U.S. patent application number 09/867687 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-19 for system and method for mobile commerce.
Invention is credited to Kesling, Patricia, Marko, Paul, Michalski, Richard, Patsiokas, Stelios, Wadin, Craig.
Application Number | 20020132575 09/867687 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25350291 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020132575 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kesling, Patricia ; et
al. |
September 19, 2002 |
System and method for mobile commerce
Abstract
A system for and method of implementing mobile commerce in a
satellite radio broadcasting system. A unique program identifier is
associated with each program segment of a broadcast. When a
listener hears a program segment of interest, the listener causes
the associated program identifier to be captured and thereafter to
be transferred to a central location or hub. The transferring
operation can be accomplished manually, via a media link or via a
wireless network. Upon receipt of the program identifier at the
central hub, the program identifier is used to determine
information about the listener, obtain additional information
regarding the program segment associated with the program
identifier for the listener and/or initiate an e-commerce
transaction involving the listener and/or other parties including
merchandisers and advertisers.
Inventors: |
Kesling, Patricia; (Vienna,
VA) ; Michalski, Richard; (Frederick, MD) ;
Marko, Paul; (Pembroke Pines, FL) ; Wadin, Craig;
(Sunrise, FL) ; Patsiokas, Stelios; (Coral
Springs, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHAW PITTMAN
1650 Tysons Boulevard
McLean
VA
22102
US
|
Family ID: |
25350291 |
Appl. No.: |
09/867687 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09867687 |
May 31, 2001 |
|
|
|
09461699 |
Dec 14, 1999 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/2.01 ;
455/3.06 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/04 20130101;
H04L 67/12 20130101; H04H 60/37 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; H04L
69/329 20130101; H04H 40/90 20130101; H04L 9/40 20220501; H04H
60/63 20130101; H04L 67/53 20220501 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/2.01 ;
455/3.06 |
International
Class: |
H04H 009/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for charging advertising fees, comprising the steps of:
(a) broadcasting an advertisement for a sponsor in a broadcast,
wherein the broadcast includes an identifier that uniquely
identifies the advertisement and at least one of the sponsor of the
advertisement and a product advertised in the advertisement; (b)
receiving a quantity of electronic indications from persons who
observe the advertisement, wherein the indications indicate
interest in the product, and wherein the indications reference the
identifier; and (c) charging the sponsor a fee for broadcasting the
advertisement, wherein the fee is based on the quantity of
indications that are received.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier identifies a time
at which and a channel on which the advertisement was
broadcast.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving electronic
indications comprises receiving one of wireless messages requesting
more information about the product and wireless messages requesting
to purchase the product.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving electronic
indications comprises receiving downloads of th e identifiers at a
central hub.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of broadcasting
comprises broadcasting from at least one satellite.
6. A method for evaluating the effectiveness of two broadcast
advertisements comprising the steps of: (a) broadcasting a first
advertisement including a first identifier; (b) receiving a first
quantity of electronic indications from persons who observe the
first advertisement, wherein the first quantity of electronic
indications indicate interest in the first advertisement, and
wherein the first quantity of electronic indications reference the
first identifier; (c) broadcasting a second advertisement including
a second identifier; (d) receiving a second quantity of electronic
indications from persons who observe the second advertisement,
wherein the second quantity of electronic indications indicate
interest in the second advertisement, and wherein the second
quantity of electronic indications reference the second identifier;
and (e) comparing the first quantity with the second quantity.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first advertisement and the
second advertisement are the same, and wherein the step of
broadcasting the first advertisement occurs at a different time of
day than the step of broadcasting the second advertisement.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the first advertisement and the
second advertisement are the same, and wherein the step of
broadcasting the first advertisement occurs on a different channel
than the step of broadcasting the second advertisement.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the first advertisement and the
second advertisement are different, wherein the first advertisement
is broadcast at a particular time of day and on a certain channel,
and wherein the second advertisement is broadcast at the particular
time of day and on the certain channel.
10. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of broadcasting a first
advertisement and the step of broadcasting a second advertisement
comprise broadcasting from at least one satellite.
11. A method for charging advertising fees comprising the steps of:
(a) broadcasting an advertisement of a sponsor; (b) broadcasting a
unique program identifier with the advertisement; (c) recording the
unique program identifier in memory devices in response to users'
indicating interest in the advertisement; (d) downloading the
unique program identifier from the memory devices to a central hub;
and (e) charging the sponsor for each unique program identifier
that is downloaded.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein step (d) comprises downloading
the unique program identifier from an embedded memory device to a
portable device via one of a wireless and a temporary wired
connection and employing the portable device to effect the
downloading.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the portable device is a
personal digital assistant.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the wireless link is one of an
infrared link and a radio frequency link.
15. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:
presenting a second advertisement of the sponsor on the central
hub; receiving click-through commands from users to activate the
second advertisement; launching an order screen of the second
advertisement that presents a product for sale; passing the unique
program identifier to the order screen; accepting an order for the
product and associating the order with the unique program
identifier; and charging the sponsor a commission on the order.
16. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:
presenting a second advertisement of a second sponsor on the web
site; receiving click-through commands from users to activate the
second advertisement; launching an order screen of the second
advertisement that presents a product for sale; passing the unique
program identifier to the order screen; accepting an order for the
product and associating the order with the unique program
identifier; and charging the second sponsor a commission on the
order.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of broadcasting an
advertisement and the step of broadcasting a unique program
identifier comprise broadcasting from at least one satellite.
18. A method for charging advertising fees comprising the steps of:
(a) broadcasting an advertisement associated with a plurality of
sponsors; (b) broadcasting a unique program identifier with the
advertisement; (c) receiving a wireless order message to buy a
product of a sponsor of the plurality of sponsors, wherein the
wireless order message references the unique program identifier;
and (d) charging the sponsor a fee for the wireless order message
received to buy the product of the sponsor.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of broadcasting an
advertisement and the step of broadcasting a unique program
identifier comprise broadcasting from at least one satellite.
20. A system for providing radio listener feedback, comprising: (a)
a radio comprising a select button, wherein activation of the
select button causes a program identifier associated with a segment
of radio broadcast programming to be recorded; (b) a central hub
storing, or having links to, information associated with the
program identifier; and (c) means for communicating a recorded
program identifier to the central hub and for obtaining the
information associated with the program identifier.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein program identifier identifies
at least one of a programming segment, an advertisement, a
described piece of merchandise, and feedback.
22. The system of claim 20, wherein the program identifier is
recorded on a media link.
23. The system of 20, wherein the program identifier is transmitted
via at least one of a high and low power wireless transmitter.
24. The system of claim 20, wherein the means for communicating
comprises an electronic network.
25. The system of claim 20, wherein the radio broadcast programming
is broadcast from at least one satellite.
26. The system of claim 25, further comprising terrestrial
repeaters.
27. The system of claim 20, wherein the central hub is an
electronic World Wide Web web site.
28. A system for effecting mobile commerce in a digital radio
broadcasting system, comprising: (a) at least one content provider;
(b) means for broadcasting the content; (c) a plurality of radios,
of which at least one radio is configured to receive and play the
content broadcast from the at least one satellite, wherein the
content is separated into segments and each segment is assigned a
program identifier.
29. The system of claim 28, wherein the means for broadcasting
comprises at least one satellite.
30. The system of claim 28, wherein the means for broadcasting
comprises at least two satellites.
31. The system of claim 28, wherein the at least one radio is
operable to play or display detail information associated with at
least one content segment.
32. The system of claim 28, wherein the at least one radio includes
a select button.
33. The system of claim 32, wherein upon activation of the select
button, the program identifier is stored.
34. The system of claim 33, wherein the program identifier is
stored in at least one of non-removable memory and a media
link.
35. The system of claim 32, wherein activation of the select button
causes the program identifier to be transmitted via a wireless
network.
36. The system of claim 28, wherein the at least one radio
comprises a scroll button.
37. The system of claim 36, wherein activation of the scroll button
causes a series of program identifiers to be displayed on a display
of the at least one radio.
38. The system of claim 28, wherein the at least one radio is in
communication with a high power wireless transmitter.
39. The system of claim 28, wherein the at least one radio displays
the program identifier.
40. A system for implementing mobile commerce in a digital radio
broadcasting system, comprising: (a) a radio configured to receive
a digital radio broadcast, the digital radio broadcast comprising a
plurality of program segments each including a program identifier;
(b) a media link that records at least one of the program
identifiers; (c) a central hub, reachable via an electronic
network, that receives the at least one program identifier recorded
on the media link; and (d) a computer that is connected to the
electronic network and that receives information that is associated
with the program identifier from the central hub.
41. The system of claim 40, further comprises at least one
satellite operable to broadcast the digital radio broadcast.
42. The system of claim 40, wherein the radio comprises a select
button and the activation of the select button causes a program
identifier to be recorded on the media link.
43. The system of claim 40, wherein the media link is temporarily
physically connected with the radio.
44. The system of claim 40, wherein the radio comprises a low power
transmitter.
45. The system of claim 40, wherein the media link records the at
least one program identifier via the low power transmitter.
46. The system of claim 40, wherein the radio comprises
non-removable memory that stores a listing of program
identifiers.
47. The system of claim 46, wherein the radio further comprises a
scroll button which, when activated, causes the program identifiers
in the listing to be successively displayed.
48. The system of claim 40, wherein the program identifier
identifies at least one of a content segment, an advertisement, a
described piece of merchandise, and feedback.
49. The system of claim 40, wherein the computer is located at a
user's residence.
50. The system of claim 40, wherein the computer is located at a
kiosk.
51. The system of claim 40, wherein the computer is portable and is
operable with the internet via a wireless connection.
52. The system of claim 40, wherein the computer is mountable in an
automobile, is removable therefrom and is connectable to a wired
network.
53. The system of claim 40, wherein the radio is in communication
with at least one of a high power transmitter and global
positioning system equipment.
54. A system for providing radio listener feedback, comprising: (a)
a radio configured to receive a digital radio broadcast, the
digital radio broadcast comprising a plurality of program segments
each including a program identifier; and (b) a high power wireless
transmitter operable to receive at least one of the program
identifiers and further operable to transmit at least one program
identifier to a central hub at which or via which information that
is associated with the at least one program identifier is
available.
55. The system of claim 54, wherein the digital radio broadcast is
broadcast from at least one satellite.
56. The system of claim 54, wherein the at least one program
identifier identifies at least one of a content segment, an
advertisement, a described piece of merchandise, and feedback.
57. The system of claim 54, wherein the radio comprises a program
identifier select button.
58. The system of claim 54, wherein the high power wireless
transmitter is comprised of a wireless transceiver.
59. The system of claim 54, wherein the radio comprises a voice
recognition system operable to select at least one program
identifier.
60. The system of claim 54, wherein the radio comprises a display
that displays at least a portion of the information available at or
via the central hub.
61. The system of claim 54, wherein the system further comprises
global positioning system equipment.
62. The system of claim 54, wherein memory in the radio stores a
plurality of program identifiers.
63. The system of claim 54, wherein the central hub is an
electronic commerce World Wide Web web site.
64. A system for receiving radio listener feedback in a satellite
broadcasting system, comprising: (a) a radio configured to receive
a digital radio broadcast from the satellite, the digital radio
broadcast comprising a plurality of program segments each including
a program identifier; and (b) a high power wireless transmitter
operable to receive at least one of the program identifiers and
further operable to transmit at least one program identifier to a
central hub.
65. The system of claim 64, wherein the program identifier is
representative of at least one of a vote and a sweepstakes
entry.
66. A system for effecting mobile commerce in a satellite radio
broadcasting system, comprising: (a) at least one content provider;
(b) at least one satellite broadcasting the content; and (c) a
plurality of radios, of which at least one radio is configured to
receive and play the content broadcast from the at least one
satellite and further being configured to support printing, wherein
the content is separated into segments and each segment is assigned
a program identifier and the at least one radio is operable to
print information related to the segments.
67. The system of claim 66, wherein the at least one radio is in
communication with a printer port.
68. The system of claim 66, wherein the at least one radio is in
communication with a printer.
69. The system of claim 68, wherein the printer is one of a dot
matrix printer, an ink jet printer, a bubble jet printer and a
thermal head printer.
70. The system of claim 66, wherein the information comprises the
program identifier.
71. The system of claim 66, wherein the information comprises at
least one of a coupon and a machine-readable bar code.
72. The system of claim 66, wherein the at least one satellite is
two satellites transmitting substantially the same content.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of
U.S. Ser. No. 09/461,699, entitled System and Method for
Distributing Music and Data, filed Dec. 14, 1999, which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is directed to systems and methods for
mobile commerce. More particularly, the present invention is
directed to systems for and methods of capturing a program
identifier associated with broadcast content and employing the
program identifier to obtain further information about products
and/or services associated with the broadcast content, to purchase
products and/or services associated with the broadcast content and
to provide interactive feedback with respect to the broadcast
content to broadcast controllers and other parties. The present
invention is also directed to methods of generating revenue within
a mobile commerce context.
[0004] 2. Background of the Invention
[0005] Presently, music and information are widely disseminated
through two primary methodologies: 1) broadcast channels (e.g.,
radio and television) and 2) distribution of physical storage media
(books, tapes, CDs, etc.). While broadcast channels offer a rich
variety of content along with freedom of motion, the user does not
have program control over the content being broadcast. Further,
there is no permanent storage of the content being broadcast
without the use of a storage device, and even if such a storage
device were widely available, such recording may be illegal.
Accordingly, it is common practice to maintain a library of
physical storage media (e.g., CDs) allowing for use or enjoyment of
the content stored therein at a time of the user's choosing.
[0006] The distribution of physical storage media (books, tapes,
records, CDs, etc.) is currently a costly process. Music
distribution, for example, begins with the storage of the music on
a master disc from which copies are made for distribution. The
copies are stored on CDs, tapes or other conventional music storage
medium and each copy is labeled and placed in a package. Packages
are typically preprinted in full-color to provide information with
respect to the artist, the title of the work, the content of work,
the name of the distributor, etc. In addition, the packaging is
often designed artistically in a way that is consistent with the
genre of the selection and is attractive to consumers. All of these
features add to the considerable cost associated with the
conventional method for distributing music.
[0007] Hence, a need existed in the art for an inexpensive system
or method for distributing music, information and other content on
physical storage media in accordance with the desires of the end
user in a legal manner that does not violate the rights of the
content providers and/or artists. A solution to this need is
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/461,699, filed
Dec. 14, 1999, by S. Patsiokas and entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
DISTRIBUTING MUSIC AND DATA, which is incorporated herein in its
entirety by reference.
[0008] Patsiokas describes a system for distributing music and
content in which music or data is first transmitted to a consumer
via a wireless network. In a specific illustrative embodiment, the
wireless network is a satellite and terrestrial radio network. The
user is provided with a receiver (i.e., a radio) which is capable
of receiving the wireless transmission and providing an audio
and/or visual output in response thereto. In addition, the receiver
is adapted to receive an input from the user by which the user is
able to signal an interest in purchasing a selection of music or
data being played and/or displayed. In the illustrative embodiment,
in response to this signal from the user and a record-ability flag
transmitted in response to input from a content provider, a program
identifier (or "PID") signal, which identifies the selection being
played and/or displayed, is stored on a removable media. In the
specific illustrative embodiment, the removable media is electronic
(flash) memory. The PID signal may be a composite signal indicating
the time at which and channel on which the selection was playing, a
signal that identifies a selection by number, or other suitable
signal. The receiver or the user's home computer may be used to
display the title, artist and/or other information based on the
user's selections.
[0009] The system includes a mechanism for allowing the user to
retrieve the desired selection from a second network using the
removable media. Several alternatives are provided for the
retrieval mechanism. In one embodiment, the retrieval mechanism is
a computer, located either in the user's home or in a commercial
establishment, through which the user is allowed to access a web
site on the World Wide Web or a site on a private distribution hub.
In either case, the site provides interface software which
translates the program identifier signal into a human readable
identification (e.g., title and artist) of the music or data
(information) selected. In an alternative embodiment, the computer
is provided in a kiosk accessible to the public. The user then
either downloads the desired selection through the site or places
an order for delivery of physical media (e.g., a CD) on which the
desired selection is stored.
[0010] While the system described by Patsiokas provides a
significant advance over conventional methods and systems for
distributing music, there are many other advantages that can be
realized from broadcasting music and information via a wireless
network, and in particular a satellite broadcast network.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide systems and methods for facilitating mobile commerce.
[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide
systems and methods for assigning program identifiers to uniquely
identify program selections or segments that are broadcast from one
or more satellites and for employing the program identifiers to
coordinate transactions between a broadcast listener and a central
location.
[0013] It is also an object of the present invention to provide
systems and methods for ordering merchandise associated with an
advertisement, for receiving information and/or for providing
feedback with respect to one or more selected program segments.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide
systems and methods for generating revenue within a mobile commerce
context.
[0015] The present invention achieves these and other objects by
providing a system in which one or more satellites transmit content
(preferably in a digital format) to both mobile and fixed receivers
on the ground. Each content segment preferably includes a header
portion that includes a program identifier. "Program identifier"
herein means an identification tag, word, number, etc. that
uniquely identifies a content segment, including a single song, a
group of songs, an entire album of music, a radio program and/or
discrete portions thereof, an advertisement, merchandise described
by an advertisement or a particular response or feedback to another
party (such as a poll response or response to a broadcast quiz
question).
[0016] In accordance with an embodiment the present invention,
program identifiers are transferred to a storage medium and
subsequently passed to a web site on the World Wide Web or to other
centralized distribution hub(s) (location, server or processor)
from which information and/or products can be disseminated, or at
which listener feedback can be collected and analyzed. The feedback
function may be used to provide radio "voting," sweepstakes and/or
gaming functionality.
[0017] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a studio/uplink site digitally encodes selections of
music and/or information and applies a header that includes the
program identifier (PID) that uniquely identifies each selection.
The program identifier may uniquely identify a selection of music,
an advertisement, merchandise associated with an advertisement, or
a response or reaction to something that is transmitted to a radio
receiver, including both audio, text and/or other visual
information.
[0018] A user interface on the radio allows the receiver to receive
input from the listener/user. The input may indicate an interest in
a given selection, i.e., a content segment. In the best mode of the
invention, the user interface includes one or more buttons, i.e., a
"select" button, which can be pressed to record, select or tag the
program identifier associated with the selection of interest. In
one embodiment, a removable memory "flash card" media link is used
to capture the selected program identifiers. To transfer the
captured program identifiers to the central hub, the card is placed
in a reader that is associated with a computer that is itself
connected to an electronic network. In an alternative embodiment,
instead of a "select" button, the radio includes a voice
recognition system or other suitable means for receiving input from
a listener/user. In still another embodiment of the invention, a
wireless link is established upon pressing the "select" button such
that captured program identifiers are substantially automatically
transferred to the central hub over a wireless link. This latter
embodiment eliminates the need for a flash memory card and provides
the radio with interesting real-time interactive functionality.
[0019] In another embodiment, the present invention does not
require additional listener or subscriber involvement beyond that
which is normally required to control the radio. The device of the
present invention simply registers the channels that the listener
chooses and records the program identifiers that are transmitted
during the time that the listener is tuned to those channels.
[0020] In another embodiment, the listener may indicate either
positive interest (or approval) or negative interest (or
disapproval) by selecting one of two distinct buttons (e.g.,
differently shaped or colored buttons). In this case, the device
would store the program ID and the button that was pushed.
[0021] In another embodiment, a range of listener feedback may be
stored along with the program ID. Such feedback could include
selecting a response in a multiple-choice question, or even voice
feedback.
[0022] In another embodiment, multiple content providers or sources
(such as AM, FM, or other satellite radio service providers) could
be served by a device of the present invention by storing an
indication of the content provider as well as the Program ID sent
by the content provider (if any).
[0023] In still another embodiment, information associated with
distinct program segments is broadcast simultaneously with a
broadcast that includes program IDs. The information is stored in
memory that is associated with the radio. A listener can press a
select button on the radio during the broadcast, or at a later time
and retrieve the information that is stored, thereby receiving
additional content associated with a program segment of
interest.
[0024] These and other advantages and objects of the present
invention will become apparent upon a reading of the following
detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
[0025] While the present invention is described primarily in the
context of satellite radio broadcasting, the principles of the
present invention are also applicable to any digital broadcast, be
it from a space-based, airborne, terrestrial, or combination
source.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative
implementation of a satellite digital audio radio service system
architecture.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram that illustrates the system of
FIG. 1 in greater detail.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a high-level schematic diagram showing an
exemplary system for implementing the principles of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a simplified high-level schematic diagram of an
exemplary radio receiver operable with the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary user interface
for a radio in accordance with the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 6 is an exemplary logical arrangement of a list of
content including associated program identifiers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Satellite radio operators will soon provide digital quality
radio broadcast services covering the entire continental United
States. These services will each offer approximately 100 channels,
of which nearly 50 channels will provide music, with the remaining
stations offering news, sports, talk and data channels.
[0033] Satellite radio has the ability to improve terrestrial
radio's potential by offering better audio quality, greater
coverage and fewer commercials. Accordingly, in October of 1997,
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted two national
satellite radio broadcast licenses. The FCC allocated 25 megahertz
(MHz) of the electromagnetic spectrum for satellite digital
broadcasting, 12.5 MHz of which are owned by "Sirius Satellite
Radio" and 12.5 MHz of which are owned by "XM Satellite Radio
Inc."
[0034] In deploying satellite radio, one system plan includes
transmission of program content from two or more geosynchronous or
geostationary satellites to both mobile and fixed receivers on the
ground. In urban canyons and other high population density areas
with limited line-of-sight (LOS) satellite coverage, terrestrial
repeaters will broadcast the same program content in order to
improve coverage reliability. Some mobile receivers will be capable
of simultaneously receiving signals from two satellites and one
terrestrial repeater for combined spatial, frequency and time
diversity, thereby providing significant mitigation of multipath
interference and addressing reception issues associated with
blockage of the satellite signals. Further, in accordance with this
particular scheme, the 12.5 MHz band is split into 6 slots. Four
slots are used for satellite transmission; the remaining two slots
are used for terrestrial reinforcement.
[0035] In accordance with the present invention, satellite radio
transmission information is transferred to a removable storage
medium and passed to the World Wide Web or a centralized
distribution hub to provide a novel and advantageous system and
method for distributing music, information, and other content
within legal means, as well as to provide feedback from satellite
radio listeners to one or more parties. A wireless media link is
also contemplated by the present invention.
[0036] An illustrative implementation of a satellite digital audio
radio service (SDARS) system architecture is depicted in FIGS. 1
and 2. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the system 10 includes first and
second geostationary satellites 12 and 14 which transmit
line-of-sight (LOS) signals to SDARS receivers located on the
surface of the earth. Preferably, the satellites provide for
interleaving and spatial diversity. The system 10 further
preferably includes multiple terrestrial repeaters 16 which receive
and retransmit the satellite signals to facilitate reliable
reception in geographic areas where LOS reception from the
satellites is obscured by tall buildings, hills, tunnels and other
obstructions. The signals transmitted by the satellites 12 and 14
and the repeaters 16 are received by SDARS receivers (or radios)
20. As depicted in FIG. 1, receivers 20 may be located in
automobiles, or may be handheld or stationary units for home or
office use. Receivers 20 are designed to receive one or both of the
satellite signals and/or the signals from the terrestrial repeaters
and to combine or to select at least one of the signals to generate
the receiver output.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a diagram which illustrates system 10 of FIG. 1 in
greater detail with a single satellite and a single terrestrial
repeater. FIG. 2 shows a broadcast segment 22 and a terrestrial
repeater segment 24. In the illustrative embodiment, an incoming
bit stream is encoded into a time division multiplexed (TDM) signal
using an audio compression scheme (such as MPEG or any other
suitable compression scheme) by an encoder 26 of conventional
design. The TDM bit stream is upconverted to RF by a conventional
quadrature phase-shift keyed (QPSK) modulator 28. The upconverted
TDM bit stream is then uplinked to the satellites 12 and 14 by an
antenna 30. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
present invention is not limited to the broadcast segment shown.
Other systems may be used to provide signals to the satellites
without departing from the scope of the present teachings.
[0038] In the illustrative system, the satellites 12 and 14 act as
"bent pipes." The satellites translate the frequency of the
uplinked signal and retransmit the signal to terrestrial repeaters
18 and portable/mobile radios 20. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the
terrestrial repeater includes a receiver demodulator 34, a
de-interleaver and reformatter 35, a terrestrial waveform modulator
36 and a frequency translator and amplifier 38. The receiver and
demodulator 34 down-converts the downlinked signal to a TDM bit
stream. The de-interleaver and reformatter 35 re-orders the TDM bit
stream for the terrestrial waveform. The digital baseband signal is
then applied to a terrestrial waveform modulator 36 (e.g., MCM or
multiple carrier modulator) and then frequency-translated to a
carrier frequency prior to transmission. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that satellite systems that make use of on-board
processing to demodulate, reformat, remodulate and/or combine
multiple uplink signals into a single downlink signal are also
considered by this invention.
[0039] FIG. 3 is a high-level diagram showing a system 1100 for
distributing goods and services, for retrieving information for
listeners and for collecting information from listeners in
accordance with the principles of the present invention. System
1100 includes a studio/uplink site 1110 that receives program
content (e.g., music, information, advertising, etc.) from a
content provider 1120 via a feeder link 1130. As will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, the content may be
provided electronically or on a physical storage medium such as a
compact disc. The studio/uplink site 1110 digitally encodes the
selections of music and/or information provided by the content
provider 1120 and applies a header that includes a program
identifier (PID) that uniquely identifies each selection. The
program identifier may uniquely identify a selection of music, an
advertisement, merchandise associated with an advertisement, or a
category of response or reaction to something that is transmitted
to the radio receiver 20, including both audio, text and visual
information. The foregoing also applies to systems utilizing
multiple uplinks, provided that a PID is applied to all content
regardless of the origin of the uplink.
[0040] The encoded bit stream along with the header is uplinked
from the studio/uplink site 1110 to satellite 12 via antenna 30. As
mentioned above, satellite 12 acts as a bent pipe with a frequency
translation (e.g., from X band to S band) and retransmits the
received signal to a portable/mobile satellite radio receiver
20.
[0041] At any given time, receiver 20 plays any one of a plurality
of selections received on the plurality of channels that are
selectable by the user via a user interface 1000 (shown in FIG. 5).
User interface 1000 also allows the receiver to receive input from
a listener/user indicating an interest in a given selection. In a
preferred embodiment, the user interface includes one or more
buttons that can be pressed to record, select or tag the program
identifier associated with the selection of interest. In one
embodiment, a removable memory "flash card" media link 1140 is used
to capture the selected program identifiers. In an alternative
embodiment, radio 20 includes a voice recognition system (not
shown) or other suitable means for receiving input from a
listener/user. In accordance with the present teachings, when the
user desires to receive information or goods, or provide feedback
in regard to his selection(s), the user removes media link 1140
from receiver 20 and inserts media link 1140 into a suitable reader
(not shown) connected to a computer 1150. Computer 1150 is
preferably equipped with a modem by which the user is able to
access a second network 1160 and thereby achieve a connection to a
web site or central, private distribution hub 1170 designed and
configured in accordance with the present teachings.
[0042] In an alternative implementation, an intermediate transfer
device (such as a laptop computer, personal digital assistant, or
cellular telephone with some form of input device) is used to
recover the stored program IDs from the memory device in the radio.
The intermediate device may be directly linked to the web (in the
case of a PDA with a modem or a cellular telephone) or may simply
be used to transfer the information from the radio to another
computer. The intermediate transfer device could also be a portable
computer that is mounted in an automobile, i.e., an "autoPC."
[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the user may also take media link
1140 to a computer in a publicly accessible kiosk 1180 or a
commercial establishment and access an e-commerce web site from
which he can order merchandise associated with an advertisement, or
from which he can obtain further information or provide feedback
regarding the selection in the manner described above.
[0044] Site or hub 1170 preferably provides the user with a
software interface which reads the program identifiers from media
link 1140 and displays information relating to the desired
selection for the user's perusal. In the case of merchandise, for
example, the information might include the item being advertised,
the price, purchasing options, delivery options, etc. The user is
then given the option to order the merchandise, obtain further
information, or provide feedback.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, receiver 20 preferably includes an
antenna module 110, an RF tuner module 200, a channel decoder 300,
an audio decoder 400, non-removable memory 500, an optional low
power wireless transmitter (or transceiver) 600, an optional high
power wireless transmitter (or transceiver) 700, a system
controller 800 and user interface 1000. Both low and high power
devices 600, 700 can be physically separate from radio 20 as long
as communication between radio 20 and devices 600, 700 can be
effected.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary user
interface 1000 for radio 20 in accordance with present invention.
As shown, there is a display 1200 that preferably displays the
program identifier, the title of the program and, where
appropriate, the artist and/or any other pertinent information. The
channel number 1210 and the time 1215 are also preferably
displayed. Of course, the description of displayed information is
exemplary in nature only and thus it should be well-understood that
not all of the foregoing information necessarily needs to be shown
on display 1200. Display 1200 may be any conventional, well-known
display such as a liquid crystal display or any other suitable
display. A "select" button 1220 is provided and is pressed,
activated or operated by a listener to indicate an interest in a
particular program segment or selection. The use and effect of
select button 1220 will be explained in more detail below.
[0047] A scroll button 1230 permits scrolling through program
identifiers that have been previously tagged or selected, or have
otherwise been stored in nonremovable memory 500. A slot 1240 may
be provided for flash card memory, i.e., media link 1140.
Alternatively, low power wireless transmitter 600 (e.g., an
infrared transmitter or RF transmitter in accordance with the
Bluetooth standard or other suitable well-known technology) may be
employed to transfer information, namely, program identifiers, from
radio 20 to media link 1140, which, again, may be a flash memory
or, as another example, a "Plug & Play" device manufactured by
SONY Inc., Japan. As explained, media link 1140 is used for
capturing selected program identifiers associated with program
segments that are of interest to the user. In accordance with the
present invention, media link 1140 is not limited to a physical
device, but can be replaced by wireless link to computers or web
sites as will be explained in more detail below.
[0048] In still another or combination embodiment, radio 20
includes a high power wireless transmitter 700 (shown in FIG. 4),
which preferably operates using technology, protocols and
electromagnetic spectrum allotted to, for example, well-known text
paging systems (e.g., the well-known Mobitex network operated by
Cingular Wireless, Atlanta, Ga.) or short messaging systems
embodied in cellular telephones networks. Thus, in this case, media
link 1140 of FIG. 3 is replaced by a wireless transmission
link.
[0049] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary table of information that is
stored at least in non-removable memory 500, and potentially also
stored in a physical media link 1140 and/or transmitted via high
power wireless transmitter 700. In one embodiment of the present
invention, information about each program that is listened to on
radio 20 is stored in non-removable memory 500 in a format
consistent with that of the table of FIG. 6. In another embodiment,
only a subset of the type of information listed in the table of
FIG. 6 is recorded. For example, only program identifiers that are
associated with program content that has been selected by a user
are recorded. In other words, the table of FIG. 6 is for
illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope
of the present invention.
[0050] Generally, pressing select button 1220 indicates that the
listener is interested in or desires to provide feedback to content
that is being broadcast. The content is uniquely identified by the
program identifier associated with the content being broadcast at
that time. The unique identifier is passed back to a central
location such as web site 1170 (FIG. 3) where it is acted upon
appropriately.
[0051] For example, if the program identifier identifies a
particular song and artist, the web site preferably provides
information regarding how the listener can obtain or purchase a
copy of a compact disc (CD) on which the music selection(s) can be
found, or how the listener may purchase a custom compact disc (or
other storage medium) containing copies of the specific track or
tracks that were selected. Similarly, if the program identifier
identifies an advertisement for a type of automobile, then when the
web site receives the program identifier from the user, information
regarding that automobile is made available to the user, either
directly or through a link (pointer) to another web site.
[0052] In accordance with the present invention, there are several
implementations via which unique identifiers can be captured by a
listener/user of a radio receiver 20. These implementations
include, but are not limited to, a physical media link or memory
device as described thus far. Further implementations are described
below.
[0053] Manual Retrieval:
[0054] There are a number of ways in which manual program
identifier retrieval can be accomplished. First, if the unique
identifier of the selection of interest is displayed on display
1200, then the listener can simply write down the program
identifier using pen and paper and input the program identifier (at
a later time) into a computer that is connected with, e.g., central
hub or web site 1170.
[0055] If the listener is driving a car, however, it may be
hazardous to write something down on paper. To avoid such dangerous
activity, the listener may instead press select button 1220 when
content of interest is played on radio 20. The program identifier
(at least) associated with that content is then stored in
non-removable memory 500. When the listener has stopped driving, he
may then scroll through the program identifiers (along with any
other related information listed in the table of FIG. 6) using
scroll button 1230. He can then write down the program identifiers
that are still of interest to him.
[0056] Alternatively, radio 20 can be configured to store or record
a list (like that shown in FIG. 6) of all content that has been
listened to. Such a list is preferably arranged in accordance with
a first-in-first-out (FIFO) format so that the most recent content
segments are listed first. Also, radio 20 can be configured to list
program identifiers associated with content segments that were
listened to for more than a predetermined amount of time, e.g., 5
seconds, thereby avoiding an unmanageable list of program
identifiers. In accordance with this alternative embodiment, the
listener can always return to the "play list" to decide whether he
would like to pursue further information about any of the
selections.
[0057] In still another embodiment, information displayed on
display 1200 can be passed through a text-to-speech processor. Such
a feature can be beneficial for listeners with diminished
sight.
[0058] In another embodiment, radio 20 includes a printer, or at
least a printer port (neither shown), which can be used to print
any single selection or an entire list of selections in a format
like that shown in FIG. 6. The printer can be any suitable type,
including dot matrix, bubble jet, ink jet or thermal head. The
printer can also be configured to print machine-readable bar codes
of PIDs, which can be used at kiosks or retail outlets. The printer
could also be configured to print coupons relating to goods or
services being advertised or to print information about programming
that is being broadcast. Of course, the broadcast itself preferably
includes the information required for the substantive portion of
the printing.
[0059] Media Link:
[0060] Employing a physical media link 1140 such as a flash memory
card simplifies the transferring of program identifiers from radio
20 to computer 1150 or kiosk 1180. In this case, every time a
listener presses select button 1220, the program identifier
associated with the content being played at that time is stored on
media link 1140. Media link 1140 is then, as described previously,
taken to a reader, which is preferably connected to computer 1150
or associated with kiosk 1180, and the information stored thereon
is downloaded so that the user may proceed with purchase of a
product, obtain further information or provide feedback regarding
the content that was broadcast.
[0061] Similarly, if the listener does not want to be bothered with
pressing select button 1220 each time there is content of interest
or he is simply not near radio 20 to press the button, radio 20 is
preferably configured to store all content listened to (as in the
manual retrieval embodiment). The user can then, at his
convenience, scroll through the several listings and press select
button 1220 only for those segments that are of interest to him.
Media link 1140 is then removed from radio 20 (i.e., slot 1240) and
taken to a computer/kiosk as previously described.
[0062] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that low power
transmitter 600 may be employed to transfer program identifiers (as
well as other related information) to media link 1140. For example,
a wireless device such as a Palm VII.TM. could be used to receive,
via low power transmitter 600, program identifiers, as well as a
unique identifier for radio 20, including an electronic serial
number (ESN). Wireless technology for effecting such a transfer is
well known in the art.
[0063] Wireless Link:
[0064] Some listeners might find manual retrieval and even the less
burdensome physical media link retrieval inconvenient. Accordingly,
another way to achieve transfer of selected program identifiers is
via wireless link. In this case, when the listener selects the
content segment of interest by pressing select button 1220 at the
time the program segment is aired, or at a later time by pressing
select button 1220 after scrolling through stored PIDs of content
segments, high power transmitter 700 of radio 20 transmits program
identifier information to at least one of several places.
[0065] In a first instance, the information can be sent as an email
to the user s computer where it can be accessed at a later time.
The email may also contain a link to web site 1170, whereby the
selected program identifiers can be more easily acted upon.
Alternatively, an email or message that contains both the selected
program identifiers and a unique user identifier, such as a unique
electronic serial number (ESN) or mobile identification number
(MIN) of radio 20, can be sent directly to web site 1170. Since,
the message or email contains information regarding who sent
program identifiers, web site 1170 preferably can automatically
respond to the user by sending additional information to, e.g.,
computer 1150 or to some other prearranged address.
[0066] If high power wireless module 700 is a transceiver, then
information concerning the selected program identifiers can be sent
directly back to radio 20 for almost immediate review by the
listener. Thus, for example, if the listener wishes to purchase a
product that has just been advertised, he can press select button
1220, and receive further information regarding the product such as
price and availability. This information is preferably displayed on
display 1200. The listener might even complete the transaction
using radio 20, which, since it includes the high power wireless
transceiver, can function as a conventional text pager.
[0067] In the same vein, if high power wireless module 700 is a
transceiver, then a full voice connection can be established
between the listener/user and a merchandiser or information outlet.
Specifically, when the user presses the select button, the listener
is connected with a customer representative and a conversation can
ensue between the parties. Speakers associated with radio 20
preferably also function as a speaker for the voice communication.
In this case, a telephone number is preferably associated with the
program identifier in another portion of the content segment
header, and when the select button is pressed, radio 20 is
programmed to retrieve and/or buffer the telephone number to be
ready to place a call to that number via high power wireless module
700. Of course, visual information may also be displayed as in the
embodiment described above.
[0068] In still another variation, instead of contacting a customer
representative upon pressing the select button, a call is placed to
an Interactive Voice Response Unit (IVRU) that is voice activated.
A listener can then easily navigate through a menu of choices using
voice commands. This embodiment is particularly useful for people
who may be driving while listening to the radio.
[0069] Another aspect of the present invention involves voting or
sweepstakes activity. This aspect of the present invention is
operable with any of the three main methods of capturing and
transferring program identifiers from radio 20 to central hub 1170.
If, for example, one of the channels plays a new song and it is
desired to know whether listeners are enjoying the music or not,
the "disc jockey" might ask listeners to press select button 1220
if they are enjoying the music. Each listener who presses select
button 1220 sends the program identifier associated with the song
that is being played to central hub 1170 (or passed to another
computer via central hub 1170) which can tally the number of
program identifiers received to determine how many listeners were
enjoying the particular song. In essence, then, it is possible to
provide a voting mechanism, which can be almost instantaneous if
the wireless link embodiment is employed, or somewhat delayed, if
the manual or media link embodiments are employed.
[0070] Similarly, a broadcast "sweepstakes" can be implemented in
accordance with the principles of the present invention.
Specifically, a program host or "disc jockey" might ask all
listeners to press their "select" button when a particular song is
played or word mentioned. Prizes and the like can be presented to
all listeners who press the select button at the correct time.
Again, listeners are preferably identified in the wireless link
embodiment via an ESN or MIN. A radio ESN can be forwarded in the
media link embodiment as well.
[0071] Significantly, since, in accordance with the present
invention, feedback provided by a listener/user is often sent along
with unique identification such as an ESN or MIN, it is possible to
ensure that each listener is counted only once when voting or
entering sweepstakes. Similarly, it is possible to exclude
listeners/users who tend to abuse the system with frequent and
repetitive feedback.
[0072] Targeted Advertisements:
[0073] It is also possible to implement targeted advertising using
the systems and methods of the present invention. Specifically, as
mentioned, each radio 20 includes a unique identifier such as an
ESN. To selectively enable each radio as it is sold and to be able
to disable a radio 20 if a listener fails to pay a subscriber fee,
for example, at least one channel broadcast from a satellite
streams a list of all radios 20 (i.e., a list of ESNs) that should
be enabled. If a particular radio's ESN (or other unique
identifier) is not transmitted via the satellite, that radio is
precluded from playing satellite radio broadcasts. Thus, in order
to enable and disable particular radios 20, the SDARS operator
preferably maintains a listing of all radio 20 listeners/users.
[0074] In accordance with the present invention, the listing of
listeners/users is expanded to include demographic (e.g., age,
income, product preferences, etc.) and geographic information
(e.g., city, state, region, etc.) about each listener/user. Then,
via one or more separate control channels, the SDARS operator
preferably enables reception of selectable advertisement material
(or even special programming) for groups of listeners/users that
have similar demographic and/or geographical characteristics. This
can be accomplished by transmitting a stream of advertisement (or
other programming) on a "side" channel that is not normally heard
by all listeners. Breaks in programming blocks on regularly
listened-to channels are then timed or synchronized to coincide
with the beginning of an advertisement or specialized programming
broadcast on the side channel. At the appropriate time, a control
channel enables selected radios 20 to tune to the side channel and
thus receive targeted broadcasts. Accordingly, it is possible to
target specific groups of listeners/users with specialized
advertising and/or programming.
[0075] Of course, it should be understood that geographic
characteristics may not be accurate in that listeners/users may
receive the satellite broadcast in virtually any part of the United
States. At the very least, however, it is possible to determine an
initial geographic location for each listener/user based, for
example, on billing information in the listing of listeners/users,
or based on the location of purchase of radio 20.
[0076] For a more accurate determination of geographic
characteristics, if the wireless link embodiment described above is
implemented, updated geographic information can be gleaned from the
cellular system through which wireless communication is taking
place. Similarly, radio 20 may also incorporate global positioning
system (GPS) equipment, which can provide geographic data back to
the listing of listeners/users (e.g. via a cellular system),
thereby resulting in fully updated and current geographic data for
effecting accurate and effective targeted advertising or
programming.
[0077] Enabling/Disabling Mobile Commerce:
[0078] It is also within the scope of the present invention to
control whether a particular listener/user should be given
continued access to the various mobile commerce features. As
described above, abusive listeners/users can be excluded from being
counted in voting and sweepstakes. That is, it is possible to
disable the entire mobile commerce feature of the present invention
in any one of three places. First, the mobile commerce features can
be disabled at radio 20. This is preferably accomplished via a
control channel broadcast from at least one satellite 12, 14 in the
same manner as enabling/disabling the ability to receive or listen
to the SDARS in the first place. Second, to disable the mobile
commerce features in the media link embodiment, hub 1170 preferably
blocks or filters any incoming communication from selected
listeners/users. Finally, in the wireless link embodiment, the
cellular radio system supporting interactive communication is
configured to block or filter calls coming from selected radios 20.
Of course, the described blocking or filtering can be removed at
any time by the SDARS operator, thereby enabling, or reenabling the
mobile commerce features of the present invention for particular
listeners/users.
[0079] User Monitoring:
[0080] Another feature of the present invention concerns monitoring
which channels are being listened to. The present invention
contemplates recording all programming segments that are listed in
a format depicted in FIG. 6. Thus, it is possible not only to send
user selected program identifiers back to central hub 1170, but it
is also possible to send the entire play list stored in the table
of FIG. 6. Central hub 1170 or another entity can then gather the
data and conduct analyses to learn about the listening habits of
users.
[0081] Information Storage:
[0082] In another embodiment of the present invention, instead of,
or in addition to, receiving information directly from web site
1170 or via a wireless link, the digital radio broadcast includes
detail information (other than program identifiers) associated with
selected program segments. This detail information is preferably
stored in non-removable memory 500 or other memory that is in
communication with radio 20, but is not played in realtime with the
rest of the broadcast. When a listener desires to learn more about
a program segment that is being heard, he presses select button
1220, which causes the stored detail information to be played or
displayed.
[0083] For example, an advertisement for a new CD is preferably
broadcast along with detail information regarding its price. When
the listener presses select button 1220, the CD pricing is
displayed on display 1200 or is played concurrent with or instead
of what is being played at that moment.
[0084] The detail information can be broadcast on a side-channel or
in an auxiliary data field of the channel that is being listened
to.
[0085] Mobile Commerce Revenue Generation
[0086] In supporting mobile commerce for a consumer, the present
invention also provides the administrator of the system (i.e., the
broadcaster and/or operator of web site 1170) with unique methods
for generating revenue. The sources of this revenue can include
fees for broadcasting advertisements, sales commissions, fees for
advertising on the web site of the administrator, profits from
sales directly from the system administrator to a consumer, and
subscriber fees for mobile commerce enabled services.
[0087] Broadcast Advertisement Fees:
[0088] In one embodiment of a method for generating revenue, the
system administrator charges retailers for broadcasting
advertisements. Unlike traditional broadcast advertising fees,
which are typically a flat fee based on such factors as the length
of the commercial and the projected size of the audience, the
present invention enables a system administrator to base broadcast
charges on the number of consumers who indicate interest in the
advertisement.
[0089] In the memory device embodiment (i.e., the embodiment using
media link 1140), the web site of the system administrator
determines the number of interested consumers based on the number
of consumers who download a selection from media link 1140 to the
system administrator's web site. For example, during the
broadcasting of an automobile commercial, users interested in the
automobile would push select button 1220 to record the program
identifier of that commercial. (The act of pushing select button
1220 is one example of an "electronic indication.") Later, each
user would remove media link 1140 from his radio, would connect
media link 1140 to a computer, and would communicate with the web
site of the administrator to download the program identifier and
pursue further interaction with the sponsor of the commercial
(e.g., to obtain more information about the automobile or to
arrange a purchase). Downloading the program identifier to the web
site of the system administrator gives the system administrator the
opportunity to count the number of consumers who responded to the
advertisement. Thus, for example, the system administrator could
charge a fixed fee for each download.
[0090] In the wireless embodiment (i.e., the embodiment using high
power wireless module 700), which does not use media link 1140, the
system administrator determines the number of interested consumers
based on the number of select buttons pushed during the airing of
an advertisement. For example, during the airing of a vitamin
advertisement, users would push select button 1220 to purchase the
vitamin product or to receive more information about the product,
for example, through a mailed brochure. (Again, the pushing of
select button 1220 is an example of an "electronic indication.")
The advertisement itself could specify what users can accomplish by
pushing select button 1220. After select button 1220 is pushed, the
system administrator would immediately receive the user's order
through a wireless network. The order would include the program
identifier associated with the vitamin advertisement and some type
of user identification (e.g., an ESN). Thus, for example, the
system administrator could charge a fixed fee for each button
pushed.
[0091] Advertising fees based on the number of interested consumers
are especially attractive to retailers because the retailer only
pays for advertising that it knows has influenced the consumer.
Whereas the traditional advertising fees depend on ratings or
audience size, which may or may not correlate to interested
consumers, the broadcast advertising fees of the present invention
reflect the actual number of consumers who have heard the
advertisement, understood the advertisement, and have indicated an
interest in learning more about the advertised product or buying
the advertised product.
[0092] The audience feedback provided by this method is also
extremely valuable to a retailer. A retailer could, for example,
evaluate responses to an advertisement running at different times
to determine the best time to air the advertisement. The retailer
could also run different advertisements at the same time to compare
the effectiveness of each advertisement. In addition, the retailer
could compare the same advertisement aired in different programming
markets, as represented by the variety of channels on a satellite
radio broadcast. For example, a retailer may determine that a
vitamin commercial aired on a sports-talk channel sparks more
listener interest than the same commercial aired on a modern jazz
music channel.
[0093] The form in which the audience feedback is compiled can be
as simple as the number of interested consumer responses.
Alternately, the feedback could include demographic information, by
correlating each user response with the user's account information.
The account information would be recorded by the system
administrator upon registration for the service, and would include
data such as the user's age, state of residence, average annual
income, and occupation. Either the system administrator or retailer
could compile this information. However, to address privacy
concerns, it is preferable that the system administrator compile
the demographic information and present the overall results to the
retailer, keeping the individual user account information
confidential.
[0094] The program identifier plays a vital role in facilitating
this embodiment for generating revenue by charging only for actual
consumer response. The program identifier enables the system
administrator to match a consumer's response with a specific
content segment. In effect, the program identifier provides a
traceable link from the consumer's first exposure to the
advertisement through to the consumer's interaction with the
sponsor of the advertisement. With conventional broadcast
technologies, such correlation is impossible, other than perhaps
asking a consumer to "mention the ad" when contacting the sponsor
of the advertisement. This inferior method, however, is unreliable
for the purpose of basing revenue for the system administrator on
the number of interested consumers.
[0095] Sales Commissions:
[0096] In another embodiment of a method for generating revenue,
rather than consumer responses, the system administrator can
collect commissions on final sales derived from advertisements,
using the program identifiers as a tracking tool. As discussed
above, the advertisements include program identifiers by which the
system administrator can put interested consumers in contact with
the retailer that sponsored the advertisement. This contact can
include directing the consumer to the system administrator's web
site to purchase the retailer's product, or can include hyperlinks
to the retailer's own web site, where a consumer can obtain more
information and, perhaps, purchase a product. In either case,
according to this embodiment, the system administrator can charge a
percentage of the profits on product sales derived from specific
advertisements.
[0097] The program identifier makes this revenue stream possible.
In the ordinary course of business, a broadcasting company would
have no way of connecting its advertisement with the sale of an
individual product. With the system and method of the present
invention, however, the program identifier that is broadcast with
the advertisement traces a consumer's interaction with the retailer
from his initial indication of interest (i.e., pushing select
button 1220 on radio 20) through to his eventual purchase of the
product.
[0098] Web Site Advertisement Fees:
[0099] In another embodiment of a method for generating revenue,
the system administrator can derive further revenue through
advertising on its web site. In the process of establishing an
interaction between an interested consumer and a retailer, the
system administrator can pass the consumer through its central web
site, on which other related advertisements could be displayed, for
example, in the form of banner advertisements and other
click-through links. For example, if a user indicates interest in
an advertisement for a camping tent, while downloading the program
identifier for that advertisement to the system administrator's web
site, the web site could display other advertisements for camping
equipment, sold by the sponsor of the camping tent advertisement or
by other retailers. The user could purchase the tent and then
click-through the additional advertisements to shop for more
camping gear.
[0100] In this revenue generating method, the system administrator
could charge for the initial placement of these related
advertisements on its web site. In addition, the system
administrator could use the program identifier to facilitate other
unique fee structures for a single retailer or between retailers
selling related products. Importantly, the program identifier
enables the system administrator to track all of a consumer's
responses resulting from a single broadcast advertisement.
Specifically, the system administrator would pass the program
identifier with each click-through of a related advertisement, such
that the program identifier is associated with each purchase
stemming from the advertisement.
[0101] For instance, in the case in which the related
advertisements shown on the web site are sponsored by the same
retailer that sponsored the broadcast advertisement, the system
administrator could charge the retailer a commission for each sale
that resulted from the advertisement. Thus, in the camping example,
if a consumer, after hearing the advertisement, buys the tent and
then shops for and purchases sleeping bags and lanterns through
banner advertisements shown on the system administrator's web site,
the system administrator can charge the camping gear retailer for a
commission on the sale of the tent, sleeping bags, and lanterns.
Presumably, the retailer would be happy to pay these commissions,
knowing that the advertisement it placed led directly to the sales.
In this example, the program identifier would be associated with
each purchase initiated through the banner advertisements.
[0102] As another example, for the case in which the related
advertisements shown on the web site are sponsored by different
retailers, this embodiment of the present invention could
facilitate a sharing of the advertising costs between retailers.
For instance, the broadcast advertisement could promote the
products of several different retailers selling related products. A
consumer who indicates interest (i.e., pushes the button) in this
"portal" advertisement would be directed to the system
administrator's web site on which each of the retailers'
click-through advertisements is displayed. By tracking purchases
with the program identifier, the system administrator would charge
each retailer a commission for sales derived from the portal
advertisement. In this manner, the retailers participating in the
portal advertisement can share the cost of the portal
advertisement, but only to the extent that the advertisement
directly benefits them, i.e., to the extent that it produces
sales.
[0103] Profits from Sales Directly from the System Administrator to
a Consumer:
[0104] In this embodiment of a method for generating revenue, the
system administrator collects revenue for content purchased by
users. For example, if a user pushes the button during a content
segment on a comedy channel, the system administrator can sell that
content segment directly to the consumer. The program identifier
enables the system administrator to identify the particular comedy
content that the user desires and to sell that segment to the user.
The system administrator's profit on such a transaction would be
the purchase price minus the cost to produce and deliver the
content to the user.
[0105] Profits from Subscription Fees:
[0106] In this embodiment of a method for generating revenue, the
system administrator collects fees paid by subscribers for mobile
commerce (or e-commerce) enabled services. That is, users will
gladly pay for the convenience and advantages of the mobile
commerce & e-commerce services made possible via a satellite
radio system. These subscription fees can be collected in any known
manner, such as by monthly billing, automatic account debiting or
in accordance with well-known pre-paid schemes.
[0107] The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the
present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and
modifications of the embodiments described herein will be obvious
to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above
disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the
claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.
[0108] Further, in describing representative embodiments of the
present invention, the specification may have presented the method
and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of
steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not
rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method
or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of
steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would
appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore,
the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification
should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition,
the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present
invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps
in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily
appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
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