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Method and apparatus for transmitting information recorded on digital disks from a central server to subscribers via a high data rate digital telecommunications network

  • US 5,497,502 A
  • Filed: 02/14/1994
  • Issued: 03/05/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for transmitting information recorded on disks from a central server to subscriber stations, said apparatus comprising:

  • a high data rate telecommunication network for two-way communication between said central server and said subscriber stations;

    said subscriber stations connected to said telecommunication network, each of said subscriber stations comprisinga communication interface connected to said telecommunication network,computer means connected to said communication interface,input means for inputting information to said computer means,output means for outputting information from said computer means,a module connected to said communication interface for expanding digital signals received from said telecommunication network,a digital-to-analog converter connected to said module for converting said digital signals into analog signals, andtransducer means connected to said digital-to-analog converter for converting said analog signals into humanly perceptible signals;

    said central server comprisinga central communication interface connected to said telecommunication network,plural data rate reducing circuits connected to said central communication interface,plural disk players, each of said disk players connected to one of said plural data rate reducing circuits,a magazine storing said disks,central memory means for storing titles of said disks together with corresponding addresses of said disks in said magazine,central computer means connected to said telecommunication network by said central communication interface and connected to said central memory means,transfer means for automatically transferring said disks between said magazine and said disk players, said transfer means comprisingplural self-propelled carriages disposed beneath said disk magazine,at least one disk handling device for placing said disks on said disk players, anda transfer conveyor which conveys said disks between said carriages and said at least one disk handling device,a controller connected to said central computer means, connected to said plural disk players, and connected to said transfer means, wherein in response to instructions from said central computer means, said controller controls said plural self-propelled carriages, said transfer conveyor, and said at least one disk handling device to transfer a selected disk to a selected disk player, controls said selected disk player to retrieve digital signals from said selected disk, controls a selected one of said plural data rate reducing circuits to compress said digital signals output by said disk player, and causes said central communication interface to transmit said compressed digital signals to a selected one of said subscriber stations via said telecommunication network.

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