Receiver for user-demand information and entertainment system using wide area digital broadcast

Abstract

A receiver is provided for an information system that provides selected information to individual users. A high speed digital program signal is broadcast and contains program data that begins at a reference time and is repeated at set intervals. An index signal that contains the receiver's identifier associated with the reference time and interval information is also broadcast. The receiver monitors the index signal for its identifier. When the receiver detects its identifier, the receiver downloads the time and tuning information to receive, download, and store the user's selected program. In some embodiments a transceiver replaces the receiver to allow the user to make remote program requests.

1 . A method for receiving in a broadcast system, at a receiver having a unique identification number, only designated information, the method comprising the steps of: 
 monitoring a broadcast index signal containing tuning data;    detecting the unique identification number associated with the receiver in the broadcast index signal;    downloading the tuning data subsequent to detecting the unique identification number in the detecting step;    storing the downloaded tuning data in memory; and    tuning and receiving a program signal containing program data associated with a program using the tuning data stored in said storing step.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tuning data includes a reference time at which the program data is broadcast in the program signal, and further comprising the step of: 
 tuning to the program signal at approximately the reference time.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a tuning time is associated with the identification number of the receiver, and further comprising the steps of: 
 configuring the receiver to operate in at least a first state during which the receiver monitors the index signal just prior to the tuning time, and a second state during which the receiver does not monitor the index signal.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising the step of: 
 causing the receiver to enter a power saving mode during at least a portion of the second state.  
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of: outputting a foreground program upon receiver power-on, and outputting a background program subsequent to the user selecting the background program for output.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein either or both the broadcast index signal and the program signal include data used to present a menu of new programs and/or updates to programs broadcast on the program signal.  
     
     
         7 . A method for requesting and receiving designated information in a broadcast system, at a transceiver having a unique identification number the method comprising the steps of: 
 transmitting to a wireless communication system a request signal, the request signal including the unique identification number and a request for a program;    receiving from the wireless communication system a broadcast index signal containing the unique identification number associated with the receiver and tuning data;    storing the tuning data in memory; and    receiving a program signal containing program data, associated with a program, using the stored tuning data.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein either or both of the broadcast index signal and the program signal include data, representing new programs and/or updates to programs broadcast on the program signal, the method further comprising the step of: 
 presenting a menu of program choices to a user on a display.  
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the request signal transmitted in said transmitting step is associated with a selection by the user from the menu of program choices.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the steps of: outputting a foreground program upon receiver power-on, and outputting a background program subsequent to the user selecting the background program for output.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the steps of: 
 outputting an order form on a display and transmitting an order associated with the order form for goods and/or services.  
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of outputting an invoice on the display.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of transmitting a payment by the user.  
     
     
         14 . A method for requesting and receiving designated information in a broadcast system, at a first transceiver having a unique identification number, the method comprising the steps of: 
 transmitting from the first transceiver to a wireless communication system a request signal, the request signal including the unique identification number and a request for a program;    receiving at the first transceiver, from the wireless communication system, a broadcast index signal containing tuning data;    storing the tuning data in memory;    receiving a program signal containing program data, associated with a program, using the stored tuning data; and    transmitting at least a portion of the stored tuning data from the first transceiver to a second transceiver.    
     
     
         15 . A computer readable medium for receiving in a broadcast system, at a receiver having a unique identification number, only designated information, said computer readable medium containing program instructions that, when loaded into a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of: 
 monitoring a broadcast index signal containing tuning data;    detecting the unique identification number associated with the receiver in the broadcast index signal;    downloading the tuning data subsequent to detecting the unique identification number in the detecting step;    storing the downloaded tuning data in memory; and    tuning and receiving a program signal containing program data associated with a program using the tuning data stored in said storing step.    
     
     
         16 . The medium of  claim 15 , wherein the tuning data includes a reference time at which the program data is broadcast in the program signal, and further comprising the processor performing the step of: 
 tuning to the program signal at approximately the reference time.    
     
     
         17 . A computer readable medium for requesting and receiving in a broadcast system, at a transceiver having a unique identification number, only designated information, said computer readable medium containing program instructions that, when loaded into a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of: 
 transmitting to a wireless communication system a request signal, the request signal including the unique identification number and a request for a program;    receiving from the wireless communication system a broadcast index signal containing the unique identification number associated with the receiver and tuning data;    storing the tuning data in memory; and    receiving a program signal containing program data, associated with a program, using the stored tuning data.    
     
     
         18 . The medium of  claim 17  wherein either or both of the broadcast index signal and the program signal include data, representing new programs and/or updates to programs broadcast on the program signal, and further comprising the processor performing the step of: 
 presenting a menu of program choices to a user on a display.  
 
     
     
         19 . The medium of  claim 18 , wherein the request signal transmitted in said transmitting step is associated with a selection by the user from the menu of program choices.  
     
     
         20 . A computer readable medium for requesting and receiving designated information in a broadcast system, at a first transceiver having a unique identification number, said computer readable medium containing program instructions that, when loaded into a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of: 
 transmitting from the first transceiver to a wireless communication system a request signal, the request signal including the unique identification number and a request for a program;    receiving at the first transceiver, from the wireless communication system, a broadcast index signal containing tuning data;    storing the tuning data in memory;    receiving a program signal containing program data, associated with a program, using the stored tuning data; and    transmitting at least a portion of the stored tuning data from the first transceiver to a second transceiver.