Generation of media station previews using reference database

Abstract

To provide generation of media station previews using a reference database.SOLUTION: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) while a media playback device of a vehicle is playing back content received on a first channel, sending, by the media playback device to a server, a preview request, the preview request identifying a second channel that is different from the first channel; (ii) receiving, by the media playback device from the server, a response to the preview request, the response including identifying information corresponding to content being provided on the second channel; and (iii) while the media playback device is playing back the content received on the first channel, providing, by the media playback device for display, at least a portion of the identifying information corresponding to content being provided on the second channel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 788,563, filed January 4, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] In this disclosure, unless otherwise specified and / or clearly dictated otherwise by the particular context, the term "a" or "an" means at least one, and the term "the" also means at least one.

[0003] In this disclosure, the term "connection mechanism" means a mechanism that facilitates communication between two or more components, devices, systems, or other entities. The connection mechanism can be a relatively simple mechanism, such as a cable or a system bus, or a relatively complex mechanism, such as a packet-based communications network (e.g., the Internet). In some examples, the connection mechanism can also include an intangible medium (e.g., when the connection is wireless).

[0004] In this disclosure, the term "computer system" refers to a system that includes at least one computer device. In some examples, a computer system may also include one or more other computer systems. [Background technology]

[0005] Some media playback devices can display identifying information about the content being played on a channel while the content is being played. For example, while a radio is playing a song, the radio's user interface can display text information identifying the song title, artist, and album.

[0006] A communications protocol called the Radio Data System (RDS) allows broadcasting companies to transmit identifying information to radios over analog radio waves. Some radio stations transmit audio and other information using digital technology. By transmitting audio and other information via digital signals, radio stations can transmit additional types of identifying information, such as album images and artist images. Radios capable of receiving digital signals can display received images related to a song while the radio is playing the song. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one aspect, an example method is disclosed that includes: (i) while a media playback device in a vehicle is playing content received on a first channel, the media playback device sending a preview request to a server that identifies a second channel different from the first channel, (ii) the media playback device receiving a response to the preview request from the server that includes identification information corresponding to the content provided on the second channel, and (iii) while the media playback device is playing the content received on the first channel, the media playback device providing for display at least a portion of the identification information corresponding to the content provided on the second channel.

[0008] In another aspect, an example non-transitory computer-readable medium is disclosed that stores program instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the medium to perform a series of operations, including: (i) while the vehicle's media playback device is playing content received on a first channel, the media playback device sending a preview request to a server that identifies a second channel different from the first channel, (ii) the media playback device receiving a response to the preview request from the server that includes identification information corresponding to the content provided on the second channel, and (iii) while the media playback device is playing the content received on the first channel, the media playback device providing for display at least a portion of the identification information corresponding to the content provided on the second channel.

[0009] In another aspect, an example computer system is disclosed that is configured to perform a series of operations including: (i) while a media playback device of a vehicle is playing content received on a first channel, the media playback device sending a preview request to a server that identifies a second channel different from the first channel, (ii) while the media playback device is playing content received on the first channel, the media playback device receiving a response to the preview request from the server that includes identification information corresponding to the content provided on the second channel, and (iii) while the media playback device is playing the content received on the first channel, the media playback device providing for display at least a portion of the identification information corresponding to the content provided on the second channel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example computing device. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example media preview system. [Figure 3]1 is a simplified block diagram illustrating components of a preview server, a media playback device, a broadcast monitoring server, a station identification system, and a media identification system, according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of displays provided by a media playback device. [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart of an example method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] I. Overview Currently, while a media playback device in a vehicle is playing content received on a first channel, it is difficult to know what content is being offered on other channels different from the first channel without tuning away from the first channel. For example, while listening to content being played on a first channel by a radio, it is difficult to know what content is being offered on other channels different from the first channel without tuning away from the first channel. Similarly, if a user is not interested in the content being played on a first channel by a media playback device, it is difficult for the user to find interesting content on other channels without tuning to multiple channels in succession. When a user is looking for different content, they may not know what content is being offered on the other channels until they tune to those channels.

[0012] Disclosed herein are methods and systems for addressing this and potentially other problems. In one example method, a vehicle media playback device can transmit a preview request to a server while the media playback device is playing content received on a first channel. The preview request can identify a second channel that is different from the first channel. The media playback device can then receive a response to the preview request from the server. The response can include identification information corresponding to the content being provided on the second channel. Furthermore, the media playback device can display at least a portion of the identification information corresponding to the content being provided on the second channel while playing the content received on the first channel. In this manner, a display can provide an indication of the content being provided on the second channel while the media playback device is playing the content received on the first channel, allowing a user of the media playback device to decide whether to tune away from the first channel and to the second channel.

[0013] Although portions of this disclosure refer to media playback devices located within a vehicle, these examples are not intended to be limiting, and the systems and methods disclosed herein are also applicable to portable media playback devices and media playback devices not located within a vehicle, such as media playback devices located within a home, office, or other building.

[0014] Also, although portions of this disclosure refer to media playback devices that provide audio content, these examples are not intended to be limiting, and the systems and methods are also applicable to media playback devices that provide video content.

[0015] II. Architecture Examples A. Computer Equipment 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example computing device 100. The computing device 100 is capable of performing various operations and / or functions as described in this disclosure. The computing device 100 may include various components, such as a processor 102, a data storage unit 104, a communication interface 106, and / or a user interface 108. These components may be connected to each other (or to other devices, systems, or other entities) via a connection mechanism 110.

[0016] The processor 102 may include a general-purpose processor (eg, a microprocessor) and / or a special-purpose processor (eg, a digital signal processor (DSP)).

[0017] Data storage unit 104 may include one or more volatile, nonvolatile, removable, and / or non-removable storage elements, such as magnetic, optical, or flash storage, and / or may be integral, in whole or in part, with processor 102. Furthermore, data storage unit 104 may take the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon program instructions (e.g., compiled or non-compiled program logic and / or machine code) that, when executed by processor 102, cause computing device 100 to perform one or more operations and / or functions as described in this disclosure. Thus, computing device 100 may be configured to perform one or more operations and / or functions as described in this disclosure. Such program instructions may define and / or be part of a discrete software application. In some examples, computing device 100 may execute program instructions in response to receiving input, such as from communications interface 106 and / or user interface 108. Data storage unit 104 may also store other types of data, such as those described in this disclosure.

[0018] The communication interface 106 may enable the computing device 100 to connect and / or communicate with another entity according to one or more protocols. In one example, the communication interface 106 may be a wired interface, such as an Ethernet interface or a high-definition serial digital interface (HD-SDI). In another example, the communication interface 106 may be a wireless interface, such as a cellular or Wi-Fi interface. For purposes of this disclosure, a connection may be a direct connection or an indirect connection, which is a connection that passes through and / or traverses one or more entities, such as a router, switcher, or other network device. Similarly, for purposes of this disclosure, a transmission may be a direct transmission or an indirect transmission.

[0019] User interface 108 may, where applicable, facilitate interaction between computing device 100 and a user of computing device 100. Accordingly, user interface 108 may include input elements such as a keyboard, keypad, mouse, touch-sensitive panel, microphone, and / or camera, and / or output elements such as a display device (e.g., which may be combined with a touch-sensitive panel), sound speakers, and / or a haptic feedback system. More generally, user interface 108 may include hardware and / or software components that facilitate interaction between computing device 100 and a user of computing device 100.

[0020] B. Media Preview System 2 is a simplified block diagram of an example media preview system 200. The media preview system 200 may perform various acts and / or functions related to the distribution and / or presentation of identification of media content (e.g., audio content and / or video content) and may be implemented as a computer system.

[0021] Media preview system 200 may include various components, such as a vehicle 210, a content source 220, a preview server 230, one or more broadcast monitoring servers 240, a station identification system 250, and a media identification system 260. Vehicle 210 may include a media playback device 212. Each of media playback device 212, preview server 230, broadcast monitoring server(s) 240, station identification system 250, and media identification system 260 may be implemented as a computer system.

[0022] Vehicle 210 may be a machine for transporting people, such as an automobile, motorcycle, boat, or aircraft. Media playback device 212 of vehicle 210 may include at least one computing device and may take a variety of forms. As an example, media playback device 212 may include a head unit of vehicle 210. The head unit may include a display and a user interface that allows a user of vehicle 210 to control media content presented by vehicle 210. While FIG. 2 illustrates media playback device 212 as being located within vehicle 210, other media preview systems may not include a media playback device located within the vehicle. For example, other examples of media playback devices include a radio, a television, a smart speaker, and a smart display.

[0023] Media playback device 212 can receive audio, video, and / or text content from content source 220, which can receive this content directly from content source 220 or indirectly via network 270. Content source 220 can include a radio station, a television station, or a web server. For example, content source 220 can be a radio station or radio network that streams or transmits audio to media playback device 212 over a channel, a television (TV) station or TV network that streams or transmits media to media playback device 212 over a channel, and / or a web service that streams or transmits media to media playback device 212 over network 270.

[0024] Thus, media playback device 212 may include a tuner configured to receive an input stream of media content and generate an output stream of media content by processing the input stream. Media playback device 212 may include a tuner, a decoder, and other hardware and / or software to access media content broadcast by content source 220. Additionally or alternatively, media playback device 212 may include a network adapter, a decoder, and other hardware and / or software to access media content distributed over a wide area network (e.g., the Internet).

[0025] Media playback device 212 may also include a display or other user interface configured to display identifying information corresponding to media content provided on one or more respective channels. The display may be a flat panel screen, a plasma screen, a light emitting diode (LED) screen, or a liquid crystal display (LCD).

[0026] According to the above description, the media playback device 212 may transmit a preview request to the preview server 230 while playing content received on a first channel. The preview request may identify one or more channels different from this channel. As one example, the media playback device 212 may transmit a preview request identifying one or more other radio stations while playing audio content received on a given radio station. As another example, the media playback device 212 may transmit a preview request identifying one or more other channels while playing video content received on a given channel.

[0027] In some examples, the preview request may include a station identifier for the second channel. For example, the station identifier may be a call sign of a radio or television station. Additionally or alternatively, the preview request may include the frequency of the second channel and the geographic location of media playback device 212.

[0028] The media playback device 212 can periodically send a preview request to the preview server 230. For example, the media playback device 212 can send a preview request every 5 or 10 seconds, or every minute.

[0029] Preview server 230 may maintain a database that maps multiple channels to identification information corresponding to content provided on those channels. As one example, preview server 230 may maintain a database that maps radio stations to audio content (e.g., songs or programs) currently being broadcast by those radio stations. As another example, preview server 230 may maintain a database that maps television stations to video content currently being broadcast by those television stations. As described more fully below, preview server 230 may update the database using data received from broadcast monitoring server(s) 240, station identification system 250, and media identification system 260.

[0030] The broadcast monitoring server(s) 240 can provide the preview server 230 with data related to content provided on multiple channels. For example, the broadcast monitoring server(s) 240 can periodically or upon request provide the preview server 230 with a list of channels and the corresponding content provided on those channels. In some examples, the broadcast monitoring server(s) 240 can use audio or video fingerprinting to identify the content provided on a channel. Additionally or alternatively, the broadcast monitoring server(s) 240 can identify the audio content provided on one or more channels based on data provided by programming software used by radio stations to program which songs will be played. In some examples, the broadcast monitoring server(s) 240 can provide the preview server 230 with media samples provided on a channel.

[0031] In the database maintained by preview server 230, each channel may be assigned a unique identifier for indexing purposes. This unique identifier may be, for example, a unique number. Station identification system 250 may be configured to receive a channel identifier from preview server 230, determine a unique identifier corresponding to the channel identifier, and provide the unique identifier to preview server 230. Station identification system 250 may convert a channel identifier to a unique identifier using mapping data. For example, station identification system 250 may convert a radio station call sign to a unique identifier using mapping data that maps the call sign to a unique identifier. As another example, station identification system 250 may convert a channel frequency and a geographic location to a unique identifier using mapping data that maps the channel frequency and associated geographic location to a unique identifier.

[0032] The media identification system 260 can provide the preview server 230 with identification information corresponding to the content provided on one or more second channels. For example, the media identification system 260 can maintain a database that maps song titles to identification information. As another example, the media identification system can maintain a database that maps video titles to identification information. In this approach, the preview server 230 can provide the media identification system 260 with the titles of the media content provided on a channel. The media identification system 260 can then use the database to determine identification information corresponding to the titles of the media content and provide the identification information to the preview server 230.

[0033] Additionally or alternatively, preview server 230 may provide media samples of content provided on the channel to media identification system 260. In this approach, media identification system 260 may use fingerprinting to identify the content from the media samples and determine identification information corresponding to the identified content.

[0034] The identification information that the media identification system provides to the preview server 230 can take a variety of forms. For example, the identification information can include a media-specific identifier (e.g., a track-specific identifier (TUI)). For audio content, the identification information can include a track title, an album title, and an artist name. Additionally or alternatively, the identification information can include an album image (e.g., cover art) or an artist image. The identification information can also include a program identifier that identifies the audio program. Similarly, for video content, the identification information can include a title and a program identifier that identifies the video program. In some examples, the content provided on one of the second channels can include a sporting event, and the identification information can include time and score information for the sporting event.

[0035] After receiving a preview request, preview server 230 may query a database to correlate one or more channels identified in the preview request (or associated with channels identified in the preview request) with identification information corresponding to content provided on those one or more channels. Preview server 230 may then send a response to the preview request to media playback device 212. The response may include identification information corresponding to content provided on one or more channels identified in the preview request.

[0036] After receiving the response, media playback device 212 can provide at least a portion of the identification information for display. While playing the content received on the first channel, media playback device 212 can provide for display identification information corresponding to content being provided on one or more second channels.

[0037] Additionally or alternatively, media playback device 212 may provide at least a portion of the identification information to another device for display, for example, media playback device 212 may provide a portion of the identification information to another component of vehicle 210 for display.

[0038] Network 270 can be any network that allows communication between devices, such as a wired network and / or a wireless network (eg, a mobile network).

[0039] 3 is a simplified block diagram illustrating components of media playback device 212, preview server 230, broadcast monitoring server(s) 240, station identification system 250, and media identification system 260. As shown in FIG. 3, media playback device 212 includes request generator 214, local database 216, and user interface 218, all of which are configured to communicate with each other (e.g., via a bus, shared memory, or switch). Additionally, preview server 230 includes preview generator 232 and mapping database 234, which are also configured to communicate with each other. Additionally, station identification system 250 includes indexing module 252, and media identification system 260 includes identification module 262. Additionally, broadcast monitoring server(s) 240 include broadcast monitoring server 240a, broadcast monitoring server 240b, and broadcast monitoring server 240c.

[0040] One or more of the components shown in Figure 3 may be implemented using hardware (e.g., a machine processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), or a combination of hardware and software. Furthermore, any two or more of the components shown in Figure 3 may be combined into a single component, and functionality described herein for a single component may be subdivided among multiple components.

[0041] According to the above description, broadcast monitoring servers 240a, 240b, and 240c can provide preview server 230 with data related to content provided on various channels. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, broadcast monitoring server 240a can provide data in the form of text and station identifier pairs for multiple channels. For example, in each pair, the text can include a song title and artist and a channel identifier for the channel on which the song is provided. Alternatively, in each pair, the text can include a video title and the channel on which the video is provided.

[0042] The broadcast monitoring server 240a can determine the pairs using audio and / or video fingerprinting. The fingerprinting can include obtaining a query fingerprint from a sample of the media content, comparing the query fingerprint to known reference fingerprints, and determining that the query fingerprint matches at least one known reference fingerprint. Determining that the query fingerprint matches at least one known fingerprint can include determining that the similarity between the query fingerprint and at least one of the known reference fingerprints meets a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold can be related to a Tanimoto distance measure, a Manhattan distance measure, or other distance measure. The broadcast monitoring server 240a can also match the query fingerprint to at least one known reference fingerprint using other matching methods, such as the Euclidean method, the cosine method, the KL divergence method, and / or the Itakura matching method.

[0043] The broadcast monitoring server 240b may provide data in the form of media sample and station identifier pairs for one or more channels. For example, the broadcast monitoring server 240b may publish, for one or more channels, media samples of the content provided on each channel and the station identifier for each channel. Each sample may include multiple frames of audio content or multiple frames of video content.

[0044] The broadcast monitoring server 240c can provide data in the form of pairs of text and / or media samples and station identifiers. In one example, the broadcast monitoring server 240c can identify audio content being provided on one or more channels based on data provided by programming software used by a radio station to program which songs will be played. The programming software can publish data about songs after a radio station begins playing the song. The broadcast monitoring server 240c can access this published data to identify the song. This published data can include text and / or media samples for each of the one or more channels.

[0045] The data received by preview server 230 from broadcast monitoring servers 240a, 240b, and 240c can be used to populate mapping database 235. In some examples, preview server 230 can use data obtained from multiple different broadcast monitoring servers to populate mapping database 234 to establish a robust database mapping channels to content. For example, preview server 230 can retrieve a first set of data for a first set of channels from broadcast monitoring server 240a and a second set of data for a second set of channels from broadcast monitoring server 240b, the second set including some channels not included in the first set of channels.

[0046] Upon receiving pairs of text and / or media samples and station identifiers for one or more channels, preview server 230 can communicate with media identification system 260 to determine identification information for the content provided on the channels represented in these pairs. Specifically, for each of one or more channels represented by a pair, preview server 230 can send the text or media sample corresponding to the channel to identification module 262 of media identification system 260. Identification module 262 can then process the text or media sample for each channel to determine identification information corresponding to the text or media sample. For example, identification module 262 can match the received text to items of media content represented in the database of media identification system 260 to determine a media-specific identifier (e.g., a track-specific identifier) corresponding to the item of media content. Alternatively, identification module 262 can use audio or video fingerprinting to identify the item of media content that includes the received media sample and determine a media-specific identifier corresponding to the item of media content.

[0047] After identifying an item of media content corresponding to the text and / or media sample, the identification module 262 can provide a media-specific identifier for the item of media content to the preview server 230 to be stored in the mapping database 234 of the preview server 230. Instead of or in addition to the media-specific identifier, the identification module 262 can also provide other identification information associated with the item of media content to the preview server 230. As an example, in the case of audio content, the identification information can include a track title, an album title, and an artist name. Additionally or alternatively, the identification information can include an album image (e.g., cover art) or an artist image. The identification information can also include a program identifier that identifies an audio program. Similarly, in the case of video content, the identification information can include a title and a program identifier that identifies a video program. In some examples, the content provided on one of the second channels can include a sporting event, and the identification information can include time and score information for the sporting event.

[0048] Upon receiving pairs of text and / or media samples for one or more channels, preview server 230 may also communicate with station identification system 250 to determine unique identifiers for the channels represented in these pairs. Specifically, for each of the one or more channels represented by a pair, preview server 230 may send the channel identifier for the channel to indexing module 252 of station identification system 262. Indexing module 252 may then use the mapping data to convert the channel identifier to a unique identifier and provide this unique identifier to preview server 230. Preview server 230 may then store the channel's identification information in mapping database 234 using the unique identifier.

[0049] The identification information for each channel stored in mapping database 234 may be updated as broadcast monitoring servers 240a, 240b, and 240c provide new data to preview server 230. In some examples, one or more of broadcast monitoring servers 240a, 240b, and 240c may periodically push data to preview server 230. Alternatively, preview server 230 may periodically pull data from one or more of broadcast monitoring servers 240a, 240b, and 240c.

[0050] While the media playback device 212 is playing content received on a first channel, the request generator 214 of the media playback device 210 can generate a preview request and provide the preview request to the preview server 230. The preview request can identify one or more second channels that are different from the first channel. In some examples, the preview request can include a station identifier for each of the one or more second channels. For example, the station identifier(s) can be call signs. Additionally or alternatively, the preview request can also include the frequency of the second channel and the geographic location of the media playback device 212.

[0051] The request generator 214 can select the second channel(s) identified in the preview request in various ways. As one example, the request generator 214 can select the second channel for the preview request based on characteristics of the first channel. For example, the request generator 214 can select a channel associated with a first genre (e.g., blues, jazz, country, etc.) based on the first channel's association with the first genre. As another example, the request generator 214 can select a channel for the preview request based on channels programmed as presets on the media playback device 212. As yet another example, the request generator 214 can select one or more other channels located within the frequency or channel range of the first channel as the second channel. For example, the request generator 214 can select the next two adjacent channels higher than the first channel and the next two adjacent channels lower than the first channel. If the first channel is channel 124, the request generator 214 can select channels 122, 123, 125, and 126. Alternatively, if a first channel is assigned to a frequency of 98.1 megahertz (MHz), the request generator 214 may select second channels assigned to frequencies of 96.9 MHz, 97.3 MHz, 98.9 MHz, and 99.5 MHz based on the fact that these channels are adjacent to the first channel in a particular geographic region.

[0052] Upon receiving a preview request, preview generator 232 of preview server 230 may retrieve identification information corresponding to the content provided on one or more channels identified in the preview request and provide these identification information in an output response to media playback device 212. To facilitate this retrieval, preview generator 232 may send one or more channel identifiers for the channels listed in the preview request to station identification system 250. Index module 252 of station identification system 250 may respond to preview generator 232 with the unique identifiers for the channels.

[0053] Additionally, the preview generator 232 can use the unique identifier to look up the channel's identification information from the mapping database 234. After obtaining the identification information, the preview generator 232 can generate an output response including the channel's identification information and provide the output response to the media playback device 212. The output response can take the form of text data, such as a list of channels and their corresponding identification information. The identification information can include one or more links to image data, such as a link to album art or a link to an image of the song artist or an image of the program host.

[0054] In some instances, the preview generator 232 may be unable to retrieve the identification of a channel identified in a preview request. If the preview generator 232 determines that the identification of a channel is unavailable, it may add the channel to a list or increment a count associated with the channel. The preview server 230 may store this data regarding the frequency with which the identification of a channel was requested but unavailable and provide it to one of the broadcast monitoring servers 240a, 240b, or 240c upon request. The broadcast monitoring server may then receive the data and enhance its service by adding the station to a list of stations monitored by the broadcast monitoring server.

[0055] Upon receiving the output response, the media playback device 212 can store the identification information of the channels in a local database 216 of the media playback device 212. The media playback device 212 can display a portion of the identification information using the user interface 218. For example, the media playback device 212 can display the identification information of each of the multiple channels in a respective user interface element (e.g., a respective tile) corresponding to each channel of the multiple channels. The identification information can be displayed in a now-playing guide accessible via the user interface 218. In some examples, the identification information can be displayed adjacent to the identification information of the first channel. Alternatively, the identification information of the first channel can be obscured in the user interface 218 when the identification information is displayed.

