Digital radio feedback systems

• US 7,274,906 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:
  US10/663,536
• Time in Patent Office: 1,470 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.01, 455/3.05, 455/3.06, 455/427, 455/553.1, 455/66.1, 455/344, 455/12.1, 342/457
• US Class Current: 455/3.05
• 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

A system including a digital radio broadcast station, a receiver, and a network. The digital radio broadcast station includes a transmitter and a server. The receiver is in communication with the digital radio broadcast transmitter and also includes a user interface for receiving user input commands comprising a request for information from the digital radio broadcast station. The receiver is configured to establish a two-way communication path between the receiver and the digital radio broadcast transmitter. The network is in communication with the server and the receiver for exchanging information therebetween. The request for information is provided to the server via the network and the server is configured to receive the request and transmit a response message to the receiver in accordance with the request.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a receiver in communication with a digital radio broadcast transmitter and a digital radio broadcast server, the digital radio broadcast transmitter and the digital radio broadcast server residing within a digital radio broadcast station that transmits audio content, the receiver comprising a user interface for receiving user input commands comprising a request for information from the digital radio broadcast station, wherein the receiver is configured to establish a two-way communication path between the receiver and the digital radio broadcast transmitter residing within the digital radio broadcast station, thereby establishing a feedback loop between the receiver and the radio broadcast station that transmits the audio content,

wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a response message from the digital radio broadcast station that transmits the audio content, the response message generated in response to the request for information,

wherein the request for information is provided from the receiver to the digital radio broadcast server residing within the digital radio broadcast station via a network and the digital radio broadcast server residing within the digital radio broadcast station is configured to receive the request and transmit the response message to the receiver in accordance with the request wherein the receiver generates a packet according to a user input command and transmits the packet to the digital radio broadcast transmitter via the network, and wherein the packet comprises an identification address of the receiver.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a computer in communication with the receiver, the computer configured to receive and display the response message.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a telephone in communication with the receiver, the telephone configured to receive and display the response message.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the response message is provided to an e-mail address.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a database in communication with the server containing information related to a digital radio program.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the request for information comprises a request for specific information relating music currently being broadcasted by the digital radio broadcast station.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the specific information further comprises information identifying a radio channel of interest.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the response message comprises specific information relating to music currently being broadcasted by the digital radio broadcast station.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the request for information comprises a request for specific information relating to music previously broadcasted by the digital radio broadcast station.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the specific information further comprises information identifying a radio channel of interest.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the response message comprises specific information relating to music previously broadcasted by the digital radio broadcast station.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a device in communication with the receiver for receiving the response message.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the device is any one of a printer, an e-mail register, a pager, a personal digital assistant, and a storage device.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the device further comprises a program directory containing information relating to previously played programs.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the device is any one of a receiver, computer, and telephone.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising an online purchase device for processing a purchase transaction between a user of digital radio broadcast services and the digital radio broadcast station and a third party vendor, wherein the user may purchase program materials currently being broadcasted over the digital radio broadcast station.

17. The system of claim 1, her comprising a recorder in communication with the receiver for recording audio programs broadcast by the digital radio broadcast station.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising a program guide related to specific audio channels at specific times.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the program guide is deliverable to a device in communication with the receiver.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the device is any one of an e-mail register, a pager, a personal digital assistant, a telephone, and a computer.