US5594601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of programming audio tracks in a sequential medium
Assignee: Tandy Corp
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Filing: 1995-05-03
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Granted: 1997-01-14
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Expires: 2015-05-03
Abstract
Abstract In accordance with the invention, a method for programing or editing, or both, the order of performance of digitally recorded information tracks, such as an audio recording, stored sequentially in an appropriate medium. The method allows a user to program or edit, via keystrokes, a program or sequence of tracks to be played. An apparatus for playing information tracks queued to be replayed in a predetermined sequence includes a key pad, which is used to enter commands and numeric information to establish a program queue, a display, which is used to display program events, and an interface processor, coupled to the key pad and the display, which is used to control the commands received from and sent to the key pad and to send display messages to the display. The apparatus also includes a control processor, coupled to the interface processor, which establishes from information stored on a medium in a sequential order, an ordered sequence of information tracks. The apparatus further includes reading circuitry, coupled to the control processor, for reading the information tracks and converting the information tracks into a form different than as stored in the medium according to the ordered sequence in which they are stored.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank P. Mimick
- 👤 Daniel W. Staudacher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:39
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/005; G11B15/02; G11B15/026; G11B27/00; G11B27/02; G11B27/031; G11B27/10; G11B27/102; G11B27/107; G11B27/19; G11B27/28; G11B27/32; G11B27/327; G11B27/328; G11B27/34; G11B2220/00; G11B2220/20; G11B2220/25; G11B2220/2537; G11B2220/2545; G11B2220/60; G11B2220/61; G11B2220/90; G11B2220/93
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for editing a playback sequence of tracks stored in a memory comprising: selecting a track number for editing, during a playback programming routine, wherein the track number is incremented upon pressing a first switch or decremented upon pressing a second switch; and editing the playback sequence upon pressing a third switch wherein the track number selected is entered in the memory when it is not present therein and deleted from the memory when it is present therein.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for editing a playback sequence of tracks stored in a memory comprising: selecting a track number for editing, during a playback programming routine, wherein the track number is incremented upon pressing a first switch or decremented upon pressing a second switch; and editing the playback sequence upon pressing a third switch wherein the track number selected is entered in the memory when it is not present therein and deleted from the memory when it is present therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 comprising returning to the selecting step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 comprising: terminating the editing mode when a fourth switch is pressed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step of terminating the editing mode aborts the editing step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the step of terminating the editing mode comprises updating the display and clearing pending data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the fourth switch is a stop key.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 comprising: saving selected track numbers when a fourth switch is pressed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the step of saving comprises: verifying that a count of the track umbers is non-zero; and setting a program-exists flag.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8 comprising updating the display and terminating the playback programming routine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the fourth switch is a program key.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 comprising assigning selected function keys as the first, second and third switches.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the first, second and third switches are respectively fast forward, rewind and play keys.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for editing a playback sequence of tracks stored in a memory comprising: entering a programming routine and initializing the memory and a display; entering an editing mode; scanning a switch array; selecting a track number for editing wherein the track number is incremented upon pressing a first switch or decremented upon pressing a second switch; editing the playback sequence upon pressing a third switch wherein the track number selected is entered in the memory when it is not present therein and deleted from the memory when it is present therein; and returning to scanning a switch array.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for editing a playback sequence of tracks stored in a memory comprising: entering a programming routine and initializing the memory and a display; entering an editing mode; scanning a switch array; selecting a track number for editing wherein the track number is incremented upon pressing a first switch or decremented upon pressing a second switch; editing the playback sequence upon pressing a third switch wherein the track number selected is entered in the memory when it is not present therein and deleted from the memory when it is present therein; and returning to scanning a switch array.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the step of repeating comprises subsequent activation of said first or second switch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 13 comprising exiting the editing mode when a fourth switch is pressed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15 comprising terminating the programming routine upon exiting the editing mode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of terminating comprises updating the display and clearing pending data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13 comprising saving the playback sequence of track numbers as edited when a fourth switch is pressed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step of saving the playback sequence comprises: verifying that a count of track numbers is non-zero; setting a program exists flag; and terminating the programming routine.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for editing a playback sequence of tracks stored in a memory comprising: entering a programming routine and initializing the memory and a display; entering an editing mode; scanning a switch array; selecting a track number for editing wherein the track number is incremented upon pressing a first switch or decremented upon pressing a second switch; editing the playback sequence upon pressing a third switch wherein the track number selected is entered in the memory when it is not present therein and deleted from the memory when it is present therein; exiting the editing mode when a fourth switch is pressed; and terminating the programming routine.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for editing a playback sequence of tracks stored in a memory comprising: entering a programming routine and initializing the memory and a display; entering an editing mode; scanning a switch array; selecting a track number for editing wherein the track number is incremented upon pressing a first switch or decremented upon pressing a second switch; editing the playback sequence upon pressing a third switch wherein the track number selected is entered in the memory when it is not present therein and deleted from the memory when it is present therein; exiting the editing mode when a fourth switch is pressed; and terminating the programming routine.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the step of entering a programming routine comprises checking for the presence of a digitally recorded medium and saving the number representing the number of tracks recorded therein.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the step of entering an editing mode comprises displaying the number of track numbers and a current track number.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the step of scanning comprises debouncing the switch array and determining whether the switch array comprises digit keys or function switches.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the step of exiting the editing mode comprises aborting the editing step and terminating the programming routine when the fourth switch is a stop key.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the step of exiting the editing mode comprises saving the sequence of track numbers as edited when the fourth switch is a program key, verifying that a count of track numbers is non-zero, and setting a program-exists flag.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the terminating step comprises updating the display and clearing pending data.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for editing a playback sequence of tracks stored in a memory comprising: entering a programming routine and initializing the memory and a display; entering a editing mode; scanning a switch array; selecting a track number for editing wherein the track number is incremented upon pressing a first switch or decremented upon pressing a second switch; editing the playback sequence upon pressing a third switch wherein the track number selected is entered in the memory when it is not present therein and deleted from the memory when it is present therein; saving the playback sequence of track numbers as edited when a program switch is pressed; and terminating the programming routine.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for editing a playback sequence of tracks stored in a memory comprising: entering a programming routine and initializing the memory and a display; entering a editing mode; scanning a switch array; selecting a track number for editing wherein the track number is incremented upon pressing a first switch or decremented upon pressing a second switch; editing the playback sequence upon pressing a third switch wherein the track number selected is entered in the memory when it is not present therein and deleted from the memory when it is present therein; saving the playback sequence of track numbers as edited when a program switch is pressed; and terminating the programming routine.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the step of entering a programming routine comprises checking for the presence of a digitally recorded medium and saving the number representing the number of tracks recorded therein.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the step of entering an editing mode comprises displaying the number of track numbers and a current track number.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the step of scanning comprises debouncing the switch array and determining whether the switch array comprises digit keys or function switches.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the step of saving the playback sequence comprises saving one or more track numbers, verifying that a count of track numbers is non-zero, and setting a program-exists flag.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the terminating step comprises updating the display and clearing pending data.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-14 | 2000-07-15 | 2001-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-14 | 2004-07-15 | 2005-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-14 | 2008-07-15 | 2009-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |