US 7,076,561 B1 · Personalized audio system and method

Abstract

A personalized audio system and method that overcomes many of the broadcast-type disadvantages associated with conventional radio stations. According to one embodiment, the personalized audio system includes the following: (1) a user interface that enables a user of the personalized audio system to specify a profile for a personalized audio channel, (2) a sound recording library comprising a plurality of sound recordings, (3) a playlist generator that (a) selects a plurality of sound recording identifiers from a set of sound recording identifiers, wherein each of the plurality of sound recording identifiers identifies a sound recording that matches the profile and that is stored in the library, and that (b) creates a playlist that lists the plurality of sound recording identifiers in a particular order, and (4) a sound recording reproducing device for reproducing the plurality of identified sound recordings according to the particular order in which the sound recording identifiers are listed in the playlist so that the user can listen to the sound recordings. Advantageously, the personalized audio system does not provide the user with a way to determine the plurality of sound recording identifiers prior to the reproducing means reproducing the plurality of sound recordings, and the personalized audio system does not provide the user with a way to directly control which sound recording identifiers in the set are selected by the playlist generator to be included in the plurality of sound recording identifiers.

Claims27

Dependent claims

In a personalized audio system comprising a consumer device comprising a user interface for receiving input from a user of the system and a storage device for storing data, a method for providing one or more personalized audio channels, wherein each personalized audio channel has a profile associated therewith and each profile comprises profile information related to or concerning the user's sound recording preferences, the method comprising the steps of:

storing a plurality of sound recordings on the storage device, wherein the plurality of sound recordings forms a sound recording library, and wherein the plurality of sound recordings comprises sound recordings that are owned by the user and sound recordings that are not owned by the user;
maintaining a sound recording list that identifies all of the sound recordings that are included in the library;
storing data that can be used to identify those sound recordings included in the library that are owned by the user;
adding a new sound recording to the sound recording library, wherein the new sound recording is owned by the user;
updating the list to indicate that the new sound recording is included in the library and storing data that indicates that the new sound recording is owned by the user;
receiving from the user an indication that the user desires to listen to a selected one of the one or more personalized audio channels;
selecting, in response to the received indication, a sound recording based on the profile associated with the selected audio channel;
retrieving the selected sound recording from the library or from a master library;
and
playing the selected sound recording for the user.

7 more elements

An apparatus for enabling a user to select a personalized audio channel from a set of one or more personalized audio channels and to listen to the selected personalized audio channel, wherein each of the one or more personalized audio channels has a profile associated therewith and each profile comprises profile information related to or concerning the user's sound recording preferences, comprising:

a storage device;
a plurality of sound recordings stored on the storage device, wherein the plurality of sound recordings forms a sound recording library, and wherein the plurality of sound recordings comprises sound recordings that are owned by the user and sound recordings that are not owned by the user;
a processing unit comprising memory that stores software, wherein the software is operable to:
maintain a sound recording list that identifies all of the sound recordings that are included in the library and that identifies those sound recordings included in the library that are owned by the user;
add a new sound recording to the sound recording library, wherein the new sound recording is owned by the user;
update the list to indicate (a) that the new sound recording is included in the library and (b) that the new sound recording is owned by the user;
receive from the user an indication that the user desires to listen to a selected one of the one or more personalized audio channels;
select, in response to the received indication, a sound recording based on the profile associated with the selected audio channel;
retrieve the selected sound recording;
and
play the selected sound recording for the user.

8 more elements

a storage device;
a plurality of sound recordings stored on the storage device, wherein the plurality of sound recordings forms a sound recording library, and wherein the plurality of sound recordings comprises sound recordings that are owned by the user and sound recordings that are not owned by the user;
means for maintaining a sound recording list that identifies all of the sound recordings that are included in the library and that identifies those sound recordings included in the library that are owned by the user;
means for adding a new sound recording to the sound recording library, wherein the new sound recording is owned by the user;
means for updating the list to indicate (a) that the new sound recording is included in the library and (b) that the new sound recording is owned by the user;
means for receiving from the user an indication that the user desires to listen to a selected one of the one or more personalized audio channels;
means for selecting, in response to the received indication, a sound recording based on the profile associated with the selected audio channel;
means for retrieving the selected sound recording;
and
means for playing the selected sound recording for the user.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Personalized audio system and method

Life of this patent

Personalized audio system and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27