JP2012048509A - Method and device for transferring content to built-in wireless media device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device for transferring data to a storage device.SOLUTION: The storage device includes a storage, a processor, a wireless communication transceiver, and a connector which enables the storage device to operate with a suitable standard when the storage device is connected to a reproduction or data device. The storage device can communicate with a data transfer device so as to receive data from a station by radio. A user can select data to be transferred to a removable media device, and the station transfers the data through wireless connection. The removable media device stores the data in a memory when receiving the data. Since the removable media device is used as a memory device once the data is received, the data can be reproduced by the reproduction or data device to which the storage device is connected, or used for other methods.

Description

  The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for distributing information content such as video and music. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for distributing content to embedded wireless media devices.

  Consumers of modern entertainment content have many devices that can play entertainment content and can distribute the content to these devices in various ways. One particularly useful and versatile medium for storing content is a detachable memory device such as a SECURE DIGITAL CARD (SD memory card) or a USB memory. Increasingly, such devices with sufficient capacity to store large file sizes associated with video content are becoming increasingly available.

  Entertainment content is increasingly being used independently of any particular storage medium and can be delivered to users in many forms, making content self-service storage and delivery highly In a small physical space, and self-service distribution points can be installed in any number of locations where the user is located. Since users can own and carry mass storage devices, content can be delivered to such devices using self-service channels.

  However, because large file transfers can take a significant amount of time, while transferring a large file or set of files to a user device, the user can use a self-service distribution point such as a kiosk or self-service terminal. Waiting nearby is becoming inconvenient for the user.

  In some aspects, the present invention provides entertainment and other delivery to a user by providing a built-in removable media device capable of relatively autonomous wireless communication with a content delivery point. Provide wireless transfer of content. The wireless storage device includes a wireless communication interface, stores wireless communication software for controlling the interface and performing wireless communication such as through a wireless network. The interface and wireless communication software can support any of a number of standard encryption systems, and the device can also be used with self-service systems that use the same or compatible encryption keys. An encryption key used for remote communication can be stored. The self-service system can store a copy of its key, or store such a key, or it can read from a wireless storage device, or it can be entered by the user if it wishes to transfer content . A wireless storage device can take many forms, such as a portable hard disk drive, a solid state drive such as a universal serial bus (USB) drive, or a media player that can provide wireless communication capabilities.

  One particularly convenient mechanism for embedding the invention is a COMPACT FLASH® card, a SECURE DIGITAL CARD®, a MEMORY STICK®, or any other removable media device. It is a removable media device. Removable media devices are widely used, use standard interfaces used by many different devices such as media players and wireless communication devices, are small in size and have less stringent power requirements. If a removable media device is used, it can be inserted inside a camera, computer, portable player, phone, or special adapter dedicated to supplying power to the media device during data transfer Can receive power from any compatible device of the user, and is limited only by the support device that supplies power, but can communicate independently of the support device into which it is inserted it can. Other mechanisms for supplying power can include the in-vehicle battery of the device, particularly in the case of relatively high power devices such as portable hard disk drives, or through the USB port of the support device. When supplied, a power adapter can be included.

  Since digital rights management (DRM) information can also be associated with a wireless storage device and used to protect content transferred to removable media devices, the content is subject to conditions allowed by the provider. Cannot be used unless the above is satisfied. For example, DRM information can prevent copying of content, can limit the time that the content is played, and can impose other restrictions appropriate to the use or transfer of the content.

  Alternatively or additionally, devices with low power consumption, such as wireless storage devices, especially removable media devices, can perform faster and closer data transfers and are well equipped distribution A high speed transceiver for communicating with the point may be included. Such a distribution point can be equipped to transfer content to a wireless storage device over a relatively long-distance wireless network operating in the facility, and a removable media device can be installed in the distribution station. When properly installed, the content can be transferred wirelessly over a network or at higher speeds and shorter distances while supplying power to a wireless storage device such as a media device that can be removed by induction. It can also be equipped.

  Once the content is transferred to the device, the user can read the content from the device as desired. For example, information stored on a removable media device can be transferred to an appropriate playback or storage device, or can be played directly from the media device by placing the media device in the desired playback device You can also. The solid state drive can be installed in the USB port of the data processing or playback device, or the media player can simply play the content directly using its own functions.

  The invention and other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and viewing the accompanying drawings.

1 is a system for wireless data transfer according to one aspect of the present invention. 1 is a process of wireless data transfer according to one aspect of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless data transfer system 100 in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The system includes a data transfer device 102 that includes a processor 104, a memory 106, and a storage 108 that communicate over a bus 110. The data transfer device 102 includes a network interface 112 that can communicate with a network 113 including a wireless network access point 114 to allow communication between the station 102 and devices capable of wireless network communication. An example of such a device is a removable wireless media device 116. The wireless media device 116 can be used as a conventional media card for playing media stored on the device. For example, the wireless media device can conform to a standard used for a removable memory card such as a SECURE DIGITAL ™ card. The wireless media device also provides a mechanism for receiving data transmitted wirelessly to the device. The wireless media device 116 includes a storage 118 and a connector 119, an in-vehicle processor 120 and a wireless network transceiver 122. The wireless media device operates under the control of the wireless interface module 124. The storage 118 and connector 119 can be suitably adapted to the SECURE DIGITAL ™ standard so that when the wireless media device 116 is inserted into a suitable device for reading or playback, the device will become a conventional SECURE DIGITAL. The wireless media device 116 can be recognized in the same way that a (trademark) card is recognized.

  The wireless media device 116 can communicate with the data transfer device 102 through an access point, such as the access point 114, without communicating with any external device connected to the wireless media device 116. In the figure, the wireless media device 116 is inserted into an adapter 126 that provides power to the device 116 so that it can function. Since the adapter 126 cannot perform its own wireless communication function, it simply supports the device 116, so that the device 116 can use its own communication function. The adapter 126 includes a battery 128 and a connector 130 and can include additional features such as a status indicator 132 that can provide information such as the progress of the transfer. The adapter 126 can conform to any of a number of standards. For example, the adapter 126 can conform to the universal serial bus standard and the device 116 can function as a universal serial bus drive with the adapter 126 and can use the memory function of the device 116. The adapter 126 can be powered from a connection port, such as a universal serial bus port in which the adapter 126 can be installed, to supply power to the device 116 without using power from the battery 128. Can do. If desired, the adapter can also accommodate an additional power source, such as an AC power adapter.

  Additionally or alternatively, the wireless media device can include a mechanism that allows the station 102 to communicate over a shorter distance. The exemplary device 134 includes a connector 136, a storage 138, a processor 140, a wireless network transceiver 142, and also includes an induction coil 144 that can be powered from the induction coil 145 in the station 102. The device 134 operates under the control of its own communication control module 146 that manages communication using the transceiver 142 or the high-speed short-range transceiver 147.

  Station 102 includes an outlet 148 in which a device such as device 134 can be installed, which is sufficiently close to induction coil 145 to allow device 134 to be powered by coil 145. To be located. The device 134 can communicate with the station 102 from any location within the range of the access point 114, and by installing the device 134 in the outlet 148, the user can use the power from the station 102 to Can transfer data from device to device. During such operation, the device 134 can communicate using the transceiver 142, or alternatively, uses the short range high speed transceiver 147 to communicate with the compatible transceiver 150 of the station 102. You can also communicate.

  Station 102 includes a repository 152 of titles that resides in storage 108. A user can communicate with the station 102 directly or remotely. Station 102 preferably includes a display 154, which may be a touch screen display capable of presenting a user interface and user selections. Station 102 implements transaction manager 156 and presents the appropriate user interface so that it can be transferred to devices such as devices 116 and 134 and controls station 102 to respond to user input. The transaction manager 156 responds by presenting a user interface when there is a touch, such as touching the display 154 or detecting proximity to the station 102 by the motion sensor 157. The user interface displays the first selection menu, and the user can navigate through the first menu and subsequent menus and options for selecting the desired title, and can display the delivery priority. . For example, a user may have an account for title selection and distribution, and the user's account information may specify a number of different media devices, such as devices 116 and 134 that the user owns. Such account information can be stored in the user account database 158. In such a case, the user can specify which device receives the title. In addition, the user can set a priority for each device, such as a communication protocol used with the device, and an encryption standard used with the device, and change the priority as desired. The account manager 160 can be invoked as desired to add devices to the system. Each device can include recognizable identification information, such as an address or identifier that the device broadcasts, so that when a device is selected, the station 102 recognizes the device's address or identifier by identifying the device's address or identifier. Communication can be sent to the device by recognizing its presence and including appropriate address or identifier information for transmission to the device.

  Account manager 160 may also set priorities associated with transactions such as payment mechanisms, who in the family have authority to use the account, which category of titles is preferred, and Can be called to manage other priorities associated with a transaction, such as other priorities.

