Method of using a personal digital stereo player

• US 7,817,502 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2006
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Audio Devices LLC
• Original Assignee: Advanced Audio Devices LLC
• Inventors: Kelley, Michael J., Keller, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh; Tan X
• Application Number:
  US11/557,317
• Publication Number:
  US 20070169607A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,442 Days
• Field of Search: 369/7, 369 3005- 3008, 369/30.09, 369/30.19, 369/47.12, 369/83, 369/84, 707/999.1, 707/999.107
• US Class Current: 369/30.05
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 17/22 from random access magazine of disc records
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10 Digital recording or reproducing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/213 Read-only discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/216 Rewritable discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/218 Write-once discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/002 Programmed access in sequence to a plurality of record carriers or indexed parts, e.g. tracks, thereof, e.g. for editing; transfer of record carriers from magazine G11B15/68, G11B17/10; G11B17/22
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/36 Monitoring, i.e. supervising the progress of recording or reproducing for digital recording G11B20/00 and s.gr.; for monitoring, testing or measuring of TV recorders of the type covered by H04N5/76 and subgroups, see H04N17/06

Abstract

Disclosed is a music jukebox which is configured for storing a music library therein. The music jukebox includes a housing, audio input structure on the housing for receiving audio signals, audio output structure on the housing for outputting audio signals, and a data storage structure in the housing for storing audio signals. The music jukebox is configured such that a music library of sound tracks is storable in the data storage structure. The music jukebox includes means for selecting a sound track from the music library stored in the data storage structure to play through the audio output structure, and the housing includes a display thereon which identifies sound tracks in the music library. Preferably, the music jukebox is configured such that the sound tracks stored in the data storage structure are editable before being played through the audio output structure.

Claims

1. A method of storing sound tracks in a personal digital stereo audio player and playing the stored sound tracks for personal enjoyment, said method comprising:

deploying the personal digital stereo audio player, wherein the personal digital stereo audio player comprises;

a unitary, integral housing containing at least non-volatile memory and a processor connected to the non-volatile memory and configured for maintaining and selectively accessing and playing sound tracks stored in the non-volatile memory, the housing further comprising a display controlled by the processor, the processor being configured to cause the display to display a plurality of menus relating to a library of sound tracks, wherein all of the sound tracks in the library and their names are stored in the non-volatile memory of the personal digital stereo audio player, wherein the menus include at least one of a list of names of sound tracks and a list of groups of sound tracks;

a headphone jack in the housing;

an input in the housing for receiving audio data;

an amplifier operatively connected to the processor and the headphone jack and configured to amplify audio output signals produced during playing, which are transmitted to the headphone jack; and

at least one touch-operable control in the housing and in communication with the processor, wherein the processor is configured such that

at least one of the at least one touch-operable control is touchable to allow selection from the menus which the processor causes to be displayed on the display,

at least one of the at least one touch-operable control is touchable to control the volume at which audio is played,

at least one of the at least one touch-operable control is touchable to pause a sound track which is being played,

at least one of the at least one touch-operable control is touchable to stop a sound track as it is being played and play the next sound track in a group of sound tracks,

at least one of the at least one touch-operable control is touchable to selectively power the personal digital stereo audio player on and off, and

at least one of the at least one touch-operable control is touchable to select and play at least one of an individual sound track and a group of sound tracks through the headphone jack,

wherein the personal digital stereo audio player is configured to display on the display at least one of time elapsed (ascending) and time remaining (descending) for the sound track being played,

wherein the personal digital stereo audio player is configured such that the non-volatile memory stores a library of sound tracks that is received by the input and which has been pre-selected by a user,

wherein the non-volatile memory comprises at least one of a Hard Disk Drive, solid state memory, and random address memory,

said method further comprising;

inputting audio data through the input of the personal digital stereo audio player to cause audio data to be received by the personal digital stereo audio player, whereby sound tracks become stored in the non-volatile memory as digital data; and

touching a one of the at least one touch-operable control in order to display on the display at least one of a list of names of sound tracks, and a list of groups of sound tracks,

touching a one of the at least one touch-operable control to play at least one of a specific sound track and a group of sound tracks through the headphone jack, and

touching a one of the at least one touch-operable control to control the volume at which sound tracks are played through the headphone jack.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising touching the at least one touch-operable control which is touchable to selectively power the personal digital stereo audio player on and off to at least one of turn the personal digital stereo audio player on and off.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, further comprising providing that the at least one touch-operable control which is touchable to selectively power the personal digital stereo audio player on and off is at least one of readily accessible and on a front panel of the personal digital stereo audio player.

4. A method as recited in claim 2, further comprising providing that the personal digital stereo audio player has a front panel, and providing that the at least one touch-operable control which is touchable to selectively power the personal digital stereo audio player on and off is on the front panel.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing that at least one of the at least one touch-operable control of the personal digital stereo audio player is touchable to delete a sound track from the non-volatile memory, said method further comprising touching the touch-operable control to delete a sound track from the non-volatile memory.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, further comprising providing that the touch operable control which is touchable to delete a sound track horn the non-volatile memory is at least one of readily accessible and on a front panel of the personal digital stereo audio player.

7. A method as recited in claim 5, further comprising providing that the personal digital stereo audio player has a front panel, and providing that the at least one touch-operable control which is touchable to delete a sound track from the non-volatile memory is on the front panel.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing that at least one of the at least one touch-operable control of the personal digital stereo audio player is touchable to edit a sound track stored in the non-volatile memory, said method further comprising touching the touch-operable control to edit a sound track stored in the nonvolatile memory.

9. A method as recited in claim 8, further comprising providing that the touch-operable control which is touchable to edit a sound track which is stored in the non-volatile memory is at least one of readily accessible and on a front panel of the personal digital stereo audio player.

10. A method as recited in claim 8, further comprising providing that the personal digital stereo audio player has a front panel, and providing that the at least one touch-operable control which is touchable to edit a sound track which is stored in the non-volatile memory is on the front panel.

11. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing that at least one of the at least one touch-operable control of the personal digital stereo audio player is touchable to cause the personal digital stereo audio player to display, on the display, how much of the non-volatile memory is available, said method further comprising touching the touch-operable control to cause the personal digital stereo audio player to display, on the display, how much of the non-volatile memory is available.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising providing that the touch-operable control which is touchable to cause the personal digital stereo audio player to display, on the display, how much of the non-volatile memory is available is at least one of readily accessible and on a front panel of the personal digital stereo audio player.

13. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising providing that the personal digital stereo audio player has a front panel, and providing that the at least one touch-operable control which is touchable to cause the personal digital stereo audio player to display, on the display, how much of the non-volatile memory is available is on the front panel.

14. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising touching the at least one touch-operable control which is touchable to pause a sound track which is being played to pause a sound track which is being played through the headphone jack.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, further comprising providing that the at least one touch-operable control which is touchable to pause a sound track which is being played is at least one of readily accessible and on a front panel of the personal digital stereo audio player.

16. A method as recited in claim 14, further comprising providing that the personal digital stereo audio player has a front panel, and providing that the at least one touch-operable control which is touchable to pause a sound track which is being played through the headphone jack is on the front panel.

17. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing that at least one of the at least one touch-operable control of the personal digital stereo audio player is touchable to cause the personal digital stereo audio player to stop playing a sound track which is being played through the headphone jack and select a new sound track to be played through the headphone jack, said method further comprising touching the at least one touch-operable control to cause the personal digital stereo audio player to stop playing a sound track which is being played through the headphone jack and select a new sound track to be played through the headphone jack.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, further comprising providing that the at least one touch-operable control which is touchable to cause the personal digital stereo audio player to stop playing a sound tack which is being played trough the headphone jack and select a new sound track to be played through the headphone jack is at least one of readily accessible and on a front panel of the personal digital stereo audio player.

19. A method as recited in claim 17, further comprising providing that the personal digital stereo audio player has a front panel, and providing that the at least one touch-operable control which is touchable to cause the personal digital stereo audio player to stop playing a sound track which is being played through the headphone jack and select a new sound track to be played through the headphone jack is on the front panel.

20. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising touching the at least one touch-operable control which is touchable to stop a sound track as it is being played and play the next sound track in a group of sound tracks to cause the personal digital stereo audio player to stop playing a sound track which is being played through the headphone jack and commence playing, through the headphone jack, the next sound track in a group of sound tracks.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, further comprising providing that the touch-operable control which is touchable to stop a sound track as it is being played and play the next sound track in a group of sound tracks is at least one of readily accessible and on a front panel of the personal digital stereo audio player.

22. A method as recited in claim 20, further comprising providing that the personal digital stereo audio player has a front panel, and providing that the at least one touch-operable control which is touchable to stop a sound track as it is being played and play the next sound track in a group of sound tracks is on the front panel.

23. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing that at least one of the at least one touch-operable control of the personal digital stereo audio player is touchable to sort a list of sound tracks which is displayed on the display wherein all of the sound tracks in the list and their names are stored in the non-volatile memory of the personal digital stereo audio player, said method further comprising touching the touch-operable control to sort a list of sound tracks which is displayed on the display wherein all of the sound tracks in the list and their names are stored in the non-volatile memory of the personal digital stereo audio player.

24. A method as recited in claim 23, further comprising providing that the touch-operable control which is touchable to sort a list of sound tracks which is displayed on the display is at least one of readily accessible and on a front panel of the personal digital stereo audio player.

25. A method as recited in claim 23, further comprising providing that the personal digital stereo audio player has a front panel, and providing that the at least one touch-operable control which is touchable to sort a list of sound tracks which is displayed on the display is on the front panel.

26. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing that the housing of the personal digital stereo audio player is configured such that said housing does not articulate.

27. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of using the input of the personal digital stereo audio player to cause audio data to be received by the personal digital stereo audio player comprises causing analog signals to be received through the input such that the personal digital stereo audio player converts the analog signals to digital data and stores the digital data in the non-volatile memory.

28. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing that the personal digital stereo audio player comprises a personal digital music player configured to store sound tracks comprising songs in its non-volatile memory, said method further comprising touching the at least one touch-operable control to cause the personal digital music player to select and play at least one of an individual song and a group of songs stored in its non-volatile memory through the headphone jack.

29. A method as recited in claim 28, further comprising providing that at least one of the at least one touch-operable control of the personal digital music player is touchable to delete a song from its non-volatile memory, said method further comprising touching the touch-operable control to delete a song from its non-volatile memory.

30. A method as recited in claim 28, further comprising providing that at least one of the at least one touch-operable control of the personal digital music player is touchable to edit a song stored in its non-volatile memory, said method further comprising touching the touch-operable control to edit a song stored in its non-volatile memory.

31. A method as recited in claim 28, further comprising providing that at least one of the at least one touch-operable control of the personal digital music player is touchable to cause the personal digital music player to display, on the display, how much of the non-volatile memory is available, said method further comprising touching the touch-operable control to cause the personal digital music player to display, on the display, how much memory is available.

32. A method as recited in claim 28, further comprising touching the touch-operable control which is touchable to pause a sound track which is being played to cause the personal digital music player to pause a song which is being played through the headphone jack.

33. A method as recited in claim 28, further comprising providing that at least one of the at least one touch-operable control of the personal digital music player is touchable to cause the personal digital music player to stop playing a song which is being played through the headphone jack and select a new song to be played through the headphone jack, said method further comprising touching the touch-operable control to cause the personal digital music player to stop playing a song which is being played through the headphone jack and select a new song to be played through the headphone jack.

34. A method as recited in claim 28, further comprising touching the at least one touch-operable control which is touchable to stop a sound track as it is being played and play the next sound track in a group of sound tracks to cause the personal digital music player to stop playing a song which is being played through the headphone jack and commence playing, through the headphone jack, the next song in a group of songs.

35. A method as recited in claim 28, further comprising providing that at least one of the at least one touch-operable control of the personal digital music player is touchable to sort a list of songs which is displayed on the display wherein all of the sound tracks in the list and their names are stored in the non-volatile memory of the personal digital stereo audio player, said method further comprising touching the touch-operable control to sort a list of songs which is displayed on the display wherein all of the sound tracks in the list and their names are stored in the non-volatile memory of the personal digital stereo audio player.

36. A method as recited in claim 28, further comprising providing that the housing of the personal digital music player is configured such that the housing does not articulate.

37. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing that the personal digital stereo audio player has a digital interface.

38. A method as recited in claim 37, further comprising providing that the digital interface is compatible with at least one of a Serial Interface Bus, a Digital Signal Processor, and an SPDIF signal.

39. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing that the personal digital stereo audio player has at least one of a Compact Disc player (CD), a Digital Versatile Disc player (DVD), a Compact Disc Recorder (CD-R) and a Digital Versatile Disc Recorder (DVD-R).

40. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing that at least one of the at least one touch-operable control of the personal digital stereo audio player is touchable to select and play a group of sound tracks in a personalized play list wherein all of the sound tracks in the personalized play list and their names are stored in the non-volatile memory of the personal digital stereo audio player.

41. A method as recited in claim 40, further comprising touching at least one of the at least one touch-operable control to at least one of select, play and create a personalized play list wherein all of the sound tracks in the personalized play list and their names are stored in the non-volatile memory of the personal digital stereo audio player.

42. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing that the personal digital stereo audio player is configured to transmit signals to an external device which includes an amplifier.

43. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising touching at least one of the at least one touch-operable control in order to display on the display only information about the library of sound tracks stored in the non-volatile memory of the personal digital stereo audio player, rather than information about a music library stored remotely outside of the personal digital stereo audio player.

44. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising touching at least one of the at least one touch-operable control in order to display on the display only information about the library of sound tracks stored in the non-volatile memory of the personal digital stereo audio player, rather than information being received through the input of the personal digital stereo audio player.

45. A method as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one touch-operable control is touchable to advance the playing of the sound track and the method further comprises touching the at least one of the at least one touch-operable control to advance the playing of the soundtrack.

46. A method as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one touch-operable control is touchable to reverse the playing of the sound track and the method further comprises touching the at least one oldie at least one touch-operable control to reverse the playing of the soundtrack.

47. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising repeating the step of touching at least one of the at least one touch-operable control to play a second one of the at least one of an individual sound track and a group of sound tracks, wherein the second one does not immediately follow the one of at least one of a specific sound track and a group of sound tracks on the list of names of sound tracks and the list of groups of sound tracks.