Receiver content saving system

Abstract

A method and system are provided in which a user is enabled to create a preferred playlist of the user's favorite songs or types of video presentations. An input device allows the user to add or delete items or key words of a song title or video presentation to or from the favorites list. In an exemplary video application, a user is enabled to indicate by using a digital video recorder, a specific type of broadcast such as “Sports” or “Basketball”. In an exemplary radio application, the user is enabled to list songs, or key words of the title if the user is unsure of the exact title, on the preferred playlist. Video signals or songs playing on several channels or stations are monitored and when a listed video type or song having the input key words from the user's favorites list begins to play on a station, the song and the full song title which is acquired from the received broadcast data, are automatically saved to memory for subsequent retrieval and playing by the user. In one example, the user is also enabled to add video types or songs to the favorites list by pressing a single “ADD” button at any time while a type of video or a favorite song is currently being played. The song then being played together with the title of the song or video presentation are then saved to memory for subsequent retrieval and playing.

1 . A method for processing a plurality of digital data streams, said digital data streams being derived from transmissions received from a like plurality of radio stations wherein portions of said digital data streams comprise songs which are played by said radio stations, said method comprising: 
 receiving said digital data streams by a processing circuit; and    enabling a user to save a currently playing song and information related to said song to a playlist by engaging a single actuating device while said favorite song is being played, said information related to said song being included in said received digital data streams.    
   
   
       2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said song-related information includes a song title of said currently playing song.  
   
   
       3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  and further including displaying said playlist on a display device to said user.  
   
   
       4 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  and further including providing a perceptible indicium to said user when said currently playing song is being saved.  
   
   
       5 . A method for processing a plurality of digital data streams, said digital data streams being derived from transmissions received from a like plurality of radio stations, said method comprising: 
 receiving said digital data streams by a processing circuit;    determining when one or more of said digital data streams contains a predetermined data sequence, said predetermined data sequence being representative of the playing of a particular song on one of said radio stations; and    enabling a saving of said particular song in memory.    
   
   
       6 . The method as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said predetermined data sequence is representative of at least a key word in a title of said particular song.  
   
   
       7 . The method as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said predetermined data sequence is contained within a header segment of a song file.  
   
   
       8 . The method as set forth in  claim 5  wherein at least one perceptible indicium is provided when said saving is occurring.  
   
   
       9 . The method as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said at least one perceptible indicium is an audibly perceptible indicium.  
   
   
       10 . The method as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said at least one perceptible indicium includes a visually perceptible indicium.  
   
   
       11 . The method as set forth in  claim 5  and further including producing an indication of a particular one of said radio stations from which said predetermined song is being received.  
   
   
       12 . The method as set forth in  claim 5  and further including enabling a switching from a currently listened to radio station to said particular one of said radio stations from which said predetermined song is being received.  
   
   
       13 . The method as set forth in  claim 5  and further including: 
 enabling a user to create a playlist of said user's favorite songs, said playlist including song titles or key words within a song title; and    displaying said playlist on a display device.    
   
   
       14 . The method as set forth in  claim 13  and further including: 
 enabling a user to add a currently playing song to said playlist by engaging a single actuating device while said favorite song is being played.    
   
   
       15 . A storage medium, said storage medium being selectively coupled to processing circuitry, said storage medium containing indicia readable by said processing circuitry for providing program signals to control processing a plurality of digital data streams, said digital data streams being derived from transmissions received from a like plurality of radio stations, said program signals being effective for: 
 receiving said digital data streams by a processing circuit;    determining when one or more of said digital data streams contains a predetermined data sequence, said predetermined data sequence being representative of the playing of a particular song on one of said radio stations; and    enabling a saving of said particular song in memory.    
   
   
       16 . The medium as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said predetermined data sequence is representative of at least a key word in a title of said particular song.  
   
   
       17 . The medium as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said predetermined data sequence is contained within a header segment of a song file.  
   
   
       18 . The medium as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said program signals are further operable for: 
 enabling a user to create a playlist of said user's favorite songs, said playlist including song titles or key words within a song title; and    displaying said playlist on a display device.    
   
   
       19 . The medium as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said program signals are further operable for: 
 enabling a user to add a currently playing favorite song to said playlist by engaging a single actuating device while said favorite song is being played.    
   
   
       20 . The medium as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said program signals are further operable for enabling said user to delete a selected favorite song from said playlist.