Portable video storage and playback device

Abstract

A portable video storage and playback device can download, store, and playback video files. In an exemplary embodiment, the files can be played-back in a number of different formats. In one embodiment, the invention includes a disk drive for storing a plurality of video files. A processor is coupled to the disk drive and configured to manage the files stored on the disk, which includes the ability to store, display and retrieve the video files. The invention includes a number of interfaces, for example, PAL/NTSC, S-Video and USB, which allows the video to be downloaded and played-back in any of these formats or protocols. The invention and includes a video encoder/decoder, which in one aspect is for MPEG. Advantages of the invention include the ability to store a number of video files in a compact portable device that can be transported and viewed at convenient locations.

1 . A video storage and playback device comprising: 
 a storage medium configured to store a plurality of video files;    a plurality of interface ports configured to communicate video data;    a video encoder/decoder configured to encode and decode video data; and    a processor coupled to the storage medium, the plurality of interface ports and the video encoder/decoder and configured to manage the video files.    
   
   
       2 . The video storage and playback device of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the processor is configured to manage the video files by storing, displaying and retrieving the video files.    
   
   
       3 . The video storage and playback device of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a key configured to couple to one of the interface ports, wherein the key includes information for a sever to encode video files and for the device to decode video files.    
   
   
       4 . The video storage and playback device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a kiosk configured to download video files from a server and to provide access to the video files to the device.    
   
   
       5 . The video storage and playback device of  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the video server is configured to identify the subscriber using information associated with the key.    
   
   
       6 . The video storage and playback device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a billing server configured to account for video files downloaded by the device.    
   
   
       7 . A video kiosk for use with a video storage and playback device, comprising: 
 a storage medium configured to store a plurality of video files;    an interface port configured to communicate with a central video server and to download video data from the central video server;    at least one interface ports configured to communicate video data with the video storage and playback device;    a processor coupled to the storage medium and the interface ports and configured to selectively control the storage medium and interface ports; and    a video encoder/decoder configured to encode video data based at least in part on an authorization code associated with the video storage and playback device..    
   
   
       8 . The video kiosk of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the processor is configured to manage the video files by storing, displaying and retrieving the video files; and    the processor is configured to authenticate a video storage and playback device by communicating data to the central server and selectively authorizing dispensation of video data to the video storage and playback device based at least in part on subscription data.    
   
   
       9 . The kiosk of  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the video server is configured to identify the subscriber using information associated with the key.    
   
   
       10 . The kiosk of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a billing server configured to account for video files downloaded by the device.    
   
   
       11 . The kiosk of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a billing server configured to account for video files downloaded by the device.    
   
   
       12 . A docking station for use with a video storage and playback device comprising: 
 a plurality of interface ports configured to communicate video data with the video storage and playback device and a display; and    an authentication device configured to permit decoding the video data.    
   
   
       13 . The docking station of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the processor is configured to manage the video files by storing, displaying and retrieving the video files.    
   
   
       14 . The docking station of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a key configured to couple to one of the interface ports, wherein the key includes information for a sever to encode video files and for the device to decode video files.    
   
   
       15 . The docking station of  claim 13 , wherein: 
 the video server is configured to identify the subscriber using information associated with the key.