Abstract:
To present multimedia data, a communication path is established through a selectively separable electrical connector over which encoded multimedia data are conveyed to a multimedia presentation device. An order for a multimedia data file is transmitted to a multimedia source device through a wireless communication interface that is selectively separable from the multimedia presentation device at the electrical connector. The multimedia data file is received over a wireless communication channel through the wireless communication interface upon successful completion of a financial transaction for payment of the multimedia data file. A processor that is selectively separable from the multimedia presentation device at the electrical connector encodes the multimedia data of the received multimedia data file into a format compatible with presentation capabilities of the multimedia presentation device. The encoded multimedia data are conveyed to the multimedia presentation device via the communication path established through the electrical connector.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application claiming benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/469,884, filed with United States Patent and Trademark Office on Aug. 27, 2014, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/689,365, filed with United States Patent and Trademark Office on Mar. 21, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/783,825 filed with United States Patent and Trademark Office on Mar. 21, 2006. The disclosures of the foregoing patent applications are incorporated herein in their respective entireties by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present general inventive concept relates to a point of deployment (POD) module and a method thereof. More specifically, the present general inventive concept relates to a wireless point of deployment (POD) module and a method thereof 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Broadband communication systems, such as satellite and cable television systems, are now capable of providing many services in addition to broadcast video. In implementing enhanced programming, the set-top terminal (STT), otherwise known as a set-top box, has become an important computing device for accessing various video services. In addition to supporting traditional broadcast video functionality, many STTs now also provide other functionality, such as, an Interactive Program Guide (IPG), video-on-demand (VOD), subscription video-on-demand (SVOD), and functionality traditionally associated with a conventional computer, such as web browsing, e-mail, and instant messaging. Some newer STTs also have the ability to record an incoming video stream in digitized form onto a storage device such as a hard disk drive, and playback that recorded video as desired by the user. This functionality has become known as a digital video recorder (DVR) or personal video recorder (PVR) and is viewed as a superior alternative to conventional video tape recorders for capture and subsequent playback of programming content. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, digital televisions that are capable of receiving signals directly from the communications systems are now available in the market. In this case, the television does not necessarily require the STT. Typically, the signals are encrypted prior to sending them through the communications systems, so a point of deployment (POD) module is required in order for the television to display the encrypted signals. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. (CableLabs®), a research and development consortium, has defined specifications for a POD module (CableCARD) for use with a host device such as a television or STT. 
         [0007]    A CableCARD is a PCMCIA Type II form factor device, which plugs into the conditional access (CA) slot on a host device and decrypts input signals received via cable. Cable providers distribute these modules to better ensure that the owners of the host devices have paid for the services and programs being accessed. 
         [0008]    The CableCARD will selectively descramble the content only if the customer is authorized. CableCARDs are designed to descramble scrambled content into a clear format for viewing and/or listening, and may impose constraints and conditions on the recording and playback when the content is copy-protected through re-scrambling as it flows back to the host device. 
         [0009]    The POD module may be one-way (i.e., decrypts incoming signals only) or two-way (i.e., decrypts incoming signals and transmits signals to the headend). A two-way CableCARD is also referred to as an advanced multi-stream CableCARD or AMS CableCARD. 
         [0010]    The use of POD modules, such as CableCARD, is not limited to use with cable systems. In Europe, for example, POD devices called “Common Interface Modules” are used in the satellite industry. These modules are also PCMCIA Type II form factor based devices. The invention described herein applies equally to all types of POD modules, including, but not limited to CableCARDs and Common Interface Modules. 
         [0011]    While POD modules obviate the need for STTs that perform the same functions described above, the current generation of POD modules has several limitations, which have impeded their widespread use. For example, the current generation of CableCARDs deployed in the United States are one-way and do not provide for an Interactive Program Guide, Video on Demand control functions, interactive and enhanced services, pay-per-view, and other capabilities. While two-way CableCARDs have been developed and should provide some of these features in the future, there exists a backward compatibility problem with existing host devices that only support one-way CableCARD modules. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a two-way POD module that can work with an older generation of hosts that only support one-way communication. 
         [0012]    Even with the newer CableCARDs that support two-way communication, consumers are still faced with having to purchase multiple media devices in order to satisfy their entertainment needs. These media devices include, for example, digital video recorders (e.g., TiVo™ and ReplayTV™ terminals), network entertainment systems (e.g., Microsoft Media Center-based devices), datacast receivers (e.g., MovieBeam™), Internet-based set-top terminals (e.g., MSN TV and Apple TV), and gaming terminals (e.g., Microsoft® Xbox 360). These devices tend to be expensive and take valuable real estate within the home. With an ever-increasing number of media devices available in the market, there is a need in the art for a POD module that can perform the same functions as many of these media devices as possible, thereby eliminating their need. This benefit is also important in context of the increasing availability and demand for liquid crystal display (LCD) televisions, plasma televisions, and other types of display devices that can be mounted on a wall. Consumers that acquire these types of display devices would generally prefer to eliminate visible set-top boxes and cabling for simplification and esthetic reasons. 
         [0013]    In a separate trend, an increasing processing speed and a reduced size of electronic components has contributed to a proliferation of personal computers capable of handling digital media. The explosive growth of the Internet and the World Wide Web have resulted in a correlative increase in the downloading and sharing of audio-visual files, including videos, music, and photos. As powerful personal computers become a repository for digital content and offer functionality such as Internet file sharing, digital recording, content editing, multimedia time-shifting, network gaming, and other capabilities—it is increasingly desirable to provide a seamless interconnection between the personal computer and television to allow the capabilities of the personal computer and content stored therein to be made accessible through the television. Such connectivity would further obviate the need for STTs that provide functionality capable of being delivered by personal computers within the home. 
         [0014]    A problem remains in getting personal computers to communicate with television sets. In some cases, a direct physical connection must be established between the television and the personal computer using, for example, a FireWire connector, Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, or some other type of input. Often, the two devices do not have compatible connectors to allow for direct connectivity. When compatible connector types are available, such connectivity methods are limiting in that the personal computer must be tethered to the television while communicating. If a desktop computer and television are in different locations, it is sometimes not possible to connect the devices via cable due to the distance that may be involved. Even if the devices can be connected while in different rooms, there is generally no way to remotely control the personal computer. 
         [0015]    The use of network-connected STTs obviates some of these problems. An STT can be used to access digital content stored on a personal computer over a data network for viewing on a television to which it is directly interfaced. Such STTs can be expensive and often provide functionality that overlaps with personal computers. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved method, apparatus, and system that allows personal computers to connect with and stream digital content to a television over a data network without the need for a STT. 
         [0016]    Wireless connectivity offers one of the most flexible means by which to connect a television and a personal computer. Short-range wireless capability using standards such as IEEE 802.11 (all current and future subsections), Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), and others are presently being integrated into personal computers. Wireless technology obviates the need for cables and adapters, provides for mobility within a certain range, and also allows data to be remotely accessed from another location. LAN connectivity via Ethernet or powerlines within the home could also allow television sets and personal computers to interconnect. Unfortunately, a large base of installed digital televisions and those being sold on the market today do not provide for either wireless or wireline access to a data network. As such, there is a need in the art for a POD module that provides “add-on” network connectivity to existing television sets and other hosts, thereby eliminating the need for STTs that perform this function. There is a further need for a POD module that is capable of processing digital content (e.g., IPTV, video downloads, etc.) received via a data network such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet. There is a further need for a POD module that facilitates the remote control of a media player device such as a personal computer over a data network, in order to manipulate the transmission of digital content between the media player and television. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a view illustrating a conventional cable card (or POD) module  150  connected to a host device  100 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the conventional cable card module  150  includes a conditional access (CA) decrypter  151 , a copy protection (CP) encrypter  152 , and a central processing unit (CPU)  153  to control the CA decrypter  151  and the CP encrypter  152 . The host  100  includes a receiving unit receiving a cable signal through a cable television network cable  101  and having a tuner  102  and an out-of-band (OBB) modem  103  having a receiver (RX)  104  and a transmitter (TX)  105 , a demodulator  106 , a demultiplexer (DEMUX)  108 , a CP decrypter  107 , a second CPU  109  to control components of the host  100 , an MPEG decoder  110 , a graphics controller  111 , a stereo audio codec unit  113 , a display unit  112  and a speaker  114 . 
         [0018]    CableLabs&#39; OpenCable™ specification defines the Point of Deployment module (POD or CableCARD module)  150  used in conjunction with the host device  100  such as the television or a set top terminal (STT), as depicted in  FIG. 1 . The OpenCable specification defines an interface between the host device  100  and the CableCARD module  150  that allows the host device  100  and the CableCARD module  150  to interoperate with each other even if the host device  100  and the CableCARD module  150  were produced by different vendors. 
         [0019]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the CableCARD module  150  is interfaced with the host device  100  via a CableCARD (or POD) interface. The cable  101  is used as a transmission medium to send the cable signal, such as content or data, to and from the host device  100 . The content is supplied as a stream of modulated data (e.g., a modulated multiplexed MPEG-2 data stream) to the tuner  102  that selects a particular channel of the incoming content. The tuned content is provided to the demodulator  106 , which is then provided to an inband (INB) data port of the CableCARD  150 . The demodulated data stream is supplied to the Conditional Access (CA) decrypter module  151 . 
         [0020]    After the demodulated data stream is processed by the CA decrypter module  151 , the demodulated data stream is re-encrypted by the Copy Protection (CP) encrypter  152  and is returned to the host device  100 . Within the host device  100 , the encrypted data is decrypted at the CP decrypter  107  and then supplied to the demultiplexer  108 , which separates the multiplexed data stream into a MPEG compliant A/V signal. The demultiplexed data from the demultiplexer  108  is provided to the MPEG decoder  110  that decodes the MPEG data and presents the decoded MPEG data to the graphics controller  111  to process the MPEG data and output the processed data to the digital display unit  112 , and the stereo audio codec module  113  processes an audio signal and outputs the processed audio signal to the speakers  114  which are integrated with the host device  100 . 
         [0021]    Out of Band data (OOB) can also be communicated via the cable  101  using the OOB modem  103  which, for example, may have a Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) transmitter  105  and receiver  104 . The CableCARD module  150  can also send and receive commands and information using the CPU  153 , which communicates with the second CPU  109  of the host device  100  via the CPU port of the CableCARD module  150 . The host device  100  may have a DOC SIS compliant modem (not illustrated) that further allows data received from a cable provider to be transmitted to the CableCARD module  150 . Data transmitted from the CableCARD module  150  to the host device  100  may also be forwarded to the service provider through the DOCSIS compliant modem. 
         [0022]    As described above, CableCARDs are one-way and do not provide for an Interactive Program Guide, Video on Demand control functions, interactive and enhanced services, pay-per-view, and other capabilities. Although two-way CableCARDs have been developed to provide some of the above features, a backward compatibility problem exists in that the host devices support only one-way CableCARD modules. Accordingly, there is a need for a two-way POD module that can work with an older generation of hosts that only support one-way communication. Even with a newer CableCARD that supports two-way communication, consumers are still faced with having to purchase multiple STTs that provide digital video recording and playback, multimedia time shifting, gaming, Internet downloading, and a remote access to digital content stored on network-connected media player devices such as personal computers and the like. 
         [0023]    However, a conventional POD module cannot properly communicate with other personal electronic devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular phones, music players, video players, game players, etc. Such media player devices frequently store large amounts of digital content, are able to connect to the Internet, and exchange data with other electronic devices via a wire or wireless interface. As it may be desirable to view and/or listen to the digital content stored in the above devices through a television, there is a need for a POD module that can provide the necessary connectivity options and functionality to facilitate such operation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    To present multimedia data on a multimedia presentation device, a communication path is established through a selectively separable electrical connector over which encoded multimedia data are conveyed to the multimedia presentation device. An order for a multimedia data file is transmitted to a multimedia source device through a wireless communication interface that is selectively separable from the multimedia presentation device at the electrical connector. The multimedia data file is received over a wireless communication channel through the wireless communication interface upon successful completion of a financial transaction for payment of the multimedia data file. A processor that is selectively separable from the multimedia presentation device at the electrical connector encodes the multimedia data of the received multimedia data file into a format compatible with presentation capabilities of the multimedia presentation device. The encoded multimedia data are conveyed to the multimedia presentation device via the communication path established through the electrical connector. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    These and/or other aspects and utilities of the present general inventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a host device  100  and at least one associated CableCARD  150 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating components of a wireless POD module  200  according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view illustrating a wireless POD module  200  according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view illustrating a wireless POD module  200 ′ according to another embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a wireless POD module  200  to communicate with a host device  100  and a plurality of other devices through its various interfaces according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a wireless POD module  200  to communicate with a host device  100  and a wireless remote control  510  according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of receiving, processing, storing, and transmitting data in a wireless POD module according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of receiving a signal to access stored data and transmitting the requested data to another device in a wireless POD module according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of receiving data from a personal computer running a media server application, processing the data, and transmitting the processed data to the personal computer in a wireless POD module according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present general inventive concept by referring to the figures. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating components of a wireless point of deployment (POD) module  200  according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept. A set-top terminal (STT) may not be necessary to operate a host (e.g., television) connectable to an external network through the wireless module  200 . The present embodiment described herein applies equally to all types of POD modules, including, but not limited to CableCARDs and Common Interface Modules 
         [0037]    Conditional Access (CA) devices, such as CableCARDs, are typically built in accordance with prescribed physical and electrical standards, to ensure compatibility with host devices manufactured by different vendors. The wireless POD module  200  which is described herein is embodied in a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) Type II form factor device that can be inserted into a CA slot of a host (e.g., television). The Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) has published an industry standard corresponding to physical designs, dimensions, and electrical interfaces of PC cards. For example, the PCMCIA standards acknowledge, among other things, Type I, Type II, and Type III form factors where each form factor is characterized by specific dimensional and electrical attributes. All cards which conform to the various form factors of the PCMCIA standards have the same length and width. More specifically, all cards which conform to the carious form factors of the PCMCIA standards are 85.6 millimeters long and 54 millimeters wide. However, a distinguishing physical characteristic among the various form factors of the PCMCIA standards involve thicknesses of each particular card. More specifically, Type I cards are 3.3 millimeters thick, Type II cards are 5.0 millimeters thick, and Type III cards are 10.5 millimeters thick. 
         [0038]    The PCMCIA standard also defines a requisite electrical interface requirement corresponding to the card and the host device. The requisite electrical interface requirement includes a specified bus interface, and the host device must include at least one PCMCIA card slot, which includes one 68-pin electronic connector that is adapted to physically and electronically receive a card which conforms to a particular PCMCIA electrical and physical standard. 
         [0039]    It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present general inventive concept may be integrated in or adapted to various other peripheral form factors, PC cards, memory cards, computer systems, STTs, and other devices. 
         [0040]    In this embodiment, the wireless POD module  200  is designed and configured to CableLabs&#39; CableCARD specifications in order to allow CableCARD-compliant host devices to interoperate. Other specifications could be utilized while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. 
         [0041]    The wireless POD module  200  includes a housing that encloses internally various electrical components which are integrated on a printed circuit board (PCB). In the present embodiment, the housing has a thickness or height which conforms to the PCMCIA Type II standard. The wireless POD module  200  includes an extending portion that protrudes outwardly when the card is received in the CA slot of the host. A recessed portion of the wireless POD module  200  incorporates, among other components, various types of connectors, which allow compatible cables to be interfaced with the wireless POD module  200  while the card is inserted in the CA slot of the host. In the present embodiment, one or more RF antennas which are integrated into the wireless POD module  200  are housed within the recessed portion thereof 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  illustrates components of the wireless POD module  200  but does not delineate which components would be housed in a recessed portion of a card as this could vary depending on a particular manufacturing design. 
         [0043]    A connector  201  may be a PCMCIA connector having  68  standard sockets. The connector  201  communicates with electronic circuitry of the wireless POD module  200 , is disposed at one end of the housing, and is configured to connect to a corresponding 68-pin connector of a CA card slot of a host  100  of  FIG. 5 . The wireless POD module  200  is inserted in the CA slot of the host  100  so that the connector  201  of the wireless POD module  200  is engaged by the connector of the CA slot. In this way, the wireless POD module  200  is physically and electrically connected to a host computer of the host  100  to facilitate communication between the electronic circuitry of the wireless POD module  200  and the host  100 . Such communications are performed over an interface (PCMCIA/POD interface Logic)  202  and an interface of a card host (i.e., the host  100 ). The card host interface of the host  100  may include three sub-interfaces, such as a CPU interface, an inband interface, and an out-of-band interface. The card-host interface may support a myriad of different CableCARD specifications. For example, the CableCARD Interface 2.0 Specification defines a CableCARD device-host interface (CHI), which contains the three sub-interfaces supported herein. The card-host interface of the host  100  includes the CPU interface to support a command channel and an extended channel, the out-of-band (OOB) interface to receive out-of-band (OOB) data under two different delivery methods (ANSI/SCTE 55-1 2002 and ANSI/SCTE 55-2 2002), and the inband interface for MPEG-2 Transport Stream input and output. 
         [0044]    The CPU interface carries all the communication between the application(s) running in the wireless POD module  200  and the host  100 . This functionality includes an ability to support complex combinations of transactions between the wireless POD module  200  and the host  100 , and an extensible set of functional primitives (objects), which allow the host  100  to provide resources to the wireless POD module  200 . The wireless POD module  200  can send and receive commands using a CPU (e.g., processor, microprocessor, etc.)  205 , which communicates with a CPU  109  of the host  100  via a CPU port of the connector  201  of the wireless POD module  200 . 
         [0045]    The interface  202  and/or the card-host interface may have an extended channel interface to enable information to be exchanged between the host  100  and the wireless POD module  200 . For instance, the host  100  may transmit a message to indicate its device type (e.g., television, set-top box receiver, etc.). Similarly, the wireless POD module  200  may transmit a message to indicate its type. After the exchange of information and determination that the host  100  is in communication with the wireless POD module  200 , certain bits of the interface  202  and/or the host interface of the host  100  are reconfigured to support out-of-band signaling and operate as an OOB interface. 
         [0046]    The OOB interface may be implemented as a unidirectional communication path from the host  100  to the wireless POD module  200 . Program data (e.g., system information, Entitlement Management Message, etc.) transmitted over the OOB interface may be modulated in accordance with any of a variety of modulation schemes. For example, the program data may undergo QPSK modulation. However, other modulation schemes may be performed according to the program data. The OOB interface may support bi-directional communications (e.g., 2-way QPSK signaling) as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Messages from an out-of-band processing circuit of the host  100  can arrive at an OOB processing block  206 . 
         [0047]    The extended channel interface enables one or more copy protection keys to be established. The copy protection key is derived by an exchange of information between the host  100  and the wireless POD module  200 . Either the host  100  or the wireless POD module  200  may initiate generation of the copy protection key. 
         [0048]    The inband interface includes one or more multi-bit communication paths. For example, the inband interface can carry MPEG-2 transport packets in both directions. One or more scrambled streams of digital content may be received by the wireless POD module  200  from the host to perform descrambling. Accordingly, one or more copy protected bit streams may be transmitted from the wireless POD module  200  to the host. The copy protected bit stream features descrambled content which is received from the host that is encrypted with the previously negotiated copy protection key. 
         [0049]    One or more streams of digital content received by the wireless POD module  200  via one of its other interfaces (e.g., cable, wireless, Ethernet, etc.), may be copy protected and transmitted to the host via the inband interface. 
         [0050]    Transport stream formats other than MPEG-2 could be supported by the wireless POD module  200  while remaining within the scope and spirit of the present general inventive concept. 
         [0051]    Referring still to  FIG. 2 , the wireless POD module  200  may include a media processing module  204 , which may further include the CPU  205 , an OOB processing block  206 , a transcoder  207 , a 2D/3D graphics engine  208 , and a media switch  209 . The CPU  205  controls and coordinates all wireless POD module  200  functions. All the components of the Media Processing Module  204  represented in  FIG. 2  could be integrated onto one chip. The wireless POD module  200  may further include a PCMCIA/POD Interface block  202 , a memory controller  210 , a non-volatile memory (i.e., Flash)  211 , a volatile memory (i.e., RAM)  212 , a hard disk drive controller  213 , a hard disk drive  214 , a cryptographic block  203 , a tuner  216 , a demodulator  217 , an OOB modem  218 , a cable connector and support circuitry  215 , an 802.11 radio transceiver  221 , an 802.11 antenna  227 , a Bluetooth radio transceiver  228 , a Bluetooth antenna  234 , an Ethernet transceiver  235 , and an RJ45 connector and support circuitry  239 . 
         [0052]    While not depicted, the wireless POD module  200  may integrate a coin cell. The coin cell is a battery that supplies power to battery-backed memory which is deployed within the wireless POD module  200 . For instance, a portion of volatile memory in the unit may be battery-backed to operate as non-volatile memory. 
         [0053]    The cryptographic block  203  includes a CA decrypter  151  and a CP encrypter  152 . Cryptographic block  203  may be configured as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), etc. The cryptographic block  203  may be designed and configured to support multiple conditional access (CA) operations according to the teachings of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/815,484 filed on Mar. 31, 2004 and incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
         [0054]    In the present embodiment, the Media Processing Module  204  incorporates a processor  205  (i.e., CPU or microprocessor) which is embodied in a chip with multiple cores. Single and dual core chips could also be used while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. The processor  205  runs a real-time operating system to enable an efficient and predictable response to real-time events. The processor  205  is configured to execute instructions and to carry out operations associated with the wireless POD module  200 . For example, using instructions retrieved from memory, the processor  205  may control reception and manipulation of input and output data between components of the wireless POD module  200 . The processor  205  may execute an instruction while under control of an operating system or other software. The processor  205  can be a single-chip processor or can be implemented with multiple components. 
         [0055]    The processor  205  may operate together with an operating system to execute computer code and produce and use data. The computer code and data may reside within a program storage block that is operatively coupled to the processor  205 . The program storage block may include Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random-Access Memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), flash memory, etc. RAM is conventionally used by the processor as a general storage area and as scratch-pad memory, and can also be used to store input data and processed data. ROM can be used to store instructions or program code to be executed by the processor as well as other data. Hard disk drives can be used to store operating system software, application software, media content, and various other types of data, and can permit fast access to large amounts of stored data. 
