Providing broadcast content

• US 7,970,379 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2009
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Affinity Labs of Texas, LLC
• Inventors: White, Russell W., Imes, Kevin R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gary; Erika A
• Application Number:
  US12/495,115
• Publication Number:
  US 20090318122A1
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/410
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/02 with automatic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/27 Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 : for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 : for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/64 : file transfer between terminals download of applications H04M1/72406; transfer of messages, e.g. SMS, e-mail or MMS H04M1/7243
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/14 : using intermediate storage
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 : Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A method for providing broadcast content is disclosed. The method maintains a system to deliver regionally broadcasted content to an electronic device located outside a region of the regionally broadcasted content, provides an application for the electronic device that allows the electronic device to request a streaming media signal representing the regionally broadcasted content even if the electronic device is located outside of the region, and communicates the streaming media signal to the electronic device responsive to a user request.

Claims

1. A broadcast system, comprising:

a network based resource maintaining information associated with a network available representation of a regional broadcasting channel that can be selected by a user of a wireless cellular telephone device; and

a non-transitory storage medium including an application configured for execution by the wireless cellular telephone device that when executed, enables the wireless cellular telephone device;

to present a graphical user interface comprising at least a partial listing of available media sources on a display associated with the wireless cellular telephone device, wherein the listing includes a selectable item that enables user selection of the regional broadcasting channel;

to transmit a request for the regional broadcasting channel from the wireless cellular telephone device; and

to receive a streaming media signal in the wireless cellular telephone device corresponding to the regional broadcasting channel, wherein the wireless cellular telephone device is outside of a broadcast region of the regional broadcasting channel, wherein the wireless cellular telephone device is configured to receive the application via an over the air download.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage medium further comprises instructions to further receive information about a song included in the streaming media signal, and wherein the display is operable to present a graphical representation of at least a portion of the information.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the regional broadcasting channel is an FM radio signal, and wherein the FM radio signal is received in the wireless cellular telephone device via the Internet.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage medium further comprises instructions to enable the display to display a list of top songs.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage medium further comprises instructions to enable display of on-demand audio information selectable by a user.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage medium further comprises instructions to provide a search engine to search for a selected media information based on at least one of artist, song, and genre.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage medium further comprises instructions to receive a log in from a user of the wireless cellular telephone device and to display a preferred user environment associated with the user.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the preferred user environment comprises a current playlist selected by the user.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the preferred user environment comprises a radio dial that is a separate user interface outside of a browsing environment.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage medium further comprises instructions to present the partial listing of available media sources within a graphical user interface displayed without use of a web browser.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage medium further comprises instructions to buffer at least a portion of the streaming media signal.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the streaming media signal represents video content, further wherein the wireless cellular telephone device is configured to output the video content.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the network based resource comprises an electronic device having a network address.

14. A method for providing broadcast content, comprising:

maintaining a system configured to deliver regionally broadcasted content to an electronic device located outside a region receiving the regionally broadcasted content, wherein the electronic device comprises a wireless cellular telephone, a display to display a menu of soft buttons selectable to enable selection of content by the electronic device, and a housing component at least partially defining a cavity in which a memory system is secured;

providing, via an over the air download, an application to the electronic device for storage and execution in the electronic device that when executed in the electronic device allows the electronic device to request a streaming media signal representing the regionally broadcasted content even if the electronic device is located outside of the region; and

communicating the streaming media signal to the electronic device responsive to a request of a user of the electronic device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the streaming media signal comprises an audio signal and information about a song included in the streaming media signal, further wherein the display is operable to present a graphical representation of the information.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the information includes at least one of a song title, a song artist, a song decade, and a song genre.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting the regionally broadcasted content to a limited geographic area.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the regionally broadcasted content comprises video content.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting a software update to the electronic device that modifies the application.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting advertisements to the electronic device.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting advertisements to the electronic device, wherein the advertisements are targeted to a specific demographic.