Abstract:
A system and method for maintaining and accessing a database containing a number of content segments indexed by broadcast time is provided. If a user is interested in a particular content segment broadcasted from a station, he activates a portable bookmarking device which creates an entry comprising a broadcast time and a user preference indicator. In one form, the user may activate one or more buttons to indicate a positive or negative preference, while in another form a number of buttons may represent a number of categories of interest, such as varying genres. Upon coupling with a gateway, the user is presented with content selected from the database based upon the created time entries. In a further form, the system intelligently identifies the broadcast station likely associated with a bookmark and additionally may perform a correction process to ensure bookmark time accuracy. Various options exist allowing the user to interact with and obtain the selected content, including bulk download and custom streaming.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to a system and method for storing and processing electronic bookmarking information. More particularly, the present invention generally relates to a system and method for accessing content based upon broadcast time information coupled with a user preference indicator. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    There have been attempts to provide database systems and portable devices for content bookmarking. Those systems have achieved very limited success, due in large part to a number of different user and back end adoption problems. In particular, the costs of maintaining the infrastructure supporting the system and continuously making massive amounts of content readily available were cost prohibitive. Additionally, the costs of storage and systems capable of storing the massive amounts of content attributable to a single content provider, more or less a number of providers, were not justifiable in light of the subscription or sales base. Therefore, the costs had to be passed along to the users in some form. Further complicating the model, the struggling concept of electronic content sales at the time, the content providers received no valuable benefit for undertaking this tremendous and ongoing cost. 
         [0003]    By providing user preference information and/or automatic donation capabilities to a remote device for creating user bookmarks, a large new area of potential benefit to a content provider is opened up. Not only can user preference indicator information be tremendously valuable to a content provider for the purposes of advertising and program selection, but additional content can be recommended to a user as well as many other valuable features. In light of the decreasing costs of implementation and the ability to derive a wealth of information from participating users, the bookmarking of content becomes a worthwhile option to content providers  90 . 
         [0004]    Additionally, many not for profit broadcast stations have often participated in fund raising campaigns such as telethons or the like. However, limited success has been achieved when viewed from the perspective of the percentage of listeners who donate. In addition, due to the complexity and cost of these fund raising campaigns, they can only be held one or twice annually. Therefore, a need exists for a model encouraging the casual listener to donate to support a broadcast station while enjoying the content provided free of charge. Additionally, providing a method for users to place anonymous donations may further encourage support or donation frequency. By allowing a listener to donate a small amount, without much effort, a larger percentage of listeners can be turning into contributors and revenues can be efficiently raised at any time. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing content, indexed by broadcast time, to a plurality of users based upon bookmark entries comprising a broadcast time and user preference indicator stored in a remote device. In one form, the user accesses a database storing a number of content segments and associated broadcast times through a series of web pages presented to the user on a gateway such as a personal computer. By connecting a bookmark device the user is able to select a number of bookmark entries for processing. A customized display is then presented on a monitor operated by the user which presents the information associated with the identified content. In one form, the broadcast station associated with a bookmark entry is static. In another form, the system intelligently selects a likely broadcast station based upon prior user selections. A number of options are made available to the user allowing interaction with the content, such as download, streaming, and bulk download for subsequent use, such as transfer to a personal multimedia device. Additionally, the system may arrange the content based upon the user preference indicator supplied, such as ordering by interest level or by category. This allows a user to access the most desirable content first, or content of a specific genre. By automatically receiving user preference indicators associated with content from a plurality of users, valuable information is made available to content providers. 
         [0006]    In another form, a user is prompted to make a small donation to the broadcast station, a non-profit or other organization. The user indicates a willingness to donate by creating a bookmark entry during the prompted time. Upon transmission to a server, the server identifies the bookmark entry as during a donation time as determined by the broadcast station. The user is then prompted to complete payment of the donation. In a further form, the user provides payment information prior to the transmission to the server and the donation is automatically made, or made upon the authorization of the user. In another form, a donation form may be printed by the user in addition to address information in the event a user does not wish to disclose credit card information or wishes to send a check or other instrument. 
         [0007]    Yet other forms, embodiments, objects, advantages, benefits, features, and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description and drawings contained herein. 
         [0008]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are described in further detail in the detailed description and drawings contained herein. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Yet other forms, embodiments, objects, advantages, benefits, features, and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description and drawings contained herein, as well as from the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing a content bookmarking and delivery system according to one embodiment of the present system and method. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing one example of the steps performed in storing content segments within a database. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a bookmarker device according to one embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a bookmarker device according to a second embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of the bookmarker device of one embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a logical view of one example of the bookmark information created by the bookmark device in response to user activation in one form of the present system and method. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing a process for bookmark creation and subsequent content retrieval according to one form of the present system. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8   a  is a representative screen shot showing one form of the screen presentation available on the gateway in one form of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8   b  is a representative screen shot showing one form of the screen presentation available on the gateway when a specific content segment listing is selected in one form of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing one set of steps making up one form of the process for correcting bookmark time information. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing the steps for intelligently associating a broadcast station for use with a bookmark entry based upon prior user selections. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing the steps for providing the bulk download of content associated with a number of bookmark entries in a further form. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating one example of the steps involved in prompting for and receiving a donation from a user. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    For the purposes of promoting and understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
         [0023]    In the increasingly digital age, the varying number of ways in which we receive content, such as video, audio, and print is becoming more and more on demand every day. Currently, a user can store in excess of 20,000 3 minute audio clips on many common MP3 players, representing well over one month of continuous content. Furthermore, storage space in the form of hard drives, CD ROMs, and DVD media has grown increasingly more affordable per megabyte. Therefore, the ability to prioritize, categorize, and otherwise manage large amounts of content is becoming increasingly important from a user perspective as storage concerns diminish. In the past, radio bookmarking systems have enabled users to record a time stamp and later correlate the timestamp to a particular song or segment of a radio broadcast. However, these radio bookmarking systems often require frequent retrieval of bookmarked content in order to efficiently manage the bookmarked segments. By allowing a user to record a personal preference indicator while listening to a content segment, many valuable operations, including sorting and ranking can be performed. In addition, the level of information and features made available to the broadcaster increased in value. It shall be appreciated that use of the term bookmark herein means an electronic entry having a timestamp reflecting a broadcast time. In a further form, a bookmark also includes a user preference indicator. The present invention is directed toward storing a user interest level along with a timestamp in a personal bookmarking device, but the present invention also serves other purposes in addition to these. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a diagrammatic view of a content bookmarking system  20  of one embodiment of the present invention. Broadcast station  50  operates to provide content to the users of system  20 , such as via the airwaves, to broadcast receiver  36 . For purposes of this description, broadcast station  50  is a radio broadcast station, such as an FM or AM radio broadcast station regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Other forms of radio broadcast may include satellite radio, internet radio, and the like. Additionally, broadcast receiver  36  may be a personal radio, stereo, car audio system, computer, or similar device. 
         [0025]    Content database  44  operates in connection with broadcast station  50  to store and maintain recorded content segments and associated information. For example, the title, author, and the broadcast date(s) and time range(s) of a segment are provided by broadcast station  50  and stored in association with a content segment in content database  44 . In one form, the content segments stored are recorded radio broadcast segments, such as talk radio programs, songs, and/or commercial advertisements, to name just a few representative examples. It shall be appreciated that the principles of the present invention may be applied to other media forms, such as broadcast television, cable, movies, or other forms of content. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  illustrates, with continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , the steps performed by broadcast station  50  of  FIG. 1  for storing content segments in content database  44  in one form of the present system and method. The process begins at start point  100  with the broadcast station  50  querying content database  44  to determine if an upcoming content segment is already store therein (stage  102 ). In the event of talk radio or other live content, this step may be omitted. If the content database contains the content segment, the broadcast station  50  transmits the date and time at which the broadcast of the content segment began and concluded (stage  104 ) to content database  44 . This time information is added to the preexisting content segment entry by content database  44  (stage  106 ). For example, a musical piece may be broadcast hundreds of times, at different times on different broadcast stations, while only requiring storage once for purposes of efficiency. If desired, a content segment may be stored multiple times in order to include prior or post content such as a disc jockey introduction or the like. 
         [0027]    In the event a content segment is not found within content database  44 , broadcast station  50  broadcasts and records a content segment (stage  108 ). Once the content segment is completed, the recording is transmitted to content database  44  along with time information indicating the date and time at which the broadcast of the content segment began and concluded (stage  110 ). Additionally, each segment includes a broadcast entity denoting the radio station upon which the content segment was broadcast, as determined by the sender. Preferably, the content segments also include other information such as the title, author, genre, album, artist, description, etc or the content segment. In one form, content segments may be transferred to content database  44  in bulk, such as hourly or daily. Preferably, the content segments are transferred to content database  44  as quickly as possibly in order to maximize their availability to the users. Once a content segment is transferred into content database  44 , relations may be identified between content segments, such as those having the same author, or those of the same genre (stage  112 ) to facilitate quick retrieval of related content. Additionally, associated content may be added at any time thereafter, such as to ensure that current information is available. Finally, the content segments are made available within content database  44  for searching and retrieval by server  40  ( 114 ). The process ends at end point  116 . It shall be appreciated that the process of  FIG. 6  may be executed independently by a number of broadcast stations, such as station  50 , and that content database  44  may be one large database contributed to by a number of broadcast stations or that several broadcast stations may each maintain their own content database  44  accessible to server  40 . 
         [0028]    Returning to  FIG. 1 , system  20  includes a gateway  30  connected to a bookmarking device  32  for receiving bookmark information stored therein by a user. Bookmark device  32 , upon operation by the user, stores bookmark information, including a bookmark time for subsequent transfer to gateway  30 . In a further form, bookmark device  32  also stores a user preference indicator in association with the bookmark time for purposes of reflecting information such as a user&#39;s interest level or categorization of the content currently being broadcast. 
         [0029]    Computer network  22  couples together gateway  30 , server  40 , and content database  44  over network pathways  24   a - 24   c  respectively to facilitate the exchange of uploaded bookmark information received by gateway  30  from bookmarking device  32  and subsequently the corresponding content identified from content database  44  by server  40 . Server  40  additionally includes user database  42  for storing individual user information including user preference information. Further, gateway  30  is connected to personal multimedia device  34  for transferring downloaded content to allow subsequent remote playback at the user&#39;s convenience. 
         [0030]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , a bookmark device  32  is shown in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Bookmark device  32  includes an outer housing  210 , which encloses a plurality of internal functional parts, described in detail hereinafter. Housing  210  preferably has a cutout  220  for allowing a user to attach the bookmark device  32  to a key ring, lanyard, or the like. Bookmark device  32  also includes a display  218 , an interface connector  222  for connecting with a gateway device, and a removable cap  224  for protecting connector  222  when not in use. Preferably, display  218  may be a series of LED lights capable of indicating status with color, flashes, or the like. In a further form, the display  218  may be an LCD screen or the like. In this first embodiment, interface connector  222  is a USB connector, and bookmark device  32  also includes an input control  212  comprising a first button  214  for creating a bookmark entry, a second button  215  for indicating one of a number of positive user interest levels and a third button  216  for indicating one of a number of negative user interest levels. For example, a user might create a bookmark by activating first button  214  and associate a small positive interest level by pressing button  215  once, while the same user may alternatively indicate a strong negative interest by pressing button  216  3 times in sequence. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows a second embodiment of bookmark device  32 . For purposes of clarity, previously described elements of bookmark device  32  will be commonly numbered and their description omitted. In this second embodiment, interface connector  222  is a wireless connector, such as infrared or Bluetooth, and input control  212  comprises a plurality of buttons  215   a - f  for allowing a user to indicate one of a number of user interest levels, such as categories of interest. In one form, the categories may be user defined using gateway  30  and server  40 . In another form, the categories may be predetermined and indicated on their respective buttons. In a further form, each button may be activated multiple times in sequence or pressed and held for a period of time to allow the user to express an interest level. Additionally, bookmark device  32  includes charging port  226  for connection to a power source for recharging. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  shows an example of one form of the internal construction of bookmark device  32  suitable for use in the first and second embodiments. Central processing unit (CPU)  502  is connected to a memory module  504  preferably having at least 512 KB of memory storage and preferably at least 10 MB of memory storage. Preferably, memory module  504  is non-volatile to preserve bookmark information in the event of failure, removal, or power loss from battery  508 . Additionally, memory module  504  may include a read only portion for storing firmware, software, or other pre-programmed information, such as software instruction for automatically presenting a web browser connection to server  40  upon connection to gateway device  30 . CPU  502  is also connected to predetermined interface  506 , such as USB, IEE1394, serial, Bluetooth, 802.11, or infrared to name just a few non-limiting examples. In addition, CPU  502  is connected to a battery  508 , preferably rechargeable or replaceable, and clock  510  for providing accurate time information. 
         [0033]    Turning to  FIG. 6 , with continued reference to  FIG. 5 , a logical view of an example of the bookmark information created by the bookmark device  32  of system  20  is illustrated. It shall be appreciated that memory module  504  stores the information within bookmark device  32  as described below. Bookmark device  32  stores a unique serial number  602 , which is stored in the read-only portion of memory  504 . Additionally, upon first use, a usemame and password combination  604  may be stored within device  32  in order to facilitate fast log in upon connection with gateway  30  and exchange with server  40 . Alternatively, in order to preserve privacy and security, only a username may be stored, requiring the user to supply the corresponding password. Moving to the bookmark information, a representative example of a bookmark entry  610  is illustrated as a single row of a table. It shall be appreciated that any number of bookmarks may be stored, but that only five have been illustrated to preserve clarity. Bookmark entry  610  includes an identifier  612  for use by gateway  30  and bookmark device  32  during communication. Identifier  612  may be numeric, alphanumeric, unique, or relative. Additionally, each bookmark entry  610  includes a date  614  and a time  616  representing the time when the user created the bookmark by activating the input control  212  of bookmark device  32 . In an alternate form, bookmark device  32  may store a time or count and subsequently compute a time and date based upon the last sync with gateway  30  upon connection to gateway  30 . Bookmark entry  610  also includes a user preference indicator  618 , which may represent the level of interest of the user, such as on a scale of minus three to positive  3 , or on a scale of one to ten. Other forms have user preference indicator  618  represent one of a number of user-defined or predefined categories. In a further form, each category may have two or more levels of user interest, such as positive or negative, very interested or slightly interested. 
         [0034]    Turning to the bookmark transfer and content retrieval process, in the illustrative embodiment, system  20  of  FIG. 1  includes at least two computers, namely gateway  30  and server  40 . In one form gateway  30  is a personal computer such as a desktop or laptop computer. Gateway  30  may include wired connection ports such as universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394 (Firewire), or serial, and wireless connection hardware such as Bluetooth, 802.11, or infrared to name just a few non-limiting examples, suitable for connection to bookmarking device  32  and personal multimedia device  34 . Additionally, server  40  is operable as a web-server to serve web pages to a number of computers, such as gateway  30 , via computer network  22 . 
         [0035]    It shall be appreciated that server  40  may be a single server or a larger number of servers, such as a server farm, in order to adequately handle user demand. Preferably, server  40  includes both a primary and a backup server allocated to the tasks described herein to maintain a constant service level. 
         [0036]    Specifically, computers  30  and  40  include one or more processors or CPUs ( 26   a  and  26   b  respectively) and one or more types of memory  28   a  and  28   b,  respectively). Each memory  28  preferably includes a removable memory device. Each processor  26  may be comprised of one or more components configured as a single unit. When of a multi-component form, a processor  26  may have one or more components located remotely relative to the others. One or more components of each processor  26  may be of the electronic variety defining digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or both. In one embodiment, each processor  26  is of a conventional, integrated circuit microprocessor arrangement, such as one or more PENTIUM III or PENTIUM 4 processors supplied by INTEL Corporation of 2200 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara, Calif. 95052, USA. 
         [0037]    Computer network  22  can be in the form of a wireless or wired Local Area Network (LAN), Municipal Area Network (MAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), such as the Internet, a combination of these, or such other network arrangement as would occur to those skilled in the art. The operating logic of system  20  can be embodied in signals transmitted over network  22 , in programming instructions, dedicated hardware, or a combination of these. It should be understood that more or fewer devices such as those illustrated in  FIG. 1  may coupled together by computer network  22 . 
         [0038]    Turning to  FIG. 7 , with continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the process for bookmark creation and subsequent content retrieval according to one form of the present system and method is illustrated. The process begins at start point  702  with a user activating input control  212  on bookmark device  32  and storing a bookmark entry (stage  704 ). The bookmark device  32  is then operably connected to gateway  30  (stage  706 ). It shall be appreciated that one or more bookmark entries may be created prior to connection with gateway  30  by repeating step  704  any number of times. Once connected, the gateway  30  reads the bookmark entries from bookmark device  32  (stage  708 ). Once read, the gateway  30  connects to server  40 . In one form, the gateway  30  transfers the serial number of bookmark device  32 , which may be unique, in order to facilitate user log in or recognition. In another form, the user provides a username and password combination allowing the server  40  to remember users and their preferences. Once connected, gateway  30  transfers at least one bookmark entry to server  40  (stage  712 ). Preferably, server  40  stores the bookmark entries received for subsequent manipulation by the user. Server  40  then utilizes the bookmark entry received to search within content database  44  for a content segment having broadcast time information matching that of the bookmark entry (stage  714 ). In addition to the bookmark entry time information, server  40  may also utilize a broadcast station identifier in order to locate the content segment the user is seeking. Once located, server  40  performs a bookmark time correction process (stage  716 ), described in detail below, to ensure that the user bookmark time accurately reflects the content segment the user intended. The server  40  then presents the selected content segment and its associated information to the user, such as through gateway  30  (stage  718 ). The process ends at end point  720 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 8   a  illustrates a sample screenshot, such as for presentation on gateway  30 , which is created by server  40  in response to transmission of a plurality of bookmark entries. The received bookmark entries are each represented by identified content segments listings  802 . Turning to one illustrative example, content segment listing  804  has an associated segment title  806 , run length  808 , broadcast station  810 , and broadcast time  812 . In the event a content segment is not the one intended, the user may manipulate the current listing by activating the arrows adjacent to a listing, such as arrows  820  to select a different broadcast station or arrows  822  to select an earlier/later broadcast time. Additionally, the user may select a number of content segments listings  802  using associated checkboxes  830  and subsequently play, email, delete, or download a number of content segments using buttons  840 ,  842 ,  844 , and  846  respectively. In the event a user desires more information, the user may select a specific content segment, such as segment  806 , and be taken to a more detailed page, illustrated in  FIG. 8   b.    
         [0040]      FIG. 8   b  illustrates a sample screenshot, such as for presentation on gateway  30 , which is created by server  40  in response to the selection of a specific content segment listing. Central section  852  displays the detailed information concerning the content segment selected. In the information section  854 , information relative to the identified content segment matching the currently selected content segment is presented. In a further form the information presented in central section  854  as well as other sections of the page may be periodically refreshed during the playback of a content segment to present information matching the current portion of the content segment, such as the current topic. For example, a user may be streaming a  30  minute talk show segment, currently in a portion describing increasing gasoline prices. At this point, the information presented in central section  854  may be a graph showing the trend in gas prices at the pump, or may include supplemental articles or other identified information. Additionally, a bookmark listing window  856  indicates the current bookmark which defines the content segments displayed in sections  852  and includes additional bookmark listings, similar to the main screen of  FIG. 8   a.  Using windows  856 , the user may easily navigate between the various bookmark entries provided and interact with the content segments. A user may also view their current rating of the content segment in portion  852 , or if no rating is currently provided, the user may supply one using rating box  858 . A playback section  860  is also provided which allows a user to playback the current segment and control its playback. In addition, playback progress indicator  864  moves along a timeline  862  showing the progress of the playback. In addition, a pop-up, such as window  866 , may identify the current topic of the broadcast segment or otherwise. Additional tabs, such as tab  857  and  859  may provide additional information panes such as more content from the same author or more content from the same broadcast provider respectively. 
         [0041]    Turning to  FIG. 9  the steps making up one form of the process for correcting bookmark time information is illustrated. In one form, where the content segments marked by a user are relatively short in length, such as music or songs, and the likelihood of a bookmark being created shortly after a content segment ends is elevated. The process begins at start point  900  with the server  40  receiving bookmark time information and retrieving a corresponding content segment from content database  44  (stage  902 ). The server  40  then retrieves a history of user feedback (stage  904 ), such as the number of times a user has indicated that a content segment returned was incorrect, or the number of times a user has selected the previous section in  FIG. 10 , indicating an interest in the prior content segment. The server  40  then determines if the bookmark time is within a certain time of the beginning of a content segment (stage  906 ). If the user frequently selected a prior segment, then the time frame may be extended to allow for delayed bookmarking. If the server  40  identifies a bookmark which occurs very early in a content segment and within this time range, then the server  40  subtracts a certain time amount from the bookmark time to ensure it correctly falls within the broadcast time of the preceding content segment (stage  908 ). The server  40  then retrieves the preceding content segment and presents it to the user (stage  910 ). If the server  40  does not identify the bookmark time as within a certain time period of the beginning broadcast time and thus likely late, then no correction is needed and the process ends at end point  912 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 10  illustrates a process for intelligently associating a broadcast station for use with a bookmark entry based upon prior user selections. The process is useful in one form of the present system and method wherein multiple broadcast stations make content available via one or more content databases. The process begins at start point  1002  with the server  40  receiving a bookmark entry including time information (stage  1004 ). The server  40  then retrieves a user profile associated with the current user or bookmark device  32  (stage  1006 ). Using the profile, the server  40  selects the most commonly used broadcast station during a time range containing the time associated with the current bookmark entry (stage  1008 ). In one form, the time ranges may be one hour in length to capture a user&#39;s varying tendencies while in other forms the time ranges may be of different lengths to accommodate more established listening patterns. Once the most likely broadcast station is selected the process ends at end point  1010  and the server  40  queries content database  44  using the time provided by the bookmark entry and the broadcast station selected. If the user indicated that the broadcast station is incorrect then the server  40  takes that information and modifies the current time range in the user profile to increment the user specified broadcast station. 
         [0043]    Turning to  FIG. 11 , with continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the process for bookmark creation and bulk content retrieval according to another form of the present system and method is illustrated. In addition to the user interface provided in  FIG. 8 , a quick bulk download process may be desired by a user simply wishing to retrieves a larger number of content segments in one batch process all having the same or a known broadcast station. The process begins at start point  1102  with the user connecting device  32  to gateway  30  (stage  1104 ). The user then selects a number of bookmark entries using gateway  30  (stage  1106 ). Gateway  30  transmits the selected batch of bookmark entries to server  40  (stage  1108 ). Server  40  then retrieves a segment of content corresponding to each bookmark entry based upon time information (stage  1110 ). Optionally, the server  40  may sort the content segments based upon their respective user preference indicators (stage  1112 ). The server  40  then provides the selected content segments in bulk to gateway  30  (stage  1114 ) for subsequent listening or download, such as to personal multimedia device  34 . In one form, the bookmark entries may include a user preference indicator and the content segments may be transferred in interest level order having the most interesting segments downloaded first. In an alternate form, the server  40  may provide an audio stream of the content segments selected and allow the user to easily navigate from the start of one segment to the other. Again, the content segments may be ordered according to their associated user preference indicator based upon interest level or categorization. Additionally, a user may send information corresponding to a content segment associated with a bookmark entry to another person or user, such as via e-mail, text message, instant message, or the like. The process ends at end point  1116 . 
         [0044]    In an alternate form, the user bookmark device of system  20  may be utilized to accept user donations, such as in the case of a non-profit or user supported broadcast station.  FIG. 12  illustrates the steps involved in prompting for and receiving a donation from a user in yet another form of the present system and method. The process begins at start point  1200  with the broadcast station  50  of  FIG. 1  broadcasting a segment prompting the users to donate money to a cause, such as the broadcast station itself or some other entity by creating a bookmark during the segment (stage  1202 ). Next, the server  40  stores the time range during which donations were requested (stage  1204 ). In an alternate form, the server  40  may store a content segment in content database  44  having a donation requested flag. Upon connection of bookmark device  32  to gateway  30  by a user, server  40  receives a bookmark entry having an associated broadcast time which falls within the stored time range in which donations were requested (stage  1206 ). The server  40  then prompts the user for payment information (stage  1208 ), which may include credit card information, a mailing address for a check or money order, or account information for online payment processors such as PayPal®. In an alternate form, the user may provide payment information for storage prior to being prompted for a donation in stage  1202 , in which case stage  1208  may be omitted. Once payment information is available to server  40 , the user authorizes payment by sending an authorization to server  40  (step  1210 ). The authorization may include a payment amount, which may be determined as a function of the number of times the user activated input control  212 , may be user entered, or may be a predetermined amount. Finally, the payment is processed (stage  1212 ) and the process ends at end point  1214 . 
         [0045]    In other embodiments, the user may configure server  40  to donate a predetermined amount from a predefined source, such as a credit card or bank account, periodically, based upon the number of bookmarks received associated with the user. For example, a user may wish to donate one dollar for every  10  bookmarks established. In a further form, the server  40  may only count bookmarks having a positive user preference indicator. 
         [0046]    Further, it shall be appreciated that the user preference indication information provided with by bookmark device  32  may be highly useful to the broadcast station  50  and may be collected and analyzed by server  40  for purposes such as market analysis, audience profiling, content selection/recommendation, and determining user interest levels. 
         [0047]    While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all equivalents, changes, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions as described herein and/or by the following claims are desired to be protected. 
         [0048]    Hence, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.