US5625608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote control device capable of downloading content information from an audio system
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
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Filing: 1995-05-22
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Granted: 1997-04-29
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Expires: 2015-05-22
Abstract
Abstract A remote control unit for use with an in-home audio player adapted to play pre-recorded music stored on a semiconductor music chip storage medium. In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention, the remote unit is a battery powered, hand held device which enables customized music selection to be made at the audio player from a distant position. The remote control unit includes an LCD display, a series of control buttons and an infrared communication interface for transmitting and receiving data from the audio player. A docking port is included in the audio player for mating with the remote control in order to download general information stored in memory of the audio player regarding each of the music chips which it has loaded. A processor within the remote control guides the user through a menu driven software routine for making music selection at the player. A user scrolls through the various menus by use of a navigation pointer. Soft keys on the remote take on different functions depending on the location within the menu driven software routine. For example, a user can choose to play individual music tracks according to a category of music, musical artist or specific song. Other functions of the remote include play, pause, scan (forward and reverse) and fast scan, as well as On/Off and volume control.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony J. Grewe
- 👤 Kevin A. Shelby
- 👤 Howard M. Singer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:19
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/06; H04B1/16; H04B1/20; H04B1/202; G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/02; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/02; H01H9/0214; H01H9/0235; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/422; H04N21/42204; H04N21/43; H04N21/431; H04N21/4312; H04N21/4316; H04N21/47
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
In an audio system wherein pre-recorded music is digitally encoded in addressable memory of integrated circuit music chips and music from said chips is played on an associated solid state audio player, and wherein general description information regarding individual track selections of said music chips is downloaded to said audio player to assist in making music selections, a remote control apparatus for making remote music selections at said solid state audio player, said remote control apparatus comprising: transmit/receive means for remotely transmitting to and receiving information from said audio player, said transmit/receive means being adapted to mate with a corresponding transmit/receive means on said audio player, wherein said general description information is downloaded and stored in memory of said remote control apparatus; selection means for enabling a user to enter commands at said remote control apparatus pertaining to said music selections to be made; and processing means coupled to said transmit/receive means, said selection means and said memory, said processing means being operative to process said user commands and generate a corresponding output signal to said transmit/receive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
In an audio system wherein pre-recorded music is digitally encoded in addressable memory of integrated circuit music chips and music from said chips is played on an associated solid state audio player, and wherein general description information regarding individual track selections of said music chips is downloaded to said audio player to assist in making music selections, a remote control apparatus for making remote music selections at said solid state audio player, said remote control apparatus comprising: transmit/receive means for remotely transmitting to and receiving information from said audio player, said transmit/receive means being adapted to mate with a corresponding transmit/receive means on said audio player, wherein said general description information is downloaded and stored in memory of said remote control apparatus; selection means for enabling a user to enter commands at said remote control apparatus pertaining to said music selections to be made; and processing means coupled to said transmit/receive means, said selection means and said memory, said processing means being operative to process said user commands and generate a corresponding output signal to said transmit/receive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further including display means coupled to said processing means, wherein said display means enables said user to view said general description information downloaded to said remote control.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said processing means runs a menu driven selection program and wherein said selection program is viewed from said display means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said selection means includes a navigational pointer, said navigational pointer being adapted to selectively maneuver a cursor across said display means to make selections in accordance with said menu driven selection program.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transmit/receive means includes an infrared interface means, said infrared interface means being operative to transmit and receive said information to and from said audio player utilizing infrared energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said selection means includes a combination switch, said combination switch being adapted to produce three separate output signals depending on the manner in which said switch is depressed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said selection means includes a series of soft control buttons, said soft control buttons corresponding to a selection choice generated on said display means from said menu driven selection program.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 7, including at least six of said soft control buttons, wherein on a specific display screen, each of said at least six soft control buttons corresponds to a command selected from the group consisting of play, pause, forward scan, reverse scan, fast forward and fast reverse.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
110 words
An improved remote control apparatus for a home audio player, wherein said home audio player is adapted to play pre-recorded music from a storage medium of semiconductor music chips and wherein content information in the form of a series of headers pertaining to individual tracks of audio on said music chips is registered in said audio player, the improvement therewith comprising: docking station included within said remote, wherein said docking station is adapted to interface in close proximity with a corresponding docking port on said audio player, whereby said content information regarding said individual tracks of audio is downloaded to said remote, thereby facilitating intelligent music selections by a user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
110 words
An improved remote control apparatus for a home audio player, wherein said home audio player is adapted to play pre-recorded music from a storage medium of semiconductor music chips and wherein content information in the form of a series of headers pertaining to individual tracks of audio on said music chips is registered in said audio player, the improvement therewith comprising: docking station included within said remote, wherein said docking station is adapted to interface in close proximity with a corresponding docking port on said audio player, whereby said content information regarding said individual tracks of audio is downloaded to said remote, thereby facilitating intelligent music selections by a user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said docking station includes an infrared transmit/receive circuit for communicating with said audio player by way of infrared energy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further including display means for display of said content information downloaded to said remote control.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 11, further including processing means, wherein said processing means runs a menu driven selection program and wherein said selection program is viewed from said display means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further including selection means for enabling a user to enter commands at said remote control apparatus pertaining to music selections which are to be made.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 12, further a navigational pointer adapted to selectively maneuver a cursor across said display means to make selections in accordance with said menu driven selection program.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further including a combination switch, said combination switch being adapted to produce three separate output signals depending on the manner in which said switch is depressed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 12, including a series of soft control buttons, said soft control buttons corresponding to a selection choice generated on said display means from said menu driven selection program.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for making remote music selections at an audio player adapted to play music recorded on integrated circuit music chips, wherein content descriptive information pertaining to individual tracks of audio is stored in a series of headers in each of said music chips and said content descriptive information is transferred to said audio player upon enabling said music chips, said audio player further being adapted to dock with a remote control unit for transfer of said content descriptive information thereto, said method comprising the steps of storing said content descriptive information in memory of said audio player; docking said remote control unit at a docking port of said audio player, whereby said content descriptive information is downloaded and stored within said remote control; and manually entering selection commands at said remote based upon said content descriptive information, wherein said selection commands are remotely communicated to said audio player.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for making remote music selections at an audio player adapted to play music recorded on integrated circuit music chips, wherein content descriptive information pertaining to individual tracks of audio is stored in a series of headers in each of said music chips and said content descriptive information is transferred to said audio player upon enabling said music chips, said audio player further being adapted to dock with a remote control unit for transfer of said content descriptive information thereto, said method comprising the steps of storing said content descriptive information in memory of said audio player; docking said remote control unit at a docking port of said audio player, whereby said content descriptive information is downloaded and stored within said remote control; and manually entering selection commands at said remote based upon said content descriptive information, wherein said selection commands are remotely communicated to said audio player.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17, further including the step of viewing said content descriptive information on a display means on said remote control.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 18, wherein said content descriptive information is viewed in the context of a menu driven software program.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said content descriptive information and said command selections are transmitted using infrared energy.
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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) | 2000-04-28 | 2000-10-28 | 2001-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-04-28 | 2004-10-28 | 2005-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-04-28 | 2008-10-28 | 2009-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |