(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0072817 A1
`(43) Pub. Date: Jun. 13, 2002
`
`Champion
`
`US 20020072817A1
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REQUEST,
`DELIVERY AND USE OF MULTIMEDIA
`FILES FOR AUDIOVISUAL
`ENTERTAINMENT IN THE HOME
`ENVIRONMENT
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... G06F 17/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S.Cl.
`................................................. 700/94; 381/77
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Mark Champion, Seattle, WA (US)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Correspondence Address:
`STEVEN L. NICHOLS
`RADER, FISHMAN & GRAVER PLLC
`10653 S. RIVER FRONT PARKWAY
`SUITE 150
`
`SOUTH JORDAN, UT 84095 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Sony Corporation and Sony Electron-
`ics Inc.
`
`(21) Appl. N0.:
`
`09/734,382
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 11, 2000
`
`A personal computer connected to the Internet can receive
`and store audio and audiovisual data or programming from
`the Internet. This audio and audiovisual programming can be
`provided by the computer over a digital connection to
`speakers and/or a monitor located away from the computer
`at a location convenient for a user. A remote control unit
`
`allows the user to send signals back over the digital con-
`nection t0 the computer to control the computer to provide
`the audio or audiovisual programming that the user desires
`over the digital connection to the speakers and/0r monitor
`located Where the user is. The computer may send a listing
`of the available programming to the remote control unit
`from which the user can make selections.
`
`
`
`Internet
`(101)
`
`1035
`
`Page 1 of 17
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`LG EXHIBIT 1004
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Jun. 13, 2002 Sheet 1 0f 9
`
`US 2002/0072817 A1
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` Internet
`
`(101)
`
`Page 2 of 17
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`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 13, 2002 Sheet 2 0f 9
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`US 2002/0072817 A1
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`Speaker (103)
`
`
`
`
`<—-—-—-106
`
`Decompression
`Hardware
`
`(150)
`
`D/A Converter
`
`(151)
`
`
`
`
`Wireless
`
`
`Transceiver
`
`
`(104)
`
`153
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 13, 2002 Sheet 3 0f 9
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`US 2002/0072817 A1
`
`305
`
`304
`
`m
`
`A
`
`Song Title One
`Song Title Two
`Song Title Three
`Song Title Four
`
`Song Title Five
`
`300
`
`Page 4 of 17
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`306
`
`30"
`
`308
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`Page 4 of 17
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jun. 13, 2002 Sheet 4 0f 9
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`US 2002/0072817 A1
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`
` Power line modem
`
`(201)
`
`
`Power Iine modem
`(203)
`
`
`
`
`104
`
`1038
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 13, 2002 Sheet 5 0f 9
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`US 2002/0072817 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`Internet
`(101)
`
`Radio Tuner
`(501)
`
`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jun. 13, 2002 Sheet 6 0f 9
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`US 2002/0072817 A1
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`
`
` Audio server
`
`(190)
`
`106
`
`
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`Page 7 0f 17
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 13, 2002 Sheet 7 0f 9
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`US 2002/0072817 A1
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` lnternet
`
`(101)
`
`106b
`
`
`
`Page 8 0f 17
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jun. 13, 2002 Sheet 8 0f 9
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`US 2002/0072817 A1
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` Internet
`
`(101)
`
`
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`Page 9 0f 17
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 13, 2002 Sheet 9 0f 9
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`US 2002/0072817 A1
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`(191)
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`Audiovisual server
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`106v
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`US 2002/0072817 A1
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`Jun. 13, 2002
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REQUEST,
`DELIVERY AND USE OF MULTIMEDIA FILES
`FOR AUDIOVISUAL ENTERTAINMENT IN THE
`HOME ENVIRONMENT
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to the field of audio
`and audiovisual entertainment, particularly in the home
`environment, More specifically, the present invention relates
`to a system and method for requesting, obtaining and using
`multimedia files or data streams for audio or audiovisual
`
`entertainment on a home entertainment system.
`
`like. Rather, a computer is typically set-up on a desk or table
`with an appropriate chair that accommodates use of the
`computer’s mouse and keyboard, but is not intended for
`relaxing while enjoying an audiovisual entertainment pro-
`gram.
`
`there is a need in the art for a
`[0008] Consequently,
`method and system that allow a user to receive audio or
`audiovisual programming from the Internet with a personal
`computer, but which also allows the user to access and enjoy
`the received programming throughout the user’s house at a
`location that is most convenient and comfortable for the user
`to do so.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] Today, many types of audio and video entertain-
`ment are available through a personal computer (PC). For
`example, many personal computers now include a compact
`disc (CD) drive. The CD drive can be used to load program-
`ming from a CD to the computer, but can also be used to play
`audio CD’s through the computer’s audio system or to
`access multimedia programming on a CD-ROM. Similarly,
`some personal computers now include a digital video disc
`(DVD) player so that movies recorded on a DVD can be
`watched on the computer.
`
`[0003] Additionally, if the computer is connected to the
`Internet, a wealth of audiovisual material for both entertain-
`ment and education can be downloaded and experienced
`using the computer. For example, some radio stations
`“broadcast” over the Internet by allowing listeners to access
`an audio data stream from the radio station’s web-site which
`
`is received and played by that listener’s computer. Files of
`audio data, particularly in the MP3 format, can be down-
`loaded from the Internet, stored on a personal computer and
`then played by the computer whenever desired by the user.
`
`[0004] The term “MP3” is short for Motion Picture Expert
`Group (MPEG) Layer 3 and is an audio compression stan-
`dard that allows high quality audio to be stored in a
`reasonably small data file. The compression ratios limit the
`audio quality, but with MP3, a 128 Kilobits/second data
`stream will deliver near CD quality audio in stereo.
`
`the
`In addition to these sources of audio data,
`[0005]
`Internet can also provide streaming audiovisual data such as
`music videos, news reports, etc. As the bandwidth of the
`Internet continues to evolve, more audiovisual programming
`will likely be available over the Internet.
`
`[0006] While there is such a great wealth of audiovisual
`content available from the Internet, accessing this material
`typically requires the user to use and be located at his or her
`personal computer. This may be both uncomfortable and
`inconvenient. For example, a user may want to be in another
`room or part of the house in order to perform a task while
`listening to music that is resident on his or her computer or
`being received by the computer over the Internet. However,
`the user will have to stay near the computer to hear the audio
`being played.
`
`[0007] Similarly, the user may wish to recline on a sofa or
`comfortable chair while watching an audiovisual program
`that has been downloaded from the Internet to the user’s
`
`computer or is streaming from the Internet over a connection
`to the user’s computer. However, unlike television sets,
`computers are not typically arranged in front of a sofa or the
`
`[0009] The present invention meets the above-described
`needs and others. For example, the present invention pro-
`vides a system and method for accessing and managing the
`audio and audiovisual programming on, or available to, a
`computer or other programming source so that the audio or
`audiovisual programming can be enjoyed in a place conve-
`nient to the user remote from the computer. Preferably, the
`user is also able, without the user being required to return to
`the computer, to control the audio or audiovisual program-
`ming being used.
`
`[0010] Additional advantages and novel features of the
`invention will be set forth in the description which follows
`or may be learned by those skilled in the art through reading
`these materials or practicing the invention. The advantages
`of the invention may be achieved through the means recited
`in the attached claims.
`
`invention may be embodied and
`[0011] The present
`described as a system for managing audio and audiovisual
`programming,
`the system including: an audio server for
`outputing an audio signal; at least one speaker; and a digital
`connection between the at least one speaker and the audio
`server over which the audio server provides the audio signal
`in digital form to the speaker.
`
`In one preferred embodiment, the audio server is a
`[0012]
`computer on which audio or audiovisual data is stored or
`which is receiving a stream of audio or audiovisual data. The
`computer may be connected to the Internet and the audio or
`audiovisual programming may be received from the Inter-
`net.
`
`[0013] Atransceiver may be disposed with the speaker for
`communicating with a remote control unit. The remote
`control unit controls the output of the audio signal from the
`audio server to the speaker by communicating with the audio
`server over the digital connection between the speaker and
`the audio server. Preferably, the audio server transmits a
`listing of available audio programming to the remote control
`unit via the connection and the transceiver. In this embodi-
`
`the remote control unit has a display device for
`ment,
`displaying the listing; and a user input device with which the
`user can select an audio program from the list and transmit
`a command for the audio server to output that selected audio
`program to the speaker.
`
`[0014] The audio signal from the audio server may be
`compressed. Consequently, the speaker has decompression
`hardware for decompressing the signal.
`
`the connection
`In one preferred embodiment,
`[0015]
`between the audio server and the speaker is electrical wiring
`
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`
`which also supplies power for the audio server and the
`speaker. In this case, the audio server and the speaker each
`have a power-line modem connected thereto for communi-
`cating via the electrical wiring.
`
`In another preferred embodiment, there are a num-
`[0016]
`ber of speakers, at least some of which have a transceiver for
`communicating with a remote control unit. One or more
`remote control units can then be used to control the speakers
`such that a number of different audio signals are output by
`the audio server to respective speakers that are communi-
`cating with different remote control units.
`
`In still another preferred embodiment, the speaker
`[0017]
`is incorporated in a video monitor and the audio server is
`incorporated in an audiovisual server that outputs an audio-
`visual signal to the monitor. The audiovisual signal includes
`the audio signal for the speaker. In one preferred embodi-
`ment, the audiovisual server is a computer.
`
`[0018] The audiovisual server may transmit a listing of
`available audiovisual programming to a remote control unit
`via the digital connection to the monitor. The remote conrol
`unit communicates wirelessly with a transceiver of the
`monitor. In such a case the remote control unit has a display
`device for displaying the listing; and a user input device with
`which the user can select an audiovisual program from the
`list and transmit a command for the audiovisual server to
`
`output that selected audiovisual program to the monitor.
`
`[0019] The present invention also encompasses the meth-
`ods of making and using the system described above. More
`specifically, the present invention encompasses a method of
`managing audio and audiovisual programming by transmit-
`ting an audio signal from an audio server to at least one
`speaker over a digital connection between the speaker and
`the audio speaker, the transmiting of the audio signal being
`a digital transmission.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0020] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present
`invention and are a part of the specification. Together with
`the following description,
`the drawings demonstrate and
`explain the principles of the present invention.
`
`[0021] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system for using streaming
`audio and audio files according to a first embodiment of the
`present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram of a speaker unit
`according to the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1.
`
`[0022] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a remote control unit
`used as part of the system illustrated in FIG. 1.
`
`[0023] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a system for using streaming
`audio and audio files according to a second embodiment of
`the present invention.
`
`[0024] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a system for using streaming
`audio and audio files according to a third embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`[0025] FIG. 5a is a diagram of a system for using stream-
`ing audio and audio files according to an alternative embodi-
`ment of the present invention.
`
`[0026] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a system for using streaming
`audio and audio files according to a fourth embodiment of
`the present invention.
`
`[0027] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a system for using streaming
`video and video files according to a fifth embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`[0028] FIG. 7a is a diagram of an alternative system for
`using audiovisual signals according to a sixth embodiment
`of the present invention
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0029] The present invention provides a method and sys-
`tem whereby a personal computer (PC) is used as a server to
`download audio or audiovisual files or data streams from the
`
`Internet and to provide that audio or audiovisual data to
`electronic devices strategically located throughout a user’s
`home so as to provide the user with the most convenient and
`flexible access possible to the audio and audiovisual data, A
`remote control unit allows the user to selectively access and
`control the programming available from the computer with-
`out needing to return to the computer.
`
`[0030] Using the drawings, the preferred embodiments of
`the present invention will now be explained. FIG. 1 illus-
`trates a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown
`in FIG. 1, the system includes a computer (102) which is
`connected to the Internet (101). With this connection, the
`computer (102) can download audio and audiovisual data
`files from the wealth of such data available on the Internet.
`
`(101). Additionally, the computer (102) can access streams
`of audio or audiovisual data that are transmitted over the
`
`Internet (101). The computer (102) will also preferably
`include a CD-ROM drive, a floppy disc drive, a zip disc
`drive and/or other means of data input through which audio
`or audiovisual data files can be transferred to the computer
`(102).
`
`[0031] The computer (102) has a digital connection (106)
`to a number of speakers (103). These speakers (103) can be
`located away from the computer in a room or area where the
`user typically desires to listen to audio programming. For
`example, the speakers (103) may be in a workroom, kitchen,
`exercise room, etc. The speakers (103) may also be paired to
`provide a left speaker (103A) and right speaker (103B) for
`stereo sound.
`
`[0032] The digital connection (106) may be any of a
`number of different types of connections. According to the
`present invention, the connection (106) is able to provide
`audio data to the speakers (103) at a sufficient rate that the
`speakers can output high quality audio based on the audio
`data received from the computer (102).
`
`In a preferred embodiment, the digital connection
`[0033]
`(106) may be a universal serial bus (USB). The USB
`operates according to an open standard for delivering digital
`data at rates up to 12 Megabits/second. With a USB, a single
`computer (102) can communicate with up to 127 devices. A
`USB connection is common in all computers sold after June
`1998.
`
`[0034] Alternatively, the digital connection (106) may be
`an IEEE 1394 connection, also known as a firewire connec-
`tion. The IEEE1394 is a standard for delivering digital data
`at rates up to 100 Megabits/second. IEEE 1394 connections
`are expected to become common in high performance com-
`puters in the near future. Consequently, an IEEE1394 con-
`
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`nection will likely become easy to implement and provide
`much greater bandwidth than the currently popular USB
`connection.
`
`In still another alternative, the digital connection
`[0035]
`(106) may be an Ethernet connection. Ethernet is a digital-
`networking scheme that
`is commonly used to network
`computers and other digital devices in Local Area Networks
`(LANs). Ethernet data transmission rates range up to 1
`Gigabit/sec.
`
`[0036] The digital connection (106) may also be other
`types of connections such as a wireless radio-frequency
`network or a phone line network. Any connection capable of
`carrying digital audio and/or audiovisual signals at the rates
`required for output to the speakers (103) or other output
`devices may be used as the digital connection (106).
`
`[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, each speaker (103) has a
`digital-to-analog converter (151) to convert the digital audio
`signal from the digital connection (106) to an analog audio
`signal that can be output by the speaker (103). The analog
`signal is then amplified by an amplifier (152) and output by
`a speaker system (153). As will be understood by those
`skilled in the art, the speaker system (153) may actually
`include a number of speakers for reproducing different
`ranges of the audio signal. For example, the speaker system
`(153) may include a tweeter, a mid-range, a woofer, a
`sub-woofer, etc.
`
`[0038] The computer (102) may send an audio signal to
`the speakers (103) that is or is not compressed. If the audio
`signal is compressed, each speaker (103) will preferably
`include decompression hardware (150) between the input
`from the digital connection (106) and the digital-to-analog
`converter (151). The decompression hardware (150) will
`correspond to the type of compression used by the computer
`(102) to receive and send the audio signal. For example, if
`the computer (102) is outputting the contents of an MP3
`audio file to the speakers (103), the decompression hardware
`(150) will comprise an MP3 decoder.
`
`the system of the present
`[0039] Returning to FIG. 1,
`invention also preferably includes a remote control unit
`(105) which communicates wirelessly with a wireless trans-
`ceiver (104) which is located in each speaker or pair of
`speakers (103). Preferably,
`the remote control unit (105)
`communicates using infrared (IR) signaling. Consequently,
`the transceiver (104) is an optical signal transceiver oper-
`ating in the infrared range. However, the remote control unit
`(105) can use any other method of wirelessly communicat-
`ing with the transceiver (104). For example, the transceiver
`(104) (and the counterpart transceiver in the remote control
`unit (105) (not shown)) may be a radio frequency trans-
`ceiver.
`
`the
`In the audio system illustrated in FIG. 1,
`[0040]
`remote control unit (105) can be used to control the audio
`programming output by the computer (102) to the speakers
`(103). In this way, the speakers (103) can be located wher-
`ever the user wishes to listen to the audio programming from
`the computer (102), and the user can control that program-
`ming without needing to return to the computer (102) to do
`so.
`
`[0041] Apreferred method of using the remote control unit
`(105) of the present
`invention will now be explained.
`Referring to FIG. 1,
`the computer (102) will transmit a
`
`listing of, for example, the audio files available and/or the
`digital audio streams from the Internet (101) that the com-
`puter (102) has been programmed to access, This listing is
`sent over the digital connection (106) to the speakers (103).
`The wireless transceiver (104) in the speaker or speaker pair
`(103), transmits the listing wirelessly to the remote control
`unit (105).
`[0042] A more detailed view of the remote control unit
`(105) is illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the remote
`control unit (105) preferably includes a display device (300),
`such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), on which information
`received from the computer (102) can be displayed. As
`illustrated in FIG. 3,
`the display (300) may be used to
`display, for example, a listing of available audio files, e.g.
`song titles, that can be retrieved by the computer (102) and
`output through the speakers (103). Alternatively, the display
`(300) may be used to display, for example, a listing of
`on-line radio stations or other streaming audio sources from
`which the computer (102) can receiving streaming audio
`over the Internet (101).
`
`[0043] Preferably, the remote control unit (105) includes a
`means to allow the user to move through the listing of
`available audio files or streaming audio sources and select
`files to be retrieved or an audio stream to be accessed and
`
`output through the speakers (103). This device may include
`a rotating shuttle, a trackball, a track pad, a joystick, etc. In
`the remote control unit (105) of FIG. 3, a group of four
`buttons (303) is preferably provided for moving a cursor or
`highlight bar over the display (300). In the listing shown in
`FIG. 3, for example, the up and down buttons of the button
`group (303) could be used to move a cursor or highlight up
`and down through the listing of audio files on the display
`(300). When a desired audio file or audio data stream is
`indicated by the cursor,
`the user can preferably press a
`“play” key (307) to have that audio file or audio stream sent
`to the speakers (103) by the computer (102).
`[0044] Additionally, the user may want to create a listing
`of several audio files to be retrieved and output in a specified
`order, i.e. a play-list. Accordingly, the user can create such
`a play-list with the system of the present invention by using
`the four buttons (303), or an equivalent device, to indicate an
`audio file from the listing on the display (300) and pressing
`the “add” key (308) to add that file to the play-list. When the
`user has successively added all the desired files to the list,
`the user can press the “play” key to play the list, The audio
`files are preferably retrieved and output in the same order
`they were designated in the play-list. Alternatively,
`the
`computer (102) may be instructed to output by files in a
`random order by actuation of the “random” key (306) on the
`remote control (105), Once the play-list is playing, the user
`may use, for example, the left and right buttons of the button
`group (303) to skip through or repeat songs from the
`play-list.
`
`(105) also
`the remote control unit
`[0045] Preferably,
`includes a volume control (302) for the speakers (103), a
`“mute” button (305) for muting the sound from the speakers
`(103), and a “power” button (304) for turning power to the
`speakers (103) on and off. The control unit (105) may
`include other buttons not shown for providing various
`commands to the speakers (103) or to the computer (102) via
`the digital connection (106).
`[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the
`present invention which is similar to the first embodiment
`
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`
`described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3. In the Figures,
`identical elements are given identical reference numbers.
`Consequently, a redundant exposition will be omitted of
`those features of the second embodiment of FIG. 4 which
`
`are identical to corresponding features of the first embodi-
`ment of FIG. 1.
`
`[0047] The second embodiment of FIG. 4 uses a different
`digital connection between the computer (102) and the
`speakers (103) than the range of possible digital connections
`described above in connection with FIG. 1. As shown in
`
`FIG. 4, the computer outputs the digital audio signal to a
`power-line modem or power-line network interface (201).
`This modem (201) is plugged into a power outlet of the
`user’s home and is, thus, connected to the electrical wiring
`(202) of the user’s home. The power-line modem (201) may
`be internal to the computer (102) and may be connected to
`the electrical wiring (202) through the same cord that
`supplies power from the home’s electrical wiring (202) to
`the computer (102).
`
`[0048] The power-line modem (201) encodes the digital
`audio signal into a form that can be and is transmitted over
`the electrical wiring (202) of the home. The speaker or
`speaker pair (103) will also be plugged into the electrical
`wiring (202) of the home. Consequently, a second power-
`line modem (203) located with the speakers (103) receives
`the digital audio signal transmitted over the power-line (202)
`by the computer (102) and decodes or demodulates the audio
`signal. The audio signal is then output to the speakers (103)
`and is transduced into audible sound by the speakers (103)
`in the same manner described above.
`
`[0049] The remote control unit (105), using the wireless
`transceiver (104), can also receive data from and transmit
`commands to the computer (102) over the electrical wiring
`(202). The second power-line modem (203) encodes or
`modulates the signals from the remote control unit (105) and
`transmits those signals to the first power-line modem (201)
`via the electrical wiring (202). The modem (201) then
`decodes the signals and outputs them to the computer (102).
`In like manner, the computer (102) can transmit a data signal
`to the remote control unit (105) via the power-line (202) and
`the power-line modems (201, 203).
`
`[0050] With the embodiment of FIG. 4, the user can easily
`deploy the speakers (103) in any location served by the same
`electrical wiring (202) that powers the computer (102). The
`speakers (103) and the remote control unit (105) are then
`brought into communication with the computer (102) with-
`out
`the need for any additional dedicated wiring to be
`installed in the home.
`
`[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates a third embodiment of the present
`invention. Again,
`identical elements are given identical
`reference numbers, and a redundant exposition will be
`omitted of those features common to multiple embodiments
`of the present invention.
`
`[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, the computer (102) may also
`be connected to a radio tuner (501). This tuner (501) is
`preferably connected to a radio antenna (503) and receives,
`via the antenna (503),
`the full range of commercial and
`educational radio signals being broadcast on the AM (ampli-
`tude modulation) and FM (frequency modulation) bands.
`
`[0053] The tuner (503) is controlled by the computer (102)
`to selectively tune a particular carrier frequency that carries
`
`the audio signal from a particular radio broadcasting station.
`At present, broadcast radio signals are typically analog
`signals. Consequently, the tuned audio signal is then pro-
`vided by the tuner (503) to an analog-to-digital converter
`(502) and then output, in digital form, to the computer (102).
`If the radio signal is a digital signal, the converter (502) may
`not be necessary.
`
`[0054] The computer (102) can output the audio signal
`received from the tuner (501) to the speakers (103) over the
`digital connection (106) (or the electrical wiring (202) of
`FIG. 4). Thus, the user listening to the speakers (103) can
`selectively access audio content from the Internet, audio
`files stored on the computer (102) and broadcast radio
`signals from the tuner (501).
`[0055] The remote control unit (105) can be used to send
`a signal to the computer (102) specifying the carrier fre-
`quency to be tuned by the tuner (501). The computer (102)
`then controls the tuner (501) accordingly. In a preferred
`embodiment, the remote control unit will allow the user to
`scan through a listing of the spectrum of AM and FM radio
`frequencies and select a desired frequency (by frequency or
`radio call sign) in the same manner as selecting an audio file
`for a play-list as described above.
`[0056] FIG. 5a illustrates an alternate embodiment of the
`present invention. As shown in FIG. 1a, the digital audio
`source providing the audio signal to the speakers (103) need
`not be a computer or a computer with a radio tuner,
`Alternatively,
`the audio signal source (190) may be, for
`example, a CD player or a radio tuner (not connected to a
`computer) that outputs a digital audio signal to the speakers
`(103). In short, the audio signal source (190) can be any
`device that outputs a digital audio signal to the speakers
`(103) and is, preferably, controlled by the remote control
`unit (105) over the connection (106) with the speakers (103).
`The term “audio server” (190) is used herein to indicate any
`audio signal source or combination of signal sources that are
`used to output an audio signal to the speakers (103). An
`audio server, according to the present invention, is prefer-
`ably controlled by the remote control unit (105) over the
`connection (106) with the speakers (103). The term “audio
`programming” is used herein to refer generally to any
`recorded audio program or any streaming or broadcast audio
`program. Audio programming may be specified by the title
`of the program; by the station, URL or broadcaster providing
`the streaming or broadcast programming; or by some other
`designation.
`[0057] FIG. 6 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the
`present invention. As described above, a computer (102)
`with certain types of digital connection (106) such as a USB,
`Ethernet or IEEE1394 connection, can output data fast
`enough to communicate with and service multiple devices.
`Consequently, it is possible for the same computer (102) to
`provide different audio programming to two separate speak-
`ers or sets of speakers (103) under the principles of the
`present invention.
`[0058] As shown in FIG. 6, the computer (102) has a
`digital connection (106a) to a first set of speakers (103a) and
`a second digital connection (106b) to a second set of
`speakers (103b). The sets of speakers (103a, 103b) are in
`different rooms or otherwise separated from each other, as
`indicated by the wall or barrier (600).
`[0059] Each set of speakers (103a, 103b) can be controlled
`by a separate and respective remote control unit (105a,
`
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`Page 14 of 17
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`

`US 2002/0072817 A1
`
`Jun. 13, 2002
`
`105b). Preferably, as before, the remote control units (105)
`communicate with the respective sets of speakers (103)
`using infrared signaling. Consequently, the sets of speakers
`(103a, 103b) must be separated such that the signals from
`either remote control unit (105a, 105b) cannot be inadvert-
`ently received by more than one set of speakers. Conse-
`quently, two separate users can access different audio pro-
`gramming from the computer (102) via the speakers (103a
`or 103b) located in the same room as that user.
`
`[0060] As will be understood by those skilled in the art,
`the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 can be extended to
`provide more than two sets of speakers controlled by respec-
`tive remote control units. The number of speaker sets that
`can provide individual audio programming to different users
`under the principles of the present invention is limited only
`by the processing speed of the computer (102) and the speed
`of the digital connections (106) between the computer (102)
`and respective sets of speakers (103).
`[0061] FIG. 7 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the present
`invention. As shown in FIG. 7, and as mentioned above, the
`principles of the present invention can be applied to the
`accessing and use of audiovisual material as well as purely
`audio material. In FIG. 7,
`the computer (102) is again
`connected to the Internet (101) from whence the computer
`(102) downloads audiovisual programming in the form of
`discrete files or streaming video, Alternatively, video data
`might be supplied to the computer from a CD-ROM drive or
`a DVD drive in the computer. Video data might also be
`loaded to the computer from a floppy or zip disc. As used
`herein the term “video” or “video data” will be understood
`as synonymous with “audiovisual programming” or “audio-
`visual signal.”
`
`In any event, the video data acquired by the com-
`[0062]
`puter (102) can then be provided over a digital connection
`(106v) to a monitor or television set (700). As used herein,
`the term “monitor” will be used to refer collectively to video
`monitors, television sets and similar video output devices,
`whether using a cathode ray tube or a flat-screen technology.
`
`[0063] The connection (106v) is preferably an IEEE 1394
`connection, but may be, for example, an Ethernet connection
`or any other type of connection capable of carrying the
`digital audiovisual signal at the rates required for output to
`the monitor (700). The monitor (700) can be located away
`from the computer (102) in a place where it
`is more
`comfortable for the user to watch audiovisual programming,
`for example, near a sofa or bed.
`
`[0064] A remote control unit (105v) communicates wire-
`lessly with a wireless transceiver (104) in the monitor (700).
`As before, the remote control unit (105v) preferably com-
`municates with the transceiver (104) using infrared signal-
`ing, but is not so restricted, The remote control unit (105v)
`will preferably be similar to the remote control unit (105)
`illustrated in FIG. 3. The remote control unit (105v) may
`have a display for displaying a list of