throbber
(12) United States Patent
`Dvir et al.
`
`USOO6557001B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,557,001 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Apr. 29, 2003
`
`(54) METHOD FOR ENHANCING VIDEO
`COMPRESSION THROUGH AUTOMATIC
`DATA ANALYSIS AND PROFILE SELECTION
`
`(75) Inventors: Ira Dvir, Tel Aviv (IL); Yoav Medan,
`Haifa (IL)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(73) Assignee: Moonlight Cordless Ltd., Ramat Gan
`(IL)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/438,500
`(22) Filed:
`Nov. 12, 1999
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,706290 A * 1/1998 Shaw et al. ................. 345/723
`6,202,060 B1
`3/2001 Tran ........................ 707/104.1
`6,356,945 B1 * 3/2002 Shaw et al. ................. 375/240
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Diane D. Mizrahi
`Assistant Examiner Apu Mofiz
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-G. E. Ehrlich Ltd.
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A System and method for rapid Video data compression and
`transmission for a wireleSS remote monitor. The compres
`Sion method is adjusted according to the type of Software
`application which generated the Video data, and according to
`the characteristics of the data itself. Preferably, the type and
`profile of Video data compression is Selected by a profile
`manager, which detects the characteristics of the Video data
`to determine the character of the data, and then which Selects
`the Video data compression method and profile according to
`the Video data character. The compression method and
`information from a monitor of a main computer and for
`telv and fullv controlling the mai
`ter.
`remotely and Tully controlling ne main computer
`26 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`System may be used with a device for remotely displaying
`
`(52)
`
`O
`
`-1 - O
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/197,441, filed on
`Nov. 23, 1998.
`(51) Int. CI.7
`G06F 17/30
`5s) Field of search. 7073, 10 1, 104.1
`707soo, soo. 7046s. 75.20 asso
`723; 709/200, 217, 231
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`707/101
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`
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`Video display card
`38
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`AW Mpeg
`interface
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`Converter
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`Digital sound to
`USB/FireWire
`output Software
`60
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`USB/Firewire in/out
`46
`
`Mpeg Encoder
`Software Or
`Hardware 42
`
`Mpeg to RF
`interface 48
`
`SM Band
`transceiver
`50
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`internal implementation
`
`Comcast - Exhibit 1004, page 1
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 29, 2003
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`Sheet 1 of 5
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`US 6,557,001 B1
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`
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`It is
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`
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`Compression
`Profile
`Manager
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`11
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`Fig. 1 a
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`Sample rasters
`(step 1)
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`determine at least one
`parameter (step 2)
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`match parameter to
`profile (step 3)
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`compress data (step 4) Fig. 1b
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`Comcast - Exhibit 1004, page 2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 29, 2003
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`Sheet 2 of 5
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`US 6,557,001 B1
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`0
`9
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`Comcast - Exhibit 1004, page 3
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 29, 2003
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`Sheet 3 of 5
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`US 6,557,001 B1
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`Comcast - Exhibit 1004, page 4
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`Comcast - Exhibit 1004, page 5
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`Comcast - Exhibit 1004, page 5
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 29, 2003
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`Sheet 5 0f 5
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`US 6,557,001 B1
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`Comcast - Exhibit 1004, page 6
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`

`1
`METHOD FOR ENHANCING WIDEO
`COMPRESSION THROUGH AUTOMATIC
`DATAANALYSIS AND PROFILE SELECTION
`
`This is a Continuation-in-Part pending Appliction of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 09/197,441, filed Nov. 23, 1998,
`which is currently pending and the Specification for which is
`hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
`FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE
`INVENTION
`The present invention relates to a System and method for
`multimedia data compression and transmission, thereby
`enabling a large amount of multimedia information to be
`rapidly transmitted for display by a remote display device
`with low bandwidth requirements. Such multimedia infor
`mation may optionally include Video Stream data and/or
`audio Stream data, for example.
`Computers are becoming more popular as home enter
`tainment devices and for the organization and display of
`information for the consumer. In addition to the functions of
`earlier computers, computers today can play music Stored in
`a variety of formats, including files stored in the MP3 format
`on a CD, on magnetic Storage medium or on the DVD
`Storage medium, as well as displaying video Streams and
`enabling “chats' to take place through the Internet. In
`addition, consumers can now perform a variety of tasks
`“online' through the computer, Such as order groceries from
`the local Supermarket, which are then delivered to the house
`of the consumer. These applications have the advantage of
`being more efficient and of Saving the consumer time.
`The computer itself has been sufficiently adapted for the
`household environment and for the new multi-media tasks,
`except for portability. The typical household computer is a
`“desktop' computer which is not very portable. However,
`certain applications. Such as playing and managing a musical
`database or otherwise interacting with the computer from a
`remote location would be more efficient if the computer
`could easily be moved from room to room. Thus, desktop
`computers are not Sufficiently portable for Such taskS.
`A more useful Solution would enable the consumer to
`view the display of the monitor of the computer for video
`data, and/or to also be able to hear the audio data, for
`interacting with the computer anywhere in the house, as a
`remote application. The entire computer would not need to
`be moved about from room to room, but only those portions
`which are required for controlling the computer and for
`displaying information on the monitor. Unfortunately, those
`remote computing Solutions which are available only enable
`partial control, and do not permit portions of the computer
`to be operated in a fully remote and independent fashion,
`while still remaining tied to the CPU of the computer but
`without the necessity for an additional network connection.
`The remote computing device disclosed and claimed in
`pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/197,441, incor
`porated by reference as if fully Set forth herein, overcomes
`these problems by providing a fully remote, independently
`operatable device for displaying information on the monitor
`of a remote mobile platform and for controlling the CPU of
`the remote computer. However, in order to be fully practi
`cable and realizable, the disclosed device must be able to
`receive video data sufficiently rapidly in order for the
`monitor display to be rapidly refreshed, and to receive the
`audio Stream data rapidly for playing Such data through
`Speakers in a responsive manner, without requiring the user
`to wait for long periods of time between requesting the
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`display of a particular type of information and the actual
`display thereof.
`Currently available technologies for transmitting Such
`Video data to, and receiving Such video data by, a remote
`monitor, particularly for Such a device which is not con
`nected to the controlling CPU through a wire or cable
`network, are limited in terms of the amount of bandwidth.
`Such a limitation is typically 100-1,600 Mbps. Therefore,
`multimedia data compression methods are required in order
`to compress a larger amount of data into the bandwidth
`available for transmission. However, current multimedia
`data compression methods are most efficient when adjusted
`for the type of multimedia data being transmitted. If a
`particular device routinely transmits a certain type of mul
`timedia data, then the compression method is fairly simple
`to determine, as this method could be adjusted to the type of
`multimedia data. For devices and applications in which
`multiple types of multimedia data are transmitted, the com
`pression method must be determined Separately for each
`type of data.
`The remote monitor of pending U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 09/197,441 is an example of a device which must
`routinely receive multiple different types of video data. All
`of the display data which is received by this remote monitor
`is Video data, but could range from a display of a GUI
`(graphical user interface) for a word processing Software
`program, to Streaming Video data for a DVD movie. Each
`different type of display data therefore requires a different
`type of Video data compression method for the most efficient
`compression of the transmitted data.
`Currently, each multimedia data compression method
`must be manually adjusted for the particular type of multi
`media data. Clearly, Such manual adjustments are not Suit
`able for the remote monitor device, which may rapidly
`display multiple types of multimedia data. Therefore, a
`better solution would enable the type of multimedia data
`compression method to be automatically Selected according
`to the type of multimedia data which is to be displayed on
`the remote monitor. Unfortunately, Such a Solution is not
`currently available.
`Therefore, there is an unmet need for, and it would be
`highly useful to have, a method and a System for automati
`cally Selecting a particular type of multimedia data com
`pression method, according to the type of multimedia data
`which is to be transmitted, Such that manual intervention is
`not required, and Such that the multimedia data is efficiently
`compressed.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention is of a System and method for rapid
`multimedia data compression and transmission for a wire
`leSS remote monitor. The method of multimedia data com
`pression according to the present invention adjusts the
`compression method according to the type of Software
`application which generated the multimedia data, and hence
`according to the characteristics of the data itself. Preferably,
`the type of multimedia data compression is Selected by a
`profile manager, which detects the characteristics of the
`multimedia data to determine the character of the data, and
`then which Selects the multimedia data compression profile,
`including the compression method according to the charac
`ter of the data.
`According to the present invention, there is provided a
`method for compressing multimedia data, the Steps of the
`method being performed by a data processor, the method
`comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of different
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`Comcast - Exhibit 1004, page 7
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`multimedia data compression procedures, each of the com
`pression procedures being associated with a profile of char
`acteristics of the multimedia data; (b) receiving the multi
`media data to be compressed to form received data; (c)
`determining at least one characteristic of the received data;
`(d) Selecting a profile according to the at least one charac
`teristic; and (e) compressing the received data according to
`a compression procedure associated with the profile.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, there is provided a method for compressing
`multimedia data, the Steps of the method being performed by
`a data processor, the method comprising the Steps of: (a)
`analyzing each type of multimedia data to determine at least
`one characteristic of each type of multimedia data; (b)
`asSociating one of a plurality of different multimedia data
`compression procedures with each type of multimedia data
`according to the at least one characteristic for optimal
`compression of the multimedia data to form the compression
`profile; (c) receiving the multimedia data for compression to
`form compressed data; and (d) Selecting the compression
`profile for compressing the compressed data.
`Hereinafter, the term “computer indicates any type of
`electronic device which is capable of performing
`computations, including, but not limited to, personal com
`puters (PC) having an operating System Such as DOS,
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`WindowsTM, OS/2TM or Linux; MacintoshTM computers;
`computers having JAVATM-OS or BeOSTM as the operating
`System; thin client computers, and graphical WorkStations
`such as the computers of Sun MicrosystemsTM and Silicon
`Graphics", and other computers having Some version of the
`UNIX operating system such as AIXTM or SOLARISTM of
`Sun MicrosystemsTM; a PalmPilot'TM, a PilotPCTM, or any
`other handheld device, portable device for data processing
`Such as a PDA(personal data assistant), or embedded System
`or device, or any other known and available operating
`System and computational device. Hereinafter, the term
`“WindowsTM” includes but is not limited to Windows95TM,
`Windows 3.xTM in which “X” is an integer such as “1”,
`Windows NTTM, Windows 98TM, Windows CETM,
`Windows2000TM, and any upgraded versions of these oper
`ating systems by Microsoft Corp. (USA).
`The method of the present invention could also be
`described as a plurality of instructions being performed by
`a data processor, Such that the method of the present
`invention could be implemented as hardware, Software,
`firmware or a combination thereof. For the present
`invention, a Software application could be written in Sub
`Stantially any Suitable programming language, which could
`easily be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art. The
`programming language chosen should be compatible with
`the computer according to which the Software application is
`executed. Examples of Suitable programming languages
`include, but are not limited to, C, C++ and Java.
`Hereinafter, the term “CPU” (central processing unit)
`includes those portions of the computer which control the
`remainder of the computer, including the peripherals. AS
`defined herein, the CPU includes the control unit and the
`arithmetic and logic unit (ALU), as well as other compo
`nents Such as memory and temporary buffers which are
`required for the operation of the control unit and the ALU.
`Other types of microprocessors or data processors are spe
`cifically excluded from the term “CPU” as herein defined.
`Hereinafter, the term “speaker' is defined to include any
`type of device for producing an audible Sound stream for a
`user, including an earphone.
`Hereinafter, a “locally connectable' video card is a video
`card which is capable of controlling a monitor or other
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`display device which is attached to the computer in which
`the Video card is located, regardless of whether the computer
`actually has Such a monitor or other display device attached.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The invention is herein described, by way of example
`only, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
`wherein:
`FIG. 1A is a Schematic block diagram illustrating an
`exemplary System according to the present invention for
`compressing video or multimedia data, while FIG. 1B is a
`flowchart of an exemplary method for analyzing the data;
`FIG. 2 is a Schematic block diagram illustrating an
`exemplary wireleSS multimedia platform monitor according
`to the present invention; and
`FIGS. 3A-3C are schematic block diagrams which illus
`trate three different embodiments of a complete wireless
`System according to the present invention.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`The present invention is of a System and method for rapid
`multimedia data compression and transmission for a wire
`leSS remote monitor. The method of multimedia data com
`pression according to the present invention adjusts the
`compression method according to the type of Software
`application which generated the multimedia data, and hence
`according to the characteristics of the data itself. Preferably,
`the type of multimedia data compression is Selected by a
`profile manager, which detects the characteristics of the
`multimedia data to determine the profile of the data, and then
`which Selects the multimedia data compression method
`according to the profile.
`The principles and operation of the System and method
`according to the present invention may be better understood
`with reference to the drawings and the accompanying
`description.
`Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1A is a Schematic
`block diagram illustrating an exemplary System according to
`the present invention, while FIG. 1B is a flowchart of an
`exemplary method according to the present invention.
