(12) United States Patent
`Shanahan
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006496692Bl
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`Dec.17,2002
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR
`PROGRAMMING USER-DEFINED
`INFORMATION INTO ELECTRONIC
`DEVICES
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Michael E. Shanahan, P.O. Box 381,
`Nyack, NY (US) 10960
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/518,712
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 3, 2000
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`( 60) Provisional application No. 60/169,158, filed on Dec. 6,
`1999.
`Int. Cl? ................................................. H04M 3/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................ 455/418; 455/413
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 453/418, 414,
`453/419, 420, 424, 425, 413, 567; 379/67,
`815, 88.02
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,414,444 A
`5,461,666 A
`5,479,510 A
`5,481,599 A
`5,483,580 A
`5,483,581 A
`5,485,370 A
`5,486,686 A
`5,487,671 A
`5,490,210 A
`5,490,251 A
`5,499,288 A
`5,510,777 A
`5,513,272 A
`5,517,605 A
`5,526,620 A
`5,530,852 A
`5,533,115 A
`
`5/1995 Britz .......................... 345/156
`10/1995 McMahan et a!. ............ 379/67
`12/1995 Olsen et a!.
`.................. 380/24
`1!1996 MacAllister et a!. ........ 379/101
`1!1996 Brandman et a!. ............ 379/88
`1!1996 Hird et a!. .................. 379/132
`1!1996 Moss et a!. ................. 364/408
`1!1996 Zdybel, Jr. et a!. ......... 235/375
`1!1996 Shpiro et a!. ............... 434/185
`2/1996 Sasso ......................... 379/100
`2/1996 Clark et a!. .............. 395/200.2
`3/1996 Hunt et a!.
`................... 379/88
`4/1996 Pile et a!. .............. 340/825.31
`4/1996 Bogosian, Jr.
`. ............. 382/116
`5/1996 Wolf .......................... 395/155
`6/1996 Halls ten .. .. ... ... ... ... ... .. . 52/246
`6/1996 Meske, Jr . et a!. ........ 395/600
`7/1996 Hollenbach et a!. ........ 379/220
`
`5,534,855 A
`5,537,586 A
`5,542,046 A
`5,544,255 A
`5,544,322 A
`5,548,726 A
`5,550,976 A
`5,551,021 A
`5,572,571 A
`5,583,763 A
`5,598,461 A
`5,606,597 A
`5,608,786 A
`5,612,682 A
`5,613,012 A
`5,623,531 A
`5,661,802 A
`5,687,227 A
`5,689,825 A
`
`7/1996 Shockley et a!.
`. . . . . . . . 340/825.3
`7/1996 Amram eta!. .............. 395/600
`7/1996 Carlson et a!.
`............. 395/186
`8/1996 Smithies et a!. ............ 382/119
`8/1996 Cheng eta!. .......... 395/200.12
`8/1996 Pettus
`................... 395/200.09
`8/1996 Henderson et a!. .... 395/200.06
`8/1996 Harada et a!.
`. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395/600
`11/1996 Shirai .......................... 379/58
`* 12/1996 Atcheson et a!. ...... 364/551.01
`1!1997 Greenberg ................... 379/67
`2/1997 Newland ..................... 379/61
`3/1997 Gordon ...................... 379/100
`3/1997 DeLuca eta!. ............. 340/825
`3/1997 Hoffman et a!. ............ 382/115
`4/1997 Nilssen ........................ 379/56
`8/1997 Nilssen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . 380/20
`11/1997 Cohrs et a!. ................ 379/374
`11/1997 Averbuch et a!. ............. 455/89
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`wo
`wo
`
`09205471
`99/43136
`00/38340
`
`8/1997
`2/1998
`12/1998
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`PCT Search Report PCT/US00/32920, Mar. 20, 2002.
`PCT Written Opinion.
`
`Primary Examiner-William Trost
`Assistant Examiner-Congvan Tran
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`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 wire(cid:173)
`less 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.
`
`9 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`532
`
`(32
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1051-0001
`
`

`
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,727,047 A
`5,732,216 A *
`5,796,728 A
`5,799,063 A *
`5,828,956 A
`5,835,495 A
`5,842,124 A
`5,884,262 A
`5,915,001 A
`5,926,756 A
`5,930,703 A
`5,933,328 A *
`5,940,752 A
`5,940,775 A
`5,948,059 A *
`5,952,918 A *
`5,953,638 A
`5,999,094 A
`5,999,599 A
`6,002,761 A
`6,018,654 A
`6,018,656 A
`
`3/1998
`3/1998
`8/1998
`8/1998
`10/1998
`* 11/1998
`11/1998
`3/1999
`6/1999
`7/1999
`7/1999
`8/1999
`8/1999
`8/1999
`9/1999
`9/1999
`9/1999
`12/1999
`12/1999
`12/1999
`1!2000
`1!2000
`
`Bentley eta!. ............... 379/93
`Logan et a!.
`............... 395/200
`Rondeau et a!. ............ 370/338
`Krane ..................... 379/88.04
`Shirai ......................... 455/411
`Ferriere ...................... 370/465
`Kenagy eta!. ............. 455/418
`Wise et a!.
`. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704/270
`Uppaluru ................. 379/88.22
`Piosenka eta!. ............ 455/418
`Cairns ........................ 455/418
`Wallace et a!. ............. 361!737
`Henrick ...................... 455/419
`Kim ........................... 455!567
`Schulhof et a!. ............ 395/200
`Ohayon ...................... 340/539
`Flood et a!.
`............... 455/31.2
`Nilssen ....................... 340/507
`Schaffer et a!. .......... 379/93.23
`Sremac ....................... 379/374
`Valentine eta!. ........... 455/414
`Shirai ......................... 455/422
`
`6,035,018 A
`6,035,189 A
`6,058,161 A
`6,073,003 A
`6,088,730 A
`6,091,947 A *
`6,094,587 A *
`6,101,242 A *
`6,122,526 A
`6,137,525 A
`6,144,722 A
`6,167,130 A
`6,167,278 A
`6,179,682 B1
`6,219,413 B1 *
`6,222,838 B1 *
`6,226,532 B1 *
`6,229,990 B1 *
`6,243,375 B1 *
`6,256,378 B1
`6,366,791 B1
`
`3/2000 Kaufman ................. 379/88.17
`3/2000 Ali-Vehmas eta!. ........ 455/414
`5!2000 Anderson et a!. ............. 379/27
`6/2000 Nilsenn ...................... 455/402
`7/2000 Kato eta!. .................. 709/227
`7/2000 Sumner ...................... 455/413
`7/2000 Armanto et a!. ....... 379/373.03
`8/2000 McAllister et a!. . .. . 379/201.02
`9/2000 Parulski et a!. ............. 455!556
`10/2000 Lee eta!. ................ 348/14.02
`11/2000 Anderson et a!. ............. 379/27
`12/2000 Rosen ........................ 379/355
`12/2000 Nilssen ....................... 455/462
`1!2001 Plaon et a!.
`................ 446/141
`4/2001 Burg .......................... 370/352
`4/2001 Sparks et a!. ............... 370/352
`5/2001 Ball et a!. ................... 704/270
`5/2001 Toshida ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... 455!69
`6/2001 Speicher ..................... 370/352
`7/2001 Iggulden et a!. ....... 379/102.03
`4/2002 Lin et a!. ... ... ... ... ... 379/373.01
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1051-0002
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 17, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 13
`
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`
`Programmable
`Device
`
`20
`l-J
`
`~~ 32
`~ ,,.
`
`Device
`Programmer
`
`30
`'
`~
`
`• 31
`~
`,r
`
`Source
`
`50
`~I
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1051-0003
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 17, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 of 13
`
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`
`Output Buffer 42
`
`,,
`
`Memory
`36
`
`...
`....
`
`Processor
`34
`
`...
`...
`.. ...
`
`25
`
`""""
`
`.. ~
`
`~,
`
`.,,
`
`..~
`
`Signal
`Processing
`Circuitry
`40
`
`t ...
`-
`
`~,
`
`Input Buffer 44
`
`.. ~ v- 31
`
`FIG. 2
`
`J .. ,,
`
`AID
`38
`
`..
`,,
`
`,
`
`+
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1051-0004
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 17, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 13
`
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`
`Programmable
`Device
`
`v 20
`
`(80
`
`Internet
`
`~
`~
`
`L1o
`
`~ ..
`
`70
`
`~~
`
`v32
`
`~,
`
`30
`
`v6 0
`
`Personal Computer
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1051-0005
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 17, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 of 13
`
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`
`Programmable
`Device
`
`v- 20
`
`(80
`
`Internet
`
`~
`
`.....
`
`(70
`
`,,
`
`~ ..
`
`v- 32
`,.
`
`Computer
`
`v -60
`
`FIG. 4A
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1051-0006
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 17, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 of 13
`
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`
`Programmable /20
`Device
`
`(80
`
`Internet
`
`~ .....
`
`(70
`
`~~
`
`v- 33
`
`(82
`
`Network
`Computers
`
`~ .....
`
`---,
`I
`
`I r- 95
`
`Computer/Programmer
`
`/ 90
`
`r - - - - - r-----------
`------
`r
`, r
`I
`,
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`,,
`I L __________ r-----------
`
`External
`Telephone
`Network
`
`va4
`
`FIG. 48
`
`---..J
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1051-0007
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 17, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 13
`
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`
`20
`
`Programmable Device
`
`25
`''--
`
`..
`
`Programmer
`30
`
`.4~
`
`~r
`~""
`
`..
`
`32
`,_j
`
`Source
`50
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1051-0008
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 17, 2002
`
`Sheet 7 of 13
`
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`
`LBO
`
`Internet
`
`~
`
`(70
`
`,
`
`Programmable Device
`
`c3o
`
`/'"'" 20
`
`~ Programmer
`~ ..
`
`J!l-
`
`v- 32
`
`~ ..
`
`Computer
`
`[/60
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1051-0009
`
`

`
`Sheet 8 of 13
`
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`
`U.S. Patent
`~33
`
`Dec. 17, 2002
`
`510~/
`
`520\
`
`RIT
`
`Alerting V 550
`Circuit
`
`530\
`
`Processor
`
`Programmer
`
`v-30
`
`Communications
`Interface
`
`532 _)
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1051-0010
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 17, 2002
`
`Sheet 9 of 13
`
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`
`User browses information
`
`100 ~-------------,--------------~
`
`User selects information for
`programming in device 20
`
`102
`
`Programmer 30 compares format
`of the selected information
`with the format required by device 20
`104 ~--------------~--------------~
`
`Are the formats
`compatible?
`
`>---YES-----,
`
`105
`
`NO
`
`Programmer 30 converts the
`selected information into
`a format compatible with device 20
`
`From step 111
`
`108
`
`Provide user with the option
`of editing the resulting file
`
`Edit file?
`
`To step 112
`NO---.
`
`109
`
`YES
`
`t
`
`To step 110
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1051-0011
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 17, 2002
`
`Sheet 10 of 13
`
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`
`From
`step 109
`
`Provide user with the option
`of reviewing the edited file
`110 ~--------------~--------------~
`
`-40111'----NO------<. Editing complete?
`Return to
`step 108
`
`(
`111
`
`YES
`
`Provide user with option of
`programming edited file into device 20
`112 L---------------~-----------~
`
`From step 109
`
`...... r----YES--<
`Return to
`step 100
`
`113
`
`Program
`additional
`information into
`device 20?
`
`NO
`~
`
`Exit
`
`/
`
`114L - - - - - - - - - '
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1051-0012
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 17, 2002
`
`Sheet 11 of 13
`
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`
`Users browse list of signature files
`
`User selects signature file
`
`150
`
`154
`
`Receiver's device 20
`
`(Fig. 12)
`
`Determine
`location of selected
`signature file
`
`Computer 90
`.::------..(Fig. 11)
`
`156
`
`User's device 20
`
`Retrieve file from caller's device 20
`
`158
`
`..---NO--<
`
`Convert file to
`acceptable format
`
`162
`
`164
`
`(
`166
`
`Is file
`compatible with
`receiver's device
`20?
`
`(
`160
`
`YES
`
`Send file with call
`
`Replace ring sequence
`and play signature file
`
`Exit
`
`FIG. 10
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1051-0013
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 17, 2002
`
`Sheet 12 of 13
`
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`
`From step 156 (Fig. 10)
`
`Retrieve file from computer 90
`
`168
`
`.--NO---<
`
`Is the file
`compatible with the
`receiver's device
`20?
`(
`170
`
`Convert file to
`acceptable format
`
`172
`
`174
`
`(
`176
`
`YES
`
`Send file with call
`
`Replace ring sequence
`and play signature file
`
`Exit
`
`177
`
`FIG. 11
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1051-0014
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 17, 2002
`
`Sheet 13 of 13
`
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`
`17 (
`
`(
`180
`
`From step 156 (Fig. 10
`
`,
`
`Send indicia of signature file with call
`
`,.,
`Replace ring sequence
`and play signature file
`
`,,
`
`Exit
`
`(
`182
`
`FIG. 12
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1051-0015
`
`

`
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`
`1
`METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR
`PROGRAMMING USER-DEFINED
`INFORMATION INTO ELECTRONIC
`DEVICES
`
`This application claims priority from U.S. provisional
`application Ser. No. 60/169,158 filed Dec. 6, 1999.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`such as a computer disk drive, the Internet, or a remote
`database using the first communications link. The program(cid:173)
`ming apparatus may download this information and compare
`its format with that required by the programmable device to
`5 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
`10 required by the programmable electronic device. The pro(cid:173)
`gramming 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.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`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 15
`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 20
`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 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 25
`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 not 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. 35
`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 40
`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 45
`be programmed into an electronic device (e.g., PDA, wire(cid:173)
`less 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 50
`information into the device.
