Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-5 Filed 03/13/20 Page 1 of 11 Page ID #:175
`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-5 Filed 03/13/20 Page 1 of 11 Page ID #:175
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`EXHIBIT E
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`EXHIBIT E
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`Case8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-5 FiIJJllillllWllllllllllllllllllllcllllllllllllllalllllIllllllllllllllll
`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-5 Filed 03/13/20 Page 2 of 11 Page ID #:176
`USOO6341375B1
`
`(12)Un1ted States Patent
`(10) Patent N0.:
`US 6,341,375 B1
`
`VVafldns
`@5)l)au:0flfinent:
`*Jan.22,2002
`
`(54) VIDEO ON DEMAND DVD SYSTEM
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Daniel Watkins, Saratoga, CA (US)
`
`.
`(*) Nome:
`
`(73) Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation, Milpitas, CA
`(IJS)
`.
`.
`.
`Thls patent Issued on a commued prOS'
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent
`term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154(a)(2).
`
`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.:
`
`09/353,216
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 14, 1999
`
`............................................. H04N 7/173
`(51)
`Int. Cl.7
`
`725/100; 709/219; 709/217
`(52)
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 709/217—219,
`709/209, 224, 247; 348/7—9, 12, 13; 725/87,
`91, 92, 93, 78
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,243,651 A *
`5,519,435 A *
`5,625,864 A *
`
`.................. 380/20
`9/1993 Parkh et al.
`
`5/1996 Anderson ......
`............... 455/42
`4/1997 Budow et al.
`
`5,751,336 A *
`5,808,660 A *
`5,883,671 A *
`5,898,456 xx
`*
`
`5/1998 Aggarwal et al.
`............. 348/7
`.....
`9/1998 Sekine etal.
`348/8
`
`348/397
`3/1999 K6118 6t a1~
`.u. 348/7
`4/1999 \vahl
`............
`
`7/1999 Sutton,Jr.
`348/8
`5923361 A *
`
`7/1999 VVang etal. u
`.u. 709/217
`5,928,327 xx
`*
`8/1999 Gerba etal.
`................ 709/219
`5,931,908 A *
`5,973,748 /\
`* 1cv1999 r1
`‘
`h'
`t
`.......... 348/554
`1.
`6,018,765 A *
`1/2000 Dglg:c..lj..a............... 709/217
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Andrew Faile
`Assistant Examiner—Ngoc Vu
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Christopher P. Maiorana
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An apparatus comprising a drive server, a control server and
`one or more decoder devices. The drive server may be
`configured to present one or more compressed data streams
`in response to one or more first control signals. The control
`server may be configured to present one or more of the
`compressed data streams in response to (i) one or more
`request signals and (ii) the one or more compressed data
`streams. The decoder devices may be configured to present
`a decoded video signal and a decoded audio signal
`in
`response to (i) one or more second control signals and (ii)
`the one or more compressed data streams. The navigation
`software, which traditionally is processed local
`to the
`decoder, may be processed on the control server. The control
`server may be enabled to control the remote decoder.
`
`19 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`100\
`
`PC SERVER
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`104
`
`DVD ROM
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`DRIVES &
`DISCS
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`
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`
`

`

`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-5 Filed 03/13/20 Page 3 of 11 Page ID #:177
`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-5 Filed 03/13/20 Page 3 of 11 Page ID #:177
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`US. Patent
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`Jan. 22, 2002
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`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-5 Filed 03/13/20 Page 4 of 11 Page ID #:178
`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-5 Filed 03/13/20 Page 4 of 11 Page ID #:178
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`US. Patent
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`Jan. 22, 2002
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`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-5 Filed 03/13/20 Page 5 of 11 Page ID #:179
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`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-5 Filed 03/13/20 Page 6 of 11 Page ID #:180
`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-5 Filed 03/13/20 Page 6 of 11 Page ID #:180
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`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-5 Filed 03/13/20 Page 7 of 11 Page ID #:181
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`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-5 Filed 03/13/20 Page 8 of 11 Page ID #:182
`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1—5 Filed 03/13/20 Page 8 of 11 Page ID #:182
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`US 6,341,375 B1
`
`1
`VIDEO ON DEMAND DVD SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to video on demand systems
`generally and, more particularly, to a video on demand DVD
`system.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Conventional digital video disk (DVD) players are imple-
`mented as stand-alone systems. In a multi-user environment,
`such as a hotel (or apartment) complex, a separate DVD
`player would have to be implemented in each room.
`Conventional video on demand (VOD) systems provide a
`centralized storage location that may present independent
`video and audio programming to a number of rooms. Such
`a conventional video on demand system is shown in FIG. 1.
`Since conventional video on demand systems use S-video
`cables between the decoders and the monitors, the distance
`between the remote locations and the decoders can be
`
`hundreds of feet. However, with a DVD player, extensive
`decoding is included within the DVD players that prohibits
`use in a video on demand system. Additionally, personal
`computers (PCs) may implement DVD drives, but suffer
`from the same limitations of stand-alone players.
`Specifically, an individual PC would have to be dedicated to
`each room in the multi-user environment.
`
`Video on demand systems used for MPEG1 VCD or
`MPEG2 titles are typically implemented as personal com-
`puters with peripheral connect interface (PCI) add-on cards
`that support four or more video decoders. The decoders are
`implemented centrally at
`the PC level. Such centralized
`systems are used with hotel video on demand systems. A
`drive running a title and a decoder are dedicated to each
`hotel room. The uncompressed video from the dedicated
`video compact disc (VCD) is wired to the room with, for
`example, S-Video cable. A separate cable allowing a remote
`control to control user options (e.g., stop, fast forward,
`rewind, etc.) is used as a feedback back to the player in the
`central location.
`
`DVD titles use Macrovision copyright security as a
`required component encoded on each DVD player. When
`VOD systems are upgraded to support DVD, for applica-
`tions where Macrovision copyright security on uncom-
`pressed video is not adequate, the infrastructure needs to be
`upgraded to a support compressed video feed to a decoder
`that resides in the room, but before the television. Macro-
`vision application license restrictions include limiting the
`length of cable. It would be desirable to implement a DVD
`video on demand system without
`the requirement (and
`associated cost) of implementing a DVD Player for each
`remote location.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention concerns an apparatus comprising
`a drive server, a control server and one or more decoder
`devices. The drive server may be configured to present one
`or more compressed data streams in response to one or more
`first control signals. The control server may be configured to
`present one or more of the compressed data streams in
`response to (i) one or more request signals and (ii) the one
`or more compressed data streams. The decoder devices may
`be configured to present a decoded video signal and a
`decoded audio signal in response to (i) one or more second
`control signals and (ii) the one or more compressed data
`streams.
`
`2
`The objects, features and advantages of the present inven-
`tion include providing a video on demand DVD system that
`may (i) be enabled to have navigation software local to host
`server, while a remote source decoder is in another room, (ii)
`be enabled to control a remote source decoder directly, (iii)
`implement navigation software on a host server and/or (iv)
`implement a number of shared DVD drivers at a centralized
`location.
`
`10
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`These and other objects, features and advantages of the
`present
`invention will be apparent from the following
`detailed description and the appended claims and drawings
`in which:
`
`FIG. 1 is a diagram of a conventional video on demand
`system;
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a diagram of an alternate embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a diagram of an alternate implementation of the
`decoder of FIG. 3; and
`FIG. 5 is another alternate embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a DVD video on
`demand system 100 is shown in accordance with a preferred
`embodiment of the present invention. The video on demand
`system 100 generally comprises a server 102 and a disk
`library 104. The disk library 104 generally comprises one or
`more DVD drives and associated disks that present one or
`more signals to the server 102. The server 102 may be
`implemented as a personal computer or other appropriate
`server.
`
`The server 102 may present a number of compressed
`bitstreams (e.g., DVD bitstreams) at a number of outputs
`11041—11011 that may be received at a number of inputs
`11241—11211. The inputs 11241—11211 are generally located in a
`number of individual remote decoders 11441—11411, that may
`be located,
`in one example,
`in a set-top box. In another
`example, the remote decoders 11441—11411 may be built into
`the tuner section of a television. In either implementation,
`the remote decoders 11441—11411 may be located in one or
`more remote locations, such as rooms in a hotel or apart-
`ment. The remote decoders 114a—114n may be
`implemented,
`in another example, as a component of a
`multifunction decoding device (to be described in more
`detail in connection with FIG. 3).
`Each of the remote decoders 114a—114n generally com-
`prise a decoder portion (or circuit) 120, a control portion (or
`circuit) 121, a user options input interface 122, and one or
`more buffers 124. The control circuit 121 may be imple-
`mented as a host processor or state machine control device.
`The decoder 120 may present a decoded audio signal at an
`output 126 that
`is generally presented to one or more
`speakers 128. The decoder 120 may also present a decoded
`video signal at an output 130 that may be presented to a
`video display 132 (e.g., a television screen or a computer
`monitor). The decoded audio signal may be a monophonic
`channel, a dolby digital two channel signal, a dolby digital
`5.1 channel signal, a DTS 5.1 channel signal, or other
`appropriate single or multi-channel audio signal. In general,
`the audio signals presented at the output 126 are line level
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`US 6,341,375 B1
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`3
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`signals that may be presented to an audio amplifier (not
`shown) to power one or more speakers. The amplifier may
`be built into the display 132 or may be implemented as a
`separate multi-channel amplifier.
`To upgrade a video on demand infrastructure, the decoder
`120 is generally physically located within a few feet of the
`display device 132. The compressed DVD bitstreams are
`generally feed to the remote decoders 114a—114n from the
`server 102. The decoder 120 decodes the video and audio
`
`portions of compressed DVD bitstream. The navigation
`software (i.e., the software that controls functions such as
`fast forward, rewind, pause, etc.) may be implemented
`locally to the decoder 120, similar to conventional DVD
`players. Alternately, since the video signals are generally
`received from a centralized server, the server 102 may be
`implemented to run all the navigation software. The navi-
`gation software may interpret user options (e.g., request
`signals) received from a user remote control (not shown).
`The request signals from the user remote control may be
`received from a separate cable that feeds back to the server
`102. The circuit 100 illustrates n cables connected between
`
`each of the outputs 110a—110n and each of the inputs
`11241—11211. Since such a cable system may already be in
`place,
`the only upgrade necessary may be the remote
`decoder 114 in the room, the navigation software running on
`the server, and the DVD drive server.
`In one example, the decoder 120 may be implemented as
`a dedicated optimized hardware audio and video decoder.
`Additionally, the user options circuit 122 and the buffers
`circuit 124 may also be implemented on a single chip along
`with the decoder 120. However, separate chip solutions may
`also be implemented to meet the design criteria of a par-
`ticular implementation.
`A cost savings may result by having the navigation
`software for all the decoders 120 in each of the remote
`
`decoders 114a—114n run on the server 102. The user may be
`given a DVD control template to select a particular option.
`Since most of the processing may be done by the server 102,
`the remaining needs for the remote decoders 114a—114n may
`be limited. For example, the remote decoders 114a—114n
`may need to receive the uncompressed video, via Universal
`Serial Bus (USB), 1394 bus or other appropriate interface/
`bus configuration. A feedback of the user options may be
`implemented, in one example, using the same control system
`previously used for VCD. Centralizing the navigation con-
`trols may greatly reduce memory and processor performance
`requirements for the remote decoders 114a—114n, further
`reducing cost.
`For the connections between the outputs 110a—110n and
`the inputs 11241—11211, USB or 1394 may be needed, since
`DVD bitstreams have 2 to 10 Mbps data rate. One of a
`number of decoder navigation modules 15041—15011 running
`on the server 102 may be dedicated to each remote decoder
`114a—114n. The control of the source decoder may be
`received from the buffers 124. One or more simple state
`machines may control the read and write operations sent to
`the decoder 120 in each of the remote decoders 11441—11411.
`
`The decoder 120 may include host registers as well as buffer
`interrupts (not shown). The control of the decoders
`121a—121n may be embedded in the communication media
`and may be a different structure from the DVD bitstream, as
`in the case of USB or 1394.
`
`The present invention may provide navigation software
`traditionally local to the DVD player or DVD PC at the
`server 102 of a VOD system, enabling low cost decoder
`boxes at destination televisions. The navigation software on
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`the server 102 may parse the DVD bitstream and may
`process user options such that
`the remote decoders
`114a—114n may be remotely controlled. The communication
`media between the server 102 and the remote decoders
`114a—114n may support the DVD bitstream as well as the
`programming of the decoder 120. Appropriate navigation
`software coding can readily be prepared by skilled program-
`mers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will
`also be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s).
`The present invention may enable a cost effective solution
`to DVD VOD systems. For example, if a DVD Player costs
`$500, and the per location solution of the present invention
`is $150 per location, a significant cost savings to implement
`DVD in each location may result. The present invention
`proposes bulk drives on capable servers, with a minimal cost
`in the remote decoders 11441—11411.
`
`Referring to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment of the
`present invention is shown. A number of source devices
`104a—104n are shown presented to the server 102. One of
`the source devices (e.g., 104a) may be a DVD ROM server
`as shown in FIG. 1. However, an additional number of
`source devices 104b—104n may be implemented. For
`example, a source for digital
`television (DTV) may be
`implemented as the source 102b, a source for a satellite may
`be implemented as the source 1026 and a source for cable
`TV may be implemented as one of the sources 10441—10411.
`The server 102 may be implemented to select between one
`of the sources 104a—104n to present data to a particular one
`of the outputs 11041—11011. The remote decoders 114a—114n
`may be modified to decode the various sources 10441—10411.
`In such an implementation, the present invention may enable
`a number of remote decoders 114a—114n to support a full
`spectrum of video and audio formats found in the various
`evolving multiple broadcast standards. Furthermore, with
`personal computers providing a number of multimedia func-
`tions as well as audio components providing a number of
`multimedia functions, convergence of various formats can
`be supported by the remote decoders 114a—114n. For
`example, a MPEG-2 bitstream may be presented at the
`outputs 110a—110n.
`Additionally, the example illustrated in FIG. 3 may pro-
`vide a number of decoder control circuits 15141—15111. The a
`
`decoder control circuits 151a—151n may be optional circuits
`that may be used to control the particular navigation soft-
`ware elements 150a—150n. Additionally, a decoder 153 may
`be implemented that may control each of the navigation
`software elements 15041—15011. In one example, the decoder
`114a may be connected to the decoder 114 through a
`universal serial bus or other appropriate interconnection 117.
`Referring to FIG. 4, an example of a multifunction remote
`decoder 114 is shown. The remote decoder 114 generally has
`an input 112 that may receive one of the number of sources
`110a—110n. A number of individual decoding elements
`200a—200n may be provided to decode the particular source.
`The signal received at the input 112 may be presented to
`inputs of the various decoding elements 200a—200n. The
`outputs of the decoder elements 200a—200n may be pre-
`sented to an output 210 and an output 212. A multiplexer
`(not shown) may be implemented to switch between the
`various outputs of the individual decoder elements
`200a—200n.
`In one example,
`the decoder elements
`200a—200n may be implemented as a single integrated
`circuit. However, to provide flexibility for future standards,
`the individual decoder elements 200a—200n may be imple-
`mented as one or more integrated circuits. For example, if
`the remote decoder 114 is implemented to decode three
`current video/audio standards, a single chip implementing
`
`

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`US 6,341,375 B1
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`5
`three individual decoders 20041—20011 may be used.
`However, to implement a fourth standard, a second inte-
`grated circuit 114a may be implemented as a new decoder
`and may be configured to add to the existing decoders. The
`second integrated circuit 114a may be connected to the
`remote decoder 114 through, for example, a USB or 1394
`connection 117.
`
`Remote programming of the decoder, independent of the
`local host processor may be done for diagnostic purposes, or
`to reduce cost on components. In one example, the USB or
`1394 process may enable remote programming of the
`decoder and user options presented to server.
`Referring to FIG. 5, an alternate implementation of the
`circuit 100 is shown. Anumber of source devices 10441—10411
`
`are shown presenting a number of input signals to the server
`102. Each of the devices 10441—10411 may be configured to
`continuously play a number of source titles. A number of
`decoders may select any of the source devices 10441—10411 at
`a particular time. The selection is generally within the
`constraints of the selected source 104a—104n. Particularly,
`the bandwidth capabilities for handling multiple user navi-
`gations of a particular source 10441—10411 must generally be
`met. If enough titles are implemented in enough sources
`10441—10411, the remote decoders 11441—11411 may be able to
`select a particular title at a particular time. In order to solve
`the mentioned bandwidth capability issues, the same titles
`may be started at offset
`times, which may present
`the
`appearance of an unlimited selection of titles. In addition, a
`single bitstream may be sent
`to each of the decoders
`11441—11411 to initiate a diagnostics test.
`When sending a single bitstream to a number of decoders
`11441—11411, a bandwidth of 20 Mb/sec can be implemented
`in certain DVD drives. In such an example, up to four
`decoders may be supported. For example, if a DVD drive
`can present a 9.8 Mb/sec bit rate, and the compressed
`bitstream is typically 4 Mb/sec, four decoders 11441—11411
`may be supported.
`While the invention has been particularly shown and
`described with reference to the preferred embodiments
`thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
`various changes in form and details may be made without
`departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. An apparatus comprising:
`a drive server configured to present a plurality of com-
`pressed data streams in response to one or more first
`control signals;
`a control server configured to present said one or more
`compressed data streams received from said drive
`server in response to one or more request signals; and
`one or more decoder devices, at least one of said one or
`more decoder devices being disposed in a separate
`room from said control server and said drive server,
`each of said one or more decoder devices being con-
`figured to (i) decode at least one of said one or more
`compressed data streams received from said control
`server and (ii) present at least one signal selected from
`a decoded video signal and a decoded audio signal in
`response to decoding said one or more compressed data
`streams, wherein a first portion of a selected one of said
`compressed data streams is presented to one of said
`decoder devices and a second portion of said selected
`compressed data stream is presented to another of said
`decoder devices.
`
`2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said one
`or more decoder devices are remotely controlled.
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`6
`3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said one
`or more compressed data streams comprise one or more
`DVD bitstreams.
`4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of
`said compressed data streams are presented to two or more
`of said decoder devices.
`5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
`plurality of compressed data streams are presented to said
`decoder devices in response to navigation software.
`6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality
`of first portions of a plurality of said compressed data
`streams are presented to a plurality of said decoder devices
`and a plurality of second portions of another of said com-
`pressed data streams are presented to another of said decoder
`devices, wherein the number of said plurality of data streams
`is optimized to require a minimum number of said plurality
`of compressed data streams for a distribution to a maximum
`number of said plurality of decoder devices.
`7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
`control server is connected to said one or more decoder
`
`devices using (i) one or more universal serial bus interfaces
`or (ii) one or more 1394 interfaces.
`8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said one
`or more compressed data streams is selected from the group
`consisting of a digital television (DTV) signal, a satellite
`signal, and a cable signal.
`9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a navi-
`gation software to control one or more user input signals is
`stored in one or more of said decoder devices.
`
`10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a navi-
`gation software to control one or more user input signals is
`stored in the control server.
`
`11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
`decoder devices are configured to generate said decoded
`video signal and said decoded audio signal
`in further
`response to one or more second control signals.
`12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said one
`or more decoder devices are configured to enter a diagnostic
`mode in response to one of said one or more second control
`signals.
`13. An apparatus comprising:
`a drive server configured to present a plurality of DVD
`bitstreams in response to one or more first control
`signals;
`a control server configured to present said one or more
`DVD bitstreams received from said drive server in
`
`response to one or more first remotely generated
`request signals; and
`one or more decoder devices, at least one of said one or
`more decoder devices being disposed in a separate
`room from said control server and said driver server,
`each of said one or more decoder devices being con-
`figured to (i) decode at least one of said one or more
`DVD bitstreams received from said control server and
`
`(ii) present at least one signal selected from a decoded
`video signal and a decoded audio signal in response to
`decoding said one or more DVD bitstreams, wherein a
`first portion of a selected one of said DVD bitstreams
`is presented to one of said decoder devices and a second
`portion of said selected DVD bitstreams is presented to
`another of said decoder devices.
`
`14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said
`decoder devices are configured to generate said decoded
`video signal and said decoded audio signal
`in further
`response to one or more second control signals.
`15. A method for distributing video comprising the steps
`
`of:
`
`

`

`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-5 Filed 03/13/20 Page 11 of 11 Page ID #:185
`Case 8:20-cv-00529 Document 1-5 Filed 03/13/20 Page 11 of 11 Page ID #:185
`
`US 6,341,375 B1
`
`7
`
`(A) presenting a plurality of compressed data streams
`with a drive server to a control server in response to one
`or more first control signals;
`(B) distributing said one or more compressed data streams
`received from said drive server with said control server
`
`to one or more decoder devices in response to one or
`more request signals;
`(C) decoding at least one of said one or more compressed
`data streams with said one or more decoders in
`
`response to receiving said one or more compressed data
`streams from said control server; and
`
`(D) presenting at least one signal selected from a decoded
`video signal and a decoded audio signal in response to
`decoding said at least one of said one or more com-
`pressed data streams, wherein at least one of said one
`or more decoders is disposed in a separate room from
`said control server and said driver server, wherein a first
`portion of a selected one of said compressed data
`streams is presented to one of said decoder devices and
`
`8
`a second portion of said selected compressed data
`stream is presented to another of said decoder devices.
`16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said one
`or more compressed data streams are feed from said control
`server to said one or more decoders using (i) one or more
`universal serial bus interfaces or (ii) one or more 1394
`interfaces.
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`17. The method according to claim 15, wherein said one
`or more compressed data streams comprise one or more
`DVD bitstreams.
`
`18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising
`the step of:
`storing software to control and decode said one or more
`compressed data streams in (i) said one or more
`decoder devices or (ii) a central server.
`19. The method according to claim 15, wherein step D
`further responds to one or more second control signals.
`*
`*
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`*
`*
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`