Method of simulating broadband internet content downloads

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a method and system for providing a user with enhanced information related to subject matter made available to an individual via a medium, such as a broadcast medium, and particularly to the utilization of a data trigger to automatically and quickly access the enhanced information stored at a receiver system and directly related to the subject matter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A large percentage of Internet transactions are canceled because of the time it takes to download information and/or complete a transaction. Modem speeds and bandwidth is a critical stumbling block for Internet commerce. For example, advertisers are interested in developing rich media ads that present active audio, video and new browser windows to computer users. However, such ads require relatively large amounts of digital data, and the infrastructure for downloading such data to a computer or other device for display is limited. If the transmission of data is too slow, the real time display of video or playing of audio is undesirable because the end quality of such material is poor. On the other hand, if such materials are downloaded to a device, such as a personal computer, the download requires unacceptable amounts of time that can result in a dissatisfied customer or interruption of the download by the end user.

It would be advantageous to have a system and method able to provide the appearance of faster download times without necessarily improving the actual speed of a device's modem and/or the speed of data transmission to that device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention features a method for rapidly accessing information related to a media display. The method includes storing segments of enhanced information on a device configured to receive a media display. The segments of enhanced information are related to corresponding segments of the media display. The method further includes providing the device with a user interface, and prompting an individual to retrieve a segment of enhanced information as the corresponding segment of the media display is being displayed. The method further includes retrieving the specific segment of enhanced information upon response to the prompting by an individual.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for rapidly making available to an individual information related to a currently broadcast media. The method includes broadcasting selected segments of data via a broadcast medium for reception by a plurality of remote receivers. The method also includes broadcasting a unique data trigger simultaneously with each selected segment of data. The selected segments of data and the unique data triggers are received at a receiver system, which is preloaded with information related to the selected segments of data. The method further includes using the receiver system to utilize the data trigger for automatic retrieval of information related to the currently broadcast segment of data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary system having a receiver for receiving data via FM signal radio waves;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting components of an exemplary receiver system for use in a personal computer or other data reception device;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram similar to that of FIG. 2 but showing various memory locations for storing data related to a particular FM radio broadcast;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram representing one exemplary topology for the overall system described herein;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram similar to that of FIG. 4 but showing an alternate, exemplary topology;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a graphical user interface that permits a user to simultaneously utilize a personal computer and obtain information related to a current FM radio broadcast;

FIG. 7 is a diagram similar to that of FIG. 6, but showing the present systems capability for retrieving information related to the current FM radio broadcast while utilizing or obtaining other information, such as that available over the Internet;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary graphical interface for controlling FM radio broadcast reception and initiating a variety of other applications;

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an overall multimedia application system; and

FIG. 10 is a flow chart representing the process of selecting additional stored information related to information transmitted over a media, such as the Internet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is of an interactive system, typically utilizing a computer, such as a personal computer or integrated entertainment system, that allows a user to readily access information related to the music or other programming broadcast by a radio station or displayed as part of a media display. The system may also be utilized with remote devices, such as hand-held telephones and other hand held devices. As personal computers, home entertainment systems and other communication devices advance, there may be integration of personal computing systems with television and/or radio. The systems described below can be adapted to and envision such changes. The present system can also be adapted for use with other types of broadcasts, including broadcasts by television signals, cellular transmission or over a network. In any of these applications, a data trigger (as discussed below) is broadcast along with the primary broadcast and serves to provide the end user with automatic access to prestored information related to the primary content currently being broadcast or displayed. With television, for example, the data trigger can be encoded in the Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI).

One exemplary existing system that can be used in conjunction with the inventive system described below is a combined radio and personal computer as described in McCoy et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,958, issued Aug. 4, 1998 and entitled Radio Reception System For General Purpose Computer. The McCoy et al. patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,958, is incorporated herein by reference. The McCoy et al. patent describes a design for a radio receiver card that may be plugged into a personal computer to permit a user to receive and play radio broadcasts on his or her computer. The McCoy et al. system also receives and decodes RDS and/or MBS data transmissions in the FM stereo tuner mode and is able to display the RDS and/or MBS data on the monitor of the computer. However, the McCoy et al. patent does not disclose how to utilize the relatively small amounts of RDS and/or MBS digital data as a trigger to obtaining relatively large amounts of data related to the programming being played on a given radio station at a given time.

Referring generally to FIG. 1, a radio reception system 11 is illustrated according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, system 11 includes a personal computer 12 having a user interface that may include a monitor 14, a keyboard 16 and a mouse 18. Monitor 14 may have a variety of forms, including CRT or flat screen displays. However, monitor 14 typically includes a display screen 20 for displaying a variety of information to the user. It should be noted that a variety of other devices, including hand-held devices, can be utilized. Typically, such device including a processor that cooperates with a display and a user interface. Exemplary devices include web radio receivers, such as those available from Kerbango or iradios and other devices, such as the Palm Pilot available from 3Com.

