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`US 20020183059Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Noreen et al.
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0183059 Al
`Dec. 5, 2002
`( 43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54)
`
`INTERACTIVE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`USE WITH BROADCAST MEDIA
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................... 455/427; 455/553; 455/557;
`370/351
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Gary Keith Noreen, La Canada
`Flintridge, CA (US); Stephen P
`Crosby, Brookline, MA (US); Carl A.
`Kukkonen III, Pasadena, CA (US);
`Daniel C. Kukkonen, Hollywood, CA
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`CARLA. KUKKONEN, III
`C/O VIASPACE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
`2400 LINCOLN AVENUE
`ALTADENA, CA 91001 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/149,341
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Dec. 7, 2000
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT/US00/33447
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`, which is a continuation of application No. 09/459,
`025, filed on Dec. 10, 1999.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.7 ............................ H04L 12/28; H04Q 7/20;
`H04M 1/00; H04B 1/38
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An interactive media system (100) is provided for use with
`broadcast media wherein feedback is provided to subscribers
`of the system via subscriber access devices. Interactive radio
`mobile units are mounted within vehicles (104) or at other
`locations. In some embodiments, each mobile unit includes
`a receiver (116) for receiving radio broadcasts, a GPS
`system (118) for determining the location of the vehicle
`(104), and a wireless transmitter (120) for transmitting
`interactive radio control signals to a network operation
`center (110). While listening or viewing a media broadcast,
`the subscriber selects program segments of interest by
`pressing an interactive radio control button on the mobile
`unit. The program segments are, for example, individual
`musical selections, advertisements or the like. In response,
`the mobile unit transmits the carrier frequency of the radio
`broadcast, the date and time, the geographical location of the
`vehicle, and a subscriber identification signal to the network
`operation center (110) using the wireless transmitter (120).
`The network operations center (110) determines the identity
`of the selected program segment based upon the information
`transmitted from the mobile unit. Then, the network opera(cid:173)
`tion center (110) accesses databases (202) providing infor(cid:173)
`mation pertaining to the selected program segment and
`provides the information to the subscriber via the Internet
`(111), such that the information can later be retrieved by the
`subscriber using a home or office computer (112) or the like.
`
`~
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`
`VW EX1017
`VW v. StratosAudio
`IPR2021-00721
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 10 of 20
`
`US 2002/0183059 Al
`
`------------------------------------------------·
`300--,,-:
`BROADCAST CONTROLLER
`:
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`FIG. 11
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 11 of 20
`
`US 2002/0183059 Al
`
`300- _ _,
`
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`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 12 of 20
`
`US 2002/0183059 Al
`
`1
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`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 13 of 20
`
`US 2002/0183059 Al
`
`------------------------------------------------·
`.-----------,:
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`300--J
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`FIG. 14
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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 14 of 20
`
`US 2002/0183059 Al
`
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`FIG. 15
`
`360
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 15 of 20
`
`US 2002/0183059 Al
`
`------------------------------------------------·
`..-------------. :
`~-~
`BROADCAST CONTROLLER
`:
`300--'
`304
`..__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ :
`
`BROADCASTER
`308
`
`PROGRAM SEGMENT
`
`BROADCASTTRANSMITIER
`
`I
`I
`I
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`
`I
`
`' I
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`
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`
`312
`----------------- ---------
`·-------------------
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`BROADCAST RECEIVER
`418--/ :
`
`I
`
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`
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`426
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`: MONITOR
`: STATION
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`
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`
`:
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`:UNIT
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`' I
`320
`
`PROGRAM SEGMENT
`ASSOCIATION DATABASE
`'-------------------------------------
`COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
`340
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`---- -------- ---------------------------------------- ----------------·
`340
`:
`SUBSCRIBER INTERFACE UNIT
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`:
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`DETERMINATION
`UNIT
`
`I
`I
`
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`
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`
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`
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`SEGMENT
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`
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`
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`IDENTIFICATION
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`
`•-------------------•••••••••••• ----------------------------------T••••
`' ' \
`' I 360
`
`FIG. 16
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 5, 2002 Sheet 16 of 20
`
`US 2002/0183059 Al
`
`440~
`
`NO
`
`444
`
`YES
`
`456
`
`AREA
`CODE
`
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`
`FIG. 17
`
`

`

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`RANGE
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`A
`
`B
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`E
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`F
`
`0
`0
`
`0
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`N
`
`NE SECTOR BORDERED BY 110S & 1770
`
`NW SECTOR BORDERED BY 110S & 1770
`
`SE SECTOR BORDERED BY Il05 & 1770
`
`SW SECTOR BORDERED BY I105 & 11770
`
`SECTOR OF 1770 & W OF 140S
`
`SECTOR E OF 1405
`
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`
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`FIG. 18
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`PROGRAM
`SEGMENT ID
`
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`.
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`FIG. 19
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`CONNECT
`VENDOR#4
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`, 472
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`
`FIG. 20
`
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`, 476
`I
`I
`
`VENDOR ID
`
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`
`HTML URL
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`
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`
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`
`www.ardio.com
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`

`

`US 2002/0183059 Al
`
`Dec. 5, 2002
`
`1
`
`INTERACTIVE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE
`WITH BROADCAST MEDIA
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] The invention generally relates to interactive sys(cid:173)
`tems and in particular to interactive systems for use with
`broadcast media.
`
`[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
`
`[0004] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,303,393, 5,455,823 and 5,689,245
`to Noreen et al. describe various interactive radio systems
`for use with broadcast radio. In one example, individual
`mobile interactive radio units are installed in motor vehicles
`or other locations for use by subscribers of the interactive
`radio system. Each mobile unit includes a radio broadcast
`receiver, such as a standard automobile radio, and a two-way
`wireless communication device, such as a wireless tele(cid:173)
`phone. Radio broadcasts received by the mobile unit are
`listened to by the subscriber, perhaps while driving the
`vehicle. The subscriber may respond to advertisements,
`solicitations, promotional segments or the like by entering
`commands through the mobile unit, which are transmitted
`by the mobile unit to a network operations center. As one
`specific example, if the subscriber wishes to purchase a
`product advertised during a radio broadcast, the subscriber
`enters an order or purchase command into the mobile unit
`and the command is forwarded to the network operations
`center, which coordinates the purchase of the product on
`behalf of the subscriber. To this end, the broadcast signal
`may be encoded with sub-signals which identify the product
`offered for sale during the segment of the broadcast. The
`mobile unit extracts the product identification from the
`broadcast signal and generates a purchase command, which
`identifies the product being purchased along with the iden(cid:173)
`tity of the subscriber associated with the mobile unit. The
`network operations center maintains a credit card number or
`other purchase authorization information for the subscriber
`for completing the purchase. If the broadcast signal is a
`standard radio broadcast signal not encoded with sub-sig(cid:173)
`nals, the mobile unit determines the carrier frequency of the
`broadcast, the date and time of the broadcast, and the
`geographical location of the mobile unit and then transmits
`this information along with the purchase command and
`identity of the subscriber associated with the mobile unit to
`the network operations center. In response, the network
`operations center determines the identity of the broadcaster
`based upon the carrier frequency and the geographical
`location of the mobile unit, then accesses databases identi(cid:173)
`fying particular program segments broadcast by the broad(cid:173)
`caster at various dates and times. With this information, the
`network operations center determines the goods or services
`that the subscriber wishes to purchase and completes the
`purchase on behalf of the subscriber.
`
`[0005] Although summarized with respect to an example
`involving the purchase of goods or services advertised
`during radio broadcasts, the interactive radio systems of the
`Noreen et al. patents provide a wide range of other interac(cid:173)
`tive services as well. In other examples, the subscriber may
`respond to opinion polls solicited through radio broadcasts,
`or donate money to charities or political causes solicited
`through the radio broadcast. Additionally, the mobile inter(cid:173)
`active radio unit may be provided with a graphic display for
`
`providing information identifying particular songs broadcast
`over the radio or particular products advertised in radio
`broadcasts. In the example wherein the broadcasts are
`encoded with sub-signals identifying the particular product
`being offered for sale, the encoded information may be
`displayed on the graphic display for viewing by the sub(cid:173)
`scriber while listening to the broadcast.
`
`[0006] Thus, interactive radio is enabled using radio
`broadcasters, such as satellite radio broadcasters or conven(cid:173)
`tional AM/FM or digital land-based radio broadcasters.
`Hence, the audio content need not be transmitted via cables,
`telephone lines, or other wire-based systems. Moreover,
`because broadcast radio is employed, operators of the inter(cid:173)
`active radio system can reach potentially millions of sub(cid:173)
`scribers, including subscribers at remote locations who may
`not have access to wired interactive systems such as cable(cid:173)
`based systems. Moreover, those who possess only a con(cid:173)
`ventional radio can receive radio broadcasts as normal.
`Those who possess one of the mobile interactive radio units
`and are subscribers to the interactive radio system receive
`the additional benefits provided by the interactive radio
`system. Hence, the radio broadcasters can reach both sub(cid:173)
`scribers and non-subscribers to the mobile interactive radio
`system. Another advantage of the system is that the only
`signals that need to be transmitted from the mobile units to
`the network operations center are relatively infrequent sub(cid:173)
`scriber command signals generated, for example, when the
`subscriber selects a product to purchase. Hence, very little
`bandwidth is required by the wireless communication sys(cid:173)
`tem to communicate transmissions from the mobile unit to
`the network operations center.
`
`[0007] Although the systems of the Noreen et al. patents
`have many advantages over non-broadcast-based interactive
`radio systems, such as cable-based radio systems, room for
`further improvement remains. For example, it would be
`desirable to provide an alternative method for providing text
`or graphic information to the subscriber that does not always
`require that the text or graphic information be transmitted to
`the mobile unit and displayed on the mobile unit. In some
`cases, by providing a method that does not require that the
`information be displayed on the mobile unit, the mobile unit
`thereby need not include a graphic display. By eliminating
`the need to provide a graphic display in the mobile unit, the
`mobile unit may be less expensive and perhaps less distract(cid:173)
`ing to the subscriber, which is particularly advantageous if
`the mobile unit is mounted within a motor vehicle for use by
`the driver of the vehicle. Also, it would be desirable to
`provide an interactive radio system that is capable of pro(cid:173)
`viding vast amounts of text or graphic information to the
`subscriber pertaining to selected program segment without
`always requiring that the information be transmitted to the
`mobile unit via the
`two-way wireless communication
`device. Also, it would be desirable to provide an interactive
`radio system wherein the subscriber need not make imme(cid:173)
`diate decisions while listening to the radio about whether to
`purchase goods or services, contribute to charities or the
`like. Rather, it would be desirable to permit the subscriber to
`select advertisements, songs, or other program segments of
`interest and then review information pertaining to those
`program segments at a later time.
`
`[0008]
`In addition to the objectives described above, it
`would be desirable to provide for an interactive system with
`two-way communication capabilities that is applicable to all
`
`

`

`US 2002/0183059 Al
`
`Dec. 5, 2002
`
`2
`
`types of broadcast media such as AM/FM radio, digital
`radio, satellite radio, televisions broadcasts, and other wire(cid:173)
`less data transmissions. Furthermore, it would be desirable
`for such a universal system to be easy-to-use and adaptable.
`
`[0009]
`It is to these and other ends that aspects of the
`present invention are primarily directed.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0010]
`In accordance with the invention, an interactive
`broadcast system is provided for use with a mobile unit
`having a broadcast receiver for receiving broadcast trans(cid:173)
`missions from broadcasters or other broadcast program
`originators and a wireless transmitter for transmitting wire(cid:173)
`less signals to the system. The system includes a means for
`receiving a broadcast attribute signal transmitted from the
`mobile unit. The broadcast attribute signal identifies at least
`one attribute of a broadcast transmission selected by a user
`of the mobile unit. The system also includes means, respon(cid:173)
`sive to receipt of the broadcast attribute signal, for providing
`information to the user associated with the mobile unit via
`the Internet. The information provided via the Internet is
`selected based upon the content of the broadcast transmis(cid:173)
`sion selected by the user.
`
`[0011]
`In an exemplary embodiment, the broadcasts are
`radio broadcasts. The broadcast receiver is a radio, such as
`an AM/FM automobile radio or a mobile satellite radio. The
`wireless transmitter is a two-way wireless communication
`device, such as a satellite wireless communication device or
`a cellular telephone. The user of the mobile unit is a
`subscriber of the interactive radio system. The term sub(cid:173)
`scriber, as used herein, refers to a subscriber of the interac(cid:173)
`tive radio system, rather than a subscriber to a particular
`radio broadcast service, such as a satellite digital radio
`broadcast service. Depending upon the particular implemen(cid:173)
`tation, the individual user of a particular mobile unit may be
`both a subscriber to the interactive radio system and a
`subscriber to particular radio broadcast systems. The sub(cid:173)
`scriber may be charged a fee for accessing the interactive
`radio system. Alternatively, the subscriber may be able to
`access the system without paying a fee. In still other
`implementations, users of the interactive radio system need
`not necessarily subscribe to the system. The broadcast
`attribute signal transmitted by the wireless communication
`device identifies the date and time of a program segment
`selected by the subscriber, the carrier frequency of the
`broadcast, and the geographical location of the radio as
`determined using a global positioning system ("GPS")
`device or, in the case of a mobile unit using a cellular
`telephone, the geographical location of the cellular base
`station receiving the wireless transmission. The wireless
`communication device of the mobile unit also transmits a
`client identifier signal which identifies either the subscriber
`using the mobile unit or the mobile unit itself. If the signal
`identifies the mobile unit, the system accesses client infor(cid:173)
`mation databases to determine the identity of the subscriber
`associated with the mobile unit. The system determines the
`identity of the broadcaster or other program originator based
`upon the carrier frequency and the geographical location of
`the mobile unit. Then, the system accesses a database of
`information provided by the broadcaster that identifies the
`date and time of various program segments broadcasted by
`the broadcaster. Alternatively, this information may be pro(cid:173)
`vided by a third party monitoring service such as those
`
`described below. From this information, the system identi(cid:173)
`fies the particular program segment selected by the sub(cid:173)
`scriber. The program segment may be an advertisement,
`charity solicitation, musical selection or the like. Once the
`program segment has been identified, the system provides
`information pertaining to the program segment to the sub(cid:173)
`scriber via a web site accessible by a home or office
`computer of the subscriber or via an e-mail sent to an email
`account associated with the subscriber.
`
`[0012]
`In this manner, the subscriber can select various
`advertisements, musical selections or the like while listening
`to the radio, then access the Internet at a later time to review
`information pertaining to the various program segments that
`have been selected. For program segments that comprise
`musical selections, the information provided through the
`Internet identifies such things as the name of the song, the
`performer, and the compact disk (CD) or other compilation
`containing the song. Hyperlinks are provided within the web
`page or e-mail for linking the subscriber directly to web sites
`provided by the performer, record company or the like. The
`CD may be purchased directly through the web site. Alter(cid:173)
`natively, links are provided for permitting the CD to be
`purchased through other e-commerce web sites. Also, either
`the web site of the interactive radio system or other e-com(cid:173)
`merce sites permit the subscriber to generate and purchase a
`customized CD containing a group of songs that have been
`selected by the subscriber or permitting customized digital
`music files, such as MP3 files, to be generated containing
`songs that have been selected. For program segments con(cid:173)
`taining advertisements, the information provided via the
`e-mail or web page identifies the advertiser and provides
`links directly to e-commerce web sites providing further
`information regarding the advertiser or its products and
`permitting immediate purchase of the products. As can be
`appreciated, a wealth of information may be provided to the
`subscriber via the Internet pertaining to broadcast radio
`segments selected by the subscriber.
`
`[0013] One advantage of the Internet feedback system of
`the invention is that the subscriber need not necessarily
`make decisions immediately regarding purchase of goods or
`services while listening to the radio broadcast but may defer
`decisions until a later time. Alternatively, though, the system
`may be configured such that the subscriber may immediately
`purchase goods or services via the mobile unit. If so,
`confirmation of the purchase is provided via the Internet. In
`still other implementations, the subscriber may enter a
`purchase order through the mobile unit then, if desired,
`cancel the order via the Internet at a later time. Another
`advantage of the Internet feedback system is that the sub(cid:173)
`scriber is directly linked to e-commerce sites permitting ease
`of purchase of the goods or services. Also, much more
`information may be provided to the subscriber pertaining to
`selected program segments than can easily be accommo(cid:173)
`dated via two-way wireless transmissions to the mobile unit.
`Moreover, by providing text and graphic information
`through the Internet to a home or office computer of the
`subscriber, the mobile unit need not necessarily include a
`graphic display and hence may be less expensive and
`thereby more desirable for some potential subscribers.
`Although, in other implementations, a graphic display is
`provided in some mobile units to permit at least a portion of
`the Internet content to be browsed directly via the mobile
`unit.
`
`

`

`US 2002/0183059 Al
`
`Dec. 5, 2002
`
`3
`
`[0014] As noted, in the exemplary implementation, the
`system identifies specific program content selected by the
`subscriber by examining the carrier frequency of the broad(cid:173)
`cast in combination with the geographical location of the
`mobile unit and programming information provided by the
`broadcasters. In the alternative, the broadcast itself includes
`information encoded therein identifying the program seg(cid:173)
`ments. If so, the mobile unit, in response to subscriber
`commands, generates a program attribute signal which spe(cid:173)
`cifically identifies the content of the program segment and
`also provides the identity of the subscriber or the identity of
`the mobile unit, such that the system need not determine the
`identity of the broadcaster or the program segment. Insofar
`as providing program information is concerned, the system
`may either receive information from various broadcasters
`for storage in dedicated databases maintained by the