U.S. patent application number 10/717183 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-19 for personalized content application.
This patent application is currently assigned to SERENADE SYSTEMS. Invention is credited to Bilobrov, Sergiy, Carhart, Tom, Navar, Murgesh, Yruski, Andrey.
Application Number | 20050108754 10/717183 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34522983 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050108754 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carhart, Tom ; et
al. |
May 19, 2005 |
Personalized content application
Abstract
A personalized media service provides, e.g., user customization
of radio channel selections, immediate availability of multiple
pre-programmed and/or customized channels, the ability to
intersperse different types of content including periodically
refreshed information content, availability of personal radio
functions on devices such as car audio systems, PDAs, smartphones,
MP3 players, etc. Available channels include, e.g., pre-programmed
channels selected for the user based on an interest profile,
user-owned content, user-specified recorded content, etc. An audio
user interface facilitates user selection of programming and user
purchase of currently played audio material. An overall radio
experience is thus provided that combines the customization and
flexibility of digital media with the immediacy and ubiquity of
radio. Video materials may also be accommodated.
Inventors: |
Carhart, Tom; (Menlo Park,
CA) ; Navar, Murgesh; (San Jose, CA) ;
Bilobrov, Sergiy; (Coquitlam, CA) ; Yruski,
Andrey; (Pacifica, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RITTER, LANG & KAPLAN
12930 SARATOGA AE. SUITE D1
SARATOGA
CA
95070
US
|
Assignee: |
SERENADE SYSTEMS
Mountain View
CA
|
Family ID: |
34522983 |
Appl. No.: |
10/717183 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/47 ; 725/45;
725/46 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04H 60/66 20130101;
H04H 20/103 20130101; H04H 60/27 20130101; H04N 21/6181 20130101;
H04H 60/51 20130101; H04H 60/22 20130101; H04N 21/472 20130101;
H04H 20/38 20130101; H04H 20/40 20130101; H04H 60/46 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/047 ;
725/045; 725/046 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/445; G06F
003/00; G06F 013/00 |
Claims
1. A method for providing a personal media service, said method
comprising: providing a user with a selection of pre-defined
channels; storing, in a local cache, media content of at least two
pre-defined channels provided by a remote publisher; receiving
input from said user specifying a custom channel as a combination
of at least two pre-defined channels of said selection; and wherein
play of said custom channel and both of said least two-predefined
channels provided by said remote publisher is immediately available
from said local cache.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein playing said cached media content
of said custom channel comprises: playing interleaved media content
of said at least two pre-defined channels that have been combined
into said custom channel.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein providing said user with a
selection of pre-defined channels comprises: displaying a list of
said pre-defined channels.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein receiving input from said user
comprises: dragging icons from said list representing first and
second pre-defined channels to a screen area used to configure said
custom channel.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein upon playing of said custom
channel, content from said first and second pre-defined channels
are given substantially equal time.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said pre-defined
channels of said selection comprises content owned by said
user.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said pre-defined
channels of said selection comprises content broadcasted via
Internet.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said pre-defined
channels of said selection comprises content broadcast via
airwaves.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said pre-defined
channels of said selection comprises web text converted to
speech.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising: sending information
specifying content of said custom channel via a network.
12. The method of claim 1 further comprising: transmitting media
content of said local cache to a remote location via a network upon
receipt of authentication information from said remote
location.
13. The method of claim 1 further comprising: based on user input,
developing information specifying a media content type to be
recorded; monitoring content of one of said pre-defined channels;
analyzing said content to capture a content identification
signature; and recording and preserving said content for later play
only if said content identification signature indicates
correspondence to said media content type.
14. A method for providing a personal media service, said method
comprising: providing a user with a group of pre-defined channels;
accepting a user selection of at least two of said pre-defined
channels; and selecting supplemental media content to interleave
with media content of said at least two selected pre-defined
channels; and caching said selected supplemental media content
along with said two pre-defined channels to make available for
immediate play; playing media content of a first one of said
selected pre-defined channels interspersed with said supplemental
media content.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein playing comprises: maintaining a
pointer within said supplemental media content; at selected points
with said media content of said first selected pre-defined channel,
playing a portion of said supplemental media content determined by
said pointer while advancing said pointer.
16. The method of claim 14 further comprising: receiving from said
user information about user preferences; and selecting said
supplemental media content based on said user preferences.
17. The method of claim 14 further comprising: after playing first
selected channel interspersed with said supplemental media content,
playing said second selected channel interspersed with said
supplemental media content while continuing to advance through said
supplemental media content.
18. The method of claim 14 wherein selecting said supplemental
media content comprises selecting based on a current location of a
portable device.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: determining said
current location employing GPS.
20. A method of providing a personal media service, said method
comprising: receiving a series of preferences from a user; applying
rules to said preferences to identify a list of pre-defined
channels available to said user; displaying said list of
pre-defined channels to said user; and locally caching at least two
of said pre-defined channels so that either is available for
immediate play.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising: playing media
content of at least one of said pre-defined channels; receiving a
command from said user to skip a portion of said media content;
skipping said portion of said media content and then resuming
playing; and transmitting information indicating said skipped
portion to a remote monitoring site.
22. A method of presenting information about media content, said
method comprising: accepting user input selecting said media
content for immediate play; retrieving data relating to said media
content; converting said data to speech; playing said speech; and
thereafter playing said media content.
23. A method of providing a personalized media service, said method
comprising: playing media content; detecting a first single user
action simultaneous with playing of said media content; and
responsive to said first single user action, performing a first
operation selected in accordance with specific media content
playing simultaneous with said first single user action.
24. The method of claim 23 further comprising: after performing
said first operation, receiving a second single user action; and
responsive to said second single user action, performing a second
operation.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein said first and second single
user actions comprise button depressions and said specific media
content comprises a song.
26. The method of claim 24 wherein said second operation comprises
a purchase of said specific media content.
27. The method of claim 24 wherein said second operation comprises
transmitting a request for user information pertaining to said
specific media content.
28. A method of downloading media content, said method comprising:
automatically checking available disk space for local cache,
responsive to said availability, determining caching depths for a
plurality of channels; and controlling downloading of said content
based on said caching depths.
29. A method of downloading media content, said method comprising:
accepting user profile input; applying rules to said user profile
input to determine channel preferences; responsive to said channel
preferences; and determining caching depths for a plurality of
channels; and controlling downloading of said content based on said
channel caching depths.
30. A method of downloading media content, said method comprising:
accepting user profile input; applying rules to said user profile
input to determine channel preferences; responsive to said channel
preferences, assigning relative priorities to content within said
plurality of channels; and controlling downloading rate of said
content based on said channel priorities.
31. The method of claim 29 further comprising: allocating storage
space for said content based on said channel caching depths.
32. The method of claim 31 further comprising: within said
allocated storage space creating dummy files to be replaced by
content-storing files upon downloading.
33. The method of claim 29 further comprising: downloading to
refresh already played content.
34. The method of claim 29 further comprising: downloading to
refresh stale content.
35. The method of claim 29 further comprising: modifying said
channel depths responsive to user selection of channels for
play.
36. The method of claim 30 further comprising: modifying said
priorities responsive to user selection of channels for play
37. A method of downloading media content, said method comprising:
gathering information of selections of channels for play as made by
a plurality of users; assigning relative priorities to content
within said plurality of channels based on a summation of said
selections; and controlling downloading rate of said content based
on said channel priorities.
38. The method of claim 32 wherein assigning said priorities
comprises: assigning said priorities responsive to content
type.
39. A method for creating a simulated radio experience on a
portable device with limited storage capacity, said method
comprising: caching content of a plurality of channels at a
station; accepting user input specifying selected ones of said
channels for availability on said portable device; determining an
allocated available storage capacity on said portable device;
pruning said selected channels to fit said storage capacity; and
transferring content of said selected channels as pruned; and
playing said transferred content on said portable device.
40. A method for creating a simulated radio experience on a
portable device with limited storage capacity, said method
comprising: accepting user input specifying a channel for
availability on said portable device; upon a first synchronization
between a station and said portable device, transferring content of
said channel from said station to said portable device; and upon a
second synchronization between said station and said portable
device, determining which previously transferred content has
already been played and transferring further content to replace
said previously played content.
41. A method for providing information to a user said method
comprising: displaying available media content organized into a
tree structure; and displaying total size of all available content
under a selected node; and displaying total size of all available
content already in the local cache under said node.
42. The method of claim 40 further comprising: accepting user
input; and responsive to said input modifying a pre-configured
caching depth.
43. A method for customizing a personal media service, said method
comprising: displaying available media content organized into a
first tree structure; accepting user input selecting nodes of said
first tree structure to specify a custom channel; displaying a
representation of a second tree structure comprising said selected
nodes; converting said second tree structure to a linear playlist;
and playing content in accordance with said linear playlist.
44. The method of claim 43 wherein converting comprises: weighting
playtime of content corresponding to said selected nodes in
accordance with user profile input.
45. A method for customizing a personal media service, said method
comprising: displaying available media content organized into a
first tree structure; accepting user input selecting nodes of said
first tree structure to specify a custom channel; displaying a
representation of a second tree structure comprising said selected
nodes; accepting user input modifying said second tree structure by
deleting specified nodes; converting said second tree structure, as
modified, to a linear playlist; and playing content in accordance
with said linear playlist.
Description
[0001] The present invention is related to the subject matter of
the co-filed application entitled "Content Distribution
Architecture," the contents of which are herein incorporated by
reference in their intirety for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to digital media and more
particularly, in certain embodiments, to systems and methods for
presenting digital media to a user.
[0003] Improvements in processor speed, digital storage capacity,
and network bandwidth have enabled remarkable advances in the
consumer audio and video experience. User control over video
experience has been enhanced by personal video recorders that
exploit digital storage advances to cache large amounts of video
programming for later viewing. Conventional terrestrial and CATV
programming delivery choices have been supplemented with digital
video content broadcast via cable or satellite as well as high
definition satellite and terrestrial broadcasts with high
definition cable services being under serious discussion.
[0004] The user audio experience has also been transformed. The
shift from the traditional phonograph media to compact discs (CDs)
in combination with the subsequent widescale distribution of
personal computers with built-in read/write CD players allowed
audiophiles to create their own "favorites" CDs for personal use.
More recently, the advent of portable MP3 players allows users to
carry their favorite songs anywhere they are. Distribution of music
over the Internet has also advanced although certain forms of
distribution have proven controversial due to concerns over
copyrights.
[0005] Another traditional form of audio content distribution is
radio. Even with the advent of more advanced audio content
distribution technologies, radio continues to be popular. For music
listeners, radio offers an element of serendipity in that even if
the station selection is indicative of a music type preference, the
sequence of songs played will be a surprise and new songs will
sometimes be heard for the first time. For those interested in
news, sports, and other programming the radio offers frequent
updates, potentially interspersed with other types of contents such
as music, and easy multitasking with other activities not possible
with newspapers and web news sources.
[0006] The above-mentioned technological advances have been applied
to radio to a certain extent. Digital radio broadcasts are
available via the Internet and satellite. Standards have also
emerged for digital AM, FM, and shortwave broadcasts. These
developments have increased audio fidelity and expanded the number
of available stations. However, the full potential of current
processing, networking, and digital storage technologies remains
unrealized. Users cannot customize radio content to the extent that
they can rearrange their stored music content. A broad spectrum of
pre-programmed radio content is now broadcast over the Internet but
an important part of the appeal of radio is its availability in
settings other than adjacent to a broadband internet connection,
e.g., in the car, while exercising, etc.
[0007] Current Internet broadcasting technologies are also
deficient in other respects in comparison to traditional radio.
When tuning a conventional radio, one expects immediate access to
any selected station whether it be by turning a tuning knob or
pushing a preselect button. The listener can almost instantaneously
assess his interest in the selected station and either continue
listening or move on to another station. In this way, the listener
can rapidly assess a large number of audio listening choices. The
Internet cannot yet provide this user experience. When the user
selects an Internet radio station, he must wait while his computer
connects and buffers audio material from the station. This delay,
although not necessarily very long, is sufficient to slow user
selection among stations and detract from the user experience.
[0008] What is needed are systems and methods for combining the
customization and broad range of choices associated with digital
media with the immediacy, ubiquity and continually refreshed
content of radio.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Embodiments of the present invention provide, e.g, user
customization of radio channel selections, immediate availability
of multiple pre-programmed and/or customized channels, the ability
to intersperse different types of content including periodically
refreshed information content, availability of personal radio
functions on devices such as car audio systems, PDAs, smartphones,
MP3 players, etc. Available channels include, e.g., pre-programmed
channels selected for the user based on an interest profile,
user-owned content, user-specified recorded content, etc. An audio
user interface facilitates user selection of programming and user
purchase of currently played audio material. An overall radio
experience is thus provided that combines the customization and
flexibility of digital media with the immediacy and ubiquity of
radio. The present invention also finds application to video
materials.
[0010] Further understanding of the nature and advantages of the
inventions herein may be realized by reference to the remaining
portions of the specification and the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts elements of a computer system according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts elements of a portable electronic device
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a physical arrangement of a portable
electronic device according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts elements of a content distribution
architecture according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a channel list according to one embodiment of
the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 6A is a flowchart describing steps of operating a
personalized radio service according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6B depicts a channel prioritization scheme according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6C depicts is a flowchart describing steps of
synchronizing a portable device according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0019] FIGS. 7A-7B depicts the structure of playlists derived from
preferred radio channel tree structures according to one embodiment
of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 8 depicts dynamic playback management according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 9 depicts operation of an audio user interface
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Introduction
[0023] Embodiments of the present invention provide a very powerful
media user interface. A specific application to audio media
materials and personalized radio is disclosed but it will be
appreciated that other embodiments of the present invention will
provide a user interface to video materials or other media.
[0024] Audio-related embodiments combine the customizability and
wide range of choices of digital media with the immediacy,
serendipity, ubiquity, and continually refreshed content of the
radio experience. Customized audio content is pre-cached allowing
the user to choose among multiple immediately available programming
offerings. A PC is used as a staging device to retrieve and
organize audio content but the listening experience is not limited
to the PC but is also available on a range of portable devices such
as MP3 players, PDAs, smartphones, etc.
[0025] Embodiments of the present invention are fully sensitive to
rights management concerns. While providing local caching of
desired content, the content is only available through the user
interface that enforces restrictions as appropriate against e.g.,
rewinding content, propagating content to other users, copying
content, etc. Generally speaking, only registered devices may
receive licensed content.
[0026] Devices and Systems
[0027] As has already been mentioned user interfaces of the present
invention exploit a variety of systems and devices. Preferably, an
appropriately configured personal computer, referred to herein as a
"station," is used for radio personalization, management and
organization of content, retrieval of content via a network, rights
management and enforcement, recording, etc. Playing of content may
be done via either the station or a portable device such as MP3
player, PDA, smartphone, car audio system, etc. The station or
portable device preferably also allows for convenient listener
rating of audio materials to facilitate publisher collection of
ratings, easy user access to information about currently playing
content, easy purchase of currently playing content, etc.
[0028] FIG. 1 depicts elements of a representative personal
computer 100 serving as a station according to one embodiments of
the present invention. Personal computer 100 may be a laptop
computer, desktop computer, etc. The various elements are depicted
as being interconnected by a bus 102. However, it will be
understood that the actual interconnections among the various
elements of a modern personal computer are more complex. Further
bus details are not presented because they are not germane to the
operation of the present invention. Also, it will be appreciated
that various elements may be either inside the computer's
structure, outside the computer's structure, or implemented by
elements both inside and outside the computer body.
[0029] Computer 100 incorporates basic elements such as a processor
104, a memory 106, a hard drive 108, and a CD read/write player
110. Processor 104 typically executes instructions stored in memory
106. The instructions perform the functions of the present
invention. Longer term storage of instructions may be on hard drive
106, on a CD accessed through player 110, on other media such as a
DVD-ROM, etc. Another example of a computer-readable medium that
carries the instructions may be a signal received over a network,
i.e., downloading of software.
[0030] Another key role of the various memory and storage devices
is to store content to be played upon command. For example, audio
content may be cached on hard drive 108 and loaded into memory 106
while being played.
[0031] Computer 100 also includes various elements to interact with
the user. There is a display 112, a keyboard/mouse 114, and sound
system/speakers 116. Display 112 and keyboard/mouse 114 facilitate
customization and selection of content. Sound system/speakers 116
allow playing of user audio content at the station.
[0032] Computer 100 can obtain content in many different ways. For
example, content may be remotely retrieved from a network via a
network interface 118. Network interface 118 may incorporate one or
more of, e.g., an Ethernet interface, DSL modem, cable modem, fiber
optic transceiver, wireless modem, etc. Content may also be
retrieved from a CD inserted in player 110 or from other media
inserted in a appropriate peripheral device. Embodiments of the
present invention further provide capturing and recording of audio
material received via a radio receiver/recorder 120. Radio
receiver/recorder 120 may include capabilities for reception of
e.g., conventional or digital AM/FM, conventional or digital
shortwave, digital satellite, TV audio, etc. To ameliorate the
impact of electromagnetic interference, radio receiver/recorder 120
is preferably located outside the body of computer 100.
[0033] Audio content that has been organized and collected on
computer 100 may also be transferred to another device for more
convenient listening. Accordingly, computer 100 is equipped with a
synchronization interface 122. Via synchronization interface 122,
selected audio content may be transferred to another device. Also,
user selections such as ratings of content, purchase orders for
content, may be transferred back to computer 100 for relaying to
the content publisher. Synchronization interface 122, may be, e.g.,
a USB interface, wireless interface such as a Bluetooth interface,
etc. Synchronization may alternatively occur across a network by
employing network interface 118. For example, synchronization may
occur via an IEEE 802.11 network or link, or across the
Internet.
[0034] FIG. 2 depicts elements of a representative portable device
200 configured to implement embodiments of the present invention.
Portable device 200 is, e.g., a smartphone, MP3 player, PDA, car
audio device, etc. Not all of the depicted elements will
necessarily be found in all of the device types. Depicted portable
device 200 includes a processor 202, a memory 204, a hard drive
206, and a flash memory device 208. The various memory and storage
devices can store instructions to be executed by processor 202 in
the course of implementing functions of the present invention.
Instructions can also be loaded via a network or other link to a
computer or other device. Each of the various memory devices are
also usable to store audio content. To provide a high quality
customized personal radio service, it is preferable, albeit not
absolutely necessary, to have 256 MB of memory available for
storage of audio content. Multiple channels of audio content are
then preferably available within 250 milliseconds.
[0035] Software to implement the present invention may operate in
the context of portable device operating system software. Examples
of portable device operating software include, e.g., the Palm.TM.
OS, Windows Mobile.TM., various types of Symbian.TM. operating
system such as Series 60.TM., UIQ.TM., etc.
[0036] Portable device 200 also includes a network/synchronization
interface 210. Network/synchronization interface 210 may provide a
short range link to computer 100 via, e.g., a USB connection, a
wireless Bluetooth.TM. connection, a wireless 802.11 connection,
etc. To implement a longer range synchronization link, there may
be, e.g., a 2.5 G or 3 G cellular interface such as, e.g., a GPRS,
EDGE, CDMA2000, UMTS, 1xEV-DO, 1xEV-DV. These types of wireless
interface may also be used to download audio content directly from
a network including, e.g., news/traffic updates.
[0037] In certain implementations, there is also a GPS receiver
213. GPS receiver 213 exploits the Global Positioning System (GPS)
to determine a current location of portable device 200. Alternative
location determining technologies may also be used.
[0038] The user interface features of the present invention exploit
a display 212 and an input device 214 that can incorporate buttons,
dials, a touchscreen, pen-based input, etc. Sounds system/speaker
(or headphones) 216 play audio content and can also play audio cues
for the user interface.
[0039] FIG. 3 depicts a physical arrangement of some of the
elements of FIG. 2 in a simplified representative portable device
200. Display 212 is positioned above a series of buttons 302 and a
jog dial 304 that form a part of input device 214.
[0040] FIG. 4 depicts elements of a content distribution
architecture according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Station (computer) 100 acts as a staging device for audio content.
Either station (computer) 100 or portable device 200 may play
content. Some of the audio content is pre-programmed by a publisher
(or publishers) 402 and propagated via a distribution network 404
operating across the Internet. Details of distribution network 402
are presented in the co-filed application entitled "Content
Distribution Architecture." Therein is disclosed a peer-to-peer
distribution architecture that provides both quality of service
guarantees and protection of ownership rights.
[0041] Channels
[0042] In the description that follows, a basic unit of media
content organization is referred to as a "channel." A channel
specifies media content that can be selected by a user for
immediate play. By specifying a channel, one does not necessarily
specify an order of play. Some channels are specified by a remote
publisher and pre-defined from the perspective of the user. Other
pre-defined channels correspond to e.g., user-owned media content
derived from CDs, DVDs, etc., locally or remotely recorded content
from Internet, over-the-air, cable, satellite, etc., text from the
web or other source that has been converted to audio, etc.
According to embodiments of the present invention, custom channels
may be created by a user by way of combining pre-defined
channels.
[0043] Some publisher-defined channels correspond to music genres
and sub-genres. Other pre-programmed channels may include radio
shows, news materials, etc. Other types of channels consist of
content that the user has separately acquired rights to. For
example, a channel may be the contents of a CD that the user has
copied onto the station's hard drive. A channel may be a playlist
that the user has constructed from multiple CDs.
[0044] Embodiments of the present invention also provide the
capability to construct channels from recorded content. With
appropriate capabilities incorporated within radio
receiver/recorder 120, the user may specify radio stations and/or
radio programs for recording. An additional feature permits the
user to even specify a song, artist, or music genre and have radio
receiver/recorder 120 record content conforming to the selected
criteria. If, as will often be the case, the content is not
appropriately tagged, station 100 will analyze a signature of the
content as known in the art and compare it to a remote database to
identify the content and determine whether to record it. The
recording function may also be performed by a remote server in
accordance with the user's criteria with the content being
downloaded to the local station. Also, recording, either local or
remote, can be extended to Internet-based broadcasters.
[0045] The user can define another type of fixed channel by
selecting a website and having the station or a remote server
convert the text to speech using conventional text-to-speech
techniques as known in the art. In this way, a vast range of
textual content can be made available as a part of a personalized
radio service.
[0046] FIG. 5 depicts elements of a user interface for managing
channels and devices according to one embodiment of the present
invention. A first screen area 502 shows a list of fixed channels
provided by the operator. The channels are presented in a tree
structure with certain channels including other channels and so on.
By clicking on the "+" or "-" the user can expand or collapse nodes
of the tree structure. For example, the music channel preferably
includes multiple genre channels, each of which include sub-genre
channels, each of which include artist channels, etc. In the
depicted example, the "Sports" channel has been expanded to show
three constituent channels, of which one, "World Sports," has been
expanded to show three constituents.
[0047] A second screen area 504 shows user-preferred channels. Some
of these preferred channels are custom channels constructed as
described below. The depicted "My Station" is an example of such a
channel. Other preferred channels include, e.g., user-owned
playlists such as the one shown as "My Music." Other channels that
may appear here include recorded content and content converted to
speech from text. The channels of screen area 504 may also have a
tree structure.
[0048] User Channel Customization
[0049] A personalized radio service according to the present
invention may offer many avenues for customization. By querying the
user about his or her characteristics and preferences the
personalized radio service may select the most suitable selection
of fixed channels from a larger universe of choices. Alternatively,
the user could select fixed channels from a linear list or
tree-structured list.
[0050] According to the present invention, the user may also define
custom services as combinations of fixed channels. Some of these
fixed channels may appear on the list constructed based on the
user's query responses and displayed as available for play. Other
fixed channels may be so-called "hidden" fixed channels that are
also chosen based on the user's query responses but not displayed
to the user for separate content play.
[0051] Other avenues of customization include the personalized
recording, user-owned content, and website text-to-speech features
discussed above. Custom channels may also be defined as
combinations of these types of fixed channels.
[0052] FIG. 6A is a flowchart describing steps of radio service
personalization according to one embodiment of the present
invention. At step 602, the pre-defined channel tree structure
shown in screen area 502 is displayed. These channels, or a subset
thereof, may be available even prior to user profile input. As will
be explained below, a limited amount of content may be cached for
each of these initially displayed channels.
[0053] At step 604, the user is queried as to his or her interests
and characteristics to obtain user profile input. For example, the
user may be queried as to home address, gender, income range,
educational level, musical interests, hobbies, profession, marital
status, number of children, etc. As there may be a relatively
lengthy series of questions, in one implementation, registration
and capturing of profile information are accompanied by a displayed
"co-pilot," an audio-visual character who helps prompt the user and
gives words of encouragement in response to the user's entries,
e.g., "I like 60s music too!," "Now we're going to ask you a few
questions about your family," etc. The co-pilot thus serves a
direct practical function by guiding the user through the queries
and also makes the personalization tasks less wearisome.
[0054] For certain types of input, selection may proceed through
dynamic expansion of available choices depending on previous input.
For example, if the user selects "Jazz" music from a list of
available genres, he or she may then be presented with a list of
available sub genres including "Classic," "Blues," "Smooth," and
"Vocals."
[0055] User profile input may also affect the choices of predefined
channels in screen area 502. In some implementations, the user
profile input is solicited before any display of the predefined
channels or any element of the user interface of FIG. 5.
[0056] At step 606, the station sets up default preferred channels
to list in screen area 504. The default preferred channels are
selected by applying rules to user profile input gathered in step
604. The rules themselves are generated centrally and distributed
over the network or may be hardcoded into the personalized radio
service software. For example if the user indicates that he listens
to sports more than rarely, a personalized sports channel may be
set up with three constituent channels consisting of special
programs, general sporting news, and world sports.
[0057] The preferred channels may also be interspersed with
commercials, news breaks, or other programming. This programming
may take the form of "hidden" channels as discussed below that are
selected on the basis of the user profile inputs.
[0058] Step 608 represents a process of user-guided establishment
of preferred channels. The user can define his own preferred
channels. For example, a user can click on a button 506 denoted as
"new channel" then populate the new preferred channel by clicking
and dragging from screen area 502 or by marking entries in screen
area 502 and clicking on button 508 marked "add to customized
channel." Any node of the tree structure 502 may be selected for
inclusion in a preferred channel. A preferred channel established
in this way may also have a tree structure consisting of nodes or
subtrees selected from screen area 502 or from other entries in
screen area 504. The user-established preferred channels may also
be interspersed with material from hidden channels.
[0059] The user may further customize a preferred channel by
deleting one or more selected nodes from the tree representing a
selected preferred channel. For example, the user may be interested
in having a preferred channel for a particular combination of music
genres but is uninterested in one or more specific subgenres. By
deleting nodes representing the undesired subgenres, the preferred
channel is further tailored to the user's preferences. A delete
button 520 may be used for requesting deletion of nodes.
[0060] Channel Prioritization and Downloading
[0061] At this point, channels of interest have been determined.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a desirable user media
experience within the constraints of network bandwidth and
available storage space. Accordingly, at step 610, priorities are
established for caching of channels. Ideally, all of the content of
all the desired channels would be cached but by careful
prioritization and updates, the user can gain the desired
experience even where bandwidth and storage must be conserved.
[0062] For purposes of allocation of storage space and networking
bandwidth, each channel may be divided into "programs." A first
program includes, e.g., three songs or the time equivalent, sampled
at a medium quality level. A second program includes the next seven
songs, or the time equivalent, sampled at a higher quality level. A
third program includes the remainder of an hour of channel content
sampled at the higher quality level. A fourth program includes two
more hours of channel content. A fifth program includes the
remainder of the channel contents.
[0063] For each channel, a cached channel depth is defined as
illustrated in FIG. 6B.
[0064] CD0 (not shown): no content
[0065] CD1 includes program 1
[0066] CD2 includes programs 1-2
[0067] CD3 includes program 1-3
[0068] CD4 includes program 1-4
[0069] CD5 includes program 1-5.
[0070] The storage allocation plan is defined in terms of channel
depths. One example plan operates as follows. Initially all of the
channels shown in screen area 502 are preferably downloaded to CD1.
These predefined channels are then trickle downloaded to CD2 over
time. Preferred channels are downloaded initially to CD3 and then
trickled to CD4. Further increases in channel depth are then based
on available storage space, the time spent by the user listening,
and/or specific user input. Channel depth may also be decreased if
listening patterns reveal user disinterest. Eventually, channel
depth for a rarely used channel may sink to CD0, meaning no storage
or bandwidth resources are used for this particular channel.
[0071] To determine allocation of download bandwidth, station 100
assigns a priority to each desired program. The configured channel
depth of the channel or channels to which a program belongs is one
fact. Programs within the desired channel depth of a channel have
their download priority increased. Factors other than configured
channel depth may also influence priority. For example, download
priority may also be increased for time-sensitive content (e.g.,
news) relative to time-insensitive content (e.g., music). The user
may also explicitly program channel depth and priority levels of 0
to conserve storage resources and download bandwidth.
[0072] Default channel depths and/or priorities for particular
channels may also be set by publisher 402 and overridden locally by
individual subscriber action or automatic response to profile
input. Furthermore, the default priorities themselves may be based
on aggregated preference feedback. Content belonging to a popular
channel is thus more broadly distributed.
[0073] In one implementation, the user interface is extended to
give the subscriber visibility into the current channel depth
configurations and caching status. For example, by passing a cursor
over a particular node of the displayed tree structure or clicking
and selecting configuration information for that node, the user may
see the maximum theoretical available channel depth for channels of
that node, specified in playtime and/or storage resources, how much
of the channel is already locally cached, and how much of the
channel is scheduled to be cached. The user then also has the
opportunity to directly modify the scheduled caching depth and thus
override the previously configured caching depth. This can
immediately free up storage resources for caching of other
channels.
[0074] At step 612, content is cached in accordance with the
established priority levels. Caching of content may occur via
distribution network 404 in accordance with the techniques
described in "Content Distribution Architecture." In one
implementation, prior to caching, dummy files are created locally
within the allocated storage space. As the actual content is
downloaded, these dummy files are overwritten.
[0075] Content Play
[0076] Step 614 represents the playing of content either on station
100, another station logged into station 100, or portable device
200. Channels may be selected by, e.g., use of radio buttons
displayed by station 100, selection of channel entries in the
interface depicted in FIG. 5, etc. Alternatively, the dial or
buttons of portable device 200 may be used to select channels. A
highly beneficial feature of embodiments of the present invention
is that the multiple channel selections are guaranteed to be
available for immediate play due to the pre-caching. This contrasts
sharply with the usual Internet streaming audio experience where
the listener must wait as each station is contacted, the material
is buffered, etc. In preferred embodiments, each of the multiple
channels is available in less than 250 milliseconds, to provide a
tuning experience similar to that of conventional radio.
[0077] Although individual channels have been downloaded, both
predefined and preferred channels will often have a hierarchical
structure incorporating other channels as has been described in
reference to FIG. 5. Furthermore, other types of content such as
commercials and sound effects may be interspersed with the
predefined or preferred channels.
[0078] Embodiments of the present invention provide that the user's
profile input is used to convert the tree structure of a selected
channel to a linear playlist. For example, the indicated relative
degrees of user preference may be used to allocate playtime among
musical genres or subgenres, or among types of information
programming. Other rules dictate the frequency of news programming
within a channel otherwise devoted to music, etc.
[0079] Other rules pertain to insertion of information programming,
commercials, etc. within other types of programming. Some of this
inserted programming is from channels explicitly included through
operation of the user interface. Other inserted programming such as
commercials may come from hidden channels that have also been
cached.
[0080] Typically, insertion points for different types of content
will be predefined based on the rules even if the content itself is
not yet cached. The user may also select a random mode,
particularly for music where constituent channels are selected at
random. Also, for preferred channels that include periodic
information bulletins, etc., the user has an option to select a
"radio-off" feature so that the underlying content, e.g., music,
etc. is played without the interruptions.
[0081] Step 610 represents the process of transferring cached audio
content from station 100 to portable device 200. Portable device
200 may synchronize its locally cached content to what is now
available on station 100 whenever the appropriate synchronization
interfaces are locally or remotely connected or synchronization may
occur via a local connection or over a network by request.
[0082] The caching of audio content corresponding to multiple
channels allows for play-on-demand of these channels at step 612.
This can occur on either station 100 or portable device 102.
[0083] FIGS. 7A-7B depict linear playlists that have been generated
from preferred channel tree structures according to one embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 7A depicts a preferred channel
including music interspersed with various information bulletins.
When the preferred channel starts play, it begins with an
introduction and welcome message. Then a "song 1" is played
followed by "The Slight Entertainment Minute," an entertainment
news program. This is followed by "Song 2" and "Song 3," which are
in turn followed by a short news program, "Local Events Podunk
Times." Then the user hears "Song 4" and "The Funny Minute," a
short comedy program. The songs themselves may be part of one
predefined channel or multiple predefined channels selected by the
user. Each of the entertainment programs are also supplied by a
particular channel.
[0084] FIG. 7B depicts a linear playlist derived from another
preferred channel, an all-talk channel. After the introduction
message, "I1," the items are "Live Gab," "Bike Talk," "Sports
News," and "Dog Radio." Each of these items may be provided by a
channel selected by the user for inclusion in the preferred
channel. For example, the channel for "Live Gab," may simply
consist of one or more episodes of this show.
[0085] FIG. 8 depicts how linear playlists are derived from cached
content according to one embodiment of the present invention. Three
preferred channels are depicted, "Bill's Radio," "Bill's Comedy,"
and "Bill's Hits." The audio content to play for the constituent
channels making up these preferred channels is organized as a
series of "files." For example, individual songs of a music channel
are stored as files "s1," "s2," "s3," etc. Other constituent
channels include DJ messages, "DJ1," "DJ2," etc., entertainment
items, "e1," "e2," etc., promotion items, "pr1," "pr2," etc., and
"Headlines." There are also "stingers," "p1," "p2," etc., sound
effects used for identification and announcements. Some of these
channels, for example, the stinger and promotion channels are
typically hidden from the user interface. The insertion points are
predefined when the preferred channels are defined. The playlist is
then compiled at time of play based on the currently cached
content.
[0086] Each of these types is a channel that is cached to a
determined channel depth by associating priority levels to
constituent programs of the channel, each such program being in
turn made up of a set of files. Separate pointers are maintained
for each constituent channel. As content from a particular channel
is included and played, the corresponding pointer advances. In this
way, repetition of content is avoided.
[0087] Some channels, particularly channels having promotional
content may form a part of the tree structure of multiple preferred
channels. It is desirable then to preserve pointer state when the
user switches to a different preferred channel. In this way,
inserted content such as advertisements will not be prematurely
repeated since the pointers will continue where they left off
during play of the previously selected preferred channel.
[0088] The priority level of content for download may change
dynamically in accordance with the listening time devoted to a
channel. As listening time increases, a greater channel depth will
be requested. This may happen automatically or based on further
user input. For example, if the listener completes the available
content on a CD(x) channel, she may be prompted for interest in
further content. If there is further interest, programs up to
CD(x+1) or CD(x+2) are marked for high priority download. Also, if
the user's listening exhausts the currently locally cached content,
previously played content can be repeated.
[0089] Certain types of time-sensitive content such as news may be
refreshed more frequently and at regular intervals even at
relatively low channel depths. This is done by increasing the
priority levels of these programs. For channels that include such
periodically refreshed content, the overall effect is to make the
whole channel seem fresh while actually consuming relatively little
primetime network bandwidth. One can see here a key advantage
provided over digital terrestrial and satellite broadcast schemes
in that they use expensive wireless bandwidth resources for live
streaming of all content even where the content is not
time-sensitive. By contrast, embodiments of the present invention
exploit the recognition that a large component of the radio
experience can be conveyed by content that has been forwarded and
stored rather than broadcast in real time. Also, the user listens
at times convenient to him rather than having to follow a broadcast
schedule.
[0090] Synchronization and Transfer of Content to Portable
Device
[0091] Another aspect of the present invention concerns
synchronization between station 100 and portable device 200.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a customized radio
experience on portable device 200 despite the limited networking
capabilities and storage bandwidth capabilities of that device.
[0092] FIG. 6C is a flowchart describing steps of performing such
synchronization according to one embodiments of the present
invention. At step 650, the station accepts user input selecting
content to transfer to the portable device. The portable device
need not be docked at this time. Referring again to FIG. 5,
portable devices are listed in a third screen area 510. The user
can add a new device by entering configuration input after
selecting entry 512, marked "Add New Device." To add content from a
predefined channel to a selected device, the user activates a
button 514 marked "Add to Device." To similarly add content from a
preferred channel to a selected device, the user activates a button
516, also marked "Add to Device." Other channels such as the hidden
channels referred to above are selected for transfer by default
without user input.
[0093] At step 652, the portable device is docked to the station
via any suitable type of connection. The synchronization may
initiate automatically upon docking or may occur in response to
user selection of a sync button 518. At step 654, the amount of
available storage space on the portable device is determined. At
step 656, the channels designated for this device are pruned to
match the available space. In a preferred embodiment, all of the
cached content for each channel remaining after pruning will be
transferred to the portable device. Where there is insufficient
space, channels may pruned away from the transfer list. Channels to
be pruned may be selected by the user after prompting or may be
automatically selected based on earlier profile input, or in any
suitable way. In an alternative implementation, the channel depths
defined by station 100 are shrunk for transferred content such that
less content of each channel is transferred but more channels may
be portably cached. At step 658, the desired content, as pruned is
transferred to the portable device.
[0094] At step 660, the portable device is docked again at a later
time. In the interim, the user has presumably listened to some of
the previously transferred content. At step 662, it is determined
which content has been listened to. Step 662 may also determine
which content has been refreshed on the station due to time
sensitivity. Stale or already played content on the portable device
is then replaced. The replacement content may be the content that
was pruned at step 656. This preserves the freshness of the radio
experience on the portable device.
[0095] In certain implementations, distribution of news channels,
traffic channels, etc., may be via wireless networks directly
accessible to portable device 200 rather than through station 100.
This further improves the immediacy of the radio experience while
restricting wireless bandwidth demands only to content that
benefits from timely updates. Wireless networking demands are
further diminished by using packet-based asynchronous downloading
that opportunistically exploits available wireless transmission
opportunities rather than requiring continuous downloads at fixed
times.
[0096] In another variation, selection of interspersed content may
be based on location information within the portable device. For
example, multiple advertising channels may be transferred to the
portable device at the time of docking. When content is being
played, a particular one of the advertising channels is selected to
provide interspersed promotional content based on the current
location of the portable device. In this way, the user can hear
advertisements of particular relevance to his current location. The
location information may be provided by, e.g., GPS receiver 213, or
by way of triangulation of among cellular system towers.
[0097] Remote Access to Content and Rights Management
[0098] Much of the pre-cached content will be subject to copyright
restrictions and/or contractual arrangement with the contract
owners. Accordingly, there is preferably no direct user access to
cached content. The cached content is itself preferably encrypted.
There is no capability to transfer the audio content to another
station or unregistered portable device without the permission of
the operator of distribution network 404.
[0099] Where arrangements have been made with the rights owner, the
user can employ the personalized radio interface to purchase
content. This content will then be copied from the encrypted cache
and become available for burning onto a CD, etc. As will be
explained below, embodiments of the present invention provide a
convenient audio user interface for purchase of currently playing
content.
[0100] Embodiments of the present invention also accommodate the
user's desire to listen to his or her channel selections at another
computer, for example, the user's work computer. Station 100 can be
configured to stream cached audio to another computer over the
Internet. The second computer is configured with appropriate access
software. The user enters his or her password at the second
computer but then obtains full access to the channels cached at
station 100.
[0101] The personalized radio service also provides
rights-sensitive mechanisms for sharing audio content with friends
and community. The user can send selected fixed channel and custom
channel specifications to other subscribers to allow them to
readily request and play the same content. A messaging structure is
built into the service so that text messages can be sent among
subscribers along with identifiers specifying channels (both fixed
and custom), individual radio programs, and possibly individual
songs. Conventional email can also be used for this purpose.
[0102] Audio User Interface
[0103] Embodiments of the present invention provide a powerful,
convenient audio user interface that interprets user actions in the
context of currently played content. The user can, e.g., evaluate
content, request information on content, purchase content, etc. In
one implementation, XML code associated with the file tells the
station or portable device how to interpret user actions taken
during play of that file. These features allow the user to make
requests by simply touching a button even when driving, jogging,
etc.
[0104] FIG. 9 depicts the sequence of user input and computer
requests. In the first interaction 900, the user requests
information about a song and can purchase it. A button on portable
device 200 or appropriate "virtual button" on the display of
station 100 is defined to be an "information" or "action" button.
Activation of this button is an example of a user action. In FIG.
9, during "Song 2" there is a first activation 902 of the
information button. This causes, as signified by block 904, display
of the song name and song artist or, alternatively, playing of
speech conveying similar information. This information may be
extracted from a meta-tag stored within the content file and then
converted into speech. The price of the song may also be conveyed
then. A second activation 906 of the information button within a
pre-defined time period indicates the user's desire to purchase the
song and leads to, at block 908, display or speech of a message
indicating the purchase and requesting confirmation. A third
activation 910 of the information button leads to confirmation of
the purchase at block 912. After that, the user gains additional
rights to the purchased content, e.g., the right to burn the
content on a CD, the right to rewind the content when it is being
played as part of the personalized radio service, etc. Even if the
purchase transaction occurs on the portable device, the rights
enhancement may be implemented at the station following
synchronization.
[0105] In a second exemplary interaction 914, promotional content,
"I1" is played and the user has a chance to request information on
the promoted goods or services. By successive user activations of
the information button, the user can navigate through a tree of
information options including requesting receipt of an
informational email or brochure.
[0106] In the example, the promotional content, "I1" includes music
and a spoken message, "Want to learn about cool new Acme products?,
press your info key." A first activation 916 of the information
button leads to playing of a first promotional audio item 918,
perhaps describing a first Acme product. A second activation 920 of
the information button during first promotional audio item 918 is
interpreted as a request for information and a message 922
requesting confirmation is displayed or spoken. A third activation
924 of the information button then actually leads to the requested
information being sent or emailed at block 926. Alternatively, if
the first promoted product is not of interest, a second promotional
item 928 about a second Acme product is played. Activation (not
shown) of the information button during second promotional item 928
would indicate interest in information about the second
product.
[0107] Another feature of the audio user interface plays a brief
announcement message when a channel is selected. This can be a
message announcing the channel, facilitating tuning among channels
when the user is driving or otherwise unable to focus full
intention on a visual display. The announcement message may consist
of content extracted from a meta-tag associated with the channel
and converted to speech.
[0108] Another feature of the audio user interface provided by
embodiments of the present invention is how user interface-related
interruptions to currently played content are handled. The
currently played content pauses to allow playing of a user audio
interface prompt. After the prompt is played, play of the content
resumes where it left off.
[0109] A selected button on the portable device or virtual
counterparts on the station can also be used to skip undesired
content. These skip commands can be tracked and reported to
publisher 402. Also, as the listener hears content, he or she can
evaluate it. In one simple evaluation scheme a first button is used
to indicate approval of the content while a second button is used
to indicate disapproval. This feedback can also be reported to
publisher 402.
[0110] Publisher Interface
[0111] Embodiments of the present invention provide publisher 402
as a powerful and convenient tool for distributing audio content,
soliciting purchase of the content or other goods, and soliciting
and collecting feedback about the content. Publisher 402 need not
incorporate distribution network functionality but rather only
prepares audio material for injection into distribution network 402
along with appropriate catalog entries identifying the contents.
Details of this process are discussed in greater detail in the
co-filed application, "Content Distribution Architecture." An
advantage of the publishing scheme is that the publisher need not
operate the distribution network or operate servers that host large
amounts of audio content. New content need be injected into
distribution network 402 only once.
[0112] In addition to injecting audio content into distribution
network 404, publisher 402 also receives information back from
listeners. The received information may also be collected by a
separate node or nodes. The received information can include
information about content desirability including, e.g., counts of
skips for particular content, up and down votes, etc. Content
desirability information can be used to set default priority levels
as described above. Although preferably the user input will be
anonymous, demographic information based on user input at time of
registration can be collected and correlated to user responses. The
received information can also include purchase orders and requests
for information.
[0113] It is understood that the examples and embodiments that are
described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that
various modifications and changes in light thereof will be
suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included
within the spirit and purview of this application and scope of the
appended claims and their full scope of equivalents. For example,
the order of processing of flowchart steps is merely
representative. Steps that are depicted as occurring in series may
instead occur in parallel. Steps may be skipped, other steps may be
added, etc.
* * * * *