Multimedia controller

• US 7,339,493 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2004
• Issued: 03/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abdelsalam Ali Helal
• Original Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: El Zabadani, Hicham Mahmoud, Helal, Abdelsalam A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): AU, SCOTT D
• Application Number:
  US10/889,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20050062637A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,331 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.52, 340/310.11, 455/434, 455/420, 455/419, 455/462, 341/176
• US Class Current: 340/12.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/08 Elderly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0468 Built-in electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0062 Arrangements for scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0531 Measuring skin impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1113 Local tracking of patients, e.g. in a hospital or private home
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/005 with correlation of navigation data from several sources, e.g. map or contour matching G01C21/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• 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: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/00 : Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism healthcare informatics G16H
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 90/00 : Systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes, not involving significant data processing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19658 : Telephone systems used to communicate with a camera, e.g. PSTN, GSM, POTS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19684 : Portable terminal, e.g. mobile phone, used for viewing video remotely
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19697 : Arrangements wherein non-video detectors generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/025 : System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses absence of reply signal after an elapsed time
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0263 : System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the direction in which child or item is located
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0275 : Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS] tag technology used for parent or child unit, e.g. same transmission technology, magnetic tag, RF tag, RFID
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/028 : Communication between parent and child units via remote transmission means, e.g. satellite network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0283 : via a telephone network, e.g. cellular GSM
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/04 : responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons G08B21/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 : Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 : Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 : Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/006 : with transmission via telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 : Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 : using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/41 : Remote control of gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/42 : Transmitting or receiving remote control signals via a network
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 : Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/51 : Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/61 : Password, biometric
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 : Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 : Home automation 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 12/2836 : Protocol conversion between an external network and a home network controlling appliance services of a home automation network from a device located outside the home and the home network H04L12/2818; protocol conversion H04L69/08; adaptation of digital video signals for transport over a specific home network H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 : using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 : for remote control of appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 : according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 : according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 : according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72475 : specially adapted for disabled users
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 : including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10

Abstract

A portable communication device (200) can serve as a multimedia controller and can include a transceiver having wireless access to a client computer (510) coupled to a multimedia device (515, 520, and 525). The multimedia controller can also include a display (205) coupled to the transceiver (201), and a processor (202) coupled to the display and the transceiver. The processor can be programmed to send instructions to the client computer to perform at least one function among retrieving status information regarding the multimedia device, retrieving a program channel guide, controlling a recording function, selecting a program channel for display at the multimedia controller or selecting content from the client computer or a server coupled thereto for display at the multimedia controller. The processor can also be programmed to receive status information or content in response to sending instructions and to display the status information or content.

Claims

1. A multimedia controller, comprising:

a transceiver having wireless access to a client computer coupled to a number of multimedia devices;

a display coupled to the transceiver;

audio circuitry coupled to the transceiver;

a processor coupled to the display, audio circuitry, and the transceiver, wherein the processor receives and stores program instructions for;

sending instructions to the client computer to perform the functions of retrieving status information regarding the multimedia device, retrieving a program channel guide, controlling a recording function, selecting a program channel for display at the multimedia controller, and selecting content from the client computer or a server coupled thereto

receiving status information or content in response to sending instructions;

displaying the status information or content; and

rendering selected content received from the client computer or server, the content comprising visual content that is rendered on the display or audio content that is rendered through the audio circuitry;

a bus communicatively linked to transceiver, display, audio circuitry, and processor; and

a plurality of sensors communicatively linked through the bus to the processor, wherein the sensors include a transponder for tracking movements of a user within a smart environment and at least one of a code reader having an optical scanning device for reading bar codes, a combination heart-rate sensor and galvanic skin sensor for detecting an anxiety-related condition of the user, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor.

2. The multimedia controller of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is part of a cellular phone or a smart phone, with or without wireless LAN capability.

3. The multimedia controller of claim 1, wherein the multimedia device is selected from the group comprising a television set, LCD panel display, a video recorder, an MP3 player, a music player, and a picture viewer.

4. The multimedia controller of claim 1, wherein the status information or content received by multimedia controller is selected among television channel listings, music station channel listings, thumbnail sketches of channel listings, recording schedules, review multimedia status settings.

5. The multimedia controller of claim 1, wherein the wireless access to the client computer comprises a infrared connection from the multimedia controller to the client computer.

6. The multimedia controller of claim 1, wherein the wireless access to the client computer comprises a Universal Datagram Packet connection from the multimedia controller to the client computer.

7. The multimedia controller of claim 1, wherein the wireless access to the client comprises at least one transceiver that communicates with the client computer directly in a shorter range and alternatively communicates with the client computer via a wireless network.

8. A multimedia controller system, comprising:

a multimedia device;

a client computer coupled to the multimedia device; and

a multimedia controller used to wirelessly send instructions to the client computer to control the multimedia device, wherein the multimedia controller comprises;

a transceiver having wireless access to the client computer;

a display coupled to the transceiver;

audio circuitry coupled to the transceiver;

a processor coupled to the display, audio circuitry, and the transceiver, wherein the processor receives and stores program instructions for;

sending instructions to the client computer to perform he functions of retrieving status information regarding the multimedia device, retrieving a program channel guide, controlling a recording function, selecting a program channel for display at the multimedia controller, and selecting content from the client computer or a server coupled thereto;

receiving status information or content in response to sending instructions;

displaying the status information or content; and

rendering selected content received from the client computer or server, the content comprising visual content that is rendered on the display or audio content that is rendered through the audio circuitry;

a bus communicatively linked to transceiver, display, audio circuitry, and processor; and

a plurality of sensors communicatively linked through the bus to the processor, wherein the sensors include a transponder for tracking movements of a user within a smart environment and at least one of a code reader having an optical scanning device for reading bar codes, a combination heart-rate sensor and galvanic skin sensor for detecting an anxiety-related condition of the user a radio frequency identification (REID) sensor.

9. The multimedia controller system of claim 8, wherein the transceiver is part of a cellular phone or a smart phone.

10. The multimedia controller system of claim 8, wherein the multimedia device is selected from the group comprising a television set, an LCD Panel display, a video recorder, an MP3 player, a music player, and a picture viewer.

11. The multimedia controller system of claim 8, wherein the status information or content received by multimedia controller is selected among television channel listings, music station channel listings, thumbnail sketches of channel listings, recording schedules, review multimedia status settings.

12. The multimedia controller system of claim 8, wherein the wireless access to the client computer comprises a infrared connection from the multimedia controller to the client computer.

13. The multimedia controller system of claim 8, wherein the wireless access to the client computer comprises a Universal Datagram Packet connection from the multimedia controller to the client computer via a network.

14. The multimedia controller system of claim 8, wherein the wireless access to the client comprises at least one transceiver that communicates with the client computer directly in a shorter range and alternatively communicates with the client computer via a wireless network.

15. A method of remotely controlling a multimedia device, comprising the steps of:

programming instructions executable by a processor contained in a portable two-way communication device;

wirelessly transmitting the instructions using the portable two-way communication device to a client computer coupled to the multimedia device to control the multimedia device;

receiving by the portable two-way communication device status information or content in response to wirelessly transmitting instructions;

rendering the status information or content associated with the multimedia device at the portable two-way communication device; and

performing a plurality of sensing functions using a plurality of sensors communicatively linked to the processor, the sensors including a transponder for tracking movements of a user within a smart environment and at least one of a code reader having an optical scanning device for reading bar codes, a combination heart-rate sensor and galvanic skin sensor for detecting an anxiety-related condition of the user, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of transmitting instructions comprises transmitting a Universal Datagram Packet via a cellular phone to the client computer.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the multimedia device is selected from the group comprising a television set, a video recorder, an MP3 player, a music player, and a picture viewer.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of receiving comprises the step of receiving status information or content in the form selected among television channel listings, music station channel listings, thumbnail sketches of channel listings, recording schedules, multimedia status settings reviews.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of wirelessly transmitting comprises transmitting via an infrared connection to the client computer.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the steps of wirelessly transmitting and receiving comprises communicating directly with the client computer in a short range and alternatively communicating with the client computer using a wireless network coupled to the internet.