Providing a subscriber specific solution in a computer network

A method of processing signals at a receiver station having a an electronic computer and at least one output device to communicate at least a portion of a subscriber specific solution to a subscriber, wherein said electronic computer operates on digital data according to instructions under control of operating system instructions stored at said electronic computer, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving an information transmission comprising a program and a plurality of digital control signals;
• selecting said program from said information transmission and transferring said program to said at least one output device for delivery to said subscriber;
• detecting a first digital control signal in said information transmission and passing said detected first digital control signal to said electronic computer;
• controlling said electronic computer based on said first digital control signal, said first step of controlling comprising:
• accessing digital data of a specific problem;
• generating based on first software instructions in the information transmission a solution by processing said accessed digital data, said solution selecting amongst a plurality of predetermined options available for said solution;
• and
• storing a plan that includes at least a portion of said solution;
• detecting at least one second digital control signal in the information transmission and passing said detected at least one second digital control signal to said electronic computer;
• controlling said electronic computer based on said at least one second digital control signal, said second step of controlling comprising:
• selecting generally applicable information;
• selecting information of said stored plan;
• and
• communicating at least one of receiver specific video and receiver specific audio and receiver specific print information to said at least one output device;
• and
• outputting using second software instructions available at said receiver station, said second software instructions different from said first software instructions, in at least one of visual and audible form said program and said communicated at least one of receiver specific video and receiver specific audio and receiver specific print information at said receiver station, said outputting comprising subscriber specific information that is based on said step of generating based on first software instructions;
• and
• explaining at least a portion of said plan in said outputted program and said at least one of receiver specific video and receiver specific audio and receiver specific print information.

A method of signal processing in a network to communicate at least some of a recommendation or solution to a plurality of subscribers, said method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a signal to at least one of a plurality of stations;
• controlling a transmitter station on the basis of information communicated with said signal, said step of controlling said transmitter station comprising the steps of:
• selecting some generally applicable information in respect of a problem or interest;
• generating at least a portion of a module including said selected generally applicable information;
• and
• transmitting said module with at least a portion of said signal;
• controlling each of a plurality of receiver stations on the basis of information communicated with said signal, said step of controlling each of said plurality of receiver stations comprising the steps of:
• selecting some portion of said module;
• communicating receiver specific information to an output device;
• and
• recommending in outputted video, audio, or print subscriber specific action in respect to said problem or interest;
• and
• controlling at least one of said plurality of receiver stations on the basis of information communicated with said signal, said step of controlling said at least one receiver station comprising the steps of:
• inputting to a processor some data communicated with at least one of said signal and said module;
• causing said at least one receiver station to establish communications with a remote station;
• and
• communicating input to said remote station.

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

• storing digital data at said remote data source;
• receiving at said remote data source a transmission originated from said receiver station;
• transmitting said digital data from said remote data source to said receiver station in response to said step of receiving said transmission, said receiver station selecting and storing some of said transmitted digital data;
• 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 select information in respect of a problem and;
• outputting at said receiver station to output in at least one of visual and audible form a subscriber specific solution or recommend a subscriber specific action, based on a subscriber specific analysis that results in selecting amongst a plurality of options available for said subscriber specific solution or said subscriber specific action;
• and transmit transmitting at least one receiver specific datum to a remote data collection station.

A method of processing signals at a receiver station having a an electronic computer, a an instruction based processor, and a plurality of output devices to communicate at least some of a subscriber specific solution to a subscriber, wherein said electronic computer operates on digital data according to instructions under control of operating system instructions stored at said electronic computer, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving an information transmission including a program and a plurality of digital control signals;
• detecting one or more first digital control signals in the information transmission and passing said detected one or more first digital control signals to said instruction based processor;
• controlling said receiver station based on said one or more first digital control signals, said step of controlling said receiver station based on said one or more first digital control signals comprising:
• selecting one or more subsequent digital control signals;
• selecting said program from said information transmission;
• and
• directing said selected program to one or more of said plurality of output devices;
• controlling said electronic computer based on at least one second digital control signal, said step of controlling said electronic computer comprising:
• accessing digital data of a specific problem;
• generating based on first software instructions in the information transmission a solution by processing said accessed digital data, said solution selecting amongst a plurality of predetermined options available for said solution;
• and
• storing a plan that incorporates at least some of said solution;
• controlling said receiver station based on one or more selected digital control signals, said step of controlling said receiver station based on said one or more subsequent digital control signals comprising:
• placing some selected information in respect of said plan at an output memory location;
• communicating to at least one of said plurality of output devices a video or audio signal including receiver specific information in respect of said plan;
• and
• clearing said output memory location;
• and
• outputting said using second software instructions available at said receiver station, said second software instructions different from said first software instructions, in at least one of visual and audible form a received broadcast or cablecast program and, at least a portion of said receiver specific information in respect of said plan, and said at least some of said subscriber specific solution that is based on a subscriber specific analysis that is based on said step of generating based on first software instructions;
• and explaining some of said plan in video or audio output.

A method of communicating program material to at least two different receiver stations each of which includes a receiver, an output device, a control signal detector, and a an instruction based processor operatively connected to said output device, and with each said receiver station adapted to detect and respond to one or more digital instruct signals, wherein each said instruction based processor operates on digital data according to instructions under control of operating system instructions stored locally, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving, at a transmitter station, mass medium programming to be transmitted and delivering said mass medium programming to a transmitter;
• receiving and storing one or more first digital instruct signals at said transmitter station, said one or more first digital instruct signals at each receiver station operating to causing operations of:
• select selecting said mass medium programming, access accessing receiver specific digital data of a problem to provide subscriber specific information that is based on a subscriber specific analysis, and control controlling an output memory to communicate video or audio explaining at least some of a solution to said problem;
• transferring said one or more first digital instruct signals to said transmitter;
• and
• transmitting from said transmitter station at least one information transmission including said mass medium programming and said one or more first digital instruct signals, said at least one information transmission directed to said at least two different receiver stations at the same time, wherein each of said at least two different receiver stations receive or respond to said one or more first digital instruct signals concurrently.

A method of communicating program material to one or more receiver stations each of which includes a receiver, an output device, a control signal detector, and a an instruction based processor operatively connected to said output device, and with each said receiver station adapted to detect and respond to one or more digital instruct signals, wherein each said instruction based processor operates on digital data according to instructions under control of operating system instructions stored locally, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving, at a transmitter station, television programming to be transmitted and delivering said television programming to a transmitter;
• receiving and storing one or more first digital instruct signals at said transmitter station, said one or more first digital instruct signals at the receiver station operate to causing operation of:
• select selecting said television programming,
• access accessing receiver specific digital data of a problem to provide subscriber specific information that is based on a subscriber specific analysis that results in selecting amongst a plurality of options available to solve said problem, and
• control controlling an output memory to communicate video or audio explaining at least some of a solution to said problem;
• transferring said one or more first digital instruct signals to said transmitter;
• and
• transmitting from said transmitter station at least one information transmission including said television programming and said one or more first digital instruct signals;
• wherein at least one of an a digital identification data and said one or more first digital instruct signals is embedded in a code portion of at least one of a television signal and a multichannel signal including said television programming.

A method of communicating program material to one or more receiver stations each of which includes a receiver, an output device, a control signal detector, and a an instruction based processor operatively connected to said output device, and with each said receiver station adapted to detect and respond to one or more digital instruct signals, wherein each said instruction based processor operates on digital data according to instructions under control of operating system instructions stored locally, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving, at a transmitter station, mass medium programming to be transmitted and delivering said mass medium programming to a transmitter;
• receiving and storing one or more first digital instruct signals at said transmitter station, said one or more first digital instruct signals at the said one or more receiver station operate to stations causing operations of:
• select selecting said mass medium programming, access accessing receiver specific digital data of a problem to provide subscriber specific information based on a subscriber specific analysis that results in selecting amongst a plurality of options available to solve said problem, and control controlling an output memory to communicate video or audio explaining at least some of a solution to said problem;
• transferring said one or more first digital instruct signals to said transmitter;
• receiving at said transmitter station only some of said one or more second digital instruct signals;
• generating information to complete said one or more second digital instruct signals which operate at said one or more receiver stations to generate at least some of said solution;
• and
• transmitting from said transmitter station at least one information transmission including said mass medium programming, said one or more first digital instruct signals, and said one or more second digital instruct signals.

A method of processing signals at a receiver station, said receiver station including a receiver, a detector, a an electronic computer, and one or more output devices, wherein said electronic computer operates on digital data according to instructions under control of operating system instructions stored at said electronic computer, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving at least one information transmission including mass medium programming and one or more digital instruct signals, said mass medium programming being of a duration, only some of said duration including at least one time interval of specific relevance, and wherein said mass medium programming includes a graphic or video image;
• selecting and delivering said mass medium programming to said one or more output devices for output to a user;
• detecting said one or more digital instruct signals and delivering said one or more digital instruct signals to said electronic computer;
• and
• controlling said electronic computer in accordance with said one or more digital instruct signals, said step of controlling comprising:
• accessing a disk including digital data of a problem;
• and
• generating a solution by processing said accessed digital data;
• communicating information that explains at least some of said solution to said one or more output devices in said at least one time interval of specific relevance;
• and
• outputting in at least one of visual and audible form at least a portion of said information explaining said solution, said solution comprising subscriber specific information based on a subscriber specific analysis that results in selecting amongst a plurality of options available for said solution, wherein said subscriber specific analysis is based on transmitted software instructions;
• and
• producing said information to explain said solution at a specific location in said graphic or video image.

A method of processing signals at a receiver station, said receiver station including a receiver, a detector, a an electronic computer, and one or more output devices, wherein said electronic computer operates on digital data according to instructions under control of operating system instructions stored at said electronic computer, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving at least one information transmission including mass medium programming and one or more digital instruct signals, said mass medium programming being of a duration, only some of said duration including at least one time interval of specific relevance;
• selecting and delivering said mass medium programming to said one or more output devices for output to a user;
• detecting said one or more digital instruct signals and delivering said one or more digital instruct signals to said electronic computer;
• controlling said electronic computer in accordance with said one or more digital instruct signals, said step of controlling comprising:
• accessing digital data of a problem;
• and
• generating a solution using linear programming techniques by processing said accessed digital data and constraints;
• communicating information that explains at least some of said solution to said one or more output devices in said at least one time interval of specific relevance;
• and
• outputting information in at least one of visual and audible form explaining said solution, said outputting comprising subscriber specific information based on a subscriber specific analysis that results in selecting amongst a plurality of options available for said solution, wherein said subscriber specific analysis is based on transmitted software instructions.

A method of processing signals at a receiver station, said receiver station including a receiver, a detector, a an electronic computer, and one or more output devices, wherein said electronic computer operates on digital data according to instructions under control of operating system instructions stored at said electronic computer, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving at least one information transmission including mass medium programming and one or more digital instruct signals, said mass medium programming being of a duration, only some of said duration including at least one time interval of specific relevance;
• selecting and delivering said mass medium programming to said one or more output devices for output to a user;
• detecting said one or more digital instruct signals and delivering said one or more digital instruct signals to said electronic computer;
• and
• controlling said electronic computer in accordance with said one or more digital instruct signals, said step of controlling comprising:
• accessing digital data of a problem;
• and
• generating a solution by processing said accessed digital data;
• communicating information that explains at least some of said solution to said one or more output devices in said at least one time interval of specific relevance;
• and
• outputting information in at least one of visual and audible form explaining said solution;
• wherein said mass medium programming includes television programming and said information to explain said solution includes at least some of a receiver specific plan with subscriber specific information based on a subscriber specific analysis that results in selecting amongst a plurality of options available for said solution, wherein said subscriber specific analysis is based on transmitted software instructions;
• outputting in at least one of visual and audible form during said at least one time interval of specific relevance television programming that identifies at least one ingredient of said plan;
• outputting in at least one of visual and audible form during said at least one time interval of specific relevance television programming that specifies a price of at least one ingredient of said plan;
• and
• outputting in at least one of visual and audible form during said at least one time interval of specific relevance television programming that specifies a quantity of at least one ingredient of said plan.

A method of processing signals at a receiver station, said receiver station having a an electronic computer, at least one instruction based processor, and at least one output device, wherein said electronic computer operates on digital data according to instructions under control of operating system instructions stored at said electronic computer, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving an information transmission including mass medium programming and at least one digital control signal;
• detecting a first digital control signal in said information transmission and passing said first digital control signal to said electronic computer;
• controlling said electronic computer based on said first digital control signal, said step of controlling comprising:
• accessing digital data of at least one of a specific subscriber problem and a specific subscriber interest;
• generating based on first software instructions in said information transmission at least one of a solution and recommendation by processing said accessed digital data, said at least one of said solution said recommendation selecting amongst a plurality of predetermined options available for said at least one of said solution said recommendation;
• and
• generating a second digital control signal based on said at least one of a solution and recommendation;
• controlling said receiver station based on said second digital control signal, said step of controlling comprising:
• selecting said mass medium programming from said information transmission;
• selecting a third control signal;
• and
• directing said mass medium programming and said third control signal to at least one of said at least one instruction based processor and said at least one output device;
• controlling said receiver station based on said third control signal, said step of controlling comprising:
• selecting information that relates to said generated at least one of a solution and recommendation;
• selecting generally applicable information;
• and
• communicating to said at least one output device, at least one of video, audio, and print information, said at least one of video, audio and print information being receiver specific;
• outputting using second software instructions available at said receiver station, said second software instructions different from said first software instructions, in at least one of visual and audible form at said receiver station said mass medium programming, and at said receiver station at least one of video, audio, and print information;
• and
• recommending in at least one of video, audio, and print, some subscriber specific action in respect of said at least one of a specific subscriber problem and a specific subscriber interest that is based on said step of generating based on first software instructions.

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

• storing digital data at said remote data source;
• receiving at said remote data source a transmission originated from said receiver station;
• transmitting said digital data from said remote data source to said receiver station in response to said step of receiving said transmission, said receiver station selecting and storing some of said transmitted digital data;
• 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 select information in respect of a problem;
• outputting at said receiver station in at least one of visual and audible form a subscriber specific solution or recommend a subscriber specific action based on a subscriber specific analysis;
• and
• transmitting at least one receiver specific datum to a remote data collection station.