KR20070110358A - Automatic personal play list generation based on dynamically changing criteria such as light intensity or vehicle speed and location - Google Patents

Abstract

A play list of songs or other media items is automatically generated based on dynamically changing criteria. In one aspect, data based on ambient light level (115, 300) is mapped (320) to media items to obtain matching media items for the play list (330). In another aspect, a point of interest is identified (410) based on a geographic location of a vehicle, and the point of interest is mapped (420) to the media items. In a further aspect, data (500) regarding a vehicle, such as its speed, is mapped to the media items. It can be determined whether the vehicle is speeding (630) by comparing the geographic location of the vehicle to a database of speed limits. A song with a slow tempo or beat can be selected to encourage the driver of a speeding vehicle to slow down.

Description

Automatic personal play list generation based on dynamically changing criteria such as light intensity or vehicle speed and location}

The present invention relates generally to creating playlists, such as lists of songs for playback on media players such as CD players, MP3 players, and the like, and in particular, a method for automatically generating such playlists based on dynamically changing criteria. And to the system.

Various types of media players are currently available to consumers and other users. For example, portable digital music players such as MP3 players and personal computers (PCs) enable the storage of multiple songs in digital form. Moreover, home entertainment systems also allow users to access content via local storage where cable and satellite television networks, computer networks such as the Internet, and movies are stored on digital versatile disks (DVDs). Media players. Electronic program guides, for example, allow a user to select from the available television programs. Broadcasting of radio programs such as talk shows and music via satellite to car and home receivers is also gaining popularity.

For example, Annex Flops ^TM Ria personal media players (Nexperia ^TM Personal Media Player) of Philips Corporation provides a reference design for mobile device manufacturers. This provides high resolution video recording and playback as well as connectivity to PCs and home entertainment systems. Personal media players based on the design allow consumers to have wired or wireless connections to PCs and home entertainment devices that record and store high quality digital audio and video, watch movies, listen to music, and view photos on the go. Makes it possible. The media player provides compatibility with a variety of audio and video standards, including MP3, AAC, Dolby® Digital, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and DivX®.

Due to the expansion of the available content, current media players typically help users in making choices among media items (eg, songs, or television or radio programs) by providing recommendations and creating a playlist of programs. For example, user preferences can be developed, for example, by providing a user interface that asks the user to identify the type of music the user is interested in. In addition, the media player may use logic to track the user's selections over time to learn the type of content the user is interested in. The media player may recommend content in the playlist. For example, the portable media player can automatically create a playlist of songs and display information such as title and artist on the media player's display.

While most media players provide the feature of automatic playlist creation, this is generally limited to certain metadata or other song features such as genre, artist and album. In particular, the available solutions do not take into account the changing environment of the user to create a playlist that provides a more enjoyable and interesting experience for the user, but is customized based on the criteria of the user's particular interests.

The present invention provides a method and system for automatically generating a playlist based on data about a vehicle such as geographical position and speed, or dynamically changing criteria such as ambient light levels while at home. Eliminate these and other problems.

The user can select a dynamic criterion that represents the user's mood and / or current preferences in a much better way than existing criteria such as genre, artist, or album. The personal play list may be generated once per specific period of time based on the dynamic data or at other times as guaranteed by the dynamic data.

In one aspect of the invention, a method of generating a playlist of media items for a media player comprises: (a) obtaining data about a dynamically changing criterion of a user environment, (b) at least one of a plurality of media items Mapping data based on the dynamically varying criteria to the plurality of media items to select a as at least one matching media item, and (c) generating a playlist including the at least one matching media item. It includes.

In another aspect, a method of generating a playlist of media items for a media player includes: (a) determining a geographic location of the vehicle, and (b) among points of interest in which the geographic location is close to the geographic location of the vehicle. Accessing a database identifying a plurality of points of interest and corresponding geographic locations to determine at least one, (c) selecting at least one of the plurality of media items as at least one matching media item Mapping at least one of the points to a plurality of media items, and (d) generating a playlist that includes at least one matching media item.

In another aspect, a method of generating a playlist of media items for a media player includes: (a) obtaining data for a vehicle, (b) at least one matching at least one of the plurality of media items Mapping the data for the vehicle to the plurality of media items for selection, and (c) generating a playlist including at least one matching media item.

Corresponding media player apparatus and program storage devices may also be provided.

In all the figures, corresponding parts are represented by the same reference numerals.

1 is a block diagram of a media player in accordance with the present invention.

2 illustrates an exemplary media player user interface in accordance with the present invention.

3 illustrates a process of mapping ambient light levels to media items to select matching media items, in accordance with the present invention.

4 illustrates a process for mapping a geographic location of a vehicle to media items to select a matching media item, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process for mapping data for a vehicle to media items to select a matching media item, in accordance with the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 6 illustrates a process for mapping a vehicle speed to media items to select a matching media item, in accordance with the present invention. FIG.

The present invention can be used with any type of media player that automatically generates a playlist of media items played by the system. Examples of media players include hard disk device (HDD) music players, set top boxes, home media players, personal computers, portable MP3 players, vehicle based systems, and the like. Playlists typically provide a list of correlated media items (eg, songs, courses, TV programs, slides in a slide show). Songs may refer to similar artists or genres and may use user preferences stored by the media player. Moreover, electronic program guides (EPGs) are generally used to determine if programs are scheduled for broadcast. Therefore, a playlist can be created for valuable evening TV viewing, for example by selecting programs from the EPG. Many media players also provide a record of broadcast programs for continuous playback at any time.

1 shows a block diagram of an example media player. In FIG. 1, block 105 is a "vehicle interface", block 108 is a "location device", block 109 is a "database", block 110 is a "user interface", and block ( 115 is "photo detector", block 120 is "memory", block 130 is "processor", block 140 is "content player", and block 145 is "user preferences" Block 150 is " content storage ", and block 160 is " meta data ". The media player 100 includes a processor 130 and a memory 120. The memory 102 may be storage instructions, such as software, micro-code or firmware, performed by the processor 130 to achieve the described functionality. Therefore, memory 120 may be considered a program storage device that substantially incorporates executable instructions. Such program storage device may be installed in a media player or provided as a removable medium such as a CDROM or a portable USB flash memory. User preference block 145 represents user preference data maintained by a media player for one or more users. This data indicates, for example, that the user likes any music genre. Content storage 150 stores a database of media items, including audio content (eg, songs, courses), video content (eg, digital photos), and audio / video content (eg, movies). Represents a storage resource. The content storage device 150 can be a hard disk drive, flash memory, or any other memory resource. Content player 140 may be an audio and / or video player that processes content (eg, by performing decompression and decoding) from content storage 150 that provides a suitable output signal, such as a display or an audio amplifier. The user interface 110 may provide a display such as an LCD screen or possibly a voice / audio interface that allows a user to enter a command.

Meta data block 160 represents metadata stored for media items in content storage 150. Meta data may optionally be stored with the media items as well as itself. The metadata may include information such as genre, artist, and album title, song features such as tempo and beats per minute, keywords, and lyrics. The metadata may also indicate whether the media item is expected to be popular with any user based on demographic factors such as age, age, and the like. The metadata of the songs can be obtained from various sources. For example, an audio ringer printing technique may be used that is available from Philips Corporation and has access to a database such as Gracenote Corporation's CDDB® database (Emeryville, Calif.). Moreover, the metadata may be based on ID3 tagging used for MP3 songs or similar mechanisms for AAC songs or other song types. Note that ID3 tags can be extended with additional information as needed.

Vehicle interface 105 enables a media player to receive data from a system in a vehicle, such as a vehicle. For example, the vehicle interface 105 may communicate with a speedometer, odometer, or a computer receiving data from the speedometer and / or odometer to learn the speed at which the vehicle is moving. The current speed as well as the average speed over time can be obtained. Media player 100 may be installed in a vehicle on a permanent basis, or may be removably connected by wire or port. In this way, media player 100 can obtain data about the vehicle. Data other than speed can be obtained if appropriate data is maintained by the vehicle. This can be accelerated in relation to forces such as whether the sunroof is open or the convertible top is down, the automatic transmission is in winter driving mode or high performance mode, and whether the weather control system is delivering hot or cold air. And a deceleration / breaking force. Vehicle interface 105 may also be in communication with in-vehicle locating device 108 that is used to determine the geographic location of the vehicle. For example, the positioning device may include a wireless receiver, such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. Such receivers are becoming more common as vehicle navigation systems become popular. Such receivers may include an associated database 109 that the location device 108 stores information such as speed limits and points of interest indexed by geographic location. The location device 108 and associated database 109 are alternatively provided to the media player 100 itself.

The user interface 110 allows a user to enter commands into the media player 100 and provides the user with information such as a player list through the display.

The light detector 115 detects the ambient light level in a user environment, such as a room in which the user is located. The ambient light level may also represent high level front doors. Any type of light detector that detects light in the spectrum visible to humans can be used for this purpose. For example, photo sensors of the type that detect ambient light may be used to adjust the brightness of the electronic display. Moreover, one or more light detectors may be installed in the media system 100, or the light level data is provided by an external sensor and communicated to the media system 100 via a wired or wireless path. For example, the light detector can communicate with the home network, which in turn communicates with the media player 100.

2 illustrates an exemplary media player user interface in accordance with the present invention. Exemplary user interface 200 includes a display 210 that displays a playlist. In one possibility, the media player interface 200 is a self-contained media player, such as a portable media player. In addition, the media player interface 200 may be provided to a device such as a portable remote control used to communicate with other components within a home media player. For example, display 210 may be present in a TV remote control to provide a playlist of TV programs. Additional buttons may be provided to control the TV, and the buttons may also be created on the display 210 as touch screen buttons. In another example, media player interface 200 is a remote control for a CD player, and display 210 provides a playlist of songs available from the CD library. In another example, media player interface 200 is part of a digital camera and display 210 provides a playlist of images stored in the camera. Various other possibilities are apparent to those skilled in the art. The media player interface 200 includes an input device 220 such as arrow shaped buttons that allow a user to enter commands and view a playlist. The particular device shown is merely an example, and other devices are possible. Other interface mechanisms can also be used, such as a video / audio interface. In addition, the display 210 may be a touch screen that allows a user to input commands by touch.

3 illustrates a process of matching ambient light level to media items to select a matching media item, in accordance with the present invention. Block 300 is "detecting the ambient light level", block 310 is "classifying the ambient light level" and block 320 is "mediating the category to find matching media items." Mapping to items ", and block 330 is" creating a play list ". In general, the present invention allows a playlist to be generated based on dynamically changing conditions in a user environment. One condition is the ambient light level, such as in the room in which the user is located. At different times of the day, the ambient light of the room changes, for example, from shining brightly in the day to less bright in the evening or at dusk. Moreover, light intensity can be measured inside the room or at the front doors. The measuring room may be influenced by the user by the pulled curtain or by the electric lights that are turned on or off. According to one feature of the invention, as the room becomes dark, the playlist of the media device 100 may be updated to add songs related to the changed environment. Changes in the ambient light level can be monitored for a period of time, for example. Moreover, the playlist may be updated based on the light level on an absolute scale or based on changes in the light level over time.

Light detector 115 measures light intensity, which may be classified into one of a number of categories, for example, based on numerical and / or quantitative scales (block 310). The measured ages and / or categories may be characterized by one or more corresponding keywords, such as dark, day, bright, twilight, dusk, dawn, and the like. When the new value of light intensity is different from the previous value, such as an hour or earlier, the modified playlist can be created by modifying media items in the playlist to be played. The entire playlist can also be modified in case of repeated play.

Songs may be selected for a playlist based on a comparison of their metadata with keywords representing light intensity. However, no metadata is needed because various algorithms can be used to find songs similar to songs that represent a dynamic reference such as ambient light level. For example, soft songs can be associated with low ambient light levels. In particular, to modify the playlist, the category in which the light intensity is classified is mapped to the media items to find matching media items (block 320). In one possible approach, the ambient light level can be converted to metadata to create a matching criterion for the metadata of the media items. The mapping may also indicate user preferences 145 in determining matching media items and generating a play list (block 330). Therefore, the present invention can provide a mapping between dynamic data and metadata of media items including standard metadata such as song titles, artists, keywords, and song lyrics. For example, when the light intensity indicates morning based on the gradual increase in brightness, the song "Good day sunshine" may be selected for the playlist. Also, when the light intensity indicates that it is evening based on the gradually decreasing brightness, the song "Tonight's the night" can be selected for the playlist.

In general, a media player allows a user to select from one or more different types of dynamic data to create a playlist through user interface 110. The type of dynamic data may be selected by the user based on, for example, the user's current mood or interest. In one possible approach, the dynamic data of the selected type is recorded for practical use in generating the playlist. In addition, the media player can immediately create a modified new playlist. Other examples of dynamic data that can be used include ambient sound levels. When the sound level is relatively high, relaxing songs may be selected, for example to calm the user. Day time can also be used as dynamic data so that playlists created in the morning are different from those created in the evening. Media player 100 may install a clock to obtain this data.

As an example of using user preferences 145, the user's age and age may be used to select one of a number of different songs that are potential matches. For example, a song recorded years ago may appeal to older users, while a newer version of the same song may appeal to younger users. Also, one user may prefer the genre of songs from old movies, while another user prefers the Motown genre. Various other examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Note that a new playlist can be created based on the dynamic data of each media item. For example, all songs on the playlist may be related to morning when the dynamic data relates to ambient light, indicating that the ambient light is morning. In addition, a predetermined portion of the playlist, such as half of the songs, may be based on dynamic data, while the other half is generated in a conventional manner. Moreover, the existing playlist can be modified to include songs related to the dynamic data by replacing some of the media items on the existing playlist. Therefore, both new playlist and modified playlist can be created. Also note that the generated playlists can be saved by the user and subsequently reused. Moreover, the playlist can be updated over time as changes in dynamic criteria are detected. In addition, the playlist may be fixed once created even when changes in the dynamic criteria are detected by the media player.

4 illustrates a process for mapping a geographic location of a vehicle to a media item to select a matching media item, in accordance with the present invention. Block 400 is "determining the geographical location of the vehicle", block 410 is "accessing the database to identify points of interest", and block 420 is "finding matching media items". Mapping the point of interest to the media items, ”and block 430 is“ generating the play list. ” In general, the location of the user or vehicle to which the user travels may be used as a dynamic criterion for generating a playlist, eg related to different points of interest along a road or other travel path. When traveling on a vehicle, such as a car, or on a bicycle, plane or boat, or on foot, a user may have different interests, such as certain towns, neighborhoods, mountains, rivers, lakes, amusement parks, restaurants, buildings, etc. Can pass through the points. Points of interest may also include roads.

The geographic location may be determined using the locator 108, such as a GPS based car navigation system (block 400). These systems use radio receivers that receive signals from three or more satellites and perform triangulation to accurately indicate where they can be represented by latitude and path. Moreover, such navigation systems typically include a database 109 that identifies various points of interest and their geographical locations. Such a database may be accessed to identify the user's location, such as the current location, and one or more locations of interest approximating the location where the user is expected to arrive soon based on the user's current speed and direction. The point of interest may be mapped to the media items to find matching media items (block 420) and to generate a playlist (block 430). Songs may be selected again for a playlist based on their meta data and comparison of the metadata and keywords representing points of interest.

For example, when it is determined that the user is driving in San Francisco City, songs associated with this city may be added to a playlist such as "I left my heart in San Francisco". When a user is determined to be driving in Haight-Ashbury near San Francisco, the hippie-era songs related to that neighborhood are added to a playlist such as "If you're going to San Francisco." Can be added. The amount of time the vehicle is within the geographic area can also be considered. For example, when a vehicle arrives within a new geographic area, songs related to that area may be added to the playlist more often than when located within that area based on the progression of the vehicle.

As before, user preferences may also be considered. User preferences can be related to points of interest as well as to media items. For example, a user may have a preference for a French restaurant stored in user preferences 145, in which case a French song may be added to the playlist when the user is driving near a French restaurant. In addition, the user may have a preference for any musician genre, in which case a matching song having the same genre may be selected from among other potential matches, media items based on the mapping of the geographic location. .

5 shows a process for mapping data about a vehicle to media items to select a matching media item, in accordance with the present invention. Block 500 is "obtaining data about the vehicle", block 510 is "mapping data to media items to find matching media items", and block 520 is "playlist". Generation step ". The dynamic data used by the media system can determine whether the sunroof is open or the convertible top is down, whether the automatic transmission is in winter driving mode or high performance mode, and whether the weather control system is delivering hot or cold air. In relation to the forces such as, the vehicle speed, acceleration, deceleration / braking forces may be further included.

Data about the vehicle may be obtained by the media system, for example, by communicating with computers and / or sensors in the vehicle via the vehicle interface 105 (block 510). For example, it may be determined that the vehicle has been driving relatively slowly for a long period of time, i.e., in a traffic jam, in which case a song associated with traffic such as "Crosstown traffic" may be selected to generate a playlist (block 520)). In another example, a song related to an open road, such as "On the road again," may be selected if the vehicle indicates that the speed of the vehicle is running on the highway, for example based on a constant highway speed over a period of time. . In general, media player 100 may process speed data from a vehicle to obtain a profile that indicates how the vehicle is operated. Data from other vehicle systems can also be used. For example, if the vehicle is in winter driving mode, a song related to winter driving such as "Let it snow" may be selected. If the sunroof is opened, a song like "Let the sun shine" can be selected. Again, user preferences can be included in the mapping (block 510).

6 shows a process for mapping the speed of a vehicle to media items to select a matching media item, in accordance with the present invention. Block 600 is "determining the speed of the vehicle", block 610 is "determining the geographical location of the vehicle", and block 620 is "identifying the speed limit for the geographical location." Accessing the database, and block 630 is "determining whether or not the vehicle is speeding up," and block 640 is "matching media with a slow tempo if the vehicle is speeding up." Mapping the determination as to whether the vehicle is speeding up to the media items to find the items, and block 650 is "creating the play list". In this aspect of the invention, the dynamic operation used by the media system relates to the speed of the vehicle and to whether the vehicle is speeding up, for example exceeding the speed limit.

To achieve this, the speed of the vehicle is determined, as mentioned above, by accessing speed data determined by the vehicle's computer (block 600). It is also possible to derive the velocity from the positioning device 108 by determining the change in distance versus time. Moreover, the geographical location of the vehicle is determined by accessing a GPS receiver in the vehicle, as mentioned above (block 610). At block 620, the database 109 may be accessed to determine a speed limit for the road on which the vehicle is currently moving. In particular, the database 109 may be comprised of speed limit data organized by geographic location for major roads, including highways. This data can also indicate general speed within a town, such as on residential streets or state. The location detector 108 has sufficient accuracy to determine which road the vehicle is traveling on. At block 630, it is determined whether the vehicle is speeding up by comparing the current speed with the applicable speed limit for the road the vehicle is currently traveling on. Instantaneous or average speed versus time can be used. Moreover, the degree of speeding may be categorized, for example, into category 1 for up to 10 mi / h over the limit, category 2 for up to 20 mi / h over the limit, and the like.

At block 640, the determination of speed is mapped to media items to find matching media items. For example, if the vehicle is speeding up, a media item with a relatively slow tempo or beat may be selected to relax the driver and encourage the driver to drive slower. Also, a relatively high category of speeding may be mapped to media items with a relatively low tempo or bit. Information about the tempo and / or beat of a song can be extracted from the songs using algorithms available from Philips Corporation and saved as metadata. Songs are selected again for the playlist based on their metadata, in particular information about the tempo and / or beat of the song (block 650). User preferences may be included in the mapping again (block 640).

