# US 8,572,671 B1 · Signal processing apparatus and methods

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- Number: US 8,572,671 B1
- Document ID: US8572671B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 08/445,296
- Filed: 1995-05-19
- Granted: 2013-10-29
- Earliest claimed: 1981-11-03
- Assignees: Personalized Media Communications, LLC
- Applicants: John Christopher Harvey; James William Cuddihy
- Inventors: John Christopher Harvey; James William Cuddihy
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8572671B1

## CPC

- 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)}
- G01R 1/071: {containing electro-optic elements}
- H04H 20/28: Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
- H04H 40/18: Arrangements characterised by circuits or components specially adapted for receiving
- H04H 60/13: Arrangements for device control affected by the broadcast information
- H04H 60/31: Arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services
- H04H 60/33: Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
- H04H 60/40: for identifying broadcast time
- H04H 60/41: for identifying broadcast space, i.e. broadcast channels, broadcast stations or broadcast areas
- H04K 1/00: Secret communication
- H04N 5/46: for receiving on more than one standard at will (deflecting circuits of multi-standard receivers H04N3/27)
- 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)}
- H04N 7/084: with signal insertion during the horizontal blanking interval {only}
- H04N 7/14: Systems for two-way working ({H04N7/12, } H04N7/173 take precedence)
- H04N 7/173: with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
- H04N 7/24: Systems for the transmission of television signals using pulse code modulation (H04N21/00 takes precedence)
- 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})
- H04N 21/21: Server components or server architectures
- H04N 21/21815: {comprising local storage units}
- H04N 21/222: Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end {(provisioning of proxy services in data packet switching networks H04L67/56)}
- H04N 21/235: Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
- H04N 21/2351: {involving encryption of additional data (arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23)}
- H04N 21/23892: {involving embedding information at multiplex stream level, e.g. embedding a watermark at packet level}
- 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)}
- 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)}
- H04N 21/4117: {for generating hard copies of the content, e.g. printer, electronic paper (interfaces to printers G06F3/12; printing data G06K15/02)}
- 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)}
- H04N 21/4135: {external recorder (interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775)}
- H04N 21/4143: {embedded in a} Personal Computer [PC]
- H04N 21/4184: {providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick}
- H04N 21/426: Internal components of the client {; Characteristics thereof} (H04N5/44 takes precedence)
- 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}
- H04N 21/43072: {of multiple content streams on the same device}
- 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)}
- 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)}
- 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)}
- H04N 21/4353: {involving decryption of additional data (arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23)}
- 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)}
- H04N 21/4363: Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network
- H04N 21/4385: Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream decrypting
- H04N 21/4405: involving video stream decryption
- 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)}
- 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)}
- 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
- 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)}
- H04N 21/454: Content {or additional data} filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
- 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)}
- 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)}
- H04N 21/47: End-user applications
- 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)}
- H04N 21/488: Data services, e.g. news ticker {(systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71)}
- H04N 21/4888: {for displaying teletext characters}
- 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)
- 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)}
- H04N 21/6543: for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording {(remote booting in general G06F9/4416)}
- 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)}
- H04N 21/818: {OS software}
- G06Q 30/0251: Targeted advertisements
- H04H 20/14: for monitoring programmes
- H04H 20/30: by a single channel
- H04H 60/21: Billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information
- H04H 60/23: using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
- H04H 60/27: Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
- H04H 60/37: for identifying segments of broadcast information, e.g. scenes or extracting programme ID
- H04H 60/94: Telephonic networks (for accessing the Internet H04H60/84)
- H04H 2201/70: characterised in that receivers can be addressed
- H04N 5/782: on tape
- H04N 21/20: Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- 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)}
- 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)}
- H04N 21/41: Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N 21/41415: {involving a public display, viewable by several users in a public space outside their home, e.g. movie theatre, information kiosk}
- 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)}
- 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)}
- H04N 21/8352: involving content or source identification data, e.g. Unique Material Identifier [UMID]
- H04N 21/8355: involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)
- H04H: BROADCAST COMMUNICATION (multiplex communication H04J; pictorial communication aspects of broadcast systems H04N)
- H04K: SECRET COMMUNICATION; JAMMING OF COMMUNICATION
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## 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

