U.S. patent application number 11/044569 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-10 for receiver content saving system.
Invention is credited to Viktors Berstis, Fabian F. Morgan.
Application Number | 20060179077 11/044569 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36781121 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060179077 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Berstis; Viktors ; et
al. |
August 10, 2006 |
Receiver content saving system
Abstract
A method and system are provided in which a user is enabled to
create a preferred playlist of the user's favorite songs or types
of video presentations. An input device allows the user to add or
delete items or key words of a song title or video presentation to
or from the favorites list. In an exemplary video application, a
user is enabled to indicate by using a digital video recorder, a
specific type of broadcast such as "Sports" or "Basketball". In an
exemplary radio application, the user is enabled to list songs, or
key words of the title if the user is unsure of the exact title, on
the preferred playlist. Video signals or songs playing on several
channels or stations are monitored and when a listed video type or
song having the input key words from the user's favorites list
begins to play on a station, the song and the full song title which
is acquired from the received broadcast data, are automatically
saved to memory for subsequent retrieval and playing by the user.
In one example, the user is also enabled to add video types or
songs to the favorites list by pressing a single "ADD" button at
any time while a type of video or a favorite song is currently
being played. The song then being played together with the title of
the song or video presentation are then saved to memory for
subsequent retrieval and playing.
Inventors: |
Berstis; Viktors; (Austin,
TX) ; Morgan; Fabian F.; (Austin, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IBM CORPORATION (RVW)
C/O ROBERT V. WILDER, ATTORNEY AT LAW
4235 KINGSBURG DRIVE
ROUND ROCK
TX
78681
US
|
Family ID: |
36781121 |
Appl. No.: |
11/044569 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 ;
707/999.107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04H 60/46 20130101;
H04H 20/26 20130101; H04N 21/4828 20130101; H04N 7/173 20130101;
H04H 60/37 20130101; H04H 60/13 20130101; H04N 21/8405 20130101;
H04N 21/4825 20130101; H04N 21/8113 20130101; H04H 2201/13
20130101; H04N 21/4334 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
707/104.1 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/00 20060101
G06F017/00 |
Claims
1. A method for processing a plurality of digital data streams,
said digital data streams being derived from transmissions received
from a like plurality of radio stations wherein portions of said
digital data streams comprise songs which are played by said radio
stations, said method comprising: receiving said digital data
streams by a processing circuit; and enabling a user to save a
currently playing song and information related to said song to a
playlist by engaging a single actuating device while said favorite
song is being played, said information related to said song being
included in said received digital data streams.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said song-related
information includes a song title of said currently playing
song.
3. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including
displaying said playlist on a display device to said user.
4. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including
providing a perceptible indicium to said user when said currently
playing song is being saved.
5. A method for processing a plurality of digital data streams,
said digital data streams being derived from transmissions received
from a like plurality of radio stations, said method comprising:
receiving said digital data streams by a processing circuit;
determining when one or more of said digital data streams contains
a predetermined data sequence, said predetermined data sequence
being representative of the playing of a particular song on one of
said radio stations; and enabling a saving of said particular song
in memory.
6. The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said predetermined
data sequence is representative of at least a key word in a title
of said particular song.
7. The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein said predetermined
data sequence is contained within a header segment of a song
file.
8. The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein at least one
perceptible indicium is provided when said saving is occurring.
9. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said at least one
perceptible indicium is an audibly perceptible indicium.
10. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said at least one
perceptible indicium includes a visually perceptible indicium.
11. The method as set forth in claim 5 and further including
producing an indication of a particular one of said radio stations
from which said predetermined song is being received.
12. The method as set forth in claim 5 and further including
enabling a switching from a currently listened to radio station to
said particular one of said radio stations from which said
predetermined song is being received.
13. The method as set forth in claim 5 and further including:
enabling a user to create a playlist of said user's favorite songs,
said playlist including song titles or key words within a song
title; and displaying said playlist on a display device.
14. The method as set forth in claim 13 and further including:
enabling a user to add a currently playing song to said playlist by
engaging a single actuating device while said favorite song is
being played.
15. A storage medium, said storage medium being selectively coupled
to processing circuitry, said storage medium containing indicia
readable by said processing circuitry for providing program signals
to control processing a plurality of digital data streams, said
digital data streams being derived from transmissions received from
a like plurality of radio stations, said program signals being
effective for: receiving said digital data streams by a processing
circuit; determining when one or more of said digital data streams
contains a predetermined data sequence, said predetermined data
sequence being representative of the playing of a particular song
on one of said radio stations; and enabling a saving of said
particular song in memory.
16. The medium as set forth in claim 15 wherein said predetermined
data sequence is representative of at least a key word in a title
of said particular song.
17. The medium as set forth in claim 16 wherein said predetermined
data sequence is contained within a header segment of a song
file.
18. The medium as set forth in claim 15 wherein said program
signals are further operable for: enabling a user to create a
playlist of said user's favorite songs, said playlist including
song titles or key words within a song title; and displaying said
playlist on a display device.
19. The medium as set forth in claim 18 wherein said program
signals are further operable for: enabling a user to add a
currently playing favorite song to said playlist by engaging a
single actuating device while said favorite song is being
played.
20. The medium as set forth in claim 19 wherein said program
signals are further operable for enabling said user to delete a
selected favorite song from said playlist.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Subject matter disclosed and not claimed herein is disclosed
and claimed in related co-pending application, Attorney Docket
AUS920040652US1, which is assigned to the assignee of the present
application and included herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to information
processing systems and more particularly to a system and
methodology for processing received digital audio and/or video
signals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the rapidly changing world of telecommunications and
electronics in general, the concepts of radio that exist today are
not much different from those in existence in the early part of the
twentieth century. Despite the advent of physical media which
enable a user to carry the music to which the user wishes to
listen, the concept of radio still exists in a format offering
users very few user options. Although a user may choose a station
or several stations which may be preferred by the user, there are
no current options which enable users to listen to preferred music
selections, for example, at the user's convenience rather than on
the timetables provided by the local broadcasters.
[0004] Moreover, it is oftentimes frustrating for a user to switch
among radio stations in an effort to find a music selection
preferred by the user. Many times, when a user finally does find a
music selection or song that the user prefers, the song may be
ending and the user may have to initiate the station scanning
process all over again. This is not only frustrating to the user
but also distracting and even dangerous when the user is operating
a motor vehicle at the same time.
[0005] Thus, there is a need for an improved digital processing
system which provides a greater degree of control by users of radio
and other broadcast signal content.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A method and system are provided in which a user is enabled
to create a preferred playlist of the user's favorite songs or
types of video presentations. An input device allows the user to
add or delete items or key words of a song title or video
presentation to or from the favorites list. In an exemplary video
application, a user is enabled to indicate by using a digital video
recorder, a specific type of broadcast such as "Sports" or
"Basketball". In an exemplary radio application, the user is
enabled to list songs, or key words of the title if the user is
unsure of the exact title, on the preferred playlist. Video signals
or songs playing on several channels or stations are monitored and
when a listed video type or song having the input key words from
the user's favorites list begins to play on a station, the song and
the full song title which is acquired from the received broadcast
data, are automatically saved to memory for subsequent retrieval
and playing by the user. In one example, the user is also enabled
to add video types or songs to the favorites list by pressing a
single "ADD" button at any time while a type of video or a favorite
song is currently being played. The song then being played together
with the title of the song or video presentation are then saved to
memory for subsequent retrieval and playing. The user is also
enabled to delete video types and/or songs from the favorites list
by entering an edit mode to present the favorites list on a display
associated with the television or radio, highlighting or otherwise
indicating a video type or song which the user wishes to delete and
pressing a delete button. The ADD and DELETE functions may also be
implemented through the use of an embedded voice processing system
in which case the user need only speak an appropriate command such
as "Add", "Delete" or "Change Station".
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] A better understanding of the present invention can be
obtained when the following detailed description of a preferred
embodiment is considered in conjunction with the following
drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a receiving device implemented
in accordance with the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a compare function
implemented in accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an illustration of one embodiment of a display
unit used in connection with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an illustration of another embodiment of a display
unit which may be used in connection with the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an exemplary operational
sequence in one implementation of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary operational
sequence for an "DELETE" function as may be used with the present
invention; and
[0014] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary operational
sequence for an "ADD" function as may be used with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Relatively recent developments in Radio Data System (RDS)
and Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS) technologies have resulted
in widespread implementation of improved digital processing systems
for radio transmission systems. With RDS, identification
information concerning a song currently being played on a radio for
example, is available from the broadcast information for other
uses. For example, the name or title of the song, the artist, the
album and other related information may be decoded from a received
radio transmission and made available for additional processing.
Although the present disclosure is made with regard to an RDS radio
system, it is understood that the principles contained herein also
have application to video signal processing methodologies, and may
be used in connection with digital video receivers and recorders as
well, in processing various types and titles of digital video
signal streams.
[0016] It is noted that circuits and devices which are shown in
block form in the drawings are generally known to those skilled in
the art, and are not specified to any greater extent than that
considered necessary as illustrated, for the understanding and
appreciation of the underlying concepts of the present invention
and in order not to obfuscate or distract from the teachings of the
present invention.
[0017] With reference to FIG. 1, the various methods discussed
herein may be implemented within a receiving device 100 which
illustrates only one of many possible exemplary embodiments of the
present invention. The receiving device 100 includes a receiver
unit 101 which is arranged to receive broadcast signals through an
antenna 102. The radio receiver unit 101 receives signals from the
antenna 102 and converts those signals into a plurality of digital
data streams 105 of information S1-S(n). Received signals may
include, for example, amplitude modulated (AM), frequency modulated
(FM) and/or citizen's band (CB) signals, inter alia. Analog signals
are converted into digital streams through analog-to-digital
converters (not shown) within the radio receiver unit 101. As
hereinafter discussed in greater detail, a digital data stream is
generated for each station that has been tuned-in or selected by a
user of the receiver unit 101. If no stations have been
pre-selected by a user, the receiver 101 provides data streams for
each of a predetermined number of the strongest stations received
by the receiver 101. In the present example, where no stations have
been pre-selected by a user, the radio receiver 101 will digitize
and provide data streams for the five strongest stations being
received. It is understood that the exact number of default
stations may be any number depending upon the application and the
number of stations being received in the geographical area.
[0018] The station digitized data streams are applied to processing
circuitry 103 which includes one or more CPUs 107, a memory unit
109, storage 111, a network interface 113 and voice processing
circuitry 115. The memory unit 109 is used for selectively storing
favorite songs and listings. The voice processing circuitry 115
enables synthesized voiced announcements to be made and also
enables direct user input through voiced commands. Voiced inputs as
well as push-button inputs and software menu-enabled user inputs
are processed through a user input or interface unit 117. All of
the functional blocks within the processing circuitry 103 are
connected together by a common system bus. The system is designed
to enable a user, inter alia, to input the name or title of a
favorite song using a voiced input to the voice processing module
115. The voiced-in title will then be inserted into a favorites
listing such that the system will subsequently search for the input
title from song header information transmitted from the tuned radio
stations. The user may also input song titles, or key words of a
song title, for the system to use in searching incoming data
streams to determine when a favorite song or title is being played
on one of the radio stations.
[0019] Outputs from the processing circuitry 103 are provided to a
display module 119, and also as played station audio output to a
speaker system 121 of an audio player. The display device 119 may
comprise, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) which is
viewable by a user in a motor vehicle. Outputs from the processing
circuitry are also provided to an audio alert system 123, which, in
response to signals provided from the processing circuitry 103, is
enabled to alert a user to various conditions by sounding alarms
and/or synthesized voice announcements. Other alarms including
visual alarms (i.e. flashing or blinking text) are also enabled to
effect and modify visual presentations or screens on the display
module 119.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, in one example, audio data streams
S1-S(n) are applied to a First-In First-Out (FIFO) memory and
station selection control unit 201. The FIFO memory is designed to
capture and shift data streams of a length, i.e. "T", which
corresponds to the length of a typical audio stream for most
popular songs. When a song is queued for playing by a tuned
station, header information containing the song title and other
related information is detected 203 and the header information is
switched by a switching device 205 to a header information buffer
207 where it is accessed and compared in a look-up and compare
circuit 209 to a favorites list containing a listing of a user's
favorite songs and key words. When a match is detected between the
favorites list of key words or titles and the song that is
currently being played on one of the monitored stations, the song
and the full song title are saved and a message may be displayed
stating that the detected song is currently being recorded from the
indicated station. Alert signals may also be sent to alert a user
that one of the user's favorite songs is currently being played on
a given station. Subsequently, when a user switches from another
station in order to hear a favorite song, the beginning of the song
is referenced to begin playing from the appropriate FIFO memory
unit. Each of the predetermined tuned radio stations provides a
digital data stream and each data stream is applied to a different
channel in a FIFO memory and selection control unit 201. As shown,
a user may select which station is to be played and the data stream
from the selected station is output to an audio player 202.
[0021] In FIG. 3, there is shown a display screen arrangement 301
which is positioned to be viewable by a user (i.e. driver or
passenger) within a motor vehicle for example. As shown, the
display screen arrangement 301 includes a display area 303 to
display the station to which the radio receiver is tuned at any
given time. Another section 304 of the display area includes a
"favorite song" area 305 which indicates when one or more of a
user's favorite songs are playing on one of the tuned stations 307.
When more than one of the user's favorite songs are playing at the
same time, all songs that are currently playing will be indicated
308 along with the respective stations 310. Songs that have been
previously recorded or saved to memory may also be selected and
played by a user and the display area 304 will identify which song
is currently being played.
[0022] In another display area section 312, there is shown a
Favorites List 311 which displays an assigned reference number 313
for each favorite song of the user together with the corresponding
song title 315 and singer 317. There is also a column to indicate
whether or not a particular song on the favorites list has already
been recorded 320. Those songs that have been recorded may be
selected, highlighted and played from memory by the user by hitting
a Play button 323. Songs on the favorites list which have been
identified and input to the favorites list by the user (for example
by a menu-driven user input or voiced input) cannot be played from
memory until the receiver has recorded the playing of that song
from a tuned station. However, a user may have an unrecorded
favorite played by actuating the Add button 319 when a song which
the user wished to record is currently being played on the radio
station as is hereinafter explained in connection with FIG. 6.
[0023] In another section 322, a user is enabled to select songs
from the Favorites List 311, e.g. Song B, for playing and/or
deletion. A user is enabled to move from song to song on the
Favorites List 311 by manipulating the Select Button 321 which will
highlight 318 the particular song selection on the display screen.
The user is then enabled to either play a selected recorded song by
actuating the Play Button 323 or delete the selected recorded song
by actuating a Delete Button 325. The various buttons are shown in
differing shapes in order to facilitate the selection of the
correct button by a user driving a motor vehicle without requiring
the user to look at the button itself. In another exemplary
implementation, the various buttons are positioned on the side of
the steering wheel for easy access.
[0024] The "Add Current Song" feature enables a user, for example a
driver of a motor vehicle, to hit only one button, i.e. the "Add
Current Song" (ADD) Button 319, in order to have a song currently
being received by the receiver 101 on any of the tuned stations, to
be marked and entered on the "Favorites List" 311 and optionally
recorded from the FIFO memory 201 to non-volatile (NV) memory
and/or storage for later retrieval and playing at the user's
convenience. When a user hears a song on the station currently
being listened to and the user wishes to record the current song,
all the user has to do is hit the ADD button 319. If a favorite
song is being played on another station, then an alert signal, i.e.
blinking or steady light 309 will be activated to show that a
favorite 305 is playing and on which station 307. An audio alert
signal may also be concurrently sounded in order to get the user's
attention. The user may then manually switch to the indicated
station at which time the alert signals will be turned off. Light
309 and/or indicator 307 may also serve a dual function as a push
button switch in order to facilitate switching stations and insure
that the correct station is switched to without requiring the user
to manually search for the correct station as displayed 307. The
unit may also be programmed to automatically switch stations when a
favorite is playing on another station. The processing may also
include a check on the currently playing song before switching so
that the player will not switch to a new station if a favorite is
already playing on the current station. The "ADD", "DELETE" and
other functions may also be implemented through the use of an
embedded voice processing system in which case the user need only
speak an appropriate command such as, but not limited to, "Add", or
"Delete" or "Change Station".
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a simplified alternate layout of a display
arrangement 400 in which typical radio selection push buttons 401,
403, 405, 407 and 409 are arranged to correspond to tuned radio
stations A, B, C, D and E which are shown on display area 412. In
FIG. 4, each radio station has a corresponding alert light
indicator 402, 404, 406, 408 and 410 which is designed to light up
when a favorite song is playing on the corresponding station. The
function of the alert light indicators 402-410 are the same as
alert indicator 309 in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 also shows a simplified
operational panel section for adding 419, selecting 421 and
deleting 423 songs from a displayed favorites playlist 411.
[0026] As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 5, in a typical operation
when the system is initiated, a memory check 501 is first made in
order to insure that there is sufficient memory available to store
a favorite song if one is played while a user is listening to the
radio input audio player. This memory check precludes the
possibility that a user will be alerted that a favorite song is
being played but there is not sufficient memory to record it. Next,
if sufficient memory is available 503, then the data streams from
the tuned stations are monitored and compared 511 with the
favorites list to look for a "match". If there is not sufficient
memory 503 to store a favorite song if a favorite song happens to
be detected, then an appropriate message is displayed and/or
announced via synthesized voice message 505, and an option 507 is
given to the user to execute a delete function 509 to delete a
selected favorite and make memory space available for a new
favorite song before beginning to monitor the tuned stations 511.
In the illustrated example, the monitoring of tuned stations does
not occur if there is not sufficient memory available to save.
[0027] Next, when a match occurs 513 between a song or key words on
the favorites list and a song playing on one of the tuned radio
stations, the currently playing status is announced 515 to a user
by an alert signal. If the user chooses to have the favorite song
played 517 on the audio player, then the radio channel is switched
519 to the station which is playing the favorite song and the
favorite song is played. When the favorite song has completed
playing 521, the processing continues from the memory check block
501.
[0028] In another example, the user is enabled to actuate a "record
only" button (not shown) so that when the playing of a favorite
song is detected on another station, the system records the
favorite song from the other station "in the background" but does
not change the station that is currently being listened to by the
user. Further enhancements include the ability to set degrees of
preferences for favorite songs such that one song or a group of
preferred songs will be displayed in one color and/or more
prominently, while other less preferred songs would be displayed
less prominently and/or in a different color. In this example, when
preferred songs are played on another station, the system
automatically switches stations but when less preferred songs are
detected as being played, only a visual and/or audio indication or
alert is given and the user has the option to manually switch to
the new station at that time.
[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary operational sequence which
occurs during a Delete function. As shown, when a delete function
is selected 601 by a user pushing the delete button 325, the
selected favorite song on the play list is highlighted, for
example, by blinking text 603 to identify the song to be deleted.
If the highlighted song is the one intended to be deleted by the
user, the user will confirm 605 the delete function by, for
example, hitting the delete button 325 a second time. If the wrong
song is highlighted for deletion, the user may select another
function 607. For example, the user may hit the select button 321
to move up or down on the favorites list and that operation 609
will cancel the pending but unconfirmed deletion operation. The
user may also choose the Add 319 or Play 323 buttons to effect a
cancellation of the pending but unconfirmed delete function. If
after hitting the Delete button one time, no further action is
taken for a predetermined period of time 615, the Delete function
will also be canceled and the process will end. If the Delete
function is confirmed by the user by hitting the Delete button, for
example, for a second time, then the highlighted song will be
deleted 611 and the memory that was taken by the deleted song will
again be made available 613.
[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary operational sequence which
occurs during an ADD function. As shown, when an ADD function is
selected 701 by a user pushing the add button 419 (FIG. 4), the
song content for the currently playing song is saved 703 and the
official song title is copied 705 from the RDS song header
information. The official song title is then saved in the Favorites
List 707 and when the song content has been saved 709, the
Favorites List is updated to show that the newly saved song has
been "Recorded" 711 as shown in column 320 of FIG. 3.
[0031] The processing herein disclosed may be implemented in many
forms and combinations of hardware and software. The following
illustrates an exemplary high level source code listing which may
be used, for example, to alert a driver when a favorite song is
playing. TABLE-US-00001 blnFavoriteSongPlaying=false while (true) {
1. Get RDS info for currently playing radio station. 2. Look up
song title in favorite songs list. If present,
blnFavoriteSongPlaying=true, else blnFavoriteSongPlaying=false. 3.
For each preset station in preset stations list 3a. Get RDS info
for currently playing song. (The car would have a separate tuner
for this purpose so as not to interfere with the currently playing
song). 3b. Look up song title in favorite songs list. 3c. If title
exists in favorite songs list 3c1. If (blnFavoriteSongPlaying)
3c1a. Update timestamp for entry in favorite songs list with
current time. 3c2. Else 3c2a. Retrieve timestamp for entry in
favorite songs list. 3c2b. If (timestamp!=null&&(current
time-timestamp) >30 seconds) 3c2b1. Clear timestamp for entry in
favorite songs list. 3c2b2. Turn off display for flashing light
above preset station, if it was currently on. 3c2c. Else 3c2c1.
Display flashing light above preset station that has been currently
cycled to in order to alert the driver that a favorite song is
playing on a different station. }
[0032] In an exemplary video application, a user in a home
environment is enabled to indicate by using a digital video
recorder and menu driven inputs, a specific type of broadcast such
as "Sports" or "Basketball", and a processing methodology as
described above would alert the user when a preferred type of video
broadcast is being played on a channel other than the channel
currently being watched by the user. Similar processing
methodologies including the recording function, are applied to
enable the user to add, switch to or record a channel where a
preferred type of video presentation is being presented.
[0033] The method and apparatus of the present invention has been
described in connection with a preferred embodiment as disclosed
herein. The disclosed methodology may be implemented in a wide
range of sequences, menus and screen designs to accomplish the
desired results as herein illustrated. Although an embodiment of
the present invention has been shown and described in detail
herein, along with certain variants thereof, many other varied
embodiments that incorporate the teachings of the invention may be
easily constructed by those skilled in the art, and even included
or integrated into a processor or CPU or other larger system
integrated circuit or chip. The disclosed methodology may also be
implemented solely or partially in program code stored on a CD,
disk or diskette (portable or fixed), or other memory device, from
which it may be loaded into memory and executed to achieve the
beneficial results as described herein. Accordingly, the present
invention is not intended to be limited to the specific form set
forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such
alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably
included within the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *