WO1996037058A1

WO1996037058A1 - Multimedia information storage and distribution device

Info

Publication number: WO1996037058A1
Application number: PCT/FR1996/000734
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thierry Thibault; Olivier Florant
Original assignee: Syseca S.A.
Priority date: 1995-05-19
Filing date: 1996-05-15
Publication date: 1996-11-21
Also published as: AU5904396A; FR2734380B1; FR2734380A1

Abstract

A multimedia information storage device is described, which comprises at least means (3) for simulating a mass storage, an input interface (2) and an output interface (4). The simulation means (3) are connected to information broadcasting means (7) via the input interface (2) and to user media (8) via the output interface (4). The invention is useful for large scale broadcasting of all types of digital data.

Description

MULTIMEDIA INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION AND STORAGE DEVICE

The present invention relates to a device for distributing and storing multimedia information. It applies in particular to the broadcasting of audio-video information and to the broadcasting of computer data everywhere and on all types of user terminals.

From the telephone, the means of telecommunications have evolved considerably. Digital broadcasting services have already existed for several years, such as the "minitel" network in France. The latter is evolving and is now able to process still images. Other services also continue to expand gradually. In the near future, services based on ATM technology will allow the transfer of digital information at high speed, ATM being the initials of the English expression "Asynchonous Transfer Mode".

These high-speed transfers can be compared to highways hence their widely adopted name of information superhighways. These information highways give hope for a considerable increase in the exchange of digital information around the world, in all fields of information, industrial and general public. However, like motorways, it is very likely that information superhighways will not serve all geographic locations, especially remote or remote locations in large cities. Another problem with the dissemination of digital information is due to the limits of the client / server architecture. This architecture is currently tending to generalize. However, its mechanism requires the presence of quasi-synchronous links, which is hardly compatible with certain constraints which require customer autonomy. Furthermore, if in the case of local networks, the costs are practically zero, it is not the same in the case of long distances where the costs then become prohibitive. Thus, in the case of servers accessible to the general public, in particular for computer-assisted teaching, distance education and other distance training methods, the cost of interactive multimedia communication would even be contrary to the principle of equality of citizens: those who learn quickly communicate little and therefore spend less. The object of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. It allows in particular a large-scale diffusion, in all places and at reduced and uniform cost by releasing, between on the one hand the passive communication in real time of television programs, which one can however differ thanks to the video recorder, and d on the other hand, the consumption of non-recordable interactivity, a way which limits telecommunication costs and which allows tailor-made interactivity.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for distributing and storing information, characterized in that it comprises at least means for simulating a mass support storing information; an input interface and an output interface, the simulation means being connected to means for diffusing information by the input interface and to user media by the output interface.

The main advantages of the invention are that it is compatible with current or future uses of the compact disc, that it adapts to the dissemination of information reserved just as much for manufacturers as for the general public, that it s adapts to many types of media and is easy to use.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent:

- Figure 1, a block diagram of an embodiment of a device according to the invention;

- Figure 2, a device according to the invention in an environment of use;

- Figure 3, a possible embodiment of a device according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a device according to the invention 1. It comprises at least one input interface 2 connected to means 3 for simulating a mass support, a compact disc for example. These simulation means 3 are connected to an output interface 4. The device according to the invention comprises for example a control interface 5 connected to the simulation means 3, this control interface allows for example to one or more external control devices 6 to command or control these. Input interface 2 is connected externally to broadcasting means 7. The output interface is connected externally to one or more user media 8.

The input 2 and output 4 interfaces respectively process the input and output data so that the simulation means are seen by the broadcasting means 7 and the user media 8 as the simulated mass support.

FIG. 2 illustrates the device according to the invention 1 in its environment of use. The broadcasting means are for example television channels, using cables, satellites or radio-relay systems. The user media 8 can be of all types, for example personal computers, audio channels or televisions. The control devices 6 are for example made up of television type remote control, keyboards, or buttons present on the device. The device according to the invention is connected to a source of electrical energy 9, the local or domestic electrical network for example.

The means 3 for simulating a mass support constitute storage means independent of the broadcasting means 7 and of the user media 8 or other means of exploitation or use. The mass support simulated by the simulation means is for example a compact disc. That is to say that with respect to the user media 8, these means 3 behave like a compact disc. In this case, the simulation means 3 can be called virtual compact disc.

The means 3 for simulating a mass support or the virtual compact disc could store data downloaded via the broadcasting means 7, for example television channels by cable, by satellite or by radio-relay systems. Software publishers could for example offer a subscription service with a so-called update. Catalog publishers, companies could transmit to their network of agencies or dealers, reports, disregulations, documentation, plans, technical notices or maps for example.

In the case of the use of television channels, the coding of the transmitted data could, for each frame, be carried out during the return of the beam in a similar manner to what is done in the case of teletexts superimposed on television images. So including the error control and correction codes, by this full-band extension, the useful bit rate would drop from 35 Megabits per second to 28 Megabits per second, or 3.5 Megabytes per second. Transmission to a virtual compact disc could take less than three minutes. The off-peak hours of television operators could be used in the absence of dedicated channels. To increase the instantaneous speed, it would be possible to operate several channels simultaneously. Safety devices not shown could be added to the device according to the invention 1. The virtual compact disc can be for example of magnetic type, any silicon or biotechnical. It can, for example, be read according to the ISO 9660 standard format relating to compact discs. The received and accepted signals would be transcribed on the virtual compact disc according to this standard. Like the photographic compact disc, multi-session operation can be provided, for example for lower volume distributions, updates or new releases.

By expanding its internal memory capacity, the virtual compact disc can act as a compact disc server.

For this purpose, it can be directly connected to a local network of the Ethernet type or equivalent. Unique addresses can be defined and written in the virtual compact disc, in the reader, on a silicon component for example.

Even if it has the technical attributes allowing reading and writing, the virtual compact disc can only be used in read-only mode for end users, customers or subscribers in particular. Its content is then, for example, copied with processes used for burned compact discs.

The device according to the invention 1 may for example contain means 10 for destroying the content of the means 3 for simulation or the virtual compact disc. These destruction means 10 are connected to the latter 3 and to the diffusion means for example, the destruction order being for example sent by the latter. The destruction could for example take place after a certain predefined period. This destruction could thus apply to the loan or rental of extracts from documents, musical samples, documentaries or computer data. The destruction means can also, for example, be controlled by the control devices.

The device according to the invention as described in FIG. 1 can be integrated into a modular assembly by adding additional functional modules to it. These modules can be, for example, a laser printer, a video text interrogation terminal, a keyboard, a screen, processors or consultation software transforming, for example, the equipment into an equivalent of an advanced microfiche reader, fax functions more or less memory, security devices such as encrypted keys, memory cards or encryption, or radio broadcast recordings.

Several players are affected by the use of the device according to the invention.

Suppliers, for example, institutional, have information dissemination needs, they notably hold information content.

Editors have editorial know-how, particularly in terms of formatting and developing user operating tools. They are professionals of assisted publication, multimedia and other hypertext.

Routing specialists are responsible for managing groups of subscribers. They play the role of service distributors.

The operators are responsible for broadcasting. They provide home delivery of information entrusted to them by routing professionals.

Finally, the users represent the end users who consume and possibly finance professional or leisure information services.

Figure 3 shows a possible embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention.

The device 1 comprises for example a control unit 31. This control unit manages all of the operations as well as the exchanges between the other components of the device according to the invention. To this end, a control bus connects this unit to the other components of the device 1. The control unit comprises for example the destruction means 10 mentioned above.

Another high speed bus is for example incorporated. It allows information to be exchanged between components processing high frequency signals.

A control unit 32 manages for example the manipulations of the users. To this end, it participates in the interface, in combination with the control unit 31, of the control devices made available to users and the virtual compact disc or any other means 3 of simulating a mass support. The control devices 6 are for example made up of buttons present on the device 1 according to the invention, remote controls, partitions, keys, memory cards, or even virtual commands defined by complementary local or remote software.

A security unit 33 manages the mechanisms for controlling access to broadcast information, this unit for example managing the use of end users. A photographic or musical compact disc can thus be protected locally. This is particularly used for the protection of children or protection against unauthorized persons. The security unit 33 is connected to the control unit 32.

A tuner 34 receives and processes the broadcast signals by tuning, for example, to the correct transmission channels. The signals output from the tuner are for example of the video type. The tuner is connected to the broadcasting means, a television link for example, by cable, satellite or over the air.

A scanner 35 connected to the tuner 34 extracts from the signal, video, generated by the latter, the raw digital content transmitted in each scanning line of the broadcast signal. This extract is not for example used in real time but is simply stored on an internal disk, a frame memory.

A frame memory 36 connected to the scanner 35 thus temporarily stores the digital information contained in the frames. The frame memory being for example made up of an internal disk, the management mode of this disk does not necessarily obey a defined standard because users do not directly access it.

A loader 37 connected to the frame memory 36 uses the latter by converting its content into a format for example compatible with ISO standard 9660, the standard for loading and reading compact discs.

The virtual compact disc or any other means 3 for simulating a mass support ensures the storage of the broadcast information, according to the ISO 9660 standard for example. In the latter case, this then represents an equivalent of the compact discs conventionally used.

A user interface or output interface 4 ensures, in view of users, compliance with the ISO 9660 standard. Various outputs are for example provided, outputs not compatible with the inputs of HI-FI or television channels, video outputs compatible with television inputs, compatible outputs of computer inputs.

The different possible types of output and therefore the different possible user media ensure ease of use and on a large scale of the device according to the invention, both with manufacturers or professionals and with the general public.

In the case of simulation of a compact disc, other standards than ISO 9660 can be used for the format of the data, these standards can for example be as follows: CDXA, CDI, Audio XA, video CD, HFS MAC ... On the side of the transmission of information, a device similar to that of FIG. 3 is for example used, the direction of the information being reversed. Indeed, starting from a compact disc or any other mass medium, for example from a computer or an audiovisual system, this device records the data of this medium and then codes it in a format compatible with the transmission and reception circuits. .

Claims

1. Information distribution and storage device, characterized in that it comprises at least means (3) for simulating a mass support storing information, an input interface (2, 34, 35, 36, 37) and an output interface (4), the simulation means (3) being connected to means for broadcasting (7) information by the input interface (2) and to user media (8) via the output interface (4).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the simulation means (3) simulate a compact disc.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the input interface and the output interface ensure the transfer of information according to a standard relating to compact disks.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the input interface and the output interface ensure the transfer of information according to ISO standard 9660.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the coding of the transmitted data is, for each frame, carried out during the return of the beam.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains means for destroying (10) the content of the simulation means (3).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the destruction order passes through the diffusion means (7).

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: - a tuner (34) receiving and processing the signals sent by the broadcasting means (7);

- a scanner (35) connected to the tuner, extracting from the signal generated by the latter, the raw digital content transmitted in each scanning line of the broadcast signal;

- a frame memory (36) connected to the scanner (35) temporarily storing the digital information contained in the frames;

- a loader (37) connected to the frame memory (36) exploiting the latter by converting its content into a format compatible with the simulation means (3);

- the means of simulation (3) of a mass support memorizing the information, connected to the charger (37);

- a user interface (4) connected to the simulation means.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the simulated mass support being a compact disc, the loader (37) converts the content of the frame memory (36) into a format compatible with the ISO 9660 standard.

10. Device according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the user interface (4) ensures, seen from users, compliance with standard ISO 9660.

11. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises:

- a control unit (31) connected to the other components, managing all of the operations;

- a control unit (32) managing the manipulations of the users; - A security unit (33) managing the mechanisms for controlling access to the information disseminated.

12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the user media are personal computers, HI-FI channels and / or televisions.