Cable television with multi-event signal substitution

Abstract

A signal substitution system for cable television applies substitute television program signals in at least one substitute channel to the transmission cable along with signal substitution control signals. The signal substitution control signals include a plurality of different terminal command signals and a plurality of different event command signals. Each of the terminal command signals includes a respective panelist address signal for identifying a respective panelist receiving station and a plurality of event identification signals identifying respective events. Each of the event command signals includes a respective event address signal corresponding to a respective event and a normal channel identification signal for identifying a normal channel into which a substitute television program is to be switched. A controller at each panelist receiving station responds to the signal substitution control signals by selectively switching a substitute television program into a normal channel. The controller stores event signals corresponding to the event identification signals of the respective terminal command signal. When a received event address signal corresponds to a local event address signal and the received normal channel identification signal corresponds to a channel select signal selected by the viewer, a substitute channel is substituted for the channel selected by the viewer for a period determined by the event command signals.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a cable television system having head end means at a head end station, transmission cable, and a plurality of receiving means at respective panelist receiving stations, said head end means including means for applying normal television program signals in normal television channels to said transmission cable, and each of said receiving means including panelist channel selector means under control of a viewer for selecting a normal channel for viewing of a respective normal television channel for viewing of a respective normal television program, said panelist channel selector means producing a panelist channel select signal indicative of said television channel, a television receiver, and a cable television frequency converter for receiving television program signals from said transmission cable and responsive to a channel select signal for selectively converting received television program signals in the respective television channel to converted television program signals acceptable to said television receiver and applying the respective converted television program signals to said television receiver; a targetable signal substitution system comprising means at said head end station for applying substitute television program signals in at least one substitute channel to said transmission cable, and means at said head end station for applying signal substitution control signals to said transmission cable, said signal substitution control signals including a plurality of different terminal command signals and a plurality of different event command signals, each of said terminal command signals including a respective panelist address signal for identifying a respective panelist receiving station and a plurality of event identification signals identifying respective ones of a plurality of events, and each of said event command signals including a respective event address signal corresponding to a respective event and a normal channel identification signal for identifying a normal channel into which a substitute television program is to be switched; and   control means at each panelist receiving station responsive to said signal substitution control signals for selectively switching a substitute television program into a normal channel, said control means including means for generating a local panelist address signal, means for generating a plurality of local event address signals with each of said local event address signals corresponding to a local event address signal at each of the other panelist receiving stations, substitute channel selector means for producing a substitute channel select signal corresponding to a substitute channel, first comparison means for comparing the received panelist address signal of each terminal command signal with said local panelist address signal and producing a first match signal when said compared panelist address signals match, means responsive to said first match signal for storing event signals corresponding to said event identification signals of the respective terminal command signal, second comparison means for comparing a received event address signal with each of said local event address signals and producing a second match signal when said compared event address signals match, third comparison means responsive to said second match signal for comparing said received normal channel identification signal with said panelist channel select signal and producing a third match signal when said compared channel identification and channel select signals match, and means responsive to said stored event signals and said third match signal for switching a substitute channel select signal to said cable television frequency converter in lieu of the channel select signal selected by the viewer for a period determined by said event command signals, whereby for said period said television receiver receives the program in the corresponding substitute channel in lieu of the program of the channel to which the normal channel selector is set.   
     
     
       2. A signal substitution system according to claim 1 including means at each said receiving station for transmitting return signals to said head end station corresponding to the respective said local panelist address signal and the channel selected by the respective viewer when the respective television is turned on, and means at said head end station for utilizing said applied return signals. 
     
     
       3. A signal substitution system according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching said substitute channel select signal to said cable television frequency converter so switches such signal only for the period during which said compared channel identification and channel select signals match. 
     
     
       4. A signal substitution system according to claim 3 wherein said event command signals are in pairs having the same respective event address signal and one of each pair includes a normal channel identification signal identifying no normal channel, whereby said third comparison means is disabled from producing said third match signal and said period is thereby terminated. 
     
     
       5. A signal substitution system according to claim 1 wherein said event command signals are in pairs having the same respective event address signal and one of each pair comprises a period termination signal, and said control means determines said period from said one of each pair of event command signals. 
     
     
       6. A signal substitution system according to claim 1 wherein said event command signals are in pairs having the same respective event address signal and include identification of the timing of said signal substitution, and said control means is responsive to said event command signals by controlling the timing of the onset of substitution of a respective substitute television program from one of .Iadd.a .Iaddend.said pair and the termination of the period from the other of .Iadd.the same .Iaddend.said pair. 
     
     
       7. A signal substitution control system according to claim 1 wherein one of said event command signals is an event start signal and another of said event command signals is an event terminate signal. 
     
     
       8. A signal substitution system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said means for applying substitute television program signals includes means for applying a plurality of substitute television program signals in a plurality of respective substitute channels to said transmission cable, at least one of said event command signals includes a substitute channel identification signal for identifying a substitute channel from which substitute television signals are to be switched, and said control means includes means responsive to said substitute channel identification signal for producing said substitute channel select signal. .Iadd. 
     
     
       9.  In a television system having a central station, a plurality of receiving means at respective panelist receiving stations, each of said receiving means including means for receiving normal television program signals in normal television channels, television viewing means, and panelist channel selector means under control of a viewer for selecting a normal channel for viewing of a respective normal television program on said television viewing means, said panelist channel selector means producing a panelist channel select signal indicative of a selected television channel, and transmission means for coupling said central station to each of said receiving means: a multi-event targetable signal substitution system comprising means at said central station for applying substitute television program signals in at least one substitute channel to said transmission means;   means at said central station for generating a plurality of panelist address signals each identifying a respective panelist receiving station;   means at said central station for generating in respect to each of said respective panelist receiving stations a plurality of event identification signals identifying respective ones of a plurality of events;   means at each said panelist receiving station for generating a local panelist address signal identifying the respective panelist receiving station;   first comparison means for comparing the panelist address signals generated at said central station with local panelist address signals and producing a first match signal when said compared panelist address signals match;   means responsive to said first match signal for storing, at the respective panelist receiving station, event signals corresponding to said event identification signals for the respective panelist receiving station;   means at said central station for generating a plurality of different event command signals and for applying said event command signals to said transmission means, each of said event command signals including a a respective event address signal corresponding to a respective event;   means at said central station for generating normal channel identification signals for identifying normal channels into which substitute television programs are to be switched for respective events and for applying said normal channel identification signals to said transmission means; and   control means at each panelist receiving station responsive to said event command signals for selectively switching a substitute television program to said television viewing means, said control means including second comparison means for comparing a received event address signal with a stored event signal and producing a second match signal when said compared event address and stored event signals match, third comparison means for comparing said received normal channel identification signal with aid panelist channel select signal and producing a third match signal when said compared channel identification and channel select signals match, and means responsive to said second and third match signals for switching a substitute channel to said television viewing means in lieu of the channel selected by the viewer for a period determined by at least one respective said event command signal, whereby for said period said television viewing means receives the program in the corresponding substitute channel in lieu of the program of the channel to which the normal channel selector is set. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. In a television system having a central station, a plurality of receiving means at respective panelist receiving stations, each of said receiving means including means for receiving normal television program signals in normal television channels, television viewing means, and panelist channel selector means under control of a viewer for selecting a normal channel for viewing of a respective normal television program, said panelist channel selector means producing a panelist channel select signal indicative of said television channel, and transmission means for coupling said central station to each of said receiving means: a multi-event targetable signal substitution system comprising   means at said central station for applying substitute television program signals in at least one substitute channel to said transmission means;   means at said central station for generating a plurality of panelist address signals each identifying a respective panelist receiving station;   means at said central station for generating in respect to each of said respective panelist receiving stations a plurality of event identification signals identifying respective ones of a plurality of events;   means at each said panelist receiving station for generating a local panelist address signal identifying the respective panelist receiving station;   first comparison means for comparing the panelist address signals generated at said central station with local panelist address signals and producing a first match signal when said compared panelist address signals match;   means responsive to said first match signal for storing, at the respective panelist receiving station, event signals corresponding to said event identification signals for the respective panelist receiving station;   means at said central station for generating a plurality of different event command signals and for applying said event command signals to said transmission means, each of said event command signals including a respective event address signal corresponding to a respective event and a normal channel identification signal for identifying a normal channel into which a substitute television program is to be switched; and   control means at each panelist receiving station responsive to said event command signals for selectively switching a substitute television program to said television viewing means, said control means including means for generating a plurality of local event address signals with each of said local event address signals corresponding to a local event address signal at each of the other panelist receiving stations, second comparison means for comparing a received event address signal with each of said local event address signals and producing a second match signal when said compared event address signals match, third comparison means responsive to said second match signal for comparing said received normal channel identification signal with said panelist channel select signal and producing a third match signal when said compared channel identification and channel select signals match, and means responsive to said stored event signals and said third match signal for switching a substitute channel to said television viewing means in lieu of the channel selected by the viewer for a period determined by at least one respective said event command signal, whereby for said period said television viewing means receives the program in the corresponding substitute channel in lieu of the program of the channel to which the normal channel selector is set.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.11.  In a television system having a central station, a plurality of receiving means at respective panelist receiving stations, each of said receiving means including means for receiving normal television program signals in normal television channels, television viewing means, and panelist channel selector means under control of a viewer for selecting a normal channel for viewing of a a respective normal television program, said panelist channel selector means producing a panelist channel select signal indicative of said television channel, and transmission means for coupling said central station to each of said receiving means: a multi-event targetable signal substitution system comprising means at said central station for applying substitute television program signals in at least one substitute channel to said transmission means,   means at said central station for applying signal substitution control signals to said transmission means, said signal substitution control signals including a plurality of different terminal command signals and a plurality of different event command signals, each of said terminal command signals including a respective panelist address signal for identifying a respective panelist receiving station and a plurality of event identification signals identifying respective ones of a plurality of events, and each of said event command signals including a respective event address signal corresponding to a respective event and a normal channel identification signal for identifying a normal channel into which a substitute television program is to be switched; and   control means at each panelist receiving station responsive to said signal substitution control signals for selectively switching a substitute television program to said television viewing means, said control means including means for generating a local panelist address signal identifying the respective panelist receiving station, means for generating a plurality of local event address signals with each of said local event address signals corresponding to a local event address signal at each of the other panelist receiving stations, substitute channel selector means for producing a substitute channel select signal corresponding to a substitute channel, first comparison means for comparing the received panelist address signal of each terminal command signal with said local panelist address signal and producing a first match signal when said compared panelist address signals match, means responsive to said first match signal for storing event signals corresponding to said event identification signals of the respective terminal command signal, second comparison means for comparing a received event address signal with each of said local event address signals and producing a second match signal when said compared event address signals match, third comparison means responsive to said second match signal for comparing said received normal channel identification signal with said panelist channel select signal and producing a third match signal when said compared channel identification and channel select signals match, and means responsive to said stored event signals and said third match signal for switching a substitute channel to said television viewing means in lieu of the channel selected by the viewer for a period determined by at least one respective said event command signal, whereby for said period said television viewing means receives the program in the corresponding substitute channel in lieu of the program of the channel to which the normal channel selector is set. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. In a television system having a central station, a plurality of receiving means at respective panelist receiving stations, each of said receiving means including means for receiving normal television program signals in normal television channels, television viewing means, panelist channel selector means under control of a viewer for selecting a normal channel for viewing of a respective normal television program, said panelist channel selector means producing a panelist channel select signal indicative of said television channel, and a television frequency converter for receiving television program signals and responsive to a channel select signal for selectively converting received television program signals in the respective television channel to converted television program signals acceptable to said television viewing means and applying the respective converted television program signals to said television viewing means, and transmission means for coupling said central station to each of said receiving means: a multi-event targetable signal substitution system comprising   means at said central station for applying substitute television program signals in at least one substitute channel to said transmission means;   means at said central station for applying signal substitution control signals to aid transmission means, said signal substitution control signals including a plurality of different terminal command signals and a plurality of different event command signals, each of said terminal command signals including a respective panelist address signal for identifying a respective panelist receiving station and a plurality of event identification signals identifying respective ones of a plurality of events, and each of said event command signals including a respective event address signal corresponding to a respective event and a normal channel identification signal for identifying a normal channel into which a substitute television program is to be switched; and   control means at each panelist receiving station responsive to said signal substitution control signals for selectively switching a substitute television program to said television viewing means, said control means including means for generating a local panelist address signal identifying the respective panelist receiving station, means for generating a plurality of local event address signals with each of said local event address signals corresponding to a local event address signal at each of the other panelist receiving stations, substitute channel selector means for producing a substitute channel select signal corresponding to a substitute channel, first comparison means for comparing the received panelist address signal of each terminal command signal with said local panelist address signal and producing a first match signal when said compared panelist address signals match, means responsive to said first match signal for storing event signals corresponding to said event identification signals of the respective terminal command signal, second comparison means for comparing a received event address signal with each of said local event address signals and producing a second match signal when said compared event address signals match, third comparison means responsive to said second match signal for comparing said received normal channel identification signal with said panelist channel select signal and producing a third match signal when said compared channel identification and channel select signals match, and means responsive to said stored event signals and said third match signal for switching a substitute channel select signal to said television frequency converter in lieu of the channel select signal selected by the viewer for a period determined by at least one respective said event command signal, whereby for said period said television viewing means receives the program in the corresponding substitute channel in lieu of the program of the channel to   
     
