Method and system for efficient communication

• US 10,104,425 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2018
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovation Sciences, LLC
• Original Assignee: Virginia Innovation Sciences, Inc. (Innovation Sciences, LLC)
• Inventors: Wang, Tiejun, Wang, Tiehong
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, Brandon J
• Application Number:
  US15/890,411
• Publication Number:
  US 20180167667A1
• Time in Patent Office: 251 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/20 Repeater circuits; Relay circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/61 for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43635 HDMI
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440218 by transcoding between formats or standards, e.g. from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 conversion of standards in analogue television systems H04N7/01
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/06 Optimizing the usage of the radio link, e.g. header compression, information sizing , discarding information system modifying transmission characteristic according to link quality by modifying frame length H04L1/0007; dynamic adaptation of the packet size for flow control or congestion control H04L47/365
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/047 using dedicated repeater stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for efficiently directing communications are disclosed. On example entails receiving, from a mobile terminal, a communication directed to a cellular communication network, the communication being received in an alternative channel that differs from a channel of the cellular communication network. The communication is then converted for a relayed communication to the cellular communication network on behalf of the mobile terminal, the relayed communication being made through the cellular communication network.

Claims

1. A wireless system for communicating information comprising:

a short range wireless receiver configured to receive a wireless signal from a sensing device through a short range wireless communication channel, the wireless signal comprising information corresponding to an identifier of the sensing device, the wireless signal being associated with a status update,

a network interface configured to communicate via a WiFi network, the WiFi network being separate from the short range wireless communication channel;

a processor configured to;

initiate communication, via the network interface, of information regarding the status update;

a wireless signal conversion unit, the wireless signal conversion unit including a decoder,

wherein the wireless system is configured to receive, via the WiFi network, a compressed wireless signal corresponding to information directed to the wireless system, the information comprising content of a call;

wherein the wireless signal conversion unit is configured to perform a conversion of the compressed wireless signal to accommodate production of the information;

wherein the decoder is configured to decompress the compressed wireless signal;

wherein the conversion includes decompressing the compressed wireless signal;

wherein the wireless system is configured to receive an instruction to make the call; and

wherein a configured data package comprises information for network address for the WiFi network and a device identifier for the wireless system, the configured data package is sent from a cellular phone in initiating communications that are directed to the wireless sytem.

2. The wireless system of claim 1, wherein the wireless system is configured to provide a network access for a user terminal.

3. The wireless system of claim 1, wherein the compressed wireless signal comprises a compressed video signal;

wherein the call is a video call; and

wherein the compressed wireless signal is converted to accommodate production of the video call on a display screen.

4. The wireless system of claim 1, wherein the wireless system is further configured to communicate a video from a video camera to a user terminal.

5. The wireless system of claim 1, wherein the compressed wireless signal comprises a compressed video signal;

wherein the compressed wireless signal is decompressed to a decompressed signal; and

wherein the decompressed signal is encoded for transmission through a high definition digital output interface.

6. The wireless system of claim 5, wherein the decompressed signal is encoded for transmission through the high definition digital output interface to accommodate production of the information on a display;

and wherein the display is a digital television.

7. The wireless system of claim 1, wherein the wireless signal is triggered by a detection of a change of a condition by the sensing device.

8. The wireless system of claim 1, wherein the short range wireless communication channel is a Zigbee channel.

9. The wireless system of claim 1, wherein the wireless system is further configured to communicate, via the WiFi network, information for managing the status update of an item based on the wireless signal triggered by a detection of a change of a condition of the item by the sensing device.

10. A wireless device, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

receiving an instruction to make a call to a mobile phone;

receiving, by the wireless device, via a WiFi network, a wireless signal corresponding to information directed to the wireless device, the information comprising content of the call;

wherein a configured data package is sent from a cellular phone in initiating communications directed to the wireless device, the configured data package comprising information for a network address of the WiFi network and a device identifier for the wireless device;

performing, by a wireless signal conversion unit including a decoder, conversion of the wireless signal to accommodate production of the information, the wireless signal being a compressed signal; and

decompressing, by the decoder, the wireless signal,

wherein said conversion comprises decompressing the wireless signal;

wherein the wireless signal conversion unit is included in the wireless device; and

wherein the network address for the WiFi network is associated with a unique identifier of the mobile phone.

