WO2000019646A1 - Systeme et procede de reproduction d'informations supplementaires s'ajoutant a des informations diffusees - Google Patents

Systeme et procede de reproduction d'informations supplementaires s'ajoutant a des informations diffusees Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000019646A1
WO2000019646A1 PCT/US1999/021231 US9921231W WO0019646A1 WO 2000019646 A1 WO2000019646 A1 WO 2000019646A1 US 9921231 W US9921231 W US 9921231W WO 0019646 A1 WO0019646 A1 WO 0019646A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
broadcast
materials
server
data
supplemental
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/021231
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Gregory B. Mackintosh
Mike H. Kim
Edwin C. Price
Edward C. Stojakovic
Original Assignee
Radiowave.Com, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Radiowave.Com, Inc. filed Critical Radiowave.Com, Inc.
Priority to AU64969/99A priority Critical patent/AU6496999A/en
Publication of WO2000019646A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000019646A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
    • H04H20/02—Arrangements for relaying broadcast information
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/29—Arrangements for monitoring broadcast services or broadcast-related services
    • H04H60/31—Arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
    • H04L65/60—Network streaming of media packets
    • H04L65/61—Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio
    • H04L65/611—Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for multicast or broadcast
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/02—Protocols based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/50—Network services
    • H04L67/53—Network services using third party service providers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
    • H04H20/18—Arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
    • H04H20/65—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems for broadcast
    • H04H20/76—Wired systems
    • H04H20/82—Wired systems using signals not modulated onto a carrier
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H2201/00—Aspects of broadcast communication
    • H04H2201/40—Aspects of broadcast communication characterised in that additional data relating to the broadcast data are available via a different channel than the broadcast channel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/35—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users
    • H04H60/38—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space
    • H04H60/39—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space for identifying broadcast space-time
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L69/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services independent of the application payload and not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
    • H04L69/30—Definitions, standards or architectural aspects of layered protocol stacks
    • H04L69/32—Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level
    • H04L69/322—Intralayer communication protocols among peer entities or protocol data unit [PDU] definitions
    • H04L69/329—Intralayer communication protocols among peer entities or protocol data unit [PDU] definitions in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to broadcast materials, and more particularly to a player for coordinating the delivery of supplemental information with broadcast materials.
  • LAN local area network
  • the Internet can be thought of as an extension of local area network technology.
  • the Internet originally began as a communication network through which government researchers, scientists and other personnel could exchange data or other information between offices and facilities throughout the world. Eventually, the Internet became accessible to the public. Initially, the public was slow to embrace the Internet, and it seemed as if the Internet would remain nothing more than a way for a select group of technologists to exchange e-mails and other data or information. Eventually, however, entrepreneurs who envisioned the growth of the consumer market for Internet services were able to attract a large number of consumers into the fold. As a result, a sort of snowball effect ensued in which more and more consumers become Internet users, and in turn, more and more businesses rushed to get web pages set up on an Internet server. With more businesses offering information, products and services on the Web, more consumers were attracted to the Internet. This cycle rapidly fed on itself virtually creating an explosion on the Internet.
  • supplemental materials can be provided to a user in a coordinated fashion with the broadcast materials being delivered.
  • the supplemental materials can be provided in a coordinated fashion such that they relate to the actual broadcast materials as they are being streamed or otherwise delivered to the user.
  • the broadcast material is delivered to the user in segments such as, for example, tracks of music, advertisements, and promotional materials in a radio broadcast.
  • the supplemental materials can be coordinated with the individual segments (e.g., tracks) such that supplemental materials relating to the segments can be provided as the segments are being provided to the user.
  • Supplemental materials can include, for example, images, video clips, audio clips, data, or other materials that may be provided to the user in conjunction with the broadcast materials.
  • the supplemental materials can also include advertising information that is provided to the user during particular segments of the broadcast material. In one embodiment, this advertising information can be coordinated with the particular segments of the broadcast material such that the value of the advertising is enhanced.
  • the radio broadcast materials can include a plurality of tracks that can be streamed to a user via the Internet.
  • the tracks can include, for example, music tracks, advertising tracks, DJ voice or introduction tracks, promotional tracks, and any other track that a station my wish to broadcast as part of its broadcast material.
  • the tracks are provided along with program data that can indicate, for example, an identification of the track, the type of track, and other pertinent or relevant information regarding the particular track being broadcast at that time. This information can be provided to an Internet broadcast service provider that "broadcasts" the broadcast materials and the program data to the listener's Internet terminal.
  • the listener receives the broadcast material and the program data via the Internet connection and plays it on his or her computer, workstation or other Internet terminal.
  • This can be a web page type player or a downloaded player that is resident on the user's terminal.
  • the user's terminal takes the program data associated with that track and uses that data to access one or more servers to retrieve the supplemental information.
  • the data can be used to access a first server to directly retrieve the supplemental information to be coordinated with the broadcast material.
  • the program data can be used to retrieve locational or other identification information from the first server, and use this retrieved information to retrieve the supplemental information from a second server.
  • some or all of the supplemental information may be stored at the listener's terminal. In this case, the program data is used to retrieve the supplemental information from local storage.
  • a history bar can be provided in conjunction with the broadcast material.
  • the history bar can be used to display a history of the segments or tracks of the broadcast material that were broadcast to the listener or other listeners.
  • the history bar can allow the listener or user to retrieve supplemental information about or pertaining to a previous segment that had been broadcast.
  • the user can select the particular item from the history bar, and retrieve this supplemental information.
  • any information or supplemental information that was retrieved during initial playing of the subject track can be saved locally, for example in a circular type buffer or a FIFO or LIFO buffer.
  • this information is available to the user without the need to retrieve the supplemental information again from one or more servers.
  • the program data needs to be stored and associated with each track.
  • the user terminal uses the program data to retrieve the supplemental information.
  • An advantage of the history bar is that it can allow the user to in effect go back in time to obtain information about a segment that was played in the past. In this manner, the information relating to the segment is not lost to the user once the time for the segment has past.
  • a method and apparatus for facilitating the coordination of visual advertisements with audio broadcast material if provided in "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COORDINATING COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK ADVERTISING MATERIALS," Lyon & Lyon Docket No.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example architecture for providing supplemental materials in coordination with broadcast materials according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is an operational flow diagram illustrating a process for coordinating supplemental materials with the program provided to user equipment according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment to the architecture illustrated in Figure 1.
  • Figure 4 is an operational flow diagram describing the coordination of supplemental materials with the broadcast material according to the example embodiment illustrated in Figure 3.
  • Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the example application of the invention in which a radio station provides its broadcast materials to a listener at a user terminal according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 6 is a operation flow diagram illustrating an example process by which supplemental information can be coordinated with the broadcast material in the example application illustrated in Figure 5.
  • Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example user interface for an example player according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an example functional architecture for a player according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 9 is an operational flow diagram illustrating a process for implementing a history window according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating an example implementation of an architecture for providing supplemental materials with broadcast material.
  • Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating an example song table and provider table according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating an example player according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating an example computer architecture according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the present invention is directed toward a system and method for coordinating supplemental materials with broadcast materials delivered to a viewer, listener or other program user.
