Signal processing apparatus and methods

A method of delivering a receiver specific programming at at least one of a plurality of receiver stations in a communications network, comprising the steps of:

• storing a control signal and selected data at a transmitter station in said communications network;
• and
• transmitting a transmission including said stored control signal and said stored selected data, said control signal effective at said at least one of a plurality of receiver stations in said communications network to control a computer to generate a receiver specific value by performing a benefit determination which processes 1) receiver specific information that is calculated by said computer and 2) said selected data, said receiver specific information derived from specific criteria stored at said receiver station, said specific criteria defining relevant characteristics of a user of said at least one of a plurality of receiver stations, select at least one unit of programming based on said receiver specific value, and output said selected specific programming based on 1) said receiver specific value and 2) identification or location information of said selected at least one unit of programming;
• communicating programming including said selected at least one unit of programming to a transmitter at said transmitter station;
• and
• transmitting said programming from said transmitter station to said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations in said communications network.

A method for controlling the transmission of a control signal from an intermediate transmitter station to a receiver station in a communications network, comprising the steps of:

• receiving, at said intermediate transmitter station in said communications network, information regarding a first control signal;
• receiving a second control signal operative to cause a first computer at said intermediate transmitter station in said communications network to select data and to communicate said first control signal to a memory of said computer based on said data;
• and
• transmitting, to said receiver station in said communications network, said selected first control signal, said selected first control signal operative at said receiver station in said communications network to control a second computer at said receiver station to generate a receiver specific value by performing a benefit determination which processes 1) receiver specific information that is calculated by said second computer and 2) information regarding at least one unit of programming, said receiver specific information derived from specific criteria stored at a memory associated with said second computer, said specific criteria defining relevant characteristics of a user of said receiver station, select some of said at least one unit of based on said receiver specific value, and cause said selected some of said at least one unit of programming to be communicated to an output device based on 1) said receiver specific control and 2) identification or location information of said some of said at least one unit of programming;
• communicating said at least one unit of programming to a transmitter at said intermediate transmitter station;
• and
• transmitting said at least one unit of programming from said intermediate transmitter station to said receiver station in said communications network.

A method of delivering a receiver specific program at a receiver station having a computer and an output device, comprising perform the following steps of:

• receiving, at said receiver station, a broadcast or cablecast information transmission comprising control instructions which include information regarding a plurality of units of programming;
• detecting said control instructions in said broadcast or cablecast information transmission and passing said detected control instructions to said computer at said receiver station;
• receiving said plurality of units of programming at said receiver station;
• controlling said computer at said receiver station based on said detected and passed control instructions, said step of controlling comprising controlling said computer to:
• generate a receiver specific value by performing a benefit determination which processes 1) receiver specific information that is calculated by said computer at said receiver station and 2) said information regarding said plurality of units of programming, said receiver specific information derived from specific criteria stored at said receiver station, said specific criteria defining relevant characteristics of a user of said receiver station;
• select at least one of said plurality of units of programming based on said receiver specific computer generated value;
• and
• cause said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming to be communicated based on 1) said receiver specific value and 2) identification or location information of said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming;
• receiving in said cablecast or broadcast transmission at least one additional unit of programming at said receiver station;
• and
• delivering through said output device a receiver station specific presentation of two or more units of programming, said two or more units of programming including said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming and said at least one additional unit of programming.

A receiver station apparatus for delivering a presentation of two or more units of programming comprising:

• a program input receiver that receives a broadcast or cablecast information transmission comprising control instructions and at least one additional unit of programming, said control instructions including information regarding a plurality of units of programming;
• a detector operatively connected to said program input receiver that detects said control instructions in said broadcast or cablecast information transmission;
• a computer operatively connected to, said detector and said output device for performing the following operations based upon said detected and passed control instructions:
• generating a receiver specific value by performing a benefit determination which processes 1) receiver specific information that is calculated by said computer and 2) said information regarding said plurality of units of programming, said receiver specific information derived from specific criteria stored at said receiver station apparatus, said specific criteria defining relavant characteristics of a user of said receiver station apparatus;
• selecting at least one of said plurality of units of programming based on said receiver specific computer generated value;
• and
• causing said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming to be communicated based on 1) said receiver specific value and 2) identification or location information of said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming;
• an output device operatively connected to said computer that delivers a receiver station specific presentation of two or more units of programming, said two or more units of programming including said selected at least one of said plurality of units of programming and said at least one additional unit of programming.