MES/001
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`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROGRAMMING
`USER-DEFINED INFORMATION INTO ELECTRONIC DEVICES
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`Di~d~~u~
`Abstract of the ~veRti~
`A device for programming user-defined information
`into an electronic device is provided. The programmer
`allows a user to program customized information, such as
`user-selected audio, video, or Internet access
`information into his or her programmable device. Such
`electronic devices include wireless telephones, pagers,
`and personal digital assistants. The programmer allows a
`user to, among other things, customize the.device to suit
`his or her particular taste.
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`SCRN00001579
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0001
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`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROGRAMMING
`USER-DEFINED INFORMATION INTO ELECTRONIC DEVICES
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`5
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`10
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`Di~d~~u~
`Abstract of the ~veRti~
`A device for programming user-defined information
`into an electronic device is provided. The programmer
`allows a user to program customized information, such as
`user-selected audio, video, or Internet access
`information into his or her programmable device. Such
`electronic devices include wireless telephones, pagers,
`and personal digital assistants. The programmer allows a
`user to, among other things, customize the.device to suit
`his or her particular taste.
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`SCRN00001579
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0001
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`MES/001
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`5
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`METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR PROGRAMMING
`USER-DEFINED INFORMATION INTO ELECTRONIC DEVICES
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`This application claims priority from
`United States provisional application 60/169,158 filed
`December 6, 1999.
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`Background of the Invention
`This application relates to electronic devices,
`and more particularly to a programming apparatus that
`allows users to program user-defined information into
`their electronic device.
`There are many types of electronic devices
`available to consumers today that have the ability to
`produce both audio sounds and video displays. Many of
`these devices provide users with the ability to select
`and play a particular piece of audio or video. A
`television viewer, for example, may tune to a TV channel
`and watch a particular program, or connect a VCR or DVD
`player to the television in order to view a specific
`program not currently being broadcast. Similarly, an
`audio system user may tune a receiver to a particular
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`Express Mail No,:
`EK170576092US
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`SCRN00001580
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0002
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`
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`radio station to hear a certain genre of music, or
`connect a CD or tape player to the system in order to
`hear specific pieces of music.
`In both cases, the audio
`and video is user-selectable.
`Currently, however, there are many electronic
`products that offer an audio/video playing capability
`that are nat fully user-programmable. Users of such
`devices (e.g., wireless or cordless telephones, pagers,
`personal digital assistants {PDAs), hand-held computers
`and the like) have to choose from a limited selection of
`pre-programmed information (e.g., audio clips, video
`clips or frames, etc.) placed there by the manufacturer.
`This severely limits the user's ability to customize the
`device to suit his or her particular taste. Furthermore,
`most pre-programmed audio tends to be rather generic and
`can be confusing when a device of a nearby user generates
`a sound similar to or the same as that of another user's
`device. Although a programmable memory within many such
`electronic devices could support user-defined audio,
`currently, no system exists for programming such
`information into an electronic device.
`The same is true for user-defined video. For
`example, certain types of user-defined video information,
`such as video clips, frames, and other digital or analog
`images could be programmed into an electronic device
`(e.g., PDA, wireless phone, or any portable display
`device) and displayed at a time of the user choosing.
`Although a programmable memory within such a device could
`support user-defined video, currently, no system exists
`for programming such information into the device.
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`Summary Of The Invention
`It is therefore an object of the present
`invention to provide an apparatus that allows a user to
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`SCRN00001581
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0003
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`program user-defined audio information into a
`programmable electronic device.
`It is a further object of the.present invention
`to provide an apparatus that allows a user to program
`user-defined video information into a programmable
`electronic device .
`These and other objects of the present
`invention are accomplished by providing methods
`apparatuses that allow a user to program user-defined
`information into his or her electronic device.
`In one
`embodiment of the present invention, the programming
`apparatus includes processing circuitry and first and
`second communications links.
`In operation, a user
`selects a piece of information from a source such as a
`computer disk drive, the Internet, or a remote database
`using the first communications link. The programming
`apparatus may download this information and compare its
`format with that required by the programmable device to
`determine format compatibility.
`If the two formats are
`compatible, the programming apparatus may download the
`selected information into the programmable device.
`If
`the formats are not compatible, the programming apparatus
`may convert the downloaded file to a format compatible
`with that required by the programmable electronic device.
`The programming apparatus may also provide the user with
`an opportunity to edit the converted file. Once editing
`is complete, the resulting file may then be programmed
`into the programmable device for subsequent use.
`In another aspect of the invention, a user may
`send customized information such as an audio or video
`file called a "signature" when placing a telephone call.
`This feature allows a user to select and send a signature
`file to the person receiving the telephone call such that
`the person receiving the call is alerted by that file.
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`SCRN00001582
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0004
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`Brief Description Of The Drawings
`The above and other objects and advantages of
`the present invention will be apparent upon consideration
`of the following detailed description, taken in
`conjuncti~n with the accompanying drawings, in which like
`reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and
`in which:
`
`FIG. 1 is a generalized block diagram of a
`system.for programming user-defined information into an
`electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of
`the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a programmer
`constructed in accordance with one possible embodiment of
`the present invention.
`FIG. 3 shows a computer based implementation of
`a programmer constructed in accordance with one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 4a shows an alternate embodiment of a
`computer based implementation of a programmer constructed
`in accordance with the principles of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 4b shows an alternate network embodiment
`of the computer based implementation in shown in FIG. 4a.
`FIG. 5 illustrates an imbedded implementation
`of the programmer shown in FIG. 2.
`FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment of a
`computer based implementation the programmer in shown in
`FIG. 4b.
`
`FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of one possible
`embodiment of a wireless telephone that can receive and
`play user-defined audio in accordance with one aspect of
`the present invention.
`FIGS. 8-9 show a flow chart illustrating some
`of the steps involved in programming user-defined
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`SCRN00001583
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0005
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`information into an electronic device in accordance with
`one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIGS. 10-12 show a flow chart illustrating some
`of the steps involved in sending and receiving signature
`inform~tion in accordance with one embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`Detailed Description of the Invention
`FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system 10 for
`programming user-defined information (e.g., audio, video,
`or Internet access information, etc.) into an electronic
`device in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention. As shown in FIG. 1, system 10 generally
`includes a programmable electronic device 20, a device
`programmer 30, and a source 50. Programmer 30 is
`connected to source 50 via link 31, and to device 20 via
`link 32.
`
`Programmable device 20 may be any portable
`electronic device (e.g., a wireless telephone, a pager, a
`handheld computer, personal digital assistant (PDA),
`etc.), Device 20 may also be any device which integrates
`some or all of the functions of such devices into one
`device. For example, device 20 may be a PDA capable of
`making wireless telephone calls, a PDA with paging
`functions, a wireless telephone with some PDA or paging
`functions, a handheld or notebook computer with some or
`all of the functions of a PDA, a pager, and a telephone,
`etc.
`
`In FIG. 1, links 31 and 32 may be, for example,
`communications links (e.g., serial ports, parallel ports,
`universal serial buses (USB), RS232, GPIB, etc.), modems
`(e.g., any suitable analog or digital modems, cellular
`modems, or cable modems), a network interface link (e.g.,
`Ethernet links, token ring links, etc.), wireless
`communications links (e.g., cellular telephone links,
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`SCRN00001584
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0006
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`wireless Internet links, infrared links, etc.), or any
`other suitable hard-wired or wireless Internet or
`communications links.
`Source 50 may be any device or combination of
`devices ~uitable for providing user-defined information
`to progranuner 30 (e.g., the Internet, _an optical disc
`player (CD, DVD), a cassette player, a VCR, a digital
`camera, or any suitable storage device containing
`computer programs or files, etc.).
`In operation, a user may choose certain
`information, such as Internet configuration information,
`an audio sample of a popular song, a video clip or frame,
`etc., that is available from source SO and transfer it to
`programmer 30. Programmer 30 may then process this
`information into a suitable format (or may simply route
`the information if no format conversion is required), and
`program it into a programmable memory within device 20
`(not shown) . Device 20 may then retrieve this
`information when a certain event occurs (e.g., when
`receiving an incoming telephone call, browsing the
`Internet, or when programmed to do so by a user, etc.).
`Progranuner 30 may also coordinate or perform
`certain functions related to the routing and storing of
`information within device 20. For example, programmer 30
`25 may communicate with (or simply search) device 20 to find
`available memory locations in which to store the user(cid:173)
`defined information. Programmer 30 may also communicate
`with device 20 to determine which format the incoming
`information should be converted to so that the
`information is compatible with the downloading
`requirements of device 20. For audio files, this may
`include, but is not limited to, converting to or from any
`of the following format types: analog; MIDI; MPEG; PCM;
`Windows Media Audio Code (WMA); WAV; or Adaptive
`Transform Acoustic Coding (ATRAC), or to or from any
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`1
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`SCRN00001585
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1 008-0007
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`
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`other suitable audio format, etc. For video files, this
`may include, but is not limited to, converting to or from
`any of the following format types: analog; JPEG; MPEG;
`GIF; AVI, or to or from any other suitable video format,
`etc. Text files may include, for example, HTML files,
`Wireless Markup Language
`(WMLJ files, WordPerfect~ files,
`Microsoft Office~ files, or any other suitable text
`files.
