Signal processing apparatus and methods

• US RE47,968 E1
• Filed: 11/08/2018
• Issued: 04/28/2020
• 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:
  US16/183,795
• Time in Patent Office: 537 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. An apparatus for promoting and delivering digitally encoded programming at a television receiver station comprising:

a first receiver section for receiving a promotional television program at said television receiver station, said promotional television program promoting said digitally encoded programming, said digitally encoded programming being related to said promotional television program;

a television display operatively connected to said television receiver station for displaying said promotional television program;

aan instruction based processor operatively connected to said television receiver station for receiving a signal used to decrypt said digitally encoded programming using a particular decryption technique, said signal including information identifying said particular decryption technique, wherein said particular decryption technique is identified from a defined set of decryption techniques that comprise a plurality of decryption techniques available at said television receiver station, said signal received via electronic transmission and originated from a location geographically remote from said television receiver station, each said decryption technique for converting unintelligible digital information into machine readable, machine intelligible digital information, wherein said instruction based processor operating on said signal according to one or more instructions under control of operating instructions stored at said television receiver station, said television receiver station arranged for reprogramming said operating instructions by operatively connecting to a source located geographically remote from said television receiver station using a communication channel carrying only digitally encoded data during communication of operating instruction reprogramming information, and for receiving a television viewer response to said promotional television program;

a second receiver section operatively connected to said instruction based processor for receiving said promotional television program in encrypted form; and

a storage device operatively connected to said instruction based processor for storing said viewer response and said signal used to decrypt said digitally encoded programming using a particular decryption technique identified by said information included in said signal, said instruction based processor authorizing in response to said viewer response decryption and presentation of said digitally encoded programming related to said promotional television program.

2. A method for mass medium programming promotion and delivery for use with an interactive video viewing apparatus comprising the steps of:

receiving a first portion of said mass medium programming in a first programming signal, said first portion of mass medium programming including a video image that promotes a second portion of said mass medium programming;

displaying said video image, said interactive video viewing apparatus having an input device to receive input from a subscriber;

prompting said subscriber for a reply, during said step of displaying said video image, as to whether said subscriber wants said second portion of said mass medium programming promoted in said step of displaying of said video image, said interactive video viewing apparatus having a transmitter for communicating said reply to a remote site;

receiving said reply from said subscriber at said input device in response to said step of prompting said subscriber, said interactive video viewing apparatus having a processor for processing said reply;

processing said reply and selecting at least one of a code and a datum designating said second portion of said mass medium programming to authorize delivery of said second portion of said mass medium programming;

communicating said selected at least one of a code and a datum to a remote site;

receiving said second portion of said mass medium programming in a second programming signal;

decrypting said second portion of said mass medium programming by using said at least one of a code and a datum in response to said step of processing said reply; and

delivering said mass medium programming to an output device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said output device outputs at least one of audio, hard copy, and television, said method further comprising the steps of:

delivering instructions to said processor; and

communicating said delivered mass medium programming to said output device in accordance with said delivered instructions.

4. The method of claim 2 56, wherein said at least one of a said code and a said datum is embedded in the non-visible portion of a television signal and said step of prompting comprises emitting audio which performs at least one of offering and describing said second portion of said mass medium programming.

5. The method of claim 2 56, wherein said mass medium programming is delivered in a multichannel signal transmitted by one of a remote cable video image transmitter station and a satellite video image transmitter station, said method further comprising the step of tuning a converter to receive at least one instruction.

6. The method of claim 2 56, wherein evidence information evidences at least one of the availability and use of at least one of said video image and said mass medium programming, said evidence information being at least one of stored and communicated to a remote data collection station, said method further comprising the step of selecting said evidence information that at least one of identifies and designates at least one of:

(1) a mass medium program;

(2) a use of data;

(3) a transmission station;

(4) a network;

(5) a broadcast station;

(6) a channel on a cable system;

(7) a time of transmission;

(8) a unique identifier datum;

(9) a source of data;

(10) a supplier of data;

(11) a distributor; and

(12) an advertisement.

7. The method of claim 2 56, further comprising the steps of:

communicating code incorporated in an instruction to said instruction based processor, and performing, on the basis of said code, at least one of;

(1) receiving a signal including said second portion of said mass medium programming;

(2) actuating at least one of a video output device, audio output device, and print output device to output in human intelligible form said second portion of said mass medium programming in a specific way;

(3) decrypting at least a portion of said mass medium programming;

(4) controlling a selective transmission device to communicate selected specific output to said output device, wherein said output device outputs human intelligible content;

(5) generating a receiver specific datum to present with said mass medium programming; and

(6) delivering a receiver specific datum at said interactive video viewing apparatus which functions at least one of simultaneously and sequentially with said mass medium programming.

8. The method of claim 2 56, said method further comprising the step of:

embedding an identifier in said video image that enables said interactive video viewing apparatus to process said second portion of said mass medium programming.

9. The method claim 2, wherein said interactive video viewing apparatus comprises a microcomputer.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein a storage device is operatively connected to said output device, said method further comprising the step of:

storing said mass medium programming at said storage device.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein a storage device is operatively connected to said processor, said method further comprising the step of:

storing, at said storage device, an instruct signal which is effective to process a subscriber reaction to a content of an information transmission which includes said mass medium programming.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of:

storing, at said storage device, an instruct signal which is effective to establish communications with a remote station.

13. The method of claim 2, wherein a storage device is operatively connected to said processor, said method further comprising the step of:

storing, at said storage device, a signal which is effective to control said interactive video viewing apparatus to receive information to at least one of supplement said video image and to process said mass medium programming.

14. The method of claim 13 62, wherein said instruction based processor is operatively connected to said output device, said method further comprising the step of:

storing, at said storage device, at least one of a code and a datum to serve as a basis for enabling said output device to output programming in human intelligible form.

15. A method for selectively outputting digital information at a receiver station in response to a viewer response synchronized with a television solicitation, said receiver station having a processor plurality of instruction processors, a storage device, a television display, a decrypter and a an electronic viewer input device, each of said plurality of instruction based processors operating on digital data according to one or more instructions under control of operating instructions stored at said receiver station, said receiver station arranged for reprogramming said operating instructions by operatively connecting to a source located geographically remote from said receiver station using a communication channel carrying only digitally encoded data during communication of operating instruction reprogramming information, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving first information transmission at said receiver station, said first information transmission including a television signal and a control signal;

selecting said television signal from said first information transmission;

displaying a television program on said television display from said television signal;

receiving a viewer response at said electronic viewer input device in response to and coordinated with a solicitation in said television program;

processing said viewer response to identify whether said viewer response is affirmative to said television program solicitation from said step of receiving a viewer response;

transferring a digital code to said decrypter if said viewer response is affirmative, said decrypter using a particular decryption technique, wherein said particular decryption technique is identified from a defined set of decryption techniques that comprise a plurality of decryption techniques available at said receiver station based on at least one signal received via electronic transmission and originated 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;

receiving a second encrypted digital information transmission including said digital information at said receiver station;

controlling said decrypter to decrypt said second encrypted digital information transmission using said digital code and said particular decryption technique to generate said digital information; and

controlling a programming output device to output in human intelligible form said digital information on the basis of said control signal if said viewer response is affirmative, said digital information being related to said television program.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said receiver station has a plurality of output devices, said method further comprising the steps of:

controlling a selective transmission device to communicate said digital information to a specific at least one of said plurality of output devices, wherein each of said plurality of output devices outputs human intelligible content;

communicating to a remote station at least one of;

(1) an order for said digital information;

(2) a datum designating delivery of said digital information; and

(3) some usage data regarding some functioning of said receiver station in respect of at least one of said digital information and said viewer response; and

billing for delivery of said digital information on the basis of information communicated to said remote station.

64. The method of claim 15, wherein said digital code is digitally encrypted, said method further comprising the steps of:

decrypting said digital code using one of said plurality of decryption techniques at said receiver station.

17. A method for selectively receiving information at a receiver station in response to a user reply synchronized with a television program solicitation, said receiver station having a processor plurality of instruction based processors, a storage device, a television display, a decrypter and a an electronic user input device, each of said plurality of instruction based processors operating on digital data according to one or more instructions under control of operating instructions stored at said receiver station, said receiver station arranged for reprogramming said operating instructions by operatively connecting to a source located geographically remote from said receiver station using a communication channel carrying only digitally encoded data during communication of operating instruction reprogramming information, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a multichannel transmission at a receiver station;

selecting a television channel from said multichannel transmission in said step of receiving;

displaying a television program on said television display from said television channel in said step of selecting;

receiving said user reply at said electronic user input device in response to and coordinated with a solicitation in said television program in said step of displaying;

processing, at said receiver station, said user reply from said step of receiving said user reply to identify whether said user reply is affirmative to said television program solicitation;

passing a digital code to said decrypter in response to said step of processing said user reply, said decrypter using a particular decryption technique, wherein said particular decryption technique is identified from a defined set of decryption techniques that comprise a plurality of decryption techniques available at said receiver station based on at least one signal received via electronic transmission and originated 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 an encrypted digital information portion of said multichannel transmission in response to said step of processing said user reply, said digital information portion being related to said television program; and

processing said encrypted digital information portion of said multichannel transmission to decrypt said encrypted digital information portion of said multichannel transmission by using said digital code and at least one of said plurality of decryption techniques available at said receiver station.

18. A method for data promotion and delivery for use with an interactive mass medium programming output apparatus comprising the steps of:

receiving mass medium programming in a first programming signal, said mass medium programming including information that promotes data;

outputting mass medium programming including said information that promotes data, said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus having an input device to receive input from a user;

prompting said user during said mass medium programming whether said user wants said data promoted in said step of outputting, said data being related to said mass medium programming, said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus having a transmitter for communicating user information to a remote site;

receiving a reply from said user at said input device in response to said step of prompting said user, said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus having a processor for processing at least one of said reply and said data;

processing said reply from said step of receiving said reply and selecting at least one of a code and a datum designating said data;

communicating said selected at least one of a code and a datum to a remote site;

passing a signal word to said processor in response to said step of processing said reply;

receiving a second programming signal including said data in encrypted form;

decrypting said data by using information included in said signal word; and

delivering said data to said processor.

19. The method of claim 1865, wherein said selected at least one of a said digital code and a said datum identifies said digital data, said method further comprising the step of:

billing for delivery of said digital data.

20. The method of claim 18 65, wherein said digital data are embedded in the non-visible portion of a television signal, said method further comprising the steps of:

receiving said television signal;

inputting at least some of said received television signal to a detector; and

detecting said digital data in said received television signal.

21. The method of claim 18 65, wherein evidence information evidences at least one of the availability and use of at least one of said mass medium programming and said digital data, said evidence information being at least one of stored and communicated to a remote data collection station, said method further comprising the step of selecting said evidence information that at least one of identifies and designates at least one of:

(1) a mass medium program;

(2) a use of data;

(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 of data;

(11) a payment obligation;

(12) a supplier of data;

(14) a distributor; and

(15) an advertisement.

22. The method of claim 18 65, further comprising the steps of:

receiving at least one bit of data that at least one of a) designates at least one of a time of transmission and a channel of transmission of at least one of said mass medium programming and said digital data and b) specifies at least one of a title and subject matter of at least one of said mass medium programming and said digital data; and

subsequently receiving at least one of said mass medium programming and said digital data on the basis of said at least one bit of data.

23. The method of claim 18 65, wherein said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus receives processor code, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating said processor code to said instruction based processor; and

performing, as a result of execution of said processor code at said instruction based processor, at least one action selected from the group consisting of;

(1) receiving a signal including said digital data;

(2) actuating at least one of a video, audio, and print output device to output said digital data;

(3) decrypting at least a portion of said digital data;

(4) controlling a selective transfer device to communicate a selected specific output to a selected specific output device;

(5) generating a receiver specific datum to present with said digital data; and

delivering a receiver specific datum at said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus at least one of simultaneously and sequentially with at least one of said mass medium programming and said digital data.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus comprises a microcomputer.

46. The method of claim 18 65 wherein said remote site is included in a said computer network having a plurality of transmitter stations, and further comprising the step of:

assembling, in said computer network, at least a portion of at least one processor instruction, said at least one processor instruction being effective at said interactive mass medium program programming output apparatus to deliver said designated digital data, said interactive mass medium program programming output apparatus having a receiver for receiving said at least a portion of said at least one processor instruction from said remote site.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein at least a portion of said processor instruction is embedded in the non-visible portion of a television signal.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein said digital data is received at said interactive mass medium program programming output apparatus in a digital data portion of a multichannel signal, said method further comprising the step of:

decoding said digital data portion of said multichannel signal in response to said step of processing, said digital data portion of said multichannel signal being found outside at least one of the viewable and audible portion of said mass medium program.

25. An interactive television receiver station apparatus for accepting user input in response to a television program, said receiver station apparatus acting upon said user input to authorize delivery of a product or service at a receiver station, said receiver station apparatus comprising:

a first receiver for receiving a television signal, said television signal having a promotional television program;

aan instruction based signal processor operatively connected to said first receiver for receiving said user input in response to said promotional television program and for selecting a first digital code or datum and a second digital code or datum received by said first receiver, said first digital code or datum authorizing delivery of at least one of a product and a service related to said television program, said second digital code or datum designating said at least one of asaid product and athe service promoted in said promotional television program, said instruction based signal processor operating on digital data according to one or more instructions under control of operating instructions stored at said interactive television receiver station apparatus, said interactive television receiver station apparatus arranged for reprogramming said operating instructions by operatively connecting to a source located geographically remote from said interactive television receiver station apparatus using a communication channel carrying only digitally encoded data during communication of operating instruction reprogramming information;

a television display operatively connected to said instruction based signal processor, said television display outputting said promotional television program at said receiver station;

a second receiver operatively connected to said instruction based signal processor for receiving encrypted digital information of said at least one of a said product and a said service, said instruction based signal processor authorizing the decryption using a particular decryption technique and delivery of said designated at least one of a said product and a said service by passing information of said first digital code or datum to a decrypter for use in decrypting said encrypted digital information based on said user input, said particular decryption technique identified from a defined set of decryption techniques that comprise a plurality of decryption techniques available at said interactive television receiver station apparatus based on at least one signal received via electronic transmission and originated from a location geographically remote from said interactive television receiver station apparatus, each said decryption technique for converting unintelligible digital information into machine readable, machine intelligible digital information.

26. A method for promoting and delivering at least one of a product and a service for use with an interactive television viewing apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a television program in a first programming signal, said television program describing said at least one of a said product and a said service which is related to said television program;

displaying said television program that describes said at least one of a said product and a said service, said interactive television viewing apparatus having an electronic input device to receive input from a user;

offering said at least one of a said product and a said service on condition of a user input, said interactive television viewing apparatus having a transmitter for communicating user information to a remote site;

receiving said user input at said electronic input device, said interactive television viewing apparatus having a processor plurality of instruction based processors for processing said user input, each of said plurality of instruction based processors operating on digital data according to one or more instructions under control of operating instructions stored at said interactive television viewing apparatus, said interactive television viewing apparatus arranged for reprogramming said operating instructions by operatively connecting to a source located geographically remote from said interactive television viewing apparatus using a communication channel carrying only digitally encoded data during communication of operating instruction reprogramming information;

processing said user input and selecting a first code designating said at least one of a said product and a said service and a second code designating delivery of said at least one of a said product and a said service;

communicating at least one of said first code and said second code to said remote site;

passing an a digital encryption code received in said first programming signal to a an instruction based processor in response to said step of processing said user input;

receiving encrypted digital information of said at least one of a said product and a said service in a second programming signal;

decrypting said encrypted digital information with said digital encryption code using a particular decryption technique identified from a defined set of decryption techniques that comprise a plurality of decryption techniques available at said interactive television viewing apparatus based on at least one signal received via electronic transmission and originated from a location geographically remote from said interactive television viewing apparatus, each said decryption technique for converting unintelligible digital information into machine readable, machine intelligible digital information; and

delivering said at least one of a said product and a said service to said user.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said at least one of a said product and a said service is delivered at said interactive television viewing apparatus, said method further comprising the steps of:

detecting instructions which are effective to deliver said at least one of a said product and a said service; and

outputting in human intelligible form said at least one of a said product and a said service on the basis of said instructions.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein said interactive television viewing apparatus has a plurality of output devices and said at least one of a said product and a said service is delivered at a specific one or more of said plurality of output devices, said method further comprising the steps of:

controlling a selective transfer device to communicate an instruction in respect of said at least one of a said product and a said service to said specific one or more of said plurality of output devices; and

actuating an output device to output in human intelligible form a portion of said at least one of a said product and a said service on the basis of said communicated instruction.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of embedding at least one of said first code or and said second code in the non-visible portion of a television signal including said television program.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein said first code and said second code are delivered in a multichannel signal, said method further comprising the step of:

decoding a data portion of said multichannel signal to detect at least one of said first code and said second code, said data portion of said multichannel signal being located outside the viewable portion of a television signal including said television programming.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein evidence information evidences at least one of availability, use or, and usage of at least one of said television program or and delivery of said at least one of a said product and a said service, said evidence information being at least one of stored or and communicated to a remote data collection station, said method further comprising the step of selecting said evidence information that at least one of identifies or and designates one or more of:

(1) a mass medium program;

(2) a 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) a distributor or an advertisement; and

(12) a payment obligation.

32. The method of claim 26, wherein said at least one of said product and said service is delivered as the result of execution of processor control instructions, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating at least a first of said processor control instructions to said signal instruction based processor; and

receiving a signal including at least one of programming or and a second of said processor control instructions on the basis of said first of said processor control instructions.

33. The method of claim 26, wherein said at least one of a said product and a said service is delivered as the result of execution of processor control instructions, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating at least a first of said processor control instructions to a signal processor, wherein said plurality of instruction based processors comprises said signal processor; and

actuating at least one of a video, audio, or and print output device, as appropriate, to output in human intelligible form said at least one of a said product and a said service on the basis of said first of said processor control instructions.

34. The method of claim 26, wherein said at least one of a said product and a said service is delivered as the result of execution of processor control instructions, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating at least a first of said processor control instructions to a signal processor, wherein said plurality of instruction based processors comprises said signal processor; and

decrypting at said interactive television viewing apparatus at least one of a portion of said television program or and said processor control instructions on the basis of said first of said processor control instructions.

35. The method of claim 26, wherein said at least one of a said product and a said service is delivered as the result of execution of processor control instructions, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating at least a first of said processor control instructions to a signal processor, wherein said plurality of instruction based processors comprises said signal processor; and

controlling a selective transmission device to communicate at least some of said at least one of a said product and a said service to an output device on the basis of said first of said processor control instructions, wherein said output device outputs information in human intelligible form.

36. The method of claim 26, wherein said at least one of a said product and a said service is delivered as the result of execution of processor control instructions, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating at least a first of said processor control instructions to a signal processor, wherein said plurality of instruction based processors comprises said signal processor; and

generating a receiver specific datum to present with said at least one of a said product and a said service on the basis of said first of said processor control instructions.

37. The method of claim 26, wherein said at least one of a said product and a said service is delivered as the result of execution of processor control instructions, said method further comprising the steps of:

communicating at least a first of said processor control instructions to a signal processor, wherein said plurality of instruction based processors comprises said signal processor; and

delivering a receiver specific datum at said interactive television viewing apparatus simultaneously or sequentially with at least one of said television program or and said at least one of a said product and a said service on the basis of said first of said processor control instructions.

