Case 6:20-cv-00947-ADA Document 1-1 Filed 10/13/20 Page 1 of 22
`
`Exhibit 1
`
`

`

`(54) SYSTEM FOR PLAYBACK OF NETWORK
`AUDIO MATERIAL ON DEMAND
`(75) Inventors: Russell Todd Berman, San Jose, CA
`S. Mihal El LOS
`ngeles, CA (US); Brett Austin,
`SSR,in ESSF
`CA (US)
`s
`s
`
`AA
`
`(73) ASSignee: sitechnologie, San Francisco,
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/293,252
`(22) Filed:
`Apr. 16, 1999
`(51) Int. Cl." ........................ H04L 12/00; G06F 13/372
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 713/201; 713/200; 709/231;
`370/231; 370/352; 370/310; 370/468; 705/51;
`705/26
`(58) Field of Search .............................. 705/51, 57, 26,
`705/27; 713/200, 201; 370/69.1, 231, 352,
`354, 310, 468; 709/231, 233,235
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,544.228 A 8/1996 Wagner et al................. 379/67
`5,553,140 A 9/1996 Kubota et al. .........
`... 380/10
`5,635,979 A 6/1997 Kostreski et al. ............. 348/13
`3 A f
`KY h i.. 3:
`6,138,147 A * 10/2000 Weaver et al. ........... 707/104.1
`6,222,838 B1 * 4/2001 Sparks et al. ............... 370/352
`6,246,672 B1 * 6/2001 Lumelsky ................... 370/310
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner-Ly V. Hua
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-David A. Hall
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35 A playback unit resembling a home audio component,
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`retrieves audio data from a remote server and plays them
`back in real time, using a home audio System, in response to
`user Selection. The playback unit provides an interface
`between a network Source for audio material, Such as the
`Internet, and a conventional home audio System for play
`back. The playback unit has a relatively simple operating
`System that does not require a lengthy boot-up Sequence,
`cannot be accessed by the user, and does not require the
`launch of Special Software to initiate playback. Access to
`audio material and distribution rights can be controlled by
`network Servers. In this to way, the playback unit can
`retrieve audio material from the network on demand, thereby
`vastly expanding the range of music available for playback,
`and can reproduce that music using the home audio System
`for high quality playback in a comfortable Setting, With
`controlled access to audio material and controlled distribu
`tion and duplication of the material.
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Berman et al.
`
`USOO6502194B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,502,194 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`2Y-112
`
`:
`
`aSCTTC all. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`4,788.675 A 11/1988 Jones et al. ................ 370/69.1
`4,829,372 A 5/1989 McCalley et al. ............ 358/86
`
`24 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`1
`
`118
`
`116
`
`NETWORK
`NTERFACE
`
`MEMORY
`
`USER
`INTERFACE/
`OSPAY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`HOME
`AUDO
`SYSTEM
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00947-ADA Document 1-1 Filed 10/13/20 Page 2 of 22
`
`Y-N
`OO
`
`107
`
`14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`1
`
`18
`
`t
`
`6
`
`
`
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`
`USER
`NTERFACE/
`
`MEMORY
`
`F.G. 1
`
`HOME
`AUDO
`SYSTEM
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00947-ADA Document 1-1 Filed 10/13/20 Page 3 of 22
`
`21 O 212 214 216 218 220 222 224
`
`2O6
`
`FG, 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`START
`
`POWER ON.
`
`3O2
`
`3O4
`
`
`
`USER SELECTS ARTIST,
`TITLE, ALBUM, GENRE,
`ETC.
`
`SEND CURRENT SONG LIST
`VERSION TO DUL SERVER.
`
`SONG LIST
`CURRENT a
`p
`
`
`
`NO
`
`DUL SENDS UPDATED
`SONG LIST TO
`PLAYBACK UNT.
`
`3O6
`
`
`
`31 O
`
`
`
`USER SELECTS
`ARTIST AND SONG
`TITLE
`
`312
`
`
`
`314
`
`USER SELECTION
`SENT TO DUL
`SERVER.
`
`DUL SERVER SENDS URL OF
`AUDIO MATERIAL SERVER
`AT WHICH SONG DATAS
`STORED.
`
`F.G. 3
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00947-ADA Document 1-1 Filed 10/13/20 Page 4 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`4O2
`
`404
`
`
`
`PLAYBACK UNIT SENDS
`SONG REO UEST TO AUDIO
`MATERIAL SERVER.
`
`PLAYBACK UNIT SENDS
`SONG REO UEST TO DUL
`SERVER.
`
`4O6
`
`
`
`408
`
`DUL SERVER SETS PERMISSION
`GRANTED FLAG AND SETS EXTENT OF
`ACCESS RIGHTS FOR THE PLAYBACK
`UNIT.
`
`AUDIO MATERIAL SERVER CHECKS
`PERMISSION GRANTED FLAG,
`
`41 O
`
`
`
`YES
`
`PERMISSION TO
`DOWNLOAD
`GRANTED2
`
`NO
`
`AUDIO MATERIAL SERVER
`TRANSMITS SONG DATA
`PACKETS.
`
`
`
`AUDIO MATERAL SERVER
`SENDS ERROR CODE TO
`PLAYBACK UNIT,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00947-ADA Document 1-1 Filed 10/13/20 Page 5 of 22
`
`CONTINUE
`
`FG, 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`5O1
`
`5O2
`
`5O4
`
`PERFORM HOUSEKEEPNG
`CHORES.
`
`DETECT A "NEW TRACK"
`EVENT.
`
`DECDE "NEW TRACK"
`BASED ON OPERATING
`MODE.
`
`TRACK IN
`BUFFER
`
`BEGIN STREAMING TRACK
`DATA FROMMEMORY
`BUFFER TO DSP.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`REO UEST TRACK FROM
`AUDIO MATERIAL
`SERVER.
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00947-ADA Document 1-1 Filed 10/13/20 Page 6 of 22
`
`FIG. 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`
`
`S B
`
`SB
`
`USER D
`(UD)
`
`REQUEST TYPE
`
`SONG LIST
`VERSION
`
`CHECKSUM
`
`USER D
`(UD)
`
`F.G. 5
`
`RECUEST TYPE
`
`ARTIST
`CODE
`
`SONG
`CODE
`
`PACKET NO.
`
`CHECKSUM
`
`FIG. 7
`
`
`
`
`
`SB
`
`SB
`
`SB
`
`SB
`
`SB
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00947-ADA Document 1-1 Filed 10/13/20 Page 7 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`SB
`
`LSB
`
`use
`Mss
`
`LSB
`
`Mss
`
`USER ID
`(UD)
`
`F.G. 8
`
`
`
`PACKET TYPE
`
`ERROR CODE
`
`PACKET NO
`
`lot.
`J PACKETs
`
`SONGST
`
`CHECKSUM
`
`FG 9
`
`USER D
`(UID)
`
`PACKET TYPE
`ERROR CODE
`
`ARTIST
`
`SONG
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00947-ADA Document 1-1 Filed 10/13/20 Page 8 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`MSB
`
`USER ID
`(UD)
`
`
`
`
`
`LSB
`
`PACKET TYPE
`
`ERROR CODE
`MSB D- ARTIST
`
`SONG
`
`LSB
`
`- SONG
`DATA
`
`D- CHECKSUM
`
`LSB
`
`F.G. 1 O
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00947-ADA Document 1-1 Filed 10/13/20 Page 9 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`BUFFER 1
`
`SEGMENT 1
`
`SEGMENT 2
`
`SEGMENT 3
`
`BUFFER 2
`
`SEGMENT 1
`
`SEGMENT 2
`
`SEGMENT 3
`
`BUFFER 3
`
`SEGMENT 1
`
`SEGMENT 2
`
`SEGMENT 3
`
`1 1 O2
`
`FIG 11
`
`BUFFER 1
`(STAGE 1)
`
`BUFFER 2
`(STAGE 2)
`
`BUFFER 1
`(STAGE 3)
`
`
`
`
`
`SEGMENT 3
`
`SEGMENT 4
`
`SEGMENT 2
`SEGMENT 3
`
`SEGMENT 4.
`
`SEGMENT 3
`
`SEGMENT 4
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00947-ADA Document 1-1 Filed 10/13/20 Page 10 of 22
`
`12O2
`
`1204
`
`12O6
`
`F.G. 12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`
`
`RECORD
`COMPANY
`
`
`
`COMPRESSION 2
`TECH.
