A portable information terminal includes a controller configured to control a communication interface to transmit a charging permission response to a broadcast receiving apparatus in response to a charging permission request data transmitted when a broadcasting program that a user of the broadcast receiving apparatus desires to view contains an asset that requires charging. The charging permission response is allowed to be transmitted when positional information indicates that the portable information terminal is positioned inside of a predetermined positional range and apparatus identification information in the charging permission request data, by which the broadcast receiving apparatus is allowed to be identified, coincides with apparatus identification information stored in a memory. The controller controls the communication interface to transmit a charging denial response to the broadcast receiving apparatus when the positional information indicates that the portable information terminal is positioned outside of the predetermined positional range.

A portable information terminal includes a controller configured to control a communication interface to transmit a charging permission response to a broadcast receiving apparatus in response to a charging permission request data transmitted when a broadcasting program that a user of the broadcast receiving apparatus desires to view contains an asset that requires charging. The charging permission response is allowed to be transmitted when positional information indicates that the portable information terminal is positioned inside of a predetermined positional range and apparatus identification information in the charging permission request data, by which the broadcast receiving apparatus is allowed to be identified, coincides with apparatus identification information stored in a memory. The controller controls the communication interface to transmit a charging denial response to the broadcast receiving apparatus when the positional information indicates that the portable information terminal is positioned outside of the predetermined positional range.

A system and method provide an enhanced listening experience for a user of a radio receiver or other device that receives broadcast or streamed content having a plurality of program channels. Thu method and system buffer designated channels at the receiver and, when switching among channels, play back the buffered designated channels during reception from a selected point therein depending on the channel or other criteria. When switching to a different channel during reception, a user is able to hear content in a buffered program channel with music from the start of a song, for example, whereas content in a channel with news, talk radio, or live sports is played back from live reception, even though the content segments are transmitted at different start times relative to their selected times for playback following a channel change. User controls allow navigation among buffered designated channels during reception.

A system and method provide an enhanced listening experience for a user of a radio receiver or other device that receives broadcast or streamed content having a plurality of program channels. Thu method and system buffer designated channels at the receiver and, when switching among channels, play back the buffered designated channels during reception from a selected point therein depending on the channel or other criteria. When switching to a different channel during reception, a user is able to hear content in a buffered program channel with music from the start of a song, for example, whereas content in a channel with news, talk radio, or live sports is played back from live reception, even though the content segments are transmitted at different start times relative to their selected times for playback following a channel change. User controls allow navigation among buffered designated channels during reception.

A media distribution system includes an enterprise hub, which in turn includes a processor and memory, multiple media outlets, and multiple integrated services layers (ISLs) acting as intermediaries between the enterprise hub to the media outlets. A first media outlet is served by a single ISL, while a second media outlet is served redundantly by at least two ISLs.

A media distribution system includes an enterprise hub, which in turn includes a processor and memory, multiple media outlets, and multiple integrated services layers (ISLs) acting as intermediaries between the enterprise hub to the media outlets. A first media outlet is served by a single ISL, while a second media outlet is served redundantly by at least two ISLs.

Systems and methods for accepting payments for goods and services provided by a merchant. In one embodiment a method can be implemented by obtaining digital content; offering said digital content to a wireless telephone user; receiving payment information from said user for purchase of said digital content; processing said payment information so as to confirm payment for said digital content; and then downloading said digital content to said wireless telephone of said wireless telephone user. Optionally, the transaction may be staged by the consumer, or others.

Systems and methods for accepting payments for goods and services provided by a merchant. In one embodiment a method can be implemented by obtaining digital content; offering said digital content to a wireless telephone user; receiving payment information from said user for purchase of said digital content; processing said payment information so as to confirm payment for said digital content; and then downloading said digital content to said wireless telephone of said wireless telephone user. Optionally, the transaction may be staged by the consumer, or others.

A digital broadcast receiving apparatus capable of executing a function with a higher added value is provided. A broadcast receiving apparatus configured to receive broadcasting data on digital broadcasting is used. The broadcast receiving apparatus includes: a broadcast receiving unit configured to receive broadcasting data containing coded video data regarding a broadcasting program of the digital broadcasting and control information for the broadcasting program; a video decoding unit configured to decode the coded video data received by the broadcast receiving unit to reproduce program video information; a display unit configured to display the program video information reproduced by the video decoding unit; a communication unit configured to transmit viewing permission request data to a predetermined portable information terminal in a case where a broadcasting program that a user of the broadcast receiving apparatus desires to view is a program on which viewing limit is to be imposed, the communication unit being configured to receive response data from the portable information terminal, the response data responding to the viewing permission request data; an authentication information storing unit configured to store terminal identification information and authentication information, the predetermined portable information terminal being allowed to be identified by the terminal identification information; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to: control the video decoding unit or the display unit so as not to limit viewing of the broadcasting program that the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus desires to view in a case where the response data received by the communication unit indicates a display permission response and both of terminal identification information and authentication information contained in the display permission response respectively coincide with the terminal identification information and the authentication information stored in the authentication information storing unit; and control the video decoding unit or the display unit so as to limit the viewing of the broadcasting program that the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus desires to view in a case where any of the terminal identification information and the authentication information contained in the display permission response does not coincide with corresponding one of the terminal identification information and the authentication information stored in the authentication information storing unit even though the response data received by the communication unit indicates the display permission response.

A digital broadcast receiving apparatus capable of executing a function with a higher added value is provided. A broadcast receiving apparatus configured to receive broadcasting data on digital broadcasting is used. The broadcast receiving apparatus includes: a broadcast receiving unit configured to receive broadcasting data containing coded video data regarding a broadcasting program of the digital broadcasting and control information for the broadcasting program; a video decoding unit configured to decode the coded video data received by the broadcast receiving unit to reproduce program video information; a display unit configured to display the program video information reproduced by the video decoding unit; a communication unit configured to transmit viewing permission request data to a predetermined portable information terminal in a case where a broadcasting program that a user of the broadcast receiving apparatus desires to view is a program on which viewing limit is to be imposed, the communication unit being configured to receive response data from the portable information terminal, the response data responding to the viewing permission request data; an authentication information storing unit configured to store terminal identification information and authentication information, the predetermined portable information terminal being allowed to be identified by the terminal identification information; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to: control the video decoding unit or the display unit so as not to limit viewing of the broadcasting program that the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus desires to view in a case where the response data received by the communication unit indicates a display permission response and both of terminal identification information and authentication information contained in the display permission response respectively coincide with the terminal identification information and the authentication information stored in the authentication information storing unit; and control the video decoding unit or the display unit so as to limit the viewing of the broadcasting program that the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus desires to view in a case where any of the terminal identification information and the authentication information contained in the display permission response does not coincide with corresponding one of the terminal identification information and the authentication information stored in the authentication information storing unit even though the response data received by the communication unit indicates the display permission response.