Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) Enabled Portable Electronic Devices and DLNA Management Consoles

Abstract

Digital living network alliance (DLNA) enabled portable electronic devices are provided that include a DLNA device circuit and a DLNA management console circuit. The DLNA device circuit is configured to attach the portable electronic device to an existing DLNA network having at least one existing DLNA management console so as to allow the portable electronic device to be a source for data on the existing DLNA network. The DLNA management console circuit is configured to enable the portable electronic device to operate as a portable management console for the existing and/or a new DLNA network. Related management consoles and methods of operating DLNA enabled portable electronic devices are also provided.

1 . A digital living network alliance (DLNA) enabled portable electronic device comprising a DLNA device circuit configured to attach the portable electronic device to an existing DLNA network having at least one existing DLNA management console so as to allow the portable electronic device to be a source for data on the existing DLNA network 
     
     
         2 . The DLNA enabled portable electronic device of  claim 1 :
 wherein the DLNA device circuit is further configured to transmit a request to the existing management console requesting that the portable electronic device be attached to the existing DLNA network as a DLNA device.   
     
     
         3 . The DLNA enabled portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the DLNA device circuit is configured to temporarily or permanently attach the portable electronic device to the existing DLNA network. 
     
     
         4 . A digital living network alliance (DLNA) enabled portable electronic device, comprising a DLNA management console circuit configured to enable the portable electronic device to operate as a portable management console for to an existing DLNA network having at least one existing DLNA management console and/or a new DLNA network. 
     
     
         5 . The DLNA enabled portable electronic device of  claim 4 , wherein the DLNA management console circuit is further configured to transmit a request to the existing management console requesting that the portable electronic device be given rights to act as a secondary management console for the existing DLNA network once the portable electronic device has been attached to the existing DLNA network as a DLNA device. 
     
     
         6 . The DLNA enabled portable electronic device of  claim 5 , wherein the existing DLNA network is managed from the existing management console and/or the secondary management console. 
     
     
         7 . The DLNA enabled portable electronic device of  claim 5 , wherein the DLNA management console circuit is further configured to attach to the existing DLNA network from a location remote from the existing DLNA network and manage the existing DLNA network from the remote location. 
     
     
         8 . The DLNA enabled portable electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the DLNA management console circuit is configured to attach to the existing DLNA network from the remote location over the Internet using a wireless network and a DLNA proxy. 
     
     
         9 . The DLNA enabled portable electronic device of  claim 4 , wherein the DLNA management console circuit is configured to define the new DLNA network including the DLNA enabled portable electronic device, wherein the DLNA management console circuit comprises the portable management console for the new DLNA network. 
     
     
         10 . The DLNA enabled portable electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the DLNA management console is further configured to receive requests to attach to the new DLNA network from additional DLNA enabled devices. 
     
     
         11 . The DLNA enabled portable electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the DLNA management console circuit is further configured to manage and/or monitor the new DLNA network. 
     
     
         12 . A management console for a digital living network alliance (DLNA) network, comprising a portable management console circuit configured to provide rights to a DLNA enabled portable electronic device that allow the DLNA portable electronic device to operate as a portable management console for the DLNA network. 
     
     
         13 . The management console of  claim 12 , wherein the management console is included in the DLNA enabled portable electronic device. 
     
     
         14 . The management console of  claim 13 , wherein the portable management console circuit is further configured to allow the DLNA enabled portable electronic device to attach to the DLNA network from a location remote from the DLNA network and manage the DLNA network from the remote location. 
     
     
         15 . The management console of  claim 13 , wherein the portable management console circuit is configured to define a new DLNA network including the DLNA enabled portable electronic device, wherein the portable management console comprises the management console for the new DLNA network. 
     
     
         16 . The management console of  claim 15 , wherein the portable management console circuit is further configured to receive requests to attach to the new DLNA network from additional DLNA enabled devices. 
     
     
         17 . The management console of  claim 13 , wherein the management console comprises a digital media controller. 
     
     
         18 . The management console of  claim 12 , wherein the DLNA enabled portable electronic device is configured to control content. 
     
     
         19 . The management console of  claim 18 , wherein content comprises information displayed on a media device.