,
`ll
`
`lg.
`
`I l
`
`ill
`
`l l
`
`I
`
`greater or
`
`lesser severity. Either
`
`that expensive path is adopted or
`
`30
`
`adaptation is not possible.
`The object of the present invention is to provide a method of the
`kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, which resolves the
`
`1
`
`RPX Exhibit 1006
`RPX Exhibit 1006
`RPX v. DAE
`
`RPX V. DAE
`
`RPX Exhibit 1006 - Page 1
`RPX Exhibit 1006 — Page 1
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`
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`‘a
`‘
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`U
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`,
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`.
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`.
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`@®f&62O49
`P$‘l"lPTO 30 DEC 1999
`
`.
`
`Corporate Computer Systems Europe GmbH
`Ludwigstrasse 45, 85399 Hallbergmoos
`
`5
`
`Method and apparatus for encoding signals
`
`The invention concerns a method of encoding signals,
`
`in particular
`
`digitised audio signals, with an encoding device for encoding the signal in
`an encoding format and a processing device for processing the encoded
`signal.
`
`10
`
`Methods of that kind are known for example from European patent
`
`audio signals which are already present in digitised form, for example 48
`
`kHz sampling frequency/16-bit resolution, psycho-acoustic phenomena of
`
`the perception of audio signals are used in such a way that the original bit
`rate of the audio signals is considerably reduced. Such methods are also
`
`familiar and standardised under the heading of ‘source encoding‘
`
`(ISO
`
`11172 and 11318).
`
`With some encoding methods there is also the option of encoding the
`
`specificationNo290581.Inthatcase,inthebitrate—reducingencodingof
`
`signal in a given transmission or storage format in order then to be able to
`transmit and/or store the signal. That encoding however frequently gives
`
`rise to the necessity for the signals to be re-coded in regard to the
`
`transmission or storage format used as the transmission channel which is
`
`then actually employed or the storage device which is actually used
`
`employs another encoding format. If the necessary re-coding algorithms for
`re—coding the signal for adaptation to the actual encoding format are not
`available, the result of this is that complete decoding of the signal into a
`linear, non-data-reduced format and subsequent encoding to the desired
`format have to be implemented. That frequently results in quality losses of
`
`

`
`above-indicated problems and in which re—coding operations, once encoding
`
`has been effected, are very substantially avoided.
`
`In accordance with the invention that object is attained in that, in a
`
`method of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, the
`
`encoding format
`
`is determined in dependence on the properties of the
`
`processing device.
`
`With the method according to the
`
`invention it
`
`is particularly
`
`advantageous that encoding is already effected at the transmission end,
`taking account of the properties of the connected devices for subjecting the
`signals for further processing. In other words,
`it
`is already possible in the
`encoding procedure to take account of and use the encoding formats which
`
`are necessary for the connected items of equipment. In particular by means
`
`is possible to implement encoding which is
`of the present method it
`adapted to the possibilities of
`the selected transmission channel and
`decoding at the reception end, so that the signal can be transmitted and
`
`received or decoded at the maximum possible quality.
`
`Furthermore the method according to the invention makes it possible
`
`in any case to avoid expensive re~coding of the encoded signal as the signal
`is encoded from the outset in the correct format, that is to say the format
`
`which corresponds to the connected items of equipment, for example the
`connected storage device or the connected transmission channel. The
`method therefore not only permits higher-quality transmission of signals
`
`but also faster transmission.
`
`is
`A particularly advantageous
`embodiment of
`the
`invention
`the
`distinguished in that, prior to establishing the encoding algorithm,
`properties or the property parameters of the selected transmission and/or
`storage and/or decoding devices are ascertained by one or more test
`signals directed to the corresponding device. In that way by virtue of the
`method according to the invention it is possible for the encoding format to
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`be used or the encoding algorithm to be applied to be directly adapted to
`
`the devices which are actually connected in each case, such as for example
`
`transmission channels, storage means or decoding devices at the reception
`
`end. With the method according to the invention therefore,
`
`a person who
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`2
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`
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`
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`RPX Exhibit 1006 - Page 2
`RPX Exhibit 1006 — Page 2
`
`

`
`would like to transmit signals, by virtue of the test signal, no longer needs
`
`to establish or make adjustments for connected items of equipment which
`
`are involved, such as for example transmission channel, storage device or
`
`decoding devices at the reception end, when that person would like to
`transmit or send signals. With the solution according to the invention
`
`5
`
`however it is possible, prior to the actual encoding by hand, to preset the
`
`corresponding parameters for selection of the desired encoding format in
`order for example to permit transmission even with devices which are not
`recognised by means of the test signal. In any case therefore the method
`according to the invention permits adaptation of the encoding format to the
`
`10
`
`items of equipment used.
`is
`If the signal to be sent is a digitised audio signal and the signal
`present in source-encoded form, that is to say in bit rate-reduced form, the
`method according to the invention makes
`the following possible:
`if
`
`15
`
`transmission and/or storage devices of various capacities are available,
`
`then, having regard to the amount of data which is still to be transmitted
`after bit rate-reduced encoding,
`it
`is possible to select a transmission
`
`channel which enjoys appropriate capacity or a storage device which enjoys
`appropriate capacity. Thus for example in the case of signals of relatively
`low quality or when the demands in terms of reception quality are relatively
`low, that is to say with a higher level of redundancy, it is possible to adopt
`
`20
`
`a transmission channel of lower capacity and thus possibly save cost.
`
`The invention is used for example in regard to transmission or
`
`storage of data-reduced audio signals which are present for example in the
`formats G.711, G.722, MPEG 1/2-layer 1, 2, 3 or MPEG 4. The invention
`
`25
`
`can be applied to all systems, for example transformation and subband
`encoding methods, adaptive and non-adaptive pulse code modulation
`methods, with linear and non—linear quantisation, combinations thereof and
`
`other audio encoding methods.
`
`30
`
`The invention also makes use of certain properties of such methods.
`
`Typically audio signals which are to be transmitted or stored and which are
`data-reduced require only a low transmission or storage capacity. The
`
`result of this is that audio signals can be transmitted even over narrow-
`
`3
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`
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`"l
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`RPX Exhibit 1006 - Page 3
`RPX Exhibit 1006 — Page 3
`
`

`
`band lines in real time. In that case the data rate of the audio signals is so
`
`selected that they satisfy either the qualitative claims or the economic and
`
`commercial requirements. A high data rate has a correspondingly high
`
`quality, on the other hand it also requires a larger channel or storage
`
`capacity, which in turn gives rise to higher costs. When dealing with very
`
`narrow—band
`
`transmission channels,
`
`if wide-band channels
`
`are
`
`not
`
`available,
`
`the transmission of high—quality audio signals,
`
`that
`
`is to say
`
`audio signals having large quantities of data, are implemented in an n-
`
`times real time with n > 1.
`
`10
`
`Therefore a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is one
`
`in which bit rate-reduced audio signals are to be sent and a plurality of
`
`transmission channels and/or bit rates are available for transmission of the
`
`audio signals. Then, by virtue of the method according to the invention, the
`
`transmission channel and/or the bit rate in the transmission of the audio
`
`15
`
`signals can be selected in such a way that
`
`the audio signal can be
`
`transmitted in real time or even faster than real time;
`
`Advantageous developments and configurations of
`
`the method
`
`according to the invention are set forth in the appendant claims.
`
`Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for
`
`20
`
`encoding signals, which avoids the problems set forth in the opening part of
`
`this specification and in which re—coding of the signal after encoding has
`
`been effected is no longer necessary.
`
`In accordance with the invention that object
`
`is attained by an
`
`apparatus for encoding signals, having a control device which presets the
`
`25
`
`encoding format to be used for the encoding operation in dependence on
`
`the properties of a processing device for subsequent processing of the
`
`signals.
`
`The advantage of the apparatus according to the invention is that the
`
`encoding format takes account from the outset of further processing, that is
`
`30
`
`to say for example transmission or storage of the signal. That means that
`
`the signal cannot undergo incorrect encoding in the sense that the signal is
`
`encoded in
`
`an encoding format which does not
`
`suit
`
`the selected
`
`
`
`
`
`RPX Exhibit 1006 - Page 4
`RPX Exhibit 1006 — Page 4
`
`

`
`transmission or further processing devices, such as for example a storage
`
`device.
