Accessing radio content from a non-radio source

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for accessing broadcast media items and segments from non-broadcast sources. In response to detecting that a user has not finished listening to a broadcast segment (e.g., a radio segment), an electronic device can automatically identify and access an alternate, non-broadcast source for the same broadcast segment (e.g., a corresponding podcast episode). Using the electronic device, a user can play back the segment from the non-broadcast source, starting playback at the last position of the broadcast segment when the user stopped listening to the broadcast. In some embodiments, the electronic device can update library counts (e.g., play counts and new / not new tags) based on media items and segments played back as part of a media broadcast.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This relates to accessing the media content provided by a broadcast media source using a non-broadcast source. In particular, this relates to accessing radio content and radio segments from a non-radio source.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Using a radio system, a user can receive radio waves broadcast from a radio station and provide an audio output associated with the received radio waves. Similarly, an electronic device can use communications circuitry to receive media broadcasts from non-radio media or content sources. The content of a particular radio broadcast, or more generally of a media broadcast, can vary with time. For example, a media broadcast can include a succession of different media items (e.g., different songs). As another example, a media broadcast can include a succession of segments (e.g., a succession of conversations or interviews with different guests).[0003]A user, however, may not always have access to the radio broadcast stream...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]A user, however, may have wished to continue to listen to the media item or segment broadcast when the broadcast was lost. An electronic device can then be used to find an alternate, non-broadcast source for the broadcast media item or segment, and play back the media item or segment from the alternate source. For example, an electronic device can identify a podcast of the media item or segment. As another example, an electronic device can identify a unicast stream of the media item or segment, for example available from an Internet website associated with the content source (e.g., associated with the radio station). As still another example, an electronic device can identify the media item or segment in a locally stored or remotely available library (e.g., a library available in a cloud). Once the electronic device identifies the segment or media item, the electronic device can play back the identified segment or media item from the marked or tagged playback position. This can allow a user to resume listening to the broadcast segment or media item from substantially the same playback position as when the user stopped receiving the broadcast. If a user later switches back to a communications device that has access to a buffered media stream, the communications device can play back the buffered media from a playback position after the portions of the media stream that were played back by the electronic device (e.g., to ensure that the user does not repeatedly listen to the same segment or media item as the user switches between devices).

[0008]In some embodiments, the communications device can provide playback information to the cloud or electronic device for updating records of a user's media consumption. For example, the cloud or electronic device can update play counts for media items, such as music, or mark podcasts or stored recordings of media segments as not new. This can enable a user to more easily find segments that are truly new to the user, and provide a more accurate perspective of the user's listening history (e.g., to in turn generate a more accurate preference profile and provide more targeted media item recommendations).

Problems solved by technology

A user, however, may not always have access to the radio broadcast stream or media broadcast stream provided by a content provider.

If a user is listening to a particular media item or radio segment of interest, the user may not be able to finish listening to the segment, and can miss parts of broadcast content before a second electronic device can receive the broadcast stream (e.g., the user turns on a radio in their house or office).

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