System for on-demand remote access to a self-generating audio recording, storage, indexing and transaction system
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented audio information system to provide users with audible information concerning program materials disseminated according to a program list, comprising:
- a processing system for execution by a computer;
a user interface coupled to said processing system, said user interface providing means for placing user inquiries regarding the program material;
a database coupled to said processing system;
a first input means coupled to said processing system for inputting information reflecting audio descriptions of said program materials;
a second input means coupled to said processing system for inputting program list information regarding a plurality of program material items;
an audio description output means coupled to said processing system and to said user interface; and
identifier means responsive to a broadcast identifier for generating information in said database;
said processing system having;
means for correlating said audio descriptions of program material with said program list information and for storing said correlated audio descriptions and program list information in said database responsive to receipt of said broadcast identifier;
means for responding to a user inquiry, placed through said user interface, about an item in said program list, by retrieving a selected audio description from said database associated with said broadcast identifier; and
means for further responding to said user inquiry by causing said audio description output means to produce an audible message based on said selected audio description.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The system allows radio broadcast listeners to use a telephone to connect to a database that contains prerecorded audio descriptions (e.g. spoken text and/or music) of material played by the radio station. The database is indexed by the radio station'"'"'s program schedule or play list to allow the user to select a particular audio description of interest (e.g. the song currently airing, the song last played, etc.). Hearing the audio description over the telephone insures the listener that the requested selection is in fact correct. Using the telephone DTMF touch tone controls the listener can place an order to purchase the selected material over the telephone.
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Citations
76 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented audio information system to provide users with audible information concerning program materials disseminated according to a program list, comprising:
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a processing system for execution by a computer; a user interface coupled to said processing system, said user interface providing means for placing user inquiries regarding the program material; a database coupled to said processing system; a first input means coupled to said processing system for inputting information reflecting audio descriptions of said program materials; a second input means coupled to said processing system for inputting program list information regarding a plurality of program material items; an audio description output means coupled to said processing system and to said user interface; and identifier means responsive to a broadcast identifier for generating information in said database; said processing system having; means for correlating said audio descriptions of program material with said program list information and for storing said correlated audio descriptions and program list information in said database responsive to receipt of said broadcast identifier; means for responding to a user inquiry, placed through said user interface, about an item in said program list, by retrieving a selected audio description from said database associated with said broadcast identifier; and means for further responding to said user inquiry by causing said audio description output means to produce an audible message based on said selected audio description. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for on-demand remote access to a self-generating, audio recording, storing, indexing and transacting system comprising:
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at least one broadcast unit for providing an audio broadcast to remote locations and for informing said remote locations of a telephone number; a selection signal generator coupled to said at least one broadcast unit for providing a selection signal in said audio broadcast; a programmed data processor that includes a data input system and a first database for receiving a program schedule; a telephone interface for providing audio descriptive information to said programmed data processor, said audio descriptive information including at least one broadcast identifier; at least one reception device to receive said audio broadcast; a detection device associated with said at least one reception device for detecting said selection signal from said audio broadcast; a storage device for digitally recording and storing detected audio segments on said programmed data processor; an audio description creation device for creating an audio description on file, said creation device being selected from the group consisting essentially of a compact disc player, a tape cassette player, a digital audio tape device, a videotape player, a multi-track audio tape recorder, a microphone and a data input device; a communication device coupled to said programmed data processor enabling access with remote databases and computers for credit authorization and placement of orders; and a responsive device responding to the receipt of said at least one broadcast identifier, for generating information in said first database and directing the storage of said program schedule and said audio descriptive information; wherein said programmed data processor is coupled to said telephone interface, to said detection device and to said communication device, said programmed data processor causing said telephone interface to communicate said audio descriptive information to said remote locations. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 65)
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48. A method of providing listeners of a radio or television broadcast with automated information about program material, comprising the steps of:
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broadcasting at least one radio or television signal, using said broadcast signal to advertise information related to at least one broadcast identifier; inserting a selection signal into said broadcast signal; accepting telephone calls from listeners of said broadcast signal who provide information indicative of said at least one broadcast identifier of said broadcast signal; receiving said broadcast signal as it is being broadcast; detecting said selection signal within said broadcast signal; digitally recording and storing at least a segment of said received broadcast signal; communicating a program schedule into a programmed data processor of the type enabling access to remote databases and computers for credit authorization and placement of orders; creating an audio description file using an input mechanism selected from the group consisting essentially of a compact disc player, a tape cassette player, a digital audio tape device, a videotape player, a multi-track audio tape recorder, a microphone and a data entry device; generating information in a first database in response to receipt of information indicative of said at least one broadcast identifier and directing the storage of said program schedule and said audio description file; and using said data processor to cause said telephone interface to communicate audio description information from said audio description file. - View Dependent Claims (49)
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50. A system for on-demand remote access to a self-generating, audio storing, indexing and transacting system comprising:
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at least one broadcast means for providing audio broadcast to remote locations informing said remote locations of a telephone number; a programmed data processor maintaining a first database of audio description information and having data input means to receive a program schedule; audio description creation means comprising at least one input device selected from the group consisting of a compact disc player, a tape cassette player, a digital audio tape device, a videotape player, a multi-track audio tape recorder, a microphone and a data entry device for the creation of an audio segment and a file of audio description information for storing in said first database; communications means coupled to said programmed data processor enabling access with remote databases and computers for credit authorization and placement of orders; means responsive to receipt of a broadcast identifier for generating information in said first database and storing said program schedule and audio description information; a telephone interface coupled to said programmed data processor for communication said audio description information to a user of said system. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72)
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73. A method of storing, indexing and transacting with listeners of a radio or television broadcast comprising the steps of:
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providing a radio or television broadcast by broadcasting at least one radio or television signal advertising information related to at least one broadcast identifier; accepting telephone calls from listeners of said radio or television broadcast who provide a broadcast identifier of said radio or television broadcast listened to; inputting a program schedule into a programmed data processor and configuring said programmed data processor to access remote databases and computers for credit authorization and order placement; using at least one input device selected from the group consisting of a compact disc player, a tape cassette player, a digital audio tape device, a videotape player, a multi-track audio tape recorder, a microphone and a data entry device for creating and storing an audio description file in a first database; generating information in said first database in response to receipt of said broadcast identifier to store said program schedule and said audio description file; causing said programmed data processor to communicate information from said audio description file to said listeners. - View Dependent Claims (74, 75, 76)
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Specification