Multi-Channel Audio Buffering for Personalized Playlist Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional personalized radio services limit users to single-channel listening experiences, fail to expose them to diverse content simultaneously broadcast on multiple channels, and require manual interaction or computer use to build playlists, lacking the ability to incorporate news, live events, or sports in personalized channels.
Innovation Solution
A radio receiver system that buffers and generates a playback stream from selected audio program channels, allowing users to create a personalized multi-channel playlist with navigation controls, incorporating multiple genres and simultaneous exposure to content from various channels, including music, news, and talk, without the need for manual interaction or a large local song database.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional personalized radio services use a single-channel listening experience, then the device complexity is reduced, but the diversity of content exposure is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the broadcast stream into multiple audio program channels, each representing a different genre or content type. The receiver separately buffers and processes each channel independently, then combines them into a personalized playlist based on user preferences, enabling content diversity without requiring the system to handle all channels simultaneously as a single complex unit
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver is designed with multi-functionality to perform channel selection, simultaneous buffering of multiple channels, content extraction, and automated playlist generation. This universal capability allows the system to handle diverse content types (music, news, sports, talk) through a single integrated device rather than requiring separate systems for each function
2Adaptability or versatility
If users manually build playlists using computer interaction, then the playlist customization is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically generating personalized playlists based on user preferences without requiring manual computer interaction. The receiver autonomously selects channels, buffers content, extracts relevant segments, and assembles playlists according to user-defined criteria, eliminating the need for users to manually manage playlists while maintaining high customization
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-buffering content from multiple channels before playlist generation. This advance preparation allows the automated playlist creation to proceed smoothly without real-time delays, and enables the system to have content ready for immediate playback based on user preferences without requiring users to perform preparatory actions
3Adaptability or versatility
If satellite radio provides multiple channels simultaneously, then the content diversity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver segments the processing of multiple channels by dedicating separate buffering resources to each selected channel while maintaining independent processing paths. This segmentation allows the device to handle multiple channels simultaneously without creating a monolithic complex system, as each channel can be managed as a distinct unit within the receiver architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by selecting and buffering only a subset of channels from the available satellite radio spectrum based on user preferences. Rather than processing all available channels simultaneously (excessive action), the receiver intelligently selects the relevant portion needed for personalized playlist creation, reducing device complexity while maintaining channel variety
4Adaptability or versatility
If users require a large local song database, then the music library coverage is improved, but the device complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the broadcast stream itself as an intermediary to provide access to a large music library without requiring the receiver to store a local database. The broadcast stream acts as a mediator that delivers diverse music content directly to the receiver, which then extracts and buffers relevant segments for playback, eliminating the need for complex local database management while maintaining extensive music library coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The content is pre-assembled and prepared in the broadcast stream before reaching the receiver. This preliminary action of content preparation upstream allows the receiver to simply extract and buffer segments without needing to maintain a large local database, reducing device complexity and storage requirements while still providing extensive music library coverage through the pre-prepared broadcast content
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided for generating a personalized radio channel playlist by simultaneously buffering tracks from multiple received channels from one or more source streams and selectively playing back tracks from the buffered channels. Navigation tools permit users to skip buffered songs in their playlist (e.g., skip forward and backward). Users can specify favorite channels for building personal playlists, or multiple default playlist channels can be provided (e.g., by genre). Thumbs up/down buttons on the radio receiver permit entering a song or artist being played back into a favorites list that is used to search all channels for matches or a banned list used to block songs from future playlists. A matched channel carrying the favorite can be added to a playlist. Segments on the playlist can be played back in full or truncated to facilitate preview of playlist segments.