KR20070101325A - Hot content update of target device - Google Patents

Abstract

The channel configuration information is transmitted to the content service, and the content service determines the content to be provided to each channel of the channel set by using the channel configuration information. The channel configuration information also includes user preferences for determining hot content for the user. The device receives content for a channel that includes hot content. The device also receives an update to the hot content based on the user preferences.

Description

Hot content update on target device {HOT CONTENT UPDATE FOR A TARGET DEVICE}

preference

This application is filed as a U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 651,961 filed on February 11, 2005 entitled “Seamless Transaction Across Domains And Devices”, February 11, 2005 US Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 651,963, filed entitled "Wireless Audio Adapter For Car Radios," US Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 651,960, filed February 11, 2005, entitled "Zero Install Wireless Audio Adapter"; United States Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 651,958, filed February 11, 2005, entitled "Daily Set With Multiple Content Channels," and United States, filed February 11, 2005, entitled "Supplementing Daily Set With Hot Content." Claim the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 651,959. All provisional applications mentioned above Cited by reference.

Related Applications

This application claims the following U.S. patent application assigned to the assignee of this application, that is, an application number (unspecified) named "Automatic Content Update for a Target Device" (agent document number BCS03805), "Wireless Adapter for Content Transfer" Application number (unspecified) (agent document number BCS03803), application number (unspecified) (agent document number BCS03804) named "Granting Greater Rights to Stored Content", and application number named "Wireless Adapter for Content Transfer" (Unspecified) (Representative Document No. BCS03802) is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Portable media players and other devices capable of playing media such as music or video are becoming increasingly popular and are typically designed to play the user's personal media. Users tend to use a number of media devices, such as MP3 players, cellular phones, personal digital assistants, personal computers, and car audio systems, many of which can play the user's personal media. However, there is currently no quick and convenient way to transfer content between multiple devices. These devices have different user interfaces, so it is typically inconvenient for the user to learn and operate each device to play music or other media.

In addition, most people use these devices to download and play content that the user updates several times. However, it may be inconvenient for the user to manually update the content of the device. Moreover, in some situations, content downloaded by the user or content received by the user wirelessly may be of no interest to the user. For example, a user can listen to a local radio station to determine traffic and weather for commute to work. However, the user will listen to traffic and weather in other areas not related to his or her work. Thus, much of the content downloaded or received by the user is not personalized for the user.

According to an embodiment, the channel configuration information is transmitted to the content service, and the content service determines the content to be provided to each channel of the channel set using the channel configuration information. In addition, the channel configuration information includes user preferences for determining hot content of the user. The device receives content for a channel that includes hot content. The device also receives an update to the hot content based on the user preferences.

Embodiments are described by way of example and not by way of limitation in the drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements.

1 illustrates a system according to an embodiment;

2 illustrates an example for the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment;

3A illustrates an embodiment of a public user interface;

3B illustrates an example of content for several channels in a channel set;

4 is a diagram for describing a method of storing content in a target device, according to an exemplary embodiment;

5 is a diagram for describing a method of automatically updating content in a target device according to one embodiment;

6 illustrates a method of automatically updating content in a target device, including steps performed by the target device, according to an embodiment;

7 is a diagram for describing a method of processing a user command in a target device, according to an exemplary embodiment;

8 illustrates a method of receiving an update for hot content according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

9 illustrates a method of transmitting an update for hot content according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

10 is a diagram illustrating a computer system that may be used for components of the system, according to one embodiment.

For brevity and illustrative purposes, the principles of the embodiments are mainly described by way of example. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods and configurations will not be described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments.

1. Overview of the system

1 illustrates a system 100 for content distribution, according to one embodiment. System 100 includes content provider 110, content service 120, network 130, and target device 140. The content provider 110 includes entities configured to provide content that the user plays or consumes. The content may include media such as audio, video, text, multimedia including two or more of audio, video, and text, or other types of data. Examples of content may include, but are not limited to, MP3 files, other types of audio files, video files, media files such as music playlists of text, and other types of files. Examples of content provider 100 may include, but are not limited to, news providers (such as local and cable news television stations), television studios, movie studios, music labels, online music (or other media) providers, and the like. Do not.

Generally speaking, the content provider 110 provides content to the content service 120 so that the content service 120 can provide various functions. One of these features is almost regularly Receiving new content from the content provider 110. Another of these functions includes making the content available to the user from the content provider 110. In addition, the content service 120 receives content from the plurality of content providers 110 to provide a relatively large content selection to the user. A user may acquire through content available by content service 120, such as one or both of a subscription service and an on-demand service.

The content service 120 can also automatically configure content for the user to continue providing new content to the user. In addition, the content service 120 may perform other functions such as billing, tracking user information, tracking historical data, and the like. The content service 120 may include a server 121 and a database 122 that stores user information and content. The server 121 facilitates downloading of content to the target device 140 used by the user. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the server 121 may include multiple servers, and that the database 122 may include multiple databases, depending on the size and complexity of the content service 120. For example, to support a relatively large number of users, several servers 121 and databases 122 may need to collect content from content provider 110 to provide content to users with minimal delay. .

Network 130 may represent one or more networks. The network 130 may include a private network, a public network such as the Internet, a wireless network such as a satellite and cellular network, a wireless local area network such as a WiFi or Bluetooth network, a wired network, a local area network, a wide area network, and any other type of communication network. It may include one or more.

The content service 120 may provide the content to the target device 140 through the network 130. Target device 140 may download content from content service 120 or may receive content from one or more other target devices, eg, in a pear-to-pear arrangement. In addition to downloading content from service 120, it may be operable to receive content from other target devices. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, target devices 141 and 142 are operable to download content from content service 120 and are operable to receive content from another target device. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the target device 143 is operable to receive content from another target device, such as the target device 142. In this example, the target device 142 can download the content from the content service 120 or receive the content from the target device 141, and the target device 142 transmits the content to the target device 143. The content service 120 and the target device 140 are described in more detail with respect to FIG. 2. Examples of suitable target devices 140 include personal computers, personal digital assistants, cellular phones, car radios, home stereos, set top boxes, MP3 players, portable video players, and other end-users. Devices, but are not limited to these.

2. Overview of the functionality and benefits of content services

System 100 provides a media experience for a user to use a content service 120 that provides a media experience without changing their usual behavior. For example, system 100 may include several target devices 140 that a user is using at a particular time, such as a car radio in a car, a cellular phone when the user is very busy, a personal computer at home, or a home stereo. To play the audio content of their choice, such as a music station, talk radio, or personal content. The target device may deliver the content selected by the user to any one of many target devices in a set of channels that are constantly available all day. System 100 manages the content to ensure that the content can be automatically supplied when consumed. In addition, the same or similar interface as the conventional device interface can be provided to the target device 140, so that a user can play desired content on any target device in a relatively quick and easy manner.

According to one embodiment, the content service 120 allows a user to configure one or more channel sets for one or more target devices 140. Each channel is occupied by content provided by a user, referred to as content from a content provider, or personal content of the user. A channel is a data set of content that can be a particular type of content. For example, content service 120 may produce hundreds of content stations or individual portions of content that are available. Webcast radio and webcast television are some examples of such content stations. The content service 120 can provide one or more content stations to the user as a subscription service, where one or more stations can be subscribed to by the user, and the content for the station is sent to one or more target devices of the user. In one example, one or more stations provide massive or continuous streaming content blocks according to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Some examples of individual pieces of content include single songs or albums, movies, video clips, and the like. The content service 120 can provide an on-demand service that allows a user to purchase and download an individual piece of content.

The channel may include certain types of content, such as sports talk channels, popular music channels, and the like. The user may configure a set of channels, hereinafter referred to as a channel set, by selecting content provided by the content service 120 and content of interest to the user. The channel may in some cases include commercial-free high definition, digital content. In addition, one channel in the channel set may include content from the user's personal collection, such as audio files stored on the user's personal computer. Such a channel can be programmed into a playlist, genre, or artist, or any other desired category.

You can configure different sets of channels so that you can use different channels at different times. For example, a user may create a first set of channels for daily use, such as for work. This channel set may include traffic and news channels, sports talk radio channels, as well as other channels. The user may create a second channel for a long journey, which may include, for example, a classic rock channel and a comedy channel.

Content for the channel may be downloaded from the content service 120 to one or more target devices 140. In addition, the content service 120 may refresh the target device with new content substantially continuously or periodically. For example, after the user has consumed the content of the channel on the target device, such as after playing the content, or after the content has become obsolete, such as after a predetermined time has elapsed, the content of the channel may be a content service ( The new content may be resupplied or replaced with new content received from 120 or with new content stored in another target device 140. The updating of such content on the target device may be performed automatically and may be beneficial in the target device 140 with limited storage space for storing content such as a PDA, telephone, or other device with a relatively small amount of storage space. .

In addition, each of the target devices 140 may include an interface similar or identical to a conventional user interface widely used in at least one existing end user device. Thus, the user does not need to learn how to use the interface of the target device. Moreover, a public interface can be provided to multiple target devices 140 that a single user can use to play content. For example, the public interface may be provided on a user's telephone, personal computer, car radio, or the like. Thus, the user does not need to learn how to use different interfaces for different target devices 140.

The user interface of the target device 140 may match or include the user interface of a conventional radio or music player with channel presets. The interface of the target device 140 can provide a "one click" channel selection, similar to clicking a channel preset button on the radio. As an example, each channel may include content occupied by a type or genre of music pre-selected by the user, which allows a user to switch between channels in one click, similar to switching between different radio stations on a radio. To help. In addition, the interface may allow a user to fast play, rewind, or stop the content.

Software applications installed on a user's personal computer allow the user to manage and configure a set of channels to update content on multiple target devices. In addition, content stored on one target device is available on at least one other target device. Moreover, the same software application or other software application may be provided to the target device that allows a user to flag songs or other content and add these songs or other content to a personal purchase wish list. US Patent Application No. (unspecified), entitled " Granting Greater Rights to Stored Content ", cited above by reference, describes this feature.

3. Content Service

2 illustrates one embodiment of a system 100. The content service 120 is shown to include a management module 123, a content distribution module 124, and an integration module 125 in addition to the server 121 and database 122 described with respect to FIG. 1. It is. As recited herein, a module includes one or more software programs, applications, or routines stored on a computer readable medium for execution by at least one processor. Embodiments of computer readable media may include, but are not limited to, electronic, optical, magnetic, or other storage or transmission devices capable of providing computer readable instructions to a processor in a receiver. Other examples of suitable computer readable media include, but are not limited to, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic disks, memory chips, ROM, RAM, ASICs, configured processors, any optical media, any magnetic tape or any other magnetic media, Or any other medium that the processor can read instructions from, but are not limited to. In addition, or in the alternative, a module may refer to hardware configured to perform one or more functions described herein.

The management module 123 may adjust information between a plurality of users. For example, the management module 123 may receive from a plurality of users channel configuration information that may include user selection of content for a channel in one or more channel sets for a plurality of users. The user-configured user choices and channel sets, along with additional channel configuration information added by the content service 120, such as permissions and special attributes or rules for content consumption associated with the user choices and configurations, are stored in the database 122 ) Can be stored. The database 122 is then queried to determine the content to provide to the user. In one embodiment, the management module 123 configures a channel set by creating a web-based user interface that allows a user to log in to the content service 120, register with the content service 120, and set a preference. To help.

For example, a user may use the personal computer 141 to access the content service 120 via the network 130 shown in FIG. 1, which may include the Internet 131 and / or other networks shown in FIG. 2. ). The user provides the user information to the content service 120, which is stored in the database 122. The management module 123 may allow a user to input channel configuration information such as selection of a content type for each channel. For example, a user may have news, traffic and weather for channel 1, sports talk radio for channel 2, pop music for channel 3, other music for channel 4, classical rock music for channel 5, and channel 6 For classical music you can choose. The management module 123 stores the user selections in the database 122, and channels 1-6 are added by the content service 120 using the content and content distribution module 124 corresponding to the relevant user selections. It is occupied by the relevant channel configuration information. It is readily apparent that the six channels are described above for illustrative purposes and not for the purposes of limitation. Thus, any number of reasonably suitable channels are available for configuration without departing from the scope of system 100.

Alternatively, the management module 123 may allow the user to input user information, and the channel may be selected for the user based on the user information. For example, the user may provide demographic information or a selection of a favorite artist. Several channels can be selected to fit the set of channels for the user based on this information. The user can select several channels from the channel set. In addition, a default channel may be provided. In addition, multiple channel sets can be configured for each user.

The content distribution module 124 sends the content for the channel set to one or more target devices 140. The content distribution module 124 may determine the content to be transmitted to the target device based on the selected related channel configuration information. The content distribution module 124 may determine the content to be transmitted to the target device based on the selected channel configuration. For example, the content distribution module 124 retrieves channel configuration information for the selected channel set from the database 122. In addition, the content distribution module 124 may transmit content for each channel to one or more target devices 140.

The integration module 125 receives the content and the playlist, for example, from the content provider 110 and stores the information in the database 122 so that the content can be distributed to the user whenever needed.

4. Personal computer user gateway for content services

Several target devices 140 are shown in FIG. 2. The target device 140 is shown as including a personal computer 141, a cellular telephone 142, a car audio system 143, and a consumer electronics device 144. These are examples of some target devices that a user can use. It is apparent that other target devices 140 may also be used, such as portable content devices (eg, MP3 players), automotive audio systems, home media servers, and the like.

A portion of the target device 140 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the content service 120 via a network. For example, personal computer 141 is shown as being connected to content service 120 via Internet 131. Cellular phone 142 is shown as being connected to content service 120 via cellular network 132 and the Internet 131. In addition, the target device 145 is shown as being connected to the content service 120 via a "hot spot" 133 and the Internet 131. Although not shown, additional target devices 140 may be connected to content service 120 using one or more private networks as opposed to public networks, such as the Internet 131, where content service 120 is non- It may provide a non-web-based content service. In one embodiment, content service 120 includes a web service that allows a user to log in using personal computer 141 or other target device. In such embodiments, content for the channel may be downloaded to one or more target devices 140 via the Internet 131.

The personal computer 141 may include an application 170 having a management module 171, an update agent 161, and a user interface 151. The management module 171 generally allows a user to determine channel configuration information constituting the selected channel set and transmit it to the content service 120. The channel configuration information may include selection of content to be placed in the selected channel set.

Examples of content that may be selected for a set of channels may include genre-oriented music stations, talk content, personal content of the user, and the like. Genre-oriented music content may be selected from a catalog listing a relatively large number of stations or from individual content provided by content provider 110. In addition, a single music channel can deliver a continuous set of music tracks on the target device. In addition, the talk content may be selected from a catalog of talk content channels that may be updated periodically, such as in units of time, days or weeks. In addition, content from one or more content providers may be placed in a single channel set. The personal content of the user may be stored in a personal computer 141 that the management module 171 can discover. In this manner, a user can classify various content in various ways and move a large content block to one channel in a channel set.

The update agent 161 may generally receive content from the content service 120 and periodically refresh the content 180 stored in the personal computer 141. For example, the update agent 161 stores the content 180 in the personal computer 141. The content 180 may include content received from the content distribution module 124 of the content service 120.

Update agent 161 also controls the delivery of content 180 to other target devices 140. For example, when cellular telephone 142 connects or interfaces with personal computer 141, content for one or more selected channel sets may be sent to cellular telephone 142. In one embodiment, the transfer of content 180 is a substantially automatic feature when cellular telephone 142 is connected to personal computer 141. Can be performed, so that the user does not need to generate a transfer command. The update agent 161 may control the delivery of the content 180 to the cellular phone 142 so that new content can be experienced from one or more playlists.

In addition, the update agent 161 may control the delivery of the content 180 such that new content may be stored in the cellular phone 142, while remaining within the limits of the storage capacity of the cellular phone 142. Thus, at least a portion of content 180 may be stored in cellular telephone 142, which is represented as content 181. Similarly, consumer electronics device 144, such as a home stereo or set top box, may also receive content 180 from personal computer 141. Instead of the personal computer 141, a server or other device, such as a home media server, can be used to receive and store the content 180 from the content service 120 without departing from the scope of the system 200.

Personal computer 141 may also include a user interface 151 that provides a "one click" selection of channels and is comparable to conventional interfaces. In one embodiment, user interface 151 includes a GUI interface that allows a user to click to control playback and select a channel. Additionally or alternatively, user interface 151 may include hardware such as buttons, wheels, keys, and the like.

5. Portable Content Device

The portable content device, such as cellular telephone 142, may include an application 174 having a management module 172, an update agent 162, and a user interface 152. In general, in a similar manner as described above with respect to the management module 171 of the personal computer 141, the management module 172 determines the channel configuration information for configuring the channel set selected by the user to the content service 120. It allows you to transfer. In some cases, the management module 172 may be considered an option for the application 174 since the management of the application 174 may be performed by the personal computer 141.

The update agent 162 of the cellular telephone 142 is generally connected to the content service 120 via the cellular network 132 and the Internet 131, a wireless proximity network such as Bluetooth or WiFi (802.11), or any combination thereof. Controls the updating of content 181, which may include new content received from or from content service 120 routed through personal computer 141. For example, the content 181 may include new stored content received from the content service 120 routed through the Internet 131 and the cellular network 132, as shown in FIG. 2. As another example, content 181 may include new stored content received from personal computer 141 via a wired connection or a wireless proximity network.

The update agent 162 of the cellular telephone 142 may also manage the reception of content from one or both of the content service 120 and the personal computer 141. More specifically, for example, update agent 162 may control the receipt of one type of content from content service 120 and other types of content from personal computer 141. For example, update agent 162 is relatively frequent, such as traffic information. The content to be updated (hot content) may be controlled to receive the content such that it is received from the cellular network 132. As another example, the update agent 162 may control the reception of content such that hot content is received from the personal computer 141 (without proceeding through the cellular network 132 or other wireless communication network) before it expires. . In addition, the update agent 162 is received from the personal computer 141, Less frequently It is possible to control the reception of warm content and / or cold content, which may be content that can be updated. In this example, personal computer 141 may download warm or cold content from content service 120. Moreover, when the cellular telephone 142 connects or interfaces with the personal computer 141, the worm and / or cold content may be updated on the cellular telephone 142. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that warm content such as news or cold content such as music can be downloaded to the cellular telephone 142 via the cellular network 132.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cellular telephone 142 may also be used to connect to the content service 120 via a hot spot 133, a personal computer 141, another target device 141, or the like. 148 as shown. In addition, the wireless network interface 148 may be used to transmit content 181 to the car audio system 143, as shown in FIG. 2. Individual air interfaces may be used to connect to the cellular network 132, or a combined interface may be used to connect to the cellular network 132 and other devices.

Playback of the content 181 may be controlled via the user interface 152 of the cellular telephone 142. For example, the user interface 152 may include controls to enable rewinding, fast playback, pause, playback, etc. with selection of a preset channel.

Although not shown, cellular telephone 142 may include a device configured to provide the functionality of multiple devices. For example, cellular telephone 142 may include an MP3 player, a PDA, a camera, a video player, and the like.

6. Audio Devices and Wireless Adapters

A portable content device, such as cellular telephone 142, can transmit content to an audio device, such as car audio system 143, over wireless interface 148 of cellular telephone 142. In addition, wireless adapter 173 may be used to enable communication between cellular telephone 142 and car audio system 143 to receive content and control playback of the content. Additionally or alternatively, a wired interface can be used to enable communication between the cellular telephone 142 and the car audio system 143. The wireless adapter 173 and the wireless interface 178 are both described in more detail in the application number (unspecified) (representative document numbers BCS03803 and BCS03802) entitled "Wireless Adapter for Content Transfer", both of which are incorporated herein by reference. It is.

According to one embodiment, cellular telephone 142 may wirelessly stream content 181 to car audio system 143 via wireless adapter 173. In this regard, content 181 stored in cellular telephone 142 may be played through car audio system 143. In another embodiment, car audio system 143 may also include a video display (not shown) that may be employed to play content 181 containing video. In this regard, the user interface 153 of the car audio system 143 may be used to control the playback of the content 181. For example, the user interface 152 may include controls to enable rewinding, fast playback, pause, playback, etc. with selection of a preset channel.

7. Public User Interface

3 illustrates an embodiment of a public user interface 300 that may be provided to one or more target devices 140, such as the user interfaces 151-153 shown in FIG. 2. As shown, the user interfaces 151-153 may each include a common user interface 300. More specifically, the user interface 151-153 is shown as including a public user interface 151-153 that includes a plurality of the same or similar features. In particular, each of the user interfaces 151-153 is shown as including a set of presets "1-6", each of which is mapped to one channel in the channel set.

As further shown in FIG. 3, each of the user interfaces 151-153 includes the same preset mapping for each channel set. This is illustrated by an enlarged view 301 of an example of a preset for a set of channels called “Commuting”. Presets 1-6 are mapped to channels for "Southern Country", "Women in Rock", "Classic Rock", "Tunes of the 80's", "My Music", and "Talk", respectively. The mapping for each of the user interfaces 151-153 is the same. For example, preset 3 is mapped to "Classic Rock" for all of user interfaces 151-153. The same mappings for the user interfaces 151-153 also apply to the presets 1-2, 4-6. In this regard, mappings for multiple channel sets may be determined, and mappings for each channel set may be the same on multiple target devices 140.

Presets typically provide a "one click selection" of the channel to play the content for the channel. Moreover, since the mapping for the preset can be the same on each target device, the user does not need to relearn the mapping for each target device.

As shown, the user interface 151 may include buttons for "Radio Stations", "My Music", "My Wish List", and "My Channels". By selecting the "Radio Stations" button, the radio stations provided by the content provider 110 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be listed on the display unit 302 of the user interface 151. For example, the management module 171 illustrated in FIG. 2 may generate channel configuration information including a user selection of a radio station provided by the content provider 110. Content from the selected radio station may be further provided to the channel selected by the user including the selected content.

By selecting the "My Music" button, the display unit 302 can display a list of personal content of the user. With the selection of the "My Wish List" button, you can display a list of the content that is selected for purchase. By selecting the "Channel Set" button, as shown in the display unit 302, one channel in the channel set can be displayed. For example, the title, description, and length of the content can be displayed. In addition, the update and the next update may be displayed.

User interface 152 is shown as including presets 1-6. Also shown are the artist, title, and album for the track currently playing on the cellular phone 142. User interface 153 is also shown as including presets 1-6 and other conventional interface buttons and displays. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the user interface 151-153 can include additional features, and that some of the illustrated features can be removed without departing from the scope of the user interface 151-153. Moreover, the user interfaces 151-153 may include a software interface such as a GUI interface, a button on an audio system, a hardware interface such as a portable end user device or a personal computer, or a combination of hardware interface and software interface. In addition, information other than that shown in FIG. 3 may be displayed in response to the selection of different options. For example, album artwork or video clips for an artist may be displayed.

8. Example of Channel Content in a Second Channel Set

3A not only illustrates a common user interface between a plurality of target devices, but also provides an example of a set of channels called “Commuting” for a user. The user can have multiple channel sets. 3B illustrates an example of content for a second set of channels named "Commuting 2" for a user. Channels 350 in the Commuting 2 channel set may include Rock, Hot Content, Sports, Jazz, Beatles, and Recent New.

3B also shows content 351 for channel 350. For example, content for channels 1 and 4, named lock and jazz, may include content that a user must listen in strict order. For example, the content provider for the lock channel transmits a playlist to the content service 120 along with the content. The content for the playlist is only sent to the target device of the user in such a way that the user can listen to the provided content. In one embodiment, the content provider allows the user to pause, rewind, or possibly fast playback the content from beginning to end, and in other embodiments, the user may not be able to perform one or more of these functions.

Content for a channel may be provided by one or more content providers. For example, a hot content channel may include domestic news content and international news content provided by one content provider, and traffic and weather content provided by another local content provider. Channels 5 and 6, named Beatles and Latest, may each contain the user's personal content. Such content and potential content for other channels may be listened out of order or stopped. The user may navigate the content from beginning to end using the user interface of the target device.

In the case of a target device having a limited memory that does not have a storage capacity for storing all the content desired by the user, the target device having a limited memory or when the target device is connected to another target device storing the content, As content is consumed from initiation, such as automatic updates performed when connected to a network to receive new content from 120, new content may be appended to the channel list.

9. Hot content

As mentioned above, at least some of the content for the user is hot content. Hot content includes outdated content when the content is not updated within a predetermined time period or when the expiration date and / or the expiration time have elapsed. The predetermined time or specific expiration date and / or expiration time may be specified by the user or other entity. Hot content can be outdated very quickly compared to other content, and typically needs to be updated more frequently than other content. One example of hot content is traffic and weather content as shown in the hot content channel of FIG. 3B. Traffic and weather content can be out of date in a short time, and the user may want to receive traffic and weather updates every 10-15 minutes, especially when he commute to work. Another example of hot content is stock quotes. An example of updating hot content on a target device is as follows. As a first example, hot content is preferentially updated based on time assuming that the user switches at any time to a channel delivering hot content. It has the lowest latency but has the highest usage of other networks, such as cellular network 132 or the Internet 131. As a second example, the hot content is updated preferentially when there is a user's activity or history pattern suggesting that the user will soon be interested in the hot content. This reduces the use of the network but increases the likelihood of poor user experience or increased latency. As a third example, rather than continuously loading the hot content, the hot content is streamed from the content service 120 or the content provider 110 through the network at the moment the user selects the hot content. The hot content may be updated using other procedures apparent to those skilled in the art.

Worm content is content that a user wants to update frequently or periodically, but less frequently than hot content. Examples of worm content may include local, national or international news. The user may want to update the news every four hours or twice daily. In addition, the daily talk show may be updated daily. The top 40 songs can be updated on a daily or weekly basis.

Cold content is sometimes outdated or out of date. For example, a classic rock song or a Beatles song may not be out of date.

According to one embodiment, the system 100 is operable to update hot content when the target device is connected to the content service 120 via a network. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the cellular phone 142 may receive hot content, such as a traffic report, from the content service 120 over the cellular network 132 or other network every 10 minutes at rush hour. The cellular phone 142 may receive hot content from the personal computer 141, but in certain situations, such as during commute, the cellular phone 142 may not be able to access the personal computer 141 located at the user's home, for example. have. Thus, cellular telephone 142 may receive hot content via cellular network 132 or hot spot. In addition, the size of the hot content is small, for example 2-4 minutes of audio content provided in the form of compressed voice quality, so that the network provider receives the hot content when it charges a cost such as an air-time fee. It can still be economical.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that one or more of hot content, warm content, or cold content may be received from a target device storing content or directly from the content service 120 via a network. Moreover, the target device receiving the content may determine the cheapest means of obtaining the content. For example, cellular telephone 142 may first determine whether content may be received from personal computer 141 or content service 120 via a free network connection.

According to one embodiment, the hot content distribution may be personalized for the user. For example, the user may display, on the channel configuration information transmitted to the content service 120, a user preference for determining hot content provided to the user and a user preference for determining a delivery preference of the hot content.

For example, content service 120 determines hot content for a user using user preferences that specify a parameter that determines hot content for filtering content provided by content provider 110. One example of personalizing the hot content may include determining a user's location and sending the hot content to the user based on the location. Location is a topographic location. The location may be determined from GPS or other known technology and transmitted to the content service 120. The content service 120 then sends hot content, such as traffic and weather content associated with the user's location. The user preferences may specify that location information will be received from the user to determine the hot content.

As another example, location information, which may include a moving route at the time of commute or a residence and work location, may be predetermined. The predetermined location may be specified in a user preference, and the content service 120 transmits the hot content to update the hot content for the predetermined location.

In addition, the hot content may be transmitted to the target device at a periodicity specified in the user preference. Alternatively, the user may initiate the transfer of hot content to the target device. For example, if the user presses preset 2 on the car audio system 143's user interface, the cellular telephone 142 that is streaming content to the car audio system 143 receives traffic updates from the content service 120. Receive. Traffic information can be passed to the navigation system to determine the route and display the information. The user may also specify that the triggering of the sending and loading of hot content or an update to the hot content may be caused by the presence of new hot content or may be based on date or time or other event.

In one embodiment, the target device receives the update for the hot content and stores the update until the user plays the update. For example, the stored hot content is played when the user presses a preset of a channel that contains the hot content. Before the hot content is played, the target device may determine whether the update has expired. Expiration may be based on a date or time or a predetermined time or other event. When the hot content update expires, the target device provides a new update to the user. This may include requesting a new update from the content service 120 or from another target device.

Worm and / or cold content may be similarly personalized. The user can specify the content they want, including personal content or content from the content service 120, and the content is loaded onto the target device via a wired or wireless connection.

Personalization of hot content allows users to easily obtain relevant recent information at high speed. For example, a user may have one or more target devices in the morning, updated local and international news, stock quotes for securities in the user's portfolio, sports scores of their favorite teams, and traffic and Sets a preference that specifies that the weather information is to be received. All of this content can be provided on a single channel so that the user can receive the content with a single click of the channel preset. Moreover, content is stored on multiple target devices and mapped to the same channel on each target device, so that a user can quickly obtain desired information using any one of the multiple target devices.

10. Method Example

4-9 illustrate a method 400-900 for automatically updating content at a target device. The methods 400-900 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-3 without limitation by way of example. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the methods 400-900 may be performed with systems other than those shown in FIGS. 1-3. Moreover, the steps of the methods 400-900 are illustratively described as being performed by the personal computer 141 or the cellular telephone 142 shown in FIG. 2. Many of the steps may be performed by a target device other than that described as would be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In connection with the method 400 shown in FIG. 4, in step 401, a target device, such as the personal computer 141 shown in FIG. 2, sends channel configuration information to the content service 120. The channel configuration information may include user selection of content for channels in one or more channel sets. The user selection may include a selection of content provided by the content provider 110. Examples of content provided by content provider 110 may include music, video, and other media and data. For example, the content provider 110 may provide a relatively large or continuous music or talk radio content block. In addition, several different categories of music and talk radios may be provided. In this example, the user can select different categories of music or talk radio for different channels in the channel set. As another example, the channel configuration information may include user demographic information, and the channel is selected for the user based on the user demographic information. In addition, a channel or set of channels may include content from two or more categories, two or more providers, or a user's personal content.

In step 402, the personal computer 141 receives content for a channel in one or more channel sets and stores the content in step 403. In step 404, the personal computer 141 may transmit at least a portion of the content stored in the personal computer 141 to another target device, such as the cellular telephone 142. The amount and type of content sent to the target device may be based on other factors, such as, for example, the storage capacity of the cellular telephone 142 or the time elapsed since a previous transmission of the content occurred.

In step 405, the personal computer 141 may automatically update the content stored in the cellular phone 142. For example, cellular phone 142 may be connected to personal computer 141 multiple times to receive content, or cellular phone 142 is already connected to personal computer 141, such as during charging, Computer 141 initiates the update. Personal computer 141 may receive a report from cellular phone 142 indicative of consumed content and / or cliche content. In response, the personal computer 141 may transfer the content to the cellular telephone 142 to replace the consumed content and / or cliche content. Additionally or alternatively, the user can select content in the cellular phone 142 to replace with new content during the update, or the user can choose to replace the entire content. Thus, the personal computer 141 is one or more other The content may be stored for transmission or update to the target device 140. Alternatively, however, the content may be transmitted from the content service 120 to a target device other than the personal computer 141. For example, content such as hot content may be sent directly from the content service 120 to the cellular telephone 142 via the cellular network 132.

5 illustrates a method 500 of automatically updating content on a target device. One or more steps of method 500 may be substeps of step 405 of method 400. In one embodiment, the steps of method 500 are performed when the cellular telephone 142 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to a personal computer via an interface such as a USB port, and by the personal computer 141. Can be performed when the storage is accessible and the application 174 of the cellular phone 142 is in a passive state.

In step 501, the personal computer 141 shown in Fig. 2 receives the channel configuration information and the management file from the cellular telephone 142. The management file may include a report that includes one or more of: content stored on the phone, content stored on the phone, already consumed by the user, and information stored on the obsolete phone, or information for determining whether the content has become obsolete. Can be. The management file may also include playback time for some channels, which is the point at which consumption has ended for the channel. The management file may be in the form of a log file containing a record of the user's consumption. The log file may be used to determine the content consumed and pay the content provider 110.

In step 502, the personal computer 141 sends the management file to the content service 120. The content service 120 determines the content to be sent to the personal computer 141 and the cellular telephone 142 based on the management file and the channel configuration information for the user. The personal computer 141 receives and stores the content. It should be noted that in general the personal computer 141 need not be connected to the content service 120 at the time of a phone update. The personal computer 141 stores the content from the content service 120 such that the cellular telephone 142 can be updated when the personal computer 141 is not connected to the content service 120. In certain situations, personal computer 141 needs to be connected to content service 120 to perform an update to cellular telephone 142. For example, during initial setup the personal computer 141 needs to be connected to the content service 120 to establish a secure environment. As another example, if a significant amount of data on the cellular telephone 142 is corrupted, it is necessary to correct the data when connecting to the content service 120.

In step 503, if the channel configuration information or management file has changed, the personal computer 141 writes the new channel configuration information and / or management file to the cellular telephone 142.

In step 504, for example, based on the management file received from the cellular telephone 142, the personal computer 141 determines the content stored on the cellular telephone 142.

In step 505, for example, based on the management file received from the cellular telephone 142, the personal computer 141 determines the available memory space on the cellular telephone 142 to store more content. .

In step 506, for example, based on the consumption indicated in the management file received from the cellular telephone 142, the personal computer 141 determines the content to be copied to the cellular telephone 142.

In step 507, the personal computer 141 deletes content that is no longer needed on the cellular phone 142, such as consumed content and / or cliche content.

In step 508, the personal computer 141 copies the new content determined in step 506 to the cellular phone 142.

6 illustrates a method 600 of updating content on a target device, such as a cellular telephone 142. In step 601, the application 174 for the cellular phone 142, for example, in step 503 of the method 500, manages the management file recorded in the cellular phone 142 by the personal computer 141. Read it.

In step 602, the application 174 integrates previous channel playback time information with new information from the content service 120. For example, the play time information may include a time point on the play list that starts playing the content from the play list based on past user consumption. Content for the playlist may be provided to the channel. The reproduction time can be specified in the management file.

In step 603, the application 174 represents the previously selected channel that stopped playing at the time of playback on the user interface 152.

7 illustrates a method 700 of controlling consumption of content stored on a target device based on user input. In step 701, application 174 for cellular telephone 142 receives a user command based on user input via user interface 152. For example, the user interface includes a GUI fast play button clicked by the user to generate a fast play command.

In step 702, the application 174 determines whether the command is allowed for the channel. For example, a fast playback command may not be allowed by the content provider for a particular channel but is allowed for a channel containing personal content.

In step 703, the instruction is performed if allowed. If the command is not allowed, then at step 704 user interface 152 may generate a message indicating that the command is not allowed for the channel. The steps of method 400 can be repeated when a new command is received.

8 illustrates a method 800 of receiving hot content, according to one embodiment. In step 801, a target device, such as the cellular telephone 142 or personal computer 141 shown in FIG. 1, sends the channel configuration information to the content service. The content service 120 uses the channel configuration information to determine the content to be provided to each channel of the channel set. The channel configuration information also includes user preferences for determining hot content. For example, the content service 120 determines hot content to be sent to the user based on the user preferences. The content service 120 determines the hot content for the user such as checking the local traffic and the weather suitable for the user by filtering the content provided by the content provider 110 using the user preference. The content service 120 transmits hot content to the user. For example, content service 120 sends hot content to one or more personal computers 141 and cellular phones 142. Hot content may be included in one or more channels in a channel set.

The channel configuration information may be generated by the target device based on the user input received through the user interface. For example, the management module 171 in the personal computer 141 shown in FIG. 1 receives a user input provided through the user interface 151 and generates channel configuration information from the user input. The user input may include user preferences or other information specifying content including hot content to be provided to the channel set.

 In step 802, a user receives content for a set of channels, including hot content, at a target device, such as one or more personal computers 141 and cellular phones 142.

In step 803, the user receives an update for hot content at the target device based on the user preferences. The update may include new hot content that is associated with previously sent hot content. For example, the update may include traffic and weather information sent every 10 minutes, either unchanged or unchanged since the last update. The user preferences can specify the periodicity of sending new updates to the target device. User preferences can specify events that trigger the transmission of updates. The user preferences may specify terrain information and / or other information for determining hot content to send to the target device.

9 illustrates a method 900 of determining hot content for a user, according to one embodiment. In step 901, the content service 120 receives the channel configuration. The content service 120 uses the channel configuration information to determine the content to be provided to each channel in the channel set. The channel configuration information also includes user preferences for determining hot content.

In step 902, the content service 120 filters the content from the content provider 110 to determine the content to be provided to the channel set based on the channel configuration information. The provided content includes hot content. Filtering includes using user preferences to select hot content from content provided by content provider 110. At least one channel may include hot content.

In step 903, content service 120 transmits content for the channel set to at least one target device of the user, such as one or more personal computers 141 and cellular telephone 142.

In step 904, the channel service 120 determines an update to the hot content based on the user preferences, and sends the update to the target device in step 605.

11. Hardware Platform

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of a computer system 1000 that can be used as a hardware platform for one or more components of system 100, such as personal computer 141, server 121, cellular telephones, and possibly other components. To illustrate. Computer system 1000 is a schematic block diagram wherein components of system 100 may include more components not shown, or some of the components may not include all of the components shown in FIG. 10. Can be.

Computer system 1000 may include a processor 1002 that provides a platform for executing software. Computer system 1000 also includes storage 1006, which may include random access memory (RAM) in which software resides during runtime. In addition, storage device 1006 may include one or more other types of memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erase programmable ROM (EPROM), and electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), and may include data such as a hard disk. Storage can be used. For example, storage 1006 may include one or more hard disk drives and removable storage drives such as floppy or flash memory.

A user may interface with the computer system 1000 through an input device 1010 such as a keyboard, button, mouse, stylus, or the like. Also, a display 1012 and a network interface 1024 may be included. In addition, data may be transferred between components via the bus 1004.

One or more steps of the methods 400-900, other steps described herein, and software described herein are embedded or stored on a computer readable medium, such as storage device 1006, and executed by the processor 1002. Can be implemented as software. These steps can be executed by computer programs that can exist in various forms, both active or inactive. For example, it may exist as a software program consisting of program instructions in source code, object code, executable code or other form to execute some of these steps when executed. Among the above programs Some may be stored on a computer readable medium including storage devices and signals in compressed or decompressed form. Examples of suitable computer readable storage devices include conventional computer system RAM (random access memory), ROM (read only memory), EPROM (erasure programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM), and magnetic or optical disks or It includes a tape. An example of a computer readable signal, whether or not modulated using a carrier wave, is a signal configured for access by a computer system hosting or executing a computer program, including signals downloaded via the Internet or other networks. Specific examples described above include distribution of programs on CD ROM or via Internet download. Semantically, the Internet itself as an abstract entity is a computer readable medium. In general, it is true that the Internet itself is a computer network. It is therefore to be understood that these functions listed herein may be performed by any electronic device capable of carrying out the functions described above.