     
        which the normal channel selector is set. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13.  A signal substitution system according to claim 12 including means at each said receiving station for transmitting return signals to said central station corresponding to the respective said local panelist address signal and the channel selected by the respective viewer when the respective television receiver is turned on, and means at said central station for utilizing said applied return signals. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. A signal substitution system according to claim 12 wherein said means for switching said substitute channel select signal to said television frequency converter so switches such signal only for the period during which said compared channel identification and channel select signals match. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. A signal substitution system according to claim 14 wherein said event command signals are in pairs having the same respective event address signal and one of each pair includes a normal channel identification signal identifying no normal channel, whereby said third comparison means is disabled from producing said third match signal and said period is thereby terminated. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. A signal substitution system according to claim 12 wherein said event command signals are in pairs having the same respective event address signal and one of each pair comprises a period termination signal, and said control means determines said period from said one of each pair of event command signals. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. A signal substitution system according to claim 12 wherein said event command signals are in pairs having the same respective event address signal and include identification of the timing of said signal substitution, and said control means is responsive to said event command signals by controlling the timing of the onset of substitution of a respective substitute television program from one of a said pair and the termination of the period from the other or the same said pair. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. A signal substitution system according to claim 12 wherein one of said event command signals is an event start signal and another of said event command signals is an event terminate signal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. A signal substitution system according to any one of claims 12 to 18 wherein said means for applying substitute television program signals includes means for applying a plurality of substitute television program signals in a plurality of respective substitute channels to said transmission means, at least one of said event command signals includes a substitute channel identification signal for identifying a substitute channel from which substitute television signals are to be switched, and said control means includes means responsive to said substitute channel identification signal for producing said 
     
     
        substitute channel select signal. .Iadd.20.  In a television system having a central station, a plurality of receiving means at respective panelist receiving stations, each of said receiving means including means for receiving normal television program signals in normal television channels, television viewing means, and panelist channel selector means under control of a viewer for selecting a normal channel for viewing of a respective normal television program on said television viewing means, said panelist channel selector means producing a panelist channel select signal indicative of a selected television channel, and transmission means for coupling said central station to each of said receiving means: a multi-event targetable signal substitution system comprising means at said central station for applying substitute television program signals in at least one substitute channel to said transmission means;   means at said central station for generating a plurality of panelist address signals each identifying a respective panelist receiving station;   means at said central station for generating in respect to each of said respective panelist receiving stations a plurality of event identification signals identifying respective ones of a plurality of events;   means at each said panelist receiving station for generating a local panelist address signal identifying the respective panelist receiving station;   first comparison means for comparing the panelist address signals generated at said central station with local panelist address signals and producing a panelist match signal when said compared panelist address signals match;   means responsive to said panelist match signal for storing, at the respective panelist receiving station, event signals corresponding to said event identification signals for the respective panelist receiving station;   means at said central station for generating a plurality of different event command signals and for applying said event command signals to said transmission means, each of said event command signals including a respective event address signal corresponding to a respective event;   means at said central station for generating normal channel identification signals for identifying normal channels into which substitute television programs are to be switched for respective events and for applying said normal channel identification signals to said transmission means; and   control means at each panelist receiving station responsive to said event command signals for selectively switching a substitute television program to said television viewing means, said control means including means responsive to received said event address signal, said stored event signals, received said normal channel identification signals, and said panelist channel select signal for switching a substitute channel to said television viewing means in lieu of the channel selected by the viewer for a period determined by at least one respective said event command signal when said event address and stored event signals match and respective said channel identification and channel select signals match, whereby for said period said television viewing means receives the program in the corresponding substitute channel in lieu of the program of the channel to   
     
     
        which the normal channel selector is set. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21.  In a television system having a central station, a plurality of receiving means at respective panelist receiving stations, each of said receiving means including means for receiving normal television program signals in normal television channels, television viewing means, and panelist channel selector means under control of a viewer for selecting a normal channel for viewing of a respective normal television program on said television viewing means, said panelist channel selector means producing a panelist channel select signal indicative of a selected television channel, and transmission means for coupling said central station to each of said receiving means: a multi-event targetable signal substitution system comprising means at said central station for applying substitute television program signals in at least one substitute channel to said transmission means;   means at said central station for generating a plurality of panelist address signals each identifying a respective panelist receiving station;   means at said central station for generating in respect to each of said respective panelist receiving stations a plurality of event identification signals identifying respective ones of a plurality of events;   means responsive to respective panelist address signals generated at said central station for storing, at the respective panelist receiving station, event signals corresponding to said event identification signals for the respective panelist receiving station;   means at said central station for generating a plurality of different event command signals and for applying said event command signals to said transmission means, each of said event command signals including a respective event address signal corresponding to a respective event;   means at said central station for generating normal channel identification signals for identifying normal channels into which substitute television programs are to be switched for respective events and for applying said normal channel identification signals to said transmission means; and   control means at each panelist receiving station responsive to said event command signals for selectively switching a substitute television program to said television viewing means, said control means including means responsive to received said event address signals, said stored event signals, received said normal channel identification signals, and said panelist channel select signal for switching a substitute channel to said television viewing means in lieu of the channel selected by the viewer for a period determined by at least one respective said event command signal when said event address and stored event signals match and respective said channel identification and channel select signals match, whereby for said period said television viewing means receives the program in the corresponding substitute channel in lieu of the program of the channel to which the normal channel selector is set. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. A signal substitution system according to claim 21 including means at each said receiving station for transmitting return signals to said central station corresponding to the respective panelist receiving station and the channel selected by the respective viewer when the respective television viewing means is turned on, and means at said central station for utilizing said applied return signals. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A signal substitution system according to claim 21 wherein said means for switching said substitute channel to said television viewing means to switches only for the period during which said channel identification and panelist channel select signals match. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. A signal substitution system according to claim 23 wherein said event command signals are in pairs having the same respective event address signal and one of each pair includes a normal channel identification signal identifying no normal channel. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. A signal substitution system according to claim 21 wherein said event command signals are in pairs having the same respective event address signal and one of each pair comprises a period termination signal, and said control means determines said period from said one of   
     
     
        each pair of event command signals. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26.  A signal substitution system according to claim 21 wherein said event command signals are in pairs having the same respective event address signal and include identification of the timing of said signal substitution, and said control means is responsive to said event command signals by controlling the timing of the onset of substitution of a respective substitute television program from one of a said pair and the termination of the period from the other of the same said pair. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. A signal substitution system according to claim 21 wherein one of said event command signals is an event start signal and another of said event command signals is an event terminate signal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. In a television system having a central station, a plurality of receiving means at respective panelist receiving stations, each of said receiving means including means for receiving normal television program signals in normal television channels, television viewing means, and panelist channel selector means under control of a viewer for selecting a normal channel for viewing of a respective normal television program, said panelist channel selector means producing a panelist channel select signal indicative of said television channel, and transmission means for coupling said central station to each of said receiving means: a multi-event targetable signal substitution system comprising means at said central station for applying substitute television program signals in at least one substitute channel to said transmission means;   means at said central station for generating a plurality of panelist address signals each identifying a respective panelist receiving station;   means at said central station for generating in respect to each of said respective panelist receiving stations a plurality of event identification signals identifying respective ones of a plurality of events;   means responsive to respective panelist address signals generated at said central station for storing, at the respective panelist receiving station, event signals corresponding to said event identification signals for the respective panelist receiving station;   means at said central station for generating a plurality of different event command signals and for applying said event command signals to said transmission means, said event command signals including respective event address signals corresponding to respective events and normal channel identification signals for identifying normal channels into which a substitute television program is to be switched for respective events; and   control means at each panelist receiving station responsive to said event command signals for selectively switching a substitute television program to said television viewing means, said control means including means responsive to received said event address signals, said stored event signals, respective said received normal channel identification signals, and said panelist channel select signal for switching a substitute channel to said television viewing means in lieu of the channel selected by the viewer for a period determined by at least one respective said event command signal when said event address and stored event signals match and respective said channel identification and channel select signals match, whereby for said period said television viewing means receives the program in the corresponding substitute channel in lieu of the program of the channel to which the normal channel selector is set. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. In a television system having a central station, a plurality of receiving means at respective panelist receiving stations, each of said receiving means including means for receiving normal television program signals in normal television channels, television viewing means, and panelist channel selector means under control of a viewer for selecting a normal channel for viewing of a respective normal television program, said panelist channel selector means producing a panelist channel select signal indicative of said television channel, and transmission means for coupling said central station to each of said receiving means: a multi-event targetable signal substitution system comprising   means at said central station for applying substitute television program signals in at least one substitute channel to said transmission means,   means at said central station for applying signal substitution control signals to said transmission means, said signal substitution control signals including a plurality of different terminal command signals and a plurality of different event command signals, each of said terminal command signals including a respective panelist address signal for identifying a respective panelist receiving station and a plurality of event identification signals identifying respective ones of a plurality of events for said respective panelist receiving station, and said event command signals including respective event address signals corresponding to respective events and normal channel identification signals for identifying normal channels into which a substitute television program is to be switched for respective events; and   control means at each panelist receiving station responsive to said signal substitution control signals for selectively switching a substitute television program to said television viewing means, said control means including means responsive to respective terminal command signals for storing event signals corresponding to said event identification signals of the respective terminal command signals, means responsive to received said event address signals, said stored event signals, respective said received normal channel identification signals, and said panelist channel select signal for switching a substitute channel to said television viewing means in lieu of the channel selected by the viewer for a period determined by at least one respective said event command signal when said event address and stored event signals match and said channel identification and channel select signals match, whereby for said period said television viewing means receives the program in the corresponding substitute channel in lieu of the program of the channel to which the   
     
     
        normal channel selector is set. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30.  In a television system having a central station, a plurality of receiving means at respective panelist receiving stations, each of said receiving means including means for receiving normal television program signals in normal television channels, television viewing means, panelist channel selector means under control of a viewer for selecting a normal channel for viewing of a respective normal television program, said panelist channel selector means producing a panelist channel select signal indicative of said television channel, and a television frequency converter for receiving television program signals and responsive to a channel select signal for selectively converting received television program signals in the respective television channel to converted television program signals acceptable to said television viewing means and applying the respective converted television program signals to said television viewing means, and transmission means for coupling said central station to each of said receiving means: a multi-event targetable signal substitution system comprising means at said central station for applying substitute television program signals in at least one substitute channel to said transmission means;   means at said central station for applying signal substitution control signals to said transmission means, said signal substitution control signals including a plurality of different terminal command signals and a plurality of different event command signals, each of said terminal command signals including a respective panelist address signal for identifying a respective panelist receiving station and a plurality of event identification signals identifying respective ones of a plurality of events for said respective panelist receiving station, and said event command signals including respective event address signals corresponding to respective events and normal channel identification signals for identifying normal channels into which a substitute television program is to be switched for respective events; and   control means at each panelist receiving station responsive to said signal substitution control signals for selectively switching a substitute television program to said television viewing means, said control means including means responsive to respective terminal command signals for storing event signals corresponding to said event identification signals of the respective terminal command signals, means responsive to received said event address signals, said stored event signals, respective said received normal channel identification signals, and said panelist channel select signal for switching a substitute channel select signal to said television frequency converter in lieu of the channel select signal selected by the viewer for a period determined by at least one respective said event command signal when said event address and stored event signals match and said channel identification and channel select signals match, whereby for said period said television viewing means receives the program in the corresponding substitute channel in lieu of the program of the channel to which the normal channel selector is set. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. In a television system having a central station, a plurality of receiving means at respective panelist receiving stations, each of said receiving means including means for receiving normal television program signals in normal television channels, television viewing means, and panelist channel selector means under control of a viewer for selecting a normal channel for viewing of a respective normal television program on said television receiver, said panelist channel selector means producing a panelist channel select signal indicative of a selected television channel, and transmission means for coupling said central station to each of said receiving means: a multi-event targetable signal substitution system comprising   means at said central station for applying substitute television program signals in at least one substitute channel to said transmission means;   means at said central station for generating a plurality of panelist address signals each identifying a respective panelist receiving station;   means at said central station for generating in respect to each of said respective panelist receiving stations a plurality of event identification signals identifying respective ones of a plurality of events;   means responsive to respective panelist address signals generated at said central station for storing, at the respective panelist receiving station, event signals corresponding to said event identification signals for the respective panelist receiving station;   means at said central station for generating a plurality of different event command signals and for applying said event command signals to said transmission means, each of said event command signals including a respective event address signal corresponding to a respective event;   means at said central station for generating normal channel identification signals for identifying normal channels into which substitute television programs are to be switched for respective events and for applying said normal channel identification signals to said transmission means; and   control means at each panelist receiving station responsive to said event command signals for selectively switching a substitute television program to said television viewing means, said control means including event signal comparison means for comparing a received event address signal with a stored event signal and producing an event match signal when said compared event address and stored event signals match, channel comparison means for comparing said received normal channel identification signal with said panelist channel select signal and producing a channel match signal when said compared channel identification and channel select signals match, and means responsive to said event and channel match signals for switching a substitute channel to said television viewing means in lieu of the channel selected by the viewer for a period determined by at least one respective said event command signal, whereby for said period said television viewing means receives the program in the corresponding substitute channel in lieu of the program of the channel to   
     
