IP Library Granted Patent US 10,809,973
Granted Patent B2
US 10,809,973 · App. 16/447,496 · Granted Oct 20, 2020

Playlist selection for audio streaming

Inventor: Venkatarama Anilkumar Panguluri (Milpitas, CA)
Assignee: Gracenote Digital Ventures, LLC
G06F3/165G06F16/639G06F16/686H04L65/4084H04L65/60H04L65/608H04L67/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,809,973
App. No.
16/447,496
Granted
Oct 20, 2020
Kind
B2
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 (44)

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, by a server device, references to one or more audio files selected by a user;

storing, by the server device, the references to the one or more audio files in an account of the user;

receiving, by the server device and from a client device, a request for a playlist, wherein the client device is associated with the user, wherein the client device transmitted the request in response to determining that it is in an automobile, and wherein the client device determining that it is in the automobile comprises: (i) determining, from two or more global positioning system (GPS) measurements, that the client device is moving at a speed that exceeds a predetermined threshold speed for at least a pre-determined threshold amount of time, and (ii) confirming, using map data providing locations of roads and highways, that the client device is traveling along a road or highway;

obtaining, by the server device, the playlist, wherein the playlist contains the references to the one or more audio files and a reference to an audio file that was not selected by the user; and

transmitting, by the server device and to the client device, the playlist.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein obtaining the playlist comprises generating the playlist to include the references to the one or more audio files and the reference to the audio file that was not selected by the user.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein generating the playlist occurs in response to receiving the request for the playlist.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein obtaining the playlist comprises retrieving a stored copy of the playlist including the references to the one or more audio files and the reference to the audio file that was not selected by the user, and wherein the playlist was generated before reception of the request for the playlist.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein reception of the playlist by the client device causes the client device to use the references to retrieve and play out the one or more audio files and the audio file that was not selected by the user.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the client device determining that it is in the automobile further 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.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the client device determining that it is in the automobile further comprises the client device receiving wireless signals associated with the automobile.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the client device determining that it is in the automobile further comprises the client device receiving user input indicating that the client device is in the automobile.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the audio file that was not selected by the user contains traffic or weather information.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the references to the one or more audio files selected by the user comprises the client device:

receiving, from the user, save-to-automobile operations specifying the references to the one or more audio files; and

in response to receiving the save-to-automobile operations, saving text, links, or other data related to one or more audio files.

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

receiving references to one or more audio files selected by a user;

storing the references to the one or more audio files in an account of the user;

receiving, from a client device, a request for a playlist, wherein the client device is associated with the user, wherein the client device transmitted the request in response to determining that it is in an automobile, and wherein the client device determining that it is in the automobile comprises: (i) determining, from two or more global positioning system (GPS) measurements, that the client device is moving at a speed that exceeds a predetermined threshold speed for at least a pre-determined threshold amount of time, and (ii) confirming, using map data providing locations of roads and highways, that the client device is traveling along a road or highway;

obtaining the playlist, wherein the playlist contains the references to the one or more audio files and a reference to an audio file that was not selected by the user; and

transmitting, to the client device, the playlist.

12. The article of manufacture of claim 11 , wherein obtaining the playlist comprises generating the playlist to include the references to the one or more audio files and the reference to the audio file that was not selected by the user.

13. The article of manufacture of claim 12 , wherein generating the playlist occurs in response to receiving the request for the playlist.

14. The article of manufacture of claim 11 , wherein obtaining the playlist comprises retrieving a stored copy of the playlist including the references to the one or more audio files and the reference to the audio file that was not selected by the user, and wherein the playlist was generated before reception of the request for the playlist.

15. The article of manufacture of claim 11 , wherein reception of the playlist by the client device causes the client device to use the references to retrieve and play out the one or more audio files and the audio file that was not selected by the user.

16. The article of manufacture of claim 11 , wherein receiving the references to the one or more audio files selected by the user comprises the client device:

receiving, from the user, save-to-automobile operations specifying the references to the one or more audio files; and

in response to receiving the save-to-automobile operations, saving text, links, or other data related to one or more audio files.

17. A server device comprising:

a processor;

memory; and

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

receiving references to one or more audio files selected by a user;

storing the references to the one or more audio files in an account of the user;

receiving, from a client device, a request for a playlist, wherein the client device is associated with the user, wherein the client device transmitted the request in response to determining that it is in an automobile, and wherein the client device determining that it is in the automobile comprises: (i) determining, from two or more global positioning system (GPS) measurements, that the client device is moving at a speed that exceeds a predetermined threshold speed for at least a pre-determined threshold amount of time, and (ii) confirming, using map data providing locations of roads and highways, that the client device is traveling along a road or highway;

obtaining the playlist, wherein the playlist contains the references to the one or more audio files and a reference to an audio file that was not selected by the user; and

transmitting, to the client device, the playlist.

18. The server device of claim 17 , wherein obtaining the playlist comprises generating the playlist to include the references to the one or more audio files and the reference to the audio file that was not selected by the user.

19. The server device of claim 18 , wherein generating the playlist occurs in response to receiving the request for the playlist.

20. The server device of claim 17 , wherein obtaining the playlist comprises retrieving a stored copy of the playlist including the references to the one or more audio files and the reference to the audio file that was not selected by the user, and wherein the playlist was generated before reception of the request for the playlist.

Assignments (10)
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: GRACENOTE, INC.; A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, 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 →
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 Jun 27, 2019
From: TRIBUNE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
To: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
Reel/Frame 049609/0719 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 24, 2019
From: PANGULURI, VENKATARAMA ANILKUMAR
To: TRIBUNE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
Reel/Frame 049568/0437 →