JPH06319140A - Signal processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a method for viewing a composite display for which up data and correction are executed on individual information original to a viewer, related to the program by information and data broadcasted by a broadcasting program, and the result is superimposed on the display (including images, sound and characters, etc.) of the broadcasting program. CONSTITUTION: The information and the data related to the broadcasting are ciphered and embedded in the gap of carrier waves for broadcasting the program, they are extracted by a decoder 203 and a computer 205, etc., assembled in the reception equipment of a viewer, a program for updating and working the individual information original to the viewer which is loaded to the computer 205 is executed, and the result is superimposed on the display of the broadcasting program and viewed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a broadcast program (for example, display of a television broadcast) at a receiving station (a station is a receiving device of a subscriber who contracts with the operator of the business according to the present invention, though it is called a station). And a signal processing method for controlling a combined display including both a user-specific superimposed display created by a computer included in a device of a receiving station.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A technique for viewing a program broadcast from a so-called broadcasting station, or communication with a specific so-called center to obtain information (or a program) that a subscriber wants to obtain (view) The technology of having the information sent has been widely practiced.

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, for example,
If a person owns stocks of various stocks, the latest data from the stock market broadcast, which is broadcast regularly on a daily basis, shows how the total of all stock assets owned by him fluctuates daily. Even if you want to know whether or not you want to know, remember the stock names of the various stocks you own and the number of stocks you own, for example, in a computer that you own separately from the television receiver. Let me tell you
I had to watch the stock market broadcast above, incorporate the latest data myself, and calculate the total value of all the stock assets I own.

As described above, according to the present invention, conventionally, an individual has to update and correct specific information held by an individual based on the latest information broadcast in a television program or the like. In advance, a television receiver or the like is combined with a computer and a decoder according to the present invention, whereby the subscriber's own information as described above is corrected by the latest broadcast information, and the result is It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing method capable of displaying as a composite display in which is superimposed on a broadcast screen.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, a receiving station equipped with a broadcast program output device and a computer, receives an image, an audio, A method for controlling composition of superimposed display including characters, the method comprising: receiving a broadcast signal including a broadcast program; causing an output device of the broadcast program to output the received broadcast program; creating instruction control signal Receiving and transmitting it to the computer; in response to the creation instruction control signal, causing the computer to process the information stored in the memory to create the overlay display; the overlay display control signal In response to this signal, the computer transmits the superimposed display created by the computer to the output device, and the output device displays the broadcast program and the superimposed display created by the computer. A step to display the formed output were to become more. More specifically, i) as an output device,
A method of selecting one or more of a printing machine, a sound generator, and a video display device, and ii) controlling the composition of superimposed display is
And a step of transmitting a superimposition display end control signal to cause the output device to stop the output of the superimposition display generated by the computer in response to the reception of the signal, and iii).
The computer has an output memory, and the output memory is coupled to a display device of the broadcast program, and the step of causing the computer to process the information to create the superimposed display includes storing the superimposed display created by the computer in the output memory. And iv) the information content of the superimposed display is related to the information content of the broadcast program,
v) In addition to the above (iv): a step of transmitting a memory erase instruction control signal after the control signals of the creation instruction and the superimposition display instruction are transmitted; and from the output memory in response to the reception of this signal. Erasing the information content of the superimposed display and causing the output device to stop the output of the superimposed display, and vi) causing the computer to process the information.
And a step of processing a stored information stored in a memory of a computer in response to a creation instruction control signal to execute a program for creating a superimposed display, vi.
i) the step of causing the computer to process the information: the step of storing the computer program received in response to the creation instruction control signal in the memory of the computer; and the step of processing the stored information after the storage. And, causing the computer to execute the program to create a superimposed display corresponding to the creation instruction control signal, viii) the control signal is embedded in the broadcast signal, ix) The control signal is transmitted separately from the broadcast signal, and x) the device of the receiving station that controls the composite display of the received television program and the computer-generated superimposed display of the receiving station is: (1 ) Receiving an information transmission comprising a television program and one or more control signals embedded in the information transmission;
(2) detecting the presence of a control signal including a creation instruction control signal and a superposition display instruction control signal in the embedded information transmission; and (3) sending these detected control signals to a computer. A decoder operable to control execution; a television receiver capable of receiving and displaying television programs; and a computer coupled to the television receiver and the decoder, the computer controlling: from the decoder Receiving a signal; processing information to create a unique overlay display for the receiving station in response to receiving the creation instruction control signal; creating corresponding to the overlay display instruction control signal To the above-mentioned television receiver, and the received television program and the computer-created superimposed display are transmitted to this television receiver. As being programmed to perform the steps of causing the Li Cheng composite display, xi)
The computer is further programmed to perform the step of modifying the overlay display in response to the modification indication control signal detected by the decoder, xii) the receiving station being among a plurality of separate receiving stations. Each receiving station has a decoder, a computer, and a television receiver, so that the superimposed display created by each receiving station is unique and different from other receiving stations. did.

[0006]

By adopting the above means, each subscriber is made up of both a broadcast program at his or her own receiving station and a superimposed display unique to the subscriber, which is created by a computer included in the equipment of the receiving station. You will be able to view the composite display.

[0007]

EXAMPLES First, an outline of the method of the present invention will be explained very simply. By implementing the present invention, a subscriber (user) can simultaneously view and compare normal broadcast information and user's own unique specific information.
As shown in FIG. 1, a general subscriber station (also called a receiving station or a final receiving station URS) according to the present invention includes a television tuner 215, a decoder 203, a computer 205,
There is a television display 202M. The tuner 215 receives the broadcast TV signal, and the television display device 202M displays a broadcast television program (which refers to a television program, not a computer program). This television broadcast program contains general information, how domestic stock market conditions moved this week (eg Figure 3). The computer 205 stores the user-specific information in the memory. For example, it has information on the number of shares of each stock that the user owns. The decoder 203 obtains a control signal (creation instruction, superimposition display instruction signal) from the encrypted information signal transmitted by being embedded in the carrier wave of the television program. The decoder 203 sends these control signals to the computer 205. The superimposition display output is created by the computer as follows. First, in response to the reception of the creation instruction signal, the computer 205 takes in the television market broadcast data to create the user-specific superimposed display (FIG. 2), and the user-specific information (for example, by brand) The number of shares held, etc.) is processed by executing a preinstalled program for calculating the stock assets of the subscriber. That is, the overlay shows how that user's own stock fluctuated this week. Second, when the television display device 202M is displaying general information (FIG. 3), the computer 205
Receives the superimposition display instruction signal. In response to the reception of the superimposed display instruction signal, the computer 205 displays the superimposed display (FIG. 2) created by the computer on the television display device 202M.
And displays the general information of the broadcast program and the synthetic output of the superimposed display created by the computer (FIG. 4). Thus, according to the present invention, the user can see FIG. 4, which is a convenient composite display in which the user-specific superimposed display of FIG. 2 and the broadcast information of FIG. 3 are composited. In addition to image or video information, the present invention can also obtain composite information as print information or audio information.

One Example of Combined Media FIG. 1 shows a subscriber station of a video / computer combined medium (referred to as a station, which refers to the receiving equipment of the subscriber, also referred to as the final receiving station). The subscriber station receives a normal television transmission at the television tuner 215 through a conventional antenna. The Zenith Model CV510 TV tuner is one such tuner. This tuner outputs audio and composite video. This audio is input to the TV monitor 202M. The video is input to the splitter 4 and splits the transmission into two paths. One is input to the TV signal decoder 203 and the other is input to the microcomputer 205. The TV signal decoder 203 described below has the ability to receive the composite video transmission, detects the digital information embedded therein, corrects the error in the received information by the forward error checking technique, and requires the received information. It converts it into a digital signal that can be received and processed by the microcomputer 205 by means of an input protocol technique and transfers the signal to the microcomputer 205. The microcomputer 205 is an ordinary microcomputer system with a disk drive,
The signal from the decoder 203 is received, the computer graphic information is generated, the composite video transmission is received, the graphic information is combined with the video information of the transmission by a graphic superimposition technique, and the resulting combination information is displayed on a TV monitor. It has the capability to output to 202M as a composite video transmission. One such system is IBM's IBM personal computer, which has an IBM asynchronous communication adapter installed in one expansion slot, and a PC-microkey model 1300 with a Techmer Graphic Master Card.
The system is installed in the other two slots,
Both are supplied together by the Video Associates Institute in Austin, Texas. The microcomputer 205 uses the asynchronous communication adapter for the decoder 203.
From the divider 4 and the video transmission from the divider 4 at its PC-microkey system. The composite video is output from the PC-microkey system. The microcomputer 205 has all the necessary operating systems, that is, it has a built-in MS / DOS version 2.0 disk operating system and its driving device. The TV monitor 202M is capable of receiving a composite video and audio transmission and providing normal television image and audio sound. One such monitor is the Zenith Model CVI950 color monitor.

The subscriber station is in New York City, 8 pm
When the WNET station started transmitting the program "Wall Street Week" regarding stock investment at 30 minutes, it was tuned to the broadcasting frequency of 13 channels. The station is an intermediate transmission station for a remote television studio in Maryland. (The station that begins the program transmission first is called the "program production studio"). From the studio, the program is transmitted by conventional broadcast networks to a number of intermediary transmission stations, which in turn retransmit the program to millions of subscribers.

Microprocessor 205 (in the claims, it is defined as a device external to the signal processing apparatus of the present invention)
Has a conventional 5.25 inch floppy disk with data files in the specified disk drive. The above file holds information about the breakdown of securities of the subscriber, in which the stock, the number of each stock certificate, and the final market price of the stock certificate are confirmed.

The decoder 203 detects digital information on one line or a plurality of lines (for example, 20 lines) in the vertical blanking period of the video input, corrects an error, and outputs the information to a digital usable by the microcomputer 205. It is pre-programmed to convert to a signal and input the signal to the asynchronous adapter of microcomputer 205. Microcomputer 205 is pre-programmed to receive the above inputs and respond to the instruction signals embedded during the "Wall Street Week" program transmission.

Other, similarly configured and pre-programmed multiple subscriber stations tune to the transmission of the program. At each subscriber station, a record of the securities breakdown file holds, in a similar format, information about the individual investments of its subscribers.

In the studio producing the above program,
A first series of control instructions is created and sequentially embedded on the line or lines during the vertical blanking interval and transmitted on each successive frame of the television transmission until the entire series has been transmitted. The instructions in the above series are addressed to and control the microcomputer 205 of each subscriber station.

Any one of the following in the above series
In one or more instruction series, individual instructions are separated by a period in which no control instruction is transmitted to the microcomputer 205 of any station, and during that period, the microcomputer 205 of each subscriber station transmits the instruction transmitted last time. Allow sufficient time to complete the task controlled by and begin waiting for the next instruction before receiving the next instruction.

At each step performed in a manner known in the art, the first set of instructions is the microcomputer 20.
5 (simultaneously with the microcomputers of other subscriber stations)
Interrupts the operation of the central processing unit (CPU) and other designated processing unit, and then the contents of the registers of that CPU and other designated processing unit are stored in the designated location in RAM. Record and then the PC-micro key 130
0 to the monitor 202M without modifying all received composite video information "Graphics Off (GRAPH
ICS OFF) ”operation mode, then RAM
The information in the "interrupt back (IN
TERRUPT BAK) "in a file with an appropriate name, then clears all RAM (excluding the part including the operating system) and all registers of the CPU, and then the decoder 203 Wait for instructions.

Under control of the first set, the microcomputer 205 is controlled by only the signals embedded in the broadcast transmission to allow the subscriber to enter information and is referred to as the "warm boot". Only by performing the action does the subscriber regain control of the microcomputer 205. This set is "control call instruction (co
ntrol invoking in-structions ”, the steps combined with this are“ invoking broadcast contr ”
ol) ”.

The microcomputer 205 is pre-programmed to evaluate a first instruction specific to each individual series of received input instructions, and the microcomputer 205 operates in response to the first instruction.

Subsequently, a second series of instructions is embedded and transmitted in the program's production studio.
The second series is detected and input to the microcomputer 205 similarly to the first series. The microcomputer 205 evaluates the first one or more signal words, which are input to the RAM (from the input buffer input by the decoder 203) and further process the information of the particular set of instructions following the signal words. To the microcomputer 205. Such a set of loaded and executed instructions is a "program instruction set". In a manner well known in the art, the microcomputer 205 inputs the binary information of the set into the RAM in a predetermined manner until the end of the set is detected, and the set as a machine language program by the assembler. Run.

Under the control of the above program instruction set, while accessing the investment breakdown data file possessed by the subscriber, the microcomputer 205 calculates the total performance of the stock investment of the subscriber and displays a graphic image of the performance. Configure on a built-in graphics card.

These instructions cause the computer to determine the total value of the asset breakdown by first adding up the sum of products obtained by multiplying the market closing price by the number of shares held at the end of daily business. This instruction causes the microcomputer 205 to calculate the percentage change in the aggregate value of the asset breakdown for each business day of the week. Next, the instruction is given to the microcomputer 205 so that the above percentage change is drawn on a graph having a specific origin and a graph axis graduated.
The AM is made to input digital information. When completed, this instruction causes the microcomputer 205 to wait for the next instruction.

If the information in the video RAM is to be transmitted alone to the picture screen of the TV monitor, it is transparent when superimposed on another video image,
It appears as a single line of a particular color, for example red, over one background color. Black is such a background color and is shown in FIG.
Indicates one such line.

When each subscriber station exits the program instruction set, information about such lines is present in the video RAM, which information is representative of the performance of a particular asset breakdown of the station user. is there.

While the microcomputer 205 is performing these steps, the TV monitor 202M displays normal "Wall Street Week" television video and audio. The moderator said, "Well, let's move on to the graph, this is just one week before Dow Jones Industries," and the graphics produced in the studio are sent. FIG. 3 shows an image of the above graphic appearing on the image screen of the TV monitor 202M. “This is the whole investment you have made,” the moderator explains. At this time, an instruction signal is produced in the program producing studio, embedded in the transmission, and transmitted. The above signal is the decoder 2
Identified at 03 and transferred to the microcomputer 205 for execution at the system level as a "graphics on" instruction. The signal is sent to the microcomputer 20.
Instruct the PC-micro key 1300 mounted on
The graphic information in the graphics card is superimposed on the received combined video information, and the combination information is transmitted to the TV monitor 202M. The TV monitor 202M displays the image shown in FIG. 4 in which the graphic made by the microcomputer is superimposed on the graphic made by the studio. The microcomputer 205 is a decoder 20
Start waiting for other instructions from 3.

A subscriber, one of many viewers, at the same time sees information about the performance of his particular investment in relation to market-wide movements.

(The instruction such as "Graphics on" for executing the combined operation of the subscriber station equipment is called "combining synch command". The first signal word preceding the program instruction is The first signal word gives all computers another example of a combinational synchronization instruction to synchronize the input and the start of execution.) As the program progresses, further instruction signals are produced, transmitted and detected in the studio. Is input to the microcomputer 205 and executed as "graphics off". At that time, the studio stops transmitting the graphic image and transmits another image such as the moderator. At the same time, the "graphics off" command causes the microcomputer 205 to stop superimposing graphic information on the received composite video and begin unmodified transmission of the received composite video.

This gives only one of many examples of television-based combinatorial media programming. This television-based medium is only one of many combinatorial media.

Signal Processing Device The signal processing device of the present invention, shown as 26 in FIG. 9, 71 in the system of FIG. 21, 200 in FIG. 23, etc., is the central means for controlling and monitoring subscriber station operation. Is. It measures communications and allows broadcast network owners to offer subscribers in many forms of information regarding payment terms.

It can regulate communication spending by selectively decoding program and / or control signals. It has the ability to identify the subject matter of a particular program in each of many channels, so that the subscriber station equipment can automatically tune to the program.
It has the ability to automatically transfer records to remote stations which bill subscribers based on programming usage. It also has the ability to be processed in other ways as will become apparent throughout this specification.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a signal number processing device configured by inputting a cable broadcast and a normal broadcast. The signal processor 26 monitors all receivable frequencies with the switch 1 and the mixers 2 and 3 so that the available programs can be identified. The input information covers the entire frequency band available on cable broadcasts and local television antennas. The cable broadcast is input to the switch 1 and the mixer 2 at the same time. Broadcast transmission is input to the switch 1. The switch 1 and the mixers 2 and 3 are controlled by 6 which has a local oscillator, frequency tuning therewith, and a switch control function. The six oscillators are controlled so that they can output specific frequencies separated for each individual radio and television channel that one wishes to receive. The switch 1 makes an input selection of (spatial) broadcast or cable broadcast and conveys it to the mixer 3, which together with the controlled oscillator of 6,
Select the television frequency of interest and convey it to the TV signal decoder 30 at a fixed frequency. At the same time, the controlled oscillators of mixers 2 and 6 select the radio frequency of interest and input it to radio signal decoder 40.

The signal processing device 26 includes decoders 30 and 40.
At that point, the specific programming and subject matter will be identified as the programming is made available or viewable. The decoder 30 shown in FIG. 6 and the decoder 40 shown in FIG.
Detects the signal information embedded in the frequencies of the input television and radio, respectively, converts this into a digital signal that can be processed by the equipment in the subscriber station, and adds or deletes special information to a specific signal. Then, these signals are corrected and output to the buffer / comparator 8.

The buffer / comparator 8 receives signals from the decoder and other inputs and organizes the received information in a predetermined manner. The buffer / comparator 8 has the ability to compare some or more of the input information with pre-programmed information and operate in a pre-programmed manner based on the result of the comparison. It has the ability to detect specific signals at the end of a file. In a predetermined manner, the buffer / comparator 8 determines whether the given signal information requires decoding. The buffer / comparator 8 and controller 20 determine whether the signal processor 26 can decode the information. If the signal processor 26 is capable of decoding, the buffer / comparator 8 transfers the above information to the decoder 10. If not, the buffer / comparator 8 discards the above information.
The buffer / comparator 8 transfers a signal that does not need to be decoded to the controller 12.

Decoder 10 is a standard digital decoder which receives signals from buffer / comparator 8 and controller 20
Decrypt the signal using conventional techniques under the control of. The decoder 10 transfers the decoded signal to the controller 12.

The controller 12 is a standard controller, equipped with a microprocessor and RAM, and equipped with one or more ports for transmitting information to external devices. Controller 12
May have a read-only memory ROM. Controller 12
Receives signals from the buffer / comparator 8 and the decoder 10 and analyzes the signals in a predetermined manner to determine whether they should be forwarded to either the external device or the buffer / comparator 14 or both. If the signal is to be forwarded externally, the controller 12 identifies the destination of the external device to which the signal should be forwarded and forwards them. If they have measurement and / or monitoring information, the controller 12 selects the appropriate information and transfers it to the buffer / comparator 14. The controller 12 adds information,
It has the ability to modify the received signal by deleting it. The controller 12 has means for receiving time information from the clock 18, delaying it, and transferring it.

The buffer / comparator 14 is the controller 1
2. Receive signal information consisting of measurement or monitoring information from 2 or other inputs, edit the above information into a measurement record or monitoring record (collectively “signal record”) in a predetermined format, and Transfer to digital recorder 16 or one or more remote locations. Buffer / comparator 8
Has the ability to initiate or modify signal records and discard unnecessary information. To avoid double data, the buffer / comparator 14 has means for calculating / or discarding double examples of signal information, and means for incorporating the calculated information into the signal record. The buffer / comparator 14 has means for receiving time information from the clock 18 and incorporating the time information in the signal recording. The buffer / comparator 14 operates under the control of the controller 20, and the controller 20 can modify the signal recording format and the information in the signal recording in the buffer / comparator 14. (The buffer / comparator 14 may operate under the control of a dedicated "on-board" controller 14A, which is pre-programmed with appropriate control instructions and controlled by the controller 20.) The digital recorder 16 is a buffer. / Comparator 14
It is a standard-design memory device that receives information from a device and records the information. In a predetermined manner, the recorder 16 can automatically determine when it meets a certain level and inform the controller 20.

The signal processor 26 is a programmable RA.
M controller 20, ROM 21 having unique digital code information capable of identifying the signal processor 26 and subscriber station
It has an automatic dial device 24 and a telephone unit 22. A portion of ROM 21 is an erasable and reprogrammable ROM ("EPROM") or other form of programmable non-volatile storage. Signal processor 26 has the ability to erase and reprogram the EPROM under the control of certain preprogrammed instructions that are erasable in that portion of ROM 21. The controller 20 has the ability to control the operation of all the elements of the signal processing device and can also receive operation information from said elements. The controller 20 has the ability to completely or partially suspend the operation of any element of the controlled in-subscriber device and erase any or all of the erasable memory of the controlled device.

The signal processing device of FIG. 5 is only one embodiment of the signal processing device. In other embodiments, frequencies other than radio and television can be monitored by adding other signal decoders as shown in FIG. 8 below. In some embodiments, the decoder may continuously receive at a fixed frequency. In one particular embodiment, there is no oscillator 6, switch 1, mixers 2 and 3, or decoder 30 or 40. In another embodiment, buffer / comparator 14, recorder 1
6. It only has a controller built into the clock 18 and controller 20. Other examples will be apparent throughout this specification.

Signal Decoder The signal decoder device is basic to the present invention. Figure 6
Indicates a TV signal decoder for detecting signal information embedded in the input television frequency. The decoder 203 in FIG. 1 is one such decoder, and the decoder 30 in FIG. 5 is another example. The selected frequencies are input to the filter 31 at a fixed frequency, which limits the channels to be analyzed. The channel signal is passed through a standard amplitude demodulator 32 to define the television baseband signal. This baseband signal is transferred to the detection device via a separate path. Path A enters the standard line (horizontal) receiver. The receiver 33 receives one or more line information normally used to define a television image. It passes the information to a digital detector 34, which acts to detect the digital signal information embedded in the information and inputs the detected signal information to a controller 39. Path B is standard audio demodulator 35
, Which transfers the audio information to the high pass filter 36. The filter 36 limits the interesting part of the audio information and forwards it to the digital detector 37. The digital detector 37 detects the signal information embedded in the audio information and inputs the detected signal information to the controller 39. The path C is input to the digital detector 38 for detecting signal information embedded in the other part of the television channel, and the detected signal information is input to the controller 39. Line receiver 33, high-pass filter 3
6, the detectors 34, 37, 38 and the controller 39 all operate under the control of the controller 39.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a radio signal decoder.
The decoder 40 in FIG. 5 is one such decoder.
The selected frequency of interest is input to the standard radio receiver circuit 41 at a fixed frequency, which receives radio information of said frequency and transfers said radio information to radio decoder 42. The radio decoder 42 decodes the signal information embedded in the radio information and transfers the decoded information to the standard digital detector 43. The detector 43 detects the binary signal information in the decoded information and inputs the signal information to the controller 44. The circuit 41, the decoder 42, and the detector 43 are all the controller 4
It operates under the control of 4.

FIG. 8 shows a signal decoder. This decoder detects and processes signal information embedded in frequencies other than television or radio. The other selected frequency (such as the microwave frequency) is input to another suitable receiver circuit 45. The circuit 45 receives the information and the detector 46
Transfer to. The detector 46 detects binary signal information,
The signal information is input to the controller 47. The circuit 45 and the detector 46 operate under the control of the controller 47.

Each decoder has a controller 39, 4 with buffer, microprocessor, ROM and RAM capabilities.
4 or 47. Controller 39, 44 or 4
The 7th ROM has EPROM capabilities. The ROM or / EPROM has a digital code that can uniquely identify the controller 39, 44 or 47. The controller 39, 44 or 47 has the erase capability of the EPROM and the RAM and EPROM are reprogrammable. The controller 39, 44 or 47 is pre-programmed to automatically process any signal information. The controller 39, 44 or 47 comprises means for controlling the device of the signal decoder and for transmitting control information to said device. The controller 39, 44 or 47 is the signal processing device 2
6 also has means for communicating control information with the controller 20.

Signal Processing System The signal processing apparatus and method requires an expansion system focused on the signal processing apparatus. FIG. 9 shows a signal processing system 1
Two examples are shown. The system has a signal processor 26 and external decoders 27, 28, 29. Each external decoder becomes a TV signal decoder (FIG. 6) or a radio signal decoder (FIG. 7) or another signal decoder (FIG. 8) depending on the nature of the input frequency. Each decoder 27, 28, 2
9 receives one selected frequency and buffers / comparators 8 the detected, corrected, converted and possibly modified signal
And the ability to transfer to other devices. Each decoder 2
7, 28 and 29 are buffers / comparators 1 for monitoring information
It also has the ability to transfer to four. The controller 20 can control all the decoder devices 27, 28, 29, 30, and 40.

Not all installed decoders require all the devices of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. For example, a television baseband signal is input to the decoder 203 of FIG. 1, so the decoder does not require the filter 31 and the demodulator 32.

The decoders 27, 28 and 29 transmit monitoring information to the buffer / comparator 14 via the bus 13.

Integrated System Signals Integrated System Signals are the attributes by which the transmitting station controls the operation, generation, and display of programming at the subscriber stations. ("SPAM" refers to the signal processing apparatus and methods of the present invention.) SPAM signals control broadcast stations, cable system headends (intermediate transmitter stations for cable broadcasts) and media centers. . The station that retransmits the transmission is the intermediate transmitting station, and the place where the subscriber sees the programming is the final receiving station.

The present invention provides an integrated system for calling, controlling, and coordinating all stations and equipment. One purpose is to make traditional hardware work, while
It is to have the ability to adapt newly developed hardware. This means that this integrated system does not consist of one invariant modal signal configuration. It is rather a group of styles. Thus, the present specification refers to "simple preferred embodiments" and "simplest preferred embodiments", and not to just one preferred embodiment.

Structure of Signal Information The SPAM signal has binary information. FIG. 10 shows an example of signal information (excluding dedicated bits necessary for error correction). The information begins with a header, which synchronizes the subscriber station equipment in analyzing subsequent information patterns. Following the header, there are an execution segment, a measurement / monitoring segment and an information segment. The header, execution segment, and measurement / monitoring segment form a command. The command is addressed to a particular subscriber station device and causes the device to perform a "controlled function". The measurement / monitoring segment is
Cause the subscriber station signal processor system to collect and record measurement and monitoring records and send them to the remote station.

In the simplest preferred embodiment, all headers consist of 2-bit binary information, and commands are identified by three binary headers: 10 ... Command 00 for execution segment 00 ... Execution and instrumentation-- Command for monitoring segment; and 01 ... Execution and measurement with information segment-command execution for monitoring segment The segment information is controlled by the subscriber station device to which the command addresses and the device to execute. Including features. "ITS" is an intermediate transmission station (inte
rmediate transmission station) device
S "refers to the ultimate receiv-er station device. Examples of addressed devices include: ITS controller / computer (73 in FIG. 21) UR
S signal processor (200 in FIG. 23) URS microcomputer (205 in FIG. 23) Examples of controlled functions are: Load and run (storing and executing) the contents of the information segment. Start of video superimposition combination specified in the monitoring segment Printing of the contents of the information segment The execution segment issues a preprogrammed operation instruction at the subscriber station device. A unique binary value is assigned to each appropriately addressed device and control function combination. In the preferred embodiment, each execution segment has the same number of bits. Commands called "pseudo-commands" are not addressed to any device. By transmitting the pseudo command signal, the transmitting station causes the receiving station device to record the measurement-monitoring information without operating the control function.

The measurement-monitoring segment contains measurement information and / or monitoring information. For example, it contains measurement instructions, transmission occurrences, codes identifying the subject matter and unique codes for programming. For each category there is a "field" to contain the information in the segment.

Within any category, such as the occurrence of a transmission, each distinct item, such as each network source, broadcast or cable intermediate transmitter station, has its own binary code. Since the number of categories of measurement-monitoring information changes from one command to the next, the length of the measurement-monitoring segment changes. Each segment includes a format field that identifies the segment of the format. Within the field is a "length token" that identifies the number of bits in the format. Figure 1
1 illustrates one measurement-monitoring segment (excluding the bits required for error correction). The bits of the length token are at the beginning.

The information segment may follow the command and may be of any length. The information segment can send any information that the processing device can handle.

In the preferred embodiment, a "padding bit" causes any SPAM command to be of sufficient bit length for communication.

All information sent with a given header is called a "message". A message is then composed of all SPAM information from the first bit of one header to the last bit before the next header. The information of any SPAM transmission consists of a series of messages or message streams.

Cadence information composed of a header, a token of a certain length, and an "end-of-file signal" is:
It allows the subscriber station equipment to identify each instance of the header information in the message stream and thus to identify the individual messages in the stream. The subscriber station equipment is pre-programmed to process the cadence information. The command of the “10” header has a fixed length for the total of the header and execution.
By pre-programming the subscriber station equipment to process the length token information, the present invention allows the equipment to determine the bits that follow the "00" header, ie the bits that are the next instance of the header information. To do. By pre-programming the device to detect the end-of-file signal, the present invention allows the device to determine the bits that follow the "01" header, that is, the bits that are the next instance of header information. In the preferred embodiment, the end-of-file signal consists of a succession of "1" bits. ("1"
Is the EOFS (end of file) bit and "0" is MO
It is a VE (progress) bit. ) The length of the run (ignoring error correction information) is the minimum required to identify the run. There is a length change at any time. 1
The end-of-file signal is a 5 byte EOFS bit. The other one is the 11 byte EOFS bit.
Which one is used depends on the nature of the transmission in which the signal occurs.

FIG. 14 shows an example of the flow of the SPAM message. Each rectangle represents one signal word. FIG. 14 shows a series of three messages. Each consists of all signal words. The first message consists of a command followed by padding bits, an information segment and an end-of-file signal. The second message consists of a command followed by padding bits. The third message is composed of only one command.

End of File Signal Detection In the present invention, any microprocessor, buffer / comparator, or buffer can be adapted to detect the end of file signal. Dedicated capabilities in such an adapted device include three storage locations for comparison purposes, one acting as a counter, the other holding true / false information. The above positions are "word evaluation position", "standard word position", "standard length position", "word counter",
These are "word flag", "empty flag", and "complete flag". All operating instructions are pre-programmed as so-called "firmware". The dedicated capacity is the "EOFS valve". The word evaluation position and standard word position are positions in normal dynamic memory,
Each can hold one signal word. The standard length position and the word counter are positions in the dynamic memory and can hold a minimum of 1 byte. The word flag, empty flag, and complete flag each can hold one bit at a position in the dynamic memory. There is one signal word of the received SPAM information at the word evaluation position. At the standard word position, there is one signal word of plural bits of EOFS. One word of multiple bits of EOFS is 1 "EOFS word". The "word counter" has the EOFS
There is information on the number of EOFS words that the valve has received continuously without interruption. The flag position includes "0" or "1" that reflects a true or false condition.

The EOFS valve is one S from one transfer device.
It receives the binary information of the PAM transmission and outputs the information to one receiving device.

When it is confirmed that an end-of-file signal has been detected, the valve informs the device that an end-of-file signal is present. As an example, for a device operating under the control of a controller, the instructions are
The valve is caused to send EOFS-detection information to the controller, and then waits for a control instruction from the controller. The EOFS-detection information causes the controller to determine how to process the information at the valve and send either a post-send wait instruction or a post-discard wait instruction to the valve. The post-send wait instruction causes the valve to transfer one complete end-of-file signal to the controller,
Next, the standby information is transmitted after completion. Instead, the after discard wait instruction causes the valve to simply set the information in the word counter to zero (thus discarding the end of file signal) and send the after wait information. In the preferred embodiment, the EOFS-detection information and the post-completion wait information are sent as an interrupt to the controller CPU.

In order to unambiguously define the end-of-file signal, a signal word having at least one move (MOVE) bit is always placed immediately before a plurality of uninterrupted EOFS words which are end-of-file signals. Sent.

Ordinary Transmission Location SPAM signals are produced at the transmission station and embedded in a television, radio or other program. In television, the usual transmission position is during the vertical blanking interval between each frame of the television image. In radio, the usual transmission location is in the ultrasonic band above the acoustic frequency band audible to the human ear. In broadcast printing or data communication, the normal transmission position is the same as normal information.

Operation of Signal Processor System Five examples will be described focusing on a subscriber station in which the system of FIG. 9 and the device of FIG. 1 work together. FIG. 17 shows one such station. The SPAM-controller 205C is a control unit such as the controller 39 (FIGS. 6 and 18) of the decoder 203, which can transfer information to and receive information from the CPU of the microcomputer 205, and can also be one of the microcomputers 205 or Information can be transferred to more input buffers. SPAM-Controller 205
C can directly control the PC-microkey 1300 system.

All five examples relate to FIG. 4 combining "one combination medium". The first example is the decoder 20.
3. Focus on the basic operation of SPAM-controller 205C and microcomputer 205. The combination information is displayed at each subscriber station. In the second example, the combination of FIG. 4 occurs only at the selected subscriber stations. The second example combination synchronization instruction is partially encrypted and the subscriber station is pre-programmed to decrypt the instruction. The instructions cause the subscriber station to retain measurement information. In the third example, the combination information is displayed at each subscriber station. The monitoring information is processed by stations selected for one or more "Audience Rating" agencies that collect statistics on audience ratings and program usage. The fourth example shows a second example of selected decryption and measurement. Surveillance information is gathered at selected stations. In the fifth example, the signals identified by the decoders 30 and 40 of the signal processing device 200 are added. The end 3
In one example, the first combination synchronization instruction causes the selected subscriber station to transfer recorded metrology and monitoring information, and to a remote institution computer to receive and process the information.

Each example focuses on three messages. The first is related to the first combination synchronization instruction. The instruction has a header of "01", an execution segment and a measurement-monitor segment consisting of 6 fields, which are followed by a program instruction set and end-of-file signal. The instructions are addressed to the URS (ultimate receiving station or subscriber station) microcomputer 205.
Each measurement-monitor field identifies one of the following:

Origin of "Wall Street Week" transmission-Subject matter of "Wall Street Week" program-Program unit of the program-Date of transmission-Provider of program instruction set-Format of the segment (program The measurement / monitoring information that identifies the unit is "
The second message is for the second combination synchronization instruction. The instruction has a header of "00", an execution segment, and a measurement / monitoring segment of 5 fields. Each measuring and monitoring field contains one of the following information:

The subject matter of the "Wall Street Week" program, the program unit of the program, the unique code of the overlay given to the program unit, the record of the transmission, and the format of the segment. The third message is Regarding the third combination synchronization instruction.
The above instruction has a "10" header and an execution segment.
Address the RS microcomputer 205. In the encrypted instruction, the measurement / monitoring segment contains another additional field, "measurement instruction".

All subscriber station equipment is pre-programmed to automatically perform the steps of each example. S
Upon receiving the PAM signal information, the subscriber station equipment processes this information.

At the beginning of each example, the measurement record information of the previous program exists in the buffer / comparator 14. The monitor record information is in the buffer / comparator 14 with the information source mark of the decoder 203. When the recorder 16 records the next signal, it reaches a level exceeding the full level.

Example # 1 The first example begins when the divider 4 begins to transfer the embedded binary information of the first message. (Characteristics of the amount and position of bits are frequently cited. No consideration is given to parity bits, because techniques for identifying and processing bits of communication information separately from parity bits are well known. When the header and the execution segment are received, the controller 39
Confirm that the message is addressed to URS microcomputer 205 and forward the message. Transferring the message in this way is a control function. Controller 39 selects a pre-programmed number of bits in the first bit. The above constant is the number of bits in the header and is called "H". Controller 39 selects a second preprogrammed number of bits. The above constant is the number of bits in the execution segment and is called "X". Comparing the execution segment with the pre-programmed control function call information, the controller 39 matches the information, causing the controller 39 to execute the pre-programmed transfer instruction to 205.

(In the SPAM device, whenever the execution segment information is compared to the control function invocation information and the match fails, the failure causes the device to discard all information in the message in the segment. ) When the header and the execution segment are received, the SPAM controller 2
05C is the execution segment, @ 20 of the control function call
It will be compared with the information in 5. The comparison results in a match with the information that causes the SPAM controller 205C to execute the load-run-and-code instructions.

(There is no change between the controller 39 and the SPAM controller 205C in the execution segment of the first combination synchronization instruction. This is given because the device is pre-programmed differently. The SPAM directives given are one of many examples of calling different control functions to different devices.) SPAM controller 205C must process length tokens. The above instruction is sent to the SPAM controller 205C,
Allow a third pre-programmed number of bits to be selected. The above constant number is the number of bits in the length token, which is referred to as "L". Starting with the bit immediately following the X bit, the SPAM controller 205C selects the L bit to determine the match. The matching causes the SPAM controller 205C to set a specific bit length number of information in the memory. The information is the number of bits following the last of the L bits that remains in the meter monitor segment and is some preprogrammed bit length number of alternatives. The number of alternate bit lengths associated with a token of any given length is "MM
S-L ".

The above "header + execution" constant is set to "H + X".
Is added, and "H" and "X" are added.

Desirable Controller 39 In a preferred embodiment, the controller 39 of the decoder 203 is
Since the SPAM controller 205C and the SPAM controller 205C are the same, they will be referred to as "controller 39" hereinafter.

FIG. 18 shows the controller 39. Buffer 39
A and the processor 39B perform error correction in the preceding stage. Buffer 3
9C and the processor 39D perform protocol conversion. The control function is called by the control processor 39J. By having three processors, the controller 39 allows the information of three words to be processed simultaneously.

The respective processors 39B, 39D and 39J are
It has RAM and ROM and configures a programmable controller with its own authority. Each processor 39B, 39D and 39J controls an associated buffer 39A, 39C and 39E, respectively. Each buffer is a normal buffer. Each buffer 39A and 39C transfers its respective information to its associated processor 39B and 39D, respectively. The buffer 39E transfers information to the matrix switch (electronic exchange) 39I via the EOFS valve 39F.

The buffer 39G is an ordinary buffer and has a function of receiving input information from the outside, particularly the signal processor 200.
It has a function of receiving input information from the controller 12 (from the controller 12 to the SPAM controller 205C in FIG. 17). The buffer 39G sends information to the matrix switch 39I via the EOFS valve 39H. The buffer 39G is designed to identify the control processor 39J, and the input of the control processor 39J is an arbitrary information source and has a function of selecting and transmitting arbitrary received information.

The EOFS valves 39F and 39H operate under the control of the control processor 39J and continuously monitor information until the end of file signal.

Matrix switch 39I is a digital matrix switch well known in the telephone switching art and is designed to accommodate the required small number of inputs and outputs.
The matrix switch 39I operates under the control of the control processor 39J and has a function of receiving multiple input information including the EOFS valves 39F and 39H and the control processor 39J. At the same time, the above information is transferred to the control processor 39J and the microcomputer 205. It has a transfer function to multiple outputs including the CPU, the buffer / comparator 8 of the signal processor 200, the buffer / comparator 14 of the signal processor 200, and other outputs. In some output like this,
Others have one or more "zero outputs" or no outputs, merely recording information in memory, thereby rewriting previously recorded information (examples of other outputs are given below). ). The matrix switch 39I performs information transfer without modification and simultaneously performs multiplex transfer.

The register memory of the control processor 39J is such that the length of the bit location is sufficient to contain the longest example SPAM command information, including associated padding bits.
Includes (but not limited to) input signal register memory, ie the SPAM header and SPAM described above
-Execution register memory, i.e. SPAM-flag monitor information, second control level SPAM-flag, SP
AM-Flag execution second command, SPAM-Flag secondary level incomplete, SPAM-Flag primary level second step incomplete, SPAM-Flag primary level third step incomplete, SPAM-Flag secondary level second step incomplete, SPAM -Flag 2nd level 3rd step incomplete,
SPAM-Flag 1st condition failure, SPAM-Flag 2nd condition failure, SPAM-Don't measure flag, and SPAM-Register memory during flag operation, each of bit length 1 bit, SPAM length Information, SPAMMmm format, SPAM first precondition, SPAM second precondition, SPAM final 01 header execution register memory, specific SPAM decoding mark, SPA
M primary input source, SPAM secondary input source, SPAM next primary indication address, SPAM next secondary indication address, SPA
M execution secondary command, SPAM final secondary 01 header execution, next instruction address by SPAM primary interrupt and S
A register memory for a next designated address by a PAM secondary interrupt and a plurality of register memories during operation. Controller 3
All pre-programmed information relating to the control functions and instructions controlling 9 are pre-programmed in the RAM and / or ROM associated with control processor 39J.

The control processor 39J controls all the devices of the decoder 203 (excluding the decoder 39K), and has a function of transmitting control instructions to those devices and receiving information. In addition to this, the control processor 39J controls the CPU and the PC micro-key 1300 system of the microcomputer 205 in a certain SPAM function, and controls the CPU and the system from the above-mentioned CPU via the SPAM matrix switch 39I. Has the ability to send and receive control information. In some functions, the controller 20 of the signal processor 200 controls the control processor 39J, which in turn controls the controller 2J.
There is a function of directly transmitting / receiving control information to / from 0. The RAM and / or ROM associated with the control processor 39J is
It is pre-programmed with all the information needed for control.

The controller 39 has a decoder 39K, which is similar to the decoder 10 of the signal processing device 200. The decoder 39K receives the information from the matrix switch 39I, sends it to the buffer 39H, and sends it to the signal processor 20.
It has a function of directly exchanging control information with the controller 20 of 0, and is controlled by the controller 20. Decoder 39
K is pre-programmed and is responsible for processing the information in the SPAM message, as detailed below.

In the preferred embodiment, all devices of controller 39 are contained in one microchip for maximum speed.

Example # 3 (Third Message) The embedded information of the third message of “Wall Street Week” is input to the decoder 203. The control processor 39J selects and compares X-bit information. If they match, it causes the control processor 39J to execute an instruction to stop the overlay at 205. The above instruction causes the control processor 39J to cause the matrix switch 39I to start the information transfer from the control processor 39J to the PC-microkey system of the microcomputer 205, and to instruct the system to "graphics off". Switch 39
I to control processor 39J to microcomputer 205
Information transfer to the CPU, and further causes the CPU to transmit a "clear and continue" instruction described in detail below.

Example # 4 In Example # 4, the first and second messages are both partially encrypted and the combination of FIGS. 2 and 3 occurs only at the selected subscriber station, where Causes the measurement information to be decoded and collected as well as the combination of the above messages. The message will also cause monitoring information to be collected at selected stations that are pre-programmed to collect monitoring information.

Before embedding the first message, the execution segment, measurement monitoring segment and program instructions are encrypted. The cadence information remains uncoded. The encoding of the execution segment is made such that after encoding the segment is the same as the segment that addresses the URS signal processor 200. Then, the signal processing device 200 is instructed to use the decryption key Z, and the message in the segment is decrypted.

Upon receipt of the message, the station of FIG. 17 deciphers the code portion, performs the deciphering information control function, collects metrology and monitoring information, and sends one to enable the station to process the information. Alternatively, the meter information and the monitor information are transferred to the above remote stations. The first EOFS valve 39F is the above.
When the message transfer is started, the control processor 39J accepts the minimum number of signal words that can accommodate H bits, records the above word in the SPAM input signal register memory, selects the first H bit information in the memory, SP above information
It records in the AM header memory, resumes accepting SPAM signal words from the EOFS valve 39F, and after the information already there, writes words to the SPAM input signal memory until the number of words reaches the minimum number of words that can accommodate H + X bits. It receives and records and selects the first X bits of information in the memory after the first H bits. Then, the information is recorded in the SPAM execution memory, and the information in the memory is compared with the control function call information. If there is a match, the control processor 39J will execute the preprogrammed instructions, and the instructions will cause the control processor 39J to send an interrupt signal to the controller 20 via the transmission control means, and then " Process this message ", then the information at 39J, and then the header and execution segment information of the above message.

Upon receiving the interrupt signal and the information, the controller 20 compares the execution segment with the control function call @ 200 information and instructs the controller 20 to use the decryption key Z to send the first message. Have them determine the match with the information they instruct to decrypt.

(In a subscriber station that is not pre-programmed with the key Z, the station will abandon the message if it fails to match.) The subscriber station of FIG. 17 decrypts the message. Is pre-programmed to To match the information in 39J, the controller 20 must select the key information of Z, and the above information, and then the "decrypt 01 message" instruction, are issued to the decryptor 39.
Then, the control processor 39J is caused to transmit a certain instruction and Z mark information. This instruction is the control processor 3
Cause 9J to execute "decryption and measurement 01 message".

The above-mentioned instruction is sent to the control processor 39J to the matrix switch 39I, and from the control processor 39J to the decoder 3
Initiate information transfer to 9K and transfer all SPAM information in the SPAM input signal memory,
It causes the matrix switch 39I to start transferring SPAM message information from the EOFS valve 39F to the decoder 39K. In this way, the control processor 39J transfers the first message to the decoder 39K.

The instructions then cause the control processor 39J to prepare for execution of the control function called by the decrypted information at a secondary level under primary control of the instructions. The control processor 39J sets the information in the "SPAM next primary instruction address" register memory which defines the location of the "decode and measure 01 message" instruction to be executed when control returns to the primary level. , Again SPAM
Information from 39H is set in the secondary input source register memory, SPAM message information is sent to the matrix switch 39I, and control processor 39J is sent from the EOFS valve 39H.
Transfer to. Further, the control processor 39J uses the SPA
"0" is set in the "SPAM flag execution secondary instruction" register memory, which means that the information set following the M execution memory is secondary level information. Further, the control processor 39J sets "0" to the secondary level SPAM flag which means that the control function is at the secondary level. Then, it starts waiting for the information of the subsequent SPAM header to be received from the switch 39I.

When the decryptor 39K receives the SPAM message information, the decryptor 39K decrypts it using the key Z and transfers the decrypted information to the buffer 39G. The Decrypt 01 message directive causes the decoder 39K to forward the first H bit undecrypted, and then decrypt and transfer all the information following the bits.

When the EOFS valve 39H begins to transfer the decryption information of the first message, the control processor 39J selects the first X-bit information after the first H-bit and records the information in the SPAM execution memory, The information in the memory is then compared with the control function call information. If there is a match, the control processor 39J executes a "load-run-code" instruction. The above instruction causes the control processor 39J to receive and process the decoded token information of the length. The control processor 39J records the additional signal word in the SPAM input signal memory, selects the information of the first L bits after the first H + X bits, records the above information in the SPAM length information memory,
A specific number of signal words to be received are determined, the words are sequentially recorded in the SPAM input signal memory, and acceptance of SPAM signal information is stopped.

The load-run-code instruction causes the control processor 39J to start loading. Control processor 39
J causes the CPU of the microcomputer 205 to start receiving information from the matrix switch 39I, and the main RA
M starts loading the above information, and the matrix switch 39I causes the EOFS valve 39H to move to the CPU.
To start transferring information to. The first signal word in the EOFS valve 39H, which is the first signal word in the programmed set of messages above, will be fetched by the microcomputer 205 into internal storage when the signal word begins.

Therefore, the "load-run-code" instruction causes the control processor 39J to find the location of the identification code of the program unit in the SPAM input signal memory, and the SPAM "first precondition" register memory. , Record the above code and start waiting for the "end of file" signal.

Whenever the control processor 39J receives an instruction to start waiting, the instruction is issued to the processor 39J.
Then, the information of the SPAM flag memory of the above-mentioned secondary control level is compared with the "0" information. If the comparison results match, the control processor 39J sets the position of the next instruction in the SPAM next secondary instruction address register memory for execution when the control returns to the secondary level instruction.
Set "1" to the M flag secondary control level memory,
Then, the execution of the instruction starting with the instruction located in the SPAM next primary instruction address memory is started.

The decoding and measurement 01 message instruction starting from the above position causes the control processor 39J to perform measurement. The instruction causes processor 39J to cause switch 39I to initiate the transfer of information from processor 39J to buffer / comparator 14 and then to the measurement information, decoder 203 source mark information, mark Z decoding information, and SPAM ". The input signal "transfers all the received information in the memory, header information identifying the transmission. The reception information is the first combination synchronization instruction, and the information transmitted to the buffer / comparator 14 is referred to as “first measurement / monitoring information (# 4)”. Then, the instruction is sent to the control processor 39J by the SPA.
M flag 1st level 3rd stage Incomplete register memory,
A "1" is entered, which means "completion of measurement step", and the waiting for the "end of file" signal is started.

Eventually, the EOFS valve 39F starts receiving the end-of-file signal. When the signal is received, the subscriber station is caused to stop taking in the internal memory, terminate the decryption, and execute the program instruction set information as one machine language program. And EOFS valve 3
Start waiting to receive the header of the next SPAM message from 9F.

By running the above program instruction set, the microcomputer 205 (and the URS microcomputer in other subscriber stations) sets the video information shown in FIG. The information is transferred to the control processor 39J. The above information is sent to the control processor 39J by SPA.
In the "Secondary Precondition" register memory, set "00000001" which means the first overlay.

In response to the first measurement / monitoring information (# 4), the buffer / comparator 14 sends the measurement instruction information preprogrammed to the controller 20 and then the measurement instruction of the message.

The above information causes the controller 20 to compare the above instruction with the pre-programmed measurement instruction @ 20 information and to determine the match for invoking the three pre-programmed instructions in the controller 20. This first set is the first
Start making the first assembly of measurement records. The second set builds a second record assembly. The controller 20 selects and creates the assembly of the first recording, sets a specific recording position in the buffer / comparator 14, records the format information, and measures / monitors the first measurement / monitoring information (# 4). From the second field, the date and time of information transmission from the third field, the decryption key information from the decryption mark, and the date and time information from the clock 18. Under the control of the second set, the controller 20 provides the recording format information at the position of the second record of the buffer / comparator 14, then the supplier information of the program instruction set, the program unit information, and the transmission information source. , And the date and time of the transmission information from the fourth field, and the date and time information from the clock 18 in that order.
The third set causes the controller 20 to cause the buffer / comparator 14 to transfer the second record to the recorder 16, discard the record from its own memory, and cause the recorder 16 to record the record.

Upon completion of the measurement function, controller 20 causes buffer / comparator 14 to perform a preprogrammed monitoring function. The buffer / comparator 14
It is decided that the source mark of the first measurement / monitoring information (# 4) is consistent with the source information related to the monitoring record of the pre-program displayed on the monitor 202M in advance, but the first measurement / monitoring information is It is determined that the program unit information of (# 4) does not match the program unit information of the monitoring record. Therefore, the buffer / comparator 14 causes the signal processing device 200 to record the monitoring record in the recorder 16, and
The monitoring record in is replaced with new monitoring information based on the information of the first measurement / monitoring information (# 4).

Example # 4 (Second Message) The video information in FIG. 2 is at the subscriber station from which the first message was decoded. Only the subscriber stations mentioned above can display the information in FIG. Upon receiving the second message, the subscriber station (and other subscriber stations) will be able to decrypt the encoded portion. By the key information of J and the decryption 00 message instruction, the decryptor 39K stores the first H bit in the buffer 39K.
Transfer the above bits to G without decoding, transfer the next X bits after decoding, transfer the next L bits without decoding the above bits, decode and transfer the next MMS-L bits, Then, if there is the last remaining bit of the MMS-L bit, the remaining bit is transferred without being decoded.

Upon receiving the above information, the control processor 39J
Executes the "conditional overlay at 205" instruction. The above instructions cause the control processor 39J to locate the measurement and monitoring information in the program unit field (this is the identification code of the program unit), and compare the information with the information in the SPAM first precondition memory, resulting in Cause a match. (At the subscriber station,
If the program unit field information cannot match the information in the SPAM "first precondition" memory ... including all stations not preprogrammed with the decryption key Z ..., the "conditional overlay" indication at 205 is a microcomputer 205. Main RAM and video RAM
To clear all control functions called by the second message. ) If the results match, the control processor 39J measures and
Position the overlay number field of the monitoring information,
The above information is compared with the information in the SPAM second precondition register memory, resulting in a match. (If the overlay number does not match the information in the SPAM "second precondition" memory at the subscriber station, the conditional overlay indication at 205 causes the control processor 39J to interrupt the operation of the CPU of the microcomputer 205. If the alignment is successful, the control processor 39J sends a "graphics on" instruction to the PC microkey system.

When the control function is completed by the secondary control, the control processor 39J (and the processors of other stations) executes the decoding and measurement 00 message instruction measurement. The control processor 39J transfers to the buffer / comparator 14 the transmission of the measurement information, the source mark of the decoder 203, the information of the decryption mark of the key J, and the header information for identifying the received information of the second message. To do.

The above information is updated by the controller 20 to execute the increment instruction by one. The above-mentioned instruction is given to the signal processing device 200.
Then, the first measurement record created by the first measurement / monitoring information (# 4) is corrected. The controller 20 sets the information of the overlay number field in the recording field associated with the first measurement record to indicate the combination of overlays, and the controller 20 also compares each decryption key that matches the decryption mark. The measurement record attached to the data is incremented by 1, and the buffer / comparator 14 performs the monitoring function. The information causes the onboard controller 14A to create a new monitor record. The presence of the above mark indicates that the onboard controller 14
The decryption key information J is included in A.

Example # 4 (Third Message) The third message is the same as the third message of Example # 3 and performs the same processing. However, the third message in example # 4 is
Cause the combination to stop only if the message started the combination.

Example # 5 In Example # 5, the emphasis is on the program unit identification signals detected by the decoders 30 and 40. The signal processing device 200 is pre-programmed with information identifying each transmission at that location. The controller 20 controls the oscillator 6 and controls the cable channels 2, 4, 7, 13,
The patterns are arranged in sequence, such as radio channels 5, 9, and then the above pattern is repeated.

Example # 5 begins with the broadcast of the first message of "Wall Street Week". The mixer 3 selects the frequency of the channel 13 and inputs the frequency to the decoder 30.
Upon receiving the above frequency, the decoder 30 receives the first combination synchronization instruction (this is as shown in detail in FIG. 6 and the controller 39 is as shown in FIG. 18) and the control processor 39J is received. The above instruction is recorded in the "SPAM input signal memory".

Decoder 30 is pre-programmed to process the above information as supervisory information and local control information. Upon receiving the instruction, the control processor 39J associates the RA with the channel mark of the cable channel 13.
The monitor information is searched for in M, and the identification code of the designated program unit is compared with the program unit information of the above information. If they do not match, it indicates that the cable channel 13 is outputting a new program unit. If they do not match, the controller 39 sends RA information, which is the monitor information of the program sent on the cable channel 13 prior to "Wall Street Week".
Transfer to M. The control processor 39J sends a message consisting of a "00" header, then pseudo segment execution segment information, and then a measurement / monitoring segment containing the above monitoring information. The above message is "first old program #
In the control processor 39J, the first instruction includes measurement / monitoring information on the subject, and this information is the control processor 39J.
J has a "00" header and then the microcomputer 2
It is decided to send a message consisting of the execution segment information addressed to 05, then the measurement and monitoring segment information including the program unit identification code, the subject information of the first indication and the channel mark of the cable channel 13. . The above message is the first new program (# 5). The control processor 39J records the measurement / monitoring information of the first instruction together with the mark in the RAM. The controller 39J sends the detection completion information to the controller 20.

When the detection completion information is received, the controller 20 selects the wireless channel 5. On wireless channel 5, the subsequent instruction is addressed to the ITS (Intermediate Transmitting Station) controller / computer 73. Nevertheless, the control processor 39J of the decoder 30 is capable of processing the measurement / monitoring information of the above instruction. Upon receiving the instruction, the control processor 39J transfers a message called "second old program (# 5)" to the buffer / comparator 8.

When the input of the radio channel 9 to the decoder 30 is started, the remote radio station does not transmit the signal information in the normal transmission pattern. When a certain period of time has passed, the wireless channel 13 is selected.

The radio signal decoder 40 is processing the radio transmission input from the mixer 2 while the decoder 30 is processing the video transmission. (The decoder 40 is shown in detail in FIG. 7, and the controller 44 is the same as the controller 39 of FIG. 18.) In that example, the buffer / comparator 8 is the decoder 3
0 to the first, second and third old program (# 5) messages and the first new program (# 5), and the decoder 40 to the first old radio program (# 5) and the first new radio program (# 5). # 5) Receive the message. Everything is a command. First new program (#
5) sends to the microcomputer 205 new program information that allows the microcomputer to tune to the station in the manner described below. The above command is 1
It is one "guide" command. The second old program (# 5) and the first old program (# 5) are not addressed to any device. Each is a "transparent command".

Each guide command corresponds to the controller 12
Then, an instruction to input the message of the above command into the buffer 39G of the controller 39 of the decoder 203 is called.
Each transparent command does not call any control function. In Example # 5, controller 12 is pre-programmed to process monitor information. After sending or determining that each command is not calling any control function, controller 12 causes buffer / comparator 14
The header header information identifying the transmission of the monitor information of the usable program, and then all the information recorded in the SPAM input signal memory are transferred. The signal processing device 200 processes the monitor information in the same manner as in Examples # 3 and # 4. When you receive a new program message,
The signal processing device 200 comes to record a certain record in the recorder 16.

Signal Record Transfer In each example, when the recorder 16 completes the recording of the signal record information, the recorder 16 measures its own recording amount and confirms that the above amount is larger than the specific filling information. To do. Based on the above confirmation, the recorder 16 causes the controller 20 to activate the telephone connection 22, which is a “call (call origination)”.
Transfers instructions and transfers information to a remote station computer. The controller 20 has a telephone number of 1-800-AUDIO.
Transfer the (auditor / accounting inspector) and have the dialer (dial sender) 24 dial the above number. The computer answers and the controller 20 transfers the unique digital identification code in the ROM 21. The controller 20 is the recorder 1
6 causes the record to be sent to the computer and erases the record information.

Coordination of Program Reception and Use FIG. 19 shows a program reception and use coordination system of the present invention. The subscriber station receives the radio transmission at the normal antenna 199 and also the converter boxes 201 and 222.
Thus, it is possible to receive cable transmission. The boxes 201 and 222 described above are ordinary cable converter boxes, which are capable of receiving information of one channel selected from multi-channel transmission and converting the selection information into a given output frequency. That channel is selected by conventional tuners 214 and 223. Antenna 199 and boxes 201 and 222 transmit to a matrix (electronic exchange) switch 258 (also a conventional matrix switch). One of the output destinations of the switches is the television tuner 215. The configuration of FIG. 19 differs from that of FIGS. 1 and 17 in that the television tuner 215
Output the audio and video to the above matrix switch 25
It outputs to 8. In FIG. 19, the switch 258 outputs the input to the monitor 202M and the divider (divider) 4. FIG. 19 shows five additional devices. Decryptors 107, 224 and 231 are conventional decryptors that can receive the encrypted digital information, decrypt it using the selected encryption method and the selected encryption key, and output the decrypted information. Signal stripper 229 is a conventional signal stripper capable of receiving a transmission of video information, selectively removing embedded signal information, and outputting a transmission without the removed information. The signal generator 230 is a conventional signal inserter capable of receiving transmission of video information, selecting and embedding signal information, and outputting transmission with embedded information. The matrix switch 258 can output the selected transmission to each of the above devices, and each of the above devices outputs its information to the switch 258. The signal processing device 200 controls all devices. The signal processing device 200 is a tuner 2
Controls tuning of 14, 215 and 223, switch 2
Control the switching of 58, supply the cryptography and key information to the decryptors 107, 224 and 230, and also control these decryptors and the signal stripper 229 to select the location of the transmission, strip or Lets you select the AND / OR information in the strip. Also the signal generator 2
30 is controlled to select a position for inserting a signal, generate a special signal, and insert the special signal. The divider (divider) 4, monitor 202M, decoder 203 and microcomputer 205 function and are controlled as shown in FIGS. Local input 22
Reference numeral 5 has means for generating control information for the controller 20 of the signal processing device 200 and transmitting the control information. In the preferred embodiment, the local input 225 is activated by a key, in the manner of a touchtone telephone or a microcomputer keyboard. The microcomputer 205 has a function of inputting control information to the controller 20 via the decoder 203.

Example # 7 Example # 7 shows the operation of the scheme of FIG. The program-creating studios that make "Wall Street Week" send video and digital audio television signals to the Intermediate Transmitting Station (ITS) in non-encrypted form. Figure 1 of "Wall Street Week"
The intermediate transmitting station that retransmits to the 9 subscribers is a cable-type "head end" as in FIG. Prior to this retransmission, the intermediate station encodes the digital voice,
The above program on cable channel 13 at 8:30 pm
Send on the minute.

Subscribers want to see "Wall Street Week" so "enable-WSW-on-CC13-at"
Upon receiving the "8:30" information, the controller 20 executes a specific "acceptance information" indication. next-CC13 "information is decoded by decoder 3
0 to the control processor 39J. Then, it causes the processor 39J to set the above information at the position of the "call control function" information. Then let switch 1 and mixer 3 select the "master cable control channel",
One example of the "possible-next-CC13" information is set at the position of the "control function call @ 20" information.

At a time between the start of enabling and 8:30 pm, the "headend" has a "01" header and execution segment information matching the "possible-next-CC13" information. Send a SPAM message consisting of information segment information of a specific "possible-CC13" indication, including possible-WSW-programming information, and an "end of file" signal on the master control channel. The message is "Local-Enabling-Message # 7".

The message causes the decoder 30 to select an execution segment and aligns the "possible-next-CC13" information with the location of the "control function call" information. Once the match is determined, control processor 39J executes the position-related instructions. The above instruction is the control processor 39J
To transfer the above message to the controller 20.

Upon receiving the above message, the controller 20
Loads the "possible-CC13" instruction and executes the above instruction. The above instructions cause the controller 20 to try pre-programmed and selected SPAM information as a sample, and un-authorized tampering.
Let's decide if something happened. The controller 20 is the ROM 2
The unique digital code information is selected by 1, and the above information is divided by 65,536 to calculate the quotient. Select the integer part of the quotient. Based on the integer value, the instruction branches to the selection subroutine. Then, the above subroutine is executed. The above subroutine causes the controller 20 to perform the above
C13 "Selects information of 16 consecutive bit positions including instruction information, and the selection information is stored in the RAM for signal processing of the station.
Or the position information of 16 consecutive bits of ROM is compared. A match indicates that the bit positions are correctly pre-programmed. (At the same time, other stations compare. When the match does not work, the controller 20 erases the specific RAM and calls the remote station by telephone because of the mismatch.
Not only the information that seems to be fraudulent, but also the unique digital code information of the ROM 21 is transmitted. Once matched, the controller 20 causes the selected device to receive the transmission on the cable channel 13, deciphers the voice, waits for the next possible information, and makes a measurement record. Let The controller 20 causes the matrix switch 258 to transfer the information from the decoder 107 to the signal processing device 200. The signal processing device 200 receives the above information at the third contact of the switch 1 (not shown). Therefore, according to the above instruction, the controller 20 allows the control processor 39J to locate the control function call information occupied by the above-mentioned "possible-next-CC13" information (above information duplication) -WSW-an example of programming information , And the controller 20 to enable-ne
Allow to set an example of possible-WSW-programming information at the position of control function call @ 20 information occupied by xt-CC13 information.

Thereafter, the studio, the 01 header, the execution segment information for matching the possible-WSW-program information, the meter monitor information, and the stage-WSW program instruction as the information segment information,
And an end of file signal and a SPAM message embedded in voice and transmitted. The above message is referred to as "WSW-possible-message # 7".

When the message is transmitted, the signal processing device 200 detects the message and the controller 20 executes the stage-WSW-program instruction. Controller 20
Causes the matrix switch 258 to transfer the video from the tuner 215 to the decoder 224, which in turn transfers the video to the matrix switch 258.

In the normal case, the execution of the above instructions will cause the controller 20 to remove or insert information from "Wall Street Week." (The stripping of the information renders the chip useless and prevents the microcomputer 205 or monitor 202M from processing or displaying video.) Controller 20 has a unique digital code selection in ROM 21. Then
The generator 230 inserts the above code at a specified position for video transmission. (If a pirate hits it can identify the station where the decryption took place.) If the stripper 229 and the generator 230 perform the stripping and insertion correctly, then the station will run the television on the microcomputer 205. And monitor 202
Start transferring to M. 8:30 pm The studio begins sending "Wall Street Week". The station will then operate in the manner described in "One Combining Media" and Example # 4.

The foregoing has been shown by way of example, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the decoders 107, 224 and 231 may be conventional descramblers that descramble analog television. The program may be recorded in the recorder, rather than being displayed on the monitor 202M. The source of the transmission, rather than the remote station's transmitter, may be a local video tape or a laser disc player.

Reception and Operation Monitor FIG. 20 illustrates one embodiment of a preprogrammed subscriber station designed for monitoring. FIG. 20 shows a representative group of devices, which may include many other devices. One or more relevant decoders are associated with each intermediate and output device. At the radio tuner and amplifier 207 is a radio decoder 138 and another decoder 281. At the TV tuner 215, there is a TV decoder 282. Voice recorder /
The player has another decoder 284. The video recorder 217 has a television decoder 218. The microcomputer 205 has a television decoder 203. The other tuner or recorder player 257 has another decoder 283. The TV monitor 202M has a TV decoder 145. The multi-image television monitor 148 has television decoders 149 and 150. Speaker system 26
3 has another decoder 285. The printer 221 has another decoder 227. Another output system 261 has another decoder 286. Each decoder is located physically inside the unit of its associated device. Any SPA
The M-decoder merely acts to monitor the operation of the associated device or to control the device in order to carry out the SPAM control function (in which case the decoder is pre-programmed to carry out the control function). Has been). 20. In FIG. 20, each decoder transmits the monitoring information to the signal processing device 2
It is shown that there is an ability to transfer to 00 by the bus communication means. The information is received and processed in the processing unit 200 by the onboard controller 14A that controls the bus communication. Decoders 138, 281, 282, 2
84, 218, 283, 145, 149, 150, 28
5, 227 and 286 simply monitor. Each one is located at one point in the circuit of each associated device, where each of the above receives information such as the frequency, channel or transmission to which the associated device tunes.
Each detects the measurement and monitoring information of all uncoded SPAM messages and forwards them by means of said bus means during the transmission in which the associated device is tuned.
Pre-programmed. The decoder 203 not only monitors its associated device, the microcomputer 205, but also controls the device. On-board controller 1
4A controls the decoder which only monitors. SP
The decoder for executing the AM control function is the signal processing device 200.
Is controlled by the controller 20. In FIG. 20, the decoder 203 is the only such decoder.

By embedding the SPAM information in an audio and / or video program recorded in the usual way by a recorder, these methods are recorded in what, for example, a video and audio cassette recorder, and It provides techniques for people to gather statistics such as how to play such recordings. Video and audio tapes, video discs, compact discs and data "CD RO"
The M "disc has a special code embedded in a pre-recorded program to identify how to use the program when the tape or disc is played.

Automation of Intermediate Transmit Stations The signal processing devices and their variants shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 automate intermediate stations. Such automated stations range from single broadcast radio stations to cable systems that cable many channels.

FIG. 22 shows a head end of a cable television, which broadcasts several channels by cable. The station transmits program transmissions to satellite antenna 50, low noise amplifiers 51 and 52 and television receivers 53, 54, 55 and 5
Receive at 6. Microwave transmission is received at antenna 57 and television receivers 58 and 59. The transmission of the television broadcast is received by the antenna 60 and the television demodulator 61. Other transmissions are received at the other input device 62. Each receiver / modulator / input device 53-62 forwards the received transmission to a conventional matrix switch 75. The switch 75 outputs to one or more recorders / players 76 and 78. Further, the switch 75 outputs to a device that outputs transmission over a large number of channels to a field distribution system (hereinafter abbreviated as FDS) 93 of the cable system. This F. D. S. Modulators 83, 87 and 91 and multiplexing system 9
2 is included. When played on video recorders 76 and 78, the prerecorded program is switch 7
Via F.5. D. S. It is transmitted to 93.

In the prior art, the identification of the input program after reception, the video player and recorder devices 76 and 7
Operation and maintenance of records are mostly done by humans.

FIG. 22 shows a signal processing device for automating these operations and other operations.

Each receiver / demodulator / input device 5
3, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61
Or 62 and the matrix switch 75 side by side, with dedicated distribution amplifiers 63, 64, 65, 6 respectively.
There are 6, 67, 68, 69 or 70, which split each input into two passages. One path is a normal path, so that the program can each receiver / demodulator / input device 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 5
Flows from 9, 60, 61 or 62 to matrix switch 75. The other passage is the above device 53, 5
It provides a path for individual transmissions from 4, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 or 62 to be input to the signal processing system 71.

In the signal processing system 71 which is a system as shown in FIG. 9, the amplifiers 63, 64, 65 and 6 are provided.
The 6, 67, 68, 69 or 70 transmissions are input to a dedicated decoder (such as decoders 27, 28 and 29 in FIG. 9). The dedicated decoder is the amplifiers 63, 64,
65, 66, 67, 68, 69 or 70 transmissions are processed serially and are addresses to the station equipment,
Select the SPAM message in the transmission and select the associated amplifier 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69.
Or 70, add source mark information, and forward the selected message with the source mark information to the code reader 72. The signal processing system 71 also has signal processing means for controlling the system 71, records measurement / monitoring information, and transfers the recorded information to the communication network 97.

The code reader 72 buffers the information,
Pass to Cable Program Controller and Computer 73.

The cable program controller and computer 73 is the central automatic control unit for the transmission station. The computer 73 has a clock provided and is pre-programmed with information on the operating speed and capacity of all station equipment and on the connection of said equipment with the matrix switch 75. Computer 73
Has means for receiving input from local inputs 74 and from remote stations via telephone or other data communication network 98. Such inputs include the station's complete program schedule, as well as each unit of the program identified by the program unit identification code. Such input tells when and how the station should receive each program unit, when, on which channel or channels, and how the station should send the unit, and what kind of program that unit may be. , For example normal television, television / computer combination media program and so on ... and also how the station should process the program. Computer 73 is pre-programmed to receive and record schedule information and maintain a record of the operational status of each controlled device.

The computer 73 is a television decoder 77,
The operation of the station is monitored by 79, 80, 84 and 88 (details of which are shown in FIG. 6). Computer 73
Has a means of communicating control information with each of the decoders 77, 79, 80, 84 and 88, and indicates how to operate, and how and where to look for SPAM information. I have the means to instruct. The decoders 80, 84 and 88 selectively transfer the SPAM measurement / monitoring information, and compare the above information with the information in the schedule record contained in the computer 73, and
Schedule program on the respective cable channel of the station. D. S. It is possible to confirm that the data has been correctly transmitted to 93. Whenever computer 73 detects an error, computer 73 performs a predetermined error correction procedure.

SPAM message information and code reader 7
From the source mark information received from 2, the computer 73 tells the computer 73 what particular program unit is being received by each receiver 53-62, and what particular program unit is responsible for the respective distribution amplifier 63-70. It is confirmed whether or not the matrix switch 75 is passing side by side. By comparing the selected metering and monitoring information of the message information with the program schedule information received from the input 74 and / or the network 98, the computer 73 allows the station at what time and on which channel or channels. It can be decided whether to send the program of each received program unit.

The computer 73 has means for communicating control information with the matrix switch 75 and the video recorders 76 and 78, and executes the selected program with the F.D.
D. S. It can be sent to 93 or recorded. Upon deciding to immediately retransmit the input program, computer 73 causes matrix switch 75 to be configured to transfer the program to the intended output channel. When the input program is determined by a schedule such that the input program is transmitted with a time lag, the computer 73 records the above program. When the schedule is such that the input program is not transmitted, the computer 73 causes the matrix switch 75 to
It causes the program to be transferred to the "no output" of the switch 75, and / or causes the selected recorder 76 or 78 to stop recording.

The computer 73 has the function of identifying what programs are loaded into the recorders 76 and 78 and locating the starting point (or other selected point) of the program unit at the playhead. Whenever the program is played on the recorder 76 or 78, the decoder 77 or 7
9 is a SPA embedded in a prerecorded program played by the playhead of the recorder 76 or 78, respectively.
M information is detected and the SPAM information is detected by the computer 73.
Send to. The above SPAM information is not only the program unit identification code information but also information on the distance from the point on the tape where the given SPAM message is embedded to the point where the program unit starts (or another selected point). Also includes.

The computer 73 has the ability to organize the units of programming loaded into the recorder / player to play according to one schedule and to play the program units according to its station schedule.

In the chosen embodiment, a minimum of two signal processors (such as the signal processor of system 71 and signal processor 96 above) monitor the transmissions of any transmitting station.
To do. Automation of intermediary media business (including example # 9) This station has a function of processing and transmitting a combination media program. In FIG. 22, the computer 73 executes the SP from the program.
Shows industry known signal strippers 81, 85 and 89 capable of stripping AM information, and computer 7
3 shows signal generators 82, 86 and 90, well known in the art, capable of embedding SPAM information. The generators 82, 86 and 90 have the ability to receive control information and programs from the computer 73 and identify the information from the program during transmission.

For example, the computer 73 must insert the locally generated instruction set into the local transmission. Program unit Q is a local supermarket bargain and special coupon promotion.
The bargains on bargains and bargains change, the embedded information must reflect the rules and items that match the local supermarket when sent.

Computer 73 is pre-programmed to process the combined media program. When a remote station enters information about unit Q via network 98, the station will schedule Q on computer 73.
Instruct to start the generation at a certain time interval before playing. Such time intervals are called "intervals" like the "interval Q" of unit Q. Local boilerplate and item information is applied to the computer 73 regarding the boilerplate and item prior to the time of occurrence. The above information is local input 7
4 or the network 98.

An example of an instruction for generating one program instruction set on one computer is "intermediate generation set".
Is. In the preferred embodiment, the intermediate generation set is pre-recorded in a program unit with the normal program produced by said intermediate set. The intermediate set is prerecorded before the start of the normal program. The intermediate set generally contains application information for the program instruction set that it creates. For example, the middle set of Q is "43",
It includes information the announcer says "45" and "hot version quick". When the local formulas and items are executed on the pre-programmed computer 73, the instructions of the intermediate generation set
The computer 73 generates the cliché and item information for this transmission, thereby generating the set of program instructions applicable to the particular transmission at the particular intermediate station. The set thus generated is made up of computer program instruction AND / OR data.

Example # 9 Example # 9 focuses on the generation, embedding and transmission of programs for the unit Q program instruction set.

Prior to the scheduled play of Q, a preprogrammed instruction is given by the computer 7 at an interval of Q time.
3 to start generating. The above instructions are given by the computer 73
The matrix switch 75 to switch the input from the recorder 76 to no output, let the recorder 76 place the start of the unit Q at the playhead, and let the decoder 77 detect the signals of all lines of all video frames. , And the recorder 76, the decoder 7
7 starts a play in which a message is detected.
The above message is sent to the intermediate transmission station (ITS) computer 7
3 and contains an information segment called "Intermediate Occurrence Set of Q" information.

The above message causes the SPAM decoder device of the computer 73 (similar to the SPAM controller 205C of the microcomputer 205 and not subsequently distinguished from the computer 73) to perform the control function. The computer 73 is made to input the above intermediate set into the RAM,
The start of the normal television program of unit Q is located at the playhead of recorder 76 and the set is run as a machine language job.

The above set causes the computer 73 to calculate this transmission cliché and item information. When the computer 73 starts up, the local cliché and item information includes the following information: a 1000.00 p. 00625 q is. 12 d is. 1 z is 275 r is. 007 s is 2.00 dd is. 11 The intermediate generation set includes instructions for calculating the values of variables b and c according to equations (2) and (3). The computer 73 selects the information of a, p, q, d, z, r, s and dd and the value of b is 62.21875; the value of c is 2.117.
And the variable a in the high level language line in the generally applicable information of the above program instruction set,
Replacing b and c, the following formula: Y = a + b + (c * X) can be used as the climatic phrase and item information of this transmission as follows: Y = 1.000 + 62.21875 + (2.117 * X) Computer 73 selects and calculates other variables and replaces other variable values until a complete high-level language symbol is created and in memory. The computer 73 compiles, ties and generates a program execution file that is a Q program instruction set.

The intermediate set described above causes the computer 73 to create a data module called a "data module set". The computer 73 uses the local cliché and item information, street address information of all nearby supermarkets, and order taking telephone number 1-800.
Select 247-8700. The computer 73 sets the selected information in a file called intermediate transmitting station data, and causes the file to form a "Q data module set".

After that, the station transmits to the network at the scheduled play time of Q. In the program generation studio, a SPAM message is transmitted to the computer 73 of the ITS (intermediate transmission station). Signal processing system 7
The No. 1 decoder receives the transmission from the distribution amplifier 63 and inputs the above message to the computer 73 together with the source mark information. The above message and mark are displayed on the computer 7.
3 causes the recorder 76 to start playing, and the matrix switch 75 to transfer the output of the recorder 76 to the modulator (modulator) 83. In this modulator 83, the unit Q is F. D. S. Send to 93. Furthermore, the play schedule (schedule) is the generator 82.
To stop embedding other signaling information in the normal transmission location (eg, teletext) and transmit the SPAM "end of file" signal.

The recorder 76 immediately sends the three SPAM messages embedded in the Q program. The first one is "Aligned URS (Terminal Receiver Station) Microcomputer 2
05 message (# 9) ". The second message is embedded at a fixed interval after the first message which allows sufficient time for the subscriber station to combine.
The message is "Synchronous SPAM reception message (# 9)".
And the third message is called "control call message (# 9)".

By playing the recorder 76,
The decoder 77 comes to detect a series of SPAM messages that are embedded in Q and addressed to an intermediate transmission station (ITS) computer 73.

The first message contains an execution segment and a meter monitor segment. The above message causes the computer 73 to create and send a "data module set message (# 9)". Computer 73
Causes the stripper 81 to remove all signals from its normal transmission position and causes the generator 82 to send a computer 73
Start embedding the information received from, select the information in the meter monitor segment, add the information identifying the station and time of transmission in FIG. 21, and retain the modified meter monitor information to generate All information of the above message is transmitted to the container 82. The computer 73 uses the “01” header and the URS (ultimate receiving station) microcomputer 205.
The SPAM execution segment addressed to, the measurement / monitoring information retained, the padding bits arbitrarily requested, all the information of the data file of the intermediate transmitting station data, and the end signal of the SPAM file are transmitted.
Upon receiving the message, the generator 82 sends the message to the system 93.

The second message in the series of messages causes the computer 73 to create a second message containing the program instruction set of Q, and the message is F.S. D. S. 93 to send. The above message is referred to as "program instruction set message (# 9)".

The third message is sent to the computer 73.
The stripper 81 stops the removal of the signal, and the generator 8
Stop embedding in 2.

After that, when the recorder 76 is played, the recorder 76 sends out eight SPAM messages embedded in the prerecorded Q program. The messages include "first-start-output message (# 9)" and "first-stop-output message (# 9)".

Network Control: Example 10 In Example 10, one program generation studio sends a commercial of the program unit Q during network transmission, controls a plurality of intermediate transmission stations (ITS), and each station receives a plurality of terminals in order. Control the station (URS). Figure 21
Station is an intermediate station. Program unit Q in example # 10 is the same as unit Q in example # 9 and each intermediate station must send its own set of program instructions.

Long ago, complete "local formula and item (local formula and item)" information was entered into the computer 73 of each intermediate transmission station. In the station computer 73 of FIG. 21, the "local formula and item" information of example # 10 is the same as that of example # 9. (In the second intermediate station, "local formula and item" information is 1000.00 for a and .0062 for p.
5, q is .13, d is .11, z is 537, r is .0082, and s is 1.98.
And dd is 10. 3.) At the earlier time, the controlled intermediate station computer 73 is made to receive certain transmissions. Then, the program generation studio sends the "generation set information message (# 10)" to the ITS computer 73. The message causes each computer 73 to compute, compile, and compile the information for this transmission cliché and item, and to compile and combine all the program instruction set information in this example of Q and record the information in memory. The set produced in the station of Figure 21 of Example # 10 is the "Q.1 Program Directed Set. (In the second station the intermediate set causes the computer 73 to calculate the cliché and item information for this transmission. The formula is: Y = 1000.00 + 132.2362 + (2.0882 * X) Let the set made by the second station be the "Q2 program set".) Consider example # 10 as follows.

So far, intermediate transmission stations transmitting television have been described. This station can also process and transmit radio programs in the same way. Similarly, the station can send broadcast prints and data communications. The intermediate transmitting station device includes a signal processing adjustment system device as shown in FIG. 19 in which encoded transmission is decoded and measured, a device for selectively encoding programming transmission, and a monitor for the purpose of FIG. Includes system unit.

Automation of Final Receiving Station (URS) The signal processor automates the final receiving station. FIG. 23 shows an embodiment of one final receiving station. This is shown in FIG. D.
S. Example at home, in the office, at the hotel, or at any other station, such as in 93 and the program being displayed. Figure 23 shows the program (SPAM
Device for selectively inputting (including information), an intermediate device for selectively processing and / or recording, an output device for selectively displaying a program, other control devices and other measuring devices. . The input devices are satellite earth station 250, satellite receiving circuit 251, converter boxes 201 and 2
22, antennas 298 and 299, and other input device 252 (eg, a laser disc player). The above device inputs each information to a matrix switch 258 which is a normal matrix switch. The intermediate device is a microcomputer 205, a television recorder / player 217, an audio recorder / player 255,
Computer memory unit 256 (eg fixed disk), decoder 224, decoder 231, signal stripper 2
29, signal generator 230 and other intermediate devices 257 such as amplifier devices. In addition to this, the tuner 202 of the TV set ... This is the TV tuner 215 ...
(It is not distinguished from the monitor 202M in FIG. 23.)
And radio tuner / amplifier 209 ... This is a radio tuner and amplifier 213 ... (not distinguished from radio 209 in FIG. 23) etc. is an intermediate device.
All intermediate devices receive their respective program inputs from the matrix switch 258 and send their respective program outputs to the matrix switch 258. The output devices include a television monitor device of the television set 202, a printer 221, a speaker system 263 and one or more other output systems 261. All output devices receive their respective program inputs from matrix switch 258. Other control devices include electronically actuated window opening and closing devices 208, furnaces 206, air conditioners 207 and other controlled devices 260. Other measuring devices include an electronically operated utility meter 262.

One or more SPAM decoders exist in each device controlled by SPAM message information. A suitable decoder is the microcomputer 205,
Recorders / players 217 and 255 (which can be used in the station scheme of FIG. 21), a radio 209 and a television set 202 (this television radio set is activated, tuned and adjusted by other functions) and a computer memory unit 256 etc. Intermediate device 257, printer 2
21, speaker system 263 and other output devices 261 respectively. (For simplicity, FIG. 23 does not distinguish between the above decoders.) Two matrix switches 258 and 259 communicate program and SPAM message / control information between the stations. Switch 258 is a conventional matrix switch which has the ability to switch between television, radio and other electronic communication programs. The matrix switch 259 is a digital matrix switch having a binary information communication function. Matrix switch 259 causes all devices to send and receive control information and SPAM messages detected during program transmission.

In order to communicate the switch request information to the controller 20 of the signal processing device 200, each of the above decoders has a separate control information bus device (not shown in FIG. 23). A processor 20A located in the controller 20 and separated from the CPU and controlled by the CPU
Controls the communication of the bus device.

The signal processor 200 is the basic SPAM controller of the station. The signal processor 200 communicates control information directly with the decoders 224 and 231, the signal stripper 229, the signal generator 230, the microcomputer 205 and the matrix switch 259. The signal processing devices 200 individually through the matrix switch 259,
It has a means of communicating control information with all controlled devices. The SPAM decoder has a function of communicating with each other by the matrix switch 259. The signal processor 200 controls matrix switches 258 and 259. The microcomputer 205 controls the station device according to the subscriber's pre-programmed instructions. The microcomputer 205 has a function of communicating control information (under the control of the signal processing device 200) between the devices selected by the matrix switch 259. (This is a representative group of equipment, and more devices will be included in FIG. 23.) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CONTROLLERS SELECTED IN THE SPAM DECODER Controller 39, 44 or 47 of the SPAM decoder is Matrix switch 391 to matrix switch 2
Communication of information to 59, and matrix switch 25
9 has a function of receiving information from the decoder 39K, the buffer 39G and the control processor 39J. The control processor 39J has a function of communicating the switch request information to the signal processing device 200 via the control information bus device, and further has a SPAM switch connection register memory.

Adjusting Simultaneous Broadcasting FIG. 25 shows control of stereo simultaneous broadcasting.

When a channel is entered or changed at the receiver, the device of the receiver sends an interrupt signal of the new channel information, and then sends the signal to the receiver (the receiver of which the device has input means). Input to the control processor of the associated decoder.

The subscriber wants to watch a television program of a stereo broadcast on a radio station. When the power switch is turned on and tuning is performed, the tuner 215 inputs an interrupt signal of new channel information to the control processor 39J of the decoder 203. Upon receipt of the above signal, the processor 39J causes all devices of the decoder 203 to erase the received SPAM information (thus discarding any "end of file" signal) and causes the EOFS valve 39F to "file". End "signal processing is started, and the decoder 203 is started to receive television.

Eventually, the program generation studio embeds the end-of-file signal. Periodically thereafter, the studio sends a SPAM message to tune the radio to FM 104.1.

Upon receiving the message, the controller 39 sends the message to the radio decoder 210 of the radio 209.
Transfer to. The controller 39 has a pre-programmed 210
To the information in the SPAM switch connection memory. If the results do not match, the controller 39 causes the control processor 20A to input an instruction via the control information bus device. The above instructions cause processor 20A to create a transmission link between controller 39 of decoder 203 and controller 44 of decoder 210. Matrix switch 259 is 21
0 is transferred to the controller 39, and the controller 39
0 is set in the SPAM-switch connection memory and the message is sent to the controller 4 of the decoder 210.
4 to transfer. The message causes the controller 44 to switch on the radio 209 and tune to the frequency 104.1 MHz.

Since the station is pre-programmed to collect monitor information, the SPAM message causes the monitor information to be transferred to the signal processor 200.

Receipt of Selection Program FIG. 26 shows multi-channel monitoring and selection program reception. The station keeps a stock record and is pre-programmed to receive the stock related news at the control processor 39J of the decoder 30 along with news information of interest including "T". It is a display set. (At the second station, the intermediate set causes the computer 73 to calculate the cliché and item information for this transmission. The formula is: Y = 1000.00 + 132.2362 + (2.0882 * X) Made at the second station The set is referred to as "Q2 program instruction set".

Consider Example # 10 as follows.

So far, intermediate transmission stations transmitting television have been described. This station can also process and transmit radio programs in the same way. Similarly, the station can send broadcast prints and data communications. The intermediate transmitting station device includes a signal processing adjustment system device as shown in FIG. 19 in which encoded transmission is decoded and measured, a device for selectively encoding programming transmission, and a monitor for the purpose of FIG. Includes system unit.

Automation of Final Receiving Station (URS) The signal processor automates the final receiving station. FIG. 23 shows an embodiment of one final receiving station. This is shown in FIG. D.
S. Example at home, in the office, at the hotel, or at any other station, such as in 93 and the program being displayed. Figure 23 shows the program (SPAM
Device for selectively inputting (including information), an intermediate device for selectively processing and / or recording, an output device for selectively displaying a program, other control devices and other measuring devices. . The input devices are satellite earth station 250, satellite receiving circuit 251, converter boxes 201 and 2
22, antennas 298 and 299, and other input device 252 (eg, a laser disc player). The above device inputs each information to a matrix switch 258 which is a normal matrix switch. The intermediate device is a microcomputer 205, a television recorder / player 217, an audio recorder / player 255,
Computer memory unit 256 (eg fixed disk), decoder 224, decoder 231, signal stripper 2
29, signal generator 230 and other intermediate devices 257 such as amplifier devices. In addition to this, the tuner 202 of the TV set ... This is the TV tuner 215 ...
(It is not distinguished from the monitor 202M in FIG. 23.)
And radio tuner / amplifier 209 ... This is a radio tuner and amplifier 213 ... (not distinguished from radio 209 in FIG. 23) etc. is an intermediate device.
All intermediate devices receive their respective program inputs from the matrix switch 258 and send their respective program outputs to the matrix switch 258. The output devices include a television monitor device of the television set 202, a printer 221, a speaker system 263 and one or more other output systems 261. All output devices receive their respective program inputs from matrix switch 258. Other control devices include electronically actuated window opening and closing devices 208, furnaces 206, air conditioners 207 and other controlled devices 260. Other measuring devices include an electronically operated utility meter 262.

One or more SPAM decoders exist in each device controlled by SPAM message information. A suitable decoder is the microcomputer 205,
Recorders / players 217 and 255 (which can be used in the station scheme of FIG. 21), a radio 209 and a television set 202 (this television radio set is activated, tuned and adjusted by other functions) and a computer memory unit 256 etc. Intermediate device 257, printer 2
21, speaker system 263 and other output devices 261 respectively. (For simplicity, FIG. 23 does not distinguish between the above decoders.) Two matrix switches 258 and 259 communicate program and SPAM message / control information between the stations. Switch 258 is a conventional matrix switch which has the ability to switch between television, radio and other electronic communication programs. The matrix switch 259 is a digital matrix switch having a binary information communication function. Matrix switch 259 causes all devices to send and receive control information and SPAM messages detected during program transmission.

In order to communicate the switch request information to the controller 20 of the signal processing device 200, each of the above decoders has a separate control information bus device (not shown in FIG. 23). A processor 20A located in the controller 20 and separated from the CPU and controlled by the CPU
Controls the communication of the bus device.

The signal processor 200 is the basic SPAM controller of the station. The signal processor 200 communicates control information directly with the decoders 224 and 231, the signal stripper 229, the signal generator 230, the microcomputer 205 and the matrix switch 259. The signal processing devices 200 individually through the matrix switch 259,
It has a means of communicating control information with all controlled devices. The SPAM decoder has a function of communicating with each other by the matrix switch 259. The signal processor 200 controls matrix switches 258 and 259. The microcomputer 205 controls the station device according to the subscriber's pre-programmed instructions. The microcomputer 205 has a function of communicating control information (under the control of the signal processing device 200) between the devices selected by the matrix switch 259. (This is a representative group of equipment, and more devices will be included in FIG. 23.) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CONTROLLERS SELECTED IN THE SPAM DECODER Controller 39, 44 or 47 of the SPAM decoder is Matrix switch 391 to matrix switch 2
Communication of information to 59, and matrix switch 25
9 has a function of receiving information from the decoder 39K, the buffer 39G and the control processor 39J. The control processor 39J has a function of communicating the switch request information to the signal processing device 200 via the control information bus device, and further has a SPAM switch connection register memory.

Adjustment of Simultaneous Broadcasting FIG. 25 shows control of stereo simultaneous broadcasting.

When a channel is entered or changed at the receiver, the device of the receiver sends an interrupt signal of new channel information and then sends the signal to the receiver (the receiver of which the device has input means). Input to the control processor of the associated decoder.

A subscriber wants to watch a television program of a stereo broadcast on a radio station. When the power switch is turned on and tuning is performed, the tuner 215 inputs an interrupt signal of new channel information to the control processor 39J of the decoder 203. Upon receipt of the above signal, the processor 39J causes all devices of the decoder 203 to erase the received SPAM information (thus discarding any "end of file" signal) and causes the EOFS valve 39F to "file". End "signal processing is started, and the decoder 203 is started to receive television.

Eventually, the program generation studio embeds the end-of-file signal. Periodically thereafter, the studio sends a SPAM message to tune the radio to FM 104.1.

Upon receiving the message, the controller 39 sends the message to the radio decoder 210 of the radio 209.
Transfer to. The controller 39 has a pre-programmed 210
To the information in the SPAM switch connection memory. If the results do not match, the controller 39 causes the control processor 20A to input an instruction via the control information bus device. The above instructions cause processor 20A to create a transmission link between controller 39 of decoder 203 and controller 44 of decoder 210. Matrix switch 259 is 21
0 is transferred to the controller 39, and the controller 39
0 is set in the SPAM-switch connection memory and the message is sent to the controller 4 of the decoder 210.
4 to transfer. The message causes the controller 44 to switch on the radio 209 and tune to the frequency 104.1 MHz.

Since the station is pre-programmed to collect monitor information, the SPAM message causes the monitor information to be transferred to the signal processor 200.

Receipt of Selection Program FIG. 26 shows multi-channel monitoring and reception of the selection program. The station keeps a stock record and is pre-programmed to receive the stock related news at the control processor 39J of the decoder 30 along with news information of interest including "T". The remote station broadcasts the print transmission. Remote Service A sends AT & T news articles in a message containing "T" subject information. Upon receiving the above message, the station of FIG. 21 repeatedly sends the AT & T selectable message on the digital channel and then the AT & T news message. A above
The message for which T & T can be selected includes "T". AT & above
The T News message includes the AT & T news article.

The signal processor 200 scans all channels in the manner of Example # 5. Eventually, you can choose AT & T 1
One message is detected by the decoder 30 and input to the controller 39. When the above message is received, the controller 39
The controller 20 of the signal processing device 200 sends the above message.
To the channel mark information. Upon receiving the message, the controller 20 causes the converter box 2
22 to allow it to receive the transmission identified by the channel mark, and all signal decoders 290 (FIG. 6).
The TV signal decoder of FIG. 7 and has the functions of the radio signal decoder of FIG. 7 and the other signal decoders of FIG. 8 in addition) to start the processing of the detected SPAM information, box 222 and the decoder. A transmission link is established during 290.

Eventually, the AT & T news message is transmitted on channel A and input to the controller 39 of the decoder 290. When the above message is received, the controller 3
9 causes the microcomputer 205 to process the message. Microcomputer 205
Causes the controller 20 to switch the input from the microcomputer 205 to the printer 221, and causes the printer 221 to print the AT & T news article.

Additional Notes for Example # 7 ... Combination to Selected Computer Systems In the present invention, the computer information for any given combination of combination media is processed by a computer system of multiple computers. Here, each of the plurality of computers is at a subscriber station, and all the computers perform parallel processing under the control of one input in the program generation studio. The present invention includes the ability for a program generation studio to combine selected computers into the studio's computer system.

Microcomputer 2 of a plurality of subscriber stations
05 is pre-programmed by the program information of interest and selection and display instructions. The program information of interest in the station's microcomputer 205 of FIGS. 23 and 26 includes special WSW information that reflects the subscriber's willingness to see "Wall Street Week (WSW)."

The computer 73 of each intermediate station is pre-programmed with schedule information that reflects the time and channel at which each of the above stations will retransmit "Wall Street Week". Information of the computer 73 of the station in FIG. 21 is CC1.
3 and especially 8:30. (The other computer 73 is C
Pre-programmed at C11 and especially at 9:30. ) The program generation studio has a commonly used enable-WSW-on-XXXX-at-YYYYYY.
Send a retransmission preparation message of the information segment indication including YYYYYYYYYY information and specific -WSW information, time indication and voice encryption indication.

Upon receiving the above message, the station of FIG. 21 inputs the information segment into the computer 73 and executes the input. (The other stations function in the same manner.) The above instruction should be made available to the computer 73 -WSW-.
On-CC13-at-particular (especially)
-8: 30 Generate a SPAM message in which information and WSW program can be selected and store the above message in the memory. The computer 73 enables the above-WSW-
on-XXXX-at-YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Variables XXXX and YYYYYYYYYYYYY
The above information is created by replacing YYY with the above CC13 and especially with the 8:30 information. (Allow the above instruction to the other computer 73-WSW-on-CC11
-At-especially let the 9:30 information be created. 3.) The above instructions cause the computer 73 to compose a specific -WSW-Enable-message, which is the local-Enable-Message (# 7) described above, and store the message in storage.

The above time instruction causes each intermediate station to select a WSW program and start transmitting a message at a specific time.
The voice encryption instructions are executed at a specific time and a specific -WSW-enabled or otherwise message is sent after the specified time. Eventually, the above time instruction causes the computer 73 to select the WSW program and start transmitting the message at the normal transmission position of the cable channel 13. Thereafter, the above instruction causes the computer 73 to receive the transmission of the program generation studio of "Wall Street Week", and causes the device for encrypting the audio part of the transmission to input the transmission via the matrix switch 75, and the device is caused to receive the transmission. Encrypted, and the output of the device is F.V. D. S. 93 and further via the modulator 82, 86 or 90 of the cable channel 13.

The signal processing apparatus 2 of the station shown in FIGS. 23 and 26.
00 detects one "choose WSW program" message. When the above message is received, the signal processing device 2
00 inputs the above message to the microcomputer 205. The message is the microcomputer 20.
Possible WS in CC13 at 8:30 specified above in 5
The W information is input to the controller 20 of the signal processing device 200.

Therefore, the above-mentioned time instruction is given by the computer 7.
3 above local-enable-message (# 7)
To send.

The Local-Enable-Message
When (# 7) is received by the station of FIG. 23, the station operates exactly as in example # 7.

Control of Computer-Based Combination Media The control process of computer-based combination media is continuous,
It involves systematically entering and maintaining the latest user data at each subscriber station. For example, the first message of "Wall Street Week" actually creates the image of Figure 2 showing the behavior of the subscriber's portfolio (security statement) only at the subscriber stations whose stock data is up to date. You can

The present invention provides means and methods for entering and maintaining data at subscriber stations. The microcomputer 205 has a built-in modem, and has a telephone or data network 26.
2 is pre-programmed to receive the information transmitted by 2 and process the data received via the network 262. Stockbroker (broker) representing the subscriber
However, whenever the broker sells or buys shares on behalf of the subscriber, the broker's office computer calls the microcomputer 205 and enters the transaction data, which the microcomputer 205 updates its portfolio data with. To On each weekday, the remote stock data office sends the closing prices of all stocks for the day, and to each subscriber station the microcomputer 205 of that office.
Then, the closing price of the stock of the stock of the above computer is selected and recorded. By 8:00 pm, the data of the microcomputer 205 (and the microcomputer 205 of other stations) has been updated.

Then "one combinatorial medium" and Example # 4
The combination process described in 1. begins.

The combination of FIG. 4 is part of a larger processing step. Computer operations are time consuming and some computers are slower than others. For example, a 1000 share portfolio price calculation takes longer than a 1 share portfolio calculation.

In this chosen embodiment, unlike normal televisions where the information is provided at exactly the same time as the transmission, the transmission and execution of the second (or next) overlay program-directed set information is performed by the first overlay. It is possible to prioritize the transmission of the combination synchronization command of 1) and the time when the first overlay disappears. To prevent the microcomputer from displaying an incomplete overlay, the SPAM message should make it clear what the overlay is about to combine, and only at the subscriber station where the overlay exists as complete information. did. For example, the second message of "Wall Street Week" is SPA
Only in the station where the information in the memory of the M first precondition and the SPAM second precondition matches the selected information of the measurement monitoring segment of the message.
In order to finally recover efficient operation, when the combination information of one of the above stations fails to be combined because the completion information of one identified overlay does not exist in any station, the controller 203
Causes the microcomputer 205 to jump to a select line in the code such that the instruction causes the overlay to create the next overlay to be combined.

Audio and Other Overlays FIG. 27 shows a combined radio / computer medium. The tuner 209T receives a regular radio transmission. Divider 209D splits the received transmission into two paths, one to microcomputer 205 and the other to radio decoder 211. The decoder 211 detects the selected information and inputs it to the microcomputer 205. Microcomputer 205
Is capable of receiving audio, creating and combining audio overlay programs, and sending audio to speaker system 263. An example of the operation will be shown. One radio station sends a radio program and causes the microcomputer 205 to record pre-recorded sentences "and your portfolio has gone up" and "but your portfolio has gone down" with digital audio SPAM Embed the message. The radio transmission tells the announcer that "stock prices have risen today in Osho". Therefore, the radio station transmits a soundless audio, causes the microcomputer 205 to generate the audio, and causes the speaker system 263 to transmit the SPAM.
Embed directives. System 263 sends "But your portfolio has gone down".

The combined medium subscriber station of the broadcast print and the computer operates and is formed in the same manner as in FIG. The station has a receiver similar to the radio tuner 209T, a suitable decoder device consisting of the decoder of FIG. 8, a microcomputer 205 and a printer 221.
The SPAM message causes the microcomputer 205 to calculate a numerical value, confirms that the numerical value is large, and transfers the selected print to the printer 221. For example: “Stock prices have risen today in big commerce” “And your portfolio has risen” Figure 28 shows a complete combined television and computer medium. A divider 202D is added to the device of FIG. 1 in the audio transmission path, which divides the transmission into two paths, one to the appropriate audio processing device of the television decoder 203 and the other to the micro. Computer 205
Device, that is, the computer audio is combined with the transmitted audio and transmitted to a device having a function of inputting the audio information to the monitor 202M. Microcomputer 205 is audio R
It has an AM and has the functions of audio synthesis and combination.

Example # 10 Continuation Microcomputer 205 of the station of FIGS. 23 and 29
Has a record of the subscriber's family. For example, the information in the file named Disk Data of URS (Last Received Station Data) on drive A is: The above family likes hot and spicy foods, minimal salt, and 4 adults. Stipulate. (The microcomputer 205 in the second subscriber station holds information defining light food, salt indifference, and two adults in the data of URS of A drive, and the microcomputer of the third subscriber station. Computer 205: Holds moderate food, salt apathy and 2 adults and 3 children.) The Program Generation Studio is transmitting a regular television program called "Indian Exotic Food." The above transmission is received by the intermediate station of FIG. 21 and the above-mentioned second intermediate station and retransmitted. The program is exclusively about fish flatfish dishes. The host says: "If you want a copy of a menu that suits your taste for 10 cents, subscribe to TV 567 #!"

Each subscriber has their own local input 225.
Subscribe to TV 567 # at: Afterwards, the studio sends an indication of the presence / absence check information. Upon receiving the message, the controller 20 confirms that the TV567 # information is in the storage device, sets the specific information in the control function call information memory, and starts signal recording of the measurement information including the TV567 # information. The studio embeds and sends a second message instructing menus and making a list. The message is detected by the decoder 145 and the decoder 203
Is transferred to the controller 39. The above instruction causes the microcomputer 205 to make a fish curry menu and a shopping table for the subscriber, and print the above menu and table on the printer 221.
The information of the shopping list is held in the memory. The microcomputer 205 determines that one material is "patak low salinity Vindaloo curry paste".
(A station that has not subscribed to TV567 # information discards the above message.) When the above instruction is embedded, any subscriber who has recorded the above program in the recorder / player 217 can instruct the above anytime by playing back the record program. , So that the TV 567 # has a local input 225 to the signal processor 200 of that subscriber station.
Whenever it comes in during playback, the measurement monitoring information is updated.

(An alternative method is to embed the message in the second transmission and have all selected signal decoders 290 of each station receive the second transmission, whereby the decoder 290 causes the second message to be received. Detected and forwarded to the microcomputer 205. This method has the advantage that the instructions are relatively unharmed by the program infringer. (Whichever method is used, the second message is It can be encrypted and decrypted in any way.) The above studio stopped sending "Indian exotic food" for commercials and program unit Q.
Start sending. The studio immediately sends a message (eg # 10) embedded in Q, "Join URS microcomputer 205". The message causes the controller 20 to combine the microcomputer 205 with the studio computer system. The controller 20 connects the matrix switch 258 to the device in the manner of FIG. To each subscriber station, after a sufficient time interval that can be so combined, the studio sends a "sync-SPAM-receive" message (# 10). The message causes the decoder 203 to detect the end of file signal and begin processing the message embedded in Q. The studio sends a call message (# 10). The message causes the microcomputer 205 to be under the control of the studio. (The stations of the second and third subscribers are under the control of the studio.) The studio causes each intermediate station to send its data module set message. Upon receiving the intermediate station data module set message, each final receiving station records the information of the message in a file named intermediate transmitting station data.

The studio causes each intermediate station to transmit a specific program-instruction-set message (# 10).
The station in FIG. 1 program instruction set is executed. (The second subscriber station implements the Q.1 set. The third subscriber station implements the Q.2 programmed instruction set.) Under a set of controls, the microcomputer 205 creates the first video overlay and the next overlay. The microcomputer 205 accesses "A: Data of URS (final receiving station data)" to search for the subscriber's address and accesses "D: Data of ITS (intermediate transmitting station data)" to determine the address of each local market. look for. The microcomputer 205 calculates which market is the closest and confirms that the distance between the station and the market is 4.3 miles and that the station is southwest of the market. The microcomputer 205 stores the southwest information in the memory, and substitutes 4.3 into X in the following formula: Y = 1000.00 + 62.21875 + (2.117 * X) Y is calculated to be 1071.32, and clearing the video RAM causes the background of the video RAM. Color becomes transparent when a combination occurs and sets the bit position in the video RAM to $ 1071.32. (The above-mentioned second subscriber's microcomputer 205 has a distance of 8.7, Y is calculated to be 1080.64, and the video RAM is set to "$ 1080.64". The above-mentioned third subscriber's microcomputer 205 receives it. Substituting 3.2 for X in the equation: Y = 1000.00 + 132.2362 + (2.0882 * X) Calculate Y to 1138.92, and 1138 to video RAM.
Microcomputer 205 calculates subscriber savings 915.93, clears audio RAM, selects "forty-six" audio information from D: Data of ITS, To the audio RAM.

Q's program transmits a photo of one person and the voice of the announcer: "The supermarket will sell you as much pork as you want at this low price."

The studio sends the 1st-start-output-message (# 10). The above message causes each subscriber station to display the combination information to each subscriber station that has completed creating the first overlay information in the video RAM. "$ 1071.32" is displayed on the monitor 202M. ("1080.64 dollars" is displayed at the second subscriber station above. "1138.92 dollars" at the third subscriber station.
Is displayed. ) The above studio will send the following audio: “This sale will save you more!” The above studio will send a message to each subscriber station that has finished making the first audio and send it out. Let
Subscribers can listen to “forty-six”.

(At the same time the second subscriber can hear "forty-five". And the third
Subscribers can hear “forty-three”. After a long enough time for each station to play its audio, the studio sends the following audio: "percent" Immediately each subscriber station clears the audio RAM and the second
Select audio information and use the above information as audio RA
Set to M.

Meanwhile, the studio sends the following audio: "To confirm this sale price, we are printing the following on your printer." The studio prints to each subscriber station Send a message to get started. The following hard copy appears on printer 221: A bargain supermarket delivers one unit of pork at the following price: 1st Street, No. 111 Massachusetts town for $ 1071.32 in exchange for this coupon "(second subscription above) A hard copy appears in the Bureau as follows: A bargain supermarket delivers one unit of pork at the following price: No. 222, 2nd Street, any town in Massachusetts, for $ 1080.64 in exchange for this coupon and above. In a three-subscriber's office, a bargain supermarket delivers one unit of pork at the following price: 333, 3rd Street, Anazatown, Florida for $ 1138.92 in exchange for this coupon.) Above The studio sends the first cancel-send message (# 10). The sage is the same as the third message of "Wall Street Week", which causes each subscriber station to stop combining and display only the transmitted video on its monitoring device, 202M, Prepare to combine the video overlays of the above message, the above message tells the decoder 203 "Graphics Off".
After executing, the above-described erasure and continuation instruction is input to the CPU of the microcomputer 205 as an interrupt signal. The above instructions cause the microcomputer 205 to execute the part of the Q program instruction set at the time of receiving the interrupt. Microcomputer 205
Will stop generating and sending prints when it has just sent "and its sum". (The microcomputer 205 of the second subscriber just sends out the "222 second street" and interrupts it, and the microcomputer 2 of the third subscriber 2
Pause when 05 sends out just $ 1139.92. The microcomputer 205 jumps to the first address of the Q1 set and executes the first erase and continue instruction. The microcomputer 205 erases the video RAM, sets the background color to a transparent overlay black, confirms that it holds southwest information, IT
Southwest delivery telephone number "456-141" from S's D data
4 "to place the numbered information in the lower center of the video screen in the bit position that produces the video information. After that, the instruction causes the microcomputer 205 to resume generation and transmission of the printed output. .
(The output being printed is incidental.
The above message is the data after stopping each subscriber station,
Generation and transmission of computer program instructions, audio and / or video can be resumed. The studio begins sending the human video and audio of the announcer saying "Your menu and shopping table for tonight are looking for a pattern item."

[0206] After that, the above-mentioned studio has an audio RAM.
Then, a message for transmitting the audio is embedded and transmitted to each subscriber station that has completed the generation of the second audio. Subscribers can hear "Vindaloo, a low salt".

(The second subscriber can listen to "Sweet version of Quick").

[0208] Also, the "dry version of Quick" is transmitted to the station of the third subscriber. (The programmed instruction set does not erase the audio RAM.) After a short time, the above studio said, "Curry paste. Your local bargain supermarket has all the Patak products. Call me." Is transmitted.

[0209] The studio sends a message for displaying the combined video on its monitoring device 202M to each subscriber station which has completed the generation of the second overlay information in the video RAM. The decoder 203 performs "graphics on". "456-1414" is displayed on the lower center screen of monitor device 202M. "224-3121" is displayed on the device of the second subscriber. In addition, the station of the third subscriber is "623-300".
"0" is displayed.

The studio above asks you to “deliver your order on the screen. If not, please enter your local input“ TV568 * ”immediately and the manager will give you 1 bottle of Patak product. I promise to put it in. "Send an audio signal.

The studio sends a message to each subscriber station that has completed the second audio to send out the audio. The monitor device 202M transmits "bindaloo with low salt content".

After a short interval, the studio sends out a "curry paste free" audio signal.

In the stations of FIGS. 23 and 29, the subscriber inputs the TV 568 *. After that, Q1 or Q2
TV5 by the instruction of the specific program instruction set of
Each subscriber station to which 68 * is input will call the purchase order.

After the lapse of a certain period of time, the studio embeds a disassembly-URS-microcomputer 205 message (# 10 example) and transmits it. According to the above message, the controller 20 causes the microcomputer 205 to
Will be separated from the computer system of the studio. The message also causes the controller 20 to operate and return the microcomputer 205 from broadcast control to local control to begin processing interrupted instructions interrupted by broadcast control.

(Except the measurement / monitoring information, the message transmitted to the station of the field system 93 in # 9 example is the same as the message transmitted in # 10 example, and performs the same function.) In examples 9 and # 10, the subscriber station equipment with the particularly slow microcomputer 205 can recover efficiency. For example, the first start-send message (#
10 or # 9), the at least one decoder 203 causes the microcomputer 205 to jump to execute the first erasing and continuation instruction of the program instruction set of Q1 (or Q).

Program Creation of Receiving Station Operating System One object of the present invention is to standardize the operating system. Another purpose is the flexibility to expand system functionality.

FIG. 30 shows a non-volatile memory installed to identify the pre-programmable device of the station of FIG. The above memory is the EPROM 20B. EP
The ROM 20B is reprogrammed each time the device is installed or removed from the station of FIGS. 23 and 30, and the matrix switch 25
It includes switch control instructions to identify which device is input to the 9 input, which output is output to the device of which station, and to control the switch controller 20A. The EPROM 20B is installed in the cartridge and manually inserted into the switch controller 20A installed in one port of the equipment container of the signal processing device 200. EPROM 20B is also programmed with main control frequency information. (A similar memory is attached to each computer 73 of the intermediate station as shown in FIG. 21.) An example of the receiving station operating system program will be described. 23 and 3 according to one message.
Station No. 0 confirms that the microcomputer 205 is not an Apple (APPLE) II. The second message causes the station to
Is an IBM PC, and the decoder 20
3 causes the operating system instruction of the above message to be recorded in the disk in the drive unit of the microcomputer 205, and further causes the operating system recorded in the microcomputer 205 to be ejected. The third message causes the station to confirm that a third version of the decoder 203 is present in the station and causes the decoder 203 to record the operating system indication of the message in the RAM of the decoder 203,
The operation according to the control of the above instruction is started.

Preferred SPAM Header An important feature of the present invention is its flexibility for extension. In the preferred embodiment, the SPAM header not only identifies the composition of the alternate message, but also identifies another version of the message composition. SPAM header and SPAM
The SPAM header register memory of the device is one byte long, which is one signal word.

Summary # 11 Example In February 2027, all-European farmers decide what crops to mix and grow. Each farmer has the same subscriber station equipment as in FIG. However, each subscriber station is 2
Set of television recorders / players 217 and 21
7A; two sets of television tuners 215 and 215
A; and a set of laser disc players 232. The farm information is provided by the microcomputer 20 of each station.
5 is recorded in a file named MY FARM DAT installed in the A drive unit. Each laser disc player 232 is provided with a file named PROPRIET MOD containing an encrypted property software module. The above module generates the recommended cultivation plan information.

[0220] National planners strive to formulate policies and influence the decisions of farmers. Each country has the same domestic intermediate transmission station as that shown in FIG. 21, except that it transmits via satellite. The computer 73 of each domestic intermediary station includes information on local systems and items. A file named NATIONAL AGI proposes alternative subsidy schemes and items. Natural Tax
A file named is proposed for a tax system on farm income, and a depreciation plan for farm equipment is also proposed. In addition, the rate of increase in finance and the interest rate are proposed in a file named NATUALAL MON.

The local planners endeavor to formulate local policies. Each local government has the same regional intermediate station as in FIG. A property tax on land and equipment is proposed in a file named LOCAL TAX. LOC
The file named AL EMP proposes an employment subsidy system.

At 3:00 am GMT (Greenwich time) on February 15, 2027, the signal processor of each station starts receiving the main transmission of the European main station. 3:10 am
In turn, the above stations enter operating system instructions into all SPAM device and receiving station computers 73, as well as the microcomputer 205. (The main control frequency of the EPROM 20B of each receiving station is the frequency of the above-mentioned main transmission or the frequency of the main channel transmission of the intermediate station where the above-mentioned main transmission is retransmitted.) To automatically start tuning.

At 3:59 pm, the European master station begins transmitting program unit identification information for the combined media television program "European Farm Planning". Farmers and planners across Europe are pre-programmed so that their stations can receive and combine the program. Each receiving station not equipped with a satellite earth station tunes to the main channel of the local intermediate station (which retransmits the main transmission).

At 3:59:45 pm, the European main station tunes the regional intermediate stations to the second television channel of its domestic intermediate station and sends it to its computer 73.
Control of the national station. 3:59 pm
At 55 minutes, the European master station calls broadcast control.

At 4:00 pm, the main station starts transmitting the "European Farm Plan". The station immediately acts on the final receiving station to darken the display of all video and locally generated information, and is embedded in the whole frame of video on all computers 73 and microcomputers 205. Start receiving SPAM information. The main station causes the microcomputer 205 to display the title. Then, in the above-mentioned station, each of the final receiving stations has its speaker system 261
Causes the subscriber to receive and transmit the voice of the audio transmission in the native language of the subscriber. The master station then sends a message to the national intermediary station containing the national level interim occurrence set. The above main station allows the signal processing device 200 of each final receiving station to continuously input the main frequency of the EPROM 20B into the decoder 30 thereof. (By doing so, the master station is set to the decoders 145, 203.
Alternatively, the main transmission may be continuously input to the signal processing device 200 regardless of the transmissions on 282 to prevent the signal processing device 200 from identifying other programs of interest. ) The master station transmits the first program instruction set. After that, the main station is
The AM decoder device is made to start receiving the SPAM information normally embedded only in the transmission position.

The above-mentioned domestic level intermediate generation set causes each of the domestic intermediate stations to generate a regional level intermediate generation set. The above national level set contains generally applicable information about domestic agricultural and economic policies, local tax schemes and items, employer subsidies and recommended crop cultivation plans. The set also includes the prices that farmers are planning to sell each crop. With the above set, each domestic intermediate station
NATIONAL TAX, and NATIONAL
Access MON's files to calculate specific subsidy schemes and items, tax schemes and depreciation plans and monetary increases and interest rates on planned farm borrowings.

After a short time, the European main station sends a message, which causes each national intermediate station to send a message containing its regional level intermediate occurrence set embedded in the second television channel transmission. .

In response to the message from the national station, each regional intermediate station generates a program instruction set. Each regional intermediary has its local tax and local em
Access P's file to calculate specific local property tax and employment subsidy formulas.

At 4:29:50 pm, the master station sends one cueing message. The message causes each national intermediary station to embed a message in each regional intermediary station to operate its recorder 76 in its second television channel and send its programming on the main channel. Each regional intermediary station will begin transmitting the national and regional parts of the "European Farm Plan".

At 4:29:55 GMT, the European main network station transmits by embedding a message in the main transmission. The message causes each final receiving station that receives the above transmissions by satellite to receive the combined media program of the main channel of its regional intermediate station (whose information is pre-programmed in its EPROM 20B). To process.

In time, each recorder 76 sends a message addressed to the ITS computer 73. Each regional intermediary station detects the message of its recorder 76 and sends its program instruction set. Another message addressed to the URS microcomputer 205 is then sent by the recorder 76.

[0232] The bureau of each farmer regularly displays domestic and regional policy information in combination with information generated in the region.

The set of program instructions causes each microcomputer 205 to generate an optimal solution to the farm's crop mixing problem. Each microcomputer 205 has a MY F in its A drive.
Access the ARM DAT file. Each microcomputer 205 instructs the signal processing device 200 to operate the laser disc player 232.
In the method of the seventh example, each station uses its “PROPRIET MO”
The meter information of the D "file is decoded and stored. Each microcomputer 205 is used by using the linear programming method.
By referring to data including, for example, farm size, soil conditions, aspects of sunlight and shade, history of transposition, farm equipment and financial resources, and by applying the information in the above program instruction set, Calculate the optimal crop cultivation plan for the farmer. The plan includes expected revenues, costs and benefits as well as close but not optimal sensitivity analysis. The microcomputer 205 is a PLANT
Record the plan on the A disk in a file named ING DAT.

Information on 26 advertisement broadcasts is included in the program instruction set. Analyzing the plan, each microcomputer 205 identifies the four most likely to be of value to the farmer. Each station has a signal processor 20
The schedule information of the four advertisement broadcasts is input to 0. The recorder 76 at each regional intermediary station then sends to the ITS computer 73 a localized signaling signal addressed.

As in the case of # 10, each station periodically displays and sends the information of the crop cultivation plan that is generally applicable, in combination with the special information for the farmer. The optimal plan for each farm is explained automatically.

By receiving the regional cue message, each regional intermediary station embeds a message addressed to the URS signal processor 200 in its main channel transmission and then its video record / player 78.
To transmit on the second television channel. The message causes each farm station to receive the second television channel of its regional intermediary station and forward its transmission to the selected video recorder / player 217 or 217A. After a short time, each computer 73 causes the recorder 78 to send out 26 advertisement broadcasts. The signal processor 200 of each station allows the recorder / player 21
7 and 217A are the microcomputers 205
According to the schedule input by the station, the selected spot advertisement broadcast of the station is recorded, organized for display, and then delivered.

At each farm station, a set of program instructions causes the TELEPHONE EXE module to be recorded in the microcomputer 205, allowing the farmer to modify its particular plan and send it to the distant station.

A message embedded at the end of the national and regional parts causes each farmer's station to separate from the main channel of the intermediate stations of the area and
The players 217 or 217A are interconnected to begin generating and delivering the combined media program. By sending out each advertising broadcast spot, the combined media information displays products such as trucks and software packages, "A: PLAN
TING. Access the DAT's to generate an analysis of increased profits when using the product or service, and also display the analysis information (when the analysis results in clear profits).

Each farmer investigates the plan and makes a TELE
Run PHONE EXE and modify the file to suit your needs. With TELEPHONE EXE, the signal processor 200 sends the farmer's file to a computer at a remote data collection station. The data is collected on the European Central Office computer, thereby enabling planners to improve the variables of the domestic interim set, especially the expected prices.

On February 18, 2027, 3:59 pm, the farmer outbreak and communication information cycle is repeated using the improved variables. In a iterative and amending manner, this cycle is repeated until the main European agricultural program is achieved. In this way, the unified approach of the present invention facilitates planning and decision making.

The description so far has been given by way of example.
Modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The transmission of any messages and programming can be influenced only by selected stations and devices by using encoding / code reproduction and other regulatory techniques. The monitoring information can be processed by calling an arbitrary control function. The intermediate transmitting station is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 30, a facility having control information switching and bus communication capability can be provided.
Any transmitting station can function its receiving station in any suitable manner.

[0242]

As described above, according to the present invention, at the receiving station of a person who has subscribed to the business according to the present invention and subscribed, the broadcast program which is being broadcast or recorded by the recorder (image, Information and data broadcast by the above-mentioned broadcast program (encrypted and embedded in the gap in the carrier wave of the broadcast) in the subscriber's own personal information related to the program (including voice, text, print, etc.) Superimposed by the action of a computer, decoder, etc., which has been updated or modified by such means as the device of the receiving station of the subscriber (the output device for display is also used for receiving broadcast programs) according to the above contract. It becomes possible to view the displayed composite display.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a video / computer combined media receiving station in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a typical example of a graphic display of individual information of a subscriber, which is created by a computer of a receiving station and displayed on a display screen.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a typical example of a graphic display created in a studio that produces a broadcast program.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a typical example of a composite display in which a graphic display of the subscriber's individual information according to the present invention is overlaid on the graphic display created in the studio.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a signal processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a decoder for extracting an encrypted embedded signal in a television broadcast signal of the signal processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a radio signal decoder using the ultrasonic range of the signal processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of another signal decoder of the signal processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a signal processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing binary information at the beginning of a message by an embedded signal according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a measurement / monitoring portion (segment) in an embedded signal according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a command (instruction) in an embedded signal according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a command (instruction) in an embedded signal to which three padding bits are added in order to complete a final byte signal word.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of a SPAM (device and method for signal processing) message according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a message that fills 1 byte of a signal word according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a message ending with padding (filling) bits of one all-byte signal word.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a configuration of a video / computer combined medium receiving station having a signal processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 shows a preferred controller of a SPAM (Signal Processing Equipment and Method) decoder according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a signal processing adjustment device according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a signal processing monitoring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an example diagram of a signal processing device in a CATV intermediate transmission station of the signal processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a cable type header in an intermediate transmitting station of CATV of the signal processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a signal processing device in a receiving station (URS) according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram of a signal processing device for adjusting the environment of a local receiving station according to the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram of a signal processing device according to the present invention used for controlling combined media, multi-channel presentation and viewer monitoring.

FIG. 26 is a diagram of a signal processing device for controlling information selection and combination medium and multi-channel presentation content according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram of a combined radio / computer media receiving station according to the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a diagram of a television / computer combined media receiving station in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of control of a combined medium of television and printing according to the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a diagram of an example in which an EPROM is further installed in the example of the signal processing device according to the present invention shown in FIG. 23.

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A method of controlling synthesis of a superimposed display including a received broadcast program and a computer-generated representation including images, sounds, and characters in a receiving station equipped with a broadcast program output device and a computer, the method comprising: The method includes: receiving a broadcast signal including a broadcast program; causing an output device of the broadcast program to output the received broadcast program; receiving a creation instruction control signal and transmitting it to a computer; creating Responding to the instruction control signal, causing the computer to process the information stored in the memory to create a superimposed display; receiving the superimposed display control signal and causing the computer to respond to this signal. A step of transmitting the computer-generated superimposed display to the output device and causing the output device to output a composite output of the broadcast program and the computer-generated superimposed display. Signal processing method that. 2. The signal processing method according to claim 1, wherein one or more of a printing press, a sound generator, and a video display device are selected as the output device. 3. A method of controlling the composition of superimposed displays, further comprising:
2. The signal processing method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting a superimposition display end control signal to cause the output device to stop outputting the superimposition display generated by the computer in response to the reception of the signal. . 4. The computer has an output memory, the output memory being coupled to a broadcast program display device, wherein the step of causing the computer to process the information to create the overlay display is the computer-generated overlay display. The signal processing method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of storing in an output memory. 5. The signal processing method according to claim 4, wherein the information content of the superimposed display is related to the information content of the broadcast program. 6. A signal processing method according to claim 4, further comprising: a step of transmitting a memory erase instruction control signal after the control signals of the creation instruction and the superimposition display instruction are transmitted; And deleting the information content of the superimposed display from the output memory to stop the output of the superimposed display by the output device. 7. The step of causing a computer to process information comprises the steps of:
The program stored in the computer memory is
2. The signal processing method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of processing a stored information corresponding to a creation instruction control signal to execute a program for creating a superimposed display. 8. The step of causing the computer to process the information includes the steps of: storing the computer program received in response to the creation instruction control signal in the memory of the computer; and after storing, storing the stored information. In order to process, let the computer execute the above program,
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of creating a superimposed display in response to the creation instruction control signal. 9. The signal processing method according to claim 1, wherein the control signal is embedded in the broadcast signal. 10. The signal processing method according to claim 1, wherein the control signal is transmitted separately from the broadcast signal. 11. A receiving station device for controlling a composite display of a received television program and a computer-generated superimposition display of the receiving station is: (1) the television program and one embedded in the information transmission. Or consisting of the above control signals,
Receiving information transmission; (2) detecting the presence of a control signal including a creation instruction control signal and a superimposed display instruction control signal in the embedded information transmission; (3) these detected controls A decoder operable to send and receive signals to a computer; a television receiver capable of receiving and displaying television programs; a computer coupled to the television receiver and the decoder, The computer: receiving control signals from the decoder; processing information to create a unique overlay display for the receiving station in response to receiving the create instruction control signal; Corresponding to the control signal, the created superimposed display is transmitted to the above-mentioned television receiver, and this television receiver is connected with the received television program. Signal processing method according to claim 1, wherein Yuta, characterized in that is programmed to perform the steps of causing the composite display made of superimposed created. 12. The signal processing according to claim 11, wherein the computer is further programmed to execute a step of correcting the superimposed display in response to the correction instruction control signal detected by the decoder. Method. 13. The receiving station is one of a plurality of separate receiving stations, each receiving station comprising a decoder, a computer,
12. The signal processing method according to claim 11, further comprising a television receiver, and the superimposed display created by each receiving station is unique and different from other receiving stations.