Hovsepian v. Apple, Inc.
Filing
158
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Hovsepian v. Apple, Inc.
Doc. 158 Att. 3
EXHIBIT K
Dockets.Justia.com
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United States Patent
Yurt et al .
[54] [75]
US005550863A
[19]
[11] [45]
atent Number : ate of Patent :
3/1985 5/1985 6/1985 8/1985 8/1985 1/1986 5/1986 7/1987 8/1987 3/1988 7/1988 8/1988 11/1988 2/1989 5/1989 7/1989
,550,863 Aug. 27, 1996
AUDIO AND VIDEO TRANSMISSION AND RECEIVING SYSTEM Inventors : Paul Yurt, Scottsdale, Ariz. ; H. Lee Browne, Two Soundview Dr., Greenwich, Conn . 06830 Assignee : Notice : H . Lee Browne, Greenwich, Conn . The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to Jul . 21, 2009, has been disclaimed.
[73] [*]
[21] [22]
Appl . No . : 133,982 Filed : Oct . 8, 1993 Related U .S . Application Data
4,506,387 4,518,989 4,521,806 4,533,936 4,538,176 4,567,512 4,590,516 4,679,079 4,688,246 4,734,765 4,755,872 4,763,191 4,785,349 4,807,023 4,833,710 4,847,677
Walter . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 455/612 Yabiki et al . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . 358/86 Abraham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 358/86 Tiemann et al . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 358/12 Nakajima et al . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 358/86 Abraham . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . ... 358/86 Abraham . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . ... 358/86 Catros et al . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358/135 Eilers et al . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380/9 Okada et al . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358/102 Bestler et al. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 358/86 Gordon et al . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 358/86 Keith et al . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358/136 Bestler et al . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 358/86 Hirashima . . . .. ... ... ... ... .... ... ..... . .. . 380/20 Music et al . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 358/13
(List continued on next page .) OREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 0355697A2 W084/00863 W089/12370 2/1990 3/1984 12/1989 uropean Pat. Off. . WIPO . WIPO .
[63] [511 [52] [58]
Continuation of Ser. No . 862,508, Apr. 2, 1992, Pat . No. 5,253,275, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 637,562, Jan. 7, 1991, Pat. No . 5,132,992 . Int. Cl .b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .... .. .... . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H04B 1/66 U.S . Cl . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. .... .. . .. 375/240; 375/219; 375/377 ; 348/7 ; 348/8 ; 348/10 ; 348/384 ; 45513 .1 ; 455/4 .2 Field of Search . . ... . .. .... ... . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375/122, 219, 375/259, 277, 240 ; 455/5 .1, 4.1, 4.2, 3 .1, 6.3 ; 358/86, 102 ; 360/14.1, 19 .1 ; 348/384-387, 6, 7, 8, 10 References Cited U .S . PATENT DOCUMENTS 3,599,178 3,746,780 4,009,344 4,009,346 4,028,733 4,062,043 4,071,697 4,122,299 4,206,316 4,295,154 4,381,522 4,400,717 4,450,477 8/1971 7/1973 2/1977 2/1977 6/1977 12/1977 1/1978 10/1978 6/1980 10/1981 4/1983 8/1983 5/1984 Jackson et al. . . .. . .. . .. ... ...... . .. 340/172.5 Stetten et al . ... . .. . .. . .. ... ... . .. . .. 178/6 .6 A Flemming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179/15 BS Parker et al . . .. . . . . .. . . . ... ... . .. . 179/15 AQ Ulicki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358/86 Zeidler et al . .. . . . . . . . . . ... ... . .. . . . . . . . . 358/86 Bushnell et al. . . . . . . . . . ... . .. . . . . . . . 179/2 TV Cannon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178/26 A Burnsweig et al. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375/43 Hata et al . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358/4 Lambert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 358/86 Southworth et al . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358/13 Lovett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . 358/86
OTHER PUBLICATIONS Ernie Ohren tein, "Supercomputers Seek High Throughput and Expand ble Storage", Computer Technology Review, IEEE Spectr m, May, 1990, pp. 33-43 . Patricia A. orreale, et al ., "Metropolitan-Area Networks," IEEE Spectr m, May 1990, pp . 40-43 . Primary Ex miner-Stephen Chin Assistant Ex miner-Amanda T. Le Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner [57] ABSTRACT
[56]
A system of distributing video and/or audio information employs digital signal processing to achieve high rates of data compression . The compressed and encoded audio and/ or video information is sent over standard telephone, cable or satellite broadcast channels to a receiver specified by a subscriber of the service, preferably in less than real time, for later playback and optional recording on standard audio and/or video tape. 19 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
100
IDENTIFICATION ENCODING PROCESS
PRE COMPRESSION DATA PROCESSING
COMPRESSED DATA FORMATTING ®~ SECTION 1 75a
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U .S . PATENT DOCUMENTS 4,847,827 7/1989 Tompkins et al . . . . . . .. .. ... ... . . . . . . . . . 370/62 4,868,653 9/1989 Golin et al . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. ... ... . . . . . . . 358/133 4,890,320 12/1989 Monslow et al. . . . . . . .... . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . 380/10 4,907,081 3/1990 Okamura et al. . . . . . . .... ... . . . . . . . . . . 358/133 4,914,508 4/1990 Music et al. . . . . . . . . . . . .... . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . 358/13 4,920,432 4/1990 Eggers et al . . . . . . . . . . . .... . .. . . . . . . . . . 360/33 .1 4,937,821 6/1990 Boulton ..... ..... ... ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370/124 4,947,244 8/1990 Fenwick et al . . . . . .. . . ... . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 358/86 4,949,169 8/1990 Lumelsky et al . . . .. . . ... . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 358/86
4,949,187 4,963,995 5,014,267 5,032,927 5,057,932 5,130,792 5,132,992 5,133,079 5,133,179 5,164,839
8/1990 10/1990 5/1991 7/1991 10/1991 7/1992 7/1992 7/1992 7/1992 11/1992
Cohen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . .. ... .. . .. 358/335 Lang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... .. ... ... .. 358/335 Tompkins et al . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370/62 Watanabe et al . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398/133 X Lang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. ... . ..... . . .. 358/133 Tindell et al . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358/85 Yurt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . ... . . . . . . ... . .. . 375/122 Ballantyne et al. . . . . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . . . . ... 348/7 Ballantyne et al. . . . . . . ... .. . .. . .. . . . . 455/4 .1 Lang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .... . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358/335
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AUDIO AND VIDEO TRANSMISSION AND RECEIVING SYSTEM
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a picture and sound transmission system wherein the selected audio/video material is sent over any one of several This is a continuation of prior application Ser. No . existing communication channels in a fraction of real time to 07/862,50 8 filed Apr. 2, 1992 which issues as U.S . Pat. No . 5 ny location chosen by the user that has a specified receiver. 5,253,275 on Oct . 12, 1993, which is a continuation of prior Another object of the present invention is to provide a application Ser. No . 07/637,56 2 filed Jan . 7, 1991 which picture and sound transmission system wherein the user may issued as U.S . Pat . No . 5,132,992 on Jul . 21, 1992 . play back the selected audio/video material at any time selected by the user and retain a copy of the audio/video BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 material for multiple playbacks in the future . Another object of the present invention is to provide a The present invention relates generally to an audio and video transmission and receiving system, and more specifipicture and sound transmission system wherein the inforcally to such a system in which the user controls the access mation requested by the user may be sent as only audio and the playback operations of selected material. information, only video information, or as a combination of 15 audio and video information. At the present time, only a video cassette recorder (VCR) Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be or a laser disk player (LDP) allow a viewer to enjoy control set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be over selection of particular audio/video material . Using obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice either a VCR or an LDP requires the viewer to obtain a video tape either by rental or by purchase . Remote accessing of the 20 of the invention . The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumenmaterial has not yet been integrated into an efficient system . talities and combinations particularly pointed out in the Several designs have been developed which provide the appended claims . viewer with more convenient means of accessing material . One such design is disclosed in U.S . Pat . No . 4,506,387, issued to Walter. The Walter patent discloses a fully dedi- 25 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION cated, multi-conductor, optical cable system that is wired to To achieve the objects in accordance with the purposes of the viewer's premises . While the system affords the viewer the present invention, as embodied and described herein, the some control over accessing the material, it requires that a transmission and receiving system for providing information location designated by the viewer be wired with a dedicated cable . The Walter system further requires the viewer be at 30 to remote locations comprises source material library means prior to identification and compression; identification encodthat location for both ordering and viewing the audio/video ing means for retrieving the information for the items from material . the source material library means and for assigning a unique U.S . Pat . No. 4,890,320, issued to Monslow, describes a identification code to the retrieved information; conversion system which broadcasts viewer selected material to a viewer at a prescribed time . This system is limited in that it 35 means, coupled to identification encoding means, for placing the retrieved information into a predetermined format as requires multiple viewers in multiple locations to view the formatted data ; ordering means, coupled to the conversion audio/video material at the time it is broadcast, rather than means, for placing the formatted data into a sequence of allowing each viewer to choose his or her own viewing time . addressable data blocks ; compression means, coupled to the The system disclosed in Monslow also does not allow for the ordering means, for compressing the formatted and stop, pause, and multiple viewing functions of existing VCR 40 sequenced data ; compressed data storing means, coupled to technology. the compression means, for storing as a file the compressed U.S . Pat . No . 4,590,516, issued to Abraham, discloses a sequenced data received from the compression means with system that uses a dedicated signal path, rather than multiple the unique identification code assigned by the identification common carriers, to transmit audio/video programming . The 45 encoding means, and transmitter means, coupled to the receiver has no storage capability . The system provides for compressed data storing means, for sending at least a portion only display functions, which limits viewing to the time at of a specific file to a specific one of the remote locations . which the material is ordered. Like Monslow, the Abraham The present invention further comprises a distribution system does not allow for the stop, pause, and multiple method responsive to requests identifying information to be viewing functions of existing VCR technology . 50 sent from a transmission system to a remote location, the U.S . Pat . No. 4,963,995, issued to Lang, discloses an method comprising the steps of storing audio and video audio/video transceiver with the capability of editing and/or information in a compressed data form; requesting transcopying from one video tape to another using only a single mission, by a user, of at least a part of the stored compressed tape deck. Lang does not disclose a system with one or more information to the remote location ; sending at least a portion libraries wherein a plurality of system subscribers may 55 of the stored compressed information to the remote location; access information stored in the film and tape library or receiving the sent information at the remote location; bufflibraries, and play back the selected information at a time ering the processed information at the remote location ; and and place selected by the subscriber. playing back the buffered information in real time at a time It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide requested by the user. a user with the capability of accessing audio/video material 60 dditionally, the present invention comprises a receiving by integrating both accessing and playback controls into a system responsive to a user input identifying a choice of an system that can use multiple existing communications chanitem stored in a source material library to be played back to nels. the subscriber at a location remote from the source material It is a further object of the present invention to provide a library, the item containing information to be sent from a picture and sound transmission system which allows the user 65 ransmitter to the receiving system, and wherein the receivto remotely select audio/video material from any location ing system comprises transceiver means for automatically that has either telephone service or a computer. receiving the requested information from the transmitter as
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compressed formatted data blocks; receiver format conversion means, coupled to the transceiver means, for converting the compressed formatted data blocks into a format suitable for storage and processing resulting in playback in real time ; storage means, coupled to the receiver format conversion 5 means, for holding the compressed formatted data ; decompressing means, coupled to the receiver format conversion means, for decompressing the compressed formatted information ; and output data conversion means, coupled to the decompressing means, for playing back the decompressed 1o information in real time at a time specified by the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate the presently preferred apparatus and method of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment given below serve to explain the principled of the invention . In the drawings : FIGS . la-lg are high level block diagrams showing different configurations of the transmission and receiving system of the present invention ; FIGS . 2a and 2b are detailed block diagrams of preferred implementations of the transmission system of the present invention; FIG . 3 is a flowchart of a preferred method of ordering a selection from a library in accordance with the present invention ; FIG . 4 is a flowchart of a preferred method of user request via a user interface of the present invention; FIG . 5 is a flowchart of a preferred method of implementing a queue manager program of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a preferred implementation of the receiving system of the present invention; FIG . 7 is a flowchart of a preferred method of distribution of the present invention ; and FIGS . 8a-8e are block diagrams of preferred implementations of data structures and data blocking for items in the audio and video distribution system of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS . la-lg are high level block diagrams showing different configurations of the transmission and receiving system of the present invention . FIGS . la, 1b, ld, le, lf, and lg each show transmission system 100, described in more detail below with respect to FIGS . 2a and 2b . A user of the transmission and receiving system of the present invention preferably accesses transmission system 100 by calling a phone number or by typing commands into a computer. The user then chooses audio and/or video material from a list of available items which he or she wants to listen to and/or watch . As shown in FIG. la, the transmission and receiving system may preferably comprise a peer to peer configuration where one transmission system 100 communicates with one reception system 200. As shown in FIG. 1b, the transmission and receiving system of the present invention may alternatively comprise a plurality of reception systems 200, 200', 200", and 200"', which are each associated with a single transmission system 100 .
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FIG. l c shows a high level block diagram of the transmission and receiving system of the present invention including remote order processing and item database 300, described in more detail with respect to FIG . 3 . Remote order processing and item database 300 preferably enables users to access desired items by remote communication. The remote order processing and item database 300 may communicate with a plurality of transmission systems 100, 100', 100", and 100"', each of which communicates with a respective set of reception systems 200, 200', 200", and 200"' . Each of the reception systems in sets 200, 200', 200", and 200"' may preferably communicate with a plurality of users . FIG. ld shows a high level block diagram of the transmission and receiving system of the present invention including a transmission system 100 distributing to a plurality of users via a reception system 200 configured as a cable television system . FIG . le shows a high level block diagram of the transmission and receiving system of the present invention including a transmission system 100 distributing to a plurality reception systems 200 and 200' . In the configuration shown in FIG . le, reception system 200 is a direct connection system wherein a user is directly connected to transmission system 100. Reception system 200' preferably includes a first cable television system 200a and a second cable television system 200b . Users of cable television systems 200a and 200b are indirectly connected to transmission system 100 FIG. if shows a high level block diagram of the transmission and receiving system of the present invention including transmission system 100 distributing via several channels to reception systems 200 and 200' . Reception system 200 is preferably non-buffering . In such a system, users are directly connected to transmission system 100, as in reception system 200 in FIG . le. Reception system 200' shown in FIG. 1f is a cable television system, as shown in reception system 200' of FIG . le . In FIG . 1f, the reception system 200' is preferably buffering, which means that users may receive requested material at a delayed time. The material is buffered in intermediate storage device 200c in reception system 200' . In the configuration of FIG . lf, decompression of the requested material may preferably occur at the head end of a cable television reception system 200' . Thus, distribution may be provided to users via standard television encoding methods downstream of the head end of the cable distribution system. This method is preferred for users who only have cable television decoders and standard television receivers . FIG . lg shows a high level block diagram of the transmission and receiving system of the present invention including transmission system 100 distributing to a reception system 200, which then preferably transmits requested material over airwave communication channels 200d, to a plurality of users . The transmission and receiving system shown in FIG. lg may preferably transmit either compressed or uncompressed data, depending on the requirements and existing equipment of the user. The airwave transmission and receiving system shown in FIG . lg may preferably employ either VHF, UHF or satellite broadcasting systems . With respect to the transmission and receiving systems set forth in FIGS . la-1g, the requested material may be fully compressed and encoded, partly decompressed at some stage in transmission system 100, or fully decompressed prior to transmission. The reception systems 200 may either buffer the requested material for later viewing, or decom-
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press in real time the requested material as it is distributed by transmission system 100 . Alternatively, the reception systems 200 of the present invention may perform a combination of buffering and non-buffering by buffering some of the requested material and decompressing the remainder of the requested material for immediate viewing as it is distributed by transmission system 100 . In direct connection configurations, such as reception systems 200 shown in FIGS . le and If, the user preferably selects the reception system 200 to which the requested material is sent, and optionally selects the time playback of the requested material as desired. Accordingly, the user may remotely access the transmission system 100 from a location different than the location of reception system 200 where the material will be sent and/or played back. Thus, for example, a user may preferably call transmission system 100 from work and have a movie sent to their house to be played back after dinner or at any later time of their choosing . In non-direct connection reception systems such as shown in reception system 200' of FIG . If, intermediate storage device 200c may preferably include, for example, sixteen hours of random access internal audio and video storage. A reception system with such storage is capable of storing several requested items for future playback . The user could then view and/or record a copy of the decompressed requested material in real time, or compressed in non-real time, at a time of their choosing . Accordingly, the user would not have to make a trip to the store to purchase or rent the requested material . In any of the transmission and receiving systems illustrated in FIGS . la-1g, the requested material may be copy protected . To achieve copy protection, the requested material, as an item, is encoded as copy protected during storage encoding in transmission system 100. The user may then play back the item only one time . The user may also optionally review select portions of the item prior to its automatic erasure from the memory of the reception system 200 . In this way, requested material may be distributed to "view only" users and also to "view and copy" users who wish to retain copies of the distributed items . Copy protected programs, when decompressed and played back, would have a copy protection technique applied to the analog and digital output signals . The analog video output is protected from copying through the use of irregular sync signals, which makes the signal viewable on a standard television but not recordable on a audio/video recorder. The receiving systems recognizes copy protected programs and disables the audio/video recorder. Digital output protection is effected through copy protect bit settings in the digital output signal, thus preventing a compatible digital recorder from recording the digital audio and/or video signal stream . A protected item will not be passed to the compressed data port of the digital recorder for off line storage . FIGS . 2a and 2b illustrate detailed block diagrams of preferred implementations of the transmission system 100 of the present invention. Transmission system 100 may either be located in one facility or may be spread over a plurality of facilities . Apreferred embodiment of transmission system 100 may preferably include only some of the elements shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b. Transmission system 100 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention preferably includes source material library means for temporary storage of items prior to conversion and storage in a compressed data library means . The items of information may include analog and digital audio
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and video information as well as physical objects such as books and records which require conversion to a compatible media type before converting, compressing and storing their audio and video data in the compressed data library means . s shown in FIG. 2a, the source material library means included in transmission system 100 preferably includes a source material library 111 . The source material library 111 may include different types of materials including television programs, movies, audio recordings, still pictures, files, books, computer tapes, computer disks, documents of various sorts, musical instruments, and other physical objects . These materials are converted to or recorded on a media format compatible to the digital and analog inputs of the system prior to being compressed and stored in a compressed data library 118 . The different media formats preferably include digital or analog audio and video tapes, laser disks, film images, optical disks, magnetic disks, computer tapes, disks and, cartridges . The source material library 111, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, may preferably include a single source material library or a plurality of source material libraries . If there are a plurality of source material libraries, they may be geographically located close together or may be located far apart . The plurality of source material libraries may communicate using methods and channels similar to the methods and channel types which libraries may employ for communication with the receiving system 200 of the user, or the source material libraries may communicate via any available method. Prior to being made accessible to a user of the transmission and receiving system of the present invention, the item must be stored in at least one compressed data library 118, and given a unique identification code by identification encoder 112 . Storage encoding, performed by identification encoder 112, aside form giving the item a unique identification code, optionally involves logging details about the item, called program notes, and assigning the item a popularity code. Storage encoding may be performed Just prior to conversion of the item for transmission to reception system 200, at any time after starting the conversion process, or after storing the item in the compressed data library 118. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method of encoding the information involves assigning a unique identification code and a file address to the item, assigning a popularity code, and inputting the program notes. This process is identical for any of the different media types stored in the source material library 111 . The transmission system 100 of the present invention also preferably includes conversion means 113 for placing the items from source material library 111 into a predetermined format as formatted data. In the preferred embodiment, after identification encoding is performed by identification encoder 112, the retrieved information is placed into a predetermined format as formatted data by the converter 113. The items stored in source material library 111 and encoded by identification encoder 112 may be in either analog or digital form . Converter 113 therefore includes analog input receiver 127 and digital input receiver 124 . If items have only one format, only one type of input receiver 124 or 127 is necessary. When the information from identification encoder 112 is digital, the digital signal is input to the digital input receiver 124 where it is converted to a proper voltage. A formatter 25 sets the correct bit rates and encodes into least significant bit (lsb) first pulse code modulated (pcm) data. Formatter 125 includes digital audio formatter 125a and digital
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video formatter 125b . The digital audio information is input into a digital audio formatter 125a and the digital video information, if any, is input into digital video formatter 125b . Formatter 125 outputs the data in a predetermined format. When the retrieved information from identification encoder 112 is analog, the information is input to an analogto-digital converter 123 to convert the analog data of the retrieved information into a series of digital data bytes . Converter 123 preferably forms the digital data bytes into 10 the same format as the output of formatter 125 . Converter 123 preferably includes an analog audio converter 123a and an analog video converter 123b . The analog audio converter 123a preferably converts the retrieved audio signal into pcm data samples at a fixed sampling rate . The 15 analog video converter 123b preferably converts the analog video information, retrieved from identification encoder 123, into pcm data also at fixed sampling rates . If the retrieved information being converted contains only audio information, then the audio signal is fed to the 20 appropriate digital audio input or analog audio input . When the retrieved information contains both audio and video information, the audio and video signals are passed simultaneously to the audio and video converter inputs . Synchronization between the audio and video data can be maintained 25 in this way. If, for example, the retrieved information to be converted from the source material library 111 is a motion picture film, the picture frames in the film are passed through a digital telecine device to the digital input receiver 124 . Format 30 conversion is then preferably performed by digital video formatter 125b . Accompanying audio information is passed through an optical or magnetic digital playback device . This device is connected to digital audio formatter 125a. In some cases, such as in inter-library transfers, incoming 35 materials may be in a previously compressed form so that there is no need to perform compression by precompression processor 115 and compressors 128 and 129. In such a case, retrieved items are passed directly from identification encoder 112 to the compressed data formatter 117. The item 40 database records, such as the program notes which may also be input from another system, to the compressed data formatting section 117, where this data, if necessary, is reformatted to make it compatible with the material stored in compressed data library 118. Such material may be received 45 in the form of digital tapes or via existing communication channels and may preferably input directly to a short term storage 117' in the compressed data formatting section 117 . The transmission system 100 of the present invention also 50 preferably includes ordering means for placing the formatted information into a sequence of addressable data blocks . As shown in FIG . 2a, the ordering means in the preferred embodiment includes time encoder 114 . After the retrieved information is converted and formatted by the converter 113, 55 the information may be time encoded by the time encoder 114. Time encoder 114 places the blocks of converted formatted information from converter 113 into a group of addressable blocks. The preferred addressing scheme employs time encoding . Time encoding allows realignment 60 of the audio and video information in the compressed data formatting section 117 after separate audio and video compression processing by precompression processor 115 and compressor 116. The converted formatted information of the requested 65 material is then preferably in the form of a series of digital data bytes which represent frames of video data and samples
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of the audio data A preferred relationship of the audio and video bytes to each other is shown in FIG . 8 . Incoming signals are input and converted in sequence, starting with the first and ending with the last frame of the video data, and starting with the first and ending with the last sample of the audio data. Time encoding by time encoder 114 is achieved by assigning relative time markers to the audio and video data as it passes from the converter 113 through the time encoder 114 to the precompression processor 115 . Realignment of audio and video data, system addressing of particular data bytes, and user addressing of particular portions of items are all made possible through time encoding . Through the use of the address of an item and its frame number it is possible to address any particular block of audio or video data desired . From here, further addressing down to the individual byte is possible. Frames and groups of frames may preferably be further broken down, as necessary to the individual bytes and bits, as required for certain processing within the system. User and system addressing requirements dictate the level of granularity available to any particular section of the system . Users are able to move through data in various modes, thus moving through frame addresses at various rates . For example, a user may desire to listen to a particular song . They may preferably enter the song number either when requesting the item from the compressed data library 118 and only have that song sent to their receiving system 200 or they may preferably select that particular song from the items buffered in their receiving system 200. Internal to the system, the song is associated with a starting frame number, which was indexed by the system operator via the storage encoding process . The system item database may contain information records for individual frames or groups of frames. These can represent still frames, chapters, songs, book pages, etc . The frames are a subset of, and are contained within, the items stored in the compressed data library 118 . Time encoding by time encoder 114 makes items and subsets of items retrievable and addressable throughout the transmission system 100 . Time encoding enables subsequent compression of the information to be improved because data reduction processes may be performed in the time dimension . This is described in greater detail below. The transmission system 100 of the present invention also preferably includes data compression means for compressing the formatted and sequenced data . The sequence of addressable data blocks which was time encoded and output by time encoder 114 is preferably sent to precompression processor 115. The data arriving from time encoder 114 may be at various frame rates and of various formats . Precompression processor 115 preferably includes audio precompressor 115a and video precompressor 115b. Video precompression processor 115b buffers incoming video data and converts the aspect ratio and frame rate of the data, as required by compression processor 116 . The frame buffer 131 of video precompression processor 115b holds all incoming data until the data is compressed by the data compressor 116 . The incoming video data is processed for sample rate optimization, aspect ratio fitting and buffered in buffer 130 for compression processing by the video precompression processor 115b . Video precompression processor 115b processes the incoming video data so that it fits into the aspect ratio of the transmission and receiving system of the present invention . When incoming material with a different aspect ratio than the aspect ratio of the system is selected, a chosen background is preferably placed around the inactive region of the
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video information . In this way, no data is lost to differences in the aspect ratio between incoming material, and the converted and compressed data stored in the transmission system 100 . Images resulting from a different aspect ratio may have an inactive region where background information 5 is contained, or may be converted into a best fit arrangement . Output from the video precompression processor 115b is stored in the frame buffer 131, which is dual ported and is directly addressable by video compressor 129. The incoming audio data is processed for sample rate and to word length optimization and is then buffered in buffer 130 for compression processing by the audio precompression processor 115a . Audio precompression processor 115a may preferably transcode incoming audio information, as required, to create the optimum sample rate and word 15 lengths for compression processing. The output of the audio precompression processor 115a is a constant sample rate signal of a fixed word length which is buffered in frame buffer 130 . The frame buffer 130 is dual ported and is directly addressable by audio compressor 128. Blocking the 20 audio data into frames at audio precompression processor 115a makes it possible to work with the audio data as addressable packets of information . Once precompression processing is finished, the frames are compressed by the data compressor 116. Compressor 25 116 preferably comprises an audio data compressor 128 and a video data compressor 129. The benefits of data compression performed by data compressor 116 are shortened transmission time, faster access time, greater storage capacity, and smaller storage space requirements . Compression pro- 30 cessing performed by compressors 128 and 129 requires multiple samples of data to perform optimum compression . Audio and video information is preferably converted into blocks of data organized in groups for compression processing by audio compressor 128 and video compressor 129, 35 respectively . These blocks are organized as frames, and a number of frames are contained respectively in the buffers 130 and 131. By analyzing a series of frames it is possible to optimize the compression process. Audio data is preferably compressed by audio compressor 40 128 by application of an adaptive differential pulse code modulation (ADPCM) process to the audio data. This compression process, which may be implemented by the apt-x 100 digital audio compression system, is manufactured by 45 Audio Processing Technology (APT) . Audio compression ratios of 8X or greater are achieved with the APT system. Compression by compressor 116 may be performed on a group of 24 video frames may preferably be passed in sequence to the frame buffer 130 of the video precompres- 50 sion processor 115b where they are analyzed by video compressor 129 which performs data reduction processing on the video data . Video compression is preferably performed by video compressor 129. Video compression is achieved by the use of processors running algorithms 55 designed to provide the greatest amount of data compression possible . Video data compression preferably involves applying two processes : a discrete cosine transform, and motion compensation . This process is described in "A Chip Set Core of Image Compression", by Artieri and Colavin. Multiple 6o frames of video data may preferably be analyzed for patterns in the horizontal (H), vertical (V), diagonal (zigzag) and time (Z) axis. By finding repetition in the video data, redundancy may be removed and the video data may be compressed with a minimal loss of information . 65 In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transmission system 100 may further com-
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prise compressed data storing means, coupled to the compression means, for storing as a file the compressed sequenced data with the unique identification code received from the data compression means . After compression pro essing by compressor 116, the compressed audio and video data is preferably formatted and placed into a single file by the compressed data storage means 117 . The file may contain the compressed audio and/or video data, time markers, and the program notes . The file is addressable through the unique identification code assigned to the data by the identification encoder 112 . Further, according to the present invention, the transmission system preferably includes compressed data library means for separately storing composite formatted data blocks for each of the files . The compressed data storage means preferably includes compressed data library 118, as shown in FIG . 2b . After the data is processed into a file by the compressed data storage means 117, it is preferably stored in a compressed data library 118 . In a preferred embodiment, compressed data library 118 is a network of mass storage devices connected together via a high speed network . Access to any of the files stored in compressed data library 118 is available from multiple reception systems 200 connected to the transmission and receiving system. Stored items are preferably accessed in compressed data library 118 through a unique address code . The unique address code is a file address for uniquely identifying the compressed data items stored in the compressed data library section of a library system . This file address, combined with the frame number, and the library system address allow for complete addressability of all items stored in one or more compressed data libraries 118 . Compressed data library addresses along with receiving system addresses are used to form a completely unique address for distribution system control. The unique address code is an address assigned to the item by the system operator during storage encoding, which is preferably done prior to long term storage in the compressed data library 118 . In a preferred embodiment, the unique address code is used for requesting and accessing information and items throughout the transmission and receiving system . The unique address code makes access to the requested data possible . The storage encoding process performed by encoder 112 also allows entry of item notes and production credits . Production credits may include the title, names of the creators of the item such as the producer, director, actors, etc . Other details regarding the item which may be of interest and which may make the items more accessible are kept in an item database . Item addresses are mapped to item names by identification encoder 112 and may preferably be used as an alternative method of accessing items . The item names are easier to remember, thus making user access more intuitive by using item names . The storage encoding entry process performed in identification encoder 112 operates a program which updates a master item database containing facts regarding items in the compressed data library system . The storage encoding process may be run by the system operator whereby the system operator accesses the master item database to track and describe items stored in one or more compressed data libraries . The names and other facts in the item database may preferably be updated at any time via the torage encoding process . Changes made to the master item database may be periodically sent to the remote order processing and item database . 300.
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As described in more detail later, a user may preferably access an item via its unique identification code, via its title, or the user may use other known facts for accessing an item . The user may access items in the compressed data library 118 directly using the unique address code or the user may 5 obtain access via the remote order processing and item database 300 . Indirect access via the remote order processing and item database 300 is possible using, for example, a synthesized voice system, a query type of computer program interface, or customer assistance operators . In addition to providing interactive access to the remote order processing 10 and item database 300, a catalog listing some or all available titles may also preferably be published . With a published catalog, users may obtain the unique address code for an item very easily thereby allowing for retrieval from the compressed data library 118 without any help from an 15 interactive system . To achieve user access via an interactive system, facts about the items may be kept in files as a part of the items or the facts may be kept separately, for example, by systems which only inform users of the available items and take 20 orders . For example, in systems which have portions split in separate locations, the facts about the items may be separated from the items themselves and stored in separate files . A system of this type can distribute user orders to other portions of the transmission and receiving system for ulti- 25 mate distribution to the requesting user. Further, to support a plurality of users, multiple versions of the item database may preferably reside either on multiple database servers, in catalogs, or on other computer systems . The item database master may reside in the system control 30 computer 1123 where may be updated and kept current to the contents of the compressed data library 118 . The data stored in the item database master may be accessed by users via application programs, running on the system control com35 puter 1123, and on the reception system 200 of the user. Users may connect to the item database via any available telecommunication channels . Copies of the item database master may be updated and informed of new entries into compressed data library 118 at periodic intervals determined 40 by the system manager. Other copies of the item database master may also be made available to users from the remote order processing and item database 300 which batch processes and downloads user requests to the control computer 1123 of the com- 45 pressed data library 118 via standard telecommunications or high speed communication channels . Moreover, multiple remote order processing and item database 300 sites make it possible for more locations to process orders than there are library facilities, and thus make order processing more 50 efficient. Preferably, access of a requested item via the remote order processing and item database 300 operates as follows . If the user does not know the title of the desired item, he or she may request the item by naming other unique facts related to 55 the item. For example, a user would be able to access an item about Tibetan Medicine by asking for all items which include information about "Tibet" and include information about "Medicine ." The remote order processing and item database 300 would then be searched for all records match- 60 ing this request. If there is more than one item with a match, each of the names of the matching items are preferably indicated to the user. The user then selects the item or items that he or she desires . Upon selection and confirmation, by the user, a request for transmission of a particular item or 65 items is sent to the distribution manager program of the system control computer 1123 . The request contains the
address of the user, the address of the item, and optionally includes specific frame numbers, and a desired viewing time of the item . The storage encoding process performed by identification encoder 112 also allows entry of a popularity code. The popularity code is preferably assigned on the basis of how often the corresponding item is expected to be requested from the compressed data library 118 . This popularity code can be used to determine the most appropriate form of media for storage of the compressed data in a mixed media system . Mixed media systems are preferably employed as more cost effective storage in very large compressed data libraries 118 . Once assigned, the popularity code may be dynamically updated, by factoring item usage against system usage . Thus, stored items are dynamically moved to the most appropriate media over their life in the compressed data library 118 . If a particular item stored in compressed data library 118 is retrieved frequently by users, storage in compressed data library 118 is preferably on higher speed, more reliable, and probably more expensive media . Such media includes Winchester and magneto-optical disks . If an item stored in compressed data library 118 is retrieved less frequently, it may be stored in the compressed data library 118 on a digital cassette tape . Examples of such cassette tapes are a Honeywell RSS-600 (Honeywell Inc . Minneapolis Minn.), Summus JukeBoxFilm and tape library (Summus Computer Systems, Houston, Tex . 800-2559638), or equivalent cassette tapes. All items stored in the compressed data library 118 are on line and are connected to the high speed network. Thus, they may be readily accessed . Instead of using a remote order processing and item database 300, the compressed data library 118 may include the program notes which were input by the system operator. The program notes may preferably include the title of the item stored in the compressed data library 118, chapter or song titles, running times, credits, the producer of the item, acting and production credits, etc . The program notes of an item stored in the compressed data library 118 may be thus contained within the compressed data file formed in the compressed data formatter 117 . In some cases, where multiple compressed data libraries 118 are organized, the popularity code may dictate distribution of a particular item to multiple distribution systems . In such cases, a copy of the compressed data is sent to another library and the other library can then distribute the compressed data to users concurrently with the original compressed data library 118 . The compressed data library 118 is composed of a network of storage devices connected through a High Performance Parallel Interface (HPPI) Super Controller (available from Maximum Strategy Inc ., San Jose, Calif.) . Therefore, multiple communication controllers may preferably access the large quantity of data stored in compressed data library 118 at very high speeds for transfer to a reception system 200 of a user upon request . For more details on this configuration see Ohrenstein, "Supercomputers Seek High Throughput and Expandable Storage", Computer Technology Review, pp . 33-39 April 1990 . The use of an HPPI controller allows file placement onto multiple mass storage devices of the compressed data library 118 with a minimum of overhead . Database management software controls the location and tracking of the compressed data library 118 which can be located across multiple clusters of file servers connected together by one or more high speed networks over multiple systems. The transmission system 100 of the present invention may also preferably include library access/interface means for
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receiving transmission requests to transmit items and for retrieving formatted data blocks stored in the compressed data library 118 corresponding to the requests from users . The compressed audio and/or video data blocks, along with any of the information about the item stored in the compressed data library 118 may be accessed via library access interface 121 . The library access interface 121 receives transmission requests either directly from the users or indirectly by remote order processing and item database 300 . The transmission format means 119 receives the request and retrieves the composite formatted data block of the requested item stored in compressed data library 118 and converts the compressed formatted data block into a format suitable for transmission . The requested item is then sent to the user via the transmitter 122 or directly via interface 121 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, customer access of an item stored in compressed data library 118 via the library access interface 121 may be performed in various ways . The methods of requesting a stored item are analogous to making an airline reservation or transferring funds between bank accounts . Just as there are different methods available for these processes it is desirable to have several ordering methods available to the users of the system of the present invention. For example, telephone tone decoders and voice response hardware may be employed . Additionally, operator assisted service or user terminal interfaces may be used . Customer access via telephone tone decoders and voice response hardware is completely electronic and may preferably be performed between a system user and a computer order entry system. The user may obtain help in ordering an item from a computer synthesized voice. With such an access method, the user will normally be accessing a dynamic catalog to assist them. Confirmation of selections and pricing information may preferably be given to the user prior to completion of the transaction. This process of access, performed by remote order processing and item database configuration 300, shown in FIG. lc, preferably includes the following steps, shown in flowchart : 3000 of FIG . 3 . First, the user calls the system access number (step 3010) . Upon successfully dialing the system access number, the user receives instructions from the system (step 3020) . The instructions may preferably include steps the user must take in order to place an order. Preferably, the instructions may be bypassed by the experienced user who knows how to place an order. The user then enters a customer ID code by which the system accesses the user's account, and indicates to the system that the user is a subscriber of the system (step 3030) . In response to the user entering his ID code in step 3030 the system confirms whether the user is in good standing (step 3040) . If the user is in good standing, the system queues the user to input his request (step 3050) . The user request may preferably be made from a catalog sent to each of the subscribers of the system . The user will preferably identify his choice and enter the corresponding identification code of the item (step 3060) . The system then preferably confirms the selection that the user has made and informs the user of the price of the selection (step 3070) . The user then indicates whether the confirmation performed in step 3070 is correct (step 3080). If the confirmation performed in step 3070 is correct, the user so indicates and then inputs a desired delivery time and delivery location (step 3090) . If the confirmation performed in step 3070 does not result in the selection desired by the user, the user re-inputs the
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item identification code in step 3060 and the confirmation steps 3070 and 3080 are repeated . Therefore, proper selection of the selected item is insured . Once there is confirmation, the user enters the playback time and destination in step 3090 . The user then preferably confirms that the order is correct (step 3100) . The confirmation performed in step 3100 includes confirmation of the entire transaction including the selected item, the selected time of playback, and the location of playback . The transaction is then completed and the request is placed on a transmission queue at the appropriate compressed data library 118 (step 3110). Access by the users via operator assisted service includes telephone operators who answer calls from the users. The operators can sign up new customers, take orders, and help with any billing problems . The operators will preferably have computer terminals which give them access to account information and available program information . Operators can also assist a user who does not know a title by looking up information stored in files which may contain the program notes, as described above . Once the chosen program is identified, the operator informs the user of the price . After the user confirms the order, the user indicates the desired delivery time and destination. The operator then enters the user request into the system. The request is placed in the transmission queue. Access by a user terminal interface method provides the user with access from various terminals including personal computers, and specialized interfaces built into the reception system 200 for the user. Such access allows a user to do a search of available programs from a computer screen . This process involves the steps 4000 shown in FIG . 4 . FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a preferred method of user request via a user interface of the present invention . In the preferred method of FIG . 4, the user first logs onto the user terminal interface (step 4010) . After the user logs on, the user may preferably select a desired item by searching the database of available titles in the library system control computer 1123 or any remote order processing and item database 300 (step 4020). The search may preferably be performed using the database containing the program notes, described above with respect to FIGS . 2a and 2b . It is possible to process orders and operate a database of available titles at multiple locations remote of the source material library 111 . Users and order processing operators may preferably access such remote systems and may place transmission requests from these systems . Orders placed on these systems will be processed and distributed to the appropriate libraries . After the desired item is found, the user selects the item for transmission at a specific time and location (step 4030) . To complete an order, the remote order processing and item database 300 preferably connects to the compressed data library 118 of choice via the library access interface 121 and communicates with the library system control computer 1123 . Preferably the user's account ID, identification of the item for transmission and the chosen destination for the item are communicated. Through employment of distributed order processing systems of this type many orders may be processed with minimal library overhead . All transmission requests from the access methods are placed into a transmission queue managed by the library system control computer 1123 . This queue is managed by a program that controls the distribution of the requested items o the reception system 200 of the user. The queue manager program also operates in the system control computer and keeps track of the user ID, the chosen program and price, the
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user channel type, the number of requests for a given program, the latest delivery time, and the compressed data library media type (for example, high speed or low speed) . From this information, the queue manager program makes best use of the available distribution channels and media for 5 efficient transmission and storage of the requested items . The queue manager program also manages the file transmission process for multiple requests for a single file, stored in the compressed data library 118 . During a given time period, the queue manager program will optimize access to 10 the compressed data library 118, wherever possible it will place the data on multiple outputs for simultaneous transmission to more than one requesting user. The conversion performed by transmission data converter 119 encodes the data for the transmission channel . The 15 transmission data converter transfers the desired segments of data from the compressed data library 118 onto the communication channel which is used to deliver the data to the reception system 200. The transmission system 100 of the present invention preferably further includes transmitter means 122, coupled 20 to the compressed data library 118, for sending at least a portion of a specific file to at least one remote location . The transmission and receiving system of the present invention preferably operates with any available communication channels . Each channel type is accessed through the use of a 25 communications adaptor board or processor connecting the data processed in the transmission format converter 119 to the transmission channel. A preferred embodiment of the present invention also includes means by which to access users via common access 30 lines . These may include standard telephone, ISDN or B-ISDN, microwave, DBS, cable television systems, MAN, high speed modems, or communication couplers . Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) which are common carrier or private communication channels are designed to link sites in 35 a region . MANs are described by Morreale and Campbell in "Metropolitan-area networks" (IEEE Spectrum, May 1990 pp . 40-42). The communication lines are used to transmit the compressed data at rates up to, typically, 10 Mb/sec. 40 In order to serve a multitude of channel types, a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a multitude of output ports of each type connected to one or more computers on the transmission and receiving system. The management of transmission is then distributed . That is, the 45 computer controlling the transmission queue tells the transmission encoding computer its task and then the task is executed by the transmission encoding computer, independent of the transmission queue computer. The transmission queue computer provides the data for transmission by the 50 file server which also distributes to other transmitters located in the same or other transmission encoding computers . FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a preferred method of implementing a queue manager program of the present invention. The queue manager program, in the distribution process, prefer- 55 ably confirms availability of an item from the compressed data library 118 and logically connects the item stored in compresse
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