Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02768033 2012-02-09
SYSTEM AND. METHOD FOR-ORDERING AND DELIVERING-MEDIA CONTENT
Background of the Invention
= Field of the Invention =
= This invention relates to electronic purchasing systems, and more
particularly to providing electronic
purchasing in response to AM/FM radio broadcast.
Descriotion of the Related Art
From the early days of FM broadcast transmission, stations have included
ancillary signals such as
background music or reading services for the blind along with a main carrier
signal. The idea of transmitting
data along with the. main carrier signal caught on, and now many broadcast
radio services either transmit an
ancillary data signal or are developing a method to do so. The most current
and widely used data
transmission standard is the United States Radio Broadcast Data Systems
("RBDS") standard.
The RBDS standard, published by the National Radio Systems Committee and
sponsored by the
= Electronics industry = Association, and the National Association of
Broadcasters, describes a system for
broadcasting a variety of program-related information on a subcarrier of a
standard FM broadcast channel.
The RBDS standard teaches a system for transmitting station identification and
location information, as well
= as time, traffic and miscellaneous other information.
The RBDS standard was designed to allow stations to send information such as
call letters, station
format, traffic alerts and scrolling text messages to compatible radios.
Maly stations installed RBDS encoders through a= program encouraged by the FCC
in the early
1990's that provided encoders at no charge. Radio stations that did not
participate in this "RBDS Roll-Out"
..can still obtain encoders at competitive prices.
RBDS encoder's generate what is known as a "subcarrier" that modulates along
with an FM station
broadcast signal and can be demodulated by. special. decoders. The RBDS uses a
subcarrier frequency of
57khz. Commercially available RBDS encoders usually accept information via
either serial or parallel data
ports and format the Information into the appropriate RBDS block type.
The RBDS data signal is a specially encoded text stream containing up to 32
repeating data "groups'
transmitting at 1187.5 bits/second. The RBDS data signal does not require
inclusion of all potential data
. group blocks of both repeating and unique data. One embodiment includes
using one of several groups that
are designed for data transmission functions. =
An RBDS data group is composed of 4 blocks, each divided by checkwords used
for error correction.
.
Block 1 Is a 4-digit Program Identification code (PI) which is derived from
the transmitting station's call letters.
.Block 2 includes a
type code and a 1-bit group version code which identifies the type of
information the
data group contains. This block also contains a 1-bit code that identifies the
transmitting station as one that
broadcasts traffic information, followed, by a 5-bit Program Type (PTY) code
which describes the current
program or format being broadcast by the station (Rock, Oldies, .Talk, News,
etc.). Information contained in
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Blocks 3 and 4 are dependent on the codes included in Block 2. Blocks 3 and
4 provide two 16-bit data slots where specific information can be sent to the
special receiver.
For example, RBDS Group types 2A, use blocks 3 and 4 to transmit a
64-character text message known as RadioText (RT). This appears on RBDS-
enabled radios as a scrolling message which some stations use to identify the
song or program being broadcasted. Other group types use these blocks to
identify alternate frequencies where the same programming can be available,
in-house station text messages, or Emergency Alert System (EAS)
communication messages. An extensive description of the RBDS standard is
available through the National Association of Broadcasters and the National
Radio Systems Committee.
A similar standard used in Europe is the European Radio Data System
(RDS).
Broadcasters using the RBDS standard can distribute information to a
large number of users. However, the standard does not allow individual users
to respond to the broadcast information.
Currently, users listening to the radio or watching television may
particularly like a song or program that they would like to purchase. While
stations using RBDS/RDS may provide a user with the station call letters or
the name of the song currently being broadcast, the user has no way to
purchase the media at that point. Instead, the user must write down or
remember the identifying information and then go to a store or online retailer
to purchase the media. Not only is this inconvenient, but the user may forget
the name of the song or not be able to find a store that sells the song.
Additionally, the information provided by the radio station may not be enough
to sufficiently identify the song. For example, the user may have the song
title,
but not the artist name, album name, or other necessary identifying
information. Some material, such as editorial news broadcasts or live events,
may not be available for purchase or may be difficult to find. Radio stations
often have fund raising drives or listener surveys that require a listener to
call
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the station or respond within a limited time. These same problems also apply
to television and other forms of broadcast media.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention may address these and other problems by
providing a system that allows an individual user to respond to a data
broadcast. In one embodiment, an Automatic Purchase System (APS)
provides a radio broadcast listener with the ability to conveniently purchase
media content such as music or speech while listening to the radio.
Additionally, the user can respond to items in the radio broadcast such as
advertisements, fund raising drives such as those conducted by public radio,
or interactive listener polls during the broadcast
In one embodiment, the user establishes a "Creative content"
purchasing account with a wireless carrier. In one embodiment, a personal
URL (web address) is assigned to the user to allow the user, for example, to
monitor account activity, enable or disable APS software downloads, display
premiums offered by sponsors, and manage and track content or APS
purchases using a Technology Enabled Radio (TER) or a personal computer.
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In one embodiment, the user makes routing choices between the TER or the
web account for content. In one embodiment, the user selects the
= compression type, such as MP3, RA, Liquid Audio etc.
In one embodiment, each broadcaster has an RBDS/RDS or similar
technology enabled server onsite to, for example, generate RBDS/RDS or
= equivalent code for inclusion in the broadcast, validate and route
purchase
information to the user's wireless carrier for billing, monitor online sales
transactions for data mining, or route validated purchases to licensed
creative
content providers.
In one embodiment, radio hardware can include, for example,. RBDS/RDS or
equivalent decoder capability (e. g., in an internal chip with APS code);
flash
card slot and recording ability ; or storage of multiple items such as artist
name, song title, IP address of creative content provider, and time stamp for
delayed purchase (e. g., in an internal chip with APS code).
In one embodiment, the system uses the RBDS/RDS to send a data stream in
combination with a broadcast signal for identifying music or speech content
available for purchase. A broadcast organization participating in the APS
system is able to respond to requests for purchases placed by users who
either click a button or issue a voice command to the radio at the time of the
content was broadcast, at a later time by scrolling through the playlist
stored .
in the APS module in the radio then selecting one or more items for purchase
from the list stored in the radio, or by accessing a private web account via
the
Internet and downloading content to the personal computer. In one
embodiment, purchases are made by saving requests for selected items for
purchase on a flash card or storage technology a
transferring that data to a personal computer for purchase through the
Internet =
at a later time.
= Data such as song title and artist, author or publisher and the IP
address for
the location where the digital version of the content is stored, can be
transmitted using the RBDS/RDS data stream. A reference number
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representing song title and artist, author or publisher and the IP address for
the location
where the digital version of the content is stored can also be employed for
ease of
implementation. This reference number can reside in a lookup table to be
accessed by the
APS server software on a Data Server located at the broadcast site, a remote
site or both
for purposes of redundancy. Transmission of purchase requests from a
Technology
Enabled Radio (TER) is provided via wireless transmission, or by accessing the
Internet
using a personal computer or through a cellular or wireless phone. In one
embodiment,
activity of each sale using the above system is tracked for the purposes of
aggregating
data or "Data Mining" for sale to interested parties such as trade
publications and record
companies.
Portable radios can come equipped with a voice interface or a purchase button,
a
flash card or storage device and a port for connecting the radio to the
personal computer
such as a 9 pin serial, USB or wireless networking technology.
The disclosure describes a method for receiving a media broadcast involving at
least one identifiable broadcast segment as part of a broadcast stream. The
method
involves receiving the broadcast stream and a data stream associated with the
broadcast
stream. The broadcast stream includes a plurality of broadcast segments,
including the at
least one identifiable broadcast segment. The method further involves
extracting, from the
data stream, data that enables a unique identification of a first instance of
the at least one
identifiable broadcast segment from the plurality of broadcast segments. The
method
further involves determining an identification of the broadcast stream,
storing the
identification of the broadcast stream and the data that enables the unique
identification of
the first instance of the at least one identifiable broadcast segment. The
method further
involves presenting the first instance of the at least one identifiable
broadcast segment at
an output, detecting an input selection corresponding to the first instance of
the at least one
identifiable broadcast segment, and obtaining an identity of a responder
associated with
the input selection. The method further involves creating a data packet
enabling the unique
identification of the first instance of the at least one identifiable
broadcast segment. The
data packet includes at least one of the following: an identification of the
identity of the
responder, the identification of the broadcast stream, and the data that
enables the unique
identification of the first instance of the at least one identifiable
broadcast segment. The
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method further involves communicating the data packet to a server in response
to the
detection of the input selection.
The disclosure also describes a system for receiving a media broadcast
including at
least one identifiable broadcast segment as part of a broadcast stream. The
system
includes a receiver operably configured to receive the broadcast stream, and a
data stream
associated with the broadcast stream. The broadcast stream includes a
plurality of
broadcast segments comprising a first instance of the at least one
identifiable broadcast
segment. The system further includes at least one processor in communication
with the
receiver and configured to extract from the data stream data that enables a
unique
identification of the first instance of the at least one identifiable
broadcast segment from the
plurality of broadcast segments. The at least one processor is further
configured to
determine an identification of the broadcast stream and store the
identification of the
broadcast stream and the data that enables the unique identification of the
first instance of
the at least one identifiable broadcast segment in an electronic memory. The
at least one
processor is also configured to present the first instance of the at least one
identifiable
broadcast segment at an output and detect an input selection received at an
input in
communication with the at least one processor. The input selection corresponds
to the first
instance of the at least one identifiable broadcast segment. The at least one
processor is
further configured to obtain an identity of a responder associated with the
input selection
and to create a data packet enabling the unique identification of the first
instance of the at
least one identifiable broadcast segment. The data packet includes at least
one of the
following: an identification of the identity of the responder, the
identification of the
broadcast stream, the data that enables the unique identification of the first
instance of the
at least one identifiable broadcast segment. The at least one processor is
also configured
to cause a transmitter to communicate the data packet to a server in response
to the
detection of the input selection.
The disclosure also describes a system for receiving a media broadcast
including at
least one identifiable broadcast segment as part of a broadcast stream. The
system
includes provisions for receiving the broadcast stream and a data stream
associated with
the broadcast stream. The broadcast stream includes a plurality of broadcast
segments,
including the at least one identifiable broadcast segment. The system further
includes
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provisions for extracting from the data stream data that enables a unique
identification of a
first instance of the at least one identifiable broadcast segment from the
plurality of
broadcast segments, provisions for determining an identification of the
broadcast stream,
and provisions for storing the identification of the broadcast stream and the
data that
enables the unique identification of the first instance of the at least one
identifiable
broadcast segment. The system further includes provisions for presenting the
first instance
of the at least one identifiable broadcast segment at an output, provisions
for detecting an
input selection corresponding to the first instance of the at least one
identifiable broadcast
segment and provisions for obtaining an identity of a responder associated
with the input
selection. The system further includes provisions for creating a data packet
enabling the
unique identification of the first instance of the at least one identifiable
broadcast segment.
The data packet includes at least one of the following: an identification of
the identity of the
responder, the identification of the broadcast stream, the data that enables
the unique
identification of the first instance of the at least one identifiable
broadcast segment. The
system further includes provisions for communicating the data packet to a
server in
response to the detection of the input selection.
The disclosure also describes a method for interactively operating a
communications device that receives a media broadcast including a broadcast
stream. The
broadcast stream includes a plurality of broadcast segments. The method
involves
receiving the broadcast stream including the plurality of broadcast segments.
The plurality
of broadcast segments includes at least one specific broadcast segment. The
method
further involves receiving a data stream associated with the broadcast stream
and
extracting from the data stream identifying data that enables a unique
identification of the
at least one specific broadcast segment of the plurality of broadcast
segments. The method
further involves storing in an electronic memory the identifying data and
presenting the
plurality of broadcast segments, including the at least one specific broadcast
segment. The
method further involves presenting, subsequent to the presentation of the at
least one
specific broadcast segment, a list involving a first reference to the at least
one specific
broadcast segment and at least a second reference to at least one additional
broadcast
segment of the plurality of broadcast segments of the broadcast stream. The
method
further involves detecting an input selection corresponding to the at least
one specific
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broadcast segment subsequent to the presentation of the list. The input
selection initiates
at least one of the following results: creation and communication of a data
packet to a
server, the data packet involving at least the identifying data that enables
unique
identification of the specific broadcast segment, presentation of information
about the at
least one specific broadcast segment, storing a tag associated with the at
least one specific
broadcast segment, a purchase related to the at least one specific broadcast
segment,
obtaining data identifying the broadcast stream, a vote associated with the at
least one
specific broadcast segment, responding to an offer associated with the at
least one specific
broadcast segment.
The disclosure also describes an interactive communication system that
receives a
media broadcast including a broadcast stream, the broadcast stream including a
plurality of
broadcast segments. The system includes a receiver configured to receive the
broadcast
stream and a data stream associated with the broadcast stream. The broadcast
stream
includes the plurality of broadcast segments and the plurality of broadcast
segments
includes at least one specific broadcast segment. The system further includes
at least one
processor configured to extract identifying data from the data stream. The
identifying data
enables unique identification of the at least one specific broadcast segment
of the plurality
of broadcast segments. The at least one processor is further configured to
store the
identifying data in an electronic memory and to present the plurality of
broadcast segments
at an output. The plurality of broadcast segments includes the at least one
specific
broadcast segment. The at least one processor is also configured to present at
the output,
subsequent to the presentation of the at least one specific broadcast segment,
a list
including a first reference to the at least one specific broadcast segment and
at least a
second reference to at least one additional broadcast segment of the plurality
of broadcast
segments of the broadcast stream. The at least one processor is further
configured to
detect an input selection corresponding to the at least one specific broadcast
segment
subsequent to the presentation of the list, and perform at least one of the
following in
response to the input selection: create and communicate a data packet to a
server, the
data packet including at least the identifying data that enables unique
identification of the at
least one specific broadcast segment, present at the output information about
the at least
one specific broadcast segment, store a tag associated with the at least one
specific
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broadcast segment, initiate a purchase related to the at least one specific
broadcast
segment, obtain data identifying the broadcast stream, initiate a vote
associated with the at
least one specific broadcast segment, and respond to an offer associated with
the at least
one specific broadcast segment.
The disclosure also describes an interactive communications system that
receives a
media broadcast including a broadcast stream. The broadcast stream includes a
plurality of
broadcast segments. The system includes provisions for receiving the broadcast
stream
and a data stream associated with the broadcast stream. The broadcast stream
includes
the plurality of broadcast segments, and the plurality of broadcast segments
includes at
least one specific broadcast segment. The system further includes provisions
for extracting
from the data stream identifying data that enables a unique identification of
the at least one
specific broadcast segment of the plurality of broadcast segments, provisions
for storing
the identifying data in an electronic memory, and provisions for presenting
the plurality of
broadcast segments at an output. The plurality of broadcast segments includes
the at least
one specific broadcast segment. The system further includes provisions for
presenting at
the output, subsequent to the presentation of the at least one specific
broadcast segment,
a list including a first reference to the at least one specific broadcast
segment and at least
a second reference to at least one additional broadcast segment of the
plurality of
broadcast segments of the broadcast stream. The system further includes
provisions for
detecting an input selection corresponding to the at least one specific
broadcast segment
subsequent to the presentation of the list, and provisions for performing at
least one of the
following in response to the input selection: creating and communicating a
data packet to a
server, the data packet including at least the identifying data that enables
unique
identification of the specific broadcast segment, presenting information about
the at least
one specific broadcast segment, storing a tag associated with the at least one
specific
broadcast segment, initiating a purchase related to the at least one specific
broadcast
segment, obtaining data identifying the broadcast stream, initiating a vote
associated with
the at least one specific broadcast segment, and responding to an offer
associated with the
at least one specific broadcast segment.
The disclosure also describes a method for correlating media content
identifying
data with at least one broadcast segment received by a communication device.
The
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method involves receiving a broadcast stream involving the at least one
broadcast
segment and associated media content. The method further involves receiving a
data
stream associated with the broadcast stream. The data stream includes, at a
minimum, the
media content identifying data and the media content identifying data
including at least one
element. The method further involves extracting the media content identifying
data from the
data stream, and associating each media content identifying data element with
at least one
of a plurality of media content. The method further involves storing in an
electronic memory
of the communication device, at a minimum, media content identifying data
elements into
identifying data aggregates. Each identifying data aggregate associated with
at least one of
the plurality of media content and the at least one broadcast segment. The at
least one
broadcast segment is corollary to the at least one of the plurality of media
content. The
method further involves providing for presentation of at least a portion of
the data elements
stored in the electronic memory of the communication device, whereby the
providing
provides selective outputting of at least one of the following: the media
content identifying
data, at least a portion of the media content, the corollary broadcast
segment, and a
temporal position of the corollary broadcast segment of the broadcast stream.
The disclosure also describes a system for correlating media content
identifying
data with at least one broadcast segment received by a communication device.
The system
includes a receiver configured to receive a broadcast stream and a data stream
associated
with the broadcast stream. The broadcast stream includes the at least one
broadcast
segment and associated media content and the data stream includes at least the
media
content identifying data. The media content identifying data includes at least
one element.
The system further includes at least one processor in communication with the
receiver and
configured to extract the media content identifying data from the data stream.
The system
further includes at least one processor in communication with the receiver and
configured
to associate each media content identifying data element with at least one of
a plurality of
media content and to store, at least media content identifying data elements
into identifying
data aggregates, in an electronic memory. Each identifying data aggregate
associated with
at least one of the plurality of media content and the at least one broadcast
segment. The
at least one broadcast segment is corollary to the at least one of the
plurality of media
content. The at least one processor is further configured to present at least
a portion of the
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data elements stored in the electronic memory to selectively output at least
one of the
following: the media content identifying data, at least a portion of the media
content, the
corollary broadcast segment, and a temporal position of the corollary
broadcast segment of
the broadcast stream.
The disclosure also describes a system for correlating media content
identifying
data with at least one broadcast segment received by a communication device.
The system
includes provisions for receiving a broadcast stream and a data stream
associated with the
broadcast stream. The broadcast stream includes the at least one broadcast
segment and
associated media content and the data stream includes, at a minimum, the media
content
identifying data. The media content identifying data includes at least one
element. The
system further includes provisions for extracting the media content
identifying data from the
data stream, provisions for associating each media content identifying data
element with at
least one of a plurality of media content, and provisions for storing in an
electronic memory,
at a minimum, media content identifying data elements into identifying data
aggregates.
Each identifying data aggregate is associated with at least one of the
plurality of media
content and the at least one broadcast segment and the at least one broadcast
segment is
corollary to the at least one of the plurality of media content. The system
further includes
provisions for presenting at least a portion of the data elements stored in
the electronic
memory of the communication device, whereby the provisions for presenting
includes
selectively outputting at least one of the following: the media content
identifying data, at
least a portion of the media content, the corollary broadcast segment, a
temporal position
of the corollary broadcast segment of the broadcast stream.
The disclosure also describes a method for receiving a media broadcast
involving a
first specific broadcast of a broadcast segment. The method involves receiving
the media
broadcast, receiving a data stream associated with the first specific
broadcast, and
extracting from the data stream, data that enables a unique identification of
the first specific
broadcast from the plurality of broadcast segments. The method further
involves storing the
data that enables the unique identification of the first specific broadcast,
producing signals
representing the first specific broadcast at an output, for controlling an
output device to
present the specific broadcast, and detecting a selection associated with the
first specific
broadcast, from a responder. The method further involves creating a data
packet including
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the data that enables the unique identification of the first specific
broadcast of the
broadcast segment and at least one of the following: a responder identifier
and a
identification of the media broadcast. The method further involves
communicating the data
packet to a server in response to the detection of the selection.
The disclosure also describes a system for receiving a media broadcast
including a
first specific broadcast of a broadcast segment. The system includes a
receiver configured
to receive the media broadcast and to receive a data stream associated with
the first
specific broadcast. The system further includes at least one processor in
communication
with the receiver and configured to extract from the data stream, data that
enables a
unique identification of the first specific broadcast from the plurality of
broadcast segments.
The at least one processor is further configured to store the data that
enables the unique
identification of the first specific broadcast, to produce signals for
controlling an output
device to present the first specific broadcast, and to detect a selection
associated with the
first specific broadcast, from a responder. The at least one processor is
further configured
to create a data packet including the data that enables the unique
identification of the first
specific broadcast and at least one of the following: a responder identifier
and an
identification of the media broadcast. The at least one processor is also
configured to
communicate the data packet to a server in response to the detection of the
selection.
The disclosure also describes a system for receiving a media broadcast
including a
first specific broadcast of a broadcast segment. The system includes
provisions for
receiving the media broadcast, provisions for receiving a data stream
associated with the
first specific broadcast, and provisions for extracting from the data stream,
data that
enables a unique identification of the first specific broadcast from the
plurality of broadcast
segments. The system also includes provisions for storing the data that
enables the unique
identification of the first specific broadcast, provisions for producing
signals representing
the first specific broadcast, for controlling an output device to present the
first specific
broadcast, provisions for detecting a selection associated with the first
specific broadcast,
from a responder and provisions for creating a data packet including the data
that enables
the unique identification of the first specific broadcast of the broadcast
segment, and at
least one of the following: a responder identifier and a identification of the
media broadcast.
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The system further includes provisions for communicating the data packet to a
server in
response to the detection of the selection.
The disclosure also describes a system that processes an interactive response
to a
specific broadcast segment, the interactive response received from a broadcast
media
receiving device. The system includes an authentication server that receives
the
interactive response and extracts from the interactive response a unique
identifier assigned
to the specific broadcast segment and an identifier associated with the
receiving device,
wherein the authentication server stores in an electronic memory the unique
identifier and
the identifier associated with the receiving device. The system further
includes a
verification system that verifies the identifier associated with the receiving
device. The
system further includes a database server that accesses an electronic database
to retrieve
a unique identifier synchronously stored in the database when the specific
broadcast
segment was broadcast, wherein the database server compares the unique
identifier
extracted from the interactive response with the unique identifier
synchronously stored in
the database when the specific broadcast segment was broadcast, the comparison
enabling an identification of a broadcast of the specific broadcast segment.
The system
further includes a transmitter that transmits, to the receiving device
associated with the
identifier, reply data obtained from the database associated with the
identification of the
broadcast of the specific broadcast segment.
The disclosure also describes a system that enables generation of an
interactive
response to a data signal associated with a broadcast signal. The system
includes a
receiver that receives the broadcast signal, the broadcast signal comprising a
specific
broadcast segment, and extracts data from the data signal, the data comprising
at least a
unique identifier assigned to the specific broadcast segment, wherein the
receiver stores in
an electronic memory the unique identifier extracted from the data signal. The
system
further includes an electronic display that displays at least a portion of the
data extracted
from the data signal. The system further includes an input device that
receives an
electronic selection of an interactive option associated with the broadcast
signal corollary to
the displayed information, enabling generation of the interactive response.
The system
further includes a transmitter that transmits, to an authentication system,
the interactive
response, the interactive response comprising at least the unique identifier,
the selected
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interactive option and an identifier associated with the receiver, wherein the
interactive
response is lookup table enabled preparatory to the authentication system
comparing the
unique identifier comprised in the interactive response with a unique
identifier
synchronously stored in a database when the specific broadcast segment was
broadcast.
The disclosure also describes a computer-implemented method for processing an
interactive response to a specific broadcast segment, the interactive response
received
from a broadcast media receiving device. The method involves receiving, by a
computer
system, the interactive response, extracting, by the computer system, from the
interactive
response a unique identifier assigned to the specific broadcast segment and an
identifier
associated with the receiving device. The method further involves storing in
an electronic
memory the unique identifier and the identifier associated with the receiving
device, and
verifying, by the computer system, the identifier associated with the
receiving device. The
method further involves accessing, by the computer system, an electronic
database to
retrieve a unique identifier synchronously stored in the database when the
specific
broadcast segment was broadcast. The method further involves comparing, by the
computer system, the unique identifier extracted from the interactive response
with the
unique identifier synchronously stored in the database when the specific
broadcast
segment was broadcast, the comparison enabling an identification of a
broadcast of the
specific broadcast segment. The method further involves transmitting, by the
computer
system, to the receiving device associated with the identifier, reply data
obtained from the
database associated with the identification of the broadcast of the specific
broadcast
segment.
The disclosure also describes a computer-implemented method of generating of
an
interactive response to a data signal associated with a broadcast signal. The
method
involves receiving the broadcast signal using an electronic receiver, the
broadcast signal
comprising a specific broadcast segment, and extracting, using a computer
processor, data
from the data signal, the data comprising at least a unique identifier
assigned to the
specific broadcast segment. The method further involves storing, in an
electronic memory
of the electronic receiver, the unique identifier extracted from the data
signal, displaying
electronically at least a portion of the data extracted from the data signal,
and receiving an
electronic selection of an interactive option associated with the broadcast
signal corollary to
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1
the displayed information, enabling generation of the interactive response.
The method
further involves transmitting, from the electronic receiver to an
authentication system, the
interactive response, the interactive response comprising at least the unique
identifier, the
selected interactive option and an identifier associated with the electronic
receiver. The
interactive response is lookup table enabled preparatory to the authentication
system
comparing the unique identifier comprised in the interactive response with a
unique
identifier synchronously stored in a database when the specific broadcast
segment was
broadcast.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1A ¨ 1D illustrate an electronic purchasing system with a radio station
that
broadcasts information to individual radio receivers.
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CA 2768033 2018-06-14
1
= CA 02768033 2012-02-09
=
=
. Figure 2 illustrates a radio receiver that includes an automatic
purchasing system module,
= 'Figure 3 illustrates a television adapter that includes an automaW
purchasing system module.
= Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
The present invention solves various problems in the prior art by providing a
system that allows an
individual tiger to respond to a data broadcast In one embodiment, an
Automatic Purchase System (APS)
provides a radio broadcast listener with the ability to conveniently purchase
media content such as music or
speech While listening to the radio. Additionally, the user can respond to
items in the radio broadcast such as
advertisements,' fund raising drives such as those conducted by public radio,
or interactive listener polls
during the broadcast
One of ordinary skill In the art will recognize that there are various forms
of media that can be
broadcast Where a specific type of media is used in the following examples, it
is for demonstration purposes
only and the examples should not be limited in that regard. Some examples of
the Various types of media can
include music, songs, speech, text, video, etc.
= Fig. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system that allows a user to
respond to a data broadcast. Fig.
1 shows a radio station 140 that broadcasts Information to a radio receiver
100. The radio receiver 100 has a
= control interface 116 that allows a user to initiate a purchase of music
or products based on the radio station
= broadcast
= The terms RBDS/RDS are used throughout this document but it should be
understood other data
standards can also be used. In one embodiment, the radio receiver 100
comprises a Radio Frequency (RF)
Demodulator Section 102, a RBDS/RDS Decoder 106, a RBDS/RDS function control
interpreter 104, an audio
= demodulator -amplifier section 108, a scrolling display 110, an Internet
Download Director 112, a local memory
device 114 and the control interface 116. Additionally, the receiver 100W
provides for audio output by
transmitting an audio signal 128 from an audio demodulator amPlifier section
108 to the speaker 118.
In one embodiment, the RF Demodulator Section 102 splits the signal into an
audio signal and a data
signal, with the data signal provided to the RBDS/RDS decoder 106 and the
audio signal provided to the
audio demodulator amplifier section 108. The RBDS/RDS decoder 106 parses the
data signal from the RF
Demodulator Section 102 and transmits the data to the RBDSIRDS Function
Controller 104, the Scrolling
Display 110, and the Internet Download Director 112.
The RBDS/RDS Function Controller 104 handles codes 124 sent using the RBDS/RDS
standard.
The codes 124 can, for example, include a Program Service name (PS), a Program
Type (PTY), a Program
Identification (PI), a Traffic Program (TP), a Traffic Announcement (TA), etc,
In one embodiment, the data is converted to an audio signal played on one or
more speakers for the
user to hear. A 64 character radio text message can be transmitted in five
seconds under the RBDS
standard, where a Type 2A group with 4 characters is transmitted 3.2 times a
second.
4
CA 02768033 2012-02-09
In one embodiment, a pointer to an Open Data Application (ODA)
group is transmitted in a Type 3A group. The pointer, 16 message bits and 16
bit identifier (AID) are transmitted once a second.
In one embodiment, an ODA group with 37 usable bits is transmitted
once a second during the broadcast of a "tagged" program. The ODA group
can contain, for example, a song or commercial campaign identification.
In one embodiment, the scrolling display 110 receives display data 122
from the RBDS/RDS Decoder 106. The display data 122 can include
information such as the program service name and program type, or it can
include radio text information or messages displaying purchase options.
Additionally, the RBDS/RDS Decoder 106 provides data to the Internet
Download Director 112 that includes instructions for the location of
downloadable audio. For example, a radio station 140 can broadcast data
regarding the current song that is playing, such as the song name, artist,
album name, and year the song was recorded. The radio station 140 can also
broadcast information providing a location where the song, editorial news
broadcast, collection of songs, or other program material can be downloaded
or purchased, and the purchase price for the song.
In one embodiment, a user can place an order to download a song
using the control interface 116. The control interface 116 provides a
download command signal 126 to the Internet Download Director 112. The
Internet Download Director 112 can then provide download instructions such
as, for example, the location of the file for download and the security.
= procedures required for access. The download information is then
transmitted
over, for example, a wireless intemet connection 156 to the authentication
and billing system 152. The authentication and billing system 152 verifies the
customer information and determines whether the customer account can be
debited for the cost of the order. The authentication and billing system 152
then provides an approval signal 168 indicating whether the purchase was
approved. The approval signal 168 is transmitted to the purchase database
server 150.
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CA 02768033 2012-02-09
Once the purchase is approved, the purchase database server 150
provides purchase and download authorization to the download server 154.
The download server 154 can then transmit the requested material over a
network connection 158. In one embodiment, the material is transmitted using
a wireless intemet connection directly to the radio receiver 100. In another
embodiment, the material is made available to a personal computer. In one
embodiment, the material is sent using traditional mail or parcel services.
The
download server 154 also communicates with the audio database and
encoding server 144 to provide available sound database information 164.
The radio station 140 includes a radio automation or CD playback
system 142, an audio database/encoding server 144, an FM transmission
system 146 and a RBDS/RDS encoder 148. The radio automation or CD
playback system 142 can extract information about songs or a radio program
from the station playlist or by extracting information encoded on a CD or a
CD-ROM. The playlist information is provided to the audio database and
coding server 144. The playlist information can include the song title,
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CA 02768033 2012-02-09 =
=
=
= =
=
artist, cut or other information. The audio database/encoding server 144
matches the information sent from
the radio automation system 142 with information in the database. If there is
an audio file available for
download, the database/encoding server 144 formats the download information
and sends it to the
RBDS/RDS encoder 148. Corresponding information is uploaded to the purchase
database server 150.
The RBDS/RDS encoder 148 transmits the RBDS/RDS information using the 57Ichz
RBDS/RDS
subcarrier 170 to the FM transmission system 146. The RBDS/RDS subcarrier
signal 170 is mixed by the FM
transmission system 146 with the FM baseband program signal 172 and any other
subcarriers. The FM
transmission system 146 then transmits an FM RF signal 162 which is received
by the radio receiver 100.
As shown in Fig. 1, a radio station 140, using either a standard radio
automation system for tracking
of music content which is being broadcast, or a data-enabled audio player,
broadcasts audio material and
synchronously sends RBDS/RDS or similar data to an APS server 144 that assigns
a unique identifier to each
= specific broadcast segment or song.
= = The APS server 144 compares the broadcast segment identifier
with a database 150 of audio
available for purchase. If the broadcasted audio is available, the APS server
144 incorporates station call
= letter information, and an audio download location such as IP address and a
file name into a data stream that
is inserted into a radio station's broadcast using RBDS/RDS or similar
technology. The information identifying
the audio selected by the listener or user is routed to the APS Data Server
and passed on to the location
where a digital version of the audio content is stored and available for
transfer to the end user. The user's
radio receiver 100 receives and recognizes the encoded RBDS/RDS or other data
and presents it on the radio
display 110 notifying the user that the audio is available for purchase.
If the user elects to purchase the audio content or responds to an ad or
"pledge drive, a request
including the station's data and the users cell phone or wireless Electronic
Serial Number (ESN) or other
identifier, such as a credit card number, combined with the audio content
information is issued by the radio
and passed via the cellular or wireless phone transmission to the APS Data
Server and finally routed to the
sante server at the record company, publisher or licensed content provider. If
a good* connection is not
available using the wireless connection, or the user does not have a wireless
account, the information can be
stored on the internal lash card or other storage device 114 in the radio for
transfer to a personal computer at
= a time of the users choosing.
= Each server typically records.the purchase or response information. The
storage server 154 at a
source location then uploads the requested audio to the routing address
associated with the user's cell phone
account identifier. The users receiver 100 then saves the audio on internal
memory or a removable memory
device or holds the audio content until the user chooses to download it using
the Internet.
= One embodiment includes the use of several group types reserved for open
data application? by
= the RBDS/RDS standard. These groups were designed for use with data
applications and are readily
available for use.
CA 02768033 2012-02-09
= Fig. 2 shows one example of a technology enabled radio 200. The radio 200
includes a module 202
for the Automatic Purchase System. In one embodiment, the APS provides
relatively quick delivery of the
purchased material. In one embodiment, quick delivery is provided by wireless
transmission such that the
user can receive the purchased material while traveling. In one embodiment,
the system also provides
delayed delivery, when, for example: the user so chooses; the user does not
have a wireless account; or the
user cannot obtain a good signal with a wireless connection for transmission.
In one embodiment, the radio 200 contains an APS module 202 configured to
store identifier data
204, to provide security functions, and to assist in routing selections made
by the user (using either a voice
command issued to voice recognition technology 214 contained in the radio or
by the press of a button 212 on
the radio interface). In one embodiment, the APS module 202 is a proprietary
microchip (or portion of a
= microchip) that implements the radio receiver-side functions of the APS.
In one embodiment, the APS module
.a a software module that runs on a processor in the radio 200.
The audio content can also be "tagged for delayed purchase at a later time
by scrolling through the
playlist 208 stored in the APS module 202 on the radio 200 and presented on
the external display 210 of the
radio' 200. The user can then select one or more items for purchase from the
list presented on the display
210 (stored in the APS module 202 in the radio). In one embodiment, .the
selected items are transmitted
using a wireless transmitter 218 such as a wireless telephOne. In another
embodiment, a user can store the
= playlist 208 on removable memory 220 that is readable by a personal
computer 240. The user can then
access a private web account via the Internet for downloading the content to
the personal computer 240. At
this point, the user can transfer the downloaded content to a storage device
242 such as, for example, a flash
card or CD-ROM.
Non-automotive or portable radios containing the APS module 202 can also
include either a voice =
interface 214, an interactive button 212, or both, to enable listener-
selection of broadcast material (or for
responding to advertisements, fund raising drives, or any other interactive
event). A port 216 such as a 9-pin
serial port, a USB port, or any other port designed to provide connectivity
between the radio 200 and a
personal computer 240 can also be Integrated into the radio 200 for the
purposes of transferring the selection
list from the APS module 202 to software in a personal computer 240 or other
device. APS software running
on the personal computer 240 is configured to recognize an embedded security
code enabling purchase of
the selected material via the Internet, or respond to an advertisement or fund
raising drive. Wireless
technology, such as, for example, BlueTooth and the like, can also be used for
the purposes of transferring
the selection data between devices.
Automotive radios equipped with the APS module 202 . and associated
technologies can use a
wireless interface 218 to send a purchase request (or interactive response)
complete with a user Electronic =
Serial Number (ESN), WIN identifiers, and routing information such as artist
and song title derived from the
RBDS/RDS data string accompanying the associated broadcast. The purchase
request and routing
= -7-
CA 02768033 2012-02-09
= e
:
=
=
Information can then be directed to an, APS server 260. for processing,
billing approval, and delivery of the
- content to a particular location -(such as the .user's flash card
or storage technology in the radio 200 or a
personal 1account web URL), as requested by the user.
= The flash card or storage technology 220 in the automotive radio offers
the user a second option.
The user can select content for purchase using the interactive voice
technologies 214 or the button interface
212 to select broadcast content for purchase. If that user does not have a
wireless phone, or does not have a
good connection with a wireless phone connected to the radio, then the content
selections can be stored on
the flash card or storage technology 220 for later use.
. In one embodiment, the APS polls the wireless network until
a good connection is obtained, at which
. point the Selection data is transferred for completion of the transaction.
In cases where the user cannot obtain
= a good connection or the user does not have a wireless account, the flash
card or storage technology 220 can
later be removed by the user and inserted Into a personal computer 240. The
routing information for each
. . selection stored on the flash card or storage technology 220 is
passed to the APS download software running
on the user's personal computer 240. Once the user has an active connection to
the Internet, the APS
download software allows the user to purchase the selected content and
download it to a personal computer
240 as long as the content was tagged with the proper security codes obtained
from the APS module 202 in
=. -the radio 200.
== Using this system, the user can respond to a live broadcast
radio advertisement to qualify for
coupons, premiums or other sponsor-offered rewards. This system can also be
applied to pledge drives
employed by public radio stations, allowing listeners to pledge money while
driving or listening to a portable
= radio. The system can also be used for listener polls where the
broadcaster can obtain quick responses from
listeners to new music., speech content or general questions such as a talk
show format In each case, the
user/listener can respond by pressing a Respond' button 212 on the radio 200.
On a voice-enabled radio
200, the user/listener can order content or provide responses by voice
commands.
The user can also receive offers or hyperlinks posted on a personal web site
presenting premiums
such as discounted tickets (to events for the artists or writers for which
they purchased content), suggestions .
. =of purchase for related artists or music genres, record company
club offerings, or other premiums.
Associated books, magazine articles, merchandise and event information can
also be posted for the user to
purchase using the APS. Hyperlinks can also be present for content not
available on the radio but provided
either through partnerships with existing digital content providers or content
owners who have made direct
arrangements for digital distribution through the APS web site.
Billing for the purchase of content and user-identification can be managed
through the user's
= wireless phone account or the user can establish an account at an APS web
site. Content purchased can be
directed to Technology-Enabled Radios (TERs), or receivers using a wireless-
telephone transmission, and
stored on a flash card. Purchase content can also be directed to a personal
web page assigned to the user
.8.
CA 02768033 2012-02-09
= . upon creation of a specific account The user can access the
account over the Internet, and the user can
= download purchased content to a personal computer.
In order to protect the purchased content from piracy, various access-rights
controls and copy-
protections can be provided. In one embodiment, the user is allowed to copy
purchased content to a CD or
flash card one time only (unless additional licenses are purchased).
Additional licenses can be purchased
within the APS download software or in the user's web account by the click of
a button or through using a
third-party software package enabled with the APS security keys such as the
ESN and WIN numbers from a
wireless account.
Each sales transaction can ,be monitored by an APS server located at each
participating radio
station, by an Internet-based APS server, or both. The data collected through
'data mining" of sales
transactions can be sold to companies interested in tracking demographic
information and music sales such
as record companies and trade publications. In one embodiment, personal
information regarding the users is
=
not disclosed.
In one embodiment, the system includes one or more of the following features:
1. The user establishes a "Creative content" purchasing account with a
wireless carrier.
2. A personal URL (web address) is assigned to the user to:
. Monitor account activity
=
=
0 Enable or disable APS software downloads
11 Display premiums offered by sponsors
0 Manage & track content or APS purchases using a TER or a personal computer,
= User makes routing choice between the TER or the web account for content
=
=
= User makes selection of compression type: MP3, RA, Liquid Audio etc.
3. Each broadcaster has an RBDS/RDS or similar technology enabled server
onsite to:
II Generate RBDS/RDS or equivalent code for inclusion in the
broadcast
II Validate and route purchase information to the users wireless carrier for
billing
11 Monitor online sales transactions for data mining
11 Route validated purchase to licensed creative content providers
4. Radio hardware can include:
0 RBDS/RDS or equivalent decoder capability (e.g., in an internal
chip with APS code)
0 Flash card slot and recording ability (Optional)
= II Storage of multiple items including: artist name, song
title, IP address of creative content provider,
and time stamp for delayed purchase (e.g., in an internal chip with APS code)
In one embodiment, the system uses the RBDS/RDS to send a data stream in
combination with a
= broadcast signal for identifying music -or speech content available for
purchase. A broadcast organization
participating in the APS system is able to respond to requests for purchase
placed by users who either click a
CA 02768033 2012-02-09
button or issue a voice command to the radio at the time of the content was
broadcast, at a later time by
scrolling through the playlist stored in the APS module in the radio then
selecting one or more items for
purchase from the list stored in the radio, or by accessing a private web
account via the Internet and
.
downloading content to the personal computer. In one embodiment, purchases are
made by saving requests
for selected items for purchase on a flash card or storage technology and
transferring that data to a personal
computer for purchase through the Internet at a later time.
Data such as song title and artist, author or publisher and the IP address for
the location where the
digital version of the content is stored, can be transmitted using the
RBDS/RDS data stream. A reference
number representing song title and artist, author or publisher and the IP
address for the location where the
digital version of the content is stored can also be employed for ease of
implementation. This reference
number can reside in a lookup table to be accessed by the APS server software
on a Data Server located at
the broadcast site, a remote site or both for purposes of redundancy:
Transmission of purchase requests from
a Technology Enabled Radio (TER) is provided via wireless transmission, or by
accessing the Internet using a
personal computer or through a cellular or wireless phone. In one embodiment,
activity of each sale using the
above system is tracked for the purposes of aggregating data or "Data Mining"
for sale to interested parties
such as trade publications and record companies.
Portable radios can come equipped with a voice interface or a purchase button,
a flash card or
storage device and a port for connecting the radio to the personal computer
such as a 9 pin serial, USB or
=
wireless networking technology.
Music radio stations often depend on computer-programmed and optimized
playlists to ensure
consistency and success of the format. Many stations use computer-based
playback systems that play from
hard disc libraries or control CD changers. At the start of the day, a
playlist is loaded into these computers
that include information. These "automation' systems provide continual logging
of functions and activities and
can output the "as played" information in a variety of ways, such as serial
data. Data can be taken as an
event occurs or can be read from a text file. Most automated systems can be
programmed to send
information out of the serial port.
Some stations have used this data to use RBDS/RDS and display song information
in the RadioText
group. More recently stations are using this information to feed a "now
playing" message on Internet web
sites,
Even stations that play CD's manually from a paper playlist can provide the
Information needed.
Professional CD players usually have serial ports (i.e. RS232, R8485) that can
be programmed to transmit
CD code information. This code information is similar to the song codes used
by intemet-enabled computers
to automatically download song information from the website known as CDDB.com
for a CD inserted into a
CD-ROM player. Every RIM-registered CD has a unique registered code with the
RIAA. Thus, on an R1AA
registered CD, a song can be identified by the registered code number in
combination with the track number.
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CA 02768033 2012-02-09
=
=
For content that Is not registered with the RIM, a registration code is
provided by APS. In one embodiment,
= =
the broadcaster providing the APS service to its listeners assigns an
identifier code to the content. In one
embodiment, an identifier code for non-RIM registered content is provided by
an APS registering
organization or service.
In one embodiment, the system operates by acquiring playlist data or a
reference number that
identifies the broadcast content The playlist data Is included In the RBDSIRDS
data sub-carrier by either the
APS server software or a combination of the APS server software in conjunction
with a compatible
= RDS/RBDS encoder.
Once the data source is identified, a connection pathway is established
between the broadcaster and
the APS Data Server. APS-software residing on the APS Data Server stores that
information in a look up'
table. The codes repre'senting "cut numbers", or text song information such as
artist and song title, are
referenced against the internal look up table to determine if the song is
available for download from the'
content owner such as a music publisher or record company. Once determination
has been made regarding
availability of the requested content, the APS software residing on the APS
Data Server builds the data
stream that can include the group 3 and group 4 data of the RBDS/RDS standard.
containing download
location and/or file name. The APS software then transmits the information to
a compatible RDS/RBDS
encoder residing at the participating broadcaster.
For example: the 64-character text space contained in the RBDS standard is
long enough to include
. an
Internet IP address and directory fixation or reference code contained in a
look up table .capable of
.20
enabling the APS software to route the request for purchase from a user to the
appropriate download site
such as a publisher, record company or news organization.
The APS software residing on the APS Data Server can be employed to create the
complete
= RBDS/RDS data signal and feed a slave encoder located at each broadcast
location. The APS software also
tracks each inquiry and purchase for billing verification and crediting the
broadcaster for payment for their part
in the sale. The APS software also conducts data mining tracking for purposes
of the future sale of
transaction data.
In one embodiment, the RBDS/RDS encoder formats and encodes the non-APS
elements of the data
stream (such as station identification (Call Letters), date and time, etc.)
and the APS software on the APS
Data Server inserts content-specific data such as song title and artist
information or author and news service,
into the continual RBDS/RDS data stream through the RBDS/RDS encoder's
standard interfaces. The APS
Data Server software can be well suited to provide content specific
information but the other RBDSIRDS
group applications can be better managed by broadcast equipment designed for
those applications.
RBDS/RDS is an FM-only transmission system but one of ordinary skill in the
art will recognize that
=APS data can be included with other radio services (e.g. AM, etc.).
-11.
CA 02768033 2012-02-09
=
Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), which includes flexible, open-source, data
transmission functions
along with the audio signal: Systems for adapting digital audio and data
transmission to the current allocation
of AM and FM stations using a technique known as In Band On Channel (180C) are
known. IBOC includes
an ancillary data stream in the broadcast signal to be used by the station for
whatever purposes they see fit.
The ancillary data stream signal can be used to carry APS information.
Other developing radio systems also include a data path that can be used to
send the information
used by the APS system to successfully allow the acquisition of music or other
material being broadcast
Satellite DAB providers, such. as XM Satellite and Sirius Satellite Radio,
have access to the audio and
ancillary data signals being sent to compatible receivers.
As other audio services develop, the capability to transmit complimentary,
simultaneous data can be
used as a component of the APS. The APS can be simply adapted to each new
transmission form with no
significant change in the overall system.
= Wireless technology and the related developments in high-speed Internet
access using systems
such as BlueTooth or other wireless network technology allows faster downloads
of the desired material by
taking advantage of the newer, faster technology.
NTSC, PAL and other technologies employed to transmit television signals
around the world allow for
similar capabilities in transmitting subcarrier data within the carrier
signal.
Fig. 3 shows one example of a Technology Enabled Television (TET) adapter 300.
The television
adapter 300 includes a module 302 for the Automatic Purchase System. In one
embodiment, the television
adapter 300 is incorporated into the television. In one embodiment, the
television adapter 300 is a settop box.
In one embodiment, the APS provides relatively quick delivery of the purchased
material. The material
available for purchase can cover a wide range of products, such as music,
video, print, pledges of money, or
consumer goods related to displayed advertisements. In one embodiment, quick
delivery is provided by using
a cable modem. In one embodiment, the television adapter 300 uses a modern and
a telephone connection to
download the data. In one embodiment the television adapter 300 uses a network
connection to download
the data. In one embodiment, the system provides delayed delivery, when, for
example: the user so chooses;
' the user does not have a cable modem; the user does not have a network
account at that location; or the user
cannot obtain a good signal with a wireless connection for transmission:
In one embodiment, a television adapter 300 contains an APS module 302
configured to store
identifier data 304, to provide security functions, and to assist in routing
selections made by the user (using
either a voice command issued to voice recognition technology 314 contained in
the television adapter or by
the press of a button 312 on the television adapter interface). In one
embodiment, the APS module 302 is a
proprietary microchip (or portion of a microchip) that implements the
television adapter-side functions of the
APS. In one embodiment, the APS module 302 is a software module that runs on a
processor in the
= 35 television adapter 300.
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CA 02768033 2012-02-09
=
=
=
. The material can also be "tagged" for delayed. purchase at a later
time by scrolling through the
selection list 308 stored in the APS module 302 on the television adapter 300
and presented on the external
television display 380. The user can then select one or more items for
purchase from the list presented on
the display 380 (stored In the APS module 302 in the television adapter). in
one embodiment, the selected
items are transmitted using a cable modem. In one embodiment, the selected
items are transmitted using a
wireless transmitter 318 such as a wireless telephone. In another embodiment,
a user can store the selection
list 308 on removable memory 320 that Is readable by a personal computer 340.
The user can then access a
'private web account via the Internet for downloading the content to the
personal computer 340. At this point,
the user can transfer the downloaded content to a storage device 342 such as,
for example, a flash card or
CD-ROM.
A port 316 such as a 9-pin serial port, a USB port, or any other port designed
to provide connectivity
between the television adapter 300 and a personal computer 340 can also be
integrated into the television
= adapter 300 for the purposes of transferring the selection list from the
APS module 302 to software in a
personal computer 340 or other device. APS software running on the personal
computer 340 is configured to
recognize an embedded security code enabling purchase of the selected material
via the Internet, or respond
to an advertisement or fund raising drive. Wireless technology, such as, for
example, Bluerooth and the like,
can also be used for the purposes of transferring the selection data between
devices.
In one embodiment, television adapters equipped with the APS module 302 and
associated
technologies can .use a wireless interface 318 to send a purchase request (or
interactive response) complete
.20 with a user Electronic Serial Number (ESN), WIN identifiers, and
routing information such as artist and song
title derived from the RBDS/RDS data string accompanying the associated
broadcast. In one embodiment,
television adapters can use a modem (e.g. a telephone modem, cable modem,
etc.) or other network
connection to send a purchase request. The purchase request and routing
information can then be directed
to an APS server 360 for processing, billing approval, and delivery of the
content to a particular location (such
as the user's flash card or storage technology in the television adapter 300
or a personal account web URL),
as requested by the user. In one embodiment, the purchased material is
delivered with traditional mail or =
parcel services.
The flash card or storage technology 320 in the television adapter offers the
user a second option.
The user can select content for purchase using the interactive voice
technologies 314 or the button interface
312 to select broadcast content for purChase. If that user does not have a
network connection, then the
content selections can be stored on the flash card or storage technology 320
for later use.
User access to the APS is provided by the remote control, voice interaction or
buttons on the actual
1V. As a user views broadcast content the user can respond to the television
broadcast to make purchases,
respond to an advertisement, to qualify for premiums, or the user can respond
to pledge drives on public
television or an interactive event such as a talk or game show.
=
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CA 02768033 2012-02-09
-
=
'
In one embodiment, the user responses are provided to a computing device
such as a personal
computer, set-top box, and the like (e.g., via flash card or other removable
storage medium, via a network
connection between the computer and the TET, via a wireless connection such as
BlueTooth, etc.). The
= computing device is then used to transfer the content in i manner similar
to that. described in the radio
= 5 embodiment above.
In one embodiment, a cable connection from the TEl to the computing device is
used for immediate
transfer of the user response. In one embodiment, data is transferred between
the TET and the computing
device using a communication port such as, for example, a serial port, a USB
port, infrared port, a parallel
port, and Ethernet port, or other port technology.
In one embodiment, the APS module also provides web-enabled cable or satellite
television
interactive services. In one embodiment, a modem (such as ,for example, a
cable modem) is Included in the
= TET thereby allowing the TEl to send a user response request directly to
a content provider (such as a cable
company). in one embodiment, the APS module is provided in a cable set-top box
to, allow the APS system to
= be used with a conventional television,
The mechanisms for routing, customer identification, security, tracking, and
purchase used with the
radio embodiments described above can also be used with the TET.
It is understood that the download server, purchase database server, audio
database server and
encoding sewer can reside on one or more computers, and that the shown
organization of the servers is for
= clarification. One or more programs can be 'used to perform= part or all
of the functions described in this
description.
= The foregoing description of a preferred implementation has been
presented by way of example only,
and should not be read in a limiting sense. Although this invention has been
described in terms of certain
= preferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those of
ordinary skill In the art, including
embodiments which do not provide all of the benefits and features set forth
herein, are also within the scope of
= 25
this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined
only by reference to the appended '
claims.
=
=
=
el 4.
