Apple files patent for VHF/FM/RDS Wireless iPod Remote for vehicle

Posted by Dennis Sellers Jan 4, 2006 at 11:55am

On Dec. 29, the US Patent & Trademark Office revealed a new Apple patent application titled “Method for data transmission utilizing a portable multimedia device.” This exciting patent reveals that a new wireless VHF/FM/RDS transmitter will be added to select future iPods.

The new iPods will remotely communicate with in-vehicle radios/stereos equipped with RDS receivers. The end result will be that your stored iTunes on your iPod will not only play on these in-vehicle stereos, but also present corresponding data such as the artist’s name, iTune title and so forth on the RDS stereo’s mini display.

In fact, the RDS based iPods should be able to communicate with other digital devices that incorporate RDS technology, such as the Hitachi HTD-K185 Home Cinema System. Although the patent doesn’t present the Hitachi example, the patent accommodates the principle. Specifically, Patent Point # 19 states that “once selected, the remote player decodes and plays the selected music file and displays the associated data file and if so desired, will wirelessly transmit same the music file and associated data file to an appropriately configured receiver device such as an RDS enable radio.” Of course the key text here is “appropriately configured.”

In context with Apple’s own announcement that they had teamed up with Acura, Audi, Honda and Volkswagen to deliver seamless iPod integration with their car stereos for 2006, I’m sure that part of that statement regarding “seamless integration” involves in-vehicle RDS radios that are “appropriately configured” to work with future RDS based iPods. In fact, that will likely extend to all 15 car companies that are now working with Apple. In addition to that aspect of “seamless integration,” also expect Apple’s other patent titled “Voice-activated media management system for the iPod,” to play a role in 2006 and beyond.

So, let me get the legal stuff out of the way, and then we’ll drill right into this patent for some specifics for your review.

NOTICE

Macsimum News presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application and/or grant is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent applications and/or grants should be read in its entirety for further details.

The sole inventor listed on this patent is Anthony M. Fadell,, vice president of Apple’s iPod Division.

The following are excerpts and some edited excerpts from Apple’s patent.

Apple’s Abstract

A communication system for sending data between a multimedia player and a nearby receiver is described. In the described embodiment, the multimedia player includes a multimedia data file processor unit arranged to process a multimedia data file and a data transmission unit coupled to the multimedia data file processor unit arranged to concurrently transmit selected portions of the processed multimedia data file. The system also includes a nearby receiver unit capable of receiving the transmitted selected portions of the processed multimedia data file.

Apple’s Detailed Description of Selected Embodiments

Overview: A number of embodiments of the invention incorporate a receiver unit compatible with the Radio Data System (RDS) that sends extra information along with VHF/FM radio services to suitable receiving equipment without affecting the normal audio program. The basic concept behind RDS is that each FM radio station is given a set bandwidth can be used for its broadcasting. However, most stations do not use all of their bandwidth, and the spare bandwidth is usually wasted. Therefore, RDS uses this wasted bandwidth for transmitting a low bit rate FM radio based data signal by being modulated into the radio station signal and transmitted along side it. This arrangement is very cost effective since the existing transmitting towers can be used with very little modification.

The invention described herein pertains to a method, apparatus, and system that affords a user of a remote communication device, such as a multimedia player (along the lines of an iPod multimedia player manufactured by Apple Computer Corporation of Cupertino, California) the ability to conveniently send audio and/or associated textual information either wired or wirelessly to a compatible receiver unit (such as, for example, a Radio Data System (RDS) enabled radio). 

Embodiment #1: a multimedia player in combination with a wireless data transmission unit transmits both media data and text data (either associated with the media data or not as deemed appropriate for the particular situation) to a nearby receiver device arranged to receive and process as needed either one or the other or both the media data and text data concurrently. It should be noted that the multimedia player can take the form the iPod player coupled with an FM transmitter adapter to wirelessly transmit media data (i.e., songs, music, etc.) and its related information (e.g., song title, title artist, etc) using Radio Data Service (RDS) based data bitstream to an appropriately configured receiver (such as an RDS enabled radio, often referred to as a “smart radio”). In this way, a user can in addition to selecting a particular song or music selection, be provided with information (such as artist) directly related to the selected musical selection. For example, a user can use the available music data to select only certain artists, or only music having certain titles, etc. thereby greatly enhancing the user’s listening experience.

Embodiment #2: a communication system having a multimedia player directly wired to a receiver unit is described that is useful in those situations where transmitting data wirelessly to the receiver unit is either impracticable or infeasible. In yet another embodiment, the multimedia player can be configured to operate in either a wireless mode or a wired mode as selected by a user based upon the situation at hand.

In a Particular Embodiment – #3: the multimedia player is a pocket sized, multimedia device (personal digital assistants, personal media player/recorders, and the like) having a display screen and a user input device that is typically formed of a manually operated switch, button, wheel, or other such contrivances. By manipulating the input device, a user is able to select a particular multimedia file for play along with an associated data file. In the case of a digital audio file (such as music), the associated data file can include such information as the song title, author, length of play, and other such useful information. Once a particular MP3 file has been selected, the player decodes the selected MP3 file and wirelessly transmits the decoded music file and associated data file by way of a radio transmitter unit coupled thereto. In the described embodiment, an RDS enabled radio both broadcasts the music on a speaker and displays the associated data on a display that contains such information as title, author, and the like. Once selected, the remote player decodes and plays the selected music file and displays the associated data file and if so desired, will wirelessly transmit same the music file and associated data file to an appropriately configured receiver device such as an RDS enable radio.

Embodiment #4: the multimedia data file is a digital media file in any of a number of digital media formats whilst the multimedia player takes the form of a pocket sized, portable digital media file player, such as an iPod manufactured by Apple Computer Corporation of Cupertino, California. In a preferred embodiment, the receiver unit is compatible with Radio Data System (RDS) embodied in what is commonly referred to as an RDS enabled “smart” radio.

Embodiment #5: the multimedia player wirelessly transmits the processed multimedia data file to the receiver while in another embodiment – the multimedia player is wired directly to the receiver unit.

Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to remote communication devices such as multimedia players, cell phones, radios (either mobile or stationary) and personal digital assistants. More specifically, the invention describes a method and apparatus for wirelessly transmitting digital media data and any related information between any of a number of such communication devices.

Random patent points of interest

The following are edited excerpts of patent points that you could investigated further on your own.

Patent Point # 17: In this way, a user can in addition to selecting a particular song or music selection, be provided with information (such as artist) directly related to the selected musical selection. For example, a user can use the available music data to select only certain artists, or only music having certain titles, etc. thereby greatly enhancing the user’s listening experience.

Patent Point # 19: Once selected, the remote player decodes and plays the selected music file and displays the associated data file and if so desired, will wirelessly transmit same the music file and associated data file to an appropriately configured receiver device such as an RDS enable radio.

Patent Point # 21: Accordingly, FIG. 1A shows a system 100 [noted as “communication system in claims] suitable for wirelessly transmitting data from a pocket sized multimedia player 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention [iPod]. In the system 100, the multimedia player [iPod] 102 is in wireless communication with a receiving unit 104 capable of selectively displaying graphical and/or textual information 108 simultaneously with an associated audio 110. In the described embodiment, the receiving unit 104 [not Apple’s] is an RDS enabled radio having a display 112 for displaying the information 108 and a speaker 114 for broadcasting the audio. Typically, the radio 104 is found in any number of modes of transportation such as automobiles, SUVs, etc., or any other situation where nearby placement of the player 102 is feasible.

Patent Point # 22: During operation, a user selects any of a number of multimedia data files stored within the multimedia player 102. Accordingly, the user can thereby choose to listen to the selected multimedia data file by way of an attached headphone (not shown) or in the case when, for example, the user is traveling in an automobile, the user can choose to transmit both the audio and associated information (title, author, track number, etc.) by way of a wireless transmitter unit 116 coupled to or incorporated within the player 102. In the described embodiment, the wireless transmitter unit 116 takes the form of an RDS FM radio transmitter unit 116 capable of wirelessly communicating with the RDS enabled radio 104. In this way, the user can both listen to the selected file as well as read relevant information pertinent to the selected music file. Such relevant information includes song title, song author, and album title along with any number of other information that the user may find useful.

FIG. 2: The architecture of the new iPod with a wireless FM RDS transmitter.

Patent Point # 26 Internal Speaker: The speaker 214 can be a speaker internal to the media player 200 or external to the media player 200. For example, headphones or earphones that connect to the media player 200 would be considered an external speaker.

Patent Point # 27: As configured, the media player 200 includes the wireless transmitter unit 226 arranged to wirelessly transmit any selected data from the media player 200 to any appropriately configured receiver unit. In the case where the wireless transmitter unit 226 is an RDS RF transmitter unit, any selected music and or associated data file can be communicated concurrently from the player 200 to an RDS enabled receiver unit. In this way, both the music and associated data (such as the information 108) can be broadcast and displayed concurrently by the receiver unit 104 thereby affording the user the ability to both listen to a selected music file and read appropriate text describing various aspects of the selected music file.

Patent Point # 29 iPod as Remote: In this way, the user input device 208 can be used to remotely change the information displayed on the display 112.

Patent Point # 31: FIG. 4 shows a flowchart detailing a process 400 for wirelessly transmitting a decoded multimedia data file and an associated information data file in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. At 402, a multimedia data file is selected at a portable pocket sized player device, such as an iPOD manufactured by Apple Computer of Cupertino Calif. The player then decodes the selected multimedia data file associated with an appropriately encoded music or song selection at 404 concurrently with decoding an associated multimedia information file at 406. In the described embodiment, the multimedia information file includes such information as artist, title, album, data of recording, etc. in those cases when the associated multimedia data file is an MP3 file, or the like. At 408, the decoded data file and associated information file is wirelessly transmitted to a nearby appropriately configured receiver unit. Typically, the player will provide an RDS FM signal to the receiver configured as an RDS enabled radio included in, for example, a mode of transport such as an automobile. At 410, the receiver unit concurrently broadcasts the selected audio file (such as a song, instrumental, spoken word, etc.) over a loudspeaker with displaying the associated information file on a display unit coupled thereto.

Unique features of RDS Radio

While I realize that many of you will do your own research on RDS, I’ve simply added a few minor “extra points” below for you to consider. If you’re interested in a good starting point for your research, you could check out the RDS Forum.

By definition, Radio Broadcast Data System is the official name used for the U.S. version of RDS, though the “RDS” name seems to be at least as common in usage. The two standards are nearly identical, with only slight differences, mainly in which numbers are assigned to each of 31 musical and other programme formats the RBDS system can identify. RBDS was approved by the NRSC, RDS by the EBU.

In June 2005 two new Radiotext enhancement proposals were introduced. The first was Programme Associated Data (PDF) from the US National Radio Systems Committee (NRSC) and the second was RTplus (PDF). RTplus is a joint German project development involving the public broadcaster WDR, the broadcast technology research centre IRT and the mobile telephone manufacturer Nokia—who has recently adopted Apple’s WebCore that is integrated into their new S60 phone browser due to launch publicly in mid 2006.

Basic and Enhanced Radio Paging: defined as follows: “FM Radio Paging” offers the fastest way to provide full paging communication coverage for a complete country or region or even only a metropolitan area. FM paging is growing fast because it is cost-effective and because it mostly uses an infrastructure already built for other communication purposes. FM Radio Paging puts the existing telephone system and FM broadcasting stations to more profitable use, providing a valuable service and generating revenue for the operator.

Travel announcements (TA/TP): The RDS system automatically detects the presence of local Travel Announcements, providing information on local conditions. It doesn’t matter if you are not even listening to local radio, RDS will either raise the volume of the radio or interrupt the playing of a CD or cassette to alert you to the travel announcement. At the end of the announcement the radio reverts to the original station it was tuned to, or continues to play the CD or cassette. This facility can be turned off or on and the radio display should show a flag indicating whether TA/TP has been activated or not.

The Bottom Line

By itself of course, this isn’t a big deal. Yet in the bigger picture, as other iPod features rollout in concert with this in 2006, be it telephony, WiMax, voice activation and/or IPTV for video iPods, VHF/FM/RDS could play an important role. As multimedia based Telematics continue to advance in 2006, Apple’s close relationship with 15 car manufactures becomes vital if they’re to gain market share in this growing sector. So every little feature that Apple could squeeze into their future iPods to appeal to this market sector can’t be underestimated.

In addition, as noted above, RDS could provide paging capabilities, which seems irrelevant until you take note of Apple’s patent claim 21 which states the following: ”…wherein the device is a cellular telephone or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or paging device or an MP3 player.” Simply think of it as an iPod with paging capabilities instead of it being an “and/or application.” That’s what convergence is all about anyways.

I realize that paging is only a one-way method of communications and not as advanced as today’s two-way messaging – but without a keypad, that’s all an iPod could allow for currently. Yet patent point # 30 pertaining to FIG. 3 states that ” The user input device 208 can take a variety of forms, such as a button, keypad, dial, etc. each of which can be programmed to individually or in combination to perform any of a suite of functions.”

A new redesign of the iPod could easily accommodate both their Click Wheel and a keyboard. Whether it’s in the form of a dual iPod unit that flips open or by finally using their Chameleon technology whereby the entire device’s interface is LED based – allowing the device UI to change on-demand. But that’s a subject for another day.

Lastly, it should be noted that there’s currently a host of RDS/DAB digital radio’s on the market that could potentially, over time, be “appropriately configured” to work with an iPod remote with RDS, be it a boombox or even scaling through to a Hitatchi type of in-home Theater set up.

So it’s the potential of VHF/FM/RDS that matters most going forward – and this is just the beginning.

neo@macsimumnews.com

Note: Part 2 will be posted later this week.

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