Method of constructing and handling requests for data files

Abstract

A method of constructing and handling a request for a desired data file relating to a broadcast segment of a broadcast signal is described. The method comprises receiving an information signal at a receiving device. The information signal comprises at least a data element, and the data element relates to a segment of the broadcast signal. The method also comprises presenting the data element to a user interface of the receiving device, obtaining a user selection of the data element from the user interface, and constructing and transmitting a request for the desired data file relating to the selected data element, the request including an identifier relating to the desired data file.

1 - 93 . (canceled) 
     
     
         94 . A method of constructing and handling a request for a desired data file relating to a broadcast segment of a broadcast signal, the method comprising:
 receiving an information signal at a receiving device, the information signal comprising at least a data element, the data element relating to a segment of the broadcast signal;   presenting the data element to a user interface of the receiving device;   obtaining a user selection of the data element from the user interface; and   constructing and transmitting a request for the desired data file relating to the selected data element, the request including an identifier relating to the desired data file.   
     
     
         95 . A method according to  claim 94 , wherein the data element relates to a current broadcast segment of the broadcast signal. 
     
     
         96 . A method according to  claim 94 , wherein
 the receiving step comprises receiving an information signal comprising an ordered list of data elements, each data element relating to a broadcast segment of the broadcast signal;   the presenting step comprises presenting the ordered list of data elements to the user interface of the receiving device; and   the obtaining step comprises obtaining a user selection of one of the data elements from the user interface.   
     
     
         97 . A method according to  claim 94 , further comprising receiving the broadcast signal at the receiving device, and outputting the current broadcast segment of the broadcast signal to the user via output means. 
     
     
         98 . A method according to  claim 97 , wherein the broadcast signal receiving step comprises receiving the information signal within the received broadcast signal. 
     
     
         99 . A method according to  claim 94 , further comprising receiving the broadcast signal on a presentation device other than the receiving device, and outputting the current broadcast segment of the broadcast signal to the user via the presentation device. 
     
     
         100 . A method according to  claim 94 , wherein the broadcast signal receiving step comprises receiving a broadcast signal comprising an audio or video broadcast segment. 
     
     
         101 . A method according to  claim 100 , wherein the broadcast signal receiving step comprises receiving a Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) signal. 
     
     
         102 . A method according to  claim 94 , wherein the information signal receiving step comprises receiving the information signal in response to a request from the receiving device. 
     
     
         103 . A method according to  claim 94 , wherein the information signal receiving step comprises receiving the information signal via a wireless local area communications network. 
     
     
         104 . A method according to  claim 103 , wherein the information signal receiving step comprises receiving the information signal via a WiFi communications network. 
     
     
         105 . A method according to  claim 94 , wherein the information signal receiving step comprises receiving the information signal via an Internet connection to the device. 
     
     
         106 . A method according to  claim 94 , wherein the information signal receiving step comprises receiving the information signal via a mobile telecommunications network. 
     
     
         107 . A method according to  claim 94 , wherein the information signal receiving step further comprises receiving metadata relating to the segment of the broadcast signal. 
     
     
         108 . A method according to  claim 107 , wherein the presenting step comprises presenting the data element together with its associated metadata to the user interface. 
     
     
         109 . A method according to  claim 107 , wherein
 the receiving step comprises receiving an information signal comprising an ordered list of data elements, each data element relating to a broadcast segment of the broadcast signal;   the presenting step comprises presenting the ordered list of data elements, together with the associated metadata of each data element, to the user interface of the receiving device; and   the obtaining step comprises obtaining a user selection of one of the data elements from the user interface.   
     
     
         110 . A method according to  claim 94 , wherein the presenting step comprises presenting a plurality of user-selectable options regarding making the desired data file available to the user, the obtaining step comprises obtaining the user selection and the constructing step comprises specifying the user-selected option in the request. 
     
     
         111 . A method according to  claim 94 , further comprising receiving the data file relating to the broadcast segment in an encrypted format. 
     
     
         112 . A method according to  claim 111 , wherein the encrypted file receiving step comprises receiving the encrypted data file relating to the broadcast segment prior to the user selection of the desired data file. 
     
     
         113 . A method according to  claim 112 , further comprising storing the received encrypted data file in a first cache memory of the receiving device. 
     
     
         114 . A method according to  claim 113 , further comprising determining the availability of a desired data file on the basis of whether the stored encrypted data file corresponds to the selected broadcast segment. 
     
     
         115 . A method according to  claim 114 , further comprising transferring the available encrypted data file to a second cache memory upon user selection. 
     
     
         116 . A method according to  claim 112 , further comprising, in response to transmitting the request, receiving a decryption key for the desired encrypted data file, and storing the decryption key on the receiving device. 
     
     
         117 . A method according to  claim 116  further comprising transferring the available encrypted data file to a second cache memory upon user selection, and, in response to receiving the decryption key, further transferring the selected data file from the second cache to a memory storage location of the receiving device. 
     
     
         118 . A method according to  claim 116 , wherein the step of receiving a decryption key comprises receiving an encrypted decryption key. 
     
     
         119 . A method according to  claim 118 , wherein the decryption key receiving step comprises receiving a decryption key that has been encrypted using a unique identifier of the receiving device. 
     
     
         120 . A method according to  claim 118 , further comprising decrypting the decryption key, and using the decryption key to unlock the encrypted data file each time user access is required to the desired data file. 
     
     
         121 . A method according to  claim 117 , wherein the constructing step comprises constructing a primary request for a decryption key for the available encrypted data file when the transferring step has transferred the available encrypted data file to the second cache memory. 
     
     
         122 . A method according to  claim 111 , wherein the encrypted file receiving step comprises receiving the encrypted data file relating to the broadcast segment in response to the request transmitting step. 
     
     
         123 . A method according to  claim 122 , wherein the encrypted file receiving step comprises receiving the encrypted file via a wireless local area communications network. 
     
     
         124 . A method according to  claim 123 , wherein the encrypted file receiving step comprises receiving the encrypted file via a WiFi communications network. 
     
     
         125 . A method according to  claim 122 , wherein the information signal receiving step comprises receiving the information signal via an Internet connection to the device. 
     
     
         126 . A method according to  claim 122 , wherein the encrypted file receiving step comprises receiving the encrypted file via a mobile telecommunications communications network. 
     
     
         127 . A method according to  claim 122 , further comprising, in response to transmitting the request, receiving a decryption key for the desired encrypted data file, and storing the decryption key on the receiving device. 
     
     
         128 . A method according to  claim 94 , wherein the constructing step comprises constructing the request including an identifier of the device initiating the request. 
     
     
         129 . A method according to  claim 122 , wherein the constructing step comprises constructing a request that the selected data file is transmitted to the receiving device. 
     
     
         130 . A method according to  claim 94 , wherein the constructing step comprises constructing a request that the selected data file is made available to the user for download to a user computer. 
     
     
         131 . A method according to  claim 94 , wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting the constructed request to an authorisation server. 
     
     
         132 . A method according to  claim 131 , wherein the transmitting step comprises a first transmitting step of transmitting an authorisation request to an authorisation server and a second step of transmitting, in reply to receiving an authorisation response, the constructed request for the desired file. 
     
     
         133 . A method according to  claim 132 , wherein the second transmitting step comprises transmitting a received authorisation code in the constructed request. 
     
     
         134 . A method according to  claim 94 , further comprising delaying the transmitting step until a communications channel suitable for conveying the request is available to the device. 
     
     
         135 . A method according to  claim 134 , further comprising storing the constructed request on the receiving device, connecting the receiving device to an auxiliary request transmitting device at which a suitable communications channel is available, and transmitting the constructed request via the auxiliary request transmitting device. 
     
     
         136 . A method according to  claim 94 , further comprising receiving a confirmation message confirming the acceptance of the request and access to the requested data file. 
     
     
         137 . A method of requesting and obtaining a desired data file relating to a broadcast segment of a broadcast signal, the method comprising:
 a method of constructing and handling a request for a desired data file relating to a broadcast segment of a broadcast signal according to  claim 94 ;   receiving the request at a data file library;   determining whether the request is authorised; and   providing access to the desired data file if the request is authorised.   
     
     
         138 . A method according to  claim 137 , further comprising authorising the request prior to providing access to the desired data file. 
     
     
         139 . A method according to  claim 138 , wherein the constructing step comprises constructing the request including an identifier of the device initiating the request and the authorising step comprises using the identifier of the receiving device provided within the request to determine whether the receiving device is authorised to have access to the desired data file. 
     
     
         140 . A method according to  claim 139 , wherein the authorising step comprises determining the identity of the receiving device from the characteristics of the received request and verifying the received identifier against the determined identity of the receiving device. 
     
     
         141 . A method according to  claim 137 , further comprising determining whether the receiving device has previously been provided access to the desired data file. 
     
     
         142 . A method according to  claim 137 , further comprising carrying out a payment transaction if the receiving device is authorised. 
     
     
         143 . A method according to  claim 141 , further comprising carrying out a payment transaction if the receiving device is authorised and if the determining step has determined that the receiving device has not previously purchased the desired data file. 
     
     
         144 . A method according to  claim 139 , further comprising, in response to transmitting the request,
 receiving a decryption key for the desired encrypted data file;   storing the decryption key on the receiving device; and   encrypting the decryption key using the received identifier for the receiving device.   
     
     
         145 . A method according to  claim 137 , wherein the constructing step comprises constructing the request including an identifier of the device initiating the request, the identifier of the device comprising a unique identifier. 
     
     
         146 . A method according to  claim 145 , wherein the unique identifier comprises a network identity of the receiving device and information relating to an installed application on the device. 
     
     
         147 . A method according to  claim 137 , wherein the providing step comprises providing the desired data file in an encrypted format to a storage device which is separate to the receiving device. 
     
     
         148 . A method according to  claim 137 , wherein the providing step comprises transmitting the encrypted data file over a Wireless Local Area Network communications channel. 
     
     
         149 . A method according to  claim 137 , wherein the providing step comprises transmitting the encrypted data file over a mobile telecommunications network. 
     
     
         150 . A method according to  claim 137 , wherein the providing step comprises facilitating the encrypted data file to be downloaded to a user's computer connectable to the Internet. 
     
     
         151 . A computer program comprising program instructions for causing a device to perform the method of  claim 94 . 
     
     
         152 . A device for constructing and handling a request for a desired data file relating to a broadcast segment of a broadcast signal, the device comprising:
 receiving means for receiving an information signal at a receiving device, the information signal comprising at least a data element, the data element relating to a segment of the broadcast signal;   presenting means for presenting the data element to a user interface of the receiving device;   obtaining means for obtaining a user selection of the data element from the user interface; and   constructing and transmitting means for constructing and transmitting a request for the desired data file relating to the selected data element, the request including an identifier relating to the desired data file.   
     
     
         153 . A device according to  claim 152 , wherein the device comprises one of the group comprising: a mobile telecommunications device, an Internet-enabled computer, a digital broadcast receiving device, and a digital satellite receiving device. 
     
     
         154 . A digital broadcast system comprising:
 receiving means for receiving a trigger signal signifying that broadcast of a current segment of media information has commenced via a digital broadcasting channel, the trigger signal comprising a media information identifier identifying the current segment of media information;   selecting means for selecting a data file relating to the current segment identified by the media information identifier; and   output means for outputting the related data file to the digital broadcasting channel for broadcast with the current segment of the media information;   wherein the output means is arranged to control the timing of the output of the related data file, such that the data file is output as a consequence of receipt of the trigger signal.   
     
     
         155 . A digital broadcast system according to  claim 154 , wherein the receiving means is arranged to receive the trigger signal from a broadcast source. 
     
     
         156 . A digital broadcast system according to  claim 154 , wherein the receiving means is arranged to receive an advance warning notification regarding a plurality of new segments of media information to be broadcast by a broadcast source. 
     
     
         157 . A digital broadcast system according to  claim 154 , wherein the receiving means is arranged to receive a schedule (playlist) regarding a plurality of upcoming segments of media information which are likely to be broadcast by a broadcast source in the near future. 
     
     
         158 . A digital broadcast system according to  claims 154 , wherein the output means is arranged to output an additional information signal for broadcast with the related data file, the additional information signal comprising information relating to one or more of:
 the current segment of media information currently being broadcast;   a plurality of previously broadcast segments of media; and   a plurality of segments of media information to be broadcast.   
     
     
         159 . A digital broadcast system according to  claim 154 , wherein the trigger signal comprises an HTTP post signal. 
     
     
         160 . A digital broadcast system according to  claim 154 , wherein the output means is arranged to output an encrypted data file. 
     
     
         161 . A digital broadcast system according to  claim 154 , wherein the trigger means and the output means are arranged to output the data file relating to the current segment of media information substantially non-simultaneously with the broadcast of the current segment of the media information. 
     
     
         162 . A digital broadcast system according to  claim 158 , wherein the trigger means and the output means are arranged to output the data file relating to the current segment of media information substantially simultaneously with the broadcast of the current segment of the media information. 
     
     
         163 . A digital broadcast system according to  claim 154 , further comprising a digital broadcast multiplexer for broadcasting, via the digital broadcasting channel, the media information and the data file. 
     
     
         164 . A digital broadcast system according to  claim 162 , wherein the digital broadcast multiplexer is arranged to broadcast, via the digital broadcasting channel, the additional information signal. 
     
     
         165 . A digital broadcast system according  claim 154 , wherein the system comprises a digital radio broadcast system. 
     
     
         166 . A combination of the digital broadcast system, according to  claim 154 , and a receiving device arranged to receive the broadcast digital media information segment and the related broadcast data file, the receiving device being further arranged to store the related data file. 
     
     
         167 . A combination according to  claim 166 , wherein the receiving device comprises a mobile telecommunications device having a digital broadcast receiver and a telecommunications transmitter/receiver for facilitating digital communications. 
     
     
         168 . A combination according to  claim 166 , wherein the digital broadcast system comprises a radio broadcast system and the receiving device comprises a digital radio receiver device. 
     
     
         169 . A combination according to  claim 166 , wherein the receiving device is arranged to store a predetermined maximum number of related data files in chronological broadcast order and the receiving device is further arranged to overwrite an oldest data file with a new data file when the predetermined maximum number of received related data files have been stored. 
     
     
         170 . A combination according to  claim 166 , wherein the receiving device is arranged to receive and use the additional related information signal, to display on a screen of the receiving device, identifying information identifying a plurality of the recently received broadcast digital media information segments. 
     
     
         171 . A combination according to  claim 170 , wherein the receiver comprises determining means arranged, on selection of a digital media information segment, to determine whether the data file related to the selected segment is available at the receiver. 
     
     
         172 . A combination according to  claim 171 , wherein the receiving device comprises a request generation means arranged for generating a purchase request for purchasing a version of the selected digital media information segment. 
     
     
         173 . A combination according to  claim 172 , wherein the output means is arranged to output an encrypted data file, and the purchase request comprises a primary request for a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted stored data file, if the determining means determines that the selected related file is available. 
     
     
         174 . A combination according to  claim 173 , wherein the purchase request comprises a secondary request for the encrypted stored data file to be made available for download to a storage location accessible by a personal computing device. 
     
     
         175 . A combination according to  claim 174 , wherein the encrypted stored data file is made available for download by providing a link to the encrypted stored data file to the personal computing device. 
     
     
         176 . A combination according to  claim 174 , wherein the encrypted stored data file is sent to the storage location together with an associated decryption key. 
     
     
         177 . A combination according to  claim 166 , wherein the output means is arranged to output an encrypted data file, and the receiving device further comprises decrypting means arranged to decrypt the encrypted stored data file each time the data file is selected. 
     
     
         178 . A combination according to  claim 177 , wherein the purchase request comprises a primary request for a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted stored data file, if the determining means determines that the selected related file is available, and the decryption means is arranged to utilise the decryption key to unlock the encrypted stored data file. 
     
     
         179 . A combination according to  claim 173 , wherein the system further comprises a decryption key server arranged to receive and process the primary request, the decryption key server comprising a decryption key database arranged to store a decryption key corresponding to the related data file. 
     
     
         180 . A combination according to  claim 179 , wherein the decryption key server is arranged to encrypt and transmit the decryption key to the receiver for the related data file. 
     
     
         181 . A combination according to  claim 179 , wherein the system further comprises an authorisation server arranged to authorise the provision of a service for an operator of the receiving device. 
     
     
         182 . A combination according to  claim 181 , wherein the decryption key server is arranged to request authorisation of the received primary request by transmitting an authorisation request to the authorisation server, the primary request and the authorisation request including identification data identifying the operator of the receiving device, the authorisation server being arranged to determine whether the operator of the receiving device is authorised to receive the decryption key, the authorisation server being further arranged to transmit an authorisation signal to the decryption key server, when the operator of the receiver device is authorised. 
     
     
         183 . A combination according to  claim 182 , wherein the decryption key server is arranged to transmit the decryption key to the receiving device in response to receiving the authorisation signal. 
     
     
         184 . A combination according to  claim 179 , wherein the related data file is stored at the decryption server, and the system further comprises obtaining means arranged to receive and store the related data file before the output means outputs the related data file. 
     
     
         185 . A method of enabling downloading a data file relating to a portion of a broadcast signal, the method comprising:
 receiving at a receiving device, an information signal comprising a plurality of data segments associated with corresponding broadcast portions of a broadcast signal;   receiving and storing an encrypted data file relating to one of the plurality of broadcast portions;   selecting a data segment of interest;   transmitting a request for a decryption key for the encrypted data file related to the data segment of interest;   decrypting the encrypted data file using a received decryption key;   making the encrypted data file corresponding to the data segment of interest available at an address location accessible to the user for download via a personal computer.   
     
     
         186 . A digital information device arranged to receive an information signal from a digital broadcast information source, the digital information device being arranged to be used to select a segment of the information signal relating to a portion of a broadcast signal and to trigger and facilitate the download of a data file corresponding to the selected segment through a Wireless Local Area Network. 
     
     
         187 . A computer program comprising program instructions for causing a device to perform the method of any of  claim 137 . 
     
     
         188 . A method of constructing and handling a request for a desired data file relating to a broadcast segment of a broadcast signal, the method comprising:
 receiving an information signal at a receiving device, the information signal comprising at least (i) a data element, the data element relating to the segment of the broadcast signal; (ii) a data file identifier, the data file identifier identifying the desired data file corresponding to the data element; and (iii) data file availability information indicative of the availability of the desired data file for provision to the user;   presenting the data element and data file availability information to a user interface of the receiving device;   obtaining a user selection of the data element from the user interface; and   constructing and transmitting a request for provision of the desired data file relating to the selected data element, the request including the date file identifier relating to the desired data file.