WO2008069996A1

WO2008069996A1 - Software application/process to auto-fill portable audio device with content

Info

Publication number: WO2008069996A1
Application number: PCT/US2007/024688
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lisa Renee Johnson; Martin George Peters; Karl Lewis Friedline; Rich Revelle Phipps
Original assignee: Thomson Licensing
Priority date: 2006-12-01
Filing date: 2007-11-30
Publication date: 2008-06-12

Abstract

A method, system and computer readable medium is disclosed that has instructions for the auto-filling of a portable audio device (200). First, software is received from a first memory (203, 205) into a user processing station (104). Then the process proceeds to determining whether a previous installation exists on a second memory. And if there is no previous installation the software from the first memory (203, 205) is installed on the second memory. Then the process detects a first run of the software or the connection of a portable audio device (200) to the processing station and if one of the following is true: the first run of the software, the portable audio device connection or user activations, then a windows environment prompt is presented to a user as a search parameter request.

Description

PU060221

SOFTWARE APPLICATION/PROCESS TO AUTO-FILL PORTABLE AUDIO DEVICE WITH CONTENT

Technical Field The present invention is generally related to improvements in the downloading of files. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a method of automating the downloading of music files and associated play-lists from a computer network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Trademarks

Yahoo!, Yahoo! Music Engine, Yahoo! Music Unlimited, MusicMatch Jukebox, LAUNCHcast Radio, Yahoo! Music Jukebox are trademarks and or tradenames of Yahoo! Incorporated of Sunnyvale, CA USA, a global internet services provider.

2. Yahoo! Music Software

Yahoo! Music Unlimited was launched in May of 2005. This program is an online music service that features on-demand access to a large collection of audio files. The collection amounts to over two million songs on-line that can be either downloaded or streamed onto a user's desktop or networked computer for a small fee per song. Users have enjoyed near CD quality sound which Yahoo! Music Unlimited and similar web based services. When Yahoo! Music Unlimited was originally launched in May 2005 it used a client application for service access. Another Yahoo! product called the Yahoo! Music Engine was the first client initially utilized by the service.

Today, the Engine has been replaced by another product called the Yahoo! Music Jukebox. The Jukebox is a freeware music player released in 2005. It has an overall similar appearance to MusicMatch Jukebox as a result of MusicMatch being purchased by Yahoo! in 2004. With the Jukebox, a user can play, rip and burn WAV, WMV, MP3s and CDs. Additionally, it permits a user to create and share music play- lists with friends, to use LAUNCHcast Radio, to access Yahoo! Music Unlimited and download over two million songs for a fee. The streaming of music is enabled from one user to another by this software device. Further, the Yahoo! Music Jukebox PU060221

facilitates the transfer of files to portable devices such as MP3 players as well as other devices with similar functionalities such as a USB flash drive.

3. Plugins The Jukebox also permits the addition of a variety of plugins or addon computer program subroutines. These plugins are generally web pages that communicate with and control the Yahoo! Music Engine (now the Yahoo! Music Jukebox) using the JavaScript language for direct web control using embedded function calls; or through the installation of a C++, Visual Basic or some other computer language plugin that is downloaded directly into a computer.

A plugin is a computer program that interacts with a host application in order to provide a specific on demand functionality. In this instance the host application is the Jukebox music player that receives extra functionalities via plugins. There are several reasons that programs are formulated to contain plugins. Some of the reasons that plugins are supported include but are not limited to:

1- plugins support novel features not anticipated by the original programming;

2- plugins permit third party developers to extend the functionalities of an application;

3- plugins are capable of reducing the overall size of an application; 4- plugins when a software license is incompatible are able to separate code from the application.

However, to perform these functions, plugins need a variety of technical facilities. First, plugins are usually completely dependent on the host application for services provided to it by the host application or else the plugin will not work. Most importantly, amongst the services rendered by the host application to the plugin is a registration means so that the plugin can register itself with the host application. Additionally, the host application sets up a data transfer protocol by which the plugin communicates with the host application. In all of this, it must be noted that the host (in this instance the Music Jukebox or Engine) application is completely independent of the one or more plugins which are added to it. Thus, plugins are capable of being added to the host application without any modification to the host. They may also be dynamically updated without any alterations of the host application. PU060221

4. Application Programming Interfaces API

To accomplish all of this, it is useful to have what is termed in the art an application programming interface or API. It is a code interface that supports requests for services by computer programs to an operating system, library or other such program. In this environment, an API permits third parties to make plugins that interact successfully with the host application using the API as a communication interface. A programming interface facilitates the continuity of communication between plugin and host application even when plugins change or are modified or as the host application ages. In spite of all of its utilities, a plugin has competition when it comes to software programming.

5. Extension

It receives this competition from another programming software device called an extension. Like a plugin, an extension is utilized to add to the functionality of a host application. Plugins are uniquely distinguishable from extensions in that a plugin relies on the host application user interface and have set parameters that are clearly defined. Thus, their permitted functionality is strictly regulated in the programming. In contradistinction, an extension has far less restraints on its functionality and can come with a built in user interface separate from the host application. When a software manufacturer designs a host application intending upon it to be extended by third party developers they usually publish an extensible API description for this purpose. Then software developers use this description as a framework for their novel extensions.

6. Contemporary Problems

Today when a consumer purchases a portable device, it is not always clear where or how the consumer should get started using and or loading his or her portable device with content. Usually, the manufacturer has preloaded software onto the portable device that presents to the consumer one or more software offerings and or services. He or she is then prompted to sign up for the software offerings and or services. It is very rare for the software manufacturer or service provider to present PU060221

the user with detailed instructions on how to organize and or transfer content and files from a network onto the portable device.

Further, online music services that contain many thousands of different audio files, some upwards of a hundred thousand audio files overwhelm the user with the sheer quantity or volume of audio files. Moreover, the different services have so many options and terms the user signup process is rendered confusing to the average net surfer. Thus, it becomes a technically difficult and very tedious process for a user to signup for the service or software offering; to download the content from the online service (in this particular case, a music downloading service) to a local computer; and finally to transfer the audio content or software to a portable device. This process is very complicated for users who are simply looking for entertainment off of a network, in this case the internet.

Current jukeboxes offer a mechanism to synchronize or 'sync' content to a device but this functionality is truly very limited in scope and conceptualization. The main limitation of some current jukeboxes is that it will synchronize the entire library that is currently stored in an application to a device. Another limitation is that play- lists are 'synched' to a device such that the play-lists are user created or obtained from another source. As a result prior art music juke boxes suffer from the aforementioned problems in that these deficiencies require a great deal of user intervention and additional work by the same to create and or to obtain play-lists with songs from the user's favorite artists. Additionally, in the prior art implementations users are required to pre-organize their music libraries to ensure the 'sync' is the correct size and fits properly on the device.

All of this presents a daunting task to users of varying degrees of computer literacy. A novice user in particular faces a great challenge in the downloading of music off the internet. This is especially true if he or she has not previously owned a portable audio device and is not familiar with music jukebox applications. Further complicating the user experience is the proliferation of online music services and the seemingly never-ending array of interfaces and plans. Whilst searching for a service provider, a user must navigate through all of these problems and choose an online music service that meets his or her needs. Once the user has signed up for the chosen service provider, he or she still needs to install and log into the music application they are. Then he or she downloads the content from the service provider into the jukebox PU060221

application. As a next step, the user creates play-lists from the downloaded content and then must determine how to transfer the content from their personal computer to their portable audio device.

Accordingly, there is a need for overcoming the aforementioned problems present in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method, system and computer readable medium is disclosed that has instructions for the auto-filling of a portable audio device. First, a standalone software or alternatively a software plugin or software extension is received from a first memory into a user processing station. Then the process proceeds to determining whether a previous installation exists on a second memory. And if there is no previous installation then the standalone, plugin or extension from the first memory is installed on the second memory. Then the process detects a first run of the software standalone, plugin or extension or the connection of a portable audio device to the processing station and if one of the following is true: the software standalone, plugin or extension has never been run or the portable audio device is connected or a user has activated the standalone' s, plugin' s or extension's software, then a windows environment prompt is presented to a user as a search parameter request. The result of that search parameter prompt is transferred across a communications network to an online audio service that further processes the request. The search request at the online music service returns a list that after further processing at the user station a play-list is presented to the user and the user is requested to connect his portable device. Once connected, audio content representing the play-list recommendations is loaded from the online music service across the communication network through the user processing station and into the portable audio device. PU060221

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is an illustration of a general main network system within which the invention is practiced.

Figure 2 is an illustration of a particular personal computer system within which the invention is practiced.

Figure 3 is an illustration of a method for auto-filling a portable device as taught by this invention.

Figure 4 is an illustration of a method for auto-filling a portable device as taught by this invention using a specific artist name metadata parameter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is important to note that these embodiments are only examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in plural and vice versa with no loss of generality. In the drawings, like numerals refer to like parts through several views.

The auto-fill application and process improves and simplifies the out of box experience for the consumer who is unsure of the process of moving content from the internet onto their computer and or from their computer onto their portable audio device. Thus, the auto-fill application process facilitates the transference and loading of a portable audio device so they can listen to their music. Additionally, the auto-fill method and system helps organize the user's music library and provides criteria for a user to load their portable audio device.

Thus, the goal of the auto-fill application is achieved through two mechanisms. First, the user is stepped through the process so that the entire user experience is rendered as simply as possible. And secondly, the entire process is PU060221

automated within the limits of practicality so as to speed up the process and leave nothing to chance; of course, the user still needs to load the CD or DVD or other nonvolatile memory or request the service online but after that the process is generally automatic. And as a result, it is possible for a user to receive content on the user's audio portable device within a matter of minutes of them taking the device out of the box.

Additionally, another benefit of the auto-fill application is that the user modifies the content of his or her portable audio device each time it is connected to his or her computer in a quick and efficient manner without having to manually select songs from their library or online music service. Rather the user responds to automated prompts from the application software to determine play-lists and ultimately the downloaded audio content. Finally, in order to improve the out-of-box experience during the initial CD or DVD or other non- volatile memory software installation process, the user will be guided through the process of auto-filling their device with audio content available from various sources within a matter of minutes. It is time now for a specific description of the drawings and associated system and method.

Figure 1 is an illustration of a general main network system within which the invention is practiced. The overall system is comprised of many different components including software, hardware and firmware. First, the general main network system is comprised of a communication system otherwise known as main network 100. This is to be thought of as generalized computer network but many specific implementations easily come to mind. These implementations include but are not limited to a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), an Appletalk network, the internet or world wide web or a generalized computer network. In particular, the main network 100 is preferably implemented as the ubiquitous world wide web or internet. The web is comprised of many thousands of different hardware and software devices including routers, hubs, optical fiber cabling, copper wire cabling, servers, repeaters, sub-networks, power supplies, various other necessary hardware devices and miscellaneous glue logic all connected to facilitate communication between the various components utilizing various communication protocols. PU060221

In figure 1, items 101 represent various sub-networks that are connected to main network 100. These include a variety of network topologies that include but are not limited to wide area networks (WAN), local area networks (LAN), token ring networks, apple talk networks, client servers, servers, databases, and any other generalized networking system. These sub-networks may utilize their own communication protocols distinct from the communication protocols utilized over the main network 100. Any one or more of sub-networks 101 represent a music recommendation engine hardware or an online music service hardware and software. In order to effect communication across the main network, various translation and gateway hardware and software devices are further needed such that the different networks and devices both hardware and software are compatible.

There are several further systems connected across main network 100 or internet world wide web. These include for purposes of illustration a stand-alone personal computer or workstation 102, a personal computer known as user processing station 104 and server processing station 103. Stand-alone workstation communicates across main network 100 and receives information from it. It simply represents the many users that communicate across the internet. Personal computer or user processing station 104 is comprised of several items including but not limited to a selectively connectable portable audio device, a video terminal, a keyboard (not shown), one or more user processing units, one or more cache memories, one or more volatile and or non-volatile memories, one or more hard disks, one or more CD and or DVD players (and or burners), one or more floppy disk drives and one or more printers. All of these communicate via data and control buses electronically connected on board the user processing station. Of course, there may also be included wireless communication hardware and software if the user has purchased such for his user processing station 104. The video terminal is alternatively a cathode ray tube device, a liquid crystal display device, a plasma device, a touch screen device or any one of a plurality of video technologies that are present in the marketplace today. User processing station 104 also includes one or more ports and or ports as well as other types of connection slots for one or more external device connections; these include but are not limited to one or more generic connection slots and or ports, one or more serial USB slots and or ports, one or more parallel port and or slots, one or more network port slots and or ports, one or more slots and or ports for one or more PU060221

external drives, one or more slots and or ports for portable audio devices, one or more ports and or slots for printers. These ports and or slots described above are to be thought of very generally. In other words, the mere inclusion in the list above does not disparage others that a given user processing station has or one that another user processing station does not have. Thus, the description above of the ports and slots is for illustration purposes only. Similarly, the video terminal types and other hardware types described previously should be viewed in a similar light.

In addition to user processing station 104, general main network system further comprises a server processing station 103. It plays the role of the server that is activated by user interaction across the web to download an application standalone, plugin or extension. The application standalone, plugin or extension permits the auto- fill process to be activated and is essentially the piece of software that comprises the auto-fill software instructions and or program to effect the invention. The user may also request the downloading of the auto-fill software instructions standalone, plugin or extension and or program from a CD or DVD included with the purchase of a portable audio device. The application standalone, plugin or extension downloaded across the internet or main network 100 or loaded from the CD or DVD disk is associated with an internet application usually known as a music recommendation engine or online music service application. The standalone, plugin or extension adds to the functionality of this engine or service application and is the key component of the instant application's 'auto-fill' process. The 'auto-fill' standalone, plugin or extension is an additional software program that through software adds functionality to and or plugs-in to and or extends the capability of one of a music recommendation engine or online music service application that has been downloaded across the internet or main network 100. Thus, the additional benefits of the 'auto-fill' process are realized to the end user at his user processing station 104.

For a further expanded view of user processing station 104 and sever processing station 103 please turn to figure 2. This drawing illustrates a larger view of the environment within which the invention may be practiced. In particular, user processing station 104 further comprises a user processing unit 201, a user video terminal 202, a portable audio device 200 (MP3, WAV, WMV, CD, or other general audio player and or associated hardware) comprising volatile and or non- volatile memory that may be connected across a USB port, another serial or parallel port or PU060221

through a wireless electromagnetic connection such as infrared communication, the so-called Bluetooth connection or other generic wireless connection. As shown in figure 2, the expanded view of user processing station shows a CD or DVD 203 to be loaded into a CD or DVD drive of the computer. The particular type of drive or disk media is not limited to any particular type since the invention contemplates using any type of CD or DVD disk and drive combination currently available in the marketplace. More generally, instead of the CD or DVD disk, the invention alternatively uses a memory stick, card, floppy disk, USB thumbdrive, micro-drive or some other generic non-volatile memory. The CD or DVD contains the 'auto-fill' application standalone, plugin or extension that is the heart of the 'auto-fill' process. A user is to be prompted to load this software when he or she loads the CD or DVD into his or her drive. As an alternative process for the loading of the 'auto-fill' standalone, plugin or extension, the software is loaded across the internet from server processing station 103 when it is so requested from a user. Figure 2 further includes a server processing station 103 that comprises both a server processing unit 204 and an application 'auto-fill' standalone, plugin or extension 205. It is this 'auto-fill' standalone, plugin or extension that comprises the heart of the invention that is either downloaded from the server processing station 103 or loaded from the disk drive and associated disk 203 into the user processing station 104. Now, for a discussion of the particular set of software associated with the 'auto- fill' process and initialization steps.

Figure 3 is an illustration of a method for auto-filling a portable device as taught by this invention. The standalone, plugin or extension software is either received 300 from a CD or DVD 203 or other non- volatile memory (memory card, stick, USB thumbdrive, micro-drive, floppy disk or generic non-volatile memory) or downloaded from server processing station 103 and server processing unit 204 by user request that is activated across main network 100. The software is then stored on a volatile or non-volatile memory such as CPU RAM or hard disk or other volatile or non-volatile memory associated with user processing station 104. When the downloading off of the main network 100 or loading from the CD or DVD 203 is completed the software detects if it has been previously installed at step 301. If there is no previous installation then the software is installed 302 onto the hard disk or other generic non-volatile memory. Then, the application software detects if either a PU060221

portable audio device 200 is connected 303 to user processing station 104 or whether this is the first run of the software. Additionally, once the software has been installed, an icon, menu, toolbar, pop-up window, a set of buttons or any combination of the foregoing is presentable to the user in the event he or she activates the device directly from a desktop icon, menu or other application command interface. Thus, the user is able to directly start the process at step 304 directly by simply clicking an icon or activating a menu item or some other form of user interface command. Thus, steps 301-303 may be bypassed by this command.

The following happens if a portable device is connected or if this is the first run of the software. Through a windows-type (whilst windows has been mentioned here this is not intended to limit the disclosure to any particular software company's product, rather it simply is descriptive of a series of panes, menus, toolbars, floating objects, desktop items and operating system as well as many other generic items present within most modern computers) software application, the user is prompted to enter a generic search parameter 304 based upon metadata associated with the audio content. The metadata associated with the audio content includes but is not limited to: favorite artist's name, artist's name, genre, album, year or some other type of generic metadata. The generic search parameter is received 305 at user processing station 104 via the user typing in a response on a keyboard or interacting with a mouse, touch screen display, buttons, or some other type of general interface unit. The search request if forwarded from the keyboard, mouse, touch screen display, buttons or other general interface unit to the user processing unit 201. User processing unit 201 receives the search request and conducts a search 306 through its associated hard disks, nonvolatile, volatile, and cache memories for the generic metadata parameter associated with the user request. As a result, a query 307 is generated which is to be transmitted across main network 100 towards music recommendation engine or online music service 101.

Further, in the event the user has not already done so, the standalone, plugin or extension requests user personal information such as personal name, address and or other generic personal information and financial information such as credit, debit, bank information and or generic financial information so as to sign up for the music service or music recommendation engine and receives them from him or her. The process automatically sends the personal and financial information across the network PU060221

100 to the audio engine or service 101 and receives replies from the audio engine or service 101. If the user has not yet manually subscribed independent of the 'auto-fill' process then the process automatically subscribes the user. Additionally, if there are any necessary software downloads the standalone, plugin or extension software automatically downloads them; once it has downloaded any associated audio service or engine software necessary for the functioning of the audio it transmits the query data previously discussed. Further, the process of requesting personal and financial information and subscribing to the service is alternatively at any point in the process but before the query data is transmitted to the music service or engine. It also can be suspended in the event the user has already signed up through the user selecting a button, menu item, checkbox, pop-up window pane in the subscription prompt that is presented to the user or so indicated in a preference pane of the software. The service itself is also able to be cancelled through the software and similar means as described above. This query data is a request to search for similar audio files that contain similar metadata from an online music service or music recommendation engine 101. The query data travels across the hardware and software of main network 100 until it reaches its intended destination and translation and addressing hardware and software directs the search request to the correct destination. Sub-networks 101 represent database, servers, LANs, WANs, client server or some other type of network topology. But for the purposes of this disclosure, they house an online music service or a music recommendation engine. The hardware and software of one of the subnetworks 101 receive the search parameter request sent by user processing station 104 and user processing unit 201. One of the sub-networks 101 receives the search request. Then that sub-network 101 conducts a query search 307 through its associated databases, hard disks, nonvolatile, volatile, and cache memories for the metadata parameter associated with the user request.

The music recommendation engine or online music service returns a list of audio content across the intervening hardware and software of main network 100 to user processing station 104. The list of audio content is received 308 at user processing station 104. In particular, user processing unit 201 receives an audio content list for transformation into (through the use of tables, a parent object that contains a list of sub-objects that need to be enumerated that represent the list of audio PU060221

content and or an actual play-list file) an auto-fill play list that is formed from the data returned from server processing station 103 thus setting up an item list based upon the parameters returned by the service or engine 101. The list of audio content that is returned is then formed into an auto-fill play-list and it is this auto-fill play-list that is displayed 309 to the user. As a result, the user has the option to save the list as an actual play-list on the device so it can be used for playback on the device itself; also, the user is also allowed to modify the auto-fill play-list and delete or re-order the content as they wish; for example, moving items one above the other through the mouse, keyboard, a menu, buttons, checkboxes, touch screens associated with the user processing station 104.

The size of the auto-fill play-list is optionally limited to the size of the media available on the device or limited by other parameters such as maximum auto-fill size on the device (for speed, may not want to fill the entire device up with auto-fill content), for example, 300 MB size, or by the number of songs, for example 30 songs and/or by the number of artists specified. As an example of a limitation based upon the number of artists specified, if the total number of songs available in the auto-fill list specified exceeds the max. number of files than can be transferred/downloaded to the device (ex. thirty songs) then calculate the maximum number of songs per artist that should be used (maxnum_songs_per_artist =(total_songs_in_Auto_Fill_list divided by number_of_artists_specified). Then for each Artist, in the auto-fill list, transfer no more than the maxnum_songs_per_artist onto the device). This ensures a good mix of content across multiple artists, particularly for smaller capacity devices; the max. number of songs per artist equation would to help balance the songs per artist to be included in the list instead of having the device filled entirely with songs from one artist. Of course, any media size or any size of the audio content or any number of songs or any number of artists computation are contemplated by the invention; thus, the aforementioned examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the specification and or claims.

The auto-fill process above is continued with a visual prompt 310 sent to a display so that the user is prompted to connect his or her audio portable device to a USB port; this is in the event, of course, that the software detects that the portable audio device is not connected to the user processing station 104. This connection is optionally a wire connection or wireless connection whether serial, parallel, infrared or other electromagnetic connection. Then, the play-list audio contents are transferred 311 from audio service 101 across main network 100 to the portable audio device through the associated hardware of user processing station 104 thereby auto-filling the portable audio device. This is alternatively a saving, reading and writing operation using one or more local user processing station memories to provide temporary storage of audio data for future writing into the portable audio device 200 or a direct network connection to the portable audio device 200 or some combination of the foregoing. Additionally, as an optional step in the process, the user receives a save list prompt 312 to permit him or her to decide upon whether he or she wants to save the auto-fill play-list. If they decide to save the list then the list is saved to local nonvolatile memory at user station 104.

The above process illustrates the general process of auto-filling a portable audio device. Now will be discussed a more specific implementation of the auto-fill process in the event a specific parameter is chosen for the search. In this alternative auto-fill process, the application is able to substitute another metadata value such as artist, genre, album, year and any other generic metadata (custom, vendor/user- defined or a known type such as trackID, bitrate, sub-genre, length, rating, etc.) for creating an auto-fill play-list.

Figure 4 is an illustration of a method for auto-filling a portable device as taught by this invention using a specific metadata parameter. The software is either received 400 from a CD or DVD 203 or other non- volatile memory (memory card, stick, USB thumbdrive, micro-drive, floppy disk or generic non-volatile memory) or downloaded from server processing station 103 and server processing unit 204 by user request that is activated across main network 100. The software is then stored on a volatile or non- volatile memory such as CPU RAM or hard disk or other volatile or non-volatile memory associated with user processing station 104. When the downloading off of the main network 100 or loading from the CD or DVD 203 is completed the software detects if it has been previously installed at step 401. If there is no previous installation then the software is installed 402 onto the hard disk or other non- volatile memory. Then, the application software detects if either a portable audio device is connected 403 to user processing station 104 or whether this is the first run of the software. Additionally, once the software has been installed, an icon, menu, toolbar, pop-up window, set of buttons or any combination of the foregoing is PU060221

presentable to the user in the event he or she activates the device directly from a desktop icon, menu or other application command interface. Thus, the user is able to directly start the process at step 404 directly by simply clicking an icon or activating a menu item or some other form of user interface command. Thus, steps 401-403 may be bypassed by this command.

The following happens if a portable device is connected or if this is the first run of the software. Through a windows-based (whilst windows has been mentioned here this is not intended to limit the disclosure to any particular software company's product, rather it simply is descriptive of a series of panes, menus, toolbars, floating objects, desktop items and operating system as well as many other generic items present within most modern computers) software application, the user is prompted to enter an artist's name (or any other generic) search parameter 404 based upon metadata associated with the audio content. Other metadata associated with the audio content includes but is not limited to: favorite artist's name, artist's name, genre, album, year or some other type of metadata. The artist's name search parameter is received 405 at user processing station 104 via the user typing in a response on a keyboard or interacting with a mouse, touch screen display, buttons, or some other type of general interface unit. The search request if forwarded from the keyboard, mouse, touch screen display, buttons or other general interface unit to the user processing unit 201. User processing unit 201 receives the search request and conducts a search 406 through its associated hard disks, nonvolatile, volatile, and cache memories for the artist's name metadata parameter associated with the user request. As a result, a query 407 is generated which is to be transmitted across main network 100 towards music recommendation engine or online music service 101. Further, in the event the user has not already done so, the standalone, plugin or extension requests user personal information such as personal name, address and or other generic personal information and financial information such as credit, debit, bank information and or generic financial information so as to sign up for the music service or music recommendation engine and receives them from him or her. The process automatically sends the personal and financial information across the network 100 to the audio engine or service 101 and receives replies from the audio engine or service 101. If the user has not yet manually subscribed independent of the 'auto-fill' process then the process automatically subscribes the user. Additionally, if there are PU060221

any necessary software downloads the standalone, plugin or extension software automatically downloads them; once it has downloaded any associated audio service or engine software necessary for the functioning of the audio it transmits the query data previously discussed. Further, the process of requesting personal and financial information and subscribing to the service is alternatively at any point in the process but before the query data is transmitted to the music service or engine. It also can be suspended in the event the user has already signed up through the user selecting a button, menu item, checkbox, pop-up window pane in the subscription prompt that is presented to the user or so indicated in a preference pane of the software. The service itself is also able to be cancelled through the software and similar means as described above.

This query data is a request to search for similar audio files that contain similar artist's metadata from an online music service or music recommendation engine 101. The query artist's name metadata request travels across the hardware and software of main network 100 until it reaches its intended destination and translation and addressing hardware and software directs the search request to the correct destination. Sub-networks 101 represent database, servers, LANs, WANs, client server or some other type of network topology. But for the purposes of this disclosure, they house an online music service or a music recommendation engine. The hardware and software of one of the sub-networks 101 receive the artist' name search parameter request sent by user processing station 104 and user processing unit 201. One of the sub-networks 101 receives the search request. Then that sub-network 101 conducts a query search 407 through its associated databases, hard disks, nonvolatile, volatile, and cache memories for the metadata parameter associated with the user request.

The music recommendation engine or online music service returns a list of audio content across the intervening hardware and software of main network 100 to user processing station 104. The list of audio content is received 408 at user processing station 104. In particular, user processing unit 201 receives an audio content list for transformation (through the use of tables, a parent object that contains a list of sub-objects that need to be enumerated that represent the list of audio content and or alternatively an actual play-list file) into an auto-fill play list that is formed from the data returned from server processing station 103. The list of audio content PU060221

that is returned is then formed into an auto-fill play-list and it is this auto-fill play-list that is displayed 409 to the user. As a result, the user has the option to save the list as an actual playlist on the device so it can be used for playback on the device itself; also, the user is also allowed to modify the auto-fill play-list and delete or re-order the content as they wish; for example, moving items one above the other through the mouse, keyboard, a menu, buttons, checkboxes, touch screens associated with the user processing station 104.

The auto-fill process above is continued with a visual prompt 410 sent to a display so that the user is prompted to connect his or her audio portable device to a USB port; this is in the event, of course, that the software detects that the portable audio device is not connected to the user processing station 104. This connection is optionally a wire connection or wireless connection whether serial, parallel, infrared or other electromagnetic connection. Then, the play-list audio contents are transferred 411 from audio service 101 across main network 100 through the associated hardware of user processing station 104 to the portable audio device thereby auto-filling the PU060221

portable audio device. This is alternatively a saving, reading and writing operation using one or more local user processing station memories to provide temporary storage of audio data for future writing into the portable audio device 200 or a direct network connection to the portable audio device 200 or some combination of the foregoing. Additionally, as an optional step in the process, the user receives a save list prompt 412 to permit him or her to decide upon whether he or she wants to save the auto-fill play-list. If they decide to save the list then the list is saved to local nonvolatile memory at user station 104.

Finally, it should be noted that steps 304 and or 404 can be selectively activated or deactivated by the user opening a set of preferences for the standalone, plugin or extension software. This is done so as to fully automate the process permitting subsequent downloads of the audio content to happen without user interaction. Of course, these steps (304 and or 404) may be reactivated by the user or even limited by him or her. The user does this by setting the software preferences to check for new metadata parameters on a timed basis, for example, daily, weekly, monthly or some other user defined time period.

Other Considerations and One Implementation

There are additional considerations present within this invention, including presenting the user with a free online music service trial subscription. Further, one implementation of the standalone, plugin or extension that has been configured up to this point for a generic service is known as the "ThomsonDevicePlugin" that has proven the 'auto-fill' concept in several tests. A computer scientist has added many functionalities to this device plugin and it presents to the user the option of signing up for a generic music service after it detects the connection status of a portable audio device. Additionally, the "ThomsonDevicePlugin" is capable of allowing a user to select artists from a music library. Then the software generates the 'auto-fill' play-list from the selected artists.

Further, the tested software has several other functionalities including the ability: to save play-lists; to create similar play-lists from the selected artists based on content through the music engine; and to transfer the contents of the 'auto-fill' play- list to any recognized devices connected to the system. PU060221

As a result of all of the above, 'auto-fill' software that is downloaded from the internet or loaded from a CD or DVD memory fulfills the goals as set out at the beginning of this disclosure. In particular, the auto-fill application and process improves and simplifies the out of box experience for the consumer. Since he or she is unsure of the process of moving content from the internet onto their computer and or from their computer onto their portable audio device he or she has found in the 'auto-fill' process a helpful utility. Thus, the auto-fill application process facilitates the transference and loading of a portable audio device so they can listen to their music. Additionally, the auto-fill method and system helps organize the user's music library and provides criteria for a user to load their portable audio device.

Thus, the goal of the auto-fill application is achieved through two mechanisms. First, the user is stepped through the process so that the entire user experience is rendered as simply as possible. And secondly, the entire process is automated within the limits of practicality so as to speed up the process and leave nothing to chance; of course, the user still needs to load the CD or DVD or other nonvolatile memory or request the service online but after that the process is generally automatic. And as a result, it is possible for a user to receive content on the user's audio portable device within a matter of minutes of them taking the device out of the box. Additionally, another benefit of the auto-fill application is that the user modifies the content of his or her portable audio device each time it is connected to his or her computer in a quick and efficient manner without having to manually select songs from their library or online music service. Rather the user responds to automated prompts from the application software to determine play-lists and ultimately the downloaded audio content. Finally, in order to improve the out-of-box experience during the initial CD or DVD or other non-volatile memory software installation process, the user is guided through the process of auto-filling their device with audio content available from various sources within a matter of minutes.

Discussion of Hardware and Software Implementation Options

The present invention, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art could be produced in hardware or software, or in a combination of hardware and software. The system, or method, according to the inventive principles as disclosed in PU060221

connection with the preferred embodiment and other embodiments, may be produced in a single computer system having separate elements or means for performing the individual functions or steps described or claimed or one or more elements or means combining the performance of any of the functions or steps disclosed or claimed, or may be arranged in a distributed computer system, interconnected by any suitable means as would be known by one of ordinary skill in the art.

According to the inventive principles as disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiment and other embodiments, the invention and the inventive principles are not limited to any particular kind of computer system but may be used with any general purpose computer, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art, arranged to perform the functions described and the method steps described. The operations of such a computer, as described above, may be according to a computer program contained on a medium for use in the operation or control of the computer, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The computer medium which may be used to hold or contain the computer program product, may be a fixture of the computer such as an embedded memory, or may be on a transportable medium such as a disk, or a fixed disk, or a memory stick, or any other type of memory as known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The invention is not limited to any particular computer program or logic or language instruction but may be practiced with any such suitable program, logic or language, or instructions as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Without limiting the principles of the disclosed invention any such computing system can include, inter alia, at least a computer readable medium allowing a computer to read data, instructions, messages or message packets, and other computer readable information from the computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include non-volatile memory, such as ROM, Flash memory, floppy disk, disk drive memory, CD-ROM, and other permanent storage. Additionally, a computer readable medium may include, for example, volatile storage, such as RAM, buffers, cache memory, and network circuits. Further, the computer readable medium may include computer readable information in a transitory state medium such as a network link and /or a network interface, including a wired network or a wireless network, that allow a computer to read such computer readable medium.

Claims

PU060221CLAIMS

1. A computer readable medium comprising instructions for the auto-filling of a portable audio device (200), the instructions comprising: receiving software from a first memory (300, 203, 205) into a user processing station (104); determining whether a previous installation exists (301) on a second memory wherein if there is no previous installation the software from the first memory (203, 205) is installed (302) on the second memory; detecting an acceptable condition (303) that opens a windows environment prompt that is presented to a user as a search parameter request (304) and opening a windows environment prompt as a result of the acceptable condition being detected.

2. The computer readable medium of claim 1, further comprising one or more instructions for: receiving a search reply (305) from the user through a user interface wherein the search reply further comprises a search parameter metadata wherein the acceptable condition is one of the following: a first run of the software or the connection of a portable audio device (200) to the processing station (104) or a user has activated the software.

3. The computer readable medium of claim 2, further comprising instructions for: receiving the search parameter metadata (305) and search reply at a user processing (201) unit and the user processing unit searching through all non-volatile memories and volatile memories (306) associated with the user processing station (104) for the search parameter metadata.

4. The computer readable medium of claim 3, further comprising instructions for: generating a search query (307) from the user processing station across a communications network (100) towards a network audio service (101) for similar search parameter metadata; PU060221

transmitting a search query for similar search parameter metadata from the user processing station (104) across a communications network (100) towards a network audio service (101).

5. The computer readable medium of claim 4, further comprising instructions for: receiving a similar audio content list (308) at the user processing station (104) from the network audio service (101) wherein the network audio service previously received the search query at the network audio service; and the network audio service searched through the network audio services non-volatile and volatile storage for similar search parameter metadata created the similar content audio list and transmitted the similar content audio list.

6. The computer readable medium of claim 5, further comprising one or more instructions for: transforming the received similar audio content list at the user processing station (104) into an 'auto-fill' play-list.

7. The computer readable medium of claim 6, further comprising one or more instructions for: displaying the 'auto-fill' play-list (309) to the user at the user processing station (104).

8. The computer readable medium of claim 7, further comprising one or more instructions for: displaying a connect portable audio device prompt (310) to the user on a video terminal (202) associated with the user processing station (104) and determining when the user has connected the portable audio device (200).

9. The computer readable medium of claim 8, further comprising one or more instructions for: transferring the audio content represented by the 'auto-fill' play-list across the communications network (100) from the network audio service (101) and storing it on the connected portable audio device (200) at the user processing station (104). PU060221

10. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the search parameter metadata further comprises any one parameter from a set of parameters comprising: the artist's name (404), genre, album, year, custom, vendor/user-defined, trackID, bitrate, sub-genre, length, rating and a generic metadata.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the first memory further comprises any one memory from a set of memories comprising: a CD (203), a DVD, and a network memory associated with a server processing station (103).

12. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the second memory is a hard disk or other non- volatile memory and the portable audio device (200) is a portable audio device from the set of portable audio devices: an MP3 player, a WMV player, a WAV player, a CD player and a generic audio player.

13. A method for the auto-filling of a portable audio device (200) comprising the steps of: receiving software from a first memory (300, 203, 205) into a user processing station (104); determining whether a previous installation exists (301) on a second memory wherein if there is no previous installation the software from the first memory (203, 205) is installed (302) on the second memory; detecting an acceptable condition (303) that opens a windows environment prompt that is presented to a user as a search parameter request and opening a windows environment prompt (304) as a result of the acceptable condition being detected.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising one or more steps for: receiving a search reply from the user (305) through a user interface wherein the search reply further comprises a search parameter metadata wherein the acceptable condition is one of the following: a first run of the software or the connection of a portable audio device (200) to the processing station (104) or a user has activated the software. PU060221

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of: receiving the search parameter metadata (305) and search reply at a user processing unit and the user processing unit; searching through all non-volatile memories and volatile memories (306) associated with the user processing station (104) for the search parameter metadata.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: generating a search query (307) from the user processing station (104) across a communications network (100) towards a network audio service (101) for similar search parameter metadata; and transmitting a search query for similar search parameter metadata from the user processing station (104) across a communications network towards a network audio service (101).

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising one or more steps for: receiving a similar audio content list (308) at the user processing station (104) from the network audio service (101) wherein the network audio service (101) previously received the search query at the network audio service; and the network audio service searched through the network audio services non-volatile and volatile storage for similar search parameter metadata created the similar content audio list and transmitted the similar content audio list.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of: transforming the received similar audio content list at the user processing station (104) into an 'auto-fill' play-list; displaying the 'auto-fill' play-list (309) to the user at the user processing station (104); displaying a connect portable audio device prompt (310) to the user on a video terminal associated with the user processing station (104) and determining when the user has connected the portable audio device (200); PU060221

transferring the audio content (311) represented by the 'auto-fill' play-list across the communications network (100) from the network audio service (101) and storing it on the portable audio device (200) at the user processing station (104).

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second memory is a hard disk or other nonvolatile memory and further wherein the search parameter metadata further comprises any one parameter from a set of parameters comprising: the artist's name, genre, album, year, custom, vendor/user-defined, trackED, bitrate, sub-genre, length, rating and a generic metadata and further wherein the first memory further comprises any one memory from a set of memories comprising: a CD (203), a DVD, a network memory associated with a server processing station (103).

20. An auto-fill system for automatically filling audio content from a network audio service (101) onto a portable audio device (200), the auto-fill system comprising: a user processing station (104) having a first non- volatile memory for installation of auto-fill software wherein the user processing station is communicatively coupled to a portable audio memory (200) or across a communications network (100) to a server station (103) wherein the server station or portable audio memory further comprises non-volatile memory that comprises auto- fill software having instructions to download audio content from an online audio service (101) wherein the auto-fill software automatically determines metadata associated with audio content stored on all memories local to the user processing station (104), and requests similar audio content using a search parameter metadata request from the online audio service; a portable audio device (200) that is selectively communicatively coupled to the user processing station (104) for receiving audio content that is to be automatically downloaded from the online audio service (101) as a result of the similar audio content request through the use of the search parameter metadata request; a communications network (100) that is communicatively coupled to the user processing station (104) wherein the communications network facilitates communication between the user processing station and other network entities; PU060221

an online audio service (101) communicatively coupled to the communications network (100) for responding to search parameter metadata requests based upon metadata automatically determined by the auto-fill software located on the first non- volatile memory at the user processing station (104) and transmitting audio content for storage on the portable audio device (200).