Internet radio and broadcast method

• US 7,711,838 B1
• Filed: 11/09/2000
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pandora Media LLC (Liberty Media Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Boulter, Jeffrey R., Beaupre, Todd M.
• Primary Examiner(s): DENNISON, JERRY B
• Application Number:
  US09/709,234
• Time in Patent Office: 3,463 Days
• Field of Search: 709/226, 709/231, 709/203, 709/217, 709/200, 709/219, 709/225, 705/5, 705/10, 705/12
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4387 by the use of playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/635 Filtering based on additional data, e.g. user or group profiles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• 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 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9574 of access to content, e.g. by caching
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/134 Hyperlinking
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 5/02 Knowledge representation; Symbolic representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/123 Shopping for digital content
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0282 Rating or review of business operators or products
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 Item recommendations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/82 using signals not modulated onto a carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/06 Arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/25 Arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/46 for recognising users' preferences
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/66 : for using the result on distributors' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/82 : the transmission system being the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/87 : accessed over computer networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/88 : which are wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/10 : Multimedia information
• 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 67/01 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 : based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 : Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 : involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 : OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/454 : Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4668 : for recommending content, e.g. movies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4756 : for rating content, e.g. scoring a recommended movie
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4825 : using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 : involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 : comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format

Abstract

Data streams are selected according to user preferences and transmitted to the user. Such data streams may be audio, video, or other works, such as popular music or the like, or other works, including music videos. Users may indicate their general or specific preferences with reaard to song, artists, or albums. Other users, particularly ones who access the system often, can act as influencers or controllers of the music transmitted to the user. Any other aspects or factors that might affect the user'"'"'s preferences can be taken into account, such as popular radio stations in the United States or anywhere in the world. A playlist can be created that combines all of these factors, as well as any applicable statutory regulations. The playlist serves as a basis for feeding the data streams to the user, and the user can enjoy music generally of their choosing, while additionally being exposed to new music (if the user so prefers). An Internet radio is established. Each user can express their own preferences and receive music corresponding to those preferences on an on-going basis. Every individual can be the manager of their own radio station that broadcasts music that parallels the user'"'"'s tastes. Other users may also choose to hear the same playlist as another individual, or allow that individual to influence their playlist.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

accessing a database of data streams by at least one server to create a plurality of personalized internet radio stations for broadcast to a plurality of users, each of said personalized internet radio station for broadcast to one individual user of said plurality of individual users and having an individualized playlist that is created exclusively for said individual user and identifying at least one data stream selected from said database for broadcast as said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station;

selecting, by said at least one server, said at least one data stream for said individualized playlist, said at least one data stream of said individualized playlist for broadcast over a computer network to a computer for said individual user as said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station, said at least one data stream being selected from said database according to a selection method performed by said at least one server to create said playlist of data streams exclusively for said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station using said individual user'"'"'s preferences for data streams, said selection method performed by said at least one server being influenced by said individual user'"'"'s preferences for data streams but not controlled by said individual user'"'"'s data stream preferences so as to prevent an on-demand selection of data streams by the at least one server for broadcast to said individual user based on said individual user'"'"'s data stream preferences;

transmitting, by said at least one server, said at least one selected data stream to said computer as said personalized internet radio station broadcast for said individual user via said network;

receiving, by said at least one server, feedback via said network, said feedback expressing a preference of said individual user regarding at least one of said transmitted at least one data stream; and

reutilizing, by said at least one server, said selection method in response to receiving preference of said individual user,

said reutilizing said selection method performed by said at least one server comprising selecting one or more of said data streams for said playlist for broadcast as part of said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station, said selecting being made in accordance with said individual user'"'"'s data stream preferences, including said received preference, and limiting said individual user'"'"'s control over selection of particular data streams from said database to prevent said on-demand selection of data streams.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing said step of reutilizing by said at least one server to update said individualized user'"'"'s playlist of data streams using said individual user preferences while a data stream selected for said personalized internet radio station is being experienced by said individual user at said computer.

3. The method of claim 1, the steps further comprising:

receiving by said at least one server via said network feedback expressing preferences from sources other than said individual user.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of receiving preferences from sources other than said individual user further comprises:

receiving by said at least one server via said network feedback expressing preferences from the group consisting of other users, commercial radio stations, and lists of popular songs.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

informing said individual user generally regarding said database and said data streams;

querying said individual user as to initial individual user preferences and then performing said step of selecting at least one data stream from said database to generate an initial transmission list of data streams, said initial transmission list being selected using said initial individual user preferences and said selection method.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said data streams are selected from the group consisting of songs and videos.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein a data stream selected for said playlist is removed from said playlist after it is broadcast to said computer.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said data stream removed from said playlist is listed on a transmitted data stream list.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said selection method taking into account sound recording performance restrictions in data stream selection.

10. A system comprising:

a database of media content data streams;

at least one server computer connected to a computer network, said at least one server computer accessing said database to create a plurality of personalized internet radio stations for broadcast to a plurality of users, each of said personalized internet radio station for broadcast to one individual user of said plurality of individual users and having an individualized playlist that is created exclusively for said individual user and identifying at least one data stream selected from said database for broadcast as said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station;

a data stream controller coupled to said at least one server computer, said data stream controller transmitting media content data streams to said individual user at a computer connected to said network according to a selection program performed by said at least one server computer to select data streams for broadcast over said computer network to said computer as said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station;

said selection program used in selecting media content data streams for said individual user'"'"'s playlist, said individual user'"'"'s playlist for transmission to said computer for said individual user via said data stream controller as said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station, said selection program receiving feedback via said computer network indicating a preference corresponding to at least one of the media content data streams from said individual user, said selection program performed by said at least one server computer being influenced but not controlled by said individual user preferences, said selection program using said individual user preferences to select data streams to be experienced at said individual user computer and limiting said individual user'"'"'s control over selection of data streams from said database to prevent an on-demand selection of said data streams by said at least one server computer for transmission to said individual user based on data stream preferences.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said computer network comprises the Internet.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said database is a song database and the data streams are songs.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said database is a music video database and the data streams are music videos.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein said media content data streams are to be experienced via an electronic media player.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein said selection program modifies said playlist of data streams for transmission to said individual user according to said individual user preferences.

16. The system of claim 10, said selection program taking into account sound recording performance restrictions.

17. An apparatus comprising:

at least one server computer that executes code to generate a plurality of personalized internet radio stations for broadcast to a plurality of users, each of said personalized internet radio station for broadcast to one individual user of said plurality of individual users and having an individualized playlist that is generated exclusively for said individual user and identifying at least one data stream selected from said database for broadcast as said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station, said at least one server computer to further provide;

a rating tool, said rating tool receiving individual user preferences regarding one or more data streams played at a computer for said individual user by a media player, said individual user preferences comprising said individual user'"'"'s ratings associated with said one or more data streams; and

a playlist generator, said playlist generator generating said playlist by identifying data streams to be experienced by said individual user as said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station using said media player, said playlist generator selecting data streams for inclusion in said playlist according to said individual user preferences received from said individual user, and limiting said individual user'"'"'s control over data stream selection to prevent an on-demand selection of a data stream by said at least one server computer for broadcast to said individual user based on data stream preferences.

18. An apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

said playlist generator further selecting data streams in accordance with sound recording performance restrictions.

19. A method comprising:

accessing a database of data streams by at least one server to create a plurality of personalized internet radio stations for broadcast to a plurality of users, each of said personalized internet radio station for broadcast to one individual user of said plurality of individual users and having an individualized playlist that is created exclusively for said individual user and identifying at least one data stream selected from said database for broadcast as said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station;

selecting, by said at least one server, at least one data stream for said individualized playlist, said at least one data stream of said individualized playlist for broadcast over a computer network to a computer for said individual user as said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station, said at least one data stream being selected from said database according to a selection method performed by said at least one server to create said playlist of data streams exclusively for said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station using said individual user'"'"'s preferences for data streams, said selection method performed by said at least one server being influenced by said individual user preferences for data streams but not controlled by said individual user'"'"'s data stream preferences so as to prevent an on-demand selection of data streams by said at least one server for broadcast to said individual user based on said individual user'"'"'s data stream preferences;

transmitting, by said at least one server, said at least one selected data stream to said computer as said personalized internet radio station broadcast for said individual user via said network;

receiving, by said at least one server, feedback via said network, said feedback expressing a preference of said individual user regarding at least one of said transmitted at least one data stream; and

reutilizing, by said at least one server, said selection method in response to receiving said preference of said individual user, said reutilizing said selection method comprising selecting one or more of said data streams for said playlist for broadcast as part of said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station, said selection being made in accordance with said individual user'"'"'s data stream preferences, including said received preference, taking into account user input identifying those data streams that are to be excluded from being selected for transmission to said individual user computer, and limiting said individual user'"'"'s control over selection of particular data streams from said database to prevent said on-demand selection of data streams.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

performing said step of reutilizing by said at least one server to update said playlist of data streams using said individual user preferences while a data stream selected for said personalized internet radio station is being experienced by said individual user at said computer.

21. The method of claim 19, the steps further comprising:

receiving by said at least one server via said network feedback expressing preferences from sources other than said individual user.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of receiving preferences from sources other than said individual user further comprises:

receiving by said at least one server via said network feedback expressing preferences from the group consisting of other users, commercial radio stations, and lists of popular songs.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

informing said individual user generally regarding said database and said data streams;

querying said individual user as to initial individual user preferences and then performing said step of selecting at least one data stream from said database to generate an initial transmission list of data streams, said initial transmission list being selected using said initial individual user preferences and said selection method.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein said data streams are selected from the group consisting of songs and videos.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein a data stream selected for said playlist is removed from said playlist after it is broadcast to said computer.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said data stream removed from said playlist is listed on a transmitted data stream list.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein said selection method taking into account sound recording performance restrictions in data stream selection.

28. A system comprising:

a database of media content data streams

at least one server computer connected to a computer network, said at least one server computer accessing said database to create a plurality of personalized internet radio stations for broadcast to a plurality of users, each of said personalized internet radio station for broadcast to one individual user of said plurality of individual users and having an individualized playlist that is created exclusively for said individual user and identifying at least one data stream selected from said database for broadcast as said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station;

a data stream controller coupled to said at least one server computer, said data stream controller transmitting media content data streams to said individual user at a computer connected to said network according to a selection program performed by said at least one server computer to select data streams for broadcast over said computer network to said computer as said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station;

said selection program used in selecting media content data streams for said individual user'"'"'s playlist, said individual user'"'"'s playlist for transmission to said computer for said individual user via said data stream controller as said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station, said selection program receiving feedback via said computer network indicating a preference corresponding to at least one of the media content data streams from said individual user, said selection program performed by said at least one server computer being influenced but not controlled by said individual user preferences, said selection program using said individual user preferences to select data streams to be experienced at said individual user computer, taking into account individual user input identifying those data streams that to be excluded from being selected for transmission to said individual user computer, and limiting said individual user'"'"'s control over selection of data streams from said database to prevent an on-demand selection of a particular data stream by said at least one server computer for transmission to said individual user based on data stream preferences.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein said computer network comprises the Internet.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein said database is a song database and the data streams are songs.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein said database is a music video database and the data streams are music videos.

32. The system of claim 28, wherein said media content data streams are to be experienced via an electronic media player.

33. The system of claim 28, wherein said selection program modifies said playlist of data streams for transmission to said individual user according to said individual user preferences.

34. The system as set forth in claim 28, said selection program taking into account sound recording performance restrictions.

35. An apparatus comprising:

at least one server computer that executes code to generate a plurality of personalized internet radio stations for broadcast to a plurality of users, each of said personalized internet radio station for broadcast to one individual user of said plurality of individual users and having an individualized playlist that is generated exclusively for said individual user and identifying at least one data stream selected from said database for broadcast as said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station, said at least one server computer to further provide;

a rating tool, said rating tool receiving individual user preferences regarding one or more data streams played at a computer for said individual user by a media player, said individual user preferences comprising said individual user'"'"'s ratings associated with said one or more data streams; and

a playlist generator, said playlist generator generating said playlist by identifying data streams to be experienced by said individual user as said individual user'"'"'s personalized internet radio station using said media player, said playlist generator selecting data streams for inclusion in said playlist according to said individual user preferences received from said individual user, taking into account individual user input identifying those data streams that are to be excluded from being selected for transmission to said individual user computer, and limiting said individual user'"'"'s control over data stream selection to prevent an on-demand selection of a data stream by said at least one server computer for broadcast to said individual user based on data stream preferences.

36. An apparatus of claim 35, further comprising:

said playlist generator further selecting data streams in accordance with being in compliance with sound recording performance restrictions.