Signal processing apparatus and methods

• US 8,739,241 B1
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1981
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Personalized Media Communications, LLC
• Original Assignee: Personalized Media Communications, LLC
• Inventors: Harvey, John Christopher, Cuddihy, James William
• Primary Examiner(s): Burd, Kevin M
• Application Number:
  US08/483,269
• Time in Patent Office: 6,929 Days
• Field of Search: 725/31, 725 34- 38, 725/135, 725/39, 725/41, 725/44, 725 27- 29, 380210-212, 380/218, 709245-247, 370/270
• US Class Current: 725/135
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/071 containing electro-optic elements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/14 for monitoring programmes
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/28 Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/30 by a single channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/70 characterised in that receivers can be addressed
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/18 Arrangements characterised by circuits or components specially adapted for receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/13 Arrangements for device control affected by the broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/21 Billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/23 using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/27 Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/31 Arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/33 Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/37 for identifying segments of broadcast information, e.g. scenes or extracting programme ID
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/40 for identifying broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/41 for identifying broadcast space, i.e. broadcast channels, broadcast stations or broadcast areas
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/94 Telephonic networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/84
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 1/00 Secret communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/00 Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD] real-time bi-directional transmission of motion video data H04N7/14 ; broadcast or conference over packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/20 Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21 : Server components or server architectures
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21815 : comprising local storage units
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/222 : Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end provisioning of proxy services in data packet switching networks H04L67/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 : Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2351 : involving encryption of additional data arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/236 : Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Insertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rate; Assembling of a packetised elementary stream multiplexing of data packets for data networks, e.g. RTP/UDP H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23892 : involving embedding information at multiplex stream level, e.g. embedding a watermark at packet level
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2407 : Monitoring of transmitted content, e.g. distribution time, number of downloads arrangements for monitoring programmes for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25 : Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 : Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 : Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41 : Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4117 : for generating hard copies of the content, e.g. printer, electronic paper interfaces to printers G06F3/12; printing data G06K15/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4131 : home appliance, e.g. lighting, air conditioning system, metering devices home automation data switching networks exchanging configuration information on appliance services H04L12/2807
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 : external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41415 : involving a public display, viewable by several users in a public space outside their home, e.g. movie theatre, information kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 : embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 : providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 : Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 : Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4307 : Synchronising the rendering of multiple content streams or additional data on devices, e.g. synchronisation of audio on a mobile phone with the video output on the TV screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43072 : of multiple content streams on the same device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/432 : Content retrieval operation from a local storage medium, e.g. hard-disk details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 : by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/434 : Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams, extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream demultiplexing of data packets for data networks, e.g. RTP/UDP H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4353 : involving decryption of additional data arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4363 : Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4382 : Demodulation or channel decoding, e.g. QPSK demodulation analog front ends or means for connecting modulators, demodulators or transceivers to a transmission line H04L27/0002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4385 : Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream decrypting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4405 : involving video stream decryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44227 : Monitoring of local network, e.g. connection or bandwidth variations; Detecting new devices in the local network configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; monitoring connectivity in data switched networks H04L43/0811
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4432 : Powering on the client, e.g. bootstrap loading using setup parameters being stored locally or received from the server resetting in general G06F1/14; program loading or initiating in general G06F9/445; bootstrapping in general G06F9/4401; secure boots of computer platforms G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/45 : Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/454 : Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/458 : Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 : End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/488 : Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4888 : for displaying teletext characters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/63 : Control signaling related to video distribution between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients or between remote clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing real-time session protocols H04L65/1101; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/633 : Control signals issued by server directed to the network components or client management of faults, events, alarms in data networks H04L41/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 : for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 : Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/818 : OS software
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8352 : involving content or source identification data, e.g. Unique Material Identifier [UMID]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 : involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/46 : for receiving on more than one standard at will deflecting circuits of multi-standard receivers H04N3/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/08 : Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band , e.g. by time division H04N7/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/084 : with signal insertion during the horizontal blanking interval only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/14 : Systems for two-way working H04N7/12, H04N7/173 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/24 : Systems for the transmission of television signals using pulse code modulation H04N21/00 takes precedence

Abstract

A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a remote intermediate transmitter station to communicate at least one instruct signal to at least one receiver station, said remote intermediate transmitter station including one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter for transmitting said at least one instruct signal which is effective at said at least one receiver station to instruct programmable processor apparatus to perform a sequence of steps, a selective transfer device operatively connected to said one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter, said selective transfer device being adapted for communicating said at least one instruct signal, a receiver for receiving said at least one instruct signal from at least one origination transmitter station, a control signal detector, and a programmable automatic controller capable of controlling said selective transfer device, said remote intermediate transmitter station being adapted to detect the presence of at least one control signal, to control communication of said at least one instruct signal in response to said at least one control signal, and to deliver at said one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter said at least one instruct signal, said method comprising the steps of:

originating at said at least one origination transmitter station an information transmission containing said at least one instruct signal and first identification information;

originating at said at least one origination transmitter station an information transmission containing said at least one control signal; and

transmitting said at least one instruct signal, said first identification information, and said at least one control signal from said at least one origination transmitter station to said remote intermediate transmitter station before a specific time at or after which said remote intermediate transmitter station is to transmit said at least one instruct signal, whereby, said first identification information and said at least one control signal is detectable by said control signal detector and effective to enable said programmable automatic controller to select an information transmission based on said at least one instruct signal said instruct signal enabled to cause said programmable automatic controller to select a plurality of information transmissions and control said selective transfer device to communicate said at least one instruct signal to said one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter to thereby control communication of said at least one instruct signal from said one of a broadcast or a cablecast transmitter to said at least one receiver station at or after said specific time, wherein said step of selecting comprises identifying a plurality of information transmissions located at a plurality of storage locations and determining an information transmission from said plurality of information transmissions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said selective transfer device comprises a plurality of selective transfer apparatus and said at least one control signal controls a first of said plurality of selective transfer apparatus to communicate said at least one instruct signal to said one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter, said method further comprising the step of:

transmitting from said at least one origination transmitter station a second control signal which operates at said remote intermediate transmitter station to communicate said at least one instruct signal from a second of said plurality of selective transfer apparatus to said first of said plurality of selective transfer apparatus.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said specific time is a scheduled time of transmitting an information transmission containing said at least one instruct signal and wherein said at least one control signal is effective at said remote intermediate transmitter station to control said selective transfer device at different times.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of embedding said at least one control signal in an information transmission containing said at least one instruct signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one control signal includes an identifier which operates at said remote intermediate transmitter station to identify an information transmission containing said at least one instruct signal.

6. A method of controlling a remote television transmitter station to communicate television program material to at least one receiver station, said remote television transmitter station including one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter for transmitting television programming, a plurality of selective transfer devices each operatively connected to said one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter for communicating said television programming, a television receiver for receiving said television programming from at least one origination transmitter station, a control signal detector, and a controller capable of controlling at least one of said plurality of selective transfer devices, said remote television transmitter station being adapted to detect the presence of at least one control signal, to control the communication of said television programming in response to said at least one control signal, and to deliver at said one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter said television programming, said method comprising the steps of:

originating at said at least one origination transmitter station an information transmission containing said television programming, said television programming including audio and a plurality of images to be outputted at said at least one receiver station in a predetermined sequence;

originating at said at least one origination transmitter station an information transmission containing said at least one control signal, said control signal for controlling the identification of signals by controlling how and where to search for signals and automatically controlling the operation of said remote television transmitter station; and

transmitting said television programming and said at least one control signal from said at least one origination transmitter station to said remote television transmitter station;

whereby said remote television transmitter station is enabled to;

receive said television programming and said at least one control signal;

detect said at least one control signal;

establish, under control of said controller, at least one of a transmission time and a transmission channel for transmitting said television programming from said remote television transmitter station based on said control signal; and

transmit said television programming from said remote television transmitter station to said at least one receiver station at least one of at said established transmission time and over said established transmission channel.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said controlling the identification of signals comprises identifying signals for authorizing said television programming for viewing.

8. A method of controlling a remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station to communicate mass medium programming to a remote receiver station, said method comprising the steps of:

originating at an origination station one or more information transmissions containing a plurality of units of mass medium programming;

transmitting said plurality of units of mass medium programming and a plurality of control signals from said origination station to an intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station, said plurality of control signals for controlling transmission of said plurality of units of mass medium programming from said remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station;

receiving at said remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station said plurality of units of mass medium programming and said plurality of control signals, said control signal for controlling the identification of signals by controlling how and where to search for signals and automatically controlling the operation of said remote television transmitter station;

transferring a first of said plurality of units of mass medium programming immediately to a transmitter at said remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station based on a first of said plurality of control signals;

controlling a first selective transfer device at said remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station to delay transfer of a second of said plurality of units of mass medium programming to a transmitter at said remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station until a scheduled time in response to a second of said plurality of control signals;

transmitting, based on said plurality of control signals, said plurality of units of mass medium programming, from said remote intermediate mass medium program transmitter station to a receiver station; and

receiving and outputting said plurality of units of mass medium programming at said remote receiver station.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said plurality of said signals includes identification information that identifies at least one unit of said plurality of units of mass medium programming.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein one unit of said plurality of units of mass medium programming comprises television programming, said television programming including an audio portion and a portion of video.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of controlling a second selective transfer device at said remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station to transfer of a third of said plurality of units of mass medium programming to a transmitter at said remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station in response to a third of said plurality of control signals.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said step of controlling a first selective transfer device at said remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station to delay transfer of a second of said plurality of units of mass medium programming to a transmitter at said remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station in response to a second of said plurality of control signals comprises the step of controlling a memory at said remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station to store said second of said plurality of units of mass medium programming.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of controlling a first selective transfer device at said remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station to delay transfer of a second of said plurality of units of mass medium programming to a transmitter at said remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station in response to a second of said plurality of control signals further comprises the step of controlling a switch at said remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station to transfer said second of said plurality of units of mass medium programming to said memory at said remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of monitoring and recording identification information of the programming transmitted by said remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station.

15. A method of controlling an intermediate transmitter station to communicate television programming to a receiver station, said method comprising said steps of:

originating one or more information transmissions containing said television programming at an origination station;

transmitting said television programming and a control signal from said origination station to said intermediate transmitter station, said control signal for automatically controlling the operation of said intermediate transmitter station and identification of signals by controlling how and where to search for signals at the intermediate transmitter station;

receiving said television programming and said control signal at said intermediate transmitter station;

detecting said control signal at said intermediate transmitter station;

establishing, under computer control, at least one of a transmission time and a transmission channel for transmitting said television programming from said intermediate transmitter station based on said control signal;

transmitting said television programming from said intermediate transmitter station to said receiver station in accordance with said establish at least one of at transmission time and transmission channel based on said step of establishing;

enabling said receiver station to receive said transmitted television programming said at least one of at transmission time and transmission channel.

16. A method of controlling an intermediate transmitter station to communicate television programming to a receiver station, said method comprising said steps of:

receiving said television programming at an origination station;

transmitting said television programming and a plurality of control signals from said origination station to said intermediate transmitter station, said control signals for controlling the operation and identification of signals by controlling how and where to search for signals at the intermediate transmitter station and automatically controlling the operation of said intermediate transmitter station;

receiving at said intermediate transmitter station said television programming and said plurality of control signals;

transmitting said television programming and at least a first portion of said plurality of control signals from said intermediate transmitter station to said receiver station based upon at least a second portion of said plurality of control signals received at said intermediate transmitter station;

receiving, at said receiver station, said at least a first portion of said plurality of control signals from said intermediate transmitter station;

receiving and displaying at a television display device at said receiver station said transmitted television programming based upon said at least a first portion of said plurality of control signals.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of decrypting said transmitted television programming in response to said at least a first portion of said plurality of control signals before displaying said television programming.

18. A method of controlling an intermediate transmitter station to communicate television programming to a receiver station, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving said television programming at least one origination station;

transmitting said television programming and a plurality of control signals from said at least one origination station to said intermediate transmitter station;

receiving at said intermediate transmitter station said television programming and said plurality of control signals;

transmitting said television programming and a plurality of control signals from said at least one origination station to said intermediate transmitter station, said control signals for automatically controlling the operation of said intermediate transmitter station and identification of signals by controlling how and where to search for signals at the intermediate transmitter station;

receiving said at least a first portion of said plurality of control signals from said intermediate transmitter station;

receiving and storing at a storage device at said receiver station said transmitted television programming based upon said at least a first portion of said plurality of control signals.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising said step of logging transmission of said television programming from said intermediate transmitter station to said receiver station.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of decrypting said transmitted television programming in response to information contained in said at least a first portion of said plurality of control signals.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of performing, in response to information contained in said at least a first portion of said plurality of control signals, one of 1) tuning to receive transmitted television programming at said receiver station, 2) inputting said transmitted television programming to said storage device at said receiver station, and 3) controlling said storage device at said receiver station to store said transmitted television programming.

22. A method of controlling an intermediate transmitter station to communicate television programming to a receiver station, said method comprising said steps of:

receiving said television programming at an origination station;

transmitting said television programming, a first signal and a second signal from said origination station to said intermediate transmitter station;

storing identification information at said intermediate transmitter station, said identification information designating programming to be transmitted, said second signal including a control signal for controlling said receiver station;

receiving at said intermediate transmitter station said television programming, said first signal and said second signal;

detecting at least said first signal;

comparing said first signal to said identification information;

transmitting said television programming and said second signal from said intermediate transmitter station to said receiver station based on said step of comparing;

receiving at said receiver station said transmitted television programming and said second signal;

outputting at said receiver station said received television programming in a multimedia presentation in response to said control signal included in said second signal.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said first signal comprises a first identification signal identifying said television programming and said identification information at said intermediate transmitter station comprises a second identification signal designating at least one of a transmission time and a transmission channel.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said second identification signal further designates at least one of a time, a channel, and a receiver for said intermediate transmitter station to use to receive said television programming from said origination station.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said step of transmitting said television programming from said intermediate transmitter station comprises transmitting said television programming and said second control signal from said intermediate transmitter station to said receiver station in accordance with said designated at least one of transmission time and transmission channel.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein said multimedia presentation comprises a stereo simulcast.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein said first signal comprises a first identification signal identifying said television programming;

and said identification information at said intermediate transmitter station comprises a second identification signal designating at least one of a transmission time and a transmission channel.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said second identification signal further designates at least one of time and a channel or receiver for said intermediate transmitter station to use to receive said television programming from said origination station.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein said step of transmitting said television programming from said intermediate transmitter station comprises transmitting said television programming and said second control signal from said intermediate transmitter station to said receiver station at said transmission time and on said transmission channel.

30. A method of controlling an intermediate transmitter station to communicate television programming to a receiver station, said method comprising said steps of:

receiving said television programming at an origination station;

transmitting said television programming, a first signal and a second signal from said origination station to said intermediate transmitter station, said second signal being a control signal;

storing identification information at said intermediate transmitter station, said identification information designating programming to be transmitted;

receiving at said intermediate transmitter station said television programming, said first signal and said second signal;

detecting said first signal at said intermediate transmitter station;

comparing said first signal to said identification information;

transmitting said television programming and said second signal from said intermediate transmitter station to said receiver station based on said step of comparing;

receiving at said receiver station said television programming and said second signal;

detecting said second signal at said receiver station;

transferring at least a first portion of said second signal to a controllable device at said receiver station in response to a second portion of said second signal;

controlling said controllable device at said receiver station to perform a function in response to said transferred at least a first portion of said second signal; and

outputting on an output device at said receiver station said television programming.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein one of said first signal and said second signal is embedded in said television programming.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein said function includes governing said receiver station environment.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein said function includes coordinating delivery of information to supplement said television programming.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein said function includes storing data to evidence one of an availability, use, and usage of said television programming.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein said intermediate transmitter station transmits said first signal and said receiver station stores information included in said first signal to evidence one of an availability of said second signal and a performance of said function.

36. The method of claim 30, wherein said television programming includes an incomplete video image and said function includes delivering information to complete said incomplete video image at a television display device.

37. The method of claim 30, wherein said function includes processing a user response to information included in said television programming.

38. The method of claim 30, wherein said function includes controlling a tuner to tune a receiver to receive additional television programming to one of precede and follow said television programming received at said receiver station with said second signal.

39. The method of claim 30, wherein said function includes communicating data to a remote data collection station.

40. A method of controlling a remote television transmitter station to communicate television program material to at least one receiver station, said remote television transmitter station including one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter for transmitting television programming, a plurality of selective transfer devices each operatively connected to said one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter for communicating said television programming, a television receiver for receiving said television programming from at least one origination transmitter station, a control signal detector, a device capable of communicating a control signal addressed to a controllable apparatus at said remote television transmitter station, and a controller capable of controlling at least one of said plurality of selective transfer devices, said remote television transmitter station being adapted to detect the presence of a first control signal, to control the communication of said television programming in response to said first control signal, and to deliver at said one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter said television programming, said method comprising the steps of:

originating an information transmission containing said television programming at said at least one origination transmitter station, said television programming including audio and a plurality of images to be outputted at said at least one receiver station in a predetermined sequence;

originating an information transmission containing said first control signal and a second control signal at said at least one origination transmitter station, said second control signal addressing said first control signal to said controllable apparatus at said remote television transmitter station;

originating an information transmission containing at least one instruct signal at said at least one origination transmitter station, said at least one instruct signal to have effect at said at least one receiver station; and

transmitting said television programming, said at least one instruct signal, said first control signal and said second control signal from said at least one origination transmitter station to said remote television transmitter station before a specific time at which said remote television transmitter station is to commence transmitting said television programming and said at least one instruct signal;

whereby, said first control signal and said second control signal are detectable by said control signal detector, said first control signal is determined, in response to said second control signal, to address said controllable apparatus and instructs said controller to control said at least one of said plurality of selective transfer device to communicate said television programming to said one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter to thereby control communication of said television programming and said at least one instruct signal from said one of a broadcast or a cablecast transmitter to said at least one receiver station at said specific time.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said first control signal includes an identifier which operates at said remote television transmitter station to identify a signal including said at least one instruct signal, said method further comprising the step of:

transmitting a second instruct signal which operates at said remote television transmitter station to communicate said first instruct signal to said one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein said specific time is a scheduled time of transmitting a signal including said at least one instruct signal and wherein said first control signal is effective at said remote television transmitter station to control some of said plurality of selective transfer devices at different times.

43. The method of claim 40, further comprising the step of embedding said first control signal in a signal including said at least one instruct signal.

44. A method of controlling an intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station to communicate video or audio mass medium programming and an encrypted first signal to a receiver station, said method comprising the steps of:

originating at an origination station an information transmission containing a unit of video or audio mass medium programming;

transmitting said unit of video or audio mass medium programming, said encrypted first signal and a second signal from said origination station to an intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station, wherein said second signal includes a control signal;

receiving at said intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station said unit of video or audio mass medium programming, said encrypted first signal and said second signal;

comparing at least a first portion of said second signal to a identification information stored at said intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station, said identification information designating programming to be transmitted to said receiver station;

transmitting said unit of video or audio mass medium programming, said encrypted first signal, and at least a second portion of said second signal from said intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station to said receiver station, at least one of said unit of video or audio mass medium programming, said encrypted first signal, and said at least a second portion of said second signal being transmitted from said intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station to said receiver station based on said step of comparing;

receiving said unit of video or audio mass medium programming, said encrypted first signal, and said at least a second portion of said second signal at said receiver station;

outputting said unit of video or audio mass medium programming to a viewer or to a listener at said receiver station; and

enabling said receiver station to decrypt information contained in said encrypted first signal and process said decrypted information based on said control signal contained in said second signal.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said unit of video or audio mass medium programming comprises television programming, said television programming including an audio portion and a portion of video.

46. A method of controlling an intermediate transmitter station to communicate television programming to a receiver station, said method comprising said steps of:

originating an information transmission containing said television programming at an origination station;

transmitting said television programming, a first signal and a second signal from said origination station to said intermediate transmitter station, said second signal being a control signal;

storing identification information at said intermediate transmitter station, said identification information identifying programming to be transmitted;

receiving at said intermediate transmitter station said television programming, said first signal and said second signal;

detecting at least said first signal at said intermediate transmitter station;

comparing said first signal to said stored identification information at said intermediate transmitter station;

transmitting said television programming and said second signal from said intermediate transmitter station to said receiver station based on the result of said comparing;

receiving at said receiver station said transmitted television programming and said second signal; and

controlling said receiver station to perform a plurality of functions in response to said second signal, said plurality of functions enabling said receiver station to output said television programming to a viewer and to respond to a viewer reaction to a prompt contained in said television programming.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein said first signal comprises a first identification signal identifying said television programming and said identification information at said intermediate transmitter station comprises a second identification signal designating at least one of a transmission time and a transmission channel.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein said second identification signal further designates at least one of time, a channel or a receiver for said intermediate transmitter station to use to receive said television programming from said origination station.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein said step of transmitting said television programming from said intermediate transmitter station comprises transmitting said television programming and said second signal from said intermediate transmitter station to said receiver station using said at least one of a transmission time and a transmission channel.

50. The method of claim 46, wherein one of said first signal and said second control signal is embedded in said television programming.