Method for automatically changing broadcast programs based on audience response

• US 5,694,162 A
• Filed: 07/31/1995
• Issued: 12/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Advanced Service Development Corporation
• Original Assignee: Automated Business Companies
• Inventors: Freeny, Jr., Charles C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey, David E.
• Application Number:
  US08/509,215
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 348/12, 348/13, 348/7, 348/6, 348/8, 455/3.1, 455/3.2, 455/4.1, 455/4.2, 455/5.1, 455/6.3, 395/200.09, 395/200.08
• US Class Current: 725/116
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals

Abstract

A method for automatically changing programs broadcasted by a broadcast unit based on audience response. Responses from individuals comprising the audience are received and the program is automatically altered or changed based on such audience response. The altered or changed program then is broadcasted.

Claims

1. A method for automatically changing programs based on audience response, wherein the programs are broadcasted by a broadcast network transmitter system located at a broadcast network, comprising the steps of:

(a) storing a plurality of predetermined programs at the broadcast network with each of the predetermined programs being related to a same program subject matter and each of the predetermined programs being different from the other predetermined programs in a preselected manner;

(b) selecting one of the predetermined programs to be a selected program;

(c) broadcasting via the broadcast network transmitter system the selected program for reception by a plurality of audience receiver units, the selected program to be perceived by at least one individual at each audience receiver unit, the individual at each audience receiver unit comprising an audience;

(d) receiving automatically at the broadcast network a response from each of at least two of the audiences perceiving the selected program with the audiences being designated as the responding audiences;

(e) selecting automatically a predetermined program for each responding audience based on the response received from the responding audience, the selected predetermined programs being designated as a plurality of response derived programs;

(f) broadcasting independently each of the plurality of response derived programs via the broadcast network transmitter system such that each responding audience perceives a respective one of the response derived programs based on the response of the responding audience; and

(g) repeating steps (d), (e) and (f).

2. A method for automatically changing programs based on audience response, wherein the programs are broadcasted by a broadcast network transmitter system located at a broadcast network, comprising the steps of:

(a) storing a plurality of predetermined programs at the broadcast network with each of the predetermined programs being related to a same program subject matter and each of the predetermined programs being different from the other predetermined programs in a preselected manner;

(b) selecting one of the predetermined programs to be a selected program;

(c) broadcasting via the broadcast network transmitter system the selected program for reception by a plurality of audience receiver units, the selected program to be perceived by at least one individual at each audience receiver unit, the individual at each audience receiver unit comprising an audience;

(d) receiving automatically at the broadcast network a response from each of at least two of the audiences perceiving the selected program with the audiences being designated as the responding audiences;

(e) selecting automatically a predetermined program for each responding audience based on the response received from the responding audience, the selected predetermined programs being designated as a plurality of response derived programs;

(f) broadcasting independently each of the plurality of response derived programs via the broadcast network transmitter system such that each responding audience perceives a respective one of the response derived programs based on the response of the responding audience.

3. A method for automatically changing programs based on audience response, wherein the programs are broadcasted by a broadcast network transmitter system located at a broadcast network, comprising the steps of:

(a) storing a plurality of predetermined programs at the broadcast network with each of the predetermined programs being related to a same program subject matter and each of the predetermined programs being different from the other predetermined programs in a preselected manner;

(b) selecting one of the predetermined programs to be a selected program;

(c) broadcasting via the broadcast network transmitter system the selected program for reception by a plurality of audience receiver units, the selected program to be perceived by at least one individual at each audience receiver unit, the individual at each receiver unit comprising an audience;

(d) receiving automatically at the broadcast network a response from each of at least two audiences perceiving the selected program with the audiences being designated as the responding audiences;

(e) selecting automatically a different predetermined program based on at least one response from each of the responding audiences, the different predetermined program being designated as a response derived program;

(f) broadcasting the response derived program via the broadcast network transmitter system to some of the audience receiver units such that at least two of the audiences perceive distinct programs; and

(g) repeating steps (d), (e) and (f).

4. A method for automatically changing programs based on audience response, wherein the programs are broadcasted by a broadcast network transmitter system located at a broadcast network, comprising the steps of:

(a) storing a plurality of predetermined programs at the broadcast network with each of the predetermined programs being related to a same program subject matter and each of the predetermined programs being different from the other predetermined programs in a preselected manner;

(b) selecting one of the predetermined programs to be a selected program;

(c) broadcasting via the broadcast network transmitter system the selected program for reception by a plurality of audience receiver units, the selected program to be perceived by at least one individual at each audience receiver unit, the individual at each receiver unit comprising an audience;

(d) receiving automatically at the broadcast network a response from each of at least two audiences perceiving the selected program with the audiences being designated as the responding audiences;

(e) selecting automatically different predetermined programs based on at least one response from each of the responding audiences, the different predetermined programs being designated as response derived programs;

(f) broadcasting independently the response derived programs via the broadcast network transmitter system to some of the audience receiver units such that at least two of the audiences perceive distinct programs.