Connected radio local, isolated, and hybrid implementations

Abstract

A radio receiver includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver circuit to receive a radio broadcast signal, an internet network interface, a display, a memory, a processing circuit, and a client application including instructions for execution by the processing circuit. The client application is configured to determine geographic location information for the radio receiver, determine a radio broadcast available to the radio receiver using the geographic location information, select metadata associated with the radio broadcast available to the radio receiver from metadata stored in the memory, and present information included in the selected metadata using the display in accordance with the received radio broadcast signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology described in this patent document relates to systems and methods for providing supplemental data (e.g., metadata) associated with airborne radio broadcast signals. Background Technology

[0002] Over-the-air radio broadcasts are used to deliver a wide variety of program content (e.g., audio) to radio receiver systems. Such over-the-air radio broadcasts can include conventional AM (amplitude modulation) and FM (frequency modulation) analog broadcast signals, digital radio broadcast signals, hybrid radio signals including both analog and digital broadcast signals, or other broadcast signals. Service data including multimedia program content can be included along with the radio broadcasts. Broadcasting of service data can be contracted by companies to include multimedia content associated with the main or primary radio program content.

[0003] Another approach to providing service data is to combine over-the-air (OTA) broadcast radio information with content delivered via Internet Protocol (IP) to deliver an enhanced user experience. An example of this type of radio service is... ConnectedRadio TM The service,

[0004] Connected Radio TM The service combines over-the-air analog / digital AM / FM radio with IP-delivered content. The combined OTA and IP radio service receives radio broadcast audio, which is then paired with IP-delivered content (such as artist information and song titles, logos, slogans, over-the-air radio program information, and station contact information, directly sourced from the radio broadcasting company) and displayed on the vehicle's radio receiver. The vehicle's radio receiver integrates data from the internet service with the broadcast audio to create a rich media experience. However, there may be situations where internet connectivity is unavailable in the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This summary is provided to present, in a simplified form, the selection of concepts further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] In general, embodiments of connected radio's local, isolated, or hybrid implementation use geolocation information determined by the receiver to determine radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver when the radio receiver does not have access to the Internet to obtain a fully connected radio service. Rather than receiving metadata for a broadcast via an Internet connection, the radio receiver analyzes and selects metadata stored in the memory of the radio receiver to present with the tuned radio broadcast. The metadata is associated with the radio broadcast determined to be available by the radio receiver. The connected radio experience can still be provided to the user, although the experience is less distinctive compared to the experience provided by a continuously connected radio service.

[0007] It should be noted that alternative embodiments are possible, and that the steps and elements discussed herein can change, add, or eliminate in dependence of the particular embodiment. These alternative embodiments include structural changes that can be made, and alternative steps and alternative elements that can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals can describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes can represent different instances of the like components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, various embodiments discussed in the present document.

[0009] Figure 1 is a flow diagram of an example of a method of operating a radio receiver that receives over-the-air radio broadcasts and Internet protocol delivered content.

[0010] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a portion of an example of a radio receiver.

[0011] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a portion of another example of a radio receiver or head unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In the following description of embodiments of a metadata distribution system, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show by way of illustration rather than of limitation, specific examples of how embodiments of the metadata distribution system can be implemented. It is understood that other embodiments can be utilized and that structural changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0013] Over-the-air radio broadcast signals are often used to deliver a wide variety of programming content (e.g., audio, etc.) to radio receiver systems. Main program service (MPS) data and supplemental program service (SPS) data can be provided to radio broadcast receiver systems. Metadata associated with the programming content can be delivered in the MPS data or the SPS data via over-the-air radio broadcast signals. The metadata can be included in subcarriers of the main radio signal. In IBOC radios, the radio broadcast can be a hybrid radio signal that can include streaming analog broadcast and digital audio broadcast. Subcarriers of the main channel broadcast can include digital information such as text or numerical information, and the metadata can be included in the digital information of the subcarriers. Thus, a hybrid over-the-air radio broadcast can include analog audio broadcast, digital audio broadcast, and other text and numerical digital information such as metadata streamed with the over-the-air broadcast. The programming content can be broadcast according to the DAB standard, the World Digital Radio (DRM) standard, the Radio Data System (RDS) protocol, the Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS) protocol, or the High Definition (HD) IBOC radio protocol.

[0014] Metadata can include both "static" metadata and "dynamic" metadata. Static metadata does not change frequently or does not change. Static metadata can include a radio station's call sign, name, logo (e.g., higher or lower logo resolution), tagline, station format, station genre, language, web page uniform resource locator (URL), URL for social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter), phone number, short message service (SMS) number, SMS short code, program identification (PI) code, country, or other information.

[0015] Dynamic metadata changes relatively frequently. Dynamic metadata can include song name, artist name, album name, album image, artist image (e.g., related to what is currently playing on the broadcast), advertisement, enhanced advertisement (e.g., title, slogan, image, phone number, SMS number, URL, search term), programming schedule (image, schedule, title, artist name, DJ name, phone number, URL), over-the-air radio program information, radio contact information, service tracking data, or other information. Both static metadata and dynamic metadata can be received by a radio receiver system when the receiver system is receiving an over-the-air radio broadcast signal from a particular radio station.

[0016] As explained earlier herein, the combination of OTA radio broadcasts with Internet Protocol (IP) delivered content is another method of providing service data to a radio receiver. The combination of over-the-air analog / digital AM / FM radio with IP delivered content provides an enhanced user experience. The combined OTA-IP radio service receives dynamic metadata directly from local radio broadcasters that is then retrieved by the radio receiver via IP, paired with broadcast content, and displayed in the vehicle.

[0017] The radio receiver of the vehicle integrates data from Internet services with broadcast audio to create a rich media experience. The preferred implementation of the combined OTA-IP radio service is a full-featured implementation via an active Internet connection, where data is based on the current geographic location of the radio receiver. A client application or "client" executing on the radio receiver of the Internet connection sends location information (e.g., GPS coordinates) to the Internet service via the Internet connection, which can perform mathematical and geospatial functions on a large data set consisting of AM, FM, HD Radio, and DAB radio broadcasts to determine metadata (e.g., dynamic metadata) available to the radio receiver tuned to a radio broadcast. Based on the location information from the radio receiver, the Internet service returns metadata related to radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver. The data set of radio broadcasts often changes as broadcasters change radio transmitters, radio transmission types, introduce new radio stations on the air and take others off the air, and reshape existing radio stations. The data set used by the combined OTA-IP radio service can be constantly updated with current data so that the radio receiver can access the latest information and the latest metadata.

[0018] However, there can be situations where a connection to the Internet is not available to the in-vehicle radio receiver, or there can be situations where the client of the radio receiver is prevented from sending its location to the Internet service. For these situations, it can be desirable to implement a stand-alone OTA-IP radio service, a local OTA-IP radio service, or a hybrid of stand-alone and local OTA-IP radio service at the radio receiver. These versions of the combined OTA-IP radio service provide a subset of the services available from the full-featured implementation of the combined OTA-IP radio service. These versions can not be compliant compared to the full implementation, but provide the combined OTA-IP radio service within the range of regulatory limitations imposed on the radio receiver or the functionality available.

[0019] Figure 1is a flowchart of a method of operating a radio receiver that receives OTA radio broadcasts and IP delivered content. The method 100 can be performed by a client executed by processing circuitry of the radio receiver. The client of the radio receiver can perform the method when an internet connection is not available to the radio receiver or the radio receiver is unable to send location information (e.g., due to regulatory restrictions or a user's option). The radio receiver includes a memory that stores metadata for radio broadcasts. The metadata can include both static and dynamic metadata, but the metadata can be a subset of the content that can be provided by an internet service.

[0020] At 105, the geographic location information of the radio receiver is determined. For example, the radio receiver can include a GPS receiver and the geographic location information can include GPS coordinates. At 110, the radio receiver (rather than an internet service) uses the location information to determine radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver and stored metadata associated with the radio broadcasts. In certain embodiments, the radio broadcasts and selected metadata can be associated with all radio broadcasts available in the country in which the radio receiver is located or in a smaller particular region of the world in which the radio receiver is located. In variations, the radio broadcasts and selected metadata can be associated with radio broadcasts available to the continent in which the radio receiver is located or can be associated with radio broadcasts available globally.

[0021] At 115, the client selects metadata from the metadata stored in the memory of the radio receiver according to one or both of the tuning and location information of the radio receiver. This is effectively the same internet service provided by the full-featured internet-connected version, but the service is implemented locally at the radio receiver without the need for an active internet connection. At 120, information included in the selected metadata is displayed to the user according to the tuning of the radio receiver.

[0022] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a portion of an example of a radio receiver that receives OTA radio broadcasts and IP delivered content. In certain variations, the radio receiver is a DTS Connected Radio receiver. The radio receiver 200 can be a radio receiver of a vehicle. The radio receiver 200 includes a wireless internet network interface 240 for receiving metadata via a wireless IP and other components for receiving over-the-air radio broadcast signals. The internet network interface 240 and receiver controller 230 can be collectively referred to as a wireless internet protocol hardware communication module of the radio receiver.

[0023] The radio receiver 200 includes radio frequency (RF) receiver circuitry including a tuner 256 having an input 252 connected to an antenna 254. The antenna 254, tuner 256, and baseband processor 251 can be collectively referred to as the over-the-air radio hardware communication module of the radio receiver. The RF circuitry is configured to receive audio broadcast signals including digital audio files.

[0024] Within the baseband processor 251, the intermediate frequency signal 257 from the tuner 256 is provided to an analog-to-digital converter and digital down converter 258 to produce a baseband signal including a series of complex signal samples at an output 260. The signal samples are complex because each sample includes a "real" component and an "imaginary" component. An analog demodulator 262 demodulates the analog modulation portion of the baseband signal to produce an analog audio signal on a line 264. The digital modulation portion of the sampled baseband signal is filtered by a guard filter 266 having a passband frequency response including the total set of subcarriers fl - f n The first adjacent canceller (FAC) 268 suppresses the effects of first adjacent interference. The complex signal 269 is routed to an input of an acquisition module 270 that acquires or recovers OFDM symbol timing offset / error and carrier frequency offset / error from the received OFDM symbols represented in the received complex signal 269. The acquisition module 270 forms the symbol timing offset At and the carrier frequency offset Af, as well as state and control information. The signal is then demodulated (block 272) to demodulate the digital modulation portion of the baseband signal. The digital signal is de-interleaved by a de-interleaver 274 and decoded by a Viterbi decoder 276. A service demultiplexer 278 separates the main and supplemental program signals from the data signals. The supplemental program signals can include digital audio files received in the IBOC DAB radio broadcast signal.

[0025] An audio processor 280 processes the received signals to produce an audio signal on a line 282 and an MPSD / SPSD 281. In an embodiment, the analog and main digital audio signals are mixed as shown in block 284, or the supplemental program signal is passed through, to produce an audio output on a line 286. A data processor 288 processes the received data signals and produces data output signals on lines 290, 292, and 294. The data lines 290, 292, and 294 can be multiplexed together onto a suitable bus (such as an I 2 c, SPI, UART, or USB) together. The data signals can include, for example, data representing metadata to be rendered at the radio receiver.

[0026] A wireless internet network interface can be managed by the receiver controller 230. As Figure 2As shown in FIG. 2, the Internet network interface 240 and the receiver controller 230 are operably coupled via a line 242, and data transmitted between the Internet network interface 240 and the receiver controller 230 is sent through this line 242. The selector 220 can be connected to the receiver controller 230 via a line 236 to select particular data received from the Internet network interface 240. The data can include metadata (e.g., text, images, video, etc.) and can be rendered substantially the same time as primary or supplemental programming content received over the air in a rendered IBOC DAB radio signal.

[0027] The receiver controller 230 receives and processes the data signal. The receiver controller 230 can include a microcontroller operably coupled to a user interface 232 and a memory 234. The microcontroller can be an 8-bit RISC microprocessor, a high-level RISC machine 32-bit microprocessor, or any other suitable microprocessor or microcontroller. In addition, some or all of the functionality of the receiver controller 230 can be performed in a baseband processor (e.g., the audio processor 280 and / or the data processor 288). The user interface 232 can include an input / output (I / O) processor that controls a display, which can be any suitable visual display such as an LCD or LED display. In certain embodiments, the user interface 232 can also control user input components via a touchscreen display. In certain embodiments, the user interface 232 can also control user input from a keypad, a dial, a knob, or other suitable input. The memory 234 can include any suitable data storage medium such as RAM, Flash ROM (e.g., an SD memory card), and / or a hard drive. The radio receiver 200 can also include a GPS receiver 296 to receive GPS coordinates.

[0028] The processing circuitry of the receiver controller 230 is configured to execute instructions included in a client 246 installed in the radio receiver 200. The client 246 determines the geographic location of the radio receiver, such as by using, for example, the GPS receiver 296. Using the geographic location, the client 246 determines the radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver. The client 246 can perform the same mathematical and spatial functions on a local data set as the Internet service performs on a complete data set. For example, the client 246 can perform R-tree calculations or similar calculations on a local data set to determine the radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver.

[0029] The client selects metadata associated with radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver from a data set stored in memory for presentation to the user with the display 244. The metadata can be selected from static metadata stored in memory. Image assets (e.g., radio station logos) can be stored in memory and the client selects the image assets for display according to the tuning of the radio receiver and available radio broadcasts.

[0030] As explained above, the service implemented locally by the client 246 is in effect the same internet service provided by the full-featured internet-connected version, but it works from a smaller local data set stored in memory 234. This data set can be a baseline data set delivered with the radio service and updates to the local data set can be performed periodically. In some embodiments, the client is configured to detect when access to an internet network is available. The internet network access can be a home internet network, an internet network link provided by a user's smartphone, or a network accessible at a car service center. The client 246 initiates download of updated metadata via the internet network interface and stores the downloaded metadata in memory in response to detecting that access to an internet network is available.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the client initiates download and storage of metadata via the internet network interface in response to a prompt received at the radio receiver. In certain embodiments, the radio receiver includes a port (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) port or other communication port) and the metadata can be downloaded to memory 234 via the port when the vehicle is provided service. For these types of embodiments, the internet network interface 240 can be a wired interface.

[0032] The client can send a query to the metadata service application via the internet interface in response to detecting that internet access is available. If the receiver is restricted from sending location information, then the geographic location information can be excluded from the query. The local data set can be downloaded to the radio receiver according to an identifier or subscription identifier provided by the client to determine the data set for download to the radio receiver.

[0033] The radio receiver can receive dynamic metadata in response to a query that does not include location information, and use an identifier present in the local data set for geographic location. The identifier can uniquely identify each radio broadcast allowing geographic location information to be inferred from the identifier. The radio receiver can present information included in the received dynamic metadata and metadata selected from metadata locally stored in the memory of the radio receiver according to the received radio broadcast or according to the radio receiver's tuning. Other content besides dynamic metadata can be received in response to the query, such as other static metadata and services. This hybrid functionality allows IP services to be paired with metadata of the local data set for approximate full feature functionality without requiring the radio receiver to send geographic location information.

[0034] In some embodiments, upon detecting internet access, the baseline data set is updated with new data in response to a request sent by the client to the metadata service application. Only new information is sent in order to make the transfer bandwidth efficient. In an illustrative example intended to be non-limiting, the request for update can include a timestamp identifying the metadata of the request (e.g., 2018-11-01T13:35.30.813131+00:00) and not include geographic location information. The metadata service application will deliver a data set containing only the necessary additions and deletions of data since that timestamp, and the receiver memory will have current data. Image assets can be updated at the same time. In some embodiments, after a specified time after metadata is stored in memory without update, the client 246 flags or otherwise identifies one or more portions of metadata stored in memory as expired, and excludes the expired metadata from the metadata selected for presentation to the user.

[0035] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a portion of another example of a radio receiver or head unit 300. The head unit 300 includes a radio tuner circuit 356 that receives radio broadcast signals 304, a display 344, and a memory 334. The memory 334 can include any suitable data storage medium for storing logo and other image data, and for storing a radio broadcast database 335, which can store metadata for radio broadcasts. The head unit 300 also includes a wireless internet network interface 340 for communicating with the server 306. The wireless internet network interface 340 can transfer information using one or both of a WiFi network and a cellular telephone network.

[0036] The server 306 includes an application program interface (API) and the head unit 300 includes an API client 346 that includes a data update service. The API client 346 can be executed by processing circuitry of the head unit 300. The processing circuitry can also execute a GPS lookup service 396 to determine geographic location information.

[0037] The API client 346 can control the operation of the radio receiver according to the method of Figure 1 The API client 346 can receive data for a specified type of radio broadcast according to the mode in which the wireless internet network interface 340 is operating. For example, when the interface is in an offline mode and not using a cellular network for communication, the head unit 300 can periodically receive updates to a radio broadcast database using a detected WiFi network. The radio broadcast database 335 is updated with the received data using the data update service of the API. This data can include metadata for radio broadcasts that can be displayed when the head unit tunes to a broadcast, even if the metadata is not received in real-time during the broadcast.

[0038] In another example, when the interface is operating in a hybrid mode that can receive data using one or both of a WiFi network or a cellular network, the head unit 300 can perform or service real-time data queries. Real-time data can be used to display metadata associated with a real-time radio broadcast. In another example, when the interface is operating in an offline mode or a hybrid mode, the head unit 300 can receive logo data.

[0039] The API client 346 can perform a broadcast query using the GPS lookup service to determine available broadcasts. Metadata for a broadcast can be retrieved from storage without the head unit 300 having to send location information (e.g., GPS information) to obtain the metadata. The metadata retrieval service is implemented locally at the head unit 300 without requiring an active connection to a cellular network of the internet.

[0040] The described system, device, and method allow a radio receiver to emulate an internet-connected radio experience for a user even when a connection to the internet is not available to the vehicle radio receiver, or the radio receiver is prevented from sending its location to an internet service.

[0041] I. Alternative embodiments and exemplary operating environments

[0042] Example 1 includes subject matter (such as a radio receiver) comprising radio frequency (RF) receiver circuitry configured to receive a radio broadcast signal, an Internet network interface, a display, a memory, processing circuitry, and a client application comprising instructions for execution by the processing circuitry. The client application is configured to determine geographic location information for the radio receiver; determine, using the geographic location information, radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver; select, from metadata stored in the memory, metadata associated with radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver; and present, using the display, information included in the selected metadata in accordance with the received radio broadcast signal.

[0043] In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 optionally includes the client application configured to detect when access to an Internet network is available, initiate, in response to detecting that access to an Internet network is available, a download of metadata via the Internet network interface, and store the downloaded metadata in the memory.

[0044] In Example 3, the subject matter of Example 2 optionally includes the client application configured to initiate, in response to a prompt received at the radio receiver, a download of metadata via the Internet network interface and storage of the downloaded metadata in the memory.

[0045] In Example 4, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 2 and 3 optionally includes the client application configured to initiate, in response to detecting that Internet access is available, a sending of a query to a metadata service application via the Internet interface, wherein the query requests metadata download to the radio receiver and does not include geographic location information for the radio receiver.

[0046] In Example 5, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 2-4 optionally includes the client application configured to send, in response to detecting that access to an Internet network is available, a request for an update of metadata in accordance with the determined geographic location information to a metadata service application via the Internet interface, wherein the request includes a timestamp identifying the requested metadata and does not include the geographic location information.

[0047] In Example 6, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-5 optionally includes the client application configured to perform R-tree computation to determine radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver.

[0048] In Example 7, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-6 optionally includes the client application configured to select metadata associated with radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver from static metadata stored in the memory.

[0049] In Example 8, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-7 optionally includes the client application configured to flag one or more portions of metadata stored in the memory as expired and exclude expired metadata from the selected metadata after a specified time after the metadata is stored in the memory.

[0050] Example 9 includes subject matter (or can optionally be combined with one or any combination of Examples 1-8 to include such subject matter) such as a computer-readable storage medium including instructions that when executed by processing circuitry of a radio receiver cause the processing circuitry to perform acts including determining geographic location information of the radio receiver; determining radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver using the geographic location information; selecting metadata associated with radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver from metadata stored in a memory of the radio receiver; and presenting information included in the selected metadata using a display in accordance with tuning of the radio receiver.

[0051] In Example 10, the subject matter of Example 9 optionally includes the computer-readable storage medium including instructions that cause the processing circuitry to perform acts including detecting when internet access is available; and in response to detecting that internet access is available, downloading metadata via an internet network interface of the radio receiver for storage in a memory of the radio receiver.

[0052] In Example 11, the subject matter of Example 10 optionally includes the computer-readable storage medium including instructions that cause the processing circuitry to perform acts including receiving a prompt at the receiver to download metadata via an internet network interface of the radio receiver, and in response to the prompt, downloading metadata via the internet network interface for storage in the memory.

[0053] In Example 12, the subject matter of one or both of Examples 10 and 11 optionally includes the computer-readable storage medium including instructions that cause the processing circuitry to perform acts including in response to detecting that internet access is available, sending a query for updates to metadata in accordance with the geographic location information, wherein the query includes a timestamp identifying metadata for updating and does not include location information of the radio receiver.

[0054] In Example 13, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 10-12 can optionally include a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions to cause the processing circuitry to perform actions comprising downloading static metadata via an internet network interface of the radio receiver to store in a memory of the receiver in response to detecting that internet access is available.

[0055] In Example 14, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 9-13 can optionally include a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions to cause the processing circuitry to perform actions comprising performing a computation on a data set local to the radio receiver to determine available radio broadcasts.

[0056] In Example 15, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 9-14 can optionally include a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions to cause the processing circuitry to perform actions comprising indicating one or more portions of metadata stored in the memory as expired after a specified time after the metadata is stored in the memory; and excluding the metadata indicated as expired from the selected metadata.

[0057] Example 16 can include subject matter (such as a method of controlling operation of a radio broadcast receiver) or can optionally be combined with one or any combination of Examples 1-15 to include subject matter comprising determining geographic location information of a radio receiver; determining radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver using the geographic location information; sending a query to a metadata service application using an internet network interface of the radio receiver, wherein the query requests dynamic metadata download to the radio receiver based on an identifier included in data stored in a memory and does not include the geographic location information of the radio receiver; selecting metadata associated with the determined radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver from metadata stored in a memory of the radio receiver; and presenting information included in the received dynamic metadata and the selected metadata in the memory on a display according to a tuning of the radio receiver.

[0058] In Example 17, the subject matter of Example 16 can optionally include detecting when access to an internet network is available to the radio receiver; sending the query to the metadata service application in response to detecting that the access is available; and storing the downloaded dynamic metadata in the memory.

[0059] In Example 18, the subject matter of Example 17 can optionally include the radio receiver performing a computation on a data set local to the radio receiver to determine available radio broadcasts.

[0060] In Example 19, the subject matter of one or both of Examples 17 and 18 optionally includes indicating one or more portions of metadata stored in the memory as expired after a specified time after the metadata is stored in the memory; and excluding metadata indicated as expired from the selection.

[0061] In Example 20, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 17-19 optionally includes sending a query requesting an update of metadata according to determined geolocation information in response to detecting that access to the internet network is available, wherein the query includes a timestamp identifying a time of the request and does not include the geolocation information.

[0062] These non-limiting examples can be combined in any permutation or combination. As can be seen from the disclosure, there are numerous other variations that can be made based on the teachings herein. For example, some actions, events, or functions of any of the methods and algorithms described herein can be performed in a different order, added, merged, or omitted altogether (such that not all described actions or events are necessary for practice of the methods and algorithms), depending on the embodiments. Moreover, in some embodiments, actions or events can be performed concurrently, such as through multi-threaded processing, interrupt processing, or multiple processors or processor cores, or on other parallel architectures, rather than sequentially. Also, different tasks or processes can be performed by different machines and computing systems that can act together.

[0063] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, methods, and algorithm processes and sequences described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, and processes have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. The described functionality can be implemented in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the document.

[0064] The various illustrative logical blocks and modules described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or performed by machine, such as a general purpose processor, a processing device, a computing device having one or more processing devices, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general purpose processor and processing device can be microprocessors, but in the alternative, the processor can be a controller, a microcontroller, or a state machine, combinations of the

[0065] Embodiments of the on-board real-time guidance generation system and method described herein can be operational with numerous general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Generally, a computing environment can include any type of computer system, including, but not limited to, a computer system based on one or more microprocessors, a mainframe computer, a digital signal processor, a portable computing device, a personal organizer, a device controller, a computing engine within an appliance, a mobile telephone, a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, and a device with an embedded computer, and the like.

[0066] Such computing devices can generally be found in devices having at least some minimum computational capability, including, but not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held computing devices, laptop or mobile computers, communications devices such as cell phones and PDA's, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, audio or video media players, and the like. In some embodiments, the computing device will include one or more processors. Each processor can be a specialized microprocessor, such as a digital signal processor (DSP), very long instruction word (VLIW), or other microcontroller, or can be a conventional central processing unit (CPU) having one or more processing cores, including cores based on specialized graphics processing units (GPUs) in multi-core CPUs.

[0067] The process actions or operations of the methods, processes, or algorithms described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in any combination of the two. A software module can be included in a computer-readable medium that can be accessed by a computing device. Computer-readable media include volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and nonremovable media, or some combination of the same. Computer-readable media are used to store information such as computer readable or computer executable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. By way of example but not limitation, computer-readable media can include computer storage media and communication media.

[0068] Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, computer or machine readable media or storage devices such as Blu-ray discs (BDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), compact discs (CDs), floppy disks, tape, hard disk drives, optical drives, solid state memory devices, RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, flash memory or other memory technology, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other device or apparatus that can be used to store the desired information and that can be accessed by one or more computing devices.

[0069] Software modules can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, media, or physical computer storage. An exemplary storage medium can be coupled to the processor, such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium can reside in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium can reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

[0070] As used in this document, the phrase “non-transitory” is intended to mean “durable or long-lasting.” The phrase “non-transitory computer-readable media” includes any and all computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory propagating signal. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include non-transitory computer-readable media such as RAM memory, processor cache, and ROM memory.

[0071] The phrase “audio signal” is a signal that represents a physical sound.

[0072] The storage of information, such as computer readable or computer executable instructions, data structures, program modules, and the like, can also be encoded in one or more modulated data signals, electromagnetic waves (such as carrier waves) or other transport mechanisms or communications protocols, and includes any wired or wireless information delivery mechanism. Generally, these communication media refer to signals that carry the one or more features of the information in a manner that the signals can be read by a machine or a computing device. Examples of communication media include wired media (such as wired networks or direct-wired connections consuming one or more modulated data signals), and wireless media (such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared, laser, and other wireless media that carry one or more modulated data signals or electromagnetic waves). Any combination of any of the above should also be included within the scope of communication media.

[0073] Additionally, one or any combination of the various embodiments of the on-board real-time guidance generation system and method described herein, or portions thereof, can be stored, received, transmitted, or read from any desired combination of computer or machine readable media or storage devices and communication media in the form of computer-executable instructions or other data structures.

[0074] Embodiments of the on-board real-time guidance generation system and method described herein can be further described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computing device. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like, that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Embodiments described herein can also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by one or more remote processing devices, or in a cloud of one or more devices linked through one or more communications networks. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote computer storage media including media storage devices. Still further, the above-described instructions can be implemented, in part or in whole, as hardware logic circuits, which can or can not include a processor.

[0075] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, "can," "could," "might," "may," "e.g.," and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and / or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and / or states are in any way required, or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and / or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. The terms "comprising," "including," "having" and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term "or" is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, in a list of elements, the phrase "one or more of the elements" means one, some, or all of the elements. Elements

[0076] While the above detailed description has shown, described, and placed emphasis on novel features as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices or algorithms illustrated can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As will be recognized, certain embodiments of the present application described herein can be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features can be used or practiced separately from others.

Claims

1. A radio receiver, comprising: A radio frequency (RF) receiver circuit configured to receive radio broadcast signals; Internet network interface; monitor; Memory; Processing circuitry; as well as A client application, the client application including instructions for execution by the processing circuitry, wherein the client application is configured to: Determine the geographical location information of the radio receiver; The geographic location information is used to determine the radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver; The query is initiated to the metadata service application using the Internet network interface, wherein the query request dynamic metadata is downloaded to the radio receiver; Select metadata associated with radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver from the metadata stored in the memory; When access to the metadata service application is available, the display is used to present dynamic metadata received via the Internet network interface and information included in selected metadata stored in the memory, based on the tuning of the radio receiver. as well as When access to the metadata service application is unavailable, the display is used, based on the tuning of the radio receiver, to present only the information included in the selected metadata stored in the memory.

2. The radio receiver of claim 1, wherein the client application is configured to: Detect when access to the internet network is available; Initiate the download of metadata via the aforementioned Internet network interface; as well as The downloaded metadata is stored in the memory in response to the detection that access to the Internet network is available.

3. The radio receiver of claim 2, wherein the client application is configured to initiate the download of metadata via the Internet network interface and the storage of the downloaded metadata in the memory in response to a prompt received at the radio receiver.

4. The radio receiver of claim 2, wherein the client application is configured to initiate a query to a metadata service application via the Internet network interface in response to detecting Internet access availability, wherein the query requests metadata to be downloaded to the radio receiver and does not include the radio receiver's geographic location information.

5. The radio receiver of claim 2, wherein the client application is configured to send a request for an update of metadata based on determined geographic location information to a metadata service application via the Internet network interface in response to detecting that access to the Internet network is available, wherein the request includes a timestamp identifying the requested metadata and does not include the geographic location information.

6. The radio receiver of claim 1, wherein the client application is configured to perform calculations on a dataset local to the radio receiver to determine radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver.

7. The radio receiver of claim 1, wherein the client application is configured to select metadata associated with radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver from static metadata stored in the memory.

8. The radio receiver of claim 1, wherein the client application is configured to mark one or more portions of the metadata stored in the memory as expired and exclude expired metadata from selected metadata after a specified time following the storage of the metadata.

9. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry of a radio receiver, cause the processing circuitry to perform actions including: Determine the geographical location information of the radio receiver; The geographic location information is used to determine the radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver; The query is initiated to the metadata service application using the Internet network interface of the radio receiver, wherein the query request dynamically downloads metadata to the radio receiver; Select metadata associated with radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver from the metadata stored in the memory of the radio receiver; When access to the metadata service application is available, the display of the radio receiver is used to present dynamic metadata received via the Internet network interface and information included in selected metadata stored in the memory, according to the tuning of the radio receiver. as well as When access to the metadata service application is unavailable, the display is used, based on the tuning of the radio receiver, to present only the information included in the selected metadata stored in the memory.

10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, further comprising instructions that cause the processing circuitry to perform the following actions: Detecting when internet access is available; and In response to the detection of available Internet access, metadata is downloaded via the Internet network interface of the radio receiver for storage in the memory of the radio receiver.

11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, further comprising instructions that cause the processing circuitry to perform the following actions: The radio receiver receives a prompt to download metadata via the internet network interface of the radio receiver; and In response to the prompt, metadata is downloaded via the Internet network interface for storage in the memory.

12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, further comprising instructions to cause the processing circuitry to perform the following action: in response to detecting that Internet access is available, sending a query for an update of metadata based on the geographic location information, wherein the query includes a timestamp identifying the metadata to be updated and does not include the geographic location information of the radio receiver.

13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, comprising instructions to cause the processing circuitry to perform the following action: downloading static metadata via the Internet network interface of the radio receiver to store in the memory of the radio receiver in response to detecting that Internet access is available.

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, further comprising instructions for causing the processing circuitry to perform calculations on a dataset local to the radio receiver to determine available radio broadcasts.

15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, further comprising instructions to cause the processing circuitry to perform the following actions: indicating one or more portions of the metadata stored in the memory as expired after a specified time following the storage of the metadata; and excluding the metadata indicated as expired from selected metadata.

16. A method of operating a radio receiver, the method comprising: Determine the geographical location information of the radio receiver; The geographic location information is used to determine the radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver; The radio receiver's Internet network interface is used to send a query to a metadata service application, wherein the query requests dynamic metadata to be downloaded to the radio receiver based on an identifier included in data stored in memory, and does not include the radio receiver's geographic location information; Metadata associated with the determined radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver is identified from the metadata stored in the memory of the radio receiver; When access to the metadata service application is available, the received dynamic metadata and the information included in the identified metadata stored in memory are presented on the display according to the tuning of the radio receiver. as well as When access to the metadata service application is unavailable, the display is used, based on the tuning of the radio receiver, to present only the information included in the metadata stored in the memory that is identified.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising: Detect when access to the Internet network is available to the radio receiver; In response to detecting that the access is available, the query is sent to the metadata service application; as well as The downloaded dynamic metadata is stored in the memory.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein determining the radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver comprises the radio receiver performing calculations on a dataset local to the radio receiver to determine the available radio broadcasts.

19. The method of claim 17, comprising: One or more portions of the metadata stored in the memory will be indicated as expired after a specified time following the storage of the metadata; and Exclude metadata that is indicated to be expired from the selected metadata.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein sending the query includes sending a query requesting an update of metadata based on determined geographic location information in response to detecting that access to an Internet network is available, wherein the query includes a timestamp identifying the metadata of the request and does not include the geographic location information.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein identifying metadata from metadata stored in the memory of the radio receiver includes using an identifier included in the metadata stored in the memory to pair the stored metadata with the received dynamic metadata.

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