Music delivery system
First Claim
1. A method of delivering audio information comprising the steps of:
- generating electrical signals corresponding to a plurality of different pieces of audio information;
dividing the plurality of different pieces of audio information into several groups, and frequency multiplexing the signals within each group so that each group thus multiplexed forms a first composite signal;
recording these first composite signals onto separate tracks of a single wideband recording medium;
playing the recording medium to reproduce simultaneously the several first composite signals;
frequency "stacking" the several first composite signals to form a second composite signal having a bandwidth wider than that of said first composite signals, the second composite signal being a multiplexed signal composed of the several first composite signals each shifted in frequency appropriately for transmission through a transmission medium;
transmitting the secon composite signal to a subscriber;
demultiplexing at the subscriber from the second composite signal a particular one of said plurality of pieces of audio information; and
transducing the demultiplexed signal into an audio signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A music delivery arrangement permitting a subscriber to select from among a plurality of available music selections, particular selections that he wishes to hear at any time. The plurality of music selections are "played" at a central "jukebox" facility. They are frequency multiplexed onto one or more communication channels that are typically used to carry video information, such as cable television channel. The video channel information is distributed to individual subscribers either via unused channels of a cable television system, by direct broadcast at commercial television frequencies, by direct satellite transmission to a subscriber, or by some other means. The subscriber uses a converter box to demultiplex and thereby select a desired musical selection for demodulation. Demodulation can take place in the subscriber'"'"'s FM broadcast receiver or in some other apparatus. Music selections are selected in a similar fashion to the manner in which particular channels of a cable television system are selected for video viewing. The music on the sub-channels is continuously played in such a way than any specific selection can be chosen at any time.
136 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of delivering audio information comprising the steps of:
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generating electrical signals corresponding to a plurality of different pieces of audio information; dividing the plurality of different pieces of audio information into several groups, and frequency multiplexing the signals within each group so that each group thus multiplexed forms a first composite signal; recording these first composite signals onto separate tracks of a single wideband recording medium; playing the recording medium to reproduce simultaneously the several first composite signals; frequency "stacking" the several first composite signals to form a second composite signal having a bandwidth wider than that of said first composite signals, the second composite signal being a multiplexed signal composed of the several first composite signals each shifted in frequency appropriately for transmission through a transmission medium; transmitting the secon composite signal to a subscriber; demultiplexing at the subscriber from the second composite signal a particular one of said plurality of pieces of audio information; and transducing the demultiplexed signal into an audio signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An arrangement for delivering audio information comprising:
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means for generating electrical signals corresponding to a plurality of different pieces of audio information; means for dividing the plurality of different pieces of audio information into several groups, and frequency multiplexing the signals within each group so that each group thus multiplexed forms a first composite signal; means for recording these first composite signals onto separate tracks of a single wideband recording medium; means for playing the recording medium to reproduce simultaneously the several first composite signals; means for frequency "stacking" the several first composite signals to form a second composite signal having a bandwidth wider than that of said first composite signals, the second composite signal being a multiplexed signal composed of the several first composite signals each shifted in frequency appropriately for transmission through a transmission medium; means for transmitting the second composite signal to a subscriber; means for demultiplexing at the subscriber from the second composite signal a particular one of said plurality of pieces of audio information; and means for transducing the demultiplexed signal into an audio signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification