System and method for using a webpad to control a data stream

• US 20060031549A1
• Filed: 04/25/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Callahan Cellular LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Edwards, Bruce, Janik, Craig M., Ferguson, Josh, Kalayjian, Nick
• Granted Patent: US 7,904,579 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/57 for mobile receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/71 Wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/33 via the broadcast channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/43 for identifying broadcast channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/64 for providing detail information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/80 characterised by transmission among terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/88 which are wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/90 Wireless transmission systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/91 Mobile communication networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/85
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/96 CATV systems for accessing the Internet H04H60/86
• 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 65/61 for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• 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 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• 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 21/43637 : involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 : involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/658 : Transmission by the client directed to the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8133 : specifically related to the content, e.g. biography of the actors in a movie, detailed information about an article seen in a video program
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 : Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices

Abstract

A system and method for using a webpad to select a target device which is to receive from a source device a stream of a digital representation of a media. The webpad is used to send a transmission to the source device to cause the source device to route the stream of the digital representation of the media to the target device where the target device decodes and converts the digital representation of the media into analog signals to thereby allow for a reproduction of the media.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a local area network (LAN);

a device coupled to the LAN adapted to stream a digital representation of a media;

a webpad coupled to the LAN having an application adapted to decode and convert the digital representation of the media into analog signals; and

a digital converter coupled to the LAN having an application adapted to decode and convert the digital representation of the media into analog signals;

wherein the webpad further comprises a control application for use in sending commands to the device to cause the device to stream the digital representation of the media to at least one of the webpad or the digital converter.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the control application causes a GUI application to be displayed to a user whereby a user may interact with the GUI application to cause the device to stream the digital representation of the media to at least one of the webpad or the digital converter.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the GUI application displays a playlist to the user.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the digital audio converter is adapted to communicate the audio signals to a stereo system.

5. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the webpad comprises an adapter module attached to a personal digital assistant, the adapter module being used to exchange communications with the device and the personal digital assistant being used as an interface to command the adapter module.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the device comprises a computer.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the device sends ancillary data related to the digital representation of the media to the webpad.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the Webpad comprises a remote control application for issuing wireless commands to one or more appliances to thereby command operational functions of the one or more appliances.

9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the Webpad comprises an infrared transmitter for issuing wireless commands.

10. A method comprising:

receiving into a webpad a command which functions to select a target device which is to receive from a source device, via a local area network (LAN), a stream of a digital representation of a media;

sending a transmission from the webpad to the source device to cause the source device to route the stream of the digital representation of the media to the target device; and

decoding and converting the digital representation of the media at the target device into analog signals to thereby allow for a reproduction of the media.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, comprising displaying to a user a GUI application on the webpad whereby a user may interact with the GUI application to cause the webpad to issue a transmission to direct the source device to stream the digital representation of the media to the target device.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the GUI application displays a playlist to the user.

13. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the webpad comprises an adapter module attached to a personal digital assistant, the adapter module being used to exchange communications with the source device and the personal digital assistant being used as an interface to command the adapter module.

14. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the source device comprises a computer.

15. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the source device sends ancillary data related to the digital representation of the media to the webpad.