Abstract:
A digital music system includes a first unit (e.g. a home unit) having a processor in communication with a memory device for storing music files. The first unit includes an input device for receiving a compact disc such that music files from the disc may be stored to memory if not found there already. A second unit (e.g. portable or vehicle unit) has a similar construction. The units may communicate by direct or wireless connection for synchronizing music libraries, but only if each unit shares an identical PIN such that copyright violations are avoided. The system includes an online depository for communication with other system units for storing music libraries associated with each PIN. The depository may be accessed by wireless internet connection. The depository enables users to backup their libraries or to synchronize a saved library with a new or existing unit that is associated with a respective PIN.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to audio electronic devices and, more particularly, to a digital music system for recording and storing digital music files from compact discs or radio programming. The present invention may include a home unit, a car unit, a portable unit, and an internet depository that are capable of synchronizing with one another. 
         [0002]    Consumers who wish to listen to music while away from their home stereo or vehicle often utilize an mp3 digital music player. The digital music player may be connected to a computer, a compact disc may be inserted into the computer&#39;s CD player, and the music tracks of the CD may be copied to the music player&#39;s memory. This procedure is difficult, of course, for individuals who are not computer savvy or do not have access to a computer. Allowing CD&#39;s to be shared and copied also raises potential copyright law violations. 
         [0003]    Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, digital music players require that listeners listen to their music library with headphones or to be connected to a stereo through a special interface. In other words, the music library is not transferable or transmittable between a user&#39;s home stereo and vehicle stereo. In addition, the music library is not backed up in case of a technical failure of the music player or if it is lost or stolen. 
         [0004]    Therefore, it would be desirable to have a digital music system that enables a user to record and store music from their legally purchased CD&#39;s or radio without the use of a computer. Further, it would be desirable to have a digital music system that enables a user to transfer a digital music library from a home unit to a car unit or portable unit. In addition, it would be desirable to have a digital music system that may synchronize the home, vehicle, or portable units and that may backup the library to a central depository using the internet. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Accordingly, a digital music system according to the present invention includes a first unit having a processor in data communication with a memory device having a plurality of music files and a music file index. The first unit processor is also in communication with an audio output device, a music input device, and a data input device. The first unit may be a home unit, vehicle unit, or portable unit. The digital music system may also include one or more second units having a similar construction. In other words, if the first unit is a home unit, then a second unit may be a vehicle or portable unit. A music compact disc may be inserted into a unit and, if one or more of the music files are not found saved on the unit, those files will be copied to the unit&#39;s memory. It is understood that digital data from a radio broadcast may also be recorded to the unit&#39;s memory in a similar manner. 
         [0006]    Each unit is associated with a personal identification number (PIN) such that any file sharing between the units is verified and authorized. Accordingly, the first unit may transfer a music file from its memory device to the memory device of the second unit after matching the first unit PIN with the second unit PIN and determining that the second unit&#39;s memory device does not have an equivalent to a first unit music file. The second unit may transfer a music file to the first unit in a similar manner. For example, music files may be copied onto the home unit by inserting a compact disc into the unit, the unit&#39;s processor determining if the music files are already in memory and, if not, reading the files into memory. By connecting the home unit to a portable unit, stored music files that are not on a respective unit may be copied to the other. The portable unit may later be connected to a vehicle unit and a similar synchronization may occur. Copying music files in this way, however, is only permitted if each connected unit shares the same predetermined personal identification number (PIN). The unit may also include a radio tuner and radio broadcast data may be similarly copied into memory and shared between units having matching PINs. 
         [0007]    The digital music system may also include a central depository for storing a user&#39;s music library separate from the home, vehicle, or portable units. The depository may be accessible through a wireless network, such as an internet wireless network. As with communication between home, vehicle, or portable units, each user of the depository is associated with a predetermined PIN. For example, once the PIN of a user&#39;s home unit is matched with a depository PIN, the depository may determine if there are music files on the memory device of the home unit that are not found in the depository memory device associated with that PIN or vice versa. Then, appropriate file transfers may be carried out to synchronize the libraries. This central depository is especially advantageous for instances where one or more of a user&#39;s music devices, e.g. home unit, vehicle unit, or portable unit have become inoperable, lost, or stolen and a replacement or otherwise new device has been obtained. Rather than having to reinsert and “rip” each CD again, the depository is available to reconstruct the library. 
