Apparatus for communicating program information corresponding to digital data

I claim:

1. A hand held apparatus for communicating program information corresponding to digital data comprising:

receiving means for receiving a plurality of program data signals from a remote receiver that receives both the program data signals and a plurality of distal data signals, each of the program data signals corresponding to one of the digital data signals;

processing means, coupled to the receiving means, for processing the received program data signal; and

communicating means, coupled to the processing means, for communicating the processed program data signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communicating means uses visual communication.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the communicating means is a liquid crystal display.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the communicating means is a cathode ray tube.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the communicating means is a light emitting diode.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the communicating means further comprises a printed text material.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the communicating means further comprises a printed text material.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the communicating means further comprises a printed text material.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the communicating means further comprises a printed text material.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communicating means uses audible communication.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the communicating means is a voice synthesizer.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communicating means uses tactile communication.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

input means, coupled to the processing means, for inputting a request; and

transmitting means, coupled to the processing means, for transmitting the request to the remote receiver.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the transmitting means may transmit the request contemporaneously while the receiving means receives one of the program data signals.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the input means selects one of the plurality of digital data signals.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the input means requests a particular information block from the processed program data signal.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the input means requests communication of the processed program data signal.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receiving means is an infrared receiver means.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving means is a radio frequency receiver means.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receiving means is an optical fiber port receiving means.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote receiver is a digital music tuner connected to a cable television (CATV) distribution system.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein each of the program data signals describes the attributes of the corresponding one of the digital data signals.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein each of the program data signals includes at least one of a title, a track, an artist, a publisher, a composer, a song identification, and a play time information block.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of digital data signals are digital audio signals.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of digital data signals are digital video signals.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of digital data signals are digital software signals.

27. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a memory, connected to the processing means, for storing the processed program data signal.

28. A handheld apparatus for communicating program information corresponding to digital data comprising:

receiving means for receiving one of a plurality of program data signals from a remote receiver that receives both the program data signals and a plurality of digital data signals, each of the program data signals corresponding to one of the digital data signals;

processing means, coupled to the receiving means, for processing the received program data signal;

communicating means, coupled to the processing means, for communicating the processed program data signal;

input means, coupled to the processing means, for inputting a request; and

transmitting means, coupled to the processing means, for transmitting the request to the remote receiver,

wherein the remote receiver responds to the transmitted request by conducting a selected function.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the transmitting means may transmit the request contemporaneously while the receiving means receives one of the program data signals.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the remote receiver transmits one of the program data signals in response to a selected transmitted request.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the remote receiver selects one of the plurality of digital data signals in response to another transmitted request.

32. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the input means requests a particular information block from the processed program data signal.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the input means requests communication of the particular information block of the processed program data signal.

34. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the receiving means is an infrared receiver and the transmitting means is an infrared transmitter.

35. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the remote receiver is a digital music tuner connected to a CATV distribution system.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein each of the program data signals describes the attributes of one of the plurality of digital data signals.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein each of the program data signals includes at least one of a title, a track, an artist, a publisher, a composer, a song identification, and a play time information block.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the digital data signals are digital audio signals.

39. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the digital data signals are digital video signals.

40. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the digital data signals are digital software signals.

41. A handheld apparatus for communicating program information corresponding to digital audio comprising:

receiving means for receiving one of a plurality of program data signals from a digital music tuner that receives the program data signals and a plurality of digital audio signals via a CATV distribution system, each of the program data signals corresponding to one of the digital audio signals;

processing means, coupled to the receiving means, for processing the received program data signal;

communicating means, coupled to the processing means, for communicating the processed program data signal;

input means, coupled to the processing means, for inputting a request; and

transmitting means, coupled to the processing means, for transmitting the request to the digital music tuner,

wherein the digital music tuner conducts a selected function in response to the transmitted request.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 further comprising a memory coupled to the processing means for storing the program data associated with the processed program data signal.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein each of the program data signals describes the attributes of the corresponding one of the digital audio signals.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the attributes include at least one of a title, a track, an artist, a publisher, a composer, a song identification, and a playtime information block.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the transmitting means is an infrared transmitter, the receiving means is an infrared receiver, the input means is a keyboard, and the communicating means is a display.

46. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the digital music tuner transmits one of the program data signals in response to a selected transmitted request.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the digital music tuner selects one of the plurality of digital audio signals in response to another transmitted request.

48. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the transmitting means may transmit the request contemporaneously while the receiving means receives one of the program data signals.

49. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the input means requests communication of the processed program data signal.

50. A hand held apparatus for communicating program information corresponding to digital data comprising:

a receiver for receiving one of a plurality of program data signals from a remote receiver that receives both the program data signals and a plurality of digital data signals, each of the program data signals corresponding to one of the digital data signals;

a processor, coupled to the receiver, for processing the received program data signal; and

a display, coupled to the processor, for communicating the processed program data signal.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 further comprising:

an input device, coupled to the processor, for inputting a request; and

a transmitter, coupled to the processor, for transmitting the request to the remote receiver.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the transmitter may transmit the request contemporaneously while the receiver receives one of the program data signals.

53. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the remote receiver selects one of the plurality of digital data signals in response to a selected transmitted request.

54. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the input device requests a particular information block from the processed program data signal.

55. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the input device requests communication of the processed program data signal.

56. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the remote receiver is a digital music tuner connected to a CATV distribution system.

57. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein each of the program data signals describes the attributes of the corresponding one of the digital data signals.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein each of the program data signals includes at least one of a title, a track, an artist, a publisher, a composer, a song identification, and a playtime information block.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the digital data signals are digital audio signals.

60. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the digital data signals are digital video signals.

61. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the digital data signals are digital software signals.

62. The apparatus of claim 50 further comprising a memory, connected to the processor, for storing the processed program data signal.

63. A handheld apparatus for communicating program information corresponding to digital data comprising:

a receiver for receiving one of a plurality of program data signals from a remote receiver that receives both the program data signals and a plurality of digital data signals, each of the program data signals corresponding to one of the digital data signals;

a processor, coupled to the receiver, for processing the received program data signal;

a display, coupled to the processor, for communicating the processed program data signal;

an input device, coupled to the processor, for inputting a request; and

a transmitter, coupled to the processor, for transmitting the request to the remote receiver,

wherein the remote receiver responds to the transmitted request by conducting a selected function.

64. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the remote receiver transmits one of the program data signals in response to a selected transmitted request.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the remote receiver selects one of the plurality of digital data signals in response to another transmitted request.

66. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the transmitter may transmit the request contemporaneously while the receiver receives one of the program data signals.

67. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the input device requests a particular information block from the processed program data signal.

68. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the input device requests communication of the processed program data signal.

69. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the receiver is an infrared receiver and the transmitter is an infrared transmitter.

70. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein each of the program data signals describes the attributes of one of the plurality of digital data signals.

71. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the remote receiver is a digital music tuner connected to a CATV distribution system.

72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein each of the program data signals includes at least one of a title, a track, an artist, a publisher, a composer, a song identification, and a playtime information block.

73. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the digital data signals are digital audio signals.

74. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the digital data signals are digital video signals.

75. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the digital data signals are digital software signals.

76. A handheld apparatus for communicating program information corresponding to digital audio comprising:

a receiver for receiving one of a plurality of program data signals from a digital music tuner that receives both the program data signals and a plurality of digital audio signals via a CATV distribution system, each of the program data signals corresponding to one of the digital audio signals;

a processor, coupled to the receiver, for processing the received program data signal;

a display, coupled to the processor, for communicating the processed program data signal;

an input device, coupled to the processor, for inputting a request; and

a transmitter, coupled to the processor, for transmitting the request to the digital music tuner,

wherein the digital music tuner conducts a selected function in response to the transmitted request.

77. The apparatus of claim 76 further comprising a memory coupled to the processing means for storing the program data associated with the processed program data signal.

78. The apparatus of claim 77, wherein each of the program data signals describes the attributes of the corresponding one of the digital audio signals.

79. The apparatus of claim 78, wherein the attributes includes at least one of a title, a track, an artist, a publisher, a composer, a song identification, and a playtime information block.

80. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the transmitter is an infrared transmitter, the receiver is an infrared receiver, the input device is a keyboard, and the display is a liquid crystal display.

81. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the digital music tuner transmits one of the program data signals in response to a selected transmitted request.

82. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein the digital music tuner selects one of the plurality of digital audio signals in response to another transmitted request.

83. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the transmitter may transmit the request contemporaneously while the receiver receives one of the program data signals.

84. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the input device requests communication of the processed program data signal.

Description Submit all comments and votes

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of digital signal transmission and more particularly, to transmitting digital signals accompanied by program content data so that listeners/viewers may see a display of the program content data as they are listening/viewing the performance, without interrupting the performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Presently, program content information, for example, song title, artist, record label, etc., is communicated to the customer/listener by announcers' disc jockeys (DJs). In the case of video program transmitted by broadcast means, video text messages are presented between programs and during interruptions of programs. In the case of many premium services, it is undesirable to interrupt programs for presentation of program content information. It may also be undesirable to have any form of announcer or DJ between program or selection of music.

Those such announcers or interruptions of program may be undesirable in some services. Nevertheless, it is highly desirable to communicate program content information. Frustration of customers, and possible loss of revenue due to subscription cancellation can occur if a subscriber has no method of knowing the title, composer or artist of the particular selection of music. To the music industry, identification of recording label and identification number is critical to sale of the recordings. Currently, a subscriber viewing a premium video program must consult a separate listing, tune to a different channel, or wait till the end of the program for its identification.

Similarly, the cable television industry is currently introducing audio-only services. Program content information is printed in a separate listing. These cable "radio stations" may play a continuous succession of musical selections without commercial interruptions. These services may not use a "disc-jockey" to identify the musical or other selections. Instead, under the present invention, data channels will contain information about the music being played.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a display of this data has been envisioned that has been termed an "electronic DJ". This display could be built into the subscriber terminal itself, or it could be a separate display unit that would connect to a port on the rear panel of the terminal.

The problem with such displays is that, unless they are very large and therefore costly, they cannot be easily placed within reading distance of the listener. Long cables for the display would be difficult to route in a typical living room, and we need only look at the success of VCR wired remote controls to convince ourselves that such a tethered display would not be optimum.

Wireless remote controls have brought great convenience to the control of consumer products. Highly intelligent remote controls with liquid crystal displays are available. Programmable and universal "learning" remote controls are available that assume the functions of multiple other controls. These remote controls receive information from each other, and display the functions available to the user.

It can be a frustrating experience to enjoy a piece of music on the radio, only to have the station fail to identify the piece. To lovers of music, having such information as music title, composer, artist and record label is vital. Without this information, the service will be reduced to the level of generic background music.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problems and related problems of transmitting and providing a display of program content data are solved by the principles of the present invention. In furtherance of these principles, it is an object of the present invention to provide program information to subscribers without interrupting the program.

It is an object of the present invention to transmit and provide program information for digital audio transmitted to subscribers, where the program information is combined with the digital audio.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide program data to subscribers of video information.

It is another object of the present invention to provide program information to subscribers where the information is communicated through a remote control unit.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system where digital program information is combined with digital audio/video signals which are transmitted via satellite, coaxial cable, or other means to subscribers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide program data corresponding to audio/video signals to subscribers with disabilities.

In accordance with these and other objects, apparatus for encoding according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of means for producing digital signals; a plurality of means for producing a plurality of program data signals, each program data signal corresponding to one digital signal; and, at least one encoding means, coupled to the plurality of means for producing digital and program data signals, for encoding the plurality of program data signals with the plurality of digital signals to produce a plurality of combined digital and program data signals.

Additionally, under these and other objects, a method is disclosed for encoding program information into a digital data stream comprising the steps of: producing a plurality of digital signals: producing a plurality of program data signals, each program data signal corresponding to one digital signal; and encoding the plurality of program data signals with the plurality of digital signals to produce a plurality of combined digital and program data signals.

Conversely, under the above and other objects, an apparatus is disclosed for communicating program information corresponding to a track of digital data from a signal containing a plurality of digital and program information signals comprising: first receiving means for receiving an encoded signal containing a plurality of digital signals and a plurality of program data signals, each program data signal corresponding to one digital signal; at least one selecting means, coupled to the first receiving means, for selecting one digital signal and one corresponding program data signal from the received encoded signal; at least one decoding means, coupled to the selecting means, for decoding the selected one digital signal and the one corresponding program data signal so as to separate the corresponding program data signal from the selected one digital signal; transmitting means, coupled to the decoding means, for transmitting the one corresponding program data signal; second receiving means, coupled to the transmitting means, for receiving the one corresponding program data signal; and, communicating means, coupled to the second receiving means, for communicating the one corresponding program data signal.

Similarly, a method under the above objects is disclosed for communicating program information corresponding to a track from signal containing a plurality of digital and program information signals comprising the steps of: receiving an encoded signal containing a plurality of digital signals and a plurality of program data signals, each program data signal corresponding to one digital signal; selecting one digital signal and one corresponding program data signal from the received encoded signal; decoding the selected one digital signal and the one corresponding program data signal so as to separate the corresponding program data signal from the selected one digital signal; transmitting the one corresponding program data signal to a communicator; receiving the transmitted one corresponding program data signal; and, communicating the received one corresponding program data signal via the communicator.

Finally, under the objects of the present invention, a handheld apparatus for communicating program information corresponding to digital data is disclosed comprising: receiving means for receiving a program data signal corresponding to a digital track; processing means, coupled to the receiving means, for processing the received program data signal; and, communicating means, coupled to the processing means, for communicating the processed program data signal.

The communicating means under the present invention could take the form of a standard remote control, i.e. a hand-held unit with a display of some sort. The display could be a liquid crystal or other suitable technology. A benefit of having the display in a remote unit under the present invention is that the cost of the display need not be included in the base unit. The display can be a value-added extra-cost feature. It can thus be seen as a means of increasing revenue, or of making the service more affordable to those not desiring the feature.

The communicating means under the present invention could also take the form of a table-mounted unit. It could use a larger display than might be possible on a hand-held remote. It could also use ac power instead of batteries and thus power a brighter and larger display more suitable for low light viewing. The control and display functions could be separated into two individual units.

The base subscriber terminal could automatically update the remote display/control unit whenever there has been a change in programming. This, however, may result in brief intervals during which the use of other remote controls might be disrupted. Instead, the communications may be structured such that for information to be sent from the base subscriber terminal, it must be polled from the remote unit. Memory could be used in either the base unit or the remote to store information on previous selections. This information could be recalled by the user on demand.

The communications link between the base subscriber terminal and the remote unit could use radio frequencies, infrared, visible light, acoustical transmission through air, or other wireless means. The concept could also be extended to carrying the information on the household power lines, telephone wires, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable or means other than the direct connection of a cable to the base unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the present invention may be appreciated from studying the following detailed description together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a blocked diagram of the overall system in the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a detailed block diagram of the encoding and transmitter portion of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the encoding portion of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the receiving portion of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the digital music tuner;

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the application specific integrated circuit shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram for the remote communication device of the present invention; and,

FIG. 8 shows a diagram of a simplified frame format using the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an overall system in the present invention is described. The present invention will be described with respect to transmitting audio signals with program data. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may, instead of transmitting audio with corresponding program data, transmit any of the following, with corresponding program data: television, games, software, video, and other combinations of audio/video or software information.

Compact disc players 10-1 through 10-n provide a plurality of digital audio signals to the present invention. These CD players may be the so called "Jukebox" type wherein up to sixty or more compact discs may be stored and accessible by the player.

The digital audio signals from CD players 10-1 through 10-n are input to encoders 20-1 through 20-n which will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 3. Controller and music database 30-1 through 30-k controls the output of CD players 10-1 through 10-n and any respective selection of compact discs within these players and also provides a database containing program data with a one to one correspondence to the tracks contained on the compact discs. This program data includes title, track, artist, publisher, composer, song identification and play time information blocks for each song contained on a compact disc. These program data signals could also include other information relevant to describing the particular track contained on a compact disc, as those skilled in the art can appreciate. For example, if the information were historical audio data, information on the time and place such data was first conceived or transmitted may also be contained within this program information. Additionally, if the digital signals transmitted contained video information, the corresponding program data signals would relate to the video program being transmitted, for example, the title, actors, director, publisher, year, or other relevant information.

The plurality of digital audio signals inputted by the CD players 10-1 through 10-n are combined in encoders 20-1 through 20-n with the program data signals inputted by controller and music databases 30-1 through 30-k. The combined signals from encoders 20-1 through 20-n are then inputted into multiplexer 40 which combines the signals into a serial digital data stream.

Additional signals may be combined with the digital audio and program information signals. Subscriber control 45 contains information on various subscribers who may receive the digital audio data produced by the present invention. This subscriber information stored in subscriber control 45 is multiplexed with the digital audio and program data signals in multiplexer 40, producing a serial digital data stream containing digital audio, program information, and national subscriber information.

The serial digital audio/program data stream from multiplexer 40 is input into the digital satellite transmitter 50 and broadcast, via satellite, to digital satellite receiver 60. However, those skilled in the art will realize that any delivery system, not just satellite transmission, may be used, such as cable television (CATV), microwave distribution (MDS or MMDS), telephone systems, terrestrial broadcasts, and other coaxial or optical cable lines.

The previously described transmitter section will be more fully discussed with reference to FIG. 2, while the following receiver section will be more fully described with reference to FIG. 4. Digital satellite receiver 60 transfers the digital data to headend processing 70 which in turns converts and sends the information to digital cable modulators 75. The digital audio data is then added with signals from other cable modulators in summing circuit 80 and sent over a cable distribution system.

The cable distribution system includes line amplifiers 90 for boosting the signal and compensating for any line loss. System tap 85 directs the combined signal to a subscriber's premises and into digital music tuner 100. Digital music tuner 100, more fully described with respect to FIG. 5, selects the channel containing the digital audio and program data signals. Additionally, digital music tuner 100 separates the digital audio signal from the program information signal. The digital audio signal is converted to analog, amplified and output on a subscriber's audio electronics, while the program information signal is processed and sent to a local display or remote using information display 200. The demultiplexing and decoding of the signals is discussed more fully with reference to FIG. 6. These displays then communicate to the subscriber the particular program information corresponding to an audio track currently being listened to by the subscriber. The remote music information display is more fully described with respect to FIG. 7.

Transmitting Section

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of the studio and transmitter, or uplink, section of the present invention is described. Compact disc players 10-1 through 10-n are driven by microcomputers 15-1 through 15-n. Microcomputers 15-1 through 15-n could be IBM Model AT microcomputers. These microcomputers are in turn controlled by the studio sequencing master controllers 30-1 through 30-k. These master controllers 30-1 through 30-k include a database containing the program information described above. These master controllers are preferably IBM Model PS/2 microcomputers or other computers containing a 386 type microprocessors.

The digital audio output from CD players 10-1 through 10-n is input into encoders 20-1 through 20-n along with program information supplied by master controllers 30-1 through 30-k. Encoders 20-1 through 20-n combined the digital audio signals with the program data signals and output the combined signal to system data multiplexers 40-1 and 40-2. Preferably, the outputs of 30 encoders 20-1 through 20-30 are input into multiplexers 40-1 and 40-2 where the signals are time division multiplexed. Multiplexers 40-1 and 40-2 may include error correction encoding using, for example, Hamming encoding or Bose Chaudhuri Hocquenghen (BCH) encoding, or other error correcting/encoding methods known by those skilled in the art.

Billing system 47 includes subscriber information of the present invention and national control information and may be comprised of an IBM Model PS/2 microcomputer. The subscriber information and other billing system data would be contained within a large database within billing system 47. Typical billing system data could include, for example, identity, location, etc. for subscribers and their current billing status. Billing system information from billing system 47 is input into the system manager digital audio controller 45. System manager 45 is preferably comprised of a series 8500 System Manager manufactured by Scientific Atlanta or a similar product. System manager digital audio controller 45 controls master controllers 30-1 through 30-k. Additionally, the system manager 45 may also input subscriber data from the subscriber database within billing system 47 into multiplexers 40-1 and 40-2.

The subscriber information may be combined with the digital audio and program signals through multiplexers 40-1 and 40-2. Multiplexers 40-1 and 40-2 provide the master clock to all the decoders 20-1 through 20-n and to satellite exciters 53-1 and 53-2. The output of multiplexers 40-1 and 40-2 is a 34 megabits per second (Mbps) data stream comprising the preferred 30 channels outputted by the 30 encoders 20-1 through 20-30.

Relay circuit 43 provides fault protection so as to switch the system to multiplexers 40-2 and 40-2 from multiplexer 40-1 in event of a fault. The outputs from multiplexers 40-1 and 40-2 are two coaxial cables, for plus and minus balanced connections. These balanced coaxial cables are used from the output of multiplexers 40-1 and 40-2 through satellite transmitting and receiving electronics. The combined signal from multiplexer 40-1 passes through relay 43 into fiber-optic transmitter 49. Fiber-optic transmitter 49 transports the signal from the studio to the transmitter site and into fiber-optic receiver 51. The output of the fiber-optic receiver drives an offset quadrature phase shift keying (OQPSK) satellite modulator 50. The signal is then up converted, amplified and transmitted to the satellite, as more fully described below.

The signals are received from fiber-optic transmitter 49 into fiber-optic receiver 51 in transmitter 50. From fiber-optic receiver 51 the signals pass through fault protection relay 52-1 into OQPSK Exciter 53-1. The digital signals from OQPSK exciter 53-1 enter splitter 57-1 and through fault protection relay 52-2. Thereafter, the signals pass through an upconverter 58-1. From upconverter 58-1 the signals pass through switch 56-1 into high powered amplifier 59-1 and once again through switch circuit 56-2 and then transmitted. The transmitting is preferably performed via a satellited. The transmission may also occur via coaxial cables or fiber-optic cables.

Redundancy control logic 55 controls transmitter 50, so in the event of a fault, redundant circuitry is activated. Specifically, redundancy control logic 55 controls relays 52-1 and 52-2 and switches 56-1 and 56-2 so as to switch to redundant exciter 53-2 and splitter 57-2, redundant up converter 58-2 and high powered amplifier 59-2.

Referring to FIG. 3, a more detailed block diagram of an encoder 20-1 is described. Outputs from CD players 10 are input to multiplexer 31. Preferably, the outputs from 16 CD players 10-1 through 10-16 are input into multiplexer 31 where their signals are combined and output as two channels to rate synchronizers 33-1 and 33-2. The rate synchronized signals are then input into mixer and signal compressor 35. Mixer and signal compressor 35 preferably uses the data compression format described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,537, incorporated herein by reference. Mixer and data compressor 35 is controlled by input signals from master controller 30-1 which also inputs the program data signals corresponding to the digital audio signals. The digital audio signals are compressed, program data signals are mixed therewith, and then the mixed signal is input into frame sync detector and output formatter 37. Circuit 37 may also include circuitry to encrypt the mixed and compressed signals using, for example, the Data Encryption Standard (DES) or using other similar encryption techniques known in the art. Circuit 37 may include error correction encoding using, for example, Hamming encoding or Bose Chaudhuri Hocquenghen (BCH