JP2015046929A - Preference engine driven personalized music service - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a preference engine driven personalized music service that can be implemented in a consumer electronic device, such as a set top box, that is capable of receiving a digital broadcast stream containing music.SOLUTION: The personalized music service does not require the consumer electronic device to have two-way communication. The necessary processing is done on the device itself, and there is no need to transmit information to a remote server for processing. The method involves receiving a digital broadcast stream containing music. One or more songs are selected from the digital broadcast stream on the basis of a music preference of a user. The one or more selected songs are assembled into a custom station.

Description

  The present invention relates to the field of personalized music services. In particular, the invention relates to a personalized music station assembled from a digital broadcast stream.

  There is a personalized music service. In this case, the user is provided with a song that indicates the music preference (preference) and matches the indicated music preference. One example of this type of personalized music service is Pandora (registered trademark, Pandora Media, Inc., Oakland, CA). With Pandora, the user presents a music selection (eg, artist or song) on the client device. The client device sends this music selection to a server that accesses the music database. This service searches the music in the database to find one that matches the music selection and provides the client device with a stream of music that matches the music selection for the user to enjoy. The user has the option of voting a given song being streamed by “consent” or “reject”. This information can be used to carefully select music selections for streaming.

  Since the database and its processing are located on the remote server, the process of searching and determining database size and music matches is very large. Moreover, storing music and installing this processing function on the remote server means that two-way communication is required between the client and the server, and the music is stored and processed. In the server, the music is first selected and then the streamed music is received. This means that devices with only one-way or limited two-way communication capability cannot use this kind of conventional client-server based streaming music service. For example, many satellite receivers, personal video recorders (PVRs), or digital television receivers do not have or utilize this type of two-way communication. Many satellite receivers, DVRs, or digital television receivers can have bidirectional communication capabilities. However, many devices are not connected or configured as such because there is no need for their operation.

  Therefore, it would be useful to provide this type of personalized music service functionality for this type of device without the need for two-way communication.

  According to one embodiment, the method is provided for building a preference-based music station. Desirably, this type of preference-based music station does not require bi-directional communication between the client and server. The method relates to receiving a digital broadcast stream containing music. One or more songs are selected from the digital broadcast stream based on the music preferences for the user. One or more selected songs can be assembled into a custom station.

  By this method, processing including music selection and assembly is performed at the client device. Therefore, there is no need to pass information regarding music selection to the server, which requires two-way communication with the server.

  In accordance with another embodiment, a system is provided for building a preference-based music station. The system has a receiver, a processor, a storage device and an output interface. The receiver is configured to receive a digital broadcast stream that includes music. The processor is configured to select a song from the digital broadcast stream based on the music preferences for the user and assemble the selected song into a custom channel. The storage device is used to store a song selected from the digital broadcast stream. The output interface is configured to output an assembled custom channel featuring the selected song.

It is a figure which shows the environment used for a personalized music service. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a system according to one embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to an embodiment. Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating additional steps of a method according to an embodiment. Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating additional steps of a method according to another embodiment.

  The methods, systems, and teachings disclosed herein are incorporated as or within a preference engine. The preference engine is driven by a personalized music service, which can be implemented in consumer electronics devices. Consumer electronics devices include set-top boxes that can receive digital broadcast streams containing music. The personalized music service described herein does not require the consumer electronics device to have two-way communication. Necessary processing is performed by the device itself. And there is no need to transmit information to the remote server for processing.

  FIG. 1 illustrates an environment 100 that can be used for personal music services with a preference engine as detailed herein. The heart exists in the home appliance device 110. In this embodiment, the home appliance is a set top box (STB) and is connected to a user display device and / or an audio system 120. The STB 110 is configured to receive digital broadcast streams from one or more sources 130, 140, 150. For example, the STB 110 may be part of a satellite system that uses a satellite antenna 132 to receive a digital broadcast stream from the satellite 130. In another embodiment, STB 110 may be a digital television that uses an antenna to receive a digital broadcast stream from digital broadcast tower 140, or a wireless receiver. In yet another embodiment, STB 110 may connect to a cable system that is provided with a digital broadcast stream from cable company 150. In certain embodiments, the STB 110 can be configured to receive a digital broadcast stream from any combination of sources 130, 140, 150. These sources of digital broadcast streams should be understood to be merely exemplary. Other possible sources of digital broadcast streams will be apparent to those skilled in the art who understand the benefits of this disclosure.

  Common to the sources 130, 140, 150 represented in FIG. 1 is that they are traditionally unidirectional digital broadcast techniques. That is, satellite 130, digital television tower 140, and cable provider 150 transmit a digital broadcast stream without receiving any input from consumer electronics device 110. Most STBs 110 can receive digital broadcast streams from sources 130, 140, 150 without having to communicate with sources 130, 140, 150. This is different from, for example, Internet communication. In Internet communications, information is not sent from the source until a request for information is received from the consumer electronics device 110. One advantage of the personalized music service described herein is that it does not require two-way communication. The methods, systems, and teachings herein can be used in systems that use only one-way digital broadcast technology.

  Digital broadcast streams include channels or stations provided by satellite, television, radio, or cable providers. The provided channels, or stations, may include television and movie content channels, music programs and information regarding channel digital broadcast content by the provider. For example, many cable and satellite providers offer both traditional television channels (CBS, HBO, TBS, etc.) and music programs based on style or genre (classic rock, opera, heavy metal, etc.). Including. These music programs provide songs that are included in the style or genre of the channel in which they are played, and static information that provides music information (song title, artist, album, trivia, etc.) image). Music content included in such types of digital broadcast streams allows the functions disclosed herein to operate.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the consumer electronics device 110 is designed to be connected to a user display device and audio system 120 (eg, a stereo system that outputs television and content from a received digital broadcast stream). Set top box. However, in other embodiments, the consumer electronics device 110 may be a stand-alone device that is capable of video and audio playback on its own. And it need not be connected to the user's display device and / or audio system 120. Other possible embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating elements of home appliance device 110 according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, the home device includes a receiver 200, a processor 210, a storage device 220, and an output interface 230. In some embodiments, the consumer electronics device may further include an input interface 240. Each of these elements is described in further detail below.

  Receiver 200 is configured to receive a digital broadcast stream that includes music. As mentioned above, music can be provided by a music program as part of a digital broadcast stream. The type and receiver configuration depends on the source of the digital broadcast stream. Thus, the receiver can be configured to receive satellite digital broadcasts, wireless digital broadcasts, cable digital broadcasts, or any combination thereof. The receiver allows the consumer electronics device 110 to access and decode various channels or stations that are provided as part of the digital broadcast stream. As such, the receiver can include one or more tuners that receive or decode various channels or stations provided as part of the digital broadcast stream. In the case of multiple tuners, the tuner may perform tuning of different channels or stations of the same received digital broadcast stream or different channels or stations of different digital broadcast streams.

  The processor 210 controls the operation of the home appliance device 110. The processor executes software that operates the consumer electronics device 110 and provides the functions of the personalized music service herein. It receives music preferences for the user and selects a song from the digital broadcast stream based on the music preferences and places the selected song on a custom channel for user enjoyment. Includes assembling. The processor 210 is connected to the receiver 200, the storage device 220, the output interface 230, and in some embodiments is connected to the interface 240. Then, transfer and processing of information between these elements is executed. The processor 210 may be a processor for a specific function or a general processor. In certain embodiments, it may be a multiprocessor.

  The storage device 220 stores software and other information used by the home appliance device. Storage device 220 may include volatile memory (RAM), non-volatile memory (EEPROM), magnetic media (hard disk), optical media (CD / DVD-Rom), or flash-based storage area. In embodiments where the consumer electronics device 110 is an STB (eg, a satellite receiver), the storage device 220 may include a memory and typically a mass storage device (eg, a hard disk). The hard disk may store a selected song of the custom station.

  The output interface 230 is configured to provide a video display, or audio device, to output correctly formatted digital broadcast stream content. This content may include custom stations configured to be provided as part of the personalized music service herein. Suitable formats include codecs for output content and connector types for external video display devices, or audio devices, or in some cases onboard displays or speakers. The output interface 230 provides graphics and menus used to show content available to the home device 110 and information about the content.

  In some examples, the consumer electronics device 110 can further include an input interface 240. User interface 240 allows a user to interact with home appliance device 110. The input interface 240 enables the home appliance device 110 to provide information (eg, user music preferences). The user interface 240 also allows selection of content that can be used for the home appliance device 110. The user interface 240 can control the interface between various devices, such as a remote control, keyboard, etc., through which information can be entered.

  The elements described in FIG. 2 should be understood to be exemplary. The consumer electronics device 110 can include any number of elements, and certain elements can provide some or all of the functionality of other elements. For example, many of the functions of the receiver 200, the output interface 230, and the input interface can be performed by the processor 210, or multiple general or dedicated processors. Other possible implementations will be apparent to those skilled in the art who understand the advantages herein.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method 300 for providing a personalized music service according to one embodiment. Basically, the method includes three steps. The first step is receiving a digital broadcast stream containing music (step 310). One or more songs are then selected from the digital broadcast stream based on the user's (step 320) music preferences. Finally, the selected song is assembled into a custom station (step 330). In certain embodiments, the method obtains music preferences for the user (step 305), outputs a custom station (step 340), and provides feedback on the music selection of the custom station (step 350). As an obtaining step, an additional step can be included. Each of these steps is described in further detail below.

  Step 305 includes obtaining music preferences for the user. The basis for the creation of personalized music services is due to this music preference. Music preferences can range from as wide as style or genre to as narrow as artist or music. Similarly, the favorite genre or style can be inferred from the selected song or artist. Alternatively, the favorite artist and song can be inferred from the selected genre or style. The preference of music entered by the user is in some embodiments made by selecting a genre, style, artist, or music. In certain embodiments, the user may be provided with the ability to indicate music feedback (eg, good / bad) or a music rate to establish music preferences (step 350). In other embodiments, music preferences can be inferred from a user's listening or viewing habits. Thus, music preferences for the user can be developed depending on the application. Similarly, the user may edit the music preferences to further adjust the music preferences to suit their hobbies.

  In some embodiments, multiple music preferences can be obtained. The plurality of preferences may be for one user or for multiple users. For example, one user may want to create a custom jazz station and a custom lock station. Therefore, it is possible to acquire music preferences for jazz and to acquire music preferences for rock. Conversely, one user likes one type of first music, and another user likes other types of music. Accordingly, different music preferences are obtained for each user.

  In step 310, a digital broadcast stream containing music is received. In the case of a consumer electronics device 110 (eg, a set top box), the device 110 is configured to receive one or more digital broadcast streams. This step may also include decoding the received digital broadcast stream to various channels or stations included in the digital broadcast stream. For satellite systems, a digital broadcast stream can include several music channels that provide hundreds of songs that are always available to the receiver. From these available songs on the provided music program, a song for the custom station is selected.

  In the case of a satellite system and the consumer electronics device is a satellite receiver, song selection can work in a personal video recorder (PVR) as well. In fact, with a satellite receiver with PVR functionality, this may be an extension of this type of functionality. That is, if no service is provided, one or more available tuners may tune to a music channel that includes music that has been selected and matched to the user's music preferences.

  The step of selecting a song from the digital broadcast stream (step 320) may be performed using a preference engine. A preference engine is typically software designed to select based on preferences. In this case, the selection is a song based on music preferences. Thus, the preference engine attempts to select a song that matches or resembles the music preference for the user. In some embodiments, the preference engine can respond to feedback from the user. For example, the user may be required to provide feedback to music selected by the preference engine by giving “consent” or “rejection” 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 (eg, previous selections or viewing habits) to refine the selection process.

  In some embodiments, the relational database is for associating songs based on styles, genres, artists, songs with other styles, genres, artists and music popularity, recommendations, provider preferences, etc. May be used. For example, a provider may desire to spotlight a particular artist. In this case, the artist may be associated with a genre, style, and song that is preferred by the target audience of the spotlighting artist. This type of relational database is preferably maintained on the consumer electronics device 110, but may be initially provided by the providers 130, 140, 150 in a manner similar to an electronic program guide and / or periodically updated. May be.

  In certain embodiments, selecting one or more songs from the digital broadcast stream (step 320) may include an additional step. This embodiment can be shown in FIG. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, selecting a song (320) includes identifying one or more songs in the digital broadcast stream (step 322), and identifying the identified one or more songs for the user. Comparing with preferences (324) and storing the identified songs (step 326) when one or more songs finds music that matches the preferences for the user. Each of these steps is described in further detail below.

  The step of identifying one or more songs in the digital broadcast stream (step 322) can be performed in a number of ways. In an embodiment, information from the program guide can be used to identify a song. For example, in many satellite and cable digital broadcast streams, music programs are identified by genre (ie, “classic rock”, “jazz”, “opera”, etc.). These stations may include specific slots of similar programs (ie, “60s Rock” slots). This information can be used to identify the type of digital broadcast song. These music programs often provide a song with a screen showing the song title, artist, and album. In such cases, this information can also be used to identify the song. In other embodiments, the digital broadcast stream may include metadata identifying genres, music, artists, albums, or other information, or embedded tags. In such an embodiment, this information can be used to identify the song.

  In another embodiment, songs from non-music-only channel music programming can also be identified for selection. For example, channels such as MTV and VH1 have music programming that includes songs that can match music preferences. Similarly, some channels may indicate operas or musicals that contain songs that may match music preferences. Other techniques and methods for identifying songs will be apparent to those skilled in the art who understand the advantages herein.

  Once a song is identified (step 322), the song can be compared to one or more music preferences (step 324). As noted above, music preferences may be as broad as a genre style, or may be as unique as an artist or music. The identified songs can be compared to determine if they are in the same genre or style as the music preferences. For example, if the music preference is classic rock, it is determined whether the identified song is also classic rock. In certain embodiments, an association database is used to determine if the identified song matches the music preference.

  If it is determined that the identified song matches one or more music preferences (step 324), this can be stored (step 326). One or more matched and identified songs are stored or stored in the storage device 220 of the home appliance device 110. In some embodiments, other information related to the song may be stored. For example, stored genres, styles, titles, artists and albums can also be stored. In certain embodiments, for example, a music component, and the video portion can also be stored when the song is a portion of a music video or a musical performance that includes video.

  Please refer to FIG. 3 again. After one or more songs are selected based on the music preferences for the user (step 320), the selected songs can be assembled into a custom station or channel (step 330). Assembled custom stations (or channels) are “virtual” in the sense that they are assembled and provided to the consumer electronics device 110 rather than being part of the channel provided as part of the digital broadcast stream. It may be. For example, a custom station can be listed in a program guide that shows a list of available services on the consumer electronics device. A custom station may include songs that match a single music preference or multiple music preferences. For example, the name “David Music” may be given as a custom station. In other embodiments, there may be a customized station for each preference of music. For example, each user can have one or more custom stations.

  Once the song is assembled into a custom station (step 330), the custom station may be output (step 340). For example, the user can select a custom station listed in the program guide for the consumer electronics device 110 and the song of the station may be played on the user's display device and / or audio system 120. In certain embodiments, the output custom station can include a video portion with an audio component (song). For example, song information, artist name, and / or other information about the song being played can be displayed. In such embodiments, a link to additional information can be provided. In certain embodiments, a music video, or performance, can be played by both audio and visual components.

  In certain embodiments, feedback from the user regarding music selection may be obtained to refine music preferences and selections for the song (step 350). An example of this type of method for obtaining feedback can be shown in FIG. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, obtaining feedback has two steps. That is, a step of requesting feedback from the user (step 352) and a step of receiving feedback from the user in response to the request (step 354).

  For example, a user may be asked to rank songs on a custom station. In response, user input or song ranking is provided. The rank may be a general indication of propriety (ie, “consent” or “reject”), or a more detailed indicator (ie, ranked on a scale of 1 to 5). Feedback may also be obtained for artists, albums, styles, genres and custom stations. In certain other embodiments, the user can rank or provide feedback without requiring feedback. Other implementations and examples for obtaining feedback will be apparent to those skilled in the art who understand the advantages herein. The obtained feedback can be used in refining music preferences (step 305) and can be used to select music (step 320).

  In other embodiments, the user may be provided with an option to store the custom station song (and related information) on an external storage device or player (eg, a personal music player or USB storage device). In such embodiments, the user may be required to pay for this type of copy on an external storage device or player.

  The present invention can also be embedded in a computer program product. It is then possible to implement all the features of the methods described herein and to perform these methods when loaded in a computer system. Note that a computer program or application may use any language, code, or notation to express any notation of a set of instructions intended to create a system with information processing capabilities to perform a particular function. Also means. The instructions include execution either directly or after a) conversion to another language, code, notation, or b) conversion to a different physical form, or both.

  Furthermore, the above description is illustrative and is not intended to limit the invention in any manner other than as described in the following claims.

Claims (20)

A method for a local device to generate a preference-based music station,
A local device receiving a digital broadcast stream containing music;
A local device selecting one or more music included in the digital broadcast stream based on a user's music preferences;
Assembling a custom station from one or more selected music;
Having a method.   The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining a user's music preferences.   The method of claim 2, wherein obtaining the user's music preferences includes receiving input from a user.   The method of claim 2, wherein obtaining the user's music preferences includes tracking use of the set top box by the user.   The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the digital broadcast stream including the music further comprises decoding the digital broadcast stream including the music. Selecting one or more music included in the digital broadcast stream comprises:
Identifying one or more music in the digital broadcast stream;
Comparing the identified one or more music to the music preference of the user;
Storing the identified one or more music if the identified one or more music matches the user's music preference;
The method of claim 1, comprising:   The method of claim 1, wherein selecting one or more music included in the digital broadcast stream is based on the music preferences of a plurality of users.   The method of claim 7, wherein the music preference for each of the plurality of users can be different.   The method of claim 8, wherein the early custom station is assembled for each user.   The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting the assembled custom station.   The method of claim 1, wherein the digital broadcast stream is unidirectional.   The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying available custom channels on a user interface.   The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining user feedback regarding selected music for a custom channel. Obtaining user feedback regarding the selected music of the custom channel comprises:
Requesting feedback from the user;
Receiving feedback from the user in response to requesting feedback from the user;
14. The method of claim 13, comprising:   The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a user with an option to purchase selected music for a custom channel. A system included on a local device for creating a preference-based music station that:
A receiver for receiving a digital broadcast stream containing music;
A processor that selects music contained in the digital broadcast stream based on a user's music preferences and assembles the selected music into a custom channel;
A storage device for storing the selected music from the digital broadcast stream;
An output interface that outputs the assembled custom channel;
Having a system.   The system of claim 16, comprising a set top box.   The system of claim 16, further comprising an input interface for receiving instructions from a user.   The system of claim 18, wherein the processor obtains user feedback regarding selected music of a custom music channel.   The processor of claim 16, wherein the processor selects music from the digital broadcast stream based on the music preferences of a plurality of users and assembles the selected music into one or more custom channels. System.

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