The present application is a divisional application of an invention patent application having an application date of 11/5/2005, an application number of 200580022090.3, and an invention name of "method for transmitting data by using a portable multimedia device".
Detailed Description
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention. Examples of preferred embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to one preferred embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Various embodiments of the present invention incorporate a receiver unit that is compatible with the Radio Data System (RDS) that transmits additional information along with the VHF/FM radio service to the appropriate receiving device without affecting the normal audio programming. The basic concept behind RDS is that each FM radio station is given a set bandwidth available for its broadcast. However, most stations do not use their full bandwidth and the spare bandwidth is usually wasted. Thus, RDS uses this wasted bandwidth to transmit the data signal of a low bit rate based FM radio by modulating it into the radio station signal and transmitting it with it. This arrangement is very cost effective as existing transmission towers can be used with very little modification.
The invention described herein relates to methods, apparatus and systems for providing a user of a remote communication device, such as a multimedia player (e.g., an IPOD manufactured by Apple computer company, Cupertino, CA) with the ability to conveniently send audio and/or related textual information to a compatible receiver unit (e.g., a radio apparatus that enables the Radio Data System (RDS)), either wired or wirelesslyTMThe manner of the multimedia player).
In one embodiment, a multimedia player in combination with a wireless data transmission unit transmits media data and text data (as deemed appropriate for the particular situation, or associated or not with the media data) to a nearby receiver device, wherein the nearby receiver device is arranged to receive and process one or the other or both of the media data and text data simultaneously as required. It should be noted that the multimedia player may take the form of an iPod coupled with an FM transmitter adapter to wirelessly transmit media data (i.e., songs, music, etc.) and its related information (e.g., song name, title artist, etc.) to an appropriately configured receiver (e.g., an RDS enabled radio, often referred to as a "smart radio") using a Radio Data Service (RDS) based data bit streamTMThe form of the player. In this manner, in addition to the user being able to select a particular song or music selection, the user may be provided with information (e.g., artist) directly regarding the selected music selection. For example, the user may use the available music data to select only a particular artist or only music with a particular title, etc., thereby greatly enhancing the listening experience of the user.
In another embodiment, a communication system is described having a multimedia player wired directly to a receiver unit, which is useful in those situations where wireless transmission of data to the receiver unit is impractical or infeasible. In yet another embodiment, the multimedia player may be configured to operate in a wireless mode or a wired mode selected by the user depending on the circumstances at the time.
In a particular embodiment, the multimedia player is a pocket-sized multimedia device (personal digital assistant, personal media player/recorder, etc.) having a display screen and a user input device typically comprised of manually operated switches, buttons, wheels, or other such means. By manipulating the input device, the user is able to select a particular multimedia file to play with the associated data file. In the case of digital audio files (e.g., music), the associated data files may include information such as song title, author, length of play, and other such useful information. Once a specific MP3 file has been selected, the player decodes the selected MP3 file and wirelessly transmits the decoded music file and associated data files through a radio transmission unit coupled thereto. In such embodiments, the RDS enabled radio both broadcasts music on the speaker and displays the relevant data including information such as title, author, etc. on the display. Once selected, the remote player decodes and plays the selected music file and displays the associated data file, and, if desired, wirelessly transmits the same music file and associated data file to an appropriately configured receiver device, such as an RDS-enabled radio.
The present invention will now be described with respect to a portable multimedia player capable of storing a plurality of multimedia data files. For example, where the multimedia player is a pocket-sized portable player (e.g., an IPOD manufactured by Apple computer, Inc. of Cupertino, CA)TMPlayer), the multimedia data files may include MP3 files and any other suitable data files.
Thus, FIG. 1A illustrates a system 100 adapted to wirelessly transmit data from a pocket-sized multimedia player 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the system 100, a multimedia player 102 is in wireless communication with a receiving unit 104 capable of selectively displaying graphical and/or textual information 108 while outputting associated audio 110. In the embodiment, the receiving unit 104 is an RDS enabled radio having a display 112 for displaying information 108 and a speaker 114 for broadcasting audio. In general, the radio 104 is found in any number of vehicle (transportation) modes, such as automobiles, SUVs, etc., or any other situation where nearby placement of the player 102 is feasible.
In operation, a user selects any one of a plurality of multimedia data files stored in the multimedia player 102. Thus, the user may thus choose to listen to the selected multimedia data file through a connected headset (not shown), or in the case of, for example, the user traveling in a car, the user may choose to transmit audio and related information (title, author, track number, etc.) through a wireless transmission unit 116 coupled to or included in the player 102. In the described embodiment, radio transmission unit 116 takes the form of an RDS FM radio transmission unit 116 capable of wirelessly communicating with RDS-enabled radio device 104. In this way, the user can both listen to the selected file and read the relevant information about the selected music file. Such related information includes song titles, song author and album titles, and any number of other information that a user may find useful.
FIG. 1B shows another embodiment of the present invention with which a multimedia player 130 is wired directly to a receiver unit through a connector 132 using an input jack 134. It should be noted that although not explicitly shown in either fig. 1A or fig. 1B, a modified version of the multimedia player may also be used to transmit data in a wireless or wired manner as selected by the user, thereby providing the advantages of both. In this case, the FM transmission unit is deactivated (deactivated) when the connector is plugged into the corresponding input jack or vice versa.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example portable multimedia player 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The media player 200 includes a processor 202 that is part of a microprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation of the media player 200. The media player 200 stores media data regarding media files in a file system 204 and a cache 206. Generally, the file system 204 is a memory or a plurality of disks. The file system 204 typically provides high capacity storage capability for the media player 200. However, since the access time to the file system 204 is relatively slow, the media player 200 may also include a cache 206. The cache memory 206 is a Random Access Memory (RAM) provided by, for example, a semiconductor memory. The relative access time to the cache 206 is much shorter than for the file system 204. However, the cache 206 does not have the large storage capacity of the file system 204. In addition, the file system 204, when active, consumes more power than does the cache 206. Power consumption is particularly important when the media player 200 is a portable media player that is powered by a battery (not shown). The media player 200 also includes RAM220 and read-only memory (ROM) 222. The ROM222 may store programs, utilities or processes to be executed in a nonvolatile manner. The RAM220 provides volatile data storage, such as for the cache memory 206.
The media player 200 also includes a user input device 208 that allows a user of the media player 200 to interact with the media player 200, either alone (or in combination). In addition, the media player 200 includes a display 210 (screen display) that can be controlled by the processor 202 to display information to the user. The data bus 224 facilitates data transfer between at least the file system 204, the cache 206, the processor 202, and the CODEC210 and the wireless transmitter unit 226. The media player 200 also includes a bus interface 216 coupled to a data link 218 that allows the media player 200 to be coupled to a host computer.
In one implementation, the media player 200 is used to store a plurality of media files (e.g., songs) in the file system 204. When a user desires to have the media player play a particular media item, a list of available media files is displayed on the display 210. The user may then select one of the available media files using the user input device 208. Upon receiving a selection of a particular media item, the processor 202 provides media data (e.g., an audio file) for the particular media item to a coder/decoder (CODEC) 210. The CODEC212 then generates analog output signals for a speaker 214. The speaker 214 may be a speaker internal to the media player 200 or external to the media player 200. For example, headphones or earphones that connect to the media player 200 would be considered an external speaker.
As configured, the media player 200 includes a wireless transmission unit 226 arranged to wirelessly transmit any selected data from the media player 200 to any suitably configured receiver unit. Where radio transmission unit 226 is an RDS RF transmission unit, any selected music and/or associated data files may be simultaneously transferred from player 200 to an RDS enabled receiver unit. In this manner, both music and related data (e.g., information 108) may be broadcast and displayed simultaneously by the receiver unit 104, thereby providing the user with the ability to both listen to the selected music file and read appropriate text describing aspects of the selected music file.
In one implementation, the media player 200 is a portable computing device dedicated to processing media such as audio. For example, the media player 200 may be a music player (e.g., an MP3 player), a game player, and the like. These devices are typically battery operated and highly portable, allowing a user to listen to music, play games or video, record video or take pictures anywhere the user travels. In one implementation, the media player 200 is a handheld device sized to fit in a pocket or hand of a user. Being handheld, the media player 200 is relatively small and easy to hold and use by its user. Being pocket-sized, the user need not directly carry the device, and thus the device can be taken almost anywhere the user travels (e.g., the user is not limited to carrying a large, bulky, and often heavy device as in a portable computer). Furthermore, the device can be operated by the user's hand, so that no reference surface like a table top is required.
In particular embodiments, the available media files are arranged in a hierarchical manner based on a selected number and type of groupings appropriate to the available media files. For example, where the media player 200 is an MP 3-type media player, the available media files take the form of MP3 files (each file corresponding to a digitally encoded song or other audio performance) that are at least partially stored in the file system 204. The available media files (or songs in this case) may be grouped in any manner deemed appropriate. In one arrangement, the songs may be arranged hierarchically such that a first level is a list of music types, a second level is a list of artists for each type, a third level is a list of albums for each artist listed in the second level, and a fourth level is a list of songs for each album listed in the third level, and so on. Thus, this hierarchical ordering may be displayed on the media player display 210 and the display 112 associated with the RDS-enabled radio 104. In addition, any changes to the display 210 will also be reflected almost immediately on the display 112 in accordance with user input events provided by the user input device 208. In this manner, the user input device 208 may be used to remotely change the information displayed on the display 112.
The user input device 208 may take a variety of forms, such as a button, a keyboard, a dial, etc., each of which may be programmed to perform any one of a set of functions, either individually or in combination. Fig. 3 shows a particular implementation of the user input device 208 with a plurality of input buttons 302. Such input buttons 302 take the form of a rotatable dial 302-1, the rotatable dial 302-1 taking the form of a wheel capable of rotating in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, with a depressible input button 302-2 centered thereon, the input button 302-2 being arranged to receive a user input event such as a press event. Other input buttons 302 include input buttons 302-3 through 302-6, each of which may be used to receive an input action provided by a user.
Fig. 4 shows a flowchart detailing a process 400 for wirelessly transmitting a decoded multimedia data file and an associated informational data file in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. At 402, a multimedia data file is selected on a portable subminiature player device, such as an iPOD manufactured by Apple computer corporation of Cupertion, CA. The player then decodes the selected multimedia data file associated with the appropriately encoded music or song selection at 404, while decoding the associated multimedia information file at 406. In the embodiment, in the case where the relevant multimedia data file is an MP3 file or the like, the multimedia information file includes information such as artist, title, album, recorded data, and the like. At 408, the decoded data file and associated information file are wirelessly transmitted to a nearby, suitably configured receiver unit. Generally, the player will provide an RDS FM signal to a receiver configured as an RDS enabled radio device included in a vehicle mode, such as an automobile. At 410, the receiver unit simultaneously outputs (e.g., broadcasts) the selected audio files (e.g., songs, compositions, spoken words, etc.) on a speaker and displays the associated information files on a display unit coupled thereto.
FIG. 5 illustrates a computer system 500 employed to implement the present invention. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the computer system 500, or more specifically the CPU502, may be arranged to support a virtual machine. As is well known in the art, ROM acts to transfer data and instructions uni-directionally to the CPU502, and RAM is used typically to transfer data and instructions in a bi-directional manner. The CPU502 may generally include any number of processors. Both primary storage devices 504, 506 may include any suitable computer-readable media. A secondary storage medium 508, which is typically a mass storage device, is also coupled bi-directionally to CPU502 and provides additional data storage capacity. The mass storage device 508 is a computer readable medium that may be used to store programs including computer code, data, and the like. In general, mass storage device 508 is a storage medium, such as a hard disk or tape, that is generally slower than primary storage devices 504, 506. The mass storage device 508 may take the form of a magnetic or paper tape reader or some other well-known device. It will be appreciated that the information retained within the mass storage device 508 may, in appropriate cases, be incorporated in standard fashion as part of RAM506 as virtual memory. A particular primary storage device 504, such as a CD-ROM, may also pass data uni-directionally to the CPU 502.
The CPU502 is also coupled to one or more input/output devices 510, wherein the input/output devices 510 include, but are not limited to, devices such as video monitors, track balls, mice, keyboards, microphones, touch screen displays, sensor card readers, magnetic or paper tape readers, tablets, styluses, voice or handwriting recognizers, or other well-known input devices (e.g., other computers, of course). Finally, CPU502 optionally may be coupled to a computer or telecommunications network, such as an Internet network or an intranet network, using a network connection shown generally at 512. With such a network connection, it is contemplated that the CPU502 might receive information from the network, or might output information to the network in the course of performing the above-described method steps. Such information, which is often represented as a sequence of instructions executed by the CPU502, may be received from or outputted to the network, for example, in the form of a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave. The above-described devices and materials will be familiar to those of skill in the computer hardware and software arts. The various aspects or features of the invention described above may be used alone or in various combinations.
Although the media items emphasized in several of the above embodiments are audio items (e.g., audio files or songs), the media items are not limited to audio items. For example, the media item may optionally pertain to recorded discussions and the like.
The present invention is preferably implemented by software, but can also be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The invention may also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over a network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.
The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the written description and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
While this invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the processes and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be interpreted to include all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.