Sony Ericsson patents "LOCATION DEPENDENT MUSIC SEARCH "
Abstract
A portable device may perform a location dependent music search. During the search, the portable device determines location information that identifies a location of the portable device, makes a request that includes the location information to a database, obtains a list of music sources associated with the location information from the database as a result of a search performed based on the request, selects a music source from the list, and outputs an audio signal associated with the selected music source,
Description
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TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001]Implementations described herein pertain to searching pieces of music and, in particular, to methods and apparatuses for allowing a user to search and access pieces of music based on the user's location.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0002]Many people associate a physical location or a place to songs or pieces of music. In visiting or arriving at the place, they may remember the songs or the pieces of music and wish to hear them. They may also appreciate being supplied, automatically or after a request, information about the songs or pieces of music associated with the place.
SUMMARY
[0003]According to one aspect, a method may comprise determining location information that identifies a location of a portable device, making a request that includes the location information to a database, obtaining a list of music sources associated with the location information from the database as a result of a search performed based on the request, selecting a music source from the list, and outputting an audio signal associated with the selected music source.
[0004]Additionally, determining location information may include receiving signals from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites or one or more base stations, and determining the location information based on the received signals.
[0005]Additionally, the method may further comprise editing or creating a database record that includes a set of metadata for a music source and a geographical key, and adding or saving the database record to the database.
[0006]Additionally, the method may further comprise authenticating a user of the portable device at the database before editing, creating, adding or saving the database record.
[0007]According to another aspect, a method may comprise determining location information that identifies a location of a portable device, transmitting a request that includes the location information to a remote map database, receiving a geographical key from the remote map database as a result of a search performed based on the request, submitting a query based on the geographical key to a local metadata database, obtaining a list of music sources associated with the location information from the local metadata database as a result of the query, and outputting an audio signal associated with the selected music source.
[0008]According to yet another aspect, a portable electronic device may comprise a position signal receiver for determining location information that identifies a location of the portable electronic device, one or more processors configured to: submit a query to a database, the query including the location information; accept a list of music sources associated with the location information from the database as a result of the query submitted to the database; and select a music source from the list, wherein the portable electronic device produces an audio signal associated with the selected music source when the music source is selected from the list.
[0009]Additionally, the database may be included in a remote server.
[0010]Additionally, the database may be included in the portable electronic device.
[0011]Additionally, the processor may be further configured to accept user inputs and the query may farther include user inputs.
[0012]Additionally, the user inputs may include one or more of the following: a distance or location information.
[0013]Additionally, the database may include a map database and a metadata database.
[0014]Additionally, the metadata database may include a record, the record comprising a geographical key and a set of metadata for a music source.
[0015]Additionally, the map database may include a record, the record comprising location information and a geographical key that corresponds to the location information.
[0016]Additionally, the query may further include a distance for obtaining geographical keys whose locations fall within the distance from the location of the portable electronic device.
[0017]According to a further aspect, a database server may comprise a network interface, through which the database server communicates with a portable electronic device that is configured to send a request for a list of music sources, the request including a location of the portable electronic device, and one or more processors configured to: receive the request from the portable electronic device, submit a music query for a list of music sources to a database, the music query including the location of the portable electronic device, and obtain a list of music sources associated with the location as a result of submitting the music query, wherein the database server is configured to transmits the list of music sources obtained from the music query to the portable electronic device through the network interface.
[0018]Additionally, the database may comprise a map database and a metadata database.
[0019]Additionally, the map database may include a geographical record, the geographical record including location information and a geographical name, and the metadata database may include a metadata record, the metadata record including a set of metadata for a music source and a geographical name associated with the music source.
[0020]According to yet another aspect, a device may comprise means for determining location information that identifies a location of the device, means for submitting a request that includes the location information of the device to a remote device, means for accepting records of metadata about music sources associated with the location information from the remote device based on the request, means for selecting a music source whose record is among the accepted records, and means for generating an acoustic signal associated with the selected music source.
[0021]Additionally, the remote device may include means for storing and searching geographical records, at least one geographical record including location information and a geographical name, and means for storing and searching metadata records, at least one metadata record including a set of metadata for a music source and a geographical name associated with the music source.
[0022]According to yet another aspect, a remote server may comprise means for receiving a request for a list of music sources from a device, the request including location information that identifies a location of the device, means for searching a database for a list of music sources associated with the location information, and means for transmitting the list of music sources obtained from searching the database to the device.
A portable device may perform a location dependent music search. During the search, the portable device determines location information that identifies a location of the portable device, makes a request that includes the location information to a database, obtains a list of music sources associated with the location information from the database as a result of a search performed based on the request, selects a music source from the list, and outputs an audio signal associated with the selected music source,
Description
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TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001]Implementations described herein pertain to searching pieces of music and, in particular, to methods and apparatuses for allowing a user to search and access pieces of music based on the user's location.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0002]Many people associate a physical location or a place to songs or pieces of music. In visiting or arriving at the place, they may remember the songs or the pieces of music and wish to hear them. They may also appreciate being supplied, automatically or after a request, information about the songs or pieces of music associated with the place.
SUMMARY
[0003]According to one aspect, a method may comprise determining location information that identifies a location of a portable device, making a request that includes the location information to a database, obtaining a list of music sources associated with the location information from the database as a result of a search performed based on the request, selecting a music source from the list, and outputting an audio signal associated with the selected music source.
[0004]Additionally, determining location information may include receiving signals from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites or one or more base stations, and determining the location information based on the received signals.
[0005]Additionally, the method may further comprise editing or creating a database record that includes a set of metadata for a music source and a geographical key, and adding or saving the database record to the database.
[0006]Additionally, the method may further comprise authenticating a user of the portable device at the database before editing, creating, adding or saving the database record.
[0007]According to another aspect, a method may comprise determining location information that identifies a location of a portable device, transmitting a request that includes the location information to a remote map database, receiving a geographical key from the remote map database as a result of a search performed based on the request, submitting a query based on the geographical key to a local metadata database, obtaining a list of music sources associated with the location information from the local metadata database as a result of the query, and outputting an audio signal associated with the selected music source.
[0008]According to yet another aspect, a portable electronic device may comprise a position signal receiver for determining location information that identifies a location of the portable electronic device, one or more processors configured to: submit a query to a database, the query including the location information; accept a list of music sources associated with the location information from the database as a result of the query submitted to the database; and select a music source from the list, wherein the portable electronic device produces an audio signal associated with the selected music source when the music source is selected from the list.
[0009]Additionally, the database may be included in a remote server.
[0010]Additionally, the database may be included in the portable electronic device.
[0011]Additionally, the processor may be further configured to accept user inputs and the query may farther include user inputs.
[0012]Additionally, the user inputs may include one or more of the following: a distance or location information.
[0013]Additionally, the database may include a map database and a metadata database.
[0014]Additionally, the metadata database may include a record, the record comprising a geographical key and a set of metadata for a music source.
[0015]Additionally, the map database may include a record, the record comprising location information and a geographical key that corresponds to the location information.
[0016]Additionally, the query may further include a distance for obtaining geographical keys whose locations fall within the distance from the location of the portable electronic device.
[0017]According to a further aspect, a database server may comprise a network interface, through which the database server communicates with a portable electronic device that is configured to send a request for a list of music sources, the request including a location of the portable electronic device, and one or more processors configured to: receive the request from the portable electronic device, submit a music query for a list of music sources to a database, the music query including the location of the portable electronic device, and obtain a list of music sources associated with the location as a result of submitting the music query, wherein the database server is configured to transmits the list of music sources obtained from the music query to the portable electronic device through the network interface.
[0018]Additionally, the database may comprise a map database and a metadata database.
[0019]Additionally, the map database may include a geographical record, the geographical record including location information and a geographical name, and the metadata database may include a metadata record, the metadata record including a set of metadata for a music source and a geographical name associated with the music source.
[0020]According to yet another aspect, a device may comprise means for determining location information that identifies a location of the device, means for submitting a request that includes the location information of the device to a remote device, means for accepting records of metadata about music sources associated with the location information from the remote device based on the request, means for selecting a music source whose record is among the accepted records, and means for generating an acoustic signal associated with the selected music source.
[0021]Additionally, the remote device may include means for storing and searching geographical records, at least one geographical record including location information and a geographical name, and means for storing and searching metadata records, at least one metadata record including a set of metadata for a music source and a geographical name associated with the music source.
[0022]According to yet another aspect, a remote server may comprise means for receiving a request for a list of music sources from a device, the request including location information that identifies a location of the device, means for searching a database for a list of music sources associated with the location information, and means for transmitting the list of music sources obtained from searching the database to the device.
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