System for the delivery of audio recordings
DC
First Claim
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1. A system for economical distribution of audio information to subscribers, that stores compressed digital audio information at a central library of a service center, retains said information for dissemination to a large number of subscribers, establishes communications with subscriber base units, delivers said audio information to said subscriber base units, wherein the base units each convert said audio information for output, interface with audio player devices capable of recording, and automatically transfers to said audio player devices the audio information, wherein(a) the service center includes:
- a user interface permitting the users to input respective user preferences about topics of interest and preferences about delivery;
a means of processing functioning to coordinate the activities of said service center;
said library of compressed digital audio information;
non-volatile storage media functioning to store said user preference information and said audio information;
means of network management functioning to gather status information from subscriber base units and to record said status information on said storage media; and
a network interface functioning to connect said service center with a communications platform for the purpose of communicating with one or more base units;
(b) each said base unit includes;
network interface means for communicating with said service center network interface over a communications platform, and for receiving and transmitting data transmissions between said service center and said base unit;
microprocessor means, electronically interconnected to said network interface, for controlling the overall operation of said base unit including the receipt and storage of audio information transmitted to said base unit from said service center;
non-volatile, read-only memory, electronically interconnected to said microprocessor means, storing instructions that are executable by said microprocessor means;
a control program, stored in said non-volatile, read-only memory, functioning to contain said executable instructions;
feedback means, contained as a specialized set of instructions in said control program, functioning to provide information, in the form of a data network message, to said service center network management means pertaining to status information identified and stored in said base unit;
non-volatile digital memory storage means functioning to store digital audio information transmitted to the base unit from the service center;
decompression means, electronically interconnected to said microprocessor means, functioning to accept compressed digital audio data and to convert said data into real-time digital audio data;
conversion means for converting said real-time digital audio data to a format suitable for output to an audio player device;
control interface means, electronically interconnected to and controlled by said microprocessor means, functioning to control an audio player device;
a user switch having first and second conditions, electronically interconnected to said microprocessor means, wherein a feedback message generated by said microprocessor means depends on the condition of said switch; and
also permitting the subscriber to activate or deactivate said base unit depending on the respective condition of the switch; and
c) an audio player device including;
input means for accepting said audio information; and
means for recording said audio information.
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Abstract
Audio information is distributed from a service center to a large group of subscribers on a regular basis, depending on the desires of the individual subscribers. The audio information can be educational, recreational, or informational in nature. The service center stores user profile information, stores compressed audio recordings for future delivery, transmits compressed audio information to each base unit, and interfaces with subscribers. The base unit provides readiness status to the service center. The service center sends compressed digital audio information to the base station, after which the base station receives the compressed audio unattended, and automatically decodes and records the audio information on a cassette or other recording device. Communication between the service center and each base unit may use a data network that operates on top of the Public Switched Telephone Network using xDSL modems or a cable network using cable modems. The system maximizes efficient use of system resources and reduces total system costs.
106 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for economical distribution of audio information to subscribers, that stores compressed digital audio information at a central library of a service center, retains said information for dissemination to a large number of subscribers, establishes communications with subscriber base units, delivers said audio information to said subscriber base units, wherein the base units each convert said audio information for output, interface with audio player devices capable of recording, and automatically transfers to said audio player devices the audio information, wherein
(a) the service center includes: -
a user interface permitting the users to input respective user preferences about topics of interest and preferences about delivery;
a means of processing functioning to coordinate the activities of said service center;
said library of compressed digital audio information;
non-volatile storage media functioning to store said user preference information and said audio information;
means of network management functioning to gather status information from subscriber base units and to record said status information on said storage media; and
a network interface functioning to connect said service center with a communications platform for the purpose of communicating with one or more base units;
(b) each said base unit includes;
network interface means for communicating with said service center network interface over a communications platform, and for receiving and transmitting data transmissions between said service center and said base unit;
microprocessor means, electronically interconnected to said network interface, for controlling the overall operation of said base unit including the receipt and storage of audio information transmitted to said base unit from said service center;
non-volatile, read-only memory, electronically interconnected to said microprocessor means, storing instructions that are executable by said microprocessor means;
a control program, stored in said non-volatile, read-only memory, functioning to contain said executable instructions;
feedback means, contained as a specialized set of instructions in said control program, functioning to provide information, in the form of a data network message, to said service center network management means pertaining to status information identified and stored in said base unit;
non-volatile digital memory storage means functioning to store digital audio information transmitted to the base unit from the service center;
decompression means, electronically interconnected to said microprocessor means, functioning to accept compressed digital audio data and to convert said data into real-time digital audio data;
conversion means for converting said real-time digital audio data to a format suitable for output to an audio player device;
control interface means, electronically interconnected to and controlled by said microprocessor means, functioning to control an audio player device;
a user switch having first and second conditions, electronically interconnected to said microprocessor means, wherein a feedback message generated by said microprocessor means depends on the condition of said switch; and
also permitting the subscriber to activate or deactivate said base unit depending on the respective condition of the switch; and
c) an audio player device including;
input means for accepting said audio information; and
means for recording said audio information.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method by which a base unit receives audio information in compressed form and transfers the information to a controlled audio player device where it is recorded on a storage medium in a form that is easily transportable and in which the audio information can later be played back for a user;
- comprising the steps of
ensuring that the audio player device and the recording medium are properly conditioned to receive audio information;
awaiting reception by the base unit of a message specifically intended for said user and containing the audio information in compressed form;
automatically receiving the message over a transmission link;
activating the controlled device; and
transferring the audio information contained in said message to said controlled audio player device including the step of automatically actuating the controlled device to record said audio information therein. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
- comprising the steps of
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18. Method of delivering subscriber-specific recorded audio information from a central library associated with a service center to a multiplicity of subscribers in a manner that maximizes efficient use of system and subscriber resources used to discharge an operations workload associated with a periodic delivery cycle, the periodic delivery cycle comprising:
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storing at said service center user profiles to include categories of interest identified by the respective subscribers and delivery preferences of the respective subscribers;
effecting data connections between said service center and a base unit for each said subscriber over a data link capable of transmitting audio files in compressed digital form to the respective subscriber base units;
obtaining feedback messages from the entire multiplicity of subscribers identifying which of said subscriber base units have indicated their readiness to receive a transmission from the service center;
building, for each said subscriber so identified as ready, a set of compressed audio files according to the category or categories of interest in the respective user profile for the subscriber;
connecting said service center with the subscriber base station for each said subscriber so identified over said data link;
transmitting to each said subscriber base unit respectively a message containing the respective set of compressed audio files over said data link;
said base station receiving and storing the set of audio files in compressed digital form; and
automatically transferring said audio files from the respective base station to an audio player device in a form permitting the subscriber to play back, at a user-determined time thereafter, the selected audio information;
wherein the step of transmitting includes accounting of completed transmissions to create a record of successful message deliveries. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification
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Litigation Data
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Current AssigneePLDN Holdings LLC
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Original AssigneeMichael Charles Kochian
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InventorsKochian, Michael Charles
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Primary Examiner(s)Dorvil, Richemond
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Assistant Examiner(s)Nolan, Daniel A.
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Application NumberUS09/534,754Time in Patent Office515 DaysField of Search704/500, 704/503, 704/220, 704/201US Class Current704/500CPC Class CodesH04M 1/656 for recording conversationsH04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, ...H04M 3/487 Arrangements for providing ...
