Method and system for setting user preference satellite radio music selections in a mobile vehicle

#In general, the invention relates to data transmission over a wireless communication system. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and system for setting user preference satellite radio music selections in a mobile vehicle.

#Mobile communication units (MCU's), such as cellular phones, personal data assistants (PDA's), Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, and on-board Vehicle Communication Units (VCU's), used in conjunction with a Wide Area Network (WAN), such as a cellular telephone network or a satellite communication system, have made it possible for a person to send and receive voice communications, data transmissions, and FAX messages from virtually anywhere on earth. Such communication is initiated at the MCU when it is turned on, or by entering a phone number to be called, or in many cases, by pressing a preprogrammed button on the MCU or speaking a voice command causing the MCU to automatically complete the process of dialing the number to be called. A radio communication link is established between the MCU and a Wide Area Network (WAN), using a node of the WAN in the vicinity of the MCU.

#In cellular telephone systems, a node is commonly referred to as a “cellular base station.” Once the radio communication link between the MCU and the cellular base station has been established, the base station then utilizes a combination of additional cellular stations, conventional telephone wire line networks, and possibly even satellite systems to connect the MCU to the number to be called.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an operating environment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2a is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the present invention;

#Throughout the specification, and in the claims, the term “connected” means a direct electrical connection between the things that are connected, without any intermediate devices. The term “coupled” means either a direct electrical connection between the things that are connected, or an indirect connection through one or more passive or active intermediary devices.

#The present invention relates to data transmission over a wireless communication system and more particularly to setting user preference satellite radio music selections in a mobile vehicle. The present invention allows a user to establish a vehicle preference selection list utilizing a user interface, download the vehicle preference selection list into a vehicle mounted satellite radio receiver, and have the option of listening to either the vehicle preference selection list or a user determined station.

#Illustrative Operating Environment