11. The wireless device of claim 10, wherein the wireless device is further configured to communicate, via the WiFi network, information for managing a status update in connection with a short range wireless communication regarding the status update.

12. The wireless device of claim 10, wherein the wireless device is further configured to communicate, via the WiFi network, information for managing a status update based on a signal triggered by a detection of a change of a condition associated with the status update.

13. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein a replenishment of an inventory of an item is initiated based on the status update;

wherein the status update is about the item.

14. A mobile terminal comprising:

a wireless interface configured to communicate via a wireless network;

a high definition digital interface;

a high definition digital multimedia conversion circuit coupled to the wireless interface and configured to process a compressed high definition digital multimedia signal corresponding to high definition digital multimedia content;

a buffer coupled to the high definition digital multimedia conversion circuit;

a processor; and

a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

receiving, via the wireless interface, the compressed high definition digital multimedia signal appropriate for displaying the high definition digital multimedia content on the mobile terminal; and

storing the compressed high definition digital multimedia signal in the buffer,

wherein the high definition digital multimedia conversion circuit is further configured to decompress the compressed high definition digital multimedia signal retrieved from the buffer to generate a decompressed signal, the decompressed signal comprising a high definition digital video signal;

wherein the high definition digital multimedia conversion circuit is further configured to encode the decompressed signal to generate an encoded decompressed high definition digital signal; and

wherein the high definition digital interface is further configured to communicate the encoded decompressed high definition digital signal to accommodate production of the high definition digital multimedia content on an external display.

15. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the high definition digital multimedia conversion circuit comprises a decoder configured to decompress the compressed high definition digital multimedia signal;

and

wherein the high definition digital multimedia conversion circuit further comprises an encoder configured to encode the decompressed signal.

16. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the external display is a high definition digital television.

17. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the mobile terminal is a cellular phone.

18. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the high definition digital interface is a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI).

19. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the high definition digital interface is further configured to receive power.

20. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the high definition digital interface is further configured to receive power from the external display.

21. A wireless device for communicating multimedia information comprising:

a transceiver configured to receive, via a WiFi network, a wireless signal corresponding to the multimedia information directed to the wireless device, the multimedia information comprising a call with a cellular phone;

a display;

a wireless signal conversion unit coupled to the display, the wireless signal conversion unit including a decoder configured to perform conversion of the wireless signal to accommodate production of the multimedia information on the display; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to;

initiate transmission, via the transceiver, of a request for the multimedia information;

receive, via the transceiver, the wireless signal corresponding to the multimedia information;

wherein the wireless signal is a compressed signal;

wherein the decoder is configured to decompress the wireless signal, said conversion comprising decompressing the wireless signal;

wherein the wireless device is configured to receive an instruction to make the call to the cellular phone;

wherein a network address for the WiFi network is associated with a unique identifier of the cellular phone;

wherein the wireless signal comprises a video signal; and

wherein the call is a video call.

22. The wireless device of claim 21, wherein a configured data package comprises information for the network address for the WiFi network and a device identifier for the wireless device.

23. The wireless device of claim 21, wherein the wireless device is further configured to communicate, via the WiFi network, information for managing a status update in connection with a short range wireless communication regarding the status update.

24. The wireless device of claim 23, wherein the wireless device is further configured to receive the short range wireless communication;

and wherein the short range wireless communication comprises information corresponding to an identifier associated with a sensing device.

25. The wireless device of claim 21, wherein the wireless device is further configured to communicate, via the WiFi network, information for managing a status update of an item based on a signal triggered by a detection of a change of a condition of the item.

26. The wireless device of claim 21, wherein the display is a high definition digital television.

27. A wireless device for communicating information comprising:

a transceiver configured to communicate, via a WiFi network, a first wireless signal corresponding to a first call between the wireless device and another wireless device, wherein a network address for the WiFi network is associated with a device identifier of the wireless device;

wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive, via the WiFi network, a second wireless signal corresponding to information directed to the wireless device, the information comprising a second call with a cellular phone; and

wherein the first wireless signal is communication between the wireless device and the other wireless device based on the network address for the WiFi network and another network address associated with another device identifier for the other wireless device; and

a wireless signal conversion unit including a decoder configured to perform conversion of the second wireless signal to accommodate production of the information,

wherein the second wireless signal is a compressed signal; and

wherein the decoder is configured to decompress the second wireless signal, said conversion comprising decompressing the second wireless signal.

28. The wireless device of claim 27, wherein the wireless device is a relay point for a network communication for a user terminal.

29. The wireless device of claim 27, wherein a configured data package comprises information for the network address for the WiFi network and the device identifier for the wireless device.

30. The wireless device of claim 27, wherein the wireless device is further configured to communicate, via the WiFi network, information for managing a status update in connection with a short range wireless communication regarding the status update.

31. The wireless device of claim 27, wherein the wireless device is further configured to communicate, via the WiFi network, information for managing a status update of an item based on a signal triggered by a detection of a change of a status of the item.

32. The wireless device of claim 31, wherein the managing the status update of the item comprises a replenishment of an inventory of the item based on the status update.

33. The wireless device of claim 30, wherein wireless device is configured to notify a user of the status update based on a configuration setting;

and wherein the configuration setting specifies a method to notify the user.

34. A wireless device comprising:

sensing device, the wireless signal being associated with a status update;

a network interface configured to communicate via a WiFi network, the WiFi network being separate from the short range wireless communication channel; and

a processor coupled to the memory and configured to;

identify the sensing device based on the identifier; and

initiate communication, via the network interface, of information regarding the status update based on the wireless signal;

wherein the wireless device is further configured to receive a compressed digital multimedia signal corresponding to a multimedia content;

wherein the wireless device further comprises a decoder configured to decompress the compressed digital multimedia signal to a decompressed signal to accommodate production of the multimedia content on a digital display.

35. The wireless device of claim 34, wherein the status update is regarding a change of a condition detected by the sensing device.

36. The wireless device of claim 35, wherein the sensing device is dedicated to detect the change and transmit the wireless signal based on detection of the change.

37. The wireless device of claim 34, wherein the wireless device is configured to communicate the information regarding the status update according to a configuration setting;

and wherein the configuration setting specifies a method to notify a user of the status update.

38. The wireless device of claim 35, wherein the wireless device is configured to initiate a replenishment of an inventory of an item based on the status update, and wherein the status update is about the item.

39. The wireless device of claim 34, wherein the wireless device is further configured to receive a compressed high definition digital multimedia signal corresponding to a high definition multimedia content;

wherein the compressed high definition digital multimedia signal is decompressed to a decompressed signal; and

wherein the decompressed signal is encoded for transmission through a high definition digital output interface to accommodate production of the high definition multimedia content on a high definition digital television.

40. The wireless device of claim 34, wherein the short range wireless communication channel is a Zigbee communication channel.

41. The wireless device of claim 34, wherein a configured data package is sent from a cellular phone in initiating communications directed to the wireless device, the configured data package comprising information for a network address for the WiFi network and a device identifier for the wireless device.

42. The wireless device of claim 34, wherein the wireless device is configured to receive, through the WiFi network, a compressed wireless signal corresponding to information directed to the wireless device, the information comprising a call with a cellular phone,

wherein the wireless device is further configured to receive an instruction to make the call;

wherein a network address of the WiFi network is associated with a unique identifier of the cellular phone; and

a wireless signal conversion unit including a decoder configured to perform conversion of the compressed wireless signal to accommodate production of the information,

wherein the decoder is configured to decompress the compressed wireless signal, said conversion comprising decompressing the compressed wireless signal.

43. The wireless device of claim 34, wherein the wireless signal is a first wireless signal;

wherein the wireless device is configured to communicate, through the WiFi network, a second wireless signal corresponding to a first call between the wireless device and another wireless device, a network address for the WiFi network associated with a device identifier of the wireless device,

wherein the wireless device is further configured to receive, through the WiFi network, a third wireless signal corresponding to information directed to the wireless device, the information comprising a second call;

wherein the wireless device further comprises a wireless signal conversion unit including a decoder configured to perform a conversion of the third wireless signal to accommodate production of the information,

wherein the third wireless signal is a compressed signal;

wherein the decoder is configured to decompress the third wireless signal, said conversion comprising decompressing the third wireless signal;

and

wherein the second wireless signal is communicated between the wireless device and the other wireless device based on the network address for the WiFi network and another network address associated with another device identifier of the other wireless device.

44. A wireless device, comprising:

a network interface configured to communicate via a WiFi network, the WiFi network being separate from a short range wireless communication channel, a processor; and

a memory, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

storing an identifier of a sensing device for security monitoring;

receiving a wireless signal from the sensing device through the short range wireless communication channel, the wireless signal comprising information corresponding to an identifier of the sensing device, the wireless signal triggered by detection, by the sensing device, of a change of a condition;

identifying the sensing device based on the identifier; and

initiating communication, via the network interface, of information regarding a status update based on the wireless signal;

wherein the wireless device is further configured to receive a compressed digital multimedia signal corresponding to a multimedia content;

wherein the wireless device further comprises a decoder configured to decompress the compressed digital multimedia signal accommodate production of the multimedia content on a digital display.

45. A wireless device for communicating information comprising:

a transceiver configured to receive, via a WiFi network, a first wireless signal corresponding to information directed to the wireless device, the information comprising a call, the first wireless signal being a compressed signal, wherein the wireless device is configured to receive an instruction to make the call; and

a wireless signal conversion unit including a decoder configured to perform a conversion of the first wireless signal to accommodate production of the information,

wherein the decoder is configured to decompress the first wireless signal, said conversion comprising decompressing the first wireless signal;

wherein the wireless device is further configured to communicate information for managing a status update via the WiFi network in connection with a second wireless signal regarding the status update, the second wireless signal being transmitted from a sensing device via a short range wireless communication channel, the second wireless signal comprising information associated with an identifier for the sensing device; and

wherein the WiFi network is separate from the short range wireless communication channel.

46. The wireless device of claim 45, wherein the short range wireless communication channel is a Zigbee channel.

47. The wireless device of claim 45, wherein the first wireless signal comprises a compressed video signal;

wherein the call is a video call; and

wherein the first wireless signal is converted to accommodate production of the video call on a display.

48. The wireless device of claim 45, wherein a configured data package comprises information for the network address for the WiFi network and a device identifier for the wireless device.

49. The wireless device of claim 45, wherein the wireless device is further configured to receive the second wireless signal.

50. The wireless device of claim 45, wherein the status update is associated with an item;

wherein the sensing device is associated with the item; and

wherein the second wireless signal is triggered by a detection of a change of a condition of the item by the sensing device.

51. The wireless device of claim 45, wherein the first wireless signal comprises a compressed high definition digital video signal;

wherein the compressed high definition digital video signal is decompressed to a decompressed video signal by the decoder; and

wherein the decompressed video signal is encoded for transmission through a high definition digital output interface to accommodate production of the information on a high definition digital display.

52. The wireless device of claim 50, wherein the wireless device is configured to initiate a replenishment of an inventory of the item based on the status update;

wherein the wireless device further comprises a memory configured to store information about the inventory of the item, the information about the inventory of the item comprising information about a requirement of the item; and

wherein the memory is further configured to store payment information and a shipping address for processing the replenishment of the inventory of the item.

53. The wireless device of claim 45, wherein wireless device is configured to communicate the information for the managing the status update based on a configuration setting;

and wherein the configuration setting specifies a method to notify a user.

54. The wireless device of claim 53, wherein information regarding the status update is sent to a cellular phone according to the configuration setting;

and wherein the configuration setting comprises information corresponding to a phone number of the cellular phone.

55. A wireless system comprising:

a wireless interface configured to receive, via a wireless local area network, a first wireless signal corresponding to media content, the first wireless signal being a compressed signal;

a decoder configured to decompress the compressed signal to accommodate production of the media content, wherein the wireless system is further configured to receive a second wireless signal regarding a status update form the sensing device via a short range wireless communication channel, wherein the wireless local area network is separate from the short range wireless communication channel; and

a processor coupled to the wireless interface and configured to;

initiate transmission, via the wireless local are network, of a request for the media content;

receive, via the wireless local area network, the first wireless signal corresponding to the media content, and

communicate, via the wireless local area network, information associated with the status update,

wherein the second wireless signal comprises information corresponding to an identifier associated with the sensing device;

wherein the wireless interface is further configured to receive a third wireless signal corresponding to content of a call to a cellular phone; and

wherein the wireless system is further configured to receive an instruction to make the call to the cellular phone.