Computer system capable of executing a remote operating system

RELATED APPLICATIONS

P-0001[0001] The disclosed system and operating method are related to subject matter disclosed in the following co-pending patent applications that are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety: (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx, entitled “Emulator-Enabled Network Connectivity to a Device”, attorney docket no. 1003.P002US. (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx, entitled “Network to Computer Internal Interface”, attorney docket no. 1003.P003US. (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx, entitled “Network Interface to a Video Device”, attorney docket no. 1003.P004US. (4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx, entitled “Video Receiver/Recorder with Computer Interface”, attorney docket no. 1003.P005US. (5) U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx, entitled “Transcoding Media System”, attorney docket no. 100<b>3</b>.P007US. (6) U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx, entitled “Communication Architecture Utilizing Emulator Interface”, attorney docket no. 1003.P008US. (7) U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx, entitled “Server in a Media System”, attorney docket no. 1003.P009US.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

P-0002[0002] Diskless boot enables a computer to operate without a local disk drive. The diskless computer connects to a storage element that contains a bootable image over a network and bootstrap loads an operating system from the remotely-located storage element. In many applications, elimination of the local disk drive has several advantages. Diskless technology enables central management of multiple network computers, forming redundant network structures and facilitating dynamic allocation of storage resources and backup procedures, while reducing costs.

P-0003[0003] A small number of diskless computer system technologies have been developed. One implementation is based on a Fibre Channel communication technology that is highly expensive and infrequently used in comparison to ubiquitous standard Internet Protocol (IP) systems.

P-0004[0004] Another implementation is Etherboot, a software package for creating ROM images that can download executable code over an Ethernet network to be executed on an x86 computer. A client system obtains the location of a target device and downloads a root file system and operating system kernel using a Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP), then executes the kernel. A drawback to Etherboot is that a TFTP server is required on the local network and changes to images acquired via TFTP cannot be saved.

P-0005[0005] In another implementation, iBoot™ using iSCSI™ protocol that encapsulates standard Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) commands for usage to communicate with disks via transmission over common IP networks. A drawback to iBoot™ is that the special iSCSI standard is required, limiting applicability to systems with a particular SCSI bus type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

P-0006[0006] In accordance with some of the disclosed embodiments, a computer system comprises a processor and an emulator coupled to the processor and having an external interface capable of communicating information to a network. The emulator emulates a bootable disc drive and supplies a bootable operating system to the processor from the network.

P-0007[0007] In accordance with other embodiments of the disclosed system, a computer system comprises a processor, an emulation controller coupled to the processor, a network controller coupled to the emulation controller and capable of coupling to an external network, and a storage. The storage holds an instruction sequence that is executable on the emulation controller. The instruction sequence comprises a code for receiving a information from the external network and supplying a bootable operating system from the external network to the processor for execution.

P-0008[0008] In accordance with other disclosed examples, a computer system comprises a processor, an interface coupled to the processor, a network controller coupled to the interface and capable of coupling to an external network, and an emulation controller coupling the network controller to the interface. The emulation controller emulates a virtual disc by converting read and write requests directed to a disc into network communication packets.

P-0009[0009] In accordance with aspects of some embodiments, a method of operating a computer system comprises activating a processor, searching for a bootable device, emulating the bootable device, and communicating with a remote source via a network. The network supplies a bootable operating system from the remote source and the processor executes the bootable operating system.

P-0010[0010] In accordance with some embodiments, a computer system comprises a server, one or more of bootable operating system images stored on the server. The computer system further comprises a local system including a processor, an interface coupled to the processor, and an emulator coupled to the interface and having an external interface capable of intercommunicating information with the server. The emulator emulates a bootable disc drive and supplying a selected bootable operating system to the processor from the server.

P-0011[0011] In accordance with some systems, a computer system comprises a server, a plurality of bootable operating system images stored on the server, and an interactive program executable on the server for selecting a bootable operating system image. The server can also include a communication program capable of retrieving a selected bootable operating system image and transferring the bootable operating system image to a client computer. The client computer can include a processor, a disc interface, and an emulator with a network controller that receives the bootable operating system image and communicates the bootable operating system image to the processor for execution over the interface.

P-0012[0012] In some embodiments, software on the processor executes in conjunction with the emulator to communicate with an external device, for example an external computer, or a remote device via a network. The emulator emulates a storage device such as a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, or other types of drives so that information communicated from the external device is received and, if necessary, transcoded for usage by the processor. Typically the processor has a bus and the emulator is coupled to the bus. The emulator emulates a storage device so that information from an external device is read or written by the processor in the manner of a storage device access.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

P-0013[0013] The features of the described embodiments believed to be novel are specifically set forth in the appended claims. However, embodiments of the invention relating to both structure and method of operation, may best be understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings.

P-0014[0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a diskless computer system that is capable of executing a variety of operating systems obtained from a remote source.

P-0015[0015]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram that illustrates an example of a suitable emulator interface for connecting a device or bus to a network.

P-0016[0016]FIG. 3 is a detailed system block diagram showing an example of a device that utilizes an emulator interface.

P-0017[0017]FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram that depicts functional blocks of an emulation circuit that is suitable for usage in the emulator interface of FIGS. <b>2</b> and/or <b>3</b>.

P-0018[0018]FIG. 5 is a component diagram showing various system, hardware, and software components of a server for usage with an emulator interface.

P-0019[0019]FIG. 6 is a use case diagram that illustrates functionality of an audiovisual system that uses an emulator interface.

P-0020[0020]FIG. 7 is a use case diagram that illustrates functionality of an audiovisual system that uses an alternative embodiment of an emulator interface.

P-0021[0021]FIG. 8 is a detailed state diagram illustrating an example of functionality of a suitable emulator.

P-0022[0022]FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram showing one example of an audiovisual system that includes emulation.

P-0023[0023]FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating another implementation of an audio-visual system that includes emulation to extend rendering functionality.

P-0024[0024]FIG. 11 is a schematic mixed block and pictorial diagram that depicts an example of an application for an emulator.

P-0025[0025]FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram showing various connections that can be made between an emulator and a communication system that includes a source, a sink, and a pathway for communicating from the source to the sink.

P-0026[0026]FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an information hallway application of an emulator that is configured to function as part of a cable/DSL gateway.

P-0027[0027]FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a multiple-media receiver/recorder comprising an emulator that functions as an input selector or media switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

P-0028[0028] What is desired is an inexpensive, flexible technology that enables network interfacing with a wide variety of systems and devices without special communication technology, buses, or transfer protocols.

P-0029[0029] A computer system including an emulator is capable of executing an operating system communicated from a remote device. The emulator may be installed on a computer such as a personal computer and can boot any operating system available on a network. The computer system retrieves a boot image from the network that is delivered in a manner of receipt from a local drive, typically even at the BIOS and lowest operating system level.

P-0030[0030] In some embodiments, a diskless computer has an interface with network connectivity so that software including bootstrap loading images are accessed remotely. The diskless computer attains internet connectivity without use of special operating system extensions. The standard system hard drive is replaced using emulation of signals from network. Disc emulation replaces hard drive completely, using a chip plus a network connection to PC, or augments local storage in device with overflow storage via the network connection. In an alternative embodiment, a diskless work station runs a standard operating system, accessed remotely. A server retrieves boot image from the network but is delivered in a manner indistinguishable from receipt from a local drive, even at the BIOS and lowest OS level.

P-0031[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic block diagram illustrates an example of a diskless computer system <b>100</b> that is capable of executing a variety of operating systems obtained from a remote source. The diskless computer system <b>100</b> includes a processor <b>102</b> and an emulator <b>110</b>, both coupled to a bus <b>114</b>. The processor <b>114</b> accesses executable program code from a remote source via the emulator <b>110</b> rather than from a storage element inside the diskless computer system <b>100</b>. In the illustrative system, the diskless computer system <b>100</b> couples through the emulator to a network <b>112</b> that can communicate with multiple operating system sources such as remote systems <b>120</b>, <b>122</b>, and remote storage elements <b>130</b>, <b>132</b>. The remote systems <b>120</b>, <b>122</b> can be computer systems, servers, work stations, additional networks, or any entity that can supply executable program code, applications, and operating systems. The remote storage elements <b>130</b>, <b>132</b> can be databases, storage libraries, disc drives, optical drives, or any storage facility that can store executable program code, applications, and operating systems.

P-0032[0032] The emulator <b>110</b> can emulate a virtual disc by converting read and write requests directed to a disc into network communication packets.

P-0033[0033] The processor <b>102</b> can be any suitable processor, microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, state machine, or the like. The bus <b>114</b> can be may be a nonstandard bus or may be one or more of several various standard, typically parallel, buses from among Integrated Device Electronics (IDE), audio/visual (A/V), advanced technology attachment packet interface (ATAPI), Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI), Programmable Communications Interface (PCI), or other buses.

P-0034[0034] The computer system <b>100</b> operates by activating the processor <b>102</b>, which searches for a bootable device. The emulator <b>110</b> responds by emulating the bootable device and communicating with a remote source via a network <b>112</b>. The network <b>112</b> supplies a bootable operating system from the remote source and the processor executes the bootable operating system.

P-0035[0035] The term “diskless computer system” refers to the capability of the system to execute an operating system without accessing executable operating system and applications program code from a storage element inside the computer system, but rather accesses the executable code from a remote source. Accordingly, a computer system that includes an internal disc drive can operate in a diskless mode if the operating system is accessed from a remote source.

P-0036[0036] A remote system <b>120</b>, <b>122</b> can include a server, one or more bootable operating system images stored on the server, and an interactive program executable on the server for selecting a bootable operating system image. The server can also include a communication program capable of retrieving a selected bootable operating system image and transferring the bootable operating system image to a client computer.

P-0037[0037] The diskless computer system <b>100</b> can be implemented in a wide variety of products including, for example, computers, work-stations, laptop computers, calculators, palm computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile telephones, point-of-sale terminals, product dispenser systems, printers, copiers, facsimile machines, fuel pumps, automotive controllers, and other control devices and information storage, retrieval, and display devices. For example, the diskless computer system <b>100</b> can be implemented in a printer that receives executable program code via either wireless or wired links. A wireless printer can download operational software and fonts from a network by wireless communication with the particular operating software determined by the particular printer model from a remote database that contains particular drivers for a wide variety of printers.

P-0038[0038] In many applications, the diskless computer system <b>100</b> can boot a computer more rapidly than a local magnetic or optical storage drive because delays in spinning up disks is avoided.

P-0039[0039] Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic block diagram illustrates an example of a suitable emulator interface <b>200</b> for connecting a device <b>202</b> or bus <b>204</b> to a network <b>206</b>. The illustrative emulator interface <b>200</b> comprises an interface controller <b>210</b> that is capable of coupling the emulator interface <b>200</b> to the device <b>202</b> or bus <b>204</b>, an network controller <b>212</b> that is capable of coupling the emulator interface <b>200</b> to the network <b>206</b>, and a processor <b>214</b>. The processor <b>214</b> is capable of executing various processes, methods, or programs to transfer information between the network <b>206</b> and the device <b>202</b> or bus <b>204</b> and to perform a wide variety of other functions. The emulator interface <b>200</b> may include other optional functional blocks such as a volatile memory <b>216</b> and nonvolatile memory <b>218</b> that may be coupled to the interface controller <b>210</b>. The volatile memory <b>216</b>, for example synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), may be used to store information such as temporary control information, transferring data in various formats, and others. The nonvolatile memory <b>218</b>, for example a bootstrap read-only memory (ROM), may be used to store executable function code such as a bootstrap load program and other operational functions, and operating parameters.

P-0040[0040] A network connector <b>220</b>, for example a RJ45 connector, can couple the network controller <b>212</b> to the network <b>206</b>.

P-0041[0041] The interface controller <b>210</b> can also support additional communication links. In the illustrative example, the interface controller <b>210</b> has a radio frequency communication link <b>222</b> and a universal serial bus (USB) link <b>224</b>.

P-0042[0042] The emulator interface <b>200</b> integrates network communication capabilities into a device <b>202</b> or into a system that utilizes the bus <b>204</b>. In various embodiments, the emulator interface <b>200</b> can support 10/100 Ethernet media access control (MAC) protocol, serial ports, parallel ports, memory controllers, direct memory access (DMA), and parallel I/O. In some examples, the emulator interface <b>200</b> can interface with other processors, devices or components via a register interface or shared RAM interface.

P-0043[0043] The processor <b>214</b> can be any suitable processor, microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, state machine, or the like. One example of a suitable processor is a chip-internal Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) such as a selected member (for example, ARM7, ARM9, ARM9E, ARM10) of the Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) from Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) Ltd., Cambridge, UK. The ARM7 processor includes a RISC stand-alone core, instruction/data cache, write buffer, and pre-fetch control (none shown) and has an internal bus structure that enables program execution from cache while the internal bus is performing DMA data transfer operations to efficiently handle communication operations.

P-0044[0044] In some embodiments, the Network controller <b>212</b> has two modules, and network front end (not shown) and a media access control (MAC) module (not shown), for example for both 10 and 100 Mbit applications. The network front end maintains the MAC interface and includes transmit and receive first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffers, DMA interface logic, and control/status registers for MAC, transmitter, and receiver. In one example, the transmit FIFO and receive FIFO have capacities of <b>128</b> bytes and <b>2048</b> bytes, respectively. The transmit FIFO allows a portion of the transmit buffer to remain on the FIFO while collisions occur on the network medium, avoiding multiple buffer fetches from memory. The receive FIFO is large to allow an entire frame to be received and wait in the FIFO during byte count analysis to determine an optimum buffer description for DMA transfer.

P-0045[0045] The MAC module interfaces between the network front end and I/O pins, and supports ENDEC (10 Mbit) and Media Independent Interfaces (MII) under firmware control. Functions performed by the MAC module include 100 Mbit Ethernet MAC, MII management function, address filtering, statistics gathering, and an optional 100 Mbit physical coding layer.

P-0046[0046] The interface controller <b>210</b> supplies an interface between the emulator interface <b>200</b> and a device <b>202</b> or bus <b>204</b>, supporting one or more of five interface types, for example including an IEEE 1284 host port, a 16-bit shared RAM interface, an 8-bit shared RAM interface, a 16-bit FIFO interface, and an 8-bit FIFO interface. The IEEE 1284 mode supports commercial network printer server applications as a bridge between a local area network (LAN) and up to four external devices using the 1284 Parallel Port interface. The shared memory interface supplies up to 64K of shared RAM between the emulator interface <b>200</b> and a bus <b>204</b>. The FIFO interface supplies a data streaming FIFO interface between the emulator interface <b>200</b> and the bus <b>204</b> or device <b>202</b>. In an illustrative example, the FIFO interface supports two 32-bit FIFOs, one for each data direction.

P-0047[0047] The interface controller <b>210</b> contains a functional element that operates as a memory controller (not shown) to interface to memory devices such as flash, static Random Access Memory (RAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), EEPROM, and others. The memory controller functions in cooperation with a bus controller (not shown) to transfer data between the bus <b>204</b> and a memory. The memory controller typically supports various types of DRAM including fast page mode (FD) DRAM, synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), and EDO DRAM. Generally a single application utilizes the same style of DRAM.

P-0048[0048] The interface controller <b>210</b> may include a bus controller (not shown) that moves data to and from the bus <b>204</b>. In some embodiments, the bus controller supports dynamic bus sizing for selected logical addresses. The bus controller can perform system bus arbitration for interfaces with an external bus master or CPU. The bus controller operates in conjunction with the memory controller to access devices <b>202</b> using the bus <b>204</b>.

P-0049[0049] In some embodiments, the interface controller <b>210</b> may also support a serial controller (not shown). For example, the interface controller <b>210</b> may include two independent universal asynchronous/synchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) channels, each with a programmable bit-rate generator. The UARTs realize relatively low-speed information transfer between the emulator interface <b>200</b> and a device <b>202</b> using a standard protocol.

P-0050[0050] In some embodiments, the serial controller of the interface controller <b>210</b> can support a High Level Data Link Control (HDLC) protocol that forms a data link layer for wide area networking (WAN) models such as Frame Relay, ISDN, and SDLC. In the HDLC mode, the interface controller <b>210</b> uses a zero insertion/deletion “bit-stuffing” protocol to transmit layer <b>2</b> data frames over point-to-point links, broadcast networks, packet networks, or circuit switch networks with CRC field error detection.

P-0051[0051] In some embodiments, the serial controller of the interface controller <b>210</b> can support a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) protocol that defines a full-duplex, synchronous, character-oriented data channel between master and slave devices using a four-wire interface. The master interface operates in broadcast mode with the slave interface activated using a select signal. The SPI operation mode converts simple parallel/serial data to stream serial data between memory and a peripheral.

P-0052[0052] In various embodiments, the interface controller <b>210</b> may also include one or more components including programmable timers with interrupt support, programmable bus-error timers, programmable watch-dog timers, programmable parallel I/O ports with interrupt support, a system priority interrupt controller, and a controller for other miscellaneous system control functions.

P-0053[0053] Referring to FIG. 3, a detailed system diagram shows an example of a device <b>300</b> that utilizes an emulator interface <b>306</b>. In one example, the device <b>300</b> is a video player and/or recorder such as a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player or DVD player/recorder. The device <b>300</b> comprises a content source <b>302</b>, a content sink <b>304</b>, and an emulator interface <b>306</b>. The content source <b>302</b> supplies information or media content for presentation on the content sink <b>304</b>.

P-0054[0054] In some examples, the content source <b>302</b> can be an audio and/or video device subsystem such as a DVD drive, CD drive, or CD-ROM drive (CD-R, CD-R/W). In a specific example, the content source <b>302</b> may include an integrated DVD/CD digital signal processor (DSP), servo and block decoder with advanced error detection and correction schemes for improved playability.

P-0055[0055] The content sink <b>304</b> is typically a device that processes the content for presentation, for example, a rendering device. In one example, the content sink <b>304</b> can be an MPEG decoder that decodes audio and/or video content for display. In a particular example, the content sink <b>304</b> may include an integrated DVD backend that combines an MPEG-2 video decoder; 24-bit audio digital signal processor (DSP); 32-bit reduced-instruction-set-computer (RISC) system CPU. The particular content sink <b>304</b> may further include an advanced 32-bit on-screen display (OSD) with hardware 2D graphical user interface (GUI) acceleration for superior user-interface performance and quality; and PAL/NTSC video encoder with a progressive scan option for high-definition TV (HDTV)-ready systems. Major audio features in the specific example include support for multi-channel MPEG, Dolby Digital and Digital Theatre Systems (DTS), as well as High Definition Compatible Digital (HDCD™) and MP3 decode, in addition to post processing functions such as karaoke and 3D sound.

P-0056[0056] In the illustrative device <b>300</b>, the content sink <b>304</b> is coupled to a memory <b>330</b>. The illustrative content sink <b>304</b> comprises several functional blocks including a sink processor <b>332</b>, a communications port <b>334</b> such as a serial port, and a display panel <b>336</b>. The sink processor <b>332</b> can be any type of suitable processor, microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, digital signal processor, state machine, central processing unit, or the like. The communications port <b>334</b> may typically receive control signals from a communication device (not shown) such as a remote control unit. The display panel <b>336</b> typically includes various types of user interface controls such as an alpha-numeric pad, volume control buttons, switches, pads, joysticks, or other function selection keys.

P-0057[0057] In the illustrative device <b>300</b>, the content source <b>302</b> communicates with the content sink <b>304</b> via a communication bus <b>338</b> that carries data signals, control signals, chip select signals, interrupt request signals, and the like. In various systems, the communication bus <b>338</b> may be a nonstandard bus or may be one or more of several various standard, typically parallel, buses from among Integrated Device Electronics (IDE), audio/visual (A/V), advanced technology attachment packet interface (ATAPI), Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI), or other buses. In some embodiments, the communication bus <b>338</b> may be a physical interface to the media access control (MAC) module.

P-0058[0058] The emulator interface <b>306</b> can be coupled to the communication bus <b>338</b> to communicate with a network and send network information to the sink and/or source in a manner that emulates a source-sink interaction. Although terminology of content source <b>302</b> and content sink <b>304</b> indicate a particular direction of content transfer, in various device implementations and/or interactions either the content source <b>302</b> or the content sink <b>304</b> may be an ultimate receiver of content. For example, a device <b>300</b>, a DVD player, may include an MPEG decoder as a content sink <b>304</b>, emulator interface <b>304</b> can manage content selection and communication direction so that either the content source <b>302</b>, for example a DVD drive, or an external network or device sources the content. In another example, a personal video recorder (PVR) or DVD recorder device <b>300</b> may have an MPEG encoder content source, a writeable DVD drive or hard disk drive, that often operates as a content source, but may function as a content sink or renderer when the device <b>300</b> is in a recording mode. In the PVR or DVD recorder example, the content source <b>302</b> performs a network-attached storage function in which the writeable DVD or hard disk drive functions as a recordable drive or the DVD or hard disk drive storage can be omitted and content can be delivered to or from a computer or network.

P-0059[0059] In the illustrative embodiment, the emulator interface <b>306</b> comprises an emulator interface controller <b>310</b>, a network controller <b>312</b>, a processor <b>314</b>, a memory <b>316</b>, a serial bus interface <b>324</b>, a content bus interface <b>340</b>, and in some embodiments, processes executed on a processor such as a computer <b>342</b>, host <b>350</b>, or remote source <b>352</b>.

P-0060[0060] The processor <b>314</b> executes various processes, methods, or programs that control operations of the emulator interface controller <b>310</b> to transfer information between a network external to the device <b>300</b> and the content source <b>302</b> or communication bus <b>338</b> and to perform a wide variety of other functions. The processor <b>314</b> can be any suitable processor, microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, state machine, or the like.

P-0061[0061] The emulator interface controller <b>310</b> is capable of coupling the emulator interface <b>306</b> to the device <b>300</b> or communication bus <b>338</b>, and manages the generation and/or transmission of data signals, control signals, chip select, interrupt request signals, and the like. The emulator interface controller <b>310</b> may include a detection circuit for detecting presence of a communications port, such as an infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) port. In various examples, the detection circuit may comprise hardware, software, firmware, or a combination. Upon determination that a communications port is present, the detection circuit then can determine whether commands or control signals are issued from a remote device to the device <b>300</b> via the communications port.

P-0062[0062] The emulator interface controller <b>310</b> may be implemented in any suitable technology such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an integrated circuit, a discrete circuit, a programmable circuit, or any other type of circuit.

P-0063[0063] The emulator interface controller <b>310</b> communicates bi-directionally with the memory <b>316</b>.

P-0064[0064] The illustrative emulator interface controller <b>310</b> is also coupled to the network controller <b>312</b> that may be a local area network controller or other suitable network controller. The network controller <b>312</b> forms an interface between the device <b>300</b> and one or more networks, such as local area networks. The emulator interface controller <b>310</b> may also be connected to a wide area network, for example the internet, via a network connection <b>320</b>, such as a wide area network connection. The network connection <b>320</b> facilitates operation of the device <b>300</b> with any computer network standard, for example with broadband and modem standards. In some embodiments, a computer <b>342</b>, such as a host computer, workstation, control terminal, and the like, may be connected to the device <b>300</b> via the network controller <b>312</b>. Alternatively, the computer <b>342</b> may be connected to the device <b>300</b> via the network connection <b>320</b>. The device <b>300</b> may be coupled via the network connection <b>320</b> to a network that comprises a plurality of device subsystems, for example A/V device subsystems, and other media elements. Alternatively, the device <b>300</b> may retrieve information from one of the plurality of device subsystems.

P-0065[0065] The content bus interface <b>340</b> enables the device <b>300</b> to communicate with a variety of other devices and device types. For example, the content bus interface <b>340</b> may enable connection to one or more of local area network (LAN) cards, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), an IEEE 1394 standard compatible bus, an Audio/Visual (A/V) bus, a Small Systems Interconnect Bus (SCSI), a cable modem, a digital camera, a video camcorder, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or any other device that produces electronic signals.

P-0066[0066] The serial bus interface <b>324</b> enables the device <b>300</b> to interface with a variety of other devices and device types, for example, user interface devices such as a mouse, a keyboard, joystick, trackpad, or other input devices. Media elements from any devices coupled to the content bus interface <b>340</b>, the serial bus interface <b>324</b>, or any of the communication buses <b>338</b> may be retrieved or delivered to the content sink <b>304</b> to be processed, and then to be displayed.

P-0067[0067] In some examples, data signals may communicate between the content source <b>302</b> and the content sink <b>304</b>. Data signals may also communicate between the content source <b>302</b> and the emulator interface controller <b>310</b>, or between the content sink <b>304</b> and the emulator interface controller <b>310</b> via data lines of the communication bus <b>338</b>. Control signals may also communicate between the content source <b>302</b> and the emulator interface controller <b>310</b>, or between the content sink <b>304</b> and the emulator interface controller <b>310</b> via control lines of the communication bus <b>338</b>. Various other control signals and interrupt request signals may communicate bi-directionally between the content source <b>302</b> and emulator interface controller <b>310</b>, or between the content sink <b>304</b> and the emulator interface controller <b>310</b>.

P-0068[0068] Media content may be stored on the content source <b>302</b>, for example an optical disc drive (DVD or CD type), in a computer such as a host computer <b>350</b> or a computer at a remote network site <b>352</b>. In one transaction example, the sink processor <b>332</b> of the content sink <b>304</b> receives content located on either of the content source <b>302</b>, the host computer <b>350</b>, or on a remote network site <b>352</b> under control of the emulator interface <b>306</b>. The received data may be completely or partially processed, or unprocessed, before transmission to the content sink <b>304</b>. In a specific class of devices, the received content can be in a format native to the content source <b>302</b> or a format that the content sink <b>304</b> is capable of processing. For a specific device in this class, the content source <b>302</b> can be a DVD player, a supported content format may be MPEG 2 DVD format, MPEG VCD format, MPEG 2 Super VCD format, or any DVD compliant format. The media content can be communicated directly to the content sink <b>304</b>, which transcodes the data, then forwards the transcoded data for display, for example video information on a video display <b>360</b> and/or audio information amplified by audio amplifier <b>362</b> and displayed on audio display <b>364</b>. One example of an audio display <b>364</b> is a speaker.

P-0069[0069] If the content has a format that is not native to the content sink <b>304</b>, a format that the content sink <b>304</b> is not configured to process, or if the content does not comply with frame rate requirements, the host computer <b>350</b> can decompress the content prior to forwarding to the content sink <b>304</b>. In either case, the emulator interface <b>306</b> can convert the data to a displayable format. An example of a noncompliant format that may require format conversion is a DVD player in which content has an MPEG 4 format, Real Networks format, or MPEG1/MPEG2 format.

P-0070[0070] In various embodiments, applications, and examples, the device <b>300</b> performs various functions of information storage, processing, monitoring, and display. The functions are executed by control and management elements such as the sink processor <b>332</b>, the processor <b>314</b>, the host computer <b>350</b>, other computational and control devices in the remote network site <b>352</b>, or in other computational, management, and control elements inside and outside the device <b>300</b>. The control functions may be implemented as software, firmware, either individually or in combination. Executable program code can be stored in a processor-readable medium or transmitted by a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave over a transmission medium or transmitted by a data signal in a carrier wave over a transmission medium or communication link. The processor-readable medium or machine-readable medium may include any medium that can store or transfer information. Examples of processor or machine-readable media include electronic circuits, semiconductor memory devices, read-only memory (ROM), floppy diskette, CDRW-ROM, DVDRW-ROM, optical disk, hard disk, fiber optic media, radio frequency (RF) signals, and the like. A computer data signal may comprise any signal that can communicate over a transmission medium such as electronic network channels, optical fibers, air, electromagnetic signals, RF links, serial links (e.g. IEEE 1394 high-speed serial bus), powerline, wireless (e.g. IEEE 802 Standards Working Groups, Bluetooth), wired, and the like. Executable program code segments may be downloaded via communication or computer networks such as internet, intranet, and local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and the like.

P-0071[0071] A suitable application for the device <b>300</b> is a home networking system. A personal computer can be coupled to a home networking system that includes at least one audio/visual device. Content may be located on a machine-readable medium that may be read by the personal computer or the audio/visual device, on one or more storage devices such as DVD drive, CD drive, hard disk drive or other drives, contained within the personal computer, the audio/visual device, or on a remote network site <b>352</b> accessible through the network.

P-0072[0072] In an illustrative application, the device <b>300</b> enables operational control to a user by presenting a graphical user interface (GUI), such as a menu of selected actions or options, typically on the video display <b>360</b> but also possibly on display screens associated with the host computer <b>350</b>, a console of the device <b>300</b>, or a display in the remote network site <b>352</b>. For example, the sink processor <b>332</b> may request display of a menu in respond to a signal or request from the user. The emulator interface controller <b>310</b> receives the request, determines which functional element stores information for presenting the display, and retrieves the presentation information for display. Typically, the menu information can be stored in memory <b>330</b>, memory <b>316</b>, a memory associated with the host computer <b>350</b>, or another computer on the remote network site <b>352</b>, or a divided and spread among a plurality of storage locations in conjunction with one or more of the processors. The GUI also includes functional elements that permit the user to select from the menu, for example selection buttons, keys, or other types of switches of a remote control, console, or other input terminal of one or more of the interacting devices.

P-0073[0073] According to the menu selection, if a selected item is available in the device <b>300</b>, the emulator interface <b>306</b> can issue a command to the content source <b>302</b> to deliver a media element corresponding to the selected item to the content sink <b>304</b>. If the selected item is stored in association with the host computer <b>350</b>, the emulator interface <b>306</b> signals the host computer <b>350</b> to deliver the requested content to the content sink <b>304</b>. Similarly, if the requested content is available elsewhere on a remote network site <b>352</b>, the emulator interface <b>306</b> issues a request to transfer requested content from the remote network site <b>352</b>. The emulator interface <b>306</b> can enforce priority or resolve contention for resources in a network that contains multiple content sources and multiple content requesters.

P-0074[0074] Control interface or translation functionality can be implemented typically in the processor <b>314</b> or the host computer <b>350</b>, but may otherwise be supported from a device on a remote network site <b>352</b>. Control interface or translation enables the content sink <b>304</b> or host computer <b>350</b> to receive and/or process content for delivery to the home entertainment system or to a display device. Control interface or translation functionality may include transcoding or formatting information for content distribution, data format conversion, digital rights management conversion, and content protection. The host computer <b>350</b> or device <b>300</b> may monitor compliance with permission for receiving the content. Format conversion functionality includes content conversion, meta data conversion, digital rights management conversion. Processor <b>314</b> may facilitate or assist decryption of received data.

P-0075[0075] In some embodiments, the host computer <b>350</b> can operate as a content server. Server software can be executable on the host computer <b>350</b> and execute a content formatting operation. The server may include software that searches for content, and upon finding content determines the format of the content. If necessary, the server transcodes the content to a suitable format for a renderer. The server complies with multiple content format conventions and creates seamless communication of various types of computing and communication devices. Software searches for content, upon finding content creates a menu, displays the menu, and transcodes the signals. Specific software functionality includes a menu control structure that is enables a user to select content for rendering, and content formatting to place information in a format capable of rendering by the existing system. Software communicates with the content sink <b>304</b> in a particular way that is expected by the content sink <b>304</b>.

P-0076[0076] Server software can be executable on various types of computing devices including computers, PCs, laptops, palm-held devices, set-top boxes, remote control devices, mobile telephones, and the like can access any type of video content and serve as a navigator for supplying the video content to the content sink <b>304</b>. The software exploits the infrastructure of existing devices, such as DVD players and drives, to conform the format of video content to a known native format. Accordingly, server software can conform video data in any format to a format supported by the content sink <b>304</b> with no changes to the content sink <b>304</b>.

P-0077[0077] In various embodiments, the host computer <b>350</b> may implement code that is executable on any suitable processor, for example on the host computer <b>350</b> or on the emulator processor <b>314</b>. For device flexibility, functionality can be supplied from the host computer <b>350</b>. For example, the emulator interface <b>306</b> can send all commands to the host computer <b>350</b> and software in the host computer <b>350</b> can execute various server, transcoding, control, and processing operations based on the commands.

P-0078[0078] In other examples, various processes may be executed in the emulator processor <b>314</b> for various reasons such as capability of real-time processing and avoidance of large content transfers between processors. Flexibility, capability to upgrade, and reduction in executable code storage in the emulator processor <b>314</b> can be achieved by downloading executable code from the host computer <b>350</b> to the emulator memory <b>316</b> for execution on the emulator processor <b>314</b>. For example, the emulator interface <b>306</b> can include a small, simple executable code in nonvolatile memory in the emulator memory <b>316</b> to perform basic input/output and management functions, and execute most functionality from code downloaded in volatile memory <b>316</b> from an external device such as the host computer <b>350</b>.

P-0079[0079] In some examples, content may be communicated in open format, allowing general access without digital rights management. Digital rights management capabilities can be included in the emulator, for instance executed by the processor <b>314</b>, so that content becomes compliant with a digital rights management scheme.

P-0080[0080] Transcoding is a functionality performed by the device <b>300</b>, host computer <b>350</b>, or other processor communicatively coupled to the device <b>300</b> that converts content to a compatible format. If received content is compatible with the device <b>300</b>, the content forwards directly to the device <b>300</b> without conversion. Otherwise, for incompatible content, the host computer <b>350</b>, processor <b>314</b>, or other control functional element internal or external to the device <b>300</b> can convert the content to a format that is compatible with the device <b>300</b>.

P-0081[0081] When the selected media content is available, the emulator interface <b>306</b> forwards the media element to the content sink <b>304</b>. The device <b>300</b> can format the media element to a form suitable for a particular display such as a television screen, speakers, or the like.

P-0082[0082] In some examples, the content sink <b>304</b> may include functionality to interpret user commands issued via remote control or appliance control panel.

P-0083[0083] Referring to FIG. 4, a detailed block diagram depicts functional blocks of an emulation circuit <b>400</b> that is suitable for usage in the emulator interface of FIGS. <b>2</b> and/or <b>3</b>. In some embodiments, the emulation circuit <b>400</b> can be implemented as a field programmable gate array, although other technologies may otherwise be used. The emulation circuit <b>400</b> includes a processor <b>410</b> that can be programmed to execute various functions including control, data transfer, emulation, transcoding, data storage, interface, test, and others. In an illustrative embodiment, the processor <b>410</b> can be implemented as an ARM7TDMI-S manufactured by Advanced RISC Machines, United Kingdom. The illustrative processor <b>410</b> further includes an in-circuit emulator <b>412</b> and a Test Access Port (TAP) controller <b>414</b>.

P-0084[0084] The in-circuit emulator <b>412</b> can support real-time debug with trace history around a trigger point, debugging of foreground tasks simultaneous with background task execution, and modification of memory during runtime. In-circuit emulator <b>412</b> can also support multiple processors and mixed architecture devices, slow or variable-frequency designs, and debug of very low-voltage cores.

P-0085[0085] The TAP controller <b>414</b> is coupled to a JTAG interface <b>416</b>, enabling the processor <b>410</b> to execute JTAG emulation that allows the processor <b>410</b> to be started and stopped under control of connected debugger software. JTAG emulation allows a user to read and modify registers and memory locations, set breakpoints and watchpoints, and support code download, trace, and monitoring for debug operations.

P-0086[0086] The processor <b>410</b> and an AHB bus interface <b>418</b> communicate on an ARM memory bus <b>420</b>. The AHB bus interface <b>412</b> communicatively couples the processor <b>410</b> to a multi-layer Advanced Microcontroller Bus Architecture (AMBA™) high-speed bus (AHB) <b>422</b>. AHB matrix <b>426</b> is also coupled to the AHB <b>422</b>. The AHB Matrix <b>426</b> is a complex interconnection matrix to attain parallel paths to memory and devices on the multi-layer AMBA™high-speed bus (AHB) <b>422</b>. The parallel paths of the AHB <b>422</b> increase bus bandwidth and lower latencies by reducing contention. Multi-layer AHB <b>422</b> is an interconnection technique based on AHB protocol that supports parallel access between multiple master and slave devices.

P-0087[0087] Devices coupled to the AHB <b>422</b> include an interrupt controller <b>424</b>, a static memory controller <b>428</b>, a test interface controller <b>430</b>, a cache controller <b>432</b>, an AHB to PVCI bridge <b>450</b>, and an AHB to BVCI bridge <b>452</b>. The interrupt controller <b>424</b> is capable of detecting interrupt signals from multiple sources including an external interrupt connection <b>436</b>, timers <b>438</b>, a media access control (MAC) module <b>440</b>, an ATAPI device block <b>442</b>, and a host ATA control block <b>444</b>. The interrupt controller <b>424</b> asserts an appropriate bit identifying an interrupt on the processor <b>410</b> upon the occurrence of one or more interrupt signals. In various applications, the current highest priority interrupt can be determined either by software or hardware. Typically, the current highest priority interrupt is read from a set of registers in the interrupt controller <b>424</b>. The interrupt controller <b>424</b> contains registers indicative of interrupt status, and registers for enabling and setting interrupts.

P-0088[0088] The static memory controller <b>428</b> is coupled to a flash memory interface <b>446</b>, typically for supplying program code that is executable on the processor <b>410</b> although data and other information can also be supplied to the emulation circuit <b>400</b>.

P-0089[0089] The test interface controller <b>430</b> is coupled to a test interface <b>448</b> and supports external bus interface request and grant handshake signals for requesting test interface access to an external bus and information of external bus use grant, respectively. In a typical system, the processor <b>410</b> may continually request access to an external bus with the test interface controller <b>430</b> having highest priority to bus access. In a typical sequence of events to apply test patterns, first reset is asynchronously applied and synchronously removed. On reset removal, processor <b>410</b> initiates a memory read via the static memory controller <b>428</b>. The static memory controller <b>428</b> typically requests the external bus and reads the bus when the request is acknowledged. When the static memory controller <b>428</b> is busy, the test interface controller <b>430</b> can request the external bus. The request is granted because the test interface controller <b>430</b> has the highest priority and the test interface controller <b>430</b> takes ownership of the external bus. When the static memory controller <b>428</b> finishes the read access, the test interface controller <b>430</b> is granted use of the external bus. The external bus resolves the bus request signals and the test interface controller <b>430</b> initiates a test pattern sequence.

P-0090[0090] The cache controller <b>432</b> is coupled to a cache memory <b>434</b>, illustratively 4 kB of static RAM. The cache memory <b>434</b> reduces external memory accesses and increases performance even with usage of relatively low-speed RAM. The cache memory <b>434</b> allows processor <b>410</b> to share bus bandwidth with multiple devices with high data throughput such as streaming audio and video devices.

P-0091[0091] The AHB to PVCI Bridge <b>450</b> couples Peripheral Virtual Component Interface (PVCI) functional blocks to the AHB <b>422</b>. The AHB to PVCI bridge <b>450</b> can include both master and slave interfaces and supports AHB Master to PVCI Slave and PVCI Master to AHB Slave modes. The PVCI standard enables development of plug-in components that are compatible with numerous interfaces, promoting design efficiency. In the illustrative example, PVCI devices coupled to a register bus <b>456</b> include timers <b>438</b>, MAC module <b>440</b>, a general purpose input/output interface <b>454</b>, ATAPI device block <b>442</b>, and host ATA control block <b>444</b>.

P-0092[0092] The AHB to BVCI Bridge <b>452</b> couples Basic Virtual Component Interface (BVCI) functional blocks to the AHB <b>422</b>. The Basic Virtual Component Interface (BVCI) is a system bus interface to a memory bus <b>458</b>. In the illustrative example, BVCI devices coupled to the AHB to BVCI bridge <b>452</b> include the host ATA control block <b>444</b>, the ATAPI device block <b>442</b>, and a synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) interface <b>468</b>.

P-0093[0093] Timers <b>438</b> can be programmed to time various events under program control. The processor <b>410</b> controls operation of timers <b>438</b> through signals communicated to timer registers via the register bus <b>456</b>. The timers <b>438</b> can generate timer interrupts that can redirect program execution through operation of the interface controller <b>210</b>.

P-0094[0094] The emulation circuit <b>400</b> receives and sends data or information by operation of the general purpose input/output interface <b>454</b> that is coupled between the register bus <b>456</b> and a GPIO interface <b>462</b>.

P-0095[0095] In the illustrative emulation circuit <b>400</b>, the MAC module <b>440</b> is a 10/100-MBPS Ethernet media access controller for networking highly integrated embedded devices. The MAC module <b>440</b> is coupled to an external network interface <b>460</b>, as well as to the register bus <b>456</b> and the memory bus <b>458</b>. The MAC module <b>440</b> is an interface to physical layer devices and can support 10-BaseT, 100-BaseTX, 100-BaseFX, and 32-bit standards-based BVCI bus interface with an integrated direct memory access (DMA) controller. The MAC module <b>440</b> is typically IEEE 802.3 compliant and supports half- and full-duplex operation with collision detection, auto-retry, flow control, address filtering, wakeup-on-LAN, and packet statistics. MAC module <b>440</b> can incorporate a DMA buffer-management unit and support wire-speed performance with variable packet sizes and buffer chaining. MAC module <b>440</b> can offload processor tasks including such direct register access and programmable interrupts to improve high data throughput with little processor overhead. The MAC module <b>440</b> can generate interrupts and includes an interrupt signal connection to the interrupt controller <b>424</b>.

P-0096[0096] The host ATA control block <b>444</b> and the ATAPI device block <b>442</b> are coupled to the register bus <b>456</b> and the memory bus <b>458</b>, and operate in combination to facilitate connectivity between a host controller and hard disk drives in various applications including computing, communication, entertainment, peripheral, and other applications. The host ATA control block <b>444</b> includes digital circuitry to form a complete ATA host subsystem to integrate hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD, DVD-R, and other host subsystems. The host ATA control block <b>444</b> implements functionality for drive control and enables the emulation circuit <b>400</b> to operate as a host. When the emulator <b>400</b> functions as a host to control a storage drive the host uses functionality of host ATA control block <b>444</b> and host ATA interface <b>464</b>. The host ATA control block <b>444</b> can also implement programmed input-output (PIO), multiple-word direct memory access (DMA), and various speed, for example 33, 66, 100, and 133 megabyte/second, interface circuitry. In various embodiments, the host ATA control block <b>444</b> can support multiple ATA/ATAPI devices. The host ATA control block <b>444</b> is coupled to a host ATA interface <b>464</b> for connecting to a host computer and has an interrupt connection to the interrupt controller <b>424</b> so that the processor <b>410</b> can address host ATA interface events.

P-0097[0097] The ATAPI device block <b>442</b> is coupled to a device ATA interface <b>466</b> and connects an Integrated Device Electronics (IDE) storage device to a host system. The ATAPI device block <b>442</b> typically performs command interpretation in conjunction with the embedded processor <b>410</b>. The ATAPI device block <b>442</b> implements functionality of storage drive emulation, enabling the emulation circuit <b>400</b> to function as a storage drive. An external device can operate as a host that uses the emulation circuit <b>400</b> as a drive. The ATAPI device block <b>442</b> can be used to communicate with hard disk drives as well as solid-state storage devices using dynamic RAM (DRAM), NAND, or NOR flash memory devices, and the like. In various embodiments, the ATAPI device block <b>442</b> can be designed to interface to one or more of various size (for example 1″, 1.8″, and 2.5″) hard disk drives, low-power drives, portable drives, tape drives, and solid-state or flash drives. The ATAPI device block <b>442</b> has an interrupt connection to the interrupt controller <b>424</b> so that the processor <b>410</b> can address device ATA interface events.

P-0098[0098] The host ATA interface <b>464</b> can be logically connected to the device ATA interface <b>466</b>. In one example, the emulation circuit <b>400</b> can function as a MPEG decoder communicating directly with a storage drive. In a pass through operation, the emulator circuit <b>400</b> can monitor commands sent to a storage drive passively.

P-0099[0099] The SDRAM interface <b>468</b> is an interface controller that supports interconnection of the emulation circuit <b>400</b> to synchronous dynamic RAM modules in various configurations, for example DIMM, without supporting circuitry. The SDRAM interface <b>468</b> typically includes a SDRAM controller (not shown) and a SDRAM configuration block (not shown). The SDRAM controller generates control signals for controlling the SDRAM. The SDRAM configuration block includes configuration registers for controlling various entities such as refresh and mode lines, and a refresh timer for usage by the SDRAM controller. In various embodiments, the SDRAM interface <b>468</b> SDRAM) interface <b>468</b> can support slave devices, arbitrary length bus transfers, and programmability.

P-0100[0100] Referring to FIG. 5, a component diagram shows various system, hardware, and software components of a server <b>500</b> for usage with an emulator interface. The illustrative server <b>500</b> is capable of executing on a system <b>502</b> such as a computer, a personal computer, workstation, laptop, palmheld computer, notebook computer, or any other type of device for executing programmed code. The server <b>500</b> can communicate with one or more various information handling devices, including devices that function as a source or information or content, devices that display, perform, or render the sourced information or content, and control devices. In the illustrative example, the server <b>500</b> is configured to communicate with a client device <b>520</b>, a decoder <b>504</b> such as an MPEG decoder, and a DVD drive <b>506</b> via an Ethernet connection <b>508</b>. These devices are for illustration only and can be supplemented or replaced by many other types of information handling devices. The client device <b>520</b>, the decoder <b>504</b>, and the DVD drive <b>506</b> are each shown in a single system coupled by an IDE bus <b>510</b>. In other examples, the devices may be configured in different systems and may have internal interfaces different than the IDE bus <b>510</b>.

P-0101[0101] The server <b>500</b> includes one or more server applications <b>512</b> that execute in conjunction with an audio-visual (AV) system <b>515</b> and a media directory <b>518</b> to manage interactions among a variety of audio-visual devices and controllers. The server <b>500</b> communicates with the devices over the Ethernet connection <b>508</b> by operation of a server application <b>512</b>, for example a software application that executes a desired content handling application. A server application <b>512</b> virtualizes media into a volume of data that is navigable by the system <b>515</b>. The server application <b>512</b> can assess characteristics of source media and, if needed, modify characteristics into a more familiar form. For example, a DVD-based server <b>500</b> may change data format to appear more as a DVD disc. The server application <b>512</b> manages data streaming to one or more of multiple clients that may be connected to the server <b>500</b>.

P-0102[0102] Generally, the server application <b>512</b> controls the information transfer entities and the type of processing. The server application <b>512</b> determines and selects devices that function as the content source and renderer, the type of processing performed on the content, and any control and management functionality. For example, the server application <b>512</b> can initially generate a graphical user interface display indicative of the types of content available for performance and classes of processes that can be performed on the content. A user can respond to the display by selecting the desired content and processing. The server application <b>512</b> can generate and send control signals to the selected content source and renderer that commence content accessing, transmission, rendering, and display. The server application <b>512</b> can generate and send control signals that activate devices, if any, in the path from source to renderer that process or modify the content. In some applications, the server application <b>512</b> can execute content processing routines that are suitably executed on the server processor.

P-0103[0103] The AV system <b>515</b> defines and manages general interactions among various types of audio-visual devices and supports a broad range of device configurations and applications independently of device type, content format, and data transfer protocols. For example, the AV system <b>515</b> can support an open-ended variety of audio-visual devices including, but not limited to, computers, PCs, laptops, palm-held computers, cellular telephones, workstations, video displays, electronic picture frames, televisions, CD/DVD players and jukeboxes, video cassette recorders, set-top boxes, camcorders, still-image-cameras, audio systems, stereos, MP3 players. The AV system <b>515</b> can support an open-ended broad variety of content, information, and data formats including, but not limited to, Motion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG2, MPEG4), Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), audio standards including MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3 (MP3), Windows Media Architecture (WMA), bitmaps (BMP), National Television Standards Committee (NTSC), Phase Alteration Line (PAL), Sequential Couleur avec Memoire (SECAM), Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), video compact disk (VCD) and S-VCD standards. The AV system <b>515</b> selects and defines functionality of various content sources, content renderers, and controllers in combination with a server application <b>512</b> and the media directory <b>518</b>.

P-0104[0104] The AV system <b>515</b> comprises a media renderer <b>514</b>, a media controller <b>516</b>, and a standard media server <b>542</b>. The AV system <b>515</b> defines and manages interactions among a content source, a content renderer, and an AV interaction controller. In some embodiments, the AV system <b>515</b> can be highly flexible and compatible with any type of media source device and any type of media rendering device.

P-0105[0105] The server <b>500</b> accesses content from one or more media sources <b>544</b> and <b>546</b> from the media directory <b>518</b>. The media controller <b>516</b> enables a user to locate and select content from the media directory <b>518</b> and to select a target renderer. The media renderer <b>514</b> obtains the selected content and directs transfer of the content to the selected target renderer.

P-0106[0106] In the illustrative example, the media renderer <b>514</b> includes a transcoder <b>530</b>, a virtual logical block address (LBA) manager <b>532</b>, a virtual content file manager <b>534</b>, and a virtual content renderer <b>540</b>. In one embodiment, the transcoder <b>530</b> is an MPEG to video object block (VOB) transcoder and the virtual content file manager <b>534</b> is a virtual IFO/VOB manager. The MPEG-VOB transcoder converts from an MPEG format that is commonly used to compress and display video content for computer handling to VOB files that are the standard format of DVD presentations and movies. VOB files contain multiple multiplexed audio/visual streams. The virtual IFO/VOB manager handles VOB files and information format (IFO) files containing information that describes the particular format of VOB files including playing information such as aspect ratio, subtitles, menus, languages, and the like.

P-0107[0107] The server <b>500</b> can include transcoders and virtual content file managers that transcode information in other formats depending on the particular audio-visual application. For example, a transcoder <b>530</b> can be implemented that transcodes content to and from various formats including one or more of MPEG video, Digital Video (DV), MPEG elementary (ES) or program streams (VOB), YUV4MPEG streams, NuppelVideo file format and raw or compressed (pass-through) video frames and export modules for writing DivX, OpenDivX, DivX 4.xx or uncompressed AVI files with MPEG, AC3 (pass-through) and PCM audio. One example of a particularly useful transcoding application is transcoding of JPEG to MPEG. In another example, digital video can be transcoded to MPEG including transcoding of low quality digital video to high quality MPEG.

P-0108[0108] In an audio example, the transcoder <b>530</b> can transcode an MP3 media file to a Dolby AC3 pulse-coded modulation (PCM) format.

P-0109[0109] In a DVD player application, the transcoder <b>530</b> can transcode any transcribable media for viewing on a DVD player. For example, a power-point presentation can be transcoded to a video presentation on a DVD player.

P-0110[0110] The transcoder <b>530</b> executes decoding and encoding operations using content loading modules including import modules that feed transcode with raw video/audio streams and export modules that encode data frames. A typical transcoder <b>530</b> supports elementary video and audio frame transformations, including video frame de-interlacing or fast resizing and external filter loading. Various operations performed by the transcoder <b>530</b> include demultiplexing, extracting, and decoding of source content into raw video/audio streams for import, and probing and scanning of source content to enable post-processing of files, setting file header information, merging multiple files or splitting files for storage.

P-0111[0111] In a typical transaction, the transcoder <b>530</b> is activated by a user command and initializes content transfer, activating modules that begin transfer and buffering of audio and video streams and encoding frames. For example can initiate transfers by creating a navigation logfile that contains the frame and related group of picture list with file offsets. The transcoder <b>530</b> then executes one or more video/audio frame manipulations or simply passes through raw frame data without manipulation. Video frame manipulations may include removing an arbitrary frame region for processing, de-interlacing a video frame, enlarging or reduction of video width or height, filtering for image resizing, removing an arbitrary frame region for encoding, and downsampling of video width/height. Other video manipulations may include video frame flipping or mirror imaging, gamma correction, anti-aliasing, or color manipulations. Audio frame manipulations may include volume changes, audio stream resampling, and synchronizing video and audio frames.

P-0112[0112] The transcoder <b>530</b> can load export modules for audio/video encoding and begin an encoder loop operation that started for the selected frames.

P-0113[0113] The virtual LBA manager <b>532</b> controls definition and accessing of virtual logical block addresses in the media and relates the virtual logical block addresses to physical storage addresses of the media. By creating virtual logical block addressing, the virtual LBA manager <b>532</b> enables access to content from a variety of different content sources in the manner of a particular physical source. In this manner, the virtual LBA manager <b>532</b> enables a first device, for example a nonstandard or nontypical device, to emulate a second device, for example a device that normally supplies content within a system, using logical block addressing. In a particular example, the virtual LBA manager <b>532</b> can emulate addressing of DVD player content from content acquired from the Internet.

P-0114[0114] The virtual content manager <b>534</b> operates in conjunction with the virtual LBA manager <b>532</b> to dictate a map of physical addresses to virtual block addresses. The virtual content manager <b>534</b> tracks all elements of content data and maintains links among associated data including local data links and remote data links. Storage on the server <b>500</b> is in the configuration of multiple linked lists among files that reference one another. The virtual content manager <b>534</b> maintains links among files, identifying and positioning on one or more media volumes. The virtual content manager <b>534</b> verifies and ensures that the IFO file references are maintained to assure consistency of references at a directory and volume management level.

P-0115[0115] The virtual content manager <b>534</b> functions to handle storage and accessing of media content in the manner that a virtual memory manager operates in a computer. A virtual memory manager tracks chunks of memory. The virtual content manager <b>534</b> tracks chunks of media. The virtual content manager <b>534</b> enables multiple chunks of media to be stored with overlapping addressing.

P-0116[0116] The virtual content manager <b>534</b> receives commands from the media controller <b>516</b> that initiate or modify accessing and presentation of content. The virtual content manager <b>534</b> responds by determining the format of IFO and VOB files and activating the virtual LBA manager <b>532</b> and transcoder <b>530</b>, if needed, to begin media streaming. The virtual content manager <b>534</b> also functions in conjunction with the virtual content renderer <b>540</b> to perform media rendering.

P-0117[0117] The virtual content renderer <b>540</b> operates on media files to format media to meet the functionality and capabilities of a presentation device, such as a DVD player.

P-0118[0118] In an illustrative embodiment, the virtual content renderer <b>540</b> is a virtual IFO/VOB renderer. The virtual content renderer <b>540</b> manipulates content data according to directions by the virtual content manager <b>534</b> to render content. The virtual content renderer <b>540</b> manipulates content data elements, supplying information to files identified and located by the virtual content manager <b>534</b>. The virtual content renderer <b>540</b> also creates IFO files for media that do not already have IFO files including creation of selection trees that appear as cascading menus. IFO files are used to play various files including presentation of menus. Menus are a selection presentation for clusters of media. The virtual media renderer <b>540</b> can generate multiple menus in a tree structure until all media is accessible. The virtual content renderer <b>540</b> creates IFO files as a manifestation of a playlist structure.

P-0119[0119] Other examples of media that do not have IFO files are MPEG from digital video or other a myriad of other sources such as power point data for slide shows.

P-0120[0120] In some applications, the virtual content renderer <b>540</b> adds content that would not exist without rendering for presentation. For example, the virtual content renderer <b>540</b> can configure JPEG images and add filling content to create a slide show of MPEG images to generate slide-show functionality.

P-0121[0121] The illustrative media controller <b>516</b> includes a media scanner <b>538</b>. In an illustrative embodiment, the media controller <b>516</b> allows monitoring of how the media is evolving through operation of the media scanner <b>538</b>.

P-0122[0122] The media scanner <b>538</b> the media directory <b>518</b>, enabling media content and the media directory <b>518</b> mutable. The media scanner <b>538</b> regularly accesses the media directory <b>518</b> to determine whether any changes in the content of the media directory <b>518</b> have occurred and changing virtual structures in the media renderer <b>514</b> and the server application <b>512</b> to track changes in the media. The media scanner <b>538</b> monitors for changes and responds to any changes by updating virtual structures.

P-0123[0123] The standard media server <b>542</b> can access a variety of content, either locally stored or stored on an external device. The standard media server <b>542</b> is capable of accessing content and transferring the accessed content to another device via a network using a standard transfer protocol, for example HTTP or FTP. The standard media server <b>542</b> can locate content available on a network from a variety of devices and communicates with the media controller <b>516</b> to enable browsing or searching for available content items. The standard media server <b>542</b> typically includes a content directory, a connection manager, and a transporter. The content directory includes functions that interact with the media controller <b>516</b> to search or browse for content, supplying information and properties that specifically identify the content. The connection manager manages connections associated with a particular device including preparation for content transfer, issue of flow control commands, distinguishing of multiple instances to support multiple renderers, and terminating connections when a transfer is complete. The transporter can be used to operate in conjunction with the media controller <b>516</b> to control content flow. The standard media server <b>542</b> can supply media that does not require large changes for accessibility by conventional rendering hardware.

P-0124[0124] The media directory <b>518</b> is a media container, holding a list of all available media content and possibly some or all of the media content. The media directory <b>518</b> operates as a virtual media directory, enabling and facilitating access to locally-stored media content and remote media contained by other servers and devices. The media directory <b>518</b> stores Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) that identify content resources. URIs includes WWW addresses, Universal Document Identifiers, Universal Resource Identifiers, and combinations of Uniform Resource Locators (URL) and Names (URN). Uniform Resource Identifiers are formatted strings that identify a resource by name, location, or another characteristic. The media directory <b>518</b> holds URIs of all files that the server <b>500</b> can deliver for rendering. The URIs can correspond to files stored anywhere.

P-0125[0125] The media directory <b>518</b> identifies available content sources, for example media sources <b>544</b> and <b>546</b>, and contains directory information to facilitate acquisition of content from one or more of the media sources.

P-0126[0126] Referring to FIG. 6, a use case diagram illustrates functionality of an audio-visual system that uses an emulator interface. The audio-visual system <b>600</b> includes a server <b>610</b> that is capable of executing on a processor and an emulator-enabled media player <b>612</b>. The server <b>610</b> manages accessing and streaming of content to the emulator-enabled media player <b>612</b>. The emulator-enabled media player <b>612</b> receives content from the server <b>610</b> and performs or presents the content. In a particular embodiment, the audio-visual system <b>600</b> can be a video system that plays video content from multiple sources on an emulator-enabled DVD player.

P-0127[0127] The server <b>610</b> has several functional blocks including a media server <b>620</b>, a media renderer <b>622</b>, a media controller <b>624</b>, a media directory <b>626</b>, and an emulator server <b>628</b>. The media server <b>620</b>, the media renderer <b>622</b>, and the media controller <b>624</b> contain specification elements, respectively a server element <b>629</b>, a renderer element <b>630</b>, and a control element <b>632</b>. The specification elements comply with standard communication protocols.

P-0128[0128] The media controller <b>624</b> and the media renderer <b>622</b> include specialized control operations and rendering operations, respectively. For example, the media controller <b>624</b> includes control functionality to select, enable, initiate and manage emulated interactions. The media renderer <b>622</b> includes a specialized renderer that is a proxy for the emulator network communications server <b>628</b>. The media controller <b>624</b> communicates with the media server <b>620</b> and the media renderer <b>622</b> to initialize a source to supply content, set content transfer parameters, and begin content delivery. Media structure requests are sent to the media controller <b>624</b>, and the media controller <b>624</b> sends control signals causing the media server <b>620</b> to transmit media files to the media renderer <b>622</b> including functional elements in the media renderer <b>622</b> that activate the emulator media stream.

P-0129[0129] The media controller <b>624</b>, which may be termed a control point, examines the media directory <b>626</b>, and specifies media menuing <b>640</b>, for example DVD menuing, creating menus in the media directory <b>626</b> concurrently with content transfer. The media directory <b>626</b> contains some or all media content along with a list of available content for producing and displaying menus. A media provider <b>602</b> makes media available to the media directory <b>626</b>.

P-0130[0130] The media server <b>620</b> receives control signals from the media controller <b>624</b> and responds by supplying media content <b>642</b> for rendering. The media renderer <b>622</b> receives the control signals and adjusts the media to the emulated standard <b>644</b>. The media renderer <b>622</b> can render media player menus <b>646</b> for presentation of the menu by the emulator-enabled media player <b>612</b>. The media renderer <b>622</b> receives and renders the content, supplying the rendered content <b>648</b> to the emulator server <b>628</b>.

P-0131[0131] The emulator server <b>628</b> functions as an interface between the media renderer <b>622</b> and the emulator-enabled media player <b>612</b>. The emulator server <b>628</b> conducts the media content stream <b>650</b> from the media renderer <b>622</b> to the emulator-enabled media player <b>612</b> and receives control information from the emulator-enabled media player <b>612</b> to permit discovery of available content <b>652</b>.

P-0132[0132] In an illustrative example, the emulator-enabled media player <b>612</b> includes an emulator <b>614</b>, a media drive <b>616</b>, and a content sink device <b>618</b>. In a particular example, the media drive <b>616</b> can be a DVD drive and the content sink device <b>618</b> can be an MPEG decoder. Functions performed by the emulator <b>614</b> mirror, or emulate, the functions of the media drive <b>616</b>. In standard operation, the media drive <b>616</b> supplies a media stream <b>654</b> to the content sink device <b>618</b> and requests a media description <b>656</b>. The emulator <b>614</b> emulates functions of the media drive <b>616</b>, supplying an emulated media stream <b>658</b>, and requesting a media description <b>659</b>.

P-0133[0133] The emulator <b>614</b> can use automatic Internet Protocol (IP) addressing to allocate reusable network addresses and configuration options.

P-0134[0134] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the system may include a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server <b>660</b> that supplies a framework for passing configuration information to hosts on a TCPIP network, based on a Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP) that is known to those of ordinary skill in the art of network communication. The DHCP server <b>660</b> adds a capability to automatically allocate reusable network addresses and additional configuration options <b>762</b>. DHCP captures the behavior of BOOTP relay agents to enable DHCP participants to interoperate with BOOTP participants.

P-0135[0135] Referring to FIG. 8, a detailed state diagram illustrates an example of functions performed by an emulator <b>800</b>. In various embodiments, the emulator <b>800</b> may execute one or more of a plurality of operations from various devices and components such as source devices, sink devices, or external devices. For example, the emulator <b>800</b> may execute some or all processes in the processor <b>314</b> in the emulator interface <b>306</b> depicted in FIG. 3.

P-0136[0136] In an emulation function, the emulator <b>800</b> generates control signals, data, and responses that deceive one or more of the source device, the sink device, and an external device as to the identity of the interacting device. In the sample of an optical media player with a network connection, an optical drive functions as a source, an optical media decoder serves as sink, and a remote computer operates as an external device. The emulator <b>800</b> can trick the devices so that the optical media decoder can render content from the remote computer in an interaction identical to an optical drive transaction. The optical drive can source content for the remote computer in an interaction identical to sourcing to the optical media decoder. For a writeable drive, the remote computer can source content for the optical drive in an interaction identical to writing to the drive from a bus.

P-0137[0137] Emulator <b>800</b> begins operation with a power-up initialization of hardware act <b>802</b> that proceeds when hardware tests are successful. Next an initialize operating system kernel act <b>804</b> initializes operation software. An initialize TCP/IP stack act <b>806</b> prepares an Ethernet stack for communication. A start emulator tasks act <b>810</b> commences operation of the emulator <b>800</b> including an emulator state machine <b>812</b> and a server state machine <b>814</b> that execute concurrently and synchronize at sync points <b>815</b>.

P-0138[0138] The illustrative emulator state machine <b>812</b> has three wait states including a bus idle with no media <b>816</b>, a bus idle with media state <b>818</b>, and a bus wait read data state <b>820</b>. The illustrative emulator state machine <b>812</b> has five command action states including a field drive information request state <b>822</b>, a field media request state <b>824</b>, a deliver bus read data state <b>826</b>, a field read request state <b>828</b>, and a field seek request state <b>830</b>.

P-0139[0139] The illustrative server state machine <b>814</b> has four wait states including a media host connected state <b>832</b>, a network media idle state <b>834</b>, a no media host state <b>836</b>, and a network wait read data state <b>838</b>. The illustrative server state machine <b>814</b> has four action states including a media present state <b>840</b>, a send seek packet state <b>842</b>, a send read packet request state <b>844</b>, and a read data arrives or timeout state <b>846</b>.

P-0140[0140] The no media host state <b>836</b> advances to the media host connected state <b>832</b> when a media connection is open but returns when the connection is closed. Similarly, the network media idle state <b>834</b> returns to the no media host state <b>836</b> when a media connection is lost. The media host connected state <b>832</b> advances to the action media present state <b>840</b> when a media packet arrives but returns when the media is removed. When a media description is available, the emulator state machine <b>812</b> advances to the bus idle with media state <b>818</b> as the media is identified. The bus idle with media state <b>818</b> advances to the field drive information request state <b>822</b> upon a drive data request and returns on an acknowledge. The bus idle with media state <b>818</b> advances to the field media request state <b>824</b> upon a media request and returns on an acknowledge. The bus idle with media state <b>818</b> advances to the field read request state <b>828</b> on a read request, generating a read logical block address (LBA) signal that places the server state machine <b>814</b> in the send read packet request state <b>844</b>. On a logical block address (LBA) request, the server state machine <b>814</b> advances from the send read packet request state <b>844</b> to the network wait read data state <b>838</b> and returns on a read retry. In the network wait read data state <b>838</b>, the server state machine <b>814</b> advances to the read data arrives or timeout state <b>846</b> and, on a queue data signal, places the emulator state machine <b>812</b> in the deliver bus read data state <b>826</b>. On a data transfer complete signal, the emulator state machine <b>812</b> enters the bus idle with media state <b>818</b> from the deliver bus read data state <b>826</b>.

P-0141[0141] The bus idle no media state <b>816</b> of the emulator state machine <b>812</b> advances to the field drive information request state <b>822</b> upon a drive data request and returns on an acknowledge. The bus idle no media state <b>816</b> signals the server state machine <b>814</b> when a media descriptor arrives, generating a media ID acknowledge that places the server state machine <b>814</b> in the network media idle state <b>834</b>. The network media idle state <b>834</b> in the event of a bus seek request generates a seek acknowledge that places the emulator state machine <b>812</b> in the bus idle with media state <b>818</b>. The bus idle with media state <b>818</b> advances to the field seek request state <b>830</b> on a bus seek. The field seek request state <b>830</b> upon a seek request generates a seek destination signal that places the server state machine <b>814</b> in the send seek packet state <b>842</b> which goes to the network media idle state <b>834</b> on an acknowledge.

P-0142[0142] The network media idle state <b>834</b> upon a read request generates a read accepted signal that places the server state machine <b>814</b> in the bus wait read data state <b>820</b>. When data is ready in the bus wait read data state <b>820</b>, an acknowledge places the server state machine <b>814</b> in the network media idle state <b>834</b>.

P-0143[0143] Emulator <b>800</b> can determine functionality of a particular sink device and specifically imitate that functionality for a remote device. In a particular example, the emulator <b>800</b> can imitate a disk drive by generating one track or stream of MPEG-2 at a constant bit rate or variable bit rate of compressed digital video. The particular emulator <b>800</b> may support constant or variable bit rate MPEG-1 CBR and VBR video at 525/60 (NTSC, 29.97 interlaced frames/sec) and 625/50 (PAL, 25 interlaced frames/sec) with coded frame rates of 24 fps progressive from film, 25 fps interlaced from PAL video, and 29.97 fps interlaced from NTSC video. Interlaced sequences can contain progressive pictures and macroblocks. The emulator <b>800</b> can place flags and signals into the video stream to control display frequency to produce the predetermined display rate. The emulator <b>800</b> can control interlacing, progressive frame display, encoding, and mixing. The emulator <b>800</b> can display still frames encoded as MPEG-2 I-frames for a selected duration, and can generate a plurality of subpicture streams that overlay video for captions, sub-titles, karaoke, menus, and animation.

P-0144[0144] The emulator <b>800</b> imitates a device that sources content by exhibiting the file system and methods of communicating with the file system of the source device. During initiation of a source-sink interaction, a system searches for contact on a source device. The emulator <b>800</b> mimics the file structure and content search of the source device in a remote device, permitting selection of content from either the actual source device or the remote device emulating the source device.

P-0145[0145] In a particular example, the emulator <b>800</b> emulates a file system such as a Universal Disk Format (UDF) or micro UDF file system and may support both write-once and rewritable formats. In some examples, the emulator <b>800</b> can support a combination of UDF, UDF bridge (ISO 9660), and ISO 13346 standards to ensure compatibility with legacy operating systems, players, and computers.

P-0146[0146] If an emulated transaction is selected, the emulator <b>800</b> manages the transaction by exchanging requests and data according to the protocols of a source-sink transaction. The emulator <b>800</b> also isolates the source device, intercepting and overriding control signals and data communicated by the source device and permitting signals and data interactions between the sink and the remote device as the emulated source. In various systems and transactions, the emulator <b>800</b> can imitate a transaction without notification of the sink device. In other systems and transactions, the emulator <b>800</b> can convey information to the sink device that indicates that emulation is occurring and identifying the actual remote content source, allowing additional control of network interactions, exploiting any additional capabilities of the remote device, and expanding rendering capabilities. For example, the emulator <b>800</b> can control a transaction to allow simultaneous rendering of content from the source device and an emulating remote device. One specific capability is a picture-in-picture display of source content and remote content. Another specific capability is enhanced web-enabled DVD that extends capabilities to combine content from a DVD with special network-accessed applications.

P-0147[0147] Software or firmware that is executable by the emulator <b>800</b> may include many functions such as media content navigation, user interfacing, servo firmware, and device drivers.

P-0148[0148] An emulator can be implemented in many forms. FIG. 9 shows one example of an audio-visual system that includes personal computer (PC) based software <b>900</b> executable on a personal computer and capable of interacting with an audio-visual device such as a DVD player <b>908</b>. In the example, PC-executable software <b>900</b> comprises a server <b>918</b>, a renderer <b>910</b>, and a control point <b>932</b>. The DVD player <b>908</b> includes an emulator (not shown) that may be implemented, for example, according to the description of FIG. 4, and the PC-based software <b>900</b> further comprises an interface or link <b>920</b> that supplies information to the emulator in a suitable format. The PC-based software also comprises audio-visual compression codecs <b>930</b>, for example Windows A/V compression codecs, for coding and decoding information in various formats in conjunction with a content transcoder <b>914</b> in the renderer <b>910</b>.

P-0149[0149] In the illustrative example, the server <b>918</b> can be implemented as part of media management software <b>916</b> that supplies content in various formats for access by the server <b>918</b>. For example, the media management software <b>916</b> may supply various types of content files including music files, photo files, video files, and others. Music files may have formats such as MP3, WMA, and others. Photo files may have formats including JPG, TIFF, GIFF, and others. Video files may have formats including MPG, WMV, DIVX, and others. The media management software <b>916</b> may also supply play lists and graphical user interface (GUI) information such as navigation information and graphic elements.

P-0150[0150] The renderer <b>910</b> may comprise a content transcoder <b>914</b> and a content request handler <b>912</b>. The server <b>918</b> can supply GUI graphic elements and content files to the content transcoder <b>914</b> for transcoding, according to various parameters, such as frame rate, sample rate, NTSC/PAL information, and the like, determined by the transcoder <b>914</b> in association with a VOB multiplexer <b>924</b> in the link <b>920</b>. The content request handler <b>912</b> requests content from the server <b>918</b> via call such as a HTTPGet( ) command.

P-0151[0151] The control point <b>932</b> requests information from the server <b>918</b> using commands such as Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) commands in the eXtended Markup Language Transmission Control Protocol (XML TCP) protocol. The server <b>918</b> can respond with Unified Resource Identifiers (URIs) for play lists and content. The control point <b>932</b> transfers the URIs to the content request handler <b>912</b> in the renderer <b>910</b>.

P-0152[0152] The link <b>920</b> can comprise a menu generator <b>922</b>, a VOB multiplexer <b>924</b>, an IFO generator <b>926</b>, and a UDF generator <b>928</b> that function, for example, as described in the discussion of FIG. 5. The link <b>920</b> can communication with the A/V device <b>908</b> using a protocol such as TCP/IP.

P-0153[0153] Referring to FIG. 10, a schematic block diagram illustrates another implementation of an audio-visual system <b>1000</b> that includes emulation to extend rendering functionality. The audio-visual system <b>1000</b> includes a media renderer with emulation <b>1010</b> and network-enabled rendering hardware <b>1008</b>. The media renderer <b>1000</b> comprises rendering hardware <b>1008</b> and the media renderer with emulation <b>1010</b>. In the illustrative system, the media renderer <b>1000</b> can be a media decoder in combination with a communication interface. In a specific example, the rendering hardware <b>1008</b> can be an MPEG decoder coupled to a network interface and an emulator interface. The media renderer with emulation <b>1010</b> is a computer in any form or a workstation that is capable of receiving information or media content from a network <b>1006</b>.

P-0154[0154] In some systems, the rendering hardware <b>1008</b> has only a conventional capability to render native format content but is supplemented with a network interface that enables receiving of content from an alternative source, local or remote. The renderer with emulation <b>1010</b> receives content in various formats from a network <b>1006</b> and converts the format of the content, if needed, for rendering by the rendering hardware <b>1008</b>. The renderer <b>1010</b> extends functionality by inclusion of a format transcoder subsystem <b>1014</b> that can transcode content from virtually any format to the native format of the hardware renderer <b>1008</b>. The format transcoder subsystem <b>1014</b> can transcode any supported format into the native format capable of handling by the rendering hardware <b>1008</b>.

P-0155[0155] In one example, the media renderer with emulation <b>1010</b> can be implemented using a computer-based proxy model in which the rendering function is supported by the computer, for example a personal computer (PC). The renderer <b>1010</b> can support any content format that the computer can transcode. In some embodiments, a control point function can also be proxied by the PC. The PC can supply a control point user interface, for example as a DVD menu. A DVD remote controller can then be used to select content. Once the content is selected, the control point is idle.

P-0156[0156] The transport service <b>1016</b> is typically optional and controls some content transfer subsystem operations, typically playback operations such as stop, pause, seek, and the like. The connection manager <b>1018</b> supports the content transfer subsystem <b>1012</b> and the format decoder subsystem <b>1014</b> and controls connections associated with a particular device including preparation to receive an incoming transfer, flow control, and support of multiple simultaneous renderers. The rendering controller <b>1020</b> interacts with the rendering hardware <b>1008</b> alone and enables control of the rendering hardware <b>1008</b> rendering of particular content. In a DVD application, the rendering controller <b>1020</b> controls rendering characteristics such as contrast, brightness, volume, mute, and the like. Functions such as handling of multiple, dynamic instances enables functionality such as picture-in-picture.

P-0157[0157] The media renderer with emulation <b>1010</b> can include a content transfer subsystem <b>1012</b> that can receive content from the network <b>1006</b>, and a format transcoder subsystem <b>1014</b>. The format transcoder subsystem <b>1014</b> detects the format of the received content, determines whether the content format is supported by the rendering hardware <b>1008</b> and, if not, transcodes the content into a supported format. Software programs that execute in the renderer <b>1010</b> control information transfer, transcoding, and the rendering hardware <b>1008</b>. In the illustrative system, a connection manager <b>1018</b> controls accessing and receipt of content from the network <b>1006</b> through operations of the content transfer subsystem <b>1012</b>, and controls transcoding definition and activation through operations of the format transcoder subsystem <b>1014</b>. A rendering controller <b>1020</b> sends signals to the rendering hardware <b>1008</b> to set rendering parameters to control rendering of incoming content and initiate rendering operations.

P-0158[0158] The renderer <b>1010</b> can identify the content formats supported by the rendering hardware <b>1008</b> during initialization. Upon accessing content on the network <b>1006</b>, the renderer <b>1010</b> analyzes the network content and determines the received content format. If the received content format is not supported by the rendering hardware <b>1008</b>, the format transcoder subsystem <b>1014</b> is initialized and activated to transcode the received content into a supported format.

P-0159[0159] The emulating renderer <b>1010</b> may be implemented in various forms. For example, the renderer <b>1010</b> may be implemented as a self-contained board or integrated circuit that can be installed in a computer system. The various functional elements may be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, other technologies, or various combinations. In some examples, a portion of the renderer <b>1010</b> may be implemented as a board or integrated circuit, and a portion could be implemented is software that executes from one or more processors in a computer system.

P-0160[0160] Referring to FIG. 11, a schematic mixed block and pictorial diagram depicts an example of an application for an emulator <b>1120</b>. A DVD audio-visual system <b>1100</b> includes a DVD player <b>1104</b> and a television <b>1102</b>. The DVD player <b>1104</b> has several conventional functional elements including a DVD drive subsystem <b>1106</b>, an MPEG decoder <b>1108</b>, and a memory <b>1110</b>. The DVD drive subsystem <b>1106</b> sources content for rendering. The MPEG decoder <b>1108</b> receives content from the DVD drive subsystem <b>1106</b> via a bus <b>1112</b>, for example an IDE or A/V bus, and renders the content for presentation on the television <b>1102</b> or other video screening device.

P-0161[0161] Functional capabilities of the DVD audio-visual system <b>1100</b> are substantially increased by adding the emulator <b>1120</b> to supply content from a nearly infinite number of sources by operating as a network interface. The emulator <b>1120</b> is coupled into the bus <b>1112</b> to function as a DVD to Internet Protocol (IP) link to Ethernet <b>1130</b>.

P-0162[0162] Referring to FIG. 12, a schematic block diagram illustrates various connections that can be made between an emulator <b>1200</b> and a communication system that includes a source <b>1210</b>, a sink <b>1212</b>, and a pathway <b>1214</b> for communicating from the source <b>1210</b> to the sink <b>1212</b>. The emulator <b>1200</b> can have multiple links for coupling to buses, devices, processors, and components including, for example, bus connections, Ethernet media access control (MAC) links, serial links, parallel links, memory controller links, direct memory access (DMA) links, parallel I/O (PIO) links, register interfaces, shared RAM interfaces, radio frequency links, universal serial bus (USB) links. Accordingly, the emulator <b>1200</b> can directly or indirectly tap or connect to any of the source <b>1210</b>, the sink <b>1212</b>, and the pathway <b>1214</b>.

P-0163[0163] One type of link <b>1220</b> connects the emulator <b>1200</b> to the pathway <b>1214</b>, typically as a bus interface. The pathway <b>1214</b> can be a nonstandard bus or may be one of several various standard buses such as Integrated Device Electronics (IDE), audio/visual (A/V), advanced technology attachment packet interface (ATAPI), Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI), or other buses. The link <b>1220</b> can be a standard bus connection to a standard bus such as a TAPI connection and can emulate a device at the physical level or logical level.

P-0164[0164] A link <b>1222</b> from the emulator <b>1200</b> to the sink <b>1212</b> is commonly a non-tapi connection such as a physical interface through a media access control (MAC) module. The sink <b>1212</b> can be any type of rendering device such as an MPEG decoder, electronic picture frame, audio player, and other display device. Sink devices <b>1212</b> can also be various other devices and components such as computers, work-stations, laptop computers, calculators, palm computers, mobile telephones, televisions, video cassette recorders, compact disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD) players and recorders, jukeboxes, karaoke devices, camcorders, set-top boxes, MP3 players, still-image cameras, remote control devices, control panels, televisions with embedded MPEG decoders, personal video recorders (PVRs), and other control devices and information storage, retrieval, and display devices.

P-0165[0165] Emulation directly at the sink <b>1212</b> is commonly at the logical level.

P-0166[0166] A link <b>1224</b> from the emulator <b>1200</b> to the source <b>1210</b> is commonly a non-tapi connection such as a physical interface through a media access control (MAC) module. The source <b>1210</b> can be any type of information supplying device such as a DVD drive, CD drive, CD-ROM drive (CD-R, CD-R/W), or can also be a hard disk drive, tape drive, tape library, and the like. The source device <b>1210</b> can also be various other devices and components such as remote network storage facilities, computers, work-stations, laptop computers, calculators, palm computers, mobile telephones, and other retrieval devices.

P-0167[0167] Emulation at the source <b>1210</b> is commonly at the logical level. Emulation at the source <b>1210</b> can have a connection at any entry position including, but not limited to, a memory interface, a processor interface, a disk data interface, an input interface such as a pickup head on a data channel, a serial interface, a parallel interface, a GPIO port, and the like.

P-0168[0168] Referring to FIG. 13, a schematic block diagram illustrates an information hallway application <b>1300</b> of an emulator <b>1310</b> that is configured to function as part of a cable/DSL gateway. The illustrative application <b>1300</b> utilizes the emulator <b>1310</b> to network various types of devices in multiple rooms, for example a living room <b>1302</b> and a study <b>1304</b> in a household via an information hallway <b>1306</b>. In some examples, the information hallway <b>1306</b> can be via Ethernet, wireless (e.g. IEEE 802 Standards Working Groups), or other suitable network connections.

P-0169[0169] In this example, the living room <b>1302</b> contains entertainment devices and appliances such as a television <b>1324</b> and DVD player <b>1326</b>. The study <b>1304</b> contains computing and communications equipment such as a cable/DSL gateway that may incorporate the emulator <b>1310</b>, a personal computer <b>1316</b>, and a VGA monitor <b>1314</b> functioning as a display screen for the PC <b>1316</b>. In other embodiments, the emulator <b>1310</b> may be contained in other devices or equipment, such as the PC <b>1316</b>. The cable/DSL gateway enables networking with remote systems, here via an Internet Service Provider (ISP) <b>1308</b>.

P-0170[0170] Broadband Internet enables access to a wide variety of video and musical content over the Internet. Various usage models are well-established for music, including compressed content download via the Internet for usage on other playback devices such as portable MP3 and CD players. Various computer suppliers support MP3 players, mixing the concepts of computing and entertainment since Ethernet and phone network-connected MP3 decoders are intended for entertainment usage as part of a home stereo system.

P-0171[0171] The information hallway <b>1306</b> enables communication of all types of content between different rooms and various entertainment, computing, and communication usages. Media no longer needs to be carried from room-to-room. The emulator <b>1310</b> enables access of all content throughout the house or even remote from the house. Low cost wireless 802.11 (WIFI) facilitates content sharing for homes that are difficult to wire and enable content transfer to a car while parked in the garage or nearby.

P-0172[0172] A similar usage model is developing for Internet video content with hundreds of thousands of video titles now available for download and encoded from commercial video broadcasts, VHS tape, VCD, DVD, amateur, and home video. Movie studios are making premium movies available for purchase and per-per-view download over the Internet, encoded to reduce size to a few hundred megabytes with near DVD quality.

P-0173[0173] One problem solved by the emulator <b>1310</b> is facilitating downloaded movie access to the television <b>1324</b>. In addition to assisting content access, the emulator <b>1310</b> also can transcode content to meet requirements of the devices rendering the content. The emulator <b>1310</b> can also implement digital rights management functionality to permit content transfer only when authorized.

P-0174[0174] In some embodiments, volatile memory in the emulator <b>1310</b> is implemented with a large capacity so that the DVD player can present video information without glitches. A large memory size has increased importance for communication connections that are less reliable. Generally, a volatile memory size of 8 megabytes may be sufficient for a highly reliable communication connection. A memory capacity of 64 or 128 megabytes may be more suitable for less reliable interconnections. An increase in storage operates analogous to an increase in bandwidth for a system that accesses media content over a network.

P-0175[0175] Suitability of memory capacity in a particular configuration also depends on the data transfer rate of the communication connection. If the data transfer rate is smaller than the rate that the emulator <b>1310</b> supplies data to a video display, then the video information can be stored in the volatile memory for all or a part of a video presentation. In one example, if the video presentation rate exceeds the communication rate, a sufficient amount of video information can be stored before beginning presentation so that presentation of the video information does not outpace the continuing video information transfer.

P-0176[0176] The emulator <b>1310</b> enables a user to search, find, and download content from any of a computer, an entertainment device or appliance, or a network and view the content in any of multiple desired locations.

P-0177[0177] With addition of the emulator <b>1310</b>, the PC <b>1316</b> can operate in the background as a “communication facilitator” and “content formatter.” Additional functionality made possible by the emulator <b>1310</b> includes extending consumer access to “open” and “premium” content. Combining functionality of the PC <b>1316</b> and the DVD player <b>1326</b> facilitates usage since familiarity of DVD player menu interface is extended to content access from the PC <b>1316</b> and the network or Internet since the extended system uses the same remote control and menu features of DVD system. The combined system also improves flexibility to operate with any broadband internet service, supplying simple integration for Ethernet, 1394, wireless standards such as IEEE 802 Standards Working Groups and Bluetooth, or any other connectivity into a low-cost DVD player.

P-0178[0178] In some applications, manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can implement the emulator <b>1310</b> using only a simple PCB level change to avoid impacting existing system components or firmware, if desired.

P-0179[0179] The emulator <b>1310</b> can supply functional basis for an Ethernet MPEG receiver that serves as a PC to television link. The emulator <b>1310</b> can be used to widely expand functionality of existing products that contain MPEG decoders such as digital cable and satellite set top boxes, PVRs, game consoles, and DVD players.

P-0180[0180] An Ethernet MPEG receiver comprises an MPEG decoder, an interface to the MPEG decoder, and an emulator for converting information from a non-standard form to a form expected from a standard media drive. The Ethernet MPEG receiver creates a link from a personal computer (PC) <b>1326</b> to television (TV) <b>1324</b> so that a user can search for and download content from either the PC or the TV and view the content in either location. The Ethernet MPEG receiver is a logical interface that supplies data to the MPEG decoder in an expected format so that the PC performs the function of supplying data in the format expected by the interface device.

P-0181[0181] In some applications, the emulator <b>1310</b> can be used to connect a PC and DVD player via Ethernet to enable users to search and play content using either device seamlessly.

P-0182[0182] In some embodiments of the emulator <b>1310</b>, resources of the computer can be used to download and transcode content for streaming playback on the television using the MPEG decoder of the DVD player.

P-0183[0183] In some embodiments, the user interface for the DVD player can remain unchanged and the DVD remote control can be used for Internet video playback control in the manner of DVD disc playback usage.

P-0184[0184] Referring to FIG. 14, a schematic block diagram illustrates an example of a multiple-media receiver/recorder <b>1400</b> comprising an emulator <b>1400</b> that functions as an input selector or media switch coupled via a pathway <b>1414</b>, for example a bus, to one or more renderers <b>1430</b>, <b>1432</b>, <b>1434</b>. The emulator <b>1410</b> can select media content from media sources <b>1420</b>, <b>1422</b>, <b>1424</b> or media storage elements <b>1426</b>, <b>1427</b>, <b>1428</b> that are internal to a device or system such as a set top box or receiver/recorder. Some devices or systems may omit internal media sources and/or internal media storage elements. The emulator <b>1410</b> can also access media content from network devices connect via a network interface, for example remote sources <b>1440</b>, <b>1442</b> or remote storage elements <b>1444</b>, <b>1446</b>.

P-0185[0185] The emulator <b>1410</b> accesses input signals, for example in the form of video input streams from one or more sources. Various forms of video signal forms include, for example, National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) or PAL broadcast formats, and digital formats based on Moving Pictures Experts Group 2 (MPEG2) and MPEG2 Transport standards such as Digital Satellite System (DSS), Digital Broadcast Services (DBS), or Advanced Television Standards Committee (ATSC). The MPEG2 Transport standard formats a digital data stream from an analog television source transmitter, allowing a television TV receiver to disassemble the input signals to find particular programs in a multiplexed program signal.

P-0186[0186] For signals that are in a format that can be rendered by a selected renderer <b>1430</b>, <b>1432</b>, or <b>1434</b>, the emulator <b>1410</b> passes through the signals to the renderer unaltered. For signals that are not in a suitable rendering format, the emulator <b>1410</b> reformats or transcodes the signals to the suitable format, for example MPEG streams. An MPEG2 transport multiplex supports multiple programs in the same broadcast channel, with multiple video and audio feeds and private data. The emulator <b>1410</b> can tune the channel to a particular program, extracts a particular MPEG program, and transmit the MPEG signals to the pathway <b>1414</b> for rendering by the selected renderer.

P-0187[0187] The emulator <b>1410</b> can encode analog television signals into an MPEG format using separate video and audio encoders in a manner transparent to the system. The emulator <b>1410</b> may modulate information into Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI) of the analog TV signal using one or more of multiple techniques. North American Broadcast Teletext Standard (NABTS) may be used to modulate information onto lines 10 through 20 of an NTSC signal, using line 21 for Closed Caption (CC) and Extended Data Services (EDS). Signals can be decoded by the emulator <b>1410</b> and passed to renderers in the manner of MPEG2 private data channel delivery.

P-0188[0188] The emulator <b>1410</b> can mediate signals between multiple internal media sources <b>1420</b>, <b>1422</b>, <b>1424</b> and media storage elements <b>1426</b>, <b>1427</b>, <b>1428</b> and multiple external remote sources <b>1440</b>, <b>1442</b> and remote storage elements <b>1444</b>, <b>1446</b>, as well as from internal or external processes and memory. The emulator <b>1410</b> can convert input streams, for example to an MPEG stream, and sent to the pathway <b>1414</b>. The emulator <b>1410</b> can buffer the MPEG stream into memory. The emulator <b>1410</b> can perform two operations if a user is watching real time TV. The emulator <b>1410</b> can send the stream to a renderer, for example renderer <b>1420</b>, and simultaneously write the stream to a storage, for example storage <b>1426</b> such as a hard disk drive.

P-0189[0189] The renderer <b>1420</b> receives MPEG streams as an input signal and produces an analog television signal according to the NTSC, PAL, or other standards. The renderer <b>1420</b> commonly may contain an MPEG decoder, On-Screen Display (OSD) generator, analog TV encoder and audio logic. The OSD generator enables program logic to generate images for overlay on the analog television signal. The renderer <b>1420</b> can modulate information supplied by the program logic onto the VBI of the output signal in a number of standard formats, including NABTS, CC and EDS.

P-0190[0190] While the invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the invention is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements of the embodiments described are possible. For example, those having ordinary skill in the art will readily implement the steps necessary to provide the structures and methods disclosed herein, and will understand that the process parameters, materials, and dimensions are given by way of example only. The parameters, materials, and dimensions can be varied to achieve the desired structure as well as modifications, which are within the scope of the invention. Variations and modifications of the embodiments disclosed herein may be made based on the description set forth herein, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

P-0191[0191] In the claims, unless otherwise indicated the article “a” is to refer to “one or more than one”.