NETWORK-ENABLED AUDIO DEVICE AND RADIO SITE

• US 20070180063A1
• Filed: 04/09/2007
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Golden IP LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Concert Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Qureshey, Safi, Sheppard, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 8,918,480 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/64 Browsing; Visualisation therefor generation of a list or set of audio data G06F16/638
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/686 using information manually generated, e.g. tags, keywords, comments, title or artist information, time, location or usage information, user ratings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/00 Gain control in amplifiers or frequency changers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/08 Constructional details, e.g. cabinet
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/82 using signals not modulated onto a carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/18 Arrangements characterised by circuits or components specially adapted for receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/06 Arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/82 the transmission system being the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• 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: H04L 65/612 : for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 : Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/146 : Markers for unambiguous identification of a particular session, e.g. session cookie or URL-encoding
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 : Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 : for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 : Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0006 : where voice calls cross both networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/026 : Supports for loudspeaker casings
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/01 : Input selection or mixing for amplifiers or loudspeakers for hearing aids H04R25/43
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 : Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/01 : Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems

Abstract

A network-enabled audio device that provides a display device that allows the user to select playlists of music much like a jukebox is disclosed. The user can compose playlists from disk files, CD'"'"'s, Internet streaming audio broadcasts, online music sites, and other audio sources. The user can also select a desired Web broadcast from a list of available Web broadcasts. In addition, the user can play standard audio CD'"'"'s and MP3 encoded CD'"'"'s and have access to local AM/FM stations. Further, the software, the user controls, and the display in the network-enabled audio device are operably configured and connected such that the user can listen to playlists that include CD'"'"'s and other audio sources just as the user would choose a playlist in a jukebox. The user accesses a server site via a PC and the Internet. From the server site, the user obtains a list of the devices in his or her Internet Personal Audio Network (IPAN) and what songs are on those devices. The IPAN includes an IPAN server, an IPAN client, and IPAN software stored on the network-enabled audio device. Thus, the network-enabled audio device provides people who are or are not comfortable with computers a way of taking music from various sources and putting it into one place for listening pleasure. In one embodiment, the Personal Computer (PC) is used to compose the playlists, but the user is able to listen to playlists and other audio sources without using the PC.

Claims

1. A method of receiving an Internet radio broadcast selected by a user at a radio device, comprising the steps of:

a) accessing an Internet radio site over a communications network, wherein the Internet radio site is communicatively coupled to one or more Internet radio broadcast stations that provide Internet radio broadcasts;

b) displaying a list of Internet radio broadcast stations to a user that are accessible by the Internet radio site;

c) receiving a selection from the user for an Internet radio broadcast station among the list of Internet radio broadcast stations;

d) sending the selected Internet radio broadcast station to the Internet radio site; and

e) receiving the Internet radio broadcast provided by the selected Internet radio broadcast station through the Internet radio site.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the list of Internet radio broadcast stations from the Internet radio site over the communications network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (e) comprises receiving a reformatted version of the Internet radio broadcast provided by the selected Internet radio broadcast station through the Internet radio site.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the reformatted version of the Internet radio broadcast is generated by the Internet radio site.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the Internet radio broadcast provided by the selected Internet radio broadcast station is comprised of a broadcast comprised from the group consisting of:

FM radio and AM radio.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising playing the received Internet radio broadcast provided by the selected Internet radio broadcast station after step (e).

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications network is a network comprised from the group consisting of:

the Internet, a telephone network, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a satellite network, a cable network, a cable television network, a wireless network, and an Ethernet line based network.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the list of Internet radio broadcast stations additionally comprises a description of broadcasts provided by each of Internet radio broadcast stations.

9. The method of claim 1, comprising receiving a setup command from the user before performing steps (a)-(e).

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising receiving an address for the Internet radio site after the step of receiving a setup command.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising establishing a connection with the Internet radio site after the step of receiving an address for the Internet radio site.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving information necessary to establish a user account at the Internet radio site and communicating the information necessary to establish the user account at the Internet radio site to the Internet radio site, after the step of establishing a connection with the Internet radio site.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving the list of Internet radio broadcast stations from the Internet radio site over the communications network after the user account is established.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving a command to log in to the user account before performing steps (a)-(e).

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a command to log in to a user account established for the user before performing steps (a)-(e).

16. An intelligent radio device for receiving an Internet radio broadcast selected by a user, comprising:

a control system, comprising;

a network interface adapted to couple the intelligent radio device to a communications network to receive an Internet radio broadcast;

at least one input device for receiving input from a user to receive a selection for the Internet radio broadcast; and

at least one output device for playing a received Internet radio broadcast selected by the user through the at least one input device;

wherein the control system is adapted to;

access an Internet radio site over the communications network, wherein the Internet radio site is communicatively coupled to one or more Internet radio broadcast stations that provide Internet radio broadcasts;

display a list of Internet radio broadcast stations to the user that are accessible by the Internet radio site on the at least one output device;

receive a selection from the user for an Internet radio broadcast station among the list of Internet radio broadcast stations through the at least one input device;

send the selected Internet radio broadcast station to the Internet radio site over the communications network; and

receive the Internet radio broadcast provided by the selected Internet radio broadcast station through the Internet radio site.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the control system is further adapted to receive the list of Internet radio broadcast stations from the Internet radio site over the communications network.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the control system is adapted to receive the Internet radio broadcast provided by the selected Internet radio broadcast station through the Internet radio site by receiving a reformatted version of the Internet radio broadcast provided by the selected Internet radio broadcast station through the Internet radio site.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the reformatted version of the Internet radio broadcast is generated by the Internet radio site.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the control system is further adapted to play the received Internet radio broadcast provided by the selected Internet radio broadcast station after receipt of the Internet radio broadcast provided by the selected Internet radio broadcast station through the Internet radio site.

21. The device of claim 16, wherein the control system is further adapted to receive a setup command from the user.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the control system is further adapted to receive an address for the Internet radio site after receipt of the setup command.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the control system is further adapted to establish a connection with the Internet radio site after receipt of the address for the Internet radio site.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the control system is further adapted to:

receive information necessary to establish a user account at the Internet radio site; and

communicate the information necessary to establish the user account at the Internet radio site to the Internet radio site, after the connection with the Internet radio site is established.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the control system is further adapted to receive the list of Internet radio broadcast stations from the Internet radio site over the communications network after the user account is established.

26. The device of claim 24, wherein the control system is further adapted to receive a command to log in to the user account before the receipt of the selection from the user for the Internet radio broadcast station among the list of Internet radio broadcast stations.

27. The device of claim 16, wherein the control system is further adapted to receive a command to log in to a user account established for the user before the receipt of the selection from the user for the Internet radio broadcast station among the list of Internet radio broadcast stations.

28. A method of providing Internet radio broadcasts from an Internet radio site to an intelligent radio device over a communications network, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a request from an intelligent radio device at the Internet radio site to establish a connection over the communications network, wherein the Internet radio site is communicatively coupled to one or more Internet radio broadcast stations that provide Internet radio broadcasts;

b) supplying a list of Internet radio broadcast stations accessible by the Internet radio site to the intelligent radio device over the communications network;

c) receiving a selection from the intelligent radio device over the communications network for an Internet radio broadcast station among the list of Internet radio broadcast stations;

d) retrieving the Internet radio broadcast provided by the selected Internet radio broadcast station; and

e) sending the Internet radio broadcast provided by the received selected Internet radio broadcast station to the intelligent radio device over the communications network.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising reformatting the retrieved Internet radio broadcast provided by the selected Internet radio broadcast station.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein sending the Internet radio broadcast provided by the received selected Internet radio broadcast station to the intelligent radio device over the communications network comprises sending the reformatted Internet radio broadcast to the intelligent radio device over the communications network.

31. The method of claim 28, further comprising receiving information necessary to establish a user account from the intelligent radio device over the communications network before performing steps (a)-(e).

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising establishing the user account at the Internet radio site.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of supplying a list of Internet radio broadcast stations accessible by the Internet radio site to the intelligent radio device is performed after the step of establishing the user account at the Internet radio site.

34. The method of claim 32, further comprising receiving a command from the intelligent radio device over the communications network to log in to the user account before performing steps (a)-(e).

35. The method of claim 28, further comprising receiving a command to log in to a user account established for the user at the Internet radio site before performing steps (a)-(e).