WO 00/51128
`
`PCT/KR00/00144
`
`4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the step (a), when the audio
`
`the database is constructed by using a background processing for
`data is played,
`reading the supplemental data stored in each audio data’s location within the recording
`
`medium using the remaining period of time besides the period of time needed for
`transmitting a required data, and
`|
`
`wherein the step (b) is that searches the database stored in the memory of the
`play system and respondsto the user’s demandfor playingbysort.
`
`5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the field for organizing
`
`the file name or the directory nameinto the database for indicating and playing bysort
`
`is introduced and recorded, each field is sorted with specific symbol usable to thefile
`
`name.
`
`6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the step (b), when the user
`
`selects all or somefiles and creates a play list using the database constructed by the
`
`method used in one of claims 2 through 5,
`
`random play or continuous play is
`
`performed according to the playlist.
`
`20
`
`7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein whentheuser creates the play
`
`list, the play system partially plays files in order, and whenthe user performsa specific
`
`input work during hearing while part of a specific file is played,
`
`the play list
`
`is
`
`constructed by a way to add the correspondingfile into the playlist.
`
`10
`
`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5729
`
`

`

`WO 00/51128
`
`PCT/KR00/00144
`
`Fig.
`
`1
`
`
`
`
`
`Micro
`controller
`
`“4
`
`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5730
`
`

`

`WO 00/51128
`
`PCT/KRO0/001 44 *
`
`Fig. 2
`
`
`Music 2
`
`Music 1
`
`Music 3
`
`Sort
`
`|Publication
`
`,
`
`8
`
`3
`
`10
`
`>
`
`1
`
`1999
`
`1999
`
`1996
`
`
`Album 1
`
`Album 1
`
`Album 2
`
`.
`
`
`
`/Jazz/A/Album1/Music1.mp3
`
`/Jazz/A/Album1/Music2.mp3
`
`/Pop/B/Album2/Music3.mp3
`
`%
`
`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5731
`
`

`

`WO 00/51128
`
`PCT/KR00/00144
`
`Fig. 3
`
`/
`
`azz— Music 1_AAlbum 1_23_1_1999.mp3
`
`Music 2_A_Album 1_23_2_1999.mp3
`
`Pop/ TT Music 3_B_Album 2_10_1_1995.mp3
`
`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5732
`
`

`

`WO 00/51128
`
`PCT/KRO00/00144
`
`Fig. 4
`
`[Feed706]
`
`[[Searchinatne
`
`[ReaCT]
`
`[[Searchinatre
`
`————
`Reading
`
`music 1 and|f-----.__ Data transmiting woe
`buffering
`\
`\
`¥\\‘‘
`
`
`
`Reading
`music | and
`buffering
`
`- . Reading
`music 1 and
`buffering
`
`MP3
`decoding
`\
`Data transmiting ‘|> and play
`
`‘
`
`Searching time
`Or musi
`
`\.
`
`°
`°
`
`‘
`
`\.
`
`
`\
`/DAC part
`
`
`
` Decoder
`
`
`
`
`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5733
`
`

`

`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`
`International application No.
`PCT/KRO0/00144
`
`CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER .
`
`IPC7 G11B 27/02
`
`According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and IPC
`B.
`FIELDS SEARCHED
`
`Minimun documentation searched (classification system followed bv classification symbols)
`IPC7 G11B 27/02 G11B 20/12 G11B 7/00 GIIB 19/02 GO6F 15/40 GO6F 15/62
`
`Documentation searched other than minimun documentatton to the extent that such documents are included in the fileds searched
`
`Korean Patents and applications for inventions since 1975
`
`Electronic data base consulted during the interinational search (name of data base and, where practicable, search trerms used)
`WPI. PAJ “DATABASE” "AUDIO" “REPRODUCING” "SORTING"
`
`Cc.
`
`DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
`
`Citation of document, with indication, where appropnate. of the relevant passages
`
`Relevant to claim No.
`
`JP 11 - 120675 A(ORASHION) 30 APRIL 1999,
`sec the whole document
`
`KR 98 - 79403 A(SAMSUNG CORP.) 25 NOVEMBER1998.
`Claim 1, 10.14
`
`US 5119353 A(SEIKO EPSON CORP.) 2 JUNE 1992,
`Claim 1-5
`
`EP 479535 A2(CANON) 8 APRIL !992,
`Claim 1-9
`
`
`
`C] See patent family annex.
`later documentpublished after the internationalfiling date or priority
`date and not
`in conflict with the application but cited to understand
`the principle or theory underlying the invention
`document of particular relevence: the claimed invention cannot be
`considered novel or cannot be considered to involve an inventive
`step when the document is taken alone
`document of particular relevence; the claimed invention cannot be
`considered to involve an inventive step when the document
`is
`combined with one or more other such documents.such combination
`being obvious to a person skilled in the art
`"&" document member ofthe samepatent family
`.
`
`[| Further documentsare listed in the continuation of Box C.
`Special categories of cited documents:
`document defining the genera}state of the art which is not considered
`to be of particular relevence
`earlier application or patent but published on orafter the international
`filing date
`document which may throw doubts on pnority claim(s) or which is
`cited to establish the publication date of citation or other
`special reason (as specified)
`©
`document referring to an oral disclosure. use. exhibition or other
`means
`document published prior to the intemationalfiling date but
`than the priority date claimed
`
`later
`
`"T"
`
`‘X"
`
`Date ofthe actual completion of the international search
`
`Date of mailing ofthe intemationa! search report
`
`tO MAY 2000 (10.05.2000)
`
`18 MAY 2000 (18.05.2000)
`
`Nameand mailing address of the ISA/KR
`.
`Korean Industrial Property Office
`Government Complex-Taejon. Dunsan-dong. So-ku, Taejon
`Metropolitan City 302-701, Republic of Korea
`Facsimile No. §2-42.372-7140
`Form PCT/ISA/210 (second sheet) (July 1998)
`
`Authorized olficer
`
`KIM.In Han
`
`Telephone No.
`
`82-42-481-5692
`
`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5734
`
`

`

`5,616,876
`. (11) Patent Number:
`United States Patent
`Apr. 1, 1997
`{45} Date of Patent:
`Cluts
`
`
`(19)
`
`USUVUI0 105 (0A
`
`[54] SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR SELECTING
`MUSIC ON THE BASIS OF SUBJECTIVE
`co
`NT
`Inventor:
`Jonathan C. Cluts, Redmond, Wash.
`
`175]
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`TheBig Picture, “Introducing Digital Music Express”, Geor-
`gia Cable TV & Communications, Apr. 1995.
`More Like This, “Get More of What Your're Looking For”,
`Lexis-Nexis, ]995.
`Primary Examiner-Stanley J. Witkowski
`[73] Assignee: Microsoft Corporation, Redmond,
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Jones & Askew
`Wash.
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`{21} Appl. No.: 424,781
`Aninteractive network provides music to subscribers. A
`[22] Filed:
`Apr. 19, 1995
`“more like” function allows a subscriber to use a seed song
`,
`to identify other songsthatare similar to the seed song, and
`(ST) Trt, Co oceeneeeeeseneenes GO9B 15/06; GO9B 15/04;
`to add the new songs to the currentplaylist. The similarity
`G10H 7/00
`between songs is based on the subjective content of the
`[52] US. Chee 84/609; 84/477 R; 434/307 A
`(58) Field of Search 20 84/609-614, 601,|songs, as reflected in style tables prepared by editors. The
`84/602, 634-638, 477 R, 478; 358/335;
`subscriber maycontrolthe closenessof the match by adjust-
`273/433; 379/93, 96, 97, 100; 434/307 A
`ing a style slider provided by the user interface. A style
`equalizer employs eight faders that indicate the predominant
`styles of the songsin the playlist. A subscriber may use the
`References Cited
`style equalizer to see what types of songs are included in the
`nlaylish, and to adjust the mix of songsthat are played from
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`$,250,745 10/1993 Tsmmura cissecssessocsercecnsecesseeee 34/609 x_theplaylist.
`
`
`10/1995 Horii
`.........
`5,454,723
`we
`5,486,645
`1/1996 Suh et al. oneecescssesesenseeese 84/610
`
`[56]
`
`45 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
` AIM
`SWITCHING
`SYSTEM
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`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5735
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`
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`
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`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5736
`
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`SERVER
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`HEADEND
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`
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`PROGRAM
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`62/
`
`862000 19
`
`
`
`TODROPCABLE46
`
`RECEIVER
`
`CONTROL
`
`REMOTE
`
`FIG.2
`
`52
`
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`
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`
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`
`GAME
`
`90
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`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5737
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`‘US. Patent
`
`Apr.1,1997
`
`Sheet 3 of 8
`
`5,616,876
`
`CL 000299
`
`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5738
`
`

`

`‘U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 1, 1997
`
`Sheet 4 of 8
`
`5,616,876
`
`y>400
`
`FIG. 4
`
`415
`
`
`
`505
`
`
`SONG ~ ARTIST
`SONG ~ ARTIST
`
`
`
`
`
`
`C7
`
`
`
`SONG ~ ARTIST
`
`SONG ~ ARTIST
`oh
`A
`
`
`
`g
`
`605
`
`CL 000300
`
`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5739
`
`

`

`US. Patent |
`
`Apr. 1, 1997
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
`
`5,616,876
`
`FIG. 8 FIG. 11
`
`¥~700
`
`CL 000301
`
`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5740
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 1, 1997
`
`“Sheet 6 of 8
`
`5,616,876
`
`900
`
`7
`
`SELECT
`"SEED" SONG
`
`ACTIVATE THE
`"MORE" BUTTON
`
`SET STYLE
`SLIDER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ACTIVATE THE
`"MORE STYLE"
`BUTTON
`
`905
`
`910
`
`915
`
`920
`
`935
`
`REVIEW LISTOF|97°
`
`
`PROPOSED SONGS
`
`
`
`930 YES
`
`REJECT
`PROPOSED
`NGS
`
`
`
`ADD SONGS
`TO PLAYLIST
`
`Ma
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 9 C=
`
`CL 000302
`
`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5741
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 1, 1997
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
`
`5,616,876
`
`
`
`\ ID/SORTSTYLES|}1005
`
`1 000
`
`ASSOCIATED WITH
`SEED SONG
`
`DETERMINE
`POSITION OF
`STYLE SLIDER
`
`1010
`
`
`
`ID SONGS WITH|1015
`SIMILAR STYLE
`
`AND WEIGHT
`
`RANDOM soRT|7929
`LIST OF SONGS
`
`
`
`PRESENT
`TOP 10 SONGS
`TO LISTENER
`
`
`
`
`
`1025
`
`1035
`
`ADD SONGS
`TO PLAYLIST
`
`FIG. 10
`
`CL 000303
`
`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5742
`
`

`

`_ US. Patent
`
`Apr. 1, 1997
`
`Sheet 8 of 8
`
`5,616,876
`
`1200
`
`1300
`
`PLAY SELECTED
`PLAYUST
`
`1305
`
`IDENT!
`
`1310
`
`ASSIGN STYLES
`TO FADERS
`
`1315
`
`SET FADERS TO
`REFLECT % OF
`SONGS W/ STYLE
`
`
`
`1320
`
`
`
`
`- ADJUST MIX OF
`
`PLAYED SONGS TO
`REFLECT FADERS IN ORDER
`
`
`
`
`
`SELECT
`PLAYLIST
`
`1205
`
`
`
`
`1210
`
`ACTIVATE
`STYLE EQ
`
`
`1215
`
`REVIEW FADER
`CATEGORIES &
`SETTINGS
`
`ADJUST FADER
`SETTING(S)
`
`
`
`
`HIDE STYLE EQ
`PANEL
`
`
`
`FIG. 12
`
`FIG. 13
`
`CL 000304
`
`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5743
`
`

`

`5,616,876
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR SELECTING
`MUSIC ON THE BASIS OF SUBJECTIVE
`CONTENT
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD |
`
`The present invention relates to systems and methodsfor
`selecting and playing audio selections, and more particularly
`relates to methodsfor selecting and playing audio selections
`on the basis of their subjective content.
`:
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The expansion and improvementof cable television sys-
`tems (sometimes referred 1o as community antennatelevi-
`sion or CATV systems) have made it possible for cable
`companies to provide a variety of programming services to
`subscribers. These services typically include a multitude of
`television channels that are viewed on the subscriber's
`television. Some cable companies also provide music chan-
`nels that are connected to a subscriber’s stereo system
`through a subscriber terminal.
`Although CATV systems were originally designed to
`distribute television signals in the “downstream”direction
`only (i.e., from a central “headend” location to multiple
`subscriber locations, which is also knownas the “forward”
`path), the advent of pay-per-view services and of other
`interactive television applications has fueled the develop-
`ment of bidirectional or “two-way” cable systems. These
`two-way cable systems also provide for the transmission of
`signals from the subscriberlocations back to the headend via
`an “upstream”direction or a “reverse” path.
`By upgrading conventional CATV systems to increase
`their bandwidth, cable service providers can use the addi-
`tional channels gained by this wider bandwidth network to
`provide many new subscriber services. The ever-expanding
`deployment of fiber optic technology supports the imple-
`mentation of an “interactive network” that allows a sub-
`scriberto obtain desirable services or programmingat a time
`and date specified by the subscriber. Indeed,it is feasible that
`this interactive network will have sufficient bandwidth to
`supply hundreds of channels of programming information,
`thereby leading to an explosion of program optionsavailable
`to subscribers. Potential subscriber services supported by
`this interactive network include Movies on Demand (MOD)
`or Video on Demand (VOD), interactive music channels,
`interactive computing, shopping, entertainment, and other
`related services.
`
`An interactive network makesit possible for subscribers
`to have immediate access to vast selections of music. For
`example, record companies may provide catalogs of their
`music for subscribers to listen to via an interactive network.
`Similarly, various publishers may compile playlists of vari-
`ous styles of music (e.g., Jazz, Classical, Top 40, etc.) that
`wil] be available to subscribers via an interactive network.
`
`When music catalogs are available via an interactive
`network, a subscriber must have a way to select the music
`he or she wouldlike to listen to. The computers that form a
`part of an interactive network facilitate selection by song
`tide, artist, or album name.As in a record store, music may
`also be classified and searchedbystyle (e.g., Jazz, Classical,
`Top 40, etc.). Thus, in an interactive network,it will be very
`simple for a subscriber to select a specific song.
`However,unless a subscriber is familiar with a particular
`artist or songtitle, there is no simple way to identify other
`music that the subscriber may enjoy. Because of the sub-
`
`2
`jective nature of such a decision,there is no simple way for
`a subscriber to identify additional music thatis similar to a
`song heor shelikes. This is a significant disadvantage in an
`environment where a large assortment of music is readily .
`available.
`
`Whena listener browses published playlists, the playlists
`are typically described by a short title, such as Jazz, Clas-
`sical, Top 40, Progressive Rock, etc. When a subscriber
`listens to such a playlist, there is no simple way for the
`subscriber to get a clearer idea of the specific types of music
`that are included in theplaylist. Similarly, there is no simple
`way for a subscriber to alter the mix of the songsthatare
`played back from the playlist.
`In summary,
`there is no simple, effective way for a
`subscriber to identify and select music he orshe is likely to
`enjoy onthe basis of the music’s subjective contentandits
`similarity to a song the subscriber is familiar with. Further-
`more,there is no way for a user to quickly assess the mix of
`music included in a playlist and to alter the mix of music
`played from the playlist.
`Therefore, there is a need in the art for a system that
`allowsa subscriber to pick a song he or she likes and to then
`identify additional songs that
`include similar subjective
`content. Likewise, there is a need in the art fora system that
`allows a user to perceive the content of a playlist and alter
`the mix of songs played from the playlist.
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Thepresentinventionsatisfies the above described needs
`by providing systems and methodsfor selecting and playing
`music based on its subjective content.
`Generally described,
`the present invention provides a
`method for selecting programming information items in an
`interactive media distribution system that includes a server,
`a distribution network, an output device and an inputdevice.
`The method includes storing on the server a plurality of
`programming information items and editorial data associ-
`ated with the programming information items. An initial
`programming information items is played in response to a
`first input signal. In response to a second input signal, a list
`of proposed new programming information items is created
`on the basis of the editorial data associated with theinitial
`programming information item and the plurality of program-
`ming information items. The list of proposed new program-
`ming information items is presented on the output device.
`The proposed new programming information items are then
`addedto a playlist in response to a third inputsignal.
`Thepresent invention also provides a method forclassi-
`fying and selecting programming information items having
`subjective content. A plurality of programming information
`items and editorial data associated with the programming
`information items are stored. The editorial data includes a
`plurality of categories and weightings associating each pro-
`gramming information item with the categories. An initial
`programming information item is selected in response to a
`first
`input signal. The setting of a matching closeness
`indicatoris determined in response to a second inputsignal.
`The method determines matching categories for the initial
`programming entry. The matching categories include the
`categories whose weightings correspond to the position of
`the matching closeness indicator. The method determines
`matching programming information items based on the
`initial programming information item. The matching items
`include the matching categories with weightings corre-
`sponding to the setting of the matching closeness indicator.
`The matching items are presented to the user.
`
`CL 000305
`
`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5744
`
`

`

`5,616,876
`
`4
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates an interactive network system.
`FIG.2 illustrates a set top terminal, which forms a part of
`the interactive network system of FIG. 1.
`FIG.3 illustrates the preferred remote control unit for use
`with the set top terminal of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4 is illustrates the features of the initial screen
`display in the preferred audio on demand system.
`FIG.5 illusirates the features of the playlist screen display
`in the preferred audio on demand system.
`FIG,6 illustrates a list of songs provided in response to
`the find button on theplaylist screen display of FIG.5.
`FIG. 7 illustrates the “more like’ panel provided in
`responseto the “more” button on the playlist screen display
`of FIG. 5.
`
`FIG.8 illustrates a list of songs provided by the “more
`like” function.
`
`FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps taken by a
`subscriber when using the “more like’” function.
`FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating the “more like”
`function as implemented in a program module running on
`the preferred interactive network.
`FIG. 11 illustrates the features of the “style equalizer”
`screen display.
`FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps taken by
`a subseriber when using the “style equalizer” function.
`FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating the “style equalizer”
`function as implemented in a program module running on
`the preferred interactive network.
`
`5
`
`30
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`3
`The present invention also provides a system for classi-
`fying and selccting programming information having sub-
`jective content. The system includes a data storage device
`containing a plurality of programming information items
`and editorial data associated with the programming infor-
`mation items, an output device for providing information to
`a user, an input device for receiving input from the user, and
`a computer associated with the data storage device. The
`computer is configured to play an initial programming
`information item in response to a first input signa]. The
`computer creates a list of proposed new programming
`information items on the basis of the editorial data associ-
`ated with the programming information items in response to
`a second input signal. The list of proposed new program-
`ming information items is presented on the output device.
`Finally, the proposed new programming information items
`are added toa playlist in response to a third input signal.
`In anotheraspect, the present invention provides a method
`for indicating the mix of programming information included
`in a playlist and adjusting the mix of programming infor-
`mation played from the playlist. The method includes load-
`ing a playlist including a plurality of programming infor-
`mation items and loading editorial data associated with the
`programming information items. A predetermined number
`of indicators are displayed on the output device. Each of the
`indicators is associated with a category from the editorial
`data. The indicators are positioned to indicate the portion of
`the plurality of programming information items correspond-
`ing to each ofthe categories. Atleast one ofthe indicators
`is adjusted in response to an input signal from an input
`device.
`In response to the-adjustment of one or more
`indicators,
`the method selects programming information
`items from theplaylist such that the portions ofthe selected
`programminginformation items associated with each of the
`categories corresponds to the adjusted positions of the
`indicators.
`‘
`It is therefore an objectof the presentinventionto provide
`a system for classifying and selecting information having
`subjective content.
`:
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`method for the context based selection of subjective mate-
`rial.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`method for adding items having subjective content to a
`group of items having similar subjective content.
`It is another object of the present invention to predict,
`based on a listener’s current choice of music, the choices
`from an audio content database that are mostlike the current
`choice.
`
`40
`
`45
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`50
`
`The preferred embodiment of the present invention is
`directed to systems and methods for selecting music on the
`basis of its subjective content, and is implemented in an
`interactive network system thal can deliver a variety of
`services, including entertainment, information, and transac-
`tion services,
`to consumers via an intcractive broadband
`network. The preferred system, which is referred to as the
`audio on demand system, allows a subscriber to listen to
`songs provided by the system. The subscriber may select
`songs on the basis oftitle, artist and album. The subscriber
`may also select playlists, which arc predetermined collec-
`tions of songs The audio on demand system provides a
`“more like” function that identifies more music thatis like
`the subscriber’s current selection. In addition, the system
`It is another object of the present invention to identify
`includes a “style equalizer” that allows a subscriber to see
`other musicthat is similar to the musicalisteneris listening
`to.
`the predominant styles of music included in a playlist, and
`to adjust the mix of music played from the playlist.
`Although the preferred embodiment will be generally
`described in the context of an interactive television system
`for delivering broadcast television programs, music, and
`related information, those skilled in the art will recognize
`that the present invention also can be used to support the
`delivery of other formsof programming information,includ-
`ing radio, broadcastprint, audio, games, computer software,
`including program modules such as application programs
`and operating systems, and other combinations of audio,
`video and/or computer software. Accordingly,
`it will be
`understood that the terms “programming information” and
`“programming information items” generally include infor-
`mation wansmited electronically to entertain, instruct, edu-
`
`It is another object of the present invention to identify
`more music that is like a current musical selection.
`
`55
`
`It is another object of the present invention to identify
`other movies that are similar to a movie a viewer is watch-
`ing.
`Itis another object of the present invention to display the
`types of music are in a playlist.
`Itis another object of the present inventionto allow a user
`to alter the mix of music that is selected and played from a
`playlist.
`It
`is another object of the present invention to select
`various types of programmingon thebasis ofits subjective
`content.
`
`65
`
`CL 000306
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`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5745
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`5,616,876
`
`5
`
`6
`receives satellite-delivered video and audio programming,
`over-the-air broadcast television station signals, and net-
`work feeds delivered by terrestrial microwave and other
`communication systems. In addition, headends may inject
`local broadcast programming into the package of signals
`sent to subscribers, such as commercials and live programs
`created in a television studio.
`;
`The “distribution system” carries the signals from the
`headend to a number of distribution points in a community
`and,
`in tum, distributes the these signals to individual
`neighborhoods for delivery to subscribers. A modern distri-
`bution system typically comprises a combination of coaxial
`cable and optical fibers with trunk amplifiers periodically
`spaced to compensate for attenuation ofthe signals along the
`line.
`
`5
`cate, or inform the recipient, as well as program modules for
`supporting these services.
`Turning first to the nomenclature of the specification, the .
`detailed description which followsis represented largely in
`terms of processes and symbolic representations of opera-
`tions by conventional computer components, including-a
`central processing unit (CPU), memory storage devices for
`the CPU, and connected pixel-oriented display devices,
`These operations include the manipulationofdata bits by the
`CPUandthe maintenance of these bits within data structures
`resident in one or more of the memory storage devices. Such
`data structures impose a physical organization upon the
`collection ofdata bits stored within computer memory and
`represent specific electrical or magnetic elements. These
`symbolic representations are the means used by those skilled
`in the art of computer programming and computer construc-
`tion to most effectively convey teachings and discoveriesto
`others skilled in the art.
`Forthe purposes of this discussion, a process is generally
`conceived to be a sequence of computer-executed steps
`leading to a desired result. These steps generally require
`physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually,
`though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of
`electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of being
`stored,
`transferred, combined, compared, or otherwise
`manipulated. It is conventional for those skilled in the art to
`refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols,
`characters,
`terms, numbers, records,
`files or the like.
`It
`should be kept in mind, however,
`that these and similar
`terms should be associated with appropriate physical quan-
`tities for computer operations, and that
`these terms are
`merely conventional
`labels applied to physical quantities
`that exist within and during operation of the computer.
`It should also be understood that manipulations within the
`computer are often referred to in terms such as adding,
`comparing, moving, etc. which are often associated with
`manual operations performed by a human operator. It must
`be understood that no involvement of a human operatoris
`necessary or even desirable in the present invention. The
`operations described herein are machine operations per-
`formed in conjunction with a human operator oruser that
`interacts with the computer. The machines used for perform-
`ing the operation of the present invention include general
`purpose digital computers or other similar computing
`devices.
`:
`In addition,
`it should be understood that the programs,
`processes, methods, etc. described herein are not related or
`. limited to any particular computer or apparatus. Rather,
`various types of general purpose machines maybeused with
`programs constructed in accordance with the teachings
`described herein. Similarly, it may prove advantageous to
`construct specialized apparatus to perform the method steps
`described herein by way of dedicated computer systems with
`hard-wired logic or programsstored in nonvolatile memory,
`such as read only memory.
`in which like numerals
`Referring now the drawings,
`represent like elements throughout the several figures, the
`present invention andthe preferred operating environments
`will be described.
`
`“Subscriber drops”are taps in the distribution system that
`feed individual
`lines into subscribers’
`television sets or
`subscriberset-top terminals, often referred to as “subscriber
`premises equipment” or “customer premises equipment”
`CCPE”).
`~
`Referring to FIG. 1, an interactive network system 10
`includes a headend system 12 for delivering programming
`information to and receiving instructions from a consumer
`system 14 via a “two-way” distribution network 16. The
`headend system 12 is the conwol center for collecting,
`organizing, and distributing the signals for all
`interactive
`network operations and the source for all programming
`information. The distribution network 16 transports signals
`carrying programming information and insuuctions between
`the headend system 12 and the consumer system 14. The
`distribution network 16 can include a world-wide public
`asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) compatible network
`with links to the Internet, third party service providers, and
`other wired and wireless communications networks. The
`consumer system 14 includes the equipment required for a
`consumer to receive programming information directly at
`his or her office or residence and to transmit requests and
`instructionsto the headend system 12.
`The headend system 12 can include a set of headend
`servers 20, including a continuous media server (CMS)
`system 22 and one or more administrative servers 24, to
`support various network functions, and a control network 26
`linking these headend servers. The headend servers 20 can
`execute program modules, including service and application
`program software, to support the transmission of program-
`ming information and the reception of requests for such
`programming information.
`It will be appreciated that the headend servers 20 are not
`necessarily located in one physical
`location, but can be
`linked by wired and/or wireless communicationspaths sup-
`phied by the control network. The control network 26 can be
`a loca] area network, a wide area network, or a combination
`of both types of networks. For the preferred embodiment,
`the control network 26 is implemented as an ATM-based
`network for routing digital data between the headendservers
`20 and the distribution network 16.
`The CMSsystem 22 is a server-based file storage and
`delivery system that can manage on-demandaccess to stored
`digitized data, such as audio and video. On-demand access
`of digitized data is a particularly desirable characteristic of
`the CMS system 22 becauseit allowsthe interactive network
`to support
`the on-demand delivery of various types of
`programming, such as music, movies, etc. The preferred
`CMSsystem 22 can supply digital data streamsat aconstant
`Tate to numerous consumers of the consumer system 14.
`The CMSsystem 22 includes one or more storage servers
`28, which operate to retrieve andto transmit the digitized
`
`CL 000307
`
`SONYExhibit 1004 - Page 5746
`
`20
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`30
`
`35
`
`40
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`45
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`55
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`60
`
`THE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
`
`A typical CATV system for the delivery of television
`programming to subscribers comprises three main elements:
`a headend, a distribution system, and subscriber drops.
`The “headend”is a signal reception and processing center
`that collects, organizes and distributes signals. The headend
`
`65
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`

`7
`data as required by clients of the CMSsystem, i.e., the
`equipment of the consumer system 14. The digitized data,
`which typically comprises programming information, is
`maintained on one or more memory storage devices 30
`connected to the storage servers 28. Each memory storage
`device 30 can be implemented as a SCSI hard disk drive, an
`optical storage system, or any other similar mass storage
`media. By spreading the data management operations across
`a group of storage servers and memory storage devices, user
`load can be balanced with the limited disk, network, and
`input/output (1/O) resources of the headend system. This
`also supports fault tolerance by replicating digitized data
`within the CMS system 22 to survivethe failure of a storage
`server of a memory storage device.
`To support the tasks of updating or revising programming
`information stored op a memory storage device 30 of the
`CMSsystem 22, a computer workstation 32 and a remote
`. server 34 can be connected to the control network 26 via a
`communicationslink 36. This communicationslink allows a
`program distributor or supplier, which typically operates at
`a location remote from the CMS system 22, to transmit
`programming information for storage by one or more of the
`memory storage devices 30 and eventual distribution to
`consumers via the headend system 12. The communications
`link 36 can be implemented by either a wireless or wired
`communications system. For example, the communications
`link 36 can be constr