US20110202993A1 - Digital media communication protocol - Google Patents

Abstract

A digital media communication protocol structured to selectively transmit one or more digital media files between a media terminal and a media node via a communication link on an interactive computer network. The communication link is initiated by the media terminal, wherein the media terminal is disposed in an accessible relation to the interactive computer network. The digital media communication protocol, and in particular, the communication link, is further structured to bypass at least one security measure, such as, for example, a password, security key, and/or firewall.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present specification is generally directed to a digital media communication protocol structured to facilitate transferring and/or transmitting one or more digital media files to and/or from a media terminal and a media node via at least one interactive computer network.
• 2. Background
• As technology continues to develop and play a significant role in today's society, a vast majority of portable devices, including cellular telephones, portable MP3 players, handheld or portable game consoles, Personal Digital Assistants (“PDA”), etc. are equipped with memory devices, such as hard drives and/or removable flash or memory cards, which are capable of holding or storing large amounts of data and or digital media files including digital photographs, videos, audio/music files, etc. Accordingly, with the advent of such devices having these capabilities, individuals or users are more inclined to carry around their media files, such as, for example, digital photo albums, family videos, and/or favorite music tracks.
• The drawback to the above noted portable media devices, however, is that many of the devices include relatively small display screens, some of which display poor quality photos and/or videos. In addition, the speakers associated with the corresponding portable device(s) are typically rather small and produce minimal or poor sound therefrom.
• In addition, the individuals or users of the media devices may desire to share the digital media files and/or transfer, display, or play the files on a computer or other media device equipped with a larger or better quality screen, or having higher quality speakers than that disposed on the portable device(s). In addition, some media devices may have better editing software, or have access to the World Wide Web to further distribute the digital media files.
• Accordingly, it would be advantageous if the digital media communication protocol of the present specification is structured to facilitate transferring or transmitting one or more digital media files between two or more media devices, such as a media terminal and/or a media node, via at least one interactive computer network. In particular, it would be beneficial if the digital media communication protocol includes a communication link structured to bypass at least one or more security measures, such as a password and/or firewall, employed by the interactive computer network, the corresponding networking devices, and/or the particular media devices themselves.
• In addition, once the communication link is established it would be particularly beneficial if the various media devices, including the media terminal(s) and/or media node(s), are structured to display, save, edit, manipulate, and/or transfer the one or more digital media files.
SUMMARY
• The present specification is directed to a digital media communication protocol having at least one media terminal and at least one media node. In particular, the media terminal of at least one embodiment includes a computer, including but not limited to a desktop computer, mobile or laptop computer, PDA, cellular telephone, etc., and is disposed in an accessible relation to one or more interactive computer networks. In at least one embodiment, the media node includes, but is in no way limited to, a portable device such as, for example, a mobile computer, PDA, cellular telephone, handheld game console, portable MP3 player, etc. In yet another embodiment, however, the media node includes a desktop computer or other like device. Furthermore, the interactive computer network of the present specification may include any one or more computer networks, including home, office, private, and/or limited networks, as well as access to the World Wide Web, for example, via the Internet.
• In addition, at least one embodiment of the present system includes a wireless range structured to permit authorized access to the one or more interactive computer networks. Moreover, the media node(s) is disposable within the wireless range, wherein the media node is detectable by the media terminal disposed in accessible relation to the interactive computer network. The present specification further includes a communication link initiated by the media terminal and structured to dispose the media terminal and the media node in a communicative relation with one another via the interactive computer network.
• Once the communication link is established, the media terminal and the media node are structured to transmit at least one digital media file therebetween via the communication link. In particular, the media terminal and/or media node is structured to display, save, edit, manipulate, and/or transfer or send the digital media file.
• These and other objects, features and advantages of the present system will become more clear when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present system, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the digital media communication protocol in accordance with the present specification.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the digital media communication protocol in accordance with the present specification.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the digital media communication protocol in accordance with the present specification.
• FIG. 4 is a partial flow chart of at least one illustrative implementation of the digital media communication protocol of the present specification.
• Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• As shown in the accompanying drawings, the present specification relates to a digital media communication protocol, generally indicated as10. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 3, at least one embodiment of the present protocol orsystem10 includes one ormore media terminals20 and one ormore media nodes30. In particular, the media terminal(s)20 of at least one embodiment is disposed in an accessible relation to at least oneinteractive computer network40 and may include, for example, acomputer processing device22, aninput device24, and adisplay device26. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 1, the media terminal(s)20 of the various embodiments described herein may include a desktop computer, however, any device structured to facilitate the practice of the present system in the intended fashion may be utilized, including but in no way limited to a laptop or notebook computer, PDA, video game console, mobile telephone, etc.
• The media node(s)30 of at least one embodiment of thepresent system10 generally includes a portable device such as a cellular or mobile telephone, PDA, portable mp3 player, laptop or notebook computer, or any other digital media device structured to facilitate the practice of the present system in the intended manner. In at least one embodiment, however, themedia node30 is not limited to a portable device, and may include a more stationary device or structure such as, for example, a desktop computer.
• Furthermore, the various embodiments of the present specification include at least oneinteractive computer network40,40′. In particular, as illustrated inFIG. 1, at least one embodiment includes one or more home, office, private, limited, or closedinteractive computer networks40 at least partially defined by one ormore networking devices42, including but not limited to a router, access point, and/or switch. Accordingly, theinteractive computer network40 may include a Local Area Network (“LAN”), Wide Area Network (“WAN”), Private Area Network (“PAN”), peer-to-peer network, Bluetooth network, etc. As best shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, it is also contemplated that, especially wherein theinteractive computer network40 is a Bluetooth or peer-to-peer network, the media terminal(s)20 and/or the media node(s)30 can function as the networking device(s)42, at least to the extent of defining theinteractive computer network40. Additionally, and referring again toFIG. 1, at least oneinteractive computer network40′ of at least one embodiment includes access to the World Wide Web, for example via the Internet. Such access to the WorldWide Web40′ may be facilitated in any manner, including but not limited to, via a cable orDSL modem44, as shown inFIG. 1, or via one ormore satellites46 and/or one or more towers orbase stations48, as illustrated inFIG. 2.
• In addition, and still referring toFIGS. 1 through 3, at least one embodiment of thepresent system10 includes awireless range50 structured to permit access to the one or moreinteractive computer networks40. In particular, as shown inFIG. 1, thewireless range50 may be at least partially defined bynetworking devices42, such as a wireless router, access point, switch, etc. In yet another embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, however, thewireless range50 may be partially defined by themedia terminal20 and/ormedia node30, such as, for example, wherein theinteractive computer network40 includes a Bluetooth or peer-to-peer network.
• In addition, and as an attempt to minimize or eliminate unauthorized access or security breaches to theinteractive computer network40, theinteractive computer network40 and/or the various networking device(s)42 may include one or more networkingdevice security measures41 including a firewall, and/or passwords/keys such as, for example, Wi-Fi Protected Access (“WPA”) keys, and/or Wireless Application Protocol (“WAP”) keys. Accordingly, only authorized individuals or computers may generally have access to theinteractive computer network40 through the firewall, via use of the password(s)/key(s), and/or any other networking device security measure(s)41.
• Thepresent system10 further includes at least onedigital media file60 initially disposed or saved on at least one of the media terminal(s)20 or media node(s)30. Specifically, the digital media file(s)60 may be disposed on the media terminal(s)20, the media node(s)30, or both. However, it should be apparent that for purposes of thepresent system10, thedigital media file60 need not necessarily be created or originated on either the media terminal(s)20 or the media node(s)30. In particular, the digital media file(s)60 may include virtually any electronic file or data such as a digital photograph, video, audio, animation, text, or any other electronic document or object.
• Moreover, in at least one embodiment of thepresent system10, the media node(s)30 is disposable within thewireless range50, wherein themedia node30 is detectable by themedia terminal20. In particular, as stated above, in at least one embodiment, themedia node30 includes a portable device, such as a mobile or cellular phone, PDA, laptop, etc. Accordingly, themedia node30 may be disposed within, i.e., enter, the confines of thewireless range50, for example, when a user or individual carries themedia node30 therein. In addition, for purposes of thepresent system10, themedia node30 may be disposed within thewireless range50 when the device is powered on, activated, or otherwise configured into a discoverable and/or detectable state while simultaneously being physically disposed within the confines of thewireless range50, and as such, themedia node30 need not necessarily be portable or easily movable. For instance, while physically disposed within the confines of thewireless range50, the media node(s)30 may be powered on or otherwise have wireless or Bluetooth capabilities activated.
• Furthermore, the media terminal(s)20 disposed in accessible relation to theinteractive computer network40 are structured to detect the media node(s)30 as the media node(s)30 is disposed within the confines of or is otherwise detectable within thewireless range50. Particularly, in at least one embodiment, eachmedia node30 includes a node identifier structured to distinguish onemedia node30 within thewireless range50 from another. For example, the node identifier may include a device name, model/serial number, Media Access Control (“MAC”) address, or Internet Protocol (“IP”) address. Accordingly, as themedia node30 enters or is otherwise disposed within thewireless range50, themedia terminal20 is structured to detect and/or identify themedia node30, for example, by the corresponding node identifier.
• In addition, at least one embodiment of thepresent system10 includes a terminal program disposed in an accessible relation to themedia terminal20. In particular, the terminal program of at least one embodiment is a computer software program structured to facilitate the practice of thepresent system10 in the intended fashion, at least from themedia terminal20 side of thesystem10. The terminal program, of at least one embodiment, may be disposed on themedia terminal20, such as, for example, on a hard drive, or other memory device associated with themedia terminal20. In yet another embodiment, however, the terminal program may be accessible via the at least oneinteractive network40,40′, such as, for example; via the World Wide Web. For example, in the embodiment wherein the terminal program is accessible via the World Wide Web, a user may direct a web browser disposed in themedia terminal20 to a particular web site, which then runs or executes the terminal program and/or downloads the terminal program to themedia terminal20.
• Either way, the terminal program may include at least one script which is structured to consistently or periodically monitor thewireless range50 associated with theinteractive computer network40 for the existence ofmedia nodes30. When amedia node30 is disposed within thewireless range50, the terminal program may be structured or configured to automatically alert a user at themedia terminal20 of the existence or detection of themedia node20. In particular, the terminal program may deploy a pop-up display, play an audio alarm or tone, etc. On the other hand, the terminal program may be structured or configured to alert or notify the user of any detectedmedia nodes30 only upon the user's specific instructions. For example, themedia terminal20, and in particular the terminal program thereof, may be structured to list or display themedia nodes30 currently disposed within thewireless range50 upon the user clicking on or otherwise manipulating a corresponding option of the terminal program.
• At least one embodiment of thepresent system10 further includes acommunication link70 structured to dispose the media terminal(s)20 and the media node(s)30 in a communicative relation with one another via theinteractive computer network40. In particular, thecommunication link70 of the various embodiments of thepresent system10 is initiated or requested by themedia terminal20. As stated above, themedia terminal20 is structured to detect the media node(s)30 disposed within thewireless range50. As also stated above, themedia node30 may, but need not, however, be configured to have access to theinteractive computer network40. For example, theinteractive computer network40 and/or the corresponding networking device(s)42 may be equipped with one ormore security measures41, including a WEP key or other password. Themedia node30 may, but need not have access to the WEP key orother security measure41 so as to access the correspondinginteractive computer network40. Even so, themedia terminal20 is structured to initiate acommunication link70 with the one or more detectedmedia nodes30 disposed within thewireless range50, for example, by sending and/or transmitting a request to the corresponding media node(s)30 to establish acommunication link70 therewith via theinteractive computer network40. As illustrated inFIG. 1, themedia terminal20 need not be disposed within thewireless range50 in order to detect themedia nodes30 or to initiate acommunication link70 therewith. In at least one embodiment of thepresent system10, themedia terminal20 does, however, need to be disposed in an accessible relation with theinteractive computer network40, for example, wirelessly or via adirect cable43.
• More in particular, thecommunication link70 of at least one embodiment of the present specification is structured to bypass one or more media terminal security measures21, medianode security measures31, and/or networking device security measures41. Moreover, the security measures21,31,41 may includes passwords, keys, firewalls, etc. structured to minimize or eliminate unauthorized access to thecorresponding media terminal20,media node30, networking device(s)42, and/orinteractive computer network40,40′. Referring again toFIG. 1, in the embodiment wherein theinteractive computer network40 and thewireless range50 are at least partially defined by networking device(s)42, such as a router, access point, or switch, once established, thecommunication link70 is structured to be disposed between themedia terminal20 and themedia node30, and through the corresponding networking device(s)42. Particularly, in at least one implementation of thepresent system10, because themedia terminal20 is disposed in an accessible relation to theinteractive computer network40, and because thecommunication link70 is initiated by themedia terminal20, thecommunication link70 can be established regardless of whether thecorresponding media node30 independently has access to theinteractive computer network40. In addition, the initiation of thecommunication link70 by themedia terminal20, such as through a request to establish acommunication link70, at least partially allows thecommunication link70 to bypass the firewall or other media terminal security measure(s)21.
• Moreover, themedia terminal20 of at least one embodiment of thepresent system10 may be structured or configured to automatically initiate acommunication link70 with the detectedmedia nodes30. However, more practically, a user in control of15. themedia terminal20 may direct themedia terminal20 to initiate thecommunication link70 with one or more selected media node(s)30, for example, via the terminal program. Similarly, themedia node30 may be structured or configured to automatically accept or decline creation of thecommunication link70 initiated by themedia terminal20. However, in at least one embodiment of thepresent system10, the media node(s)30 may be structured or configured for a user in control of themedia node30 to selectively accept or decline the creation or establishment of acommunication link70 initiated by the correspondingmedia terminal20. As such, in at least one embodiment, themedia node30 includes one or more node programs structured to facilitate the practice of thepresent system10 in the intended fashion, at least from themedia node30 side of thesystem10.
• Once thecommunication link70 is initiated, accepted, and/or ultimately established between themedia terminal20 and themedia node30, the digital media file(s)60 may be selectively transmitted therebetween. In particular, if thedigital media file60 is initially disposed on themedia node30, themedia node30 and themedia terminal20 may cooperatively communicate via thecommunication link70 such that thedigital media file60 may be transmitted from themedia node30 to themedia terminal20. In addition, the converse is also true. Particularly, if thedigital media file60 is disposed on themedia terminal20, themedia node30 and themedia terminal20 may cooperatively communicate via thecommunication link70 such that thedigital media file60 may be transmitted from themedia terminal20 to themedia node30. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment of thepresent system10, the device on which thedigital media file60 is initially disposed, such as themedia node30 or themedia terminal20, is structured to “push” thedigital media file60 to the receivingdevice20,30 via thecommunication link70. Similarly, in at least one embodiment, once thecommunication link70 is established, the receivingdevice20,30 is structured to “pull” the digital media file60 from the transmittingdevice30,20 via thecommunication link70.
• For illustrative purposes only, thecommunication link70, the terminal program, and/or the node program may be structured to include a selective set of parameters which define or limit the permissions associated with thecommunication link70. In particular, in at least one embodiment, the selective set of parameters may include the option of transmitting thedigital media file60 via thecommunication link70 merely for purposes of displaying and/or playing thedigital media file60, saving thedigital media file60, manipulating or otherwise editing thedigital media file60, etc. In the various embodiments of thepresent system10, it is contemplated that these parameters may be selected from either themedia terminal20 or themedia node30, at various times. For instance, the parameters may be selected by themedia terminal20, or a user in control thereof, when thecommunication link70 is initiated, or by either themedia terminal20 or themedia node30 when thecommunication link70 is accepted or created.
• Furthermore, it is contemplated that theprotocol10 of the present system includes a plurality of versions of the terminal program and/or the node program, stated and described above. For instance, at least one embodiment includes at least one limited version of the terminal and/or node programs and at least one full version of the programs. It is contemplated that the limited versions of the terminal and/or node programs are distributed at no cost or at least a lower cost than the corresponding full versions, and as such, provide limited functionality. Of course, the terminal and/or node programs, whether the limited and/or full versions, may come pre-installed with thecorresponding media terminal20 ormedia node30.
• Moreover, for illustrative purposes only,FIG. 4 shows one implementation of thesystem10 in accordance with the present specification, generally indicated as100. In particular, and as above, in at least one embodiment, themedia node30 may include a portable device, such as for example, a cellular telephone, PDA, or mobile computer. For purposes of the illustrative implementation ofFIG. 4, theinteractive computer network40 includes awireless range50 located in one or more offices or rooms, wherein themedia terminal20 is also disposed within one of the offices or rooms in accessible relation to theinteractive computer network40.
• Furthermore, thedigital media file60 of the present illustrative implementation ofFIG. 4 may be disposed on themedia node30, whereas the user in control of themedia node30 desires to display thedigital media file60 on thedisplay device26 of themedia terminal20. As shown inFIG. 4, themedia node30 may be disposed within thewireless range102. For example, the user in control of, and/or having possession of, themedia node30 may walk into the office which is disposed within thewireless range50. As stated above, once themedia node30 is disposed within thewireless range50, as shown at104, themedia terminal20 is structured to detect themedia node20. Themedia terminal20 may then initiate acommunication link70 between themedia terminal20 and themedia node30 via theinteractive computer network40, as shown at106, for instance, by sending a request thereto. Themedia node30 may then accept the request by themedia terminal20, which establishes thecommunication link70, as illustrated at108 inFIG. 4. Once thecommunication link70 is established, thedigital media file60 may be transmitted, i.e., “pushed” or “pulled”, between themedia node30 and themedia terminal20, as shown at110.
• More in particular, because thedigital media file60, for purposes of the illustrative implementation shown inFIG. 4, is initially disposed on themedia node30, thedigital media file60 may be transmitted, i.e., “pushed” or “pulled”, to themedia terminal20 from themedia node30 via thecommunication link70. In particular, themedia terminal20 may display thedigital media file60, save thedigital media file60, and/or manipulate or edit thedigital media file60. In addition, themedia terminal20, in at least one embodiment, may be structured to transmit thedigital media file60 and/or the edited media file back to themedia node30 via thecommunication link70.
• Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the system as present herein, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the present system should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
• Now that the invention has been described,

Claims (33)

1-25. (canceled)

26. A method of transferring a digital media file from a media node to a media terminal, the medial terminal including a security measure, comprising:

wirelessly detecting, by the media terminal, the media node;

initiating a wireless connection between the media terminal and the media node; and

wireless receiving, by the media terminal and over the wireless connection, the media file from the media node, wherein

the wireless connection does not include the security measure.

27. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the creation of the wireless connection is initiated by the media terminal.

28. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the creation of the wireless connection is initiated by the media node.

29. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the media file is pulled from the media node.

30. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the media file is pushed from the media node.

31. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the media node is a portable device.

32. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the security measure is a firewall.

33. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the transmission of the media file from the media node to the media terminal completely bypasses the security measure.

34. A media terminal configured to receive a digital media file from a media node, comprising:

a memory;

a wireless receiver;

a security measure; and

a processor configured to

wirelessly detect the media node,

create a wireless connection between the media terminal and the media node,

receive, using the wireless receiver, the media file from the media node, wherein the wireless connection does not include the security measure.

35. The media terminal ofclaim 34, wherein the creation of the wireless connection is initiated by the media terminal.

36. The media terminal ofclaim 34, wherein the creation of the wireless connection is initiated by the media node.

37. The media terminal ofclaim 34, wherein the media file is pulled from the media node.

38. The media terminal ofclaim 34, wherein the media file is pushed from the media node.

39. The media terminal ofclaim 34, wherein the media node is a portable device.

40. The media terminal ofclaim 34, wherein the security measure is a firewall.

41. The media terminal ofclaim 34, wherein the transmission of the media file from the media node to the media terminal completely bypasses the security measure.

42. A method of transferring a digital media file from a media node to a media terminal, the medial terminal including a security measure, comprising:

wirelessly detecting, by the media node, the media terminal;

initiating a wireless connection between the media terminal and the media node; and

wireless transmitting, by the media node and over the wireless connection, the media file to the media terminal, wherein

the wireless connection does not include the security measure.

43. The method ofclaim 42, wherein the creation of the wireless connection is initiated by the media terminal.

44. The method ofclaim 42, wherein the creation of the wireless connection is initiated by the media node.

45. The method ofclaim 42, wherein the media file is pulled from the media node.

46. The method ofclaim 42, wherein the media file is pushed from the media node.

47. The method ofclaim 42, wherein the media node is a portable device.

48. The method ofclaim 42, wherein the security measure is a firewall.

49. The method ofclaim 42, wherein the transmission of the media file from the media node to the media terminal completely bypasses the security measure.

50. A media node configured to transmit a digital media file to a media terminal having a security measure comprising:

a memory;

a wireless transmitter; and

a processor configured to

wirelessly detect the media terminal,

create a wireless connection between the media terminal and the media node,

transmit, using the wireless receiver, the media file from the media node, wherein the wireless connection does not include the security measure.

51. The media node ofclaim 50, wherein the creation of the wireless connection is initiated by the media terminal.

52. The media node ofclaim 50, wherein the creation of the wireless connection is initiated by the media node.

53. The media node ofclaim 50, wherein the media file is pulled from the media node.

54. The media node ofclaim 50, wherein the media file is pushed from the media node.

55. The media node ofclaim 50, wherein the media node is a portable device.

56. The media node ofclaim 50, wherein the security measure is a firewall.

57. The media node ofclaim 50, wherein

the transmission of the media file from the media node to the media terminal completely bypasses the security measure.

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