111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US008594651B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Shanahan
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,594,651 B2
`*Nov. 26, 2013
`
`(54) METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR
`PROGRAMMING USER-DEFINED
`INFORMATION INTO ELECTRONIC
`DEVICES
`
`(71) Applicant: Solocron Media, LLC, Tyler, TX (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor: Michael E. Shanahan, Nyack, NY (US)
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04M3/00
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC ............................ 455/418; 455/557; 455/567
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC ............... 455/414.1, 415, 418, 419, 566, 577
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(73) Assignee: Solocron Media, LLC, Tyler, TX (US)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/725,927
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 21, 2012
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2013/0139207 Al
`
`May 30,2013
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 13/615,013, filed on
`Sep. 13, 2012, now Pat. No. 8,452,272, which is a
`continuation of application No. 13/471,161, filed on
`May 14, 2012, now Pat. No. 8,401,537, which is a
`continuation of application No. 13/316,203, filed on
`Dec. 9, 2011, now Pat. No. 8,521,234, which is a
`continuation of application No. 12/128,991, filed on
`May 29, 2008, now Pat. No. 8,170,538, which is a
`continuation of application No. 11/633,142, filed on
`Dec. 2, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,555,317, which is a
`continuation of application No. 10/600,975, filed on
`Jun. 20, 2003, now Pat. No. 7,149,509, which is a
`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.
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,866,766 A
`4,868,561 A
`
`9/1989 Mitzlaff
`9/1989 Davis
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CA
`EP
`
`10/2007
`2436872
`5/1994
`0684591 A1
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`U.S. Appl. No. 09/518,846, filed Mar. 3, 2000, Shanahan.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner- Temica M Beamer
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- Knobbe, Martens, Olson &
`Bear, LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`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.
`
`44 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`User browses information
`
`1/JP>===r==~
`User selects information for
`programming In device 20
`f/)(~~~~~~
`
`II.W-c...:..c==:::::;:::c.:::::.=::..:::....~
`Fromstep111
`
`YES
`I
`To step 110
`
`1
`
`AT&T - Exhibit 1003
`
`

`

`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`US 8,594,651 B2
`Page 2
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`2
`
`

`

`US 8,594,651 B2
`Page 3
`
`(56)
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`
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`
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`
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`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 2013
`
`Sheet 1 of 13
`
`US 8,594,651 B2
`
`~I()
`
`2()
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`Device
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 2013
`
`Sheet 2 of 13
`
`US 8,594,651 B2
`
`/J()
`
`Output Buffer 42
`
`Memory
`J6'
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 2013
`
`Sheet 3 of 13
`
`US 8,594,651 B2
`
`/!(}(}
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`Programmable
`Device
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`
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 2013
`
`Sheet 4 of 13
`
`US 8,594,651 B2
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`(6'()
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 2013
`
`Sheet 5 of 13
`
`US 8,594,651 B2
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`Programmable
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`v-.J.J
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 2013
`
`Sheet 6 of 13
`
`US 8,594,651 B2
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 2013
`
`Sheet 7 of 13
`
`US 8,594,651 B2
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`/0'(}
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`
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`;<
`
`/.J()
`
`-
`
`Programmer
`
`.....---.12
`
`/6'!J
`
`Computer
`
`10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 2013
`
`Sheet 8 of 13
`
`US 8,594,651 B2
`
`~st/J
`
`RIT
`
`Alerting
`Circuit
`
`/.J.J~
`
`-
`
`Processor
`
`Programmer
`
`Communications
`Interface
`
`11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 2013
`
`Sheet 9 of 13
`
`US 8,594,651 B2
`
`1/JIJ
`
`/(}2
`
`ltl4
`
`User browses information
`
`User selects information for
`programming in device 20
`
`Programmer 30 compares format
`of the selected information
`with the format required by device 20
`
`1/J.f
`
`YES
`
`f(J(f
`
`NO
`
`Programmer 30 converts the
`selected information into
`a format compatible with device 20
`
`/()6'
`From step 111
`
`~--------~~--------~
`
`Provide user with the option
`of editing the resulting file
`
`/(}.9
`
`To step 112
`NO-
`
`YES
`t
`To step 110
`
`12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 2013
`
`Sheet 10 of 13
`
`US 8,594,651 B2
`
`11(}
`
`From
`step 109
`
`Provide user with the option
`of reviewing the edited file
`
`111
`
`--NO
`Return to
`step 108
`
`112
`
`YES
`
`Provide user with the option of
`programming edited file into device 20
`
`From step 109
`
`11.J
`
`Program
`additional
`
`---YES
`Return to
`step 100
`
`NO
`
`L
`
`114 ?L_ ___ ' __ ___.
`Exit
`
`13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 2013
`
`Sheet 11 of 13
`
`US 8,594,651 B2
`
`f.f(J
`
`!54
`
`User's browses list of signature files
`
`User selects signature file
`
`tso
`
`Determiner
`Receiver's device 20
`(Fig. 12).-----------t location of selected
`signature file
`
`Computer 90
`
`(Fig. 11)
`
`ISO'
`
`User's device 20
`
`Retrieve file from caller's device 20
`
`tofJ
`
`Is file
`compatible with
`receiver's device
`20?
`
`YES
`
`Send file with call
`
`NO
`
`Convert file to
`acceptable format
`
`16'4
`
`too
`
`Replace ring sequence
`and play signature file
`
`to7
`
`Exit
`
`14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 2013
`
`Sheet 12 of 13
`
`US 8,594,651 B2
`
`From step 156 (Fig. 1 0)
`
`too
`
`Retrieve file from computer 90
`
`/7(}
`
`Is file
`compatible with
`receiver's device
`20?
`
`YES
`
`Send file with call
`
`172
`
`NO
`
`Convert file to
`acceptable format
`
`174
`
`t7o
`
`Replace ring sequence
`and play signature file
`
`177
`
`Exit
`
`rfl(l. 11
`
`15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 2013
`
`Sheet 13 of 13
`
`US 8,594,651 B2
`
`From step 156 (Fig . 10)
`
`178 ""'\
`Send indicia of signature file with call
`
`18() ""'\
`
`Replace ring sequence
`and play signature file
`
`182~
`
`Exit
`
`16
`
`

`

`1
`METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR
`PROGRAMMING USER-DEFINED
`INFORMATION INTO ELECTRONIC
`DEVICES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`US 8,594,651 B2
`
`2
`within such a device could support user-defined video, cur(cid:173)
`rently, no system exists for programming such information
`into the device.
`
`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 progrmable 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 progrmable electronic device.
`These and other objects of the present invention are accom-
`15 plished 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 pro(cid:173)
`gramming apparatus includes processing circuitry and first
`and second communications links. In operation, a user selects
`20 a piece of information from a source such as a computer disk
`drive, the Internet, or a remote database using the first com(cid:173)
`munications link. The programming apparatus may down(cid:173)
`load this information and compare its format with that
`required by the programmable device to determine format
`25 compatibility. If the two formats are compatible, the pro(cid:173)
`gramming apparatus may download the selected information
`into the programmable device. If the formats are not compat(cid:173)
`ible, the programming apparatus may convert the down(cid:173)
`loaded file to a format compatible with that required by the
`30 programmable electronic device. The progrming appara(cid:173)
`tus 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 sub-
`sequent use.
`In another aspect of the invention, a user may send custom(cid:173)
`ized information such as an audio or video file called a "sig(cid:173)
`nature" 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 is a continuation of U.S. patent applica(cid:173)
`tion Ser. No. 13/615,013, filed Sep. 13, 2012, which is a 10
`continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/471,161,
`filed May 14, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 13/316,203, filed Dec. 9, 2011, which is
`a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/128,991,
`filed May 29, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,170,538, which is a
`continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/633,142,
`filed Dec. 2, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,555,317, which is a
`continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/600,975,
`filed on Jun. 20, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,149,509, which is
`a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/518,846,
`filed Mar. 3, 2000, now abandoned, which claims priority
`from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/169,158,
`filed Dec. 6, 1999, each of which is hereby incorporated
`herein by reference in its entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`This application relates to electronic devices, and more
`particularly to a programming apparatus that allows users to
`program user-defined information into their electronic
`device.
`2. Related Art
`There are many types of electronic devices available to
`consumers today that have the ability to produce both audio 35
`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 cham1el and watch a particular program, or connect a
`VCR or DVD player to the television in order to view a 40
`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. 45
`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 50
`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. Fur(cid:173)
`thermore, most pre-progrmed audio tends to be rather 55
`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 progrmable memory within
`many such electronic devices could support user-defined
`audio, currently, no system exists for progrming such 60
`information into an electronic device.
`The same is true for user-defined video. For example, cer(cid:173)
`tain types of user-defined video information, such as video
`clips, frames, and other digital or analog images could be
`programmed into an electronic device (e.g., PDA, wireless 65
`phone, or any portable display device) and displayed at a time
`of the user choosing. Although a programmable memory
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The above and other objects and advantages of the present
`invention will be apparent upon consideration of the follow(cid:173)
`ing detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accom(cid:173)
`panying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to
`like parts throughout, and in which:
`FIG. 1 is a generalized block diagram of a system for
`programming user-defined information into an electronic
`device in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a programmer constructed
`in accordance with one possible embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 3 shows a computer based implementation of a pro(cid:173)
`grammer constructed in accordance with one embodiment of
`the present invention.
`FIG. 4a shows an alternate embodiment of a computer
`based implementation of a programmer constructed in accor(cid:173)
`dance 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 pro(cid:173)
`grammer shown in FIG. 2.
`FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment of a computer based
`implementation the programmer in shown in FIG. 4b.
`
`17
`
`

`

`US 8,594,651 B2
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`4
`3
`FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of one possible embodiment
`the following format types: analog; MIDI; MPEG; PCM;
`Windows Media Audio Code (WMA); WAY; or Adaptive
`of a wireless telephone that can receive and play user-defined
`Transform Acoustic Coding (ATRAC), or to or from any
`audio in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
`other suitable audio format, etc. For video files, this may
`FIGS. 8-9 show a flow chart illustrating some of the steps
`include, but is not limited to, converting to or from any of the
`involved in programming user-defined information into an
`following format types: analog; JPEG; MPEG; GIF; AVI, or
`electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the
`to or from any other suitable video format, etc. Text files may
`present invention.
`include, for example, HTML files, Wireless Markup Lan(cid:173)
`FIGS. 10-12 show a flow chart illustrating some of the
`guage (WML) files, WordPerfect™ files, Microsoft Office™
`steps involved in sending and receiving signature information
`in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 10 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 information has been
`15 provided, programmer 30 may communicate with device 20
`to confirm that the information has been correctly received.
`A more detailed diagram of one possible embodiment of
`programmer 30 is illustrated in FIG. 2. As illustrated, pro(cid:173)
`grammer 30 may include a transducer 25, a processor 34, a
`20 programmable memory 36, an analog-to-digital (A/D) con(cid:173)
`verter 38, signal processing circuitry (SPC) 40, an output
`buffer 42, and an input buffer 44. Generally speaking, pro(cid:173)
`cessor 40 controls the operation of programmer 30. Program(cid:173)
`mer 30 may be configured to receive and process both analog
`25 and digital signals. It may also acquire acoustic signals via
`transducer 25 (if installed).
`In operation, programmer 30 may download certain user-
`selected information from source 50 via link 31. This infor(cid:173)
`mation, 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 accom(cid:173)
`plished by routing the converted signals to SPC 40 or proces(cid:173)
`sor 34 (discussed in more detail below). On the other hand, if
`digital input signals are received at input buffer 44 and device
`20 requires analog signals, the digital signals may be routed to
`SPC 40 or to a dedicated digital-to-analog (D/A) converter
`(not shown) for conversion to the analog domain.
`Processor 34 may route incoming signals from source 50 to
`memory 36, SPC 40, or directly to output buffer 42 depending
`on the circumstances. For example, some or all of the input
`signals received from source 50 may require further process(cid:173)
`ing 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 pro(cid:173)
`tocols contained therein may be periodically updated. Fur(cid:173)
`thermore, in some embodiments, processor 34 may be pro-
`
`FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system 10 for program(cid:173)
`ming user-defined information (e.g., audio, video, or Internet
`access information, etc.) into an electronic device in accor(cid:173)
`dance with one embodiment of the present invention. As
`shown in FIG. 1, system 10 generally includes a program(cid:173)
`mable 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 com(cid:173)
`puter, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc.). Device 20 may
`also be any device which integrates some or all of the func(cid:173)
`tions 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 30
`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 35
`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 com- 40
`munications 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 45
`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. Programmer 30 50
`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 55
`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 commu- 60
`nicate with (or simply search) device 20 to find available
`memory locations in which to store the user-defined informa(cid:173)
`tion. 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 65
`downloading requirements of device 20. For audio files, this
`may include, but is not limited to, converting to or from any of
`
`18
`
`

`

`US 8,594,651 B2
`
`5
`grammed via software routines in programmable memory 36
`to perform some or all of the functions ofSPC 40. In this case,
`an SPC of reduced processing capacity may be used or SPC
`40 may be removed altogether from programmer 30.
`Audio signals may also be acquired and processed by pro(cid:173)
`grammer 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