Portable sound reproducing system and method

• US 8,170,700 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2006
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MPMan.com, Inc
• Original Assignee: MPMan.com, Inc
• Inventors: Moon, Kwang-su, Hwang, Jung-ha
• Primary Examiner(s): Mei, Xu
• Application Number:
  US11/411,546
• Publication Number:
  US 20060195206A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,197 Days
• Field of Search: 700/94, 381/61, 369/63, 369/31.01, 360/32, 360/55, 842/70, 842/72, 842/78, 845/00, 84601-604
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 9/007 Transform coding, e.g. discrete cosine transform
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10 Digital recording or reproducing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/00014 the compressed signal being an audio signal
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/00057 MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 audio layer III [MP3]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/10546 specifically adapted for audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/61 wherein solid state memory is used for storing A/V content storing computer data in solid state memories G06F
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 2207/16 Solid state audio deprecated, only for historical reasons, G06F3/16, G11B
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 5/141 Battery and back-up supplies
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/1006 Data managing, e.g. manipulating data before writing or reading out, data bus switches or control circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/16 Storage of analogue signals in digital stores using an arrangement comprising analogue/digital [A/D] converters, digital memories and digital/analogue [D/A] converters

Abstract

A portable audio device suitable for reproducing MPEG encoded data includes a plurality of inputs, a non-removable data storage, a display, an audio output, at least one processor, and a battery. The plurality of inputs includes a forward input, a play control input, and a random input. The non-removable data storage stores compressed digitized audio data. The at least one processor is responsive to selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs to convert selected compressed digitized audio data stored in the non-removable data storage for reproduction by the audio output and to provide information to the display.

Claims

1. A portable audio device suitable for reproducing MPEG encoded data, the portable audio device comprising:

a plurality of inputs including a forward input, a reverse input, a play control input and a random input;

a non-removable data storage that stores selections of compressed digitized audio data;

a display;

at least one processor that decompresses the selections of compressed digitized audio data stored in the non-removable data storage for audible reproduction, that operates the portable audio device in response to selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs and that provides information to the display; and

a battery;

wherein, selection of the random input enables the portable audio device to reproduce the selections of compressed digitized audio data stored in the non-removable data storage in a random order; and

wherein, during reproduction of a selection of compressed digitized audio data;

the display provides an indication relating to a power level of the battery and a title of the selection of compressed digitized audio data;

selection of the forward input causes the portable audio device to perform at least one of advance to another selection of compressed digitized audio data and advance towards the end of the selection of compressed digitized audio data;

selection of the reverse input causes the portable audio device to perform at least one of return to the beginning of the selection of compressed digitized audio data and reproduce the selection of compressed digitized audio data in a reverse direction; and

selection of the play control input causes the portable audio device to stop reproducing the selection of compressed digitized audio data.

2. The portable audio device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a receiver that is operably connectable to an external device to download selections of compressed digitized audio data for storage in the non-removable data storage.

3. The portable audio device as recited in claim 2 wherein the external device further comprises at least one of a personal computer and a data vending machine.

4. The portable audio device as recited in claim 2 wherein the receiver is operably connectable to the external device at least in part through a telecommunications network.

5. The portable audio device as recited in claim 1 wherein the selections of compressed digitized audio data are compressed according to a MPEG compression standard.

6. The portable audio device as recited in claim 1 wherein the non-removable data storage further comprises at least one of a flash ROM memory, a non volatile memory element and a memory that does not lose data when power is cut off.

7. The portable audio device as recited in claim 1 wherein the plurality of inputs further comprises a repeat input and wherein selection of the repeat input causes the portable audio device to perform at least one of reproduce the selection of compressed digitized audio data in a repetitive manner and reproduce more than one of the selections of compressed digitized audio data stored in the non-removable data storage in a repetitive manner.

8. The portable audio device as recited in claim 7 wherein the repeat input further comprises a repeat switch.

9. The portable audio device as recited in claim 1 wherein the forward input further comprises a forward switch, the reverse input further comprises a reverse switch and the play control input further comprises a play control switch.

10. The portable audio device as recited in claim 9 wherein the forward switch further comprises a forward button, the reverse switch further comprises a reverse button and the play control switch further comprises a play control button.

11. The portable audio device as recited in claim 1 wherein the random input further comprises a random switch.

12. The portable audio device as recited in claim 1 wherein selection of the forward input for a first amount of time causes the portable audio device to advance to another selection of compressed digitized audio data, wherein selection of the forward input for a second amount of time causes the portable audio device to advance towards the end of the selection of compressed digitized audio data and wherein the first amount of time is less than the second amount of time.

13. The portable audio device as recited in claim 1 wherein selection of the reverse input for a first amount of time causes the portable audio device to return to the beginning of the selection of compressed digitized audio data, wherein selection of the reverse input for a second amount of time causes the portable audio device to reproduce the selection of compressed digitized audio data in a reverse direction and wherein the first amount of time is less than the second amount of time.

