

generating, at said first signal generating device, said programming signal that includes said video;

communicating said programming signal that includes said video to said embedding device;

generating, at said second signal generating device, said one or more instructions, said one or more instructions having effect to instruct said computer at said user station to generate information to complete an incomplete portion of said video;

communicating said one or more instructions to said embedding device;

embedding, at said embedding device, said one or more instructions in said programming signal that contains said video;

automatically under control of said controller at said signal processing device, causing said selective transfer device to transfer said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions embedded in said programming signal to said at least one storage location at said storage device; and

automatically storing, at said at least one storage location at said storage device, said programming signal including said video and said embedded one or more instructions,

whereby said user station is enabled to control automatically said presentation whenever said storage device automatically outputs and communicates to said user station said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions, and said at least one output device is enabled to present said presentation comprising said video and said personalized portion of said presentation containing user specific information based on said stored user data.

18. A method of processing signals to control a media presentation on a television, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a television signal including first television programming and communicating said television signal and said first television programming to a storage device located within a facility, said facility located remotely from a user station, said user station including at least one output device, said first television programming including audio;

storing user data in said storage device;

receiving an instruct signal for instructing a computer to present, with said first television programming at said at least one output device, second personalized programming, said first television programming having an incomplete portion within a particular interval of time with respect to a particular class of data, said instruct signal comprising an instruct-to-generate signal which is effective to cause said computer (a) to commence generating said second personalized programming at a time when said second personalized programming does not exist, and (b) to generate said second personalized programming by processing said stored user data in response to said instruction signal, said second personalized programming comprising information to complete said incomplete portion of said first television programming;

selecting;

(1) at least one first time at which to communicate said instruct signal; and

(2) at least one first location to which to communicate said instruct signal;

automatically communicating said instruct signal to said storage device based on said step of selecting; and

automatically storing said television signal, said first television programming, and said instruct signal at said storage device concurrently,

whereby said media presentation is automatically output at said at least one output device whenever said television signal, said first television programming, and said instruct signal are output from said storage device, said media presentation including said first television programming and said second personalized programming containing user specific information based on said stored user data.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said storage device includes at least one of a tape and a disk, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating said television signal, said first television programming, and said instruct signal to said at least one of a tape and a disk; and

storing said television signal, said first television programming, and said instruct signal at said at least one of a tape and a disk concurrently.

20. The method of claim 18, said method further comprising the steps of:

selecting at least one of;

(1) a second time at which to communicate said instruct signal, and

(2) a second location to which to communicate said instruct signal; and

communicating said instruct signal to said storage device based on said step of selecting at least one of said second time and said second location.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein whenever said storage device is caused to output and communicate said television signal containing said first television programming to a receiver, said receiver communicates said first television programming to said at least one output device, and said at least one output device outputs said incomplete portion of said first television programming in a specific time in a course of outputting said first television programming at said at least one output device, said method further comprising the step of storing said instruct signal at a memory location in said storage device which outputs said instruct signal and communicates said instruct signal to a detector at an output time that is sufficiently before said specific time to enable said computer to generate said second personalized programming and output said second programming to said at least one output device before the end of said specific time.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said memory location contains a portion of said television signal whose output to said detector commences at said output time, said method further comprising the steps of causing a communication device to commence communicating said instruct signal to said memory location at said storage device at a specific time before said output time.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said memory location stores a portion of said television signal whose output commences at said output time, said method further comprising the step of embedding said instruct signal in said portion of said television signal.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the content of said portion of said television signal is not outputted from said at least one output device visibly or audibly.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said computer is preprogrammed to respond to a series of instructions, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in said instruct signal before completing communication of said instruct signal to said storage device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said series of instructions instruct said computer to generate said second personalized programming by processing said information, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in a portion of said instruct signal that is outputted from said memory location before the end of said specific time.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein said selected at least one first time is a specific time during said step of automatically communicating of said instruct signal to said storage device, and said specific time is sufficiently in advance of the time when said incomplete portion of said first television programming is communicated in said course of said first television programming 1) to cause said instruct signal to be outputted from said storage device and a detector to detect said instruct signal and 2) enable said computer to respond to said instruct-to-generate signal and communicate said second personalized programming before the end of the time when said incomplete portion of said first television programming is outputted from said output device, whenever said television signal is outputted from said storage device.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said selected at least one first location is a portion of said television signal which is neither outputted visibly nor audibly from said output device at a user station whenever said television signal is communicated from said storage device.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said instruct signal is communicated via an embedding device in the course of said step of automatically communicating said instruct signal to said storage device, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating said instruct signal to said embedding device at said selected at least one first time; and

embedding said instruct signal in said television signal in said selected at least one first location.

30. A method of providing a programming signal to control a presentation comprising the steps of:

receiving programming that includes video information, said video information including at least two video images to be outputted at an output device at a subscriber station in a predetermined sequence, said programming having a portion which is to be outputted at said output device for a particular interval of time, said portion of said programming being incomplete as to a class of data;

receiving an instruct signal and at least one control signal, said instruct signal for instructing a subscriber station apparatus to automatically process and output personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said programming by processing user data stored in a first storage device at said subscriber station, said instruct signal comprising

(1) an instruct-to-generate signal which is effective to cause said subscriber station apparatus (a) to commence generating specific programming at a time when said specific programming does not exist, and (b) to generate said specific programming, said specific programming for completing said presentation by providing said personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said programming based on said stored user data; and

(2) an instruct-to-output signal which is effective to cause said subscriber station apparatus to complete said presentation by outputting, in said particular interval of time in said presentation, less than all of said personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said program;

said at least one control signal for causing said subscriber station apparatus automatically to operate under control of said instruct signal;

commencing communication of said programming to a second storage device located in a facility, said facility remote from said subscriber station apparatus;

embedding said instruct signal and said at least one control signal in a portion of said programming signal that includes said programming while said programming signal and said programming are being communicated to said second storage device; and

automatically storing said programming signal including said programming, said embedded instruct signal, and said embedded at least one control signal in said second storage device,

whereby said subscriber station apparatus is enabled to control automatically said presentation whenever said second storage device automatically outputs and communicates to said subscriber station apparatus said programming, said embedded instruct signal, and said embedded at least one control signal, said output device presenting said presentation comprising said programming and said personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said programming based on said stored user data.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said second storage device includes at least one of a tape and a disk, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating said programming signal including said programming, and said embedded instruct signal to said at least one of a tape and a disk; and

storing said programming signal including said programming, and said embedded instruct signal at said at least one of a tape and a disk concurrently.

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of:

receiving at least one control signal which operates to output said programming signal including said programming, said embedded instruct signal, and said embedded at least one control signal from said storage device.

33. The method of claim 30, said method further comprising the steps of:

selecting at least one of;

(1) at least one time at which to communicate said instruct signal; and

(2) at least one location to which to communicate said instruct signal; and

embedding said instruct signal in said portion of said programming signal based on said step of selecting at least one of said at least one time and said at least one location.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein whenever said second storage device is caused to output and communicate said programming that includes video information to a receiver at said subscriber station, said receiver communicates said programming to at least one output device, and said at least one output device outputs said portion of said programming in a specific time in a course of outputting said programming at said at least one output device, said method further comprising the step of storing said instruct signal at a memory location in said second storage device which outputs said instruct signal and communicates said instruct signal to a detector at said subscriber station at an output time that is sufficiently before said specific time to enable said subscriber station apparatus to generate said specific programming and output said specific programming to said at least one output device before the end of said specific time.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein said memory location contains a portion of said programming whose output to said subscriber station and said detector commences at said output time, said method further comprising the steps of causing a communication device to commence communicating said instruct signal to said memory location at said second storage device at a specific time before said output time.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the content of said portion of said programming is not outputted from said at least one output device visibly or audibly.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said computer at said user station is preprogrammed to respond to a series of instructions, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in said instruct signal before completing communication of said instruct signal to said second storage device.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said series of instructions instruct said subscriber station apparatus to generate said specific programming by processing said personalized subscriber specific information, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in a portion of said instruct signal that is outputted from said memory location before the end of said specific time.

39. A method of processing signals to control a multimedia presentation comprising the steps of:

receiving a television signal including television programming and communicating said television signal and said television programming to at least one storage device located within a facility, said facility located remote from a computer apparatus, said computer apparatus located at a user station, said television programming comprising audio and a plurality of video images to be displayed in at least one predetermined sequence, said at least one predetermined sequence including full motion video;

receiving at least one first instruction signal for instructing said computer apparatus to conduct a procedure of at least one of inputting and responding to a subscriber reaction to said television programming;

selecting;

(1) at least one first time at which to communicate said at least one first instruction signal; and

(2) at least one first location to which to communicate said at least one first instruction signal;

automatically communicating said at least one first instruction signal (i) at said at least one selected first time and (ii) to said selected at least one first location, based on said step of selecting;

receiving an instruct signal, said instruct signal for instructing said computer apparatus to at least one of process and output personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said television programming by processing user data stored in a second storage device located at said computer apparatus, said instruct signal comprising

(1) an instruct-to-generate signal which is effective to cause said computer apparatus (a) to commence generating specific programming at a time when said specific programming does not exist, and (b) to generate said specific programming, said specific programming to provide a said personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said television programming; and

(2) an instruct-to-output signal which is effective to cause said computer apparatus to output, at a specific time in a presentation of said television programming, a portion of said personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said television programming;

selecting;

(1) at least one second time, said at least one second time comprising a time at which to communicate said instruct signal; and

(2) at least one second location, said at least one second location comprising a location to which to communicate said instruct signal;

communicating said instruct signal (i) at said at least one selected second time and (ii) to said selected at least one second location, based on said step of selecting; and

automatically storing said television signal, said television programming, and said at least one first instruction signal, and said instruct signal at said at least one storage device concurrently,

whereby said computer apparatus is enabled to control automatically said multimedia presentation whenever said at least one storage device automatically outputs and communicates to said computer apparatus said television signal, said television programming, and said at least one first instruction signal, and said instruct signal, said multimedia presentation comprising said television programming and said personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said programming based on said stored user data.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein said at least one first instruction signal comprises an identifier that identifies a content of said television signal and said subscriber reaction comprises an instruction which is effective to control a selective communication device to perform at least one of receiving and communicating said content.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said content includes a portion of said television programming.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein said at least one first instruction signal comprises an identifier that identifies said subscriber reaction and enables said computer apparatus to respond to said subscriber reaction.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said computer apparatus responds to said subscriber reaction by communicating one or more control signals to one or more peripheral devices.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein said subscriber reaction comprises a viewer reaction inputted by said viewer to said computer apparatus in response to a prompt contained in said television programming.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said prompt is at least in part audible.

46. The method of claim 39, wherein whenever said at least one storage device is caused to output and communicate said television signal including said television programming to a receiver, said receiver communicates said television programming to at least one output device, and said at least one output device outputs said television programming with said less than all of a portion of said personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said television programming in a specific time in a course of outputting said television programming at said at least one output device, said method further comprising the step of storing said instruct signal at a memory location in said at least one storage device which outputs said instruct signal and communicates said instruct signal to a detector at an output time that is sufficiently before said specific time to enable said computer to generate said specific programming and output said specific programming to said at least one output device before the end of said specific time.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein said memory location contains a portion of said television signal whose output to said detector commences at said output time, said method further comprising the steps of causing a communication device to commence communicating said instruct signal to said memory location at said at least one storage device at a specific time before said output time.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein said memory location stores a portion of said television signal whose output commences at said output time, said method further comprising the step of embedding said instruct signal in said portion of said television signal.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the content of said specific programming is not outputted from said at least one output device visibly or audibly.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein said computer is preprogrammed to respond to a series of instructions, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in said instruct signal before completing communication of said instruct signal to said at least one storage device.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein said series of instructions instruct said computer to generate said specific programming by processing said personalized subscriber specific information, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in a portion of said instruct signal that is outputted from said memory location before the end of said specific time.

52. The method of claim 39, wherein said selected at least one second time is a specific time during said step of communicating said instruct signal to said at least one storage device, and said specific time is sufficiently in advance of the time that said at least one predetermined sequence is communicated in said course of said television programming 1) to cause said instruct-to-generate signal to be outputted from said at least one storage device and a detector at a user station to detect said instruct-to-generate signal and 2) enable computer apparatus at said user station to respond to said instruct-to-generate signal and be prepared to commence communicating said specific programming to output apparatus at said user station before the end of the time that said at least one predetermined sequence is outputted from said output device at said user station, whenever said television signal is outputted from said at least one storage device and communicated to said user station.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein said selected at least one second location is a portion of said television signal which is neither outputted visibly nor audibly from said output device whenever said television signal is communicated from said at least one storage device.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein said instruct signal is communicated via an embedding device in the course of said step of communicating said instruct signal to said at least one storage device, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating said instruct signal to said embedding device at said selected at least one second time; and

embedding said instruct signal in said television signal in said selected at least one second location.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein said instruct-to-output signal is communicated to said embedding device after the commencement of the communication of said instruct-to-generate signal to said embedding device and sufficiently in advance of the time that said at least one predetermined sequence is communicated in said course of said television programming to enable said computer apparatus to respond to said instruct-to-output signal and output said specific programming before the end of said time that said at least one predetermined sequence is outputted from said output device at said user station, whenever said television signal is outputted from said storage device and communicated to a user station.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein said selected at least one first time is before said selected at least one second time.

57. A method of processing signals at a storage facility to enable automatic control of a presentation at a user station, said user station located within a facility and said user station being located remote from said storage facility, said user station for outputting said presentation to a user, said storage facility being a separate facility and not collocated with said user station, said storage facility for storing a television signal and having (1) a first input device for inputting a television signal containing television programming, (2) a second input device for inputting at least a first instruct signal, (3) a controller for selecting a time and a location, (4) a first communication device operatively connected to said first input device for communicating said television signal containing said television programming, (5) a second communication device operatively connected to said second input device for communicating said at least a first instruct signal, and (6) a storage device operatively connected to said first communication device and said second communication device for storing said television signal containing said television programming and said at least a first instruct signal, said user station having (A) a receiver for receiving said television signal containing said television programming, (B) a detector for detecting said at least a first instruct signal, (C) a computer operatively connected to said detector for storing user data and selecting a personalized portion of said presentation automatically by processing said stored user data in response to said at least a first instruct signal, and (D) at least one output device operatively connected to said receiver and said computer for receiving (a) said television signal containing said television programming and (b) said personalized portion of said presentation and for presenting said presentation, said method comprising the steps of:

inputting, from said first input device to said first communication device, said television signal containing said television programming, said television programming to be presented in a course of said presentation;

communicating said television signal containing said television programming from said first communication device to said storage device;

receiving and inputting, from said second input device to said second communication device, said at least an instruct signal, said at least an instruct signal being operative at said user station to instruct said computer at said user station to control said presentation automatically by causing said computer to select said personalized portion of said presentation by processing said user data and communicate to said at least one output device at said user station said personalized portion of said presentation, said personalized portion of said presentation comprising information to complete an incomplete portion of said television programming;

selecting, at said controller;

(1) said time, said time comprising a time at which to communicate said at least an instruct signal to said storage device; and

(2) said location, said location comprising a location to which to communicate said at least an instruct signal for storage at said storage device;

automatically communicating said at least an instruct signal from said second communication device to said storage device at said selected time and to said selected location based on said step of selecting; and

automatically storing said television signal containing said television programming and said at least an instruct signal at said storage device concurrently,

whereby said user station is enabled to control automatically said presentation whenever said storage device automatically outputs and communicates to said user station said television signal containing said television programming and said at least an instruct signal, said at least one output device presenting said presentation comprising said television programming and said personalized portion of said presentation containing user specific information based on said stored user data.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein (a) a content of said television programming refers to said user specific information of a user of said user station, (b) said incomplete portion of said television programming does not contain said user specific information of said user, and said at least an instruct signal instructs said computer at said user station to complete said presentation automatically by outputting said user specific information of said user to said at least one output device.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein said incomplete portion of said television programming comprises an interval of time that lasts for longer than an instant of time and said at least an instruct signal instructs said computer at said user station to complete said presentation by outputting said user specific information of said user to said at least one output device in said interval of time.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein said steps of selecting, communicating and storing enable said user station to cease outputting said user specific information of said user to said at least one output device at least by a time following said interval of time.

61. The method of claim 58, wherein (a) said content of said television programming comprises audio that expresses a significance of said user specific information of said user.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein said television programming contains a first image, said at least an instruct signal instructs said computer at said user station to complete said presentation automatically by outputting said user specific information of said user to said at least one output device in a second image, and said at least one output device displays both of said first image and said second image simultaneously.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein a viewer at said user station is enabled to compare visible information contained in said television programming with said user specific information of said user.

64. The method of claim 57, wherein whenever said storage device is caused to output and communicate said television signal containing said television programming to said receiver at said user station, said receiver communicates said television programming to said at least one output device, and said at least one output device outputs said incomplete portion of said television programming in a specific time in a course of outputting said television programming at said at least one output device, said method further comprising the step of storing said at least an instruct signal at a memory location in said storage device which outputs said at least an instruct signal and communicates said at least a first instruct signal to said detector at said user station at an output time that is sufficiently before said specific time to enable said computer to select said personalized portion of said presentation and output said personalized portion of said presentation to said at least one output device before the end of said specific time.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein said memory location contains a portion of said television signal whose output to said user station and said detector commences at said output time, said method further comprising the steps of causing said second communication device to commence communicating said at least an instruct signal to said memory location at said storage device at a specific time before said output time.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein said memory location stores a portion of said television signal whose output commences at said output time, said method further comprising the step of embedding said at least an instruct signal in said portion of said television signal.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the content of said portion of said television signal is not outputted from said at least one output device visibly or audibly.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein said computer at said user station is preprogrammed to respond to a series of instructions, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in said at least an instruct signal before completing communication of said at least an instruct signal to said storage device.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein said series of instructions instruct said computer to select said personalized portion of said presentation by processing said user data, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in a portion of said at least an instruct signal that is outputted from said memory location before the end of said specific time.

70. The method of claim 57, wherein said selected time is a specific time during said step of communicating of said television signal to said storage device, and said specific time is sufficiently in advance of the time when said incomplete portion of said television programming is communicated in said course of said television programming 1) to cause said at least an instruct signal to be outputted from said storage device and said detector to detect said at least an instruct signal and 2) enable said computer to respond to said at least an instruct signal and communicate said selected personalized portion of said presentation before the end of the time when said incomplete portion of said television programming is outputted from said output device at said user station, whenever said television signal is outputted from said storage device and communicated to said user station.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein said selected location is a portion of said television signal which is neither outputted visibly nor audibly from said output device at said user station whenever said television signal is communicated from said storage device to said user station.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein said television signal is communicated via an embedding device in the course of said step of communicating said television signal from said first communication device to said storage device, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating said at least an instruct signal from said second communication device to said embedding device at said selected time; and

embedding said at least an instruct signal in said television signal in said selected location.

73. A method of generating and storing signals at a signal processing device to enable automatic control of a presentation at a user station, said user station being within a facility located remotely from said signal processing device, said signal processing device having (1) a first signal generating device for generating a programming signal that includes video, (2) a second signal generating device for generating one or more instructions, (3) a first communication device operatively connected to said first signal generating device for communicating said programming signal that includes said video, (4) a second communication device operatively connected to said second signal generating device for communicating said one or more instructions, (5) an embedding device operatively connected to said first and said second communication devices for embedding said one or more instructions in said programming signal that includes said video, (6) a storage device with at least one storage location for storing said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions embedded in said programming signal, (7) a selective transfer device operatively connected to said embedding device for transferring said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions embedded in said programming signal to said at least one storage location at said storage device, and (8) a controller for controlling said selective transfer device, said user station having (A) a receiver for receiving said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions embedded in said programming signal, (B) a detector operatively connected to said receiver for detecting said one or more instructions, (C) a computer operatively connected to said detector for storing user data and selecting a personalized portion of said presentation automatically by processing said stored user data in response to said one or more instructions, and (D) at least one output device operatively connected to said receiver and said computer for receiving (a) said programming signal that includes said video and (b) said personalized portion of said presentation and for presenting said presentation, said method comprising the steps of:

generating, at said first signal generating device, said programming signal that includes said video;

communicating said programming signal that includes said video to said embedding device;

generating, at said second signal generating device, said one or more instructions, said one or more instructions having effect to instruct said computer at said user station to select information to complete an incomplete portion of said video;

communicating said one or more instructions to said embedding device;

embedding, at said embedding device, said one or more instructions in said programming signal that contains said video;

automatically under control of said controller at said signal processing device, causing said selective transfer device to transfer said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions embedded in said programming signal to said at least one storage location at said storage device; and

automatically storing, at said at least one storage location at said storage device, said programming signal including said video and said embedded one or more instructions,

whereby said user station is enabled to control automatically said presentation whenever said storage device automatically outputs and communicates to said user station said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions, and said at least one output device is enabled to present said presentation comprising said video and said personalized portion of said presentation containing user specific information based on said stored user data.

74. A method of processing signals to control a media presentation on a television, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a television signal including first television programming and communicating said television signal and said first television programming to a storage device located within a facility, said facility located remotely from a user station, said user station including at least one output device, said first television programming including audio;

storing user data in said storage device;

receiving an instruct signal for instructing a computer to present, with said first television programming at said at least one output device, second personalized programming, said first television programming having an incomplete portion within a particular interval of time with respect to a particular class of data, said instruct signal comprising an instruct-to-select signal which is effective to cause said computer to select and process at least one stored subscriber datum with independent receiver specific relevance, said at least one stored subscriber datum being processed with said stored user data to present information to complete said incomplete portion of said first television programming;

selecting;

(1) at least one first time at which to communicate said instruct signal; and

(2) at least one first location to which to communicate said instruct signal;

automatically communicating said instruct signal to said storage device based on said step of selecting; and

automatically storing said television signal, said first television programming, and said instruct signal at said storage device concurrently,

whereby said media presentation is automatically output at said at least one output device whenever said television signal, said first television programming, and said instruct signal are output from said storage device, said media presentation including said first television programming and said second personalized programming.

75. The method of claim 74 wherein said storage device includes at least one of a tape and a disk, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating said television signal, said first television programming, and said instruct signal to said at least one of a tape and a disk; and

storing said television signal, said first television programming, and said instruct signal at said at least one of a tape and a disk concurrently.

76. The method of claim 74, said method further comprising the steps of:

selecting at least one of;

(1) a second time at which to communicate said instruct signal, and

(2) a second location to which to communicate said instruct signal; and

communicating said instruct signal to said storage device based on said step of selecting at least one of said second time and said second location.

77. The method of claim 74, wherein whenever said storage device is caused to output and communicate said television signal containing said first television programming to a receiver, said receiver communicates said first television programming to said at least one output device, and said at least one output device outputs said incomplete portion of said first television programming in a specific time in a course of outputting said first television programming at said at least one output device, said method further comprising the step of storing said instruct signal at a memory location in said storage device which outputs said instruct signal and communicates said instruct signal to a detector at an output time that is sufficiently before said specific time to enable said computer to select said second programming and output said second programming to said at least one output device before the end of said specific time.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein said memory location contains a portion of said television signal whose output to said detector commences at said output time, said method further comprising the steps of causing a communication device to commence communicating said instruct signal to said memory location at said storage device at a specific time before said output time.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein said memory location stores a portion of said television signal whose output commences at said output time, said method further comprising the step of embedding said instruct signal in said portion of said television signal.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein the content of said portion of said television signal is not outputted from said at least one output device visibly or audibly.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein said computer is preprogrammed to respond to a series of instructions, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in said instruct signal before completing communication of said instruct signal to said storage device.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein said series of instructions instruct said computer to select said second programming by processing said information, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in a portion of said instruct signal that is outputted from said memory location before the end of said specific time.

83. The method of claim 74, wherein said selected at least one first time is a specific time during said step of communicating of said instruct signal to said storage device, and said specific time is sufficiently in advance of the time when said incomplete portion of said first television programming is communicated in said course of said first television programming 1) to cause said instruct signal to be outputted from said storage device and a detector to detect said instruct signal and 2) enable said computer to respond to said instruct-to-select signal and communicate said second personalized programming before the end of the time when said incomplete portion of said first television programming is outputted from said output device, whenever said television signal is outputted from said storage device.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein said selected at least one first location is a portion of said television signal which is neither outputted visibly nor audibly from said output device at a user station whenever said television signal is communicated from said storage device.

85. The method of claim 84, wherein said instruct signal is communicated via an embedding device in the course of said step of automatically communicating said instruct signal to said storage device, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating said instruct signal to said embedding device at said selected at least one first time; and

embedding said instruct signal in said television signal in said selected at least one first location.

86. A method of providing a programming signal to control a presentation comprising the steps of:

receiving programming that includes video information, said video information including at least two video images to be outputted at an output device at a subscriber station in a predetermined sequence, said programming having a portion which is to be outputted at said output device for a particular interval of time, said portion of said programming being incomplete as to a class of data;

receiving an instruct signal and at least one control signal, said instruct signal for instructing a subscriber station apparatus to automatically process and output personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said programming by processing user data stored in a first storage device at said subscriber station, said instruct signal comprising;

1) an instruct-to-select signal which is effective to cause said subscriber station apparatus to select and process at least one stored subscriber datum with independent receiver specific relevance, said at least one stored subscriber datum being processed to, complete said presentation by providing, in said presentation, said personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said programming based on said stored user data; and

2) an instruct-to-output signal which is effective to cause said subscriber station apparatus to complete said presentation by outputting, in said particular interval of time in said presentation, said personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said program;

said at least one control signal for causing said subscriber station apparatus automatically to operate under control of said instruct signal;

commencing communication of said programming to a second storage device located in a facility, said facility remote from said subscriber station apparatus;

embedding said instruct signal and said at least one control signal in a portion of said programming signal that includes said programming while said programming signal and said programming are being communicated to said second storage device; and

automatically storing said programming signal including said programming, said embedded instruct signal, and said embedded at least one control signal in said second storage device,

whereby said subscriber station apparatus is enabled to control automatically said presentation whenever said second storage device automatically outputs and communicates to said subscriber station apparatus said programming, said embedded instruct signal, and said embedded at least one control signal, said output device presenting said presentation comprising said programming and said personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said programming based on said stored user data.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein said second storage device includes at least one of a tape and a disk, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating said programming signal including said programming, and said embedded instruct signal to said at least one of a tape and a disk; and

storing said programming signal including said programming, and said embedded instruct signal at said at least one of a tape and a disk concurrently.

88. The method of claim 86, further comprising the step of:

receiving at least one control signal which operates to output said programming signal including said programming, said embedded instruct signal, and said embedded at least one control signal from said second storage device.

89. The method of claim 88, said method further comprising the steps of:

selecting at least one of;

(1) at least one time at which to communicate said instruct signal; and

(2) at least one location to which to communicate said instruct signal; and

embedding said instruct signal in said portion of said programming signal based on said step of selecting at least one of said at least one time and said at least one location.

90. The method of claim 86, wherein whenever said second storage device is caused to output and communicate said programming that includes video information to a receiver at said subscriber station, said receiver communicates said programming to at least one output device, and said at least one output device outputs said portion of said programming in a specific time in a course of outputting said programming at said at least one output device, said method further comprising the step of storing said instruct signal at a memory location in said storage device which outputs said instruct signal and communicates said instruct signal to a detector at said subscriber station at an output time that is sufficiently before said specific time to enable said subscriber station apparatus to select said specific programming and output said specific programming to said at least one output device before the end of said specific time.

91. The method of claim 90, wherein said memory location contains a portion of said programming whose output to said subscriber station and said detector commences at said output time, said method further comprising the steps of causing a communication device to commence communicating said instruct signal to said memory location at said second storage device at a specific time before said output time.

92. The method of claim 91, wherein the content of said portion of said programming is not outputted from said at least one output device visibly or audibly.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein said computer at said user station is preprogrammed to respond to a series of instructions, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in said instruct signal before completing communication of said instruct signal to said second storage device.

