System for distributing and selecting audio and video information and method implemented by said system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 8661477
  • Patent Number
    8,661,477
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, January 18, 2005
    19 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 25, 2014
    10 years ago
Abstract
A system for distributing and selecting audio and video information using a coaxial cable network includes a jukebox unit connected by a modulator to the cable television distribution network. A channel is allocated to the transmission of audio or video information. A device effects user interaction with the television for the remote selection of at least one audio or video information item from a plurality of information items to be transmitted by this channel using the cable network. An identifier identifies the ordering television, and a billing device accommodates for billing selections to the user.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention


This invention relates to a system for distributing and selecting audio or video information on a network and the method implemented by this system.


2. Description of Related Art


British patent 2166328 discloses a device which distributes audio or video information over a coaxial cable network requiring a specific bus of the ISDN type comprising a telephone network and a communications bus for the other devices, with the communications bus containing remote control boxes, each linked to an adapter device connected to the bus.


A network such as this has the drawback that it requires wiring of several networks, first coaxial type wiring, second wiring for the ISDN-type telephone network, and finally third wiring for the communications control bus.


Another patent application, European patent no. 140493, circumvents these drawbacks by using only the coaxial network to distribute audio information originating from a jukebox unit, using on the cable network at least one channel allocated to transmission of audio information. This channel is divided into subchannels and each audio selection is frequency-multiplexed. Thus 75 to 200 audio channels are sent over a video channel with a bandwidth of 6 MHz. A conversion box makes it possible to select each of the subchannels and thus for the user to hear the song carried by this subchannel. The drawback of a system such as this is that the user cannot determine the beginning and the end of the song, since all the selections are played without interruption, and the waiting time can be up to 30 seconds. Another drawback of this system design is that it is not possible to simultaneously transmit video and audio information. In fact, in order to transmit video information the primary carrier of each channel must be taken, and in this case, per channel it will no longer be possible to transmit more than one video information item associated with one or two audio information items of acceptable quality, among which one of these two audio information items corresponds to the one associated with the video information. Thus, in order to transmit video information corresponding to 200 selections, the saturation point would soon be reached and all available channels would be occupied. In this case, transmission of television channels would no longer be possible and in any case the number of audio information items will be less than 10.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is therefore to devise a system for distributing and selecting audio or video information on a coaxial cable network without hindering distribution of television programs on this cable network and while simultaneously allowing distribution of video data corresponding to selections available on a jukebox unit. The object of the system is also to allow interactive communication between the user and the available selections without having to specially wire the premises equipped with the system by using networks which would normally already exist on the premises.


This object is achieved with a system for distributing and selecting audio and video information over a coaxial cable network having in association a jukebox unit connected by a modulator to this cable television distribution network. A channel is allocated for the transmission of audio or video information. The system also includes structure for interacting with the television for remote selection of at least one audio or video information item from the plurality of information items to be transmitted over the cable network; structure for identifying the selection device or the television set linked to the selection device; and structure for billing the user linked to a television set for the selections made.


According to another feature, the selection device includes the telephone network and the connected exchange of the PABX type which delivers to the interface of the jukebox voice frequency signals used by interface software incorporated in the jukebox to interpret the pushing of buttons on a telephone set as mouse events affecting movement of a cursor on screen windows for guiding the user. These signals also contain identification information.


According to another feature, voice assistance structure is provided to guide the user in pushing the telephone set buttons.


According to another feature, the selection device includes a controller connected by the electrical network to an appropriate interface of the jukebox. The interface and selection device both operate on the principle of carrier streams to transmit a piece of identification information and control data corresponding to the pushing of control buttons.


According to another feature, the jukebox has a mass storage, a primary processor operating a multitask system, a video controller circuit and an audio controller circuit belonging to the cable network. The video and audio controller circuits are connected to an RF radio frequency modulator and an input and output interface for the remote selection structure.


According to another feature the jukebox has a touch screen and an interface specific to the touch screen, an audio controller circuit and a video controller circuit of a display device belonging to the jukebox.


According to another feature the jukebox has a money changing device.


According to another feature the billing structure uses a database in the jukebox by linking the selected title to the selection cost and by delivering to a billing system a user identifier and the amount to be billed to him.


According to another feature of the invention the television screen enables display of a title selection menu allowing selections to be made either by direct access to the title or the performer, or by category and selection from a list of the category.


Another object of the invention is a process for using a distribution and selection system which does not require wiring.


This object is achieved with a system for distributing and selecting audio or video information including a television cable distribution network connected via an RF modulator and an audio controller card and a video controller card to a jukebox unit. The jukebox unit is in turn connected to another network, either by telephone or electrically by an interface. The method includes the following stages:

    • sending of an identifier from the premises associated with the television set either by telephone line or by remote control;
    • a stage of audio or video information selection to be executed on the network by using a keyboard and an interface which interprets pushing of the keys as cursor movements;
    • a stage wherein the order of selection and playing of the audio or video information is queued on the jukebox;
    • a stage wherein this information is sent over the cable network;
    • a stage wherein once the selection has been validated, information relating to user identification and selection cost is sent to a billing system.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages and features of the invention will be discussed in the description below, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:



FIG. 1 shows a schematic of the network for distributing audio or video information;



FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the circuits which comprise the jukebox of the invention;



FIG. 3 shows the organization of the multitask system which manages all the hardware and software;



FIG. 4 shows a flowchart which describes how the multitask operating system functions;



FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of verification of task activity;



FIG. 6 shows the flowchart which describes task queuing; and



FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the network according to the invention.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention shown in FIG. 1 constitutes a jukebox unit (1) located in premises (Z1). This jukebox unit (1) is connected to a radio frequency modulator (9) which is connected to a coupler circuit C via a coaxial cable. Coupler circuit C via coaxial cable supplies distributors R which in turn are connected by coaxial cables to television sets (TV1, TV2, TV3, TV4). The coupler also receives on another of its inputs, via coaxial cable, a radio frequency source feed allowing distribution of ordinary television programs. Televisions are located in area (Z2) where each television is installed, for example, in a room. Television (TV1) is installed in the room (CH1), and this room (CH1) has a telephone set (T1) connected by a line to a telephone exchange (10) of the PABX type. This exchange (10) is in turn connected to a billing computer. Finally, exchange (10) is connected to an appropriate interface (8) of jukebox (1). Each room (CH2, CH3, CH4) which has television set (TV2, TV3, TV4) also has an associated telephone set (T2, T3, T4). Jukebox unit (1) is comprised of a central microprocessor unit CPU which is a high-performance PC-compatible system, the choice for the embodiment having fallen on an Intel 80486 DX/2 system which has storage means and the following characteristics:

    • compatibility with the local Vesa bus,
    • processor cache memory: 256 kO,
    • high performance parallel and serial ports,
    • SVGA-type microprocessor graphics adapter
    • type SCSI/2 bus controller,
    • 32 MO battery backed-up static RAM.


Any other central processor with equivalent or better performance can be used in the invention.


This central processor unit controls and manages an audio control circuit (5), a telecommunications control circuit (4), an input control circuit (3), a mass storage control circuit (2) and a display control circuit (6). The display consists essentially of a 14 or 15 inch (35.56 cm) flat screen video monitor (62) without interleaving of the SVGA type, with high resolution and low radiation, which is used for image reproduction (for example, the covers of the albums of the musical selections), graphics or video clips.


A mass storage device (21) using high-speed, high-capacity SCSI-type hard disks is connected to the storage already present in the microprocessor device. This device is used to store digitized and compressed audiovisual information.


High-speed telecommunications modem adapter (41) of at least 28.8 Kbps is integrated to allow connection to a network for distribution of audiovisual information controlled by a central server.


The central processing unit (CPU) also controls and manages video controller circuit (7) connected by its output V2 to radio frequency modulator (9) which is also connected to an audio output of audio control circuit (5) which is independent of volume, tone and balance controls.


To reproduce audio data of musical selections, the system has loudspeakers (54) which receive the signal of an amplifier-tuner (53) linked to electronic circuit (5) of the music synthesizer type intended to support a large number of input sources while providing one output with CD (compact disk)-type quality, such as for example the microprocessor multimedia audio adapter of the “Sound Blaster” card type SBP32AWE by Creative Labs Inc to which two memory buffers (56, 57) are added for a purpose described below.


Likewise the display control circuit also has two buffer memories (66, 67) for a purpose described below.


Likewise additional video controller circuits (7) use these buffer (66, 67) circuits to transfer data between the hard disk and coaxial cable network.


A ventilated, thermally-controlled power supply of 240 watts delivers power to the system. This power supply is protected from surges and harmonics.


The audiovisual reproduction system manages via input controller circuit (3) an “Intelli Touch” 14-inch (35.56 cm) touch screen (33) from Elo Touch Systems Inc. which includes a glass coated board using “advanced surface wave technology” and an AT type bus controller. After having displayed on video monitor (62) or a television screen (61) various selection data used by the customers, this touch screen allows management command and control information used by the system manager or owner to be displayed as well. It is likewise used for maintenance purposes in combination with an external keyboard (34) which can be connected to a system which has a keyboard connector for this purpose, controlled by a key lock (32) via interface circuit (3).


Input circuit (3) likewise interfaces with a system remote control set (31) composed for example of:

    • an infrared remote control from Mind Path Technologies Inc., an emitter which has 15 control keys for the microprocessor system and 8 control keys for the projection device.
    • an infrared receiver with serial adapter from Mind Path Technologies Inc.


A fee payment device (35) from National Registers Inc. is likewise connected to input interface circuit (3). It is also possible to use any other device which allows receipt of any type of payment by coins, bills, tokens, magnetic chip cards or a combination of means of payment.


To house the circuits, each device has a chassis or frame of steel with external customizable fittings.


Besides these components, a microphone (55) is connected to audio controller (5) of each device. This allows its conversion into a powerful public address system or possibly a karaoke machine. Likewise a wireless loudspeaker system can be used by the system.


Remote control set (31) allows the manager, for example from behind the bar, to access and control various commands such as:

    • microphone start/stop command,
    • loudspeaker muting command,
    • audio volume control command;
    • command to cancel the musical selection being played.


Two buffers (56, 57) are connected to audio controller circuit (5) to allow each to store information corresponding to a quarter of a second of sound in alternation. Likewise two buffers (66, 67) are linked to each video controller circuit (6), each of which is able to store a tenth of a second of video each in alternation. Finally, respective buffer (46, 36, 26) is linked to each of the circuits for the communications controller (4), input interface (3), and storage (2).


The system operating software was developed around a library of tools and services largely oriented to the audiovisual domain in a multimedia environment. This library advantageously includes a powerful multitask operating system which effectively authorizes simultaneous execution of multiple fragments of code. This operating software thus allows concurrent execution—in an orderly manner and avoiding any conflict—of operations carried out on the display or audio reproduction structure as well as management of the telecommunications lines via the distribution network. In addition, the software has high flexibility.


The digitized and compressed audiovisual data are stored in storage device (21).


Each selection is available in two digitized formats: with hi-fi quality or CD quality.


The multitask operating system is the essential component for allowing simultaneous execution of multiple code fragments and for managing priorities between the various tasks which arise.


This multitask operating system is organized as shown in FIG. 3 around a kernel comprising a module (11) for resolving priorities between tasks, a task scheduling module (12), a module (13) for serialization of material used, and a process communications module (14). Each of the modules communicates with applications programming interfaces (15) and a database (16). There are as many programming interfaces as there are applications. Thus, module (15) includes a first programming interface (151) for key switch (32), a second programming interface (152) for remote control (31), a third programming interface (153) for touch screen (33), a fourth programming interface (154) for keyboard (34), a fifth programming interface (155) for payment device (35), a sixth programming interface (156) for audio control circuit (5), a seventh programming interface (157) for video control circuit (6), an eighth interface (159) for the video control circuit of the cable network and a last interface (158a) for telecommunications control circuit (4) and (158b) for PABX communications control circuit (10).


Five tasks with a decreasing order of priority are managed by the kernel of the operating system, the first (76) for the video inputs/outputs has the highest priority, the second (75) of level two relates to audio, the third (74) of level three to telecommunications, the fourth (73) of level four to interfaces and the fifth (70) of level five to management. These orders of priority will be considered by priority resolution module (11) as and when a task appears and disappears. Thus, as soon as a video task appears, the other tasks underway are suspended, priority is given to this task and all the resources are assigned to the video task. At the output, video task (76) is designed to unload the video files from mass memory (21) alternatively to one of two buffers (66, 67) while the other buffer (67 or 66 respectively) is used by video controller circuit (6) to produce the display after decompression of data. At the input, video task (76) is designed to transfer data received in telecommunications buffer (46) to mass memory (21). It is the same for audio task (75) on the one hand at the input between telecommunications buffer (46) and buffer (26) of mass memory (21) and on the other hand at the output between buffer (26) of mass memory (21) and one of two buffers (56, 57) of audio controller circuit (5).


Task scheduling module (12) will now be described in conjunction with FIG. 4. In the order of priority this module performs a first test (761) to determine if the video task is active, i.e., if one of video buffers (66, 67) is empty. In the case of a negative response the task scheduling module passes to the following test which is second test (751) to determine if the audio task is active, i.e., if one of buffers (56, 57) is empty. In the case of a negative response third test (741) determines if the communication task is active, i.e., if buffer (46) is empty. After a positive response to one of the tests, task scheduling module (12) at stage (131) fills memory access request queue (13) and at stage (132) executes this request by reading or writing between mass storage (21) and the buffer corresponding to the active task, then loops back to the first test. When test (741) on communications activity is affirmative, scheduler (12) performs test (742) to determine if it is a matter of reading or writing data in the memory. If yes, the read or write request is placed in a queue at stage (131). In the opposite case, the scheduler determines at stage (743) if it is transmission or reception and in the case of transmission sends by stage (744) a block of data to the central server. In the case of reception the scheduler verifies at stage (746) that the kernel buffers are free for access and in the affirmative sends a message to the central server to accept reception of a data block at stage (747). After receiving a block, an error check (748) of the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) type is executed. The block is rejected at stage (740) in case of error, or accepted in the opposite case at stage (749) by sending a corresponding message to the central server indicating that the block bearing a specific number is rejected or accepted, then loops back to the start tests. When there is no higher level task active, at stage (731 or 701) the scheduler processes interface or management tasks.


Detection of an active task or ready task is done as shown in FIG. 5 by a test respectively (721 to 761) on each of the respective hardware or software buffers (26) of the hard disk, (36) of the interface, (46) of telecommunications, (56 and 57) of audio, (66 and 67) of video which are linked to each of respective controller circuits (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) of each of the hardware devices linked to central unit (1). Test (721) makes it possible to see whether the data are present in the input and output buffer of the disk, test (731) makes it possible to see whether data are present in the hardware or software buffers of the customer interface device, test (741) makes it possible to see whether data are present in the software or hardware buffers of the telecommunications device, test (751) makes it possible to determine whether data are present in the hardware or software buffer for direction, and test (761) makes it possible to see whether data are present in the hardware or software buffers of the video device. If one or more of these buffers are filled with data, scheduler (12) positions the respective status buffer or buffers (821) for the hard disk, (831) for the interface, (841) for telecommunications, (851) for audio, (861) for video corresponding to the hardware in a logic state indicative of the activity. In the opposite case the scheduler status buffers are returned at stage (800) to a value indicative of inactivity.


The operating status of the system is kept on the hard disk.


Each time a notable event occurs, the system immediately registers it on the disk.


Thus, in the case in which an electrical fault or hardware failure occurs, the system will accordingly restart exactly at the same location where it had been interrupted.


Events which trigger back-up of the operating status are:

    • insertion of money (crediting);
    • addition of a selection to the queue;
    • end of a selection (change from the selection currently being played).


The file is then in a machine format which can only be read by the unit and does not occupy more than 64 octets.


The number and type of active tasks is indicated to scheduler (12) by execution of the selection management module SPMM whose flowchart is shown in FIG. 6. The management exercised by this module begins with test (61) to determine if selections are in the queue.


Consequently, if test (61) on the queue determines that selections are waiting, when a customer chooses a title he wishes to hear, it is automatically written in a queue file of the system on the hard disk.


Thus, any selection made will never be lost in case of an electrical failure. The system plays (reproduces) the selection in its entirety before removing it from the queue file.


When the selection has been reproduced in its entirety, it is removed from the queue file and written in the system statistics file with the date and time of purchase as well as the date and time at which it was played.


Immediately after transfer of the completed selection to the statistics file, the device checks if there are others in the queue file. If there is another, the device begins immediately to play the selection.


The total time elapsed between the end of one selection and the beginning of the next one is less than 0.5 seconds.


It is possible to extend this delay using a button located in the system control panel.


Processing continues with test (65) conducted to determine if the selection contains an audio scenario. If yes, at stage (651) this scenario is written in the task queue of scheduler (12). If no, or after this entry, processing is continued by test (66) to determine if the selection contains moving images. If yes, the video scenario is written at stage (661) in the task queue of scheduler (12). If no or if yes after this entry, processing is continued by test (64) to determine if the selection contains still graphics. If yes, at stage (641) this graphic presentation scenario is written in the task queue of scheduler (12). If no or if yes after this entry, processing is continued by test (63) to determine if the selection contains an advertising scenario. If yes, at stage (631) the scenario is written in the task queue of scheduler (12). Thus scheduler (12) notified of uncompleted tasks can manage the progression of tasks simultaneously.


Due on the one hand to the multitask management mode and on the other to the presence of hardware or software buffers assigned to each of the tasks to temporarily store data, it is possible to add management tasks of the video control modules for the coaxial network and of an interface with the telephone exchange on the premises without having to fundamentally modify functioning of a jukebox according to the invention. Moreover, operation of the telephone network in association with operation of the coaxial cable network on the premises makes it possible to broadcast music by the method according to the invention without having to make major modifications to the wiring on the premises and in the device allowing installation of the system.


In fact, in operation, a user, for example in room CH1, will take his set T1 and call a certain number corresponding to a imaginary room number allocated for use and selection of information to be broadcast on the coaxial network. When the PABX recognizes this number it sends a signal to interface (8) of jukebox (1) which triggers a task of selection of audio and video pieces to be broadcast. This selection task triggers transmission over the coaxial network of information which allows display corresponding to presentation windows which have selection boxes activated by a cursor moved by the actuation of certain buttons on the telephone. A software interface interprets the voice frequencies of the telephone buttons pressed to convert them into mouse events which can be interpreted by the operating system of the jukebox in such a way as to cause in association with these pushed buttons the movement of a marker on the windows shown on the television screens. This marker is moved on selection validation buttons in order to confirm the selection by pushing a button on the telephone keyboard specific to this action. The selection made by the user in this way in his room using the telephone and television screen, will be taken into account in the jukebox request queue just as the other selections made on the touch screen of the jukebox and will be interpreted and sent over the cable network when the time comes in order to be broadcast over all the television receivers in the building. In addition, during telephone communication the PABX exchange sent a room identification number to the jukebox. This latter sends via the PABX to the billing system the room number and cost of the selection(s) made so that the user can be billed directly for the musical or video pieces he has chosen.


Finally, the device shown in FIG. 7 is another embodiment of this invention featuring the cable network with its distributors (R), its coupler (C) and its different television sets (TV1, TV2), connected by coupler (C) to a radio frequency modulator (9) which in turn is connected to the stereo, audio and video output (V2) of jukebox (1). Jukebox (1) has interface (8) connected to box (82) plugged into the power grid. This box (82) is intended to extract from the current the control data which are superimposed on the carrier current. These control data are transmitted by control box (83) which in turn is connected to the grid by an electrical socket. The control box has either a mouse-type device or a trackball or joystick with a validation button to activate each time the presentation button of the screen on which the cursor or marker is moved via the movement component of the joystick, trackball or mouse type.


Any modification by one skilled in the art is likewise part of the invention.

Claims
  • 1. A system for distributing and selecting audiovisual items on a pre-existing coaxial cable network including a plurality of channels, comprising: a jukebox device including a mass storage device to store a plurality of digitally compressed audiovisual items and running a multi-task operating system to manage a queue of selected items and to backup the operating status of the system when a predetermined event occurs, wherein the jukebox device communicates with the cable network via a dedicated channel of the plurality of channels, and further wherein the jukebox device is connected to a telephone switching system for receiving selection information for selecting one of said audiovisual items, said telephone switching system comprising a pre-existing telephone exchange of the PABX type,a plurality of television sets connected to the cable network for receiving a selected digital audiovisual item,a corresponding plurality of telephone sets, each being associated with the location of a television set and connected to said telephone switching system for transmitting said selection information,wherein the telephone switching system is configured to: receive and recognize a specific call number dialed by any one of said telephone sets, and determine identification information identifying said dialing telephone set,call the jukebox device upon receiving the specific call number, andtransmit to the jukebox device the identification information, andwherein the jukebox device is further configured, when receiving said identification information, to transmit audiovisual items corresponding to said selection information to the associated television set and wherein the jukebox device is the only component added to and modified in the pre-existing coaxial cable network and the pre-existing telephone exchange portions of the system that exist apart from the jukebox device to enable operation of each said task, andwherein said selection information is received as either voice frequencies or control data superimposed on a carrier current that is interpreted by a software interface as mouse events.
  • 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the telephone switching system is further configured to transmit to the jukebox device validation information dialed by said dialing telephone set, said validation information being dialed to validate an audiovisual items selection information shown on the associated television set.
  • 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein a selected audiovisual item will be added to the queue of selected items and will be broadcast for playback on all television receivers in the building tuned to the appropriate channel when the selected item comes up in queue.
  • 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a voice assistance module configured to guide a user in actuating appropriate keys of a telephone set.
  • 5. A method for distributing and selecting audiovisual items on a coaxial cable network including a plurality of channels, the method comprising: providing a jukebox including a mass storage device to store a plurality of digitally compressed audiovisual items and running a multi-task operating system to manage a queue of selected items and backup the operating status of the system when a predetermined event occurs, wherein the jukebox device communicates with the cable network via a dedicated channel of the plurality of channels, and further wherein the jukebox device is connected to a telephone switching system for receiving selection information for selecting one of said audiovisual items, said telephone switching system comprising a telephone exchange of the PABX type,providing a plurality of television sets connected to the cable network for receiving a selected audiovisual item,providing a corresponding plurality of telephone sets, respectively associated with the location of said television sets and connected to said telephone switching system for transmitting said selection information,dialing a specific call number by using any one of said telephone sets,then in said telephone switching system: receiving and recognizing the dialed specific call number,determining identification information identifying said dialing telephone set,calling the jukebox device, when receiving such a specific call number, andtransmitting to the jukebox device the identification information,the jukebox device then broadcasting, when receiving said identification information, audiovisual items corresponding to said selection information to the associated television set,wherein the jukebox is the only component added to the network already installed on the premises in order to enable implementation of said method, and wherein no components existing in the network prior to the jukebox being provided are modified to enable implementation of the method, andwherein said selection information is received as either voice frequencies or control data superimposed on a carrier current that is interpreted by a software interface as mouse events.
  • 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: dialing a validation information for validating an audiovisual items selection information shown on the associated television set; andtransmitting said validation information to the jukebox device via said telephone switching system.
  • 7. The method according to claim 5, further including: adding a selected audiovisual item to the queue of selected items; andbroadcasting the selected item for playback on all television receivers in the building tuned to the appropriate channel when the selected item comes up in queue.
  • 8. The method of claim 5, further comprising guiding, via a voice assistance module, a user in actuating appropriate keys of a telephone set.
  • 9. A jukebox device at a location, comprising: a multi-task operating system and hardware or software buffers assigned to each of the tasks that the multi-task operating system is configured to manage,an interface configured to be connected to a first network to receive a signal emitted by a signal emitting device, and allocated for use and selection of information to be sent on a coaxial cable network,a video controller circuit connected to the coaxial cable network by a modulator in order to broadcast, through a dedicated channel among a plurality of channels of said coaxial cable network, information representing presentation windows to be displayed on a television set associated with the location of said signal emitting device,a software interface for enabling selection, by using said signal emitting device, of an audio or video item among a plurality of audio or video items presented on presentation windows displayed on said television set, said software interface transmitting the selection to the jukebox to place it in the jukebox request queue to be sent on the coaxial cable network,wherein the jukebox device is connected to the first network and the coaxial cable network without having to re-wire either network at the location, and without having to update any components of either network, in order to directly enable operation of each said task, andwherein said selection information is received as either voice frequencies or control data superimposed on a carrier current that is interpreted by said software interface as mouse events.
  • 10. The jukebox device according to claim 9, wherein signals emitted by signal emitting device are interpreted by the software interface of the jukebox as mouse events on said presentation windows for enabling selection of an audio or video item.
  • 11. The jukebox device according to claim 9, wherein the first network is a telephone network associated with a PABX telephone exchange connected to a plurality of signal emitting devices, each signal emitting device being a telephone set associated with the location of a television set.
  • 12. The jukebox device according to claim 11, wherein signals emitted through telephone network correspond to voice frequencies emitted by the telephone set.
  • 13. The jukebox according to claim 9, wherein the first network is the power grid associated with a box connected to a plurality of signal emitting devices, each signal emitting device being a control box plugged into the power grid and associated with the location of a television set.
  • 14. The jukebox according to claim 13, wherein signals emitted through the power grid are corresponding to current superimposed on the carrier current emitted by the control box and intended to be extracted by the box.
  • 15. The jukebox device of claim 9, further comprising a voice assistance module configured to guide a user in actuating appropriate keys of a telephone set.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
PCT/FR94/01185 Oct 1994 WO international
Parent Case Info

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/817,438, filed Oct. 2, 1997 now abandoned, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in this application.

US Referenced Citations (524)
Number Name Date Kind
3807541 Kortenhaus Apr 1974 A
3982620 Kortenhaus Sep 1976 A
4008369 Theurer et al. Feb 1977 A
4186438 Benson et al. Jan 1980 A
4232295 McConnell Nov 1980 A
4335809 Wain Jun 1982 A
4335908 Burge Jun 1982 A
4356509 Skerlos et al. Oct 1982 A
4369442 Werth et al. Jan 1983 A
4375287 Smith Mar 1983 A
4412292 Sedam et al. Oct 1983 A
4413260 Siegel et al. Nov 1983 A
4521014 Sitrick Jun 1985 A
4528643 Freeny, Jr. Jul 1985 A
4558413 Schmidt Dec 1985 A
4572509 Sitrick Feb 1986 A
4577333 Lewis et al. Mar 1986 A
4582324 Koza et al. Apr 1986 A
4588187 Dell May 1986 A
4593904 Graves Jun 1986 A
4597058 Izumi et al. Jun 1986 A
4636951 Harlick Jan 1987 A
4652998 Koza et al. Mar 1987 A
4654799 Ogaki et al. Mar 1987 A
4658093 Hellman Apr 1987 A
4667802 Verduin et al. May 1987 A
4674055 Ogaki et al. Jun 1987 A
4675538 Epstein Jun 1987 A
4677311 Morita Jun 1987 A
4677565 Ogaki Jun 1987 A
4703465 Parker Oct 1987 A
4704725 Harvey et al. Nov 1987 A
4707804 Leal Nov 1987 A
4722053 Dubno Jan 1988 A
4761684 Clark et al. Aug 1988 A
4766581 Korn et al. Aug 1988 A
4787050 Suzuki Nov 1988 A
4792849 McCalley Dec 1988 A
4807052 Amano Feb 1989 A
4811325 Sharples, Jr. et al. Mar 1989 A
4814972 Winter et al. Mar 1989 A
4825054 Rust Apr 1989 A
4829570 Schotz May 1989 A
4852154 Lewis et al. Jul 1989 A
4857714 Sunyich Aug 1989 A
4868832 Marrington Sep 1989 A
4885694 Pray et al. Dec 1989 A
4905279 Nishio Feb 1990 A
4920432 Eggers Apr 1990 A
4922420 Nakagawa et al. May 1990 A
4924378 Hershey May 1990 A
4926485 Yamashita May 1990 A
4937807 Weitz et al. Jun 1990 A
4949187 Cohen Aug 1990 A
4953159 Hayden et al. Aug 1990 A
4956768 Sidi et al. Sep 1990 A
4958835 Tashiro et al. Sep 1990 A
4977593 Ballance Dec 1990 A
4999806 Chernow Mar 1991 A
5008814 Mathur Apr 1991 A
5012121 Hammond Apr 1991 A
5027426 Chiocca Jun 1991 A
5041921 Scheffler Aug 1991 A
5046093 Wachob Sep 1991 A
5053758 Cornett et al. Oct 1991 A
5058089 Yoshimaru et al. Oct 1991 A
5077607 Johnson et al. Dec 1991 A
5081534 Geiger et al. Jan 1992 A
5101499 Streck et al. Mar 1992 A
5106097 Levine Apr 1992 A
5117407 Vogel May 1992 A
5138712 Corbin Aug 1992 A
5148159 Clark et al. Sep 1992 A
5155847 Kirouac Oct 1992 A
5163131 Row Nov 1992 A
5166886 Molnar Nov 1992 A
5172413 Bradley et al. Dec 1992 A
5180309 Egnor Jan 1993 A
5189630 Barstow et al. Feb 1993 A
5191573 Hair Mar 1993 A
5191611 Lang Mar 1993 A
5192999 Graczyk Mar 1993 A
5197094 Tillery Mar 1993 A
5203028 Shiraishi Apr 1993 A
5210854 Beaverton et al. May 1993 A
5214761 Barrett et al. May 1993 A
5222134 Waite et al. Jun 1993 A
5228015 Arbiter et al. Jul 1993 A
5236199 Thompson, Jr. Aug 1993 A
5237157 Kaplan Aug 1993 A
5237322 Heberle Aug 1993 A
5239480 Huegel Aug 1993 A
5250747 Tsumura Oct 1993 A
5252775 Urano Oct 1993 A
5260999 Wyman Nov 1993 A
5261104 Bertram et al. Nov 1993 A
5262875 Mincer et al. Nov 1993 A
5276866 Paolini Jan 1994 A
5278904 Servi Jan 1994 A
5282028 Johnson et al. Jan 1994 A
5289476 Johnson et al. Feb 1994 A
5289546 Hetherington Feb 1994 A
5315161 Robinson May 1994 A
5315711 Barone et al. May 1994 A
5319455 Hoarty et al. Jun 1994 A
5321846 Yokota et al. Jun 1994 A
5327230 Dockery Jul 1994 A
5335313 Douglas Aug 1994 A
5339095 Redford Aug 1994 A
5339413 Koval Aug 1994 A
5341350 Frank et al. Aug 1994 A
5355302 Martin et al. Oct 1994 A
5357276 Banker Oct 1994 A
5369778 SanSoucie Nov 1994 A
5375206 Hunter et al. Dec 1994 A
5383112 Clark Jan 1995 A
5386251 Movshovich Jan 1995 A
5389950 Bouton Feb 1995 A
5404505 Levinson Apr 1995 A
5406634 Anderson et al. Apr 1995 A
5408417 Wilder Apr 1995 A
5410326 Goldstein Apr 1995 A
5410703 Nilsson et al. Apr 1995 A
5418713 Allen May 1995 A
5420923 Beyers May 1995 A
5428252 Walker Jun 1995 A
5428606 Moskowitz Jun 1995 A
5431492 Rothschild Jul 1995 A
5440632 Bacon et al. Aug 1995 A
5444499 Saitoh Aug 1995 A
5445295 Brown Aug 1995 A
5455619 Truckenmiller et al. Oct 1995 A
5455926 Keele Oct 1995 A
5457305 Akel Oct 1995 A
5465213 Ross Nov 1995 A
5467326 Miyashita et al. Nov 1995 A
5469370 Ostrover et al. Nov 1995 A
5469573 McGill et al. Nov 1995 A
5471576 Yee Nov 1995 A
5475835 Hickey Dec 1995 A
5481509 Knowles Jan 1996 A
5487167 Dinallo et al. Jan 1996 A
5489103 Okamoto Feb 1996 A
5495610 Shing Feb 1996 A
5496178 Back Mar 1996 A
5499921 Sone Mar 1996 A
5511000 Kaloi Apr 1996 A
5513117 Small Apr 1996 A
5515173 Mankovitz et al. May 1996 A
5519435 Anderson May 1996 A
5519457 Nishigaki et al. May 1996 A
5521631 Budow et al. May 1996 A
5521918 Kim May 1996 A
5521922 Fujinami et al. May 1996 A
5523781 Brusaw Jun 1996 A
5528732 Klotz Jun 1996 A
5532734 Goertz Jul 1996 A
5537143 Steingold et al. Jul 1996 A
5546039 Hewitt et al. Aug 1996 A
5548729 Akiyoshi Aug 1996 A
5550577 Verbiest Aug 1996 A
5554968 Lee Sep 1996 A
5555244 Gupta Sep 1996 A
5557541 Schulhof Sep 1996 A
5557724 Sampat et al. Sep 1996 A
5559505 McNair Sep 1996 A
5559549 Hendricks Sep 1996 A
5561709 Remillard Oct 1996 A
5565908 Ahmad Oct 1996 A
5566237 Dobbs Oct 1996 A
5570363 Holm Oct 1996 A
5578999 Matsuzawa et al. Nov 1996 A
5579404 Fielder et al. Nov 1996 A
5583561 Baker et al. Dec 1996 A
5583937 Ullrich et al. Dec 1996 A
5583994 Rangan Dec 1996 A
5583995 Gardner et al. Dec 1996 A
5592482 Abraham Jan 1997 A
5592551 Lett Jan 1997 A
5592611 Midgely et al. Jan 1997 A
5594509 Florin Jan 1997 A
5596702 Stucka et al. Jan 1997 A
5612581 Kageyama Mar 1997 A
5613909 Stelovsky Mar 1997 A
5616876 Cluts Apr 1997 A
5617565 Augenbraun et al. Apr 1997 A
5619247 Russo Apr 1997 A
5619249 Billock et al. Apr 1997 A
5619250 McClellan et al. Apr 1997 A
5619698 Lillich Apr 1997 A
5623666 Pike Apr 1997 A
5631693 Wunderlich et al. May 1997 A
5636276 Brugger Jun 1997 A
5638426 Lewis Jun 1997 A
5642337 Oskay Jun 1997 A
5644714 Kikinis Jul 1997 A
5644766 Coy Jul 1997 A
5654714 Takahashi et al. Aug 1997 A
5659466 Norris et al. Aug 1997 A
5661517 Budow et al. Aug 1997 A
5661802 Nilssen Aug 1997 A
5663756 Blahut et al. Sep 1997 A
5668592 Spaulding Sep 1997 A
5668778 Quazi Sep 1997 A
5668788 Allison Sep 1997 A
5675734 Hair Oct 1997 A
5680533 Yamato et al. Oct 1997 A
5684716 Freeman Nov 1997 A
5689641 Ludwig et al. Nov 1997 A
5691778 Song Nov 1997 A
5691964 Niederlein et al. Nov 1997 A
5696914 Nahaboo et al. Dec 1997 A
5697844 Von Kohorn Dec 1997 A
5703795 Mankovitz Dec 1997 A
5708811 Arendt Jan 1998 A
5712976 Falcon Jan 1998 A
5713024 Halladay Jan 1998 A
5715416 Baker Feb 1998 A
5717452 Janin et al. Feb 1998 A
5721583 Harada et al. Feb 1998 A
5721815 Ottesen et al. Feb 1998 A
5721829 Dunn et al. Feb 1998 A
5724525 Beyers et al. Mar 1998 A
5726909 Krikorian Mar 1998 A
5734719 Tsevdos Mar 1998 A
5734961 Castille Mar 1998 A
5739451 Winksy et al. Apr 1998 A
5743745 Reintjes Apr 1998 A
5745391 Topor Apr 1998 A
5748254 Harrison et al. May 1998 A
5748468 Notenboom et al. May 1998 A
5751336 Aggarwal et al. May 1998 A
5752232 Basore et al. May 1998 A
5757936 Lee May 1998 A
5758340 Nail May 1998 A
5761655 Hoffman Jun 1998 A
5762552 Vuong Jun 1998 A
5774527 Handelman et al. Jun 1998 A
5774668 Choqiuer Jun 1998 A
5774672 Funahashi Jun 1998 A
5781889 Martin et al. Jul 1998 A
5786784 Gaudichon Jul 1998 A
5790172 Imanaka Aug 1998 A
5790671 Cooper Aug 1998 A
5790856 Lillich Aug 1998 A
5793364 Bolanos et al. Aug 1998 A
5793980 Glaser Aug 1998 A
5798785 Hendricks Aug 1998 A
5802283 Grady et al. Sep 1998 A
5802599 Cabrera Sep 1998 A
5805804 Laursen et al. Sep 1998 A
5808224 Kato Sep 1998 A
5809246 Goldman Sep 1998 A
5812643 Schelberg et al. Sep 1998 A
5815146 Youden et al. Sep 1998 A
5825884 Zdepski et al. Oct 1998 A
5831555 Yu et al. Nov 1998 A
5831663 Waterhouse et al. Nov 1998 A
5832024 Schotz et al. Nov 1998 A
5832287 Atalla Nov 1998 A
5835843 Haddad Nov 1998 A
5842869 McGregor et al. Dec 1998 A
5845104 Rao Dec 1998 A
5845256 Pescitelli et al. Dec 1998 A
5848398 Martin Dec 1998 A
5851149 Xidos et al. Dec 1998 A
5854887 Kindell Dec 1998 A
5857020 Peterson Jan 1999 A
5857707 Devlin Jan 1999 A
5862324 Collins Jan 1999 A
5864811 Tran et al. Jan 1999 A
5864868 Contois Jan 1999 A
5864870 Guck Jan 1999 A
5867714 Todd Feb 1999 A
5870721 Norris Feb 1999 A
5880386 Wachi et al. Mar 1999 A
5880769 Nemirofsky et al. Mar 1999 A
5884028 Kindell Mar 1999 A
5884298 Smith Mar 1999 A
5887193 Takahashi Mar 1999 A
5896094 Narisada et al. Apr 1999 A
5903266 Berstis et al. May 1999 A
5913040 Rakavy Jun 1999 A
5914712 Sartain et al. Jun 1999 A
5915094 Kouloheris Jun 1999 A
5915238 Tjaden Jun 1999 A
5917537 Lightfoot Jun 1999 A
5917835 Barrett Jun 1999 A
5918213 Bernard et al. Jun 1999 A
5920700 Gordon et al. Jul 1999 A
5920702 Bleidt et al. Jul 1999 A
5923885 Johnson Jul 1999 A
5926531 Petite Jul 1999 A
5930765 Martin Jul 1999 A
5931908 Gerba Aug 1999 A
5933090 Christenson Aug 1999 A
5940504 Griswold Aug 1999 A
5949411 Doerr et al. Sep 1999 A
5949688 Montoya Sep 1999 A
5953429 Wakai et al. Sep 1999 A
5956716 Kenner et al. Sep 1999 A
5959869 Miller Sep 1999 A
5959945 Kleiman Sep 1999 A
5963916 Kaplan Oct 1999 A
5966495 Takahashi Oct 1999 A
5978855 Metz Nov 1999 A
5978912 Rakavy et al. Nov 1999 A
5980261 Mino et al. Nov 1999 A
5999499 Pines et al. Dec 1999 A
5999624 Hopkins Dec 1999 A
6002720 Yurt Dec 1999 A
6005599 Asai et al. Dec 1999 A
6008735 Chiloyan et al. Dec 1999 A
6009274 Fletcher Dec 1999 A
6011758 Dockes et al. Jan 2000 A
6018337 Peters Jan 2000 A
6018726 Tsumura Jan 2000 A
6025868 Russo Feb 2000 A
6034925 Wehmeyer Mar 2000 A
6038591 Wolfe et al. Mar 2000 A
6040829 Croy et al. Mar 2000 A
6041354 Biliris et al. Mar 2000 A
6054987 Richardson Apr 2000 A
6055573 Gardenswartz et al. Apr 2000 A
6057874 Michaud May 2000 A
6069672 Claassen May 2000 A
6072982 Haddad Jun 2000 A
6107937 Hamada Aug 2000 A
6118450 Proehl et al. Sep 2000 A
6124804 Kitao et al. Sep 2000 A
6131088 Hill Oct 2000 A
6131121 Mattaway et al. Oct 2000 A
6134547 Huxley et al. Oct 2000 A
6138150 Nichols et al. Oct 2000 A
6148142 Anderson Nov 2000 A
6151077 Vogel et al. Nov 2000 A
6151634 Glaser Nov 2000 A
6154207 Farris et al. Nov 2000 A
6157935 Tran et al. Dec 2000 A
6161059 Tedesco et al. Dec 2000 A
6170060 Mott et al. Jan 2001 B1
6173172 Masuda et al. Jan 2001 B1
6175861 Williams, Jr. et al. Jan 2001 B1
6182126 Nathan et al. Jan 2001 B1
6185184 Mattaway et al. Feb 2001 B1
6185619 Joffe et al. Feb 2001 B1
6191780 Martin et al. Feb 2001 B1
6192340 Abecassis Feb 2001 B1
6198408 Cohen Mar 2001 B1
6202060 Tran Mar 2001 B1
6209060 Machida Mar 2001 B1
6212138 Kalis et al. Apr 2001 B1
6216227 Goldstein et al. Apr 2001 B1
6219692 Stiles Apr 2001 B1
6223209 Watson Apr 2001 B1
6240550 Nathan et al. May 2001 B1
6243725 Hempleman et al. Jun 2001 B1
6247022 Yankowski Jun 2001 B1
6256773 Bowman-Amuah Jul 2001 B1
6262569 Carr et al. Jul 2001 B1
6280327 Leifer et al. Aug 2001 B1
6288991 Kajiyama et al. Sep 2001 B1
6289382 Bowman-Amuah Sep 2001 B1
6292443 Awazu et al. Sep 2001 B1
6298373 Burns et al. Oct 2001 B1
6302793 Fertitta et al. Oct 2001 B1
6308204 Nathan et al. Oct 2001 B1
6311214 Rhoads Oct 2001 B1
6315572 Owens et al. Nov 2001 B1
6323911 Schein et al. Nov 2001 B1
6332025 Takahashi et al. Dec 2001 B2
6336219 Nathan Jan 2002 B1
6341166 Basel Jan 2002 B1
6344862 Williams et al. Feb 2002 B1
6346951 Mastronardi Feb 2002 B1
6356971 Katz et al. Mar 2002 B1
6359661 Nickum Mar 2002 B1
6370580 Kriegsman Apr 2002 B2
6381575 Martin et al. Apr 2002 B1
6384737 Hsu et al. May 2002 B1
6393584 McLaren et al. May 2002 B1
6396480 Schindler et al. May 2002 B1
6397189 Martin et al. May 2002 B1
6407987 Abraham Jun 2002 B1
6408435 Sato Jun 2002 B1
6408437 Hendricks et al. Jun 2002 B1
6421651 Tedesco et al. Jul 2002 B1
6425125 Fries et al. Jul 2002 B1
6430537 Tedesco et al. Aug 2002 B1
6430738 Gross et al. Aug 2002 B1
6434678 Menzel Aug 2002 B1
6438450 DiLorenzo Aug 2002 B1
6442549 Schneider Aug 2002 B1
6446130 Grapes Sep 2002 B1
6449688 Peters et al. Sep 2002 B1
6470496 Kato et al. Oct 2002 B1
6488508 Okamoto Dec 2002 B2
6490570 Numaoka Dec 2002 B1
6496927 McGrane et al. Dec 2002 B1
6498855 Kokkosoulis et al. Dec 2002 B1
6522707 Brandstetter et al. Feb 2003 B1
6535911 Miller et al. Mar 2003 B1
6538558 Sakazume et al. Mar 2003 B2
6543052 Ogasawara Apr 2003 B1
6544122 Araki et al. Apr 2003 B2
6549719 Mankovitz Apr 2003 B2
6570507 Lee et al. May 2003 B1
6571282 Bowman-Amuah May 2003 B1
6577735 Bharat Jun 2003 B1
6578051 Mastronardi et al. Jun 2003 B1
6587403 Keller et al. Jul 2003 B1
6590838 Gerlings et al. Jul 2003 B1
6598230 Ballhorn Jul 2003 B1
6622307 Ho Sep 2003 B1
6628939 Paulsen Sep 2003 B2
6629318 Radha et al. Sep 2003 B1
6643620 Contolini et al. Nov 2003 B1
6643690 Duursma et al. Nov 2003 B2
6654801 Mann et al. Nov 2003 B2
6658090 Harjunen et al. Dec 2003 B1
6662231 Drosset et al. Dec 2003 B1
6702585 Okamoto Mar 2004 B2
6728956 Ono Apr 2004 B2
6728966 Arsenault et al. Apr 2004 B1
6744882 Gupta et al. Jun 2004 B1
6751794 McCaleb et al. Jun 2004 B1
6755744 Nathan et al. Jun 2004 B1
6789215 Rupp et al. Sep 2004 B1
6816578 Kredo et al. Nov 2004 B1
6898161 Nathan May 2005 B1
6904592 Johnson Jun 2005 B1
6928653 Ellis et al. Aug 2005 B1
6942574 LeMay et al. Sep 2005 B1
6974076 Siegel Dec 2005 B1
7024485 Dunning et al. Apr 2006 B2
7107109 Nathan et al. Sep 2006 B1
7124194 Nathan et al. Oct 2006 B2
7188352 Nathan et al. Mar 2007 B2
7195157 Swartz et al. Mar 2007 B2
7198571 LeMay et al. Apr 2007 B2
7206417 Nathan Apr 2007 B2
7210141 Nathan et al. Apr 2007 B1
7231656 Nathan Jun 2007 B1
7237198 Chaney Jun 2007 B1
7293277 Nathan Nov 2007 B1
7356831 Nathan Apr 2008 B2
7406529 Reed Jul 2008 B2
7424731 Nathan et al. Sep 2008 B1
7448057 Nathan Nov 2008 B1
7483958 Elabbady et al. Jan 2009 B1
7500192 Mastronardi Mar 2009 B2
7512632 Mastronardi et al. Mar 2009 B2
7519442 Nathan et al. Apr 2009 B2
7549919 Nathan et al. Jun 2009 B1
7574727 Nathan et al. Aug 2009 B2
7647613 Drakoulis et al. Jan 2010 B2
7749083 Nathan et al. Jul 2010 B2
7757264 Nathan Jul 2010 B2
7783774 Nathan et al. Aug 2010 B2
7793331 Nathan et al. Sep 2010 B2
20010016815 Takahashi et al. Aug 2001 A1
20010023403 Martin et al. Sep 2001 A1
20010030660 Zainoulline Oct 2001 A1
20010037367 Iyer Nov 2001 A1
20010044725 Matsuda et al. Nov 2001 A1
20020002079 Martin et al. Jan 2002 A1
20020002483 Siegel et al. Jan 2002 A1
20020113824 Myers Aug 2002 A1
20020116476 Eyal et al. Aug 2002 A1
20020118949 Jones et al. Aug 2002 A1
20020120925 Logan Aug 2002 A1
20020129036 Ho Yuen Lok et al. Sep 2002 A1
20020162104 Raike et al. Oct 2002 A1
20030005099 Sven et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030008703 Gauselmann Jan 2003 A1
20030018740 Sonoda et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030031096 Nathan et al. Feb 2003 A1
20030041093 Yamane et al. Feb 2003 A1
20030065639 Fiennes et al. Apr 2003 A1
20030088538 Ballard May 2003 A1
20030093790 Logan et al. May 2003 A1
20030101450 Davidsson et al. May 2003 A1
20030104865 Itkis et al. Jun 2003 A1
20030108164 Laurin et al. Jun 2003 A1
20030135424 Davis et al. Jul 2003 A1
20030208586 Mastronardi et al. Nov 2003 A1
20030225834 Lee et al. Dec 2003 A1
20040025185 Goci et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040085334 Reaney May 2004 A1
20040103150 Ogdon et al. May 2004 A1
20040204220 Fried et al. Oct 2004 A1
20040220926 Lamkin et al. Nov 2004 A1
20050060405 Nathan et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050073782 Nathan Apr 2005 A1
20050086172 Stefik Apr 2005 A1
20050125833 Nathan et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050267819 Kaplan Dec 2005 A1
20060018208 Nathan et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060035707 Nguyen et al. Feb 2006 A1
20060062094 Nathan et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060239131 Nathan et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060293773 Nathan et al. Dec 2006 A1
20070121430 Nathan May 2007 A1
20070142022 Madonna et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070160224 Nathan Jul 2007 A1
20070204263 Nathan et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070209053 Nathan Sep 2007 A1
20070247979 Brillon et al. Oct 2007 A1
20080069545 Nathan et al. Mar 2008 A1
20080077962 Nathan Mar 2008 A1
20080086379 Dion et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080096659 Kreloff et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080137849 Nathan Jun 2008 A1
20080168807 Dion et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080171594 Fedesna et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080195443 Nathan et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080239887 Tooker et al. Oct 2008 A1
20090037969 Nathan et al. Feb 2009 A1
20090070341 Mastronardi et al. Mar 2009 A1
20090138111 Mastronardi May 2009 A1
20090265734 Dion et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090282491 Nathan Nov 2009 A1
20100042505 Straus Feb 2010 A1
20100211818 Nathan et al. Aug 2010 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (91)
Number Date Country
199954012 Apr 2000 AU
3406058 Aug 1985 DE
3723737 Jan 1988 DE
3820835 Jan 1989 DE
A3820835 Jan 1989 DE
3815071 Nov 1989 DE
4 244 198 Jun 1994 DE
19610739 Sep 1997 DE
19904007 Aug 2000 DE
A0082077 Jun 1983 EP
0140593 May 1985 EP
0256921 Feb 1988 EP
0283304 Sep 1988 EP
A0283350 Sep 1988 EP
0 309 298 Mar 1989 EP
A0313359 Apr 1989 EP
0340787 Nov 1989 EP
0363186 Apr 1990 EP
0 397 908 Nov 1990 EP
0 425 168 May 1991 EP
0464562 Jan 1992 EP
0480558 Apr 1992 EP
0498130 Aug 1992 EP
0498130 Aug 1992 EP
0 507 110 Oct 1992 EP
0529834 Mar 1993 EP
0538319 Apr 1993 EP
A0631283 Dec 1994 EP
0632371 Jan 1995 EP
0711076 May 1996 EP
0786122 Jul 1997 EP
0817103 Jan 1998 EP
0841616 May 1998 EP
0919964 Jun 1999 EP
0959570 Nov 1999 EP
0 974896 Jan 2000 EP
0974941 Jan 2000 EP
0982695 Mar 2000 EP
1001391 May 2000 EP
1408427 Apr 2004 EP
0 974 941 May 2006 EP
A2602352 Feb 1988 FR
2808906 Nov 2001 FR
A 2122799 Jan 1984 GB
2166328 Apr 1986 GB
2170943 Aug 1986 GB
2193420 Feb 1988 GB
A 2193420 Feb 1988 GB
2 238680 Jun 1991 GB
2254469 Oct 1992 GB
2259398 Mar 1993 GB
A2259398 Mar 1993 GB
2262170 Jun 1993 GB
2380377 Apr 2003 GB
57-173207 Oct 1982 JP
58-179892 Oct 1983 JP
60-253082 Dec 1985 JP
61-084143 Apr 1986 JP
61084143 Apr 1986 JP
62-192849 Aug 1987 JP
62-284496 Dec 1987 JP
63-60634 Mar 1988 JP
2-153665 Jun 1990 JP
5122282 May 1993 JP
5-74078 Oct 1993 JP
07281682 Oct 1995 JP
08-279235 Oct 1996 JP
8274812 Oct 1996 JP
10-098344 Apr 1998 JP
WO 86 01326 Feb 1986 WO
A9007843 Jul 1990 WO
WO 9108542 Jun 1991 WO
A 9120082 Dec 1991 WO
WO 9316557 Aug 1993 WO
A 9318465 Sep 1993 WO
A94 03894 Feb 1994 WO
WO 9414273 Jun 1994 WO
WO 9415306 Jul 1994 WO
WO 94 15416 Jul 1994 WO
WO 95 03609 Feb 1995 WO
WO 9529537 Nov 1995 WO
WO 9612255 Apr 1996 WO
WO 9612256 Apr 1996 WO
WO 9612257 Apr 1996 WO
WO 96 12258 Apr 1996 WO
WO 9807940 Feb 1998 WO
WO 9845835 Oct 1998 WO
WO 0100290 Jan 2001 WO
WO 0108148 Feb 2001 WO
WO 02095752 Nov 2002 WO
WO 2006014739 Feb 2006 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (30)
Entry
“High-speed Opens and Shorts Substrate Tester”, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 33, No. 12, May 1991, pp. 251-259.
Bonczck, Robert H. et al, “The DSS Development System”, 1983 National Computer Conference, Anaheim, California, May 16-19, 1983, pp. 441-455.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 30, No. 5, Oct. 1987, “Method for Automated Assembly of Software Versions”, pp. 353-355.
“Robotic Wafer Handling System for Class 10 Environments” IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 32, No. 9A, Feb. 1990, pp. 141-143.
“Darts Revolution Again”, Replay Magazine, Mar. 1991, pp. 146-148.
Galen A. Grimes, “Chapter 18, Taking Advantage or Web-based Audio.”
Petri Koskelainem “Report on Streamworks™”.
W. Richard Stevens, “TCP/IP Illustrated: vol. 1, the Protocols”.
Nowell Outlaw “Virtual Servers Offer Performance benefits for Networks Imaging”.
“Ecast Forges Landmark International Technology Partnership”, Business Wire at www.findarticles.com/cf—0/m0EIN/2000—July—25/63663604/print.jhtml, 2 pages, Jul. 25, 2000.
“Ecast Selects Viant to Build Siren Entertainment System (TM)”, ScreamingMedia, PR Newswire San Francisco, industry.java.sum.com/javanews/stories/story2/0,1072,17618,00.html, 3 pages, Aug. 3, 1999.
Derfler et al., “How Networks Work”, Millennium Ed., Que Corporation, Jan. 2000.
European Search Report from EP 1 993 079.
European Search Report issued for European Application No. 08000845.1-1238/1962251, dated Apr. 3, 2009.
Gralla, “How the Internet Works”, Millennium Ed., Que Corporation, Aug. 1999.
Hicks et al., “Dynamic software updating” ACM PLDI, pp. 13-23, 2001.
iTOUCH 27 New Games brochure, JVL Corporation, 2005, 2 pages.
iTouch 8 Plus brochure, JVL Corporation, 2005, 2 pages.
Kozierok, The PC Guide, Site Version 2.2.0, http://www.pcguide.com, Apr. 17, 2001.
Liang et al., “Dynamic class loading in the Java virtual machine”, ACM OOPSLA, pp. 36-44, 1998.
Look and iTouch brochure, JVL Corporation, 2004, 2 pages.
Megatouch Champ brochure, Merit Industries, Inc., 2005, 2 pages.
Melnik et al., “A mediation infrastructure for digital library services”, ACM DL, pp. 123-132, 2000.
Mod Box Internet brochure, Merit Entertainment, 2006, 2 pages.
Newsome et al., “Proxy compilation of dynamically loaded java classes with MoJo”, ACM LCTES, pp. 204-212, 2002.
Patent Abstract of Japan vol. 95, No. 010 & JP 07 281682 A (Naguo Yuasa), Oct. 27 1 JP 07 281682, figure 1-6 abrége.
Schneier, “Applied Cryptography”, Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, 1996.
Vortex Brochure, JVL Corporation, 2005, 2 pages.
Waingrow, “Unix Hints & Hacks”, Que Corporation, Indianapolis, IN, 1999.
White, “How Computers Work”, Millennium Ed., Que Corporation, Indianapolis, IN, (Sep. 22, 1999).
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20050125833 A1 Jun 2005 US
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 08817438 US
Child 11035882 US