1. Technical Field
This invention relates to the field of personalized music services. More particularly, this invention relates to personalized music stations assembled from a digital broadcast stream.
2. Description of Related Art
There are personalized music services, wherein a user indicates a musical preference and is provided with songs matching the indicated musical preference. One example of such a personalized music service is Pandora (Pandora is a registered trademark of Pandora Media, Inc., Oakland, Calif.). With Pandora, a user provides a music selection, such as an artist or a song, on a client device; the client device then submits the music selection to a server which has access to a music database. The service searches the database for music that matches the music selection and then provides a stream of music matching the music selection back to the client device for the enjoyment of the user. The user can be given the option of voting “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” for a given song being streamed. This information can then be used to refine the music selection for the stream.
Since the database and processing are located on a remote server, the size of the database and available music as well as the processing used to search and determine musical matches can be very robust. However, locating the music and processing on a remote server also means that two-way communication is required between the client device where the initial music selection is made and the streamed music is received, and the server where the music and processing is located. This means devices that possess only one-way or limited two-way communication capabilities cannot make use of such conventional client-server based streaming music service. For example, many satellite receivers, personal video recorders (PVRs), or digital television receivers do not have or make use of such two-way communication. Although many satellite receivers, DVRs, or digital television receivers can have the capability of two way communication, many are never connected or configured as it is not necessary for their operation.
Thus it would be beneficial to provide the functionality of such personalized music services to such devices without requiring the need for two-way communication.
In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided for creating a preference based music station. Preferably, such a preference based music station does not require client-server two-way communication. The method involves receiving a digital broadcast stream containing music. One or more songs are then selected from the digital broadcast stream based on a music preference for a user. The one or more selected songs can then be assembled into a custom station.
With this methodology the processing, including the selection and assembly of the music, is performed on the client device. Thus, there is no need to pass information regarding the music selection to a server, requiring two-way communication with the server.
In accordance with another embodiment, a system is provided for creating a preference based music station. The system involves a receiver, a processor, storage and an output interface. The receiver is configured to receive a digital broadcast stream containing music. The processor is configured to select songs from the digital broadcast stream based on a music preference for a user and assemble the selected songs into a custom channel. The storage is used to store the selected songs from the digital broadcast stream. The output interface is configured to output an assembled custom channel featuring the selected songs.
The methodologies, systems and teachings disclosed herein can be embodied in or as a preference engine driven personalized music service that can be implemented in a consumer electronic device, such as set top box that is capable of receiving a digital broadcast stream containing music. The personalized music service described herein does not require the consumer electronic device to have two-way communication. The necessary processing can be done on the device itself, eliminating the need to transmit information to a remote server for processing.
One thing in common with the sources 130, 140, 150 depicted in
The digital broadcast streams include the channels or stations provided by the satellite, television, radio, or cable provider. The channels or stations provided, depending on the provider, can include television and movie content channels, music channels, and information regarding the content of the channels digital broadcast. For example, many cable and satellite providers include both traditional television channels (CBS, HBO, TBS, etc.) as well music channels based on style or genre (classic rock, opera, heavy metal, etc.). These music channels have songs within the style or genre of the channel playing on them and can also include static images providing song information (song title, artist, album, trivia, etc.). It is this type of music content included in the digital broadcast streams that allow for the functionality of the teaching set forth in this disclosure.
In the embodiment of
The receiver 200 is configured to receive a digital broadcast stream containing music. As discussed previously, the music can be provided on music channels that are part of the digital broadcast stream. The type and configuration of the receiver depends on the source of the digital broadcast stream. As such, the receiver can be configured to receive satellite digital broadcasts, over-the-air digital broadcasts, cable digital broadcasts or any combination thereof. The receiver allows the consumer electronic device 110 to access and decode the various channels or stations that are provided as part of the digital broadcast stream. As such, the receiver can contain one or more tuners to tune in or otherwise decode the various channels or stations that are provided as part of the digital broadcast stream. In the case of multiple tuners, the tuners can be for tuning in multiple different channels or station of the same digital broadcast stream, or different channels or station of different multiple digital broadcast streams received.
The processor 210 controls the operation of the consumer electronics device 110. The processor runs the software that operates the consumer electronics device 110 as well as provides the functionality of the personalized music service of this disclosure. This includes receiving music preferences for a user, selecting songs from the digital broadcast stream based on the music preference, and assembling the selected songs into a custom channel for a user's enjoyment. The processor 210 is connected to the receiver 200, storage 220, output interface 230, and, in some embodiments, input interface 240, and handles the transfer and processing of information between these elements. The processor 210 can be general processor or a processor dedicated for a specific functionality. In certain embodiments there can be multiple processors.
The storage 220 is where the software and other information used by the consumer electronics device are stored. The storage 220 can include volatile memory (RAM), non-volatile memory (EEPROM), magnetic media (hard drive), optical media (CD/DVD-Rom), or flash based storage. In the embodiment where the consumer electronic device 110 is a STB, such as a satellite receiver, the storage 220 will typically include memory as well as large capacity storage such as a hard-drive. The hard drive is where the selected songs of the custom station are stored.
The output interface 230 is configured to provide the content of the digital broadcast stream in the correct format for outputting on a video display or audio device. This content can include the assembled custom station provided as part of the personalized music service of this disclosure. The proper format can include the codec for the content to be output as well as the connector type used to connect to an external video display device or audio device or in some embodiments, the onboard display or speakers. The output interface 230 can also provide the graphics and menus used to indicate the content, and information about the content, available on the consumer electronic device 110.
In some embodiments the consumer electronic device 110 can further include an input interface 240. The user interface 240 allows the user to interact with the consumer electronic device 110. The input interface 240 allows information, such as a user's musical preference, to be provided to the consumer electronic device 110. The user interface 240 also allows for the selection of content available on the consumer electronic device 110. The user interface 240 can also handle the interfacing with the various devices that can be used to input information, such a remotes, keyboards, etc.
It should be understood that the elements set forth in
Step 305 involves obtaining a music preference for a user. It is from this music preference that the personalized music service is based. The music preference can be as broad as a style or genre, or narrow as an artist or song. Similarly, preferred genre or style can be inferred from a selected song or artist, and preferred artists and songs can be inferred from a selected genre or style. In some embodiments, a music preference is inputted by the user, such as by selecting a genre, style, artist, or song. In certain such embodiments, the user can be provided with the ability to give feedback on or otherwise rate (i.e. “thumbs up/down”) songs that are playing or are part of a custom station that can be used to establish a music preference (step 350). In other embodiments, a music preference can be inferred from the listening or viewing habits of a user. As such, the music preference for the user can evolve with use. Likewise, a user may also edit the music preference to further tailor the music preference to his or her personal tastes.
In some embodiments multiple music preferences can be obtained. The multiple preferences can be for one user or multiple users. For example a single user can want to create a custom jazz station and a custom rock station, thus a music preference for jazz can be obtained and a music preference for rock can be obtained. Conversely, one user can prefer a first type of music while another user can like a different type of music, thus separate music preferences are obtained for each user.
In step 310, the digital broadcast stream containing music is received. In the case of consumer electronic device 110, such as a set top box, the device 110 is configured to receive one or more digital broadcast streams. This step can also include the decoding of the received digital broadcast stream into the various channels or stations contained in the digital broadcast stream. In the case of a satellite system, the digital broadcast stream can contain several music channels making hundreds of songs available to the receiver at any time. It is from these available songs on the provided music channels that the songs for the custom station are selected.
In the case of a satellite system, wherein the consumer electronics device is a satellite receiver, the selection of songs can operate similarly to a personal video recorder (PVR). Indeed, in satellite receivers that possess PVR functionality, this can be an extension of such functionality. That is, when not otherwise in service, one or more of the available tuners can be used to tune into music channels containing music matching a music preference for a user from which songs can be selected.
Selecting songs from the digital broadcast stream (step 320) can be performed using a preference engine. The preference engine is usually software designed to make selections based on a preference. In the present case, the selection is songs based on a music preference. Thus the preference engine attempts to select songs that match or are similar to a music preference for a user, such as songs in the same genre, style, or by the same artist. In some embodiments, the preference engine can be responsive to feedback from the user. For example, a user may be asked to provide feedback on music selected by the preference engine such as giving a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” to music selected by the preference engine (step 350). This received feedback can then be used by the preference engine to refine the selection process. The preference engine can also use historical user information (like previous selection, or viewing habits) to refine the selection process.
In some embodiments, association databases can be employed which associate styles, genres, artists, songs with other styles, genres, artists, and songs based on popularity, recommendations, provider preferences, etc. For example, a provider can wish to spotlight a particular artist, in which a case the artist can be associated with genres, styles, artists and songs that are preferred by a target audience for the spotlighted artist. Such association databases are preferably maintained on the consumer electronic device 110, but can be initially provided and/or periodically updated by the provider 130, 140, 150 in a manner similar to an electronic program guide.
In certain embodiments, selecting one or more songs from the digital broadcast stream (step 320) can involve additional steps. An example of this can be seen in
Identifying one or more songs in the digital broadcast stream (step 322) can be performed in a number of ways. In one embodiment, information from a program guide can be used to identify songs. For example, in many satellite and cable digital broadcast streams, music channels are identified by genre (i.e. “classic rock”, “jazz”, “opera”, etc). Such stations can also have designated blocks of similar programming (i.e. theme blocks like “rock from the 60's”, etc). This information can be used to identify the type of songs in the digital broadcast. These music channels often also provide a screen accompanying the song indicating the song title, artist, and album for the song. In such cases, this information can also be used to identify the song. In other embodiments, a digital broadcast stream can include meta-data or embedded tags that identify the genre, song, artist, album or other information. In such embodiments, this information can be used to identify the song.
In another embodiment, songs from music programming on non music-only channels can also be identified for selection. For example, channels like MTV and VH1 have music programming containing songs that can match a music preference. Likewise, some channels can show operas or musicals containing songs that can match a music preference. Other techniques and methodology for identifying songs will be apparent to one skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.
Once a song has been identified (step 322), the song can be compared to one or more music preferences (step 324). As discussed previously, a music preference can be broad like a style of genre, or specific like an artist or song. The identified song can be compared to see if it is the same genre or style as the music preference. For example, if the music preference is classic rock, it is determined if the identified song is also classic rock. In certain embodiments, an association database is employed to determine if the identified song matches a music preference.
If the identified song is determined to match one or more musical preferences (step 324), it can then be stored (step 326). The one or more matching identified songs are saved to or otherwise stored on the storage 220 of the consumer electronic device 110. In some embodiments other information related to the song can also be stored. For example, the genre, style, title, artist and album for a stored song can also be stored. In certain embodiments, such as when a song is part of a music video or musical performance with a video as well as music component, the video component can also be stored.
Referring again to
Once the songs are assembled into custom stations (step 330), the custom station can then be output (step 340). For example, a user can select a custom station listed in a program guide for a consumer electronic device 110, and the songs of the station can be played out on the user's display device and/or audio system 120. In certain embodiments, the outputted custom station can include a video component to accompany the audio component (songs). For example, song title, artist name, and/or other information about a playing song can be displayed. In some such embodiments, links to additional information can be provided. In certain embodiments, a music video or performance can be shown with both audio and visual components.
In certain embodiments feedback can be obtained from the user (step 350) regarding the music selection in order to refine the music preference and selection of songs. An example of such a process for obtaining feedback can be seen in
In other embodiments, a user can be provided with the option of storing the songs (and related information) of a custom station to an external storage device or player, for example, a personal music player, or USB storage device. In some such embodiments, a user can be required to pay for such copies on an external storage device or player.
The present invention can also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which, when loaded in a computer system, is able to carry out these methods. Computer program or application in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
Additionally, the description above is intended by way of example only and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way, except as set forth in the following claims.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US09/06651 | 12/18/2009 | WO | 00 | 6/8/2012 |