Broadcast system with associated data capabilities

• US 5,564,073 A
• Filed: 06/06/1995
• Issued: 10/08/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digital DJ, Inc. (Beverly Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Digital DJ, Inc. (Beverly Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Takahisa, Tsutomu
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Chi H.
• Application Number:
  US08/480,423
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 455/45, 455/186.1, 455/186.2, 455/185.1, 455/154.1, 455/66, 455/3.1, 455/6.3, 348/27, 348/461, 348/473, 348/569, 348/906, 370/73
• US Class Current: 455/3.06
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/28 Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/07 characterised by processes or methods for the generation

Abstract

A broadcast system includes a device to compare program material to be transmitted with a database of known material, and to transmit along with the program material data corresponding to that program material. A corresponding receiving system stores the data in memory and displays, at the selection of the user, the data corresponding to the program material. The user selectively stores the data on a magnetic recording card for electronic coupon or other uses.

Claims

1. A system for the transmission and reception of program material and associated data over a single communications channel, comprising:

a transmitter for broadcasting said program material and said associated data over said single communications channel, said associated data including header data defining a plurality of user interface selections and body data defining a plurality of information screens, subsets of the information screens corresponding to subsets of the user interface selections;

a receiver, including,

a demodulator for detecting said program material and said associated data as detected program material and detected associated data, respectively;

means for reproducing said detected program material; and

menu means for displaying a first portion of said detected associated data on a display, for displaying on said display said header data from said detected associated data as a menu of user interface choices, and for displaying a subsequent portion of said detected associated data as one of said information screens responsive to user selection of one of said user interface choices.

2. A system for the transmission and reception of program material and associated data, comprising:

a transmitter for broadcasting said program material and said associated data, said associated data including header data defining a plurality of user interface selections and body data defining a plurality of information screens, subsets of the information screens corresponding to subsets of the user interface selections;

a receiver, including,

a demodulator for detecting said program material and said associated data as detected program material and detected associated data, respectively;

means for reproducing said detected program material;

memory means for storing said detected associated data as stored associated data; and

user interface means providing a hierarchy of menus for a user to select portions of said stored associated data for display as one of said information screens.

3. A system for the transmission and reception of program material and assodated data, comprising:

a transmitter for broadcasting said program material and associated data, said associated data including header data defining a plurality of user interface selections;

a receiver, including,

a demodulator for detecting said program material and associated data as detected program material and detected associated data, respectively;

means for reproducing said detected program material;

memory means for storing said detected associated data as stored associated data; and

a data card recorder operatively connected to said memory means and adapted to accept a portable data card for storage of a selected portion of said stored associated data on said portable data card responsive to user request.

4. A system for the transmission and reception of program material and associated data, comprising:

a transmitter for broadcasting said program material and said associated data, said associated data including a dedication message corresponding to said program material and further corresponding to an individual user identified by an identification code;

a receiver, including,

a demodulator for detecting said program material and said associated data including said dedication message, as detected program material, detected associated data, and detected dedication message, respectively;

means for reproducing said detected program material;

user identification memory for storing data identifying a user of said receiver; and

means for displaying said detected dedication message responsive to correspondence between said identification code and said stored data identifying a user.

5. A method of transmitting and receiving program material and associated data over a single communications channel, comprising the steps of:

transmitting said program material and said assodated data over said single communications channel, said associated data including header data defining a plurality of user interface selections and body data defining a plurality of information screens, subsets of the information screens corresponding to subsets of the user interface selections;

detecting said program material and said associated data as detected program material and detected associated data, respectively;

reproducing said detected program material;

displaying a first portion of said detected associated data;

displaying said header data as a menu of user interface choices; and

displaying a subsequent portion of said detected associated data as one of said information screens responsive to user selection of one of said user interface choices.

6. A method of transmitting and receiving program material and associated data, said associated data including a dedication message corresponding to said program material and further corresponding to an individual user identified by an identification code, comprising the steps of:

transmitting said program material and said associated data, said associated data including header data defining a plurality of user interface selections;

storing data identifying a user of a receiver;

detecting said program material and said associated data, including said dedication message, as detected program material, detected associated data, and detected dedication message, respectively; and

displaying said detected dedication message responsive to correspondence between said identification code and said stored data identifying a user.

7. A method of transmitting and receiving program material and associated data, said associated data including a prize announcement message corresponding to an individual user identified by an identification code, comprising the steps of:

transmitting said program material and said associated data, said assodated data including header data defining a plurality of user interface selections;

storing data identifying a user of a receiver;

detecting said program material and said assodated data, including said prize announcement message, as detected program material, detected associated data, and detected prize announcement message, respectively; and

displaying said detected prize announcement message responsive to correspondence between said identification code and said stored data identifying a user.