US6209028B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for supplying supplemental audio information for broadcast television programs
Assignee: Inventor Holdings LLC
•
Filing: 1997-03-21
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Granted: 2001-03-27
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Expires: 2017-03-21
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus, method, and program for providing supplemental information related to a broadcast television program. Through a telephone or electronic network interface, a caller can request specific supplemental information related to one or more characters within the broadcast television program. The supplemental information is synchronized to the audio component of the television program so that there is no conflict, and is communicated to the caller via the network interface.
Inventors
- 👤 Jay S. Walker
- 👤 James A. Jorasch
- 👤 Thomas M. Sparico
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:52
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/233; H04N21/231; H04N21/23113; H04N21/235; H04N21/238; H04N21/2387; H04N21/242; H04N21/25; H04N21/254; H04N21/2543; H04N21/25435; H04N21/2547; H04N21/266; H04N21/2665; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/4302; H04N21/433; H04N21/4334; H04N21/435; H04N21/439; H04N21/47; H04N21/472; H04N21/4722; H04N21/60; H04N21/61; H04N21/6106; H04N21/6125; H04N21/6137; H04N21/6156; H04N21/6187; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/8106; H04N21/8126; H04N21/8133; H04N21/83; H04N21/835; H04N21/8352; H04N21/85; H04N21/854; H04N21/8547; H04N21/858; H04N21/8586; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A data processing apparatus for providing supplemental broadcast information, comprising: a CPU; a storage device operatively connected to said CPU; an apparatus, adapted for communicating with said CPU, for receiving a request from a caller over a telephone network for supplemental information related to a broadcast television program and for relaying the request to said CPU; and a program, stored on the storage device, adapted to be executed by said CPU, for processing the request for supplemental information and for transmitting the requested supplemental information through said apparatus, wherein the supplemental information comprises audio information recorded on a recording medium, and wherein said information recorded on the recording medium comprises supplemental dialogue for a character within the broadcast television program.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A data processing apparatus for providing supplemental broadcast information, comprising: a CPU; a storage device operatively connected to said CPU; an apparatus, adapted for communicating with said CPU, for receiving a request from a caller over a telephone network for supplemental information related to a broadcast television program and for relaying the request to said CPU; and a program, stored on the storage device, adapted to be executed by said CPU, for processing the request for supplemental information and for transmitting the requested supplemental information through said apparatus, wherein the supplemental information comprises audio information recorded on a recording medium, and wherein said information recorded on the recording medium comprises supplemental dialogue for a character within the broadcast television program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a playback of said supplemental dialogue does not overlap dialogue spoken by any character within the broadcast television program.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said storage device contains a database to store the supplemental information, and said program stored within said storage device is further adapted to perform maintenance related to said database.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the supplemental information comprises live audio information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises an IVRU including a plurality of voice messages, and wherein said voice messages are used to communicate to, and obtain information from, the caller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
101 words
A data processing apparatus for providing supplemental broadcast information, comprising: a CPU; a storage device operatively connected to said CPU; an apparatus, adapted for communicating with said CPU, for receiving a request from a caller over a telephone network for supplemental information related to a broadcast television program and for relaying the request to said CPU; and a program, stored on the storage device, adapted to be executed by said CPU, for processing the request for supplemental information and for transmitting the requested supplemental information through said apparatus, wherein the request for supplemental information includes providing selection information and synchronization information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
A data processing apparatus for providing supplemental broadcast information, comprising: a CPU; a storage device operatively connected to said CPU; an apparatus, adapted for communicating with said CPU, for receiving a request from a caller over a telephone network for supplemental information related to a broadcast television program and for relaying the request to said CPU; and a program, stored on the storage device, adapted to be executed by said CPU, for processing the request for supplemental information and for transmitting the requested supplemental information through said apparatus, wherein the request for supplemental information includes providing selection information and synchronization information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the synchronization information comprises a time-code; and said program is further adapted to update said time-code at predetermined intervals, and to use said time-code to synchronize the supplemental information to an audio component of the broadcast television program.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for providing entertainment, comprising: receiving a request from a requester for supplemental information relating to a television program being broadcast at the time of the request; processing the request for supplemental information; transmitting the requested supplemental information to the requestor at times when an audio component of the television program and the transmission of the requested supplemental information do not conflict with each other.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for providing entertainment, comprising: receiving a request from a requester for supplemental information relating to a television program being broadcast at the time of the request; processing the request for supplemental information; transmitting the requested supplemental information to the requestor at times when an audio component of the television program and the transmission of the requested supplemental information do not conflict with each other.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
94 words
A system, comprising: means for broadcasting a television program including an audio component and a video component; at least one supplemental component for said broadcast television program; a data processing apparatus including a CPU and a storage device operatively connected to said CPU, said storage device also containing a program, adapted to be executed by said CPU, for receiving a request for said supplemental component, processing the request for said supplemental component, and providing a playback of the requested supplemental component which is time synchronized to said audio component of said broadcast television program.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
94 words
A system, comprising: means for broadcasting a television program including an audio component and a video component; at least one supplemental component for said broadcast television program; a data processing apparatus including a CPU and a storage device operatively connected to said CPU, said storage device also containing a program, adapted to be executed by said CPU, for receiving a request for said supplemental component, processing the request for said supplemental component, and providing a playback of the requested supplemental component which is time synchronized to said audio component of said broadcast television program.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 9 , wherein the broadcast television program is selected from the group consisting of a live broadcast and a prerecorded broadcast.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 9 , wherein the playback of the requested supplemental information is transmitted via a telephone network interface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 9 , wherein said video component of said broadcast television program contains synchronization information and selection information.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 12 , wherein the program is further adapted to receive and process said synchronization information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 9 , wherein the program is further adapted to receive the request for said supplemental component from a telephone network interface.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for providing entertainment using a data processing apparatus including a CPU and a storage device operatively connected to the CPU and containing a program adapted to be executed by the CPU for processing a request for supplemental information and providing a playback of the requested supplemental information, said method comprising the steps of: broadcasting a television program including an audio component and a video component; receiving a request for the supplemental information related to the television program, where the request includes synchronization information; processing the request for the supplemental information by having the CPU in the data processing apparatus execute the program; synchronizing the requested supplemental information to the audio component of the television program using the synchronization information; and transmitting the requested supplemental information.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for providing entertainment using a data processing apparatus including a CPU and a storage device operatively connected to the CPU and containing a program adapted to be executed by the CPU for processing a request for supplemental information and providing a playback of the requested supplemental information, said method comprising the steps of: broadcasting a television program including an audio component and a video component; receiving a request for the supplemental information related to the television program, where the request includes synchronization information; processing the request for the supplemental information by having the CPU in the data processing apparatus execute the program; synchronizing the requested supplemental information to the audio component of the television program using the synchronization information; and transmitting the requested supplemental information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 15 , wherein the requested supplemental information is live audio information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 15 , wherein the requested supplemental information is prerecorded on a recording medium.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 15 , further comprising the step of recording on a recording medium the supplemental information.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for providing visual and audio entertainment, comprising the steps of: broadcasting a television program including an audio component and a video component; receiving a request from a requester for supplemental information related to the television program; processing the request for the supplemental information; transmitting the requested supplemental information to the requester at times when the audio component of the television program and the playback of the requested supplemental information do not conflict.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for providing visual and audio entertainment, comprising the steps of: broadcasting a television program including an audio component and a video component; receiving a request from a requester for supplemental information related to the television program; processing the request for the supplemental information; transmitting the requested supplemental information to the requester at times when the audio component of the television program and the playback of the requested supplemental information do not conflict.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 19 , further comprising the step of updating a database indicating that the requested supplemental information has been transmitted in said transmitted step.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 19 , wherein the broadcasting step further comprises broadcasting ordering information for the supplemental information.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 19 , wherein the broadcasting step further comprises broadcasting synchronization information related to the television program.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 22 , wherein the step of broadcasting the synchronization information further comprises broadcasting a time-code that is updated at predetermined intervals and which is used to synchronize the supplemental information to the television program broadcast in said transmitting step.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 22 , wherein the step of receiving the request for the supplemental information includes receiving the synchronization information from the requestor.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for requesting supplemental information related to at least one character within a broadcast television program including an audio component and an video component, comprising the steps of: viewing the broadcast television program; requesting supplemental information for the character within the broadcast television program; and receiving the requested supplemental information for the character synchronized with the audio component of the broadcast television program.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for requesting supplemental information related to at least one character within a broadcast television program including an audio component and an video component, comprising the steps of: viewing the broadcast television program; requesting supplemental information for the character within the broadcast television program; and receiving the requested supplemental information for the character synchronized with the audio component of the broadcast television program.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
111 words
A signal containing information for requesting supplemental audio information relating to program information conveyed by the signal, the supplemental audio information not being part of the program information, comprising: a program including a video signal component and an audio signal component for transmission to at least one display device; and service information included as part of said video signal component, said service information including a multi-digit code for identifying said program, a telephone number to be dialed for requesting the supplemental audio information and synchronization information for synchronizing the supplemental audio information with the said audio signal component of said program, wherein said synchronization information is updated at a predetermined interval.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
111 words
A signal containing information for requesting supplemental audio information relating to program information conveyed by the signal, the supplemental audio information not being part of the program information, comprising: a program including a video signal component and an audio signal component for transmission to at least one display device; and service information included as part of said video signal component, said service information including a multi-digit code for identifying said program, a telephone number to be dialed for requesting the supplemental audio information and synchronization information for synchronizing the supplemental audio information with the said audio signal component of said program, wherein said synchronization information is updated at a predetermined interval.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
97 words
A data processing apparatus for providing supplemental information, comprising: a CPU; a storage device operatively connected to said CPU; an apparatus, adapted for communicating with said CPU, for receiving a request from a caller over a telephone network for supplemental information related to a broadcast television program and for relaying the request to said CPU; and a program, adapted to be executed by said CPU, for processing the request for supplemental information and for transmitting the requested supplemental information through said apparatus, wherein the supplemental information comprises supplemental dialogue for a character within the broadcast television program.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
97 words
A data processing apparatus for providing supplemental information, comprising: a CPU; a storage device operatively connected to said CPU; an apparatus, adapted for communicating with said CPU, for receiving a request from a caller over a telephone network for supplemental information related to a broadcast television program and for relaying the request to said CPU; and a program, adapted to be executed by said CPU, for processing the request for supplemental information and for transmitting the requested supplemental information through said apparatus, wherein the supplemental information comprises supplemental dialogue for a character within the broadcast television program.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
58 words
A method comprising the steps of: broadcasting a television program including an audio component and a video component; receiving a request for supplemental information related to the television program, wherein the request includes synchronization information; synchronizing the requested supplemental information to the audio component of the television program using the synchronization information; and transmitting the requested supplemental information.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
58 words
A method comprising the steps of: broadcasting a television program including an audio component and a video component; receiving a request for supplemental information related to the television program, wherein the request includes synchronization information; synchronizing the requested supplemental information to the audio component of the television program using the synchronization information; and transmitting the requested supplemental information.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 28 , wherein the requested supplemental information is live audio information.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 28 , wherein the requested supplemental information is prerecorded on a recording medium.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 28 , further comprising the step of recording the supplemental information.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-03-26 | 2004-09-25 | 2005-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-26 | 2008-09-25 | 2009-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-26 | 2012-09-25 | 2013-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |