HK1066081B - Interactive sound reproducing - Google Patents

Description

Interactive sound reproduction

Technical Field

The present invention relates to interactive sound reproduction, and more particularly to sound reproduction in computer Compact Disc (CD) drives, network radios, broadcast radios and digitally encoded computer files.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved interactive sound reproduction.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the invention, an audio system comprises sound reproduction means for generating audible sound from an audio signal. The sound reproduction apparatus includes a radio tuner, a powered speaker and a connector (connector) for connecting the sound reproduction apparatus to a computer. Computers provide audio signals from a variety of sources. These sources include computer CD players (players), digitally encoded computer files stored on a computer, and computer networks connected to computers. The sound reproduction apparatus comprises control buttons for controlling at least one of a computer CD player, a digitally encoded computer file and a computer network.

In another aspect of the invention, an audio system includes a sound reproduction device for producing audible sound from an audio signal. The sound reproduction apparatus includes a housing enclosing a radio tuner and an upper powered speaker. The audio system further comprises a connector for connecting the sound reproduction apparatus to a computer for providing audio signals from a computer CD player, digitally encoded computer files and a computer network.

In yet another aspect of the invention, an audio system includes a sound reproduction device for reproducing audible sound from audio signals, a computer coupled to the sound reproduction device to receive audio signals from a computer network, the audio signals being transmitted from a plurality of network addresses that are alternately selectable, and a remote control device that communicates commands to the sound reproduction device, the remote control device including a plurality of indicator buttons. One of the indicator buttons causes the computer to select a pre-designated one of the network addresses.

In yet another aspect of the invention, an audio system includes a computer system and a sound reproduction device for reproducing these audible sounds from an audio signal. The audio signal comes from a number of alternative sources. A method for powering up a sound reproduction apparatus from an unpowered state includes sending a control signal from a sound reproduction system to a computer system. If the computer system responds to the control signal, the method determines that the computer system is in a responsive state by the sound reproduction device.

If the computer system does not respond to the control signal, the sound reproducing apparatus determines that the computer system is in an unresponsive state.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a radio receiver has n preset indicators. A method of assigning broadcast frequencies to preset indicators includes determining the location of a radio receiver and scanning the frequency spectrum to determine the strongest signal.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a sound system includes a sound reproduction device coupled to a computer system and a remote control device for transmitting encoded control commands to the sound reproduction device. A method for decoding a command comprising: one of the encoded control commands is received by the sound reproduction apparatus, the received control command is decoded by the sound reproduction apparatus, and the received control command is executed by the sound reproduction apparatus. When such a received control command is not decodable or executable by the sound reproduction apparatus, the method includes sending the encoded control command to the computer system.

In yet another aspect of the invention, an audio system includes a system for reproducing audible sound from audio signals from a plurality of sources. The sources include a radio tuner, and at least one of a CD containing a plurality of independently indictable tracks (tracks), a plurality of independently indictable network addresses, and a plurality of independently indictable digitally encoded files stored on a digital storage device. The audio system includes a source selector for selecting a source of an audio signal to be reproduced by the sound reproducing apparatus from among a plurality of sources, and a control signal input apparatus. If the selected source is a radio tuner, actuating the control signal input device changes a tuning frequency of the radio tuner; if the selected source is a CD, then actuation of the control signal input device changes the indicated CD track or playback position within the track; if the selected source is a selectable network address, activation of the control signal input device changes the indicated network address.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of operating an audio system adapted to reproduce sound from a plurality of digitally encoded files containing identifying characteristics comprises: assigning a value identifying one of the characteristics to a preset indicator; searching for a value of this identifying characteristic in the plurality of files when indicated by the preset indicator; the digital encoded file having this value is selected for reproduction.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for selecting a single audio signal source from a plurality of audio signal sources having identifying characteristics comprises: specifying a value identifying one of the characteristics; determining, by the computer, which audio signal source has a value of this characteristic; a single audio source is selected from a plurality of audio signal sources.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for presenting multiple sets of values for a single set of presets used by a single source. The method changes the set of values by clicking on the chart (such as a right or left arrow on a screen display) to generate a new set of values for these presets. Typically, any one of the set of values can be selected by clicking on the screen at an appropriate preset with the pointing device, remotely pressing a selected preset, or pressing a preset on the radio.

Other features, objects, and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a first architecture of a networked sound system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second architecture of a networked sound system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the interface unit of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram useful in explaining the logical database relationship of recording units and collections of recording units (allocations);

fig. 5 is a control panel of a sound reproducing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a representation of an interface screen on a computer display in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for assigning broadcast radio frequencies to preset buttons in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a button on the remote control device;

9A1 and 9A2, 9B 1-9B 5, 9C 1-9C 6, and 9D 1-9D 5 are schematic circuit diagrams of circuitry in a radio implementing elements 12, 14 and 16 of the system of FIG. 2; and

fig. 10 is an implementation of the interface unit 54 of fig. 2.

Detailed Description

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to fig. 1, there is shown a first configuration of a networked sound system in accordance with the present invention. The sound reproduction apparatus 10 comprises an AM/FM tuner 12, an audio signal processing circuit 14, control electronics 16 for controlling the tuner and the signal processing circuit, remote control means 17 for transmitting commands to the control electronics 16, and an electroacoustic transducer 18. An auxiliary (hereinafter "aux") input 13, typically implemented as a jack, allows the sound reproduction apparatus to receive audio signals from an external source, such as a portable CD player. Computer system (PC)20 includes a bus 22 that interconnects the computer system components and transfers data and control signals between them. The hardware components may include a CPU24, RAM26, CD player 28, mass storage device such as hard disk 30, network interface board 32, and sound card 33. Computer system 20 also includes a number of external connectors for connecting bus 22 to various external devices. The first external connector 34 is connected to an external display 36. The second external connector 38 is connected to an external input device such as a mouse 40. The third external connector 42 is connected to a keyboard 44. The fourth external connector 46 connects the network interface board 32 to a local area network or a wide area network to send and receive signals to and from remote devices connected to the local area network or the wide area network. The fifth external connector 43 is connected to an external mass storage device 45. The stereo jack 48 connects the sound card 33 to the radio audio signal processing circuit 14 through an analog input 49. An audio system control connector 50 connects bus 22 to control electronics 16 via digital inputs 51.

Referring now to fig. 2, a second architecture of a networked audio system in accordance with the present invention is shown. The elements of fig. 2 are the same as those of fig. 1 except for some. The sound card 33 of fig. 1 is not required in this structure. The stereo jack 48 and audio system control connector 50 of figure 1 are replaced by a bus interface connector 52 connected to an interface unit 54. The interface unit 54 is connected to the audio signal processing circuit 14 via the analog terminal 49 and to the control electronics 16 via the digital terminal 51. The interface unit 54 will be described in more detail in connection with subsequent figures.

A networked audio system that includes a powered speaker and a radio tuner in a single housing is advantageous over conventional audio systems that mount the speaker and radio tuner in separate housings because the system configuration can be made to occupy less space in the workspace.

Referring to fig. 3, the interface unit 54 is shown in more detail. The signal line 56 from the interface connector 52 is connected to a logic circuit 58. The logic circuit 58 is coupled to a D/a converter 60 which is connected to the analog terminal 49 by an analog signal line 62. The analog terminal 49 is in turn connected to the audio signal processing circuit 14. The logic circuit 58 is connected to the digital terminal 51 via a digital signal line 64. The digital terminal 51 is in turn connected to the control electronics 16. If bi-directional flow of analog signals is desired, a second analog signal path is provided. The second analog signal path includes a signal line between audio signal processing circuit 14 and second analog terminal 66; a second analog signal line 68 connecting the second analog terminal 66 and an a/D converter 70; and a signal line connecting the a/D converter 70 and the connection circuit 58.

In operation, the logic circuit 58 determines whether the transmission from the bus 22 on the signal line 56 is intended for the sound reproduction apparatus 10. If the signals on the bus 22 are intended for the sound reproduction apparatus 10, the logic circuit 58 determines whether the signals are control signals or audio information. If these signals are control signals, the logic circuit 58 sends the signals to the digital terminal 51 via the digital signal line 64. If the signals are audio information, the logic circuit sends the signals to a D/A converter 60, which converts the digital signals to analog audio signals. Then, the analog audio signal is sent to the analog terminal 49 via the analog signal line 62, and then sent to the audio signal processing circuit 14. The digital signal path, including control circuit 16, digital terminal 51, digital signal line 64, logic circuit 58, signal line 56 and interface connector 52, is constructed and arranged to transmit signals bi-directionally so that signals originating at control circuit 16 can be transmitted to computer bus 22 for processing by CPU 24. If bi-directional flow of analog circuitry is desired, the analog signal may be sent from the audio signal processing circuit 14 to the second analog terminal 66 and to the A/D converter 70 where the signal is converted to a digital signal and then sent to the logic circuit 58.

In one implementation, the sound reproduction apparatus 10 is a suitably equipped communication port available from Bose corporation of Fremingham, MassAnd (4) radio. The computer system 20 may be a conventional multimedia personal computer.

The interface unit 54 typically has three implementation layouts. One option is to implement the interface unit 54 as a module in the computer system 10. In this arrangement, the interface unit 54 is implemented as a circuit board internally connected to the bus 22 (and thus the interface connector 52 is internal to the computer and physically connected to an expansion slot in the computer), the signal lines 62, 64 and 68 are implemented as cables, and the digital terminal 51, the analog terminal 49 (and the second analog terminal 66, if any) are implemented as external ports of the sound reproduction apparatus 10.

A second option is to implement interface unit 54 as an intermediate separate unit that is typically combined with the cables that implement signal lines 62, 64, 68 and 56. In this arrangement, the interface connector 52 is an external computer port, and the digital terminal 51, the analog terminal 49 (and the second analog terminal 66, if present) are external ports of the sound reproduction apparatus 10.

A third option is to implement the interface unit 54 as a module, such as a circuit board, in the sound reproduction apparatus 10. In this arrangement, the sound reproduction apparatus 10 has an external port that receives a cable implementing the signal line 56, with the remaining signal lines and terminals being internal to the reproduction apparatus 10.

The networked adaptation system according to the invention may have many modes of operation. In the first mode, the sound reproduction apparatus 10 operates like a standard sound reproduction apparatus (hereinafter "stand-alone mode"), similar to a conventional radio or hi-fi receiver. By operating in this mode, the sound reproducing apparatus operates independently from the computer 20 even when the computer system is not running. In a second mode of operation (hereinafter "sound effect mode"), the sound reproduction apparatus 10 operates like a conventional computer speaker, thereby reproducing sound accompanying a program running on the computer system 20. Examples of this may be sound effects in computer games, audible alarms and warnings, indicating for example that the computer system has received an email. In a third mode of operation (hereinafter "audio system mode"), the sound reproduction apparatus 10 operates like a processor and reproducer of audio signals from various sources, including networked sources and components of the computer system 20.

The operation of the various components of the system is controlled by software running on the computer system 20 when the system is operating in the sound effects mode and the audio system mode. In order to efficiently use computer resources, the software program may be divided into two program modules, one providing communication between the components of the computer system 20 and the sound reproduction apparatus 10, and a second accessing sound sources as described below. Furthermore, the first program module may contain instructions such that it automatically starts the second program module upon detecting a communication from the sound reproduction apparatus 10 to the computer system 20 that requires the second module to be run.

When operating in the standalone mode, the sound reproduction apparatus 10 is controlled and operated like a standard radio or receiver. All on/off, tuning and volume controls are entered by control buttons or dials or remote controls 17 electronically connected to the control electronics 16.

The sound reproduction apparatus 10 is controlled and operated like a standard amplified computer speaker with on/off switching and volume control when operating in the sound effect mode.

When operating in the audio system mode, the sound reproduction apparatus 10 reproduces digital audio signals from the tuner 12, the auxiliary input 13, stored in the RAM26, the hard disk 30 or the external mass storage device 45; audio signals from a source connected to a local or wide area network connected to the network interface 32; and sound from other sources such as a CD player 28 (which may be a component of the computer system 20 shown, or may be a separate component directly connected to the sound reproduction apparatus 10). The source or sources of audio signals are controlled by a computer program running on the computer system 20.

If the sound reproduction apparatus 10 is in the "off" state and the sound reproduction apparatus 10 is switched on by pressing the "on" or "power" button or a button or indicator performing an equivalent function, or by pressing a corresponding button on the remote control 17, the control electronics 16 detects whether the computer 20 is connected, and if the computer 20 is connected, whether it is in the "on" state or the "off" state. If the computer 20 is not connected or is in an "off" state, the sound reproduction apparatus 10 operates in a stand-alone mode, and the sound reproduction apparatus begins reproducing audio signals from the last internal audio signal source (in one implementation, AM or FM signals from the AM/FM tuner 12, or signals from the auxiliary input 13). If the computer 20 is in the "on" position and the second program module (as described above in the discussion of "operating mode") is not running, the first program module launches the second program module and the sound reproduction apparatus begins generating signals from the last source of audio signals (as described above in "audio system mode"). If the computer 20 is in the "on" position and the second program module is running, the sound reproduction apparatus starts to generate signals from the last source of audio signals.

Generally, recorded on the audio 30 or the external mass storage 45 may be information on AM broadcasts, FM broadcasts, broadcast radio stations that the reproduction apparatus 10 may obtain through the tuner 12. Availability is typically determined by a combination of distance and direction from the broadcast site, directionality and power of the broadcast signal, obstructions such as tall buildings and mountains, and competing signals, especially those in adjacent frequency bands. The list of radio stations available to the rendering device may be compiled in many ways. In a simple form, a user may manually tune a radio station and manually enter information identifying the radio station into the database. In a more sophisticated form, the reproduction device may automatically scan the broadcast spectrum and compile (assembled) a list of available radio stations by recording the frequency and measuring the signal strength of the received signal, or a list of proposed radio stations from location information such as zip codes, or may compile the list through some resource such as the manufacturer of the reproduction device or a commercial information assembler. Information about each radio station may also be centralized and stored. Such information may include: station broadcast frequency, station call sign, and/or other identifier; station mode (news, music genre, location, and others).

Information about radio stations accessible via a local area network or a wide area network (hereinafter referred to as network radio stations) is also collected and stored. This information may be collected by a search engine such as listings sold by suppliers such as vtener (vtener. com), or compiled by users. Information about a network radio station typically includes a station identifier, a web address, a category (e.g., news, rock, jazz, sports, classical), and an origination location.

The information about the broadcast radio station and the network radio station may be organized and categorized, respectively, according to any of the above-described information types.

In addition to reproducing sound, the networked sound system according to the present invention may record on the hard disk 30 or the external mass storage device 45. Recording may be done simultaneously with sound reproduction, or as "background". The sounds may be recorded in units, the units identified, and information about the units recorded in a database. A typical recording unit is, for example, a track on a CD. The information about each unit (track) may include title, composer, artist, category (e.g., classical, rock, bruise). Such information may be obtained from commercially available internet sources, either automatically or through user intervention, and/or may be entered or edited by the user. Further, the information may be of other types for other types of recording units (such as station and time interval for radio broadcasts; date, team for sporting events; date, performer, composer for cultural shows; and others). For convenience, the recording units and the aggregate of the recording units are called "music files", even if the recording units do not have to record music.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a diagram is shown that is used to discuss the logical relationship of a recording unit to an aggregate of recording units. The recording units 110-1 to 110-n all contain data representing the recorded sound and information about the recorded sound. Such information may include artist, composer, and music type. The first aggregate of recording units is the "album," which is denoted herein as items 112a, 112b, 112 c. The albums 112a, 112b and 112c may also have information related thereto similar to information about recording units, such as artist, composer and music type. The selections may include recording units having different composers, artists, or music types.

The second aggregate includes recording units having a common identifying characteristic (sometimes called a common "metadata" value). The "metadata" value is typically included in the file header information of music files of many popular music file schemas. Metadata values may include artist, composer, music type, and others. For example, element 114 represents an aggregate that includes: including all episodes (112a and 112b) of a track performed by a predetermined artist and all tracks performed by that artist. Even though the selection 112b may include only one track 110-7 of the performance by that artist, the selection 112b is included in the collection even though the selection 112b may include tracks of other performances by other artists. In other embodiments, the ensemble may be created such that only the tracks performed by the artist are included in the ensemble. Similarly, the collection 114 may represent a collection of all recording units written by a common composer or containing a common type of music.

For example, if an ensemble contains music files having a common composer metadata value of "Beethoven", the computer database program searches all the music files for the metadata value of "Beethoven" as the composer whenever the ensemble is requested. Thus, whenever a new music file having "Beethoven" as the composer is recorded, the file is automatically added to the ensemble. In other words, this second type of aggregate can be said to be dynamically constructed.

A third type of aggregate is represented by a playlist 116. In this example, the playlist 116 includes an artist aggregate 114, an album 112c, and a track 110-n.

Information about recording units, playlists and other aggregations, broadcast radio stations, radio stations accessible over a computer network is stored in a database stored in RAM26, mass storage device 30 or external mass storage device 45. In one implementation, the records of the database may correspond to broadcast radio stations, network radio stations, or recording units. The fields of the record representing the broadcast radio station may contain information such as call sign, broadcast frequency, station mode, or signal strength. Fields representing records for radio stations accessible by a computer network may include an identifier, a web address, a location, and a station mode. The fields of the record representing the unit of record may include metadata values as described above.

Referring to fig. 5, a control panel from the sound reproduction apparatus 10 is shown. Each preset button 72a-72f has a broadcast frequency associated with it. When the user presses the button, the control electronics cause the control electronics (fig. 1) to cause tuner 12 to tune to the frequency associated with the preset button.

In addition to associating broadcast frequencies with identifiers, the networked sound system according to the present invention may assign other entities (entitys) to preset buttons. Other entities may include network radio addresses, playlists; or recording units such as individual CD tracks, or other aggregates of recording units as described above.

In the networked sound system according to the present invention, there are at least three ways to activate the preset button. The button of fig. 5 can be pressed; a corresponding button on the remote control 17 can be pressed; or the graphical representation of the corresponding preset button presented by the computer program on the external display 36 may be selected by operation of the mouse 40. Hereinafter, the term "preset indicator" will be used to denote a graphical representation of a preset button on a control panel (fig. 5), a preset button on a remote control device (fig. 8) or a preset button on a display (fig. 6). In one embodiment there is a one-to-one correspondence between the preset buttons on the control panel of the sound reproduction apparatus, the preset buttons on the remote control 17 and the graphical representations of the preset buttons presented on the external display 36. The graphical representation of the preset button on the control panel of fig. 5, the corresponding preset button on the remote control 17 or the preset button on the external display 36 is activated such that the same entity is selected. For each different source, a different entity may be assigned to each preset button, as described below. A single set of presets used by a single source as described above may also have multiple sets of values. For example, there may be multiple groups of FM and/or AM radio stations.

A common user interface screen is rendered on the external display, with portions of the screen having different identifying legends. Referring to FIG. 6, a user interface screen is shown. The source selection field 78 has a graphical field that allows the user to select the source of the audio signal. In this implementation, a CD, AM radio station, FM radio station, network radio, and music file (e.g., recording unit) may be selected. In the current selection field 88, information about the currently displayed selection is shown. In the active selection area 90, information about the active selection is shown. In the preset section 92, six graphics corresponding to the six preset buttons shown in fig. 6 are displayed. In the following, the "Tune" graph 79 is discussed in the discussion of fig. 8.

The information displayed in the active selection area 90 may be ordered according to any of the metadata values. For example, the list of FM stations of FIG. 6 may be sorted by station ID as shown, or may be sorted by broadcast frequency or category (station mode). Sorting the list of stations in different ways makes it easier for the user to select music to be reproduced from the list of active selections, especially when the number of active selections is large. For example, if the user has selected "network radio" as the source, there may be hundreds of entries (entries) displayed in the active selection area. If the user wants to listen to a particular type of music, such as jazz, the user may sort a list of active network radio stations by station mode, scroll through the list and listen to the network radio stations until a suitable station is found. Scrolling in the list may be performed using arrow keys on a computer keyboard, a "tune" button 128 (fig. 5) on a control panel, or a corresponding button 147 (fig. 8) on a remote control device.

The entity that may be assigned to the preset button is associated with the audio source selected to activate the appropriate graphic in the source selection field 78. If the CD source is activated, the preset button is disabled. If AM broadcast or FM broadcast graphics are activated, broadcast frequencies within the AM and FM broadcast bands may be assigned to the preset buttons, respectively. For convenience and ease of identification, call signs may also be displayed on the graphical representation. If the network radio audio source is activated, the URL of the network radio website is assigned to the preset button. For ease of identification, a name or other identification about the website is typically displayed on a preset button.

Any collection of recording units discussed above may be assigned to a preset button if a music file audio source has been selected. For the combination of recording units, a play mode may also be assigned to the preset button. "play modes" may include an order in which the recording units are played in the order in which they appear in the database (typically, for example, for a collection, this means the order in which the "breaks" appear on the collection), a "shuffle" or "random" in which the recording units are played in a random order, and a "repeat" single break or series of breaks.

In one embodiment, an initial preset assignment to a broadcast radio station is performed automatically. Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a flow chart of a process for automatically making an initial preset assignment by a computer program running on computer system 20. At step 100, a locator (locator) is entered, for example, by the user entering "zip code" using the keypad 44. At optional step 102, the user enters radio mode preferences or preferences (i.e., news, talk, music types such as those discussed above). At step 104, the computer program directs the AM/FM tuner 12 to scan for strong signals in the active broadcast band. At step 106, the strongest signal is compared to the active station based on the locator and information about the active radio station, as discussed above in the discussion of audio system mode operation. In step 108, the broadcast frequency of the strongest signal is assigned to presets by the computer program. If pattern preferences have been entered at optional step 102, the strongest signal for each selected pattern may be assigned to a preset. The predetermined number of each mode is related to the number of valid predetermined and the number of selected modes. For example, if the user has selected two modes and there are six active presets, the three preferred broadcast frequencies that are strongest in each mode are assigned to the presets. If optional step 102 has not been performed, stations may be assigned to presets in other ways; for example, the strongest signal of each mode may be assigned to a preset, or the strongest signal may be assigned to a preset regardless of the mode.

