Synchronizing broadcast content with corresponding network content

Abstract

This disclosure describes methods and systems for synchronizing broadcast and network content, such as web content. It also describes related technology for facilitating linking from broadcast content to related information and e-commerce on a network. One method detailed in this disclosure synchronizes broadcast content with dynamic network content at a network address. This method embeds an identifier in a broadcast, extracts the identifier embedded in broadcast content, and uses the identifier to identify corresponding network content. The method then posts the corresponding network content on a network device located at the network address (e.g., a web page at the URL of the broadcaster). The network device (e.g., web server) is responsive to requests sent to the network address to provide the network content over a network. Using this method, the broadcast content is synchronized with the corresponding network content. This approach enables the content at the broadcaster's fixed web site URL to change dynamically with the broadcast. This approach is transparent to the user, who simply visits the same URL to get more information about current programming or purchase a product currently advertised in current programming.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of preparing associations between a content program and associated information, the method comprising:
 automatically recognizing content within the content program;   associating auxiliary content with the recognized content; and   staging the auxiliary content for delivery to a user's mobile device during the content program.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the delivery comprises delivery of the auxiliary content to a user's mobile device, wherein content identifying information is received from the user's mobile device to enable synchronization to a location within the content program. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the synchronization uses digital watermark detection. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the synchronization uses content fingerprinting. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein automatically recognizing content within the content program comprises machine recognition of a voice. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein automatically recognizing content within the content program comprises machine recognition of an object in the content program. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein automatically recognizing content within the content program comprises machine recognition of a face in the content program.