Fixed-function consumer-electronics device providing general-computing functions with virtual machines
View Patent ↗A universal appliance combines the benefits of a fixed-function CE device with the generality of a PC. The universal appliance includes a host environment for supporting fixed functions and virtual machines that can provide general computing capabilities (e.g., a Windows® OS). The user can select fixed functions and virtual machines for operation on the universal appliance. In some implementations, software environments, including the fixed functions and virtual machines, can be delivered by a universal appliance service provider over a network or other communication medium. The software environments for fixed functions and virtual machines can also be delivered by a removable or portable medium (e.g., a USB flash drive, compact disk, media player, mobile phone). Twenty-four hour server functions can be provided with the universal appliance to allow for automatic data backup, remote access to personal data and an Internet telephone that can accept calls 24 hours a day.
1. A method for providing a general-purpose computing function at a fixed-function consumer electronics (CE) device, comprising:
obtaining a virtual machine at the fixed-function CE device, wherein the fixed-function CE device includes hardware, a host operating system, a host user interface, a virtual machine monitor to execute virtual machines, and a set of fixed-functions that does not include a virtual machine monitor that is capable of executing virtual machines, wherein the host operating system interacts directly with the hardware, wherein the host user interface interacts directly with the host operating system, wherein the set of fixed-functions interact directly with the host user interface, wherein the virtual machine monitor interacts directly with the host user interface, wherein the fixed-function CE device allows a user to directly interact with the set of fixed-functions, but does not allow the user to directly interact with the host user interface, wherein the set of fixed-functions includes a television function, and wherein the set of fixed-functions do not include a general purpose computing function;
executing the virtual machine on the virtual machine monitor of the fixed-function CE device, wherein the virtual machine supports a general-purpose computing function, wherein the executing virtual machine provides the general purpose computing function, and wherein the fixed-function CE device allows the user to directly interact with the virtual machine executing on the virtual machine monitor; and
providing the set of fixed-functions and the general-purpose computing function to the user.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein obtaining the virtual machine at the fixed-function CE device includes reading the virtual machine from a portable storage medium attached to the fixed-function CE device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein obtaining the virtual machine at the fixed-function CE device includes receiving the virtual machine over a network coupled to the fixed-function CE device.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fixed-function CE device is a television.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fixed-function CE device is a set-top box.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fixed-function CE device is a game console.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the virtual machine includes an operating system.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the operating system is a version of a Windows® operating system.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the operating system is a version of a Mac OS® operating system.
10. A fixed-function consumer electronics (CE) device, comprising:
one or more processors; and
a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the fixed-function CE device to perform a method for providing a general-purpose computing function, the method comprising:
obtaining a virtual machine at the fixed-function CE device, wherein the fixed-function CE device includes hardware, a host operating system, a host user interface, a virtual machine monitor to execute virtual machines, and a set of fixed-functions that does not include a virtual machine monitor that is capable of executing virtual machines, wherein the host operating system interacts directly with the hardware, wherein the host user interface interacts directly with the host operating system, wherein the set of fixed-functions interact directly with the host user interface, wherein the virtual machine monitor interacts directly with the host user interface, wherein the fixed-function CE device allows a user to directly interact with the set of fixed-functions, but does not allow the user to directly interact with the host user interface, wherein the set of fixed-functions includes a television function, and wherein the set of fixed-functions do not include a general purpose computing function;
executing the virtual machine on the virtual machine monitor of the fixed-function CE device, wherein the virtual machine supports a general-purpose computing function, wherein the executing virtual machine provides the general purpose computing function, and wherein the fixed-function CE device allows the user to directly interact with the virtual machine executing on the virtual machine monitor; and
providing the set of fixed-functions and the general-purpose computing function to the user.
11. The fixed-function CE device of claim 10 , wherein obtaining the virtual machine at the fixed-function CE device includes reading the virtual machine from a portable storage medium attached to the fixed-function CE device.
12. The fixed-function CE device of claim 10 , wherein obtaining the virtual machine at the fixed-function CE device includes receiving the virtual machine over a network coupled to the fixed-function CE device.
13. The fixed-function CE device of claim 10 , wherein the fixed-function CE device is a television.
14. The fixed-function CE device of claim 10 , wherein the fixed-function CE device is a set-top box.
15. The fixed-function CE device of claim 10 , wherein the fixed-function CE device is a game console.
16. The fixed-function CE device of claim 15 , wherein the virtual machine includes an operating system.
17. The fixed-function CE device of claim 16 , wherein the operating system is a version of Windows® operating system.
18. The fixed-function CE device of claim 16 , wherein the operating system is a version of Mac OS® operating system.
19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a fixed-function consumer electronics (CE) device, cause the fixed-function CE device to perform a method for providing a general-purpose computing function, the method comprising:
obtaining a virtual machine at the fixed-function CE device, wherein the fixed-function CE device includes hardware, a host operating system, a host user interface, a virtual machine monitor to execute virtual machines, and a set of fixed-functions that does not include a virtual machine monitor that is capable of executing virtual machines, wherein the host operating system interacts directly with the hardware, wherein the host user interface interacts directly with the host operating system, wherein the set of fixed-functions interact directly with the host user interface, wherein the virtual machine monitor interacts directly with the host user interface, wherein the fixed-function CE device allows a user to directly interact with the set of fixed-functions, but does not allow the user to directly interact with the host user interface, wherein the set of fixed-functions includes a television function, and wherein the set of fixed-functions do not include a general purpose computing function;
executing the virtual machine on the virtual machine monitor of the fixed-function CE device, wherein the virtual machine supports a general-purpose computing function, wherein the executing virtual machine provides the general purpose computing function, and wherein the fixed-function CE device allows the user to directly interact with the virtual machine executing on the virtual machine monitor; and
providing the set of fixed-functions and the general-purpose computing function to the user.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19 ,
wherein the fixed-function CE device is one of: a television, a set-top box, or a game console, and
wherein the virtual machine includes an operating system that is one of: a version of Windows® operating system or a version of Mac OS® operating system.