Multicasting method and apparatus

• US 7,080,153 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2004
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Two-Way Media Ltd
• Original Assignee: Two-Way Media Ltd
• Inventors: Monteiro, Antonio M, Butterworth, James F
• Primary Examiner(s): Peeso, Thomas R.
• Application Number:
  US10/839,526
• Publication Number:
  US 20040255148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 709/231, 709/238
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1822 Conducting the conference, e.g. admission, detection, selection or grouping of participants, correlating users to one or more conference sessions, prioritising transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1831 Tracking arrangements for later retrieval, e.g. recording contents, participants activities or behavior, network status
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/185 with management of multicast group membership
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1859 adapted to provide push services, e.g. data channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5626 Network management, e.g. Intelligent nets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5642 Multicast/broadcast/point-multipoint, e.g. VOD
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0807 using tickets, e.g. Kerberos cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using tickets or tokens H04L9/3213
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1089 by adding media; by removing media
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections

Abstract

A scalable architecture is disclosed for delivery of real-time information over a communications network. Embedded into the architecture is a control mechanism that provides for the management and administration of users who are to receive the real-time information. In the preferred embodiment, the information being delivered is high-quality audio. However, it could also be video, graphics, text or any other type of information that can be transmitted over a digital network. Preferably, there are multiple channels of information available simultaneously to be delivered to users, each channel consisting of an independent stream of information. A user chooses to tune in or tune out a particular channel, but does not choose the time at which the channel distributes its information. Advantageously, interactive (two-way) information can be incorporated into the system, multiple streams of information can be integrated for delivery to a user, and certain portions of the information being delivered can be tailored to the individual user.

Claims

1. A system for streaming a continuous sequence of individual pieces of information over a communications network to a group of users that selected a particular channel, the system comprising:

at least one server adapted to transmit the continuous sequence of individual pieces of information at approximately the same time to each user in the group that selected the particular channel, wherein the individual pieces of information include audio information;

an application that generates a user interface screen adapted to allow a user to initiate a purchase of a product, the user interface screen including;

a channel guide that includes a list of available channels of audio; and

a program guide that provides information relating to the particular channel; and

at least one server adapted to maintain an audit log that records data indicative of at least one of;

how many users listened to the particular channel;

or

times at which the users listened to the particular channel.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein membership in the group of users is dynamic.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein a user in the group can start and stop listening to the particular channel at any time.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the application is a client application that is configured to be downloaded over the communications network and installed on user computers.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the product is a CD that is relevant to the audio information being transmitted.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface screen includes a link to facilitate the purchase.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the product is relevant to the audio information that is being transmitted.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the audit log records data indicative of how many users listened to the particular channel and times at which the users listened to the particular channel.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface screen is adapted to allow a user in the group to initiate two-way interaction with at least one other user in the group.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the two-way interaction allows the user and the at least one other user to chat.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the two-way interaction allows the user and the at least one other user to chat about the particular channel.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the user interface screen includes a link to facilitate the two-way interaction during the transmission of the audio information.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface screen is adapted to allow a display of tour dates.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface screen further includes information selected from the group consisting of an album cover, artist information, song lyrics, and tour dates.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the information provided in the program guide relates to audio information that will be playing on the particular channel.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the information provided in the program guide is dynamically transmitted to the application.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the available channels include at least one of music, talk radio, news, special events, concerts, sports broadcasts, or corporate announcements.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the available channels include channels featuring different types of music.

19. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one server adapted to control the routing of the individual pieces of information in response to selection signals received from the users.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising multiple servers to transmit the continuous sequence of individual pieces of information at approximately the same time to each user in the group, wherein the multiple servers that transmit the information are configured to be scalable so that any number of users can receive the audio information.

21. The system of claim 1, further comprising multiple servers to control the routing of the individual pieces of information in response to selection signals received from the users, wherein the multiple servers that control the routing are configured to be scalable so that any number of users can receive the audio information.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the audit log records data indicative of how many users listened to the particular channel and data indicative of how many users are stored in a database.

23. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one server adapted to send advertising information to at least one of the users in the group.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the advertising information includes content that is varied.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the content is varied based on demographics.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the content is varied based on the particular channel.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein the advertising information is incorporated into the continuous sequence of individual pieces of information.

28. The system of claim 23, wherein the advertising information is incorporated into a separate stream of information, and the separate stream is transmitted before the audio information and stored in a memory of a computer operated by a user in the group and then inserted into the audio information upon the receipt of a cueing signal by the computer.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the audio associated with each of the available channels comprises an independent continuous sequence of information.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface screen is adapted to allow a user to play, stop and mute the audio information.

31. A method for streaming a continuous sequence of individual pieces of information over a communications network to a group of users that selected a particular channel comprising the steps of:

transmitting the continuous sequence of individual pieces of information at approximately the same time to each user in the group that selected the particular channel, wherein the individual pieces of information include audio information;

providing an application that generates a user interface screen adapted to allow a user to initiate a purchase of a product, the user interface screen including;

a channel guide that includes a list of available channels of audio; and

a program guide that provides information relating to the particular channel; and

maintaining an audit log that records data indicative of at least one of;

how many users listened to the particular channel;

or

times at which the users listened to the particular channel.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the product is a CD that is relevant to the audio information being transmitted.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the audit log records data indicative of how many users listened to the particular channel and the times at which the users listened to the particular channel.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising storing in a database data indicative of how many users listened to the particular channel.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the user interface screen is adapted to allow a user to chat with at least one other user in the group.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the user interface includes information selected from the group consisting of:

an album cover, artist information, song lyrics, and tour dates.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the available channels include channels featuring different types of music, and the user interface screen is adapted to allow a user to play, stop and mute the audio information.

38. The method of claim 31, further comprising controlling the routing of the individual pieces of information in response to selection signals received from the users.

39. The method of claim 31, further comprising transmitting advertising information to at least one of the users in the group.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the advertising information includes content that is varied.

41. A method for making available a plurality of media streams, wherein each of the media streams comprises an independent continuous sequence of individual pieces of information, comprising the steps of:

transmitting the media streams, wherein a particular media stream of the media streams is transmitted at approximately the same time to a group, wherein the group comprises a set of all users that selected the particular media stream;

providing an application that generates a user interface screen including;

a channel guide that includes a list of available media streams; and

side-bar information containing data selected from the group consisting of graphics, images and text; and

maintaining a database that includes data indicative of at least one of;

the media streams selected by the users;

how many users listened to the selected media streams;

or

times at which users listened to the selected media streams.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the media streams include different types of music, and the user interface screen is adapted to allow a user to play, stop and mute the music.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the side-bar information is synchronized with the different types of music and includes images relating to an album cover and artist information.

44. The method of claim 41, further comprising providing a plurality of servers that are adapted to transmit the plurality of media streams.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising selecting one or more of the plurality of servers to transmit the media streams in response to selection signals received from the users.

46. The method of claim 41, wherein the side-bar information relates to an album cover.

47. The method of claim 41, wherein the side-bar information relates to artist information.

48. The method of claim 41, wherein the side-bar information relates to tour dates.

49. The method of claim 41, wherein the side-bar information relates to song lyrics.

50. The method of claim 41, wherein the side-bar information relates to a URL.

51. The method of claim 45, wherein the user interface screen is adapted to allow a user to initiate a purchase of a product.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the product is a CD that is relevant to at least one of the plurality of media streams being transmitted.

53. The method of claim 41, wherein the user interface screen is adapted to allow a user to initiate two-way interaction that allows users to chat.

54. The method of claim 41, further comprising transmitting advertising information to at least one of the users in the group.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the advertising information includes content that is varied.

56. A system for streaming a continuous sequence of individual pieces of audio information over a communications network to a group of users that selected a particular channel, the system comprising:

at least one server adapted to transmit the continuous sequence of individual pieces of audio information at approximately the same time to each user in the group that selected the particular channel;

at least one server adapted to maintain an audit log that records data indicative of how many users listened to the particular channel;

a client application that generates a user interface screen including;

a channel guide that includes a list of available channels of audio, wherein the available channels include channels featuring different types of music;

a program guide that provides information relating to the particular channel; and

a frame adapted to allow a user to initiate a purchase of a product.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the client application is configured to be downloaded over the communications network and installed on user computers.

58. The system of claim 56, wherein a user in the group can start and stop listening to the particular channel at any time.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein the product is a CD that is relevant to the audio information being transmitted.

60. The system of claim 56, wherein the user interface screen is adapted to allow a user to initiate two-way interaction that allows users to chat, and the user interface screen is further adapted to allow the user to play, stop and mute the audio information.

61. The system of claim 56, wherein the user interface screen further includes information selected from the group consisting of:

an album cover, artist information, song lyrics, and tour dates.

62. The system of claim 56, further comprising at least one server adapted to control the routing of the individual pieces of audio information in response to selection signals received from the users.

63. The system of claim 56, wherein data indicative of how many users are stored in a database.

64. The system of claim 56, further comprising at least one server adapted to send advertising information to the users.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein the advertising information includes content that is varied.

66. A system for streaming a continuous sequence of individual pieces of audio information over a communications network to a group of users that selected a particular channel, the system comprising:

a plurality of servers adapted to transmit the continuous sequence of individual pieces of audio information at approximately the same time to each user in the group that selected the particular channel;

at least one server adapted to maintain an audit log that records data indicative of how many users listened to the particular channel, wherein the data are stored in a database;

a client application that generates a user interface screen including;

a channel guide that includes a list of available channels of audio, wherein the available channels include channels featuring different types of music;

side-bar information containing data selected from the group consisting of;

an album cover, artist information and a URL; and

a frame adapted to allow a user to initiate a purchase of a product.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the client application is configured to be downloaded over the communications network and installed on user computers.

68. The system of claim 66, wherein the side-bar information is synchronized with the audio information.

69. The system of claim 66, wherein the side-bar information includes data regarding the album cover, the artist information, and the URL.

70. The system of claim 66, wherein the product is a CD that is relevant to the audio information being transmitted.

71. The system of claim 66, wherein the user interface screen is adapted to allow a user to initiate two-way interaction for users to chat.

72. The system of claim 66, further comprising at least one server adapted to select one or more of the plurality of servers to transmit the audio information in response to selection signals received from the users.

73. The system of claim 72, wherein the plurality of servers are configured to be scalable so that any number of users can receive the audio information.

74. The system of claim 66, further comprising at least one server adapted to send advertising information to the users.

75. A system for streaming multiple channels of audio information over a communications network, the system comprising:

a plurality of servers adapted to transmit the multiple channels of audio information, each channel including an independent continuous sequence of individual pieces of information and said plurality of servers configured so that the audio information for a particular channel of the multiple channels is transmitted at approximately the same time to a group, wherein the group comprises a set of all users that selected the particular channel;

at least one server adapted to route the audio information by selecting one or more of the plurality of servers in response to selection signals received from the users;

a client application that generates a user interface screen including;

a channel guide that includes a list of the multiple channels of audio information, wherein the multiple channels include channels featuring different types of music; and

a program guide that provides information relating to a selected channel.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein a user can select any of the multiple channels and can start and stop listening to the particular channel at any time.

77. The system of claim 75, wherein the user interface screen further includes a frame adapted to allow a user to initiate a purchase of a product.

78. The system of claim 77, wherein the product is a CD that is relevant to the audio information being transmitted.

79. The system of claim 77, wherein the product that may be purchased is relevant to the audio information that is being transmitted.

80. The system of claim 75, wherein the user interface screen is adapted to allow a user to initiate two-way interaction that allows users to chat.

81. The system of claim 75, wherein the user interface screen further includes information selected from the group consisting of an album cover, artist information, song lyrics, and tour dates, and the user interface screen is further adapted to allow the user to play, stop and mute the audio information.

82. The system of claim 75, wherein the plurality of servers are configured to be scalable so that any number of users can receive the audio information.

83. The system of claim 82, further comprising at least one server adapted to send advertising information to the users.

84. The system of claim 83, wherein the advertising information includes content that is varied.

85. A system for streaming audio information over a communications network, the system comprising:

multiple channels of audio information, each channel of the multiple channels including an independent continuous sequence of individual pieces of information;

at least one server adapted to transmit the audio information of each channel, said server configured so that the audio information for a particular channel of the multiple channels is transmitted at approximately the same time to a group, wherein the group comprises a set of all users that selected the particular channel;

an application that generates a user interface screen adapted to allow a user to initiate a purchase of a product, the user interface screen including;

a channel guide that includes a list of the multiple channels available to the user, wherein the channels include different types of music; and

a program guide that provides information relating to a channel selected by the user; and

at least one server adapted to maintain an audit log that records data indicative of at least one of;

the channels selected by the users;

how many users listened to the selected channels;

or

times at which users listened to the selected channels.

86. The system of claim 85, wherein a user can select any of the multiple channels and can start and stop listening to the selected channel at any time.

87. The system of claim 85, wherein the product is a CD that is relevant to the audio information being transmitted.

88. The system of claim 85, wherein the audit log records data indicative of the channels selected by the users, how many users listened to the selected channels, and the times at which users listened to the selected channels.

89. The system of claim 85, wherein the user interface screen is adapted to allow a user to initiate two-way interaction that allows the users to chat.

90. The system of claim 89, wherein the user interface screen further includes information selected from the group consisting of an album cover, artist information, song lyrics, and tour dates, and the user interface screen is further adapted to allow the user to play, stop and mute the audio information.

91. The system of claim 89, wherein the audio information is transmitted by a plurality of servers that are configured to be scalable so that any number of users can receive the audio information.

92. The system of claim 91, further comprising at least one server adapted to select one or more of the plurality of servers in response to selection signals received from the users.

93. The system of claim 92, wherein data indicative of how many users are stored in a database, and data indicative of the channels selected by the users are stored in the database.

94. The system of claim 92, further comprising at least one server adapted to send advertising information to the users.

95. The system of claim 94, wherein the advertising information includes content that is varied.

96. A system for streaming audio information over a communications network, the system comprising:

multiple channels of audio information, each channel of the multiple channels including an independent continuous sequence of individual pieces of information;

at least one server adapted to transmit the audio information of each channel, said server configured so that the audio information for a particular channel of the multiple channels is transmitted at approximately the same time to a group comprising a set of all users that selected the particular channel;

an application that generates a user interface screen adapted to allow a user to initiate a purchase of a product, the user interface screen including;

a channel guide that includes a list of the multiple channels available to the user, wherein the channels include different types of music; and

a program guide that provides information relating to a channel selected by the user; and

at least one server adapted to route the individual pieces of information in response to selection signals received from the users.

97. The system of claim 96, wherein a user can select any of the multiple channels and can start and stop listening to the selected channel at any time.

98. The system of claim 96, wherein the product is a CD that is relevant to the audio information being transmitted.

99. The system of claim 98, wherein the user interface screen is adapted to allow a user to initiate two-way interaction that allows the users to chat.

100. The system of claim 99, wherein the user interface screen further includes information selected from the group consisting of an album cover, artist information, song lyrics, and tour dates.

101. The system of claim 99, further comprising at least one server adapted to send advertising information to the users.

102. The system of claim 101, wherein the advertising information includes content that is varied.

103. The system of claim 99, wherein the audio information is transmitted by a plurality of servers that are configured to be scalable so that any number of users can receive the audio information.

