Abstract: An audio/visual server is described that can be used to store and play audio/visual data. A removable hard disk (or other media) is connected to a dock that is in communication with a computer. While the removable hard disk is connected to the dock, audio/visual data can be transferred from the computer to the hard disk. After the hard disk is removed from the dock and connected to the audio/visual server, the server can access and play the audio/visual data. In one embodiment, the audio/visual server stores and plays music, emulates a disc changer, and communicates with an automobile stereo head unit. The interface with the head unit is programmable so that multiple head units can be supported.

Abstract: An error protection method for multimedia improves data recovery and channel throughput in channels which cause a random error and a burst error by using a rate compatible punctured convolutional code (RCPC) and an automatic retransmission on request (ARQ). In a process of decoding a plurality of packets of given information, the error protection method includes the steps of a) decoding one of the plurality of packets, b) decoding another packet when an error occurs during the decoding in step a), c) decoding a combination of the packets from steps a) and b) or a third packet when an error occurs in step b), and d) repeating step c) until the decoding error no longer occurs. The error protection method has the characteristics of both Type-1 and Type-2 ARQ methods. Therefore, one can obtain constant channel throughput in a channel containing burst errors, a channel containing random errors, and a channel in which the two types of error patterns coexist simultaneously.

Abstract: An error protection method for multimedia improves data recovery and channel throughput in channels which cause a random error and a burst error by using a rate compatible punctured convolutional code (RCPC) and an automatic retransmission on request (ARQ). In a process of decoding a plurality of packets of given information, the error protection method includes the steps of a) decoding one of the plurality of packets, b) decoding another packet when an error occurs during the decoding in step a), c) decoding a combination of the packets from steps a) and b) or a third packet when an error occurs in step b), and d) repeating step c) until the decoding error no longer occurs. The error protection method has the characteristics of both Type-1 and Type-2 ARQ methods. Therefore, one can obtain constant channel throughput in a channel containing burst errors, a channel containing random errors, and a channel in which the two types of error patterns coexist simultaneously.