Security monitoring using a multimedia processing device

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

0001The present application is a continuation-in-part application of, and claims priority to, each of the following: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/166,909 (Attorney Docket No. 1033-PD1018), filed on Jun. 24, 2005 and entitled “Networked Television and Method Thereof,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/166,785 (Attorney Docket No. 1033-PD1032), filed on Jun. 24, 2005 and entitled “Multimedia-Based Video Game Distribution,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/166,908 (Attorney Docket No. 1033-PD1034), filed on Jun. 24, 2005 and entitled “Video Game Console Modular Card and Method Thereof,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/166,907 (Attorney Docket No. 1033-PD1039), filed on Jun. 24, 2005 and entitled “Audio Receiver Modular Card and Method Thereof,” each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

0002The present application relates generally to providing security monitoring via a multimedia processing device.

BACKGROUND

0003Conventional consumer-level physical security monitoring systems typically are implemented as a central alarm panel connected via wiring to one or more alarm sensors at various locations of monitored premises, such as a residence. The alarm panel typically is implemented as a set of buttons and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or an alphanumeric display that provide a limited indication of the current alarm status of the monitored premises. However, LEDs or alphanumeric display often are inadequate for the purpose of rapidly conveying sufficient information to a user since the relationship between the LEDs and their corresponding alarm sensor often isn't readily apparent and many conventional alphanumeric displays are capable of displaying only a limited amount of information at any given moment. Accordingly, a user may have difficulty in quickly assessing the alarm status of the monitored premises. Moreover, the alarm panel, by the nature of the security system wiring, typically is centrally located or located in a hallway near an entrance so that it may be quickly armed and disarmed upon a user's departure or arrival, respectively. However, these particular locations typically are inconvenient to a user who might be resting or relaxing in another room. Moreover, the typical locations necessitated by conventional alarm panels may place a user at risk of harm by an intruder as the user may come upon the intruder while attempting to reach the alarm panel to assess a signaled security breach. Accordingly, an improved technique for providing security monitoring would be advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0004<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a diagram illustrating an exemplary networked television in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0005<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary architecture of the networked television of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0006<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary multimedia decoder modular card architecture in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0007<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for processing multimedia data at a networked television in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0008<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for providing multimedia data to a networked television in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0009<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a diagram illustrating an exemplary distribution of processed multimedia content via a network in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0010<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a diagram illustrating an exemplary distribution of processed multimedia data content via a wireless medium in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0011<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for distributing processed distributing multimedia content in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0012<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary audio receiver modular card architecture in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0013<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a diagram illustrating an exemplary distribution of audio content to speakers via a wireless medium in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for processing audio data at a networked television in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for providing audio data to a networked television for processing in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary video game console modular card architecture in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for processing video game data at a networked television in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> is a diagram illustrating an exemplary provision of video game data via one or more television channels in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> is a diagram illustrating an exemplary video game download selection display screen in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for providing video game data via one or more transmission channels in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for obtaining video game data at a networked television in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary security monitoring modular card architecture in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> is a diagram illustrating an exemplary graphical user interface to generate a premises diagram in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref> is a diagram illustrating an exemplary graphical user interface to display a premises diagram and one or more alarm statuses in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref> is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for security monitoring via a multimedia processing device in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref> is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary general computer system for implementing one or more of the techniques of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-22</figref> in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0027In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a television system includes a display device, a first modular card receptacle, and a security modular card coupled to the first modular card receptacle. The security modular card includes a security control module to receive alarm sensor information associated with one or more alarm sensors and an alarm premises display module. The alarm premises display module includes logic to provide a premises diagram for display via the display device and logic to provide a representation of an alarm status of one or more premises locations based on the alarm sensor information. In one embodiment, the premises diagram illustrates a layout of monitored premises.

0028In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a set-top box includes a multimedia data interface to receive data representative of one or more multimedia channels and a display interface to a display device to provide processed multimedia data. The set-top box further includes a security control module to receive alarm sensor data associated with one or more alarm sensors and an alarm premises display module coupled to the security control module and the display interface. The alarm premises display module includes logic to provide a premises diagram for display via the display interface and logic to provide a representation of an alarm status of one or more premises locations based on the alarm sensor information.

0029In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method includes receiving multimedia data representative of one or more multimedia channels and processing at least a portion of the multimedia data associated with a selected multimedia channel. The method further includes providing the processed portion of the multimedia data for display. The method additionally includes receiving alarm sensor information associated with one or more alarm sensors positioned at monitored premises locations and determining a potential premises breach based on the alarm sensor information. The method also includes generating a premises diagram for display. In one embodiment, the premises diagram includes a graphical representation of a layout of the monitored premises and a graphical representation of an alarm status of one or more premises locations based on the alarm sensor information.

0030In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer readable medium embodies a computer program. The computer program includes instructions to provide processed multimedia data associated with a multimedia channel to a display interface and instructions to determine a potential premises breach based on the alarm sensor information associated with one or more alarm sensors positioned at monitored premises. The computer program further includes instructions to generate a premises diagram for display. The premises diagram includes a graphical representation of a layout of the monitored premises and a graphical representation of an alarm status of one or more premises locations based on the alarm sensor information. The computer program further includes instructions to provide an alarm action interface to receive user input indicating a selected action in response to a potential premises breach indicated by the alarm sensor information and instructions to initiate the selected action.

0031Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, an exemplary networked television <b>100</b> is illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As depicted, the television <b>100</b> includes a housing <b>101</b> that contains a display <b>102</b>, e.g., a liquid crystal display or a plasma display. Further, the housing <b>101</b> includes a plurality of user interface buttons <b>104</b>, such as a power button, channel change buttons, volume control buttons, and the like. The housing <b>101</b> also includes a remote control interface <b>106</b>, e.g., an infrared interface or a radio frequency (RF) interface, to receive remote control commands from a remote control <b>108</b>. In a particular embodiment, one or more operations of the television <b>100</b> are responsive to the remote control commands. The television <b>100</b> further includes an interface panel <b>110</b> that is accessible via an external surface of the housing <b>101</b>, at a top, back or side surface of the housing <b>101</b>. The interface panel <b>110</b> includes one or more interfaces for receiving or outputting various forms of multimedia data. As shown, the interface panel <b>110</b> includes an IN component <b>112</b> that includes, for example, an S-video receptacle <b>122</b> or audio/visual receptacles <b>124</b> or a digital versatile disk (DVD) IN component <b>114</b> that is configured to receive video data and audio data from an external DVD player or other multimedia source. In particular, the DVD IN component <b>114</b> includes a plurality of receptacles <b>126</b> that can receive component video and audio. The panel <b>110</b> also can include an OUT component <b>116</b> that has receptacles <b>128</b> to provide video data and/or audio data to another television or recording device, such as a personal video recorder (PVR) or an external DVD player/recorder. An RF antenna receptacle <b>120</b> also can be incorporated into the panel <b>110</b> to receive multimedia data via RF transmissions.

0032In at least one embodiment, the panel <b>110</b> further includes a network interface <b>118</b> that includes a network receptacle <b>130</b> that can be connected to any of a variety of packet-based data networks. The receptacle <b>130</b> can be connected to an Internet Protocol (IP)-based network, e.g., an Ethernet network or an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)-based network. Further, in a particular embodiment, the network interface <b>118</b> can include an Ethernet interface and as such, the network receptacle <b>130</b> can be an RJ-45 receptacle that is configured to receive an Ethernet cable that is connected to an Ethernet-based network. The television <b>100</b> can utilize the network interface <b>118</b> to receive multimedia data, e.g., video data, audio data, or videogame data, over a packet-based network for processing at the television <b>100</b>. Moreover, the network interface <b>118</b> may be used by the television <b>100</b> to forward information to another networked device, such as another networked television <b>100</b>. The forwarded information may include, for example, processed multimedia data or information associated with the multimedia data, information associated with a video game being played at the television <b>100</b>, and the like. In another embodiment, the television <b>100</b> can utilize the network interface <b>118</b> to receive alarm sensor data directly from one or more alarm sensors positioned around monitored premises or via an alarm panel that is connected to the alarm sensors.

0033As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the panel <b>110</b> further can include one or more modular card receptacles <b>132</b> (also commonly referred to as “expansion slots”) to interface with one or more modular cards (also commonly referred to as “expansion cards”) to enhance the functionality of the television <b>100</b>. The modular cards can include, for example, a multimedia decoder modular card <b>140</b>, a wireless network interface modular card <b>142</b>, an audio receiver modular card <b>144</b>, a video game console modular card <b>146</b>, a security monitoring modular card <b>147</b>, and the like. In a particular embodiment, the modular card receptacles <b>132</b> and the corresponding modular cards <b>140</b>, <b>142</b>, <b>144</b>, <b>146</b>, and <b>147</b> may be implemented using a standard architecture, such as a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)-compliant architecture, an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)-compliant architecture, or a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA)-compliant architecture. Alternately, the modular card receptacles <b>132</b> and the corresponding modular cards <b>140</b>, <b>142</b>, <b>144</b>, <b>146</b>, and <b>147</b> may be implemented using a proprietary architecture, or a combination of standard and proprietary architectures.

0034To customize the functionality of the television <b>100</b>, modular cards may be added to or removed from the television by inserting or removing the modular cards from their corresponding modular card receptacles. For example, the panel <b>110</b> may include an opening in the housing for each modular card receptacle <b>132</b> and each modular card receptacle <b>132</b> may receive a modular card that is inserted through the corresponding opening so that the contacts of the modular card receptacle interface are brought into secure contact with the contacts of the receiving modular card receptacle <b>132</b>. Alternately, part or all of the panel <b>110</b> can be temporarily removed to install the modular card in a modular card receptacle <b>132</b>. In at least one embodiment, some or all of the modular cards may include one or more interface receptacles that are accessible at the panel <b>110</b> to interface with other components.

0035In a particular embodiment, the incorporation of one or more modular cards into the television <b>100</b> allows for an expansion of the available functionality of the television <b>100</b>. For example, the television <b>100</b> can incorporate the wireless network interface modular card <b>142</b> to provide wireless connectivity for the transmission of information to other networked devices. Moreover, the television <b>100</b> may incorporate the multimedia decoder modular card <b>140</b> to process multimedia data. The processing performed by the multimedia decoder modular card <b>140</b> may include, for example, decoding or transcoding encoded multimedia data, encoding unencoded multimedia data, decrypting encrypted multimedia data, and the like.

0036In an illustrative embodiment, the multimedia data processed by the decoder modular card <b>140</b> may be obtained from an external multimedia device, such as a DVD player, via the interfaces <b>122</b>-<b>128</b>. Alternatively, the multimedia data may be received as a multimedia data stream via the network interface <b>118</b> or via the wireless interface modular card <b>142</b>. The video content of the resulting processed multimedia data may be displayed on the display <b>102</b> or the resulting processed multimedia data may be provided to one or more networked devices via the network interface <b>118</b> or the wireless network interface modular card <b>142</b>. Various exemplary techniques for processing multimedia data using the multimedia decoder modular card <b>140</b> are discussed in greater detail herein with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3-8</figref>.

0037The television <b>100</b> can also incorporate the audio receiver modular card <b>144</b> to process audio data for output to one or more speakers. In one embodiment, the audio receiver modular card <b>144</b> provides many of the features commonly found in separate stereo receivers. The audio data may be received from an external audio device, e.g., a portable music player, via one or more audio inputs <b>150</b>. Alternately, the audio data may be received via the network interface <b>118</b> or the wireless network interface modular card <b>142</b>. The resulting processed audio data may be provided to one or more wired speakers via speaker outputs <b>152</b> or the resulting processed audio data may be provided to one or more wireless speakers via, for example, the wireless network interface modular card <b>142</b>. Various exemplary techniques for processing audio data using the audio receiver modular card <b>144</b> are discussed in greater detail herein with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9-12</figref>.

0038The television <b>100</b> further may incorporate the video game console modular card <b>146</b> to process video game data in response to controller input in order to generate game play for display at the display <b>102</b> and output via one or more speakers. The controller input relevant to the game play may be received via one or more controller interfaces <b>156</b> connected to corresponding game controllers, commonly referred to as “game pads” or “joysticks”, via wired or wireless connections. Video game data processed by the video game console modular card <b>146</b> may be obtained from an external device, such as a DVD player that is capable of obtaining video game data from game CDs or DVDs. Additionally, the video game data may be obtained a networked device via the network interface <b>118</b> or the wireless network interface modular card <b>142</b>. Moreover, the network interface <b>118</b> or the wireless network interface modular card <b>142</b> may be used to transmit game play information to other networked devices for use in, for example, a real-time multiple player video game. Various exemplary techniques for obtaining video game data and for video game processing by the video game console modular card <b>146</b> are discussed in greater detail herein with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 14-18</figref>.

0039The television <b>100</b> additionally may incorporate the security monitoring modular card <b>147</b> to provide premises security information for display via the display <b>102</b>. The physical security information can include, for example, a graphical user interface (GUI) having a premises diagram that represents the layout of monitored premises, including the types and locations of various alarm sensors and their current status (e.g., ready, armed, error, breached, etc.). The security monitoring modular card <b>147</b> also may provide a GUI to facilitate the generation of the premises diagram by a user via, for example, the remote control <b>108</b> and the remote control interface <b>106</b>. Alarm sensor information representative of the status of the system can be received via the network interface <b>118</b>, via the wireless modular card <b>142</b>, or via a legacy alarm panel interface <b>158</b> of the security monitoring modular card <b>147</b>. Further, in at least one embodiment, an integrated security card may implement the functions of the network interface <b>118</b>, the wireless modular card <b>142</b>, or a telephone interface <b>160</b> to contact a security operations entity (e.g., law enforcement or a security monitoring service) for premises breach notification purposes. Various exemplary techniques for security monitoring by the security monitoring console modular card <b>147</b> are discussed in greater detail herein with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 19-22</figref>.

0040Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, an exemplary implementation <b>200</b> of the television <b>100</b> is illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The television <b>100</b> includes one or more processors <b>202</b>, one or more storage devices, such as a random access memory (RAM) <b>204</b>, a read only memory or flash memory <b>206</b> or a hard disk <b>208</b>, a direct memory access (DMA) controller <b>210</b> and a display controller <b>212</b> coupled to the display <b>102</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). The television <b>100</b> also can include an overlay graphics generator <b>214</b>, a network communications processor <b>216</b> connected to the network interface <b>118</b>, a conditional access unit <b>218</b>, an audio output <b>220</b>. The television <b>100</b> further can include modular card receptacles <b>222</b>, <b>224</b>, <b>226</b>, <b>227</b>, and <b>228</b> connected to the multimedia decoder modular card <b>140</b>, the audio receiver modular card <b>144</b>, the video game console modular card <b>146</b>, the security monitoring modular card <b>147</b>, and the wireless network interface modular card <b>142</b>, respectively. As depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the television <b>100</b> can further include the remote control interface <b>106</b>, the RF antenna interface <b>120</b>, the IN component <b>112</b>, the OUT component <b>114</b> and the DVD IN component <b>114</b> of the panel <b>110</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). In the illustrated example, some components of the television <b>100</b> can be connected via a first bus <b>232</b> while other components can be connected via a second bus <b>234</b>. Further, the busses <b>232</b>, <b>234</b> can be connected by a bus bridge <b>236</b>.

0041The processor <b>202</b> can perform multimedia processing routines in accordance with an operating system (OS) <b>230</b> and facilitates the functions performed by the modular cards that are connected to the modular card receptacles <b>222</b>-<b>228</b> of the television <b>100</b> by routing information between the components or by handling various aspects of the functions performed by the modular cards. In a particular embodiment, in order to provide prompt, real-time interaction with a television user, e.g., by displaying video content promptly upon request, the OS <b>230</b> is a real-time OS having specific functionality that is configured to streamline the operations of the processor <b>230</b> and limit the delay between receiving a user request and providing the requested action.

0042For example, in one embodiment, the OS <b>230</b> is stored in the flash memory <b>206</b> when the television is powered down, and upon a user request to power up the television, e.g., via the user control buttons <b>104</b> or the remote control interface <b>106</b>, at least a portion of the OS <b>230</b> is loaded into a cache of the processor <b>230</b> so that the video content of a video data source selected at power up is provided for display within at least ten seconds of receiving the request, or within five seconds or within two seconds of receiving the user request. Additionally, the streamlined OS <b>230</b> can allow the television <b>100</b> to display video content promptly upon receiving other types of user requests, such as a user request to change television channels or a user request to activate game play associated with video game data processed by the video game console modular card <b>146</b>. As such, the television <b>100</b> can provide the traditional television experience in which changes in the video content displayed and/or the audio content output occur promptly in response to the user's input as one or more requests.

0043During operation, the various components of the television <b>100</b> communicate information via the busses <b>232</b> and <b>234</b> in order to perform various multimedia-related functions. For example, the communications processor <b>216</b> provides communications protocol-specific processing for data received via the network interface <b>118</b> and for data to be transmitted on a packet-based network via the network interface <b>118</b>. Further, the communications processor <b>216</b> may implement one or more functions associated with, the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) seven-layer model or the Telecommunications Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) stack. During operation, incoming data that is processed by the communications processor <b>216</b> can be routed to one or more of the components of the television <b>100</b> as appropriate. The DMA controller <b>210</b> can control access to the RAM <b>204</b> and/or the ROM <b>206</b> by the components of the television <b>100</b>. Moreover, the overlay graphics generator <b>214</b> can generates overlay graphics that overlay the display graphics that are output to the display <b>102</b> by the display controller <b>212</b>.

0044In a particular embodiment, the modular cards <b>140</b>-<b>147</b> may communicate information with each other and with other components of the television, e.g., the processor <b>202</b> or the display controller <b>212</b>, using the modular card receptacles <b>222</b>-<b>228</b> and the bus <b>234</b>. For example, the wireless network interface modular card <b>142</b> or the network interface <b>118</b> may be used to receive/transmit multimedia data for the decoder modular card <b>140</b>, receive/transmit audio data for the audio receiver modular card <b>144</b>, or receive/transmit video game data and related information for the video game console modular card <b>146</b>. Alternately, multimedia data or video game data may be received via one or more of the RF antenna interface <b>120</b>, the IN component <b>112</b>, or the DVD IN component <b>114</b>. Further, video data that represents video content may be provided from the decoder modular card <b>140</b> or the video game console modular card <b>146</b> to the display controller <b>212</b> so that the video content is displayed by the display <b>102</b>. Similarly, audio data representing audio content may be provided from the audio receiver modular card <b>144</b> to the audio output <b>220</b> for output of the audio content by one or more speakers of the television <b>100</b>. Additionally, security information for processing may be provided from the wireless interface modular card <b>142</b> or the network interface <b>118</b> to the security monitoring modular card <b>227</b>. Likewise, display information generated by the security monitoring modular card <b>227</b> may be processed for display by the display controller <b>212</b>.

0045Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, an exemplary implementation of the multimedia decoder modular card <b>140</b> is illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example depicted, the multimedia decoder modular card <b>140</b> includes a modular card receptacle interface <b>302</b>, an input buffer <b>304</b>, a decryption module <b>305</b>, a parser <b>306</b>, a video decoder <b>308</b>, a video output buffer <b>310</b>, an audio decoder <b>312</b> and an audio output buffer <b>314</b>. In a particular embodiment, the incoming buffer <b>304</b> and the output buffers <b>310</b> and <b>314</b> may be implemented together as a single buffer.

0046During operation, incoming multimedia data that is to be processed by the decoder modular card <b>140</b> is buffered in the incoming buffer <b>304</b>. In at least one embodiment, the multimedia data is part of an MPEG data stream. Accordingly, the parser <b>306</b> parses the multimedia data to identify the relevant video and/or audio data to be processed. Then, the parser <b>306</b> provides the video data to the video decoder <b>308</b>. The <b>308</b> decodes, or transcodes the video data and the resulting decoded/transcoded data can be stored in the outgoing video buffer <b>310</b> before being provided to the bus <b>234</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) for transmission to one or more components of the television <b>100</b>. Similarly, the audio decoder <b>312</b> decodes or transcodes the audio data. Audio data is decoded/transcoded by the audio decoder <b>312</b> and the resulting decoded/transcoded audio data is buffered in the outgoing audio buffer <b>314</b> before being provided to the bus <b>234</b> for transmission to one or more other components of the television <b>100</b>.

0047Alternately, in one embodiment, the received multimedia data includes unencoded multimedia data. In this instance, the video decoder <b>308</b> also may provide a video encoder to encode the video data to generate encoded video data (e.g., MPEG data) and the audio decoder <b>312</b> may include an audio encoder to encode the audio data to generate encoded audio data.

0048In at least one embodiment, the received multimedia data is encrypted or otherwise protected to prevent unauthorized access to the multimedia content. Accordingly, in at least one embodiment the integrated decoder modular card <b>140</b> further includes a decryption module <b>305</b> to process the protected multimedia data to generate unprotected multimedia data using a decryption key <b>307</b> supplied by, for example, a provider of the protected multimedia data. In one embodiment, the decryption module <b>305</b> processes the protected multimedia data before it is provided to the parser <b>306</b>. Alternately, the decryption module <b>305</b> could be implemented at the output of the parser <b>306</b> or as part of the decoders <b>308</b> and <b>312</b>.

0049Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, an exemplary method <b>400</b> for processing multimedia data at a networked television is illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method <b>400</b> includes receiving a multimedia data stream at the network interface <b>118</b> of the television <b>100</b> at block <b>402</b>. At block <b>404</b>, video data from the multimedia data stream is processed at a multimedia decoder of the television to generate video content. At block <b>406</b>, audio data from the multimedia data stream is processed at the multimedia decoder of the television to generate audio content. The multimedia decoder may include a multimedia decoder that is integrated into a core processing component of the television (e.g., an MPEG decoder chip) or the multimedia decoder may include a multimedia decoder modular card <b>140</b>, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-3</figref>. Further, in one embodiment, the audio data and video data are processed by separate components. To illustrate, the audio data can be processed by, for example, the audio receiver modular card <b>144</b> whereas the video data can be processed by an integrated multimedia decoder or the multimedia decoder modular card <b>140</b>. At block <b>408</b>, the video content is provided to the display <b>102</b> of the television <b>100</b> for viewing by a user. At block <b>410</b>, the audio content is provided for output to one or more speakers. The speakers receiving the audio content may be speakers integrated with the television <b>100</b> or they may include, for example, speakers wired to the speaker outputs <b>152</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) or speakers wirelessly connected to the television <b>100</b> via the wireless network interface modular card <b>142</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>).

0050Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, an exemplary method <b>500</b> for providing multimedia data to the television <b>100</b> is illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method <b>500</b> includes providing a first data stream including multimedia data from a content provider to the television <b>100</b> via a packet-based network, such as, for example, an IP-compliant network at block <b>502</b>. As noted above, the television <b>100</b>, in one embodiment, includes a network interface <b>118</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) to a packet-based network to receive multimedia data and a multimedia decoder to process the multimedia data. As noted above, the content provider may seek to limit distribution of the multimedia content represented by the multimedia data. Accordingly, at block <b>504</b>, the content provider can provide an indicator of a maximum number of televisions authorized to receive the multimedia content represented by the first data stream. In response to this indicator, the television <b>100</b> can provide data representative of the multimedia content to a number of networked devices at block <b>506</b>, where the number of networked devices receiving the multimedia content is limited based on the indicator. Further, in one embodiment, the content provider may bill the user of the television <b>100</b> for services that include providing the first data stream.

0051Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6-8</figref>, an exemplary technique for redistributing multimedia data is illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As depicted by <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, a multimedia content provider <b>602</b> (e.g., an operation maintained by a cable television provider or telecommunications company) may be coupled to television <b>606</b> via a packet-based network <b>604</b>, such as, for example, the Internet or a private network. As part of a broadcast, or in response to a user request, the content provider <b>602</b> provides encoded multimedia data <b>612</b> to the television <b>606</b> via the network <b>604</b>. The encoded multimedia data <b>612</b> is received at the television <b>606</b> via a network interface (e.g., network interface <b>118</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) connected to the network <b>604</b>. The multimedia data <b>612</b> can be processed by a multimedia decoder of the television <b>606</b> (e.g., multimedia decoder modular card <b>140</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) to generate processed multimedia data <b>614</b>. Various operations performed on the multimedia data <b>612</b> by the television <b>606</b> to generate the processed multimedia data <b>614</b> may include decoding or transcoding the multimedia data <b>612</b>, decrypting the multimedia data <b>612</b>, and the like.

0052The resulting processed multimedia data <b>614</b> can be provided to one or more networked devices for further processing and/or display. In the example illustrated by <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the processed multimedia data <b>614</b> is transmitted to another television <b>608</b> via the network <b>604</b>. The television <b>608</b> may further process the multimedia data <b>614</b> for display or for storage. In the example illustrated by <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, the processed multimedia data <b>614</b> may be communicated wirelessly between the television <b>606</b> and the television <b>608</b> using wireless transceivers <b>702</b> and <b>704</b>, respectively. The wireless transceivers <b>702</b> and <b>704</b> may be implemented as, for example, the wireless network interface modular card <b>142</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>).

0053<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> illustrates an exemplary method <b>800</b> for redistributing multimedia content as described with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6 and 7</figref>. The method <b>800</b> includes receiving a first multimedia data stream at a first network interface of a television at block <b>802</b>, wherein the first network interface is coupled to a packet-based network. The first multimedia data stream may be provided as a scheduled broadcast or may be provided by a content provider in response to a user request for the first multimedia data stream. At block <b>804</b>, the first multimedia data stream is processed at a multimedia decoder of the television to generate a second multimedia data stream. The multimedia decoder can include, for example, an integrated multimedia decoder or the multimedia decoder modular card <b>140</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). The processing performed on the first multimedia data stream can include, for example, decoding the first multimedia data stream or transcoding the first multimedia data stream. Moreover, in one embodiment, the first multimedia data stream may include protected multimedia data. Accordingly, the processing performed on the first multimedia data stream further may include decrypting the first multimedia data stream including the protected multimedia data. At block <b>806</b>, the second multimedia data stream is provided to a networked device via a second network interface of the television. The second multimedia data stream may be provided via the same packet-based network used to receive the first multimedia data stream. In this case, the second network interface and the first network interface may be the same network interface. Alternately, the second multimedia data stream may be provided via another packet-based network (e.g., a wireless network) and therefore may be a different network interface than the first network interface.

0054The exemplary techniques illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6-8</figref> allow a single television to act as the distribution point for multimedia content received from a content provider. To illustrate, because the television <b>100</b>, in one embodiment, decodes and/or decrypts the encoded multimedia data <b>612</b> to generate unencoded and/or decrypted multimedia data <b>614</b>, the networked devices receiving the multimedia data <b>614</b> (e.g., television <b>608</b>) do not need to utilize a decoder and/or decryption module to process the multimedia data for display as video and/or audio content. As a result, the decoding/decryption components of the networked devices receiving the multimedia data <b>614</b> may be disabled, thereby reducing the power consumption of the networked devices. Moreover, the networked devices may be supplied without decoding/decryption components, thereby reducing their complexity and cost.

0055Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9 and 10</figref>, an exemplary implementation of the audio receiver modular card <b>144</b> is illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the audio receiver modular card <b>144</b>, in one embodiment, includes a modular card receptacle interface <b>902</b>, a buffer <b>904</b>, one or more digital signal processors (DSPS) <b>906</b>, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) <b>908</b>, an RF interface <b>910</b>, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) <b>912</b>, a display control module <b>914</b>, the audio input <b>150</b> and one or more speaker outputs <b>922</b>-<b>930</b>.

0056In operation, audio data to be processed can be received from other components of the television via the modular card receptacle interface <b>902</b> or from an external audio source via the audio input <b>150</b> or via an RF transmission received at the RF interface <b>910</b> and converted to digital data by the ADC <b>912</b>. The received audio data can be buffered in the buffer <b>904</b> until accessed by the DSP <b>906</b> for processing. Processing operations performed by the DSP <b>906</b> can include, for example, decoding (e.g., decoding from an MPEG or MP3 format), decryption, filtering, stereo enhancement, equalization and the like. For example, in one embodiment the DSP <b>906</b> performs surround sound processing of the audio data consistent with one or more surround sound standards, such as Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Theater System (DTS) Surround, THX Surround EX™, and the like.

0057The resulting processed audio data may be provided to one or more other components of the television via the modular card receptacle interface <b>902</b>. For example, the processed audio data may be provided for output to one or more wired speakers via the speaker outputs <b>922</b>-<b>930</b> after digital-to-analog conversion by the DAC <b>908</b>. In the illustrated example, the speaker output <b>922</b> connects to a right rear (RR) speaker, the speaker output <b>924</b> connects to a right front (RF) speaker, the speaker output <b>926</b> connects to a center speaker, the speaker output <b>928</b> connects to a left front (LF) speaker and the speaker output <b>930</b> connects to a left rear (LR) speaker. Alternately, as illustrated with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, the processed audio data (illustrated as audio data <b>1001</b>) can be provided from the audio receiver modular card <b>144</b> to the wireless network interface modular card <b>142</b> for transmission to one or more wireless speakers <b>1002</b>-<b>1008</b>.

0058In at least one embodiment, the display control module <b>914</b> provides display content representing information about the audio receiver modular card <b>144</b> for display on the display <b>102</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). For example, the display control module <b>914</b> may provide graphical data representing equalization settings, where the graphical content of the graphical data is laid over video content from another source on the display <b>102</b>. Other information for display can include, for example, volume settings, speaker setup, artist and track information, and the like. Moreover, in one embodiment, the operation of the audio receiver card module <b>144</b> is responsive to user commands (e.g., remote control commands). For example, after displaying the current equalization settings on the display <b>102</b>, remote control commands from a user representing a desired change in equalization settings can be received by the display control module <b>914</b>. In response, the display control module <b>914</b> can send a signal to the DSP <b>906</b> to change the equalization settings as well as provide updated equalization settings graphical display information for display by the display <b>102</b> so that the user can visual confirm that the requested changes are made. Other operations affected by user input can include, for example, volume settings, channel selection, track selection, speaker setup, surround sound settings, and the like.

0059Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>, an exemplary method <b>1100</b> for providing audio data for processing at a networked television is illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method <b>1100</b> includes providing an audio data stream to the television via a packet-based network at block <b>1102</b>. In one embodiment, the television includes an exterior interface panel including a plurality of interface connections, a network interface to the packet based network to receive the multimedia data, and an audio receiver modular card (e.g., audio receiver modular card <b>144</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) to process the audio data stream. In certain instances, a content provider may attempt to protect the audio data stream by encrypting the audio data. In such instances, the audio receiver modular card may have access to a decryption key provided by the content provider, at block <b>1104</b>, or otherwise made available to the audio receiver modular card. The audio receiver modular card thus may use this decryption key to decrypt or otherwise decode the protected audio data. At block <b>1106</b>, a user of the television is billed for services including providing the audio data stream to the television. For example, the user may have subscribed to a service and may receive a monthly bill.

0060Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, an exemplary method <b>1200</b> for processing audio data using the audio receiver modular card <b>142</b> is illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method <b>1200</b> includes receiving first audio data at an audio receiver modular card of a television via a first network interface of the television (e.g., network interface <b>118</b> of television <b>100</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) at block <b>1202</b>. At block <b>1204</b>, the first audio data is processed at the audio receiver modular card to generate second audio data. Processing operations performed by the audio receiver modular card may include, for example, decoding, filtering, formatting, and the like. At block <b>1206</b>, the second audio data is provided for output to one or more speakers. In one embodiment, the second audio data is provided to one or more speakers via one or more speaker outputs of the audio receiver modular card. In an alternate embodiment, the second audio data is wirelessly transmitted to one or more wireless speakers via a wireless network interface of the television (e.g., wireless network interface modular card <b>142</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>).

0061Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>, an exemplary implementation of the video game console modular card <b>146</b> is illustrated in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the depicted example, the game console modular card <b>146</b> includes a modular card receptacle interface <b>1302</b> for connecting to a modular card receptacle of the networked television <b>100</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>), flash memory <b>1304</b>, one or more processors <b>1306</b>, RAM <b>1308</b>, ROM <b>1310</b>, a hard disk <b>1312</b>, a graphics engine <b>1314</b>, a video game tuner <b>1316</b>, and one or more game controller interfaces <b>156</b>.

0062In operation, video game data is provided to the television <b>100</b> via a network or by an external video game data source, such as a DVD player. The video game data is forwarded to the game console modular card <b>146</b> via the modular card receptacle interface <b>1302</b>. The video game data may be stored in flash memory <b>1304</b>, RAM <b>1308</b> and/or the hard disk <b>1312</b>. The video game tuner <b>1316</b> manages the storage of video game data supplied to the television via one or more transmission channels.

0063The processor <b>1306</b> executes instructions represented by the video game data in response to user game controller signals received via the game controller interfaces <b>156</b>. As noted above, the game controller interfaces <b>156</b> may include interfaces to wired game controllers or may include wireless interfaces to wireless game controllers. Data representing the video content of the game play is provided to the graphics engine <b>1314</b> whereupon the data is rendered into display data for output to the display <b>102</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) of the television. Data representing the audio content is processed by the processor <b>1306</b> or by an audio decoder (not shown) of the modular card <b>146</b>. Alternately, the audio data is provided to the audio receiver card <b>144</b> or to the multimedia decoder card <b>140</b> for processing. The resulting audio content is output to one or more speakers associated with the television (e.g., integrated speakers or speakers connected via the audio receiver modular card <b>144</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). The data representative of the video/audio content can be provided to a core component of the television <b>100</b> (e.g., the processor <b>202</b> or a dedicated television graphics engine) via the modular card receptacle interface <b>1302</b> for rendering into display data and output audio content.

0064In some instances, the game play represented by the video game data may be multiplayer game play that occurs among multiple players in separate locations. Accordingly, in at least one embodiment, the processor <b>1306</b> provides game play information for transmission by other game consoles involved in the same game play. To illustrate, the game play information is provided to the other components of the television <b>100</b> via the modular card receptacle interface <b>1302</b>, whereby the game play information may be communicated to other networked game consoles via the network interface <b>118</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) or wirelessly communicated to other wireless game consoles via the wireless network interface modular card <b>142</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>).

0065Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>, an exemplary method <b>1400</b> for processing video game data at a video game console modular card of a television is illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method <b>1400</b> includes receiving video game data at the television via a network interface to a packet-based network at block <b>1402</b>. In one embodiment, the video game data is received as part of a multimedia data stream transmitted by a multimedia content provider via the packet-based network. For example, the video game data could be represented by one or more transmission channels of the multimedia data stream. At block <b>1404</b>, at least a portion of the video game data is provided to the game console modular card (e.g., the game console modular card <b>146</b>) via a first modular card receptacle of the television. At block <b>1406</b>, the video game data is processed to provide game play content for display by the television, wherein the game play content is based on user control signals received via one or more game controller interfaces of the game console modular card. At block <b>1408</b>, video game data associated with the game play is rendered at a graphics engine of the game console modular card to generate rendered display data, and, at block <b>1410</b>, the rendered display data is provided for display via the first modular card receptacle. At block <b>1412</b>, game play information is communicated with one or more networked devices (e.g., other networked televisions having game console modular cards) via the first network interface or via a second network interface, such as a wireless network interface modular card.

0066Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 15-18</figref>, exemplary techniques for providing video game data via one or more transmission channels are illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> illustrates an exemplary video game distribution system <b>1500</b> including a video game provider <b>1502</b> and a networked device <b>1504</b> connected via a network <b>1506</b>. The networked device <b>1504</b> may include any of a variety of devices capable of receiving and processing multimedia transmissions comprising a plurality of transmission channels (such as, for example, a digital cable transmission or a satellite television transmission). For ease of illustration, the networked device <b>1504</b> is discussed in the context of a networked television as described in detail above.

0067In the illustrated embodiment, the video game provider <b>1502</b> includes video game data storage <b>1510</b> for storing video game data associated with one or more video games, a list generator <b>1512</b>, a multimedia stream generator <b>1514</b>, and an authentication module <b>1516</b>.

0068In operation, the multimedia stream generator <b>1514</b> generates one or more multimedia data streams <b>1520</b> for transmission to the networked device <b>1504</b>. In addition to transmission channels having conventional video and/or audio data representative of television programs or radio programs, such as video channels <b>1521</b> and <b>1522</b>, one or more transmission channels of the multimedia data stream <b>1520</b> can include video game data, such as game channels <b>1523</b>-<b>1525</b>. Accordingly, to download the video game data associated with a particular video game, the networked device <b>1504</b> may select the game channel of the multimedia data stream <b>1520</b> associated with a desired video game and may store video game data transmitted via the selected channel.

0069To illustrate, a user of the networked device <b>1504</b> may provide a remote control command or other user input that causes the networked device to “tune” to a transmission channel selected by the user. Once “tuned” to this channel, the networked device <b>1504</b> may provide a request for the associated video game data from the video game provider <b>1502</b>. The authentication module <b>1516</b> authenticates an identifier associated with the user request to determine whether the user is authorized to access the video game data. If so authorized, the multimedia stream generator <b>1514</b> obtains the requested video game data from the video game data storage <b>1510</b> and inserts the requested video game data into the appropriate game channel of the multimedia data stream <b>1520</b>. The authentication module <b>1516</b> further may store the request for video game data for billing purposes associated with providing the requested video game data.

0070Alternately, the video game data associated with one or more video games may be inserted by the multimedia stream generator <b>1514</b> in a repeating manner. In this instance, once the networked device <b>1504</b> is “tuned” to the selected game channel, the networked device <b>1504</b> may delay storing the video game data in the selected game channel until the starting byte of the video game data is retransmitted in the next iteration. Rather than waiting for the starting byte of the video game data, the networked device <b>1504</b> instead can identify an entry point where the networked device <b>1504</b> began storing video game data transmitted in the selected game channel and can cease storing video game data when the identified entry point is encountered again during the next transmit iteration of the video game data. For example, if the networked device <b>1504</b> tunes to the selected channel and starts recording the video game data at byte <b>1000</b>, the networked device <b>1504</b> would continue to record the video game data through the end byte of the present iteration until byte <b>999</b> of the next iteration is encountered. Thus, the networked device <b>1504</b> can store the entire video game data without delaying until the start of the next iteration of the transmission of the video game data in the selected transmission channel.

0071The association of video games and their corresponding transmission channels may be provided to a user in any of a variety of ways. For example, a printed publication could be provided that indicates which transmission channels are used to carry the video game data of certain video games. However, the use of a printed publication typically results in a static assignment of channels and may cause inconvenience on the part of the user if the printed publication is misplaced or otherwise unavailable. Accordingly, in at least one embodiment, the list generator <b>1512</b> generates one or more lists for display as video content, where the lists, when displayed, provide an indication of available video games and identifiers (e.g., channel numbers) of their corresponding transmission channels. An exemplary display of a list is discussed below with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref>. The lists of available video games may be organized by any of a variety of characteristics, such as rankings, genres, costs, system requirements, and the like. To illustrate, the list generator <b>1512</b> can generate, for example, a list of the top five video game rentals, a list of the top ten best selling video games, a list of newly introduced video games, a list of action/adventure video games, a list of role-playing video games, a list of video games suitable for children, and other lists.

0072Multimedia data representative of the one or more generated lists can be provided to the networked device <b>1504</b> as one or more list channels, such as list channels <b>1526</b> and <b>1527</b>, of the multimedia data stream <b>1520</b>. Accordingly, when the networked device <b>1504</b> is “tuned” to a list channel, the network device <b>1504</b> may provide the video content representative of the list associated with the selected list channel for display at the networked device. The user, upon viewing the video content representative of the list, may ascertain the transmission channel carrying data for the video game in which the user is interested. The user then can direct the networked device <b>1504</b> to “tune” to the identified transmission channel (using, for example, remote control commands) so that the video game data can be obtained from the identified transmission channel and stored (e.g., at the hard disk <b>1312</b> of the video game console modular card <b>146</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>) for subsequent use.

0073Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref>, an exemplary display of a list of video games at a networked device (e.g., the television <b>100</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) is illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the depicted example, the displayed list <b>1600</b> provides a listing of five available video games (video games A, B, C, D and E) identified as being the top five in rental frequency. Each video game listed also includes a visual indicator of the transmission channel that carries the video game data representing the video game. For example, the visual indicator may include “select channel” icons <b>1602</b>-<b>1610</b> corresponding to video games A-E, respectively, where the icons <b>1602</b>-<b>1610</b> provide a visual representation of the corresponding transmission channels (e.g., channels <b>101</b>-<b>105</b>). The displayed list <b>1600</b> further may include screen shots <b>1612</b>-<b>1620</b> for one or more of the listed video games, as well as written descriptions, critic reviews or ratings of the listed video games (not shown).

0074Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref>, an exemplary method <b>1700</b> for providing video game data as one or more transmission channels of a multimedia data stream is illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. At block <b>1702</b>, a multimedia data stream is provided for reception by a display device, where the multimedia data stream includes a first channel having video content representing a first list of available video games and their corresponding channel identifiers and a second channel having video game data associated with a first video game of the first list and where the second channel is associated with a first channel identifier corresponding to the first video game. The multimedia data stream also can include other channels associated with other video games. The multimedia data stream can be provided as, for example, a digital cable television transmission or a satellite television transmission, a multimedia data stream transmitted over a packet-switched network. In at least one embodiment, the display device is a networked device, such as a networked television as discussed above.

0075To discourage unauthorized access, the video game data can be encrypted, such as at the video game content provider, prior to providing the multimedia data stream or prior to inserting the video game data into the multimedia data stream. Accordingly, a decryption key that is used to decrypt the encrypted video game data may be provided by the video game content provider or otherwise made available to the networked device. In one embodiment, the identification of the networked device is verified prior to providing or making the decryption key available. This verification process may include verifying that the particular display device and/or a particular user are authorized to use the video game data.

0076In one embodiment, the video game data associated with the first video game is provided in a continuous loop as the second transmission channel. Alternately, the video game data associated with the first video game is provided by a video game content provider in response to a user request for the video game data from the networked device. The user request may be initiated by a user remote control command directing the networked device to tune to the transmission channel identified by the first channel identifier.

0077As noted above, the multimedia data stream may represent the transmission of multimedia content in accordance with a service agreement or arrangement between a user and a content provider. Accordingly, at block <b>1704</b> the user's access of the video game data from the second channel is noted at the content provider and a charge is included in a billing statement sent to the user for the service that includes providing the multimedia data stream.

0078Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref>, an exemplary method <b>1800</b> for obtaining video game data from one or more channels of a multimedia data stream is illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method <b>1800</b> includes receiving a multimedia data stream at a system including a display device at block <b>1802</b>. The multimedia data stream includes a first channel having video content representing a first list of available video games and their corresponding channel identifiers and a second channel having video game data associated with a first video game of the first list. The second channel is associated with a first channel identifier corresponding to the first video game. In one embodiment, the system includes a networked television (e.g., television <b>100</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) having a game console modular card (e.g., game console modular card <b>146</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) to process the received data. In one embodiment, the storage of video game data at a hard disk <b>1312</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>) of the game console modular card <b>146</b> is handled by the video game tuner <b>1316</b>.

0079At block <b>1804</b>, the video content representing the first list of games is provided for display at the display device. In the event that the system includes a networked television as described above, the networked television may include a decoder, such as an integrated decoder or a decoder modular card <b>140</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) to generate display data representative of the video content of the first channel for viewing by the user. At block <b>1806</b>, user input indicating a selection of the first channel identifier associated with the first video game of the first list is received in response to display of the video content. The user input may include, for example, a request to “tune” the system to the transmission channel associated with the first channel identifier, where the request may be a remote control command or input received via, for example, a channel change button.

0080At block <b>1808</b>, the video game data associated with the first video game from the second channel is obtained for storage at the system in response to receiving the user input. As noted above, the video game data may be provided in a single transmission at a predetermined time or in a continuous loop or the video game data can be added to the multimedia data stream in response to a request by the user. In the event that the data is provided in a continuous loop, obtaining the video game data can include identifying a start position within a present loop of the video game data and continuing to store the video game data until a corresponding position to the start position is encountered for the next loop of the video game data. In the event that the video game data is encrypted, at block <b>1810</b>, a decryption key can be received at the system in response to a verification of an identification of the system. At block <b>1812</b>, the video game data can be decrypted using the decryption key. In the event that the system includes the networked television <b>100</b>, the obtained video game data can be stored at the hard disk <b>1312</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>) of the video game console modular card <b>146</b> of the television <b>100</b> for subsequent processing to provide game play to a user.

0081Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref>, an exemplary implementation of the security monitoring modular card <b>147</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example depicted, the security monitoring modular card <b>147</b> includes the legacy alarm panel interface <b>158</b>, the telephony interface <b>160</b>, a modular card receptacle interface <b>1902</b>, a user control module <b>1904</b>, an alarm premises generation module <b>1906</b>, an alarm premises display module <b>1908</b>, a security control module <b>1910</b>, a remote notification module <b>1912</b>, a remote access module <b>1914</b>, a processor <b>1916</b>, memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM)) <b>1918</b>, and mass storage <b>1920</b> (e.g., flash memory or a hard drive). The components of the security monitoring modular card <b>147</b> may be connected directly, via one or more busses <b>1922</b>, or a combination thereof. The components of the security monitoring modular card <b>147</b> may be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, or combinations thereof. To illustrate, the modules <b>1904</b>, <b>1906</b>, <b>1908</b>, <b>1910</b>, <b>1912</b>, and <b>1914</b> may be implemented, in whole or in part, as one or more computer programs represented as instructions stored in the memory <b>1918</b> and executed by the processor <b>1916</b> to perform the processes described herein.

0082During operation, security information to be processed by the security monitoring modular card <b>147</b> is received via the modular card interface <b>1902</b>. The security information may be received at the television <b>100</b> via the network interface <b>118</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>), the wireless interface modular card <b>142</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>), or the legacy alarm panel interface <b>158</b>. The security information can include, for example, alarm sensor information, user premises layout information, alarm action command information, and the like. The alarm sensor information includes information from one or more alarm sensors, such as, for example, video data from a security camera, status information (e.g., armed, unarmed, breached) from a door sensor, window sensor, trip sensor (e.g., an infrared light sensor), an ultrasonic window breakage sensor, and the like. Similarly, data generated by the security monitoring modular card <b>147</b>, such as display information representing a monitored premises layout, alarm statuses, potential breaches, and the like, can be provided for output to other components of the television <b>100</b> via the modular card receptacle interface <b>1902</b>. Alarm sensor information can be provided from alarm sensors to the television <b>100</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) as an analog signal transmitted over wiring connecting the sensors to an alarm panel or directly to the television <b>100</b>. Alternately, one or more of the alarm sensors can be connected to a data network whereby alarm sensor information is transmitted via the data network. Further, in one embodiment, one or more of the alarm sensors can include a wireless transmitter, such as a Bluetooth-based transmitter or an IEEE 802.11-based transmitter, to wirelessly communicate alarm sensor information to an alarm panel or the television <b>100</b> via, for example, the wireless interface modular card <b>142</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>).

0083The alarm premises generation module <b>1906</b> facilitates the generation of a premises diagram that represents the layout of monitored premises, including the locations of various alarm sensors and their statuses. In one embodiment, the alarm premises generation module <b>1906</b> provides a premises diagram generation GUI for display whereby a user can interact with the GUI via remote control commands, for example, to provide premises information used by the alarm premises generation module <b>1906</b> to generate the premises diagram. The premises information may be received at and processed by the user control module <b>1904</b> to generate diagram input for use by the alarm premises generation module <b>1906</b>. The alarm premises generation module <b>1906</b> may implement a standard graphical drawing program, such as AutoCAD™, Microsoft™ Visio™, Microsoft™ PowerPoint™, or a proprietary interface to facilitate the creation of the premises layout. An illustrative implementation of a premises diagram generation GUI is discussed in greater detail with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref>.

0084Data representative of the generated premises diagram is used by the alarm premises display module <b>1908</b> to generate a premises status GUI for display. The premises status GUI includes the generated premises diagram, as well as visual and/or audible representations of the alarm status of one or more of the alarm sensors determined from the received alarm sensor information. The premises status GUI also includes an alarm action interface to provide a user with a number of selectable actions, such as arming the security system, disarming the security system, suppressing a premises breach alarm, or contacting a security operations entity. An illustrative implementation of a premises status GUI is discussed in greater detail with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref>.

0085The alarm status (armed, disarmed, error, breached, etc.) of the alarm sensors is determined from the alarm sensor information by the security control module <b>1910</b>. As part of this determination, the security control module <b>1910</b> may implement a status verification process whereby the alarm statuses of the alarm sensors are correlated to determine whether an alarm sensor that is signaling a potential breach is malfunctioning. To illustrate, assume that a window sensor, a sonic sensor and a trip-line sensor are positioned at a window of an external wall. In this instance, it is likely that an intruder entering through the window would set off all three sensors in the process of forcibly entering the premises. Accordingly, in the event that the window sensor signals a potential breach, the security control module <b>1910</b> can monitor the statuses of the sonic sensor and the trip-line sensor to determine if they also register a potential breach. If not, the security control module <b>1910</b> may take a predefined action, such as directing the alarm premises display module <b>1908</b> to include a user notification of the alarm status of the window sensor for display at the television <b>100</b>. Otherwise, if one or both of the sonic sensor and the trip-line sensor also is registering a potential breach, the security control module <b>1910</b> may take a more cautious predefined action, such as by sounding an alarm siren at the monitored premises and by contacting a security operations entity via, e.g., the telephony interface <b>160</b>.

0086The security control module <b>1910</b>, in one embodiment, initiates or performs one or more actions selected by a user while interfacing with the premises diagram GUI provided by the alarm premises display module <b>1908</b>. For example, when presented with a notification of a potential breach via the premises diagram GUI, the user may select to suppress the alarm. Accordingly, the security control module <b>1910</b> may send a reset signal to the triggered alarm sensor or the alarm panel to reset the alarm sensor. Alternately, the user may choose to notify a security operations entity, in which case the security control module <b>1910</b> may contact the security operations entity via the telephony interface <b>160</b> or the remote notification module <b>1912</b>. As another example, the user may choose to disarm the system, whereby the security control module <b>1910</b> sends a disable signal to the alarm sensors or the alarm panel, or configures itself to ignore alarm sensor information until the system is rearmed. As yet another action selected in response to a potential breach notification, the user may request the display of video content captured by a video camera in the area of the potential breach. Accordingly, the security control module <b>1910</b> may direct the alarm premises display module <b>1908</b> to incorporate the video content into a video display window of the premises diagram GUI.

0087The security control module <b>1910</b> can contact a security operations entity using either the telephony interface <b>160</b> or the remote notification module <b>1912</b>. Using the telephony interface <b>160</b>, the security control module <b>1910</b> can communicate a security status message, such as a request for security patrol, a notification of a medical emergency, or a notification of a false alarm, to a human operator via a voice synthesizer (not shown) or a prerecorded message. The security status message further may include premises breach information, such as the location and type of premises breach, captured video content of the location in question, and the like. Alternately, the security control module <b>1910</b> can use the telephony interface <b>160</b> to provide a facsimile transmission indicating the security status message. The remote notification module <b>1912</b> can be used to transmit a digital security status message in the form of, for example, an email, an SMS message, an instant message (IM), and the like. The digital security status message can be transmitted to its destination via, for example, the network interface <b>118</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) or the wireless interface modular card <b>142</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) of the television <b>100</b>.

0088The remote access module <b>1914</b> provides a user remote access to the security system status via a data network connected to the television <b>100</b>. In one embodiment, the remote access module <b>1914</b> includes a webserver to provide the security system status in the form of a webpage. The webpage information provided by the remote access module <b>1914</b> can include, for example, an emulation of the premises diagram GUI provided by the alarm premises display module <b>1908</b>, including the current alarm statuses of the alarm sensors positioned at the monitored premises. In the event of a potential breach or a determined malfunction, the user can remotely initiate one or more actions via the supplied webpage.

0089Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref>, an illustrative implementation of the premises diagram generation GUI is depicted in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the premises diagram generation GUI <b>2000</b> includes a premises layout window <b>2002</b>, a sensor type selection list <b>2004</b>, and a structure features selection list <b>2006</b>. The premises layout window <b>2002</b> is used to graphically display the premises layout being constructed by the user. The sensor type selection list <b>2004</b> includes selectable icons for one or more sensor types. To illustrate, the sensor type selection list <b>2004</b> may include an icon <b>2008</b> representing a door alarm, an icon <b>2009</b> representing a window alarm, an icon <b>2010</b> representing an infrared/laser trip-line sensor or motion sensor, an icon <b>2011</b> representing a security camera, and an icon <b>2012</b> representing a sonic sensor (e.g., a broken glass sensor). The structure features selection list <b>2006</b> includes selectable icons for one or more structural feature types, such as an icon <b>2020</b> for an external wall, an icon <b>2021</b> for an internal wall, an icon <b>2022</b> for a door, an icon <b>2023</b> for a window, and an icon <b>2024</b> for an alarm panel.

0090In one embodiment, the user selects icons to insert the corresponding feature into the premises layout window <b>2002</b> and then altering their position, orientation, and dimensions until a layout <b>2030</b> of the monitored premises, including positioned alarm sensors, is generated. Further, the user may select the sensor icons in the premises layout window <b>2002</b> to input additional information regarding the selected alarm sensor, such as an arm/disarm schedule for the particular alarm sensor, a sensitivity setting, its means of connection (e.g., wirelessly, via an alarm panel, chained via another alarm sensor), and the like. The user can also select the alarm sensor icons to input various operating parameters or rules. To illustrate, sensor <b>6</b> (a security video camera) can be configured by the user to capture video content and transmit the captured video content to the television <b>100</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) in response to a breach detected by either sensor <b>1</b> (a door sensor) or sensor <b>4</b> (a window sensor). If the user is satisfied with the created premises layout, the user can select the save button <b>2032</b> or, if the user wants to start over or cancel the generation process, the user can select the cancel button <b>2034</b>.

0091Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref>, an exemplary implementation of a premises diagram GUI is illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As depicted, the premises diagram GUI <b>2100</b> includes a premises layout window <b>2102</b>, a system status window <b>2104</b>, and an action interface window <b>2106</b>. In the illustrated example, the premises diagram GUI <b>2100</b> corresponds to the premises diagram <b>2030</b> described with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref>. The system status window <b>2104</b> includes a textual or other graphical representation of the current alarm status of the alarm sensors included in the premises diagram <b>2130</b>. In the illustrated example, the system status window <b>2104</b> includes a list of each alarm sensor followed by its current alarm status. The action interface window <b>2106</b> includes one or more selectable buttons associated with corresponding actions. In one embodiment, the actions represented by the selectable buttons of the action interface window <b>2106</b> dynamically change in response to changing security parameters, such as in response to a potential breach, a malfunction, and the like. In the illustrated example, a potential breach is detected at sensor <b>2</b> and the action interface window <b>2106</b> therefore includes a selectable button <b>2110</b> to initiate an action to reset the sensor <b>2</b>, a selectable button <b>2111</b> to initiate an action to disable the security system, and a selectable button <b>2112</b> to initiate an action to notify a security operations entity.

0092The premises diagram <b>2130</b>, in one embodiment, allows a user to quickly assess the current alarm status of the monitored premises by providing an easily-discernable graphical representation of the layout of the monitored premises and the alarm statuses of the alarm sensors. The premises diagram <b>2130</b> can include various graphical indicators located at or near the sensor icons to identify their current statuses. To illustrate, assuming that sensor <b>2</b> indicates a potential breach while sensors <b>1</b> and <b>3</b>-<b>5</b> do not, an “OK” status icon <b>2132</b> can be displayed near the sensors <b>2</b>-<b>5</b>, while a “BREACH” status icon <b>2134</b> can be displayed near the sensor <b>1</b>. The status icons <b>2132</b> and <b>2134</b> further can include various graphical features, such as a green tint for an “OK” status, a red tint for a “BREACH” status, flashing text, and the like. Further, for a breached sensor, a more noticeable graphical identifier, such as a bull's eye target icon <b>2136</b>, may be used to allow a user to more readily identify the location of the breached sensor.

0093After reviewing the premises diagram <b>2130</b>, the user may select one or more of the selectable buttons <b>2110</b>, <b>2111</b> or <b>2112</b> of the alarm action interface <b>2106</b> so as to initiate a particular action, such as the resetting of the sensor, the disabling of the system, or the notification of a security operations entity. Further, the actions available for selection may change based on the state of the alarm sensors or the monitored premises.

0094Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref>, an exemplary method <b>2200</b> for providing security monitoring and multimedia processing at a multimedia processing device is illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The multimedia processing device can include any of a variety of devices that process video and/or audio data, such as the networked television <b>100</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a multimedia set-top box, and the like.

0095The method <b>2200</b> includes receiving, at the multimedia processing device, multimedia data representative of one or more multimedia channels at block <b>2202</b>. The multimedia data can be received as, for example, a data packet-based network transmission, a terrestrial or satellite television transmission and the like. The multimedia data may be encoded based on any of a variety of encoding standards, such as a Motion Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) based standard. At block <b>2204</b>, the method <b>2200</b> includes processing, at the multimedia processing device, at least a portion of the multimedia data associated with a selected multimedia channel. Processing the portion of the multimedia data can include, for example, decoding, decrypting, scaling, or transcoding the multimedia data. The method <b>2200</b> further includes providing the processed portion of the multimedia data for display via a display interface of the multimedia processing device. To illustrate, the multimedia processing device may include a set-top box connected to a television via a display controller of the multimedia processing device.

0096Proceeding to block <b>2208</b>, the method <b>2200</b> includes providing, via the display interface, a graphical user interface to facilitate generation of a premises diagram based on premises information input provided by a user. An exemplary premises diagram generation GUI is described in greater detail with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 19 and 20</figref>. At block <b>2210</b>, the method <b>2200</b> includes receiving, at the multimedia processing device, alarm sensor information associated with one or more alarm sensors positioned at monitored premises locations. The alarm sensor information can include, for example, the current status of the corresponding alarm sensor, such as “armed,” “disarmed,” “breached,” “malfunctioning,” and the like. The alarm sensor information may be received at the multimedia processing device via a wired or wireless transmission, or via a central alarm panel using a legacy panel interface.

0097At block <b>2212</b>, the method <b>2200</b> includes determining, at the multimedia processing device, a potential premises breach based on the alarm sensor information. The potential premises breach may be determined based on a “breached” alarm status of one or more sensors. Further, the multimedia processing device may utilize a verification process to more accurately ascertain whether there is indeed a premises breach. At block <b>2214</b>, the method <b>2200</b> includes generating a premises diagram for display, where the premises diagram includes a graphical representation of a layout of the monitored premises and a graphical representation of an alarm status of one or more premises locations based on the alarm sensor information. An exemplary premises diagram GUI is discussed in greater detail herein with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 20 and 21</figref>.

0098At block <b>2216</b>, the method <b>2200</b> includes providing, via the display interface, an alarm action interface to receive user input indicating a selected action in response to the potential premises breach. The alarm action interface, in one embodiment, is provided as part of the premises diagram generated at block <b>2214</b>. At block <b>2218</b>, the method <b>2200</b> includes initiating the selected action. In one embodiment, the selected action includes suppressing an alarm and initiating the selected action includes resetting an alarm sensor associated with the potential premises breach. In another embodiment, the selected action includes notifying a security operations entity, and the selected action includes transmitting a notification to a security operations entity, where the notification can include, for example, an email, a voice message, a facsimile transmission, and the like, and can be transmitted via a telephony interface or a data packet network interface.

0099Although the security monitoring techniques are described in the context of the networked television <b>100</b> and a modular card for ease of illustration, these techniques may be implemented in other multimedia processing devices, such as a set-top box, using the guidelines provided herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref>, an illustrative embodiment of a computer system to implement one of more of the disclosed techniques is shown and is designated <b>2300</b>. The computer system <b>2300</b> can include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system <b>2300</b> to perform any one or more of the methods or computer based functions disclosed herein. The computer system <b>2300</b> may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices.

0100The computer system <b>2300</b> can be implemented as or incorporated into various multimedia processing devices, such as a set-top box, an Internet Protocol television (IPTV), a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a land-line telephone, a control system, a camera, a personal trusted device, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. In a particular embodiment, the computer system <b>2300</b> can be implemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video or data communication. Further, while a single computer system <b>2300</b> is illustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.

0101As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref>, the computer system <b>2300</b> may include a processor <b>2302</b>, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a general processing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer system <b>2300</b> can include a main memory <b>2304</b> and a static memory <b>2306</b> that communicate via a bus <b>2308</b>. As shown, the computer system <b>2300</b> may further include a video display unit <b>2310</b>, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT). Additionally, the computer system <b>2300</b> may include an input device <b>2312</b>, such as a button pad, and a user input device <b>2314</b>, such as a remote control input or a video game control. The computer system <b>2300</b> can also include a disk drive unit <b>2316</b>, a signal generation device <b>2318</b>, such as a speaker or remote control, and a network interface device <b>2320</b>.

0102In a particular embodiment, as depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref>, the disk drive unit <b>2316</b> may include a computer-readable medium <b>2322</b> in which one or more sets of instructions <b>2324</b>, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, the instructions <b>2324</b> may embody one or more of the techniques as described herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions <b>2324</b> may reside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory <b>2304</b>, the static memory <b>2306</b>, and/or within the processor <b>2302</b> during execution by the computer system <b>2300</b>. The main memory <b>2304</b> and the processor <b>2302</b> also may include computer-readable media.

0103In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

0104In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented by software programs executable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limited embodiment, implementations can include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods or functionality as described herein.

0105The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium that includes instructions <b>2324</b> or receives and executes instructions <b>2324</b> responsive to a propagated signal, so that a device connected to a network <b>2326</b> can communicate voice, video or data over the network <b>2326</b>. Further, the instructions <b>2324</b> may be transmitted or received over the network <b>2326</b> via the network interface device <b>2320</b>.

0106While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.

0107In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capture carrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmission medium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives may be considered a distribution medium that is equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a computer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.

0108Although the present specification describes components and functions that may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the invention is not limited to such standards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same or similar functions as those disclosed herein are considered equivalents thereof.

0109The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

0110One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.

0111The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter.

0112The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.