  • the invention is directed toward a system and method for coordinating supplemental information such as advertising and promotional information with a radio station broadcast over the Internet.
  • alternative embodiments can include the coordination of supplemental materials such as images, video clips, audio clips, text, data or other materials with the delivery of broadcast material.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example architecture for providing supplemental materials in coordination with broadcast materials according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the example embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 includes a program provider 104 for providing broadcast materials to a user equipment 112.
  • Program provider 104 can provide, for example, broadcast materials such as a radio program, a video program, or other broadcast materials on another program medium.
  • program provider 104 can be a radio station broadcasting its radio program to a number of listeners.
  • Program provider 104 can provide its broadcast materials directly to a user's user equipment 112 or alternatively, via a broadcast provider 108.
  • Broadcast provider 108 may be included to allow the broadcast material to be forwarded to the user via an alternative medium.
  • an example of a broadcast provider 108 can be a service provider such as, for example, www.broadcast.com that provides radio broadcast materials to user equipment 112 via the Internet.
  • the term "broadcast" is used to describe the delivery of broadcast materials to one or more than one user or other destination via a hard-wired or wireless communication channel.
  • the user equipment can include, for example a processor-based system, such as a personal computer (PC) or other processor-based system, having an appropriate communication interface.
  • processor-based system such as a personal computer (PC) or other processor-based system, having an appropriate communication interface.
  • user equipment 112 can include, for example, an Internet terminal having an Internet communication interface.
  • program provider 104 provides information pertaining to the broadcast materials to a data server 116.
  • program provider 104 can provide to data server 116 an identification of the broadcast materials that are being broadcast or otherwise provided to user equipment 112. This data can be sent in real time as the broadcast materials are being broadcast or otherwise sent to user equipment 112. Alternatively, the data can be sent in advance of the delivery of the broadcast materials. If sent in advance, the data preferably also includes a schedule for the programming materials such that supplemental information associated with the broadcast materials can be coordinated with the broadcast materials, as discussed below.
  • data server 116 utilizes the data received from program provider 104 to retrieve supplemental materials related to the broadcast materials and to provide those supplemental materials to user equipment 112 in coordination with the broadcast materials.
  • Data server 116 uses the data from program provider 104 to retrieve the associated supplemental materials from its one or more data storage databases 118 and provide these materials to user equipment 112.
  • data from program provider 104 can include event codes identifying the item being broadcast to user equipment 112.
  • Event codes can be codes indicating, for example, a current song being played, an advertising spot being played, or other material in the stream of broadcast materials being broadcast by program provider 104.
  • data server 116 can retrieve supplemental information pertaining to the specific item of programming being broadcast such as, for example, images, video clips, or textual data relating to the material being broadcast.
  • the supplemental materials are not necessarily stored in databases 118 of data server 116. Instead, the supplemental materials can be stored in one or more external data bases 122 associated with one or more external servers 120.
  • a material server 120 and its associated data base 122 are also illustrated in Figure 1.
  • data server 116 uses the data from program provider 104 to retrieve locational or other identification information about the supplemental information to be coordinated with a broadcast.
  • Data server 116 provides this locational or identification information to user equipment 112.
  • User equipment 112 uses this locational or other identification information to access server 120 to retrieve the associated supplemental materials from one or more material servers 120.
  • Figure 2 is an operational flow diagram illustrating a process for coordinating supplemental materials with the program provided to user equipment 112 according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • program provider 104 delivers its broadcast materials to user equipment 112.
  • the broadcast materials can be audio, video or other broadcast materials including, for example, a radio broadcast, a television broadcast, an educational broadcast or other delivery of broadcast materials to a user equipment 112.
  • delivery of the broadcast materials can also be accomplished via an intermediary broadcast provider 108.
  • the intermediary broadcast provider 108 can be, for example, an Internet provider 108, or other intermediary provider.
  • program provider 104 delivers data pertaining to the broadcast materials to data server 116.
  • This data can include, for example in one embodiment, data identifying the broadcast material or the particular portion of broadcast material currently being broadcast to user equipment 112. This data can be provided in real time as the broadcast material is being provided to user equipment 112, or, alternatively, in advance of delivery of the broadcast material.
  • supplemental materials can be provided to user equipment 112 in coordination with the broadcast materials.
  • Each of these embodiments are described with reference to Figure 2 and are illustrated as parallel flow paths in the diagram of Figure 2.
  • data server 116 uses the data from program provider 104 to retrieve the supplemental materials from data base 118.
  • these supplemental materials can include, for example, audio, video, image, data, or other information.
  • data server 116 provides the retrieved supplemental materials to user equipment 112 such that they can be played, displayed, or otherwise provided to the user in coordination with the broadcast materials.
  • the data is provided to data server 116 in real time as the broadcast material is provided to user equipment 112.
  • data server 116 can simply retrieve the supplemental materials and provide them to user equipment 112 as the server receives the data from program provider 104.
  • data server 116 can build a schedule for retrieval of the supplemental materials and their delivery to user equipment 112.
  • the supplemental materials are provided to user equipment 112 such that they can be presented to user equipment 112 in coordination with the broadcast materials.
  • the supplemental materials can be played, displayed, or otherwise provided to the user in coordination with the broadcast materials.
  • the data server 116 uses the data from program provider 104 to retrieve supplemental material parameters from database 118. These parameters can include, for example, locational or other identification information pertaining to the supplemental materials. In one embodiment, this information provides an identification of where user equipment 112 may locate supplemental materials on another server such as, for example, server 120. These retrieved parameters are provided to user equipment 112.
  • User equipment 112 uses this information to retrieve the supplemental materials from another location.
  • user equipment 112 access server 120 to retrieve the supplemental materials from data base 122. This is illustrated by a step 144.
  • supplemental materials can be played, displayed, or otherwise provided to the user in coordination with the broadcast materials.
  • data from program provider 104 can be presented in real time or in advance of the broadcast materials.
  • user equipment 112 can include the processing ability to either receive the supplemental materials from server 116 and provide them to the user in coordination with the broadcast materials or to retrieve the supplemental materials from material server 120 and provide them to the user in coordination with the broadcast materials.
  • user equipment 112 is a computer system capable of receiving information via communication links including, for example, the Internet, and also capable of retrieving information using similar links. Where user equipment 112 is a computer system, a player may be provided to the user such that the user equipment 112 can play the broadcast material and the supplemental materials provided from program provider 104.
  • Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment to the architecture illustrated in Figure 1.
  • program data relating to the broadcast material is not directly provided from program provider 104 to data server 116. Instead, in this embodiment, data pertaining to the broadcast materials is provided along with the broadcast materials to the user equipment 112. This can be done either directly, or via an interim provider such as, for example, broadcast Internet service provider 108.
  • FIG 4 is an operational flow diagram describing the coordination of supplemental materials with the broadcast material according to one or more realizations of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3.
  • program provider 104 delivers the broadcast material to user equipment 112.
  • the data relating to the broadcast material i.e., the program data
  • the program data and broadcast material are multiplexed onto a single data link and provided to user equipment 112 either via a broadcast provider 108, or directly to user equipment 112.
  • the program data can be interleaved with the broadcast materials in a digital data stream. This can be done by interleaving packets, or by interleaving the data in packet data blocks, or by interleaving the data streams together.
  • user equipment 112 delivers the program data to data server 116.
  • Data server 116 receives the program data in real time or near real time with the associated segment of broadcast material. From this point on, the operation can continue as illustrated above in Figure 2 whereby the supplemental information is either retrieved directly from data base 118 and provided to user equipment 112 (steps 136, 138, 140) or whereby locational or other identification information is provided to user equipment 112 which then in turn receives this supplemental information from data base 122 (steps 142, 144 and 146).
  • Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the example application of the invention in which a radio station 204 provides its broadcast materials to a listener at a user terminal 212 according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 6 is a operation flow diagram illustrating an example process by which supplemental information can be coordinated with the broadcast material in the example application illustrated in Figure 5.
  • radio station 204 provides its broadcast materials to a broadcast Internet service provider 208.
  • the materials provided to broadcast Internet service provider 208 can include the actual radio broadcast from radio station 204 as well as event codes indicating c rent tracks in that broadcast, current advertising in that broadcast, or other data associated with the real time broadcast.
  • these signals can be broadcast via an AM or FM radio link to broadcast Internet service provider 208.
  • both the audio and the data can be modulated onto an AM or
  • the broadcast materials and the data can be provided to broadcast Internet service provider 208 in a digital format, encoded, compressed or otherwise, through either a hard-wired or wireless communication link.
  • broadcast Internet service provider 208 in a digital format, encoded, compressed or otherwise, through either a hard-wired or wireless communication link.
  • many radio stations pre-program their broadcast material such that it can be broadcast in an automated fashion.
  • the broadcast material and program data can also be provided in this fashion.
  • Systems available to facilitate such pre-programming include the DAD Pro system available from ENCO Systems, Inc., the Master Control from Radio Computer Systems, Inc. and the Audio Wizard from Prophet Systems, Inc. These systems typically store the broadcast materials in advance on a hard drive or other data storage.
  • this data in digital form can be downloaded to broadcast Internet service provider 208 via any of a number of communication links and protocols and in any of a number of formats.
  • a copy of a disc or other electronic medium on which the program is stored can be provided to broadcast Internet service provider 208 to physically provide the broadcast material and data.
  • the program data can include, for example, a cut number, a category of the cut, and a duration of the cut.
  • the cut number can include number or other alpha-numeric designation assigned by the radio station for recorded components that air on their station. These components can include, for example, songs, commercials, promotions, or other "cuts" or segments that may air on the radio.
  • the program data can also include an identification of the broadcasting station, allowing unique codes or data sets to be maintained for different stations.
  • the cut number can be a numeric or alphanumeric identification (ID) that identifies the particular cut.
  • ID numeric or alphanumeric identification
  • the category of the cut can include, for example, an identification of the type of cut to which the cut number or program data refers. For example, the cut category may differentiate between music, ad traffic, DJ segments, and link promos. Other or additional categories can be included as well.
  • Such format information can further indicate a type of music (e.g., pop, rock, jazz, classical, country and western, etc.), or a type or category of product being advertised (e.g., clothing, food and beverage, insurance, automobile services, etc.). This format information can be used to key particular pieces or categories of supplemental material to the broadcast.
  • a type of music e.g., pop, rock, jazz, classical, country and western, etc.
  • a type or category of product being advertised e.g., clothing, food and beverage, insurance, automobile services, etc.
  • a station can include a station ID in this program data to uniquely identify that station from among a plurality of other stations that may be sending data to broadcast Internet service provider 208.
  • broadcast Internet service provider 208 does not need such an identification signal as it may use other means for determining the identity of the radio station 204, such as, for example, the channel on which the signal is received.
  • analogous data fields can be provided with the program data.
  • other broadcast material types can include a segment ID, analogous to the cut code, or cut number, and identifying the segment; a segment category, identifying a category or class to which the segment belongs.
  • broadcast Internet service provider 208 "broadcasts" the broadcast material including the program data to user terminal 212.
  • this "broadcast” is via the Internet 210.
  • broadcast Internet service provider 208 provides the broadcast materials in a digital format downloaded to user terminal 212 via the Internet 210.
  • this digital data includes the broadcast material and the program data.
  • the program data can be provided directly to data server 214, which transmits the data to user terminal 212.
  • User terminal plays the broadcast material to the user as illustrated by a step 226.
  • user terminal 212 can access and "play" the broadcast material via a web page format.
  • user terminal 212 includes a player that is used to play the broadcast material downloaded via the Internet 210. This player can be a general purpose audio player or audio/video player capable of playing the broadcast material, as well as any received supplemental materials. Specific embodiments of an exemplary player are described below, although alternative players can be implemented.
  • user terminal 212 retrieves the program data from the downloaded broadcast materials and provides this program data to data server 214. Again, this program data can include data pertaining to a specific portion of the broadcast material currently being broadcast.
  • this program data can include a cut number, a cut category, and a duration. Additionally, this can include a station ID such that cut number or other codes from different stations can be differentiated. As stated above, the station ID can be generated originally from radio station 204 and provided to broadcast Internet service provider 208 and thus included in the downlink to user terminal 212 via the Internet 210.
  • station identification can be generated by the user terminal 212 based on a particular station that the user is currently listening to. For example, in embodiments where user terminal 212 includes a player, the station selected on that player can be identified by the player and this identification included in the transmission to data server 214.
  • the data transmitted to data server 214 is also transmitted , over the Internet 210.
  • alternative communication means could be included.
  • the Internet is used as the communication resource without requiring additional communication media to be introduced.
  • data server 214 uses the program data to retrieve information pertaining to supplemental materials.
  • the supplemental materials can include, for example, images, videos, audios, text, or other data.
  • the information or parameters retrieved by data server 214 can include, for example, a URL or other location information to identify where the one or more various supplemental materials may be located on additional supplemental servers 216.
  • Data server 214 returns the information pertaining to the supplemental materials to user terminal 212. This return path can also be implemented by the Internet 210 or other communication path.
  • supplemental materials may be located on data bases directly associated with ID server 214. In this alternative, these materials can be directly returned to user terminal 212.
  • user terminal 212 uses the information provided by data server 214 to retrieve the supplemental materials from another server such as, for example, supplemental server 216.
  • a URL provided by data server 214 can be used by user terminal 212 to retrieve web-based images, videos, audio clips, text files, HTML files, or other data or information from a web server via the Internet.
  • user terminal 212 provides the retrieved supplemental materials to the user while the user is listening to the broadcast materials.
  • This provision is generally refe ⁇ ed to as "playing" the supplemental materials, regardless of whether the played materials are audio, video, still images, text or other data. Because the supplemental materials can be retrieved based on the program data associated with a cu ⁇ ent segment, the supplemental materials can be coordinated with the broadcast material.
  • the user may be provided with an image of an album currently being played, album title, artist, and track number, links to purchase the album, additional materials such as promotional materials, concert schedules and materials, memorabilia, artists bios, other images or videos relating to the album or artists, or virtually any other information that may be somehow related to the current item being played by radio station 204.
