Apparatus, method, and computer program product for recording and reproducing digital data

• US 7,546,172 B1
• Filed: 06/26/2002
• Issued: 06/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Marvell Asia Pte Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Original Assignee: Marvell International Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Inventors: Rainnie, Hedley, Sutardja, Sehat, Loc, Peter, Janofsky, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Ni; Suhan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Flanders; Andrew C
• Application Number:
  US10/184,505
• Time in Patent Office: 2,540 Days
• Field of Search: 704500-504, 700/94, 716/16, 716/17
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/02 using radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4387 by the use of playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/444 Spatial browsing, e.g. 2D maps, 3D or virtual spaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/203 Drawing of straight lines or curves
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/68 Systems specially adapted for using specific information, e.g. geographical or meteorological information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM] H04L51/04; selective video distribution H04N21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 involving data reduction

Abstract

A media player/recorder, and a method and computer program product for same comprises a wireless receiver to receive a signal representing encoded media data; a storage device to store the encoded media data; a processor comprising a storage controller to retrieve the encoded media data from the storage device, and a digital signal processor to decode the encoded media data retrieved by the storage controller; and an output circuit to output the decoded media data from the processor.

Claims

1. A media player/recorder comprising:

a wireless receiver to receive a signal representing encoded media data;

a storage device to store the encoded media data;

a programmable processor programmed as;

a) a storage controller to retrieve the encoded media data from the storage device, and also as

b) a digital signal processor to decade the encoded media data retrieved by the storage controller; and

an output circuit to output the decoded media data from the processor;

wherein the storage device stores a list of identifiers of desired encoded media selections;

wherein the wireless receiver receives a signal representing an identifier of an offered encoded media selection;

wherein the storage device stores the offered encoded media selection when the identifier of the offered encoded media selection corresponds to the identifier of one of the desired encoded media selections.

2. The media player/recorder of claim 1, wherein:

the media data is encoded by a process that compresses the media data; and

the encoded media data is decoded by a process that decompresses the encoded media data.

3. The media player/recorder of claim 1, wherein the processor comprises a single integrated circuit.

4. The media player/recorder of claim 1, further comprising:

a read channel responsive to the storage controller to read data from the storage device.

5. The media player/recorder of claim 1, further comprising a memory to store the encoded media data retrieved by the storage controller.

6. The media player/recorder of claim 5, wherein the digital signal processor comprises a decoder to decode the encoded media data stored in the memory.

7. The media player/recorder of claim 1, wherein the storage device stores a process for decoding the encoded media data for a selected code.

8. The media player/recorder of claim 7,

wherein the digital signal processor determines a code of the encoded media data retrieved by the processor;

wherein the process for decoding the encoded media data is retrieved from the storage device in accordance with the determined code; and

wherein the decoder decodes the encoded media data in accordance with the retrieved process.

9. The media player/recorder of claim 1, further comprising:

an input circuit to receive unencoded media data;

wherein the digital signal processor comprises an encoder to encode the unencoded media data; and

wherein the encoded media data encoded by the digital signal processor is stored on the storage device.

10. The media player/recorder of claim 1, wherein the processor obtains the encoded media data from the signal representing the encoded media data.

11. The media player/recorder of claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless transmitter to transmit the encoded media data.

12. The media player/recorder of claim 11, wherein the wireless transmitter transmits the encoded media data while the output circuit outputs the decoded media data from the processor.

13. The media player/recorder of claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless transmitter to transmit a signal representing the identifiers of the desired encoded media selections.

16. The media player/recorder of claim 1, further comprising:

an interface to receive a signal representing biometric data; and

wherein the storage device stores the biometric data.

17. The media player/recorder of claim 16, wherein the interface transmits a signal representing the biometric data stored on the storage device.

22. The media player/recorder of claim 1, wherein the media player/recorder is implemented within a digital camera having an image sensor:

wherein the digital signal processor encodes image data representing an image captured by the image sensor; and

wherein the storage controller stores the encoded image data on the storage device.

23. The media player/recorder of claim 22, wherein the digital camera further comprises a display, wherein:

the storage controller retrieves the encoded image data from the storage device;

the digital signal processor decodes the retrieved encoded image data; and

the media player/recorder sends a signal representing the decoded image data to the display.

24. The media player/recorder of claim 22, wherein the digital camera is a digital motion picture camera and the encoded image data represents a motion picture.

14. A media player/recorder comprising:

a wireless receiver to receive a signal representing encoded media data;

a storage device to store the encoded media data;

a programmable processor programmed as;

a) a storage controller to retrieve the encoded media data from the storage device, and also as

b) a digital signal processor to decode the encoded media data retrieved by the storage controller; and

an output circuit to output the decoded media data from the processor; and

a wireless transmitter;

wherein the storage device stores a list of identifiers of shared encoded media selections stored on the storage device;

wherein the wireless receiver receives a signal representing a request for a sought encoded media selection, the request including an identifier of the sought encoded media selection;

wherein the wireless transmitter transmits one of the shared encoded media selections when the identifier of the sought encoded media selection corresponds to the identifier of the one of the shared encoded media selections.

15. The media player/recorder of claim 14, wherein the wireless transmitter transmits a signal representing the identifiers of the shared encoded media selections.

18. A media player/recorder comprising:

a wireless receiver to receive a signal representing encoded media data;

a storage device to store the encoded media data;

a programmable processor programmed as;

a) a storage controller to retrieve the encoded media data from the storage device, and also as

b) a digital signal processor to decode the encoded media data retrieved by the storage controller; and

an output circuit to output the decoded media data from the processor; and

a display unit;

wherein the storage device stores a list of desired items of interest;

wherein the wireless receiver receives a signal representing an offered item of interest;

wherein the display unit indicates a match when the offered item of interest corresponds to one of the desired items of interest.

19. The media player/recorder of claim 18, further comprising:

a directional antenna to determine a direction to a transmitter of the signal representing the offered item of interest; and

wherein the display unit displays the direction.

20. The media player/recorder of claim 19, further comprising:

a wireless transmitter to transmit contact information to the transmitter of the signal representing the offered item of interest.

21. The media player/recorder of claim 18, wherein the wireless transmitter transmits a signal representing the desired items of interest.

25. An apparatus comprising:

wireless receiver means for wirelessly receiving a signal representing encoded media data;

storage means for storing the encoded media data;

programmable processor means comprising

storage controller means programmed for retrieving the encoded media data from the storage means, and

digital signal processor means programmed for decoding the encoded media data retrieved by the storage controller means; and

output means for outputting the decoded media data from the processor means;

wherein the storage means stores a list of identifiers of desired encoded media selections;

wherein the wireless receiver means receives a signal representing an identifier of an offered encoded media selection;

wherein the storage means stores the offered encoded media selection when the identifier of the offered encoded media selection corresponds to the identifier of one of the desired encoded media selections.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein:

the media data is encoded by a process that compresses the media data; and

the encoded media data is decoded by a process that decompresses the encoded media data.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the processor means comprises read channel means for reading data from the storage means and responsive to the storage controller means.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising:

memory means for storing the encoded media data retrieved by the storage controller means.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the digital signal processor means comprises decoder means for decoding the encoded media data stored in the memory means.

30. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the storage means stores a process for decoding the encoded media data for a selected code.

31. The apparatus of claim 30,

wherein the digital signal processor means determines a code of the encoded media data retrieved by the processor means;

wherein the process for decoding the encoded media data is retrieved from the storage means in accordance with the determined code; and

wherein the decoder means decodes the encoded media data in accordance with the retrieved process.

32. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising:

input circuit means for receiving unencoded media data;

wherein the digital signal processor means comprises encoder means for encoding the unencoded media data; and

wherein the encoded media data encoded by the digital signal processor means is stored on the storage means.

33. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the processor means obtains the encoded media data from the signal representing the encoded media data.

34. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising:

wireless transmitter means for transmitting the encoded media data.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the wireless transmitter means transmits the encoded media data while the output means outputs the decoded media data from the processor means.

36. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising:

wireless transmitter means for transmitting a signal representing the identifiers of the desired encoded media selections.

39. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising:

interface means for receiving a signal representing biometric data; and

wherein the storage means stores the biometric data.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the interface means transmits a signal representing the biometric data stored on the storage device.

45. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the apparatus is implemented within a digital camera having an image sensor:

wherein the digital signal processor means encodes image data representing an image captured by the image sensor; and

wherein the storage controller means stores the encoded image data on the storage means.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the digital camera further comprises a display, wherein:

the storage controller means retrieves the encoded image data from the storage means;

the digital signal processor means decodes the retrieved encoded image data; and

the apparatus sends a signal representing the decoded image data to the display.

47. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the digital camera is a digital motion picture camera and the encoded image data represents a motion picture.

37. An apparatus comprising:

wireless receiver means for wirelessly receiving a signal representing encoded media data;

storage means for storing the encoded media data;

programmable processor means comprising

storage controller means programmed for retrieving the encoded media data from the storage means, and

digital signal processor means programmed for decoding the encoded media data retrieved by the storage controller means; and

output means for outputting the decoded media data from the processor means;

wireless transmitter means;

wherein the storage means stores a list of identifiers of shared encoded media selections stored on the storage means;

wherein the wireless receiver means receives a signal representing a request for a sought encoded media selection, the request including an identifier of the sought encoded media selection;

wherein the wireless transmitter means transmits one of the shared encoded media selections when the identifier of the sought encoded media selection corresponds to the identifier of the one of the shared encoded media selections.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the wireless transmitter means transmits a signal representing the identifiers of the shared encoded media selections.

41. An apparatus comprising:

wireless receiver means for wirelessly receiving a signal representing encoded media data;

storage means for storing the encoded media data;

programmable processor means comprising

storage controller means programmed for retrieving the encoded media data from the storage means, and

digital signal processor means programmed for decoding the encoded media data retrieved by the storage controller means; and

output means for outputting the decoded media data from the processor means;

display means;

wherein the storage means stores a list of desired items of interest;

wherein the wireless receiver means receives a signal representing an offered item of interest;

wherein the display means indicates a match when the offered item of interest corresponds to one of the desired items of interest.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising:

directional antenna means for determining a direction to a transmitter of the signal representing the offered item of interest; and

wherein the display means displays the direction.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising:

wireless transmitter means for transmitting contact information to the transmitter of the signal representing the offered item of interest.

44. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the wireless transmitter means transmits a signal representing the desired items of interest.

48. A method comprising:

wirelessly receiving encoded media data;

storing the encoded media data on a storage device;

transferring the encoded media data from the storage device to a memory;

decoding the encoded media data stored in the memory;

wirelessly receiving a signal representing an identifier of an offered encoded media selection, wherein the storage device stores a list of identifiers of desired encoded media selections; and

storing in the storage device the offered encoded media selection when the identifier of the offered encoded media selection corresponds to the identifier of one of the desired encoded media selections;

converting the decoded media data to an analog signal; and

playing back the decoded media data as the analog signal.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting a signal representing the identifiers of the desired encoded media selections.

50. A method comprising:

wirelessly receiving encoded media data;

storing the encoded media data on a storage device;

transferring the encoded media data from the storage device to a memory;

decoding the encoded media data stored in the memory;

wirelessly receiving a signal representing a request for a sought encoded media selection, the request including an identifier of the sought encoded media selection;

wherein the storage device stores a list of identifiers of shared encoded media selections stored on the storage device; and

wirelessly transmitting one of the shared encoded media selections when the identifier of the sought encoded media selection corresponds to the identifier of the one of the shared encoded media selections;

converting the decoded media data to an analog signal; and

playing back the decoded media data as the analog signal.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting a signal representing the identifiers of the shared encoded media selections.

52. The method of claim 50, further comprising:

receiving biometric data; and

storing the biometric data on the storage device.

53. The method of claim 52, further comprising:

transmitting the biometric data stored on the storage device.

54. A method comprising:

wirelessly receiving encoded media data;

storing the encoded media data on a storage device;

transferring the encoded media data from the storage device to a memory;

decoding the encoded media data stored in the memory;

storing a list of desired items of interest;

receiving a signal representing an offered item of interest;

indicating a match when the offered item of interest corresponds to one of the desired items of interest;

determining a direction to a transmitter of the signal representing the offered item of interest;

displaying the direction;

converting the decoded media data to an analog signal; and

playing back the decoded media data as the analog signal.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting contact information to the transmitter of the signal representing the offered item of interest.

56. The method of claim 54, further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting a signal representing the desired items of interest.

57. Computer-readable media embodying instructions executable by a computer to perform a method comprising:

wirelessly receiving encoded media data;

storing the encoded media data on a storage device;

transferring the encoded media data from the storage device to a memory;

decoding the encoded media data stored in the memory;

outputting the decoded media data;

wherein the storage device stores a list of identifiers of desired encoded media selections;

wirelessly receiving a signal representing an identifier of an offered encoded media selection; and

storing in the storage device the offered encoded media selection when the identifier of the offered encoded media selection corresponds to the identifier of one of the desired encoded media selections.

58. The media of claim 57, wherein the method further comprises:

wirelessly transmitting a signal representing the identifiers of the desired encoded media selections.

59. Computer-readable media embodying instructions executable by a computer to perform a method comprising:

wirelessly receiving encoded media data;

storing the encoded media data on a storage device;

transferring the encoded media data from the storage device to a memory;

decoding the encoded media data stored in the memory;

outputting the decoded media data;

wherein the storage device stores a list of identifiers of shared encoded media selections stored on the storage device;

wirelessly receiving a signal representing a request for a sought encoded media selection, the request including an identifier of the sought encoded media selection; and

wirelessly transmitting one of the shared encoded media selections when the identifier of the sought encoded media selection corresponds to the identifier of the one of the shared encoded media selections.

60. The media of claim 59, wherein the method further comprises:

wirelessly transmitting a signal representing the identifiers of the shared encoded media selections.

61. Computer-readable media embodying instructions executable by a computer to perform a method comprising:

wirelessly receiving encoded media data;

storing the encoded media data on a storage device;

transferring the encoded media data from the storage device to a memory;

decoding the encoded media data stored in memory;

outputting the decoded media data;

storing a list of desired items of interest;

receiving a signal representing an offered item of interest; and

indicating a match when the offered item of interest corresponds to one of the desired items of interest;

determining a direction to a transmitter of the signal representing the offered item of interest; and

displaying the direction.

62. The media of claim 61, wherein the method further comprises:

wirelessly transmitting contact information to the transmitter of the signal representing the offered item of interest.

63. The media of claim 61, wherein the method further comprises:

wirelessly transmitting a signal representing the desired items of interest.