as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication (0) Pub. No.: US 2003/0091325 Al
`(43) Pub. Date: May15, 2003
`
`Estevez
`
`US 20030091325A1
`
`(54) DEVICE FOR AUDIO AND VIDEO
`PLAYBACK
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Leonardo Estevez, Rowlett, TX (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
`PO BOX 655474, M/S 3999
`DALLAS, TX 75265
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/256,980
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Sep. 27, 2002
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60)
`
`Provisional application No. 60/336,077,filed on Nov.
`14, 2001.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(BLY TREC cssccscccssvssssessanszzce HO4N 5/76; G11B 27/00
`
`(52) WESINCK: sonsnnancmancenancs 386/46; 386/96
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Adevice for audio and video playback is operable to receive
`a digital video signal input or an analog video signal such as
`a National Television System Committee-standard (NTSC)
`video signal
`input through an input connector port of the
`device. The device may also receive an audio signal input
`through an audio input connector port. The audio and video
`playback device includes a storage device for storing audio
`and video signals in Moving Picture Experts Group-standard
`(MPEG) format. The audio and video playback device also
`includes output connector ports operable to provide audio
`oulput and video output. A central processing unit in the
`device receives audio and video input signals fromthe input
`connector ports, compresses the audio and video input
`signals into MPEG format and can store the MPEG-format
`signals in the storage device. The processor is also operable
`to retrieve and decompress stored audio and video signals
`from the storage device andprovide output signals to outpul
`connector ports.
`
`
`
`102
`
`
`VIDEO DISPLAY
`
`
`DIGITAL
`
`VIDEO IN
`
`i VIDEO 240|
`202
`
`
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`NTSC OR
`LCD OUT
`242
`
`
`
`
`
`CENTRAL
`PROCESSING
`UNIT (CPU)
`
` 246
`AUDIO OUT
`
`
`
`106
`COMPUTER
`INTERFACE
`
`
`
` DEVICE
`DEVICE
`
`FUNCTION
`FUNCTION
`CONTROL
`CONTROL
`INPUT
`OUTPUT
`
`250
`252
`
`
`Jaguar Land Rover
`Exhibit 1027
`Page 001
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 15, 2003
`
`US 2003/0091325 Al
`
`INTERNET
`106
`
`
`100
`
`
` NTSC AUDIO/VIDEO104~]DIGITAL AUDIO/VIDEO
`SOURCE
`SOURCE
`
`
`108
`
`
`
`
`102
`
`AUDIO AND VIDEO PLAYBACK DEVICE
`
`FIG.
`
`7
`
`AUDIO
`
`102
`
`SPEAKER
`
`
`VIDEO DISPLAY
`293
`
`
`NTSC OR
`LCD OUT
`DIGITAL
`VIDEO IN
`24?
`
`202
`
`
`
`VIDEO IN
`
`206
` CENTRAL
`
`
`AUDIO IN
`PROCESSING
`210
`
`UNIT (CPU)
`
`
`
`
`246
`AUDIO OUT
`
`
`
`COMPUTER
`INTERFACE
`
`CONTROL 1/0
`
` 106
`
`
`DEVICE
`DEVICE
`FUNCTION
`FUNCTION
`CONTROL
`CONTROL
`INPUT
`
`QUTPUT
`250
`252
`
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Jaguar Land Rover
`Exhibit 1027
`Page 002
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`US 2003/0091325 Al
`
`May15, 2003
`
`DEVICE FOR AUDIO AND VIDEO PLAYBACK
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] This invention relates to video information and
`display technology and more particularly to a portable
`device for audio and video playback.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] Technological advances continue to increase the
`availability and capabilities of the Internet. The rising popu-
`larity of high-speed Internet connections permits consumers
`to download greater amounts of information in shorter
`periods of time. Consumers, accordingly, seek new ways to
`make use of the Internet in their business and personal lives.
`One such use is the downloading of video and audiofiles,
`which are generally saved to a personal computer for later
`playback. Such video files are often available in Moving
`Pictures Expert Group (MPEG) format, while audio files
`often utilize the MPEG-IIT (MP3) format.
`
`Portable devices are currently on the market that
`(0003]
`permit a consumerto store and play back audio MP3 files
`whenever and wherever they choose to do so. To view a
`MPEGvideo file generally requires access to a personal
`computer. No portable devices are available to permit a
`consumer to store and play back video MPEGfiles. The size
`of portable video players is generally dictated by the size of
`the video storage media. Video is often stored on a Compact
`Dise (CD), and a video player for playback of video CDs
`must be at least
`large enough to contain a CD. This size
`limits easy portability of a video CDplayer. As it becomes
`easier to obtain video files from the Internet, the need for a
`portable device capable of storing and playing back MPEG
`files increases. Therefore, it is desirable to provide such a
`device for audio and video playback.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Fromthe foregoing it may be appreciated by those
`{0004]
`skilled in the art that a need has arisen for an apparatus that
`permits audio and video playback. In accordance with the
`present invention, a device for audio and video playback is
`provided that substantially eliminates or greatly reduces
`disadvantages and problems associated with conventional
`audio and video playback devices.
`
`{0005] According to an embodiment of the present inven-
`tion, there is provided a device for audio and video playback.
`The device comprises a plurality of input connector ports
`operable to receive digital audio and video data, analog
`video signals, and analog audio signals. The device further
`comprises a storage device operable to electronically store
`audio and videodata in a compressed format such as Moving
`Picture Experts Group (MPEG) and a plurality of output
`connector ports operable to provide video and audio output.
`The device further comprises a central processing unil
`operable to receive digitized signals from the input connec-
`tor ports, compress the input signals into MPEG formal,
`store the compressed data in the storage device, retrieve
`stored data from the storage device, decompress the data,
`and provide output signals to the output connector ports.
`
`[0006] The present invention provides various technical
`advantages over conventional devices for audio and video
`playback. For example one technical advantage is to provide
`
`a device capable of playback of audio and videofiles that are
`electronically stored in a compressed formatin a re-writable
`device. Another technical advantage is to provide a device
`capable of playback of audio and video files as they are
`being downloaded from the Internet by a personal computer.
`Yet another technical advantage is to provide a device
`capable of playback of audio and videofiles from either an
`analog or digital source. Other technical advantages may be
`readily ascertainable by those skilled in the art from the
`following figures, description, and claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For a more complete understanding ofthe present
`[0007]
`invention and the advantagesthereof, reference is now made
`to the following description taken in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals
`represent like parts, in which:
`[0008]
`FIG.1 illustrates a simplified diagram of an audio
`and video playback device environment in accordance with
`one embodiment of the present invention;
`[0009] FIG, 2 illustrates a block diagram ofan audio and
`video playback system.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0010] FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of an audio and
`video playback environment 100. The environment 100
`includes an audio and video playback device 102 that may
`interface with a variety of input sources. The device 102 is
`operable to receive digital audio and video data from a
`digital audio/video source 104, One example of a digital
`audio/video input source would be a personal computer 104.
`The personal computer 104 may transfer audio and video
`files stored in its memory to the device 102. Alternatively, if
`the personal computer 104 is connected to the Internet 106,
`audio and video files may be downloaded fromthe Internet
`106 to the personal computer 104 for playback on the audio
`and video playback device 102. The device 102 is also
`operable to receive analog video signals such as National
`Television System Committee-standard (NTSC) video sig-
`nals from a NTSCvideo source 108. One example of such
`an NTSC-format source would be a consumer VCR.
`
`[0011] One method for electronically storing digital audio
`and video signals is to code the signals in one of the Moving
`Picture Experts Group (MPEG) standard formats. MPEG1
`and MPEG4are likely formats for internet based media due
`to the amount oftime required to download an compressed
`video. Presently the utility of MPEG1 and MPEG4videosis
`limited because they may generally only be viewed directly
`from a personal computer. This application shows how an
`audio and video device may playback such files without the
`need to be attached to a personal computer. Such a device
`presents many advantages. With a preferred embodiment of
`the present invention, a user could store MPEGfiles in the
`device 102 and playback the files at any convenient time or
`place. Exemplars of new uses for MPEG-formatfiles would
`include instructional videos to be viewed at the site where
`the work is to occur, video tour guides for museums and
`other attractions, as well as entertainment movies for trav-
`elers. The device 102 could also be connected to the video
`and audio output of a Digital Video Disk (DVD) player for
`real time capture and compression of the video and audio
`
`Jaguar Land Rover
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`

`

`US 2003/0091325 Al
`
`May 15, 2003
`
`data stream. In such an application the data stream might be
`first partially compressed and later fully compressed as
`desired to minimize the amount of space requiredfor storage
`in the storage device 232.
`
`(0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram ofthe audio and
`video playback device L02. The device is comprised of a
`device function control input 250 and device function con-
`trol output 252 provided by a control Input/Output (I/O) unit
`251. The control input 250 enables the device user to control
`the operationof the device 102, for instance, by controlling
`such playback functions as selecting the file to be viewed,
`initiating playback, or terminating playback. The control
`output 252 enables the device 102 to communicateits status
`or file information to the device user. The device 102 is
`further comprised of sufficient Programmable Read Only
`Memory (PROM) or Flash 228 to initialize device 102.
`Device 102 also includes Synchronized Dynamic Random
`Access Memory (SDRAM) 226 in such quantities and
`configurations as to permit
`the device 102 to properly
`function. In a preferred embodiment of the claimed inven-
`tion, digital audio and video signals are buffered in the
`SDRAM 226 prior to compression by the CPU 220 and
`storage in the storage device 232. In a preferred embodiment
`compressed audio and video data to be retrieved from the
`storage device 232 would first be buffered in the SDRAM
`226 before being decompressed by the CPU 220.
`
`[0013] The device 102 is further comprised of a plurality
`of input connector ports. Digital video input signals 202 may
`be input into the device 102 by the video input interface 204.
`NTSC or PAL format video signals 206 may be input into
`the device 102 through the NTSC/PAL decoder interface
`208. Audio signals 210 may be input
`into the device 102
`through the audio codee interface 212.
`In a preferred
`embodiment of the present invention, the audio and video
`playback device 102 also contains a computer peripheral
`interface such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface
`234. The USB interface 234 permits the device 102 to
`receive digital audio and video data directly from a personal
`computer 104 or other network device.
`
`[0014] The audio and video playback device 102 is further
`comprised of a central processing unit (CPU) 220. In a
`preferred embodiment of the invention,
`the CPU 220 is
`comprised of a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) component
`and a Single Instruction Stream Multiple Data Stream
`(SIMD) coprocessor. The CPU 220 is operable to receive
`inputs from the video input
`interface 204, NTSC/PAL
`decoder interface 208, audio codec interface 212, and USB
`interface 234. Upon receiving audio and video input through
`the interfaces, the CPU 220 is further operable to compress
`the input into a native format such as MPEG1, MPEG2,or
`MPEG4. The device 102 is operable to electronically store
`the MPEGfile in a storage device 232 also containedin the
`playback device 102.
`In a preferred embodiment of the
`invention, it is envisioned that the storage device 232 is a
`disk drive that can store multiple movies and/or MP3 music.
`When a MPEGfile is to be stored in the storage device 232,
`the CPU 220 stores the file in SDRAM 226. Arm processor
`260 is operable to transfer the MPEGfile from the SDRAM
`to the storage device 232. By performing transcoding
`(decompression in one format and recompression in another)
`during download, device 102 may play the audio and or
`video signals in real
`time or reduce the amount of space
`needed to store the information in storage device 232.
`
`[0015] Upon receiving a request from the device function
`control input 250 to begin audio and video playback, the arm
`processor 260 is operable to retrieve a stored compressed file
`from the storage device 232 and pass it to the SDRAM 226.
`The CPU 220 is then operable to retrieve the MPEG file
`from the SDRAM 226. The CPU 220 then passes the video
`portion of the MPEGfile to the video controller 240, from
`which the video signal 242 may be output. In a preferred
`embodiment of the present invention, the video controller
`240 would output the video signal 242 to an integrated LCD
`display 253 incorporated into the audio and video playback
`device 102. Alternatively,
`the video signal 242 could be
`output from the video controller 240 to any form of external
`NTSC/PAL-format or LCD display device. The audio por-
`tion of the MPEG file is passed from the CPU 220 to the
`audio codec interface 212, from which the audio signal 246
`may be output. In a preferred embodiment ofthe invention,
`the audio codec interface 212 would output the audio signal
`246 to an integrated audio speaker 255 incorporated into the
`device 102. Alternatively,
`the audio signal 246 could be
`output from the audio codec interface 212 to any form of
`external audio speaker.
`(0016] At some timesit may not be desirable to store the
`audio and video signals in the storage device 232 prior to
`playback. Therefore, the CPU 220 is operable to receive
`analog audio and video inputs from the input connector
`ports, digitize and compressthe data. When the CPU 220 has
`encoded the data,
`it is further operable to pass the com-
`pressed data through the USB interface 234 to a personal
`computer 104 or to a networking hub with a USB connector
`for applications such as teleconferencing. This method per-
`mits audio and video data to be captured and transmitted by
`the device 102 in a “streaming” form, wherein the signals
`are compressed as they are input, without the intermediate
`step ofsaving the signals to the storage device 232. Alsothe
`function of compressing the signals into MPEG-format may
`be provided by personal computer 104(or another networked
`device) wherein personal computer 104 provides the MPEG-
`format signals directly to device 102 for storage or decom-
`pression and playback. In another implementation, portions
`of the compressing function may be performed by personal
`computer 104 and device 102 as desired. When data is
`received from personal computer 104 or another external
`device in a compressed format other than the supported
`decompression formats,
`the device 102 is operable to
`transcode the data so that the data may arrive compressed in
`a format that the device 102 may not be capable of decoding
`in real time. The device 102 first decodes the compressed
`data and re-encodesit for storage in the storage device 232.
`Storing the re-encoded data does not necessarily occur in
`real time, however, so that future playback of the data is
`possible. When both the processor of personal computer 104
`and the CPU 220 ofdevice 102 take part in the transcoding
`of audio and video signals, such as where computer proces-
`sor is dedicated to decoding while CPU 220is dedicated to
`encoding,
`the time required to complete a task may be
`greatly reduced fromthe time that would be required if only
`computer processor or CPU 220 were performing the entire
`encode/decode function (provided the computer peripheral
`interface or USB 234 can support the higher data rates),
`[0017] Thus,it is apparent that there has been provided, in
`accordance with the present invention, a device for audio
`and video playback that satisfies the advantages set forth
`above. Although the present invention has been describedin
`
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`

`US 2003/0091325 Al
`
`May15, 2003
`
`detail, it should be understood that various changes, substi-
`tutions, and alterations may be readily ascertainable by those
`skilled in the art and may be made herein without departing
`from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined
`by the following claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. Adevice for audio and video playback, comprising:
`
`input connector port operable to receive digital
`a first
`video signals;
`
`a second input connector port operable to receive National
`Television System Committee-standard (NTSC) or
`PAL video signals;
`
`a third input connector port operable to receive analog
`audio signals;
`
`a storage device operable to electronically store audio and
`video signals in a Moving Picture Experts Group-
`standard (MPEG) format such as MPEG1, MPEG2,
`and MPEG4;
`
`a first output connector port operable to provide analog
`video output;
`
`a second output connector port operable to provide analog
`audio output;
`
`a processor operable to receive input signals from the
`input connector ports, compress the input signals into
`MPEG format, store the signals in the storage device,
`retrieve stored signals from the storage device, and
`provide output signals to the output connector ports.
`2. The device for audio and video playback of claim 1,
`wherein the digital video signals are input from a personal
`computer.
`3. The device for audio and video playback of claim 2,
`wherein the digital video signals are input in MPEG format.
`4. The device for audio and video playback of claim 1,
`wherein the device further comprises a Universal Serial Bus
`(USB) port
`that operates to provide an interface with a
`personal computer.
`5. The device for audio and video playback of claim 4,
`wherein the digital video signals are input from a personal
`computer through the USB interface.
`6. The device for audio and video playback of claim 1,
`wherein the storage device is a disk drive.
`7. The device for audio and video playback of claim 1,
`wherein the first output connector port
`is connected to a
`liquid crystal display (LCD).
`8. The device for audio and video playback of claim 1,
`wherein the first Output connector port
`is connected to a
`digital display.
`9. The device for audio and video playback of claim 1,
`wherein the first output connector port
`is connected to a
`NTSC-standard display.
`10. A method for audio and video playback, comprising:
`providing a first input connector port operable to receive
`digital video signals;
`
`providing a second input connector port operable to
`receive NTSC-format video signals;
`
`providing a third input connector port operable to receive
`audio signals;
`
`providing a storage device operableto electronically store
`audio and video signals in MPEG format;
`
`providing a first output connector port operable to provide
`video output;
`
`providing a second video output connector port operable
`lo provide audio output;
`
`providing a processor operable to receive input signals
`from the input connector ports, compress the signals
`into MPEG format, store the signals in the storage
`device, retrieve stored signals from the storage device,
`and provide output signals to the output connector
`ports,
`11. The method for audio and video playback from claim
`10, further comprising:
`
`the processor receiving input signals in MPEG format
`from the input connector ports and providing output
`signals to the output connector ports for audio and
`video playback.
`12. The method for audio andvideo playback from claim
`10, further comprising:
`
`the processor receiving compressed audio and video input
`signals from the input connector ports, decoding the
`input signals, providing output signals to the output
`connector ports for audio and video playback, and
`re-encoding the signals in MPEG-format for storage in
`the storage device.
`13. The method for audio and video playback from claim
`10, further comprising:
`
`the processor retrieving audio and video signals stored in
`the storage device and providing output signals to the
`output connector ports for audio and video playback.
`14. A methodfor audio and video playback, comprising:
`
`receiving audio and video information at a portable elec-
`ironic storage device;
`
`storing the audio and video information in a portable
`electronic storage device;
`
`retrieving the audio and video information from the
`portable electronic storage device; and
`
`playing the audio and videoinformation from the portable
`electronic storage device.
`15. The methodfor audio and video playback ofclaim 14,
`wherein the audio and video information is received from a
`
`personal computer.
`16. The method for audio and video playback of claim 15,
`wherein the audio and video information is received in
`MPEGformat.
`
`17. The method for audio and video playback of claim 14,
`wherein the audio and video information is stored in a disk
`drive.
`18. The method for audio and videoplayback of claim 14,
`wherein the audio and video information is retrieved from a
`disk drive.
`
`19. The method for audio and video playback of claim 14,
`wherein the video information is played on an integrated
`Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).
`+
`+
`& *
`
`Jaguar Land Rover
`Exhibit 1027
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`Jaguar Land Rover
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