`Although FIGS. 1A and 1B are drawn toward video com
`pression methods, it is understood that this is for the
`purposes of description only, without any intention of being
`limiting in any way.
`As shown in FIG. 1A, a system 1 features a plurality of
`Software applications 3 for producing different types of
`display data. Software applications 3 are operated by an
`operating System 5. The display data must be compressed
`according to a Suitable video compression method before
`transmission decompression and display, for example by the
`remote monitor of FIG. 2, and for the systems of FIGS.
`3A-3B.
`In order for the data to be suitably compressed, the video
`compression method must be Selected to be compatible with
`the particular type of data produced by each Software
`application 3. Therefore, operating System 5 feeds the dis
`play data to a compression profile manager 7. The proceSS is
`controlled by a separate reporting device driver 9, for
`causing operating System 5 to report the type of each
`Software application 3 which is running to compression
`profile manager 7. Preferably, reporting device driver 9 also
`causes operating System 5 to report the Screen resolution to
`compression profile manager 7.
`Once compression profile manager 7 has received the
`pertinent information concerning the type of Video display
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`Comcast - Exhibit 1004, page 8
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`data which is being produced, compression profile manager
`7 can Select the particular type of Video compression method
`for compressing the display data. Compression profile man
`ager 7 has a plurality of compression profiles, each of which
`is Suitable for a particular type of display data which is
`produced by a particular Software application 3. AS each
`type of display data is passed from operating System 5,
`compression profile manager 7 Selects a Suitable compres
`Sion profile for compressing the Video data, according to the
`characteristics of the display data, as described in greater
`detail with regard to FIG. 1B. Alternatively, the user can
`manually Select a compression profile from a plurality of
`Such profiles provided by compression profile manager 7.
`Once the proper compression profile for the display data
`is Selected, the actual process of compression is performed
`by an MPEG (Motion Picture Expert Group) encoder 11 or
`other type of compression algorithm. It is understood that
`although the present invention is described with regard to a
`particular type of Video data compression method, namely
`the MPEG group of compression methods, this is only for
`the purposes of description and is not intended to be limiting
`in any way.
`For example, different compression profiles would be
`required for television video Stream, a word processing
`Screen Stream, a three-dimensional video game Video
`Stream, and So forth. Preferably, an automatic Video content
`analysis method would be employed to analyze the type of
`Video data and would Select a particular compression profile
`according to the type of Video data. A preferred implemen
`tation of such an automatic method is given in FIG. 1B. In
`Step 1, the Video data to be transmitted is analyzed. For
`example, groups of rasters of the Video data are optionally
`Sampled for analysis. Preferably, each Such group is a block
`of 8x8 pixels.
`In Step 2, at least one parameter is determined for each
`Sample. Preferably, the parameter includes, but is not limited
`to, a number of unique colors in the Screen, a presence of
`Static dark thin rows of pixels or large Static blocks, and a
`level of motion in the Screen between one frame and the next
`frame. More preferably, a plurality of Such parameters is
`analyzed.
`In Step 3, the plurality of parameters is matched to a
`particular compression profile, which is then Selected by
`compression profile manager 7. For example, the presence
`of thousands of unique colors in a frame with considerable
`movement between frames, as well as unchanged black
`Stripes at the bottom and top of each frame, would indicate
`that a DVD movie is being transmitted. The appropriate
`compression profile for the DVD movie would then be
`Selected.
`The compression profile would be adjusted according to
`Such factors as the maximum resolution, refresh rate and
`color handling. Optionally and preferably, for text data, a
`variable bit rate is used for the compression, Since the
`amount of text data which must be transmitted at any
`particular moment is itself variable. Therefore, the MPEG
`compression methods are preferred for the present invention
`as they feature different profiles and levels which are
`adjusted according to these different factors. The MPEG
`encoder is also preferred as it enables noise to be filtered
`through different “filters', Such as low-pass, median and
`deinterlacing filters. The motion vector may also be set, for
`example by enlarging or minimizing the Search area of the
`data which has changed position within the frame.
`Regardless of the level and profile, the MPEG format uses
`three different types of frames: I, B and P frames. The I
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`frame is the initial or “intra-frame” and is required. The B
`frame is a bi-directional frame, while the P frame is a
`predictable frame. The B and P frames are optional, and B
`frames can be removed without P frames.
`These different types of frames are organized into groups.
`For example, a Video Stream compressed according to the
`MPEG method could feature a 3 frame group, such as IBP
`for example, or a 9 frame group, such as IBBPBBPBB for
`example, or even a 12 frame group, such as IPPPPPPPPPPP
`for example. In each group, there is a Single I frame, while
`the number of B and P frames in each group may vary, or
`even may be deleted altogether. In addition, the number of
`frames per Second, the motion vectors, the resolution, and
`the filters, may all optionally be adjusted in order to produce
`each compression profile.
`An exemplary compression profile for a television video
`stream would feature a main level, main profile MPEG-2
`compression method with frame groups of 12 frames: IBB
`PBB PBB PBB. The method would feature progressive
`encoding, or deinterlacing, and low pass filtering. The
`motion vectors would be 32x32 for the P frames and 16x16
`for the B frames.
`On the other hand, an exemplary compression profile for
`a word processing screen stream at a 800x600 resolution
`would be high profile, high level variable MPEG-2 stream
`with frame groups of 9 frames: IBB PBB PBB. In cases
`where flawless quality is necessary all of the B frames could
`be omitted, Such that a rate of 30 frames per Second becomes
`a rate of 10 tripled frames per second. The motion vectors
`are 24x24 for the P frames and 8x8 for the B frames. No
`filters are applied.
`For the 3-D video game video data, an exemplary com
`pression profile would optionally feature a high profile, high
`level MPEG-2 compression method at 60 frames per second,
`thereby halving the delay caused by the compression process
`itself. Preferably, the compression method would feature
`groups of 18frames: IBPBPBPBPBPBPBPBPB. All of the B
`frames are deleted, Such that a frame rate of 60 frames per
`second becomes a rate of 30 doubled frames per second. The
`motion vectors are 48x48 for the P frames and 8x8 for the
`B frames.
`In Step 4, the compression profile is Set to determine the
`particular video compression method for compressing the
`Video data. The data is then compressed and transmitted.
`Of course, the previously described System and method
`could be extended to other types of multimedia data, Such as
`audio stream data for example. Alternatively, as previously
`described, the compression profile could be manually
`selected by the user, or alternatively could be determined
`automatically according to the identity of the Software
`application which is producing the Video data and/or other
`types of multimedia data. Two or more of the elements of
`automatic analysis according to a Software module or other
`Set of electronically executed instructions, manual Selection
`by the user, and Selection according to the identity of the
`Software application which produces the multimedia data,
`can also optionally be combined. Optionally and most
`preferably, the user is able to manually override any auto
`matically Selected compression profile, and to replace Such
`an automatically Selected compression profile with a differ
`ent compression profile. Preferably, Such a replacement is
`enabled through a GUI (graphical user interface) element,
`preferably with the use of a macro command. A ruler or other
`display of macro buttons such as “tv’ “dvd” “text” or
`"graphics’ could be used for controlling these macro com
`mands.
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`Comcast - Exhibit 1004, page 9
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`FIG. 2 is a Schematic block diagram illustrating an
`exemplary wireleSS monitor according to the present
`invention, for displaying the multimedia data from the
`computer (not shown), preferably including at least Video
`data and audio data, and more preferably including video
`and audio data together. The wireleSS monitor is optionally
`and preferably used with the detached computers for decom
`pressing the multimedia data according to the present
`invention, which include various components for compress
`ing the data before transmission to the wireleSS monitor,
`preferably according to the system and method of FIGS. 1A
`and 1B respectively.
`A wireleSS monitor 10 is connected to a radiofrequency
`(RF) transceiver 12, which communicates with a main
`computer (not shown) through radiowave communication.
`Wireless monitor 10 preferably displays both audio and
`visual data although wireless monitor 10 could optionally
`display only audio or only visual data. Hereinafter, the term
`“display' can include both a visual display and an audio
`display.
`Wireless monitor 10 preferably includes an ISM band
`transceiver 14 for receiving radiowave communication from
`the main computer, and for transmitting Such radiowave
`communication to the main computer. More preferably, all
`of the radiowave receivers and transmitters of the present
`invention operate as low-frequency radiowaves, most pref
`erably in the range of from about 2.4 GHz to about 5.8 GHz,
`as this range does not require a special license in the United
`States of America.
`ISM band transceiver 14 is preferably connected to a
`radiofrequency conversion interface 16, for converting the
`radiowaves to video stream data. Preferably, conversion
`interface 16 converts the radiowaves to Such video data in
`the MPEG format although of course a different format
`could alternatively be used. The data is then decoded by a
`decoder 18, which provides the video portion of the data to
`a display Screen 20. Optionally and preferably, display
`screen 20 receives this data through a DFP (digital flat panel
`display) port 22. Also optionally and preferably, display
`Screen 20 is a flat panel display, although of course other
`types of display Screens could also be used. Examples of
`display screen 20 include but are not limited to any type of
`flat Screen including a plasma screen or an LCD (liquid
`crystal display), a CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor, a com
`45
`puter monitor or any other type of Video display monitor.
`Thus, wireless monitor 10 enables visual data Such as a GUI
`(graphical user interface), other graphics or images, or a
`Video Stream, to be displayed to the user.
`Decoder 18 also optionally and preferably provides the
`audio portion of the decoded data to a Sound amplifier 24.
`Sound amplifier 24 is connected to Some type of audio
`playing device, Such as a Speaker 26, an earphone Socket 28,
`or a line-out Socket 30 as shown.
`Preferably, wireless monitor 10 receives power through a
`battery which is optionally chargeable at a charger/base (not
`shown), thereby enabling wireless monitor 10 to be portably
`transported for displaying Video and/or audio data at various
`remote locations.
`FIGS. 3A-3C are schematic block diagrams of exemplary
`configurations of wireleSS monitor 10 and a main computer
`for communicating with wireless monitor 10 of FIG. 2 in
`order to provide the multimedia data, Such as Video and/or
`audio data for display by wireless monitor 10. These con
`figurations preferably perform the method for compression
`of multimedia data according to the present invention, as
`described with regard to FIGS. 1A and 1B.
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`FIG. 3A shows a first exemplary system 32 which is an
`internal implementation, in which the components of the
`multimedia compression System are contained within a main
`computer 34. AS shown, main computer 34 is connected to
`the wireless monitor (not shown) and to a local monitor 36,
`which is optionally connected to main computer 34 with a
`cable. Main computer 34 features a video display card 38
`with DVI (digital output) or DSP, which is connected to a
`video Switch 40. In the embodiment shown, video Switch 40
`is contained within main computer 34, and is preferably
`connected to both local monitor 36 and to an MPEG encoder
`42, Such that the Video signals are either displayed locally,
`at local monitor 36, or else are encoded for remote trans
`mission by MPEG encoder 42. For local display at local
`monitor 36, preferably the signals are fed through a D/A
`converter 43.
`It should be noted that MPEG encoder 42, which may be
`embodied as Software, firmware or hardware, may encode
`the video data according to a different data format. MPEG
`encoder 42 optionally and preferably receives the Video
`signals from an AIV-MPEG interface 62, which is more
`preferably located on video display card 38, and which
`converts the Video signals from a format which is Suitable
`for video display card 38 to a format which is suitable for
`MPEG encoder 42.
`MPEC encoder 42 also optionally and preferably receives
`audio input from an audio encoder 44 which converts the
`audio data into a format which is readable by MPEG encoder
`42. MPEG encoder 42 then transmits the combined audio
`and video data to a converter 48. Converter 48 converts the
`combined data into radiowaves, which are then transmitted
`by an ISM band SP transmitter 50 for transmitter radio
`waves to he wireless monitor (not shown).
`In addition, the audio data is passed as digital audio
`signals to a USB and/or Firewire output device driver 60,
`which sends the audio data to a USB and/or Firewire port 46
`for combining with the video data to converter 48.
`A system 52 shown in FIG. 3B is similar to that of FIG.
`3A, except that the implementation is now external to main
`computer 34, and a Video display card 54 now has an analog
`RGB output directly to video Switch 40. Video Switch 40 and
`the other multimedia compression and transmission compo
`nents are now located at a separate base 57, which is Separate
`from main computer 34.
`Video Switch 40 passes the analog video data to a video
`digitizer and converter 56, which passes the data to A/V-
`MPEG interface 62. MPEG interface 58 passes the data to
`MPEG encoder 42, and from there to converter 48 and
`transceiver 50, as previously described.
`AS for FIG. 3A, the audio data is passed as digital audio
`signals to a USB and/or Firewire output device driver 60,
`which sends the audio data to a USB and/or Firewire port 46
`for combining with the video data at A/V-MPEG interface
`62.
`FIG. 3C shows a system 64 which is a second external
`implementation, in which the multimedia compression and
`transmission components are also located at Separate base
`57. However, these components ar

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