KR100339270B1 - Broadcast video burst transmission periodic dispersion device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for transmitting broadcast bursts of compressed audio / video programs from one stored library to multiple subscribers. Stored programs are repeatedly burst transmitted to a receiver at each subscriber's location in the predetermined order of the entire program or its segments. Each receiver accesses a scheduled broadcast schedule, enters a subscriber's order for one or more programs, monitors broadcast burst transmissions for one or more ordered programs, and one burst period corresponding to the burst transmission period. Or save more than one ordered program. The subscriber can then conveniently replay the stored, ordered program, as in a VCR, complete control (adjustment), and these programs are decompressed in real time by the receiver for viewing.

Description

Broadcast video burst transmission cyclic dispersion apparatus and method

U.S. Patent Nos. 4,963,995 and 5,057,932, both of which are patented to Lang, relate to the transmission of audio / video program information in a burst period significantly less than the time required for real-time observation of the audio / video program information. Such prior art relates to compression, storage, burst transmission, reception, decompression and the display of audio / video program information. However, they do not describe specific features of the burst transmission system for periodic distribution of audio / video program information. As used herein, periodic dispersion refers to a method of transmitting audio / video program information, commonly called pay-per-view (PPV).

In a conventional PPV system, the subscriber selects an audio / video program such as a movie. Such command processing can be invoked in a number of ways, such as calling a specific telephone number from a touch-tone telephone and pressing the appropriate key on the cable converter box supplied by the service provider and talking directly to the operator via the telephone or the like. In any case, the subscriber selects a program from a program schedule intended for the service provider to broadcast in real time. When there is a command, the cable converter box will distribute the program into operation through the selected television channel so that the subscriber can observe the program as it is being broadcast.

Video-on-command (VDD) systems differ from PPV systems in that subscribers can command any audio / video program from a list of titles in the audio / video library. The selected audio / video program is transmitted or otherwise distributed to the subscriber in whole or in part in many ways in less time than the real time burst transmission described by Lang. Regardless of the transmission medium selected, the subscriber selects the available audio / video program for observation or delivery as opposed to tuning the frequency to a broadcast which is a scheduled schedule with no supervision.

The present invention relates to bridging the gap between prior art PPV and VDD systems. As in the VDD system described in the above-mentioned prior patent, burst transmission is used as a preferred distributing means. However, instead of providing an audio / video library that allows the subscriber to select a program for delivery, the present invention combines the burst transmission technique described by Lang with the predetermined periodic schedule of a conventional PPV system. Let's do it. This combination creates a simple and inexpensive video library device. This, in turn, results in a very advanced PPV system from the point of view of the subscriber. In conventional PPV systems, audio / video programs are broadcast in real time over any one of coaxial cables, microwaves, optical fibers, or various transmission systems. That is, the program is broadcast in real time or literally played to subscribers of such a system. Therefore, it is not possible to make VCR-type adjustments such as stop, pause, rewind or fast-forward during playback. In providing the conventional PPV system audio / video program broadcasting schedule technology using the burst transmission technology introduced by Lang, the present invention is more cost effective than the cost associated with a livelog-based VDD system. Provides enhanced user functionality through the PPV system.

The present invention provides a plurality of time-compressed digital audio / videos that can be selectively transmitted to corresponding storage at burst time at one or more remote subscriber locations where the transmitted program can be decompressed and viewed in accordance with the teachings of RAM. It includes one central library for storing video programs. This central library provides periodic and scheduled broadcast transmission of time-compressed digital audio / video programs stored therein. A receiver at each remote subscriber location monitors one communication channel through which a sequential stream of time-compressed audio / video programs is broadcast from a central library, but is operated to store only the program or programs ordered by one subscriber. do.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, a schematic program is shown conceptually illustrating the long delivery video burst transmission system of the present invention. The counter clockwise ring or wheel 22 provides on-line storage of many audio / video programs such as movies. The present invention does not include the actual wheel 22. The wheel 22 is described here for the purpose of understanding only the concepts of the present invention. The broadcast video burst transmission system includes off-line storage 20, a transmission line 30 consisting of a plurality of transmission segments 35, a receiver 40, and a monitor 45. The wheel 22, off-line storage 20, and external control software and hardware (not shown) comprise one library 55.

In the system shown in FIG. 1, sixteen predetermined programs are stored in real time on the wheels of the library 22 in a time-compressed format. On-line storage of the program via the wheels 22 requires reading information from the storage at a sufficiently high speed to maintain the desired transmission speed along the transmission line 30. In one embodiment, for example, the transmission line 30 operates at 114 M / bit / second and thus requires a high speed storage medium to access the stored program. To reduce the costs associated with high speed storage media, lesser known programs are stored more slowly and at lower cost in off-line storage 20. These programs are delivered to the on-line storage at appropriate times via the wheels 22.

Conceptually, the wheel 22 consists of 16 wheel segments 25, each of which stores a program in a time-compressed format. Sending such a program with a burst time much slower than real time can be achieved according to the prior art teachings of the Lang patent. The rotation of the wheels 22 represents a period that can be predicted through the 16 stored most necessary programs. Because the wheel 22 rotates counterclockwise, the program stored therein is sequentially delivered to the transmission line 30 for burst transmission to all subscriber locations. In the system of FIG. 1, one sequential program of 16 predetermined programs retrieved from on-line storage via wheels 22 is shown. In the example of time shown in FIG. 1, the program number 3 has been delivered to the transmission line 30, the program number 2 has been delivered immediately before, and the program number 4 will immediately be transferred to the next.

Each of the 16 programs stored on the wheels 22 is associated with much less burst transfer time by Lang than the real time conceived in the prior art. The transmission segment 35 of the transmission line 30 is an example of such a burst transmission time period in that the transmission segment 35 of the transmission line 30 represents a time block required for transmitting the total number of programs 15. Regarding the transmission parameter described in detail below, the transmission segment 35 represents 76 seconds required for transmitting the total number of programs 15.

Each of the 16 programs stored on the wheels 22 is associated with much less burst transfer time than Lang thought by the prior art. The transmission segment 35 of the transmission line 30 is an example of such a buster transmission time period in that the transmission segment 35 of the transmission line 30 represents a time block required for transmitting the total number of programs 15. Regarding the transmission parameter described in detail below, the transmission segment 35 represents 76 seconds required for transmitting the total number of programs 15.

As mentioned above, the wheel 22 is described as providing on-line storage of 16 programs. For example, a compressed digital video bitstream requires 1.2 M / bit / sec for real time playback, and transmission line 30 is a 36-MHz, satellite channel modulated with approximately 4 bits / Hz plus overhead, thus Suppose you are generating 114 Mbits / sec digital data rate. Dividing the 114 Mbit / sec transfer rate by 1.2 Mbit / sec compressed video bitrate results in a 95: 1 time compression ratio. In other words, a typical two-hour program would require a transfer time of 120 minutes divided by 95, or 76 seconds. Thus, about 60 minutes divided by 1.26 minutes or 47.5 programs per hour are transmitted. The transfer of 16 programs stored on wheels 22 at 1.26 minutes takes a total of 20 minutes. Thus, the wheel 22 takes 20 minutes to rotate once, and 1.26 minutes for one two-hour program stored on the wheel. In another view, the subscriber only has to wait 1.26 minutes to watch the next of the 16 scheduled programs stored on the wheel 22 and 20 minutes to watch any of the 16 recommended programs. All you have to do is wait until the average wait time is 10 minutes. Of course, different digital compressed video rates and transmission channel bandwidths result in different transmission rates and thus different writer access times. For example, doubling the compression to 600 Kbits / sec and doubling the module speed to 228 Mbits / sec quadruples the system performance, allowing each program to be transferred in 19 seconds (190 programs per hour). Improved performance can be obtained by multiplying the various channels to increase the available bandwidth.

The receiver 40 shown in FIG. 1 represents equipment located at one or two destinations for receiving, storing and playing the transmitted program as described above. Conventional user connectors (not described) require programs and are used to communicate with the library 55. Library 55 includes on-line storage and off-line storage 20 of wheels 22. The receiver 40 is used to monitor the transmission line 30 for the transmission segment 35 (number of programs 15). When the transmission segment 35 does not match the VID (VID is data representing the program described in detail below), the transmission is ignored. As soon as the VID matches, the receiver 40 can then be used for decompression and playback of the program on the display 50 at the convenience of the subscriber.

Predictable transmission schedules are an important feature of the broadcast video burst transmission system of the present invention. This is in stark contrast to a VDD system that does not include any schedules. Many scheduling changes can be made in the present system without sacrificing any benefit of the present invention. For example, a program transfer schedule can be dynamically determined based on a statistical analysis of the need for a previous program. The wheel 22 of FIG. 1 stores 16 programs that are circulated for delivery to the transmission line 30 according to a regular and predictable schedule resulting from the rotation of the wheel 22. The transmission of these same 16 programs is repeated for each revolution of the wheel 22 as each is stored in one wheel segment 25 of the wheel 22. However, one program stored in off-line storage 20 may be determined by industry source or statistical analysis to be one of the top 16 programs. In this case, it is desirable to replace one of the sixteen programs currently stored on the wheels 22 with a new program stored prior to the off-line storage 20. Such substitution by programs associated with one of the wheel segments 25 of the wheel 22 takes place at regularly scheduled intervals. Of course, this change of schedule must be in contact with each subscriber in several ways, such as by a video channel that continues to represent the current schedule of 16 programs.

In the previous example where the program stored on the wheels 22, and thus the transmission schedule for such a program, is dynamically changed, it is nevertheless important to recognize that there is one schedule. Such predictable schedules help to minimize the size of the on-line storage required, but are transparent and not limiting to the subscriber. Rather, the burst transfer usage of the program stored on wheels 22 provides a convenient and fast program selection that a subscriber can be trusted to handle by the VDD system with only a short queue time before a selected program is received. Even if they change dynamically, predictable schedules will eventually reduce storage costs. Such savings can be realized as long as the completely arbitrary selection of programs available to the subscriber in the VDD system is eliminated. Given this requirement, the transmission schedule of the broadcast video burst transmission system of the present invention is sufficiently predictable to reduce the complexity of the library 55 as compared to the VDD system. By using known schedules, fewer and fewer programs need to be stored on-line on the wheels 22 of the library 55 and this need not be readily apparent to the subscriber.

Another important feature of the broadcast video burst transmission system of the present invention is the use of burst transmission of the program in a shorter time than the real time conceived in the prior art by Lang. By using this type of transmission system, many benefits are realized. Such systems include sources and destinations that send from source to destination in less time than real time. An important benefit is that the subscriber receives the program selected in a digital compressed format, which is stored at the subscriber's location for convenient decompression and viewing. Since the destination's equipment handles the program's digital compression format, VCR functions such as stop, pause, rewind, and fast forward can be used. This unique feature of the present invention allows the generation of a system resembling an electronic video rental store that can be used in the subscriber's home.

In FIG. 2, a second embodiment of the present invention is described. This embodiment includes multiple wheel subsegments 110a-110d, off-line storage 120, transmission line 130, transmission line segments 140a-140d, receiver 150, VID monitor segments 160a-. 160d) and wheel 100 with display 170. The wheel 100, off-line storage 120, and external control hardware and software (not shown) include a library 180. Similar to the embodiment concept of FIG. 1, the embodiment of FIG. 2 burst transmits a movie or part of another audio / video program rather than the entire movie. The wheel 100 of FIG. 2 comprises a number of bow-shaped sectors, each of which is divided into four radially extending segments. As described, the wheel sector containing 15 program numbers is divided into four program segments 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d, which are numbered as wheel subsegments 110a-d. In conclusion, the wheel subsegment 110a stores some of the 15 programs, and the wheel subsegments 110b store another portion of the 15 programs. As in the embodiment of the invention described in FIG. 1, off-line storage 120 is used to store less known programs through slower and less expensive storage media.

Because wheel 100 rotates counterclockwise, one of the wheel segments representing a portion of the program is burst transmitted. The transmission of an entire program, such as for example 15 programs, includes separate buster transmissions of program segments 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates four radially extending storage segments comprising each of the sixteen sectors of the wheel 100, the actual number of radially extending segments varies and the amount of storage required for each program segment. In order to minimize the amount, it is distributed evenly over the entire length of the transmission length. In the described embodiment, where each program is divided into four segments, each segment represents 30 minutes of real time viewing. Using the transmission parameters as described above in connection with the system of FIG. 1 (114 Mbits / sec and 1.2 Mbits / sec compressed video rate), one wheel segment is only burst transmitted 19 seconds. A 19 second burst transmission received and stored by the receiver 150 represents 30 minutes of viewing when decompressed and reproduced in real time. In the embodiment of the present invention, the two-hour program 15 requires 19 seconds to transmit and burst transfers four separate program segments 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d, each program segment representing a 30 minute viewing time. By sending a burst.

Using a system as described in FIG. 2 to receive and watch a program is as follows. The wheel 100 should receive and store the segment. To provide uninterrupted and seamless playback of the program, the receiver 150 must begin receiving the next segment for 19 seconds before playback of the previously received segment is completed. In doing so, the following segment is rewritten and recorded. The segment thus input becomes the current segment and then the receiver continues seamless playback by starting the decompression and playback of the newly received segment.

Such an embodiment reduces the cost of the receiver 150 at the subscriber's location by reducing the amount of storage required. In the embodiment just described, a typical storage capacity of 1/4 is needed at the receiver 150. Different levels of segmentation may be used at market, economic and strategic levels.

The requirement to send the next program segment in time before the previously stored segment in receiver 150 is fully decompressed and viewed in real time further complicates the device. Timing and control of the transmission of the next segment of the program is managed by the library 180. Some operational limitations are indicated by having only a portion of the program stored in the receiver 150. For example, a subscriber may not rewind or fast-forward beyond the beginning or end of a program currently stored in receiver 150. However, it is clear that these exchanges can be designed into the system of the present invention in the light of strategic and economic circumstances. For example, market analysis suggests that a subscriber would like to have limited VCR control to reduce the cost of receiver 150. Perhaps such an analysis shows that 15 minutes of buffer is acceptable, and during such 15 minutes of buffer, the subscriber has full VCR-like control.

Many other benefits are realized in the embodiment of FIG. The communication channel used for transmission is not occupied for the entire viewing time of the program because it is in a real time broadcast system. This results in the ability to use the communication channel more efficiently. In one embodiment, if a burst transfer of two hours occupies a few minutes of transfer time, and if the scheduling process occupies a two minute gap between burst transfers of successive program transfers, then the gap is a data transfer, It may be used for any purpose, such as voice communication, burst transmission of one segment from another program, burst transmission of the entire program, or transmission of the schedule information of the present invention. This benefit is that when the bandwidth is used in real time mode, the segment 3a is transmitted first when it is time to transmit the program number 3, which is divided into real time segments 3a-3d. If the subscriber ordered program number 3 through the user connection of receiver 150, then VID monitor 160 monitors transmission line 130 for the VID representing the ordered program number 3. VID monitor 160 is divided into monitor segments 160a-160d. This is consistent with the fact that the VID monitor 160 should monitor the transmission line 10 for each appropriate transmitted segment 140a-140d. As a result, the VID monitor 160 will receive the transmitted segments and enable the storage of these segments in four separate times for the transmitted segments 140a-140d. In this way, each transmitted segment 140a-140d for the ordered program is received and stored in the receiver 150.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when the first 19-second transmitted segment is received and stored, playback of the program segment by the subscriber may begin. At this point, the subscriber has the same control as a VCR for the 30-minute segment of the program. In order to maintain real time decompression and playback of the program, the receiver 150 cannot be realized by the next transmitted system before playback of the previously stored segment is completed.

Another benefit arising from the broadcast video burst transmission system of the present invention is that it is not sensitive to signal loss. In real time, channelized distributed systems result in some loss of signal and some loss of viewing time. In the present invention, the time the system is sensitive to the loss of the signal is greatly lowered. For example, while a real-time system signal is interrupted in a two hour program transmission, the burst transmission in accordance with the present invention is only sensitive for a few minutes. Of course, the actual time required for burst transmission depends on a number of factors, including digital video compression, communication channel bandwidth, and the level of storage system performance.

The loss of signal in the system of the present invention first appears to affect the system even more inversely than in a real-time system. In a real-time system, 5 minutes of loss means that 5 minutes of time to watch the program transmitted literally is lost. In our system, a loss of 5 minutes results in a loss of the entire program of absence. However, the invention likewise actually brings benefits in this field. Real-time systems are limited by the time domain. If there is a loss of 5 seconds or 5 minutes, there is no possibility to recover the lost part because the time-frame for the unseen scene has passed. On the other hand, because of the use of Lang's prior art burst transmission technology, the present invention is not limited to the time domain. If a loss occurs during transmission, digital error-correction techniques are used to close the loss. When a loss occurs, the system can automatically retransmit any fraudulent or lost material. In embodiments in which viewing by the subscriber does not occur until the entire program or part of the program is received, such retransmissions occur in an infinite number of ways and are apparent to the subscriber. Thus, complete recovery is eventually guaranteed.

The present invention operates through various digital transmission means. In one embodiment, the means of transmission is an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) network for use in computer networks such as those currently used in telephone companies and cable companies. In such networks, digital data is packetized and time-dependent data such as audio / video data is guaranteed to reach the destination at the appropriate time. Thus, real-time compressed video transmission is likely to occur in such networks. The invention using burst transmissions can coexist with other burst audio / video transmissions, real-time audio / video transmissions, or any other digital material at a given bandwidth in an ATM network. The packet-time-guaranteed features of these networks allow these fundamentally different transmission methods to coexist.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a hardware block diagram of the broadcast video burst transmission system of the present invention is shown. The library 210 is connected to the receiving unit 220 through the transmission line 230. The library 210 includes a storage unit 240, a controller 250, a CPU 260, a memory 270, a bus 280, and a transceiver 290. The receiving unit 220 may include the storage unit 300, the controller 310, the bus 320, the memory 330, the receiver 340, the CPU 360, the decompressor 370, and the optical compressor 90. Include.

Compressed digital audio / video programs, such as movies, can be input into the storage unit 240 in a number of ways. First, the storage unit 240 includes any of a number of different types of storage media, including magnetic disks, optical disks, random access memories or combinations thereof. In addition, the storage unit 240 uses a removable storage medium such as an optical disk, removable magnetic disk, digital tape or floppy disk. In such a case, the physical medium itself, such as an optical disc, is inserted into the storage mechanism to be read or transferred to another medium type. Other embodiments of the present invention use other types of media for the storage unit 240, and some embodiments use other types of storage media.

In addition, any one of several different types of transceivers is used as the transceiver 290. These include transceivers for fiber-optic cables, microwaves, satellites, coaxial cable, broadcast television, and telephone lines. In some embodiments, the transceiver used for program burst transmission to receiving unit 220 is different from the transceiver used to update update storage unit 240 of library 210. In another embodiment, a separate transceiver (not shown) may be used to update the storage unit 240. For example, an embodiment may be conceived of using a coaxial cable to distribute the program to subscribers, each of which has an embodiment of the receiving unit 210 at its location, with fiber optic or satellite links being stored in the storage unit. Can be used for a very fast update of 240.

In any case, the storage unit 240 can be updated with new data as appropriate. This means offloading a program less known as a cheaper off-line storage to a storage unit 240, such as magnetic tape. This off-loading helps to reduce the storage costs required for the library 210. On the other hand, even higher performance storage devices can be used for programs that include the current program schedule broadcast by the broadcast video burst transmission system of the present invention. Even higher performance storage may be required to maintain one bit rate in reading data to keep pace with the required transmission rate of transceiver 290.

The storage unit 20 of the library 210 is operated to retrieve and transmit the stored time compression program according to a predetermined schedule. The timing of such a schedule and the program selection from the storage unit 20 are generated under the control of the CPU 260. This operation is accomplished according to the flowchart of FIG. 4 which will be described in detail below.

When the CPU 260 initiates a burst transfer of the scheduled program, it connects with the storage unit to read the program information into the buffer memory 270. The purpose of reading into the buffer memory 270 is to assist in connection with a transceiver 290 that transmits program information via the transmission line 230. In transmitting over the transmission line 230, the protocol of the transmission line must be adhered to. For example, in embodiments where the transmission line 200 comprises an optical fiber line, several types of protocols, such as SONET, are used. In most cases, the data format as stored in the storage unit 240 is not compatible with the format required for transmission by the protocol of the transmission line 230. Thus, data is read from the storage unit 240 through the controller 250 into the memory 270 and reformatted and timed as appropriate for adherence to the protocol defined by the transmission line 230. All previous operations are performed under the control of the CPU 260, and data is moved between the components shown in FIG. 3 via the bus 280.

The receiving unit 230 is connected to the transmission line 230 through the receiver 340 and may be operated to continuously monitor the data input from the transmission line 230. The input data is transferred to the memory 330 via the bus 320 and tested by the CPU 360 to allow the data to indicate that the input program has been ordered. If not ordered, the data is ignored. When the available data is found, the CPU 360 allows the system to store the input data in the storage unit 300 as described below. Such processing is also shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, which is also described in detail below.

The receiver 340 transmits the input data to the memory 330. Under the control of the CPU 360, the protocol header information is separated from the data to produce the same data stored in the storage unit 240 of the library 210. Such data is transferred to the controller 310 via the bus 320. The controller 310 records the time compressed data into the storage device 300. All previous operations are performed under the control of the CPU 360. When viewing is initiated by a user connector (not shown) of the receiving unit 220, the controller 310 reads the data from the storage unit 300 and delivers the data to the decompressor 370. Decompressor 370 decodes the compressed material and, in one embodiment, converts the digital material into an analog signal for viewing that may be used at video output 380. In another embodiment, the display is digital. As a result, no analog-to-digital conversion is required. Video output 380 is connected to a suitable display (not shown), such as a conventional television or computer monitor. As a result, previous decompression involves formatting for display. The decompression process has a memory 330 that can be used for decryption processing when the compression algorithm needs such memory.

In another embodiment of the invention, the receiving unit 220 also includes a compressor 390 for receiving one input audio / video signal in one video in the terminal 395. Under the control of the CPU 360 and With access to the bus 320 and the memory 330, the input audio / video signal can be compressed and recorded via the controller 310 to the storage unit 300. In providing such features, the present invention can be used as a digital VCE for use in recording programs or other program information from standard broadcast sources such as cable television, network television, satellites, cameras, and the like. The stored time compression program can be decompressed and watched under control such as a VCR in a manner similar to that described above for viewing a stored program that has been burst transmitted to the subscriber.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the receiver 230 includes a radio transceiver (not shown) in addition to or in place of the receiver 340 for real-time and burst burnout of any embedded time compression program or audio / video program information. can do.

4 shows a flow chart of a procedure for bursting a program from the library 210 from the time the subscriber orders the program to the end of the transmission of the program. Step 470 is included as a gray action step to indicate that the order does not affect the overall procedure. In other words, this step is not part of the procedure in the library 210 resulting in the program transfer. Step 470 is depicted in the flowchart of FIG. 4 to illustrate the sample times for a subscriber to place a program order for the entire procedure.

The procedure begins with a list of programs delivered to the subscriber in the manner shown in step 420. This program listing will probably include information such as a list of available program titles and top hours and may be provided in several ways, such as listing programs on television channels. Based on the program listing, the subscriber can order the program at any time. Ordering is done through a convenient device that is well known in the PPV field, such as connecting to touch-ton phones or cable converters.

The library 210 then needs to determine in which storage of the online or offline storage the next program in the program list will be stored (430). This procedure is arbitrary but allows the program to be stored on off-line storage such as magnetic tapes, optical disks and the like. Typically, offline storage is cheaper than online storage but has insufficient read speeds to connect to the transmission line at the desired bit rate. For this reason, offline storage is brought online by reading data from slow offline storage first and then reading data from fast online storage such as RAM, magnetic disks, and the like. Thus, the above procedure explains the system's decision as to whether the next planned program should be online first.

Once the next program is online and ready for transmission, the system only waits for the appropriate time, as shown in procedure block 450. During the idle period the system waits for transmission, the system can be used for other purposes, such as delivering a new plan. In this embodiment, care should be taken to keep the system timed so that the next scheduled program is started at an appropriate time. This procedure of linking offline programs to online storage for transfer can be distinguished from VOD systems in that it is automated. The change from off-line storage to on-line storage is usually determined by a system based on a planned plan, although sometimes based on a dynamic plan. In either case, determining the schedule is not the choice of subscribers from a visually unlimited video library, but the broadcast video burst transmission system of the present invention. This feature provides many of the benefits of a VOD system without the cost of maintaining a large video library.

In FIG. 5 a flowchart of the procedure performed from the receiver 340 is shown. This procedure includes accepting data 520 delivering the data to memory 530 determining whether a VID is included 540 determining whether storage is possible 550 determining whether a program is ordered A step 560, a step 570 of storing, a step 580 of transferring data to the controller, and a step 590 of recording the stored data. The procedure shown in FIG. 5 with reference to FIG. 3 begins by accepting data at the receiver 340 as indicated by step 520. This data is transferred to memory 330 via bus 320 as shown in step 530. The input data is accepted by the block, which is determined by the protocol used for the transmission over transmission line 230 and the desired performance of the system. During the procedure of delivering the data block to memory 330, the data block may be reformatted by the CPU 360 to remove protocol information as described previously.

The receiving device of the present invention must monitor the system for the program that was ordered and the receiver must be addressable in several ways. In one embodiment, CPU360 examines the data block to determine if the data block includes video identification (VID) as shown in step 540. VID is defined as a system implementation that relies on a data string that identifies the transmitted program. In one embodiment, the VID is transmitted only at the beginning of the program, followed by data representing the compressed digital video data of the program. In a suitable embodiment, the VID is scattered at regular intervals throughout the compressed digital video data. VID should be defined to be easily distinguished from compressed digital video data and is somewhat dependent on the compression algorithm chosen. This design choice is within the capabilities of the average technician in this field.

If the data block contains the VID, the CPU 360 must also determine whether the program was ordered by the subscriber as indicated by step 560. If not ordered, the data is ignored and the system operates to accept the next block of data as indicated by step 520. If the data contains the VID of the ordered program, it can be stored as in step 570 and the data is passed to the controller 310 as in step 580 and the data is written to storage 300 as in step 590. Prior to recording the data to the storage device 300, the CPU 360 may reformat the data, which is then reformatted by removing the VID from the data so that the compressed digital video can be stored for later decompression and viewing. As soon as the data is saved, the system prepares the next input data block. Storage is possible by setting a few bits in a special circuit (not shown) in the memory 330 or the receiver 220. Since the program was ordered, all subsequent data blocks representing the compressed digital video of the program as possible VIDs that have been stored and found will be written to storage 300. Since not every data block needs to have a VID, a significant amount of excess data transfer is unnecessary.

If a VID is not found in the data block, it may include a determination as to whether storage is possible, such as step 550. The data does not contain a VID because when storage is enabled from the previous data block, it represents the compressed digital video of the program from which the entire data block was ordered. As a result, the data is transferred to the controller 310 and recorded in the storage device 300. If the data does not contain a VID and cannot be stored, the data can be ignored.

When the appropriate VID is identified, the program's burst transmission is accepted and stored for viewing. In one embodiment, the receiver device sends the selected program back to the system library from which it was sent so that the subscriber can properly pay the fee. However, the present invention does not require this reverse channel transmission. Since the system cycles through burst transmissions, no reverse channel to the system library is required for the order. Rather, the receiver device only accepts the appropriate input burst transmission. Similarly, no reverse channel is required for billing. In one embodiment it is not possible to claim by changing the system software of the local receiver. The receiving device is periodically counted by the system for billing purposes. For example, a receiver is connected to a telephone line through a modem and a communication network for burst transmission. Once a month, billing software running a computer system located in the library can be connected to a receiving device to obtain usage information last month. This form of aggregation can be done at a preferred period, perhaps at night.

Additional telephone line connections (not shown) provide remote diagnostic features to the present invention. This connection allows remote computer hardware to diagnose the system by sending test data and commands and monitoring the results. In this way, system faults can be identified and technicians can take replacement parts for the receiver for maintenance without having to move the receiver to a service center.

An important use of the broadcast video burst transmission system of the present invention is to equip multiple channels to insert the subject for each channel. For example, an operator of such a system could provide a comedy channel as well as a channel focused on drama, action and science fiction. In this way, subscribers can use one of a large number of films in a very large number of times in a very short time. On the other hand, the program list as a single channel may contain 100 different burst transmissions, for example, before a special horror movie is sent. This restriction can be avoided by implementing the subject broadcast.

It is also important to note that digitalizing and compressing a program to enter the video library can save time. The construction of this time-compressed video library does not have to occur in real time. If a vendor's device supports it, the program is converted and compressed at a reduced acceleration rate than real time. For example, a program can be executed at 300 frames per second when viewed at a rate of 30 frames per second. This embodiment compresses the one hour program to only six minutes. The system has the inherent ability to quickly refresh the video library by compressing and providing reduced-scale programs rather than real-time, so this embodiment provides time savings that directly affect the marketability of such a system. For example, a one-hour live broadcast that had just been broadcast on traditional television is compressed and distributed to a broadcast video burst delivery library, allowing buyers to use burst transmission in minutes.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a broadcast video, burst transmission system of the present invention.

2 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the broadcast video burst transmission system of FIG. 1 may be configured to transmit an audio / video program portion to reduce storage costs.

3 is a block diagram of a circuit used in the broadcast audio burst transmission system described in FIG.

4 is a flow diagram of the operation of the central library portion of the broadcast video burst transmitter and method of FIG. 1 from the time a subscriber commands an audio / video program to begin transmission of the audio / video program.

5 is a flow chart of the operation of a receiver at the location of each subscriber in the broadcast video burst transmission system of FIG.

Description

15a, 15b, 15c, 15d ... program segment

20 ... off-line storage

22 ... wheel 30 ... transmission line

35 ... transmission segment 40 ... receiver

50 ... Display 55 ... Library

100 ... wheel 100a-d ... wheel subsegment

120 ... off-line storage 130 ... transmission line

140a-140d ... Transmission Line Segment 150 ... Receiver

160a-160d ... VID Monitor Segments

170 ... Display 180 ... Library

210 ... Library 220 ... Receiver

230 ... transmission line 250 ... controller

260 ... CPU 270 ... Memory

280 ... bus 290 ... transceiver

300 ... storage unit 310 ... controller

320 ... bus 330 ... memory

340 ... Receiver 360 ... CPU

370 ... decompressor

380 ... complex (video output)

Claims (20)

On-line storage means for storing a predetermined number of audio / video programs and for providing access to said audio / video programs for burst transmission, Burst the audio / video program to a plurality of subscriber locations in the predetermined order for accessing the audio / video program stored in the on-line storage in a predetermined order and in which the plurality of subscriber locations are accessed from the on-line storage. Burst transmission means coupled to on-line storage for transmission, the burst transmission means being further operable to repeatedly transmit a predetermined sequence of audio / video programs accessed from the on-line storage; Sudan, and Means for receiving at each of the subscriber locations, each receiving means being coupled to the burst transmitting means and operated to receive the stored audio / video program in the on-line storage means and transmitting the burst in the predetermined order by the burst transmitting means. And receiving means operable to selectively store one or more audio / video programs for real-time playback by the subscriber. On-line storage means for storing a predetermined number of audio / video programs, each of said audio / video programs being stored as a plurality of program segments, and providing access to said audio / video program for burst transmission, Directing the audio / video segment to a plurality of subscriber locations in a predetermined order for accessing an audio / video program segment stored in the on-line storage and in a predetermined order in which a plurality of subscriber locations are accessed from the on-line storage. Burst transmission means coupled to on-line storage for burst transmission, the burst transmission means being further operable to repeatedly transmit a predetermined sequence of audio / video program segments accessed from the on-line storage; Burst transmission means, and Means for receiving at each of the subscriber locations, each receiving means being coupled to the burst transmitting means and operated to receive an audio / video program segment stored in the on-line storage means and burst by the burst transmitting means in the predetermined order; A broadcast video burst transmission periodic spreader comprising transmission means and receiving means operable to selectively store one or more audio / video program segments for real-time playback by a subscriber. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a number of additional audio / video programs are stored for selective delivery to said on-line storage means thereby updating a predetermined number of audio / video programs stored in said on-line storage means. And further comprising off-line storage means coupled to the on-line storage means for transmitting the broadcast video burst. 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the burst transmitting means includes a communication network and a transceiver means connected thereto to burst transmit the audio / video program to a remote location and to receive the burst transmitted audio / video program from one remote location. And a broadcast video burst transmission periodic dispersion device. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising a communication network and transceiver means coupled to said communication network and said off-line storage means for selecting one or more selected ones of said audio / video programs stored in said off-line storage means. Allow one or more programs to be burst transmitted to one remote location and selected one or more audio / video programs burst transmitted from one remote location to be received for storage in the off-line storage means. Broadcast video burst transmission periodic dispersion device. 3. A program according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a communication network and transceiver means coupled to said communication network and said on-line storage means, wherein said one or more programs selected from said audio / video programs stored in said on-line storage means. Broadcast transmission to a remote location and receive selected one or more audio / video programs burst transmitted from one remote location for storage in the on-line storage means. Disperser. The broadcast video according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the on-line storage means further comprises a video identifier fee storage means for storing an identifier fee associated with each of the audio / video programs stored in the on-line storage means. Transmission Periodic Disperser. 4. The broadcast video transmission periodicity according to claim 3, wherein the off-line storage means further comprises a video identifier fee storage means for storing identification data associated with each of the audio / video programs stored in the off-line storage means. Disperser. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising subscriber ordering means coupled to the receiving means to enable the subscriber to selectively order any of the audio / video programs received by the receiving means. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising subscriber ordering means coupled to the receiving means to allow a subscriber to selectively order any of the audio / video programs received by the receiving means. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said receiving means comprises storage means for storing an audio / video program received by said receiving means. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said receiving means comprises storage means for storing an audio / video program received by said receiving means. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising video identification monitor means coupled to the receiving means to monitor each of the audio / video programs received by the receiving means to detect the identifier fee associated with each of the audio / video programs, Said video identification monitor means being operative to determine a corresponding portion between the identifier fee detected by said and the identifier fee of the audio / video program ordered by the subscriber, said receiving means of the audio / video program ordered by the subscriber And further operable to determine said corresponding portion for enabling storage therein. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising video identification monitor means coupled to the receiving means to monitor each of the audio / video programs received by the receiving means to detect the identifier fee associated with each of the audio / video programs, Said video identification monitor means being operative to determine a corresponding portion between the identifier fee detected by said and the identifier fee of the audio / video program ordered by the subscriber, said receiving means of the audio / video program ordered by the subscriber And further operate to determine the corresponding portion for enabling storage within the broadcast video transmission periodic dispersion device. 3. A control device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said burst transmission means is coupled to on-line storage means for controlling said on-line storage means, a data bus coupled to said controller, coupled to said controller means and data bus. Microprocessor means for executing instructions and subroutines of instructions, buffer memory means coupled to the data bus to buffer data transmitted to and from the controller means, the burst transfer means A communication network connector coupled to an external communication network for connecting to a communication network, and transceiver means coupled to a databus for burst transmission of the audio / video program stored in the on-line storage to the plurality of subscriber locations. and, A communication network connector coupled to an external communication network for the receiver means to connect the receiving unit to the external communication network, means for receiving compressed data representative of the audio / video program burst transmitted by the burst transmitting means A data bus for delivering the compressed data, a buffer memory means coupled to the data bus for coupling the compressed data, a buffer memory means coupled to the data bus, and coupled to the storage means and the data bus for operation of the storage means. Controller means for controlling the control, microprocessor means for executing instructions subroutines and routines coupled to the data bus, and for real time playback of one or more audio / video programs selected in combination with the microprocessor means and data bus. Said pressure by subscriber A data broadcast video burst transmission distribution apparatus periodically, it characterized in that it comprises a decompression means for press dikeom. 3. The broadcast video burst transmission periodic dispersion device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the on-line storage means is a magnetic disk storage device, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic tape storage device or an optical disk storage device. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the off-line storage means is a magnetic disk storage device, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic tape storage device or an optical disk storage device. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the burst transmitter is an optical fiber transceiver, a coaxial cable transceiver, a satellite transceiver, a microwave transceiver, or a telephone transceiver. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the storage means is a magnetic disk storage device, a semiconductor memory magnetic tape storage device, or an optical disk storage device. Store a predetermined number of audio / video programs in on-line storage to provide access to the audio / video program for burst transmission of the program, Access the audio / video program stored in a predetermined order in the on-line storage means, Burst transmission of the audio / video program to a plurality of subscriber locations in the predetermined order accessed from the on-line storage means, Then repeatedly burst transmission of the audio / video program scheduled sequence accessed from the on-line storage means, Receiving bursted audio / video programs at each subscriber's location, and Selectively storing one or more audio / video programs for real-time playback by a subscriber.