Identifying events

• US 7,761,400 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2006
• Issued: 07/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Reimer
• Original Assignee: John Reimer
• Inventors: Reimer, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Sparks; Donald
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fernandez Rivas; Omar F
• Application Number:
  US11/490,905
• Publication Number:
  US 20070060112A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,460 Days
• Field of Search: 706/11, 706 45- 48, 706/50, 706/62, 455/3.01, 455/3.02, 455/3.03, 455/3.04, 455/3.05, 455/3.06, 705/26, 707/3, 707/6, 707/104.1, 707/912, 707/913, 707/918, 707/999.001, 707/999.003
• US Class Current: 706/62
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/433 using audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4387 by the use of playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/487 using geographical or spatial information, e.g. location
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/489 using time information
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9537 Spatial or temporal dependent retrieval, e.g. spatiotemporal queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 20/00 Machine learning
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/08 Learning methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/185 by embedding added-value information into content, e.g. geo-tagging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/912 Applications of a database
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/913 Multimedia
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/918 Location
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

Events may be identified by storing information in response to activating an event stamp function. As a result of activating the event function, the information collected may immediately be compared to event information in a database. Alternatively, the information collected may later be compared to event information in a database. One or more candidates for the event of interest may be automatically or manually retrieved, and the user may decide whether a candidate event of the one or more candidates correspond to the event of interest. Alternatively, a purchase of an item related to the event may be automatically made in response to activating the event stamp.

Claims

1. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving event identifying information at a machine including a processor system having one or more processors; and

in response to receiving the event identifying information,

the processor system returning event information about an event corresponding to the event identifying information, and

the machine returning event information about one or more other events having at least some event identifying information that does not match at least some of the event identifying information that was received;

the machine including at least;

a network appliance for returning search results;

an event stamp function on the network appliance, which initializes a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search results are based, wherein the network appliance automatically launches a search in response to the event stamp function being initialized;

the system is capable of identifying at least two different types of events, and the network appliance includes at least;

the event stamp function causes event stamp information to be collected, the event stamp information includes at least a time associated with an event, and global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with the event,

a memory for storing the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function;

one or more machine instructions for causing the processor to initialize a search in response to activating the event stamp function;

a receiver for receiving global positioning system coordinates; and

a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance for transferring the event stamp information.

2. The machine-implemented method of claim 1, wherein

the event identifying information includes at least a first time associated with the event;

the event information about the event corresponding to the event identifying information includes information about a first event associated with the first time; and

the one or more other events include at least a second event that is juxtaposed, on an event list being searched, to the first event.

3. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving event identifying information at a machine including a processor system having one or more processors;

in response to receiving the event identifying information,

the processor system returning event information about an event corresponding to the event identifying information, and

the machine returning event information about one or more other events having at least some of the event identifying information, wherein the event identifying information includes at least a first time associated with the event;

the event information about the event corresponding to the event identifying information includes information about a first event associated with the first time; and

the one or more other events include at least a second event that is juxtaposed in time to the first event, and an entity running the first event is the entity running the second event;

the machine including at least

a network appliance for returning search results;

an event stamp function on the network appliance, which initializes a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search results are based, wherein the network appliance automatically launches a search in response to the event stamp function being initialized;

the system is capable of identifying at least two different types of events, the network appliance is capable of receiving data wirelessly, and the network appliance includes at least;

the event stamp function causes event stamp information to be collected, the event stamp information includes at least a time associated with an event, and global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with the event,

a memory for storing the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function;

one or more machine instructions for causing the processor to initialize a search in response to activating the event stamp function;

a receiver for receiving global positioning system coordinates; and

a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance for transferring the event stamp information.

4. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving event identifying information at a machine including a processor system having one or more processors;

in response to receiving the event identifying information, the processor system returning event information about an event corresponding to the event identifying information, and

the machine returning event information about one or more other events having at least some of the event identifying information that was received, wherein the event identifying information includes at least a first time associated with the event;

the event information about the event corresponding to the event identifying information includes information about a first event associated with the first time; and

the one or more other events include at least a second event that is of a second time that is earlier than the first time, and a third event that is of a third time that is later than the first time, the second event and the third event being run by the entity that runs the first event;

the machine including at least

a network appliance for returning search results;

an event stamp function on the network appliance, which initializes a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search results are based, wherein the network appliance automatically launches a search in response to the event stamp function being initialized;

the system is capable of identifying at least two different types of events, the network appliance is capable of receiving data wirelessly, and the network appliance includes at least;

the event stamp function causes event stamp information to be collected, the event stamp information includes at least a time associated with an event, and global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with the event,

a memory for storing the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function;

one or more machine instructions for causing the processor to initialize a search in response to activating the event stamp function;

a receiver for receiving global positioning system coordinates; and

a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance for transferring the event stamp information.

5. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving event identifying information at a machine including at least a processor system having one or more processors;

the processor system returning event information in response to the receiving; and

the processor system crediting a sponsor of the event with a monetary compensation based at least in part on the event identifying information;

the machine including at least

a network appliance for returning search results;

an event stamp function on the network appliance, which initializes a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search results are based, wherein the network appliance automatically launches a search in response to the event stamp function being initialized;

the system is capable of identifying at least two different types of events, the network appliance is capable of receiving data wirelessly, and the network appliance includes at least;

the event stamp function causes event stamp information to be collected, the event stamp information includes at least a time associated with an event, and global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with the event,

a memory for storing the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function;

one or more machine instructions for causing the processor to initialize a search in response to activating the event stamp function;

a receiver for receiving global positioning system coordinates; and

a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance for transferring the event stamp information.

6. The machine-implemented method of claim 5, wherein

the event identifying information includes at least a radio station identifier;

the event information is associated with a sound segment; and

the sponsor is the radio station that played the sound segment and that is associated with the radio station identifier.

7. A system comprising:

a network appliance for returning search results;

an event stamp function on the network appliance, which initializes a collection of multiple identifying pieces of information, upon which the search results are based,

wherein the network appliance automatically launches a search in response to the event stamp function being initialized;

the system is capable of identifying at least two different types of events, and

wherein the multiple pieces of identifying information includes at least information associated with an advertisement being displayed;

the network appliance running one or more machine instruction causing a method to be implemented, the method including at least receiving a link for purchasing a product associated with the advertisement;

and the network appliance includes at least;

the event stamp function causes event stamp information to be collected, the event stamp information includes at least a time associated with an event, and global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with the event,

a memory for storing the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function;

one or more machine instructions for causing the processor to initialize a search in response to activating the event stamp function;

a receiver for receiving global positioning system coordinates; and

a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance for transferring the event stamp information.

8. The system of claim 7, the advertisement being displayed does not originate from a broadcast.

9. The system of claim 7, the advertisement being a bill board.

10. The system of claim 7, the advertisement being attached to a stationary object.

11. The system of claim 7, the advertisement being attached to a moving vehicle.

12. A system comprising:

a network appliance for returning search results;

a button on the network appliance, which when pressed activates an event stamp function that initializes a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of event stamp information, upon which the search results are based, the network appliance automatically launches a search in response to the event stamp function being initialized;

the system is capable of identifying at least two different types of events, the event stamp information includes at least a time associated with an event, and global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with the event, the system further comprising one or more buttons communicatively coupled to the network appliance that affect a mode of operation associated with an event stamp;

and the network appliance includes at least;

a memory for storing the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function;

one or more machine instructions for causing the processor to initialize a search in response to activating the event stamp function;

a receiver for receiving global positioning system coordinates; and

a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance for transferring the event stamp information.

13. The system of claim 12, the event stamp is a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of information;

the button which when pressed initializes the collection is an event stamp button;

the affect on the mode of operation includes at least to change from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation associated with the event stamp button;

the first mode of operation collects information about a first type of event and the second mode of operation collects information about a second type of event.

14. The system of claim 13, at least one of the first type of event and the second type of event is not a broadcast.

15. A system comprising:

a network appliance for returning search results;

an event stamp function on the network appliance, which initializes a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search results are based, wherein the network appliance automatically launches a search in response to the event stamp function being initialized;

the system is capable of identifying at least two different types of events, and the network appliance includes at least;

the event stamp function causes event stamp information to be collected, the event stamp information includes at least a time associated with an event, and global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with the event,

a memory for storing the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function;

one or more machine instructions for causing a processor to initialize a search in response to activating the event stamp function;

a receiver for receiving global positioning system coordinates; and

a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance for transferring the event stamp information.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the time associated with the event being a time at which an event occurred.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the multiple event identifying pieces of information include at least a date associated with the event.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein contents included in the multiple event identifying pieces of information are determined at least in part by a standard agreed upon by multiple independent organizations.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the system further includes a database that stores information naming and identifying events.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the multiple pieces of event identifying information includes at least information associated with a song being broadcasted.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the multiple pieces of event identifying information includes at least information associated with a vehicle of transportation passing a certain location, and the event is the vehicle of transportation passing the certain location.

22. The system of claim 15, further comprising a tuner included within the network appliance communicatively coupled to a button that activates the event stamp function, wherein information about a broadcast source is determined based on the tuner.

23. The system of claim 15, wherein the network appliance is a keychain including at least the event stamp function, which is associated with a button, that is capable of recording event identifying information that includes at least

a date, and

a radio station identifier;

the keychain further including at least circuitry capable of locating a radio station, based on sounds being emitted from a listening device, in response to activating the event stamp function.

24. The system of claim 15, wherein the network appliance further includes at least

a tuner for tuning to a broadcast source of interest,

an output, including at least a speaker and a display, for outputting the broadcast for observation by a user,

a button, which when pressed activates the event stamp function;

the button on the network appliance includes at least a cylindrical component that rotates, wherein rotating the cylindrical component cause a scrolling through information displayed via the display,

the network appliance is one of one or more network appliances, and

the system further comprises;

one or more broadcast sources for producing a broadcast;

a network;

a website host communicatively coupled with the network, wherein the website host is configured for displaying a website via which a user may identify an event of interest and purchase a product associated with the event;

a database storing event information, the database communicatively coupled with the website host via which the website host and the database communicate regarding event information therein facilitating displaying the event information on the website; and

a vendor website host communicatively coupled to the network via which the product is purchased based on interactions between the user and the website.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein at least one of the one or more network appliances is a mobile phone.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the database and the website host communicate via the network.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein the database includes at least one or more machine readable media that store at least

one or more playlists of radio stations,

one or more locations of the radio stations,

one or more identifiers of the radio stations, and

one or more broadcast frequencies of radio stations,

wherein the one or more playlists, one or more locations, one or more identifiers, and one or more broadcast frequencies are correlated with one another.

28. The system of claim 18, wherein the standard includes a minimal set of identifying pieces of information, an order in which the identifying pieces of information are stored in an event stamp, and a location within a file or group of messages where the event stamp is stored.

29. The system of claim 24, at least one of the types of event is not a broadcast.

30. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

a button on the network appliance, which when pressed initializes the event stamp function;

the collection of multiple identifying pieces of information also includes information identifying a store, upon which the search results are based and for which the search is conducted.

31. The system of claim 15, the system implementing a method comprising the network appliance receiving a promotional offer from a store.

32. The system of claim 31, the store being a restaurant.