Method for internet radio broadcasting including listener requests of audio and/or video files with input dedications

• US 6,581,103 B1
• Filed: 10/22/1999
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dedicated Radio, LLC
• Original Assignee: Dedicated Radio, LLC
• Inventors: Dengler, Christopher Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): EL HADY, NABIL M
• Application Number:
  US09/422,159
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/219, 709/231, 709/232, 707/1
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing

Abstract

A method of Internet radio broadcasting, which provides for including listener dedications to accompany the broadcast of a requested final selection audio and/or video file.

Claims

1. In an Internet radio broadcasting programmed to play certain audio and/or video files in requested sequence, a method for broadcasting including listener requests and dedications comprising the steps of:

a. Logging onto an Internet radio station by a computer by a listener;

b. Displaying on a computer screen of the computer a search screen which allows the listener to input an initial request for an audio and/or video file;

c. Selecting on the search screen by the listener an initial requested audio and/or video file;

d. Displaying on the computer screen of the computer a search results screen which displays one or more audio and/or video files which correspond to the audio and/or video file information requested by the listener;

e. Choosing a finally selected audio and/or video file by the listener and submitting that final selection into the search results screen;

f. Also displaying on the search results screen a dedication section allowing the listener to input optional dedications to be broadcasted with the final selected audio and/or video file;

g. Inputting into the dedication section by the listener a dedication;

h. Displaying on the computer screen an accepted screen which informs the listener when the final selection audio and/or video file is to be broadcasted with the accompanying dedications; and

i. Broadcasting via media streaming the audio and/or video file and possible dedication over the Internet;

wherein the dedication is transmitted from the computer screen of the listener to a text-to-voice speech engine, or is uploaded from a voice file of the listener, and coordinated with the media streaming to be played just prior to the corresponding selection; and

wherein the final selection of the audio and/or video file including possible dedication is played immediately following a currently playing audio and/or video file in a requested sequence, or in accordance with first in, first out basis if more than one final selection is requested.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the audio and/or video file comprises a song.