### Claim 1

A method of communicating subscriber station information from a subscriber station to at least one remote station, said method comprising the steps of:
storing subscriber data for a subscriber at a subscriber station;
outputting a combined medium output by at least automatically accessing said stored subscriber data;
receiving said subscriber's reaction to a combined medium output at said subscriber station;
processing an instruct signal to generate at least one subscriber specific budget datum for said subscriber, including at least one of a quantity and monetary value datum, at said subscriber station in response to said subscriber's reaction at said subscriber station, said processing to generate said at least one subscriber specific budget datum is directed by instructions from said instruct signal and affects at least said subscriber data, said subscriber specific datum for communication to said at least one remote station;
generating and storing said at least one subscriber specific budget datum from said step of processing, said subscriber specific budget datum stored at said subscriber station;
processing said instruct signal to transfer at least one subscriber specific budget datum to said at least one remote station;
transferring said at least one subscriber specific budget datum from said step of generating from said subscriber station to said at least one remote station.

### Claim 2

A method of communicating subscriber station information from a subscriber station to at least one remote station, said method comprising the steps of:
storing subscriber data at said subscriber station;
receiving at said subscriber station at least one instruct signal which is effective to deliver information from said subscriber station to said remote station comprising at least one of a product and a service including a subscriber specific projected value of said at least one of a product and a service;
processing said instruct signal to automatically load at least a portion of the stored subscriber data and generate at least one subscriber specific budget datum at said subscriber station directed by instructions from said at least one instruct signal, said subscriber specific budget datum stored at said subscriber station, said processing further affects at least said subscriber data;
receiving at said subscriber station a subscriber's reaction to a combined medium output from said subscriber station; and
transferring said at least one subscriber specific budget datum from said subscriber station to said at least one remote station based on said step of receiving a subscriber's reaction.

### Claim 3

A method of communicating mass medium program material to at least one receiver station, said at least one receiver station including one of a broadcast mass medium programming receiver and a cablecast mass medium programming receiver, an output device, a control signal detector, a processor operably connected to said output device, and with each said at least one receiver station adapted to detect and respond to at least one instruct signal, said method comprising the steps of:
receiving at a transmitter station mass medium programming to be transmitted and delivering said mass medium programming to an origination transmitter at said transmitter station;
receiving and storing said at least one instruct signal at said transmitter station, said at least one instruct signal operates at said at least one receiver station to deliver, and store at said at least one receiver station, output information of one of a product and a service, said output information including a user specific projected value of said at least one of a product and a service, said instruct signal causing the at least one receiver station to at least automatically access subscriber data stored at the at least one receiver station to deliver said output information of one of a product and a service, wherein said at least one instruct signal, when processed at the at least one receiver station, affects said subscriber data stored at the at least one receiver station;
transferring said at least one instruct signal to said origination transmitter before a specific time, said specific time being a time when said instruct signal is to take effect at said at least one receiver station; and
transmitting from said origination transmitter an information transmission including said mass medium programming and said at least one instruct signal.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein said at least one instruct signal is embedded in a mass medium programming signal, said mass medium programming signal containing said mass medium programming.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein said step of transmitting directs said information transmission to a plurality of remote receiver stations at the same time and each of said plurality of remote receiver stations performs at least one of receiving and responding to said at least one instruct signal concurrently.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein said step of transmitting directs said information transmission to each of a plurality of remote receiver stations at different times and each of said plurality of remote receiver stations responds to said at least one instruct signal at a different time.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:
receiving said mass medium programming at a receiver in said transmitter station;
communicating said mass medium programming from said receiver to a memory location in said transmitter station; and
storing said mass medium programming at said memory location for a period of time prior to communicating said mass medium programming to said origination transmitter.