Audio and video transmission and receiving system

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A transmission system for providing information to remote Locations, the transmission system comprising: 
 library means for storing items;    identification encoding means for retrieving the information for the items from the library means and for assigning a unique identification code to the retrieved information;    conversion means, coupled to the identification encoding means, for placing the retrieved information into a predetermined format as formatted data;    ordering means, coupled to the conversion means, for placing the formatted data into a sequence of addressable data blocks;    compression means, coupled to the ordering means, for compressing the formatted and sequenced data;    compressed data storing means, coupled to the data compression means, for storing as a file the compressed, sequenced data received from the data compression means with the unique identification code assigned by the identification encoding means; and    transmitter means, coupled to the compressed data storing means, for sending at least a portion of a file to one of the remote locations.    
     
     
         2 . A transmission system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter means includes: 
 transmission format means for placing the composite formatted data block onto a communication path.    
     
     
         3 . A transmission system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the information in the items includes analog signals, and wherein the conversion means further comprises: 
 converting means, coupled to the identification encoding means, for A/D converting the analog data of the retrieved information into a series of digital data bytes; and    formatting means, coupled to the converting means, for converting the digital data bytes into formatted data with a Predetermined format.    
     
     
         4 . A transmission system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the information in the items includes digital signals, and wherein the conversion means further comprises: 
 digital input receiver means, coupled to the identification encoding means, for converting the digital data of the retrieved information into predetermined voltage levels; and    formatting means, coupled to the digital input receiver means, for converting the predetermined voltage levels into formatted data with a predetermined format.    
     
     
         5 . A transmission system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the information in the items includes digital signals, and wherein the conversion means further comprises: 
 digital input receiver means, coupled to the identification encoding means, for converting the digital data of the retrieved information into predetermined voltage levels; and    formatting means, coupled to the digital input receiver means, for converting the predetermined voltage levels into formatted data with the predetermined format.    
     
     
         6 . A transmission system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the compressed data storing means further comprises: 
 compressed data library means for separately storing composite formatted data blocks for each of the files converted and stored.    
     
     
         7 . A transmission system as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 system control interface means, coupled to the transmission format means, for generating a visual listing of available items; and    library access interface means, coupled to the transmission format means, for receiving transmission requests to transmit items, and for retrieving formatted data blocks stored-in the compressed data library means corresponding to the requests from subscribers.    
     
     
         8 . A transmission system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 compression data processing means, coupled-;to the ordering means, for storing the formatted data.    
     
     
         9 . A transmission system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the information in the items includes analog audio information, and wherein the conversion means further comprises: 
 audio converting means, coupled to the identification encoding means, for converting the analog audio signals into streams of digital audio data.    
     
     
         10 . A transmission system as recited in one of claims  1  and  9 , wherein the information in the items includes analog video information, and wherein the conversion means further comprises: 
 video converting means, coupled to the identification encoding means, for converting the analog video signals into streams of digital video data.  
 
     
     
         11 . A transmission system as recited in one of claims  1  and  9 , wherein the information in the items includes partly encoded information, and wherein the conversion means further comprises: 
 digital input means, coupled to the identification encoding means, for receiving partial encoded information in the items.  
 
     
     
         12 . A transmission system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the data compression means comprises: 
 means for performing a multi-dimensional analysis of the formatted data for inclusion in a predetermined algorithm; and    compression processors for running the predetermined algorithm and for compressing the formatted data.    
     
     
         13 . A transmission system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the compression means comprises: 
 means for identifying repeating patterns in the formatted data for inclusion in a predetermined algorithm; and    compression processors for running the predetermined algorithm and for compressing the formatted data.    
     
     
         14 . A transmission system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the multi-dimensional analysis means includes means for performing the multi-dimensional analysis in the horizontal dimension.  
     
     
         15 . A transmission system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the multi-dimensional analysis means includes means for performing the multi-dimensional analysis in the vertical dimension.  
     
     
         16 . A transmission system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the multi-dimensional analysis means includes means for performing the multi-dimensional analysis in the time dimension.  
     
     
         17 . A transmission system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the multi-dimensional analysis means includes means for performing the multi-dimensional analysis in the zig-zag dimension.  
     
     
         18 . A distribution method responsive to requests identifying information to be sent from a transmission system to remote locations, the method comprising the steps of: 
 storing audio and video information in a compressed data form;    requesting transmission, by a user, of at least a part of the stored compressed data to a remote location selected by the user;    sending at least a portion of the stored compressed information to the remote location;    receiving the sent information at the remote location;    buffering the received information at the remote location; and    playing back the buffered information in real time at a time requested by the user.    
     
     
         19 . The distribution method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the information in the items includes analog and digital signals, and wherein the step of processing further comprises the steps of: 
 converting analog signals of the information to digital components;    formatting the digital data signals of the information;    ordering the converted analog data and the formatted digital data in a predetermined sequence and;    compressing the ordered information.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the step of storing the items includes the substep of storing the items in a plurality of compressed picture and sound information.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the steps of: 
 storing a list of items available to the user from at least one compressed data library; and  
 providing the user with the list so that the user may remotely select a particular item for transmission.  
 
     
     
         22 . A receiving system responsive to a user input identifying a choice of an item stored in a source material library to be played back to the subscriber at a location remote from the source material library, the item containing information to be sent from a transmitter to the receiving system, the receiving system comprising: 
 transceiver means, for automatically receiving the requested information from the transmitter as 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 for playback in real time;    storage means, coupled to the receiver format conversion means, for storing 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 information in real time at a time specified by the user.    
     
     
         23 . A receiving system as recited in  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 user interface means for translating the input into a request for sending the requested information from the transmitter to the receiving system.    
     
     
         24 . A receiving system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the output data conversion means includes recording means which controls the playback.  
     
     
         25 . A receiving system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the storage means stores the formatted information until playback is requested by an operator.  
     
     
         26 . A receiving system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the Decompression means further comprises: 
 video signal decompression means for decompressing video information contained in the compressed formatted information.    
     
     
         27 . A receiving system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the output data conversion means further comprises: 
 digital video output means, connected to the video signal decompression means, for outputting a digital video signal contained in the video information; and    analog video output means, connected to the video signal recompression means, for outputting an analog video signal contained in the video information.    
     
     
         28 . A receiving system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the video output means further comprises: 
 copy protection means for preventing copying by the user of protected information.    
     
     
         29 . A receiving system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the recompression means further comprises: 
 audio signal decompression means for decompressing audio information contained in the compressed formatted information.    
     
     
         30 . A receiving system as recited in  claim 29 , wherein the output data conversion means further comprises: 
 digital audio output means, connected to the audio signal decompression means, for outputting a digital audio signal contained in the audio information; and    analog audio output means, connected to the audio signal decompression means, for outputting an analog audio signal contained in the audio information.    
     
     
         31 . A receiving system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the decompression means further comprises: 
 video signal decompression means for decompressing video information contained in the compressed formatted information; and    audio signal decompression means for decompressing audio information contained in the compressed formatted information.    
     
     
         32 . A receiving system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the transceiver means receives the information via any one of telephone, ISDN, broadband ISDN, satellite, common carrier, computer channels, cable television systems, MAN, and microwave.