Apparatus and methods for accessing information relating to radio and television programs

A method for providing information to a user from an information depository, the method comprising the steps of:

• reproducing in the vicinity of each of a plurality of users, programs from one of a plurality of broadcast stations;
• providing users with a memory card having a clock and a plurality of keys on its surface, each key corresponding to a station;
• placing over the keys a transparent overlay within an insert receiving pocket, the transparent overlay inserted in the insert receiving pocket and identifying the stations corresponding to the keys;
• pressing one of the keys to record in the memory card the station identification and time of the key press;
• entering the recorded station identification and time into one of a plurality of information exchange terminals;
• coupling the information exchange terminal to the information depository to transmit information therebetween;
• and
• identifying a correspondence between the entered station identification and time and a program in a station log to obtain the desired supplemental information.

A method for providing information to a user from an information depository, the method comprising the steps of:

• reproducing in the vicinity of each of a plurality of users, programs from one of a plurality of broadcast stations;
• coupling a card having a memory to an apparatus for receiving stations, the apparatus having a clock, a station selection controller, and a command key;
• selecting a station with the controller;
• storing in the memory of the card a station identification for the station selected by the controller and the time read from the clock whenever the command key is activated;
• entering the recorded station identification and time into one of a plurality of information exchange terminals;
• coupling the information exchange terminal to the information depository to transmit information therebetween;
• and
• identifying a correspondence between the entered station identification and time and a program in a station log to obtain the desired supplemental information.

A method for transferring information between a plurality of users and an information depository, the method comprising the steps of:

• recording on portable memory cards user responses and the time of each response;
• carrying the memory cards to information exchange terminals that have card receiving slots;
• connecting the information exchange terminals to the information depository to transmit information therebetween;
• and
• inserting the memory cards in the slots to transmit the combinations of times and user responses recorded on the cards to the information exchange terminals.

A system for ordering supplemental information about programs currently playing at a broadcast receiver having a controllable station tuner, the apparatus comprising:

• means for controlling the station to which the tuner is set;
• a clock for designating current date and current time;
• manual input means for issuing a store command;
• a broadcast receiver or a remote controller for a broadcast receiver to which the controlling means, the clock, and the manual input means are integral;
• a card removably coupled to the broadcast receiver or remote controller;
• a memory integral to the card;
• and
• means responsive to the controlling means, the clock, and the manual input means for storing in the memory data (SDT data) representative of the station to which the tuner is set, the current date, and the current time when a store command is issued.

A system for ordering supplemental information about programs currently playing at a broadcast receiver, the apparatus comprising:

• a clock for designating current date and current time;
• a memory;
• a card for issuing a store command designating a station on which the current program is playing on the broadcast receiver, the card being integral to the clock and the memory;
• a plurality of keys on the surface of the card for issuing a store command designating particular stations;
• a transparent overlay for placing over the keys;
• a pocket for receiving the transparent overlay to identify the stations corresponding to the keys;
• and
• means responsive to the clock and the means for issuing a store command designating the station for storing in the memory data (SDT data) representative of the station to which the tuner is set, the current date, and the current time when the store command is issued.

A method for providing information to a user from an information depository, the method comprising the steps of:

• reproducing in the vicinity of each of a plurality of users, programs from one of a plurality of broadcast stations;
• recording upon command by a user, an identification of a station and a time of a program on the station for which supplemental information is desired by the user;
• entering the recorded station identification and time into one of a plurality of information exchange terminals;
• coupling the information exchange terminal to the information depository to transmit information therebetween;
• transmitting the entered station identification and time from the information exchange terminal to the information depository;
• compiling a station log of stations, program times, and program identifiers for programs on the stations, the station log being resident in the information depository;
• mapping the program identifiers in the log to supplemental information relating to specific programs, the supplemental information being resident in the information depository;
• searching the station log for a station, program time, and program identifier of a program that corresponds to the entered station identification and time to identify a correspondence between the entered station identification and time and a program in the station log;
• transmitting the entered station identification and time from the information exchange terminal to the information depository;
• obtaining from the information depository the supplementary information;
• merging the supplementary information into a charge card accounting statement;
• transmitting the supplementary information from the information depository to the information exchange terminal;
• and
• outputting the supplementary information at the information exchange terminal.

A method for collecting audience responses to broadcast inquiries comprising the steps of:

• broadcasting from a station a program that includes one or more questions to be answered by the program audience;
• receiving the broadcast program at the location of each member of the audience;
• reproducing the program at the member location;
• responding to a question included in the reproduced program;
• storing in a memory at the member location data including the day and time of the response, the station from which the reproduced program is being received when the response is made, and the answer to the question;
• and
• downloading the stored data to a common file to count the answers.

An apparatus for ordering auxiliary information about programs transmitted or broadcast from a radio or television station, the apparatus comprising:

• clock means comprising a clock/calendar for maintaining a current date and a current time;
• a plurality of input keys for activating a station selection, each of the input keys corresponding to one of a plurality of stations;
• a memory removable from the remainder of the apparatus for transport to a central location;
• and
• control means responsive to an activation of one of the plurality of input means for storing into the memory the current date and the current time from the clock means and an identifier for the station corresponding to the activated input means.

An apparatus for ordering auxiliary information about programs transmitted or broadcast from a radio or television station, the apparatus comprising:

• a first keyboard mounted to a first side of the apparatus for providing a first plurality of keys for activating a station selection, each of the keys corresponding to one of a plurality of stations;
• a first transparent holder overlaying the first keyboard and attached to the apparatus for holding a media identifying the keys on the first keyboard;
• a first electrical contact on the first side of the apparatus;
• a second electrical contact on a second side of the apparatus, the second side essentially parallel to the first side and the second electrical contact aligned to be along a line normal to the first and second sides, the line passing through the first electrical contact;
• clock means for maintaining a current date and a current time;
• a memory;
• and
• control means responsive to an activation of one of the plurality of keys for storing into the memory the current date and the current time from the clock and an identifier for the station corresponding to the activated key.

An apparatus for retrieving auxiliary information about programs transmitted from a radio or television station, the apparatus comprising:

• means for reading from a device at least one first data set, each first data set having a date, time and station identification and each first data set stored on the device, the date and time of a first data set being stored on the device upon a command from a user to store a current date and time and a station identification corresponding to a station;
• the reading means comprising a slot for accepting the device, the slot having two terminals for mating with two electrical contacts on the device;
• means for receiving a station log from at least a first station, the station log listing a station identification and second data sets, each second data set having a date, time and program identifier for a program transmitted on the first station;
• means for comparing the date, time and station identification for a first data set read from the device to a station log having a corresponding station identification to determine whether a second data set listed in the station log has a date and time equal to the date and time for a first data set read from the device and, if so, reading the program identifier for the second data set;
• and
• means for accessing auxiliary data for the program corresponding to the program identifier.

A system for providing auxiliary information about programs transmitted or broadcast from at least one station, the system comprising:

• A. means for ordering auxiliary information about programs, the means comprising:
• clock means for maintaining a current date and a current time;
• a plurality of input means for activating a station selection, each of the input means corresponding to one of a plurality of stations;
• a memory;
• and
• control means responsive to an activation of one of the plurality of input means for storing into the memory first data sets each having a current date and the current time read from the clock means and a station identifier for the station corresponding to the activated input means;
• B. at least one station, each station comprising:
• a means for maintaining a station log listing a station identification and second data sets each having dates, times and program identifiers for each program transmitted from the station;
• and
• means for communicating the station log;
• and
• C. a plurality of automated information machines comprising:
• means for receiving station logs from the means for communicating;
• means for reading from the memory at least a first data set having a date, time and station identification;
• and
• means for comparing the first data sets to the received station log having an identical station identification to determine whether a second data set listed in the station log has a date and time equal to the first data set date and time read from the memory and, if so, reading the program identifier for the data set;
• and
• means for accessing auxiliary data for the program corresponding to the program identifier.

A method for providing auxiliary information about programs transmitted or broadcast from stations, the method comprising the steps of:

• initializing a first device having a clock/calendar by setting the clock/calendar to the correct date and time and loading into the first device a plurality of station identifications for identifying stations;
• storing first data sets in the first device including a date and time read from the clock/calendar and a station identification whenever a user activates one of a plurality of input devices corresponding to the station identification;
• maintaining a station log for each station, the station log listing a station identification and second data sets each second data set having a date, time and program identifier corresponding to a date and time for transmitting a program on a station;
• communicating the station logs to a second device;
• reading from the first device into the second device the stored first data sets each including a stored date, time and station identification;
• comparing the date, time and station identification for each read first data set to the received station log having an identical station identification to determine whether a second data set listed in the station log has a date and time equal to the first data set date and time;
• reading the program identifier for a second data set in the station log, if the step of comparing determines a second data set listed in the station log has a date and time equal to the date and time for a first data set;
• and
• accessing auxiliary data for the program corresponding to the program identifier.

A system for tracking data, the system comprising:

• a first device comprising:
• clock means for maintaining a current date;
• means for storing at least one data set, the data set including a merchant identification, a date of last visit to a merchant and a count;
• and
• a second device comprising:
• means for reading from the first device into the second device the stored first data sets each including a merchant identification, a date of last visit to a merchant and a count;
• means for comparing the read merchant identification to a merchant identifier stored in the second device;
• means for writing the merchant identifier into the first device to store the merchant identifier as a merchant identification and setting a count equal to zero in the first device, the count associated with the merchant identification written into the first device, if the read merchant identification does not compare to a merchant identifier stored in the second device;
• means for increasing the count by 1, if a transaction is performed with the merchant corresponding to the merchant identification;
• means for comparing the count to a threshold value;
• means for storing the count in the first device and setting the date of last visit to the merchant in the first device to the current date, if the count is less than the threshold;
• and
• means for rewarding a user of the first device, setting the count in the first device to zero, and setting the date of last visit to the merchant in the first device to the current date, if the count is equal or more than the threshold.

A method for tracking data, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing at least one first data set in a first device, the first data set including a merchant identification, a date of last visit to a merchant and a count;
• reading from the first device into a second device the stored first data sets each including a merchant identification, a date of last visit to a merchant and a count;
• comparing the read merchant identification to a merchant identifier stored in the second device;
• writing the merchant identifier into the first device to store the merchant identifier as a merchant identification and setting a count equal to zero in the first device, the count associated with the merchant identification written into the first device, if the read merchant identification does not compare to a merchant identifier stored in the second device;
• increasing the count by 1, if a transaction is performed with the merchant corresponding to the merchant identification stored in the first device;
• comparing the count to a threshold value;
• storing the count in the first device and setting the date of last visit to the merchant in the first device to the current date, if the count is less than the threshold;
• and
• rewarding a user of the first device, setting the count in the first device to zero, and setting the date of last visit to the merchant in the first device to the current date, if the count is equal or more than the threshold.

A system for ordering auxiliary information about items published in publications, the system comprising:

• a first device comprising:
• clock means for maintaining a current date;
• a plurality of publication keys for selecting a publication;
• a plurality of number entry keys;
• a memory;
• and
• control means responsive to a entry of a number using the number entry keys and to an activation of one of the plurality of publication keys for storing into the memory the current date from the clock means, the number, and an identifier for the publication corresponding to the activated publication key;
• and
• a second device comprising:
• means for reading from the memory data sets each having a date, a number, and an identifier for a publication;
• and
• means for comparing each data set to a publication log for a publication corresponding to an identifier for a publication in the data set and approximately corresponding to a date in the data set, to determine whether a second data set listed in the publication log has a number matching the number for a data set read from the memory;
• and
• means for accessing auxiliary data for the item in the publication by using a matched number.

A system for storing and accessing a list of book identifiers, the system comprising:

• a first device comprising:
• clock means for maintaining a current date;
• a booklist key;
• a plurality of number entry keys;
• a memory;
• and
• control means responsive to a entry of a number using the number entry keys and to an activation of the booklist key for storing into the memory the current date from the clock means and the entered number;
• and
• a second device comprising:
• means for reading from the memory data sets each having a date and a number;
• means for comparing a number of each data set to a number identifying a transaction;
• means for canceling a transaction, if a number of a data set compares to a number identifying a transaction;
• and
• means for completing the transaction, if a number of a data set does not compare to a number identifying a transaction.

A system for storing and accessing a list of book identifiers, the system comprising:

• a first device comprising:
• clock means for maintaining a current date;
• a booklist key;
• a plurality of number entry keys;
• a memory;
• and
• control means responsive to a entry of a number using the number entry keys and to an activation of the booklist key for storing into the memory the current date from the clock means and the entered number;
• and
• a second device comprising:
• means for reading from the memory data sets each having a date and a number;
• means for comparing a number of each data set to a number identifying a transaction;
• means for canceling the transaction, if a number of a data set compares to a number identifying a transaction;
• and
• means for completing the transaction, if a number of a data set does not compare to a number identifying a transaction.

A system for storing and accessing a list of card numbers, the system comprising:

• a first device comprising:
• clock means for maintaining a current date;
• a card key;
• a plurality of number entry keys;
• a memory;
• and
• control means responsive to a entry of a number using the number entry keys and to an activation of the card key for storing into the memory the current date from the clock means and the entered number;
• and
• a second device comprising:
• means for reading from the memory data sets each having a date and a number;
• and
• means for displaying the data sets to a user.

A method for ordering auxiliary information about items published in publications, the method comprising the steps of:

• maintaining a current date;
• using number entry keys for entering a number and an activation of one of a plurality of publication keys for storing into a memory the current date, the entered number, and an identifier for the publication corresponding to the activated publication key;
• reading data sets in the memory each having a date, a number, and an identifier for a publication;
• comparing each data set to a publication log for a publication corresponding to an identifier for a publication in the data set and approximately corresponding to a date in the data set, to determine whether a second data set listed in the publication log has a number matching the number for a data set read from the memory;
• and
• accessing auxiliary data for the item in the publication by using a matched number.

A method for storing and accessing a list of book identifiers, the method comprising the steps of:

• maintaining a current date;
• using number entry keys for entering a number and an activation of a booklist key for storing into a memory the current date and the entered number;
• reading from the memory data sets each having a date and a number;
• comparing a number of each data set to a number identifying a transaction;
• canceling the transaction, if a number of a data set compares to a number identifying a transaction;
• and
• completing the transaction, if a number of a data set does not compare to a number identifying a transaction.

A method for storing and accessing a list of card numbers, the method comprising the steps of:

• maintaining a current date;
• using number entry keys for entering a card number and an activation of a card key for storing into a memory the current date and the entered card number;
• reading from the memory data sets each having a date and a card number;
• displaying the card numbers;
• and
• selecting a number from a data set for a transaction.

Apparatus for collecting audience responses to broadcast inquiries comprising:

• a clock for designating current date and current time;
• a broadcast receiver having a controllable station tuner;
• means for reproducing programs to which the tuner is set, including inquires;
• manual input means for issuing responses to inquiries in the reproduced programs;
• a memory for storing data;
• and
• a microprocessor coupled to the clock, the tuner, the input means, and the memory, the microprocessor being programmed to store in the memory responses issued by the input means, the date and time designated by the clock when the responses are issued, and the station to which the tuner is set when the responses are issued.

A method for collecting audience responses to broadcast inquiries comprising the steps of:

• broadcasting from a station a program that includes one or more questions to be answered by the program audience;
• receiving the broadcast program at the location of each member of the audience;
• reproducing the program at the member location;
• responding to a question included in the reproduced program;
• storing in a memory at the member location data including the day and time of the response, the station from which the reproduced program is being received when the response is made, and the answer to the question;
• and
• downloading the stored data to a common file to process the answers.

An apparatus for retrieving auxiliary information about programs transmitted from a radio or television station, the apparatus comprising:

• means for reading from a device at least one first data set, each first data set having a date, time and station identification and each first data set stored in the device, the date and time of a first data set being stored in the device upon a command from a user to store a current date and time and a station identification corresponding to a station;
• the reading means comprising a slot for accepting the device, the slot having means for electrically mating with the device;
• means for receiving a station log from at least a first station, the station log listing a station identification and second data sets, each second data set having a date, time and program identifier for a program transmitted on the first station;
• means for comparing the date, time and station identification for a first data set read from the device to a station log having a corresponding station identification to determine whether a second data set listed in the station log has a date and time equal to the date and time for a first data set read from the device and, if so, reading the program identifier for the second data set;
• and
• means for accessing auxiliary data for the program corresponding to the program identifier.

A system for collecting information about programs currently playing at a broadcast receiver having a controllable station tuner, the apparatus comprising:

• means for controlling the station to which the tuner is set;
• a clock for designating current date and current time;
• manual input means for issuing a store command;
• a broadcast receiver or a remote controller;
• a card removably coupled to the broadcast receiver or remote controller;
• a memory integral to the card;
• and
• means at least partially responsive to the controlling means and the clock for storing in the memory data representative of the station to which the tuner is set, the current date, and the current time when a store command is issued.

A method for transferring information between a plurality of users and a central information depository, the method comprising the steps of:

• recording on portable memory cards user responses and the time of each response;
• carrying the memory cards to information exchange terminals that have card receiving slots;
• connecting the information exchange terminals to the central depository to transmit information therebetween;
• and
• inserting the memory cards in the slots to transmit the combinations of times and user responses recorded on the cards to the information exchange terminals.

A method for collecting audience responses to broadcast information comprising the steps of:

• broadcasting from a station information which may be responded to by the program audience;
• receiving the broadcast program at the location of each member of the audience;
• reproducing the program at the member location;
• responding to the information included in the reproduced program by storing in a memory at the member location data including the day and time of the response, the station from which the reproduced program is being received when the response is made, and the response;
• and
• transferring the stored data to a file for post-response analysis.

A method of electronically controlling the use of premiums by a consumer comprising the steps of:

• recording on a memory card data identifying a broadcast station, time, and day;
• transmitting the recorded data to central data collection center;
• relating the recorded data to a premium for a designated product at the center;
• crediting a specified account with the premium at the center;
• recording a purchase transaction for the product at a point of purchase;
• transmitting the recorded transaction and an identification of the specified account to the center;
• and
• debiting the account with the premium at the center.