Methods and apparatuses for programming user-defined information into electronic devices

• US 20070099604A1
• Filed: 12/02/2006
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solocron Media, LLC (Solocron Group, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Twenty Year Innovations Incorporated
• Inventors: Shanahan, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,742,759 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• 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 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/053 remote terminal provisioning, e.g. of applets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/64 file transfer between terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42017 Customized ring-back tones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42051 where the notification is included in the ringing tone
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42161 via computer interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks

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.

Claims

1. A method of providing an audio file to a wireless multimedia player from one or more content sites that are in data communication with the Internet, the method comprising:

allowing a user of the wireless multimedia device to browse a plurality of audio files at one more content sites;

allowing the user of the wireless multimedia device to select at least one of the browsed audio files;

converting the selected audio file to format usable by the wireless multimedia player, if necessary; and

downloading the selected audio file for subsequent use at a time specified by the user.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a file format compatible with the wireless multimedia player.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing the user to review the selected audio file prior to download.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the format of the selected audio file is from the group comprising:

MIDI, MPEG, MP3, WAV, PCM, Windows Media Audio code (WMA), or Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding (ATRAC).

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing the user search a remote database for a certain desired audio file using title or description information to aid in locating the desired audio file.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the browsing of audio files is accomplished at least in part using a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) compliant system.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the sending of audio files is accomplished at least in part using a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) compliant system.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising preventing the unauthorized distribution of the selected audio file provided to the multimedia player.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to modify the selected audio file.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected audio file has an associated video component.