Although the present embodiment has been described as an example, those skilled in the art can make various changes to the above-described embodiment without departing from the true spirit and scope. The terms and descriptions used herein are merely illustrative and not in a limiting sense. In particular, while the method has been described as an example, the steps of the method are different from those illustrated. It may be performed in a different order or simultaneously. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these and other changes can be made within the spirit and scope defined in the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (30)

Transmitting channel configuration information to a content service, wherein the content service determines content to be provided to each channel of a channel set using the channel configuration information, and the channel configuration information is used to determine hot content for a user. Contains user preferences-; Receiving content for the channel set at a target device of the user, wherein the received content includes the hot content; And Receiving an update for the hot content at the target device based on the user preferences How to include. The method of claim 1, Receiving the update for the hot content at the target device based on the user preferences further comprising: periodically receiving the update for the hot content at the target device, The periodicity of receiving the update is specified in the user preference. The method of claim 1, Receiving the update for the hot content at the target device based on the user preferences, further comprising receiving the update for the hot content, Content received from at least one content provider is filtered based on the user preferences to determine personalized hot content for the update. The method of claim 3, The user preference designates the content being transmitted as hot content in the update. The method of claim 4, wherein The user preferences include at least one topographic location and the update includes hot content related to the at least one topographic location. The method of claim 1, Receiving an update of the update; And Storing the update for later consumption by the user. The method of claim 6, Determining whether the update expires prior to consumption; And And providing a new update in response to the expiration of the update. The method of claim 7, wherein Providing the new update further comprises requesting the new update from the content service. The method of claim 1, Providing the user interface to the target device for the user to select one channel of the channel set containing the hot content via the user interface. The method of claim 9, And the user interface provides one click selection of the channel containing the hot content. The method of claim 1, Providing a public user interface to the plurality of target devices of the user, The public user interface provides one-click selection of one channel from the channel set for playing content in the selected channel. The method of claim 11, The public user interface includes a plurality of presets, Wherein each preset is mapped to one channel in the channel set. The method of claim 1, The hot content includes content that is outdated if the content is not updated within a predetermined time period. A method of filtering hot content for a user. Receiving a channel configuration, wherein the channel configuration designates content to be provided to each channel of the channel set using the channel configuration information, and the channel configuration information further adds a user preference for determining hot content for the user. Contains-; Filtering content from a plurality of content providers to determine content to be provided to the channel set based on the channel configuration information, at least one of the channels including the hot content; Transmitting hot content for the channel set to at least one target device of a user; Determining an update for the hot content based on the user preferences; And Transmitting the update to the at least one target device. Hot content filtering method comprising a. The method of claim 14, The user preference designates at least one of a periodicity for transmitting an update, an event for triggering the transmission of an update for the hot content, and a topographic location for determining hot content associated with the topographic location. Way. The method of claim 14, And wherein the hot content includes outdated content if the content is not updated within a predetermined time period. The method of claim 14, The step of transmitting the content for the channel set to at least one target device further comprises the step of transmitting the content for the channel set to a plurality of target devices of the user, The plurality of target devices comprises a public user interface, the public user interface providing one-click selection of one channel from the set of channels for playing content in the selected channel. . A device operable to receive content from a content service, the device comprising: Storage operable to store content received from the content service, the content comprising content for a plurality of channels in a channel set; A processor operable to receive user input and generate channel configuration information from the user input, the channel configuration information including information for determining content to be provided for each channel and for determining hot content for the user. Contains user preferences-; And An interface for transmitting the channel configuration to the content service, the content service being operable to determine content to be provided to each channel and to use the channel configuration to determine the hot content Device comprising a. The method of claim 18, And the device is further operable to receive an update to the hot content from the content service based on the user preferences. The method of claim 19, Wherein the user preference specifies at least one of a periodicity of sending an update, an event that triggers the transmission of an update to the hot content, and a topographic location that determines hot content associated with the topographic location. The method of claim 18, And wherein the hot content includes outdated content if the content is not updated within a predetermined time period. The method of claim 18, Further comprising a user interface for receiving the user input, And the user interface includes a plurality of presets, each preset mapped to one channel in the channel set, the plurality of presets being common to a plurality of devices of the user. An apparatus operable to receive and play content for a user, the apparatus comprising: Means for storing content received from a content service, the content comprising content for a plurality of channels in a channel set; Means for generating channel configuration information from user input, the channel configuration information including information for determining content to be provided for each channel, and user preference for determining hot content to be provided for one channel of the channel set. Contains-; Means for sending the channel configuration to the content service, the content service being operable to determine content to be provided for each channel and to use the channel configuration to determine the hot content; And Means for receiving an update to the hot content from the content service based on the user preferences Device comprising a. The method of claim 23, wherein Wherein the user preference specifies at least one of a periodicity of sending an update, an event that triggers the transmission of an update to the hot content, and a topographic location that determines hot content associated with the topographic location. The method of claim 23, wherein And wherein the hot content includes outdated content if the content is not updated within a predetermined time period. The method of claim 23, wherein Further comprising user interface means for receiving the user input, The user interface comprises a plurality of presets, each preset mapped to one channel of the channel set, the plurality of presets being shared with a plurality of devices of the user. A system for providing a content service, Means for receiving a channel configuration, the channel configuration designating content to be provided to each channel of a channel set using the channel configuration information, wherein the channel configuration information determines hot content for a user and uses the hot content to Further includes user preferences for sending to; Means for filtering content from a plurality of content providers to determine content to be provided to the set of channels based on the channel configuration information, at least one of the channels including the hot content; Means for transmitting the content for the channel set to at least one target device of a user; Means for determining an update to the hot content based on the user preferences; And Means for sending the update to the at least one target device System comprising. The method of claim 27, The user preference designates at least one of a periodicity of sending an update, an event that triggers the transmission of an update to the hot content, and a topographic location that determines hot content associated with the topographic location. The method of claim 27, The hot content includes outdated content if the content is not updated within a predetermined time period. A computer readable medium storing one or more computer programs comprising instructions that, when executed, perform the following steps. Transmitting channel configuration information to a content service, wherein the content service determines content to be provided to each channel of the channel set using the channel configuration information, and the channel configuration information determines hot content for a user to determine the content; Includes user preferences for sending hot content to the user; Receiving content for the channel set at a target device of the user, wherein the received content includes the hot content; And Receiving an update for the hot content at the target device based on the user preferences Computer-readable medium comprising a.

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