System and method for bookmarking radio stations and associated internet addresses

A system and method is provided for permitting a data terminal to connect to a broadcast station web site and to receive a broadcast station broadcast in response to selection of a bookmark. Selection of the bookmark results in a tuner on the data terminal being tuned to receive a broadcast while the data terminal substantially simultaneously connects to a web site for the broadcast station. Broadcast frequency information and web site address information for the bookmark may be stored on the data terminal, or such information may be stored remotely, such as on a station id server in communication with the data terminal. The bookmark may be programmed by the user and may represent different broadcast stations according to parameters.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to mobile terminal devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device having bookmark functionality for radio tuning capabilities and Internet website addressing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Preset radio buttons are common on conventional radios and are well known for use as programmable shortcuts to frequencies associated with favorite radio stations. Mobile data terminal devices that are capable of receiving FM radio transmissions are also known. Like conventional radios, these devices typically include options for storing frequencies associated with favorite radio stations and for quickly tuning to those frequencies. Unlike convention radios, however, many of these mobile devices are connected to data networks, which in turn provide access to the Internet through the device. Because such devices may simultaneously receive FM radio stations and browse the Internet, it is often desirable when listening to the radio to also view the content of a web page associated with the radio station. The content of such a web page may supplement the radio broadcast with further details and information related to the broadcast, or provide additional information such as local news and weather.

These mobile terminal devices, however, do not typically include a means for accessing, in parallel, Internet media and FM broadcast media associated with a radio station. To view web page content for a radio station while listening to the radio station broadcast, a user must typically tune to the radio station of interest, and independently navigate the Internet to find a web site associated with the radio station. The user may navigate to the radio station web site through the use of a pre-selected bookmark for the web site, and may tune to the radio broadcast with a radio station bookmark; however, the user nonetheless independently tunes the radio and navigates the web. The use of a preset radio button along with a web site bookmark requires the user to employ separate steps for controlling access to each media source. Such a process is time-consuming and more complex than necessary. To address this shortcoming in such mobile terminal devices, solutions have been proposed.

One proposed solution includes the use of digital radio services. Digital radio consists of radio broadcasts of data rather than analog transmissions. Because the data transmitted may include various types of information along with audio information, a mobile terminal device receiving digital radio broadcasts may view content associated with the audio radio broadcast. Radio stations broadcasting digital radio, therefore, can transmit information, such as traffic, weather, and advertising information, simultaneous with the audio broadcast. Unless the mobile terminal device is in communication with the Internet, however, the user is limited to one-way communication with the radio station. In other words, the user may be able to view information sent by the radio station, and may even be able to navigate through the information, but the user is unable to request different information or to interact with the radio station in two-way communication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system and method for tuning a mobile terminal device to receive a media broadcast (e.g. a radio or television broadcast) while simultaneously navigating the Internet to interact with a web site associated with the media station. Bookmarks on such a device can have combined functionality, such that selection of a radio bookmark results in the device being tuned to a radio station associated with the bookmark and, at substantially the same time, connecting to a web site associated with the radio station. Accordingly, the usability of the device is greatly improved.

In one embodiment, the present invention includes a mobile terminal device in communication with a data network that is capable of receiving radio broadcasts. The device generally includes a display screen, a storage medium, a keypad, a processor, a radio tuner, an antenna, and communication hardware. The processor is adapted to perform steps according to instructions stored in the storage medium. In one aspect of the invention, the device is adapted to receive analog FM radio media, and in another aspect of the invention, the device is adapted to receive digital radio broadcasts.

Radio bookmarks are stored in the storage medium and may be programmed and selected by a user. The bookmarks generally include handles or identifiers that point to various resources such as a file, an Internet protocol (IP) address, a uniform resource locator (URL), and the like. The bookmarks may also include parameters that further define the bookmarks. The radio bookmarks generally have combined functionality in that selection of a bookmark results in selection of both a network address and a radio frequency for a radio station associated with the bookmark. Accordingly, a user simply selects a radio bookmark in order to listen to the associated radio station broadcast and to view Internet content associated with the broadcast. The user, therefore, does not need to search for both a radio station and its web site.

In other embodiments of the invention, computer-executable instructions for implementing the disclosed methods are stored on computer-readable media. Additionally, other embodiments may include reception of different broadcasts, such as television, satellite and other broadcasts. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description and figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention may be embodied in various forms. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment according to the present invention includes a mobile data terminal device (DTE)10in communication with a data communication network12and a broadcast network14. The broadcast network may include radio waves associated with a radio station (not shown) that are transmitted from a transmitter16, or may include television, satellite or other types of digital or analog broadcasts. The data communication network12may communicate with a broadcast station server18also associated the radio station (not shown). The DTE10generally includes a display screen20, memory22, a keypad24, a processor26, a radio tuner28, an antenna30, and communication hardware32. As is known in the art, the processor26performs steps according to instructions stored in the memory22and generally interacts with other components of the DTE10. The display screen20displays images and the keypad24is adapted to receive inputs from an operator.

The antenna30may receive radio waves in the radio broadcast network14transmitted by the transmitter16, as is known in the art. The radio tuner28is rear connected to the antenna30and is adapted to tune, demodulate and amplify selected frequencies of radio waves received by antenna30, such as those transmitted from transmitter16. The communication hardware32is adapted to receive and modulate or demodulate wireless communication signals, such as microwaves, sent or received from the DTE10, as is known in the art. Thus, the device10according to one embodiment comprises a mobile terminal device that is capable of receiving radio station broadcasts while simultaneously communicating with a data network. The device of the present invention, however, is not limited to any particular embodiment of a device, provided the device has both data connectivity and broadcast reception capabilities.

Further, the device of present invention is not limited to any particular embodiment for enabling data connectivity or broadcast reception. For example, the DTE10may use a circuit switched connection for data connectivity, such as a second-generation wireless system using TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), or other such access systems. In other examples, DTE10may use a packet based access system, such as GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) over a GSM network, or short range connectivity systems such as WLANs (Wireless local area networks) or Bluetooth®. With regard to broadcast tuning, DTE10may receive, for example, analog radio transmissions, digital radio transmissions, satellite radio transmissions, analog television transmissions, digital television transmissions, or other such broadcasts.

According to one embodiment, radio bookmarks34are stored in the memory22, and may be programmed and selected by the user. The radio bookmarks34generally include handles or identifiers pointing to various resources such as files, Internet protocol (IP) addresses, uniform resource locators (URL), and the like. The bookmarks may also include parameters that further define the bookmarks. The radio bookmarks34generally have combined functionality such that selection of a bookmark34results in selection of both a network address and a radio frequency, both of which are associated with a particular radio station. Accordingly, a user simply selects a radio bookmark34in order to tune the tuner28to frequencies of radio waves for a radio station, such as those transmitted by transmitter16, and to substantially simultaneously connect the device10with a server located at a network address associated with the radio station, such as broadcast station server18.

For example, suppose that the radio transmitter16transmits FM radio waves for a certain radio station (not shown), for instance a radio station having the call sign WZZZ, and that the broadcast station server18is operated by radio station WZZZ. Suppose also that radio station WZZZ maintains a web site on broadcast station server18that provides information supplemental to its FM radio broadcast. Suppose also that the radio station is a favorite radio station for the user and that the user has programmed bookmark one36to include frequency information for the radio station broadcast and the network address of the radio server18. As such, in order to listen to the radio broadcast and to view web content for the radio station, the user merely needs to select bookmark one36. The user may select bookmark one36using keypad24to select a representation of bookmark one36shown on the display20, as is known in the art for graphical user interfaces. Alternatively, the user may select a key on keypad24associated with bookmark one36, or use other such methods to choose a bookmark.

Referring now toFIG. 3, when the user selects bookmark one36, the processor follows instructions stored in the memory22and performs associated steps. Accordingly, the processor26detects40the user's selection of bookmark one36. Bookmark one36points to both a radio player application38stored in the memory22and a browser application40, such as a wireless markup language (WML) application. Bookmark one36also includes parameters42that include frequency information for radio station WZZZ and web site address information. Parameters generally include information or data that further define one or more bookmarks or that affect performance of the DTE10based on selection of associated bookmarks. Parameters may include frequency information and network address information, as well as other types of information, some examples of which are discussed below.

Selection of bookmark one36invokes both radio player application38and browser application40, and provides information in parameters42to the respective applications38,40. According to the radio player application, the processor26tunes52the radio tuner28to the frequency parameter42for bookmark one36for receiving the associated radio station broadcast. According to the browser application40, the tuner sends54a request to the network address of broadcast station server18requesting data for the radio station website. The step of sending54a request may include opening a communication channel using communication hardware32, if it is not already open. For example, if communication with communication network12is via a circuit switched connection like GSM, then the connection is open for the time of service and is closed when service use ends. Thus, a communication channel may need to be opened prior to sending54any requests. This may also be applicable for a packet switched connection, such as GPRS, if the connection has not yet been established.

In response to sending54a request, the broadcast station server18returns data to the device10and the processor26receives56the data. At this point, a session may be established with broadcast station server18, which is managed by the browser application40and the server18. In accordance with one embodiment, when data is received, the processor displays a web page (not shown) for the radio station, which includes links that the user may select. In accordance with another embodiment, update data is frequently received to update the web page. In this way, regardless of user input, information displayed on DTE10is substantially synchronized with the radio broadcast to reflect current content of the broadcast, such as the name of a song being played or to provide input opportunities, such as for a quiz or contest being broadcast on the station. When the processor detects that the user selects58a link shown in the display20, the processor26directs the device10to request60data from broadcast station server18for that link. Accordingly, by simply selecting bookmark one36, the user may listen to the radio station broadcast, browse the radio station web site, and thereby receive information supplemental to the radio broadcast.

In another embodiment of the invention, the frequency and IP address parameter information may not be stored on the device, but may be stored remotely, such as on a server in communication with network12. This provides many benefits, such as allowing the user to program radio bookmarks for different radio stations depending on other programmed parameters. For example, the user may desire bookmark one36to represent the strongest classical music radio station for the user's present location. This may be particularly beneficial for a user who travels frequently. The user's present location is an example of an additional parameter that may be useful for adding flexibility to the use of radio bookmarks. The user's location may be automatically determined, for example, using global positioning system (GPS) technology.

In another example, a parameter could be a unique apparatus id associated with the DTE10, such that the radio frequency and IP address for a particular bookmark are related to the apparatus id. Another example of a parameter is a unique user id, wherein the radio bookmarks on a device are adapted according to a unique user id, such as username and password. Multiple parameters can add even further flexibility. In a further example, the bookmarks34on a particular device10may represent different radio stations for different users of the device. As such, a user may need to input a unique user id, which may be manually entered as a username and password, or entered through the insertion of an identification module in to the device, or other like means. Accordingly, the parameter may be a unique user id and the bookmarks may represent radio stations or preferences for radio stations according to individual users' programming.

In further examples, parameters may include preferences established by the user, such that a bookmark represents different stations based on the time of day, location, or other factors. For example, a user may prefer that bookmark one36refer to travel information during rush hour, rock music during the daytime, and classical music in the evening. In another example, a user profile may be established based on statistical information of the user provided to a bookmark web site that creates bookmarks. The bookmark website may forward bookmarks to DTE10that the user could choose to accept. In a different example, a bookmark could represent a particular station, and based on a location parameter for the user, a different broadcast frequency may be applicable for that station. In an example with a radio station chain, the bookmark could represent the chain, and based on a user location parameter, a frequency for a station within the chain could be appropriate.

The bookmarks34and their parameters may be programmed according to software stored on the DTE10using keypad24, or through an interface with another computer such as through a universal serial bus (USB) connection or network communications, or other known methods for programming mobile data terminals. In other examples, the bookmarks34and their parameters may be programmed remotely and sent to

DTE10over the air (OTA). In such an example, a friend of the user may send a bookmark to the user as a recommendation for a broadcast station. This could be accomplished using a short messaging service (SMS), such as Nokia Smart Messaging®. In another example, a user may request a bookmark from a broadcast station using an SMS message, or through a web-based service. Further, a broadcast station server may send a whole set of bookmarks based on a user profile. In a further example, a user may use a web-based service to configure their bookmarks for DTE10, and then update DTE10via OTA communications. In general, when DTE10receives a message that is recognized as a bookmark, it may automatically, or after user verification, store the bookmark in memory.

To provide further flexibility and further illustrate the use of parameters with bookmarks, another embodiment of the present invention, as shown inFIG. 4, includes a mobile data terminal (DTE)110, a station id server113, a broadcast station server118, and a transmitter116. The DTE110may be in communication with communication network112and broadcast network114. The station id server113and broadcast station server118are generally in communication with communication network112. The transmitter116broadcasts radio waves in broadcast network114. The station id server113generally includes a server that identifies a broadcast station based on a bookmark selected and other parameters sent to the station id server. The station id server113generally includes a storage medium115and a processor117for processing instructions contained in the storage medium. For illustration purposes, suppose that the user shares DTE110with a family member and has therefore manually entered a unique user id that identifies the user and his bookmark preferences. Suppose further that the device110is generally configured as shown inFIG. 5, which is similar to DTE10in the previous embodiment except for differences and aspects discussed herein.

Accordingly, DTE110includes bookmark one136and bookmark two137, which are stored in memory122and are graphically displayed on display120. Each of the bookmarks136,137point to a radio player/web site viewer application139and the parameter of a user id141. The player/viewer application139according to one embodiment is a browser application running a Flash® or SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language) plug-in. The application139may be included in the terminal's initial software suite, or it may be downloaded or otherwise installed on DTE10. When bookmark one136is selected, it invokes application139and points it to the unique user id141stored in memory122. The application139, based on the bookmark selected and the user id141, instructs the processor126to set up the DTE to receive a broadcast and connect with a web site for the selected bookmark and user id parameter. Thus, bookmarks may be uniquely configurable for different users of the same device.

Use of the present invention according to such an embodiment is generally illustrated inFIG. 6. The user starts the process in step150by selecting a radio bookmark, for example bookmark one136, on the DTE110. In response to selection of bookmark one150, which invokes application139, the processor126performs the step of sending170a request for radio broadcast frequency information and a network service address of a radio station broadcast station server118to the station id server113. The request is related to a particular bookmark, such as bookmark one136, and is based on related parameters, such as unique user id141. The station id server113receives the request including the unique id parameter141, determines the appropriate frequency information and network address information for bookmark one136and unique user id141, and returns172the information to DTE110via the communication network112. The DTE110thereafter tunes174the tuner128to receive the radio broadcast and requests176data from the broadcast station server118located at the network address returned. Server118preferably sends data associated with the radio station web site, which DTE110receives178via network112. The user is therefore able to view the web site display for the server118and may select180a link shown on the web site display. In response to such a selection, the processor126requests182data associated with the selected link.

Referring now toFIGS. 7 and 8, a further embodiment of the present invention is shown, which generally includes all aspects and preferences of the previous embodiment except with regard to message flows between DTE210, station id server213, and broadcast station server218. Like numbers shown herewith, refer to like components, steps and features as previous embodiments. Accordingly, as a user selects250a radio bookmark on DTE210, the processor receives the inputs and sends270a request to the station id server213via network212. The request is likewise for broadcast information and a network address for server218for a radio station based on the bookmark selected and the parameter of a user's unique user id. The station id server213selects the appropriate radio station for the bookmark selected and parameters sent, and redirects290the request for the network address of server218to server218for the selected radio station. The broadcast station server218in turn sends292frequency information and the network address for its website to DTE210.

After receiving frequency and network address information from server218, the DTE210tunes294the tuner to receive the radio station broadcast. Preferably, included with the information sent from server218is web site data for the radio station's web site. Accordingly, as DTE210receives296the web site data it displays the web site information on DTE display. If the user then selects298a link from the web site display, DTE210sends299a request for data according to the link via network212. The request for data associated with the link may be to a different server in communication with network212or to server218.

While the present invention has been described in connection with the illustrated embodiments, it will appreciated and understood that modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, the invention applies to any computing device adapted to receive radio broadcasts and having data connectivity. Further, the radio broadcasts are not limited to FM radio, and may include analog or digital broadcasts.