System and method for enhancing recorded radio or television programs with information on the world wide web

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system, method and computer program for enabling a user () (an auditor or a viewer) to access complementary information related to one or a plurality of sequences or topics of interest () in a recorded program () previously broadcast on the radio or television and played back on a device, such as an audio or video tape or disk recorder/player (). The preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a system and method for enabling a person () listening to or watching a recorded program (), to select one or a plurality of topics () () drawing his or her attention and for immediately receiving further information related to these topics from the World Wide Web. The system is based on the synchronization of local times () () of transmitters () and recorders (). The flow of information transmitted, received and recorded is always synchronized, independently of the relative positions of recorders and transmitters. The synchronization is done referring to an absolute or universal time such as the Global Positioning System Time (GPS-time), the Global Orbiting Navigational Satellite System (GLONASS) time or another suitable universal time based on a satellite system. The GPS or GLONASS receivers are integrated or connected to the broadcasting stations. At the receiver side, GPS or GLONASS receivers may be integrated or connected to the audio or video recorders. The system is also based on a plurality of hyperlinks defined during the production and recording of the broadcast program, for given sequences corresponding to particular intervals of time synchronized with the universal (absolute) time. The hyperlinks are associated with the information that is broadcast in the program. They can be selected by users during the playback of the recorded program during predefined intervals of time and activated to access additional information and services.