14. The portable audio device as recited in claim 1 wherein selection of the reverse input for a first amount of time causes the portable audio device to return to a previous selection of compressed digitized audio data, wherein selection of the reverse input for a second amount of time causes the portable audio device to reproduce the selection of compressed digitized audio data in a reverse direction and wherein the first amount of time is less than the second amount of time.

15. The portable audio device as recited in claim 1 wherein selection of the play control input for greater than a first amount of time causes the portable audio device to turn off.

16. The portable audio device as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one processor further comprises at least one of a central processing unit and a digital signal processor.

17. The portable audio device as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one processor that operates the portable audio device in response to selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs further comprises at least one processor that operates the portable audio device in response to received electric signals generated from selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs.

18. The portable audio device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a transmitter that is operably connectable to an external device to send compressed digitized audio data to the external device.

19. The portable audio device as recited in claim 18 wherein the external device further comprises at least one of a personal computer and a data vending machine.

20. The portable audio device as recited in claim 18 wherein the transmitter is operably connectable to the external device at least in part through a telecommunications network.

21. A portable audio device suitable for reproducing MPEG encoded data, the portable audio device comprising:

a plurality of inputs, including a forward input, a reverse input, a play control input and a random input;

at least one memory chip to store selections of compressed digitized audio data;

a display;

at least one processor that decompresses the selections of compressed digitized audio data stored in the at least one memory chip for audible reproduction, that operates the portable audio device in response to selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs and that provides information to the display; and

a battery;

wherein, selection of the random input enables the portable audio device to reproduce the selections of compressed digitized audio data stored in the at least one memory chip in a random order; and

wherein, during reproduction of a selection of compressed digitized audio data;

the display provides an indication relating to a power level of the battery and a title of the selection of compressed digitized audio data;

selection of the forward input causes the portable audio device to perform at least one of advance to another selection of compressed digitized audio data and advance towards the end of the selection of compressed digitized audio data;

selection of the reverse input causes the portable audio device to perform at least one of return to the beginning of the selection of compressed digitized audio data and reproduce the selection of compressed digitized audio data in a reverse direction; and

selection of the play control input causes the portable audio device to stop reproducing the selection of compressed digitized audio data.

22. The portable audio device as recited in claim 21 further comprising a receiver that is operably connectable to an external device to download selections of compressed digitized audio data for storage in the at least one memory chip.

23. The portable audio device as recited in claim 22 wherein the external device further comprises at least one of a personal computer and a data vending machine.

24. The portable audio device as recited in claim 22 wherein the receiver is operably connectable to the external device at least in part through a telecommunications network.

25. The portable audio device as recited in claim 21 wherein the selections of compressed digitized audio data are compressed according to a MPEG compression standard.

26. The portable audio device as recited in claim 21 wherein the at least one memory chip further comprises at least one of a flash ROM memory, a non-volatile memory element and a memory that does not lose data when power is cut off.

27. The portable audio device as recited in claim 21 wherein the at least one memory chip is non-removable.

28. The portable audio device as recited in claim 21 wherein the plurality of inputs further comprises a repeat input and wherein selection of the repeat input causes the portable audio device to perform at least one of reproduce the selection of compressed digitized audio data in a repetitive manner and reproduce more than one of the selections of compressed digitized audio data stored in the at least one memory chip in a repetitive manner.

29. The portable audio device as recited in claim 28 wherein the repeat input further comprises a repeat switch.

30. The portable audio device as recited in claim 21 wherein the forward input further comprises a forward switch, the reverse input further comprises a reverse switch and the play control input further comprises a play control switch.

31. The portable audio device as recited in claim 30 wherein the forward switch further comprises a forward button, the reverse switch further comprises a reverse button and the play control switch further comprises a play control button.

32. The portable audio device as recited in claim 21 wherein the random input further comprises a random switch.

33. The portable audio device as recited in claim 21 wherein selection of the forward input for a first amount of time causes the portable audio device to advance to another selection of compressed digitized audio data, wherein selection of the forward input for a second amount of time causes the portable audio device to advance towards the end of the selection of compressed digitized audio data and wherein the first amount of time is less than the second amount of time.

34. The portable audio device as recited in claim 21 wherein selection of the reverse input for a first amount of time causes the portable audio device to return to the beginning of the selection of compressed digitized audio data, wherein selection of the reverse input for a second amount of time causes the portable audio device to reproduce the selection of compressed digitized audio data in a reverse direction and wherein the first amount of time is less than the second amount of time.

35. The portable audio device as recited in claim 21 wherein selection of the reverse input for a first amount of time causes the portable audio device to return to a previous selection of compressed digitized audio data, wherein selection of the reverse input for a second amount of time causes the portable audio device to reproduce the selection of compressed digitized audio data in a reverse direction and wherein the first amount of time is less than the second amount of time.

36. The portable audio device as recited in claim 21 wherein selection of the play control input for greater than a first amount of time causes the portable audio device to turn off.

37. The portable audio device as recited in claim 21 wherein the at least one processor further comprises at least one of a central processing unit and a digital signal processor.

38. The portable audio device as recited in claim 21 wherein the at least one processor that operates the portable audio device in response to selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs further comprises at least one processor that operates the portable audio device in response to received electric signals generated from selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs.

39. The portable audio device as recited in claim 21 further comprising a transmitter that is operably connectable to an external device to send compressed digitized audio data to the external device.

40. The portable audio device as recited in claim 39 wherein the external device further comprises at least one of a personal computer and a data vending machine.

41. The portable audio device as recited in claim 39 wherein the transmitter is operably connectable to the external device at least in part through a telecommunications network.

42. A portable audio device suitable for reproducing MPEG encoded data, the portable audio device comprising:

a plurality of inputs including a forward input, a reverse input, a play control input and a random input;

a receiver that is operably connectable to an external device to download selections of compressed digitized audio data;

a data storage that stores the selections of compressed digitized audio data downloaded via the receiver;

a display;

at least one processor that decompresses the selections of compressed digitized audio data stored in the data storage for audible reproduction, that operates the portable audio device in response to selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs and that provides information to the display; and

a battery;

wherein, selection of the random input enables the portable audio device to reproduce the selections of compressed digitized audio data stored in the data storage in a random order; and

wherein, during reproduction of a selection of compressed digitized audio data;

the display provides an indication relating to a power level of the battery and a title of the selection of compressed digitized audio data;

selection of the forward input causes the portable audio device to perform at least one of advance to another selection of compressed digitized audio data and advance towards the end of the selection of compressed digitized audio data;

selection of the reverse input causes the portable audio device to perform at least one of return to the beginning of the selection of compressed digitized audio data and reproduce the selection of compressed digitized audio data in a reverse direction;

selection of the play control input causes the portable audio device to stop reproducing the selection of compressed digitized audio data.

43. The portable audio device as recited in claim 42 wherein the external device further comprises at least one of a personal computer and a data vending machine.

44. The portable audio device as recited in claim 42 wherein the receiver is operably connectable to the external device at least in part through a telecommunications network.

45. The portable audio device as recited in claim 42 wherein the selections of compressed digitized audio data are compressed according to a MPEG compression standard.

46. The portable audio device as recited in claim 42 wherein the data storage further comprises at least one of a flash ROM memory, a non-volatile memory element and a memory that does not lose data when power is cut off.

47. The portable audio device as recited in claim 42 wherein the data storage is non-removable.

48. The portable audio device as recited in claim 42 wherein the plurality of inputs further comprises a repeat input and wherein selection of the repeat input causes the portable audio device to perform at least one of reproduce the selection of compressed digitized audio data in a repetitive manner and reproduce more than one of the selections of compressed digitized audio data stored in the data storage in a repetitive manner.

49. The portable audio device as recited in claim 48 wherein the repeat input further comprises a repeat switch.

50. The portable audio device as recited in claim 42 wherein the forward input further comprises a forward switch, the reverse input further comprises a reverse switch and the play control input further comprises a play control switch.

51. The portable audio device as recited in claim 50 wherein the forward switch further comprises a forward button, the reverse switch further comprises a reverse button and the play control switch further comprises a play control button.

52. The portable audio device as recited in claim 42 wherein the random input further comprises a random switch.

53. The portable audio device as recited in claim 42 wherein selection of the forward input for a first amount of time causes the portable audio device to advance to another selection of compressed digitized audio data, wherein selection of the forward input for a second amount of time causes the portable audio device to advance towards the end of the selection of compressed digitized audio data and wherein the first amount of time is less than the second amount of time.

54. The portable audio device as recited in claim 42 wherein selection of the reverse input for a first amount of time causes the portable audio device to return to the beginning of the selection of compressed digitized audio data, wherein selection of the reverse input for a second amount of time causes the portable audio device to reproduce the selection of compressed digitized audio data in a reverse direction and wherein the first amount of time is less than the second amount of time.

55. The portable audio device as recited in claim 42 wherein selection of the reverse input for less than a first amount of time causes the portable audio device to return to a previous selection of compressed digitized audio data, wherein selection of the reverse input for a second amount of time causes the portable audio device to reproduce the selection of compressed digitized audio data in a reverse direction and wherein the first amount of time is less than the second amount of time.

56. The portable audio device as recited in claim 42 wherein selection of the play control input for greater than a first amount of time causes the portable audio device to turn off.

57. The portable audio device as recited in claim 42 wherein the at least one processor further comprises at least one of a central processing unit and a digital signal processor.

58. The portable audio device as recited in claim 42 wherein the at least one processor that operates the portable audio device in response to selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs further comprises at least one processor that operates the portable audio device in response to received electric signals generated from selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs.

59. The portable audio device as recited in claim 42 further comprising a transmitter that is operably connectable to an external device to send compressed digitized audio data to the external device.

60. The portable audio device as recited in claim 59 wherein the external device further comprises at least one of a personal computer and a data vending machine.

61. The portable audio device as recited in claim 59 wherein the transmitter is operably connectable to the external device at least in part through a telecommunications network.