WO2017147461A1

WO2017147461A1 - Method and apparatus for providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service

Info

Publication number: WO2017147461A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/019412
Authority: WO
Inventors: James TUSON
Original assignee: Bedrock Concepts, Inc.
Priority date: 2016-02-25
Filing date: 2017-02-24
Publication date: 2017-08-31

Abstract

An approach is provided for providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service. The approach involves presenting at least one code during a broadcast of at least one program in at least one device. The approach also involves receiving the at least one code from at least one other device associated with at least one user. The approach further involves presenting at least one Uniform Resource Locator (URL) corresponding to additional information associated with the at least one program in the at least one other device.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR

PROVIDING A CODE TO LINK BROADCAST CONTENT TO WEB CONTENT VIA A

SERVICE

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/299,779, filed July 17, 2014, titled "Providing a Code to Link Broadcast Content to Web Content via a Service," the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Currently, users have access to an ever expanding array of content provided over an equally wide variety of media. Two of the most popular types of content are broadcast content provided via television broadcasts and web content provided over the Internet. However, these types of content have historically operated within their own separate domains with limited or otherwise cumbersome modes of interaction between the different domains. For example, if a user sees content of interest in a television broadcast, the user typically would then perform a separate Internet search for related web content. In this scenario, the user would have to manually create the search and then filter through search results; and the owner of the broadcast content would typically have to use indirect information (e.g., an increase in web traffic at a corresponding site, an increase in social media mentions, etc.) to infer that the broadcast content provoked sufficient interest for the user to cross media (e.g., access the Internet) to get more information or content. As a result, service providers face significant technical challenges to enabling a more direct link between cross media content (e.g., broadcast content and web content), while also enabling content owners to track or analyze such cross-media behavior.

SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for an approach for providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service. [0004] According to one embodiment, a method comprises presenting a user interface on a device, wherein the user interface comprises a first element for selecting a broadcast station from a visual list of available stations, and a second element for entered a code. The code was presented in a broadcast segment by the selected broadcast station. The method also comprises constructing a full code from an identifier determined from the selected broadcast station and the code entered in the second element. The method further comprises querying a database for related web content based on the full code. The related web content was previously associated with the broadcast segment. The method further comprises presenting the related web content or a link to the related web content in the user interface.

[0005] According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code for one or more computer programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause, at least in part, the apparatus to present a user interface on a device, wherein the user interface comprises a first element for selecting a broadcast station from a visual list of available stations, and a second element for entered a code. The code was presented in a broadcast segment by the selected broadcast station. The apparatus is also caused to construct a full code from an identifier determined from the selected broadcast station and the code entered in the second element. The apparatus is further caused to query a database for related web content based on the full code. The related web content was previously associated with the broadcast segment. The apparatus is further caused to present the related web content or a link to the related web content in the user interface.

[0006] According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium carries one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause, at least in part, an apparatus to present a user interface on a device, wherein the user interface comprises a first element for selecting a broadcast station from a visual list of available stations, and a second element for entered a code. The code was presented in a broadcast segment by the selected broadcast station. The apparatus is also caused to construct a full code from an identifier determined from the selected broadcast station and the code entered in the second element. The apparatus is further caused to query a database for related web content based on the full code. The related web content was previously associated with the broadcast segment. The apparatus is further caused to present the related web content or a link to the related web content in the user interface.

[0007] According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for presenting a user interface on a device. The user interface comprises a first element for selecting a broadcast station from a visual list of available stations, and a second element for entered a code. The code was presented in a broadcast segment by the selected broadcast station.

[0008] In addition, for various example embodiments of the invention, the following is applicable: a method comprising facilitating a processing of and/or processing (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal, the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal based, at least in part, on (or derived at least in part from) any one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention.

[0009] For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising facilitating access to at least one interface configured to allow access to at least one service, the at least one service configured to perform any one or any combination of network or service provider methods (or processes) disclosed in this application.

[0010] For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising facilitating creating and/or facilitating modifying (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based, at least in part, on data and/or information resulting from one or any combination of methods or processes disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention, and/or at least one signal resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention.

[0011] For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising creating and/or modifying (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based at least in part on data and/or information resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention, and/or at least one signal resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention.

[0012] In various example embodiments, the methods (or processes) can be accomplished on the service provider side or on the mobile device side or in any shared way between service provider and mobile device with actions being performed on both sides.

[0013] For various example embodiments, the following is applicable: An apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of the claims.

[0014] Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a number of particular embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. The invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service, according to one example embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of the computation platform 109, according to one example embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 3A is a flowchart of a process for providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service, according to one example embodiment; [0019] FIG. 3B is a flowchart of a process for generating a code and associating the code with information related to at least one topic, according to one embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a diagram that represents a user interface for an application that generates codes for at least one article, according to one example embodiment;

[0021] FIGs. 5 A-C are user interface diagrams that represents the steps for one or more broadcasters to generate a code to insert into their broadcast segments, according to one example embodiment;

[0022] FIGs. 6 A-D are diagrams that represents a scenario wherein at least one user enters a short code in at least one application in his/her UE 101 to access a particular information, according to one example embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 7 is a diagram of hardware that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention;

[0024] FIG. 8 is a diagram of a chip set that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention; and

[0025] FIG. 9 is a diagram of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset) that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMB ODEVIENT S

[0026] Examples of a method, apparatus, and computer program for providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service are disclosed. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service, according to one embodiment. Traditionally, a user requiring additional information on a topic of interest broadcasted during a television show may perform an internet search. However, the process for the performing this manual search and then filtering through the results of the search can potentially be burdensome on the consumer or may result in the user not finding the desired information. For example, the user may receive numerous results for a single search, as a result the user have to search within the search results to determine which result is most relevant. Often, the user may have to reformulate their search queries because the results were irrelevant or otherwise not what the user wanted.

[0028] Additionally, service providers (e.g., broadcasters, advertisers, etc.) may want obtain data to have a better understanding of consumer activities and requests resulting from their consumption of broadcast content. Historically, however, it can be difficult, imprecise, and/or expensive for the service provider to track user activities and determine user choices using traditional methods. For example, correlating user access of digital assets in response to viewing a broadcast can be difficult because not all access occurs immediately or within a predetermined time period of viewing program. In addition, short of directly asking users, only inferences can be made that viewing a broadcast program resulted in a particular web content request.

[0029] To address this problem, a system 100 of FIG. 1 introduces the capability to provide a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service. In one embodiment, the system 100 provides a code that may be presented in a television broadcast segment (e.g., a program, a program segment, an advertisement, etc.). In one embodiment, the code is configured to be no more than 3 digits or characters to facilitate recall by the user. However, it is contemplated that the code can be of any length and use any combination of alphanumeric symbols or characters in any alphabet or language. In addition, it is contemplated that symbols, icons, emojis, punctuation marks, or other graphical elements can be used as part of the code. In one embodiment, this code may usually be displayed in a "ticker" format at the bottom of the screen as the broadcast segment is aired. A user viewing the segment can access a service via a native application or a website through a browser on their device to enter the code to retrieve related web content. For example, by entering the code the user may access a link (e.g., a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) link) to the broadcast segment stored digitally online (e.g., via a streaming service) or further information about the segment.

[0030] By providing a central service for resolving the viewed code into related content, the service (e.g. provided by the system 100) can act as a central hub for immediately accessing the web content without the user having to formulate a manual search for the content. In other words, the application or service may be used to more easily drive traffic to the broadcaster's digital assets after viewing a particular segment. In addition, the service enables a broadcaster or content owner to more easily track a direct correlation from a user's viewing of a segment and then taking action to find out more information or web content about the segment. In one embodiment, the system 100 can perform advanced data analytics on the tracking data and contextual information about the broadcasts, users, user devices, etc. to generate complex reports or reveal underlying trends about characteristics the users and/or their cross-media content consumption behaviors.

[0031] Although various embodiments are described with respect to generating and assigning at least one code to a detailed description of at least one broadcast content segment or item, it is contemplated that the approach described herein may be applicable to type of cross media application where the media types have traditionally been siloed or lacked easy cross-media interaction functions.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 comprises user equipment (UE) lOla-lOln (collectively referred to as UE 101) that may include or execute applications 103a-103n (collectively referred to as applications 103) and/or sensors 105a-105n (collectively referred to as sensors 105). In one embodiment, the UE 101 has connectivity to a computation platform 109 via a communication network 107, e.g., a wireless communication network. In one embodiment, the system 100 performs one or more functions associated with providing and resolving a code that links a content type in one medium (e.g., broadcast content) with a content type in another medium (e.g., web content).

[0033] In one embodiment, they system 100 also comprises a broadcast system 119 (e.g., operated by a television broadcaster) to transmit broadcast content (e.g., television programming) via a transmission antenna 121 (or any other equivalent broadcast content delivery means such as cable, satellite, fiber optic, etc.) to one or more televisions 123 or other broadcast content receiver for viewing by one or more users 125. By way of example, the broadcast system 119 can include components for transmission or delivery of terrestrial television signals (e.g., digital and/or analog signals) such as components, systems, servers, applications, etc. for content receipt or ingestion, content creation, content processing, content transmission, etc. In addition, it is contemplated that the broadcast system 119 can include components related to other functions of a traditional broadcaster including advertising systems, sales/marketing systems, viewer ratings systems, etc. In one embodiment, the broadcast system is further configured to receive codes for linking its broadcast content to content presented in another medium (e.g., web content). As previously described, the broadcast system 119 can present the code as overlays on associated broadcast content.

[0034] In this way, a user 125 who views the broadcast content with the overlaid code, can input the code into an application (e.g., application 103) or user interface executing on a UE 101 to obtain or view related web content links. In one embodiment, the application 103 or user interface provides an innovative code input screen that enables the system 100 to minimize the length of the code (e.g., a code comprising no more than three or other specified maximum number of characteristics) with preserving the ability of the system 100 to uniquely identify the broadcast content and its related content from another medium (e.g., web content). For example, while using a code that is limited to three characters in length can make the code easier for a user 125 to remember for later input into the UE 101 to retrieve related content, this would also result in only 1000 unique code combinations that the system can use to identify broadcast content and related web content. When identifying content for multiple stations or longer time periods, this maximum number can become quite limiting because the number of unique content items can quickly exceed this number. Increasing the number of characters in the code can provide more unique combinations, but this can also reduce the likelihood that the user would remember and use the code.

[0035] In one embodiment, to address this problem the system 100 presents a unique user interface of the application 103 that enables the user 125 to first select which broadcast station or source on which the user 125 viewed the code, followed by the entry of the three-character code. In one embodiment, the user interface of the device on which it is presented comprises a first user interface element for selecting a broadcast station from a visual list of available stations (e.g., the visual list representing each station with a station logo and/or call letters) and a second user interface element for entering the code. In one embodiment, the user interface elements can include windows, files, frames, sections, boxes, buttons, etc. of the user interface that support user interaction. The system 100 then constructs a unique identifier from the selected broadcast station and three-character code. Because the unique identifier is a combination of both the station and the three-character code, this identifier can be used to uniquely identify a greater number of broadcast content that the code alone. In other words, the selected broadcast station acts as an extra digit or identifier of the code to solve the technical problem of a limited number of unique identifiers resulting from using a short, but easy to remember, code. In one embodiment, the user interface of the application presents a list of available stations in graphical form (e.g., representing each station by a visual logo or station identifier) followed by a code entry field. In this way, it can be easier for the user to remember a station logo and a shorter code, rather than remembering a longer code that can uniquely correspond to more broadcast content.

[0036] In one embodiment, the UE 101 may include, but is not restricted to, any type of a mobile terminal, wireless terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal. Examples of the UE 101, may include, but are not restricted to, a mobile handset, a wireless communication device, a station, a unit, a device, a multimedia computer, a multimedia tablet, an Internet node, a communicator, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a television, a netbook computer, a tablet computer, a Personal Communication System (PCS) device, a personal navigation device, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a digital camera/camcorder, an infotainment system, a dashboard computer, a television device, or any combination thereof, including the accessories and peripherals of these devices, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the UE 101 may support any type of interface for supporting the presentment of one or more recommended routes towards at least one destination. In addition, the UE 101 may facilitate various input means for receiving and generating information, including, but not restricted to, a touch screen capability, a keyboard and keypad data entry, a voice-based input mechanism, and the like. Any known and future implementations of the UE 101 may also be applicable.

[0037] As previously noted, the UE 101 may further include applications 103 for inputting codes for linking broadcast content to content from other media (e.g., web content) as discussed with respect to the various embodiments described herein. Further, the applications 103 may include various applications such as, but not restricted to, camera/imaging application, media player application, social networking application, calendar applications, multimedia application, and the like where content linking codes can also be used. In one embodiment, the applications 103 are installed within the UE 101. In a further embodiment, the application 103 enables the computation platform 109 to process communication information and/or contextual information for at least one UE 101 to determine at least one topic of interest.

[0038] The system 100 also includes one or more sensors 105, which can be implemented, embedded or connected to the UE 101. The sensors 105 may be any type of sensor. In certain embodiments, the sensors 105 may include, for example, location sensors, a network detection sensor for detecting wireless signals or receivers for different short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Li-Fi, Near Field Communication (NFC) etc.), temporal information sensors, a camera/imaging sensor for gathering image data, and the like. The data collected from these sensors constitute, for instance, at least part of the contextual information about a user or user device that is accessing web content via a broadcasted code.

[0039] Further, various elements of the system 100 may communicate with each other through a communication network 107. The communication network 107 of system 100 includes one or more networks such as a data network, a wireless network, a telephony network, or any combination thereof. It is contemplated that the data network may be any local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), a public data network (e.g., the Internet), short range wireless network, or any other suitable packet-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietary packet-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-optic network, and the like, or any combination thereof. In addition, the wireless network may be, for example, a cellular communication network and may employ various technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (EVIS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), wireless LAN (WLAN), Bluetooth®, Internet Protocol (IP) data casting, satellite, mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), vehicle controller area network (CAN bus), and the like, or any combination thereof.

[0040] In one embodiment, the computation platform 109 may be a platform with multiple interconnected components. The computation platform 109 may include one or more servers, intelligent networking devices, computing devices, components and corresponding software for providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service. In addition, it is noted that the computation platform 109 may be a separate entity of the system 100, a part of the one or more services 115a-115n (collectively referred to as services 115) of the services platform 113, or the UE 101. Any known or still developing methods, techniques or processes for providing one or more codes to link broadcast content with web content may be employed by the computation platform 109.

[0041] As discussed above, in one embodiment, the computation platform 109 implements a central application method wherein codes are generated to represent web content or links to web content related to a broadcast or broadcast segment transmitted in, for instance, a television or broadcast environment. In one example embodiment, the computation platform 109 may present a user interface in at least one UE 101 for a broadcaster to create an account. The broadcaster may provide account information whereupon the computation platform 109 may create codes to associate the broadcaster's broadcast content and related web content. As noted above, in one embodiment, the code is kept as short as possible (e.g., 3 digits or characters) to facilitate easy recall by users. However, this short code would appear to limit the number of unique broadcast item that can be recorded by the system. To overcome this limitation, the system 100 also associates a broadcaster identifier with the code, thereby greatly increasing the number of available unique combinations of codes (e.g., by allowing reuse of codes between different broadcasters).

[0042] For example, in one embodiment, when a code is generated, the system 100 automatically appends an identifier of the station (e.g., call letters for the station or some other unique identifier) to the code to provide a unique identifier for the user. In one embodiment, the full code (e.g., the broadcast identifier and the code) is not exposed to the end user. Only the short code portion is presented in a broadcast with the assumption that the end viewer will know which station the user is viewing the code on and therefore, from the user perspective, the only additional piece of information to remember is the short code portion.

[0043] In one embodiment, the computation platform 109 may then associate the generated code with the information associated with at least one broadcast content segment. Subsequently, the short portion of the code may be presented in a broadcast for display to a user (e.g., at the bottom of the screen) during a television broadcast segment (e.g., a television program, an advertisement, etc.). For example, if a broadcaster wants to link a television program or segment to a related web page or other web content (e.g., web stream, etc.), the computation platform 109 can create a database 111 that associates the full code with both the broadcast segment and the linked web content. In this way, when receiving a short code from the user 125 (e.g., via the application 103), the system 100 can reconstruct the full code from the short code and the identified broadcast station, and then query the database 111 for the web content (e.g., a URL link to the web content) using the full code as a query term.

[0044] As discussed, in one embodiment, the system 100 provides an application 103 or website through which the UE 101 can be used to enter the code (e.g., the short three-character code) to provide related web content. The application 103, for instance, is configured to enable easy entry of the code by presenting a two-step code entry process. First, the application requests that the user identify the broadcast station which aired the broadcast content of interest. In one embodiment, the application provides a user interface with a scrollable list of broadcast stations (e.g., list of comprising station logos and/or identifiers) for a user to select. Once the station or broadcaster is selected, the user interface provides a field for entering the short code (e.g., the code that was presented as an overlay in the broadcast content viewed by the user 125). On entering the short code, the system 100 reconstructs the full content identifier or code by combining the identifier of the broadcaster selected in the first step with the short code in the second step. The full code or content identifier is then used to retrieve the web content or link to the web content to direct the user to that web content. In this way, the application acts only as intermediary service to relay requests using the code presented in the broadcast content to determine the web content associated with the code. In one embodiment, the presentation of the link also initiates an application (e.g., a web browser) to display or render the web content.

[0045] In one embodiment, the unique position of the computation platform 109 or service as an intermediary between broadcast content and web content (or between different media types) advantageously enables the computation platform 109 to directly track which codes are actually entered into the system to initiate retrieval of related web content. The use of a specific code indicates that origin of the code is directly attributable to broadcast content. For example, even in the case where the code is passed from user to user (e.g., verbal or other communication means), the original owner nonetheless viewed or obtained the code from the broadcast content.

[0046] As described above, in one embodiment, the computation platform 109 may perform various analytics to identify cross-media content consumption behaviors and/or to associate those behaviors with certain characteristics of the broadcast content, the web content, the user, the user device, and/or the like based on this tracking data. In one example embodiment, the computation platform 109 may simply track one or more web content views by at least one user resulting the broadcast content. Then, the computation platform 109 may determine or calculate information about content preferences for each user. The computation platform 109 may then further correlate the preferences to profile or contextual information about the user (e.g., demographics, location, time-of-day, activity, etc.). This example of possible analytics is provided as an example, and is not intended to be viewed as a limitation. Accordingly, any other report or analytics may be applied to the data tracked by the computation platform 109.

[0047] In one embodiment, the database 111 may store and manage data for UE 101 and the computation platform 109. The information stored may be any multiple types of information that can provide means for aiding in the code generation and/or content provisioning and sharing processes.

[0048] The services platform 113 may include any type of service. By way of example, the services platform 113 may include content (e.g., audio, video, images, etc.) provisioning services/application, notification services/application, social networking services/application, storage services/application, contextual information determination services/application, location based services/application, information (e.g., weather, news, etc.) based services/application, etc. In one embodiment, the services platform 113 may interact with the UE 101, the computation platform 109 and the content provider 117 to supplement or aid in the processing of the content information. In one embodiment, the services platform 113 may be implemented or embedded in the computation platform 109 or in its functions.

[0049] By way of example, the services 115 may be an online service that reflects interests and/or activities of users. The services 115 allow users to share contact information, activities information, contextual information, historical user information and interests within their individual networks, and provides for data portability. The services 115 may additionally assist in providing the computation platform 109 with activity information of at least one user, user profile information, and a variety of additional information. For example, in one embodiment, the services platform 113 and/or the services 115 may host or provide the web content that is linked to the codes discussed with respect to the various embodiments described herein.

[0050] The content providers 117a-117n (collectively referred to as content provider 117) may provide content to the UE 101, the computation platform 109, and the services 115 of the services platform 113. The content provided may be any type of content, such as, image content, textual content, audio content, video content, etc. In one embodiment, the content provider 117 may provide content that may supplement content of the applications 103, the sensors 105, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the content provider 117 may also store content associated with the UE 101, the computation platform 109, and the services 115 of the services platform 113. In another embodiment, the content provider 117 may manage access to a central repository of data, and offer a consistent, standard interface to data, such as, a repository of information for one or more topics, and so on. In one embodiment, the content providers 117 may also provide web content linked and/or referenced by the codes associated with the broadcast content.

[0051] By way of example, the UE 101, the computation platform 109 communicate with each other and other components of the communication network 107 using well known, new or still developing protocols. In this context, a protocol includes a set of rules defining how the network nodes within the communication network 107 interact with each other based on information sent over the communication links. The protocols are effective at different layers of operation within each node, from generating and receiving physical signals of various types, to selecting a link for transferring those signals, to the format of information indicated by those signals, to identifying which software application executing on a computer system sends or receives the information. The conceptually different layers of protocols for exchanging information over a network are described in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model.

[0052] Communications between the network nodes are typically effected by exchanging discrete packets of data. Each packet typically comprises (1) header information associated with a particular protocol, and (2) payload information that follows the header information and contains information that may be processed independently of that particular protocol. In some protocols, the packet includes (3) trailer information following the payload and indicating the end of the payload information. The header includes information such as the source of the packet, its destination, the length of the payload, and other properties used by the protocol. Often, the data in the payload for the particular protocol includes a header and payload for a different protocol associated with a different, higher layer of the OSI Reference Model. The header for a particular protocol typically indicates a type for the next protocol contained in its payload. The higher layer protocol is said to be encapsulated in the lower layer protocol. The headers included in a packet traversing multiple heterogeneous networks, such as the Internet, typically include a physical (layer 1) header, a data-link (layer 2) header, an internetwork (layer 3) header and a transport (layer 4) header, and various application (layer 5, layer 6 and layer 7) headers as defined by the OSI Reference Model.

[0053] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of the computation platform 109, according to one example embodiment. By way of example, the computation platform 109 includes one or more components for providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality. In one embodiment, the computation platform 109 comprises one or more code generation modules 201, association modules 203, authentication modules 205, user interface modules 207 and presentation modules 209, or any combination thereof.

[0054] In one embodiment, the code generation module 201 may randomly generate a code for at least one user to access additional information for at least one topic of interest. In another embodiment, the code generation module 201 may generate random short codes (e.g., GFD) or allow the broadcaster to select unique custom short code (e.g., TRA for traffic, WEA for weather, or NEW for news, etc.). These unique custom short codes may have a meaning attached to them, for example, a user can decipher that code WEA means weather. In this way, no matter what station or broadcaster is selected by the user for retrieval of content, when a user enters a custom code along with identifying a particular broadcaster, the custom web content from that broadcaster is provided to the user. For example, the user can select "Station 1" in the application and type in short code "WEA", the system 100 will then present a weather web content provided by Station 1. Entering the same code when first selection "Station 2" will result in receiving weather web content from Station 2. In one embodiment, it is contemplated that a custom code (e.g., "WEA") need not be presented in broadcast content for it to be active within the system 100. In other words, even if the custom code has not been broadcasted, a user 125 knowing the code can nonetheless obtained related content after specifying the corresponding broadcast station.

[0055] In one embodiment, the association module 203 may construct an identifier to retrieve the additional information by linking an identifier associated with the selected broadcaster (e.g., represented by graphics of a television logo) and the entered short code. In one embodiment, this identifier represents the full code as discussed above that is generated by the module 203. For example, if "Station 1" is a selected, an identifier associated with "Station 1" such as "ST1" can be appended to the short code (e.g., "123") to generate the full code "ST1-123". In another embodiment, the association module 203 may enter a link to associate with the code (e.g., a URL, tiny URL, etc.) that is to be triggered by the application when the user enters the combination of station and short code. In a further embodiment, the association module 203 may perform advanced analytics to correlate user behavior with respect to television to user behavior with respect to the Internet. In other words, as previously discussed, because the code is presented in broadcast content, the system 100 infers that the source of the coded input by a user 125 into the application must originate from viewing the broadcast content and that the user 125 having viewed or been made aware of the broadcast content is interested in the web content that has been linked to the code. Accordingly, the association module 203 is able to create a data record indicating a relationship between the user's viewing of the broadcast content and accessing of the related web content. In addition, traditional web content analytics (e.g., web or cookie tracking, web content history, web user demographics, web user identities, etc.) can then be associated with the broadcast content to determine characteristics and/or analytics of the viewers of the broadcast content that would otherwise be unavailable or difficult/expensive to obtain (e.g., through traditional television viewer tracking systems). In this way, the system 100 achieves a technical advantage of leveraging web analytics to describe a population of broadcast content viewers by using the code entered by broadcast content viewers link the respective viewers to their corresponding web identities.

[0056] In one embodiment, the authentication module 205 may authenticate one or more users to access additional information pertaining to at least one topic of interest. For example, in addition to the presented short code, a user may provide additional credentials to access premium or extra content (i.e., the additional content) limited to known subscribers or other authorized users. In one scenario, the authentication module 205 may provide additional information to at least one user upon receiving and validating a code. Alternatively, the authentication process may also be performed through automated association of profile settings maintained with an IP address, a carrier detection signal of a user device, mobile directory number (MDN), subscriber identity module (SEVI) (e.g., of a SIM card), radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag or other identifier.

[0057] In one embodiment, the user interface module 207 enables presentation of a graphical user interface (GUI) in at least one UE 101 for managing and/or entering codes to link broadcast and web content (or content from any other medium). The user interface module 207 employs various application programming interfaces (APIs) or other function calls corresponding to the applications 103 of UE 101, thus enabling the display of graphics primitives such as menus, buttons, data entry fields, etc., for generating the user interface elements. In a further embodiment, the user interface module 207 may cause an interfacing of the guidance information with one or more users to include, at least in part, the one or more annotations, audio messages, or a combination thereof.

[0058] In one embodiment, the presentation module 209 obtains a set of summary statistics and/or updates from the other modules. The presentation module 209 may present at least one user interface in at least one UE 101 that allows the user to select at least one broadcast station or at least one broadcaster. In one example embodiment, the presentation module 209 may present a scrollable list of graphics (e.g., television station logos) to represent each station. In another embodiment, the presentation module 209 may present a user interface element for the user to enter the codes. In a further embodiment, the presentation module 209 may cause a rendering of user interface elements for broadcasters to enter their account information, and request a code.

[0059] The above presented modules and components of the computation platform 109 can be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. Though depicted as a separate entity in FIG. 1, it is contemplated that the computation platform 109 may be implemented for direct operation by respective UE 101. As such, the computation platform 109 may generate direct signal inputs by way of the operating system of the UE 101 for interacting with the applications 103. In another embodiment, one or more of the modules 201-207 may be implemented for operation by respective UEs, as the computation platform 109, or combination thereof. Still further, the computation platform 109 may be integrated for direct operation with the services 115, such as in the form of a widget or applet, in accordance with an information and/or subscriber sharing arrangement. The various executions presented herein contemplate any and all arrangements and models.

[0060] FIG. 3A is a flowchart of a process for providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service, according to one example embodiment. In one embodiment, the computation platform 109 performs the process 300 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown in FIG. 8.

[0061] In step 301, the computation platform 109 may present at least one code during a broadcast of at least one program in at least one device. As previously described, this code is the short code generated by the computation platform 109 for the broadcast system 119 to overlay during the broadcast of associated television or broadcast segments. In one example embodiment, the computation platform 109 may display a 3 digit code in a ticker format at the bottom of a television screen as the broadcast segment is aired (e.g., advertisements, television programs, etc.). In one embodiment, the computation platform 109 generates the code so that it is associated with a specific television segment. For example, the television segment can be identified by a broadcast station and/or the dates and times the segment is broadcasted. In one embodiment, when the same segment is broadcasted at different times, the same code can be used. The computation platform 109 can then associate the different times with the same code. In other embodiments, different codes can be used for each time the same segment is broadcasted.

[0062] In step 303, the computation platform 109 may receive the at least one code (e.g., the short code) from at least one other device associated with at least one user. In one scenario, at least one consumer watching the broadcast segment may see the 3 digit code at the bottom of the screen. Then, the consumer may access the application in his/her UE 101 to select the broadcaster (e.g., the user interface presents a scrollable list of television station logos) and enter the 3 digit code. As previously discussed, the computation platform 109 can then reconstruct the full code or identifier by combining an identifier of the selected broadcaster with the short code. In this way, the full code can advantageously uniquely reference the broadcast content and its related web content.

[0063] In step 305, the computation platform 109 may present at least one URL corresponding to additional information associated with the at least one program in the at least one other device. For example, the computation platform 109 uses the reconstructed full code to query a database to determine the corresponding web content or URL representing the additional information. In one example embodiment, the computation platform 109 may display a URL in the UE 101 of at least one user. The URL may provide additional information regarding the broadcasted program/segment. In such manner, a user may access additional information on the program of their interest by entering the 3 digit code displayed in the television using the computation platform 109 as intermediary or connection between the broadcast content the additional content (e.g., web content). As previously noted, because of this unique intermediary position of the computation platform 109, the platform 109 can associate web analytics determined for the user viewing the web content with corresponding broadcast content.

[0064] FIG. 3B is a flowchart of a process for generating a code and associating the code with information related to at least one topic, according to one example embodiment. In one embodiment, the computation platform 109 performs the process 300 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown in FIG. 8.

[0065] In step 307, the computation platform 109 may receive account information from at least one user (e.g., a broadcaster user). In one scenario, a user interface in at least one UE 101 allows a broadcaster to enter their information to create an account to generate short codes for presentation in broadcast content to link with web content. For example, the broadcaster may provide title information for a broadcast segment, related web content (e.g., URL information such as a URL for a web article related to the broadcast content), time-based information (e.g., broadcast date for a broadcast segment), and optionally a customized short code for the article. In one embodiment, on creating the account, the computation platform 109 may also create an identifier for the broadcaster (e.g., based on the broadcasters station call letters or any other identifier creation scheme, such as sequential numbering, etc.) that is to be appended to the short code (e.g., generated for each broadcast segment) to determine a full code or identifier for each segment.

[0066] In step 309, the computation platform 109 may generate at least one code (e.g., a short code) based, at least in part, on the account information and the specified broadcast segment. In one embodiment, the code may be no more than 3 digits or characters. In another embodiment, the at least one code may be assigned based, at least in part, on selection by the at least one user, a pre-set criteria, or a combination thereof. In one scenario, the computation platform 109 may generate random codes (e.g., 654, FGJ, etc.) or may allow a broadcaster to select custom short codes (e.g., WEA for weather, NEW for news, etc.).

[0067] In step 311, the computation platform 109 may associate the at least one code (e.g., short code) and related information (e.g., web content) associated with the at least one program (e.g., broadcast segment). In one embodiment, the information associated with the at least one code can include a URL or other link to web content. The URL link may take the users to additional information for his/her topic of interest related to the viewed broadcast segment.

[0068] FIG. 4 is a diagram that represents a user interface for an application that generates codes for at least one article or web content associated with a broadcast segment, according to one example embodiment. As previously described, the application can store generated codes (e.g., both full codes and short codes) along with the related broadcast segments and web content as record items in the database. In one scenario, the application includes a search function wherein a user may search for the record items by their type (401), category (403), status (405) and date range (407). In addition, the user has the option of searching an article (e.g., the related web content) via keywords (409). Subsequently, the application may list the search results in a numerical order (411) including their title (413), view (415), comments (417), author (419), date (421), channel (423), and status (425).

[0069] FIGs. 5 A-C are user interface diagrams that represents the steps for one or more broadcasters to generate a code to insert into their broadcast segments, according to one example embodiment. In FIG. 5 A, the at least one broadcaster may enter account information, and request a code. In one scenario, the account information includes title 501, URL title 503, Article Broadcast Date 505, Article URL 507, Article Code 509 and Article Code Archived 511. A code may be generated and available for viewing upon successful completion of the account information. In one scenario, the at least one broadcaster may enter date and time of the broadcast in the Article Broadcast Date 505. In another scenario, the at least one broadcaster may select at least one URL in Article URL 507. The user may access this selected URL upon entering the correct code.

[0070] In FIG. 5B, the at least one broadcaster may enter time-based information. In one scenario, the time-based information includes entry date 513, expiration date 515 and the comment expiration date 517. In one scenario, the at least one broadcaster may enter the expiration date for the code in the expiration date 515. In another scenario, the at least one broadcaster may enter the expiration date for the comment in the comment expiration date 517. Then, in FIG. 5C, the at least one broadcaster may select at least one category for the article. Subsequently, the computation platform 109 may allow the broadcaster to select a code (e.g., generating custom short codes such as WEA for weather, or NEW for news, etc.) or randomly generate a code. Then, the computation platform 109 may enter a link to associate with the code (e.g., a URL, etc.) that is to be triggered by the application when the user enters the code.

[0071] FIGs. 6 A-D are diagrams that represents a scenario wherein at least one user enters a short code (e.g., no more than 3 digits or characters) in at least one application in his/her UE 101 to access a particular information, according to one example embodiment. In FIG. 6A, the user 601 may be watching XYZ news channel in his/her television 603. Then, the computation platform 109 may display a code at the bottom of the screen. In one scenario, the code may be as simple as 123 or ABC. In FIG. 6B the user 601 may access at least one application in his/her UE 101. Then, the at least one application may guide the user 601 to select at least one channel from the catalog. The user 601 may select XYZ news channel (605) from the catalogue. Subsequently, a notification 607 may be generated to alert the user 601 to enter the code (FIG. 6C). Once the user 601 enters the code (e.g., 123), he/she may be provided with a particular set of information 609, as represented in FIG. 6D. [0072] According to one embodiment, a method comprises presenting at least one code during a broadcast of at least one program in at least one device. The method also comprises receiving the at least one code from at least one other device associated with at least one user. The method further comprises presenting at least one URL corresponding to additional information associated with the at least one program in the at least one other device.

[0073] The method also comprises receiving account information from at least one user. The method further comprises generating the at least one code based, at least in part, on the account information. The method also comprises associating the at least one code and additional information associated with the at least one program.

[0074] According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code for one or more computer programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause, at least in part, the apparatus to present at least one code during a broadcast of at least one program in at least one device. The apparatus is also caused to receive the at least one code from at least one other device associated with at least one user. The apparatus is further caused to present at least one URL corresponding to additional information associated with the at least one program in the at least one other device.

[0075] The apparatus is also caused to receive account information from at least one user. The apparatus is further caused to generate the at least one code based, at least in part, on the account information. The apparatus is also caused to associate the at least one code and additional information associated with the at least one program.

[0076] According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium carries one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause, at least in part, an apparatus to present at least one code during a broadcast of at least one program in at least one device. The apparatus is also caused to receive the at least one code from at least one other device associated with at least one user. The apparatus is further caused to present at least one URL corresponding to additional information associated with the at least one program in the at least one other device. [0077] According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for presenting at least one code during a broadcast of at least one program in at least one device. The apparatus also comprises means for receiving the at least one code from at least one other device associated with at least one user. The apparatus further comprises means for presenting at least one URL corresponding to additional information associated with the at least one program in the at least one other device.

[0078] In addition, for various example embodiments of the invention, the following is applicable: a method comprising facilitating a processing of and/or processing (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal, the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal based, at least in part, on (or derived at least in part from) any one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention.

[0079] For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising facilitating access to at least one interface configured to allow access to at least one service, the at least one service configured to perform any one or any combination of network or service provider methods (or processes) disclosed in this application.

[0080] For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising facilitating creating and/or facilitating modifying (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based, at least in part, on data and/or information resulting from one or any combination of methods or processes disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention, and/or at least one signal resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention.

[0081] For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising creating and/or modifying (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based at least in part on data and/or information resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention, and/or at least one signal resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention.

[0082] In various example embodiments, the methods (or processes) can be accomplished on the service provider side or on the mobile device side or in any shared way between service provider and mobile device with actions being performed on both sides.

[0083] Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a number of particular embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. The invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

[0084] The processes described herein for providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service may be advantageously implemented via software, hardware, firmware or a combination of software and/or firmware and/or hardware. For example, the processes described herein, may be advantageously implemented via processor(s), Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc. Such exemplary hardware for performing the described functions is detailed below.

[0085] FIG. 7 illustrates a computer system 700 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Although computer system 700 is depicted with respect to a particular device or equipment, it is contemplated that other devices or equipment (e.g., network elements, servers, etc.) within FIG. 7 can deploy the illustrated hardware and components of system 700. Computer system 700 is programmed (e.g., via computer program code or instructions) to provide a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service as described herein and includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 710 for passing information between other internal and external components of the computer system 700. Information (also called data) is represented as a physical expression of a measurable phenomenon, typically electric voltages, but including, in other embodiments, such phenomena as magnetic, electromagnetic, pressure, chemical, biological, molecular, atomic, sub-atomic and quantum interactions. For example, north and south magnetic fields, or a zero and non-zero electric voltage, represent two states (0, 1) of a binary digit (bit). Other phenomena can represent digits of a higher base. A superposition of multiple simultaneous quantum states before measurement represents a quantum bit (qubit). A sequence of one or more digits constitutes digital data that is used to represent a number or code for a character. In some embodiments, information called analog data is represented by a near continuum of measurable values within a particular range. Computer system 700, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service.

[0086] A bus 710 includes one or more parallel conductors of information so that information is transferred quickly among devices coupled to the bus 710. One or more processors 702 for processing information are coupled with the bus 710.

[0087] A processor (or multiple processors) 702 performs a set of operations on information as specified by computer program code related to providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service. The computer program code is a set of instructions or statements providing instructions for the operation of the processor and/or the computer system to perform specified functions. The code, for example, may be written in a computer programming language that is compiled into a native instruction set of the processor. The code may also be written directly using the native instruction set (e.g., machine language). The set of operations include bringing information in from the bus 710 and placing information on the bus 710. The set of operations also typically include comparing two or more units of information, shifting positions of units of information, and combining two or more units of information, such as by addition or multiplication or logical operations like OR, exclusive OR (XOR), and AND. Each operation of the set of operations that can be performed by the processor is represented to the processor by information called instructions, such as an operation code of one or more digits. A sequence of operations to be executed by the processor 702, such as a sequence of operation codes, constitute processor instructions, also called computer system instructions or, simply, computer instructions. Processors may be implemented as mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical, chemical, or quantum components, among others, alone or in combination.

[0088] Computer system 700 also includes a memory 704 coupled to bus 710. The memory 704, such as a random access memory (RAM) or any other dynamic storage device, stores information including processor instructions for providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by the computer system 700. RAM allows a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved independently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory 704 is also used by the processor 702 to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions. The computer system 700 also includes a read only memory (ROM) 706 or any other static storage device coupled to the bus 710 for storing static information, including instructions, that is not changed by the computer system 700. Some memory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information stored thereon when power is lost. Also coupled to bus 710 is a non-volatile (persistent) storage device 708, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk or flash card, for storing information, including instructions, that persists even when the computer system 700 is turned off or otherwise loses power.

[0089] Information, including instructions for providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service, is provided to the bus 710 for use by the processor from an external input device 712, such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, a microphone, an Infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, a touch screen, or a sensor. A sensor detects conditions in its vicinity and transforms those detections into physical expression compatible with the measurable phenomenon used to represent information in computer system 700. Other external devices coupled to bus 710, used primarily for interacting with humans, include a display device 714, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a plasma screen, or a printer for presenting text or images, and a pointing device 716, such as a mouse, a trackball, cursor direction keys, or a motion sensor, for controlling a position of a small cursor image presented on the display 714 and issuing commands associated with graphical elements presented on the display 714, and one or more camera sensors 794 for capturing, recording and causing to store one or more still and/or moving images (e.g., videos, movies, etc.) which also may comprise audio recordings. In some embodiments, for example, in embodiments in which the computer system 700 performs all functions automatically without human input, one or more of external input device 712, display device 714 and pointing device 716 may be omitted.

[0090] In the illustrated embodiment, special purpose hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 720, is coupled to bus 710. The special purpose hardware is configured to perform operations not performed by processor 702 quickly enough for special purposes. Examples of ASICs include graphics accelerator cards for generating images for display 714, cryptographic boards for encrypting and decrypting messages sent over a network, speech recognition, and interfaces to special external devices, such as robotic arms and medical scanning equipment that repeatedly perform some complex sequence of operations that are more efficiently implemented in hardware.

[0091] Computer system 700 also includes one or more instances of a communications interface 770 coupled to bus 710. Communication interface 770 provides a one-way or two-way communication coupling to a variety of external devices that operate with their own processors, such as printers, scanners and external disks. In general the coupling is with a network link 778 that is connected to a local network 780 to which a variety of external devices with their own processors are connected. For example, communication interface 770 may be a parallel port or a serial port or a universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer. In some embodiments, communications interface 770 is an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or a telephone modem that provides an information communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. In some embodiments, a communication interface 770 is a cable modem that converts signals on bus 710 into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cable or into optical signals for a communication connection over a fiber optic cable. As another example, communications interface 770 may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN, such as Ethernet. Wireless links may also be implemented. For wireless links, the communications interface 770 sends or receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic or electromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals, that carry information streams, such as digital data. For example, in wireless handheld devices, such as mobile telephones like cell phones, the communications interface 770 includes a radio band electromagnetic transmitter and receiver called a radio transceiver. In certain embodiments, the communications interface 770 enables connection to the communication network 107 for providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service to the UE 101.

[0092] The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing information to processor 702, including instructions for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to computer-readable storage medium (e.g., non-volatile media, volatile media), and transmission media. Non-transitory media, such as non-volatile media, include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 708. Volatile media include, for example, dynamic memory 704. Transmission media include, for example, twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves. Signals include man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or other physical properties transmitted through the transmission media. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read. The term computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any computer- readable medium except transmission media.

[0093] Logic encoded in one or more tangible media includes one or both of processor instructions on a computer-readable storage media and special purpose hardware, such as ASIC 720. [0094] Network link 778 typically provides information communication using transmission media through one or more networks to other devices that use or process the information. For example, network link 778 may provide a connection through local network 780 to a host computer 782 or to equipment 784 operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISP equipment 784 in turn provides data communication services through the public, world-wide packet-switching communication network of networks now commonly referred to as the Internet 790.

[0095] A computer called a server host 792 connected to the Internet hosts a process that provides a service in response to information received over the Internet. For example, server host 792 hosts a process that provides information representing video data for presentation at display 714. It is contemplated that the components of system 700 can be deployed in various configurations within other computer systems, e.g., host 782 and server 792.

[0096] At least some embodiments of the invention are related to the use of computer system 700 for implementing some or all of the techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed by computer system 700 in response to processor 702 executing one or more sequences of one or more processor instructions contained in memory 704. Such instructions, also called computer instructions, software and program code, may be read into memory 704 from another computer-readable medium such as storage device 708 or network link 778. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in memory 704 causes processor 702 to perform one or more of the method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such as ASIC 720, may be used in place of or in combination with software to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software, unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.

[0097] The signals transmitted over network link 778 and other networks through communications interface 770, carry information to and from computer system 700. Computer system 700 can send and receive information, including program code, through the networks 780, 790 among others, through network link 778 and communications interface 770. In an example using the Internet 790, a server host 792 transmits program code for a particular application, requested by a message sent from computer 700, through Internet 790, ISP equipment 784, local network 780 and communications interface 770. The received code may be executed by processor 702 as it is received, or may be stored in memory 704 or in storage device 708 or any other non-volatile storage for later execution, or both. In this manner, computer system 700 may obtain application program code in the form of signals on a carrier wave.

[0098] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequence of instructions or data or both to processor 702 for execution. For example, instructions and data may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer such as host 782. The remote computer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory and sends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the computer system 700 receives the instructions and data on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convert the instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red carrier wave serving as the network link 778. An infrared detector serving as communications interface 770 receives the instructions and data carried in the infrared signal and places information representing the instructions and data onto bus 710. Bus 710 carries the information to memory 704 from which processor 702 retrieves and executes the instructions using some of the data sent with the instructions. The instructions and data received in memory 704 may optionally be stored on storage device 708, either before or after execution by the processor 702.

[0099] FIG. 8 illustrates a chip set or chip 800 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Chip set 800 is programmed to provide a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service as described herein and includes, for instance, the processor and memory components described with respect to FIG. 7 incorporated in one or more physical packages (e.g., chips). By way of example, a physical package includes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction. It is contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set 800 can be implemented in a single chip. It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set or chip 800 can be implemented as a single "system on a chip." It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments a separate ASIC would not be used, for example, and that all relevant functions as disclosed herein would be performed by a processor or processors. Chip set or chip 800, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of providing user interface navigation information associated with the availability of functions. Chip set or chip 800, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service.

[0100] In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 800 includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 801 for passing information among the components of the chip set 800. A processor 803 has connectivity to the bus 801 to execute instructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory 805. The processor 803 may include one or more processing cores with each core configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor 803 may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus 801 to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading. The processor 803 may also be accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP) 807, or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) 809. A DSP 807 typically is configured to process real -world signals (e.g., sound) in real time independently of the processor 803. Similarly, an ASIC 809 can be configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed by a more general purpose processor. Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein may include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), one or more controllers, or one or more other special-purpose computer chips.

[0101] In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 800 includes merely one or more processors and some software and/or firmware supporting and/or relating to and/or for the one or more processors. [0102] The processor 803 and accompanying components have connectivity to the memory 805 via the bus 801. The memory 805 includes both dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform the inventive steps described herein to provide a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service. The memory 805 also stores the data associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive steps.

[0103] FIG. 9 is a diagram of exemplary components of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset) for communications, which is capable of operating in the system of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, mobile terminal 901, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service. Generally, a radio receiver is often defined in terms of front-end and back- end characteristics. The front-end of the receiver encompasses all of the Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry whereas the back-end encompasses all of the base-band processing circuitry. As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to both: (1) hardware-only implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry), and (2) to combinations of circuitry and software (and/or firmware) (such as, if applicable to the particular context, to a combination of processor(s), including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions). This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application and if applicable to the particular context, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) and its (or their) accompanying software/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover if applicable to the particular context, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit in a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a cellular network device or other network devices.

[0104] Pertinent internal components of the telephone include a Main Control Unit (MCU) 903, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 905, and a receiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control unit and a speaker gain control unit. A main display unit 907 provides a display to the user in support of various applications and mobile terminal functions that perform or support the steps of providing a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service. The display 907 includes display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile terminal (e.g., mobile telephone). Additionally, the display 907 and display circuitry are configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal. An audio function circuitry 909 includes a microphone 911 and microphone amplifier that amplifies the speech signal output from the microphone 911. The amplified speech signal output from the microphone 911 is fed to a coder/decoder (CODEC) 913.

[0105] A radio section 915 amplifies power and converts frequency in order to communicate with a base station, which is included in a mobile communication system, via antenna 917. The power amplifier (PA) 919 and the transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally responsive to the MCU 903, with an output from the PA 919 coupled to the duplex er 921 or circulator or antenna switch, as known in the art. The PA 919 also couples to a battery interface and power control unit 920.

[0106] In use, a user of mobile terminal 901 speaks into the microphone 911 and his or her voice along with any detected background noise is converted into an analog voltage. The analog voltage is then converted into a digital signal through the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) 923. The control unit 903 routes the digital signal into the DSP 905 for processing therein, such as speech encoding, channel encoding, encrypting, and interleaving. In one embodiment, the processed voice signals are encoded, by units not separately shown, using a cellular transmission protocol such as enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, and the like, or any combination thereof.

[0107] The encoded signals are then routed to an equalizer 925 for compensation of any frequency-dependent impairments that occur during transmission though the air such as phase and amplitude distortion. After equalizing the bit stream, the modulator 927 combines the signal with a RF signal generated in the RF interface 929. The modulator 927 generates a sine wave by way of frequency or phase modulation. In order to prepare the signal for transmission, an up- converter 931 combines the sine wave output from the modulator 927 with another sine wave generated by a synthesizer 933 to achieve the desired frequency of transmission. The signal is then sent through a PA 919 to increase the signal to an appropriate power level. In practical systems, the PA 919 acts as a variable gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP 905 from information received from a network base station. The signal is then filtered within the duplexer 921 and optionally sent to an antenna coupler 935 to match impedances to provide maximum power transfer. Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna 917 to a local base station. An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied to control the gain of the final stages of the receiver. The signals may be forwarded from there to a remote telephone which may be another cellular telephone, any other mobile phone or a land-line connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or other telephony networks.

[0108] Voice signals transmitted to the mobile terminal 901 are received via antenna 917 and immediately amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA) 937. A down-converter 939 lowers the carrier frequency while the demodulator 941 strips away the RF leaving only a digital bit stream. The signal then goes through the equalizer 925 and is processed by the DSP 905. A Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) 943 converts the signal and the resulting output is transmitted to the user through the speaker 945, all under control of a Main Control Unit (MCU) 903 which can be implemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU).

[0109] The MCU 903 receives various signals including input signals from the keyboard 947. The keyboard 947 and/or the MCU 903 in combination with other user input components (e.g., the microphone 911) comprise a user interface circuitry for managing user input. The MCU 903 runs a user interface software to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal 901 to provide a code to link broadcast content to web content via a service. The MCU 903 also delivers a display command and a switch command to the display 907 and to the speech output switching controller, respectively. Further, the MCU 903 exchanges information with the DSP 905 and can access an optionally incorporated SFM card 949 and a memory 951. In addition, the MCU 903 executes various control functions required of the terminal. The DSP 905 may, depending upon the implementation, perform any of a variety of conventional digital processing functions on the voice signals. Additionally, DSP 905 determines the background noise level of the local environment from the signals detected by microphone 911 and sets the gain of microphone 911 to a level selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the user of the mobile terminal 901.

[0110] The CODEC 913 includes the ADC 923 and DAC 943. The memory 951 stores various data including call incoming tone data and is capable of storing other data including music data received via, e.g., the global Internet. The software module could reside in RAM memory, flash memory, registers, or any other form of writable storage medium known in the art. The memory device 951 may be, but not limited to, a single memory, CD, DVD, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, optical storage, magnetic disk storage, flash memory storage, or any other nonvolatile storage medium capable of storing digital data.

[0111] An optionally incorporated SIM card 949 carries, for instance, important information, such as the cellular phone number, the carrier supplying service, subscription details, and security information. The SIM card 949 serves primarily to identify the mobile terminal 901 on a radio network. The card 949 also contains a memory for storing a personal telephone number registry, text messages, and user specific mobile terminal settings.

[0112] Further, one or more camera sensors 953 may be incorporated onto the mobile station 901 wherein the one or more camera sensors may be placed at one or more locations on the mobile station. Generally, the camera sensors may be utilized to capture, record, and cause to store one or more still and/or moving images (e.g., videos, movies, etc.) which also may comprise audio recordings.

[0113] While the invention has been described in connection with a number of embodiments and implementations, the invention is not so limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of the invention are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it is contemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination and order.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method comprising:

presenting a user interface on a device, wherein the user interface comprises a first element for selecting a broadcast station from a visual list of available stations, and a second element for entering a code, wherein the code was presented in a broadcast segment by the selected broadcast station;

constructing a full code from an identifier determined from the selected broadcast station and the code entered in the second element;

querying a database for related web content based on the full code, wherein the related web content was previously associated with the broadcast segment; and

presenting the related web content or a link to the related web content in the user interface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the code is a short code comprising a maximum of three characters.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the code is randomly generated.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the code is a custom code.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

appending the identifier determined from the selected broadcast station to the code to

construct the full code.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the code is associated with a date and time of the broadcast.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining data analytics associated with a user accessing the web content or the link to the web content with respect to the user viewing the broadcast segment.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the data analytics is performed on tracking data and contextual information about the broadcast segment, the web content, the user, the device, or a combination thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining web analytics associated with a user accessing the web content; and

associating the web analytics with the broadcast content.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the web analytics is based on web tracking, web content history, web user demographics, web user identities, or a combination thereof.

11. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,

present a user interface on a device, wherein the user interface comprises a first

element for selecting a broadcast station from a visual list of available stations, and a second element for entering a code, wherein the code was presented in a broadcast segment by the selected broadcast station;

construct a full code from an identifier determined from the selected broadcast station and the code entered in the second element; query a database for related web content based on the full code, wherein the related web content was previously associated with the broadcast segment; and present the related web content or a link to the related web content in the user

interface.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the code is a short code comprising a maximum of three characters.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the code is a custom code.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine data analytics associated with a user accessing the web content or the link to the web content with respect to the user viewing the broadcast segment.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine web analytics associated with a user accessing the web content; and

associate the web analytics with the broadcast content.

16. A system comprising:

a broadcast system configured to broadcast a short code as an overlay on a broadcast

segment, wherein the short code links the broadcast segment to web content; and a platform configured to present a user interface on a device, wherein the user interface comprises a first element for selecting a broadcast station from a visual list of available stations, and a second element for entering a code, wherein the code was presented in a broadcast segment by the selected broadcast station; construct a full code from an identifier determined from the selected broadcast station and the code entered in the second element; query a database for related web content based on the full code, wherein the related web content was previously associated with the broadcast segment; and present the related web content or a link to the related web content in the user interface.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the code is a short code comprising a maximum of three characters.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the code is a custom code.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the platform is further configured to determine data analytics associated with a user accessing the web content or the link to the web content with respect to the user viewing the broadcast segment.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the platform is further caused to determine web analytics associated with a user accessing the web content; and associate the web analytics with the broadcast content.