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

• US 8,170,538 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2008
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Solocron Media, LLC (Solocron Group, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Solocron Media, LLC (Solocron Group, LLC)
• Inventors: Shanahan, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beamer, Temica M
• Application Number:
  US12/128,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20080287115A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,433 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/415, 455/418, 455/419, 455/566, 455/567, 455/557, 455/556.1
• 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 2250/64 file transfer between terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2343 involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements video transcoding H04N19/40; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

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 allowing a wireless communication device to obtain a user customized data file located on a remote computer having a plurality of user customized data files, the method comprising:

allowing the wireless communication device to contact the remote computer;

allowing the wireless communication device to select one or more of the user customized data files;

determining a format of the one or more user customized data files selected with the wireless communication device; and

downloading the selected one or more user customized data files to the wireless communication device for subsequent use by a user.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining at least one format compatible with the wireless communication device.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising comparing the at least one format compatible with the wireless communication device with the format of the one or more user customized data files selected by the wireless communication device to determine whether the one or more user customized data files selected with the wireless communication device are compatible with the wireless communication device.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising converting the one or more user customized data files selected by the wireless communication device to the at least one format compatible with the wireless communication device if the one or more user customized data files selected by the wireless communication device are not compatible with the wireless communication device.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein converting the one or more user customized data files selected by the wireless communication device includes converting from HTML format to WML format.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing the user to review the one or more user customized data files selected with the wireless communication device prior to downloading to the wireless communication device.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to modify the one or more user customized data files selected with the wireless communication device.

8. The method of claim 1, accomplished at least in part, using a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) compliant system.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is periodically performed by the wireless device based on preferences specified in software.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more user customized data files include Internet access information.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more user customized data files include text files.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more user customized data files include HTML files or WML files.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more user customized data files include word processing or spreadsheet files.

15. The method of claim 4 wherein converting the one or more user customized data files selected by the wireless communication device includes converting the one or more user customized data files selected to a wireless device format suitable for use with the wireless communication device.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein converting the one or more user customized data files selected by the wireless communication device includes converting from HTML format to WML format.

14. A method for allowing a wireless communication device to obtain a user customized data file located on a remote computer having a plurality of user customized data files, the method comprising:

allowing the wireless communication device to contact the remote computer;

allowing the wireless communication device to select one or more of the user customized data files;

determining a format of the one or more user customized data files selected with the wireless communication device; and

periodically downloading the selected one or more user customized data files to the wireless communication device for subsequent use by a user based on preferences specified in software.

17. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of sequences of instructions including sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors cause one or more electronic devices to allow a wireless communication device to obtain a user customized data file located on a remote computer having a plurality of user customized data files, the plurality of sequences of instructions further comprising instructions which:

allow the wireless communication device to contact the remote computer;

allow the wireless communication device to select one or more of the user customized data files;

determine a format of the one or more user customized data files selected with the wireless communication device; and

download the selected one or more user customized data files to the wireless communication device for subsequent use by a user.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein the plurality of sequences of instructions further comprise instructions which, when executed by one or more processors cause one or more electronic devices to determine at least one format compatible with the wireless communication device.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 18 wherein the plurality of sequences of instructions further comprise instructions which, when executed by one or more processors cause one or more electronic devices to compare the at least one format compatible with the wireless communication device with the format of the one or more user customized data files selected by the wireless communication device to determine whether the one or more user customized data files selected with the wireless communication device are compatible with the wireless communication device.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 19 wherein the plurality of sequences of instructions further comprise instructions which, when executed by one or more processors cause one or more electronic devices to convert the one or more user customized data files selected by the wireless communication device to the at least one format compatible with the wireless communication device if the one or more user customized data files selected by the wireless communication device are not compatible with the wireless communication device.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 20 wherein the plurality of sequences of instructions further comprise instructions which, when executed by one or more processors cause one or more electronic devices to convert the one or more user customized data files selected by the wireless communication device from HTML format to WML format.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein the plurality of sequences of instructions further comprise instructions which, when executed by one or more processors cause one or more electronic devices to allow the user to review the one or more user customized data files selected with the wireless communication device prior to downloading to the wireless communication device.

23. The computer readable medium of claim 22 wherein the plurality of sequences of instructions further comprise instructions which, when executed by one or more processors cause one or more electronic devices to provide the user with an opportunity to modify the one or more user customized data files selected with the wireless communication device.

24. The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein the plurality of sequences of instructions further comprise instructions which, when executed by one or more processors cause one or more electronic devices including the wireless communication device to operate in compliance with a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP).

25. The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein the plurality of sequences of instructions further comprise instructions which, when executed by one or more processors cause one or more electronic devices including the wireless communication device to periodically execute the instructions of claim 17 based on preferences specified in software.

26. The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein the one or more user customized data files include Internet access information.

27. The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein the one or more user customized 10 data files include text files.

28. The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein the one or more user customized data files include HTML files or WML files.

29. The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein the one or more user customized data files include word processing or spreadsheet files.

30. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of sequences of instructions including sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors cause one or more electronic devices to allow a wireless communication device to obtain a user customized data file located on a remote computer having a plurality of user customized data files, the plurality of sequences of instructions further comprising instructions which:

allow the wireless communication device to contact the remote computer;

allow the wireless communication device to select one or more of the user customized data files;

determine a format of the one or more user customized data files selected with the wireless communication device; and

periodically download the selected one or more user customized data files to the wireless communication device for subsequent use by a user based on preferences specified in software.

31. The computer readable medium of claim 30 wherein the plurality of sequences of instructions further comprise instructions which, when executed by one or more processors cause one or more electronic devices to convert the one or more user customized data files selected by the wireless communication device to a wireless device format suitable for use with the wireless communication device.

32. The computer readable medium of claim 31 wherein the plurality of sequences of instructions further comprise instructions which, when executed by one or more processors cause one or more electronic devices to convert the one or more user customized data files selected by the wireless communication device from HTML format to WML format.