System and method for integrated, multiple-remote controlled computer media server

• US 20040236864A1
• Filed: 06/06/2003
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: X10 Wireless Technology Incorporated (X10)
• Original Assignee: X10 Wireless Technology Incorporated (X10)
• Inventors: Stevenson, George E., Leech, Leslie Alan, Rye, David J., Phillips, James R.W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,606,872 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/40 Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/41 Remote control of gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols

Abstract

A system and method providing a media server system are disclosed. A software module for storage on a computer and operable by the computer is provided to receive a media request for a media selection from a media source including video and audio data. The media selection is retrieved, and a media signal conveying the media selection is communicated. A communications hub receives the media signal and transmits the media selection for play on a remote media device. A receiver configured to communicate with the communications hub and with the remote media device receives the media selection and communicates the media selection to the remote media device for play. A set of media preferences associated with an identifier allows for selectable access to media content. A plurality of remote interfaces each can be coded for generating an identifier, whereby using a particular remote interface invokes a set of media preferences.

Claims

1. A system for presentation of media content from a computer on a remote media device operable for presenting audio, video, or audiovisual media, comprising:

a software module for storage on a computer and operable by the computer to receive a media request for a media selection from a media source including video and audio data, to retrieve the media selection in response to the media request, and to cause the computer to communicate a media signal conveying the media selection;

a communications hub in communication with the computer, the communications hub being configured to receive the media signal from the computer and transmit the media selection for play on the remote media device; and

a receiver configured to communicate with the communications hub and with the remote media device to receive the media selection from the communications hub and communicate the media selection to the remote media device for play.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the media source accessible through the computer includes at least one of prerecorded media and a broadcast media source.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the broadcast media source includes a service providing at least one of audio and video signals to the computer via cable, satellite, broadcast or other transmission media.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to communicate with a plurality of media devices and the software module permits selection of which of the plurality of media devices to which the media selection is directed.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of addressable receivers, each of the addressable receivers being configured to communicate with the communications hub and with at least one of a plurality of media devices.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the software module permits selection from among the plurality of addressable receivers to which the media selection is directed for play.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the software module provides a user interface configured to display information to a user and accept the media request from the user.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the user interface includes a local interface of the computer wherein the software module is configured to use a computer monitor to display information to the user and uses a computer input device to accept the media selection from the user.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the user interface includes a remote interface in communication with the computer wherein the software module is configured to use a remote media device to display information to the user and uses a remote input device to accept the media selection from the user.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the remote interface includes a display interface in communication with one of a television, a video monitor, or a remote computer and a remote computer monitor to display information to the user.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the remote interface communicates the media request from the user to the software module via the communications hub.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of coded remote interfaces, each of the plurality of coded remote interfaces generating an identifier, the identifier invoking a set of media preferences.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the set of media preferences includes a predefined media type for an associated media device associated with the coded remote interface.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the predefined media type includes at least one of an image medium, a video medium, an audio medium, or an audiovisual medium.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the set of media preferences includes a user selectable preference among media content stored on the computer.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the set of media preferences includes a discretion limit such that a master user of the system can limit other users of the system from accessing at least one of a media type and specific media content.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications hub and the receiver utilize electromagnetic radiation propagating through one of air, intermediary wiring, or optical fiber for communicating therebetween.

18. A media server system for a computer through which media content is accessible, the media server system comprising:

a software module for storage on a computer and operable by the computer to receive a media request for a media selection from a media source, to retrieve the media selection in response to the media request, and to cause the computer to communicate a media signal conveying the media selection;

a communications hub in communication with the computer, the communications hub being configured to receive the media signal from the computer and transmit the media selection for play on the remote media device;

a receiver configured to communicate with the communications hub and with the remote media device to receive the media selection from the communications hub and communicate the media selection to the remote media device for play; and

a user interface configured to communicate with the software module to cause information about possible media selections to be displayed to a user and accept media requests from the user and generate an identifier invoking a set of media preferences associated with the user.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the identifier is associated with a personal user interface, such that use of the personal user interface results in generation of the identifier.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of personal user interfaces, each of the plurality of personal user interfaces generating a unique identifier.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the identifier is associated with a user pass code, such that entry of the user pass code into the user interface generates the identifier associated with the user pass code.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the user interface includes a local interface of the computer wherein the software module is configured to use a computer monitor to display information to the user and uses a computer input device to accept the media selection from the user.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the user interface includes a remote interface in communication with the computer wherein the software module is configured to use a remote media device to display information to the user.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the remote interface is in communication with the computer through the communications hub.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein the set of media preferences includes a predefined media type for an associated media device associated with the interface transmitter.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the predefined media type includes at least one of an image medium, a video medium, an audio medium, or an audiovisual medium.

27. The system of claim 18, wherein the set of media preferences includes a user selectable preference among media content stored on the computer.

28. The system of claim 18, wherein the set of media preferences includes a discretion limit such that a master user of the system can limit other users of the system from accessing at least one of a media type and specific media content.

29. The system of claim 18, wherein media source accessible through the computer includes at least one of prerecorded media and a broadcast media source.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the broadcast media source includes a service providing at least one of audio and video signals to the computer via cable, satellite, broadcast or other transmission media.

31. The system of claim 18, wherein the receiver is configured to communicate with a plurality of media devices and the software module permits selection of which of the plurality of media devices to which the media selection is directed.

32. The system of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of addressable receivers, each of the addressable receivers being configured to communicate with the communications hub and with at least one of a plurality of media devices.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein software module permits selection from among the plurality of addressable receivers to which the media selection is directed for play.

34. The system of claim 18, wherein the communications hub and the receiver utilize electromagnetic radiation propagating through one of air, intermediary wiring, or optical fiber for communicating therebetween.

35. A method for serving media content from a computer to a media device, the method comprising:

enabling a user to choose a media selection;

transmitting a request signal including the media selection;

receiving the request signal and extracting the media selection;

directing a computer configured to store and relay media selections of a plurality of media types to retrieve the media selection;

transmitting a media signal representing the media selection;

receiving the media signal representing the media selection; and

supplying the media selection to a media device for play.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising generating an identifier with the request signal, the identifier invoking a set of media preferences.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the set of media preferences includes one of associated with a remote user interface or is selectable by a user of the remote user interface.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the first set of media preferences includes a predefined media type for the media device.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the predefined media type includes at least one of an image medium, a video medium, an audio medium, or an audiovisual medium.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein the set of media preferences includes a user selectable preference among media content stored on the computer.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein the set of media preferences includes a discretion limit such that a master user of the system can limit other users of the system from accessing at least one of a media type and specific media content.

42. A method for serving media content from a computer to a media device, the method comprising:

transmitting a request signal including the media selection;

generating an identifier with the request signal, the identifier invoking a set of media preferences enabling a user to choose a media selection;

receiving the request signal and extracting the media selection;

directing a computer configured to store and relay media selections of a plurality of media types to retrieve the media selection if the media selection is consistent with the set of media preferences;

transmitting a media signal representing the media selection;

receiving the media signal representing the media selection;

supplying the media selection to a media device for play.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the set of media preferences includes one of associated with a remote user interface or is selectable by a user of the remote user interface.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the first set of media preferences includes a predefined media type for the media device.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the predefined media type includes at least one of an image medium, a video medium, an audio medium, or an audiovisual medium.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein the set of media preferences includes a user selectable preference among media content stored on the computer.

47. The method of claim 42, wherein the set of media preferences includes a discretion limit such that a master user of the system can limit other users of the system from accessing at least one of a media type and specific media content.