262results about "Broadcast system return channels" patented technology

Profiling a television viewer by monitoring and processing, locally at a television viewing environment, the viewer's interactivity (e.g., via a remote control unit) with the television viewing environment. Generating one or more profiles for each viewer based on one or more of the multitude of interactions of each viewer and on, in general, the viewing habits and preferences of the viewer. Automatically and reliably, detecting or inferring at a particular time, which specific individual or individuals, are actually interacting with the TV in household comprising more than one individual. Such viewer identification and profile generation can be used to facilitate the delivery of targeted content, including targeted advertising.

An Automatic Purchase System (APS) provides a radio broadcast listener with the ability to conveniently purchase media content such as music or speech while listening to the radio. The user can respond to items in the radio broadcast such as advertisements, fund raising drives such as those conducted by public radio, or interactive listener polls during the broadcast. Data such as song title and artist, author or publisher and the IP address for the location where the digital version of the content is stored, can be transmitted using the RBDS / RDS data stream. A reference number representing song title and artist, author or publisher and the IP address for the location where the digital version of the content is stored can also be employed for ease of implementation. This reference number can reside in a lookup table to be accessed by the APS server software on a Data Server located at the broadcast site, a remote site or both for purposes of redundancy. Transmission of purchase requests from a Technology Enabled Radio (TER) is provided via wireless transmission, or by accessing the Internet using a personal computer or through a cellular or wireless phone.

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing polling related data to viewers in an interactive cable televisions system. Users viewing a program can initiate a request for participating in a polling activity. The request and other program-related information are sent to the cable television system provider. Appropriate polling window data is returned to the set top box allowing a polling window to be displayed to the viewer. The viewer may choose one or several selections, and transmit the response to the cable television system provider. User responses can be tallied and presented in real time to the viewer audience. Program producers can incorporate the results of viewer feedback in real-time allowing the outcome of the program to be based on the collective viewer feedback.

The user receives a digital radio transmission through a digital receiver and transmits a request to download selected content from this transmission to a content agent, an entity responsible for authorizing the authorized downloading of the digital content. If the content is not free of charge, the user also transmits sufficient information to allow for payment for the digital. The user then receives a transmission authorizing the downloading of the digital content from the content agent upon acceptance of the payment by the content agent. The user then downloads the content to a storage device which is coupled to the receiver.

A method of multicasting a data file. The method includes transmitting a notification on an upcoming multicast transmission to a plurality of receivers (20) designated to receive the multicast transmission, tuning by at least one of the plurality of receivers (20) to one or more multicast channels, responsive to the notification, transmitting a data file, from a data server (42), on the one or more multicast channels, without the data server (42) receiving acknowledgements from the receivers (20) on whether they received the notification, determining receivers (20) designated to receive the multicast transmission that did not receive at least a portion of the data file; and attempting to deliver the data file to the determined receivers (20).

An apparatus and method for adaptive broadcast transmission. A broadcast transmission can be received. Insufficiency of a broadcast channel quality can be determined. A negative acknowledgement signal can be sent on a common uplink channel in response to determining the broadcast channel quality is insufficient. The negative acknowledgement signal can be received on the common uplink channel at another location, the negative acknowledgement signal indicating broadcast channel quality is insufficient. The broadcast channel quality can be adjusted in response to receiving the negative acknowledgement signal.

A method of broadcasting data files to selected mobile units, comprising steps of (a) receiving, through a bi-directional wireless network, a data request from a mobile unit, the data request including identification information for the mobile unit, (b) associating the data request with a digital data file; and (c) broadcasting the digital data file together with identification data for the mobile unit over a download channel on a broadcast network that has an overlapping coverage area with the bi-directional wireless network.

The invention relates to a method and system of delivering an object relating to a broadcast media stream to a user terminal (110) of a radio system (206). A broadcast system (2000) broadcasts the media stream, associates the object to the media stream and delivers an object identification of the object to at least one user terminal (110) either through the radio system or as an RDS broadcast. The user terminal (110) presents the object identification in synchronization with the media stream in the user terminal and sends, if a user requests the delivery of the object based on the object identification, a transaction signal with the object identification to a database (208) having at least one object through the radio system (206). The database (208) delivers the object of the object identification to the user terminal (110), which sent the request signal, through the radio system (206).

A method of and a system for providing an identification of a piece of information to a person tuned to a broadcasting station which is broadcasting the piece of information. The person sends a first message to a centralized information identification location having a data base storing data for identifying pieces of information. The first message describes the piece of information and preferably also identifies a receiving location to which identification of the piece of information is to be sent. In response to the first message, the data base is interrogated to identify the piece of information, and a second message is sent to the identified receiving location, including identification of the piece of information. If desired, the first message can include an order for a copy of the musical piece and payment information, and the centralized music identification location can forward an order for the copy to an order shipping center.

An audio portion of content, such as an audio stream, is associated with a multimedia program. A server receives an audio fingerprint and a program identifier from a network and associates the audio fingerprint with an audio identifier. A request packet including the program identifier is transmitted over the network to request program guide information associated with the program identifier. The program data including the program guide information is received from the network and metadata associated with the audio identifier and the program data are transmitted onto the network. A user device initiates a request for the metadata by using an audio fingerprint and the program identifier.

A method and system for providing easier listener access to information about musical works and other audio programming broadcast by a digital radio station includes broadcasting contextual information about the audio programming along with the audio programming. A receiver separates the audio and data signals giving the listener access to the broadcast content and the associated information about that content. The system may also store the contextual information about the programming for later reference, for example ordering a recording of the programming.

A TV broadcasting system comprises: an outward broadcast link to reach each of a plurality of user receiver installations via satellite or via a terrestrial channel, and a return link from each of said plurality of users, said return channel being a terrestrial channel via a wide area network, typically a WAN, of which WAN said user receiver installations form a node. The WAN may also support an uplink. A satellite or terrestrial receiver installation is modified with an extra terrestrial antenna for the WAN and a splitter combiner allows the already installed cable link to the TV receiver to be retained. A residential gateway allows a household LAN and communication enabled devices to be supported via the TV / WAN infrastructure.

A system and method is provided for use in connection with delivering content that is targeted to users of a broadcast network. In order to select content that is targeted to users of the broadcast network, signals are received from a plurality of customer premise equipment devices (CPEs) of the network users via a broadcast network interface. Based on the received signals, broadcast assets (e.g., programming, advertisements etc.) are selected from a collection of available asset options. Accordingly, at least a portion of the selected assets are inserted into a content stream of the broadcast network. Once the content stream is broadcast over a broadcast network interface, at least a portion of the selected assets area available for receipt by at least a portion of the CPEs. The CPEs generate reports regarding assets delivered such that asset providers can be billed based on guaranteed targeted impressions.

An apparatus and method integrates cellular technology, global positioning system (GPS) technology and satellite radio technology. The components of the apparatus share resources, such as a power, dual GPS / satellite antennae, display screen and controls. The system provides an “on-demand” back channel, such as via the nationwide cellular phone network, that allows a satellite radio subscriber to order data on demand from the satellite radio provider, such as a particular list of songs or travel information. The invention utilizes the existing satellite radio infrastructure which is capable of delivering large amounts of streaming on-demand customized programming and information across a satellite channel to a subscriber's satellite radio decoder. By effectively utilizing the growth and momentum of satellite radio technology, the invention introduces new options for location based services (LBS). Using the existing satellite radio infrastructure minimizes the overall cost of delivery of location based services while allowing a wide range of service options.

Provided are apparatuses and methods for transmitting and receiving ESG fragments associated with an event or program. The event or program may have an interaction service component in which a subscriber can interact with the program in real-time. The program content information, such as audio and video data associated with the program may be transmitted to a subscriber in an ESG fragment. The ESG fragment may have associated metadata in which information pertaining to the interaction service component of the event or program may be mapped. The subscriber terminal or receiver can parse the ESG fragment data to determine attributes for displaying a message template associated with the interaction service component of the event or program. Subscriber interaction with the program can be provided through the message template.

A system and method is provided for use in connection with delivering content that is targeted to users of a broadcast network. In order to select content that is targeted to users of the broadcast network, signals are received from a plurality of customer premise equipment devices (CPEs) of the network users via a broadcast network interface. Based on the received signals, broadcast assets (e.g., programming, advertisements etc.) are selected from a collection of available asset options. Accordingly, at least a portion of the selected assets are inserted into a content stream of the broadcast network. Once the content stream is broadcast over a broadcast network interface, at least a portion of the selected assets area available for receipt by at least a portion of the CPEs. The CPEs generate reports regarding assets delivered such that asset providers can be billed based on guaranteed targeted impressions.

Disclosed herein is a secure, media exchange network and a method of securely exchanging media between electronic devices across the network. In an embodiment according to the present invention, media may be securely and simultaneously exchanged between friends, family members, business associates, government entities, military entities, law enforcement entities, and 3rd party media providers over a closed and secure media exchange network. The media may include, for example, digital video, digital audio, digital images, digital data, or any other form of digital information. Security features may include security techniques, associated security hardware, and associated security software.

Disclosed herein is a method and system for employing power-saving states / modes in electronic devices. The electronic device may be adapted to determine whether an end-user is physically present when the electronic device is in operation or when an end-user display apparatus is inactive. The electronic device may be adapted to prompt an end-user to respond with an appropriate response. Upon determining that the end-user is not physically present, the electronic device may be adapted to enter at least one of a plurality of power-saving modes. The end-user, the network, and the electronic device may each be able to set the power-saving modes. The electronic device may also enter at least one of a plurality of power-saving modes by default. The electronic device may be adapted to maintain an end-user's settings and preferences by employing the power-saving modes.

A circular buffer in a video delivery server tracks a second copy of a live video stream to provide instant replay capability. When an end-user initiates the instant replay function, the circular buffer is copied to an instant-replay buffer, from which a replay of the video is sent to the end-user. During replay the end-user can use playback functions such as pause, slow-play, freeze frame, etc. Upon leaving the replay function the end user rejoins the live stream. The circular buffer also enables transmission of delayed copies of the live stream, time-shifted by predetermined intervals, which copies are multicasted to end-users. Upon request, an end-user may join a delayed version of interest. This allows the user to replay interesting content by jumping to a time-delayed version without missing the show and to catch up with real-time during e.g. commercial breaks.

Infrastructure for interactive broadcasting is provided using a wide area network for bi-directional transmission between a plurality of user nodes and a central source node, at least some of the user nodes comprising rooftop video broadcast receiving installations modified with a terrestrial bi-directional antenna and network transmission support electronics.

Apparatus for playing a quiz game of skill playable by remotely located participants simultaneously logged in and competing against each other, said game including inserted advertising comprising: a network structure for allowing multiple players to engage in a quiz game using an electrical or electronic network for data exchange; and a control system for establishing a virtual universe for said quiz game that can be accessed by any of said multiple players via an electrical or electronic network, said control system being operative for providing quiz questions and inserted advertisement for each of said multiple players; said control system including: text means for receiving a text input from each one of said multiple players, said text input being in response to the quiz question which is in the form of a multiple choice question.

A head end installation for multi-channel video feed broadcasting to a plurality of user TV receiver installations, comprises: a transmitter for transmitting said multi-channel video feed to said user installations, and a router for receiving a return link from a core IP network and regional terrestrial networks, said user TV receiver installations forming nodes of said terrestrial networks, said return link allowing user interactions to be received by said installation and thereby supported.

A method of provisioning a mobile communications device with a digital audio broadcast (DAB) application configured to run on the mobile communications device, the method comprising: generating a request for at least one component of the DAB application using a communications application of said mobile communications device; communicating the request over a bi-directional wireless communications network to a remote server; receiving the request at the remote server; processing the request to identify one or more DAB application components suitable for download to the mobile communications device; downloading said one or more DAB application components to the mobile communications device over said bi-directional wireless communications network; and installing said one or more DAB application components onto said mobile communications devices.

A method and apparatus for interactivity with broadcast media is provided. The method includes capturing (404) a plurality of audio segments from a plurality of broadcasts. The plurality of broadcasts correspond to a plurality of broadcast channels. Further, the method includes receiving (406) an audio clip from an electronic device (200). The method also includes identifying (408) a broadcast channel corresponding to the audio clip based on the plurality of audio segments and the audio clip.