Digital radio feedback apparatuses, systems, and methods

• US 7,274,905 B1
• Filed: 09/16/2003
• Issued: 09/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Hong, Roberts, Linda
• Primary Examiner(s): Gesesse; Tilahun
• Application Number:
  US10/663,537
• Time in Patent Office: 1,470 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.01, 455/3.05, 455/3.06, 455/427, 455/12.1, 455/13.1, 455/3.02, 455/66.1
• US Class Current: 455/3.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/30 characterised by the use of a return channel, e.g. for collecting users' opinions, for returning broadcast space/time information or for requesting data
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/37 via a different channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/90 specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/64 for providing detail information

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method for establishing a two-way communication feedback path between a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver includes an input portion, a processor, a user interface, a control module, and a network interface. The input portion is configured to receive a signal transmitted by a transmitter and to convert the signal to an audio signal. The user interface is configured to receive an input command and to convey the input command to the processor. The processor executes a control module for processing the input command and generating a query in accordance with the input command. The network interface is configured for facilitating communication between the receiver and the transmitter via the network and the query is transmitted from the receiver to the transmitter via the network. The system includes a digital radio broadcast transmitter, a receiver in communication with the digital radio broadcast transmitter, and a network in communication with the digital radio broadcast transmitter and the receiver. The receiver is configured to establish a two-way communication path with the digital radio broadcast transmitter via the network. The method includes steps for requesting information, formulating a query, transmitting the query, and receiving a response to the query.

Claims

1. A receiver, comprising

an input portion configured to receive a first signal transmitted by a first transmitter;

a processor in communication with the input portion for converting the first signal to an audio signal, the processor further comprising a control module for processing an input command;

a user interface in communication with the processor, wherein the user interface is configured to receive the input command and to convey the input command to the processor;

a control module executed by the processor for processing the input command and generating a query in accordance with the input command; and

a network interface in communication with the processor configured for facilitating communication from the receiver and to the first transmitter via a network and communication from the first transmitter and to the receiver via the network, wherein the query is communicated from the receiver to the first transmitter via the network and wherein the receiver is configured to receive a response message from the first transmitter, the response message generated in response to the query wherein the processor generates a packet according to the input command and transmits the packet to the first transmitter via the network, and wherein the packet comprises an identification address of the receiver.

2. The receiver of claim 1, wherein the first transmitter is a digital radio broadcast station.

3. The receiver of claim 1, wherein the input portion is configured to receive a second signal from a second transmitter.

4. The receiver of claim 3, wherein the second transmitter is a satellite.

5. The receiver of claim 1, wherein the input portion is configured to receive a third signal from a third transmitter.

6. The receiver of claim 5, wherein the third transmitter is a repeater.

7. The receiver of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured for establishing a two-way communication path between the receiver and the first transmitter.

8. A system, comprising:

a digital radio broadcast transmitter;

a server and a database in communication with the digital radio broadcast transmitter, wherein the database includes information related to a digital radio broadcast; and

a receiver in communication with the digital radio broadcast transmitter and configured to receive an input command comprising a request for information from the database;

wherein the receiver is configured to establish a two-way communication path with the digital radio broadcast transmitter via a network and wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a response message from the digital radio broadcast transmitter, the response message generated responsive to the request for information wherein the processor generates a packet according to the input command and transmits the packet to the first transmitter via the network, and wherein the packet comprises an identification address of the receiver.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the receiver further comprises:

an input portion configured to receive a first signal transmitted by the digital radio broadcast transmitter;

a processor in communication with the input portion for converting the first signal to an audio signal, the processor further comprising a control module for processing the input command;

a user interface in communication with the processor, wherein the user interface is configured to receive the input command and to convey the input command to the processor;

a control module executed by the processor for processing the input command and generating the request for information in accordance with the input command; and

a network interface in communication with the processor configured for facilitating communication between the receiver and the digital radio broadcast transmitter via the network, wherein the request for information is communicated from the receiver to the digital radio broadcast transmitter via the network.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the input portion of the receiver is configured to receive a second signal from a second transmitter, and wherein the second transmitter is a satellite.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the input portion of the receiver is configured to receive a third signal from a third transmitter, and wherein the third transmitter is a repeater.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured for establishing a two-way communication path between the receiver and the digital radio broadcast transmitter.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor generates a packet according to the input command and transmits the packet to the first transmitter via the network.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the network comprises a packet switched network.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the network comprises the Internet.

16. A method of establishing a feedback loop in a digital audio service system, the method comprising:

requesting information from a digital radio broadcast station via a user interface portion of a satellite digital audio service receiver;

formulating a query for the information based on an input signal from the user interface;

transmitting the query from the receiver to the digital radio broadcast station is via a network; and

in response to the query, receiving a response to the query from the digital radio broadcast station at the receiver wherein the processor generates a packet according to the input command and transmits the packet to the first transmitter via the network, and wherein the packet comprises an identification address of the receiver.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising executing a database look up at the digital radio broadcast station based on the contents of the query and retrieving the requested information form the database.