`
`
`
`EXHIBIT 1005
`
`
`
`
`TO PETITIONER GOOGLE INC.’S
`PETITION FOR COVERED BUSINESS
`METHOD REVIEW OF
`U.S. PATENT NO. 8,794,516
`
`

`

`United States Patent [19]
`Lau et a].
`
`[54] INTERACTIVE AUDIO TRANSMISSION
`RECEIVING AND PLAYBACK SYSTEM
`[75] Inventors: Edwin L La“. San Jose_ Calif’; Donald
`K Kam Montclair NJ_
`‘
`[73] Assignee: Audible, 1116.. Wayne. NJ.
`
`[21] APPL No; 490,537
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Jun. 14, 1995
`
`.
`
`6
`
`[51] Int. Cl. .............................. .. H04H 1/00, H04N 7/14
`[s2] U.S.Cl.
`364/514 R;348/7;348/10;
`348/123 455/42; 455/51; 455/63
`[58] Field of Search .................................. .. 348/7. 10. 12.
`348/13; 455/42. 5.1. 6.2. 6.3.3.1; 364/514;
`358/335; 360/7 3-14~ 72-3~ 74~2~ 132; 379/38~
`89; 395/428; 369/60~ 69~ 75-1~ 76~ 272~
`273~ 274» 288
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,763,330 10/1973 Fulwiler .................................. .. 360/94
`4,266,243
`5/1981 Shuttedy .... ..
`353/121
`4,393,277
`7/1983
`179f2A
`4,455,651
`5/1984
`370/104
`4,473,824
`9/1984
`IMO/825.27
`4,499,568 2/1985
`........ .. 369/30
`4,682,368
`7/1987
`.... -. 455/38
`4,693,776 10/1987
`395/241
`4,725,977 2/1933
`364/900
`4,772,373
`9/1983
`395/21
`4,788,543 11/1983
`340/335-44
`4’78‘8’675 11/1988
`"
`4,851,931
`7/1989
`..
`" gags/21(1)
`381/5‘9
`-
`5’042’07O 8/1991
`5,055,947 10/1991 Satoh ...................................... .. 360/62
`
`'
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0128093 5/1954 European Pat. 01f. ....... .. H04N 7/08
`
`2651352 8/1989 France ............. ..
`..
`8704309 7/1987 WIPO ............................ .. H04B 7/00
`
`US005790423A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,790,423
`Aug. 4, 1998
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Popular Mechanics. “Read Me A Story". Feb. 1995.
`76 PC Today. PC Tomorrow “BC Listening Up”. Jan. 1995.
`44 Popular Science. Cable TV. “The Captive Audience
`Network”. Feb. 1995.
`Inform?on Highway Media Corp-- “Silicon vall?y Stan-up
`to Create New On-ramp .
`.
`. ”. Nathan Schuhof. Inform.
`Highway Media Corp. or David Politis. Politis & Assoc. 3
`pages.
`Information Highway Media Corp.. “Inform. Highway
`Corp. Retains Von Gehr Int’l As Investment Banker”. Oct.
`13‘ 1994. Nathan schulof‘lnformi Media Highway Corp. or
`Jim Kochmm
`IEEE Communications Magazine. May 1994. “Interactive
`Video On D¢m3nd"_ Daniel Dcloddcr¢_ W?lcm Verbics[_
`Henri vErhiug
`IEEE Communications Magazine. May 1994. Baseband and
`Passband Transport Systems for Interactive Video Services.
`J. Richard Jones.
`
`Primary Examiner—Douglas W. Olms
`Assistant Examiner-Matthew C. Phillips
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Blakely. Sokoloff. Taylor &
`
`n
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention includes a system for transmitting.
`receiving. storing and replaying a user selected program.
`which has a service center including an electronic user
`accessible interface and an electronically stored library of
`user selectable programs. It includes a base unit having an
`electronic interface that is electronically interconnectable
`with the service center's user interface to receive the user
`selected programs. and an output port that interconnects the
`base unit with a cassette.
`
`The cassette includes a data input port for the reception of
`electronic data representing the selected programs from the
`base um,‘ °“'P“‘ Pm- and “Emory 99mg‘: ‘0 9°“: ‘he
`electromc data. The cassette is msertable mm and intercon
`nectable with electromechanical components of a standard
`magnetic tape audio cassette player whereby the stored
`program selections are transmitted from the cassette to the
`aud‘" cassette Player f°r bmdcastmg'
`
`33 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`Google Exhibit 1005 Page 00001
`
`

`

`5,790,423
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,099,422
`
`
`
`Warren et a1. .......................... on 3/1992 Foresman, et al. 364/401
`
`
`
`5,359,698 10/1994
`5,371,532 12/1994
`{426690 5/1995
`
`7/1992 Yurt ............. ..
`5,132,992
`5,159,132 10/1992 Eis?le .......... ..
`5,172,413 12/1992 Bradley et al.
`5,131,107
`1/1993 Rhoades .......... ..
`5,191,410
`3/1993 McCalley eta].
`5,191,573
`3/1993 Hair ............ ..
`5,210,611
`5/1993
`5,247,347
`9/1993
`5,251,909 10/1993
`
`.. 375/122
`235/492
`330/20
`.. 358/86
`.. 358/86
`.. 369/34
`
`8/1995
`5’440'336
`2/1996
`5’491’774
`sisu’ooo 4/1996
`’
`6/1996
`5,524,051
`554L633 7/1996
`5,550,863
`8/1996
`5,557,541
`9/1996
`5,572,442 11/1996 Schulhofet a1. ................. .. 364/514 C
`
`5,253,275 10/1993
`5,311,423
`5/1994 Clark ..................................... .. 364/401
`
`5,590,195 12/1996 Ryan . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`. . . . . .. 380/9
`5,592,511
`1/1997 Schoen et a]. ........................ .. 375/220
`
`Page 00002
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 4, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 0E3
`
`5,790,423
`
`sERvI E
`42
`O CENTER12
`44
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`
`50\ PROGRAM —>
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`
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`
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`OONTROLLER <-—>(COMPRESSED)
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`CASSETTE 2Q
`
`Page 00003
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 4, 1998
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`5,790,423
`
`405.200
`
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`
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`Page 00004
`
`Page 00004
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 4, 1998
`Aug. 4, 1998
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`5,790,423
`5,790,423
`
`E
`
`x
`
`219
`
`194
`
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`
`190
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`
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`FIG. 3
`
`Page 00005
`
`Page 00005
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`

`

`5.790.423
`
`1
`INTERACTIVE AUDIO TRANSMISSION
`RECEIVING AND PLAYBACK SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates generally to an audio
`transmission. receiving and playback system. and more
`speci?cally to a system in which a user may select speci?c
`audio recordings for transmission from a centralized library
`to a receiving unit at the user’s location. and wherein the
`selected recordings are input into a digital memory resident
`in a portable cassette that is con?gured in size and functional
`components to be insertable and operable within a standard
`audio cassette playing device.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`Recent technological advances in the compression of
`digital data and the expansion of storage capacities for
`miniaturized solid state devices together with the utilization
`of high speed modems and telephonic interconnections have
`created possibilities for personalized access to and usage of
`large amounts of data. In the ?eld of interactive audio
`transmission. receiving and playback systems. a signi?cant
`teaching is provided in US. Pat. No. 5.132.992 issued Jul.
`21. 1992 to Yurt et al. This patent provides a basic teaching
`of a source library that is interconnected by transmission
`systems to a plurality of reception systems and ultimately
`user systems. The user received data may be stored for later
`usage by the user.
`A drawback of Yurt et al. is that it does not address the
`most commonly owned user audio playback system. that
`being the audio cassette recorder/player. Such audio cassette
`recorders/players are found in home audio systems. auto
`mobile audio systems and portable cassette player devices.
`The present invention capitalizes upon this in place base of
`players by providing a cassette con?gured device having
`compressed digital storage features that is insertable within
`such existing cassette players for playback of audio selec
`tions that are compatible with the cassette players.
`US. Pat. No. 5.195.182. issued Oct. 27. 1992 to Eisele
`and US. Pat. No. 5.055.947. issued Oct. 8. 1991 to Satoh
`describe audio cassette type devices having solid state
`memory capabilities. These devices are similar in some
`respects to Applicants’ cassette described herebelow. how
`ever they lack certain signi?cant features such as the com
`pressed data input and/or storage. intercommunications with
`the audio cassette player function controls and the cassette
`interface logic and cassette program selection features.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`SIDVIMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention includes a system for transmitting.
`receiving. storing and replaying a user selected program.
`which has a service center including an electronic user
`accessible interface and an electronically stored library of
`user selectable programs. It includes a base unit having an
`electronic interface that is electronically interconnectable
`with the service center’s user interface to receive the user
`selected programs. and an output port that interconnects the
`base unit with a cassette.
`The cassette includes a data input port for the reception of
`electronic data representing the selected programs from the
`base unit output port. and a memory storage to store the
`electronic data. The cassette is insertable into and intercon
`nectable with electromechanical components of a standard
`magnetic tape audio cassette player whereby the stored
`program selections are transmitted from the cassette to the
`audio cassette player for broadcasting.
`
`55
`
`65
`
`2
`It is an advantage of the present invention that it provides
`a user with access to a large library of audio works in a
`digital format. and for the transmission. receipt. storage and
`later replay by a user in a standard audio cassette player.
`It is another advantage of the present invention that it
`provides an intelligent audio cassette that permits a user to
`select the sequence in which digitally stored works will be
`replayed by the cassette.
`It is a further advantage of the present invention that it
`provides a serial copy protection feature which prevents
`further digital duplication of audio works stored within the
`cassette.
`It is yet another advantage of the present invention that it
`provides an intelligent audio cassette which interprets com
`mands from a standard audio cassette player to skip forward
`or reverse in the outputting of stored audio works.
`It is yet a further advantage of the present invention that
`it provides a technologically advanced microprocessor con
`trolled digital storage device that is fully compatible with
`existing audio cassette players throughout the world
`These and other features and advantages of the present
`invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art
`upon further review of the detailed descriptions of the
`preferred embodiments set forth herebelow.
`
`IN THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the service center. base
`unit and portable cassette portions of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a detailed schematic diagram of the cassette
`portion of the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a diagram of personal computer based imple
`mentation of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`FIG. 1 presents a schematic diagram of the present
`invention 10. Generally. the invention 10 includes three
`basic components. a service center 12. a base unit 16 and a
`portable intelligent cassette 20. A user interface 24. which
`may take the form of a telephone line. a cable line. or
`wireless transmission. functions to communicate data
`between the service center 12 and the base unit 16. In an
`alternative embodiment. this interface communication can
`also be accomplished utilizing an on-line computerized
`service in association with a computerized form of the base
`unit. discussed herebelow. Each of the basic components is
`next discussed in detail.
`The service center 12 functions as a centralized data
`repository that is accessed by a plurality of user interface
`lines 30 which communicate through an interactive voice
`response unit (IVR) 32. The NR 32 includes a set of high
`speed modems or a high speed multiplex modem 34. that is
`capable of simultaneously handling calls and data requests
`from a plurality of users on lines 30. The service center 12
`includes a large memory storage unit 36 in which is stored
`the library of addressable audio selections. In the preferred
`embodiment. the selections are stored in a compressed
`digital data format. which preserves memory space. and
`permits the storage of a large number of library selections
`with rapid outputting at the request of users. A library
`controller 38 which may include a data base program
`communicates with the library memory 36 to provide data
`addressing and input/output functions relative to various
`user selections of programs from the library 36. To add
`selections into the memory 36. a library input device 40.
`
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`3
`which may comprise a disk drive. a cassette player. a radio
`or television receiver. or other similar input device. is
`utilized. Signals from the library input device 40 may be in
`analog or digital format. and analog signals are ?rst passed
`through an analog to digital converter ADC 42. The digital
`input signals from the ADC or digital input from the input
`device 40 are then passed through a digital signal processor
`44 to compress the input digital signals. and the compressed
`digital signals are then transmitted to the library controller
`38 for addressable storage within the library memory 36. A
`ID
`large random access memory RAM 46 is utilized for the
`temporary storage of user requested library selections when
`they are being outputted to users.
`A serial copy management system SCMS may be pro
`grammed into the operating program for the digital signal
`processor 44. Such an SCMS consists of at least one ?agged
`data bit in a speci?c bit location. When the bit value in the
`particular bit location is “1” it will be interpreted by a
`subsequent digital recording device to indicate that the
`digitized work associated with the ?agged data bit is an
`original work. Original works are available for duplication
`by a digital recording device. Where the value of the ?agged
`data bit is “0". a subsequent digital recording device will not
`record or duplicate the work associated with the “0” flag
`because the ?ag indicates that the work is a copy of an
`original work. The SCMS system therefore prevents the
`serial duplication of duplicated works. In the present
`invention. the DSP 44 is programmed to maintain a “l” in
`the appropriate bit location. indicating that the compressed
`digital data works in the library 36 are considered to be
`original works.
`A preferred SCMS system consists of two ?agged data
`bits wherein the ?rst ?ag (a “0” or “1”) indicates whether
`copyright protection exists for the particular work. and the
`second ?ag functions as described above to indicate whether
`the speci?c work is an original “1" or a duplicate “0”. Where
`the ?rst ?ag (copyright protection) indicates that no copy
`right protection exists for the work then the SCMS logic
`ignores the second ?ag regarding whether the work is an
`original or duplicate.
`All automated functions of the service center 12 are
`controlled by a control program that is preferably stored in
`a RAM 50. Control program instructions from the RAM 50
`are fed to a central processing unit CPU 52 which controls
`the ?ow of data and instructions within the service center.
`An accounting unit 56 utilizes data from the CPU 52
`regarding individual users. their account numbers and their
`library selections to output automated billings to the indi
`vidual users. In the preferred embodiment a human service
`representative 60 is provided to handle individualized ser
`vice requests from users.
`The basic operational features of the service center can
`now be described Initially. individual library selections are
`addressably input to the library memory 36 by inputting
`uncompressed analog or digital input signals into an appro
`priate library input device 40. Under control of the CPU 52.
`the input materials are processed. converted from analog to
`digital if necessary in ADC 42. compressed in the digital
`signal processor 44 with the SCMS data bit set a “l”.
`identi?ably addressed through the library controller 38 and
`then stored in the library memory 36 in compressed digital
`format. Individual users may then contact the service center
`12 through the plurality of interface lines 30 to the IVR 32.
`Individual users identify themselves by inputting preestab
`lished account numbers and. upon account number
`recognition. one or more speci?c library addressable selec
`tions are requested by the user by inputting program selec
`
`4
`tion numbers. A catalog 62 previously provided to each user
`contains program selection numbers for each library pro
`gram. The CPU 52 receives the information from the IVR 32
`and transmits the program selection numbers of the indi
`vidual users to the library controller 38. The library con
`troller 38 then addresses the library memory 36 to download
`the user requested programs to the RAM 46. through the
`CPU 52 to the IVR 32 which activates a high speed modem
`34. whereupon the user identi?ed programs are transmitted
`in compressed digital format through the user interface lines
`30 to the particular user. Where many users are simulta
`neously requesting and receiving selections. the RAM 46
`may be temporarily segmented to serve as a temporary
`storage buffer of the many selections until they are output
`ted.
`Upon the completion of a data transmission transaction.
`the transaction data. including the user account information
`and the library programs selected are transmitted from the
`CPU to the accounting unit for the preparation of an appro
`priate billing. With an appropriate telephone input tone
`(such as it). a user calling on a transmission line 30 can be
`routed through the IVR 32 to a human service representative
`60. The service representative 60 can access various com
`ponents of the service center through the CPU 52. set up new
`accounts. respond to billing inquiries. and provide related
`services to individual users. It is therefore to be generally
`understood. that the service center 12 functions as an auto
`mated electronically accessible library to a plurality of users
`through the user interface lines 30. such that user selected
`programs are transmitted to a user in a digital compressed
`data format through the interface lines 30.
