PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9197338-B2
Application Number: US-201514742913-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Media device with enhanced data retrieval feature

Abstract:
A personal media device including a broadcast receiver that receives broadcast media and broadcast media data from a broadcast source where the broadcast media data includes a media identifier associated with the broadcast media. The media device also includes a data transceiver that sends a retrieval request to a media server for enhanced media data where the retrieval request includes the media identifier and receives the enhanced media data via a wireless data channel. The media device further includes a processor that performs a media device operation in response to the received enhanced media data.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system comprising:
 a wireless data processing system having a broadcast receiver to receive broadcast media and broadcast media data from a broadcast source, the broadcast media data comprising a media identifier associated with the broadcast media; 
 a media device comprising a data transceiver and a processor, the media device being coupled to the wireless data processing system; 
 wherein the data transceiver is configured to send a retrieval request for enhanced media data which is available from a media server, wherein the enhanced media data is only metadata, wherein the metadata is related to the broadcast media, and wherein the enhanced media data is transmitted from the media server, the retrieval request comprising the media identifier, and the data transceiver receiving the enhanced media data via a wireless data channel, wherein the received enhanced media data is based on the sent media identifier; and 
 wherein the processor is coupled to the data transceiver and is configured to perform a media device operation in response to the receipt of the enhanced media data. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  wherein the media device is integrated within a wearable apparel. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  wherein the media device is integrated within a vehicle. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the broadcast receiver comprises at least one of a FM radio receiver or an AM radio receiver. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the received broadcast media comprises at least one of a song or music. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the received broadcast media data comprises at least one of Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS) data or Radio Data System (RDS) data. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the RDS data comprises the media identifier. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the media identifier comprises a track identifier. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the track identifier comprises a track title. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the track identifier comprises at least one of a numeric or alpha-numeric identifier. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the broadcast media comprises at least one of a video, an image, audio, an audio file, multimedia, a movie, or television data. 
     
     
       12. A media device for use with a wireless data processing system which comprises a broadcast receiver configured to receive broadcast media and broadcast media data from a broadcast source, the broadcast media data comprising a media identifier associated with the broadcast media, the media device comprising:
 a display; 
 a processor coupled to the display and coupled to the wireless data processing system; 
 a data transceiver coupled to the processor, the data transceiver being configured to send a retrieval request for enhanced media data which is available from a media server, wherein the enhanced media data is only metadata, wherein the metadata is related to the broadcast media, and wherein the enhanced media data is transmitted from the media server, the retrieval request comprising the media identifier, and the data transceiver receiving the enhanced media data via a wireless data channel, wherein the received enhanced media data is based on the sent media identifier; and 
 wherein the processor is configured to perform a media device operation in response to the receipt of the enhanced media data. 
 
     
     
       13. The media device of  claim 12  wherein the media device is integrated within a wearable apparel. 
     
     
       14. The media device of  claim 12  wherein the media device is integrated within a vehicle. 
     
     
       15. The media device of  claim 12 , wherein the broadcast receiver comprises at least one of a FM radio receiver or an AM radio receiver. 
     
     
       16. The media device of  claim 12 , wherein the received broadcast media comprises at least one of a song or music. 
     
     
       17. The media device of  claim 16 , wherein the received broadcast media data comprises at least one of Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS) data or Radio Data System (RDS) data. 
     
     
       18. The media device of  claim 12 , wherein the media identifier comprises a track identifier. 
     
     
       19. The media device of  claim 18 , wherein the track identifier comprises at least one of a numeric or alpha-numeric identifier or a track title. 
     
     
       20. The media device of  claim 12 , wherein the broadcast media comprises at least one of a video, an image, audio, an audio file, multimedia, a movie, or television data.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 14/512,255 filed on Oct. 10, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/237,264 filed on Sep. 24, 2008, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,886,112, which is related to the following: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/237,247, filed on Sep. 24, 2008, and entitled “Systems, Methods, and Devices for Providing Broadcast Media from a Selected Source”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/237,259, filed on Sep. 24, 2008, and entitled “Systems, Methods, and Devices for Retrieving Local Broadcast Source Presets”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/237,261, filed on Sep. 24, 2008, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,452,228 and entitled “Systems, Methods, and Devices for Associating a Contact Identifier with a Broadcast Source.” The entire contents of the above-referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to media devices having a broadcast radio receiver capable of receiving broadcast media along with broadcast media data and a transceiver capable of requesting and retrieving enhanced media data. 
     Traditional media devices, e.g., an MP3 player, typically connect with a headset to enable a user to listen to music. Other media devices may include a display that displays videos. Many types of media devices are portable and have compact form factors to enable efficient handling and use by a user. Certain media devices include a radio broadcast receiver capable of receiving amplitude modulated (AM), frequency modulated (FM), or satellite broadcast media. The media can typically include a song, video, news program, or radio show. Certain media devices, e.g., cellular telephones, include wireless transceivers capable of exchanging data with a public land mobile network (PLMN) or wireless data network that may be linked with the Internet or other data networks. Other media devices are capable of interfacing with personal area networks (PAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), satellite data networks (SAN), and other data networks including, for example, Wi-fi (802.x) networks. 
     In addition to providing broadcast media (e.g., songs, video, television programs, and radio shows), certain broadcast media sources can supplement the broadcast media with broadcast media data. The broadcast media data can include media metadata (e.g., information about a particular song) or data about the broadcast source (e.g., the name of the broadcasting radio station). 
     The Radio Data System (RDS) is a communications standard developed by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) that enables the transmission of small amounts of broadcast media data using FM radio broadcasts. RDS can send various types of broadcast media data including: time, track title, track artist, and station identification. RDS has been used in Europe and South America since the early 1990s. 
     The Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS) is the name for the North American version of RDS, and is also often referred to simply as “RDS.” The North American and European versions are nearly identical. Both RDS versions use a 57 kHz sub carrier to carry broadcast media data at 1187.5 bits per second. 
     One problem with using existing broadcast radio systems is that the broadcast media data is relatively small which limits the amount, quality, and types of media data that can practically be transmitted to a media device. For example, Radio Text (RT) provided by RDS is limited to 64-character text data. Thus, RT media data is typically limited to radio station slogans, song titles, or artist names. RDS cannot support the transmission of significantly larger amounts of enhanced media data for, for example, detailed graphics or video-based data. Accordingly, there is a need to enable a media device to retrieve significantly greater amounts of enhanced media data. 
     Another problem with existing broadcast radio systems is that the broadcast media data is not specific to a particular target media device. The broadcast provider provides the broadcast media data as, for example, RDS data that is available to all radio receivers. Unfortunately, different radio receivers or different media devices may have different capabilities or features. Also, the user of a particular media device may have a preference for a particular type of media data. Accordingly, there is a need to enable a media device to retrieve certain types of enhanced media data based on the media device&#39;s capabilities and/or user&#39;s preferences. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention, in various embodiments, addresses deficiencies in the prior art by providing systems, methods and devices that enable a media device to retrieve enhanced media data based on broadcast media data received from a broadcast source. 
     In one aspect, a personal media device includes a broadcast receiver that receives broadcast media and broadcast media data from a broadcast source where the broadcast media data include a media identifier associated with the broadcast media. The personal media device includes a data transceiver that i) sends a retrieval request to a media server for enhanced media data where the retrieval request includes the media identifier and ii) receives the enhanced media data via a wireless data channel. The media device also includes a processor, in communication with the data transceiver, that performs a media device operation in response to the received enhanced media data. 
     The broadcast receiver may be a FM or AM radio receiver. The media may include a song or music. The broadcast media data may include RDS data. The RDS data may include the media identifier. The media identifier may include a track identifier. The track identifier may include a track title. The track identifier may include a numeric or alpha-numeric identifier. The track identifier may include a unique identifier. 
     The media may include, without limitation, a video, an image, audio, audio file, multimedia, movie, television data, satellite data, and any like broadcast data. The enhanced media data may include, without limitation, album art, an album image, an album video, song art, a song image, a song video, a ringtone, a ringtone offer, music, a music offer, artist information, artist concert information, artist trivia, song trivia, song-related information, broadcast source information, an advertisement, broadcast source contact information, promotional information, contact links to related information sources, and metadata associated with the media. 
     The media server may include, without limitation, a clearinghouse server and a broadcast source server. The clearinghouse server may include a database that stores the enhanced media data. The broadcast source server may include a database that stores the enhanced media data. 
     In one configuration, a media device operation includes, without limitation, displaying an image related to the track identifier, displaying a video related to the track identifier, displaying text related to the track identifier, displaying an advertisement, displaying a ringtone offer, displaying concert information, displaying a music offer, displaying album art, displaying metadata, and displaying a link to related information. 
     In another aspect, a clearinghouse system includes a data store for storing enhanced media data. The clearinghouse system includes a media server, in communications with the data store, that i) receives a retrieval request from a media device where the retrieval request includes a media identifier, ii) retrieves a portion of the enhanced media data from the data store where the portion of enhanced media data is associated with received media identifier, and iii) sends the portion of enhanced media data associated with the media identifier to the media device. 
     In a further aspect, an enhanced media data distribution system includes a clearinghouse server that i) assigns a unique media identifier to a media item, ii) stores enhanced media data associated with the media identifier, and iii) sends the enhanced media data to a media device in response to a retrieval request. The distribution system also includes a radio station server that receives the media identifier and a radio station transmitter that broadcasts the media item and associated media identifier. 
     In one configuration, the media device including a broadcast radio receiver that receives the media item and associated media identifier. The media device also includes a transceiver that sends a retrieval request including the media identifier to the clearinghouse server and receives the enhanced media data associated with the media identifier. The media device further includes a processor that performs a media device operation in response to the received enhanced media data. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a media device according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a view of a media device according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a communications topology including a media device according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a simplified functional block diagram of a media device according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a diagram of a distribution system for media and media data according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows a diagram of a public land mobile network (PLMN) data distribution system according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  shows a diagram of a wireless access network including an access point according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram of a computer processing environment including various applications or routines running within a media device according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  includes a database and/or list associating media identifiers with enhanced media data according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a flow diagram of a process for distributing enhanced media data to a media device according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a media device  100  according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The device  100  includes a housing  102 , a first housing portion  104 , a second housing portion  106 , a display  108 , a keypad  110 , a speaker housing aperture  112 , a microphone housing aperture  114 , a headphone jack  116 , and frame sidewall  122 . In certain embodiments, the frame sidewall  122  is the exposed portion of a frame residing within or adjacent to the housing  102  that provides structural support for the media device  100  and various internal components. 
     In one embodiment, the housing  102  includes a first housing portion  104  and a second housing portion  106  that are fastened together and/or to the frame sidewall  122  to encase various components of the media device  100 . The housing  102  and its housing portions  104  and  106  may include polymer-based materials that are formed by, for example, injection molding to define the form factor of the media device  100 . In one embodiment, the housing  102  surrounds and/or supports internal components such as, for example, a display  108 , one or more circuit boards having integrated circuit components, internal radio frequency (RF) circuitry, an internal antenna, a speaker, a microphone, a hard drive, a processor, and other components. Further details regarding certain internal components are discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 4 . The housing  102  provides for mounting of a display  108 , keypad  110 , external jack  116 , data connectors, or other external interface elements. The housing  102  may include one or more housing apertures  112  to facilitate delivery of sound, including voice and music, to a user from a speaker within the housing  102 . The housing  102  may include one or more housing apertures  114  to facilitate the reception of sounds, such as voice, for an internal microphone from a device user. 
     Personal computing devices and/or media devices of this type may include a touchscreen control, such as a Pronto made available by Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands or a GPS receiver made available by Garmin International, Inc. of Olathe, Kans. In certain embodiments, the display  108  includes a graphical user interface (GUI) to enable a user to interact with the device  100 . The personal computing device  100  may also include an image sensor such as a camera capable of capturing photographic images and/or video images. 
       FIG. 2  is a view of another personal media device  200  according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The media device  200  includes a display  202  showing a status bar  208  and video image  204 , which may include, for example, a music video, a movie, video clip, or like video images. In one embodiment, a GUI of the display  202  includes an interface  206  that enables the media device  200  user to play, pause, fast forward, reverse, or monitor, via a slider  210 , the progress of the video displayed on the display  202  or audio being played by the media device  200 . The media device  200  includes a housing base  212 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a communications topology including a computer  308 , media device  300 , and a headset  302 . Media device  300  may communicate with computer  308  via communications channel  310 . Media device  300  may communicate with the headset  302  via communications channel  312 . In one embodiment, communications channel  312  is a wired communication channel. Alternatively, the communications channel  312  may be wireless. 
     Media device  300  may take any form. For example, media device  300  may be a portable media player such as a portable music player. Media device  300  may also include, for example, a mobile telephone that may play downloaded media. Media may be downloaded directly to the media device  300  or may be downloaded to computer  308  and transferred to the media device  300  via communications channel  310 . 
     The media device  300  may include a wireless communications device such as a cellular telephone, satellite telephone, cordless telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), pager, portable computer, or any other device capable of wireless communications. In fact,  FIG. 2  shows an exemplary cellular telephone version of a broad category of media device  300 . The media device  300  may be compact, portable, mobile, personal, and/or transportable. 
     The media device  300  may also be integrated within the packaging of other devices or structures such as a vehicle, video game system, appliance, clothing, helmet, glasses, wearable apparel, stereo system, computer system, entertainment system, or other portable devices. In certain embodiments, the media device  300  may be docked or connected to a wireless (e.g., a wi-fi docking system) and/or radio enabling accessory system (e.g., AM/FM or satellite radio receiver) that provides the media device  300  with short-range communicating functionality and/or radio reception capability. Alternative types of media devices  300  may include, for example, a media player such as an iPod®, iPod® Nano, iPod® Shuffle, or Apple® iPhone available by Apple Inc., of Cupertino, Calif., pocket-sized personal computers such as an iPAQ® Pocket PC available by Hewlett Packard Inc., of Palo Alto, Calif. and any other device capable of communicating wirelessly (with or without the aid of a wireless enabling accessory system). 
     In certain embodiments, the media device  300  may synchronize with, for example, a remote computing system or server, e.g., computer  308 , to receive media (using either wireless or wireline communications paths). Wireless syncing enables the media device  300  to transmit and receive media and data without requiring a wired connection. Media may include, without limitation, sound or audio files, music, video, multi-media, and digital data, in streaming and/or discrete (e.g., files and packets) formats. 
     During synchronization, a host system, e.g., device  308 , may provide media to a client system or software application embedded within the media device  300 . In certain embodiments, media and/or data is “downloaded” to the media device  300 . In other embodiments, the media device  300  is capable of uploading media to a remote host or other client system. 
     The headset  302  may be utilized to provide an audio functionality associated with media device  300 . The headset  302  may include speakers  304  and  306  as well as a microphone. 
       FIG. 4  shows a simplified functional block diagram of a media device  400  according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The block diagram provides a generalized block diagram of a computer system such as may be employed, without limitation, by the media devices  100 ,  200 , and  300 . The media device  400  may include a processor  402 , storage device  404 , user interface  406 , display  610 , CODEC  612 , bus  618 , memory  620 , communications circuitry  622 , a speaker or transducer  624 , a microphone  426 , a location sensor  430 , a radio receiver  432 , a radio receiver decoder  434 , a speaker  424 , and communications circuitry to facilitate communications with a headset  302 , other media device, or other system via a communications network. Processor  402  may control the operation of many functions and other circuitry included in media device  400 . Processor  402  may drive display  410  and may receive user inputs from the user interface  406 . 
     Storage device  404  may store media (e.g., music and video files), software (e.g., for implanting functions on device  400 ), p reference information (e.g., media playback preferences), lifestyle information (e.g., food preferences), personal information (e.g., information obtained by exercise monitoring equipment), transaction information (e.g., information such as credit card information), word processing information, personal productivity information, wireless connection information (e.g., information that may enable media device to establish wireless communication with another device), subscription information (e.g., information that keeps tracks of podcasts or television shows or other media that a user subscribes to), radio station broadcast source information, and any other suitable data. Storage device  404  may include one more storage mediums, including for example, a hard-drive, permanent memory such as ROM, semi-permanent memory such as RAM, or cache. 
     Memory  420  may include one or more different types of memory which may be used for performing device functions. For example, memory  420  may include cache, ROM, and/or RAM. Bus  418  may provide a data transfer path for transferring data to, from, or between at least storage device  404 , memory  420 , and processor  402 . Coder/decoder (CODEC)  412  may be included to convert digital audio signals into an analog signals for driving the speaker  424  to produce sound including voice, music, and other like audio. The CODEC  412  may also convert audio inputs from the microphone  426  into digital audio signals. The CODEC  412  may include a video CODEC for processing digital and/or analog video signals. 
     User interface  408  may allow a user to interact with the media device  400 . For example, the user interface  408  can take a variety of forms, such as a button, keypad, dial, a click wheel, or a touch screen. Communications circuitry  422  may include circuitry for wireless communication (e.g., short-range and/or long range communication). For example, the wireless communication circuitry may be Wi-Fi enabling circuitry that permits wireless communication according to one of the 802.1x standards. Other wireless network protocols standards could also be used, either in alternative to the identified protocols or in addition to the identified protocol. Other network standards may include Bluetooth, the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), and long-term evolution (LTE) based wireless protocols. Communications circuitry  422  may also include circuitry that enables the media device  400  to be electrically coupled to another device (e.g., a computer or an accessory device) and communicate with that other device. 
     In one embodiment, the media device  400  may be a portable computing device dedicated to processing media such as audio and video. For example, the media device  400  may be a media device such as media player (e.g., MP3 player), a game player, a remote controller, a portable communication device, a remote ordering interface, an audio tour player, or other suitable media device. The media device  400  may be battery-operated and highly portable so as to allow a user to listen to music, play games or video, record video or take pictures, communicate with others, and/or control other devices. In addition, the media device  400  may be sized such that it fits relatively easily into a pocket or hand of the user. By being handheld, the media device  400  (or media devices  100 ,  200 , and  300 ) is relatively small and easily handled and utilized by its user and thus may be taken practically anywhere the user travels. 
     The media device  400  may employ a location sensor  430  to enable the media device to determine its geographic location in support of location-based services and other services. The location sensor  430  may include a global position system (GPS) receiver. The location sensor  430  may include one or more radio receivers that perform radio doppler and/or triangulation sensing to determine the media device  400  location. In certain embodiments, the location sensor  430  may be integrated with the communications circuitry  422 . In one embodiment, the location sensor  430  may include a data decoder such as decoder  434  that decodes a source identifier broadcast by a radio source (e.g., radio station identifier or cellular network system identifier (SID)). 
       FIG. 5  shows a diagram of a media distribution system  500  according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The media distribution system  500  includes a media device  502 , a broadcast radio station  504 , a broadcast radio station  524 , a public land mobile network (PLMN)  530 , a PLMN  542 , an access point (AP)  540 , and AP  504 , a data network  510 , a public switched telephone network (PSTN)  552 , and a clearinghouse server  516 . The network  510  may include the Internet. The radio station  504  may include a radio station tower  520  that facilitates the broadcast of a broadcast radio signal  522  to a plurality of media devices including media device  502 . Also, the radio station  524  may include a radio station tower  526  that facilitates the broadcast of a broadcast radio signal  528  to a plurality of media devices including media device  502 . 
     The broadcast radio signal may be, without limitation, frequency modulated (FM) or amplitude modulated (AM). The interfaces  522  and  528  may operate in an AM frequency band of about 500-1500 kHz. The interfaces  522  and  528  may operate in an FM and/or television frequency band of about 54-1600 MHz. The interfaces  522  and  528  may operate and any number of frequency bands such as, for example, a satellite frequency band. The radio station  504  may be associated with a radio station server  506  that includes a database  508  for storing media and/or media data. The radio station  524  may be associated with a radio station server  512  that includes a database  514  for storing media and/or media data. 
     The PLMNs  530  and  542  may include a cellular telephone network. The PLMNs  530  and  542  may utilize a plurality of cellular radio towers  532 ,  538 ,  544 , and  548  respectively. The media device  502  may exchange data and other communications with the PLMN  530  and/or  542  via a wireless communications channel  536  and/or  546  respectively. The media device  502  may exchange data and other communications with the AP  540  and/or AP  504  via a wireless communications channel  534  and  550  respectively. The clearinghouse media data server  516  may include a database  518  for storing media and/or media data. 
       FIG. 6  shows a diagram of a public land mobile network (PLMN)  600  according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. A PLMN may include a wireless telecommunications network and/or a cellular telephone network such as a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), cdma2000 system, ANSI-136 TDMA system, LTE, and like wireless communications networks. These networks may also provide data communications services such as Evolution-data only (EV-DO), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), wireless application protocol (WAP), cellular digital packet data (CDPD), and like wireless data services. 
     PLMN networks are generally referred to as cellular networks because they employ a frequency re-use architecture in which wireless access channels are grouped into geographically-located cells and sectors. The size of each cell depends on the output power of the network base station (BS) transceiver, e.g., BS  602 , associated with each cellular tower  532  and cell. Each access channel uses a certain frequency band in one geographic cell that is re-used in another cell, geographically separated from the first cell, by another access channel where the likelihood of interference is minimized. 
     These networks also use a centralized switch or server such as the mobile switching center (MSC)  604  to enable a wireless device to move from cell to cell while maintaining a persistent data connection. In the United States, cellular and Personal Communications Service (PCS) networks operate in the licensed commercial 800-900 Mhz and 1900-2100 Mhz ranges. Access data channels, however, may be bandwidth limited to 30 khz, 200 khz, or 1.24 Mhz depending on the wireless air interface standard used. 
     PLMN networks primarily provide voice communications while also providing relatively low rate data communications (e.g., 9.6-140 kbps). PLMN networks such as the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and cdma2000 provide a Short Message Service (SMS) that enables telephone users to send relatively short, e.g., about 160 bytes, messages to other cellular telephones or to traditional electronic mail (e-mail) accounts within land-based IP networks. 
     A Short Message Server Center (SMSC)  606  typically coordinates with the MSC  604  to distribute SMS messages to cellular telephones and/or media devices  502 . The SMSC may also interface with a wireless data server  608  to send SMS messages with destination addresses, e.g., e-mail addresses, external to the PLMN  600 . The SMSC may include a mail server and/or other functionality to convert SMS messages to the proper e-mail format if necessary. Alternatively, the wireless data server may include a mail server such as a POP and/or Exchange server to facilitate the delivery of e-mail messages to and from the PLMN  600 . 
     SMS messages may be transmitted over the air interface  120  via the traffic and/or control channels of the PLMN  600  network. While SMS messages are typically limited to about 160 bytes in length, longer text messages may be sent to or received by a media device  502 . This may be performed by breaking a larger message into multiple SMS messages for delivery and then re-assembling the multiple SMS messages into the original message upon receipt. Multimedia message services (MMS) may also be employed having messages that include text, video, pictures, and audio. 
     Recently, PLMN providers have launched higher bandwidth data networks such as cdma2000 Evolution Data Only (EVDO) networks that provide up to 2 Mbps and Third Generation GSM (3GSM) networks that provide approximately 300 kbps data rates. These higher rate data services may employ point-to-point (PPP), simple IP and/or mobile IP (MIP) protocols to more efficiently interface with traditional IP networks such as network  510  and/or the Internet. The wireless data server  608  may function as a cdma2000 and/or GPRS Packet Data Server Node (PDSN), MIP Home Agent, MIP Foreign agent, wireless data gateway, and like systems to facilitate data communications with an external data network such as the network  510 . 
     Using circuit-switched and/or packet-switched data services, the PLMN  600 ,  530 , and  542  enables a media device  502  to act like a network interface to another data network such as the Internet. Thus, media device  502  may employ any of the applications and features of a standard workstation and/or home personal computer, subject to the processing speed, power, and memory constraints of a compact and mobile device. For example, the media device  502  may utilize a WWW browser employing HTML, WML, XML, and like markup languages to facilitate access to a remote web server, e.g., server  552 ,  506 ,  512 , and/or  516 , via the network  510 . The media device  502  may utilize certain applications that enable the exchange of data with remote data servers connected to the network  510 . Data may be transported to and from the network  510  via the wireless data server  608 . In these instances, the wireless data server  608  exchanges data with the BS  602 . The BS  602 , in turn, transmits data to and/or receives data from the media device  502  via one or more data traffic channels on the air interface  536  or  546 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a diagram of a wireless access network  700  including an access point (AP)  540  according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. A wireless access network may include any wireless network that facilitates communications from one communications device to another or to another network such as the Internet. Typical wireless access networks include 802.11, WiFi, WiMAX, Bluetooth, proprietary wireless LANs, wide area wireless networks, and like wireless access networks. 
     The wireless access network  700  includes an AP  540 , a wireless LAN (WLAN)  702 , router  704 , and local area network (LAN)  706 . The LAN may be connected to network  510  via one or more data networks. The WLAN  702  may be connected to the PSTN  552  via one or more network interfaces. The AP  540  may connect with one or more media devices  502 . WLAN networks, such as WLAN  702 , employ wireless APs  540  to communicate with multiple wireless devices, e.g., media device  502 , simultaneously via a set of wireless access channels. 
     While the wireless access network  700  may not support SMS messaging as with the PLMN  600 , the wireless access network  700  is capable of supporting relatively high data rate communications between a media device  502  and the network  510 . Furthermore, the wireless access network  700  can support higher layer protocols such as TCP/IP, HTTP, and UDP, which enable the use of a web browser and other applications at the media device  502 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 5 , in operation, the media device  502  may move from one geographic location in the vicinity of certain wireless communications infrastructure elements to another geographic location in the vicinity of other wireless communications infrastructure elements. For example,  FIG. 5  refers to media device  502  as media device  502   a  while the device is in the vicinity of radio station  504 , but then refers to media device  502  as media device  502   b  when the device is in the vicinity of radio station  524 . In other embodiments, the terms  502   a  and  502   b  can refer to different media devices. 
     As discussed previously, a media device  502  may include a broadcast radio receiver, e.g., radio receiver  432 , that enables the media device  502  to receive media from a plurality of radio stations, e.g., radio station  504 , within its vicinity. The media device  502  may include the capability to enable a user to configure a set of favorite radio stations and/or radio station frequencies so that the user can conveniently tune the broadcast radio receiver  432  to a favorite radio station. 
     In addition to the radio receiver  432 , the media device  502  may include a data transceiver as part of its communications circuitry  422  to facilitate the exchange of data with a PLMN, e.g., PLMN  530 , a wireless access network, e.g., via AP  540 , or another like wireless data network. In certain embodiments, the media device  502  may utilize a data transceiver to supplement broadcast media and/or media data received from a radio station such as radio stations  504  and  524 . In one embodiment, the media device  502  is capable of querying a clearinghouse media data server  516  via a wireless data network (e.g., PLMN or wireless access network) to obtain media and/or media data. A clearinghouse server  516  may include one or more data servers and systems that perform a network-based services via, for example, the Internet. One example of a clearinghouse media data server  512  is the iTunes® music downloading service, made available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Media data may include metadata and/or data about or related to media. For example, media data may include an image such as album cover art related to a song. Media data may also include information related to a broadcast source of the media such as the name of a radio station playing a song. In certain embodiments, the media device  502  can retrieve media and/or media data from a radio station server  504  and/or its associated database  508 , the clearinghouse server  516  and/or its associated database  518 , a remote web server  552 , and any other data source in communication with the network  510 . 
     One problem with existing broadcast radio receivers is that the amount of media data broadcast along with the media is relatively limited in size, flexibility, and scope. For example, the RDS system provides a limited amount of information such as a song title, artist name, 64-character text, a station call sign, and other information. However, the available bandwidth is so limited as to prevent the distribution of much richer media data including, for example, a graphic image of album cover art related to a song. The present invention advantageously addresses this problem by enabling a media device  502  to access a data network to supplement the limited broadcast media data and/or obtain enhanced media data associated with the media being broadcast by a broadcast radio source. 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram of a computer processing environment including various applications or routines running within a media device  800  according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The media device  800  includes a media receiver application  802 , a media data decoder application  804 , and an enhanced media data retriever application  806 . The media receiver application  802  may control the operation of various hardware and/or software functions to enable the reception of broadcast media from a broadcast radio source such as radio station  504 . The media data decoder application  804  may control the operation of various hardware and/or software functions to enable the media device  800  to decode various media data, e.g., RDS data, received from a broadcast radio source. The enhanced media data retriever application  806  may control the operation of various hardware and/or software functions to enable the media device  806  to retrieve enhanced media data via one or more wireless data networks in communication with the media device  800 . 
     The media device  800  may access one more remote databases such as, without limitation, databases  508 ,  514 , and  518 , or other data sources such as server  552 , to retrieve the enhanced media data. In certain embodiments, the broadcast media data may include a media identifier associated with a particular media item such as a song. The media identifier may include a unique identifier. The unique identifier may be numeric and/or alpha-numeric. The media identifier may include a track identifier. By employing a media identifier, the media device  800  may query a remote server and/or database to efficiently retrieve enhanced media data that is associated with the media identified by the media identifier. 
       FIG. 9  includes a database  900  and/or list associating media identifiers  902  with enhanced media data  808  according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The enhanced media data may include, without limitation, album art, an album image, an album video, song art, a song image, a song video, a ringtone, a ringtone offer, music, a music offer, artist information, artist concert information, artist trivia, song trivia, song-related information, broadcast source information, an advertisement, broadcast source contact information, promotional information, contact links to related information sources, metadata associated with a media item, and any like information related to the media. The database  900  may be associated with the clearinghouse server  516  and/or located at database  518 . The database  900  may be associated with a radio station server  506  and/or  512 , and located at database  508  and databases  514  respectively. The database  900  may be located at any remote source such as web server  552 . The database  900  may be a virtual and/or distributed database such that portions of the database are located at databases  518 ,  508 ,  514 , and other remote data sources. 
       FIG. 10  is a flow diagram of a process  1000  for distributing enhanced media data  908  according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. First, a media server  516  assigns a unique media identifier  902  to a media item such as a song (Step  1002 ). Then, the media server  516  stores enhanced media data  908  associated with the media identifier  902  in a data store such as database  900  (or database  518 ,  508 , or  514 ) (Step  1004 ). A broadcast source such as radio station  504  receives the media identifier  902  via a network  510  which may include the Internet (Step  1006 ). The broadcast source, e.g., radio station  504 , transmits and/or broadcasts the media item and associated media identifier  902  via wireless interface  522  (Step  1008 ). A media device  502  receives the media item and associated media identifier  902  (Step  1010 ). Then, the media device  502  sends a retrieval request including the media identifier  902  to the data store such as clearinghouse sever  516  and/or database  518  (Step  1012 ). The retrieval request may also include media device type information and/or user preference information. The data store may determine the types or categories of enhanced media data that should be sent to the media device based on the device type or user preference information. The data store then sends the enhanced media data  908  to the media device  502  in response to the retrieval request (Step  1014 ). The media device  502  receives the enhanced media data  908  associated with the media identifier  902  ( 1016 ). Then, the media device  502  performs an operation in response to the received enhanced media data  908 . Media device type information may include feature information about the media device such as, without limitation, processor type, display type, memory size, user interface type, audio features, video features, device purpose, and the like. User preference information may include, without limitation, preferred types of enhanced media data (e.g., concert schedules, album art, links to other source), preferred formats (audio, visual, multimedia, textual), preferred amounts of enhanced media data, and the like. 
     Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the various configurations described herein may be combined without departing from the present invention. It will also be recognized that the invention may take many forms other than those disclosed in this specification. Accordingly, it is emphasized that the invention is not limited to the disclosed methods, systems and apparatuses, but is intended to include variations to and modifications thereof which are within the spirit of the following claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20150618
Publication Date: 20151124
Grant Date: 20151124
Priority Date: 20080924
Inventors: LEE JEFFERY
INGRASSIA MICHAEL IGNAZIO
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04H20/72", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H60/74", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H60/372", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H60/73", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H2201/13", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H2201/13", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H60/37", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H60/90", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H60/372", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H60/73", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H60/37", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H60/90", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H60/372", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H20/40", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H20/72", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H2201/10", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H60/64", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H2201/37", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H20/72", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H60/73", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H60/64", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H60/74", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H60/74", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04H2201/37", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 41664837