94. The method of claim 93, wherein said series of instructions instruct said subscriber station apparatus to select said specific programming by processing said personalized subscriber specific information, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in a portion of said instruct signal that is outputted from said memory location before the end of said specific time.

95. A method of processing signals to control a multimedia presentation comprising the steps of:

receiving a television signal including television programming and communicating said television signal and said television programming to at least one storage device located within a facility, said facility located remote from a computer apparatus, said computer apparatus located at a user station, said television programming comprising audio and a plurality of video images to be displayed in at least one predetermined sequence, said at least one predetermined sequence including full motion video;

receiving at least one first instruction signal for instructing a said computer apparatus to conduct a procedure of at least one of inputting and responding to a subscriber reaction to said television programming;

selecting;

(1) at least one first time at which to communicate said at least one first instruction signal; and

(2) at least one first location to which to communicate said at least one first instruction signal;

automatically communicating said at least one first instruction signal (i) at said at least one selected first time and (ii) to said selected at least one first location, based on said step of selecting;

receiving an instruct signal, said instruct signal for instructing a said computer apparatus to at least one of process and output personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said television programming by processing user data stored in a second storage device located at said computer apparatus, said instruct signal comprising;

(1) an instruct-to-select signal which is effective to cause said computer apparatus to select and process at least one stored subscriber datum with independent receiver specific relevance, said at least one stored subscriber datum being processed to provide, in said presentation, said personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said television programming; and

(2) an instruct-to-output signal which is effective to cause said computer apparatus to output, at a specific time in a presentation of said television programming, a portion of said personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said program;

selecting;

(1) at least one second time, said at least one second time comprising a time at which to communicate said instruct signal; and

(2) at least one second location, said at least one second location comprising a location to which to communicate said instruct signal;

communicating said instruct signal (i) at said at least one selected second time and (ii) to said selected at least one second location, based on said step of selecting; and

automatically storing said television signal, said television programming, and said at least one first instruction signal, and said instruct signal at said at least one storage device concurrently,

whereby said computer apparatus is enabled to control automatically said multimedia presentation whenever said at least one storage device automatically outputs and communicates to said computer apparatus said television signal, said television programming, and said at least one first instruction signal, and said instruct signal, said multimedia presentation comprising said television programming and said personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said programming based on said stored user data.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein said at least a one first instruction signal comprises an identifier that identifies a content of said television signal and said subscriber reaction comprises an instruction which is effective to control a selective communication device to perform at least one of receiving and communicating said content.

97. The method of claim 96, wherein said content includes a portion of said television programming.

98. The method of claim 97, wherein said at least one first instruction signal comprises an identifier that identifies said subscriber reaction and enables said computer apparatus to respond to said subscriber reaction.

99. The method of claim 98, wherein said computer apparatus responds to said subscriber reaction by communicating one or more control signals to one or more peripheral devices.

100. The method of claim 98, wherein said subscriber reaction comprises a viewer reaction inputted by said viewer to said computer apparatus in response to a prompt contained in said television programming.

101. The method of claim 100, wherein said prompt is at least in part audible.

102. The method of claim 95, wherein whenever said at least one storage device is caused to output and communicate said television signal including said television programming to a receiver, said receiver communicates said television programming to at least one output device, and said at least one output device outputs said television programming with said less than all of a portion of personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said television programming in a specific time in a course of outputting said television programming at said at least one output device, said method further comprising the step of storing said instruct signal at a memory location in said at least one storage device which outputs said instruct signal and communicates said instruct signal to a detector at an output time that is sufficiently before said specific time to enable said computer apparatus to select said specific programming and output said specific programming to said at least one output device before the end of said specific time.

103. The method of claim 102, wherein said memory location contains a portion of said television signal whose output to said detector commences at said output time, said method further comprising the steps of causing a communication device to commence communicating said instruct signal to said memory location at said at least one storage device at a specific time before said output time.

104. The method of claim 103, wherein said memory location stores a portion of said television signal whose output commences at said output time, said method further comprising the step of embedding said instruct signal in said portion of said television signal.

105. The method of claim 104, wherein the content of said specific programming is not outputted from said at least one output device visibly or audibly.

106. The method of claim 105, wherein said computer is preprogrammed to respond to a series of instructions, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in said instruct signal before completing communication of said instruct signal to said at least one storage device.

107. The method of claim 106, wherein said series of instructions instruct said computer apparatus to select said specific programming by processing said personalized subscriber specific information, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in a portion of said instruct signal that is outputted from said memory location before the end of said specific time.

108. The method of claim 95, wherein said selected at least one second time is a specific time during said step of communicating said instruct signal, and said specific time is sufficiently in advance of the time that said at least one predetermined sequence is communicated in said course of said television programming 1) to cause said instruct-to-select signal to be outputted from said at least one storage device and a detector at a user station to detect said instruct-to-select signal and 2) enable computer apparatus at said user station to respond to said instruct-to-select signal and be prepared to commence communicating said personalized subscriber specific information to output apparatus at said user station before the end of the time that said at least one predetermined sequence is outputted from said output device at said user station, whenever said television signal is outputted from said at least one storage device and communicated to said user station.

109. The method of claim 108, wherein said selected at least one second location is a portion of said television signal which is neither outputted visibly nor audibly from said output device whenever said television signal is communicated from said at least one storage device.

110. The method of claim 109, wherein said instruct signal is communicated via an embedding device in the course of said step of communicating said instruct signal to said at least one storage device, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating said instruct signal to said embedding device at said selected at least one second time; and

embedding said instruct signal in said television signal in said selected at least one second location.

111. The method of claim 110, wherein said instruct-to-output signal is communicated to said embedding device after the commencement of the communication of said instruct-to-select signal to said embedding device and sufficiently in advance of the time that said at least one predetermined sequence is communicated in said course of said television programming to enable said computer apparatus to respond to said instruct-to-output signal and output said personalized subscriber specific information before the end of said time that said at least one predetermined sequence is outputted from said output device at said user station, whenever said television signal is outputted from said at least one storage device and communicated to a user station.

112. The method of claim 111, wherein said selected at least one first time is before said selected at least one second time.

113. A method of processing signals at a storage facility to enable automatic control of a presentation at a user station, said user station located within a facility and said user station being located remote from said storage facility, said user station for outputting said presentation to a user, said storage facility being a separate facility and not collocated with said user station, said storage facility for storing a television signal and having (1) a first input device for inputting a television signal containing television programming, (2) a second input device for inputting at least an instruct signal, (3) a controller for selecting at least one of a time and a location, (4) a first communication device operatively connected to said first input device for communicating said television signal containing said television programming, (5) a second communication device operatively connected to said second input device for communicating said at least an instruct signal, and (6) a storage device operatively connected to said first communication device and said second communication device for storing said television signal containing said television programming and said at least an instruct signal, said user station having (A) a receiver for receiving said television signal containing said television programming, (B) a detector for detecting said at least an instruct signal, (C) a computer operatively connected to said detector for storing user data and generating a personalized portion of said presentation automatically by processing said stored user data in response to said at least an instruct signal, and (D) output apparatus operatively connected to said receiver and said computer for receiving (a) said television signal containing said television programming and (b) said personalized portion of said presentation and for presenting said presentation, said method comprising the steps of:

inputting, from said first input device to said first communication device, said television signal containing said television programming, said television programming to be presented in a course of said presentation;

communicating said television signal containing said television programming from said first communication device to said storage device;

receiving and inputting, from said second input device to said second communication device, said at least an instruct signal, said at least an instruct signal being operative at said user station to instruct said computer at said user station to control said presentation automatically by causing said computer to generate said personalized portion of said presentation by processing said user data and communicate to said output apparatus at said user station said personalized portion of said presentation, said personalized portion of said presentation comprising information to supplement said television programming by outputting, at said output apparatus, supplemental programming related to said television programming;

selecting, at said controller;

(1) said time, said time comprising a time at which to communicate said at least an instruct signal to said storage device; and

(2) said location, said location comprising a location to which to communicate said at least an instruct signal for storage at said storage device;

automatically communicating said at least an instruct signal from said second communication device to said storage device at said selected time and to said selected location based on said step of selecting; and

automatically storing said television signal containing said television programming and said at least an instruct signal at said storage device concurrently,

whereby said user station is enabled to control automatically said presentation whenever said storage device automatically outputs and communicates to said user station said television signal containing said television programming and said at least an instruct signal, said output apparatus presenting said presentation comprising said television programming and said personalized portion of said presentation containing user specific information based on said stored user data.

114. The method of claim 113, wherein whenever said storage device is caused to output and communicate said television signal containing said television programming to said receiver at said user station, said receiver communicates said television programming to said output apparatus, and said second output device outputs said supplemental programming in a specific time in a course of outputting said television programming at said output apparatus, said method further comprising the step of storing said at least an instruct signal at a memory location in said storage device which outputs said at least an instruct signal and communicates said at least an instruct signal to said detector at said user station at an output time that is sufficiently before said specific time to enable said computer to generate said personalized portion of said presentation and output said personalized portion of said presentation to said output apparatus before the end of said specific time.

115. The method of claim 114, wherein said memory location contains a portion of said television signal whose output to said user station and said detector commences at said output time, said method further comprising the steps of causing said second communication device to commence communicating said at least an instruct signal to said memory location at said storage device at a specific time before said output time.

116. The method of claim 115, wherein said memory location stores a portion of said television signal whose output commences at said output time, said method further comprising the step of embedding said at least an instruct signal in said portion of said television signal.

117. The method of claim 116, wherein the content of said portion of said television signal is not outputted from said output apparatus visibly or audibly.

118. The method of claim 117, wherein said computer at said user station is preprogrammed to respond to a series of instructions, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in said at least an instruct signal before completing communication of said at least an instruct signal to said storage device.

119. The method of claim 118, wherein said series of instructions instruct said computer to generate said portion of said presentation by processing said user data, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in a portion of said at least an instruct signal that is outputted from said memory location before the end of said specific time.

120. The method of claim 113, wherein said selected time is a specific period of time during said step of communicating of said television signal to said storage device, and said specific period of time occurs before said television programming is finished communicating 1) to cause said at least an instruct signal to be outputted from said storage device and said detector to detect said at least an instruct signal and 2) enable said computer to respond to said at least an instruct signal and communicate said generated personalized portion of said presentation before the end of the time when said television programming is outputted from said output device at said user station, whenever said television signal is outputted from said storage facility and communicated to said user station.

121. The method of claim 120, wherein said selected location is a portion of said television signal which is neither outputted visibly nor audibly from said output apparatus at said user station whenever said television signal is communicated from said storage device to said user station.

122. The method of claim 121, wherein said television signal is communicated via an embedding device in the course of said step of communicating said television signal from said first communication device to said storage device, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating said at least an instruct signal from said second communication device to said embedding device at said selected time; and

embedding said at least an instruct signal in said television signal in said selected location.

123. A method of generating and storing signals at a signal processing device to enable automatic control of a presentation at a user station, said user station being within a facility located remotely from said signal processing device, said signal processing device having (1) a first signal generating device for generating a programming signal that includes video, (2) a second signal generating device for generating one or more instructions, (3) a first communication device operatively connected to said first signal generating device for communicating said programming signal that includes said video, (4) a second communication device operatively connected to said second signal generating device for communicating said one or more instructions, (5) an embedding device operatively connected to said first and said second communication devices for embedding said one or more instructions in said programming signal that includes said video, (6) a storage device with at least one storage location for storing said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions embedded in said programming signal, (7) a selective transfer device operatively connected to said embedding device for transferring said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions embedded in said programming signal to said at least one storage location at said storage device, and (8) a controller for controlling said selective transfer device, said user station having (A) a receiver for receiving said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions embedded in said programming signal, (B) a detector operatively connected to said receiver for detecting said one or more instructions, (C) a computer operatively connected to said detector for storing user data and generating a personalized portion of said presentation automatically by processing said stored user data in response to said one or more instructions, and (D) at least one output apparatus operatively connected to said receiver and said computer for receiving (a) said programming signal that includes said video and (b) said personalized portion of said presentation and for presenting said presentation, said method comprising the steps of:

generating, at said first signal generating device, said programming signal that includes said video;

communicating said programming signal that includes said video to said embedding device;

generating, at said second signal generating device, said one or more instructions, said one or more instructions having effect to instruct said computer at said user station to generate information to supplement said video by outputting, at a second output apparatus of said at least one output apparatus, supplemental programming related to said video;

communicating said one or more instructions to said embedding device;

embedding, at said embedding device, said one or more instructions in said programming signal that contains said video;

automatically under control of said controller at said signal processing device, causing said selective transfer device to transfer said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions embedded in said programming signal to said at least one storage location at said storage device; and

automatically storing, at said at least one storage location at said storage device, said programming signal including said video and said embedded one or more instructions,

whereby said user station is enabled to control automatically said presentation whenever said storage device automatically outputs and communicates to said user station said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions, and said at least one output apparatus is enabled to present said presentation comprising said video and said personalized portion of said presentation containing user specific information based on said stored user data.

124. A method of processing signals to control a media presentation comprising the steps of:

receiving a television signal including first television programming and communicating said television signal and said first television programming to a storage device located within a facility located remotely from a user station including at least one output device, said first television programming including audio;

storing user data in said storage device;

receiving an instruct signal for instructing a computer to present, with said first television programming at said at least one output apparatus second personalized programming, said instruct signal comprising an instruct-to-generate signal which is effective to cause said computer (a) to commence generating said second personalized programming at a time when said second programming does not exist, and (b) to generate said second personalized programming by processing said stored user data in response to said instruct signal, said second personalized programming comprising supplemental programming related to said first television programming;

selecting;

(1) at least one first time at which to communicate said instruct signal; and

(2) at least one first location to which to communicate said instruct signal;

automatically communicating said instruct signal to said storage device based on said step of selecting; and

automatically storing said television signal, said first television programming, and said instruct signal at said storage device concurrently,

whereby said media presentation is automatically output at said at least one output device whenever said television signal, said first television programming, and said instruct signal are output from said storage device, said media presentation including said first television programming and said second personalized programming containing user specific information based on said stored user data.

125. The method of claim 124 wherein said storage device includes at least one of a tape and a disk, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating said television signal, said first television programming, and said instruct signal to said at least one of a tape and a disk; and

storing said television signal, said first television programming, and said instruct signal at said at least one of a tape and a disk concurrently.

126. The method of claim 124, said method further comprising the steps of:

selecting at least one of;

(1) a second time at which to communicate said instruct signal, and

(2) a second location to which to communicate said instruct signal; and

communicating said instruct signal to said storage device based on said step of selecting at least one of said second time and said second location.

127. The method of claim 124, wherein whenever said storage device is caused to output and communicate said television signal containing said first television programming to a receiver, said receiver communicates said first television programming to said at least one output device, and said at least one output apparatus outputs said supplemental programming in a specific time in a course of outputting said first television programming at said at least one output apparatus, said method further comprising the step of storing said instruct signal at a memory location in said storage device which outputs said instruct signal and communicates said instruct signal to a detector at an output time that is sufficiently before said specific time to enable said computer to generate said second programming and output said second programming to said at least one output apparatus before the end of said specific time.

128. The method of claim 127, wherein said memory location contains a portion of said television signal whose output to said detector commences at said output time, said method further comprising the steps of causing a communication device to commence communicating said instruct signal to said memory location at said storage device at a specific time before said output time.

129. The method of claim 128, wherein said memory location stores a portion of said television signal whose output commences at said output time, said method further comprising the step of embedding said instruct signal in said portion of said television signal.

130. The method of claim 129, wherein the content of said portion of said television signal is not outputted from said at least one output apparatus visibly or audibly.

131. The method of claim 130, wherein said computer is preprogrammed to respond to a series of instructions, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in said instruct signal before completing communication of said instruct signal to said storage device.

132. The method of claim 131, wherein said series of instructions instruct said computer to generate said second programming by processing said information, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in a portion of said instruct signal that is outputted from said memory location before the end of said specific time.

133. The method of claim 124, wherein said selected at least one first time is a specific period of time during said step of automatically communicating said instruct signal to said storage device, and said specific period of time occurs before said second personalized programming is output 1) to cause said instruct signal to be outputted from said storage device and a detector to detect said instruct signal and 2) enable said computer to respond to said instruct-to-generate signal and communicate said second programming before the end of the time when said first television programming is outputted from said output apparatus, whenever said television signal is outputted from said storage device.

134. The method of claim 133, wherein said selected at least one first location is a portion of said television signal which is neither outputted visibly nor audibly from said output apparatus at a user station whenever said television signal is communicated from said storage device.

135. The method of claim 134, wherein said instruct signal is communicated via an embedding device in the course of said step of automatically communicating said instruct signal to said storage device, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating said instruct signal to said embedding device at said selected at least one first time; and

embedding said instruct signal in said television signal in said selected at least one first location.

136. A method of providing a programming signal to control a presentation comprising the steps of:

receiving programming that includes video information, said video information including at least two video images to be outputted at at least one output apparatus at a subscriber station in a predetermined sequence;

receiving an instruct signal and at least one control signal, said instruct signal for instructing a subscriber station apparatus to automatically process and output personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said programming by processing user data stored in a first storage device at said subscriber station, said instruct signal comprising;

(1) an instruct-to-generate signal which is effective to cause said subscriber station apparatus (a) to commence generating specific programming at a time when said specific programming does not exist, and (b) to generate said specific programming, said specific programming for supplementing said presentation by providing said personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said programming based on said stored user data; and

(2) an instruct-to-output signal which is effective to cause said subscriber station apparatus to complete said presentation by outputting, in said particular interval of time in said presentation, less than all of said personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said program;

said at least one control signal for causing said subscriber station apparatus automatically to operate under control of said instruct signal;

commencing communication of said programming to a second storage device located in a facility, said facility remote from said subscriber station apparatus;

embedding said instruct signal and said at least one control signal in a portion of said programming signal that includes said programming while said programming signal and said programming are being communicated to said second storage device; and

automatically storing said programming signal including said programming, said embedded instruct signal, and said embedded at least one control signal in said second storage device;

whereby said subscriber station apparatus is enabled to control automatically said presentation whenever said second storage device automatically outputs and communicates to said subscriber station apparatus said programming, said embedded instruct signal, and said embedded at least one control signal, said output device presenting said presentation comprising said programming and personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said programming based on said stored user data.

137. The method of claim 136, wherein said second storage device includes at least one of a tape and a disk, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating said programming signal including said program, and said embedded instruct signal to said at least one of a tape and a disk; and

storing said programming signal including said program, and said embedded instruct signal at said at least one of a tape and a disk concurrently.

138. The method of claim 136, further comprising the step of:

receiving at least one control signal which operates to output said programming signal including said program, said embedded instruct signal, and said embedded at least one control signal from said second storage device.

139. The method of claim 138, said method further comprising the steps of:

selecting at least one of;

(1) at least one time at which to communicate said instruct signal; and

(2) at least one location to which to communicate said instruct signal; and

embedding said instruct signal in said portion of said programming signal based on said step of selecting at least one of said at least one time and said at least one location.

140. The method of claim 136, wherein whenever said second storage device is caused to output and communicate said programming that includes video information to a receiver at said subscriber station, said receiver communicates said programming to said at least one output apparatus, and said at least one output apparatus outputs said programming in a specific time in a course of outputting said programming at said at least one output apparatus, said method further comprising the step of storing said instruct signal at a memory location in said storage device which outputs said instruct signal and communicates said instruct signal to a detector at said subscriber station at an output time that is sufficiently before said specific time to enable said subscriber station apparatus to generate said specific programming and output said specific programming to said at least one output apparatus before the end of said specific time.

141. The method of claim 140, wherein said memory location contains a portion of said programming whose output to said subscriber station and said detector commences at said output time, said method further comprising the steps of causing a communication device to commence communicating said instruct signal to said memory location at said second storage device at a specific time before said output time.

142. The method of claim 141, wherein the content of said portion of said programming is not outputted from said at least one output apparatus visibly or audibly.

143. The method of claim 142, wherein said computer at said user station is preprogrammed to respond to a series of instructions, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in said instruct signal before completing communication of said instruct signal to said second storage device.

144. The method of claim 143, wherein said series of instructions instruct said subscriber station apparatus to generate said specific programming by processing said personalized subscriber specific information, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in a portion of said instruct signal that is outputted from said memory location before the end of said specific time.

145. A method of processing signals at a storage facility to enable automatic control of a presentation at a user station, said user station located within a facility and said user station being located remote from said storage facility, said user station for outputting said presentation to a user, said storage facility being a separate facility and not collocated with said user station, said storage facility for storing a television signal and having (1) a first input device for inputting a television signal containing television programming, (2) a second input device for inputting at least a first instruct signal, (3) a controller for selecting a time and a location, (4) a first communication device operatively connected to said first input device for communicating said television signal containing said television programming, (5) a second communication device operatively connected to said second input device for communicating said at least a first instruct signal, and (6) a storage device operatively connected to said first communication device and said second communication device for storing said television signal containing said television programming and said at least a first instruct signal, said user station having (A) a receiver for receiving said television signal containing said television programming, (B) a detector for detecting said at least a first instruct signal, (C) a computer operatively connected to said detector for storing user data and selecting a personalized portion of said presentation automatically by processing said stored user data in response to said at least a first instruct signal, and (D) at least one output device operatively connected to said receiver and said computer for receiving (a) said television signal containing said television programming and (b) said personalized portion of said presentation and for presenting said presentation, said method comprising the steps of:

inputting, from said first input device to said first communication device, said television signal containing said television programming, said television programming to be presented in a course of said presentation;

communicating said television signal containing said television programming from said first communication device to said storage device;

receiving and inputting, from said second input device to said second communication device, said at least a first instruct signal, said at least a first instruct signal being operative at said user station to instruct said computer at said user station to control said presentation automatically by causing said computer to select said personalized portion of said presentation by processing said user data and communicate to said at least one output device at said user station said personalized portion of said presentation, said personalized portion of said presentation comprising information to supplement said television programming by outputting, at a second output device of said at least one output device, supplemental programming related to said television programming;

receiving and inputting a second instruction signal being operative at said user station to instruct said computer at said user station to control said presentation automatically by causing said computer to communicate to said at least one output device at said user station said personalized portion of said presentation;

selecting, at said controller;

(1) said time, said time comprising a time at which to communicate said at least a first instruct signal to said storage device; and

(2) said location, said location comprising a location to which to communicate said at least a first instruct signal for storage at said storage device;

automatically communicating said at least a first instruct signal from said second communication device to said storage device at said selected time and to said selected location based on said step of selecting; and

automatically storing said television signal containing said television programming and said at least a first instruct signal at said storage device concurrently,

whereby said user station is enabled to control automatically said presentation whenever said storage device automatically outputs and communicates to said user station said television signal containing said television programming and said at least a first instruct signal, said at least one output device presenting said presentation comprising said television programming and said personalized portion of said presentation containing user specific information based on said stored user data.

146. The method of claim 145, wherein whenever said storage device is caused to output and communicate said television signal containing said television programming to said receiver at said user station, said receiver communicates said television programming to said at least one output device, and said second output device outputs said supplemental programming in a specific time in a course of outputting said television programming at said at least one output device, said method further comprising the step of storing said at least a first instruct signal at a memory location in said storage device which outputs said at least a first instruct signal and communicates said at least a first instruct signal to said detector at said user station at an output time that is sufficiently before said specific time to enable said computer to select said portion of said presentation and output said personalized portion of said presentation to said at least one output device before the end of said specific time.

147. The method of claim 146, wherein said memory location contains a portion of said television signal whose output to said user station and said detector commences at said output time, said method further comprising the steps of causing said second communication device to commence communicating said at least a first instruct signal to said memory location at said storage device at a specific time before said output time.

148. The method of claim 147, wherein said memory location stores a portion of said television signal whose output commences at said output time, said method further comprising the step of embedding said at least a first instruct signal in said portion of said television signal.

149. The method of claim 148, wherein the content of said portion of said television signal is not outputted from said at least one output device visibly or audibly.

150. The method of claim 149, wherein said computer at said user station is preprogrammed to respond to a series of instructions, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in said at least a first instruct signal before completing communication of said at least a first instruct signal to said storage device.

151. The method of claim 150, wherein said series of instructions instruct said computer to select said personalized portion of said presentation by processing said user data, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in a portion of said at least a first instruct signal that is outputted from said memory location before the end of said specific time.

152. A method of generating and storing signals at a signal processing device to enable automatic control of a presentation at a user station, said user station being within a facility located remotely from said signal processing device, said signal processing device having (1) a first signal generating device for generating a programming signal that includes video, (2) a second signal generating device for generating one or more instructions and one or more control signals, (3) a first communication device operatively connected to said first signal generating device for communicating said programming signal that includes said video, (4) a second communication device operatively connected to said second signal generating device for communicating said one or more instructions, (5) an embedding device operatively connected to said first and said second communication devices for embedding said one or more instructions and said one or more control signals in said programming signal that includes said video, (6) a storage device with at least one storage location for storing said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions embedded in said programming signal, (7) a selective transfer device operatively connected to said embedding device for transferring said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions embedded in said programming signal to said at least one storage location at said storage device, and (8) a controller for controlling said selective transfer device, said user station having (A) a receiver for receiving said programming signal that includes said video and said one or more instructions embedded in said programming signal, (B) a detector operatively connected to said receiver for detecting said one or more instructions and said one or more control signals, (C) a computer operatively connected to said detector for storing user data and selecting a personalized portion of said presentation automatically by processing said stored user data in response to said one or more instructions, and (D) at least one output device operatively connected to said receiver and said computer for receiving (a) said programming signal that includes said video and (b) said personalized portion of said presentation and for presenting said presentation, said method comprising the steps of:

generating, at said first signal generating device, said programming signal that includes said video;

communicating said programming signal that includes said video to said embedding device;

generating, at said second signal generating device, said one or more instructions, said one or more instructions having effect to instruct said computer at said user station to select information to supplement said video by outputting, at a second output device of said at least one output device, supplemental programming related to said video;

generating, at said second signal generating device, said one or more control signals, said one or more control signals having effect to control said computer at said user station to cause said supplemental programming related to said video to be output at said second output device;

communicating said one or more instructions and said one or more control signals to said embedding device;

embedding, at said embedding device, said one or more instructions and said one or more control signals in said programming signal that contains said video;

automatically under control of said controller at said signal processing device, causing said selective transfer device to transfer said programming signal that includes said video, said one or more instructions and said one or more control signals embedded in said programming signal to said at least one storage location at said storage device; and

automatically storing, at said at least one storage location at said storage device, said programming signal including said video and said embedded one or more instructions and said embedded one or more control signals,

whereby said user station is enabled to control automatically said presentation whenever said storage device automatically outputs and communicates to said user station said programming signal that includes said video, said one or more instructions and said one or more control signals, and said at least one output device is enabled to present said personalized presentation comprising said video and said portion of said presentation containing user specific information based on said stored user data.

153. A method of processing signals to control a media presentation on a television, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a television signal including first television programming and communicating said television signal and said first television programming to a storage device located within a facility, said facility located remotely from a user station, said user station including at least one output device, said first television programming including audio;

storing user data in said storage device;

receiving an instruct signal for instructing a computer to present, with said first television programming at said at least one output device second personalized programming, said instruct signal comprising;

(1) an instruct-to-select signal which is effective to cause said computer to select and process at least one stored subscriber datum with independent receiver specific relevance, said at least one stored subscriber datum being processed with said stored user data to present personalized supplemental programming related to said first television programming; and

(2) an instruct-to-output signal which is effective to cause said computer to transmit at a specific time less than all of said personalized supplemental programming related to said first television programming;

selecting;

(1) at least one first time at which to communicate said instruct signal; and

(2) at least one first location to which to communicate said instruct signal;

automatically communicating said instruct signal to said storage device based on said step of selecting; and

automatically storing said television signal, said first television programming, and said instruct signal at said storage device concurrently,

whereby said media presentation is automatically output at said at least one output device whenever said television signal, said first television programming, and said instruct signal are output from said storage device, said media presentation including said first television programming and said personalized supplemental programming containing user specific information based on said stored user data.

