Patent Abstract:
Systems and methods are disclosed that distribute data over the Internet and analyze data derived from entertainment appliances that integrate video, audio, telephone and email services in a residential or business environment. The architecture, components, and processing methods cooperate to provide integration, and deliver services at high speed.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to distribution of data and communication signals to consumers, and related processing methods, and more particularly, to a data distribution and analysis system and methods employing integrated entertainment appliances.  
         [0002]     There are a large number of systems and components that are currently sold that deliver various types of communication and entertainment services to consumers. Cable system operators distribute television and music programming via a set top box and cable modem. Satellite television operators distribute television and music programming via a set top satellite receiver. Satellite and Internet radio programs and music are distributed to consumers using standalone radio receivers, portable computers, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Digital cell phones are available that permit audio and video communication between consumers. The Internet is widely used by consumers to download video and music files to their computers and purchase goods and services. Traditional telephone companies provide telephone services and digital subscriber line (DSL) services, and voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) telephone companies, such as Vonage, for example, are becoming popular.  
         [0003]     However, no system is currently available that integrates all of these capabilities into a single unit for use by consumers while providing a secure environment. No system is currently available that allows downloading of copyrighted works while insuring that copyright laws are complied with. No system is currently available that provides these functions and substantially prevents hackers from tampering with the system. No system is currently available that permits distribution of high-definition-resolution quality video programming throughout a residence or business over a wireless Ethernet link. No system is currently available that permits high-definition-resolution quality videoconferencing over the Internet. It would be desirable to have a system whose architecture and components, along with processing methods implemented therein, are standards based, and cooperate to provide for such integration, and deliver services at high speed.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]     The various features and advantages of the present invention may be more readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary multimedia distribution and analysis system;  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  illustrates details of an exemplary slave appliance;  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  illustrates details of an exemplary vehicle appliance;  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  illustrates details of an exemplary remote control;  
         [0009]      FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of the system;  
         [0010]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating file downloading to a slave appliance; and  
         [0011]     FIGS. And  8  are is a flow charts that illustrates exemplary methods using concepts disclosed herein. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]     Referring to the drawing figures,  FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary multimedia distribution and analysis system  10 . The multimedia distribution and analysis system  10  comprises a network control center  20  that communicates by way of a wide area network  15 , such as the Internet  15 , with master appliances  40  disposed in residences  35  and businesses  35 . The network control center  20  facilitates downloading of files, such as music, data, and video files, for example, to the master appliances  40 . The network control center  20  also monitors the master appliances  40  and provides facilities for troubleshooting and upgrading the master appliances  40  and analyzing data relating to use of the master appliances  40 .  
         [0013]     The network control center  20  comprises a firewall system  30  including a router  21 , a firewall  22 , and white cell and black cell control logic  23   a,    23   b.  The firewall system  30  along with the white cell and black cell control logic  23   a,    23   b  prevents unauthorized access to the network control center  20  and makes the network control center  20  “invisible” to individuals who are not authorized to communicate with the network control center  20 . The firewall system  30  interfaces to a wide area network  15 , such as the world wide web  15 , Internet  15  or a business or home network coupled to the Internet  15 .  
         [0014]     Communication over the Internet  15  may be implemented using wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. A preferred connection to the Internet  15  is by way of a broadband link, such as OC12 for example, that provides for IP delivery over a point-to-point leased line connection having a bandwidth of up to about 622 Mbps.  
         [0015]     The router  21  of the firewall system  30  is coupled to the Internet  15 . The router  21  is coupled to the firewall  22  which is operative to prevent unauthorized access to the network control center  20 . The firewall  22  is coupled to white cell and black cell control logic  23   a,    23   b.  The white cell and black cell control logic  23   a ,  23   b  comprise software (firmware) that is operative to eliminate tampering or hacking of the network control center  20 . The white cell and black cell control logic  23   a ,  23   b  are coupled to a local area network  29 , such as an Ethernet or home wireless Ethernet network  31 , for example.  
         [0016]     A back-office management portion of the system  10  includes a data storage system  24 , such as is provided by a wide storage area network (WSAN)  24 , is coupled to the local area network  29 . The wide storage area network  24  is a storage disk array, for example, that is used to store customer data, along with customer addressable IP (CAIP) data, relating to the master appliances  40  along with music and video files, for example. A first processor  25 , referred to as a Hilbert database engine  25 , which comprises a Hilbert database  25   a,  is coupled to the local area network  29 . The Hilbert database engine  25  is a product that is available from Galaxy Technologies, LLC. A database interrogation computer  26  is coupled to the local area network  29 . The Hilbert database engine  25  communicates with the wide storage area network  24  and the database interrogation computer  26  over the local area network  29 . These communication paths are illustrated by the dashed, arrowed, lines interconnecting the devices.  
         [0017]     A blade server network  27 , comprising one or more application control logic  27 , is coupled to the local area network  29 . The blade server network  27  is operative to process data for storage in and retrieval from the wide storage area network  24 .  
         [0018]     A second processor  28 , referred to as a Hilbert transform engine  28  (to distinguish it from the Hilbert database engine  25 ) is coupled to the local area network  29 . The Hilbert transform engine  28  is a product that is available from Galaxy Technologies, LLC. The Hilbert transform engine  28  implements an algorithm that is operative to morph, convert, or transform, digital data into numerical data. For example, the Hilbert transform engine  28  may be configured to transform digital data into base- 40  integers. Thus, each session of digital data that is to be transmitted from the network control center  20  is transformed (converted) into a unique (base- 40 ) integer. During conversion, the original session of digital data retains its original context. The algorithm in the Hilbert transform engine  28  is also operative to transform, or morph, numerical data back to its original digital data form. Thus, in simplistic terms, the Hilbert transform engine  28  is operative to transform or convert a session of digital data into a unique number, and transform or convert the unique number back into the session of digital data. This same process occurs when data is transmitted from the master appliances  40  to the network control center  20 .  
         [0019]     While the illustrated network control center  20  is shown having both the Hilbert database engine  25  and a Hilbert transform engine  28 , it is to be understood that the functionality of the two devices may be integrated into a single Hilbert engine.  
         [0020]     The firewall  22  along with the white cell and black cell control logic  23   a ,  23   b  cooperate to secure the network control center  20  from attempts to attack the system  10  or tamper with devices in the network control center  20 . The white cell control logic  23   a  encapsulates and reads encapsulated data transmitted between the network control center  20  and master appliances  40 . The white cell control logic  23   a  encapsulates a data session with header and trailer records that defines authorized usage of the transmitted data. The encapsulated data is transmitted to a remote site (i.e., from the network control center  20  to the master appliance  40 ). A white cell control logic  23   a  in the master appliance  40  processes the encapsulated data in accordance with the authorization contained in the header and trailer records. Thus, only devices that are authorized to communicate with one another can read the transmitted data.  
         [0021]     The master appliance  40  includes devices for receiving and transmitting data from and to multiple sources. A satellite receiver  41  coupled to an antenna  48  is provided for receiving television broadcasts from satellites  13 , such as from DirecTV® of Dish Network® satellites  13 , for example. A digital/Internet interface  42  having router functionality is provided for receiving digital and Internet traffic routed over the Internet  15  by way of the user&#39;s Internet Service Provider (ISP), such as a cable company  14  or a telephone company  16 . Internet traffic may also be received by way of the satellites  13 . A cable modem  43  is provided for receiving digital and Internet traffic routed over the Internet  15  by way of the user&#39;s ISP. A multi-channel analog receiver and tuner  44  is provided for receiving analog programming transmitted by way of the cable company  14 . A telephone interface (RJ-11)  45  is provided for receiving telephone signals from the telephone company  16 . The master appliance  40  may communicate by way of the Internet  15  with Internet websites  17  using the facilities of the ISP.  
         [0022]     The digital/Internet interface  42  and cable modem  43  are coupled to a firewall system  49  (generally designated) comprising a firewall  46  plus white cell and black cell control logic  23   a ,  23   b.  The firewall  46  is coupled to the white cell and black cell control logic  23   a ,  23   b.  The firewall  46  along with the white cell and black cell control logic  23   a ,  23   b  cooperate to secure the master appliance  40  in the same manner as was described with regard to the network control center  20 .  
         [0023]     More particularly, the white cell control logic  23   a  in the master appliance  40  encapsulates and reads encapsulated data transmitted between the master appliance  40  and the network control center  20 , and between the master appliance  40  and slave appliances  80  or other computer device  80   a  wirelessly coupled thereto.  
         [0024]     For example, the white cell control logic  23   a  in the network control center  20  may be used to encapsulate a copyrighted audio or video file (i.e., add a header and trailer to the file) that is to be downloaded to the master appliance  40 . The encapsulation defines authorized usage of the file, including the number of times the copyrighted file may be played or if the copyrighted file may be stored on the master appliance  40 , for example. The white cell control logic  23   a  in the master appliance  40  reads the authorization usage contained in the encapsulation and the control logic  48  controls processing of the copyrighted file in accordance with what is authorized. This process insures that copyright laws are complied with.  
         [0025]     The white cell control logic  23   a  is also operative to protect the software residing in devices in the master appliance  40 . For example, if an unauthorized user attempts to open or hack into the master appliance  40 , the white cell control logic  23   a  is programmed to detect the attempt and erase software and firmware in the master appliance  40 , and transmit a signal (file) indicative of the tampering incident to the network control center  20 .  
         [0026]     Unauthorized persons cannot hack into the master appliance  40  because it is invisible to them due to the use of the black cell control logic  23   b.  The black cell control logic  23   b  is operative to prevent tampering, in that, in the event that a person attempts to query the master appliance  40 , the black cell control logic  23   b  is operative to absorb any pings made thereto. If a ping is received from outside the master appliance  40 , it is “absorbed” and stored in the black cell control logic  23   b,  and no ping is returned to the sender. In the event that an excessive number of pings are received from the same source, all stored pings relating to that source may be returned en masse, without including an IP address of the master appliance  40 , which will act to disrupt the sender&#39;s computer.  
         [0027]     Thus, the black cell control logic  23   b  monitors I/O ports of the master appliance  40  and reads IP addresses of senders of pings to the master appliance  40 . If the sender is not authorized to communicate with the master appliance  40 , the black cell control logic  23   b  generates an alarm signal, does not return the ping, and sends an event message to the network control center  20 .  
         [0028]     The white cell and black cell control logic  23   a ,  23   b  is coupled to control logic  48 . The satellite receiver  41  is also coupled to the control logic  48 . The multi-channel analog receiver and tuner  44  is coupled by way of an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter  47  to the control logic  48 . The telephone interface  45  is to the control logic  48 . The control logic  48  implements user-defined access controls for the master appliance  40 . The control logic  48  is coupled to a local area network  51 , such as an Ethernet network  51 , for example. Multiple devices interface to the local area network  51 , in a manner similar to devices in the network control center  20 .  
         [0029]     Devices that are coupled to the local area network  51  include audio and video tuners  52 ,  53 , a wireless RF interface  54  for input devices, a wireless interface  55  for communicating with other wireless devices, such as 802.11, 802.16, 802.64, or Zigby wireless interface  55 , a video and voice over Internet protocol (V2OIP™) processor  56 , a removable data storage device  57 , such as a removable hard drive or USB memory key, a Hilbert database engine  60  including a Hilbert database  60   a,  a broadband connection  61 , such as an Ethernet interface  61 , a digital video disk (DVD) and writeable compact disk (CD) drive  62 , a video camera  63 , a microphone (Mic)  63   a,  a message board (MB)  64 , a universal serial bus (USB) interface  65 , a fixed hard disk drive  66 , and a Hilbert transform engine  67 . The Hilbert transform engine  67  implements an algorithm that, during data transmission, converts a session of digital data into a unique set of numbers, and during reception, converts the unique set of numbers into the session of digital data. Also, while the illustrated master appliance  40  is shown having both the Hilbert database engine  60  and the Hilbert transform engine  67 , it is to be understood that the functionality of the two devices may be integrated into a single Hilbert engine. This provides natural data compression and encryption characteristics. Alternatively, conventional compression schemes such as 128 bit or 256 bit compression scemes may be used in place of the Hilbert transform engine  67 .  
         [0030]     The video tuner  52  provides transmission control to a television (TV)  71 . The television  71  may be a non-interactive or an interactive television  71 . The audio tuner  53  provides transmission control to an audio (stereo) system  72 , which may be made using a wired or wireless connection. The broadband connection  61  connects a voice over Internet protocol phone  75 . The voice over Internet protocol phone  75  has a base station that is hard wired by way of an RJ-11 to connect to the telephone company. A wireless telephone may communicate with the base station to make telephone calls. The video and voice over Internet protocol phone  75  may be used to make telephone/video calls using services provided by an Internet protocol (IP) phone company  18 , such a Vonage, for example.  
         [0031]     The video and voice over Internet protocol (V2OIP) processor  56  is used to interface to a video phone, such as is manufactured by Motorola, for example. In the system  10 , the video and voice over Internet protocol (V2OIP) processor  56  in the master appliance  40  comprises a transceiver comparable to the commercially available video telephone. This transceiver is coupled to the camera  63  and microphone  63   a,  and communicates with the television  71  to display the video telephone conversation on the television  71 . The video telephone conversation is displayed in a window on the television  71 , in a picture-in-picture format.  
         [0032]     The wireless RF interface  54  communicates with input devices, such as a wireless keyboard  73  and wireless mouse  74 . The 802.11 wireless interface  55  may communicate with one or more slave appliances  80 , computers, PDA&#39;s or other compatible devices. The slave appliance  80  will be discussed in more detail with reference to  FIG. 2 . However, as is shown in  FIG. 1 , key components that may be embodied in the slave appliance  80  include a Hilbert database engine comprising a Hilbert database, a Hilbert transform engine, audio and video tuners, a white cell control logic, a wireless interface, a camera and a microphone.  
         [0033]     A conventional universal remote control  76  may be used to communicate with the slave appliances  80 . A remote control  78  or remote control/video phone  77  may also be used to communicate with the master appliance  40 .  
         [0034]     The master appliance  40  is operative to store customer lifestyle or profile data including television programming that is watched, the amount of time spent watching television and the channels that are watched, audio and video files that are downloaded, websites  17  that are visited, and products that are purchased. This data is transmitted to the network control center  20  for storage and analysis.  
         [0035]     The Hilbert transform engine  67  in the master appliance  40  transforms this data into numerical data (a unique set of integers) for transmission to the network control center  20 . At the network control center  20 , this data may be stored in its numerical format in the data storage system  24 , or the Hilbert transform engine  28  may be used to transform, or morph, the numerical data back to its original form for storage in the data storage system  24 . The stored customer-related data may be subsequently processed using the facilities provided by the database interrogation computer  26  and Hilbert database engine  25 .  
         [0036]     The system  10  integrates communication with substantially all currently available communication and entertainment devices. The system  10  implements high resolution video over Internet protocol communication using a video phone, such as is provided by the remote control/video phone  77 . The system  10  provides for downloading of audio and video files wherein the resolution of the downloaded files are the same as original files. This permits downloading of high definition video files.  
         [0037]     Key aspects of the system  10  include the use of the Hilbert transform engines  25 ,  28  and Hilbert transform engines  60 ,  67  in the network control center  20  and master appliance  40 . The Hilbert technology embodied in the Hilbert transform engines  25 ,  28  and Hilbert transform engines  60 ,  67  is available from Galaxy Technologies, LLC. This technology will now be described in more detail.  
         [0038]     The Hilbert database engine  25  in the master appliance  40  implements an algorithm that is used to convert (morph or transform) data that is stored in the wide storage area network  24  into numbers (integers) that are stored in the Hilbert database  25   a.  This is illustrated by the dashed arrowed line connecting the wide storage area network  24  and the Hilbert database engine  25 .  
         [0039]     The Hilbert database engine  25  is a data management and analytical tool including hardware, and operating system and software, that interrogates, reports, analyzes, manipulates and integrates information using a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to easily and quickly access, manipulate and analyze data. The Hilbert database engine  25  works by transforming words and numbers (ASCII) stored in the wide storage area network  24  into unique (base- 40 ) integers. These unique (base- 40 ) integers are stored in the Hilbert database  25   a  in the form of vectors or tensors. The conversion process used in the Hilbert database engine  25  automatically maintains meaning and context so that each stored number has relevance and relationships with other stored numbers.  
         [0040]     Once the data from the wide storage area network  24  at the network control center  20  is converted and stored in the Hilbert database  25   a  of the Hilbert database engine  25 , it may be interrogated using the database interrogation computer  26  to query and analyze the data at very high speed. This allows operators to quickly ascertain data stored in the wide storage area network  24 , such as data indicative of customer usage of the system  10 , thus creating customer addressable Internet protocol specific data usage.  
         [0041]     The Hilbert transform engine  28  in the network control center  20  implements an algorithm that is used to transform data transferred between the network control center  20  and the master appliance  40 , or transform data for storage in the wide storage area network  24 . The Hilbert transform engine  28  implements an algorithm that converts digital data into a unique numbers. More particularly, the Hilbert transform engine  28  is used to transform audio and video files that are either stored locally in the wide storage area network  24 . or are retrieved from external sources. for distribution to customers who have ordered them. The transformation process performed by the Hilbert transform engine  25  operates to reduce the size of the audio and video files on the order of 200 times or more and converts them into numerical data containing the complete audio or video files. The transformed audio and video files are transmitted to the customers by way of the Internet  14  and appropriate Internet service provider (cable company  14 , telephone company  16 ).  
         [0042]     The Hilbert transform engine  67  in the master appliance  40  is operative to process the downloaded unique numbers corresponding to the audio and video data. The files, when transformed by the Hilbert transform engine  67 , produces a full-bandwidth copy of the original audio and video data whose resolution is that of the original files. If the user is authorized to play the downloaded file only once, it is played using the television  71  and/or audio system  72 , for example.  
         [0043]     Alternatively, if the user is authorized to store and play the downloaded file multiple times, the Hilbert database engine  60  is operative to store the downloaded audio and video files in its numerical format in its Hilbert database  60   a.  When an audio or video file is to be played, the Hilbert database engine  60  or the Hilbert transform engine  67  converts the stored unique number into a useable data file, which is then played using the television  71  and/or audio system  72 , for example.  
         [0044]     The Hilbert database engine  60  is used to store user data in the Hilbert database  60   a.  The user data comprises audio and video files that are ordered via universal resource locators (URLs) of websites  17 , items that are ordered over the Internet  15 , and companies from whom the items are ordered, television programs and commercials that are watched, telephone numbers that are dialed, authorization data relating to ordered audio and video files, and all related data, audio and video files, and communication.  
         [0045]     The Hilbert transform engine  67  is used to transform (Hilbertize) video broadcast data (television programming) that is sent to slave appliances  80 . The “Hilbertized” video broadcast data may be transmitted to the slave appliances  80  in the form of packets, or may be streamed as a data session to the slave appliances  80 . Thus, different television channels that are received by the master appliance  40  may be “Hilbertized” and communicated to different slave appliances  80  for remote viewing. The Hilbert transform engine in the respective slave appliance  80  is used to reconstruct the television channel for viewing.  
         [0046]     The Hilbert transform engine in the slave appliance  80  is also used to transform video and voice over IP (V2OIP) data signals generated by a video telephone, such as the handheld remote/video phone  77 , coupled thereto into unique numbers. The transformed integers corresponding to the video and voice over IP data (telephone) signals are wirelessly communicated to the master appliance  40  where the Hilbert transform engine  67  transforms them to convert the unique numbers into video and voice signals for subsequent transmission by way of the IP telephone company  18  to the person to whom the call was made.  
         [0047]     One unique aspect of both the master and slave appliances is that they may be used in conjunction with the handheld remote/video phone  77  or a video phone, the camera  63  and microphone  63   a,  and the television  71  to conduct video and voice communications. For example, if a user is watching television and a video/voice phone call is received, the call is displayed via the television  71  in a picture in picture format. The user may pick up the call by pressing a button on the handheld remote  78 . The television  71  displays the person who is calling on the screen and the camera  63  and microphone  63   a  are used to communicate the video and audio to the caller&#39;s video/voice phone.  
         [0048]     The master appliance  40  provides for user-control of all functions and services of the system  10  using a television  71  and a remote control  77 ,  78 , which is not available in any currently available product. For example, the master appliance  40  displays electronic mail (email) messages received by the master appliance  40  on the television  71 .  
         [0049]     Email messages that are received by the master appliance  40  from the Internet  15  are stored in the fixed hard drive  66 . Email processing software (including an email program) is implemented as part of the control logic  48  which processes email addressed to family members living at the residence  35 , for example. Received email message information is displayed on the television  71 , such as in a picture-in-picture window, and which may be selected using a remote control  77 ,  78  to view contents of the selected message on the television  71 . The message may be responded to using the wireless keyboard  73 , for example.  
         [0050]     The message board (MB)  64  is used to generate local messages that are intended for family members residing at the residence  35 . For example, a parent may create a message for a child indicating that the child has a scheduled appointment. When the child turns on the television  71 , the control logic  48  is configured to immediately display this message in a picture-in-picture window, for example, thus informing the child that the appointment is scheduled.  
         [0051]     In addition, the system  10  provides for interactive video teleconferencing between users of the master appliance  40  over the Internet  15  and also to other slave appliances  80 . The camera  63  that is part of each master appliance  40  is used to view participants at the respective location of the master appliance  40 . The microphone  63   a  is used to transmit audio relating to the video teleconferencing between the master appliances  40 .  
         [0052]     The Hilbert transform engines  67  in master appliances  40  are operative to convert or transform video and audio data generated by the cameras  63  and microphone  63   a  at a transmitting site into unique numbers substantially in real time. These numbers (which correspond to the video and audio data) is transmitted over the Internet  15  using the IP protocol to master appliances  40  at one or more receiving sites. At the receiving sites, the respective master appliances  40  convert these unique numbers into the originally transmitted video and audio data, substantially in real time. This provides for real time video teleconferencing between master appliances  40  and/or slave appliances  80  at transmitting sites and receiving sites.  
         [0053]     During the video teleconferencing, the white cell control logic  23   a  in each master appliance  40  is also operative to encapsulate data that is transmitted to another master appliance  40 . This allows only master appliances  40  that are intended to receive the transmitted data to process it, because the header and trailer records created by the encapsulation defines those that are authorized to receive and process the transmitted data. Furthermore, since the video and audio data is “Hilbertized” by the Hilbert transform engines  67 , the transmitted data is unreadable by anyone who intercepts or inadvertently receives the transmitted data.  
         [0054]     The removable data storage device  57 , such as the removable hard drive or USB memory key, and the fixed hard drive  66  are configured as RAID zero mirroring devices. Consequently, updates made to the removable data storage device  57  are automatically copied to the fixed hard drive  66 , and vice-versa. If the removable data storage device  57  is inserted into a vehicle appliance  90 , it will synchronize and automatically update the fixed drive  66  in the vehicle  90 .  
         [0055]     The system  10  may be used to purchase goods and services over the Internet  15 . A user connects to a website  17  using a web browser, and which is displayed in the television  71 . Goods and services may be selected using one of the remotes  77 ,  78 . The selected remote  77 ,  78  is used to transact all business via the website  17  using input devices (i.e., keypad and/or mouse) of the remote  77 ,  78 .  
         [0056]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , it shows details of an exemplary slave appliance  80 . The slave appliance  80  comprises an 802.11 wireless interface  55   a  for communicating with the master appliance  40 . The 802.11 wireless interface  55   a  is coupled to white cell and black cell control logic  23   a ,  23   b.  The white cell and black cell control logic  23   a ,  23   b  are coupled to control logic  48 . The control logic  48  is coupled to a local area network  51 , such as an Ethernet network  51 , for example. Multiple devices interface to the local area network  51 , in a manner similar to devices in the master appliance  40 .  
         [0057]     Devices that are coupled to the local area network  51  include audio and video tuners  52 ,  53 , a wireless RF interface  54 , a wireless RF interface  54  for input devices, a video and voice over Internet protocol (V2OIP) processor  56 , a Hilbert database engine  60  comprising a Hilbert database  60   a,  a Hilbert transform engine  67 , a digital video disk (DVD) and writable compact disk (CD) drive  62 , a video camera  63 , a microphone (Mic)  63   a,  a universal serial bus (USB) interface  65 , and a fixed hard disk drive  66 . The video tuner  53  is coupled to a television (TV)  71 . The conventional universal remote control  76  or the remote control/video phone  77  may be used to communicate with the slave appliance  80 .  
         [0058]     The functions of the various devices in the slave appliance  80  are substantially identical to those discussed above with regard to the master appliance  40 .  
         [0059]     The black cell control logic  23   b  monitors I/O ports of the slave appliance  80  and reads IP addresses of senders of pings to the slave appliance  80 . If the sender is not authorized to communicate with the slave appliance  80 , the black cell control logic  23   b  generates an alarm signal, sends the alarm signal to the network control center  20 , and does not return the ping.  
         [0060]     The 802.11 wireless interface  55   a  is used to communicate with the master appliance  40 . Video and audio data corresponding to a television channel that a user of the slave appliance  80  would like to watch are “Hilbertized” at the master appliance  40  and transmitted by way of the 802.11 wireless interface  55   a  to the slave appliance  80 . The Hilbert transform engine  67  in the slave appliance  80  recovers the video and audio data corresponding to the television channel. The control logic  48  is operative to transfer the video and audio data to the audio and video tuners  52 ,  53  which present the television channel on the television  71  coupled to the slave appliance  80 .  
         [0061]      FIG. 3  illustrates details of an exemplary vehicle appliance  40   a.  The vehicle appliance  40   a  comprises a satellite receiver  41  coupled to an antenna  48  for receiving television broadcasts from satellites  13 . A digital/Internet interface  42  is provided for receiving digital and Internet traffic routed over the Internet  15  by way of the user&#39;s Internet service provider.  
         [0062]     The digital/Internet interface  42  is coupled to a firewall  46 . The firewall  46  is coupled to white cell and black cell control logic  23   a ,  23   b.  The firewall  46  along with the white cell and black cell control logic  23   a ,  23   b  cooperate to secure the master appliance  40  in the same manner as was described with regard to the network control center  20 .  
         [0063]     The white cell and black cell control logic  23   a ,  23   b  along with the satellite receiver  41  are coupled to control logic  48 . The control logic  48  implements user-defined access controls for the vehicle appliance  40   a.  The control logic  48  is coupled to a local area network  51 , such as an Ethernet network  51 , for example. Multiple devices interface to the local area network  51  in a manner similar to devices in the master appliance  40 , for example.  
         [0064]     Devices that are coupled to the local area network  51  include audio and video tuners  52 ,  53 , an 802.11 wireless interface  55 , a video and voice over Internet protocol (V2OIP) processor  56 , a removable data storage device  57 , such as a removable hard drive or USB memory key, for example, a Hilbert database engine  60  including a Hilbert database  60   a,  a digital video disk (DVD) and compact disk (CD) drive  62 , a video camera  63 , a microphone (Mic)  63   a,  a universal serial bus (USB) interface  65 , a fixed hard disk drive  66 , a Hilbert transform engine  67 , a liquid crystal display (LCD)  68 , and a Global Positioning System, (GPS) processor  69 . These devices are configured in the manner discussed with regard to the master appliance  40 .  
         [0065]     A conventional universal remote control  76  may be used to communicate with the vehicle appliance  40   a.  Alternatively, a remote control  78  or remote control/video phone  77  such as was described with reference to  FIG. 1  may be used to communicate with the vehicle appliance  40   a.  Also, a computer device  80   a,  such as a laptop personal computer or PDA, for exmaple, may also communicate with the vehicle appliance  40   a.    
         [0066]     The vehicle appliance  40   a  is installed in a dashboard of a vehicle so that the liquid crystal display (LCD)  68  is pivotable or rotate able to position it so that a driver cannot see it when the vehicle is in motion. When the vehicle transmission is not in park, the liquid crystal display  68  is rotated to the right, toward the passenger door. When the vehicle transmission is in park, the liquid crystal display  68  is rotated so that it is viewable by the driver.  
         [0067]     The vehicle appliance  40   a  is configured to have a removable data storage device  57 . In operation, the removable data storage device  57  from the master appliance  40  is removed there from and inserted into the vehicle appliance  40   a.  Thus, audio and video files that were downloaded to the master appliance  40  may be viewed by way of the vehicle appliance  40   a.    
         [0068]      FIG. 4  illustrates details of an exemplary video and voice remote control  78 , comprising a personal digital assistant (PDA)  78 . The video and voice remote control  78  or PDA  78  comprises an wireless interface  55   a  for communicating with the master appliance  40 . The wireless interface  55   a  is coupled to white cell and black cell control logic  23   a ,  23   b.  The white cell and black cell control logic  23   a ,  23   b  are coupled by way of control logic  48  to a local area network  51 . Multiple devices interface to the local area network  51 , in a manner similar to devices in the master appliance  40 . The exemplary video and voice remote control  78 , or personal digital assistant  78 , may be used in conjunction with a cradle  78   a  having a power supply, to supply power, in lieu of batteries.  
         [0069]     Devices that are coupled to the local area network  51  include a video and voice over Internet protocol (V2OIP) processor  56 , input devices  73 ,  74  (i.e., key pad and/or mouse), a Hilbert transform engine  67 , a video camera  63 , a microphone (Mic)  63   a,  a universal serial bus (USB) interface  65 , and a liquid crystal display (LCD)  68 . This device may be used as a remote control for the television  71 , as a video phone, as a control device for Internet access, and as a monitoring tool for slave and vehicle appliances  80 ,  90 .  
         [0070]      FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of the system  10 . Signals are received by the master appliance  40  from cable, satellite and DSL sources. The master appliance  40  distributes received television signals to the television (TV)  71  under control of a wireless remote control  76 , for example. The wireless input device  73 ,  74  (keyboard  52  and mouse  74 ) communicates with the master appliance  40  to control functions of the wireless remote control  76 . The wireless input device  73 ,  74  interacts with the master appliance  40  to send and receive email messages, order items over the Internet  15  from websites  17 , and download audio and video files, for example. The camera  63  permits interactive communication with others using a video over IP phone  77 , for example. This permits videoconferencing and interactive user-to-user telephone conversations.  
         [0071]      FIG. 5  shows two slave appliances  80  that wirelessly communicate with the master appliance  40 . The use of the Hilbert transform engines  67  in the master and slave appliances  40 ,  80  allows multiple television channels to be transformed into numerical data to allow their transfer from the master appliance  40  to the slave appliances  80 . This allows individual slave appliance  80  to view separate television channels.  FIG. 5  also shows that audio files may be wirelessly transmitted to a digital audio device  72 , such as stereo system  72  or a digital electronic device  79 , such as an IPOD® for example.  
         [0072]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary file download to a master appliance  40 . The process starts with user file selection  101 . A user displays  102  a browser web page. The user enters  103  data into the browser web page defining the selection. The selection is them processed  104  under a 80/20 rule using a music blade processor  24 . Under the 80/20 rule, 20 percent of the audio and video files (i.e., the most frequently ordered) are stored in the wide storage area network  24  in a numerical (Hilbertized) format, and the remaining 80 percent (i.e., those that are not frequently ordered) are retrieved from a virtual music or video source.  
         [0073]     A determination  105  is made if the file is locally stored. If the file is locally stored in the wide storage area network  24 , the transformed (Hilbertized) file is fetched  106 , or retrieved  106 , from the wide storage area network  24 . The blade server  17  commands the Hilbert engine  25  to check  107  for user data. The transaction data is written  108  to the customer&#39;s file in the wide storage area network  24 . The retrieved transformed (Hilbertized) file is encapsulated  109  using the white cell control logic  23   a.  The file is transmitted  110  as a single file in one session.  
         [0074]     If the file is destined for the master appliance  40  (i.e., local  111 ), if the authorization  112  of user is to play the file only one time, the file is recovered  113  (i.e., “De-Hilbertized” or converted from integer representation into readable data) and played  114  and then erased  115 . If the authorization  112  of user is to play the file multiple times, the file is stored  116  in a numerical (Hilbertized) format. Then, if the user desires to play  117  the file, it is recovered  118  (i.e., “De-Hilbertized” or converted from the integer representation into readable data) and played  119 . If the user is to copy  121  the file, the user&#39;s authorization is determined  122  (as to if the file can be copies or played), and the file is recovered  123  (“De-Hilbertized”). The user can then play  124 , or burn  125  a copy of the recovered file.  
         [0075]     If a determination  105  is made that the file is not locally stored, it is retrieved  135  from a via a virtual private network (VPN), for example, from a source. The file is “Hilbertized”  136  (i.e., converted to a numerical format). The 20% database is updated  137  to reflect that this file is one of the most recently processed.  
         [0076]     An advantageous aspect of the system  10  is that customer lifestyle or profile data, such as television programming that is watched, the amount of time spent watching television and the channels that are watched, audio and video files that are downloaded, websites  17  that are visited, and products that are purchased from websites  17 , for example, are transmitted from master appliances  40  and stored at the network control center  20  in the wide storage area network  24 . The database interrogation computer  26  in conjunction with the Hilbert database engine  25  and Hilbert database  25   a,  are used to retrieve the stored data and analyze the data for analytical and predictive purposes. This data provides for 99.999 percent accurate customer information, which provides much more than Nielson ratings information. This data also provides 99.999 percent accurate information for advertising.  
         [0077]     A basic aspect of the system  10  is that it provides for distribution of data, such as audio and video data, over the Internet  15  using an Internet protocol and Hilbert transformation. The Hilbert transformation scheme employed in the system  10  permits substantially real-time transmission of video, voice and other data between devices over the Internet  15 .  
         [0078]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart that illustrates exemplary methods  140  that may be implemented using the concepts discussed above. The exemplary methods  140  are implemented as follows.  
         [0079]     Digital data is processed  141  at a transmission site using an algorithm that converts the digital data into a unique set of numbers. The unique set of numbers may be encapsulated  142  with a header and trailer that defines a usage authorization of the digital data at a receiving site. The unique (encapsulated) numbers are sent  143  from the transmission site to a receiving site, which may be a wireless transmission or a transmission over the Internet  15  using an Internet protocol. The unique numbers are processed  144  at the receiving site to recover the digital data, i.e., convert the unique numbers into the digital data. The digital data may be processed  145  at the receiving site in accordance with the usage authorization. If the digital data is processed at the receiving site in an unauthorized manner, the digital data is erased  146  and its unauthorized use is reported  147  to the transmission site.  
         [0080]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart that illustrates other exemplary methods  150  that may be implemented using the concepts discussed above. The exemplary methods  150  are implemented as follows. A broadcast signal is received  151  at a first site. The broadcast signal is processed  152  using at the first site an algorithm that transforms the broadcast signal into a unique number. The broadcast signal may be a digital signal that is transformed into unique numbers, or an analog signal that is converted into a digital signal that is then transformed into unique numbers. The unique numbers are sent  153  to a second site. The unique numbers are processed  154  at the second site to recover the broadcast signal. The broadcast signal is displayed at the second site, such as by way of a television  71 .  
         [0081]     Thus, a multimedia distribution and analysis system employing integrated entertainment appliances, and related processing methods, have been disclosed. It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of some of the many specific embodiments that represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Clearly, numerous and other arrangements can be readily devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7