Method and apparatus for dynamically tuning radio stations with user-defined play lists

• US 7,346,320 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2003
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Sterling, Merle Douglas, Chumbley, Robert Bryant
• Primary Examiner(s): Yao; Kwang Bin
• Assistant Examiner(s): KAO, JUTAI
• Application Number:
  US10/347,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20040141476A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,887 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/186.1
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 2200/20 Radio receiver with possibility to choose a station with a certain program style
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/26 Arrangements for switching distribution systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/28 Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/09 Arrangements for receiving desired information automatically according to timetables
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/27 Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/37 for identifying segments of broadcast information, e.g. scenes or extracting programme ID
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/65 for using the result on users' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/72 using electronic programme guides [EPG] focusing on identifying broadcast space time H04H60/39 ; menu type display of EPG in television receivers H04N21/47
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/82 the transmission system being the Internet

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for dynamic radio station tuning in a data processing system. A play list is identified. The play list is a user-defined list and includes an identification of a number of songs. Music information is obtained from a plurality of radio stations. This music information is compared to the play list to generate a schedule. Dynamic tuning to a radio station within the plurality of radio stations is performed using the schedule to present songs from the number of songs to a listener.

Claims

1. A method in a data processing system for dynamic radio station tuning, the method comprising:

generating a play list, wherein the play list includes an identification of a number of songs, wherein the step of generating the play list includes gathering user input through the use of a touch screen display or through voice input;

obtaining music information from a plurality of radio stations;

comparing the music information to the play list to generate a schedule, wherein the schedule contains a listing of all songs matching the play list and the music information arranged based on a time the songs are to be played on the plurality of radio stations, and wherein a data structure is generated to store the schedule;

dynamically tuning to a radio station within the plurality of radio stations using the schedule, wherein songs from the number of songs are presented to a user as soon as a first song is found matching the play list;

playing songs stored locally during a time when no music information matches the play list; and

repeating the steps of obtaining music information and comparing the music information to the play list to update the schedule in a background process while songs are being presented to the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein dynamically tuning includes connecting to an Internet Protocol address for the radio station.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of radio stations includes at least one of an Internet radio station, a satellite radio station, and a broadcast radio station.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the music information includes a name.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the music information further includes at least one of an artist name, a track number, a track length, and a time of broadcast.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the data processing system is selected from one of a personal computer, an audio system, or an automotive computing platform.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating step comprises:

prompting the user to input the identification of the number of songs; and

generating the play list from input from the user.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the dynamically tuning step includes:

storing a song if the song overlaps with another song in the schedule.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the music information includes at least one of a start time for a song that includes a commercial.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

presenting a commercial identified from the music information during a period of time when no songs are to be presented to the user.