CN1104392A - Apparatus and method for identifying broadcast programs and accessing information relating thereto - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a device which can supply auxiliary information to the broadcasting television program, it allows user to operate a key button to mark the program immediately. According to the operation of the key button, the mark of the station, which broadcast the program, and the date and time of the program are stored in a memory. Then the mark is sent to a centre, in which store the program broadcasting time table and other auxiliary information supplied by broadcasting corporations. The information can be retrieved from the program mark and transmitted back to the user. The mark information from the user can be stored by the centre, supplied to an audience-monitoring statistical system to obtain the reception rate.

Description

Apparatus and method for identifying broadcast programs and accessing information relating thereto

The present invention relates to comprise the broadcasters and the print media (magazine, newspaper etc.) of radio broadcasting and TV, the particularly selection made from these type of medium of identification is so that access is about the supplementary of these selections.

For a long time, various medium exist following problem:

(A) radio broadcasting audience possibility uppick one first interested song, and decision is bought its tape, but does not know its title of the song or songwriter, composer and singer.The Radio Announcer does not often illustrate title of the song, songwriter, composer and singer and the out of Memory of this song, even perhaps broadcast this information, but that is before playing this song, just may know when the audience can only wait the broadcast of listening this song once more.They can wish, retell bright its title of the song and songwriter, composer, singer after song.Broadcasting and hearing or during these information of song, might situation at that time be not easy to they notes are stayed (driving a car such as the audience, perhaps audience's paper and pen to write of no use) at hand.

This problem is especially true for commercial advertisement, the audience to must remember generally be difficult to the content remembered, such as about the telephone number of ordering advertised product and address etc.If returning, the audience do not think of these information projects, just the effect of commercial advertisement greatly weakens so.

Similarly, the televiewer may search for each channel, begins to watch a program in broadcast.Spectators want to wait its a few minutes to watch next programme content after this, because he wishes intactly to see this program, perhaps will watch other content.Therefore, spectators must read current and list of television programmes subsequently really, until finding next broadcast items.This is very time-consuming, and if crossed some months, spectators will forget the title of falling this program.

Although the many spectators of accepting of the problems referred to above feel inconvenience for a long time, do not find satisfied solution up to now as yet.

(B), need another channel that additional information is provided for commercial advertisement.For example, an advertiser perhaps only affords the prime time advertising expense of half a minute.If another less channel of cost is arranged can be used, provide additional information (such as quotation, business hours, product details etc.) to the audience, then advertiser can do commercial advertisement more neatly, for example be used for whole half a minute attracting audience's properties of product to introduce, perhaps only do several days commercial advertisement, allow audience's access out of Memory from another channel of less cost.

For ageing limited newspaper and magazine advertising, also need this another same channel.For example, Sunday(Sunday) the general house property of listing of the real estate space of a whole page on the newspaper just just has effect to the people that read this day newspaper.If there is the information of second channel can give application, even then this advertisement has been cancelled, can be still effective about the information of house property for the reader.Although shown that above economic aspect is profitable, another communication channel satisfactory, less cost does not obtain as yet.The prior art system of this respect all need the radio station to broadcast this information with auxiliary signal in the broadcasting main program, and the audience must be equipped with special decoder circuit in order to recover this information.

For example, the RDS(radio data system in Europe) in the SCA(auxiliary activities) in the frequency band during transmission program identification, require the audience to have special receiver to decode and show this sign.

Also the someone advises, disappears the steady phase in the VBI(field of TV signal) sign of transmission TV programme in the time., this kind method also needs special decoder.

On December 11st, 1991 application, number of patent application is that 07/806152 patent has been described I PLUS system (at this as list of references).The supplementary that it relates to broadcast TV program or printing material is to utilize a code that is called I PLUS number already to retrieve, and this I PLUS number sends together with program or printing material or prints.This Code Number is used for writing down TV programme or the broadcast program that includes supplementary subsequently for video tape recorder or recorder.Yet the information of next day can not be retrieved by I PLUS system, and it needs a television set and video cassette recorder to be used for retrieval.

(C) televiewer's audience ratings of expecting under the predetermined TV programme quantity is depended in the commercial advertisement of TV programme charge.This kind desired value is decided by the estimation that sends the audience ratings of program to previous usually.For example, for weekly TV series program, the estimation of next collection audience fating is based on the audience ratings that previous broadcast program is estimated.In addition, advertisement charging can be adjusted according to " afterwards " estimation of doing the market sales revenue behind the television advertising.

The investigation that the prevailing system of the estimation market sales revenue relates to such as the Nielsen rated value confirms.It selects some users to obtain previous marketing data with the custom of watching that writes down them.For example, a chosen user can write in daily record or diary, and television set is startup and shutdown when, and which channel choosing sees, and how many spectators are arranged in the room.This kind data also can be collected by an electronic installation that has button is provided to the user, and it shows the machine of beating of bright television set, the channel that shuts down and watch.Other some systems are directly connected to transacter on the television set, switching of its monitoring power supply and the channel and the time of watching program.This system is connected on the telephone wire of a special use.When receiving instruction,, the content that device is stored their uses for analyzing because transferring to central computer by telephone wire.Each this type systematic all need be selected some each other users, and they have represented common TV spectators' adequate sample, and need set up monitoring device really.Because the sample category is little, the diary meeting of record is wrong, and again or need spectators to operate, thereby these systems owe accurate.

Although its important role concerning advertiser and medium, the method for gathering these type of data does not find as yet.

One aspect of the present invention provides a kind of device, and it is convenient to the also related supplementary of TV programme of the broadcasting of selected reception of access, and with the related supplementary of the publication of selected reception.Being convenient to access includes from this device of the next supplementary of broadcasters: a memory; The device of a receiving inputted signal; One in response to input signal to provide a device as the instant sign of the program of instant function, it shows that this receives input signal constantly; And the device of this sign of storage in memory.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a system, in order to communicate information between spectators audience and at least one broadcasting station, TV station.This system includes: an electronic type programme information searching system, and its storage is about the information of broadcasting station, program that TV station sends; A device that is connected in electronic type programme information searching system is in order to be received from the request that spectators audience come; And one to this please ball respond information of coming from electronic type programme information searching system in order to retrieval and the device that sends information to spectators audience.The device of the request that collection comes from spectators audience in the electronic type information retrieval system, is equipped with in one embodiment of the invention,, as the data that viewing rate is done estimation of listening to spectators audience of a program.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a kind of receiver that receives broadcast program.This receiver includes: receiving system, and a platform among a plurality of radio station of different frequency receives broadcast program; One provide continuously the date, the time, branch the clock of time measurement; One include memory, in order to the device of instant identification broadcast program; The device of the input signal of a reception from the user; And one played response in order to the device with a program identification stored into memory to input information.This program identification includes the time that receives input signal and is sending the sign in the radio station of program.

, and in conjunction with the following drawings, can have a better understanding to some detailed description of preferred embodiment according to following to These characteristics of the present invention.

Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram that embodies a radio-cassette player of the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates the internal circuit block diagram of radio-cassette player shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 3 a-3c is a flow chart, and it shows the program of being carried out by CPU element among Fig. 2 when the key button on the radio-cassette player 100 shown in Figure 1 operated.

The various menus that show on the radio-cassette player during the radio-cassette player that Fig. 4 a-4d illustrates Fig. 1 is set up.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart, and it illustrates by programme information searching system performed program when the user sends information.

Fig. 6 illustrates the another kind of circuit block diagram of the present invention in order to the identification broadcast program.

Fig. 7 illustrates the built-up circuit block diagram that can retrieve a kind of automatic information mechanism (AIM) of information in the broadcast program.

Fig. 8 is the schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 illustrates inside built-up circuit block diagram embodiment illustrated in fig. 8.

Fig. 1 illustrates and embodies a portable radio-cassette player unit 100 of the present invention.Radio-cassette player unit 100 comprises broadcast receiver and tape recorder of a routine.Broadcast receiver has the tuner of a receiving broadcast signal from each radio station (comprising amplitude modulation (AM) radio station and frequency modulation (FM) radio station).According to choosing, can in fm tuner, add TV audio receiving circuit, make radio-cassette player unit 100 can receive the audio signal that TV (TV) platform comes.Back " radio station " also can be referred to as " channel ".

The same with present many radio-cassette players, have on the radio-cassette player unit 100 one provide the date, the time, minute, second clock.The radio station preset key allows user selection ground to deposit some radio station in a memory, makes to need only touch radio station/publication preset key 102 simply, and radio-cassette player 100 units tune are preset on the radio station in any.

There is a circuit that produces twotone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal radio-cassette player unit 100, so that it can send message by telephone wire.Socket 103 is equipped with in order to accept spring-loaded plunge.

As with described in conjunction with Figure 2, it is provided with a RAM(random access memory) store a plurality of telephone numbers, each number is corresponding to each radio station of presetting.

Display 101 is a kind of device of low-power consumption preferably, such as a LCD(LCD).It is commonly used to show the frequency and/or the timing time in tuning radio station.

Radio-cassette player unit 100 also has the tape recorder PLAYER of a routine.As many standard recording machines, it has one group of key button, comprises that EJECT(ejects) 104, STOP(stops) 105, the FF(F.F.) 106, the REW(rewinding) 107, the PLAY(playback) 108 and the REC(recording) key buttons such as 109.And as the radio-cassette player of many routines, radio-cassette player unit 100 also has broadcast receiver one recorder (RADIO-TAPE) key 110, and it allows the user to select broadcast receiver or recorder; Also have a VOL(volume) button 111, the size of regulating volume output for the user.

There is one group of telephone set key button 88-1 to 88-12 radio-cassette player unit 100, and it provides the keyboard of one group of 12 button like that to be similar to conventional telephone set.Particularly, telephone key 88-1 to 88-12 is respectively number button " 1 " to " 0 ", star key " * " and Pound key.The common telephone set of English words female elephant is allocated in telephone key " 2 " like that on " 9 ".For example, alphabetical ABC is allocated in telephone key " 2 ".But, different with common telephone keypad, alphabetical Q and Z are allocated in telephone key " 1 " and " 0 " respectively.

The input of English alphabet is known as those skilled in the art, is imported by two key operations.Each letter is represented by two numbers.For example, telephone key " 2 " is corresponding to alphabetical ABC.But, press key " 2 " and once do not select one of these three letters uniquely.Press key " 1 " afterwards again pressing key " 2 ", then import first letter or i.e. " A ".Similarly, if selected " B " imports, then the user presses key " 2 " earlier, and then presses key " 2 " and select second letter " B ".The rest may be inferred for other alphabetical input method.

In addition, can use one such as the standard arrangement formula keyboard that is applied to typewriter or computer.

Be furnished with one group of cursor key 90 again, use for user's moving cursor on display 101.Cursor key 90 includes the bra vector arrow key that vernier is moved to the left, and goes up for one that vernier is moved up and vows the arrow key, the following arrow arrow key that vernier is moved down, and the right arrow key of vowing that vernier is moved right.

Except above-mentioned key button, radio-cassette player unit 100 also has one group of key button, comprises BROADCAST INFO(broadcast message) key 112, DIAL(dialing) key 114, REVIEW(see again) key 113, CANCEL(cancellation) key 119, HANG UP(on-hook) key 118, PRINT INFO(printing information) key 115, SELECT(select) key 116 and SETUP(set up) key 117.The function of these key buttons will cooperate the flow chart of consulting Fig. 3 a-3 to make an explanation below.

Fig. 2 is radio-cassette player unit 100 inner circuit block diagrams that constitute.The work of radio-cassette player unit 100 is by a CPU(CPU) 201 control.CPU201 can be any of many popular microprocessors on the market, such as 8080 microprocessors of making by Intel Company, or a kind of standard chips of customization.It is connected to the ROM(read-only memory) 202, storage has the function software in order to operation CPU201 among the ROM202.

CPU201 and RAM(random access memory) 203 be connected.RAM203 is used for storing that preset in the radio station and program identification.It also is used in carrying out other function for CPU201 provides intermediate object program temporary, for example when operation display 101.Owing to consider that radio-cassette player unit 100 is of portable form, so the RAM203 of at least a portion should be configured to nonvolatile memory, such as a kind of EEPROM(electrically erasable programmable ROM), or have a kind of volatile memory of back-up source, so that reusable data can store.

CPU201 also is connected with the display control circuit 204 of control display 101 and the clock control circuit 206 of control clock.The digital tuner of radio-cassette player unit 100 is controlled by digital tuner circuit 207 by CPU201, and the tape recorder of radio-cassette player unit 100 is controlled by tape recorder control circuit 210 by CPU201.The design of these circuit the skilled person in the present technique field know, so do not need this is explained in detail.

CPU201 also can be connected to a radio frequency part and audio frequency amplifier 211, wears communication thereby can connect one.

There is a microphone radio-cassette player unit 100, is controlled by common microphone interface circuit 205 by CPU201.CPU201 has the control by 208 pairs of telephone sets of circuit and acoustic coupler 208 again, and the control of passing through 209 pairs of DTMF generators of DTMF circuit decoder.Circuit 208 can be connected directly to telephone set socket 103, perhaps can randomly be connected to an acoustic coupler that is positioned on the radio-cassette player unit 100 back plates.These parts all are used for being connected with the programme information searching system (PIRS) of a distant place, and are used for receiving the supplementary in the next broadcast program of PIRS.Circuit 208 and 209 both can adopt a certain design that can give application in the present technique field.Though figure 2 illustrates whole three kinds of parts, reality does not need all to use them.

CPU201 controls and receives the many enhancement function keys shown in Fig. 1, particularly BROADCAST INFO key 112, DIAL key 114, REVIEW key 113, CANCEL key 119, HANG UP key 118, PRINT INFO key 115, SE-LECT key 116 and SETUP key 117.

Radio-cassette player unit 100 also can provide the operation of instant sign and record to the user's interest broadcast program except its conventional broadcast receiver and recorder PLAYER function are arranged.These functions are just consulted being illustrated of flow chart of Fig. 3 a-3b now.

When energized, preferably by battery (not shown) power supply, work with regard to the recorder of the broadcast receiver that can be used as a standard or a standard in radio-cassette player unit 100, and decide this position by RA-DIO-TAPE key 110.On display 101, can demonstrate the sign and the elapsed time clock in tuning radio station.

When pressing any enhancement function key, CPU201 is interrupted, and removes to carry out a corresponding interruption subroutine.

When pressing SETUP key 117, execution in step 401 demonstrates one and is analogous to the SETUP menu shown in Fig. 4 a on display 101.This SETUP menu allows user optional: (1) is chosen wantonly preset key 102 is set up in desired radio station by selected " BROADCAST STATIONS(broadcasting station) "; (2) by selected " PUBLICATIONS(publication) " is optional preset key is set up in desired publication; (3) pass through to select " the USERID(user ID) " the optional user ID of setting up; (4) pass through to select " the CLOCK(clock) " the optional clock 206 of setting up.Utilize cursor key 90 with vernier move to desirable optional on, and then press SELECT key 116, the user just can select these any in choosing wantonly.When pressing SELECT key 116, notice the position (step 422) of vernier, utilize this position to set up a pointer and go to point to a position (step 423) among the RAM203.Under the SE-TOP operation, pointer makes on the program of pointing in the memory that will be carried out by CPU201, in order to set up radio-cassette player unit 100.

If user selected " BROADCAST STATIONS " is optional, then enter step 402, demonstrate one and be analogous to the menu shown in Fig. 4 b.Under this menu, the user can utilize cursor key 90 to select down the arbitrary number corresponding with preset key 102 as input, and the user can press SELECT key 116 then.In step 403, by means of the platform name and the frequency in this radio station of input, the user can set up corresponding preset key 102 on a selected radio station.

In step 403, the user also can import a telephone number, and it can be used to the information that retrieval comes from a programme information searching system (PIRS), and is storing the next broadcast TV program table in this radio station certainly in this system.It is contemplated that this telephone number can be provided out by publishing on the newspaper (for example TV/broadcasting space of a whole page) or TV Guide etc. by radio station, TV station.This telephone number can be the number with radio station of its oneself PIRS itself, or the telephone number in place, center, and the listing and the information of the broadcast TV program in several different radio station among the PIRS are being possessed in this place, center.

Platform name, frequency and the telephone number that the user imports at step 403 place all is stored in the nonvolatile memory part among the RAM203.

The user can set up another preset key 102 or carry out EXIT(and withdraw from) optional, it can make CPU201 remove once more the SETUP menu of displayed map 4a.

If user selected " PUBLICATIONS " is optional, then enter step 404, demonstrate a class and be used for the menu shown in Fig. 4 c.Under this menu, the user can set up any preset key 102( step 404 and 405 with similar method in step 402 and 403); But in step 405, have not with, promptly the user is no longer impelled and is imported frequency of radio station.There, input is the publication title and the telephone number corresponding of publication PIRS aspect.Similar with the situation described in top a section, the data of user's input also are stored among the RAM203.

If user selected " USER ID " is optional, then enter step 406, demonstrate one and be analogous to the menu shown in Fig. 4 d.Under this menu, the user can utilize the alphabetical back-and-forth method of telephone key 88 at random to import its name, address and telephone number.The storage of being imported is in RAM203.

If user selected " CLOCK " is optional, execution in step 408 and 409 then, CPU201 requires the user to import a clock time that arrives.Because the setting of this clock is analogous to the operation in many existing television sets and the video cassette recorder remote control, these need not to be explained in detail.

When the user finished this setting operation, it was optional to select " EXIT " from the SETUP menu of Fig. 4 a, to stop setting.Show frequency of radio station and clock time on the display again again.

The user utilizes headphone that radio-cassette player unit 100 is tuned in any radio station, and listens to its broadcasting.When the user is interested in a program (comprising music, live telecast, comment, commercial advertisement etc.) of this radio station transmission, then can press BROADCAST INFO key 112.Thus, enter step 411.In step 411, CPU201 is stored into nonvolatile memory part among the RAM203 with the sign in this radio station, and storage is advanced when pressing BROADASTINFO key 112 clock time constantly.

Broadcasting frequency or platform name (for example examining shell platform name KKGO with 105.1MHz) by this radio station can identify this radio station.Adopt the platform name comparatively convenient, because audience's memorize platform name is easier than memorize frequency.

From the sign of RAM203 stored, the user can retrieve a supplementary that the program of sign is arranged.Its implementation is that a modular connector of application or an acoustic coupler are connected to a telephone set with radio-cassette player unit 100.After radio-cassette player unit 100 connected upward, the user can press REVIEW key 113.

After pressing REVIEW key 113, the program identification that before had been stored among the RAM203 is retrieved out (step 414), is presented on the display 101 (step 415).Show that this information can have several forms.For example, the sign of being stored can show with the sign by the radio station layout.The advantage of this kind form is, the user is before transfering to telephone number corresponding, but now, diplacusis was seen the program in a radio station of being identified again.Another kind of form is with date layout sign.This kind form helps the user more easily to find out a specific program of precedence record.

When demonstrating the program that had before identified, the user can choose specific program or particular radio station with cursor key 90, and the user is by in the supplementary that obtains this program or radio station being felt interest.After selecting this program or radio station, the user can press DIAL key 114, retrieves telephone number corresponding (step 416) and Outgoing Call number (step 417).After connecting phone, CPU203 retrieves station designator from RAM203, and starts DIMF generator and decoder circuit 209.So, produce among the PIRS that program identification is sent to radio station or place, center that dtmf tone transfers (step 418).After sending program identification, CPU201 waits PIRS foldback letter in reply breath (step 419).

In step 418, in the optional user ID of input down of USER ID, can at random be sent to PIRS for before.Said as the front, user ID can be name, address and telephone number, perhaps can be a number simply, such as user's social secret number.Sending out user ID has such advantage, and it can make PIRS send a large amount of Word messages by postal delivery or direct telephone relation to the user.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart, it show bright receive one when request PIRS operating procedure.

According to receiving a request (step 501), PIRS utilizes the radio station ID that comes from program identification to seek out the data (step 503) in this radio station.Yet if PIRS is a built-in system in radio station, step 503 can not need.

In step 504, the clock time that program identification comes is deciphered to search the program in sign.When finding the program that sign is arranged, PIRS to retrieves assistance information (step 505).

PIRS makes a record to request and is good.After this, this record can be used to provide out the statistics of determining the welcome property of this program, provides this radio station or other audience-monitor-type data (step 506).

PIRS sends supplementary to the user, at first sends a dtmf tone to radio-cassette player unit 100 and transfers (step 507).DTMF generator and decoder circuit 209 by radio-cassette player unit 100 receive this DTMF generator and this dtmf tones accent of decoder circuit 209 receptions, and it interrupts CPU201 then.CPU201 starts tape recorder by the control to circuit 210 after being interrupted by circuit 209.Tape recorder is delivered to PIRS with a signal and is sent out supplementary (step 508) to inspire it after starting.When radio-cassette player unit 100 receives from supplementary that PIRS comes, just they are recorded on the tape.

If this supplementary is related to one group of music, it will include selected songs (album), musician and title, and short section (for example 10 seconds) sound that should organize music, makes the user tune and title can be connected.This notion discloses in United States Patent (USP) 5119507.If this supplementary is related to advertisement first, then the part of advertisement can repeat together with supplementary, so that product or business and this additional information connect.

