DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The invention may be embodied in various forms. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , one embodiment according to the present invention includes a mobile data terminal device (DTE) 10 in communication with a data communication network 12 and a broadcast network 14 . The broadcast network may include radio waves associated with a radio station (not shown) that are transmitted from a transmitter 16 , or may include television, satellite or other types of digital or analog broadcasts. The data communication network 12 may communicate with a broadcast station server 18 also associated the radio station (not shown). The DTE 10 generally includes a display screen 20 , memory 22 , a keypad 24 , a processor 26 , a radio tuner 28 , an antenna 30 , and communication hardware 32 . As is known in the art, the processor 26 performs steps according to instructions stored in the memory 22 and generally interacts with other components of the DTE 10 . The display screen 20 displays images and the keypad 24 is adapted to receive inputs from an operator.

[0019] The antenna 30 may receive radio waves in the radio broadcast network 14 transmitted by the transmitter 16 , as is known in the art. The radio tuner 28 is rear connected to the antenna 30 and is adapted to tune, demodulate and amplify selected frequencies of radio waves received by antenna 30 , such as those transmitted from transmitter 16 . The communication hardware 32 is adapted to receive and modulate or demodulate wireless communication signals, such as microwaves, sent or received from the DTE 10 , as is known in the art. Thus, the device 10 according to one embodiment comprises a mobile terminal device that is capable of receiving radio station broadcasts while simultaneously communicating with a data network. The device of the present invention, however, is not limited to any particular embodiment of a device, provided the device has both data connectivity and broadcast reception capabilities.

[0020] Further, the device of present invention is not limited to any particular embodiment for enabling data connectivity or broadcast reception. For example, the DTE 10 may use a circuit switched connection for data connectivity, such as a second-generation wireless system using TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), or other such access systems. In other examples, DTE 10 may use a packet based access system, such as GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) over a GSM network, or short range connectivity systems such as WLANs (Wireless local area networks) or Bluetooth®. With regard to broadcast tuning, DTE 10 may receive, for example, analog radio transmissions, digital radio transmissions, satellite radio transmissions, analog television transmissions, digital television transmissions, or other such broadcasts.

[0021] According to one embodiment, radio bookmarks 34 are stored in the memory 22 , and may be programmed and selected by the user. The radio bookmarks 34 generally include handles or identifiers pointing to various resources such as files, Internet protocol (IP) addresses, uniform resource locators (URL), and the like. The bookmarks may also include parameters that further define the bookmarks. The radio bookmarks 34 generally have combined functionality such that selection of a bookmark 34 results in selection of both a network address and a radio frequency, both of which are associated with a particular radio station. Accordingly, a user simply selects a radio bookmark 34 in order to tune the tuner 28 to frequencies of radio waves for a radio station, such as those transmitted by transmitter 16 , and to substantially simultaneously connect the device 10 with a server located at a network address associated with the radio station, such as broadcast station server 18 .

[0022] For example, suppose that the radio transmitter 16 transmits FM radio waves for a certain radio station (not shown), for instance a radio station having the call sign WZZZ, and that the broadcast station server 18 is operated by radio station WZZZ. Suppose also that radio station WZZZ maintains a web site on broadcast station server 18 that provides information supplemental to its FM radio broadcast. Suppose also that the radio station is a favorite radio station for the user and that the user has programmed bookmark one 36 to include frequency information for the radio station broadcast and the network address of the radio server 18 . As such, in order to listen to the radio broadcast and to view web content for the radio station, the user merely needs to select bookmark one 36 . The user may select bookmark one 36 using keypad 24 to select a representation of bookmark one 36 shown on the display 20 , as is known in the art for graphical user interfaces. Alternatively, the user may select a key on keypad 24 associated with bookmark one 36 , or use other such methods to choose a bookmark.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 3 , when the user selects bookmark one 36 , the processor follows instructions stored in the memory 22 and performs associated steps. Accordingly, the processor 26 detects 40 the user's selection of bookmark one 36 . Bookmark one 36 points to both a radio player application 38 stored in the memory 22 and a browser application 40 , such as a wireless markup language (WML) application. Bookmark one 36 also includes parameters 42 that include frequency information for radio station WZZZ and web site address information. Parameters generally include information or data that further define one or more bookmarks or that affect performance of the DTE 10 based on selection of associated bookmarks. Parameters may include frequency information and network address information, as well as other types of information, some examples of which are discussed below.

[0024] Selection of bookmark one 36 invokes both radio player application 38 and browser application 40 , and provides information in parameters 42 to the respective applications 38 , 40 . According to the radio player application, the processor 26 tunes 52 the radio tuner 28 to the frequency parameter 42 for bookmark one 36 for receiving the associated radio station broadcast. According to the browser application 40 , the tuner sends 54 a request to the network address of broadcast station server 18 requesting data for the radio station website. The step of sending 54 a request may include opening a communication channel using communication hardware 32 , if it is not already open. For example, if communication with communication network 12 is via a circuit switched connection like GSM, then the connection is open for the time of service and is closed when service use ends. Thus, a communication channel may need to be opened prior to sending 54 any requests. This may also be applicable for a packet switched connection, such as GPRS, if the connection has not yet been established.

[0025] In response to sending 54 a request, the broadcast station server 18 returns data to the device 10 and the processor 26 receives 56 the data. At this point, a session may be established with broadcast station server 18 , which is managed by the browser application 40 and the server 18 . In accordance with one embodiment, when data is received, the processor displays a web page (not shown) for the radio station, which includes links that the user may select. In accordance with another embodiment, update data is frequently received to update the web page. In this way, regardless of user input, information displayed on DTE 10 is substantially synchronized with the radio broadcast to reflect current content of the broadcast, such as the name of a song being played or to provide input opportunities, such as for a quiz or contest being broadcast on the station. When the processor detects that the user selects 58 a link shown in the display 20 , the processor 26 directs the device 10 to request 60 data from broadcast station server 18 for that link. Accordingly, by simply selecting bookmark one 36 , the user may listen to the radio station broadcast, browse the radio station web site, and thereby receive information supplemental to the radio broadcast.

[0026] In another embodiment of the invention, the frequency and IP address parameter information may not be stored on the device, but may be stored remotely, such as on a server in communication with network 12 . This provides many benefits, such as allowing the user to program radio bookmarks for different radio stations depending on other programmed parameters. For example, the user may desire bookmark one 36 to represent the strongest classical music radio station for the user's present location. This may be particularly beneficial for a user who travels frequently. The user's present location is an example of an additional parameter that may be useful for adding flexibility to the use of radio bookmarks. The user's location may be automatically determined, for example, using global positioning system (GPS) technology.

[0027] In another example, a parameter could be a unique apparatus id associated with the DTE 10 , such that the radio frequency and IP address for a particular bookmark are related to the apparatus id. Another example of a parameter is a unique user id, wherein the radio bookmarks on a device are adapted according to a unique user id, such as username and password. Multiple parameters can add even further flexibility. In a further example, the bookmarks 34 on a particular device 10 may represent different radio stations for different users of the device. As such, a user may need to input a unique user id, which may be manually entered as a username and password, or entered through the insertion of an identification module in to the device, or other like means. Accordingly, the parameter may be a unique user id and the bookmarks may represent radio stations or preferences for radio stations according to individual users' programming.

[0028] In further examples, parameters may include preferences established by the user, such that a bookmark represents different stations based on the time of day, location, or other factors. For example, a user may prefer that bookmark one 36 refer to travel information during rush hour, rock music during the daytime, and classical music in the evening. In another example, a user profile may be established based on statistical information of the user provided to a bookmark web site that creates bookmarks. The bookmark website may forward bookmarks to DTE 10 that the user could choose to accept. In a different example, a bookmark could represent a particular station, and based on a location parameter for the user, a different broadcast frequency may be applicable for that station. In an example with a radio station chain, the bookmark could represent the chain, and based on a user location parameter, a frequency for a station within the chain could be appropriate.

[0029] The bookmarks 34 and their parameters may be programmed according to software stored on the DTE 10 using keypad 24 , or through an interface with another computer such as through a universal serial bus (USB) connection or network communications, or other known methods for programming mobile data terminals. In other examples, the bookmarks 34 and their parameters may be programmed remotely and sent to

[0030] DTE 10 over the air (OTA). In such an example, a friend of the user may send a bookmark to the user as a recommendation for a broadcast station. This could be accomplished using a short messaging service (SMS), such as Nokia Smart Messaging®. In another example, a user may request a bookmark from a broadcast station using an SMS message, or through a web-based service. Further, a broadcast station server may send a whole set of bookmarks based on a user profile. In a further example, a user may use a web-based service to configure their bookmarks for DTE 10 , and then update DTE 10 via OTA communications. In general, when DTE 10 receives a message that is recognized as a bookmark, it may automatically, or after user verification, store the bookmark in memory.

[0031] To provide further flexibility and further illustrate the use of parameters with bookmarks, another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4 , includes a mobile data terminal (DTE) 110 , a station id server 113 , a broadcast station server 118 , and a transmitter 116 . The DTE 110 may be in communication with communication network 112 and broadcast network 114 . The station id server 113 and broadcast station server 118 are generally in communication with communication network 112 . The transmitter 116 broadcasts radio waves in broadcast network 114 . The station id server 113 generally includes a server that identifies a broadcast station based on a bookmark selected and other parameters sent to the station id server. The station id server 113 generally includes a storage medium 115 and a processor 117 for processing instructions contained in the storage medium. For illustration purposes, suppose that the user shares DTE 110 with a family member and has therefore manually entered a unique user id that identifies the user and his bookmark preferences. Suppose further that the device 110 is generally configured as shown in FIG. 5 , which is similar to DTE 10 in the previous embodiment except for differences and aspects discussed herein.

[0032] Accordingly, DTE 110 includes bookmark one 136 and bookmark two 137 , which are stored in memory 122 and are graphically displayed on display 120 . Each of the bookmarks 136 , 137 point to a radio player/web site viewer application 139 and the parameter of a user id 141 . The player/viewer application 139 according to one embodiment is a browser application running a Flash® or SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language) plug-in. The application 139 may be included in the terminal's initial software suite, or it may be downloaded or otherwise installed on DTE 10 . When bookmark one 136 is selected, it invokes application 139 and points it to the unique user id 141 stored in memory 122 . The application 139 , based on the bookmark selected and the user id 141 , instructs the processor 126 to set up the DTE to receive a broadcast and connect with a web site for the selected bookmark and user id parameter. Thus, bookmarks may be uniquely configurable for different users of the same device.

[0033] Use of the present invention according to such an embodiment is generally illustrated in FIG. 6 . The user starts the process in step 150 by selecting a radio bookmark, for example bookmark one 136 , on the DTE 110 . In response to selection of bookmark one 150 , which invokes application 139 , the processor 126 performs the step of sending 170 a request for radio broadcast frequency information and a network service address of a radio station broadcast station server 118 to the station id server 113 . The request is related to a particular bookmark, such as bookmark one 136 , and is based on related parameters, such as unique user id 141 . The station id server 113 receives the request including the unique id parameter 141 , determines the appropriate frequency information and network address information for bookmark one 136 and unique user id 141 , and returns 172 the information to DTE 110 via the communication network 112 . The DTE 110 thereafter tunes 174 the tuner 128 to receive the radio broadcast and requests 176 data from the broadcast station server 118 located at the network address returned. Server 118 preferably sends data associated with the radio station web site, which DTE 110 receives 178 via network 112 . The user is therefore able to view the web site display for the server 118 and may select 180 a link shown on the web site display. In response to such a selection, the processor 126 requests 182 data associated with the selected link.

[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8 , a further embodiment of the present invention is shown, which generally includes all aspects and preferences of the previous embodiment except with regard to message flows between DTE 210 , station id server 213 , and broadcast station server 218 . Like numbers shown herewith, refer to like components, steps and features as previous embodiments. Accordingly, as a user selects 250 a radio bookmark on DTE 210 , the processor receives the inputs and sends 270 a request to the station id server 213 via network 212 . The request is likewise for broadcast information and a network address for server 218 for a radio station based on the bookmark selected and the parameter of a user's unique user id. The station id server 213 selects the appropriate radio station for the bookmark selected and parameters sent, and redirects 290 the request for the network address of server 218 to server 218 for the selected radio station. The broadcast station server 218 in turn sends 292 frequency information and the network address for its website to DTE 210 .

[0035] After receiving frequency and network address information from server 218 , the DTE 210 tunes 294 the tuner to receive the radio station broadcast. Preferably, included with the information sent from server 218 is web site data for the radio station's web site. Accordingly, as DTE 210 receives 296 the web site data it displays the web site information on DTE display. If the user then selects 298 a link from the web site display, DTE 210 sends 299 a request for data according to the link via network 212 . The request for data associated with the link may be to a different server in communication with network 212 or to server 218 .

[0036] While the present invention has been described in connection with the illustrated embodiments, it will appreciated and understood that modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, the invention applies to any computing device adapted to receive radio broadcasts and having data connectivity. Further, the radio broadcasts are not limited to FM radio, and may include analog or digital broadcasts.