System and method for communicating selected information to an electronic device

• US 7,187,947 B1
• Filed: 03/28/2000
• Issued: 03/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Affinity Labs of Texas, LLC
• Inventors: White, Russell W., Imes, Kevin R.
• Primary Examiner(s): GELIN, JEAN ALLAND
• Application Number:
  US09/537,812
• Time in Patent Office: 2,534 Days
• Field of Search: 455/412.1, 455/414.1, 455/556.1, 455/3.01, 455/3.03, 455/3.04, 455/410, 455/411, 455/414.2, 455/414.3, 455/517, 455/41.2, 455/556.2, 455/66.1, 455/572, 455/571, 455/93, 455/99, 455/557, 709/217, 709/218, 709/219, 709/228, 709/203, 379/447, 379/419, 705/26
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• 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 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/02 with automatic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/27 Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64
• 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 1/72469 : for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/64 : file transfer between terminals download of applications H04M1/72406; transfer of messages, e.g. SMS, e-mail or MMS H04M1/7243
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/14 : using intermediate storage
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 : Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Disclosed are a system and method for communicating selected information to an electronic device. The disclosed system may include a digital engine operable to maintain data representing the selected information in a digital format. In some embodiments, the digital engine may be communicatively coupled to a graphical user interface that allows a user to identify the selected information. The system may also include a communication engine communicatively coupled to the digital engine, the communication engine may be operable to wirelessly communicate the data representing the selected information to an electronic device.

Claims

1. A cellular communication device comprising:

a cellular communication module configured to receive an incoming telephonic communication;

a memory module configured to store audio information received via a cellular communication network independent of the incoming telephonic communication;

a processor communicatively coupled to the memory module and configured to process the audio information and to output a digital representation of the audio information;

a local rechargeable battery configured to provide power to the processor; and

an interface configured to releasably engage with a docking mechanism of a separate sound system such that;

(1) a power supply of the separate sound system can recharge the local rechargeable battery via the interface;

(2) the digital representation can be communicated to the separate sound system via the interface; and

(3) a control signal of the cellular communication device can alter an operational parameter of the separate sound system in response to the incoming telephonic communication.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the operational parameter is a volume level further comprising the processor operable to stop playing of the audio file in response to the incoming telephonic communication.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising the processor configured to enable a user to alter the processing of the audio information to answer the incoming telephonic communication.

4. The device of claim 1,

wherein the audio information comprises plural audio files;

and

wherein the processor is configured to enable sequential playing of plural audio files.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the processor is configured to first play a WAV file and second play an MP3 file.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the memory is configured as a buffer and the audio information is a wirelessly streamed version of an on-line radio broadcast.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the wirelessly streamed version of the on-line radio broadcast is received via a GSM network.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the audio information includes streaming audio information.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising the processor being configured to pause output of the digital representation of the audio information in connection with the incoming telephonic communication.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising the processor being configured to enable a user to elect to answer and listen to a telephone call in response to the incoming telephonic communication, wherein the telephone call is not listened to via the separate sound system.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising the processor being configured to enable a user to elect to answer and listen to a telephone call in response to the incoming telephonic communication, further wherein the interface is configured to allow the user to listen to the telephone call from the separate sound system.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein a PDA comprises the cellular communication module, the processor, the memory module, the local rechargeable battery, and the interface.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein a cellular telephone comprises the cellular communication module, the processor, the memory module, the local rechargeable battery, and the interface.

14. The device of claim 1, further comprising a WAP browser configured to accept the audio information.

15. The device of claim 13, further comprising the communication module being configured to receive an audio file selected via an Internet website accessed external to the cellular communication device.

16. The device of claim 14, further comprising a media player configured to play user selected media wirelessly downloaded outside of a web browsing environment.

17. A cellular communication device comprising:

a processor configured to play plural audio information formats;

a communication module configured to receive a wirelessly communicated collection of digital data packets representing a user selected media having a first audio information format;

a display configured to present a user interface that comprises an icon representing a locally stored audio file;

an updateable user interface engine configured to accept an over the air download of an updated user interface file and to utilize the updated user interface file to initiate presentation of a different user interface on the display, wherein the different user interface comprises a new icon representing the user selected media;

a memory operable to store plural audio information formats; and

a Bluetooth communication module communicatively coupled to the processor such that a played audio information format can be communicated to a wireless speaker.

18. The device of claim 17, further comprising:

output means for providing an audio output;

input means for selecting the audio file; and

browsing means for viewing available preformatted audio and media files.

19. The device of claim 17, further comprising a removable memory device operable to store at least one audio file.

20. A method for managing audio outputs for a cellular communication device comprising:

generating a user interface file that can be processed to present a user interface on a cellular device, wherein the user interface comprises an icon linked to a selected audio information source;

initiating an over the air download of the user interface file;

communicating the user interface file to the cellular telephone via a wide area wireless network;

processing the user interface file to present the user interface on the cellular device;

initiating a playing of audio information by selecting the icon;

detecting an incoming cellular telephone call; and

altering playing of the audio information in connection with a detecting of the cellular telephone call.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising playing a second audio file stored within a memory of the cellular device.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

receiving the second audio file independent of the incoming cellular telephone call;

storing the second audio file within the memory; and

playing the second audio file after detecting the incoming cellular telephone call.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising playing a second audio file received via a non-wireless communication network.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

enabling access to a streaming media source in response to a selection of the icon;

detecting selection of the icon; and

receiving a wirelessly communicated collection of data packets representing a media stream output by the streaming media source.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising

playing the wirelessly communicated collection of data packets in order to present the media stream;

and

altering the playing in response to receiving the cellular telephone call.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising outputting a playing of the wirelessly communicated collection of data packets such that the media stream is presented via an automobile entertainment system.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the media stream comprises a video stream.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the media stream comprises streaming audio.

29. A wireless communication system comprising:

an Internet website provided in association with a cellular communication device configured to receive and play audio information, the Internet website configured to present a user with an application that allows the user to create a user interface for the cellular communication device;

a wireless communication network configured to communicate a launchable interface file to the cellular communication device such that the user interface is presented on a display of the cellular communication device;

a wireless network element configured to receive a signal indicating that the user has selected an icon on the user interface and to initiate wireless communication of data packets to the cellular communication in response to the signal; and

a digital engine operable to determine availability of the cellular communication device and to communicate the data packets to the cellular communication device.

30. The system of claim 29, further comprising the Internet website being configured to present a user login page and to link a particular user to a particular cellular communication device.

31. The system of claim 30, further comprising the Internet website being configured to provide access to downloadable software that can be wirelessly communicated to the cellular communication device.

32. The system of claim 29, further comprising the cellular communication device, wherein the cellular communication device is configured to alter playing of the audio file in response to receiving a telephone communication communicated via the wireless communication network.

33. The system of claim 29, further comprising the Internet website presenting a link to a selectable preformatted audio file operable to be communicated to an identified cellular communication device.

34. The system of claim 29, wherein the user interface includes a list of selectable categories, wherein the list of selectable categories includes at least two of:

genre;

artist;

most popular;

newest;

most viewed; and

favorites.

35. The system of claim 29, further comprising the digital engine being configured to communicate data packets that represent streaming audio information.

36. The system of claim 35 further comprising the digital engine being configured to communicate data packets that represent streaming video information.

37. The system of claim 30, wherein the audio file may be communicated to the wireless communication device independent of a user being logged into the Internet website.

38. The system of claim 29, further comprising the user interface being configured to enable access to a WAP enabled Internet website that is communicatively coupled to the digital engine.

39. The system of claim 29, further comprising the digital engine being configured to provide access to a broadcast.

40. The system of claim 39, further comprising the digital engine being configured to provide access to an on-line video broadcast.

41. The system of claim 39, further comprising the digital engine being configured to provide access to an on-line radio broadcast.

42. The system of claim 39, wherein the cellular communication device is configured to alter playing of an accessed broadcast in response to an incoming cellular telephone call.