Method and apparatus for interfacing a network with a television or stereo for enhanced access of media content

• US 20070250571A1
• Filed: 03/23/2007
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vinci Brands LLC
• Original Assignee: Vinci Brands LLC
• Inventors: Griffin, Paul
• Application Number:
  US11/726,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20070250571A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4113 PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104

Abstract

A media device interfaces a television with the Internet and a computer such that media content discovered with a computer can be retrieved from the Internet by the device for display on the television. An instant message or chat interface is used to receive the digital content from an instant message or chat client. The user specifies accounts that are authorized to send content to the device through the instant message interface. The user can also specify full access accounts that can be used to remotely configure and control the device. The media device automatically retrieves authorized media content from the instant message client and stores it in directories. The media files in the directories can then be accessed through a menu displayed on the television by a user manipulating the menu.

Claims

1. An apparatus for displaying digital content on a television or playing music over a stereo, the apparatus comprising:

an instant message interface that receives and sends digital content through an instant message client and displays said content on said television or plays said content on said stereo.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises application software on a computer for retrieving media files, torrent files and podcast identifiers from a local network or the Internet and pushing said media files, torrent files and podcast RSS feed addresses from said computer to said apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interface further comprises application software that allows a user to authorize selected instant message users to download content to the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the application software further allows said user to authorize limited access to some authorized users and full access to other authorized users wherein said full access authorized users can configure said apparatus through said instant message client.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said instant message interface further comprises a menu generator for generating a menu on said television that can be manipulated to selectively display digital content stored in said apparatus on said television.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said instant message interface further comprises a search routine for searching metadata associated with said digital content.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said instant message interface allows a user to limit an amount of available bandwidth for use in downloading digital content to said apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a user can configure said apparatus through an instant message interface on a remote terminal.

9. A device for converting digital media files received from a computer to a format capable of being played on a television and downloading information from the Internet, said device comprising:

an instant message or chat interface that receives digital media files from an instant message or chat client such that said digital media files can be displayed on a screen of said television or played on a speaker of said television.

10. The device of claim 9 further comprising download management software that allows a user to select digital content for downloading from said instant message or chat client and specify an amount of available bandwidth for use in downloading said digital content.

11. The device of claim 9 further comprising a buddy list that includes a list of users of said instant message or chat client that are authorized to send digital content to said device.

12. The device of claim 9 wherein at least a portion of said instant message or chat interface resides on a computer coupled to said device.

13. The device of claim 9 further comprising a video encoder and graphics processor for converting said digital content into a television format for display on said television.

14. A method for receiving digital content system from the Internet for playback on a television or stereo, said method comprising the steps of:

creating an instant message account; and

automatically receiving digital content sent to said instant message account with an interface device that can playback said digital content on said radio and television.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said interface device further comprises a video encoder and graphics processor for converting said digital content into a television format for display on said television.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of authorizing instant message accounts such that said authorized instant message accounts can send digital content to said interface device.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of limiting an amount of available bandwidth for use in downloading said digital content to said interface device.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein said interface device further comprises a menu generator that generates a menu of digital content accessible by said interface device.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of displaying a message associated with downloaded digital content on said television.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein said interface device further comprises an assembler for assembling a torrent file.