Apple TV/Front Row Patents Surface with a New Twist
On April 12, the US Patent & Trademark Office published Apple’s patent application titled Multi-media center for computing systems . Apple’s patent basically relates to Apple TV. Nothing dramatically new is revealed in this patent, although the patent does hint at inserting/ejecting a DVD which may or may not be earmarked for a future iteration of Apple TV. However, there is one unique feature that surfaced in a related patent today, in that Apple’s iPhone will be able to act as your Apple TV or Front Row remote.
Apple’s Abstract: Various “media-components” are provided in a “multi-media center.” In modular architecture, a module-controller communicates with media-modules provided for various media-components. A media-module can include or obtain data pertaining to a particular media-component, identify media-player(s), and access information related to their media. However, the media-modules are isolated from each other, and the module-controller effectively controls output generated in response to user input. A user interface library is provided for the media-modules. Media-modules can obtain a template or other tools from the library and construct their user interface (e.g., menus). Media-modules can also identify a media-player that can be initiated in response to user input. Subsequently, the media-controller forwards user input to the media-player.
Patent Figures: FIG. 1 depicts a computing environment capable of providing a multi-media-center in accordance of one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 depicts in greater detail an architectural view for a multi-media center program that can provide access to multiple media-components via a central-user-interface in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
Apple lists the sole inventor of the Multi-media center for computing systems patent as being Thomas Madden.
Apple’s Front Row/iPhone TV Remote Patents
Apple’s Front Row patent also surfaced today under the title intelligent media navigation. Once again, nothing new is revealed in this extremely detailed patent, though for the curious, it may be worth a quick read.
In a related patent titled Techniques for pairing remote controllers with host devices, which covers Apple’s Front Row Remote, a very interesting detail surfaced concerning Apple’s iPhone being used as a TV remote as follows: “Still another solution uses Bluetooth compatible handheld devices, such as a mobile phone, to serve as a remote controller for a Macintosh computer. This solution requires installation of software on the mobile phone as well as the computer. Once the software is installed, the mobile phone can be used to control popular programs such as iTunes media management program from Apple Computer, Inc. For example, in controlling iTunes media management program using this solution, the user can use the directional controls on the mobile phone to change listing volume, skip forward and backward, play/pause, etc.”
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Written and researched by Neo.
