U.S. patent application number 10/217075 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-19 for aggregate information production and display system.
Invention is credited to Chase, Timothy, Gobin, Don.
Application Number | 20020194364 10/217075 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26703007 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020194364 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chase, Timothy ; et
al. |
December 19, 2002 |
Aggregate information production and display system
Abstract
A production system for packaging aggregates of mixed media
information (e.g. text, images, audio, and video) into addressable
packets which are transmitted to receivers over a satellite
network, with the information aggregates (IA's) displayed and
arranged for use via an associated Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
file, or other such displays language file and associated
interpreter. The HTML file, when interpreted and displayed, would
provide an organized and easy to access presentation of the
mixed-media files transmitted over the satellite network, whereby
textual and graphic descriptions could be used to describe the file
contends and HTML buttons would allow playback and/or viewing of
the linked file information. The HTML file might also include a
link to communications software for enabling data dialog with a
site external to the receiving station. One example link would
include software for a telephone connection. This connection could
direct the transmission source station to send more information, as
needed. Still other links would allow software stored locally at
the receiving station to be accessed and used. A link might also be
provided via the internet to external URL addresses. The IA groups
and packets would also be useful for distributed, distant teaching
systems, with feedback from the receiving sites provided through
the communications link to the source station.
Inventors: |
Chase, Timothy; (Holmdel,
NJ) ; Gobin, Don; (Fords, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD
500 WEST MADISON STREET
SUITE 3400
CHICAGO
IL
60661
|
Family ID: |
26703007 |
Appl. No.: |
10/217075 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10217075 |
Aug 12, 2002 |
|
|
|
09525620 |
Mar 14, 2000 |
|
|
|
09525620 |
Mar 14, 2000 |
|
|
|
08947967 |
Oct 9, 1997 |
|
|
|
6094671 |
|
|
|
|
60027903 |
Oct 9, 1996 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/236 ;
709/218 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 65/762 20220501;
H04L 9/40 20220501; H04L 67/02 20130101; H04L 67/14 20130101; H04H
20/28 20130101; H04H 40/90 20130101; H04L 65/1101 20220501; H04L
65/1069 20130101; H04L 69/329 20130101; H04B 7/18578 20130101; H04M
3/4938 20130101; H04H 20/93 20130101; H04H 60/27 20130101; H04L
67/04 20130101; H04L 67/06 20130101; H04H 60/95 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/236 ;
709/218 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/16 |
Claims
1. A media distribution network comprising: a producer station for
transmitting an envelope of data, the envelope of data including a
plurality of media files selected from the group consisting of an
audio file, a text file, and a video file, the envelope of data
further including a mark-up language document having a plurality of
tags each respectively associated with at least one of the
plurality of media files; a satellite for broadcasting the
envelope; a plurality of receiving stations receiving the envelope
from the satellite, each of the receiving stations locally storing
the data of the envelope in a respective local storage medium, each
of the plurality of receiving stations including means for
accessing the mark-up language document, the mark-up language
document providing means for accessing selective ones of the
plurality of media files via the plurality of tags.
2. A media distribution network as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
plurality of media files comprises at least one audio file and the
plurality of tags comprises at least one tag associated with the at
least one audio file, activation of the tag resulting in audio play
of the audio file.
3. A media distribution network as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
plurality of media files comprises at least one video file and the
plurality of tags comprises at least one tag associated with the at
least one video file, activation of the tag resulting in audio play
of the video file.
4. A media distribution network as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
mark-up language document is formatted as an HTML document.
5. A media distribution network as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
mark-up language document further comprises a tag for accessing a
telephone link.
6. A media distribution network as claimed in claim 5 wherein the
mark-up language document further comprises a tag for requesting a
further mark-up language document over the telephone link.
7. A media distribution network as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
mark-up language document itself includes or includes a tag to
indicia describing content of the one or more media files.
8. A media distribution network as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
mark-up language document itself includes or includes a tag to a
company logo.
9. A transmitter for use in transmitting an envelope of data to a
receiving station for local storage by the receiving station, the
transmitter comprising: a computer system storing the envelope of
data, the envelope of data including a plurality of media files
selected from the group consisting of an audio file, a text file,
and a video file, the envelope of data further including a mark-up
language document having a plurality of tags each respectively
associated with at least one of the plurality of media files; an RF
transmitter for modulating the envelope of data for RF
transmission.
10. A transmitter as claimed in claim 9 wherein the plurality of
media files comprises at least one audio file and the plurality of
tags comprises at least one tag associated with the at least one
audio file, activation of the tag resulting in audio play of the
audio file.
11. A transmitter as claimed in claim 9 wherein the plurality of
media files comprises at least one video file and the plurality of
tags comprises at least one tag associated with the at least one
video file, activation of the tag resulting in audio play of the
video file.
12. A transmitter as claimed in claim 9 wherein the mark-up
language document is formatted as an HTML document.
13. A transmitter as claimed in claim 9 wherein the mark-up
language document further comprises a tag for accessing a telephone
link.
14. A transmitter as claimed in claim 13 wherein the mark-up
language document further comprises a tag for requesting a further
mark-up language document over the telephone link.
15. A transmitter as claimed in claim 9 wherein the mark-up
language document itself includes or includes a tag to indicia
describing content of the one or more media files.
16. A transmitter as claimed in claim 9 wherein the mark-up
language document itself includes or includes a tag to a company
logo.
17. A receiver for receiving an envelope of data that has been
modulated to RF, the receiver comprising: a demodulator for
demodulating the envelope of data; a computer system locally
storing the envelope of data, the envelope of data including a
plurality of media files selected from the group consisting of an
audio file, a text file, and a video file, the envelope of data
further including a mark-up language document having a plurality of
tags each respectively associated with at least one of the
plurality of media files, the computer system being operable to
access the plurality of media files via the plurality of tags of
the mark-up language document.
18. A receiver as claimed in claim 17 wherein the plurality of
media files comprises at least one audio file and the plurality of
tags comprises at least one tag associated with the at least one
audio file, activation of the tag resulting in audio play of the
audio file.
19. A receiver as claimed in claim 17 wherein the plurality of
media files comprises at least one video file and the plurality of
tags comprises at least one tag associated with the at least one
video file, activation of the tag resulting in audio play of the
video file.
20. A receiver as claimed in claim 17 wherein the mark-up language
document is formatted as an HTML document.
21. A receiver as claimed in claim 17 wherein the mark-up language
document further comprises a tag for accessing a telephone
link.
22. A receiver as claimed in claim 21 wherein the mark-up language
document further comprises a tag for requesting a further mark-up
language document over the telephone link.
23. A receiver as claimed in claim 21 wherein the mark-up language
document itself includes or includes a tag to indicia describing
content of the one or more media files.
24. A receiver as claimed in claim 21 wherein the mark-up language
document itself includes or includes a tag to a company logo.
25. A data transmission comprising: a plurality of RF modulated
data elements, the plurality of RF modulated data elements
including a plurality of media files selected from the group
consisting of an audio file, a text file, and a video file, and a
mark-up language document having a plurality of tags each
respectively associated with at least one of the plurality of media
files.
26. A data transmission as claimed in claim 25 wherein the mark-up
language document is formatted as an HTML document.
27. A data transmission as claimed in claim 26 wherein the mark-up
language document further comprises a tag for accessing a telephone
link.
28. A data transmission as claimed in claim 27 wherein the mark-up
language document further comprises a tag for requesting a further
mark-up language document over the telephone link.
29. A data transmission as claimed in claim 25 wherein the mark-up
language document itself includes or includes a tag to indicia
describing content of the one or more media files.
30. A data transmission as claimed in claim 25 wherein the mark-up
language document itself includes or includes a tag to a company
logo.
31. A media distribution system comprising: a producer station for
transmitting an envelope of data, the envelope of data including a
plurality of media files selected from the group consisting of an
audio file, a text file, and a video file, the envelope of data
further including a mark-up language document having a plurality of
tags each respectively associated with at least one of the
plurality of media files; a receiving station receiving the
envelope, the receiving station locally storing the data of the
envelope in a respective local storage medium, the receiving
station including means for accessing the mark-up language
document, the mark-up language document providing means for
accessing selective ones of the plurality of media files via the
plurality of tags.
32. A media distribution system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the
plurality of media files comprises at least one audio file and the
plurality of tags comprises at least one tag associated with the at
least one audio file, activation of the tag resulting in audio play
of the audio file.
33. A media distribution system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the
plurality of media files comprises at least one video file and the
plurality of tags comprises at least one tag associated with the at
least one video file, activation of the tag resulting in audio play
of the video file.
34. A media distribution system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the
mark-up language document is formatted as an HTML document.
35. A media distribution system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the
mark-up language document further comprises a tag for accessing a
telephone link.
36. A media distribution system as claimed in claim 35 wherein the
mark-up language document further comprises a tag for requesting a
further mark-up language document over the telephone link.
37. A media distribution system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the
mark-up language document itself includes or includes a tag to
indicia describing content of the one or more media files.
38. A media distribution system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the
mark-up language document itself includes or includes a tag to a
company logo.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a non-provisional application claiming
priority of provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/097,903, filed
Oct. 9, 1996.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The software files utilized to implement the preferred
embodiment of the present invention are provided in printed form
and are attached as Appendices A, B and C. This software is used to
implement the invention on equipment available from Starguide,
Inc., of Reno, Nev. This software directly corresponds to software
submitted on Disks A, B and C of the parent application.
[0004] The software and technology presented herein is a further
improvement of the technology disclosed in the Applicant's
co-pending application "Audio File Distribution and Production
System," filed Sep. 1, 1995 as a provisional provisional
application, Serial No. 60/003,164; and file don Aug. 30, 1996 as a
non-provisional application, Serial No. __/______ (Attorney Docket
10952US02).
[0005] All of the software appendices A, B, and C referenced above,
along with the above-referenced papers--provisional and
non-provisional applications along with their referenced
incorporations and appendices--are expressly incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties.
[0006] This invention relates to a software production system for
packaging aggregates of information into addressable packets which
are transmitted to receivers over a satellite network, with the
information aggregates (IA's) displayed and arranged for use via an
associated Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) file, or other such
display language file and interpreter. The HTML file would include
a link to software for providing a low-cost communication link from
the receiving station (or stations) back to the transmitting
station. An example low-cost (and consequently low throughput) link
would include a software link for telephoning and, for instance,
directing the transmission source station to send more information
as needed. This telephone linkup might also connect to other
external telephonic sources. Alternatively, other low-cost links
might be used to remedy asymmetrical data link problems existing
between satellite transmission and receiving stations.
[0007] Satellite networks are used to transmit large quantities of
information from a transmission station to an orbiting satellite
which relays the transmission back down to a variety of receiving
stations. Such digital information can include, for example, text,
photographs, audio, video, and/or animation. While satellite
transmission has been recognized as an efficient method for
distributing such diverse information, organization of such varied
media has presented problems. Generally a receiver of such varied
media must sort out and discern the purpose of each file and the
requisite playback or viewing tool to use with each particular
file. Thus, while a user may receive a file or group of files over
the satellite transmission network, follow-up printed
documentation, or even a live representative, must often arrive
separately in order to explain and organize the files sent. This is
because satellite receivers are generally one-way data collection
systems, and generally cannot send information via satellite back
to the transmitting station. While separate satellite transmitters
might exist at a receiver station, this is generally an expensive
communication method and requires the extra satellite transmission
hardware and related upkeep.
[0008] Accordingly, companies such as SONY NETWORKS, or TM CENTURY,
will send audio information and other such files to satellite
receiving stations which are owned and/or controlled by entities
such as radio or television, stations. The receiving station might
be a subscriber of the above mentioned companies' services, or the
transmitting company may be trying to solicit new business. In
either instance, the receiving station has been designated to
receive downloaded information in the form of computer files which
might include, for instance, sound bytes from a new record, or
sound effects for possible use on a radio show, or video clips for
use on the news. In the past, such files have been downloaded and
identified by letter/number identifiers typically associated with
the naming of each file on the computer's operating system. The
user must then sort through and organize the various information,
categorizing the source of the downloaded information, the playback
media, and the topic to which it relates. For a radio or television
station that constantly receives information, this organizational
problem is greatly compounded.
[0009] Methods and computer languages exist which are designed to
organize, display, and link together information from a variety of
different playback and display media. One such language is
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) which is used to display "web
pages" on the internet. This language, however, has not been used
to organize and display different types of media information
transmitted over a satellite network to receiving stations. An HTML
page can therefore be developed to identify and link together
various media files which have been transmitted with the HTML page,
or are known to exist on the receiving station's computer storage
medium. Organization of the files is thereby provided by textual or
graphical orientation of the HTML page, or pages. The various media
files can then be conveniently accessed via clicking on a button or
textual area which has been linked to the file.
[0010] Accordingly, what is needed in the field is a system which
will produce organized information groups and packets for the
transmission and display of satellite information consisting of
aggregate media files which are transmitted to a receiving station.
An HTML page, for instance, might provide links to files which are
transmitted with the page. The HTML page might also provide links
to playback software (e.g. MUSICAM) and/or other files already
associated with the receiving station. The HTML page might
alternatively provide a software link to a telephone connection
which could provide data dialog with an external site. The
telephone connection might be used to call the satellite
transmission station to further direct the transmission source to
transmit more and/or different information to the receiving
station, or to a group of stations.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides a satellite production and
display system, and associated software, for organizing various
pieces of information into an information aggregate (IA) group and
IA packet which are then transmitted and received over a satellite
network. Such IA packets would be generated by "producer" stations
or terminals. The IA group consists of an HTML page or pages, along
with associated media files which are referenced and linked by, for
instance, HTML page. An IA packet consists of an IA group which has
been "packaged" for delivery to a particular satellite receiver
destination, or a collection of satellite receivers. Such receiving
stations can be dynamically grouped and re-grouped according, for
instance, to their nature (e.g. sports radio stations) and/or data
needs. The HTML page, when interpreted by the receiving station,
would present textual and/or graphical explanations of the data
that has been sent with transmission. The user might then use a
pointing device, such as a mouse, to "click-on" or choose a
particular audio, video, picture, or text file that is associated,
or linked, with the HTML page.
[0012] This information production and display system thereby
allows a producer station to carefully generate, organize, and/or
choreograph the presentation of a set of media files to be
transmitted to a receiving satellite station. For example, the
producer user's distinctive logo might appear prominently across
the top of the page. Animated text or graphical characters might be
added for emphasis, as desired. The producer might then graphically
or textually describe each audio, video, or pictorial clip which
has been sent with the HTML page and provide an associated mouse
button. The user can scan down the HTML page and hear or view only
those items of interest. For instance, a record company might
transmit promotional about an upcoming album to be released by a
particular artist. Information about the album and album cover
could be graphically displayed to a receiver such as a radio
station. Below the cover, different album tracks could be textually
described with an associated HTML mouse button for access and
playback of that particular album track, or portion thereof, which
is located in an associated audio file.
[0013] In yet another example, an advertiser might send a
commercial spot to a radio or television station, but would provide
specific instructions (e.g. textual, audio, video) on when and how
the commercial is to be played. For instance, certain commercials
are only suited for certain times of day. Other commercials should
not be played directly before or after a competitor's
advertisement. The present system would allow, for example, a
convenient method for organizing and presenting such instructions,
and would also allow the receiving station to conveniently preview
the material by clicking on a mouse button linked to the audio or
video file.
[0014] In still another example, a company which sells sound bytes,
sound effects, or video clips to subscriber stations could organize
the clips with a textual description of each clip. The receiving
station could then quickly scan through and sample the material
sent in deciding whether to use or purchase the material from that
particular producer of the IA group and packet.
[0015] In the present embodiment, the HTML page has specially
created software links which use MUSICAM software for playing such
audio clips. MUSICAM is a registered trademark of Corporate
Computer Systems (CCS), Inc. which is a subsidiary of Starguide
Digital networks, Inc. Such MUSICAM software, as copyrighted and
available from CCS and Starguide provides much more dynamic and
accurate playback quality than conventional computer playback
methods. Such MUSICAM software would reside in memory at each local
receiving station instead of being downloaded repeatedly. Other
such software players or viewers for audio, pictorial, and video
files could similarly be stored and linked for rapid playback of
any file type by the receiving station.
[0016] Internet "web page" applications using HTML typically link
one web page to yet another web page through connection to a
universal resource locator or URL address. Such URL's contain the
next picture, page, or text to be downloaded according to the web
page's HTML instructions. As one option, the present application
might also provide such URL links to internet locations via a
telephone connection to the internet.
[0017] More importantly, the HTML page of the present invention
would provide a software connection to a low-cost communication
medium whereby external sites--such as the source transmission
station--could be contacted and a dialog when ensue. Low-cost links
generally imply a lower throughput than satellite transmission
rates. However, what is needed is some connection between receiving
station and, for example, the transmitting station, which is
convenient to use, low-cost to acquire, and low-cost to operate.
While the present invention embodies the use of any such low-cost
link as implemented using a variety of data transfer techniques,
the following example details the use of a telephone as one such
convenient, low-cost data link.
[0018] Hence, a telephonic linkup could be used to contact any of a
number of sites external to the receiving station. One such
telephone linkup would include calls directed back to the satellite
transmission source. The satellite transmissions, in this case, are
one-way broadcast transmissions from a source station to a
receiving station or group of stations. While permitting relatively
high throughputs of data to be transmitted to a vast number of
receiving stations, there generally exists no low-cost and
convenient feedback mechanism from the receiver station back to the
transmitting station. Such a telephone linkup would provide a low
throughput, yet inexpensive feedback connection between the
receiving and the transmitting station. A low-level data dialog
could exist thereby facilitating a request for the transmission of
new, or different, data to the receiving unit. Alternatively, such
a data link might, for example, facilitate registration of a user
as a new subscriber to a data service, or confirm a user's
acceptance of the most recently sent materials from such a data
service.
[0019] The present invention would also prove to be extremely
useful with distributed teaching systems whereby teaching or
instructional materials are distributed from a central location to
various remote locations. In one instance, a training manual with
linked textual, audio, and video portions could be transmitted to
many remote receiving stations. Alternatively still, one receiving
station might receive the training material and distribute it for
viewing via a LAN network. Furthermore, "live" training sessions
with intermixed audio and video portions could be centrally
distributed. The low throughput phone feedback might then be used
for student feedback or questions with the teacher thereby
interactively serving many remote locations and students. The
training manual and associated software might also automatically
sense the training "path" taken by the user, and transmit a request
for the next set of informational data needed to proceed through a
training session.
[0020] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an information production and display system, and related
software, to facilitate the organized satellite transmission,
reception, display and access of information aggregates consisting
of media data and files.
[0021] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide production, or producer, software for the creation of HTML
pages with linked media files for transmission over a satellite
network to receiving stations.
[0022] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
for production of HTML pages with linked media files for
transmission over a satellite network to receiving stations, with
HTML links to MUSICAM software located at the receiving station for
playback of audio files.
[0023] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide for production of HTML pages with linked media files for
transmission over a satellite network to receiving stations, with
HTML links to software stored at the receiving station for
performing local actions.
[0024] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide
for production of HTML page with linked media files for
transmission over a satellite network to receiving stations, with
HTML links to software for establishing an external data link
connection.
[0025] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
for production of HTML pages with linked media files for
transmission over a satellite network to receiving stations, with
HTML links to software for establishing an external data link
connection such a telephonic connection.
[0026] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
for production of HTML pages with linked media files for
transmission over a satellite network to receiving stations, with
HTML links to software for establishing an external connection such
as a telephonic connection, with the telephone connection being
made to the transmission source station to further direct future
transmissions.
[0027] It is a yet another object of the present invention to
provide production of HTML pages with linked media files for
transmission over a satellite network to receiving stations, with
the pages serving as distributed training materials.
[0028] It is a still another object of the present invention to
provide for production of HTML pages with linked media files for
transmission over a satellite network to receiving stations, with
the pages serving as distributed training materials, with HTML
links to software for establishing an external connection such as a
telephone connection to the transmission source, the training
session thereby being interactive.
[0029] Other objects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of
illustration and example, certain embodiments of this specification
and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and
illustrate various objects and features thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram for transmitting an information
aggregate (IA) packet from a satellite transmission station source
computer to a plurality of satellite receiver station computers 1
through n via a satellite relay.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an information aggregate
(IA) group as made up of an HTML page which displays and organizes
the linked audio and picture files.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of another example information
aggregate consisting of a record promotional page.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an HTML page with example
links to a software telephone link, MUSICAM playback software, an
HTML internet page, or a file stored on the local receiver storage
medium.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the producer software for
generating an IA packet.
[0035] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram, as continued from FIG. 5, of
the satellite network for transmitting and receiving the resulting
IA packet, the HTML interpreter and display, and the affiliate
software for facilitating links from the interpreted and displayed
HTML page.
[0036] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an example training manual
packet being received and distributed over a LAN network.
[0037] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a training manual IA group
with a first and second path for training information.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a satellite
transmission network is shown. A satellite transmission system 10
is shown comprised of a source central processing unit (CPU) 12
which is connected to a memory storage means 14, typically a high
density disk drive unit. The transmission system includes a
transmitter 16 and a satellite transmission antenna 18. The antenna
18 sends a signal 20 to an orbiting satellite 22. The satellite 22
relays the signal 20 to an orbiting satellite 22. The satellite 22
relays the signal 20 to one of many, e.g. 1 through n, satellite
receiving stations 24, 26. Each receiving station has a receiver
CPU 28, 30; a corresponding disk drive unit 32, 34; a corresponding
receiver 36, 38; and satellite signal receiving antenna 40, 42. As
shown in this diagram, the information aggregate (IA) packet 44,
described below, is transmitted from the disk drive 14 of the
source station 10 to the plurality of receiving stations 24, 26 and
subsequently stored on the receiving station disk drives 32, 34.
Each packet 44 is structured to contain information on its intended
satellite receiver destination. Accordingly, packets can be
selectively sent to a large group of receiving stations, e.g. only
radio stations with an "all news" format. Alternatively, a packet
44 might be structured to be sent to only one particular receiving
station, e.g. CBS news in New York.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 2, an information aggregate group 50
is shown which is comprised of a Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
organizational page or file 52, with an associated audio file 54,
another associated audio file 56, and an associated picture file
58. The information aggregate might consist of any such combination
of media files including, but not limited to text, audio, video,
program, and animation files.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 3, a more detailed example of an
information aggregate group 60 is shown. In this example, a record
company has created a promotional sheet for a new record by a
particular artist. When the HTML file 62 is interpreted and
displayed the result will appear like the display page 61 with the
text and graphical boxes appropriately placed. The company has
placed their name and logo 72 across the top of the page 61. The
picture file 64 is linked to appear at location 65. Text 67
describes the first audio track and HTML software "button" 69 links
to and allows playback of the audio file 66. Similarly, text 73 and
button 75 addresses and links the second audio file 68, and text 74
and button 76 addresses and links the third audio file. The IA
group 60 thereby provides a convenient method for organizing a
series of media files in a textual and graphical format which is
aesthetically pleasing and easy to use.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 4, an additional example of an HTML
page 80 is shown which might be used to organize media files into
an IA group. In this example, the HTML link 82 is shown to access a
variety of example linking options. The first option shows a link
to software 84 which would provide an external telephone connection
86. The second option shows a link to audio playback software 88
which would include MUSICAM software which would reside in local
memory 32, 34 of the receiver stations 24, 26 of FIG. 1. The third
option shows a link to an HTML page 90 on the internet, via a
telephone connection and standard related software (e.g. NETSCAPE).
As similar to the second option, the fourth option shows the link
accessing a file or software stored in local memory 92 of the
receiving station (see also 32, 34 of FIG. 1). This file might be
an audio or video file which is access frequently in many different
applications, or a software program to perform a localized action
at the receiving station.
[0042] Hence, while previous applications and uses of HTML have
used the HTML linking capability to connect to URL addresses, e.g.
addresses of other web pages and sites on the internet, the present
invention teaches the use of HTML to link together and use software
programs, digital files, and the link to organize, present, and use
a variety of mixed media information. Accordingly, the options
described for this particular link are for example purposes only;
the preferred embodiment is not meant to be limited only to such
example linking options, as many others options could be offered to
facilitate organization of the transmitted media files and
data.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 5, a block diagram is shown of the
"producer" software 100 for generating an IA group 100 and
subsequent IA packet 102. For example purposes, the IA packet 102
has been depicted as a filled, addressed, and stamped envelope.
This analogy is accurate in that the IA group 102 is packaged in a
satellite transmittable format with an address tag and/or encoded
key as to its receiver destination. The producer software 100 is
thereby comprised of various capture systems for digitizing
information into files to be grouped. In this example, an audio
capture system 106 such as MUSICAM can be used to convert an analog
audio signal 108 into a digital audio file 110. A photo or image
capture system 112 such as a scanner can be used to convert a
photograph or image 114 into a digitized image file 116 (e.g. a
*.gif file). A text capture system 118 can be used to convert text
120 into digitized text file 122. Finally, a video capture system
124 can be used to convert a video segment 126 into a digitized
video file 128. Other digital, animation, or program files might
also be incorporated, as appropriate.
[0044] The files 110, 116, 122, and 128 are fed into an HTML
authoring package 130. There are many such packages available, but
the preferred embodiment uses MICROSOFT WORD with INTERNET
ASSISTANT. This collection of capture systems 106, 112, 118, and
124, along with the authoring package 130 form an information
aggregate (IA) development tool 132. This development tool 132
generates the above described IA group 102. A packager 134, such as
that offered by MUSICAM EXPRESS, then takes the IA group 102 and
creates the above described IA packet 104. As described in the
above incorporated patent applications, the packager 134 would be
part of a MUSICAM EXPRESS NETWORK comprised of numerous hubs and
connected producers.
[0045] Referring also to FIG. 6, the block diagram of FIG. 5 is
continued from point "A". In FIG. 6, the IA packet 104 is
transferred and stored on the disk drive 140 which is connected to
the source CPU 142 of the transmission station 144. The associated
transmitter 146 and satellite antenna 148 is used to transmit the
IA packet 104 to an orbiting satellite 150 which relays the IA
packet 104 to an orbiting satellite 150 which relays the IA packet
104 information signal to an appropriate receiver antenna 152 and
receiver 154 of the receiving station 156. The receiver CPU 158
processes and stores the received data in the receiver disk drive
unit 160. An HTML interpreter 162 must next be used to interpret
and display 164 the HTML page information and corresponding links
with the associated files. The preferred embodiment uses a
MICROSOFT HTML Interpreter plug-in to the receiver CPU 158.
[0046] In displaying and interacting with the HTML page, the user
invokes the "affiliate" software 168. This software includes a user
interface 170 which in turn runs custom response software 172. The
response software 172 facilitates the various linking options
exemplified in FIG. 4. As shown in this example, the user might
choose between a telephone link 174, an internet link 176, or a
local action module 178.
[0047] As noted above, an important feature of the present
invention is the ability for the receiver station 156 to
communicate, via a low-cost linkup such as telephone, back with the
transmitting station 144. As shown in fathom, a connection 180 can
be made back to a modem 182 which is connected to the source CPU
142. Again, the telephone linkup has a limited throughput due to
the limited bandwidth of existing telephone and modem data
connections. While an ISDN connection will provide higher
throughputs, the telephone connection provides a low-level data
dialog--as compared to satellite transmission rates--between the
receiver station and the transmitting station. This allows the
receiving station to provide feedback to the transmitting station
and further direct data transmission, as needed.
[0048] The internet would also provide a useful low-cost feedback
connection due to the low-cost of gaining online access. Most
internet providers now offer fixed rates as low as $15-20 per month
for unlimited usage. Such a data connection might prove to be more
cost effective than eve a telephone linkup if the throughput levels
of data were found to be acceptable for the user's purposes.
[0049] As mentioned above, any such low-cost linkup is intended to
be embodied within the scope of this invention, and the examples
presented are not intended to be limit the invention to these
particular linking options.
[0050] The present invention would also be ideally suited for
distributed, or distant, teaching and training facilities. Using
the producer software 100 (See FIG. 5), an individual or company
could create a training manual which would consist of multiple HTML
pages with links in the appropriate spots to video, audio, and
textual information. Accordingly, a company could create and update
one version of a particular training manual and periodically send
it out to sites across the world. Each site could receive its own
training manual packet 183 and allow training to occur directly
from the receiver CPU 28, 30 (See FIG. 1). Alternatively, as shown
in FIG. 7, a receiving station 181 could receive the manual and
distribute access to the receiver CPU 184 an LAN connection 188 to
multiple users 186.
[0051] The training manual or training course would likely consist
of a large volume of information which spans many HTML pages and
links together numerous graphical, audio, and video files. The
manual will also likely have different paths which a user can
follow through the complex link of mixed-media information. As a
result, it may not be practical to group together and send the
entire manual as an IA group or packet. Instead, the manual would
be produced in smaller IA groups or packets. The telephone linkup
180, as shown in FIG. 6, could then be used to request the next set
of information as it becomes needed by the user. This would prevent
the costly transmission of information which the user may not need,
or even desire.
[0052] Referring also to FIG. 8, a block diagram of a portion of an
example training manual or IA grouping is shown. From the initial
text 190, the manual breaks off into a first path 192 and a second
path 194. The already transmitted and acquired information might
include the portion 196. If the user follows the first path 192,
then a need exists for the remaining information 198 as the user
proceeds. Accordingly, the telephone linkup 180, as discussed
above, could be used to request a transmission to the receiving
station of the information to be acquired 198.
[0053] Similarly, other remote teaching systems might use the
present system. For instance, a teacher or professor in a central
location could send IA groups to multiple teaching facilities. The
grouping might include video clips and audio clips about the topic
of discussion which could be played, and replayed, by each
receiving site. The telephone linkup back to the transmitting site
could then provide low-level feedback from students, such as
textual questions and the link, whereby the teacher would then
respond to the question. The answer might come through the same
telephone linkup, or the teacher might feel the need to direct an
answer to the entire collection of receiving sites.
[0054] As discussed above, any type of information can be grouped
and organized together into the IA grouping. Such information might
include actual programs or computer software to be run by the
receiving CPU. One convenient way of sending such programs is
through JAVA programs which are placed inside the HTML page code.
JAVA programs thereby allow the HTML page to run programs while
being displayed to the user. This allows moving graphical patterns
and the like to be used to enhance the HTML page. In the teaching
example above, this would allow a physics professor to send a
program to show and perform a simulation between, for instance, two
physical objects.
[0055] Numerous modifications may be made to the foregoing system
without departing from the basic teachings thereof. Although the
present invention has been described in substantial detail with
reference to one or more specific embodiments, those of skill in
the art will recognize that changes may be made thereto without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth
in the appended claims.
* * * * *