WO2013013381A1

WO2013013381A1 - Method and apparatus for requesting and receiving content

Info

Publication number: WO2013013381A1
Application number: PCT/CN2011/077571
Authority: WO
Inventors: Minmin Wang
Original assignee: Nokia Corporation
Priority date: 2011-07-25
Filing date: 2011-07-25
Publication date: 2013-01-31
Also published as: CN103828380A

Abstract

An approach is provided for determining a request, from a device, for one or more content items. Further, one or more broadcast resources, one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof for the one or more content items are determined. Furthermore, it is caused, at least in part, a determination of identification information of the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR

REQUESTING AND RECEIVING CONTENT

BACKGROUND

[0001] Service providers and device manufacturers (e.g., wireless, cellular, etc.) are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience to consumers by, for example, providing compelling network services and content One area of development relates to delivering such content (e.g., music) and related services over traditional wireless infrastructure. For example, radio stations (e.g., AM, FM, Satellite, etc.) often broadcast content using predetermined programming lists, which provides little opportunity for user interaction or direction (e.g., on demand content requests). Accordingly, service providers and device manufacturers face significant technical challenges to enabling content delivery services to provide content that can dynamically respond to user content requests over existing over infrastructures such as traditional radio broadcast systems.

SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0002] Therefore, there is a need for an approach for efficiently requesting and receiving content over a radio broadcast system.

[0003] According to one embodiment, a method comprises determining a request, from a device, for one or more content items. The method also comprises determining one or more broadcast resources, one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof for the one or more content items. The method further comprises causing, at least in part, a determination of identification information of the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof.

[0004] According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause, at least in part, the apparatus to determine a request, for a device, for one or more content items. The apparatus is also caused to determine one or more broadcast resources, one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof for the one or more content items. The apparatus is further caused to cause, at least in part, a presentation of identification information of the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof.

[0005] According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium carries one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause, at least in part, an apparatus to determine a request, for a device, for one or more content items. The apparatus is also caused to determine one or more broadcast resources, one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof for the one or more content items. The apparatus is further caused to cause, at least in part, a presentation of identification information of the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof. [0006] According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for determining a request, for a device, for one or more content items. The apparatus also comprises means for determining one or more broadcast resources, one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof for the one or more content items. The apparatus further comprises means for causing, at least in part, a presentation of identification information of the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof.

[0007] In addition, for various example embodiments of the invention, the following is applicable: a method comprising facilitating a processing of and/or processing (1 ) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal, the (1) data and or (2) information and or (3) at least one signal based, at least in part, on (including derived at least in part from) any one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in mis application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention.

[0008] For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising facilitating access to at least one interface configured to allow access to at least one service, the at least one service configured to perform any one or any combination of network or service provider methods (or processes) disclosed in mis application. [0009] For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising facilitating creating and/or facilitating modifying (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based, at least in part, on data and/or information resulting from one or any combination of methods or processes disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention, and/or at least one signal resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention.

[0010] For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising creating and/or modifying (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based at least in part on data and or information resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention, and/or at least one signal resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention.

[0011] In various example embodiments, the methods (or processes) can be accomplished on the service provider side or on the mobile device side or in any shared way between service provider and mobile device with actions being performed on both sides.

[0012] For various example embodiments, the following is applicable: An apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of originally filed claims 1 -20 and 36-38.

[0013] Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a number of particular embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. The invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00141 The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of requesting and broadcasting one or more content items, according to one embodiment

[00161 FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of user equipment capable of requesting and receiving one or more content items, according to one embodiment

[00171 FIG. 3 is a diagram of the components of a broadcast processing platform, according to one embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for determining a request from a device for presenting content over radio frequency, according to one embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for presenting a schedule of one or more content items at a device, according to one embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 6 is another system diagram for requesting and receiving one or more content items, according to one embodiment;

[00211 FIGs. 7A-7H depict various user interface diagrams at a user device for requesting and or receiving one or more content items, according to various embodiments;

[0022] FIG. 8 is a diagram of hardware that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 9 is a diagram of a chip set that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention; and

[0024] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset) that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[00251 Examples of a method, apparatus, and computer program for broadcasting one or more content items over one or more communication resources are disclosed. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement hi other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments of the invention. 10026] Although various embodiments are described with respect to broadcasting one or more content items (e.g., music, video, talk show, educational material, conference calls, pictures, etc.) over one or more communication resources (e.g., FM, AM, Satellite, cable radio, licensed, unlicensed, etc.), it is contemplated that the approach described herein is applicable to any content item or content format for transmission over a radio broadcast system. By way of example, such radio broadcast system includes, but are not limited to, FM radio, AM radio, satellite radio, cable radio, high definition (HD) radio, Internet radio, and the like.

|0027] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of requesting and broadcasting one or more content items, according to one embodiment. As amount of media content (e.g., music, video, talking books, etc.) has grown and are prevalent via many outlets (e.g., radio stations, TV stations, internet, satellite services, etc.), at times, users find it difficult to search, locate, access and consume one or more desired content items in a timely manner (e.g., while driving). For example, it is possible for a user to place a request with a radio station for a particular song; however, it is possible that the request may not be processed in a timely fashion for the user to be able hear the requested song or it is possible that the request may not be processed at all due to one or more reasons (e.g., volume of requests, availability of the request, timing of the request, etc.)

[0028] To address this problem, a system 100 of FIG. 1 introduces the capability for one or more users to request one or more content items from a broadcast processing platform and the broadcast processing platform, at least in part, cause to broadcast the one or more content items. In one embodiment, the system 100 receives one or more requests by way of one or more messages (e.g., SMS, MMS, IM, email, voicemail, etc.) for at least one content (e.g., music, video, talking books, pictures, conference calls, etc.) Further, the broadcast processing platform searches accesses the one or more content items and based, at least in part, on the location of the one or more users, available medium and irifrastructure determines a broadcasting schedule and causes, at least in part, broadcasting of the one or more content items. For example, there are many FM radio stations in a given geographical region which broadcast one or more types of contents under one or more schedules. Further, the many radio stations cater to one or more specific audience groups, utilize certain genre targeted to the audience, may or may not accept requests from their audience and the like. However, there may be unutilized stations (e.g., FM or otherwise) which may be licensed or unlicensed in a given region. Further, these unutilized stations may be available for use by one or more service platforms for free, pay as use, fixed fees and the like, which one or more broadcast processing platform 103 may utilize for broadcasting content items requested by one or more users.

[0029] As a result, it would be advantageous to implement a service that is available to a large number of users who may send one or more requests to the one or more service platforms for broadcasting the one or more requested content items and also receive one or more schedules from the one or more service platforms indicating information (e.g., time, order, etc.) about their one or more requested content item. Further, the users may be required to establish one or more accounts with the one or more service platforms for accessing available services at the one or more service platforms, pay per play and or a combination thereof. Such a model may be advantageous for the user to gain access to desired content and for the service platforms to utilized possible unutilized and/or under-utilized broadcasting medium and or infrastructure, gain an audience and/or commercialize the service.

[0030] In one embodiment, one or more users may utilize one or more user devices (e.g., a mobile phone, a PDA, an in vehicle device such as a radio or a computer, and the like) utilizing one or more applications (e.g., internet, SMS, MMS, etc.) for sending the one or more requests for the one or more content items such as music, video, educational item, electronic book, electronic magazine and the like to the one or more service providers. The content items may be requested and or delivered one at a time or in one or more groupings. Once the one or more service providers receive the one or more requests, they can determine and or retrieve the one or more requested content items (e.g., from a third party service, from their own servers, from the internet, etc.) Further, the one or more service providers can determine one or more available communication channels (e.g., FM, AM, etc.) availability based, at least in part, on locations of the one or more users and cause, at least in part, scheduling and delivering of the one or more content items over the one or more determined available communication channels substantially geographically near to the one or more users. Further, once the one or more service platforms have information related, at least in part, to the availability of the requested one or more contents, the scheduling, the one or more communications channel over which the one or more contents are to be delivered, and the like, the one or more service platforms may transmit the one or more information to the one or more user devices (e.g., one or more applications on the one or more user device) indicating the details of the delivery of the content items.

10031] Additionally, in various embodiments, once the one or more user devices receive the information about the one or more content items, the user and or the user device may utilize the information to manually or substantially automatically tune/adjust the user device for receiving the one or more content items made available by the one or more service platforms. According to the details, the user could manually turn to the FM, or remote control radio settings to play all songs automatically by wireless signal from mobile device. Users could enjoy the music alone on one or more channels (eg., FM frequency/channel) and or share the broadcasting details with friends by informing them which content items are shared on which channels. Further, the users may add one or more comments, ratings, messages and the like to one or more content items and share and/or send to other users. For example, when a user wishes to listen to certain songs or listen to other types of audio and/or watch video contents via a user device (e.g., a radio, a PC, a mobile phone, a PDA, etc.), for example, in a vehicle.

10032] By way of example, the user may launch an application on the user device and send one or more requests (e.g., via SMS, MMS, IM, email, 1M, etc.) to one or more service platforms including information related to one or more desired content items. Further, the one or more service platforms may utilize, at least in part, the information included with the one or more requests and perform a search (e.g., on the internet, in the one or more service platform databases, radio stations, TV stations, etc) Additionally, the one or more service platforms determine the user location (e.g., via GPS information) and determine one or more medium and infrastructure and schedule the one or more contents for broadcasting. Moreover, once one or more schedules are determined, the schedule information is presented to one or more user devices so that the one or more content items may be selected and consumed by the one or more users. Utilizing such a broadcasting service, the users may request recdve/consume/enjoy one or more content items suitable to their desires, timing, feasibility of fees (e.g., may be free). [0033] In one embodiment, one or more users send (e.g., via SMS, MMS, IM, email, voice call, etc.) one or more requests to one or more service platforms wherein the one or more service platforms process the one or more requests, determine available resources for broadcasting the one or more requested content items in one or more geographical areas near the one or more users, send one or more scheduling information to the one or more users and cause, at least in part, broadcasting of the one or more requested content items substantially according to the one or more schedules.

[0034] In another embodiment, one or more users may share the one or more requested content items with one or more other users who may or may not be within the geographical area of the one or more users who wish to share. In one embodiment, the one or more users wishing to share the one or more contents may provide to the broadcast processing platform 103 information of one or more other users (e.g., user location, user contact information, user device information, etc.) and give authorization so mat the broadcast processing platform 103 can directly send all or partial scheduling information of the one or more requested content items to be shared to the one or more other users. In another embodiment, the one or more users may receive from the broadcast processing platform 103 the scheduling information for the one or more requested contents and then forward all or partial scheduling information for the one or more requested content items to the one or more other users (e.g., users in contacts list, social networking contacts, friends, family members, etc.) [0035] In one embodiment, the one or more users may request to alter the one or more broadcast schedules of the one or more requested content items, for example, to an earlier time, a later time, broadcast location change, quality of service (QoS) change (e.g., FM, AM, HD, internet, etc.) and the like. In such a case, the broadcast processing platform 103 can determine the requested proposed scheduling change may be acceptable and if so, may cause changing one or more parameters of the originally offered schedule. In another embodiment, a user may cancel and/or postpone one or more requests for one or more content items, which may or may not require the user to, at least directly, notify the broadcast processing platform 103. [0036] In another embodiment, the one or more users may present one or more signals/answers back to the one or more service platforms as to whether the one or more schedules presented for the one or more requested contents are acceptable to the one or more users wherein the users' decision on accepting the one or more schedules may be based on, at least in part, timing, QoS, one or more offered contents, any associated fees, any commitment on the part of the users and the like. The one or more signals/answers from the user may be sent via the user device utilizing one or more messaging systems (e.g., SMS, MMS, email, IM, voice call, etc.) wherein the one or more service platforms may choose to alter the one or more scheduling terms to acceptance of the one or more users or decline the users' one or more requests.

[0037] Applications for mobile phones, various input devices, audio and/or video receivers (e.g., Mobile phones, PDA, PC, FM radio, AM radio, cable radio, satellite radio, TV, internet radio, etc.) can enhance and, at least in part, enable the above-mentioned service. For example, a mobile device, or other input device, may be provided with an input template for easing sending of one or more SMS, MMS, IM, email, and the like message to the one or more service platforms. Further, one or more applications at a receiving device (e.g., radio, TV, mobile phone, etc.) may enable sorting one or more received messages (eg., one or more schedules) from the one or more service providers by different parameters (keywords, date, time, etc.), providing search function for input keywords, dates, times, etc., trigger an alarm if a keyword matches to any portion of the broadcast data when it is broadcast by the one or more service providers, saving content items that include matching keywords, and/or a schedule timer for the saving function to save only the one or more broadcasts during a specific timeframe, for example.

[0038] Saving the one or more schedules and or one or more content items (e.g., at a user device and/or at one or more service platform database systems) may enable one or more users, at a later time, to issue/send/submit the one or more requests for the one or more content items to the one or more service platforms.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 comprises a user equipment (UE) lOla-lOln, collectively referred to as UE 101 having connectivity to broadcast processing platform 103a- 103n collectively referred to as broadcast processing platform 103 via a communication network 105, according to one embodiment In one embodiment, a user sends one or more requests for one or more content items via the UE 101 to send, for example, via SMS, MMS, DM, email, voice call, and the like by way of one or more applications 113a- 113η, collectively referred to as applications 113, to the broadcast processing platform 103. In one embodiment, the UE 101 includes data collection modules 117a-117n, also collectively referred to as data collection module 117, for collecting information such as user profile information, use history, preferences, location information and the like. The broadcast processing platform 103 receives the one or more messages from the UE 101 and processes the one or more messages to determine the one or more requested content items and possibly for keywords that may indicate appropriateness, or distribution to a particular audience. Further, it is noted mat the UE 101 may also be referred to as a user device.

[0040] For example, a musical piece having a rating of "R" (e.g., restricted for certain age group) may not be appropriate for broadcasting over one or more channels wherein minors may have access to the one or more channels as well. The broadcast processing platform 103 determines availability of the one or more requested content items, determines required resources (e.g., one or more broadcasting channels and required infrastructure) for the broadcasting, determines one or more schedules for the broadcasting, presents the one or more scheduling information to the user device (e.g., via SMS, MMS, email, internet link, RDS and the like). Further, the broadcast processing platform 103 may or may not await for one or more responses from the user before causing, at least in part, the broadcasting of the one or more requested content items. Once the one or more scheduling messages are received by the user and/or the UE 101, the user and/or the UE 101 may accept the one or more schedules and manually and/or substantially automatically tune/adjust one or more receiving devices (e.g., UE 101, radio, TV, internet, PDA, PC, etc.) for receiving the one or more requested content items.

[0041] In certain embodiments, a user may input preferences into the UE 101 so that the RDS data mat is transmitted to the UE 101 is filtered to detect certain keywords and an alarm may be triggered to alert the user mat one or more requested content item will be broadcast soon (e.g., in two minutes, in three minutes, etc.). The UE 101 may also be tied to, or include, a storage 11 la-11 In, collectively referred to as storage 111, that may store one or more scheduling information, information on one or more broadcast processing platform service providers, one or more requested, received, and/or shared content items. The storage may be based on preferences such as keyword, date, time, and may be sorted and classified based on user preferences.

[0042] In certain embodiments, the UE 101 may be in communication with one or more social networking services and the information related to the one or more scheduling information, the information on one or more broadcast processing platform service providers, the one or more requested, received, and or shared content items may be part of a user's social networking profile.

[0043] In one embodiment, one or more users may include one or more messages with the requests for the one or more content items. For example, a user may include a personal or group message along with the one or more requests for the one or more content items, for example, for sharing with one or more other users.

[0044] In certain embodiments, the broadcast processing platform 103 may schedule the broadcasting of the one or more content items close in time, for example, if there are multiple requests for the same content item, for better user experience, efficient use of the broadcasting channel bandwidth, cost savings, and the like. As mentioned earlier the one or more requested content items may be caused to be broadcast immediately upon determining and availability of the one or more content items, the broadcasting resources, user acceptance of the broadcasting processing platform 103 terms of use (e.g., if necessary and/or applicable.) Alternatively, the broadcast processing platform 103 may also cause to schedule broadcasting of similar/same one or more requested content items such mat they are farther apart in time from one another and stagger them (e.g., place within several minutes, hours of each other) so that they do not appear to create a possible perception of repetition and monotony to potential users.

[0045] In certain embodiments, the broadcast processing platform 103 may have an anti- spamming module that limits the number of content items requested from a same source phone number or IP address, a same contact number, a same email address, and the like. The number may be so limited so that other users may have access to the system and the system is not overloaded by one person that takes advantage of the service.

[0046] The UE 101 is any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal including a mobile handset, station, unit, device, multimedia computer, multimedia tablet, Internet node, communicator, desktop computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer, tablet computer, personal communication system (PCS) device, personal navigation device, personal digital assistants (PDAs), audio video player, digital camera camcorder, positioning device, television receiver, radio broadcast receiver, electronic book device, game device, or any combination thereof, including the accessories and peripherals of these devices, or any combination thereof. It is also contemplated that the UE 101 can support any type of interface to the user (such as "wearable" circuitry, etc.).

[0047] By way of example, the UE 101 and the broadcast processing platform 103 communicate with each other and other components of the communication network 105 using well known, new or still developing protocols, hi this context, a protocol includes a set of rules defining how the network nodes within the communication network 105 interact with each other based on information sent over the communication links. The protocols are effective at different layers of operation within each node, from generating and receiving physical signals of various types, to selecting a link for transferring those signals, to the format of information indicated by those signals, to identifying which software application executing on a computer system sends or receives the information. The conceptually different layers of protocols for exchanging information over a network are described in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model. [0048] By way of example, the communication network 105 of system 100 includes one or more networks such as a data network (not shown), a wireless network (not shown), a telephony network (not shown), or any combination thereof. It is contemplated that the data network may be any local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), a public data network (e.g., the Internet), short range wireless network, or any other suitable packet-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietary packet-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-optic network, and the like, or any combination thereof. In addition, the wireless network may be, for example, a cellular network and may employ various technologies including enhanced data rates tor global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), wireless LAN (WLAN), Bluetooth®, Internet Protocol (IP) data casting, satellite, mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), and the like, or any combination thereof. [0049] Communications between the network nodes are typically effected by exchanging discrete packets of data. Each packet typically comprises (1) header information associated with a particular protocol, and (2) payload information that follows the header information and contains information that may be processed independently of that particular protocol. In some protocols, the packet includes (3) trailer information following the payload and indicating the end of the payload information. The header includes information such as the source of the packet, its destination, the length of the payload, and other properties used by the protocol. Often, the data in the payload for the particular protocol includes a header and payload for a different protocol associated with a different, higher layer of the OSI Reference Model. The header for a particular protocol typically indicates a type for the next protocol contained in its payload. The higher layer protocol is said to be encapsulated in the lower layer protocol. The headers included in a packet traversing multiple heterogeneous networks, such as the Internet, typically include a physical (layer 1) header, a data-link Gayer 2) header, an internetwork (la er 3) header and a transport (layer 4) header, and various application (layer 5, layer 6 and layer 7) headers as defined by the OSI Reference Model.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of user equipment UE 101 capable of requesting and receiving one or more content items, according to one embodiment By way of example, the (UE) 101 includes one or more components for requesting and or receiving one or more content items such as music, video, pictures, talk show recordings, entertainment items, educational items via one or more broadcast processing platform 103 and via one or more communication channels. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality. In this embodiment, the UE 101 includes a data collection module 117 that may include one or more location modules 201, environmental sensor modules 203; also, the UE 101 can include a runtime module 205 to coordinate the use of other components of the UE 101, a user interface 211, a communication interface 213, a request processing module 209, and memory 207. An application 109 (e.g., a content item requester/receiver application) of the UE 101 can execute on the runtime module 20S utilizing the components of the UE 101.

[0051] The location module 201 can determine a user's location. The user's location can be determined by a tri angulation system such as GPS, assisted GPS (A-GPS), Cell of Origin, or other location extrapolation technologies. Standard GPS and A-GPS systems can use satellites 119 to pinpoint the location of a UE 101. A Cell of Origin system can be used to determine the cellular tower that a cellular UE 101 is synchronized with. This information provides a coarse location of the UE 101 because the cellular tower can have a unique cellular identifier (cell-ID) that can be geographically mapped. The location module 201 may also utilize multiple technologies to detect the location of the UE 101. Location coordinates (e.g., GPS coordinates) can give finer detail as to the location of the UE 101 when media is captured. In one embodiment, GPS coordinates are stored as context information in the memory 207 and are transmitted to the broadcast processing platform 103 via the communication interface 213. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the GPS coordinates can include an altitude to provide a height In other embodiments, the altitude can be determined using another type of altimeter. In certain embodiments, the location module 201 can be a means for determining a location of the UE 101, an image, or used to associate an object in view with a location.

[0052] In one embodiment, the communication interlace 213 can be used to communicate with the broadcast processing platform 103 or with other UEs 101. Certain communications can be via methods such as an internet protocol, messaging (e.g., SMS, MMS, etc.), or any other communication method (e.g., via the communication network 105). In some examples, the UE 101 can send context information associated with the UE 101 to the broadcast processing platform 103. In other examples, the user can utilize a user interface 211 to generate one or more requests for content items and/or receive content items information based from the broadcast processing platform 103 and or other users.

[0053] The user interlace 211 can include various methods of communication. For example, the user interface 211 can have outputs including a visual component (e.g., a screen), an audio component, a physical component (e.g., vibrations), and other methods of communication. User inputs can include a touch-screen interlace, a scroll-and-click interface, a button interface, a microphone, etc. Input can be via one or more methods such as voice input, textual input, typed input, typed touch-screen input, other touch-enabled input, etc. In certain embodiments, the user interface 211 and/or runtime module 205 can be means for causing presentation of information related, at least in part, to at least one broadcast schedule, one user request, another user's request, one content item, one broadcast resource, and/or the like. [0054] The request processing module 209 may be utilized in detennining content item information from the data collection module 117 and/or applications 113 executing on the runtime module 205. This information may be caused to be transmitted, via the communication interface 213 to the broadcast processing platform 103. The context processing module 209 may additionally be utilized as a means for detennining groups based on input criteria and received context information associated with other UEs 101. In certain embodiments, the context processing module 209 can infer higher level context information from the context data such as favorite locations, significant places, common activities, etc. [0055] FIG. 3 is a diagram of the components of the broadcast processing platform 103, according to one embodiment By way of example, the broadcast processing platform 103 includes one or more components for processing one or more content items, determining one or more communication channels for delivery of the one or more content items and/or related one or more content item information. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality, hi this embodiment, the broadcast processing platform includes a conversion module 301 , a communication module 303, an analysis module 305, and a content search module 307. The broadcast processing platform 103 may also include, or be connected to a storage 309. [0056] In one embodiment, the conversion module 301 may convert one or more content items to a suitable format (e.g., analog, digital, HD, etc.) for broadcasting over one or broadcasting channels. In one example, the one or more contents items may be communicated to the one or more broadcasting resources via the communication network 105. The analysis module 305, either before or after the format conversion, may analyze and filter the one or more content items that are requested to be broadcast by the one or more users for appropriateness, matching a keyword, time, data and/or station preference. The analysis module 305 may determine if and when the message should be broadcast and output by way of the communication module 303. The analysis module 305 may also determine the amount of time the one or more content items will be displayed, played, made available and the like. The analysis module 305 may save the one or more content items in the storage 309 for later broadcasting and or review. The analysis module 305 may also initiate a message to be sent to the originating UE 101 to alert the one or more users who may have requested one or more content items with related information such as content item availability time, broadcasting channel, other related one or more contents that the user may be interested in, quality of the broadcast and the like.

[0057] In certain embodiments, the analysis module 305 may also aggregate one or more similar content items so that they are broadcast on the same channel or at the same time or in the same time frame which can be provided to one or more users as part of a program guide of that broadcast channel to provide to the users the program guide when one or more other content items are available from their area of interest Such a scheduling may be based on preferences set by the users and/or the service platform to, for example, maximize user interest and experience and/or to use the service platform and/or the broadcasting channel resources. For example, if two different users request one or more same content items, it may be advantageous to broadcast the one or more content items near one another, and/or the analysis module 305 may match these requests and schedule and/or cause the broadcasts occur back-to-back, for example.

[0058] In certain embodiments, for example when the service is t ee, the analysis module 305 may determine to limit content requests mat come from the same user, same source number, source IP address, have the same contact information, etc., to limit use of the service by one user and so to make the service available to more users and be fair to all users and to disallow only a few users from clogging the system. In other embodiments, for example where the service is for a fee, control and/or restrictions described above may not be applied.

[0059] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for receiving one or more content items, according to one embodiment In one embodiment, the broadcast processing platform 103 and/or an application 113 of the UE 101 performs the process 400 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown in FIG. 7. As such, the broadcast processing platform 103 and or application 113 can provide means for accomplishing various parts of the process 400 as well as means for accomplishing other processes in conjunction with other components of the system 100. Throughout this process, the broadcast processing platform 103 is referred to as completing various portions of the process 400, however it is understood that the UE 101 can perform some of and/or all of the process steps.

[0060] In step 401, the broadcast processing platform 103 determines a request, from a device, for one or more content items wherein the one or more content items, may contain audio and/or video (e.g., music, talk show, speech, educational programs, entertainment programs, inspirational talks, conference calls, etc., which may be a broadcast of live and/or archived programs), picture and the like. Further, the one or more content items may be determined by the broadcast processing platform 103 based, at least in part, on partial and/or complete information related to the one or more content items provided by the user, user location, user prior history of content request, service provider suggestion and the like.

[0061] In step 403, the broadcast processing platform 103 determines one or more broadcast resources, one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof for presenting the one or more content items. In one embodiment, the broadcast processing platform 103, determines the one or more broadcast resources, by user location. In various embodiments, the broadcast processing platform 103 may determine availability of one or more broadcast resources based, at least in part, on user location, one or more published lists available from one or more agencies groups (e.g., a governmental regulatory agency, a licensing agency, etc.), available one or more lists maintained by the broadcast processing platform 103, available from a third party provider, suggested by the user, a historical data list for the user and/or the user location, and the like.

[0062] In Step 405, the broadcast processing platform 103 causes, at least in part, a determination of identification information of the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof, hi various embodiments, information (e.g., one or more broadcast resources (e.g., one or more antenna towers, channel type (e.g., FM, AM, HD, Satellite, etc.), one or more broadcast times and the like related to broadcasting of the one or more content items is determined and may also be presented via one or more user applications 113 (e.g., a user interface) to the user on the user device. For example, depending on location of a user, a particular antenna tower and an available broadcasting channel may be selected to transmit the one or more content items.

[0063] Further in step 407, the broadcast processing platform 103 determines one or more options for selecting the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on the one or more criteria described in step 405. For example, the one or more options may be based, at least in part, on the channel quality of service (QoS), channel traffic, the one or more content items availability time and/or a combination thereof and in step 409, the broadcast processing platform 103 causes, at least in part, a presentation of the one or more options in the at least one user interlace so the user and/or the user device may view and/or select from the options.

[0064] In step 411, the broadcast processing platform 103 receives an input for selecting at least one of the one or more options. In one embodiment, the user may review presented information/options related to the one or more content items and select one or more options desired by the user and feedback to the broadcast processing platform 103. In another embodiment, the user device may select one or more options based.

[0065] In step 413, the broadcast processing platform 103 causes, at least in part, a scheduling of a broadcast of the one or more content items based, at least in part, on the selected at least one of the one or more of the options based on user preferences, setup, use history, user time availability (e.g., user has 30 minutes to receive and consume requested content), user location, channel QoS, and the like.

[0066] In step 415, the broadcast processing platform 103 determines one or more other requests for one or more other content items, wherein the one or more contents are further based, at least in part, on the one or more other requests. In one embodiment, the broadcast processing platform 103 may determine one or more other content items based, at least in part, on one or more other requested content items. For example, one or more other users may request one or more content items, which may or may not be same as the requested one or more content items.

[0067] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for presenting a scheduling of one or more content items at a device, according to one embodiment In one embodiment, the broadcast processing platform 103 and/or an application 113 of the UE 101 performs the process 500 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown in FIG. 7. As such, the broadcast processing platform 103 and/or application 113 can provide means for accomplishing various parts of the process 500 as well as means for accomplishing other processes in conjunction with other components of the system 100. Throughout this process, the broadcast processing platform 103 is referred to as completing various portions of the process 500, however it is understood that the UE 101 can perform some of and/or all of the process steps. [0068] In step 501, the broadcast processing platform 103 causes, at least in part, a presentation of the scheduling, the one or more content items, the one or more other content items, or a combination thereof in the at least one user interlace of the device. In various embodiments, information related to other content items in addition to the information related to the at least one requested content item by the user, may be presented at a user device (e.g., a user interface). For example, information related to multiple content items requested by the user is presented at a user device. In another embodiment, one or more requested content items may be stored saved at the UE 101 (e.g., storage 111, applications 113) and or at the broadcast processing platform 103 (e.g., storage 309, content search module 307, etc.) for future use by the user, the user device and/or the broadcast processing platform 103. For example, a user may wish to request one or more previously requested content item, which may be reviewed/accessed at the user device memory/history. In another example, the user device and/or the broadcast processing platform 103 can notify the user of available content items based, at least in part, on the user location, time of day, day of week and the like.

[0069] Further, in step 503, the broadcast processing platform 103 causes, at least in part, a sharing of the one or more content items, the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof with one or more other devices. In various embodiments, information related to one or more content items are shared and or presented to one or more other users. For example, information related to one or more contents requested by Jack are presented to Jack as well to one or more other users.

[0070] In step 505, the broadcast processing platform 103 processes and or facilitates processing of the request to determine one or more parameters, hi various embodiments, information in the one or more requests received from the one or more users are processed in order to, at least in part, determine one or more criterion (e.g., timing schedule, location of user, type of content, time duration of the content, etc.) about the requested one or more contents. For example, the information may be received in the form of a list, a message (e.g., SMS, MMS, an email, voice call, IM, etc.) [0071] In step 507, the broadcast processing platform 103 determines the one or more content items based, at least in part, on the one or more parameters, hi one embodiment, at least one of the parameters related to the one or more content items requested by the user. For example, the user may have, at least in part, specified presented geographical location where the user wishes to consume the one or more requested content items. In another example, the user may specify other parameters such as time, sequence, QoS and the like related to the one or more content items.

[0072] In step 509, the broadcast processing platform 103 cause, at least in part, a control of at least one receiver module to present the one or more content items based, at least in part, the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, one the user and/or the UE 101 receive information (e.g., scheduling, broadcast channel, etc.) related to the at least one requested content item, the user and or the UE 101 may, at least in part, control (e.g., tuning) the user device to one or more broadcast resources in order to consume the one or more content items. It noted mat the may consume content items requested the user and/or requested by other users.

[0073] In step 511, the broadcast processing platform 103 causes, at least in part, a presentation of one or more notification messages in at least one user interface based, at least in part, on the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof. In various embodiment, the broadcast processing platform 103 and or UE 101 may cause one or more notification messages (e.g., audio, visual, tactile, SMS, MMS, etc.) in order to, at least, notify the user and/or UE 101 of schedule and or availability of one or more content items. For example, if the user receives the notification message on the user device the user can tune/adjust and or cause the device to substantially automatically tune adjust to one or more broadcast resources and set any other settings (e.g., audio settings, video settings, etc.) required and or desired for consuming the one or more content items. [0074] In step 513, the broadcast processing platform 103 causes, at least in part, a presentation of the identification information of the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof in at least one user interface of the device. In various embodiments, the identification information may be presented to the user via one or more applications on the user device. For example, a user interface (e.g., looking like a radio) may present the identification information to the user so the user may see the one or more contents (e.g., that the user has requested) placed along a dial with information related to the one or more contents. Further, the user may utilize the presented identification information to examine what other content may be available. In another example, the user may cause to store the presented identification information at the user device and or at the broadcast processing platform 103 for future use.

[0075] In step 515, the broadcast processing platform 103 causes, at least in part, a tuning of the device based, at least in part, on the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof for receiving the one or more content items. In one embodiment, the user may manually tune the user device (e.g., a radio channel) in order to receive the requested one or more content items, m another embodiment, the user device may receive the identification information for the one or more content items and automatically tune the user device for receiving the one or more content items, m one embodiment, the tuning process may be interactive between the user and the user device. For example, the user device can receive the identification information and prompt the user with one or more available options related to the one or more requested content items. In another embodiment, the user device and/or the broadcast processing platform 103 may cause the tuning of the user device based on prior user history/profile available at the user device and/or at the broadcast processing platform 103.

[0076]

[0077] FIG. 6 is another system diagram capable of requesting and receiving one or more content items, according to one embodiment. In system 600, user 601 via the UE 101 sends one or more request messages 602 (e.g., SMS, MMS, voice mail, IM, etc.) to the broadcast processing platform 603 wherein the broadcast processing platform 603 determines (e.g., searching on internet, libraries, data storage, etc.) the one or more content items (e.g., audio, video, entertainment, educational, etc.) In another embodiment, the user may send the request information to one or more other users and/or one or more other user devices via 604. It is noted that the UE 101 may be a standalone device (e.g., mobile phone, PC, PDA, etc.) and/or may be integrated into another user device (e.g., a PC, an automobile, a motorbike, a motorcycle, a tunes player, and the like). Further, the service platform 603 determines one or more broadcasting mediums and infrastructures 60S (e.g., FM, AM, HD, cable radio, satellite radio, radio frequency (RF) towers, antennae, etc.) and schedules the one or more content items for broadcasting via the one or more mediums and the one or more infrastructures. Furthermore, scheduling information 606 for broadcasting the one or more content items is sent (e.g., via SMS, MMS, IM, email, etc.) to the user 601 and if desired by the user 601 and/or broadcast processing platform 603 to one or more other users 607, which may be done directly by the broadcast processing platform 603 and/or the user 601. Further, the one or more medium, one or more infrastructures may, at least in part, depend on the user location, the requested one or more content items, the coverage 609 capability of the one or more available mediums and or one or more infrastructures. 10078] FIGs. 7A-7H depict various user interface diagrams at a user device for requesting and/or receiving one or more content items, according to various embodiments.

[0079J FIG. 7A illustrates user interface 701 whereby the user may enter in 703 information related to one or more content items request wherein the entered information may be substantially complete or partial related to the one or more content items requite, further the user may choose to return to a previous window via 70S. FIG. 7B depicts a user interface window 711 whereby the user may place an order for a song. As previously noted the user may enter partial or complete information related to the content item requested in space 713, for example. The broadcast processing platform 103 may present a list of options such as 715 wherein the user may further provide choose additional options in assisting to find the one or more content items requested.

[0080] FIG. 7C depicts another user interface 721 wherein the user may further input information related to at least one requested content item and/or choose from a list of options 723 and/or select a listed options such as 725. Furthermore, FIG. 7D shows a user interface diagram 730 wherein further information such as the at least one requested content item such as a picture

731 of the artist source, name of the artist/source 732, one or more ratings of the artist source 733, further information 735 about the content, length of playtime of one or more content items 737 and content examples such as example 1 at 739, and example 2 at 741.

[0081] FIG. 7E shows a user interface 751 wherein one or more examples of one or more content items are displayed and further, a possible dedication 753 of the one or more content items such as "content example 2" to a user (e.g., "to Jack") is displayed FIG. 7F indicate additional information about one or more content items are displayed. For example, 761 may indicate total/elapsed/remaining playtime of a content item; 763 and 765 may indicate information about "content item 1" and "content item 3" respectively, and to whom a content item may have been dedicated to (e.g., 763 to "Muimin" and 767 to "Jack") and further when the one or more contents will be broadcast next FIG. 7G illustrates a user interface 781 wherein the user may create one or more messages 783 which may be combined and/or sent separately along with the at least one requested content item to one or more users 785.

[0082] FIG. 7H is user interface 791 wherein information related to one or more requested content items are displayed. The information may be presented while having on or more characteristics (e.g., graphical) such as color, shape, shade, placement on the display, and the like. For example, content 1(793) is displayed, for example in color yellow, and is displayed first in line as it potentially will be available to the user, before the other example contents 2 and 3, on either of the three channels: 1 (797), 2 (798) and 3 (799). Similarly, contents 2 (for example in color red, 795) and 3 (for example in color blue, 796) are displayed in different colors, red and blue respectively as well as are displayed later in time on the content channel displays 1, 2, and 3. Additionally, on each of broadcasting channels 1, 2, and 3 broadcast times for each content item may be presented, for example, from a current time and/or from one content to the next content For example, in broadcasting channel 1 (797) it will be 22 minutes from a current time until content 1 will be available broadcast; then 11 minutes after broadcast of content 1 has substantially ended, content 2 will be available/broadcast; further, 5 minutes after broadcast of content 2 has substantially ended, content 3 will be available broadcast It is also noted that a user has a possibility of choosing one or more contents available on one or more channels as allowed by the broadcast processing platform 103. For example, a user may request one or more content items and once the broadcast processing platform 103 presents one or more schedules, the user may choose to select one or more of the presented schedules, for example, the user may have one or more options to consume one or more content items at different times, on different channels, and the like.

