Signal processing apparatus and methods

A method for mass medium programming promotion and selective delivery for use with an interactive viewing apparatus having a plurality of output components, said method comprising the steps of:

• programming programmable processor apparatus at said interactive viewing apparatus to respond to a control signal from a remote programming supplier;
• receiving, at receiver apparatus at said interactive viewing apparatus, a first portion of said mass medium programming in a first programming signal, said first portion of said mass medium programming including an image that promotes a second portion of said mass medium programming;
• displaying, at an output component of said interactive viewing apparatus, said image, said interactive viewing apparatus having input apparatus that is caused by a subscriber to receive input from said subscriber;
• prompting said subscriber for a reply, during said step of displaying said image, as to whether said subscriber wants said second portion of said mass medium programming promoted in said step of displaying said image, said interactive viewing apparatus having transmitter apparatus for communicating said reply to a remote site;
• receiving said reply from said subscriber at said input apparatus in response to said step of prompting said subscriber, said interactive viewing apparatus having storage apparatus connected to said input apparatus for storing said reply;
• storing, at said storage apparatus, said reply from said subscriber;
• receiving, at said programmable processor apparatus at said interactive viewing apparatus, said control signal from said remote programming supplier;
• processing, with said programmable processor apparatus in response to said received control signal, said stored reply from said subscriber;
• selecting, based on said step of processing, one or more portions of information processed at said interactive viewing apparatus, said selected one or more portions of information evidencing one of 1) an order placed by said subscriber and 2) an identification of said second portion of said mass medium programming;
• communicating, with said transmitter apparatus at said interactive viewing apparatus based on said step of processing, said selected one or more portions of information processed at said interactive viewing apparatus to said remote site;
• selecting, based on said step of processing, a specific output component of said interactive viewing apparatus at which to output said second portion of said mass medium programming;
• controlling, with said programmable processor apparatus, a selective transfer device to communicate said second portion of said mass medium programming to said selected specific output component of said interactive viewing apparatus based on said stored reply from said subscriber;
• and
• delivering said second portion of said mass medium programming to said selected specific output component of said interactive viewing apparatus and outputting said second portion of said mass medium programming based on said steps of processing and controlling.

A method for selectively outputting desired information at a receiver station in response to a viewer response synchronized with a video solicitation, said receiver station having receiver apparatus, processor apparatus which includes programmable processor apparatus, a storage device, programming output apparatus including 1) a video display and 2) a second output device of said programming output apparatus which is other than a video display, and viewer input apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

• programming said programmable processor apparatus to provide said desired information at said programming output apparatus;
• storing viewer data at said storage device at said receiver station;
• receiving an information transmission at said receiver apparatus at said receiver station, said information transmission including a video signal and a control signal;
• selecting, with said programmable processor apparatus, said video signal from said information transmission;
• displaying video programming from said video signal on said video display under control of said programmable processor apparatus, said video programming including said video solicitation, said video solicitation promoting use of said desired information;
• receiving a viewer response at said viewer input apparatus in response to and coordinated with said video solicitation in said video programming;
• processing, with said programmable processor apparatus, said viewer response to determine whether said viewer response is affirmative to said video solicitation from said step of receiving a viewer response;
• selecting said control signal at said receiver station with said processor apparatus, said control signal designating said desired information;
• communicating said selected control signal to said programmable processor apparatus at said receiver station based on information contained in said selected control signal;
• causing said programmable processor apparatus, in response to said received, selected, and communicated control signal and if said viewer response is affirmative, to commence generating said desired information at said programmable processor apparatus by processing said stored viewer data at a time when said desired information does not exist;
• generating said desired information at said programmable processor apparatus based on said step of causing;
• communicating said generated desired information to said programming output apparatus at said receiver station in response to said received, selected, and communicated control signal;
• and
• outputting said desired information at said programming output apparatus at said receiver station in a coordinated multimedia presentation, said coordinated multimedia presentation outputting said video programming at said video display in coordination with said desired information, and outputting said desired information at said programming output apparatus in coordination with said video programming.

A method for promotion and delivery of processor instructions for use with an interactive mass medium programming output apparatus, said processor instructions being effective at said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus to selectively perform a function, said method comprising the steps of:

• outputting, at at least one output device of said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus, mass medium programming that promotes use of said function, said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus having an input device which is actuated to receive input from a user;
• prompting said user during said mass medium programming whether said user wants said function promoted in said step of outputting, said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus having a transmitter for communicating subscriber information to at least one 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 programmable processor apparatus for processing said reply;
• receiving a control signal at said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus, said control signal designating said processor instructions;
• processing, with said programmable processor apparatus, said reply from said step of receiving a reply to determine if said reply is affirmative;
• selecting, with said programmable processor apparatus, at least one of code and data designating said processor instructions;
• communicating said selected at least one of code and data from a transmitter at said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus to said at least one remote site if said reply is affirmative;
• controlling, with said programmable processor apparatus, a selective transfer device to deliver said processor instructions to said programmable processor apparatus in response to said control signal if said reply is affirmative;
• and
• processing said processor instructions with said programmable processor apparatus to selectively control said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus to perform said function.

A method for selectively receiving information at a receiver station in response to a user reply synchronized with a video programming solicitation, said receiver station having programmable processor apparatus, a storage device, user input apparatus, and output apparatus including a video display, said method comprising the steps of:

• programming said programmable processor apparatus to communicate control instructions;
• receiving a plurality of electronic transmissions at a receiver at said receiver station;
• selecting, under control of said programmable processor apparatus, one electronic transmission from said received plurality of electronic transmissions;
• displaying video programming on said video display from said selected one electronic transmission, said video programming including a solicitation promoting use of a digital information portion of said plurality of electronic transmissions;
• receiving said user reply at said user input apparatus in response to and coordinated with said solicitation in said displayed video programming;
• processing, with said programmable processor apparatus at said receiver station, said user reply from said step of receiving said user reply to make a determination that said user reply is affirmative to said video programming solicitation;
• communicating said control instructions based on said determination;
• receiving, selecting and selectively processing, with said programmable processor apparatus, said digital information portion in response to at least a first of said communicated control instructions, said digital information portion of said plurality of electronic transmissions received in a part of said plurality of electronic transmissions that does not contain said video programming;
• and
• coordinating and causing output of a multimedia presentation at said output apparatus at said receiver station in response to at least a second of said control instructions, said multimedia presentation including 1) at least a portion of said video programming and 2) processed information content which is output in said coordinated multimedia presentation based on said step of receiving, selecting and processing said digital information portion of said plurality of electronic transmissions.

A method for data promotion and delivery for use with an interactive mass medium programming output apparatus having a plurality of users, said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus having receiver apparatus, programmable processor apparatus and input apparatus, said receiver apparatus having a plurality of receiver devices each of which is operative to receive said data, said programmable processor apparatus having a plurality of different components each operative to process said data independently, said input apparatus capable of receiving 1) a first instruction input by a local user at said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus and 2) a second instruction supplied from a first remote site which is remote from said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

• programming said programmable processor apparatus to respond to each of said first and said second instructions;
• receiving, at said receiver apparatus at said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus, mass medium programming in a first programming signal, said mass medium programming including information that promotes data;
• outputting said mass medium programming including said information that promotes data;
• prompting said local user whether said local user wants said data promoted in said step of outputting;
• receiving said first instruction from said local user at said input apparatus to serve as a basis for responding to said step of prompting said local user, said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus having memory apparatus for storing said first instruction;
• storing said first instruction at a specific portion of said memory apparatus in response to said step of programming said programmable processor apparatus to respond to each of said first and said second instructions;
• receiving, at said receiver apparatus at said interactive mass medium programming output apparatus, said second instruction, said second instruction designating said data;
• passing said second instruction to said programmable processor apparatus;
• controlling a specific one of said plurality of said receiver devices from which to communicate said data and a specific one of said plurality of different components of said programmable processor apparatus to which to communicate data;
• routing, under control of said programmable processor apparatus and in response said second instruction, said data from a selected specific one of said plurality of receiver devices to a selected said specific one of said plurality of different components of said programmable processor apparatus;
• and
• delivering said data to said specific one of said plurality of different components of said programmable processor apparatus based on said step of programming said programmable processor apparatus to respond to each of said first and said second instructions.

A method for promoting and delivering a product through use of an interactive video viewing apparatus, said interactive video viewing apparatus including programmable processor apparatus, receiver apparatus, transmitter apparatus, output apparatus and input apparatus, said input apparatus capable of receiving 1) a first instruction input by a local user who is present at said interactive video viewing apparatus and 2) a second instruction supplied from a first remote site which is remote from said interactive video viewing apparatus, said interactive video viewing apparatus having an associated product delivery device, said method comprising the steps of:

• programming said programmable processor apparatus to respond to each of said first and said second instructions;
• receiving, at said receiver apparatus at said interactive video viewing apparatus, video programming in a first programming signal, said video programming promoting said product;
• displaying, at said output apparatus of said interactive video viewing apparatus, said video programming that promotes said product;
• offering said product on condition of a specific user input received at said input apparatus from said local user coordinated with display of said video programming promoting said product;
• receiving said first instruction from said local user at said input apparatus, said first instruction including said specific user input, said interactive video viewing apparatus having memory for storing said specific user input;
• storing, with said programmable processor apparatus, said first instruction, including said specific user input, from said local user at said memory at said interactive video viewing apparatus;
• receiving said second instruction at said interactive video viewing apparatus, and communicating said second instruction to said programmable processor apparatus, said second instruction designating a first control signal;
• comparing, with said programmable processor apparatus, information contained in said stored first instruction with information contained in said second instruction in response to said second instruction, based on said step of programming said programmable processor apparatus;
• controlling said interactive video viewing apparatus with said programmable processor apparatus in response to said second instruction based on said steps of comparing and programming;
• selecting, under control of said programmable processor apparatus, information that evidences 1) an order placed by said local user and 2) an identification of said product based on said step of comparing and based on said step of controlling;
• transmitting to a remote data collection station, with said transmitter apparatus of said interactive video viewing apparatus based on said step of controlling, said selected information that evidences 1) an order placed by said local user and 2) an identification of said product;
• receiving said first control signal at said interactive video viewing apparatus and communicating said first control signal to said programmable processor apparatus, said first control signal designating said product and data operative to deliver said product;
• controlling, with said programmable processor apparatus, said product delivery device, associated with said interactive video viewing apparatus, to provide said product in response to said first control signal based on said step of programming said programmable processor apparatus;
• and
• providing to said local user said product based on said step of controlling said product delivery device in response to said first control signal.

A method of selectively delivering programming at a receiver station, said receiver station having programmable processor apparatus, output apparatus including an image display device, said output apparatus having a plurality of output locations, an input device for inputting user information, storage apparatus for storing data and programming, said storage apparatus having a plurality of storage locations, a transmitter for communicating user information to a remote station, selective transfer apparatus operatively connected to said output apparatus, said input device, said storage apparatus, said transmitter and said programmable processor apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

• storing subscriber data at said storage apparatus at said receiver station;
• displaying image programming at said image display device at said receiver station;
• outputting an offer for further programming in a course of said image programming, said offer promoting said further programming;
• receiving, at said input device, a subscriber order in response to said offer;
• querying with said programmable processor apparatus said remote station for specific programming data;
• receiving at least one datum of said specific programming data from said remote station in response to said step of querying;
• storing at said storage apparatus said at least one datum of said specific programming data received from said remote station;
• producing said further programming, with said programmable processor apparatus, by processing said stored at least one datum of said specific programming data and said stored subscriber data;
• controlling, with said programmable processor apparatus, said storage apparatus to store said further programming from said step of producing at a specific storage location of said plurality of storage locations at said storage apparatus;
• selecting with said programmable processor apparatus a specific output location of said plurality of output locations at said output apparatus;
• routing, with said selective transfer apparatus under control of said programmable processor apparatus, said further programming from said specific storage location of said plurality of storage locations at said storage apparatus to said selected specific output location of said plurality of output locations at said output apparatus at said receiver station;
• and
• outputting, at said selected specific output location of said plurality of output locations at said output apparatus based on said subscriber order, said further programming to a subscriber based on said step of routing said further programming.

A method of processing signals to output additional material at a receiver station having receiver apparatus, programmable processor apparatus, input apparatus, peripheral apparatus, and output apparatus, said programmable processor apparatus being operatively connected to said receiver apparatus for receiving a control signal and operatively connected to said output apparatus for causing output of said additional material at a specific output location of said output apparatus, said input apparatus being operatively connected to said programmable processor apparatus for inputting information to said programmable processor apparatus, said peripheral apparatus operatively connected to said receiver apparatus for receiving information from said receiver apparatus and communicating information to said receiver apparatus, said peripheral apparatus operatively connected to said programmable processor apparatus for receiving information from said programmable processor apparatus and communicating information to said programmable processor apparatus, said peripheral apparatus operatively connected to said output apparatus for receiving information from said output apparatus and communicating information to said output apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

• programming said programmable processor apparatus to respond to said control signal;
• receiving, at said receiver apparatus, one or more information transmissions including mass medium programming and said control signal;
• passing said mass medium programming to said output apparatus;
• outputting said mass medium programming at said output apparatus;
• prompting a user for a user reply to receive additional material, at least a part of said mass medium programming promoting use of said additional material;
• receiving said user reply from said user at said input apparatus in response to said step of prompting said user;
• inputting information to said programmable processor apparatus to enable output of said additional material at said receiver station based on said user reply;
• detecting said control signal at said receiver station;
• passing said control signal to, or within, said programmable processor apparatus based on information contained in said control signal;
• controlling said programmable processor apparatus to perform a plurality of functions in response to said detected and passed control signal based on said step of programming said programmable processor apparatus;
• locating information with said programmable processor apparatus based on said step of controlling said programmable processor apparatus, said located information to serve as a basis for outputting said additional material;
• processing said located information at said receiver station to provide said additional material for output at said receiver station based on said step of controlling said programmable processor apparatus;
• selecting a location of said output apparatus at said receiver station at which to output said additional material based on said step of controlling said programmable processor apparatus;
• instructing, with said programmable processor apparatus, said receiver apparatus to receive and communicate said located information to serve as a basis for outputting said additional material;
• and
• selectively controlling, with said programmable processor apparatus, said output apparatus to output said additional material based on said user reply.

An interactive receiver station apparatus for accepting and storing user input in response to promotional video programming and selectively authorizing delivery of a product at a receiver station, said interactive receiver station apparatus comprising:

• a first receiver that receives a video signal, said video signal including said promotional video programming and a first instruction, said promotional video programming promoting said product;
• a display operatively connected to said first receiver, said display outputting said promotional video programming promoting said product;
• a second receiver that receives said user input, said user input entered at said interactive receiver station apparatus in response to content of said promotional video programming promoting said product;
• a memory operatively connected to said second receiver that stores said user input;
• a product delivery device;
• transmitter apparatus;
• and
• programmable processor apparatus operatively connected to said first receiver, said second receiver, said memory, said product delivery device and said transmitter apparatus, said programmable processor apparatus programmed to respond to said first instruction and said user input, said programmable processor apparatus processing information contained in said first instruction and said stored user input to authorize delivery of said product, said programmable processor apparatus selecting information that evidences 1) an order placed by a local user and 2) an identification of said product based on processing information contained in said first instruction and said stored user input, said programmable processor apparatus causing said transmitter apparatus to transmit to a remote data collection station said information that evidences 1) an order placed by a local user and 2) an identification of said product based on processing information contained in said first instruction and said stored user input;
• said programmable processor apparatus controlling said product delivery device to provide to said local user said product in response to processing information contained in said first instruction and said stored user input to authorize delivery of said product.

