Wireless device for group access and management

A system and method for establishing a group of wireless devices having shared media stored thereupon associates each group member device of the group of wireless devices, communicates with at least some of the group member devices of the group of wireless devices to identify shared media and upon receiving a request transmitted by a group member device of the group of wireless devices, supports access to shared media. The shared media may be stored on a different group member device, upon a managing server computer, or a media server. Upon a successful validation, the group member device that made the request is notified to facilitate the access to the shared media. The notification includes access information.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to wired and wireless communications and, more particularly, to accessing shared media, services and resources by grouped member devices.

2. Related Art

In today's world of rapidly changing devices that instantly add tools that become a significant part of everyday life, the Internet has served as a backbone for coupling networks of all types include cellular and wireless local area networks as well as wired networks to create opportunity for the continual advancement of feature based devices. As different devices are developed to operate using these networks, popular features are often limited to the particular devices. Thus, devices are often application specific having application related data formats and associated interfaces that are incompatible. Accordingly, specific functionality corresponds to specific hardware platforms that support specific protocols and interfaces.

Many communication systems, nonetheless, support wireless and wire lined communications between wireless and/or wire lined communication devices to expand global communications. Such communication systems range from national and/or international cellular telephone systems to the Internet to point-to-point in-home wireless networks.

Each type of communication system is constructed to operate to be compatible with one or more communication standards. For instance, wireless communication systems may operate in accordance with one or more standards, including, but not limited to, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, global system for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), local multi-point distribution systems (LMDS), multi-channel-multi-point distribution systems (MMDS), and/or variations thereof.

Depending on the type of wireless communication system, a wireless communication device, such as a cellular telephone, two-way radio, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer (PC), laptop computer, home entertainment equipment, etc., communicates directly or indirectly with other wireless communication devices. For direct communications (also known as point-to-point communications), the participating wireless communication devices tune their receivers and transmitters to the same channel or channels (e.g., one of a plurality of radio frequency (RF) carriers of the wireless communication system) and communicate over that channel(s).

For indirect wireless communications, each wireless communication device communicates directly with an associated base station (e.g., for cellular services) and/or an associated access point (e.g., for an in-home or in-building wireless network) via an assigned channel. To complete a communication connection between the wireless communication devices, the associated base stations and/or associated access points communicate with each other directly, via a system controller, via a public switch telephone network (PSTN), via the Internet, and/or via some other wide area network.

Each wireless communication device includes a built-in radio transceiver (i.e., receiver and transmitter) or is connected to a radio transceiver (e.g., a station for in-home and/or in-building wireless communication networks, RF modem, etc.). The various circuit blocks of a radio transceiver jointly operate to support communications and associated functionality according to the type of communication system(s) it supports.

The Internet has thus vastly expanded capabilities and services that may be provided to the user. For example, users can now download media, including streaming media on demand. Other network based services are also now available based on the connectivity that is possible due to the integration and cross platform coupling that the Internet has made possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1is a functional block diagram illustrating a communication system that supports media, service and resource sharing and other operations according to one embodiment of the invention. A network10includes a networked group12of wireless devices and wired devices, a media source14and a wide area network (WAN)16that operably couples media source14and/or service device15to devices of networked group12. WAN16includes a packet data network that may be a private or public network such as the Internet. Networked group12includes network hardware18and further includes group member devices20-30. Networked group12further includes supporting nodes, network bridging devices and interface devices to operably couple devices of networked group12to WAN16even though such devices are not shown with the exception of network hardware18. Network hardware18represents the functionality of both base stations and access points to couple wired and wireless devices to WAN16. Group member devices20-30include handheld wireless communication devices such as personal digital assistant (PDA)20, media player22, laptop (computer)24, media player26, personal computer28and cell phone30.

In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 1, a primary group member, e.g., cell phone30creates an association of group member devices20-30for the networked group12of wired and wireless devices. The association of group members includes at least two devices and may be permanent (until changed) or temporary limited by time or usage. Cell phone30, as a primary group member, is operable to store a list of authorized identities that are allowed to access to shared media, services or resources. Cell phone30determines, therefore, whether a requested access or sharing is authorized. In one embodiment, such determinations may be based on defined criteria such as stored digital rights management specifications (DRM).

Digital rights management refers to access control technologies that limit access and use of content. Generally, DRM limits the playback of protected content to prevent copying and/or unpaid use of such content. Additionally, hardware often limits access to content because content is formatted in a manner in which only specified types of devices can access the content. As such, a user typically purchases multiple hand held devices to access various types of content and or services. Generally, DRM and/or hardware limitations only allow access in a specified manner and often limit enjoyment of content and/or services that are purchased by a user. The embodiments of the invention, among other aspects, address authorized access to shared media, services or resources that would otherwise by limited by digital rights management or by hardware limitations. Specifically, DRM specifications stored within any of the group member devices20-30as well as the media sources such as media source14or service device15allow group access to shared media, services or resources under the control of a group member device.

In one embodiment, the DRM based sharing logic is stored within the primary group member such as cell phone30. Thus, cell phone30, upon receiving an access request message from another group member device is operable to determine that the other group member device of group member devices20-30is authorized to access the shared media, service or resource. After validating the access request by determining the other group member device is authorized to access the shared media, service or resource, cell phone30communicates with the other group member device to allow access to the shared media, services or resources. This communication can be in the form of transmitting access information or even transmitting the requested media to the other group member device.

Generally, each of the group member device identities for group member devices20-30are entered into memory of cell phone30or received by cell phone30from the group of wireless devices12. The identities are stored in a way to create an association or group for the group member devices20-30. Based on the DRM specifications and this association, group member devices20-30may share or access specified media, service or resource for which group access is allowed. The term “resources” refers to all resources of the device (here, cell phone30) and includes hardware circuitry, software, logic, account and access information, data, etc. For example, one group member device may grant access to hardware resources to allow the other device to access shared media or services that can only be accessed with specific hardware, interfaces, or communications protocols. Alternately, cell phone30may allow another cell phone device to use its transceiver circuitry and account information (identity) to place a call.

The group member devices20-30of the group of wireless devices12includes a plurality of group member devices20-30that are associated as a group and have access rights to shared media, services and shared resources. The shared media may be discrete files of media (e.g., video or audio content, electronic books, etc.) or streaming media received by a plurality of group member devices. All references to shared media include media in all forms include discrete files and streaming media. Furthermore, services may be shared that do not necessarily require the sharing of content or media. In one embodiment, hardware and software resources including data and account access information that are required to access shared media or services are shared to support and allow the access to the requested shared media or service.

Resource sharing may be for the purpose of accessing shared media or services or may be for other reasons. For example, transceiver circuitry may be shared for the sole reason of reducing the cost of a call. Thus, if a temporary group association is defined, a first cell phone having a local subscription may share its phone, account and access circuitry, logic and resources to allow another cell phone (e.g., a visiting cell phone) to use such resources for a call. The visiting cell phone might, therefore, communicate with the first cell phone via a WLAN, Bluetooth or tethered connection to gain access to the shared resources to place the call. For example, permission to use such resources may be limited in a number of ways including duration, usage, or number of occurrences.

In the described embodiment, the group member devices20-30are associated with cell phone30that is operable to control access to shared media that is distributed by media source14. Thus, cell phone30, as a part of managing or establishing the group association for accessing shared media, may store the device IDs to create the group. In this example, a user of cell phone30enters the device identities for each of the group member devices20-30to create the group or alternately establishes a wired or wireless connection with the devices of networked group12and selects an option to create the association. Cell phone30then stores at least one type of identity that corresponds to the device of networked group12as a part of creating the grouped association.

Additionally, in one embodiment, the user of the primary group member device such as cell phone30selects types of media and other resources that may be shared and/or a total amount of access or usage of the shared media or resource. The type of access or total amount of access is tiered and is thus specified either as a group total, individual group member device total for each group member device (could be different for the different devices) or even sub-group totals. For sub-groups, sub-group members of group member devices20-30of the sub-group have equal allocations that are different from other sub-groups. In one embodiment, cell phone30monitors a number of times shared media or a service is accessed and denies access after the shared media or service has been accessed a specified number of times either collectively by the group of wireless devices12, by an associated sub-group, or by the individual group member device of the group member devices20-30.

As may further be seen, each device of networked group12includes an application programming interface (API)32. API32generally comprises an application specific interface between the group member devices20-30of networked group12that supports media, service and/or resource sharing. For example, API32supports transmission and processing of communication signals, control commands and data that support group media and service sharing and resource sharing. As such, PDA20, for example, may use a personal area network wireless protocol for short distance wireless communications to establish a communication link with cell phone30to receive shared media delivered to cell phone30from media source14. The API32within each of cell phone30and PDA20jointly communicate to support such operations.

Cell phone30, in one embodiment, transmits access authorization information34to media source14either in response to receiving a request from one of group member devices20-30to access shared media or in advance to support shared access to shared media by group member devices20-30based in part upon stored DRM requirements that support group access to shared media.

For example, cell phone30may send a group identity or a list of device identities to media source14having an association for accessing shared media to enable any one of group member devices20-30to request shared media. Accordingly, media source14stores authorized identities36for shared media. In an alternate embodiment, cell phone30does not send a list of identities. Rather, if a group member seeking access to the shared media is an authorized device, cell phone30merely transmits its own identity to media source14to download the requested media and then transmits the requested media to the other group member device of group member devices20-30seeking access to the shared media. For this embodiment, DRM specifications in media source14are not required to allow group access to shared media as such operations are transparent to media source14.

Alternately, if cell phone30allows another group member device to use its resources, the other device (e.g., media player22) uses hardware and/or software resources to establish a communication link with media source14to download desired media. For example, if media source14is the iTunes™ store operated to support media downloads for Apple™ products and if cell phone30is, for example, an iPhone™ which is an Apple product, media player22may use communication hardware and software of cell phone30as well as access logic and account information stored within cell phone30to download media content from media source14. Moreover, media player22may use logic and processing capabilities of cell phone30to perform a protocol conversion of the downloaded media content prior to downloading the content from cell phone30.

The access authorization information34may also include, in the same or subsequent transmissions or messages, information to allow access that corresponds to a specific content request transmitted by one of group member devices20-30. Accordingly, media source14transmits shared media to respond to a content request according to DRM specifications38. Generally, all such sharing of media content and hardware and software resources including access logic and data is performed in association with the DRM specifications that allow group based access to media content. Alternately, access permissions may be tiered to allow access to resources that don't allow violation of the DRM specifications. For example, access may be given to share communication resources or processing resources but not access logic or data.

One aspect of DRM specifications38in the described embodiment of the invention is that group access to specified media content is validated by a primary group member device based on group associations. While not shown explicitly here inFIG. 1, and as will be explained in greater detail in relation to the figures that followFIG. 1, cell phone30, in one embodiment, stores DRM specifications in relation to shared media access by group member devices20-30to allow group access to shared media.

Another aspect of DRM specifications38in the described embodiment is that the group member devices20-30may be different types of devices having different types of hardware resources and associated capabilities wherein the group members of an associated group are allowed to use each other's resources to gain access to shared media. For example, PDA20may access the memory of cell phone30to download shared media stored by cell phone30. Alternatively, PDA20may utilize hardware resources of cell phone30to download shared media from media source14.

As is suggested inFIG. 1, cell phone30may establish a communication link with network hardware18to access media source14or, alternately, may utilize network resources of personal computer28to communicate with media source14through network hardware18. If network hardware is an access point, cell phone30utilizes, in one embodiment, a personal area network protocol such as Bluetooth™ or a wireless local area network protocol based on IEEE 802.11 to communicate with network hardware18. If network hardware18comprises one or more cellular network elements such as a base station transceiver, then cell phone30communicates with network hardware18using a corresponding cellular protocol. Cell phone30also determines, in one embodiment, a required format or protocol for the shared media for the group member device seeking access to the shared media. This determination is based upon device capabilities of the group member device seeking access to the shared media. Accordingly, cell phone30formats the shared media to correspond with the required format or protocol and transmits the shared media in the required format or protocol to the group member device of group member devices20-30.

Additionally, in one embodiment, each API32includes buffering logic and formatting logic to buffer and format shared media according to device capabilities of the group member device of group member devices20-30that is to receive the shared media16. If, for example, shared media16is received over a first communication channel and is transmitted over a second and slower communication channel, an API32would buffer the received media content until transmitted on the second communication channel. Additionally, even if the second communication channel is operable to transmit as fast as shared media16is received on the first communication channel, formatting or protocol conversion processes for repackaging the shared media16may introduce delay thereby requiring buffering.

Cell phone30is further operable to maintain a billing record for access to shared media (including media transfers), streaming media, services (including, for example, communication services), etc. for subsequent billing for the access by the group member devices20-30according to usage terms. Additionally, in one embodiment, cell phone30is a primary group member device that has particular account access rights to modify data and control parameters for an account that corresponds to the shared access activities for group member devices20-30. Accordingly, when the particular account is accessed by cell phone30, specified data and control parameters are produced or displayed to cell phone30. Changes to the specified data and control parameters made by cell phone30are then accepted. Cell phone30accesses and changes the account information that is stored on a remote server, by way of WAN16.

In another embodiment, cell phone30maintains a list of content stored on each group member device of the group member devices20-30. This content list is populated or updated when access to shared media is authorized by cell phone30or when shared media is transmitted to a group member device. The content list is also populated or updated by communicating with one or more group member devices20-30to determine what shared media16is stored thereon. Specifically, a content request may be transmitted by cell phone30to determine what shared media is stored on each of the group member devices of group member devices20-30.

Cell phone30transmits the content list to at least one group member device of the group member devices20-30to facilitate group member devices sharing media amongst each other. Thus, a primary group member such cell phone30, is operable to receive a content request message originated by a first group member device for shared media previously delivered to a second group member device. In response, cell phone30validates the request for the first group member device to access to the shared media that was previously delivered to the second group member device. Cell phone30transmits access information to at least one of the first and second group member devices to enable the first group member device to access the shared media stored on the second group member device. Alternately, cell phone30transmits the shared media to the first group member device. To transmit the shared media to the first group member device, cell phone30retrieves the shared media from media source14or from the second group member device.

One aspect of one embodiment of the invention is that cell phone30transmits access information that includes an encryption key to the group member device or, alternately, at least partially decrypts the shared media content prior to transmitting the shared media to the group member device of group member devices20-30.

FIG. 2is a signal sequence diagram illustrating operation of a plurality of communication devices of a network50according to one embodiment of the invention in which one wireless device uses resources of another wireless device to access shared media. PDA20communicates with cell phone30over a wireless channel and cell phone30communicates with media source14over a wireless communication channel as well as a wired communication channel. Media source14may easily be, instead, a network service provider or even another one of the grouped member devices including media player22, laptop24, media player26or personal computer28or similar device as shown inFIG. 1.

The wireless communication channel between PDA20and cell phone30comprises one of a personal area network (PAN) protocol such as Bluetooth protocol communication link, a wireless communication link with an access point using a wireless local area network (WLAN) protocol such as IEEE 802.11 (any of the various 802.11 communication protocols may be used), or any other wireless link including infrared frequency communication protocols, or a wired communication link (e.g., by a tether or a universal synchronous bus (USB) cable). The communication link between cell phone30and media source14comprises at least one of a cellular communication link, a wired communication link over a wide area network such as WAN16, a WLAN communication link, a PAN communication link, or any other wireless link including infrared frequency communication protocols.

In operation, PDA20transmits access request52to cell phone30to request access to a resource of cell phone30. For example, PDA20may want to use communication circuitry of cell phone30to establish a communication link with a remote device that provides a service. For example, access request52may be an access request for a particular web page for a service provider. In such a case, cell phone20may communicate with a remote server associated with the specified web page. Access request20, and all other access request messages mentioned herein generally include any type of message that is a request for access to resources of a device, for access to shared media or other content stored on the device, for the receiving device to perform requested operations, for the receiving device to engage in specified communications, etc. In one embodiment of this type of operation, cell phone30generates a graphical user interface (GUI) based menu or other menu and transmits menu54to PDA20. Menu54may also comprise any other menu format including a simple text menu prompting the user to reply in a specified manner.

Thereafter, PDA20transmits one of a selected option, data, or control command56in response to menu54to cell phone30. Among other options, menu54may require PDA20to reply with an access code or identity or a choice that specifies the type of access PDA20wishes to make. It should be understood that the communications52-56represent three or more communications that may be iterative.

Access request52may be, instead of an access request for a hardware resource of cell phone30, may be a request to access memory of cell phone30or to request access to shared media. The shared media may be shared media that is stored within cell phone30or it may be shared media that is stored within media source14.

After the communications52-56are complete, cell phone30validates the access request received in access request52(and subsequent communications52-56) in validation step58. If the access request includes use of transceiver circuitry, as is the case here inFIG. 2, the process continues by establishing communications60through a communication link with a media source using cellular transceiver circuitry. Media access communications60can includes any communication to facilitate the access request of access request52. Media access communications60include communications made in response to received commands from PDA20. Thereafter, media source/other group member device14,22-28validates the request of communication60. Once validated, media source14may optionally transmit an authorization or access information64to cell phone30. Media source14then transmits requested media66to cell phone30. Thereafter, cell phone30transmits either access information68or requested media70to PDA20based on the application and nature of access request52. If cell phone30receives access information64for delivery to PDA20, cell phone30transmits access information68to PDA20. If cell phone30received the requested media66at an earlier time, and received authorization in authorization/access information64to deliver the requested media, then cell phone30transmits requested media70. Alternatively, if cell phone30receives requested media66in response to communication60, then cell phone30transmits requested media70to PDA20.

Generally,FIG. 2represents that an access request from PDA20or another group member device20-30of networked group12, for access to the resources of cell phone30including hardware resources, memory content, shared media may be given. Additionally, cell phone20may communicate on behalf of PDA20or under the control of PDA20with media source14to receive the requested media for delivery to PDA20. Another aspect of the example ofFIG. 2is that cell phone30is operable to generate modified displays/data for PDA20.

As is shown, cell phone is operable to perform step72to format or buffer displays or data prior to transmitting to PDA20. Thus, if requested media66comprises a video or a web page, cell phone30is operable to modify a format of the media66that corresponds to technical capabilities or requirements of PDA20. Finally, if the requested media70is a menu or web page, or otherwise includes selectable options, PDA20transmits selection74to cell phone30that in turn transmits selection76to media source/other group member device14,22-28. Additionally, cell phone30may also transmit usage instructions, methods of interaction with the web server/web page, testing related parameters for a variety of purposes including determining how to support the requested access, requests for authorization of currently unauthorized functionality a busy indication if the requested web page is unavailable. Other steps performed by cell phone30may include determining at least one web site address that corresponds to the requested web page, determining the second group member device is authorized to access the at least one web site and retrieving at least one internet protocol address for the at least one web site to support operations associated with the second group member device request for the web page. While not shown here, the communications64-74could include multiple communications or steps in any sequential order to facilitate a particular service or media access.

In the example ofFIG. 2, cell phone30may engage in media access communications60as if it were the device seeking access to the media or service and control the communications. Alternately, cell phone30may allow PDA20to use its resources for media access communications60. In this example, PDA20uses the identity, account and access information and transceiver circuitry of cell phone30but it is PDA20that controls such communications.

FIG. 3is a functional block diagram that illustrates structure and operation for accessing shared media according to a second embodiment of the invention in which shared media flows through a cell phone30for delivery to a group member device. InFIG. 3, a network80includes cell phone30, media source14and group member devices20-30as described before although only media player22and personal computer28of group member devices20-30are shown in the figure. Media source14may readily be replaced by any type of networked service provider such as service device15that provides services other than or in addition to delivery of media. Here, cell phone30engages in access communications82with media source14by way of cellular network84and WAN86and receives, in response, requested media88from media source14though such access communications may readily occur with service device15.

Cell phone30either receives the requested media88based on its own initiated request or subsequently based on receiving an access request90from another group member device such as media player22to prompt the access communications82and downloading of requested media88. Upon receiving access request90, if the access request is for shared media, cell phone30transmits requested media92to media player22immediately if it had previously received the shared media. The access communications82and receiving requested media88occurs in response to cell phone30receiving access request90if requested media88had not already been received by cell phone30. If access request is for access to a service provided by media source14or another networked service provider, then cell phone30facilitates the access and produces data, generates displays, or performs operational steps according to the characteristics of the associated service.

As may be seen, cell phone30includes group operations logic94, buffering and protocol conversion module96and storage98for storing shared media, data and DRM requirements. Group operations logic94defines logic to support access requests for resources or shared media including logic for associated operations according to the embodiments of the invention. For example, logic94may include validation logic that is different for the different group member devices of group member devices20-30in terms of resource sharing and in terms of media sharing. For example, only some of member devices20-30may be allowed to access communication resources of cell phone30. Alternately, different group member devices may have different access rights to shared media.

Generally, cell phone30receives access request message90and, upon determining that the group member device of group member devices20-30that is attempting to access the shared media is part of an authorized group for the shared media, transmits requested media92or allows the requested media to be downloaded from it. The media is obtained by cell phone30from media source14either prior to receiving or in response to receiving access request message90. Requested media92transmitted by cell phone30to media player22comprises at least a portion of the stored media in storage98.

FIG. 4is a functional block diagram that illustrates an alternate operation for accessing shared media according to an embodiment of the invention in which shared media flows through a cell phone30for delivery to a group member device. Network80includes the same elements discussed in relation toFIG. 3. Those elements will not be described again here. One aspect to note aboutFIG. 4, however, is that cell phone30communicates with personal computer28over a communication link94to gain access to WAN86instead of communicating through cellular network84. Communication link94can be wireless as shown here or wired through a tether, USB cable or other cable. Accordingly, personal computer28, which is operably coupled to communicate over WAN86, allows cell phone30to engage in access communications82and to receive the requested media88by way of personal computer28thereby eliminating the need for communicating through cellular network84. Thus, cell phone resources and associated costs may be eliminated from the communication path even through media player22is receiving the requested media92by way of cell phone30.

As may be seen, therefor, media player is using the resources of cell phone30that, in turn, is using the resources of personal computer28to receive requested media88. In addition to saving costs of using cellular network84, such operations may require less battery power thereby enabling cell phone30to operate for a longer period. In one embodiment, such switching from cellular network84to personal computer28is triggered by a low battery charge on cell phone30. In another embodiment, such switching is always triggered by a determination that communication link94has become available. Alternately, communication link94may be with a WLAN access point instead of PC28. Accordingly, when the access point becomes available, according to one embodiment of the invention, cell phone30utilizes communication link94to avoid cellular network84. If required, an existing call through network84is handed off in favor of an established communication link94.

While a media source14is described in relation to providing requested media inFIGS. 1-4and much of the discussion ofFIGS. 1-4relates to shared media (including stored and streaming media), it should be understood that any type of service provider may be shown in place of media server14by, for example, service device15. Accordingly, access related communications may be for the purpose of supporting access to the requested service.

FIG. 5is a functional block diagram of a network that includes a wireless access device for allowing and controlling access by an associated group member device to a service, shared media, or a resource according to one embodiment of the invention. For the example ofFIG. 5, the associated group member device is media player22. A wireless access device100includes processing circuitry102and a memory104that stores computer instructions executed by processing circuitry102to define operational logic of wireless access device100. The computer instructions include, for example, group operations logic to define interactions and communications with other devices to support group operations for accessing shared services, media and/or resources.

Wireless access device100also includes communications interfaces106aand106b. These communication interfaces represent any number of types of communications interfaces to support communications over local area networks, wireless local area networks, personal area networks and cellular networks. They also support tethering and direct coupling to devices such as printers and hard disk drives for very specific operations. Additionally, wireless access device100includes a user interface108to generate displays and audio for a user and to receive user inputs from the user.

Wireless access device100also includes an application programming interface block (API)110that defines an interface (e.g., a software based communication interface and associated logic) to support for group operations as described herein. Here, API110includes buffering/protocol converter172, group operations logic114, and storage116for storing group shared access media content. Generally, API110also includes logic and a communications interface that support group member communications for sharing services, media and/or resources of wireless access device100. Such an interface includes, for example, signaling protocols for communicating with defined signals to request access to resources of device100, for requesting shared media, for requesting shared media from another group member, for uploading shared media for delivery to another group member, for requesting access to shared services, and for storing access related data. The interface also can include defined signals for communicating with at least one of cell phone30, a media source14or other group member to establish access rights.

API110also includes logic to facilitate the resource sharing between group member devices or associated devices. Thus, resource sharing logic specifically includes interfaces and signaling logic that enable other group member devices to utilize resources within wireless access device100. For example, another device could access specific memory areas (e.g., of content storage116), or specific resources such as software and hardware based communication interfaces. A PDA with only wireless local area network protocol radio transceiver elements, for example, may utilize cellular radio transceiver elements of wireless access device100to communicate over a cellular network to establish a communication link with a media source to download desired media or, alternatively, merely to establish a connection for a communication or to access a service.

To illustrate, API110includes computer instructions to enable wireless access device100to engage in resource sharing communications. The resource sharing communications include device100receiving an access request118(here, transmitted by media player22) to share a hardware resource from device100, transmitting display information or signals120to the other group member (here, media player22) that define resource sharing options, receiving a response122from the other group member, and operating according to data/commands124received from the other group member.

The display information that wireless access device100is operable to transmit includes any one of a graphical user interface type of transmission or even text characters that correspond to the resource sharing options. As described before, the resource sharing may be for hardware, software, memory content, specified logic and/or data, etc. Thus, each of the signals and messages118-124may vary according to the specific implementation and resource sharing that is being pursued. Such resource sharing can be for a plurality of purposes including but not limited to sharing media including streaming media and services.

API110includes a buffering/protocol converter112that is similar in operation and logic to buffering/protocol converter logic described elsewhere in this specification. The buffering and protocol converter block112is operable to buffer shared media received on a first communications interface (e.g., interface106a) until transmitted on a second communications interface (e.g., interface106b). Buffering and protocol converter block112is further operable to, based on capabilities of at least one group member device that is to receive the shared media, convert a format or protocol used to deliver the media content to a format or protocol that is compatible with the capabilities of the group member device(s) that will receive the media content.

If the media content audio files received over the first communication interface106ais in a first format, but is required to be delivered in a second format, device100converts the media content to the appropriate format. To illustrate, if wireless access device100is an iTunes™ capable device that communicates with a media source that delivers audio files in an AAC format, but the requesting group member device requires MP3 format audio files, block112is operable to buffer, if necessary, and to convert the audio files to MP3 format prior to transmitting the shared media to the group member device requesting the shared media content.

Wireless access device100further includes group operations logic114that defines group operations according to the various embodiments for accessing and sharing shared media based on a group association. Group operations logic114not only defines logic for group related access of group member devices as disclosed herein, but also defines logic for hardware resource sharing between group members. For example, group operations logic114includes resource sharing access logic that evaluates group associations to determine whether resource sharing is permitted with the other device requesting resource sharing. Such evaluation occurs prior to API110engaging in resource sharing communications so that only group members are allowed to share hardware resources.

Group shared access content storage116stores shared media for access by group member devices. Finally, wireless access device100includes a content list block120for tracking content on each of the group member devices. Content list block120is included in at least one embodiment in which the wireless access device is a primary group member having account access and control rights as discussed previously in relation to cell phone30. Content list block120populates and updates a content list and transmits the content list to group member devices to facilitate group access to shared media. As may further be seen, API110is operable to communicate with APIs of remote devices such as API182of media player22as shown here.

FIG. 6is a functional block diagram that illustrates operation within a network for accessing shared media according to an embodiment of the invention in which shared media stored on one group member device is accessed by another group member device. Network150includes cell phone30and other group member devices of group member devices20-30as described before. In the described embodiment ofFIG. 6, cell phone30authorizes a group member device to access shared media stored on another other group member device when the group member device requests shared media. More specifically, when a first group member device of group member devices20-30(here media player26) transmits an access request, shown here as content request message152, to cell phone30to request shared media, cell phone30transmits authorization message154to the first group member device. Media player26, which is the first group member device in the described embodiment, receives authorization message154and engages in media access communications156with a second group member device (here, PDA20). As may be seen, PDA20contains stored media106.

Responsive to engaging in media access communications156, PDA20transmits requested media158, which is at least a portion of stored media160. Requested media158may, alternately, be accessed and downloaded by PDA20from another media source (e.g., an associated media source). In one embodiment, cell phone30also transmits access authorization information162to PDA20that includes at least one of an indication of a transaction identity or an identity of media player26. PDA20then validates the attempted access of media access communications156based on the access authorization information162and determines to produce requested media158to media player26.

In the example shown, both the media player26and PDA20are group member devices of an associated group (e.g., networked group12ofFIG. 1) and have access rights to the shared media that may be accessed by any of group member devices20-30. While not shown explicitly here, the stored media160could have been previously loaded or retrieved by PDA20in response to a media request within media access communications156.

FIGS. 7 and 8are functional block diagrams that illustrate operations for accessing shared media from a plurality of media sources in which different group members are primary group members for accessing the shared media for different corresponding media sources according to one embodiment of the invention. A network170includes media source14, a service device15and a media source172. InFIG. 7, cell phone30is a primary group member for group member devices20-30for shared media from media source14while media player26is a primary group member for media from media source172. Accordingly, if media player26wants to access or download shared media from media source14, media player26transmits a content request message174to cell phone30. In response, cell phone30engages in media access communications176with media source14and receives or downloads requested media178. Cell phone30then transmits requested media180to media player26. Alternately, or additionally, cell phone30may be a primary group member device for service device15to provide or allow access to associated services for other group member devices such as media player26, PDA20or PC28.

Similarly, inFIG. 8, cell phone30transmits an access request in the form of a content request message182to media player26to request shared media. Here, media player26is a primary group member device for media from media source172. In response, media player26engages in media access communications184with media source172and receives or downloads requested media186. Media player26then transmits requested media188to cell phone30.

One aspect of the embodiment ofFIGS. 7 and 8is that they illustrate that different groups may be defined for accessing different media sources and that different group member devices may act as primary group devices for the different groups. Additionally, the group membership is not necessarily the same for the multiple groups. A group member device can belong to multiple groups. Tiered access permissions may therefore be according to group in addition to being according to device ID for the group members.

As an additional aspect of the embodiments of the invention, each of the media sources14and172and service devices15includes a list of authorized ID's and associated access permissions for the group member devices. Accordingly, either in addition to or in place of any validation performed by a primary group member (e.g., cell phone30for media distributed from media source14or media player26for media from media source172), media sources14and172are operable to perform access request validation.

InFIGS. 7 and 8, cell phone30receives an initial content request message from media player26for media from media source14while media player26receives an initial content request from cell phone30for media from media source172. It should be understood that, inFIG. 7cell phone30could receive such a content request message for media from any group member device of group member devices20-30. Similarly, inFIG. 8, media player26can receive a content request message from any of the group member devices of group member devices20-30. The content request messages ofFIGS. 7 and 8may also be any type of resource access request message to request access for any type of resource including media content. Thus, what is referenced inFIG. 7as a content request message may actually be an access request message such as message52ofFIG. 2which includes a request for media content. For the example operation ofFIG. 7, the access request is for content and is thus shown as content request message174.

FIG. 9is a functional block diagram of a network that illustrates operation according to one embodiment in which a primary group member device controls access to shared media or services but is not in the media or service path. When cell phone30receives a content request message202from any of the group member devices20-30, cell phone30validates the access request to enable the group member devices that transmitted message202. Once cell phone validates the access request of message202, it transmits authorization message204to the group member device that originated message202and further transmits access authorization information206to media source14(or service device15). Media source14updates, if necessary, authorized IDs208based on access authorization information206.

In one embodiment, authorization message204and access authorization information206both include an authorization number. The authorization number is then included in media access communications210that occur between the group member device that originated message202and media source14. Based on at least one of the content of authorized IDs208and the media access communications210, media source14validates the access request and transmits requested media212to the group member device of group member devices20-30that originated content request message202.

One aspect to note about the operations shown inFIG. 9is that the shared media does not flow through the primary group member device that controls access to the shared media. Thus, the primary group member device controls and facilitates access to the shared media but is not in the media path for shared media from media source14. Similarly, a primary group member device (here, cell phone30), may control and facilitate access to shared media stored in other group member devices of group member devices20-30in a similar manner. In one embodiment, a primary group member device can also control and facilitate resource sharing between group members20-30. Cell phone30, as a primary group member device controls and facilitates access to the services provided by service device15but is not in the service path. Thus, in this example, service device15communicates directly with the corresponding group member device to provide the requested service once authorized by cell phone30.

In reference toFIGS. 7-10, a cell phone is described in relation to operations as a primary group member. Such operations, however, may be by any type of device operating as a primary group member of the associated group member devices of group member devices20-30. Such operations that relate to resource and media sharing control, therefore, are not limited to cell phones.

FIG. 10illustrates a method by a wireless handheld device for creating and managing group access to shared media. The method includes the wireless handheld device associating a plurality of group member devices to a group (250) and storing access permissions for accessing shared media for at least one the plurality of group member devices (252). The method further includes identifying shared media stored upon the group member devices (254). The step of identifying the shared media comprises at least one of communicating with group member devices to determine what shared media content is stored on the group member devices (that may be shared with other group member devices) and maintaining a list of shared media content that is transmitted to or downloaded by the group member devices. Based on stored digital rights management requirements for group access to shared media, the method further includes authorizing access to the shared media by at least one of the group member devices (256) and communicating with at least one group member device to facilitate access to the shared media (258).

The step of communicating with at least one group member device to facilitate access to the shared media may include receiving and forwarding the shared media to one of the plurality of group member devices (260). This step optionally includes receiving the shared media from a shared media source (262) or uploading the shared media from a group member (264). For example, if a first group member requests the shared media, the method includes uploading the shared media from a second group member for delivery to the first group member.

FIG. 11is a flowchart that illustrates a method for delivering media content to one group member device through another according to one embodiment of the invention. The method includes a cell phone30receiving a content request message from a first group member device for shared media for a second group member device (270) and determining the second group member device is authorized to access the shared media (272). Thereafter, the method includes transmitting an access authorization (274) to enable either one of the first and second group member devices to access or download shared media from a media source or from another group member device for the second group member device. The method can include, for example, authorizing the first group member device to access and subsequently deliver the shared media to the second group member device (276). An alternate method includes, instead of step276, delivering the shared media to the first group member device (278) to enable the first group member device to deliver the shared media to the second group member device.

FIG. 12is a flowchart that illustrates a method by a handheld group member device operable to access shared media based on a group association that includes a plurality of group member devices according to one embodiment of the invention. The method includes receiving a content request message from another (e.g., a second) group member device (280) and determining that the second group member device is authorized to access the shared media (282). This step can include additional steps of and communicating with the media server to determine authorization. Thereafter, the method includes communicating with the other (second) group member device to allow access to the shared media (284) and then transmitting the shared media to the other group member device (286). Here, step286is optional as the other group member device may instead communicate with a media source or yet another group member device to download the shared media in accordance with an authorization generated in association with step282.

FIG. 13is a flowchart that illustrates a method by a handheld group member device operable to deliver shared media based on a group association that includes a plurality of group member devices according to one embodiment of the invention. The method includes receiving a first content request message from a second group member device (290). Thereafter, the method includes downloading the requested shared media on a first communication channel from a media source or from a third group member device (292) and transmitting the shared media to the second device on a second communication channel (294).

FIG. 14is a flowchart that illustrates a method by a group member device operable to deliver shared media based on a group association that includes a plurality of group member devices according to an alternate embodiment of the invention. The method includes receiving a first content request message from another or second group member device (300). Thereafter, the method optionally includes receiving authorization from a media source (302). The media source that transmitted the authorization that can be a primary group member device, a media source similar to media source14or other device. The authorization can include authorization to transmit previously stored shared media to the other group member device.

After receiving authorization, the method can include, optionally, receiving and forwarding access information to the second group member device (304). Alternately, the method may merely include a primary group member device (that received the first content request message) merely generating and transmitting access information to the other group member device. The access information may include either an authorization code or number or an encryption key for decrypting all or at least a portion of the shared media content. Alternately, the method can include at least partially decrypting the shared media (306). Finally, the method includes transmitting the shared media to the other group member device based on the group member device being authorized to receive the media. This authorization can be determined by the device performing the method based on stored DRM specifications and/or based on a received authorization (308). In this embodiment, the handheld group member device performing the method steps ofFIG. 14had previously received and stored the shared media and is therefore sharing the stored once authorization is determined.

FIG. 15is a flowchart that illustrates a method by a group member device for accessing shared media based on a group association that includes a plurality of group member devices according to an embodiment of the invention. The method includes receiving a content list from a primary group member device that identifies content stored on each of a plurality of group member devices (310) and transmitting a content request message to the primary group member device to request shared media identified on the content list (312). Thereafter, the method includes downloading the requested shared media from one of the primary group member device or from a second group member device (314). It should be understood that additional communications to the shared media based on a group association as described herein this specification could be included herein. The specific nature of such communications may be any of the described embodiments of such messaging and logic described above.

FIG. 16is a signal sequence diagram that illustrates operation for resource sharing according to one embodiment of the invention in which a wireless devices shares resources with a plurality of devices. A network350includes a first device352, a wireless second device354, a wireless third device356, a communication element357and a service provider358that are operably disposed to communicate through wired or wireless communication paths and/or networks. First device352is a wireless communication device but is also capable of communicating through a wired connection such as a tether. First device352may also be one that is not a wireless capable device that can only communicate through wired connections.

Wireless second device354is capable of supporting both wired and wireless communications by way of short distance wireless communications (e.g., infrared communications, personal area network communications such as Bluetooth, radio frequency identification (RFID) communications, and other proximity based systems), longer distance wireless communications (e.g., wireless local area networks, cellular networks, satellite networks), and wired communications over the various known wired and wireless networks. Wireless third device356is similar to wireless second device354. Service provider358is a remote device such as a server operable to communicate over a plurality of networks especially packet data networks to provide a service. For example, the services provided can include media services, data services, maintenance and repair services, etc. Communication element357is any type of remote device with which wireless second device354may communicate over any known and supported network.

Wireless second device354engages in grouping related communications360with at least one of devices352and356to establish a group or association between at least two of the three devices352-356. Thereafter, wireless second device354engages in at least one of hardware and software resource identification communications362and media content identification communications364with at least one of devices352and356to identify resources and/or media or services that may be shared. Thus, communications362and364identify content and/or resources that device352may access. Communications362and364specifically include identification of access logic and data that may be shared. For example, the resources can include processing resources, communication resources, data storage resources, video processing resources, account management related resources, etc. The account management related resources can include software and/or stored account access information, logic, data and protocols.

In operation, for example, wireless third device356transmits access request message366to wireless second device354. Wireless second device354determines whether wireless second device354is part of the associated group and what resource, media or service sharing access can be allowed. Wireless second device354then transmits first access permission message368to wireless third device356to indicate that wireless third device356is allowed access as identified in request message366.

The resource requested in message366may be content stored within wireless second device354or hardware or software or other resources of wireless second device354. The access that is granted in first access permission message368may be limited in any manner including a number of access times, a duration that access is allowed, or a definition or identification of which resources may be accessed wherein the identification of allowed resources may be less than that which was requested in message366.

Wireless third device356and wireless second device354then engage in resource access related communications370, if necessary, to support the access that was identified or approved within message368. These communications can include wireless third device356generating display signals or options for wireless second device354to allow a user of wireless second device354to generate selected responses. If, for example, wireless second device354has limited graphing capabilities, wireless second device354may generate display signals to prompt wireless third device356to generate corresponding displays. Thus, wireless third device356then generates resource access/control signals372that correspond to the allowed access. If such access includes, for example, using hardware or software resources of wireless second device354to communicate with a communication element357to download desired media content, wireless second device354engages in communications374with communication element357in a corresponding manner.

In one embodiment, wireless second device354includes cellular communication hardware and software which is used to support communications374according to resource access control signals372. In another embodiment, wireless second device354includes application and account related software and data that is required for communications374. Accordingly, wireless third device356uses such application and accounted related software and data to download or access desired content from communication element357. Similarly, first device352transmits access request message376, receives second access permission message378, engages in access related communications380and generates access control signals/messages382, all as appropriate to a specific request.

Second access permission message378may be different than first access permission message376. In one embodiment of the invention, permissions vary according to device and/or group affiliations and are tiered to give different levels of access to resources (hardware, software, media, access logic, etc.). The permission tiers may be time or usage dependent as well. For example, first device352may have a first level of access initially and then a subsequent (either higher or lower) level of access subsequently.

FIG. 17is a functional block diagram of a network that includes a plurality of group member devices operating according to one embodiment of the invention having tiered permission levels for resource sharing for the group members of an associated group. A network400includes wireless access device402includes processing circuitry404and a memory406that stores computer instructions executed by processing circuitry404to define operational logic of wireless access device402. The computer instructions include, for example, group operations logic to define interactions and communications with other devices to support group operations. Wireless access device402also includes communications interfaces408aand408b. It should be understood that these communication interfaces represent any number of communications interfaces to support communications over local area networks, wireless local area networks, personal area networks, cellular networks and also tethering and coupling to devices such as printers and hard disk drives for very specific operations. Additionally, wireless access device402includes a user interface410to generate displays and audio for a user and to receive user inputs from the user. In the illustrated embodiment, communications interface408aincludes at least one of a Bluetooth and a WLAN interface. Communications interface408bincludes a cellular radio wireless communication interface.

Wireless access device400also includes an application programming interface block (API)412that defines an interface and associated logic to support for group operations as described herein. Generally, API412includes logic and a communications interface that support group member communications for sharing media including streaming media, services, and/or other resources including hardware and software resources (including data, account and access information). Such an interface includes, for example, communicating with defined signals to request access to shared media, for requesting shared media from another group member, for uploading shared media for delivery to another group member, and for storing access related data.

API412includes logic414to facilitate hardware resource sharing between group member devices or associated devices in one embodiment. Specifically, a buffering/protocol converter logic414supports cross platform and protocol communications. The buffering and protocol converter414is operable to buffer shared media or other content received on a first communications interface (e.g., interface408a) until transmitted on a second communications interface (e.g., interface408b). Buffering and protocol converter414is further operable to, based on capabilities of at least one group member device that is to receive the shared media or other content, convert a format or protocol used to deliver the media content to a format or protocol that is compatible with the capabilities of the group member device(s) that will receive the media content.

For example, if the media content audio files received over the first communication interface408ais in a first format, but is required to be delivered in a second format,402may convert the media content to the appropriate protocol. To illustrate, if wireless access device402is an iTunes™ capable device that communicates with a media source that delivers audio files in an AAC™ format, but the requesting group member device requires .mp3 format audio files, converter414is operable to buffer, if necessary, and to convert the audio files to MP3 format prior to transmitting the shared media to the group member device requesting the shared media content.

In one embodiment, wireless access device402includes resource sharing logic416for determining whether a device can access or share resources of device402and a level of access in an embodiment in which access levels are tiered. Alternately, at least a portion resource sharing logic416may be included as a part of the logic of API412.

For example, resource sharing logic416can include programmable resource sharing logic that works in cooperation with resource sharing logic stored in association with API412(which defines more generic resource sharing logic) to support resource sharing determinations and access. Resource sharing logic also includes interfaces and signaling logic that enable other group member devices to utilize resources within wireless access device402.

Wireless access device402also includes group operations logic418. Group operations logic418generally defines group operations according to the various embodiments for accessing and sharing resources based on a group association. More specifically, logic418defines the creation and modification of groups including creating permanent groups (until the groups are modified) and temporary groups. Group operations logic418also includes logic that defines what resources may be shared and any conditions that are required for such sharing to comply with digital rights management or other operational concerns. In addition to logic that defines sharing permissions, other types of logic may be included. For example, group operations logic418could include resource sharing access logic that supports hardware and software control and operation in a resource sharing application.

Additionally, wireless access device402includes a memory for storing a content list420of device402as well as other devices of the associated groups of devices. Content and resource list420is included in at least one embodiment in which the wireless access device is a primary group member having account access and control rights as discussed previously in relation to cell phone22. Finally, wireless access device402includes group shared access content storage422for storing shared media that may be accessed by group member devices. The content in storage422comprises at least a portion of the content identified in content list420.

In the example ofFIG. 17, wireless access device402is communicatively coupled to various devices of network400to support resource sharing. Thus, wireless access device402may engage in resource request communications (to receive a resource request) and in resource sharing communications with the devices of network400with which it is grouped or has an association. In one embodiment, the permissions defined in the resource sharing communications are tiered according to device identity and group affiliations thereby resulting in the various devices having different levels of resource access permissions. Thus, if laptop24transmits resource request message424to wireless access device402, wireless access device402determines what level of resource sharing is allowed for laptop24and any corresponding limitations (e.g., duration, window of time, number of accesses or uses) and transmits first access permission message426that specifies the determined level of resource sharing. Similarly, wireless access device402transmits second access permission message430in response to resource request message428transmitted by cell phone22and transmits third access permission message434in response to resource request message432transmitted by PDA20.

The resources requested in messages424,428and432, can include hardware as well as software, and account access logic and information. If a wireless access device402has software and hardware required to access a specified account for media, for example, the request by cell phone22can includes a request to utilize such software and hardware to download media using an associated account. The tiered level of allowed access may be based on the requesting device identify, capabilities, and/or group associations. For example, a first access permission message transmitted in resource sharing communications426with laptop24may only allow laptop24to use cellular communication circuitry and associated logic of device402. This permission may be further limited in time, usage or duration. Thus, in this situation, if device402includes cellular communication circuitry and logic that allows for lower cost cellular communications, a user of device402may be willing to allow laptop24to access such resources to save money but only on a limited basis. Similarly, cell phone22may request access to cellular network communication circuitry and logic to place a lower cost call. Alternately, in a second access permission message transmitted in resource sharing communications430, device402may also allow cell phone22to access group shared access media content stored in media content storage422.

Alternately, for example, a PDA such as PDA20with only wireless local area network or personal area network (e.g., Bluetooth™) protocol radio transceiver elements may utilize cellular radio transceiver elements of wireless access device402to communicate over a cellular network to establish a communication link with a media source to download desired media or to access desired service. Thus, a third access permission message transmitted in resource sharing communications434may also include permissions to allow PDA20to use media account access logic and account data to download media from a remote media source. Generally, resource sharing may be unlimited or may be limited according to access type, resource being accessed, a specified number of successful accesses, or by time and may be tiered according to device and group associations or according to user input of device402.

FIG. 18is a table that illustrates an embodiment for resource sharing based on an identity of a requesting device and characteristics of requested shared media or service. Here, resource sharing of hardware, software, data, logic and information is for the purpose sharing media, streaming media, and services. Generally, table450ofFIG. 18illustrates that resource sharing of hardware, software, operational logic, account information, access information and/or data can be implicitly requested by a requesting device based on an identity of the requesting device, known capabilities of the requesting device, and characteristics of the requested shared media. For example, referring to row452, if an iPod having device ID aa1requests an iTunes song from the iTunes music store, the group member device receiving the request determines from table450that, to facilitate the request, it must share its cellular transceiver resources and must allow the requesting group member device (the iPod in this example) to use account and access information in order to establish a communication link with the iTunes store, to successfully log in/purchase the shared media and to download the requested media.

Referring to row454, the same iPod may request access to streaming media from the iTunes store or another media source. Here, the group member device receiving the request determines from table450that, to facilitate the request, it must share its cellular transceiver resources and must allow the requesting group member device (the iPod in this example) to use account and access information in order to establish a communication link with the streaming media source, to successfully log in/purchase the shared media, and to use processing resources to download the requested media. The processing resources can include any resources necessary for manipulating, storing, or converting the streaming media to allow access by the iPod in a way comports with its capabilities.

Referring to row456, a requesting group member device is a cell phone having device ID ab7and the request is for streaming media. Here, the group member device determines that the requesting group member device only needs account and access information.

Referring to row458, a requesting group member device is a laptop computer having device ID xy9and the request is for a specific shared media content that is already stored on a group member device. Here, the group member device determines that the requesting group member device only needs to transmit the requested shared media content to the requesting group member device.

Referring to row460, a requesting group member device is the cell phone having device ID ab7and the request is for a communication link. Here, the group member device determines that the requesting group member device only needs access to transceiver circuitry and therefore grants such access.

In this embodiment of the invention ofFIG. 18, therefore, the resource request identifies a shared media content that may be shared by the group member devices. Based on the characteristics of the requested shared media and the identity of the requesting device, the group member device receiving the request determines what resources require sharing with the requesting device to support access to the requested shared media. Characteristics of the shared media that correspond to what resources require sharing include location or source of the requested shared media, data characteristics (size, data rate, data format, etc.).

These data characteristics, in relation to requesting device capabilities, are implicitly associated with resources other than the shared media itself that are required to support access to the requested shared media. In the shown embodiment, the group member device receiving the request stores an association of resources in relation to group member devices and shared media content similar to what is shown in Table450ofFIG. 18. Alternately, the requesting device may request specific resources in association with the request for shared media which specific resources (hardware, software, etc.) are required to access, receive, or process the shared media.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the term “substantially” or “approximately”, as may be used herein, provides an industry-accepted tolerance to its corresponding term and/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to twenty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a few percent to magnitude differences. As one of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate, the term “operably coupled”, as may be used herein, includes direct coupling and indirect coupling via another component, element, circuit, or module where, for indirect coupling, the intervening component, element, circuit, or module does not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. Moreover, the term “operable to” requires a device to include logic, circuitry, or computer instructions stored in memory or other structure that facilitates the functionality associated with such language. As one of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two elements in the same manner as “operably coupled”.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. As may be seen, the described embodiments may be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope or teachings of the invention.