104. A system for streaming a continuous sequence of individual pieces of audio information over a communications network to a group of users that selected a particular channel, the system comprising:

at least one server adapted to transmit the continuous sequence of individual pieces of audio information at approximately the same time to each user in the group that selected the particular channel;

an application that generates a user interface screen adapted to allow a user to initiate two-way interaction allowing the user to chat and further adapted to allow the user to initiate a purchase of a CD that is relevant to the audio information being transmitted, the user interface screen including;

a channel guide that includes a list of available channels of audio information, wherein the channels include different types of music; and

a program guide that provides information relating to the particular channel; and

at least one server adapted to maintain an audit log that records data indicative of at least one of;

how many users listened to the particular channel;

or

times at which users listened to the particular channel.

105. The system of claim 104, wherein the user interface screen further includes information selected from the group consisting of:

an album cover, artist information, song lyrics, and tour dates.

106. The system of claim 104, further comprising at least one server adapted to control the routing of the individual pieces of audio information in response to selection signals received from the users.

107. The system of claim 104, further comprising at least one server adapted to send advertising information to the users.

108. The system of claim 107, wherein the advertising information includes content that is varied.

109. A system for streaming a continuous sequence of individual pieces of audio information over a communications network to a group of users that selected a particular channel, the system comprising:

at least one server adapted to transmit the continuous sequence of individual pieces of audio information at approximately the same time to each user in the group that selected the particular channel;

an application that generates a user interface screen adapted to allow a user in the group to initiate two-way interaction allowing the user to chat and further adapted to allow the user to initiate a purchase of a CD that is relevant to the audio information being transmitted, the user interface screen including;

a channel guide that includes a list of available channels of audio information, wherein the channels include different types of music; and

a program guide that provides information relating to the particular channel; and

at least one server adapted to route the individual pieces of audio information in response to selection signals received from the users.

110. The system of claim 109, wherein the user interface screen further includes information selected from the group consisting of:

an album cover, artist information, song lyrics, and tour dates, and wherein a user in the group can start and stop listening to the particular channel at any time.

111. The system of claim 110, wherein the audio information is transmitted by a plurality of servers that are configured to be scalable so that any number of users can receive the audio information.

112. The system of claim 110, further comprising at least one server adapted to send advertising information to the users.

113. The system of claim 112, wherein the advertising information includes content that is varied.

114. A system for streaming audio over a communications network, the system comprising:

at least one server configured to transmit a continuous sequence of packets containing audio information, wherein the continuous sequence of packets is transmitted at approximately the same time to each of multiple user computers;

a software application configured to be loaded onto each of the user computers, wherein the software application contains instructions for generating a user interface comprising;

a channel guide that includes a list of available channels of audio information; and

a program guide that provides program information for at least one of the available channels; and

at least one server configured to record which user computers received the audio information, which of the available channels were received, or times at which any of the available channels were received.

115. The system of claim 114, wherein the user interface further comprises an order placing feature that allows users of the multiple user computers to place an order for a product.

116. The system of claim 114, wherein the user interface further comprises a two-way interaction feature that allows users of the multiple user computers to participate in a chat session.

117. A method for streaming audio over a communications network, comprising the steps of:

transmitting a continuous sequence of packets containing audio information, wherein the continuous sequence of packets is transmitted at approximately the same time to each of multiple user computers;

providing a software application configured to be loaded onto each of the user computers, wherein the software application contains instructions for generating a user interface comprising;

a channel guide that includes a list of available channels of audio information; and

a program guide that provides program information for at least one of the available channels; and

generating a database that includes data indicative of how many user computers received the audio information, which of the available channels were received, or times at which any of the available channels were received.

118. The method of claim 117, wherein the user interface further comprises an order placing feature that allows users of the multiple user computers to place an order for a product.

119. The method of claim 117, wherein the user interface further comprises a two-way interaction feature that allows users of the multiple user computers to participate in a chat session.

120. A system for streaming multiple channels of audio information over a communications network, the system comprising:

a plurality of first servers configured to transmit the multiple channels of audio information, each channel including an independent continuous sequence of packets containing audio information, where said plurality of first servers are configured so that the audio information for a particular channel is transmitted at approximately the same time to each of multiple user computers that requested the particular channel;

at least one second server adapted to route the audio information to the user computers through selected first servers of said plurality of first servers in response to selection signals received from the user computers; and

a software application configured to be loaded onto each of the user computers, wherein the software application contains instructions for generating a user interface comprising;

an order placing feature that allows users of the multiple user computers to place an order for a product;

a channel guide that includes a list of the multiple channels, wherein the multiple channels include channels featuring different types of music; and

a program guide that provides program information relating to a particular channel of the multiple channels.

121. The system of claim 120, wherein the user interface further comprises a two-way interaction feature that allows users of the multiple user computers to participate in a chat session.

122. A system for streaming a continuous sequence of packets of audio information over a communications network, the system comprising:

at least one server configured to transmit the packets at approximately the same time to each of multiple user computers;

a software application configured to be loaded onto each of the user computers, wherein the software application contains instructions for generating a user interface comprising;

an order placing feature that allows users of the multiple user computers to place an order for a CD that is relevant to the audio information;

a two-way interaction feature that allows users of the multiple user computers to participate in a chat session;

a channel guide that includes a list of available channels of audio information; and

a program guide that provides program information for at least one of the available channels; and

at least one server configured to record which user computers received the audio information, which of the available channels were received, or times at which any of the available channels were received.

123. The system of claim 122, further comprising at least one server adapted to route the packets in response to selection signals received from the user computers.

124. A system for streaming audio information over a communications network, the system comprising:

multiple channels of audio information, each channel of the multiple channels including an independent continuous sequence of individual pieces of information;

at least one server adapted to transmit the audio information of each channel, said server configured so that the audio information for a particular channel of the multiple channels is transmitted at approximately the same time to a group comprising a set of all users that selected the particular channel;

an application that generates at least one user interface screen adapted to allow a user to initiate a purchase of a product; and

at least one server adapted to maintain an audit log that records data indicative of at least one of;

the channels selected by the users;

how many users listened to the selected channels;

or

times at which users listened to the selected channels.

125. The system of claim 124, wherein a user can select any of the multiple channels and can start and stop listening to the selected channel at any time.

126. The system of claim 124, wherein the product that may be purchased is relevant to the audio information that is being transmitted.

127. The system of claim 124, wherein the at least one user interface screen is adapted to allow a user to initiate two-way interaction that allows the users to chat.

128. The system of claim 124, further comprising at least one server adapted to send advertising information to the users.

129. A system for streaming audio information over a communications network, the system comprising:

multiple channels of audio information, each channel of the multiple channels including an independent continuous sequence of individual pieces of information;

at least one server adapted to transmit the audio information of each channel, said server configured so that the audio information for a particular channel of the multiple channels is transmitted at approximately the same time to a group comprising a set of all users that selected the particular channel;

an application that generates at least one user interface screen adapted to allow a user to initiate a purchase of a product; and

at least one server adapted to route the individual pieces of information in response to selection signals received from the users.

130. The system of claim 129, wherein a user can select any of the multiple channels and can start and stop listening to the selected channel at any time.

131. The system of claim 129, wherein the product is a CD that is relevant to the audio information being transmitted.

132. The system of claim 129, wherein the at least one user interface screen is adapted to allow a user to initiate two-way interaction that allows the users to chat.

133. The system of claim 129, further comprising at least one server adapted to send advertising information to the users.

134. The system of claim 129, wherein the audio information is transmitted by a plurality of servers that are configured to be scalable so that any number of users can receive the audio information.

135. The system of claim 134, wherein the at least one server adapted to route selects one or more of the plurality of servers in response to the selection signals received from the users.