Audio assisted setup apparatus and method

• US 6,966,032 B1
• Filed: 09/30/1999
• Issued: 11/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Anderson, Glen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Sinh
• Assistant Examiner(s): FLANDERS, ANDREW C
• Application Number:
  US09/409,500
• Time in Patent Office: 2,238 Days
• Field of Search: 700/94, 381/114, 401/241, 404/55, 409/02
• US Class Current: 715/708
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/00 Electrically-operated educational appliances working with questions and answers G09B7/00; simulators G09B9/00; advertising or displaying in general G09F

Abstract

An audio assisted setup apparatus and method include providing a set of audio instructions stored in a memory, and presented to a computer purchaser to assist in setup of a computer system. The apparatus is activated automatically upon a triggering event, and runs before the computer is set up.

Claims

1. An audio assisted computer setup apparatus, comprising:

a processor;

a memory operatively connected to the processor, the memory containing audio file instructions for setting up a computer system;

a photo diode operatively connected to the processor, the photo diode for receiving light;

a speaker connected to the processor; and

a set of controls for controlling the operation of the audio file instructions;

wherein the setup apparatus is activated upon the photo diode being exposed to a predetermined level of light before the computer system is set up.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the speaker is a piezoelectric speaker.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controls comprise a selection consisting essentially of back, next, repeat, restart, more, language select and speed select options.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the set of controls further comprises a display which displays an instruction number and instruction label for the audio instruction being presented by the audio assisted setup apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is affixed to a computer component.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is affixed to a packing container of a computer system.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising:

a mailing flap which folds over the apparatus to allow the apparatus to be mailed.

8. A packing container for a computer system, comprising:

a container capable of holding computer system components; and

an audio assisted setup apparatus affixed to the container, the apparatus being activated upon the impingement of a predetermined level of incident light upon the apparatus, the audio assisted setup apparatus providing audio startup instructions to assist a user in setting up a computer system.

9. The packing container for a computer system of claim 8, wherein the apparatus is configured to be activated in response to the packing container being opened.

10. A computer system, comprising:

a computer; and

an audio assisted setup apparatus affixed to a component of the computer, the audio assisted setup apparatus, comprising;

a processor;

a memory operatively connected to the processor, the memory containing audio file instructions for setting up a computer system;

a photo diode operatively connected to the processor, the photo diode for receiving light;

a speaker connected to the processor; and

a set of controls for controlling the operation of the audio file instructions;

wherein the audio assisted setup apparatus is activated upon the photo diode being exposed to a predetermined level of light, the activation of the audio assisted setup apparatus for providing audio startup instructions to assist a user in setting the system up.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the speaker is a piezoelectric speaker.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the controls comprise a selection consisting essentially of back, next, repeat, restart, more, language select and speed select options.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the set of controls further comprises a display which displays an instruction number and instruction label for the audio instruction being presented by the audio assisted setup apparatus.

14. The computer system of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is configured to be activated in response to a packing container for the computer system being opened.

15. A method of assisting a user in set up of a computer system, comprising:

providing a self-contained apparatus containing a set of audio instructions presentable to the user upon actuation of the apparatus;

activating the apparatus upon the occurrence of an impingement of a predetermined level of light on the apparatus; and

allowing the user to control the presentation of audio instructions.

16. The method of claim 15, and further comprising:

providing additional instructions if the user desires additional instructions.

17. The method of claim 15, and further comprising:

allowing the user to repeat an instruction.

18. The method of claim 15, and further comprising:

allowing the user to adjust the speed of presentation of the audio instructions.

19. The method of claim 15, allowing the user to restart the audio instructions from the beginning.

20. The method of claim 15, and further comprising:

displaying a legend indicating the instruction number and label corresponding to printed instructions.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the set of audio instructions are instructions for setting up the computer system.

22. A machine readable medium comprising machine executable instruction for causing a processor to perform a method comprising:

providing a user a set of audio instructions for setting up a computer system; and

activating the set of audio instructions upon the impingement of a predetermined level of light upon a photo diode operatively connected to the processor.

23. The machine readable medium of claim 22, wherein the method further comprises:

providing additional instructions if the user desires additional instructions.

24. The method of claim 22, and further comprising:

allowing the user to repeat an instruction.

25. The method of claim 22, and further comprising:

allowing the user to adjust the speed of presentation of the audio instructions.

26. The method of claim 22, allowing the user to restart the audio instructions from the beginning.

27. The method of claim 22, and further comprising:

displaying a legend indicating the instruction number and label corresponding to printed instructions.

28. An audio assisted computer setup apparatus, comprising:

a processor;

a memory operatively connected to the processor, the memory containing audio file instructions for setting up a computer system;

a speaker connected to the processor;

a set of controls for controlling the operation of the audio file instructions; and

a mailing flap which folds over the apparatus to allow the apparatus to be mailed;

wherein the setup apparatus is activated upon a triggering event before the computer system is set up.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising a photo diode for receiving light.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the photo diode activates the apparatus when a predetermined level of light is incident upon the photo diode.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the opening of the mailing flap activates the apparatus.