Method and apparatus for interfacing various audiovisual devices with a digital data network
First Claim
1. An interface for connecting an analog audiovisual signal source with a digital data network, said interface comprising:
- at least one paired analog audio signal input and analog video signal input;
a video decoder connected to said video signal input for decoding and digitizing an incoming video signal;
an analog-to-digital converter connected to said audio signal input for digitizing an incoming audio signal;
a compressor for receiving output from said video decoder and said analog-to-digital converter and combining and compressing said digitized video signal and said digitized audio signal into a single audiovisual data stream; and
a network interface for receiving output from said compressor and transmitting said audiovisual data stream on said digital data network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for interfacing legacy analog audiovisual signal sources with a digital data network allows distribution over that network of audiovisual programming to a number of output devices. Preferably, the digital data network is a fiber optic network installed inside a vehicle. In one particular application, the interface is between the digital data network and an optical disc drive that outputs an analog signal. The analog output is preferred, in part, to support copyright protection measures. An additional interface for a digital video camera allows a signal from the camera to be carried on the in-vehicle digital data network.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. An interface for connecting an analog audiovisual signal source with a digital data network, said interface comprising:
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at least one paired analog audio signal input and analog video signal input;
a video decoder connected to said video signal input for decoding and digitizing an incoming video signal;
an analog-to-digital converter connected to said audio signal input for digitizing an incoming audio signal;
a compressor for receiving output from said video decoder and said analog-to-digital converter and combining and compressing said digitized video signal and said digitized audio signal into a single audiovisual data stream; and
a network interface for receiving output from said compressor and transmitting said audiovisual data stream on said digital data network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for reproducing and transmitting audiovisual data from an optical disc comprising:
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an optical disc drive for reproducing audio or audiovisual data from an optical disc, wherein said optical disc drive outputs an analog video signal;
a digital data network for transmitting digital audiovisual data streams; and
an interface for interfacing said output of said optical disc drive with said digital data network, said interface comprising;
a video decoder connected to said output of said optical disc drive for receiving, decoding and digitizing said analog video signal;
a compressor for receiving output from said video decoder and a digital audio signal from said optical disc drive, said compressor combining and compressing said digitized video signal and said audio signal into a single audiovisual data stream; and
a network interface for receiving output from said compressor and transmitting said audiovisual data stream on said digital data network. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for transmitting audiovisual data from a digital video camera comprising:
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an IEEE 1394 port for receiving an IEEE 1394 bus connected to a digital video camera such that a digital audiovisual signal transmitted via said bus from said camera is received through said port;
a digital data network for transmitting digital audiovisual data streams; and
an interface for interfacing said IEEE 1394 port with said digital data network, said interface comprising;
a video decoder connected to said IEEE 1394 port for receiving and decoding said digital audiovisual signal;
a compressor for receiving output from said video decoder, said compressor compressing said audiovisual signal to produce a compressed audiovisual data stream; and
a network interface for receiving output from said compressor and transmitting said audiovisual data stream on said digital data network. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of interfacing an analog audiovisual signal source with a digital data network, said method comprising:
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decoding and digitizing an incoming analog video signal;
digitizing an incoming analog audio signal;
combining and compressing said digitized video signal and said digitized audio signal into a single audiovisual data stream; and
transmitting said audiovisual data stream on said digital data network. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of reproducing and transmitting audiovisual data from an optical disc comprising:
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reproducing audio or audiovisual data from an optical disc with an optical disc drive, wherein said optical disc drive outputs an analog video signal and a digital audio signal;
decoding and digitizing said analog video signal;
combining and compressing said decoded, digitized video signal and said digital audio signal to form a single audiovisual data stream; and
transmitting said audiovisual data stream on a digital data network. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of transmitting audiovisual data from a digital video camera comprising:
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connecting an IEEE 1394 bus between said digital video camera and an IEEE 1394 port of an interface unit such that a digital audiovisual signal transmitted via said bus from said camera is received through said port;
decoding said digital audiovisual signal; and
re-encoding said audiovisual signal at a lower bit rate to produce an encoded audiovisual data stream; and
transmitting said audiovisual data stream over a digital data network. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A system for interfacing an analog audiovisual signal source with a digital data network, said system comprising:
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means for decoding and digitizing an incoming analog video signal;
means for digitizing an incoming analog audio signal;
means for combining and compressing said digitized video signal and said digitized audio signal into a single audiovisual data stream; and
means for transmitting said audiovisual data stream on said digital data network. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44)
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45. A system for reproducing and transmitting audiovisual data from an optical disc comprising:
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means for reproducing audio or audiovisual data from an optical disc to produce an analog video signal and a digital audio signal;
means for decoding and digitizing said analog video signal;
means for combining and compressing said decoded, digitized video signal and said digital audio signal to form a single audiovisual data stream; and
means for transmitting said audiovisual data stream on a digital data network. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47)
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48. A system for transmitting audiovisual data from a digital video camera comprising:
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an IEEE 1394 bus for connection between said digital video camera and an IEEE 1394 port of an interface unit such that a digital audiovisual signal transmitted via said bus from said camera is received through said port;
means for decoding said digital audiovisual signal; and
means for re-encoding said audiovisual signal at a lower bit rate to produce an encoded audiovisual data stream; and
means for transmitting said audiovisual data stream over a digital data network.
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Specification