Information processing device

• US 20050170859A1
• Filed: 01/10/2005
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Miyata, Katsuya, Koike, Atsushi
• Application Number:
  US11/033,421
• Publication Number:
  US 20050170859A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/550.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/72 of terrestrial networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/80 characterised by transmission among terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/91 Mobile communication networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/85
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0261 managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• 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: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A handheld electronic device configured to be operated while being held on a user'"'"'s hand including a first communication unit configured to transmit first data signals to a portable electronic device via a first communication link, the portable electronic device being configured to receive the first data signals from the handheld electronic device and generate sounds or images; a second communication unit configured to receive second data signals from a remote communication device via a second communication link, wherein the first data signals transmitted to the portable electronic device are generated using the second data signals received from the remote communication device; and a control unit configured to monitor a communication condition between the first communication unit and the portable electronic device as data signals are being received from the remote communication device via the second communication link. Termination of the second communication link is initiated if the communication condition is determined to be unsatisfactory.

Claims

1. A handheld electronic device configured to be operated while being held on a user'"'"'s hand, the device comprising:

a first communication unit configured to transmit first data signals to a portable electronic device via a first communication link, the portable electronic device being configured to receive the first data signals from the handheld electronic device and generate sounds or images;

a second communication unit configured to receive second data signals from a remote communication device via a second communication link, wherein the first data signals transmitted to the portable electronic device are generated using the second data signals received from the remote communication device; and

a control unit configured to monitor a communication condition between the first communication unit and the portable electronic device as data signals are being received from the remote communication device via the second communication link,

wherein termination of the second communication link is initiated if the communication condition is determined to be unsatisfactory.

2. The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first data signals and the second data signals are substantially the same.

3. The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is an audio device, the first data signals being audio signals, and the second data signals including both audio and video signals.

4. The handheld electronic device of claim 3, wherein the audio device is a headset or includes an earphone

5. The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein the remote communication device is a content distribution server or a relay station coupled to the content distribution server.

6. The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein the remote communication device is a server and the control unit is configured to send a request to the server to stop transmitting the data signals to the second communication unit if the communication condition is determined to be unsatisfactory.

7. The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein the remote communication device is a server and the control unit is configured to cause the second communication unit from stop receiving the data signals from the server if the communication condition is determined to be unsatisfactory.

8. The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein the handheld electronic device is a mobile telephone or a personal digital assistant.

9. The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein the communication condition is determined to be unsatisfactory if the first communication link is terminated.

10. The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is battery power operated, wherein the communication condition is determined to be unsatisfactory if the battery power remaining on the portable electronic device is less than a given value.

11. The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein the remote communication device includes a recording device and the control unit sends a request to the remote communication device to record data signals to be transmitted to the second communication unit if the communication condition is determined to be unsatisfactory

12. The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein the handled electronic device is configured to provide a telephone call and the control unit sends a request signal to the remote communication device to disconnect the telephone call if the communication condition is determined to be unsatisfactory.

13. The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to reinitiate the second communication link between the remote communication device and the second communication unit if the communication condition between the portable electronic device and the first communication is subsequently determined to be satisfactory.

14. The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein portable electronic devices includes a display area to display an image generated using the first data signals received from the handheld electronic device, the portable electronic device being configured to receive power from an external power source.

15. The handheld electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second data signals are broadcast signals relating to a program, wherein the handheld device is configured to send a request to the remote server to record the program at a remote server side if the communication condition between the first communication unit and the portable electronic device is determined to be unsatisfactory.

16. An portable electronic device configured to receive broadcast signals, the device comprising:

a first communication unit which transfers broadcast signals received from a broadcast station to another portable electronic device, the received broadcast signals relating to a program;

a second communication unit configured to communicate with a remote server; and

a control unit which performs a procedure for detecting communication condition between the first communication unit and the another portable electronic device,

wherein a request is sent to the remote server to record the program at a remote server side if the communication condition is determined to be unsatisfactory.

17. The portable electronic device of claim 16, wherein the portable electronic device is a handheld device, wherein the determination of the communication condition is performed while the broadcast signals are being received by the portable electronic device.

18. A communication system, comprising:

a handheld device including a communication interface to communicate with an external device and a processor to control operations of the handheld device;

a portable electronic device configured to receive first data signals from the handheld device,

means for receiving second data signals from a remote communication device, the second data signals being received by the handheld device;

means for transmitting the first data signals from the handheld device to the portable electronic device, the first data signals being generated using the second data signals received from the remote communication device;

means for determining communication condition between the handheld device and the portable electronic device while the second data signals are being received by the handheld device; and

means for performing a predefined action if the communication condition is determined to be unsatisfactory.

19. A method for operating a handheld device configured to be operated while being held on a user'"'"'s hand, the method comprising:

receiving first data signals from a remote communication device;

transmitting second data signals to a portable electronic device, the second data signals being generated using the first data signals;

determining communication condition between the handheld device and the portable electronic device while the first data signals are being received from the remote communication device; and

performing a predefined action if the communication condition between the handheld device and the portable electronic device is determined to be unsatisfactory.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first data signals and the second data signals are substantially the same.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the first data signals includes audio and video signals and the second data signals correspond to the audio signals of the first data signals.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the predefined action involves terminating a communication link between the remote communication device and the handheld device, so that the first data signals would not be received by the handheld device.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the first data signals relate to a program, and the predefined action involves sending a request to a remote server to record the program, so that the recorded program may be viewed or listen to at a later time by a user.