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`If multiple blocks of information are being
`programmed into device 20, programmer 30 may "tag" the
`different blocks so that device 20 and/or a user may
`distinguish among the different blocks stored therein.
`After the information has been provided, programmer 30
`may communicate with device 20 to confirm that the
`information has been correctly received.
`A more detailed diagram of one possible embodiment
`of programmer 30 is illustrated in FIG. 2. As
`illustrated, programmer 30 may include a transducer 25, a
`processor 34, a programmable memory 36, an analog-to-
`digital (A/D) converter 38, signal processing circuitry
`(SPC) 40, an output buffer 42, and an input buffer 44.
`Generally speaking, processor 40 controls the operation
`of programmer 30. Programmer 30 may be configu~ed to
`It
`receive and process both analog and digital signals.
`25 may also acquire acoustic signals via transducer 25 (if
`installed) .
`In operation, programmer 30 may download certain
`user-selected information from source 50 via link 31.
`This information, such as audio or video files, in the
`form of electronic signals, may be received from link 31
`and directed to input buffer 44. As mentioned above,
`these signals may need to be processed in order to be
`compatible with the format required by programmable
`device 20. For example, if analog input signals are
`received at input buffer 44 and device 20 requires a
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`SCRN00001586
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0008
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`digital format, the analog signals may be routed to A/D
`converter 38 for conversion into a suitable digital form
`(e.g., into PCM, PAM, etc.). Further processing into
`another digital format (e.g., MP3, ATRAC, WMA, etc.) may
`be accomplished by routing the converted signals to
`SPC 40 or processor 34 (discussed in more detail below) .
`On the other hand, if digital input signals are received
`at input buffer 44 and device 20 requires analog signals,
`the digital signals may be routed to SPC 40 or to a
`dedicated digital-to-analog (D/A) converter (not shown)
`for conversion to the analog domain.
`Processor 34 may route incoming signals from
`source 50 to memory 36, SPC 40, or directly to output
`buffer 42 depending on the circumstances. For example,
`some or all of the input signals received from source 50
`may require further processing to meet the downloading
`specifications of device 20.
`In this case, the incoming
`signals that require processing may be routed to SPC 40
`for such processing. For example, incoming MP3 or WMA
`signals may be routed to SPC 40 and converted to ATRAC
`format (or vice-versa) . Once this conversion is
`complete, the resulting information may be stored in
`memory 36, or routed to output buffer 42 for programming
`in device 20.
`Input signals that do not require a format
`change may be routed directly from input buffer.44 to
`memory 36, or output buffer 42. Although not shown in
`FIG. 2, programmer 30 preferably has a display screen and
`a data input device, such as a keyboard associated with
`it so that a user may, among other things, browse and
`select files, monitor file transfers, and ensure that
`device 20 has properly received the selected files.
`In one embodiment of the present invention, SPC 40
`may be programmable so that the conversion and processing
`protocols contained therein may be periodically updated.
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`SCRN00001587
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0009
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`Furthermore, in some embodiments, processor 34 may be
`programmed via software routines in programmable
`memory 36 to perform some or all of the functions of
`SPC 40.
`In this case, an SPC of reduced processing
`capacity ~ay be used or SPC 40 may be removed altogether
`from programmer 30.
`Audio signals may also be acquired and processed
`by programmer 30. Transducer 25 may acquire an acoustic
`signal from a stereo or other audio source and convert it
`to an electrical signal. This electrical signal may then
`be processed in a way similar to the way the above(cid:173)
`described analog signal was processed. That is, the
`electrical signal may be routed to A/D converter 38
`and/or SPC 40 and then stored in memory 36 or output
`buffer 42, for example.
`It will be understood that the generalized system
`shown in FIG. 1 may be implemented in many ways. For
`example, as shown in FIG. 3, system 100 may be
`In this
`implemented using a computer-based architecture.
`case, some or all" of programmer 30 may be installed in or
`connected to a computer, such as a personal computer.
`For example, in FIG. 3, programmer 30 may be installed in
`an expansion slot and connected to an interface bus such
`as an ISA or PCI bus (not shown) in computer 60.
`In this
`configuration, programmer 30 may receive user-defined
`information via the interface bus in computer 60 and
`operate as described above with the interface bus acting
`as part of link 31. Some or all of programmer 30 may
`also be external to computer 60 and connected to it via a
`link similar to link 31 (not shown) . Furthermore, in
`certain embodiments, some of the functions of
`programmer 30 may be distributed between computer 60 and
`programmer 30. For example, programmer 30 may be
`constructed such that it partially or fully relies on the
`processing capability of computer 60.
`In this type of
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`SCRN00001588
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0010
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`embodiment, programmer 30 may be constructed without
`processor 34 or with a processor of reduced capacity.
`Programmer 30 may also be constructed such that it
`partially or fully relies on the memory capacity of
`computer 60. Moreover, signal processing functions such
`as those performed by SPC 40 could also be fully or
`partially carried out by circuitry or software resident
`within computer 60.
`As shown in FIG. 3, computer 60 may be connected
`to Internet 80 through link 70. Llnk 70 may be, for
`example, a modem (e.g., any suitable analog' r digital
`modem, cellular modem, or cable modem}, a net ,o~ork
`interface link (e.g., an Ethernet link, token ring link,
`etc.), a wireless communications link (e.g., a wireless
`telephone link, a wireless Internet link, an infrared
`link, etc.), or any other suitable hard-wired or wireless
`communications link. With this configuration, a user may
`download information from Internet 80 (e.g., using
`electronic distribution (ED) services) and/or from a disc
`drive or other devices (not shown) connected to
`computer 60 and program that information into device 20
`(via programmer 30 and link 32).
`It will be understood, of course, that
`computer 60, with a suitable communications link, such as
`link 32, may be programmed with software to function as
`programmer 30.
`In this way, a user may take advantage of
`the fact that many of the components of programmer 30 are
`resident within computer 60. For example, computer 60
`may contain a processor, such as processor 34 and
`programmable memory circuitry such as memory 36.
`Computer 60 may also include signal processing circuitry
`such as SPC 40, or software that instructs processor 34
`to perform the necessary format conversions. Computer 60
`may include circuitry similar to input buffer 44 and
`output buffer 42. Such circuitry may include random
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`SCRN00001589
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0011
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`(RAM) or cache memory in computer 60.
`access memory
`Computer 60 also may include internal or external A/D
`conversion circuitry, such as A/D converter 38, and an
`internal or external transducer 25.
`As•shown in FIG. 4a, computer 60, programmed to
`function as programmer 30, may be connected to
`Internet 80 through link 70 and to device 20 through
`link 32. This arrangement allows a user to select
`information from Internet 80 or from a storage device
`connected to computer 30 (not shown) for programming into
`device 20.
`Using the generalized system shown in FIG. 4a 1
`user-defined information may be programmed into device 20
`in many ways. For example, computer 60 may be part of a
`communications network 95, such as a telephone network,
`that provides Internet and/or telephone access to
`programmable device 20 (shown in FIG 4b). Communications
`network 95 may be provide hard-wired or wireless
`telephone or Internet access (or combination of the two) .
`This arrangement is generally illustrated in FIG. 4b as
`architecture 200, in which computer 90, for the sake of
`clarity, represents computer 60, configured at least in
`part, to function as programmer 30.
`With this configuration, a user of device 20 may
`access Internet 80 and select information for downloading
`into device 20.
`It will be understood, however, that in
`this implementation, at least a portion of computer 90 is
`configured to function as programmer 30, and that
`computer 90 may continue to perform other functions such
`as communicating with network computers 82, communicating
`with Internet 80, interfacing with external telephone
`network 84, and coordinating wireless Internet and
`telephone access etc., in addition to performing some or
`all of the above-described programming functions.
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`SCRN00001590
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0012
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`
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`In operation, computer 90 may communicate with
`device 20 to determine its format requirements and
`perform any conversions necessary to make user-selected
`information compatible with those requirements. This
`allows a.user to select information, such as audio and/or
`video, that is available on the Internet or on a remote
`network computer, and program that information into
`device 20. This may be accomplished via communications
`link 33 (which may be any type of link previously
`described as suitable for link 32) . For example, a user
`may wish to download video images from an Internet site
`to a hand-held computer, such as a PDA, or to a wireless
`telephone. The user may communicate with computer 90 via
`a wireless link 33 and select information from
`Internet 80 using an Internet browser installed in
`device 20. Such a browser may be a Wireless Application
`Protocol (WAP) compliant browser for supporting wireless
`Internet services. Computer 90 ensures format
`compatibility of the information, transmits the
`information to device 20, and may communicate with
`device 20 to confirm that the selected information has
`been properly rec'eived. Device 20 may provide a visual,
`audio, or tactile output to indicate the requested
`information has been successfully received.
`Computer 90 may also coordinate information
`downloading with respect to the memory capacity of
`device 20. For example, if the user-selected information
`exceeds the available memory of device 20, computer 90
`may inform the user, via link 33, that the selected
`information is larger than the available memory.
`In such
`an event, the user may be prompted to cancel or modify
`the information request.
`In certain instances, however,
`the user may instruct computer 90 to provide the
`information in a "scrolling 11 fashion (i.e., provide it in
`portions) so that all the requested information may be
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`SCRN00001591
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0013
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`reviewed, albeit in sections. This may be particularly
`desirable in instances where large files, such as video
`files, are requested.
`In some embodiments of the present invention,
`computer 90 may simply contact a remote computer or
`Internet site to fulfill requests for audio or video
`information in a particular format. Such web sites or
`remote computers may act as virtual "jukeboxes" of video
`and audio information, containing extensive lists of such
`information in a variety of formats available for
`downloading. Using this approach, a user may select a
`particular piece of information in a certain format from
`a list displayed on a screen of programmable device 20.
`Computer 90 may receive this as a request via link 33 and
`handle the information transfer to device 20.
`In some
`embodiments, format selection may be transparent to the
`user. That is, the user may simply request a piece of
`information and computer 90 may determine and then
`request information in a format appropriate for the
`requesting device.
`In another embodiment, a remote computer or
`Internet site may perform a format conversion of
`information requested by computer 90 or device 20. For
`example, a user may access an Internet site or remote
`computer using communications network 95 and.enter a
`title or description of the desired audio or video
`information along with format requirements. The remote
`computer or Internet site may then search the Internet or
`other databases to find a file that matches the user's
`description. Once this file is found, the Internet site
`or remote computer may convert that file to the requested
`format,
`(using a system similar to the described above)
`and provide it to device 20 via computer 90 and/or
`link 33. It will be understood, of course, that
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`SCRN00001592
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0014
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`
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`embodiments such as these are within the scope of the
`present invention.
`If desired, a user may also employ the systems
`shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b to download remotely stored
`information such as Internet access information to
`device 20. For example, a user may have customized
`bookmarks' or web page addresses stored in a remote
`personal computer or on Internet BO. The user may employ
`wireless link 32 or 33 to contact that remote computer or
`Internet site and then download the Internet access
`information for use in device 20. This feature is
`desirable because it relieves the user of the burden of
`having to type in complicated Internet access information
`from the small keyboard of a wireless telephone or hand-
`held computer.
`It also spares the user from having to
`re-enter customized Internet information that is already
`present in another location, into their electronic
`device. Moreover, such a feature is convenient when a
`user wishes to access information on a remote computer
`that is not currently available in device 20. For
`example, a user may wish to view spreadsheet information
`stored on a remote computer with device 20. Rather than
`having to download this information form a hard-wired
`access point, a user may simply employ wireless link 33
`(e.g., a wireless modern or Internet connection) to access
`that remote computer or Internet site and download that
`information to device 20.
`Another feature which may be implemented using the
`embodiments shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b is a "signature"
`feature. This allows device 20 to send user-defined
`information, which may be indicative of the user's
`personal taste or identity, along with other information
`when performing certain functions. For example, if a
`user is placing a wireless telephone call or paging
`someone with device 20, he or she may select the
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`SCRN00001593
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`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0015
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`... ....
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`! . ..L ; -
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`signature feature in order to send user-defined audio or
`video along with, or prior to, that call. A user may
`accomplish this by browsing through a menu on device 20
`that displays available signature options, and by
`choosing a' particular file (not shown) .
`If the user
`chooses an audio file, for example, device 20 may send
`that selected audio file when a call or page is placed
`(or a period of time before the call o~ page is placed) .
`This audio file may temporarily replace the "ring
`sequence" of the device receiving the incoming call so
`that the person receiving the incoming call will be
`alerted by hearing the audio file sent by the caller •
`The person receiving the call may be able to discern the
`identity of the caller or other information from the
`audio file. After the call is complete, the ring
`sequence of the receiving device may be returned to its
`former configuration (either by computer 60 or by the
`receiving device) .
`In another embodiment, a user may program certain
`audio or video files into device 20 that are activated
`when a certain person calls. For example, a user may
`program device 20 so that certain signature files are
`played in response to receiving a characteristic
`indicative of the caller, such as the caller's telephone
`number.
`In this way, a user will be able to identify the
`caller by the sound and/or display generated by
`device 20. Users may also program signatures in
`device 20 to be played at predetermined times. For
`example, a user (or caller) may program "Happy Birthday"
`or "Jingle Bells" into device 20 to play on a certain
`day, or may program device 20 to play a certain signature
`file at specified time (e.g., as an alarm).
`In yet another embodiment, a user, when placing a
`call, may invoke a menu on device 20, which displays a
`list of signature files available for the person being
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`15
`
`SCRNOOOO 1594
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0016
`
`
`
`called. This list may be defined by the person receiving
`the call. For example, the person receiving the call may
`create a signature file list by selecting certain audio
`and/or video files and placing them in a database of a
`remote computer such as computer 90 by using, for
`example, ·a personal computer connected to the Internet.
`In some embodiments, signature files may also be stored
`in a device 20 of the person receiving the call.
`In this
`implementation, a list of signature file names may be
`stored in computer 90 so that a caller may browse the
`names of signature files stored in the device of the
`person receiving the call. Signature files m~y also be
`stored in a combination of both computer 90 and
`device 20.
`In some embodiments, the signature information may
`not necessarily be user-defined. For example, a list of
`pre-selected signature files may stored on computer 90 or
`a remote computer from which a user of device 20 may
`choose. Such a list may be created by a wireless service
`provider, an Internet provider, an Internet site, or a
`manufacturer of the wireless telephone.
`With these implementations, the caller may simply
`select a signature file from the displayed list. The
`selected file is then sent along with the call by
`computer 90 (if the selected signature file is stored in
`computer 90) or associated with the incoming call at
`device 20 (if the selected signature file is stored in
`device 20).
`In some embodiments, the caller may be able
`to preview signatures before sending them. For example,
`computer 90 may send the selected signature file to the
`caller for his or her review.
`In systems that have a video capability, a video
`file containing a video clip or frame may be sent instead
`of or in addition to the audio sample. This may be
`accomplished by selecting a video option from a signature
`
`5
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`10
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`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`16
`
`!1-'
`
`SCRN00001595
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0017
`
`
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`In ,this case, the person
`menu and choosing a video file.
`receiving the call is alerted by seeing or hearing the
`video clip and/or associated audio.
`It will be
`appreciated that a video clip may have its own audio
`portion associated with it so that the video clip (or
`frame) by' itself would be sufficient to alert the person
`receiving the incoming call.
`The above-described signature feature may be
`implemented in many ways.
`In some embodiments, for
`example, the audio or video signatures may be stored in
`(the caller's) device 20 and sent along with the outgoing
`call or page via link 33 and computer 90.
`In other
`embodiments, however, the signature information may be
`stored in computer 90 and associated with the outgoing
`call when it is processed by computer 90. This type of
`embodiment may be implemented when it is desired to
`conserve memory space within device 20.
`In still other
`embodiments, signature information may be stored in both
`device 20 and computer 90.
`In any case, computer 90 may
`determine the format requirements of the device receiving
`the incoming call or page and convert the accompanying
`signature information into a suitable format.
`Another implementation of a system in accordance
`with this invention may use an architecture 300, which is
`shown in FIG. 5. Using this arrangement, programmer 30
`(or similar circuitry) may be embedded within
`programmable device 20. User-defined information may be
`provided to device 20 from source 50 via link 32.
`such
`information may be routed to programmer 30, which may
`perform some or all of the above-described functions.
`If source 50 is an acoustic source, however,
`link 32 may not be needed. For example, if a user
`desires to program an acoustic sound into device 20, the
`user may place a transducer 25, (e.g., a speaker/
`35 microphone existing within or external to device 20) near
`
`i.!J
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`17
`
`SCRN00001596
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1008-0018
`
`
`
`the acoustic signal source, place device 20 into an
`"acquisition mode," and record an audio sample.
`In this
`case, transducer 25 coverts the acoustic signal into an
`electrical signal, which is provided to programmer 30 for
`processing and possibly storage within device 20. A
`visual, a~dio, or tactile output may be provided by
`device 20 to indicate a sample has been successfully
`loaded. A user may employ transd
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