MEDIA CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20070088812A1
• Filed: 06/07/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Christopher Clark
• Original Assignee: Christopher Clark
• Inventors: Clark, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US11/422,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20070088812A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42653 for processing graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/436 Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440218 by transcoding between formats or standards, e.g. from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 conversion of standards in analogue television systems H04N7/01
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4725 using interactive regions of the image, e.g. hot spots details of information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47815 Electronic shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8153 comprising still images, e.g. texture, background image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/02 Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]

Abstract

A media control computer system provides centralized access and distribution of digital media content. The system provides a user full control of multiple media sources from any television or video screen connected to the system. The system provides for storage and distribution of various types of media in practically any digital format, such as movies, television programs, music and video games. The system may be controlled wirelessly, such as using Bluetooth technology. The system may be expanded using expansion cards or chips that a user may install in one central location, thereby replacing the many “black boxes” of the typical home entertainment center. The system receives input from the Internet, cable/satellite television, peripheral devices and various types of media devices. Media output may be distributed to television screens and audio systems throughout a home, office or other location.

Claims

1. A media control computer system for providing centralized access to and distribution of digital media content to multiple locations, the system comprising:

a main controller computer for controlling distribution of the digital media content based on input received from a user of the system;

one or more interface buses, at least one of which is connected to the main controller computer for communicating information to and from the main controller computer; and

one or more television/computer interface devices connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses and in communication with the main controller computer, each of the television/computer interface devices for receiving graphics information via the one or more interface buses and for generating a video signal based at least in part on the graphics information, the video signal in a format compatible for display on a television display device connected to the television/computer interface device.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a media center device connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses, the media center device for providing mass storage of the digital media content, the media center device including one or more original mass storage devices on which the digital media content is stored, the original mass storage devices selected from the group consisting of optical drives, magnetic hard drives and flash memory drives.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the media center device includes one or more expansion locations for receiving one or more expansion mass storage devices, the expansion mass storage devices selected from the group consisting of optical drives, magnetic hard drives and flash memory drives, thereby providing for expandability of the media center to accommodate additional mass storage.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a personal computer device connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses, the personal computer device for executing software applications, generating the graphics information based on execution of the software applications and providing the graphics information to the television computer interface device via the one or more interface buses; and

one or more of the television/computer interface devices for receiving via the one or more interface buses the graphics information generated by the personal computer device and for generating the video signal based at least in part on the graphics information generated by the personal computer device.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a network interface device connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses, the network interface device for receiving control signals and providing control information to the main controller computer based on the control signals; and

one or more control devices for generating the control signals based on the input received from the user of the system, the one or more control devices further for communicating the control signals to the network interface device.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein:

the one or more control devices comprise one or more wireless control devices for generating wireless control signals based on the input received from the user of the system, the one or more wireless control devices further for wirelessly communicating the wireless control signals to the network interface device; and

the network interface device is for receiving the wireless control signals and providing control information to the main controller computer based on the wireless control signals.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the one or more wireless control devices are selected from the group consisting of Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi devices, WiMAX devices and HyperLAN devices.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein:

the one or more control devices comprise one or more Universal Serial Bus (USB) control devices; and

the network interface device comprises a USB interface.

9. The system of claim 5 further comprising:

one or more peripheral devices for generating the peripheral signals and communicating the peripheral signals to the network interface device; and

the network interface device for receiving the peripheral signals and providing peripheral information to the main controller computer based on the peripheral signals.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein:

the one or more peripheral devices include a digital camera having a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, and the peripheral signals comprise digital photographs formatted as media data files; and

the network interface device comprises a USB interface for receiving the media data files and transferring the media data files across the one or more interface buses.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein:

the one or more peripheral devices comprise one or more wireless peripheral devices for generating wireless peripheral signals and for wirelessly communicating the wireless peripheral signals to the network interface device; and

the network interface device is for receiving the wireless peripheral signals and providing peripheral information to the main controller computer based on the wireless peripheral signals.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the one or more wireless peripheral devices include a Bluetooth-enabled cellular phone.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising a media router connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses, the media router for controlling routing of connections between components connected to the one or more interface buses.

14. The system of claim 4 further comprising a media router connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses, the media router for controlling routing of a connection between the personal computer device and the television/computer interface device.

15. The system of claim 1 further comprising an Internet router connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses, the Internet router for providing communication between the system and the Internet.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the main controller computer further comprises a network interface for providing a direct communication connection between the main controller computer and the Internet router.

17. The system of claim 1 further comprising a direct bus router connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses, the direct bus router for routing direct connections between one or more media output devices and one or more media access devices under control of commands from the main controller computer, the direct bus router comprising:

a plurality of first connection ports for connecting to the one or more media output devices;

a plurality of second connection ports for connecting to the one or more media access devices;

switching means for connecting one or more of the first connection ports to one or more of the second connection ports.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the media output devices include a media center, an audio router and one or more television/computer interface devices, and the media access devices include the media center, an Internet router and one or more personal computer devices.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the switching means comprise:

a network of logic gates connected to the first and second connection ports and arranged in a tournament bracket configuration; and

a direct media gate controller for controlling the network of logic gates based on the commands from the main controller computer to control which of the first connection ports are connected to the second connection ports and which of the second connection ports are connected to the first connection ports.

20. The system of claim 1 further comprising an audio router connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses, the audio router for routing audio signals to one or more sets of audio speakers connected to the audio router, the routing of the audio signals controlled by control signals generated by the main controller computer and provided to the audio router via the one or more interface buses.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the television/computer interface device generates the audio signals and communicates the audio signals to the audio router via an audio router bus.

22. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

the main controller computer for generating user interface screen graphics signals and for providing the user interface screen graphics signals at least one of the television/computer interfaces device via the one or more interface buses; and

the at least one television/computer interface device for receiving the user interface screen graphics signals and for generating the video signal based thereon, the video signal compatible with the television display device to generate user interface screen graphics on a video screen of the television display device, where the user interface screen graphics provide the user options for controlling the media control system.

23. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more television/computer interface devices each include:

an interface controller for receiving graphics information from the one or more interface buses and generating a graphics information signal based on the graphics information;

a graphics controller for receiving a digital media data stream containing video data, for receiving the graphics information signal from the interface controller, for generating information window graphics based on the graphics information signal, and for combining the information window graphics with the video data from the digital media data stream to form the combination video signal in a format compatible for display on the television display device.

24. The system of claim 1 wherein

the one or more interface buses include one or more interface slots, and

the one or more television/computer interfaces are each disposed on one or more printed circuit cards operable to be inserted into the one or more interface slots of the one or more interface buses.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein

the one or more television/computer interface devices are provided in one or more semiconductor chips, and

the one or more printed circuit cards include one or more chip sockets thereon for receiving the one or more semiconductor chips.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein one or more of the printed circuit cards include expansion sockets for receiving expansion chips containing devices selected from the group consisting of television/computer interface devices and personal computer devices.

27. The system of claim 4 wherein

the one or more interface buses include one or more interface slots, and

the personal computer device is disposed on one or more printed circuit cards operable to be inserted into the one or more interface slots of the one or more interface buses.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein

the personal computer device is provided in one or more semiconductor chips, and

the printed circuit card includes one or more chip sockets thereon for receiving the one or more semiconductor chips.

29. The system of claim 1 further comprising a display router for receiving one or more video signals from the one or more television/computer interface devices and routing the one or more video signals to one or more television display devices.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein

at least one of the television/computer interface devices decodes multiple digital video streams and generates the video signal comprising the multiple digital video streams multiplexed together, and

the display router includes a de-multiplexer for receiving the video signal generated by the at least one television/computer interface device and for de-multiplexing the multiple digital video streams into individual video signals for display on the one or more television display devices.

31. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more interface buses include a main bus.

32. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more interface buses include a display bus.

33. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more interface buses include a router bus.

34. A media control computer system for providing centralized access to and distribution of digital media content to multiple locations, the system comprising:

a main controller computer for controlling distribution of the digital media content based on input received from a user of the system;

one or more interface buses, at least one of which is connected to the main controller computer for communicating information to and from the main controller computer;

a media center device connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses and in communication with the main controller computer, the media center device for providing mass storage of the digital media content, the media center device including one or more mass storage devices on which the digital media content is stored, the mass storage devices selected from the group consisting of optical drives, magnetic hard drives and flash memory drives;

a personal computer device connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses and in communication with the main controller computer and the media center via the one or more interface buses, the personal computer device for accessing the digital media content stored at the media center, for executing software applications to process the digital media content, and for generating graphics information based on execution of the software applications; and

one or more television/computer interface devices connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses and in communication with the main controller computer and the personal computer device, each of the television/computer interface devices for receiving the graphics information generated by the personal computer device and for generating a video signal based at least in part on the graphics information generated by the personal computer device, the video signal in a format compatible for display on a television display device connected to the television/computer interface device.

35. A media control computer system for providing centralized access to and distribution of digital media content to multiple locations, the system comprising:

a main controller computer for controlling distribution of the digital media content based on input received from a user of the system;

one or more interface buses, at least one of which is connected to the main controller computer for communicating information to and from the main controller computer;

one or more television/computer interface devices connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses and in communication with the main controller computer, each of the television/computer interface devices for receiving graphics information via the one or more interface buses and for generating a video signal based at least in part on the graphics information, the video signal in a format compatible for display on a television display device connected to the television/computer interface device;

a media center device connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses for providing mass storage of the digital media content, the media center device including one or more original mass storage devices on which the digital media content is stored, the original mass storage devices selected from the group consisting of optical drives, magnetic hard drives and flash memory drives;

a personal computer device connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses, the personal computer device for executing software applications, generating the graphics information based on execution of the software applications and providing the graphics information to the television computer interface device via the one or more interface buses;

a network interface device connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses, the network interface device for receiving control signals and providing control information to the main controller computer based on the control signals;

one or more control devices for generating the control signals based on input received from the user of the system, the one or more control devices further for communicating the control signals to the network interface device;

a media router connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses, the media router for controlling routing of connections between the personal computer device, the television/computer interface device and the media center device; and

an Internet router connected to at least one of the one or more interface buses, the Internet router for providing communication between the system and the Internet.