[0083] The processes described herein for requesting and receiving one or more content items may be advantageously implemented via software, hardware, firmware or a combination of software and/or firmware and or hardware. For example, the processes described herein, may be advantageously implemented via processor(s), Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc. Such exemplary hardware for performing the described functions is detailed below.

[0084] FIG. 8 illustrates a computer system 800 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Although computer system 800 is depicted with respect to a particular device or equipment, it is contemplated that other devices or equipment (e.g., network elements, servers, etc.) within FIG. 8 can deploy the illustrated hardware and components of system 800. Computer system 800 is programmed (e.g., via computer program code or instructions) to broadcast mobile market service transactions as described herein and includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 810 for passing information between other internal and external components of the computer system 800. Information (also called data) is represented as a physical expression of a measurable phenomenon, typically electric voltages, but including, in other embodiments, such phenomena as magnetic, electromagnetic, pressure, chemical, biological, molecular, atomic, sub-atomic and quantum interactions. For example, north and south magnetic fields, or a zero and non-zero electric voltage, represent two states (0, 1) of a binary digit (bit). Other phenomena can represent digits of a higher base. A superposition of multiple simultaneous quantum states before measurement represents a quantum bit (qubit). A sequence of one or more digits constitutes digital data that is used to represent a number or code for a character. In some embodiments, information called analog data is represented by a near continuum of measurable values within a particular range. Computer system 800, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of broadcasting mobile market service transactions.

[0085] A bus 810 includes one or more parallel conductors of information so that information is transferred quickly among devices coupled to the bus 810. One or more processors 802 for processing information are coupled with the bus 810. [0086] A processor (or multiple processors) 802 performs a set of operations on information as specified by computer program code related to broadcasting mobile market service transactions. The computer program code is a set of instructions or statements providing instructions for the operation of the processor and or the computer system to perform specified unctions. The code, for example, may be written in a computer programming language that is compiled into a native instruction set of the processor. The code may also be written directly using the native instruction set (e.g., machine language). The set of operations include bringing information in from the bus 810 and placing information on the bus 810. The set of operations also typically include comparing two or more units of information, shifting positions of units of information, and combining two or more units of information, such as by addition or multiplication or logical operations like OR, exclusive OR (XOR), and AND. Each operation of the set of operations that can be performed by the processor is represented to the processor by information called instructions, such as an operation code of one or more digits. A sequence of operations to be executed by the processor 802, such as a sequence of operation codes, constitute processor instructions, also called computer system instructions or, simply, computer instructions. Processors may be implemented as mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical, chemical or quantum components, among others, alone or in combination.

[0087] Computer system 800 also includes a memory 804 coupled to bus 810. The memory 804, such as a random access memory (RAM) or any other dynamic storage device, stores information including processor instructions for broadcasting mobile market service transactions. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by the computer system 800. RAM allows a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved independently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory 804 is also used by the processor 802 to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions. The computer system 800 also includes a read only memory (ROM) 806 or any other static storage device coupled to the bus 810 for storing static information, including instructions, that is not changed by the computer system 800. Some memory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information stored thereon when power is lost Also coupled to bus 810 is a non-volatile (persistent) storage device 808, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk or flash card, for storing information, including instructions, that persists even when the computer system 800 is turned off or otherwise loses power. 100881 Information, including instructions for broadcasting mobile market service transactions, is provided to the bus 810 for use by the processor from an external input device 812, such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, or a sensor. A sensor detects conditions in its vicinity and transforms those detections into physical expression compatible with the measurable phenomenon used to represent information in computer system 800. Other external devices coupled to bus 810, used primarily for interacting with humans, include a display device 814, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a plasma screen, or a printer for presenting text or images, and a pointing device 816, such as a mouse, a trackball, cursor direction keys, or a motion sensor, for controlling a position of a small cursor image presented on the display 814 and issuing commands associated with graphical elements presented on the display 814. In some embodiments, for example, in embodiments in which the computer system 800 performs all functions automatically without human input, one or more of external input device 812, display device 814 and pointing device 816 is omitted.

[0089] In the illustrated embodiment, special purpose hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 820, is coupled to bus 810. The special purpose hardware is configured to perform operations not performed by processor 802 quickly enough for special purposes. Examples of ASICs include graphics accelerator cards for generating images for display 814, cryptographic boards for encrypting and decrypting messages sent over a network, speech recognition, and interfaces to special external devices, such as robotic arms and medical scanning equipment that repeatedly perform some complex sequence of operations that are more efficiently implemented in hardware.

|0090] Computer system 800 also includes one or more instances of a communications interface 870 coupled to bus 810. Communication interface 870 provides a one-way or two- way communication coupling to a variety of external devices that operate with their own processors, such as printers, scanners and external disks. In general the coupling is with a network link 878 that is connected to a local network 880 to which a variety of external devices with their own processors are connected. For example, communication interface 870 may be a parallel port or a serial port or a universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer. In some embodiments, communications interface 870 is an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or a telephone modem that provides an information communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. In some embodiments, a communication interface 870 is a cable modem that converts signals on bus 810 into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cable or into optical signals for a communication connection over a fiber optic cable. As another example, communications interface 870 may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN, such as Ethernet Wireless links may also be implemented. For wireless links, the communications interface 870 sends or receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic or electromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals, that carry information streams, such as digital data. For example, in wireless handheld devices, such as mobile telephones like cell phones, the communications interface 870 includes a radio band electromagnetic transmitter and receiver called a radio transceiver. In certain embodiments, the communications interface 870 enables connection to the communication network 105 for broadcasting mobile market service transactions to the UE 101.

[0091] The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing information to processor 802, including instructions for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to computer-readable storage medium (e.g., non-volatile media, volatile media), and transmission media. Non-transitory media, such as non-volatile media, include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 808. Volatile media include, for example, dynamic memory 804. Transmission media include, for example, twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves. Signals include man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or other physical properties transmitted through the transmission media. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read. The term computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any computer- readable medium except transmission media.

[0092] Logic encoded in one or more tangible media includes one or both of processor instructions on a computer-readable storage media and special purpose hardware, such as ASIC 820. [0093] Network link 878 typically provides information communication using transmission media through one or more networks to other devices that use or process the information. For example, network link 878 may provide a connection through local network 880 to a host computer 882 or to equipment 884 operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISP equipment 884 in turn provides data communication services through the public, world-wide packet-switching communication network of networks now commonly referred to as the Internet 890.