[0056] In some examples, the preview request may identify one or more second channels different from the first channel on which the media playback device 212 is playing content, rather than identifying the first channel. In this approach, the preview generator 232 may select one or more second channels based on the first channel, determine identification information corresponding to the content provided on the one or more second channels, and transmit the identification information to the media playback device 212 in the output response. For example, the preview server 230 may determine that the first channel is associated with a first genre and select one or more second channels also associated with a second genre. Alternatively, the preview server 230 may determine that the first channel is associated with a first geographic location (e.g., a first city) and select one or more second channels that are popular in the first city.

[0057] Additionally, in some examples, the preview generator 232 may select an advertisement upon receiving the preview request and send the advertisement to the media playback device 212 in the output response. The media playback device 212 may then offer the advertisement for display when displaying the identifying information included in the output response. The owner of the item of media content or a third party may pay a fee to associate the advertisement with the item. In this configuration, the preview generator 232 may determine that an advertisement is associated with an item of media content being played on a channel, and the identifying information for the item of media content will be provided to the media playback device 212 in the output response. Based on making this determination, the preview generator 232 may include the advertisement in the output response for display along with the identifying information.

[0058] Other ad placements are possible. For example, a third party may pay a fee to associate an advertisement with a particular channel or group of channels. If the preview generator 232 determines that an identification of one of these channels should be included in the output response, it may select an advertisement for inclusion in the output response.

[0059] 4 illustrates an example display 400 that may be provided by a media playback device, such as media playback device 212. As shown in FIG. 4, display 400 includes four identification elements 402, 406, 410, and 414 corresponding to four respective identification tiles 404, 408, 412, and 416. Each of identification elements 402, 406, 410, and 414 displays data indicative of a respective channel. The data indicative of a respective channel may include, for example, a frequency, a channel name, a channel identifier (e.g., a call sign), a genre, and / or a channel logo.

[0060] Additionally, each of identification tiles 404, 408, 412, and 416 displays the identity of the content provided on the corresponding channel. Specifically, identification tile 404 displays the identity of the content provided on a first channel identified by identification element 402, identification tile 408 displays the identity of the content provided on a second channel identified by identification element 406, identification tile 412 displays the identity of the content provided on a third channel identified by identification element 410, and identification tile 416 displays the identity of the content provided on a fourth channel identified by identification element 414. Thus, display 400 allows a user of a media playback device to visually browse content being played across multiple channels, which may simplify searching and discovery of media content.

[0061] In display 400, the fourth channel is the currently selected channel. In other words, the media playback device displays identification elements 402, 406, 410, and 414 and identification tiles 404, 408, 412, and 416 while playing content received on the fourth channel. To inform the user that the media playback device is playing content received on the fourth channel, data indicative of the fourth channel and the identification of the content being provided on the fourth channel is displayed in current channel element 418.

[0062] Additionally, each of the identification elements 402, 406, 410, and 414 and / or each of the identification tiles 404, 408, 412, and 416 may be selectable by a user of the media playback device. For example, the user may select the identification element 402 or the identification tile 404 to cause the media playback device to switch tuning from the fourth channel to the first channel.

[0063] In another example, the media playback device may be playing content received on a fifth channel that is different from each of the first, second, third, and fourth channels. In this approach, data indicating the fifth channel and the identity of the content being provided on the fifth channel may be displayed in the current channel element 418 (not shown).

[0064] 4, display 400 may optionally include advertisement 420. The advertisement may include, for example, text and / or images. The advertisement may have been provided to the media playback device along with the identification information displayed in identification tiles 404, 408, 412, and 416.

[0065] III. Example of operation 5 is a flowchart of an example method 500. Method 500 can be performed by a media playback device, such as media playback device 212, or more generally by a computer system. At block 502, method 500 includes the vehicle's media playback device sending a preview request to a server while playing content received on a first channel. The preview request identifies a second channel that is different from the first channel. At block 504, method 500 includes the media playback device receiving a response to the preview request from the server. The response includes identification information corresponding to the content being provided on the second channel. At block 506, method 500 includes the media playback device providing for display at least a portion of the identification information corresponding to the content being provided on the second channel while playing the content received on the first channel.

[0066] IV. Variations Some of the operations and / or functions described in this disclosure are described as being performed by particular entities, but may be performed by any entity, such as the entities described in this disclosure. Furthermore, although these operations and / or functions are described in a particular order, they need not be performed in the order described. However, in some instances, it may be desirable to perform these operations and / or functions in the order described. Furthermore, each operation and / or function may be performed in response to one or more of the other operations and / or functions. Furthermore, not all of these operations and / or functions need be performed to achieve one or more of the benefits described in this disclosure, and therefore not all operations and / or functions may be required.

[0067] Although some variations have been described in connection with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, these variations may also be applied to all other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0068] While selected examples of the present disclosure have been described, modifications and permutations of these examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Other modifications, substitutions, and / or alterations are also possible without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. transmitting a preview request to a server, the preview request identifying a second channel different from the first channel, while the vehicle's media playback device is playing content received on a first channel; receiving, by the media playback device, a response to the preview request from the server, the response including identification information corresponding to content provided on the second channel; providing, by the media playback device for display, at least a portion of the identification information corresponding to content being provided on the second channel while the media playback device is playing the content received on the first channel; A method comprising:

2. the content received on the first channel is audio content; The method of claim 1.

3. the content received on the first channel is video content; The method of claim 1.

4. the preview request includes a station identifier for the second channel. The method of claim 1.

5. the preview request includes a frequency of the second channel and a geographic location of the media playback device. The method of claim 1.

6. the preview request identifies a set of second channels that includes the second channel; the response includes respective identification information corresponding to respective content provided on each channel of the second set of channels. The method of claim 1.

7. the first channel is associated with a first genre; The method further includes selecting the channel from the second set of channels based on the channel's association with the first genre. The method of claim 6.

8. selecting the channel from the second set of channels based on the channel being programmed as a preset on the media playback device. The method of claim 6.

9. the identification information corresponding to the content provided on the second channel includes a media-specific identifier; The method of claim 1.

10. the identification information corresponding to the content provided on the second channel includes a track title, an album title, and an artist name; The method of claim 1.

11. the identification information corresponding to the content provided on the second channel includes a program identifier; The method of claim 1.

12. the identification information corresponding to the content provided on the second channel includes a link to an image; The method of claim 1.

13. providing the at least a portion of the identification information for display includes providing the at least a portion of the identification information for display on a user interface of the media playback device. The method of claim 1.

14. the server maintains a database mapping a plurality of channels to identification information corresponding to content provided on the plurality of channels; the identification information corresponding to the content provided on the second channel is retrieved from the database; The method of claim 1.

15. the response includes an advertisement; The method further includes the media playback device providing the advertisement for display. The method of claim 1.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon program instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a series of operations, the series of operations comprising: sending a preview request to a server identifying a second channel different from the first channel while a media playback device in the vehicle is playing content received on a first channel; receiving a response to the preview request from the server, the response including identification information corresponding to content provided on the second channel; providing for display at least a portion of the identification information corresponding to content provided on the second channel while the media playback device is playing the content received on the first channel; and 1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

17. the preview request includes a frequency of the second channel and a geographic location of the media playback device.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16.

18. the preview request identifies a set of second channels that includes the second channel; the response includes respective identification information corresponding to respective content provided on each channel of the second set of channels; The series of operations further includes selecting the channel from the second set of channels based on the channel being programmed as a preset for the media playback device.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16.

19. sending a preview request to a server while the media playback device is playing content received on a first channel, the second channel being different from the first channel; receiving a response to the preview request from the server, the response including identification information corresponding to content provided on the second channel; providing for display at least a portion of the identification information corresponding to content provided on the second channel while the media playback device is playing the content received on the first channel; and 1. A computer system configured to perform a series of operations including:

20. the content received on the first channel is audio content; the preview request includes a frequency of the second channel and a geographic location of the media playback device.

20. The computer system of claim 19.

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