Abstract: Encrypted communications ensure privacy of communications point-to-point in a network of interactive video stations interconnected by a broadcast network. The encryption as a function of personal identity keys uniquely assigned to each station protects private communications both incoming and outgoing. Thus, a central facility having the only directory of the personal identity keys intercepts encrypted communications for reformatting and encrypting to redirect to a designated target station in the network. The keys are thus secured, and the broadcast communications are not readily analyzed for deriving sensitive data, or the communicating parties. In this manner financial transactions such as electronic payment from banks authorized in private communications with vendor stations are subject to intrusion and/or fraud.

Abstract: Movies and like video programs are distributed electronically from a program storage and processing center in encrypted format over a satellite channel upon custom order for private viewing of one paying subscriber or a small group of subscribers. Thus, charges may be shared to lower the processing, transmission and royalty costs involved for custom rental of unscheduled programs available from a large storage library facility. The transactions for ordering, paying and receiving a decryption key are made over a two-way interactive wireless satellite network in communication with a nationwide network of subscribers and the video program storage and distribution center. Software controlled subscriber stations permit the monitoring and control of the private viewing conditions to meet various copyright and recording criteria. The transmission is preferably in digital format, and thus may be easily stored in encrypted format for a single private viewing session at a time chosen by the subscriber.

Abstract: A network of local area audience response systems is coupled together at a central audience response processing station by a satellite communication system for real time audience response analysis, nationally or internationally. Each local area station and each response unit may be identified and verified by allocation of specific time slots for response preferably synchronously related to a TV picture program transmission carrying the audience questions to be answered. Wireless transmission of the question and answer signals in digital format of beeps of a single frequency keeps transmission channels narrow. The system may be operated in conjunction with TV broadcasting or independently.

Abstract: A network of local area audience response systems is coupled together at a central audience response processing station by means of a satellite communication system for real time audience response analysis, nationally or internationally. Each local area station and each response unit may be identified and verified by allocation of specific time slots for response, preferable synchronously related to a TV picture program transmission carrying the audience questions to be answered. Wireless transmission of the question and answer signals in digital format of beeps of a single frequency keep transmission channels narrow. The system may be operated in conjunction with TV broadcasting or independently.

Abstract: A network of local area audience response systems is coupled together at a central audience response processing station by means of a satellite communication system for real time audience response analysis, nationally or internationally. Each local area station and each response unit may be identified and verified by allocation of specific time slots for response, preferable synchronously related to a TV picture program transmission carrying the audience questions to be answered. Wireless transmission of the question and answer signals in digital format of beeps of a single frequency keep transmission channels narrow. The system may be operated in conjunction with TV broadcasting or independently.