System and method for providing medical information via the internet without the need for broadband connectivity

The invention relates to a method and process for providing a high quality multimedia presentation using a standard Internet dial up connection without any specialized broad band connectivity. The process and method uses a combination of compression and coding techniques that permit a user to view the initial segments of a multimedia presentation while simultaneously downloading subsequent segments of the multimedia presentation. The placement of specific commands within the multi media presentation provides a seamless and high quality multimedia presentation. The method may be used to provide high quality and seamless multimedia presentations of medical case histories and other medical topics without the need for specialized broadband connectivity.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The text, sound and video elements that are used in an Internet based multimedia presentation may be prepared and stored as digital component files. The invention provides a process for linking the component files of a multimedia presentation. The linking of component files when used with available compression techniques allows for faster downloading of large media files without any apparent diminution in program quality being apparent to the user. The process and method allows a user to simultaneously download upcoming portions of a multimedia presentation while a portion of the presentation is being simultaneously viewed by the user. The process uses a novel combination of compression and coding techniques. As schematically illustrated in FIG. 2 , the process begins by collecting the media elements of a multimedia presentation 30 and preparing a script 32 of the multimedia presentation. This script 32 typically identifies the key audio components of a presentation together with any associated graphical or visual elements. Once a script 32 is finalized, the audio portion of the presentation may be recorded 34 and then converted to a standard WAVE format. The recorded audio portion may then be reduced to 11 kilohertz using a 16-bit audio format 36 . The recorded audio may then be stored in a WAVE format on a CD-ROM or other appropriate means. The individual digital component media files may then be loaded on a selected server. The individual program elements are then organized based on the script 38 . The component media files are then separated into discrete presentation segments 40 . In practice, the length of each presentation segment may be varied depending on program content and the desired presentation quality. Ideally, for a 56 kbps modem, the length of each presentation segment should not exceed about 1,000 frames. At a receiving speed of eight frames per second, this is approximately two minutes of an audio presentation. It has also been found desirable to limit the size of the initial presentation segment to less then about 500 frames. This significantly reduces the time required to begin initial viewing of a multimedia presentation when using a conventional dial-up modem. The transmission and seamless presentation of the multimedia presentation may be further facilitated by the placement of specific computer commands to link the presentation segments during downloading of the program. The specific break points in a presentation segment may be identified by placing a tell-target command in each presentation segment 42 . At a specified point in the presentation, the tell-target command 42 signals the user's operating system to begin the process of playing a different segment of the presentation. A load-movie command may also be inserted in each presentation segment 44 . At a predetermined point in the presentation of a selected segment, this load movie command instructs the user's operating system to look forward for the next segment. The load movie command 44 may be used to control the downloading of each presentation segment. For example, in a presentation segment containing 1,000 frames, the load movie command will begin the process of downloading the following presentation segment at frame 470 of the currently playing presentation segment. Thus, while the remaining 530 frames of the current 1,000 frame segment are being viewed by the user, the next succeeding presentation segment is being downloaded from a web server to the user's browser. This facilitates the simultaneous viewing and downloading of the multimedia presentation. The presentation files are organized and adapted for web based presentation using conventional website development and programming tools. 46 . In the present embodiment, the method utilizes various available compression tools and multimedia web site development tools such as Macromedia's FLASH, FIREWORKS and DREAMWEAVER programs to provide a high quality web based presentation. In addition, the visual elements of the presentation may be preferably converted to a JPEG format 48 and compressed by between 60 to 80%. In order to further facilitate compression, presentation graphics are preferably created using a line art illustration program, such as Adobe's ILLUSTRATOR, to reduce the size of the files to be compressed. The audio components are similarly converted to an MP 3 format 46 and are also compressed to 80%. The audio may then be converted from stereo to mono at 24 kbps 50 . The actual amount of compression may be adjusted to accommodate the desired program quality. In general, the greater the compression, the faster will be the download speed. However, increased compression may reduce presentation quality. The presentation may then be set up for web based viewing using the HTML protocol 52 . The web based presentation may be viewed using a commercially available viewer program such as Macromedia's SHOCKWAVE or Apple's QUICKTIME. The present invention is extremely well suited to the multimedia presentation of selected medical information, particularly to the presentation of medical case histories. By way of example, the present, invention may be used to provide comprehensive medical information to doctors, medical professionals and consumers. In such an embodiment, a website may be used to distribute medical information to both medical professionals and consumers. In this embodiment, the physician section of a site will provide detailed information regarding specific medical disorders including detailed case histories and supporting information. The consumer section may provide consumers with up-to-date information regarding medical developments and issues, including case histories. In this particular embodiment, the main web page of the site may contain a menu displaying various categories of information organized by medical specialty. The doctors and consumers will each be able to move through selected sections of the site using conventional navigation means. Thus, users may move though a series of menus and prompts and select a specific case history from a drop-down menu. In this embodiment, each case history presentation shall comprise a specially prepared multimedia presentation consisting of texts, graphics and audio that are adapted to the needs of specific target audiences. The multimedia format, means that a case history narrative may be readily supplemented by additional visual elements as x-rays, diagnostic imaging and photographs. Once a specific medical case history has been selected, the user will be presented with an initial downloading screen. During an initial period of less than one minute, the first few minutes of the multimedia case presentation may be downloaded to the browser using the method as generally described and illustrated in FIG. 2 . Once the initial segment is downloaded, the user may then begin to view the selected medical case history, while the remaining portions of the multimedia case history is downloaded to the user's browser. In this way, the multimedia presentation of the medical case history begins almost immediately and is seamless to the user. The multimedia presentation may be downloaded using a using a conventional dial-up modem and viewed by the user's browser. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, the medical case histories will be provided by selected medical experts using a standardized preparation format 100 . In order to facilitate preparation of the program, the information will initially be organized into specific media component files 102 using a predetermined file naming convention and format that describes the substantive data component and file type of each electronic file. The labeling component files are then loaded onto an selected server database 104 . As previously discussed, a script of the case history presentation may then be prepared for each selected case history 106 . The case history script identifies the specific text, graphic and video components to be used in the multimedia presentation . The case history script will also indicate how each specific media component is coordinated with a specific audio component. The case history script may then be transmitted to the originating professional in a secure electronic environment for his or her review and approval. Once the case history script has been approved by the originating professional, the audio elements of the case history script may be recorded 108 and converted to a PC compatible WAVE format. The digital audio recording may then be converted to 16 bit format at a frequency of 11 kilohertz 110 . This provides an acceptable level of high quality audio. The audio recording may then be stored on any suitable conventional electronic storage means. As further illustrated in FIG. 3 , the media component files containing selected case history material may then be electronically organized in accordance with the case history script 112 . These related component media files are logically organized into discrete file presentations segments and logical break-up points may be identified 112 . For purposes of this particular embodiment, the length of each presentation segment should not exceed about 1,000 frames and the initial presentation segment should not exceed 500 frames. This facilitates the seamless visual viewing of the presentation even by person using conventional dial up connections. After the individual presentation segments are organized, the specific break points in each presentation segment may be identified by placing a tell-target command in each presentation segment 114 . At a specified point in the presentation, this tell-target command 114 signals the programs and applications of the client computer to begin the process of playing a different segment of the presentation. One or more load-movie commands may also be inserted in each presentation segment 116 . As described herein, the load movie commands may be used to selectively control downloading of the presentation segment elements. The load movie command instructs the user's operating system to look forward for the next segment at a particular point in a presentation segment. In this particular embodiment, each presentation segment that is about 1,000 frames long. The load movie command will siganal the operating system to begin the process of downloading the next presentation segment at frame 470 of the current presentation segment. Thus, the next succeeding presentation segment may be downloaded from the server to the browser of the client computer while the remaining 530 frames of the current 1,000 frame presentation segment are being viewed by the user. This facilities the simultaneous viewing and downloading of selected portions of the presentation. The medical case history may be adapted for web based viewing using commercially available multimedia development tools program such as Macromedia's FLASH 118 . In the instant embodiment, the visual elements of the multimedia presentation are preferably converted to a JPEG format and compressed by between 60 to 80 per cent 120 . In order to facilitate compression, the graphics included in the presentation are preferably created using a line art illustration program which reduces the size of the files to be exported. The audio components are similarly converted to an MP 3 format and are also compressed by approximately 80 percent. The audio may then be converted from stereo to mono at 24 kbps 122 . The presentation may then be set up for electronic access viewing using HTML protocol and selected development tools 124 . The use of command scripts and compression techniques may be readily modified to provide quality multimedia programming of complex subject matter at various downloading speeds. The segment size and amount of compression may be readily adapted to achieve the specified level of program quality. While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is to be understood that the embodiments described are illustrative only and the scope of the invention is to be defined solely to the appended claims when accorded a full range of equivalents, any modifications naturally occurring to those in the art from a perusal hereof.