(12) United States Patent
`Berman et al.
`
`US006502194B1
`(10) Patent N0.:
`US 6,502,194 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`(54) SYSTEM FOR PLAYBACK OF NETWORK
`
`
`
`(75) Inventors: Russell Todd Berman, San Jose, CA . -
`
`
`
`5,544,228 A
`5,553,140 A
`5,635,979 A
`
`8/1996 Wagner et a1. .............. .. 379/67
`9/1996
`380/10
`6/1997 Kostreski et al. ........... .. 348/13
`
`,
`
`,
`
`2 * 13;
`
`
`
`IE“: egali ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ a se e a. ............ ..
`
`galMlgliellgnfllgewt?id?zfd’ L05
`
`
`Knge 63’ S ( Dggilzlelgiglog?aMact’g?gm S(an 2856 fe C25 515 _
`
`6,138,147 A * 10/2000 Weaver et al. ......... .. 707/104.1
`
`6,222,838 B1 * 4/2001 Sparks et al. 6,246,672 B1 * 6/2001 Lumelsky ................. .. 370/310
`
`CA (Us)
`
`,
`
`,
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`.
`
`_
`
`.
`
`.
`
`(73) Asslgnee- glgl‘gséfechnologles’ San Franclsco’
`
`.
`
`Primary Examiner—Ly V. Hua
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—David A. Hall
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`_
`_
`_
`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
`back. The playback unit has a relatively simple operating
`system that does not require a lengthy boot-up sequence,
`Cannot be accessed
`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
`tron and duplication of the material.
`
`*
`
`Notice:
`
`J
`y
`Sub'ect to an disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`USO 154(k)) by 0 days'
`
`_
`(21) Appl' NO" 09/293’252
`(22) Filed;
`Apt; 16, 1999
`
`~ ~ ~ ~~ H04L 12/00; G06F 13/372
`(51) Int- Cl-7 - - ~ ~ ~ ~
`U-S- Cl- ..................... ..
`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
`Us‘ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,788,675 A 11/1988 Jones et al. .............. .. 370/69.1
`4,829,372 A
`5/1989 McCalley et al. .......... .. 358/86
`
`24 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`P 110 x
`1 1 8
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`
`MP
`
`(- 1oa
`
`:33: ,
`‘
`SYSTEM
`
`MEMORY
`
`OUTPUT
`INTERFACE
`
`/
`<
`J"
`U353
`menace! Y
`DISPLAY
`v
`1 1 2
`
`114
`“j
`
`DUI,
`SERVER
`
`\ Q 107
`
`1
`
`102
`
`6 \
`>
`/
`
`Aumo
`MATERIAL
`SERVER
`
`104)
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1014 Page 1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 0f 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`P 110 w
`118
`
`MP
`
`lm‘né
`
`102
`
`(- 10a
`
`51333
`SYSTEM
`
`=
`
`1 a
`
`MEMORY J USER
`menace!
`DISPLAY
`
`khQ/
`Y
`/
`
`J
`
`3
`112
`
`pm
`SERVER
`
`“$41
`SERVER
`
`\ Q 107
`
`100
`
`104 )
`
`FIG. 1
`
`100
`
`208
`
`226
`
`ON
`
`x / 202
`some NAME
`TRACK 3
`ARTIST IDISC
`EIIJIJIZIDJEHXIEHII
`
`01:23
`
`/ l/ (/ 204
`E 4F
`
`210 212 214 216 218 220 222 224
`
`206
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1014 Page 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 0f 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`( 308
`
`DUL SENDS UPDATED
`SONG LIST TO
`PLAYBACK UNIT.
`
`302
`
`U
`l
`USER SELECTS ARTIST,
`TITLE, ALBUM, GENRE,
`ETC.
`
`304 '\
`
`"
`
`SEND CURRENT some LIST
`VERSION TO DUL SERVER.
`
`306
`
`SONG LIST
`CURRENT?
`
`310 \
`
`YES
`
`USER SELECTS
`ARTIST AND SONG
`TITLE.
`
`USER SELECTION
`SENT TO DUL
`SERVER.
`
`314
`\ I
`
`DUL SERVER SENDS URL OF
`AUDIO MATERIAL SERVER
`AT WHICH SONG DATA IS
`STORED.
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1014 Page 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 0f 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`402 x
`
`PLAYBACK UNIT SENDS
`SONG REQUEST TO AUDIO
`MATERIAL SERVER.
