Method and apparatus for enabling the selection of content on a wireless communication device

• US 6,725,022 B1
• Filed: 09/20/2000
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Blanco, Richard L., Hede, William S., Clayton, Mark, Smith, Merlin, Knappenberger, David T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vuong, Quochien B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Simon
• Application Number:
  US09/665,610
• Time in Patent Office: 1,308 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3-1-, 455/3.06, 455/404.2, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 455/414.3, 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/456.6, 455/457, 455/41.2, 455/566, 455/154.1, 455/150.1, 455/158.4
• US Class Current: 455/154.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/362 received from an external device or application, e.g. PDA, mobile phone or calendar application
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096741 where the source of the transmitted information selects which information to transmit to each vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09675 where a selection from the received information takes place in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station
• CPC Class Codes: H03M 13/132 Algebraic geometric codes, e.g. Goppa codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/00 Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/16 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/26 Arrangements for switching distribution systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/13 radio data system/radio broadcast data system [RDS/RBDS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/20 digital audio broadcasting [DAB]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/47 for recognising genres
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/65 for using the result on users' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

An internet radio for portable applications and uses such as in an automobile enables the selection of content on a wireless communication device comprising the steps of providing a format for displaying content on said wireless communication device; detecting the loss of a signal for a channel providing a predetermined genre; and providing a new format for displaying content having a new channel providing the predetermined genre to replace the lost channel. Customized information is also communicated to the radio such as stock quotes, travel information, advertising, and e-mail. Onboard global positioning allows for channel updating by location, traffic information, geographic advertising and available similar content.

Claims

1. A method of enabling the selection of content on a wireless communication device comprising the steps of:

downloading information on available broadcasts;

predetermining desired formats;

organizing available broadcast information by desired format in a hierarchal menu;

displaying the hierarchal menu on said wireless communication device;

defining actions per each radio control of the wireless communication device dependent upon each menu item;

detecting the loss of a signal for a channel providing a predetermined genre; and

automatically tuning to comparable desired format in new broadcast area to replace the lost channel.

2. The method of enabling the selection of content on a wireless communication device of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

recording broadcasts for later playback; and

listing recorded broadcasts in the hierarchal menu.

3. The method of enabling the selection of content on a wireless communication device of claim 1 further including a step of requesting, in response to user input, a list of receivable channels broadcasting the predetermined genre.

4. The method of enabling the selection or content on a wireless communication device of claim 1 further including the steps of:

providing a location of said wireless communication device; and

customizing advertising in the location per user preference.

5. The method of enabling the selection of content on a wireless communication device of claim 1 further including a step of automatically requesting local station recalibration.

6. The method of enabling the selection of content on a wireless communication device of claim 1 further including a step of programing a radio control for a personal user application.

7. A method of enabling the selection of content on a wireless communication device comprising the steps of:

downloading information on available broadcasts;

predetermining desired formats;

organizing available broadcast information by desired format in a hierarchal menu;

displaying the hierarchal menu on said wireless communication device;

detecting the loss of a signal for a channel providing a predetermined genre;

requesting a list of receivable channels broadcasting said predetermined genre; and

automatically tuning to comparable desired format in new broadcast area to replace the lost channel.

8. The method of enabling the selection of content on a wireless communication device of claim 7 further including the steps of:

providing a location of said wireless communication device; and

customizing advertising in the location per user preference.

9. The method of enabling the selection of content on a wireless communication device of claim 7 further including a the steps of:

downloading compressed data files from a high speed local area wireless receiver;

listing the data files in the hierarchal menu.

10. The method of enabling the selection of content on a wireless communication device of claim 7 further including a step of programming a radio control for a personal user application.

11. A wireless communication device comprising:

a receiver for receiving broadcast information and downloading information on available broadcasts in a region;

a controller for organizing the information on available broadcasts in a hierarchal menu in accordance with predetermined desired formats, the controller also defining actions per each radio control dependent upon menu item, the controller directing the receiver to automatically tune to a comparable desired format in a new broadcast area when losing a present broadcast; and

a user interface for enabling the selection of content the user interface including a display for displaying the hierarchal menu and control for a user to select items in the menu.

12. The wireless communication device of claim 11 wherein said controller records broadcasts for later playback and lists the recorded broadcasts in the hierarchal menu.

13. The wireless communication device of claim 11 wherein the controller for enabling the determination of location of the wireless communication device and for customizing advertising in the location per user preference.

14. The wireless communication device of claim 11 wherein said user interface enables a user to program a radio control for a personal user application.

15. The wireless communication device of claim 11 wherein the user interface is programmed by the controller to have a button to save enhanced information about a selected broadcast.