Multi-media recording system and method

• US 5,819,049 A
• Filed: 02/28/1997
• Issued: 10/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sandra D. Rietmann
• Original Assignee: Sandra D. Rietmann
• Inventors: Rietmann, Sandra D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ellis B.
• Application Number:
  US08/808,799
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 395/200.79, 395/200.49, 235/375
• US Class Current: 709/239
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

A new multi-media recording system and method for providing a new way to distribute music and movies to consumers. The inventive device includes a multi-media formatting center for processing audio/visual media to produce an audio/visual media signal, a computer associated with the formatting center for storing the signal, a modem for transferring the signal over a communication channel, a second computer remote from the first computer which receives the signal, and a recording device which is interfaced with the second computer for recording the signal and processing the signal to reproduce the audio/visual media. The recording device preferably includes a detachable faceplate having a computer chip thereon for recording the signal.

Claims

1. A method of recording audio/visual medium, comprising:

inputting the audio/visual medium from a source of audio/visual media into a multi-media formatting center;

processing the audio/visual medium in said multi-media formatting center in order to produce an audio/visual medium signal and inputting the signal into a first computer;

relaying the audio/visual medium signal from the first computer to a second computer via a communication channel;

interfacing an audio/visual medium recording device with the second computer in order to record the audio/visual medium signal.

interfacing the audio/visual medium recording device with an audio/visual medium playing device such that the recorded audio/visual signal can either be played or be transferred to a storage means for storing the audio/video medium signal within the audio/video medium playing device for later play at the convenience of a user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of processing the audio/visual medium signal within the recording and playback device in order to reproduce the audio/visual medium.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of interfacing the recording device with the second computer comprises interfacing a detachable faceplate from the recording and playback device with the second computer, said detachable faceplate including a recording system mounted thereon.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the recording system comprises a computer chip.

5. A system of transferring and recording audio/visual media comprising:

a central media resource center, the resource center adapted to convert analog audio and visual media into a converted audio and video media format transferrable using computer transmission;

a transmission means for delivering the converted audio and visual media from the central media resource center to a base unit, the base unit including a home computer;

a detachable faceplate engageable to the base unit, the detachable faceplate adapted to receive and store the converted audio and visual media when engaged to the base unit;

a first security means for preventing reception and storage of the converted audio and visual media when the faceplate is not engaged to the base unit;

the detachable faceplate further engageable to a media player, the media player capable of playing the converted audio and visual media stored by the detachable faceplate;

a second security means for preventing playing of audio and visual media when the faceplate is not engaged to the media player; and

the media player further having a storage means for storing converted media transferred from the detachable faceplate.

6. The system of transferring and recording audio/visual media as in claim 5, wherein the first security means comprises:

circuitry within the faceplate such that entry of a security code into the detachable faceplate is required before the faceplate can receive and store the converted audio and visual media.

7. The system of transferring and recording audio/visual media as in claim 5, wherein the second security means comprises:

circuitry within the faceplate such that entry of a security code into the detachable faceplate is required before the media player can play the converted audio and visual media.

8. The system of transferring and recording audio/visual media as in claim 6, wherein security code comprises a series of numbers.

9. The system of transferring and recording audio/visual media as in claim 7, wherein security code comprises a series of numbers.