Architecture for optimizing audio and video output states for multimeda devices

• US 20040128402A1
• Filed: 03/21/2003
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc. (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Weaver, David John, Mengel, William Henry, Pesce, Lawrence Carl
• Granted Patent: US 7,447,815 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2821 Avoiding conflicts related to the use of home appliances cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; protocols for network security H04L63/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4108 characterised by an identification number or address, e.g. local network address protecting specific internal or external computer components using identification number G06F21/73; network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• 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 21/4852 for modifying audio parameters, e.g. switching between mono and stereo
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4854 for modifying image parameters, e.g. image brightness, contrast

Abstract

An architecture (102) for automatically optimizing audio and video modes available from interconnected multimedia devices (250). When one multimedia device (102) is connected with another multimedia device (250), the devices communicate with each other to determine the modes available from both devices. The devices then compare the different combinations of available audio and video modes and determine which mode combination yields the optimal operating efficiency for outputting a media service.

Claims

1. A system for automatically optimizing audio and video operating modes for output by multimedia devices, comprising:

a microprocessor (226) for controlling modes and functional segments of a multimedia device (102);

a feature registry (236) comprising information referring to said audio and video modes available for output from said multimedia device (102); and

a processor (240) providing a selected optimized output mode from audio and video modes available for output in response to an instruction from said microprocessor (226).

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said optimization considers a characteristic of a media service in determining said selected optimized mode.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said characteristic of said media service is at least one of:

medium of said media service, encoding type, and bit rate of said media service.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said feature registry (236) is a functional segment of said multimedia device (102).

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor (240) is a functional segment of said multimedia device (102).

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said microprocessor (226) selects said selected optimized output state by generating permutations of said available audio and video modes.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said microprocessor (226) compares said permutations with a predetermined hierarchical list ranking combinations of audio and video modes.

8. The system of claim 1, additionally comprising a plurality of connected multimedia devices (250).

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a data interface (228) for communicating with said multimedia device (102), wherein said data interface/controller is a functional segment of said multimedia device (102).

10. The system of claim 9, wherein:

said data interface (228) communicates with said plurality of connected multimedia devices (250) via use of at least one of metadata, device ID, mode ID, and operation command.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein:

said multimedia device (102) receives a maintenance upgrade via said data interface (228) for updating said available audio and video output modes, wherein said upgrade is at least one of;

adding an audio or video output mode, and deleting an audio or video mode output mode.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said multimedia device (102) receives

a communication from a plurality of connected multimedia devices (250), said communication being at least one of:

a parameter of an electric circuit and a change in said parameter of an electric circuit.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a graphical user interface (GUI 224) for selecting a media service via an electronic programming guide.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a graphical user interface (GUI 224) for manipulating said multimedia device (102).

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said manipulating said multimedia device (102) by means of least one of:

adjusting audio volume, powering on or off said multimedia device (102), establishing shortcuts for a favorite media service, and forcing an available audio or video output mode.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein said microprocessor (226) selects sub-optimal modes when a media service is incompatible with said optimal modes.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said microprocessor (226) is combined with a functional segment.