A method for processing and transmitting multimedia signals received from a plurality of channels are provided. The method may include receiving at least two multimedia signals from a plurality of channels, and generating a composite multimedia digital signal by coding the multimedia signals in a frame format. At least one of the multimedia signals may include a video signal. The frame format may include an active zone and a blanking zone, the active zone may be configured to encode at least part of the multimedia signals, and the blanking zone may be configured to encode format information. The method may further include converting at least part of the encoded multimedia signals in the active zone into analog signals to generate a composite multimedia signal. The method may further include transmitting the composite multimedia signal to a receiving device via a transmission medium.

A method for processing and transmitting multimedia signals received from a plurality of channels are provided. The method may include receiving at least two multimedia signals from a plurality of channels, and generating a composite multimedia digital signal by coding the multimedia signals in a frame format. At least one of the multimedia signals may include a video signal. The frame format may include an active zone and a blanking zone, the active zone may be configured to encode at least part of the multimedia signals, and the blanking zone may be configured to encode format information. The method may further include converting at least part of the encoded multimedia signals in the active zone into analog signals to generate a composite multimedia signal. The method may further include transmitting the composite multimedia signal to a receiving device via a transmission medium.

.[.A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming..]. .Iadd.A method is described for controlling a receiver station using stored data specific to a user. By receiving a computer program transmitted from a transmitter station, the computer program is stored at the receiver station. Upon execution of the computer program, the data specific to a user is processed to generate information content at an output device..Iaddend.

.[.A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming..]. .Iadd.A method is described for controlling a receiver station using stored data specific to a user. By receiving a computer program transmitted from a transmitter station, the computer program is stored at the receiver station. Upon execution of the computer program, the data specific to a user is processed to generate information content at an output device..Iaddend.

.[.A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming..]. .Iadd.A method is described for providing a subscriber specific solution or recommend a subscriber specific action in at least one of a visual and an audible form at a receiver station. A remote data source stores digital data and receives a transmission originated from the receiver station. The subscriber specific solution or subscriber specific action is based on a subscriber specific analysis, and is dependent on transmitting the digital data from the remote data source to the receiver station. .Iaddend.

.[.A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming..]. .Iadd.A method is described for providing a subscriber specific solution or recommend a subscriber specific action in at least one of a visual and an audible form at a receiver station. A remote data source stores digital data and receives a transmission originated from the receiver station. The subscriber specific solution or subscriber specific action is based on a subscriber specific analysis, and is dependent on transmitting the digital data from the remote data source to the receiver station. .Iaddend.

An apparatus and a method for bundling two data channels via a point-to-point connection, is described herein. Sequences of data from a first data channel are transmitted via a first line and sequences of data from a second data channel are transmitted via a second line to a multiplexing apparatus. A data gap having a predefined size is arranged between two sequences of first data in each case. The data from the second data channel are transmitted to a buffer and, if the buffer has been filled with second data having a predefined size, are inserted into the data from the first data channel. A third data channel is formed at the output of the multiplexing apparatus using these first data and second data and is transmitted to a third line. The third data channel therefore has a bundling of sequences of first data and sequences of second data.

An apparatus and a method for bundling two data channels via a point-to-point connection, is described herein. Sequences of data from a first data channel are transmitted via a first line and sequences of data from a second data channel are transmitted via a second line to a multiplexing apparatus. A data gap having a predefined size is arranged between two sequences of first data in each case. The data from the second data channel are transmitted to a buffer and, if the buffer has been filled with second data having a predefined size, are inserted into the data from the first data channel. A third data channel is formed at the output of the multiplexing apparatus using these first data and second data and is transmitted to a third line. The third data channel therefore has a bundling of sequences of first data and sequences of second data.

A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming.

.[.A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming..]. .Iadd.A method and apparatus to reprogram a receiver station, where the receiver station includes a receiver and a programmable device of a specific version having a memory. The receiver station receives an electronic digital information transmission including operating system instructions and a digital control signal that designates a designated hardware version of a programmable device. The received operating system instructions are communicated to the memory if a match occurs between the designated hardware version included in the transmission and the specific version of the programmable device resident at the receiver station..Iaddend.