Communications via a receiving device network

• US 10,104,524 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2017
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dish Technologies LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Dish Technologies LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Phuc H., Bruhn, Christopher William
• Primary Examiner(s): Karikari, Kwasi
• Application Number:
  US15/417,076
• Publication Number:
  US 20170142545A1
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/18 Management of setup rejection or failure
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

Embodiments are directed toward communication of voice data via a first receiving device using at least three non-overlapping networks. The communication includes receiving at the first receiving device a call request from a first communications device via a first personal area network. The call request identifies a second receiving device. The first receiving device is configured to output first video data and first audio data to at least one first presentation device. The communication also includes communicating voice data between the first communications device and the first receiving device via the first personal area network, and communicating the voice data between the first receiving device and the second receiving device via a receiving device network. The second receiving device is configured to output second video data and second audio data to at least one second presentation device. The communication also includes communicating the voice data between the second receiving device and a second communications device via a second personal area network.

Claims

1. A method to communicate voice data via a first receiving device using at least three non-overlapping networks, comprising:

receiving at the first receiving device a call request from a first communications device via a first personal area network, the call request identifying a second receiving device, the first receiving device configured to output first video data and first audio data to at least one first presentation device;

communicating voice data between the first communications device and the first receiving device via the first personal area network;

communicating the voice data between the first receiving device and the second receiving device via a receiving device network, the second receiving device configured to output second video data and second audio data to at least one second presentation device;

communicating the voice data between the second receiving device and a second communications device via a second personal area network; and

providing an indication of unavailability to receive voice data communications during presentation of the second video data and the second audio data.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the first personal area network and the second personal area network follows a BLUETOOTH protocol or an IEEE wireless protocol.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first personal area network and the second personal area network follow different wireless protocols.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising:

delaying voice data communications until the second receiving device provides an indication of availability.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the indication of availability is associated with an amount of time remaining in a presentation of the second video data and the second audio data.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the indication of availability is associated with a detection of a certain communications device proximate to the second receiving device.

7. A system to communicate voice data, comprising:

communication apparatus that implements three non-overlapping networks, the communication apparatus including;

a first receiving device and a first communications device communicatively coupled by a first network of the three non-overlapping networks, wherein the first network is a personal area network, and wherein the first receiving device is configured to output first video data and first audio data to at least one first presentation device; and

a second receiving device and a second communications device communicatively coupled by a second network of the three non-overlapping networks, wherein the first receiving device and the second receiving device are communicatively coupled by a third network of the three non-overlapping networks, wherein the second network is a personal area network, wherein the third network is a local area network, and wherein the second receiving device is configured to output second video data and second audio data to at least one second presentation device,

wherein the first receiving device is arranged to receive a call request from the first communications device via the first network, the call request identifying the second receiving device, wherein the first receiving device is arranged to communicate voice data between the first receiving device and the second receiving device via the third network, wherein the second receiving device is arranged to communicate the voice data between the second receiving device and the second communications device via the second network, and wherein the communication apparatus is arranged to provide an indication of unavailability to receive voice data communications during presentation of the second video data and the second audio data.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein each of the first network and the second network follows a BLUETOOTH protocol or an IEEE wireless protocol.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the first network and the second network follow different wireless protocols.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the communication apparatus is arranged to delay voice data communications until the communication apparatus provides an indication of availability.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the indication of availability is associated with an amount of time remaining in a presentation of the second video data and the second audio data.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the indication of availability is associated with a detection of a certain communications device proximate to the second receiving device.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium whose stored contents configure a computing system to perform a method to distribute voice communications, the method comprising:

initializing a first transceiver to communicate on a first network of three networks, the first network communicatively coupling a first receiving device with a first communications device, wherein the first network is a first personal area network, and wherein the first receiving device is configured to output first video data and first audio data to at least one first presentation device;

initializing a second transceiver to communicate on a second network of the three networks, the second network communicatively coupling the first receiving device with a second receiving device, wherein the second network is a local area network, wherein the second receiving device is configured to output second video data and second audio data to at least one second presentation device, wherein the second receiving device is configured to communicate with a second communications device on a third network of the three networks, and wherein the third network is a second personal area network;

accepting input data via the first network from the first communications device, the input data identifying the second communications device;

indicating via the first communication device a status of unavailability of the second receiving device or the second communications device; and

if the second receiving device or the second communications device are not unavailable, communicating voice data received between the first receiving device and the second receiving device on the second network, the voice data arranged for communication between the first receiving device and the first communications device on the first network, and the voice data arranged for communication between the second receiving device and the second communications device on the third network.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13 whose stored contents configure the computing system to perform the method, wherein the first network and the third network each follow a BLUETOOTH protocol.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13 whose stored contents configure the computing system to perform the method, wherein at least one of the first network and the third network follows an IEEE wireless protocol.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13 whose stored contents configure the computing system to perform the method, wherein indicating via the first communication device a status of unavailability of the second receiving device or the second communications device includes directing an output via at least one annunciator arranged to illuminate, vibrate, or output a sound.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 16 whose stored contents configure the computing system to perform the method, wherein the first receiving device is arranged to indicate the status of unavailability for a first amount of time.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 17 whose stored contents configure the computing system to perform the method, the method further comprising:

setting a timer, the timer arranged to count down the first amount of time; and

repeating, with the first receiving device, a request to communicate with the second receiving device when the timer expires.