[0094] A computer called a server host 892 connected to the Internet hosts a process that provides a service in response to information received over the Internet. For example, server host 892 hosts a process that provides information representing video data for presentation at display 814. It is contemplated that the components of system 800 can be deployed in various configurations within other computer systems, e.g., host 882 and server 892. [0095] At least some embodiments of the invention are related to the use of computer system 800 for implementing some or all of the techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed by computer system 800 in response to processor 802 executing one or more sequences of one or more processor instructions contained in memory 804. Such instructions, also called computer instructions, software and program code, may be read into memory 804 from another computer-readable medium such as storage device 808 or network link 878. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in memory 804 causes processor 802 to perform one or more of the method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such as ASIC 820, may be used in place of or in combination with software to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software, unless otherwise explicitly stated herein. [0096] The signals transmitted over network link 878 and other networks through communications interface 870, carry information to and from computer system 800. Computer system 800 can send and receive information, including program code, through the networks 880, 890 among others, through network link 878 and communications interface 870. In an example using the Internet 890, a server host 892 transmits program code for a particular application, requested by a message sent from computer 800, through Internet 890, ISP equipment 884, local network 880 and communications interface 870. The received code may be executed by processor 802 as it is received, or may be stored in memory 804 or in storage device 808 or any other non-volatile storage for later execution, or both. In this manner, computer system 800 may obtain application program code in the form of signals on a carrier wave.

[0097] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequence of instructions or data or both to processor 802 for execution. For example, instructions and data may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer such as host 882. The remote computer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory and sends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the computer system 800 receives the instructions and data on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convert the instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red carrier wave serving as the network link 878. An infrared detector serving as communications interface 870 receives the instructions and data carried in the infrared signal and places information representing the instructions and data onto bus 810. Bus 810 carries the information to memory 804 from which processor 802 retrieves and executes the instructions using some of the data sent with the instructions. The instructions and data received in memory 804 may optionally be stored on storage device 808, either before or after execution by the processor 802.

[0098] FIG. 9 illustrates a chip set or chip 900 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Chip set 900 is programmed to broadcast mobile market service transactions as described herein and includes, for instance, the processor and memory components described with respect to FIG. 8 incorporated in one or more physical packages (e.g., chips). By way of example, a physical package includes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as physical strength, conservation of size, and or limitation of electrical interaction. It is contemplated mat in certain embodiments the chip set 900 can be implemented in a single chip. It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set or chip 900 can be implemented as a single "system on a chip." It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments a separate ASIC would not be used, for example, and that all relevant functions as disclosed herein would be performed by a processor or processors. Chip set or chip 900, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of providing user interface navigation information associated with the availability of functions. Chip set or chip 900, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of broadcasting mobile market service transactions.

[0099] In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 900 includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 901 for passing information among the components of the chip set 900. A processor 903 has connectivity to the bus 901 to execute instructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory 905. The processor 903 may include one or more processing cores with each core configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor 903 may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus 901 to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading. The processor 903 may also be accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP) 907, or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) 909. A DSP 907 typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time independently of the processor 903. Similarly, an ASIC 909 can be configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed by a more general purpose processor. Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein may include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) (not shown), one or more controllers (not shown), or one or more other special-purpose computer chips.

[00100] In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 900 includes merely one or more processors and some software and/or firmware supporting and/or relating to and or for the one or more processors. [00101] The processor 903 and accompanying components have connectivity to the memory 90S via the bus 901. The memory 90S includes both dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and static memory (eg., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform the inventive steps described herein to broadcast mobile market service transactions. The memory 90S also stores the data associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive steps. [00102] FIG. 10 is a diagram of exemplary components of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset) for communications, which is capable of operating in the system of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, mobile terminal 1001, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of broadcasting mobile market service transactions. Generally, a radio receiver is often defined in terms of front-end and back-end characteristics. The front-end of the receiver encompasses all of the Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry whereas the back-end encompasses all of the base-band processing circuitry. As used in mis application, the term "circuitry" refers to both: (1) hardware-only implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry), and (2) to combinations of circuitry and software (and/or firmware) (such as, if applicable to the particular context, to a combination of processor(s), including digital signal processors), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions). This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application and if applicable to the particular context, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) and its (or their) accompanying software or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover if applicable to the particular context, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit in a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a cellular network device or other network devices.

[00103] Pertinent internal components of the telephone include a Main Control Unit (MCU) 1003, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 1005, and a receiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control unit and a speaker gain control unit A main display unit 1007 provides a display to the user in support of various applications and mobile terminal functions that perform or support the steps of broadcasting mobile market service transactions. The display 1007 includes display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile terminal (e.g., mobile telephone). Additionally, the display 1007 and display circuitry are configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal. An audio function circuitry 1009 includes a microphone 1011 and microphone amplifier that amplifies the speech signal output from the microphone 1011. The amplified speech signal output from the microphone 1011 is fed to a coder decoder (CODEC) 1013.

[00104] A radio section 1015 amplifies power and converts frequency in order to communicate with a base station, which is included in a mobile communication system, via antenna 1017. The power amplifier (PA) 1019 and the transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally responsive to the MCU 1003, with an output from the PA 1019 coupled to the duplexer 1021 or circulator or antenna switch, as known in the art The PA 1019 also couples to a battery interface and power control unit 1020. [00105] In use, a user of mobile terminal 1001 speaks into the microphone 1011 and his or her voice along with any detected background noise is converted into an analog voltage. The analog voltage is men converted into a digital signal through the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) 1023. The control unit 1003 routes the digital signal into the DSP 1005 for processing therein, such as speech encoding, channel encoding, encrypting, and interleaving. In one embodiment, the processed voice signals are encoded, by units not separately shown, using a cellular transmission protocol such as enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, and the like, or any combination thereof.

[00106] The encoded signals are then routed to an equalizer 1025 for compensation of any frequency-dependent impairments mat occur during transmission though the air such as phase and amplitude distortion. After equalizing the bit stream, the modulator 1027 combines the signal with a RF signal generated in the RF interface 1029. The modulator 1027 generates a sine wave by way of frequency or phase modulation. In order to prepare the signal for transmission, an up-converter 1031 combines the sine wave output from the modulator 1027 with another sine wave generated by a synthesizer 1033 to achieve the desired frequency of transmission. The signal is then sent through a PA 1019 to increase the signal to an appropriate power level. In practical systems, the PA 1019 acts as a variable gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP 1005 from information received from a network base station. The signal is then filtered within the duplexer 1021 and optionally sent to an antenna coupler 1035 to match impedances to provide maximum power transfer. Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna 1017 to a local base station. An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied to control the gain of the final stages of the receiver. The signals may be forwarded from there to a remote telephone which may be another cellular telephone, any other mobile phone or a land-line connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or other telephony networks. [00107] Voice signals transmitted to the mobile terminal 1001 are received via antenna 1017 and immediately amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA) 1037. A down-converter 1039 lowers the carrier frequency while the demodulator 1041 strips away the RF leaving only a digital bit stream. The signal then goes through the equalizer 1025 and is processed by the DSP 1005. A Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) 1043 converts the signal and the resulting output is transmitted to the user through the speaker 1045, all under control of a Main Control Unit (MCU) 1003 which can be implemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) (not shown).

{00108] The MCU 1003 receives various signals including input signals from the keyboard 1047. The keyboard 1047 and or the MCU 1003 in combination with other user input components (e.g., the microphone 1011) comprise a user interface circuitry for managing user input The MCU 1003 runs a user interface software to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal 1001 to broadcast mobile market service transactions. The MCU 1003 also delivers a display command and a switch command to the display 1007 and to the speech output switching controller, respectively. Further, the MCU 1003 exchanges information with the DSP 1005 and can access an optionally incorporated SIM card 1049 and a memory 1051. In addition, the MCU 1003 executes various control functions required of the terminal. The DSP 1005 may, depending upon the implementation, perform any of a variety of conventional digital processing functions on the voice signals. Additionally, DSP 1005 determines the background noise level of the local environment from the signals detected by microphone 1011 and sets the gain of microphone 1011 to a level selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the user of the mobile terminal 1001. 100109] The CODEC 1013 includes the ADC 1023 and DAC 1043. The memory 1051 stores various data including call incoming tone data and is capable of storing other data including music data received via, e.g., the global Internet. The software module could reside in RAM memory, flash memory, registers, or any other form of writable storage medium known in the art. The memory device 1051 may be, but not limited to, a single memory, CD, DVD, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, optical storage, magnetic disk storage, flash memory storage, or any other nonvolatile storage medium capable of storing digital data. [00110] An optionally incorporated SIM card 1049 carries, for instance, important information, such as the cellular phone number, the carrier supplying service, subscription details, and security information. The SIM card 1049 serves primarily to identify the mobile terminal 1001 on a radio network. The card 1049 also contains a memory for storing a personal telephone number registry, text messages, and user specific mobile terminal settings.

[00111] While the invention has been described in connection with a number of embodiments and implementations, the invention is not so limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of the invention are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it is contemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination and order.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A method comprising facilitating a processing of and/or processing (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal, the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal based, at least in part, on the following:

a request, from a device, for one or more content items;

at least one determination of one or more broadcast resources, one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof for the one or more content items; and

at least one determination of identification information of the one or more broadcast

resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof.

2. A method of claim 1 , wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

at least one determination of one or more options for selecting the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof;

a presentation of the one or more options in at least one user interface of the device;

an input for selecting at least one of the one or more options; and

a scheduling of a broadcast of the at least one content based, at least in part, on the selected at least one of the one or more options.

3. A method of claim 2, wherein the ( 1 ) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

at least one determination of one or more other requests for one or more other content items, wherein the one or more broadcast resources, one or more broadcast times, or a

combination thereof are further based, at least in part, on the one or more other requests.

4. A method of claim 3, wherein the scheduling further includes, at least in part, the one or more other broadcast times, and wherein the (1) data and or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

a presentation of the scheduling, the one or more content items, the one or more other content items, or a combination thereof in the at least one user interface of the device.

5. A method according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

a sharing of the one or more content items, the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof with one or more other devices.

6. A method according to any of claims 1 -5, wherein the ( 1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

a processing of the request to determine one or more parameters; and

at least one determination of the one or more content items based, at least in part, on the one or more parameters.

7. A method according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the (1) data and or (2) information and or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

a control of at least one receiver module to present the one or more content items based, at least in part, the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof.

8. A method according to any of claims 1 -7, wherein the ( 1 ) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

a presentation of one or more notification messages in the at least one user interface of the device based, at least in part, on the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof.

9. A method according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

a presentation of the identification information of the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof in the at least one user interface of the device.

10. A method according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

a tuning of the device based, at least in part, on the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof for receiving the one or more content items.

11. A method comprising:

determining a request, from a device, for one or more content items;

determining one or more broadcast resources, one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof for the one or more content items; and

causing, at least in part, a determination of identification information of the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof.

12. A method of claim 11 , further comprising:

determining one or more options for selecting the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof;

causing, at least in part, a presentation of the one or more options in at least one user interface of the device;

receiving an input for selecting at least one of the one or more options; and

causing, at least in part, a scheduling of a broadcast of the at least one content based, at least in part, on the selected at least one of the one or more options.

13. A method of claim 12, further comprising: determining one or more other requests for one or more other content items, wherein the one or more broadcast resources, one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof are further based, at least in part, on the one or more other requests.

14. A method of claim 13, wherein the scheduling further includes, at least in part, the one ore broadcast times, the method further comprising:

causing, at least in part, a presentation of the scheduling, the one or more content items, the one or more other content items, or a combination thereof in the at least one user interface of the device.

15. A method according to any of claims 11 - 14, further comprising:

causing, at least in part, a sharing of the one or more content items, the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof with one or more other devices.

16. A method according to any of claims 11-15, further comprising:

processing and/or facilitating a processing of the request to determine one or more parameters; and

determining the one or more content items based, at least in part, on the one or more

parameters.

17. A method according to any of claims 11-16, further comprising:

causing, at least in part, a control of at least one receiver module to present the one or more content items based, at least in part, the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof.

18. A method according to any of claims 11-17, further comprising: causing, at least in part, a presentation of one or more notification messages in the at least one user interface of the device based, at least in part, on the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof.

19. A method according to any of claims 11-18, further comprising:

causing, at least in part, a presentation of the identification information of the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof in at least one user interface of the device.

20. A method according to any of claims 11-19, further comprising

causing, at least in part, a tuning of the device based, at least in part, on the one or more

broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof for receiving the one or more content items.

21. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor, and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,

determine a request, from a device, for one or more content items;

determine one or more broadcast resources, one or more broadcast times, or a

combination thereof for the one or more content items; and

cause, at least in part, a presentation of identification information of the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof in at least one user interface of the device.

22. An apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine one or more options for selecting the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof; cause, at least in part, a presentation of the one or more options in at least one user interface of the device;

receive an input for selecting at least one of the one or more options; and

cause, at least in part, a scheduling of a broadcast of the at least one content based, at least in part, on the selected at least one of the one or more options.

23. An apparatus of claim 22, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine one or more other requests for one or more other content items,

wherein the one or more broadcast resources, one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof are further based, at least in part, on the one or more other requests.

24. An apparatus of claim 23, wherein the scheduling further includes, at least in part, the one or more other broadcast times, the apparatus further caused to:

cause, at least in part, a presentation of the scheduling, the one or more content items, the one or more other content items, or a combination thereof in the at least one user interface of the device.

25. An apparatus according to any of claims 21 -24, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

cause, at least in part, a sharing of the one or more content items, the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof with one or more other devices.

26. An apparatus according to any of claims 21 -25, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

process and or facilitate the request to determine one or more parameters and

determine the one or more content items based, at least in part, on the one or more parameters.

27. An apparatus according to any of claims 21-26, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

cause, at least in part, a control of at least one receiver module to present the one or more content items based, at least in part, the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof.

28. An apparatus according to any of claims 21-27, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

causing, at least in part, a presentation of one or more notification messages in the at least one user interface of the device based, at least in part, on the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof.

29. An apparatus according to any of claims 21-28, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

cause, at least in part, a presentation of the identification information of the one or more broadcast resources, the one or more broadcast times, or a combination thereof in at least one user interface of the device.

30. An apparatus according to any of claims 21 -29, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

cause, at least in part, a tuning of the device based, at least in part, on the one or more

31. An apparatus according to any of claims 21 -30, wherein the apparatus is a mobile phone further comprising:

user interface circuitry and user interface software configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone through use of a display and configured to respond to user input; and a display and display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile phone, the display and display circuitry configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone.

32. A computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to perform at least a method of any of claims 11-20.

33. An apparatus comprising means for performing a method of any of claims 11-20.

34. An apparatus of claim 33, wherein the apparatus is a mobile phone further comprising: user interface circuitry and user interface software configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone through use of a display and configured to respond to user input; and

a display and display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile phone, the display and display circuitry configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone.

35. A computer program product including one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to at least perform the steps of a method of any of claims 11-20.

36. A method comprising facilitating access to at least one interface configured to allow access to at least one service, the at least one service configured to perform a method of any of claims 11-20.

37. A method comprising facilitating a processing of and/or processing ( 1 ) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal, the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal based, at least in part, on the method of any of claims 11-20.

38. A method comprising facilitating creating and/or facilitating modifying (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based, at least in part, on the method of any of claims 11-20.