Encryption of signals to insure viewership of commercials

• US 5,555,308 A
• Filed: 11/10/1994
• Issued: 09/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Angelika R. Levien
• Original Assignee: Angelika R. Levien
• Inventors: Levien, Jack R.
• Primary Examiner(s): CANGIALOSI, SALVATORE A
• Application Number:
  US08/337,672
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 380/20, 380/21, 380/9
• US Class Current: 705/51
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

A system for distributing data to attract consumers to a commercial message provides for the delivery of free data to the consumer. The commercial message includes instructions in the form of a code, which can be a word or phrase, in the video or audio portion of the commercial message. The broadcast data is typically scrambled, such as by encryption, and the consumer uses the broadcast code to receive and decrypt the desired digital data for storage into a home computer. In order to receive the proper code, the consumer must pay close attention to the commercial message. The consumer'"'"'s computer is connected to receiving circuitry so that upon entry of the proper code, broadcast data is downloaded into the computer memory and decoded. The complimentary digital data thus delivered is typically useful information such as stock prices, weather information, sports scores, etc. The packets of desirable data are delivered transparent to the receiver, or alternatively as a visual or audible burst.

Claims

1. In a broadcast signal transmission system, including a broadcast message, a method for distributing digital data to a plurality of receivers, said method comprising:

generating a key code;

encrypting said digital data using said key code to form an encrypted digital data packet;

combining said key code with said broadcast message to form a combined broadcast message, said key code being unencrypted;

transmitting said combined broadcast message to form a broadcast message; and

transmitting said encrypted digital data packet; and

at each of said plurality of receivers,

receiving said broadcast message;

displaying said broadcast message;

receiving said key code from said displayed broadcast message;

receiving said encrypted digital data packet;

manually entering said key code at said receiver to form a manually entered key code; and

decrypting said encrypted digital data packet using said manually entered key code.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, where said combined broadcast message is embodied in a television signal.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, where said combined broadcast message is embodied in a radio signal, said key code is combined with the audio program material of said broadcast message, and said key code is received aurally.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, where said digital data is transmitted in the same frequency band as said broadcast message.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, where said digital data is transmitted in a different frequency band as said broadcast message.

6. A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein said key code is combined with said broadcast message by combining said key code with the video program material of said broadcast message, and said key code is received visually.

7. A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein said key code is combined with the audio program material of said broadcast message, and said key code is received aurally.

8. In a broadcast signal transmission system, including a broadcast message, a receiver method for distributing digital data to a plurality of receivers, said system including generating a key code;

encrypting said digital data using said key code to form an encrypted digital data packet;

combining said key code with said broadcast message to form a combined broadcast message, said key code being unencrypted;

transmitting said combined broadcast message to form a broadcast message; and

transmitting said encrypted digital data packet to each of said plurality of receivers, said receiver method comprising;

receiving said broadcast message;

displaying said broadcast message;

receiving said key code from said displayed broadcast message;

receiving said encrypted digital data packet;

manually entering said key code at said receiver to form a manually entered key code; and

decrypting said digital data packet using said manually entered key code.

9. A receiver method in accordance with claim 8, where said digital data is received in the same frequency band as said broadcast message.

10. A receiver method in accordance with claim 8, where said digital data is received in a different frequency band as said broadcast message.

11. A receiver method in accordance with claim 8, wherein said key code is combined with said broadcast message by combining said key code with the video program material of said broadcast message, and said key code is received visually.

12. A receiver method in accordance with claim 8, wherein said key code is combined with the audio program material of said broadcast message, and said key code is received aurally.

13. In a broadcast signal transmission system, including a broadcast message, an apparatus for distributing digital data to a plurality of receivers, said apparatus comprising:

means for generating a key code;

means for encrypting said digital data using said key code to form an encrypted digital data packet;

means for combining said key code with said broadcast message to form a combined broadcast message, said key code being unencrypted;

means for transmitting said combined broadcast message to form a broadcast message; and

means for transmitting said encrypted digital data packet; and

at each of said plurality of receivers,

means for receiving said broadcast message;

means for displaying said broadcast message;

means for receiving said key code from said displayed broadcast message;

means for receiving said encrypted digital data packet;

means for manually entering said key code at said receiver to form a manually entered key code; and

means for decrypting said encrypted digital data packet using said manually entered key code.

14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13, where said combined broadcast message is embodied in a television signal.

15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13, where said combined broadcast message is embodied in a radio signal, said key code is combined with the audio program material of said broadcast message, and said key code is received aurally.

16. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13, where said digital data is transmitted in the same frequency band as said broadcast message.

17. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13, where said digital data is transmitted in a different frequency band as said broadcast message.

18. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein said key code is combined with said broadcast message by combining said key code with the video program material of said broadcast message, and said key code is received visually.

19. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein said key code is combined with the audio program material of said broadcast message, and said key code is received aurally.

20. In a broadcast signal transmission system, including a broadcast message, a receiver apparatus for distributing digital data to a plurality of receivers, said system including generating a key code;

encrypting said digital data using said key code to form an encrypted digital data packet;

combining said key code with said broadcast message to form a combined broadcast message, said key code being unencrypted;

transmitting said combined broadcast message to form a broadcast message; and

transmitting said encrypted digital data packet; and

at each of said plurality of receivers, said receiver apparatus comprising;

means for receiving said broadcast message;

means for displaying said broadcast message;

means for receiving said key code from said displayed broadcast message;

means for receiving said encrypted digital data packet;

means for manually entering said key code at said receiver to form a manually entered key code; and

means for decrypting said digital data packet using said manually entered key code.

21. A receiver apparatus in accordance with claim 20, where said digital data is received in the same frequency band as said broadcast message.

22. A receiver apparatus in accordance with claim 20, where said digital data is received in a different frequency band as said broadcast message.

23. A receiver apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein said key code is combined with said broadcast message by combining said key code with the video program material of said broadcast message, and said key code is received visually.

24. A receiver apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein said key code is combined with the audio program material of said broadcast message, and said key code is received aurally.