US00579 892 1 A
`
`United States Patent
`
`[191
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,798,921
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Aug. 25, 1998
`Johnson et al.
`
`[54] AUDIO STORAGE/REPRODUCTION
`SYSTEM WITH AUTOMATED INVENTORY
`CONTROL
`
`5553.220
`5,553,864
`
`
`9/1996 Keene ..................................... 395/154
`9/1996 Sitrick ........ ..
`463/31
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`176]
`
`[21]
`
`[22]
`
`[5 1]
`[52]
`
`[53]
`
`Inventors: Todd M. Johnson. 3331 Mail Ct..
`Michigan City; Robert Ramion. 6447
`W. 450 N.. La Porte. both of Ind.
`46360: Wilbur Johnson. 1634
`Mulvane. Topeka. Kans. 66604
`
`Appl. No.:
`Filed:
`
`436,003
`
`May 5, 1995
`
`Int. Cl.‘‘
`U.S. Cl.
`
`G06F 12/00; H03M 3/00
`.................................. 364/4003]; 364/2492;
`364/954.2; 395/427‘. 360/32: 365/45
`370/94.2. 110.1.
`Field of Search
`370/85.1; 364/514 A. 927.92. 940. 400.01.
`236.6. 249.2. 249. 954. 954.3. 954.2: 395/2.1.
`154. 430. 427. 431. 428. 432. 280; 369/1.
`13. 14. 15. 30. 47. 75.1. 178. 272. 275.2;
`365/45. 52. 63. 78. 189.01. 189.02. 230.01.
`230.02; 361/600. 796; 360/92; 341/110
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3/1981
`5/1981
`9/1988
`8/1989
`10/1990
`7/1991
`8/1991
`10/1991
`4/1992
`9/1992
`5/1993
`7/1993
`10/1994
`12/1995
`4/1996
`7/1996
`
`.......................... 364/940
`Galdun et al.
`Scott et al.
`................................ 341/20
`Duncan .
`........................ 361/796
`Schmidt et a1.
`Duncan ................................... 341/110
`Ishibashi et al. .
`Callan et al.
`...................... 364/927.92
`Younglove .
`
`Marlowe ................................... 211/41
`Goldfarb .
`Martin et al. .
`.
`Arbiter et al.
`....................... 395/2.1
`Goldberg et al,
`395/600
`Hickey ..........
`. 364/514A
`Kaloi et al.
`Kim et a1. .............................. 395/430
`
`4,254,473
`4,268,826
`4,772,873
`4,862,320
`4,963,866
`5,034,935
`5,038,317
`5,059,772
`5,103,986
`5,145,447
`5,214,768
`5,228,015
`5,359,698
`5,475,835
`5,511 ,000
`5,535,356
`
`This Chip Can Make Almost Anything Talk. Naomi Freun-
`dlich. Science & Technology. Business Week. Mar. 11. 1991.
`p. 93.
`Voice—storage chip supplies nonvolatile analog memory.
`Jon Titur. EDN, Feb. 18. 1991. p. 127.
`ISDNXX Analog Storage KS. Innovation. Electronic Busi-
`ness, Jan. 27. 1992.
`Here Comes Analog Memory. Bill Arnold. EDN, vol. 36.
`No. 3A. pp. 1. 38.
`Sanyo takes stake in ISD’s audio chip. James S. Goldman.
`The Business Journal, Apr. 27. 1992. pp. 1. 15.
`Puttin On the Ritz. Teri Sprackland. Electronic Business,
`Jan. 27. 1992. pp. 20-23.
`New formats debuted in 1992. Prerecorded Music. Industry
`Surveys. Leisure Time, Mar. 11. 1993. pp. 32-34.
`
`Primary Examiner—Wellington Chin
`Assistant Exarm'ner—Huy D. Vu
`Attomey, Agent, or Firm—Patula & Associates
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An audio system is disclosed wherein music cartridges are
`utilized in a series of canridge racks for non-mechanical
`playback and recordation of an entire music collection. The
`audio signals are stored on music cartridges which are
`insertable into one of a plurality of cartridge racks. ‘The
`cartridge racks are operatively connected with the music
`player of the audio system. The audio system is completely
`solid state. Le. it has no moving parts and has the advantages
`of allowing quick and reliable playback and storage of any
`music cartridge of the user's entire selection. as desired by
`the user. The system is sel.f-programmable and expandable.
`whereby additional cartridge racks can be connected for
`additional storage of music cartridges allowing any music
`cartridge from the entire collection to be accessed at any-
`time.
`
`8 Claims, 22 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`Racks
`
`SONY Exhibit 1012
`SONY Exhibit 1012 SONY V. Creative
`SONY v. Creative
`
`
`
`EM
`485
`
`'"‘°
`
`30
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 22
`
`5,798,921
`
`FIG. 1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1993
`
`Sheet 2 of 22
`
`5,798,921
`
`59
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1993
`
`Sheet 3 of 22
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 25, 1993
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1998
`
`Sheet 5 of 22
`
`5,798,921
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`26
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 25, 1993
`
`Sheet 6 of 22
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`5,798,921
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`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1998
`
`Sheet 7 of 22
`
`5,798,921
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1998
`
`Sheet 9 of 22
`
`5,798,921
`
`WRITE PROTECT SWITCH
`
`
`
`FIG. 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1998
`
`Sheet 10 of 22
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`129’897,5
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1998
`
`Sheet 11 of 22
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`5,798,921
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`Aug. 25, 1998
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`Sheet 12 of 22
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`5,798,921
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1993
`
`Sheet 13 of 22
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`5,798,921
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1998
`
`Sheet 14 of 22
`
`5,798,921
`
`POWER UP
`
`142
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`le
`Cato%ory Multi
`Album
`Play
`Aplhabetical
`Selection Selection Selection Selec ion Selec ion Recording
`Entire
`
`Process
`Selection Process
`Process
`Process
`Process
`Process
`Process
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DOWNLOAD
`DATA
`
`SEARCH
`M EMORY
`
`ALBUM
`SCREEN
`
`'
`
`|Alb
`
`180
`
`FIG. 13
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1998
`
`Sheet 15 of 22
`
`5,798,921
`
`ALPHABEHZE
`TITLES
`
`
`
`
`ALBUM
`SCREEN
`
`
`
`1 62
`
`1 54
`
`go to 148
`
`FIG. 14
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1998
`
`Sheet 16 of 22
`
`5,798,921
`
`182
`
`PLAY ALL
`SONGS
`
`1 84
`
`
`
`IS
`THIS
`THE LAST
`ALBUM?
`
`186
`
`
`
`YES
`
`
`PLAY ALL
`SONGS
`
`
`
`
`THIS
`THE LAST
`ALBUM?
`
`go to 148
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1998
`
`Sheet 17 of 22
`
`5,798,921
`
`CHOOSE
`RANDOM
`PLNY
`
`CHOOSE
`PARHCULAR
`SONG
`
`216
`
`PLAY
`ALL SONGS
`
`RANDOMLY
`SELECT
`SONG
`
`PLAY
`SELECTED
`SONG
`
`218
`
`CHOOSEN
`TO STOP?
`
`FIG. 16
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1998
`
`Sheet 13 of 22
`
`5,798,921
`
`2 0
`
`RANDOMUY
`SELECT
`some
`
`RANDOMLY
`SELECT
`some
`
`
`
`222
`
`224
`
`226
`
`225
`
`
`
`CHOOSEN
`TO STOP?
`
`230
`
`go to 148
`
`FIGURE 17
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1993
`
`Sheet 19 of 22
`
`5,798,921
`
`
`
`SEARCH MEMORY
`FOR AVAIBLE
`
`180
`
`242
`
`254
`
`RANDOM
`PLAY
`
`YES
`
`200
`
`RAN DOM
`
`
`
`
`220
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1998
`
`Sheet 20 of 22
`
`5,798,921
`
`252
`
`264
`
`
`
`
`CATAGORY
`SCREEN
`
`2.5.9
`
`CHOOSE
`CATAGORY
`
`
`
`
`
`268
`
`270
`
`272
`
`RANDOM
`PLAY
`
`YES
`
`YES
`
`YES
`
`90 to 220
`
`RANDOM
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1993
`
`Sheet 21 of 22
`
`5,798,921
`
` ALBUM
`
`SCREEN
`
`282
`
`CHOOSE
`BY
`ARWST
`
`304
`
`SELECNON
`TO MEMORY
`
`SELECWON
`TO MEMORY
`
`
`
`SELECUON
`TO MEMORY
`
`
`
`288
`
`290
`
`BEGIN PLAY
`FROM
`MEMORY
`
`
`
`
`
`BEG1N PLAY
`FROM
`MEMORY
`
`BEGIN PLAY
`FROM
`MEMORY
`
`292
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PROGRAM
`
`
`
` PROGRAMMORE? PROGRAM
`
`MORE?
