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

• US 8,078,751 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2011
• Issued: 12/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Callahan Cellular LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Viviana Research LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Janik, Craig M., Kalayjian, Nick, Edwards, Bruce, Ferguson, Josh
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAW, PELING ANDREW
• Application Number:
  US13/031,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20110145721A1
• Time in Patent Office: 295 Days
• Field of Search: 709230-231, 709/217, 709/219, 725/81, 345/156, 345/2.2
• 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 method comprising:

receiving, at a remote device, a user selection of a target device to receive a stream of digital media from a source device via a local area network (LAN); and

in response to the user selection, sending a wireless transmission from the remote device to the source device to cause the source device to route the stream of digital media to the target device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote device is a hand-held webpad device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the target device is configured to decode and convert the stream of digital media into analog signals to create a reproduction of the digital media.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising decoding and converting, at the remote device, the stream of digital media into analog signals to create a reproduction of the digital media.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) on the remote device, and wherein the step of receiving a user selection comprises receiving the user selection via the GUI.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the GUI is configured to display a playlist comprising a list of digital media.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote device comprises an adapter module configured for communication with a personal digital assistant, the method further comprising exchanging, via the adapter module, wirelessly transmitted communications between the source device and the personal digital assistant.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the source device comprises a personal computer.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, at the remote device, ancillary data related to the stream of digital media from the source device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the ancillary data comprises an ancillary content link, and wherein the ancillary content link comprises a link to a webpage that relates to subject matter of the stream of digital media.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising displaying the ancillary data via a user interface.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving an input requesting more information about the ancillary data.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting a message that causes a server to aggregate information related to the ancillary data and present the aggregated information via a webpage.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, at the remote device, a control input, wherein the control input is configured to control at least one of playback of the digital media at the target device or transmission of the stream of digital media to the target device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the control input comprises an input to start the playback, stop the playback, pause the playback, or skip to a subsequent track.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising sending a command to the target device to effect the playback of the digital media in accordance with the control input.

17. An apparatus comprising:

a user interface configured to receive an input from a user; and

a control application configured to;

initiate and control a stream of digital media from a source device; and

select an intended target device for the stream of digital media from the source device based on the received input from the user.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus comprises a hand-held webpad device.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a processor configured to decode and convert the stream of digital media into analog signals to create a reproduction of the digital media.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the user interface is configured to display a playlist comprising a list of digital media.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising an adapter module configured for communication with a personal digital assistant, wherein the adapter module is configured to exchange wirelessly transmitted communications between the source device and the personal digital assistant.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the source device comprises a personal computer.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the user interface is further configured to receive ancillary data related to the stream of digital media from the source device.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the ancillary data comprises an ancillary content link, and wherein the ancillary content link comprises a link to a webpage that relates to subject matter of the stream of digital media.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the user interface is configured to display the ancillary data.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the user interface is further configured to receive an input requesting more information about the ancillary data.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit a message that causes a server to aggregate information related to the ancillary data and present the aggregated information via a webpage.

28. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the user interface is further configured to receive a control input configured to control at least one of playback of the digital media at the target device or transmission of the stream of digital media to the target device.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the control input comprises an input to start the playback, stop the playback, pause the playback, or skip to a subsequent track.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising a transmitter configured to send a command to the target device to effect the playback of the digital media in accordance with the control input.

31. A tangible computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:

receiving a user selection of an intended target device to receive a stream of digital media from a source device via a local area network (LAN); and

in response to the user selection, sending a wireless transmission to the source device to cause the source device to route the stream of digital media to the intended target device.

32. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the tangible computer-readable medium is embodied in a hand-held webpad device.

33. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the intended target device is configured to decode and convert the stream of digital media into analog signals to create a reproduction of the digital media.

34. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the instructions, upon execution by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations further comprising decoding and converting the stream of digital media into analog signals to create a reproduction of the digital media.

35. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the instructions, upon execution by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations further comprising displaying a graphical user interface (GUI), and wherein the step of receiving a user selection comprises receiving the user selection via the GUI.

36. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein the GUI is configured to display a playlist comprising a list of digital media.

37. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the instructions, upon execution by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations further comprising receiving ancillary data related to the stream of digital media from the source device.

38. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the ancillary data comprises an ancillary content link, and wherein the ancillary content link comprises a link to a webpage that relates to subject matter of the stream of digital media.

39. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the instructions, upon execution by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations further comprising displaying the ancillary data via a user interface.

40. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 39, wherein the instructions, upon execution by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations further comprising, in response to receiving an input requesting more information about the ancillary data, transmitting a message that causes a server to aggregate information related to the ancillary data and present the aggregated information via a webpage.

41. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the instructions, upon execution by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations further comprising controlling at least one of playback of the digital media at the target device or control transmission of the stream of digital media to the target device in response to receiving a control input via a user interface.

42. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 41, wherein the control input comprises an input to start the playback, stop the playback, pause the playback, or skip to a subsequent track.

43. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 41, wherein the instructions, upon execution by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations further comprising sending a command to the target device to effect the playback of the digital media in accordance with the control input.