Flash Memory Distribution of Digital Content

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for distributing digital content. One embodiment comprises an apparatus comprising: a device ( 100 ) communications bus; coupled to the device communications bus ( 150 ), a bi-directional communications controller ( 110 ) capable of communicatively interfacing with a computer ( 710 ); coupled to the device communications bus ( 150 ), an integrated processor ( 130 ) capable of executing ( 270 ) computer-executable instructions; and coupled to the integrated processor ( 130 ), a storage module ( 140 ) capable of storing computer-executable instructions.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for securely distributing digital content, the method comprising the steps of:
 coupling a first independent storage medium to a host computer bus of a host computer wherein the first independent storage medium includes a processor, a storage module and a driver module; and   establishing peer-to-peer communications between the first independent storage medium and the host computer on the host computer bus based on a first driver wherein the first driver communicates capabilities and communication protocols of the first independent storage medium to the host computer and host computer capabilities and host communication protocols to the first independent storage medium.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the storage module includes digital content. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the digital content includes instructions that can be executed by the processor on the first independent storage medium independent of the host system. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first independent storage medium includes a first independent storage medium operating system that operates independent of a host operating system. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising coupling a second independent storage medium to the host computer bus of the host computer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  establishing peer-to-peer communications between the first independent storage medium and the second independent storage medium on the host computer bus based on a second driver independent of the host computer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein features of the first independent storage medium exposed to the second independent storage medium are independent of features of the first independent storage medium exposed to the host computer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first independent storage medium depends on the host computer for operating instructions. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the driver module includes drivers to identify components on the host computer bus to the first independent storage medium. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the driver module of first independent storage medium includes a means to communicate with each other independent storage medium coupled to the host computer bus. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each independent storage medium coupled to the host computer bus operate independent of the host computer 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the processor of the first independent storage medium is operable to execute digital content apart from and independent of the host computer.