Signal processing apparatus and methods

• US RE47,867 E1
• Filed: 08/03/2018
• Issued: 02/18/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1981
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Personalized Media Communications, LLC
• Original Assignee: Personalized Media Communications, LLC
• Inventors: Harvey, John Christopher, Cuddihy, James William
• Primary Examiner(s): Worjloh, Jalatee
• Application Number:
  US16/053,853
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• CPC Class Codes: N/A

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 gathering information on use of a digital control signal at a receiver station, said receiver station having a plurality of inputs, a an instruction based processor controlled by operating instructions, and at least one controllable device, said receiver station transferring said gathered information to a geographically remote station, said method comprising the steps of:

identifying a digital control signal;

searching for said identified digital control signal in an input data stream received via electronic transmission comprising encrypted digitally encoded information based on said step of identifying;

passing said identified digital control signal from said instruction based processor to said at least one controllable device, said digital control signal operating said at least one controllable device, wherein a way, channel, and at least one controllable device of said passing is chosen based on said step of searching;

decrypting said encrypted digitally encoded information using at least one of a plurality of decryption techniques available at said receiver station, wherein a particular decryption technique is selected based on at least one signal received via electronic transmission from a location geographically remote from said receiver station, each said decryption technique for converting unintelligible digital information into machine readable, machine intelligible digital information;

and

communicating information on a use of said identified digital control signal, wherein said information on the use of said identified digital control signal comprises information on the passing of said identified digital control signal, from said receiver station to said geographically remote station.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said receiver station is a television receiver station, said television receiver station receiving signals including television programming information.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said digital control signal in said step of identifying is directed to an external device.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said external device is a storage device.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said external device is a switch.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein said external device is a building facilities operating device.

7. The method of claim 3 wherein said external device is a tuner.

8. The method of claim 3 wherein said external device is a computer.

9. The method of claim 3 wherein said external device is a recorder.

10. The method of claim 3 wherein said external device is a printer.

11. The method of claim 3 wherein said external device is a disk.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

generating a bill for the use of said digital control signal at said geographically remote station based on the identification and passing of said digital control signal at said receiver station.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

storing information on the passing of said identified digital control signal on a storage device at said receiver station before said step of communicating; and

delaying said step of communicating for a predetermined time.

14. A multimedia receiving apparatus for gathering information on use of signals comprising:

a plurality of input ports for receiving multimedia signals;

an output port;

a processor operatively connected to said plurality of input ports and said output port;

said processor programmed for;

identifying a signal from at least one of said plurality of input ports;

passing said signal from said processor to said output port, wherein a way the signal is passed from said output port is based on said step of identifying;

communicating information on a use of said identified signal, wherein the use of said identified signal comprises information of the passing of said identified signal based on said step of passing.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 98 wherein said instruction based processor is programmed for:

storing said information on the passing of said identified control and decrypted digital signal on a storage device before said step of communicating; and

delaying said step of communicating based on a predetermined condition.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said predetermined condition delay is calculated to reduce communication costs.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 98 wherein said instruction based processor is further programmed for communicating information from said apparatus to a remote data collection station using a telephone interface.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 98 where said output port is connected to an external device.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 98 wherein said output port is connected to an internal device.

20. A method for delivery of digitally encrypted informative materials in a communications network having a transmitter station and a plurality of receiver stations, each of said receiver stations having a display, a an instruction based processor controlled by operating instructions, a plurality of available decryption techniques, wherein a particular decryption technique is selected based on at least one signal received via electronic transmission from a location geographically remote from said receiver station, each said decryption technique for converting unintelligible digital information into machine readable, machine intelligible digital information, and a storage device, and a user, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving at each of said plurality of receiver stations from said communications network a television program;

receiving at each of said plurality of receiver stations from said communications network said digitally encrypted informative materials in an a digitally encoded transmission, said digitally encrypted informative materials that directly informs said user by providing information to form human intelligible content;

decoding said digitally encrypted informative materials in said digitally encoded transmission at each of said plurality of receiver stations;

storing said digitally encrypted informative materials from said step of decoding at said storage device at of each of said receiver stations;

decrypting at at least one of said plurality of receiver stations said digitally encrypted informative materials to form decrypted informative materials using at least one of a plurality of decryption techniques available at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations, wherein decrypting is based on an input by said user at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations;

recording the information on a use of said decrypted informative materials at each of said plurality of receiver stations based on said input; and

reporting the a record of said information on the use of said decrypted informative materials from said step of recording from each of said plurality of receiver stations to said transmitter station based on said input.

21. The method of claim 20 comprising the further steps of;

buffering the records of said information on the use of said decrypted informative materials at each of said plurality of receiver stations at said storage device in each of said plurality of receiver stations based on said input;

autodialing a modem from each of said plurality of receiver stations to said transmitter station in response to a buffer in said each of said storage device reaching a predetermined amount.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein said digitally encoded transmission is an encoded television signal.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein said digitally encoded transmission is an encoded carrier wave.

24. A method of gathering information on aggregate use of at least one of programming, data, equipment and a digital control signal at a receiver station, said receiver station having a an instruction based processor controlled by operating instructions, a digital memory, and a controlled device, wherein said instruction based processor is arranged to have its operating instructions reprogrammed via a communication channel operatively connected to a source geographically remote from said receiver station, wherein said communication channel carrying only digital information during transmission of said operating instructions for reprogramming, said receiver station transferring said gathered information to a remote station, said method comprising the steps of:

(1) identifying said at least one of programming, data, equipment and a digital control signal;

(2) monitoring aggregate use of said at least one of programming, data, equipment and a digital control signal at said receiver station;

(3) storing a record in said digital memory of the aggregate use of said at least one of programming, data, equipment and a digital control signal from said step of monitoring; and

(4) communicating information evidencing said aggregate use of said at least one of programming, data, equipment and a digital control signal from said step of storing a record from said receiver station to a geographically remote station using a communication channel carrying only digital information during said step of communicating.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

selecting information designating programming included in at least one of a broadcast and a cablecast television signal; and

communicating said selected information from said step of selecting to said geographically remote station.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

selecting information designating a function performed in respect of at least one of a broadcast and a cablecast digital data signal; and

communicating said selected information from said step of selecting to said geographically remote station.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step:

processing information designating a source of said at least one of said programming, data, equipment and said digital control signal; and

communicating said source information from said step of processing to said geographically remote station.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step:

processing information designating a time in respect of said at least one of said programming, data, equipment and said digital control signal; and

communicating said time information from said step of processing to said geographically remote station.

29. The method of claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

selecting information designating at least one of a plurality of digital control signals; and

communicating said selected information from said step of selecting to said geographically remote station.

30. The method of claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

selecting information designating at least one of a plurality of resources; and

communicating said selected information from said step of selecting to said geographically remote station.

31. The method of claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

selecting information designating at least one of a plurality of devices; and

communicating said selected information from said step of selecting to said geographically remote station.

32. The method of claim 24, wherein said communicated evidence information performs at least one of the functions of identifying and designating at least one of:

(1) a mass medium program;

(2) a proper use of programming;

(3) a transmission station;

(4) a receiver station;

(5) a network;

(6) a broadcast station;

(7) a channel on a cable system;

(8) a time of transmission;

(9) a unique identifier datum;

(10) a source or supplier of data;

(11) at least one of a distributor and an advertisement; and

(12) an indication of payment obligation.

33. The method of claim 24, wherein said method further comprises the step of:

storing at least one of a code and a datum which is operative to identify at least one of said programming, data, equipment and said digital control signal.

34. A method for gathering an identifying digital signal from a plurality of identifying digital signals generated by passing a digital control signal at a receiver station to at least one controlled device, said receiver station having an input and an output, a an instruction based processor controlled by operating instructions, and a digital storage device, wherein said instruction based processor is arranged to have its operating instructions reprogrammed via a communication channel operatively connected to a source geographically remote from said receiver station, wherein said communication channel carrying only digital information during transmission of said operating instructions for reprogramming, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a digital control signal at said receiver station originating from a geographically distant transmitting source;

detecting said digital control signal at said receiver station;

passing said digital control signal from a detector to said at least one controlled device, said digital control signal operating said controlled device;

generating based on said step of passing said digital control signal, a plurality of digital signals that identify characteristics of said digital control signal in said step of passing, based on the digital control signal'"'"'s content, wherein said instruction based processor performs said step of generating under control of said operating instructions;

selecting at least one identifying digital signal from said plurality of identifying digital signals based on said step of generating said identifying digital signals; and

storing said at least one identifying digital signal based on said step of selecting said at least one identifying digital signal in said digital storage device.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of communicating said stored at least one identifying digital signal based on said step of storing from said receiver station to an external data collection station using a communication channel carrying only digital information during said storing to said external data collection station.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of:

generating a bill for one of at and from said at least one remote data collection station based on said at least one identifying digital signal communicated to said external data collection station.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein said at least one identifying digital signal identifies a source of said digital control signal.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein said at least one identifying digital signal identifies a supplier of said digital control signal.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein said at least one identifying digital signal identifies a content of said digital control signal.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein said at least one identifying digital signal identifies one of a time and a period of time.

41. The method of claim 34, wherein said at least one identifying digital signal identifies a function performed at said receiver station in consequence of said digital control signal.

42. The method of claim 34, wherein said at least one identifying digital signal identifies programming outputted at said receiver station in consequence of said digital control signal.

43. The method of claim 34, wherein said at least one identifying digital signal identifies apparatus controlled at said receiver station in consequence of said digital control signal.

44. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of discarding at least one of said plurality of identifying digital signals.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said discarded at least one of said plurality of identifying digital signals includes a duplicate identifying digital signal.

46. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of generating includes creating said at least one identifying digital signal by appending digital information.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein said appended digital information includes a first of said plurality of digital signals that identify characteristics.

48. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of generating includes counting.

49. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of generating results in a digital record.

109. The method of claim 34, further comprising decrypting at least a portion of said digital control signal using at least one of a plurality of decryption techniques available at said receiver station, wherein a particular decryption technique is selected based on at least one signal received via electronic transmission from a location geographically remote from said receiver station, each said decryption technique for converting unintelligible digital information into machine readable, machine intelligible digital information.

50. A media receiving apparatus for gathering at least one identifying digital signal from a plurality of identifying digital signals comprising:

electronic input apparatus for receiving media signals originating from a geographically distant transmitting source;

an output port;

a digital storage device;

aan instruction based processor controlled by operating instructions operatively connected to said input apparatus, said output port, and said digital storage device, wherein said instruction based processor is arranged to have its operating instructions reprogrammed via a communication channel operatively connected to a source geographically remote from said media receiving apparatus, wherein said communication channel carrying only digital information during transmission of said operating instructions for reprogramming, said instruction based processor programmed for;

receiving a media signal from said input apparatus;

detecting a digital control signal from said media signal;

passing said digital control signal from said media signal, to said output port, said output port transferring said digital control signal to an external device, said digital control signal operating said external device;

generating said plurality of identifying digital signals that identify characteristics of said digital control signal from the step of passing said digital control signal;

selecting said at least one identifying digital signal from said plurality of identifying digital signals from said step of generating said plurality of identifying digital signals; and

storing said at least one identifying digital signal from said step of selecting at least one said identifying digital signal in said digital storage device.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, further comprising:

a telephone interface operatively connected to said instruction based processor;

said instruction based processor further programmed for;

communicating said at least one identifying digital signal from said digital storage device to an external data collection station with said telephone interface.

52. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said output port is connected to said external device.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein said external device is selected from a group consisting of:

a heater, an air conditioner, a radio receiver, a player, a computer, a storage device, a tuner, and a printer.

54. A method for tracking results of a comparison of digital control signals at a receiver station in a communications network, said network having at least one transmitter station and at least one receiver station, wherein said at least one transmitter station is geographically distant from said at least one receiver station, said at least one receiver station having at least one instruction based processor controlled by operating instuctions, at least one digital storage device, and at least one input device adapted to receive user input, wherein said instruction based processor is arranged to have its operating instructions reprogrammed via a communication channel operatively connected to a source geographically remote from said media receiving apparatus, wherein said communication channel carrying only digital information during transmission of said operating instructions for reprogramming, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving at said at least one input device at least one user input based on a request for user input;

storing said at least one user input at said at least one digital storage device;

receiving at said at least one receiver station at least one information transmission from said at least one transmitter station, said at least one information transmission including at least one processor instruction, said processor instruction comprising executable computer code that enables a an instruction based processor to execute a function under control of said operating instructions;

comparing said received at least one processor instruction with said stored at least one user input based on said received at least one information transmission;

authorizing processing at said at least one receiver station of said at least one processor instruction based on the result from said step of comparing; and

tracking a result of said step of comparing, by recording an indication of said result at said at least one digital storage device and an indication of processing said at least one processor instruction.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein said step of authorizing processing of said at least one processor instructions instruction employs an instruct to decrypt signal, wherein said instruct to decrypt signal invokes decrypting using at least one of a plurality of decryption techniques available at said receiver station, wherein a particular decryption technique is selected based on at least one signal received via electronic transmission from a location geographically remote from said receiver station, each said decryption technique for converting unintelligible digital information into machine readable, machine intelligible digital information.

56. A method of processing digital signals at a receiver station having a computer, a programmable controller, and an output device, said computer being programmed to store user data and communicate information based on said stored user data, said programmable controller being programmed to control said receiver station in response to processor code from a geographically remote supplier via electronic transmission, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) storing user data in digital memory of said computer at said receiver station;

(a)(b) receiving processor code from said geographically remote supplier via electronic transmission, said step of receiving processor code occurring after said step of storing user data;

(b)(c) detecting said processor code;

(c)(d) passing a portion of said processor code selectively to a first apparatus;

(d)(e) executing a portion of said processor code at said programmable controller;

(e)(f) controlling said computer in accordance with said processor code based on said stored user data;

and

(f)(g) storing information evidencing the step of passing a portion of said processor code selectively to a first apparatus and evidencing execution of a function performed by or initiated by said first apparatus in consequence of processor code having been passed selectively to said first apparatus; and

(h) displaying human intelligible information unique to a user based on said stored user data, wherein said step of displaying is based on said step of controlling.

57. A method of processing digital signals at a receiver station, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving an information transmission at a receiver station, said information transmission including television programming and a plurality of embedded and encrypted digital signals;

detecting and identifying at least one of said plurality of embedded and encrypted digital signals in said information transmission;

decrypting said at least one identified embedded and encrypted digital signal to form at least one identified embedded digital signal using at least one of a plurality of decryption techniques available at said receiver station, wherein a particular decryption technique is selected based on at least one signal received via electronic transmission from a location geographically remote from said receiver station, each said decryption technique for converting unintelligible digital information into machine readable, machine intelligible digital information;

selecting a controllable receiver station apparatus based on information within said at least one identified embedded digital signal;

passing said at least one identified embedded digital signal to or within at least one reprogrammable device at said receiver station;

controlling said controllable receiver station apparatus based on executable processor code within said at least one identified embedded digital signal;

and

monitoring information evidencing said step of controlling by storing information evidencing said step of passing and information evidencing said step of controlling; and

displaying human intelligible information based on at least a portion of said at least one identified embedded digital signal.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein said step of storing comprises storing some information that evidences a function performed by or initiated by said controllable receiver station apparatus in consequence of said at least one identified embedded digital signal having been passed to said receiver station apparatus.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein said stored information evidences at least one from the group consisting of:

(a) an output at said receiver station;

(b) a result of processing performed by said receiver station apparatus;

(c) an identification of some programming processed by said receiver station apparatus;

(d) a time or date of some function performed by said receiver station apparatus;

(e) an input received by said controllable receiver station apparatus;

(f) a source of input to said controllable receiver station apparatus;

(g) a device controlled by said controllable receiver station apparatus;

(h) a step of decrypting or otherwise enabling a presentation;

(i) an output device of said receiver station; and

(j) a time or date of an output at said receiver station.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein said at least one identified embedded digital signal instructs the receiver station to execute a conditional operation of a command signal, said method further comprising the steps of:

determining on the basis of stored information that said command signal is present; and

executing said conditional operation.

61. The method of claim 60, further comprising the steps of:

storing information evidencing a passing of a second of said at least one identified embedded digital signal to a an instruction based processor controlled by operating instructions; and

storing information evidencing a function performed by or initiated by at least one of a first of said at least one identified embedded digital signal and said second of said at least one identified embedded digital signal.

62. The method of claim 57, wherein at least one identified embedded digital signal instructs the receiver station to perform a function in response to a command signal, said function selected from the group consisting of:

(a) controlling a tuner to tune to a selected programming, data, or command signal transmission;

(b) controlling a switch or transmission device to communicate programming, data, or a command signal from a selected input source to a selected output source;

(c) controlling a decryptor, descrambler, or enabling device to decrypt, descramble, or enable selected information or to decrypt, descramble, or enable information in consequence of a selected command signal;

(d) controlling an output device to prepare to output selected programming or data; and

(e) controlling a an instruction based processor controlled by operating instructions, controller, or computer to respond to one or more selected command signals or instructions or to process one or more selected data.

63. The method of claim 57, wherein the receiver station identifies a plurality of embedded digital signals each of which designates the availability of at least one unit of data, programming, or command signals, said method further comprising the steps of:

passing each identified embedded digital signal to a receiver station apparatus that selects data, programming or command signals of interest to a viewer, listener, or user;

controlling said controllable receiver station apparatus to select at least one or more units of data, programming, or command signals in response to at least a first identified embedded digital signal; and

storing some information that evidences the selection of a particular unit of data, programming, or command signals or of a particular carrier transmission, with said particular unit or particular carrier transmission being selected in consequence of an identified embedded digital signal.

64. The method of claim 63, including the additional step of:

storing in consequence of each identified embedded digital signal, information that evidences the availability of some data or programming at said receiver station or receiving of a particular information transmission.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein said stored information evidences at least one from the group consisting of:

(a) an origin of a transmission;

(b) a subject matter of some information included in transmission;

(c) an identification of some programming included in a transmission;

(d) a time or date that a transmission is transmitted or received;

(e) a supplier or owner of some programming included in a transmission;

(f) a step of processing or controlling performed at a transmission station that communicates signals to said receiver station;

(g) some programming that is not processed by or outputted at said receiver station;

(h) an input received by said receiver station; and

(i) a source of input to or at said receiver station.

66. The method of claim 57, wherein the receiver station stores some information that evidences a second passing of said at least one identified embedded digital signal.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein a storage device stores data, programming, or one or more control signals and the evidence of said second passing is selected from the group consisting of:

(a) two or more sources of an embedded digital signal, with at least one of said sources designating a storage device; and

(b) two or more different times designating an embedded digital signal, with at least one of said times designating time shifting.

68. The method of claim 57, wherein a viewer, listener, or user inputs a command signal or wherein said step of storing includes storing some information that evidences a function performed by or initiated by a user at said station, with said step of storing being in consequence of said at least one identified embedded digital signal having been passed to the first selected apparatus.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein said information that evidences a function is selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a purchase made by a viewer, listener, or user;

(b) the identity or the presence of someone at said receiver station;

(c) a reaction of a user to an output;

(d) programming presented to a user or at said station in response to an input; and

(e) decrypting or otherwise enabling of a presentation authorized at said receiver station.

70. The method of claim 57, wherein:

said step of detecting and identifying comprises the steps of;

detecting digital information in the information transmission; and

identifying a digital signal in the digital information;

said step of passing comprises at least one of the steps of;

passing information in the digital signal; and

passing one or more preprogrammed data in response to said digital signal information;

said step of controlling is selected from the group consisting of;

(a) causing said controllable receiver station apparatus to respond to passed information; and

(b) causing said controllable receiver station apparatus to respond to said passed data; and

said step of storing comprises the steps of;

selecting some information in one of said digital signal and a second digital signal; and

storing said selected information.

71. The method of claim 57, wherein said receiver station communicates evidence information to a remote data collection station, said remote station being a billing or monitoring station or a station that collects information communicated in a signal transmission, said method further including a step selected from the group consisting of:

(a) discarding some evidence information detected in a signal transmission at a time when said receiver station is not communicating evidence information to said remote station;

(b) selecting at least one or a plurality of remote stations to communicate information to;

(c) initiating communication with a remote station; and

(d) causing a remote station to process information detected at said receiver station.

72. The method of claim 57, wherein a an instruction based processor controlled by operating instructions assembles the evidence information into a digital signal record, said method further having at least one step selected from the group consisting of:

(a) discarding some stored evidence information;

(b) modifying a time datum in a digital signal record in response to evidence information;

(c) initiating a digital signal record in response to evidence information;

(d) selecting a stored datum of evidence in response to information detected in a signal transmission;

(e) selecting an evidence datum to store in a digital signal record; and

(f) communicating evidence information to a remote station based on a precondition or communicating evidence information to a memory location that stores digital signal records.

73. The method of claim 57, wherein a an instruction based processor controlled by operating instructions assembles the evidence information into a digital signal record or communicates evidence information to a remote station and said at least one identified embedded digital signal includes a record assembly or communication instruction, said method further comprising the steps of:

passing said record assembly or communication instruction to said instruction based processor.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein said instruction based processor is said selected receiver station apparatus and the passing of the said at least one identified embedded digital signal is evidenced in the assembled or communicated evidence information.

75. The method of claim 57, wherein a plurality of receiver station apparatus communicate evidence information to a an instruction based processor controlled by operating instructions that assembles evidence information into a digital signal record, said method further comprising the steps of:

(a) buffering evidence information communicated from said plurality of apparatus;

(b) identifying specific ones of said plurality of apparatus as sources of specific data of said communicated evidence information;

(c) causing one or more of said receiver station apparatus to communicate evidence information in response to a control signal or to an embedded digital signal;

(d) outputting a control signal to a controlled device and evidence information to the instruction based processor in response to said at least one identified embedded digital signal; and

(e) controlling one or more of said receiver station apparatus as to a fashion of receiving, detecting, or identifying embedded digital signals or evidence information.

76. The method of claim 57, wherein said receiver station further comprises a data collection device for collecting stored evidence information, said method further comprising the step of:

causing a an instruction based processor controlled by operating instructions, controller, or computer to pass stored evidence information to said data collection device in response to said at least one identified embedded digital signal.

77. The method of claim 57, wherein said receiver station comprises a memory location for storing some information of programming availability and said selected receiver station apparatus comprises a an instruction based processor controlled by operating instructions or computer for selecting programming to receive, store, process, or present to a subscriber, wherein:

said step of detecting and identifying further comprises the steps of;

(1) detecting a digital signal including information of programming availability;

(2) identifying the information of programming availability;

said step of passing further comprises the step of;

passing the information of programming availability to the instruction based processor or computer; and

said step of controlling further comprises the step of;

causing the instruction based processor or computer to select available programming.

78. The method of claim 57, wherein said receiver station comprises an output device and said selected receiver station apparatus comprises a computer, wherein:

said step of passing comprises the step of passing an instruct-to-output signal to the computer;

said step of controlling comprises the step of causing the computer to output information stored in the computer'"'"'s memory to said output device.

79. The method of claim 57, wherein said selected receiver station apparatus includes a computer wherein:

said step of detecting and identifying comprises the step of detecting and identifying an instruct-to-generate signal;

said step of passing comprises the step of passing said instruct-to-generate signal to said computer; and

said step of controlling comprises the step of causing the computer to process information stored in the computer'"'"'s memory in response to the instruct-to-generate signal and thereby generate one or more receiver specific data.

80. A method of collecting and reporting the electronic distribution of data programming material in a communications network having a transmitter station and a receiver station, wherein said transmitter station is geographically distant from said receiver station, said transmitter station having an electronic input device for inputting a command, a an instruction based processor controlled by operating instructions for distributing said data programming material and collecting billing records and a digital storage device to store said data programming material, said receiver station having apparatus to receive said billing records, said method comprising the steps of:

inputting a command at said electronic input device at said transmitter station;

receiving digitally encrypted data programming material at said transmitter station via electronic transmission from a location geographically remote from said transmitter station;

decrypting said digitally encrypted data programming material using at least one of a plurality of decryption techniques available at said transmitter station to form said data programming material, wherein a particular decryption technique is selected based on at least one signal received via electronic transmission from a location geographically remote from said transmitter station, each said decryption technique for converting unintelligible digital information into machine readable, machine intelligible digital information;

storing said data programming material in said digital storage device;

distributing said data programming material from said digital storage device at said transmitter station in response to said command from said step of inputting a command;

creating a billing record comprising user specific data at said transmitter station to evidence use of said data programming material at said transmitter station, said billing record evidencing how said data programming material is used by a subscriber;

transmitting said billing record from said step of creating a billing record to said receiver station over a data network carrying only digital information during said step of transmitting; and

receiving said billing record from said step of transmitting said billing record at said receiver station from said data network.

81. The method of claim 80, comprising the further steps of:

storing said billing record from said step of creating a billing record at said transmitter station to accumulate a plurality of billing records; and

transmitting said plurality of billing records in response to said accumulated plurality of billing records reaching a predetermined amount.

82. The method of claim 80, comprising the further steps of:

autodialing said receiver station from said transmitter station to establish a datalink between said receiver station and said transmitter station in response to said step of transmitting said billing record.

83. The method of claim 80, comprising the further step of:

establishing a datalink from said receiver station to said transmitter station in response to a signal at said receiver station.

84. The method of claim 80, wherein said data programming material includes computer programming material.

85. The method of claim 80, wherein said data programming material is distributed based on an obligation to pay and said billing record reflects electronic distribution of said data programming material.

86. The method of claim 80, wherein said data programming material includes television programming.

87. The method of claim 80, wherein said communication network comprises a telephone communications network.

88. The method of claim 80, comprising the further step of:

generating a bill at said receiver station in response to said step of receiving said billing record.

110. The method of claim 80, wherein said instruction based processor is arranged to have its operating instructions reprogrammed via a communication channel operatively connected to a source geographically remote from said transmitter station, wherein said communication channel carrying only digital information during transmission of said operating instructions for reprogramming.

111. The method of claim 80, wherein said transmitter station stores a unique identifier, wherein said billing record comprises said unique identifier.

112. The method of claim 80, wherein said encrypted digitally encoded information comprises mass media content.

113. The method of claim 112, wherein said encrypted digitally encoded information further comprises instructions that control how said mass media content is presented.

89. A method for collecting and reporting the electronic distribution of programming material in a communication network having a transmitter station and a plurality of receiver stations, said transmitter station having apparatus to collect data from said plurality of receiver stations, each at least one of said plurality of receiver stations having a an instruction based processor controlled by operating instructions for detecting identification signals and establishing local use of said programming material and a storage device to record said local use of said programming material, wherein said instruction based processor is arranged to have its operating instructions reprogrammed via a communication channel operatively connected to a source geographically remote from said receiver station, wherein said communication channel carrying only digital information during transmission of said operating instructions for reprogramming, wherein said each at least one of said plurality of receiver stations stores a unique identifier, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting programming material from said transmitter station to a plurality of receiver stations;

transmitting identification signals that correspond to said programming material transmitted in said step of transmitting programming material; and

receiving automatically from each of said plurality of receiver stations using a communication channel carrying only digital information during said step of receiving, after local use at said plurality of receiver stations of said programming material transmitted in said step of transmitting programming material, data that reflect local use of said programming material,

wherein said data include at least a portion of said program identification signals, said unique identifier, and time information evidencing when the programming was used.

90. The method of claim 89, comprising the further step of:

generating a bill at said transmitter station to reflect the use of said transmitted programming material at at least one of said plurality of receiver stations.

91. The method of claim 89, wherein said step of receiving is from a telephone communication network.

92. The method of claim 89, wherein at least a portion of said programming material is distributed based on an obligation to pay.

93. The method of claim 89, wherein at least one of said identification signals in said step of transmitting identification signals is embedded into said programming material from said step of transmitting programming material.

94. The method of claim 89, wherein at least one of said identification signals is encoded on a radio frequency carrier, said radio frequency carrier transmitted concurrently with said programming material from said step of transmitting program material.

95. The method of claim 89, wherein at least one of said identification signals is encoded on a television frequency carrier, said television frequency carrier transmitted concurrently with said programming material from said step of transmitting programming material.

96. A method of processing signals at a receiver station, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving an information transmission at a receiver station, said information transmission including television programming and a plurality of embedded and encrypted digital signals;

detecting and identifying at least one of said plurality of embedded and encrypted digital signals in said information transmission;

decrypting said at least one identified embedded and encrypted digital signal to form at least one identified embedded digital signal using at least one of a plurality of decryption techniques available at said receiver station, wherein a particular decryption technique is selected based on at least one signal received via electronic transmission from a location geographically remote from said receiver station, each said decryption technique for converting unintelligible digital information into machine readable, machine intelligible digital information;

selecting a controllable receiver station apparatus based on information within said at least one identified embedded digital signal;

passing said at least one identified embedded digital signal to or within at least one reprogrammable device at said receiver station;

controlling said controllable receiver station apparatus based on instructions within said at least one identified embedded digital signal; and

storing information evidencing said step of controlling,

wherein the receiver station stores some information that evidences a second passing of said at least one identified embedded digital signal, and

wherein a digital storage device stores data, programming, or one or more digital control signals and the evidence of said second passing is selected from the group consisting of;

(a) two or more sources of an embedded digital signal, with at least one of said sources designating a digital storage device; and

(b) two or more different times designating an embedded digital signal, with at least one of said times designating time shifting.

97. A method of collecting and reporting the electronic distribution of data programming material in a communications network having a transmitter station and a receiver station, wherein said transmitter station is geographically distant from said receiver station, said transmitter station having an electronic input device for inputting a command, a an instruction based processor controlled by operating instructions for distributing said data programming material and collecting billing records and a digital storage device to store said data programming material, said receiver station having apparatus to receive said billing records, said method comprising the steps of:

inputting a command at said electronic input device at said transmitter station;

receiving digitally encrypted data programming material at said transmitter station via electronic transmission from a location geographically remote from said transmitter station;

decrypting said digitally encrypted data programming material using at least one of a plurality of decryption techniques available at said transmitter station to form said data programming material, wherein a particular decryption technique is selected based on at least one signal received via electronic transmission from a location geographically remote from said transmitter station, each said decryption technique for converting unintelligible digital information into machine readable, machine intelligible digital information;

storing said data programming material in said digital storage device;

distributing said data programming material from said digital storage device at said transmitter station in response to said command from said step of inputting a command;

creating a billing record at said transmitter station to evidence use of said data programming material at said transmitter station;

transmitting said billing record from said step of creating a billing record to said receiver station over a data network carrying only digital information during said step of transmitting;

receiving said billing record from said step of transmitting said billing record at said receiver station from said data network;

storing said billing record from said step of creating a billing record at said transmitter station to accumulate a plurality of billing records; and

transmitting said plurality of billing records in response to said accumulated plurality of billing records reaching a predetermined amount.

98. A multimedia receiving apparatus for gathering information on use of signals comprising:

a plurality of input ports for receiving multimedia signals;

an output port;

an instruction based processor controlled by operating instructions operatively connected to said plurality of input ports and said output port;

said instruction based processor programmed for;

decrypting an encrypted digital signal received at said multimedia receiving apparatus via electronic transmission from a geographically remote location, wherein said step of decrypting forming a digital signal using at least one of a plurality of decryption techniques available at said multimedia receiving apparatus, wherein a particular decryption technique is selected based on at least one signal received via electronic transmission from a location geographically remote from said multimedia receiving apparatus, each said decryption technique for converting unintelligible digital information into machine readable, machine intelligible digital information;

identifying said digital signal from at least one of said plurality of input ports;

passing said digital signal from said instruction based processor to said output port, wherein a way the digital signal is passed from said output port is based on said step of identifying; and

communicating information on a use of said identified digital signal, wherein said information on the use of said identified digital signal comprises information of the passing of said identified digital signal based on said step of passing.

99. The method of claim 98, wherein said instruction based processor is arranged to have its operating instructions reprogrammed via a communication channel operatively connected to a source geographically remote from said multimedia receiving apparatus, wherein said communication channel carrying only digital information during transmission of said operating instructions for reprogramming.

100. The method of claim 98, wherein said electronic transmission uses a microwave frequency to carry said encrypted digital signal.

101. The method of claim 98, wherein said encrypted digital signal and said at least one signal are received from different sources.

102. The method of claim 98, wherein said multimedia receiving apparatus stores a unique identifier, wherein said information on the use comprises said unique identifier.

103. The method of claim 98, wherein said encrypted digital signal comprises mass media content.

104. The method of claim 103, wherein said encrypted digital signal further comprises instructions that control how said mass media content is presented.

105. The method of claim 98, further comprising a second instruction based processor, wherein said instruction based processor and second instruction based processor are different types of instruction based processors.

106. The method of claim 98, wherein said encrypted digital signal comprises at least one of computer instructions and data.

107. The method of claim 98, wherein said instruction based processor is arranged to have its operating instructions reprogrammed via a communication channel operatively connected to a source geographically remote from said multimedia receiving apparatus, wherein said communication channel carrying only digital information during transmission of said operating instructions for reprogramming, wherein said multimedia receiving apparatus stores a unique identifier, wherein said information on the use comprises said unique identifier, and wherein said encrypted digital signal comprises mass media content.

108. The method of claim 107, wherein said electronic transmission uses a microwave frequency to carry said encrypted digital signal.