Internet wired audio device

• US 20040028195A1
• Filed: 03/19/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Penguinradio Inc.
• Original Assignee: Penguinradio Inc.
• Inventors: Fesler, Kenneth A, Leyden, Andrew P
• Application Number:
  US10/203,933
• Publication Number:
  US 20040028195A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/88.17
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface

Abstract

A digital audio system and method for accessing digital audio broadcasts and files over a computer network. The digital audio device of the present invention provides an apparatus for connecting to and receiving digital audio broadcasts and files without the need for a personal computer. A method is provided for simplifying access to the broadcast and file addresses. Each address is assigned a channel number for entering into the digital audio device in lieu of its URL. With the system and method of the present invention the digital audio device provides features much like a standard radio, but when connected to the Internet it is capable of accessing any radio station in the world that broadcasts over the Internet. The digital audio device can also provide features similar to that of a jukebox, in that individual songs or programs can be purchased for single or multiple uses.

Claims

1. A system for providing digital audio broadcasts and digital audio files via a computer network, comprising:

a computer network containing digital audio files and digital audio broadcast files;

an audio appliance connected to the computer network and capable of receiving and playing the digital audio files and digital audio broadcast files; and

a server accessible from the computer network with a database containing addresses to the digital audio files and the digital audio broadcast files, wherein the database also contains a unique identification number for each address;

wherein, said audio appliance is adapted to connect to said server to determine said addresses to the digital audio files and the digital audio broadcast files by transmitting said unique identification number for an address of interest.

2. A digital audio appliance capable of connecting to a computer network and processing digital audio files comprising:

a microprocessor capable of processing digital audio files;

a computer network interface for connecting to a network containing digital audio files, said computer network interface adapted to connect to the computer network to determine an address associated with a desired digital audio file by transmitting said unique identification number for said address associated with said desired digital audio file;

an audio output device for feeding digital or analog audio signals;

a user interface;

a display;

a RAM memory device; and

a data storage device for storing operating system and system software.

3. The digital audio appliance of claim 2, wherein the computer network interface is capable of connecting to the computer network through a dial-up modem, cable modem, digital satellite, wireless network, or an Ethernet connection.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the audio output device is selected from the group consisting of:

a headphone jack;

a speaker jack; and

RCA jacks.

5. The digital audio appliance of claim 2, wherein the user interface comprises an alpha numeric keypad.

6. The digital audio appliance of claim 2, wherein the user interface comprises an infrared or a radio frequency remote control.

7. The digital audio appliance of claim 6, wherein the remote control further comprises a display device.

8. The digital audio appliance of claim 2, wherein the user interface comprises a voice recognition system.

9. The digital audio appliance of claim 2, further comprising a peripheral interface adaptable to use a serial port, a parallel port, a USB port, a wireless port, or a short range wireless port.

10. A method for accessing and playing digital audio files by using a unique identification number, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing a connection between a digital audio device and a computer network; and

transmitting a unique identification number from the digital audio device to a database connected to the computer network;

converting the unique identification number into a network address for a digital audio source file;

returning the network address to the digital audio device;

requesting file access from the network for the network address;

returning the digital audio file to the digital audio device; and

playing of the digital audio file.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the transmitting of a unique identification number further comprises requesting a conversion of the unique identification number.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the converting of the unique identification number further comprises querying the database for a corresponding network address of the digital audio source file.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of sending an error message when the digital audio source file is unavailable.