Structure and method for selecting, controlling and sending internet-based or local digital audio to an AM/FM radio or analog amplifier

• US 6,879,865 B1
• Filed: 08/29/2000
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DigiMedia Tech, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Mayland, Llc
• Inventors: Bi, Depeng, Gladwin, Stephen Christopher, Spurgat, Jeffrey Jonathan, Cortopassi, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US09/649,981
• Time in Patent Office: 1,687 Days
• Field of Search: 700/94, 704/272, 381/100, 381/124, 381/61, 369/29.02, 369/47.1, 368/39, 368/27
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L

Abstract

A system and method that allows a host PC to provide an analog audio signal for a radio or amplifier without interfering with the operation of the host PC. This invention also allows the audio signal to be selected and controlled by a remote device without interfering with the operation of the host PC.

Claims

1. A system for converting audio digital data to audio analog data, said system including a host personal computer (PC), configured to receive predetermined digital data, the system comprising:

a PC adapter in communication with said host PC, said PC adapter also configured to be connected to a remote analog device, and including means for receiving said digital audio data from said host PC and converting said digital audio data to analog audio data for playback by an analog device without interfering with the operation of the host PC and digital content data;

said PC adapter including means for receiving signals from a remote device and controlling said host PC to play the digital audio content selected by the user on said remote device; and

a remote device in communication with said PC adapter which includes means for receiving said digital content data from said PC adapter;

a display for displaying said digital content data; and

a user interface for enabling a user to select digital audio content displayed on the display and transmit signals representative of selected digital audio content to said PC adapter.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said analog device is located remotely from said PC adapter.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein said analog device is coupled to said PC adapter by way of a radio link.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said remote device is operatively connected to said PC adapter by way of a radio link.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said digital data bus is a serial bus.

6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said serial bus is a universal serial bus (USB).

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said analog device is a radio.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said analog device is an amplifier.