United States
`(19)
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0065902 A1
`May 30, 2002
`J anik et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`US 20020065902A1
`
`(54)
`
`(76)
`
`WEBPAD AND METHOD FOR USING THE
`SAME
`
`Inventors: Craig M. Janik, Los Altos Hills, CA
`(US); Nick Kalayjian, San Francisco,
`CA (US); Bruce Edwards, Burlingarne,
`CA (US); Josh Ferguson, San
`Francisco, CA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Archana B. Vittal
`BLAKELY, SOKOLOFF, TAYLOR & ZAFMAN
`LLP
`Seventh Floor
`12400 Wilshire Boulevard
`Los Angeles, CA 90025-1026 (US)
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`09/946,946
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Sep. 4, 2001
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`Non-provisional of provisional application No.
`60/230,084, ?led on Sep. 5, 2000.
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................... .. G06F 15/16
`US. Cl. ............................................................ .. 709/219
`
`(51)
`(52)
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`AWebpad and method for using the same are provided. The
`Webpad includes an adapter rnodule attached to a personal
`digital assistant. The adapter module includes a Wireless
`transceiver for sending and receiving data via a Wireless
`communication protocol.
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1008 Page 1
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication May 30, 2002 Sheet 1 0f 6
`
`US 2002/0065902 A1
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`Yamaha Corporation of America
`
`Exhibit 1008
`
`Page 2
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1008 Page 2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 30, 2002 Sheet 2 0f 6
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`US 2002/0065902 A1
`
`FIG.2
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1008 Page 3
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication May 30, 2002 Sheet 3 0f 6
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`US 2002/0065902 A1
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`284
`
`288
`
`FIG.3
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1008 Page 4
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication May 30, 2002 Sheet 4 0f 6
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`US 2002/0065902 A1
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`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1008 Page 5
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`

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`Patent Application Publication May 30, 2002 Sheet 5 0f 6
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`US 2002/0065902 A1
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`w:
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1008 Page 6
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`

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`Patent Application Publication May 30, 2002 Sheet 6 0f 6
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`US 2002/0065902 A1
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`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1008 Page 7
`
`

`

`US 2002/0065902 A1
`
`May 30, 2002
`
`WEBPAD AND METHOD FOR USING THE SAME
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`[0002] This application is related to Us. Application
`entitled, “Adapter Module and Method for Using the Same”,
`?led Sep. 4, 2001, and commonly assigned hereWith.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] The present invention relates generally to the ?eld
`of personal digital assistants, and more particularly, to a
`Webpad.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0004] The rapid buildup of telecommunications infra
`structure combined With substantial investment in Internet
`based businesses and technology has brought Internet con
`nectivity to a large segment of the population. Recent market
`statistics shoW that a majority of households in the US. oWn
`at least one personal computer (PC), and a signi?cant
`number of these PCs are connected to the Internet. Although
`the majority of household PCs are connected to the Internet
`by dialup modem connections, broadband connectivity is
`being rapidly adopted, and is decreasing in price as a variety
`of technologies are introduced and compete in the market
`place. Alarge majority of households in the US. and Europe
`are viable for at least one or more type of broadband
`connection, such as cable, DSL, optical netWorks, ?xed
`Wireless, or tWo-Way satellite transmission.
`[0005] The rapid proliferation of loW-cost processing
`poWer and Internet connectivity has driven the availability
`and popularity of digital content. DigitiZation combined
`With compression technology produces content that is small
`and portable. Consumer enthusiasm for digital audio ?les
`such as MP3-formatted content is a prime example of the
`trend toWard content digitiZation, enabling consumers to
`ef?ciently share audio ?les that they have digitiZed from
`CDs. The creation and transfer of digital audio is noW
`understood and desired by millions of consumers. The MP3
`digital audio format is an audio encoding technology that
`alloWs consumers to further compress digital audio ?les
`such as those found on Compact Disks, to much smaller
`siZes With very little decrease in sound quality. PC-based
`MP3 softWare players have been created that provide a
`convenient graphical user interface and softWare decoding
`of MP3 ?les. Some technology alloWs users to play MP3
`?les on their PC, using an existing sound card With external
`speakers. HoWever, to listen to MP3s the user must interface
`With the PC, using a mouse and keyboard, and must be
`nearby the PC sound output equipment.
`[0006] Other content mediums are trending toWard digi
`tiZation. The processing and sharing of digital images is
`expected to increase geometrically as digital cameras gradu
`ally replace conventional ?lm chemistry. Electronic texts
`(eBooks) are another example of hoW digitiZation enables
`more ef?cient and varied transfer of content. As system
`bandWidth increases, it is only a matter of time before digital
`video transport is as common as audio is noW. Additionally,
`interactive multimedia (Flash and ShockWave) Will increas
`ingly be made available to end users With PCs.
`[0007] A market for home netWorking technology has
`emerged, driven by the need to share an Internet connection
`
`betWeen tWo or more PCs, and to connect all the PCs to
`productivity peripherals. There has been innovation in local
`area netWork
`technology based on end-user desire for
`simplicity and ease of installation. The Home Phoneline
`NetWorking Association (HPNA) promotes netWorking
`products that turn existing phone Wiring in the home into an
`Ethernet physical layer. Existing HPNA products provide
`data-rates equivalent to 10base-T Ethernet, approximately
`10 Mbps. NetWorking technology that uses the AC poWer
`Wiring in the home to carry data signals has also appeared.
`Similar to HPNA devices, adapters are required to convert
`data signals from devices into voltage ?uctuations carried on
`to and off of the AC Wires, alloWing any AC outlet to become
`a netWork interface.
`[0008] Wireless radio-frequency (RF) LAN technology
`has also been introduced into the home netWorking market.
`Theoretically, Wireless technology is the most convenient
`for the end user to install. TWo prevalent standards for
`Wireless netWorking are Institute of Electrical and Electron
`ics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 b and HomeRF. Both of these
`systems utiliZe the unlicensed 2.4 GhZ ISM band as the
`carrier frequency for the transmission of data. Both of these
`technologies have effective ranges of approximately 150 feet
`in a typical household setting. In addition to utiliZing Trans
`mission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) proto
`cols, IEEE 802.11 b and HomeRF include additional encryp
`tion and security protocol layers so that the user’s devices
`have controlled access to data being sent through the LAN.
`[0009] Although there is a signi?cant installed base of PCs
`With access to large volumes of digital content via Internet
`connectivity, the value of that content is limited When it can
`only be experienced at the PC.
`[0010] Portable digital audio playback devices have been
`developed that are signi?cantly smaller than portable CD
`players because they contain no moving parts, only ?ash
`memory, a microprocessor for decoding MP3 compressed
`audio content, and batteries. HoWever, the cost per bit of
`audio content With portable digital audio playback devices is
`still very high because of the high cost of ?ash memory. The
`typical portable digital audio playback device includes
`enough ?ash memory to store about one CD’s Worth of
`digital music. The result is that the user is burdened With
`having to continually manually change the music ?les in the
`device by plugging the device into the PC and operating a
`user interface, if they Want to listen to a Wide range of music.
`[0011] PDAs and other portable handheld computers have
`achieved Widespread market acceptance due to the valuable
`data manipulation, access, and storage functionality avail
`able in conveniently portable form factors. The innovation
`of pen-based user interfaces in combination With various
`types of character recognition technology has also been a
`factor in the high adoption rate of PDAs. The Palm Pilot®
`in particular has advanced the state of the art of handheld
`computing by offering a small, light form factor With an
`effective character recognition application called Graf?ti®.
`The Palm Pilot® uses the PalmOS® operating system. The
`Palm Pilot® is manufactured by Palm Computing, Inc..
`Other small form factor PDAs are available, such as the
`iPaq®, manufactured by Compaq Computer, Inc.. Casio,
`Inc. offers the Cassiopeia®.
`[0012] What is required is a system that alloWs a user to
`access all of the digital content and information services
`Without being forced to sit at a PC.
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1008 Page 8
`
`

`

`US 2002/0065902 A1
`
`May 30, 2002
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0013] A Webpad and method for using the same are
`provided. The Webpad includes an adapter module attached
`to a personal digital assistant. The adapter module includes
`a Wireless transceiver for sending and receiving data via a
`Wireless communication protocol.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0014] The present invention Will be understood more
`fully from the detailed description given beloW and from the
`accompanying draWings of various embodiments of the
`invention, Which, hoWever, should not be taken to limit the
`invention to the speci?c embodiments, but are for eXplana
`tion and understanding only:
`
`[0015] FIG. 1 shoWs a schematic of one embodiment of
`the Wireless Webpad system;
`
`[0016] FIG. 2 shoWs an isometric vieW of one embodi
`ment of a Webpad that is a PDA attached to a Wireless LAN
`adapter;
`[0017] FIG. 3 shoWs an isometric vieW of one embodi
`ment of aWireless LAN adapter;
`
`[0018] FIG. 4 shoWs an exploded vieW of one embodi
`ment of a Wireless LAN adapter;
`
`[0019] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of one embodiment of
`the electronic components in the Wireless LAN adapter; and
`
`[0020] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of one embodiment of
`the softWare components in the Wireless Webpad.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0021] A Webpad and method for using the same are
`described. In the folloWing description, for purposes of
`explanation, numerous speci?c details are set forth in order
`to provide a thorough understanding of the present inven
`tion. It Will be apparent, hoWever, to one skilled in the art
`that the present invention can be practiced Without these
`speci?c details. In other instances, Well-knoWn structures
`and devices are shoWn in block diagram form in order to
`avoid obscuring the present invention.
`
`[0022] A set of de?nitions is provided beloW to clarify the
`present invention.
`
`De?nitions
`
`[0023] Personal Digital Assistants (hereafter PDAs) are
`de?ned as the category of computers that are small enough
`to be comfortably held in one hand, and that contain
`softWare applications that are used for personal organiZa
`tion, productivity, and communication. The PDA category
`includes handheld computers, including single-housing
`devices such as the Palm Pilot, Which have a tWo-piece
`clam-shell plastic housing With an integral display. PDAs of
`this variety include an LCD that alloWs the user to Write on
`it With a stylus, or otherWise control and manipulate the
`softWare and stored content on the PDA. There are also
`hinged designs for PDAs that are similar in con?guration,
`although much smaller than, portable notebook computers.
`In this con?guration, one housing contains the microproces
`sor, memory, batteries, and small keyboard, and the other
`housing contains an LCD.
`
`[0024] A netWork is one or more computer devices of any
`type, such as a personal computer (PC), netWork appliance,
`or PDA, connected together by a data transfer link. A PDA
`that has a communication link to the Internet is often
`referred to as a node. A node (point of interaction With the
`Internet) on the netWork can potentially communicate, that
`is, can send or receive data to any other node (electronic
`device) on the netWork. NetWorks may be physically Wired
`or they may be Wireless.
`
`[0025] The Internet is used interchangeably With the term
`Web or WorldWide Web. Both of these are de?ned as the
`WorldWide netWork of PCs, servers, and other devices.
`
`[0026] A CCD (charged coupled device) is a semiconduc
`tor technology used to build light-sensitive electronic
`devices such as cameras. Each CCD chip consists of an array
`of light sensitive photocells that, in conjunction With a lens,
`can be used to capture both still shots and moving pictures.
`CCD technology is Well knoWn in the ?eld of digital image
`acquisition and Will not be described in detail here for
`reasons of brevity.
`
`[0027] Broadband connection is de?ned as a communica
`tions netWork in Which the frequency bandWidth can be
`divided and shared by multiple simultaneous signals. A
`broadband connection to the Internet typically provides
`minimum upstream and doWnstream data-rates of approxi
`mately 200K or more bits per second. There are many
`different types of broadband connections including DSL,
`cable modems, and ?Xed and mobile Wireless connections.
`
`[0028] A Data Over Cable System Interface Speci?cation
`(DOCSIS) modem is an industry standard type of cable
`modem that is used to provide broadband access to the
`Internet over a coaXial cable physical layer that is also used
`for the delivery of cable TV signals (CATV). DOCSIS
`modems are Well knoWn in the telecommunications industry
`and Will not be described here in detail.
`
`[0029] ADigital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem is also an
`industry standard type of modem that is used to provide
`broadband access to the Internet, but over conventional
`copper phone lines (local loops). DSL modems are Well
`knoWn in the telecommunications industry and Will not be
`described here in further detail.
`
`[0030] The term gateWay, used interchangeably With
`broadband gateWay, is de?ned as an integral modem and
`router, and may include hub functionality. The modem
`function is used to change voltage ?uctuations on an input
`carrier line (a DSL line input or a cable TV input) into digital
`data.
`
`[0031] Routers are devices that connect one distinct net
`Work to another by passing only certain IP addresses that are
`targeted for speci?c netWorks. Hubs alloW one netWork
`signal input to be split and thus sent to many devices.
`
`[0032] GateWay storage peripheral is de?ned as an add-on
`storage device With processing poWer, an operating system,
`and a softWare application that manages the doWnloading
`and storage of data. An eXample scenario for the use of a
`gateWay storage peripheral is a system Where a user has a
`DOCSIS modem and Would like to add an alWays-on storage
`capability. The gateWay storage peripheral is connected to
`the DOCSIS modem via a USB port or an Ethernet port in
`the DOCSIS modem.A gateWay storage peripheral in com
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1008 Page 9
`
`

`

`US 2002/0065902 A1
`
`May 30, 2002
`
`bination With a DOCSIS modem or any type of broadband
`modem is considered a storage gateway system. A PC that
`is alWays left on and connected to an alWays-on gateWay
`With a DSL or broadband cable connection is considered a
`storage gateWay system.
`[0033] The term “message” is de?ned as information that
`is sent digitally from one computing device to another for
`various purposes. The term “content” is used to mean the
`information contained in digital ?les or streams. For
`example, content may be entertainment or neWs, or audio
`?les in MP3 format. “Data” is used to mean information
`such as digital schedule contents, responses from devices
`sent back through the system, or digital messages and email.
`“Content” and “data” are sometimes used interchangeably.
`“Client devices” are those devices that are not fully func
`tional Without a host device such as a personal computer.
`
`is de?ned as a netWork
`[0034] Local Area Network
`structure that includes tWo or more devices that can com
`municate With other devices utiliZing a shared communica
`tion infrastructure, including Wired netWork technologies,
`such as Ethernet, or Wireless netWork technologies such as
`Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
`802.11 b or HomeRF technology. Wireless LAN technology
`such as IEEE 802.11 b and HomeRF are based on the
`unlicensed 2.4GhZ ISM (Industrial, Scienti?c, and Medical)
`frequency band. These netWorking technologies utiliZe
`Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocols (TCP/IP)
`protocols.
`[0035] A LAN typically constitutes a group of intercon
`nected devices that share a common geographic location and
`are typically grouped together as a subnet. A local netWork,
`for eXample, Would be a home netWork Where several
`computers and other smart devices Would be digitally con
`nected for the purpose of transferring content and data,
`controlling each other, sharing programming, or presenting
`data and content to a user.
`[0036] CODEC (Compression/Decompression algorithm)
`is a softWare application that is used to decode (uncompress)
`encoded (compressed) media ?les or streams. Most content
`is stored and sent in a compressed format so that the content
`?les are smaller and thus take up less storage space and use
`less bandWidth When being transferred via the Internet. The
`content is then decoded at the playback device. For eXample,
`MP3 audio ?les are encoded and must be decoded by a
`microprocessor running the codec in order for the audio
`content to be presented to the user in an analog format.
`[0037] HTTP is Hyper-text transfer protocol, the protocol
`used by Web broWsers and Web servers to transfer ?les, such
`as teXt and graphic ?les. Data-rate is de?ned as the data
`throughput of a telecommunications system or technology,
`and is measured in a quantity of bits per second, such as
`millions of bits per second (Mbps).
`
`OvervieW of Operation
`[0038] Referring noW to FIG. 1, the fundamental opera
`tion of the Wireless Webpad 32 system involves LAN
`transmission of digital content and services from a local
`server that is a PC in one embodiment. Content and com
`munication services are received via PC but can originate on
`the Internet 8, using the PC as a proXy server. Wireless
`Webpad 32 receives the digital content and communications
`and processes it in various Ways.
`
`[0039] In one embodiment, Webpad 32, shoWn in FIG. 2,
`is a PalmV PDA 36 manufactured by Palm Computing. The
`PDA 36 is attached to a Wireless LAN adapter 40. The PC
`is also functionally connected via a USB connection to a
`Wireless radio frequency (RF) LAN access point 28, such
`that digital content from PC is transmitted to nodes on the
`LAN 48.
`
`[0040] The function of the PC and Broadband connection
`in the System
`
`[0041] In one embodiment, the function of PC in the
`Wireless Webpad 32 system is to acquire, store, manage, and
`serve digital content and interactive services to Wireless
`Webpad 32. Digital content is stored on PC hard disk drive
`56. PC gains access to digital audio and video content
`several Ways. In one embodiment PC is also connected to
`Internet 8 via a broadband cable modem 16. Thus PC has
`access via content services to doWnloadable digital audio
`?les such as MP3 formatted audio ?les, MPEG-2 and
`MPEG-4 video ?les, as Well as digital audio and video
`streams from Internet 8 servers.
`
`[0042] In one embodiment, the user can also manually
`convert CD audio ?les into MP3 ?les, a process knoWn as
`“ripping”. PC can also route Internet 8 streams of content to
`Webpad 32. In other embodiments, PC is connected to
`Internet 8 through a dial-up modem connection to an ISP, or
`Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or a ?Xed Wireless broad
`band connection.
`
`Discussion of Wireless LAN adapter
`40—Mechanical Description
`
`[0043] As shoWn in FIG. 2, PDA 36 docks With Wireless
`LAN adapter 40 With a spring loaded mechanical attachment
`that includes a latch hook 284. The latch hook 284 is shoWn
`in FIG. 3. In one eXample Where the PDA36 is a Palm, Palm
`Computing provides a reference design for connecting to the
`PalmV With the use of a small slot on the bottom side of the
`PalmV housing. PDA 36 is released from Wireless LAN
`adapter 40 by pressing button 176. Electrical contacts on the
`rear end of PDA 36 make contact With electrical contacts on
`Wireless LAN adapter 40 in order to establish a data com
`munication link.
`
`[0044] FIG. 3 shoWs Wireless LAN adapter 40 Without
`PDA 36 attached. In one embodiment, the loWer part of
`Wireless LAN adapter 40 has the same shape as the loWer
`part of PDA 36, and includes the same electrical contacts as
`PDA 36 electrical contacts in order to ?t in to and utiliZe the
`eXisting PDA 36 docking cradle. By placing PDA 36
`attached to Wireless LAN adapter 40 into PDA 36 docking
`cradle, both the PDA36 battery and the battery 104 included
`in Wireless LAN adapter 40 are alternatively charged.
`
`[0045] Referring noW to FIG. 4, an exploded vieW of
`Wireless LAN adapter 40 shoWs a typical tWo-piece plastic
`shell construction as Well as other components. Internal
`hardWare components include a motherboard 156 that con
`tains the electronic components that constitute the functional
`data-manipulating aspect of the device.
`
`Electrical Description
`
`[0046] FIG. 5 shoWs a block diagram of the electrical
`components in Wireless LAN adapter 40. Motherboard 156
`electrically connects components including a microproces
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1008 Page 10
`
`

`

`US 2002/0065902 A1
`
`May 30, 2002
`
`sor 115, dynamic memory (DRAM) 116, programmable
`(?ash) memory 118, a poWer regulation and battery charging
`sub-system 124, a digital signal processor (DSP) 140, bat
`tery 104, a headset jack 184, and a stereo audio out jack 128.
`A Wireless LAN transceiver 44 is functionally connected to
`motherboard 156.
`
`[0047] In one embodiment, Wireless LAN adapter 40 also
`includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 121 for con
`verting the uncompressed digital information into analog
`signals that are presented at the stereo audio out jack 128.
`Microprocessor 115 in combination With DRAM memory
`116 executes instructions from the real time operating sys
`tem 92 and control ?rmWare 96. In an alternative embodi
`ment, Wireless LAN adapter 40 includes a charge-coupled
`device (CCD) chip and a lens, the function of Which Will be
`explained later in this disclosure.
`
`Description of Wireless LAN transceivers (card in
`LAN adapter)
`
`[0048] Wireless LAN transceivers 44 are capable of send
`ing and receiving data using radio frequencies via a Wireless
`data transfer protocol. Technology for such a LAN 48 is
`currently available and includes the Symphony Wireless
`netWorking access point provided by Proxim, Inc.. LAN
`systems such as this are based on RF modulation centered on
`the 2.4 GHZ frequency band. Such LANs have a practical
`range of approximately 150 feet and are capable of reaching
`most areas in an average siZed house Were Webpad 32 might
`be located.