`
`404 '\
`
`PLAYBACK UNIT SENDS
`SONG REQUEST TO DUL
`SERVER.
`
`406
`
`V
`
`DUL SERVER SETS PERMISSION
`GRANTED FLAG AND SETS EXTENT OF
`ACCESS RIGHTS FOR THE PLAYBACK
`UNIT.
`
`408
`
`\
`
`AUDIO MATERIAL SERVER CHECKS
`PERMISSION GRANTED FLAG.
`
`410
`
`YES
`
`PERMISSION TO
`DOWNLOAD
`GRANTED?
`
`AUDIO MATERIAL SERVER
`TRANSMITS SONG DATA
`PACKETS.
`
`f 414
`
`‘7
`
`AUDIO MATERIAL SERVER
`SENDS ERROR CODE TO
`PLAYBACK UNIT.
`
`FIG.
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1014 Page 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 0f 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`I
`
`START I
`1. f
`
`501
`
`PERFORM HOUSEKEEPING
`CHORES.
`
`"
`
`f" 502
`
`DETECT A "NEW TRACK"
`EVENT.
`
`f" 504
`"
`DECIDE "NEW TRACK"
`BASED ON OPERATING
`MODE.
`
`‘
`
`506 \ TRACK IN
`
`No
`
`BUFFER?
`
`512 \
`
`BEGIN STREAMING TRACK
`DATA FROM MEMORY
`BUFFER TO DSP.
`
`FIG. 5
`
`K 508
`
`REQUEST TRACK FROM
`AUDIO MATERIAL
`SERVER.
`
`K 510
`
`v
`
`WAIT.
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1014 Page 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 0f 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`MSB
`__-_
`
`w
`I
`USER ID
`
`M
`
`m
`LSB
`_
`
`REQUEST TYPE
`“
`MSB
`SONG LIST
`
`LSB
`
`M38
`M58
`M * CHECKSUM
`LSB
`
`q
`
`;
`'
`
`USER ID
`(UID)
`
`FIG. 6
`
`m
`
`“
`LSB
`—
`REQUEST TYPE
`*
`M35
`ARTIST
`m CODE
`LSB
`
`MsB
`LS8
`
`SONG
`CODE
`
`7
`
`M85
`W
`LSB
`PACKET NO.
`*
`MSB
`
`LS5
`
`CHECKSUM
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1014 Page 6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 0f 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`M58
`
`-
`
`:
`
`USER ID
`(UID)
`
`W
`
`FIG. 8
`
`L55
`
`""'_ PACKET TYPE
`*
`
`MSB
`
`b__ ERROR CODE
`
`__'
`
`use.
`__-LSB PACKET NO.
`#
`MSB
`- TOTAL
`LSB
`PACKETS
`
`MSB'
`w
`
`W
`
`.
`
`I
`
`I I F
`
`SONGUST
`DATA
`
`L88
`M38
`
`~} CHECKSUM
`
`L38
`
`..._.-.-_-
`2
`
`USER ID
`(UID)
`
`_-—
`LSB
`I-—_
`_ PACKET TYPE
`
`M
`_ ERROR CODE
`
`MSB
`
`_-----| L85
`
`SONG
`
`M88
`
`L88
`
`MSB
`
`IN LSB
`
`URL
`DATA
`
`MSB
`
`LSB
`
`CHECKSUM
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1014 Page 7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 7 0f 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`MSB
`
`USERID
`(UID)
`
`PACKET TYPE
`
`ERROR CODE
`
`ARTIST
`
`SONG
`
`SONG
`DATA
`
`} CHECKSUM
`
`—
`B S L
`
`FIG. 10
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1014 Page 8
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 8 0f 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`BUFFER 1
`
`SEGMENT 1
`
`SEGMENT 2
`
`SEGMENT 3
`
`BUFFER 2
`
`SEGMENT 1
`
`SEGMENT 2
`
`SEGMENT 3
`
`BUFFER 3
`
`SEGMENT 1
`
`SEGMENT 2
`
`SEGMENT 3
`
`'"l I U
`
`1102
`
`1104
`
`1106
`
`BUFFER 1
`(STAGE 1)
`
`SEGMENT 1
`
`SEGMENT 2
`
`SEGMENT 3
`
`SEGMENT 4
`
`l I.‘
`
`1202
`
`FIG. 11
`
`BUFFER 2
`(STAGE 2)
`
`SEGMENT 1
`
`SEGMENT 2
`
`SEGMENT 3
`
`SEGMENT 4
`
`BUFFER 1
`(STAGE 3)
`
`SEGMENT N+1
`
`SEGMENT N + 2
`
`SEGMENT 3
`SEGMENT 4 I
`
`n
`
`SEGMENT N
`
`)
`
`1206
`
`SEGMENT N
`
`T
`
`1204
`
`FIG. 12
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1014 Page 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 9 0f 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`RECORD
`COMPANY
`
`1 ‘ COMPRESSION 2 ‘
`'
`TECH.
`# SERVERS
`
`M
`
`11
`
`3v
`
`NETWORK
`
`1o“
`
`4
`V
`
`PERSONAL INFO
`(ID CARD, CODE)
`
`5
`
`STORAGE 4
`MEDIA
`‘
`
`7
`
`STEREO
`COMPONENT
`
`9
`
`L ?‘usER INTERFACE
`‘6
`(GUI) AND
`REMOTE
`
`s ,7
`
`AUDIO OUT
`
`FIG. 13
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1014 Page 10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 10 0f 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`NETWORK
`
`2
`
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`
`PROCESSOR 2
`
`110
`
`USER
`DISPLAY
`INTERFACE
`
`DATA
`
`,
`
`STORAGE <;—
`DEVICE
`
`13
`
`MEMORY
`SYSTEM
`
`12
`
`EEPROM
`
`DAC
`
`HOME
`AUDIO
`SYSTEM
`
`FIG. 14
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1014 Page 11
`
`

`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`1
`SYSTEM FOR PLAYBACK OF NETWORK
`AUDIO MATERIAL ON DEMAND
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`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
`mentation and revieW can lead to further sales of recorded
`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
`player, the conventional computer-based system With appro
`priate softWare and hardWare can provide music either from
`pre-recorded digital media or from computer audio ?les. For
`purposes of this discussion, the computer-based playback
`system Will be referred to as a PC-based system, regardless
`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
`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
`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” ?les, MPEG
`(Motion Picture Experts Group) Audio Layer 3 (MP3)
`compressed-audio ?les, streaming audio formats for con
`tinuous play of audio material, and other digital formats for
`the storage of audio material, all of Which can be stored on
`a ?xed media and received by the PC. More recently, another
`sound ?le format called the Secure Digital Music Initiative
`(SDMI) has been proposed. Alternatively, the audio material
`can be received from a netWork ?le server, and then stored
`on the hard drive of the PC itself. Additional softWare can be
`used for convenient organiZation of doWnloaded music ?les.
`Other audio material may comprise streaming audio ?les,
`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
`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
`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
`listen to audio material.
`In addition, operating a PC-based system, gaining Internet
`access, and doWnloading audio ?les 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
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates generally to music playback sys
`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
`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 ?les. 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
`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
`disc” (LD) format and the “Digital Video Disc” (DVD)
`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-?delity
`music system. The CD format discs are convenient because
`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
`a CD player’s tray or slot and started With simple one-button
`operation. In addition, such home music systems are typi
`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
`produces a playback signal, one or more ampli?cation and
`control devices, signal processors, and poWer ampli?ers to
`process and amplify the analog playback signal, and also a
`set of loudspeakers, to receive the ampli?ed 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,
`borroWed, or otherWise received. This limits the repertory
`from Which the user may select and discourages many users
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1014 Page 12
`
`

`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`3
`only provide loW-?delity 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
`right violation and the dif?culty of policing the doWnload
`and duplication of audio information ?les by users. The
`availability of netWork databases and the doWnload and
`duplication of audio ?les make it almost impossible to
`monitor and control the distribution of recorded musical
`performances. Some PC-based systems also may be prob
`lematic in vieW of governmental regulation, such as the
`Audio Home Recording Act passed by the U.S.A.
`legislature, Which under certain conditions mandates a serial
`copy management system (SCMS) to control digital copy
`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
`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
`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 ful?lls this need.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`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 ?les
`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
`system that is not accessed from peripheral storage, does not
`require a lengthy boot-up sequence, and cannot be manipu
`lated Without the authoriZation of the manufacturer or net
`Work source. As a result, the playback unit can be operated
`Without special computer skills or navigation of complicated
`PC-like WindoWs. Receipt of audio material and enforce
`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
`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
`ventional player such as a CD player or DAT player. The
`user interface and display component substantially dupli
`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
`gram instructions and temporarily storing audio material for
`playback so it is not accessible to the user, and includes a
`microprocessor that controls operation of the playback unit.
`In one aspect of the invention, the playback unit includes a
`
`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,
`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.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`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
`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 ?oW 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 ?oW 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
`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
`trated in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 13 is a data How diagram of the FIG. 1 system
`operation, shoWing the information that is transmitted
`among the system components.
`FIG. 14 is a data How diagram of the playback unit
`operation, shoWing the information that is transmitted
`among the playback unit components.
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`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
`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
`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
`doWs. Access to the audio material and authority for distri
`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,
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`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 ampli?er, 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
`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.
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`Playback Unit Components
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`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 ampli?cation
`device for playback using the loudspeakers of the home
`audio system. The memory 116 holds data including pro
`gram instructions and temporarily stores audio material for
`processing and playback. The memory may comprise a
`combination that includes, for example, semiconductor
`memory such as electrically erasable programmable read
`only memory (EEPROM) or ?ash memory for holding
`program instructions and buffer memory for holding song
`data (audio material).
`The program instructions are automatically executed by
`the microprocessor 118 When poWer is applied to the play
`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
`(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
`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
`rial. As described further beloW, storage of the audio mate
`rial in the memory is determined by data doWnloaded
`through the netWork interface 110, and therefore is exter
`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
`processor also performs the various calculations and com
`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
`pression. As noted above, the program steps executed by the
`microprocessor are stored in a program instruction ?ash
`memory portion of the memory 116. Therefore, although the
`user cannot change the operating system instructions, the
`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 How 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 How
`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
`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 ?rst operational step, represented by the How
`diagram box numbered 302, the user selects a music cat
`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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`The playback unit 100 includes a user interface and
`display component 112, Which presents an easy-to-use inter
`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
`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
`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
`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,
`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
`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
`audio material and provides it to the home audio system in
`a format that can be used by that system. The connection to
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`the album, and musical genres. In addition, the user may
`limit search results by con?ning the query to speci?c,
`user-de?ned 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 current song list to the
`directory and user list (DUL) server 107, shown in FIG. 1.
`During this step, the DUL server also can perform user list
`checks and authoriZation con?rmation, if desired. In this
`way, the DUL server acts as a “gatekeeper” to ensure that
`only appropriate users are being granted access to the audio
`material, thereby ensuring commercial music interests and
`artists have desired control over distribution. The How
`diagram boX numbered 304 represents this operational step.
`At the decision boX numbered 306, the DUTL server
`checks to determine if the received song list is current. If the
`song list is not current, a negative outcome at the decision
`boX 306, then a new song list is available and the server
`sends back an updated song list, as represented by the How
`diagram boX numbered 308. If the playback unit song list is
`already current, an af?rmative outcome at the decision boX
`306, then no song list data transmission from the DUL server
`is needed. With a con?rmed current song list, the user is now
`permitted to select a track from among those available in a
`selection menu. The selection menus are displayed, for
`eXample, on the display area of the interface illustrated in
`FIG. 2. The user may need to scroll up and down the
`displayed selection menu list. Tracks can be selected by
`artist, genre, disc name, or a number of other factors. The
`operation of a user making an artist and song selection is
`represented by the How diagram boX numbered 310. At the
`neXt step, represented by the How diagram boX numbered
`312, the playback unit sends the user-requested song title
`information to the DUL server. The DUL server returns the
`network address for the requested song. This step is repre
`sented by the How diagram boX numbered 314. The play
`back unit is now ready to retrieve audio material from the
`network. The How diagram for these operations continues in
`FIG. 4.
`In the case of an Internet network connection, the returned
`network address is referred to as the uniform resource
`locator (URL) for the song. Once the song URL is received,
`the playback unit initiates communication with the appro
`priate audio material server to request the song from the
`appropriate directory. This step is represented by the FIG. 4
`?ow diagram boX numbered 402. In the preferred
`embodiment, the DUL server maintains control over com
`munication from the playback unit to the network, and
`therefore the DUL server can determine if the audio material
`server at the indicated URL is inactive or not responding. If
`either is the case, then the DUL server will detect this
`condition and may send the URL of a backup or alternate
`audio material server at which the requested song is stored.
`In this way, the user may still gain access to the requested
`song and listen to it.
`When the playback unit sends the song request to the
`server whose URL it received from the DUL server, it also
`sends a us