Combination compact disc recorder and player system

• US 20040199534A1
• Filed: 04/04/2003
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gibson Brands, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fleet Capital Corporation (Bank of America Corp.)
• Inventors: Juszkiewicz, Henry E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,249,147 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/027 Remotely controlled remote control systems in general G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00007 Time or data compression or expansion audio compression based on psychoacoustics G10L19/00; data processing for reproducing audio data at different playback speeds G10L21/04; video compression H04N19/00; data compression per se H03M7/30
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00086 Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00166 involving measures which result in a restriction to authorised contents recorded on or reproduced from a record carrier, e.g. music or software
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/0071 involving a purchase action
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00731 involving a digital rights management system for enforcing a usage restriction
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00746 wherein the usage restriction can be expressed as a specific number
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00753 wherein the usage restriction limits the number of copies that can be made, e.g. CGMS, SCMS, or CCI flags
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00797 wherein the usage restriction limits the number of times a content can be reproduced, e.g. using playback counters
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00855 involving a step of exchanging information with a remote server
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10 Digital recording or reproducing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/00057 MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 audio layer III [MP3]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/10833 Copying or moving data from one record carrier to another
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/21 characterised in that the disc is of read-only, rewritable, or recordable type
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/213 Read-only discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/216 Rewritable discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/218 Write-once discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2516 Hard disks
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 : Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

The combination recorder and player system includes a recorder/player unit and a remote control unit. The recorder/player unit includes a recorder/player computer system and recorder/player software that is operable to cause the recorder/player to record, play, and burn CDs. The remote control unit includes a remote control computer system and remote control software that can be used to control the recorder/player unit. The system can be used to automatically copy all of the audio on CDs into memory on the recorder/player, to control multiple pieces of audio and video equipment, and to download and store new music from the Internet.

Claims

1. A combination compact disc recorder and player unit, comprising:

a recorder/player computer system including a compact disc drive, recorder/player memory, and a copy request input mechanism; and

recorder/player software operable to cause the recorder/player computer system to copy all of the audio stored on a compact disc to the recorder/player memory when the compact disc is inserted into the disc drive and a user inputs a copy request using the copy request input mechanism.

2. The recorder/player unit of claim 1, wherein the recorder/player computer system copies audio to the recorder/player memory in an uncompressed format.

3. The recorder/player unit of claim 2, wherein the recorder/player computer system copies audio using original compact disc audio format.

4. The recorder/player unit of claim 2, wherein the recorder/player computer system copies the audio to the recorder/player memory using .wav audio format.

5. The recorder/player unit of claim 1, wherein the recorder/player computer system copies audio to the recorder/player memory in a compressed format.

6. The recorder/player unit of claim 5, wherein the recorder/player computer system copies audio using .mp3 audio format.

7. The recorder/player unit of claim 1, wherein:

the recorder/player computer system further comprises

a speaker system; and

a recorder/player communication system; and

the recorder/player software is operable to cause the recorder/player computer system to play audio stored in the recorder/player memory using the speaker system in response to a play request received by the recorder/player computer system using the recorder/player communication system.

8. The recorder/player unit of claim 1, wherein:

the compact disc drive is operable to write audio to a recordable compact disc that has been inserted into the disc drive;

the recorder/player software is operable to cause the recorder/player computer system to write audio stored in the recorder/player memory to the recordable compact disc when it has been inserted into the disc drive and a burn request is received by the recorder/player computer system using the recorder/player communication system.

9. The recorder/player unit of claim 1, wherein the recorder/player computer system further comprises:

a remote control docking system adapted to receive a remote control unit, the docking system operable to supply power to and charge the remote control unit when it has been connected to the docking system.

10. The recorder/player unit of claim 1, wherein:

the recorder/player memory includes information that can be used to control multiple pieces of audio or video equipment.

11. The recorder/player unit of claim 1, wherein:

the recorder/player memory includes information identifying audio or video equipment located in one or more rooms of a house; and

the recorder/player memory includes information that can be used to control the audio or video equipment located in the one or more rooms of the house.

