Patent Publication Number: US-2002002032-A1

Title: User customized radio

Description:
[0001] This utility patent application claims priority of a U.S. provisional patent application, Ser. No. 60/212831 filed Jun. 21, 2000, and said provisional patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention relates to user customized radio services and supporting system, which can provide a subscription-based service that allows a user to select subject matter they wish to hear about on their radios, and specifically for digital radio receivers.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] For purposes of this disclosure:  
       [0004] DDR is used to represent a digital radio receiver;  
       [0005] UCR is used to represent a user customized radio; and  
       [0006] USP is used to represent user service profile(s).  
       [0007] The technology for digital radio is becoming highly developed, and there is also known technology for selecting files of various types (video, audio, internet, etc.) on demand.  
       [0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,634 depicts a centralized control public address system of remote speakers. In this patent, an intelligent speaker unit is able to select channels from a stream of digital audio data. The audio data can be stored or saved. There is no localized control of what is received at each speaker.  
       [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,726,909 teaches a library based system with centralized control for background music.  
       [0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,246 discloses a library based system with centralized control for optimizing operation of a radio station.  
       [0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,324 teaches a specific transmission technique for providing burst data to passing vehicles. It mentions that the content is geographically tailored to the location of the transmitter, and different transmitters would have different local content.  
       [0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,663 teaches a system targeted specifically at language translation rather than a subscription based customized radio broadcast.  
       [0013] U.S. Pat. No.  5 , 944 , 790  teaches language translation for Internet access, rather than a subscription based customized radio broadcast.  
       [0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,675 discloses a library based system rather than a subject matter based system.  
       [0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,624 teaches a playback device that receives library content rather than the UCR method of subject matter content. Additionally, under the technique of this patent, the listening device receives audio files from the client computer system, while the UCR receives the digital audio files from the broadcast.  
       [0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,223 relates to access to the Internet via a remote unit and a broadcast signal. It differs from UCR in that in UCR, a user employs the Internet to program their audio subscription service and receives that service from a DRR. In this patent, the concept of a wireless Internet is set forth in which data requests are made from the Internet Access Unit rather than a request for subject matter (as under UCR). Under UCR, the content that is provided by the service is not necessarily retrieved from the Internet.  
       [0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,393 teaches an audio satellite digital broadcast, but with no customization by the user. There is no mention of the UCR concept wherein a DRR would buffer different news stories into virtual channels selected by the user.  
       [0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,823 teaches a specific radio implementation method as mentioned in previous U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,393. This, however, is not similar to a model such as UCR.  
       [0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,541 teaches a technique of downloading library-based audio files from a network to a portable audio storage and retrieval device. This differs from a UCR subscription-based broadcast of user specified subject matter.  
       [0020] U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,336 discloses technology associated with library based video/audio-on-demand. This technology can be similar to the technology employed in DRR. This technology is targeted at hotel/home video-on-demand rather than a customized audio broadcast.  
       [0021] U.S. Pat. No. 5,949,492 teaches technology wherein an end user can request more information about audio/visual content received via television or radio. Although this capability may be integrated into UCR, it does not encompass the UCR business model of a subscription based selection of subject matter to be received from a broadcast signal.  
       [0022] U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,401 relates to a method to interact and order products on television. It uses a set top box as a part of the user interface, and illustrates the use of a remote control to operate the system to which it is specific.  
       [0023] U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,511 relates to a children&#39;s video-on-demand for a television application, but it is not computer based. A remote is for the specific purpose of interaction and ordering goods.  
       [0024] U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,851 teaches a DVD application for playback video-on-demand and is customized for a very specific function.  
       [0025] U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,875 discloses functions of servers to send information, as does U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,982 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,749.  
       [0026] U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,334 relates to Lucent Television based on demand specific technology. U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,642 relates to enhancing video stream performance. U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,794 relates to a video-on-demand system, not an operating product. U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,716 relates to a video streaming internet product with a method for delivery. The method of delivery is not switching and changing of channels, however. U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,028 teaches a method for delivering data, but not for accessing data in a simple switch.  
       [0027] U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,148 teaches a user interface, and is specific to a multimedia aspect. It is a video-on-demand based system.  
       [0028] U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,473 is directed toward a catalog-ordering system, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,973,638 is specific to a graphical user interface.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029] According to the present invention, a device is provided which meets the aforementioned requirements and needs in the prior art. Specifically, the device according to the present invention provides user customized radio services and a supporting system therefor, and can provide a subscription-based service that allows a user to select subject matter they wish to hear about on their radios. The system according to the invention is especially suited for use with digital radio receivers.  
       [0030] These and other objects according to the present invention are accomplished by provision of a system in which each user of the system will be able to select from categories of information to be broadcast to an “intelligent” radio receiver. The specific categories and topics selected result in a customized broadcast where the user receives audio files that match their stored profile from a database of thousands of audio files updated daily. These audio files may contain news, information, or entertainment content. This system would require the user to obtain (by purchase or lease, for example) a Digital Radio Receiver (DRR). The UCR system broadcasts the collective audio text that all users have requested. Each DRR searches the broadcast for news text that match its user&#39;s requested profile. This service is targeted at the commuter market. Secondary markets include portable radio, office and home use.  
       [0031] User service profiles (USP&#39;s) from all users are read by a system control center. The collective requests from multiple users are considered and prioritized by popularity. The prioritized request list is then sent to a system recording studio where a bank of newscasters select text data from newswire services and read them into recording microphones. The resulting audio text is digitally stored and sent back to the system control center for distribution to the radio network. The system control center may also receive pre-recorded audio content from newswire, information, or entertainment services. When there is a lack of content for a specific user&#39;s topic request, any particular user&#39;s radio service may be augmented with related topics or categories.  
       [0032] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0033]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an operation process of a User Customized Radio (UCR) system according to the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0034] A method of providing a subscription based customized radio service is disclosed FIG. 1 and the following detailed description of the invention.  
     [0035] A schematic diagram is shown in FIG. 1 of an operation process of a User Customized Radio (UCR) system  100  according to the present invention. In this diagram, a recording studio  20  accesses news sources and produces digitized audio from the news sources. The news sources include various news, information and entertainment services  10 ,  12 , and  14 , and may include further sources or may include fewer sources, depending on the level desired by the broadcaster.  
     [0036] The recording studio  20  sends the digitized audio output to a control center  30 , which in turn supplies the digitized audio output to a data distribution center  50 . The data distribution center  50  includes a broadcast transmitter  40 . The broadcast transmitter  40  transmits digital radio signals, which are in turn received by a digital radio receiver (DRR)  80  carried by a user or a user&#39;s vehicle  70 .  
     [0037] The control center  30  also receives input from individual user service profiles (USP&#39;s) via any available sources, including, for example, an internet provider  32 , mail or telefacsimile messages  34 , or even by a telephone system  36 . The data distribution center  50  also can provide an output to the subscriber&#39;s internet account  60 . The internet account  32  may be the same as the internet account  60 , or may differ to suit the needs of the user. The User Customized Radio (UCR) system  100  includes the capability for the user to playback the audio files on their personal computer, or download the audio files to a removable media or playback device.  
     [0038] The (UCR) system  100  allows customers to program their own radio service. Each user of the system will be able to select from categories of information to be broadcast to the “intelligent” radio receiver  80 . The specific categories and broadcast information topics selected result in a customized broadcast where the user receives broadcast information that match their stored profile (the above-mentioned USP&#39;s) from a database ( 10 ,  12 ,  14 ) of thousands of audio files updated daily. This system requires the user to obtain (by purchase or lease, for example) the Digital Radio Receiver (DRR)  80 . The UCR system  100  broadcasts a plurality of collective broadcast information that all users may have requested. Each DRR  80  searches the broadcast for broadcast information (from the services  10 ,  12 ,  14 ) that match its user&#39;s requested profile (from the database collected from selections  32 ,  34 , and  36 ). This service is targeted at the commuter market. Secondary markets include portable radio, computer use, office use, and home use.  
     [0039] User service profiles (USP&#39;s)  32 ,  34 , and  36  from all users are read by the system control center  30 . The collective requests from multiple users are considered and prioritized by popularity. The prioritized request list is then sent to the system recording studio  20  where a bank of newscasters can select text stories from newswire services  10 ,  12 , and  14 , and read them into recording microphones. The resulting audio files are digitally stored and sent back to the system control center  30  for distribution  50  to the radio network  40 . The system control center  30  may also receive pre-recorded audio content from news, information and entertainment services, for distribution  50  to the radio network  40 .  
     [0040] When there is a lack of content for a specific user&#39;s topic requests, any particular user&#39;s radio service may be augmented with related topics or categories.  
     [0041] There are various aspects of the present invention. For example, the customized radio service represents a subscription based business model in which the user controls the subject matter via the Internet, then receives digital content via a Digital Radio Receiver. The user has control of the DRR to the point they can select channels of content that they have specifically created via their Internet account.  
     [0042] In one example of UCR architecture, the DRR or control device is connected to the network or client computer to accept programming commands but not actual audio content. Also, the present invention is capable of delivering web sites to the user, as well as programming and videos. And, it can navigate and search for the user.  
     [0043] After each story is recorded, the digitized audio file is sent to the control center  30  for broadcast. The control center integrates the story into the broadcast list, replacing older stories and keeping the broadcast updated.  
     [0044] The broadcast list is used to create the digital broadcast stream that is then sent to the data distribution center  50  where it is broadcast, placed on the Internet, or downloaded to stored media for playback/archiving. The use of a digital broadcast signal allows for multiple audio stories to broadcast simultaneously.  
     [0045] This in turn allows the Digital Radio Receiver (DRR)  80  to play one story while saving other stories in memory (or buffering). The DRR  80  is programmed with a particular USP ( 32 ,  34 ,  36 ) via a command channel on the broadcast list. The DRR  80  will select broadcast information, such as stories, from related categories and topics. As the radio downloads broadcast information, such as news text, it will save them in its internal storage buffer.  
     [0046] The buffering of multiple audio text allows the user to skip, pause or repeat selected audio text as desired. The DRR  80  will also allow a user to save a particular audio text to a separate memory buffer (not shown) where it will not expire until it is deleted. As the user develops their individualized USP, they can assign each category or topic selected to a virtual channel. The number of channels, as well as how they are controlled, is therefore completely up to the user. This significantly separates UCR from other known types of digital radio broadcast services.  
     [0047] In the present invention, the user receives the specific broadcast information they wish to hear, and has preprogrammed their preferences into the customized channels that they have defined, as discussed herein.  
     [0048] The audio text may include pre-recorded or live audio content from various information sources, which may be selectively integrated into a selected user customized radio broadcast.  
     [0049] The invention being thus described, it will be evident that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.