(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0262528A1
`Herley et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Nov. 24, 2005
`
`US 2005O262528A1
`
`(54) SMART CAR RADIO
`(75) Inventors: Cormac Herley, Bellevue, WA (US);
`John C. Platt, Bellevue, WA (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`AMIN & TUROCY, LLP
`24TH FLOOR, NATIONAL CITY CENTER
`1900 EAST NINTH STREET
`CLEVELAND, OH 44114 (US)
`
`Publication Classification
`(51) Int. Cl." ........................... H04N 7/173; H04N 7/10;
`H04N 7/025; H04H 9/00;
`H04N 7/16; H04N 7/18
`(52) U.S. Cl. .................. 725/19; 725/34; 72.5/35; 72.5/81
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`The present invention provides a large capacity, user defined
`audio content deliverv Svstem. The SVStem delivers uninter
`y System.
`y
`rupted music and delivers information content (e.g., news by
`evaluating and encoding an input audio Stream while out
`(73) Assignee: Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA putting another Stream. Undesirable audio content (e.g.,
`advertisements and unwanted news) are not present in the
`(21) Appl. No.:
`11/188,936
`output audio stream as only desired portions of information
`content are Stored for playback on demand. The invention
`also includes a user interface that is simple enough to
`facilitate utilization of the audio System in an automobile
`and employs Standard hardware available in typical com
`puting and/or personal digital assistant equipment. Addition
`ally, the audio system can be portable (e.g., as portable as a
`personal digital assistant) and can be updated in real time or
`off line via a personal computer.
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 25, 2005
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 10/180.249, filed on
`Jun. 26, 2002.
`
`100 Y
`
`
`
`USERENTERFACE
`
`N- 106
`
`110
`
`
`
`HIGH SPEED
`INTERFACE
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`CD
`
`STORAGE
`
`108
`
`
`
`EXTERNAL
`MEDIA
`SOURCE
`
`
`
`116 - 1
`
`
`
`
`
`112
`
`MEDIA
`DATABASE
`
`METADATA:
`
`SOUND SYSTEM
`
`114
`
`Page 1 of 37
`
`BMW EXHIBIT 1003
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 1 of 21
`
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`Page 2 of 37
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 2 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
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`Page 3 of 37
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 3 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`019
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`Page 4 of 37
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 4 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`Page 5 of 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 5 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`MEDIA ITEM
`
`S00
`
`
`
`510
`
`URL OR
`LOCATION OF
`MEDIA
`
`TRACK IDENTIFIER
`
`ARTIST IDENTIFIER
`
`IDENTIFYING METADATA
`
`520
`
`530
`
`540
`
`ARTIST NAME
`
`550
`
`ALBUMNAME
`
`S60
`
`TRACKNAME
`
`570
`
`FHGS
`
`Page 6 of 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 6 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`
`
`PººººW | liigikpi
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`9 °0IH
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`
`
`
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`
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`ºue N uunqIVpI uunqIV
`
`Page 7 of 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 7 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`PREFERENCE
`
`700
`
`701
`
`METADATA
`FIG. 7
`
`
`
`801
`
`PREFERENCE
`
`701
`
`x 702703
`
`METADATA
`
`Y
`
`Page 8 of 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 8 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`PREFERENCE
`
`904
`
`M 900
`
`METADATA
`
`FG. 9
`
`Page 9 of 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 9 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`1030
`
`1000
`i?
