System for searching a data base for information associated with broadcast segments based upon broadcast time

Abstract

A play list comprising the names of music pieces broadcasted from a broadcast station and broadcast time information are accumulated in a data base. If a user likes a music piece broadcasted from the broadcast station, he activates a book marker which stores time information representing the time at which the book marker is activated. The time information is supplied through a gateway device to a search engine which searches the data base for those broadcast stations in the user's geographic area which broadcasted music pieces or the like at a time that matches the time information. The search results are transmitted to the gateway device and displayed.

1. A search system for searching data bases for information associated with segments of broadcast information comprising:
 a portable input device including a storage means for storing time information representing a broadcast time at which a segment is broadcast;  
 communication means for transmitting the time information stored in said storage means;  
 a broadcast data base for storing in a computer readable medium the segments of broadcast information and related information, wherein said segments are registered in said data base during or after said broadcast;  
 a search device including a content data base for accumulating data representing said segments and the broadcast times of respective segments a processor configured to access data from the contents database; and  
 search means for receiving the time information transmitted by said communication means to search said broadcast data base and said content data base for information associated with those  a plurality of segments having broadcast times corresponding to the received time information.  
 
     
     
       2. The search system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said input device further includes identification information storage means for storing identification information to uniquely identify said input device. 
     
     
       3. The search system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said input device further includes means for providing user information identifying the user of said input device; said identification and user information being transmitted with said time information by said communication means. 
     
     
       4. The search system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said search device further includes user information accumulating means for accumulating the identification information and the user information; and said search means searches said information associated with said segments on the basis of the received time information and the identification and user information which is transmitted together with the time information from said communication means. 
     
     
       5. The search system as claimed in  claim 1 , further including: a gateway device for interactively communicating with said search device to transmit to said search device the time information used by said search means for searching said data base and to which search results from said search means are transmitted; and
 an interface for connecting said input device and said gateway device and through which the time information from said input device is transmitted.  
 
     
     
       6. The search system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said interface is a USB interface. 
     
     
       7. The search system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said interface is an infrared-ray interface. 
     
     
       8. The search system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said interface is an IEEE-1394 interface. 
     
     
       9. The search system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said interface is an RS-232C interface. 
     
     
       10. The search system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein when said input device and said gateway device are connected to each other by said interface, the time information is automatically transmitted from said input device through said interface to said gateway device, and thence from said gateway device to said search device. 
     
     
       11. The search system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said input device includes a receiver for receiving said broadcast segment, and a common housing for said receiver. 
     
     
       12. The search system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said receiver provides information of a broadcast station over which said broadcast segment is received; wherein said communication means transmits said broadcast station information together with the time information to said search device, and wherein said search means searches said data base for said information associated with said segments on the basis of the broadcast station information and the time information. 
     
     
       13. The search system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said receiver is a radio receiver. 
     
     
       14. The search system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said receiver is a television receiver. 
     
     
       15. The search system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said receiver is a digital broadcast receiver. 
     
     
       16. The search system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said input device includes a portable telephone device, and a common housing for said portable telephone device. 
     
     
       17. The search system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said input device is implemented by computer software. 
     
     
       18. A search device for searching data bases for information associated with segments of broadcast information comprising:
 a broadcast data base implemented in a computer readable medium for storing the segments of broadcast information and related information;  
 accumulating means for accumulating a content data base representing said segments and broadcast times at which respective segments are broadcasted, wherein said segments are registered in said data base during or after said broadcast; and  
 search means for searching the broadcast and content data bases for information associated with those  a plurality of segments having broadcast times corresponding to time information which is input from a portable input device and represents the broadcast time at which a segment is broadcasted, said search means including a computer processor.  
 
     
     
       19. The search device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said input device includes identification information storage means for storing identification information to uniquely identify said input device. 
     
     
       20. The search device as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said input device further includes means for providing user information identifying the user of said input device, said identification and user information being input to said search device. 
     
     
       21. The search device as claimed in  claim 20 , further including user information accumulating means for accumulating the identification information and the user information and wherein said search means searches said information associated with said segments on the basis of the time information input by said input device and the identification and user information of said input device. 
     
     
       22. A portable input device for searching a broadcast data base for storing segments of broadcast information and related information and a content data base having accumulation means for accumulating information representing broadcast segments and broadcast times at which the segments are broadcasted, said input, device inputting time information to a search device for searching said broadcast and content data bases for information associated with a broadcast segment on the basis of the broadcast time at which the segment is broadcasted, comprising:
 storage means implemented in a computer readable medium for storing at least the time information representing the broadcast time at which the segment was broadcasted, wherein said segments are registered in said data base during or after said broadcast, by a computer processor; and  
 communication means for transmitting the time information stored in said storage means.  
 
     
     
       23. The input device as claimed in  claim 22 , further including identification information storage means for storing identification information to uniquely identify said input device. 
     
     
       24. The input device as claimed in  claim 22 , further including a connection interface for interactive communication with a search device for searching said data base for information associated with a broadcast segment on the basis of time information transmitted to said search device, said connection interface connecting said communication means and a gateway device to which search results of said search device are transmitted, wherein said time information is transmitted from said communication means through said interface to said gateway device and thence to said search device. 
     
     
       25. The input device as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said interface is a USB communication interface. 
     
     
       26. The input device as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said interface is an infrared ray communication interface. 
     
     
       27. The input device as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said interface is an IEEE-1394 interface. 
     
     
       28. The input device as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said interface is an RS-232C interface. 
     
     
       29. The input device as claimed in  claim 24  wherein when said input device and said gateway device are connected by said interface, the time information is automatically transmitted from said input device through said interface to said gateway device, and thence from said gateway device to said search device. 
     
     
       30. The input device as claimed in  claim 22 , including a common housing, and further including a receiver disposed in said housing for receiving said broadcast segment. 
     
     
       31. The input device as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein said receiver is an electromagnetic wave receiver. 
     
     
       32. The input device as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein said receiver provides said input device with information of a broadcast station over which said broadcast segment is received, said communication means transmitting the broadcast station information together with the time information. 
     
     
       33. The input device as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein said receiver is a radio receiver. 
     
     
       34. The input device as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein said receiver is a television receiver. 
     
     
       35. The input device as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein said receiver is a digital broadcast receiver. 
     
     
       36. The input device as claimed in  claim 31 , including a common housing, and wherein said receiver is a portable telephone device disposed in said housing. 
     
     
       37. The input device as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said input device is implemented by computer software. 
     
     
       38. A portable input device for searching a broadcast data base for storing segments of broadcast information and related information and a content data base having accumulation means for accumulating information representing broadcast segments and broadcast times at which the segments are broadcasted, wherein said segments are registered in said data base during or after said broadcast, said input device inputting information corresponding to the broadcast time to a search device for searching said broadcast and content data bases for information associated with a broadcast segment, said input device comprising:
 a counter which counts predetermined clock signals;  
 storage means implemented in a computer readable medium for storing a count value of said counter at a time when a segment is broadcasted; and  
 communication means for transmitting the count value stored in said storage means said communication means including a processor.  
 
     
     
       39. The input device as claimed in  claim 38 , further including identification information storage means for storing identification information to uniquely identify said input device. 
     
     
       40. The input device as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein said input information corresponding to broadcast time is determined by said search device as a function of the count value stored in said storage means and the count value of said counter at the time of transmission by said communication means. 
     
     
       41. The input device as claimed in  claim 38 , further comprising a connection interface for interactive communication with a search device for searching said data base for information associated with a broadcast segment on the basis of time information supplied to said search device, said interface connecting said communication means and a gateway device to which search results of said search device are transmitted, wherein said count value is transmitted from said communication means through said interface to said gateway device, the count value of the counter at the time of transmission is transmitted to said gateway device, said gateway device determines first time information corresponding to the count value and second time information corresponding to the count value at the time of transmission, and the first and second time information are transmitted from said gateway device to said search device. 
     
     
       42. The input device as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein said interface is a USB interface. 
     
     
       43. The input device as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein said interface is an infrared ray communication interface. 
     
     
       44. The input device as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein said interface is an IEEE-1394 interface. 
     
     
       45. The input device as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein said interface is an RS-232C interface. 
     
     
       46. The input device as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the count value and the count value at the time of transmission are automatically transmitted from said input device through said interface to said gateway device and from said gateway device to said search device when said gateway device and said input device are connected to each other by said interface. 
     
     
       47. The input device as claimed in  claim 38 , including a common housing, and further including a receiver disposed in said housing for receiving said broadcast segment. 
     
     
       48. The input device as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein said receiver is an electromagnetic wave receiver. 
     
     
       49. The input device as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein said receiver provides said input device with information of a broadcast station over which said broadcast segment is received, said communication means transmitting the broadcast station information together with the count value and the count value at the time of transmission. 
     
     
       50. The input device as claimed in  claim 48  wherein said receiver is a radio receiver. 
     
     
       51. The input device as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein said receiver is a television receiver. 
     
     
       52. The input device as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein said receiver is a digital broadcast receiver. 
     
     
       53. The input device as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein said receiver is a portable telephone device. 
     
     
       54. The input device as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein said input device is implemented by computer software. 
     
     
       55. A system for searching a broadcast data base for storing segments of broadcast information and related information and a content data base for information associated with music pieces broadcasted by a broadcast station, said data bases storing a play list of music pieces broadcasted by different broadcast stations at respective times, comprising:
 a portable book marker operable by a user to store in a computer readable medium information representing the time at which the book marker is operated;  
 a transmitter for transmitting the stored time information together with user identification (ID) information; and  
 a search engine including a computer processor for receiving the transmitted time and ID information and for searching said broadcast and content data bases as a function of said time and ID information to select information associated with music pieces that were broadcasted by a set of broadcast stations at a time that matches said time information, wherein said segments are registered in said data base during or after said broadcast.  
 
     
     
       56. The system of  claim 55  further including a display for displaying the selected information. 
     
     
       57. A method of searching data bases for information associated with segments of broadcast information comprising the steps of:
 accumulating a broadcast data base for storing in a computer readable medium the segments of broadcast information and related information;  
 accumulating a content data base representing said segments and broadcast times of respective segments, wherein said segments are registered in said data base during or after said broadcast;  
 registering time information representing the broadcast time at which a user-desired segment is broadcast in a portable input device: 
 transmitting the registered time information to a data base search engine; and  
 using the transmitted time information to search with a computer processor said broadcast and content data bases for information associated with those  a plurality of segments having broadcast times which match the registered time information.  
 
 
     
     
       58. A method of searching a broadcast data base for storing segments of broadcast information and related information and a content data base for information associated with segments of broadcast information comprising the steps of:
 accumulating a broadcast data base implemented with a computer readable medium for storing the segments of broadcast information and related information,  
 accumulating a content data base representing said segments and broadcast times at which respective segments are broadcasted, wherein said segments are registered in said data base during or after said broadcast;  
 searching with a computer processor the broadcast and content data bases for information associated with those  a plurality of segments having broadcast times which match time information that is input by a user through a portable input device, and that represents the broadcast time at which a user-desired segment is broadcasted.  
 
     
     
       59. A method of inputting search parameters for searching a broadcast data base for storing segments of broadcast information and related information and a content data base comprised of information representing broadcast segments, broadcast times at which segments are broadcasted and broadcast stations over which the segments are broadcasted, said method comprising the steps of:
 registering, in a computer readable medium of a portable input device, at least time information representing the broadcast time at which a user-desired segment is broadcasted; and  
 transmitting as data base search parameters the registered time information, user identification information and geographic area information representing the geographic area at which said user is located, wherein said segments are registered in said data base during or after said broadcast.  
 
     
     
       60. The method of  claim 59  wherein said step of registering includes the step of detecting the identity of the broadcast station over which said user-desired segment is broadcasted, the broadcast station information identity being transmitted as a search parameter together with the time information. 
     
     
       61. The method of  claim 59  wherein said step of registering time information comprises counting predetermined clock signals storing a first count value at the time said user-desired segment is broadcasted, producing a second count value at the time said search parameters are transmitted, and calculating time information as a function of said first and second count values. 
     
     
       62. A search system for searching related information associated with a broadcast content, comprising:
   a communication apparatus including:        an operation unit having a computer processor,        a counter, and        a communication unit configured to transmit a count value by said counter to a search apparatus, said count value being used for generating a differential time between an operate time of said operation unit and a transmission time of said count value;        the search apparatus including:        a timer configured to output a current time,        a storage device implemented with a computer readable medium configured to store related information associated with said broadcast content and a broadcast time of said broadcast content,        a differential time generator configured to generate said differential time according to said count value transmitted from said communication unit,        an operate time determination mechanism configured to determine said operate time of said operation unit according to said current time from said timer and said differential time generated at by said differential time generator, and        a search unit configured to search related information of said broadcast content that was broadcast at said operate time from said storage device based on said operate time determined by said operate time determination mechanism.     
     
     
       63. The search system as claimed in  claim 62 , wherein:
   said search apparatus includes a gateway device and a search device,        said gateway device including:        said timer,        said differential time generator, and        said operate time determination mechanism; and        said search device including:        said storage device, and        said search unit.     
     
     
       64. The search system as claimed in  claim 62 , wherein:
   said search apparatus includes a storage medium configured to store predetermined broadcast station information associated with a user identification information;        said communication unit transmits said user identification information with said count value;        said search unit searches the predetermined broadcast station information from said storage medium based on said user identification information transmitted from said communication unit, and searches related information of said broadcast content broadcast at said operate time and a broadcast station associated with said predetermined broadcast station information.     
     
     
       65. The search system as claimed in  claim 62 , wherein:
   said search apparatus includes a storage medium configured to store a zip code associated with a user identification information;        said communication unit transmits said user identification information with said count value;        said search unit searches said zip code from said storage medium based on said user identification information transmitted from said communication unit, and searches related information of said broadcast content broadcast at said operate time and a broadcast station associated with said zip code.     
     
     
       66. The search system as claimed in  claim 62 , wherein said search unit is configured to search title information of music broadcast at said operate time. 
     
     
       67. A communication apparatus configured to transmit information that is used for determining a broadcast time of broadcast content to a search apparatus having a storage device configured to store related information associated with the broadcast content and a broadcast time of said broadcast content, said related information being stored while or after said broadcast content is being broadcast said search apparatus being configured to search related information of said broadcast content based on a broadcast time from said storage device, comprising:
   an operation unit including a computer processor;        a counter; and        a communication unit configured to transmit a count value by said counter to the search apparatus, said count value being stored in a computer readable medium used to determine a differential time between an operate time of said operation unit and a transmission time of said count value,        wherein said search apparatus derives said broadcast time using said count value.     
     
     
       68. A search apparatus for searching related information associated with a broadcast content, comprising:
   a timer configured to output a current time;        a storage device implemented with a computer readable medium configured to store related information associated with said broadcast content and a broadcast time of said broadcast content;        a differential time generator configured to generate a differential time between an operate time of an operation unit of a communication apparatus and a transmission time of a count value according to said count value transmitted from said communication apparatus, which includes a counter;        an operate time determination mechanism configured to determine said operate time of said operation unit according to said current time from said timer and said differential time generated by said differential time generator; and        a search unit including a computer processor configured to search related information of said broadcast content broadcast at said operate time from said storage device based on said operate time determined by said operate time determination mechanism.     
     
     
       69. The search apparatus as claimed in  claim 68 , wherein:
   said search apparatus includes a storage medium configured to store predetermined broadcast station information associated with a user identification information; and        said search unit is configured to search the predetermined broadcast station information from said storage medium based on said user identification information transmitted from said communication apparatus, and search related information of said broadcast content broadcast at said operate time and a broadcast station associated with said desired broadcast station information.     
     
     
       70. The search apparatus as claimed in  claim 68 , wherein:
   said search apparatus includes a storage medium configured to store a zip code associated with a user identification information; and        said search unit is configured to search said zip code from said storage medium based on said user identification information transmitted from said communication apparatus, and search related information of said broadcast content broadcast at said operate time and a broadcast station associated with said zip code.     
     
     
       71. The search apparatus as claimed in  claim 68 , wherein said search unit searches title information of music broadcast at said operate time. 
     
     
       72. A search system for searching related information associated with a broadcast content, comprising:
   a communication apparatus including        an operation unit, and        a communication unit configured to transmit request information for requesting a search apparatus to perform a search using said related information after an operate time of said operation unit; and        the search apparatus including:        a timer configured to output a current time,        a storage device implemented with a computer readable medium configured to store related information associated with said broadcast content and a broadcast time of said broadcast content, said related information being stored while or after said broadcast content is being broadcast,        an operate time determination mechanism configured to determine said operate time of said operation unit by referring back in time to a predetermined time from a transmitting time of said request information from said communication unit, and        a search unit including a computer processor configured to search related information of said broadcast content broadcast at said operate time from said storage device based on said operate time determined by said operate time determination mechanism.     
     
     
       73. The search system as claimed in  claim 72 , wherein:
   said communication unit includes:        a database that holds a plurality of music data, and        a recording unit configured to record said music data onto a recording medium,        said communication unit being configured to receive related information searched by said search unit, and transmit request information for requesting a download of music data associated with said related information to said search apparatus according to an input from said operation unit, said search unit configured to search music data associated with said request information from said database and to transmit said searched music data to said communication apparatus, and        said recording unit being configured to record said music data received via said communication unit to a recording medium.     
     
     
       74. The search system as claimed in  claim 72 , wherein said communication apparatus comprises a broadcast station setting unit configured to set broadcast station information, wherein
   said communication unit is configured to transmit said broadcast station information to said search apparatus, and        said search unit is configured to search related information of said broadcast content broadcast at said operate time and a broadcast station associated with said transmitted broadcast station information.     
     
     
       75. The search system as claimed in  claim 72 , wherein said communication apparatus is accommodated with a wireless communication module in a portable housing. 
     
     
       76. The search system as claimed in  claim 75 , wherein said communication apparatus is accommodated with a mobile phone module in a portable housing. 
     
     
       77. The search system as claimed in  claim 72 , wherein said communication apparatus further comprises:
   a receiving unit configured to receive a broadcast signal broadcast on a broadcast station that is configured to be tuned - in based on an operation of said operation unit; and        a reproducing unit configured to receive a broadcast signal output from said receiving unit, wherein        said communication unit is configured to transmit broadcast station information indicating said tuned broadcast station to said search apparatus, and said search unit is configured to search related information of said broadcast content broadcast on said operate time and a broadcast station associated with said transmitted broadcast station information.     
     
     
       78. The search system as claimed in  claim 77 , wherein said receiving unit comprises a television tuner. 
     
     
       79. The search system as claimed in  claim 77 , wherein said receiving unit comprises a radio tuner. 
     
     
       80. A communication apparatus configured to transmit information used for determining a broadcast time to a search apparatus having a storage device implemented with a computer readable medium configured to store related information associated with a broadcast content and a broadcast time of said broadcast content, said related information being stored while or after said broadcast content is being broadcast said search apparatus being configured to search related information of said broadcast content based on a broadcast time from said storage device, comprising:
   an operation unit including a computer processor;        a receiving unit configured to receive a broadcast signal broadcast on a broadcast station that is tuned - in based on an operation by said operation unit;        a reproducing unit configured to receive a broadcast signal output from said receiving unit; and        a communication unit configured to transmit request information for requesting to search said related information and broadcast station information indicating said tuned broadcast station.     
     
     
       81. The communication apparatus as claimed in  claim 80 , wherein:
   said communication apparatus comprises a recording unit configured to record music data onto a recording medium;        said communication unit receives related information transmitted from said search apparatus; and        said communication unit transmits request information for requesting a download of music data associated with said related information to said search apparatus according to an input from said operation unit.     
     
     
       82. The communication apparatus as claimed in  claim 80 , wherein said communication apparatus is accommodated with a wireless communication module in a portable housing. 
     
     
       83. The communication apparatus as claimed in  claim 82 , wherein said communication apparatus is accommodated with a mobile phone module in a portable housing. 
     
     
       84. The communication apparatus as claimed in  claim 80 , wherein said receiving unit comprises a television tuner. 
     
     
       85. The search system as claimed in  claim 80 , wherein said receiving unit comprises a radio tuner. 
     
     
       86. A search apparatus for searching related information associated with a broadcast content, comprising:
   a timer configured to output a current time;        a storage device implemented with a computer readable medium configured to store related information associated with said broadcast content and a broadcast time of said broadcast content, said related information being stored while or after said broadcast content is being broadcast;        an operate time determination mechanism configured to determine an operate time of said operation unit by referring back in time by a predetermined amount from a transmitting time of a request information for requesting to search related information from said communication apparatus including said operation unit;        a search unit including a computer processor configured to search related information of said broadcast content broadcast at said operate time from said storage device based on said operate time calculated by said operate time calculator.     
     
     
       87. The search apparatus as claimed in  claim 86 , wherein:
   said communication apparatus comprises a database storing a plurality of music data;        said search unit is configured to search music data associated with request information for requesting a download of music data associated with said related information via said communication apparatus from said database and downloads music data identified in said search to said communication apparatus.     
     
     
       88. The search apparatus as claimed in  claim 86 , wherein said search unit is configured to search related information of said broadcast content broadcast at said operate time and a broadcast station associated with broadcast station information transmitted from said communication apparatus.