Algorithm for selecting audio content

#The present invention relates generally to listening to audio and more specifically to an algorithm for selecting audio content which allows a user to hear audio he/she likes without having to manipulate a radio, CD player, or cassette player.

#Many people want to hear a source of audio while they are driving such as music, sports, news, weather, or any other information expressed through audio. Many people are not continually satisfied with what is played on the radio which results in a need for constantly changing the channel/station/selection. A CD or cassette player allows a person's preferences to be played, but requires the user to constantly remove and insert the CDs or cassettes. MP3 players and other devices will store several hours of music, but its memory capacity is limited.

#What remains needed in the art is an algorithm for selecting audio content which allows a user to continually enjoy a source of audio from a nearly inexhaustive library contained on an audio database.

#FIG. 1 is a flow chart of an algorithm for selecting audio content.

#FIGS. 2A and 2B are in combination a flow chart of the selection routine of an algorithm for selecting audio content.

#Referring now to the Drawings, FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of an algorithm for selecting audio content 10. The algorithm for selecting audio content 10 includes an audio database 12, a user preference learning routine 14, a user input interface 15, and an audio selection routine 16. The audio database 12 is preferably contained on the internet. The audio database 12 may be accessible through one or more web sites. A wireless link 18 connects the audio hardware 20 which stores the algorithm for selecting audio content 10 with the audio database 12. The wireless link 18 may be implemented through an RDS channel, a telephone line, or any other suitable communications protocol. It is preferable that the audio content be categorized according to at least one term such as genre, artist, or title.

#Playing of individual selections from the audio database 12 requires payment to the copyright holders of the individual selections. One way of paying the copyright holder is to play an audio advertisement sometime before, after, or during the play of the audio content. Another method of paying the copyright holder is through a subscription. Other methods of paying the copyright holder may also be used. The audio content preferably includes music, audio books, news, sports, weather, personalized advertising, and any other information in audio form.

#The user preference learning routine 14 preferably has the capability of learning a user's audio preferences both implicitly and explicitly. The user preference learning routine 14 is capable of explicitly learning by a manual entry into a central location made by the user concerning their favorite audio selections. The user would preferably make explicit entries by entering their favorite radio stations, artists, songs, or genres through an internet access device 22 which is capable of connecting with the internet. The audio selections would be entered manually at a special selection web page 24 on the internet. The special web page 24 would transfer the audio selection information entered by the user to the audio database 12.