Module system for permitting storage device interface with tv

Abstract

In a TV system with a modular configuration that permits licensed primary modules such as disk players and personal video recorders to be removably slid into engagement with receptacles in the TV housing, an adapter primary module is provided that is formed with secondary receptacles for receiving secondary modules. The secondary modules have USB ports, Ethernet ports, and memory card slots in a configuration that can be designed by entities other than the TV manufacturer, with the secondary modules having to conform to proprietary licensed interfaces in the adaptor module to ensure a degree of control by the TV manufacturer.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method for providing a listing on a TV of content on at least one storage device, comprising:
 providing a receptacle in the TV;   providing a primary module configured for removable positioning within the receptacle, the primary module including at least one secondary receptacle;   licensing an entity to provide, for use with the primary module, at least one secondary module positionable in the secondary receptacle; and   permitting the entity the discretion to configure the secondary module including arranging plural secondary receptacles selected from the group consisting of solid state memory receptacles and computer network connection ports.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the secondary module communicates with the primary module using a secondary interface that permits the TV to display a list of content on memory devices communicating with the port and memory receptacle or communicating with the port or memory receptacle without requiring individual graphical user interfaces (GUI) for the memory devices. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the secondary interface includes at least one receptacle connector in the secondary receptacle having a non-standard configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the secondary interface includes at least one connector in the secondary module complementarily configured to a receptacle connector in the primary module. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the secondary interface includes an application programming interface (API) allowing an Ethernet connection to the secondary module to be viewed on the TV only as a digital living network association (DLNA) connection such that only DLNA volumes and content associated with the secondary module can be displayed on the TV. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the port is a universal serial bus (USB) port. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the port is an Ethernet port. 
     
     
         15 . A secondary module comprising:
 a housing configured for positioning within a receptacle of a primary module that in turn is configured for positioning in a receptacle of a TV; and   plural secondary receptacles on the housing and selected from the group consisting of solid state memory receptacles and computer network connection ports.   
     
     
         16 . The module of  claim 15 , comprising at least one connector on the secondary module complementarily configured to a receptacle connector in the primary module and having a non-standard configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The module of  claim 15 , wherein the port is a universal serial bus (USB) port. 
     
     
         18 . The module of  claim 15 , wherein the port is an Ethernet port.