Portable electronic device configured to receive voice activated commands and to wirelessly manage or drive an output device

• US 10,162,596 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2016
• Issued: 12/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Flexiworld Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Flexiworld Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Chang, William Ho, Liu, Christina Ying
• Primary Examiner(s): Pollack, Melvin H
• Application Number:
  US15/201,194
• Publication Number:
  US 20160313974A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 709204
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/16 Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs coordinating program control therefor G06F9/52; in regulating and control system G05B
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/12 Digital output to print unit , e.g. line printer, chain printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1206 resulting in increased flexibility in input data format or job format or job type
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1226 Discovery of devices having required properties
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1247 by conversion to printer ready format
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/126 Job scheduling, e.g. queuing, determine appropriate device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1285 Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1292 Mobile client, e.g. wireless printing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3226 Use of secure elements separate from M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 : Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 : Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 2220/00 : Business processing using cryptography postage metering system using cryptography G06Q2250/05
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 : Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2809 : indicating that an appliance service is present in a home automation network monitoring functionality H04L43/0817; discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services, H04L67/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 : Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 : Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 : Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 : Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 : Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2478 : Telephone terminals specially adapted for non-voice services, e.g. email, internet access centralized arrangements where telephones services are combined H04M7/0024; for recording text messages H04M3/5322; for accessing Internet H04M3/4938
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 : locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices

Abstract

A portable electronic device configured for receiving voice activated commands for wirelessly managing or driving an output device. The output device may include, for example, a television, a controller connectable to a television, a printer, an audio output device, or a projector. The portable electronic device includes an interface that includes at least one button or other controls, a microphone, and wireless communication circuitry. Subsequent to establishing, within a physical proximity, a wireless connection to the output device using the wireless communication circuitry, the portable electronic device is operable for receiving an indication from a user via the interface, for wirelessly sending information to the output device related to the indication, and for wirelessly receiving data or component from the output device in response to having sent the information. Additionally, the portable electronic device is configured to receive voice activated commands from the user via the microphone.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device for wirelessly managing or driving an output device, comprising:

a microphone;

an interface for interacting with a user, the interface includes at least one button or other controls;

wireless communication circuitry for wireless communication with the output device; and

wherein the portable electronic device is operable to;

(1) receive, via the interface of the portable electronic device, at least an indication from the user, the indication related to managing or driving the output device;

(2) wirelessly send, via the wireless communication circuitry, information from the portable electronic device to the output device, the wirelessly sending of the information being based, at least in part, on having received the indication from the user in (1);

(3) wirelessly receive, via the wireless communication circuitry, data or a component from the output device, the wirelessly receiving of the data or the component from the output device being based, at least in part, on having wirelessly sent the information from the portable electronic device to the output device in (2);

(4) receive, via the microphone of the portable electronic device, a voice activated command subsequent to having wirelessly received the data or the component from the output device in (3); and

(5) wirelessly transmit, using the wireless communication circuitry, audio data or sound data from the portable electronic device to the output device, the audio data or sound data being related, at least partly, to the voice activated command received via the microphone in (4).

2. The portable electronic device of claim 1 in which the portable electronic device is a Bluetooth enabled controller device for managing or driving the output device, and wherein the interface for interacting with the user includes at least one of a button, a soft key, a touch sensitive screen, a keypad, a push button, or other controls, individually or in any combination.

3. The portable electronic device of claim 1 in which the portable electronic device is embodied as a digital pad or a smart phone, and the portable electronic device further includes software, that is executable by one or more processors at the portable electronic device, for wirelessly managing or wirelessly driving the output device.

4. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the output device comprises a television, or an output controller externally connected to a television, a projection device, or a sound output device, individually or in any combination.

5. The portable electronic device of claim 4, wherein the portable electronic device is further operable to wirelessly exchange information between the portable electronic device and the output device, the wirelessly exchanging of information includes repeating any combination of steps or operations in (2) and (3).

6. The portable electronic device of claim 5, wherein the wireless communication circuitry unit is includes one or more chips or chipsets, the one or more chips or chipsets support wireless communication that is compatible with at least one of the following, individually or in any combination:

(a) at least part of a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards, or

(b) at least part of a protocol within Bluetooth standards or Bluetooth technology.

7. The portable electronic device of claim 6, wherein the portable electronic device is further operable to:

(i) wirelessly detect, using the wireless communication circuitry, the output device, based, at least in part, on physical distance to the output device; and

(ii) wirelessly connect, using the wireless communication circuitry, to the output device that was wirelessly detected in (i); and

(iii) wirelessly transmit, using the wireless communication circuitry, audio data or sound data from the portable electronic device to the output device that was wirelessly connected in (ii), the audio data or the sound data being related, at least in part, to the received voice activated command in (4).

8. A non-transitory computer readable recording medium having recorded therein instructions executable by one or more processors at a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device including:

a microphone, an interface that includes at least a button or other controls for interacting with a user, and wireless communication circuitry for wireless communication with an output device, and wherein upon execution of at least part of the instructions by the one or more processors, the portable electronic device performs a method for wirelessly managing or wirelessly driving the output device, the method comprising;

(1) wirelessly detecting, using at least part of the wireless communication circuitry, an output device based, at least in part, on physical proximity of the portable electronic device to the output device;

(2) wirelessly connecting, using at least part of the wireless communication circuitry, to the output device that is wirelessly detected in (1);

(3) receiving, via the interface of the portable electronic device, at least an indication from the user, the indication being related to wirelessly managing or wirelessly driving the output device that is wirelessly connected in (2);

(4) wirelessly receiving, using at least part of the wireless communication circuitry, information or data from the output device, the wirelessly receiving of the information or data being subsequent to, or in response to, having received the at least an indication from the user in (3); and

(5) receiving a voice activated command, via the microphone of the portable electronic device, for controlling or managing or driving the output device that is wirelessly connected in (2).

9. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium of claim 8 in which the portable electronic device is embodied as a digital pad or a smart phone.

10. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium of claim 8 in which the portable electronic device is a Bluetooth enabled device for wirelessly controlling or wirelessly driving the output device and wherein the output device is embodied as one or more of (a) an output controller connectable to a television, or (b) a television, or (c) an audio output device, or (d) a projection device, or (e) a display device, individually or in any combination of (a) to (e).

11. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium of claim 8 wherein the wireless communication circuitry includes one or more chips or chipsets, the one or more chips or chipsets supporting wireless communication that is compatible with at least one of the following, individually or in any combination:

(a) at least part of a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards, or

(b) at least part of a protocol within Bluetooth standards or Bluetooth technology.

12. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium of claim 11 wherein the method further comprises sending first information from the portable electronic device to the output device using the wireless communication circuitry, the first information being subsequent to having received the indication via the interface in (3);

and wherein the information or data wirelessly received from the output device in (4) is in response to having sent the first information.

13. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium of claim 12 wherein the method further comprises wirelessly transmitting to the output device, using at least part of the wireless communication circuitry, audio data or sound data, the audio data or the sound data is related, at least in part, to the voice activated command received via the microphone in (5).

14. A wireless communication circuitry included in a portable electronic device for wireless communication with a wireless output device, the portable electronic device supporting voice activated commands for managing or driving the wireless output device;

and wherein the wireless communication circuitry included in the portable electronic device is configured to;

(1) wirelessly detect, using at least part of the wireless communication circuitry, a wireless output device based, at least in part, on physical distance of the wireless communication circuitry to the wireless output device;

(2) wirelessly connect, using at least part of the wireless communication circuitry, to the wireless output device detected in (1);

(3) wirelessly send, using at least part of the wireless communication circuitry, first information from the portable electronic device to the wireless output device connected in (2);

(4) wirelessly receive, using at least part of the wireless communication circuitry, second information from the wireless output device connected in (2), the wirelessly receiving of the second information being subsequent to, or in response to, having wirelessly sent the first information in (3); and

wherein subsequent to the portable electronic device receiving a voice activated command from a user of the portable electronic device, the wireless communication circuitry is further operable to wirelessly transmit, to the wireless output device connected in (2), audio data or sound data related, at least in part, to the voice activated command.

15. The wireless communication circuitry of claim 14, wherein the portable electronic device includes a microphone and the receiving of the voice activated command from the user is via the microphone of the portable electronic device, and wherein the portable electronic device further includes an interface for interacting with the user, the interface includes at least one of a button, a soft key, a touch sensitive screen, a keypad, a push button, or other controls, individually or in any combination.

16. The wireless communication circuitry of claim 15, wherein the first information wirelessly sent from the portable electronic device to the wireless output device connected in (2) is subsequent to having received, via the interface of the portable electronic device, at least an indication from the user.

17. The wireless communication circuitry of claim 15 in which the portable electronic device is a Bluetooth enabled device for managing, driving, or controlling the wireless output device by wireless communication, and wherein the wireless output device is at least one of a television or an output controller that is externally connectable to a television, or a display screen, or a projection device, or an audio output device, individually or in any combination.

18. The wireless communication circuitry of claim 17, wherein the second information includes at least one of data, a component, attribute information, user interface information, or status information, individually or in any combination.

19. The wireless communication circuitry of claim 14, wherein the wireless communication circuitry includes one or more chips or chipsets, the one or more chips or chipsets support wireless communication that is compatible with at least one of the following, individually or in any combination:

(a) at least part of a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards, or

(b) at least part of a protocol within Bluetooth standards or Bluetooth technology.

20. The wireless communication circuitry of claim 19 in which the portable electronic device is embodied as a digital pad or a smart phone, and the portable electronic device further includes software that is executable by one or more processors at the portable electronic device for managing or driving the wireless output device.