         [0008]    The digital music system also includes wireless internet connection capability. In other words, each unit of the system may be connected to the internet when positioned in a wireless “hotspot.” This feature enables the portable unit to access the depository from many locations. Further, a digital music unit may search for other digital music units online and, if PIN&#39;s are matched, synchronize music libraries with respective other units. This is especially advantageous as it would allow a vehicle unit to synchronize with a home unit via a wireless internet connection rather than to require a USB connection. 
         [0009]    Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a digital music system for recording, storing, and listening to digital music files without the use of a computer. 
         [0010]    Another object of this invention is to provide a digital music system, as aforesaid, that enables a user to quickly and easily copy digital music files from a home unit to a portable or vehicle unit. 
         [0011]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a digital music system, as aforesaid, that enables music libraries to be synchronized between multiple digital music systems owned by the same person. 
         [0012]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide a digital music system, as aforesaid, in which each digital music system unit includes a personal identification code that may be verified between communicating units and must be matched before music files may be shared. 
         [0013]    A further object of this invention is to provide a digital music system, as aforesaid, in which digital music system units may be interconnected with a USB or wireless internet connection. 
         [0014]    A still further object of this invention is to provide a digital music system, as aforesaid, in which song titles, artist names, etc. may be organized into playlists. 
         [0015]    A particular object of this invention is to provide a digital music system, as aforesaid, having a user-friendly user interface. 
         [0016]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a second/portable unit of a digital music system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a first/home unit of a digital music system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view of a portable unit; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of the portable unit from another angle as in  FIG. 3   a;    
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the first/home unit as in  FIG. 2  connected to the portable unit as in  FIG. 3   a;    
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another digital music system second/portable unit; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the digital music system; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating the features carried out by the digital music system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating the communications between the units of the digital music system. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0026]    A digital music system  100  according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 8  of the accompanying drawings. More particularly, according to the current invention, a digital music system  100  includes a first unit  110 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the first unit  110  has a processor  112  in data communication with a memory device  113 , an audio output device  114  (e.g., a speaker), a music input device  115  (e.g., a CD reader, a DVD reader, an AM/FM tuner, a satellite receiver, etc.), and a data input device  116  (e.g., a touchscreen, a knob, a switch, etc.). The memory device  113  has a plurality of music files  113   a  and a music file index  113   b  listing the music files  113   a  in the memory device  113 . The first unit  110  may be, for example, a home unit ( FIG. 2 ), a vehicle unit ( FIG. 1 ), or a portable unit ( FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , and  5 ). The home unit set forth in  FIG. 2  is labeled as the first unit  110 , though this need not be the case. A Personal Identification Number (“PIN”)  119  may be associated with the first unit  110  and may be maintained in the memory device  113  or the processor  112 , for example. 
         [0028]    A second unit  120 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , may be included. The second unit  120  has a processor  122  in data communication with a memory device  123 , an audio output device  124  (e.g., a speaker), and a data input device  126  (e.g., a touchscreen, a knob, a switch, a memory card etc.). The memory device  123  has a plurality of music files  123   a  and a music file index  123   b  listing the music files  123   a  in the memory device  123 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a music input device  125  (e.g., a CD reader, a DVD reader, an AM/FM tuner, a satellite receiver, etc.) may also be in data communication with the processor  122 . The second unit  120  may be, for example, a home unit ( FIG. 2 ), a vehicle unit ( FIG. 1 ), or a portable unit ( FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , and  5 ). The vehicle unit and the portable units set forth in  FIGS. 1 ,  3   a ,  3   b , and  5  are labeled as the second unit  120 , though this need not be the case. The unit  120  shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  may be a portable unit similar to a traditional mp3 player, only it does not have need of a computer in the manner of a traditional mp3 player. A PIN  129  that corresponds to the PIN  119  may be associated with the second unit  120  and may be maintained in the memory device  123  or the processor  122 , for example. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , a third unit  130  that is substantially similar to the first unit  110  or the second unit  120  may be included. In fact, numerous units  130  could be included in the system  100  in accordance with the disclosure and teachings set forth herein. 
         [0030]    A depository  140  ( FIG. 6 ) may have a processor  142  in data communication with a memory device  143  having a user file  143   a  with a plurality of music files  143   b  and a music file index  143   c . A PIN  149  that corresponds to the PIN  119  may be associated with the user file  143   a  and may be maintained in the memory device  143  or the processor  142 , for example. The depository  140  may be used by many different users, and each user may have their own user file  143   a , for example. Each user of the depository has a unique associated PIN, whereby to distinguish each user&#39;s file library from any other user&#39;s file library. 
         [0031]    Means may be included for providing a respective first unit music file  113   a  to the second unit memory device  123  and for providing a respective second unit music file  123   a  to the first unit memory device  113 , or in other words, for synchronizing the music files  113   a ,  123   a  in the memory devices  113 ,  123 . For example, the first and second units  110 ,  120  may include communication hardware—each including a transmitter  188   a ,  128   a  and a receiver  118   b ,  128   b —and the second unit processor  122  may include programming for actuating the second unit communication hardware  128   a  to send the second unit music file index  123   b  and the second unit PIN  129  to the first unit communication hardware  118   b . Communication hardware is referred to generically herein as “transmitter”  118   a ,  128   a  and “receiver”  118   b ,  128   b  to stress the function being performed, and may include a modem, a data port and cable, wireless transmitters and receivers, and/or any other appropriate communication hardware. The first unit  110  includes various communication hardware, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0032]    The first unit processor  112  may include programming for comparing the PIN  129  sent by the second unit transmitter  128   a  and received by the first unit receiver  118   b  to the first unit PIN  119 , and (only upon matching the PINs  119 ,  129 ) for comparing the first unit music file index  113   b  to the second unit music file index  123   b . Upon determining that the second unit memory device  123  does not have an equivalent to (i.e., a copy of) a respective first unit music file  113   a , the first unit processor  112  may actuate the first unit transmitter  118   a  to send the first unit music file(s)  113   a  absent from the second unit music file index  123   b  to the second unit receiver  128   b . It should be understood that only copies of the music files  113   a  are sent, and that the music files  113   a  also remain in the first unit memory device  123 . Upon determining that the first unit memory device  113  does not have an equivalent to (i.e., a copy of) a respective second unit music file  123   a , the first unit processor  112  may actuate the first unit transmitter  118   a  to send a request for the second unit music files  123   a  absent from the first unit music file index  113   b.    
         [0033]    The second unit processor  122  may include programming to actuate the second unit memory device  123  to store each first unit music file  113   a  sent by the first unit transmitter  118   a  and received by the second unit receiver  128   b  and programming to update the second unit music file index  123   b  to reflect the addition of any new music files. The first unit music files  113   a  stored in the second unit memory device  123  are “second unit music files  123   a ” according to the terminology used herein. The second unit processor  122  may also include programming to actuate the second unit transmitter  128   a  to send any second unit music files  123   a  absent from the first unit music file index  113   b . Programming may cause the first unit processor  112  to actuate the first unit memory device  113  to store each second unit music file  123   a  sent by the second unit transmitter  128   a  and received by the first unit receiver  118   b , and the first unit processor  112  may include programming to update the first unit music file index  113   b  to reflect the addition of any new music files. 
         [0034]    Means may be included for providing a respective first unit music file  113   a  to the depository user file  143   a  and for providing a respective depository music file  143   b  to the first unit memory device  113 , or in other words, for synchronizing the music files  113   a ,  143   b  in the memory devices  113 ,  143 . For example, the first unit processor  112  may include programming for actuating the first unit transmitter  118   a  to send the first unit music file index  113   b  and the first unit PIN  119  to a depository receiver  148   b.    
         [0035]    The depository processor  142  may include programming for comparing the PIN  119  sent by the first unit transmitter  118   a  and received by the depository receiver  148   b  to the user file PIN  149 , and (only upon matching the PINs  119 ,  149 ) for comparing the first unit music file index  113   b  to the depository music file index  143   c . Upon determining that the first unit memory device  113  does not have an equivalent to (i.e., a copy of) a respective depository music file  143   b , the depository processor  142  may actuate a depository transmitter  148   a  to send the depository music file(s)  143   b  absent from the first unit music file index  113   b  to the first unit receiver  118   b . It should be understood that only copies of the music files  143   b  are sent, and that the music files  143   b  also remain in the depository memory device  143 . Upon determining that the depository memory device  143  does not have an equivalent to (i.e., a copy of) a respective first unit music file  113   a , the depository processor  142  may actuate the depository transmitter  148   a  to send a request for the first unit music files  113   a  absent from the depository music file index  143   c.    
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , it is understood that the depository transmitter  148   a  and depository receiver  148   b  may be wireless network router such that the depository  140  may be accessed through the internet. In this way and since a user&#39;s music library is associated with a verifiable PIN, a user who has obtained a new home unit  110  or portable unit  120  can easily synchronize with the depository  140  to obtain their entire library on the new unit. By comparing the PINs, unauthorized sharing of copyrighted music is avoided. Further, a digital music system according to the present invention may search for other digital music systems on the wireless network. If the PINs are then matched (i.e. if the units that are communicating together on the internet are owned by the same user), then the respective memory devices may be synchronized over the internet in a manner substantially similar to that described previously. 
         [0037]    The first unit processor  112  may include programming to actuate the first unit memory device  113  to store each depository music file  143   b  sent by the depository transmitter  148   a  and received by the first unit receiver  118   b  and programming to update the first unit music file index  113   b  to reflect the addition of any new music files as discussed previously. The depository music files  143   b  stored in the first unit memory device  113  are “first unit music files  113   a ” according to the terminology used herein. The first unit processor  112  may also include programming to actuate the first unit transmitter  118   a  to send any first unit music files  113   a  absent from the depository music file index  143   c . Programming may cause the depository processor  142  to actuate the depository memory device  143  to store each first unit music file  113   a  sent by the first unit transmitter  118   a  and received by the depository receiver  148   b , and the depository processor  142  may include programming to update the depository music file index  143   c  to reflect the addition of any new music files. 
         [0038]    Means for synchronizing the music files  123   a ,  143   b  in the second unit  120  and the depository  140  may be included that are substantially similar to the means set forth above for synchronizing the music files  113   a ,  143   b  in the first unit  110  and the depository  140 . Additionally, or alternately, the second unit music files  123   a  may be synchronized with the depository music files  143   b  by synchronizing the first unit  110  with the depository  140  and then synchronizing the second unit  120  with the first unit  110 . It should be appreciated that the music files  113   a ,  123   a ,  143   b  may be grouped in the respective memory devices  113 ,  123 ,  143  to form playlists, or that additional playlist files may be included that can be synchronized as generally set forth above. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  shows various functions that may be performed by the system  100 . For example, a music source (e.g., a CD, DVD, radio signal, etc.) may be provided to the first unit music input device  115 , and at step S 1  the first unit processor  112  may actuate the music input device  115  to obtain a respective music file from the music source and review the first unit music file index  113   b  to determine if the music file from the music source is stored in the first unit memory device  113 . At step S 2 , if the music file is not stored in the first unit memory device  113 , the processor  112  may inquire (e.g., using the audio output device  114 , a display, etc.) as to whether the user would like to add the music file to the first unit memory device  113 . If the answer provided by the user (such as through the data input device  116 ) is “no”, the processor  112  may actuate the audio output device  114  to audibly present the music file from the music source or a music file  113   a  from the first unit memory device  113  at step S 3 . If the answer provided by the user is “yes”, the processor  112  may obtain title information for each respective music file from the music input device  115  at step S 4 . If the information is found, the processor  112  may proceed to step S 6 ; if not, the processor  112  may allow the information to be manually input using the data input device  116  at step S 5 . The title information may be associated with the respective music files  113   a  in the first unit memory device  113  and used in the first unit music file index  113   b.    
         [0040]    At step S 6 , the processor  112  may actuate the first unit memory device  113  to store the music file from the music source obtained by the music input device  115 . To speed the copying process, uncompressed data may be stored at step S 6 , compressed music files may be created at step S 7 , and the originally-stored uncompressed data may be deleted at step S 8 . Other methods of storing the music file may also be appropriate. It is understood that the respective input devices may be utilized by a user to establish or organize playlists and the like. 
         [0041]    It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.