Abstract:
The streaming-media input port provides an inexpensive way to get a video signal from an audio/video device (such as a camcorder) into a personal computer in a convenient streamable media format (e.g., Windows Media Format). This streaming-media input port is an external hardware device that captures media content (i.e., video and audio) input, compresses it, converts it to an immediately streamable media (ISM) format, and sends it to a coupled computer for immediate storage or use. Such a use is transmission over the Internet to a streaming media player. This use allows for a “live” transmission from a typical analog video camera. The computer receiving media data in the ISM format from the streaming-media input port does not need to decompress and recompress the media data. It may directly save to storage or transmit to the streaming media player. It may do so without any modifications to the format of the media data.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/608,336 filed Jun. 29, 2000, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,241. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to capturing visual and audio media. In particular, the invention relates to converting the captured media into compressed digitized media data in a media format that is immediately streamable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Audio and video are often generically called “multimedia” or simply “media.” A presently popular “media” application is to digitize audio and video clips. Typically, media is digitized using a video capture application. 
     A video capture application converts analog video signals, such as those generated by a video camera, into a digital format and then stores the digital video on a computer&#39;s mass storage system. Typically, video capture from analog devices requires a special video capture card that converts the analog signals into digital form and compresses the data. 
     Alternatively, external video capture devices exist that capture video signals from an attached camera and transfers them to a computer via a communications cable. The external video capture devices are often desirable because they are easier to install and use than internal devices. Therefore, they are usually preferred by a less-experienced computer user. 
     Examples of such external video capture devices include “QuickClip” by Logitech; “InVideo USB Capture” by Focus Enhancements; “InterView USB” by Interex, Inc.; and “USB Live! Video Adapter” by Nogatech Inc. 
     When an external device is used, the media (i.e., video and audio) signal is typically compressed within the external device before the signal is sent to the coupled computer. The signal is compressed because the communications connection between the device and the computer typically has a limited bandwidth. The computer-device interface normally cannot transmit the uncompressed media signal at the rate that the device receives the signal. Compressing the media signal allows it to flow smoothly across the limited-bandwidth connection to the computer. 
     If the computer-device interface was capable of transmitting the uncompressed media signal, the signal may overwhelm many existing computers. They are simply not powerful enough to process such a large amount of data in such a short time period. 
     Most of the conventional, external, video-capture devices use a proprietary media-compressing scheme. They proprietarily compress the media data and transmit it to the computer. The computer simply stores the proprietarily compressed media data into a file. Alternatively, using proprietary software on the computer, the media data is decompressed. After the media data is decompressed, it is recompressed and stored using a standard media file format, such as MPEG, QuickTime, or Windows Media Format (which is also called ASF for Advanced Streaming Format). 
     The media data is recompressed to save space on the computer&#39;s mass storage system. The media data is stored in a standard media file format so that it may usable by a large array of general-purpose media applications. 
     SUMMARY 
     The streaming-media input port provides an inexpensive way to get a video signal from an audio/video device (such as a camcorder) into a personal computer in a convenient streamable media format (e.g., Windows Media Format). This streaming-media input port is an external hardware device that captures media content (i.e., video and audio) input, compresses it, converts it to an immediately streamable media (ISM) format, and sends it to a coupled computer for immediate storage or use. Such a use is transmission over the Internet to a streaming media player. This use allows for a “live” transmission from a typical analog video camera. 
     The computer receiving media data in the ISM format from the streaming-media input port does not need to decompress and recompress the media data. It may directly save to storage or transmit to the streaming media player. It may do so without any modifications to the format of the media data. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary computer network (such as the Internet) that includes a streaming media player. The network includes a computer coupled to a video camera via a video converter implementing an embodiment of the steaming-media input port. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary video converter implementing an embodiment of the steaming-media input port. 
     FIG. 3 is flowchart showing a process implementing the streaming-media input port. 
     FIG. 4 is an example of a computer capable of implementing the streaming-media input port. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description sets forth a specific embodiment of the streaming-media input port that incorporates elements recited in the appended claims. This embodiment is described with specificity in order to meet statutory enablement and best-mode requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventor has contemplated that the claimed streaming-media input port might also be embodied in other ways, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. 
     FIG. 1 shows a computer network  20  that includes computers linked via network  30 . Such a network may be a LAN, WAN, communications network, Internet, and the like. Computer  26  accesses the Internet via one or more Internet Service Providers (ISPs)  28 . Computer  26  may be a conventional general-purpose personal computer, special-purpose computer, Internet appliance, or another similar device. Computer  26  may be a Web server and host a Web site. 
     FIG. 1 shows a video camera  22  coupled to a video converter box  24 . The camera  22  is a conventional analog video camera or audio/video device (such as a camcorder). The camera  22  uses conventional coupling to connect to box  24 , such as S-video, composite video and audio connections (commonly called “RCA composite jacks”). 
     Converter box  24  has interfaces for receiving analog video and audio signals as input. It also has an interface for sending converted video signals to the computer  26 . Conventional interface and communications protocol are used with the box  24 . 
     For example, the box receives video and audio signals using S-video or RCA jacks. The box sends data to the computer via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface and corresponding communications protocol. Both the box  24  and the computer  26  have USB plugs for coupling them via a USB cable. 
     The video converter box  24  includes the components that implement the exemplary streaming-media input port. Box  24  converts analog media signals from the camera  22  into an immediately streamable media (ISM) format that is sent to the computer  26  via a USB connection. The box produces a compressed media data transmission that is in a “streamable” media format. That may alternatively be called “streaming” media format. 
     Streaming Media 
     Streaming media is a technique for transferring media data such that it can be processed as a steady and continuous stream. The importance of streaming media technologies increases with the growth of the Internet because most users do not have fast enough access to download large multimedia files quickly. With streaming media, the client browser or plug-in can start displaying the data before the entire file has been transmitted. 
     For streaming media to work, the client computer (such as computer  26 ) receiving the data must be able to collect the data and send it as a steady stream to the application that is processing the data and converting it to sound or pictures. This means that if the streaming client receives the data more quickly than required, it saves the excess data in a buffer. If the data doesn&#39;t come quickly enough, however, the presentation of the data will not be smooth. 
     There are a number of competing streaming technologies emerging. One of the strongest is ASF. ASF is short for Advanced Streaming Format, a streaming multimedia file format developed by the Microsoft Corporation. ASF has been submitted to ISO and IETF for standardization. ASF is also called the Windows Media Format. 
     Exemplary Streaming Media Player 
     FIG. 1 shows a streaming media player  40  coupled to the Internet  30  via one or more ISPs (not shown). The player typically is an application loaded on a computer  42 . Typically, computer  42  is a client computer with a Web browser. Alternatively, computer  42  may be a server. 
     The player  40  receives a streaming media data over the Internet  30 . Computer  26  in FIG. 1 is a Web server hosting a Web site. On that Web site is the capability of sending streaming media over the Internet  20  via its ISPs  28 . 
     Using the video converter box  24  implementing the media input port, computer  26  sends a “live” streaming media feed to player  42 . This “live” feed is from the analog video camera  22  hooked to the computer via the converter box  24 . 
     This box  24  takes the analog media signal from the video camera  22  and digitizes it to produce digital media data. The box  24  compresses the digital media data and converts it into an immediately streamable media (ISM) format. 
     The computer  26  receives the compressed digital media data in the ISM format. Without any additional processing to change the format of the compressed digital media, the computer sends it over the Internet  30  to the player  40 . Thus, the user of the streaming media player views the events being recorded by the camera  22  as they happen (or momentarily thereafter). 
     Alternatively, the computer  26  may store compressed digital media data in the ISM format. If so, the computer may store the media data in the ISM format provided by the box  24 . Unlike with conventional external video capture devices, the computer  26  does not need to decompress and recompress the media data it receives from the box  24 . 
     Components of the Video Converter Box 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the components of the exemplary video converter box. The box  100  includes a video digitizer  102  for receiving a video signal via either its S-video connection  104  or its composite video connections  106 . The video digitizer  102  can digitize standard analog video formats, such as NTSC and PAL. 
     NTSC is the abbreviation for National Television Standards Committee. The NTSC is responsible for setting television and video standards in the United States. The NTSC standard for television defines a composite video signal with a refresh rate of 60 half-frames (interlaced) per second. Each frame contains 525 lines and can contain 16 million different colors. PAL is short for Phase Alternating Line. PAL is the dominant television standard in Europe. PAL delivers 625 lines at 50 half-frames per second. 
     The box  100  includes an audio digitizer  110  for receiving audio signals via its left  112  and right  114  audio connections. The digitized video and audio data signals from the video and audio digitizers feed into the media data formatter  120 . The formatter includes both video compressors  122  and audio compressors  124 . These compressors may include a volatile or non-volatile memory. 
     A compressor such as these is often called a “codec” which is short for compressor/decompressor. A codec is any technology for compressing and decompressing data. Codecs may be implemented in software, hardware, firmware, or some combination. Some popular codecs for computer video include MPEG, Indeo, and Cinepak. Some popular codecs for computer audio include RealAudio and Windows Media Audio. 
     Although the term “codec” inherently includes a decompressor, references herein to a “codec” only require the compressor portion, but may optionally including the decompressor portion. The codecs in the exemplary media input port compresses, but it does not decompress. 
     Box  100  in FIG. 2 includes multiple video codecs  122  and multiple audio codecs  124 . One of each is selected to do the media data compression. This selection may be done manually via a control panel on the box  100 . Alternatively, this selection may be done by the computer sending a selection command to the box. In addition, the codecs may be implemented in upgradeable firmware. The computer may update the codec as needed by sending the appropriate commands and updates to the box. 
     The formatter  120  combines the compressed, digitized media data into a file format that is immediately streamable. An immediately streamable media (ISM) format is one that may be transmitted over a network to a streaming media player and played on that player. This transmission and playing of the ISM format is done without any intermediate processing to change the format so that it may be streamable. ASF is the ISM format used in the exemplary streaming-media input port. 
     FIG. 2 shows USB logic  130  coupled to the formatter  120 . USB logic  130  receives the compressed, digitized media in the ISM format from the formatter  120 . The USB logic provides the communications interface with the computer  26  in FIG.  1 . The USB logic transmits the ISM formatted media using the USB protocol to the computer over data line  132 . It receives control information from the computer over control line  134 . 
     Exemplary Methodological Implementation 
     FIG. 3 shows the exemplary methodological implementation of the streaming-media input port. At  250 , the box receives analog media signal from a video camera. At  252 , the box converts the analog media signal into a digital media signal. 
     At  254  in FIG. 3, the digital media data is compressed. Codecs accomplish this compression. Typically, the video codec is Windows Media Video and the audio codec is Windows Media Audio. Alternatively, the video codec may be any functionally similar codec, such as MPEG-4. Alternatively, the audio codec may any codec functionally similar to the Windows Media Audio. The compressed media data is formatted into an ISM format. Typically, the compressed media data is formatted in ASF. 
     At  256 , the compressed media data in the ISM format is sent to a coupled computer via a communications interface, such as USB. At  258 , the computer transmits the ISM formatted media data to a steaming media player over the Internet. The computer does this without modify the format of the media data so that player may view the data in a streaming manner. 
     Exemplary Computer 
     FIG. 4 shows an exemplary computer that may be used with the exemplary implementation of the streaming-media input port. This computer may be a client running a Web browser, a Web server, or any computer capable of connecting to a communications network (such as the Internet). 
     As shown in FIG. 4, computer  330  includes one or more processors or processing units  332 , a system memory  334 , and a bus  336  that couples various system components including the system memory  334  to processors  332 . Bus  336  represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. 
     The system memory includes read only memory (ROM)  338  and random access memory (RAM)  340 . A basic input/output system (BIOS)  342 , containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer  330 , such as during start-up, is stored in ROM  338 . 
     Computer  330  further includes a hard disk drive  344  for reading from and writing to a hard disk, not shown, a magnetic disk drive  346  for reading from and writing to a removable magnetic disk  348 , and an optical disk drive  350  for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk  352  such as a CD ROM, DVD ROM or other optical media. The hard disk drive  344 , magnetic disk drive  346  and optical disk drive  350  are each coupled to bus  336  by one or more interfaces  354 . 
     The drives and their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for computer  330 . Although the exemplary environment described herein employs a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk  348  and a removable optical disk  352 , 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  348 , optical disk  352 , ROM  338 , or RAM  340 , including an operating system  358 , one or more application programs  360  (such as a Web browser), other program modules  362 , and program data  364 . A user may enter commands and information into computer  330  through input devices such as keyboard  366  and pointing device  368 . Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are coupled to the processing unit  332  through an interface  370  that is coupled to bus  336 . 
     A monitor  372  or other type of display device is also coupled to bus  336  via an interface, such as a video adapter  374 . In addition to the monitor, personal computers typically include other peripheral output devices (not shown) such as speakers and printers. 
     Computer  330  can operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a Web server  382 . Web server  382  typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to computer  330 . 
     A logical connection that is not depicted in FIG. 4 is a local area network (LAN) via a network interface and a general wide area network (WAN) via a modem  378 . Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet. 
     Depicted in FIG. 4, is a specific implementation of a WAN via the Internet. Over the Internet, computer  330  typically includes a modem  378  or other means for establishing communications over the Internet  380 . Modem  378 , which may be internal or external, is coupled to bus  336  via interface  356 . 
     In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the personal computer  330 , or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown and described are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link it between the computers may be used. 
     Computer  330  connects to other peripheral devices via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface  386 . In FIG. 4, a video converter  388  is coupled to the USB interface  386 . A camera  390  is coupled to the USB interface  286  via the video converter  388 . 
     Computer-Executable Instructions 
     An implementation of the streaming-media input port may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Typically, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. 
     Computer Readable Media 
     An implementation of the streaming-media input port may be stored on or transmitted across some form of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and communications media. 
     Computer storage media include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by a computer. 
     Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as carrier wave or other transport mechanism and included any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media. 
     Conclusion 
     Although the streaming-media input port has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological steps, it is to be understood that the streaming-media input port defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or steps described. Rather, the specific features and steps are disclosed as preferred forms of implementing the claimed streaming-media input port.