After finishing this transmission, PIRS produces a dtmf tone and assigns radio-cassette player unit 100, with work that stops tape recorder and the phone (step 509) that finishes connection.On radio-cassette player unit 100, also can also produce a signal, can give utilization to finishing of user report work with supplementary.

Referring to the flow chart of Fig. 3 a-3b, if the user's arbitrary moment this operation of decision cancellation during retrieves assistance information can be pressed HANGUP key 118, then the phone connection is disconnected (step 421) back.

When display program identified because REVIEW key 113 moves, the user is previously stored program identification of cancellation from RAM203 optionally.Its way is at first to use cursor key 90 to select this program identification that the user wishes cancellation.In a single day this program identification selects, and can press CANCEL key 119, then will wipe (step 420) thus with the selected corresponding data of program identification from RAM203.

When this transmission is finished, user or can from tape recorder, directly hear this information, or also can rely on CPU201 to explain the signal of tape storage, to produce text data, it can show on display 101 then.

Though, be to be illustrated above with reference to sign to a broadcast program, the present invention is not subjected to such restriction.As described above, during setting up radio-cassette player unit 100, the user also can be to preset key 102 programmings with the title of storing various publications (such as Los An-gles Times, Newsweek, Barrons etc.), and together with the storage each publication telephone number corresponding.When reading one piece of writing article, the user can press corresponding preset key 102.When the user counts interested one piece of article or first during advertisement, can press PRINTINFO key 115 so that the name storage of this publication is advanced RAM203(step 424).Then, CPU201 urges the user to provide Code Number, and such as an I PLUS number (step 435), it can find in article of publishing or advertisement.The user is by telephone key 88 input I PLUS numbers, and it is stored into RAM203(step 426 subsequently).

Retrieve the article of sign or the information in the advertisement, the user can be connected to radio-cassette player unit 100 on the telephone set.As described above, can press REVIEW key 113 and show this sign, press DIAL key 114 then so that radio-cassette player unit 100 is connected to PIRS.So, as previously described, come retrieving information by the phone of connecting.

In the embodiment described above, the identification record of a broadcast program is become a number, so that transfer it is sent by dtmf tone.Yet,, can import more detailed program identification if there is a modulator-demodulator radio-cassette player unit 100.And be sent to a PIRS, and PIRS can send text message to radio-cassette player unit 100.And if there is a modulator-demodulator unit, radio-cassette player unit 100, then the information of Chuan Songing does not need to be stored on the tape, pays in RAM203 but directly deposit, and can show on display 101 then.

As a kind of selection, as shown in fig. 1, configurable that class key button on the radio-cassette player unit 100 in calculator, generally to see.Can install CPU201 then so that can carry out computing, make radio-cassette player 100 be used as a calculator.

In fact, the user needn't remove to listen the sound of radio-cassette player unit 100, with radio-cassette player unit 100 set up to any broadcast receiver or television set (comprising auto radio) on the tuning same radio station, can listen to the sound of broadcast receiver or television set.Then, if programs of interest is arranged, can press BROADCAST INFO key 112 to identify fixed this program.

Best, clock 206 is set up extremely corresponding to local zone time.If a local station can on the hour be broadcasted the dtmf tone accent of audible several times every day, then the user utilizes the microphone of tape recorder to receive and surveys this audible tone, make clock to the good time on schedule, just can rely on radio-cassette player unit 100 inside radio reception circuit or another wireless circuit own to make the radio-cassette player unit good synchronously on 100 times.

The circuit block of Fig. 6 illustrates bright an alternative embodiment of the invention.Receiver 600 is the modification equipment of logical broadcast receiver of a Daepori or television set among this embodiment.This receiver 600 includes a receiver circuit 601, a digital tuner 603 and a tuner control circuit 604, and these circuit all can find in the broadcast receiver of a station symbol standard or television set.In many common equipment, receiver 600 can have a clock 602.If do not have clock in the equipment, people can easily load onto it.Best, clock 602 can also degree of counting and indication date when indicating, the minute, second.

According to the present invention, receiver 600 has a circuit 606 that is connected to digital tuner 604 and clock 602.This circuit 606 has a device 608, and it for example is a socket in order to reception EEPROM and so on nonvolatile memory 607, or a magnetic stripe recording device, and the magnetic card of magnetic stripe is housed in order to reception.

When pressing " BROADCAST INFO " key 609, circuit 606 is activated.After the startup, circuit 606 with the sign (for example being the frequency in this radio station of digital tuner 604) in tuning radio station be stored in the memory 607, and pressed the instruction time of clock 602 constantly together with storing into key 609.

Because memory 607 can be discrete parts (also being that it is in different receivers), this just needs a storage administration layout, circuit 606 can be known each time and then where new data is write.A kind of method of this type of storage management layout is to keep a pointer in memory 607.This pointer is maintained on the precalculated position, for example is first address.This pointer points out to import the position of next memory of data.When memory 607 is inserted into socket 608, read pointer by circuit 606.

During the program of the interest that one of user's uppick sense is emerging, can press BROADCAST key 609, it is stored in the memory 607 station designator and clock time.Purpose that also can be is as previously described inserted a user ID in advance in receiver 600, then at this moment it just also be stored.

The user can take off memory 607 from socket 608, it is inserted in the indexing unit (being referred to as the AIM of automatic information mechanism in the back), just can retrieve the information of this broadcast program.

To this embodiment is to have considered more like this, promptly has many this AIM can install on different positions, such as in phonogram shop and other retail sectors.

In AIM, from memory 607, retrieve the time and the station information of broadcast program.According to this kind sign, with the title of the song of print form output such as a first song (and/or out of Memory, such as singer).By means of this information, the user for example can or buy the disc of this song, or buys other phonogram of this singer.

Fig. 7 illustrates the circuit block diagram that an AIM700 constitutes.AIM700 is by a CPU(CPU) 701 control.The work of AIM700 is by the execution ROM(read-only memory of CPU701) 702) function software of stored realizes.A clock 713 and some memory units (such as audio cassette driver 703, hard disk 704 and semiconductor RAM RAM705 etc.) in order to the broadcast TV program plan of storage amplitude modulation platform, checking station and TV station are also arranged in the AIM700.Are furnished with various devices among the AIM700, so that can be updated periodically the program plan and the supplementary of in tape drive 703, hard disk 704 or RAM705, storing.Updating device can be floppy disk 706 and/or modulator-demodulator 707, and this modulator-demodulator 707 is connected to a telephone wire, then is connected to an information provider.

Display 708, printer 710 and headphone 712 all are connected to voicefrequency circuit 711, so that and telex network.

CPU701 is connected to a socket 709, can insert the memory 607 from the user there.

During work, according to the program of interest of record in the memory as described above 607, the user can insert memory 607 in the socket 709 of AIM700.By the program identification in the CPU readout memory 607 (channel, date and time), utilize this sign to remove memory 703 to it.704 or 705 search for, with the related information of the program that searches out and identify.This information for example can comprise song title, write words composer or singer, and the price of a disc of this song or a collection of records (album) etc.This information also can be program itself, or the program that is associated with the program that is identified.

This information can be stored in different forms among the AIM800.For example, if the information that provides is the collection of records (album) with a song of sign, then this information can be the UCC product mark bar code number of a standard simply, and most of phonograms shop is at the inventory of monitoring them with it.This UCC number can be combined into the part of canned data among each AIM, and is in form, as follows to the combination of concrete one a day radio programmes plan:

Operating frequency (for example 98.7MHz)

Date (for example 11/9/1991)

Time started (for example 13: 01: 03)

Concluding time (for example 13: 05: 06) UCC number/mark bar (Track)

Time started (for example 13: 05: 06)

Concluding time (for example 13: 08: 18) UCC number/mark bar

Time started (for example 13: 08: 18)

The live comment in concluding time (for example 13: 08: 48) radio station

For the work that further example goes out AIM700, suppose that user's timesharing in afternoon 1: 5 on November 9th, 1991 listening to the 99.9MHz FM broadcasting.At this moment he hears a first interested song of this broadcast and presses " BROADCAST " key.So the frequency in this radio station (being frequency modulation 99.9MHz) is pressed the time of key button with storage non-volatile memories 607 together with the user.For example it is placed in the tame phonogram shop when after a while this nonvolatile memory 607 being inserted an AIM700() time, then channel, date and time data (" CDT ") all are used for seeking the UCC number and the mark bar (track) of this song by AIM700.

From UCC number and mark bar number, the user can retrieve other supplementary about this song, comprises the storage amount in shop and the price of collection of records.

Retrieved message can demonstrate on display, prints on printer, and/or send the user to via headphone 712 from tape drive 703.

If (for example this AIM belongs to goods shop between family record to information not relevant with the program that is identified among certain AIM, and the program of a sign is automobile market conditions aspects), then demonstrate or print an error message, and the suggestion user takes the proper A IM retrieval of getting on this memory.

After retrieving information, AIM can provide a selection scheme to the user, to wipe corresponding sign from memory 607.

Though, be that reference has illustrated the present invention above with the broadcast receiver, its application is not so limited.For example, do not remove the identification of broadcast program, embody a device of the present invention and can be used to identify TV programme yet.And, can make another kind of embodiment, it allows the user to remove to retrieve program itself or a related program.For example, user's program (such as a comedy or a comment) of perhaps thinking to listen once again and being identified.In the case, CPU701 can utilize program identification to remove to retrieve the duplicate plate of this program, and resets on voicefrequency circuit 711, makes the user hear it from headphone 712.In addition, the user perhaps thinks to read through TV again.Under such situation, CPU701 can utilize program identification to remove to retrieve the duplicate plate of this program, and resets on display 708.Another key property of AIM700 is, it can with from user's RAM chip memory 607, retrieved message stores, and gives information providing with this feedback information.This feedback information has provided valuable audience's audience rating data for the welcome property aspect of each broadcasting station, selecting of music and ad content etc.This user profile can be stored in the hard disk 704, and feeds back to information provider termly by the floppy disk 706 of telephone wire/modulator-demodulator 707 aspects.

The present invention also has an embodiment to be shown among Fig. 8 in addition.The advantage of unit 800 is among the figure, and it can combine application with all receptions existing, that do not do to change arbitrarily.Fig. 9 is unit 800 inner circuit block diagrams that constitute.

Scheme as seen referring to Fig. 8 and two of Fig. 9, unit 800 includes a battery-powered pocket digital clock 802, and it has a LCD 801.Clock 802 disposes time and date and adjusts button, and it can count the time that the phase is timely and divide of subsisting, and also can comprise second.Also be equipped with one group of radio station preset key 804, allow the user to utilize radio station (STA-TION) and adjust (SET) two buttons unit 809 is set up on some frequency of radio station of wanting to listen to.

