New Apple patent hints at Apple TV 2.0
Apple's new patent could provide some vision for the company's plans for proposing the “right” multimedia center for the living room, which would be either an improved version of Apple or a new device. A patent for a “multimedia center for computer systems” describes a system that includes a central multimedia hub that can use several external “modules” that are controlled through a centralized, interactive menu management system on the device.
These external modules can consist of everything that the multimedia center can “digest”: a computer, an iPod, an external DVD player, or a hard disk. However, the module can also (presumably) be a recording or broadcasting device. According to the patent, modules do not interact with each other, but can be dynamically controlled by a central multimedia center through the main user interface. The device also has a function such as a traffic manager with the ability to "process and monitor media modules, trace events related to user input, and control the display."
The text of the patent also states that the system can be controlled from the keyboard or mouse, through a network from another computer, or remote devices. There is an assumption that the system can be controlled using the iPhone or any other phone via Bluetooth or other wireless standards.
Judging by the text of the patent, the device has no restrictions on the number of plug-ins, so this is in the full sense of the word a more flexible solution compared to Apple TV. The user will be able to connect what he really needs, whether it is a hard disk, game console, or broadcast device.
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Whether Apple will allow third-party developers to produce modules, or will the company make devices under its brand is still unknown, so this is most likely the main open-ended question.
The patent describes a plugin system that will allow modules to be connected to a main multimedia hub in order to provide a ultimately consistent user interface. If Apple made the software available, then third-party developers would be happy to make products that work with Apple TV, as it is now happening with the iPod.
via Ars Technica
These external modules can consist of everything that the multimedia center can “digest”: a computer, an iPod, an external DVD player, or a hard disk. However, the module can also (presumably) be a recording or broadcasting device. According to the patent, modules do not interact with each other, but can be dynamically controlled by a central multimedia center through the main user interface. The device also has a function such as a traffic manager with the ability to "process and monitor media modules, trace events related to user input, and control the display."
The text of the patent also states that the system can be controlled from the keyboard or mouse, through a network from another computer, or remote devices. There is an assumption that the system can be controlled using the iPhone or any other phone via Bluetooth or other wireless standards.Judging by the text of the patent, the device has no restrictions on the number of plug-ins, so this is in the full sense of the word a more flexible solution compared to Apple TV. The user will be able to connect what he really needs, whether it is a hard disk, game console, or broadcast device.
')
Whether Apple will allow third-party developers to produce modules, or will the company make devices under its brand is still unknown, so this is most likely the main open-ended question.
The patent describes a plugin system that will allow modules to be connected to a main multimedia hub in order to provide a ultimately consistent user interface. If Apple made the software available, then third-party developers would be happy to make products that work with Apple TV, as it is now happening with the iPod.
via Ars Technica
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/6979/
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