Apparatus, systems and methods for compensating broadcast sources

• US 20060089914A1
• Filed: 08/30/2005
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Colm Dunphy, Connor Ryan, John Shiel
• Original Assignee: Colm Dunphy, Connor Ryan, John Shiel
• Inventors: Dunphy, Colm, Ryan, Connor, Shiel, John
• Application Number:
  US11/215,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20060089914A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/52
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method of compensating a broadcast source. The method includes the steps of delivering a plurality of content elements originating from a broadcast source to a receiver; generating a playout list of the plurality of content elements, identifying the broadcast source, identifying one content element of the plurality of content elements; and compensating the broadcast source if the user of the receiver purchases an item associated with the one content element.

Claims

1. A method of compensating a broadcast source, the method comprising:

delivering a plurality of content elements originating from a broadcast source to a receiver;

generating a playout list of the plurality of content elements;

identifying the broadcast source;

identifying one content element of the plurality of content elements; and

compensating the broadcast source if the receiver purchases an item associated with the one content element.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the playout list is generated by tracking changes in the plurality of content elements over time to identify different content elements.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

directing the user to a webpage and granting access to the webpage using a character string associated with the receiver.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving a message sent to the receiver containing information relating to the one content element.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the unique identifier is a phone number associated with the broadcast source and the receiver is a portable communication device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the item is a downloadable version of the one content element.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the item is grouped on a webpage with additional purchasable items associated with the one content element.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the item and the one content element are selected from the group consisting of a song, a ringtone, a game, software, a graphic, a concert ticket, an article of clothing, movie tickets, a consumer product, food, a coupon, a rebate, and combinations thereof.

9. A system for exchanging data between a user and a content source, the system comprising:

a transmission device adapted to update and transmit a playout list, the playout list comprising a chronological arrangement of content broadcast by the content source; and

a server adapted to interface with the transmission device and a user'"'"'s communication device such that the user is directed to the server using a unique content source identifier adapted for use with the communication device and wherein the playout list is accessed to identify content selected by the user.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the server comprises

content available for purchase by the user, and

a user specific webpage accessible using a unique user identifier.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the content source is a radio station and the communication device is a cellular telephone.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the unique user identifier is the user'"'"'s cellular telephone number.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein the unique identifier is a phone number associated with the content source.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein the communication device is selected from the group consisting of a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a media player, and a Personal Computer (PC).

15. The system of claim 9 wherein the server is adapted to enable purchase of content selected by the user in response to a broadcast from the content source and to remit compensation to the content source.

16. The system of claim 9 wherein the server is adapted to transmit a message to the communication device containing information relating to a portion of the content broadcast by the content source.

17. A method adapted for use on a mobile device, which identifies specific content and a broadcast source, the method comprising the steps of:

executing a program using the mobile device in response to at least one keystroke;

communicating with a database adapted for identifying the specific content using a playout list provided by the broadcast source;

communicating with a server adapted for hosting individual user account details;

receiving information about a purchasable item associated with the specific content from the server; and

remitting compensation to the broadcast source in response to purchase of the item.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the item is selected from the group consisting of a song, a ringtone, a game, software, a graphic, a concert ticket, an article of clothing, movie tickets, a consumer product, food, a coupon, a rebate, and combinations thereof.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the mobile device is selected from the group consisting of a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a media player, and a Personal Computer.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the broadcast source is a radio station, a television station or an advertiser.

21. A method of targeted advertising, the method comprising steps of:

broadcasting a chronologically arranged sequence of content to a potential consumer, the sequence broadcast from a unique content source;

selecting an element from the sequence by the consumer using a communication device;

identifying the selected element using chronologically arranged data corresponding to the chronological arranged sequence of content provided by the unique content source;

providing to the consumer a plurality of purchasing options relating to the selected element; and

compensating the unique content source if the consumer purchases an item in response to the purchasing options provided

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of compensating the unique content source if the consumer requests more information about the element.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the element is selected from the group consisting of a song, a ringtone, a game, software, a graphic, a concert ticket, an article of clothing, movie tickets, a consumer product, food, a coupon, a rebate, and combinations thereof.