111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US007295864B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Shanahan
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,295,864 B2
`Nov. 13, 2007
`
`(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 1013 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/603,271
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun. 24, 2003
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2004/0014459 Al
`
`Jan. 22, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 09/518,846, filed on
`Mar. 3, 2000, now abandoned.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/169,158, filed on Dec.
`6, 1999.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04M 3100
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 455/567; 455/413; 455/418
`(58) Field of Classification Search ............. 455/414.1,
`455/415, 502,557,566-567,418-419,413;
`379/88.13; 348/14.06; 725/1, 21, 46, 104;
`709/219
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
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`4,868,561 A
`5,220,420 A
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`
`9/1989 Mitzlaff ...................... 379/374
`9/1989 Davis ... ... .. ... ... ... ... 340/825.44
`6/1993 Roarty et al.
`9/1993 Litteral et a!.
`
`5,253,275 A
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`
`10/1993 Yurt eta!.
`1111993 Mincer eta!.
`8/1994 Gelman eta!.
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`5/1995 Yamada ....................... 379/58
`6/1995 Moskowitz
`8/1995 Buhro eta!.
`8/1995 Northcutt et al.
`9/1995 Kyronlahti eta!. ......... 379/375
`10/1995 McMahan et a!. ............ 379/67
`12/1995 Olsen et al . .................. 380/24
`111996 MacAllister eta!. ........ 379/101
`111996 Brandman et al ............. 379/88
`111996 Hird et a!. .................. 379/132
`111996 Moss eta!. ................. 364/408
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`
`0 851 649 A2
`
`12/1997
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`CA Office Action Apr. 21, 2004.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner-Binh K. Tieu
`(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.
`
`30 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`540
`
`520
`
`530
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0001
`
`

`

`US 7,295,864 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,486,686 A
`5,487,671 A
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`5,524,141 A
`5,526,620 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
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`5,570,126 A
`5,572,571 A
`5,577,190 A
`5,583,763 A
`5,598,461 A
`5,600,712 A
`5,606,597 A
`5,608,786 A
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`5,619,247 A
`5,623,531 A
`5,625,404 A
`5,625,405 A
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`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
`5,732,216 A
`5,790,423 A
`5,793,413 A
`5,793,980 A
`5,796,728 A
`5,799,063 A
`5,828,956 A
`5,835,495 A
`5,842,124 A
`5,870,683 A *
`5,880,770 A
`5,884,262 A
`5,907,604 A
`5,915,001 A
`5,926,624 A
`
`111996 Zdybel, Jr. eta!. ......... 235/375
`111996 Shpiro eta!. ............... 434/185
`2/1996 Sasso ......................... 379/100
`2/1996 Clark eta!. .............. 395/200.2
`................... 379/88
`3/1996 Hunt et a!.
`4/1996 Pile et a!. .. ... ... .. ... . 340/825.31
`4/1996 Bogosian, Jr ............... 382/116
`5/1996 Wolf .......................... 395/155
`6/1996 Braun et al.
`6/1996 Hallsten .. .. ... ... ... ... ... .. . 52/246
`6/1996 Meske, Jr. et a!. .......... 395/600
`7/1996 Hollenbach et al ......... 379/220
`7/1996 Shockley eta!. ........ 340/825.3
`7 I 1996 Anuam et a!. .............. 395/600
`7/1996 Farris
`7/1996 Carlson et al .............. 395/186
`8/1996 Smithies et al ............. 382/119
`8/1996 Cheng eta!. .......... 395/200.12
`8/1996 Pettus
`................... 395/200.09
`8/1996 Verbiest et a!.
`8/1996 Roarty et al.
`8/1996 Yurt et al.
`8/1996 Henderson eta!. .... 395/200.06
`.............. 395/600
`8/1996 Harada et a!.
`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 et a!.
`1111996 Shirai .......................... 379/58
`11/1996 Peters
`...... 364/551.01
`12/1996 Atcheson et a!.
`111997 Greenberg . ... ... ... ... ... .. . 379/67
`2/1997 Hanson eta!. ......... 379/142.06
`2/1997 Newland ..................... 379/61
`3/1997 Gordon ...................... 379/100
`3/1997 DeLuca et al .............. 340/825
`3/1997 Hoffman eta!. ............ 382/115
`3/1997 Hylton
`3/1997 Hylton et al.
`4/1997 Russo
`4/1997 Nilssen ........................ 379/56
`4/1997 Grady et a!.
`4/1997 DuLac et a!.
`7/1997 Thompson et al.
`8/1997 Nils sen . ... .. ... ... ... ... ... .. . 380/20
`10/1997 Suzuki et al.
`10/1997 Bigham et al.
`10/1997 Rohner
`11/1997 Cohrs et al ................. 379/374
`11/1997 Averbuch eta!. ............. 455/89
`12/1997 Goodman
`3/1998 Eisdorfer eta!. ........ 379/93.23
`3/1998 Bentley et al ................ 379/93
`3/1998 Logan et a!.
`............... 395/200
`8/1998 Lau et a!.
`8/1998 Hylton et al.
`8/1998 Glaser et a!.
`8/1998 Rondeau eta!. ............ 370/338
`8/1998 Krane ..................... 379/88.04
`10/1998 Shirai ......................... 455/411
`11/1998 Ferriere ...................... 370/465
`11/1998 Kenagy et al .............. 455/418
`2/1999 Wells eta!. ................ 455/566
`3/1999 Ilcisin et a!.
`................. 704/270
`3/1999 Wise et a!.
`5/1999 Hsu ...................... 379/142.06
`6/1999 Uppaluru ................. 379/88.22
`7/1999 Katz eta!.
`
`5,926,756 A
`5,930,703 A
`5,933,328 A
`5,940,752 A
`5,940,775 A
`5,943,046 A
`5,948,059 A
`5,952,918 A
`5,953,408 A
`5,953,638 A
`5,963,877 A
`5,983,069 A
`5,986,690 A
`5,987,323 A
`5,999,094 A
`5,999,599 A
`6,002,720 A
`6,002,761 A
`6,014,569 A
`6,018,654 A
`6,018,656 A
`6,035,018 A
`6,035,189 A
`6,058,161 A
`6,073,003 A