     
        which the normal channel selector is set. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32.  In a television system having a central station, a plurality of receiving means at respective panelist receiving stations, each of said receiving means including means for receiving normal television program signals in normal television channels, television viewing means, and panelist channel selector means under control of a viewer for selecting a normal channel for viewing of a respective normal television program, said panelist channel selector means producing a panelist channel select signal indicative of said television channel, and transmission means for coupling said central station to each of said receiving means: a multi-event targetable signal substitution system comprising means at said central station for applying substitute television program signals in at least one substitute channel to said transmission means;   means at said central station for generating a plurality of panelist address signals each identifying a respective panelist receiving station;   means at said central station for generating in respect to each of said respective panelist receiving stations a plurality of event identification signals identifying respective ones of a plurality of events;   means responsive to respective panelist address signals generated at said central station for storing, at the respective panelist receiving station, event signals corresponding to said event identification signals for the respective panelist receiving station;   means at said central station for generating a plurality of different event command signals and for applying said event command signals to said transmission means, said event command signals including respective event address signals corresponding to respective events and normal channel identification signals for identifying normal channels into which a substitute television program is to be switched for respective events; and   control means at each panelist receiving station responsive to said event command signals for selectively switching a substitute television program to said television viewing means, said control means including means for generating a plurality of local event address signals with each of said local event address signals corresponding to a local event address signal at each of the other panelist receiving stations, event address comparison means for comparing a received event address signal with each of said local event address signals and producing an event address match signal when said compared event address signals match, channel comparison means responsive to said event address match signal for comparing a respective said received normal channel identification signal with said panelist channel select signal and producing a channel match signal when compared channel identification and channel select signals match, and means responsive to said stored event signals and said channel match signal for switching a substitute channel to said television viewing means in lieu of the channel selected by the viewer for a period determined by at least one respective said event command signal, whereby for said period said television viewing means receives the program in the corresponding substitute channel in lieu of the program of the channel to which the normal channel selector is set. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. In a television system having a central station, a plurality of receiving means at respective panelist receiving stations, each of said receiving means including means for receiving normal television program signals in normal television channels, television viewing means, and panelist channel selector means under control of a viewer for selecting a normal channel for viewing of a respective normal television program, said panelist channel selector means producing a panelist channel select signal indicative of said television channel, and transmission means for coupling said central station to each of said receiving means: a multi-event targetable signal substitution system comprising   means at said central station for applying substitute television program signals in at least one substitute channel to said transmission means,   means at said central station for applying signal substitution control signals to said transmission means, said signal substitution control signals including a plurality of different terminal command signals and a plurality of different event command signals, each of said terminal command signals including a respective panelist address signal for identifying a respective panelist receiving station and a plurality of event identification signals identifying respective ones of a plurality of events for said respective panelist receiving station, and said event command signals including respective event address signals corresponding to respective events and normal channel identification signals for identifying normal channels into which a substitute television program is to be switched for respective events; and   control means at each panelist receiving station responsive to said signal substitution control signals for selectively switching a substitute television program to said television viewing means, said control means including means for generating a plurality of local event address signals with each of said local event address signals corresponding to a local event address signal at each of the other panelist receiving stations, substitute channel selector means for producing a substitute channel select signal corresponding to a substitute channel, means responsive to respective terminal command signals for storing event signals corresponding to said event identification signals of the respective terminal command signals, event address comparison means for comparing a received event address signal with each of said local event address signals and producing an event address match signal when said compared event address signals match, channel comparison means responsive to said event address match signal for comparing a respective said received normal channel identification signal with said panelist channel select signal and producing a channel match signal when said compared channel identification and channel select signals match, and means responsive to said stored event signals and said channel match signal for switching a substitute channel to said television viewing means in lieu of the channel selected by the viewer for a period determined by at least one respective said event command signal, whereby for said period said television viewing means receives the program in the corresponding substitute channel in lieu of the program of the channel to which the normal channel selector is set.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.34.  In a television system having a central station, a plurality of receiving means at respective panelist receiving stations, each of said receiving means including means for receiving normal television program signals in normal television channels, television viewing means, panelist channel selector means under control of a viewer for selecting a normal channel for viewing of a respective normal television program, said panelist channel selector means producing a panelist channel select signal indicative of said television channel, and a television frequency converter for receiving television program signals and responsive to a channel select signal for selectively converting received television program signals in the respective television channel to converted television program signals acceptable to said television receiver and applying the respective converted television program signals to said television viewing means, and transmission means for coupling said central station to each of said receiving means: a multi-event targetable signal substitution system comprising means at said central station for applying substitute television program signals in at least one substitute channel to said transmission means;   means at said central station for applying signal substitution control signals to said transmission means, said signal substitution control signals including a plurality of different terminal command signals and a plurality of different event command signals, each of said terminal command signals including a respective panelist address signal for identifying a respective panelist receiving station and event identification signals identifying respective ones of a plurality of events for said respective panelist receiving station, and said event command signals including respective event address signals corresponding to respective events and normal channel identification signals for identifying normal channels into which a substitute television program is to be switched for respective events; and   control means at each panelist receiving station responsive to said signal substitution control signals for selectively switching a substitute television program to said television viewing means, said control means including means for generating a plurality of local event address signals with each of said local event address signals corresponding to a local event address signal at each of the other panelist receiving stations, substitute channel selector means for producing a substitute channel select signal corresponding to a substitute channel, means responsive to respective terminal command signals for storing event signals corresponding to said event identification signals of the respective terminal command signals, event address comparison means for comparing a received event address signal with each of said local event address signals and producing an event address match signal when said compared event address signals match, channel comparison means responsive to said event address match signal for comparing a respective said received normal channel identification signal with said panelist channel select signal and producing a channel match signal when said compared channel identification and channel select signals match, and means responsive to said stored event signals and said channel match signal for switching a substitute channel select signal to said television frequency converter in lieu of the channel select signal selected by the viewer for a period determined by at least one respective said event command signal, whereby for said period said television viewing means receives the program in the corresponding substitute channel in lieu of the program of the channel to which the normal channel selector is set. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. A signal substitution system according to claim 34 including means at each said receiving station for transmitting return signals to said central station corresponding to the respective panelist receiving station and the channel selected by the respective viewer when the respective television viewing means is turned on, and means at said central station for utilizing said applied return signals. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. A signal substitution system according to claim 34 wherein said means for switching said substitute channel control signal to said television frequency converter so switches such signal only for the period during which said compared channel identification and channel select signals match. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. A signal substitution system according to claim 36 wherein said event command signals are in pairs having the same respective event address signal and one of each pair includes a normal channel identification signal identifying no normal channel, whereby said channel comparison means is disabled from producing said channel match signal and said period is thereby terminated. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38. A signal substitution system according to claim 34 wherein said event command signals are in pairs having the same respective event address signal and one of each pair comprises a period termination signal, and said control means determines said period from said one of each pair of event command signals. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. A signal substitution system according to claim 34 wherein said event command signals are in pairs having the same respective event address signal and include identification of the timing of said signal substitution, and said control means is responsive to said event command signals by controlling the timing of the onset of substitution of a respective substitute television program from one of a said pair and the termination of the period from the other of the same said pair. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. A signal substitution system according to claim 34 wherein one of said event command signals is an event start signal and another of said event command signals is an event terminate signal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41. A signal substitution system according to any one of claims 20 to 40 wherein said means for applying substitute television program signals includes means for applying a plurality of substitute television program signals in a plurality of respective substitute channels to said transmission means, at least one of said event command signals includes a substitute channel identification signal for identifying a substitute channel from which substitute television signals are to be switched, and said control means includes means responsive to said substitute channel identification signal for switching to the respective said substitute channel.