154. The method of claim 153 wherein said storage device includes at least one of a tape and a disk, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating said television signal, said first television programming, and said instruct signal to said at least one of a tape and a disk; and

storing said television signal, said first television programming, and said instruct signal at said at least one of a tape and a disk concurrently.

155. The method of claim 153, said method further comprising the steps of:

selecting at least one of;

(1) a second time at which to communicate said instruct signal, and

(2) a second location to which to communicate said instruct signal; and

communicating said instruct signal to said storage device based on said step of selecting at least one of said second time and said second location.

156. The method of claim 153, wherein whenever said storage device is caused to output and communicate said television signal containing said first television programming to a receiver, said receiver communicates said first television programming to said at least one output device, and said at least one output device outputs said personalized supplemental programming in a specific time in a course of outputting said first television programming at said at least one output device, said method further comprising the step of storing said instruct signal at a memory location in said storage device which outputs said instruct signal and communicates said instruct signal to a detector at an output time that is sufficiently before said specific time to enable said computer to select said second personalized programming and output said second personalized programming to said at least one output device before the end of said specific time.

157. The method of claim 156, wherein said memory location contains a portion of said television signal whose output to said detector commences at said output time, said method further comprising the steps of causing a communication device to commence communicating said instruct signal to said memory location at said storage device at a specific time before said output time.

158. The method of claim 157, wherein said memory location stores a portion of said television signal whose output commences at said output time, said method further comprising the step of embedding said instruct signal in said portion of said television signal.

159. The method of claim 158, wherein the content of said portion of said television signal is not outputted from said at least one output device visibly or audibly.

160. The method of claim 159, wherein said computer is preprogrammed to respond to a series of instructions, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in said instruct signal before completing communication of said instruct signal to said storage device.

161. The method of claim 160, wherein said series of instructions instruct said computer to select said second personalized programming by processing said information, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in a portion of said instruct signal that is outputted from said memory location before the end of said specific time.

162. A method of providing a programming signal to control a presentation comprising the steps of:

receiving a program that includes video information, said video information including at least two video images to be outputted at an output device at a subscriber station in a predetermined sequence, said program having a portion which is to be outputted at said output device for a particular interval of time;

receiving an instruct signal and at least one control signal, said instruct signal for instructing a subscriber station apparatus to automatically process and output personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said program by processing user data stored in a first storage device at said subscriber station, said instruct signal comprising;

(1) an instruct-to-select signal which is effective to cause said subscriber station apparatus to select and process at least one stored subscriber datum with independent receiver specific relevance, said at least one stored subscriber datum being processed to supplement said presentation by providing, in said presentation, said personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said program based on said stored user data; and

(2) an instruct-to-output signal which is effective to cause said subscriber station apparatus to supplement said presentation by outputting, in said particular interval of time in said presentation, less than all of said personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said program;

said at least one control signal for causing said subscriber station apparatus automatically to operate under control of said instruct signal;

commencing communication of said program to a second storage device located in a facility, said facility remote from said subscriber station apparatus;

embedding said instruct signal and said at least one control signal in a portion of said programming signal that includes said program while said programming signal and said program are being communicated to said second storage device; and

automatically storing said programming signal including said program, said embedded instruct signal, and said embedded at least one control signal in said second storage device,

whereby said subscriber station apparatus is enabled to control automatically said presentation whenever said second storage device automatically outputs and communicates to said subscriber station apparatus said program, said embedded instruct signal, and said embedded at least one control signal, said output device presenting said presentation comprising said programming and personalized subscriber specific information pertaining to said program based on said stored user data.

163. The method of claim 162, wherein said second storage device includes at least one of a tape and a disk, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating said programming signal including said program, and said embedded instruct signal to said at least one of a tape and a disk; and

storing said programming signal including said program, and said embedded instruct signal at said at least one of a tape and a disk concurrently.

164. The method of claim 163, further comprising the step of:

receiving at least one control signal which operates to output said programming signal including said program, said embedded instruct signal, and said embedded at least one control signal from said second storage device.

165. The method of claim 164, said method further comprising the steps of:

selecting at least one of;

(1) at least one time at which to communicate said instruct signal; and

(2) at least one location to which to communicate said instruct signal; and

embedding said instruct signal in said portion of said programming signal based on said step of selecting at least one of said at least one time and said at least one location.

166. The method of claim 162, wherein whenever said second storage device is caused to output and communicate said programming that includes video information to a receiver at said subscriber station, said receiver communicates said programming to at least one output device, and said at least one output device outputs said portion of said programming in a specific time in a course of outputting said programming at said at least one output device, said method further comprising the step of storing said instruct signal at a memory location in said storage device which outputs said instruct signal and communicates said instruct signal to a detector at said subscriber station at an output time that is sufficiently before said specific time to enable said subscriber station apparatus to select said specific programming and output said specific programming to said at least one output device before the end of said specific time.

167. The method of claim 166, wherein said memory location contains a portion of said programming whose output to said subscriber station and said detector commences at said output time, said method further comprising the steps of causing a communication device to commence communicating said instruct signal to said memory location at said second storage device at a specific time before said output time.

168. The method of claim 167, wherein the content of said portion of said programming is not outputted from said at least one output device visibly or audibly.

169. The method of claim 168, wherein said computer at said user station is preprogrammed to respond to a series of instructions, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in said instruct signal before completing communication of said instruct signal to said second storage device.

170. The method of claim 169, wherein said series of instructions instruct said subscriber station apparatus to select said specific programming by processing said personalized subscriber specific information, said method further comprising the step of including said series of instructions in a portion of said instruct signal that is outputted from said memory location before the end of said specific time.

171. A storage device to store television program material to enable a television user station to automatically output a presentation including television programming and variable, processor generated, related personalized content for display on a television monitor, said television user station located within a facility, said facility located remotely from said storage device and, said user station including a television receiver to receive said television programming, said television monitor, a control signal detector, a programmable processor operatively connected to said television monitor and said control signal detector, and storage apparatus operatively connected to said programmable processor, said storage apparatus storing an updatable user datum, said storage device comprising:

a first memory that stores said television programming, said television programming having specific content to be completed or supplemented at a specific time during outputting of said television programming at said television monitor based on said updatable user datum stored in said storage apparatus, wherein said television programming is received at a first input device at said television receiver;

a second memory that stores a first control signal operative at said television user station to deliver processor instructions to said programmable processor and cause said programmable processor in response to said processor instructions to generate an applicable user specific datum by processing said updateable user datum, said applicable user specific datum constituting said variable, processor generated, related personalized content which is applicable at said specific time at said television user station, said first control signal automatically communicated to said second memory at a previously selected time and location, wherein said first control signal is received at a second input device at said control signal detector; and

a third memory that stores a second control signal that automatically causes said presentation to be output at said television monitor at said specific time including said applicable user specific datum generated at said programmable processor to complete or supplement said television programming based on said updatable user datum;

whereby said user station is enabled to automatically output said presentation at said television monitor at said specific time whenever said storage device is caused to output said first memory to said television monitor and said second and third memories to said programmable processor based on said stored user updatable datum.

172. The storage device of claim 171, wherein said television programming is stored in said first memory in a television signal.

173. The storage device of claim 172, wherein whenever said storage device is caused to output said first memory to said television monitor, said first control signal is outputted from said storage device in a portion of said television signal that is not emitted visibly or audibly from said television monitor.

174. The storage device of claim 173, wherein said second control signal is also outputted from said storage device in said portion of said television signal.

175. The storage device of claim 171, wherein whenever said storage device is caused to output one of said second memory and said third memory to said programmable processor, said storage device outputs the content of said one of said second memory and said third memory to said control signal detector in a television signal.

176. The storage device of claim 175, wherein said storage device also outputs to said television monitor a portion of said television signal that contains said television programming stored at said first memory.

177. The storage device of claim 176, wherein said storage device outputs simultaneously 1) said content of said one of said second memory and said third memory to said control signal detector and 2) said portion of said television signal that contains said television programming stored at said first memory to said television monitor.

178. The storage device of claim 171, wherein whenever said storage device is caused to output one of said second memory and said third memory to said programmable processor, said storage device is caused to commence outputting said television programming from said first memory to said television monitor before said specific time.

179. The storage device of claim 178, wherein said storage device outputs said one of said second memory and said third memory before the end of said specific time.

180. The storage device of claim 179, wherein said storage device outputs at least some of said television programming from said first memory to said television monitor before outputting said specific content to be completed or supplemented from said first memory to said television monitor.

181. The storage device of claim 179, wherein said storage device outputs the other of said second memory and said third memory before outputting said one of said second memory and said third memory.

182. The storage device of claim 181, wherein said storage device outputs said first control signal before outputting said second control signal.

183. The storage device of claim 171, wherein whenever said storage device is caused to output to said television monitor and said programmable processor, said storage device outputs a television signal.

184. The storage device of claim 183, wherein said storage device stores a first part of said television signal at said first memory, a second part of said television signal at said second memory, and a third part of said television signal of said television signal at said third memory.

185. The storage device of claim 184, wherein said first part of said television signal includes said specific content to be completed or supplemented at said specific time and one of said second part and said third part of said television signal is outputted from said storage device before the end of said specific time.

186. The storage device of claim 185, wherein said second part of said television signal is outputted from said storage device before said third part of said television signal is outputted from said storage device.

187. The storage device of claim 186, wherein said second part and said third part of said television signal contain portions of said television signal that are not emitted visibly or audibly from said television monitor.

188. A method of storing television program material to enable a television user station to automatically output a presentation including television programming and variable, processor generated, related personalized content for display on a television monitor, said television user station located within a facility, said facility located remotely from said storage device and, said user station including a television receiver to receive said television programming, said television monitor, a control signal detector, a programmable processor operatively connected to said television monitor and said control signal detector, and storage apparatus operatively connected to said programmable processor, said storage apparatus storing an updatable user datum, said method comprising:

storing, at a storage device, said television programming, said television programming having specific content to be completed or supplemented at a specific time during outputting of said television programming at said television monitor based on said updateable user datum stored in said storage apparatus, wherein said television programming is received at a first input device at said television receiver;

storing, at said storage device, a first control signal operative at said television user station to deliver processor instructions to said programmable processor and cause said programmable processor in response to said processor instructions to generate an applicable user specific datum by processing said updateable user datum, said applicable user specific datum constituting said variable, processor generated, related personalized content which is applicable at said specific time at said television user station, said first control signal automatically communicated to said storage device at a previously selected time and location, wherein said first control signal is received at a second input device at said control signal detector; and

storing, at said storage device, a second control signal that automatically causes said presentation to be output at said television monitor at said specific time including said applicable user specific datum generated at said programmable processor to complete or supplement said television programming based on said updateable user datum;

whereby said user station is enabled to automatically output said presentation at said television monitor at said specific time whenever said storage device is caused to output said television programming to said television monitor and said first and second control signals to said programmable processor based on said stored user updatable datum.

189. The method of claim 188, wherein said storage device commences outputting said first control signal to said programmable processor before outputting said second control signal to said programmable processor completely.

190. The method of claim 189, wherein said storage device completes outputting said second control signal to said programmable processor before the end of said specific time.

191. The method of claim 190, wherein said storage device commences outputting said first control signal to said programmable processor before commencing to output said second control signal to said programmable processor.

192. The method of claim 191, wherein said storage device outputs said first control signal completely to said programmable processor before commencing to output said second control signal to said programmable processor.

193. The method of claim 192, wherein said specific time comprises an interval of time at the start of which output of at least a portion of said applicable user specific datum commences and at the end of which output of said applicable user specific datum ceases.

194. The method of claim 193, wherein said applicable user specific datum is output at said television monitor as an image in the video of said television programming.

195. The method of claim 193, wherein said applicable user specific datum is output at said television monitor as a sound in the audio of said television programming.

196. The method of claim 193, wherein said storage device outputs said first control signal and said second control signal in a digital portion of a television signal that contains said television programming.

197. The method of claim 196, wherein said storage device stores said first control signal and said second control signal in a digital portion of said television signal that contains said television programming.

198. A storage device to store mass medium program material to enable a user station to automatically output a presentation including mass medium programming and variable, processor generated, related personalized content for display on an output device, said user station located within a facility, said facility located remotely from said storage device and including a receiver to receive said mass medium programming, said output device, a control signal detector, a programmable processor operatively connected to said output device and said control signal detector, and storage apparatus operatively connected to said programmable processor, said storage apparatus storing an updatable user datum, said storage device comprising:

a first memory that stores said mass medium programming, said mass medium programming having specific content to be completed or supplemented at a specific time during outputting of said television programming at said output device based on said updateable user datum stored in said storage apparatus, wherein said mass medium programming is received at a first input device at said receiver;

a second memory that stores a first control signal operative at said user station to deliver processor instructions to said programmable processor and cause said programmable processor in response to said processor instructions to generate an applicable user specific datum by processing said updateable user datum, said applicable user specific datum constituting said variable, processor generated, related personalized content which is applicable at said specific time at said user station, said first control signal automatically communicated to said second memory at a previously selected time and location, wherein said first control signal is received at a second input device at said control signal detector; and

a third memory that stores a second control signal that automatically causes said presentation to be output at said output device at said specific time including said applicable user specific datum generated at said programmable processor to complete or supplement said television programming based on said updateable user datum;

whereby said user station is enabled to automatically output said presentation at said output device at said specific time whenever said storage device is caused to output said first memory to said output device and said second and third memories to said programmable processor based on said stored user updateable datum.

199. The storage device of claim 198, wherein said mass medium programming is stored in said first memory in a mass medium programming signal.

200. The storage device of claim 199, wherein whenever said storage device is caused to output said first memory to said output device, said first control signal is outputted from said storage device in a portion of said mass medium programming signal that is not emitted visibly or audibly from said output device.

201. The storage device of claim 200, wherein said second control signal is also outputted from said storage device in said portion of said mass medium programming signal.

202. The storage device of claim 198, wherein whenever said storage device is caused to output one of said second memory and said third memory to said programmable processor, said storage device outputs the content of said one of said second memory and said third memory to said control signal detector in a mass medium programming signal.

203. The storage device of claim 202, wherein said storage device also outputs to said output device a portion of said mass medium programming signal that contains said mass medium programming stored at said first memory.

204. The storage device of claim 203, wherein said storage device outputs simultaneously 1) said content of said one of said second memory and said third memory to said control signal detector and 2) said portion of said mass medium programming signal that contains said mass medium programming stored at said first memory to said output device.

205. The storage device of claim 198, wherein whenever said storage device is caused to output one of said second memory and said third memory to said programmable processor, said storage device is caused to commence outputting said mass medium programming from said first memory to said output device before said specific time.

206. The storage device of claim 205, wherein said storage device outputs said one of said second memory and said third memory before the end of said specific time.

207. The storage device of claim 206, wherein said storage device outputs at least some of said mass medium programming from said first memory to said output device before outputting said specific content to be completed or supplemented from said first memory to said output device.

208. The storage device of claim 206, wherein said storage device outputs the other of said second memory and said third memory before outputting said one of said second memory and said third memory.

209. The storage device of claim 208, wherein said storage device outputs said first control signal before outputting said second control signal.

210. The storage device of claim 198, wherein whenever said storage device is caused to output to said output device and said programmable processor, said storage device outputs a mass medium programming signal.

211. The storage device of claim 210, wherein said storage device stores a first part of said mass medium programming signal at said first memory, a second part of said mass medium programming signal at said second memory, and a third part of said mass medium programming signal of said mass medium programming signal at said third memory.

212. The storage device of claim 211, wherein said first part of said mass medium programming signal includes said specific content to be completed or supplemented at said specific time and one of said second part and said third part of said mass medium programming signal is outputted from said storage device before the end of said specific time.

213. The storage device of claim 212, wherein said second part of said mass medium programming signal is outputted from said storage device before said third part of said mass medium programming signal is outputted from said storage device.

214. The storage device of claim 213, wherein said second part and said third part of said mass medium programming signal contain portions of said mass medium programming signal that are not emitted visibly or audibly from said output device.

215. A method of storing mass medium program material to enable a user station to automatically output a presentation including mass medium programming and variable, processor generated, related personalized content for display on an output device, said user station located within a facility, said facility located remotely from said storage device and, said user station including a receiver to receive said mass medium programming, said output device, a control signal detector, a programmable processor operatively connected to said output device and said control signal detector, and storage apparatus operatively connected to said programmable processor, said storage apparatus storing an updatable user datum, said method comprising:

storing, at a storage device, said mass medium programming, said mass medium programming having specific content to be completed or supplemented at a specific time during outputting of said mass medium programming at said output device based on said updateable user datum stored in said storage apparatus, wherein said mass medium programming is received at a first input device at said receiver;

storing, at said storage device, a first control signal operative at said user station to deliver processor instructions to said programmable processor and cause said programmable processor in response to said processor instructions to generate an applicable user specific datum by processing said updateable user datum, said applicable user specific datum constituting said variable, processor generated, related personalized content which is applicable at said specific time at said user station said first control signal automatically communicated to said storage device at a previously selected time and location, wherein said first control signal is received at a second input device at said control signal detector; and

storing, at said storage device, a second control signal that automatically causes said presentation to be output at said output device at said specific time including said applicable user specific datum generated at said programmable processor to complete or supplement said mass medium programming based on said updateable user datum;

whereby said user station is enabled to automatically output said presentation at said output device at said specific time whenever said storage device is caused to output said mass medium programming to said output device and said first and second control signals to said programmable processor.

216. The method of claim 215, wherein said storage device commences outputting said first control signal to said programmable processor before outputting said second control signal to said programmable processor completely.

217. The method of claim 216, wherein said storage device completes outputting said second control signal to said programmable processor before the end of said specific time.

218. The method of claim 217, wherein said storage device commences outputting said first control signal to said programmable processor before commencing to output said second control signal to said programmable processor.

219. The method of claim 218, wherein said storage device outputs said first control signal completely to said programmable processor before commencing to output said second control signal to said programmable processor.

220. The method of claim 219, wherein said specific time comprises an interval of time at the start of which output of at least a portion of said applicable user specific datum commences and at the end of which output of said applicable user specific datum ceases.

221. The method of claim 220, wherein said applicable user specific datum is output at said output device as an image visible in the image of said mass medium programming.

222. The method of claim 220, wherein said applicable user specific datum is output at said output device as a sound audible in the sound of said mass medium programming.

223. The method of claim 220, wherein said storage device outputs said first control signal and said second control signal in a digital portion of a mass medium programming signal that contains said mass medium programming.

224. The method of claim 223, wherein said storage device stores said first control signal and said second control signal in a digital portion of said mass medium programming signal that contains said mass medium programming.