Signal processing apparatus and methods

A method of generating and delivering an individualized mass medium program presentation at a receiver station, said receiver station having a receiver for receiving a mass medium program signal, a computer for generating and communicating information, and at least one output device operatively connected to said receiver and said computer for delivering to a viewer a mass medium program and computer information, with said computer comprising at least one data storage location, said method comprising the steps of:

• storing a first datum specifying a viewer interest and a timing signal specifying a time;
• first controlling said computer at least one time based on said timing signal, said step of first controlling comprising:
• (1) supplying a comparison signal, said comparison signal comprising an identification of said viewer interest;
• (2) selecting at least one second datum, each second datum designating one of a viewer interest and a time;
• and
• (3) storing said selected at least one second datum at a storage location;
• second controlling said computer at least one time based on said timing signal, said step of second controlling comprising:
• (1) selecting at least one computer programming instruction;
• (2) generating mass medium program information content in respect to a viewer interest;
• and
• (3) preparing to communicate said generated mass medium program information content upon instruction;
• third controlling said computer at least one time based on said timing signal;
• said step of third controlling comprising:
• (1) selecting mass medium program information content;
• (2) selecting a location;
• (3) communicating said selected mass medium program information content to said selected location;
• and
• presenting to a subscriber at a controlled time a mass medium program with locally generated mass medium program information content, with said mass medium program and said locally generated mass medium program information content being outputted to said subscriber as at least one of the following:
• (i) at least one of a combined and a sequential presentation at said at least one output device and
• (ii) parallel presentations at a plurality of said at least one output device.

A method of generating and delivering an individualized mass medium program presentation at a receiver station, said receiver station having a receiver for receiving a mass medium program signal, a computer for generating and communicating information, and at least one output device operatively connected to said receiver and said computer for delivering to a viewer a mass medium program and computer information, with said computer comprising at least one data storage location, said method comprising the steps of:

• storing at least one of (i) a timing signal specifying one of a time and a series of times and (ii) an identification signal specifying a viewer interest;
• first controlling said computer based on one of said timing signal and a comparison of said identification signal to other data, said step of first controlling comprising:
• (1) making a comparison between identification data for a viewer interest and other data including timing data to select a portion of said other data, said portion designating one of a time and data of interest to a viewer;
• (2) selecting a storage location;
• and
• (3) storing said selected portion of said other data at said selected storage location;
• second controlling said computer based on one of said timing signal and a comparison of an identification signal to other data, said step of second controlling comprising:
• (1) making a comparison between identification data for a viewer interest and other data including timing data to select at least one presentation control signal;
• (2) selecting a storage location;
• and
• (3) storing said selected at least one presentation control signal at said selected storage location;
• and
• third controlling said computer based on one of said timing signal and a comparison of an identification signal to other data, said step of third controlling comprising:
• (1) making a comparison between identification data for a viewer interest and other data including timing data to select mass medium program information content;
• (2) selecting a storage location;
• and
• (3) storing said selected mass medium program information content at said selected storage location;
• presenting to a subscriber a mass medium program with local mass medium program information content in response to a command, with said mass medium program and said local information content being outputted to said subscriber as at least one of the following:
• (i) at least one of a combined and a sequential presentation at said at least one output device and
• (ii) parallel presentations at a plurality of said at least one output device.

A method of generating and delivering an individualized mass medium program presentation at a receiver station, said receiver station having a receiver for receiving a mass medium program signal, a computer for generating and communicating information, and at least one output device operatively connected to said receiver and said computer for delivering to a viewer a mass medium program and computer information, with said computer comprising at least one data storage locations, said method comprising the steps of:

• storing at least one of a timing signal specifying a time and a first datum specifying a viewer interest;
• first controlling said computer at least one time based on one of said timing signal and a comparison, said step of first controlling comprising:
• (1) selecting said at least one first datum, said selected at least one first datum designating one of a viewer interest and a time;
• (2) selecting a storage location;
• and
• (3) storing said selected at least one first datum at said selected storage location;
• second controlling said computer at least one time based on one of said timing signal and a comparison, said step of second controlling comprising:
• (1) selecting at least one presentation control signal;
• (2) selecting a storage location;
• and
• (3) storing said selected at least one presentation control signal at said selected storage location;
• and
• third controlling said computer at least one time based on one of said timing signal and a comparison, said step of third controlling comprising:
• (1) selecting first mass medium program information content;
• (2) selecting a storage location;
• and
• (3) storing said selected mass medium program information content at said selected storage location;
• presenting to a subscriber a mass medium program with local mass medium program information content in response to a command, with said mass medium program and said local information content being outputted to said subscriber as at least one of the following:
• (i) at least one of a combined and a sequential presentation at said at least one output device and
• (ii) parallel presentations at a plurality of said at least one output device.

A method of generating and delivering an individualized mass medium program presentation at a receiver station, said receiver station having a receiver for receiving a mass medium program signal, a computer for generating and communicating information, and at least one output device operatively connected to said receiver and said computer for delivering to a viewer a mass medium program and computer information, with said computer comprising at least one data storage location, said method comprising the steps of:

• storing a timing signal specifying one of a time and a series of times and an identification datum specifying a viewer interest;
• first controlling said computer based on said timing signal, said step of first controlling comprising:
• (1) comparing said identification datum to other data to select at least one identification signal, said selected at least one identification signal including one of data, information content, and a first control signal respecting said mass medium program;
• (2) selecting a storage location;
• and
• (3) storing said selected at least one identification signal at said selected storage location;
• second controlling said computer based on a comparison of said identification signal to other data, said step of second controlling comprising:
• (1) generating a second control signal;
• (2) selecting a device;
• and
• (3) communicating said generated second control signal to said selected device;
• third controlling said computer based on a comparison of said identification signal to other data, said step of third controlling comprising:
• (1) selecting mass medium program information content;
• and
• (2) communicating said selected mass medium program information content from a storage location;
• and
• presenting to a subscriber a received mass medium program with local mass medium program information content, with said mass medium program and said local mass medium program information content being outputted to said subscriber as at least one of the following:
• (i) at least one of a combined and a sequential presentation at said at least one output device and
• (ii) parallel presentations at a plurality of said at least one output device.

A method of generating and delivering an individualized mass medium program presentation at a receiver station, said receiver station having a receiver for receiving a mass medium program signal, a computer for generating and communicating information, and at least one output device operatively connected to said receiver and said computer for delivering to a viewer a mass medium program and computer information, with said computer comprising at least one data storage location, said method comprising the steps of:

• storing a timing signal specifying one of a time and a series of times and an identification signal specifying a viewer interest;
• first controlling said computer based on said timing signal, said step of first controlling comprising:
• (1) comparing one of said timing signal and said identification signal to other data to select at least one signal, said selected signal including one of data, information content, and a control signal respecting said mass medium program;
• and
• (2) storing said selected at least one signal at a storage location;
• second controlling said computer based on one of said timing signal and a comparison, said step of second controlling comprising:
• (1) selecting at least one computer programming instruction;
• (2) generating mass medium program information content in respect to a viewer interest;
• and
• (3) preparing to communicate said generated mass medium program information content upon instruction;
• third controlling said computer based on one of said timing signal and said comparison, said third step of controlling comprising:
• (1) selecting mass medium program information content;
• (2) selecting a location;
• (3) communicating said selected mass medium program information content to said selected location;
• and
• presenting to a subscriber at a controlled time a mass medium program with locally generated mass medium program information content, with said mass medium program and said locally generated mass medium program information content being outputted to said subscriber as at least one of the following:
• (i) at least one of a combined and a sequential presentation at said at least one output device and
• (ii) parallel presentations at a plurality of said at least one output device.

A method of generating and delivering an individualized mass medium program presentation at a receiver station, said receiver station having a receiver for receiving a mass medium program signal, a computer for generating and communicating information, and at least one output device operatively connected to said receiver and said computer for delivering to a viewer a mass medium program and computer information, with said computer comprising at least one data storage location, said method comprising the steps of:

• storing a timing signal specifying one of a time and a series of times and an identification signal specifying a viewer interest;
• first controlling said computer based on a comparison of one of said timing signal and said identification signal to first data, said step of first controlling comprising:
• (1) inputting second data to said computer, said second data comprising one of (i) an identification of said mass medium program, (ii) at least one computer programming instructions, and (iii) a timing control signal;
• (2) selecting a signal, said selected signal including one of data, information content, and one of a plurality of first control signals respecting said mass medium program;
• and
• (3) storing said selected signal at a storage location;
• second controlling said computer based on said first control signal, said step of second controlling comprising:
• (1) selecting one of a broadcast and a cablecast signal, said one of a broadcast and a cablecast signal comprising said mass medium program and at least one second control signal;
• (2) detecting said plurality of first control signals respecting said mass medium program;
• and
• (3) inputting each of said plurality of detected control signals to a processor;
• third controlling said computer based on said timing signal, said step of third controlling comprising:
• (1) selecting mass medium program information content;
• (2) selecting a location;
• (3) communicating said selected mass medium program information content to said selected location;
• and
• presenting to a subscriber at a controlled time said mass medium program with locally generated mass medium program information content, with said mass medium program and said locally generated mass medium program information content being outputted to said subscriber as at least one of the following:
• (i) at least one of a combined and a sequential presentation at said at least one output device and
• (ii) parallel presentations at a plurality of said at least one output device.

A method of generating and delivering an individualized mass medium program presentation at a receiver station, said receiver station having a receiver for receiving a mass medium program signal, a computer for generating and communicating information, and at least one output device operatively connected to said receiver and said computer for delivering to a viewer a mass medium program and computer information, with said computer comprising at least one data storage locations, said method comprising the steps of:

• storing a timing signal specifying a time and a first datum specifying a viewer interest;
• first controlling said computer at least one time based on a comparison, said step of first controlling comprising:
• (1) inputting at least one second datum, said second datum designating one of said viewer interest and said time;
• (2) selecting a signal, said selected signal including one of data, information content, and a control signal respecting said mass medium program;
• and
• (3) storing said selected signal at a storage location;
• second controlling said computer at least one based on said timing signal, said step of second controlling comprising:
• (1) selecting at least one computer programming instruction;
• (2) generating mass medium program information content in respect to said viewer interest;
• and
• (3) preparing to communicate said generated mass medium program information content upon instruction;
• third controlling said computer at least one time based on said timing signal;
• said step of third controlling comprising:
• (1) selecting said mass medium program information content;
• (2) selecting a location;
• (3) communicating said selected mass medium program information content to said selected location;
• and
• presenting to a subscriber at a controlled time said mass medium program with locally generated mass medium program information content, with said mass medium program and said locally generated mass medium program information content being outputted to said subscriber as at least one of the following:
• (i) at least one of a combined and a sequential presentation at said at least one output device and
• (ii) parallel presentations at a plurality of said at least one output device.

A method of providing data of interest to a receiver station from a first remote data source, said data of interest for use at said receiver station in at least one of generating and outputting a receiver specific datum, said method comprising the steps of:

• storing said data at said first remote data source;
• receiving at said remote data source a query from said receiver station;
• transmitting at least a portion of said data from said first remote data source to said receiver station in response to said step of receiving said query, said receiver station selecting and storing said transmitted at least a portion of said data and;
• transmitting from a second remote source to said receiver station a signal which controls said receiver station to select and process an instruct signal which is effective at said receiver station to coordinate presentation of said at least a portion of said data with one of a mass medium program and a program segment presentation sequence.

A method of communicating subscriber station information from a subscriber station to at least one remote data collection stat, said method comprising the steps of:

• (1) inputting one of a viewer's and a participant's reaction at said subscriber station;
• (2) receiving at said subscriber station information that designates one of an instruct signal to process and an output to deliver in consequence of subscriber input;
• (3) determining the presence of said subscriber input at said subscriber station by processing said one of a viewer's and a participant's reaction;
• (4) processing said instruct signal which is effective to coordinate presentation of at least a mass medium program segment with a predetermined presentation sequence at said subscriber station in consequence of said step of determining;
• and
• (5) transferring from said subscriber station to at least one remote data collection station an indicium effective to accomplish one of confirming completion of said step of processing and confirming delivery of said coordinated presentation from said step of processing.

A method of controlling a remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station to communicate mass medium program material to at least one receiver stat, with said remote transmitter station including one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter for transmitting at least one unit of mass medium programming, a plurality of selective transfer devices each operatively connected to said one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter for communicating said at least one unit of mass medium programming, a mass medium programming receiver for receiving said at least one unit of mass medium programming from at least one origination transmitter station a control signal detector, and one of a controller and a computer capable of controlling at least one of said selective transfer devices, and with said remote transmitter station adapted to detect the presence of at least one control signal, to control the communication of specific units of mass medium programming in response to detected specific control signals, and to deliver at said one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmitter at least one unit of mass medium programming, said method of controlling comprising the steps of:

• (1) receiving at said at least one origination transmitter station said at least one unit of mass medium programming to be transmitted by said remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station and delivering said at least one unit of mass medium programming to at least one origination transmitter, said at least one unit of mass medium programming having an instruct signal which is effective at said at least one receiver station to coordinate presentation of said at least one unit of mass medium programming with a predetermined presentation sequence;
• (2) receiving said at least one control signal which at said remote intermediate mass medium programming transmitter station operates to control the communication of said at least one unit of mass medium programming;
• and
• (3) transmitting said at least one control signal from said at least one origination transmitter before a specific time.

A method of controlling a receiver station including the steps of:

• detecting one of the presence and the absence of one of a broadcast and a cablecast control signal at said receiver station;
• inputting an instruct-to-react signal to a processor at said receiver station based on said step of detecting one of the presence and the absence of said control signal;
• controlling said processor to output specific information in response to said step of inputting said instruct-to-react signal;
• and
• coordinating presentation of at least a mass medium program segment with a predetermined presentation sequence on the basis of information received from said process or based on said step of controlling said processor.

A method of controlling a receiver station, said receiver station having a processor for passing and executing instructions and a clock operatively connected to said processor for inputting a timing signal, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmission;
• demodulating said one of a broadcast and a cablecast transmission to detect an information transmission thereon, said information transmission comprising an instruct signal which is effective to coordinate presentation of at least a mass medium program segment with a predetermined presentation sequence;
• detecting said instruct signal on said information transmission and passing said instruct signal to said processor;
• delaying, under control of said processor, the passing of said instruct signal to a controllable apparatus;
• passing said instruct signal to said controllable apparatus on the basis of said timing signal;
• and
• controlling said controllable apparatus based on said instruct signal.

A method of communicating program material to at least one receiver station which includes one of a broadcast and a cablecast program receiver, an output device, a control signal detector, a processor operatively connected to said output device, and with said at least one receiver station adapted to detect and respond to at least one instruct signal, said method of communicating comprising the steps of:

• (1) receiving at least a program segment to be transmitted at a transmitter station and delivering said at least a program segment to a transmitter;
• (2) receiving and storing said at least one instruct signal at said transmitter station, said at least one instruct signal at said receiver station operates to coordinate presentation of said at least a program segment with a predetermined presentation sequence;
• (3) transferring said at least one instruct signal to said transmitter;
• and
• (4) transmitting from said transmitter station an information transmission comprising said at least a program segment and said at least one instruct signal.