(12) United States Patent
`Berman et al.
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006502194Bl
`US 6,502,194 Bl
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) SYSTEM FOR PLAYBACK OF NETWORK
`AUDIO MATERIAL ON DEMAND
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Russell Todd Berman, San Jose, CA
`(US); Michael Andrew Radford, Los
`Angeles, CA (US); Brett Austin
`Kennedy, Santa Monica, CA (US);
`David Kiyoshi Matsumoto, San Jose,
`CA(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Synetix Technologies, San Francisco,
`CA(US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/293,252
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 16, 1999
`
`Int. Cl? ........................ H04L 12/00; G06F 13/372
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 713/201; 713/200; 709/231;
`370/231; 370/352; 370/310; 370/468; 705/51;
`705/26
`(58) Field of Search .............................. 705/51, 57, 26,
`705/27; 713/200, 201; 370/69.1, 231, 352,
`354, 310, 468; 709/231, 233, 235
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`8/1996 Wagner et a!. ................ 379/67
`5,544,228 A
`9/1996 Kubota eta!. ................ 380/10
`5,553,140 A
`6/1997 Kostreski et a!. ............. 348/13
`5,635,979 A
`8/1998 Lau eta!. ................... 364/514
`5,790,423 A
`5,822,537 A * 10/1998 Katseff et a!.
`.............. 370/231
`6,138,147 A * 10/2000 Weaver eta!. ........... 707/104.1
`6,222,838 B1 * 4/2001 Sparks et a!. ............... 370/352
`6,246,672 B1 * 6/2001 Lumelsky ................... 370/310
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner~y V. Hua
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-David A Hall
`ABSTRACT
`
`(57)
`
`A playback unit resembling a home audio component,
`retrieves audio data from a remote server and plays them
`back in real time, using a home audio system, in response to
`user selection. The playback unit provides an interface
`between a network source for audio material, such as the
`Internet, and a conventional home audio system for play(cid:173)
`back. The playback unit has a relatively simple operating
`system that does not require a lengthy boot-up sequence,
`cannot be accessed by the user, and does not require the
`launch of special software to initiate playback. Access to
`audio material and distribution rights can be controlled by
`network servers. In this to way, the playback unit can
`retrieve audio material from the network on demand, thereby
`vastly expanding the range of music available for playback,
`and can reproduce that music using the home audio system
`for high quality playback in a comfortable setting, with
`controlled access to audio material and controlled distribu(cid:173)
`tion and duplication of the material.
`
`4,788,675 A
`4,829,372 A
`
`11/1988 Jones et a!. ................ 370/69.1
`5/1989 McCalley eta!. ............ 358/86
`
`24 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`106
`
`HOME
`AUDIO
`SYSTEM
`
`MEMORY I
`
`~1 6
`
`L - - - - - . .1
`
`USER
`INTERFACE/
`DISPLAY
`
`)
`112
`
`' 100
`
`OUL
`SERVER
`
`AUDIO
`MATERIAL
`SERVER
`
`107
`
`104
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1010 Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 Bl
`
`106
`
`HOME
`AUDIO
`SYSTEM
`
`fY6
`
`MEMORY
`
`USER
`INTERFACE/
`DISPLAY
`
`)
`112
`
`' 100
`
`FIG. 1
`
`DUL
`SERVER
`
`AUDIO
`MATERIAL
`SERVER
`
`107
`
`104
`
`100
`
`202
`
`204
`
`SONG NAME
`TRACK 3
`ARTIST/DISC
`
`01:23
`
`210 212 214 216 218 220 222 224
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1010 Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 Bl
`
`308
`
`NO
`
`DUL SENDS UPDATED
`SONG LIST TO
`PLAYBACK UNIT.
`
`301
`
`POWER ON.
`
`USER SELECTS ARTIST,
`TITLE, ALBUM, GENRE,
`ETC.
`
`SEND CURRENT SONG LIST
`VERSION TO DUL SERVER.
`
`302
`
`304
`
`306
`
`310
`
`USER SELECTS
`ARTIST AND SONG
`TITLE.
`
`USER SELECTION
`SENT TO DUL
`SERVER.
`
`314
`
`DUL SERVER SENDS URL OF
`AUDIO MATERIAL SERVER
`AT WHICH SONG DATA IS
`STORED.
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1010 Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 Bl
`
`402
`
`404
`
`PLAYBACK UNIT SENDS
`SONG REQUEST TO AUDIO
`MATERIAL SERVER.
`
`PLAYBACK UNIT SENDS
`SONG REQUEST TO DUL
`SERVER.
`
`406
`
`DUL SERVER SETS PERMISSION
`GRANTED FLAG AND SETS EXTENT OF
`ACCESS RIGHTS FOR THE PLAYBACK
`UNIT.
`
`AUDIO MATERIAL SERVER CHECKS
`PERMISSION GRANTED FLAG.
`
`412
`
`AUDIO MATERIAL SERVER
`TRANSMITS SONG DATA
`PACKETS.
`
`NO
`
`414
`
`AUDIO MATERIAL SERVER
`SENDS ERROR CODE TO
`PLAYBACK UNIT.
`
`CONTINUE
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1010 Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 Bl
`
`501
`
`502
`
`504
`
`NO
`
`PERFORM HOUSEKEEPING
`CHORES.
`
`DETECT A "NEW TRACK"
`EVENT.
`
`DECIDE "NEW TRACK"
`BASED ON OPERATING
`MODE.
`
`506
`
`512
`
`BEGIN STREAMING TRACK
`DATA FROM MEMORY
`BUFFER TO DSP.
`
`FIG. 5
`
`508
`
`REQUEST TRACK FROM
`AUDIO MATERIAL
`SERVER.
`
`510
`
`WAIT.
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1010 Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 Bl
`
`MSB
`
`•
`•
`•
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`LSB
`
`"''
`
`J
`
`~
`
`USERID
`(UID)
`
`REQUEST TYPE
`
`SONG LIST
`VERSION
`
`CHECKSUM
`
`}
`}
`
`MSB
`
`~
`
`• • •
`
`>
`
`USERID
`(UID)
`
`FIG. 6
`
`~
`
`}
`}
`}
`}
`
`REQUEST TYPE
`
`ARTIST
`CODE
`
`SONG
`CODE
`
`PACKET NO.
`
`CHECKSUM
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`LSB
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1010 Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 Bl
`
`MSB
`
`• • •
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`• • •
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`LS8
`
`...
`
`..
`
`USERID
`~
`UID)
`(
`
`FIG. 8
`
`f-- PACKET TYPE
`
`~
`ERROR CODE
`
`PACKET NO.
`
`}
`}
`
`TOTAL
`PACKETS
`
`...
`
`>
`
`SONGUST
`DATA
`
`...
`
`}
`
`CHECKSUM
`
`MSB
`
`• • •
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`• • •
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`LSB
`
`FIG. 9
`
`...
`
`..
`
`USERID
`~
`(UIDI
`
`~ PACKET TYPE
`
`~ ERROR CODE
`
`}
`}
`
`ARTIST
`
`SONG
`
`...
`
`URL
`DATA
`
`>-
`
`..
`}
`
`CHECKSUM
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1010 Page 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 Bl
`
`MSB
`
`~
`
`USER ID
`(UID)
`
`>-
`
`~
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`PACKET TYPE
`~
`
`~
`ERROR CODE
`
`}
`}
`
`ARTIST
`
`SONG
`
`""""
`
`>-
`
`SONG
`DATA
`
`LSB
`
`MSB
`
`LSB
`
`~
`
`}
`
`CHECKSUM
`
`FIG. 10
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1010 Page 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 Bl
`
`BUFFER 1
`
`SEGMENT 1
`
`SEGMENT 2
`
`SEGMENT 3
`
`• . •
`
`)
`
`1102
`
`BUFFER 1
`(STAGE 1)
`
`SEGMENT 1
`
`SEGMENT 2
`
`SEGMENT 3
`
`SEGMENT 4
`
`• • •
`
`)
`
`1202
`
`BUFFER 2
`
`SEGMENT 1
`
`SEGMENT 2
`
`SEGMENT 3
`
`... • .
`
`)
`
`1104
`
`FIG. 11
`
`BUFFER 2
`(STAGE 2)
`
`SEGMENT 1
`
`SEGMENT 2
`
`SEGMENT 3
`
`SEGMENT 4
`
`• • •
`
`SEGMENT N
`
`)
`
`1204
`
`FIG. 12
`
`BUFFER 3
`
`SEGMENT 1
`
`SEGMENT 2
`
`SEGMENT 3
`
`• .. •
`
`)
`1106
`
`BUFFER 1
`(STAGE 3)
`
`SEGMENT N+1
`
`SEGMENT N+2
`
`SEGMENT 3
`
`SEGMENT 4
`
`• • ..
`
`SEGMENT N
`)
`
`1206
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1010 Page 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 Bl
`
`RECORD
`COMPANY
`
`1
`.......
`
`COMPRESSION 2
`TECH. ~ SERVERS
`
`11 t 3j
`
`NETWORK
`
`lOt
`
`4!
`
`STORAGE
`MEDIA
`
`7
`
`STEREO
`COMPONENT
`
`5
`
`6
`
`9
`
`PERSONAL INFO
`(ID CARD, CODE)
`
`USER INTERFACE
`(GUI) AND
`REMOTE
`
`8
`
`AUDIO OUT
`
`FIG. 13
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1010 Page 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 Bl
`
`NETWORK
`
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`
`2
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`:10 USER
`1---------------+-:+ DISPLAY
`INTERFACE
`(GUll
`
`4
`
`3
`
`MEMORY
`SYSTEM
`
`13
`
`12
`
`EEPROM
`
`DATA
`STORAGE
`DEVICE
`
`7,
`
`DSP
`
`5
`
`DAC
`
`HOME
`AUDIO
`SYSTEM
`
`FIG. 14
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1010 Page 11
`
`

`

`US 6,502,194 Bl
`
`1
`SYSTEM FOR PLAYBACK OF NETWORK
`AUDIO MATERIAL ON DEMAND
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates generally to music playback sys(cid:173)
`tems and, more particularly, to playback of network audio
`material in response to user command.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Two popular means of listening to digitally encoded audio
`material are conventional home audio music playback sys(cid:173)
`tems that include conventional media players that reproduce
`recorded music information and computer-based systems
`that typically include a standard personal computer (PC) or
`similar machine capable of utilizing a variety of digital
`music formats, including pre-recorded media and computer
`audio files. Both types of systems permit users to initiate
`playback of a selected piece of audio material, such as
`recorded songs or other music.
`Conventional home audio music systems typically
`include a player that accepts media encoded with digital
`audio material. Such media include the compact disc (CD),
`MiniDisc (MD), and digital audio tape (DAT) formats. The
`CD format comprises a plastic-coated aluminum substrate
`from which digital audio material can be optically retrieved.
`The MiniDisc is a magneto-optical storage format. The DAT
`format comprises a tape substrate with a magnetic recording
`layer in which digital audio material is magnetically 30
`recorded. The CD format is the most popular current means
`of delivering recorded music and offers the largest library of
`recorded works for selection. Other popular media for
`playback of digital music information include the "Laser(cid:173)
`disc" (LD) format and the "Digital Video Disc" (DVD) 35
`format, both of which can combine video information with
`music or other digital audio information. All of these formats
`offer a relatively stable recording media, high quality audio
`reproduction, convenient storage and playback, and simple
`operation of players.
`Home audio players, such as CD players and DAT
`players, can provide exceptional quality sound reproduction,
`made all the better because such players are typically
`connected to a relatively good quality, home high-fidelity
`music system. The CD format discs are convenient because 45
`they are especially easy to store and take up comparatively
`little storage space. Playback of CDs also is convenient,
`because the CD player is ready to read the digital audio
`material upon power-up of (application of electrical power
`to) the player. For playback the discs are simply inserted into 50
`a CD player's tray or slot and started with simple one-button
`operation. In addition, such home music systems are typi(cid:173)
`cally arranged in a comfortable setting within the home.
`Such home music systems typically include, in addition to
`the CD player that reads the digital audio material and 55
`produces a playback signal, one or more amplification and
`control devices, signal processors, and power amplifiers to
`process and amplify the analog playback signal, and also a
`set of loudspeakers, to receive the amplified playback signal
`and convert it to sound.
`Home music systems permit a user to initiate playback on
`demand by the selection of an appropriate disc or tape
`media. The selection, however, must be made from the
`user's personal collection of media on hand, which limits the
`available music to that which the user has purchased, 65
`borrowed, or otherwise received. This limits the repertory
`from which the user may select and discourages many users
`
`2
`from review of and experimentation with audio material and
`musical products. This is undesirable from the perspective of
`the music industry, because it is believed that such experi(cid:173)
`mentation and review can lead to further sales of recorded
`5 audio material. Borrowing media from another user or from
`a commercial enterprise, thereby expanding the library of
`material available to include that which is maintained by
`acquaintances or rental shops but this is not convenient.
`In contrast to the home audio system with CD or DAT
`10 player, the conventional computer-based system with appro(cid:173)
`priate software and hardware can provide music either from
`pre-recorded digital media or from computer audio files. For
`purposes of this discussion, the computer-based playback
`system will be referred to as a PC-based system, regardless
`15 of the computer on which it is based.
`If the PC-based system includes a CD-ROM drive and
`sound card, for example, a CD with digital audio material
`can be inserted into the drive and the sound recorded on the
`CD can be listened to through PC speakers that receive
`20 output from the sound card. This mode of listening has the
`same limitations of repertoire as the home audio CD player.
`Moreover, the typical PC-based system does not have audio
`components as good as that of the typical home audio
`system, and is usually not located in as comfortable a setting
`25 as the typical home audio system.
`A PC-based system with access to a network such as the
`Internet can, with the appropriate software, download audio
`material for playback. This audio material can comprise, for
`example, digitized sound clips stored as ".wav" files, MPEG
`(Motion Picture Experts Group) Audio Layer 3 (MP3)
`compressed-audio files, streaming audio formats for con(cid:173)
`tinuous play of audio material, and other digital formats for
`the storage of audio material, all of which can be stored on
`a fixed media and received by the PC. More recently, another
`sound file format called the Secure Digital Music Initiative
`(SDMI) has been proposed. Alternatively, the audio material
`can be received from a network file server, and then stored
`on the hard drive of the PC itself. Additional software can be
`40 used for convenient organization of downloaded music files.
`Other audio material may comprise streaming audio files,
`which require additional streaming audio playback software.
`Such network downloading of music can vastly expand
`the repertory from which the user may select, and encour(cid:173)
`ages review of and experimentation with audio material.
`Again, however, the PC-based system provides limited
`enjoyment because the typical PC-based system does not
`have audio components as good as that of the typical home
`audio system, and is usually not located in as comfortable a
`setting as the typical home audio system. Furthermore, the
`PC-based system is not as convenient to use as the home
`audio system, because the PC is typically located in a work
`environment away from the home audio system, and the
`operating system of the PC requires an initial lengthy
`boot-up process that loads an operating system from periph(cid:173)
`eral storage, the launching of appropriate player software,
`and the navigation of a potentially complicated software
`interface with multiple windows and drop-down menus to
`select before initiating playback each time the user wants to
`60 listen to audio material.
`In addition, operating a PC-based system, gaining Internet
`access, and downloading audio files can require computer
`skills not possessed by the average listener, in addition to
`requiring the initial purchase of the computer equipment.
`Peripheral playback devices also may need to be installed on
`the PC-based system, requiring knowledge of the operating
`system and peripheral interface, and some of these formats
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1010 Page 12
`
`

`

`US 6,502,194 Bl
`
`4
`network interface to communicate with the network, send
`user commands, and receive audio material. The network
`interface can communicate using a number of different
`protocols having a variety of physical connection schemes,
`5 such as telephone line modem connections, high-speed
`Ethernet connections, and cable modem connections. The
`playback unit also includes an output interface that receives
`the audio material and provides it to the home audio system
`in a format that can be reproduced by that system.
`Other features and advantages of the present invention
`should be apparent from the following description of the
`preferred embodiment, which illustrates, by way of
`example, the principles of the invention.
`
`3
`only provide low-fidelity playback that is adequate for audio
`while working at the computer, but is not useful as an
`adjunct or replacement for the home audio system and CD
`player.
`Some forms of PC-based systems also are meeting with
`resistance from commercial music industry interests and
`from artists because of the potential for widespread copy(cid:173)
`right violation and the difficulty of policing the download
`and duplication of audio information files by users. The
`availability of network databases and the download and 10
`duplication of audio files make it almost impossible to
`monitor and control the distribution of recorded musical
`performances. Some PC-based systems also may be prob(cid:173)
`lematic in view of governmental regulation, such as the
`Audio Home Recording Act passed by the U.S.A. 15
`legislature, which under certain conditions mandates a serial
`copy management system (SCMS) to control digital copy(cid:173)
`ing. It would be advantageous to provide a system that is
`capable of interfacing with home audio systems for high
`quality playback, that has access to the large repertory 20
`possible through network databases, and would have the
`acceptance of commercial music interests and artists.
`From the discussion above, it should be apparent that
`there is a need for a system that can provide playback of a
`wide range of audio material on demand, using the home 25
`audio system for high quality playback, without requiring
`sophisticated computer skills, and with controlled access to
`audio material and controlled distribution and duplication of
`the material. The present invention fulfills this need.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a playback unit constructed
`in accordance with the present invention showing the con(cid:173)
`nections to a home audio system and a network.
`FIG. 2 is a representation of the screen display shown on
`the user interface of the playback unit illustrated in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are processing flow diagrams that
`illustrate the processing steps executed by the components
`illustrated in FIG. 1 to request, receive, and play audio
`material from the network.
`FIG. 5 is a processing flow diagram that illustrates the
`processing steps executed by the playback unit processor
`illustrated in FIG. 1.
`FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are representations of packet
`30 information processed by the playback unit illustrated in
`FIG. 1.
`FIG. 11 is a representation of the buffers contained in the
`memory illustrated in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 12 is a representation of the loop buffering opera-
`tions executed under control of the microprocessor illus(cid:173)
`trated in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 13 is a data flow diagram of the FIG. 1 system
`operation, showing the information that is transmitted
`among the system components.
`FIG. 14 is a data flow diagram of the playback unit
`operation, showing the information that is transmitted
`among the playback unit components.
`
`35
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`FIG. 1 illustrates a playback unit 100 constructed in
`accordance with the present invention. The playback unit
`communicates over a network, such as the Internet 102, to
`request digital audio material from one or more audio
`material servers 104. The playback unit receives audio
`material from an audio material server and provides it to a
`conventional home audio system 106 for playback. The
`playback unit 100 has a simple operating system that
`55 accesses instructions from high-speed semiconductor
`memory, does not require a lengthy boot-up sequence, and
`cannot be manipulated by the user. Thus, the playback unit
`does not require the user to launch special software such as
`the "Windows 98" operating system by Microsoft Corpora(cid:173)
`tion to initiate playback, and therefore the playback unit is
`very stable in operation and can be operated without special
`computer skills or navigation of complicated PC-like win(cid:173)
`dows. Access to the audio material and authority for distri(cid:173)
`bution rights are preferably controlled by a directory and
`user list (DUL) server 107 described further below. In this
`way, the playback unit 100 can retrieve a wide range of
`digital audio material from the network upon user demand,
`
`The present invention provides a system for playback of
`network audio material on demand by using a playback
`apparatus that provides an interface to network audio files
`that are retrieved in real time in response to user selection.
`In accordance with the invention, the playback unit provides
`an interface between a conventional home audio system and
`a network source for audio material, such as the Internet.
`The playback unit has a relatively simple built-in operating 40
`system that is not accessed from peripheral storage, does not
`require a lengthy boot-up sequence, and cannot be manipu(cid:173)
`lated without the authorization of the manufacturer or net(cid:173)
`work source. As a result, the playback unit can be operated
`without special computer skills or navigation of complicated 45
`PC-like windows. Receipt of audio material and enforce(cid:173)
`ment of distribution rights can be controlled by network
`servers that provide the audio material to the playback unit.
`In this way, the playback unit can retrieve a wide range of
`digital audio material from the network on demand, thereby 50
`vastly expanding the range of music available for playback,
`can reproduce that music using the home audio system for
`high quality playback in a comfortable setting, and can
`provide controlled access to audio material and controlled
`distribution and duplication of the material.
`The playback unit includes a user interface and display
`component, which presents an easy-to-use interface that
`simulates playback controls that might be found on a con(cid:173)
`ventional player such as a CD player or DAT player. The
`user interface and display component substantially dupli- 60
`cates the appearance of a conventional home audio player
`control panel, such as CD player buttons and track displays.
`The playback unit also includes memory for holding pro(cid:173)
`gram instructions and temporarily storing audio material for
`playback so it is not accessible to the user, and includes a 65
`microprocessor that controls operation of the playback unit.
`In one aspect of the invention, the playback unit includes a
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1010 Page 13
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`US 6,502,194 Bl
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`5
`thereby vastly expanding the range of music available for
`playback, and can reproduce that music using the home
`audio system for high quality playback in a comfortable
`setting.
`The playback unit 100 is most likely to be installed
`adjacent to the home audio equipment 106, which typically
`includes a variety of amplifier, processor, receiver, control,
`and record/playback units. The playback unit 100 comprises
`a stand-alone device that is preferably the same size as the
`individual home audio system devices, so as to be physically
`and aesthetically compatible with them. The playback unit
`includes a network interface 110 that provides a communi(cid:173)
`cation channel with the Internet 102 and to the audio
`material server 104. The network interface can communicate
`using a number of different protocols having a variety of
`physical connection schemes, such as telephone line modem
`connections, high-speed ISDN and Ethernet connections,
`and cable modem connections.
`
`Playback Unit Components
`
`The playback unit 100 includes a user interface and
`display component 112, which presents an easy-to-use inter(cid:173)
`face that substantially duplicates the appearance of typical
`user-operable controls that might be found on a conventional
`home audio player that plays physical media, such as a CD
`player or a DAT player. These controls may include, for
`example, PLAY, STOP, FORWARD, BACKWARD,
`PAUSE, TRACK, and SELECT buttons. In the preferred
`embodiment, the user interface and display component 112
`includes a touch panel or screen that responds to user
`activation of virtual buttons shown on the display screen.
`The function represented by the activated display button is
`then executed by the playback unit. The touch panel permits
`easy updates to the player functionality by changing the 35
`buttons and their operation with new program instructions
`stored in memory, as described below. Alternatively, the
`buttons may comprise actual physical buttons that have an
`electromechanical interface so they respond to physical
`pressure by producing a signal that activates the correspond- 40
`ing function.
`FIG. 2 shows an exemplary display interface comprising
`a touch panel screen 202 of the playback unit 100. The
`playback unit preferably includes at least one physical
`button, a power button 204 that initiates the application of
`electrical power to the circuits of the playback unit. The
`playback unit may also include a sensor, such as an infrared
`sensor 206, for receiving command signals from a remote
`control unit (not illustrated). The display interface has a
`display area 208 on which playback status information is 50
`shown. For example, FIG. 2 shows the display area 208 with
`a list of song or selection name, track number, artist name or
`disc (compilation), and song playing time. The display
`interface may include virtual operation buttons, or actual
`physical buttons, that cause operations such as reverse 210, 55
`pause 212, play 214, stop 216, forward 218, fast forward/
`skip 220, cursor navigation up 222 and down 224, and a
`function select 226 button. As noted above, the buttons
`210--226 may be virtual buttons of a touch panel screen 202
`also having a status information display area 208, or may be 60
`physical buttons adjacent a display area 208 in which
`alphanumeric information is shown.
`Returning to the illustration of FIG. 1, the playback unit
`100 also includes an output interface 114, memory 116, and
`microprocessor 118. The output interface processes the 65
`audio material and provides it to the home audio system in
`a format that can be used by that system. The connection to
`
`6
`the home audio system 106, for example, can comprise a
`direct wire connection to home audio loudspeakers that
`receive an analog signal, or can be a connection to a signal
`processor, receiver, or other control and/or amplification
`5 device for playback using the loudspeakers of the home
`audio system. The memory 116 holds data including pro(cid:173)
`gram instructions and temporarily stores audio material for
`processing and playback. The memory may comprise a
`combination that includes, for example, semiconductor
`10 memory such as electrically erasable programmable read
`only memory (EEPROM) or flash memory for holding
`program instructions and buffer memory for holding song
`data (audio material).
`The program instructions are automatically executed by
`15 the microprocessor 118 when power is applied to the play(cid:173)
`back unit. Thus, there is no need to access an operating
`system stored on a disk drive or other peripheral storage
`device to operate the playback unit. As a result, the playback
`unit does not require an electromechanical storage device
`20 (such as a disk drive), is very stable in operation, and does
`not require a boot-up sequence. The buffer memory for
`audio material storage is preferably dynamic random access
`memory (RAM), which is a low-cost, efficient means of
`temporarily storing digital audio material to be processed for
`25 playback. In addition, the volatility of the buffer memory
`ensures that the user has no permanent copy of the audio
`material, thereby ensuring protection of copyrighted mate(cid:173)
`rial. As described further below, storage of the audio mate(cid:173)
`rial in the memory is determined by data downloaded
`30 through the network interface 110, and therefore is exter(cid:173)
`nally controlled.
`The playback unit 100 operates under control of the
`microprocessor 118, which controls operation of the other
`playback unit components 110, 112, 114, 116. The micro(cid:173)
`processor also performs the various calculations and com(cid:173)
`putations required for processing the audio material and
`preparing it for playback. If desired, the microprocessor
`component 118 may work along with a specialized digital
`signal processing (DSP) circuit for performing sound data
`computations and, if necessary, audio material data decom(cid:173)
`pression. As noted above, the program steps executed by the
`microprocessor are stored in a program instruction flash
`memory portion of the memory 116. Therefore, although the
`user cannot change the operating system instructions, the
`45 playback unit operation is fully determined by the stored
`program instructions, which can be changed by loading new
`instructions into the memory 116. This permits changing, for
`example, the display buttons to provide new functions.
`
`Playback Unit Operating Steps
`
`FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the processing steps executed
`by the microprocessor 118 of FIG. 1, and illustrates the
`processing carried out by the playback unit 100 in response
`to user commands. An initial step, as represented by the flow
`diagram box numbered 301, occurs when electrical power is
`applied to the playback unit. As noted above, the operation
`of the playback unit is sufficiently simple so that no oper(cid:173)
`ating system loaded from peripheral storage is required,
`therefore, there is no boot sequence, and the user cannot alter
`system operation of the playback unit. As a result, upon the
`application of electrical power, the playback unit 100 is
`immediately operational.
`In the first operational step, represented by the flow
`diagram box numbered 302, the user selects a music cat(cid:173)
`egory or type of song desired for playback from a list. This
`list may include categories such as the artist, the song title,
`
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`US 6,502,194 Bl
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`8
`material server, or otherwise communicated to the audio
`material server. This operation step is represented by the
`flow diagram box numbered 406.
`The permission granted flag dictates whether or not a user
`will be permitted to download a song for listening and also
`for recording. Other authorizations, in accordance with the
`Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI) for example, may be
`accommodated. That is, the permission granted flag may
`grant or deny a range of distribution, reproduction, copy, and
`recording rights. Thus, the permission granted flag may
`include a copy authorization flag to control digital copying.
`These rights may be granted in accordance with predeter(cid:173)
`mined arrangements between commercial music interests
`and artists on the one hand, and entities controlling the DUL
`15 server and audio material servers on the other hand. If
`permission to record is granted, for example, a feature of the
`output interface will be set to permit an output format that
`is suitable for recording. If the user is not granted recording
`privileges, then no output will be available at the needed
`output connections of the output interface, or any attempt to
`exceed the granted song rights will result in display of an
`error message on the display interface and a halt to opera(cid:173)
`tions of the playback unit.
`Thus, after the permission granted flag is set by the DUL
`server at step 406, the audio material server checks the flag
`at step 408. The flag may be sent to the audio material server
`by the DUL server or forwarded by the playback unit. If the
`permission granted flag indicates that the user has been
`granted permission to download the requested song, an
`affirmative outcome at the decision box 410, then at the flow
`diagram box numbered 412 the audio material server trans(cid:173)
`mits the audio material (comprising a sound file or streaming
`audio information) to the playback unit, where it is received
`by the network interface as described above. Other operation
`35 of the playback unit then continues. If the permission
`granted flag indicates that the user has not been granted
`permission to download the song, a negative outcome at the
`decision box 410, then at the flow diagram box numbered
`414 the audio material server sends an error code to the
`playback unit to halt operation. Similar processing will be
`performed if other user actions are attempted that require
`authorization, such as digital copying.
`
`7
`the album, and musical genres. In addition, the user may
`limit search results by confining the query to specific,
`user-defined categories. The generated list appears on the
`display area of the user interface. In the next step, the
`playback unit sends the version of the curr