US005969283A
`5,969,283
`[11] Patent Number:
`(15
`United States Patent
`Looneyet al.
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Oct. 19, 1999
`
`
`[54] MUSIC ORGANIZER AND
`ENTERTAINMENT CENTER
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Brian M. Looney, Lexington, Mass.;
`Dale R. McMullin, Parker, Colo.;
`Joseph Pasciuto, Bellingham; Edward
`T. Doyle, Westford, both of Mass.
`
`5,510,573
`5,616,876
`5,619,425
`5,670,730
`5,679,911
`
`4/1996 Cho et al. wc sceeceesecceeeeseeeeseneee 84/610
`4/1997 Cluts we
`weve 84/609
`
`4/1997 Funahashiet al.
`.
`434/307 AX
`
`9/1997 Grewe Ot AL oeoeseeeereeeeeeeseeees 84/609
`10/1997 Moriyamaet al. oe 84/601
`
`Primary Examiner—Stanley J. Witkowski
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Cesari and McKenna LLP
`
`[73] Assignee: Looney Productions, LLC, Lexington,
`Mass.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 09/098,843
`[22]
`Filed:
`Jun. 17, 1998
`,
`,
`[51]
`Int. C1.o ee eeceeeceee GO09B 5/00; GO9B 15/04;
`HO4L 9/00; G1OH 1/46
`iecccccececcccseeeeeseseeneees 84/609; 84/639; 84/478;
`84/633; 380/19; 380/25; 380/49; 380/53;
`434/307 A
`[58] Field of Search ou. 84/601, 602, 609-614,
`84/633-640, 477 R, 478, DIG. 6; 434/307 R,
`307 A; 380/19-21, 23-25, 30, 49, 50, 53
`
`[52] US. C0.
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`A music organizer and entertainment center provides a
`center having a microprocessor, sound card functions and
`high-volume data storage and retrieval units for playing
`back music according to a variety of predetermined catego-
`ries. Music can be played back in random form or can be
`played back according to a particular pre-selected order. The
`categories are provided by service provider who delivers
`selected titles and/or songs to the end user. The songs are
`typically loaded using a custom CD-ROMprovided from the
`Service provider. The music 1s provided in- data-compressed
`form and is decompressed and processed through a sound
`card during playback. The categories can include a variety of
`parameters such as title, artists, date, speed, dance
`characteristics, subjective energy level and musicstyle, such
`as easy-listening, upbeat, etc.
`
`5,486,645
`
`1/1996 Sub ef al. oe ee eeeeseccneeeeeees 84/610
`
`18 Claims, 27 Drawing Sheets
`
`mOZzFPO«mM
`
`DECOMPRESSION
`SOFTWARE
`
`SONG
`INFORMATION
`DATABASE
`
`SEARCH AND PLAY
`
`SONY Exhibit 1009
`SONYExhibit 1009
`SONY v. Creative
`SONYv. Creative
`
`INTERFACE
`
`TELEVISION
`SCREEN
`INPUT
`
`TELEVISION
`SCAN
`CONVERTER
`
`TELEVISION
`SCAN
`CONVERTER
`
`TELEVISION
`SCREEN
`OUTPUT
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 27
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`5,969,283
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19, 1999
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`Sheet 2 of 27
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 19, 1999
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 19, 1999
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`U.S. Patent
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`U.S. Patent
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19, 1999
`
`Sheet 18 of 27
`
`5,969,283
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`5,969,283
`
`Sheet 19 of 27
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`Oct. 19, 1999
`
`U.S. Patent YSaMOdOL
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19, 1999
`
`Sheet 20 of 27
`
`5,969,283
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19, 1999
`
`Sheet 21 of 27
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`5,969,283
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 19, 1999
`
`Sheet 22 of 27
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`5,969,283
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 19, 1999
`
`Sheet 23 of 27
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`5,969,283
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 19, 1999
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`Sheet 24 of 27
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`5,969,283
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`U.S. Patent
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`5,969,283
`
`Oct. 19, 1999
`
`Sheet 25 of 27
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 19, 1999
`
`Sheet 26 of 27
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`5,969,283
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19, 1999
`
`Sheet 27 of 27
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`5,969,283
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`5,969,283
`
`1
`MUSIC ORGANIZER AND
`ENTERTAINMENT CENTER
`
`This application includes a Microfiche Appendix pursu-
`ant to 37 CFR 1.96(c) that contains a computer program
`listing of program commandsin the commercially available
`Visual Basic language for implementing various functions of
`one embodiment of the center of the present
`invention
`described herein. The total number of microfiche and the
`
`total numberof framesin the Microfiche Appendix are 2 and
`103, respectively. A portion of the disclosure of this patent
`document or patent disclosure contains material, which is
`subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no
`objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the
`patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
`Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but
`otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to music recording and playback
`systems, and more particularly to a system that enables
`storage and playback of a wide range of individual music
`selections/songs according to a pre-programmed list of
`categories.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The storage of music on digital media has presented a
`oumber of opportunities to miniaturize storage devices for
`music, thus enabling larger amounts of music to be stored in
`one place, and to radically alter the presentation of this
`music. In addition to the actual music sound data, new data
`related to certain characteristics of the music can now be
`
`overlaid in the storage media. This enables a listener to
`organize and playback music in a highly customized manner.
