WO2002056586A2

WO2002056586A2 - Digital media system

Info

Publication number: WO2002056586A2
Application number: PCT/CA2002/000039
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hui Zhao
Original assignee: Video Links International
Priority date: 2001-01-09
Filing date: 2002-01-09
Publication date: 2002-07-18
Also published as: WO2002056586A3; AU2002226216A1

Abstract

A digital media system and method is disclosed. The system incorporates a microprocessor which is linked to an audio video decoder. A display is provided for displaying decoder video signals and the playback of decoded audio signals. An interface connects a storage medium and the display. The storage medium stores audio and video signals. A system bus links all of the above mentioned components.

Description

ADVANCED DIGITAL MEDIA SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an advanced digital media system (ADMS) and more particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method of digital storage and playback of high quality video clips.

BACKGROUND ART

This invention relates generally to digital multimedia and digital storage technologies, and specifically to a system of high quality video playback.

Current video players used in both consumer applications (such as VCR, DVD Player) and industry applications (such as computer) involve too many analog parts and analog ~ digital converters (A/D, D/A). Additional parts result in further signal processing thus leading to quality degradation, noise sensitivity inter alia.

The entertainment industry and consumer electrical systems typically use video tapes or digital video disks (DVD) for mass storage of video. Computer systems employ magnetic disk drives for mass storage of video. These storage and playback mechanisms are disadvantageous in that they are bulky and require high precision moving mechanical parts. Consequently, these systems are not rugged and are susceptible to reliability problems. As a further disadvantage, these arrangements consume significant amounts of power.

These limitations greatly curtail the environment in which such devices can be operated properly. Existing technology as set forth above cannot withstand temperature fluctuation, variations in humidity or exposure to rain or other precipitation and therefore they are ineffectual in such environmental conditions.

In view of the shortcomings in the existing art, there exists a need for an advanced system which is portable, weather resistant, mechanically durable and capable of storing and displaying pure digital media without signal conversion (A D) (D/A) or other signal processing.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention has applicability in the digital media art. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses and satiates the restrictions inherent with the prior art. In accordance with one object of the present invention, there is provided an improved digital media system and method of storing and playing digital signals in pure digital form.

The instant system uses pure digital technology. The video playback involves digital video storage, digital video processing and digital video display. The system is absent any analog to digital or digital to analog conversion to therefore avoid degradation in signal quality. The system is also noise tolerable.

A further object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a digital media system, comprising: a) a microprocessor; b) audio video decoding means; c) display means for displaying decoded video signals and playback decoded audio signals; d) interface means for interfacing storage means and the display means; e) storage means for storing audio and video signals; and f) a system bus for interfacing components a) through f).

In one example, the system incorporates flash memory, a solid state non-volatile device not limited by the disadvantages noted above. Other suitable storage devices include compact flash, internet storage, microdrive hard drive or any other suitable storage arrangement capable of storing digital information/signals.

A further object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a digital media system, comprising: digital information storage means for storing digital information; digital playback means for playing back stored digital information; and digital interface means for interfacing the digital information and the digital playback means, whereby the digital information is retained in a pure digital form from storage to playback. Advantageously, the invention has unified components capable of creating digital playback of MPEG 2 from flash memory for display on a TFT display. This amalgamation has previously not been proposed, since complex architecture problems arise when components with moving parts are replaced entirely with nonmoving or solid state components. Furthermore, simple substitution of components does not result in an operable system.

Further to the objects noted above, another object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method for storage and playback of a pure digital signal, comprising: providing digital information storage means for storing digital information, digital playback means for playing back stored digital information and digital interface means for interfacing the digital information and the digital playback means; providing an audio video decoder in the playback means; interfacing the audio video decoder directly with the digital playback means; storing digital information; and playing back stored digital information in pure digital form.

In terms of alternatives, the system interface may be a PCMCIA, USB or Firewire™ or other suitable arrangement. Alternatives for the storage means have been indicated and it will be understood by those skilled that several of a certain type of storage device may be used in appropriate connection or a series of different types may be used.

In respect of the display, a TFT has been exemplified, however, depending upon the intended use of the system, other suitable displays may be used, i.e. CRT, plasma, projection, etc.

Having thus described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of the system according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the process according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a schematic of a still further embodiment of the system according to the present invention.

Similar numerals in the figures denote similar elements.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The ADMS in which the various aspects of the present invention are incorporated is illustrated generally in Figure 1.

In the example, the ADMS architecture includes a microprocessor (12) connected to a system bus (11), along with at least one or more video decoders (13), one TFT display controller (14), and one PCMCIA interface adaptor (15).

Referring to Figure 1 , the microprocessor (12) is preferably formed primarily on a single integrated circuit chip. It is connected to the system bus (11), which includes address, data, and control lines. Peripheral chips which may complement the system include ROM, SRAM, input/output devices, i.e. none of which is shown. The microprocessor (12) is the controller of the system, which controls the process as illustrated in Figure 2. Suitable microprocessors which may be used include any microprocessor such as Intel™ i960 series, Intel™ StrongArm series, Intel™ Pentium series, Motorola™ 68K series, Motorola™ PowerPC series, AMD K7 series, etc.

The audio/video decoder (13) is connected to the system bus (not shown). Ancillary chips may be used in conjunction, such as SDRAM, audio D/A converter, (not shown). The decoder decodes and plays back the audio/video data sent to it by the microprocessor (12). The audio/video decoder is preferably formed primarily on at least one integrated circuit chip. As an example, one MPEG2 decoder that is used in the system can decode MPEG2 and MPEG1 audio/video data. The choice of the decoder is not limited; suitable examples include Sigma™ Designs EM8400 series, LSI™ Logic's L64020/L64021, C-Cube's™ ZiVA-3v, IBM™ CS24 series, etc.

The TFT controller (14) is connected to the system bus (11 ). Auxiliary chips may also be used with it, such as an SDRAM (not shown). The controller provides video acceleration for display, such as frame buffer controlling, YUV to RGB conversion, horizontal/vertical interpolation, screen refreshing, etc. The TFT (14) controller is preferably formed primarily on an integrated circuit chip and any TFT controller may be may be used in the system, such as Asiliant™ 69000/s69030, ATI™ Rage LT Pro, NeoMagic™ 256AV, Trident Cyber™ 9397, etc.

The PCMCIA adaptor (15) is connected to bus (11 ). The PCMCIA adaptor provides an interface to external storage device with PCMCIA interface, such as flash memory card and IBM™ microdrive, etc. The PCMCIA adaptor (15) is preferably formed primarily on an integrated circuit chip. Suitable interface chips include such as Tl™ PCI1451A, Intel™ 82092, Cirrus™ CL-PD6710/20/30, etc.

The system bus (11 ) is the signaling bus connecting all the components. It provides data lines, address lines, and control lines among the components.

The components (12,13,14,15) and the system bus (11) follow the same bus standard and are interfaced as indicated by numeral 21.

The interface (22) between external storage device (17) and PCMCIA adaptor (16) is a PCMCIA interface. All the storage devices following the PCMCIA interface could be used in the system, including PC-Card™, SmartCard™, CompactCard™, etc. The specific storage media could be linear flash memory, ATA flash memory, small hard drives such as IBM™ microdrive, etc.

The interface (23) between the audio/video decoder (13) and the TFT controller (14) is a digital video interface, such as YUV or RGB.

The interface (24) between the TFT controller (14) and TFT screen (16) is a digital interface. If the TFT screen is integrated with the system, the interface would comprise a digital RGB interface; if the TFT screen is separate from the system, the interface could be selected from TMDS, LVDS, or GVIF. Referring now to Figure 3 shown is an implementation of present invention with of all the components listed in Figure 1.

The system bus (11) comprises a PCI Bus connected to a Microprocessor (12) which may comprise an Intel™ i960VH. The A/V Decoder (13) may comprise a Sigma™ Designs EM840X1 C interconnected with a TFT controller (14) such as an Asiliant™ 69030.

With reference to the PCMCIA adaptor (15), a suitable example is a Tl™ PCI1451A CardBus™-PCI bridge connected to an integrated TFT monitor (16) connected to an LG LM151X2.

The components interface (21 ) may comprise a PCI Interface and Storage Interface (22) connected to a CardBus™ of PCMCIA standard. Video interface (23) comprises a Digital YUV connected to a display ilnterface (24) connected to digital RGB.

In Figure 4, shown is a further implementation of present invention.

In this implementation, the TFT monitor is external, so an LVDS transmitter chip (16) is used to interface to an external TFT monitor with LVDS interface. The LVDS transmitter is DS90C385 of National Semiconductor.

In this implementation, another kind of storage media, such as an IBM™ microdrive (17) is used for storage.

In summary, the invention set forth herein provides a shock and weather resistant device which is also portable, effectively self-contained and operable under temperature extremes normally encountered outdoors.

Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is not limited thereto and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications form part of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the spirit, nature and scope of the claimed and described invention.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. A digital media system, comprising: a) a microprocessor; b) audio video decoding means; c) display means for displaying decoded video signals and playback decoded audio signals; d) interface means for interfacing storage means and said display means; e) storage means for storing audio and video signals; and f) a system bus for interfacing components a) through f).

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said storage means comprises flash memory.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said storage means comprises a microdrive hard drive.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said storage means comprises compact flash.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said storage means comprises internet network storage.

6. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said interface means comprises a PCMCIA interface.

7. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said interface means comprises a USB or Firewire™ interface.

8. A digital media system, comprising: digital information storage means for storing digital information; digital playback means for playing back stored digital information; and digital interface means for interfacing said digital information and said digital playback means, whereby said digital information is retained in a pure digital form from storage to playback.

9. The system as set forth in claim 8, further including a digital display means.

10. The system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said digital information storage means comprises solid state storage means.

11. The system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said digital playback means includes an audio video decoder

12. The system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said audio video decoder is interfaced directly with said digital display means.

13. The system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said digital information storage means comprises flash memory.

14. The system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said digital playback means includes an MPEG 2 decoder.

15. The system as set forth in claim 9, wherein said digital display means comprises a thin film transistor (TFT) display.

16. The system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said system is a solid state system.

17. A method for storage and playback of a pure digital signal, comprising: providing digital information storage means for storing digital information, digital playback means for playing back stored digital information and digital interface means for interfacing said digital information and said digital playback means; providing an audio video decoder in said playback means; interfacing said audio video decoder directly with said digital playback means; storing digital information; and playing back stored digital information in pure digital form.

18. The method as set forth in claim 17, further including the step of providing a display means for displaying played back information.