An apparatus for promoting and selectively delivering programming at a receiver station comprising:

• a plurality of receiver devices including a first receiver device that receives promotional information at said receiver station, said promotional information promoting said programming, a second receiver device that receives a viewer response to a request for said viewer response to receive said programming promoted in said promotional information;
• output apparatus including a plurality of output components, said plurality of output components including one that outputs said promotional information;
• and
• a storage device that stores said viewer response;
• a selective transfer device;
• and
• programmable processor apparatus operatively connected to said plurality of receiver devices, output apparatus, said storage device and said selective transfer device, said programmable processor apparatus programmed to respond to a first instruction and said viewer response, said programmable processor apparatus in response to said first instruction and said viewer response selectively controlling reception of said programming at one of said plurality of receiver devices, selecting an output component of said output apparatus to output said programming and controlling said selective transfer device to route said programming from said one of said plurality of receiver devices to said selected output component of said output apparatus.

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

• receiving first mass medium programming in a first programming signal, said first mass medium programming including information that promotes second mass medium programming;
• displaying said information, said interactive video viewing apparatus having an input device to receive input from a user;
• prompting said user for a reply, during said step of displaying said information, as to whether said user wants said second mass medium programming promoted in said step of displaying said information, said interactive video viewing apparatus having a transmitter for communicating said reply to a remote site;
• receiving said reply from said user at said input device in response to said step of prompting said user, said input device communicating said reply as multiple bits, said interactive video viewing apparatus having programmable processor apparatus for processing said reply;
• processing said reply with said programmable processor apparatus and selecting at least one of a code and a datum designating said second mass medium programming;
• communicating said selected at least one of said code and said datum to a remote site;
• receiving said second mass medium programming in a second programming signal, said programmable processor apparatus controlling reception of said second mass medium programming in response to said step of processing said reply;
• and
• selectively delivering said second mass medium programing to an output device, said programmable processor apparatus controlling delivery of said second mass medium programming in response to said step of processing said reply.

A method for mass medium programming promotion and selective delivery for use with an interactive viewing apparatus having a plurality of different output components, said method comprising the steps of:

• programming programmable processor apparatus at said interactive viewing apparatus to respond to a control signal from a remote programming supplier;
• receiving, at receiver apparatus at said interactive viewing apparatus, a first portion of said mass medium programming in a first programming signal, said first portion of said mass medium programming including an image that promotes a second portion of said mass medium programming;
• displaying, at display apparatus at said interactive viewing apparatus, said image, said interactive viewing apparatus having input apparatus that is caused by a subscriber to receive input from said subscriber;
• prompting said subscriber for a reply, during said step of displaying said image, as to whether said subscriber wants said second portion of said mass medium programming promoted in said step of displaying said image, said interactive viewing apparatus having transmitter apparatus for communicating said reply to a remote site;
• receiving said reply from said subscriber at said input apparatus in response to said step of prompting said subscriber, said interactive viewing apparatus having storage apparatus connected to said input apparatus for storing said reply;
• storing, at said storage apparatus, said reply from said subscriber;
• receiving, at said programmable processor apparatus at said interactive viewing apparatus, said control signal from said remote programming supplier;
• processing, with said programmable processor apparatus in response to said received control signal, said stored reply from said subscriber;
• selecting, based on said step of processing, one or more portions of information processed at said interactive viewing apparatus, said selected one or more portions of information evidencing one of 1) an order placed by said subscriber and 2) an identification of said second portion of said mass medium programming;
• communicating, with transmitter apparatus at said interactive viewing apparatus based on said step of processing, said selected one or more portions of information processed at said interactive viewing apparatus to a remote site;
• selecting, based on said step of processing, a specific output component of said interactive viewing apparatus at which to output said second portion of said mass medium programming;
• routing, under control of said programmable processor apparatus, said second portion of said mass medium programming to said selected specific output component at said interactive viewing apparatus in response to said received control signal based on said stored reply from said subscriber;
• and
• delivering said second portion of said mass medium programming to said selected specific output component at said interactive viewing apparatus and outputting said second portion of said mass medium programming based on said steps of processing and routing.

A method for mass medium programming promotion and selective delivery for use with an interactive viewing apparatus having a plurality of different output components, said method comprising the steps of:

• programming programmable processor apparatus at said interactive viewing apparatus to respond to a control signal from a remote programming supplier;
• receiving, at receiver apparatus at said interactive viewing apparatus, a first portion of said mass medium programming in a first programming signal, said first portion of said mass medium programming including an image that promotes a second portion of said mass medium programming;
• displaying, at display apparatus at said interactive viewing apparatus, said image, said interactive viewing apparatus having input apparatus that is caused by a subscriber to receive input from said subscriber;
• prompting said subscriber for a reply, during said step of displaying said image, as to whether said subscriber wants said second portion of said mass medium programming promoted in said step of displaying said image, said interactive viewing apparatus having transmitter apparatus for communicating said reply to a remote site;
• receiving said reply from said subscriber at said input apparatus in response to said step of prompting said subscriber, said interactive viewing apparatus having storage apparatus connected to said input apparatus for storing said reply;
• storing, at said storage apparatus, said reply from said subscriber;
• receiving, at said programmable processor apparatus at said interactive viewing apparatus, said control signal from said remote programming supplier;
• processing, with said programmable processor apparatus in response to said received control signal, said stored reply from said subscriber;
• selecting, based on said step of processing, a specific output component of said interactive viewing apparatus at which to output said second portion of said mass medium programming;
• routing, under control of said programmable processor apparatus, said second portion of said mass medium programming to said selected specific output component of said interactive viewing apparatus in response to said received control signal based on said stored reply from said subscriber;
• and
• delivering said second portion of said mass medium programming to said selected specific output component of said interactive viewing apparatus and outputting said second portion of said mass medium programming based on said steps of processing and routing.

A method for promoting and delivering a service through use of an interactive video viewing apparatus, said interactive video viewing apparatus including programmable processor apparatus, receiver apparatus, transmitter apparatus, output apparatus and input apparatus, said input apparatus capable of receiving 1) a first instruction input by a local user who is present at said interactive video viewing apparatus 2) a second instruction supplied from a first remote site which is remote from said interactive video viewing apparatus, said interactive video viewing apparatus having an associated service delivery apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

• programming said programmable processor apparatus to respond to each of said first and said second instructions;
• receiving, at said receiver apparatus at said interactive video viewing apparatus, video programming in a first programming signal, said video programming promoting said service;
• displaying, at said output apparatus of said interactive video viewing apparatus, said video programming that promotes said service;
• offering said service on condition of a specific user input received at said input apparatus from said local user coordinated with display of said video programming promoting said service;
• receiving said first instruction from said local user at said input apparatus, said first instruction including said specific user input, said interactive video viewing apparatus having memory for storing said specific user input;
• storing, with said programmable processor apparatus, said first instruction, including said specific user input, from said local user at said memory at said interactive video viewing apparatus;
• receiving said second instruction at said interactive video viewing apparatus, and communicating said second instruction to said programmable processor apparatus, said second instruction designating a first control signal;
• comparing, with said programmable processor apparatus, information contained in said stored first instruction with information contained in said second instruction in response to said second instruction, based on said step of programming said programmable processor apparatus;
• controlling said interactive video viewing apparatus with said programmable processor apparatus in response to said second instruction based on said steps of comparing and programming said programmable processor apparatus;
• selecting, under control of said programmable processor apparatus, information that evidences 1) an order placed by said local user and 2) an identification of said service based on said step of comparing and based on said step of controlling;
• transmitting to a remote data collection station, with said transmitter apparatus of said interactive video viewing apparatus based on said step of controlling, said selected information that evidences 1) an order placed by said local user and 2) an identification of said service;
• receiving said first control signal at said interactive video viewing apparatus and communicating said first control signal to said programmable processor apparatus, said first control signal designating said service and providing data operative to deliver said service at service output apparatus of said service delivery apparatus;
• controlling said programmable processor apparatus to select individually controllable components of said service delivery apparatus and instruct said selected individually controllable components selectively to provide said service at said service delivery apparatus in response to said first control signal based on said step of programming said programmable processor apparatus;
• and
• providing said service at said service delivery apparatus based on said step of controlling said programmable processor apparatus to select said selected individually controllable components of said service delivery apparatus in response to said first control signal.

An interactive receiver station apparatus for accepting and storing user input in response to a promotional video programming and selectively authorizing delivery of a service at a receiver station, said interactive receiver station apparatus comprising:

• a first receiver that receives a video signal, said video signal including said promotional video programming and a first instruction, said promotional video programming promoting said service;
• a display operatively connected to said first receiver, said display outputting said promotional video programming promoting said service;
• a second receiver that receives said user input, said user input entered at said interactive receiver station apparatus in response to content of said promotional video programming promoting said service;
• a memory operatively connected to said second receiver that stores said user input;
• a service delivery device including individually controllable components;
• transmitter apparatus;
• and
• programmable processor apparatus operatively connected to said first receiver, said second receiver, said memory, said service delivery device and said transmitter apparatus, said programmable processor apparatus programmed to respond to said first instruction and said user input, said programmable processor apparatus processing information contained in said first instruction and said stored user input to authorize delivery of said service, said programmable processor apparatus selecting information that evidences 1) an order placed by a local user and 2) an identification of said service based on processing information contained in said first instruction and stored user input, said programmable processor apparatus causing said transmitter apparatus to transmit to a remote data collection station said information that evidences 1) an order placed by a local user and 2) an identification of said service based on processing information contained in said first instruction and stored user input;
• said programmable processor apparatus selecting at least one individually controllable component of said service delivery device to provide to said local user said service in response to processing information contained in said first instruction and stored user input to authorize delivery of said service.

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

• receiving first mass medium programming in a first programming signal, said first mass medium programming including information that promotes second mass medium programming;
• displaying said information, said interactive video viewing apparatus having an input device to receive input from a user;
• prompting said user for a reply, during said step of displaying said information, as to whether said user wants said second mass medium programming promoted in said step of displaying said information, said interactive video viewing apparatus having a transmitter for communicating said reply to a remote site;
• receiving said reply from said user at said input device in response to said step of prompting said user, said input device communicating said reply as multiple bits, said interactive video viewing apparatus having programmable processor apparatus for processing said reply;
• processing said reply with said programmable processor apparatus and authorizing reception, with said programmable processor apparatus, of said second mass medium programming;
• receiving said second mass medium programming in a second programming signal, said programmable processor apparatus controlling reception of said second mass medium programming based on said step of processing said reply;
• and
• selectively delivering said second mass medium programing to an output device, said programmable processor apparatus controlling delivery of said second mass medium programming based on said step of processing said reply.

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

• receiving first mass medium programming in a first programming signal, said first mass medium programming including information that promotes second mass medium programming;
• displaying said information, said interactive video viewing apparatus having an input device to receive input from a user;
• prompting said user for a reply, during said step of displaying said information, as to whether said user wants said second mass medium programming promoted in said step of displaying said information, said interactive video viewing apparatus having a transmitter for communicating said reply to a remote site;
• receiving said reply from said user at said input device in response to said step of prompting said user, said input device communicating said reply as multiple bits, said interactive video viewing apparatus having programmable processor apparatus for processing said reply;
• storing said reply for processing by said programmable processor apparatus;
• identifying, at said interactive video viewing apparatus, a control signal transmitted from a remote source;
• routing said control signal to said programmable processor apparatus based on information contained in said control signal;
• processing said reply with said programmable processor apparatus in response to said control signal and authorizing reception, with said programmable processor apparatus, of said second mass medium programming, said interactive video viewing apparatus having receiver apparatus for receiving said second mass medium programming;
• receiving said second mass medium programming in a second programming signal, said programmable processor apparatus controlling reception of said second mass medium programming based on said step of processing said reply;
• and
• selectively delivering said second mass medium programming to an output device at said interactive video viewing apparatus, said programmable processor apparatus controlling delivery of said second mass medium programming based on said step of processing said reply.