United States Patent (19)
`Takahisa
`
`54 BROADCAST SYSTEM WITH ASSOCIATED
`DATA CAPABILITES
`
`75) Inventor: Tsutumo Takahisa, Santa Clara, Calif.
`TY
`73) Assignee: Digital D.J. Inc., San Jose, Calif.
`*
`Notice:
`The term of this patent shall not extend
`beyond the expiration date of Pat. No.
`5,491,838.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 425,993
`(22 Filed:
`Apr. 20, 1995
`
`.S. Applicati
`Related U.S. Application Data
`I63) Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 45,352, Apr. 8, 1993.
`(51) Int. Cl. ........................... H04B 7700
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................. 455/66:455/45
`58) Field of Search
`455/3.1, 6.3, 45
`45566.68.70,154.1 158 2, 1 58.4 1585.
`185 lis6 i. is6 2. 381 13.4
`e is a V V & y
`a V V 1/2
`References Cited
`
`56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`455/45
`3,696,297 10/1972 Otero
`340/1725
`3,761,888 9/1973 Flynn ...
`... 17911 GD
`4,379,947 4/1983 Warner ..........
`4,380,027
`4/1983 Leventer et al. ........................ 358/147
`
`
`
`III IIHIIII
`US005579537A
`11
`Patent Number:
`5,579,537
`45 Date of Patent:
`*Nov. 26, 1996
`
`4,392.246 7/1983 Niioka et al. ........................... 455/158
`4,450,531
`5/1984 Kenyon et al. ...
`... 364/604
`4,686,707
`8/1987 Iwasaki et al. ...
`... 455/200
`4,706,121 11/1987 Young .................................. 455/186.1
`4,829,588
`5/1989 Welsh ........................................ 372/92
`4,843,562
`6/1989 Kenyon et al.
`... 364/487
`4,879,751 11/1989 Franks et al. .
`... 381/119
`E. A38
`wish a a
`*::
`5,134,719
`7/1992 Mankovitz. ........................... 455/186.1
`5,210,611
`5/1993 Yee et al. ......
`... 455/186.1
`5,214,792
`5/1993 Alwadish ............................. 455/186.1
`Primary Examiner-Reinhard J. Eisenzopf
`Assistant Examiner-Marsha D. Banks-Harold
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Stuart P. Meyer
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A broadcast system includes a device to compare program
`material to be transmitted with a database of known material
`and to transmit along with the program material data cor
`responding to that program material. A corresponding
`receiving system stores the data in memory and displays, at
`the selection of the user, the data corresponding to the
`program material. The user selectively stores the data on a
`magnetic recording card for electronic coupon or other uses.
`Various modes of operation are selectable by the user, and
`the data may be used as electronic coupons, or to control
`attached equipment, or to sound alarms, or for other appli
`Cations.
`
`22 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets
`
`113-N
`
`Transmitter
`
`Program Source
`Detector
`
`105
`Data Stream
`Generator
`
`106
`Program Material
`Recognizer
`
`Petitioner
`Ex. 1004 - Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 1996
`
`Sheet 1 of 16
`
`5,579,537
`
`
`
`110
`Transmitter
`
`105
`Data Stream
`Generator
`
`106
`Program Material
`Recognizer
`
`Figure 1
`
`Petitioner
`Ex. 1004 - Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 1996
`
`Sheet 2 of 16
`
`5,579,537
`
`
`
`From Program From Program
`Source Detector
`Matl Recog.
`108
`106
`
`151
`RS-232
`
`151
`RS-232
`
`153
`Data Input Processor
`
`155
`Database Manager
`
`156
`Screen Storage Database
`
`TOXMTR 110
`
`152
`NHK Encoder
`
`151
`RS-232
`
`154
`Output Spooler
`
`157
`System Controller
`
`To/From
`Programmer
`Terminal
`112
`
`Figure 1 a
`
`Petitioner
`Ex. 1004 - Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 1996
`
`Sheet 3 of 16
`
`5,579,537
`
`
`
`201
`DEMODULATOR
`
`204
`MICROPROCESSOR
`
`202
`PROGRAM
`MATERIAL
`REPRODUCTION
`CIRCUITRY
`
`2O7
`DATA CARD
`RECORDER
`
`Figure 2
`
`200
`
`Petitioner
`Ex. 1004 - Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 1996
`
`Sheet 4 of 16
`
`5,579,537
`
`
`
`Composer
`information
`
`Orchestra
`information
`
`Running
`Time
`
`Ordering
`Information
`
`L. Janacek
`
`ConCertino for
`Piano & Chamber Ensemble
`
`Prague Festival Orchestra
`
`Petitioner
`Ex. 1004 - Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 1996
`
`Sheet 5 of 16
`
`5,579,537
`
`
`
`LeOS Janacek
`
`Born 1854. Died 1928
`Czech Composer of
`Operas, Symphonic Works,
`Choral Compositions
`
`Petitioner
`Ex. 1004 - Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 1996
`
`Sheet 6 of 16
`
`5,579,537
`
`50
`Receive Data
`
`502
`Error Correction
`
`503
`Store Data At Specified
`Screen Address
`
`504
`New Program
`Material?
`
`New Screen
`Requested" Flag Set
`by User?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`506
`Display Main Screen
`Data
`in First-Level Menu
`
`
`
`
`
`507
`Determine which new
`screen requested
`
`508
`New Data
`for that Screen Been
`Stored Yet?
`
`509
`Reset New Screen
`Request Flag
`
`510
`Display New Screen
`Data
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Figure 5
`
`Petitioner
`Ex. 1004 - Page 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 1996
`
`Sheet 7 of 16
`
`5,579,537
`
`
`
`Main Screen Data
`
`Data for Screen Menu Choice #1
`
`Data for Screen Menu Choice #2
`
`Data for Screen Menu Choice #3
`
`Data for Screen Menu Choice #4
`
`Data for Screen Menu Choice
`#1, 1
`
`Data for Screen Menu Choice
`#12
`
`Data for Screen Menu Choice
`#13
`
`Address
`
`1000
`
`1100
`
`1200
`
`1300
`
`1400
`
`1110
`
`1120
`
`1130
`
`Petitioner
`Ex. 1004 - Page 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 1996
`
`Sheet 8 of 16
`
`5,579,537
`
`
`
`8 bits
`
`starting
`address
`
`Figure 7
`
`700
`
`Petitioner
`Ex. 1004 - Page 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 1996
`
`Sheet 9 of 16
`
`5,579,537
`
`
`
`800
`MainMenu
`
`802
`Screen 2
`
`8O3
`Screen 3
`
`804
`Screen 4
`
`833 834
`
`835
`
`825
`
`826
`
`Figure 8
`
`Petitioner
`Ex. 1004 - Page 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 1996
`
`Sheet 10 of 16
`
`5,579,537
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`Petitioner
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`Ex. 1004 - Page 11
`
`Petitioner
`Ex. 1004 - Page 11
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`Nov. 26, 1996
`Nov. 26, 1996
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`Ex. 1004 - Page 12
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`Petitioner
`Ex. 1004 - Page 12
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`Nov. 26, 1996
`
`Sheet 12 of 16
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`5,579,537
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`Petitioner
`Ex. 1004 - Page 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`Nov. 26, 1996
`Nov. 26, 1996
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`Ex. 1004 - Page 14
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`Petitioner
`Ex. 1004 - Page 14
`
`

`

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`U.S. Patent
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`
`Nov. 26, 1996
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`Sheet 14 of 16
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`Ex. 1004 - Page 15
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`Petitioner
`Ex. 1004 - Page 15
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Noy. 26, 1996
`
`Sheet 15 of 16
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`Ex. 1004 - Page 16
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 1996
`Nov. 26, 1996
`
`Sheet 16 of 16
`Sheet 16 of 16
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`5,579,537
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`Ex. 1004 - Page 17
`
`Petitioner
`Ex. 1004 - Page 17
`
`

`

`5,579,537
`
`1.
`BROADCAST SYSTEM WITH ASSOCIATED
`DATA CAPABILITIES
`
`RELATED APPLICATION
`This is a continuation in part of co-pending U.S. patent
`application, Ser. No. 08.045,352, filed Apr. 8, 1993.
`
`2
`program material, and a device for applying to a transmitter
`a data stream corresponding to the recognized program
`material for transmission along with the program material.
`Also in accordance with the present invention, a receiver
`includes a demodulator for detecting the program material
`and data stream, and a user interface device for providing the
`user with a menu of data options, the options depending on
`information in the data stream.
`Further in accordance with the present invention, a
`receiver includes a data card recorder for recording selected
`information from the data stream on a portable data card for
`later use.
`Still further in accordance with the present invention, a
`receiver operates in various modes to selectively receive,
`process and reproduce portions of transmitted program
`material and data.
`Yet further in accordance with the present invention, a
`receiver includes a game-playing mode processing transmit
`ted game-playing data.
`Still further in accordance with the present invention, a
`receiver generates signals to control connected devices,
`based on transmitted data.
`Yet further in accordance with the present invention, a
`receiver produces a scannable bar code based on transmitted
`data,
`In another aspect of the invention, a receiver includes
`multiple tuner subsystems for selectively receiving more
`than one channel of program material and transmitted data.
`In still another aspect of the invention, a receiver is
`coupled to a computer system, the operation of which is
`controlled responsive to transmitted data.
`The features and advantages described in the specification
`are not all-inclusive, and particularly, many additional fea
`tures and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill
`in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims
`hereof. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used
`in the specification has been principally selected for read
`ability and instructional purposes, and may not have been
`selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject
`matter, resort to the claims being necessary to determine
`such inventive subject matter.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a transmission system for
`programmaterial and associated data, in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG. 1a is a block diagram detailing a data stream
`generator as illustrated in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a receiving system for
`program material and associated data in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG. 3 is an illustration of a user interface display panel
`showing information about a musical composition, in accor
`dance with the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is an illustration of a user interface display panel
`showing information about a composer, in accordance with
`the present invention.
`FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating receiver operation, in
`accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 6 illustrates memory addresses for data storage and
`retrieval, in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 7 illustrates the components of a data packet, in
`accordance with the present invention.
`
`BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF THE
`INVENTION
`This invention relates generally to broadcasting systems,
`and specifically to a system for transmitting data associated
`with audio or video program material to provide a listener or
`viewer with useful information regarding the program mate
`rial.
`Many radio broadcast systems are known to exist in
`which digital data are transmitted along with audio program
`material. For example, the United States Radio Broadcast
`Data System ("RBDS”) Standard, published by the National
`Radio Systems Committee and sponsored by the Electronics
`Industry Association and the National Association of Broad
`casters, describes a system for broadcasting a variety of
`program-related information on a subcarrier of a standard
`FM broadcast channel. The RBDS standard teaches a system
`for transmitting station identification and location informa
`tion, as well as time, traffic and miscellaneous other infor
`mation.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,610 to Alwadish discloses a system in
`which advertising text, song titles, or other program-related
`data may be transmitted along with audio program material
`and stored, displayed, or printed by a listener using appro
`priate receiving apparatus. The Aiwadish system is under
`stood to require data corresponding to program material to
`be stored along with the program material source itself (i.e.,
`on compact disc or digital audio tape). Thus, the Alwadish
`system relies on customized audio program source hardware
`and software.
`In another field of art, several systems have been taught
`for automatically monitoring received broadcast signals in
`order to log the program content of such broadcasts. For
`instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,450,531 and 4,843,562 to Kenyon
`et al. teach schemes for automatically recognizing received
`program material as one of a number of “reference' library
`programs.
`Notably absent from the known prior art, however, is a
`system for broadcasting program material and associated
`data that does not rely on customized program source
`material and related apparatus in which the program and the
`data are linked at the program source level. It would be
`desirable to have a system in which conventional program
`sources (e.g., conventional phonograph records, tape car
`tridges, or compact discs) could be played using conven
`tional program source apparatus (e.g., conventional turn
`tables, tape cartridge players and compact disc players), yet
`still provide the advantages of transmitting data pertaining to
`the program material.
`It would also be desirable to have systems and methods
`for applying such broadcast data to diverse uses.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In accordance with the present invention, a broadcast
`transmission system includes conventional program sources,
`a device for detecting which of several program sources is
`selected, a device for recognizing program material by
`comparing the program material with a database of known
`
`65
`
`Petitioner
`Ex. 1004 - Page 18
`
`

`

`5,579,537
`
`3
`FIG. 8 illustrates receiver screen menu hierarchy, in
`accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 9 illustrates screen menu flow for the programmer
`terminal illustrated in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 10 is a block diagram for a receiver that operates in
`various modes to selectively receive, process and reproduce
`portions of transmitted program material and data, in accor
`dance with the present invention.
`FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a receiver that includes a
`game-playing mode processing transmitted game-playing
`data, in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a receiver that generates
`signals to control connected devices based on transmitted
`data, in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a receiver that produces a
`Scannable bar code based on transmitted data.
`FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a receiver that includes
`multiple tuner subsystems for selectively receiving more
`than one channel of program material and transmitted data,
`in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a system including a
`receiver and a connected computer system controlled
`responsive to transmitted data, in accordance with the
`present invention.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`4
`received broadcast audio signals. The teachings of U.S. Pat.
`No. 4,843,562 are incorporated herein by reference. Those
`skilled in the art may readily apply such known systems for
`recognizing audio programs to implement the program
`material recognizer 106 and database of known program
`material 107 of FIG. 1.
`The output data provided by program material recognizer
`106 are converted by data stream generator 105 into a form
`that may be directly applied to a conventional Subcarrier
`channel input of transmitter 110. The manner of making this
`conversion will depend on the particular program material
`recognizer 106 employed and the desired data format for
`transmission, and may readily be accomplished by one
`skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, data stream
`generator 105 is configured to conform to the large trans
`mission capacity multiplex data broadcast system protocol
`promulgated by NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
`known as L-MSK. This protocol permits data transmission
`speeds of up to 32 kbits per second.
`Mixing board 101 also provides a signal, either through an
`existing facility on mixing board 101 or through a simple
`modification, representative of which program source (i.e.,
`microphone 102, compact disc player 103 or tape cartridge
`player 104) is currently selected by mixing board 101.
`Program source detector 108 converts this signal to a form
`usable by data stream generator 105. While the particular
`implementation of program source detector 108 may vary
`with the type of mixing board 101, those skilled in the art
`will readily be able to implement program source detector
`108 for operation with any particular mixing board 101.
`Data stream generator 105 generates different data
`streams depending on the program source detected by pro
`gram source detector 108. For example, if program Source
`detector 108 indicates that compact disc player 103 or tape
`cartridge player 104 is selected by mixing board 101, then
`data stream generator 105 applies to transmitter 110 the
`information generated by program material recognizer 106.
`However, if program source detector 108 indicates that
`microphone 102 is selected, then data stream generator 105
`may generate data identifying the announcer's name, or the
`fact that news or traffic information is being broadcast, as
`appropriate for the use to which microphone 102 is put. If
`microphone 102 is put to multiple uses, then a general
`message such as the station's call sign or a random adver
`tisement may be generated by data stream generator 105.
`Thus, in operation, data stream generator 105 provides a
`stream of data to transmitter 110 indicating, for example,
`details about a musical composition played on compact disc
`player 103, then advertiser information corresponding to a
`commercial played on tape cartridge machine 104, then an
`appropriate message corresponding to the selection of
`microphone 102 such as “Traffic Alert”.
`In one embodiment of the present invention, database of
`known program material 107 contains both the data needed
`by programmaterial recognizer106 to recognize a particular
`program, and also the data associated with that program to
`be sent to transmitter 110 via data stream generator 105. The
`data associated with the program material can be entered, as
`known with regard to conventional recognition systems, by
`manual key entry from programmer terminal 112 or by some
`other common data entry method. Programmer terminal 112
`may be a dedicated computer terminal or may be a personal
`computer connected to data stream generator 105 via a
`conventional local area network. Database 107 may be
`provided by a third party, for instance in the form of
`computer tapes or disks containing both the data needed for
`recognition and the data desired for transmission. In such an
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`The figures depict a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the
`art will readily recognize from the following discussion that
`alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illus
`trated herein may be employed without departing from the
`principles of the invention described herein.
`Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a transmission
`system 100 in accordance with the present invention. The
`operation of the transmission system 100 is illustrated by
`discussion of the component parts illustrated in FIG. 1.
`40
`Conventional audio sources such as microphone 102, com
`pact disc player 103, and tape cartridge player 104 provide
`program source audio to mixing board 101. Mixing board
`101 and audio sources 102-104 may be conventional units,
`such as those already present in a typical radio broadcast
`station. Audio output is fed from mixing board 101 to
`transmitter 110 in the conventional manner over an audio
`bus 113 for transmission from antenna 111. Transmitter 110
`may be any conventional radio broadcasting transmitter with
`main channel and subcarrier channel input capabilities, such
`as that typically installed in modern FM broadcasting sta
`tions. Additional conventional audio compression, limiting,
`or other processing circuitry (not shown) may be installed at
`mixing board 101, transmitter 110, or in between, but is not
`pertinent for purposes herein.
`The audio output of mixing board 101 is also applied to
`a program material recognizer 106 via audio bus 113. The
`purpose of the program material recognizer 106 is to com
`pare the program material coming from mixing board 101
`with a database of known program material 107. If a match
`is detected, program material recognizer 106 sends pertinent
`program data, for instance the title of the program material,
`the composer, and the performer, to data stream generator
`105. Any suitable program recognizing system can be used
`to implement program material recognizer 106 and database
`of known program material 107, for instance the system
`taught by Kenyon et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,562 for
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`embodiment, other data associated with program material,
`such as data associated with commercial announcement
`program material may be separately entered into database
`107 using conventional data entry techniques. Furthermore,
`data to be transmitted when program source detector 108
`indicates selection of microphone 102 may be stored either
`as part of database 107 or in a separate database (not shown).
`Those skilled in the art will recognize that any such choice
`that provides associated data for transmission may be used
`in accordance with the present invention.
`As is evident from FIG. 1, none of the existing compo
`nents of a conventional broadcast station, with the possible
`exception of the mixing board 101 as discussed above, needs
`to be replaced or altered to implement transmission system
`100. An upgrade from a conventional transmission system to
`the transmission system 100 of FIG. 1 requires only the
`connection of the program source detector 108 to the mixing
`board 101, tap-off of the audio program material feed
`between mixing board 101 and transmitter 110 to program
`material recognizer 106, and connection from data stream
`generator 105 to a subcarrier channel input of transmitter
`110.
`Referring now to FIG. 1a, there is shown a detailed
`functional block diagram of data stream generator 105. The
`major components of data stream generator 105 include a
`data input processor 153, database manager 155, system
`controller 157, output spooler 154, and NHK encoder 152.
`Data input processor 153 receives program source data from
`program source detector 108 via a serial RS-232 data link
`151, and receives program recognition data from program
`material recognizer 106, also via a serial RS-232 data link
`151. Data input processor 153 uses this input data to
`determine which data from a screen storage database 156
`should be accessed, using database manager 155, and sent to
`output spooler 154. For example, if data input processor 153
`receives data indicating that a compact disc player is active
`and that the program material being broadcast is a musical
`selection known as "Concertino for Piano and Chamber
`Ensemble', it will cause a database entry corresponding to
`data particular to that selection to be extracted from screen
`storage database 156 and applied, through database manager
`155, to output spooler 154. The database entry would
`include all of the data required for display of information of
`data associated with the musical selection on a receiver, as
`described below in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4.
`A system controller 157 is coupled to database manager
`155 and output spooler 154 for two discrete purposes. First,
`system controller 157 provides timing and control signals to
`regulate the movement of data from database manager 155
`to output spooler 154. Second, system controller 157 pro
`vides, through a connection with a programmer terminal
`112, a means by which data may be inserted into screen
`storage database 156, thru, ugh database manager 155. For
`instance, radio station personnel may key in data to be
`associated with any particular entry of screen storage data
`base, to permit such information to be transmitted over the
`system when the associated program material selection is
`played. As a specific example, if there is to be a public
`performance of "Concertino for Piano & Chamber
`Ensemble' at a local symphony hall that fact may be entered
`into screen storage database 156 so that whenever this
`musical selection is played, this information will be trans
`mitted for display on the user's receiver. Further discussion
`regarding data entry is provided below in connection with
`FIG. 9.
`Output spooler 154 is a buffer that stores data to be
`transmitted and sends such data, via RS-232 serial data link
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`151, to an NHK data encoder to permit transmission of the
`data using transmitter 110. NHK data encoder transforms the
`data from output spooler 154 into a data stream meeting the
`specifications of the NHK high capacity multiplex data
`broadcast protocol L-MSK described above. One example
`of a commercially-available device operating in accordance
`with this protocol is the model 4001A FM Multiplex Signal
`Transmitter for Mobile Receivers available from Eiden
`Company Limited, Tokyo, Japan.
`In the preferred embodiment, components 152-157 are
`implemented by using a programmed general purpose com
`puter. Those skilled in the art may easily implement the
`functions of these components in such a manner.
`Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a receiving
`system 200 in accordance with the present invention. The
`operation of the receiving system 200 is illustrated by
`discussion of the component parts illustrated in FIG. 2. A
`signal transmitted by transmission system 100 of FIG. 1 is
`received by antenna 211 and demodulated into audio and
`data components in a conventional manner by demodulator
`201. Demodulator 201 is of conventional design for detect
`ing and demodulating audio and data signals transmitted
`over a main broadcast channel and a subcarrier of that
`channel, respectively. Audio program information from
`demodulator 201 is applied to conventional program mate
`rial reproduction circuitry 202. Data associated with the
`program material (corresponding to that generated by data
`stream generator 105 of FIG. 1) are error corrected in a
`conventional manner by error correction circuitry 203, trans
`ferred to microprocessor 204, and then are stored in data
`memory 205, using any of the conventional techniques and
`devices well known to those skilled in the art.
`A user interface apparatus 206 allows a user of receiving
`system 205 to selectively access data stored in 203. User
`interface apparatus 206 is implemented using a conventional
`microprocessor-based design well known to those skilled in
`the art of user interface design and implementation. User
`interface apparatus 206 provides both display capabilities
`for the transmitted data and user input capabilities to permit
`user selection of portions of the transmitted data.
`A conventional data card recorder 207, such as that used
`to record information on magnetic library cards or the like,
`is connected to data memory 205 through microprocessor
`204. The purpose of data card recorder 207 is to allow the
`user of receiving apparatus 200 to store selected data on
`portable magnetic cards. For instance, data associated with
`a promotion by an advertiser may be used as "electronic
`coupons' to allow listeners who record such. data to receive
`a discount on merchandise. The coupon data could include
`standardized identifying data for a product, such as the
`"SKU” code for a product. A corresponding magnetic card
`reader of conventional design (not shown) would be used at
`the store where the coupon is to be redeemed.
`Receiving system 200 may readily be implemented by
`augmenting a conventional broadcast receiver capable of
`providing the functions of demodulator 201, program mate
`rial reproduction circuitry 202, and antenna 211, with the
`digital data functions corresponding to error correction
`circuitry 203, microprocessor 204, data memory 205, user
`interface apparatus 206, and, if desired, data card recorder
`207. Alternatively, the functions of elements 203-207 may
`be implemented by a general purpose digital computer, such
`as a conventional personal computer, notebook computer, or
`home entertainment computer, and antenna demodulator
`201, program material reproduction circuitry 202, and
`antenna 211 may be implemented by an attached device or
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`an add-in circuit card. In such a case, the general purpose
`digital computer may even be employed to provide the
`audio/video program material output of the main program
`ming channel, as would conventionally be provided by
`program material reproduction circuitry 202. Those skilled
`in the art will readily recognize additional possible imple
`mentations in accordance with the present invention.
`Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a display panel
`300 of user interface apparatus 206. Display panel 300
`includes four menu button areas 301-304 and a larger
`information window 305. In the preferred embodiment,
`display panel 300 is of conventional liquid crystal design,
`with conventional touch-screen technology being used to
`implement switches over the menu button areas 301-304.
`Alternatively, physically separate switches could be used in
`locations adjacent to menu button areas 301-304, but one
`advantage of using touch-screen technology is that button
`areas can dynamically change in size, location and number
`under software control. The information window 305 of
`FIG. 3 indicates composer, title, and performer data stored
`in memory 205, corresponding to program material contem
`poraneously being received by receiving system 200. Menu
`button area 301 provides the user the option of requesting
`another screen with further information about this composer;
`menu button area 302 provides the user with the option of
`requesting orchestra information; menu button area 303
`provides the user with the option of requesting another
`screen with information on the running time of the current
`selection; and menu button area 304 provides the user with
`the option of requesting ordering information for this record
`ing. It should be recognized that the information presented
`in information window 305 and menu button areas 301-304
`can be of virtually infinite variety and is not limited to the
`type of information or layout shown in FIG. 3.
`In an alternate embodiment some top-level menu choices
`may be stored in permanent memory (not shown) of user
`interface apparatus 206, but in general all of the information
`displayed on display panel 300, as well as the number, style,
`and labeling of the button areas (e.g., 301-304) is deter
`mined by data generated by data stream generator 105,
`transmitted to receiving system 200, and stored in data
`memory 205. For convenience, data corresponding to menu
`button areas (e.g., 301) are referred to as header data. The
`number of menu choices and the amount of displayable
`information is limited only by the bandwidth of the data
`transmission subcarrier channel and the capacity of data
`memory 205. Within these limits, each radio station may
`choose to include as much or as little header data as it
`desires, and may custom-design the menu information and
`layout that appear on the display panel 300.
`Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown display panel300
`after the user has touched menu button area 301 of FIG. 3
`to request a screen with more information about the com
`poser. Information window 405 now displays different infor
`mation than in information window 305 of FIG. 3. Menu
`button area 301 of FIG. 3 is replaced with menu button 401
`providing the user with the capability of returning to the first
`screen (i.e., the screen of FIG. 3). Button area 302 of FIG.
`3 is replaced with button area 402 providing the user with a
`further choice of viewing a screen indicating other works by
`the composer. There being no other options under this menu
`path, button areas 303,304 of FIG.3 have not been replaced
`with corresponding button areas in FIG. 4.
`Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a procedure for
`receiving and displaying data as described in connection
`with FIGS. 3 and 4. The process begins by receiving data