`It is no longerstrictly necessary to store music in one format
`(e.g.,
`a single disc or record) and playback individual
`selections from this dise or record according to a strict
`organization scheme. Likewise, advances in data compres-
`sion and storage technology have enabled much larger
`quantities of digital data to be stored on magnetic disc and
`optical media than previously. The “Red Book” format
`common to music compact discs is somewhatinefficient due
`to its slow sample rate, and a much larger amountof data can
`be compressed on a standard data optical disc (CD-ROM),
`and decompressed and replayed using any numberofreadily
`available playback software routines.
`In addition, most computers and data processing devices
`are now equipped with multimedia programs and advanced
`high-fidelity sound.
`It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a
`music organizer and entertainment center that takes advan-
`tage of the latest advances in music data compression,
`storage and data processing capabilities. It is a further object
`of this invention to provide a user with the ability to fully
`customize playback of music according to a variety of
`parameters including categories of music. The graphical
`presentation of playback and storage controls should be easy
`to use and learn, and should take advantage of color and
`other visual aids.
`
`SUMMARYOTFTIE INVENTION
`
`This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior
`art by providing a music organizer and entertainment center
`that enables customized playback of music having a variety
`of predetermined categories that are provided,
`typically,
`
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`ahead of time by a service provider. Music is played back in
`any desired order based upon those categories from an
`onboard database that can include a large number of songs
`or titles.
`
`The music organizer and entertainment center provides a
`center having a microprocessor, sound card functions and
`high-volume data storage and retrieval units for playing
`back music according to a varicty of predetermined catego-
`ries. Music can be played back in random form or can be
`played back according to a particular pre-selected order. The
`categories are provided by service provider who delivers
`selected titles and/or songs to the end user. The songs are
`typically loaded using a custom CD-ROMprovided from the
`service provider. The music is provided in data-compressed
`form and is decompressed and processed through a sound
`card during playback. The categories can include a variety of
`parameters such as title, artists, date, speed, dance
`characteristics, cnergy level and musicstyle.
`The user selects between a variety of graphical user
`interface screens that are arranged on a display. The display
`can comprise a touch screen, or can include a variety of
`cursor-moving functions for operating different display
`“buttons” defined on the screen. Alternatively voice recog-
`nition software can be used to provide a voice operation
`capability to the user. Likewise, voice synthesis can be used
`to inform the user of various system operations.
`The interface can be organized according to various music
`categories that each appear as buttons. Within each button
`can be contained sub-categories for further organization. All
`categories are cross indexed with categories that are pre-
`defined within variousfields of the database, that stores the
`data for each song in an appropriate file having the various
`category flags appended thereto. Conventional database
`software such as Microsoft Access® can be used in forming
`the database for compressed music data and categories. The
`music is preferably compressed using MPEG3 and a stan-
`dard sound card, typically having high-fidelity characteris-
`tics is used to playback the decompressed music. The music
`is stored in a hard drive or other high-volume storage
`medium on the system in compressed form. Compression of
`the music, as well as loading of appropriate category flags is
`accomplished at the service provider’s facility based upon
`the user’s orders. Orders can be taken and filled
`electronically, via the Internet. Alternatively, oral orders can
`be made,thatare filled by preparing a CD-ROMcontaining
`the selected songs in compressed form. A master list can be
`contained on the database of the users’ system. This master
`list can be used to select the various songs from the service
`provider; the CD-ROMcaninclude updates to the master list
`that are loaded along with the songs.
`The CD-ROM and/or individual songs can include a
`special code or identification that is keyed to the user’s
`system’s code. In this manner only the user’s system can
`load the songs on its hard drive. A docking mechanism can
`be provided to all or part of the system to allow songs to be
`movedto different playback devices. In this manner the user
`can have a library of songs to playback in a variety of
`portable and fixed base units including vehicles.
`One of the categories provided to selections can be
`ratings. Ratings are typically provided ahead of time bythe
`service provider and are appendedto the overall database of
`categories. The user has, in the center, a facility for blocking
`out any songs from being listed or searched that exceed a
`predetermined rating category. A passwordts used to control
`the block-out function. This passwordis initially entered by
`the user or is provided ahead of time by the service provider.
`It must be entered in order to control the block-out function.
`
`

`

`5,969,283
`
`3
`The center can also be provided with an auto exit func-
`tion. When an initial screen is called, the user can indicate
`how many minutes he or she wishes the center to playback
`songs. Whenthat number of minutes has elapsed, the center
`automatically shuts off.
`It
`is contemplated that with appropriate data storage
`techniques and playback facilities, the center can organize
`video and image data as well as music data. Particular video
`data compression and playback hardware and software are
`typically required for such playback.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the
`invention will become more clear with reference to the
`
`following detailed description,as illustrated by the drawings
`in which:
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary music
`organizer and entertainment center according to an embodi-
`ment of this invention;
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary music
`organizer and entertainment center designed for portability
`according to an alternate embodiment of this invention;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the hardware
`architecture of an exemplary music organizer and entertain-
`mentcenter;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a basic
`control data path for the music organizer and entertainment
`center of this invention;
`FIG. 5 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating the use of
`a graphical user interface screen selected according to the
`flow diagram of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic flow diagram showingthe selection
`of a graphical user interface screen selected according to the
`flow diagram of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 7 is a schematic flow diagram showingthe selection
`of a graphical user interface screen selected according to the
`flow diagram of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 8 is a schematic flow diagram of a graphical user
`interface screen selected according to the flow diagram of
`FIG. 4;
`TIG. 9 is a schematic flow diagram of the playback
`process using the graphical user interface screens selected
`according to the flow diagram in FIG. 4;
`FIG. 10 is a schematic flow diagram showing the saving
`and loading of play lists using the music organizer and
`entertainment center according to this invention;
`FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first graphical user interface
`screen;
`
`FIG. 12 is a plan viewof a second graphical user interface
`screen;
`
`FIG. 13 is a more-detailed plan view of the sccond
`graphical user interface screen of FIG. 12;
`FIG. 14 is a more-detailed plan view showing the saving
`of music play list selections using the graphical user inter-
`face screen of FIG. 12;
`FIG. 15 is a more-detailed plan showing the loading of a
`music play list using the graphical user interface screen of
`FIG. 12;
`FIG. 16 is a plan view ofa third graphical user interface
`screen;
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`FIG. 17 is a plan vicw of a forth graphical user interface
`screen;
`
`65
`
`FIGS. 18 and 19 are perspective views of an exemplary
`music organizer and entertainment center according to an
`
`4
`alternate embodimentof this invention utilizing a base unit
`and docking principle;
`FIG. 20 is yet another alternate cmbodiment of a music
`organizer and entertainment center utilizing a docking prin-
`ciple for a main hard drive;
`FIGS. 21 and 22 are perspective views of yet another
`exemplary music organizer and entertainmentcenter for use
`in mobile environments including, for example, the docking
`element shownin FIG. 20;
`FIG. 23 is a plan view of the graphical user interface
`screen of FIG. 12 detailing a favorite hits function;
`FIG. 24 is a plan view of the fourth graphical user
`interface screen showing a display of the service provider’s
`available library;
`FIG. 25 is a plan view of the graphical user interface
`screen of FIG. 24 showing the use of a rating category;
`FIG. 26 is a plan view of the graphical user interface
`screen of FIG. 24 showing a password entry window for
`retrieving rated music;
`FIG. 27 is a plan view of a modified first graphical user
`interface screen according to another embodiment of the
`invention, including an auto-exit function; and
`FIG. 28 is a plan view of the graphical user interface
`screen of FIG. 27 showing a shut-down time control win-
`dow.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`A generalized embodiment of a music organizer and
`entertainment center 50 is is detailed in FIG. 1. For the
`
`purposesof this description the term “center” will be used to
`describe any of the music organizer and entertainment center
`systems described herein.
`The center 50 is a stand-alone unit powered by household
`current using a conventional power cord 52. The chassis 54
`of the center includes at least two integral speakers 56 to
`provide stereo sound. A variety of horn-folding and acoustic
`enhancement techniques can be used to increase the perfor-
`manceof the speakers. Alternatively, separable speakers can
`be used, placed at remote locations in a room. The front
`panel 58 of the center can include a variety of knobs,
`switches and displays. In this embodiment, a basic LCD
`display 60 is shown and a retractable tray mechanism for
`receiving an optical data or music compact disc is also
`provided 62. This tray 62 is conventional according to this
`embodiment, extending outwardly and retracting inwardly
`based upon a switch 64. The transport mechanism and
`reading mechanism can be conventional. The center
`includesa flip-up type display 70 according to this cmbodi-
`ment. The display is located on the top 72 of the center and
`is retractable into a recess 74. A large button 76 is provided
`to support the display 70 in an upright position. This button
`can be spring-loaded. When it is pushed downwardly, it
`allows the display to be adjusted into different position. A
`latch mechanism 78 can be provided to the display 70 and
`to the recess 74. The latch mechanism allowsthe display to
`be locked into a close position,or, alternatively, released for
`deployment as shown. The display, itself, includes a screen
`80 having any acceptable size, format and display technol-
`ogy. For example, a color active-matrix screen, such as that
`found in a laptop computer can be used. The pixel dimen-
`sions are generally comparable to those of a laptop computer
`display. The display itself includes a graphically user inter-
`face with a series of displayed graphical user interface
`“buttons” 82 that can be actuated using a touch-screen layer
`
`

`

`5,969,283
`
`5
`applied to the display 80. The touch-screen hardware and
`controller software are conventional and commercially
`available. Alternatively, a mouse or other cursor-moving
`mechanism, such as a track ball, can be provided to the
`chassis 54.
`
`With reference to FIG. 2, an alternate embodimentof a
`center 90 is detailed.
`‘Vhis is center comprises a laptop
`arrangement having a base 92 and a foldable display section
`94, This center can comprise, in essence, a modified laptop
`computer with all the basic components of a modern mul-
`timedia computer system. Certain personal computer com-
`ponents not specifically required for the purposes of this
`embodiment can be omitted. For example, a display 96
`having buttons 98 as described above can be provided. A
`plurality of speakers 100 can also be provided representing
`base, midrange, tweeters, etc. Volume and screen display
`controls 102 can also be provided as well as a basic
`alphanumeric keyboard 104 of conventional design. A
`retracting compact disc tray and reader 106 can also be
`provided. An onboard battery (not shown) provides power
`while an AC/DC converter 108 recharges the unit based
`upon household current provided by a power cord 110. Note
`that automotive DC current can also be used.
`
`The generalized architecture of a center is further detailed
`in FIG. 3, complete with optional components. The “heart”
`of the center is its central processing unit or CPU 130. The
`CPU,in a preferred embodiment comprises a Pentium® II
`microprocessor having an operating speed of 266 MHz or
`greater available from Intel. The architecture of this micro-
`processoris well-known. It is adapted to accept inputs from
`a variety of hardware components. These hardware compo-
`nents are, themselves, commercially available and can be
`interfaced with the CPU 130 by those of ordinary skill. In
`summary, the components involved in a complete center will
`now be described.
`
`A random access memory (RAM) 132 is provided to
`support the CPU 130. This RAM typically provides twenty
`megabytes of storage or greater. A keyboard and/or cursor-
`moving mouse interface is also provided. The keyboard 134
`can be omitted in certain embodiments where a touch-screen
`
`is used for all onboard functions. For example, the touch-
`screen, shown as a touch-screen interface 136, and used in
`conjunction with the monitor screen 140, can include a
`touch-keyboard thereon for entering alphanumeric charac-
`ters. Where a monitor 140 is used, a video driver card 142
`of conventional design is provided. A conventionaltelevi-
`sion can also be utilized. Where a television screen is used
`
`for displaying data, a scan converter 146 can be provided.
`The scan converter 146 can be used for output 150 to the
`television screen and/or input 152 from, for example, a
`television remote control 154. In this manner both input and
`output via a television and/or computer monitor can be
`accomplished. A microphone 160 and appropriate voice
`recognition card 162 can also be provided in conjunction
`with the CPU. Additionally, a CD-ROM,with appropriate
`driver card 170 can also be provided. For output, a sound
`card, available from a variety of commercial sources such as
`the Soundblaster® driver 180 can be employed and appro-
`priate amplifiers and speakers 182 can be provided. The
`amplifiers and speakers are conventional and receive inputs
`from the sound card in the form, typically, of analog audio
`signals.
`
`10
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`Input/output exchange of data is provided through a hard
`drive storage 190, also of conventional design. As will be
`described further below,the hard drive storage interacts with
`the CPU 130 using onboard software. This software includes
`a speech recognition software block 200 a sound decom-
`pression software block 210, a sound information database
`220 the ccnter’s proprictary speech vocabulary 230 and the
`center’s search and playinterface 240.
`to be described in
`A significant feature of the center,
`greater detail below,is the organization of individual songs
`or selections according to specific categories, that are deter-
`mined ahead of time, on a partially subjective basis, by the
`service provider. These categories are carried in a database,
`along with the raw digital music data, and allow the user to
`playback each of the individual selections based upon spe-
`cific categories in a random or ordered manner. The use of
`categories for storage and playback empowersthe user in an
`entirely new way. Songs can be chosen based upona specific
`desire or moodthat relates to categories such as music age,
`energy, speed, style, dance, or rating. Experienced listeners
`can enjoy new convenience in music playback. Newer
`listeners typically find thei