`
`[0049] In another embodiment, the Wireless LAN access
`point 28 is a PCI card that is located internal to the PC, With
`an external antenna 122. In another embodiment, the Wire
`less LAN communication link 48 is provided using IEEE
`802.11 b protocols. In another embodiment Wireless LAN
`communication link 48 is provided using Bluetooth proto
`cols.
`
`Wireless Webpad SoftWare and Functionality
`
`[0050] Wireless Webpad 32 functions are the combined
`functions of PDA 36 and Wireless LAN adapter 40. FIG. 6
`is a block diagram of the location of various softWare
`functions in Wireless Webpad 32. PDA 36 is used primarily
`for its user-interface capabilities. Many functions require the
`computer processing poWer of Wireless Webpad 32. For
`example, microprocessor 115 in combination With DAC 121
`and CODEC 100 in Wireless LAN adapter 40 is capable of
`decoding digital audio ?les. Microprocessor 115 in combi
`nation With DSP 140 and a microphone input is capable of
`digitiZing sound inputs.
`
`Device SoftWare—CODECs
`
`[0051] In one embodiment, Wireless LAN adapter 40
`includes the Fraunhofer CODEC in Wireless LAN adapter
`40, licensed for use by Thomson Electronics for decoding
`the digital audio ?le that is streamed to it from PC. CODEC
`100 is an executable ?le stored in memory, launched by
`control ?rmWare 96, executed by real time operating system
`92 running on Wireless LAN adapter 40. Wireless LAN
`adapter 40 may store a multiple CODECs in memory 118 in
`Wireless LAN adapter 40 for decoding variously formatted
`digital audio ?les that may be selected by the user. For
`
`example, the WindoWsMedia CODEC, provided by
`Microsoft may be stored in memory 118 at Wireless Webpad
`32.
`
`SoftWare Module—System control application 64
`
`[0052] FIG. 1 lists the softWare components of Wireless
`Webpad 32 system that are included at PC. FIG. 6 lists the
`softWare elements of Wireless LAN adapter 40 and PDA 36.
`
`[0053] The system control application 64 is softWare
`executing on PC that manages communication and stream
`ing from PC to Wireless Webpad 32. System control appli
`cation 64 includes a server module 76 that is a Java
`application. System control application 64 also includes a
`database module 68 that is Written to or accessed by server
`module 76, and a series of graphical user interface (GUI)
`modules, that provide user interfaces for setting up content
`to be accessed by or streamed to Wireless Webpad 32, as Well
`as other devices on the LAN. One instance of GUI module
`is a WindoWs application that runs on PC. Another instance
`of GUI module is a native application for PDA 36 operating
`system.
`
`[0054] An example of Webpad 32 GUI is the Webpad
`playlist manager GUI application 276 that features a three
`level nested list structure for organiZing digital audio con
`tent. The three levels are labeled as channels, playlists, and
`tracks. Channels are lists of playlists, and playlists are lists
`of tracks. Track is a GUI representation of a locally cached
`digital audio ?le or a digital audio stream from Internet 8.
`Audio content services are also available through online
`services accessed through a broWser interface on Webpad 32.
`The online digital audio ?les associated With online playlist
`titles in the online playlists are streamed to Wireless Webpad
`32 via PC and Wireless LAN communication link 48. Server
`module 76 includes softWare that interfaces With the proto
`cols of each online audio service provider to alloW online
`playlists to be doWnloaded and transferred into database
`module 68. Thus, playlist structures and playlist titles cre
`ated online using the Web-based content selection guide are
`available and can be interacted With by the user With the
`Webpad playlist manager GUI application 276 running on
`Wireless Webpad 32.
`
`SoftWare Functions—Communication/Message
`processing
`
`[0055] The communication and control functions of the
`Wireless Webpad 32 system Will noW be described. In one
`embodiment, a user may use Wireless Webpad 32 GUIs to
`control the function of Wireless Webpad 32 and other client
`devices connected to the system.
`
`[0056] For example, the user makes selections on Webpad
`playlist manager GUI application 276 using the stylus With
`the touch screen LCD 136. These interactions are processed
`by the microprocessor 115 and operating system in PDA 36,
`and messages are sent to control ?rmWare 96 in Wireless
`LAN adapter 40 via the serial port interface. These messages
`are then converted into XML-based messages and sent via
`HTTP requests to system control application 64 on PC via
`Wireless LAN 48. These messages are interpreted by server
`module 76 running on PC and speci?c actions are initiated.
`Applications enabled by the Wireless Webpad 32 system are
`discussed beloW.
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1008 Page 11
`
`

`

`US 2002/0065902 A1
`
`May 30, 2002
`
`System Function—Local Browsing
`[0057] System control application 64 includes server mod
`ule 76 that operates as a server for Webpad 32. A database
`of information can be maintained on PC such as yelloW
`pages directories, White pages directories, TV Guide, and the
`like. Database module 68 stores the locations of the local
`content ?les. Because of the speed of LAN 48, access to this
`information is very fast. In this embodiment PDA 36 GUI is
`a broWser that accesses the server With HTTP requests.
`
`System Function—Internet 8 Browsing
`
`[0058] Server module 76 also acts as a router and netWork
`address translator, alloWing the user to use the broWser
`application on the PDA 36 to access Web pages on Internet
`8. The broWser application on PDA 36 can receive World
`Wide Web URLs entered by the user, and server module 76
`Will route these requests through to the Wide area connec
`tion, such as a broadband Internet 8 connection. The
`responses back from Internet 8 are routed through to Webpad
`32.
`
`System Function—Streaming Audio
`
`[0059] An aspect of control ?rmWare 96 on Wireless LAN
`adapter 40 in combination With Webpad playlist manager
`GUI application 276 on the PDA 36 provides the ability to
`initiate and control a real-time digital audio or video stream
`from server module 76 on PC. Webpad playlist manager
`GUI application 276 on PDA 36 also provides the standard
`controls for starting, stopping, pausing, progressing to the
`neXt track, and the like. These controls are GUI elements on
`the touch screen LCD 136. The user activates the control
`GUI elements With the stylus.
`
`[0060] The interaction of control ?rmWare 96 With server
`module 76 provides a buffer management function that
`controls the How of portions of the digital audio ?le from PC
`into a local DRAM memory of Wireless Webpad 32. The
`buffer management function insures that the local DRAM
`memory buffer is ?lled as the contents of DRAM are
`decoded by microprocessor 115 executing CODEC 100.
`DAC 121 converts the decoded digital audio into analog
`signals that are presented at the head phone jack 128 on
`Wireless LAN adapter 40. The user listens to the audio
`stream using a stereo headset plugged into earphone jack
`128.
`
`System Function—TV SynchroniZation Mode
`
`[0061] System control application 64 can run on a set-top
`boX that includes a digital cable converter and a DOCSIS
`cable modem. In this scenario, system control application 64
`can receive information as to the current cable channel that
`the digital cable converter is tuned to. The set-top boX makes
`the currently playing content channel available to system
`control application 64. The Internet 8 connection integral to
`the set-top boX enables a function of system control appli
`cation 64 to use an online lookup function in combination
`With an online programming guide database to obtain a teXt
`description of the currently playing content. Further, an
`Internet 8 search function can be used to gather ancillary
`content links, de?ned as links to Websites that relate to the
`teXt descriptors of the currently playing content. These
`ancillary content links are automatically sent to Webpad 32
`When TV synchroniZation mode is activated on Webpad 32.
`
`The result is that While Watching a TV program such as
`movie or an advertisement, related links are immediately
`sent to Webpad 32.
`[0062] Using the above eXample of ancillary content sent
`automatically to the Webpad 32, activation by the user of a
`GUI tag button displayed on Webpad 32 LCD 136 that is
`associated With the ancillary content currently displayed on
`LCD 136, results in the transmission of a message back
`through LAN 48 informing system control application 64
`that tag button Was activated. Server module 76 then com
`piles and transmits tag message to a tag storage and pro
`cessing server. The information in tag message is associated
`With the currently playing content and may include but is not
`limited to: metadata or meta-tags (ID3 data) included in the
`?le or stream (characters or images); the ?le name if co