GB2516408A

GB2516408A - Media transfer and storage system

Info

Publication number: GB2516408A
Application number: GB201108494A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vincent Patrick Donohoe
Original assignee: ZAKTEK Ltd
Current assignee: ZAKTEK LIMITED
Priority date: 2011-05-20
Filing date: 2011-05-20
Publication date: 2015-01-28
Also published as: WO2012160327A1; GB201108494D0

Abstract

A media transfer and storage system comprises a media player 10; a solid state memory 20 to receive, sort and deliver media; and a control unit 30 that receives media from a remote location upon receipt of a first verification signal, and stores the received media in the solid state memory or delivers the received media to the media player upon receipt of a second verification signal. The verification signals may be PINs or other verification codes. The memory may be in the form of a USB memory stick. This system may be used by a media (such as films/movies) rental company, which issues a first PIN to a customer who has paid for selected media. The first PIN is entered which allows the media to be downloaded. An external memory is connected (via port 33), and a second PIN is entered which allows the memory to be accessed such that the media can be stored there.

Description

Title: Media Transfer and Storage System The present invention relates to a media transfer and storage system.

Much media such as films/music/books/games/is now purchased as a download onto a memory either through broadband/SD cardlusb/solid state storage or through the mobile 3 or 4g networks. Once downloaded it can be displayed The invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a media transfer and storage system comprising: a) a media player, b) a solid state memory to receive media, store media, and deliver media, b) a control unit having an input to receive media from a remote location on receipt of a first verification signal, an output to deliver media to the media player, and a memory connector to releasably engage with the solid state memory to store media received by the input and/or deliver memory to control unit output upon receipt of a second verification signal.

Preferably the media is in a digital format. The media may be video and/or audio.

Preferably control unit comprises a keyboard to enter a verification signal in the form of a code. The code may be a PIN. The keyboard may be a remote controller.

The control unit input may be connectable to the internet, a mobile telephone 3G or 4G network, cable network, or satellite network.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing showing a schematic diagram of the system.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a media transfer and storage system 1 for media in the form of movies.

A media player is provided in the form of a television 10.

A solid state memory stick 20 is provided to receive digital media, store digital media, and deliver digital media. Memory stick 20 may have a USB plug 21 through which digital information can pass in and out of the memory.

A control unit 30 is provided controlled by a remote controller 40. Control unit 30 has an input 31 to receive media from a remote location, e.g. from the Internet, 3G or 40 Network, Satellite Network, or Cable Network. Input 31 can only receive media when the control unit has received a first verification signal provided by entry of a first PIN by the user using remote controller 40. Control unit 30 has an output 32 to deliver media to the television 10.

A memory connector in the form of a USB socket 33 is provided on the control unit 30 to releasably engage with the solid state memory stick USB plug 21. Memory stick 20 can store media received by the input 31 and deliver memory to the control unit output 32 when the control unit 20 has received a second verification signal provided by entry of a second PIN by the user using remote controller 40.

The system may be used as follows. Let us suppose a company wishes to rent media such as films to persons. A person could choose to go onto a website of the company and choose a film to watch, and pay for this over the internet by credit card. Once paid for the company would issue the person with a first PIN code which is unique to this film rental transaction.

The person then places the memory stick plug 21 into control unit socket 33 and will be prompted on the television 10 to enter a second PiN code using the controller 40. Entry of the correct PIN ensures that nobody other than the authorised user of the memory stick 20 can use the stick 20.

The person will then be prompted on the television to enter the first PIN code which allow the film that person has rented to be downloaded through input 31 and unit socket 33 onto the memory stick 20. The film can them be played and watched on the television at a time to suit the person.

The downloaded film may self-erase after a period of time or may be permanently viewable depending on the amount the person has paid for the rental.

The need to enter a second PIN helps prevent people other than the authorised user to view media on the memory stick 20.

The system would be designed so as to prevent media on the stick 20 from being copied.

The first PIN allows a company to control rental of films without need to hold stock of CDs or other physical media storage devices.

Whilst the invention has been described above with respect to film rental, it could be used with other media such as music, and could be used for media sales as well as rental.

Control unit 30 may also serve as a conventional set top box to receive broadcasted cable or satellite distributed media The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention may be used in conjunction with mobile telephones using a repeater screen as described in my copending patent application no the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by referenee. The screen repeater may be used to provide the controller 40 shown herein or connect to the internet or a 3G/4G network using the mobile telephone.

Claims

Claims 1. A keyboard, cover and stand for a Tablet having a rear face and front screen face comprising: a) a substantially planar and rectangular base member supporting a keyboard on one face, and b) a substantially planar and rectangular cover member having an edge hinged to the edge of the base member which can fold into a first position over the flat base member to cover the keyboard, said cover member including at least two fold lines to fold the cover member into an elongate triangular structure to lie in a second position adjacent the edge of the base member, *: in use the base member with the cover member in the first position forming a cover for a * Tablet screen face, and the base member with the cover member in the second position allowing a Tablet to be supported on its rear face at an inclined angle by the triangular structure of the cover member with the keyboard of the base member extending in front of its front * *. screen face. * 0 *.*. * *1
2. A keyboard, cover and stand according to claim I, wherein the cover ember includes at least one strip of magnetic material to hold the cover member into a triangular structure.
3. A keyboard, cover and stand according to claim I or 2, wherein the cover member has three folds lines dividing the cover member into four panels, and two end panels overlap when the cover member is folded into the triangular structure.
4. A keyboard, cover and stand substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.