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`
` Transmitted herewith is a Provisional U.S. Patent Application comprising of
`
`
`Title:
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTIMEDIA CONTENT COMPOSITION AND
`DISTRIBUTION
`
`TO THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`
`
`
`_51_ pages of Specification
`2_3 sheets of lnformal Drawings
`57
`pages of Appendix
`
`CI Other
`D This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No.
`
`CI
`
`[Z
`
`Fees accompany application in the following amount and description
`
`No fees accompany this application.
`
`The Commissioner is hereby authorized to charge any additional fees associated with
`D
`this communication under 37 CFR. § 1.16 and 1.17, or credit any overpayment to Deposit
`Account No. 50-0653.
`
`The Commissioner is hereby authorized to charge Patent filing fees and processing
`CI
`fees to Deposit Account No. 50-0653
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
` xL 0\- m UK/\»~—\_ Date: December 30, 1999
`
`Mark A. Wur
`
`Registration Number: 31,682 Customer Number: 22191
`
`Greenberg & Traurig
`1750 Tysons Boulevard, 12'“ Floor
`McLean, Virginia 22102
`703-749-1355
`
`
`
`Docket No.1 35920.000300
`
`
`
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 1
`
`
`
`PATENT Attorney Docket: 35920.000300
`
`Old‘s'nbL9oE
`66/02/Zlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
`PROVISIONAL APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL LETTER
`_
`
`
`
`
`Bruce L. Hitson
`Paul B. Mayer
`Jeffrey L. Williams
`Serial Number: Unassigned
`Filing Date: December 30, 1999
`
`Raleigh, NC
`Durham, NC
`Cary, NC
`Art Unit: UNASSIGNED
`Examiner: UNASSIGNED
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 1
`
`
`
`Atty. Docket No 35920.0003OO
`
`PATENT
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTIMEDIA CONTENT COMPOSITION AND DISTRIBUTION
`
`Inventors:
`
`Bruce L. Hitson
`
`Paul B. Mayer
`
`Jeffery L. Williams
`
`1020 White Crane Way
`
`5329 Pine Cone Lane
`
`105 Shadow Bend Lane
`
`Raleigh, NC 27615
`
`Durham, NC 27705
`
`Cary, NC 27511
`
`Citizen of: USA
`
`Citizen of: USA
`
`Citizen of: USA
`
`
`
`
`2.
`
`Assignee:
`
`NextAudio,
`
`Inc.
`
`ll2 South Duke Street, Suite 4
`
`Durham, NC
`
`27701
`
`Attorney:
`
`Greenberg Traurig
`
`l75O Tysons Boulevard, 12th Floor
`
`McLean, Virginia
`
`22102
`
`(703) 749-1377
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 2
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 2
`
`
`
`Atty. Docket No 35920.000300
`
`PATENT
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTIMEDIA CONTENT COMPOSITION AND DISTRIBUTION
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to the composition and
`
`C
`distribution o; multimedia files.
`
`In particular,
`
`the present
`
`5
`
`invention provides a system and method for composing and
`
`delivering music and other audio content via the Internet.
`
`
`
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The Internet has revolutionized the creation and
`
`distribution of almost every form o: media today.
`
`New
`
`technologies are constantly being developed which allow
`
`producers to digitally record high quality versions of audio and
`
`video signals, compress the recorded signals (either while
`
`recording is taking place or after the fact), and deliver the
`
`content
`
`to a user terminal, personal computer, network computer,
`
`15 workstation, server, kiosk, paging device, cellular or other
`
`telephone, or other electronic or computerized device (“PC”
`
`collectively) via high—speed networks such as the Internet.
`
`In
`
`addition, specialized devices are being developed which can be
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 3
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 3
`
`
`
`Atty. Docket No 35920.0003OO
`
`PATENT
`
`attached to a computer and allow customers to experience content
`
`when away from a computer. Three of the most interesting of
`
`th s
`
`rcccnt dcv lopm nts are MPEG-1 Audio Layer—3 (“MP3”)
`
`files, Advanced Streaming Format Windows Media Audio (WMA)
`
`5
`
`files, and portable media players (“PMP”).
`
`
`
`MP3 uses a sampling and compression method that creates
`
`audio files almost 12 times smaller than those created by
`
`traditional sampling methods,
`
`thereby significantly reducing the
`
`storage requirements for audio files.
`
`WMA files use a different
`
`sampling and compression method, and the WMA algorithm creates a
`
`file half the size of an MP3 file while still preserving high-
`
`fidelity sound.
`
`A PMP is a device that can communicate with a computer or
`
`hook directly to the Internet through a wireless or wired modem
`
`15
`
`or network card. Current examples of PMP’s include Personal
`
`Desktop Assistants (“PDA’s”) and specialized devices.
`
`Examples
`
`of such specialized devices include the Rio, manufactured by
`
`Diamond Multimedia Systems,
`
`Inc. of San Jose, California and the
`
`Nomad
`
`, manufactured by Creative Labs,
`
`Inc. of Milpitas,
`
`20 California.
`
`Examples of PDA’s include the Cassiopeia E-105,
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 4
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 4
`
`
`
`Atty. Docket NO 35920.0003OO
`
`PATENT
`
`manufactured by Casio Computer Co., Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan;
`
`the
`
`Clio, manufactured by Vadem,
`
`Inc. of San Jose, California; and
`
`the Palm VII Connected Organizer, manufactured by 3Com,
`
`Inc. of
`
`Santa Clara, California.
`
`5
`
`A user may download MP3, WMA, or other multimedia content
`
`to their computer or PMP and experience (i.e.
`
`listen to, watch,
`
`or receive other sensory stimuli) content, even when not
`
`connected to the Internet. When communicating with a PC
`
`(typically through a “docking station”),
`
`a PMP may allow a
`
`customer to transmit downloaded multimedia files from a computer
`
`to a PMP.
`
`A PMP can be removed from a docking station and
`
`carried around,
`
`thus providing a customer with a convenient,
`
`portable method of experiencing multimedia content, even when
`
`not connected to the Internet.
`
`
`
`I5
`
`Although there is strong consumer interest in PMP’s,
`
`there
`
`is little economic incentive for multimedia producers, such as
`
`record companies,
`
`to release digital versions of their products,
`
`especially high quality, digital versions,
`
`intended to be
`
`experienced via the Internet. While producers may sell MP3,
`
`20
`
`WMA, or other multimedia content
`
`from an E—commerce web site,
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 5
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 5
`
`
`
`Atty. Docket No 35920.00030O
`
`PATENT
`
`the Internet provides a convenient method of distributing
`
`unlicensed files,
`
`thus increasing the likelihood of piracy once
`
`content is downloaded.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE IN'VENTION
`
`5
`
`The present invention improves upon the prior art by
`
`
`
`providing an economic incentive to multimedia producers to
`
`provide high quality, digital content.
`
`The present invention
`
`further improves upon the prior art by allowing personalized
`
`content delivery and other advanced features currently not
`
`provided by the prior art.
`
`The presently preferred embodiment emulates a broadcast
`
`station, such as a radio or television station; however,
`
`the
`
`present
`
`invention can transmit its content via alternative
`
`communications methods,
`
`including, but not limited to,
`
`the
`
`l5
`
`Internet. Content may be transmitted as a continuous data
`
`stream (“streaming”), as a series of discrete files, or through
`
`a combination of either or both methods
`
`(“downloading”).
`
`Downloaded content may be experienced regardless of whether a
`
`device is communicating with a server.
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 6
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 6
`
`
`
`Atty. Docket No 35920.000300
`
`PATENT
`
`Content sent through the present invention can be encrypted
`
`or have other security information,
`
`such as, but not limited to,
`
`digital watermarks and/or digital rights management
`
`(“DRM”)
`
`information, embedded in it.
`
`Embedded security information may
`
`5
`
`limit experiencing content to a particular PMP or group of
`\\
`PMP’s, may indicate that a particular selection should expire”
`
`after a specific date or a specific number of experiences (e.g.
`
`
`
`playbacks), and may include other similar information.
`
`By
`
`creating restricted content, content providers can create a
`
`revenue source. This revenue source can provide an economic
`
`stimulus to create and provide content to users.
`
`The present invention may also afford economic incentives
`
`to content providers by supplying a means of target marketing to
`
`users based upon user content preferences.
`
`A user of the
`
`15
`
`present
`
`invention may initially indicate content preferences,
`
`and the present invention may select content based on user
`
`preferences. As an example, without
`
`intending to limit the
`
`present
`
`invention, users may select from a list of particular
`
`artists,
`
`including musicians, actors, directors, and producers,
`
`20
`
`or content genres,
`
`such as country music or horror films.
`
`As a
`
`user experiences content,
`
`a review system may be available which
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 7
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 7
`
`
`
`Atty. Docket No 35920.0003OO
`
`PATENT
`
`allows a user to provide comments about specific content or a
`
`content group.
`
`If a user does not review content as it is
`
`experienced,
`
`a user may provide a response later.
`
`Reviews may be stored on a PMP, PC, or other wireless or
`
`5 wired device (collectively referred to as “device”), or reviews
`
`may be immediately transmitted to a database. Review
`
`information may be used to refine content types delivered to
`
`users,
`
`thereby increasing user satisfaction.
`
`In addition to reviewing particular content,
`
`the present
`
`invention may also provide a user with a method through which
`
`content either may be directly purchased or through which a user
`
`may indicate an interest in purchasing content.
`
`Purchasing
`
`decisions may be made while experiencing content, or purchasing
`
`decisions may be made by reexamining previously experienced
`
`
`
`l5
`
`content.
`
`Purchase selections may be stored on a device for
`
`later transmission to a central database, or may be transmitted
`
`automatically.
`
`Stored purchase selections may be reexamined by
`
`a user before purchase authorization.
`
`Advertisements may also be delivered to a user based on
`
`20
`
`user preferences.
`
`If a user allows advertisements,
`
`_7_..
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 8
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 8
`
`
`
`Atty. Docket No 35920.0003OO
`
`PATENT
`
`advertisements may be selected by the present invention based
`
`upon user content preferences, age, geographic location,
`
`time of
`
`day, current physical location, or other information.
`
`A user
`
`can indicate a desire to purchase an advertised item, and a list
`
`5
`
`of desired purchases may be maintained on a device for later
`
`transmission.
`
`Purchase information may also be immediately
`
`delivered to the present invention if transmission is possible.
`
`
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Figure 1 is a Block diagram illustrating a general method
`
`by which a user may register and use the present
`
`invention;
`
`Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating an interaction of
`
`Blocks 103 through 113 of Figure 1
`
`in the presently preferred
`
`embodiment;
`
`Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the process
`
`15
`
`illustrated as Block 117 in Figure 1, as implemented in the
`
`presently preferred embodiment;
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 9
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 9
`
`
`
`Atty. Docket No 35920.0003OO
`
`PATENT
`
`Figure 4
`
`is a flowchart providing an overview illustration
`
`of the interaction of Blocks 117 through 148 of Figure 1 in the
`
`presently preferred embodiment;
`
`Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the interaction of
`
`5
`
`Blocks 121, 147, and 148 of Figure 1 as implemented in the
`
`.presently preferred embodiment;
`
`Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the interaction of
`
`implemented;
`
` Block 121 and Blocks 144 through 146 of Figure 1 as presently
`
`
`
`we='u="sis‘5!21211511.433 O
` in the presently preferred embodiment;
`
`Figure 7
`
`is a flowchart illustrating the interaction of
`
`Block 121 and Blocks 141 through 143 of Figure 1 as implemented
`
`Figure 8
`
`is a flowchart illustrating the general
`
`interaction between Block 121 and Blocks 135 through 140 of
`
`15
`
`Figure 1 as implemented in the presently preferred embodiment;
`
`Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the interaction of
`
`Block 135, Block 139, and Block 140 of Figure 1, as implemented
`
`in the presently preferred embodiment;
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 10
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 10
`
`
`
`Atty. Docket NO 35920.0003OO
`
`PATENT
`
`Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating methods by which new
`
`and registered users may interact with E—mail generated by Block
`
`139 of Figure 1;
`
`Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the interaction of
`
`5
`
`Block 121 and Blocks 130 through 134 of Figure 1, as implemented
`
`in the presently preferred embodiment;
`
`
`
`Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating the workings of Block
`
`127 and Block 128 of Figure 1 as implemented in the presently
`
`preferred invention;
`
`Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating the interaction of
`
`Blocks 104 through 107 of Figure 1, as implemented in the
`
`presently preferred embodiment;
`
`Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating the interaction of
`
`Blocks 144 through 146 of Figure 1, as implemented in the
`
`15
`
`presently preferred embodiment;
`
`Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating the interaction of
`
`Blocks 144 through 146 of Figure 1, as implemented in the
`
`presently preferred embodiment;
`
`_lO_
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 11
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 11
`
`
`
`Atty. Docket No 35920.000300
`
`PATENT
`
`Figure 16 is a flowchart illustrating a typical
`
`synchronization interaction between a PC and a PMP,
`
`illustrated
`
`as Block 1410 of Figure 14, as implemented in the present
`
`invention;
`
`5
`
`Figure 17 is a flowchart illustrating a set of decisions
`
`made by the present
`
`invention when a user experiences content;
`
`
`
`
`Figure 18 is a state diagram illustrating processes that
`
`may be used during synchronization;
`
`Figure 19 is a state diagram illustrating an interaction of
`
`various components illustrated in Figure 20;
`
`Figure 20 is a Block diagram illustrating various server
`
`components of the present invention;
`
`Figure 21 is a Block diagram illustrating an interaction
`
`between a client and a server;
`
`15
`
`Figure 22 is a Block diagram providing an alternative
`
`illustration o: an interaction between a client and a server;
`
`and
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 12
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 12
`
`
`
`Atty-
`
`Docket No 35920.0003OO
`
`PATENT
`
`Figure 23 is a block diagram illustrating the multi—level
`
`Expert System employed by the present
`
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention can compose and deliver multimedia
`
`content
`
`(“content”)
`
`to users via the Internet or other
`
`communications methods.
`
`The present
`
`invention may use a
`
`modified client/server approach to content delivery.
`
`A “client”
`
`may consist o: software, hardware, or combinations thereof,
`
`designed into or running on a device,
`
`that allows a device to
`
`request data from a centralized content delivery point
`
`(“server”).
`
`In addition to requesting data from a server,
`
`a client may
`
`provide access to content stored on a device, and may function
`
`as a server by providing content to other clients. Clients may
`
`
`
`
`‘ill
`
`l5
`
`communicate with other clients or with a server by wired or
`
`wireless means,
`
`including, but not Limited to, Universal Serial
`
`Bus
`
`(“USB”), parallel data transmission, RS232 (“serial”),
`
`ethernet,
`
`token—ring,
`
`infrared, wireless ethernet, pager, analog
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 13
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 13
`
`
`
`Atty. Docket No 35920.0003OO
`
`PATENT
`
`or digital cellular telephone, and/or satellite or other radio
`
`communications.
`
`A software portion of a client may consist of commercially
`
`available software, customized commercial software, custom
`
`5
`
`software, or combinations thereof.
`
`In the presently preferred
`
`embodiment, software portions of a client consist o; a
`
`combination of custom software and a World Wide Web browser
`
`(“web browser”).
`
`Examples of typical web browsers include
`
`Internet Explorer, manufactured by Microsoft of Seattle,
`
` Washington, or Netscape Navigator, manufactured by Netscape of
` clients through a World Wide Web server (“web server”).
`
`Mountain View, California.
`
`The presently preferred embodiment delivers content to
`
`Examples
`
`of typical web servers include Microsoft Internet Information
`
`l5
`
`Server, Netscape Enterprise Server, or Apache Server, manufactured
`
`by The Apache Software Foundation of Lincoln, Nebraska.
`
`Markup languages allow content d livery b twccn scrv rs and
`
`clients.
`
`Examples of current markup languages include, but are
`
`not limited to, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Standardized
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 14
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 14
`
`
`
`Atty. Docket No 35920.0003OO
`
`PATENT
`
`Generalized Markup Language (SGML), extensible Markup Language
`
`(XML), and Portable Document Format
`
`(PDF).
`
`Content can include data which, when sent
`
`through
`
`appropriate hardware, software, or both, causes a stimulation of
`
`any or all senses.
`
`By way of illustration, without limiting the
`
`present
`
`invention, such sensory stimulation may include still
`
`images, video, and audio.
`
`Content may be delivered through a variety of methods,
`
`including, but not limited to,
`
`a continuous data stream,
`
`multiple data streams, discrete file transmissions, or a
`
`combination of these methods. Content may be requested by a
`
`client prior to content delivery (“pull”), sent unrequested by a
`
`server to a client
`
`(“push”), or push and pull technologies may
`
`be combined to provide a seamless user experience. Content may
`
`be obtained by a client from a server or another client acting
`
`as a SGIVGI .
`
`5 l
`
`5
`
`In addition to full-length content,
`
`the present
`
`invention
`
`may provide content samples. Content samples may allow users to
`
`experience full versions of content, or content available for
`
`20
`
`sampling may be restricted.
`
`Examples of content restrictions
`
`_..l4_
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 15
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 15
`
`
`
`Atty. Docket No 35920.0003OO
`
`PATENT
`
`include, but are not limited to, shortened duration and reduced
`
`quality. Content samples may be available to all users, or
`
`content samples may be available only to users for whom an
`
`account has been created.
`
`By creating an account,
`
`a user may be provided with a more
`
`enjoyable,
`
`interactive experience.
`
`An account may be created by
`
`a user, or the present invention may automatically create an
`
`account using information stored on or accessible to a device,
`
`such as a system serial number.
`
`Figure l is a Block diagram illustrating functions
`
`available to registered users, as well as a process through
`
`which an account may be created. Blocks 100 through ll5
`
`represent individual web pages or collections of web pages that
`
`achieve specific tasks associated with registering a user.
`
`A
`
`web page can include information provided by a web server that
`
`may be viewed with a web browser or other software or hardware
`
`capable of converting information encoded in a markup language.
`
`
`
`15
`
`An unregistered user may interact with the present
`
`invention through Unregistered Home Page 103.
`
`Among the
`
`20
`
`functions accessible through Unregistered Home Page 103 are:
`
`_]_5_
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 16
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 16
`
`
`
`Atty. Docket No 35920.000300
`
`PATENT
`
`user registration; content sampling; and the display of
`
`corporate, customer service, and technical support
`
`information.
`
`A client may communicate directly or indirectly with the
`
`present
`
`invention through a web server.
`
`An example of indirect
`
`5
`
`communications is illustrated in Figure 22,
`
`in which User PC
`
`2204, acting as a client,
`
`is communicating with Web Server(s)
`
`2224 through Firewall 2222 and Local Director 2223.
`
`
`
`User PC 2204 may also act as a server, providing content to
`
`Portable Media Player 2202.
`
`The connection of Portable Media
`
`Player 2202 to User PC 2204 through parallel/USB 2203 is
`
`provided as an illustration of a presently preferred embodiment
`
`of the present invention. Content delivery between Portable
`
`Media Player 2202 and User PC 2204 may occur through a variety
`
`of methods,
`
`including both wireless and wired connections.
`
`15
`
`Portable Media Player 2202 may also connect directly to Firewall
`
`2222 and Local Director 2223 without the use of User PC 2204.
`
`The connection between Portable Media Player 2202 and Firewall
`
`2222 may be accomplished through wireless or wired means.
`
`Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating an interaction of
`
`20
`
`Blocks 103 through ll3 of Figure l
`
`in the presently preferred
`
`_]_6_
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 17
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 17
`
`
`
`Atty. Docket No 35920.0003OO
`
`PATENT
`
`embodiment. Block 200 of Figure 2 can be seen as representing
`
`Unregistered Home Page 103 of Figure 1. Block 210 of Figure 2
`
`can be seen as representing Sample My Radio 113 of Figure 1.
`
`Block 220 of Figure 2 can be seen as representing Register Now
`
`104 of Figure 1. About Me 230 of Figure 2 can be seen as
`
`representing About Me 106 of Figure 1. Genre Preferences 240 of
`
`Figure 2 can be seen as representing Radio Preferences 107 of
`
`Figure 1.
`
`A user interacting with the present invention may do so
`
`through User Arrives at N.A. Home Page (“User Arrives”) 201 in
`
`Figure 2.
`
`A user wishing to sample content before registering
`
`with the system may indicate this desire through About N.A. 202.
`
`About N.A. 202 may also allow a user to perform several
`
`different functions,
`
`including,
`
`but not limited to, registering,
`
`
`
`15
`
`gathering additional information about
`
`the present
`
`invention,
`
`and accessing other information.
`
`A user wishing to sample content before registration may be
`
`taken from About N.A. 202 in Figure 2 to Sample N.A. 211.
`
`Sample N.A. 211 may list various content types
`
`from which a user
`
`2O
`
`may choose a representative sample.
`
`If a user selects a content
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 18
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`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 18
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`
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`Atty. Docket NO 35920.0003OO
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`PATENT
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`type for which appropriate “player” software (illustrated as
`
`Have player? 212)
`
`is not installed, a user, or the present
`
`invention, may download appropriate software through Download
`
`Player 215. With an appropriate player installed on a device, a
`
`5
`
`user may experience content accessible through Play Content 216.
`
`A user may register with the present invention at any time.
`
`User registration may begin with Block 220, which may present
`
`some general
`
`information to a user, such as a licensing
`
`agreement.
`
`A user may next progress to About Me 230,
`
`in which
`
`personal
`
`information, such as name, age, and home address, may
`
`be collected. AboutMe 230 may also ask a user to select a
`
` Q
`
`username and password. Usernames and passwords may be used by
`
` limited to, distinguishing one user from another, and securing
`
`the present
`
`invention for several purposes,
`
`including, but not
`
`15
`
`account
`
`information.
`
`After entering personal information, a user may then select
`
`content preferences,
`
`including selecting preferred content types
`
`from a list of those available. Content
`
`types may be presented
`
`as nested lists, with each content category containing zero or
`
`20 more sub—categories.
`
`In addition, each sub—category may be
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 19
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`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 19
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`
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`Atty. Docket NO 35920.00030O
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`PATENT
`
`divided into additional sub—categories.
`
`A sample of nested
`
`content levels is:
`
`Rock ~ Pop
`Rock — Adult Contemporary
`R&B - Jazz
`
`R&B — Soul
`
`Selection of content is illustrated in Figure 2 as Genre
`
`Preferences 240. Although the preceding list illustrates
`
`content divided by level, preferences for other content
`
`attributes, such as, but not limited to,
`
`artist; content type,
`
`such as video, audio, still image, and the like; content
`
`creation date; and content author may also be indicated by a
`
`USSI.
`
`Figure 13 is a Block diagram detailing the registration and
`
`customization processes illustrated as Blocks 220, 230, 240, and
`
`250 in Figure 2.
`
`New User Start 1300 may represent a starting
`
`point to a registration process.
`
`New User Start 1300 may
`\\
`contain a button or other link labeled register”, “create
`
`
`
`account”, “sign up”, or other similar terminology.
`
`A user
`
`20
`
`activating such a button may be presented with
`
`Block 1301,
`
`in
`
`which personal
`
`information may be entered.
`
`Personal
`
`information
`
`may include a name, address, E—mail address,
`
`type(s) of PMP(s)
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 20
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`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 20
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`
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`Atty. Docket No 35920.000300
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`PATENT
`
`owned, a username and password by which a user may be identified
`
`and access to the account can be limited, password hints, and
`
`the like.
`
`Block 1301 may have a button or other link that is labeled
`
`“submit”, “done
`
`continue”, or other similar label.
`
`A user
`
`II
`
`\\
`
`activating such a button may cause personal
`
`information to be
`
`stored on a client, on a server,
`
`or both, as illustrated in
`
`Block 1302.
`
`An account belonging to a user who disconnects from Block
`
`1303 or abandons personal
`
`information entry after submitting
`
`generic information from Block 1302 may be marked as incomplete
`
`(Block 1305).
`
`A user attempting to access the present
`
`invention
`
`through an incomplete account may be required to select content
`
`preferences (Block 1304) prior to experiencing content. Content
`
`preferences may be indicated through
`
`Block 1306.
`
`
`
`
`$10
`
`15
`
`As content preferences are entered,
`\\
`
`a user may activate a
`
`button or other link entitled “next”,
`
`forward”, “more”, or
`
`similar label to further customize content selection.
`
`As
`
`illustrated by Block 1307, if a user selects “next”,
`
`their
`
`20
`
`content preferences can be saved by the present invention
`
`(Block
`
`_20_
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`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 21
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`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 21
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`
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`Atty. Docket No 35920.0003OO
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`PATENT
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`1308), and additional content preference options may be
`
`presented (Block 1306).
`
`When a user has completed the entry of content preferences,
`
`\\
`a user may activate a button or other link labeled save”,
`
`5
`
`“finish”, “done”, or other similar label.
`
`As indicated by Block
`
`1307, when a user selects “finish”,
`
`their content preferences
`
`may be stored (Block 1309), and content preferences may be
`
`reviewed by a user and/or the present invention.
`
`In Block 1310,
`
`if a user has not entered enough content preference information
`
` to provide a custom listening experience, an E—mail may be sent
`
`
`recommending that content preferences be refined at a later
`
`date.
`
`A user account belonging to a user who disconnects or
`
`abandons registration after indicating content preferences may
`
`15
`
`be marked as partially complete (Block 1313).
`
`A user accessing
`
`the present
`
`invention through a partially complete user account
`
`may be required to indicate additional content preferences prior
`
`to experiencing content
`
`(Block 1314).
`
`After sufficient content preferences have been entered,
`
`20
`
`instructions for downloading software and/or content may be
`
`__2]__
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`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 22
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`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 22
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`
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`Atty. Docket NO 35920.0003OO
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`PATENT
`
`displayed (Block 1315).
`
`If software is selected for download,
`
`it may be delivered through a web page or other means, as
`
`illustrated by Block 1316. After any necessary software has
`
`been downloaded, a user account may be marked as completely
`
`5
`
`configured, as indicated by Block 1317.
`
`After a user account is configured, My Station 121 of
`
`Figure 1 may be displayed.
`
`My Station 121 of Figure 1 is also
`
`illustrated as My Station 250 of Figure 2 and My Station 112 in
`
`Figure 1.
`
`My Station 121 may also be accessible to users who have
`
`previously registered with the present
`
`invention. Users already
`
`registered with the present invention may access My Station 121
`
`by first visiting Registered Home Page 117.
`
`Functions
`
`implemented through Registered Home Page 117 are also
`
`
`
`15
`
`illustrated in Figure 3.
`
`Registered Home Page 117, which is illustrated as User
`
`Arrives at Personal Home Page (“User Arrives”) 300 in Figure 3,
`
`may be presented when a user who has already created an account
`
`attempts to interact with the present invention. User Arrives
`
`20
`
`300 can determine,
`
`through software, hardware, or by asking a
`
`_22_
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 23
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`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 23
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`Atty. Docket NO 35920.0003OO
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`PATENT
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`user, a data transmission rate appropriate for a given user
`
`session, as illustrated in Figure 310. Data tranmsission rate
`
`information may be stored for later use, as illustrated by
`
`Narrowband 320 and Broadband 330.
`
`A user may also enter a username and password combination,
`
`or a username and password may be determined from a device.
`
`This process is illustrated as Logon Process 340 in Figure 3.
`
`If a user enters an incorrect username / password
`
`combination, access to My Station 121 of Figure 1 may be denied,
`
`and a user may be taken to Unregistered Home Page 118 (which is
`
`also illustrated as Unregistered Home Page 103).
`
`If a user
`
`forgets a previously chosen username and password combination,
`
`Forgot Password 119 may be displayed.
`
`Forgot Password 119 may
`
`allow a user to see a password “hint”, or reminder.
`
`Password
`
`
`
`15
`
`hints may be displayed on the same web page as Forgot Password
`
`119, or may be displayed on a separate web page, as is
`
`illustrated in Figure 1.
`
`Login processing is also illustrated by User Login 400 of
`
`Figure 4.
`
`A user interacting with the present
`
`invention may
`
`20
`
`enter a username and password in User arrives at Registered User
`
`_.23_
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 24
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`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 24
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`
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`Atty. Docket No 35920.00030O
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`PATENT
`
`Homepage 40l.
`
`If a username and password can be determined
`
`automatically (Auto Login 403), My Station 4l0 may be
`
`immediately accessible.
`
`If a username and password can not be
`
`automatically determined, a user may be asked to enter a
`
`username and password (Username/PW 404).
`
`If a correct username
`
`is entered, My Station 4l0 may be accessible (Login correctly
`
`406).
`
`User Login 400 illustrates an additional option not shown
`
`in Figure l.
`
`If a user has forgotten his or her username and/or
`
`password, User Login 400 may allow a user to request this
`
`information.
`
`A user who has forgotten his or her password or
`
`entered an incorrect password (Login Incorrect 405) may enter an
`
`E—mail address associated with a user account or a username into
`
`Enter user name or Email 407. Enter user name or Email 407 may
`
`automatically transmit an appropriate username and password to
`
`an appropriate E—mail address (Email user name and password
`
`
`
`l5
`
`408).
`
`After a data transmission rate has been selected (Figure 3)
`
`and a user has logged on (Figure 4),
`
`the present
`
`invention may
`
`20
`
`allow a user to interact with My Station l2l of Figure l. My
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 25
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`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 25
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`
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`Atty. Docket No 35920.0003OO
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`PATENT
`
`Station 121 of Figure 1 may serve as a portal through which
`
`services offered by the present invention may be accessed.
`
`Examples of features which may be accessible through My Station
`
`121 include downloading of software; editing of content
`
`preferences; purchasing of content; E—mail, chat, and/or video
`
`conferencing; purchasing of hardware (such as PMP devices); and
`
`access to user support
`
`information.
`
`These options are
`
`illustrated in both Figure 1 and as part of My Station 410 of
`
`Figure 4.
`
`A user wishing to experience content may visit Listen Now
`
`147 of Figure 1.
`
`A flowchart exemplifying user interaction
`
`with, and functions available through, Listen Now 147 is
`
`illustrated in Figure 5.
`
`A user may request a continuous
`
`content stream,
`
`illustrated as Streaming Playlist 502, download
`
`and experience content, or a user may experience content already
`
`stored on a device, as illustrated by Download Playlist 503.
`
`Selection of either option can activate software appropriate to
`
`selected content, as illustrated in Launch Player / Manager 504.
`
`
`
`15
`
`In addition to traditional controls such as start
`
`(Play
`
`20
`
`519), stop (Stop 520), skip (Skip 515),
`
`intensity (such as
`
`_25_
`
`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 26
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`Samsung-LG-HTC Ex. 1105 p. 26
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`
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`Atty. Docket No 35920.0003OO
`
`PATENT
`
`volume), and pause,
`
`a user may control content and interact with
`
`the present
`
`invention in new ways.
`
`Examples o: new forms of
`
`interaction include, but are not limited to, allowing a user to
`
`indicate a desire to purchase content
`
`(Buy 511), request
`
`5
`
`additional information about content
`
`(Request Info 513), or
`
`review content
`
`(Rate 517).
`
`Requests for information, content reviews, and other user
`
`interaction may be recorded by the present
`
`invention and
`
`transmitted to a server later.
`
`In addition,
`
`if a server is
`
` readily contacted, results may be transmitted immediately
`
`
`(Blocks 514, 516, and 518).
`
`If a user indicates a desire to
`
` ;
`
`purchase content,
`
`this information may be stored on a device, or
`
`transmitted to a server acting as part of the present invention
`
`(Block 512).
`
`15
`
`A user interacting with the present
`
`invention through My
`
`Station 121 of Figure 1 may also store content on a device for
`
`later review. This interaction is handled through Download
`
`MyRadio 144, PC 145, and PMP 146.
`
`Examples of download options
`
`and logic performed by the present invention, a user, or both,
`
`20
`
`may be illustrated by Figure 6.
`
`In addition to Figure 6, Figure