Abstract:
Systems and methods of theft prevention of communication devices are provided. In one embodiment, the method may include, for example, one or more of the following: registering a communication device being used at a home, where the device is connected to a communication network; entering validation information relating to the communication device; and analyzing the validation information to determine whether the communication device is authorized for use in the communication network.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     This application makes reference to, claims priority to, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/467,098, filed on Apr. 30, 2003, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/461,717, filed on Apr. 10, 2003, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/432,472, entitled “Personal Inter-Home Media Exchange Network”, filed Dec. 11, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/443,894, entitled “Personal Access And Control Of Media Peripherals On A Media Exchange Network”, filed Jan. 30, 2003, the complete subject matter of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. 
     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     In addition, the applicants hereby incorporate the complete subject matter herein by reference, in their entirety, of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/457,179, entitled “Server Architecture Supporting A Personal Media Exchange Network”, filed Mar. 25, 2003, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/657,390, entitled “Personal Inter-Home Media Exchange Network”, filed Sep. 8, 2003, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/660,267, entitled “Personal Access And Control Of Media Peripherals On A Media Exchange Network”, filed Sep. 11, 2003, the complete subject matter of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     [Not Applicable] 
     SEQUENCE LISTING 
     [Not Applicable] 
     MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE 
     [Not Applicable] 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Today, digital media devices such as, for example, digital camcorders, digital cameras, and MP3 players are standalone devices that may be connected to a PC (personal computer) through a USB (universal serial bus) interface to download digital files without any form of user authentication or authorization. 
     When a user roams with a digital media device and is not near a PC, the user is limited by the memory capacity of the digital media device and any additional memory for the device (such as memory sticks or tapes) that the user may have with him. 
     Digital files within a digital media device may be downloaded to a PC, encrypted by the PC, attached to an email message, and sent to another PC via the Internet. Also, the digital files may be sent over a network using, for example, FTP (file transfer protocol). However, neither the Internet nor the network has any knowledge of the original source of the digital files (i.e., the digital media device). 
     If a digital media device is stolen, it may still be used by the thief as if he were the owner. 
     Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects of the present invention may be found in, for example, systems and methods of theft prevention of communication devices. In one embodiment, the present invention may provide for a method of theft prevention of communication devices. The method may include, for example, one or more of the following: registering a communication device being used at a location, where the device is connected to a communication network; entering validation information relating to the communication device; and analyzing the validation information to determine whether the communication device is authorized for use in the communication network. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention may provide a system supporting theft prevention of communication devices used in a communication network. The system may include, for example, a processor, communicatively coupled to the communication network, that receives information related to a communication device, the processor further receives validation information entered into the communication network and analyzes the validation information to determine whether the communication device is authorized for use in the communication network. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention may provide a system supporting theft prevention of communication devices used in a communication network. The system may include, for example, a communication device being used at a location; and a communication network communicatively coupled to the location, so that the communication network receives authorization information relating to the communication device and determines whether to grant the communication device access to the communication network. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention may provide a system supporting theft prevention of communication devices used in a communication network. The system may include, for example, a storage device being used at one location; a media device being used at a second location; and a communication network communicatively coupled to the first location and the second location, where the communication network analyzes authorization information and determines whether to grant access of the media device to the first location. 
     These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a media exchange network comprising an architecture to support theft prevention of a media peripheral, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method to prevent theft of a legacy media peripheral on the media exchange network of  FIG. 1 , for example, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method to prevent theft of a new (non-legacy) media peripheral on the media exchange network of  FIG. 1 , for example, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of a first exemplary media exchange network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of performing personal media exchange over a second exemplary media exchange network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of performing third-party media exchange over a third exemplary media exchange network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary illustration of a TV guide channel user interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary illustration of several instantiations of a TV guide channel user interface of  FIG. 4  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an exemplary illustration of a TV guide channel user interface showing several options of a pushed media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9A  is a schematic block diagram of a media processing system (MPS) interfacing to media capture peripherals in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9B  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a media processing system (MPS) in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic block diagram of a PC and an MPS interfacing to a server on a media exchange network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic block diagram of a PC interfacing to personal media capture devices and remote media storage on a media exchange network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a media exchange network  100  comprising an architecture to support theft prevention of a media peripheral, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Specifically, the media exchange network  100  is a communication network comprising a PC  101 , a MPS (media processing system)  102 , and at least one MP (media peripheral)  103  at a 1 st  home  104 ; a PC  105 , a MPS  106 , and at least one MP  107  at a 2 nd  home  108 . The MP  103  interfaces to the PC  101  and/or the MPS  102  via, for example, a wireless link or a wired link (e.g., a USB connection). The PC  101  and the MPS  102  interface to a broadband access headend  109 . The broadband access headend  109  may comprise a cable headend, a satellite headend, or a DSL headend, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. As an option, the MP  103  may interface with the broadband access headend  109 . The PC  101 , MPS  102 , and/or MP  103  may include internal modems (e.g., a cable modem or DSL modem) or other interface devices in order to communicate with the broadband access headend  109 . Optionally, the interface device (e.g., modem) may be external to the PC  101 , MPS  102 , and MP  103 . 
     Similarly, the MP  107  interfaces to the PC  105  and/or the MPS  106  via, for example, a wireless link or a wired link (e.g., a USB connection). The PC  105  and the MPS  106  interface to a broadband access headend  110 . The broadband access headend  110  may comprise a cable headend, a satellite headend, or a DSL headend, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. As an option, the MP  107  may interface with the broadband access headend  110 . The PC  105 , MPS  106 , and/or MP  107  may include internal modems (e.g., a cable modem or DSL modem) or other interface device in order to communicate with the broadband access headend  110 . Optionally, the interface device (e.g., modem) may be external to the PC  105 , MPS  106 , and MP  107 . 
     The media exchange network  100  further comprises a broadband access headend  111  connected between a 3 rd  home  112  and an Internet infrastructure  115 , a media exchange server  113  (as in the case of a single central server supporting the media exchange network  100 ) and, optionally, at least one other media exchange server  114  (as in the case of a multiple server architecture) supporting the media exchange network  100  connected to the Internet infrastructure  115 . That is, an embodiment of the present invention may comprise more than two media exchange servers strategically located at various points in the media exchange network  100 . 
     The broadband access headends  109  and  110  also interface to the Internet infrastructure  115 . The broadband access headend  111  may comprise a cable headend, a satellite headend, or a DSL headend, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The 3 rd  home  112  may also include a PC, a MPS, and/or a MP as part of the media exchange network  100 . 
     The media exchange network  100  also comprises a media storage server  116  and a 3 rd  party media server  117 , both interfacing to the Internet infrastructure  115 . The media storage server  116  interacts with the media exchange server  113  and provides temporary and/or archival storage for digital media on the media exchange network  100 . For example, the media storage server  116  may temporarily hold media files that are addressed to certain MPS&#39;s and/or PC&#39;s on the media exchange network  100 . 
     The 3 rd  party media server  117  may store movies, video, user profiles, and other digital media that may be provided to users of the media exchange network  100 . 
     In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a broadband access headend may be upgraded to a media exchange headend by adding functionality to facilitate the exchange of media on the media exchange network in conjunction with the media exchange server. Such functionality may include distributed networking capability, archival functionality (long term media storage), temporary storage (to aid in the distribution and routing of media), storage management, and digital rights management. 
     The media exchange server architecture solves the problem of communication between a device (MPS, PC, MP) at one home and another device (MPS, PC, MP) at another home over the media exchange network  100 . The media exchange servers  113  and  114  provide functionality on the media exchange network  100  including device registration, channel/program setup and management, and security. 
     The various elements of the media exchange network  100  include storage locations for digital media and data. The storage locations may comprise, for example, hard disk drives, a DVD player, a CD player, floppy disk drives, RAM, or any combination of these. The storage locations may also include, for example, memory sticks, PCMCIA cards, compact flash cards, or any combination of these. 
     The PC&#39;s ( 101  and  105 ) may comprise desktop PC&#39;s, notebook PC&#39;s, PDA&#39;s, or any computing device. 
     The MPS&#39;s ( 102  and  106 ) are, in one embodiment, essentially enhanced set-top-boxes. The MPS&#39;s ( 102  and  106 ) may each include a TV screen for viewing and interacting with various user interfaces, media, data, and services that are available on the media exchange network using, for example, a remote control. The PC&#39;s  101  and  105  may each include a PC monitor for viewing and interacting with various user interfaces, media, data, and services that are available on the media exchange network using, for example, a keyboard and mouse. The MPS&#39;s, PC&#39;s, and/or MP&#39;s include functional software to support interaction with the media exchange servers and media peripherals on the media exchange network  100 , in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a MPS may comprise a set-top-box (STB), a PC, or a TV with a media management system (MMS). A MMS is also known herein as a media exchange software (MES) platform. 
     A MMS comprises a software platform operating on at least one processor to provide certain functionality including user interface functionality, distributed storage functionality, and networking functionality. For example, a MMS may provide control of media peripheral devices, status monitoring of media peripheral devices, and inter-home MPS routing selection, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The media peripherals ( 103  and  107 ) of the media exchange network  100  may include, for example, a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a MP3 player, a home juke-box system, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a multi-media gateway device, and various home appliances. The media peripherals ( 103  and  107 ) of the media exchange network  100  may comprise legacy media peripherals (those media peripherals in existence today) and/or new (non-legacy) media peripherals which may not be on the market yet. A legacy media peripheral does not have the software or interface to interact directly with a media processing system on a media exchange network. A legacy media peripheral may use a PC or a set-top-box as a proxy to interact with a media exchange network. A new media peripheral may connect to a media exchange network, interact directly with a media processing system on the media exchange network, and may include digital certificates. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, a digital certificate is embedded in the firmware or hardware of a new (i.e., non-legacy) MP. The digital certificate comprises certain information including a device ID, a public key for encryption, and possibly other information related to services, payment terms, billing, and media push/access restrictions and limitations. The digital certificate may be installed in the MP by the manufacturer or seller at the time of purchase. Alternatively, the digital certificate may be downloaded by the manufacturer to the MP, over a media exchange network, via a PC or a MPS when a user first connects the MP to a PC or a MPS. 
     As defined herein, a legacy MP does not include a digital certificate or any other type of identifying firmware, software, or electronic hardware for interacting with a media exchange network. A legacy MP relies on a PC or a MPS on the media exchange network to act as a proxy for the MP for the purposes of association, authentication, and routing on the media exchange network. 
     As defined herein, a non-legacy MP is a media exchange network ready peripheral device and includes a digital certificate or any other type of identifying firmware, software, or electronic hardware that may be read by or transferred to a PC, a MPS, or a broadband access headend on a media exchange network. A non-legacy MP may be moved to different locations and still be recognized by the media exchange network when connected to the media exchange network at those different locations through a PC, a MPS, or a broadband access headend. 
     Other embodiments of the present invention may comprise various combinations and/or multiple instantiations of the elements of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
     In general, a legacy device is registered on a media exchange network via a proxy platform such as a PC or a MPS. To register, a serial ID of the device is entered at the request of the proxy platform and the proxy platform sends the serial ID to a server on the media exchange network (e.g., a manufacturer&#39;s server). Once the server validates the serial ID, a user of the legacy device gives his name and location and then a user name and password is established. The registration information (i.e., serial ID, user name, password, location, name of the user) may be stored in a media exchange server, a manufacturer&#39;s server, or a broadband access headend on the media exchange network. 
     As part of the registration process, a user may indicate whether he wants to only use the device at his current location of registration or if he wants to enable roaming capability. With roaming capability, a user name and password is entered after entering the serial number of the legacy device at a new location. Such procedures aid in theft prevention of the legacy device. 
       FIG. 2A  is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method  200  to prevent theft of a legacy media peripheral on the media exchange network of  FIG. 1 , for example, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. In step  201 , a legacy MP is connected to a proxy device (e.g., a PC or a MPS) on a media exchange network at a new location (i.e., the MP is not previously registered at the new location but at another original location). In step  202 , the proxy device requests that a device serial ID be entered. In step  203 , the proxy device sends the serial ID to a server on the media exchange network and the server checks the serial ID for validity. In step  204 , if the serial ID is valid then, in step  205 , the proxy device requests that a user ID and password be entered. Otherwise, in step  208 , the media exchange network locks out the legacy MP from being used on the media exchange network. In step  206 , if a correct user ID and password were entered then, in step  207 , the legacy MP becomes registered at the new location. Otherwise, in step  208 , the media exchange network locks out the legacy MP. 
     As an example, referring to  FIG. 1 , the MP  107  is owned by a user living at the 1 st  home  104  and the MP  107  has previously been registered on the media exchange network  100  at the 1 st  home  104 . However, the MP  107  is stolen by a user (a thief) living at the 2 nd  home  108 . The thief attempts to use the MP  107  on the media exchange network  100  from the 2 nd  home  108 . The thief connects the legacy MP  107  (e.g., a digital camera) to the MPS  106 . The MPS  106  requests that a device serial ID be entered. The thief reads the serial ID off of the MP  107  and enters it. The MPS  106  indicates to the thief that the MP  107  has been previously registered at another location and requests that a user name and password be entered. The thief does not know the correct user name and password and enters incorrect information. The MP  107  is locked out of the media exchange network (i.e., the thief cannot use the MP  107  on the media exchange network). 
     As a modification of the example above, the thief not only steals the MP  107  but has somehow also found out the corresponding user name and device serial ID. When the thief enters the correct information, the media exchange network  100  checks if the MP has been reported as stolen or lost. The user of the 1 st  home has reported to the media exchange server  113  that the MP  107  has been stolen. As a result, the media exchange server  113  on the media exchange network  100  sends a report to the local police indicating the new location of the stolen MP  107 . The MP  107  is also locked out of the media exchange network  100 . 
     Other embodiments of the method  200 , with certain variations in steps, may be possible as well, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the media exchange server  113  is able to identify the location of the PC  101  and, therefore, the MP  103  by its physical connection to the media exchange network  100 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the media exchange server  113  is able to identify the location of the PC  101  and, therefore, the MP  103  by its IP address. 
       FIG. 2B  is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method  210  to prevent theft of a new (non-legacy) media peripheral on the media exchange network of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. In step  211 , a new MP attempts to connect to a media exchange network via a PC or a MPS at a new location. In step  212 , the PC or MPS reads a digital certificate within the MP and requests that a password be entered. In step  213 , if the correct password is entered, then in step  214 , the media exchange network becomes aware that the MP has moved to a new location and the MP becomes registered at the new location. Otherwise, in step  215 , the media exchange network, having the information from the digital certificate, checks if the MP has been reported as stolen or lost. In step  216 , if the MP has been reported as stolen or lost then, in step  218 , the media exchange network notifies the authorities of the new location of the MP and locks out the MP from the media exchange network. Otherwise, in step  217 , the MP is simply locked out from the media exchange network. 
     As an example, referring to  FIG. 1 , a thief may have stolen the MP  103  (e.g., a digital camcorder) from the 3 rd  home  112 . The thief takes the MP  103  to his home (e.g., 1 st  home  104 ) and attempts to connect the MP  103  to the media exchange network  100  via the PC  101 . The PC  101  reads the digital certificate within the MP  103  and requests that a password be entered. The thief, having somehow discovered the correct password, enters the correct password. However, the user at the 3 rd  home  112  has already made the media exchange network  100  aware that the MP  103  has been stolen. The media exchange server  113 , having received the digital certificate from the PC  101 , checks if the MP  103  has been reported as stolen or lost. Once establishing that the MP  103  has indeed been reported as stolen, the media exchange server  113  reports the new location (i.e., the 1 st  home  104 ) of the MP  103  to the local authorities. The MP  103  is also locked out of the media exchange network  100 . 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a new (non-legacy) MP may include special software that allows a digital certificate in the MP to be read by or transferred to a PC, a MPS, or a broadband access headend on a media exchange network. The digital certificate may be opened with a certificate key by a certificate authority in the media exchange network to authorize the MP. However, in general, a MPS or PC may have a certificate key as well. The certificate authority may be part of a media exchange server on the media exchange network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Other embodiments of the method  210 , with certain variations in steps, may be possible as well, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, if a MP is lost, a user who finds the MP and tries to connect it to a media exchange network may get a message via his PC or MPS indicating the name and home address of the owner of the lost MP so the user can return the lost MP. 
     A major challenge is to be able to transfer and share many different types of digital media, data, and services between one device/location and another with ease while being able to index, manage, and store the digital media and data. 
     For example, it is desirable to be able to distribute and store many types of digital media in a PC and/or television environment in a user-friendly manner without requiring many different types of software applications and/or unique and dedicated interfaces. Any networking issues or other technical issues should be transparent to the users. It is also desirable to take advantage of existing hardware infrastructure, as much as possible, when providing such capability. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, a media exchange network is provided that enables many types of digital media, data, and/or services to be stored, indexed, viewed, searched for, pushed from one user to another, and requested by users, using a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface. The media exchange network also allows a user to construct personal media channels that comprise his personal digital media (e.g., captured digital pictures, digital video, digital audio, etc.), request that third-party media channels be constructed from third-party digital media, and access the media channels pushed to him by other users on the media exchange network. 
     PC&#39;s may be used but are not required to interface to the media exchange network for the purpose of exchanging digital media, data, and services. Instead, set-top-boxes or integrated MPS&#39;s (media processing systems) may be used with the media exchange network to perform all of the previously described media exchange functions using a remote control with a television screen. 
     Current set-top-boxes may be software enhanced to create a MPS that provides full media exchange network interfacing and functionality via a TV screen with a TV guide look-and-feel. PC&#39;s may be software enhanced as well and provide the same TV guide look-and-feel. Therefore, the media exchange network supports both PC&#39;s and MPS&#39;s in a similar manner. Alternatively, a fully integrated MPS may be designed from the ground up, having full MPS capability. 
     In the case of an MPS configuration, the user takes advantage of his remote control and TV screen to use the media exchange network. In the case of a PC configuration, the user takes advantage of his keyboard and/or mouse to use the media exchange network. 
     An MPS or enhanced PC is effectively a storage and distribution platform for the exchange of personal and third party digital media, data, and services as well as for bringing the conventional television channels to a user&#39;s home. An MPS and/or PC connects to the media exchange network via an existing communication infrastructure which may include cable, DSL, satellite, etc. The connection to the communication infrastructure may be hard-wired or wireless. 
     The media exchange network allows users to effectively become their own broadcasters from their own homes by creating their own media channels and pushing those media channels to other authorized users on the media exchange network, such as friends and family members. 
       FIG. 3  comprises a media exchange network  300  for exchanging and sharing digital media, data, and services in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The media exchange network  300  is a secure, closed network environment that is only accessible to pre-defined users and service providers. The media exchange network of  FIG. 3  comprises a first PC  301  and a first media processing system (MPS)  302  at a user&#39;s home  303 , a communication infrastructure  304 , external processing hardware support  305 , remote media storage  306 , a second PC  307  at a remote location  308  such as an office, and a second MPS  309  at a parent&#39;s home  310 . 
     The PC&#39;s  301  and  307  and the MPS&#39;s  302  and  309  each include a media exchange software (MES) platform  311  and a networking component  312  for connectivity. The MES platform  311  provides multiple capabilities including media “push” capability, media “access” capability, media channel construction/selection, image sequence selection, text and voice overlay, channel and program naming, inter-home routing selection, authorship and media rights management, shared inter-home media experience, billing service, and an integrated TV channel guide look-and-feel. 
     The external processing hardware support  305  comprises at least one server such as a centralized internet server, a peer-to-peer server, or cable head end. The server may alternatively be distributed over various hosts or remote PC&#39;s. The MES platform  311  may also reside on the external processing hardware support server  305 . The remote media storage  306  may comprise user media storage and distribution systems  313  and/or third party media storage and distribution systems  314 . 
     The communication infrastructure  304  may comprise at least one of internet infrastructure, satellite infrastructure, cable infrastructure, dial-up infrastructure, cellular infrastructure, xDSL infrastructure, optical infrastructure, or some other infrastructure. The communication infrastructure  304  links the user&#39;s home  303 , parent&#39;s home  310 , remote media storage  306 , and remote location office  308  to each other (i.e., the communication infrastructure  304  links all users and service providers of the media exchange network  300 ). 
     The various functions  315  of the media exchange network  300  comprise generating personal network associations, personal storage management, media capture device support, security/authentication/authorization support, authorship tracking and billing and address registration and maintenance. These media exchange management functions  315  may be distributed over various parts of the media exchange network  300 . For example, the personal network associations and personal storage management functions may be integrated in the PC  301  at the user&#39;s home  303 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of personal media exchange over a media exchange network  400  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In step  1 , the media exchange software (MES) platform  401  is used to construct personal media channels on a PC  402  by a user at “my house”  403 . For example, with various media stored on the PC  402  such as digital pictures  404 , videos  405 , and music  406 , the MES platform  401  allows the digital media to be organized by a user into several channels having a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface  407  on the PC  402 . 
     In step  2 , the user at “my house”  403  pushes a media channel  408  (e.g., “Joe&#39;s Music”) to “brother&#39;s house”  409  and pushes two media channels  410  and  411  (e.g., “Vacation Video” and “Kid&#39;s Pictures”) to “Mom&#39;s house”  412  via a peer-to-peer server  413  over the internet-based media exchange network  400 . “Brother&#39;s house”  409  includes a first MPS  414  connected to the media exchange network  400 . “Mom&#39;s house”  412  includes a second MPS  415  connected to the media exchange network  400 . The MPS&#39;s  414  and  415  also provide a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface  407 . 
     In step  3 , brother and/or Mom access the pushed media channels via their respective media processing systems (MPS&#39;s)  414  and  415  using their respective MPS TV screens and remote controls. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example of third-party media exchange over a media exchange network  500  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In step  1 , a PC-initiated third-party request is made by a first party  501  via an internet-based media exchange network  500  using a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface  502  on a PC  503 . In step  2 , an anonymous delivery of the requested third-party channel  504  is made to a second party  505  via the internet-based media exchange network  500 . In step  3 , the second party  505  accesses the third-party channel  504  using a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface  506  on a TV screen  507  that is integrated into an MPS  508 . 
     Similarly, in step A, an MPS-initiated third-party request is made by a second party  505  via an internet-based media exchange network  500  using a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface  506  on a TV screen  507  using a remote control  509 . The second party  505  may key in a code, using his remote control  509 , that is correlated to a commercial or some other third party broadcast media. In step B, an anonymous delivery of the requested third-party channel  504  is made to a first party  501  via the internet-based media exchange network  500 . In step C, the first party  501  accesses the third-party channel  504  using a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface  502  on a PC  503 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a TV channel guide user interface  600  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The TV channel guide user interface  600  may be displayed on a TV screen  608  and controlled by a remote control device  609 . Also, the TV channel guide user interface  600  may be displayed on a PC monitor and controlled by a keyboard or mouse. 
     The TV channel guide user interface  600  may be configured not only for conventional TV channels but also for personal media channels  601  that are constructed by a user of a media exchange network, friend&#39;s and family&#39;s media channels  602  constructed by friends and family, and third party channels  603  that are constructed by third parties either upon request by a user of a media exchange network or based on a profile of a user. 
     The personal media channels  601  may include, for example, a “family vacations channel”, a “kid&#39;s sports channel”, a “my life channel”, a “son&#39;s life channel”, a “my music channel”, and a “kid&#39;s music channel”. The friends and family media channels  602  may include, for example, a “brother&#39;s channel”, a “Mom&#39;s channel”, and a “friend&#39;s channel”. The third party media channels  603  may include, for example, a “Sears Fall sale channel” and a “car commercials channel”. 
     Each media channel may correspond to a schedule  604  showing, for example, a week  605  and a year  606 . For example, under the “kid&#39;s sports channel”, Ty&#39;s soccer game could be scheduled to be viewed on Tuesday of the current week  605  and current year  606 . For each media channel, a sub-menu  607  allows for selection of certain control and access functions such as “play”, “send to list”, “send to archive”, “confirm receipt”, “view”, “purchase”, and “profile”. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates possible multiple instantiations of a TV channel guide user interface  700  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The TV channel guide user interface  700  may be viewed with a schedule having formats of, for example, “month, year”, “week#, year”, “day, week#”, or “hour, day”. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a user of a media exchange network may push a media channel (e.g., “Vacation in Alaska Video”) to a friend who is on the same media exchange network. The TV channel guide user interface  800  may give the friend several options  801  for how to accept and download the pushed media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     For example, a first, most expensive option  803  may be “Express Delivery” which would deliver the pushed media to the friend in 18 minutes using queuing and cost $1.20, for example. The pushed media may be stored in a file in an MPEG 2 format that was recorded at a rate of 4 Mbps, for example. Queuing comprises buffering and delivering a previous part of the media and then buffering and delivering a next part of the media. For example, a first six minutes of the “Vacation in Alaska Video” may be buffered and delivered first, then a second six minutes may be buffered and delivered next, and so on until the entire media is delivered. 
     A second, less expensive option  802  may be “Normal Delivery” which would deliver the pushed media in 2 hours and 13 minutes without queuing and cost $0.59, for example. The pushed media may be stored in a file in an MPEG 2 format that was recorded at a rate of 1.5 Mbps, for example. 
     A third, least expensive option  804  may be “Overnight Delivery” which would deliver the pushed media by the next morning and cost only $0.05, for example. The pushed media may be stored in a file in an MPEG 2 format that was recorded at a rate of 19 Mbps and stored on a server, for example. 
       FIG. 9A  illustrates the detailed elements of a media processing system (MPS)  900  and media capture devices  901  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The media capture devices  901  may comprise audio, video, and image players, such as digital cameras, digital camcorders, and MP3 players, that each include a temporary storage area  902  and a communication interface  903  such as, for example, a USB interface or a wireless interface. The media capture devices  901  have the capability to interface to an MPS and a PC. 
     The MPS  900  comprises a media processing unit (MPU)  904 , remote user interface(s)  905 , and a TV screen  918  to provide integrated media processing capability and indirect user interface capability. The remote user interfaces  905  may comprise a voice or keyed remote control  906 , keyboards and pads  907 , a remote PC access interface  908 , and a remote media system access interface  909  (i.e., providing access from another MPS). 
     The media processing unit (MPU)  904  comprises TV and radio tuners  910  for image and audio consumption, communications interfaces  911 , channel processing  912  (creating, storing, indexing, viewing), storage  913 , media players  914  (CD, DVD, Tape, PVR, MP3), an integrated user interface  915  (to provide a TV channel guide look-and-feel), networking components  916  to provide client functions such as consumption (billing), authorization (e.g., using digital certificates and digital ID&#39;s), registration, security, and connectivity. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the networking components  916  may include a distributed server element  917  that is part of a distributed server. 
       FIG. 9B  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a media processing system (MPS)  920  in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The MPS  920  is essentially an enhanced set-top-box for viewing and interacting with various user interfaces, media, data, and services that are available on the media exchange network using, for example, a remote control. The MPS  920  comprises a media peripheral  921 , a MMS (media management system)  922 , and a broadband communication interface  923 . 
     The media peripheral  921  may include a TV (television), a PC (personal computer), and media players (e.g., a CD player, a DVD player, a tape player, and a MP3 player) for video, image, and audio consumption of broadcast and/or personal channels. The broadband communication interface  923  may include internal modems (e.g., a cable modem or DSL modem) or other interface devices in order to communicate with, for example, a cable or satellite headend. 
     The MMS  922  includes a software platform to provide functionality including media “push” capability, media “access” capability, media channel construction/selection, image sequence selection, text and voice overlay, channel and program naming, inter-home routing selection, authorship and media rights management, shared inter-home media experience, billing service, and a media guide user interface providing an integrated TV channel guide look-and-feel. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates connectivity between a PC  1000 , an MPS  1001 , and external processing hardware  1002  (e.g., a server) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The PC  1000  and MPS  1001  include networking components  1003  to provide client functions such as consumption (billing), authorization, registration, security, and connectivity. Alternatively, the PC  1000  and MPS  1001  may include a distributed server element  1004  that is part of a distributed server. 
     The PC  1000  and MPS  1001  connect to the external processing hardware  1002  via wired or wireless connections. The external processing hardware  1002  comprises a distributed server or peer-to-peer server. The external processing hardware  1002  also comprises communication interfaces  1005  (e.g., cable interfaces, optical interfaces, etc.) and a media exchange software (MES) platform  1006 . The MES platform  1006  in the external processing hardware  1002  allows for communication with the PC  1000  and MPS  1001  which may also use the same MES platform  1006 . The external processing hardware  1002  also includes networking server components  1007  to provide the similar client functions such as consumption (billing), authorization, registration, security, and connectivity at the server side. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates connectivity between a PC  1100 , remote media storage  1101 , and personal media capture devices  1102  when the PC  1100  is used as the primary distributor of digital media such as in the case of PC-to-PC operation, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The personal media capture devices  1102  and remote media storage  1101  connect to the PC  1100  via a wireless or wired connection. The remote media storage  1101  provides user media storage and distribution  1103  as well as third party media storage and distribution  1104 . The personal media capture devices  1102  provide temporary storage  1114  and communication interfaces  1115 . 
     Viewing is done using a PC monitor  1105  instead of a television screen. The PC  1100  may include storage  1106 , TV/radio tuners  1107  for media consumption, media players  1108 , and communication interfaces  1109  and user interfaces  1110  similar to those for the MPS of  FIG. 9 . The PC  1100  includes a media exchange software (MES) platform  1111  that provides channel construction capability  1112  and networking capability  1113 . The channel construction capability  1112  allows third party and personal media access, sequencing, editing, media overlays and inserts, billing, scheduling, and addressing. 
     In summary, a system and method support secure media peripheral association and authentication on a media exchange network. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.