`
`The above and other objects and advantages of the present
`invention will be apparent upon consideration of the fol(cid:173)
`lowing detailed description, taken in conjunction 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
`30 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 con(cid:173)
`structed 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 embodi(cid:173)
`ment 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 embodi(cid:173)
`ment 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 information into an
`55 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 informa-
`60 tion in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`an apparatus that allows a user to 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 65
`circuitry and first and second communications links. In
`operation, a user selects a piece of information from a source
`
`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
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1051-0016
`
`

`
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`
`15
`
`20
`
`3
`in accordance with one embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion. 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, 10
`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, commu-
`nications 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, 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 25
`suitable for providing user-defined information to program(cid:173)
`mer 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 30
`as Internet configuration information, an audio sample of a
`popular song, a video clip or frame, etc., that is available
`from source 50 and transfer it to programmer 30. Program(cid:173)
`mer 30 may then process this information into a suitable
`format (or may simply route the information if no format 35
`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.).
`Programmer 30 may also coordinate or perform certain
`functions related to the routing and storing of information
`within device 20. For example, programmer 30 may com(cid:173)
`municate with (or simply search) device 20 to find available
`memory locations in which to store the user-defined infor- 45
`mation. 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 50
`from any of the following format types: analog; MIDI;
`MPEG; PCM; Windows Media Audio Code (WMA); WAY;
`or Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding (ATRAC), or to or
`from any other suitable audio format, etc. For video files,
`this may include, but is not limited to, converting to or from 55
`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 (WML) files, WordPerfect™ files,
`Microsoft Office TM files, or any other suitable text files.
`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 infor(cid:173)
`mation has been provided, programmer 30 may communi- 65
`cate with device 20 to confirm that the information has been
`correctly received.
`
`4
`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 (ND)
`5 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 configured to receive and process
`both analog and digital signals. It may also acquire acoustic
`signals via transducer 25 (if installed).
`In operation, programmer 30 may download certain user(cid:173)
`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 digital format, the analog signals may
`be routed to ND 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(cid:173)
`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
`40 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.
`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 may
`be used or SPC 40 may be removed altogether from pro-
`grammer 30.
`Audio signals may also be acquired and processed by
`programmer 30. Transducer 25 may acquire an acoustic
`60 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-described
`analog signal was processed. That is, the electrical signal
`may be routed to AID 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
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1051-0017
`
`

`
`US 6,496,692 Bl
`
`15
`
`5
`shown in FIG. 3, system 100 may be implemented using a
`computer-based architecture. In this 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 5
`connected to an interface bus such as an ISAor 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
`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 per(cid:173)
`formed 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. Link 70 may be, for example, a
`modem (e.g., any suitable analog or digital modem, cellular
`modem, or cable modem), a network interface link (e.g., an
`Ethernet link, token ring link, etc.), a wireless communica(cid:173)
`tions 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 program(cid:173)
`mer 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 com(cid:173)
`puter 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 access memory (RAM) or cache memory in 50
`computer 60. Computer 60 also may include internal or
`external AID conversion circuitry, such as AID 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 Inter(cid:173)
`net 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, user(cid:173)
`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 program(cid:173)
`mable device 20 (shown in FIG. 4b). Communications 65
`network 95 may be provide hard-wired or wireless telephone
`or Internet access (or combination of the two). This arrange-
`
`6
`mentis 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 con(cid:173)
`figured to function as programmer 30, and that computer 90
`10 may continue to perform other functions such as commu(cid:173)
`nicating 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.
`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
`20 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
`25 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 informa(cid:173)
`tion from Internet 80 using an Internet browser installed in
`device 20. Such a browser may be a Wireless Application
`30 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 received. Device 20
`35 may provide a visual, audio, or tactile output to indicate the
`requested information has been successfully received.
`Computer 90 may also coordinate information download(cid:173)
`ing with respect to the memory capacity of device 20. For
`example, if the user-selected information exceeds the avail-
`40 able 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
`45 90 to provide the information in a "scrolling" fashion (i.e.,
`provide it in portions) so that all the requested information
`may be reviewed, albeit in sections. This may be particularly
`desirable in instances where large fi