(12) United States Patent
`Treyz et al.
`
`I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`US006678215Bl
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`Jan.13,2004
`
`(54) DIGITALAUDIO DEVICES
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: G. Victor Treyz, 37 Vanderburgh Ave.,
`Larchmont, NY (US) 10538; Susan M.
`Treyz, 37 Vanderburgh Ave.,
`Larchmont, NY (US) 10538
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/528,814
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 20, 2000
`
`(51)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`( 60) Provisional application No. 60/173,247, filed on Dec. 28,
`1999.
`Int. Cl.7 ........................ G94B 47/00; G94B 47/02;
`G94B 23/02; H04B 1/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................. 368/10; 368/12; 368/13;
`368/73; 379/110.01
`(58) Field of Search ............................... 368/10, 11, 12,
`368/47, 72-74, 185-187, 250, 251; 379/110.01,
`102.01, 102.03
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,783,800 A * 11/1988 Levine ........................ 379/67
`5,440,559 A * 8/1995 Gaskill ...................... 370/95.1
`
`5,677,895 A * 10/1997 Mankovitz ................... 368/10
`5,805,530 A * 9/1998 Youngberg ................... 368/47
`5,832,067 A * 11/1998 Herold .................. 379/110.01
`5,886,952 A * 3/1999 White
`......................... 368/10
`6,151,278 A * 11/2000 Najarian ...................... 368/12
`6,215,862 Bl * 4/2001 Lopes
`................... 379/110.01
`6,229,430 Bl * 5/2001 Dewey .................. 340/286.02
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Vit Miska
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An alarm clock radio is provided that handles downloaded
`audio files and streaming digital audio files. The alarm clock
`radio may have buttons and displays that allow the user to
`adjust various alarm clock radio settings. The user may also
`adjust settings remotely over the Internet or over an in-home
`network. The user may customize the audio content that is
`provided with the alarm clock radio. Advertisements may be
`provided to the user. The user may be provided with an
`opportunity to subscribe to a content service. Content such
`as Internet radio station content, e-mail, news and other
`audio content may be provided to the user from the service.
`The user may set reminders for particular times and dates
`using the alarm clock radio. The alarm clock radio may also
`have a telephone handset. The alarm clock radio may have
`buttons and knobs and may provide on-screen options that
`allow the user to tune to AM and FM and Internet radio
`stations and to control the operation of the alarm clock radio.
`
`4 Claims, 19 Drawing Sheets
`
`24
`
`14
`
`ALARM
`CLOCK
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`INTERNET
`RADIO
`SERVER
`
`CLOCK
`TIME
`SERVER
`
`22
`
`NEWS
`SERVER
`
`12
`
`ALARM CLOCK
`RADIO OR
`OTHER AUDIO
`DEVICE
`
`INTERNET
`RADIO
`SERVER
`
`16
`
`20
`
`NON-INTERNET
`AUDIO SOURCES
`
`28
`
`USER'S
`COMPUTER
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.13,2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`24
`
`14
`
`ALARM
`CLOCK
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`INTERNET
`RADIO
`SERVER
`
`CLOCK
`TIME
`SERVER
`
`22
`
`NEWS
`SERVER
`
`12
`
`ALARM CLOCK
`RADIO OR
`OTHER AUDIO
`DEVICE
`
`FIG. 1
`
`INTERNET
`RADIO
`SERVER
`
`16
`
`20
`
`NON-INTERNET
`AUDIO SOURCES
`
`28
`
`USER'S
`COMPUTER
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13,2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`E-MAIL SERVER
`
`SERVICE
`PROVIDER
`
`COMPUTING
`EQUIPMENT
`
`32
`
`18
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`NETWORK
`
`12a
`
`I DEVl~I
`
`12c
`
`COMPUTING
`EQUIPMENT
`
`50
`
`46
`
`DEVICE
`
`DEVICE
`
`30
`
`44
`
`RESIDENTIAL
`t-----1 GATEWAY
`
`DEVICE
`
`45
`
`12b
`
`FIG. 2
`
`- - -1 DEVICE
`
`48
`
`~ 12d
`1 DEVIC11
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`12e
`
`DEVICE
`
`54
`
`12f
`
`DEVICE
`
`56
`
`52
`
`PERSONAL
`COMPUTER
`OR OTHER
`COMPUTING
`DEVICE
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13,2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`12~
`
`68
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`CIRCUITRY
`
`MODEM
`CIRCUITRY
`
`72
`
`74
`
`76
`
`WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATIONS
`CIRCUITRY
`LONG-RANGE
`WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATIONS
`CIRCUITRY
`
`SHORT-RANGE
`WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATIONS
`CIRCUITRY
`
`78
`L/
`
`AM AND FM
`RECEIVERS
`
`70
`
`AUDIO
`OUTPUT
`60
`62
`
`SPEAKERS
`
`CONTROL
`CIRCUITRY
`AND
`MEMORY
`
`58
`
`64
`
`DISPLAY
`
`66
`
`USER INPUT
`INTERFACE
`(E.G., BUTTONS,
`TELEPHONE
`HANDSET, ETC.)
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 2004
`
`Sheet 5 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`ESTABLISH
`
`8 0
`
`COMMUNICATIONS u
`
`LINK WITH AUDIO
`SOURCE (E.G.,
`ESTABLISH
`INTERNET LINK)
`
`H
`82
`DOWNLOAD MP3
`FILE AND PLAY IT ,v
`BACK OR RECEIVE
`STREAMING AUDIO
`AND PLAY
`THROUGH RADIO
`IN REAL TIME
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 2004
`
`Sheet 6 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`ALLOW SENDER TO
`SEND E-MAIL TO
`USER
`
`ROUTE E-MAIL TO
`E-MAIL SERVER
`
`84
`
`86
`
`RETRIEVE E-MAIL
`FROM E-MAIL SERVER
`
`PRESENT E-MAIL TO
`USER
`
`88
`
`90
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.13,2004
`
`Sheet 7 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`12 I
`
`BAND (AM/FM/CUSTOM}
`
`6:05 PM
`
`FM
`...,__+--------i AM
`
`112
`
`100
`
`98
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 8
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 2004
`
`Sheet 8 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`"\/114 ~116
`
`FIG. 8a
`
`/
`12
`
`DISPLAY
`
`<J
`C>
`V 116a
`d..120
`~118
`I BAND SELECT I
`I ON/OFF/ALARM I
`I l<<l<lol>l>>I
`I SNOOZE
`~
`122
`
`'-,124
`
`FIG. 8b
`
`c::126
`BBC RADIO 4 NET
`
`128
`
`15:~AM I
`
`FIG. 8c
`
`0 130u132
`
`TUNING VOLUME
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 2004
`
`Sheet 9 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`SELECT BAND
`
`<1 FM t>
`
`~134
`
`USER PRESSES RIGHT ARROW KEY
`
`<1 INTERNETt>
`
`i'-136
`
`USER SELECTS INTERNET
`
`SELECT REGION
`t> NORTH AMERICA
`EUROPE
`ASIA
`MORE
`
`'-138
`
`USER SELECTS NORTH AMERICA
`
`SELECT COUNTRY
`
`t> UNITED STATES
`CANADA
`
`-.......140
`
`FIG. 9a
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 2004
`
`Sheet 10 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`USER SELECTS UNITED STATES
`
`SELECT TYPE
`t> ADULT CONTEMPORARY f"'- 142
`BLUES
`CLASSICAL
`MORE~142a
`
`USER SELECTS BLUES
`
`SELECT STATION
`
`l> CHICAGO BLUES
`BLUES TODAY
`WBLU BOSTON
`MORE
`
`~144
`
`USER SELECTS WBLU BOSTON
`
`CURRENT SELECTION
`
`WBLU BOSTON
`
`r"'-146
`
`FIG. 9b
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 11
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13,2004
`
`Sheet 11 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`158
`
`148
`
`DISPLAY
`
`CLOCK AND
`ALARM SET
`
`I <] I D I [> I
`E-MAIL
`CONTROLS 160 ~ c:162
`I ON/OFF/ALARM I
`3
`2
`1
`c::::i
`c::::i
`C
`4
`5
`6
`C
`C
`C
`!SCAN!
`
`BAND
`SELECT
`CONTROLS
`
`SNOOZE
`
`TELEPHONE
`HANDSET
`
`ASSIGNABLE
`STATION BUTTONS
`
`164
`
`DIGITAL TUNING
`CONTROL
`
`150
`FIG. 1 Oa
`
`~
`12
`152
`
`154
`
`156
`
`166
`
`FIG. 1 Ob
`
`BBC RADIO 2 NET
`
`I s:20AM I
`
`STATION
`
`168 \-----MO_N_O ______ __
`
`FIG. 1 Oc 11~TeReoC)sT:D:M J~
`
`VOLUME
`
`172
`
`BASS TREBLE BALANCE
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 12
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.13,2004
`
`Sheet 12 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`FIG. 11a
`
`~
`12
`
`12 j
`
`DISPLAY
`
`PLAY MESSAGES {
`
`178 SET
`
`l-17s CLOCK H M S
`I
`NEXT MESSAGE h180 I <lJ? JJ I
`
`DELETE MESSAGE k_182
`AM FM INTERNET
`I I
`I
`I I
`I
`I
`1921 SNOOZE
`
`184
`
`OFF ON ALARM
`I I I
`I
`'
`I
`I
`(188
`
`FIG. 11 b
`
`11 11111 I I I I
`AM 11111
`111 11 1 1 11 1 , 1 1 , 1 1
`FM
`NET 11 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I r---
`196
`194-L--~~~~~~~~~~~~~-
`
`,198
`l
`5:20AM
`
`FIG. 11c 0 200 u202
`
`TUNING
`
`VOLUME
`
`204
`FIG. 11d
`
`206 ~y
`POWER ~ COMMUNICATIONS
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 13
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 2004
`
`Sheet 13 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`COLLECT
`INFORMATION
`ON USER'S
`....-..-~212
`INTERESTS
`
`, ,
`USER INFORMATION ON ~214
`USER'S INTERESTS WHEN
`PROVIDING AUDIO
`CONTENT TO USER
`
`FIG. 12
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 14
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13,2004
`
`Sheet 14 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`ENTER PRODUCT ID ---~~--~218
`
`216
`
`TELEPHONE NO.
`---~~~----1"220
`TIME TO DOWNLOAD I 3:00 AM IV r'-222
`
`CHANNEL SELECTION
`I COUNTRY FAVORITES fvr- 224
`
`FIG. 13
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 15
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.13,2004
`
`Sheet 15 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`226
`
`ENTER PRODUCT ID
`l
`
`USER NAME
`
`...... ~~~t-/228
`!
`t°'-230
`
`PASSWORD
`
`~232
`
`SET UP SCHEDULE
`
`SEGMENT NO.
