Optimized POD module/host interface

Abstract

An interface between a point of deployment (POD) module and a host device, such as a set-top terminal for cable television selectively integrates the POD module and the host such that the POD module and host act as having a unified functional architecture by allowing shared memory and direct memory access between the POD module and the host. The selective integration can occur via an interface pin or by functionally reconfiguring a pre-established pin layout in the interface.

1 . An apparatus for providing a function to a host terminal, comprising: 
 a point of deployment (POD) module that can be connected to the host; and    an interface between the POD module and the host, wherein the interface selectively provides Direct Memory Access (DMA) between the POD module and the host terminal.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the interface integrates the POD module and the host if the host has a given characteristic, and wherein the interface does not integrate the POD module and host if the host does not have the given characteristic.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the given characteristic indicates that the host is an authorized host.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the interface allows a shared memory between the POD module and the host.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising said shared memory having at least one of a first memory portion in the POD module and a second memory portion in the host.  
   
   
       6 - 27 . (canceled)  
   
   
       28 . An apparatus for providing a function to a host terminal, comprising: 
 a point of deployment (POD) module that can be connected to the host terminal;    an interface between the POD module and the host terminal; and    a memory which is shared by both said POD module and said host terminal through said interface.    
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the interface selectively provides Direct Memory Access (DMA) between the POD module and the host terminal.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein said memory is located in said host terminal.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein said memory is located in said POD module.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein a portion of said memory is located in said POD module and a portion of said memory is located in said host terminal.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the interface allows said memory to be shared based on an identification of said host terminal.  
   
   
       34 . A method for providing a function to a host terminal, comprising: 
 connecting a point of deployment (POD) module to the host terminal with an interface; and    sharing a memory between both said POD module and said host terminal through said interface.    
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising: 
 identifying said host terminal to said POD module; and    enabling said memory sharing based on said identifying of said host terminal.    
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said enabling said memory sharing is performed by reconfiguring function assignments for pins of said interface to enable said memory sharing.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said memory is located in said host terminal.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said memory is located in said POD module.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein a portion of said memory is located in said POD module and a portion of said memory is located in said host terminal.  
   
   
       40 . A system for providing a function to a host terminal, comprising: 
 a point of deployment (POD) module having an interface for connection to the host terminal;    wherein said POD module is programmed to obtain an identification from said host terminal and selectively reconfigures function assignments for pins of said interface based on said identification of said host terminal.    
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein said interface, when reconfigured, enables Direct Memory Access (DMA) between said POD module and said host terminal through said interface.  
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein said interface, when reconfigured, enables sharing a memory between both said POD module and said host terminal through said interface.  
   
   
       43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein said memory is located in said host terminal.  
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein said memory is located in said POD module.  
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein a portion of said memory is located in said POD module and a portion of said memory is located in said host terminal.  
   
   
       46 . A method for providing a function to a host terminal, comprising: 
 connecting a point of deployment (POD) module to the host terminal through an interface;    with said POD module, obtaining an identification from said host terminal; and    selectively reconfiguring function assignments for pins of said interface based on said identification of said host terminal.    
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising reconfiguring said function assignments of pins of said interface to enable Direct Memory Access (DMA) between said POD module and said host terminal through said interface.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising reconfiguring said function assignments of pins of said interface to enable sharing a memory between both said POD module and said host terminal through said interface.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said memory is located in said host terminal.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said memory is located in said POD module.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein a portion of said memory is located in said POD module and a portion of said memory is located in said host terminal.  
   
   
       52 . A system for providing a function to a host terminal, comprising: 
 means for interfacing a point of deployment (POD) module and the host terminal; and    means for selectively integrating the POD module and the host terminal so as to provide Direct Memory Access (DMA) between the POD module and host terminal through said means for interfacing.    
   
   
       53 . A system for providing a function to a host terminal, comprising: 
 means for interfacing a point of deployment (POD) module and the host terminal; and    means for sharing a memory between both said POD module and said host terminal through said means for interfacing.    
   
   
       54 . A system for providing a function to a host terminal, comprising: 
 means for interfacing a point of deployment (POD) module and the host terminal;    means for obtaining an identification from said host terminal; and    means for selectively reconfiguring function assignments for pins of said means for interfacing based on said identification of said host terminal.