Distributed computer system for providing audio, video, and information signals to plural modules throughout a home

A distributed computer system for receiving any one of an audio signal, a video signal, or an information signal at a central location and for supplying any one of the audio signal, the video signal, or the information signal to at least one location remote from the central location, including a central computation unit provided at the central location, the central computation unit being adapted to receive any one of the audio signal, the video signal, or the information signal, the central computation unit including a microprocessor, a non-volatile memory, a hard disk drive, a floppy drive, a CD-ROM, and a volatile memory, a data transfer mechanism, and at least one remote module being devoid of disk drives and connected to the central computation unit through the data transfer mechanism for receiving any one of the audio signal, the video signal, or the information signal and being adapted to use the drives of the central computation unit.

1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a computer controlled audio-visual 
apparatus and, more particularly, to a computer connected to a cable 
service for controlling at least one of a television, a videocassette 
recorder, or a compact disk reading/writing device. The computer is also 
capable of directing video, audio, and/or other information signals from a 
cable or other source to at least one remote module and of performing 
computing and gaming operations at such a remote module. 
2. Description of the Background 
Modern television viewers have a great many choices in deciding upon which 
programs they wish to view. In addition to the free broadcast channels in 
the VHF and UHF frequency range that standard television receivers are 
adapted to receive using an antenna, a television viewer may opt to 
subscribe to a cable television service and receive additional channels 
through a cable brought into his home from outside and connected directly 
to the television receiver. On the other hand, a viewer may purchase a 
satellite antenna system in order to receive satellite broadcast channels, 
thereby expanding the frequency coverage otherwise provided by a standard 
television receiver. 
In addition to the basic, or unscrambled channels carried on the cable 
television and satellite broadcast systems, there may be certain channels 
that are scrambled, that is, channels that require decoding of an encoded 
signal before they are in a condition to be displayed on the viewer's 
television. Upon paying an additional fee the cable subscriber can be 
provided with a code or decoder to permit viewing the coded programs on a 
continuous basis or on a pay per-view basis. 
Further, it is noted that computers are becoming more and more prevalent in 
both the office environment as well as the home environment. In regard to 
this proliferation in the use of computers, particularly in the home, it 
is noted that different rooms of the home are used for different computing 
purposes. 
For example, computer use in the kitchen may center around the storage and 
retrieval of recipes, computer use in the den or playroom may center 
around game playing, computer use in the study may center around word 
processing or accounting functions, and computer use in the family room 
may center around multimedia applications involving audio and video 
display. 
However, to install a dedicated computer (including a display, a 
high-performance CPU, ROM, RAM, and mass storage) in each of these rooms 
is prohibitively expensive. In addition, the installation of such a large 
number of dedicated computers is redundant because each computer use does 
not require all of the capabilities provided by a dedicated computer. 
In addition, some of the rooms in a house are not particularly appropriate 
places to house a large, dedicated computer because of space or 
environmental concerns. For example, the humid air found in a kitchen can 
damage floppy disk drives and CD-ROM readers. 
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system 
wherein a computer is connected to a source of audio and video signals and 
distributes the input signals to at least one of a television, a 
videocassette recorder, or a compact disk reading/writing device based 
upon user input. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system employing 
a computer for supplying any of a tuned channel, a stored signal, or a 
descrambled channel to a television. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a computer for 
supplying any of a tuned channel, a stored signal, or a descrambled 
channel to a plurality of televisions and/or other audio/video components 
such as, for example, a videocassette recorder or a compact disk reading 
and/or writing device. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a computer for 
supplying any of a tuned channel, a stored signal, or a descrambled 
channel to a plurality of televisions and/or other audio/video components 
such as, for example, a videocassette recorder or a compact disk reading 
and/or writing device via a radio-frequency transmitter/receiver link. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a main 
computer unit situated in a convenient location that is connected to at 
least one remote module. The remote modules may be adapted to perform 
specialized tasks in order to minimize their costs and maximize the 
efficiency with which they are used. 
The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present 
invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of 
preferred embodiments to be read in conjunction with the accompanying 
drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
Referring now to FIG. 1, an audio/video signal is input at a terminal 1 of 
computer 2 from a program source (not shown), such as a broadcast 
television antenna, a cable television system, or a satellite broadcast 
receiver. In addition to the functions described below, the computer 2 is 
capable of carrying out traditional functions such as, for example, word 
processing and database storage. The computer 2 outputs an audio/video 
signal at terminal 3. The output audio/video signal from terminal 3 is 
carried by cable 4 to television receiver 5. The computer 2 includes a 
standard CRT monitor 6 and a keyboard 7, as well as a standard control 
processing unit 8, RAM and ROM memories 9 and 10, video output circuit 11, 
and signal distribution /tuner/descrambler system 12, shown in more detail 
in FIG. 2. 
As seen in FIG. 2, system 12 includes a tuner 16 that receives the 
audio/video signal input at terminal 1 and that is adapted to tune to a 
particular channel in response to user input by the keyboard 7 connected 
to the CPU 8. The tuner 16 feeds the selected tuned channel to a 
descrambler 17. Descrambler 17 decodes, or unscrambles the selected tuned 
channel that has been scrambled by the program source provider, that is, 
either the cable television provider or the satellite broadcast provider. 
The descrambler 17 descrambles signals based upon an agreement with the 
program source provider. For example, the descrambler 17 may descramble 
signals after receiving an access code that is input to the CPU 8 by the 
user operating the keyboard 7. The access code may be provided either on a 
program-by-program or month-by-month basis from the program provider. 
The descrambler 17 feeds a descrambled signal to contact 18a of switch 18. 
Switch 18 also receives, at contact 18b, the selected tuned channel that 
is output from tuner 16, and at contact 18c, the audio/video signal 
received at terminal 1. Further, the system 12 may include a mass storage 
unit 19 that receives a signal from tuner 16 and that stores the signal 
for later replay. The output of mass storage unit 19, that is, the stored 
tuned signal is fed to contact 18d of switch 18 in response to user input 
to the CPU 8 from keyboard 7 requesting playback of the stored signal. 
Switch 18 is controlled by CPU 8 to provide one of the four signals 
available at contacts 18a-18d to contact 18e in response to user input to 
the keyboard 7. Contact 18e in turn provides the selected signal to 
terminal 3, whereafter the signal is carried by cable 4 to television 
receiver 5, as shown in FIG. 1. 
As seen by the above description, computer 2 receives an input audio/video 
signal from a program source and may provide, in response to user input, 
any of a tuned, descrambled signal, a tuned signal, an un-tuned signal, or 
a stored signal to the television receiver 5. 
The mass storage unit 19 may be an optical or magneto-optical mass storage 
unit and the descrambler 17 may be programmed to descramble signals that 
have undergone various encoding schemes. 
Turning now to FIG. 3, wherein the same reference numerals of FIGS. 1 and 2 
apply to the same parts and therefore do not require detailed description, 
it is seen that the signal output from terminal 3, which is carried by 
cable 4, may be received by more than one television receiver, depicted in 
this Fig. as elements 25a-25c. In this embodiment, the system 22 includes 
tuners 26a-26c and descramblers 27a-27c. Tuner 26a feeds descramber 27a 
and mass storage unit 29 as in the first embodiment. Tuner 26a also feeds 
multiplexer 28 directly. Tuners 26b and 26c receive the input audio/video 
signal from terminal 1 and, in response to user input to the CPU 8 from 
the keyboard 7 feed a selected tuned channel to respective descramblers 
27b and 27c. The outputs of descramblers 27b and 27c as well as the 
outputs of tuners 26b and 26c are fed to multiplexer 28. Multiplexer 28 is 
also supplied with the input audio/video signal. Thus, in response to user 
input to the CPU 8, multiplexer 28 is capable of multiplexing any of the 
tuner and descrambler outputs as well as the output from the mass storage 
unit 29 and the original audio/video signal input to terminal 1. Further, 
before being passed to the televisions 25a-25c via cable 4, the output of 
multiplexer 28 is passed through respective demultiplexers 20a-20c. These 
demultiplexers 20a-20c are adapted to allow each television 25a-25c to 
receive different channels for display based upon the signals provided by 
the multiplexer 28 in response to user input to the CPU 8 from the 
keyboard 7. 
Although the descramblers 27a-27c are shown as individual units, they may 
be embodied by software performed by the computer 2. The multiplexer 28 
can also be embodied by software. 
In addition, VCR 24, CD Rom 23, and Equalizer 21 may be connected to cable 
4 through respective demultiplexers 20d-20f in order to record and/or 
process signals provided by the system 22 through cable 4. 
Further, VCR 24 may be connected to data port 15 of the system 22 via data 
line 24a. Data Port 15 may receive data from the CPU 8 through control 
card 15a. Through data card 15a, data port 15 and data line 16 the system 
22 is capable of controlling the operating state of the VCR 24. The CPU 8 
may be programmed to prompt the user for keyboard input, via the monitor 
6, for information regarding the operation of the VCR such as, for 
example, record start and stop times. It should be noted that the system 
22 may also be adapted to control the operating state of other components 
connected thereto, such as, for example, the equalizer or the CD Rom. 
FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention wherein the same 
reference numerals of FIG. 3. apply to the same parts and therefore do not 
require detailed description. In this Fig., it is seen that the signal 
output from terminal 3, which is carried by wire 4, may be transmitted by 
a wireless transmitter 37 to respective receivers 38a-38f. 
In this embodiment the transmitter 37 is connected to the data port 15 of 
system 22 and controls, in response to user input to the CPU 8 from the 
keyboard 7, which portion of the multiplexed signal is received by each of 
the receivers. That is, each receiver may be provided with a different 
address, and the transmitter 37 may be adapted to transmit a portion of 
the multiplexed signal to a particular receiver address in response to 
input from a user to the CPU 8. 
Turning now to FIG. 5 a fourth embodiment of the instant invention is 
shown, wherein the same reference numerals of FIG. 3 apply to the same 
parts and therefore do not require detailed description. In this Fig., it 
is seen that the signal output from tuners 46a-46c, descramblers 47a-47c, 
mass storage unit 49, and the input audio/video signal are all fed to 
respective contacts 41a-41h of switch 41, contacts 42a-42h of switch 42, 
and contacts 43a-43h of switch 43. In response to user input from keyboard 
7, switch 41 is controlled by CPU 8 to output any one of the channels 
input thereto to the television receiver 45a via terminal 50a and cable 
40a. Switch 42 is controlled by CPU 8 to output any one of the channels 
input thereto to the television receiver 45b via terminal 50b and cable 
40b. Switch 43 is controlled by CPU 8 to output any one of the channels 
input thereto to the television receiver 45c via terminal 50c and cable 
40c. 
While generally communication is shown from the computer to the television 
receiver, such communication can also flow back to the computer from the 
television receiver. A touch screen or the like can be provided, or the 
standard television remote control unit may be utilized, to permit the 
user remotely located from the computer to provide commands and 
instructions back to the computer. 
Referring now to FIG. 6, a block diagram schematically showing the 
structure of a distributed computer system according to a fifth embodiment 
of the present invention is shown. As seen in this Fig., central 
computation unit 60 includes central processor 60a, ROM 60b, RAM 60c, hard 
disk drive 60d, floppy drive 60e, and CD-ROM reader 60f. Central 
computation unit 60 also includes modem 60g, for connection to an outside 
data source such as the Internet, display 60h, input means 60i, which may 
be a keyboard or a mouse, for example, and audio/video port 60j, for input 
and output of audio/video information. 
The remote modules described below receive any one of an audio signal, 
video signal or information signal from the central computation unit 60 in 
response to a message sent from each of the remote modules to the central 
computation unit 60 and the message controls the audio and the video 
signal from the central computation unit 60. 
In any case, a first remote module 62 may be connected to central 
computation unit 60 by bi-directional data transfer means 64, which may 
comprise a radio frequency (RF) link, an infra-red light link, a fiber 
optic link, or an electrical link, for example. This first remote module 3 
may be placed in the kitchen and may include a touch screen 66 integrated 
into a display 68, for example. The first remote module may utilize the 
central processor 60a, ROM 60b, RAM 60c, hard disk drive 60d, floppy drive 
60e, CD-ROM reader 60f, and modem 60g of the central computation unit 60 
so that the first remote module 62 only needs minimal memory storage and 
data processing capacity, thus minimizing its size and cost. 
A second remote module 70 may be connected to central computation unit 60 
by bi-directional data transfer means 72, which again may comprise a radio 
frequency (RF) link, an infra-red light link, a fiber optic link, or an 
electrical link, for example. This second remote module 70 may be placed 
in a den and may include a high-resolution display 74 and joystick input 
devices 76, for example. The second remote module 70 may utilize the 
central processor 60a, ROM 60b, RAM 60c, hard disk drive 60d, floppy drive 
60e, CD-ROM reader 60f, and modem 60g of the central computation unit 60 
so that the second remote module 70 only needs minimal memory storage and 
data processing capacity, thus minimizing its size and cost. 
A third remote module 78 may be connected to central computation unit 60 by 
bi-directional data transfer means 80, which again may comprise a radio 
frequency (RF) link, an infra-red light link, a fiber optic link, or an 
electrical link, for example. This third remote module 78 may be placed in 
a study and may include a high-resolution display 82 and keyboard input 
device 84, for example. The third remote module 78 may utilize the central 
processor 60a, ROM 60b, RAM 60c, hard disk drive 60d, floppy drive 60e, 
CD-ROM reader 60f, and modem 60g of the central computation unit 60 so 
that the third remote module 78 only needs minimal memory storage and data 
processing capacity, thus minimizing its size and cost. 
A fourth remote module 86 may be connected to central computation unit 60 
by bi-directional data transfer means 88, which again may comprise a radio 
frequency (RF) link, an infra-red light link, a fiber optic link, or an 
electrical link, for example. Audio/video signal transfer means 90, which 
may also comprise a radio frequency (RF) link, an infra-red light link, a 
fiber optic link, or an electrical link, for example, may connect the 
fourth remote module 86 with audio/video port 60j, for receiving 
audio/video signals sent from the central computation unit 60. This fourth 
remote module 86 may be placed in a family room, may be connected to a 
video monitor 93, and may include a wireless remote control input device 
94, for example. The fourth remote module 86 may utilize the central 
processor 60a, ROM 60b, RAM 60c, hard disk drive 60d, floppy drive 60e, 
CD-ROM reader 60f, and modem 60g of the central computation unit so that 
the fourth remote module 86 only needs minimal memory storage and data 
processing capacity, thus minimizing its size and cost. 
Finally, it must be noted that although the present invention is described 
by reference to particular embodiments thereof, many changes and 
modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the 
art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is 
only limited by the appended claims. For example, the remote modules may 
include any of a volatile-memory, a non-volatile memory, a mass storage 
device, or a microprocessor to supplement the capabilities of the central 
computation unit.