Apparatus, method and database for control of audio/video equipment

• US 7,995,899 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2006
• Issued: 08/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: D&M Holdings US Incorporated (DEI Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Digital Networks North America, Inc. (DEI Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Young, Randolph G., Priddy, Sean S., Greer, Frank U., Dean, Michael P., Heredia, Rafael
• Primary Examiner(s): Chevalier; Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/455,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20060239650A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,877 Days
• Field of Search: 386/291, 386/296, 386/313, 386/326, 386/248, 386/238, 386/262
• US Class Current: 386/238
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/02 Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2529 Mini-discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/61 wherein solid state memory is used for storing A/V content storing computer data in solid state memories G06F
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/002 Programmed access in sequence to a plurality of record carriers or indexed parts, e.g. tracks, thereof, e.g. for editing; transfer of record carriers from magazine G11B15/68, G11B17/10; G11B17/22
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• 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: H04L 12/2805 Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4332 by placing content in organized collections, e.g. local EPG data repository interfaces, Database management systems or updating for information retrieval G06F16/23; details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video database G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/475 : End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• 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

Abstract

Control of audio/video equipment is provided by an apparatus constructed like a computer, with audio and video subsystems. The audio subsystem includes a programmable analog mixer and several analog and digital multiplexers to route and mix multiple inputs to multiple outputs. Databases are stored in computer mass storage to record preferences for playback of digital versatile discs, compact discs and audio files stored in the mass storage device, such as MP3 files. The playback preferences may include video output format, language, surround sound mode, etc. for DVDs and surround sound effects for CDs and audio files.

Claims

1. A method of playing back a recorded signal, comprising:

obtaining a recording identifier corresponding to the recorded signal;

comparing

the recording identifier with previously stored identifiers in a playback preference database; and

reproducing the recorded signal using previously stored preferences if the recording identifier is found in the playback preference database and using default preferences if the recording identifier is not found in the playback preference database.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining playback preferences during said reproducing; and

storing the playback preferences in the playback preference database.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the playback preferences include audio control settings.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the audio control settings include programmable effects.

5. A method as recited in claim 4, further comprising obtaining the recorded signal from a compact disc.

6. A method as recited in claim 4, further comprising obtaining the recorded signal from a file of digitally encoded audio on a computer readable medium.

7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the file is digitally encoded using ISO-MPEG Audio Layer-3.

8. A method as recited in claim 6,

wherein the computer readable medium is a computer mass storage device, and wherein said method further comprises:

detecting changes in software available to playback the recorded signal, and

automatically downloading the software to playback the recorded signal.

9. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the programmable effects are surround sound effects.

10. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the audio control settings include at least one of echo, reverberation, loudness, speed and direction.

11. A method as recited in claim 2, further comprising obtaining the recorded signal from a digital versatile disc.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the playback preferences include at least one of audio and video control settings.

13. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the playback preferences include surround sound mode.

14. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the playback preferences include language of audio in the recorded signal.

15. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the playback preferences include content rating.

16. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the playback preferences include at least one viewing angle.

17. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the playback preferences include video output mode.

18. A method as recited in claim 11,

wherein the default preferences include at least one of surround sound mode, language of audio in the recorded signal, and video output format, and

wherein as many of the default preferences are used as available on the digital versatile disc if the recording identifier is not found in the playback preference database.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device comprising at least one computer program for playing back a recorded signal, wherein execution of the at least one computer program carries out functions comprising:

obtaining a recording identifier corresponding to the recorded signal;

comparing the recording identifier with previously stored identifiers in a playback preference database; and

reproducing the recorded signal using previously stored preferences if the recording identifier is found in the playback preference database and using default preferences if the recording identifier is not found in the playback preference database.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 19, wherein execution of the at least one computer program further carries out functions comprising:

obtaining playback preferences during said reproducing; and

storing the playback preferences in the playback preference database.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 20, wherein the playback preferences include audio control settings.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 21, wherein the audio control settings include programmable effects.

23. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 22, wherein execution of the at least one computer program carries out obtaining the recorded signal from a compact disc.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 22, wherein execution of the at least one computer program carries out obtaining the recorded signal from a file of digitally encoded audio on a computer readable medium.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 24, wherein the file is digitally encoded using ISO-MPEG Audio Layer-3.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 24,

wherein the computer readable medium is another non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device, and

wherein execution of the at least one computer program further carries out functions comprising:

detecting changes in software available to playback the recorded signal, and

automatically downloading the software to playback the recorded signal.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 22, wherein the programmable effects are surround sound effects.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 21, wherein the audio control settings include at least one of echo, reverberation, loudness, speed and direction.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 20, wherein execution of the at least one computer program carries out obtaining the recorded signal from a digital versatile disc.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 29, wherein the playback preferences include at least one of audio and video control settings.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 30, wherein the playback preferences include surround sound mode.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 30, wherein the playback preferences include language of audio in the recorded signal.

33. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 30, wherein the playback preferences include content rating.

34. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 30, wherein the playback preferences include at least one viewing angle.

35. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 30, wherein the playback preferences include video output mode.

36. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 29,

wherein the default preferences include at least one of surround sound mode, language of audio in the recorded signal, and video output format, and

wherein as many of the default preferences are used as available on the digital versatile disc if the recording identifier is not found in the playback preference database.