Personal computer system 12 also includes a housing 22 containing a motherboard 24 upon which a variety of computer circuit components, including a processor 26, are mounted. Additionally, a radio data reception system 28 is coupled to the motherboard 24. Radio data reception system 28 includes, for example, an FM tuner and digital data decoder card 30 that is connected to motherboard 24, as shown. Card 30 may be a printed circuit board style card configured for pluggable engagement with personal computer 12 at, for example, a USB or PCI slot. Radio data reception system 28 also includes a reception antenna 32 that is attached to FM tuner and digital data decoder card 30 to receive analog and/or digital FM signals and digital RDS signals transmitted over the airwaves from a radio broadcast station 34 having a broadcast antenna 36.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, FM radio signals are processed by the computer 12 for playback of audio signals through one or more speakers 38 attached to computer 12. Computer 12 also processes any RDS and/or MBS digital data received from the radio transmission. This RDS/MBS data contains a digital or data trigger 37 that provides a prompt on display screen 20 to a user and permits the user to automatically obtain additional information about the music or other programming being broadcast on the primary FM radio signal via radio station 34. The additional information which has been stored prior to the broadcast, for example, can be liner notes to the music containing information related to the musician or musicians responsible for the music being played, additional information about upcoming concerts, weblinks to the musicians or to Internet CD vendors whereby the listener can order the music as it is heard with a single click of the mouse. Other prompts that may appear on screen include information related to an advertisement or products/services advertised, information about commentators or disc jockeys providing commentary, etc. The programming code included with the previously downloaded material allows the listener to establish accounts with advertisers or CD vendors in order to make split second purchasing decisions when prompted by the music or advertised offers. The radio reception system 11 permits the user to obtain this information automatically as the programming takes place.

It should be noted that the exemplary personal computer 12 also includes a CD drive 39 and a floppy disk drive 40. CD drive 39 and disk drive 40 provide potential locations for storage of data, via CD or floppy disk, or for the downloading of data related to the programming of a given radio station 34, as explained in more detail below.

An exemplary implementation of radio data reception system 28 and as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,958 is discussed with reference to FIG. 2. In this exemplary embodiment, FM tuner and processing card 30 is connected via a bus 42, such as an ISA bus, to the components of a personal computer. The main personal computer components include a central processing unit (CPU), such as processor 26. Additionally, personal computer 12 includes a RAM memory unit 44, a mass storage unit 46, keyboard 16, display monitor 14 and mouse 18. It should be noted that it is possible to externally mount card 30 outside of personal computer 12 and connect the processing card to the computer via an external interface. Processing card 30 interfaces with bus 42 through a group of interrupt lines 50 and a group of address and data lines 52. Card 30 comprises a receiver and tuner unit 54 which is connected to antenna 32. Receiver 54 is connected to a digital data decoder 56 which, in turn, is connected to a digital data processor or microcontroller 58. The receiver 54 also is connected to an audio processing unit 60, an analog to digital converter 62 and a phased loop logic (PLL) circuit 64. A local bus controller 66, such as an I.sup.2 C bus master, is connected to the devices 58, 60, 62 and 64 as shown, and is also connected to address decoding circuitry 68. The address decoding circuitry 68 and an interrupt decoding circuitry 70 are both connected to the microcontroller 58.

Processing card 30 also contains an external serial port 72 connected to microcontroller 58. Card 30 also includes three audio ports labeled A, B and C, connected to the audio processing unit 60. Audio port A is an audio output port for connection to external speakers. Audio port B is an unprocessed audio port for connection to a sound card or other audio device. Audio port C is an input port or "line-in" port for receiving audio signals to be processed by the audio processing unit 60.

In operation, processing card 30 performs stand alone functions dictated by software or microcode 74, which is resident within the microcontroller 58. Microcontroller 58 may be a standard 8051 device operating a 12 MHz. Additional functions of the processing card 30, as well as processing functions of the radio data reception system, are controlled by an application software 76 resident in the associated personal computer 12 and which may be stored in the mass storage device 46 and loaded into the computer's memory unit 44 during operation. By sharing processing functions between the card microcontroller 58 and the computer processor 26, performance of the overall system can be enhanced and optimized to take advantage of the more powerful host CPU.

Communication between the various devices of processing card 40 may be accomplished via a local 2-bit I.sup.2 C bus. In the exemplary embodiment, local bus access is controlled through the I.sup.2 C bus master chip 66. It should be noted that it is also possible to configure the microcontroller 58 as the bus master, thereby eliminating the need for separate bus master chip 66.

Tuning information received from the application software 76, via bus 42, is routed through the I.sup.2 C bus master 66 and to the PLL 64. Similarly, audio processing parameters are routed to the audio processing unit 60 via the bus master 66. The receiver 54 locks onto the desired FM station and emits corresponding signals along paths 78, 80 and 82.

Along the data path 78, three separate signals are transmitted indicating the strength of the detected audio signal and the levels of the left and right stereo signals. This information is then digitized by the A/D converter 62 and then transferred back through bus 42 for processing and display by the application software 76. The signal containing the analog audio information is transmitted along the path 80 for further processing by the circuitry 60 before being output to the audio port A. The audio signal also is transmitted along path 82 to the digital data decoder 56. The digital data decoder 56 demodulates and decodes the digital RBDS data (either RDS or MBS) associated with the particular FM station which is tuned by receivers 54.

The digital data decoder 56 may be any number of standard decoding devices. In an exemplary embodiment, a Phillips brand model SA6574T is used. The digital data decoder 56 outputs a continuous digital data stream, and corresponding clock signal, along a path 84 for reception by microcontroller 58 for analysis and processing.

The microprocessor performs a sequence of operations to identify, decode, store and eventually transmit the RDS and/or MBS data along but 42 to the host personal computer. In the exemplary embodiment, if microcontroller 58 detects RDS data, it automatically decodes the RDS data. Similarly, if the microcontroller 58 detects MBS data, it automatically decodes the data.

Communication between microcontroller and the host personal computer, or other display/processing system is accomplished via a status port having corresponding signal lines and a data port having a corresponding signal line 88. Depending on the particular microcontroller, the data and status ports may be on-board or implemented with an external I/O device. In the exemplary embodiment, the data and status ports are 8-bit registers and the signal lines 86, 88 each contain corresponding eight individual signal paths. The status signal lines 86 serve to identify the current transfer operation performed by the microcontroller 58, and the data signal lines 88 transfer the data from the microcontroller 58 to the host computer. The data and status information from the corresponding ports is decoded by the address decode circuitry 68 and presented to the bus 42 for transfer to the host computer.

Interrupt decoding information is transferred from the microcontroller 58 to the interrupt decoding circuitry 70 along a path 90. When the microcontroller 58 wishes to interrupt the host computer, interrupt signals are processed by the decoding circuitry 70 and presented to the bus 42 over the signal lines 50. Data transfer between the microcontroller 58 and the host computer can be accomplished by an "interrupt" method or a strict "polling" method, as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,958. Additionally, because processing card 30 may be exposed to the surrounding circuitry of the host computer, RF shielding of the card or individual components may be required to avoid interference with the audio information processed by card 30.

One of the problems with systems or methodology for utilizing RDS and/or MBS is the relatively limited amount of data that can be carried by the RDS and/or MBS signal. Thus, only small amounts of information related to the radio programming can be transferred by such mechanisms. Accordingly, the present invention embodied in radio reception system 11 utilizes the RDS and/or MBS signal as a data trigger 37 for obtaining additional information stored at a location M (see FIG. 3) accessible to personal computer 12. Three exemplary storage locations M include a CD 92 or floppy disk 94 utilized in conjunction with CD drive 39 or disk drive 40, respectively; mass storage 46, such as a personal computer hard drive; and a memory module 96 mounted on processing card 30 and accessible to microcontroller 58 via line 98. Memory module 98 also can be utilized in a variety of other types of devices, including hand-held remote devices. The information also can be downloaded over a network, e.g. the Internet, to a storage location M, such as a computer hard drive. Potentially, storage location M can be at a remote network location, such as on a server 91, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

According to one exemplary methodology, a CD 92 or a floppy disk 94 is supplied to a radio station's listeners. The CD 92 and/or floppy disk 94 typically contains, for example, text, audio content, visual content or complex audiovisual information related to the radio station programming. For example, there may be substantial information related to the music and musicians played by the radio station during a given time period. Additionally, there may be data related to the station's advertisers including information relating to products, services and the ordering of such products and services.

When the user receives disk 92 or 94, he or she simply inserts it into CD drive 39 or disk drive 40 and downloads the information to the disk drive of the computer, i.e. mass storage 46. (As mentioned above, the overall system can be designed to store the subject information in a variety of locations.) Depending on the specific location, the data trigger 37 carried on the RDS, MBS or other signal is designed to facilitate location of relevant data from the stored information for viewing by the user. It should be noted that the relevant information also can be downloaded over the Internet from, for example, a radio station website.

As described more fully below, when the RDS or MBS signal is received, the user is provided with a prompt at display screen 20. Upon clicking the prompt by, for example, mouse 18 the stored information is accessed in storage location M, e.g. mass storage 46. Preferably, the data trigger 37 provided by the RDS/MBS signal is addressed to correspond to the storage location of particular information related to the actual programming being broadcast at that time. Thus, if the individual is listening to a song of particular interest on the radio data reception system 28, the data trigger can be used, via the prompt on display screen 20, to access information related to the specific song or group performing the song.

For example, musical selections played by a given radio station may be cataloged according to their CD VPS unique identification numbers, and the data trigger can contain corresponding identification data to locate the specific relevant information from storage location M. The computer simple retrieves the identification number from the RDS frequency receiver as a specific song is played. During an advertisement, on the other hand, a unique advertisement identification number carried by the RDS/MBS signal links the user to stored information about the advertiser. The format and utilization of a data trigger on the RDS/MBS signal depends on the overall