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US5084768A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for previewing recorded information

Assignee: RETAIL NETWORK Inc D/B/A PICS PREVIEWS
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Filing: 1989-09-29
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Granted: 1992-01-28
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Expires: 2009-09-29
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Abstract

Abstract A method and apparatus for previewing recorded information. The apparatus includes a selection of back-lit switches, each of which displays audio or video selection information. A user indicates a desired selection for preview by pressing one of the back-lit switches. An audio and video preview of the desired selection is presented to the user by playback of a optical disc or portion thereof.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael R. Stern
  • 👤 Stanley M. Stern

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 00:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/91; H04N5/92; H04N5/9201; H04N5/9202; G; G11; G11B; G11B27/00; G11B27/002; G11B27/02; G11B27/022; G11B27/028; G11B27/10; G11B27/11; G11B27/34; H04N5/765; G11B2220/00; G11B2220/20; G11B2220/25; G11B2220/2537; G11B2220/2587; G11B2220/90; G11B27/024

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 152 words
Apparatus for previewing portions of audio and associated full motion video selections comprising: a) means for storing portions of a plurality of audio selections and associated full motion video presentations, said means for storing comprising: i) a first optical disc media and player; ii) a second optical disc media and player, a portion of said entertainment selections stored on said second optical disc media and another portion of said entertainment selections stored on said first media; and iii) means for selecting between said first and said second optical disc players for playback of said optical discs; b) display means for simultaneously indicating to a user said plurality of selections; c) means, coupled to said display means, for inputting a first selection from said user; and d) means, coupled to said means for inputting, for playing said first selection in audio form while concurrently displaying said first selection's associated full motion video presentation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 152 words
Apparatus for previewing portions of audio and associated full motion video selections comprising: a) means for storing portions of a plurality of audio selections and associated full motion video presentations, said means for storing comprising: i) a first optical disc media and player; ii) a second optical disc media and player, a portion of said entertainment selections stored on said second optical disc media and another portion of said entertainment selections stored on said first media; and iii) means for selecting between said first and said second optical disc players for playback of said optical discs; b) display means for simultaneously indicating to a user said plurality of selections; c) means, coupled to said display means, for inputting a first selection from said user; and d) means, coupled to said means for inputting, for playing said first selection in audio form while concurrently displaying said first selection's associated full motion video presentation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 48 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a) digital processing means; b) means in said computing means for generating a graphic output; and c) said means for selecting chosing a display from said first optical disc player, said second optical disc player, or said digital processing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 66 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for selecting further comprises: a) an audio multiplexer connected to said first and said second optical disc player; b) a video multiplexer connected to said first and said second optical disc player; and c) logic means for directing said audio and video multiplexers to select an appropriate player of said first and said second optical disc players.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said digital processing means is a personal computer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 20 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for inputting further comprises an array of concurrently displayed switching means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said switching means is an array of switches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 27 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 6 further comprising a sheet of images overlaid on said array, each of said images representative of one of said entertainment selections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 45 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a) means for storing selections for purchase by said user; and b) means for illuminating a portion of said means for storing connected to said means for inputting, said portion corresponding to a selection by a user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 136 words
Apparatus for previewing audio selections and associated full motion video presentations in a retail sales location, said audio selections comprising a portion of musical recordings comprising: a) a backlit translucent keypad array, said keypad array comprising an array of images relating to each of said musical recordings; b) means for scanning said keypad array to determine when a key is pressed; c) first and second optical disc players with first and second optical discs, said first optical disc including a first portion of said audio selections and video presentations, said second optical disc including a second portion of said audio and video presentations; d) display means for presenting said audio selections and video presentations; and e) logic means for selecting between said optical disc players and connecting said display means to a selected optical disc player.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 136 words
Apparatus for previewing audio selections and associated full motion video presentations in a retail sales location, said audio selections comprising a portion of musical recordings comprising: a) a backlit translucent keypad array, said keypad array comprising an array of images relating to each of said musical recordings; b) means for scanning said keypad array to determine when a key is pressed; c) first and second optical disc players with first and second optical discs, said first optical disc including a first portion of said audio selections and video presentations, said second optical disc including a second portion of said audio and video presentations; d) display means for presenting said audio selections and video presentations; and e) logic means for selecting between said optical disc players and connecting said display means to a selected optical disc player.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 76 words
A method of previewing an audio presentation and associated full motion video presentation comprising the steps of: a) simultaneously presenting a user with a plurality of choices of presentations; b) inputting a desired presentation selection from said user; and c) presenting a portion of said selection while simultaneously presenting a full motion video associated with said selection, the step of presenting further comprising the step of selecting between a first and a second optical disc player.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 76 words
A method of previewing an audio presentation and associated full motion video presentation comprising the steps of: a) simultaneously presenting a user with a plurality of choices of presentations; b) inputting a desired presentation selection from said user; and c) presenting a portion of said selection while simultaneously presenting a full motion video associated with said selection, the step of presenting further comprising the step of selecting between a first and a second optical disc player.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method as recited in claim 10 wherein the step of presenting is a step of playing an optical disc.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 42 words
The method as recited in claim 10 further comprising the step of illuminating a portion of a display case, said portion of a display case holding an audio or video selection corresponding to said presentation for selection for purchase by said user.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-01-27 1995-07-29 1996-01-28 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-01-27 1999-07-29 2000-01-28 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-01-27 2003-07-29 2004-01-28 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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