Umted States Patent
`
`[191
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,675,734
`
`Hair
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`Oct. 7, 1997
`
`US005675734A
`
`380/4
`7/1985 Fmeny,Jr.
`4,528,643
`.- 358/86
`-
`8/1985 Nakajimaetal.
`4,538,176
`..... 235/331
`1/1936 Lockwood .........
`4,567,359
`..... .. 360/55
`3/1937 Geddes .... ......
`4,647,989
`........ 364/479
`3/1937 Ogald etal.
`4,654,799
`£31333? ‘£71333
`.:::::::::.....................::::..:’i‘.TT”§§3;i/54
`
`
`
`[54] SYSTEM FOR TRANSMITTING DESIRED
`DIGITAL VIDEO OR AUDIO SIGNALS
`
`.
`-
`-
`I"v°m°r' Auburn‘ Hm’ Pmsbmgh’Pa'
`[75]
`W31 Assi8n°== g;a,ge;,§i8h"Swnds ‘"98 Upper 53
`
`'
`
`Primary Examiner—Hoa T. Nguyen
`Attorne); Agent, or Firm-Ansel M. Schwartz
`
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A method for transfeuing desired digital video or digital
`““‘fi° Sign“ Tm’ m°“‘°d °°mP‘i5"s “'° Ste?‘ °f f°m‘i"8 3
`connection through telecommunications lines between a first
`memory of a first party and a second memory of a second
`party. The first memory has the desired digital video or
`digital §“di° Signals Then» ‘hm is the WP 01‘ Sclling
`°1°°“°“1°a11¥ "3! 111° firs‘ Pa“Y ‘°_ “W S_°°_°“d Party “"?‘%81‘
`‘°1°°°’“‘“““‘°““°‘“ 11”“! “‘° ‘°S"°“ “*8” "‘d°° °‘ ‘hgm
`audio signals in the first memory. Then, there is the step of
`transferring the desired digital video or digital audio signals
`from the first memory of the first party to the second
`memory of the second party through the telecommunications
`lines while the second memory is in possession and control
`of the second party. Additionally, there is a system for
`"ansfafing ‘figiml "id°° °‘ digital ““‘di° sig“"1s'
`
`1
`
`34 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`[21] APPL N05 6W,648
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Feb. 27, 1996
`
`R°"‘°" US‘ A1’P“°"“°" D““‘
`[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 23,393, Feb. 26, 1993, abandoned,
`which is 3 confinuafion of S31 No_ 535,391, sep_ 13, 1990,
`Pat. No. 5,191,573, which is a continuation of Sen No.
`205397: J“'1- 13» 1933: 3b9“d°“°d-
`[51]
`Int. Cl.‘ ............................... 1101.] 13/00; H04L 9/oo
`
`[521 U.s. (:1. ........................ 395/2oo.o1; 330/4; 330/43
`[53] Field of Search ......................... 395/200.1; 235/331,
`235/380, 375; 364/479.04, 410; 369/33,
`34, 84, 85; 380/4, 43; 379/77; 360/55
`
`[56]
`
`Refennces Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2/1973 Lightner .................................. 235/331
`11/1976 Hughes
`235/381
`6/1985 Abraham ......
`353/36
`
`
`
`3,713,906
`3,990,710
`4,521,806
`
`
`
`
`
`SPEAKERS
`£2
`
`CONTROL PANEL
`
`504
`
`
`
`CONTROL I.C.
`VIDEO DISPLAY
`
`508
`.72
`
`
`
`
`
`COMPACT
`DISC
`PLAYER
`
`Q
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PLAYBACK
`R.A.M.
`
`
`
`500
`50C
`
`
`INCOM I N6
`R.A.M.
`
`Apple Exhibit 1007
`Page|00001
`
`Apple Exhibit 1007
`Page 00001
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`Page 00002
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`U.S. Patent
`
`5,675,734
`
`
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`
`1
`SYSTEM FOR TRANSMITTING DESIRED
`DIGITAL VII)EO OR AUDIO SIGNALS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO 01‘HER PATENTS
`
`This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
`08/023398 filed on Feb. 26, 1993, now abandoned which is
`a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`07/586,391 filed Sep. 18, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,
`573, issued Mar. 2, 1993, which is a continuation application
`of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/206,497, filed Jun. 13,
`1988, abandoned.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is related to a system and associated
`method for the electronic sales and distribution of digital
`audio or digital video signals, and more particularly, to a
`system and method which a user may purchase and receive
`digital audio or digital video signals from any location
`which the user has access to telecommunications lines.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The three basic mediums (hardware units) of music:
`records, tapes, and compact discs, greatly restricts the trans-
`ferability of music and results in a variety of inefliciencies.
`CAPACITY: The individual hardware units as cited above
`are limited as to the amount of music that can be stored on
`each
`MATERIALS: The materials used to manufacture the
`hardware units are subject to damage and deterioration
`during normal operations, handling, and exposure to the
`elements.
`
`SIZE: The physical size of the hardware units imposes
`constraints on the quantity of hardware units which can be
`housed for playback in confined areas such as in
`automobiles, boats, planes, etc.
`RETRIEVAL: Hardware units limit the ability to play, in
`a sequence selected by me user, songs from different albums.
`For example, if the user wants to play one song from ten
`different albums, the user would spend an inordinate amount
`of time handling, sorting, and cueing the ten dilferent
`hardware units.
`
`SALES AND DISTRIBUTION: Prior to final purchase,
`hardware units need to be physically transferred from the
`manufacturing facility to the wholesale warehouse to the
`retail warehouse to the retail outlet, resulting in lengthy lag
`time between music creation and music marketing, as well
`as incurring unnecessary and ineflicient transfer and han-
`dling costs. Additionally, tooling costs required for mass
`production of the hardware units and the material cost of the
`hardware units themselves, further drives up the cost of
`music to the end user.
`
`QUALITY: Until the recent invention of Digital Audio
`Music, as used on Compact Discs, distortion free transfer
`from the hardware units to the stereo system was virtually
`impossible. Digital Audio Music is simply music converted
`into a very basic computa language lmown as binary. A
`series of commands known as zeros or ones encode the
`music for future playback. Use of lasa retrieval of the
`binary commands results in distortion free transfer of the
`music from the compact disc to the stereo system. Quality
`Digital Audio Music is defined as the binary structure of the
`Digital Audio Music. Conventional analog tape recording of
`Digital Audio Music is not to be considered quality inas-
`much as the binary strucurre itself is not recorded. While
`Digital Audio Music on compact discs is a technological
`
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`breakthrough in audio quality, the method by which the
`music is sold, distributed, stored, manipulated, retrieved,
`played and protected from copyright infringements remains
`as inetlicient as with records and tapes.
`COPYRIGHT PROTECTION: Since the invention of
`tape recording devices, snrict control and enforcement of
`copyright laws have proved diflicult and impossible with
`home recorders. Additionally, the recent invention of Digital
`Audio Tape Recorders now jeopardizes the electronic copy-
`right protection of quality Digital Audio Music on Compact
`Discs or Digital Audio Tapes. If music exists on hardware
`units, it can be copied.
`the
`Thus, as is apparent from the above discussion,
`inflexible form in which the songs are purchased by an end
`user, and the distribution channels of the songs, requires the
`end user to go to a location to purchase the songs, and not
`necessarily be able to purchase only the songs desired to be
`heard, in a sequence the end user would like to hear them.
`This is not limited to just songs, but also includes, for
`example, videos.
`Accordingly, it is an objective of this invention is to
`provide a new and improved methodology/system to elec-
`Ironically sell and distribute Digital Audio Music or digital
`video.
`
`A further objective of this invention to provide a new and
`improved methodology/system to electronically store and
`retrieve Digital Audio Music or digital video.
`Another objective of this invention is to provide a new
`and improved methodology/system to electronically
`manipulate, i.e., sort, cue, and select, Digital Audio Music or
`digital video for playback.
`Still another objective of this invention is to oifer a new
`and improved methodology/system which can prevent unau-
`thorized electronic copying of quality Digital Audio Music
`or digital video.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`this invention accomplishes the above cited
`Briefly,
`objectives by providing a new and improved methodologyl
`system of electronic sales, distribution, storage,
`manipulation, retrieval, playback, and copyright protection
`of Digital Audio Music. The high speed transfer of Digital
`Audio Music as prescribed by this invention is stored onto
`one piece of hardware, a hard disk, thus eliminating the need
`to unnecessarily handle records, tapes, or compact discs on
`a regular basis. This invention recalls stored music for
`playback as selected/prograrmned by the user. This inven-
`tion can easily and electronically sort stored music based on
`many difierent crituia such as, but not limited to, music
`category, artist, album, user’s favorite songs, etc. An addi-
`tional feature of this invention is the random playback of
`songs, also based on the user’s selection. For example, the
`user could have this invention randomly play all jazz songs
`stored on the user’s hard disk, or randomly play all songs by
`a certain artist, or randomly play all of the user’s favorite
`songs which the user previously electronically “tagged” as
`favorites. Further, being more specific, the user can elec-
`t:ronically select a series of individual songs from diflerent
`albums for sequential playback.
`This invention can be configured to either accept direct
`input of Digital Audio Music from the digital output of a
`Compact Disc, such transfer would be performed by the
`private user, or this invention can be configured to accept
`Digital Audio Music from a source authorized by the copy-
`right holder to sell and distribute the copyrighted materials,
`thus guaranteeing the protection of such copyrighted mate-
`
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`rials. Either method of electronically transferring Digital
`Audio Music by means of this invention is intended to
`comply with all copyright laws and restrictions and any such
`transfer is subject to the appropriate authorization by the
`copyright holder. Inasmuch as Digital Audio Music is soft-
`ware and this invention electronically transfers and stores
`such music. electronic sales and distribution of the music
`can take place via telephone lines onto a hard disk. This new
`methodology/system of music sales and distribution will
`greatly reduce the cost of goods sold and will reduce the lag
`time between music creation and music marketing from
`weeks down to hours.
`
`The present invention is a system for transmitting desired
`digital video or digital audio signals stored on a first memory
`of a first party to preferably a second memory of a second
`party. The system comprises means or mechanism for elec-
`tronically selling the desired digital video or digital audio
`signals preferably via telecommunications lines to the first
`party from the second party. Moreover, the system prefer-
`ably comprises means or mechanism for connecting elec-
`tronically via telecommunications lines the first memory
`preferably with the second memory such that the desired
`digital video or digital audio signals can pass therebetween.
`Additionally, the system comprises means or mechanism for
`transmitting the desired digital video or digital audio signals
`from the first memory with a transmitter in control and in
`possession of the first party to a receiver preferably having
`the second memory while the receiver is in possession and
`in control of the second party. The receiver is placed at a
`second party location determined by the second party.
`Preferably, there is also means or mechanism for storing the
`digital video or digital audio signal in the second memory.
`Further objectives and advantages of this invention will
`become apparent as the following description proceeds and
`the particular features of novelty which characterize this
`invention will be pointed out in the claims annexed to and
`forming a part of this declaration.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For a better understanding of this invention, reference
`should be made to the following detailed description, taken
`in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a pictorial flow chart which may be used in
`carrying out the teachings of this invention for the purposes
`of electronic sales, distribution, storage, manipulation,
`retrieval, playback, and copyright protection of Digital
`Audio Music; and
`
`FIG. 2 is a pictorial flow chart which may be used in
`carrying out the teachings of this invention for the purposes
`of electronic storage, manipulation, retrieval, and playback
`of Digital Audio Music.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference
`numerals refer to similar or identical parts throughout the
`several views, and more specifically to figure thereof, there
`is shown
`
`Referring now to the FIG. 1, this invention preferably is
`comprised of the following:
`10 Hard Disk of the copyright holder
`20 Control Unit of the copyright holder 20a Control Panel
`20b Control Integrated Circuit 20c Sales Random
`Access Memory Chip
`30 Telephone Lines/Input Transfer
`
`4
`50 Control Unit of the user 50a Control Panel 50b Control
`Integrated Circuit 50c Incoming Random Access
`Memory Chip 50d Play Back Random Access Memory
`Chip
`60 Hard Disk of the user
`
`70 Video Display Unit
`80 Stereo Speakers
`The Hard Disk 10 of the first party or agent authorized to
`electronically sell and distribute the copyrighted Digital
`Audio Music is the originating source of music in the
`configuration as outlined in FIG. 1. The Control Unit 20 of
`the authorized agent is the means by which the electronic
`transfer of the Digital Audio Music from the agent’s Hard
`Disk 10 via the Telephone Lines 30 to the user’s or second
`party’s Control Unit 50 is possible. The user’s Control Unit
`is comprised of a Control Panel 50a, a Control Integrated
`Circuit 50b, an Incoming Random Access Memory Chip
`50c, and a Play Back Random Access Memory Chip 50d.
`Similarly,
`the authorized agent’s Control Unit 20 has a
`control panel and control integrated circuit similar to that of
`the user’s Control Unit 50. The authorized agent’s Control
`Unit 20, however, only requires the Sales Random Access
`Memory Chip 20c. The other components in FIG. 1 include
`a Hard Disk 60, a Video Display Unit 70, and a set of Stereo
`Speakers 80.
`Referring now to FIG. 2, with the exception of a substi-
`tution of a Compact Disc Player 40 (as the initial source of
`Digital Audio Music) for the agent’s Hard Disk 10, the
`agent’s Control Unit 20, and the Telephone Lines 30 in FIG.
`1, FIG. 2 is the same as FIG. 1.
`In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2,
`the following components are
`already commercially available: the agent’s Hard Disk 10,
`the Telephone Lines 30, the Compact Disc Player 40, the
`user’s Hard Disk 60, the- Video Display Unit 70, and the
`Stereo Speakers 80. The Control Units 20 and 50, however,
`would be designed specifically to meet the teachings of this
`invention. The design of the control units would incorporate
`the following functional features:
`1) the Control Panels 20a and 50a would be designed to
`permit the agent and user to program the respective
`Control Integrated Circuits 20b and 50b,
`2) the Control Integrated Circuits 20b and 50b would be
`designed to control and execute the respective com-
`mands of the agent and usa and regulate the electronic
`transfer of Digital Audio Music throughout the system,
`additionally, the sales Control Integrated Circuit 20b
`could electronically code the Digital Audio Music in a
`configuration which would prevent unauthorized repro-
`ductions of the copyrighted material,
`3) the Sales Random Access Memory Chip 20c would be
`designed to temporarily store user purchased Digital
`Audio Music for subsequent electronic transfer via
`telephone lines to the user’s Control Unit 50,
`4) the Incoming RandomAccess Memory Chip 50:: would
`be designed to temporarily store Digital Audio Music
`for subsequent electronic storage to the user’s Hard
`Disk 60,
`5) the Play Back Random Access Memory Chip 50d
`would be designed to temporarily store Digital Audio
`Music for sequential playback.
`The foregoing description of the Control Units 20 and 50
`is intended as an example only and thereby is not restrictive
`with respect to the exact number of components and/or its
`actual design.
`Once the Digital Audio Music has been electronically
`stored onto the user’s Hard Disk 60, having the potential to
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`store literally thousands of songs, the user is free to perform
`the many functions of this invention. To play a stored song,
`the user types in the appropriate commands on the Control
`Panel 50a, and those commands are relayed to the Control
`Integrated Circuit 50b which retrieves the selected song
`fi'om the Hard Disk 60. When a song is retrieved from the
`Hard Disk 60 only a replica of the permanently storedsong
`is retrieved. The permanently stored song remains intact on
`the Hard Disk 60, thus allowing repeated playback. The
`Control Integrated Circuit 50b stores the replica onto the
`Play Back Random Access Memory Chip 50d at a high
`transfer rate. The Control Integrated Circuit 50b then sends
`the eledronic output to the Stereo Speakers 80 at a con-
`trolled rate using the Play Back Random Access Memory
`Chip 50d as a temporary staging point for the Digital Audio
`Music.
`
`Unique to this invention is that the Cont1'ol Unit 50 also
`serves as the user’s personal disk jockey. The user may
`request specific songs to be electronically cued for playback,
`or may request the Control Unit 50 to randomly select songs
`based on the user’s criteria. All of these commands are
`electronically stored in random access memory enabling the
`control unit to remember prior commands while sirnulta-
`neously performing other tasks requested by the user and, at
`the same time, continuing to play songs previously cued.
`Offering a convenient visual display of the user’s library
`of songs is but one more new and improved aspect of this
`invention. As the Control Unit 50 is executing the user’s
`cormnands to electronically sort, select, randomly play, etc.,
`the Video Display Screen 70 is continually providing feed-
`back to the user. The Video Display Screen 70 can list/scroll
`all songs stored on the Hard Disk 60, list/scroll all cued
`songs, display the current command function selected by the
`user, etc. Further expanding upon the improvements this
`invention has to otfer, the Video Display Screen 70 can
`display the lyrics of the song being played, as well as the
`name of the song, album, artist, recording company, date of
`recording, duration of song, etc. This is possible if the lyrics
`and other incidental information are electronically stored to
`the Hard Disk 60 with the Digital Audio Music.
`The present invention is a method for transmitting desired
`digital video or digital audio signals stored on a first memory
`of a first party preferably to a second memory of a second
`party. The method comprises the steps of transferring money
`via telecommunications lines‘ to the first party from the
`second party or electronically selling to the second party by
`the first party. Additionally, the method comprises the step of
`then connecting electronically via telecommunications lines
`the first memory preferably with the second memory such
`that the desired digital video or digital audio signals can pass
`therebetween. Next, there is the step of transmitting the
`desired digital video or digital audio signals from the first
`memory with a transmitter in control and in possession of
`the first party to a receiver preferably having the second
`memory while the receiver is in possession and in control of
`the second party. The receiver is placed by the second party
`at a second party location determined by me second party.
`Preferably is also the step of then storing the desired digital
`video or digital audio signals in the second memory.
`In summary, thae has been disclosed a new and improved
`methodology/system by which Digital Audio Music or digi-
`tal video can be electronically sold, distributed, transferred,
`and stored. Further, there has been disclosed a new and
`improved methodologylsystem by which Digital Audio
`Music or digital video can be electronically manipulated,
`i.e., sorted, cued, and selected for playback Further still,
`there has been disclosed a new and improved methodology]
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`system by which the electronic manipulation of Digital
`Audio Music can be visually displayed for the convenience
`of the user. Additionally, there has been disclosed a_ new and
`improved methodologylsystem by which electronic copy-
`right protection of quality Digital Audio Music is possible
`through use of this invention.
`Since numerous changes may be made in the above
`described process and apparatus and different embodiments
`of the invention may be made without departing from the
`spirit thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the
`foregoing description or shown in the accompanying draw-
`ings shall be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting
`sense. Further, it is intended that this invention is not to be
`limited to Digital Audio Music and can include Digital
`Video, Digital Commercials, and other applications of digi-
`tal information.
`
`.
`
`For instance, the present invention is a system 100 for
`transferring digital video signals from a first party to a ‘
`second party. The system 100 comprises a first party control
`unit 20 having a first memory having a plurality of desired
`individual video seledions as desired digital video signals.
`The first party control unit 20 also has means or a mecha-
`nism for the first party to charge a fee to the second party for
`access to the desired digital video signals. The system 100
`also comprises a second party control unit 50 having a
`second party control panel 50a, a receiver and a video
`display for playing the desired digital video or digital audio
`signals received by the receiver. The second party control
`panel 50a is connected to the video display and the receiver.
`The receiver and the video display is operatively controlled
`by the second party control panel 50a. The second party
`control unit 50 is remote from the first party control unit 20.
`The second party control unit 50 is placed by the second
`party at a second party location determined by the second
`party which is remote from the first party control unit 20.
`The second party chooses the desired digital video signals
`from the first memory with the second party control panel
`20a. The system 100 is also comprised of telecommunica-
`tions lines connected to the first party control unit 20 and the
`second party control unit 50 through which the desired
`digital video signals are electronically transferred from the
`first memory to the receiver while the second party control
`unit 50 is in possession and control of the second party after
`the desired digital video signals are sold to t:he second party
`by the first party.
`Preferably, the second party control unit 50 includes a
`second memory which is connected to the receiver and the
`video display. The second memory stores the digital video
`signals that are received by t:he receiver for providing them
`to the video display. The second party control unit 50
`preferably includes a second party hard disk 60 which stores
`a plurality of digital video signals, and a playback random
`access memory chip 50d electronically connected to the
`second party hard disk 60 for storing a replica of the desired
`digital video signals as a temporary staging area for play-
`back. The second party control unit 50 includes a second
`party control
`integrated circuit 5017 which controls and
`executes commands of the second party and is connected to
`the second party hard disk 60, the playback random access
`memory Sod, and the first party control integrated circuit
`24% through the teleoomrnunications lines. The second party
`control
`integrated circuit 50b preferably includes the
`receiver. Additionally,
`the second party control unit 50
`includes a second party control panel 20a through which the
`second party control integrated circuit 20b is programmed
`and is sent commands and which is connected to the second
`
`party integrated circuit 50b. Preferably, the second party
`
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`5,675,734
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`control unit 50 includes an incoming random access memory
`chip 50c connected to the second party hard disk 60 and the
`second party control integrated circuit 5%, and the first
`party control unit 20 through the telecommunications lines
`for temporarily storing the desired digital video signals
`received from the first party’s control unit 20 for subsequent
`storage to the second party hard disk 60. Preferably, the
`video display includes a video display unit connected to the
`playback random access memory chip 50c and to the second
`party integrated circuit 50b for displaying the desired digital
`video signals.
`'
`The first party control unit 20 preferably includes a first
`party hard disk 10 having a plurality of digital video signals
`which include the desired digital video signals, and a sales
`random access memory chip 20c electronically connected to
`the first party hard disk 10 for storing a replica of the desired
`digital video signals of the first party’s hard disk 10. The first
`party control unit 20 preferably includes a first party control
`integrated circuit 20b which controls and executes com-
`mands of the first party and is connected to the first party
`hard disk 10, the first party sales random access memory
`20c, and the second party control integrated circuit Mb
`through the telecommunications lines. The first party control
`integrated circuit 20b and the second party control integrated
`circuit 50b regulate the transfer of the desired digital video
`signals. The first party control unit 20 preferably also
`includes a first party control panel 20a through which the
`first party control integrated circuit 20b is programmed and
`is sent commands and which is connected to the first party
`control integrated circuit 20b.
`The means or mechanism for charging a fee includes
`means or a mechanism for charging a fee via telecommu-
`nications lines by the first party to the second party at a
`location remote from the second party location. Preferably,
`the second party has an account and the means or mecha-
`nism for charging a fee includes means or a mechanism for
`charging the account of the second party. Preferably, the
`means or mechanism for charging the account includes
`means or a mechanism for charging a credit card number of
`the second party. Preferably, the means or mechanism for
`electronically selling includes means or a mechanism for
`electronically selling includes means or a mechanism for
`charging a fee via telecommunications lines by the first party
`to the second party at a first party location remote from the
`second party location. Preferably, the second party has an
`account and the means or mechanism for charging a fee
`includes means or a mechanism for charging the account of
`the second party. Preferably, the means or mechanism for
`charging the account includes means or a mechanism for
`receiving a credit card number of the second party. The
`means or mechanism for receiving a credit card number
`preferably is part of the control integrated circuit 20b. The
`telecommunications lines are preferably telephone lines 30.
`The present invention also pertains to a method for
`transmitting desired digital video signals stored in a first
`memory having a plurality of individual video selections as
`digital video signals of a first party at a first party location
`to a second party at a second party location so the second
`party can view the desired digital video signals. The method
`comprises the steps of placing by the second party areceiver,
`and a video display connected to the receiver at the second
`party location determined by the second party which is
`remote from the first party location. Next, there is the step
`of charging a fee by the first party to the second party at a
`location remote fiom the second party location so the second
`party can obtain access to the desired digital video signals.
`Then,
`there is the step of connecting electronically via
`
`8
`telecommunications lines the first memory with areceiver of
`the second party while the receiver is in possession and
`control of the second party. Next,
`there is the step of
`choosing the desired digital video signals by the second
`party from the first memory of the first party so desired
`digital video selections are selected. Next, there is the step
`of transmitting the desired digital video signals fi'om the first
`memory with a transmitter in control and possession of the
`first party to the receiver of the second party while the
`receiver is in possession and control of the second party at
`the second party location determined by the second pasty.
`Next, there is the step of displaying the desired video signals
`received by the receiver on a video display in possession and
`control of the second party. The video display is connected
`with the receiver.
`Preferably, the step of charging a fee includes the step of
`charging a fee via telecommunications lines by the first party
`to the second party so the second party can obtain access to
`the desired digital video signals stored on the first memory.
`Preferably, the second party has an account and the step of
`charging a fee includes the step of charging the account of
`the second party. Preferably, the step of charging the account
`of the second party includes the steps of telephoning the first
`party controlling use of the first memory by the second party.
`Then, there is the step of providing a credit card number of
`the second party controllingthe second memory to the first
`party controlling the first memory so the second party is
`charged money. Preferably, the means or mechanism for the
`first party to charge a fee includes means or a mechanism for
`transferring money electronically via telecommunications
`lines to the first party at a location remote from the second
`memory at the second party location.
`Although the invention has been described in detail in the
`foregoing embodiments for the purpose of illustration, it is
`to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose
`and that variations can be made therein by those skilled in
`the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the
`invention except as it may be described by the following
`claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method for transferring desired digital video or
`digital audio signals comprising the steps of:
`forming a connection through telecommunications lines
`between a first memory of a first party at a first party
`location and a second memory of a second party at a
`second party location remote from the first party
`location, said first memory having a first party hard disk
`having a plurality of digital video or digital audio
`signals including coded desired digital video or digital
`audio signals, and a sales random access memory chip
`which temporarily stores a replica of the coded desired
`digital video or digital audio signals purchased by the
`second party for subsequent transfer via telecommuni-
`cations lines to the second memory of the second party;
`telephoning the first party controlling use of the first
`memory by the second part;
`providing a credit card number of the second party
`controlling the second memory to the first party con-
`trolling the first memory so the second party is charged
`money;
`electronically coding the desired digital video or digital
`audio signals to form said coded desired digital video
`or digital audio signals into a configuration which
`would prevent unauthorized reproduction of the desired
`digital video or digital audio signals;
`storing a replica of the coded desired digital video or
`digital audio signals from the hard disk into the sales
`random access memory chip;
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`9
`transferring the stored replica of the coded desired digital
`video or digital audio signals from the sales random
`access memory chip of the first party to die second
`memory of the second party through telecommunica-
`tions lines while the second memory is in possession
`and control of the second party; and
`storing the transferred replica of the coded desired digital
`video or digital audio signals in the second memory.
`2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein there is a
`second party integrated circuit which controls and executes
`commands of the second party, and a second party control
`panel connected to the second party integrated circuit, and
`before the forming step, there is the step of commanding the
`second party integrated circuit with the second party control
`panel to i