  When the user selects the desired title, the transaction manager 156 receives payment details, for example by receiving and processing the user's credit or debit card details presented using the credit and debit card reader 162. to manage. Numerous additional components such as a near field communication (NFC) interface 164 can be used, and NFC utilization that can be used during near field communication with an appropriate device to provide financial transaction information. It can communicate with devices such as possible telephones. Additional components can include, for example, a bar code reader 166 that can read a Loyalty card.

  Next, the transaction manager 156 calls the transfer control module 168 to identify the user device to which the transfer is to be performed and perform the transfer. Depending on the user designation and the priority stored in the database 158 or the priority entered during the transaction, the transfer control module will either transfer the data to the identified device or a new one presented for identification. Recognize the device.

  In this example, the user wants to use the device 116 for the first time, but the device 116 is not identified in connection with the user account information. Thus, the user removes device 116 from adapter 126 and temporarily places device 116 in interface slot 170 for identification. Transaction manager 156 invokes transfer control module 168 that reads identification information from device 116. Transfer control module 168 creates a device identification that includes a label used to indicate device 116 during the transaction and also selects an address to use to communicate with device 116. The transfer control module 168 also generates an encryption key to be used for wireless communication with the device 116 and stores this key on the device 116. The device identification for the device may also include DRM information along with a copy of the digital rights management (DRM) information stored on the device 116 and associated with the device identification for the device 116. Since the DRM information is used to protect data transferred to a device such as device 116, the data protected in this way cannot be used when copied to a different device. Once the device identification is generated, the transfer control module 168 calls the account manager 160 that updates the user information in the database 158 with the device identification for the device 116.

  After the device 116 is identified and the priority and protocol for the device has been established, the device 116 can be removed from the interface slot 170 and wireless communication with the device 116 can be performed as desired, while at the same time forwarding The control module 168 establishes a wireless network communication session with the device 116 and forwards the data to the device 116 over the wireless network, optionally with data protected by DRM information for the device. The transfer control module 168 uses the wireless encryption protocol and key associated with the device 116 to transfer the selected content while the user is interacting with the station 102 using the transaction manager 156. For example, if the transfer is interrupted because the supply of power to the device 116 is stopped or the device 116 has moved out of the communication range of the station 102, the transfer is resumed when the device 116 becomes available again. Can do.

  In addition to interacting with the station 102 using the display 154, the user can also, for example, a browser implemented by the personal data device at the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) address of the remote communication module 172 of the station 102. Can be used to select communication with the station 102 using the personal data device. The remote communication module 172 mediates communication between the transaction manager 156 and the user's personal data device 174 so that the user can make a selection at a distance from the station 102. When the transaction ends, the transaction manager 156 calls the transfer control module 168 that starts the transfer. If desired, the user can perform a transaction from a distance, and then transfer control module 168 can transfer the transfer if it detects a user device such as device 116 within access point 114. It can be performed. For example, such a procedure is useful when a station such as station 102 is located at an airport or other area where the user will arrive later. A user planning a flight from an airport where a station, such as station 102, may conduct a transaction before leaving home. When the user arrives at the airport, transfer control module 168 detects the presence of device 116 and transfers the selected title to device 116. The transfer is transparent to the user without having to interact with the station 102 while at the airport.

  As described above, in addition to providing relatively long-range wireless communication, the station 102 is configured to provide power to the appropriate wireless devices over short distances and transfer data at higher speeds over short distances. Can do. For this purpose, transfer control module 168 can also recognize a device such as device 134 installed in outlet 148 and transfer data to device 134 using transceiver 150. Transceiver 150 and transceiver 146 preferably use a data transfer of 3-15 gigabytes per second, preferably at 60 gigahertz (GHz), but other suitable high speed radio mechanisms may also be used.

  When the transfer is complete, the user picks up the removable media device that is receiving the transfer and inserts it into the interface slot of the player or computer, for example, and any media that the user conforms to the same standard. It can be used in the same way that the device is used.

  FIG. 2 is a step of process 200 in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. Process 200 may preferably be performed using a system such as system 100 of FIG. In step 202, when the data transfer device and the user initiate contact, an interface is presented to the user, and the user can conduct a transaction that includes the user's selection of content that they want to transfer. Initiation by the user can be done remotely, for example, through interaction with the user's station or contact with the station through a user device such as a personal computer or wireless communication device. In step 204, when the user selects the desired content, the wireless storage device to which the content is transferred is identified by submitting a new device for selection or identification of a known device associated with the user. The device can be, for example, a portable hard disk drive or removable media device that can support wireless communication with a compatible data transfer device and provides a standard connection interface to a playback or data processing device. Good. The wireless storage device can include a transceiver and can store communication and control software that enables the device to function as a wireless data transfer point and manages wireless communication between the device and the station.

  In step 206, the data is transferred wirelessly to the wireless storage device. Depending on the nature and installation status of the wireless storage device, the transfer of data comprises a wireless storage device installed over a relatively long distance communication link, such as through a wireless network, or near the wireless transfer component of the transfer device This can be done through a high-speed short-range communication link. Data can be protected by cryptographic keys associated with the wireless storage device and digital rights management (DRM) information associated with the device. In step 208, if the transfer and appropriate playback or connection of the wireless storage device to the data processing device is complete, the transferred data is played or used as desired.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the presently preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art may practice the present invention in a variety of ways without departing from the foregoing description and the appended claims. .

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for distributing information content such as video and music and has industrial applicability.

Claims (18)

Storage for storing data to be transferred to the wireless storage device;
An interface connector for enabling access to data stored on the device, and providing a standardized interface compatible with a counterpart interface connector of an external device to which the wireless storage device is connected; ,
A wireless transceiver for communicating data between the wireless storage device and a wireless transfer device operable to transfer content to the wireless storage device in response to communication from a user associated with the wireless storage device When,
Operates to manage communication between the wireless storage device and the data transfer device, responds to commands and queries from the data transfer device, identifies data addressed to the wireless storage device, A wireless storage device comprising a processor for storing in a storage.   The wireless storage device of claim 1, wherein the processor controls the wireless transceiver to receive data using a wireless network protocol.   The wireless storage device of claim 1, wherein the processor controls the wireless transceiver to receive data using a short range high speed data transfer protocol.   The wireless storage device according to claim 2, further comprising an induction coil that enables the wireless storage device to receive power supply from a counterpart induction coil of the data transfer device.   The wireless storage device of claim 1, wherein the storage stores encryption key information and the processor is operative to use the encryption key to decrypt data received from the data transfer device.   The wireless storage device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless storage device is a removable media device.   The wireless storage device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless storage device is a portable hard disk drive.   The wireless storage device according to claim 1, wherein the connector receives power supply from an adapter that provides a counterpart connector to the wireless storage device. A data transfer device for managing the transfer of data to a wireless storage device,
A wireless transceiver for communicating data between the station and a wireless storage device;
Storage for storing data transferred to the wireless storage device;
A processor for managing the transfer of data to the wireless storage device, which operates to select data to be transferred and to receive input from a user identifying the wireless storage device to which the data is transferred A processor further operable to control a wireless transceiver to transfer the data to the identified wireless storage device;
A data transfer device comprising:   The processor identifies a wireless storage device based on stored user account information, and based on a stored encryption key included in the stored user account information associated with the identified wireless storage device The data transfer device according to claim 9, wherein the data transfer device operates to encrypt data to be transmitted to the wireless storage device.   The processor identifies a wireless storage device based on stored user account information, and digital rights management (DRM) included in the stored user account information associated with the identified wireless storage device 11. The data transfer device according to claim 10, which operates to protect data transmitted to the removable wireless media device based on information.   The data transfer device of claim 10, wherein the processor is operative to control the wireless transceiver to transfer data to the removable wireless storage device using a wireless network protocol.   11. The data transfer device of claim 10, wherein the processor is operative to control the wireless transceiver to transfer data to the wireless storage device using a short range high speed wireless communication protocol.   11. The data of claim 10, further comprising a remote communication interface, wherein the processor receives and responds to user input and selections made using a user communication device in communication with the data transfer device through the remote communication interface. Transfer device. Receiving a user selection identifying data to be transferred to the wireless storage device;
Identifying a wireless storage device to which data is transferred;
Controlling a wireless data transceiver to transfer the identified data to the identified removable media device;
Data transfer method including:   The data transfer method according to claim 15, wherein the step of identifying the wireless storage device includes a step of checking stored user information for the device identification information.   Following the step of identifying the wireless storage device, the encrypted data associated with the device is retrieved and the data transferred to the device is encrypted using an encryption key included in the encrypted data The data transfer method according to claim 15, wherein the steps are performed.   Following the step of identifying the wireless storage device, searching for digital rights management information associated with the device and using the digital rights management information to protect data transferred to the wireless storage device. The data transfer method according to claim 15.

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