`6,075,998 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
`6,138,006 A *
`6,140,568 A
`6,144,722 A
`6,151,491 A
`6,167,130 A
`6,167,278 A
`6,179,682 B1
`6,198,941 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
`6,308,086 B1
`6,366,791 B1 *
`6,385,305 B1
`6,389,124 B1
`6,449,359 B1 *
`6,477,580 B1
`6,483,531 B1
`6,496,692 B1 *
`6,501,967 B1 *
`6,603,985 B1 *
`6,718,021 B2 *
`6,829,618 B1
`6,845,398 B1
`6,928,468 B2
`7,013,006 B1 *
`7,020,497 B2 *
`7,031,453 B1 *
`7,035,675 B2 *
`7,065,342 B1 *
`7,088,990 B1
`7,113,981 B2 *
`7,119,268 B2 *
`7,119,368 B2 *
`7,149,509 B2
`7,161,081 B2 *
`7,203,523 B2 *
`
`7/1999 Piosenka eta!. ............ 455/418
`7/1999 Cairns ........................ 455/418
`............. 361/737
`8/1999 Wallace et a!.
`8/1999 Henrick ...................... 455/419
`8/1999 Kim ........................... 455/567
`8/1999 Cave et a!.
`9/1999 Schulhof et a!.
`9/1999 Ohayon ...................... 340/539
`9/1999 Blanvillain et a!. ......... 379/374
`9/1999 Flood et al ................ 455/31.2
`10/1999 Kobayashi
`1111999 Cho et al.
`11/1999 Hendricks
`1111999 Huotari ...................... 455/433
`12/1999 Nilssen ....................... 340/507
`........... 379/93.23
`12/1999 Shaffer et a!.
`12/1999 Yurt et a!.
`12/1999 Sremac ....................... 379/374
`112000 Bottum
`112000 Valentine et al ............ 455/414
`1/2000 Shirai ......................... 455/422
`3/2000 Kaufman ................. 379/88.17
`3/2000 Ali-Vehmas eta!. ........ 455/414
`5/2000 Anderson et a!. ............. 379/27
`6/2000 Nilssen ....................... 455/402
`6/2000 Morishima .................. 455/567
`7/2000 Kato et a!. .................. 709/227
`7/2000 Sumner ...................... 455/413
`7/2000 Armanto eta!. ............ 455/567
`.... 379/201.02
`8/2000 McAllister et a!.
`9/2000 Parulski et a!. ............. 455/556
`10/2000 Lee eta!. ................ 348/14.02
`........................ 455/414.1
`10/2000 Foti
`10/2000 Kohler ........................ 84/616
`11/2000 Anderson et a!. ............. 379/27
`11/2000 Farris et al.
`12/2000 Rosen ........................ 379/355
`12/2000 Nilssen ....................... 455/462
`1/2001 Plain eta!. ................. 446/141
`3/2001 Aho et a!.
`4/2001 Burg .......................... 370/352
`4/2001 Sparks et al ................ 370/352
`.................. 704/270
`5/2001 Kim et a!.
`5/2001 Toshida ....................... 455/69
`6/2001 Speicher ..................... 370/352
`Iggulden eta!. ......... 379/102.3
`7/2001
`10/2001 Yoshino
`..................... 455/567
`4/2002 Lin et a!. .................... 455/567
`5/2002 Gerszberg et a!.
`5/2002 Schnarel eta!. ....... 379/142.01
`9/2002 Luzzatto eta!. ....... 379/373.01
`11/2002 Bowman-Amuah
`1112002 Ryu
`........................ 348/14.01
`12/2002 Shanahan ................... 455/418
`12/2002 Makela et a!. .............. 455/567
`8/2003 Ichihashi .................... 455/567
`4/2004 Crockett et al .......... 379/93.23
`12/2004 Abraham et a!.
`112005 Galensky et al.
`8/2005 Leermakers
`3/2006 Tischer .................. 379/373.02
`3/2006 Deeds ........................ 455/567
`4/2006 Busardo ................ 379/373.02
`4/2006 Yamada ...................... 455/567
`6/2006 Rolf ........................ 455/412.1
`8/2006 Isomursu et a!.
`9/2006 Slate .......................... 709/217
`10/2006 Futamase et al .............. 84/622
`10/2006 Park eta!. .................... 257/59
`12/2006 Shanahan
`112007 Futamase et al .............. 84/622
`4/2007 Ito ............................. 455/567
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0002
`
`

`

`US 7,295,864 B2
`Page 3
`
`2005/0054379 A1
`
`3/2005 Cao et a!.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`wo
`wo
`wo
`wo
`
`09205471
`wo 9928897
`wo 9943136
`W0-98/11487
`wo 0038340
`
`8/1997
`12/1997
`2/1998
`3/1998
`12/1998
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`CA Office Action Dec. 29, 2004.
`CA Office Action Mar. 31, 2005.
`CA Office Action Sep. 28, 2005.
`Related cases cited in ID Various.
`
`Vazvan WO 00/36857 Jun. 2000.
`PCT Search Report PCT/US00/32920, Mar. 20, 2002.
`SGS Thompson Microelectronics ST 5092 Data Sheet pp. 1-29.
`PCT Written Opinion.
`Canadian Office Action Sep. 19, 2006.
`U.S. Appl. No. 09/518,846 (abandoned).
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/603,285 (some similar or identical claims with
`pending rejection).
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/223,200.
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/915,862.
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/915,866 (some similar or identical claims).
`U.S. Appl. No. 111633,122.
`U.S. Appl. No. 111633,142.
`* cited by examiner
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 13, 2007
`
`Sheet 1 of 13
`
`US 7,295,864 B2
`
`Programmable
`Device
`
`20
`
`J
`
`.4~ 32
`l-J
`,,
`
`Device
`Programmer
`
`30
`
`_/
`
`a 31
`f-)
`
`~,
`
`Source
`
`50
`~
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 13, 2007
`
`Sheet 2 of 13
`
`US 7,295,864 B2
`
`J~
`1/32
`
`Output Buffer 42
`
`,,
`
`Memory
`36
`
`...
`
`Processor
`34
`
`....
`.. -...
`
`AJD
`38
`
`Signal
`Processing
`Circuitry
`40
`
`t H
`-
`
`Input Buffer 44
`
`25 """'
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 13, 2007
`
`Sheet 3 of 13
`
`US 7,295,864 B2
`
`Programmable
`Device
`
`I~ 20
`
`(80
`
`Internet
`
`...
`....
`
`(70
`
`,.
`
`70
`
`~~
`
`v-- 32
`,,
`
`30
`
`1~6 0
`
`Personal Computer
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 13, 2007
`
`Sheet 4 of 13
`
`US 7,295,864 B2
`
`Programmable
`Device
`
`v2o
`
`(80
`
`Internet
`
`...
`....
`
`(70
`
`•
`
`1~32
`
`~r
`
`~·
`
`Computer
`
`v- 60
`
`FIG. 4A
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 13, 2007
`
`Sheet 5 of 13
`
`US 7,295,864 B2
`
`Programmable v-20
`Device
`
`(80
`
`Internet
`
`.. ....
`
`(70
`
`~~
`
`v- 33
`
`(82
`
`Network
`Computers
`
`~ .....
`
`------
`1 - - - - - f-----------
`,,.
`,,.
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`Computer/Programmer v 90
`
`- - - - ,
`I
`
`I r- 95
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`,,
`I L __________ t-----------
`
`_ _ _ ....J
`
`External
`Telephone
`Network
`
`v-- 84
`
`FIG. 48
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 13,2007
`
`Sheet 6 of 13
`
`US 7,295,864 B2
`
`20
`)
`
`Programmable Device
`
`25
`(__
`
`.. Programmer
`..
`30
`
`~~
`
`,,
`
`~~
`
`32
`~I ,,
`
`Source
`50
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 13,2007
`
`Sheet 7 of 13
`
`US 7,295,864 B2
`
`Programmable Device
`
`(30
`
`r 20
`
`r-+ Programmer
`
`(80
`
`Internet
`
`~
`
`..-
`
`(70
`
`,,
`
`1
`
`!r32
`
`Computer
`
`/'"" 60
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0010
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 13, 2007
`
`Sheet 8 of 13
`
`US 7,295,864 B2
`
`'-L\33
`\I
`
`510\
`
`,,
`
`520\
`
`RIT
`
`Alerting
`Circuit
`
`/"" 550
`
`,
`
`530\
`
`Processor
`
`Programmer
`
`v--30
`
`-
`...
`
`..
`
`~
`
`,
`Communications
`Interface
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0011
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 13, 2007
`
`Sheet 9 of 13
`
`US 7,295,864 B2
`
`User browses information
`
`100 L---------------~--------------~
`
`102
`
`104
`
`108
`
`User selects information for
`programming in device 20
`
`Programmer 30 compares format
`of the selected information
`with the format required by device 20
`
`compatible?
`
`>-----YES-----,
`
`105
`
`NO
`
`Programmer 30 converts the
`selected information into
`a format compatible with device 20
`
`Provide user with the option
`of editing the resulting file
`
`Edit file?
`
`To step 112
`NO---.
`
`109
`
`YES
`
`+
`
`To step 110
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0012
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 13,2007
`
`Sheet 10 of 13
`
`US 7,295,864 B2
`
`From
`step 109
`
`Provide user with the option
`of reviewing the edited file
`110 '---------.--------____j
`
`•41--NO-----<
`Return to
`step 108
`
`(
`111
`
`Editing complete?
`
`YES
`
`Provide user with option of
`programming edited file into device 20
`
`From step 109
`
`112
`
`.-YES---<
`Return to
`step 100
`
`113
`
`Program
`additional
`information into
`device 20?
`
`NO
`
`Exit
`
`114 ~---------------
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0013
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 13,2007
`
`Sheet 11 of 13
`
`US 7,295,864 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)
`
`156
`
`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
`
`164
`
`Replace ring sequence
`(
`and play signature file
`166 ~--------------~--------------~
`
`Exit
`
`FIG. 10
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0014
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 13, 2007
`
`Sheet 12 of 13
`
`US 7,295,864 B2
`
`From step 156 (Fig. 1 0)
`
`Retrieve file from computer 90
`
`168
`
`Is the file
`compatible with the
`receiver's device
`20?
`(
`170
`
`YES
`
`Send file with call
`
`.---NO---<
`
`Convert file to
`acceptable format
`
`172
`
`174
`
`Replace ring sequence
`(
`and play signature file
`176 L--------,----------
`
`Exit
`
`177
`
`FIG. 11
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0015
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 13,2007
`
`Sheet 13 of 13
`
`US 7,295,864 B2
`
`From step 156 (Fig. 10
`)
`
`(
`17 8
`
`(
`180
`
`v
`
`Send indicia of signature file with call
`
`,p
`
`Replace ring sequence
`and play signature file
`,,.
`Exit
`
`(
`182
`
`FIG. 12
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0016
`
`

`

`US 7,295,864 B2
`
`1
`METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR
`PROGRAMMING USER-DEFINED
`INFORMATION INTO ELECTRONIC
`DEVICES
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica(cid:173)
`tion Ser. No. 09/518,846 filed Mar. 3, 2000 now abandoned
`which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.
`60/169,158 filed Dec. 6, 1999.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`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
`programming apparatus may download the selected infor(cid:173)
`mation into the programmable device. If the formats are not
`10 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 result-
`15 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.
`
`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
`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 20
`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 radio 25
`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 not fully 30
`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 35
`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 40
`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, 45
`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(cid:173)
`less phone, or any portable display device) and displayed at
`a time of the user choosing. Although a programmable 50
`memory within such a device could support user-defined
`video, currently, no system exists for programming such
`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
`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
`55 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.
`
`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 60
`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 65
`electronic device. In one embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion, the programming apparatus includes processing cir-
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system 10 for
`programming user-defined information (e.g., audio, video,
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0017
`
`

`

`US 7,295,864 B2
`
`3
`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
`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, commu(cid:173)
`nications links (e.g., serial ports, parallel ports, universal
`serial buses (USB), RS232, GPIB, etc.), modems (e.g., any 20
`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 25
`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 30
`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 35
`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 40
`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(cid:173)
`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
`from any of the following format types: analog; MIDI;
`MPEG; PCM; Windows Media Audio Code (WMA); WAY; 55
`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. 60
`Text files may include, for example, HTML files, Wireless
`Markup Language (WML) files, WordPerfect™ files,
`Microsoft Office™ files, or any other suitable text files.
`If multiple blocks of information are being programmed
`into device 20, programmer 30 may "tag" the different 65
`blocks so that device 20 and/or a user may distinguish
`among the different blocks stored therein. After the infor-
`
`4
`mation has been provided, programmer 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,
`10 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-
`15 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 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
`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.
`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(cid:173)
`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
`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
`
`45
`
`50
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1001-0018
`
`

`

`US 7,295,864 B2
`
`5
`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 10
`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 15
`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 20
`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. 25
`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 30
`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 35
`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)