`
`SERVERS
`
`11
`
`3
`
`ETWORK
`
`STORAGE
`MEDIA
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`STEREO
`COMPONENT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`AUDO OUT
`
`FIG. 13
`
`PERSONAL INFO
`(D CARD, CODE)
`
`USER INTERFACE
`(GUI) AND
`REMOTE
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00947-ADA Document 1-1 Filed 10/13/20 Page 11 of 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 31, 2002
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`1 O USER
`DISPLAY
`NTERFACE
`(GUI)
`
`13
`
`EEPROM
`
`
`
`DATA
`STORAGE
`DEVICE
`
`NETWORK
`
`HOME
`AUDIO
`SYSTEM
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00947-ADA Document 1-1 Filed 10/13/20 Page 12 of 22
`
`FIG. 14
`
`

`

`1
`SYSTEM FOR PLAYBACK OF NETWORK
`AUDIO MATERIAL ON DEMAND
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`15
`
`2
`from review of and experimentation with audio material and
`musical products. This is undesirable from the perspective of
`the music industry, because it is believed that Such experi
`mentation and review can lead to further Sales of recorded
`audio material. Borrowing media from another user or from
`a commercial enterprise, thereby expanding the library of
`material available to include that which is maintained by
`acquaintances or rental shops but this is not convenient.
`In contrast to the home audio system with CD or DAT
`player, the conventional computer-based System with appro
`priate Software and hardware can provide music either from
`pre-recorded digital media or from computer audio files. For
`purposes of this discussion, the computer-based playback
`System will be referred to as a PC-based System, regardless
`of the computer on which it is based.
`If the PC-based system includes a CD-ROM drive and
`Sound card, for example, a CD with digital audio material
`can be inserted into the drive and the Sound recorded on the
`CD can be listened to through PC speakers that receive
`output from the Sound card. This mode of listening has the
`Same limitations of repertoire as the home audio CD player.
`Moreover, the typical PC-based system does not have audio
`components as good as that of the typical home audio
`System, and is usually not located in as comfortable a Setting
`as the typical home audio System.
`A PC-based system with access to a network such as the
`Internet can, with the appropriate Software, download audio
`material for playback. This audio material can comprise, for
`example, digitized sound clips stored as “...wav' files, MPEG
`(Motion Picture Experts Group) Audio Layer 3 (MP3)
`compressed-audio files, Streaming audio formats for con
`tinuous play of audio material, and other digital formats for
`the Storage of audio material, all of which can be Stored on
`a fixed media and received by the PC. More recently, another
`sound file format called the Secure Digital Music Initiative
`(SDMI) has been proposed. Alternatively, the audio material
`can be received from a network file Server, and then Stored
`on the hard drive of the PC itself. Additional Software can be
`used for convenient organization of downloaded music files.
`Other audio material may comprise Streaming audio files,
`which require additional Streaming audio playback Software.
`Such network downloading of music can vastly expand
`the repertory from which the user may select, and encour
`ages review of and experimentation with audio material.
`Again, however, the PC-based system provides limited
`enjoyment because the typical PC-based System does not
`have audio components as good as that of the typical home
`audio System, and is usually not located in as comfortable a
`Setting as the typical home audio System. Furthermore, the
`PC-based System is not as convenient to use as the home
`audio System, because the PC is typically located in a work
`environment away from the home audio System, and the
`operating System of the PC requires an initial lengthy
`boot-up process that loads an operating System from periph
`eral Storage, the launching of appropriate player Software,
`and the navigation of a potentially complicated Software
`interface with multiple windows and drop-down menus to
`Select before initiating playback each time the user wants to
`listen to audio material.
`In addition, operating a PC-based System, gaining Internet
`access, and downloading audio files can require computer
`skills not possessed by the average listener, in addition to
`requiring the initial purchase of the computer equipment.
`Peripheral playback devices also may need to be installed on
`the PC-based System, requiring knowledge of the operating
`System and peripheral interface, and Some of these formats
`
`25
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates generally to music playback SyS
`tems and, more particularly, to playback of network audio
`material in response to user command.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Two popular means of listening to digitally encoded audio
`material are conventional home audio music playback Sys
`tems that include conventional media players that reproduce
`recorded music information and computer-based Systems
`that typically include a standard personal computer (PC) or
`Similar machine capable of utilizing a variety of digital
`music formats, including pre-recorded media and computer
`audio files. Both types of Systems permit users to initiate
`playback of a Selected piece of audio material, Such as
`recorded Songs or other music.
`Conventional home audio music Systems typically
`include a player that accepts media encoded with digital
`audio material. Such media include the compact disc (CD),
`MiniDisc (MD), and digital audio tape (DAT) formats. The
`CD format comprises a plastic-coated aluminum Substrate
`from which digital audio material can be optically retrieved.
`The MiniDisc is a magneto-optical storage format. The DAT
`format comprises a tape Substrate with a magnetic recording
`layer in which digital audio material is magnetically
`recorded. The CD format is the most popular current means
`of delivering recorded music and offers the largest library of
`recorded works for Selection. Other popular media for
`playback of digital music information include the “Laser
`disc" (LD) format and the “Digital Video Disc" (DVD)
`format, both of which can combine video information with
`music or other digital audio information. All of these formats
`offer a relatively stable recording media, high quality audio
`reproduction, convenient Storage and playback, and Simple
`operation of players.
`40
`Home audio players, such as CD players and DAT
`players, can provide exceptional quality Sound reproduction,
`made all the better because Such players are typically
`connected to a relatively good quality, home high-fidelity
`music System. The CD format discS are convenient because
`they are especially easy to Store and take up comparatively
`little Storage Space. Playback of CDS also is convenient,
`because the CD player is ready to read the digital audio
`material upon power-up of (application of electrical power
`to) the player. For playback the discs are simply inserted into
`a CD player's tray or slot and started with simple one-button
`operation. In addition, Such home music Systems are typi
`cally arranged in a comfortable Setting within the home.
`Such home music Systems typically include, in addition to
`the CD player that reads the digital audio material and
`produces a playback signal, one or more amplification and
`control devices, Signal processors, and power amplifiers to
`proceSS and amplify the analog playback Signal, and also a
`Set of loudspeakers, to receive the amplified playback Signal
`and convert it to Sound.
`Home music Systems permit a user to initiate playback on
`demand by the Selection of an appropriate disc or tape
`media. The Selection, however, must be made from the
`user's personal collection of media on hand, which limits the
`available music to that which the user has purchased,
`borrowed, or otherwise received. This limits the repertory
`from which the user may Select and discourages many users
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00947-ADA Document 1-1 Filed 10/13/20 Page 13 of 22
`
`

`

`3
`only provide low-fidelity playback that is adequate for audio
`while working at the computer, but is not useful as an
`adjunct or replacement for the home audio System and CD
`player.
`Some forms of PC-based systems also are meeting with
`resistance from commercial music industry interests and
`from artists because of the potential for widespread copy
`right violation and the difficulty of policing the download
`and duplication of audio information files by users. The
`availability of network databases and the download and
`duplication of audio files make it almost impossible to
`monitor and control the distribution of recorded musical
`performances. Some PC-based Systems also may be prob
`lematic in View of governmental regulation, Such as the
`Audio Home Recording Act passed by the U.S.A.
`legislature, which under certain conditions mandates a Serial
`copy management System (SCMS) to control digital copy
`ing. It would be advantageous to provide a System that is
`capable of interfacing with home audio Systems for high
`quality playback, that has access to the large repertory
`possible through network databases, and would have the
`acceptance of commercial music interests and artists.
`From the discussion above, it should be apparent that
`there is a need for a System that can provide playback of a
`wide range of audio material on demand, using the home
`audio System for high quality playback, without requiring
`Sophisticated computer skills, and with controlled access to
`audio material and controlled distribution and duplication of
`the material. The present invention fulfills this need.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention provides a System for playback of
`network audio material on demand by using a playback
`apparatus that provides an interface to network audio files
`that are retrieved in real time in response to user Selection.
`In accordance with the invention, the playback unit provides
`an interface between a conventional home audio System and
`a network Source for audio material, Such as the Internet.
`The playback unit has a relatively simple built-in operating
`System that is not accessed from peripheral Storage, does not
`require a lengthy boot-up Sequence, and cannot be manipu
`lated without the authorization of the manufacturer or net
`work Source. As a result, the playback unit can be operated
`without Special computer skills or navigation of complicated
`PC-like windows. Receipt of audio material and enforce
`ment of distribution rights can be controlled by network
`Servers that provide the audio material to the playback unit.
`In this way, the playback unit can retrieve a wide range of
`digital audio material from the network on demand, thereby
`vastly expanding the range of music available for playback,
`can reproduce that music using the home audio System for
`high quality playback in a comfortable Setting, and can
`provide controlled access to audio material and controlled
`distribution and duplication of the material.
`The playback unit includes a user interface and display
`component, which presents an easy-to-use interface that
`Simulates playback controls that might be found on a con
`ventional player such as a CD player or DAT player. The
`user interface and display component Substantially dupli
`cates the appearance of a conventional home audio player
`control panel, Such as CD player buttons and track displayS.
`The playback unit also includes memory for holding pro
`gram instructions and temporarily Storing audio material for
`playback So it is not accessible to the user, and includes a
`microprocessor that controls operation of the playback unit.
`In one aspect of the invention, the playback unit includes a
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00947-ADA Document 1-1 Filed 10/13/20 Page 14 of 22
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`4
`network interface to communicate with the network, Send
`user commands, and receive audio material. The network
`interface can communicate using a number of different
`protocols having a variety of physical connection Schemes,
`Such as telephone line modem connections, high-speed
`Ethernet connections, and cable modem connections. The
`playback unit also includes an output interface that receives
`the audio material and provides it to the home audio System
`in a format that can be reproduced by that System.
`Other features and advantages of the present invention
`should be apparent from the following description of the
`preferred embodiment, which illustrates, by way of
`example, the principles of the invention.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a playback unit constructed
`in accordance with the present invention showing the con
`nections to a home audio System and a network.
`FIG. 2 is a representation of the Screen display shown on
`the user interface of the playback unit illustrated in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are processing flow diagrams that
`illustrate the processing StepS eXecuted by the components
`illustrated in FIG. 1 to request, receive, and play audio
`material from the network.
`FIG. 5 is a processing flow diagram that illustrates the
`processing Steps executed by the playback unit processor
`illustrated in FIG. 1.
`FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are representations of packet
`information processed by the playback unit illustrated in
`FIG. 1.
`FIG. 11 is a representation of the buffers contained in the
`memory illustrated in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 12 is a representation of the loop buffering opera
`tions executed under control of the microprocessor illus
`trated in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 13 is a data flow diagram of the FIG. 1 system
`operation, showing the information that is transmitted
`among the System components.
`FIG. 14 is a data flow diagram of the playback unit
`operation, showing the information that is transmitted
`among the playback unit components.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`FIG. 1 illustrates a playback unit 100 constructed in
`accordance with the present invention. The playback unit
`communicates over a network, Such as the Internet 102, to
`request digital audio material from one or more audio
`material servers 104. The playback unit receives audio
`material from an audio material Server and provides it to a
`conventional home audio system 106 for playback. The
`playback unit 100 has a simple operating System that
`accesses instructions from high-Speed Semiconductor
`memory, does not require a lengthy boot-up Sequence, and
`cannot be manipulated by the user. Thus, the playback unit
`does not require the user to launch Special Software Such as
`the “Windows 98' operating system by Microsoft Corpora
`tion to initiate playback, and therefore the playback unit is
`very Stable in operation and can be operated without Special
`computer skills or navigation of complicated PC-like win
`dows. Access to the audio material and authority for distri
`bution rights are preferably controlled by a directory and
`user list (DUL) server 107 described further below. In this
`way, the playback unit 100 can retrieve a wide range of
`digital audio material from the network upon user demand,
`
`

`

`US 6,502,194 B1
`
`S
`thereby vastly expanding the range of music available for
`playback, and can reproduce that music using the home
`audio System for high quality playback in a comfortable
`Setting.
`The playback unit 100 is most likely to be installed
`adjacent to the home audio equipment 106, which typically
`includes a variety of amplifier, processor, receiver, control,
`and record/playback units. The playback unit 100 comprises
`a Stand-alone device that is preferably the same size as the
`individual home audio System devices, So as to be physically
`and aesthetically compatible with them. The playback unit
`includes a network interface 110 that provides a communi
`cation channel with the Internet 102 and to the audio
`material server 104. The network interface can communicate
`using a number of different protocols having a variety of
`physical connection Schemes, Such as telephone line modem
`connections, high-Speed ISDN and Ethernet connections,
`and cable modem connections.
`
`15
`
`6
`the home audio System 106, for example, can comprise a
`direct wire connection to home audio loudspeakers that
`receive an analog signal, or can be a connection to a signal
`processor, receiver, or other control and/or amplification
`device for playback using the loudspeakers of the home
`audio System. The memory 116 holds data including pro
`gram instructions and temporarily Stores audio material for
`processing and playback. The memory may comprise a
`combination that includes, for example, Semiconductor
`memory Such as electrically erasable programmable read
`only memory (EEPROM) or flash memory for holding
`program instructions and buffer memory for holding Song
`data (audio material).
`The program instructions are automatically executed by
`the microprocessor 118 when power is applied to the play
`back unit. Thus, there is no need to access an operating
`System Stored on a disk drive or other peripheral Storage
`device to operate the playback unit. As a result, the playback
`unit does not require an electromechanical Storage device
`(Such as a disk drive), is very stable in operation, and does
`not require a boot-up Sequence. The buffer memory for
`audio material Storage is preferably dynamic random access
`memory (RAM), which is a low-cost, efficient means of
`temporarily Storing digital audio material to be processed for
`playback. In addition, the volatility of the buffer memory
`ensures that the user has no permanent copy of the audio
`material, thereby ensuring protection of copyrighted mate
`rial. AS described further below, Storage of the audio mate
`rial in the memory is determined by data downloaded
`through the network interface 110, and therefore is exter
`nally controlled.
`The playback unit 100 operates under control of the
`microprocessor 118, which controls operation of the other
`playback unit components 110, 112, 114, 116. The micro
`processor also performs the various calculations and com
`putations required for processing the audio material and
`preparing it for playback. If desired, the microprocessor
`component 118 may work along with a specialized digital
`Signal processing (DSP) circuit for performing Sound data
`computations and, if necessary, audio material data decom
`pression. AS noted above, the program Steps executed by the
`microprocessor are Stored in a program instruction flash
`memory portion of the memory 116. Therefore, although the
`user cannot change the operating System instructions, the
`playback unit operation is fully determined by the Stored
`program instructions, which can be changed by loading new
`instructions into the memory 116. This permits changing, for
`example, the display buttons to provide new functions.
`Playback Unit Operating Steps
`FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the processing Steps executed
`by the microprocessor 118 of FIG. 1, and illustrates the
`processing carried out by the playback unit 100 in response
`to user commands. An initial Step, as represented by the flow
`diagram box numbered 301, occurs when electrical power is
`applied to the playback unit. AS noted above, the operation
`of the playback unit is Sufficiently simple So that no oper
`ating System loaded from peripheral Storage is required,
`therefore, there is no boot Sequence, and the user cannot alter
`System operation of the playback unit. As a result, upon the
`application of electrical power, the playback unit 100 is
`immediately operational.
`In the first operational Step, represented by the flow
`diagram box numbered 302, the user Selects a music cat
`egory or type of Song desired for playback from a list. This
`list may include categories Such as the artist, the Song title,
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`Playback Unit Components
`The playback unit 100 includes a user interface and
`display component 112, which presents an easy-to-use inter
`face that Substantially duplicates the appearance of typical
`user-operable controls that might be found on a conventional
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`home audio player that playS physical media, Such as a CD
`player or a DAT player. These controls may include, for
`example, PLAY, STOP, FORWARD, BACKWARD,
`PAUSE, TRACK, and SELECT buttons. In the preferred
`embodiment, the user interface and display component 112
`includes a touch panel or Screen that responds to user
`activation of Virtual buttons shown on the display Screen.
`The function represented by the activated display button is
`then executed by the playback unit. The touch panel permits
`easy updates to the player functionality by changing the
`buttons and their operation with new program instructions
`Stored in memory, as described below. Alternatively, the
`buttons may comprise actual physical buttons that have an
`electromechanical interface So they respond to physical
`preSSure by producing a signal that activates the correspond
`ing function.
`FIG. 2 shows an exemplary display interface comprising
`a touch panel screen 202 of the playback unit 100. The
`playback unit preferably includes at least one physical
`button, a power button 204 that initiates the application of
`electrical power to the circuits of the playback unit. The
`playback unit may also include a Sensor, Such as an infrared
`Sensor 206, for receiving command Signals from a remote
`control unit (not illustrated). The display interface has a
`display area 208 on which playback status information is
`shown. For example, FIG. 2 shows the display area208 with
`a list of Song or Selection name, track number, artist name or
`disc (compilation), and Song playing time. The display
`interface may include Virtual operation buttons, or actual
`physical buttons, that cause operations Such as reverse 210,
`pause 212, play 214, stop 216, forward 218, fast forward/
`Skip 220, cursor navigation up 222 and down 224, and a
`function select 226 button. As noted above, the buttons
`210-226 may be virtual buttons of a touch panel screen 202
`also having a status information display area 208, or may be
`physical buttons adjacent a display area 208 in which
`alphanumeric information is shown.
`Returning to the illustration of FIG. 1, the playback unit
`100 also includes an output interface 114, memory 116, and
`microprocessor 118. The output interface processes the
`audio material and provides it to the home audio System in
`a format that can be used by that System. The connection to
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`the album, and musical genres. In addition, the user may
`limit Search results by confining the query to specific,
`user-defined categories. The generated list appears on the
`display area of the user interface. In the next Step, the
`playback unit Sends the version of the current Song list to the
`directory and user list (DUL) server 107, shown in FIG. 1.
`During this Step, the DUL Server also can perform user list
`checks and authorization confirmation, if desired. In this
`way, the DUL Server acts as a "gatekeeper” to ensure that
`only appropriate users are being granted access to the audio
`material, thereby ensuring commercial music interests and
`artists have desired control over distribution. The flow
`diagram box numbered 304 represents this operational Step.
`At the decision box numbered 306, the DUTL server
`checks to determine if the received Song list is current. If the
`Song list is not current, a negative outcome at the decision
`box 306, then a new song list is available and the server
`Sends back an updated Song list, as represented by the flow
`diagram box numbered 308. If the playback unit song list is
`already current, an affirmative outcome at the decision box
`306, then no song list data transmission from the DUL server
`is needed. With a confirmed current Song list, the user is now
`permitted to Select a track from among those available in a
`Selection menu. The Selection menus are displayed, for
`example, on the display area of the interface illustrated in
`FIG. 2. The user may need to scroll up and down the
`displayed Selection menu list. Tracks can be Selected by
`artist, genre, disc name, or a number of other factors. The
`operation of a user making an artist and Song Selection is
`represented by the flow diagram box numbered 310. At the
`next step, represented by the flow diagram box numbered
`312, the playback unit Sends the user-requested Song title
`information to the DUL server. The DUL server returns the
`network address for the requested Song. This step is repre
`sented by the flow diagram box numbered 314. The play
`back unit is now ready to retrieve audio material from the
`network. The flow diagram for these operations continues in
`FIG. 4.
`In the case of an Internet network connection, the returned
`network address is referred to as the uniform resource
`locator (URL) for the song. Once the song URL is received,
`the playback unit initiates communication with the appro
`priate audio material Server to request the Song from the
`appropriate directory. This step is represented by the FIG. 4
`flow diagram box numbered 402. In the preferred
`45
`embodiment, the DUL server maintains control over com
`munication from the playback unit to the network, and
`therefore the DUL server can determine if the audio material
`Server at the indicated URL is inactive or not responding. If
`either is the case, then the DUL server will detect this
`condition and may send the URL of a backup or alternate
`audio material Server at which the requested Song is Stored.
`In this way, the user may still gain access to the requested
`Song and listen to it.
`When the playback unit Sends the Song request to the
`server whose URL it received from the DUL server, it also
`sends a user identification code (user ID) and encrypted
`password information to the DUL server. This step is rep
`resented by the flow diagram box numbered 404. That is,
`because the DUL Server maintains communication control,
`the DUL Server can perform a gatekeeping function to
`permit or prevent the playback unit from receiving the
`requested audio material. If the user ID and password
`information is validated, then the DUL ser