Variable-speed communication and reproduction system

A variable-speed communication and reproduction system separated into a server and a client device remote from the server, the client device reproducing, at a play speed specified by a user, a time-series data set stored in the server and requested by a number request from the user the system comprising:

• 1) means responsive to the number request and the play speed specified by the user for supplying said requested time-series data set at said play speed, said means comprising:
• said server;
• first means for communicating said number request and information on said play speed from said client device to said server;
• and
• second means for communicating said time-series data set from said server to said client device;
• 2) means for receiving said time-series data set from said supplying means and reproducing at least a pitch-corrected audio signal and a frequency-matched video signal at said play speed;
• and
• 3) means for passing said number request to said first means and said information on said play speed to at least said receiving and reproducing means,
• wherein said means for supplying said requested time-series data set further comprises:
• means for storing a plurality of time-series data sets, said storing means being disposed in said server and coupled to said second means;
• buffer means for receiving said information on said play speed, temporarily storing data supplied form said second means and outputting information on a residual quantity of said data to said first means and for supplying said data to said receiving and reproducing means at said play speed;
• means for receiving said information on said residual quantity and supplying said first means with a decision on whether said buffer means needs a data supply;
• and
• means responsive to said number request and said decision for controlling said storing means to output at a full speed said requested time-series data set to said second means, and wherein:
• said passing means also passes said information on said play speed to said buffer means.

A variable-speed communication and reproduction system separated into a server and a client device remote from the server, the client device reproducing, at a play speed specified by a user, a time-series data set stored in the server and requested by a number request, the system comprising:

• means responsive to the number request and the play speed specified by the user for supplying said requested time-series data set at said play speed;
• means for receiving said time-series data set from said supplying means and reproducing pitch-corrected audio signal and frequency-matched video signal at said play speed;
• means for encoding said pitch-corrected audio signal and frequency-matched video signal, above said means being disposed in said server;
• first means for communicating said number request and said play speed from said client device to said server;
• second means for communicating said time-series data set from said server to said client device;
• means disposed in said client device for passing said number request and said play speed to said first means;
• and
• means for receiving and decoding said time-series data set from said second means to provide at least a video signal and an audio signal.

A variable-speed communication and reproduction system comprising a server and a plurality of client devices remote from the server, each of the plurality of client devices reproducing, at a play speed specified by the user of the client device, a time-series data set stored in the server and requested by a number request from the user, each of said plurality of client devices comprising:

• means for receiving and outputting said play speed;
• buffer means for receiving said play speed, temporarily storing data of said requested time-series data set and supplying said data of said requested time-series data set at said play speed, and for outputting a residual quantity of said data of said requested time-series data set;
• means for receiving said data of said requested time-series data set from said buffer means and reproducing at least a pitch-corrected audio signal and a frequency-matched video signal at said play speed;
• first means for communicating said number request and said residual quantity of said data from said client device to said server;
• and
• second means for communicating said data of said requested time-series data set from said server to said buffer means in said client device, and said server comprising:
• means for storing a plurality of time-series data sets;
• means responsive to said number request and said residual quantity of said data transmitted from said each of said plurality of client devices through said first means and based on a determination that said buffer means needs a data supply for controlling said storing means to output said requested time-series data set for said each of said plurality of client devices at a full speed in a multiplexed form;
• and
• means, responsive to control data from said means for controlling said storing means, for demultiplexing said requested time-series data sets for said plurality of client devices and outputting each of said requested time-series data sets for said plurality of client devices to one of said second means associated with the client device which has sent said number request for the time-series data set.