I IIIII
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US007319866B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Shanahan
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,319,866 B2
`Jan.15,2008
`
`(54) METHODS AND APPARATUS 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.: 10/915,866
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Aug. 11, 2004
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2005/0014495 Al
`
`Jan. 20, 2005
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`5,253,275 A
`5,262,875 A
`5,341,474 A
`5,414,444 A
`5,414,751 A
`5,428,606 A
`5,440,336 A
`5,442,749 A
`5,452,354 A
`5,461,666 A
`5,479,510 A
`5,481,599 A
`
`10/1993 Yurt eta!.
`1111993 Mincer eta!.
`8/1994 Gelman eta!.
`5/1995 Britz
`5/1995 Yamada
`6/1995 Moskowitz
`8/1995 Buhro eta!.
`8/1995 Northcutt et al.
`9/1995 Kyronlahti eta!.
`10/1995 McMahan et a!.
`12/1995 Olsen et al.
`111996 MacAllister et a!.
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`
`0 851 649 A2
`
`12/1997
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation of application No. 10/223,200, filed on
`Aug. 16, 2002, which is a continuation of application
`No. 09/518,712, filed on Mar. 3, 2000, now Pat. No.
`6,496,692.
`
`(60)
`
`Provisional application No. 60/169,158, filed on Dec.
`6, 1999.
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H04N 7110
`U.S. Cl. ................... 455/419; 455/567; 455/414.1;
`455/426.1; 709/200
`Field of Classification Search ................ 455/418,
`455/412.1, 414.1, 413, 419, 420, 424, 425,
`455/426.1, 567; 379/67, 815, 88.02, 67.1,
`379/68; 709/200
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,866,766 A
`9/1989 Mitzlaff
`4,868,561 A
`9/1989 Davis
`5,220,420 A
`6/1993 Roarty et al.
`5,247,347 A
`9/1993 Litter et a!.
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`CA Office Action, Apr. 21, 2004.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner---Congvan Tran
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kaliko & Yeager; Scott H.
`Kaliko
`
`(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.
`
`10 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`Return to
`step100
`
`11~L---
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0001
`
`

`

`US 7,319,866 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`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
`5,508,733 A
`5,510,777 A
`5,513,272 A
`5,517,605 A
`5,524,141 A
`5,526,620 A
`5,528,281 A
`5,530,852 A
`5,533,115 A
`5,534,855 A
`5,537,586 A
`5,541,917 A
`5,542,046 A
`5,544,255 A
`5,544,322 A
`5,548,726 A
`5,550,577 A
`5,550,578 A
`5,550,863 A
`5,550,976 A
`5,551,021 A
`5,553,311 A
`5,557,675 A
`5,561,688 A
`5,563,649 A
`5,566,353 A
`5,568,181 A
`5,570,126 A
`5,572,571 A
`5,598,461 A
`5,600,712 A
`5,606,597 A
`5,608,786 A
`5,612,682 A
`5,613,012 A
`5,613,190 A
`5,613,191 A
`5,619,247 A
`5,623,531 A
`5,625,404 A
`5,625,405 A
`5,644,354 A
`5,661,802 A
`5,675,738 A
`5,677,905 A
`5,680,325 A
`5,687,227 A
`5,689,825 A
`5,694,455 A
`5,724,411 A
`5,727,047 A
`5,790,423 A
`5,793,413 A
`5,793,980 A
`5,796,728 A
`5,828,956 A
`5,842,124 A
`5,870,683 A
`
`111996 Brandman et a!.
`111996 Hird eta!.
`111996 Moss eta!.
`111996 Zdybel, Jr. et a!.
`111996 Shpiro eta!.
`2/1996 Sasso
`2/1996 Clark eta!.
`3/1996 Hunt eta!.
`4/1996 Kassatly
`4/1996 Pile eta!.
`4/1996 Bogosian, Jr.
`5/1996 Wolf
`6/1996 Braun et al.
`6/1996 Hallsten
`6/1996 Grady eta!.
`6/1996 Meske, Jr. et a!.
`7/1996 Hollenbach et al.
`7/1996 Shockley et a!.
`7/1996 Amram eta!.
`7/1996 Farris
`7/1996 Carlson et al.
`8/1996 Smithies et al.
`8/1996 Cheng eta!.
`8/1996 Pettus
`8/1996 Verbiest et a!.
`8/1996 Roarty et al.
`8/1996 Yurt et al.
`8/1996 Henderson et a!.
`8/1996 Harada eta!.
`9/1996 McLaughlin et al.
`9/1996 Schupak
`10/1996 Jones, Jr.
`10/1996 Gould eta!.
`10/1996 Cho et al.
`10/1996 Greenwood et a!.
`10/1996 Blahut eta!.
`1111996 Shirai
`111997 Greenberg
`2/1997 Hanson eta!.
`2/1997 Newland
`3/1997 Gordon
`3/1997 DeLuca et al.
`3/1997 Hoffman et a!.
`3/1997 Hylton et al.
`3/1997 Hylton et al.
`4/1997 Russo
`4/1997 Nils sen
`4/1997 Grady eta!.
`4/1997 DuLac eta!.
`7/1997 Thompson et al.
`8/1997 Nils sen
`10/1997 Suzuki et al.
`10/1997 Bigham et al.
`10/1997 Rohner
`1111997 Cohrs et al.
`1111997 Averbuch et a!.
`12/1997 Goodman
`3/1998 Eisdorfer et a!.
`3/1998 Bentley et al.
`8/1998 Lau eta!.
`8/1998 Hylton et al.
`8/1998 Glaser eta!.
`8/1998 Rondeau et a!.
`10/1998 Shirai
`1111998 Kenagy et al.
`2/1999 Wells eta!.
`
`3/1999 Ilcisin et a!.
`5,880,770 A
`3/1999 Wise eta!.
`5,884,262 A
`5/1999 Hsu
`5,907,604 A
`6/1999 Uppaluru
`5,915,001 A
`7/1999 Katz eta!.
`5,926,624 A
`7/1999 Piosenka et a!.
`5,926,756 A
`7/1999 Cairns
`5,930,703 A
`8/1999 Henrick
`5,940,752 A
`8/1999 Kim
`5,940,775 A
`8/1999 Cave eta!.
`5,943,046 A
`9/1999 Blanvillain et a!.
`5,953,408 A
`9/1999 Flood et al.
`5,953,638 A
`10/1999 Kobayashi
`5,963,877 A
`1111999 Cho et al.
`5,983,069 A
`1111999 Hendricks
`5,986,690 A
`1111999 Huotari
`5,987,323 A
`12/1999 Nils sen
`5,999,094 A
`12/1999 Schaffer et al.
`5,999,599 A
`12/1999 Yurt eta!.
`6,002,720 A
`12/1999 Sremac
`6,002,761 A
`1/2000 Valentine et al.
`6,018,654 A
`1/2000 Shirai
`6,018,656 A
`3/2000 Kaufman
`6,035,018 A
`3/2000 Ali-Vehmas eta!.
`6,035,189 A
`5/2000 Anderson et a!.
`6,058,161 A
`6/2000 Nils sen
`6,073,003 A
`6/2000 Morishima
`6,075,998 A
`7/2000 Kato eta!.
`6,088,730 A
`7/2000 Armanto et a!.
`6,094,587 A
`9/2000 Parluski et a!.
`6,122,526 A
`10/2000 Lee eta!.
`6,137,525 A
`10/2000 Foti
`6,138,006 A
`10/2000 Kohler
`6,140,568 A
`1112000 Anderson et a!.
`6,144,722 A
`1112000 Farris et al.
`6,151,491 A
`12/2000 Juntunen et a!.
`6,163,711 A
`12/2000 Rosen
`6,167,130 A
`12/2000 Nils sen
`6,167,278 A
`6,179,682 B1
`1/2001 Plain eta!.
`6,198,941 B1 * 3/2001 Aho eta!. ............... 455/552.1
`7/2001
`Iggulden et a!.
`6,256,378 B1
`6,308,086 B1
`10/2001 Yoshino
`6,366,791 B1 * 4/2002 Lin et a!. .................... 455/567
`5/2002 Gerszberg et a!.
`6,385,305 B1
`6,389,124 B1
`5/2002 Schnarel et a!.
`6,483,531 B1
`1112002 Ryu
`6,829,618 B1
`12/2004 Abraham et a!.
`1/2005 Galensky et al.
`6,845,398 B1
`6,928,468 B2 * 8/2005 Leermakers ................ 709/221
`7,088,990 B1 * 8/2006 Isomursu et a!.
`........
`455/412.1
`2005/0054379 A1 * 3/2005 Cao et al .................
`455/556.1
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`wo
`wo
`wo
`wo
`wo
`
`09205471
`wo 9928897
`wo 9943136
`W0-98/11487
`wo 0038340
`wo 0036857
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`8/1997
`12/1997
`2/1998
`3/1998
`12/1998
`6/2000
`
`CA Office Action, Dec. 19, 2004.
`CA Office Action, Mar. 31, 2005.
`CA Office Action, Sep. 28, 2005.
`CA Office Action, Sep. 19, 2006.
`Related Cases Cited in IDS, various.
`* cited by examiner
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.15,2008
`
`Sheet 1 of 13
`
`US 7,319,866 B2
`
`Programmable
`Device
`
`20
`~
`
`u 32 u ,,
`
`Device
`Programmer
`
`30
`~
`
`Ajl. 31
`,,.
`1---J
`
`Source
`
`50
`1-.J
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.15,2008
`
`Sheet 2 of 13
`
`US 7,319,866 B2
`
`Output Buffer 42
`
`Memory
`36
`
`.....
`~
`
`..
`--..
`~ ..
`
`Processor
`34
`
`25 ~
`
`.4~
`
`.,.
`
`~,
`
`~~
`
`.4~ .,,
`
`AID
`38
`
`Signal
`Processing
`Circuitry
`40
`
`t .4~
`-
`
`~r
`
`Input Buffer 44
`Jjtt. v- 31
`
`FIG. 2
`
`~~ +
`• ,,
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 15,2008
`
`Sheet 3 of 13
`
`US 7,319,866 B2
`
`I
`
`Programmable v- 20
`Device
`
`(80
`
`Internet
`
`....
`,...,.
`
`(70
`
`~~r
`
`70
`
`~~
`
`/32
`
`, ..
`
`30
`
`v-6 0
`
`Personal Computer
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.15,2008
`
`Sheet 4 of 13
`
`US 7,319,866 B2
`
`Programmable
`Device
`
`v-20
`
`(80
`
`Internet
`
`...
`...
`
`(70
`
`.i~
`
`l/32
`
`1,.
`
`,r
`
`Computer
`
`f 60
`
`FIG. 4A
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.15,2008
`
`Sheet 5 of 13
`
`US 7,319,866 B2
`
`Programmable /20
`Device
`
`(80
`
`Internet
`
`...
`.....
`
`(70
`
`~·
`v- 33
`
`(82
`
`Network
`Computers
`
`... .....
`
`------
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`----- ,..-----------
`,
`
`~
`
`---,
`I
`
`I r-95
`
`/ 90
`
`Computer/Programmer
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`L---------- r-----------
`
`~,
`
`External
`Telephone
`Network
`
`v-B4
`
`FIG. 48
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.15,2008
`
`Sheet 6 of 13
`
`US 7,319,866 B2
`
`20
`)
`
`Programmable Device
`
`25
`\__
`
`r-
`
`.. Programmer
`...
`30
`
`.j~
`
`1r
`
`Ajt. J2
`,,.
`
`Source
`50
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.15,2008
`
`Sheet 7 of 13
`
`US 7,319,866 B2
`
`Programmable Device
`
`(30
`
`1/ 20
`
`r--+ Programmer
`
`(80
`
`Internet
`
`~
`~
`
`(70
`
`'
`~
`
`l/32
`
`~
`
`~lr
`
`Computer
`
`l/60
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.15,2008
`
`Sheet 8 of 13
`
`US 7,319,866 B2
`
`'L(33
`
`\I
`
`51 0 ........_,
`
`520 ........_,
`
`RIT
`
`Alerting
`Circuit
`
`/550
`
`530"
`
`Processor
`
`~
`
`....
`
`..
`
`...
`
`Programmer
`
`30
`
`Communications
`Interface
`
`532 _J
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0010
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 15,2008
`
`Sheet 9 of 13
`
`US 7,319,866 B2
`
`User browses information
`
`User selects information for
`programming in device 20
`
`100
`
`102
`
`Programmer 30 compares format
`of the selected information
`with the format required by device 20
`104 ~--------------~--------------~
`
`>----YES-----,
`
`NO
`
`Programmer 30 converts the
`selected information into
`a format compatible with device 20
`
`Provide user with the option
`of editing the resulting file
`
`108
`
`To step 112
`NO----.
`
`YES + To step 110
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0011
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.15,2008
`
`Sheet 10 of 13
`
`US 7,319,866 B2
`
`From
`step 109
`
`Provide user with the option
`of reviewing the edited file
`110 ~------------~~------------~
`
`NO----<
`
`01111
`Return to
`step 108
`
`YES
`
`Provide user with option of
`programming edited file into device 20
`112 L---------------.---------------~
`
`From step 109
`
`.--YES--<
`Return to
`step 100
`
`NO
`
`Exit
`
`114 ~--------------~
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0012
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 15,2008
`
`Sheet 11 of 13
`
`US 7,319,866 B2
`
`Users browse list of signature files
`150 '--------~----------'
`
`User selects signature file
`
`154
`
`Receiver•s device 20
`
`(Fig. 12)
`
`Determine
`location of selected
`signature file
`
`Computer 90
`>------+(Fig.11}
`
`User's device 20
`
`Retrieve file from caller's device 20
`
`158
`
`Is file
`compatible with
`receiver's device
`20?
`(
`160
`
`YES
`
`Send file with call
`
`,----NO---<
`
`Convert file to
`acceptable format
`
`162
`
`164
`
`Replace ring sequence
`{
`and play signature file
`166 L---------------.---------------~
`
`167
`
`Exit
`
`FIG. 10
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0013
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.15,2008
`
`Sheet 12 of 13
`
`US 7,319,866 B2
`
`From step 156 (Fig. 1 0)
`
`Retrieve file from computer 90
`
`168
`
`Convert file to
`acceptable format
`
`172
`
`174
`
`YES
`
`Send file with call
`
`Replace ring sequence
`(
`and play signature file
`176 L---------------~--------------~
`
`Exit
`
`177
`
`FIG. 11
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0014
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.15,2008
`
`Sheet 13 of 13
`
`US 7,319,866 B2
`
`From step 156 (Fig. 1 0)
`
`17 (
`
`(
`18 0
`
`~,
`
`Send indicia of signature file with call
`
`~r
`
`Replace ring sequence
`and play signature file
`
`,r
`Exit
`
`(
`182
`
`FIG. 12
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0015
`
`

`

`US 7,319,866 B2
`
`1
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR
`PROGRAMMING USER-DEFINED
`INFORMATION INTO ELECTRONIC
`DEVICES
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica(cid:173)
`tion Ser. No. 10/223,200, filed Aug. 16, 2002, which is a
`continuation ofSer. No. 09/518,712, filed Mar. 3, 2000, now
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,496,692, which claims priority from U.S.
`provisional application Ser. No. 60/169,158 filed Dec. 6,
`1999.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`electronic device. In one embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion, the programming apparatus includes processing cir(cid:173)
`cuitry and first and second communications links. In opera(cid:173)
`tion, 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 appa(cid:173)
`ratus 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
`10 programming apparatus may download the selected infor(cid:173)
`mation 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
`15 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 result(cid:173)
`ing 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.
`
`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 20
`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 25
`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
`music. In both cases, the audio and video is user-selectable. 30
`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 35
`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 40
`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 45
`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, wire- 50
`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
`information into the device.
`
`55
`
`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 60
`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 65
`accomplished by providing methods apparatuses that allow
`a user to program user-defined information into his or her
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`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
`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
`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(cid:173)
`tion in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0016
`
`

`

`US 7,319,866 B2
`
`3
`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 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 10
`50 via link 31, and to device 20 via link 32.
`Progrmable 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 20
`PDA, a pager, and a telephone, etc.
`In FIG. 1, links 31 and 32 may be, for example, commu(cid:173)
`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 25
`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
`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 35
`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 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
`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.).
`Progrmer 30 may also coordinate or perform certain
`functions related to the routing and storing of information
`within device 20. For example, progrmer 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(cid:173)
`mation. Progrmer 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); 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
`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 65
`Markup Language (WML) files, WordPerfect™ files,
`Microsoft Office™ files, or any other suitable text files.
`
`30
`
`4
`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, progrmer 30 may communi(cid:173)
`cate 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.
`15 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 progrmable 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 AID 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
`40 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
`45 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 progrming in device 20. Input signals that do not
`require a format change may be routed directly from input
`50 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
`55 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
`60 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
`signal from a stereo or other audio source and convert it to
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0017
`
`

`

`US 7,319,866 B2
`
`5
`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
`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
`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
`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 progrannner 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 proces(cid:173)
`sor, such as processor 34 and programmable memory cir(cid:173)
`cuitry 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
`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 progrannning into device 20.
`
`6
`Using the generalized system shown in FIG. 4a, user(cid:173)
`defined information may be progrannned 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
`network 95 may be provide hard-wired or wireless telephone
`or Internet access (or combination of the two). This arrange(cid:173)
`ment is generally illustrated in FIG. 4b as architecture 200,
`10 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
`15 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
`may continue to perform other functions such as commu(cid:173)
`nicating with network computers 82, communicating with
`20 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
`25 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,
`30 and program that information into device 20. This may be
`accomplished via communications link 33 (which may be
`any type oflink 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
`35 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
`Protocol (WAP) compliant browser for supporting wireless
`40 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
`may provide a visual, audio, or tactile output to indicate the
`45 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(cid:173)
`able memory of device 20, computer 90 may infor