`
`
`
`1010
`
`<d SEED ITEM(S),
`SEED ITEM IDENTIFIER(S)
`CD
`
`1020
`iO.T.T. / v-v
`PLAYLIST GENERATING SYSTEM
`
`1022
`
`:
`
`SEED ITEM INPUT SUBSYSTEM
`
`1026
`
`D SIMILARITY SUBSYSTEM
`
`1028
`
`PLAYLIST GENERATING
`SUBSYSTEM
`
`MEDIA
`ITEM
`
`1032
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`REFERENCE
`METADATA
`
`1040
`
`FIG 1 CD
`
`
`
`PLAYTLIST
`
`1050
`
`Page 10 of 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 10 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`1102
`
`A1 1100
`
`
`
`SEED
`ITEM
`
`SIMILARITY METRIC
`
`SEED
`ITEM
`
`SIMILARITY METRIC
`
`CANDIDATE ITEM
`
`1120-N-
`
`114C
`
`- O
`
`O
`
`
`
`SEED
`ITEM
`
`SIMILARITY METRIC
`
`1150
`
`1160
`
`SIMILARITY
`VALUE
`
`FIG 11
`
`Page 11 of 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 11 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`1210
`
`220
`
`SEED ITEM FEATURE
`VECTOR
`
`CANDIDATE ITEM
`FEATURE VECTOR
`
`
`
`1250
`
`SIMILARITY
`VALUE
`DATA
`STORE
`
`
`
`
`
`SIMILARITY
`SUBSYSTEM
`
`1200
`
`DIFFERENCE
`VECTOR
`
`1230
`
`SIMILARITY VALUE
`GENERATOR
`
`1240
`
`SIMILARITY VALUE
`
`1260
`
`F.G. 12
`
`Page 12 of 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 12 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`1300 Y
`
`DETERMINE REPORT TO BE
`RECORDED
`
`1302
`
`
`
`DETERMINE APPROXIMATE
`STARTING TIME
`
`1304
`
`ANALYZE CHANNEL CARRYING
`REPORT
`
`1306
`
`1308
`
`1310
`
`1312
`
`CAPTURE REPORT
`
`W
`
`COMPRESS REPORT
`
`STORE REPORT
`
`F.G. 13
`
`Page 13 of 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 13 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`1400 Ya
`
`START
`
`SELECT REPORT
`
`UNCOMPRESS REPORT
`
`PLAY REPORT
`
`1402
`
`1404
`
`1406
`
`
`
`
`
`F.G. 14
`
`Page 14 of 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 14 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`1500 Na
`
`INITIATE SCAN FUNCTION
`
`1502
`
`
`
`
`
`GENERATE CANDIDATE SEED
`ITEMS
`
`1504
`
`PLAY CURRENT/NEXT SEGMENT
`
`1506
`
`1508
`
`DESIRABLE2
`
`Y
`
`GENERATE PLAYLIST
`
`PLAY PLAYLIST
`
`FIG. 15
`
`1510
`
`1512
`
`Page 15 of 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 15 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`1600
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`INITIALIZE LIST OF CANDIDATE
`SEED ITEMS
`
`1602
`
`OBTAIN NUMBER OF RANDOMLY
`SELECTED ITEMS
`
`1604
`
`REMOVE ITEMS WITHOUT
`METADATA
`
`REMOVE UNCOMMON ITEMS
`
`1606
`
`1608
`
`COMPUTE SIMILARITIES OF
`REMAINING ITEMS
`
`1610
`
`INSERT DISSIMILAR ITEM NTO LIST
`
`1612
`
`END
`
`FIG. 16
`
`Page 16 of 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 16 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`RECEIVE ONE ORMORE / 170
`SEED ITEMS
`
`
`
`COMPUTE SIMILARITY
`VALUES
`
`PRODUCE FINAL
`SIMILARITY VALUE
`
`
`
`YES
`
`ADD TO PLAYLIST
`
`1712
`
`NO
`
`SORT PLAYLIST
`
`INSERT SEED ITEMS IN
`PLAYLIST
`
`
`
`
`
`F.G. 17
`
`Page 17 of 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 17 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`1800
`
`A1
`
`OBTAIN CANDIDATE ITEM
`
`EXTRACT CANDIDATE
`METADATA
`
`1802
`80
`
`1804
`
`OBTAIN SEED ITEM
`
`1806
`
`EXTRACT SEED ITEM METADATA
`
`1808
`
`COMPUTE SIMILARITY VALUE
`
`COMPUTE SIMILARITY SCORE
`
`ADD TO COMPOSITE VALUE
`
`YES
`
`
`
`
`
`ANOTHER SEED ITEM2
`
`NO
`PROVIDE FINAL SIMLARITY
`VALUE
`
`1810
`
`1812
`
`1814
`
`1816
`
`1818
`
`F.G. 18
`
`Page 18 of 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 18 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`1900
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`COMPARE SEED SONG FEATURE VECTOR AND
`CANDIDATE SONG FEATURE VECTOR
`
`YES
`
`
`
`1904
`
`FEATURE VECTOR
`ATTRIBUTE MATCHES
`
`
`
`1902
`
`For each
`A1 Vector
`attribute
`
`SET DIFFERENCE
`VECTOR FEATURE BIT
`TO ONE
`
`CLEAR
`DIFFERENCE
`VECTOR FEATURE
`BIT TO ZERO
`
`COMPUTE SIMILARITY VALUE
`BASED ON DIFFERENCE VECTOR
`
`
`
`
`
`SCALE BY WEIGHTING FACTOR
`
`1912
`
`F.G. 19
`
`Page 19 of 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 19 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`
`
`
`
`GENRE
`
`SUBGENRE
`
`STYLE
`
`WOCAL CODE
`
`RHYTHM
`DESCRIPTION
`
`RHYTHM TYPE
`
`MOOD
`
`2010A
`
`2010
`
`2010c
`
`2010
`
`2010E
`
`2010
`
`2010
`
`2010R
`
`GENRE
`
`SUBGENRE
`
`STYLE
`
`VOCAL CODE
`
`RHYTHM DESCRIPTION
`
`RHYTHM TYPE
`
`
`
`MOOD
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2020A
`
`2020B,
`
`2020c
`
`2020
`
`2020
`
`2020F
`
`2020
`
`2020s
`
`FEATURE R
`
`FEATURES
`
`SEED ITEM FEATURE
`VECTOR
`
`CANOIDATE ITEM
`FEATURE VECTOR
`
`
`
`
`
`0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 ... O
`
`DIFFERENCE VECTOR
`
`2020
`
`2O3)
`
`FHG 2C)
`
`Page 20 of 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 20 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`Operating System
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Communication
`Connection(s)
`
`
`
`
`
`2128
`
`/ 2110
`
`Output
`Device(s)
`
`2140
`
`Input
`Device(s)
`
`2136
`
`Network
`Interface
`
`
`
`Remote
`Computer(s)
`
`Page 21 of 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 24, 2005 Sheet 21 of 21
`
`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`? 2200
`
`2210
`
`CLIENT(S)
`
`CLIENT
`DATA
`STORE(S)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`22.30
`
`SERVER(S)
`
`SERVER
`DATA
`STORE(S)
`
`
`
`COMMUNICATION
`FRAMEWORK
`
`FIG. 22
`
`Page 22 of 37
`
`

`

`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`Nov. 24, 2005
`
`SMART CAR RADIO
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`0001. This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 10/180.249, filed Jun. 26, 2002, and
`entitled “SMART CAR RADIO.” The entirety of the above
`noted application is incorporated herein by reference.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`0002 The present invention relates generally to audio
`devices, and more particularly to Systems and methods that
`facilitate audio on demand and mobile audio devices.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0.003 Mobile audio is an important form of entertainment
`and information today. Mobile audio devices are often
`utilized in automobiles, at the gym, jogging and the like.
`People have come to rely on mobile audio devices (e.g., car
`radios, portable compact disc players, portable cassette
`players and the like) for entertainment and information
`content. Entertainment content generally relates to music,
`Songs, radio talk shows, other various forms of entertain
`ment and the like. Information content generally relates to
`information reports and/or updates Such as news reports,
`traffic reports, weather reports and the like. However, this
`content is often not available when desired by a user.
`0004. As an example, traffic reports may not be received
`often enough to be of value for a typical commuter. The
`commuter needs to have current traffic reports to make travel
`decisions and if that information is not received in time or
`missed (e.g., by a user being distracted by traffic during a
`traffic report), the commuter cannot necessarily make proper
`decisions. NeWS and weather reports can also lose value if
`not obtainable as/when desired by a user.
`0005 For entertainment, mobile devices can provide
`music or other forms of entertainment by utilizing a mobile
`device with a tuner to receive entertainment via radio
`broadcasts (e.g. AM and/or FM). Just as with information,
`desired entertainment may not be provided when/as desired.
`Radio Stations are typically divided into certain Styles of
`music allowing choice of Style. However, current Songs may
`not be desirable or there may be a commercial playing
`preventing a person from receiving desired content.
`0006 Conventional mobile audio devices can typically
`play audio media Such as, compact disc audio (CDDA),
`cassette tapes and the like. However, these media fail to
`provide a Substantially large collection of music. Addition
`ally, the physical Storage required for these media can be
`extensive. Finally, changing currently playing content can be
`difficult and/or even hazardous while driving a car or other
`activity.
`0007. There are some digital audio devices that expand
`the size of available entertainment content Such as MP3
`players. However, these devices require a large amount of
`configuration and control, which can be difficult to perform
`while driving. Alternately, playlists can be manually gener
`ated, in advance, to play desired content. However, Such
`playlists can be time consuming to generate and cannot be
`readily generated by a user driving an automobile. Addi
`tionally, entertainment content desired can vary or change
`
`from the time the playlist(s) is manually generated to the
`time the playlist is utilized on the device.
`0008 Thus, current mobile audio devices can fail to
`timely provide entertainment and/or information content for
`users. Additionally, current mobile audio devices can be
`difficult for a user to employ to obtain desired content.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0009. The following is a Summary of the invention in
`order to provide a basic understanding of Some aspects of the
`invention. This Summary is not intended to identify key/
`critical elements of the invention or to delineate the Scope of
`the invention. Its Sole purpose is to present Some concepts of
`the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more
`detailed description that is presented later.
`0010. The present invention provides a large-capacity
`user-defined audio content delivery System. The System
`delivers uninterrupted music and delivers information con
`tent (e.g., news) by evaluating and encoding an input audio
`Stream while outputting another Stream. Undesirable audio
`content (e.g. advertisements and unwanted news) are not
`present in the output audio Stream as only desired portions
`of information content are Stored for playback on demand.
`The invention also includes a user interface that is simple
`enough to facilitate utilization of the audio System in an
`automobile and employs Standard hardware available in
`typical computing and/or personal digital assistant equip
`ment. Additionally, the audio system can be portable (e.g., as
`portable as a personal digital assistant) and can be updated
`in real time or off line via a personal computer.
`0011. The present invention facilitates utilization of
`information content and entertainment content. Information
`content is captured and can be accessed to provide current
`reports Such as news, traffic and weather reports. Entertain
`ment content can be Scanned to efficiently determine a user's
`preference function and then to identify media items (e.g.,
`Songs) according to the user's preference function.
`0012. The user interface provided by the present inven
`tion allows a user to Select audio content by Selecting a Scan
`button and/or listen to current information reports by Select
`ing at least one of a news button, weather button and a traffic
`button. The Selection of the Scan button initiates a Scan
`function that permits a user to indicate desired listening
`preferences and to identify and play content Similar to the
`indicated preferences. The Selection of the news button, the
`weather button or the traffic button initiate playback of a
`current report.
`0013 To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related
`ends, certain illustrative aspects of the invention are
`described herein in connection with the following descrip
`tion and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative
`of various ways in which the invention may be practiced, all
`of which are intended to be covered by the present invention.
`Other advantages and novel features of the invention may
`become apparent from the following detailed description of
`the invention when considered in conjunction with the
`drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0014 FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile audio system
`in accordance with the present invention.
`
`Page 23 of 37
`
`

`

`US 2005/0262528A1
`
`Nov. 24, 2005
`
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a user interface in
`0.015
`accordance with the present invention.
`0016 FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system that facili
`tates recording information content in accordance with the
`present invention.
`0017 FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system that facili
`tates accessing and identifying entertainment content in
`accordance with the present invention.
`0.018
`FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary information associ
`ated with a media item in accordance with the present
`invention.
`0.019
`FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary metadata in accor
`dance with the present invention.
`0020 FIG. 7 illustrates a preference function obtained
`for a Seed item in accordance with the present invention.
`0021
`FIG. 8 illustrates a preference function obtained
`for Seed items in accordance with the present invention.
`0022 FIG. 9 illustrates a composite preference function
`obtained for Seed items in accordance with the present
`invention.
`0023 FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a system that
`facilitates playlist generation utilizing Seed items in accor
`dance with the present invention.
`0024 FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a similarity Sub
`system that facilitates playlist generation in accordance with
`the present invention.
`0.025
`FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a system that
`generates a final Similarity value in accordance with the
`present invention.
`0026 FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a method that
`facilitates recording information content in accordance with
`the present invention.
`0027 FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of a method that
`facilitates playing information content in accordance with
`the present invention.
`0028 FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of a method that
`facilitates utilizing entertainment content in accordance with
`the present invention.
`0029 FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of a method that
`facilitates generation of a list of candidate Seed items in
`accordance with the present invention.
`0030 FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of a method for gener
`ating a playlist in accordance with the present invention.
`0031 FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of a method for com
`puting a similarity value in accordance with the present
`invention.
`0.032
`FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of a method of comput
`ing a weighted Similarity value in accordance with the
`present invention.
`0.033
`FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating generation
`of a difference vector in accordance with the present inven
`tion.
`0034 FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of an exem
`plary operating environment for a System configured in
`accordance with the present invention.
`
`0035 FIG.22 is a schematic block diagram of a sample
`computing environment with which the present invention
`can interact.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`0036) The present invention is now described with ref
`erence to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are
`used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following
`description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific
`details are Set forth in order to provide a thorough under
`Standing of the present invention. It may be evident, how
`ever, that the present invention may be practiced without
`these Specific details. In other instances, well-known Struc
`tures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order
`to facilitate describing the present invention.
`0037 AS used in this application, the terms “component”
`and “system” are intended to refer to a computer-related
`entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and
`Software, Software, or Software in execution. For example, a
`component may be, but is not limited to being, a process
`running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable,
`a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way
`of illustration, both an application running on a Server and
`the Server can be a component. One or more components
`may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and
`a component may be localized on one computer and/or
`distributed between two or more computers.
`0038. It is to be appreciated that, for purposes of the
`present invention, any or all of the functionality associated
`with modules, Systems and/or components discussed herein
`can be achieved in any of a variety of ways (e.g. combina
`tion or individual implementations of active Server pages
`(ASPs), common gateway interfaces (CGIS), application
`programming interfaces (API's), Structured query language
`(SQL), component object model (COM), distributed COM
`(DCOM), system object model (SOM), distributed SOM
`(DSOM), ActiveX, common object request broker architec
`ture (CORBA), database management systems (DBMSs),
`relational database management systems (RDBMSs),
`object-oriented database management system (ODBMSs),
`object-relational
`database
`management
`Systems
`(ORDBMS), remote method invocation (RMI), C, C++,
`practical extraction and reporting language (PERL), applets,
`HTML, dynamic HTML, server side includes (SSIs), exten
`Sible markup language (XML), portable document format
`(PDF), wireless markup language (WML), standard gener
`alized markup language (SGML), handheld device markup
`language (HDML), graphics interchange format (GIF), joint
`photographic experts group (JPEG), binary large object
`(BLOB), other script or executable components).
`0039 Turning now to FIG. 1, a mobile audio system 100
`in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is
`depicted. The system 100 facilitates user enjoyment and
`employment of media in accordance with the Subject inven
`tion. The system 100 affords for delivery of uninterrupted
`media (e.g., music, news) as well as desired media via
`evaluating and encoding an input media Stream while out
`putting another Stream. More particularly, undesired media/
`content (e.g., advertisements and unwanted news) are not
`present in the output audio Stream as only desired portions
`(e.g., Subsets) of content are stored for playback on demand.
`
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`Information content can be captured and accessed to provide
`current reports Such as news, traffic and weather reports.
`Entertainment content can be Scanned to efficiently deter
`mine a user's preference function and then to identify media
`items (e.g., Songs) according to the user's preference func
`tion.
`0040. The system 100 includes a user interface 102, a
`controller 104, a tuner 106, a storage component 108, a high
`Speed interface 110, a media database 112 and a Sound
`system 114. The system 100 facilitates receiving and enjoy
`ing entertainment and information content. Current infor
`mation content (e.g., news, weather, traffic and the like) and
`entertainment content (e.g., music) is obtainable on demand.
`0041. The user interface 102 is operative to enable a user
`to Select, control and obtain content to be received and
`played. The user interface generally includes a control for
`Selecting desired entertainment content and desired infor
`mation content. The entertainment content includes Sources
`Such as music and/or audio books. The information content
`includes Sources Such as weather, traffic, news and the like.
`The controller 104 is generally operative to control the
`system 100. The controller 104 interfaces and/or controls
`other components of the system 100.
`0042. The high speed interface 110 is connected to the
`controller 104 and is connected to the external media Source
`116. The connection to external media Source 116 can be
`intermittent. The high speed interface 110 is an interface that
`permits Sufficient data transfer rates for the media items
`stored in the external media Source 116 while external media
`Source 116 is accessible. Media in external media Source 116
`can be copied into the media database 112 when external
`media source 116 is available. The high speed interface 110
`can be implemented utilizing a mechanism Such as a uni
`versal serial bus (USB), firewire, infrared and the like.
`Furthermore, networking technologies (e.g., wired and wire
`less) can also be employed for the high speed interface 110.
`Any Suitable transfer rate can be employed for the high
`Speed interface 110 So long as the media items can be
`accessed in a timely fashion. Some exemplary Suitable
`transfer rates are 1 Mbit/s, 10 Mbit/s and 100 Mbit/s.
`0043. It is appreciated that the external media source 116
`can be detached and removed from the system 100, swapped
`with another media Source, be reattached to the System, and
`the like and Still be in accordance with the present invention.
`Additionally, one or more additional media Sources can be
`connected to the high speed interface 110 to add and/or
`modify the entertainment content available to the System
`100.
`0044) External media source 116 can be comprised of
`devices Such as compact disks (e.g., MP3 CDs), digital
`Video disks (DVD), portable storage devices (e.g., hard
`drives), flash memory (e.g., Smart media, compact flash,
`memory Stick, multimedia memory and the like), personal
`digital assistants and the like. Alternatively, external media
`Source 116 can be resident on the hard drive of a Separate
`computer. In this case, the high Speed interface is a network
`(either wired or wireless).
`004.5 The media database 112 stores, maintains and
`provides a collection of media items (e.g., Songs). The
`collection of media items can be relatively large. For
`example, a music collection of about 200 conventional
`
`compact discs in compact disc digital audio (CDDA) format
`can comfortably be compressed into about 5 Gbytes of data
`and stored on the media database 112. Additionally, the
`media database 112 also maintains metadata for respective
`media items. The metadata provides descriptive information
`and/or characteristics about the media item in the collection.
`The metadata includes information that characterizes the
`media item(s) and can include, for example, artist, Song title,
`movie title, author, genre (e.g., folk, jazz, new wave, rock
`and the like), album and the like. In Some aspects of the
`invention, the media item(s) include or incorporate metadata
`(e.g., via a tag or block of information at a specific location
`in a file) Such as, for example, ID3 tags which include
`information characterizing digital audio files (e.g., mp3).
`Alternately, metadata can be generated for the media item(s)
`by analyzing aspects of the Seed items. Such as, tempo,
`Volume, instruments, vocals, in order to determine appro
`priate metadata for the respective media item(s). Addition
`ally, metadata can be entered (e.g., by a user) for respective
`media item(s). Additional descriptions of metadata that can
`be employed with the present invention are provided with
`FIG. 6 and elsewhere in the description.
`0046) The tuner 106 is operative to selectably provide
`audio streams or audio content (e.g., analog or digital) to the
`controller 104. The tuner 106 is selectable via the user
`interface 102, the controller 104 and/or another external user
`interface (not shown) to Select one of a plurality of Stations
`or broadcasts. Generally, the tuner 106 can receive broad
`casts (e.g., AM and/or FM radio broadcasts, satellite radio
`broadcasts, network broadcasts and the like) and obtain
`audio content from those broadcasts. The tuner 106 is
`configurable for turning on, turning off, Selecting a particular
`Station or broadcast, turning on at a specified time, turning
`off at a specified time and the like. Typically, respective
`broadcasts provide varying information and/or entertain
`ment content (e.g., news radio stations, top 40 stations,
`Sports talk radio Stations and the like).
`0047 The storage component 108 permits short and/or
`long term storage of recorded content from the tuner 106.
`The recorded content is typically in a Suitably compress
`format and can be accessed and/or provided as needed.
`Generally, a smaller amount of Storage (e.g., about 15
`Mbytes) can be employed for storing content from tuner 106
`Since the recorded content is Substantially comprised of
`relatively short clips of information content (e.g., news
`reports, weather reports, traffic reports and the like). Infor
`mation content (e.g., content that mostly contains voice) can
`generally be compressed more than other types of content
`Such as Songs or music and thus utilizes leSS Storage Space.
`Storage 108 can also be used to store media database 112.
`0048. The sound system 114 receives an audio stream
`(e.g., analog or digital) and "plays the audio stream. The
`sound system 114 can be of a number of suitable devices
`Such as, car radio, Speaker System and the like. Furthermore,
`the Sound System 114 can receive other audio streams from
`other components Such as CD players, other tuners, car
`Stereos, audio devices and the like. The Sound System 114
`can be configured to decode or decompress the audio Stream
`and also, to provide the Stream in digital and/or analog
`format.
`0049. As stated Supra, the controller 104 is generally
`operative to control the system 100. The controller 104
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`interfaces and/or controls other components of the System
`100. Additionally, the controller 104 receives user input
`from the user interface 102 and initiates a desired function
`(e.g., provide entertainment content and/or information con
`tent). Generally, the controller 104 receives directives to
`perform the following functions: Scan entertainment content,
`provide news content, provide weather content, and provide
`traffic content. It is appreciated that alternate aspects of the
`invention can perform other, Similar functions.
`0050. The scan entertainment content function is per
`formed by playing Segments of a Sub-collection of the media
`database 112, also referred to as candidate Seed items, until
`a user cancels the Scan or indicates a desired media item or
`desired seed item. Segments that are bypassed (e.g., not
`Selected as desirable by a user) are deemed to be undesirable
`media items or undesirable Seed items. A Segment that a user
`indicates as desirable is a desirable Seed item. Subsequent to
`obtaining the desirable Seed item, a playlist is generated that
`includes media items from the collection Similar to the
`desirable Seed item and dissimilar to the undesirable Seed
`item(s). The playlist generally includes references or point
`ers to the media items, not the media items themselves. After
`being generated, the playlist is played by transferring (e.g.,
`Streaming), in the determined order, media items indicated
`by the playlist to the Sound system 114.
`0051. The segments played are typically about 10 sec
`onds each, but alternate aspects of the invention can utilize
`various lengths of time. Additionally, the segments are
`obtained So as to be representative of the media item and
`should be long enough to allow a typical user to correctly
`asSociate the Segment with the associated candidate Seed
`item (e.g., Song). Generally, a more representative segment
`can be at a location of the Song besides the beginning. A
`database of Segment identifiers that indicate representative
`Segments can be employed to obtain appropriate Segments.
`Additionally, Segments can simply Start 30 Seconds into a
`Song. Other Suitable approaches can be utilized with the
`invention. The sub-collection (the list of candidate seed
`items) is a Selected Subset of the media collection. Typically,
`the Sub-collection is a small number of media items (e.g., 20
`Songs). A first element of the Sub-collection is randomly
`Selected. However, the first element should have a Sufficient
`amount of metadata and have a Sufficient amount of Simi
`larity to other media items (e.g., Sub-genre) to allow it to
`Serve as a seed for generating a playlist (as explained
`below). The second element of the sub-collection is chosen
`So as to be Substantially dissimilar to the first element.
`Subsequent elements are iteratively chosen So as to be
`dissimilar to Several previous elements. Thus, the effect is
`that a user is more likely to identify a desirable Song faster.
`AS an example, Some possible elements could be a first
`element of a hard rock type, a Second element of classical
`music type, a third element of dance music type and So on.
`Additional details on Selecting elements for the Sub-collec
`tion are described infra.
`0.052 AS discussed Supra, bypassed segments are deemed
`to indicate undesirable media items, also referred to as
`undesirable seed items and a selected Segment (e.g., by a
`user clicking a scan button while that segment is playing) is
`deemed to indicate a desirable media item, also referred to
`as a desirable Seed item. Thus, Zero or more undesirable Seed
`items are obtained and one desirable Seed item is obtained.
`It is appreciated that alternate aspects can include additional
`
`desirable Seed items (e.g., by a user clicking a Scan button
`for desirable items and pressing and holding the Scan button
`for a final desirable seed item).
`0053. After obtaining the seed item(s), a preference func
`tion is generated based on the undesirable Seed items and
`desirable Seed item. The preference function represents a
`user's desired and undesired entertainment content. Indi
`vidual items of the media collection are then compared with
`the preference function to identify those items that are
`Similar or in relation to that desired by the user.
`0054 The provided information function, discussed
`Supra, includes a request for information content Such as,
`news, traffic and weather. Typically, the request is initiated
`by a user Selecting or clicking an appropriate button (e.g., a
`weather button). On receiving Such a request, a recent or
`most recent recorded report of a requested type is played via
`the Sound System 114. For example, on receiving a request
`for a weather update, a recently recorded weath