System to syncronize and access broadcast information
First Claim
1. A information system for presenting program description information in conjunction with a radio or television broadcast:
- first receiving means for receiving at least one program list, said program list associated with a broadcast identifier and program description information;
a user sending and receiving means, said sending and receiving means sending at least an initial user response, said initial user response including or comprising broadcast identifier information;
synchronizing means for synchronizing said program list information with said radio or television broadcast; and
second sending means for sending said program description information to said user receiving means.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The system enables listeners and viewers of a broadcast to access additional information associated with a broadcast. Listeners and viewers utilize a user device to connect to a database containing program descriptions (e.g. audio, text, video or combination thereof) further describing the programming and ancillary information. The database is indexed by the broadcast'"'"'s program list or schedule thereby allowing a user of the system to search and select a particular program description of interest. Hearing or viewing program descriptions enables users to preview excerpts and review a broadcast before purchasing an item heard or viewed on a broadcast.
46 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A information system for presenting program description information in conjunction with a radio or television broadcast:
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first receiving means for receiving at least one program list, said program list associated with a broadcast identifier and program description information;
a user sending and receiving means, said sending and receiving means sending at least an initial user response, said initial user response including or comprising broadcast identifier information;
synchronizing means for synchronizing said program list information with said radio or television broadcast; and
second sending means for sending said program description information to said user receiving means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A information system for use in connection with a broadcast signal for providing access to program description information which is related to the content of the broadcast signal, said system comprising:
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at least one broadcast signal from a broadcast signal source, said broadcast signal including a selection signal. a program description source;
a plurality of terminals, each said terminal including;
a receiver for receiving information from said program description source;
means for generating a request for information to be received from said program description source, said request including broadcast identifier information for a broadcast signal being broadcast; and
transmitting device for transmitting said request for information; and
a network for receiving information from said program description source, and distributing said information to a receiver of one of said terminals transmitting a request for information, said network including;
a receiver for receiving requests for information from said terminals; and
means responsive to receipt of said request for information from said first terminal, and employing said broadcast signal broadcast identifier information for accessing information in said program description source, the content of which is related to the information content of said broadcast signal; and
transmission device for transmitting said related information to said first terminal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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23. The information system of 19, wherein program descriptions are stored on a plurality of remote program description sources.
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35. A computer-implemented information system to present program description information for broadcast programming, where program description information is disseminated according to a program list, comprising:
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a processing system for execution by a computer;
a user interface coupled to said processing system, said user interface providing means for placing user inquiries regarding the program material;
a database coupled to said processing system;
input means coupled to said processing system, for inputting information reflecting program descriptions of said program materials;
signal insertion device, wherein said signal insertion device inserts a selection signal into a broadcast signal or said program material; and
a program description transmission means coupled to said processing system and to said user interface;
said processing system having;
means for synchronizing said program description information with a broadcast;
means for responding to a user inquiry, placed through said user interface; and
means for further responding to said user inquiry by causing said program description output means to transmit program descriptions responsive to said user request. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method for providing listeners or viewers of a radio or television broadcast with automated information about program material, comprising the steps of:
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broadcasting at least one radio or television broadcast;
receiving user inquiries from a plurality of listeners or viewers of said radio or television broadcast;
creating a program description file;
communicating program list information into a programmed data processor;
synchronizing said program list with said radio or television broadcast; and
using said programmed data processor to communicate said program list information responsive to said user inquiry. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification