Apparatus and method to generate and access broadcast information

• US 6,314,577 B1
• Filed: 08/21/1997
• Issued: 11/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Global Interactive Media, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Michael H. Pocock
• Inventors: Pocock, Michael H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Faile, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, RUEBEN M
• Application Number:
  US08/916,099
• Time in Patent Office: 1,538 Days
• Field of Search: 348/7, 348/12, 348/13, 379/101.01, 455/2, 455/186.1, 455/186.2, 455/6.3, 360/15, 360/60, 725/37-39, 725/115, 725/145
• US Class Current: 725/93
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/27 Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/40 for identifying broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/44 for identifying broadcast stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/63 for services of sales data processing systems or methods specially adapted for electronic commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/72 using electronic programme guides [EPG] focusing on identifying broadcast space time H04H60/39 ; menu type display of EPG in television receivers H04N21/47
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/83 accessed over telephonic networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/91 Mobile communication networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/85
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/94 Telephonic networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/84
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/08 specially adapted for optional reception of entertainment or informative matter
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2542 for selling goods, e.g. TV shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4668 for recommending content, e.g. movies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6187 involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/63 Control signaling related to video distribution between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients or between remote clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing real-time session protocols H04L65/1101; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02

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.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented information system to provide users with information concerning program materials disseminated according to a program list, comprising:

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;

first input means coupled to said processing system, for inputting information reflecting program descriptions of said program materials;

second input means coupled to said processing system, for inputting program list information regarding a plurality of program material items;

a program description output means coupled to said processing system and to said user interface; and

identifier means responsive to only a broadcast identifier for generating and storing information in said database;

said processing system having;

means for correlating said program descriptions of program material with said program list information and for storing said correlated program descriptions and program list information in said database responsive to receipt of said broadcast identifier;

means for responding to a user inquiry, placed through said user interface, about an item in said program list, by retrieving a selected program description from said database associated with said broadcast identifier, and

means for further responding to said user inquiry by causing said program description output means to produce a message based on said selected program description.

2. The information system of claim 1 wherein said processing system is a computer program running on said computer.

3. The information system of claim 1 wherein said user interface includes means for coupling to a computer.

4. The information system of claim 1 wherein said user interface comprises a communication interface and wherein said user inquiries are placed using digital data entered through a keypad.

5. The information system of claim 1 wherein said first input means includes a television receiver.

6. The information system of claim 1 wherein said first input means includes a video signal digitizer.

7. The information system of claim 1 wherein said first input means includes means for extracting said program description from prerecorded material.

8. The information system of claim 1 wherein said second input means includes a video receiver.

9. The information system of claim 1 wherein said first input means couples to a digital data network.

10. The information system of claim 1 wherein said program description output means includes a text to speech conversion system.

11. The information system of claim 1 wherein said program description output means includes digital to analog conversion means.

12. The information system of claim 1 wherein said program description comprises a telecast schedule.

13. The information system of claim 1 wherein said program description comprises information specific to a broadcaster.

14. The information system of claim 1 wherein said user interface includes means for coupling to a digital data network.

15. The information system of claim 1 wherein said user interface includes means for coupling to a personal computer which receives said program list.

16. The information system of claim 1 wherein said user interface includes means for coupling to a computer which receives and displays said program description information comprising a multi-media presentation.

17. The information system of claim 1 wherein said user interface includes means for coupling to an interactive television device.

18. The information system of claim 1 wherein multiple program descriptions are selected from said program list.

19. The information system of claim 1 wherein said message produced by said program description relates to a subset of said program list.

20. The information system of claim 1 wherein said first input means includes a reception device for a digital signal.

21. The information system of claim 1 wherein said broadcast identifier includes one of the following, station call letters, a station tuning frequency, a television channel allocation, a cable subscriber identification, a music genre, a telephone number, a network address, an identification number or a predetermined identifier.

22. The information system of claim 1 wherein said system further comprises means to store a master listing of program descriptions and wherein said first input means updates said master listing with information reflecting program descriptions.

23. The information system in claim 1 wherein said second input means receives said program list information in the chronological order of a broadcast or telecast.

24. The information system in claim 1 wherein said program description output means produces said messages consecutively in the chronological order in which the program list information is received.

25. The information system in claim 1 wherein said message produced by said program description output means is contained within a digit data transmission.

26. The information system in claim 1 wherein said broadcast identifier comprises an address for a remote user device.

27. The information system in claim 1 wherein said broadcast identifier comprises a program material item.

28. The information system of claim 1 wherein said program list is associated with a broadcast signal transmitted through a digital data network.

29. The information system of claim 1 wherein said message produced by said program description output means comprises text.

30. The information system of claim 1 wherein said message produced by said program description output means comprises video.

31. The information system of claim 1 wherein said message produced by said program description output means comprises audio.

32. The information system of claim 1 wherein said first input means comprises a communications interface connected to a network.

33. The information system of claim 1 wherein said first input means records and stores at least one program description from said broadcast.

34. The information system of claim 1 wherein said message produced by said program description output means contains more than one program description.

35. The information system of claim 1 wherein said program description output means is located geographically remote from said information system.

36. The information system of claim 1 wherein said program list comprises a listing of advertisements and wherein said program description contains information relating to said advertisements.

37. The information system of claim 1 wherein said broadcast identifier is associated with a conversion format to apply to said program list.

38. The information system of claim 1 wherein said user inquiry comprises a broadcast identifier.

39. The information system of claim 1 wherein said program list is synchronized with said broadcast.

40. The information system of claim 1 wherein said user inquiry comprises a program item from said program list.

41. The information system of claim 1 wherein said user inquiry comprises a reference number or code.

42. The information system of claim 1 wherein information within said program list is associated with number representations or codes referenced from a master listing.

43. The information system of claim 42 wherein said number representations or codes are associated with said program descriptions.

44. The information system of claim 42 wherein said number representations or codes are interpreted responsive to said broadcast identifier.

45. The information system of claim 42 wherein said number representations or codes are encoded and inserted with broadcast.

46. The information system of claim 1 wherein said program list is input through a touch tone telephone or using voice recognition.

47. The information system of claim 1 wherein said user inquiry comprises a city or geographic region.

48. The information system of claim 1 wherein said database further comprises digital data representing the alpha-numeric touch tone telephone key pad input of artist names, song titles and music album titles referenced within said database.

49. The information system of claim 1 wherein said program list information is provided interactively in real-time.

50. The information system of claim 1 wherein said user interface comprises means to connect to a wireless network.

51. The information system of claim 1 wherein said correlation of said program description with said program list is responsive to receipt of program list information.

52. The information system of claim 1 wherein said correlation of said program description with said program list is responsive to receipt of a program description.

53. The information system of claim 1 wherein said user interface comprises a telephone interface and wherein said user inquiries are placed using telephone DTMF codes entered through a touch tone telephone.

54. The information system of claim 1 wherein said program list is synchronized with said program descriptions.

55. An information system for on-demand remote access to a self-generating program recording, storage and indexing system comprising:

at least one broadcast unit for providing a broadcast to remote locations;

signal generator means coupled to said at least one broadcast unit for providing a signal within said broadcast;

a programmed data processor that includes a data input system and a first database for receiving program list information;

a user interface coupled to said programmed data processor, said user interface providing means to communicate with remote users;

at least one reception device to receive said broadcast;

a detection device associated with said at least one reception device for detecting said signal from said broadcast;

a storage device to digitally record and store detected program descriptions;

identifier means responsive to only a broadcast identifier for generating information in said first database; and

wherein said programmed data processor is coupled to said user interface, to said storage device and to said detection device, said programmed data processor causing said user interface to communicate said program description information to said remote user, responsive to a user inquiry.

56. The information system in claim 55 wherein said user inquiry comprises a broadcast identifier.

57. The information system in claim 55 further comprising means for correlating said program descriptions with said program list and for storing said correlated program descriptions and program list information in said first database.

58. The information system in claim 55 wherein said broadcast identifier comprises an identification of a listing from said program list.

59. The information system in claim 55 wherein said broadcast comprises a digital data broadcast.

60. The information system in claim 55 wherein said broadcast comprises a cable telecast.

61. The information system in claim 55 further comprising a system for extracting program descriptions from prerecorded materials.

62. The information system in claim 55 wherein said broadcast identifier includes information from said program list.

63. The information system in claim 55 wherein said program list is received from said broadcast.

64. The information system in claim 55 wherein said program descriptive information is recorded from said broadcast.

65. The information system in claim 55 wherein said program description information includes video.

66. The information system in claim 55 wherein said program description information includes text.

67. The information system of claim 55 wherein said broadcast identifier comprises one of the following, station call letters, a station tuning frequency, a television channel allocation, a cable subscriber identification, a music genre, a telephone number, a network address, an identification number or a predetermined identifier.

68. The information system in claim 55 wherein said database further comprises digital data representing the alpha-numeric touch tone telephone key pad input of artist names, song titles and music album titles referenced within said database.

69. The information system claim 55 wherein said program list comprises a listing of advertisements and wherein said program description contains information relating to said advertisements.

70. The information system of claim 55 wherein said signal is received within a digital radio, digital television or the sideband of a broadcast signal.

71. The information system of claim 55 wherein said program list is synchronized with said program descriptions.

72. The information system of claim 55 wherein said program list is synchronized with said broadcast.

73. The information system of claim 55 wherein said program descriptions are located geographically remote from said information system.

74. An information system for on-demand remote access to a self-generating program recording, storage and indexing system comprising:

at least one broadcast unit for providing a broadcast;

a signal generator coupled to said at least one broadcast unit for providing a signal within said broadcast;

a programmed data processor that includes a data input system and a first database for receiving a program list;

a user interface for providing user inquiries to said programmed data processor;

at least one reception device to receive said broadcast;

a detection device associated with said at least one reception device for detecting said signal from said broadcast;

a storage device for digitally recording and storing detected information on said programmed data processor, responsive to only a broadcast identifier;

a program description creation device for creating a program description file, said creation device being selected from the group consisting essentially of a compact disc player, a tape cassette player, a digital audio tape device, a videotape player, a multi-track audio tape recorder, a microphone and a data input device;

a responsive device responding to the receipt of at least one item from said program list to access said first database to read program descriptive information; and

wherein said programmed data processor is coupled to said user interface, and to said detection device, said programmed data processor causing said user interface to communicate said program descriptive information to said remote locations.

75. The information system in claim 74 wherein said broadcast comprises a digital data broadcast.

76. The information system in claim 74 wherein said broadcast comprises a cable telecast.

77. The information system in claim 74 wherein said user inquiry includes a broadcast identifier.

78. The information system in claim 74 wherein said user interface comprises a telephone interface and wherein said user inquiries are placed using telephone DTMF codes entered through a touch tone telephone.

79. The information system in claim 74 wherein said broadcast identifier includes information from said program list.

80. The information system in claim 74 wherein said program list is received from said broadcast.

81. The information system in claim 74 wherein said program descriptive information is recorded from said broadcast.

82. The information system in claim 74 wherein said program description creation device is located remotely from said system.

83. The information system in claim 74 wherein said program description information is stored remotely from said information system.

84. The information system of claim 74 wherein said broadcast identifier comprises one of the following, station call letters, a station tuning frequency, a television channel allocation, a cable subscriber identification, a music genre, a telephone number, a network address, an identification number or a predetermined identifier.

85. The information system in claim 74 wherein said program description information includes video.

86. The information system in claim 74 wherein said program description information includes text.

87. The information system of claim 74 wherein said database further comprises digital data representing the alpha-numeric touch tone telephone key pad input of artist names, song titles and music album titles referenced within said database.

88. The information system of claim 74 wherein said user inquiry comprises a product name, product code or reference number.

89. The information system claim 74 wherein said program list comprises a listing of advertisements and wherein said program description contain information relating to said advertisements.

90. The information system of claim 74 wherein said signal is received within a digital radio, digital television or the sideband of a broadcast signal.

91. The information system of claim 74 wherein said program list is synchronized with said program

92. The information system of claim 74 wherein said program list is synchronized with said broadcast.

93. The information system of claim 74 wherein said program descriptions are located geographically remote from said information system.

94. A method for providing listeners or viewers of a radio or television broadcast with automated information about program material, comprising the steps of:

broadcasting at least one radio or television broadcast;

receiving user inquiries from a listener or viewer of said radio or television broadcast;

creating a program description file;

communicating program list information into a programmed data processor;

correlating said program descriptions of program material with said program list information and generating information in a database responsive to only a broadcast identifier; and

using said programmed data processor to communicate said program description file responsive to said user inquiry.

95. The method of claim 94 further comprising the step of recording data from said broadcast.

96. The method of claim 94 wherein said user inquiry comprises a broadcast identifier.

97. The method of claim 94 wherein said broadcast is a digital data broadcast.

98. The method of claim 94 wherein said program list is synchronized with said broadcast.

99. The method of claim 94 wherein said user inquiry comprises city or geographic region information.

100. The method of claim 94 wherein a conversion format is applied to said program list based upon said broadcast identifier.

101. The method of claim 94 wherein said user inquiry is provided through a computer device.

102. The method of claim 94 wherein said user inquiry is provided through a wireless network.

103. The method of claim 94 wherein said user inquiry is provided through a touchtone telephone.

104. The method of claim 94 wherein said user inquiry is transmitted through a digital data network.

105. The method of claim 94 wherein said program list is input by touch-tone telephone or using voice recognition.

106. The method of claim 94 wherein said correlation of said program descriptions with said program list information is responsive to receipt of said program list information.

107. The method of claim 94 wherein said correlation of said program description information with said program list is responsive to receipt of said program description.

108. The method of claim 94 further comprising the step of storing said program description files in a master listing of program description files, said master listing associated with said program list information.

109. The method of claim 108 further comprising the step of associating said program list with said program descriptions, said program descriptions being stored geographically remote from said database.

110. The method of claim 94 including the step of assigning number representations or codes to information within said program list, said number representations or codes assigned from a master listing.

111. The method of claim 110 wherein said number representations or codes are associated with said program descriptions.

112. The method of claim 110 wherein said number representations or codes are interpreted responsive to said broadcast identifier.

113. The method of claim 110 including the step of encoding and broadcasting said number representations or codes with said broadcast.

114. The method of claim 94 wherein said database further comprises digital data representing the alpha-numeric touch tone telephone key pad input of an artist name, song title or album, and wherein said user inquiries are entered through a touch tone telephone and compared to said digital data representing said alpha-numeric touch tone telephone key pad input of an artist name, song title or album, thereby identifying a listing in said database.

115. The method of claim 94 wherein said database includes partitions for categorizing said program descriptions by music genre.

116. The method of claim 94 wherein the step of receiving a user inquiry includes providing a user with a menu of broadcasters from which to select a broadcast.

117. The method of claim 94 wherein said program list comprises a listing of advertisements and wherein said program description contains information relating to said advertisements.

118. The method of claim 94 further including the step of communicating said program description file from a remotely located storage device.

119. The method of claim 94 further including the step of linking a user to a remote located storage unit wherein said program description file is stored.

120. The method of claim 94 further comprising the step of including a signal within said broadcast.

121. The method of claim 120 further comprising the step of encoding data into said signal.

122. The method of claim 120 further comprising the step of encoding said program list information in said signal.

123. The method of claim 120 further comprising the step of encoding said program description information in said signal.

124. The method of claim 120 wherein said signal is received within a digital radio, digital television or sideband of a broadcast signal.

125. The method of claim 94 further comprising the step of receiving said broadcast.

126. The method of claim 125 further comprising the step of recording said program description file from said broadcast.

127. The method of claim 125 further comprising the step of recording said program list information from said broadcast.

128. The method of claim 94 further including the step of receiving a network address comprising said user inquiry.

129. The method of claim 94 wherein said broadcast identifier includes one of the following, station call letters, a station tuning frequency, a television channel allocation, a cable subscriber identification, a music genre, a telephone number, a network address, an identification number or a predetermined identifier.

130. The method of claim 94 wherein said program list is synchronized with said program descriptions.