Home digital audiovisual information recording and playback system

Abstract

A method for operating a home digital audiovisual information recording and playback apparatus. The method includes: displaying menus with user-selectable system operation options; enabling a selection of desired audiovisual information for reproduction; effecting payment for the desired audiovisual information; inputting a user personal identification number; and downloading, from a main server, the desired audiovisual information after payment has been effected and a valid personal identification has been received.

1 . A digital audiovisual reproduction apparatus, comprising:
 processing resources including a processor and a memory in communication with the processor;   a storage medium storing a library of audiovisual information available for reproduction via the apparatus;   a display device;   a user interface that, in connection with the processing resources, is configured to receive user input;   audio reproduction circuitry including a microphone interface; and   a telecommunications interface configured to communicate with a remote server in order to download digital data corresponding to selected audiovisual information,   wherein the user interface is further configured to enable a user to selectively control the apparatus and select audiovisual information in first, second, and third modes,   wherein the first mode is configured to enable the user to select audiovisual information for reproduction via the apparatus,   wherein the second mode is configured to enable the user to trigger the remote downloading of digital data via the telecommunications interface, and   wherein the third mode is configured to mix data received from a microphone via the microphone interface with audiovisual information stored in the storage medium that is being reproduced via the apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a recording module is connectable thereto. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the recording module is removably connected to the apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the recording module is configured to enable reproduction of audiovisual data stored thereon on another digital audiovisual reproduction apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the recording module comprises non-transitory storage media onto which audiovisual data is recordable. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a storage module is connectable thereto, the storage module storing a plurality of digitized audiovisual data. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the audio reproduction circuitry comprises structure that effects reproduction of the audiovisual information according to digitized formats with one of hi-fi quality and compact disk quality. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the display device is an external conventional television set. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the audio reproduction circuitry is connectable to an external conventional stereo. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the audio reproduction circuitry is connectable to an external conventional stereo. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the library of audiovisual information is stored in a compressed data format. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a battery backed-up memory storing a multitasking operating system and a computer operating program. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the multitasking operating system comprises a library of tools and services and a plurality of executable modules, the modules being executable simultaneously via the multitasking operating system. 
     
     
         14 . A method of operating a digital audiovisual reproduction apparatus including a processor, a memory in communication with the processor, a storage medium storing a library of audiovisual information available for reproduction via the apparatus, and a display interface for a display device, the method comprising:
 receiving user input via a user interface under control of the processor, the user input enabling the user to place the apparatus into one of at least three modes;   determining which mode the apparatus is placed in;   when the apparatus is placed in a first mode, enabling the user to select audiovisual information for reproduction via audio reproduction circuitry of the apparatus;   when the apparatus is placed in a second mode, enabling the user to trigger downloading of digital data from a remote server via a telecommunications interface provided to the apparatus, the digital data corresponding to audiovisual information selected by the user; and   when the apparatus is placed in a third mode, mixing data received from a microphone via a microphone interface provided as a part of the audio reproduction circuitry of the apparatus, with audiovisual information stored in the storage medium that is being reproduced via the apparatus.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the user interface is further configured to enable the user to input a personal identification code. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising causing the user to be billed for usage of the audiovisual information when the personal identification code has been input. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a battery backed-up memory storing a multitasking operating system and a computer operating program. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the multitasking operating system comprises a library of tools and services and a plurality of executable modules, the modules being executable simultaneously via the multitasking operating system. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising recording digital data to an external storage device connected to the apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the digital data recorded to the external storage device is connectable to a different, like apparatus for playback by the different apparatus.