United States Patent
`
`[191
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,73 2,216
`
`Logan et al.
`[451 Date of Patent:
`Mar. 24, 1998
`
`
`US0057322l6A
`
`[54] AUDIO MESSAGE EXCHANGE SYSTEM
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`['75]
`
`Inventors: James Logan. Wjndharn. N.H.: Daniel
`F. Goessling. Wayland: Charles G.
`Cl-'1 Hi11Sh1|11- both Of M35$-
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`Internet Angles, Inc. Methuen. Mass.
`
`_
`[21] App1' N0" 'nA’8m
`[22]
`Filed:
`Oct. 2, 1996
`
`'
`
`'
`
`'
`
`An audio program and message distribution system in which
`a host system organizes and transmits program segments to
`client subscriber locations. The hose organizes the program
`segments by subject matter and creates scheduled program-
`ming in accordance with preferences associated with each
`subscriber. Program segments are associated with descrip-
`tive subject matter segments. and the subject matter seg-
`rnents may be used to generate both text and audio catalog-
`ing presentations to enable the user to more easily identify
`.
`.
`.
`zfigsggi dl°:c‘;"::: "r‘:3:0d“”‘ucem:g}h‘: "1:§ba;kn":;‘
`received from me host fad includes mfchfgjsms 1,; ma.
`actively navigating among the program segments. A usage
`log is compiled to record the subscl'ibe.r’s use of the provided
`program materials. to return data to the host for billing. to
`adaptively modify the subscriber's preferences based on
`U-S- PATENT S actual usage. and to send subscriber-generated comments
`6:19:34 Grovesetal.
`3792202
`and requests to the host for processing. Voice input and
`4,456,”.-'89
`331993 nanmgamer gt .,1_
`375954
`control mechanisms included in the player allow the user to
`5_1g5_o35
`1111994 Nakayama et al. .
`395331
`perform hands-free navigation of the program materials and
`5,363,501
`531997 P3531 91 =1
`335195
`to dictate comments and messages which are returned to the
`5:527-935
`P”-"mo, Ema"-mr_Jamcs R -nmmmu
`host for retransmission to other subscribas.
`Assistant Examiner-—'I‘l1omas Peeso
`Attorney, Agenr. or F:'nn—Banner & Witcoff. Ltd.
`
`HMN U42
`[51]
`Int. CL‘
`395mo.33; 34sn; 342113
`[52] U.S. Cl.
`393200.33. 200.49.
`[53] Field of Search
`395n00'57‘ 20058‘ 2003'
`
`19 Claims. 7 Drawing Sheets
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`US. Patent
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`Mar. 24, 1998
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`Sheet 1 of 7
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`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 24, 1993
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`5,732,216
`
`Establish Account
`
`203
`
`
`
`Edit Future
`
`Choices &
`
`Preferences
`
`Upload Session
`Log
`
`Fig. 2
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`Catalog Updates
`
`Edit Downloaded
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`Program
`Sequence
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`
`214
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 24, 1993
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
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`5,732,216
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 24, 1998
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
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`5,732,216
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 24, 1993
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
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`5,732,216
`
`351
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 24, 1993
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`5,732,216
`
`421
`
`Audio Programs
` Prepare Transcript of
`
`
`
`425
`
`“*5
`
`Index by
`Topic
`
`F’ ' _ " _ _ _ _ — _ _ _ _ _ ‘ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ '
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 24, 1998
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`5,732,216
`
`
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`. <|IlG ERC"'|IlGF|LE1.JPG"><EM>'I'alevisIun and motion pictures
`<l'EM>oI'ler the viewer a rich combination of sights and sounds which eitectiveiy
`convey a large amount oi information to the viewer, and hence require an
`information delivery system having substantial <EM>bmdwidth<lEM>. Ratio
`programming requires only a fraction of the bandwidth or a at
`HREF-"tar9et">fuIl-motion vi-de-o<lA> prnerrtation. and is especially suitable
`for conveying information expressed in text narrative lcrm. Using suitable audio
`corn prassion techniques, speech can be transrrrizted over communications
`pathways of much more limited bandwidth. <lMG
`SRO-"'lMGFIL£2.JPG">includng telephone cial up connections to the Internet.
`permitting that facility to be used to provide reai~ti me telephone connections
`between two computers connected via the lntamet.<lMGOFF:- and play
`pre-recorded audio files as they are transferred from an Internet server to a
`suitably program med client computer. .
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`
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`

`
`1
`AUDIO MESSAGE EXCHANGE SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENITON
`
`5.732.216
`
`2
`
`This invention relates to an audio message data gathering
`and distribution system
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The Internet provides a robust facility for exchanging
`information on diverse topics. The World Wide Web makes
`available a rich collection of data files which digitally record
`text. graphic. audio and video information. The Internet
`SMTP and POP protocols support the most widely used of
`all of Internet services. E-mail. and Internet Listserv and
`Usenet newsgroup services provide forums in which people
`having special interests can freely exchange information.
`normally in text form.
`The Internet is also being increasingly used to send and
`receive audio information. Digitized. compressed. pre-
`recorded audio files may be downloaded from file servers to
`World Wide Web browsers running on computers having
`multimedia capabilities. typically using a “helper” programs
`to reproduce MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension)
`audio files for the listener.. Using suitable software.
`the
`Internet can also provide a digital communication pathway
`which permits two way telephone conversations between
`remotely located computers.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the present invention to utilize the data
`transmission capabilities of the Internet. or another suitable
`data transmission facility. to distribute. collect and exchange
`information in the form of audio recordings.
`the
`In accordance with one aspect of the invention.
`present invention takes the form of a com.Inunica1:ion system
`for distributing audio recordings among a plurality of par-
`ticipating subscribers. some of the recording consisting of
`pre-recorded programs and others being subscriber-
`genaated comments. all of which may be classified by the
`topics to which they relate for distribution to other subscrib-
`ers having an interest in the subject matter.
`Each subscriber is preferably provided with a player!
`recorder unit capable of reproducing received audio record-
`ings for a listener. and further capable of recording
`comments. annotations. messages. and responses to infor-
`mation requests imbedded in received recordings.
`the
`subscriber-generated recordings being rentrned to a central
`host facility for processing and redistribution to other sub-
`scribers.
`
`By way of example. a given subscriber may indicate an
`interest in a goup of specific topics and be provided with a
`program catalog identifying recorded programs which relate
`to those topics. While listening to program selected from this
`catalog. the subscriber may utilize the recorder to cornment
`upon that program. The recorded comment is uploaded to
`the host along with identification data which designates the
`recording subscriber.
`the program segment being com-
`mented upon. and the position within that program segment
`when the comment was generated. "Thereafter. the recorded
`comment may be transferned to other subscribers who
`request that program segment commented upon who. at their
`option. indicated a desire to listen to the comments made by
`other subscribers. Subscribers who listen to comments may.
`in turn. wish to add further comments to the program. or
`respond to or comment upon another submbers comment.
`A submber who records a comment may limit its trans-
`mission to the author or provider of the material commented
`
`1.5
`
`35
`
`45
`
`S5
`
`65
`
`0009
`0009
`
`upon. may make the comment a private note for the sub-
`scriber's sole use without transmitting it to anyone. or may
`choose to make it publicly available to any requesting
`subscriber. Publicly available comments may be listed in
`program catalog listings organized in accordance with sub-
`ject rnatter categories assigned to the comment. Arequest for
`information on a particular topic may accordingly yield not
`only the program material originally provided by the host
`system on that topic. but also the comments of subscribers
`who share an interest in the topic.
`The same facility used to generate public or private
`comments and annotations may also be used to enable a
`system subscriber to record and upload audio messages to
`identified subscribers or to the host system. This capability
`may in mm be used as a mechanisrn for providing help and
`support to subscribers concerning system operation. to pro-
`vide free-form requests for desired prograrru-ning which may
`be made generally available to subscribas. or to request
`specific infonnation to be sent to the requesting subscriber
`on a fee basis.
`
`Unlike Internet UseNet groups. which store and distribute
`text-based messages on particular special interest topics. the
`present invention utilizes audio recording and playback
`mechanisms to provide an interactive. conversational envi-
`ronment whioh eliminates the need to use a keyboard to
`interject comments and pose questions. Coupled with voice
`command responsive controls. the invention may be imple-
`mented as a hands-free system suitable for use by an
`automobile driver or other user's who cannot conveniently
`manipulate a keyboard to enter commands and data.
`In accordance with a related aspect of the present
`invention. recorded audio programming sent to a i.iSt€Ilfi'
`may advantageously include Embedded requests for infor-
`mation fomied by the combination of recorded audio
`prompts and request markers. The listener's playalrecorder
`detects request markers to pause the playback while the
`listener dictates a response to the question contained in the
`audio prompt. Each recorded response is stored for future
`use along with identification data which designates the
`imbedded request and the program which holds the request.
`Combinations of such imbedded requests can be used to
`create an audio “fill-in-the-blanks“ questionnaire that can be
`used to gather data from iisteners. including survey data.
`program ratings. and the like. Subscribers who provide
`requested information may receive credit which reduces
`subscription charges or other incentives.
`These and other objects. feattnes and advantages of the
`present invention may be more completely understood by
`considering the following detailed description of a preferred
`embodiment of the invention.
`In the course of this
`description. reference will frequently be made to the
`attached drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TI-IE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of an electronic
`program and advertising distribution system which embod-
`ies the invention;
`FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the principle steps
`followed in the course of the performing the information
`distribution functions contemplated by the invention:
`FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the principle steps
`performed during a playback session in the illustrative
`embodiment:
`FIG. d is an information strucnne and data flow diagram
`il.lustra.t'ing the manner in which programming is selected
`and accounting functions are performed in the illustrative
`embodiment of the invention;
`
`

`
`5.732.216
`
`3
`FIG. 5 is an information structure diagram illustrating the
`manner in which the program segments are dynamically
`selected and played in response to the user’s preferences and
`control decisions:
`FIG. 6 is a flow chart which destribes a preferred proce-
`d.ure for preparing the program content which is distributed
`to subscribers in accordance with the invention: and
`FIG. 7 is an information structure diagram illustrating the
`manner in which a narrative text file expressed in hypertext
`marloip language (HTML) may be translated in to the
`combination of an audio speech file. a text file transcript. and
`a sequencing file used by the player to create a multimedia
`presentation.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`The illust:rative embodiment of the invention shown in
`FIG. I utilizes the Internet to provide communications
`between a host computer indicated generally at 101 and an
`audio player device illustrated at 103.
`
`Subscribm Audio Player
`
`‘The player 103 may be advantageously implemented by a
`conventional laptop or desktop personal computer including
`a processor (the client CPU 105). a time of day clock 106.
`and a data storage system consisting of both high speed
`RAM storage and a persistent mass storage device. such as
`a magnetic disk memory. the data storage system being used
`for storing audio. text and image data at 107 and for storing
`usage data at 109 which records the nature of the program-
`ming reproduced by the player 103. The player 103 further
`includes a sound card 110 which receives audio input from
`a microphone input device 111 for accepting voice dictation
`and commands from a user and which delivers audio output
`to a speaker 113 in order to supply audio information to the
`user. The program data stored at 101 may advantageously
`include compressed audio recordings andlor text (files of
`characters} which may be converted into audio form by
`conventional speech synthesis programs executed by the
`client CPU 105.
`The sound card 110 is conventional and preferably com-
`plies with the recommendations detailed in the Hardware
`Design Guide for Microsoft Windows 95. by Doug
`Klopfenstein. Microsoft Press (1994). ISBN 1—55615-642-1.
`The sound card 110 advantageously supports a 44 kl-lz.
`16-bit. stereo codec providing analog to digital conversion
`of audio input signals from the microphone 111 as well as
`digital to analog conversion for programming di.rec1.ecl to the
`speaker 111. The sound and provides external connections
`and hardware support for Microphone-In. Line-In. Line-Out.
`and Headphones-Out. with volume controlled by the player
`sofiware (including volume level logging as discussed later
`in connection with FIG. 3 of the drawings).
`To support multimedia capabilities. the CPU 105 should
`meet or exceed the capabilities of an Intel 486 DX2-66
`computer to provide consistently good playback results and
`the sound card 110 should include a 16-bit digital-to-analog
`converttn for playback and a lfrbit analog-to-digital con-
`verter for recording. The sound card 110 should further
`support 8. ll. 22. and 44 kHz waveforms. Afrequency of 44
`kHz is used for CI'J—qual.ity sound and fractions of 44. such
`as I] and 22. are often used for compressed waveforms
`meant to save CPU processing. Support for an 8 kHz
`frequency should be in order to properly support Windows
`95 TrueSpeechT“ compression. which is optimized for com-
`pression and playback of human speech. Using 'I‘rueSpeech
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`65
`
`4
`
`compression. programs containing largely voice narrative
`data can be substantially condensed. and users can record
`annotations and voice mail responses as discussed later.
`In addition. the sound. card 110 should be capable of
`reproducing downloaded MIDI (Musical Instrument Device
`Interface) commands. enabling the system take a MIDI data
`stream and produce sound according to the compressed files
`consisting of digital sheet music instructions. Preferably. the
`sound card should support at least 16-voice polyphony (the
`ability to play several sounds at the same time). and poly-
`message MIDI. an capability included in Windows 95 that
`allows a sound card to receive and batch-process multiple
`MIDI messages (such as Note On and Note Off). The sound
`card 110 should also a microphone port for microphone 111.
`a speaker-out port (for one or two (stereo) unpowered
`speakers 113. and a headphone-out port.
`The personal computer CPU 105 is also preferably con-
`nected to a conventional personal computer video display
`118 and a standard keyboard 119. as well as a pointing
`device (such as a mouse. trackball or touchpad. not shown).
`The facilities provided by the operating system. such as
`Windows 95.
`typically includes multimedia support. as
`noted above. as well as a standard WINSOCK TCPIIP stack
`and modem dial up driver software to support a SLIPPIPPP
`Internet connection. as next discussed.
`
`The player 103 fttrther includes a conventional high speed
`data modem 115 for receiving (downloading) the program
`information 107 from the remote server 101 and for trans-
`mitting (uploading) program selections and preferences as
`well as usage data in the file 109 to the server 101. To elfect
`these file transfers. the modem 115 is connected via con-
`ventional dial up telephone SLIP or PPP TCPHP series data
`communication link 117 to an Internet service provider 121
`which provides access to the Internet. The service provider
`121 is in tl.Il‘l'.'. connected to the host server 101 via a high
`speed Internet link seen at 123.
`Host File Server
`
`‘The host server 101 provides a FTP server interface 125
`which provides file transfer protocol services to the player
`103. a CGI interface 127 which performs Common Gateway
`Interface script program execution in response to requests
`from the player 103. and an I-ITML interface 129 which
`provides hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) World Wide
`Web server functions to the connected player 103. The host
`server 101 stores and maintains a plurality of data files
`including a program data library indicated generally at 130
`consisting of a collection of compressed audio program
`segments 131. announcement (“glue”) segments 132. text
`program segments 13. image segments 134. advertising
`segments 135 and program catalog information 137.
`The compressed audio segments program segments com-
`prise audio voice and music tiles which may be compressed
`using conventional compression mechanisms suited to the
`data being corrqxessed. sud: as 'I‘rueSp-eech compression for
`voice signals and MIDI files for compressed synthetic music
`reproducible by the sound card 110 as noted earlier.
`Comprmsed voice programming in the database 131 may
`advantageously be accompanied by text transcripts (files of
`characters) stored in the text database 133. Similarly. images
`stored in the image database 134 may be used to provide a
`multimedia presentation which combines images repro-
`duced on the display 118 of player 103 with concurrently
`presented audio at the speaker 113 andfor displayed text.
`Program segments which present advatising, illustrativcly
`shown as being resident in a separate database 135 in FIG.
`
`0010
`0010
`
`

`
`5.732.216
`
`5
`text andlor image
`1. may likewise consist of audio.
`segments. as may the program segments which provide
`announcements between program segments as well as
`audible and visible menu options which the user may select
`as described later.
`As hereinafter described in connection with FIG. 5. each
`voice or text program segment preferably includes a
`sequencing file which contains the identification of high-
`lighted passages and hypertext anchors within the program
`content. This sequencing file may further contain references
`to image files and the start and ending offset locations in the
`audio presentation when each image display should begin
`and end. In this way. the image presentation may be syn-
`chronized with the audio programming to provide coherent
`multimedia programming.
`As contemplated by the invention. information which is
`available in text form from news sources. libraries. etc. may
`be converted to compressed audio form either by human
`readers or by conventional speech synthesis.
`If speech
`synthesis is used. the conversion of text to speech is pref-
`erably performed at the client station 103 by the player. In
`this way. text information alone may be rapidly downloaded
`from the server 101 since it requires much less data than
`equivalent compressed audio files. and the downloaded text
`further provides the user with ready access to a transcript of
`voice presentations. In other cases. where it is important to
`capture the quality and authenticity of the original analog
`speech signals. a text
`transcript
`file which collaterally
`accompanies a compressed voice audio file may be stored in
`the database 133 from which a transcript may be made
`available to the user upon request.
`The host server 101 further stores web page data 141
`which is made available to the player 103 by means of the
`HTML interface 128. The host server 101 additionally stores
`and maintains a user data and usage log database indicated
`at 143 which stores uploaded usage data received from the
`store 109 in the player 103 via the Intunet pathway 123 and
`the FTP server interface 125. The user data 143 further
`contains additional data describing the preferences. demo-
`graphic characteristics and program selections unique to
`each subscriber which is developed largely frorzn user-
`supplied data obtained when users submit HTML form data
`via the Internet pathway 123 for processing by the CG!
`mechanism 127.
`
`The host server 101 periodically transmits a download
`compilation file 145 upon receiving a request from the
`player 103. The file 145 is placed in a pnedeterrnined FTP
`download file directory and assigned a filename known to
`the player 103. At a time determined by player 103 moni-
`toring the tiroe of day clock 106. a dial up connection is
`established via the service provider 121 and the Internet to
`the FTP server 125 and the download compilation 145 is
`transftnred to the program data store 10".’ in the player 103.
`The compilation 16 is previously written to the download
`directory by a download processing rnechanisrn seen at 151
`in the server 101. Download processing. as described in
`more detail later. extracts from the library 130 data defining
`compressed program. advertising. and glue segments. andfor
`associated text program data. based on selections and pref-
`erences made by (or infared for} the user as specified in the
`subscriber data and usage log database 143.
`The download. compilation file 145. though represented as
`a single tile in FIG. 1. preferably takes the form of one or
`more subscriber and session specific files which contain the
`identification of separately stored sharable files. By way of
`example. the recommended order and the identification of
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`6
`the program files making up an individual playback session
`are stored in a session schedule file (to be described in detail
`in connection with FIG. 5) which contains program identi-
`fiers of the program segments to be played during an
`upcoming session. The player 103 downloads the session
`schedule file and then issues download requests for those
`identified program segment files which are not already
`available in the player's local storage unit 10?.
`Usage data in the store 109 maintained by the player 103
`is preferably uploaded as a file bearing a predetermined file
`name indicative of the particular subscribd and upload time
`and stored in a predetermined FTP upload directory. This
`upload advantageously oocurs‘at the same time the plays:
`103 establishes a download connection to the FTP server
`125 as noted earlier. and occurs prior to the download of the
`compilation 145. Because the upload data from the store 109
`in the player 103 identifies program segments desired by the
`subscriber. program segments newly requested by the user
`are appended to the compilation 145. Note that. in typical
`cases. programming in addition to the specifically requested
`programming will be included in the download compilation.
`and the transfer of that prograrnrning can begin immediately
`while the newly uploaded user selections and other infor-
`mation are being processed as indicated at 153 to identify
`additional
`information to be included in the download
`compilation.
`As indicated at 161 in FIG. 1. the host server upload
`processing rnechanism 153 also provides a nurnba of
`reports. as described in more detail later. based upon the
`record of actual player use by individual subscribers and the
`community of subscribers as a whole. This report processing
`is advantageously perforrned on a periodic basis in connec-
`tion with financial and accounting functions including sub-
`scriber and advertiser billing. content provider royalty pay-
`ment accounting. and marketing analysis processing.
`It should be understood that numerous other information
`
`storage. processing and communications schemes may be
`substituted for the preferred Internet server and PC client
`player architecture shown in FIG. 1. A dedicated host
`computer whirl: communicates directly with client stations
`via dial up telephone facilities may be used. and cellular
`radio. cable modem and satellite links may be used to
`provide data communications in lieu of the conventional
`SLIPIPPP telephone and Internet links shown in FIG. 1. To
`facilitate use of the system in an automobile. a “player”
`computer may he linked to the Internet via a local commu-
`nications server computer via a radio or infrared link when
`the car is parked at the subscriber's home or oifice. The
`infrared Data Assoc-.iation‘s (IrDA) wireless infrared (IR)
`standard provides a highly elfective. low-cost communica-
`tions pethway rapidly becoming a standard feature in all
`notebook computers and PDAs. The IrDA international
`standard provides interoperability among widely diverse
`systems. involves no governmental regulation. are provided
`at low cost. provide high speed file transfers (e.g.. 4 Mbs
`data rates). are small and can be easily incorporated into
`portable computers of the type which may be used in a car
`or on public transportation. Alternatively. the files down-
`loaded from the host may be stored on a replaceable media.
`such as an optical disk ca.rtridge. which may then be inserted
`into a portable computer or simplified player for mobile use.
`Adirectlinkbezween arnobile client player (such as a laptop
`PC) may be implemented using the Cellular Digital Packet
`Data (CDPD) service presently available in major metro-
`politan areas to provide low—cost access to the Internet using
`the TCPf]Pprotocol. and provides the advantage that needed
`program segments can be downloaded while a session is in
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`progress. eliminating the need for a complete download
`before the mobile unit is disconnected from its data sotn'ce.
`
`Upload and Download Sequence—0ver-view
`
`FIG. 2 illustrates the sequence of major events which are
`executed the program dissemination system contemplated
`by the invention.
`As indicated at 203. an interested subscriber invokes
`programrning services by first supplying pasonal informa-
`tion and
`programming preferences dru-ing an account
`initialization procedure. Preferably. as explained in more
`detail later. account initialization is accomplished by pre-
`senting the subscriber with HTM1. forms to complete and
`submit to CGC script programs which execute on the server
`to post subscriber supplied information into an
`user
`dataser. Based on the information supplied by the user. the
`server then compiles one or more files for downloading to
`the subscriber at step 207 which include programming and
`advertising segments as well as additional data and utility
`prograrus needed by the player 103 to begin operation. The
`download operation preferably occurs at a time established
`by the player which establishes a dial up connection via the
`SLIPIPPP serial connection 11‘? to the local Internet service
`provider 12] which provides an Internet connection to the
`host FTP server 125. The download file or files containing
`programming and advertising segments as well as subscriber
`specific data are designate by filenames provided by the
`requesting clientfplayer 103 and moved from storage unit
`145 utilizing the FTP server 125 and the Internet connection
`into local storage at 10'!
`in the cllentfplayer 103. The
`filenarnes used to specify the tiles in the server 125 may
`conveniently be formed from the prograrn_id value used
`internally by both the host and the player to identify and
`differentiate the different program segments used.
`The data downloaded includes a recommended program
`sequence file which provisionally identifies the order in
`which downloaded program segments are to be played. with
`the
`selection and sequence being established based on
`user preference data by the download compilation process-
`ing mechanism seen at 151 at the server.
`Before a playback session begins. as indicated at 211. the
`subscriber has the opportunity to review and alter the
`provisional program selections and sequence established as
`a default by the downloaded information from the server.
`Utilizing the programming data and a utility program pre-
`viously supplied by the server. the subscriber may alter the
`selection and sequence of pro-gram materials to be played.
`including altering the extent to which advertising will be
`played along with the selected programming.
`At the request of the user. the sequence of programming
`defined by the program sequence file (the selections file
`illustrated at 351 in FIG. 5) is then reproduced for the
`listener. As contemplated by the invention. the player 103
`includes conuols which enable the user to easily move from
`program segment to program segment. stripping segments in
`a forward or reverse direction. or to jump to a particular
`segment. and thus alter the preprogrammed sequence.
`Nevertheless. when any given program segment concludes.
`the next segment which is specified as following the given
`segment will begin playing unless the listener intervenes.
`Thus- although the segments are stored in randomly addres-
`sable locations in the local mass storage unit. they are
`nonetheless played at step 212 in the sequence established
`initially by the server and (optionally) modified by the
`subscriber. with the player providing the ability to dynami-
`cally switch to any position in this sequence under the
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`listeners control. As indicated at 213 in FIG. 2. the listener
`may at any time retire to the sequence editing step 211 to
`manually reorder the playing sequence if desired. As indi-
`cated at 215. a session usage log is recorded during the
`playback session to identify every segment actually played.
`the volume and speed at which that segment was played. and
`the start and end times.
`
`At step 211. in addition to deleting and reordering items
`on the program schedule.
`the use.r may alter his or her
`selections and general subject matter preferences to control
`the manner in which the host assembles program schedules
`for future sessions. When programs are included in a current
`schedule which are of particular interest. the subscriber may
`assign a priority value to the scheduled program and. in that
`way. inform the host that the user has an interest in receiving
`more programing in the same subject matter categories in
`which the identified program is classified When a program
`in a serialized sequence is assigned a new or dilferent
`priority value at step 211. the host system 101 assigns a
`corresponding Importance value to the progranmsegrnent
`record for each of the remaining unplayed programs in that
`serialized sequence. Note that. by expressly approving
`advertising segments or categories of acceptable advertising
`in this fashion. the subscriber may be granted a rate reduc-
`tion sinoe advertisers are generally willing to pay more for
`advertising directed to customers having a known interest in
`a given subject.
`At th