(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0227611 A1
`(43) Pub. Date: Oct. 13, 2005
`
`Ellis
`
`US 20050227611A1
`
`(54) MUSIC INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR
`OBTAINING INFORMATION ON A SECOND
`MUSIC PROGRAM WHILE A FIRST MUSIC
`PROGRAM IS PLAYED
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/089,473, filed on Jun.
`16, 1998.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Michael D. Ellis, Boulder, CO (US)
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.7 ............................... H04H 1/00; H04R 5/00
`
`Correspondence Address:
`FISH & NEAVE IP GROUP
`ROPES & GRAY LLP
`1251 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS FL C3
`NEW YORK, NY 10020-1105 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/032,733
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 10, 2005
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 09/330,860, filed on
`Jun. 11, 1999, now abandoned.
`
`(52) US. Cl.
`
`............................................................ 455/3.01
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A television and music distribution system is provided.
`Music programs are distributed over a number of analog and
`digital music channels to a number of users for playing by
`their user music equipment. Music information on the music
`program currently broadcasted on the music channels is
`provided in an in-band data stream on the channels. The user
`music equipment includes two tuners for providing users
`with the ability to listen to the music program on one
`channel while viewing the music information on another.
`
`PROGRAMMING
`SOURCE
`
`MUSIC
`
`APPLICATION
`
`DATA SOURCE
`
`INTERACTIVE MUSIC
`APPLICATION EQUIPMENT
`
`MERCHANDISING
`FACILITY
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0001
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0001
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 1 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`PROGRAMMING
`SOURCE
`
`FACILITY
`
`MUSIC
`APPLICATION
`DATA SOURCE
`
`INTERACTIVE MUSIC
`APPLICATION EQUIPMENT
`
`MERCHANDISING
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0002
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0002
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 2 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
` DISTRIBUTION FACILITY
`
`
`(E.G., CABLE SYSTEM
`HEADEND, SATELLITE ‘
`SYSTEM, ETC.)
`
`L
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0003
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0003
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 3 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`DISTRIBUTION FACILITY (E.G., CABLE
`SYSTEM HEADEND, SATELLITE
`'
`SYSTEM. ETC.)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SERVER
`
` USER MUSIC
`
`DISTRIBUTION EQUIPMENT
`
`MUSIC APPLICATION
`
`25
`
`
`
`
`
`EQUIPMENT
`
`(CLIENT)
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0004
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0004
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 4 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`17
`._/
`
`16
`
`
`
`DISTRIBUTION
`FACILITY
`
` DISTRIBUTION
`
`EQUIPMENT
`
` USER MUSIC
`EQUIPMENT
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0005
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 5 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
` DISTRIBUTION
`
`FACILITY
`
`
`
`DISTRIBUTION
`
` INTERNET
`
`EQUIPMENT
`
`
`
`SYSTEM
`
`SERVICE
`
` 20
`
`USER MUSIC
`EQUIPMENT
`
` 22
`
`
`
`(CLIENT)
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0006
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0006
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 6 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`Q
`
`VIDEO AND DATA IN
`
`28
`
` SET - TOP BOX
`
`
`
`
`-UNER -UNER
`52
`D-IGITAL
`.HANNEL
`-5ELECTOR5
`
`
`
`-ACKET
`_ILTER D-ECODER
`DIGITAL STORAGE
`
`
`
`
`EXTRACTOR
`
`
`
`7
`.
`AUD'O
`
`
`
`
`DEVICE
`
`.
`
`-
`CONTROL I
`
`4o
`
`
`
`
`
`.
`
`REMOTE
`CONTROL
`
`SECONDARY
`STORAGE DEVICE
`
`
` AUDIO '
`SYSTEM
`
`
`
` TELEVISION
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0007
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0007
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 7 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`22
`
`VIDEO AND DATA IN
`
`46
`
`42
`
`
`INTERFACE
`
`
`USER
`
`5°
`
`52
`.
`
`CONTROL CIRCUITRY
`
`TUNER
`
`TUNER.
`
`EXTRACTOR
`
`DIGITAL
`CHANNEL
`SELECTOR
`
`51
`
`53
`
`45
`
`DISPLAY
`
`. DEVICE
`
`37
`
`AUDIO
`
`SYSTEM
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`59
`
`55
`
`57
`
`‘
`. MEMORY
`
`PACKET
`FKTER
`
`DECODER
`
`DIGITAL STORAGE DEVICE
`
`43
`
`SECONDARY STORAGE
`
`DEVICE
`
`F7C3.<I
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0008
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0008
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 8 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`CHANNEL 408
`
`
`
`230
`
`220 A 210
`
`10:00A
`
` '
`
`V TOM PETTY: RUNNING DOWN
`
` MUSIC
`
`
`
`BRAND LOGO
`
`~408 MUS
`
`CLASSIC ROCK
`
`.
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0009
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0009
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 9 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`; MUSIC
`
`CHANNEL 408
`
`i'
`
`A 4—mb
`
`mB—ARNEYSSONGS
`
`FIG. 5b
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0010
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0010
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 10 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`SERVICE
`
`PROVIDER
`
`LOGO
`
`ADVERTISEMENT
`
`
`
`SELECTABLE '
`ADVERTISEMENT
`
`TV
`
`_
`
`GUIDE
`
`SHOWCASE
`PPV TIME
`
`PPV TITLE
`
`SELECTABLE
`
`102
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0011
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0011
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 11 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`18
`
`LOGO
`
`
`
`‘50
`SELECTABLE
`ADVERTISEMENT 1150
`f 150
`
`150
`
`150
`
`SELECTABLE
`ADVERTISEMENT 150
`150
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` SERVICE
`
`10:00A
`PROVIDER
`
`F1 I
`
`-
`
`BRAND
`
`LOGO
`
`{
`p
`408 MUS
`
`10:00A SAT
`
`151
`
`DUELING BANJOS
`
`BARNEY'S SONGS
`
`SOUNDS OF THE WOODLANDS
`
`AMAZING GRACE
`
`413 MUS
`
`ACHEY BRAKEY HEART
`
`
` b
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`132
`
`
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0012
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0012
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 12 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`
`
`SERVICE
`
`' PROVIDER
`
`
`‘ ADVERTISEMENT 150
`
`SELECTABLE
`
`
`150 A
`408 MUS AMANDA W
`15—
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mm
`
`
`
`
`
`ADVERTISEMENT BANNER
`
`V
`
`FIG. 7b
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0013
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0013
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 13 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`&
`
`SERVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`PROVIDER
`
`
`
`LOGO
`
`, v .
`
`10'0“,
`
`BRAND
`
`LOGO
`
`4
`
`r
`
`
`
`
`ALTERNATIVE
`
`SELECTABLE
`
`
`
`TITLE: DEVIL'S HAIRCUT
`ARTIST: BECK
`
`ADVERTISEMENT
`
` SELECTABLE
`
`
`ADVERTISEMENT
`
`
`
`ALBUM: ODELAY
`
`
`
`COMP: BEC
`
`ID: 1000792—521
`
`LABEL: GEFFEN’
`
`
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0014
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0014
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 14 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`ANALOG MUSIC CHANNELS
`
`CIRCUIT A
`W---------------
`
`(I
`
`I
`
`N)
`———--I CIRCUIT B
`
`
`
`I
`5
`
`.
`
`CHANNEL x
`
`I
`'
`I
`I
`
`_
`
`I I
`
`I
`:
`AUDIO OUTPUT
`I
`' ------ II------ J
`
`FIG. 9a
`
`~
`
`EXTRACTOR
`
`*
`
`MUSIC INFORMATION
`
`
`DIGITAL MUSIC CHANNELS
`
`II
`
`FI6- 9b
`
`
`
`-
`
`N)
`I ...j
`(I
`I— —————————————————————————————————— l
`CIRCUITS
`I
`I
`I
`IF A AND B
`I
`I
`;
`I
`DIGITAL MUSIC CHANNELS
`I
`I
`AT SAME FREQUENCY (i
`j)
`
`
`DIGITAL
`I 53
`55
`I
`
`
`PACKET FILTER
`CHANNEL
`I
`I
`
`‘
`I
`SELECTOR
`I
`
`
`'
`I
`I
`s
`DECODER
`I
`I
`I
`I
`j)
`AUDIO AND DATA (i
`I
`I
`L___________.._'_ _____________________ .J
`
`.
`
`
`
`MUSIC
`
`APPLICATION
`
`
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0015
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0015
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 15 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`DIGITAL MUSIC CHANNELS
`(I
`a
`c
`i
`j
`N)
`
`CIRCUITA I———————5—0________
`
`
`
`
`
`01NL______________
`CHANNEL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`—-————— —.
`
`PACKET
`
`FILTER
`
`DIGITAL
`
`SELECTOR
`
`53
`
`AUDIO AND DATA
`
`WWII .....
`
`
`
`
`MUSIC
`
`APPLICATION
`
`FIG. 90
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0016
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0016
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 16 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`TUNE TO A FIRST MUSIC
`
`CHANNEL WITH A FIRST
`
`400 -
`
`TUNER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DIRECT A SECOND TUNER TO
`TUNE TO A SECOND MUSIC
`CHANNEL WHILE THE FIRST
`TUNER REMAINS TUNED TO
`THE FIRST MUSIC CHANNEL
`USING THE MUSIC
`
`'
`
`410
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`APPLICATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`OBTAIN IN-BAND MUSIC
`INFORMATION FROM THE
`
`
`SECOND MUSIC CHANNEL
`USING THE MUSIC
`
`APPLICATION
`
`DISPLAY lN-BAND MUSIC INFORMATION
`FROM THE SECOND MUSIC CHANNEL
`
`420
`
`
`
`430
`
`
`
`
`
`WHILE PLAYING A MUSIC PROGRAM
`FROM. THE FIRST MUSIC CHANNEL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DIRECT FIRST TUNER TO TUNE
`TO THE SECOND MUSIC
`
`440
`
`CHANNEL USING THE MUSIC
`
`
`
`APPLICATION
`
`FIG. 10.
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0017
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0017
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 17 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`
`
`OBTAIN INDICATION THAT USER
`DESIRES INFORMATION TO VIEW
`MUSIC PROGRAM INFORMATION
`USING THE MUSIC APPLICATION
`
`
`
`500
`
`510
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DIRECT TUNER TO TUNE TO A
`MUSIC CHANNEL USING THE MUSIC-
`
`APPLICATION
`
`
`520
`OBTAIN IN-BAND MUSIC
`
`INFORMATION FROM THE MUSIC
`CHANNEL USING THE MUSIC
`FAVORITES MODE
`APPLICATION IS IN
`APPLICATION
`
`
`
`
`
`APPLICATION IS NOT IN
`FAVORITES MODE
`
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY MUSIC INFORMATION
`DISPLAY MUSIC INFORMATION ONLY
`OBTAINED FROM EACH MUSIC
`FOR FAVORITE MUSIC CHANNELS
`
`CHANNEL FOR USER USING THE
`USING THE MUSIC APPLICATION
`
`
`MUSIC APPLICATION
`
` 540
`
`530
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`OBTAIN INDICATION THAT A'USER
`WISHES TO PURCHASE MUSIC
`MERCHANDISE USING THE MUSIC
`APPLICATION
`
`
`
`
`
`GENERATE MERCHANDISE
`REQUEST USING THE MUSIC
`
`APPLICATION
`
`560
`
` 570
`
`PROVIDE MERCHANDISE REQUEST
`TO MERCHANDISING FACILITY
`'
`
`
`
`FIG. 11
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0018
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0018
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 13, 2005 Sheet 18 0f 18
`
`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`
`
`DIRECT TUNER TO TUNE TO
`CARRIER FREQUENCY OF DIGITAL
`
`'
`‘
`CHANNEL
`
` LOAD PACKET FILTER WITH PIDS
`
`600
`
`.
`
`610
`
`OF DIGITAL CHANNEL AND FILTER
`
`
`OUT UNWANTED PACKETS
`
`
`620
`OBTAIN lN-BAND MUSIC
`INFORMATION FROM THE DIGITAL I
`
`
`CHANNEL USING THE MUSIC
`
`APPLICATION
`
`FIG. 12
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0019
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0019
`
`

`

`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`Oct. 13, 2005
`
`MUSIC INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR
`OBTAINING INFORMATION ON A SECOND
`MUSIC PROGRAM WHILE A FIRST MUSIC
`PROGRAM IS PLAYED
`
`[0001] This application claims the benefit of US. provi-
`sional patent application No. 60/089,473, filed Jun. 16,
`1998.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] This invention relates to interactive music infor-
`mation systems, and more particularly, to interactive music
`information systems that use two tuners for obtaining in-
`band data.
`
`[0003] Cable, satellite, and broadcast television systems
`provide viewers with a large number of television channels.
`Many cable systems also provide digital and analog music
`channels to their customers. Music program listings and
`other music application data (e.g., track, title, artist infor-
`mation, etc.) are typically provided by a satellite uplink
`facility to a number of cable system headends. Each headend
`distributes the music application data for each music channel
`to a number of users as part of a data stream. Current music
`applications limit users to viewing in-band music informa-
`tion for music channels to which the user has tuned. This is
`
`because music applications have been implemented that
`control only a single tuner and because music program
`related information for each channel is carried in-band on
`each channel. While the user is tuned to one music channel,
`the music application cannot tune to another music channel
`to obtain in-band data and show the user music information
`
`carried by the other channel.
`
`Interactive program guides have been developed
`[0004]
`that provide users with the ability to view music channel
`information that is sent out-of-band and ahead of the music
`
`programming carried on the channels. Such music channel
`information has included the type of music carried by each
`channel (e.g., rock, disco, etc.) and the channel’s number
`and call letters, but not song titles or other song specific
`information. In other program guide systems, program guide
`data is transmitted in-band and is only available to the
`program guide when the program guide is tuned to a specific
`channel (or to one of several specific channels). The pro-
`gram guide typically obtains program guide data when the
`viewer is not watching television. The program guide may
`also obtain program guide data when the user is watching
`one of the channels that carry an in-band data stream. Some
`manufacturers are manufacturing home television equip-
`ment with a second agile tuner. This is primarily to support
`features such as picture-in-picture (“PIP”), or to allow a
`viewer to simultaneously watch television and access a data
`service such as an Internet browser.
`
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to
`[0005]
`provide an interactive music application that provides users
`with the opportunity to listen to one music channel while
`viewing music information for another.
`
`invention to
`It is another object of the present
`[0006]
`provide an interactive music application that provides users
`with the opportunity to simultaneously view in-band music
`information from a number of music channels.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0007] These and other objects of the present invention are
`accomplished in accordance with the principles of the
`
`present invention by providing an interactive music appli-
`cation system in which two tuners are used to tune to
`channels and obtain in-band data. Amain facility distributes
`music information to a number of distribution facilities.
`
`Each distribution facility distributes the music information
`to a number of users for display on their user music
`equipment. The interactive music application may be imple-
`mented wholly on the user’s music equipment, or partially
`on the user’s music equipment and partially on a server at
`the distribution facility. In addition, the music application
`may obtain music information from a Web server using any
`suitable Internet-based approach.
`
`[0008] The distribution facilities may provide users with
`one or more analog or digital music channels. Each music
`channel may include an in-band data stream that contains the
`music information received from the main facility. The
`music information may include, for example, track infor-
`mation, title information, artist information, graphics, web
`links, ordering information or other information related to
`the music programming carried on the music channel. While
`a user is tuned to a first music channel, the music application
`may obtain music information from that channel using the
`tuner that is tuned to that channel. When a user indicates a
`desire to view music information for a channel other than the
`
`one to which the first tuner is tuned, the music application
`directs a second tuner to tune to the other music channel and
`obtains the in-band music information from that channel.
`
`[0009] The music application may provide a user with an
`opportunity to simultaneously view music information for a
`number of analog and digital music channels. When the user
`indicates a desire to view music information,
`the music
`application directs a tuner to sequentially tune to each music
`channel so that the music application may obtain in-band
`music information from each of those channels.
`
`[0010] Further features of the invention, its nature and
`various advantages will be more apparent from the accom-
`panying drawings and the following detailed description of
`the preferred embodiments.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an illus-
`trative system in accordance with the present invention.
`
`[0012] FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are diagrams showing
`illustrative arrangements for the interactive music applica-
`tion equipment of FIG. 1 in accordance with the principles
`of the present invention.
`
`[0013] FIG. 3 is an illustrative schematic block diagram
`of the user music equipment of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d in
`accordance with the principles of the present invention.
`
`[0014] FIG. 4 is a generalized schematic block diagram of
`portions of the illustrative user music equipment of FIG. 3
`in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
`
`[0015] FIG. 5a shows an illustrative FLIP display that the
`music application may display when a user changes chan-
`nels to an analog or digital music channel.
`
`[0016] FIG. 5b shows an illustrative BROWSE display
`that the music application may display when a user indicates
`a desire to browse through music program listings.
`
`[0017] FIG. 6 shows an illustrative main menu screen that
`the music application may display for providing a user with
`access to a number of music application features.
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0020
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0020
`
`

`

`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`Oct. 13, 2005
`
`[0018] FIGS. 7a and 7b show illustrative music listings
`display screens that the music application may display when
`a user indicates a desire to view music information.
`
`[0019] FIG. 8 shows an illustrative full music information
`screen that the music application may display when a user
`indicates a desire to view music information.
`
`[0020] FIGS. 9a, 9b, and 96 show illustrative circuits of
`user music equipment 22 that may be used to simultaneously
`obtain music programs and in-band music information from
`different music channels.
`
`[0021] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of illustrative steps involved
`in providing a user with an opportunity to listen to a music
`program carried on one channel while viewing in-band
`music information for a music program carried on another.
`
`[0022] FIG. 11 is an illustrative flowchart of steps
`involved in providing a user with access to music informa-
`tion and other features of the music application.
`
`[0023] FIG. 12 is an illustrative flowchart of steps
`involved in obtaining in-band music information from a
`digital music channel.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0024] An illustrative system 10 in accordance with the
`present invention is shown in FIG. 1. Main facility 12
`provides music information from music application data
`source 14 to interactive music application equipment 17 via
`communications link 18. There are preferably numerous
`pieces or installations of interactive music application equip-
`ment 17, although only one is shown in FIG. 1 to avoid
`overcomplicating the drawing.
`
`[0025] Link 18 may be a satellite link, a telephone network
`link, a cable or fiber optic link, a microwave link, an Internet
`link, a combination of such links, or any other suitable
`communications link. If it
`is desired to transmit video
`
`signals over link 18 in addition to data signals, a relatively
`high bandwidth link such as a satellite link may generally be
`preferred to a relatively low bandwidth link such as a
`telephone line.
`
`[0026] The music information transmitted by main facility
`12 to interactive music application equipment 17 may
`include information related to music programs such as track
`information, title information, artist information, graphics,
`web links, or any other information related to the music
`programming carried on the channel.
`
`[0027] An interactive music application is implemented
`on interactive music application equipment 17. Four illus-
`trative arrangements for interactive music application equip-
`ment 17 are shown in FIGS. 2a-2d. As shown in FIGS.
`
`interactive music application equipment 17 may
`2a-2d,
`include distribution equipment 21 located at distribution
`facility 16, and user music equipment 22.
`
`[0028] The interactive music application may run totally
`on user music equipment 22 as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2c,
`or may run partially on user music equipment 22 and
`partially on distribution equipment 17 using a suitable
`client-server or distributed processing approach as shown in
`FIGS. 2b and 2d. The interactive music application may be
`any application suitable for obtaining music information and
`
`for simultaneously displaying music information for mul-
`tiple music programs. If desired, the music application may
`run independently alongside other applications running on
`user music equipment 22, or may be integrated into a
`suitable application such as an interactive program guide.
`
`[0029] Distribution facility 16 may be any suitable distri-
`bution facility (e.g., a radio broadcast facility, a cable system
`headend, a broadcast distribution facility, a satellite distri-
`bution facility, an Internet site or any other suitable type of
`distribution facility). Distribution facility 16 may have dis-
`tribution equipment 21. Distribution equipment 21 may
`distribute the music information that distribution facility 16
`received from main facility 12 to multiple users via com-
`munications paths 20. In another suitable approach, main
`facility 12 and distribution facility 16 may be the same
`facility.
`
`To the extent that the bandwidth of communica-
`[0030]
`tions paths 20 and other environmental constraints of system
`10 (e.g., the number of users in the system) may allow,
`distribution equipment 21 may simultaneously distribute
`music information for music programs currently being
`broadcasted and for music programs broadcasted at addi-
`tional times (e.g., for programs broadcasted ten minutes
`before and after the current time).
`
`[0031] Distribution equipment 21 of FIGS. 2a and 2b may
`be any equipment suitable for providing music information
`to user music equipment 22. Distribution equipment 21 may
`include, for example, suitable transmission hardware for
`distributing music information on a television channel side-
`band, in the vertical blanking interval of a television chan-
`nel, using an in-band digital signal, using an out-of-band
`digital signal, or by any other suitable data transmission
`technique. Distribution equipment 21 may, for example,
`distribute music information for all music channels to user
`
`music equipment 22 over a dedicated analog or digital music
`channel. In another suitable approach, each music channel
`may carry its own music information in-band along with a
`subset of the music information for other music channels. In
`
`still another suitable approach, each music channel may
`carry an in-band data stream of the music information for all
`music channels. Analog or digital video signals (e.g., tele-
`vision programs) may also be distributed by distribution
`equipment 21 to user music equipment 22 over communi-
`cations paths 20 on multiple television channels.
`
`[0032] Communications paths 20 may be any communi-
`cations paths suitable for distributing music information.
`Communications paths 20 may include, for example, a
`satellite link, a telephone network link, a cable or fiber optic
`link, a microwave link, an Internet link, a data-over-cable
`service interface specification (DOCSIS) link, a combina-
`tion of such links, or any other suitable communications
`link. Communications paths 20 preferably have sufficient
`bandwidth to allow distribution facility 16 to distribute
`music programming to user music equipment 22. There are
`typically multiple pieces of user music equipment 22 and
`multiple associated communications paths 20, although only
`one piece of user music equipment 22 and communications
`path 20 are shown in FIGS. 2a-2d to avoid overcomplicat-
`ing the drawings. If desired, television programming may be
`provided over separate communications paths (not shown).
`
`[0033] FIG. 2b shows an illustrative arrangement for
`interactive music application equipment 17in a client-server
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0021
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0021
`
`

`

`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`Oct. 13, 2005
`
`based or distributed interactive music application system. As
`shown in FIG. 2b, distribution equipment 21 may include
`music application server 25. Music application server 25
`may be any suitable software and hardware for providing a
`client-server based music application. Music application
`server 25 may run a suitable database engine such as a SQL
`Server by Microsoft. Music application server 25 provides
`music information in response to queries generated by a
`music application client implemented on user music equip-
`ment 22. If desired, music application server 25 may be
`located at main facility 12 or another location (not shown).
`
`[0034] FIGS. 26 and 2d show illustrative web-based inter-
`active music application systems. Distribution facility 16
`may, for example, include Internet service system 61 on
`which a web site may be maintained. Internet service system
`61 may be based on any combination of hardware and
`software capable of providing a web site. If desired, Internet
`service system 61 may be located at a facility that is separate
`from distribution facility 16.
`
`If the music application is implemented on user
`[0035]
`music equipment 22 of interactive music application equip-
`ment 17 as shown in FIG. 2c, Internet service system 61 (or
`other suitable equipment at distribution facility 16 that is
`connected to Internet service system 61) may provide music
`information to user music equipment 22 via distribution
`equipment 21 using any suitable Internet-based approach
`(e.g., using the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) over a
`Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
`type link). If the music application implemented on inter-
`active music application equipment 17 is a client-server
`application as shown in FIG. 2d, Internet service system 61
`may interact with music application server 25 when provid-
`ing music information to user music equipment 22. The
`music application may also, however, obtain music infor-
`mation from Internet service system 61 via an Internet
`connection made through a third-party Internet Service
`Provider. Music programming may also be provided by
`Internet service system 61 to user music equipment 22.
`
`If desired, distribution equipment 21 may include
`[0036]
`suitable hardware (not shown) on which a first portion or
`version of the interactive music application is implemented.
`A second portion or version of the music application may be
`implemented on user music equipment 22. The two versions
`or portions of the interactive music application may com-
`municate using a suitable peer-to-peer communications
`scheme (e.g., messaging, remote procedure calls, etc.) and
`may share tasks associated with implementing interactive
`music application functions.
`
`If desired, distribution facility 16 may also supply
`[0037]
`music programming to user music equipment 22 in response
`to demands made by the user using user music equipment
`22. Any suitable audio-on-demand (AOD) or near audio-
`on-demand (NAOD) approach may be used.
`
`[0038] For clarity, the present invention will be illustrated
`in connection with a system arrangement in which music
`information is distributed from a main facility to an inter-
`active music application implemented on user music equip-
`ment via a distribution facility. Other suitable systems
`involve arrangements in which data is distributed to a music
`application on user music equipment using other suitable
`distribution schemes, such as schemes involving data trans-
`mission over the Internet or the like (as shown in FIGS. 26
`
`and 2a) If desired, the interactive music application may be
`implemented using a client-server architecture in which the
`primary processing power for the application is provided by
`a server (e.g., music application server 25) located at, for
`example, the distribution facility or the main facility, and
`user music equipment 22 acts as a client processor, as in, for
`example, the system shown in FIGS. 2b and 2d. A suitable
`distributed approach may also be used.
`
`[0039] Television programming may also be distributed
`by distribution facility 16 to user music equipment 22. The
`programming may be transmitted on analog or digital tele-
`vision channels that may include in-band data. Analog and
`digital music channels may, for example, include in-band
`data streams that contain music information such as track
`
`information, title information, artist information, graphics,
`web links, ordering information, or any other information
`related to the music programming carried on the channel.
`
`[0040] Programming (e.g., music programs) and program-
`mer-provided in-band data may be provided by program-
`ming source 7 to distribution facilities 16 over communica-
`tions
`link 19
`and then redistributed by distribution
`equipment 21 to users over communications paths 20. If
`desired, programming source 7 and distribution facility 16
`may be the same facility. Programming and in-band data
`may also be provided from programming source 7 to user
`music equipment 22 directly using, for example, a suitable
`digital satellite service and communications path (not
`shown). There may be multiple programming sources 7 but
`only one has been shown to avoid overcomplicating the
`drawing. In still another suitable approach, music programs
`may be provided by programming source 7 to Internet
`service system 61 for distribution to user music equipment
`22 via the Internet.
`
`[0041] Digital music programming and data may be dis-
`tributed using any suitable approach.
`In one suitable
`approach, multiple digital channels are provided to users on
`a single analog “channel”. That is, multiple digital program-
`ming streams may be multiplexed and transmitted at a single
`carrier frequency. Each digital channel may include, for
`example, a number of tracks. Tracks may include,
`for
`example, video tracks, audio tracks, and data or other
`suitable tracks. Digital music channels, for example, have no
`video track but have an audio track and a data track that may
`carry music information. The information in each track is
`transmitted in packets on the digital television channel. The
`packets also contain packet identifiers (“PIDs”) identifying
`the track that each packet belongs to. A PID map that
`indicates which PIDs correspond to which digital channels
`may also be transmitted in-band. User music equipment 22
`may include suitable hardware and software for tuning to the
`carrier frequency and selecting a desired digital channel.
`
`[0042] An illustrative arrangement for user music equip-
`ment 22 and the devices it may include is shown in FIG. 3.
`User music equipment 22 of FIG. 3 may receive video,
`audio and data from distribution facility 16 (FIG. 1) at input
`26. During normal television viewing, tuner 50 of set-top
`box 28 may be tuned to a desired television channel based
`on inputs from the user on remote control 40. The signal for
`that television channel is then provided at video output 30.
`The signal supplied at output 30 is typically either a radio-
`frequency (RF) signal on a predefined channel (e. g., channel
`3 or 4), or a analog demodulated video signal, but may also
`
`Petitioner Hyundai EX-1008, 0022
`
`Petitioner Hyundai Ex-1008, 0022
`
`

`

`US 2005/0227611 A1
`
`Oct. 13, 2005
`
`be a digital signal provided to television 36 on an appropri-
`ate digital bus (e. g., a bus using the Institute of Electrical and
`Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 standard). The video
`signal at output 30 is received by optional secondary storage
`device 32.
`
`[0043] User music equipment 22 may also have a second
`tuner, tuner 51, that is controlled at least in part by the
`interactive music application for obtaining in-band data.
`Tuner 51 may be any suitable tuner for tuning to an analog
`carrier. If communicate path 20 includes, for example, a
`DOCSIS link, tuner 51 may have suitable cable-modem-like
`circuitry for obtaining music information from an Internet
`source. FIG. 3 shows several components as being part of
`set-top box 28, but such components may be integrated into
`different hardware in user music equipment 22 if desired. Set
`top box 28 may also have extractor 52. Extractor 52 may be
`any hardware, software, or combination thereof suitable for
`extracting in-band data from an analog channel (e.g., a
`vertical blanking interval (VBI) extractor).
`
`[0044] Set-top box 28 may also have digital channel
`selector 53, packet filter 55, and decoder 57 (or any suitable
`combination of such components) for obtaining the tracks of
`a particular digital channel from the signals that have been
`tuned to by tuners 50 and 51. Set-top box 28 may also have
`memory 59 for storing the PID map and for temporarily
`storing in-band information obtained by the music applica-
`tion using a second tuner. Digital channel selector 53 may
`obtain the PID map from the in-band data stream, store it in
`memory 59, and may determine which PIDs correspond to
`which digital channels. If desired,
`the PID map may be
`preprogrammed into memory 59 of the music application. In
`another suitable approach, the music application may obtain
`the PID map from the out-of-band data stream.
`
`[0045] The PIDs for the tracks of the selected channel are
`passed by digital channel selector 53 or the music applica-
`tion to packet filter 55. PIDs for multiple channels may be
`passed by digital channel selector 53 to packet filter 55
`when, for example, the music application requires in-band
`digital data for digital channels transmitted at
`the same
`carrier frequency. Packets whose PIDs do not match the
`PIDs for the tracks of the selected channel are filtered out by
`packet filter 55. The remaining packets may be passed to
`decoder 57 for decoding.
`
`[0046] Audio and video tracks may be played for the user
`by user music equipment 22. Video (including any associ-
`ated sound track) may be displayed on television 36. Pure
`audio may be played on television 36 or on audio system 37.
`Audio system 37 may receive audio signals directly from
`set-top box 28 (via input 39), from secondary storage device
`32 (via input 41), from television 36 (via in