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

• US 6,496,692 B1
• Filed: 03/03/2000
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Solocron Media, LLC (Solocron Group, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Michael Shanahan
• Inventors: Shanahan, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Congvan
• Application Number:
  US09/518,712
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 453/418, 453/414, 453/419, 453/420, 453/424, 453/425, 453/413, 453/567, 379/67, 379/815, 379/88.02
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/61 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• 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: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup

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 for programming a user-defined audio file into a telephone comprising:

allowing a user to search a plurality of different locations that include audio files;

allowing the user to browse audio files in one of the plurality of different locations that include audio files;

allowing the user to choose the user-defined audio file from among the browsed audio files; and

enabling the user of the telephone to program at least a portion of the user-defined audio file into the telephone for use as an indicia of an incoming communication.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to modify the user-defined audio file.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to review the modified audio file.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the enabling further comprises retrieving the user-defined audio file from the Internet.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the enabling further comprises transmitting the user-defined audio file across a wireless network.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the enabling is characterized by the use of a telephone call as the incoming communication.

7. A method for programming a customized audio file into a device capable of making person to person calls comprising:

allowing the user to browse a group of predefined audio files;

allowing the user to choose an audio file from the predefined group;

allowing the user to modify the chosen audio file; and

enabling the user of the device to program the modified audio file into the device for use as an indicia of an incoming communication.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the enabling is characterized by the use of a telephone call as the incoming communication.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to review the modified audio file.