throbber
(12) United States Patent
`Gupta et al.
`
`USOO6622171B2
`US 6,622,171 B2
`Sep. 16, 2003
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(73) ASSignee: Mison Corporation, Redmond, WA EP
`EP
`EP
`
`5,414,455 A 5/1995 Hooper et al. ................. 348/7
`5,420,801. A * 5/1995 Dockter et al. ............. 34.5/501
`5.434,848 A 7/1995 Chimento, Jr. et al. ..... 370/232
`5,455,910 A 10/1995 Johnson et al. .......... 707/500.1
`5,481,542 A 1/1996 Logston et al. ............. 725/131
`(List continued on next page.)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`O 669 587 A2 * 1/1994
`O605115
`7/1994
`O653.884
`5/1995
`O 669587 A2 SE
`O676898
`10/1995
`O746,158
`12/1996
`O 812 112 A2 * 10/1997
`WO 94/O1964
`* 1/1994
`0-812112 A2 10/1997 .......... HO4N/7/173
`WO 98/37698
`* 8/1998
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`H.J. Chen et al., “A Scalable Viedo-on-Demand Service for
`the Provision of VCR-Like Functions," IEEE, May 15,
`, pp
`
`EP
`EP
`EP
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`1995, pp. 65-72.
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`Primary Examiner Mark R. Powell
`Assistant Examiner William C. Vaughn, Jr.
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lee & Hayes, PLLC
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`Multimedia content is Streamed over a network System from
`a server computer to a client computer. The client allows a
`user to enter a variable playback Speed and varies the Speed
`at which the multimedia content is rendered at the client.
`Time-Scale modification technology is used to maintain the
`original pitch of any audio content, thereby maintaining its
`intelligibility.
`
`- -
`
`-
`
`-
`
`32 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`(54) MULTIMEDIA TIMELINE MODIFICATION
`IN NETWORKED CLIENT/SERVER
`SYSTEMS
`
`(75) Inventors: Anoop Gupta, Woodinville, WA (US);
`Nshare D. Omoigui, Redmond, WA
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`O
`
`-1 - O
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`(56)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/153,664
`(22) Filed:
`Sep. 15, 1998
`(65)
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2002/0038374A1 Mar. 28, 2002
`G06F 15/16
`(51) Int. Cl."
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 709/231; 709/246; 709/219;
`709/232; 345/704; 34.5/748
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 709/219, 217,
`709/231, 233, 234, 232, 247, 225, 226,
`248,246, 245, 263; 725/41, 43, 90,94,
`96; 345/700, 704, 725, 748
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`a
`4,931,950 A 6/1990 Isle et al. ................... 364/513
`5,050,161 A 9/1991 Golestani.................... 370/60
`5,119,474 A : 6/1992 Beitel et al. ................ 395/154
`52.7 A 13. E. E. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .f
`5,309,562 A 5/1994 Li ................
`...
`5,313,454 A 5/1994 Bustini et al. ................ 370/13
`5,341,474 A 8/1994 Gelman et al. ...
`... 395/200
`
`2
`
`2
`
`CC. C. a.
`
`- - -
`
`
`
`- 130
`- Y-... x
`Select Muftimedia
`Content
`
`Accept speed
`Designation
`
`w
`
`Requested
`Selected Content
`
`--
`
`32
`
`134
`
`—
`y
`dy Composite
`
`Media Stream
`
`-- 138
`
`- i38
`
`Stream to Client
`
`14
`
`Receive streaming
`Content
`
`Modify Timelines
`
`144 -
`
`y
`
`Render Time
`Modified Content
`
`-1-
`
`Amazon v. Audio Pod
`US Patent 10,805,111
`Amazon EX-1061
`
`

`

`US 6,622,171 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`1/2000 Cannon et al. ............. 709/231
`6,014,706 A
`6,023,731 A 2/2000 Chawla ...................... 709/231
`6,032,130 A
`2/2000 Alloul et al. ................. 705/27
`6,035,341 A 3/2000 Nunally et al. ............. 709/253
`6,041,345 A 3/2000 Levi et al. .....
`... 709/217
`6,049,823 A 4/2000 Hwang .............
`709/218
`6,064,794. A 5/2000 McLaren et al. .
`... 386/68
`6,118,450 A 9/2000 Proehl et al. .....
`... 345/810
`6,118,817 A 9/2000 Wang ...............
`... 375/240
`6,128,653 A 10/2000 Del Val et al. ............. 709/219
`6,133,920 A 10/2000 deCarmo et al. ........... 345/840
`6,144,375. A 11/2000 Jain et al. ............ ... 345/302
`6,148,304. A 11/2000 de Vries et al. ............ 707/104
`6,154,771. A 11/2000 Rangan et al. .............. 709/217
`6,166,314. A 12/2000 Weinstock et al.......... 84/483.1
`6,169,843 B1
`1/2001 Lenihan et al. ............... 386/46
`6,173,317 B1
`1/2001 Chaddha et al. ..... ... 709/219
`6,204.840 B1
`3/2001 Petelycky et al.
`... 345/302
`6,215,910 B1
`4/2001 Chaddha .............. ... 382/253
`6,230,172 B1
`5/2001 Purnaveja et al. .......... 707/512
`6,233,389 B1
`5/2001 Barton et al. ................. 386/46
`6,332,147 B1 * 12/2001 Moran et al. ..
`707/500.1
`6,345,293 B1 * 2/2002 Chaddha ........
`707/104.1
`6,392,651 B1 * 5/2002 Stradley ...........
`345/473
`6,424,792 B1 * 7/2002 Tsukagoshi et al. .......... 386/95
`6,453,336 B1 * 9/2002 Beyda et al. ............... 709/204
`
`2/1996 Macera et al. .............. 709/249
`5,490,252. A
`5,504,744 A 4/1996 Adams et al.
`... 370/232
`5,519,701. A 5/1996 Colmant et al.
`... 370/412
`5,521,630 A 5/1996 Chen et al. ...
`... 725/90
`5,533,021 A 7/1996 Branstad et al.
`... 370/396
`5,537,408 A * 7/1996 Branstad et al. .
`... 370/473
`5,541.955 A 7/1996 Jacobsmeyer ....
`... 375/222
`5,559,942 A
`9/1996 Gough et al. .
`... 395/155
`5,566,175 A 10/1996 Davis ........
`... 370/468
`5,574,724. A 11/1996 Bales et al. ...
`... 370/410
`5,614,940 A 3/1997 Cobbley et al. ............... 348/7
`5,617,423 A 4/1997 Li et al. .......
`... 370/426
`5,623,690 A 4/1997 Palmer et al.
`... 707/500.1
`5,625,405 A 4/1997 Dulac et al. .
`... 725/93
`5,640,320 A * 6/1997 Jackson et al.
`700/87
`5,642,497 A * 6/1997 Crary et al. ..
`... 703/23
`5,664.227 A 9/1997 Mauldin et al.
`... 395/778
`5,692.213 A * 11/1997 Goldberg et al
`707/500.1
`5,692,313 A * 12/1997 Ikeda et al.
`... 34/319
`5,717,691. A
`2/1998 Dighe et al.
`... 370/401
`5,717.869 A * 2/1998 Moran et al. .
`... 345/339
`5,719,786 A * 2/1998 Nelson et al.
`... 709/219
`5,721,829. A
`2/1998 Dunn et al. ................. 709/219
`5,742,347 A
`4/1998 Kandlur et al. ........ 375/240.25
`5,768,533 A 6/1998 Ran
`5,786.814 A 7/1998 Moran et al. ............... 345/328
`5,793.980 A * 8/1998 Glaser et al. ....
`... 709/231
`Microsoft Corporation and RealNetworks, Inc., Advanced
`5,794.210 A 8/1998 Goldhaber et al.
`... 705/14
`Streaming Format (ASF) Specification, Feb. 26, 1998, Pub
`5,794.249 A 8/1998 Orsolini et al. ..
`... 707/104
`lic Specification Version 1.0, 55 pages.
`5,801,685 A * 9/1998 Miller et al...
`... 345/302
`Lynda Hardman et al., “Multimedia authoring paradigns,”
`5,808,662 A * 9/1998 Kinney et al.
`348/14.1
`Authoring and Application of Hypermedia-Based Use
`E. A : s
`al
`"ji.
`r-Interfaces, IEE Colloquim, The Institution of Electrical
`5.82ss48 A 10/1998 MacCormack et al. 395/200.77
`5,832,437 A * 11/1998 Nishiguchi et al. ......... 702s Engineers 1995, pp. 8/1-8/3.
`5.835,495. A 11/1998 Ferriere ...................... 370465
`John David N. Dionisio and Alfonso F. Cardenas, “A Unified
`5.835,667 A 11/1998 Wactlar et al................. 386/96
`Data Model for Representing Multimedia, Timeline, and
`5,838,906 A 11/1998 Doyle et al. ..
`395/200.32
`Simulation Data," IEEE Transactions. On Knowledge and
`5,842,172 A 11/1998 Wilson ....................... 704/503
`Data Engineering, vol. 10, No. 5, Sep./Oct. 1998, pp.
`5,852,705 A * 12/1998 Hanko et al. ................. 386/92
`746-767.
`SEA :
`t
`S. - - - - - - i.
`3.
`Informedia-Internet References, http://www.informedi
`2Y- - -2
`Orter et al. ................
`f
`a.cs.cmu.edu, date unknown.
`5,870.755 A
`2/1999 Stevens et al. ............. 707/104
`-- - -
`5,873,735 A
`2/1999 Yamada et al.
`... 434/316
`GSM Full Rate Speech Transcoding.” ETS1/PT 12, Feb.
`5,880,788 A * 3/1999 Bregler ....................... 345/473
`1992, pp. 1-93.
`5,892,506 A
`4/1999 Hermanson ................. 345/302
`“Speech Codec for the European Mobile Radio System, P.
`5,893,053 A * 4/1999 Trueblood ..........
`... 702/187
`Vary et al., 1998, pp. 227–230.
`s: A :
`Badar et al. ........3 s:
`Arons, Barry, “SpeechSkimmer: A System for Interactively
`2- Y -
`an el al. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`ss
`5,918,002 A 6/1999 Klemets et al. ..
`395/182.16
`Skimming Recorded Speech”, ACM Transactions on Com
`5,930,787. A 7/1999 Minakuchi et al. ............ o,
`puter-Human, vol. 4. No. 1, pp. 338.
`5.941,936 A * 8/1999 Taylor ............................... 11
`Internet Reference “An Annotated Bibliography of Interac
`5,953,506 A * 9/1999 Kalra et al.
`... 709/231
`tive Speech User Interfaces by Barry Arons' HTTP://bar
`5,956,716 A 9/1999 Kenner et al. ................ 707/10
`ons.www.media.mit.edu/people/barons/Arons Annotated
`5,995,941 A 11/1999 Maquire et al. .............. 705/10
`Bibliography.html. Date unknown.
`5.999,979 A * 12/1999 Vellanki et al...
`... 709/232
`6,006,241. A 12/1999 Purnaveja et al. .......... 707/512
`* cited by examiner
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`-2-
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 6,622,171 B2
`
`
`
`Streaming
`Data Files
`
`Streaming Data
`
`-3-
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 6,622,171 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Lv
`
`i
`
`87
`
`_OPPlA
`
`Jaydepy
`
`
`
`eojy[e907
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sngWweajskg
`
`
`
` Lg—YJOMaN©
`
`eeWeyUy
`
`Uod
`
`WOMAN
`jeuag
`
`\
`
`asnoyy
`
`BOeLaIU]
`
`
`
`
`
` e
`
`
`/paeoghsypjis
`
`
`
` uoieaddy|Buyeiedo
`
`SIOMION
`
`swelB0ig
`
`~
`
`uojeoddy
`
`
`
`pueoghey
`
`
`
`
`
`BalySpPlIAAWapoyy
`
`A
`
`
`
`ZSGS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` suelBoldWua}sAS
`
`Ge
`
`
`
`yupBuissacolg
`jeeeSeceeeecie iereieiereieaed
`.)
`ZE sainpoyy6LyWelGolY
`
`waysAs
`9€uoneoddy
`
`J8UIO!
`
`Se
`
` Buyeiedo Kowa,weyskS
`
`swelbold
`
`-4-
`
`-4-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 9
`
`US 6,622,171 B2
`
`10
`
`Composite
`Media
`Stream
`
`
`
`104
`
`
`
`105-
`
`Audio
`
`Demultiplex
`
`108
`
`110 -
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Audio Time
`MOdification
`
`Video Time
`Modification
`
`
`
`
`
`Audio Render
`
`Video Render
`
`-5-
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 6,622,171 B2
`
`Select Multimedia
`Content
`
`Accept Speed
`Designation
`
`Requested
`Selected Content
`
`130
`
`132
`
`134
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`14O
`
`142
`
`144
`
`Receive Streaming
`Content
`
`Modify Timelines
`
`Render Time
`Modified Content
`
`Identify Composite
`Media Stream
`
`138
`
`Stream to Client
`
`-6-
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 6,622,171 B2
`
`200
`
`MultiMedia Player
`202 NFile view Play Favorites Help
`
`X
`
`204 N-
`
`Media Screen
`
`206
`
`4
`21
`
`
`
`
`
`21 O <
`
`A. 212(1) 220), 212(3)
`it as 224-1
`D. x10 D x 1.25 D x1.50
`
`222
`
`- 1 - 208
`
`-
`
`Clip:
`Author:
`Copyright:
`Stopped:
`
`22O
`218
`216
`
`OO:36 / OO:36
`
`-7-
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 6,622,171 B2
`
`240.
`
`MultiMedia Player
`202 NFile View Play Favorites Help
`
`X
`
`204 - N
`
`Media Screen
`
`242
`
`--
`2O6 <
`
`210 -
`
`O.5
`
`IKKKKDD (
`2.5
`248
`- 246
`ShOW:
`Clip:
`Author:
`Copyright:
`Stopped:
`
`N- 226
`
`1 1-208
`
`OO:36 / OO:36
`
`-8-
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 7 of 9
`
`US 6,622,171 B2
`
`260
`
`MultiMedia Player
`202 - File View Play Favorites Help
`
`DX
`
`204
`
`Media Screen
`
`N- 226
`
`262
`
`266
`
`206
`
`Y
`
`- -
`
`(
`
`- - -
`
`--a
`
`X10
`
`X15
`
`Copyri
`Stopped:
`
`OO:36 / OO:36
`
`-9-
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 6,622,171 B2
`
`
`
`303
`
`Client
`
`314
`
`Client
`
`-10-
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 6,622,171 B2
`
`32O
`
`330
`
`Server
`
`
`
`324
`
`Client
`
`334
`
`Client
`
`-11-
`
`

`

`US 6,622,171 B2
`
`1
`MULTIMEDIA TIMELINE MODIFICATION
`IN NETWORKED CLIENT/SERVER
`SYSTEMS
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`This invention relates to networked client/server Systems
`and to methods of Streaming and rendering multimedia
`content in Such Systems.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Multimedia Streaming-the continuous delivery of Syn
`chronized media data like Video, audio, text, and
`animation-is a critical link in the digital multimedia revo
`lution. Today, Streaming media is primarily about Video and
`audio, but a richer, broader digital media era is emerging
`with a profound and growing impact on the Internet and
`digital broadcasting.
`Synchronized media means multiple media objects that
`share a common timeline. Video and audio are examples of
`Synchronized media-each is a separate data Stream with its
`own data Structure, but the two data Streams are played back
`in Synchronization with each other. Virtually any media type
`can have a timeline. For example, an image object can
`change like an animated .gif file: text can change and move,
`and animation and digital effects happen over time. This
`concept of Synchronizing multiple media types is gaining
`greater meaning and currency with the emergence of more
`Sophisticated media composition frameworks implied by
`MPEG-4, Dynamic HTML, and other media playback envi
`rOnmentS.
`The term “streaming” is used to indicate that the data
`representing the various media types is provided over a
`network to a client computer on a real-time, as-needed basis,
`rather than being pre-delivered in its entirety before play
`back. Thus, the client computer renderS Streaming data as it
`is received from a network Server, rather than waiting for an
`entire “file to be delivered.
`The widespread availability of Streaming multimedia
`enables a variety of informational content that was not
`previously available over the Internet or other computer
`networks. Live content is one significant example of Such
`content. Using Streaming multimedia, audio, Video, or
`audio/visual coverage of noteworthy events can be broadcast
`over the Internet as the events unfold. Similarly, television
`and radio Stations can transmit their live content over the
`Internet.
`In comparison to text-based or paper-based presentations,
`Streaming multimedia presentations are very effective in
`certain Situations. Audio/visual presentations, for example,
`are able to capture and convey many Subtle factors that are
`not perceivable from paper-based documents. Even when
`the content is a spoken presentation, an audio/visual record
`ing captures gestures, facial expressions, and various speech
`nuances that cannot be discerned from text or even from Still
`photographs.
`Although Streaming multimedia content compares favor
`ably with textual content in most regards, one disadvantage
`is that it requires significant time for viewing. It cannot be
`"skimmed' like textual content. Thus, information consum
`ers are forced to choose between the efficiency of the written
`word and the richness of the multimedia experience.
`The invention described below addresses this disadvan
`tage of prior art Streaming multimedia content, allowing
`more efficient multimedia perusal of Streaming multimedia
`presentations than has previously been possible.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The invention utilizes time-Scale modification So that a
`user can vary the Speed of Streaming content without
`destroying its intelligibility. In accordance with the
`invention, a user Selects multimedia content from a menu
`presented at a network client computer. In addition, the user
`Selects a speed factor, indicating the Speed at which the
`multimedia should be rendered relative to its default speed.
`In response to these Selections by the user, the network
`client contacts a network Server and initiates a composite
`media Stream from the Server to the client. AS it receives the
`media Stream, the client processes the individual media
`Streams of the composite Stream, altering their timelines in
`accordance with the user's Speed designation. Time-Scale
`modification techniques are used to alter audio Streams to
`maintain their original pitch.
`In alternative embodiments, timelines are altered at the
`Server, before Streaming to the client. To accomplish this, the
`Server either alters the timelines dynamically, as Specific
`content is requested, or Selects from a number of prestored
`media Streams having pre-altered timelines.
`The invention includes methods of adapting to limited
`bandwidth situations by composing or Selecting composite
`Streams having differing degrees of quality, and/or by com
`posing or Selecting Streams with timelines that are altered to
`closely correspond with whatever Speed factor has been
`chosen. In one embodiment of the invention, certain media
`Streams, Such as audio Streams, take precedence over other
`Streams Such as Video streams. In this embodiment of the
`invention, the audio stream is sent with an unaltered
`timeline, at a rate Sufficient to Satisfy the consumption
`requirements of the client, given the current Speed factor.
`The video is then degraded in quality to reduce its
`bandwidth, so that it can be streamed in whatever bandwidth
`is not require by the audio.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a networked client/server
`System in accordance with the invention.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a networked computer that
`can be used to implement either a Server or a client in
`accordance with the invention.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating communications and
`rendering of a composite media Stream in accordance with
`the invention.
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating methodological aspects
`of the invention.
`FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a graphical user
`interface window having a time-Scale-modification tool for
`changing a playback Speed of Streaming multimedia content
`according to one implementation.
`FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of a graphical user
`interface window having a time-scale-modification tool
`according to a Second implementation.
`FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a graphical user
`interface window having a time-scale-modification tool
`according to a third implementation.
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment in
`which a plurality of timeline-altered media Streams are
`Stored at and provided from a Server.
`FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment
`in which a plurality of timeline-altered media Streams are
`Stored at and provided from a Server.
`FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating yet another
`embodiment in which a plurality of timeline-altered media
`Streams are Stored at and provided from a Server.
`
`-12-
`
`

`

`3
`FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating yet another
`embodiment in which a plurality of timeline-altered media
`Streams are Stored at and provided from a Server.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`General Network Structure
`FIG. 1 shows a client/server network system and envi
`ronment in accordance with the invention. Generally, the
`System includes a network Server computer 10 and a plu
`rality of network client computers 11. The computers com
`municate with each other over a data communications
`network. The communications network in FIG. 1 comprises
`a public network 12 Such as the Internet. The data commu
`nications network might also include local-area networks
`and private wide-area networks.
`Server computer 10 has access to Streaming media content
`in the form of different composite media Streams. Some
`composite media Streams might be Stored as files in a
`database or other file Storage System 13. Other composite
`media Streams might be Supplied to the Server on a "live”
`basis from other data Source components through dedicated
`communications channels or through the Internet itself.
`Streaming Media
`In this discussion, the term “composite media Stream”
`describes Synchronized Streaming data that represents a
`Segment of multimedia content. The composite media
`Stream has a timeline that establishes the Speed at which the
`content is rendered. The composite media Stream can be
`rendered to produce a plurality of different types of user
`perceivable media, including Synchronized audio or Sound,
`Video graphics or motion pictures, animation, textual
`content, command Script Sequences, or other media types
`that convey time-varying information or content in a way
`that can be sensed and perceived by a human. A composite
`media Stream comprises a plurality of individual media
`Streams representing the multimedia content. Each of the
`individual media Streams corresponds to and represents a
`different media type and each of the media Streams can be
`rendered by a network client to produce a user-perceivable
`presentation using a particular presentation medium. The
`individual media Streams have their own timelines, which
`are Synchronized with each other So that the media Streams
`can be rendered simultaneously for a coordinated multime
`dia presentation.
`There are various Standards for Streaming media content
`and composite media Streams. The "Advanced Streaming
`Format (ASF) is an example of Such a standard, including
`both accepted versions of the Standard and proposed Stan
`dards for future adoption. ASF specifies the way in which
`multimedia contentis Stored, Streamed, and presented by the
`tools, Servers, and clients of various multimedia Vendors.
`ASF provides benefits Such as local and network playback,
`extensible media types, component download, Scalable
`media types, prioritization of Streams, multiple language
`Support, environment independence, rich inter-stream
`relationships, and expandability. Further details about ASF
`are available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond,
`Wash.
`Regardless of the Streaming format used, an individual
`data Stream contains a Sequence of digital data units that are
`rendered individually, in Sequence, to produce an image,
`Sound, or Some other Stimuli that is perceived by a human to
`be continuously varying. For example, an audio data Stream
`comprises a Sequence of Sample values that are converted to
`a pitch and Volume to produce continuously varying Sound.
`A video data Stream comprises a Sequence of digitally
`Specified graphics frames that are rendered in Sequence to
`produce a moving picture.
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`US 6,622,171 B2
`
`15
`
`25
`
`4
`Typically, the individual data Streams of a composite
`media Stream are interleaved in a Single Sequence of data
`packets. Various types of data compression might be used
`within a particular data format to reduce communications
`bandwidth requirements.
`The sequential data units (Such as audio Sample values or
`video frames) are associated with both delivery times and
`presentation times, relative to an arbitrary Start time. The
`delivery time of a data unit indicates when the data unit
`should be delivered to a rendering client. The presentation
`time indicates when the value Should be actually rendered.
`Normally, the delivery time of a data unit precedes the
`presentation time.
`The presentation times determine the actual Speed of
`playback. For data Streams representing actual events or
`performances, the presentation times correspond to the rela
`tive times at which the data Samples were actually recorded.
`The presentation times of the various different individual
`data Streams are consistent with each other So that the
`Streams remain coordinated and Synchronized during play
`back.
`Exemplary Computer Environment
`In the discussion below, the invention will be described in
`the general context of computer-executable instructions,
`Such as program modules, being executed by one or more
`conventional personal computers. Generally, program mod
`ules include routines, programs, objects, components, data
`Structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement
`particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the
`art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced with
`other computer System configurations, including hand-held
`devices, multiprocessor Systems, microprocessor-based or
`programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,
`minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. In a
`distributed computer environment, program modules may be
`located in both local and remote memory Storage devices.
`FIG.2 shows a general example of a computer 20 that can
`be used as a network node or host in accordance with the
`invention. Computer 20 is shown as an example of a
`computer that can perform the functions of either Server
`computer 10 or a client computer 11.
`Computer 20 includes one or more processors or process
`ing units 21, a System memory 22, and a System buS 23 that
`couples various System components including the System
`memory to processors 21.
`The system bus 23 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 information between elements
`within Server computer 20, Such as during Start-up, is Stored
`in ROM 24. Computer 20 further includes a hard disk drive
`27 for reading from and writing to a hard disk, not shown,
`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. The hard disk drive 27,
`magnetic disk drive 28, and optical disk drive 30 are
`connected to the system bus 23 by an SCSI interface 32 or
`Some other appropriate interface. The drives and their asso
`ciated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile Storage
`of computer readable instructions, data structures, program
`modules and other data for computer 20. Although the
`exemplary environment described herein employs a hard
`disk, a removable magnetic disk 29 and a removable optical
`
`-13-
`
`

`

`S
`disk 31, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art
`that other types of computer readable media which can Store
`data that is accessible by a computer, Such as magnetic
`cassettes, flash memory cards, digital Video disks, random
`access memories (RAMs) read only memories (ROM), and
`the like, may also be used in the exemplary operating
`environment.
`A number of program modules may be Stored on the hard
`disk, magnetic disk 29 optical disk31, ROM 24, or 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 information into
`computer 20 through input devices such as keyboard 40 and
`pointing device 42. Other input devices (not shown) may
`include a microphone, joystick, game pad, Satellite dish,
`Scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are
`connected to the processing unit 21 through an interface 46
`that is coupled to the system bus. A monitor 47 or other type
`of display device is also connected to the System buS 23 via
`an interface, Such as a Video adapter 48. In addition to the
`monitor, personal computers typically include other periph
`eral output devices (not shown) Such as Speakers and print
`CS.
`Computer 20 operates in a networked environment using
`logical connections to one or more remote computers, Such
`as a remote computer 49. The remote computer 49 may be
`another personal computer, a Server, a router, a network PC,
`a peer device or other common network node, and typically
`includes many or all of the elements described above
`relative to computer 20, although only a memory Storage
`device 50 has been illustrated in FIG. 2. The logical con
`nections depicted in FIG. 2 include a local area network
`(LAN) 51 and a wide area network (WAN) 52. Such
`networking environments are commonplace in offices,
`enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Inter
`net. In the described embodiment of the invention, remote
`computer 49 executes an Internet Web browser program
`such as the “Internet Explorer Web browser manufactured
`and distributed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond,
`Wash.
`When used in a LAN networking environment, computer
`20 is connected to the local network 51 through a network
`interface or adapter 53. When used in a WAN networking
`environment, computer 20 typically includes a modem 54 or
`other means for establishing communications over the wide
`area network 52, Such as the Internet. The modem 54, which
`may be internal or external, is connected to the System bus
`23 via a serial port interface 33. In a networked environment,
`program modules depicted relative to the personal computer
`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.
`Generally, the data processors of computer 20 are pro
`grammed by means of instructions Stored at different times
`in the various computer-readable Storage media of the com
`puter. Programs and operating Systems are typically
`distributed, for example, on floppy disks or CD-ROMs.
`From there, they are installed or loaded into the Secondary
`memory of a computer. At execution, they are loaded at least
`partially into the computer's primary electronic memory.
`The invention described herein includes these and other
`various types of computer-readable Storage media when
`Such media contain instructions or programs for implement
`ing the Steps described below in conjunction with a micro
`processor or other data processor. The invention also
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`US 6,622,171 B2
`
`15
`
`25
`
`6
`includes the computer itself when programmed according to
`the methods and techniques described below. Furthermore,
`certain Sub-components of the computer may be pro
`grammed to perform the functions and Steps described
`below. The invention includes such sub-components when
`they are programmed as described. In addition, the invention
`described herein includes data Structures, described below,
`as embodied on various types of memory media.
`For purposes of illustration, programs and other execut
`able program components Such as the operating System are
`illustrated herein as discrete blocks, although it is recog
`nized that Such programs and components reside at various
`times in different Storage components of the computer, and
`are executed by the data processor(s) of the computer.
`Client-Based Multimedia Time-Scale Modification
`AS shown in FIG. 1, a network System in accordance with
`the invention includes a network server 10 from which a
`plurality of composite media Streams are available. In Some
`cases, the composite media Streams are actually Stored by
`server 10. In other cases, server 10 obtains the composite
`media Streams from other network Sources or devices.
`The system also includes network clients 11. Generally,
`the network clients are responsive to user input to Select or
`request identified composite media Streams. In response to a
`request for a composite media Stream, Server 10 Streams the
`requested composite media Stream to the network client in
`accordance with Some known format Such as ASF. The client
`renders the data Streams to produce the multimedia content.
`In accordance with the invention, a network client also
`accepts a Speed designation from a human user. The Speed
`designation is preferably a Speed factor relative to the
`original or default playback Speed of the Selected multime
`dia Stream. For example, a speed factor of 1.2 indicates that
`the composite media Stream is to be rendered at 1.2 times its
`original or default Speed, thereby achieving time compres
`Sion. A Speed factor of 0.8 indicates that the composite
`media Stream is to be rendered at 0.8 times its original or
`default Speed, thereby achieving time expansion.
`In response to the Speed designation from the user, the
`system modifies the timelines of the individual media
`Streams of the composite media Stream, while keeping the
`timelines Synchronized with each other and while maintain
`ing the original pitch of any audio produced from audio
`Streams. In one embodiment of the invention, Such timeline
`modification is performed by the network client. In other
`embodiments of the invention, the timeline modification can
`be performed at the network server, before the media
`Streams are Streamed to the network client.
`Timeline modification changes the timeline of the
`received data Streams in accordance with the user Speed
`designation to achieve either time compression or time
`expansion. With Some types of media, Such as Video streams,
`this involves either omitting Selected frames or modifying
`the presentation times of the individual data units or video
`frames. In other cases, Such as with audio Streams, the
`time-modification is more difficult-Simply changing the
`presentation times would alter the pitch of the original audio
`and make it unintelligible. Accordingly, Some type of audio
`processing technique is used to time-compress or time
`expand audio Streams, while maintaining the original pitch
`of the audio-thereby maintaining the intelligibility of the
`audio.
`There are vario

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket