(12) Unlted States Patent
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 7,065,342 B1
`
`Rolf
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`USOO7065342B1
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND MOBILE CELLULAR
`TELEPHONE DEVICE FOR PLAYING
`RECORDED MUSIC
`
`5/2001 Toshida ....................... 455/69
`6,229,990 B1*
`9/2003 Moon et al.
`.................. 700/94
`6,629,000 B1
`6,658,247 B1* 12/2003 Saito .............
`. 340/7.2
`6,694,200 B1
`2/2004 Naim .................... 700/94
`
`6,725,022 B1
`4/2004 Clayton et al.
`455/154.1
`6,792,280 B1*
`9/2004 Hori et al.
`.................. 455/517
`6,845,398 B1
`1/2005 Galensky et al.
`........... 709/231
`6,954,652 B1* 10/2005 Sakanashi
`.........
`455/550.1
`........ 705/14
`2002/0046084 A1*
`4/2002 Steele et al.
`
`.................... 455/412
`2002/0065066 A1*
`5/2002 Takagaki
`
`GB
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2 324 935 A
`11/1998
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`RIAA Wins Suit Against MP3.com, author; Brad King, 3
`pages, by wired.com, dated Apr. 28, 2000.
`
`(Continued)
`Primary Examineriloseph Feild
`Assistant ExamineriHuy D. Nguyen
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`A mobile cellular telephone is used to select a music
`recording from a remote source, such as online music
`recording storage facility, and wirelessly receive the selected
`music recording. The received music recording is stored in
`a memory of the cellular telephone where it is available for
`playback with an audio player in the cellular telephone.
`Additional information, such as a title and artist associated
`with the music recording, is transmitted from the remote
`source to the cellular telephone with the music data. During
`playback of the music recording, the information is pre-
`sented on a display of the cellular telephone. A system
`includes the remote music source and the mobile cellular
`
`telephone and may include an online user account via which
`the music recording is selected and downloaded to the
`cellular telephone.
`
`46 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`)
`
`75
`
`(
`
`~
`.
`Inventor’ Devon A' Rolf, Kansas Clty’ MO (Us)
`.
`.
`.
`(73) ASSlgnee‘ GOF‘gure’ L'L'C" PaOIa’ KS (Us)
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`(*) N01109:
`31113130110 any (1150131111135 the term 01“th
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 387 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/721,120
`
`22
`
`(
`
`)
`
`E] d:
`le
`
`N . 22 2000
`0V
`’
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(51)
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/167,179, filed on Nov.
`23’ 1999’
`Int Cl
`(2006.01)
`H04L 12/58
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`...............................
`455/412.1; 455/426.1;
`455/185~1;455/3-06
`(58) Field of Classification Search ............. 455/ 185.1,
`455/418, 3.06, 426.1, 419, 405, 406, 412.1,
`455/566, 569.2, 575.9; 704/270, 275, 219,
`704/222
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2/1998 Donner ....................... 455/418
`5,722,069 A
`9/1999 Kleiman
`5,959,945 A
`5,999,899 A * 12/1999 Robinson .................... 704/222
`6,014,560 A
`1/2000 Bottum ............ 455/466
`6,061,306 A
`5/2000 Buchheim ..
`..... 369/2
`6,144,848 A *
`11/2000 Walsh et al.
`.. 455/419
`6,192,253 B1
`2/2001 Charlier et al.
`............. 455/550
`6,192,340 B1*
`2/2001 Abecassis
`
`
`
`14
`
`CENTRAL
`
`
`
`FACILITY
`
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`NETWORK
`
`
`
`
`PERSONAL
`
`STORAGE UNIT
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1099-0001
`
`

`

`US 7,065,342 B1
`
`Page 2
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`For MP3, It’s Hurry Up and Wait, author: Brad King, 2
`page, by wired.com, dated Jun. 22, 2000.
`MP3.com Stores Your CDs, Wired News Report, 2 pages, by
`wired.com, dated Jan. 12, 2000.
`MP3.com Fights Fire with Fire, author: Chris Cakes, 2
`pages, by wired.com, dated Jan. 27, 2000.
`He Wants His My.mp3.com, author: Brad King, 5 pages, by
`wired.com, dated Mar. 15, 2000.
`This MP3 Brought to you .
`.
`.
`, author: Brad King, 3 pages,
`by wired.com, dated Jul. 11, 2000.
`The Jukebox Heroes, author; Brad King, 3 pages, by wired.
`com, dated Jul. 8, 2000.
`
`Myplay Launches New Music Locker Service, author: Jose
`Alvear, 2 pages, by streamingmedia.com, dated Jul. 24,
`2000.
`
`{Digital Storage Locker ’for Music Downloads, author: The
`New York Times, 2 pages, by myplay.com, dated Sep., 1999.
`Myplay.com Launches Today, by myplay.com, Press Release
`dated Oct. 13, 1999, 3 pages.
`Myplay, Inc. Debuts Myplay—To—GoTMiA Digital Entertain—
`ment Platform For Wireless and Btroadband Devices at
`DemoMobile 2000, by myplay.com, 4 pages, dated Sep. 7,
`2000.
`
`RIAA Sues MP3.com, author: Christopher Jones, 4 pages, by
`wired.com, dated Jan. 22, 2000.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1099-0002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 0f4
`
`US 7,065,342 B1
`
`
`
` COMMUNICATIONS
`NETWORK CENTRAL
`
`FACILITY
`
`
`
`
`
`14
`
`
`Fig. 1.
`
`1°
`
`
`
`
` D
`NETWORK
`
`
`PERSONAL
`
`Fig. 2.
`
`14
`
`CENTRAL
`
`FACILITY
`
`STORAGE UNIT
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`
` DDDD DDDD DDDD
`
`
`
` RADIO/
`STREAMING
`
`
`
` COMMUNICATIONS
`
`NETWORK
`
`SOURCE
`
`19
`
`
`
`MUSIC STORAGE
`SOURCE
`
`
`
`PERSONAL
`
`STORAGE UNIT
`
`
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1099-0003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`Sheet 2 0f4
`
`US 7,065,342 B1
`
`,26
`MEMORY
`
`43
`BAY
`
`42
`
`
`
`MWMAE
`
`THIR
`
`
`
`rf’ROCESSORm iNTERFACE
`1 L1?
`40
`
`RORT
`é
`DiSPLAY
`Fig. 4.
`36 L3
`
`' EXTERNAL
`
`
`
`SPEAKER
` PORT
`44
`
`BETA
`
`L
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`
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`
`\.
`22
`
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`
`
`
`
`
`MEMORY
`
`WZfigWW
`ENCODER/
`DECODER
`
`TO COMMUNiCATIQNS
`
`53
`
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`
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`
`
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`74
`i STORAGE /
`3
`UNiT
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`V
`
`m
`
`
`
`/’
`18
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1099-0004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`Sheet 3 0f4
`
`US 7,065,342 B1
`
`p. .............0000100
`Fig. 7a.
`
`100
`
`100
`
`
`
`L1®®®00--------
`
`--------
`
`Fig. 7b.
`
`La®®®®®--------
`
`
`Fig. 7c.
`
`~~~~~~~~
`
`PACKETS
`
`
`BBC”
`
`
`
`89(2)
`
`Fig. 8.
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`BDW 102
`
`
`
`
`PACKETS
`
`
`
`
`
`PROCESSOR
`
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`
`
`SOUND
`5(4) 83(3) BS(2) B5(1)
`
`PACKETS
`
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`
`BBB
`3(6)
`3(5)
`
`ARTIST:
`
`JEWEL
`
`ALBUM:
`
`THIS IS IT
`
`‘ RECORDED:
`
`XX-XX-XX
`
`SOURCE
`
`ORDER A LARGE
`
`PIZZA FROM
`
`"PIZZA HUT"
`
`NOW
`
`STATION CDNOW ORDER
`
`Fig. 9a.
`
`Fig. 9b.
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1099-0005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20, 2006
`
`Sheet 4 0f4
`
`US 7,065,342 B1
`
`ARTIST:
`
`JEWEL
`
`ALBUM:
`
`THIS IS IT
`
`RECORDED:
`
`XX—XX-XX
`
`KC CHIEFS
`
`VS
`
`DENVER BRONCOS
`
`4th QTR 1:07
`
`KC
`31
`
`DEN
`
`YDS 4
`
`STATION PIZZA HUT ORDER
`
`DOWN 4
`
`
`
`WIRELESS
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1099-0006
`
`

`

`US 7,065,342 B1
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND MOBILE CELLULAR
`TELEPHONE DEVICE FOR PLAYING
`RECORDED MUSIC
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application claims priority from US. Provi-
`sional Application Ser. No. 60/167,179, filed Nov. 23, 1999,
`entitled “System, Method, and Device for Playing Recorded
`Music on a Wireless Communications Device”.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention is generally directed to a system
`and method for wirelessly transmitting encoded music, via
`a wireless communications link,
`to a portable or mobile
`communications device which includes a player for playing
`the music or audio.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In one embodiment, the present invention is a system for
`transmitting encoded music from a remote, central facility to
`a wireless communications device, such as a cellular tele-
`phone or personal digital assistant. In particular, a user of the
`cellular telephone (for example) may use the telephone to
`establish a wireless communications link with the remote,
`central facility, and then wirelessly download one or more
`selected music recordings for storage in a memory of the
`cellular telephone. In particular, the selected music record-
`ing(s) is/are transmitted via a wireless data communications
`link to the cellular telephone. Preferably, the music record-
`ings are encoded and transmitted in packets, and may
`particularly be encoded by a compression algorithm into an
`encoded (such as MP3 or other) format.
`Using an input of the cellular telephone, a user may select
`one or more recordings for transmission to the cellular
`telephone. The selected music recordings, upon receipt by
`the cellular telephone, are stored in a memory. In one
`embodiment, the memory is an internal memory. Alterna-
`tively, the memory may be a separate cartridge or memory
`stick (such as a flash memory cartridge) for movable instal-
`lation in a bay on the telephone. A player within the cellular
`telephone may then be initiated to play the music recordings,
`for output on a speaker. In particular,
`the speaker may
`include earphones or earplugs connected to a port on the
`cellular telephone. Alternatively, the player may output the
`music through an internal speaker of the cellular telephone.
`In an alternate embodiment, the wireless communications
`device is utilized in combination with a vehicle, and a
`player, a memory for storing the music, and at least one
`speaker, are located within the vehicle, such that selected
`recordings may be retrieved from the remote central facility,
`and played in the vehicle. In this embodiment, the memory
`may include one or more burnable CDs, and will typically
`have far more memory storage capacity than the memory of
`the cellular telephone, which is utilized in the previous
`embodiment.
`
`the wireless communications
`In either embodiment,
`device preferably includes a bulfer for streaming data
`indicative of the music. Additionally, the wireless commu-
`nications device is preferably a cellular communications
`device and, in particular, is a cellular voice communications
`device, such as a cellular telephone.
`
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`In accordance with yet an additional aspect of the present
`invention,
`the wireless communications device of the
`present invention (whether it be handheld or installed within
`a vehicle) retrieves recorded music from a personal storage
`unit of the user. For example, a user may have a CD tower,
`flash memory unit, etc. in his or her home or apartment, or
`may have a personal storage account at a central facility. A
`plurality of recordings may be stored in the personal storage
`unit. The personal storage unit is accessible via a wireless
`communications link from the wireless communications
`
`device, to thereby enable the retrieval of selected music from
`the user’s own storage facility. Additionally, such a system
`permits the user to easily mix recordings from a number of
`different recordings from his or her own storage unit.
`Thus,
`the system of this embodiment of the present
`invention utilizes the central facility having music record-
`ings stored therein, a personal storage facility located
`remotely from the central facility, such as in the residence of
`a user, and the wireless communications device. In this
`embodiment, when a user selects one or more recordings
`from the central facility, rather than the recordings being
`transmitted to the wireless communications unit directly via
`a wireless communications link, they are rather transmitted
`to the personal storage unit of the user. Once stored in the
`personal storage unit, the user can then access his or her
`personal storage facility via a wireless communications link
`for retrieving, via the wireless communications link, one or
`more selected recordings. In accordance with this embodi-
`ment of the present invention, the encoded music transmit-
`ted to the personal storage unit may be stored in a flash
`memory or, alternatively, may be stored on burnable CDs or
`any suitable storage medium. In this regard, the encoded
`music transmitted to the personal storage unit of the user
`may be decoded, for storage in a decoded manner such that
`it may be played by more traditional music players or,
`alternatively, may be stored directly in its encoded format.
`When stored in a decoded format, music recording is again
`encoded at the personal storage unit upon retrieval. The
`personal storage unit may be located at the central location
`or at a remote site or may comprise a personal computer or
`an entertainment center, including such components as a
`display screen (e.g., TV or information TV), stereo, speak-
`ers, etc, or as stated, an account at a storage location. It
`should be understood that wirelessly retrieving a recording
`from a personal storage unit that
`is located in physical
`proximity to the user (e.g., an entertainment center, TV,
`personal computer, etc.) may be accomplished either by
`connection with a wide area communications network, or
`alternatively, by a local area wireless connection or protocal,
`such as Bluetooth and other such technologies.
`It should be understood that the transmittal of the record-
`
`ing to the personal storage account may embody transmit-
`ting only a portion of the recording, such as the title and
`memory (e.g., address) storage location of the recording,
`such that the personal storage account serves as a directory
`or index for retrieval of acquired or accumulated recordings.
`In this regard, the recordings may be stored in a contained
`database, or may be located at multiple storage sites dis-
`persed within a network. In either case, each recording will
`have a programmed address to which the personal storage
`account will point for a corresponding recording. Upon
`access to the personal storage account by the account holder
`(via a communications device), and after entry of any
`required passwords, the user may select one or more record-
`ings for streaming or download, whereupon the recording(s)
`will be retrieved. Temporary copying/cloning techniques
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1099-0007
`
`

`

`US 7,065,342 B1
`
`3
`may be used to insure at least substantially simultaneous
`accessibility to the recording by a large number of users.
`In accordance with an additional aspect of the present
`invention,
`information pertaining to the music recording,
`such as the artist, title of the recording, an album from which
`the recording came, the date of the recording, etc. is also
`transmitted with the recorded music, such that the informa-
`tional data is displayed on a display of, or associated with,
`the wireless communications device when the particular
`recording is being played. Additionally, it is an aspect of the
`present invention that an identifier, such as a server address,
`associated with the remote central facility is encoded along
`with the transmitted data, such that a selected input on (or
`associated with) the wireless communications device may be
`pressed for automatically reconnecting with the central
`facility or personal storage unit.
`In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the
`wireless communications link established between the wire-
`
`less communications device and the central facility is a
`cellular communications link and, more particularly, is an
`Internet link. In other words,
`the encoded music and/or
`informational data is preferably transmitted via a packet
`switch network, and particularly is preferably transmitted at
`transmission speeds greater than 50 KHZ, such as by a next-
`or third-generation wireless communications network.
`In accordance with yet an additional object of the present
`invention, the music recordings transmitted to the wireless
`communications device from the central storage facility, or
`from the personal storage unit of the user, may be transmit-
`ted in a real, or substantially real, time basis. In other words,
`rather than downloading one or more recordings to a
`memory within the wireless
`communications device,
`encoded music may be streamed directly from its source, for
`input into a bulfer within the communications device, and
`for play at the communications device, without being oth-
`erwise stored in the device. In other words, the music is
`played as it is streamed from the central storage facility or
`personal storage unit of the user.
`In accordance with yet an additional aspect of the present
`invention, the wireless communications device receives a
`sound stream from a source, where the sound stream is in a
`real time broadcast. For example, a radio broadcast may be
`encoded and transmitted via a wireless communications link
`
`to the wireless communications device. The broadcast may,
`for example, be a broadcast of music or, preferably,
`is a
`traditional
`radio-type broadcast having transmission of
`recorded music, advertisements, and voice from one or more
`disc jockeys. Accordingly, the source (e.g., radio station)
`may have a plurality of inputs for inputting stored music,
`stored advertisements, or real time voice from a disc jockey.
`The input information is encoded (if not already encoded)
`and transmitted to the wireless communications device via
`
`an established communications link. In particular, the data
`stream is a stream of data packets which are streamed
`through a bulfer of the wireless communications device for
`decoding and play.
`In accordance with the particular aspect of this embodi-
`ment of the invention, informational data associated with
`music or advertising being transmitted is displayed on the
`display. More particularly, information transmitted to the
`wireless communications device may be associated with a
`particular input on the device, such that a communications
`link corresponding to the displayed information may be
`made. For example, when a music recording is being played
`at the wireless communications device, data indicative of
`that recording may be displayed on the display, and, addi-
`tionally, a selected key on the wireless communications
`
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`device may be pressed to transmit a signal to the source of
`the stream that the user of wireless communications device
`
`wishes to purchase the music recording. Alternatively, the
`signal may be transmitted to a remote music storage facility
`for effecting a purchase of the recording or its associated
`album. In this regard, the purchase can be conducted in an
`electronic input mode or, alternatively, a link may be estab-
`lished for transmitting voice communications to and from
`the source or music storage facility (as the case may be) at
`which the sound recording or its associated album is to be
`purchased. In making the purchase,
`the user may select
`whether to have the sound recording or its associated album
`downloaded to the wireless communications device (if
`memory space permits), or to a remote personal storage unit
`or account of the user, or to have the sound recording or
`album stored on a storage medium and transmitted to an
`address of the user by mail or courier. In accordance with an
`additional aspect of the invention, payment for the sound
`recording or album may be made at the time or, alternatively,
`a monetary amount corresponding to the purchase may be
`billed to a periodic invoice associated with the wireless
`communications device (such as a telephone bill).
`As another example of utilization of the present invention,
`information corresponding to an advertiser may be displayed
`on a display screen during an advertisement, and an iden-
`tifier (such as an electronic address or telephone number)
`may be associated with a particular key on the communi-
`cations device, such that activation of the key establishes a
`voice and/or data communications link with the advertiser,
`such as for the purpose of making a purchase of goods or
`services advertised. Additionally, and preferably, an identi-
`fier (such as an address or telephone number) associated
`with the radio station or streaming source is allocated to a
`particular key, such that the user may contact the source and
`transmit information thereto, or have a voice conversation
`with the source. This is particular advantageous for respond-
`ing to call-in shows, trivia contests, games, etc. sponsored
`by the source/radio station.
`As another example of the transmission of sound and
`information, the broadcast from the source may be a real-
`time broadcast of an athletic event, broadcast by one or more
`announcers. The voice signals of the announcer is encoded
`and transmitted to the wireless communications device 12.
`
`Additionally, information corresponding to the athletic event
`being broadcast may be transmitted and displayed on the
`display. For example,
`the contestants,
`the scorer of the
`contest, the time remaining, and other circumstances relating
`to the game may be transmitted and stored. Preferably, this
`informational data is periodically transmittcd,
`so as to
`update the display.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The objects and features of the invention noted above are
`explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in
`which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in
`which:
`
`FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system of a first embodiment
`the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is an illustration of a system of a second embodi-
`ment of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is an illustration of a system of a third embodiment
`of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional wireless
`communications device utilized in accordance with the
`
`principles of the present invention;
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1099-0008
`
`

`

`US 7,065,342 B1
`
`5
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a central facility of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a personal music storage unit
`of the present invention;
`FIGS. 7a77c are exemplary illustrations of how data is
`transmitted in packets;
`FIG. 8 is an illustration of streaming data through one or
`more buses in accordance with the invention;
`FIGS. 9117951 illustrate screen displays in accordance with
`the present invention; and
`FIG. 10 is an illustration of a vehicular communications
`
`system for playing music in accordance with the principles
`of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`With reference initially to FIG. 1, a system of the present
`invention for playing encoded music on a wireless commu-
`nications device is denoted generally by reference numeral
`10. In particular, system 10 has a wireless communications
`device 12, such as a cellular telephone. Preferably, wireless
`communications device 12 is a digital, cellular communi-
`cations device, and is portable and handheld. In this regard,
`while one preferred communications device is a telephone,
`it should be understood that the wireless communications
`
`device may be types of devices, such as a palm or handheld
`computing device having wireless communications capa-
`bilities.
`
`A communications link may be established between wire-
`less communications device 12 and a remote storage facility,
`denoted by reference numeral 14. The remote storage facil-
`ity may, for example, be at an address on the world wide
`web, and includes a data base having a plurality of music
`recordings therein. Preferably,
`the music recordings are
`categorized by a plurality of selectable fields, such as “title”,
`“artist”, “album or CD type”, “recording label”, etc. Addi-
`tionally, the music recordings are preferably encoded in an
`encoded format, such as MP3 (Mpeg-l Audio layer 3). It
`will be understood that
`the music recordings may be
`encoded in other formats or, alternatively, may not be
`encoded at all. In this latter instance, remote storage facility
`14 also includes an encoder (not shown in FIG. 1) for
`encoding a recording when it is selected to enable it to be
`efficiently transmitted via a communications network 18.
`As will become apparent from the detailed discussion
`below,
`the wireless communications device 12 may be
`utilized to establish a communications link with the remote
`storage facility 14. Then, using a keypad and input on the
`wireless communications device, or by voice commands,
`one or more selected music recordings may be retrieved
`from the storage facility 14, for transmission, via wireless
`communications link,
`to the device 12. As will become
`apparent from the detailed discussion below, the retrieved
`music recording or recordings may be stored in a memory
`within the communications device 12, on a memory car-
`tridge or stick insertable into the device 12 or, alternatively,
`may simply be strung through a bulfer of the device 12 for
`playback, and not stored at the device 12.
`With additional reference now to FIG. 2, an alternate
`embodiment of the present
`invention is illustrated and
`described.
`
`In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
`FIG. 2, a wireless communications device 12 communicates
`with a central facility 14 for retrieval of one or more stored
`music recordings. Also in this embodiment, in addition to
`the wireless communications device 12, and central facility
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`14, the system 10 of the present invention further includes
`a personal storage unit 16. However, in this embodiment, the
`retrieved recordings (after being encoded if necessary) are
`not
`transmitted directly to the wireless communications
`device 12, but are transmitted via a personal storage unit or
`account 16 of the user. It should be understood that the
`
`communications link between the central facility 14 and
`personal storage unit 16 may be either hard wired or
`wireless. In this regard, the personal storage unit 16 may be
`an account located at the facility 14, or remotely therefrom.
`The storage unit for storing music recording may,
`for
`example, be in a home or residence of the user of wireless
`communications device 12. As will be discussed in greater
`detail below,
`in this embodiment, one or more selected
`music recordings are transmitted to the selected, personal
`storage unit 16 of the user. Subsequently, the user of wireless
`communications device 12 establishes a wireless commu-
`
`nications link with the personal storage unit for retrieving
`selected music stored therein.
`
`In accordance with yet an additional aspect of the inven-
`tion, a music recording desired to be played on wireless
`communications device 12 need not be fully stored within
`the device 12. In this regard, for example, a music recording
`stored in central facility 14 or personal storage unit 16 may
`be streamed to the wireless device 12 via an established
`
`communications link. In such an instance, data packets are
`streamed through a bulfer for play by a player each of which
`are in a memory 26 (see FIG. 4), such that, as one data
`packet is played within the bulfer, and then exits the bulfer,
`an additional data packet is streamed into the bulfer.
`With reference to FIG. 3, and in accordance with an
`alternate embodiment of the invention, a source of streaming
`audio 17, such as radio station broadcasting signals, may
`transmit an audio stream to device 12. Wireless communi-
`
`cations device 12 may be utilized to establish a link with the
`radio station source 17, for receiving an encoded stream of
`data indicative of the transmission of the radio station. In
`
`such an embodiment, the encoded stream of data packets are
`passed through a bulfer for play by a player (see FIG. 4),
`thereby making wireless communications device 12 a digital
`radio for receiving streams of encoded audio data.
`Additionally, and in accordance with a particular aspect of
`the present invention, in addition to the audio data trans-
`mitted to the communications device 12, informational data
`is also sent for display on display 24. As will be appreciated,
`in view of the foregoing discussion, that informational data
`may be stored in packets and, preferably, is stored in packets
`that are transmitted at the beginning of a particular record-
`ing, or packets that are periodically spaced within a set of
`other packets. Thus, for example, when a particular music
`recording is played by the radio station, and output at the
`wireless communications device 12, data indicative of the
`music recording is displayed on display 24. In accordance
`with a particular aspect of the present invention, at least a
`portion of that
`informational data is associated with a
`selected input on communications device 12, such that upon
`activation of the input, the user of communications device
`12 may order (for purchase) an authorized copy of the
`recording, or the album upon which the recording is placed.
`In this regard, upon activation of the key associated with the
`informational data, in one embodiment, while pressing the
`key associated with the selected information, data indicating
`that the user desires to make a purchase is transmitted to the
`station/source 17 or other facility. It should also be under-
`stood that the informational data may be retained at the
`server which is sourcing the recording, such that activation
`of a selected input causes a signal to be transmitted to the
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1099-0009
`
`

`

`US 7,065,342 B1
`
`7
`server, the receipt of which is matched with the information
`pertaining to the recording being transmitted. In any case,
`the purchase can be effected Via the station/source 17 or
`other site, such as indicated by music storage source 19,
`either through appropriate inputs on the communications
`device 12, or by establishment of a voice communications
`link with the central facility 14.
`In addition to the user having a choice of whether to buy
`the single being played, or the entire album on which the
`single is located, the user also has the opportunity to select
`the manner in which the purchased recording or album will
`be distributed to the user. For example,
`the purchased
`recording or album may be downloaded to the wireless
`communications device 12 (if memory space suffices) or,
`alternatively, may be downloaded to the user’s personal
`storage unit 16. Alternatively, the user can select to have a
`storage medium upon which the music is recorded (such as
`a CD, for example) mailed to a selected address of the user.
`Accordingly, the present invention provides a very unique
`feature for the distribution and purchasing of music record-
`ings, by allowing an individual to make a purchase of a
`recording and/or its associated album upon hearing the
`recording.
`In accordance with yet an additional aspect of the present
`invention, as the radio station transmits audio advertising
`content, informational data indicative of the advertiser is
`displayed on display screen 24. In particular, data indicative
`of a URL or telephone number is preferably associated with
`a particular key on the communications device 12, such that
`by pressing the associated key, a communications link
`(either data or voice) is established with the source of the
`advertising. Thus, for example, during an ad for “Pizza Hut”,
`a particular button may be pressed to establish a communi-
`cations link with a telephone number or address associated
`with Pizza Hut, for the purpose of ordering a pizza. In this
`embodiment, the communications device 12 preferably has
`an additional bulfer for buffering the informational display
`data. Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, data indicative
`of a plurality of most recent advertisements is preferably
`stored in the bulfer, and associated with a corresponding
`number of inputs or a menu driven system, such that, sources
`associated with the most recent advertisements may be
`readily contacted.
`It is contemplated within the scope of the present inven-
`tion that a server for accessing content transmitted by the
`radio station may be a satellite server as well. In other words,
`the communications link may or may not include a satellite
`communications link.
`With additional reference to FIG. 4, wireless communi-
`cations device 12 has a processor 20. Connected to processor
`20 are an input (such as a keypad 22), a display 24, a
`memory 26, a microphone 32, a speaker 34, and a port 36.
`Additionally, a DTMF encoder/decoder (or just an encoder,
`if desired) 38, and a transceiver 40, and antenna 42 are
`connected as shown. Additionally, wireless communications
`device may have a bay 43 for receiving a memory cartridge
`or stick, such as a flash memory unit. Furthermore, device 12
`has an external speaker port (e.g., for ear plugs or head-
`phones) 44. The construction of conventional wireless com-
`munications devices, such as cellular phones, is well known.
`However, in accordance with the present invention, a bulfer
`and a player for playing encoded music through an internal
`speaker, or via headphones or earplugs connected to a
`speaker port, such as port 44 are provided. In accordance
`with the invention, the player is a set of encoded instruc-
`tions, stored in a memory 26, for decoding and playing
`recorded, encoded music as it is streamed through a bulfer.
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`Additionally, device 12 may have a bag or port for receiving
`a memory cartridge or stick, such that recordings may be
`stored on a removable memory device, and such that record-
`ings played by the player are retrieved from the cartridge or
`stick.
`
`In this regard, the wireless communications device 12
`may be provided from a manufacturer with a player already
`installed in the device 12. Alternatively, the player may be
`loaded into the communications device 12 by an end user of
`the device. In this regard, and in accordance with an aspect
`of the invention, a user of communications device 12 may
`establish a communications link with a central facility, such
`as storage facility 14, and utilizing inputs on the device, such
`as a keypad, or a microphone (where the inputs are by
`voice), make appropriate selections
`for
`retrieving an
`