Media exchange network having media processing systems and personal computers with common user interfaces

Abstract

A system supporting a common user interface for the consumption of media is disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, a set top box and a personal computer may have user interfaces that are substantially the same, providing users of such systems substantially the same look and feel in exchanging and consuming media. The media in such an embodiment may comprise audio, still images, video, real time video, and data. In addition, a media peripheral may also have a user interface supporting the exchange and consumption of media, and the user interface may be substantially the same interface as that of a set top box or a personal computer, having substantially the same look and feel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus to support exchange of media using a common user interface comprising:
 an interface configured to communicate with a user to receive user input to program a simulated television channel guide at a first location, in which the simulated television channel guide identifies one or more media channels listing media content for consumption; and   a media processing device configured to execute software to program the simulated television channel guide based on the user input, communicate the simulated television channel guide to a closed community of users at a plurality of locations for viewing the simulated television channel guide having the one or more media channels listing the media content for consumption by the closed community of users, and respond to an input selection at a second location of the closed community of users to access one of the media content selected by the input selection for consumption at the second location.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the media processing device is a set-top-box. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the media processing device is a television set. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the media processing device is a computer. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the media content is user-captured media content. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the media content is disposed at multiple locations. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the media content is stored on one or more peripheral devices coupled to the apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the simulated television channel guide includes listing of media content that is provided by a third party media provider. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the simulated television channel guide identifies plurality of media sources and respective media content stored on the plurality of media source. 
     
     
         10 . A method to support exchange of media using a common user interface comprising:
 receiving user input via an interface configured to communicate with a user at a first location to program a simulated television channel guide;   programming the simulated television channel guide based on the user input, in which the simulated television channel guide identifies one or more media channels listing media content for consumption;   communicating the simulated television channel guide to a closed community of users at a plurality of locations for viewing the simulated television channel guide having the one or more media channels listing the media content for consumption by the closed community of users; and   responding to an input selection at a second location of the closed community of users to access one of the media content selected by the input selection for consumption at the second location.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising providing to the second location one of the media content selected for consumption at the second location. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein when programming the simulated television channel guide, the simulated television channel guide identifies a plurality of content sources along one axis of a graphical presentation and media content stored by respective content sources along a different axis of the graphical representation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the simulated television channel guide lists user-captured media content. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the simulated television channel guide is presented in a graphical presentation to the closed community of users. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the simulated television channel guide is pushed to the closed community of users. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus to support exchange of media using a common user interface comprising:
 a graphical interface configured to communicate with a user to receive user input to program, at a first location, a channel guide having a look-and-feel of a television channel guide, in which the channel guide identifies one or more media channels listing media content for consumption; and   a processing device configured to execute software to program the channel guide based on the user input, communicate the channel guide as a common user interface to a closed community of users at a plurality of locations for viewing the channel guide for selection of media content for consumption by the closed community of users, and respond to a media content selection at a second location of the closed community of users to permit an access to the media content selected for consumption at the second location.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the processing device is included in a set-top-box. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the processing device is included in a television set. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the processing device is included in a computer. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the media content is stored on one or more peripheral devices coupled to the apparatus.