  • advertising information can be retrieved and provided on user terminal 212 in conjunction with the cu ⁇ ent broadcast material. For example, particular advertising spots may be keyed to particular songs or broadcast material to further enhance the user interface. Advertising can be keyed to attributes identified by the program data such as music types, products or product categories, artists, and so on.
  • the cu ⁇ ent broadcast material is an advertising spot
  • additional supplemental information may be coordinated with that advertising spot to allow the advertiser to offer special goods or services to the user.
  • the supplemental materials may provide electronic or virtual coupons that can be provided to the listener in conjunction with a broadcast advertisement.
  • the supplemental materials can include a coupon that is downloaded to the user and printed by user terminal 212, or a special alphanumeric code that can be written down by the user and brought to a point-of- sale outlet.
  • supplemental materials in the advertising or promotional capacity may include the provision of contest materials to the users.
  • the supplemental materials may include lottery numbers, electronic "puzzle” or game pieces, and the like.
  • banner ads or other advertisements may be pulled up, and their display can be coordinated with the broadcast material.
  • the advertisements can be directed toward products or services related to the current track, or other advertisements that may appeal to listeners of the current broadcast material.
  • additional supplemental material that can be provided in coordination with the broadcast material.
  • the interface between radio station 204 and user terminal 212 can at least in part implemented via the Internet 210.
  • the link by which user terminal 212 accesses data server 214 to retrieve information pertaining to the supplemental materials can also be implemented by the Internet.
  • communication media such as the Internet 210 have built-in latencies that may impact different user terminals differently, it is conceivable that a large number of user terminals 212 may attempt to access data server 214 simultaneously on the receipt of new program data. As such, random delay can be inserted into the path between a broadcast Internet service provider 208 and a one or more user terminals 212 listening to the broadcast.
  • This random delay which can be, for example, as much as 20 to 40 seconds, can allow the various accesses to data server 214 to be staggered among the plurality of users. As such, the load on data server 214 as well as on any supplemental servers 216 can be somewhat leveled.
  • the process can be randomized to spread out the impact to servers 214, 216.
  • the system can look ahead and use cut codes from future broadcast materials to retrieve supplemental information in advance, at randomized time intervals to level the server load. This can be accomplished, for example where cut codes are provided directly to server 214 in advance of the program.
  • a look-ahead feature is provided, wherein program data for one or more upcoming tracks is used to retrieve supplemental materials prior to the actual playing of those tracks.
  • supplemental materials can be retrieved in advance, and scheduled to occur at times when the servers are not being accessed by a large number of other users.
  • the digital data provided to user terminal 212 can be compressed or encoded to allow for a more efficient communication path.
  • compression is provided using the commercially available encoders such as, for example Microsoft's NetShow or Real's Sure Stream, and others.
  • the example embodiment described with reference to Figures 5 and 6 can be implemented in alternative embodiments with, for example, alternative broadcast material, alternative communication interfaces, and alternative forms of supplemental materials.
  • a player can be downloaded to the user terminal 212 to allow the user terminal 212 to play the broadcast material broadcast from the broadcast Internet service provider 208.
  • the player is a software application resident on user terminal 212.
  • Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating a screen shot of an example player according to one embodiment of the invention. Although this example player is now described in terms of the example screen shot, it will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this description how alternative players can be implemented and how alternative user interfaces or user screens can be provided with a player.
  • player interface 304 can include virtual buttons or selectors that can be selected or otherwise manipulated by the user using a mouse, track ball, keyboard, touch-screen display or other pointing or manipulation device.
  • the controls illustrated in the example of Figure 7 include a volume control 312, a status display 314, a on-air display 316, and a station list button 318.
  • controls or input devices can be provided including, for example, a tuner button or knob to allow stations to be changed or "tuned" using the player interface 304 or another interface.
  • the player interface 304 can include other controls such as, for example, balance controls, tone controls, a mute button, and other controls or features that may be desirable for an audio or audio/video player.
  • Data window 302 provides a place to display supplemental information or materials retrieved from other servers such as data server 116 or supplemental server 120.
  • data window 302 can include an album image 322, artist or album or track information 324, a buy now button 326, and additional information selection area 328.
  • Data window 302 can be implemented to include other or additional information or supplemental materials as well.
  • the URL's can be used to retrieve some or all of the information provided in the example data window 302 and display the retrieved information.
  • other mechanisms can be used to retrieve and display information in data window 320.
  • album image 322 is a picture or other image, preferably in a GIF format (e.g., *.gif) that provides a graphical representation to accompany the cu ⁇ ent song being played.
  • GIF images can be stored locally on data server 214 and provided to user terminal 212 upon receipt of the program data, or otherwise retrieved by user terminal 212 from supplemental server 216.
  • the album image 322 is an image similar to or the same as the album cover image.
  • a listener tuning into a radio station using the player can also view the album cover of the album on which the current song can be found.
  • album image 322 may be an image designated by the advertiser that the advertiser would like listeners to be able to view upon hearing the advertisement being played. This for example can be pictures of the product, company logos, videos, or other images that the advertisers feel would entice the listener or provide additional information to the listener.
  • Track information 324 can be used to provide additional information regarding the cu ⁇ ent track. For example, where the current track is music, track information 324 can display the artist's name, the cu ⁇ ent song being played, the album on which the current song can be found, the record label, and any other information that may be useful or pertinent regarding the cu ⁇ ent track.
  • track being played is a commercial
  • product information, specifications, sizes, prices, or any other pertinent material or desirable information can be displayed in track space 324.
  • this information can be directly retrieved from a data server 214 or alternatively via supplemental server 216.
  • a retrieval and display of album image 322 and track information 324 occurs automatically without user interaction upon receipt of program data. That is, these images and information are retrieved by user terminal 212 as soon as the program data is received. Playing of the track can begin immediately, or can be delayed until some or all of the supplemental materials are received.
  • Additional info portion 328 can be used to provide additional information to the user or to provide menu selections that the user can interact with to select or obtain additional information or supplemental materials regarding the current track.
  • additional information can include buttons to allow the user to select additional information such as, for example, artist information, concert tour information, album information, a "libretto" having words to the track being played or to other tracks on the cu ⁇ ent album, ticket information for upcoming concerts, merchandizing materials, and other information that may be of value or that a user may foreseeably desire.
  • these selections provide information pertaining to the cu ⁇ ent track being played, again based upon the program data that is received for the cu ⁇ ent track.
  • This can be information relevant to a cu ⁇ ent song being played or additional information relative to an advertisement being played.
  • the specific information "behind" these buttons is not retrieved by user terminal 212 until a button is clicked. Therefore, in this embodiment, user terminal does not go through the steps of retrieving information from a server until that information is actually requested. Alternatively, of course, all of this information can be accessed and retrieved upon receipt of a program data code; however, this may result in unnecessary loading of the communication channels.
  • the URL's or other locational information pertaining to the information behind these buttons is also not received or retrieved from ID server 214 until requested.
  • the URL's for the information are retrieved such that the response time when a button is clicked is that much faster for the user.
  • this information or the buttons can provide selections pertinent or relevant to the product being advertised. For example, selections such as additional product information, shipping or delivery information, availability information, links to a company's complete catalog or web page, product safety information, competing product information, or other information that a user may find useful or relevant can be linked to using additional information selection area 328. Also illustrated in the example player of Figure 7 is a buy now button 326.
  • buy now button 326 when selected, activates a link to a source whereby the user can purchase the album title being played. For example, in one embodiment, when the user clicks buy now button 326 the URL associated with a supplier of the album is retrieved. The user terminal 212 accesses the supplier's web site, allowing the user to purchase the album on-line.
  • a supplier web site is www.amazon.com.
  • buy now button 326 can bring up a list of potential suppliers such that the user can select which of a plurality of suppliers he or she wishes to access to purchase the album. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the user is not provided with the choice, but instead a single click on buy now button 326 brings the user directly to the preferred supplier.
  • the supplier may of course vary depending upon the album title as not all suppliers cany all titles.
  • this supplemental information returned for the album title is a specific page within the supplier that links directly to that particular album.
  • the URL retrieved to be associated with the buy now button 326 is the URL that maps directly to the page or pages in the Amazon.com® website that relate to the cu ⁇ ent track or album. Therefore, the user in this embodiment does not have to work his or her way through several web pages to get directly to the pages pertaining specifically to the album being played.
  • the buy now button 326 is clicked, the appropriate or related web pages can be brought up directly within data window 302.
  • a separate window can be opened or a separate browser launched, to allow the retrieved pages to be viewed in a windowed manner with respect to the player.
  • the player and the window can be sized such that they both can be viewed simultaneously.
  • the player is not limited to a single buy now button 326 and can have buy now buttons relating to the album, concert tickets, or additional materials. Also in this embodiment, it is not necessary that the buy now button 326 be on the first instance of data window 302. Buy now buttons can be interspersed within the various supplemental images that are brought up as the user navigates through the variety of supplemental information available.
  • buy now button 326 can execute another action to facilitate purchase of the title or advertised product by the alternative supplier.
  • the button can cause an e-mail purchase order to be generated and sent, a phone call to be placed, or some other purchase-initiating action.
  • concert information can be provided specifically based on the geographic location of the user.
  • a user can immediately see when the artist will be appearing next in his or her area.
  • a buy now button can be associated with this concert such that the user can access a site selling tickets to the concert or concerts, or otherwise initiate a purchase of concert tickets.
  • a button can be provided to allow the user to obtain information regarding other artists with a similar style, feel, or sound as the cu ⁇ ent artist or track. Therefore, if a listener is particularly fond of the selection being played, that listener can search for other titles or artists who also have a similar sound, style, or feel.
  • This embodiment can use a data base that provides relational information for the various artists based on their style, sound, or other features or characteristics of the artist.
  • the user or listener may also be provided with the ability to click to select sample sound tracks from various other artists or albums that are selected in this manner.
  • a user likes a particular sound and wants to hear a brief sample of an album by another artist, this can be accomplished with a simple selection by the listener. In one embodiment, this can be facilitated by providing the URL's of locations where the sample tracks can be found.
  • a data base can be maintained within supplemental server 216 that allows sample tracks to be stored directly therein.
  • sample tracks can be provided for the cu ⁇ ent album such that the listener can sample other tracks of the cu ⁇ ent album before deciding whether to purchase that album.
  • buy now button 326 can similarly be used to provide a link to a site through which the user can purchase the product or products being advertised. Similar to the music track, this can be a direct link to the supplier's page or pages that offer their particular product for sale, or to the company's home page such that the user can browse through and obtain information about the company and all of its products.
  • virtual coupons can be implemented whereby an "on-line" coupon is offered to the listener.
  • a button may be provided that enables a user to select a coupon. For example, a user may click on the select coupon button causing the coupon to be printed out on a printer associated with the listener's machine. Advertisers may use this virtual coupon as a device for offering special promotions to web-based listeners. Of course, coupons can present special deals and can have expiration dates and other features or aspects associated with conventional paper coupons.
  • a history window 306 can also be provided to display a history of tracks played by the radio station 204 or other program provider 104.
  • history window 306 is a sliding window that illustrates a predetermined or selectable number of the most recent tracks contained within the broadcast material.
  • the history window in one embodiment, is a chronological display of past tracks played. The display does not need to be chronological, however, this organization may represent a more user friendly interface. Where cut codes or other information pertaining to future tracks is available, the history bar may also be used to provide a look into upcoming programming.
  • the history window 306 can also include scroll buttons or a scroll bar such that the listener can scroll through the various selections in history window 306.
  • History window 306 does not need to be limited to displaying a history of music tracks played, but can also display a history of advertising or other tracks included in the broadcast material. History window 306 can provide a means for a listener to easily go back and retrieve information on past tracks.
  • the user simply clicks on one of the windows in the history bar to bring up the information for that selection.
  • history window 306 shows the five most recent tracks played. These are, in chronological order (oldest to most recent), the Beatles, a Sony advertisement, a McDonald's advertisement, a Sprint advertisement, and a Fleetwood Mac selection.
  • the Fleetwood Mac selection is the one that was most recently on air. If, for example, the listener wanted to obtain additional information about the Beatles selection that was being played, the user may simply click on the Beatles window and that information can be displayed on data window 302. In this case, live-air indicator 316 may change to show it is no longer a live selection.
  • the user can access all of the information that he or she could have accessed via the various buttons and selections when the selection was originally being played.
  • the user can go back via the history bar and take the opportunity to do so at this time.
  • all that is saved is the program data for each item in the history window. Therefore, when the user makes a selection, the process of retrieving supplemental information for the selected item begins again from scratch.
  • any or all of the information previously retrieved when that track was initially played can be stored locally such that the information does not have to be re- retrieved when a history selection is made.
  • the number of selections for which material can be stored may vary.
  • the amount of information saved can be user selected. In the case of an advertisement that included a virtual coupon, for example, the user can still go back to that advertisement and obtain the coupon.
  • the history bar is maintained only for selections or tracks that were played while the listener terminal 212 was actively receiving broadcast material.
  • program data from previous tracks prior to the time that the user terminal 212 was "listening" to the broadcast can be downloaded such that the history bar can be filled in for earlier tracks.
  • This application is particularly suited for the embodiment in which the program data is provided from the radio station 104 directly to data server 116.
  • the server can maintain a history and schedule of the tracks played by a particular broadcaster during a given time period.
  • this history can be maintained by keeping track of the program data codes that are received from data terminals 212 in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5.
  • One advantage is that the user can go back and retrieve information pertaining to a selection that he or she may otherwise have missed. Thus, the user is afforded the opportunity to take advantage of things that can easily be missed in real time broadcasts.
  • a user may be listening to broadcast material in a car on his or her way to the office.
  • the user may hear a song that he or she likes or perhaps may even hear an advertisement of a product that he or she is interested in purchasing.
  • the listener is cu ⁇ ently driving down the freeway, it is not practical to write down the information provided.
  • the user may wish to take advantage of the features provided by the player and cannot do so while listening in the car. Therefore, when the listener reaches his or her destination, the listener can bring up the player, access the broadcast broadcast material, and go back through the history bar 306 to find the track in which he or she was interested. For example, if the user wishes to purchase an album or obtain additional information about an album or track that was played on the radio while he or she was in the car, the user can simply select that album from the history bar and can retrieve all of the informational pertaining to that album. Additionally, the user can purchase the product through the use of buy now button 326. Thus, simply because the listener was in the car, the listener has not missed the opportunity to obtain additional information about the track or purchase the album.
  • the user may wish to purchase a product that he or she heard advertised while in the car, or take advantage of a coupon that was advertised for a product while he or she was in the car.
  • the user can access the history bar 306, go back to the particular advertisement, and retrieve the coupon or other information that the user desires.
  • the user has not lost the opportunity to purchase a product or obtain savings related to a product, simply because he or she was listening to the radio station in the car.
  • the data codes have not been provided to user terminal 212. Therefore, when the user activates his or her player, the player will retrieve the data codes for the period of time in which the player was active.
  • server 116 may be able to obtain a history for the user based on codes or data received from other listeners of the same program.
  • broadcast Internet service provider 208 may maintain a history of the data codes such that they can be provided to the user terminal to access information pertaining to past codes prior to the time at which the player was active.
  • An additional advantage of a history bar 306 is that the advertiser's advertising impression is provided with "air time" greater than that provided with the advertising time slot. For example, an advertiser's commercial may air for 15 to 30 seconds on the radio within the broadcast material.
  • Advertising window 308 can be included to provide additional advertising slots to be displayed to the listener.
  • advertising window 308 displays banner ads or other ads of products provided by advertisers.
  • the banner ads or other advertising materials for display in advertising window 308 can also be retrieved in a manner similar to the retrieval of the other supplemental materials.
  • the advertisements can be coordinated with or coded to particular tracks within the broadcast material. This has the advantage that the advertising can be geared to the particular listener expected to be listening to a track that is currently playing in the programming material. As such, the advertising material is more relevant and of greater interest to the listener which is advantageous to both the listener and the advertiser.
  • banner ads related to items of interest to Grateful Dead listeners may be keyed for appearance in advertising window 308.
  • the importance of this feature can be further illustrated by considering a typical listening scenario. Because most listeners tend to listen to broadcast material such as radio information in the background, it is anticipated that the majority of the time that the player is active, the player will be operating in the background mode on user terminal 212. For example, where the listener is at his or her office working on other applications on his or her user terminal, the player may be active in the background, providing background music to accompany the listener throughout his or her workday. However, when the listener comes upon a particular track that he or she has great interest in, that listener may bring the player window to the forefront. As such, it is during this time, that the advertising window 308 is visible to the listener. Therefore, keying the advertisements to the track in the broadcast material maximizes the benefit of the advertisement occu ⁇ ing in advertising window 308.
  • Advertising window 308 can also be coordinated with advertisement tracks being broadcast within the broadcast material.
  • advertising window 308 may advertise other related products, cu ⁇ ent specials in addition to what is being advertised on the radio, or other information or material that may be pertinent to be keyed with the advertising track.
  • competitors' ads be placed in advertising window 308 such that competitors can have the chance to also compete in the marketplace.
  • agreements with the advertisers may restrict this practice from occurring.
  • the capability exists within the system described herein.
  • station list button 318 is also provided on player interface 304. Station list button 318, when clicked, accesses a list of stations that are accessible by the player.
  • the listener can click station list 318 and select a new station from among those listed.
  • the list can include identifying information such as, for example, station name, frequency, format, and other information.
  • station list 318 can include identifying information such as, for example, station name, frequency, format, and other information.
  • identifying information such as, for example, station name, frequency, format, and other information.
  • the provision of supplemental materials coordinated with a stream of broadcast material can provide numerous features and advantages to the user and the providers.
  • the invention is not limited to the specific applications or examples described herein.
  • broadcast material is not limited to radio broadcast material, but can include other audio, video, or alternative format material.
  • the broadcast material being delivered is television programming.
  • Television programming can be thought of as being formatted similar to the radio broadcast in that it includes tracks of the television program as well as advertising tracks and promotional slots. Similar to the radio example, these tracks in video material can be coded such that supplemental information can be retrieved for the coded tracks. This information can be keyed to and coordinated with the tracks such that the benefit derived from the information is maximized.
  • Information can include information such as the series or program being displayed, actors or actresses associated with the series, perhaps even products that are viewed in camera on the series that a user may wish to investigate more fully.
  • the broadcast material is a television show
  • the actors on a television show may be driving a particular automobile, using a particular brand of coffee, or otherwise using a specific consumer-related product.
  • supplemental information relating to this broadcast material can be coded into the program data such that this supplemental information can be retrieved in conjunction with the viewing of the broadcast material.
  • windows adjacent to the viewing window can provide the user with selections to view supplemental information pertaining to one or more products.
  • the user can obtain this additional information which again can include product specifications, ordering information, shipping and delivery information, as well as a host of other informational items that may be associated with the particular product.
  • the broadcast material is a class lecture being delivered by a professor to user equipment 112.
  • the broadcast material may be divided into segments analogous to the tracks, and these segments can have codes associated therewith analogous to the program data.
  • this format can also be useful for keying specific supplemental information to specific segments such as, for example, complete solutions to problems being solved in the class, supplemental texts or treatises relating to the subject matter of the segment, homework assignments for the next class, class syllabus or schedule information, and any other informational materials that may be relevant to a segment or class.
  • the application of the invention is seemingly limitless in that there are numerous different types of broadcast material and associated supplemental information that can be coordinated in this manner.
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the functionality of an example player according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the player includes several modules for receiving materials, coordinating materials, and playing the materials via the player. These modules are now described according to this example embodiment. After reading this description, it will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art how one or more players can be implemented using this or alternative functional architectures.
  • a received broadcast module 404 is configured to receive the broadcast from the broadcast material broadcast provider. As discussed above, in one embodiment, this broadcast is received via the Internet from an Internet broadcast provider.
  • a play broadcast module 408 is configured to receive the broadcast material from received module 404 and configure the broadcast material for playback via the player.
  • the broadcast material can be provided to a display screen 410, a speaker 412, as well as other peripheral devices 422.
  • a get-data module 414 can be included to utilize the program data to retrieve information pertaining to the supplemental materials. In one embodiment, as discussed above, this information retrieved is locational or other parameters pertaining to the supplemental data that can provide an indication to the user equipment regarding where to locate the supplemental materials. In alternative embodiments, get-data module 414 can access a server to directly obtain these supplemental materials based on the program data.
  • a get-materials module 418 can be utilized to use the parameters retrieved by get- data module 414 to subsequently receive the broadcast materials from one or more servers.
  • the get-materials module 418 can provide the retrieved materials to the play broadcast module 408 such that these supplemental materials can be displayed or otherwise played along with the broadcast material on the various peripheral devices.
  • FIG 8 Also illustrated in Figure 8 is a history module 420 that can be used to coordinate the archival or storage of particular pieces of information to maintain a history window, as discussed in further detail below.
  • history module 420 stores the program data received by received module 404 such that this program data can be used to allow the user to go back and retrieve broadcast materials pertaining to a particular segment of the broadcast program.
  • the history module 420 can be used to store program data, as well as, in one embodiment, supplemental materials that may already have been retrieved for a particular program segment.
  • Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating one process by which a history window 306 can retrieve information pertaining to the history of the broadcast material.
  • a step 442 the player receives the broadcast material and program data from a broadcaster.
  • the broadcast material is played to the user while the program data is used to access supplemental information.
  • the program data for each segment is stored in local storage such that it can be recalled by the history window for later use.
  • a step 448 Also stored, in a step 448, is an image associated with the program data. This image is displayed as part of the history window. Associated with the displayed image is an identification of the program data or other information that can be used to identify the particular history item.
  • the history module retrieves supplemental materials associated with the selected track, and plays these materials to the user.
  • only the program data is stored for each track, and the history module needs to do a retrieval of supplemental materials associated with that track.
  • some or all of the supplemental materials previously retrieved for that track can be stored locally and associated with the item in the history window. In this alternative, these items do not need to be retrieved, and can be more immediately played to the user.
  • on-air system 501 of the type typically employed by a broadcaster such as a radio station or the like broadcasts a predetermined audio stream comprising a predetermined sequence of songs interspersed with one or more audio advertisements.
  • the on-air system is a commercially available system such as ENCO or Prophet commonly used by radio stations and the like.
  • ENCO ENCO
  • the on- air system transmits this audio information over the airwaves through antenna 505, and also provides it in digital form over signal line 506 to encoder 503.
  • the on- air system also provides over signal line 507 data in the form of identifying indicia or codes such as cut codes.
  • each song or advertisement comprising the audio information being concu ⁇ ently transmitted over signal line 506 comprises a distinct segment.
  • a cut code co ⁇ esponding to and uniquely identifying a segment from the standpoint of the radio station is transmitted over signal line 507 concu ⁇ ently with the transmission of the co ⁇ esponding segment over signal line 506.
  • Encoder 503 is configured to compress the audio information received over signal line 506.
  • the encoder can be implemented using a commercially available encoding scheme such as, for example, the "Active Streaming Format" from Microsoft Netshow, or the "SureStream” G2 encoding scheme from Real.
  • the encoder 503 is part of a coordinating encoder 502 configured to merge the cut codes provided over signal line 507 with the audio information provided over signal line 506 to provide a merged data stream over signal line 508.
  • the encoder 503 under the control of the coordinating encoder 502 performs this merging procedure.
  • a cut code is inserted into the merged stream throughout the audio segment it identifies.
  • Radowave.com the assignee of the subject application, provides the coordinating encoder 502.
  • the audio information transmitted from antenna 505 is advantageously received by one or more traditional RF receivers (not shown) configured in the form of radios and the like. This process is known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and need not be described further.
  • the merged stream is provided over signal line 508 to one or more broadcast servers 509.
  • the transmission of the merged data to the broadcast servers is accomplished through a wireless interface rather than a signal line.
  • the servers are provided by broadcast.com, of Dallas, TX, www.broadcast.com, and are configured to simply broadcast the merged stream over a communications network such as the Internet.
  • a player 510 is provided which executes on a client computer or other end use device within the communications network.
  • the player is a web-based player resident on a server in the network, but accessible through the client machine.
  • the player is configured to receive the merged stream over signal line 513 and play the audio component thereof through speakers or the like (not shown) configured as part of the client computer/end user device.
  • the player is advantageously associated with the radio station or other broadcaster associated with on-air system 501, such that the identity of the radio station or other broadcaster is known to the player.
  • the player is also configured to detect the presence of a cut code in the merged stream, and responsive to detecting the presence of a cut code identifying a song, signal another server on the network identified with numeral 511. (The response of the player to detecting the presence of a cut code identifying an advertisement is detailed in the next section).
  • the player upon detecting a cut code identifying a song, the player is configured to provide server 511 with the identity of radio station 501, as well as the cut code that has been detected.
  • server 511 is provided by RadioWave.com, the assignee of the subject application. Responsive to the receipt of a station ID and a cut code identifying a song, the server 511 accesses one or more tables. With reference to Figure 11, the server 511 first accesses a song table 516, the entries of which co ⁇ elate a station ID and cut code with an ID of the album containing the song, the name of the artist, the album name, and the song name. Through this step, the server 511 obtains the album ID for the album containing the song associated with the cut code and station ID that was previously sent to the server.
  • the server 511 accesses a provider table 517.
  • the entries of this table co ⁇ elate the album ID with (1) a name of an image related to the cut or segment, such as but not limited to a gif image of the cover of the album or tape containing the song; (2) a provider link, i.e., a URL or other link to additional information related to the song or album, such as a link to a server 512 of a fulfillment provider; (3) the artist name; (4) album name; and ( 5) song name.
  • the server 511 obtains the name of an image file of the album or tape cover containing the song, the artist name, the album name, the song name, and the record label.
  • the fulfillment provider server is that of Amazon, Inc. at www.amazon.com, and the link to this server is a URL link known as an ASIN#.
  • server 511 obtains the actual image for the album cover, which is either stored locally or on another server accessible from server 511, and then provides the image, song name, artist name, and album name to player 510.
  • server 511 provides the player 510 with a link to the image stored on another server, and, responsive to this information, the player 510 obtains the actual image for the album cover, or other related image, from fulfillment provider server 512.
  • the player Responsive to the receipt of the artist name, album name, song name, image, and provider link (this last item of information being provided only in the case in which there is an entry for the album in the provider table) are then provided to the player 510. Upon receiving this information, the player displays it through a suitable display. With reference to Figure 12, an example of such a display is illustrated. As can be seen, the display includes a web-based component 526 in which is displayed the image 518 of the album cover for the song that is currently being played, the name 519 of the artist of the song, the name 520 of the song, and the name 521 of the album in which the song is contained. In addition, around the web-based display component is a border 527, which is advantageously stored locally on the client machine.
  • a history component 525 is displayed below the web-based component. This component contains information about the audio segments that have been played by the player in the recent past. In the illustrated embodiment, the history information is displayed with the most recent information beginning at the left, and the less recent information being arranged towards the right. As can be seen, the information is displayed is the image associated with the segment. Also, images can be displayed both for songs and advertisements that have aired.
  • an image 525a from a Fleetwood Mac album cover is displayed, indicating that a song from this album was most recently played.
  • images for advertisements which have aired, from Sprint, McDonalds, and Sony.
  • the image for the McDonalds advertisement is identified with numeral 525b.
  • image 525c for a Beatles album cover is displayed, indicating that a song from this album was played. As audio information is played, this history information is updated.
  • a "buy now” button 522 is also displayed.
  • a link is established to a program resident on fulfillment provider server 512 using the provider link provided by the server 511.
  • the fulfillment provider server 512 is www.amazon.com
  • the provider link is an ASLN# which is a URL link to this server.
  • a browser is launched allowing a user to peruse information resident on server 511 and purchase the album containing the song being played or related albums. Alternatively, the user is allowed access to this information through a feature window displayed by the player.
  • the link to server 512 is established simply by appending the provider link to the URL of the server 512.
  • the URL of the server 512 is known to the player 510, but it should be appreciated that examples are possible in which this URL information is provided to player 510 by server 511. It should be appreciated that examples are possible in which server 511 provides other links associated with the song being played to the player 510.
  • One such example is a URL or other link to information describing the concert tour schedule of the artist of the song being aired, and a program allowing the user to purchase tickets to one of these concerts.
  • a browser launched or other mechanism such as a feature window initiated allowing the user to peruse this information.
  • Another example is a URL or other link to information describing other albums by the artist of the song cu ⁇ ently being played.
  • the link to this information can be established, and a browser launched or other mechanism initiated, such as a feature window, allowing the user to peruse this information.
  • a third example is a URL or other link to information about a product or service being advertised.
  • an advertisement regarding a product or service is displayed within web-based component 526.
  • a URL or other link can be established to a server configured to provide additional information about this product or service, and a browser launched or other mechanism initiated, such as a feature window, to allow a user to peruse this information.
  • the various embodiments, systems and subsystems of the invention described above may be implemented using hardware, software or a combination thereof and may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems. In fact, in one embodiment, these elements are implemented using a computer system capable of carrying out the functionality described with respect thereto.
  • An example computer system 702 is shown in and described with respect to Figure 13.
  • the computer system 702 illustrated in Figure 10 includes one or more processors, such as processor 704.
  • the processor 704 is connected to a communication bus 706.
  • Various software embodiments are described in terms of this example computer system. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how to implement the invention using other computer or processor systems and/or architectures.
  • the functionality of the invention as described above is not dependent on a particular computer or processor architecture.
  • Computer system 702 can include a main memory 708, preferably random access memory (RAM), and can also include a secondary memory 710.
  • the secondary memory 710 can include, for example, a hard disk drive 712 and/or a removable storage drive 714, representing a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, etc.
  • the removable storage drive 714 reads from and/or writes to a removable storage medium 718 in a well known manner.
  • Removable storage media 718 represents a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, etc. which is read by and written to by removable storage drive 714.
  • the removable storage media 718 includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and/or data.
  • secondary memory 710 may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system 702.
  • Such means can include, for example, a removable storage unit 722 and an interface 720.
  • Examples of such can include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units 722 and interfaces 720 which allow software and data to be transfe ⁇ ed from the removable storage unit 718 to computer system 702.
  • Computer system 702 can also include a communications interface 724.
  • Communications interface 724 allows software and data to be transfe ⁇ ed between computer system 702 and external devices.
  • Examples of communications interface 724 can include a modem, a network interface (such as, for example, an Ethernet card), a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, etc.
  • Software and data transfe ⁇ ed via communications interface 724 are in the form of signals which can be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of being received by communications interface 724. These signals are provided to communications interface via a channel 728. This channel 728 carries signals and can be implemented using a wireless medium, wire or cable, fiber optics, or other communications medium.
  • a channel can include a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link, a network interface, and other communications channels.
  • computer program medium and “computer usable medium” are used to generally refer to media such as removable storage device 718, a disk capable of installation in disk drive 712, and signals on channel 728.
  • Computer programs also called computer control logic
  • Computer programs can also be received via communications interface 724.
  • Such computer programs when executed, enable the computer system 702 to perform the features of the present invention as discussed herein.
  • the computer programs when executed, enable the processor 704 to perform the features of the present invention. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the computer system 702.
  • the software may be stored in, or transmitted via, a computer program product and loaded into computer system 702 using removable storage drive 714, hard drive 712 or communications interface 724.
  • the control logic when executed by the processor 704, causes the processor 704 to perform the functions of the invention as described herein.
  • the elements are implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, hardware components such as PALs, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or other hardware components. Implementation of a hardware state machine so as to perform the functions described herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s). In yet another embodiment, elements are implemented using a combination of both hardware and software.

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un lecteur de supports permettant de reproduire des programmes diffusés ainsi que des informations supplémentaires associées comportant un récepteur de programmes diffusés par un diffuseur de programmes. Les programmes diffusés contiennent des segments de programmes et des données de programmes relatives à un ou plusieurs de ces segments de programme. Le lecteur reproduit dans le terminal de l'utilisateur les segments de programmes diffusés reçus. Un module de recherche d'informations transmet à un premier serveur un élément de données de programme relatif à l'un des segments de programme donnés pour lui permettre de retrouver les paramètres identifiant un ou plusieurs éléments du matériel supplémentaire correspondant auxdits segments de programmes. Le module de recherche d'informations transmet à un deuxième serveur les paramètres permettant d'y retrouver le matériel supplémentaire à l'aide desdits paramètres et fournit ce matériel supplémentaire au lecteur en vue de sa reproduction avec un serment de programme du matériel diffusé.
PCT/US1999/021231 1998-09-29 1999-09-22 Systeme et procede de reproduction d'informations supplementaires s'ajoutant a des informations diffusees WO2000019646A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

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AU64969/99A AU6496999A (en) 1998-09-29 1999-09-22 System and method for reproducing supplemental information in addition to information transmissions

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16329798A 1998-09-29 1998-09-29
US09/163,297 1998-09-29

Publications (1)

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WO2002011327A2 (fr) * 2000-07-28 2002-02-07 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Systeme et procede et programme informatique de fourniture de donnees
WO2002048842A3 (fr) * 2000-12-15 2003-11-20 J Ve Media Technologies Inc Fichiers multimedia comprenant un contenu supplementaire
WO2006105506A1 (fr) * 2005-03-31 2006-10-05 Google, Inc. Systeme et procede permettant d'obtenir un contenu sur la base de donnees en provenance d'un dispositif electronique
US20100317370A1 (en) * 2009-06-15 2010-12-16 Alpine Electronics, Inc. Content delivery system and method
EP3432492B1 (fr) * 2011-08-10 2022-03-16 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Récepteur de signaux de radiodiffusion et procédé permettant de fournir des informations de relation de signal de diffusion

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WO2002011327A2 (fr) * 2000-07-28 2002-02-07 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Systeme et procede et programme informatique de fourniture de donnees
WO2002011327A3 (fr) * 2000-07-28 2003-01-09 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc Systeme et procede et programme informatique de fourniture de donnees
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WO2002048842A3 (fr) * 2000-12-15 2003-11-20 J Ve Media Technologies Inc Fichiers multimedia comprenant un contenu supplementaire
WO2006105506A1 (fr) * 2005-03-31 2006-10-05 Google, Inc. Systeme et procede permettant d'obtenir un contenu sur la base de donnees en provenance d'un dispositif electronique
AU2006230581B2 (en) * 2005-03-31 2012-04-05 Google, Inc. System and method for obtaining content based on data from an electronic device
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US8924256B2 (en) 2005-03-31 2014-12-30 Google Inc. System and method for obtaining content based on data from an electronic device
EP2921971A1 (fr) * 2005-03-31 2015-09-23 Google, Inc. Système et procédé permettant d'obtenir un contenu sur la base de données à partir d'un dispositif électronique
US20100317370A1 (en) * 2009-06-15 2010-12-16 Alpine Electronics, Inc. Content delivery system and method
US8655383B2 (en) * 2009-06-15 2014-02-18 Alpine Electronics, Inc Content delivery system and method
EP3432492B1 (fr) * 2011-08-10 2022-03-16 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Récepteur de signaux de radiodiffusion et procédé permettant de fournir des informations de relation de signal de diffusion

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