A user may input control signals or data for controlling the operation of the sound system through three data/control input systems. The first input system includes the input devices of the computer system 20, including the mouse 40, the keyboard 44, and the external display 36. The second input system includes the buttons of the control panel of the sound reproduction apparatus 10 of fig. 1 (fig. 5). The third input system comprises the remote control 17 of fig. 1, as shown in more detail in fig. 8. In one implementation, a different subset of control signals and data inputs may be input through each input system. In this implementation, the control panel (fig. 5) has input buttons for the following control/data functions: four buttons 120 for inputting control signals and data for various clock-radio functions of the sound reproducing apparatus 10; a sound reproducing apparatus on/off switch 122; broadcast band selector button 124, auxiliary input selector 126; a volume control button 127; two tuning buttons 128; preset buttons 72a-72f as described above. The remote control (fig. 8) has input buttons for the following control/data functions: a sound reproducing apparatus on/off switch 130; volume control buttons 134; a broadcast band selector button 136; a PC signal source selector button 138, preset selector buttons 140a-140f, a CD player pause button 141; five "overload" or multi-purpose buttons. The button 142 activates a "snooze" feature if the sound reproduction apparatus has been turned on to a broadcast radio station by an alarm, and the button 142 mutes or unmutes the sound reproduction apparatus if it has been turned on by any other means. The button 144 turns off the alarm or stops the CD player 28 if the clock radio alarm feature of the sound reproduction apparatus is sounding. The track/tune button 147 is discussed in more detail below.

Equivalent control signals that may be input from more than one of the three input systems have the same effect regardless of which input system is used to input data or control signals. For example, if the sound source is FM broadcast radio and the preset button 1 is actuated, the audio system tunes to the broadcast frequency represented by the preset button 1, regardless of whether the preset button is actuated by pressing the preset button 72a on the control panel, by pressing the preset button 140a on the remote control device 17, or by selecting the preset icon 150a on the user interface screen (fig. 6) shown on the display 36 (fig. 1). Furthermore, if data or control signals are input through the remote control 17 or through the sound reproduction apparatus control panel (fig. 5), a visual indication is displayed on the user interface screen (fig. 6). For example, if the preset button 140a (preset button 1) on the remote control 17 is pressed, a visual indication appears on the user interface screen (fig. 6) shown on the display 36.

The effect of the control signal may be related to the source of the audio signal. For example, if the source of the audio signal is the AM/FM tuner 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2), selecting the "tune" button 128 (FIG. 5) on the control panel or the corresponding button 147 (FIG. 8) or the corresponding graphic 79 (FIG. 6) on the remote control causes the tuning frequency of the AM/FM tuner to change. If the source is a music file, the name of the music file may appear in an active selection area 90 (FIG. 6) of the interface screen, and selection of a tuning button on the control panel or an equivalent control button on the remote control device or an equivalent graphic on the display screen may cause the display to change the highlighted music file. If the source is a network radio, then the active network radio appears in an active selection area 90 (FIG. 6) of the interface screen, and selection of a tuning button on the control panel or an equivalent control button on the remote control device or an equivalent graphic on the display screen causes the display to change the highlighted network radio.

In case the control electronics 16 (fig. 1) of the sound reproduction apparatus receives a remote control signal from the remote control 17, which the control electronics 16 cannot decode, the control electronics re-transmits this remote control signal to the computer system 20 for decoding.

To facilitate selection of the various sources, in one embodiment, in addition to specifying categories of sources (such as music files, broadcast radio stations, computer network accessible radio stations, music files, and CDs, etc.), the user may select among a subset of all sources in a category. For example, the user has selected a category of broadcast FM, broadcast AM or network accessible radio as the source, the user may choose to select an individual radio station from a subset of all available radio stations, the subset including only radio stations with a particular pattern (such as news); alternatively, if the user has selected music files as the category of source, the user may choose to select a file in a subset of all active files, the subset including only certain types of music, such as jazz.

This is conveniently performed using the active selection area 90 (fig. 6) and various control input devices including the keyboard 44 or mouse 40 (fig. 1 and 2) radio control panel (fig. 5) or remote control device 17 (fig. 1, 2 and 8). A computer program running on computer 20 may be provided to allow the user to enter a preferred subset category or may allow the user to sort, sort or filter items in the active selection area. The entry in the active selection area 90 may then be highlighted and selected with an input device. In one embodiment, the items in the active selection area are highlighted and selected using the tuning buttons 128 of the control panel (FIG. 5) or corresponding buttons 147 on the remote control 17. In this embodiment, pressing the tuning key 128 or 147 highlights the next item in the active selection area 90. The tuning button may be used in the above manner even when the interface screen (fig. 6) is not visible on the display, as may occur when the interface screen is minimized or when the view of the interface screen is obscured by a graphical display that the software program is generating. This aspect of the invention is also applicable to audio systems without a display.

In another embodiment, when the source category is broadcast radio, the tuning key 128 of the control panel (FIG. 5) and the corresponding button 147 on the remote control 17 are used in a conventional manner to change the tuning frequency of the broadcast AM/FM tuner 12.

Fig. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D are schematic circuit diagrams of circuits in a radio implementing the AM-FM tuner 16, the audio signal processing circuit 14, and the control electronics 16 in the system of fig. 2 according to an example embodiment of the invention. Fig. 10 is a schematic circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the interface unit 54.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is a closed CD-ROM that can be inserted into the D-drive of a personal computer.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the specific apparatus and techniques disclosed herein without departing from the inventive concepts. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (79)

1. An audio system, comprising a plurality of audio sources,

sound reproducing means for producing audible sound from an audio signal, comprising a radio tuner and a powered speaker;

a connector for connecting the sound reproduction apparatus to a computer for providing audio signals from a plurality of sources including a computer CD player, digitally encoded computer files stored on the computer and a computer network connected to the computer;

the sound reproduction apparatus further comprises control buttons for controlling at least one of the computer CD player, the digitally encoded computer file and the computer network.

2. The audio system of claim 1, further comprising,

an interface device for connecting the computer and the connector, the interface device comprising a digital-to-analog converter.

3. The audio system of claim 1, wherein the sound reproduction means is constructed and arranged to produce audible sound only from the analog audio signal.

4. The audio system of claim 3, wherein the sound reproduction apparatus is constructed and arranged to receive a digitally encoded control signal from a computer.

5. The audio system of claim 1, further comprising,

a remote control for sending commands to the sound reproduction apparatus.

6. The audio system of claim 5, wherein the sound reproduction system is constructed and arranged to send the command to the computer.

7. The audio system of claim 1, wherein said radio tuner and said powered speaker are contained within a single housing.

8. An audio system, comprising a plurality of audio sources,

sound reproducing apparatus for producing audible sound from an audio signal, comprising a housing containing a radio tuner and a powered speaker;

a connector for connecting the sound reproduction apparatus to a computer;

the computer is used for providing audio signals from a computer CD player, from digitally encoded computer files and from a computer network; and

a remote control device for sending commands to the sound reproduction device to control at least one of the computer CD player, the digitally encoded computer file and the computer network.

9. The audio system of claim 8, further comprising,

interface means for connecting said computer to said connector;

the interface device includes a digital-to-analog converter.

10. The audio system of claim 8, characterized in that the sound reproduction means are constructed and arranged to produce audible sound exclusively from analog encoded audio signals and are not designed and constructed to produce audible sound from digitally encoded audio signals.

11. The audio system of claim 8, further comprising a remote control for transmitting commands to the audio system.

12. The audio system of claim 11, wherein the sound reproduction system is constructed and arranged to send the command to the computer.

13. An audio system, comprising a plurality of audio sources,

sound reproducing means for reproducing audible sound from the audio signal;

a computer coupled to the sound reproduction apparatus to receive the audio signal from a computer network;

the audio signals are transmitted from a plurality of web sites which are alternately selectable;

a remote control device for transmitting commands to the sound reproduction device and having a plurality of pointer buttons;

wherein the indication of one of the indicator buttons causes the computer to select a pre-assigned one of the web sites.

14. The audio system of claim 13, wherein said computer is constructed and arranged to store and retrieve digitally encoded audio signals;

the digitally encoded audio signal is stored in a computer file characterized by a file name in the computer;

wherein the selector is for selecting the audio signal from one of the computer network or the computer file;

wherein selecting the computer network causes the instructions to cause the computer to select the pre-assigned one of the web sites; and

wherein selecting the computer file causes the indication to select a pre-allocated one of the aggregates in the computer file.

15. The audio system of claim 13, further comprising,

a radio tuner coupled to the sound reproduction apparatus to receive a broadcast audio signal,

transmitting the audio signal on a plurality of selectable frequency carriers;

a selector for selecting an audio signal from one of the computer network and the radio tuner for sound reproduction by the sound reproduction apparatus;

wherein selecting the computer network causes the instructions to cause the computer to select the pre-assigned one of the web sites; and

wherein selecting the radio tuner causes the indication to cause the radio tuner to select a pre-allocated one of the plurality of selectable frequencies.

16. The audio system of claim 15, wherein said computer is constructed and arranged to store and retrieve digitally encoded audio signals;

the digitally encoded audio signal is stored in a computer file characterized by a file name in the computer;

wherein the selector is to select the audio signal from one of the computer network, the radio tuner, and the computer file;

wherein selecting the computer network causes the instructions to cause the computer to select the pre-assigned one of the web sites;

wherein selecting the radio tuner causes the indication to cause the radio tuner to select a pre-allocated one of the plurality of selectable frequencies; and

wherein selecting the computer file causes the indication to select a pre-allocated one of the aggregates in the computer file.

17. The audio system of claim 13, further comprising,

a plurality of mechanical buttons on the sound reproduction apparatus;

the mechanical button corresponds to the indicator button on the remote control device; and

wherein depressing a mechanical button corresponding to the indicator button causes the device to select the one of the web sites.

18. In an audio system including a computer system and a sound reproduction system for reproducing audible sound from audio signals from a plurality of selectable sources, a method for switching the sound reproduction system from an unpowered state to a powered state, the method comprising,

transmitting a control signal from the sound reproduction system to the computer system; and

if the computer system is responsive to the control signal, the sound reproduction apparatus determines that the computer system is in a responsive state; and

if the computer system is not responsive to the control signal, the sound reproduction apparatus determines that the computer system is in an unresponsive state.

19. The method for switching the sound reproduction system from an unpowered state to a powered state as recited in claim 18 further comprising,

in response to a determination that the computer system is unresponsive, selecting an audio signal source that is accessible without the computer system.

20. In a radio receiver having n preset indicators, a method for assigning a broadcast frequency to each preset indicator, the method comprising,

determining a location of the radio receiver; and

scanning a frequency spectrum to determine a strength of a received signal and a corresponding frequency of the received signal;

the broadcast frequency of the strongest signal is assigned to the preset indicator by a computer program.

21. The method for assigning broadcast frequencies to preset indicators as claimed in claim 20, further comprising assigning n strongest signals to the n presets, respectively.

22. The method for assigning broadcast frequencies to preset indicators of claim 20, further comprising determining a broadcast mode of a radio station.

23. The method for assigning broadcast frequencies to preset indicators of claim 22, further comprising assigning the indicators to correspond toThe frequencies of the strongest signals are assigned to n presets per broadcast pattern, where m is the number of patterns.

24. The method for assigning broadcast frequencies to preset indicators as claimed in claim 22, further comprising,

determining p user preferences for the broadcast mode, where p is a number less than n representing the number of user preferences for the broadcast mode; and

corresponding to each preferred broadcast modeThe frequencies of the strongest signals are assigned to n presets.

25. In a sound system comprising a sound reproduction apparatus coupled to a computer system and a remote control apparatus for transmitting encoded control commands to the sound reproduction apparatus, a method for decoding the encoded control commands, the method comprising,

receiving, by the sound reproduction apparatus, one of the encoded control commands;

decoding, by the sound reproduction apparatus, this encoded control command;

executing this encoded control command by the sound reproduction apparatus; and

transmitting the encoded control command to the computer system when the one received control command is not encodable or executable by the sound reproduction apparatus.

26. A sound system, comprising a sound source,

sound reproduction means for alternately reproducing sound from a broadcast radio audio signal and a digitally encoded audio signal transmitted from a computer to the sound reproduction means,

the digitally encoded audio signal from one of a plurality of sources may be selected and indicated on a computer display device,

the sound reproduction apparatus comprises a control button for changing a tuning frequency to which the sound reproduction apparatus is tuned,

wherein the control button is constructed and arranged to select the one source.

27. An audio system, comprising a plurality of audio sources,

sound reproducing means for reproducing from digitally encoded audio signals in alternately selectable plurality of digitally encoded files stored on a digital storage device;

a plurality of preset indicators capable of indicating respectively;

wherein an indication of one of said preset indicators causes said apparatus to select to reproduce a pre-assigned one of said digitally encoded files.

28. The audio system of claim 27, wherein the indication causes the apparatus to select a pre-allocated plurality of the digitally encoded files,

the audio system further comprises an order indication system for indicating the order of reproduction of the pre-allocated plurality of computer files,

the order includes a first order in which the pre-allocated plurality of computer files are rendered in a predetermined order and a second order in which the pre-allocated plurality of computer files are rendered in a random order.

29. An audio system, comprising a plurality of audio sources,

sound reproduction apparatus for reproducing audible sound from audio signals from a plurality of sources,

the source comprises a radio tuner and at least one of a CD containing a plurality of independently indictable tracks, a plurality of independently indictable web addresses, and a plurality of independently indictable digitally encoded files stored on a digital storage device;

a source selector for selecting a source of an audio signal to be reproduced by the sound reproducing apparatus from the plurality of sources;

a control signal input device;

wherein actuation of the control signal input device changes a tuning frequency of the radio tuner when the selected source is a radio tuner;

when the selected source is the CD, activation of the control signal input device changes the indicated CD track; and

actuation of the control signal means changes the indicated web address when the selected source is the selectable web address.

30. A method of operating an audio system adapted to reproduce sound from a plurality of digitally encoded files, said files containing identifying characteristics, characterized in that the method comprises,

assigning a value of one of said identifying characteristics to a preset indicator;

searching said plurality of files for said value of said one identifying characteristic when indicated by said preset indicator; and

a selection is made to reproduce the digitally encoded file having the value.

31. The method of operating an audio system of claim 30 wherein said identifying characteristic is recorded in a database, said searching comprising searching said database for said one identifying characteristic.

32. A method for selecting a single record from a plurality of records, the record having a field, the method comprising,

specifying a value for one of the fields;

determining, by a computer, which of the records have the value of the one characteristic;

selecting one of the records by entering a command on an input device;

wherein the input device is a control panel of a sound reproduction device.

33. The method of selecting a single record from a plurality of records as in claim 32, further comprising,

a list is presented on a display and,

the manifest has entries corresponding to each of the determined records.

34. The method of selecting a recording of claim 32 wherein said input device comprises a remote control device associated with said sound reproduction device.

35. The method of selecting an audio recording of claim 32, wherein the input device includes a tuning button for tuning the sound reproduction device, the command being entered by pressing the tuning button.

36. A method for selecting a single record from a plurality of records, the record having a field, the method comprising,

presenting the record on a display in the form of a list;

the manifest having an entry corresponding to each of the records;

sorting the records such that entries having a common value corresponding to one of the fields are consecutive entries in the list;

highlighting one of the presented records on the display by entering a command on an input device;

wherein the input device is a control panel of a sound reproduction device.

37. The method for selecting a recording of claim 36 wherein said input means comprises a remote control associated with said sound reproduction apparatus.

38. The method of selecting an audio recording of claim 36, wherein the input device includes a tuning button for tuning the sound reproduction device, the command being entered by pressing the tuning button.

39. A method for selecting a single record from a plurality of records, the record having a field, the method comprising,

sorting the records so that entries in the list are sorted according to each value of one of their fields;

selecting one of the sorted records by inputting a first command on an input device;

wherein the input device is a control panel of a sound reproduction device; and

an adjacent record is selected by entering a second command on the input device.

40. The method for selecting a single record from a plurality of records as in claim 39, further comprising,

presenting the record in the form of a list on a display,

the list has an entry corresponding to each of the records.

41. The method of selecting a recording of claim 39 wherein the input device comprises a remote control device associated with the sound reproduction device.

42. The method of selecting an audio recording of claim 39, wherein the input device comprises a tuning button for tuning the attached radio, the command being entered by pressing the tuning button.

43. A method for giving a plurality of sets of values for a single set of presets for use with a single source, by means of a system comprising a computer with a screen display with graphics and a pointing device, with a preset radio and, associated with said radio, with a corresponding preset remote, characterized in that said method comprises,

clicking on a graphic on the screen display using the pointing device to bring up a new set of values for the presets, whereby any one of the set of values can be selected using the pointing device to click on a preset graphic on the screen display, press a selected preset on the remote, or press a preset on the radio.

44. The method of claim 30, wherein the indication of the predetermined indicator occurs on a remote control.

45. An apparatus, comprising:

an audio system for reproducing sound from a plurality of digitally encoded files, said files containing identification characteristics, an

A preset indicator to which a value of one of the identifying characteristics is assigned,

the audio system is configured to search the plurality of files for the one identifying characteristic and select to reproduce the digitally encoded file having the value.

46. The method of claim 34, wherein the sound reproduction apparatus comprises an attached radio.

47. The method of claim 35, wherein the sound reproduction apparatus comprises an attached radio.

48. An apparatus, comprising:

a computer, and

an input device for a sound reproduction apparatus,

the computer is configured to (a) receive a specified value for a field associated with a plurality of records, and (b) determine which of the records have the value,

the input device is configured to select one of the records by entering a command on the input device.

49. The method of claim 37, wherein the sound reproduction means comprises an attached radio.

50. The method of claim 38, wherein the sound reproduction system includes an attached radio.

52. An apparatus, comprising:

a display device is arranged on the base plate,

input device for sound reproduction device, and

circuitry for (a) presenting records on a display in the form of a list having an entry corresponding to each record, (b) sorting the records such that entries having a common value corresponding to one of the fields are successive entries in the list, and (c) highlighting one of the presented records on the display by entering a command on an input device.

53. The method of claim 41, wherein the sound reproduction system includes an attached radio.

54. An apparatus, comprising:

input means for a sound reproduction apparatus, the input means being configured such that a record is selected from a plurality of records, the records being ordered in dependence on an individual value of one of the fields of the plurality of records, the selection being effected by inputting a first command on the input means, and

the input device is further configured such that a contiguous record is selected by entering a second command on the input device.

55. An apparatus, comprising:

sound reproduction apparatus for producing audible sound, the sound reproduction apparatus comprising circuitry for (a) receiving a command from a remote control device, the command indicating an action to be taken with respect to an audio signal, and (b) transmitting the command to cause an electronic device connected to the sound reproduction apparatus to operate in accordance with the command.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the command is transmitted to the electronic device over a wired connection.

57. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the sound reproduction means has access to a source of audio signals.

58. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the electronic device has access to a source of the audio signal.

59. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the command from the remote control device indicates an action to be taken with respect to operation of the sound reproduction device or operation of the electronic device.

60. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the separate electronic device comprises a mass storage device.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said mass storage device comprises a disk.

62. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the second audio signal comprises a digitally encoded audio signal.

63. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the electronic device comprises a computer.

64. The device of claim 55, wherein the command identifies a source of an audio signal.

65. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said command is encoded and said circuitry decodes said command.

66. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the command is transmitted to an electronic device if the command is not executable.

67. An apparatus, comprising:

a sound reproduction device that produces audible sound and provides access to a source of a first audio signal, the sound reproduction device comprising circuitry for (a) receiving a command from a remote control device, the command indicating an action to be taken with respect to operation of the sound reproduction device or operation of an electronic device, and (b) outputting to transmit the command to cause an electronic device to operate in accordance with the command, the electronic device providing access to a source of a second audio signal, the second audio signal comprising a digitally encoded audio signal, the command being transmitted to the electronic device if the command is not a command to be executed by the sound reproduction device.

68. A method, comprising:

the method includes receiving at a sound reproduction apparatus a command from a remote control device, the command indicating an action to be taken with respect to an audio signal, and transmitting the command to cause an electronic device connected to the sound reproduction apparatus to operate in accordance with the command.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the command is transmitted to the electronic device over a wired connection.

70. The method of claim 68, wherein the electronic device provides access to a source of audio signals.

71. The method of claim 68, wherein the command from the remote control device indicates an action to be taken with respect to operation of the sound reproduction apparatus or operation of the electronic device.

72. The method of claim 68, wherein the separate electronic device comprises a mass storage device.

73. A method as recited in claim 72, wherein the mass storage device comprises a disk.

74. The method of claim 68, wherein the second audio signal comprises a digitally encoded audio signal.

75. The method of claim 68, wherein the electronic device comprises a computer.

76. The method of claim 68, wherein the command identifies a source of an audio signal.

77. The method of claim 68 wherein said command is encoded and said circuitry decodes multiple of said command.

78. The method of claim 68, wherein the command is transmitted to an electronic device if the command is not executable.

79. A method, comprising:

receiving at a sound reproduction apparatus a command from a remote control device, the command indicating an action to be taken with respect to operation of the sound reproduction apparatus or an electronic device connected to the sound reproduction apparatus, transmitting the command to cause the electronic device to operate in accordance with the command, the electronic device providing access to a source of a second audio signal, the second audio signal comprising digitally encoded audio signals, the command being transmitted to the electronic device if the command is not a command to be executed by the sound reproduction apparatus.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein the command is transmitted to the electronic device over a wired connection.