`
`CONTENT
`
`DURATION
`
`~234
`
`1
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`BBC RADIO 5
`
`5 MINUTES
`
`E-MAIL
`
`UNTIL FINISHED
`
`KFRR-SAN FRAN. UNLIMITED
`
`SUBMIT l-_236
`
`FIG. 14
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 16
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 2004
`
`Sheet 16 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`PROVIDE USER WITH
`OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE
`AUDIO DEVICE SETIINGS
`AND PREFERENCES
`REMOTELY
`
`~238
`
`' '
`
`APPLY SETTINGS AND
`PREFERENCES TO AUDIO
`DEVICE IN ADVANCE OR IN
`REAL TIME
`
`240
`
`FIG. 15
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 17
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 2004
`
`Sheet 17 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`PROVIDE USER WITH
`OPPORTUNITY TO RECORD "-
`REMINDERS AND TO ASSIGN
`TIMES AND DATES FOR THE
`REMINDERS
`
`242
`
`PLAY BACK REMINDER FOR ~244
`USER AT ASSIGNED TIME
`AND DATE
`
`FIG. 16
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 18
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 2004
`
`Sheet 18 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`PROVIDE
`OPPORTUNITY ~ 246
`FOR USER TO SET
`ALARM TIME
`
`' \ / 248
`
`PROVIDE
`OPPORTUNITY
`FOR USER TO
`SELECT WHICH
`AUDIO TO PLAY
`UPON WAKE-UP
`
`DOWNLOAD AUDIO
`IN ADVANCE (IF
`DESIRED)
`
`250
`
`AT ALARM TIME PLAY ~ 252
`SELECTED AUDIO (E.G .•
`PLAY STORED AUDIO OR
`PLAY STREAMING AUDIO
`IN REAL TIME)
`
`FIG. 17
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 19
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 13, 2004
`
`Sheet 19 of 19
`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`PROVIDE USER WITH
`OPPORTUNITY TO
`SUBSCRIBE TO SERVICE
`
`2
`54
`rv
`
`~ .
`PROVIDE USER WITH
`OPPORTUNITY TO
`ADJUST PREFERENCES
`
`256
`~
`
`58
`
`2 rv
`
`u
`PROVIDE TARGETED
`ADVERTISEMENTS AND
`OTHER CONTENT TO
`AUDIO DEVICE BASED ON
`USER'S SELECTED
`PREFERENCES AND
`OTHER INFORMATION ON
`USER'S INTERESTS
`
`FIG. 18
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 20
`
`

`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`1
`DIGITALAUDIO DEVICES
`
`This application claims the benefit of United States
`provisional patent application No. 60/173,247, filed Dec. 28,
`1999.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This application relates to audio devices, and more
`particularly, to audio devices such as alarm clocks and
`radios.
`Alarm clocks and clock radios are well known. Such
`devices allow users to set a wake-up time at which an alarm
`buzzer is triggered or the radio portion of the clock radio
`begins to play. However, the types of audio signals that are
`handled by such devices are limited.
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`improved audio devices such as improved radios and
`improved clock radios.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide
`audio devices that can handle audio signals other than
`traditional radio broadcasts.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`lines using modem circuitry. A clock radio of this type may
`include telephone capabilities if desired.
`In general, the downloading of audio or the real time
`streaming of audio to an audio device requires that a
`5 communications path be established between the audio
`device and a desired audio source.
`The audio device, the audio source, or other suitable
`equipment ( e.g., a server on the Internet) may initiate the
`process of establishing the communications link. For
`10 example, if the audio device is a radio with a modem, the
`radio may automatically place a call to the audio source. If
`an audio file is being downloaded to an alarm clock device,
`this type of call may be placed early in the morning, well
`before the alarm is scheduled to go off. If audio is to be
`provided in real time, the alarm clock may establish the link
`15 just before wake-up time. The audio source may initiate the
`process of establishing the communications link by placing
`a call to the audio device at an appropriate time. In some
`arrangements (e.g., when the communications link is an
`Internet connection that is always on), the communications
`20 link may essentially have already been established.
`Suitable communications technologies for providing
`audio to the audio device include technologies based on
`satellite systems, fiber optics, cable, wireless links, micro-
`25 wave links, free-space optical links, combinations of such
`technologies, etc. Communications between the audio
`device and the audio source may be unidirectional (from the
`audio source to the audio device) or may be bidirectional.
`Communications may involve digital or analog transitions.
`30 Signals may also involve paging or other messaging
`transmissions, e-mail transmissions, voice mail
`transmissions, cellular telephone transmissions, wireless
`Internet transmissions, packet-based transmissions, any
`other suitable type of data transmissions, or a combination
`35 of such transmissions.
`The audio device may have appropriate communications
`hardware and software to support various communications
`functions. For example, the audio device may have FM and
`AM receivers, a receiver for a pager or other messaging
`service, a radio-frequency receiver, a modem, a telephone
`modem, a cellular modem, an integrated services digital
`network (ISDN) modem, a digital subscriber line (DSL)
`modem, a cable modem, or any other suitable communica(cid:173)
`tions circuitry. The audio device may be connected
`(wirelessly or with wire) to an in-home network that is
`connected to the Internet or other communications network
`by a computer or by a communications device. The choice
`of which of these arrangements to use may be based on
`economic and quality issues. For example, using higher
`bandwidth paths such as DSL paths may provide higher
`quality signals or faster download times, but may require
`more expensive hardware than using a lower bandwidth
`approach based, e.g., on a telephone line modem.
`If the audio device is an alarm clock, the device may have
`55 a clock (time) set feature and an alarm set feature. The time
`may be set manually or may be set automatically by the
`clock. To automatically set the time, the clock may auto(cid:173)
`matically call a predetermined number or otherwise estab(cid:173)
`lish a communications path that allows the clock to receive
`60 information on the current time. The alarm may be set to a
`desired wake-up time by the user.
`The clock may have a snooze function that allows the user
`to press a dedicated button to postpone the wake-up alarm by
`a few minutes.
`A band-select switch may be used to select between AM,
`FM, and Internet audio sources. The switch may be an
`analog mechanical switch or a digital switch.
`
`40
`
`45
`
`These and other objects of the invention are accomplished
`in accordance with the principles of the present invention by
`providing audio devices that handle audio signals other than
`traditional radio broadcasts. The audio devices may, for
`example, be alarm clocks, clock radios, radios, or the like.
`Audio signals may be provided to the audio devices over a
`communications network from a potentially distant location.
`The audio devices may handle audio such as prerecorded
`music, news, e-mail that is played using a voice-synthesizer,
`e-mail with voice attachments or other audio attachments,
`voice mail from a telephone, Internet radio (i.e., radio that is
`"broadcast" on the Internet and that may be a rebroadcast of
`a conventional radio station signal from a potentially distant
`location), or any other suitable audio content.
`The audio may be provided in the form of a downloaded
`digital file ( e.g., files in the MP-3 format or any other
`suitable digital audio format). Such downloaded audio may
`be played when an alarm goes off to wake up the user of a
`clock. Because alarm clock radios are often used only briefly
`in the morning, alarm clock devices may only require a few
`minutes of play time from a downloaded file. If more play
`time is desired, more memory may be provided in the clock
`to accommodate larger downloads. Memory devices such as
`solid-state memory circuits, hard drives ( e.g., miniature hard
`drives), or any other suitable storage arrangement may be
`used. An alarm clock radio may also automatically switch to
`an alternative audio source such as a live FM or AM
`broadcast if the stored audio runs out. If a downloaded file
`runs out during playback, the audio device may automati(cid:173)
`cally switch to such a real-time audio source.
`If desired, audio may also be provided in real time (e.g.,
`from an Internet radio source or the like). Such streaming
`digital audio is essentially unlimited, and will not run out.
`Streaming audio that is received in real time may be buffered
`using local memory to improve its quality.
`For clarity and brevity, the invention is often described in
`the context of a clock radio. However, the principles of the
`invention also apply to radios without clock radio functions,
`web appliances, and other such electronic audio devices.
`The audio devices may receive digital audio using any 65
`suitable communications technology. As one example, a
`clock radio device may receive digital audio over telephone
`
`50
`
`Netflix 1015 - Page 21
`
`

`
`US 6,678,215 Bl
`
`3
`E-mail messages may be sent to the audio device. The
`audio device (e.g., a clock) may have a unique e-mail
`address or may access the user's regular e-mail account. The
`audio device may retrieve e-mail by accessing a mail server
`to which the mail is directed. The mail server may be 5
`accessed at any convenient time, such as in the morning, just
`before an alarm awakens the user.
`E-mail may be viewed on a display such as a liquid crystal
`display that is part of the audio device. If desired, voice
`synthesis circuitry may be used to vocalize the e-mail 10
`messages so that the user may listen to them. If an e-mail
`message has a voice attachment, the voice attachment may
`be played for the user. The audio device may have built-in
`telephone functions. If the telephone is not answered, the
`audio device may store messages like an answering 15
`machine. Voice mail messages may be handled by a server
`( e.g., a server in the telephone network or a server accessible
`through the Internet). This server may be accessed by the
`audio device when it is desired to retrieve and play the user's
`voice mail. Voice mail may also be stored on a local 20
`computer to which the audio device is connected over an
`in-home network.
`Buttons may be provided on the audio device for playing,
`deleting, skipping, and reviewing messages, and performing
`any other suitable message management functions for e-mail 25
`and voice mail. If desired, a button or buttons on the audio
`device may be used to forward e-mail messages. Such
`buttons may be used when the user has more than one e-mail
`address. For example, the user may use one e-mail address
`for the audio device at home and another e-mail address for 30
`work. The user may press one or more of the buttons to
`forward all or some of the e-mail messages to the computer
`at work. If, for example, the user has just listened to or
`viewed an e-mail message using the audio device, the user
`may press a button that deletes that e-mail message from the 35
`audio device's e-mail list and forwards it to the user's work
`e-mail address. If desired, the audio device may be assigned
`the same e-mail address as the user's work address. Voice
`mail may also be forwarded using a dedicated button or
`buttons.
`The user may opt to be awakened by music, news, e-mail,
`voice mail, a standard alarm buzzer, or any other suitable
`audio source or combination of sources.
`The audio from these sources may be combined to form
`customized channels made up of portions of the various
`sources. For example, if the user enjoys country music,
`classical music, and sports news, these types of content may
`be combined (e.g., from Internet radio channels) into a
`custom channel. The user may schedule how portions or 50
`segments of the audio from various sources are to be played.
`For example, the user may select the content and the
`duration for desired audio segments. Customized content
`may be provided to the user by the audio device based on the
`user's interests.
`The user may inform the audio device of the user's
`interests or the user may inform a service associated with the
`audio device (e.g., a service implemented on a server
`accessed over the Internet) of the user's interests. Informa(cid:173)
`tion on the user's interests may also be collected automati- 60
`cally by monitoring the user's activities (e.g., by monitoring
`which stations the user listens to most often). If desired, the
`user's interests may be determined based on the user's
`interactions with web sites on the Internet that are not
`directly associated with the audio device (e.g., the user's
`interactions with a web site that sells compact disks or the
`like). Information on the user's interests may be provided to
`
`4
`a service ( e.g., an Internet-based service) that coordinates
`the delivery of customized audio content to the audio device
`for the user.
`If the audio device is a clock, the audio device may have
`a calendar function. The user may record an audio reminder
`and assign a date to it. When the date arrives, the reminder
`may be played back. The user may also enter text for the
`calendar using an alphanumeric keypad, a touch screen, or
`any other suitable user interface. An alphanumeric keypad
`may also be used to help the user select Internet radio
`stations by their full name (e.g., BBC radio 5) or to provide
`the audio device with any suitable alphanumeric commands.
`The audio device may have tuning controls that allow the
`user to tune to different audio content. For example, a
`manual tuning knob or digital tuning buttons may be used to
`tune to various AM, FM, and Internet stations. Analog or
`digital readouts may be used to display information on the
`current station to which the device is tuned.
`An analog readout may use a needle or other suitable
`indicator to show which station the radio is currently tuned
`to. AM and FM stations may be labeled by their assigned
`transmission frequencies. Popular Internet radio stations
`may be assigned to the dial based on their transmission
`frequencies in their local market. In situations with
`duplications, duplicated frequencies may be located one
`after the other. In an audio device with a digital station
`display panel, an alphanumeric description of the station
`(e.g., BBC radio 5) may be displayed on the display panel.
`Information on the current band (AM, FM, or NET) may
`also be displayed.
`With a digital tuning arrangement, up and down buttons
`may be used to allow the user to tune to different stations.
`Because the number of available Internet radio stations may
`be large (e.g., in the thousands), various layered menus may
`be used to assist the user in locating a station of interest. For
`example, menus may be presented on a display panel that
`allow the user to select Internet radio content based on
`geographic region, language of the content, or type of
`content (e.g., adult contemporary, alternative, blues,
`classical, news, sports, police radio, etc.) Internet radio
`stations may also be listed alphabetically or using any other
`suitable organization scheme. These organizational arrange(cid:173)
`ments may be used to assist the user in locating audio
`45 content from a variety of sources, including AM, FM,
`short-wave radio (if the radio has short-wave capabilities),
`non-Internet digital radio services provided over a broad(cid:173)
`band communications network, Internet radio, downloaded
`audio files, etc.
`Buttons may be provided on the audio device that allow
`the user to move a cursor through various menus and options
`that are displayed on the display panel and that allow the
`user to make desired selections. The buttons may include up
`and down and right and left arrow keys and a select or enter
`55 key. These buttons are merely illustrative. Any suitable
`buttons may be used if desired.
`Dedicated buttons may also be provided to control clock
`set and alarm set functions, to control e-mail and voice-mail
`playback, to control the display of e-mail, to control clock
`set-up functions ( e.g., relating to setting the date, the time
`zone, etc.), to control the snooze function, and to provide
`easy access to any other suitable functions. For example,
`buttons may be used to navigate between different audio
`segments during playback. Buttons may be used to select the
`65 types of music to be played. For example, one button may
`be used to play country music and another button may be
`used to play rock music. If a suitable display is used (e.g.,
`
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`a touch screen display with configurable on-screen labels),
`users may assign labels to certain buttons (e.g., a button may
`be labeled as the rock music button).
`In order to maintain a small size for the audio device, the
`audio device may omit the display or may use a small
`display. It may therefore be desirable to provide an off-site
`service with which the user may interact to establish certain
`settings for the audio device. The settings may be down(cid:173)
`loaded to the audio device for use by the audio device or may
`be used by the service in determining which types of content
`to provide to the user and in determining what features to
`provide to the user.
`For example, an off-site service may provide a web page
`that the user may interact with using a computing device
`such as a personal computer that is separate from the audio
`device (which may be, for example, a clock radio). If there
`are certain preferences or settings that the user wants to
`adjust ( e.g., favorite Internet radio stations that the user
`wants the radio to tune to, certain wake-up sequences of
`music, e-mail, and the like, or certain other settings), the user
`may provide information on those preferences and settings
`using the web page.
`As an example, an audio device may allow a user to set
`up 25 favorite stations. These stations may include, for
`example, Internet radio stations. Because hundreds or thou(cid:173)
`sands of stations are available, a web page including infor(cid:173)
`mation on various available stations may be used to help the
`user select the desired stations. The web page may be
`sponsored by a service associated with the audio device, 30
`may be a general directory, may be part of a radio station
`web site, or may be any other web page. The user may set
`up the stations for the clock radio that the user is interested
`in by clicking on links for stations that the user is interested
`in or by otherwise selecting the proper Internet addresses for 35
`the desired stations. Information on both non-Internet radio
`stations and Internet radio stations may be gathered using
`this type of remote interface.
`Once information identifying the user's station prefer(cid:173)
`ences and the like has been gathered, this information may
`be used when providing audio content to the user at the
`audio device. For example, the preference information may
`be used to select which audio content is provided to the
`audio device (e.g., as downloaded files). If desired, the
`station preference information may be provided to the audio
`device and stored in memory. When the user presses up and
`down tuning buttons on the audio device, the device may
`tune to the next available station in the group of stations
`selected by the user. Dedicated buttons (e.g., number
`buttons) may each be assigned a different Internet radio
`station or other audio source if desired, to facilitate direct
`tuning. Internet radio stations and other audio sources may
`also be assigned to custom station names that are accessible
`through the display panel. A scan feature may be provided
`using a dedicated button or a menu option. If the user directs 55
`the audio device to scan, the device may tune to each of the
`available stations in the current band. If desired, scanning
`may be limited to a portion of a band or may be limited to
`the stations in the user's preferences.
`Various audio device functions may be controlled using a 60
`remotely-accessed service such as a web-based service or
`the like. Functions that may be controlled in this way include
`setting the wake-up time for an alarm clock device, choosing
`a desired type of content ( classical music, rock music,
`certain Internet radio stations, customized stations, e-mail, 65
`news, stock reports, weather reports, etc.) to play upon
`wake-up in an alarm clock and in what order and for what
`
`6
`durations to play such content, choosing clock settings, such
`as time zone, daylight savings time, etc. These settings and
`preferences may be used in providing services to the audio
`device (e.g., when downloading content in advance or
`5 providing content in real time) or may be provided to the
`device and stored for local use by the device. If desired, web
`page interfaces or the like may be used to control or establish
`settings for the audio device or other such devices over a
`local communications link (e.g., an intranet link or an
`10 in-home network).
`A remote service for adjusting settings and preferences
`may be based on an Internet interface and accessed by the
`user with a separate web browser, may be based on an
`Internet interface and accessed with a web browser that is
`15 part of the alarm clock hardware, may be based on an
`automatic interactive telephone system that plays audio
`prompts for the user and responds when the user presses
`certain touch-tone key on the telephone keypad, may be
`based on an operator-manned customer service facility in
`20 which an operator enters settings into a computer after
`talking to the customer or receiving an e-mail from the
`customer, or any other suitable scheme in which settings and
`preferences and the like are adjusted using equipment that is
`remote from the audio device. Settings and preferences may
`25 also be adjusted using dedicated buttons on the device or
`using menu options or the like that are provided locally by
`the device when the device has a suitable display screen.
`Audio clip descriptions may be provided for each radio
`station. When the user selects a suitable option, the audio
`device may play the audio clip description. This allows the
`user to evaluate whether to add a station ( e.g., an Internet
`radio station) to the tuning sequence of the audio device,
`without requiring a large display panel on the audio device
`to display text descriptions of the channel.
`Audio service may be provided to the user at the audio
`device with or without advertisements. This may affect the
`cost of the service to the user. For example, an Internet radio
`station or news service or other audio service without
`commercials may charge a subscription fee, whereas ser(cid:173)
`vices with advertisements may be received for free.
`Advertisements may be targeted to the user based on the
`user's preferences. Information on the user's preferences
`that is used in targeting advertisements may be gathered by
`45 monitoring the user's activities at the audio device and
`reporting those activities to an appropriate service ( e.g., a
`service located on a remote server on the Internet or the
`like). Information on the user's preferences may also be
`gathered based on the preferences and settings that the user
`50 uses to set up operation of the audio device and that the user
`uses to customize the content that the user listens to.
`Advertisements may be provided in real time as streaming
`digital audio or may be downloaded as digital files and
`played back at a later time.
`If the audio device is a clock radio, the device preferably
`has clock circuitry and a display ( analog or digital) that
`shows the current time. The time may be set automatically
`by the device. For example, the device may contact an
`Internet service to check the current time or may be provided
`with data on the current time. Multiple users may set
`different alarm times and profiles using the same clock. For
`example, one user may establish an early wake-up time and
`a profile reflecting an interest in rock music, while another
`user may establish a later wake-up time and a profile
`reflecting an interest in classical music.
`An auxiliary audio output (e.g., a stereo output) may be
`used to connect the audio device to an audio receiver. If
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`desired, the radio functions of the audio device may be
`provided in a stand-alone radio or other such appliance.
`Voice recognition technology may be used for controlling
`the audio device. For example, voice recognition may be
`used to allow a user to direct the device to forward e-mail 5
`messages or voice mail messages, to navigate through audio
`segments or to select a desired type of music to play, to
`direct an alarm clock to switch from playing an alarm buzzer
`to playing music, or to perform any other suitable functions.
`The audio devic