Systems and methods for a universal media server with integrated networking and telephony

• US 20050216949A1
• Filed: 03/23/2005
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dale Louis Skran, Joseph Gerard Aguilar, Ray Candelora
• Original Assignee: Dale Louis Skran, Joseph Gerard Aguilar, Ray Candelora
• Inventors: Candelora, Ray, Skran, Dale Louis, Aguilar, Joseph Gerard
• Application Number:
  US11/087,204
• Publication Number:
  US 20050216949A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/134
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2182 involving memory arrays, e.g. RAID disk arrays RAID arrays per se G06F3/0689; use of parity to protect data in RAID systems G06F11/1008
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2312 Data placement on disk arrays data placement in general G06F3/0604
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4332 by placing content in organized collections, e.g. local EPG data repository interfaces, Database management systems or updating for information retrieval G06F16/23; details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video database G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859

Abstract

Systems and methods for creating a Universal Media Server (UMS) and associated Digital Media Renders (DMRs) are disclosed. This system provides functions such as in-home wired or wireless network for media distribution with PVR functions from a distributed archive while at the same time including functions such as an answering machine, voice recorder, voice over IP gateway, firewall, NAT, DHCP, and security monitoring. A variety of advanced features and functions are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A digital media recorder comprising:

an input for receiving media streams;

at least two storage devices for storing the received media streams;

a processor for providing redundant storage of the received streams in the storage devices;

an output for connecting to a device capable of rendering the media streams; and

a means for specifying user preferences for storing the received media streams in the storage devices.

2. The digital media recorder of claim 1, wherein user preferences for storing the received media streams comprise one or more of:

(i) storage priority;

(ii) level of redundancy; and

(iii) access privileges.

3. The digital media recorder of claim 1, wherein at least two storage devices are in the digital media recorder'"'"'s chassis.

4. The digital media recorder of claim 1, wherein media streams are received over a telephone line.

5. The digital media recorder of claim 4, wherein stored media streams include voice-mail messages.

6. The digital media recorder of claim 5 further comprising means for customizing storage preferences of a received media stream based on a caller ID number.

7. The digital media recorder of claim 6 further comprising means for displaying a message on an output device when a phone call is received.

8. The digital media recorder of claim 6 further comprising means for displaying an image on an output device when a phone call is received.

9. The digital media recorder of claim 1, wherein media streams are received from a video camera

10. The digital media recorder of claim 9 further comprising means for sending a media stream received from a video camera to an output device when the video camera detects motion.

11. The digital media recorder of claim 1, wherein the processor is connected to the storage devices over a computer network.

12. The digital media recorder of claim 11, wherein the computer network is the Internet.

13. The digital media recorder of claim 1 further comprising a remote control device operated by human voice commands.

14. The digital media recorder of claim 13 further comprising means for processing human voice commands.

15. The digital media recorder of claim 11, wherein the device capable of rendering the media is connected to the digital media recorder over the computer network

16. The digital media recorder of claim 15, wherein the device capable of rendering media comprises a networking hub.

17. The digital media recorder claim 15, wherein the device capable of rendering media comprises a videophone.

18. The digital media recorder of claim 15, wherein the device capable of rendering media comprises a voice over internet protocol telephone.