CA2492727A1 - Methods and apparatuses for programming user-defined information into electronic devices - Google Patents
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- CA2492727A1 CA2492727A1 CA002492727A CA2492727A CA2492727A1 CA 2492727 A1 CA2492727 A1 CA 2492727A1 CA 002492727 A CA002492727 A CA 002492727A CA 2492727 A CA2492727 A CA 2492727A CA 2492727 A1 CA2492727 A1 CA 2492727A1
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Abstract
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 wireless 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.
Description
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR P:~OGRAMMING USER-DEFINED
INFORMATION INTO ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Background of the Invention This application relate;> 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 sounds and video displays. Many of these devices provide users with the ability to select awd play a particular piece of audio ar video. A television viewer, for example, may tune to a TV channel and watch a particular program, or connect a"~JC;R or DVD player to the television in order.-to view a 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.
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 (FDAS), hand-held computers IO and the like) have to~choose from a limited selection of gre-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. Furthermore, . 15 most pre-programmed audio tens to be rather 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.programmax~le memory within many such electronic devices could support user-defined audio, 20 currently, no system exists fc.r programming such information'into an electronic'. device.
.The same is true. for user-defined video. For.
example, certain.types of user-defined video infonaation, such as video clips, frames, ~!.nd other digital or analog 25 ~ images could be programmed into an electronic device (e. g., PDA, wireless phone, oi° 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, ca~rrently, no system. exists 30 for programming such informat~.on into the device. ., Summary Of Thg Invention , It is therefore. an «bject of the present.
invention to provide an apparatus that allows a user to
INFORMATION INTO ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Background of the Invention This application relate;> 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 sounds and video displays. Many of these devices provide users with the ability to select awd play a particular piece of audio ar video. A television viewer, for example, may tune to a TV channel and watch a particular program, or connect a"~JC;R or DVD player to the television in order.-to view a 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.
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 (FDAS), hand-held computers IO and the like) have to~choose from a limited selection of gre-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. Furthermore, . 15 most pre-programmed audio tens to be rather 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.programmax~le memory within many such electronic devices could support user-defined audio, 20 currently, no system exists fc.r programming such information'into an electronic'. device.
.The same is true. for user-defined video. For.
example, certain.types of user-defined video infonaation, such as video clips, frames, ~!.nd other digital or analog 25 ~ images could be programmed into an electronic device (e. g., PDA, wireless phone, oi° 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, ca~rrently, no system. exists 30 for programming such informat~.on into the device. ., Summary Of Thg Invention , It is therefore. an «bject of the present.
invention to provide an apparatus that allows a user to
2 program user-defined audio information into a programmable electronic device.
- It: is a further oxject 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 ox:~jects of the present.
invention are accomplished x~y.providing methods apparatuses that allow a usEr to"program user-defined 30 information into his or her electronic device. In one embodiment of the present irwention, the programming apparatus includes processing circuitry and first and second communications links. In operation, a user.
selects a piece of infarmat~'on from a source such 'as a 3S 'computer disk drive, the Int:ernet,.or a remote database using the first communicatituns link. The programming apparatus may download this information and compare its format with that required b3~ the programmable device to determine format compatibil~.ty. 'If the two formats are 20 compatible, the programming apparatus may download~the selected information into ,ttie programmable device. If the formats are not compatil>le, the programming apparatus .may convert the downloaded ~:ile to a format compatible with that required by the p.-ogrammable electronic device.
25 The programming apparatus myy also provide the_user with an opportunity to edit the r:onverted file. Once editing is complete, the, resulting rile may then be programmed .' into the programmable device for subsequent use.
In another aspect of the invention, a user may 30 send customized information such as an audio or video ' file called a'"signature" w.~zen 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.
i
- It: is a further oxject 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 ox:~jects of the present.
invention are accomplished x~y.providing methods apparatuses that allow a usEr to"program user-defined 30 information into his or her electronic device. In one embodiment of the present irwention, the programming apparatus includes processing circuitry and first and second communications links. In operation, a user.
selects a piece of infarmat~'on from a source such 'as a 3S 'computer disk drive, the Int:ernet,.or a remote database using the first communicatituns link. The programming apparatus may download this information and compare its format with that required b3~ the programmable device to determine format compatibil~.ty. 'If the two formats are 20 compatible, the programming apparatus may download~the selected information into ,ttie programmable device. If the formats are not compatil>le, the programming apparatus .may convert the downloaded ~:ile to a format compatible with that required by the p.-ogrammable electronic device.
25 The programming apparatus myy also provide the_user with an opportunity to edit the r:onverted file. Once editing is complete, the, resulting rile may then be programmed .' into the programmable device for subsequent use.
In another aspect of the invention, a user may 30 send customized information such as an audio or video ' file called a'"signature" w.~zen 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.
i
3 Brief Description Of The Drawings The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be.apparent upon consideration ' of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompan~ving drawings, in which like -.
reference characters refer to like parts throuchcut, and in which: , FIG. l is a generalized block diagram of a system for programming user-dEfined information into an L0 electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a programmer constructed in accordance wits one possible embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a computer based.implementation of a programmer 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 . 20 in accordance with the princiFles of the present .
invention.
FIG. 4b shows an alternate network emlaodiment of the computer based implemer.;tation in shown in FIG. 4a. .
.FIG. 5 illustrates ~.n imbedded implementation .
of the programmer shown in FIC. 2.
FIG..6 shows yet another embodiment of a computer based implementation the programmer in shown in FIG. fib.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of one possible embodiment of a wireless tele~~hone that can receive and y play user-defined audio in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
FIGS. 8-9 show a flaw chart illustrating~some of the steps involved in progzvamming user-defined
reference characters refer to like parts throuchcut, and in which: , FIG. l is a generalized block diagram of a system for programming user-dEfined information into an L0 electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a programmer constructed in accordance wits one possible embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a computer based.implementation of a programmer 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 . 20 in accordance with the princiFles of the present .
invention.
FIG. 4b shows an alternate network emlaodiment of the computer based implemer.;tation in shown in FIG. 4a. .
.FIG. 5 illustrates ~.n imbedded implementation .
of the programmer shown in FIC. 2.
FIG..6 shows yet another embodiment of a computer based implementation the programmer in shown in FIG. fib.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of one possible embodiment of a wireless tele~~hone that can receive and y play user-defined audio in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
FIGS. 8-9 show a flaw chart illustrating~some of the steps involved in progzvamming user-defined
4 ' 51170-1D
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 steps involved in sending and receiving signature information in accordance~wifi:h one embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed description of t,~e :Cnvention FIG. 1 shows a blo~~k diagram of a system 10 for programming user-defined inf~~z~ation (e. g., audio, video, or Internet access informati~~n, etc~.) into an electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, system. l0 generally includesa programmable electronic device 20, a device prograiamer 30, and a source 50. Programmer 30 is IS connected to source 50 via link 32, and to device 20 via.
link 32.
Programmable device 20 may be'any'portable . , electronic device (e. g., a ~~ireless telephone, .a pager, . a.
handheld computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. ) : Device 20 may also x~e any device whichw :integrates same or all of the function:. of such devices into one device. For example, device: 20 may be a PDA capable of .making wireless telephone caalls, a PDA with paging functions, a wireless telephone with some PDA or paging.
'. 25 functions, a handheld or no~:ebook computer with some or all of the functions of a P~)A, a pager, and a telephone, ' etc. . . .
In FIG. 1., links. 32 and 32 ma.y be, for example, .
communications links (e. g., serial ports, parallel ports, wniversal 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 ring links, etc.), wireless communications.links (e.g., cellular telephone finks,
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 steps involved in sending and receiving signature information in accordance~wifi:h one embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed description of t,~e :Cnvention FIG. 1 shows a blo~~k diagram of a system 10 for programming user-defined inf~~z~ation (e. g., audio, video, or Internet access informati~~n, etc~.) into an electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, system. l0 generally includesa programmable electronic device 20, a device prograiamer 30, and a source 50. Programmer 30 is IS connected to source 50 via link 32, and to device 20 via.
link 32.
Programmable device 20 may be'any'portable . , electronic device (e. g., a ~~ireless telephone, .a pager, . a.
handheld computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. ) : Device 20 may also x~e any device whichw :integrates same or all of the function:. of such devices into one device. For example, device: 20 may be a PDA capable of .making wireless telephone caalls, a PDA with paging functions, a wireless telephone with some PDA or paging.
'. 25 functions, a handheld or no~:ebook computer with some or all of the functions of a P~)A, a pager, and a telephone, ' etc. . . .
In FIG. 1., links. 32 and 32 ma.y be, for example, .
communications links (e. g., serial ports, parallel ports, wniversal 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 ring links, etc.), wireless communications.links (e.g., cellular telephone finks,
5 wireless Internet links, infrared links, etc.), or any other suitable hard-wired or wireless Internet or communications links.
Source 50 may be any device or combination of devices suitable for providing user-defined information.
to programmer 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, e~tc., that is available.from source 50 and transfer it to . programmer 30. Programmer 30 may then process this 15information into a suitable format (or 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, or when programmed to do so by a user, etc:).
Programmer 30 may also coordinate or perform w certain functions related to the routing and storing of information within device 20. For.example, programmer 30 may communicate. with (or simply search) device 20 to find available memory locations in which to store the user-defined information. .Programaner ~30 may also communicate . with device 20 to determine w:hich'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 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): WAV; or Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding (ATRAC), or to or from any other suitable audio format, etc. For video files, this may include, but is not limited to, converting to or from ' any of the,following format f:ypes: analog; JPEG; MPEG;
GIF; AVI, or to or from any r>ther suitable video format, etc. Text files may include, for example, HTML files, Wireless.Markup Language (WMJ~) files, WordPerfect's files,.
Microsoft Office' files, or ~;ny other suitable text , files:
. Yf multiple blocks of information are~being 14 programmed into device 20, programmer 30 may "tag" the different blocks so that devace.20 and/or a user may distinguish among the different blocks stored therein.
After the information has be=n provided, programmer 30 may communicate with device 20 to confirm that the information has been correctly received.
A more detailed diagram of one, possible embodiment of programmer 30 is illustrated in _FIG. 2. As.
illustrated, programmer 30 may include a transducer 25, a processor 34, a programmable memory 36, ari analog-to-digital (A/D) .converter 38, signal processing circuitry ~(SPCj 40, an output buffer 42, and an input buffer 44.
Generally speaking, processor 40 controls the operation of programmer 30. Programmer 30 may be configured to receive and process both analog and digital signals. It, may also acquire acoustic signals via transducer 25 (if y installed).
In operation, prograiiner 30 may download certain user-selected information from source 50 via link. 31.
This information, such as audio Or video files, in the ,, 30 form of electronic signals, may be received from link,31 and 'directed to input. buffer. 44. As mentioned above, these signals may need to b~: processed in order to be compatible with the farmat ~:equired by programmable , , device 20. For example, if analog_input signals are received at input buffer 44 and device 20 requires a digital format, the anal,o~ signals may be routed to A/D, converter 38 for conversion into a suitable digital form (e. g., into PCM, PA1~F, etc. ) . Further processing into another digital format (e.g., MP3, ATRAC, WMA, etc.) may be accomplished by routing the converted signals to SPC 40 or processor 34 (discussed in more detail bel.ow)..
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 SPG 40 or to a 20 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, SPG 40, or directly to output buffer 42 depending~on the circumstances. For example, 15~ some or all of the input~signals received.from source 50 w may recfuire further processing to meet the downloading specifications of device~20. In this case, the incoming signals that require process.in.g may be routed to SPC 40 y .
for such.processing. Forvexaaple, incoming MP3 or WMA
20. signals may be routed to'SPC 40 and converted to~ATRAC
format (or vice-versa). Once this conversion is complete, the resulting inforio~,ation 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 25 change may be routed directly from.input buffer 44 to memory 36, or output buffer 4c,. Although not shown in v FIG. 2, programmer 30 preferax:~ly has a display screen and a data input. device, such as ~°. keyboard associated with it so that a user may, among ntherwthings, browse and 30 select files, monitor file tr~:nsfers, and ensure that r device 20 has properly receiv~:d the selected files.
In one embodiment of ttye present invention, SPC 40 may be programmable so that tr:~e conversion. and processing protocols contained therein many be periodically.updated.
~
Furthermore, in some einbodimEnt~, processor 34 may be programmed via software routines in prograiamable memory 36 to perform some or all of the functions of SPC 40. In this case, an SPC: of reduced processing capacity may be used or SPC CEO may be removed altogether from programmer 30.
Audio signals may also be acquired and processed by programmer 30: Transducer: 25 may acquire an acoustic signal from a stereo'or othe:- audio source and convert it to an electrical signal. This electrical signal may then be processed in a. way simila::: ~to the way the above-descr3~bed analog signal was processed. That is, the electrical signal may be routed to A/D converter 38 and/or SPC 40 and then store3 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 progra~rmer 30 may be installed in or connected to a computer, such as a personal computer.
For example, in FIG. 3, procraiamer 30 may be installed~in an expansion slot and connecaed to an interface bus such as an ISA or .PCL bus (not s~~own~ in computer 60. In this configuration, programmer 3C) may receive user-defined information via the interface bus in computer 60 and operate as described above ~Jith the interface bus acting as_part of link 31. Some o. all of programmer 30 may W
aiso be external to compute:: 60 and connected to it via a link similar to link 31 (not shown). Furthermore, in certain embodiments, some o~ the functions of programmer 30 may be distri~uted~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 computer 60. In this type of embodiment, programmer 30 maw be 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 64, Moreover, signGsl processing functions such -.
as those performed by SPC 40 could also be fully or partially carried out. by cirr:uitry or software resident within computer 60.
As shown in FIG. 3, c~,~mpu.ter 60 may be connected 1.0 to Internet 80 through link "70. Link 70 may be, for example, a modem (e. g., any ~;uitable analog or digital modem; cellular modem, or ca~~le modem) , a network interface link. ( e. g. , an Eth ~rnet link, : token-. ring link, etc.), a wireless cominunicat;ions link (e.g...a Wireless telephone link, a wireless I nternet 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 electronic distribution (ED) services) and/or 'from a disc drive an other devices (not shown) connected to computer 60 and program that information into device 20 (via programmer 30, and link 32).
Tt will be understooc:, of course, that computer 60, with a suitablEv communications link, such. as link 32, may be programmed ~!ith software.to function as, .
programmer 34. Iri this way, a user may take advantage of tie 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 ~ , .
programmable memory circuitry such as memory 36. ..
Computer 60 may alsi~ includE: signal processing circuitry such as 6PC 40, or software that instructs processor 3:4 to, perform the necessary 'fo__mat conversions. Computer 60 may include circuitry simil~3r to input buffer 44 and ~.
~ output buffer 42. Such~cir~~uitry may include random access memory (RA;~I) or cache memory in computer 60.
Computer 60 also :nay include internal or external A/D
conversion'circuitry, such a,r A/D converter 38, and an .
internal or external transduG~er 25.
As shown in FIG. 4a, ~.omputer 60, programmed to function as programmer 30, m:3y 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 programming into device 20.
~~ Using the generalized system shown in FIG. 4a, user-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/cr.telephone access to -programmable device 20 (shorn in FIG 4b). Communications network 95 may be provide h~.rd-wired or wireless telephone or Internet access (or combination of the two).
This arrangement is generalJ.y illustrated in FIG. 4b as~
architecture 200, in which computer 90, for the sake of~
clarity, represents computea~ 60, configured at least in part, to function~as progra~uner 30.
With this configurat~i.on, a user of device 20 may .25 access. Internet 80 and selesrt information for:downloading into device 20. It will be understood, however, that in .this implementation, at~lea:;t a portion ofcomputer 90 is configured to function as programmer 30, and that computer 90 may continue to perform other functions such 3C~, as communicating with network computers 82; communicating . :with Internet 80, interfacing with external. telephone network 84, and GOOrdinating wireless Internet and . telephone access etc., in addition to performing some or all of the~above-described programming functions..
is -In operation, computE.r 90 ~aay communicate with . device 20 to determine its format requirements and perform any conversions necessary to,make user-selected information compatible with those requirements. This allows a user to select -infcarmation, such as audio and/or video, that is available on the Internet or on a remote ' network computer, and progr~~,mthat infor~aation~ into device 20. This may be accr~mplished via communications link 33 (which may be any t~~pe of link previoushy ZO described as suitable for l:.nk 32). For example, a user may wish to download video :images from an Internet site to a hand-held computer, such as a PDA, or to a wireless telephone. The user may,coun~unicate with computer 90 via . , a wireless link 33 and sele~a information ,from.
Internet- 80 using. an -Intern~at browser installed in device 20. Such a browser rnay be a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) compliant br~~wser for supporting -wireless Internet services. Computer 90~ensures format compatibility.of the information, transmits the information to device 2~0, and may communicate with .. device 20"to confirm.that the selected information has' been properly received. Device 20 may provide a visual, audio, or tactile output to.indicate the requested information, has been successfully received.
Computer 90 may also coordinate information.
downloading with.respect tc the memory capacity of device 20.. For example, if' the user-selected information exceeds the,available memory of-device 20, computer 90 may inform the user, via lank 33, that the selected information is larger than the available memory. In such an event, the user may be ~orompted to cancel or modify ' the information~request. in certain instances, however, 'the user may instruct computer 90 to provide the ' ,information in a "scrolling"fashion (i.e.: provide ,it in~
portions? so that all the requested information may be = 51170-1D
reviewed, albeit in sections, This may be particularly desirable in instances where large files, such as video - files, are requested.
- In some embodiments of the present invention, computer 90 may simply contayt,a remote computer or Internet site to fulfill requests for audio or video informatian~in a particular format . Such web sites or remote computers may act as virtual "jukeboxes" of video and audio information, containing extensive.lists of such .
information in a variety of formats available for downloading. Using this approach, a user inay select a particular piece of information in a certain format from a list displayed on~a..screen of programmable device~20.
Computer 90 may ~ receive, this; 'as a request via link .33. and handle the information transfer to device 20. In some embodiments, format selectic.~n may be transparent to the user. That zs, the user ma3~ simgly request a piece of information and computer 90 may determine and then v~
request information in a f~or-mat appropriate for the requesting device. . .
~In another embodimen":, a remote computer or .
Internet site may perform a- format conversion of information requested by.coxnputer 90 or device 20. For .example, a user may access ;3n Internet site or remote computer using.comrnunicatio<zs network 95 and enter a title or description of the desired audio or video, informationlalong with format requirements. The remote computer or Internet site.may then search the Internet or other databases to find a file that matches the user's description. Once this file is found, the Internet site .
or remote computer may convert that file to the requested format, (using a system similar to the des~cribedvabove), and provide ~.t to device 2G via computer 90 and/or link 33. It will be understood, of course, that . ~ 51170-1D
embodiments such as these are within the scope .of the present invention.
If desired, a user .ma.y also employ the systems ' shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b to download remotely stored information such as Internet. access,information.to . _ device 20. For example, a v.ser may have customized bookmarks or web page~addre:.ses stored in a remote personal computer or on Internet 80. The user may employ wireless link 32 or _33 to contact that remote .computer or Internet site and then download the Internet access information for use in devir,e 20. This feature is desirable because it relievea the user of the burden of--having to type in complicated Internet access' information from the small keyboard of s. wireless telephone. or hand-'15 held computer. It also spares the user:from having to re-enter customized Internet. information that is already present in another location, into their electronic device. Moreover, such.a feature is convenient when.a user wishes to access inforn;~ation on a remote computer that is not currently available in device 20. For example, a user may wish to view spreadsheet information stored on,a remote computer'with device 20. Rather than having to download this information form a hard-wired access point; ~a user may simply employ wireless link 33 (e. g:, a wireless modem or ):nternet connection) to access that remote computer or Intfrnet site and download that information,to device 20.
Another feature which may be implemented using the embodiments shown.in FIGS.. ~la and 4b is a "signature" .
'~ feature. This allows devicE~: 20 to send user-defined information, which may be _..-idicative of the user's personal taste or identity, along with other~information .
when performing certain funcaions. For example, if a.~
user is placing a wireless i:elephone call or paging.
.35 someone with device 20, he c>r she may select the signature feature in order try send user-defined audio or video along with, or prior try that call. A user may - . accomplish~this by browsing vhrough a menu on device 20 that displays available sign~~ture options, and by , choosing a particular file (::got sho~in) . If the user chooses an audio file, for e~~cample, device 20 may send that selected audio file whey a call or page is placed (or a period of time_before he call or page is placed).
This' audio file may temporarily replace the "ring sequence" of the device receiving the incoming call so that 'the person receiving the incoming call will be alerted by hearing the audio file sent by the caller.
The person receiving the call may be~able to discern the identity of the. caller',or other information from the audio file. After the call is. complete, the ring sequence of the receiving device may be returned to~its .
former configuration (either~by computer 60 or by theca ~ w receiving device).
In another embodiment, a user may program certain ,20 audio or video files into device 24 that are activated when a certain person calls. For example,~.a user may program device 20 so that certain~signature files are played in response to recei~ying a characteristic indicative of the caller, sL,ch as the caller's telephone number. In this way, a user will be able to identify the caller by the sound ~ and/or c'~,isplay generated ~ by device 20. Users may also program signatures in device 20 to be p~.ayed at pz~edetermined,times. For' example, a user~(or caller) may program "Happy Birthday"
or "Jingle Bells" into device 20 to play on a certain v day, or may program device a:0 to play a certain signature, .
specified time (e. g., as an alarm).
file at ' In yet another embod:'_ment, a user, when placing a call, may invoke a menu on device 20, which displays a list of signature files ava:_lable for the person being called. This list may be defined. by the person receiving the call. For example, the person receiving the call may create a signature file list by selecting certain audio and/or video files and placi-ng them in a database of a remote computer such as com~inter 90 by using, for example, a personal. computer connected to the Internet:
In some embodiments, signatture files may also be stored i.n a device 20 of -the person receiving the call. In this implementation, a list of s3.gnature file names may be 1~0 stored in computer~90 so that a~caller may browse the . names of signature files stared in the device of the person receiving the call. Signature files may also be stored in a combination of xpoth computer 90 and device 20. -- 15, In some embodiments, the signature information may.
not necessarily be user-def_Lned. For example, a.list of pre-selected signature file:~.may stored on computer 90 or~
a remote computer from which a user of device 20 may .
choose: Such a list may be created by a wireless service 20 provider, an Internet-provider, an Internet site, or a, manufacturer. of~ the wireles~~ telephone.
- With these~implement3tions, the caller.may simply select a signature file from the displayed list. The -selected file is then sent.:3long with the call by 25 computer 90 (if the selecte'~ signature file is~stored in ' computer 90)~or associated with the incoming call at . device 20 (if the selected signature tile is stored in - device 2-0).. In some embodiments, the caller may be able to preview signatures before sending them. For example, 30 computer 90 may send the selected signature file to the caller for his or her review. -In systems that havE a video capability, a video ~ .
- file containing a video clip or frame may be -sent instead of or in addition to the au.di:o sample. ~ This may -be 35 accomplished -by selecting a video option from a signature menu and choosing a video file. In this case, the person receiving the call is alertE"d by seeing or hearing the video clip and/or associate<,~ audio. It will be appreciated that a video cl:'.p may have its own audio~~
portion associated with it :~~o that the video clip (or frame) by itself would be sufficient toalert the person receiving the incoming call, The above-described signature feature may be implemented in many ways. :Cn some embodiments, for example, the audio or video.signatures maybe stored in (the caller's) device 20 and sent along with the outgoing call or page via..link 33 an~i camputer 90. In other embodiments, however, the signature information may be . , stored in computer 90 and associated with the outgoing call when it is processed bar computer 90. This type of . embodiment may be implemented when it is desired to conserve memory space within device 2Q. In still other embodiments, signature information maybe stored in both device 20 and computer 90. In any case, .computer 90 may determine the format requirements of the device receiving the incoming call or page and convert the accompanying signature information into a suitable format.
Another implementation of a system in accordance with this invention may use an architecture 300, which is~
shown,in FIG. 5. Using this arrangement, programmer 30 (or similar circuitry) may be embedded within programmable device 20. User-defined information may be provided to device 20-from 'Source SO via link 32: Such' information may be routed to programmer 30, which may perform some or all of the above-described functions..
If source 50 is an ~.coustic source, however, link 32 may not be needed. For example, if.a user . desires to program an acou:~tic sound into device 20, the user may place a transducer 25, (e. g., a speaker/
microphone existing within or external to device 20)~near .
. ~ 51170-1D
the acoustic signal source, place device 20 into an "acquisition mode,"and recr~rd an audio sample. In. this case, transducer 25 coverts the acoustic signal into an electrical signal, which.is provided to programmer 30 for ~process~.ng and possibly stox-age within-device 20. A
visual, audio, or tactile oyxtput may be provided by device 20 to indicate,a sample has been successfully loaded. A user may employ ~:ransducer 25 to acquire and record, for example, a verb~il message or sound effect 1~0 , ( e. g. , laughter, crying, snyaezing, etc. ) for use - as a signature file.
Other embodiments of the present invention may use the embedded architecture of~system 400 as shown in FIG. 6. Using this arrange~:nent, user-defined information .
'may be requested by device 20 via link 32 and computer 60. With this approach, a user may select ~~
information from Internet 80 or a remote computer and perforri any necessary format conversion within device 20.
In~addition to selecting user-defined information . 20 with programmer 30,. a user may customize that information by performing various editing'procedures. For example, a user may.find an audio track or video clip that suits his or her taste. It may be d~:sired, however, to utilize only a portion. o.f that , trar:k or clip. In this case, a user may edit or "sample" ~~ portion of the information to.
obtain the desired segment, For eXample, a user may wish to sample a few bars of a ~~opular song and send it along as~signature information when making a wifelesS telephone . call. Such editing may be accomplished, for example, by using an applicaticin progr~~m with programmer 30 or by using known software with ~~omputer 60. Furthermore, once the user has edited a particular piece of information, he or she may be given the option to review the piece to-ensure it is acceptable. ~i~hen a user lis, satisfied with ' an edited segment, he or she may .save it and be given an opportunity to "name" that ;>egment, so that it may be readily identified later by a user of device 20.
- , It,will be appreciated that various other types of editing procedures are also,possible. For example, a-.
user may combine and/or furfi:her edit the content of segments of information. Tlis may be accomplished using "cut and paste" routines in an application program.
Other types of revisions mar include modifying the color or content of a portion of trideo clip or frame, as well as editing the audio track l:hat accompanies a video clip .
or frame.. It may also include revising or. combining audio segments or creating o:ustomized audio segments to - accompany video clips or . fr~unes .
In some instances, a:user may wish to.download - w large portions of copyrightE:d_audio or, video. To.prevent improper usage of such mate3-ial, programmer 30 may include.copyright protection~software such.as software that conforms with the Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI). Generally speaking, this may allow an owner of such material to "check out'' a finite number of copies so that unauthorized distribut.~:on is prevented...
A schematic diagram c~f a portion of a wireless telephone 500 that can receive and play user-defined,., . ~ audio and/or video is shown.in FIG. 7. As illustrated in FIG. 7, telephone 500. may iniclude antenna 510, receiver/.
transmitter (R/T) circuit 5'.;X0, processor 530, communications interface 53.>, speaker/transducer 540;
alerting circuit 550, and optionally, programmer~30 (or similar circuitry).
A user may program :information into telephone 500 in several ways. For examp::~.e; a user may connect telephone 500 to an externs:.: programmer' 30 (not shown in - , FIG. '3) via- link 32 to program user-defined audio or video in telephone 500 as dfacribed. above. Processor 530.
mad . route this information i:o. alerting .~ circuit, 550 for " 51170-1D
storage and subsequent use.' ~'~fterwards, , the user may configure telephone 500 to plriy a certain user-defined audio file stored in alerting circuit 550 when receiving an incoming call. Thus, when a call is received, processor 530 may instruct alerting circuit 550 to play the selected file through speaker 540. If a video file is chosen, processor 530 may instruct alerting circuit 550 to play the user-selected video file through a display screen on the telephone (not shown). Alerting 10' circuit 550 may include programmable memory circuitry for storing user-defined information and driver circuitry (not shown) for driving speaker 540 and/or a display screen on telephone 500.
Telephone 500 may also receive user-defined w information from communications network 95 via link 33~
and antenna 5I0.' With this implementation, user defined infvr~mation, such as a signature file, may be received by antenna 510 and demodulated with R/T circuit 520.
Processor 530 may then route the~demodulated signals to an appropriate location: In the case of a~signature file, for example, ~ processor _r530 gay check the format of the incoming file to ensure i.t is compatible with the format.. required by alerting circuit 550. If the format is compatible, the incoming i:ile. may be routed to alerting 550 for storage and subsequent use or to' speaker 590 for. immediate pl~~ying: If the format is not '~ compatible, the incoming filE: may be routed to programmer 30 for.conversion.. After conversion is complete, processor 530 may ~.nstruct programmer 30 to ,30 route the converted file to ,>peaker 540 or alerting circuit 550. If a video filE: was sent as a signature file, processor 530 may inst:uct alerting circuit 550 to play the user-selected video file through a display~in telephone 500 (not shown). :Ln some embodiments, ?fl speaker 5.40 may be an enhanced performance speaker (as compared to those currently installed in telephones) with - ., a capacity for generating a full range of audio sounds.
Moreover, it gill be understood that circuitry similar-to that shown in FIG: 7 may~,be installed for use in other . communication devices such ~3s PDA's, pagers, notebook computers,, etc. .
,.Some of the steps in°~olved in programming user-defined information into prr~grammable device 20 as IO described herein are illustrated iw the flow chart of FIGS. 8-9. It will be unde°rstood that although programmer 30 is used in th~~ following description, computer/programmer 90 may also perform some or all of .
these (or similar) steps. _ ' ~ At step 100 in FIG..B, programmer 30 allows the user to, browse information ,for potential programming into ",.
device 20: As mentioned,ab we,.this may~include browsing audia/video~ information on the Internet, or'on a hard, floppy, or optical disc drive~of a computer. ' At step 102, the user may choose certain files for programming into dev3.ce 20. Next; at step 104, programmer 30 may determine the format.requirements of device 20 and compare the format of the selected files to that specified. by device 20. This may be accomplished, for example, by electronically polling device 20. At step 105, if.the formats are compatible, programmer 30 may go directly to step 108. If the formats~a=e not compatible, at step 106, prcigrammer 30.may convert the selected files to a format compatible with device 20. In .
some embodiments, the user may be prompted to confirm that the~conversian should be performed. In addition, grogra~uner 30 may also pronxpt the user to supply a name ' for the convextec~ file. Mc>reover, if the selected file cannot be conve=ted, progrWnrner 30 may so inform he user.
Next, programmer 30 provides the user with an option of editing the conteni~s.of the resulting files at step 108. If desired, the u.ver may first review the converted file to determine ;~f editing is warranted. At step 109, if the user choo,sec~ not to edit the file, programmer. 30 may go directl;,~ to step 11.2 (shown in FIG. 9). If the user decide; to edit the file, he~or she '. may do so at step 110. When finished editing,~'the user.
' may be a given the option of reviewing the file at step 111 by returning to ste"~ 108 to determine whether the file is acceptable or r.exuires.further revision.
Programmer 30 may alternate r~etween steps 108-110 until the user is satisfied with the resulting file.. When editing is complete, programmer 30 provides the user with 'the option of programming the file into device 20,at step 1I2: At this point, (step 113) the user may,~exit the program at step lI4 or return to step 100 to browse 1 more information. -- .. It .will be.understoo~: that. these-steps are merely illustrative, and are.not meant to be comprehensive or necessarily performed in the, order shown: For example, it may be desiredto edit a file already stored in 1 device 20.. In this case, a user may bypass steps 100-106 and go directly to step 108. In some embodiments, selected files may be revisE:d before converting them to format compatible with devi<:e 20. This may be desirable when the file's original format facilitates the editing y process. In addition, progx-amme.r 30 may determine the format requirements of device 20,at any time before the conversion occurs. A user raay also name or revise the name of a selected file at r~ny time.
Some of the steps~,in°volved in sending signature files to programmable deVic~>~ 20 as described herein are w illustrated in the flow chart of FIGS.'10-22. ' ' 51170-1D
At step 1f~0 in FIG. lCn, device 20 allows the user to browse,signature files fox- potential transmission to device.20 of the person receiving the call (hereinafter . the "receiver"). At step 15(i, the user may be provided with option of creating a ne4 signature file if a suitable signature file not j':ound on the list. At step 154 the user may select a signature file: Once a ' ~ signature file is selected,, computer 90, at step 156, may determine the location of thc. selected signature file.
Such locations may include, lout are not limited to, the caller's-device 20, the recewer's device~20, or computer 90.
If computer 90 determines that the signature..f.ile is located in the user's dev~.ce 20 (i.~e., the caller's device 20) computer 90 may r~~trieve,that file from they user's device 20 at step 158. Next, computer 90 may compare the format requirements of the receiuer's device 20 with the format of the retrieved.file to determine if they are compatible at. step 160. If the formats are compatible, computer 90 may go directly to step 164. If the formats are. not compatible,.
computer 90 may convert the signature file to an acceptable format at step 3.62. At step 164, the signature file~may be sent along with, or somewhat before, the outgoing call: At step 166, the receiver's' device 20 may replace~its ring sequence with the, ~ _signature file end play the signature file.. At step.167, ' t~.v receiver's ring sequencE may .be returned to its original setting and the prcgram may exit. ' 3C. . If; however, the signature file is located in computer 90-(step 156), computer 90 may retrieve that file at.step 168 (FIG. 11). Next, computer 90 may ' _ compare the format requiremE:nts ~of the receiver's .
device 20 with the format of: the retrieved file to .
If. the determine. if they are compat:ib~e at step 170.
' 23 ' 51170-1D
formats are compatible, comprter 90 may go directly. to step 174: 'If the formats are not compatible, computer 90 may convert the signature fire to an acceptable format at ' step 172. At step 174, the signature file may be sent along with, or somewhat before, the outgoing call. At step 176. the receiver's device 20 may replace ita ring sequence with the signature file and play the signature .
' file. At step 177 the receiver's ring sequence may return to its original setting and the program may exit.
~ On the other hand, if computer 90 determines at.
step 1~6 that the signature file is located in the receiver's device 20, computer 90 may transmit an indicia indicative of the selected f°i.le to the receiver's device 20 along with the outgoing call at step.178 (FIG. 22):. Next. the recei~rer's device 20 may associate a signature file that comeuponds to the indicia,.replace its ring sequence with that signature. file, and play that~~
signature file at step 180. At step 182, the receiver's ring sequence maybe returnE~d to its original setting and the program may exit. ~It i;~ assumed for the purposes of~
this illustration that signatures filesvstored in the vreceiver' s device 20 are al:: eady in a ~ suitable . fo~nat : .
However; if this is not the case, a conversion step inay:
be added between step 178 arid step 180 (not shown.
~ It will be understoo3 that these steps are merely . illustrative, and are not meant to be comprehensive or necessarily performed in th,~ order shown. For example;
computer 90,may determine t'he format requirements of device 20 at any time before. the~conversion occurs.
Thus, it is seen t'-:at a device for programming user-defined information into an electronic device is y provided. .The programmer allows a user to program customized information, such as audio, video, or Inter,.net access information into his or programmable device. This .
35~ allows a user to, among otx:.er things, customize his or 24.
. k 51170-1D
her device to suit the user's particular taste. It~will ' be understood that the~foreg~oing is only illustrative of the principles of the invention, and that various modifications can be made bar those skilled.in the art without departing from the ;,cope and spirit of the invention. For example, it is not necessary that programmable memory within c~evi.ce be a fixed programmable memory,. That is,. a removabe memory module may be programmed externally from ~~ given,programmable_device and subsequently. installed :Ln~that device. Furthermore, ,. the many aspects.of the invention are suitable for use with hard-wired, cordless,'~~r wireless communications.
devices. For example, user-defined audio and video and signature files, may. be used~with hard-wired or cordless .
telephone systems. Accordingly, such embodiments, will be recognized as within the scope,of,the pres.ent.,invention.
' Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be~practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than. of limitation, and the present invention is limitE:d only by the claims which follow.
Source 50 may be any device or combination of devices suitable for providing user-defined information.
to programmer 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, e~tc., that is available.from source 50 and transfer it to . programmer 30. Programmer 30 may then process this 15information into a suitable format (or 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, or when programmed to do so by a user, etc:).
Programmer 30 may also coordinate or perform w certain functions related to the routing and storing of information within device 20. For.example, programmer 30 may communicate. with (or simply search) device 20 to find available memory locations in which to store the user-defined information. .Programaner ~30 may also communicate . with device 20 to determine w:hich'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 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): WAV; or Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding (ATRAC), or to or from any other suitable audio format, etc. For video files, this may include, but is not limited to, converting to or from ' any of the,following format f:ypes: analog; JPEG; MPEG;
GIF; AVI, or to or from any r>ther suitable video format, etc. Text files may include, for example, HTML files, Wireless.Markup Language (WMJ~) files, WordPerfect's files,.
Microsoft Office' files, or ~;ny other suitable text , files:
. Yf multiple blocks of information are~being 14 programmed into device 20, programmer 30 may "tag" the different blocks so that devace.20 and/or a user may distinguish among the different blocks stored therein.
After the information has be=n provided, programmer 30 may communicate with device 20 to confirm that the information has been correctly received.
A more detailed diagram of one, possible embodiment of programmer 30 is illustrated in _FIG. 2. As.
illustrated, programmer 30 may include a transducer 25, a processor 34, a programmable memory 36, ari analog-to-digital (A/D) .converter 38, signal processing circuitry ~(SPCj 40, an output buffer 42, and an input buffer 44.
Generally speaking, processor 40 controls the operation of programmer 30. Programmer 30 may be configured to receive and process both analog and digital signals. It, may also acquire acoustic signals via transducer 25 (if y installed).
In operation, prograiiner 30 may download certain user-selected information from source 50 via link. 31.
This information, such as audio Or video files, in the ,, 30 form of electronic signals, may be received from link,31 and 'directed to input. buffer. 44. As mentioned above, these signals may need to b~: processed in order to be compatible with the farmat ~:equired by programmable , , device 20. For example, if analog_input signals are received at input buffer 44 and device 20 requires a digital format, the anal,o~ signals may be routed to A/D, converter 38 for conversion into a suitable digital form (e. g., into PCM, PA1~F, etc. ) . Further processing into another digital format (e.g., MP3, ATRAC, WMA, etc.) may be accomplished by routing the converted signals to SPC 40 or processor 34 (discussed in more detail bel.ow)..
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 SPG 40 or to a 20 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, SPG 40, or directly to output buffer 42 depending~on the circumstances. For example, 15~ some or all of the input~signals received.from source 50 w may recfuire further processing to meet the downloading specifications of device~20. In this case, the incoming signals that require process.in.g may be routed to SPC 40 y .
for such.processing. Forvexaaple, incoming MP3 or WMA
20. signals may be routed to'SPC 40 and converted to~ATRAC
format (or vice-versa). Once this conversion is complete, the resulting inforio~,ation 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 25 change may be routed directly from.input buffer 44 to memory 36, or output buffer 4c,. Although not shown in v FIG. 2, programmer 30 preferax:~ly has a display screen and a data input. device, such as ~°. keyboard associated with it so that a user may, among ntherwthings, browse and 30 select files, monitor file tr~:nsfers, and ensure that r device 20 has properly receiv~:d the selected files.
In one embodiment of ttye present invention, SPC 40 may be programmable so that tr:~e conversion. and processing protocols contained therein many be periodically.updated.
~
Furthermore, in some einbodimEnt~, processor 34 may be programmed via software routines in prograiamable memory 36 to perform some or all of the functions of SPC 40. In this case, an SPC: of reduced processing capacity may be used or SPC CEO may be removed altogether from programmer 30.
Audio signals may also be acquired and processed by programmer 30: Transducer: 25 may acquire an acoustic signal from a stereo'or othe:- audio source and convert it to an electrical signal. This electrical signal may then be processed in a. way simila::: ~to the way the above-descr3~bed analog signal was processed. That is, the electrical signal may be routed to A/D converter 38 and/or SPC 40 and then store3 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 progra~rmer 30 may be installed in or connected to a computer, such as a personal computer.
For example, in FIG. 3, procraiamer 30 may be installed~in an expansion slot and connecaed to an interface bus such as an ISA or .PCL bus (not s~~own~ in computer 60. In this configuration, programmer 3C) may receive user-defined information via the interface bus in computer 60 and operate as described above ~Jith the interface bus acting as_part of link 31. Some o. all of programmer 30 may W
aiso be external to compute:: 60 and connected to it via a link similar to link 31 (not shown). Furthermore, in certain embodiments, some o~ the functions of programmer 30 may be distri~uted~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 computer 60. In this type of embodiment, programmer 30 maw be 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 64, Moreover, signGsl processing functions such -.
as those performed by SPC 40 could also be fully or partially carried out. by cirr:uitry or software resident within computer 60.
As shown in FIG. 3, c~,~mpu.ter 60 may be connected 1.0 to Internet 80 through link "70. Link 70 may be, for example, a modem (e. g., any ~;uitable analog or digital modem; cellular modem, or ca~~le modem) , a network interface link. ( e. g. , an Eth ~rnet link, : token-. ring link, etc.), a wireless cominunicat;ions link (e.g...a Wireless telephone link, a wireless I nternet 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 electronic distribution (ED) services) and/or 'from a disc drive an other devices (not shown) connected to computer 60 and program that information into device 20 (via programmer 30, and link 32).
Tt will be understooc:, of course, that computer 60, with a suitablEv communications link, such. as link 32, may be programmed ~!ith software.to function as, .
programmer 34. Iri this way, a user may take advantage of tie 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 ~ , .
programmable memory circuitry such as memory 36. ..
Computer 60 may alsi~ includE: signal processing circuitry such as 6PC 40, or software that instructs processor 3:4 to, perform the necessary 'fo__mat conversions. Computer 60 may include circuitry simil~3r to input buffer 44 and ~.
~ output buffer 42. Such~cir~~uitry may include random access memory (RA;~I) or cache memory in computer 60.
Computer 60 also :nay include internal or external A/D
conversion'circuitry, such a,r A/D converter 38, and an .
internal or external transduG~er 25.
As shown in FIG. 4a, ~.omputer 60, programmed to function as programmer 30, m:3y 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 programming into device 20.
~~ Using the generalized system shown in FIG. 4a, user-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/cr.telephone access to -programmable device 20 (shorn in FIG 4b). Communications network 95 may be provide h~.rd-wired or wireless telephone or Internet access (or combination of the two).
This arrangement is generalJ.y illustrated in FIG. 4b as~
architecture 200, in which computer 90, for the sake of~
clarity, represents computea~ 60, configured at least in part, to function~as progra~uner 30.
With this configurat~i.on, a user of device 20 may .25 access. Internet 80 and selesrt information for:downloading into device 20. It will be understood, however, that in .this implementation, at~lea:;t a portion ofcomputer 90 is configured to function as programmer 30, and that computer 90 may continue to perform other functions such 3C~, as communicating with network computers 82; communicating . :with Internet 80, interfacing with external. telephone network 84, and GOOrdinating wireless Internet and . telephone access etc., in addition to performing some or all of the~above-described programming functions..
is -In operation, computE.r 90 ~aay communicate with . device 20 to determine its format requirements and perform any conversions necessary to,make user-selected information compatible with those requirements. This allows a user to select -infcarmation, such as audio and/or video, that is available on the Internet or on a remote ' network computer, and progr~~,mthat infor~aation~ into device 20. This may be accr~mplished via communications link 33 (which may be any t~~pe of link previoushy ZO described as suitable for l:.nk 32). For example, a user may wish to download video :images from an Internet site to a hand-held computer, such as a PDA, or to a wireless telephone. The user may,coun~unicate with computer 90 via . , a wireless link 33 and sele~a information ,from.
Internet- 80 using. an -Intern~at browser installed in device 20. Such a browser rnay be a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) compliant br~~wser for supporting -wireless Internet services. Computer 90~ensures format compatibility.of the information, transmits the information to device 2~0, and may communicate with .. device 20"to confirm.that the selected information has' been properly received. Device 20 may provide a visual, audio, or tactile output to.indicate the requested information, has been successfully received.
Computer 90 may also coordinate information.
downloading with.respect tc the memory capacity of device 20.. For example, if' the user-selected information exceeds the,available memory of-device 20, computer 90 may inform the user, via lank 33, that the selected information is larger than the available memory. In such an event, the user may be ~orompted to cancel or modify ' the information~request. in certain instances, however, 'the user may instruct computer 90 to provide the ' ,information in a "scrolling"fashion (i.e.: provide ,it in~
portions? so that all the requested information may be = 51170-1D
reviewed, albeit in sections, This may be particularly desirable in instances where large files, such as video - files, are requested.
- In some embodiments of the present invention, computer 90 may simply contayt,a remote computer or Internet site to fulfill requests for audio or video informatian~in a particular format . Such web sites or remote computers may act as virtual "jukeboxes" of video and audio information, containing extensive.lists of such .
information in a variety of formats available for downloading. Using this approach, a user inay select a particular piece of information in a certain format from a list displayed on~a..screen of programmable device~20.
Computer 90 may ~ receive, this; 'as a request via link .33. and handle the information transfer to device 20. In some embodiments, format selectic.~n may be transparent to the user. That zs, the user ma3~ simgly request a piece of information and computer 90 may determine and then v~
request information in a f~or-mat appropriate for the requesting device. . .
~In another embodimen":, a remote computer or .
Internet site may perform a- format conversion of information requested by.coxnputer 90 or device 20. For .example, a user may access ;3n Internet site or remote computer using.comrnunicatio<zs network 95 and enter a title or description of the desired audio or video, informationlalong with format requirements. The remote computer or Internet site.may then search the Internet or other databases to find a file that matches the user's description. Once this file is found, the Internet site .
or remote computer may convert that file to the requested format, (using a system similar to the des~cribedvabove), and provide ~.t to device 2G via computer 90 and/or link 33. It will be understood, of course, that . ~ 51170-1D
embodiments such as these are within the scope .of the present invention.
If desired, a user .ma.y also employ the systems ' shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b to download remotely stored information such as Internet. access,information.to . _ device 20. For example, a v.ser may have customized bookmarks or web page~addre:.ses stored in a remote personal computer or on Internet 80. The user may employ wireless link 32 or _33 to contact that remote .computer or Internet site and then download the Internet access information for use in devir,e 20. This feature is desirable because it relievea the user of the burden of--having to type in complicated Internet access' information from the small keyboard of s. wireless telephone. or hand-'15 held computer. It also spares the user:from having to re-enter customized Internet. information that is already present in another location, into their electronic device. Moreover, such.a feature is convenient when.a user wishes to access inforn;~ation on a remote computer that is not currently available in device 20. For example, a user may wish to view spreadsheet information stored on,a remote computer'with device 20. Rather than having to download this information form a hard-wired access point; ~a user may simply employ wireless link 33 (e. g:, a wireless modem or ):nternet connection) to access that remote computer or Intfrnet site and download that information,to device 20.
Another feature which may be implemented using the embodiments shown.in FIGS.. ~la and 4b is a "signature" .
'~ feature. This allows devicE~: 20 to send user-defined information, which may be _..-idicative of the user's personal taste or identity, along with other~information .
when performing certain funcaions. For example, if a.~
user is placing a wireless i:elephone call or paging.
.35 someone with device 20, he c>r she may select the signature feature in order try send user-defined audio or video along with, or prior try that call. A user may - . accomplish~this by browsing vhrough a menu on device 20 that displays available sign~~ture options, and by , choosing a particular file (::got sho~in) . If the user chooses an audio file, for e~~cample, device 20 may send that selected audio file whey a call or page is placed (or a period of time_before he call or page is placed).
This' audio file may temporarily replace the "ring sequence" of the device receiving the incoming call so that 'the person receiving the incoming call will be alerted by hearing the audio file sent by the caller.
The person receiving the call may be~able to discern the identity of the. caller',or other information from the audio file. After the call is. complete, the ring sequence of the receiving device may be returned to~its .
former configuration (either~by computer 60 or by theca ~ w receiving device).
In another embodiment, a user may program certain ,20 audio or video files into device 24 that are activated when a certain person calls. For example,~.a user may program device 20 so that certain~signature files are played in response to recei~ying a characteristic indicative of the caller, sL,ch as the caller's telephone number. In this way, a user will be able to identify the caller by the sound ~ and/or c'~,isplay generated ~ by device 20. Users may also program signatures in device 20 to be p~.ayed at pz~edetermined,times. For' example, a user~(or caller) may program "Happy Birthday"
or "Jingle Bells" into device 20 to play on a certain v day, or may program device a:0 to play a certain signature, .
specified time (e. g., as an alarm).
file at ' In yet another embod:'_ment, a user, when placing a call, may invoke a menu on device 20, which displays a list of signature files ava:_lable for the person being called. This list may be defined. by the person receiving the call. For example, the person receiving the call may create a signature file list by selecting certain audio and/or video files and placi-ng them in a database of a remote computer such as com~inter 90 by using, for example, a personal. computer connected to the Internet:
In some embodiments, signatture files may also be stored i.n a device 20 of -the person receiving the call. In this implementation, a list of s3.gnature file names may be 1~0 stored in computer~90 so that a~caller may browse the . names of signature files stared in the device of the person receiving the call. Signature files may also be stored in a combination of xpoth computer 90 and device 20. -- 15, In some embodiments, the signature information may.
not necessarily be user-def_Lned. For example, a.list of pre-selected signature file:~.may stored on computer 90 or~
a remote computer from which a user of device 20 may .
choose: Such a list may be created by a wireless service 20 provider, an Internet-provider, an Internet site, or a, manufacturer. of~ the wireles~~ telephone.
- With these~implement3tions, the caller.may simply select a signature file from the displayed list. The -selected file is then sent.:3long with the call by 25 computer 90 (if the selecte'~ signature file is~stored in ' computer 90)~or associated with the incoming call at . device 20 (if the selected signature tile is stored in - device 2-0).. In some embodiments, the caller may be able to preview signatures before sending them. For example, 30 computer 90 may send the selected signature file to the caller for his or her review. -In systems that havE a video capability, a video ~ .
- file containing a video clip or frame may be -sent instead of or in addition to the au.di:o sample. ~ This may -be 35 accomplished -by selecting a video option from a signature menu and choosing a video file. In this case, the person receiving the call is alertE"d by seeing or hearing the video clip and/or associate<,~ audio. It will be appreciated that a video cl:'.p may have its own audio~~
portion associated with it :~~o that the video clip (or frame) by itself would be sufficient toalert the person receiving the incoming call, The above-described signature feature may be implemented in many ways. :Cn some embodiments, for example, the audio or video.signatures maybe stored in (the caller's) device 20 and sent along with the outgoing call or page via..link 33 an~i camputer 90. In other embodiments, however, the signature information may be . , stored in computer 90 and associated with the outgoing call when it is processed bar computer 90. This type of . embodiment may be implemented when it is desired to conserve memory space within device 2Q. In still other embodiments, signature information maybe stored in both device 20 and computer 90. In any case, .computer 90 may determine the format requirements of the device receiving the incoming call or page and convert the accompanying signature information into a suitable format.
Another implementation of a system in accordance with this invention may use an architecture 300, which is~
shown,in FIG. 5. Using this arrangement, programmer 30 (or similar circuitry) may be embedded within programmable device 20. User-defined information may be provided to device 20-from 'Source SO via link 32: Such' information may be routed to programmer 30, which may perform some or all of the above-described functions..
If source 50 is an ~.coustic source, however, link 32 may not be needed. For example, if.a user . desires to program an acou:~tic sound into device 20, the user may place a transducer 25, (e. g., a speaker/
microphone existing within or external to device 20)~near .
. ~ 51170-1D
the acoustic signal source, place device 20 into an "acquisition mode,"and recr~rd an audio sample. In. this case, transducer 25 coverts the acoustic signal into an electrical signal, which.is provided to programmer 30 for ~process~.ng and possibly stox-age within-device 20. A
visual, audio, or tactile oyxtput may be provided by device 20 to indicate,a sample has been successfully loaded. A user may employ ~:ransducer 25 to acquire and record, for example, a verb~il message or sound effect 1~0 , ( e. g. , laughter, crying, snyaezing, etc. ) for use - as a signature file.
Other embodiments of the present invention may use the embedded architecture of~system 400 as shown in FIG. 6. Using this arrange~:nent, user-defined information .
'may be requested by device 20 via link 32 and computer 60. With this approach, a user may select ~~
information from Internet 80 or a remote computer and perforri any necessary format conversion within device 20.
In~addition to selecting user-defined information . 20 with programmer 30,. a user may customize that information by performing various editing'procedures. For example, a user may.find an audio track or video clip that suits his or her taste. It may be d~:sired, however, to utilize only a portion. o.f that , trar:k or clip. In this case, a user may edit or "sample" ~~ portion of the information to.
obtain the desired segment, For eXample, a user may wish to sample a few bars of a ~~opular song and send it along as~signature information when making a wifelesS telephone . call. Such editing may be accomplished, for example, by using an applicaticin progr~~m with programmer 30 or by using known software with ~~omputer 60. Furthermore, once the user has edited a particular piece of information, he or she may be given the option to review the piece to-ensure it is acceptable. ~i~hen a user lis, satisfied with ' an edited segment, he or she may .save it and be given an opportunity to "name" that ;>egment, so that it may be readily identified later by a user of device 20.
- , It,will be appreciated that various other types of editing procedures are also,possible. For example, a-.
user may combine and/or furfi:her edit the content of segments of information. Tlis may be accomplished using "cut and paste" routines in an application program.
Other types of revisions mar include modifying the color or content of a portion of trideo clip or frame, as well as editing the audio track l:hat accompanies a video clip .
or frame.. It may also include revising or. combining audio segments or creating o:ustomized audio segments to - accompany video clips or . fr~unes .
In some instances, a:user may wish to.download - w large portions of copyrightE:d_audio or, video. To.prevent improper usage of such mate3-ial, programmer 30 may include.copyright protection~software such.as software that conforms with the Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI). Generally speaking, this may allow an owner of such material to "check out'' a finite number of copies so that unauthorized distribut.~:on is prevented...
A schematic diagram c~f a portion of a wireless telephone 500 that can receive and play user-defined,., . ~ audio and/or video is shown.in FIG. 7. As illustrated in FIG. 7, telephone 500. may iniclude antenna 510, receiver/.
transmitter (R/T) circuit 5'.;X0, processor 530, communications interface 53.>, speaker/transducer 540;
alerting circuit 550, and optionally, programmer~30 (or similar circuitry).
A user may program :information into telephone 500 in several ways. For examp::~.e; a user may connect telephone 500 to an externs:.: programmer' 30 (not shown in - , FIG. '3) via- link 32 to program user-defined audio or video in telephone 500 as dfacribed. above. Processor 530.
mad . route this information i:o. alerting .~ circuit, 550 for " 51170-1D
storage and subsequent use.' ~'~fterwards, , the user may configure telephone 500 to plriy a certain user-defined audio file stored in alerting circuit 550 when receiving an incoming call. Thus, when a call is received, processor 530 may instruct alerting circuit 550 to play the selected file through speaker 540. If a video file is chosen, processor 530 may instruct alerting circuit 550 to play the user-selected video file through a display screen on the telephone (not shown). Alerting 10' circuit 550 may include programmable memory circuitry for storing user-defined information and driver circuitry (not shown) for driving speaker 540 and/or a display screen on telephone 500.
Telephone 500 may also receive user-defined w information from communications network 95 via link 33~
and antenna 5I0.' With this implementation, user defined infvr~mation, such as a signature file, may be received by antenna 510 and demodulated with R/T circuit 520.
Processor 530 may then route the~demodulated signals to an appropriate location: In the case of a~signature file, for example, ~ processor _r530 gay check the format of the incoming file to ensure i.t is compatible with the format.. required by alerting circuit 550. If the format is compatible, the incoming i:ile. may be routed to alerting 550 for storage and subsequent use or to' speaker 590 for. immediate pl~~ying: If the format is not '~ compatible, the incoming filE: may be routed to programmer 30 for.conversion.. After conversion is complete, processor 530 may ~.nstruct programmer 30 to ,30 route the converted file to ,>peaker 540 or alerting circuit 550. If a video filE: was sent as a signature file, processor 530 may inst:uct alerting circuit 550 to play the user-selected video file through a display~in telephone 500 (not shown). :Ln some embodiments, ?fl speaker 5.40 may be an enhanced performance speaker (as compared to those currently installed in telephones) with - ., a capacity for generating a full range of audio sounds.
Moreover, it gill be understood that circuitry similar-to that shown in FIG: 7 may~,be installed for use in other . communication devices such ~3s PDA's, pagers, notebook computers,, etc. .
,.Some of the steps in°~olved in programming user-defined information into prr~grammable device 20 as IO described herein are illustrated iw the flow chart of FIGS. 8-9. It will be unde°rstood that although programmer 30 is used in th~~ following description, computer/programmer 90 may also perform some or all of .
these (or similar) steps. _ ' ~ At step 100 in FIG..B, programmer 30 allows the user to, browse information ,for potential programming into ",.
device 20: As mentioned,ab we,.this may~include browsing audia/video~ information on the Internet, or'on a hard, floppy, or optical disc drive~of a computer. ' At step 102, the user may choose certain files for programming into dev3.ce 20. Next; at step 104, programmer 30 may determine the format.requirements of device 20 and compare the format of the selected files to that specified. by device 20. This may be accomplished, for example, by electronically polling device 20. At step 105, if.the formats are compatible, programmer 30 may go directly to step 108. If the formats~a=e not compatible, at step 106, prcigrammer 30.may convert the selected files to a format compatible with device 20. In .
some embodiments, the user may be prompted to confirm that the~conversian should be performed. In addition, grogra~uner 30 may also pronxpt the user to supply a name ' for the convextec~ file. Mc>reover, if the selected file cannot be conve=ted, progrWnrner 30 may so inform he user.
Next, programmer 30 provides the user with an option of editing the conteni~s.of the resulting files at step 108. If desired, the u.ver may first review the converted file to determine ;~f editing is warranted. At step 109, if the user choo,sec~ not to edit the file, programmer. 30 may go directl;,~ to step 11.2 (shown in FIG. 9). If the user decide; to edit the file, he~or she '. may do so at step 110. When finished editing,~'the user.
' may be a given the option of reviewing the file at step 111 by returning to ste"~ 108 to determine whether the file is acceptable or r.exuires.further revision.
Programmer 30 may alternate r~etween steps 108-110 until the user is satisfied with the resulting file.. When editing is complete, programmer 30 provides the user with 'the option of programming the file into device 20,at step 1I2: At this point, (step 113) the user may,~exit the program at step lI4 or return to step 100 to browse 1 more information. -- .. It .will be.understoo~: that. these-steps are merely illustrative, and are.not meant to be comprehensive or necessarily performed in the, order shown: For example, it may be desiredto edit a file already stored in 1 device 20.. In this case, a user may bypass steps 100-106 and go directly to step 108. In some embodiments, selected files may be revisE:d before converting them to format compatible with devi<:e 20. This may be desirable when the file's original format facilitates the editing y process. In addition, progx-amme.r 30 may determine the format requirements of device 20,at any time before the conversion occurs. A user raay also name or revise the name of a selected file at r~ny time.
Some of the steps~,in°volved in sending signature files to programmable deVic~>~ 20 as described herein are w illustrated in the flow chart of FIGS.'10-22. ' ' 51170-1D
At step 1f~0 in FIG. lCn, device 20 allows the user to browse,signature files fox- potential transmission to device.20 of the person receiving the call (hereinafter . the "receiver"). At step 15(i, the user may be provided with option of creating a ne4 signature file if a suitable signature file not j':ound on the list. At step 154 the user may select a signature file: Once a ' ~ signature file is selected,, computer 90, at step 156, may determine the location of thc. selected signature file.
Such locations may include, lout are not limited to, the caller's-device 20, the recewer's device~20, or computer 90.
If computer 90 determines that the signature..f.ile is located in the user's dev~.ce 20 (i.~e., the caller's device 20) computer 90 may r~~trieve,that file from they user's device 20 at step 158. Next, computer 90 may compare the format requirements of the receiuer's device 20 with the format of the retrieved.file to determine if they are compatible at. step 160. If the formats are compatible, computer 90 may go directly to step 164. If the formats are. not compatible,.
computer 90 may convert the signature file to an acceptable format at step 3.62. At step 164, the signature file~may be sent along with, or somewhat before, the outgoing call: At step 166, the receiver's' device 20 may replace~its ring sequence with the, ~ _signature file end play the signature file.. At step.167, ' t~.v receiver's ring sequencE may .be returned to its original setting and the prcgram may exit. ' 3C. . If; however, the signature file is located in computer 90-(step 156), computer 90 may retrieve that file at.step 168 (FIG. 11). Next, computer 90 may ' _ compare the format requiremE:nts ~of the receiver's .
device 20 with the format of: the retrieved file to .
If. the determine. if they are compat:ib~e at step 170.
' 23 ' 51170-1D
formats are compatible, comprter 90 may go directly. to step 174: 'If the formats are not compatible, computer 90 may convert the signature fire to an acceptable format at ' step 172. At step 174, the signature file may be sent along with, or somewhat before, the outgoing call. At step 176. the receiver's device 20 may replace ita ring sequence with the signature file and play the signature .
' file. At step 177 the receiver's ring sequence may return to its original setting and the program may exit.
~ On the other hand, if computer 90 determines at.
step 1~6 that the signature file is located in the receiver's device 20, computer 90 may transmit an indicia indicative of the selected f°i.le to the receiver's device 20 along with the outgoing call at step.178 (FIG. 22):. Next. the recei~rer's device 20 may associate a signature file that comeuponds to the indicia,.replace its ring sequence with that signature. file, and play that~~
signature file at step 180. At step 182, the receiver's ring sequence maybe returnE~d to its original setting and the program may exit. ~It i;~ assumed for the purposes of~
this illustration that signatures filesvstored in the vreceiver' s device 20 are al:: eady in a ~ suitable . fo~nat : .
However; if this is not the case, a conversion step inay:
be added between step 178 arid step 180 (not shown.
~ It will be understoo3 that these steps are merely . illustrative, and are not meant to be comprehensive or necessarily performed in th,~ order shown. For example;
computer 90,may determine t'he format requirements of device 20 at any time before. the~conversion occurs.
Thus, it is seen t'-:at a device for programming user-defined information into an electronic device is y provided. .The programmer allows a user to program customized information, such as audio, video, or Inter,.net access information into his or programmable device. This .
35~ allows a user to, among otx:.er things, customize his or 24.
. k 51170-1D
her device to suit the user's particular taste. It~will ' be understood that the~foreg~oing is only illustrative of the principles of the invention, and that various modifications can be made bar those skilled.in the art without departing from the ;,cope and spirit of the invention. For example, it is not necessary that programmable memory within c~evi.ce be a fixed programmable memory,. That is,. a removabe memory module may be programmed externally from ~~ given,programmable_device and subsequently. installed :Ln~that device. Furthermore, ,. the many aspects.of the invention are suitable for use with hard-wired, cordless,'~~r wireless communications.
devices. For example, user-defined audio and video and signature files, may. be used~with hard-wired or cordless .
telephone systems. Accordingly, such embodiments, will be recognized as within the scope,of,the pres.ent.,invention.
' Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be~practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than. of limitation, and the present invention is limitE:d only by the claims which follow.
Claims (57)
1. A system for providing a video file to a wireless telephone, the system comprising:
a remote computer with access to a database of video files suitable for downloading to the wireless telephone wherein the remote computer is configured to:
provide a list of video files in the database to a user of the wireless telephone when the user requests the list of video files;
allow the user of the wireless telephone to browse the list of video files;
allow the user of the wireless telephone to select a desired video file from the list of video files; and allow the user of the wireless telephone to optionally download a selected video file into the wireless telephone for use as desired by the user of the wireless telephone;
wherein the system is configured to confirm the selected video file has been properly received by the wireless telephone.
a remote computer with access to a database of video files suitable for downloading to the wireless telephone wherein the remote computer is configured to:
provide a list of video files in the database to a user of the wireless telephone when the user requests the list of video files;
allow the user of the wireless telephone to browse the list of video files;
allow the user of the wireless telephone to select a desired video file from the list of video files; and allow the user of the wireless telephone to optionally download a selected video file into the wireless telephone for use as desired by the user of the wireless telephone;
wherein the system is configured to confirm the selected video file has been properly received by the wireless telephone.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote computer is further configured to allow the user of the wireless telephone to search the database of video files for a certain video file using title or description information.
3. The system of claim 1 further configured to allow the user of the wireless telephone to review the selected video file before downloading the selected video file into a programmable memory in the wireless telephone.
4. ~The system of claim 3 further configured to provide the user of the wireless telephone with the option of downloading the selected video file into a programmable memory in the wireless telephone after reviewing the selected video file.
5. ~The system of claim 4 further configured to provide the user of the wireless telephone with the option of editing the selected video file before programming the selected video file into the programmable memory in the wireless telephone.
6. ~The system of claim 1 wherein the remote computer is further configured to provide a plurality of lists of video files for browsing by the user of the wireless telephone.
7. ~The system of claim 1 wherein the database is configured to include video files in a format selected from the group comprising Motion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG), Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPEG), Audio Video Interleaved (AVI), or Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) format.
8. ~The system of claim 1 configured to provide copyright protection far the database of video files to help prevent unauthorized distribution of video files downloaded by the user of the wireless telephone.
9. ~The system of claim 1 further configured to coordinate downloading of the selected video file such that the user of the wireless telephone is informed when the wireless telephone has insufficient available memory capacity to successfully download the selected video file.
10. ~A method for providing a video file to a wireless telephone, the method comprising:
providing a database of video files suitable for downloading to the wireless telephone;
providing a list of video files in the database to a user of the wireless telephone when the user requests the list of video files;
allowing the user of the wireless telephone to browse the list of video files;
allowing the user of the wireless telephone to select a desired video file from the list of video files;
allowing the user of the wireless telephone to optionally download a selected video file into the wireless telephone for use as desired by the user of the wireless telephone; and confirming the selected video file has been properly received by the wireless telephone.
providing a database of video files suitable for downloading to the wireless telephone;
providing a list of video files in the database to a user of the wireless telephone when the user requests the list of video files;
allowing the user of the wireless telephone to browse the list of video files;
allowing the user of the wireless telephone to select a desired video file from the list of video files;
allowing the user of the wireless telephone to optionally download a selected video file into the wireless telephone for use as desired by the user of the wireless telephone; and confirming the selected video file has been properly received by the wireless telephone.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising allowing the user of the wireless telephone to search the database of video files for a certain video file using title or description information.
12. The method of claim 10 further comprising allowing the user of the wireless telephone to review the selected video file before downloading the selected video file into a programmable memory in the wireless telephone.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising providing the user of the wireless telephone with the option of downloading the selected video file into a programmable memory in the wireless telephone after reviewing the selected video file.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising providing the user of the wireless telephone with the option of editing the selected video file before programming the selected video file into the programmable memory in the wireless telephone.
15. The method of claim l0 further comprising providing a plurality of lists of video files for browsing by the user of the wireless telephone.
16. The method of claim 10 further comprising storing video files in the database in a format selected from the group comprising Motion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG), Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPEG), Audio Video Interleaved (AVI), or Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) format.
17. The method of claim 10 further comprising providing copyright protection for the database of video files to help prevent unauthorized distribution of video files downloaded by the user of user wireless telephone.
18. The method of claim 10 further comprising coordinating downloading of the selected video file such that the user of the wireless telephone is informed when the wireless telephone has insufficient available memory capacity to successfully download the selected video file.
19. An Internet site that allows a user of a wireless telephone to browse and select a video file that may be downloaded into a wireless telephone, the Internet site comprising:
a database of video files suitable for downloading to the wireless telephone wherein the Internet site is configured to:
provide a list of video files in the database to the user of the wireless telephone when the user of the wireless telephone requests the list of video files;
allow the user of the wireless telephone to browse the list of video files;
allow the user of the wireless telephone to select a desired video file from the list of video files; and allow the user of the wireless telephone to optionally download a selected video file into the wireless telephone for use as desired by the user of the wireless telephone.
a database of video files suitable for downloading to the wireless telephone wherein the Internet site is configured to:
provide a list of video files in the database to the user of the wireless telephone when the user of the wireless telephone requests the list of video files;
allow the user of the wireless telephone to browse the list of video files;
allow the user of the wireless telephone to select a desired video file from the list of video files; and allow the user of the wireless telephone to optionally download a selected video file into the wireless telephone for use as desired by the user of the wireless telephone.
20. The Internet site of claim 19 configured to operate in conjunction with a distribution computer to confirm the selected video file has been properly received by the wireless telephone.
21. The Internet site of claim 19 further configured to allow the user of the wireless telephone to search the database of video files for a certain video file using title or description information.
22. The Internet site of claim 19 further configured to operate in conjunction with a distribution computer to allow the user of the wireless telephone to review the selected video file before downloading the selected video file into a programmable memory in the wireless telephone.
23. The Internet site of claim 22 further configured to operate in conjunction with a distribution computer to provide the user of the wireless telephone with the option of downloading the selected video file into a programmable memory in the wireless telephone after reviewing the selected video file.
24. The Internet site of claim 19 further configured to provide a plurality of lists of video files for browsing by the user of the wireless telephone.
25. The Internet site of claim 19 wherein the database is configured to include video files in the format selected from the group comprising Motion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG), Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPEG), Audio Video Interleaved (AVI), or Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) format.
26. The Internet site of claim 19 configured to operate in conjunction with a distribution computer to provide copyright protection for the database of video files to help prevent unauthorized distribution of video files downloaded by the user of the wireless telephone.
27. The Internet site of claim l9 configured to operate in conjunction with a distribution computer to coordinate downloading of the selected video file such that the user of the wireless telephony is informed when the wireless telephone has insufficient available memory capacity to successfully download the selected video file.
28. A system for providing a polyphonic audio file to a wireless telephone for use as an indicia of an incoming communication, the system comprising:
a remote computer with access to a database of polyphonic audio files suitable for downloading to the wireless telephone wherein the remote computer is configured to:
provide a list of polyphonic audio files in the database to a user of the wireless telephone when the user requests the list of polyphonic audio files;
allow the user of the wireless telephone to browse the list of polyphonic audio file ;
allow the user of the wireless telephone to select a desired polyphonic audio file from the list of polyphonic audio files; and allow the user of the wireless telephone to optionally download a selected polyphonic audio file into the wireless telephone for future use as an indicia of an incoming communication;
wherein the system is configured to confirm the selected polyphonic audio file has been properly received by the wireless telephone.
a remote computer with access to a database of polyphonic audio files suitable for downloading to the wireless telephone wherein the remote computer is configured to:
provide a list of polyphonic audio files in the database to a user of the wireless telephone when the user requests the list of polyphonic audio files;
allow the user of the wireless telephone to browse the list of polyphonic audio file ;
allow the user of the wireless telephone to select a desired polyphonic audio file from the list of polyphonic audio files; and allow the user of the wireless telephone to optionally download a selected polyphonic audio file into the wireless telephone for future use as an indicia of an incoming communication;
wherein the system is configured to confirm the selected polyphonic audio file has been properly received by the wireless telephone.
29. The system of claim 28 wherein the remote computer is further configured to allow the user of the wireless telephone to search the database of polyphonic audio files for a certain polyphonic audio file using title or description information.
30. The system of claim 28 further configured to allow the user of the wireless telephone to review the selected polyphonic audio file before downloading the selected polyphonic audio file into a programmable memory in the wireless telephone.
31. The system of claim 30 further configured to provide the user of the wireless telephone with the option of downloading the selected polyphonic audio file into a programmable memory in the wireless telephone after reviewing the selected polyphonic audio file.
32. The system of claim 31 further configured to provide the user of the wireless telephone with the option of editing the selected polyphonic audio file before programming the selected polyphonic audio file into the programmable memory in the wireless telephone.
33. The system of claim 28 wherein the remote computer is further configured to provide a plurality of lists of polyphonic audio files for browsing by the user of the wireless telephone.
34. The system of claim 28 wherein the database is configured to include polyphonic audio files selected from the group comprising Motion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG), MPEG Layer 3 (MP3), or Waveform Audio (WAV) files.
35. The system of claim 28 wherein the database is configured to include polyphonic Music Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) audio files.
36. The system of claim 28 configured to provide copyright protection for the database of polyphonic audio files to help prevent unauthorized distribution of polyphonic audio files downloaded by the user of the wireless telephone.
37. The system of claim 28 further configured to coordinate downloading of the selected polyphonic audio file such that the user of the wireless telephone is informed when the wireless telephone has insufficient available memory capacity to successfully download the selected polyphonic audio file.
38. A method for providing a polyphonic audio file to a wireless telephone for use as an indicia of an incoming communication, the method comprising:
providing a database of polyphonic audio files suitable for downloading to the wireless telephone;
providing a list of polyphonic audio files in the database to a user of the wireless:, telephone when the user requests the list of polyphonic audio files;
allowing the user of the wireless telephone to browse the list of polyphonic audio files;
allowing the user of the wireless telephone to select a desired polyphonic audio file from the list of polyphonic audio files;
allowing the user of the wireless telephone to optionally download a selected polyphonic audio file into the wireless telephone for future use as an indicia of an incoming communication; and confirming the selected polyphonic audio file has been properly received.
providing a database of polyphonic audio files suitable for downloading to the wireless telephone;
providing a list of polyphonic audio files in the database to a user of the wireless:, telephone when the user requests the list of polyphonic audio files;
allowing the user of the wireless telephone to browse the list of polyphonic audio files;
allowing the user of the wireless telephone to select a desired polyphonic audio file from the list of polyphonic audio files;
allowing the user of the wireless telephone to optionally download a selected polyphonic audio file into the wireless telephone for future use as an indicia of an incoming communication; and confirming the selected polyphonic audio file has been properly received.
39. The method of claim 38,further comprising allowing the user of the wireless telephone to search the database of polyphonic audio files for a certain polyphonic audio file using title or description information.
40. The method of claim 38 further comprising allowing the user of the wireless telephone to review the selected polyphonic audio file before downloading the selected polyphonic audio file into a programmable memory in the wireless telephone.
41. The method of claim 40 farther comprising providing the user of the wireless telephone with the option of downloading the selected polyphonic audio file into a programmable memory in the wireless telephone after reviewing the selected polyphonic audio file.
42. The method of claim 41 further comprising providing the user of the wireless telephone with the option of editing the selected polyphonic: audio file before programming the selected polyphonic audio file into the programmable memory in the wireless telephone.
43. The method of claim 38 further comprising providing a plurality of lists of polyphonic audio files for browsing by the user of the wireless telephone.
44. The method of claim 38 further comprising storing polyphonic audio files in the database including those selected from the group comprising Motion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG), MPEG Layer 3 (MP3), or Waveform Audio (WAV) files.
45. The method of claim 38 further comprising storing polyphonic audio files in the database including polyphonic Music-Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) audio files.
46. The method of claim 38 further comprising providing copyright protection for the database of polyphonic audio files to help prevent unauthorized distribution of polyphonic audio files downloaded by the user of the wireless telephone.
47. The method of claim 38 further comprising coordinating downloading of the selected polyphonic audio file such that the user of the wireless telephone is informed when the wireless telephone has insufficient available memory capacity to successfully download the selected polyphonic audio file.
48. An Internet site that allows a user of a wireless telephone to browse and select a polyphonic audio file that maybe downloaded into a wireless telephone for use as an indicia of an incoming communication, the Internet site comprising:
a database of polyphonic audio files suitable for downloading to the wireless telephone wherein the Internet site is configured to:
provide a list of polyphonic audio files in the database to the user of the wireless telephone when the user of the wireless telephone requests the list of polyphonic audio files;
allow the user of the wireless telephone to browse the list of polyphonic audio file;
allow the user of the wireless telephone to select a desired polyphonic audio file from the list of polyphonic audio files; and allow the user of the wireless telephone to optionally download a selected polyphonic audio file into the wireless telephone for future use as an indicia of an incoming communication.
a database of polyphonic audio files suitable for downloading to the wireless telephone wherein the Internet site is configured to:
provide a list of polyphonic audio files in the database to the user of the wireless telephone when the user of the wireless telephone requests the list of polyphonic audio files;
allow the user of the wireless telephone to browse the list of polyphonic audio file;
allow the user of the wireless telephone to select a desired polyphonic audio file from the list of polyphonic audio files; and allow the user of the wireless telephone to optionally download a selected polyphonic audio file into the wireless telephone for future use as an indicia of an incoming communication.
49. The Internet site of claim 48 configured to operate in conjunction with a distribution computer to confirm the selected polyphonic audio file has been properly received by the wireless telephone.
50. The Internet site of claim 48 further configured to allow the user of the wireless telephone to search the database of polyphonic audio files for a certain polyphonic audio file using title or description information.
5I. The Internet site of claim 48 further configured to operate in conjunction with a distribution computer to allow the user of the wireless telephone to review the selected polyphonic audio file before downloading the selected polyphonic audio file into a programmable memory in the wireless telephone.
52. The Internet site of claim 51 further configured to operate in conjunction with a distribution computer to provide the user of the wireless telephone with the option of downloading the selected polyphonic audio file into a programmable memory in the wireless telephone after reviewing the selected polyphonic audio file.
53. The Internet site of claim 48 further configured to provide a plurality of lists of polyphonic audio files for browsing by the user of the wireless telephone.
54. The Internet site of claim 48 wherein the database is configured to include polyphonic audio files selected from the group comprising Motion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG), MPEG Layer 3 (MP3), or Waveform Audio (WAV) files.
55. The Internet site of claim 48 wherein the database is configured to include polyphonic Music Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) audio files.
56. The Internet site of claim 48 configured to operate in conjunction with a distribution computer to provide copyright protection for the database of polyphonic audio files to help prevent unauthorized distribution of polyphonic audio files downloaded by the user of the wireless telephone.
57. The Internet site of claim 48 configured to operate in conjunction with a distribution computer to coordinate downloading of the selected polyphonic audio file such that the user of the wireless telephone is informed when the wireless telephone has insufficient available memory capacity to successfully download the selected polyphonic audio file.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US16915899P | 1999-12-06 | 1999-12-06 | |
| US60/169,158 | 1999-12-06 | ||
| US09/518,712 | 2000-03-03 | ||
| US09/518,712 US6496692B1 (en) | 1999-12-06 | 2000-03-03 | Methods and apparatuses for programming user-defined information into electronic devices |
| CA002436872A CA2436872C (en) | 1999-12-06 | 2000-12-05 | Methods and apparatuses for programming user-defined information into electronic devices |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002436872A Division CA2436872C (en) | 1999-12-06 | 2000-12-05 | Methods and apparatuses for programming user-defined information into electronic devices |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2492727A1 true CA2492727A1 (en) | 2001-06-07 |
Family
ID=34279257
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002492727A Abandoned CA2492727A1 (en) | 1999-12-06 | 2000-12-05 | Methods and apparatuses for programming user-defined information into electronic devices |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2492727A1 (en) |
-
2000
- 2000-12-05 CA CA002492727A patent/CA2492727A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |