(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0098533 A1
`Henshaw et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`May 20, 2004
`
`US 20040098533A1
`
`(54) USE OF AMEDIA CACHE FOR
`SUBSEQUENT COPYING ACCELERATION
`(76) Inventors: Jeffrey D. Henshaw, Sammamish, WA
`(US); James E. Allard, Seattle, WA
`(US)
`Correspondence Address:
`Law Offices of Ranald M. Anderson
`Suite 507
`600 108th Avenue N.E.
`Bellevue, WA 98004 (US)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`10/298,450
`(22) Filed:
`Nov. 15, 2002
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl." ....................................................... G06F 3/00
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 711/100
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The apparent Speed with which a media work is ripped to
`copy the work into a visible Store is Substantially reduced.
`When the media work is played, its content is cached onto
`a persistent, fast access Storage media. If the user Subse
`quently decides to rip the media work, the content of the
`cache is copied to a visible Store in Substantially less time
`than would be required to play the media work and convert
`it. The user thus perceives that the media work is ripped in
`a Substantially shorter time, compared to that required for
`ripping the media work in a conventional manner. The
`ripping proceSS may encode or transform the format of the
`content to a desired format for use within the visible store.
`Constraints may be imposed by the user to limit the cache,
`or the caching process may be hidden from the user.
`
`2O2
`
`
`
`-Y.
`u1 N.
`-1 CONFIGURE
`OPTIONS
`
`
`
`
`
`216
`
`14 *COPY N
`BACKGROUND
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`YES -11EDAs
`
`204
`
`USER SELECTSAT
`LEAST ONE OF:
`
`
`
`NO. OF
`% OF
`DRIVE FOR ITEMS N
`CACHE
`CACHE
`
`SELECT WHETHER TO
`EXPOSE PROCESS OR
`DOAUTOMATICALLY
`
`- ...
`
`- MEDIA is
`CACHEDP
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`228
`
`
`
`
`
`"COPY" MEDIA
`FROM CACHE TO
`VISIBLE STORE
`
`222
`
`
`
`READ & ENCODE TO
`WSBESTORE IN REAL
`TIME (CONVENTIONAL
`COPY)
`
`PLAY 8.
`CREATE
`CACHE
`
`2OO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1
`
`Comcast, Ex. 1134
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20, 2004 Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 2004/0098533 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`99
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20, 2004 Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 2004/0098533 A1
`
`- 100
`
`120
`
`E } AV
`
`124
`- 122
`
`102
`
`106
`
`
`
`
`
`108
`
`142b
`
`144b
`
`FIG. 2
`
`3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20, 2004 Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 2004/0098533 A1
`
`??
`
`NOINTERACTION BETWEEN PLAYER OF
`MEDIA AND PERSISTENT FAST STORAGE
`
`
`
`
`
`FAST
`STORAGE
`MEDIA
`(HARD DISK,
`OTHER...)
`
`MEDIA PLAY ii.1
`
`MEDA PLAY it2
`
`MEDIA PLAY EN.
`
`TIME
`
`MEDIA COPY
`
`154
`
`DURATION
`Despite previous playback of given media, the act of copying it to alternative
`storage medium still takes as long (or longer) than the original playback.
`
`s
`
`FIG. 3A
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`
`
`
`
`7
`---------
`
`WHEN MEDIA IS PLAYED, A COPY AUTOMATICALLY AND
`TRANSPARENTLY HAPPENS DURING PLAYBACK
`
`MEDIA PLAY #1 (AUTOMATIC COPY ADDED)
`
`MEDIA PLAY 2
`
`MEDIA PLAY iiN.
`
`TIME
`
`STORAGE
`MEDIA
`(HARD DISK,
`OTHER...)
`
`160
`
`DIA
`OP
`
`164
`
`
`
`
`
`DURATION
`Because a copy of the media already resides in the Media Cache,
`the subsequent copy operation appears to the user as extremely
`fast or almost instantaneous.
`
`FIG. 3B
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20, 2004 Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 2004/0098533 A1
`
`START
`
`CONFIGURE
`OPTIONS
`
`202
`
`
`
`204
`
`YES-> USER SELECTSAT
`LEAST ONE OF:
`
`
`
`212
`
`NO
`
`SIZE
`% OF
`OF
`DRIVE FOR
`206 NCACHE CACHE
`
`NO. OF
`ITEMS IN
`CACHE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`216
`
`
`
`214
`
`COPY IN
`BACKGROUND
`
`SELECT WHETHER TO
`EXPOSE PROCESS OR
`DOAUTOMATICALLY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`O
`COPY
`
`PLAY
`
`": a 4
`1N
`-1,
`YES
`1. MEDIA N
`- CACHED7
`
`218
`
`MEDIA
`CACHED?
`
`YES
`
`220
`
`NO
`
`228
`
`NO
`
`w
`
`222
`
`PLAY &
`CREATE
`CACHE
`
`"COPY" MEDIA
`FROM CACHE TO
`VISIBLE STORE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`READ & ENCODE TO
`VISIBLE STORE IN REAL
`TIME (CONVENTIONAL
`COPY)
`
`200
`
`FIG. 4
`
`5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20, 2004 Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 2004/0098533 A1
`
`START
`
`PLAY DIGITAL
`MEDIUM
`
`229
`
`230
`
`
`
`- St.
`
`CACHE FOR
`WORK EXIST
`
`236
`
`NO
`
`CREATE ENTRY IN
`DATABASE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2.
`YES
`y
`CHECK CONSTRAINTS (8 MOVE,
`DELETE, OR EXPRE - AS
`APPROPRIATE)
`
`238
`
`PADDING 8.
`BUFFERING (5/500
`MB SLOTS -
`AUDIO/VIDEO)
`
`
`
`NO
`
`
`
`1 CACHE
`MOVED, DELETED
`OR EXPRED
`
`242
`
`YES
`
`244
`
`PLAY DIGITAL
`DATA
`
`
`
`READ & ENCODE
`DATA (ASREQ'D.)
`
`
`
`
`
`STREAM DATA
`FILE
`
`FIG. 5
`
`
`
`
`
`COMMIT (LABEL, TIME &
`DATESTAMP, WRITE
`METADATA TO CACHE)
`
`STORAGE
`VALIDATION
`
`252
`
`250
`
`YES
`
`STOP
`
`6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20, 2004 Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 2004/0098533 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`TE ONVO~ Z6Z
`
`9 (DIGI
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7
`
`

`

`US 2004/0098533 A1
`
`May 20, 2004
`
`USE OF AMEDIA CACHE FOR SUBSEQUENT
`COPYING ACCELERATION
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0001. The present invention generally pertain to creating
`copies of digital media, and more specifically, pertains to the
`use of a cache for temporarily Storing media content when
`the digital media are played So that as necessary, the content
`is converted to a different format for Storage in the cache and
`is thus Subsequently available to be transferred to a visible
`Store that is directly exposed to a user, Substantially reducing
`the time required for adding the content to the Visible Store.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002 The capability of creating copies of digital works
`distributed on compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM)
`media, and more recently, on digital video (or versatile) disk
`(DVD) media, has resulted in a need to improve the effi
`ciency and Simplicity of the media copying and conversion
`process. Typically, users want to produce compressed copies
`of digital works from original recordings by converting the
`original format of the digital works into a desired format
`(typically more compressed than the original) for addition to
`a library of such works, i.e. to a “visible store.” As used
`herein, a visible Store is a collection of media that is exposed
`directly to a user, for example, via a media player, as a
`database listing of playable works, or through Some other
`exposed mechanism. The tracks of interest to a user that are
`included on a commercial CD-ROM or other form of media
`Storage are copied onto a hard drive or other form of
`non-volatile Storage. Various types of media compression
`Schemes, Such as the moving pictures expert group (MPEG)
`audio layer 3 specification, which produces files designated
`by the ".mp3' extension, and Microsoft Corporation's WID
`OWSTM media audio specification, which produces files
`designated by the ".wma' extension, can be employed for
`compressing the files that were Stored on the digital media
`that is being copied. By compressing the data produced by
`copying tracks with one of these compression Schemes,
`Substantially more tracks of near original quality can be
`Stored in non-volatile memory by a user, which is particu
`larly important if the user wants to copy the compressed
`Works onto a portable non-volatile memory medium, Such as
`a CD-ROM, or into the memory of a portable music playing
`device.
`0003) A number of different software programs are avail
`able to copy digital media. For example, MicroSoft Corpo
`rations WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYERTM, Musicmatch,
`Inc.'s MUSICMATCH JUKEBOXTM, and Apple Corpora
`tion's iTUNESTM software programs include functions for
`copying and converting digital media content into various
`desired formats. The copying and conversion of digital
`media is not limited to music; it is becoming increasingly
`more common for movies and other works recorded on
`digital media to be copied and converted into more com
`pressed formats.
`0004. However, the process of copying a work recorded
`on a commercial compact disk (CD), DVD, or other storage
`media can require Substantial time, even with a relatively
`fast player. Typically, a user will play a digital media work
`at least once, and then will Subsequently decide to rip it,
`which requires that the work again be "played to copy it to
`
`the desired format, even if the work is played at a higher than
`normal listening rate, So that the digital content can be
`extracted, compressed if necessary, and then copied onto
`Suitable digital media. Some digital media may actually
`require more time to process when “played to enable
`producing a copy, Since even at higher play rates, the
`processing required to put the content into a desired format
`may be relatively extensive and time consuming.
`0005 Improvements in both hardware and software
`based techniques for copying a digital work have made the
`process easier and faster, but there is still a need to increase
`the Speed of the process. Faster hardware players can
`increase the Speed at which a digital work is read from the
`medium on which it was sold and distributed to the user, but
`there are limits to that process. Faster processing hardware
`can also reduce the time required to process the content that
`is extracted from a digital medium prior to recording the
`processed data for Storage in another format. However, the
`copying process will be limited by the Speed of existing
`hardware for most users, who may be unable to afford to
`purchase the very latest and fastest hardware devices for
`making digital copies. Accordingly, it would be desirable to
`provide a technique to increase the apparent Speed of
`copying with a user's existing hardware player and proceSS
`ing devices.
`0006. In most cases, the greatest contributor to the time
`required for producing a copy is in reading the Source digital
`medium to extract the content prior to converting the content
`to another format. Therefore, an approach is needed that
`apparently Substantially reduces this time, without requiring
`that a user purchase faster playing or processing hardware.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0007. In accord with the present invention, a substantial
`increase is provided in the Speed with which digital data
`Stored on a digital medium are copied So that the digital data
`are entered into a Visible Store in a form that is playable. In
`this method, a user plays the digital medium at a speed
`appropriate to experience the content provided by the digital
`data stored on the digital medium. While the digital medium
`are being played, the digital data are Stored in a cache
`maintained in a non-volatile memory. The cache is acces
`Sible at a Substantially higher data rate than the digital
`content Stored on the digital medium. Subsequently, the user
`can Selectively initiate entry of the digital data into the
`Visible Store on the non-volatile memory. In response, the
`digital data in the cache appear in the visible Store Substan
`tially faster than if transferred from the digital medium in the
`conventional manner.
`0008. The digital data can be encoded or transformed into
`a format desired for use in the visible store. Or the digital
`data can Simply be copied from the Source into the cache.
`Typically, the digital data will be stored in the cache on a
`hard drive. In Some applications of the invention, the Visible
`Store can be at the same location as the cache, once the user
`decides to copy the digital medium.
`0009. The method further includes the step of determin
`ing if the digital data are already Stored in the cache when
`the digital medium Source is Subsequently again played at
`the Speed appropriate to experience the content provided by
`the digital data. It is also contemplated that the digital data
`can be stored in the cache only after the digital medium
`
`8
`
`

`

`US 2004/0098533 A1
`
`May 20, 2004
`
`Source has been played a predefined number of times at the
`Speed appropriate to experience the content provided by the
`digital data, to avoid caching the content of digital media
`that are only played a few times and not likely to be copied.
`0010. It may also be desirable to limit the digital data
`Stored in the cache in regard to at least one of a lapse of a
`predefined time interval Since the digital data were Stored in
`the cache, a predefined limit on an amount of digital data
`Stored in the cache, a predefined percentage of Storage
`available in the non-volatile memory, and a predefined
`number of discrete works of digital data Stored in the cache.
`0.011 The digital data being stored in the cache may be
`padded and buffered as required. To keep track of the digital
`data that have been cached, a database entry is preferably
`asSociated with the digital data being Stored in the cache.
`The database of Such entries will also comprise a catalog of
`digital data works included in the Visible Store.
`0012. In one preferred form of the invention, the cache is
`hidden So that it is not apparent to the user until the digital
`data appear in the visible Store. Also, the cache and Visible
`Store can comprise Substantially the same portion of the
`non-volatile memory.
`0013 Another aspect of the present invention is directed
`to a memory medium Storing machine instructions for
`implementing the Steps of the method discussed above. Still
`another aspect of the present invention is directed to a
`System for increasing a Speed with which digital data Stored
`on a digital medium are copied So that the digital data are
`entered into a visible store in a form that is playable. The
`System includes a memory in which machine instructions are
`Stored. At least a portion of the memory is non-volatile. The
`System includes a digital medium player that is coupled to at
`least one of an audio output device and a display. Also, a
`processor is coupled to the memory and the digital medium
`player, for executing the machine instructions Stored in the
`memory. These machine instructions cause the processor to
`carry out a plurality of functions that are generally consistent
`with the steps of the method described above.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`FIGURES
`0.014. The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant
`advantages of this invention will become more readily
`appreciated as the same becomes better understood by
`reference to the following detailed description, when taken
`in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
`0.015
`FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a conven
`tional personal computer (PC) Suitable for use in implement
`ing the present invention;
`0016 FIG. 2 is a schematic isometric view of an elec
`tronic gaming System Suitable for implementing the present
`invention;
`0017 FIG. 3A (Prior Art) is a schematic diagram show
`ing the relative time required to copy a digital media work
`using the conventional approach;
`0.018
`FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram showing the
`Substantially shorter time required to copy a digital media
`work using the present invention;
`0.019
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the logical steps
`implemented when playing/copying a digital media work in
`accord with the present invention;
`
`0020 FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating details of the
`StepS carried out by the present invention when a digital
`media work is played and its content cached; and
`0021
`FIG. 6 is an exemplary user interface for use on a
`PC, to enable a user to configure options for the cache used
`in the present invention.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`PC for Implementing the Present Invention
`0022 With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary general
`purpose computing device useful for implementing the
`present invention is illustrated in the form of a conventional
`PC 20. While the present invention was initially developed
`for use on a electronic game playing System, it will be
`understood that the invention is generally applicable to
`almost any type of computing device that might be used to
`play and copy digital media works (i.e., convert a digital
`media work Stored on a digital medium from one format to
`another), including, for example, mobile computers, hand
`held computing devices Such as personal data assistants
`(PDAS), mobile communication devices (e.g., cell phones),
`and other computing devices that include Some mechanism
`for playing an audio and/or Video media work on a digital
`medium and Storing the work in a different format in
`non-volatile memory on the computing device.
`0023. An embodiment of the present invention is readily
`implemented on a general purpose computing device Such as
`represented by PC 20. PC 20 is provided with a processing
`unit 21, a System memory 22, and a System buS 23. The
`System bus couples various System components, including
`the System memory, to processing unit 21 and may be any
`of Several types of bus Structures, including a memory bus
`or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using
`any of a variety of bus architectures. The System memory
`includes read only memory (ROM) 24 and random access
`memory (RAM) 25. Abasic input/output system 26 (BIOS),
`containing the basic routines that help to transfer informa
`tion between elements within the PC 20, such as during start
`up, is stored in ROM 24. PC 20 further includes a hard disk
`drive 27 for reading from and writing to a hard disk (not
`shown) and may include a magnetic disk drive 28 for
`reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk 29,
`and an optical disk drive 30 for reading from or writing to
`a removable optical disk 31, such as a CD-ROM or other
`optical media, all of which comprise non-volatile memory
`media. Hard disk drive 27, magnetic disk drive 28, and
`optical disk drive 30 are connected to system bus 23 by a
`hard disk drive interface 32, a magnetic disk drive interface
`33, and an optical disk drive interface 34, respectively. The
`drives and their associated computer readable media provide
`nonvolatile Storage of computer readable machine instruc
`tions, data Structures, program modules, and other data for
`PC 20. Although the exemplary environment described
`herein includes a hard disk, removable magnetic disk 29,
`and removable optical disk 31, it will be appreciated by
`those skilled in the art that other types of computer readable
`media, which can Store data that are accessible by a com
`puter, Such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards,
`DVDs, Bernoulli cartridges, RAMs, ROMs, and the like,
`may also be used in the exemplary operating environment.
`0024. A number of program modules may be stored on
`the hard disk, magnetic disk 29, optical disk 31, ROM 24 or
`
`9
`
`

`

`US 2004/0098533 A1
`
`May 20, 2004
`
`RAM 25, including an operating system 35, one or more
`application programs 36, other program modules 37, and
`program data 38. A user may enter commands and informa
`tion into PC 20 through input devices such as a keyboard 40
`and a pointing device 42. Pointing device 42 may include a
`mouse, Stylus, wireleSS remote control, or other pointer.
`Other input devices (not shown) may include a joystick,
`game pad, wheel, pedal, microphone, Satellite dish, Scanner,
`digital camera, digital Video recorder, or the like. These and
`other input/output (I/O) devices are often connected to
`processing unit 21 through an I/O interface 46 that is
`coupled to the system bus 23. The term I/O interface is
`intended to encompass each interface Specifically used for a
`Serial port, a parallel port, a game port, a keyboard port,
`and/or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor 47 or other
`type of display device is also connected to System buS 23 via
`an appropriate interface, Such as a video adapter 48, and is
`uSable to display application programs, Web pages, a simu
`lated environment, and/or other information, including
`Visual content of a digital media work that is being played
`from its original distribution medium, such as a CD-ROM,
`DVD, or other storage medium. In addition to the monitor,
`PCs are often coupled to other peripheral output devices (not
`shown), Such as speakers 55 (through a Sound card or other
`audio interface (not shown)), and printers (also not shown).
`0.025 AS indicated above, the invention may be devel
`oped and practiced on a Single computing device; however,
`PC 20 may operate in a networked environment using
`logical connections to one or more remote computers, Such
`as a remote computer 49. Remote computer 49 may be
`another PC, a server (which is typically generally configured
`much like PC 20), a router, a network PC, a game console,
`a peer device, a Satellite, or other common network node.
`Remote computer 49 may include many or all of the
`elements described above in connection with PC 20. So as
`not to make FIG. 1 unnecessarily complex, remote com
`puter 49 is shown with only an external memory Storage
`device 50. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 1
`include a local area network (LAN) 51 and a wide area
`network (WAN) 52. Such networking environments are
`common in offices, enterprise wide computer networks,
`intranets, and the Internet. When coupled to the Internet,
`digital media works can be downloaded from a remote
`Server and Subsequently played and copied for Storage on a
`Selected non-volatile media (typically on a hard drive, but
`also on any other form of non-volatile storage) in a desired
`format that typically is more compact than the form of the
`digital media work when first played.
`0026. When used in a LAN networking environment, PC
`20 is connected to LAN 51 through a network interface or
`adapter 53. When used in a WAN networking environment,
`PC 20 typically includes a modem 54, or other means such
`as a cable modem, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) interface,
`or an Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) interface,
`for establishing communications over WAN 52. One type of
`WAN commonly used for communication is the Internet.
`Modem 54, which may be internal or external, is connected
`to the system bus 23 or coupled to the bus via I/O device
`interface 46, i.e., through a Serial port. In a networked
`environment, program modules depicted relative to PC 20,
`or portions thereof, may be Stored in the remote memory
`Storage device. It will be appreciated that the network
`connections shown are exemplary and other means of estab
`
`lishing a communications link between the computerS may
`be used, Such as wireleSS communication and wide band
`network linkS.
`
`Electronic Gaming Console Environment
`0027. As shown in FIG. 2, an exemplary electronic
`gaming System 100 that is Suitable for practicing the present
`invention includes a game console 102 and Support for up to
`four user input devices, such as controllers 104a and 104b.
`Game console 102 is equipped with an internal hard disk
`drive (not shown in this Figure), which provides non
`Volatile Storage, and a portable media drive 106 that Supports
`various forms of portable optical Storage media, as repre
`sented by an optical storage disk 108. Examples of suitable
`portable storage media include DVD disks and CD-ROM
`disks. In this gaming System, game programs are preferably
`distributed for use with the game console on DVD disks, but
`it is also contemplated that other Storage media might
`instead be used on this or other types of Systems that employ
`the present invention.
`0028. On a front face of game console 102 are four slots
`110 for connection to supported controllers, although the
`number and arrangement of the slots may be modified. A
`power button 112 and an eject button 114 are also positioned
`on the front face of game console 102. Power button 112
`controls application of electrical power to the game console,
`and eject button 114 alternately opens and closes a tray (not
`shown) of portable media drive 106 to enable insertion and
`extraction of storage disk 108, so that the digital data on it
`can be read for use by the game console.
`0029 Game console 102 connects to a television or other
`display monitor or screen (not shown) via audio/visual
`(A/V) interface cables 120. A power cable plug 122 conveys
`electrical power to the game console when connected to a
`conventional alternating current line Source (not shown).
`Game console 102 includes an Ethernet data connector 124
`to transfer and receive data over a network (Such as through
`a connection to a hub or a Switch (not shown), or over the
`Internet, for example, through a connection to an xDSL
`interface, a cable modem, or other broadband interface (not
`shown). Other types of game consoles that implement the
`present invention may be coupled together or to a remote
`Server, by communicating using a conventional telephone
`modem, but the ability to connect to another computer or
`game console is not particularly relevant to the present
`invention.
`0030 Each controller 104a and 104b is coupled to game
`console 102 via a lead (or alternatively through a wireless
`interface). In the illustrated implementation, the controllers
`are USB compatible and are connected to game console 102
`via USB cables 130; however, it is contemplated that other
`types of data interfaces may instead be employed. Game
`console 102 may be equipped with any of a wide variety of
`user devices for interacting with and controlling the game
`Software. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each controller 104a and
`104b is equipped with two thumbsticks 132a and 132b, a
`D-pad 134, buttons 136, and two triggers 138. These con
`trollers are merely representative, and other gaming input
`and control devices may be substituted for or added to those
`shown in FIG. 1 for use with game console 102.
`0031. A removable function unit 140 can optionally be
`inserted into each controller 104a and 104b to provide
`
`10
`
`

`

`US 2004/0098533 A1
`
`May 20, 2004
`
`additional features and functions. For example, a portable
`memory unit (MU) enables users to store game parameters
`and port them for play on other game consoles, by inserting
`the portable MU into a controller connected to the other
`game console. Another removable functional unit comprises
`a voice communication unit that enables a user to Verbally
`communicate with other users locally and/or over a network.
`Connected to the Voice communication unit is a headset
`142a, which includes a boom microphone 144a. The cir
`cuitry of the Voice communication unit may alternatively be
`integrated into the controller and a headset 142b with boom
`microphone 144b, may be removably or permanently con
`nected to the controller. Preferably, each controller is con
`figured to accommodate two removable function units,
`although more or fewer than two removable function units
`or modules may instead be employed.
`0.032 Gaming system 100 is capable of playing a variety
`of types of digital media works, including, for example,
`music and Videos. It is contemplated that other functions can
`be implemented using digital data Stored on the hard disk
`drive or read from optical storage disk 108 in drive 106, or
`using digital media works obtained from an online Source, or
`from a MU. For example, gaming system 100 is potentially
`capable of playing:
`0033 Digital music stored on a CD in portable
`media drive 106, in a file on the hard disk drive (e.g.,
`WINDOWS MEDIA AUDIOTM (WMA) format), or
`derived from online Streaming Sources on the Inter
`net or other network; and
`0034 Digital A/V data stored on a DVD disk in
`portable media drive 106, or in a file on the hard disk
`drive (e.g., after the media work has been copied and
`converted to an Active Streaming Format), or from
`online Streaming Sources on the Internet or other
`network.
`Comparison of Required Time for Copying
`0035. As noted above, the present invention addresses the
`perceived inefficiencies in the conventional approach used
`for copying digital media works, both music, Video, and
`other forms of media presentations that are recorded in one
`format so that the work is converted to a different format
`desired for playback and further usage by the user. A
`Schematic view 150 in FIG. 3 illustrates the conventional or
`prior art approach for copying Such a media work. In the
`conventional approach, there is essentially no interaction
`between the player of the media and the persistent fast
`Storage Such as a hard disk 27 or other non-volatile Storage
`medium. In the prior art approach, a user may have already
`played the digital media work from one to N times, before
`deciding that the media work Should be copied and con
`verted to a different format that will be stored on a hard disk
`or other persistent Storage in a visible Store. Once the user
`decides to copy the media content from its originally dis
`tributed form, a media copy 154 is made in the converted
`form. However, the time required to copy the work will
`likely be as long or longer than a duration 152, which is the
`time required to play the media work. Accordingly, the user
`must wait a relatively long time for media copy 154 to be
`produced by the conventional ripping approach, which is
`both frustrating and inefficient.
`0036) Aschematic diagram 160 in FIG.3B illustrates the
`approach used in the present invention for ripping a media
`
`work. Typically, the first time that a media work is played,
`a copy of the digital media work is automatically cached in
`persistent fast Storage media Such as on a hard disk. The user
`is generally unaware that the cache of the work is being
`created and is able to experience the media work while the
`copy is automatically added to the persistent fast Storage
`media. Subsequently, the user may decide to play the media
`work additional times before deciding to rip the media work
`to produce a copy. However, when the user decides to rip the
`media work, the apparent time required to form a media
`copy 164 is substantially less than a duration 162 that is
`required to play the media work, Since the media content has
`been Stored in the cache maintained on the persistent fast
`Storage media.
`
`Logical Steps for Implementing the Present
`Invention
`0037. In FIG.4, a flow chart 200 gives further details of
`the logical StepS employed in a preferred embodiment for
`implementing the present invention. In certain applications
`of this invention, it may be preferable for the user to be
`unaware of the automatic caching of the content of media
`work that occurs when the user plays the work. However, in
`other applications of the invention, the user can be provided
`a user interface for controlling certain parameters of the
`cache used to Store the content of the media work. For
`example, PC 20 will likely implement an interactive form of
`the invention in which the user will be allowed to select
`certain parameters for the cache, as described below in
`connection with FIG. 6. As implemented on electronic
`gaming System 100, the automatic caching of the media
`work will occur when it is initially played will be generally
`hidden from the user. Thus, a decision step 202 determines
`if the user is able to configure options that define certain
`parameters relating to the caching of the media work on the
`user's hard drive or other persistent non-volatile Storage
`medium (or has already done SO). If the user is to configure
`the options, a step 204 provides the user the opportunity to
`Selectively Set at least one of a plurality of different cache
`parameters 206, 208,210, and 212. In a block 206, the user
`can define the Size of the cache that is allocated for Storing
`media WorkS. Clearly, Since the cache employs a portion of
`a hard drive or other persistent non-volatile Storage media,
`the user may want to limit the amount of the persistent
`Storage used for this purpose So as not to interfere with other
`uses of the persistent Storage. Alternatively, the user can Set
`a percentage of the hard drive or other persistent Storage
`media that will be used for the caching of media works. AS
`yet another option, the user can determine the number of
`items that will be maintained in the cache. In accord with
`this limitation, a first-in-first-out approach is adhered to, So
`that once the desired number of items in the cache has been
`achieved, the oldest item in the cache will be expired and
`overwritten or deleted to enable a newer media work content
`to be added to the cache. Finally, in a block 212, the user can
`define the time that an item will be retained within the cache.
`It will be apparent that if a user plays a media work one or
`more times, but does not elect to rip the media work into a
`different format within a predefined time limit, it is unlikely
`that the user will want to rip the work. Accordingly, once the
`time limit has been exceeded, a media work will be deleted
`from the cache, making room for Storing the content of
`another media work in the cache.
`
`11
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`US 2004/0098533 A1
`
`May 20, 2004
`
`0038 After one or more of steps 206-212 have been
`Selected by a user, a user