US5262875A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Audio/video file server including decompression/playback means
Assignee: BROOKFORD ENTERPRISES LLC
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Filing: 1992-04-30
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Granted: 1993-11-16
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Expires: 2012-04-30
Abstract
Abstract An audio/video file server includes a storage unit for centrally storing compressed digital audio/video program information, a transceiver for receiving compressed digital audio/video program information from an external source over a less-than-real-time period to update the stored audio/video program information, a plurality of playback units, each associated with an external playback line and an external playback station and each including a decompression unit, for receiving selected compressed digital audio/video program information from the storage unit, for decompressing the selected compressed digital audio/video program information received from the storage unit, and for playing it in real time over the associated playback line to the associated playback station, a network interface unit for receiving playback requests from the playback units, and a processor for controlling the storage and playback units to play the decompressed selected audio/video program information in real time for viewing by users at selected playback stations.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl I. Mincer
- 👤 David L. Siegel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:32
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/91; H04N5/92; H04N5/926; H04N5/9261; H04N5/9264; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/238; H04N21/2387; H04N5/78; H04N5/781
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
An audio/video file server for decompressing and distributing selected audio/video program information stored in a compressed digital format within the file server to one or more external playback stations for real-time viewing by users at those playback stations, the audio/video file server comprising: storage means for storing compressed digital audio/video program information; transceiver means, connected to the storage means, for receiving compressed digital audio/video program information from an external source over a time period that is less than a real time period required to view the audio/video program information to thereby update the compressed digital audio/video program information stored in the storage means; a plurality of playback units, each associated with an external playback line and an external playback station and each including decompression means, for receiving selected compressed digital audio/video program information stored in the storage means, for decompressing the selected compressed digital audio/video program information received from the storage means, and for playing the decompressed selected audio/video program information in real time over the associated playback line to the associated playback station; network interface means, connected to the storage means, transceiver means, playback units, and plurality of playback stations, for receiving playback requests from the plurality of playback stations; and processing means, connected to the storage means, transceiver means, playback units, and network interface means, the processing means being responsive to the network interface means, following receipt of a playback request, for controlling the associated playback unit to play the decompressed selected audio/video program information in real time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
An audio/video file server for decompressing and distributing selected audio/video program information stored in a compressed digital format within the file server to one or more external playback stations for real-time viewing by users at those playback stations, the audio/video file server comprising: storage means for storing compressed digital audio/video program information; transceiver means, connected to the storage means, for receiving compressed digital audio/video program information from an external source over a time period that is less than a real time period required to view the audio/video program information to thereby update the compressed digital audio/video program information stored in the storage means; a plurality of playback units, each associated with an external playback line and an external playback station and each including decompression means, for receiving selected compressed digital audio/video program information stored in the storage means, for decompressing the selected compressed digital audio/video program information received from the storage means, and for playing the decompressed selected audio/video program information in real time over the associated playback line to the associated playback station; network interface means, connected to the storage means, transceiver means, playback units, and plurality of playback stations, for receiving playback requests from the plurality of playback stations; and processing means, connected to the storage means, transceiver means, playback units, and network interface means, the processing means being responsive to the network interface means, following receipt of a playback request, for controlling the associated playback unit to play the decompressed selected audio/video program information in real time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 1 further comprising bus means interconnecting said transceiver means, storage means, processing means, network interface means, and plurality of playback units.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 1 wherein said transceiver means comprises a satellite transceiver.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An audio/video file serve as in claim 1 wherein said transceiver means comprises a fiber optic transceiver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 1 wherein said transceiver means comprises a microwave transceiver.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 1 wherein said transceiver means comprises a broadcast television transceiver.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 1 wherein said transceiver means comprises a cable television transceiver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 1 wherein said transceiver means comprises a telephone line transceiver.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 1 wherein said storage means comprises one or more magnetic disks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 1 wherein said storage means comprises one or more optical disks.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 1 wherein said storage means comprises semiconductor memory.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 1 wherein said storage means comprises magnetic tape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 1 wherein said storage means comprises optical tape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 1 wherein said network interface means comprises an ethernet interface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 1 wherein said network interface means comprises a token ring interface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 1 wherein said network interface means comprises a token ring interface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 2 wherein said transceiver means comprises a satellite transceiver.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 2 wherein said transceiver means comprises a fiber optic transceiver.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 2 wherein said transceiver means comprises a microwave transceiver.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 2 wherein said transceiver means comprises a broadcast television transceiver.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 2 wherein said transceiver means comprises a cable television transceiver.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 2 wherein said transceiver means comprises a telephone line transceiver.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 2 wherein said storage means comprises one or more magnetic disks.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 2 wherein said storage means comprises one or more optical disks.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 2 wherein said storage means comprises semiconductor memory.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 2 wherein said storage means comprises magnetic tape.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 2 wherein said storage means comprises optical tape.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 2 wherein said network interface means comprises an ethernet interface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 2 wherein said network interface means comprises an FDDI interface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
An audio/video file server as in claim 2 wherein said network interface means comprises a token ring interface.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
216 words
A method for receiving and storing audio/video program information in a compressed digital format in an audio/video file server and for selectively distributing said stored audio/video file server and for selectively distributing said stored audio/video program information to a plurality of remotely located playback stations for real time viewing by users of the playback stations, the method comprising the steps of: receiving audio/video program information in compressed digital form at the audio/video file server from a remotely located source over a burst time period that is less than a real time period required to view the audio/video program information; storing, in the audio/video file server, the compressed digital audio/video program information so received; providing a network interface between the audio/video file server and the plurality of playback stations for receiving one or more playback requests from the plurality of playback stations and for controlling the plurality of playback stations in response thereto; processing the one or more playback requests received by said network interface; selectively decompressing, in the audio/video file serve, the stored compressed digital audio/video program information in accordance with the one or more processed playback requests; and selectively controlling the plurality of playback stations to play, in real time, the selectively decompressed audio/video program information in accordance with the one or more playback requests.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
216 words
A method for receiving and storing audio/video program information in a compressed digital format in an audio/video file server and for selectively distributing said stored audio/video file server and for selectively distributing said stored audio/video program information to a plurality of remotely located playback stations for real time viewing by users of the playback stations, the method comprising the steps of: receiving audio/video program information in compressed digital form at the audio/video file server from a remotely located source over a burst time period that is less than a real time period required to view the audio/video program information; storing, in the audio/video file server, the compressed digital audio/video program information so received; providing a network interface between the audio/video file server and the plurality of playback stations for receiving one or more playback requests from the plurality of playback stations and for controlling the plurality of playback stations in response thereto; processing the one or more playback requests received by said network interface; selectively decompressing, in the audio/video file serve, the stored compressed digital audio/video program information in accordance with the one or more processed playback requests; and selectively controlling the plurality of playback stations to play, in real time, the selectively decompressed audio/video program information in accordance with the one or more playback requests.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-11-15 | 1997-05-17 | 1997-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-15 | 2001-05-17 | 2001-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-15 | 2005-05-17 | 2005-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |