System to synchronize and access broadcast information

Abstract

The system enables listeners and viewers of a broadcast to access additional information associated with a broadcast. Listeners and viewers utilize a user device to connect to a database containing program descriptions (e.g. audio, text, video or combination thereof) further describing the programming and ancillary information. The database is indexed by the broadcast's program list or schedule thereby allowing a user of the system to search and select a particular program description of interest. Hearing or viewing program descriptions enables users to preview excerpts and review a broadcast before purchasing an item heard or viewed on a broadcast.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An information system for use in connection with a broadcast signal for providing access to program description information which is related to content of the broadcast signal, the system comprising:
 a broadcast signal source for broadcasting at least one broadcast signal, the broadcast signal including a selection signal, wherein the selection signal facilitates the recording of program description information from the broadcast signal;   a program description source;   a plurality of terminals, each of the plurality of terminals including:
 a receiver for receiving information from the program description source, 
 a request generator for generating a request for the information to be received from the program description source, the request including broadcast identifier information for the broadcast signal being broadcast, and 
 a transmitting device for transmitting the request for the information; and 
   a network for receiving the information from the program description source, and distributing the information to the receiver of at least one of the plurality of terminals that has transmitted the request for the information, the network including:
 a receiver for receiving the request for the information from the at least one of the plurality of terminals, 
 a data processor responsive to receipt of the request for the information from the at least one of the plurality of terminals, and employing the broadcast identifier information for accessing the information from the program description source, content of which is related to the content of the broadcast signal; and 
 a transmission device for transmitting the related information to the at least one of the plurality of terminals from which the request was received. 
   
     
     
         2 . A method for recording content of a broadcast, the method comprising:
 receiving at least one broadcast signal, the broadcast signal comprising a selection signal, wherein the selection signal is associated with the content of the broadcast;   detecting from the received broadcast signal the selection signal, wherein the selection signal comprises information used to control the recording of the content of the broadcast signal; and   controlling the recording of the content of the broadcast according to the detected information.   
     
     
         3 . A method for recording content of a broadcast, the method comprising:
 receiving a program schedule associated with the broadcast from a remote entity;   selecting an entry from the program schedule to be recorded;   determining a current time; and   controlling the recording of the content of the broadcast according to the program schedule and the current time.