Patent Application
20070293169
For a more complete understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention supports a method and system for transmitting targeted advertising to digital radio receivers installed in vehicles based on the manufacturer of the vehicle, the age of the vehicle, the sponsor of the digital radio service, or the consumer preference or demographic data of the owner of the vehicle. Exemplary embodiments of the invention can be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying figures.
Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, aspects of the present invention and an exemplary operating system for the implementation of the present invention will be described.
The signal stream from the digital channel feeds 145 is typically provided to a transmitter 115 which transmits the signal stream through the antenna 110 to the DRR 155. The DRPS 105 is also capable of receiving information though the antenna 110 which is passed to the receiver 120. Although the antenna 110 is shown for broadcast via an orbiting satellite 195 in this illustration, it will be appreciated that the invention can be adapted for use with other communication media, including terrestrial broadcast without the need for a satellite 195, telephone, and computer networks.
For example, in a alternative embodiment, an automobile manufacturer can install a radio with a browser that is capable of receiving Internet or WiMAX radio stations loaded with the browser. WiMAX is a standards-based wireless technology that provides high-throughput broadband connections over long distances. WiMAX can be used for a number of applications, including “last mile” broadband connections, hotspots and cellular backhaul, and high-speed enterprise connectivity. In this alternative embodiment, the radio effectively tunes into an IP address (converted to numbers for ease of incorporation into radio jargon). The radio can include numerous wireless-fidelity (“wi-fi”) or broadband wi-fi stations that can be controlled by the automobile manufacturer. Because this alternative embodiment includes a two-way communication system, the alternative embodiment allows for dynamic insertion of ads very easily, regardless of the station to which a user listens. For example, with the alternative system, the automobile manufacturer would have the ability to “road block” or provide a single ad across all stations at the same time (which drastically limits ad skipping) by synchronizing radio content and filler, such as news traffic, and weather, so that the ads all come at the same time.
Additionally, although audio sources are shown and described, the invention can be adapted for use with other types of sources as well, such as video or other data. In one exemplary embodiment, the transmitter 115 and the receiver 120 can comprise separate components, each individually performing their functions. Alternatively, the transmitter 115 and receiver 120 can comprise a single component performing both transmitting and receiving functions.
The consumer preferences and demographics database 125 is communicably attached to the transmitter 115, receiver 120, and advertisement database 135. The consumer preferences and demographics database 125 typically comprises a plurality of database tables that comprise ID codes, demographic information related to the consumer and the family of the consumer who purchased the automobile 150, and consumer preferences for the consumer and the family of the consumer who purchased the automobile 150. In one exemplary embodiment, the consumer preference and demographics database 125 is communicably attached to the transmitter 115, receiver 120 and advertisement database via a processor (Not Shown). The advertisement database 135 is communicably attached to the transmitter 115, receiver 120, consumer preferences and demographics database 125, and run clock 142. The advertisement database 135 typically comprises a plurality of database tables that comprise ID codes, one or more advertisements, run clock timing for one or more ID codes, and a listing of advertisements transmitted to each DRR based on the provided ID code 175. In one exemplary embodiment, the advertisement database 135 is communicably attached to the transmitter 115, receiver 120 and consumer preference and demographics database 125 via a processor (Not Shown).
The DRPS 105 can also comprise one or more run clocks 142. The run clocks can be communicably attached to the advertisement database 135 via a processor (Not Shown). The run clock 142 typically functions as a timer to record the amount of time that has expired since the previous advertisement was transmitted to the DRR 155. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of DRRs 155 would typically require its own run clock 142 while the DRR 155 was activated. In an alternative embodiment, the run clock 142 records the amount of time that has expired since a particular advertisement was transmitted to the DRR 155 for a system 100 that includes a variety of advertisements in the advertisement database 135. In this alternative embodiment, each DRR 155 can require more than one run clock 142 to record the elapsed time since each advertisement was transmitted to the DRR 155. The channel feeds 145 are communicably attached to the transmitter 115 and the receiver 120 via a processor (Not Shown). The channel feeds 145 typically provide one or more channels of digital audio programming. The channel feeds 145 can include, but are not limited to, different audio feeds for music, news, sports, and talk radio.
The DRR 155 can be installed in an automobile 150. The automobile 150 can include any version of vehicle used to transport occupants from one location to another. In an alternative embodiment, the DRR 155 includes the capability to be removed from the automobile 150 and attached to a portable or stationary base unit (Not Shown) for operation outside of the automobile 150. The DRR 155 typically comprises a DRR transmitter 160, a DRR receiver 165, a front panel display and switches 170, an ID code 175, a DRR power supply 180, a DRR antenna 185, and one or more speakers 190. As with the DRPS 105, in one exemplary embodiment, the DRR transmitter 160 and the DRR receiver 165 can comprise separate components, each individually performing their functions. Alternatively, the DRR transmitter 160 and DRR receiver 165 can comprise a single component performing both transmitting and receiving functions.
In another exemplary embodiment, the DRR 155 could include a hard drive (Not Shown) and a database within the hard drive. Content for the DRR 155 could be buffered in the database while the DRR 155 is not in use. The buffering could also allow the transmission provider to download to the vehicle 150 content targeted to the listener, based on stated preference or based on prior music or content selected by the listeners. For example software communicably connected to the DRR 155 or within the DRR 155 could determine that a listener listened to multiple songs by a first artist but changed stations when a second artist began to play a song. The software could then download into the buffer additional songs from the first artist (and those who play songs similar to the first artist) while not adding any songs by the second artist to the buffer.
The power supply 180 provides electrical power for the operation of the DRR transmitter 160, DRR receiver 165, front panel display and switches 170, the ID code 175, and the speakers 190. The DRR antenna 185 is of similar make as those well known in the art and capable of transmitting and receiving information at a DRR 155 from a DRPS 105.
The DRR transmitter 160 is communicably attached to the front panel display and switches 170, the ID code 175, the DRR antenna 185, and the DRR run clock 187. The DRR transmitter 160 can transmit the ID code 175, information related to a change of the selected channel feed made at the front panel display and switches 170, and/or results from timing recorded at the DRR run clock 187 to the DRPS 105 through the DRR antenna 185. The DRR transmitter 160 is also capable of transmitting information related to the powering on or off of the DRR 155 to the DRPS 105.
The DRR receiver 165 is communicably attached to the front panel display and switches 170, the DRR antenna 185, and the speakers 190. A signal can be received at the DRR antenna 185 from the antenna 110 or via the satellite 195. The signal is passed from the DRR antenna 185 to the DRR receiver 165 for processing of the signal, such processing being well known in the art. The signal can then be passed from the DRR receiver 165 to one or more speakers 190. The speakers 190 can be physically attached to the DRR 155 or, in an alternative embodiment, the speakers 190 can be distributed throughout the automobile 150.
The front panel display and switches 170 is communicably attached to the DRR transmitter 160 and the DRR receiver 165. The front panel display and switches provide a user the ability to change the selected channel feed, adjust the volume, tone, or bass of the channel feed, as well as other functions which are well known in the art. The ID code 175 is communicably attached to the DRR transmitter 160. The ID code is typically constructed of digital data that provides a unique identifier for the DRR 155 that distinguishes it from other DRR's 155. In an alternative embodiment, the ID code 175 identifies the sponsor of the system 100. The ID code 175 is capable of being transmitted with or without additional information from the DRR 155 to the DRPS 105, where the ID code 175 can be evaluated to identify the particular DRR 155 that is transmitting information.
While the exemplary embodiment envisions one or more run clocks 142 at the DRPS 105, in an alternative embodiment, the DRR 155 can include a DRR run clock 187. The DRR run clock 187 can be communicably attached to the DRR transmitter 160. The DRR run clock 187 typically functions as a timer to record the amount of time that has expired since the previous advertisement was transmitted to the DRR 155. In an alternative embodiment, the DRR run clock 187 records the amount of time that has expired since a particular advertisement was transmitted to the DRR 155 for a system 100 that includes a variety of advertisements being transmitted to the DRR 155. In this alternative embodiment, each DRR 155 can require more than one DRR run clock 187 to record the elapsed time since each advertisement was transmitted to the DRR 155. In another alternative embodiment, the run clocks 142 or the DRR run clock 187 records the amount of time the DRR 155 has been active for a single session.
Now referring to
In step 210, the DRR 155 transmits a signal that the DRR 155 has been activated. The DRR 155 typically transmits this information by sending a signal from the DRR transmitter 160 through the DRR antenna 185 to the antenna 110, by way of the satellite 195. The DRPS 105 receives the signal that the DRR 155 has been activated through the antenna 110 to the receiver 120 in step 215. In another exemplary embodiment, the DRPS 105 could send a continuous series of pings to the DRR 155 to determine if the DRR 155 has been activated. In step 220, the DRPS 105 retrieves an advertisement from the advertisement database 135. The advertisement is typically passed from the advertisement database 135 to the transmitter 115 for transmission. In one exemplary embodiment, all of the advertisements in the advertisement database 135 will be advertisements for the manufacturer of the automobile 150 that the DRR 155 is installed in. In another exemplary embodiment, the advertisement database 135 contains advertisements and information provided by or sponsored by the manufacturer of the automobile 150 in which the DRR 155 is installed.
In step 225, the DRPS 105 transmits the retrieved advertisement by passing it from the transmitter 115 to the antenna 110, and on to the DRR 155, by way of the satellite 195. In an alternative embodiment, buffered content and ads stored in the hard drive or the DRR 155 are retrieved and played on the DRR 155. Returning to the exemplary embodiment, the DRR 155 receives the advertisement at the DRR antenna 185 and DRR receiver 165 in step 230. In step 235 the DRR 155 plays the advertisement. In one exemplary embodiment, the DRR 155 plays the advertisement by passing the advertisement from the DRR receiver 165 to one or more speakers 190. In step 240, the DRPS 105 transmits a streaming signal for the selected radio feed to the DRR 155. In one exemplary embodiment, the selected radio feed is the digital station that an occupant of the automobile 150 has chosen to listen to. The streaming signal for the channel feed can be retrieved from the channel feed supply 145 and passed to the transmitter 115 and antenna 110 for transmission to the DRR 155 by way of the satellite 195. In an alternative embodiment, the channel feed can be retrieved from the content stored in the buffered database on the hard drive within the DRR 155.
The DRR 155 receives the streaming signal for the selected radio feed from the DRPS 105 or satellite 195 in step 245. The DRR 155 typically receives the streaming signal at the DRR antenna 185 and passes the signal to the DRR receiver 165. In step 250, the DRR 155 begins playing the received streaming signal for the selected radio feed. In one exemplary embodiment, the DRR 155 plays the streaming signal by passing the signal from the DRR receiver 165 to one or more speakers 190. The process then continues to the END step.
In step 310, a predetermined number of digital channel feeds are programmed into the DRR 155. The digital channel feeds are typically programmed into the DRR receiver 165. The predetermined number of channel feeds can be any number greater than zero, however, the number of channel feeds can be limited by the total amount of bandwidth available to a digital radio service provider. In one exemplary embodiment, the manufacturer of the automobile 150 provides the DRR 155 to purchasers of the manufacturer's automobile 150 for free or at a rate below the retail cost of the DRR 155. The automobile manufacture also secures a number of digital channel feeds from a digital radio service provider that are separate from the digital radio feeds provided to subscribers to the digital radio service provider. In one exemplary embodiment, the separate digital radio feeds can be transmitted only to DRRs 155 that are installed in the manufacturer's automobiles 150.
In step 315, the automobile 150 containing the DRR 155 is sold to a consumer. The automobile 150 is typically sold to the consumer at an automobile dealership. The DRR 155 detects that it has been turned on, or activated, in step 320. The DRR typically detects that it has been turned on when the DRR power supply 180 receives an electrical current from the automobile 150 and passes that electrical current to the remainder of the DRR 155. In one exemplary embodiment, the DRR 155 detects that it has been turned on when an occupant in the automobile 150 turns a power knob or pushes a power button on the DRR front panel display and switches 170. In another exemplary embodiment the DRR 155 can detect that it has been turned on when a key is placed in the ignition of the automobile 150 or the automobile 150 is started and the DRR 155 was left on the last time the automobile 150 was in use.
In step 325, the DRR 155 transmits a signal that the DRR 155 has been turned on. The DRR typically transmits this information by sending a signal from the DRR transmitter 160 through the DRR antenna 185 to the antenna 110, by way of the satellite 195. The DRPS 105 receives the signal that the DRR 155 has been turned on through the antenna 110 to the receiver 120 in step 327. In step 330, the DRPS 105 retrieves an advertisement from the advertisement database 135 for the automobile's manufacturer 330. The advertisement for the automobile's manufacture can include, but is not limited to, an advertisement to buy an automobile manufactured by the same manufacturer, a news bulletin sponsored by the manufacturer of the automobile 150, or other information that may be of interest to the occupants of the automobile 150. In an alternative embodiment, the DRR 155 can retrieve the advertisement for the automobile's manufacture from the buffered content stored in the hard drive of the DRR 155 and the DRR 155 plays the ad.
In step 335, the DRPS 105 transmits the retrieved advertisement to the DRR 155. In one exemplary embodiment, the DRPS 105 transmits the advertisement by passing it from the advertisement database 135 to the transmitter 115, to the antenna 110, and on to the DRR 155, by way of the satellite 195. The DRR 155 receives the advertisement and plays the it on the DRR 155 in step 340. In one exemplary embodiment the DRR 155 receives the advertisement at the DRR antenna 185 and DRR receiver 165 and plays the advertisement by passing the advertisement from the DRR receiver 165 to one or more speakers 190. In step 345, the DRPS 105 transmits a streaming signal for the selected radio feed to the DRR 155. The streaming signal for the channel feed is typically retrieved from the channel feed supply 145 and passed to the transmitter 115 and antenna 110 for transmission to the DRR 155 by way of the satellite 195. In an alternative embodiment the feed for the channel feed is stored in the buffered content in the hard drive of the DRR 155.
The DRR 155 receives the streaming signal for the selected radio feed and plays the streaming signal in step 350. The DRR typically receives the streaming signal at the DRR antenna 185 and passes the signal to the DRR receiver 165, which plays the received streaming signal for the selected radio feed by passing the signal from the DRR receiver 165 to one or more speakers 190. The process then continues to the END step.
In step 425, the DRR 155 transmits a signal that the DRR 155 has been turned on. The DRR 155 typically transmits this information by sending a signal from the DRR transmitter 160 through the DRR antenna 185 to the antenna 110, by way of the satellite 195. The DRPS 105 receives the signal that the DRR 155 has been turned on through the antenna 110 to the receiver 120 in step 427. In step 430, the DRPS 105 retrieves an advertisement from the advertisement database 135 for the automobile's manufacturer. The advertisement for the automobile's manufacture can include, but is not limited to, an advertisement to buy an automobile manufactured by the same manufacturer, a news bulletin sponsored by the manufacturer of the automobile 150, or other information that may be of interest to the occupants of the automobile 150. In another exemplary embodiment, the advertisement is stored in the buffered content of the hard drive of the DRR 155, where it is retrieved by the DRR 155 and played.
In step 435, the DRPS 105 transmits the retrieved advertisement to the DRR 155 by passing it from the advertisement database 135 to the transmitter 115, to the antenna 110, and on to the DRR 155, by way of the satellite 195. The DRR 155 receives the advertisement and plays it on the DRR 155 in step 440 by receiving the advertisement at the DRR antenna 185 and DRR receiver 165 and playing the advertisement on one or more speakers 190. In step 445, the DRPS 105 transmits a streaming signal for the selected radio feed to the DRR 155. The streaming signal for the channel feed is typically retrieved from the channel feed supply 145 and passed to the transmitter 115 and antenna 110 for transmission to the DRR 155 by way of the satellite 195. In an alternative embodiment, the channel feed is stored in the buffer of the hard drive in the DRR 155, retrieved by the DRR 155 and played for the listener.
Returning to the exemplary embodiment, the DRR 155 receives the streaming signal for the selected radio feed at the DRR receiver 165 and plays the streaming signal on one or more speakers 190 in step 450. An inquiry is conducted in step 455 to determine if a predetermined amount of time has passed. The predetermined amount of time can be any amount from zero seconds to an infinite amount of minutes. In one exemplary embodiment, the predetermined amount of time is ten, twenty, and thirty minutes.
The predetermined amount of time can be determined by evaluating the DRR run clock 187 or run clock 142. In one exemplary embodiment, the DRR run clock 187 tracks the amount of time the DRR 155 has been continuously on, or active, for the current session. In another exemplary embodiment, a plurality of run clocks 142 at the DRPS 105 can track the amount of time each DRR 155 has been continuously on, or active, for the current session. In one exemplary embodiment, each run clock 142 is associated with the ID code 175 of a specific DRR 155 when the DRR 155 is initially turned on, or activated, so that the run clock 142 can track the amount of time the DRR 155 has been continuously on, or active, for the current session. In another exemplary embodiment, the DRR run clock 187 or the run clock 142 tracks the amount of time since an advertisement was transmitted to the DRR 155 or retrieved by the DRR 155 from its buffer in the hard drive and played for the listener. In another exemplary embodiment, the DRR run clock 187 or the run clock 142 tracks the amount of time since a particular advertisement was transmitted to the DRR 155. In this embodiment, multiple run clocks 187 or 142 would typically be required for each DRR 155.
The predetermined amount of time is used to control the frequency at which advertisements are played on the DRR 155. In another exemplary embodiment the system 100 uses the time of day to determine when advertisements are played on the DRR 155. For example, a signal to play an advertisement could be sent by the DRPS 105 at fifteen, thirty, and forty-five minutes past the hour and at the change of an hour (i.e. 6:15, 6:30, 6:45, and 7:00) or any other times during a day as selected by the provider of the system 100.
If the predetermined amount of time has not passed, the “NO” branch is followed to step 460, where the DRPS 105 continues transmitting the streaming signal for the selected radio feed to the DRR 155 or the DRR continues to retrieve the buffered feed from the hard drive for the DRR 155. The process then returns to step 455 and continues in a loop until the predetermined amount of time has passed. On the other hand, if the predetermined amount of time has passed, the “YES” branch is followed to step 465. In step 465, an inquiry is conducted to determine if the song or feed segment has concluded. The determination is typically conducted by the DRPS 105. In one exemplary embodiment, the DRPS 105 determines if a song has completed or a segment has ended for the selected radio feed in order that an advertisement is not transmitted during the middle of a song or segment. In another exemplary embodiment, segment breaks are inserted into the streaming signal of the selected radio feed or all radio feeds at once (called “blocking”) so that advertisements can be transmitted intermittently to the DRR 155. Through blocking, the automobile manufacturer can limit the ability of the listener to ad-skip by changing radio stations each time and ad is played by the DRR 155. The segment breaks can be inserted by the digital radio service provider or by the sponsor of a digital radio service that operates a DRPS 105.
If the song or segment has not concluded, the “NO” branch is followed back to step 465, which continues in a loop until the end of a song or segment is reached. Otherwise, the “YES” branch is followed to step 470, where an advertisement is retrieved from the advertisement database 135 and passed to the transmitter 115. In one exemplary embodiment, the advertisements retrieved from the advertisement database 135 can be the same or different from those advertisements previously retrieved at the conclusion of previous predetermined amounts of time and can be the same or different from the advertisement played when the DRR 155 is initially turned on, such as in step 440. In an alternative embodiment, the ad can be retrieved from the buffered database on the hard drive in the DRR 155 and played by the DRR 155. In step 475, the DRPS 105 transmits the retrieved advertisement to the DRR 155. In one exemplary embodiment, the DRPS 105 transmits the advertisement by passing it from the advertisement database 135 to the transmitter 115, to the antenna 110, and on to the DRR 155, by way of the satellite 195.
The DRR 155 receives the advertisement and plays the it on the DRR 155 in step 480. In one exemplary embodiment the DRR 155 receives the advertisement at the DRR antenna 185 and DRR receiver 165 and plays the advertisement by passing the advertisement from the DRR receiver 165 to one or more speakers 190. In step 485, the DRPS 105 transmits a streaming signal for the selected radio feed to the DRR 155. The streaming signal for the channel feed is typically retrieved from the channel feed supply 145 and passed to the transmitter 115 and antenna 110 for transmission to the DRR 155 by way of the satellite 195. In one exemplary embodiment, the DRPS 105 can pause the transmission of the streaming signal to the DRR 155 while the advertisement is played and can continue transmitting the streaming signal to the DRR 155 at the conclusion of the advertisement. In an alternative embodiment, the DRR 155 can pause the playing of the radio feed stored in the buffered database of the hard drive in the DRR 155 to play the ad and then continue retrieving the radio feed from the buffer and playing the buffered feed for the listener.
Returning to the exemplary embodiment, the DRR 155 receives the streaming signal for the selected radio feed and plays the streaming signal in step 490. In step 495, an inquiry is conducted to determine if the DRR 155 has been turned off. In one exemplary embodiment, determining whether the DRR 155 is turned off can be achieved by the DRR 155 transmitting a signal via the DRR transmitter 160 and DRR antenna 185 to the DRPS 105 or by the DRPS 105 pinging the DRR 155 via its transmitter 115 and antenna 110 and either not receiving a response back from the DRR 155 or receiving a response back from the DRR 155 at the receiver 120 through the antenna 110 that the DRR 155 has been turned off. If it is determined that the DRR 155 has not been turned off, the “NO” branch returns to step 455 to determine if the next predetermined amount of time has passed. Otherwise, the “YES” branch is followed to the END step.
In step 510, a signal is transmitted that the selected radio feed has been changed. The signal is typically passed from the front panel display and switches 170 to the DRR transmitter 160 and transmitted through the DRR antenna 185 to the DRPS 105 via the satellite 195. In one exemplary embodiment, an ID code 175 can be transmitted with the signal to the DRPS 105. The signal can then be received by the antenna 110 and passed to the receiver 120. An advertisement is retrieved in step 515. The advertisement can be retrieved from the advertisement database 135. In one exemplary embodiment, the advertisement database 135 is capable of recording a listing of advertisements sent to a particular DRR 135 by associating the advertisement sent with the ID code 175 of the DRR 155. This embodiment can be used to limit the number of repeat advertisements or limit the amount of times a particular advertisement is transmitted to a specific DRR 155. In an alternative embodiment, the advertisement can be retrieved by the DRR 155 from the buffered database of ads on the hard drive of the DRR 155.
In step 520, the DRPS 105 transmits the retrieved advertisement to the DRR 155 by passing it from the advertisement database 135 to the transmitter 115, to the antenna 110, and on to the DRR 155, by way of the satellite 195. The DRR 155 receives the advertisement and plays it on the DRR 155 in step 525. In step 530, the DRPS 105 transmits a streaming signal for the newly selected radio feed to the DRR 155. The streaming signal for the newly selected radio feed is typically retrieved from the channel feed supply 145 and passed to the transmitter 115 and antenna 110 for transmission to the DRR 155 by way of the satellite 195. The DRR 155 receives the streaming signal for the selected radio feed and plays the streaming signal in step 535. In an alternative embodiment, the newly selected radio feed can be retrieved from the buffered database of radio feeds stored on the hard drive in the DRR 155 and played by the DRR 155. The process then continues to the END step.
In step 610, a signal is transmitted that the selected radio feed has been changed. The signal is typically passed from the front panel display and switches 170 to the DRR transmitter 160 and transmitted through the DRR antenna 185 to the DRPS 105 via the satellite 195. In one exemplary embodiment, an ID code 175 can be transmitted with the signal to the DRPS 105. The signal can then be received by the antenna 110 and passed to the receiver 120. In step 615, an inquiry is conducted to determine if an advertisement has been played on the DRR 155 in a predetermined amount of time. The predetermined amount of time can be determined by evaluating the DRR run clock 187 or run clock 142.
In one exemplary embodiment, the DRR run clock 187 tracks the amount of time the DRR 155 has been continuously on, or active, for the current session. In another exemplary embodiment, a plurality of run clocks 142 at the DRPS 105 can track the amount of time each DRR 155 has been continuously on, or active, for the current session. In another exemplary embodiment, each run clock 142 is associated with the ID code 175 of a specific DRR 155 when the DRR 155 is initially turned on, or activated, so that the run clock 142 can track the amount of time the DRR 155 has been continuously on, or active, for the current session. In another exemplary embodiment, the DRR run clock 187 and/or the run clock 142 can track the amount of time since the last advertisement was transmitted to the DRR 155. In this exemplary embodiment, the determination of step 615 can be made by comparing the set predetermined amount of time to the amount of time since the last advertisement was transmitted to the DRR 155.
In another exemplary embodiment, when an advertisement is retrieved from the advertisement database 135, or from the buffered database in the hard drive for the DRR 155, it can record the identity of the advertisement, the ID code 175 of the DRR 155 and the time that the advertisement was transmitted. In this exemplary embodiment, the determination of step 615 can be accomplished by comparing the set predetermined amount of time to the difference in current time and the time that an advertisement was last transmitted to the DRR 155 having the received ID code 175.
If an advertisement has not been played in a predetermined amount of time, the “NO” branch is followed to step 620. Otherwise, the “YES” branch is followed to step 635. In step 620, an advertisement is retrieved from the advertisement database 135. In one exemplary embodiment, the advertisement database 135 is capable of recording a listing of advertisements sent to a particular DRR 135 by associating the advertisement sent with the ID code 175 of the DRR 155. This embodiment can be used to limit the number of repeat advertisements or limit the amount of times a particular advertisement is transmitted to a specific DRR 155.
In step 625, the DRPS 105 transmits the retrieved advertisement to the DRR 155 by passing it from the advertisement database 135 to the transmitter 115, to the antenna 110, and on to the DRR 155, by way of the satellite 195. The DRR 155 receives the advertisement and plays the it on the DRR 155 in step 630. In step 635, the DRPS 105 transmits a streaming signal for the newly selected radio feed to the DRR 155. The streaming signal for the newly selected channel feed is typically retrieved from the channel feed supply 145 and passed to the transmitter 115 and antenna 110 for transmission to the DRR 155 by way of the satellite 195. The DRR 155 receives the streaming signal for the selected radio feed and plays the streaming signal in step 640. In another exemplary embodiment, the streaming signal is retrieved from the stored buffer in the hard drive of the DRR 155 by the DRR 155 and played for the listener. The process then continues to the END step.
In step 712, the DRR 155 transmits a signal to the DRPS 105 that the DRR 155 has been turned on. The DRR 155 typically transmits this information by sending a signal from the DRR transmitter 160 through the DRR antenna 185 to the antenna 110, by way of the satellite 195. In step 714, the ID code 175 is accepted from the DRR 155 at the DRPS 105. In step 716, the DRPS 105 determines the sponsor of the digital radio service 100 for the DRR 155. In one exemplary embodiment, the advertisement database 135, the consumer preferences and demographics database 125, or some other database in the DRPS 105 can include a table that provides a listing of ID codes 175 and the sponsor of the service for the DRR 155 having the particular ID code 175. In step 718, the DRPS 105 retrieves an advertisement from the advertisement database 135 for the sponsor of the digital radio service 100 based on the determination made in step 716. The advertisement for the sponsor can include, but is not limited to, an advertisement to buy a product or products offered or manufactured by the sponsor, a news bulletin sponsored by the sponsor of the digital radio service 100, or other information that may be of interest to the occupants of the automobile 150.
In step 720, the DRPS 105 transmits the retrieved advertisement to the DRR 155 by passing it from the advertisement database 135 to the transmitter 115, to the antenna 110, and on to the DRR 155, by way of the satellite 195. The DRR 155 receives the advertisement related to the sponsor and plays the it on the DRR 155 in step 722 by receiving the advertisement at the DRR antenna 185 and DRR receiver 165 and playing the advertisement on one or more speakers 190. In step 724, the DRPS 105 transmits a streaming signal for the selected radio feed to the DRR 155. The streaming signal for the channel feed is typically retrieved from the channel feed supply 145 and passed to the transmitter 115 and antenna 110 for transmission to the DRR 155 by way of the satellite 195.
The DRR 155 receives the streaming signal for the selected radio feed at the DRR receiver 165 through the DRR antenna 185 in step 726. In step 728, the DRR 155 plays the streaming signal for the selected radio feed on one or more speakers 190. An inquiry is conducted in step 730 to determine if a predetermined amount of time has passed. The predetermined amount of time is used to control the frequency at which advertisements are played on the DRR 155. The predetermined amount of time can be any amount from zero seconds to an infinite amount of minutes. In one exemplary embodiment, the predetermined amount of time is ten, twenty and thirty minutes.
The predetermined amount of time can be determined by evaluating the DRR run clock 187 or run clock 142. In one exemplary embodiment, the DRR run clock 187 tracks the amount of time the DRR 155 has been continuously on, or active, for the current session. In another exemplary embodiment, a plurality of run clocks 142 at the DRPS 105 can track the amount of time each DRR 155 has been continuously on, or active, for the current session. In another exemplary embodiment, each run clock 142 is associated with the ID code 175 of a specific DRR 155 when the DRR 155 is initially turned on, or activated, so that the run clock 142 can track the amount of time the DRR 155 has been continuously on, or active, for the current session.
In another exemplary embodiment, a table in the advertisement database 135, consumer preferences and demographics database 125, or some other database in the DRPS 105 or DRR 155 records the time of each advertisement transmitted to a DRR 155 and the ID code 175. In this embodiment, the amount of time since the last advertisement was sent to the DRR 155 having a particular ID code 175 can be determined by subtracting the last entry in the table from the current time. In this embodiment, the table can also include a listing or code denoting which advertisement was transmitted to the DRR 155 so that the same advertisement will not be repeated at too frequent a rate and so that a variety of advertisements and information is transmitted to the DRR 155.
In another exemplary embodiment the system 100 uses the time of day to determine when advertisements are played on the DRR 155. For example, a signal to play an advertisement could be sent by the DRPS 105 at fifteen, thirty, and forty-five minutes past the hour and at the change of an hour (i.e. 6:15, 6:30, 6:45, and 7:00) or any other time during a day as selected by the provider of the system 100.
If the predetermined amount of time has not passed, the “NO” branch is followed to step 732, where the DRPS 105 continues transmitting the streaming signal for the selected radio feed to the DRR 155 or the DRR 155 continues to retrieve the buffered feed from the hard drive in the DRR 155. The process then returns to step 730 and continues in a loop until the predetermined amount of time has passed. On the other hand, if the predetermined amount of time has passed, the “YES” branch is followed to step 734. In step 734, an inquiry is conducted to determine if the song or feed segment has concluded. The determination is typically conducted by the DRPS 105. In one exemplary embodiment, the DRPS 105 determines if a song has completed or a segment has ended for the selected radio feed so that an advertisement is not transmitted during the middle of a song or segment.
If the song or segment has not concluded, the “NO” branch is followed back to step 734, which continues in a loop until the end of a song or segment is reached. Otherwise, the “YES” branch is followed to step 736, where the ID code 175 is accepted by the DRPS 105 from the DRR 155. In step 738, the sponsor of the digital radio service 100 is determined by evaluating the ID code in a process similar to that of step 716. In step 740, an advertisement related to the sponsor of the digital radio service 100 is retrieved from the advertisement database 135 and passed to the transmitter 115. In one exemplary embodiment, the advertisements retrieved from the advertisement database 135 or stored in a buffer in the hard drive for the DRR 155 can be the same or different from those advertisements previously retrieved at the conclusion of previous predetermined amount of time and can be the same or different from the advertisement played when the DRR 155 is initially turned on, such as in step 722.
In step 742, the DRPS 105 transmits the retrieved advertisement to the DRR 155. The DRR 155 receives the advertisement and plays it on the DRR 155 in step 744. In an alternative embodiment, the DRR 155 retrieves the advertisement from the buffer in the hard drive in the DRR 155. In step 746, the DRPS 105 transmits a streaming signal for the selected radio feed to the DRR 155. The streaming signal for the channel feed is typically retrieved from the channel feed supply 145 and passed to the transmitter 115 and antenna 110 for transmission to the DRR 155 by way of the satellite 195. The DRR 155 receives the streaming signal for the selected radio feed in step 748. In step 750, the DRR 155 plays the streaming signal. The process is then followed to the END step. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the invention of
In step 815, the automobile 150 containing the DRR 155 is sold to a consumer. The automobile 150 is typically sold to the consumer at an automobile dealership. Demographic information about the consumer who purchased the automobile is obtained in step 820. The demographic information can be obtained by directly requesting this information from the consumer or by obtaining the demographic information from a third party based on basic information provided by the consumer, such as name and address. In one exemplary embodiment, demographic information can include, race, age, political affiliation, median income, and family demographics.
In step 825, consumer preference data related to the consumer is obtained. Consumer preference data can be obtained by directly requesting this information from the consumer at the time of purchase at a dealership, through surveys that are mailed to the consumer after the purchase of the automobile 150, through on-line or telephonic surveys of the consumer after the purchase of the automobile 150, or by obtaining the consumer preference information from a third party based on basic information provided by the consumer at the time of purchase. Consumer preference information can include, but is not limited to, preferences of the consumer or their family related to models of automobiles, clothing, music preferences, cell phone and other technology preferences, and retail store preferences. The information obtained in steps 820 and 825 can be stored in the consumer preferences and demographics database 125, which can be located in the DRPS 105 or the DRR 155 (Not Shown). Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the invention could operate in a similar fashion by obtaining either the demographic information or the consumer preference information or both types of information.
The DRR 155 detects that it has been turned on, or activated, in step 830. In one exemplary embodiment, the DRR 155 detects that it has been turned on when an occupant in the automobile 150 turns a power knob or pushes a power button on the front panel display and switches 170. In step 835, the DRR 155 transmits a signal that the DRR 155 has been turned on. The DRR typically transmits this information by sending a signal from the DRR transmitter 160 through the DRR antenna 185 to the antenna 110, by way of the satellite 195. The DRPS 105 then receives the signal that the DRR 155 has been turned on through the antenna 110 to the receiver 120. In step 840, the DRPS 105 accepts the ID code 175 from the DRR 155. The ID code is typically transmitted from the DRR transmitter 160 through the DRR antenna 185 to the DRPS 105, by way of the satellite 195, through the antenna 110 and receiver 120.
The consumer's consumer preferences and demographics can be evaluated based on the accepted ID code 175 in step 845. In one exemplary embodiment, the ID code 175 is compared to a table of ID codes 175 in the consumer preferences and demographics database 125. The ID code 175 in the consumer preferences and demographics database 125 that matches the accepted ID code 175, will provide a table of preferences and demographics for the consumer of that automobile 150. Based on the preferences and demographics of the particular consumer, targeted advertisements can be retrieved from the advertisement database 135 in step 850. In one exemplary embodiment, the advertisement database 135 or the consumer preferences and demographics database 125 could also contain a listing by ID code 175 of the previous advertisements sent to a particular DRR 155, in order to limit the repetitiveness of the advertisements transmitted to a particular DRR 155.
In step 855, the DRPS 105 transmits the retrieved advertisement to the DRR 155 by passing it from the advertisement database 135 to the transmitter 115, to the antenna 110, and on to the DRR 155, by way of the satellite 195. In an alternative embodiment, the advertisements and radio feeds can be buffered in the hard drive of the DRR 155 and played at a subsequent time. The DRR 155 receives the advertisement and plays it on the DRR 155 in step 860 by receiving the advertisement at the DRR antenna 185 and DRR receiver 165 and playing the advertisement by passing the advertisement from the DRR receiver 165 to one or more speakers 190. In step 865, the DRPS 105 transmits a streaming signal for the selected radio feed to the DRR 155. The streaming signal for the radio feed is typically retrieved from the channel feed supply 145 and passed to the transmitter 115 and antenna 110 for transmission to the DRR 155 by way of the satellite 195. In an alternative embodiment, the radio feed is retrieved by the DRR 155 from the buffer in the hard drive for the DRR 155 and played for the listener.
Returning to the exemplary embodiment, the DRR 155 receives the streaming signal for the selected radio feed and plays the streaming signal in step 870 by receiving the streaming signal at the DRR antenna 185 and passing the signal to the DRR receiver 165, which begins playing the received streaming signal for the selected radio feed by passing the signal from the DRR receiver 165 to one or more speakers 190. The process then continues to the END step. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the invention described in
In step 925, the DRR 155 transmits a signal that the DRR 155 has been turned on. The DRR 155 typically transmits this information by sending a signal from the DRR transmitter 160 through the DRR antenna 185 to the antenna 110, by way of the satellite 195. The DRPS 105 receives the signal that the DRR 155 has been turned on through the antenna 110 to the receiver 120 in step 927. In step 930, the DRPS 105 retrieves an advertisement from the advertisement database 135 for the automobile's manufacturer. The advertisement for the automobile's manufacture can include, but is not limited to, an advertisement to buy an automobile manufactured by the same manufacturer, a news bulletin sponsored by the manufacturer of the automobile 150, or other information that may be of interest to the occupants of the automobile 150.
In step 935, the DRPS 105 transmits the retrieved advertisement to the DRR 155 by passing it from the advertisement database 135 to the transmitter 115, to the antenna 110, and on to the DRR 155, by way of the satellite 195. The DRR 155 receives the advertisement and plays the it on the DRR 155 in step 940 by receiving the advertisement at the DRR antenna 185 and DRR receiver 165 and playing the advertisement on one or more speakers 190. In step 945, the DRPS 105 transmits a streaming signal for the selected radio feed to the DRR 155. The streaming signal for the channel feed is typically retrieved from the channel feed supply 145 and passed to the transmitter 115 and antenna 110 for transmission to the DRR 155 by way of the satellite 195.
The DRR 155 receives the streaming signal for the selected radio feed at the DRR receiver 165 and plays the streaming signal on one or more speakers 190 in step 950. In step 951, the DRPS accepts the ID code 175 from the DRR 155. The age or model year of the automobile is determined in step 952. In one exemplary embodiment, the advertisement database 135, the consumer preferences and demographics database 125, or some other database in the DRPS 105 or the DRR 155 can store a table having the ID code 175 and the age or model year of the automobile 150. If the model year is included in the table, the age of the vehicle can typically be determined by subtracting the model year from the current calendar year, or in the alternative, the current model year. In step 953, a determination is made as to whether a predetermined amount of time has passed based on the age of the automobile 150. In one exemplary embodiment, the age of the automobile can be compared to a table in the advertisement database 135, the consumer preferences and demographics database 125, or some other database in the DRPS 105 or DRR 155. The table will typically include the age of the automobile 150 and the predetermined amount of time between advertisements for a new automobile from the manufacturer. Typically, the predetermined amount of time between advertisements for the purchase of a new or used automobile from the manufacturer will decrease as the automobile 150 gets older.
An inquiry is conducted in step 955 to determine if a predetermined amount of time has passed. The predetermined amount of time can be any amount from zero seconds to an infinite amount of minutes. The predetermined amount of time can be determined by evaluating the DRR run clock 187 or run clock 142. In one exemplary embodiment, the DRR run clock 187 tracks the amount of time the DRR 155 has been continuously on, or active, for the current session. In another exemplary embodiment, a plurality of run clocks 142 at the DRPS 105 can track the amount of time each DRR 155 has been continuously on, or active, for the current session. In another exemplary embodiment the system 100 uses the time of day to determine when advertisements are played on the DRR 155. For example, a signal to play an advertisement could be sent by the DRPS 105 at fifteen, thirty, and forty-five minutes past the hour and at the change of an hour (i.e. 6:15, 6:30, 6:45, and 7:00) or any other time during a day, as selected by the provider of the system 100. In another exemplary embodiment, each run clock 142 is associated with the ID code 175 of a specific DRR 155 when the DRR 155 is initially turned on, or activated, so that the run clock 142 can track the amount of time the DRR 155 has been continuously on, or active, for the current session. In another exemplary embodiment, each run clock 142 is associated with the ID code 175 of a specific DRR 155, when the DRR 155 is initially turned on, and the run clock 142 tracks the amount of time since the last advertisement for a new automobile was transmitted to that DRR 155. In another exemplary embodiment a table can be created in the advertisement database 135, the consumer preferences and demographics database 125, or some other database in the DRPS 105 or DRR 155 that contains the ID code 175 and the time the last advertisement for a new automobile was transmitted to that DRR 155. The amount of time between advertisements could then be calculated by subtracting the time provided in the table from the current time.
If the predetermined amount of time has not passed, the “NO” branch is followed to step 960, where the DRPS 105 continues transmitting the streaming signal for the selected radio feed to the DRR 155. The process then returns to step 955 and continues in a loop until the predetermined amount of time has passed. On the other hand, if the predetermined amount of time has passed, the “YES” branch is followed to step 965. In step 965, an inquiry is conducted to determine if the song or feed segment has concluded. The determination is typically conducted by the DRPS 105. If the song or segment has not concluded, the “NO” branch is followed back to step 965, which continues in a loop until the end of a song or segment is reached. Otherwise, the “YES” branch is followed to step 970, where an advertisement for the purchase of a new automobile from the manufacturer of the automobile 150 is retrieved from the advertisement database 135 and passed to the transmitter 115. In one exemplary embodiment, the advertisements retrieved from the advertisement database 135 can be the same or different from those advertisements previously retrieved at the conclusion of previous predetermined amounts of time and can be the same or different from the advertisement played when the DRR 155 is initially turned on, such as in step 940. In step 975, the DRPS 105 transmits the retrieved advertisement to the DRR 155.
The DRR 155 receives the advertisement and plays it on the DRR 155 in step 980. In step 985, the DRPS 105 transmits a streaming signal for the selected radio feed to the DRR 155. The DRR 155 receives the streaming signal for the selected radio feed and plays the streaming signal in step 990. In step 995, an inquiry is conducted to determine if the DRR 155 has been turned off. In one exemplary embodiment determining whether the DRR 155 is turned off can be achieved by the DRR 155 transmitting a signal via the DRR transmitter 160 and DRR antenna 185 to the DRPS 105 or by the DRPS 105 pinging the DRR 155 via its transmitter 115 and antenna 110 and either not receiving a response back from the DRR 155 or receiving a response back from the DRR 155 at the receiver 120 through the antenna 110 that the DRR 155 has been turned off. If it is determined that the DRR 155 has not been turned off, the “NO” branch returns to step 955 to determine if the next predetermined amount of time has passed. Otherwise, the “YES” branch is followed to the END step.
In another exemplary embodiment, an automobile manufacturer could enter into an agreement with a digital satellite or Internet service provider. As part of this agreement, the service provider would stream about multiple types of radio station genres to cars manufactured by the automobile manufacturer. Also, as part of the agreement, the cost of the receiver units can be all or partially subsidized by the automobile manufacture and/or the service provider. While the radio feeds would be national, the service provider could insert breaks within the national content that would allow for local insertion of local news, weather, traffic information, and ads controlled by the automobile manufacturer. The service provider would even have the capability to block the breaks for each channel feed so that they occur at the same time. By blocking the breaks, the automobile manufacturer can deliver its local information and ads from a single local provider, selected by the automobile manufacturer. Furthermore, by blocking the breaks for all of the channel feeds at the same time, the occupants of the automobile 150 will have a more difficult time ad-skipping by switching channel feeds, since each feed will be playing the same local information, including local advertisements, at the same time.
In another exemplary embodiment, an automobile manufacturer could enter into an agreement with a digital satellite or Internet service provider. As part of this agreement, the service provider would stream several types of radio station genres on an ad-free basis to cars manufactured by the automobile manufacturer. While not playing conventional advertisements, disc jockeys for each radio genre could provide additional advertising value for the automobile manufacturer by “plugging” the automobile manufacturer or reminding the listener that the free digital radio and ad free content that they are listening to was brought to them by the automobile manufacturer. For example, the disc jockey could say, “you're listening to XYZ (name of the automobile manufacturer) radio, maker's of the new FLASH model featuring xenon lights and Freon-free air conditioning and starting at a price of $19,900.”
While not having the ability to provide standard advertisements, the exemplary method, at a minimum, eliminates a competing automobile manufacturer from being able to broadcast advertisements in the automobile while still allowing the automobile manufacturer to provide its advertising messages through the disc jockey's comments. Such an exemplary method locks the competition out of the advertising space within the automobile, while providing the automobile manufacturer the capability of being the sole advertiser in the automobile for as long as the automobile is in use. The exemplary method allows an automobile manufacturer to spend approximately four hundred dollars per car in advertising (for the cost of the DRR 155) while reducing the automobile manufacturer's costs elsewhere by having a more focused advertising audience. The subsequent reduction in advertising expenditures can then be put towards subsidizing the installation of the DRR equipment and broadcast fees.
In conclusion, the present invention supports a method for transmitting targeted advertising from the manufacturer of an automobile to a digital radio receiver installed in an automobile manufactured by the manufacturer. Furthermore, the present invention supports a method for increasing the amount of targeted advertising from the manufacturer to a digital radio receiver installed in an automobile as the automobile ages. The present invention further supports a method obtaining demographic and consumer preference information for the purchaser of an automobile having a digital radio receiver and transmitting targeted advertising based on the demographic and consumer preference information. The present invention further supports a method for obtaining sponsorship for a digital radio service and providing targeted advertising related to the sponsor to the digital radio receivers subsidized by the sponsor. The present invention further supports a method for providing a digital radio receiver and a plurality of channel feeds in an automobile without commercial interruption by an automobile manufacturer and presenting the occupants in the automobile with periodic reminders by a disc jockey or other voice over that the commercial free radio is provided by the automobile manufacturer and presenting information about products provided by the automobile manufacturer. It will be appreciated that the present invention fulfills the needs of the prior art described herein and meets the above-stated objectives. While there have been shown and described several exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims and equivalence thereof.
