IP Library Granted Patent US 10,019,225
Granted Patent B1
US 10,019,225 · App. 15/387,345 · Granted Jul 10, 2018

Audio streaming based on in-automobile detection

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,019,225
App. No.
15/387,345
Granted
Jul 10, 2018
Kind
B1
Abstract

An example embodiment may involve determining that a client device (such as a smartphone, tablet, or in-automobile audio device) is in an automobile and that the client device has access to a playlist of audio content. Possibly based on the client device being in the automobile and having access to the playlist of audio content, the client device may request a stream of the audio content. As a consequence of making the request, the client device may receive the stream of the audio content and begin audible playout of the audio content.

Claims (72)

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a client device, an operation that indicates that one or more references to audio files are to be saved for in-automobile playout;

transmitting, by the client device, the one or more references saved for in-automobile playout to a profile server device, wherein reception of the one or more references saved for in-automobile playout causes the profile server device to generate a playlist including the one or more references saved for in-automobile playout;

determining, by the client device, that the client device is in an automobile;

in response to determining that the client device is in the automobile, retrieving, by the client device and from the profile server device, the playlist including the one or more references saved for in-automobile playout;

based on the client device being in the automobile and having retrieved the playlist including the one or more references saved for in-automobile playout, requesting, by the client device, a stream of the audio files from one or more audio server devices;

receiving, by the client device, the stream of the audio files from the one or more audio server devices; and

causing, by the client device, audible playout of the stream of the audio files.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein requesting the stream of the audio files comprises:

providing a visual or audible indication that the client device can play out the audio files; and

receiving a command to request the stream of audio files.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining that the client device is in the automobile comprises:

querying, by an application executing on the client device, an interface that provides whether the client device is estimated to be in the automobile; and

receiving, by the application and via the interface, an indication that the client device is estimated to be in the automobile.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining weather or traffic conditions within a threshold distance of the client device,

wherein requesting the stream of the audio files from one or more audio server devices comprises requesting an audio file containing information regarding the determined weather or traffic conditions.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining a number of humans in the automobile,

wherein requesting the stream of the audio files from one or more audio server devices comprises requesting an audio file based on the determined number of humans in the automobile.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the client device is a wireless communication device that is in communication with an audio playout system of the automobile, and wherein causing audible playout of the stream of the audio files comprises:

transmitting the audio files to the audio playout system, wherein reception of the audio files causes the audio playout system to play out the audio files.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the client device is a component of the automobile, wherein the automobile includes an audio playout system, and wherein causing audible playout of the stream of the files comprises:

providing the audio files to the audio playout system, wherein reception of the audio files causes the audio playout system to play out the audio files.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the client device is a wireless communication device that includes a speaker, and wherein causing audible playout of the stream of the audio files comprises:

playing out the audio files by way of the speaker.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the operation that indicates that the one or more references to audio files are to be saved for in-automobile playout comprises:

receiving, by way of a user interface function of a web browser application executing on the client device, input that selects the one or more references; and

in response to receiving the input, storing the one or more references on the client device.

10. An article of manufacture including a non-transitory computer-readable medium, having stored thereon program instructions that, upon execution by a client device, cause the client device to perform operations comprising:

receiving an operation that indicates that one or more references to audio files are to be saved for in-automobile playout;

transmitting the one or more references saved for in-automobile playout to a profile server device, wherein reception of the one or more references saved for in-automobile playout causes the profile server device to generate a playlist including the one or more references saved for in-automobile playout;

determining that the client device is in an automobile;

in response to determining that the client device is in the automobile, retrieving, from the profile server device, the playlist including the one or more references saved for in-automobile playout of audio;

based on the client device being in the automobile and having retrieved the playlist including the one or more references saved for in-automobile playout, requesting a stream of the audio files from one or more audio server devices;

receiving the stream of the audio files from the one or more audio server devices; and

causing audible playout of the stream of the audio files.

11. The article of manufacture of claim 10 , wherein requesting the stream of the audio files comprises:

providing a visual or audible indication that the client device can play out the audio files; and

receiving a command to request the stream of audio files.

12. The article of manufacture of claim 10 , wherein determining that the client device is in the automobile comprises:

querying, by an application executing on the client device, an interface that provides whether the client device is estimated to be in the automobile; and

receiving, by the application and via the interface, an indication that the client device is estimated to be in the automobile.

13. The article of manufacture of claim 10 , the operations further comprising:

determining weather or traffic conditions within a threshold distance of the client device,

wherein requesting the stream of the audio files from one or more audio server devices comprises requesting an audio file containing information regarding the determined weather or traffic conditions.

14. The article of manufacture of claim 10 , the operations further comprising:

determining a number of humans in the automobile,

wherein requesting the stream of the audio files from one or more audio server devices comprises requesting an audio file based on the determined number of humans in the automobile.

15. The article of manufacture of claim 10 , wherein the client device is a wireless communication device that is in communication with an audio playout system of the automobile, and wherein causing audible playout of the stream of the audio files comprises:

transmitting the audio content to the audio playout system, wherein reception of the audio files causes the audio playout system to play out the files.

16. The article of manufacture of claim 10 , wherein the client device is a component of the automobile, wherein the automobile includes an audio playout system, and wherein causing audible playout of the stream of the audio files comprises:

providing the audio files to the audio playout system, wherein reception of the audio files causes the audio playout system to play out the audio files.

17. The article of manufacture of claim 10 , wherein the client device is a wireless communication device that includes a speaker, and wherein causing audible playout of the stream of the audio files comprises:

playing out the audio files by way of the speaker.

18. The article of manufacture of claim 10 , wherein receiving the operation that indicates that the one or more references to audio files are to be saved for in-automobile playout comprises:

receiving, by way of a user interface function of a web browser application executing on the client device, input that selects the one or more references; and

in response to receiving the input, storing the one or more references on the client device.

19. A client device comprising:

a processor;

memory; and

program instructions, stored in the memory, that upon execution by the processor cause the client device to perform operations comprising:

receiving an operation that indicates that one or more references to audio files are to be saved for in-automobile playout;

transmitting the one or more references saved for in-automobile playout to a profile server device, wherein reception of the one or more references saved for in-automobile playout causes the profile server device to generate a playlist including the one or more references saved for in-automobile playout;

determining that the client device is in an automobile;

in response to determining that the client device is in the automobile, retrieving, from the profile server device, the playlist including the one or more references saved for in-automobile playout;

based on the client device being in the automobile and having retrieved the playlist including the one or more references saved for in-automobile playout, requesting a stream of the audio files from one or more audio server devices;

receiving the stream of the audio files from the one or more audio server devices; and

causing audible playout of the stream of the audio files.

20. The client device of claim 19 , wherein receiving the operation that indicates that the one or more references to audio files are to be saved for in-automobile playout comprises:

receiving, by way of a user interface function of a web browser application executing on the client device, input that selects the one or more references; and

in response to receiving the input, storing the one or more references on the client device.

Assignments (13)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2026
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 074516/0114 →
RELEASE (REEL 054066 / FRAME 0064) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063605/0001 →
RELEASE (REEL 053473 / FRAME 0001) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063603/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 063574/0632 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063561/0381 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 31, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063560/0547 →
RELEASE (REEL 042262 / FRAME 0601) Recorded Oct 13, 2022
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
Reel/Frame 061748/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENTS LISTED ON SCHEDULE 1 RECORDED ON 6-9-2020 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 053473 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SUPPLEMENTAL IP SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Oct 7, 2020
From: A.C. NIELSEN (ARGENTINA) S.A.; A.C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; ACN HOLDINGS INC.; ACNIELSEN CORPORATION; ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM; AFFINNOVA, INC.; ART HOLDING, L.L.C.; ATHENIAN LEASING CORPORATION; CZT/ACN TRADEMARKS, L.L.C.; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC; NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER INSIGHTS, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE, INC.; NIELSEN FINANCE CO.; NIELSEN FINANCE LLC; NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; NIELSEN MOBILE, LLC; NMR INVESTING I, INC.; TCG DIVESTITURE INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; VIZU CORPORATION; VNU MARKETING INFORMATION, INC.; NMR LICENSING ASSOCIATES, L.P.; NIELSEN HOLDING AND FINANCE B.V.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY B.V.; VNU INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: CITIBANK, N.A
Reel/Frame 054066/0064 →
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 9, 2020
From: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; ACN HOLDINGS INC.; ACNIELSEN CORPORATION; ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM; AFFINNOVA, INC.; ART HOLDING, L.L.C.; ATHENIAN LEASING CORPORATION; CZT/ACN TRADEMARKS, L.L.C.; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC; NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER INSIGHTS, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE, INC.; NIELSEN FINANCE CO.; NIELSEN FINANCE LLC; NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; NIELSEN MOBILE, LLC; NIELSEN UK FINANCE I, LLC; NMR INVESTING I, INC.; TCG DIVESTITURE INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; VIZU CORPORATION; VNU MARKETING INFORMATION, INC.; NMR LICENSING ASSOCIATES, L.P.; NIELSEN HOLDING AND FINANCE B.V.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY B.V.; VNU INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053473/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 17, 2017
From: TRIBUNE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
To: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
Reel/Frame 042270/0490 →
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 13, 2017
From: GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 042262/0601 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 11, 2017
From: TRIBUNE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
To: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
Reel/Frame 042221/0543 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2016
From: PANGULURI, VENKATARAMA ANILKUMAR
To: TRIBUNE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
Reel/Frame 040756/0657 →