12. The recorder/player unit of claim 1, wherein:

the recorder/player memory includes audio that has been pre-stored in the recorder/player memory.

13. The recorder/player unit of claim 1, wherein the recorder/player computer system further comprises an Internet communication system.

14. The recorder/player unit of claim 13, wherein:

at predetermined times, the recorder/player software causes the recorder/player computer system to automatically download additional audio from the Internet to the recorder/player memory using the Internet communication system.

15. The recorder/player unit of claim 13, wherein:

at predetermined times, the recorder/player software causes the recorder/player computer system to automatically download program guides for music being broadcast over the Internet to the recorder/player memory using the Internet communication system.

16. The recorder/player unit of claim 13, wherein:

at predetermined times, the recorder/player software causes the recorder/player computer system to automatically download TV guides for local broadcasts of cable, satellite, or local stations using the Internet communication system.

17. The recorder/player unit of claim 13, wherein:

at predetermined times, the recorder/player software is operable to send, using the Internet, information regarding the number of times a song has been played by the system to a subscription service using the Internet communication system.

18. A combination compact disc recorder and player unit, comprising:

a recorder/player computer system including recorder/player memory, a recorder/player speaker system, an input device, and an output device; and

recorder/player software operable to cause the recorder/player computer system

to display a listing of songs stored in the recorder/player memory using the output device in response to a display request input into the unit using the input device, each song in the listing including an associated button; and

to play a song stored in the recorder/player memory using the recorder/player speaker system when a user presses the button associated with the song.

19. A combination compact disc recorder and player unit, comprising:

a recorder/player computer system including recorder/player memory, a compact disc drive, an input device, and an output device; and

recorder/player software operable to cause the recorder/player computer system

to display a listing of songs stored in the recorder/player memory using the output device in response to a display request input into the unit using the input device, each song in the listing having an associated button; and

to copy a song stored in the recorder/player memory to a recordable compact disc in the compact disc drive when the recordable compact disc is inserted into the disc drive and a user presses the button associated with the song.

20. A compact disc recorder and player unit, comprising:

a recorder/player computer system including a compact disc drive, recorder/player memory, recorder/player speaker system, and an input mechanism;

recorder/player software operable to cause the recorder/player computer system to copy audio stored on a compact disc to the recorder/player memory when the compact disc is inserted into the compact disc drive and a copy request is input into the player using the input mechanism and to play audio stored in the recorder/player memory using the recorder/player speaker system when a play request is input into the player using the input mechanism; and

an enclosure connected to the recorder/player computer system and having the appearance of a conventional jukebox.

21. The recorder/player unit of claim 20, wherein the enclosure includes animated bubble tubes.

22. The recorder/player unit of claim 20, wherein the enclosure includes revolving color columns.

23. The recorder/player unit of claim 20, wherein the enclosure includes a plurality of conventional jukebox buttons typically found on a conventional jukebox and used to input music selections.

24. The recorder/player unit of claim 20, wherein the enclosure includes a plurality of pages containing listings of compact discs and their associated songs.

25. The recorder/player unit of claim 20, wherein the speaker system includes two separate speaker units that are detachably connected to the enclosure.

26. The recorder/player unit of claim 20, wherein the recorder/player software is further operable to cause the recorder/player computer system to copy audio stored in the recorder/player memory to a recordable compact disc when the recordable compact disc has been inserted into the compact disc drive and the user inputs a burn request using the input device.

27. The recorder/player unit of claim 20, wherein the recorder/player computer system further comprises:

a remote control docking system adapted to receive a remote control unit, the docking system operable to supply power to and charge the remote control unit when it has been connected to the docking system.

28. The recorder/player unit of claim 20, wherein:

the recorder/player memory includes information that can be used to control multiple pieces of audio or video equipment.

29. The recorder/player unit of claim 20, wherein:

the recorder/player memory includes information identifying audio or video equipment located in one or more rooms of a house; and

the recorder/player memory includes information that can be used to control the audio or video equipment located in the one or more rooms of the house.

30. The recorder/player unit of claim 20, wherein:

the recorder/player memory includes audio that has been pre-stored in the recorder/player memory.

31. The recorder/player unit of claim 20, wherein the recorder/player computer system further comprises an Internet communication system.

32. The recorder/player unit of claim 31, wherein:

at predetermined times, the recorder/player software causes the recorder/player computer system to automatically download additional audio from the Internet to the recorder/player memory using the Internet communication system.

33. The recorder/player unit of claim 31, wherein:

at predetermined times, the recorder/player software causes the recorder/player computer system to automatically download program guides for music being broadcast over the Internet to the recorder/player memory using the Internet communication system.

34. The recorder/player unit of claim 31, wherein:

at predetermined times, the recorder/player software causes the recorder/player computer system to automatically download TV guides for local broadcasts of cable, satellite, or local stations using the Internet communication system.

35. The recorder/player unit of claim 31, wherein:

at predetermined times, the recorder/player software is operable to send, using the Internet, information regarding the number of times a song has been played by the system to a subscription service using the Internet communication system.

36. A combination compact disc recorder and player unit, comprising:

a recorder/player computer system including recorder/player memory, a recorder/player speaker system, an Internet communication system, and an input device; and

recorder/player software operable to cause the recorder/player computer system

to automatically and at predetermined times, download audio from the Internet to the recorder/player memory using the Internet communication system; and

to play audio stored in the recorder/player memory using the recorder/player speaker system when a play request is input into the unit using the input device.

37. A combination compact disc recorder and player unit, comprising:

a recorder/player computer system including recorder/player memory, a recorder/player speaker system, an Internet communication system, and an input device; and

recorder/player software operable to cause the recorder/player computer system

to, automatically and at predetermined times, transmit information regarding the number of times a song stored in the recorder/player memory has been played by the recorder/player unit to a subscription service on the Internet using the Internet communication system; and

to play audio stored in the recorder/player memory using the recorder/player speaker system when a play request is input into the recorder/player unit using the input device.

38. A remote control unit, comprising:

a remote control computer system including an input/output device and a remote control communication system; and

remote control software operable to cause the remote control computer system to send a copy request to a combination recorder and player using the communication system in response to a copy command input into the system using the input/output device, the copy request including information that causes the combination recorder and player to copy all of the audio on a compact disc into memory included with the combination recorder and player.

39. The remote control unit of claim 38, wherein the remote control software is further operable to cause the remote control computer system to:

display a listing of songs stored in the combination recorder and player using the input/output device in response to a play display request input into the unit using the input/output device, each song in the listing including an associated play button; and

send a play request to the combination recorder and player using the communication system when a user presses the play button associated with the song, the play request including information that causes the combination recorder and player to play the song associated with the play button pressed by the user.

40. The remote control unit of claim 38, wherein the remote control software is further operable to cause the remote control computer system to:

display a listing of songs stored in a combination recorder and player associated with the remote control unit using the input/output device in response to a burn display request input into the unit using the input/output device, each song in the listing including an associated burn button; and

to send a burn request to the combination recorder and player using the communication system when a user presses the burn button associated with the song, the burn request including information that causes the combination recorder and player to burn the song associated with the burn button pressed by the user onto a recordable compact disc inserted into a compact disc drive included with the combination recorder and player.

41. The remote control unit of claim 38, wherein:

the remote control computer system further comprises;

a remote control speaker system; and

remote control memory; and

the remote control software is operable to cause the remote control computer system to play audio stored in the remote control memory using the remote control speaker system in response to a play memory audio command input into the system using the input/output device.

42. The remote control unit of claim 41, wherein:

the remote control software is operable to cause the remote control computer system to store audio, received from the combination recorder and player system using the remote control communication system, in the remote control memory.

43. The remote control unit of claim 38, wherein:

the remote control software is operable to cause the remote control computer system to play streaming audio, received from the combination recorder and player system using the remote control communication system, using the remote control speaker system.

44. The remote control unit of claim 38, wherein:

the remote control memory includes information identifying audio or video equipment located in one or more rooms of a house; and

the remote control memory includes information that can be used to control the audio or video equipment located in the one or more rooms of the house.

45. The remote control unit of claim 38, wherein

the remote control computer system further comprises:

an infrared control system in communication with the remote control computer system; and

the remote control software is operable to cause the remote control computer system to generate, using the infrared control system, control signals for the audio or video equipment located in the one or more rooms.

46. The remote control unit of claim 38, wherein the remote control computer system further comprises:

an X-10 control system; and

the remote control software is operable to cause the remote control computer system to generate, using the X-10 control system, home control signals for lights and appliances in the house.

47. A remote control unit, comprising:

a remote control computer system including an input/output device and a remote control communication system;

remote control software operable to cause the remote control computer system

to display a listing of songs stored in a combination recorder and player associated with the remote control unit using the input/output device in response to a play display request input into the unit using the input/output device, each song in the listing including an associated play button; and

to send a play request to the combination recorder and player using the communication system when a user presses the play button associated with the song, the play request including information that causes the combination recorder and player to play the song associated with the play button pressed by the user.

48. The remote control unit of claim 47, wherein the remote control software is further operable to cause the remote control computer system to:

display a listing of songs stored in a combination recorder and player associated with the remote control unit using the input/output device in response to a burn display request input into the unit using the input/output device, each song in the listing including an associated burn button; and

to send a burn request to the combination recorder and player using the communication system when a user presses the burn button associated with the song, the burn request including information that causes the combination recorder and player to burn the song associated with the burn button pressed by the user onto a recordable compact disc inserted into a compact disc drive included with the combination recorder and player.

49. The remote control unit of claim 47, wherein the remote control software is further operable to cause the remote control computer system to send a copy request to the combination recorder and player using the communication system in response to a copy command input into the unit using the input/output device, the copy request including information that causes the combination recorder and player to copy all of the audio on a compact disc into memory included with the combination recorder and player.

50. The remote control unit of claim 47, wherein:

the remote control computer system further comprises;

a remote control speaker system; and

remote control memory; and

the remote control software is operable to cause the remote control computer system to play audio stored in the remote control memory using the remote control speaker system in response to a play memory audio command input into the system using the input/output device.

51. The remote control unit of claim 47, wherein:

the remote control software is operable to cause the remote control computer system to store audio, received from the combination recorder and player system using the remote control communication system, in the remote control memory.

52. The remote control unit of claim 47, wherein:

the remote control software is operable to cause the remote control computer system to play streaming audio, received from the combination recorder and player system using the remote control communication system, using the remote control speaker system.

53. The remote control unit of claim 47, wherein:

the remote control memory includes information identifying audio or video equipment located in one or more rooms of a house; and

the remote control memory includes information that can be used to control the audio or video equipment located in the one or more rooms of the house.

54. The remote control unit of claim 47, wherein

the remote control computer system further comprises:

an infrared control system in communication with the remote control computer system; and

the remote control software is operable to cause the remote control computer system to generate, using the infrared control system, control signals for the audio or video equipment located in the one or more rooms.

55. The remote control unit of claim 47, wherein the remote control computer system further comprises:

an X-10 control system; and

the remote control software is operable to cause the remote control computer system to generate, using the X-10 control system, home control signals for lights and appliances in the house.

56. A remote control unit, comprising:

a remote control computer system including an input/output device and a remote control communication system;

remote control software operable to cause the remote control computer system

to display a listing of songs stored in a combination recorder and player associated with the remote control unit using the input/output device in response to a burn display request input into the unit using the input/output device, each song in the listing including an associated burn button; and

to send a burn request to the combination recorder and player using the communication system when a user presses the burn button associated with the song, the burn request including information that causes the combination recorder and player to burn the song associated with the burn button pressed by the user onto a recordable compact disc inserted into a compact disc drive included with the combination recorder and player.