Apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium for interfacing devices with communications networks

Abstract

An apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium for interfacing devices with communications networks are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a first communications network and a device associated with a second communications network comprises one or more inputs, one or more outputs, and logic. The one or more inputs of the interface device receive data in a first format from the first communications network. The logic translates the data to a second format compatible with the second communications device. The translated data is then transmitted to the device associated with the second communications network via the one or more outputs. The first and second formats may comprise rich media content.

1 . An interface device for providing communications between a first communications network and a device associated with a second communications network, comprising:
 one or more inputs for receiving data in a first format from the first communications network;   logic configured for translating the data to a second format compatible with the second communications network; and   one or more outputs for transmitting the translated data to the device associated with the second communications network.   
   
   
       2 . The interface device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second formats comprise rich media. 
   
   
       3 . The interface device of  claim 2 , wherein the rich media comprises packetized information. 
   
   
       4 . The interface device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second data formats comprise one of a national television system committee (NTSC) standard, a phase alternating line (PAL) standard, or high-definition television (HDTV) standard. 
   
   
       5 . The interface device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the data and the translated data is transmitted via coaxial, twisted-pair, fiber-optic, satellite, or over-the-air broadcast means. 
   
   
       6 . The interface device of  claim 1 , wherein the data is received at the one or more inputs from the first communications network via a communications device. 
   
   
       7 . The interface device of  claim 6 , wherein the first communications network comprises a wireless network. 
   
   
       8 . The interface device of  claim 7 , wherein the data is received at the one or more inputs from the communications device via a wireless connection. 
   
   
       9 . The interface device of  claim 7 , wherein the data is received at the one or more inputs from the communications device via a wired connection. 
   
   
       10 . The interface device of  claim 6 , wherein the first communications network comprises a wired network. 
   
   
       11 . The interface device of  claim 10 , wherein the data is received at the one or more inputs from the communications device via a wireless connection. 
   
   
       12 . The interface device of  claim 10 , wherein the data is received at the one or more inputs from the communications device via a wired connection. 
   
   
       13 . A method for providing communications between a first communications network and a device associated with a second communications network via an interface device, comprising:
 receiving data in a first format from the first communications network at one or more inputs of the interface device, wherein the interface device receives the data from the first communications network via a communications device;   identifying a second format compatible with the second communications network; and   translating the data to the second format compatible with the second communications network.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising transmitting the translated data to the device associated with the second communications network via one or more outputs of the interface device. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the data is received at the one or more inputs from the communications device via either a wireless connection or a wired connection. 
   
   
       16 . A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:
 receive data in a first format from a first communications network at one or more inputs of an interface device, wherein the interface device receives the data from the first communications network via a communications device;   translate the data to a second format compatible with a second communications network; and   transmit the translated data to a device associated with the second communications network via one or more outputs.   
   
   
       17 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the first communications network comprises a wired network. 
   
   
       18 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the data is received at the one or more inputs from the communications device via a wireless connection. 
   
   
       19 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the data is received at the one or more inputs from the communications device via a wired connection. 
   
   
       20 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the communications device comprises a cellular telephone.