While shown and described in light of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the precise forms described and illustrated, but to cover all modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (23)

In the method for generating a playlist of media items for the media player 100, Obtaining (300) data regarding dynamically changing criteria of the user environment; Mapping (320) the data based on the dynamically varying criteria to the plurality of media items to select at least one of the plurality of media items as at least one matching media item; And Generating (330) a playlist comprising the at least one matching media item. The method of claim 1, Classifying the dynamically changing criteria into one of a plurality of different categories (310), And the mapping is in response to the category in which the dynamically varying criteria are classified. The method of claim 1, The mapping responds to metadata (160) associated with the plurality of media items. The method of claim 1, wherein the data about the dynamically varying criteria is indicative of a change in ambient light level (115) in the environment over a period of time. The method of claim 1, The mapping is responsive to user preferences (145). The method of claim 1, And wherein said dynamically varying criterion is indicative of an ambient light level (115) in said environment. The method of claim 1, And the playlist is fixed once created even when changes in the dynamically changing criteria are detected by the media player. The method of claim 1, And the generated playlist is updated when changes in the dynamically changing criteria are detected by the media player. In a media player device, At least one processor 130; And At least one program storage device 120 that actually embeds instructions executable by the at least one processor to perform a method of generating a playlist of media items, The method is: Mapping (320) data based on dynamically changing criteria to the plurality of media items to select at least one of the plurality of media items as at least one matching media item; And Generating (330) a playlist comprising the at least one matching media item. A method of creating a playlist of media items for a media player, the method comprising: Obtaining 400 indicative of the geographical location of the vehicle; Accessing (410) a database (109) identifying a plurality of points of interest and corresponding geographic locations for determining at least one of the points of interest whose geographical location is close to the geographical location of the vehicle; Mapping (420) at least one of the points of interest to the plurality of media items to select at least one of the plurality of media items as at least one matching media item; And Generating (430) a playlist comprising the at least one matching media item. The method of claim 10, And wherein the geographic location of the vehicle is determined using a global positioning system (GPS) wireless receiver (108). The method of claim 10, And the mapping is responsive to metadata (160) associated with the plurality of points of interest. The method of claim 10, The mapping is responsive to user preferences (145). In a media player device, At least one processor 130; And At least one program storage device 120 that actually embeds instructions executable by the at least one processor to perform a method of generating a playlist of media items, The method is: Accessing 410 a database 109 that identifies a plurality of points of interest and geographic locations corresponding thereto to determine at least one of the points of interest whose geographic location is close to the vehicle's geographic location; Mapping (420) at least one of the points of interest to the plurality of media items to select at least one of the plurality of media items as at least one matching media item; And Generating (430) a playlist comprising the at least one matching media item. A method of creating a playlist of media items for a media player, the method comprising: Obtaining 500 data about the vehicle; Mapping (510, 640) data about the vehicle to select at least one of a plurality of media items as at least one matching media item; And Generating (520) a playlist that includes the at least one matching media item. The method of claim 15, The data relating to the vehicle indicates the geographical position of the vehicle and the speed of the vehicle, The method is: Accessing (620) a database (109) that identifies the speed limits at different geographic locations to determine one of the speed limits that apply at the geographic location of the vehicle; And Determining (630) whether the vehicle is speeding based on a comparison between the speed of the vehicle and an applicable speed limit, And the mapping (640) is responsive to determining whether the vehicle is speeding up. The method of claim 16, And wherein the mapping uses tempos or beats of the plurality of media items. The method of claim 17, The tempo or bit of at least one of the plurality of media items selected is relatively slow when the determining step determines that the vehicle is speeding. The method of claim 16, The mapping is responsive to user preferences (145). In a media player device, At least one processor 130; And At least one program storage device 120 that actually embeds instructions executable by at least one processor for performing a method of generating a playlist of media items, The method is: Mapping (510, 640) data about the vehicle to the plurality of media items to select at least one of the plurality of media items as at least one matching media item; And Generating (520) a playlist comprising the at least one matching media item. The method of claim 20, The data relating to the vehicle indicates the geographical position of the vehicle and the speed of the vehicle, The at least one program storage device accesses (620) a database 109 that identifies the speed limits at different geographical locations to determine one of the speed limits that apply at the geographical location of the vehicle, Actually embedding instructions executable by at least one processor for performing a method in which the vehicle determines 630 whether the vehicle is speeding based on a comparison between the speed of the vehicle and an applicable speed limit. and, The mapping (640) is responsive to determining whether the vehicle is speeding up. The method of claim 20, And the mapping uses tempos or bits of the plurality of media items. The method of claim 22, The tempo or bit of at least one of the plurality of selected media items is relatively slow when the determining step determines that the vehicle is speeding up.

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