Patent: Apple Media Hub?

[MacRumors]

Arstechnica explores a recent Apple patent entitled "Multi-media center for computing systems". In the patent, Apple describes a system involving a central multimedia hub which can use various external "modules". These modules would be controlled by a centralized user interface on the hub itself.

The modules could be any sort of media device - such as an iPod, DVD player, or HD DVD player. The central multimedia hub would coordinate and consolidate all the devices under one user interface.

The clear benefit to the segmented system with external modules—as opposed to an all-in-one device—is that it would allow customers to add on whatever extra functionality they prefer to the main device. This would allow power users to have all variety of extra modules for storing, playing, and streaming media—all through a centralized control hub—while more "average" users could settle for the simplicity of the main Apple TV-like device and just one or two extra modules as they see fit for their lifestyles.

Other reports on this same patent speculate that Apple may be thinking of using the iPhone as a remote control for this sort of media hub.

[emotion]

Interesting approach. Like Hifi separates under your TV.

If there's a PVR, I'm in.

[twoodcc]

sounds neat! i might be interested in something like this

[clevin]

its ok to patent everything,
but if all these stuff get materialized, apple is going down the tube, an phone and tv topset can delay leopard for 4 months, plus a bunch of side products may or may not be successful, god knows what apple is thinking.

[mattscott306]

Apple's continuing to innovate the multimedia market, its great.

[knowledg333]

LoL. I just posted this in the Apple TV forum.

I'm all for it.

[Chaszmyr]

Originally Posted by clevin

its ok to patent everything,
but if all these stuff get materialized, apple is going down the tube, an phone and tv topset would can leopard for 4 month, plus a bunch of side products may or may not be successful, god knows what apple is thinking.

They're probably thinking something very similar to what they were thinking when they made the iPod.

[brad.c]

The real question: will this be out in time for Fathers Day?

[clevin]

Originally Posted by Chaszmyr

They're probably thinking something very similar to what they were thinking when they made the iPod.

well, i hope they think a little about their G4 cube or newton next time trying to expand their business.

The real question: will this be out in time for Fathers Day?

2012? maybe

most patents eventually go nowhere.

[Clive At Five]

I agree that this is some sort of "ultimate form" of tv. Face it, tv is just not going to cut it for the 97% of us who aren't iTS whores. As much as I hate to admit it, we still need optical media (when will we move to flash for our media distribution?!) and until Apple competes in this realm (or offers a wide selection of high-quality media content on iTS), it will never be a complete solution to the "digital home."

-Clive

[MacVault]

Originally Posted by clevin

well, i hope they think a little about their G4 cube or newton next time trying to expand their business.


2012? maybe

most patents eventually go nowhere.

What use would we have for that in 2012... that's the end of the world according to the Mayan calendar

[thedonga]

I was wondering what that USB port was really for ......

[McGarvels]

Originally Posted by MacVault

What use would we have for that in 2012... that's the end of the world according to the Mayan calendar

Those pesky Myans and their calendar ruining all of our fun...

That whole story is pretty interesting though, I just saw a show about it on the History Channel ( I think it was on Decoding the Past, that show rocks).

[ironring2006]

I don't think this is so much a new product as it is patenting the evolution of the tv/mac mini/front row.

What they are patenting is the entire system and how it is all going to integrate and be operable from a single interface. You're going to be able to operate anything through front row. The iPods and iPhones are your floating peripherals. Your tv will be statically fixed to your big screen. Your Mac is going to be somewhere else in this whole setup, but it doesn't matter as long as it is in your local network.

Now, here are some scenarios that I can think of off the top of my head. Whenever an iPod or iPhone is within range of something running front row, it will show up as a source. Pipe music to your home theatre setup or take a video call on your iPhone and have it show up on your big screen. Download music from itms on your wireless iPod on the bus/train, come home and sync it to your tv or your Mac, whatever one you have set up as your central storage.

But here's also what I think they will be doing based on this patent. They've already shown the ability to put pressure on other manufacturers to accept iPod integration. Now think of tv integration. Plug that new HD-DVD player into your tv or mac mini and have it also show up as a source in front row. What about what comes after HD-DVD? Plug that media device into an tv or mac mini and it'll show up in the sources list. New hardware, same consistent interface for all.

They're not patenting a single new device, they're patenting the whole system. Peripherals to displays to storage to input devices. Apple is all about the end to end model.

[freddiecable]

from the description it sounds as it's the "missing link". aTV is somewhat limiting in the current incarnation.

[Sprung]

01-07-2007, 02:49 PM
My addition for 'Mac World Guess & Tell' would be a 'Core' Mac Mini Media Center , and here is why.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost...4&postcount=75

04-13-2007, 12:26 PM
On another note, one could imagine how Apple TV, iPhone, and 64bit architecture Mac, with a fast 'bus', could 'nicely work together'.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost...6&postcount=55

Thanks for FCP'n'stuff! ...and the frosting was a drag NHRA, that is. Great day and thanks to MR for a fun lead-up.

See you in June.

[dantehicks42]

Originally Posted by clevin

its ok to patent everything,
but if all these stuff get materialized, apple is going down the tube, an phone and tv topset can delay leopard for 4 months, plus a bunch of side products may or may not be successful, god knows what apple is thinking.

I agree with you. Another possible patent aiming at the electronics segment. I think Apple should make sure their iPhone lives up to the hype, cause if not, it'll be hard to come back.

Then again, as an TV owner, I sure hope they improve it, cause it needs it, even though I'll probably have to change the hardware to do so.

[kalisphoenix]

Originally Posted by Macrumors

In the patent, Apple describes a system involving a central multimedia hub which can use various external "modules". These modules would be controlled by a centralized user interface on the hub itself.

Holy Buttnuggets, Batman!

Perhaps this "hub" could be called a "Mac mini," the "modules" could interface with the "hub" through "USB" or "Firewire," and the "centralized user interface" could be called "OS X!"

These Apple patent writers never fail to blow my #$%^ing mind.

[Darkroom]

iPhone for remote would be a big ass remote... i'm still waiting for apple to replace the IR Apple Remote with a remote enabled iPod Nano. or at least a Bluetooth Apple Remote... IR is so 70s...

[miketcool]

Yeah....
Apple pulled their OS X team to make my $500 iPhone a remote. Featuring the most advanced technologies to control my dvd player. I am sure that was the last thing Jobs intended the iPhone to be.
WIDESCREEN IPOD
REVOLUTIONARY PHONE
BREAKTHROUGH INTERNET DEVICE
TV REMOTE CONTROL
FANCY PAPERWEIGHT
JEALOUSY METER
AIRPLANE WHEEL CHUCK

[johnee]

This would be nice to have one interface for all components. I wonder if they will push for a spec to provide SEAMLESS integration of non-apple components? I doubt they would, since this hub would be a selling point for apple branded modules.

[yzp]

omnigraffle yeah!

[yzp]

Originally Posted by yzp

so 70s

hahaha true

scheme

omnigraffle yeah!

[surferfromuk]

IMHO pretty much all the crap to the left of the box marked 'display' can be stuck on a tiny weeny VLSI chip and stuck inside the back of an Apple Brand LCD TV!!!

[badcrumble]

We're already seeing the very beginnings of this. Think of the stackable form factors of the Mac mini, TV, and AirPort Extreme base station. Looking at this makes me think we should get ready to see a whole lot more stuff in a similar form factor.