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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A radio frequency based information distribution system having mobile
users, comprising:
a mobile switching office selectively connecting the mobile users of the
information distribution system;
information service providers, operatively connected to said mobile
switching office, at least one of the information service providers
receiving user selection signal inputs received by said mobile switching
office from a mobile user, and transmitting user selected information to
the mobile switching office responsive to the user selection signal
inputs; and at least one mobile terminal, comprising:
a receiver, operatively coupling the at least one mobile terminal to the
mobile switching office, receiving the user selected information from the
at least one of the information service providers via said mobile
switching office;
a control processor controlling operations of the at least one mobile
terminal;
means for receiving a user selection from the mobile user, for generating
user selection signal inputs responsive to the user selection, and for
transmitting the user selection signal inputs to the mobile switching
office;
signal format means for formatting the user selected information for
broadcasting, and for outputting formatted user selected information; and
broadcast means for broadcasting the formatted user selected information,
wherein the user selection comprises an audio selection,
wherein the at least one of the information service providers include:
programming servers storing programs;
speech recognition means for receiving the audio selection via said mobile
switching office, and for generating data selection signals; and
a gateway for receiving the data selection signals from said speech
recognition means, said gateway selecting at least one of the programs
stored in at least one of the programming servers responsive to the data
selection signals,
wherein said at least one mobile terminal further comprises a memory
operatively connected to said receiver, and
wherein said receiver receives the at least one of the programs
corresponding to the data selection signals and stores the at least one of
the programs entirely in said memory before broadcasting to the mobile
user, thereby minimizing connection between said at least one mobile
terminal and said mobile switching office.
2. A radio frequency based information distribution system as in claim 1,
wherein the at least one of the information service providers further
includes audio menu means for presenting program selections audibly to the
mobile user, and
wherein the mobile user selects at least one of the program selections
using the audio selection.
3. A radio frequency based information distribution system as in claim 2,
wherein said at least one mobile terminal further includes a picture
display,
wherein the at least one of the information service providers further
includes picture transmitting means for presenting picture program
selections visually to the mobile user while substantially simultaneously
presenting the program selections audibly to the mobile user, and
wherein the mobile user selects the at least one of the program selections
using the audio selection responsive to the program selections presented
audibly and the picture program selections presented visually.
4. A radio frequency based information distribution system as in claim 1,
wherein said receiver comprises two-line receiver means for receiving the
user selected information from the at least one of the information service
providers via said mobile switching office using one of two communication
channels, and for receiving a voice telephone call for connection with the
mobile user.
5. A radio frequency based information distribution system as in claim 1,
wherein said means for receiving a user selection transmits the user
selection signal inputs to the mobile switching office using a first
communication channel which operates using a first communication speed,
and
wherein said receiver receives the at least one of the programs
corresponding to the data selection signals and stores the at least one of
the programs entirely in said memory using a second communication channel
which operates using a second communication speed substantially greater
than the first communication speed of the first communications channel.
6. A radio frequency based information distribution system as in claim 1,
wherein the radio frequency based information distribution system further
comprises:
cellular equipment transmitting and receiving cellular calls for voice
connection; and
switching means for selectively switching between said cellular equipment
and said at least one mobile terminal, and
wherein said control processor monitors the activity of said cellular
equipment and said at least one mobile terminal for selective transmission
and reception between said mobile switching office and either said at
least one mobile terminal or said cellular equipment.
7. A radio frequency based information distribution system as in claim 6,
wherein when said control processor determines that both said cellular
equipment and said at least one mobile terminal are active, said control
processor controls transmission and reception between said mobile
switching office and said at least one mobile terminal, denying
transmission and reception access to said cellular equipment.
8. A radio frequency based information distribution system as in claim 1,
wherein the radio frequency based information distribution system further
comprises:
auxiliary audio means for receiving auxiliary audio signals from an audio
source;
auxiliary broadcast means for broadcasting at least one of the auxiliary
audio signals and the user selected information; and
switching means for selectively switching between said auxiliary broadcast
means and either said auxiliary audio means or said at least one mobile
terminal.
9. A radio frequency based information distribution system as in claim 8,
wherein when said control processor determines that both said auxiliary
audio means and said at least one mobile terminal are active, said control
processor controls switching between said auxiliary broadcast means and
said at least one mobile terminal, denying transmission and reception
access to said auxiliary audio means.
10. An asymmetrical audio program delivery cellular system having mobile
users, comprising:
at least one mobile terminal, comprising:
a receiver receiving user selected program data signals for broadcasting to
a mobile user;
a control processor controlling operations of the at least one mobile
terminal;
means for receiving a user selection from the mobile user, for generating
user selection signal inputs responsive to the user selection, and for
transmitting the user selection signal inputs;
signal format means for formatting the user selected information for
broadcasting, and for outputting formatted user selected information; and
broadcast means for broadcasting the formatted user selected information;
a first mobile switching office receiving the formatted user selected
information broadcast by said broadcast means using a first communication
channel which operates under a first communication speed;
information service providers, operatively connected to said first mobile
switching office, at least one of the information service providers
receiving user selection signal inputs received by said first mobile
switching office from the mobile user, and transmitting at least one user
selected program responsive to the user selection signal inputs; and
a second mobile switching office, operatively connected to said at least
one of the information service providers, devoted to receiving the at
least one user selected program transmitted by said at least one of the
information service providers using a second communication channel which
operates under a second communication speed, and devoted to transmitting
the at least one user selected program to said at least one mobile
terminal,
wherein the second communication speed of the second communications channel
of said second mobile switching office is substantially greater than the
first communication speed of the first communications channel of said
second mobile switching office.
11. A radio frequency based information distribution system as in claim 10,
wherein the user selection comprises an audio selection, and
wherein the at least one of the information service providers includes:
programming servers storing programs;
speech recognition means for receiving the audio selection via said mobile
switching office, and for generating data selection signals; and
a gateway for receiving the data selection signals from said speech
recognition means, said gateway selecting at least one of the programs
stored in at least one of the programming servers responsive to the data
selection signals.
12. A radio frequency based information distribution system as in claim 11,
wherein the at least one of the information service providers further
includes audio menu means for presenting program selections audibly to the
mobile user, and
wherein the mobile user selects at least one of the program selections
using the audio selection.
13. A radio frequency based information distribution system as in claim 12,
wherein said at least one mobile terminal further includes a picture
display,
wherein the at least one of the information service providers further
includes picture transmitting means for presenting picture program
selections visually to the mobile user while substantially simultaneously
presenting the program selections audibly to the mobile user, and
wherein the mobile user selects the at least one of the program selections
using the audio selection responsive to the program selections presented
audibly and the picture program selections presented visually.
14. An audio program and voice mail download distribution system having
mobile users, comprising:
a mobile switching office selectively connecting the mobile users of the
audio program and voice mail download system;
information service providers, operatively connected to said mobile
switching office, at least one of the information service providers
receiving user selection signal inputs received by said mobile switching
office from a mobile user, and transmitting user selected information to
the mobile switching office responsive to the user selection signal
inputs; and
at least one mobile terminal, comprising:
a receiver, operatively coupling the at least one mobile terminal to the
mobile switching office, receiving the user selected information from the
at least one of the information service providers via said mobile
switching office;
a control processor controlling operations of the at least one mobile
terminal;
means for receiving a user selection from the mobile user, for generating
user selection signal inputs responsive to the user selection, and for
transmitting the user selection signal inputs to the mobile switching
office;
signal format means for formatting the user selected information for
broadcasting, and for outputting formatted user selected information;
broadcast means for broadcasting the formatted user selected information;
and
a memory operatively connected to said receiver, and
wherein the user selected information comprises at least one of voice mail
messages and audio programs, and
wherein said receiver receives the user selected information corresponding
to the user selection signal inputs and stores the user selected
information entirely in said memory before broadcasting to the mobile
user, thereby minimizing connection between said at least one mobile
terminal and said mobile switching office.
15. A radio frequency based information distribution system as in claim 14,
wherein the at least one of the information service providers further
includes audio menu means for presenting program selections audibly to the
mobile user, and
wherein the mobile user selects at least one of the program selections
using the audio selection.
16. An advanced intelligent network based information distribution system
having mobile users, comprising:
a central office switching system connected to communication lines
including at least one service switching point for selectively providing
switched communications between the communication lines;
a mobility controller, connected to said central office switching system,
arranged for selectively providing wireless communications between said
central office switching system and mobile terminals by using control data
conveyed to at least one service switching point through a service
transfer point;
a network controller arranged for selectively providing control data to
effect land line communications, and arranged separately from the central
office switching system and the mobility controller, said network
controller being connected to both said mobility controller and said at
least one service switching point through at least one service transfer
point arranged to convey control data to effect communications, said
network controller storing preprogrammed call processing data associated
with subscribers who are associated with one of the communication lines
connected to the central office switching system and said network
controller further storing preprogrammed call processing data associated
with subscribers who are associated with one of the mobile terminals;
information service providers, operatively connected to said mobility
controller, at least one of the information service providers receiving
user selection signal inputs received by said mobility controller from a
mobile user, and transmitting user selected information to said mobility
controller responsive to the user selection signal inputs; and
at least one mobile terminal, comprising:
a receiver, operatively coupling the at least one mobile terminal to said
mobility controller, receiving the user selected information from the at
least one of the information service providers via said mobility
controller;
a control processor controlling operations of the at least one mobile
terminal;
means for receiving a user selection from the mobile user, for generating
user selection signal inputs responsive to the user selection, and for
transmitting the user selection signal inputs to said mobility controller;
signal format means for formatting the user selected information for
broadcasting, and for outputting formatted user selected information; and
broadcast means for broadcasting the formatted user selected information.
17. An advanced intelligent network based information distribution system
as in claim 16, wherein call processing by both the central office
switching system and the mobility controller to establish a completed
communication link between one of the communication lines and the at least
one of the mobile terminals is controlled in response to the stored
preprogrammed call processing data associated with at least one of the
subscribers and transmitted through said service transfer point.
18. An advanced intelligent network based information distribution system
as in claim 17, wherein call processing by said information service
providers is controlled in response to the stored preprogrammed call
processing data associated with at least one of the subscribers and
transmitted through said service transfer point.
19. In a radio frequency based information distribution system having
mobile users, comprising a mobile switching office selectively connecting
the mobile users of the information distribution system, information
service providers, operatively connected to said mobile switching office,
at least one of the information service providers transmitting user
selected information to the mobile switching office responsive to user
selection signal inputs, and at least one mobile terminal including a
receiver, operatively coupling the at least one mobile terminal to the
mobile switching office, a control processor controlling operations of the
at least one mobile terminal, means for receiving a user selection from
the mobile user, signal format means for formatting the user selection for
broadcasting, and broadcast means for broadcasting the formatted user
selected information, a method of distributing radio frequencies to mobile
users, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) selectively connecting the mobile users of the information distribution
system;
(b) receiving a user selection from at least one of the mobile users,
(c) generating user selection signal inputs responsive to the user
selection,
(d) transmitting the user selection signal inputs to the mobile switching
office;
(e) receiving user selection signal inputs received by the mobile switching
office from the at least one of the mobile users, and transmitting a user
selected program to the mobile switching office responsive to the user
selection signal inputs via at least one of the information service
providers;
(f) receiving the user selected program from the at least one of the
information service providers via the mobile switching office in a
receiver of the at least one mobile terminal, and storing the user
selected program in its entirety in the at least one mobile terminal prior
to broadcasting same to the mobile user;
(g) controlling operations of the at least one mobile terminal;
(h) formatting the user selected program for broadcasting; and
(i) broadcasting the formatted user selected program to the mobile user of
the at least one mobile terminal.
20. An audio program and voice mail download distribution system having
mobile users, comprising:
a mobile switching office selectively connecting the mobile users of the
audio program and voice mail download system;
information service providers, operatively connected to said mobile
switching office, at least one of the information service providers
receiving user selection signal inputs received by said mobile switching
office from a mobile user, and transmitting a user selected program to the
mobile switching office responsive to the user selection signal inputs;
and
at least one mobile terminal, comprising:
a receiver, operatively coupling the at least one mobile terminal to the
mobile switching office, receiving the user selected program from the at
least one of the information service providers via said mobile switching
office;
a control processor controlling operations of the at least one mobile
terminal;
means for receiving a user selection from the mobile user, for generating
user selection signal inputs responsive to the user selection, and for
transmitting the user selection signal inputs to the mobile switching
office;
signal format means for formatting the user selected program for
broadcasting, and for outputting a formatted user selected program;
broadcast means for broadcasting the formatted user selected program; and
a memory operatively connected to said receiver, and
wherein said receiver receives the user selected program corresponding to
the user selection signal inputs and stores the user selected program
entirely in said memory before broadcasting to the mobile user.
21. An advanced intelligent network based information distribution system
having mobile users, comprising:
a central office switching system connected to communication lines
including at least one service switching point for selectively providing
switched communications between the communication lines;
a mobility controller, connected to said central office switching system,
arranged for selectively providing wireless communications between said
central office switching system and mobile terminals by using control data
conveyed to at least one service switching point through a service
transfer point;
a network controller connected to both said mobility controller and said at
least one service switching point arranged to convey control data to
effect communications, said network controller storing preprogrammed call
processing data associated with subscribers who are associated with one of
the communication lines connected to the central office switching system;
information service providers, operatively connected to said mobility
controller, at least one of the information service providers receiving
user selection signal inputs received by said mobility controller from a
mobile user, and transmitting user selected information to said mobility
controller responsive to the user selection signal inputs; and
at least one mobile terminal, comprising:
a receiver, operatively coupling the at least one mobile terminal to said
mobility controller, receiving the user selected information from the at
least one of the information service providers via said mobility
controller;
a control processor controlling operations of the at least one mobile
terminal;
means for receiving a user selection from the mobile user, for generating
user selection signal inputs responsive to the user selection, and for
transmitting the user selection signal inputs to said mobility controller;
signal format means for formatting the user selected information for
broadcasting, and for outputting formatted user selected information; and
broadcast means for broadcasting the formatted user selected information.
22. An asymmetrical audio program delivery cellular system having mobile
users, comprising:
at least one mobile terminal, comprising:
a receiver receiving user selected program data signals for broadcasting to
a mobile user;
a control processor controlling operations of the at least one mobile
terminal;
means for receiving a user selection from the mobile user, for generating
user selection signal inputs responsive to the user selection, and for
transmitting the user selection signal inputs;
signal format means for formatting the user selected information for
broadcasting, and for outputting formatted user selected information; and
broadcast means for broadcasting the formatted user selected information;
a first mobile switching office receiving the formatted user selected
information broadcast by said broadcast means;
information service providers, operatively connected to said first mobile
switching office, at least one of the information service providers
receiving user selection signal inputs received by said first mobile
switching office from the mobile user, and transmitting at least one user
selected program responsive to the user selection signal inputs; and
a second mobile switching office, operatively connected to said at least
one of the information service providers, devoted to receiving the at
least one user selected program transmitted by said at least one of the
information service providers, and devoted to transmitting the at least
one user selected program to said at least one mobile terminal. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a mobile audio program selection system
for receiving audio programming to subscribers over a Public Switched
Telephone Network (PSTN), and more particularly to an audio program
selection system architecture for selecting and receiving audio
programming from an information providers using a mobile or cellular
telephone or transceiver system.
2. Background Art
Distribution of audio information or data has evolved from early radio
broadcasting to meet viewer demand. Initially, radio receivers were bulky
and essentially non-movable units which were located in the living room of
a home, as a permanent fixture. The radio receiver has been significantly
improved over the years to become more portable and convenient. For
example, today most vehicles include radios receivers which broadcast
prescheduled audio programming to the passengers of the vehicle. In
addition, the radio receiver has been reduced to such a small size that
many people keep such a portable device on their person while walking or
exercising to enhance activities which were commonly performed without the
convenience or entertainment of the radio receiver.
However, audio programming was, at best, prescheduled and typically
randomized, with the listener having to tune to the designated station or
frequency at the appointed time to listen to a particular audio program.
Thus, audio listeners were subjected to the selection chosen by the
particular broadcast station.
Technological advances resulted in the proliferation of Audio Cassette
Recorders (ACR) and Video Cassette Recorders (VCR), establishing a second
option for audio and video programming distribution. Pre-recorded audio
and video programs are now available for sale and rental to ACR and VCR
owners. Using an ACR or VCR, the viewer selects from among many titles
available for sale and rental, and listens and perhaps views the program
when convenient. The ACR or VCR owner further has the capability to
selectively listen or view the programming using special functions of the
ACR or VCR, such as pause, fast forward, reverse, slow motion, etc. The
listener or viewer can thus manipulate and replay portions of the program
at will.
The penalty for this convenience, however, is in the necessity to travel to
the local rental/sales store, if necessary wait for a popular program tape
to become available, and once the program is purchased or rented to return
home to listen to the program. If the tape is rented, the listener then
revisits the video store to return the tape.
Much research has been conducted in the unrelated arena of cable television
network programming. For example, cable television systems have developed
and distributed "premium" channels viewable only by subscribers having
appropriate descramblers. The descramblers are tuned to receive these
premium channels, descramble the video and audio information and supply a
signal capable of reception on a standard television set.
Pay-per-view programs, which evolved later, include recently released
movies, live concerts and popular sporting events. Subscribers wishing to
view a pay-per-view program place an order with the cable operator. At the
designated time, the subscriber's descrambler is activated to permit
viewing of the pay-per-view programming. However, the subscriber is
restricted to viewing the programming at the scheduled time. There is no
capability of delivering programming, video or audio, to a subscriber on
demand, that is, immediately or at a subscriber-specified time and date.
Further, these cable television systems provide the requested pay-per-view
program at a stationary television with a stationary converter descrambler
using stationary land lines.
Telephone lines have been suggested as an alternative means of video
distribution in Goodman et al., 5,010,399 and Kleinerman, 4,849,811.
However, systems using the public switched telephone network (PSTN) are
often bandwidth limited, providing only still frame or video conferencing
capabilities. Because telephone system carriers for the most part use the
PSTN only for connectivity between subscribers, there is no capability for
dynamic routing of digitized video without dedicated leased, wide
bandwidth circuits. Telephone line based systems also fail to provide
acceptable VCR type functional control of the programming.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,347, to Litteral et al., incorporated herein by
reference, describes a so-called Video-on-Demand service that provides
video programming to subscribers over the PSTN. A video information
provider (VIP) transmits coded digital video data over wideband PSTN
supplied connectivity to a central office. The video data may be buffered
at the central office for transmission over a POTS line to the subscriber.
A subscriber may use either a standard telephone instrument over the PSTN
or a dedicated control device over an ISDN packet network to order the
video programming. Such a device is located at a television set of the
subscriber and permits a display of the program menu on the television
screen.
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