Patent ID: 7856649

Claim:
A method for receiving programming and information according to a cable television signaling scheme at a programmable receiver station, said receiver station having a frequency converter, a tuner, a tuner controller, a plurality of detectors for receiving digital data embedded in a cable transmission and for receiving digital signals, a processor or computer and a storage device, said tuner controller receiving instructions from said processor or computer to control said tuner to frequency select channels based on said cable television signaling scheme, said method comprising the step of: receiving a series of processor instructions; programming said programmable receiver station processor or computer to receive a cable television signaling scheme defined by said series of processor instructions, said signaling scheme defining the transmission of said programming and said information in variable formats including (i) varying locations in said cable transmission, (ii) variable timing patterns and lengths and (iii) variable encryption schemes, said variable formats identified by variable format signals; storing said processor instructions in said receiver station storage device, said processor instructions inputting logic into said processor or computer to enable said programmable receiver station to identify said variable format signals; and executing said processor instructions to implement said cable television signaling scheme at said receiver station and demodulate or demultiplex said programming and information.