`‘The base unit 16 is designed in a ?rst embodiment for
`usage by an individual user; thus. the system 10 contem
`plates a plurality of base units. each possessed by an
`individual user and each being utilized at various times to
`communicate with the service center 12. The base unit 16
`includes a prom or a ?ash memory 70 having a control
`program stored therewithin. The control program provides
`instructions to a CPU 74 which controls the ?ow of data and
`signals throughout the base unit 16. A user accessible control
`panel 78 is located on the surface of the base unit with
`appropriate function selection buttons 80 and status lights 82
`to provide the user with information and selectable control
`of the various functions of the base unit 16. A suitable
`input/output device. such as a modem 86 is utilized to
`achieve the inputting and outputting of signals from the base
`unit 16. through the user interface 24 to the service center
`interface lines 30. A data input/output port 90 is intercon
`nected through the CPU 74 to the modem 86. such that data
`received by the base unit 16 through the modem 86 may be
`passed to the input/output port 90. The input/output port 90
`is designed for mating electrical interconnection with an
`input/output port 94 installed within the cassette 20. Thus.
`data transmitted from the modem 86 to the input/output port
`90 will be further transmitted to the input/output port 94 of
`the cassette 20 when the cassette is engaged within a cassette
`holding slot 98 formed within the base unit 16. A data
`storage bu?er 100 is associated with the CPU 74 to tempo
`rarily store data input from the service center to create data
`blocks for transmission to the input/output port 90. The base
`unit 16 also preferably includes a telephone keypad 104
`having a telephone handset 106 engaged to an input jack
`107. or speaker 108 associated therewith. The keypad 104 is
`utilized by the user to generate electrical signals (telephone
`tone signals) that are transmitted to the service center.
`Alternatively. the keypad 104 and handset 106 can be
`constituted as a standard touch tone telephone that is
`plugged into an input jack 107 that is connected to the CPU
`74.
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`5
`An augmented version of the base unit 16 may also
`include an auxiliary digital data input port 109 that is
`connected through a digital signal processor 111 to the CPU
`74. This input port 109 is utilizable for receiving digital data
`from another source such as a compact disk player. The DSP
`111 is utilized to compress the digital input data for pro
`cessing by the CPU 74 in the same manner as the com
`pressed digital data that is received through the modem 86.
`In an augmented embodiment of the base unit 16. a
`memory storage device 110 may be interconnected to the
`CPU 74 within the base unit 16. Additionally. a clock 114
`and a data tracking memory 116 associated with memory
`110 may be utilized to provide replay control of the stored
`programs for copy protection purposes. as is discussed
`herebelow. Program data received by the modem 86 may
`then optionally be stored in the memory 110 in compressed
`digital format for later selectable downloading into one or
`more cassettes 20.
`A serial copy management system (SCMS) may be addi
`tionally programmed within the base unit 16. The function
`of the SCMS programming in the base unit is to cause the
`CPU to read and detect the ?agged data bit to determine
`whether the bit is a “0” or a “1”. Where the ?agged bit is a
`“1”. the CPU 74 converts it to a “O”. and where the CPU 74
`detects a “0" bit the CPU is programmed to refuse to receive.
`store or transmit the work. Thus. the outputted compressed
`digital data from the base unit 16 to the cassette 20 will have
`the bit ?ag set a “0" indicating that the work inputted into the
`cassette is a copy and not available for further duplication.
`Where the base unit 16 includes the additional input jack 109
`and DSP 111. the SCMS feature likewise checks to deter
`mine that the input work is an original (“1" in the appro
`priate data bit) and converts that “l” to a “0” upon outputting
`the compressed data representing the work to the cassette 20.
`The operation of the base unit. in association with the
`service center. can now be described. Initially. each base unit
`16 is identi?ed with a speci?c serial number that is prepro
`grarnmed into the base unit. optionally. also preprogrammed
`into the base unit may be the telephone number(s) of the
`service center 12. and user activatable codes are pro
`grammed into the control program to allow the user to
`change or re-input the service center telephone number
`should the need arise. When the owner of a base unit plugs
`it into a home location telephone jack and contacts the
`service center for the ?rst time. the base unit automatically
`identi?es itself by outputting its serial number to the IVR 32
`for veri?cation. The IVR may also request the user to input
`a user identi?cation code. which may consist of several
`alphanumeric characters for future identi?cation purposes.
`Thereafter. the IVR requests the user through the speaker
`108 or telephone handset 106 to input the user’s telephone
`number utilizing the keypad 104. Whenever the base unit is
`activated in the future. it will automatically dial the service
`center and output the appropriate user identi?cation infor
`mation to the IVR automatically.
`In commencing a particular transaction. the user will ?rst
`identify. from a written catalog 62 or other source such as an
`on-line menu. a fax menu. a cable TV carried menu. a menu
`from the IVR 32 or a published menu. the particular program
`selection numbers associated with the audio programs which
`the user desires to obtain from the service center. The user
`places a cassette 20 within the slot 98 and turns on the base
`unit utilizing a control switch 80 on the control panel 78. The
`unit then electronically dials the telephone number of the
`service center and automatically provides the unit number
`and identification code for veri?cation. The IVR 32 through
`control of the CPU 52 then requests the particular library
`
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`program selection numbers from the user through the
`speaker 108 or the handset 106. The library selection num
`bers are then input by the user through the keypad 104. and
`following the complete inputting of the user's selection
`numbers the user is instructed to press a selection complete
`key. which may be the * on the keypad or a control switch
`80. The requested library selections are then automatically
`located in memory 36 and downloaded from the service
`center 12. through the user interface 24 to the base unit 16.
`In an augmented base unit embodiment. a liquid crystal
`display LCD 118 is utilized to display program selections for
`user veri?cation as they are input by the user. and several
`selections can be pre-input by the user and stored in a
`memory 119 for rapid outputting upon command. The LCD
`118 may also be utilized to provide a visual indication of the
`downloading process status. such as by displaying a per_
`centage of selections downloaded from zero at the start to
`100% when downloading is complete.
`The incoming compressed digital data passes through the
`modem 86 and is read and routed by the CPU 74 through
`temporary storage in the bu?er 100 to the input/output port
`90. whereupon it is transmitted to a memory storage within
`the cassette 20 through the cassettes input/output port 94. as
`is discussed in detail herebelow. Alternatively. if the base
`unit includes an optional memory storage 110. as previously
`indicated. the incoming data through modem 86 can be
`routed by the CPU 74 into storage within the memory 110.
`When a base unit includes a memory 110. it is not necessary
`that a cassette 20 be installed within the cassette slot 98 in
`order for the base unit to properly function.
`When the downloading of data from the service center is
`complete. the user interface connecu'on is automatically
`terminated by the service center. The components of the
`cassette 20 are next described with the aid of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting detailed features
`of the cassette 20. As indicated above. cassette 20 is formed
`in the size and shape of a standard audio cassette. It includes
`a forward edge 120 which contains a magnetic head output
`interface 124 that is centrally disposed along edge 120. The
`magnetic head output interface 124 is positioned to effec
`tively communicate electronic data from the cassette 20 to
`the read heads 126 of a standard magnetic tape audio
`cassette player 127 when the cassette 20 is inserted into a
`cassette insertion slot of such a standard audio cassette
`player 127. Two rotatable spindle mechanisms 128 are
`disposed in the cassette 20 in the standard location for
`typical audio cassette tape reels. and the spindles 128
`provide a communications interface between the audio cas
`sette player 127 and the cassette 20. as is discussed in greater
`detail hm'ebelow.
`The preferred cassette 20 of the present invention also
`includes a control panel 132 having a plurality of user
`activatable switches or control buttons 134A and 134B
`which are formed in the outer surface of the cassette 20 for
`access by a user. The control panel 132 and associated
`control buttons 134 are formed relatively ?ush with the ?at
`surface of the cassette 20. such that they will not interfere
`with the insertion of the cassette 20 into an audio cassette
`player in the normal course of usage.
`A small speaker 135 and a liquid crystal display LCD 136
`are also formed in the outer surface of the cassette 20 for
`providing program control information to the user. The
`speaker 135 provides audible “beeps” in response to the
`operation of the control buttons 134. such that a sight
`impaired user can utilize the conn'ol buttons eifectively. The
`LCD 136 provides a display of the number of programs
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`loaded into the cassette and the replay order of the programs.
`as determined by the user’s utilization of the control buttons
`134.
`The cassette 20 includes a central processing unit CPU
`138 that functions under the control of a control program
`stored in a prom or a ?ash memory 142. A digital signal
`processor DSP 146 is located within the cassette 20 to
`process digital data under the control of the CPU 138. and
`a ?ash memory 150 is utilized to store compressed digital
`data that is received by the intelligent cassette 20 through the
`input/output port 94. To facilitate the handling of data by the
`CPU 138. a memory storage buffer 147 is utilized by the
`CPU to temporarily store blocks of data for transmission to
`the memory 150. In an augmented embodiment of the
`cassette 20. a date and time clock 148 and a program play
`memory 149 are included in association with the CPU 138.
`The clock 148 and memory 149 are utilized to provide
`replay control of the stored programs for augmented copy
`protection purposes as is discussed herebelow.
`The two spindles 128 include a rotation detection mecha
`nism 152 that provides output signals to a cassette player
`interface logic 154 that indicates the direction of rotation.
`and speed of rotation of the spindles 128. when the spindles
`128 are rotated by the drive mechanism 151 of an audio
`cassette player 127 (such as a forward. fast forward or
`reverse). In the preferred embodiment. the rotation detection
`mechanism 152 utilizes an electro-optical system which
`counts light pulses to determine rotation speed and direction.
`Alternatively. electromagnetic detectors may also be utilized
`with the caution that one of ordinary skill in the art would
`exercise when introducing magnetic ?elds in close proxim
`ity to memory devices. A spindle rotation braking mecha
`nism 155 is mechanically engaged to the rotatable spindle
`128 to brake the fast forward and reverse rotation of the
`spindle 128 after it has rotated a few revolutions at high
`speed. The braking mechanism 155 does not halt the “play"
`speed rotation of the spindle 128. The braking mechanism of
`the preferred embodiment employs a solenoid activated
`mechanical brake which is activated after the spindle has
`rotated approximately three turns. Alternative brake mecha
`nisms 155 can include a centrifugal mechanism which is
`activated at the high rotation speed of forward and reverse
`but not activated at the relatively slower “play" RPM speed
`A capstan detection switch 156 is disposed in the forward
`edge 120 in electrical connection 157 with the cassette
`player interface logic 154 to provide an electrical signal
`when the cassette 20 is disposed within an audio cassette
`player and the audio cassette player’s capstan 159 is
`deployed in the “play" position. Signals from the cassette
`player interface logic 154 are fed to the CPU 138 to control
`various playback features of the cassette 20 as is described
`in detail herebelow. It is possible for the user to insert the
`cassette 20 into a cassette player 127 in either an “up"
`position or a “down" position. and it is desirable that the
`cassette 20 function in either orientation. To achieve this
`interchangability of orientation. a second capstan detection
`switch mechanism 156A is located on the upper edge 120 in
`an opposite mirror location to the switch 156. such that if the
`cassette is inserted “upside down” the capstan 159 will be
`detected by switch 156A when it is deployed in the “play”
`position and an electrical signal through electrical connec
`tion 157A is sent to the cassette player interface logic 154.
`A battery 158 is included within the cassette 20 to provide
`power for the CPU 138 and related cassette functions. and.
`in an alternative embodiment. a battery charger 162 may be
`incorporated within the cassette to provide trickle current
`power to recharge the battery 158 when the cassette spindles
`
`8
`128 are rotated. The operation of the cassette 20 in both
`storing data inputted from the service center 12 and through
`the base unit 16. and in playing back data within a standard
`audio cassette player 127 are next discussed.
`Initially. a cassette 20 has been