I IIIII
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US007742759B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Shanahan
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,742,759 B2
`*Jun.22,2010
`
`(54) METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR
`PROGRAMMING USER-DEFINED
`INFORMATION INTO ELECTRONIC
`DEVICES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Michael E. Shanahan, South Nyack,
`NY (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Twenty Year Innovations, Inc, Bronx,
`NY (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`4,868,561 A
`5,220,420 A
`5,247,347 A
`5,253,275 A
`5,262,875 A
`5,341,474 A
`5,414,444 A
`5,414,751 A
`5,428,606 A
`5,440,336 A
`5,442,749 A
`5,452,354 A
`
`9/1989 Davis
`6/1993 Roarty eta!.
`9/1993 Litter eta!.
`10/1993 Yurt eta!.
`1111993 Mincer et al.
`8/1994 Gelman eta!.
`5/1995 Britz
`5/1995 Yamada
`6/1995 Moskowitz
`8/1995 Buhro eta!.
`8/1995 Northcutt et a!.
`9/1995 Kyronlahti eta!.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/633,122
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 2, 2006
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2007/0099604 AI
`
`May 3, 2007
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 10/600,975, filed on
`Jun. 20, 2003, now Pat. No. 7,149,509, which is a
`continuation of application No. 09/518,845, filed on
`Mar. 3, 2000, now abandoned.
`
`CA
`
`2436872
`
`10/2007
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`CA Office Action, Apr. 21, 2004.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner-Temica M Beamer
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Scott H. Kaliko; Kaliko &
`Associates
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/169,158, filed on Dec.
`6, 1999.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04M 3100
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................ 455/418; 455/567; 455/557
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................. 455/418,
`455/419, 556.1
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,866,766 A
`9/1989 Mitzlaff
`
`A device for programming user-defined information into an
`electronic device is provided. The programmer allows a user
`to program customized information, such as user-selected
`audio, video, or Internet access information into his or her
`programmable device. Such electronic devices include wire(cid:173)
`less telephones, pagers, and personal digital assistants. The
`programmer allows a user to, among other things, customize
`the device to suit his or her particular taste.
`
`67 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`Programmable
`Device
`
`flo
`
`p2
`
`Device
`Programmer
`
`30
`f--''
`
`J31
`
`Source
`
`~0
`
`1
`
`AT&T - Exhibit 1001
`
`

`

`US 7,742,759 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
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`6,192,340 B1 * 2/2001 Abecassis ................... 704/270
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`4/2001 Burg
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`5/2001 Kimet al.
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`5/2001 Toshida
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`7/2001
`Iggulden et a!.
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`6,477,580 B1
`1112002 Bowman-Amuah
`6,483,531 B1
`1112002 Ryu
`6,496,692 B1
`12/2002 Shanahan
`6,501,967 B1
`12/2002 Makela eta!.
`6,564,056 B1
`5/2003 Fitzgerald
`6,599,147 B1
`7/2003 Mills eta!.
`
`2
`
`

`

`US 7,742,759 B2
`Page 3
`
`8/2003
`6,603,985 B1
`4/2004
`6,718,021 B2
`6,728,531 B1 * 4/2004
`6,754,509 B1
`6/2004
`6,829,618 B1
`12/2004
`6,845,398 B1
`112005
`6,928,468 B2
`8/2005
`7,013,006 B1
`3/2006
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`3/2006
`7,031,453 B1
`4/2006
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`4/2006
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`6/2006
`7,088,990 B1
`8/2006
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`9/2006
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`10/2006
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`10/2006
`7,149,509 B2 * 12/2006
`7,161,081 B2
`112007
`7,203,523 B2
`4/2007
`7,209,900 B2 * 4/2007
`7,257,395 B2
`8/2007
`7,289,798 B2
`10/2007
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`1112007
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`112008
`2004/0005880 A1
`112004
`2004/0148226 A1
`7/2004
`2005/0054379 A1
`3/2005
`2005/0086128 A1
`4/2005
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`5/2007
`
`Ichihashi
`Crockett et a!.
`Lee et al ..................... 455/419
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`Abraham et al.
`Galensky et a!.
`Leersmakers
`Tischer
`Deeds
`Busardo et al.
`Yamada
`Rolf
`Isomursu et al.
`Slate
`Futamase eta!.
`Park eta!.
`Shanahan ................... 455/418
`Futamase eta!.
`Ito
`Hunter eta!. ................. 705/58
`Shanahan
`Shanahan
`Shanahan
`Shanahan
`Shanahan
`Shanahan
`Cao eta!.
`Shanahan
`Shanahan
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`JP
`
`0 851 649 A2
`09205471
`
`12/1997
`8/1997
`
`wo
`wo
`wo
`wo
`wo
`wo
`
`wo 9928897
`wo 9943136
`wo 9811487
`wo 0038340
`wo 0036857
`wo 01141403
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`12/1997
`2/1998
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`6/2001
`
`CA Office Action, Dec. 19, 2004.
`CA Office Action, Mar. 31, 2005.
`CA Office Action, Sep. 28, 2005.
`CA Office Action, Sep. 19, 2006.
`Related Cases Cited in IDS.
`Canadian Office Action issued by the Canadian Patent Office on Dec.
`29, 2004, in connection with CanadianApp. No. 2,436,872 (2 pages).
`International Search Report of the International Searching Authonty
`mailed Mar. 20, 2002, issued in connection with International Patent
`Appln. No. PCT/US00/32920 (3 pages).
`Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority mailed
`Nov. 21,2001, issued in connection with International PatentAppln.
`No. PCT/US00/32920 (7 pages).
`International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued Mar. 25,
`2002, issued in connection with International Patent Appln. No.
`PCT/US00/32920 (6 pages).
`SGS Thompson Microelectronics ST 5092 Datasheet, Jun. 1997, pp.
`1-29.
`U.S. Appl. No. 09/518,846 (abandoned).
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/603,285 (pending rejection).
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/915,862 (Notice of Allowance received).
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`U.S. Appl. No. 111633,142.
`* cited by examiner
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22,2010
`
`Sheet 1 of 13
`
`US 7,742,759 B2
`
`Programmable JO
`
`Device
`
`.~~ 32
`[__/
`
`~
`
`Device
`Programmer
`
`30
`v
`
`.. 31
`4
`!----;
`~ ..
`
`Source
`
`50
`~
`
`FIG. 1
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22,2010
`
`Sheet 2 of 13
`
`US 7, 742,759 B2
`
`Output Buffer 42
`
`,,
`
`,,
`
`Memory
`36
`
`~
`
`...-
`
`... Processor
`•
`34
`.. ...
`
`25 ~
`
`A if"
`
`,,
`
`..~
`
`,,.
`
`AID
`38
`
`t
`
`,,
`
`A if"
`
`, ..
`
`~r
`
`~~
`
`Signal
`Processing
`Circuitry
`40
`
`! ·~~
`,,
`
`Input Buffer 44
`
`.4~ v- 31
`
`FIG. 2
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22,2010
`
`Sheet 3 of 13
`
`US 7,742,759 B2
`
`r:- 80
`
`Internet
`
`...
`-
`
`(70
`
`~r
`
`70
`
`Programmable v- 20
`Device
`
`32
`
`4~
`
`~r
`
`30
`
`_,-6 0
`
`Personal Computer
`
`FIG. 3
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22,2010
`
`Sheet 4 of 13
`
`US 7,742,759 B2
`
`Programmable v-20
`Device
`
`(80
`
`Internet
`
`.,
`""""
`
`_e_70
`
`~~
`
`v-32
`
`..
`
`~--
`
`Computer
`
`v 60
`
`FIG. 4A
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22,2010
`
`Sheet 5 of 13
`
`US 7,742,759 B2
`
`Programmable v-2o
`Device
`
`(80
`
`Internet
`
`....
`.....
`
`(70
`
`·~
`
`[r33
`
`------
`f----- f-----------
`, ..
`..
`I
`,
`
`----,
`I
`
`I r- 95
`
`('" 82
`
`Network
`Computers
`
`""""'· ~
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`Computer/Programmer
`
`/ 90
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`I L---------- 1----------- ---.J
`•
`
`External
`Telephone
`Network
`
`l/84
`
`FIG. 48
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22,2010
`
`Sheet 6 of 13
`
`US 7,742,759 B2
`
`20
`
`'
`
`Programmable Device
`
`25
`\_
`
`.. .. Programmer
`
`30
`
`~~
`
`,,
`
`.4 ..
`
`Source
`50
`
`FIG. 5
`
`9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22,2010
`
`Sheet 7 of 13
`
`US 7,742,759 B2
`
`Programmable Device
`
`(30
`
`lr- 20
`
`r--+ Programmer
`
`(80
`
`Internet
`
`~
`
`._
`
`(70
`
`,
`
`.I
`
`v32
`
`•
`
`Computer
`
`v-so
`
`FIG. 6
`
`10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22,2010
`
`Sheet 8 of 13
`
`US 7,742,759 B2
`
`~33
`
`510~7
`
`520 ........._
`
`RIT
`
`Alerting
`Circuit
`
`v-550
`
`530--.._
`
`Processor
`
`Programmer
`
`.r-30
`
`Communications
`Interface
`h
`y32
`,,
`
`532 _)
`
`FIG. 7
`
`11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22,2010
`
`Sheet 9 of 13
`
`US 7,742,759 B2
`
`User browses information
`
`100 ~--------------~--------------~
`
`User selects information for
`programming in device 20
`
`102
`
`Programmer 30 compares format
`of the selected information
`with the format required by device 20
`104 ~--------------~--------------~
`
`~---YES----,
`
`NO
`
`Programmer 30 converts the
`selected information into
`a format compatible with device 20
`
`Provide user with the option
`of editing the resulting file
`
`106
`
`108
`
`Edit file?
`
`To step 112
`No-.
`
`YES t
`
`To step 110
`
`FIG. 8
`
`12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22,2010
`
`Sheet 10 of 13
`
`US 7,742,759 B2
`
`From
`step 109
`
`Provide user with the option
`of reviewing the edited file
`110 ~--------------~--------------~
`
`NO----<
`
`~
`Return to
`step 108
`
`YES
`
`Provide user with option of
`programming edited file into device 20
`
`From step 109
`
`112
`
`,.__YES--<
`Return to
`step 100
`
`114
`
`NO
`
`Exit
`
`FIG. 9
`
`13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22,2010
`
`Sheet 11 of 13
`
`US 7,742,759 B2
`
`Users browse list of signature files
`
`User selects signature file
`
`150
`
`154
`
`Receiver's device 20
`(Fig.12)4--------<
`
`Computer 90
`>-----+(Fig.11)
`
`156
`
`User's device 20
`
`Retrieve file from caller's device 20
`
`158
`
`.---NO---<
`
`Convert file to
`acceptable format
`
`164
`
`compatible with
`receiver's device
`20?
`(
`160
`
`YES
`
`Send file with call
`
`Replace ring sequence
`(
`and play signature file
`166 ~--------------~--------------~
`
`167
`
`Exit
`
`FIG. 10
`
`14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22,2010
`
`Sheet 12 of 13
`
`US 7,742,759 B2
`
`From step 156 (Fig. 1 0)
`
`Retrieve file from computer 90
`168 ~--------------.---------------~
`
`,.....--NO---<
`
`Convert file to
`acceptable format
`
`172
`
`174
`
`YES
`
`Send file with cafl
`
`Replace ring sequence
`(
`and play signature file
`176 ~--------------~--------------~
`
`Exit
`
`177
`
`FIG. 11
`
`15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.22,2010
`
`Sheet 13 of 13
`
`US 7,742,759 B2
`
`From step 156 (Fig. 10 )
`
`17 (
`
`(
`180
`
`~,
`
`Send indicia of signature file with call
`
`~--
`Replace ring sequence
`and play signature file
`
`~
`
`Exit
`
`(
`182
`
`FIG. 12
`
`16
`
`

`

`US 7,742,759 B2
`
`1
`METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR
`PROGRAMMING USER-DEFINED
`INFORMATION INTO ELECTRONIC
`DEVICES
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica(cid:173)
`tion Ser. No. 10/600,975 filed Jun. 20, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No.
`7,149,509, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 09/518,845, filed Mar. 3, 2000; now abandoned,
`which claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser.
`No. 60/169,158 filed Dec. 6, 1999.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the pro(cid:173)
`gramming apparatus includes processing circuitry and first
`and second communications links. In operation, a user selects
`a piece of information from a source such as a computer disk
`drive, the Internet, or a remote database using the first com(cid:173)
`munications link. The programming apparatus may down(cid:173)
`load this information and compare its format with that
`required by the programmable device to determine format
`compatibility. If the two formats are compatible, the pro-
`10 gramming apparatus may download the selected information
`into the programmable device. If the formats are not compat(cid:173)
`ible, the programming apparatus may convert the down(cid:173)
`loaded file to a format compatible with that required by the
`programmable electronic device. The programming appara-
`15 tus may also provide the user with an opportunity to edit the
`converted file. Once editing is complete, the resulting file may
`then be programmed into the programmable device for sub(cid:173)
`sequent use.
`In another aspect of the invention, a user may send custom(cid:173)
`ized information such as an audio or video file called a "sig(cid:173)
`nature" when placing a telephone call. This feature allows a
`user to select and send a signature file to the person receiving
`the telephone call such that the person receiving the call is
`alerted by that file.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`This application relates to electronic devices, and more
`particularly to a programming apparatus that allows users to
`program user-defined information into their electronic
`device.
`There are many types of electronic devices available to
`consumers today that have the ability to produce both audio 20
`sounds and video displays. Many of these devices provide
`users with the ability to select and play a particular piece of
`audio or video. A television viewer, for example, may tune to
`a TV channel and watch a particular program, or connect a
`VCR or DVD player to the television in order to view a 25
`specific program not currently being broadcast. Similarly, an
`audio system user may tune a receiver to a particular radio
`station to hear a certain genre of music, or connect a CD or
`tape player to the system in order to hear specific pieces of
`music. In both cases, the audio and video is user-selectable. 30
`Currently, however, there are many electronic products that
`offer an audio/video playing capability that are not fully
`user-programmable. Users of such devices (e.g., wireless or
`cordless telephones, pagers, personal digital assistants
`(PDAs), hand-held computers and the like) have to choose 35
`from a limited selection of pre-programmed information
`(e.g., audio clips, video clips or frames, etc.) placed there by
`the manufacturer. This severely limits the user's ability to
`customize the device to suit his or her particular taste. Fur(cid:173)
`thermore, most pre-programmed audio tends to be rather 40
`generic and can be confusing when a device of a nearby user
`generates a sound similar to or the same as that of another
`user's device. Although a programmable memory within
`many such electronic devices could support user-defined
`audio, currently, no system exists for programming such 45
`information into an electronic device.
`The same is true for user-defined video. For example, cer(cid:173)
`tain types of user-defined video information, such as video
`clips, frames, and other digital or analog images could be
`programmed into an electronic device (e.g., PDA, wireless 50
`phone, or any portable display device) and displayed at a time
`of the user choosing. Although a programmable memory
`within such a device could support user-defined video, cur(cid:173)
`rently, no system exists for programming such information
`into the device.
`
`55
`
`The above and other objects and advantages of the present
`invention will be apparent upon consideration of the follow(cid:173)
`ing detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accom(cid:173)
`panying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to
`like parts throughout, and in which:
`FIG. 1 is a generalized block diagram of a system for
`programming user-defined information into an electronic
`device in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a programmer constructed
`in accordance with one possible embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 3 shows a computer based implementation of a pro(cid:173)
`grammer constructed in accordance with one embodiment of
`the present invention.
`FIG. 4a shows an alternate embodiment of a computer
`based implementation of a programmer constructed in accor(cid:173)
`dance with the principles of the present invention.
`FIG. 4b shows an alternate network embodiment of the
`computer based implementation in shown in FIG. 4a.
`FIG. 5 illustrates an imbedded implementation of the pro(cid:173)
`grammer shown in FIG. 2.
`FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment of a computer based
`implementation the programmer in shown in FIG. 4b.
`FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of one possible embodiment
`of a wireless telephone that can receive and play user-defined
`audio in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
`FIGS. 8-9 show a flow chart illustrating some of the steps
`involved in programming user-defined information into an
`electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIGS. 10-12 show a flow chart illustrating some of the
`60 steps involved in sending and receiving signature information
`in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`an apparatus that allows a user to program user-defined audio
`information into a programmable electronic device.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
`apparatus that allows a user to program user-defined video
`information into a programmable electronic device.
`These and other objects of the present invention are accom- 65
`plished by providing methods apparatuses that allow a user to
`program user-defined information into his or her electronic
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIG.1 shows a block diagram of a system 10 for program(cid:173)
`ming user-defined information (e.g., audio, video, or Internet
`access information, etc.) into an electronic device in accor-
`
`17
`
`

`

`US 7,742,759 B2
`
`3
`dance with one embodiment of the present invention. As
`shown in FIG. 1, system 10 generally includes a program(cid:173)
`mable electronic device 20, a device programmer 30, and a
`source 50. Programmer 30 is connected to source 50 via link
`31, and to device 20 via link 32.
`Programmable device 20 may be any portable electronic
`device (e.g., a wireless telephone, a pager, a handheld com(cid:173)
`puter, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc.). Device 20 may
`also be any device which integrates some or all of the func(cid:173)
`tions of such devices into one device. For example, device 20
`may be a PDA capable of making wireless telephone calls, a
`PDA with paging functions, a wireless telephone with some
`PDA or paging functions, a handheld or notebook computer
`with some or all of the functions of a PDA, a pager, and a
`telephone, etc.
`In FIG. 1, links 31 and 32 may be, for example, commu(cid:173)
`nications links (e.g., serial ports, parallel ports, universal
`serial buses (USB), RS232, GPIB, etc.), modems (e.g., any
`suitable analog or digital modems, cellular modems, or cable
`modems), a network interface link (e.g., Ethernet links, token 20
`ring links, etc.), wireless communications links (e.g., cellular
`telephone links, wireless Internet links, infrared links, etc.),
`or any other suitable hard-wired or wireless Internet or com(cid:173)
`munications links.
`Source 50 may be any device or combination of devices 25
`suitable for providing user-defined information to program(cid:173)
`mer 30 (e.g., the Internet, an optical disc player (CD, DVD),
`a cassette player, a VCR, a digital camera, or any suitable
`storage device containing computer programs or files, etc.).
`In operation, a user may choose certain information, such
`as Internet configuration information, an audio sample of a
`popular song, a video clip or frame, etc., that is available from
`source 50 and transfer it to programmer 30. Programmer 30
`may then process this information into a suitable format (or 35
`may simply route the information if no format conversion is
`required), and program it into a programmable memory
`within device 20 (not shown). Device 20 may then retrieve
`this information when a certain event occurs (e.g., when
`receiving an incoming telephone call, browsing the Internet, 40
`or when programmed to do so by a user, etc.).
`Programmer 30 may also coordinate or perform certain
`functions related to the routing and storing of information
`within device 20. For example, programmer 30 may commu(cid:173)
`nicate with (or simply search) device 20 to find available
`memory locations in which to store the user-defined informa(cid:173)
`tion. Programmer 30 may also communicate with device 20
`to determine which format the incoming information should
`be converted to so that the information is compatible with the
`downloading requirements of device 20. For audio files, this 50
`may include, but is not limited to, converting to or from any of
`the following format types: analog; MIDI; MPEG; PCM;
`Windows Media Audio Code (WMA); WAY; or Adaptive
`Transform Acoustic Coding (ATRAC), or to or from any
`other suitable audio format, etc. For video files, this may 55
`include, but is not limited to, converting to or from any of the
`following format types: analog; JPEG; MPEG; GIF; AVI, or
`to or from any other suitable video format, etc. Text files may
`include, for example, HTML files, Wireless Markup Lan(cid:173)
`guage (WML) files, WordPerfect™ files, Microsoft Office™ 60
`files, or any other suitable text files.
`If multiple blocks of information are being programmed
`into device 20, programmer 30 may "tag" the different blocks
`so that device 20 and/or a user may distinguish among the
`different blocks stored therein. After the information has been 65
`provided, programmer 30 may communicate with device 20
`to confirm that the information has been correctly received.
`
`4
`A more detailed diagram of one possible embodiment of
`programmer 30 is illustrated in FIG. 2. As illustrated, pro(cid:173)
`grammer 30 may include a transducer 25, a processor 34, a
`programmable memory 36, an analog-to-digital (A/D) con(cid:173)
`verter 38, signal processing circuitry (SPC) 40, an output
`buffer 42, and an input buffer 44. Generally speaking, pro(cid:173)
`cessor 40 controls the operation of programmer 30. Program(cid:173)
`mer 30 may be configured to receive and process both analog
`and digital signals. It may also acquire acoustic signals via
`1 o transducer 25 (if installed).
`In operation, programmer 30 may download certain user(cid:173)
`selected information from source 50 via link 31. This infor(cid:173)
`mation, such as audio or video files, in the form of electronic
`signals, may be received from link 31 and directed to input
`15 buffer 44. As mentioned above, these signals may need to be
`processed in order to be compatible with the format required
`by programmable device 20. For example, if analog input
`signals are received at input buffer 44 and device 20 requires
`a digital format, the analog signals may be routed to AID
`converter 38 for conversion into a suitable digital form (e.g.,
`into PCM, PAM, etc.). Further processing into another digital
`format (e.g., MP3, ATRAC, WMA, etc.) may be accom(cid:173)
`plished by routing the converted signals to SPC 40 or proces(cid:173)
`sor 34 (discussed in more detail below). On the other hand, if
`digital input signals are received at input buffer 44 and device
`20 requires analog signals, the digital signals may be routed to
`SPC 40 or to a dedicated digital-to-analog (D/A) converter
`(not shown) for conversion to the analog domain.
`Processor 34 may route incoming signals from source 50 to
`memory 36, SPC 40, or directly to output buffer 42 depending
`on the circumstances. For example, some or all of the input
`signals received from source 50 may require further process(cid:173)
`ing to meet the downloading specifications of device 20. In
`this case, the incoming signals that require processing may be
`routed to SPC 40 for such processing. For example, incoming
`MP3 or WMA signals may be routed to SPC 40 and converted
`to ATRAC format (or vice-versa). Once this conversion is
`complete, the resulting information may be stored in memory
`36, or routed to output buffer 42 for programming in device
`20. Input signals that do not require a format change may be
`routed directly from input buffer 44 to memory 36, or output
`buffer 42. Although not shown in FIG. 2, programmer 30
`preferably has a display screen and a data input device, such
`as a keyboard associated with it so that a user may, among
`45 other things, browse and select files, monitor file transfers,
`and ensure that device 20 has properly received the selected
`files.
`In one embodiment of the present invention, SPC 40 may
`be programmable so that the conversion and processing pro(cid:173)
`tocols contained therein may be periodically updated. Fur(cid:173)
`thermore, in some embodiments, processor 34 may be pro-
`grammed via software routines in programmable memory 36
`to perform some or all of the functions ofSPC 40. In this case,
`an SPC of reduced processing capacity may be used or SPC
`40 may be removed altogether from programmer 30.
`Audio signals may also be acquired and processed by pro(cid:173)
`grammer 30. Transducer 25 may acquire an acoustic signal
`from a stereo or other audio source and convert it to an
`electrical signal. This electrical signal may then be processed
`in a way similar to the way the above-described analog signal
`was processed. That is, the electrical signal may be routed to
`AID converter 38 and/or SPC 40 and then stored in memory
`36 or output buffer 42, for example.
`It will be understood that the generalized system shown in
`FIG. 1 may be implemented in many ways. For example, as
`shown in FIG. 3, system 100 may be implemented using a
`computer-based architecture. In this case, some or all of pro-
`
`30
`
`18
`
`

`

`US 7,742,759 B2
`
`5
`grammer 30 may be installed in or connected to a computer,
`such as a personal computer. For example, in FIG. 3, pro(cid:173)
`grammer 30 may be installed in an expansion slot and con(cid:173)
`nected to an interface bus such as an ISA or PCI bus (not
`shown) in computer 60. In this configuration, programmer 30
`may receive user-defined information via the interface bus in
`computer 60 and operate as described above with the inter(cid:173)
`face bus acting as part oflink 31. Some or all of programmer
`30 may also be external to computer 60 and connected to it via
`a link similar to link 31 (not shown). Furthermore, in certain 10
`embodiments, some ofthe functions of programmer 30 may
`be distributed between computer 60 and programmer 30. For
`example, programmer 30 may be constructed such that it
`partially or fully relies on the processing capability of com(cid:173)
`puter 60. In this type of embodiment, progrmer 30 may be 15
`constructed without processor 34 or with a processor of
`reduced capacity. Programmer 30 may also be constructed
`such that it partially or fully relies on the memory capacity of
`computer 60. Moreover, signal processing functions such as
`those performed by SPC 40 could also be fully or partially 20
`carried out by circuitry or software resident within computer
`60.
`As shown in FIG. 3, computer 60 may be connected to
`Internet 80 through link 70. Link 70 may be, for example, a
`modem (e.g., any suitable analog or digital modem, cellular
`modem, or cable modem), a network interface link (e.g., an
`Ethernet link, token ring link, etc.), a wireless communica(cid:173)
`tions link (e.g., a wireless telephone link, a wireless Internet
`link, an infrared link, etc.), or any other suitable hard-wired or
`wireless communications link. With this configuration, a user
`may download information from Internet 80 (e.g., using elec(cid:173)
`tronic distribution (ED) services) and/or from a disc drive or
`other devices (not shown) connected to computer 60 and
`program that information into device 20 (via programmer 30
`and link 32).
`It will be understood, of course, that computer 60, with a
`suitable communications link, such as link 32, may be pro(cid:173)
`grammed with software to function as programmer 30. In this
`way, a user may take advantage of the fact that many of the
`components of programmer 30 are resident within computer
`60. For example, computer 60 may contain a processor, such
`as processor 34 and progrmable memory circuitry such as
`memory 36. Computer 60 may also include signal processing
`circuitry such as SPC 40, or software that instructs processor
`34 to perform the necessary format conversions. Computer 60
`may include circuitry similar to input buffer 44 and output
`buffer 42. Such circuitry may include random access memory
`(RAM) or cache memory in computer 60. Computer 60 also
`may include internal or external AID conversion circuitry,
`such as AID converter 38, and an internal or external trans(cid:173)
`ducer 25.
`As shown in FIG. 4a, computer 60, programmed to func(cid:173)
`tion as programmer 30, may be connected to Internet 80
`through link 70 and to device 20 through link 32. This
`arrangement allows a user to select information from Internet
`80 or from a storage device connected to computer 30 (not
`shown) for progrming into device 20.
`Using the generalized system shown in FIG. 4a, user(cid:173)
`defined information may be programmed into device 20 in
`many ways. For example, computer 60 may be part of a
`communications network 95, such as a telephone network,
`that provides Internet and/or telephone access to program(cid:173)
`mable device 20 (shown in FIG. 4b). Communications net(cid:173)
`work 95 may be p