Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method for the detection of broadcast programming, the method comprising acts of receiving audio signals from a user over a communication network, receiving audio signals from a plurality of broadcast channels over the communication network, comparing, by a processor, the audio signals from the user with the audio signals from the plurality of broadcast channels, determining by the processor, in response to the act of comparing, that the audio signals from the user match the audio signals from at least one of the plurality of broadcast channels, identifying by the processor, in response to the act of determining, the at least one of the plurality of broadcast channels, and transmitting by the processor, in response to the act of identifying, information related to the at least one of the plurality of broadcast channels to the user.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method for awarding incentives, the method comprising receiving, via a first interface of a server, audio signals from a user over a communication network, receiving, via a second interface of the server, audio signals from a plurality of broadcast channels over the communication network, comparing, by a processor in the server, the audio signals received from the user and the audio signals received from the plurality of broadcast channels, determining, by the processor, based on the act of comparing, that the audio signals from the user correspond to a program currently being broadcast on one of the plurality of broadcast channels, and in response to the act of determining, automatically awarding, by the processor, the user at least one incentive.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method for the detection of broadcast programming, the method comprising acts of receiving audio signals from a user over a communication network, receiving audio signals from a plurality of broadcast channels over the communication network, comparing, by a processor, the audio signals from the user with the audio signals from the plurality of broadcast channels, determining by the processor, in response to the act of comparing, that the audio signals from the user match the audio signals from at least one of the plurality of broadcast channels, identifying by the processor, in response to the act of determining, the at least one of the plurality of broadcast channels, and transmitting by the processor, in response to the act of identifying, information related to the at least one of the plurality of broadcast channels to the user.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method for awarding incentives, the method comprising receiving, via a first interface of a server, audio signals from a user over a communication network, receiving, via a second interface of the server, audio signals from a plurality of broadcast channels over the communication network, comparing, by a processor in the server, the audio signals received from the user and the audio signals received from the plurality of broadcast channels, determining, by the processor, based on the act of comparing, that the audio signals from the user correspond to a program currently being broadcast on one of the plurality of broadcast channels, and in response to the act of determining, automatically awarding, by the processor, the user at least one incentive.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method for grouping chat users, the method comprising acts of receiving, via a first interface of a server, audio signals from a user over a communication network, receiving, via a second interface of the server, audio signals from a plurality of broadcast channels over the communication network; comparing, by a processor, the audio signals received from the user and the audio signals received from the plurality of broadcast channels, determining, by the processor, based on the act of comparing, that the audio signals from the user correspond to a program currently being broadcast on one of the plurality of broadcast channels, and grouping, by the processor, the user into a chat group based on at least one grouping criteria, the at least one grouping criteria including the program currently being broadcast.