Signal processing apparatus and methods
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method of signal processing in a network having a plurality of receiver stations, each of said plurality of receiver stations being one of an intermediate transmission station and an ultimate receiver station, said method comprising the steps of:
- receiving at least one instruct signal which is effective to perform one of;
(a) effecting a transmitter station to modify a signal to operate at said plurality of receiver stations to output part of a combined medium programming presentation; and
(b) effecting a first receiver station to modify a signal to operate at a second of said plurality of receiver stations to output part of said combined medium programming presentation;
receiving a transmitter control signal which operates in said network to communicate said at least one instruct signal to a transmitter;
transmitting said transmitter control signal and a first of said at least one instruct signal; and
wherein said combined medium programming is output at each of said plurality of receiver stations and includes a simultaneous output of information of general pertinence, the same information of general pertinence being outputted at each of said plurality of receiver stations, and information of specific pertinence at each of said plurality of receiver stations, the information of specific pertinence that is outputted in said simultaneous output at a one of said plurality of receiver stations being different from the information of specific pertinence that is outputted at another of said plurality of receiver stations.
1 Assignment
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
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.
1149 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of signal processing in a network having a plurality of receiver stations, each of said plurality of receiver stations being one of an intermediate transmission station and an ultimate receiver station, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving at least one instruct signal which is effective to perform one of; (a) effecting a transmitter station to modify a signal to operate at said plurality of receiver stations to output part of a combined medium programming presentation; and (b) effecting a first receiver station to modify a signal to operate at a second of said plurality of receiver stations to output part of said combined medium programming presentation; receiving a transmitter control signal which operates in said network to communicate said at least one instruct signal to a transmitter; transmitting said transmitter control signal and a first of said at least one instruct signal; and wherein said combined medium programming is output at each of said plurality of receiver stations and includes a simultaneous output of information of general pertinence, the same information of general pertinence being outputted at each of said plurality of receiver stations, and information of specific pertinence at each of said plurality of receiver stations, the information of specific pertinence that is outputted in said simultaneous output at a one of said plurality of receiver stations being different from the information of specific pertinence that is outputted at another of said plurality of receiver stations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of communicating image programming and computer programming to at least one subscriber in a network, said network including at least one programming origination station, at least one intermediate transmission station, and at least one subscriber station, said method comprising the steps of:
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originating an information transmission containing a control signal from said at least one programming origination station designating at least a portion of a programming presentation, which is effective to accomplish; effecting said at least one intermediate transmission station to control a computer to select a receiver and communicate said at least a portion of said programming presentation to a transmitter, and transmit to said at least one subscriber station a signal including said at least a portion of a programming presentation; and transmitting said information transmission containing said control signal from said at least one programming origination station to said at least one intermediate transmission station.
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5. A method of communicating units of programming to a subscriber in a network, said network including at least one programming origination station, an intermediate transmission station, and at least one subscriber station, said intermediate transmission station transmitting said units of programming to said at least one subscriber station, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving an information transmission containing a control signal from said origination station at said intermediate transmission station; detecting said control signal at said intermediate transmission station and passing said control signal to a computer; and controlling said intermediate transmission station based on said control signal to; select a portion of said units of programming based on operating records stored at said intermediate transmission station; receive said units of programming at said intermediate transmission station;
communicate said selected a portion of said-units of programming to a storage location;store said selected a portion of said units of programming at said storage location; and alter said operating records stored at said intermediate transmission station to indicate at least one of reception and storage of said selected a portion of units of programming; and
subsequently transmitting said selected a portion of said-units of programming to said at least one subscriber station. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification