Interactive channel

Abstract

A channel distribution system has a channel carrying content, and an interactive receiver which receives content and provides to a user. The interactive receiver has an interface to allow the user to interact with the content. The channel also includes a broadcast label superimposed on the content which invites the user to interact with the content. The label includes an interactive link with a digital instruction containing handling information for the interactive receiver device. The handling information tells the interactive receiver how to handle a user interaction coinciding with the label.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An application for a user portable device, the application comprising:
 a recording unit configured to record environmental sounds;   an identification unit associated with said recording unit and configured to identify access information from broadcast sources recorded among said environmental sounds; and   an interaction unit for allowing interaction with a respective broadcast source corresponding to identified access information.   
     
     
         2 . The application of  claim 1 , wherein said interaction unit is configured for user interaction at said user portable device with said broadcast source. 
     
     
         3 . The application of  claim 1 , wherein said interaction unit is configured for remote interaction with said broadcast source. 
     
     
         4 . The application of  claim 1 , wherein said access information is an audible signal embedded in said respective broadcast source. 
     
     
         5 . The application of  claim 1 , wherein said access information is an inaudible signal embedded in said respective broadcast source. 
     
     
         6 . The application of  claim 1 , wherein said interaction unit is configured to present to a user textual information relating to said respective broadcast source. 
     
     
         7 . The application of  claim 1 , wherein said interaction unit is configured to present, to a user, contact information relating to said respective broadcast source. 
     
     
         8 . The application of  claim 7 , further comprising a learning unit for learning from said user interactions about preferred user content. 
     
     
         9 . The application of  claim 1 , wherein said interaction unit is configured to allow entry by a user of keywords, said keywords defining storage or presentation of content from said broadcast sources associated with identified access information. 
     
     
         10 . A method of interacting with broadcast content, the broadcast content being played on receiving devices; the method comprising:
 inserting access information into said broadcast content;   listening at a user portable device to environmental sound;   at said user portable device identifying said access information of said broadcast content from said environmental sound;   using said access information to identify said broadcast content; and   interacting with said broadcast content.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said interacting is carried out at said user portable device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said interacting is carried out remotely of said user portable device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said access information is an audible signal embedded in said respective broadcast content. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said access information is an inaudible signal embedded in said respective broadcast content. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising presenting, to a user, contact information relating to said respective broadcast content, said contact information being activatable contact information capable of establishing contact through said user portable device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising inputting keywords, and using said keywords to trigger storage or presentation of content from said broadcast sources associated with identified access information. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising learning from said user interactions to identify preferred content of a given user. 
     
     
         18 . A system comprising:
 an application for a user portable device, the application comprising:   a recording unit configured to record environmental sounds; and   an identification unit associated with said recording unit and configured to identify access information from broadcast sources recorded among said environmental sounds; and   an interaction unit for allowing interaction with a respective broadcast source corresponding to identified access information.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said interaction unit is configured for remote interaction with said broadcast source. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a learning unit for learning from said user interactions about preferred user content.