Dedicated local internet radio

• US 20050041641A1
• Filed: 08/22/2003
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Agere Systems Incorporated (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cooley, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,817,591 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1886 with traffic restrictions for efficiency improvement, e.g. involving subnets or subdomains
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A dedicated wireless data connection to the Internet through which digital broadcasts are streamed to mobile devices specifically designed to receive and play the content of the broadcasts. A user is supplied with a hand-held mobile terminal device specifically designed for the reception and playback of Internet radio wirelessly and the content available to the user of the device is automatically pre-specified based upon the connection node with which the device is currently communicating. The device creates and maintains a wireless connection to the Internet through any existing access technology (e.g., cellular or Wi-Fi access technology), manages the connection, including roaming, and buffers data in order to present a continuous stream of content to the end-user. Using this model, local advertisers and/or stations can pay the wireless service provider to have their content broadcast in a particular region, thereby enabling regional advertising to be delivered to listeners.

Claims

1. A method of wirelessly providing, over the Internet, access to specialized content by a user, comprising the steps of:

providing one or more wireless connection nodes in a receiving area;

delivering to said one or more connection nodes only content selected by an operator of said one or more wireless connection nodes; and

transmitting said delivered content via said one or more connection nodes.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

receiving said transmitted delivered content with a receiver configured to receive content transmitted via said one or more connection nodes.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said transmission step comprises at least the steps of:

transmitting the delivered content over a single channel; and

subdividing the single channel so that plural content elements are provided on plural stations within the single channel.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said receiver is further configured to separately tune to each of the plural stations, said transmission step further comprising at least the step of:

transmitting a unique spreading code for each of said plural stations; and

said receiving step comprising at least the steps of;

receiving said unique spreading codes;

selecting one of said plural stations to play; and

using said unique spreading codes to play the delivered content associated with the selected one of said plural stations.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said delivered content comprises only content that is local to the proximity of the connection nodes.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said delivered content comprises only content of a particular content type.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein said delivered content comprises only content of a particular type and that is local to the proximity of the connection nodes.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein said receiver is a device configured specifically for reception of only said delivered content.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein said receiver includes uplink capability, further comprising the step of:

sending an uplink signal from said receiver to said one or more connection nodes to enable said user to communicate with said one or more connection nodes.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

configuring said wireless connection nodes to receive said uplink signal and, based upon said signal, perform a function desired to be performed by said user.

11. A system for wirelessly providing, over the Internet, access to specialized content by a user, comprising:

one or more wireless connection nodes in a receiving area, each of said one or more wireless connection nodes including a transmitter; and

a processor, coupleable to said one or more wireless connection nodes, said processor storing content and delivering to said one or more connection nodes only content selected by an operator of said one or more wireless connection nodes;

whereby said transmitters transmit said delivered content to said receiving area.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

a receiver in wireless communication with said one or more connection nodes, said receiver receiving said transmitted delivered content.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein each of said transmitters are configured to:

transmit the delivered content over a single channel; and

subdivide the single channel so that plural content elements are provided on plural stations within the single channel.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said receiver is further configured to separately tune to each of the plural stations, said transmitter further configured to transmit a unique spreading code for each of said plural stations;

said receiver;

receiving said unique spreading codes;

selecting one of said plural stations to play; and

using said unique spreading codes to play the delivered content associated with the selected one of said plural stations.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said delivered content comprises only content that is local to the proximity of the connection nodes.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said delivered content comprises only content of a particular content type.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein said delivered content comprises only content of a particular type and that is local to the proximity of the connection nodes.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein said receiver is a device configured specifically for reception of only said delivered content.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein said receiver includes uplink capability and further comprises:

an uplink transmission control means for sending an uplink signal from said receiver to said one or more connection nodes to enable said user to communicate with said one or more connection nodes.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said wireless connection nodes are configured to receive said uplink signal and, based upon said signal, perform a function desired to be performed by said user.