`
`75)
`
`73)
`
`*)
`
`21)
`
`22)
`
`60)
`
`51)
`
`Inventor: Devon A. Rolf, Kansas City, MO (US)
`
`Assignee: GoFigure, L.L.C., Paola, KS (US)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 387 days.
`
`Appl. No.: 09/721,120
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 22, 2000
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Provisional application No. 60/167,179, filed on Nov.
`23, 1999.
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`(2006.01)
`HO4L 1248
`$2) US. Ch. cceecneeseteeeeenes 455/412.1; 455/426.1;
`455/185.1; 455/3.06
`Field of Classification Search............. 455/185.1,
`455/418, 3.06, 426.1, 419, 405, 406, 412.1,
`455/566, 569.2, 575.9, 704/270, 275, 219,
`704/222
`
`58)
`
`6,229,990 BL*
`5/2001 Toshida oo... 455/69
`6,629,000 Bl
`9/2003 Moonetal.
`ve 700/94
`
`6,658,247 B1* 12/2003 Saito .........
`. 340/7.2
`
`
`2/2004 Naim wo.
`w 700/94
`6,694,200 Bl
`« 455/154.1
`6,725,022 Bl
`4/2004 Claytonetal.
`
`9/2004 Horietal. ww... 455/517
`6,792,280 BL*
`
`........... 709/231
`6,845,398 Bl
`1/2005 Galenskyet al.
`w 455/550.1
`6,954,652 B1* 10/2005 Sakanashi......
`
`vee 705/14
`2002/0046084 Al*
`4/2002 Steele et al.
`...
`5/2002 Takagaki ..........0. 455/412
`2002/0065066 Al*
`
` FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`GB
`
`2 324 935 A
`
`11/1998
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`RIAA Wins Suit Against MP3.com, author; Brad King, 3
`pages, by wired.com, dated Apr. 28, 2000.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner—oseph Feild
`Assistant Examiner—Huy D. Nguyen
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A mobile cellular telephone is used to select a music
`recording from a remote source, such as online music
`recording storage facility, and wirelessly receive the selected
`music recording. The received music recordingis stored in
`a memory ofthe cellular telephone whereit is available for
`playback with an audio player in the cellular telephone.
`Additional information, such asa title and artist associated
`with the music recording, is transmitted from the remote
`sourceto the cellular telephone with the music data. During
`playback of the music recording, the information is pre-
`sented on a display of the cellular telephone. A system
`includes the remote music source and the mobile cellular
`
`telephone and mayinclude an online user account via which
`the music recording is selected and downloaded to the
`cellular telephone.
`
`46 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`a2) United States Patent
`US 7,065,342 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`Jun. 20, 2006
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Rolf
`
`US007065342B1
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND MOBILE CELLULAR
`TELEPHONE DEVICE FOR PLAYING
`RECORDED MUSIC
`
`
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2/1998 Donner oo... eee 455/418
`5,722,069 A *
`9/1999 Kleiman
`5,959,945 A *
`we 704/222
`5,999,899 A * 12/1999 Robinson..
`. 455/466
`6,014,560 A
`1/2000 Bottum ....
`6,061,306 A *
`5/2000 Buchheim .......
`ee 369/2
`w 455/419
`6,144,848 A *
`11/2000 Walsh et al.
`..
`
`2/2001 Charlier et al. ww... 455/550
`6,192,253 Bl
`6,192,340 B1*
`2/2001 Abecassis
`
`
`
`14
`
`CENTRAL
`FACILITY
`
`
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`NETWORK
`
`
`
`PERSONAL
`
`STORAGE UNIT
`
`APPLE 1134
`
`APPLE 1134
`
`1
`
`

`

`US 7,065,342 BI
`
`Page 2
`
`
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`For MP3, It’s Hurry Up and Wait, author: Brad King, 2
`page, by wired.com, dated Jun. 22, 2000.
`MP3.com Stores Your CDs, Wired News Report, 2 pages, by
`wired.com, dated Jan. 12, 2000.
`MP3.com Fights Fire with Fire, author: Chris Oakes, 2
`pages, by wired.com, dated Jan. 27, 2000.
`He Wants His My.mp3.com, author: Brad King, 5 pages, by
`wired.com, dated Mar. 15, 2000.
`ThisMP3 Brought to you... , author: Brad King, 3 pages,
`by wired.com, dated Jul. 11, 2000.
`The Jukebox Heroes, author; Brad King, 3 pages, by wired.
`com, dated Jul. 8, 2000.
`
`Myplay Launches New Music Locker Service, author: Jose
`Alvear, 2 pages, by streamingmedia.com, dated Jul. 24,
`2000.
`
`‘Digital Storage Locker’for Music Downloads, author: The
`NewYork Times, 2 pages, by myplay.com,dated Sep., 1999.
`Myplay.com Launches Today, by myplay.com, Press Release
`dated Oct. 13, 1999, 3 pages.
`Myplay, Ine. Debuts Myplay-To-Go™—ADigital Entertain-
`ment Platform For Wireless and Btroadband Devices at
`DemoMobile 2000, by myplay.com, 4 pages, dated Sep. 7,
`2000.
`
`RIAA Sues MP3.com, author: Christopher Jones, 4 pages, by
`wired.com, dated Jan. 22, 2000.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20,2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 7,065,342 B1
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`NETWORK
`
`
`
`Fig. 1.
`Ni
`
`CENTRAL
`FACILITY
`
`
`
`14
`
`
`
`CENTRAL
`
`FACILITY
`
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`NETWORK
`
`
`PERSONAL
`
`STORAGE UNIT
`Fig. 2.
`
`
`
` RADIO/
`
`STREAMING
`SOURCE
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`
`NETWORK
`
`
`
`MUSIC STORAGE
`
` PERSONAL
`SOURCE
`
`STORAGE UNIT
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20,2006
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 7,065,342 B1
`
`2 e
`42
`34
`43
`Waa
`_f la
`Sw
`
`
`
`|MEMORY| [speaker][Bay[mic_] (
`
`
`
`[TYREnINTERFACE
`den 1 : —
`
`40
`20
`
`
`PORT
`L_. Pee]
`S.
`.
`
`
`SPEAKER||port|| LDIsPLay| Fic. 4
`
`
`
`44
`
`INPUT
`r
`
`22
`
`TO GOMMUNICATIONS
`
`NETWORK
`|
`
`
`
`noeeereeben
`
`PROCESSOR_
` 52
`
`-eponatn |
`
`
`DATABASE
`MEMORY
`
`_ STATION —
`
`76 ~
`mana
`ENCODER’|__
`
`DECODER
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20,2006
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 7,065,342 B1
`
`5OOS)
`Fig. 7a.
`
`100
`
`100
`
`RD oy Go CW
`Fig. 7b.
`
`<ai> nity ~<a <<a
`Fig. 7c.
`
`
`
`BoryBoy Bow 102
`
`
`DISPLAY
`
`PACKETS
`PACKETS
`
`PROCESSOR
`-
`9
`
`PACKETS
`Bogi Bye) Bos) Bera) Bsa) Bsa) Bsa
`
`
`SOUND
`
`
`ARTIST:
`
`|
`
`JEWEL
`
`ALBUM:
`THIS IS IT
`
`/-RECORDED:
`XX-XX-XX
`
`SOURCE
`
`ORDER A LARGE
`PIZZA FROM
`"PIZZA HUT"
`NOW
`
`STATION CDNOW ORDER
`
`Fig. 9a.
`
`Fig. 9b.
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 20,2006
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 7,065,342 B1
`
`ARTIST:
`JEWEL
`
`ALBUM:
`THIS IS IT
`
`RECORDED:
`XX-XX-XX
`
`STATION PIZZA HUT ORDER
`
`DOWN4 YDS4
`
`KC CHIEFS
`
`DENVER BRONCOS
`eeen
`
`4th QTR 1:07
`
`POS
`KC < DEN
`31
`0
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`
`
`WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATIONS
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`122
`
`“a0
`
`4
`‘“
`po \\oe f
`{
`{
`|
`|
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`\
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`,
`/
`
`6
`
`

`

`US 7,065,342 B1
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND MOBILE CELLULAR
`TELEPHONE DEVICE FOR PLAYING
`RECORDED MUSIC
`
`
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`
`APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application claims priority from U.S. Provi-
`sional ApplicationSer. No. 60/167,179, filed Nov. 23, 1999,
`entitled “System, Method, and Device for Playing Recorded
`Music on a Wireless Communications Device”.
`
`me 0
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention is generally directed to a system
`and method for wirelessly transmitting encoded music, via
`a wireless communications link,
`to a portable or mobile
`communications device which includesa player for playing
`the music or audio.
`
`20
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`30
`
`40
`
`w°
`
`Tn one embodiment, the present invention is a system for
`transmitting encoded music from a remote, central facilityto
`a wireless communications device. such as a cellulartele-
`phoneor personaldigital assistant. In particular, a user of the
`cellular telephone (for example) mayuse the telephone to
`establish a wireless communications link with the remote,
`central facility, and then wirelessly download one or more
`selected music recordings for storage in a memory of the
`cellular telephone. In particular, the selected music record-
`ing(s) is/are transmitted via a wireless data communications
`link to the cellular telephone. Preferably, the music record-
`ings are encoded and transmitted in packets, and may
`particularly be encoded by a compression algorithm into an
`encoded (such as MP3 or other) format.
`Using an input ofthe cellular telephone, a user mayselect
`one or more recordings for transmission to the cellular
`telephone. The selected music recordings, upon receipt by
`the cellular telephone, are stored in a memory. In one
`embodiment, the memory is an internal memory. Alterna-
`tively, the memory may be a separatecartridge or memory
`stick (such as a flash memorycartridge) for movable instal-
`lation in a bay on the telephone. A player within the cellular
`telephone maythen be initiated to play the music recordings,
`for output on a speaker. In particular,
`the speaker may
`include earphones or earplugs connected to a port on the
`cellular telephone. Alternatively, the player may output the
`music throughan internal speakerof the cellular telephone.
`Tn an alternate embodiment, the wireless communications
`device is utilized in combination with a vehicle, and a
`player, a memory for storing the music, and at least one
`speaker, are located within the vehicle, such that selected
`recordings mayberetrieved from the remote centralfacility,
`and played in the vehicle. In this embodiment, the memory
`mayinclude one or more burnable CDs, and will typically
`have far more memory storage capacity than the memory of
`the cellular telephone, which is utilized in the previous
`embodiment.
`
`the wireless communications
`In either embodiment,
`device preferably includes a buffer for streaming data
`indicative of the music. Additionally, the wireless commu-
`nications device is preferably a cellular communications
`device and, in particular, is a cellular voice communications
`device, such as a cellular telephone.
`
`2
`In accordance withyet an additional aspect of the present
`invention,
`the wireless communications device of the
`present invention (whetherit be handheld orinstalled within
`a vehicle) retrieves recorded music from a personal storage
`unit of the user. For example, a user may have a CD tower,
`flash memory unit, etc. in his or her homeor apartment, or
`may have a personal storage account at a central facility. A
`plurality of recordings maybe storedin the personalstorage
`unit. The personal storage unit is accessible via a wireless
`communications link from the wireless communications
`
`device, to thereby enable theretrieval of selected music from
`the user’s own storage facility. Additionally, such a system
`permits the user to easily mix recordings from a number of
`different recordings from his or her own storage unit.
`Thus,
`the system of this embodiment of the present
`invention utilizes the central facility having music record-
`ings stored therein, a personal storage facility located
`remotely from the centralfacility, such as in the residence of
`a user, and the wireless communications device. In this
`embodiment, when a user selects one or more recordings
`from the central facility, rather than the recordings being
`transmitted to the wireless communicationsunit directly via
`a wireless communications link, theyare rather transmitted
`to the personal storage unit of the user. Once stored in the
`personal storage unit, the user can then access his or her
`personal storage facility via a wireless communications link
`for retrieving, via the wireless communicationslink, one or
`moreselected recordings. In accordance with this embodi-
`ment of the present invention, the encoded music transmit-
`ted to the personal storage unit may be stored in a flash
`memoryor, alternatively, may be stored on burnable CDs or
`any suitable storage medium. In this regard, the encoded
`music transmitted to the personal storage unit of the user
`may be decoded, for storage in a decoded manner such that
`it may be played by more traditional music players or,
`alternatively, maybe stored directly in its encoded format.
`Whenstored in a decoded format, music recording is again
`encoded at the personal storage unit upon retrieval. The
`personal storage unit may be located at the central location
`or at a remotesite or may comprise a personal computer or
`an entertainment center, including such components as a
`display screen (e.g.. TV or information TV), stereo, speak-
`ers, etc, or as stated, an account at a storage location. It
`should be understood that wirelessly retrieving a recording
`from a personal storage unit that
`is located in physical
`proximity to the user (e.g., an entertainment center, TV,
`personal computer, etc.) may be accomplished either by
`connection with a wide area communications network, or
`alternatively, by a local area wireless connection orprotocal,
`such as Bluetooth and other such technologies.
`It should be understood that the transmittal of the record-
`
`ing to the personal storage account may embody transmit-
`ting only a portion of the recording, such as thetitle and
`memory(e.g., address) storage location of the recording,
`such that the personal storage accountservesas a directory
`or indexforretrieval of acquired or accumulatedrecordings.
`In this regard, the recordings maybe stored in a contained
`database, or may be located at multiple storage sites dis-
`persed within a network. In either case, each recording will
`have a programmed address to which the personal storage
`account will point for a corresponding recording. Upon
`access to the personal storage account by the account holder
`(via a communications device), and after entry of any
`required passwords, the user mayselect one or more record-
`ings for streaming or download, whereupontherecording(s)
`will be retrieved. Temporary copying/cloning techniques
`
`7
`
`

`

`US 7,065,342 B1
`
`3
`may be used to insure at least substantially simultaneous
`accessibility to the recording by a large numberofusers.
`In accordance with an additional aspect of the present
`invention,
`information pertaining to the music recording,
`suchastheartist, title ofthe recording, an album from which
`the recording came, the date of the recording, etc.
`is also
`transmitted with the recorded music, such that the informa-
`tional data is displayed on a displayof, or associated with,
`the wireless communications device when the particular
`recording is being played. Additionally,it is an aspect of the
`present invention that an identifier, such as a server address,
`associated with the remote central facility is encoded along
`with the transmitted data, such that a selected input on (or
`associated with) the wireless communications device may be
`pressed for automatically reconnecting with the central
`facility or personal storage unit.
`In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the
`wireless communications link established between the wire-
`less communications device and the central facility is a
`cellular communications link and, more particularly, is an
`Internet link. In other words,
`the encoded music and/or
`informational data is preferably transmitted via a packet
`switch network, andparticularly is preferablytransmitted at
`transmission speedsgreater than 50 KHz, such asbya next-
`or third-generation wireless communications network.
`In accordance with yet an additional object of the present
`invention, the music recordings transmitted to the wireless
`communications device from the central storage facility, or
`from the personal storage unit of the user, may be transmit-
`ted ina real, or substantially real, time basis. In other words,
`rather than downloading one or more recordings to a
`memory within the wireless
`communications device,
`encoded music may bestreamed directly from its source, for
`input into a buffer within the communications device, and
`for play at the communications device, without being oth-
`erwise stored in the device. In other words, the music is
`played as it is streamed from the central storage facility or
`personal storage unit of the user.
`In accordance with yet an additional aspect of the present
`invention, the wireless communications device receives a
`sound stream from a source, where the sound stream is in a
`real time broadcast. For example, a radio broadcast may be
`encoded and transmitted via a wireless communicationslink
`
`me O°
`
`a an
`
`20
`
`30
`
`4
`device may be pressed to transmit a signal to the source of
`the stream that the user of wireless communications device
`
`wishes to purchase the music recording. Alternatively, the
`signal may betransmitted to a remote music storagefacility
`for effecting a purchase of the recording or its associated
`album. In this regard, the purchase can be conducted in an
`electronic input modeor, alternatively, a link may be estab-
`lished for transmitting voice communications to and from
`the source or music storage facility (as the case maybe) at
`which the sound recording orits associated album is to be
`purchased. In making the purchase,
`the user may select
`whetherto have the sound recordingorits associated album
`downloaded to the wireless communications device (if
`memoryspace permits), or to a remote personal storage unit
`or account of the user, or to have the sound recording or
`album stored on a storage medium and transmitted to an
`address of the user by mail or courier. In accordance with an
`additional aspect of the invention, payment for the sound
`recording or album may be madeatthe timeor, alternatively,
`a monetary amount corresponding to the purchase may be
`billed to a periodic invoice associated with the wireless
`communications device (such as a telephonebill).
`As another exampleofutilization of the present invention,
`information corresponding to an advertiser may be displayed
`on a display screen during an advertisement, and an iden-
`tifier (such as an electronic address or telephone number)
`may be associated with a particular key on the communi-
`cations device, such that activation of the key establishes a
`voice and/or data communications link with the advertiser.
`such as for the purpose of making a purchase of goods or
`services advertised. Additionally, and preferably, an identi-
`fier (such as an address or telephone number) associated
`with the radio station or streaming source is allocated to a
`particular key, such that the user may contact the source and
`transmit information thereto, or have a voice conversation
`with the source. This is particular advantageousfor respond-
`ing to call-in shows, trivia contests, games, etc. sponsored
`bythe source/radio station.
`As another example of the transmission of sound and
`information, the broadcast from the source may bea real-
`time broadcastof anathletic event, broadcast by one or more
`announcers. The voice signals of the announceris encoded
`and transmitted to the wireless communications device 12.
`
`45
`
`Additionally, information correspondingto the athletic event
`being broadcast may be transmitted and displayed on the
`display. For example,
`the contestants,
`the scorer of the
`contest, the time remaining, andother circumstancesrelating
`to the game maybe transmitted and stored. Preferably, this
`informational data is periodically transmitted,
`so as to
`update the display.
`
`
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The objects and features of the invention noted above are
`explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in
`which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in
`which:
`
`FIG.1 is an illustration of a system ofa first embodiment
`the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is an illustration of a system of a second embodi-
`mentof the present invention;
`FIG.3 is an illustration of a systemof a third embodiment
`of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional wireless
`communications device utilized in accordance with the
`
`principles of the present invention;
`
`
`
`
`o the wireless communications device. The broadcast may,
`for example, be a broadcast of music or, preferably,
`is a
`raditional
`radio-type broadcast having transmission of
`recorded music, advertisements, and voice from one or more
`disc jockeys. Accordingly, the source (e.g., radio station)
`nay have a plurality of inputs for inputting stored music,
`stored advertisements, or real time voice from a disc jockey.
`The input information is encoded (if not already encoded)
`and transmitted to the wireless communications device via
`
`an established communications link. In particular, the data
`stream is a stream of data packets which are streamed
`hrough a buffer of the wireless communications device for
`decoding and play.
`In accordance with the particular aspect of this embodi-
`nent of the invention, informational data associated with
`nusic or advertising being transmitted is displayed on the
`display. More particularly, information transmitted to the
`wireless communications device may be associated with a
`particular input on the device, such that a communications
`link corresponding to the displayed information may be
`nade. For example, when a music recordingis being played
`at the wireless communications device, data indicative of
`hat recording may be displayed on the display, and, addi-
`ionally, a selected key on the wireless communications
`
`8
`
`

`

`US 7,065,342 B1
`
`5
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a central facility of the
`present invention;
`FIG.6 is a block diagram of a personal music storage unit
`of the present invention;
`FIGS. 7a—7e are exemplary illustrations of how data is
`transmitted in packets;
`FIG. 8 is an illustration of streaming data through one or
`more buses in accordance with the invention;
`FIGS. 9a—-9dillustrate screendisplays in accordance with
`the present invention; and
`FIG. 10 is an illustration of a vehicular communications
`system for playing music in accordance with the principles
`of the present invention.
`
`
`
`
`INVENTION
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ix
`
`
`
`With reference initially to FIG. 1, a system of the present
`invention for playing encoded music on a wireless commu-
`nications device is denoted generally by reference numeral
`10. In particular, system 10 has a wireless communications
`device 12, such as a cellular telephone. Preferably, wireless
`communications device 12 is a digital, cellular communi-
`cations device, andis portable and handheld. In this regard,
`while one preferred communications deviceis a telephone,
`it should be understood that the wireless communications
`
`device may be types of devices, such as a palm or handheld
`computing device having wireless communications capa-
`bilities.
`Acommunications link maybe established between wire-
`less communications device 12 and a remote storagefacility,
`denoted byreference numeral 14. The remote storage facil-
`ity may, for example, be at an address on the world wide
`web, and includes a data base having a plurality of music
`recordings therein. Preferably,
`the music recordings are
`categorized by a plurality of selectable fields, such as“title”,
`“artist”, “album or CD type”, “recording label”, etc. Addi-
`tionally, the music recordings are preferably encoded in an
`encoded format, such as MP3 (Mpeg-1 Audio layer 3). It
`will be understood that
`the music recordings may be
`encoded in other formats or, alternatively, may not be
`encodedatall. In this latter instance, remote storage facility
`14 also includes an encoder (not shown in FIG. 1) for
`encoding a recording when it is selected to enable it to be
`efficiently transmitted via a communications network 18.
`As will become apparent from the detailed discussion
`below,
`the wireless communications device 12 may be
`utilized to establish a communicationslink with the remote
`storage facility 14. Then, using a keypad and input on the
`wireless communications device, or by voice commands,
`one or more selected music recordings maybe retrieved
`from the storage facility 14, for transmission, via wireless
`communications link,
`to the device 12. As will become
`apparent from the detailed discussion below, theretrieved
`music recording or recordings maybe stored in a memory
`within the communications device 12, on a memory car-
`tridge or stick insertable into the device 12 or,alternatively,
`maysimplybe strung through a buffer of the device 12 for
`playback, and not stored at the device 12.
`With additional reference now to FIG. 2, an alternate
`embodiment of the present
`invention is illustrated and
`described.
`
`In the embodimentof the present invention illustrated in
`FIG.2, a wireless communications device 12 communicates
`with a central facility 14 for retrieval of one or more stored
`music recordings. Also in this embodiment, in addition to
`the wireless communications device 12, and central facility
`
`6
`14, the system 10 of the present invention further includes
`a personalstorage unit 16. However,in this embodiment, the
`retrieved recordings (after being encoded if necessary) are
`not transmitted directly to the wireless communications
`device 12, but are transmitted via a personal storage unit or
`account 16 of the user. It should be understood that the
`communications link between the central facility 14 and
`personal storage unit 16 may be either hard wired or
`wireless. In this regard, the personal storage unit 16 may be
`an account located at the facility 14, or remotely therefrom.
`The storage unit for storing music recording may,
`for
`example, be in a homeorresidence of the user of wireless
`communications device 12. As will be discussed in greater
`detail below,
`in this embodiment. one or more selected
`music recordings are transmitted to the selected, personal
`storage unit 16 of the user. Subsequently, the user of wireless
`communications device 12 establishes a wireless commu-
`
`nications link with the personal storage unit for retrieving
`selected music stored therein.
`
`In accordance with yet an additional aspectof the inven-
`tion, a music recording desired to be played on wireless
`communications device 12 need not be fully stored within
`the device 12. In this regard, for example, a music recording
`stored in central facility 14 or personal storage unit 16 may
`be streamed to the wireless device 12 via an established
`communications link. In such an instance, data packets are
`streamed through a buffer for play by a player each of which
`are in a memory 26 (see FIG. 4), such that, as one data
`packet is played within the buffer, and then exits the buffer,
`an additional data packet is streamed into the buffer.
`With reference to FIG. 3, and in accordance with an
`alternate embodimentofthe invention, a source of streaming
`audio 17, such as radio station broadcasting signals, may
`transmit an audio stream to device 12. Wireless communi-
`cations device 12 may be utilized to establish a link with the
`radio station source 17, for receiving an encoded stream of
`data indicative of the transmission of the radio station. In
`such an embodiment, the encoded stream of data packetsare
`passed through a buffer for play by a player (see FIG. 4),
`thereby making wireless communications device 12 a digital
`radio for receiving streams of encoded audio data.
`Additionally, and in accordance with a particular aspect of
`the present invention, in addition to the audio data trans-
`mitted to the communications device 12, informational data
`is also sent for display on display 24. As will be appreciated,
`in view of the foregoing discussion, that informational data
`maybe stored in packets and, preferably, is stored in packets
`that are transmitted at the beginning of a particular record-
`ing, or packets that are periodically spaced within a set of
`other packets. Thus, for example, when a particular music
`recording is played by the radio station, and output at the
`wireless communications device 12, data indicative of the
`music recording is displayed on display 24. In accordance
`with a particular aspect of the present invention, at least a
`portion of that
`informational data is associated with a
`selected input on communications device 12, such that upon
`activation of the input, the user of communications device
`12 may order (for purchase) an authorized copy of the
`recording, or the album upon which therecordingis placed.
`In this regard, upon activation ofthe key associated with the
`informational data, in one embodiment, while pressing the
`key associated with the selected information, data indicating
`that the user desires to make a purchaseis transmitted to the
`station/source 17 or other facility. It should also be under-
`stood that the informational data may be retained at the
`server which is sourcing the recording, such that activation
`of a selected input causes a signal to be transmitted to the
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`25
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`7
`server, the receipt of which is matched with the information
`pertaining to the recording being transmitted. In anycase,
`the purchase can be effected via the station/source 17 or
`other site, such as indicated by music storage source 19,
`either through appropriate inputs on the communications
`In this regard, the wireless communications device 12
`device 12, or by establishment of a voice communications
`may be provided from a manufacturer with a player already
`link with the central facility 14.
`installed in the device 12. Alternatively, the player may be
`In addition to the user having a choice of whether to buy
`loaded into the communications device 12 by an end user of
`the single being played, or the entire album on which the
`the device. In this regard, and in accordance with an aspect
`single is located, the user also has the opportunityto select
`of the invention, a user of communications device 12 may
`the manner in which the purchased recording or album will
`establish a communicationslink with a central facility, such
`be distributed to the user. For example,
`the purchased
`as storage facility 14, and utilizing inputs on the device, such
`recording or album may be downloaded to the wireless
`as a keypad, or a microphone (where the inputs are by
`communications device 12 (if memoryspace suffices) or,
`voice), make appropriate selections
`for
`retrieving an
`alternatively, may be downloaded to the user’s personal
`encodedplayerfor storage in the communications device 12.
`storage unit 16. Alternatively, the user can select to have a
`In this regard, when such a selection is made, the set of
`storage medium upon which the music is recorded (such as
`instructions comprising the playerare themselvespreferably
`a CD,for example) mailed to a selected addressof the user.
`encoded (if they are not already encoded), and transmitted
`Accordingly, the present invention provides a very unique
`via the wireless communications link to communications
`feature for the distribution and purchasing of music record-
`device 12, for storage in memory. Accordingly,
`it
`is a
`ings, by allowing an individual to make a purchase of a
`particular aspect of the invention to wirelesslyload a set of
`recording and/or its associated album upon hearing the
`instructions, and particularly a music player for decoding
`recording.
`encoded, recorded music, into a wireless communications
`In accordance with yet an additional aspect of the present
`device, such as a cellular telephone or communications
`invention, as the radio station transmits audio advertising
`content,
`informational data indicative of the advertiser is
`equipped palm computing device, such as a portable digital
`assistant. As part of the invention,data indicative of the type
`displayed on display screen 24. In particular, data indicative
`of operating system installed within communications device
`of a URL or telephone number1s preferably associated with
`10, and/or memory storage limitations, may be transmitted
`a particular key on the communications device 12, such that
`to central facility 14 for use in selecting a player from a
`by pressing the associated key, a communications link
`plurality of players.
`(either data or voice) is established with the source of the
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, any
`advertising. Thus, for example, during an ad for “Pizza Hut”,
`charges associated with downloading a player (which would
`a particular button may be pressed to establish a communi-
`preferably be free) and/or
`loading recordings may be
`cations link with a telephone numberor address associated
`charged directly to a periodic invoice associated with the
`with Pizza Hut, for the purpose of ordering a pizza. In this
`wireless communications device, and particularly associated
`embodiment, the communications device 12 preferably has
`with other services (such as telephone services) associated
`an additional buffer for buffering the informational display
`with the wireless communications device 12. Alternatively,
`data. Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, data indicative
`and in accordance with an aspect of the invention, subscrip-
`of a plurality of most recent advertisements is preferably
`tions may be established such that a user of communications
`stored in the buffer, and associated with a corresponding
`device 12 mayhave unlimited or a selected amountof access
`numberof inputs or a menu driven system, such that, sources
`to the music stored at remote facility 14 so long as a periodic
`associated with the most recent advertisements may be
`subscription fee is paid. For example, for a selected periodic
`readily contacted.
`subscription fee, a selected number of recordings (or
`It is contemplated within the scope of the present inven-
`albums) may be retrieved. Beyond the selected number
`tion that a server for accessing content transmitted by the
`radio station maybea satellite server as well. In other words,
`within the period, additional fees would beincurred.In this
`
`the communications link may or may not includeasatellite regard, and in accordance with the particular aspect of the
`communications link.
`invention,
`the subscription fee is invoiced together with
`With additional reference to FIG. 4, wireless communi-
`other charges associated with services for usage of the
`cations device 12 has a processor 20. Connected to processor
`wireless communications device