RECEIVING BROADCAST SIGNALS USING INTELLIGENT COVERS FOR MOBILE DEVICES
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for receiving broadcast signals using intelligent covers. In some implementations, a cover for a consumer device includes side surfaces, a rear surface, a physical interface, a circuit, and a broadcast service card. The side surfaces and a rear surface form an opening that receives at least a portion of a consumer device. A first portion of at least one of the surfaces includes a connector for connecting to a port of the consumer device. The circuit connects the physical interface to the connector. The broadcast service card connects to the physical interface and receives broadcasted content independent of the consumer device.
1 . A cover for a consumer device, comprising:
side surfaces configured to be adjacent at least a portion one or more side surfaces of the consumer device;
a rear surface configured to be adjacent at least a portion of a rear surface of the consumer device and connected to the side surfaces, the side surfaces and the rear surface form an opening that receives at least a portion of the consumer device, a first portion of at least one of the surfaces includes a connector for connecting to a port of the consumer device;
the connector that includes a first interface that connects to the port of the consumer device and second interface that substantially duplicates an original port of the consumer device;
a physical interface included in at least one of the surfaces that receives memory devices external to the consumer device;
a circuit integrated within at least one of the surfaces and that connects the physical interface to the connector; and
a broadcast service card connected to the physical interface and that receives broadcast content independent of the consumer device.
2 . The cover of claim 1 , wherein the physical interface that receives an external memory device comprises a microSecureDigital (microSD) slot.
3 . The cover of claim 1 , the circuit further comprising a conversion module that converts signals between a form compatible with the broadband service card and a form compatible with the consumer device.
4 . The cover of claim 3 , wherein the conversion module converts between a SD signal and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) signal.
5 . The cover of claim 1 , the consumer device comprising an iPhone, the connector comprising an iDock connector.
6 . The cover of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the side surfaces are substantially arcuate to substantially maintain a shape and dimensions of the consumer device.
7 . The cover of claim 1 , wherein the broadband service card comprises:
a communication module that wirelessly receives broadcast signals encoding content;
memory that stores user information used to decrypt the encoded content independent of the mobile host device, the stored information associated with a content provider; and
a service module that decrypts the encoded content in response to at least an event and presents the content through the GUI of the mobile host device.
8 . The service card of claim 1 , the broadcast signals comprise at least one of satellite broadcast signals, terrestrial broadcast signals, or IP broadcast signals.
9 . The service card of claim 1 , wherein the service module comprises an operating system with a runtime environment that executes a locally-stored broadcast application for receiving the content independent of the mobile host device.
10 . The service card of claim 1 , wherein a user-interface module that presents information associated with receiving the content through the GUI of the mobile host device.
11 . The service card of claim 6 , wherein the user-interface module further presents a request for user identification including at least one of a Personal Identification Number (PIN), user ID and password, or biometric signature through the GUI of the mobile host device, the service module further verifies the submitted user identification with user identification locally stored in the secure memory prior to accessing foreign services.
12 . The service card of claim 1 , wherein the service module selectively switches a broadcast receiver between an activate state and an inactivate state in response to at least an event.
13 . The service card of claim 8 , wherein the switching event includes a selection through a GUI of the mobile host device.
14 . The service card of claim 1 , wherein the service module further comprises a protocol translation module that translates signals from broadcast content to content processable by the mobile host device.
15 . The service card of claim 1 , further comprising an authentication module that authenticates at least one of a network of the mobile host device, the mobile host device, or a user.
16 . The service card of claim 1 , wherein the service card is initialized in response to at least insertion in the port of the mobile host device.
17 . The service card of claim 1 , further comprising an activation module that activates the service card in response to at least a user request or an initial insertion into the mobile host device.
18 . The service card of claim 15 , wherein the service card is activated based, at least in part, on a user manually entering an activation code through the GUI of the mobile host device.
19 . The service card of claim 1 , wherein the service card presents the content through the GUI independent of loading a driver onto the mobile host device.
20 . The service card of claim 1 , wherein the service card emulates a set-top box when receiving broadcast signals.
21 . The service card of claim 1 , further comprising a power module that receives power from the mobile host device.
22 . The service card of claim 1 , wherein an enterprise at least associated with the content provider uploads personalization data prior to activation, wherein the personalization data includes the user information and a broadcast application.
23 . The service card of claim 18 , the service module further operable to update the personalization data after activation in response to at least one of a wireless signal including secure update instructions or a wired signal through a client connected to the service card.
24 . A method, comprising:
enclosing at least a portion of a consumer host device using a cover;
physically interfacing a port of the consumer host device using the cover;
wirelessly receiving broadcast signals encoding content;
storing user information used to decrypt the encoded content independent of the mobile host device, the stored information associated with a content provider; and
decrypting the encoded content in response to at least an event; and
presenting the content through the GUI of the mobile host device.
25 . The method of claim 24 , the broadcast signals comprise at least one of satellite broadcast signals, terrestrial broadcast signals, or IP broadcast signals.
26 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising executing a locally-stored broadcast application for receiving the content independent of the mobile host device.
27 . The method of claim 24 , wherein a user-interface module that presents information associated with receiving the content through the GUI of the mobile host device.
28 . A system, comprising:
a means for enclosing at least a portion of a consumer host device using a cover;
a means for physically interfacing a port of the consumer host device using the cover;
a means for wirelessly receiving broadcast signals encoding content;
a means for storing user information used to decrypt the encoded content independent of the mobile host device, the stored information associated with a content provider;
a means for decrypting the encoded content in response to at least an event; and
a means for presenting the content through the GUI of the mobile host device.