Receiver for user-demand information and entertainment system using wide area digital broadcast

• US 20040123333A1
• Filed: 12/01/2003
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Takashi Nakatsuyama
• Original Assignee: Takashi Nakatsuyama
• Inventors: Nakatsuyama, Takashi
• Application Number:
  US10/725,149
• Publication Number:
  US 20040123333A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/142
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/16 Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution of identical information repeatedly
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/70 characterised in that receivers can be addressed
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/09 Arrangements for receiving desired information automatically according to timetables
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/13 Arrangements for device control affected by the broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/27 Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/46 for recognising users' preferences
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1859 adapted to provide push services, e.g. data channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1895 for short real-time information, e.g. alarms, notifications, alerts, updates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/082 the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0856 by backing up or archiving configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25841 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; arrangements for identifying locations of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/51; location of the user terminal in data switching networks H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4345 Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A receiver is provided for an information system that provides selected information to individual users. A high speed digital program signal is broadcast and contains program data that begins at a reference time and is repeated at set intervals. An index signal that contains the receiver'"'"'s identifier associated with the reference time and interval information is also broadcast. The receiver monitors the index signal for its identifier. When the receiver detects its identifier, the receiver downloads the time and tuning information to receive, download, and store the user'"'"'s selected program. In some embodiments a transceiver replaces the receiver to allow the user to make remote program requests.

Claims

1. A method for receiving in a broadcast system, at a receiver having a unique identification number, only designated information, the method comprising the steps of:

monitoring a broadcast index signal containing tuning data;

detecting the unique identification number associated with the receiver in the broadcast index signal;

downloading the tuning data subsequent to detecting the unique identification number in the detecting step;

storing the downloaded tuning data in memory; and

tuning and receiving a program signal containing program data associated with a program using the tuning data stored in said storing step.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tuning data includes a reference time at which the program data is broadcast in the program signal, and further comprising the step of:

tuning to the program signal at approximately the reference time.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a tuning time is associated with the identification number of the receiver, and further comprising the steps of:

configuring the receiver to operate in at least a first state during which the receiver monitors the index signal just prior to the tuning time, and a second state during which the receiver does not monitor the index signal.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of:

causing the receiver to enter a power saving mode during at least a portion of the second state.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

outputting a foreground program upon receiver power-on, and outputting a background program subsequent to the user selecting the background program for output.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein either or both the broadcast index signal and the program signal include data used to present a menu of new programs and/or updates to programs broadcast on the program signal.

7. A method for requesting and receiving designated information in a broadcast system, at a transceiver having a unique identification number the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting to a wireless communication system a request signal, the request signal including the unique identification number and a request for a program;

receiving from the wireless communication system a broadcast index signal containing the unique identification number associated with the receiver and tuning data;

storing the tuning data in memory; and

receiving a program signal containing program data, associated with a program, using the stored tuning data.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein either or both of the broadcast index signal and the program signal include data, representing new programs and/or updates to programs broadcast on the program signal, the method further comprising the step of:

presenting a menu of program choices to a user on a display.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the request signal transmitted in said transmitting step is associated with a selection by the user from the menu of program choices.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

outputting a foreground program upon receiver power-on, and outputting a background program subsequent to the user selecting the background program for output.

11. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of:

outputting an order form on a display and transmitting an order associated with the order form for goods and/or services.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of outputting an invoice on the display.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of transmitting a payment by the user.

14. A method for requesting and receiving designated information in a broadcast system, at a first transceiver having a unique identification number, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting from the first transceiver to a wireless communication system a request signal, the request signal including the unique identification number and a request for a program;

receiving at the first transceiver, from the wireless communication system, a broadcast index signal containing tuning data;

storing the tuning data in memory;

receiving a program signal containing program data, associated with a program, using the stored tuning data; and

transmitting at least a portion of the stored tuning data from the first transceiver to a second transceiver.

15. A computer readable medium for receiving in a broadcast system, at a receiver having a unique identification number, only designated information, said computer readable medium containing program instructions that, when loaded into a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:

monitoring a broadcast index signal containing tuning data;

detecting the unique identification number associated with the receiver in the broadcast index signal;

downloading the tuning data subsequent to detecting the unique identification number in the detecting step;

storing the downloaded tuning data in memory; and

tuning and receiving a program signal containing program data associated with a program using the tuning data stored in said storing step.

16. The medium of claim 15, wherein the tuning data includes a reference time at which the program data is broadcast in the program signal, and further comprising the processor performing the step of:

tuning to the program signal at approximately the reference time.

17. A computer readable medium for requesting and receiving in a broadcast system, at a transceiver having a unique identification number, only designated information, said computer readable medium containing program instructions that, when loaded into a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:

transmitting to a wireless communication system a request signal, the request signal including the unique identification number and a request for a program;

receiving from the wireless communication system a broadcast index signal containing the unique identification number associated with the receiver and tuning data;

storing the tuning data in memory; and

receiving a program signal containing program data, associated with a program, using the stored tuning data.

18. The medium of claim 17 wherein either or both of the broadcast index signal and the program signal include data, representing new programs and/or updates to programs broadcast on the program signal, and further comprising the processor performing the step of:

presenting a menu of program choices to a user on a display.

19. The medium of claim 18, wherein the request signal transmitted in said transmitting step is associated with a selection by the user from the menu of program choices.

20. A computer readable medium for requesting and receiving designated information in a broadcast system, at a first transceiver having a unique identification number, said computer readable medium containing program instructions that, when loaded into a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:

transmitting from the first transceiver to a wireless communication system a request signal, the request signal including the unique identification number and a request for a program;

receiving at the first transceiver, from the wireless communication system, a broadcast index signal containing tuning data;

storing the tuning data in memory;

receiving a program signal containing program data, associated with a program, using the stored tuning data; and

transmitting at least a portion of the stored tuning data from the first transceiver to a second transceiver.