         [0056]    The Media Processing Module  204  further includes a transcoder  207 , which may be an embedded software-based transcoder within the CPU  205 . Alternatively, a transcoding function could be performed by a separate ASIC, FPGA, or DSP. Any suitable hardware, software, firmware or other transcoding method and/or apparatus can be utilized to accomplish the transcoding function without limitation. 
         [0057]    The transcoder  207  is a multimedia transcoder to receive and process a plurality of television, video, audio, and image formats including MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-3, MPEG-4 (SP, ASP), MPEG-7, MPEG-21, DV, DivX-3/4/5, AVC/H.264, WMV9, H.323, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital (AC-3), MP2, MP3, L2, AAC, WMA9, JPEG, GIF, BMP, and PNG. The transcoded data which is output from the transcoder  207  is in an MPEG-2 data format. The transcoder  207  could support incoming data in formats other than those mentioned herein, and can output data in a format other than the MPEG-2 format while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. Video transcoder functionality corresponding to POD or CableCARD modules is outlined in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/774,870 filed on Feb. 9, 2004. The transcoder  207  functionality specified herein incorporates elements of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/774,870, but is designed to accommodate processing of multimedia streams (television, video, audio, and image). The streams which require transcoding may either be received from the host  100  via the PCMCIA connector interface  201  of the wireless POD module  200 , or externally via any of the wireless or wired interfaces of the wireless POD module  200 . The wireless POD module  200  can capture media processing capability information of the host  100 , and the transcoder  207  can use this media processing capability information to produce an output that is compatible with the host  100 . 
         [0058]    A discussion of how input media streams are processed by the wireless POD module  200  is now provided as a way to illustrate the function of various components. Television media streams received by the wireless POD module  200  via any of its interfaces may first be decrypted by the CA decrypter  151  and then transcoded to MPEG-2 by the transcoder  207 . 
         [0059]    The Media Switch  209  mediates between the microprocessor CPU  205 , the hard disk drive (or other storage device)  214 , and the memory  212 . After input streams are transcoded, the MPEG stream is sent to the Media Switch  209 . The Media Switch  209  buffers the MPEG stream into memory. The Media Switch  209  subsequently performs two operations if the user is viewing real-time programming through the host  100  (television). More specifically, the MPEG stream is simultaneously supplied to the CP encrypter  152  (to transmit the MPEG stream to the host  100  via the PCMCIA connector interface  201  in accordance with the OpenCable specifications), and is also written to the integrated hard disk drive  214  or other storage unit. 
         [0060]    The Media Switch  209  can parse the resulting MPEG stream and can separate the resulting MPEG stream into video and audio components before storing the video and audio components on the hard disk drive  214 . The Media Switch  209  then stores the video and audio components into temporary buffers. Events are recorded that indicate a type of component that has been found, where the component is located, and when the events occurred. Program logic is notified that the event has occurred and the data is extracted from the buffers. 
         [0061]    The buffers allow the CPU to not be required to parse the MPEG stream in real time, thereby resulting in slower CPU and bus speeds, which translate to lower system costs. 
         [0062]    Stored media can be manipulated using a multimedia time warping functionality of the wireless POD module  200 . The multimedia time warping functionality allows users to view live programs with an option of instantly reviewing previous segments within a particular program, by using an integrated digital storage unit (e.g., the HDD  214 ) and operating software of the wireless POD module  200 . In addition, the present general inventive concept allows a user to store selected television programs in the wireless POD module  200  while the user is simultaneously watching or reviewing another program. 
         [0063]    As mentioned above, the video and audio components are stored on the integrated hard disk drive  214 . When a desired program is requested to be displayed on the display unit  112  of the host  100 , the video and audio components are extracted from the hard disk drive  214  and are reassembled by the Media Switch  209  into an MPEG stream. The MPEG stream is then sent to the CP encrypter  152  to be processed and subsequently returned to the host  100 . 
         [0064]    An accompanying Bluetooth remote control  510  (or keyboard) which is designed to operate with the wireless POD module  200  can be used to access stored content to be viewed on the display unit  112  of the host  100 , and to manipulate the content during viewing. Command signals which originate from the remote control  510  are accepted via the Bluetooth transceiver  228  of the wireless POD module  200  and are processed by the CPU  205 . These command signals affect a flow of the MPEG stream and allow the user to view stored content with at least the following functions: reverse, fast forward, play, pause, index, fast/slow reverse play, and fast/slow play. 
         [0065]    In the present embodiment, the Media Switch  209  includes a data bus that connects to the CPU  205  and RAM  212 . An address bus is also shared between the Media Switch  209 , the CPU  205 , and the RAM  212 . The hard disk drive  214  is connected to one of the ports of the Media Switch  209 . The Media Switch  209  may output content to the CP encrypter  152  (e.g., to output the content to the host  100 ) or to one of the wireless or wired interfaces (e.g., to output the content to a network-connected media device). 
         [0066]    The Media Switch  209  can be implemented in hardware using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), discrete logic or other configuration. 
         [0067]    The multimedia time warping system of the wireless POD module  200  is similar to the functionality available in consumer DVRs such as those offered by TiVo™ and ReplayTV™. A multimedia time warping system is described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,389 assigned to TiVo, Inc. and hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. Other multimedia time warping systems and methods could be incorporated in the wireless POD module  200  while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. 
         [0068]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the wireless POD module  200  includes the hard disk drive  214  that gives the wireless POD module  200  a massive storage capacity. The hard disk drive  214  capacity may be widely varied (e.g., 10, 20, 50, 100 GB, etc.). In the present embodiment, the internal hard disk drive  214  is an ultra-high performance drive that interfaces with the Media Switch  209  via a serial ATA (SATA) hard disk drive controller  213 . The wireless POD module  200  supports simultaneous reading and writing of multiple media streams from and to the hard disk drive  214 . 
         [0069]    The hard disk drive  214  could use any number of disk storage technologies capable of holding encoded information including optical, magnetic, holographic, etc. Other types of integrated or removable storage devices could be used in lieu of the hard disk drive  214  while remaining within the scope and spirit of the present general inventive concept. A designated storage unit may be used to store data, applications, programming or any other suitable information. 
         [0070]    The wireless POD module  200  further integrates ultra-fast Random Access Memory (RAM)  212 . In the present embodiment, the RAM  212  is Double Data Rate II (DDR2) memory. Other types of RAM could be used also. The RAM  212  interfaces with the Media Processing Module  204  through a memory controller  210 . 
         [0071]    The wireless POD module  200  also integrates a flash memory module  211  that provides non-volatile storage. The flash memory  211  also interfaces with the Media Processing Module  204  via the memory controller  210 . The CPU  205  executes programs stored in the non-volatile flash memory  211 . 
         [0072]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , an explanation of various interfaces of a wireless POD module  200  is provided to illustrate how media content may be received, processed and further transmitted. As previously mentioned, the wireless POD module  200  can be designed and configured to receive and process content from a host  100  in accordance with the OpenCable specifications. A cable television network cable  101  is connected to the host (e.g., television)  100  to provide the host  100  with cable television network content from a cable network  500  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The cable television network content is supplied as a stream of modulated data (e.g., a modulated multiplexed MPEG-2 data stream) to a tuner  102  within the host  100 . 
         [0073]    In accordance with the present general inventive concept, the wireless POD module  200  may be able to direct the tuner  102  within the host  100  to tune to a specific channel or out-of-band frequency. The wireless POD module  200  may direct the tuner  102  to tune to a channel or out-of-band frequency when a user utilizes an accompanying Bluetooth remote control  510  to send a signal to the wireless POD module  200  which further directs the host  100  to change channels, when a digital recorder of the wireless POD module  200  is set to begin recording a program, or when an interactive television application operates on the module  200 . When the host  100  has multiple tuners, the POD module may direct the host  100  to tune multiple channels or out-of-band frequencies at the same time. For example, having multiple tuners within the host  100  allows the user to view a channel, record another channel, and obtain information from an out-of-band frequency at the same time. 
         [0074]    Once the tuner  102  selects a particular channel of incoming content based on instructions from the POD module  200 , the tuned content is further provided to a demodulator  106 , which is then provided to the inband (INB) data port of the wireless POD module  200 . Within the POD module  200 , the demodulated data is provided to the CA decrypter  151  and is decrypted as previously described with reference to  FIG. 2 . The decrypted data is then supplied to a transcoder  207  (if required), which transforms the data into a format (e.g., MPEG-2) that is compatible with the host  100 . 
         [0075]    The Media Switch  209  then buffers the media stream into memory and performs two operations if the user is viewing live television. More specifically, the media stream is simultaneously supplied to a CP (Copy Protection) encrypter  152  to be transmitted to the host  100 , and the media stream is also written to a hard disk drive  214  or other storage unit. Stored media can be accessed and manipulated using the Bluetooth remote control and the multimedia time warping system of the wireless POD module  200  as described above with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0076]    However, the host  100  may not be configured to allow a CA module to tune the tuner  102 . As certain CA modules like the current generation of CableCARD&#39;s do not provide for an Interactive Program Guide, a user may only be limited to recording programs that are being viewed during recording. As a way to address such problems, the wireless POD module  200  may allow the host  100  to directly input/output to an antenna, satellite system, cable network, or other suitable source. The wireless POD module  200  may integrate multiple connectors in its housing and may be configured to process analog and digital signals received directly from a plurality of sources. Accordingly, the wireless POD module  200  may include multiple tuners and a demodulator which can a plurality of signal types. 
         [0077]    The wireless POD module  200  may support National Television Standards Committee (NTSC), Systeme Electronique pour Couleur avec Memoire (SECAM), Phase Alternating Line (PAL), and digital standards such as Digital Satellite System (DSS), Digital Broadcast Services (DBS), and Advanced Television Standards Committee (ATSC). The wireless POD module  200  may also support other input standards without being outside the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. 
         [0078]    While not represented in  FIG. 2 , wireless POD module may include an analog decoder, such as an NTSC/PAL/SECAM decoder to decode analog channels. In such an arrangement, input signals enter through a tuner and are decoded by the NTSC/PAL/SECAM decoder. The decoded video and audio streams are encoded to MPEG-2. 
         [0079]    Information may be modulated into the Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI) of the analog TV signal in a number of standard ways. More specifically, the North American Broadcast Teletext Standard (NABTS) may be used to modulate information onto lines  10  through  20  of an NTSC signal, while the FCC mandates the use of line  21  for Closed Caption (CC) and Extended Data Services (EDS). The wireless POD module  200  may include a Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI) data decoder to extract VBI data which is transmitted along with analog broadcasts. 
         [0080]    The wireless POD module  200  of  FIG. 2  allows the host  100  of  FIG. 5  to directly connect to the cable television network cable  101  via an integrated coaxial cable connector and supporting circuitry  215 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the digital tuner  216  is connected to the digital demodulator  217 , which converts the input signals to digital signals or packets. Accordingly, content which is supplied as a stream of modulated data (e.g., a modulated multiplexed MPEG-2 data stream) is input to the digital tuner  216 . The digital tuner  216  could be tuned to a particular channel by a user via the accompanying Bluetooth remote control  510  of  FIG. 5 , or by an application running on the wireless POD module  200  (e.g., recording scheduler). The tuned content may be provided to the digital demodulator  217 . Digital demodulator  217  may be a 64 or 256-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) demodulator or an ATSC 8-VSB demodulator and decoder. The tuned content is then provided from the digital demodulator  217  to the CA decrypter  151 . The decrypted data is then supplied to the transcoder  207  (if required), which transforms the data into MPEG-2 media stream (or other format). 
         [0081]    The Media Switch  209  then buffers the media stream into memory (e.g., the hard disk drive  214 ) and then performs two operations if the user is viewing live television. More specifically the media stream is simultaneously supplied to the CP (Copy Protection) encrypter  152  to be transmitted to the host  100 , and is also written to the hard disk drive  214  or other storage unit. The output of stored media to the host  100  can manipulated using the accompanying Bluetooth remote control  510  and the multimedia time warping system of the wireless POD module  200  as previously described with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0082]    In some interactive television application systems, television distribution facilities transmit data packets that contain information used by interactive applications. Some systems transmit these packets on an out-of-band frequency. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the wireless POD module  200  includes an OOB modem  218  to receive and transmit OOB data from and to a cable provider&#39;s systems. The OOB modem  218  can include a Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) transmitter  220  and a receiver  219 . The OOB data received via the cable system is transmitted to the OOB processing block  206  of the Media Processing Module  204 . The OOB block  206  processes OOB data in the exact same way as when it is received from the host  100  via the PCMCIA connector interface  201  or any other similar interface. The OOB block  206  also handles the transmission of OOB data to the cable system, via the QPSK transmitter  220 . 
         [0083]    The wireless POD module  200  can also receive digital content via one of its integrated RF interfaces, process the digital content, and transmit the processed content to the host  100  to be output as described above. 
         [0084]    In the present embodiment, the wireless CableCARD  200  can have at least two radio transceivers, the 802.11 radio transceiver  221  and the Bluetooth radio transceiver  228 . The first radio transceiver  221  is compliant with IEEE 802.11 and is used to perform wireless local area network (WLAN) interfacing. The second radio transceiver  228  is compliant with Bluetooth and is used to directly interface a compatible remote control and other electronic devices with each other when in close proximity (e.g., cellular phones, PDAs, video players, music players, etc.). 
         [0085]    The 802.11 radio transceiver  221  and the Bluetooth radio transceiver  228  each includes a processor interface  222  and  229 , media-specific access control protocol (MAC) layer module  223  and  230 , a digital-to-analog converter (DAC)  225  and  232 , an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)  224  and  231  and a physical layer module (PHY)  226  and  233 , respectively. To avoid interference between the  802 . 11  radio transceiver  221  and the Bluetooth radio transceiver  228 , the MAC layer modules  223  and  230  of each radio transceiver may communicate with each other to avoid concurrent transmission and/or reception of wireless transmissions with corresponding external devices if such concurrent transmission or reception would cause interference. The methods by which the MAC layer modules  223  and  230  communicate are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/387,249 filed on Mar. 12, 2003, and incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Other methods to cooperatively transmit data between wireless interface devices could be incorporated into the wireless POD module  200  while remaining within the scope and spirit of the present general inventive concept. 
         [0086]    The 802.11 radio transceiver  221  and the Bluetooth radio transceiver  228  both include a host interface, digital receiver processing module, an ADC, a filtering/attenuation module, an intermediate frequency (IF) mixing down conversion stage, a receiver filter, a low noise amplifier, a transmitter/receiver switch, a local oscillation module, memory, a digital transmitter processing module, a DAC, a filtering/gain module, an IF mixing up conversion stage, a power amplifier, and a transmitter filter module. One possible radio transceiver design is specified in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/387,249 filed on Mar. 12, 2003, and incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Other radio transceiver designs could be incorporated into the wireless POD module  200  while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. 
         [0087]    In the present embodiment, a transmitter/receiver switch of the 802.11 radio transceiver  221  and a transmitter/receiver switch of the Bluetooth radio transceiver  228  are coupled to separate antennas  227  and  234 , respectively. A transmit path and a receive path of each transceiver shares the same antenna. In an alternate embodiment, a separate antenna corresponding to a transmit path and a receive path of each transceiver may be incorporated. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the antennas may be polarized, directional, and physically separated to provide a minimal amount of interference. 
         [0088]    The 802.11 radio transceiver  221  and Bluetooth radio transceiver  228  interface with the Media Processing Module  204  via processor interface  222  and  229 , respectively. The processor interfaces  222  and  229  provide bidirectional communication between the Media Processing Module  204 , the 802.11 radio transceiver  221 , and the Bluetooth radio transceiver  228  via GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) interfaces. For example, media which is received via one either 802.11 radio transceiver  221  or the Bluetooth radio transceiver  228  (e.g., inbound data) is transmitted to the Media Processing Module  204  via a GPIO port to process and route to an appropriate section. 
         [0089]    The wireless POD module  200  could support alternate RF communication protocols (e.g., Ultra-Wideband, WiMedia™, Wireless USB, Wireless 1394, WiMAX, etc.) while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. The wireless POD module  200  may additionally integrate one or more RF receivers such as, radio receivers (e.g., AM, FM, Shortwave, Longwave, HD, weatherband, and Digital Audio Broadcasting), satellite radio receivers (e.g., Digital Audio Radio Services such as XMTM and Sirius™), and television receivers (e.g., ATSC UHF/VHF). The wireless POD module  200  may additionally integrate a datacast receiver in support of over-the-air content services. An example of a datacast receiver which may be integrated in the wireless POD module  200  is the dNTSCTM receiver from Dotcast, Inc. The dNTSCTM receiver may be integrated to enable a subscription-based video service such as MovieBeam™. Video and other programming content which is delivered over-the-air to a datacast receiver which is integrated in the wireless POD module  200  is processed by the Media Processing Module  204  and stored in the hard disk drive  214  to be available to be viewed at a future time via the host  100  or other device. 
         [0090]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the wireless POD module  200  also provides connectivity to a data network such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet via an integrated Ethernet port  239  and Ethernet module  235 . In the present embodiment, the Ethernet module  235  is a fully-integrated 10 BASE-T/100 BASE-TX/1000 BASE-T Ethernet media access control and physical layer transceiver. The Ethernet module  235  combines a triple speed, IEEE 802.3 compliant media access controller (MAC)  237 , PCI bus interfaces  236 , an on-chip buffer memory, and an integrated physical layer transceiver in a single chip. 
         [0091]    The Ethernet module  235  is fully compatible with the IEEE 802.3 standard for auto-negotiation of speed. The Ethernet module  235  includes a 10/100/1000-Mbps Ethernet MAC  237  with full/half-duplex capability at all speeds and a 10/100/1000 copper PHY  238 . The MAC supports the following 802.3 functions, including VLAN tagging, layer 2 priority encoding, link aggregation, and full-duplex flow control. 
         [0092]    The Ethernet module  235  provides a PCI v2.2 bus interface and a large on-chip buffer memory to allow a stand-alone operation. Dual, on-chip, high performance processors enable custom frame processing features, including TCP segmentation. 
         [0093]    The wireless POD module  200  can receive digital content via an Ethernet interface  236 , process the digital content, and transmit the digital content to the host  100  of  FIG. 5  to be output. Content received in the Ethernet module  235  is transmitted to the Media Processing Module  204  via the interface  236 . Digital content which is received by the Media Processing Module  204  is processed in the same manner as content received via another interface of the wireless POD module  200 , as mentioned above. For example, content (e.g., IPTV) which is received via the Ethernet interface  236  may first need to be decrypted by CA decrypter  151  and transcoded by transcoder  207 , before being simultaneously written to the integrated storage unit (i.e., the hard disk drive)  214  and output to the host  100  via the PCMCIA connector interface  201 . 
         [0094]    The wireless POD module  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2  interfaces directly with the cable network  500  of  FIG. 5 . As mentioned above, the wireless POD module  200  also includes the 802.11 RF interface  222 , the Bluetooth RF interface  229 , and the Ethernet interface  236 . Any of the above interfaces could be used to connect to a data network and exchange data with the cable provider&#39;s systems. Such interfaces could be used to transmit orders, user information, requests corresponding to billing information, requests corresponding to programming information, etc. The requests, orders, and information may correspond to interactive televisions services and transactional electronic services, such as, ordering pay-per-view programs, requesting video-on-demand programs, subscribing to premium channels, at-home shopping, providing feedback, or any other suitable interactive or transactional service. 
         [0095]    The above interfaces could also be used to receive programming content and other data from the cable provider or other content provider on the Internet (e.g., YouTube, Yahoo!, Apple iTunes Store, etc.). The 802.11 RF interface  222  and the Ethernet interface  236  could also be used to connect with other electronic devices directly or over a data network such as LAN, WAN, or the Internet. The 802.11 RF interface  222  and the Ethernet interface  236  could also be used to transmit stored content or content being processed by the wireless POD module  200 . 
         [0096]    The wireless POD module  200  could in an alternate embodiment incorporate a variety of other wired and wireless interfaces. For example, the wireless POD module  200  may incorporate in its recessed portion, one or more proprietary connectors, universal serial bus (USB) connectors, IEEE 1394 connectors (i.e., Firewire), a small computer systems interface (SCSI) connector, a serial connector, a parallel connector, RS232 connector, optical connector, powerline connector (to access a data network over powerlines in accordance with HomePlug specifications), etc. 
         [0097]    The wireless POD module  200  could additionally incorporate a variety of input/output connectors for audio and video in its recessed portion. These include, but are not limited to, connectors such as HDMI video and audio, component video, analog audio, and optical digital audio. 
         [0098]    In another embodiment, the wireless POD module  200  may include an embedded cable on its outside edge, which protrudes out of the card slot and contains all its supported connectors. An end of the embedded cable could additionally contain an infrared (IR) receiver and an IR blaster connector, which could interface with an IR controller within the wireless POD module  200 . The IR receiver may receive commands from a remote control and the IR blaster may transmit commands from the wireless POD module  200  to the POD host or other equipment to which it may be interfaced. 
         [0099]    In another embodiment, the wireless POD module  200  may integrate a cable modem, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, a telephone modem, optical network terminal (ONT), RF base modem, wireless access point/router, or other suitable controller to communicate via a communications network. Such communications circuitry would be entirely integrated within the wireless POD module  200 . 
         [0100]    The wireless POD module  200  could further integrate a supplementary storage component to allow an insertion and removal of a secondary storage device such as a flash memory card, microdrive, secure digital (SD) memory card, extreme digital (xD) card, a floppy disk, CD, DVD, etc. 
         [0101]    In the present embodiment, wireless POD module  200  has the ability to communicate with the host  100  to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) and related images on a display  112 . The wireless POD module  200  transmits display screen data that is received and processed by the host  100 r to display the images on the display  112 . Wireless POD module  200  may transmit the display screen data to the host  100  in a variety of formats. For example, the display screen data may be transmitted to the host  100  as a stream of video (e.g., MPEG-2), static images (e.g., JPG), or may use any suitable markup language (e.g., Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML), Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language (DHTML), pages defined using the Extensible Markup Language (XML), JavaServer Pages (JSP), Active Server Pages (ASP)), or any other suitable data formats. 
         [0102]    As wireless POD module  200  is designed to work with the current install base of televisions with CA slots (e.g., CableCARD slots), the transmission of data between the wireless POD module  200  and the host  100  may be limited to MPEG-2. To allow backward compatibility with existing televisions and other host devices, the wireless POD module  200  has the ability to receive and process content in a plurality of different formats including the formats mentioned above, and can use the processed data to generate and transmit a video stream (e.g., MPEG-2) to the host  100 . 
         [0103]    In addition, the present general inventive concept allows the user to store selected media programming in the wireless POD module  200 . The system also allows stored media assets to be transmitted to the host  100  or to a media device which is connected to a data network such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet. 
         [0104]    In the present embodiment, the operating system of the wireless POD module  200  supports the core functionality of the device as described herein. In the present embodiment, the operating system and software that may operate on the wireless POD module  200  can receive updates automatically via a data network such as the Internet. The operating system of the wireless POD module  200  may be stored in programmable logic of the processor  205 , or in the hard disk drive  214 . 
         [0105]    The operating system can support TCP, UDP, ICMP, RARP, ARP, DNS, DHCP, NTP, SNTP, STUN, HTTP, and TFTP. Other protocols could also be supported. The operating system supports IPv4 and IPv6 network addressing. 
         [0106]    The operating system of the wireless POD module  200  may incorporate various auto-configuration protocols and standards which can be employed to establish the wireless POD module  200  on a data network. For example, the wireless POD module  200  may employ the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to automatically obtain network settings and configuration parameters such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address, netmask, gateway address, and DNS server address. 
         [0107]    Bonjour may also be supported by the wireless POD module  200 . Bonjour enables automatic discovery of computers, devices, and services on IP networks. Bonjour is an “open” protocol that Apple Computer, Inc. (Cupertino, Calif.) has submitted to the IETF as part of the ongoing standards-creation process. The wireless POD module  200  may additionally support the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP™) standards, Intel Networked Media Product Requirements (NMPR), and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) guidelines. 
         [0108]    The wireless POD module  200  may employ such auto-configuration protocols and standards to establish itself on the LAN and “discover” media player devices running a media server application software that allows digital content to be streamed to and from the wireless POD module  200 . 
         [0109]    The wireless POD module  200  may also allow manual configuration of settings, security keys, and other parameters via a web browser operating on a computing device which is connected to a data network. An accompanying Bluetooth remote control  510  can also be used in conjunction with the host&#39;s display  113  to configure the wireless POD module  200 . 
         [0110]    The operating system of the wireless POD module  200  or an application running thereon may enable other features including interactive program guide, recording scheduler, interactive television, parental controls, multimedia time shifting, multimedia location shifting (streaming of live content via the Internet), voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), video over Internet Protocol, web browsing, instant messaging, e-mail, interactive shopping, and video gaming. 
         [0111]    In support of voice and video over IP, the operating system of the wireless POD module  200  incorporates an open standard call processing module based on SIP v2 (Session Initiation Protocol version 2, RFC 3261) open standard, which is interoperable with major SIP-based call servers and other standard SIP-based devices. 
         [0112]    The call processing module may be configured to maintain an SIP registration with an SIP-based call server on the service provider network. The call processing module may allow the SIP to be used to originate and terminate voice and video calls. According to the present embodiment, wireless handset devices that enable two-way communication can be configured to interoperate with the wireless POD module  200 . These handset devices may communicate with the wireless POD module  200  directly or through a wireless access point on the LAN using a common wireless standard (e.g., 802.11n). Handsets may be configured to enable voice and/or video communications. In another embodiment, a USB-based digital camera with an integrated microphone can be directly connected to a wireless POD module  200  that has an integrated USB port to connect such devices. This USB-camera and microphone unit can be mounted on top of the television to facilitate voice and video communication through the network-connected wireless POD Module  200 . According to the present general inventive concept, incoming voice and video data received during a call is processed by the media processing module  204  of the wireless POD module  200 , and is output to the host  100  (television) in the manner previously described. The USB camera and microphone module in turn capture video and audio, which are processed by the wireless POD module  200  and transmitted to an SIP-based call server or other SIP client via a network like the Internet. In support of these communication features, the Bluetooth remote control  510  which accompanies the wireless POD module  200  may integrate specific call control buttons that allow the wireless POD module  200  to answer or terminate communication sessions. Additionally, the remote control  510  may include buttons to dial E.164 numbers, to perform conference calling, and other operations. 
         [0113]    The operating system of the wireless POD module  200  supports voice signaling protocols (SIP, MGCP, H.323, SDP, RTP, RTCP, RFC 2833 X-NSE Tone Events corresponding to SIP/RTP, and RFC 2833 AVT Tone Events corresponding to SIP/RTP), packetizing (RTP, Jitter Buffer), voice processing (echo cancellation, voice compression, DTMF, etc.) and reference hardware-specific drivers (corresponding to audio and/or telephony devices). The operating system may additionally support fax communication and G.711 Fax Pass-Through, T.38—Real-Time Fax Over IP, T.38 using UDP, and T.38 using RTP. 
         [0114]    In an embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the wireless POD module  200  utilizes SIP to perform call signaling and supports numerous SIP extensions and methods. The wireless POD module  200  supports essential routing features, including Routing with Network Address Port Translation (NAPT) and support of Virtual Private Network pass-through. The wireless POD module  200  also offers STUN (Simple Traversal of UDP Through NAT), TURN (Traversal Using Relay NAT), RSIP (Realm Specific IP) and outbound proxy support for NAT traversal. Other NAT traversal techniques may also be supported by the unit as various new standards and technologies develop and are deployed. One such NAT traversal technique includes the Interactive Connectivity Establishment (ICE), developed by the IETF&#39;s MMUSIC working group. ICE provides a framework to unify the various NAT traversal techniques. This enables SIP-based VOIP clients to successfully traverse the variety of firewalls that may exist between a remote user and a network. 
         [0115]    The wireless POD module  200  also prioritizes telephone calls over other Internet traffic to allow users to obtain clearer voice quality comparable to analog voice service over a circuit-switched network. The wireless POD module  200  may also offer rich CLASS features corresponding to enhanced telephony services such as call waiting, three way calling, caller ID, etc. With respect to caller ID, the wireless POD module  200  can overlay caller ID data with television programming which is to be displayed through the host  100 . 
         [0116]    Currently, VOIP service providers must maintain an interface to the circuit-switched PSTN in order to route calls to and from other carriers. As all circuit-switched traffic is likely to migrate to packet networks such as the Internet in the future, the need to maintain a PSTN interface will likely be eliminated. In the future, Electronic Numbering (ENUM) may be used to resolve a fully qualified E.164 telephone number corresponding to a particular wired or wireless device to a fully qualified domain name address using a DNS-based architecture. ENUM (RFC 3761) is the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard that defines a mechanism which uses the Domain Name Service (DNS) as a tool to “discover” services associated with a telephone number (E.164 number). 
         [0117]    In accordance with the present general inventive concept, the operating system of the wireless POD module  200  incorporates an ENUM engine and a built-in DNS resolver. The ENUM engine is a standard compliant resolution tool developed based on IETF&#39;s RFC 3761. The ENUM engine provides the DNS message processing and network transport mechanisms required to translate a telephone number into a set of ENUM records. The ENUM engine supports DNSSEC and TSIG to address a variety of security issues. The ENUM engine automatically processes NAPTR record(s) in DNS wire format into application service, order, preference, and URI fields. Additionally, the ENUM engine correctly parses the NAPTR service fields and dynamically interprets POSIX Extended Regular Expressions. The ENUM engine can filter the results of the parsing and interpretation based on application protocol and/or service type. 
         [0118]    As an enabler of voice and video communication via the Internet, the wireless POD module  200  may have one or more E.164 phone numbers associated with it. 
         [0119]    Users can connect to the wireless POD module  200  over a data network such as the Internet to access the Interactive Program Guide and set recording schedules, access media content stored in the integrated storage unit, access live programming being processed by the wireless POD module  200 , etc. The wireless POD module  200  provides users remote access to live programming being input to the device, similar to functionality available with devices such as Slingbox™ from Sling Media, Inc., or the LocationFree™ base station from Sony. 
         [0120]    In accordance with the present embodiment of the present general inventive concept, users can target and connect to a wireless POD module  200  using a media player application or device that supports the ENUM protocol and provides a connection with a target device using an E.164 number. A method and system to access stored media assets in a storage device via the Internet using E.164 telephone numbers, Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs), and other address schemes is specified in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/205,639 filed by the Applicant, and incorporated herein in its entirety. A method and system to access live programming via the Internet using E.164 telephone numbers, URIs, and other address schemes is specified in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/341,715 filed by the Applicant, and incorporated herein in its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/341,715 also specifies methods of using multimedia time warping functionality over a data network, which is also supported by the wireless POD module  200 . 
         [0121]    Other methods could be used to access the wireless POD module  200  via a data network while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. For example, the wireless POD module  200  can maintain a registration and open connection with a server which is connected to the Internet. When a user desires to connect to his wireless POD module  200 , the user may be required to login to the server using a valid username and password. Once the user is authenticated, the user is connected to his wireless POD module  200  via the open connection. 
         [0122]    In the present embodiment, video games may be downloaded from a service provider over a data network to the wireless POD module  200 , and run thereon. In another embodiment, the operating system of the wireless POD module  200  may provide features to a gaming terminal (e.g., Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo GameCube, personal computer, etc.) over a data network. The gaming terminal may provide for bi-directional function calls between the operating system of the wireless POD module  200  over a data network via an application programming interface (API). The API may provide functions that, for example, allow the remote gaming terminal to access wireless POD module  200  resources such as on-screen display resources, communications channel resources, memory function resources, controller resources, and other resources. The operating system of the wireless POD module  200  provides interoperability with wireless joysticks or other controller devices that may be included with gaming terminals as mentioned above. The wireless POD module  200  may in turn receive control signals from such controller devices, process the signals and transmit the processed signals to the respective gaming terminal via a data network. 
         [0123]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view illustrating the wireless POD module  200  of  FIG. 2 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the wireless POD module  200  conforms to a PCMCIA II form factor device. The wireless POD module  200  includes a main housing  301 , which includes the standard PCMCIA  68  socket connectors  201  at one end to interface with the host  100  of  FIG. 5 . The wireless POD module  200  further includes a recessed portion  302 , which is designed to protrude from a CA slot of the host  100  when the wireless POD module  200  is inserted therein. The recessed portion  302  includes a RJ 45  (Ethernet) port  305  to connect the wireless POD module  200  to a LAN switch or other device using an Ethernet cable, and a coaxial cable connector  306  to receive a cable network cable  101 . Both connectors are centered within the recessed portion  302  of the wireless POD module  200 . Also contained in the recessed portion  302  is a “power” light-emitting diode (LED)  303 , which becomes lit when the wireless POD module  200  is inserted into the CA slot and receives power from the host  100 . An “Ethernet” LED  304  is also included in the recessed portion  302 , and becomes lit when an Ethernet cable that is connected on one end to a functioning network device such as a LAN switch is connected to the Ethernet port  305 . Both LEDs are positioned at an edge of the recessed portion of the wireless POD module  200  which allows them to be visible from a top view or a front (side) view of the device. 
         [0124]    The recessed portion  302  of the wireless POD module  200  has grooves  307  at opposing sides thereof, to allow users to easily remove the wireless POD module  200  from the CA slot of the host  100  when required. 
         [0125]    The top panel of the recessed portion  302  may bear the name and/or logo of the wireless POD module manufacturer and/or other information. 
         [0126]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view illustrating the wireless POD module  200  of  FIG. 2 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the wireless POD module  200  also conforms to a PCMCIA Type II form factor device, and includes a main housing  301  with PCMCIA  68  socket connectors  201 , and a recessed portion  302 ′. The recessed portion  302 ′ as described with reference to  FIG. 4  is different from the recessed portion  302  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in that the recessed portion  302 ′ of  FIG. 4  includes a USB connector  401  and a  1394  (firewire) connector  402 , in addition to a coaxial cable connector  306  and an Ethernet connector  305 . The USB connector  401  and the 1394 (firewire) connector  402  allow the wireless POD module  200  to establish high-speed connectivity with other electronic devices and exchange data therein. The USB connector  401  and the 1394 connector  402  could be used to connect a camera-microphone unit to enable voice and video over IP. Other devices that can be connected therein include portable storage devices, camcorders, digital cameras, PDAs, video players, music players, etc. While the USB connector  401  and the 1394 (firewire) connector  402  and transceivers were not represented in the block diagram in  FIG. 2 , it will be appreciated that such components could be incorporated as required. It will also be appreciated that various other physical embodiments of the wireless POD module  200  could be employed that have different types, combinations, and/or arrangements of connectors. The wireless POD module  200  may auto-detect devices that may be connected to integrated connectors using Universal Plug and Play (UPnP™) or similar standards. 
         [0127]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating the wireless POD module  200  of  FIG. 2  to communicate with a host device  100  and a plurality of other devices through its various interfaces according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept. Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , a wireless POD module  200  is inserted in the CA slot of a host (television)  100 . A cable network cable  101  connects to the coaxial cable connector  215  in the wireless POD module  200 . Cable  101  interfaces with a cable provider&#39;s network  500  and receives television programming transmitted from a regional cable headend  501 . The cable headend  501  may include, among other things, source satellites  503  to receive television programming from content providers, as well as media switches  502  to transmit the programming signals to users via the cable network  500  or via the Internet  506  during IPTV. 
         [0128]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the digital tuner  216  is connected to the digital demodulator  217 , which converts the input signals from the coaxial cable to digital signals or packets. Accordingly, content supplied as a stream of modulated data (e.g., a modulated multiplexed MPEG-2 data stream) is input to an integrated tuner  216 . The tuner  216  could be tuned to a particular channel by the user via the accompanying Bluetooth remote control  510 , or by an application running on the wireless POD module  200  (e.g., recording scheduler). The tuned content may be provided to the digital demodulator  217 . The digital demodulator  217  may be a 64 or 256-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) demodulator or an ATSC 8-VSB demodulator and decoder. is the content may then be provided to the CA decrypter  151 . The decrypted data is then supplied to the transcoder  207  (if required), which transforms the data into MPEG-2 media stream (or other format). 
         [0129]    The Media Switch  209  of  FIG. 5  then buffers the media stream into memory and then performs two operations if the user is viewing live television. More specifically, the media stream is simultaneously supplied to CP (Copy Protection) encrypter  152  to encrypt the media stream and transmit the encrypted media stream to the host  100  via the inband interface, and is also written to the integrated hard disk drive  214  or other storage unit. As mentioned earlier, the wireless POD module  200  may function as a digital video recorder (DVR) and may perform multimedia time warping and location shifting. 
         [0130]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the wireless POD module  200  includes an OOB modem  218  to receive and transmit OOB data from and to the cable provider&#39;s systems. The OOB modem  218  may include a QPSK transmitter  220  and receiver  219 . The OOB data received via the cable system can be transmitted to the OOB processing block  206  of the Media Processing Module  204 . The OOB block  206  also handles the transmission of OOB data to the cable system, via the OOB modem  218 . 
         [0131]    Stored media can be accessed using the multimedia time warping functionality of the wireless POD module  200 . The multimedia time warping functionality uses the integrated digital storage unit (i.e., the hard disk drive)  214  and operating software of the wireless POD module  200  to allow users to view live programming with an option of instantly reviewing previous segments within the program. An accompanying Bluetooth remote control  510  which is designed to operate with the wireless POD module  200  can be used to manipulate the content during viewing. Command signals which originate from the remote control  510  are accepted via the Bluetooth transceiver  228  of the wireless POD module  200  and are processed by the CPU  205 . Commands which are transmitted by the Bluetooth remote control  510  to the wireless POD module  200  can affect a flow of the MPEG-2 media stream, and allow the user to reverse, fast forward, play, pause, index, fast/slow reverse play, and fast/slow play live content. 
         [0132]    Upon receiving a signal to access stored content, the media switch  209  extracts program material from the hard disk drive  214  and reassembles it into an MPEG-2 media stream, which is then sent to CP encrypter  152  encrypts and transmits the encrypted MPEG-2 media stream to the host  100 . 
         [0133]    In addition, the present general inventive concept allows the user to store select television programming in the hard disk drive  214  of the wireless POD module  200  while the user is simultaneously watching or reviewing another program. For example, the user can use the interactive program guide (IPG) and recording scheduler of the wireless POD module  200  to direct the wireless POD module  200  to record specific programs on predetermined dates and times. The wireless POD module  200  allows users to remotely access the Interactive Program Guide and recording scheduler. As illustrated in  FIG. 5  and as previously discussed, the wireless POD module  200  can connect to a data network via one of its wired or wireline interfaces. In turn, users can utilize an Internet-enabled cell phone, PDA, personal computer, or other device to access the wireless POD module  200  over a data network and set recording options. 
         [0134]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the wireless POD module  200  interfaces with an IEEE 802.11 wireless router  504 . The wireless router  504  enables connected devices on the LAN to exchange data with one another and access the Internet  506 . Such connectivity allows the wireless POD module  200  to receive/transmit data from/to other network-connected devices over a data network such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet. 
         [0135]    In the present embodiment, the wireless POD module  200  can transmit service orders (e.g., pay per view, programming changes, home shopping, etc.) and requests corresponding to information (billing, etc.) to the cable provider  501  via the Internet  506 . The cable provider could fulfill these requests by transmitting information to the wireless POD module  200  via the Internet  506  using the same path the original request traversed, or via the cable network  500 . 
         [0136]    The wireless POD module  200  can receive content over the Internet  506  from various content or service providers. In the present embodiment, the Interactive Program Guide (IPG) made available by the wireless POD module  200  through the host  100 , provides an option corresponding “Internet Content”. Selecting this option may further provide the user with an index of Internet content providers and a brief description of their respective programming options. This index may be automatically updated via the Internet  506  at any possible frequency. 
         [0137]    The user can select a content provider  507  which offers a video-on-demand service. Upon selecting the content provider  507  from a list of content providers using the remote control  510 , the wireless POD module  200  establishes connectivity with a media switch  508  of the content provider  507 , which subsequently authenticates the user and provides the user with access to an index of available videos which are stored in a content server  509  of the content provider  507 . The user can select a specific movie that he would like to view. Content corresponding to the selected movie is subsequently streamed from the media switch  508  over the Internet  506  to the user&#39;s router  504 , and wirelessly transmitted from the router  504  to the wireless POD module  200  to be output to the host  100 . 
         [0138]    Internet content which is received via one of the above mentioned transceivers of the wireless POD module  200  is directed to the Media Processing Module  204 . If the received content is encrypted according to the OpenCable specifications or other standards, the content may be sent to the CA decrypter  151  o be descrambled before being directed to the Media Processing Module  204 . 
         [0139]    Thereafter, the content may need to be converted to another format if it is not compatible with the host  100 . For example, if an incoming media stream is in MPEG-4/H.264 AVC and the host  100  can only process MPEG-2, transcoder  207  will convert the media stream to an MPEG-2 media stream. Upon conversion, the Media Switch  209  buffers the media stream into memory, and simultaneously performs two operations if the user is viewing and/or listening to the incoming content which is being received via the Internet  506 . More specifically, the buffered media stream is supplied to CP encrypter  152  to be returned to the host  100  and it is also written to the hard disk drive  214  or other storage device. The stored media can be used in conjunction with the multimedia time warping functionality of the wireless POD module  200  to alter a user&#39;s viewing and/or listening experience. Features of the remote control  510  may be used as described earlier to manipulate the viewing and/or listening experience of content which is received via the Internet  506 . 
         [0140]    Movies which are downloaded from a video-on-demand provider and stored in the hard disk drive  214  of the wireless POD module  200  may expire within a certain time period as specified by the provider. The wireless POD module  200  is configured to adhere to such expiration parameters which are embedded in the content and will automatically purge the content from the hard disk drive  214  when the expiration date and time are reached. Movies and other content downloaded from content providers via the Internet  506  may also impose copy restrictions and other digital rights management (DRM) requirements, which can also be enforced by the wireless POD module  200 . 
         [0141]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a personal computer  505  interfaces with the wireless router  504  via an Ethernet cable. The personal computer  505  may be running any operating system such as Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, Apple OS X, etc. The computer  505  serves as a central repository to store the user&#39;s digital content, including movies, TV shows, photos, and music. A media server application installed and operating on the computer  505  works in conjunction with the wireless POD module  200  and accompanying remote control  510  described herein. The media server application may be downloaded on the computer  505  via the Internet  506 , installed from a storage medium such as a CD or diskette, or may come pre-loaded on the computer  505  from the manufacturer. 
         [0142]    The wireless POD module  200  can detect and establish connectivity with the media server application operating on a LAN connected personal computer such as the computer  505  or other compatible media device. The media server application indexes user selected media assets which are stored on the personal computer  505 , and makes the index available to the wireless POD module  200  to be displayed through the host  100 . The media server application is further designed to transmit user requested media content to the wireless POD module  200  to be output via the host  100 . The user can navigate the media index using the remote control  510 , and can make a specific content selection using appropriate keys. 
         [0143]    In another embodiment, the media server application described herein could be integrated into available operating systems (e.g., Microsoft&#39;s Windows XP Media Center Edition, Microsoft&#39;s Windows Vista, Apple&#39;s OS X, etc.) or existing software applications that function as media players (e.g., Apple Computer&#39;s Front Row, Apple Computer&#39;s iTunes, Apple Computer&#39;s QuickTime, Microsoft&#39;s Windows Media Player, RealNetwork&#39;s RealPlayer, etc.) while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. 
         [0144]    The media server application allows separate user profiles to be created, thereby facilitating personalized access by individual users to their content stored on the computer  505  through the wireless POD module  200 . 
         [0145]    In addition, the wireless POD module  200  can detect multiple computers on the LAN with the media server application operating thereon. If multiple computers are detected, the wireless POD module  200  may generate a list of computers to choose from to be selected by the user. The list of computers is presented in a graphical user interface output via the display  112  of the host  100 . The user can utilize the remote control  510  to make the appropriate selection and initiate connectivity with the user&#39;s personal computer  505  which runs the media server application thereon. Upon establishing connectivity with the personal computer  505  as it is running the media server application, a user may be prompted to input a username/password, PIN, or some other personal security key to be granted access to their media library. Such security keys can be configured in the media server application and are authenticated when connectivity is established. 
         [0146]    As the network-connected personal computer  505  may reside in another location within the user&#39;s home, the user can make use of the Bluetooth remote control  510  that accompanies the wireless POD module  200  to select specific media assets stored on the computer to view and/or listen through the host  100 . 
         [0147]    The media server application can receive and process signals transmitted by the Bluetooth remote control  510  through the wireless POD module  200 . The Bluetooth remote control  510  may be used to initially signal the wireless POD module  200  to establish connectivity with the media server application which operates on the computer  505 . According to the present embodiment, a designated button on the remote control  510  is available to initiate connectivity with the personal computer  505  which is running the media server application. When the button is pressed on the remote control  510 , a corresponding signal is transmitted from the remote&#39;s Bluetooth radio to the wireless POD module  200 . The signal is received via the Bluetooth antenna  234  and the Bluetooth transceiver  228  of the wireless POD module  200  and is forwarded to the CPU  205 . The CPU  205  processes the signal and initiates application-layer connectivity with the computer  505 , which is running the media server application, via the 802.11 transceiver  221 . Certain control signals which are transmitted by the Bluetooth remote control  510  are received by the wireless POD module  200  in the same way as described above, processed by the CPU  205 , and transmitted to the personal computer  505 , which is running the media server application, via the 802.11 interface. According to another embodiment, the wireless POD module  200  could also connect to the LAN via the Ethernet interface  236 —in which case the processed control signal would be transmitted via the integrated Ethernet transceiver  235 . 
         [0148]    After the wireless POD module  200  establishes application-layer connectivity with the computer  505  which runs the media server application, a graphical user interface (GUI) is presented to the user on the television display  112 . The media server application makes available an index of available content categories (e.g., Movies, TV Shows, Photos, Music, etc.), which are presented to the user via the GUI. The operating system of the wireless POD module  200 , the media server application which runs on the computer  505 , or a combination thereof, may drive elements of the GUI presented to the user on the television display  112 . 
         [0149]    The user can utilize designated buttons on the remote control  510  to navigate menu options. Within content categories and related submenus, the user can further select specific media assets stored on the computer  505  to view and/or listen via the host  100 . 
         [0150]    The remote control  510  can also be used to adjust the viewing/listening experience by using designated keys on the remote control such as “play”, “stop”, “pause”, “rewind”, “fast forward”, etc. These and other buttons on the remote control  510  can be used to issue various commands to the computer  505  with the media server application operating thereon. The media server application receives and processes the signals according to their intended function. For example, buttons on the remote control  510  can allow a series of digital images to be cycled forward or backward, music to be played, paused, etc. 
         [0151]    Content which is requested by the user is transmitted by the media server application which operates on the personal computer  505  to the wireless POD module  200 . The content can be received via the 802.11 antenna  227  and the 802.11 transceiver  221  of the wireless POD module  200  and is therein transferred to the Media Processing Module  204 . The received content may be transcoded by transcoder  207  into a format compatible with the host  100 . 
         [0152]    The content is subsequently transferred to the CP encrypter  152  be processed, and is further transmitted to the host  100  via the inband interface, to be output via the display  112  and the speakers  114 . 
         [0153]    In another embodiment, content which is stored on the personal computer  505  and requested by the user as earlier described may be transcoded by the media server application into a format that is compatible with the host  100  before being transmitted to the wireless POD module  200 . The present embodiment assumes that the wireless POD module  200  can capture all media processing capabilities of the host  100  and can further transmit the information corresponding the media processing capabilities of the host  100  to the media server application upon initial connectivity, in order to allow the media server application to subsequently transcode requested content to a format that is compatible with the host  100 . 
         [0154]    In yet another embodiment, the media server application which operates on the personal computer  505  allows users to activate a synchronization feature that works in conjunction with the wireless POD module  200 . The synchronization feature, when activated, allows the media server application to automatically copy data which is stored on the personal computer, such as movies, TV shows, music, photos, and other content across a user&#39;s home network and onto the hard disk drive  214  of the wireless POD module  200 . This allows users to directly access the content from the wireless POD module  200 , thereby providing an enhanced viewing and/or listening experience since the accessed content is not being streamed over a data network. 
         [0155]    The wireless POD module  200  also comes with its own synchronization feature, whereby content stored in its hard disk drive  214  can be automatically copied across a network and onto the hard disk drive of a personal computer  505  or other network-connected device running the media server application specified herein. 
         [0156]    The synchronization feature contained in the media server application and the wireless POD module  200  both allow users to set their own preferences as to what types of content is automatically copied to target devices (e.g., unwatched TV shows, new purchases, etc.). 
         [0157]    In the present embodiment, the remote control  510  includes a Bluetooth radio and an infrared emitter. The remote control  510  can be programmed to function as a “universal remote”, which allows the user to control other electronic devices with infrared or Bluetooth receivers. For example, the remote control  510  may be programmed to control the host  100  itself The accompanying remote control (or keyboard device)  510  may use other wireless communication options to communicate with the wireless POD module  200  while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. 
         [0158]    In the present embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the remote control  510  integrates Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. More specifically, the remote control  510  may include an RFID Module that can function as both an RFID tag and an RFID reader. The RFID Module can read an RFID tag and can write data to a particular RFID tag. 
         [0159]    According to the present embodiment, the RFID Module allows interoperability with all RF 13.56 MHz readers and tags which are compatible with existing international standards, including ISO 14443 A/B, ISO 15693, Sony FeliCa™, and Near Field Communication (NFC). NFC technology can be used as a virtual connector system to quickly and securely establish wireless connectivity between the wireless POD module  200  and other electronic devices. Near Field Communication (NFC) technology—which was jointly developed and promoted by Philips and Sony—evolved from a combination of contact-less identification and interconnection technologies. Underlying layers of NFC technology are standardized in ISO (18092 and 21481), ECMA (340 and 352), and ETSI TS 102 190. Other RFID standards could be supported by the RFID Module while remaining within the scope and spirit of the present general inventive concept. 
         [0160]    The RFID Module is provided to allow the remote control  510  to rapidly exchange information with an electronic device that is in close proximity to the remote control  510 , and which also has integrated RFID technology. Information which is exchanged between the remote control  510  and an initiating device via RFID can allow for the fast, automatic, and secure set-up of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other wireless connections between the wireless POD module  200  and the initiating electronic device in accordance with the NFC specifications. These specifications allow RFID technology to be employed as a virtual connector system. According to the present embodiment, data received by the remote control  510  from the initiating device via RFID is automatically transmitted to the wireless POD module  200  via one of its wireless interfaces in order to facilitate an automatic setup of a wireless connection between the wireless POD module  200  and the initiating device using a common wireless standard. 
         [0161]    In accordance with the present general inventive concept, the wireless POD module  200  also integrates teachings and methods outlined in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/127,979 filed by the applicant of this general inventive concept and incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The teachings and methods in the referenced Patent Application specify techniques to capture a media processing capability and other parameters of a target device via RFID, using RFID to quickly establish a wireless connection with a target device and automatically transmitting certain media assets to it once connectivity has been established, and establishment and use of profiles corresponding to target devices that have previously exchanged communication settings and parameters via RFID. Such functionality could be used to allow a media player (e.g., cellular phone, video player, etc.) with an integrated RFID module to quickly establish a communication link with the wireless POD module  200  and automatically transmit certain media assets to it once connectivity has been established. The method includes, in the present embodiment, automatically transmitting media that is being viewed/played on the media player at the time of an RFID exchange with its remote control  510  or an accompanying keyboard. Media content to be transmitted to the wireless POD module  200  would be automatically processed and output to the host  100  (e.g., TV) as described herein. The user can in turn use the controls (e.g., “play”, “pause”, “fast forward”, “rewind”, “stop”, “skip back”, “skip forward”, etc.) on the transmitting media player device, or software operating therein, to alter the viewing and/or listening experience of the media being output via the host  100 . 
         [0162]    In accordance with U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/127,979 filed by the applicant, a registration of electronic devices via RFID and establishment of profiles to connect devices within the wireless POD module  200  can be used to securely register wireless VOIP handsets. An initial exchange of encryption data and other parameters via RFID allows the VOIP handsets to securely communicate with the wireless POD module  200  on an ongoing basis. 
         [0163]    The RFID Module in the remote control  510  can also be used to facilitate electronic payments via a data network such as the Internet by capturing account data from credit cards (e.g., MasterCard Paypass™, American Express ExpressPay™, etc.), fobs, cellular phones, and other payment devices that have integrated RFID chips. The RFID Module can also be used to facilitate user authentication over a data network such as the Internet  506  by capturing identification data from identification devices with integrated RFID chips (e.g., loyalty cards, membership cards, ID cards, cellular phones, etc.) and transmitting the identification data to a server. The RFID module may be used to authenticate users within the wireless POD module  200  itself, allowing users to securely access their profile within the identification device. The wireless POD module  200  may come with RFID tokens that can be assigned to individual users, or can allow other RFID-based devices to be registered and linked to user profiles within a system using the remote control  510 . 
         [0164]    In another embodiment, a wireless media player  511  (e.g., a cellular phone, Apple iPod-type device, Microsoft Zune, etc.), can establish Bluetooth connectivity with the wireless POD module  200  and can stream stored content (e.g., video, photos, music, etc.) to the wireless POC module  200  to be output via the host  100 . In the present embodiment, the user has the option of using controls on the media player  511  to adjust the viewing and/or listening experience of content being output through the host  100 . For example, the user can use the media player&#39;s  511  hardware controls or “soft-keys” to pause, play, rewind, or fast forward video being displayed via the host  100 . While the example herein illustrates the wireless media player  511  connected to the wireless POD module  200  via Bluetooth, any common wireless standard could be used to establish direct communication while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. 
         [0165]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a wireless POD module  200  communicating with a host device  100  and a wireless remote control  510 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present general inventive concept. Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the wireless POD module  200  herein is inserted into the CA slot of the host  100  to allow the wireless POD module  200  to communicate with the host  100 . Unlike the wireless POD module  200  depicted in  FIG. 5 , the wireless POD module  200  illustrated in  FIG. 6  receives content directly from the host  100 . 
         [0166]    Media which is received by the wireless POD module  200  from the host  100  via the inband port is processed in a similar manner as content received via one of the wireless or wired interfaces of the POD module  200 , as described above. According to the present embodiment, the host  100  receives content via its communications link (e.g., cable network cable  101 ). For example, MPEG-4/H.264 AVC format video data may be received at the tuner  102  from the cable  101  and demodulated at the demodulator  106 . The demodulated MPEG-4/H.264 AVC data is provided to the CA decrypter  151  of the wireless POD module  200  via the inband port as previously described. The decrypted MPEG-4/H.264 AVC data is further supplied to the transcoder  207  if required. For example, if the host  100  cannot process the MPEG-4/H.264 AVC data, then the content may be transcoded by the transcoder  207  to a format that is compatible with the host  100 . In this manner, the wireless POD module  200  produces output that is compatible with the MPEG decoder  110  which present in the host  100  without necessitating modification of the host device  100 . The output from the transcoder  207  can be in the form of MPEG-2 data, which is directed to the Media Switch  209 . The Media Switch  209  buffers the media stream into memory, and simultaneously performs two operations if the user is viewing and/or listening to the incoming content being received from the host  100 . More specifically, the buffered stream is supplied to CP encrypter  152  to be returned to the host  100 , and the buffered stream is also written to the hard disk drive  214  or other storage unit. The stored media can be used in conjunction with the multimedia time warping functionality of the wireless POD module  200  to alter the viewing and/or listening experience of the user. The accompanying Bluetooth remote control  510  can be used as previously described to instantly review previous segments within the program that is being watched live. As also mentioned before, the present general inventive concept allows a user to store selected television programming in the wireless POD module  200  while the user is simultaneously watching or reviewing another program. 
         [0167]      FIG. 7  is a flow diagram illustrating operations in a process of a wireless POD module  200  receiving, processing, storing, and transmitting data, in accordance with an embodiment of the present general inventive concept. The flow diagram in  FIG. 7  refers to  FIG. 5 , whereby the wireless POD module  200  the cable television network cable  101  which is directly connected to the integrated coaxial connector  215 . Accordingly, the cable television network cable  101  is used as a transmission medium to send content to and data to and from the wireless POD module  200 . In operation  701 , content is supplied to the wireless POD module  200  as a stream of modulated data (e.g., a modulated multiplexed MPEG-2 data stream) to the tuner  216 . In operation  702 , the tuner  216  selects a particular channel of incoming content (e.g., based on user selection through the Interactive Program Guide). The tuned content is supplied to demodulator  217  and demodulated in operation  703 . The demodulated data is supplied to a Conditional Access (CA) decrypter  151  and is decrypted in operation  704 . In operation  705 , the decrypted data is provided to the transcoder  207  and the data is transcoded to a format (e.g., MPEG-4/H.264 AVC to MPEG-2) that can be processed by the host  100 . Operation  705  can be omitted if the data is already in a format which the host  100  can process. 
         [0168]    After media streams are transcoded in operation  705 , the MPEG stream is sent to the Media Switch  209 . In operation  706 , the Media Switch  209  buffers the MPEG stream into memory (e.g., the hard disk drive  214 ). The Media Switch  209  then performs two operations simultaneously if the user is viewing real-time programming through the host (television). These simultaneous operations are represented in  FIG. 7  under Branch “A” and Branch “B” of the flow diagram. Under Branch “A”, in operation  707 , data is encrypted by the media switch  209  before it is written to the hard disk drive  214 . A purpose of encrypting programming content before it is stored is to ensure that the content cannot be accessed and copied by computer-pirates or computer-hackers, that attempt to take apart the wireless POD module  200  in order to access media stored in the integrated storage unit. The data may be encrypted using any number of cryptographic algorithms such as DES, 3DES, AES, RC4, SHA-1, RSA, DSA, etc. Each wireless POD module  200  may be able to generate its own encryption/decryption keys which may be stored in a tamper-proof storage component of the device. After the data has been encrypted, the Media Switch  209  parses the resulting MPEG stream and separates it into video and audio components. It then stores the components into temporary buffers. Events are recorded that indicate the type of component that has been found, where it is located, and when it occurred. The program logic is notified that an event has occurred and the data is extracted from the buffers. The video and audio components are written to the hard disk drive  214  or other storage component in operation  708 . As mentioned earlier, stored media can be accessed using the remote control  510  and multimedia time warping functionality of the wireless POD module  200 . 
         [0169]    The operations under Branch “B” are performed concurrently with the operations Under Branch “A”. In operation  709 , the stream of data is also supplied to CP encrypter  152  to be encrypted. Once the data is encrypted, the data is transmitted to the host  100  in operation  710 . The wireless POD module  200  can transmit processed content to devices other than the host  100 . For example, the wireless POD module  200  may transmit programming content to a network-connected device on a LAN, WAN, or the Internet  506  via its wireless or wired interface. Accordingly, the transmitted content would be encrypted in operation  709  using encryption keys that were previously exchanged with the target device to a location where the content is being transmitted. 
         [0170]    In the process illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the media which is written to the hard disk  214  is in the same format as the media that is transmitted to the host  100 . In another embodiment, the input media stream could be transcoded to one format to be stored, and another format to be transmitted to the host  100 . In accordance with this embodiment, when the stored media is retrieved from the hard disk to be output to the host  100 , the media could be transcoded to a format that is compatible with the host  100  prior to transmission. This process is further detailed in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0171]      FIG. 7  details how broadcast television content is received and processed via a coaxial interface to the cable provider. As the wireless POD module  200  can connect to an Internet Protocol (IP) network via its IEEE 802.11 or Ethernet interface, it is important to consider the process by which the wireless POD module  200  could receive Internet Protocol television (IPTV) content. With IPTV, operations  701 - 703  are not applicable. 
         [0172]    With IPTV, a subscriber may perceive that he is “tuning” to a particular channel number, but what happens when he selects a channel is much different with IPTV than with broadcast TV. When a user “tunes” an IPTV program, he does one of two things depending on whether the channel he is tuning is multicast (the IP equivalent of broadcast, sent to all subscribers simultaneously), or unicast (sent only to the one subscriber). If the signal is multicast, the wireless POD module  200  requests a copy of the multicast stream, which must be found in the network and supplied to this wireless POD module  200 . If the signal unicast, the stream is requested from the headend  501 . 
         [0173]    After the signal arrives at the wireless POD module  200 , the IP transport protocols are stripped, leaving the encrypted MPEG transport stream. The process continues with operation  704 , where the content is supplied to CP decrypter  151  to be decrypted. The remaining operations which are illustrated in  FIG. 7  remain in the same. 
         [0174]    Many variations of the process illustrated in  FIG. 7  will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the present general inventive concept. 
         [0175]      FIG. 8  is a flow diagram illustrating operations in a process of a wireless POD module  200  receiving a control signal to access stored data, and transmitting the requested data to another device in accordance with an embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
         [0176]      FIG. 5  may also be referenced to explain the flow diagram in  FIG. 8 . The Bluetooth remote control  510  is used to access and manipulate the output of content stored in the storage unit (i.e., the hard disk drive)  214  of the wireless POD module  200 . For example, if the user desires to watch a previous segment of a live television program which is stored on the hard disk drive  214 , the user may operate the remote control  510  to instantly access the stored segment. The user may instantly access the stored segment by pressing appropriate button(s) on the remote control  510 . Accordingly, the remote control  510  can transmit specific command signals via its Bluetooth interface. These commands may affect a flow an MPEG stream and allow the user to view stored content with a plurality of functions, including reverse, fast forward, play, pause, index, fast/slow reverse play, and fast/slow play. 
         [0177]    In operation  801 , an appropriate signal to initiate access to stored content is received by the Bluetooth antenna  234  and the transceiver  228  of the wireless POD module  200 . The signal is processed by the CPU  205 , which notifies the Media Switch  209  to extract stored data from the hard disk drive  214 . In operation  802 , the extracted video and audio components are decrypted. As illustrated in  FIG. 7  the data is encrypted prior to being written to the hard disk drive  214 . 
         [0178]    In operation  803 , decrypted video and audio components are reassembled by the Media Switch  209  into an MPEG stream. The MPEG stream is then sent to the transcoder  207 , and the data is transcoded into a format that can be processed by the host  100  in operation  804 . The transcoding operation is only necessary if the stored content is in a format that is not compatible with the host  100 . 
         [0179]    In operation  805 , the transcoded data is sent to the CP encrypter  152  to be encrypted. After the data is copy protected, the data is transmitted to the host  100  via the inband interface in operation  806 . 
         [0180]    In the present embodiment, access to the stored content is initiated by the Bluetooth remote control  510 , and the stored content is subsequently transmitted to the host  100  to be output. The process outlined in  FIG. 8  could also apply in situations where a network-connected media player device connects to the wireless POD module  200  and issues a signal to access stored content, and then the stored content is subsequently transmitted from the wireless POD module  200  to the initiating device over a data network. 
         [0181]    Many variations of this process will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the present general inventive concept. 
         [0182]      FIG. 9  is a flow diagram illustrating operations in a process of a wireless POD module  200  receiving data from a personal computer running a media server application, processing said data, and transmitting the processed data to the host, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0183]      FIG. 5  may also be referenced to explain the flow diagram in  FIG. 9 . In accordance with an embodiment of the present general inventive concept, a button can be pressed on the Bluetooth remote control  510  to initiate connectivity between the wireless POD module  200  and the LAN-connected personal computer  505  while it is running the media server application. Upon pressing the designated button on the remote control  510 , a signal is transmitted from the remote control  510  via its Bluetooth radio. In operation  901 , the signal is received by the Bluetooth transceiver  228  and is processed by the CPU  205 . In operation  902 , the CPU  205  initiates connectivity between the wireless POD module  200  and the media server application operating on the personal computer  505 . Connectivity may be established using any known application layer protocol. 
         [0184]    Upon establishing connectivity with the media server application on the PC  505 , the user can be presented with a list of media categories and sub-categories (e.g., movies, photos, music, etc.) from which to choose. The user can utilize the accompanying remote control  510  to navigate the user interface menu options, and further select specific media items stored on the personal computer to view and/or listen via the host  100  (e.g., television). The user may navigate through the various categories and sub-categories, and in operation  903  the user may make a selection once the desired media category (item) is found. 
         [0185]    Upon selecting the desired media item(s) to be accessed, the media server application operating on the personal computer  505  begins streaming the selected media assets to the wireless POD module  200 . In operation  904 , the wireless POD module  200  begins receiving the media assets via the 802.11 interface  222  of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0186]    In accordance with the present embodiment, certain media assets which are transmitted by the media server application may be encrypted. For example, the media asset may be a movie downloaded from the user&#39;s cable provider. The movie may be encrypted to only allow the movie to be played on the computer  505  running a version of the media server application that is registered with the cable provider, or through a television where the movie is first decrypted by a registered wireless POD module  200 . Operation  905  may be required to decrypt such media content when it is received. The content may be decrypted by the CA decrypter  151 . 
         [0187]    When the received content cannot be processed by the host  100  because the content is in an incompatible format, the data is transcoded in operation  906  by transcoder  207 . Once the data is transcoded, the data is passed to CP encrypter  152  where it is copy protected in operation  907 . Finally, in operation  908  the data is transmitted by the wireless POD module  200  to the host  100  via the inband port. The data can then be output via the television&#39;s (e.g., the host  100 ) display  112  and speakers  114 . 
         [0188]    The remote control  510  can be used to manipulate the incoming media stream from the media server application on the personal computer  505 . For example, designated buttons on the remote control  510  can be used to stop, play, rewind, fast-forward, and perform other operations. Such control signals are transmitted from the remote control  510  to the wireless POD module  200 , processed by the wireless POD module, and transmitted via the data network to the media server application on the personal computer  505 . 
         [0189]    A similar process to the process illustrated in  FIG. 9  also applies to an instance when content is received from a network-connected media player device such as a cellular phone, PDA, video player, etc. Accordingly, connectivity is established between the media player and the wireless POD module  200 . Upon establishing connectivity, the user can use the controls of the media player to transmit select content to the wireless POD module  200  to output the content via the host  100 . The content is received by the wireless POD module in operation  904  and similarly processed from there. The user can utilize the hardware or software controls of the media player device to adjust the media stream being output through the host  100 . 
         [0190]    The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the present general inventive concept has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the general inventive concept to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims, and by their equivalents. Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.