BROADCAST PROGRAMMING DATA CAPTURE

• US 20080114664A1
• Filed: 11/05/2007
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph Harb
• Original Assignee: Joseph Harb
• Inventors: Harb, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,296,195 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0617 Representative agent

Abstract

A portable device is used to capture, in real time, data sufficient to identify a product or service promoted, or a music track played, on a broadcast medium such as radio or television. The capture device can be a standalone implementation, or an application program executable on a personal communication device such as a cell phone or Blackberry. The capture device communicates the captured data to a remote server via a selected wired or wireless channel, or the internet, and the server provides services to support the user in responding to the radio or television broadcast item that corresponds to the captured data.

Claims

1. A portable apparatus for use in enabling subsequent electronic purchase of a product by capturing identifying data during or shortly after an electronic broadcast transmission associated with a corresponding product is received, the apparatus comprising:

an activation input to receive an activation request from a user;

a frequency detection circuit for detecting a current frequency setting of a nearby receiver in response to receiving the activation request;

a digital memory for storing at least—

an activation time when the activation request was received,

the detected frequency setting of the nearby receiver,

and means for communicating the captured data to a remote server to enable quick and easy selection and purchase of the product by or on behalf of the user.

2. A portable apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the electronic broadcast transmission is a broadcast radio transmission and the frequency setting comprises a radio station identifier.

3. A portable apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the electronic broadcast transmission is a broadcast television transmission and the frequency setting comprises a television station identifier.