Interactive multichannel data distribution system
First Claim
1. A data distribution system, comprising:
- a server connected to a client via a network;
at least one storage device containing audio, video and/or overlay information formatted in accordance with a first format;
wherein the client includes a storage device that stores information indicative of the audio, video and/or overlay formats that the client is capable of decoding; and
wherein the server is configured to transmit audio, video, overlay and control information via separate audio, video and overlay and control channels.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Multimedia distribution systems are disclosed in which servers communicate with clients via audio, video, overlay and/or control channels. In many instances, the audio, video and/or overlay information is transcoded prior to transmission. In many embodiments, the servers and/or clients can be updated. In several embodiments, the updates can be performed in a manner that preserves the ability of all devices connected to a network to communication. One embodiment of the invention includes a server connected to a client via a network and at least one storage device containing audio, video and/or overlay information formatted in accordance with a first format. In addition, the client includes a storage device that stores information indicative of the audio, video and/or overlay formats that the client is capable of decoding and the server is configured to transmit audio, video, overlay and control information via separate audio, video and overlay and control channels.
146 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A data distribution system, comprising:
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a server connected to a client via a network;
at least one storage device containing audio, video and/or overlay information formatted in accordance with a first format;
wherein the client includes a storage device that stores information indicative of the audio, video and/or overlay formats that the client is capable of decoding; and
wherein the server is configured to transmit audio, video, overlay and control information via separate audio, video and overlay and control channels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A client, comprising:
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a processor; and
a network interface configured to communicate with the processor and to receive packets of audio, video, overlay and control information on separate channels;
a storage device containing information concerning the audio, video and overlay information formats that can be decoded by the processor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A server, comprising:
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a processor; and
a network interface in communication with the processor;
wherein the processor is configured to receive audio, video and overlay information encoded in a first format and transcode at least one of the audio, video and overlay information into a second format;
wherein the processor and network interface device are configured to transmit audio, video, overlay and control information. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A server, comprising:
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a processor; and
a network interface in communication with the processor;
wherein the processor and network interface device are configured to obtain a list of available updates;
wherein the processor and network interface device are configured to query external devices concerning their capabilities;
wherein the processor is configured to determine updates to be provided to external devices based upon the list of available updates and the capabilities of the external devices; and
wherein the processor and network interface device are configured to transmit audio, video, overlay and control information. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method of communicating data over a data network, comprising:
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retrieving audio, video and overlay information;
transcoding at least one of the audio, video and overlay information;
transmitting audio, video, overlay and control information and time stamps associated with one or more of the audio, video, overlay and control information;
receiving the audio, video, overlay and control information and the time stamps associated with one or more of the audio, video, overlay and control information;
queuing the received information in separate audio, video and overlay queues;
processing the queued information based on the time stamps associated with the information;
transmitting a reporting indicating at least one time stamp of the processed information;
receiving the report; and
recording information concerning the at least one time stamp contained within the received report. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method of updating devices configured to communicate over a data network, comprising:
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determining the available updates and the version of the communication protocol supported in each update;
determining the capabilities of each device including the version of the communication protocol supported by each device;
determining the latest version of the communication protocol that can be supported by all devices provided the necessary updates are performed; and
perform the necessary updates.
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Specification