Apparatus and method for storing predetermined multimedia information

• US 7,424,446 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mavenir Ltd. (Mavenir Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Comverse Network Systems Limited
• Inventors: Emodi, Dan, Zevadi, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Allen; William J.
• Application Number:
  US09/861,531
• Publication Number:
  US 20020016748A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,667 Days
• Field of Search: 379/374, 379/114.2, 379/112.01, 379/114.05, 379/114.1, 211/40, D14/178, 395/200.41, 709/203, 369/24.01, 340/825.24, 340/825.72, 345/733, 345/747, 345764-765, 705 26- 27, 705/1
• US Class Current: 705/26.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4938 comprising a voice browser which renders and interprets, e.g. VoiceXML
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53 Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages , i.e. mailbox systems

Abstract

An apparatus for storing predetermined multimedia information is provided. The apparatus includes a telephony platform and a storage location coupled to the telephony platform. The storage location stores predetermined multimedia information corresponding to a plurality of predetermined information tracks, and the telephony platform receives at least one multimedia command from an access device of a user. The multimedia command enables the user to access a service of the apparatus relating to a particular information track of the predetermined information tracks. Also, the telephony platform charges the user a fee for accessing the service.

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing predetermined multimedia information, comprising:

a telephony platform comprising a processor;

a storage device having therein a storage location coupled to said telephony platform,

said storage device storing predetermined multimedia information corresponding to a plurality of predetermined information tracks in said storage location,

wherein said telephony platform is configured to receive at least one multimedia command from an access device of a user, and

in response to said at least one multimedia command, said telephony platform enables said user to access a service of said apparatus relating to a particular information track of said predetermined information tracks so that said particular information track is downloaded to an email address or a computer network address,

wherein said particular information track is a music track and said at least one multimedia command further enables said user to access additional information relating to said music track, said additional information discussed in a chat group interested in said music track,

wherein said telephony platform is configured to charge said user a fee for accessing said service.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said service relates to purchasing said particular information track.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said service comprises a search operation performed by said user via said access device to search for said music track stored in said storage location.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said service comprises listening to said music track via said access device.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said service comprises saving said music track as at least part of a customized CD.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said service comprises saving said music track as at least part of a customized radio channel.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said service comprises replaying a customized radio channel containing said music track.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said service comprises forwarding data relating to said music track to a second access device of a second user.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said forwarded data is stored in a second storage location corresponding to said second access device, and

wherein said forwarded data comprises access data enabling said second user to access said telephony platform via said second access device.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said service comprises downloading at least a portion of said music track to be used as a ringtone for said access device.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said service comprises accessing said music track by inputting radio channel information via said access device, and

wherein said radio channel information identifies a radio station that is broadcasting said particular music track or has recently broadcasted said particular music track.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said particular information track is additionally stored on said access device.

13. A method for storing predetermined multimedia information, comprising:

supplying a multimedia command from an access device of a user to a telephony platform;

accessing a service relating to a particular information track based on said multimedia command, said particular information track comprising a music track, wherein said music track is represented by predetermined multimedia information stored in a storage location coupled to said telephony platform;

charging said user a fee for accessing said service; and

downloading said music track, based on said multimedia command, to an email address or computer network address,

said method further comprising accessing additional information relating to said music track, wherein said additional information corresponds to information discussed in a chat group interested in said particular music track.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said service includes an operation of purchasing said music track.

15. The method according to claim 13, further including performing a search operation by said user via said access device to search for said music track stored in said storage location.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein said method further comprises listening to said music track via said access device.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein said method further comprises saving said music track as at least part of a customized CD.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein said method further comprises saving said music track as at least part of a customized radio channel.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein said method further comprises replaying a customized radio channel containing said music track.

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein said method further comprises forwarding data relating to said music track to a second access device of a second user.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said forwarded data is stored in a second storage location corresponding to said second access device, and

wherein said forwarded data comprises access data enabling said second user to access said telephony platform via said second access device.

22. The method according to claim 13, wherein said method further comprises downloading at least a portion of said music track to be used as a ringtone for said access device.

23. The method according to claim 13, wherein said method further comprises accessing said music track by inputting radio channel information via said access device, and

wherein said radio channel information identifies a radio station that is broadcasting said particular music track or has recently broadcasted said particular music track.

24. The method according to claim 13, wherein said access device is a wireless device.

25. The method according to claim 13, wherein said access device is a telephone.