Abstract: A central station monitors television broadcasts and issues control and informational broadcasts to receivers located in the homes of users. The information broadcasts include a TV program schedule table and recorder control data. In response to the control broadcasts, processors receiving the broadcast will pause and resume recording of the identified broadcasts. A user can phone into the central station to have the user's recorder programmed to record a particular broadcast.

Abstract: A theft prevention device that includes a digital control unit and digital receiving units. These digital components form a control system along with existing peripheral components. The control system utilizes a signal network where signals are transmitted and received on the existing wiring or through the air between the digital components. The components of the anti-theft device operate in either an armed or disarmed state, and the system automatically arms whenever the ignition key is turned from on to off. If the system is in a vehicle and the vehicle is started without disarming the system first, each component becomes active after its programmed time delay has elapsed. A unique code, generated by the digital control unit, is passed through alarm system's signal network during the disarmed state such that the digital components in the theft prevention device becomes active and perform their respective functions even if the power supply is cut in the armed state.