Interactive video distribution systems – Video distribution system with upstream communication – Receiver
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-08
2003-12-02
Miller, John (Department: 2614)
Interactive video distribution systems
Video distribution system with upstream communication
Receiver
C725S005000, C725S132000, C386S349000, C386S349000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06658663
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to a consumer electronics (CE) apparatus with a storage, e.g., a hard-disk drive (HDD), an optical disk drive (ODD), or a solid state memory for storing content information, such as audio or video.
The invention also relates to providing a service relating to the processing of the content information local at the end-user's equipment.
BACKGROUND ART
A digital video recorder (DVR), also referred to as Personal Video Recorder (PVR) uses a HDD to store digital content information received via satellite, terrestrial or cable communication channels. The digital format allows the information to be processed under software control regardless of the platform. Decoding, error correction and format conversion have become standard operations. The play-out and recording of content informants has become user-programmable through electronic program guides (EPG's) or software agents. The content information received through a live broadcast, e.g., via a TV channel or via the Internet can be time-shifted, time-warped, and edited through this recording equipment. An example of such equipment is the PVR system developed by TiVo™ and manufactured and marketed by Philips Electronics.
The TiVo™ system currently comes with a HDD that has a storage capacity of 13.6 GB or 27.2 GB that enables the consumer to store 14 or 30 of video, respectively. The TiVo™ system uses the MPE(-2 compression algorithm that permits a range of different video-quality settings. The user can adjust the settings accordingly to four quality levels. At the highest setting the quality is that of the near-DVD level. At the lowest setting, the quality is comparable to that of a VHS tape. The 14-hour PVR is able to record 14 hours at the lowest quality, and 4 hours at the highest quality setting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The physical storage capacity of a specific HDD is fixed. To upgrade a PVR to a larger storage capacity requires the PVR to be sent to a dealer or to the manufacturer for replacing the HDD with a larger one. This means that the end-user has to disconnect the apparatus from the power lines and from home network, bring it or have it shipped to the site that does the upgrading, pick it up or receive it from
Within this context the inventor therefore proposes to upgrade the storage capacity in a manner that does not require the apparatus to be disconnected from the home network, shipped, etc. The Inventor proposes a business model wherein the apparatus has already got a relatively large HDD when acquired by the end-user, but whose capacity is controllable through software. The range determines which area(s) of the disk are accessible for reading or writing. Alternatively or combinatively, different compression algorithms are selected through software so as to determine the time available for recording. The upgrade is now obtained through replacing or adjusting the software from a server, e.g., via the Internet, upon the user paying a fee. Alternatively, the software upgrade can be leased temporarily or made part of, e.g., a video-on-demand service or audio-on-demand service.
Accordingly, the end-user is given the advantage of a simple upgrade. The manufacturer or dealer is given the advantage that upgrades are far less time-consuming and can be done automatically via the Internet. In addition, identical apparatus can be manufactured and offered for sale for different prices depending on the software control of the HDD's storage space.
The invention allows a method of doing business by leasing or selling storage capability for, e.g., for recording video or audio via a data network such as the Internet.
What has been explained above with regard to HDD-based storage capabilities is also applicable, mutatis mutandis, to storage provided by, e.g., solid state memories or storage provided by a recordable optical disks. For example, the storage capacity is segmented and access to one or more segments is determined by software under control of, or upgradeable by, the manufacturer or the dealer or the content provider. Similarly, various compression algorithms associated with respective upgrades can be remotely enabled by the manufacturer, the dealer or the content provider. As an alternative, a data format of the content information is adjustable while the information is being stored, e.g., by selectively clipping one or more of the least-significant bits per word or byte.
In a more general sense, the invention relates to a method of enabling an end-user to locally process content information on his or her information-processing system, e.g., a CE audio/video system or a home theater. The quality level of the processing is remotely adjustable by a service provider. For example, the end-user obtains a higher quality of the processing in return for a higher fee. Preferably, the quality is adjustable via a data network, such as the Internet. The end-user's information-processing system comprises an apparatus for this local processing, e.g., a set-top box, a convergence product such as the DVX8000 of Philips Electronics or another home theater control system or a PTV. The apparatus has a data network capability for the remote adjusting, e.g., it has Internet access. For example, the local processing comprises the playing out of audio or video content information; and the quality level of the playing out is remotely adjustable by the service provider, dependent on, e.g., a subscription fee. The quality of the playing out of the digital audio or video content can be controlled by, for example, the extent of the clipping of the digital words by selectively discarding one or more of the least significant bits in the digital to analog conversion, or by adding noise or by removal of previously added noise, etc.
Especially with regard to the rapidly increasing retrieval of content information from the Web and the seemingly unlimited distribution capabilities of the Internet at the expense of, e.g., the authors and other copyright owners, a remotely controlled play-out quality may have attractive aspects for all parties involved.
In case the local processing comprises locally storing the content information the quality of the storing can be made remotely adjustable by the service provider, for example by regulating a storage capacity available to the end-user. This can be done, as explained earlier by providing end-user access to a selected portion of a local storage. If the local storage comprises a HDD or an ODD the storage capacity is regulated by controlling a range of travel of a mechanical component, e.g., the swing arm, of the HDD.or ODD. If the local storage comprises a solid state memory the storage capacity can be regulated by controlling an address range of the memory.
Alternatively, or in addition, the regulating of the storage capacity may comprise controlling a data format of the content information during the local storing. The clipping has been mentioned above. Another example is the use of different encryption or compression algorithms for writing the data to the storage. Some provide a higher play-out quality (e.g., CD-like quality) than others (e.g., MP
3
-like quality). The algorithms are present at the end-user's equipment and can be selectively enabled by a remote server communicating with the equipment under control of the service provider.
In a business model, content information is made available via the Internet together with, or separately from, the software for play out decoders or controllers in case of the remotely adjustable rendering. In a business model, content information is made available via the Internet together with, or separately from, the software for the software for the storage decoders or storage controllers in case of the remotely adjustable storage capacity. The software can be tied to the specific information content, e.g., by a common time stamp or a unique combination of IDs. The decoders or controllers for the higher quality are, for example, only valid on a certain machine or duri
Beliveau Scott
Koninklijke Philips Electronics , N.V.
Miller John
Schmitt Michael
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