38. The method of claim 26, wherein at least some of said at least one of a said product and a said service is delivered as the result of execution of instructions, said method further comprising:

embedding a digital code or datum in said television program that enables said interactive television viewing apparatus to control a presentation in human intelligible form of said at least one of a said product and a said service in accordance with said instructions.

39. The method of claim 26, wherein said interactive television viewing apparatus includes a storage device, said method further comprising:

communicating an a digital identification code to said storage device and storing said digital identification code at a storage location associated with said television program.

40. The method of claim 26, wherein said interactive television viewing apparatus includes a storage device, said method further comprising:

communicating to and storing at said storage device information to evidence at least one of an availability, use, or and usage of at least one of said television program or and a portion of digital data.

41. The method of claim 26, wherein said interactive television viewing apparatus includes a storage device, said method further comprising:

storing at said storage device an instruct signal which is effective to generate output in human intelligible form associated with said at least one of a said product and a said service.

42. The method of claim 26, wherein said interactive television viewing apparatus includes a storage device, said method further comprising:

storing at said storage device an instruct signal which is effective to process a user response to content of an information transmission which includes at least one of said television program or and said at least one of a said product and a said service.

43. The method of claim 26, wherein said interactive television viewing apparatus includes a storage device, said method further comprising:

storing at said storage device an instruct signal which is effective to establish communication with a remote station.

44. The method of claim 26, wherein said interactive television viewing apparatus includes a storage device, said method further comprising:

storing at said storage device an instruct signal which is effective to process digital information in a television signal.

45. The method of claim 26, wherein said interactive television viewing apparatus includes a storage device, said method further comprising:

storing at said storage device a digital code or datum to serve as a basis for enabling an output device to output in human intelligible form at least some of said at least one of a said product and a said service.

67. The method of claim 26, wherein said digital encryption code is digitally encrypted, said method further comprising the steps of:

decrypting said digital encryption code using one of said plurality of decryption techniques at said interactive television viewing apparatus.

49. A method of processing signals at a receiver station having a receiver, a processor, an input device and at least one output device, said processor being operatively connected to said receiver for receiving a control signal and operatively connected to said at least one output device for controlling said at least one output device, said input device being operatively connected to said processor for inputting a signal, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a first information transmission including mass medium programming and said control signal;

passing said mass medium programming to said at least one output device;

outputting said mass medium programming at said at least one output device;

prompting a subscriber during said mass medium programming for a subscriber reply to receive additional material related to said programming;

receiving said subscriber reply from said subscriber at said input device in response to said step of prompting said subscriber;

inputting information to said processor based on said subscriber reply;

detecting said control signal;

passing said control signal to said processor based on said subscriber reply;

receiving a second information transmission including said additional material in encrypted form;

decrypting said additional material based on said control signal; and

controlling said at least one output device to output said additional material based on said subscriber reply.

50. The method of claim 49 68, wherein said digital control signal includes downloadable digital code and said step of controlling further comprises the steps of:

executing said downloadable digital code based on said subscriber reply; and

controlling said at least one output device in accordance with said downloadable digital code.

51. The method of claim 49 68, wherein said digital control signal includes downloadable digital code and said step of controlling further comprises the steps of:

selecting a portion of said downloadable digital code;

decrypting a portion of said downloadable digitable code based on said selected portion using one of said plurality of decryption techniques at said receiver station; and

controlling said at least one output device in accordance with said decrypted portion.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein said step of controlling further comprises the steps of:

enabling said control signal based on said subscriber reply; and

controlling said at least one output device based on said enabled control signal.

53. The method of claim 49, wherein said receiver station includes a storage device, said additional material includes at least one of video, text, and a graphic and said step of controlling further comprises the step of:

controlling said at least one output device to output at least one of a combined presentation and sequential presentation of said programming and said at least one of video, text, and a graphic.

54. The method of claim 49 68, wherein said digital control signal is embedded in a signal including a television program, said method further comprising the step of:

controlling a tuner to tune to receive said second third information transmission on the basis of said subscriber reply.

55. The method of claim 49 68, wherein said third information transmission includes a plurality of channels and said step of controlling further comprises the step of:

controlling a converter to receive said second third information transmission.

56. A method for mass medium programming promotion and delivery for use with an interactive video viewing apparatus in a computer network comprising the steps of:

receiving a first portion at a first time of said mass medium programming in a first programming signal, said first portion of mass medium programming including a video image that promotes a second portion of said mass medium programming, said second portion of said mass medium programming in encoded digital form;

displaying said video image, said interactive video viewing apparatus having an electronic input device to receive input from a subscriber;

prompting said subscriber for a reply, during said step of displaying said video image, as to whether said subscriber wants said second portion of said mass medium programming promoted in said step of displaying of said video image, said interactive video viewing apparatus having a transmitter for communicating said reply to a remote site;

receiving said reply from said subscriber at said electronic input device in response to said step of prompting said subscriber, said interactive video viewing apparatus having an instruction based processor for processing said reply, said interactive video viewing apparatus comprising a plurality of instruction based processors, each of said plurality of instruction based processors operating on digital data according to one or more instructions under control of operating instructions stored at said interactive video viewing apparatus, said interactive video viewing apparatus arranged for reprogramming said operating instructions by operatively connecting to a source located geographically remote from said interactive video viewing apparatus using a communication channel carrying only digitally encoded data during communication of operating instruction reprogramming information;

processing said reply at said instruction based processor;

receiving a plurality of instructions from a source located remote from said interactive video viewing apparatus;

executing said plurality of instructions at said instruction based processor based on both said operating instructions and said reply;

selecting at least one of a code and a datum designating said second portion of said mass medium programming to authorize delivery of said second portion of said mass medium programming;

communicating said selected at least one of said code and said datum to a remote site in said computer network using a communication channel carrying only digital information during said step of communicating;

receiving at a second time said second portion of said mass medium programming in a second programming signal, said second time occurring after said first time;

decrypting using a particular decryption technique said second portion of said mass medium programming by using said at least one of said code and said datum in response to said step of processing said reply, wherein said particular decryption technique is identified from a defined set of decryption techniques that comprise a plurality of decryption techniques available at said interactive video viewing apparatus based on at least one signal received via electronic transmission and originated from a location geographically remote from said interactive video viewing apparatus, each said decryption technique for converting unintelligible digital information into machine readable, machine intelligible digital information; and

delivering said mass medium programming to an output device, wherein said output device outputs human intelligible content.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein said output device outputs at least one of audio, hard copy, and television, said method further comprising the steps of:

delivering instructions to said instruction based processor; and

communicating said delivered mass medium programming to said output device in accordance with said delivered instructions.

58. The method claim 56, wherein said interactive video viewing apparatus comprises a microcomputer.

59. The method of claim 56, wherein a storage device is operatively connected to said output device, said method further comprising the step of:

storing said mass medium programming at said storage device.

60. The method of claim 56, wherein a storage device is operatively connected to said instruction based processor, said method further comprising the step of:

storing, at said storage device, an instruct signal which is effective to process a subscriber reaction to a content of an information transmission which includes said mass medium programming.

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

storing, at said storage device, an instruct signal which is effective to establish communications with a remote station.

62. The method of claim 56, wherein a storage device is operatively connected to said instruction based processor, said method further comprising the step of:

storing, at said storage device, a signal which is effective to control said interactive video viewing apparatus to receive information to at least one of supplement said video image and to process said mass medium programming.

63. The method of claim 56, wherein said at least one of said code and said datum is digitally encrypted, said method further comprising the steps of:

decrypting at least one of said code and said datum using one of said plurality of decryption techniques at said interactive video viewing apparatus.

65. A method for data promotion and delivery for use with an interactive mass medium programming output apparatus in a computer network comprising the steps of:

receiving mass medium programming in a first programming signal, said mass medium programming including information that promotes digital data;

outputting mass medium programming including said information that promotes digital data in human intelligible form, said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus having an electronic input device to receive input from a user;

prompting said user during said mass medium programming whether said user wants said digital data promoted in said step of outputting, said digital data being related to said mass medium programming, said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus having a transmitter for communicating user information to a remote site;

receiving a reply from said user at said electronic input device in response to said step of prompting said user, said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus having an instruction based processor for processing at least one of said reply and said digital data, said instruction based processor operating on digital data information according to one or more instructions under control of operating instructions stored at said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus, said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus arranged for reprogramming said operating instructions by operatively connecting to a source located geographically remote from said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus using a communication channel carrying only digitally encoded data during communication of operating instruction reprogramming information;

processing said reply from said step of receiving said reply and selecting at least one of a digital code and a datum designating said digital data, said at least one of said digital code and said datum designating said digital data made available via electronic transmission from a remote location;

communicating said selected said at least one of said digital code and said datum designating said digital data to said remote site in said computer network using a communication channel carrying only digital information during said step of communicating, said at least one of said digital code and said datum designating said digital data to be used as a record that said user has requested said promoted digital data;

receiving one or more instructions from a station located remote from said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus;

selecting said one or more instructions based on said user reply;

executing said one or more instructions at said instruction based processor based on said step of selecting;

receiving via electronic transmission a signal word remotely originated from said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus, said signal word necessary for the decryption of encrypted data;

passing said signal word to said instruction based processor in response to said step of processing said reply;

processing said signal word at said instruction based processor to identify a particular decryption technique from a defined set of decryption techniques that comprise a plurality of decryption techniques available at said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus, each of said decryption techniques for converting unintelligible digital information into machine readable, machine intelligible digital information;

receiving a second programming signal including said digital data in encrypted form;

decrypting said digital data by using information included in said signal word and by using said selected particular decryption technique; and

delivering said digital data to said instruction based processor.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus comprises a microcomputer.

68. A method of processing signals at a receiver station having a receiver, an instruction based processor, an electronic input device and at least one output device, said instruction based processor being operatively connected to said receiver for receiving a digital control signal and operatively connected to said at least one output device for controlling said at least one output device, said electronic input device being operatively connected to said instruction based processor for inputting a signal, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a first information transmission including mass medium programming and said digital control signal;

passing said mass medium programming to said at least one output device;

outputting in human intelligible form said mass medium programming at said at least one output device;

prompting a subscriber during said mass medium programming for a subscriber reply to receive additional material related to said mass medium programming;

receiving said subscriber reply from said subscriber at said electronic input device in response to said step of prompting said subscriber;

inputting information to said instruction based processor based on said subscriber reply;

detecting said digital control signal;

passing said digital control signal to said instruction based processor based on said subscriber reply;

processing at said instruction based processor said digital control signal to select a communication channel to be received by said receiver;

receiving via electronic transmission a second information transmission including a second digital control signal, said second digital control signal including information necessary for the decryption of said additional material;

receiving a third information transmission including said additional material in encrypted digital form;

decrypting said additional material based on said second digital control signal, said decrypting using a particular decryption technique identified by said second digital signal, wherein said particular decryption technique is identified from a defined set of decryption techniques that comprise a plurality of decryption techniques available at said receiver station, each said decryption technique for converting unintelligible digital information into machine readable, machine intelligible digital information; and

controlling said at least one output device to output in human intelligible form said additional material based on said subscriber reply.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein said step of controlling further comprises the steps of:

enabling said digital control signal based on said subscriber reply; and

controlling said at least one output device based on said enabled digital control signal.

70. The method of claim 68, wherein said receiver station includes a storage device, said additional material includes at least one of video, text, and a graphic, and said step of controlling further comprises the step of:

controlling said at least one output device to output in human intelligible form at least one of a combined presentation and sequential presentation of said programming and said at least one of video, text, and said graphic.

71. The method of claim 68, wherein said second digital control signal is digitally encrypted, said method further comprising the step of:

decrypting said second digital control signal using one of said plurality of decryption techniques at said receiver station.