Media playback device capable of shuffled playback based on a user's preferences

• US 6,031,797 A
• Filed: 06/11/1998
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Snaptrack Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Douma, Peter, Van Ryzin, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, TAN X
• Application Number:
  US09/095,832
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 369/33, 369/32, 369/30, 369/34, 369/36, 369/47, 369/48, 369/54
• US Class Current: 369/30.28
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 17/22 from random access magazine of disc records
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/20 Disc-shaped record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/41 Flat as opposed to hierarchical combination, e.g. library of tapes or discs, CD changer, or groups of record carriers that together store one title
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/002 Programmed access in sequence to a plurality of record carriers or indexed parts, e.g. tracks, thereof, e.g. for editing; transfer of record carriers from magazine G11B15/68, G11B17/10; G11B17/22
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D

Abstract

A system and method for providing automated generation of program groups used in shuffled playback. The playback system acquires "content information" concerning programs on subject media, and generates shuffled playback groups by comparing the content information to user entered "desired-group information". In one illustrative embodiment the content information is included on the media themselves. In a second illustrative embodiment, the content information is included in a database.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating groups of pre-recorded programs for shuffled playback, comprising:

means for obtaining content information for said pre-recorded programs;

means for comparing said content information to a desired-group information; and

means for adding one of said programs to a shuffled playback group when said content information for said program matches said desired-group information.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said content information includes a program category.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said content information includes an artist identifier.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said content information is included in at least one recording medium on which said programs are stored.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said programs are stored on at least one recording medium and said content information is located in a database that is stored on at least one medium which is distinct from said at least one recording medium on which said programs are stored.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein desired-group information is selected from a list generated according to said content information.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said content information is included in at least one recording medium on which said programs are stored.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said programs are stored on at least one recording medium and said content information is located in a database that is stored on at least one medium which is distinct from said at least one recording medium on which said programs are stored.

7. A method for generating groups of pre-recorded programs for shuffled playback, comprising the steps of:

obtaining content information for said pre-recorded programs;

comparing said content information to a desired-group information; and

adding one of said programs to a shuffled playback group when said content information for said program matches said desired-group information.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said content information includes a program category.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein said content information includes an artist identifier.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein desired-group information is selected from a list generated according to said content information.