Alternate user interfaces for multi tuner radio device

• US 9,189,954 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2014
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3D Radio, LLC
• Original Assignee: 3D Radio, LLC
• Inventors: Ellis, Michael D., Schwartz, Caron
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, LINH V
• Application Number:
  US14/242,771
• Publication Number:
  US 20140210588A1
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 455/410, 455/575.1, 455/414.3, 455/556.1, 455/422.1, 455/566
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/00 Electric signal transmission systems G08C17/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/16 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/00 Arrangements specially adapted for receiving broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files

Abstract

A method, device, system, and media are directed to controlling a multi-tuner radio. A voice command may be received and/or filtered. An operation of the radio may be modified based on the voice command. A gesture input may be received through a gesture pad. Another operation of the multi-tuner radio may be modified based on the received gesture input. A fingerprint may be recognized with a gesture pad. A user may be authenticated based on the recognized fingerprint. The operation or the other operation may be personalized based on the fingerprint. User training may be provided for the gesture input.

Claims

1. A radio device comprising a gesture pad that receives a gesture input, that distinguishes between a plurality of fingers used for a gesture, that recognizes the orientation of the distinguished finger, and that performs a function that is dependent on the distinguished finger and its orientation.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a button input.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the gesture pad comprises a touch screen.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the touch screen is further configured to display a soft key for a function unassociated with a defined gesture.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a car radio, and wherein the gesture pad is located on a steering column in a car.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the gesture input comprises one or more taps of the gesture pad.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the gesture input comprises pressing against the gesture pad with a finger.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the gesture input comprises a motion in a direction corresponding to a desired direction of audio control.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the gesture input comprises a motion in a direction corresponding to a desired direction of audio control and a tap corresponding to a skip to an end of an audio buffer.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the distinguished finger is a thumb, the distinguished orientation is up or down, and the gesture input comprises a thumb up or a thumb down to indicate a like or dislike for an audio content item.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the gesture input comprises pressing with a thumb and a little finger to indicate a telephone operation.

12. The device of claim 4, wherein the gesture input comprises drumming of fingers to cause soft keys to be displayed.

13. A method for controlling a radio device, comprising:

receiving a gesture input through a gesture pad that distinguishes between a plurality of fingers used for a gesture, that recognizes the orientation of the distinguished finger, and that performs a function that is dependent on the distinguished finger and its orientation; and

modifying an operation of the radio device based on the received gesture input.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

recognizing a fingerprint with the gesture pad;

authenticating a user based on the recognized fingerprint; and

personalizing the operation based on the fingerprint.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving a voice command;

filtering the voice command; and

modifying another operation of the radio device based on the voice command.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing user training for gesture input.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the gesture input comprises one or more taps of the gesture pad.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the gesture input comprises pressing against the gesture pad with a finger.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the gesture input comprises a motion in a direction corresponding to a desired direction of audio control.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the gesture input comprises a motion in a direction corresponding to a desired direction of audio control and a tap corresponding to a skip to an end of an audio buffer.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the distinguished finger is a thumb, the distinguished orientation is up or down, and the gesture input comprises a thumb up or a thumb down to indicate a like or dislike for an audio content item.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the gesture input comprises pressing with a thumb and a little finger to indicate a telephone operation.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein the gesture input comprises drumming of fingers to cause soft keys to be displayed.

24. A system for controlling a radio device, comprising:

a gesture pad configured to modify an operation of the radio device, wherein the gesture pad distinguishes between a plurality of fingers used for a gesture, recognizes the orientation of the distinguished finger, and performs a function that is dependent on the distinguished finger and its orientation.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the gesture pad comprises a touch screen.

26. The system of claim 24, further comprising a voice control component configured to modify a first operation of the radio device, wherein the first operation comprises one of:

jumping to a current broadcast point;

jumping to a point in a buffered content;

indicating a preference for an output audio content of the radio;

saving a copy of an audio content;

or

modifying an input signal type, wherein the input signal type comprises AM, FM, HD, Satellite, Wi-Fi, Saved, CD, MP3, iPod, or Flash.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein the distinguished finger is a thumb, the distinguished orientation is up or down, and the gesture input comprises a thumb up or a thumb down to indicate a like or dislike for an audio content item.