`
`In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention it is possible
`
`5
`
`by means of a control device having a test signal generator which emits a
`test signal, by means of which the control device establishes the properties
`of the connected device, thus for example the bit rate of the connected
`
`transmission channel, suitably to automatically select the encoding format
`
`by means of the control device. The user therefore does not need to
`intervene manually in the procedure for selecting the desired encoding
`
`10
`
`format. That therefore advantageously affords a considerable simplification
`
`in operation. For, on the one hand there is now no need for manual setting
`of the encoding format and in addition the user of the apparatus is not
`
`embarrassed even if that person — for example as a lay person — does not
`
`have the appropriate knowledge about the transmission channel or the
`
`15
`
`decoding options at
`
`the reception end. The
`
`invention is
`
`therefore
`
`distinguished in particular by its user—friendliness.
`In a further embodiment of the invention, provided at the control
`
`device is a display input device which makes it possible for a user to preset
`
`an encoding format to be used. It is thus possible to select the correct
`
`20
`
`encoding format even when the format suiting the selected transmission
`
`device or storage device or decoding device is not known and also detection
`
`is not possible. It is particularly preferred in
`by means of the test signal
`that respect that the user can select from predetermined formats;
`it
`is
`
`however also possible for the user to completely freely preset a given
`
`25
`
`encoding procedure or even entirely prevent an encoding procedure.
`
`Further advantageous embodiments of the apparatus according to
`
`the invention are set forth in the appendant claims.
`
`The invention will now be described in greater detail by means of an
`
`embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
`
`30
`
`the
`the structure at
`a block circuit diagram of
`is
`1
`Figure
`transmission end of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the
`
`invention for the encoding of signals or a possible implementation of the
`
`method according to the invention, and
`
`5
`
`
`
`
`
`RPX Exhibit 1006 - Page 5
`RPX Exhibit 1006 — Page 5
`
`

`
`
`
`Figure 2 is a block circuit diagram of a decoding and storage device
`
`at the reception end for further illustrating the invention.
`
`Figure 1 shows a block circuit diagram of the structure at
`
`the
`
`transmission end of an installation for carrying into effect an embodiment
`
`of the method according to the invention. Referring to Figure 1, a digitised
`
`monophonic audio signal TE is passed to one of the available encoding
`
`algorithms C1 or C2, according to a switch position of a switch S1. The
`
`output signal TEC1 or TECZ of
`
`the encoding algorithm stage C1 or C2
`
`respectively is passed to transmission channels U1 or U2 or a storage unit
`
`10
`
`SP, according to a switch position of switches Sza and Szb. The signal TEC1 or
`
`TECZ stored in the storage unit SP can be passed at a later time to one of
`
`the transmission channels U1 or U2. The control of the switches S1, S2,, and
`
`S213 regulates a control unit K in dependence on properties or parameters of
`
`the desired encoding format, which are set at a user interface N serving as
`
`15
`
`an input/display device and/or stored in a parameter storage means M. In
`
`addition the control unit K can control the switches S1, S23 and Szb in
`
`to the lines U1 or U2
`dependence on a test signal previously sent
`respectively or to the storage device SP. The test signal gives the control
`
`unit K the information about the properties or parameters of the channels
`
`20
`
`U1 or U2 or the storage device SP. For signal communication between the
`
`storage device SP and the control unit K, an additional direct connection K-
`
`SP can be made. With those items of information, the control unit K then
`
`selects the encoding format C1 or C2 corresponding to those properties or
`
`parameters, by suitably positioning the switch S1. Thus in particular the
`
`25
`
`parameter bit rate of the encoding algorithm stage C1 or C2 is set by the
`
`control unit K in dependence on the parameters set at the user interface N
`
`and/or the parameters stored in the parameter storage means M and/or
`
`the necessary parameters, which are detected by the test signal, for the
`
`transmission channels U1 and U2 respectively.
`
`30
`
`A user can select by means of
`
`the user
`
`interface N receiver
`
`parameter sets E1, E2 or E3 (not shown), using a switch (not shown) and
`
`read out the data thereof, for example bit rate, transmission channel and
`
`possibly also encoding algorithm, from the parameter storage means M. By
`
`6
`
`...s‘==
`
`‘
`
`RPX Exhibit 1006 - Page 6
`RPX Exhibit 1006 — Page 6
`
`

`
`means of the user interface N the user can also alter and store or override
`
`the parameters of the receiver parameter sets so that the parameters of
`the interface N and not those of the parameter storage means are used.
`
`That may be necessary by virtue of the current transmission and/or storage
`
`to be implemented.
`
`To illustrate the invention Figure 2 shows a block circuit diagram of a
`
`device at the transmission end. In regard to the parameters used there this
`
`device corresponds to the receiver parameter set E1 from Figure 1. The
`
`output signal TAC1 of the transmission channel U1 is passed to the decoding
`algorithm stage D1 and there decoded in accordance with the decoding
`
`10
`
`specification. Alternatively or simultaneously the output signal TAC1 of the
`transmission channel U1 can also be passed to the storage unit SP. The
`
`output signal of the decoding algorithm stage TA is a digitised monophonic
`
`15
`
`audio signal.
`By virtue of the method according to the invention the decoding
`algorithm of the decoding algorithm stage D1 was established for example
`
`by the control unit K by a test signal sent to the decoding algorithm stage.
`Encoding (see Figure 1) was therefore implemented in a mode adapted to
`
`the detected decoding algorithm stage. Decoding is thus effected by D1
`
`20
`
`without any problems, at the reception end.
`
`The invention further concerns firstly a recording, processing and
`
`transmission apparatus of a first
`
`type for the storage, processing and
`
`transmission of audio signals, with an analog audio signal
`
`input,
`
`in
`
`particular a microphone or a microphone input connection, a converting
`device for processing analog audio signals to digital audio data and a
`
`25
`
`storage medium for the storage of the digital audio data; secondly a
`recording, processing and transmission apparatus of a second type for the
`
`an input
`storage, processing and transmission of audio data, with
`connection for digital audio data and a storage medium for the storage of
`
`30
`
`the
`reproduction apparatus for
`the digital audio data; and thirdly a
`reproduction of audio signals with a headset or headset connection, a
`converting device for processing digital audio data to analog audio signals
`
`and a storage medium for the storage of the digital audio data.
`
`7
`
`¢J
`
`
`
`,‘
`
`RPX Exhibit 1006 - Page 7
`RPX Exhibit 1006 — Page 7
`
`

`
`
`
`Apparatuses of that kind,
`
`in which analog signals are digitised and
`
`then stored on a digital storage medium are known. Such apparatuses can
`
`generally also record audio data which are fed in digitally, directly on to the
`digital storage medium. Such apparatuses are also known,
`in which the
`
`digitally stored audio data
`
`can
`
`be
`
`reproduced after digital/analog
`
`conversion by way of an analog audio output,
`
`in particular a headset or a
`
`headset connection.
`
`Apparatuses of that kind are used with different functional extents
`
`for example in the hi—fi sector. Depending on the equipment involved in the
`
`10
`
`apparatus hi—fi devices of that kind are suitable for recording, processing
`
`and/or reproducing the audio signals. Different storage media are required,
`
`depending on the recording standard used. When using the DAT-standard
`
`(Digital Audio Tape) and the DCC-standard (Digital Compact Cassette) the
`
`storage medium for storage of the digital and data—reduced audio data is a
`
`15
`
`the MD (Mini—Disk),
`In the case of a further standard,
`magnetic tape.
`magneto-optical storage disks as storage media are used for storage of the
`
`digital audio data which are data—reduced from psycho—acoustic points of
`
`view.
`
`With the recording, processing,
`
`transmission and reproduction
`
`20
`
`apparatuses of the general kind set forth, the audio signals are stored in
`
`digitised form on the storage medium and can be processed and/or handled
`by playback with simultaneously fresh recording by means of a further-
`
`apparatus. The storage medium on which the audio data are stored can be
`
`removed from the apparatus and kept for later use if the stored audio data
`
`25
`
`are not required for the time being. Fresh audio data can be stored by
`
`erasing and playing over audio data which are no longer required or using a
`
`storage medium which has not yet been used.
`
`For the situation where the stored audio data are required at another
`
`location,
`
`the situation is mainly that the storage medium such as for
`
`30
`
`example the cassette or disk is taken to the desired location. When it has
`
`arrived there the storage medium is inserted into a suitable reproduction
`
`apparatus so that
`
`the stored digital audio data can be processed or
`
`reproduced after digital/analog conversion as analog audio signals.
`
`8
`
`
`
`W! l
`
`RPX Exhibit 1006 - Page 8
`RPX Exhibit 1006 — Page 8
`
`

`
`a
`
`The object of this further invention is to develop the apparatuses of
`the general kind set forth, in such a way that in particular processing and
`transmission of audio data are accelerated and operation of the apparatus
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`
`
`is facilitated.
`In the recording, processing and transmission apparatuses and in the
`reproduction apparatus of the kind set forth above, in accordance with the
`invention that object is attained in that the storage medium is intended for
`constantly remaining in the respective apparatus and the apparatus has a
`respective interface for
`transmission of
`the digital audio data to a
`
`processing device which is external to the apparatus.
`The advantages of this invention are in particular that the audio data
`can be transmitted by way of the interface in a simple fashion.
`In that
`
`in a first step the digital audio data can be transmitted to a
`respect,
`computer in order then in a second step to be communicated by way of a
`data remote transmission line or by means of an electronic mail system to
`
`locations which are further away. By virtue thereof it is advantageously no
`
`longer necessary for the storage medium itself to be transported from one
`location to the others. The period of time from the moment of recording an
`audio signal, for example by means of an apparatus of the first or second
`
`type,tothe momentofreproducing the recorded audio signal, forexample
`
`is considerably reduced. In
`by means of an apparatus of the third type,
`addition there is no longer the danger that the storage medium suffers
`
`damage or is lost during transportation of the audio data.
`The design according to the invention can be carried into effect with
`
`25
`
`a cable—|ess or cabled interface.
`In addition the apparatus according to the invention saves on
`
`interchange of
`numerous precision-engineered components which permit
`the storage medium in
`the case of
`the known apparatuses. The
`manufacturing cost of the apparatus is reduced by virtue of the saving on
`30V the precision-engineered components. At
`the same time the level of
`reliability of the apparatus is increased as in particular the precision-
`engineered components of an apparatus are the cause of failures and
`
`problems.
`
`i
`
`I
`
`El
`l
`
`l
`i
`
`l
`
`lI
`ll
`
`Il
`
` t
`i
`
`RPX Exhibit 1006 - Page 9
`RPX Exhibit 1006 — Page 9
`
`

`
`In a preferred embodiment the apparatus according to the invention
`of the first type has an analog high level input connection and/or a digital
`input connection for audio signals. Those connections make it possible for
`the apparatus according to the invention also to record, process and
`transmit signals from the conventional analog or digital
`recording and
`
`reproducing apparatuses.
`In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatuses according to
`the invention of the first and second types have a converting device for
`processing digital audio data to analog audio data in order to permit
`reproduction of the stored digital audio data as analog audio signals.
`In a desirable development
`the apparatuses according to the
`
`invention have a headset or at least one headset output connection so that
`the stored audio data, after digital/analog conversion, can be acoustically
`
`reproduced.
`The required storage space for storage of the digital audio data can
`be reduced in a particularly preferred fashion by the digital audio data
`being converted into a data-reduced format. For
`that purpose the
`apparatuses according to the invention have a converting device for
`converting the digital audio data into a data-reduced format, for example in
`accordance with the MPEG, AAC, AC3 or ATRAC—standard.
`The preferred embodiments described hereinafter relate both to the
`recording, processing and transmission apparatuses according to the
`invention of the first and second types and also the reproduction apparatus
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`according to the invention.
`In the apparatuses according to the invention the storage medium is
`
`25
`
`means that the level of reliability of the apparatuses is further enhanced for
`the reasons set out above.
`In addition, the use of RAM units makes it
`
`30
`
`unnecessary to use a motor for transporting a magnetic storage tape or a
`magneto-optical disk so that energy can also be saved during operation.
`The interface for cable-less transmission of the digital audio data to a
`processing device which is external
`to the apparatus
`is particularly
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`
`RPX Exhibit 1006 - Page 10
`RPX Exhibit 1006 — Page 10
`
`

`
`preferably provided for bi-directional data transmission. It is thus possible
`to transmit not only digital data from the apparatuses to external
`processing devices but also from the external processing devices to the
`
`5
`
`apparatuses according to the invention.
`Preferably the interface is an infra-red interface which affords a high
`data transmission rate with at the same time good transmission quality.
`In a further preferred embodiment of the apparatuses the digital
`audio data are stored in the data—reduced format in the storage medium.
`That permits better utilisation of the storage capacity present in the storage
`10 medium. Particularly preferably, the digital audio data are also transmitted
`in the data—reduced format by way of the cable-less transmission interface.
`That markedly speeds up the transmission of the audio data to a processing
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`device which is external to the apparatus.
`In addition preferably provided on the apparatuses is an analog high
`level output Connection and/or digital output connection for audio signals.
`That permits data transmission in analog or digital form to known recording
`
`and reproducing apparatuses.
`Preferably the apparatuses according to the invention also have a
`converting device for decoding data—reduced audio data so that, besides
`data reduction prior to storage of the audio data, decoding of the data-
`reduced audio data is also possible before same are transmitted to the
`digital output connection or to the digital/analog processing unit.
`For the input of control commands for controlling the apparatuses,
`the apparatuses according to the invention preferably have an input device.
`The apparatuses also preferably have a display device for displaying
`corresponding items of status or control information.
`So that
`the recording, processing and transmission apparatuses
`according to the invention and the reproduction apparatus according to the
`invention can be used in a versatile manner, they are advantageously of a
`
`30
`
`portable configuration, in a light compact casing.
`Advantageous developments of the invention are characterised by
`
`the features of the appendant claims.
`
`11
`
`RPX Exhibit 1006 - Page 11
`RPX Exhibit 1006 - Page 11
`
`
`
`
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`‘l ‘l
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`

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`This further invention is described by way of example hereinafter
`
`with reference to the drawing in which:
`
`Figure 3 is a block circuit diagram of the apparatus according to the
`
`invenflon,
`
`Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of an input device of the apparatus
`
`shown in Figure 3, and
`
`Figure 5 is a time—presentation diagram of an audio recording.
`
`The apparatus 1 illustrated in Figure 3 includes three apparatus
`
`regions, more specifically an analog signal processing region 3, a digital
`
`10
`
`signal processing region 5 and a digital interface region 7.
`
`The analog signal processing region 3 includes a
`
`line-in input
`
`connection 9, a microphone input connection 11 which is connected to a
`
`microphone pre-amplifier 13, a first change—over switch 15 with which a
`
`downstream—disposed input amplifier
`
`17
`
`is connected either
`
`to the
`
`15
`
`microphone pre-amplifier or the line-in input connection, a second change-
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`over switch 19 with which a source can be selected for a downstream-
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`disposed headset amplifier 21 or a line-out output connection 23 and a
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`headset output connection 22.
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`A microphone signal at the microphone input connection 11 is raised
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`20
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`by the microphone pre—amplifier 13 to the level which is typical for the line-
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`in input connection 9. The first change—over switch 15 selects whether the
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`microphone signal or the signal at the line—in input connection 9 is passed
`along as the input signal. The first change—over switch 15 is controlled by a
`microcontroller 25 which is to be functionally associated with the digital
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`25
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`interface region 7. The input amplifier 17 serves for level setting of the
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`input signal, the level of the input signal being effected by means of a level
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`Control 18 in the input amplifier 17, by way of the microcontroller 25. In
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`that case a downstream—disposed peak LED 27 can warn of overdriving of a
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`downstream—disposed analog/digital converter 29 which belongs to the-
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`30
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`digital signal processing region 5.
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`The second change—over switch 19 which is also controlled by way of
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`the microcontroller 25 selects which analog signal is passed to the headset
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`amplifier 21 and at the same time the line-out output connection 23. This
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`12
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`irwllli
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`~
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`mi
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`RPX Exhibit 1006 - Page 12
`RPX Exhibit 1006 — Page 12
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`/I
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`can be either the signal coming from the input amplifier 17 or the analog
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`signal of a digital/analog converter 31 which is also a component of the
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`digital signal processing region 5.
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`The headset amplifier 21 serves to supply a connected external
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`headset (not shown), wherein volume is controlled by means of a level
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`control 20 integrated in the headset amplifier, also by the microcontroller
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`25.
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`The digital signal processing region 5 includes the analog/digital
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`converter 29, the digital/analog converter 31, a digital input connection 33,
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`10
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`a digital output connection 34, the digital signal processor 25 (DSP) and a
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`third change—over switch 37.
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`The analog/digital converter converts the signal
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`from the input
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`amplifier 17 into a linear data signal which is transmitted to the digital
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`signal processor 35. The digital/analog converter 31 converts a linear data
`signal ‘which comes from the digital signal processor 35 and which is also
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`15
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`applied to the digital output connection 34 into an analog output signal
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`which is passed to a connection of the second change—over switch 19. By
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`way of example, the 24-bit converters from Crystal can be used as the
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`analog/digital Converter 29 and the digital/analog converter 31. The digital
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`20
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`input connection 33 and the digital output connection 34 correspond in
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`terms of their properties to the Sony/Philips standard which originates from
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`consumer technology.
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`The digital signal processor 35 is responsible for conversion from and
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`into a data-reduced format. In this respect in particular the MPEG audio
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`25
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`format
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`is favoured as this represents an audio format which is already
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`wide—spread. For example, the Motorola-56302—DSP device is suitable as
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`the digital signal processor 35. The third change—over switch 37 connects
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`the signal input of the digital signal processor 35 either to the output of the
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`analog/digital converter 29 or to the digital input connection 33.
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`In that
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`30
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`case control of the third change—over switch 37 is again effected by the
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`microcontroller 25.
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`The digital interface region 7 includes a display device 439, an input
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`device 41, a storage medium 43, as a cable~less interface an infra—red
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`13
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`RPX Exhibit 1006 - Page 13
`RPX Exhibit 1006 — Page 13
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`'4
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`
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`interface 45 and the microcontroller 25. It will be appreciated that it is also
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`possible to implement an interface with cable.
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`In this case the display device 39 can be formed by an LC compact
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`display with a dot matrix, for example the PG12232-D from Actron. In this
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`case actuation of
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`the display device 39 is effected directly by the
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`microcontroller 25. The input device can comprise pushbuttons or keys
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`which are connected by way of a matrix to the microcontroller 25. The
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`storage medium 43 which is either a flash—RAM or a dynamic RAM (SD-
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`RAM) should have at least a storage capacity of 30 Megabytes. In this case
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`10
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`the storage medium 43 is fixedly integrated into the apparatus,
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`in which
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`respect subsequent enlargement
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`is neither
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`intended nor possible. An
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`increase in the storage capacity of the storage medium 43 can however be
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`effected by suitable personnel by the subsequent insertion of other memory
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`components.
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`15
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`20
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`The infra—red interface 45 serves for loading and unloading the audio
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`data and co-operates directly with an external processing apparatus, for
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`example a personal computer (PC) (not shown). In this respect the infra-
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`red interface preferably complies with the IrDA 1.1 standard and has a data
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`transfer rate of 115 kbit/s to 4 Mbit/s. In a situation involving connection
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`by way of a PC the apparatus 1 has the status of a slave device. The
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`initiative for constituting a connection is always from the PC, that is to say
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`the interface is admittedly always ready to receive but it transmits only
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`when it is requested to do so. While the apparatus communicates with the
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`PC, it is controlled from the PC by means of a suitable computer program.
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`25
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`For example the Sharp RYSHDO1 IrDA Communication Unit can be used as
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`the component for the infra—red interface.
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`The microcontroller 25 controls the different components of the
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`apparatus 1. For example a type of the 8051 family (8-bit microcontroller)
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`up to the Motorola 16-bit controllers of the 68000 series is suitable as the
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`30
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`component.
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`In
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`the
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`apparatus
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`1,
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`the
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`energy supply
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`(not
`
`shown)
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`is
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`a
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`(rechargeable) battery. When using dynamic RAM components, the battery
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`also supplies them in the standby mode.
`
`In order to prevent a voltage
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`14
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`
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`.1 .1
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`RPX Exhibit 1006 - Page 14
`RPX Exhibit 1006 — Page 14
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`failure during replacement of
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`the battery, an additional battery,
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`for
`
`example a button cell,
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`is provided in the case where dynamic RAM
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`components are used. That arrangement is not required when using flash
`
`RAM components. Furthermore,
`
`the apparatus 1 has the possibility of
`
`supplying energy by way of an external mains unit. The lowest possible
`
`level of energy consumption is always a factor to be borne in mind when
`
`selecting all components. Components for a supply voltag