`
`MORE?
`
`FIG. 20
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 25, 1998
`
`Sheet 22 of 22
`
`5,798,921
`
`Q29
`
`RECORD
`FROM ?
`
`RECORD
`TO '9
`
`YES
`
`
`
`WRITE
`ROTECTE
`
`NO
`
`ALBUM
`SCREEN
`
`322
`
`324
`
`325
`
`328
`
`330
`
`332
`
`I534
`
`356
`
`338
`
`340
`
`.342
`
`RECORD BEGIN RECORDING
`DATA FROM
`OUTPUT or TUNE
`
`STOP
`
`
`RECORDING
`
`WHEN USER
`
`
`P5EssE_s
`0 I
`
`
`
`IN FORMATION
`SCREEN
`
`
`
`
`USER INPUTS
`TITLES,
`ARTIST.
`CATAGO RY.
`ETC. ..
`
`GO TO 148
`
`DOWNLOAD
`
`INFORMATION
`INTO CARTRIDGE
`
`
`
`DOWNLOAD
`INFORMATION
`INTO PLAYER
`
`FIG. 21
`
`

`
`5.798.92l
`
`1
`AUDIO STORAGE/REPRODUCTION
`SYSTEM WITH AUTOMATED INVENTORY
`CONTROL
`
`This invention relates to storage/reproduction systems
`and more particularly to audio storage/reproduction systems.
`and specifically to the solid state storage and reproduction of
`an entire collection of music.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`People of all ages enjoy listening to music. Today. most
`people either own or have access to a stereo system. Typical
`stereo systems include either a tape deck for playing audio
`cassette tapes or a CD player for playing compact discs or
`both. It is not uncommon to find a large library of music
`collections. Some people even have hundreds and thousands
`of audio cassette tapes or compact discs. However. existing
`stereos today are only capable of or limited to playing a very
`limited number of these cassette tapes or compact discs at
`the same time. For example. a tape deck might at the most
`have two tape players. Therefore. a person utilizing such a
`tape deck can only play two cassette tapes at the same time.
`without having to change the tapes. When different tapes are
`desired to be played the user must interchange the tape to the
`desired tape from the collection. Similarly with compact
`discs. even the most expensive compact disc home stereo
`components can only hold up to 100 CDs at the same time.
`with common CD players limited to a 1 to 12 disk capacity.
`A person with a collection of 400 CDs must constantly
`interchange several CD5 at a time in order to listen to
`different types of music on the ditferent CD3. Such systems
`require mechanical parts in order to physically move or
`rotate the cassette tape or the CD5. Over time the constant
`movement of these stereo components can cause the stereo
`system to wear down and break. Further. dust and other
`foreign material can accumulate over time and damage
`either the player. the tapes or CD5. or both.
`There are many audio systems or devices which can be
`used as part of a stereo system For example. U.S. Pat. No.
`4.772.873 issued to Duncan discloses a digital electronic
`recorder/player. Duncan’s invention is a digital record!
`playback apparatus including an input digital filter. an A/D
`converter. a solid state memory. a D/A converter. and an
`output digital filter. Duncan dilfers from the present inven-
`tion in that Duncan is a means for storing data on a chip
`wherein the present invention is a means for selectively
`inventorying and recalling information from any one of a
`plurality of storage mediums located in one of a series of
`storage rack units. The present invention is for use as a
`component of a home stereo system that will organize.
`catalog and display a user’s entire mu sic collection stored in
`a series of storage racks. Duncan does not provide for the
`storage of music on cartridges which are insertable into a
`series of cartridge racks and selectively inventoried and
`played. The present invention utilizes a visual display and
`has the ability to record music and to selectively playback
`music from the entire collection by artist. category.. album.
`song. year. etc. The present invention is self—prog;rammable/
`deprograrnmable and has the ability to interface with a
`printer. television or a personal computer.
`U.S. Pat. Nos. 5.228.015 and 5.034.935. issued to Arbiter.
`et al. and Ishibashi. et al. respectively. disclose multi-
`compact disc players. The inventions of Arbiter. et al. and
`Ishibashi. et al. differ from the present invention because the
`present
`invention is completely solid state.
`i.e. has no
`moving parts. The player of the present invention is self-
`
`5
`
`20
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`2
`programmable/deprogramrnable and includes a visual dis-
`play. Neither Arbiter. et al. nor Ishibashi. et al. has the ability
`to record music or to select music from the entire collection
`
`by artist and/or category. The inventions of Arbiter. et al. and
`Ishibashi. et al. do not provide for expandability and there is
`a delay in the time between the playing of albums. The
`present
`invention is expandable. self-programmable/
`deprogramrnable. and has the ability to interface with a
`printer. television. or a personal computer.
`US. Pat. No. 5.145.447. issued to Goldfarb discloses a
`multiple choice verbal sound toy which utilizes a micropro-
`cessor to produce one song or poem that has at least one
`space or slot for introducing a supplementary verbal sound
`segment to complete the song or poem. The present inven-
`tion diifers from Goldfarb in that Goldfarb does not selec-
`
`tively play back music from a user’s music collection stored
`in a plurality of storage units. Goldfarb does not have the
`ability to record music or to access an entire music collection
`and selectively playback music by artist or category. Further.
`Goldfarb is not expandable nor can Goldfarb interface with
`additional components such as a printer. a television or a
`personal computer. The present
`invention is self-
`programmable/deprogrammable and allows for expansion.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5.214.768. issued to Martin. et al. discloses
`a mass data storage library which includes a plurality of
`mass data storage modules that form a mass information
`storage library. a data directory archive for maintaining a
`directory of the inforrnation contained on each data storage
`module. and data record/playback modules for receiving any
`selected data storage module in the mass storage library.
`Martin. et al. difiers from the present invention in that the
`present invention selectively plays back music from a user's
`entire music collection stored in a plurality of storage racks
`and is completely solid state. thereby utilizing no moving
`parts. Further. the present invention is self-programrnable/
`deprogramrnable and provides a visual display. wherein
`Martin. et al. does not. The present invention has the ability
`to record music while the invention of Martin. et al. does not.
`
`Accordingly. there is a need for an audio system that can
`readily play a person’s entire collection of music without the
`need for interchanging the musical storage medium. Further.
`there is a need for an audio player which has no mechanical
`parts. thereby. providing an extremely reliable and durable
`apparatus. Further. it is necessary for such a system to have
`all present abilities of a typical stereo system including all
`playback options as well as recordability; and in addition
`thereto. selective playback of music by category. artist.
`album. song. year. etc.. and complete inventorying of an
`entire music collection. even upon expansion of the music
`collection.
`
`The present invention solves these shortcomings of the
`typical stereo system by providing a se1f-prog;ramming/
`deprogramrning. expandable. completely solid state musical
`storage and playback system for an entire collection of
`music without the need to ever interchange a musical storage
`medium.
`
`BRIEF SIJMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention comprises an audio player. a car-
`tridge holder or rack. at least one musical storage medium or
`cartridge. and associated software used to run the audio
`system of the present invention. The audio player of the
`present invention is a computer with a display. keypad and
`communications port. The musical cartridges of the present
`invention contain music stored on memory storage devices
`such as a digital storage medium or an analog chip. ‘The
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`5.798.921
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`3
`player will download a database of album information from
`an EEPROM contained in each musical cartridge located in
`the cartridge holder or cartridge rack into local RAM
`memory when the system is first activated. After the system
`is activated.
`the user has the ability to list albums
`alphabetically. play the entire collection of music. choose to
`listen to a particular musical cartridge. play all the musical
`cartridges. choose a single cartridge according to artist.
`choose cartridges according to categories of music. selec-
`tively program a multiple number of selections to listen to
`and even record music to a chosen cartridge.
`The audio system of the present invention comprises no
`moving parts and is very durable and reliable. This system
`of the present invention is expandable and allows the user
`the capability of immediately selecting and playing music
`from the person’s entire collection without the need for
`interchanging a musical storage medium. Additionally. the
`player will identify when a cartridge has been removed or
`added to the system. When added. it will automatically
`program itself as to what has been added. i.e.. album title.
`song titles. name of artist. year album released.
`type of
`music. as well as where it is. i.e.. on which slot of which
`cartridge rack and the points as to where each song begins
`on that particular cartridge. If a cartridge is removed. the
`system will automatically remove all the above-mentioned
`information from the player. keeping the inventory current
`and up to date by way of an initiation process. (See FIG. 13)
`Accordingly.
`it
`is the principle object of the present
`invention to provide an expandable automatic inventory
`processing storage/reproduction system for audio systems.
`It too is an object of the invention to provide an audio
`system allowing selective choosing of various playback
`modes of an entire music collection.
`
`It is the further object of the invention to provide an audio
`system having no moving parts.
`It is also the object to provide an audio system which is
`capable of playing and recording music from the entire
`musical collection of the user without the need to inter-
`change musical storage medium.
`It is an additional object of the invention to provide an
`expandable audio system. unlimited in the amount of music
`available.
`
`It is another object of the invention to provide an audio
`system having an elecnonic inventory system that allows
`expansion of the system without the need for the user to
`enter or remove information from the system.
`It is still another object of the invention to provide an
`audio system component having a central processing unit for
`quick and eflicient inventory and organization of a user’s
`entire music collection.
`
`Numerous other advantages and features of the invention
`will become readily apparent from the detailed description
`of the preferred embodiment of the invention. from the
`claims. and from the accompanying drawings in which like
`numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout
`the same.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAVVINGS
`
`A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by
`reference to e accompanying drawings wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the audio player of the
`preferred embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a front view of preferred embodiment of the
`present invention in use in a home stereo system:
`FIG. 3 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the
`present invention:
`'
`
`4
`FIG. 4 is a front view of the audio player of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 5 is a back view of the audio player of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cartridge holder/rack
`of the present invention:
`FIG. 7 is a front View of the cartridge holder of FIG. 6:
`FIG. 8a is a back view of the cartridge holder of FIG. 6;
`FIG. 8b is a back view of the present invention illustrating
`three cartridge holders/racks connected together;
`FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a music cartridge of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 10 is an overall schematic view of the entire audio
`system of the present invention;
`FIG. Ila is a block diagram of a music cartridge of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 11b is a detailed block diagram of a mu sic cartridge
`which stores digital audio signals;
`FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of the cartridge
`holder/storage rack of the present invention;
`FIG. 13 is a flow chart of the initialization process of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 14 is a flow chart of the aiphabetizing process of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 15 is a flow chart of the entire collection process of
`the present invention;
`FIG. 16 is a flow chart of the single album selection
`process of the present invention;
`FIG. 17 is a flow chart of the random selection process of
`the present invention;
`FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the artist selection process of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 19 a flow chart of the category selection process of
`the present invention:
`FIG. 29 is a flow chart of the multiple selection process
`of the present invention; and
`FIG. 21 is a flow chart of the record process of the present
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT
`INVENTION
`
`While the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many
`dijferent forms. there is shown in the drawings and will be
`described herein in detail. a preferred embodiment of the
`invention. It should be understood. however. that the present
`disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the
`principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the
`spirit and scope of the invention and/or claims of the
`embodiment illustrated.
`
`FIGS. 1 through 12 illustrate the hardware of the present
`invention 10 comprising audio player 20 and cartridge
`holder/storage rack 60. for use with amplifier 50 and music
`cartridges 90.
`FIGS. 13 through 21 illustrate the software of the present
`invention allowing a person to list the music collection
`alphabetically. play the entire music collection. play music
`from a particular year. choose to listen to a particular album
`or song from the collection.
`let
`the computer choose a
`selection through random play. choose an album according
`to artist. choose an album according to musical category.
`program a multiple number of selections to listen to. record
`music to a chosen cartridge. etc.
`
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`FIG. 1 illustrates audio player 20 of the present invention
`10. Audio player 20 includes a housing 22. On the front of
`the housing 22 is a visual display 26 and a user interface 28.
`Interface 28 includes a power button 28a. an Album button
`281;. an Artist button 28¢. a Category button 28d. a Program
`button 282. a Random button 28f. a Rewind button 28g. a
`Fast Forward button 28h. a Play button 284'. a Stop button
`28;’. a Pause button 28k. a Record button 281. numerical
`digits tI—9. collectively referenced as 28m. and a directional
`pad 281:. consisting of an Up directional 280. a Down
`directional 28p. a Left directional 28p. and a Right direc-
`tional 28r. The buttons of interface 28 are used by the user
`to selectively play a desired sequence of music from the
`user's musical collection.
`
`FIG. 2 illustrates the player 20 in use with a home stereo
`system. As can be seen in FIG. 2. player 20 is utilized as a
`component of a stereo system having an amplifier 50. a CD
`player 57. a tape deck 58. speakers 59. and music cartridge
`racks 60. FIG. 2 is shown having two cartridge racks 60 in
`use with the stereo system. However. the present invention
`is expandable. wherein any number of cartridge racks 60 can
`be utilized at the same time. and player 20 can access and
`play any song from any cartridge in any rack.
`FIG. 3 shows a front View of player 20 in use with
`amplifier 50 and connected to a cartridge holder/storage unit
`60. As can be seen. player 20 includes housing 22 having
`visual display 26 (displaying a portion of digital database
`100. see FIG. 11) and interface 28. Player 20 is shown
`resting on top of an amplifier 50 which includes a visual
`display 52. a volrnne control 54 and selection buttons 56 for
`selectively choosing the component of the stereo system
`desired to be utilized. Buttons 56 include the Player 20
`butron entitled “Sonic Cube" 56a. a Phone button 56b. a
`TV/CD button 56c. an auxiliary button 56d. a Tape One
`button 56e. a Tape Two button 56f. an AM button 56g. and
`an FM button 56h. The name of the component correspond-
`ing to the selected button 56a—56h appears on the display 52.
`Player 2|! is further connected to cartridge holder/storage
`rack 60 via an EIA-485 interface and stereo cables 45. 47
`and 49. Cartridge holder 60 is shown comprising a housing
`62 having a plurality of cartridge slot 64 therein. Music
`cartridges 90 are selectively inserted into cartridge slots 64.
`FIG. 4 shows a front view of player 20 including housing
`22. visual display 26. and interface 28.
`FIG. 5 shows a back View of player 20 including housing
`22 and communications port or input/output port 42.
`FIG. 6 illustrates a musical cartridge holder/cartridge
`storage rack 60 including housing 62 and a plurality of
`cartridge slots 64. each having a cartridge connector receiver
`65 mounted in housing 62 at the back end of each slot 64.
`for receiving connector 108 of cartridge 90 (See FIG. 9). It
`is foreseeable that cartridge slots 64 could have pivotable
`covers or flaps which prevent dust or other foreign material
`from entering the slots when not in use. The covers or flaps
`would pivot out of the way when a cartridge is inserted into
`a slot.
`
`FIG. 7 shows a front view of the musical cartridge
`holderlstorage rack 60 including housing 62 and plurality of
`cartridge slot 64. As can be seen. each slot 64 includes a
`cartridge connector receiver 65 at the back end thereof for
`receiving a cartridge connector tongue 108 of each cartridge
`90 (see FIG. 9).
`FIG. 8a illustrates a back view of the musical cartridge
`holder/storage rack 60. Rack 60 includes housing 62 having
`audio-in previous jacks 82. audio-out previous jacks 83.
`audio-in next jacks 84. audio-out next jacks 85. input/output
`
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`previous jack 86 and input/output next jack 88. Rack 60 also
`includes a selector switch 81 which is set to indicate the
`position of the rack in a series of racks as indicated and
`referenced in the selector switch display window.
`FIG. 8b shows a back view of the present invention
`illustrating player 20 connected to three cartridge/storage
`racks 60a. 60b. 60c connected in series. Cartridge racks
`60a—c are in turn connected to tunerlamplifrer 50. The ELA
`485 Interface of player 20 is connected to cartridge rack 60a
`via an electrical communication from the player’s input/
`output port 42 to the input/output previous jack 86a of rack
`60a. The selector switch 81a of rack 60a is set to a first
`position to indicate that rack 60a is the first rack in the series
`of racks.
`Rack 60a is connected to Rack 60b via a cable from the
`input/output next jack 88a of rack 60a to the input/output
`previous jack 86b of rack 60b. Similarly. rack 60b is
`connected to rack 60c via a cable from the input/output next
`jack 88b to the input./output previous jack 86c. Inputloutput
`20 jack 88c of rack 60c remains free to be connected to
`additional racks. Selector switch 81b and 8lc of racks 60b
`and 60c. respectively. are set to a second and third position.
`respectively. to indicate their order in the series.
`Rack 60a is fmther connected to tuner/amplifier 50 via an
`electrical communication (stereo cables) from audio-out
`previous jack 83a of rack 60a to audio-in jack 51a of
`amplifier 50. and from audio-in previous jack 82a to audio-
`outjack 51b. Further. the audio jacks of the racks 60a—c are
`connected in series with audio-in next jack 84a being
`30 connected to audio-out previous jack 83b. audio-out next
`jack 850 being connected to audio-in previous jack 82b.
`audio-in next jack 84b being connected to audio-out previ-
`ous jack 83c. and audio-out next jack 85b being connected
`to audio-in previous jack 82c. Audio-in/out next jack 84c.
`85c remain free to be connected to additional racks.
`
`25
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`FIG. 9 illustrates a music cartridge 90 which includes a
`housing 92. a write protection switch 93. and a connector
`tongue 108. The digital information stored on this cartridge
`includes. for example. the album title. the song titles. the
`name of the artist. the year the album was released. the
`addresses for the beginning of each song and the identifier
`for each song. This digital information is initially down-
`loaded and displayed on the visual display 26 of player 20.
`The audio signals or music is also stored on each cartridge
`and downloaded only when requested to be played.
`FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic system overview of the
`present invention showing player 20 including display 26.
`interface 28. a CPU or computer 24 and an EIA-485
`interface port 30. The player is connected to a first cartridge
`rack 60a via stereo cables 45. 47 and 49 and utilizing the
`EIA-485 interface communications. Additional cartridge
`racks 60b and 60¢ are connected to each other via stereo
`cables 46 and 48. As can be seen. a plurality of cartridge
`racks can be operatively connected in series. thereby pro-
`viding for unlimited access to the entire music collection.
`Cartridge rack 60a—c are shown having audio previous jacks
`82a—c/83a—c. audio next jacks 84a-c/85a—c. inputloutput
`previous jacks 86a-c. and input/output next jacks 88a—c.
`respectively.
`As described in FIG. 8b. the audio previous jack 82al83a
`of the first cartridge rack 60a is directly connected to the
`amplifier 50 and other devices in the stereo system. The
`audio next jack 84a—85a is connected to the audio previous
`jacks 82b—83b of the next cartridge rack 60b in the system.
`Each cartridge will be “daisy-chained” together in series in
`this manner. The audio connection contains signals required
`for playback and recording of music.
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`FIG. Ila shows a schematic illustration of a music
`cartridge 90. Each music cartridge 90 contains two circuits.
`a digital circuit 94 and an audio memory storage circuit 96
`suitably mounted inside housing 92. The digital circuit 94 is
`comprised of an EEPROM 98. The audio memory storage
`circuit 96 can be comprised of any suitable audio storage
`means 104 such as a digital storage medium (see FIG. 1112)
`or an analog storage medium. For example. circuit 96 can be
`comprised of a D-RAM chip for storing digital signals or an
`analog storage array 104 consisting of a plurality of cas-
`caded analog storage chips. Music cartridge 90 further
`includes a logic circuit/programmable logic device 102.
`write protect switch 93 operatively connected to program-
`mable logic device 102. as well as connector tongue 108
`which operatively connects inside one of the cartridge
`connector receiver 65 of cartridge rack 60. Write protection
`switch 93 works by providing a recording status signal to the
`programmable logic device 102. The programmable logic
`device 102 passes this signal to the player via status contact
`120 enabling it to record or not. Connector 108 includes
`digital power contact 110. data contact 112. address contact
`114. cartridge select contact 116. control contact 118. status
`contact 120. audio-out contact 122. audio-in contact 124.
`and audio circuit power contact 126. Digital power contact
`110 is operatively connected to the EEPROM 98 which
`contains digital database 100 (See FIG. 3) for display on the
`visual screen 26 of player 20. Similarly. data contact 112
`operatively connects to EEPROM 98. Address contact 114
`operatively connects to both EEPROM 98 and the audio
`storage medium 104. The cartridge select contact 116 opera-
`tively connects to the programmable logic device 102. as
`does cont:rol Contact 118. The status contact 120 receives a
`signal from the programmable logic device 102. The audio-
`out contact 122 receives a signal from the audio storage.
`Audio—in contact 124 is operatively connected to audio
`storage medium 104 as is the audio circuit power contact
`126 to provide for recording.
`As stated above. each cartridge 90 comprises a digital
`circuit 94 and an audio memory storage circuit 96. The
`digital circuit 94 contains an EH’ROM 98 which stores a
`database 100 of digital information about the songs on this
`cartridge 90. such as the information that is normally printed
`on the jacket of a music album. A logic circuit 102 on the
`cartridge 90. contained in a programmable logic device
`(PLD). activates the control signals from the microc