Systems and methods for the identification and/or distribution of music and other forms of useful information

• US 8,812,143 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 08/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bernadette Depke, Brian Holihan, Robert J. Depke
• Original Assignee: Bernadette Depke, Brian Holihan, Robert J. Depke
• Inventors: Depke, Robert J, HOLIHAN, Brian, Depke, Bernadette
• Primary Examiner(s): Flanders, Andrew C
• Application Number:
  US13/839,548
• Publication Number:
  US 20130231763A1
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 700/94, 455/3.06, 725/112
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0246 in block erasable memory, e.g. flash memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/60 of audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/634 Query by example, e.g. query by humming
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/65 Clustering; Classification
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/125 Library distribution, i.e. distributing musical pieces from a central or master library
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/305 Internet or TCP/IP protocol use for any electrophonic musical instrument data or musical parameter transmission purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications systems and methods. More specifically, the present invention is directed to systems and methods for identifying and/or distributing music and other types of useful information for users in a very simple and convenient manner. A variety of systems and methods are disclosed which provide users with quick and convenient access to various forms of information, such as, for example, audio information including music and news items as well as coupons and other information. The systems and methods allow users to store data representative of a time of transmission and preferably a source of transmission so that data of interest may be identified for ordering an/or downloading.

Claims

1. An audio reproduction device comprising:

tuner circuitry and a user interface presenting a plurality of user selections, one or more of the user selections in the user interface, when selected, generating at least one control signal causing the tuner circuitry to select a predetermined frequency for demodulation and reproduction via the audio reproduction device;

an electronic communication interface providing a temporary electronic communication interface directly between the audio reproduction device and a portable digital music storage and playback device;

wherein the user interface for the audio reproduction device presents a plurality of user selections specifically designated for controlling interaction with the portable digital music storage and playback device and which, when selected, cause generation of one or more control signals based on a user selection at the audio reproduction device user interface that are transferred directly to the digital music storage and playback device via the temporary electronic communication interface, the one or more control signals causing transfer from the digital music storage and playback device of one or more digitally recorded songs directly into the audio reproduction device via the temporary electronic communication interface;

wherein the audio reproduction device user interface also includes user selection circuitry for generating a storage instruction signal based on a user input, the storage instruction signal causing the audio reproduction device to store in an electronic memory of the audio reproduction device digital information sufficient to identify a song played back by the audio reproduction device and wherein the electronic memory stores digital information sufficient to identify a plurality of songs for transfer into the portable digital music storage device, wherein the audio reproduction device stores digital information sufficient to identify a plurality of songs based on storage instructions generated by the user selection circuitry at a time when the portable digital music storage and playback device is not connected to the audio reproduction device; and

further wherein the audio reproduction device is configured to automatically communicate with the portable digital music storage and playback device to provide the automatic transfer of the stored digital information sufficient to identify a plurality of songs from the audio reproduction device to a memory of the portable digital music storage and playback device when the portable digital music storage and playback device is temporarily connected to the audio reproduction device via the electronic communication interface, and further wherein the automatic transfer of the stored digital information occurs without user selection of the data to be transferred from the audio reproduction device memory to the memory of the portable digital music storage and playback device;

and wherein a computer program executed at a user computer at a time when the portable digital music storage and playback device is connected to the computer causes automatic generation of an electronic communication from the computer to a remote server, the electronic communication transferring digital information sufficient to identify the plurality of songs stored in the memory of the portable digital music storage and playback device without selection of the digital information by the user and the computer processing a responsive communication in order to provide the user with a plurality of link data providing for the purchase and/or preview of the plurality of songs originally designated by the user selection circuitry of the audio reproduction device.

2. The audio reproduction device of claim 1, wherein the electronic communication interface is a USB interface.

3. The audio reproduction device of claim 1, wherein the audio reproduction device user interface provides the user with a specifically designated user selection option for selecting reproduction of either a specific type of music or music from a specific artist or a playlist of songs from the portable digital music storage and playback device.

4. An audio reproduction device comprising:

a user interface means presenting a plurality of user selections, one or more of the user selections in the user interface, when selected, generating at least one control signals causing a tuner means to select a predetermined frequency for demodulation and reproduction via the audio reproduction device;

electronic communication interface means providing a temporary electronic communication interface directly between the audio reproduction device and a portable digital music storage and playback device;

wherein the user interface means for the audio reproduction device presents a plurality of user selections specifically for controlling interaction with the portable digital music storage and playback device and which, when selected, cause generation of one or more control signals based on a user selection in the audio reproduction device that are transferred directly to the digital music storage device via the temporary electronic communication interface means, the one or more control signals causing transfer from the digital music storage device of one or more digitally recorded songs directly into the audio reproduction device via the temporary electronic communication interface means;

wherein the audio reproduction device user interface means also includes user selection circuitry for generating a storage instruction signal based on a user input selection, the storage instruction signal causing the audio reproduction device to store in an electronic memory of the audio reproduction device digital information sufficient to identify a song played back by the audio reproduction device and wherein the electronic memory stores digital information sufficient to identify a plurality of songs for transfer into the portable digital music storage and playback device, wherein the audio reproduction device stores digital information sufficient to identify a plurality of songs based on the user input selection at a time when the portable digital music storage and playback device is not connected to the audio reproduction device; and

further wherein the audio reproduction device is configured to automatically communicate with the portable digital music storage and playback device to provide the automatic transfer of the stored digital information sufficient to identify a plurality of songs from the audio reproduction device to a memory of the portable digital music storage and playback device when the portable digital music storage and playback device is temporarily connected to the audio reproduction device via the electronic communication interface means, and further wherein the automatic transfer of the stored digital information occurs without user selection of the data to be transferred from the audio reproduction device memory to the memory of the portable digital music storage and playback device;

and wherein a computer program executed at a user computer at a time when the portable digital music storage and playback device is connected to the computer causes automatic generation of an electronic communication from the computer to a remote server, the electronic communication transferring digital information sufficient to identify the plurality of songs stored in the memory of the portable digital music storage and playback device without selection of the digital information by the user and the computer processing a responsive communication in order to provide the user with a plurality of link data providing for the purchase and/or preview of the plurality of songs originally designated by the user selection circuitry of the audio reproduction device.

5. The audio reproduction device of claim 4, wherein the electronic communication interface means is a USB interface.

6. The audio reproduction device of claim 4, wherein the audio reproduction device user interface means provides the user with a specific user selection option for selecting reproduction of either a specific type of music or music from a specific artist or a playlist of songs from the portable digital music storage and playback device.

7. An automobile sound system comprising:

tuner circuitry and a user interface presenting a plurality of user selections, one or more of the user selections in the user interface, when selected, generating at least one control signal causing the tuner circuitry to select a predetermined frequency for demodulation and reproduction via the audio reproduction device;

an electronic communication interface providing a temporary electronic communication interface directly between the automobile sound system and a portable digital music storage and playback device;

wherein the user interface for the automobile sound system presents a plurality of user selections specifically designated for controlling interaction with the portable digital music storage and playback device and which, when selected, cause generation of one or more control signals based on a user selection at the automobile sound system user interface that are transferred directly to the portable digital music storage and playback device via the temporary electronic communication interface, the one or more control signals causing transfer from the digital music storage and playback device of one or more digitally recorded songs directly into the automobile sound system via the temporary electronic communication interface;

wherein the automobile sound system user interface also includes user selection circuitry for generating a storage instruction signal based on a user input selection, the storage instruction signal causing the automobile sound system to store in an electronic memory of the automobile sound system digital information and wherein the electronic memory stores digital information sufficient to identify a currently reproduced song, wherein the audio reproduction device stores digital information sufficient to identify a plurality of songs based on the user input selection at a time when the portable digital music storage and playback device is not connected to the automobile sound system; and

further wherein the automobile sound system is configured to automatically communicate with the portable digital music storage and playback device to provide the automatic transfer of the stored digital information from the automobile sound system to a memory of the portable digital music storage and playback device when the portable digital music storage and playback device is temporarily connected to the automobile sound system via the electronic communication interface, and further wherein the automatic transfer of the stored digital information occurs without user selection of the data to be transferred from the automobile sound system memory to the memory of the portable digital music storage and playback device; and

wherein a computer program executed at a user computer at a time when the portable digital music storage and playback device is connected to the computer causes automatic generation of an electronic communication from the computer to a remote server, the electronic communication transferring digital information sufficient to identify the plurality of songs stored in the memory of the portable digital music storage and playback device without selection of the digital information by the user and the computer processing a responsive communication in order to provide the user with a plurality of link data providing for the purchase and/or preview of the plurality of songs originally designated by the user selection circuitry of the automobile sound system.

8. A method of ordering new content for a portable digital music storage and playback device via an automobile sound system user interface comprising:

establishing a temporary electronic communication interface directly between the automobile sound system and a portable digital music storage and playback device;

wherein the user interface for the automobile sound system presents a plurality of user selections specifically designated for controlling interaction with the portable digital music storage and playback device and generating one or more control signals based on one or more user selections at the automobile sound system user interface that are transferred directly to the portable digital music storage and playback device via the temporary electronic communication interface, the one or more control signals causing transfer from the digital music storage and playback device of one or more digitally recorded songs directly into the automobile sound system via the temporary electronic communication interface for reproduction by the automobile sound system;

generating a storage instruction signal based on a user input selection at the automobile sound system user interface, the storage instruction signal causing the automobile sound system to store in an electronic memory of the automobile sound system digital information and wherein the electronic memory stores digital information sufficient to identify a currently reproduced song and the automobile sound system stores digital information sufficient to identify a plurality of songs based on the user input selection at a time when the portable digital music storage and playback device is not connected to the automobile sound system; and

the automobile sound system automatically communicating with the portable digital music storage and playback device to provide the automatic transfer of the stored digital information from the automobile sound system to a memory of the portable digital music storage and playback device when the portable digital music storage and playback device is temporarily connected to the automobile sound system via the electronic communication interface, and further wherein the automatic transfer of the stored digital information occurs without user selection of the data to be transferred from the automobile sound system memory to the memory of the portable digital music storage and playback device; and

executing a computer program at a user computer when the portable digital music storage and playback device is connected to the computer and automatically generating an electronic communication from the computer to a remote server via the internet, the electronic communication transferring digital information sufficient to identify the plurality of songs stored in the memory of the portable digital music storage and playback device without selection of the digital information by the user and the computer processing a responsive communication in order to provide the user with a plurality of link data providing for the purchase and/or preview of the plurality of songs originally designated by the user selection circuitry of the automobile sound system.

9. The method of ordering new content for a portable digital music storage and playback device via an automobile sound system user interface of claim 8, further comprising selecting a link for purchase of at least one new song and adding the new song to the portable digital music storage and playback device at the computer.