Method and system for interactive broadcast communications

Abstract

Arrange for an interactive broadcast system to receive and respond to user input regarding broadcast material. The scheduler (1200) continuously polls for new user input and adjusts its schedule appropriately according to an algorithm. For example, this could insert content from user input into a live or pre-recorded broadcast, or reorder elements of a broadcast, for example, travel clips from a playlist. The system has many applications. For example, users can post messages or contributions, interact in a discussion show, vote on clips from a playlist, request a live feed, enter a competition, or make a purchase. Alternatively, the scheduler's (1200) response may be time-dependent, for example, changing the algorithm or content of the schedule at certain times of the day, or days of the week. Also a scheduler (1200), embodiments of the present invention provide a broadcast assembly system for storing broadcast elements, processing user input, and assembling broadcast elements for broadcast communications based on the processed user input. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to handling a single broadcast channel, but can also be used to play multiple interactive channels. Multiple channels can share content or user interactivity, or each channel can be completely different in what content it broadcasts.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to methods and apparatus used in broadcast communications. For example, embodiments of the invention relate to scheduling and / or combining broadcast material. Background technique [0002] Broadcasting in communications is the ability to send content from one source to more than one delivery point during the same period of time, typically a user such as a radio, television, PDA, or personal computer ("PC") device. In this specification, "broadcasting" includes, for example, multicasting capable of delivering content to a group of two or more delivery points selected from a large number of possible delivery points during the same time period of. You can deliver the same content to each delivery point, or different content to each delivery point, if desired. [0003] In broadcasting, content may be sent as scheduled programs from one or more broadcast centers. To receive a program, a user selects a program channel. Tod...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, interactive video systems are still relatively expensive and offer very limited interactivity

They can also be complicated to use

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