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

• US 8,249,572 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2006
• Issued: 08/21/2012
• 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:
  US11/633,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20080182619A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,089 Days
• Field of Search: 455418-420, 455/414.1, 455/557, 455/567, 455/502, 379/88.13
• 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 of providing an audio file to a wireless communications device for use as an indicia of an incoming communication, the method comprising:

allowing a party initiating a communication to browse a plurality of audio files;

allowing the initiating party to select at least one of the browsed audio files;

sending at least a portion of the selected audio file to the wireless communications device;

receiving the selected audio file with the communications device; and

using the selected audio file to alert a user of the wireless communications device of the incoming communication.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing the initiating party to review the selected audio file prior to providing the selected audio file to the wireless communications device.

3. 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).

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected audio file produces polyphonic sound when the selected audio file is used to alert the user of the wireless communications device of the incoming communication.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing the initiating party to 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 audio file provided to the communication device.

9. The method of claim 1 characterized by the use of a personal computer to perform the browsing step.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing the initiating party with an opportunity to modify the selected audio file.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising allowing the initiating party to review a modified audio file prior to providing a selected modified audio file to the wireless communications device.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the communication device is configured to operate in conjunction with copyright protection software to prevent the unauthorized distribution of the selected audio file.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing the wireless communication device to return to using any previously used indicia of an incoming communication after the incoming communication is received.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the audio file includes a video component which is played on a display screen of the wireless communication device when receiving the incoming communication.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. The method of claim 1 further comprising preventing the unauthorized distribution of the audio file provided to the communication device.

24. The method of claim 1 characterized by the use of a personal computer to perform the browsing step.

25. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing the initiating party with an opportunity to modify the selected audio file.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising allowing the initiating party to review a modified audio file prior to providing a selected modified audio file to the wireless communications device.

15. A method of providing an audio file to a wireless communications device for use as an indicia of an incoming communication, the method comprising:

allowing a party initiating a communication to browse a plurality of audio files;

allowing the initiating party to select at least one of the browsed audio files;

converting the selected audio file to format usable by the wireless communications device, if necessary;

sending at least a portion of the selected audio file to the wireless communications device;

receiving the selected audio file with the communications device; and

using the selected audio file to alert a user of the wireless communications device of the incoming communication.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising determining a file format compatible with the wireless communication device.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising allowing the initiating party to review the selected audio file prior to providing the selected audio file to the wireless communications device.

18. The method of claim 15 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).

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the selected audio file produces polyphonic sound when the selected audio file is used to alert the user of the wireless communications device of the incoming communication.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising allowing the initiating party to search a remote database for a certain desired audio file using title or description information to aid in locating the desired audio file.

27. The method of claim 15 wherein the communication device is configured to operate in conjunction with copyright protection software to prevent the unauthorized distribution of the selected audio file.

28. The method of claim 15 further comprising allowing the wireless communication device to return to using any previously used indicia of an incoming communication after the incoming communication is received.

29. The method of claim 15 wherein the audio file includes a video component which is played on a display screen of the wireless communication device when receiving the incoming communication.