In unit 800, have one in order to control the CPU(CPU of this cell operation) one for example be the RAM805 of random access memory, RAM805 is used for the programs stored sign.

Unit 800 does not need a receiver circuit.When it was worked, it just stored frequency of radio station and clock time.

Also can add such configuration, promptly allow the user to utilize user ID (USER ID) and radio station to preset (STATION PRESET) key and import its sign, for example be his a secret number of social activity.

Unit 800 also includes such as previously described connection-peg 807, is used for the AIM interface.During work, user or with preset key or manually unit 800 is set up on the radio station of being listened to.When programs of interest of user's uppick also wishes to obtain the information of this program, can press INFO key 810.This move can make clock time and station designator be stored into RAM805.Then, these information can be used to go up retrieving information from an AIM, as above situation about illustrating.

When unit 800 was connected on the AIM, it can also have a clock reading circuit 713.Like this, clock 802 can come the alignment time by AIM.In addition, can adorn a microphone 808 on the unit 800, tone makes 802 alignment times of clock during the audio frequency school that can send by external broadcasting radio station thus.

The same with top described situation, also configurable on the unit 800 with the device of the sign of storing various publications and the device of storage I PLUS code, be used for the information that publishing article and advertisement are associated is retrieved.

Though with reference to preferred embodiment the present invention has been described, it will be appreciated that, can make interpolation, modification or adaptability change to this, and depart from the not category of format invention on realizing; These categories are defined in the following claim.

Claims (56)

1, a kind of device of the supplementary of being convenient to realize that access is relevant with broadcast program is characterized in that, comprising:

A memory;

Receiving system is from audience's receiving inputted signal;

The device of time counting is provided;

Respond described input signal, first sign that provides described program when receiving described input signal is with as the device of time counting function at that time;

A device that the described first sign storage is advanced described memory.

2, the device in the claim 1 is characterized in that, also comprise one be connected on the described sign generator to provide the date time clock of described time counting.

3, the device in the claim 1 is characterized in that, comprises that also one is sent to the device of a programme information searching system (PIRS) with described first sign, and this PIRS is stored described supplementary.

4, the device in the claim 3 is characterized in that, described conveyer includes a twotone multi-frequency generator (DIMF), so far plants PIRS in order to by a telephone channel described first sign is transmitted.

5, the device in the claim 3 is characterized in that, comprises that also from then on planted a device that receives described supplementary among the PIRS.

6, the device in the claim 5 is characterized in that, includes a device that receives for the described supplementary with dtmf code in order to the described device that receives described supplementary.

7, the device in the claim 5 is characterized in that, includes signal that a recorder and one comes this kind PIRS in order to the described device that receives described supplementary and plays response and start the device that maybe can not start optionally to make described recording function.

8, the device in the claim 7 is characterized in that, described recorder is a cassette tape recorder.

9, the device in the claim 3 is characterized in that, comprises that also one is convenient to select in the described memory of audience described first sign to transmit the device of so far planting PIRS.

10, the device in the claim 1, it is characterized in that, also comprise one in order to from many radio station, receiving the device of broadcast program, described sign generator also comprise one in order to second sign that provides described program the device as the function in the radio station that sends described program.

11, the device in the claim 10 is characterized in that, comprises that also one is connected to provide the Date-Time clock of described time degree with described sign generator.

12, the device in the claim 10 is characterized in that, also comprises one in order to described first and second signs are sent to the device of a PIRS, and described supplementary is stored among this PIRS.

13, the device in the claim 12 is characterized in that, described conveyer includes a DIMF generator, so far plants PIRS in order to by a telephone channel described first and second signs are transmitted.

14, the device in the claim 12 is characterized in that, also comprises one in order to from then on to plant the device that receives described supplementary among the PIRS.

15, the device in the claim 14 is characterized in that, includes a device that receives for the described supplementary with dtmf code in order to the described device that receives described supplementary.

16, the device in the claim 14 is characterized in that, includes signal that a recorder and one comes this kind PIRS in order to the described device that receives described supplementary and plays response and start the device that maybe can not start optionally to make described recording function.

17, the device in the claim 16 is characterized in that, described recorder is a cassette tape recorder.

18, a system that is used for carrying out information communication between audience and broadcasting station is characterized in that, comprising:

An electronic type programme information searching system (PIRS), the information that is associated with the program that sends in the broadcasting station in order to storage;

One is connected with described electronic type PIRS, in order to be received from the device of the request that the audience comes;

One is played response to described request, in order to the information that described request identified is retrieved and described information is sent to audience's device.

19, the system of claim 18 is characterized in that also comprising one by the device of a telephone channel in order to the reception described request.

20, a system in the claim 18 is characterized in that, also comprise one by a phone by in order to described information is sent to audience's device.

21, the system in the claim 20, it is characterized in that, its a kind of dtmf signal is used for before transmitting described information sound pick-up outfit being opened in order to produce the device of two kinds of dtmf signals also to comprise one, and its another kind of dtmf signal is used for making after finishing described transmission recording setting to close.

22, the system in the claim 18 is characterized in that, also comprises one in order to the device of storage as the described information of the function of each instant time, is sending described program on those instant times.

23, a system in the claim 22 is characterized in that, also comprises a device of described request being deciphered according to the described instant function of time in the described information that retrieves.

24, the system in the claim 23 is characterized in that, also comprises one by the device of a telephone channel in order to the reception described request.

25, a system in the claim 24 is characterized in that, also comprise one by this telephone channel in order to transmit the device of described information to the audience.

26, the system in the claim 25, it is characterized in that, its a kind of dtmf signal is used for before transmitting described information sound pick-up outfit being opened in order to produce the device of two kinds of dtmf signals also to comprise one, and its another kind of dtmf signal is used for after finishing described transmission sound pick-up outfit cutting out.

27, the system in the claim 22 is characterized in that, also comprises one in order to the device of storage as the described information of the function in radio station out of the ordinary, is sending described program on these radio station.

28, the system in the claim 27 is characterized in that, also comprises the device of described request being deciphered according to the described radio station function in the described information that retrieves.

29, the system in the claim 28 is characterized in that, also comprises one by the device of a telephone channel in order to the reception described request.

30, the system in the claim 29 is characterized in that, also comprise one by this telephone channel in order to transmit the device of described information to the audience.

31, the system in the claim 29, it is characterized in that, its a kind of dtmf signal is used for before transmitting described information sound pick-up outfit being opened in order to produce the device of two kinds of dtmf signals also to comprise one, and its another kind of dtmf signal is used for after finishing described transmission sound pick-up outfit cutting out.

32, the system in the claim 18 is characterized in that, also comprises a device that writes down for the information that is associated with described request.

33, a system in the claim 32 is characterized in that, comprises that also described information that a basis is associated with described request produces the device of audience-Monitoring Data.

34, the system in the claim 33 is characterized in that, described audience-Monitoring Data includes the data in order to the welcome property of monitoring program.

35, a system in the claim 33 is characterized in that described audience-Monitoring Data includes the data in order to the welcome property of monitoring station.

36, a kind of broadcast program receiver is characterized in that, comprising:

One in order to receive the device of broadcast TV program many radio station from different frequency and the television station broadcast;

One in order to provide the clock that has at least hour and divide continuous timing;

One in order to the device of sign-broadcast TV program immediately, and it comprises:

A memory;

Device from user's receiving inputted signal;

Respond described input signal, in order to a program identification being stored the device of described memory, described program identification includes the time value when receiving described input signal and sends out the sign in the radio station of this program.

37, the receiver in the claim 36 is characterized in that, also comprises a device in order to the described program identification in the described memory is retrieved, and a device that described program identification is sent to a PIRS.

38, the receiver in the claim 37 is characterized in that, described conveyer includes one in order to produce the device of a dtmf signal.

39, the receiver in the claim 38 is characterized in that, described conveyer also includes a device that provides a telephone channel.

40, the receiver in the claim 36 is characterized in that, is the radio station television set in order to the device that receives broadcast TV program.

41, the receiver in the claim 36 is characterized in that, is the platform broadcast receiver in order to the device that receives broadcast TV program.

42, one is characterized in that in order to provide the system of the supplementary relevant with broadcast program, comprising:

The device of a ccontaining memory, the data of described memory stores include the data relevant with described broadcast program;

One in order to store the device of described supplementary;

Respond the described data that described memory comes;

In order to from described storage device, to seek out the device of described supplementary;

One in order to export the device of described supplementary.

43, system in the claim 42 is characterized in that, the time timing out of the ordinary that described supplementary includes each program when broadcasting.

44, the system in the claim 42 is characterized in that, described supplementary includes the information in each radio station of broadcast program.

45, system in the claim 42 is characterized in that, described supplementary includes a kind of UCC number of one group of collection of records (album).

46, the system in the claim 42 is characterized in that, described storage device is programs stored itself also, and described system wherein also include one when the user files a request in order to export the device of described program.

47, the system in the claim 42 is characterized in that, also comprise one from the data that described memory is stored in order to produce the device of audience-Monitoring Data.

48, the system in the claim 47 is characterized in that, described audience-Monitoring Data includes the data in order to the welcome property of monitoring program.

49, the system in the claim 47 is characterized in that, described audience-Monitoring Data includes the data in order to the welcome property of monitoring station.

50, a kind ofly when the station broadcast program, can discern the program method immediately expediently, it is characterized in that may further comprise the steps instant program users interest:

The enabling signal that requires to identify is monitored;

The Date-Time clock value that engraves when response enabling signal, instant when receiving enabling signal is stored.

51, the method in the claim 50 is characterized in that, also comprises the response enabling signal, with the step that sign stores in this radio station.

52, a kind of method for communicating of improving between user and the radio station is characterized in that, may further comprise the steps:

Respond enabling signal, store a sign in this radio station;

Send a request to a PIRS, this PIRS will store with the related supplementary of programming that described radio station is come, and described request includes the Date-Time clock value;

Described request is responded retrieves assistance information from PIRS;

The information that retrieves is transmitted back to the user.

53, the method in the claim 52 is characterized in that, also comprises the step that produces audience-Monitoring Data according to described request.

54, the method in the claim 53 is characterized in that, described audience-Monitoring Data includes the data in order to the welcome property of monitoring program.

55, the method in the claim 53 is characterized in that, described audience-Monitoring Data includes the data in order to the welcome property of monitoring station.

56, a kind of providing and broadcast program method for information about is characterized in that may further comprise the steps:

Receive the program identification information of user's request and coding;

Program identification information is deciphered;

From a memory, retrieve information with the program identification associating information of deciphering out;

Provide first command signal to the user;

Provide the information that retrieves to the user;

Provide second command signal to the user.

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